by Jason Joyner | Dec 7, 2011 | Blog, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, fantasy, Karac Tor, young adult
The Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy tour is highlighting D. Barkley Briggs and his book Corus the Champion from the Legends of Karac Tor series. It is the second of five books. The first book is The Book of Names, and the third is also available, The Song of Unmasking. Anyone who leaves a comment through December 9 will have a chance to win Song.
I’m disappointed that I haven’t had time to read the books yet. Too much going on lately. However, I bought the first three for my boys, and they are working their way through the series. My oldest is reading Corus right now, while my middle son has started Names.
We featured The Book of Names a couple of years ago. In the meantime issues with the original publisher arose, and the series was put on hiatus until this year, when the first three found release and new life.
I can’t comment on the books themselves, but I was willing to buy the first three at once because of what I see of the author, D. Barkley Briggs. I’ve not met him, but from what I’ve gathered online from his blog, Twitter feed, and biography, he is a man with a heart to challenge kids toward a great adventure in the Kingdom.
After losing his wife of 16 years, Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping adventure of four brothers who become enmeshed in the crisis of another world and along the way, must find their courage, battle overwhelming odds, face their pain, and never quit searching for home. (From his bio)
My boys and I have a tradition of reading at night before they go to bed. I am so thankful that even my 11 year old wants to continue this. I am looking forward to reading the Legends of Karac Tor to them, and to keep their love of story going, and stoke the fires of seeking God’s adventure for their lives in all they do.
I wish I had my own review, but I’m hoping that my oldest will do what he was asked and write up a little plug for Karac Tor. There are many more thoughts from my tourmates below. Becky Miller always collects all of the posts for your perusal, so check those out for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
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by Jason Joyner | Dec 5, 2011 | Blog, contests, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, Karac Tor, The Book of Names, young adult
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| Read me! |
Today the CSFF tour invites you to venture into a far away land. Legend tells of a land of names and songs, of a land waiting for a champion to come. The land of Karac Tor.
Haven’t you heard of it? If not, there’s a guide who can lead you in these hidden lands. Seek out D. Barkley Briggs and he can introduce you to some brave young men who have been to Karac Tor and survived adventures there.
We are focusing on the book Corus the Champion, but the tale begins in The Book of Names. Hadyn and Ewan Barlow are the oldest of four brothers. They are living in rural Missouri, where their father moved them after the death of their mother a year ago.
While clearing out a field of brambles, the brothers stumble upon a portal into a strange land – Karac Tor. They have a story to tell, but that will be for another day.
If you want to learn more, check back on the next two days, or check out my tourmates below.
I have a special opportunity for those interested in this series. The third book is The Song of Unmasking, and if you leave a comment from now until Wednesday, December 7th, you will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of it (U.S. residents only, I’m afraid). So leave a comment, and check back for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
by Jason Joyner | Dec 5, 2011 | Blog, contests, Corus the Champion, CSFF, D Barkley Briggs, Karac Tor, The Book of Names, young adult
|
| Read me! |
Today the CSFF tour invites you to venture into a far away land. Legend tells of a land of names and songs, of a land waiting for a champion to come. The land of Karac Tor.
Haven’t you heard of it? If not, there’s a guide who can lead you in these hidden lands. Seek out D. Barkley Briggs and he can introduce you to some brave young men who have been to Karac Tor and survived adventures there.
We are focusing on the book Corus the Champion, but the tale begins in The Book of Names. Hadyn and Ewan Barlow are the oldest of four brothers. They are living in rural Missouri, where their father moved them after the death of their mother a year ago.
While clearing out a field of brambles, the brothers stumble upon a portal into a strange land – Karac Tor. They have a story to tell, but that will be for another day.
If you want to learn more, check back on the next two days, or check out my tourmates below.
I have a special opportunity for those interested in this series. The third book is The Song of Unmasking, and if you leave a comment from now until Wednesday, December 7th, you will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of it (U.S. residents only, I’m afraid). So leave a comment, and check back for more!
Gillian Adams Noah Arsenault Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse CSFF Blog Tour Carol Bruce Collett Theresa Dunlap April Erwin Victor Gentile Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Bruce Hennigan Christopher Hopper Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Marzabeth Shannon McDermott Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen Sarah Sawyer Kathleen Smith Donna Swanson Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Phyllis Wheeler Nicole White Rachel Wyant
by Jason Joyner | Nov 23, 2011 | Blog, Christianity, Denver Broncos, get real, haters, Tebow Time, Tim Tebow
Here we go again.
I’m a big football fan, but I generally try to keep it off this blog. I’m not willing to turn this into a sports yak place.
Still, I have to comment on the continued hubbub that surrounds the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Tim Tebow. #15.
The man is polarizing. That much both fans and detractors can admit. I can see the points on both sides as far as his football acumen goes.
His throws are often inaccurate. He runs at the first sign of trouble. The offense generally looks miserable for a good portion of the game. Still, he is 4-1 as the starting quarterback. His late-game heroics against the Jets were amazing. You can’t deny the kid’s will to win and competitive attitude. And I suggest people compare Tim’s stats to those of John Elway in his first starts – interesting to say the least.
If you’re picking on him for his unpolished football skills, I say that’s fair game. But the people that spew personal venom and attacks at him are boggling my mind. I’ve seen comments on the internet (by people hiding behind anonymous “screen names” I might add) that hope he is caught with a prostitute or some other compromising situation.
Why is this?
My opinion is that he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. And some people are not comfortable with that. Jake Plummer, the ex-Broncos QB, complained this week that people get that Tebow loves Jesus, and he shouldn’t keep mentioning it. So self-promotion is acceptable, but when someone wants to mention Jesus, that needs to be kept private.
There are many people anymore who think faith is fine for others, if they keep it to themselves. You can believe in Jesus, but don’t wave it my face. It has gone from don’t talk about religion and politics in polite conversation to not bringing it up at all. Don’t witness to me, don’t even bring it up.
Then Tebow walks what he talks. I don’t blame our culture for being sick of Christians who spout religion and don’t actually follow through with it (this could be considered “taking the Lord’s name in vain”). But Tim Tebow is a man of faith. He has spent time volunteering in orphanages oversees, he has a foundation that supports numerous worthy causes, and he is never negative when discussing his attackers or those who spew hate toward him. He is a good witness to what he believes.
Personally, I think Tebow brings conviction to people. They are not living the life that they should, and they know it. When you see someone like Tebow come along who is bold in his faith and lives it even bolder, it strikes at their own failings. Instead of listening to the message, they attack the messenger.
I think Tim is strong enough to handle this – not because of his power, but because of the Savior he lives for. I’m tired of seeing it though. People are entitled to their opinions, and if Tim doesn’t pan out as an NFL quarterback he will have more to live for than most people who ever don a pro uniform. But be real if you’re going to criticize him. If you don’t like him because of his faith, why is that? Don’t go with the surface answer – that you don’t want to hear others’ religion. Why do you REALLY dislike it? Is there a deeper reason?
I dare you to be honest.
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by Jason Joyner | Nov 23, 2011 | Blog, Christianity, Denver Broncos, get real, haters, Tebow Time, Tim Tebow
Here we go again.
I’m a big football fan, but I generally try to keep it off this blog. I’m not willing to turn this into a sports yak place.
Still, I have to comment on the continued hubbub that surrounds the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Tim Tebow. #15.
The man is polarizing. That much both fans and detractors can admit. I can see the points on both sides as far as his football acumen goes.
His throws are often inaccurate. He runs at the first sign of trouble. The offense generally looks miserable for a good portion of the game. Still, he is 4-1 as the starting quarterback. His late-game heroics against the Jets were amazing. You can’t deny the kid’s will to win and competitive attitude. And I suggest people compare Tim’s stats to those of John Elway in his first starts – interesting to say the least.
If you’re picking on him for his unpolished football skills, I say that’s fair game. But the people that spew personal venom and attacks at him are boggling my mind. I’ve seen comments on the internet (by people hiding behind anonymous “screen names” I might add) that hope he is caught with a prostitute or some other compromising situation.
Why is this?
My opinion is that he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. And some people are not comfortable with that. Jake Plummer, the ex-Broncos QB, complained this week that people get that Tebow loves Jesus, and he shouldn’t keep mentioning it. So self-promotion is acceptable, but when someone wants to mention Jesus, that needs to be kept private.
There are many people anymore who think faith is fine for others, if they keep it to themselves. You can believe in Jesus, but don’t wave it my face. It has gone from don’t talk about religion and politics in polite conversation to not bringing it up at all. Don’t witness to me, don’t even bring it up.
Then Tebow walks what he talks. I don’t blame our culture for being sick of Christians who spout religion and don’t actually follow through with it (this could be considered “taking the Lord’s name in vain”). But Tim Tebow is a man of faith. He has spent time volunteering in orphanages oversees, he has a foundation that supports numerous worthy causes, and he is never negative when discussing his attackers or those who spew hate toward him. He is a good witness to what he believes.
Personally, I think Tebow brings conviction to people. They are not living the life that they should, and they know it. When you see someone like Tebow come along who is bold in his faith and lives it even bolder, it strikes at their own failings. Instead of listening to the message, they attack the messenger.
I think Tim is strong enough to handle this – not because of his power, but because of the Savior he lives for. I’m tired of seeing it though. People are entitled to their opinions, and if Tim doesn’t pan out as an NFL quarterback he will have more to live for than most people who ever don a pro uniform. But be real if you’re going to criticize him. If you don’t like him because of his faith, why is that? Don’t go with the surface answer – that you don’t want to hear others’ religion. Why do you REALLY dislike it? Is there a deeper reason?
I dare you to be honest.
—
by Jason Joyner | Nov 22, 2011 | Blog, blogging, Nashville, sweet tea, The World Is Calling, travel blog, writing
Hey y’all!
I have been expanding my writing repertoire as of late. I am an occasional editorial writer for the Post Register newspaper in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Now I’m expanding out a bit.
Starting with Nashville.
My wife and I had not had an extended getaway from the kids since…ever. We were lucky enough to have help from family to watch the little ones, and we took off to Nashville, TN over Memorial Day Weekend. Once we got there (stupid American Airlines) we had a fantastic time.
Of course, as a writer, I had to take advantage of it. I have been a fan of Lisa T. Bergren’s books since we read them for the CSFF Tour a few years ago. She also has the travel bug, and runs a travel blog, The World Is Calling. She writes it for family getaways, and she is willing to take guest posts.
Using time in the airport while trying to get home (stupid American Airlines), I got started, and between Lisa’s busyness and mine, we were able to connect. My post on our weekend trip to Nashville is now up and live at her blog. Find thrills, chills, and even a cicada encounter in this harrowing tale.
See you on the road!
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