Falcon Dagger Countdown to Release Jan 18, 2025
Falcon Dagger Countdown to Release Jan 18, 2025
Fantasy and the Beauty of Goodness
Who does not wish that at least one moment in a beautiful epic fantasy were true? But some of those moments are true, and some of those places. The mystery of beauty, and sacrifice, the brave call of loyalty, and the torch of true relationships make us yearn for something we often cannot name. But we feel it in epic fantasies of courage, perseverance, and friendship that illuminate selflessness. We behold spiritual heights, physical depths, and in far realms we learn to refuse evil and choose good until it influences our adventures in our own sphere. Fantasy relates to deep reality. – Fantastic Journey pg. 7
This is what I search for in fantasy, the beauty of good. I have found it in many great books. From Jonathan Renshaw’s Dawn of Wonder, to writers past and present, and my fellow authors in our Advance Review and Noblebright Collective, where we band together in different ways to bring you new releases throughout the year. From our Creator, and such a cloud of witnesses, the love of goodness flows into my own writing. In Falcon Dagger, the power of truth brings beauty to relationships. Every person who wrote a great book I have read has a part in what I write. How great a debt do we owe to the writers who came before us, and those who are our contemporaries? I think more than we know.
Here is a sneak snippet of Falcon Dagger on the philosophical side, a gem set amid the far-ranging adventure. It took me a fair bit of time to decide what to include – I didn’t want to give away big spoilers!
Rolf shook his head. His eyes stung. “Do you say my heart is not true to you and to my brothers? That I would not die for our Lord, for my oath?” His voice shook. He could not give in. It was all he had left.
“No. No, my son.” Alton laid down the blade on the desk behind him and gripped Rolf’s shoulders, his old hands strong. “I think no such thing.” His face creased in a smile. “It is because your heart yearns to be true, that I pray you may understand.
“I mean ‘the letter’ may reach to our sacraments, even to the ‘grace’ of salvation we thought we began to earn at our baptismal font. But his gift of faith, it appears to conquer everything. Our work cannot. I must search it out further. And so must you. His very Word,” he touched the Vulgate gently, “compels me. I think it likely nothing should be added to his grace, nor truly can be. We have deluded ourselves. We only ever earn ourselves death.” He paused. “Is he not sufficient? That is the question.” He stared at Rolf, burning with quiet fierceness. “Is his love not sufficient? The price he paid? How does any man dare think to add to God’s work on the tree? I dare not.”
Then he sighed. “Now the stakes are greater than you and I alone. Are we to let the innocent die, for lack of a warding hand? Do not let your oath drive you to evil. Will you strain out a gnat and swallow a camel?”
“No.”
He took up the sword and laid it in Rolf’s hands. “Our Lord said, ‘It is finished.’ We love because he loved us. You must go and do the same. Love with heart and head and hand.”
Rolf stared at the abbot, aghast, then at the weapon across his palms. He did not question God’s love or law, but his abbot’s fitness this moment, and his own weakness. Both weakness of the heart, and his hand that had barely begun to heal.
The abbot turned, muttering, “It matters less whether you bear a blade, and much more why you bear it, or do not.”
Rolf wondered at his abbot’s resolve. Nothing would surprise him after this. But was what he said true?
Alton’s voice was a rustling whisper. “Our righteousness is as filthy rags. That point we have got right in the church, though we negate it on the other hand so often. But his sufficiency we deny. Both salt water and fresh from the same spring, when it ought to be faith working by love.” His voice trailed away, and he shook his head suddenly and urged Rolf toward the door. “Come, my son, we will speak of this again, but you must go with all Godspeed. More lives than ours are at risk.” – Falcon Dagger pg. 142-143
I am thankful for all the men and women who have given me their words in stories that will never die, that live in my heart and inspire me to live true. They are a gift. That gift has led to this, the publication and release of the last book in the Falcon Chronicle January 18th.
Though a sad day in a way (I’m sorry to leave Kyrin and Cierheld) this leaves the road of the coming year open for new beginnings. I’ll update you about coming plans soon.
Until then,
Azalea Dabill
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
Falcon Dagger – Last in Series – Callouts
Didn’t Emily Moore of Spirited Ink do a wonderful job with this call out graphic? She made two, and I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.
I’m doing a GoodReads 100 Ebook Giveaway for Falcon Dagger, so shelve it as “Want to Read” and enter to win your ebook!
So which graphic do you like best?
#1 Falcon Dagger New Release January 18, 2025 Graphic
#2 Falcon Dagger New Release January 18, 2025 Graphic
#epicfantasyadventure #NewYearReading #YAhistorical #familyfriendlyread #MedievalAdventure
I’ll be adding a few more quotes soon. This is the last book in the Falcon Chronicle series – now you can read them all. A new YA fantasy series for a New Year!
Here fantasy tropes ignite the imagination – the coming heir, evil lords, court intrigue, haven and hunt, rivals and romance.
From second chances to powerful enemies, trials of destiny to oaths kept, each story offers a spark of hope, a heart of courage, and an echo of meaning.
Enjoy the adventure,
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
Writing About Spiritual Themes and Conflict
To my reader and author friends:
Baring my soul on this subject seemed timely this Christmas, since I finally finished a Medieval historical fantasy series that has been more than a decade in the making.
I started writing more than fifteen years ago with the idea I wouldn’t write explicitly about Christ. I had read many books that deeply impacted and enthralled me that never mentioned the name Jesus. But I discovered I could not avoid it.
If we see goodness in a book and it warms us, what lasting good is it, if we don’t know where that goodness, that warmth, that life comes from? Who it comes from?
I think part of my original aversion to writing explicitly about God in our human lives, or in my characters’ lives, as the case may be, was because I often saw it done in a way that broke the story to insert a podium moment. A way that came across as inauthentic and fake.
Storytelling lends itself to preaching in the form of anecdotes or parables, but trying to combine preaching, or truth-telling, the other way around into a story is much harder. If it is not done well, it can make the truth we seek to portray less effective.
Despite the obstacles, I began to realize some authors were openly speaking about truth: of His justice, mercy, power, and beauty – and doing it very well. Such as C. S. Lewis in his fiction, Andrew Klavan in If We Survive, and The Homelanders series; Anna Thayer in The Knight of Eldaran series, LA Kelly in her series beginning with Tahn, Jonathan Renshaw in Dawn of Wonder: The Wakening Book 1, Kathy Tyers in The Firebird trilogy, S. D. Smith in The Green Ember series, Andrew Peterson in The Wingfeather Saga, MI McAllister in The Mistmantle Chronicles, and Chris Walley in The Lamb Among the Stars sci-fi trilogy. Some naming Him directly, others indirectly.
Many other authors have presented Christ or a Christ figure in various ways, to varying degrees of success. Blindness to a particular author’s Christ figure may also be my own lack of perception. And of course, there are many authors I have not read, or didn’t have room to name here. You can see I lean toward fantasy, with a smattering of Christian Romance and Sci-fi. I have not read much romantic suspense or mainstream fiction, so I’m not knowledgeable on how they do or don’t present God in those genres. We’re all learning how to do it better, I hope! (I assume in this post I’m speaking to Christian writers and readers.)
So back to the work I know the flaws of best, my own. Any time a more intangible reality comes up in a story, specifically spiritual truth, readers tend to react strongly.
Whether the truth presented concerns an integral part of a character’s goal, something that thwarts their desire, or it is a reality that arises out of the setting or situation, you will get varying reactions to truth. From curiosity, to the joy of triumph and deep satisfaction, to an “aha” moment, or even to tears if they were deeply touched. Conversely, a person may react with indignation that anyone dares speak of such things, or may express amusement at foolishness, or anger, or outright hatred.
Don’t let any potential reaction deter you from striving to learn how to write truth better, with His empowerment and leading. Writer or reader, all truth we encounter we should bring into our hearts, to be lived out. As He says in His Word. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NAS
Be a true ambassador for Him from Whom all good things flow.
However He instructs you to go about it, by direct reference to Him or indirect, by His written Word and the wisdom and advice of godly people, continue to present the truth. This is only part of the story. There is so much more to it, for it to be called a good story. The thrill of a new world, the adventure, the danger, the romance, the growth and triumph. (I’ve added a postscript description of Falcon Dagger below as an example.)
In my own work I find myself unable to avoid alluding to, implying, and sometimes outright speaking the truth in short instances. Especially when lives are at stake. In the story, and out. This Christmas season, and every season.
Even after recording the adventures of a warrior who fled to a monastery where God reached out to touch him in the middle of deadly danger to himself, his people and Cierheld, my heart still burns. That everyone may see and love Him Who is the light. (And before you have a heart attack about Brother Rolf in a Christian fantasy, please read his companion story Kingdom’s Fall in Falcon Dagger and see what he came to believe.)
I ask one thing. Don’t obscure the light. He stepped down into darkness. The light of the world. For our sakes. Can we do less for others?
You must determine how well I took my own advice, or my lack of skill in applying it. If by happy sweat and tears I did learn something about how to get truth across the gap from knowledge to our heart’s grasp, I am thankful for His grace.
You can preorder Falcon Dagger, and give your opinion in a review January 18th. I welcome your thoughts on the story, as well as the thread of spiritual conflict woven through the young adult fantasy adventure. But don’t forget, my friend, to let your light shine in whatever you do.
God bless and keep you, my dear author or reader – or both – as the case may be.
A Merry Christmas to you!
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
P. S. Falcon Dagger short description – you can find the rest of the description on Amazon here.
Falcon Dagger is the thrilling final novel of the Falcon Chronicle series. This young adult historical collection includes the riveting last book, a companion story, and prequels where fantasy tropes ignite the imagination – the coming heir, evil lords, court intrigue, haven and hunt, rivals and romance. From second chances to powerful enemies, trials of destiny to oaths kept, each story offers a spark of hope, a heart of courage, and an echo of meaning.
- Kingdom’s Fall: One life. One land. One loyalty.
- Falcon Dagger: Warrior. Seeker. Apprentice.
- Cieri’s Daughter: First rival. First oath. First victory.
- Path of the Warrior: Exile. Traitor. Warrior.
Readers who love the epic fantasy series of Anna Thayer, the medieval richness of The Outlaws of Sherwood, and the delightful romance of Melanie Dickerson will be drawn into the final chapter of Kyrin Cieri and the struggle to protect Cierheld stronghold against those who would destroy its very memory.
Are you a fan of …
Noblebright YA fantasy
Strong female protagonists
Myth and legend
Stories you don’t want to end?
Falcon Dagger is a resonant canvas of courage, forbidden alliances, and resilient spirits – a heart song to the Master of Stars. –Anna Thayer, author of The Knight of Eldaran series
Experience the immersive action of A Flame in the North but the Christian adventure and court intrigue of Illusion’s Reign in this collection of family friendly books that includes a dash of women’s fiction and military fantasy. It is a fantasy adventure for adults, as well as a clean and wholesome addition to any teen’s list of good fantasy novels and coming of age fiction where hope is a light in the night.
Walk the Path Less Traveled
Do you have something you aim to do to improve your Thanksgiving? I’m rooting you on. Will you walk the path less traveled?
People are worth the effort you give to get to know and appreciate them, whether family or friends. There are exceptions, of course, if people insist on cutting you off, for whatever reason. Sometimes a good friend can be closer than family, and a blessing from God, your very own found family. But you never know how long blood family will be there, or yourself , for that matter.
Seize the moment as God gives it: opportunities for forgiveness, for sharing, for encouraging. We all need it, especially these days, where the chill in the air seems to come from people’s hearts as well as the weather. Let’s watch out the frosty cold doesn’t seep into ours, and pray God for the grace to warm someone’s day.
That said, these are all reasons I love stories about family and the strength of good relationships. And relationships outside family, also tested by conflict, and bound by a higher loyalty than blood, that come forth as gold.
Squatting down by the hearth, Cernalt smiled at him as the smell of toasting cheese rose around them. “There are good choices open to us all,” he said, voice gruff yet not unkind. “If we but have the courage to fly against the storm. First, we must be willing to go from our nests.” He sighed. “I remember something our first daughter said once. If it is God’s wind beneath our wings, we will not fly astray. And there is a storm coming; I can smell it. Keep your ears open.
Falcon Dagger
What will you choose? How will you fly to outwit the storm?
Tangled relationships and struggle and changing motives against a backdrop of intrigue make a good story. And a good life. We don’t grow without struggle and time in the crucible. Though it hurts.
As many of you know (posted again here for readers on GoodReads who don’t get my Newsletter), I have been working on the last book in the Falcon Chronicle, Falcon Dagger. Release day is creeping closer. In the scheme of things, if all keeps going according to plan, December should see a live preorder.
But first, have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! Don’t forget to fly against the storm …
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
It’s October, A Time of Feasting for Body and Spirit
In the best sense, of course. Not alluding to zombies or demons but to the gifts given us. Of harvests of delicious physical things, and harvests of truth and goodness He provides for our hearts. Such a variety. He didn’t have to be so generous.
Getting ready for a long winter, of the soul or body or both, takes preparation.
Lately, many people are preparing for survival. There’s survival of the body, and then there’s survival of the spirit.
It is just as necessary, maybe more, that the spirit survive. And not just survive, but grow.
Our bodies require a few basic things to live: food, water, shelter.
What is food and drink for our spirits? Leaving aside the known food and drink of Christ’s body and blood needed for first life, what other things play a part in our inner life? Our spirits also need love, for that is a kind of shelter and food together. Another large part of the food, drink, and shelter of our hearts is hope.
And what is hope?
I would say it is not the idea of “hoping this or that happens.” Instead, it is looking to something sure that God has set in place beyond ourselves. It is a sure hope we look toward, knowing it is coming according to His promise.
But there is also a different kind of hope. This hope is portrayed in the arts that show the growth of strength, beauty, and goodness despite the darkness. A vital feast for the soul, indeed. “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
I count good stories among His gifts. I so hope (in the usual sense) and pray, that when hard times come we keep reading and sharing good stories and the truth, strength, beauty, and goodness in them with others. That we point each other toward the light, and hold our candles high in honor of God, the greatest light.
I hope you enjoy a feast this October, inside and out. A feast of riches.
Happy Harvest to you!
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure
Armsman’s Trial WIP – Excerpt
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Fast and whipcord strong, Nith had already completed his routine and beaten his post into submission. Now he bent his long frame over the well stones at the back of the washhouse and splashed his head. He came up blowing and shook back his hair, flinging water.
Nith always finished before him. That did not irk Berd as he panted at his work, thirst growing. The first armsmaster of a stronghold ought to be quicker, stronger, and more wily than any armsman. Berd’s growing grin cut short.
The thief irritated him no end. The thief who stole his first daughter’s blade from the heart of Cierheld. The thief who cast his oath as Lady Cieri’s personal armsman under the shadow of doubt.
Berd’s jaw knotted. He should be out hunting the missing weapon with the rest of the men, not caged, worse than useless. That blade of curious design was cousin to Kyrin’s old falcon dagger, which played so large a part in bringing Kyrin home from slavery, carrying the hidden means to save Cierheld. The blade now resided in a faraway land in honor, with Kyrin’s mentor, Tae Chisun.
The thunk of his hundred and seventieth strike did not comfort Berd. He had wielded all his skill against his wooden enemy from Prime bell to Terce. One would have thought the third hour of the morn would bring news if it did not bring rest. It had not. If any had seen ought of note without the walls, the retired armsmaster would learn of it. Over long years, old Cernalt had woven a ring of hearts within and without Cierheld loyal to Lord Dain Cieri.
Berd drew a deep breath through his nose, and quietly out. He was yet loyal, though the grizzled retired armsman was uncertain of it. Sweat ran down his face, and he continued his weapon’s drill against the enemy that stood between him and the cool well. He must fight with patience. His wood edge thudded into the pine a last time, and he whipped it back to readiness behind his shoulder. His speed belied his hot face and dark hair, as prickly with sweat about the ends as a hedgehog’s. “Ho, Nith, my arm tires. Are you fixing to swim?”
Nith turned, dripping, and smiled with a bare lift of lips. He studied his charge, as if he might discover somewhat of interest, cocking his head.
Berd gave him back nothing but a bland stare. Nith, who had trained him since he could walk, had bruised his pale skin on top of the marks Kyrin had dealt him earlier with her staff. They were not as sore as his thoughts.
Mildly, the armsmaster indicated Berd’s weathered post. “Use your wit to bring him down. Do not let your enemy recover. You must outlast him—if his wood heart has not ceased to beat for fear of the blow that dropped his hose about his ankles a moment past,” he added drily. Then his voice left all jest. “First armsman, you must become a blade. And every blade must be tempered, honed, tested. Like the weapon you seek.”
Berd looked at him straightly. Only one who knew him well would notice the pale tension about his mouth and realize his anger glowed at white heat. “What would you have me do?”
“What you have always done. Support Cierheld; protect it with all you are. If you are strong enough, seek the sword.”
A new release, and enter to win your next summer reads!
Today we have something special –
Our June Author Jenelle Schmidt is releasing Hearts of Stone and Steel June 25th. Preorder now for $0.99 cents – Hearts of Stone and Steel:
#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Pirate Adventure eBooks
“Treasure Planet meets Firefly in this epic adventure!”
This is book 3 of the 5-book Turrim Archive series. And I thought really hard about how to write a blurb for it, but everything I came up with seemed to give far too many spoilers for what had come in the first two books.
A clean, family-friendly gaslamp fantasy, this series contains airship pirates, a military academy, a mysterious wizard, genetic engineering, and as you can probably tell by the cover, this installment might even have a few robots!
The story continues here from where it started in The Orb and the Airship and left off in Mantles of Oak and Iron. The stakes are higher. The characters are in the middles of their arcs. And the adventure is ramping up! Come along for the ride! (But seriously, start at book 1).
But we’re not done yet! Since we didn’t have a second author releasing this month, we all pooled a signed paperback and ebooks this King Sumo Giveaway – Enter to win your 10 next Summer Reads!
Summer Fantasy Adventures PG-13
Note: Read the King Sumo details. 10 Signed Paperbacks go to 1st Place! And everyone who enters will get my first in series E-book as a gift. Please share this “enter to win” contest with your friends!
And then we have our usual book giveaways with a lot of treasures:
Thrillingly Clean Christian Fiction Giveaway
Summer of the Celts Sale
And Transform your Life with Non-fiction Giveaway
So there’s our lineup for this week. Enjoy, and don’t miss Jenelle’s new release, Hearts of Stone and Steel for 0.99 cents!
Have a blessed week,
Azalea
Crossover, Find the Eternal, the Adventure