When I was homeschooling my son, my life was seriously like this 👆 circus performer. He was a handful–now he’s in college, having to spin his own plates now.
But of course, me being me, I’ve picked up some new plates….🐙
These days, I’m working on several projects concurrently.
I’ve been working promoting Trunk of Scrolls. Sales in the first 3 months since launch were amazing. It stayed at top spot since launch. (BTW-I am looking for some podcast attention–If you know of a podcaster or influencer who might be interested in this novel, would you get me in touch with them?)
Trunk of Scrolls: Paths of Faith and Fire (newest review)
🧑🏫 Ready to write your review?? Click here for Amazon. Click here for BookBub. I’d love for one of the reviews to talk about the sorcerer and Asian magic. Or the crow Caw Caw who is quite an amazing character. Or talk about Lady Sophia, she needs a moment of fame in a review.
Trunk of Scrolls Audiobook
Now we are getting ready to launch the Audiobook!
The narrator, Eden Gabay, should be finishing this up this week. He’ll send me the files–then I get the exciting job of listening to the performance, sending him the “fixes,” then finalizing the performance.
Eden and I have dialogued back and forth throughout the process. We were especially concerned with AUTHENTICITY– how to make the story as HISTORICALLY ACCURATE as possible.
…Including the making songs (yes–there are songs!!) appropriately tuned for the time period.
We also wrestled over how the people names and locations should actually be pronounced. (You’d be surprised how people said “Julius Caesar” in those days.)
We came upon a happy compromise, which I’m SURE you’re going to love. The tunes for the songs were sooo meaningful and catchy, I found myself singing them upon waking!
Exclusive OPPORTUNITY for you: Bundle++.
THIS MONTH I have a pocket of freedom. I have taken Trunk of Scrolls: Paths of Faith and Fire out of Kindle Unlimited for a short period. This means I can personally sell the ebook right now–so this gives YOU an exciting opportunity.
I’m holding a 2 day sale for the AUDIOBOOK + EBOOK, only for newsletter readers
Instead of $32.98 full price, the set is $9.99. (The audiobook will be delivered before publication, as soon as it’s finalized, click this link for details).
This deal is ideal for SUPERFANS who want to get their copy before anyone else.
Last Noel Audiobook and Sequel 1
The Last Noel Audiobook is done (narrated by Garan Patrick; Eden did the vocals for the songs). We have the sequel, Me, Myself, & It: Vera’s story, in its beta reading stage. Both have a projected launch this fall.
Christian Dystopian series
This 👆 work-in-progress is why you haven’t heard from me in three weeks. I’ve been laboring with an editor on the first book of the Christian Dystopian–and with a marketing expert and test readers on a series title and individual book titles. This is due to launch Spring of 2026, Lord willing.
I’m especially excited about the cover designer I’ve lined for the Dystopia. More on that later.
But…if you’d like a preview of the series, a ‘deleted scene’ prequel chapter/teaser is available on the Sci-fi GROUP PROMO below.
Faith in Fiction (the Cross vs the World)
I was talking with some close friends recently about the disconnect between “dystopian” and “Christian.”
In dystopian books and movies, the scenario often has a dictatorial system that controls the masses with a forced morality that no one can rebel against.
- Hunger Games had the Game system and the Districts.
- 1984 had the Disinformation and forced conformity
- Animal Farm had the dictatorial system “All animals are equal but pigs are more equal than others.”
- Right now, I’m listening to the audiobook of Red Rising. Same is true in its story world: forced positions in society–conform or die. (Yes! I recommend the audiobook. Unbelievably fantastic narration!)
The problem with adding Dystopia + Christianity in a series description is that Christianity deletes Dystopia.
Christ taught us that we are ALREADY living in a dystopia. The world is broken. The gospel is the solution.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children….For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:28, 31
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24
There are many more verses (if you can think of another, please send it to me).
The dichotomy between this world and Christ’s Kingdom is built into our understanding of reality. And so is our CONFIDENCE in the Sovereignty of God.
So–we know they’ll hate us because of Christ. And we know this world is not what we are supposed to live for. And they’ll ALSO hate us because we don’t live for this world.
Being in a broken world, we turn humanity’s natural values upside down. We love our enemy. We love sacrificially. We serve the poor and the weak and the easily-victimized. That goes against “natural selection” and “might makes right.”
We hold onto HOPE when things go wrong. We hold onto LOVE and KINDNESS. Though the world wants to emulate this (minus Jesus), they can’t succeed because the SOURCE of our hope are the PROMISES OF GOD, not ourselves or any human leader. You have to have Christ to escape the dystopia.
And if you have Christ, hope he gives deletes the dystopia.
Dystopia is how we see the world. Hope is how we combat it.
ONE MORE PROBLEM… No Dystopian story ends well. Even if they “succeed” there is no hope. The LOSS wins. The despair remains.
In which case, how can there be a Christian Dystopian story? Most dystopian novels seem to be calling out for Christ to heal society. But it ends there. Still stuck. But if Christ is in the story world… everything changes!
What about us? Next time you feel discouraged, I would pray you’ll remember that we live in a dystopia already. They hate and mock and force their values. Remember the stakes.
And yet do not lose heart. We are being renewed day by day. We anxiously await the return of the King/master/bridegroom. We are waiting for that DAY of Christ’s return.
I hope this discussion has been faith-building. My thoughts are with you today as you ponder this. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Take care!
Darlene
