Two New Books Now in Stock at Amazon

From the Mouth of Elijah, the second book in the Children of the Bard series, is now showing "In Stock" at Amazon. Click here to go to the web page.

Liberator, the fourth book in the Dragons of Starlight series, is also "In Stock" at Amazon. Click here to go to the web page.

Two New Combo Packs

Now you can save on my books in two new combo packs:

Both Children of the Bard books for $20 plus shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/BardCombo.htm

And all four Dragons of Starlight books for $35 plus shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/DOSCombo.htm

All books will be autographed according to your preferences.

Liberator ebook Now Available

Liberator, the fourth and final book in the Dragons of Starlight series, is now available for Kindle, Nook, and other ereader devices. The print book is scheduled to come out in a couple of weeks.

September 2012 Tour

I now have a few events for my September promotional tour with Amanda L. Davis. It will begin in the U.S. and then extend throughout Canada. Here is a link to the current schedule map - http://goo.gl/maps/jJCU

I will be adding many more events, so if you have a school or homeschool group that would like an author visit, please send an email to bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com.

Truth in Fiction: Fantasy Genre Inspires Active Faith

(An article AMG Publishers submitted to Christian Retailing Magazine - slightly edited for this blog)

Dragons and wizards and magic! Oh my!

For some Christians, the “Oh my!” is a shout of joy. For others, it is a cry of anxiety or even disdain. Fantasy in stories generates a variety of responses from Christian readers, some filled with praise, some with condemnation, while many have lingering questions. With speculative fiction titles dominating bookshelves, from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games to Percy Jackson, parents of faith are justifiably curious, skeptical, or unsure of what to do with the genre. And for a long time, Christian retailers had few answers, and certainly few book alternatives that would clearly reflect a Christian world view.

Why does fantasy mesmerize our youth? How do these stories capture their hearts? Is it simply the fun of escapism, or does the answer lie deep in their longings? Perhaps it is a desire to commune with a greater power that calls them to embark on a journey. There must be a Camelot, a hidden Utopia. Fantasy opens their eyes to a better place, a shining city they have not yet seen. The stories provide a bridge to horizons they could never distinguish with their physical eyes.

Young people are especially aware of fantasy’s alluring call. Boys and girls, still unjaded and brimming with ideals, feel their God-given programming. When a young man watches a hero draw steel from scabbard, displaying a bright, sharp sword, the boy feels valor, the bravery of a knight. He becomes a champion, copying the role model he may have never witnessed in real life. Deep inside, his heart comes alive. He feels that he, too, was built to charge the battlements, to defend the weak, and to conquer evil.

When a young lady watches a heroine prepare reinforcements, persuade the authorities to send troops, or kindle the fire in quavering hearts, she feels her inner calling. When the heroine crashes a jar over the villain’s head to save her fallen hero, a girl’s heart leaps. The courageous young lady has used whatever strength she had, at risk to her own life, to prevent disaster. Without her, all would have been lost.

Our youth long to see good triumphing, to see evil exposed and destroyed. And there are many authors who are willing to give children images they crave—some for good, and some that are poor reflections of that vision.

For most of the previous decade, Harry Potter led the way in the fantasy genre by capturing the hearts of millions of young readers. Yet some Christian parents had legitimate concerns about the content and wondered if there might be Christian-themed books that exhibited the same imaginative flair.

Unfortunately, early in that period, the Christian market had not yet filled that need, so parents continued to rely on the Chronicles of Narnia, though these celebrated tales did not incite the same appeal for older readers or for those who desire a more modern setting.

In 2003, AMG Publishers hoped to fill this void. Acquisitions Editor Dan Penwell met Bryan Davis at a writers’ conference and learned about his fantasy story Raising Dragons. Bryan had been seeking a publisher for eight years, but mainstream editors deemed it “too Christian,” while dragons and fantastical content scared Christian editors away.

AMG decided to take a bold step and publish this story, using the opportunity to create a new imprint, Living Ink Books, the foundation for their approach to creating visionary books for the Christian marketplace.

Within a few weeks of publication, Raising Dragons became a bestseller, and because of its success, fantasy titles from other publishers followed the trail AMG blazed. AMG followed up that series with more bestselling titles from Bryan Davis, including Eye of the Oracle, which hit number one on the CBA young adult list in 2007, further establishing AMG as the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. They later added other top fantasy authors, such as Amanda L. Davis, Jenny Cote, Scott Appleton, and C. S. Lakin, thereby solidifying their standing in the publishing world. In fact, Family Fiction magazine named Bryan Davis the #1 speculative fiction author in the Christian market for 2011 and Amanda L. Davis the #1 new author overall, proving the market’s hunger for the genre.

AMG reports that hundreds of readers have communicated life-altering moments because of these fantasy novels. From initial salvation, to recommitments to Christ, to forsaking sins, to leading others to faith, young readers have been drawn closer to God. Such is the power of a fantastical story.

One teenaged girl wrote, “My life has changed! I now live for God! And still, every time I read one of your books, I feel like I'm filled with the Holy Spirit! Eye of the Oracle especially inspired me in that I need to sacrifice, and that God is there no matter where you are.”

Even adults are affected by fantasy’s high calling. A 44-year-old father wrote, “I'm guessing we all have moments in time when we are spiritually at a low ebb. Ironically, Christmas day was one of those low points for me. I was toast. However, during the course of reading The Candlestone, the prose sparked my own faith and continued to bring my mind back to my Savior and his wonderful love.”

These stories are not really about dragons or wizards; they are about life, about faith, about a journey to a higher plane where heroes are welcome, virtue is honored, and evil is conquered. Christian fantasy is a catalyst that incites a change for good and not for evil. Boys are looking to take the sword and discover the man they feel in their hearts. Girls seek a heroine, longing for someone to imitate, a true lady cast in the image they see beyond the mirror.

We have an opportunity to create strong soldiers by using the power of story, even through the pages of the impossible. If parents will allow fantasy its proper place, as an inspiration toward heroism, allowing powerful images to create positive models in children’s minds, they will create home-grown heroes who will build and display integrity and virtue.

Publishers and bookstores can work together to capture hearts and minds with champions of virtue, images that will reach inside and ignite the flame, setting free the heroes or heroines that God has implanted in the hearts of children. Because of AMG and other publishers who have followed their lead, parents now have an option, and bookstores have an answer. If you want to grow heroes for God, we have shelves filled with novels that will plant the seeds and provide fuel for growth. Maybe even the parents will peek inside the pages and become inspired themselves. Take a look. The dragons in these books won’t bite, but they will light a fire.

Kentucky Speaking Event

Kentucky readers! Amanda L. Davis and I will be speaking in Danville, KY, on September 6, 2012, from 10:00 am to 12 noon. All are welcome.

Danville First Church of God
3220 Harrodsburg Road
Danville, KY
http://www.danvillechurchofgod.com
859-236-4700

If you live in the area or know someone who does, please spread the word about this event.

Please do not comment with questions or requests about other places you want us to come unless you have a contact with someone in a group who can set up a speaking event. If you do have such a contact, please email me - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com.

Fathers Day Gifts

Now that Mother's Day has passed, maybe you're thinking about Father's Day. I have gifts available that the father in your life might enjoy.

The Image of a Father is now available as an audio book with Bryan Davis narrating (download or MP3 disk) or as an ebook. For all purchase options, click here.

"Seven Promises from a Father to His Daughter" is a short devotional designed for a Christian father to read out loud to his daughter, now only 99 cents.

For a pdf file of "Seven Promises" that you can read on a computer - click here.
For a Kindle version of "Seven Promises" - click here

To read the first promise without purchasing - click here.

Planning a Canadian Tour

I am working on scheduling a nationwide tour of Canada in September, and I will be touring with Amanda L. Davis. If you have a group in Canada, such as a school or homeschool group, that would like an author visit, please let me know by email - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com.

Please don't comment with a request to come to a particular place unless you have a group contact (not a bookstore) who can help me make an event happen. I would love to come to a thousand places, but without contacts, I have no way to make it happen. :-)

If, however, you do have a contact, no matter where you live in Canada or the U.S., please email me, and we'll see what we can do.

Seven Promises from a Father to His Daughter is now only 99 Cents

My short devotional for fathers - "Seven Promises from a Father to His Daughter" is now only 99 cents.

Amazon link for Kindle file - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XXR2RG

Link to my website for PDF file - http://www.daviscrossing.com/SevenPromises.htm

This would make a good Father's Day gift for a father with a young daughter.

Maiden Flight now available for the Nook

Maiden Flight is now available for the Nook at Barnes & Noble, just 99 cents. Click here for details about this story.

Here is the link for the Barnes & Noble page - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maiden-flight-bryan-davis/1110603145?ean=2940014469838

Maiden Flight now available in PDF format

My new lost-chapter story, Maiden Flight (click here for details) is now available in PDF format.

The pdf file can be read on a computer using Adobe Acrobat reader and printed. Also, the purchase page is an experimental attempt to sell downloadable files from my website. When you purchase, you will get an email with download instructions. If you have trouble, please let me know.

Here is a link to the pdf purchase page - http://www.daviscrossing.com/maidenflight.htm

Maiden Flight - The Story of Bonnie's First Flight

Maiden Flight, is a chapter-length story from the Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire story world about Bonnie's first flight when she was ten years old. It is now available for the Kindle at Amazon for only 99 cents. Amazon has free programs that allow you to read Kindle files on a computer.

It will also be available in epub format for the Nook and pdf format so you can print it out if you desire. I will post on the blog when they are available.

Link for Maiden Flight - Click here

Link for Kindle readers for computers and other devices - Click here

Whether or not I write more of these stories depends on the success of this one, so please help me by telling others about it. And please don't copy it and send it to others without another purchase.

It is copyrighted, but I didn't put DRM protection on it, because I trust that my readers have integrity and will act accordingly. :-)

Family Fiction Readers' Choice Awards

I am amazed and grateful to God for how I fared in the Family Fiction Readers' Choice Awards:

Author Overall - #2
Novel of the Year - #1 for Song of the Ovulum
Series of the Year - #1 for Children of the Bard
Speculative Fiction Author - #1
Young Adult Fiction Author - #1

Daughter Amanda L. Davis was #1 for new author and #4 for Speculative Fiction author.




Click here for a link to the magazine.

What a great gift to receive the day before my tenth anniversary as a full-time author!

Seven Promises from a Father to His Daughter EBook

I wrote a short devotional book called "Seven Promises from a Father to His Daughter" designed for a Christian father to read out loud to his young daughter. It's available for the Kindle on Amazon. The formatting isn't as good as I had hoped, but the words are all there, and it's only $2.99. It will probably be an e-book only publication.

Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can read it on your computer using one of Amazon's free applications.

Click here to go to the Amazon ordering page.

From the Mouth of Elijah on Amazon

From the Mouth of Elijah is now available for pre-order from Amazon. If you want to order from Amazon, you might want to wait until the date for an Amazon blitz day I am planning, probably sometime in July. I will be sending an autographed sticker for the book to all who order from Amazon on that date.

Either way, here is the link - Click here

Diviner ebook on Sale for $2.99

Now is a good time to get Diviner as an ebook. It's only $2.99.

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Diviner-Dragons-of-Starlight-ebook/dp/B004PYDL7G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333647609&sr=1-1

B&N Nook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diviner-bryan-davis/1100054437?ean=9780310404804&itm=1&usri=diviner+bryan+davis

iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/diviner/id423511918?mt=11

Christianbook.com epub - http://www.christianbook.com/diviner-ebook-bryan-davis/9780310404804/pd/16461EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=16461EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Even if you don't have an ebook reader, Amazon and Nook have programs that allow you to read their formats on almost any device, including your computer.

Mini-tour in Kentucky and Ohio

It's time to start planning another mini-tour. I am looking at coming to places in Kentucky and Ohio--Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, Cincinnati, Columbus, and the surrounding areas for the fall (September/October).

If you have a group--school, homeschool, church, etc--that would like for me to come and speak, please contact me by email - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com.

I will need contact information for someone in your group who can make the event happen and who you know is interested in having me come.

Please don't comment here with requests to come to any places outside of this region. If you want me to come to a different area, and you have a group that wants me to speak, please email me.

Cover for "From the Mouth of Elijah" - Children of the Bard #2

Here is the cover for From the Mouth of Elijah, book #2 in the Children of the Bard series. We don't have an exact release date yet, but I expect it to come out sometime in July or August. If you want to see a higher resolution version, click here.

I won't be answering any questions yet regarding who is on the cover or what they are doing. I hope that you're looking forward to reading it to solve the mysteries.

The book is available for pre-ordering from me. Click here for the ordering page.

Great Echoes from the Edge Sale

The three-book Echoes from the Edge series is now under $15 at Christianbook.com. That's a lot cheaper than I can sell it for - Click Here.

Father's Day for your Church or Group

Do you want a gift for the fathers in your church? Ask your pastor or men's leader about giving a copy of The Image of a Father to every father for Father's Day. I am selling them in bulk for only $2 each. Or you can buy single copies for $3. Email me for bulk ordering details - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com.

This is a hardcover book, so the two-dollar price is very inexpensive for a gift that will benefit every dad or soon-to-be dad in your congregation.

Click here for single-copy ordering.

Starlighter Wins 2012 Darrell Award

Starlighter won Best Midsouth Young Adult Novel at the 2012 Darrell Awards - http://darrellawards.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/2012-darrell-awards-honored-works/

This award honors books that are written by authors who live in the midsouth region of the U.S. or that have a story that takes place in the region. The genre must be speculative fiction of some kind.

Echoes from the Edge ebooks Sale

Two of my Echoes from the Edge books are now $2.99 each in Kindle format on Amazon.com. You don't need a Kindle to be able to download and read them.

Click here for download links.

The Boundaries of "What If?"

I recently asked my Facebook page viewers if they would read a story with ghosts in it, that is, disembodied spirits of the dead. Some of the responses I received illustrated the fact that people disagree on the boundaries of speculative fiction for Christian authors and readers. In speculative fiction, we ask "What if?" questions related to our experiences and how the world might be if significant factors were different than they really are.

The important issue to learn regarding speculative fiction is that authors are not saying that their stories are true. In fact, we firmly state that they are not true. We are saying "if these factors were true, what might happen?" For example, I believe souls go to an afterlife and that they likely do not wander around on earth, but what if something occurred that blocked their passage to heaven or hell? What would it be like on earth?

Readers need to understand that the author is not making doctrinal statements or stating that such a scenario might happen. It probably doesn't happen. It likely won't ever happen. Yet the story can be an intriguing examination into the human psyche if something like this were to happen. We can learn from it, because it would follow the basic principles of biblical conduct and eternal values.

Some biblical principles are inherent in God's character, and some are not, and I would never depart from the inherent principles. For example, I would never write a story that shows God to be unloving, that depicts selfishness as good, or that rewards immoral behavior. A story in a Christian world view should uplift principles that will draw the reader to embrace virtues.

Yet there are truths in our world that, if altered in another setting, would not violate universal principles. For example, we know that God promised never to flood the world again. But what if an author were to write a story in which God never made such a promise? He could show the world getting flooded multiple times without violating God's character, because in that scenario, God would not lie. The author would alter the setting but not God's principles.

In the same way, what if an evil being were able to create a blocking mechanism that keeps souls bound on earth? There is nothing in the Bible that says God's goodness and principles are tied to the fact that in reality all souls immediately leave the world for an afterlife. So such a scenario would not violate eternal principles or promote immoral behavior. It would merely alter a setting.

Some readers appeal to biblical truths that everyone goes to an afterlife, either heaven or hell, so we shouldn't have stories with ghosts. The premise of the complaint is true. Everyone does go to an afterlife, but my point is that we can write a story that asks, what if that reality weren't true? What if spirits wandered on earth for a while? Such a scenario doesn't violate eternal principles or promote immoral behavior. It simply asks "what if?"

I could explain that the Bible shows a few ghostly appearances, such as Samuel, Moses, and Elijah, but with regard to whether a ghost story is allowed for Christians, this explanation should be irrelevant. Even if no ghostly being ever appeared within the pages of the Bible, it doesn't violate godly principles to pose a question that alters a setting as long as eternal and universal truths are honored.

This is speculative fiction. Even if I write about ghosts, that doesn't mean I believe they exist. I also write about anthrozils. I don't believe they exist either. I am not pretending that these settings are real.

Yet, I am sure that some will cry foul and say that such a story is not allowed. I think they would be wrong, but that's all right. I'm accustomed to handling disagreement. If people are offended at reading a speculative "what if" story because it doesn't exactly conform to a set of realities that are true in our world, even if altering those realities don't violate God's value system, then they might want to stay away from speculative fiction completely. This genre is the realm of the "what if," and Christian speculative fiction authors are free to ask that question as long as they stay true to eternal principles and promote a virtuous life.

Illinois Mini-tour

I will be speaking at the following events along with my author daughter, Amanda L. Davis:

March 19 – 2 pm – 4 pm
Author's Journey Talk
Homeschool Group
1212 Woodland Knolls Rd,
Metamora, IL 61548

March 20 – 10:00 am chapel service
Author’s Journey talk
Hallstrom Homeschool Workshops
Temple Baptist Church
3215 E. State St
Rockford, IL 61108

March 21 – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Writing Workshop ($5 admission will purchase a voucher for $5 off any book)
Hallstrom Homeschool Workshops
Temple Baptist Church
3215 E. State St
Rockford, IL 61108

March 22 - 6:30 to 8:00
Author's Journey Talk
The King’s Pen Writer’s Small Group
Meeting at Oaks Family Church
1001 W Loucks Ave
Peoria Ill 61604

Need Speaking Events in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky

I am looking for speaking events in Illinois, Indiana, and/or Kentucky for the week of March 19 to 23. If you have a school or homeschool group that would like a free author talk or writing workshop, please email me - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com. Feel free to send this query to anyone you know in the area.

Instead of a big tour this year, I am hoping to do targeted mini-tours. If you want me to come to your area, I will need help finding several groups in the area that want me to give an author talk and/or a writing workshop. I speak for free, though with high gas prices, help with expenses is greatly appreciated, and I request the opportunity to sell books at all events. Also, my author daughter Amanda will likely come with me, and audiences often enjoy hearing her perspective.

Although I feel blessed when people ask when I am coming to a specific area, it doesn't help to ask unless you can provide help with getting a group for me, so please refrain from commenting if you are just asking when I am coming to a certain place. Thank you. :-)

Dragons in Our Midst on Sale

The four-book series Dragons in our Midst is on sale at Christianbook.com for less than $35!





Dragons in Our Midst Chronicles, Volumes 1-4

By Bryan Davis / Amg Publishers
This contemporary fantasy gives young readers all the adventure and excitement they love while opening their eyes to great themes such as faith, courage, wisdom, and redemption. Compared to The Chronicles of Narnia for its spiritual power and The Lord of the Rings for its depth of scope, this series has the makings of a classic. It inspires you to dig deep within to find your God-given strengths and use them to overcome any obstacle. It is both a hair-raising, modern-day adventure and a glimpse into another world--a world of knights and dragons. Recommended for ages 12 and up.



And the four-book Oracles of Fire series is on sale for less than $37!





Oracles of Fire set, Vols 1-4

By Bryan Davis / Amg Publishers
The heart-stopping prequel to the Dragons in Our Midst series! Learn how the mythical winged creatures survived the flood---and discover the evil force that led to their demise. Softcovers.

Family Fiction Readers Choice Awards

Here is a place to vote for your favorite authors and books for works published in 2011 - http://www.familyfiction.com/news/vote-in-the-2012-familyfiction-readers-choice-awards/

If you want to vote for any of my works, here are my books that came out in 2011 - Warrior, Diviner, Song of the Ovulum, and Third Starlighter. My series for 2011 are Dragons of Starlight, Children of the Bard, and Tales of Starlight.

I qualify for votes in these categories: Author of the Year, Novel of the Year, Series of the Year, Speculative Fiction Author, and Young Adult fiction author.

Please also consider voting for Amanda L. Davis as New Author of the Year. She also qualifies for all the other categories listed above. Her novel is "Precisely Terminated," and her series is, "The Cantral Chronicles."

In order to avoid splitting votes for my novels and series, may I suggest a way to vote for those of you who would like to support me? For novel of the year, vote for Song of the Ovulum, and for series of the Year, vote for Children of the Bard. Thank you for your support.

Grace Christian Book Awards

Check out this Christian book award site - http://graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/grace-awards-voting-has-begun-happy-new-year/


I have four books that qualify, but I think Song of the Ovulum has the best chance of winning. If you would like to vote for it, please follow the rules carefully. The young adult category is probably the best one to choose, but speculative would work, too. Feel free to pass this along, and if you vote for SotO, thank you.

To vote, copy the part below the asterisks, add up to 25 words about the book you want to vote for in the category you choose (for example, Song of the Ovulum in the young adult category), and put it all in an email it to graceawards@aol.com.

**********
Give A Link To Your Social Networking Page (web address to your page put up before November 1, 2011, so we know you’re a real person):  Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari, Linkedin, a Ning Page, MySpace, ShoutLife, or the like. If you do NOT provide a link, your vote is invalid.

Womens Fiction Title (serious women’s issues, can have humor and/or suspense elements). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Contemporary Romance/Historical Romance Title (the primary element is love/marriage, be it now or then). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Romantic Suspense/ Detective Series Title (crime fiction, there’s probably a body). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Speculative Fiction Title (SciFi, fantasy, horror, etc.). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Action Adventure/Western/Historic Epic Fiction Title (exploits, quest, a feel of wide-open spaces, expansive). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Young Adult Title (appeals to ages 15 – 21-ish). Why you like the story: (At least 25 words)

Diviner ebook Now $1.99!

Diviner is now available for the Kindle, Nook, and Apple devices for only $1.99! Don't have a Kindle or a Nook? You can download software from Amazon or Barnes & Noble that will allow you to read the books on your computer, iPhone, or Android.

Starlighter is also still on sale for $1.99.

Please spread the word.

Cover for Liberator

Zondervan has released the cover for Liberator, book #4 in Dragons of Starlight. Click here for a higher resolution image.

Raising Dragons ebook Price Reduction

Raising Dragons is now available on the Amazon Kindle for only $3.99. You don't have to own a Kindle to download and read the ebook version. Amazon has free apps for just about any device, including a PC or Mac computer.

The ebook price for the following books has been lowered to $7.99:

All of Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire, and Children of the Bard, Masters & Slayers, Third Starlighter, and I Know Why the Angels Dance.

Song of the Ovulum now on the Nook

Song of the Ovulum, book #1 in the Children of the Bard series, is now available on the Nook.

Enjoy! :-)

Dragons of Starlight ebook Sale

Starlighter and Warrior ebooks are now on sale for $1.99 until December 5! Even if you don't have a Kindle or a Nook, you can download them to your electronic device, such as a PC, Mac, or smart phone.

Get them while you can! :-)

Amazon Blitz Today for Precisely Terminated

Today is the day to participate in the Amazon blitz for my daughter's book, Precisely Terminated. Click here for details.

Dragons of Starlight Three-book Deal at CBD

Christianbook.com is selling the three released books from the Dragons of Starlight series for $19.99. That's less than seven dollars each. Check it out at the link below.





Dragon of Starlight Series, Volumes 1-3

By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

New Tour Events in Washington

Here are some new events we added to the tour schedule in the state of Washington:

September 28, 2011 - 4:30 pm
Dinner with the Authors (Feel free to join us, but you have to pay for your own dinner. Please let me know you are coming)
Old Country Buffet
4022 Factoria Mall SE
Bellevue, WA 98006

October 3, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Lifeway Christian Store
9310 N. Division Street
Spokane, WA
(509) 487-6942

I don't always to remember to post news about events, so keep checking the schedule map for events near you. Click here for a link to the map.

Diviner Giveaway

See this link for a giveaway of Diviner - http://www.thechristianmanifesto.com/index.php/2011/07/03/diviner-giveaway/

Signing at Costco in St. Louis Area

I will be at the Costco warehouse store in St. Peters, MO, tomorrow (Saturday) from 11 am to 2 pm.

The store is located at 200 Costco Way, St. Peters, Missouri. I hope those in the St. Louis area can come out and see me. We will have only the Dragons in our Midst books at this store, but you can bring books you already own for me to sign. If you want a different book to buy, please comment here this evening, and I will see if I can bring it with me.

Precisely Terminated Amazon Blitz - September 24

If you want to buy my daughter's book, Precisely Terminated, from Amazon.com, a good day to do it would be September 24.

Why? Because that's our Amazon blitz day!

An Amazon blitz takes place when an author requests that everyone who wants to buy the book on Amazon do so on a particular day in order to help the book's rankings climb as high as possible. This way, it is more likely to get noticed on category lists because of its high ranking.

So I am asking for you to help out by ordering Precisely Terminated on Amazon sometime during the day on September 24. If you email the author on September 24 with proof of purchase from Amazon, she will send you an autographed adhesive label to put in the book as well as a bookmark. The label will have a graphic of Precisely Terminated on it. You'll also get a big hearty THANK YOU! Her email address is legossi (at) dragonsinourmidst (dot) com

Proof of purchase can be the email Amazon sends you to confirm your order. Click here to go to the Amazon ordering page. For more information about the book, go to the author's website - http://www.amandaldavis.com

Feel free to ask any questions. :-)

Diviner is Now in Stock in Printed Version at Amazon

Amazon.com is now showing Diviner in stock in its printed version. Click here to go directly to Amazon's Diviner page.

The page is also allowing reviews to be posted, so if you liked it, please post a review.

Diviner has been Released for Kindle and Nook

Diviner has been released for the Kindle and the Nook. Let me know if you get it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Bookstore Event Reminder

I will be signing books at the following locations and times:

August 19, 2011 – 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Dalton’s Christian Bookstore
331 Walnut Street
Waynesville, NC 28786-3496
(828) 452-1003

August 20, 2011 – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Crossway Christian Supply
2406 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29615
(864) 268-6007
‎(Amanda's book will not be available at this event)

August 27, 2011 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Costco Book Signing
10701 Sudley Manor Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 368-7579

Even if you don't buy a book, come on out, and we'll talk. I will be glad to sign books you already own.

Davis Crossing Tour Blog is Now Live

I have a new blog dedicated to my fall promotional tour - http://daviscrossing.blogspot.com/

While the tour is going on, I will be updating it with photos, videos, and commentaries from the tour events. So please check it out and click on "Join this site" to follow it.

Bookstore Event in Waynesville, NC

Friday, August 19 · 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Dalton's Christian Bookstore

331 Walnut Street

Waynesville, NC

(828) 452-1003

I will be selling and signing my books here, including Song of the Ovulum. I will be glad to sign books you already own. If you're in the area, please come out and see me. I would love to talk to you. Free poster for book buyers.

 

Starlighter Review

Here is a nice Starlighter review - http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-starlighter-by-bryan-davis.html

Novels now Available on Nook

All my novels except for Song of the Ovulum are now available for the Nook.

I don't know when Song of the Ovulum will be available for the Nook or the Kindle.

Book Signing Event in Greenville, South Carolina

I will be signing books at the following date and location:

August 20, 2011 - 3 pm to 5 pm
Crossway Christian Supply
2406 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29615
(864) 268-6007 ‎

If you're in the area, please stop by and see me. I will be glad to sign books you already own, so bring them in.

Please spread the word to friends, neighbors, and social media contacts.

Dragons at Costco

The Dragons in our Midst series will be stocked in Costco stores on a test-market basis beginning August 5 in the following locations:

Manassas, Virginia- Store #225
Auburn Hills, Michigan - Store #376
St. Peters, Missouri - Store #382
Livonia, Michigan - Store #391
Strongsville, Ohio - Store #625
Puyallup, Washington - Store #660
Houston, Texas - Store #675
San Antonio, Texas - Store #689
Greenville, South Carolina - Store #1005
Selma, Texas - Store #1006

If you live in one of these areas and you are a Costco member, please drop by and see if the books are there. Buy one as a gift or tell other Costco customers how good the books are. It would be great if we could make this a successful test market.

The Davis Crossing Tour is Coming

Beginning in mid-September, Amanda L. Davis and I will embark on a nationwide promotional tour for our books. We are calling it the Davis Crossing Tour. On this blog and on Facebook, we will provide an ongoing chronicle of our activities.

If you want us to come to your group and speak, please email me author (at) daviscrossing (dot) com. We charge no fee, but we ask for an opportunity to sell books.

Here is a Google map showing the schedule so far. I will be adding many more events.


View Davis Crossing Tour Schedule in a larger map

Click Here to go to the map on Google.

Very Low Prices on Three Bryan Davis ebooks

Starlighter, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, and Eternity's Edge ebooks are 99 cents each at all ebook vendors, including Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), & Christianbook.com (epub). The sale lasts until August 1. Please repost this wherever you can.

Song of the Ovulum now in Stock at CBD

Song of the Ovulum is now in stock at Christianbook.com. Click here.

In Defense of Dragons

As an author of books that have dragons as characters, I am often asked about the appropriateness of including dragons as good beings. I have defended the practice many times in speeches and emails, so it's about time I wrote a blog post about it so that others can refer to my answer.


I will do this in the form of questions and answers.


Question:

Isn't a dragon a symbol of Satan in the Bible? Why would you use good dragons in a story? Aren't they evil?

Answer:
The Bible uses a dragon to symbolize Satan, but God also describes Leviathan as one of his greatest creatures in Job 41, and this creature is clearly a fire-breathing, scaly monster that is strikingly similar to the dragons in my stories. It seems to be used in the Bible in multiple ways.

We shouldn't be surprised that a dragon, with its strength and ferocity, is used to explain the devil's tenacity in attacking God's people. But does such a symbol mean that all dragons are evil? I don’t think so. The same is true with a lion. The devil is called a lion that seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Does that mean that all lions are evil? Again, I don’t think so. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. A lion is a symbol that can be used in many ways.

Satan is also described in the Bible as appearing as an angel of light, but certainly we are not to regard all angels of light as evil. Also, humans can reflect every wicked attribute of Satan, yet they can also reflect many of God's qualities. They can be good or evil in stories.

My stories says that many dragons are evil and were killed by the king’s slayers. Some, however, are good and are rescued. This follows a symbolic parallel to angels. Some angels are true to God, and some are fallen. We would be wrong to look at one fallen angel and assume that all angels are evil.

So it is with dragons. Just because one dragon is evil, we shouldn’t automatically insist in all stories that all dragons must be evil. In fact, to say so would be similar to superstition, not reason, and there is nothing in the Bible that says all dragons are evil. It just isn't there.


I will be glad to answer any civil questions.

Song of the Ovulum now In Stock at Amazon

For those who want to purchase Song of the Ovulum at Amazon.com, it is now in stock. They are now also allowing for reviews, so if you have an Amazon account (and a positive review :-) ) feel free to post a review.

Click here to go to the book's Amazon page.

Press Release for Daughter's Book - Precisely Terminated

Check out the press release for my daughter's new book, Precisely Terminated - http://www.daviscrossing.com/PTPressRelease.pdf

Great pre-order price for Song of the Ovulum

Here is a link to a Christian bookstore that is selling Song of the Ovulum at a great pre-order price - $9.97! This price is good through July 1, and it will count in the bookstore blitz. http://www.lighthousechristianbooks.com/Default.aspx?tabid=18620

Song of the Ovulum Christian Bookstore Blitz

Purpose: To promote my new book Song of the Ovulum and help Christian bookstores.

Time: From July 2 through July 16.

Activity: Buy Song of the Ovulum at a Christian Bookstore during that time period.

Prepare: Call your Christian bookstore at least two weeks in advance of July 2 and ask them to order Song of the Ovulum for you. Some bookstores won't do a verbal order by phone, so you might have to go in to order it.

Report: When you get the book, report to me by email where you bought it. I have created a Google map with markers where people are buying the book. Here is a link to the map - http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=37.0625%2C-95.677068&spn=35.273162%2C86.572266&z=4&msid=206056862135761608404.0004a3e0f9ffaf5f2fe7d

Reward: If you email me a scanned copy of your receipt, (bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com) I will send you an autographed adhesive label to put in the book as well as a Song of the Ovulum bookmark. The label will have a graphic of the Song of the Ovulum cover on it.

Other Rewards: I will visit as many of the reported (with scanned receipt) bookstores as I can during my fall tour. If I get 15 or more books reported for a particular store, I will buy pizza for those 15+ buyers when I come. Since my tour is nationwide, I should be able to get to almost any store except for Alaska and Hawaii. I am not guaranteeing that I will be able to do this for every store that gets 15 or more books sold at the location. I am saying only that I will do my best, and it depends on how close the store is to my tour route. If I can't make it there, I will come up with an alternative reward.

If you don't have a Christian bookstore in the area, you will be able to order from a Christian bookstore online at a special price. It won't count toward the pizza deal, but you will still receive the autographed label if you email your receipt.

Here is a link to the Christian bookstore's online ordering page for those who have no Christian bookstore in their area - Click here When the blitz begins, that page will have special low pricing for the book.

Family Christian Stores is participating by providing a 25% off coupon. Go to this link - http://www.familychristian.com/ovulum/ and print out the coupon. Take it into a Family Christian Store and receive the discount for Song of the Ovulum.

Please share this information with as many people as you can--blogs, Facebook, Myspace, your email list, etc.

Song of the Ovulum Song Contest Winner

I held a contest in which readers composed music for lyrics I wrote that will appear in Song of the Ovulum. Here is the winning entry.

Dragons of Starlight Wallpaper for your Computer

Zondervan has created computer wallpapers for the Dragons of Starlight series. Here are two examples:

http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/DragonWallpaper1.jpg
http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/DragonWallpaper2.jpg

They have formatted the wallpapers for the desktop, the ipad, and mobile devices.

They are making all the wallpapers available exclusively to their members of the Z Street Team (their virtual teen advisory board). If you want access to them, you can join the Z Street Team today and get them.

To join the Z Street Team, you can visit this tab on their Good Teen Reads Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/GoodTeenReads?sk=app_112863192127374

That tab will explain what the Z Street Team is, and you can join straight from there.

For Zondervan to know that you joined to get the Dragons of Starlight downloads, you should post a comment on that tab as well, in the comments section saying that I sent you to Zondervan. They will then send the wallpapers download link to the email address you use to sign up.

The benefit of joining the Z Street Team is that you will get early access to their teen books to review them (including Diviner, when it gets closer to release).

Warrior Error Update

In an earlier post - Click Here - I told you about an error in Warrior. I learned today that if you have the erroneous version of the book, you can email Zondervan to request a free corrected copy. You don't have to send your old copy in. Here is the email address -zguarantee@zondervan.com

New Review of Masters & Slayers

http://landofmysojourn.net/blog/?p=5820

Fantasy is my favorite genre of writing, so I have been looking forward to reading Masters and Slayers. From the opening pages of the story, the tale captured my attention, making the book nearly impossible to set aside. (It’s a good thing I started reading it on a day off rather than on a lunch break!)
I found the narrative interesting and creative. The characters were real, so real that often their motives remained hidden and left you guessing at the true state of their heart and the source of their actions. I had not previously read any of the author’s youth series set in the same world, yet I found the worlds and settings fully explained. There were several characters that gave you only the briefest glimpses into their stories, so I assume they will be developed in later books.

This book is marketed as a Christian book. I would instead call it theistic and moral, but not distinctly Christian as it did not include the one message that is unique to Christianity, a God who provides himself as the sacrifice, offering salvation and redemption as a free gift that man can not earn or in any way contribute to by his own works. The book does include the presence of a creator god, a moral code, a high value of life, faith as central to life’s choices, an underlying belief in justice and the responsibility to protect and defend the weak and oppressed. The book deals with issues of evil and the corruption of power. It also touches on the unmerciful fanaticism of legalistic religion, as well as issues of truth and deception.

This book is marketed for an adult audience including the adult themes of murder, brutality, slavery, lust and rape, but it does so in non-graphic ways, presenting elements of evil in the story without dwelling on the details. I appreciate any author who is able to discuss evil without having to paint graphic pictures.

I would recommend Masters and Slayers as a fascinating story, with varied themes and engaging characters. I look forward to the release of book two and the continuation of the Tales of Starlight.

Masters & Slayers is now Available on Kindle

Masters & Slayers is now available in Kindle format at Amazon.com. You don't have to own a Kindle to read it digitally. You can download one of Kindle's apps for your computer or other digital e-reader.

I hope it will also be available for the Nook soon.

Starlight Books Combo Packs

Two new ways to get a good deal on the Starlight books:

Starlighter and Warrior combo for $13 plus shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/SLCombo.htm

Masters & Slayers, Starlighter, and Warrior combo for $22 plus shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/MastersCombo.htm
...
This is a good way to get autographed copies of these books at a lower price per book.

Five Minute Writing Tip Video #2

Here is #2 in my Five Minute Writing Tips series



Here is the Youtube link if you would like to share it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVpOROvLFU

Five Minute Writing Tip Video #1

I have begun a video series called "Five Minute Writing Tips" that I hope to produce regularly.

Here is the first one.


Feel free to share this with others. Here is the Youtube link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ7_Ae7hdQw

Warrior is now Available at Christianbook.com

Warrior is now "In Stock" at Christianbook.com - Click Here

Warrior Readers Please See This to Correct Error in the Book

I learned that my publisher left a paragraph out of Warrior.

On page 129, before the paragraph that begins, "Koren took three steps back" this paragraph should be inserted:

A loud flapping sound pierced the darkness. A white dragon passed through the canopy above without breaking branches or disturbing any leaves. It landed gracefully at her right, fanning Koren with its fluttering wings, but no wind reached her face. The same size as the dark dragon, it also appeared as a ghost at first, shimmering and semitransparent, but then slowly transformed into a solid body. 

On behalf of Zondervan, I apologize for this omission. It should be fixed in the second printing. 

Warrior now in Stock on Amazon

Amazon.com is now listing Warrior as being in stock - Click Here.

It is also now allowing reviews to be posted for Warrior. If you enjoyed the book, please post a review.

Starlighter ebook for Free

You can now get Starlighter as an ebook for free on a Kindle or a Nook.

Link for the Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Starlighter-ebook/dp/B003CMS1E0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Link for the Nook - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Starlighter/Bryan-Davis/e/9780310404767/?itm=1&USRI=starlighter

With the Kindle, you don't have to own a Kindle to get it for free. Amazon has programs you can download so that you can read Kindle books on your computer or several other devices.

Please spread the word about getting these free ebooks!

Song of the Ovulum is Finished

I apologize for not posting here for so long. I have been working feverishly to finish Song of the Ovulum, book one in Children of the Bard, which is a follow-up series to Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire.

Well, it's finally finished, and I think you'll love the new adventures. It's scheduled to come out on July 1. Maybe it will come a little earlier. We'll see.

For a preview, here is the prologue - http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/Prologue.pdf

Dragons Audio Books make Great Gifts

Audio books are great gifts for fans of my books. There is still time before Christmas to get the complete sets of Dragons in our Midst or Oracles of Fire MP3 disks for only $15 each. These MP3 disks can be played on a computer or some of the newer CD players. Once on the computer, you can copy them to an iPod or MP3 player. You can also burn them to traditional CD's for use on all CD players.

The Dragons in our Midst stories are performed by multiple actors along with a narrator. The Oracles of Fire stories are told by a single narrator.

Here are links for purchasing these directly from me.

http://www.daviscrossing.com/DIOMAudio.htm

http://www.daviscrossing.com/OraclesAudio.htm

Warrior is Coming

In less than two months, Warrior, the sequel to the bestselling novel Starlighter, will be released. Look for it in January of 2011.

In Warrior, the stakes are raised when the foretold prince is crowned. While Koren and Jason race to the Northlands of Starlight to find the one person who can help them free the human slaves, Elyssa and Wallace strive to locate Jason and assist his quest. Soon, all four discover that the secrets of Starlight extend much further than they had imagined. Meanwhile, Randall and Tibalt have returned to Major Four and find themselves teamed with the dragon Magnar, who has arrived to thwart the governor.

No one knows how the prophecy will be fulfilled, but one thing is clear: more than ever, the survival of the dragons depends on humankind, and they will do anything to prevent the slaves from escaping.

To preorder from Amazon, click on the link at the top-left. To preorder from CBD, click on the link below. To preorder an autographed copy from me, Click Here.

#2: Warrior By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Christmas Shopping Specials

It's that time of year again, and you might have readers on your list who would like new books, especially one autographed by the author. I have put many of my books on sale for the Christmas shopping season.

Starlighter - $5 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/starlighter.htm

Masters & Slayers - $10 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/Masters.htm

Dragons in our Midst 4-Book set - $40 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/DIOMBookSet.htm

Dragons in our Midst 4-Audio Book (MP3) set - $15 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/DIOMAudio.htm

Oracles of Fire 4-Book set - $40 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/OraclesSet.html

Oracles of Fire 4-Audio Book set (MP3) - $15 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/OraclesAudio.htm

Echoes from the Edge 3-Book Set - $27 at http://www.daviscrossing.com/Echoes3Book.html

I Know Why the Angels Dance  $45 for 5 copies including shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/angelsspecial.htm

The Image of a Father $15 for 5 copies including shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/imagefather.htm

Spit and Polish for Husbands  $14 for 5 copies including shipping - http://www.daviscrossing.com/spitpolish.htm"

You can check out all my books at http://www.daviscrossing.com/shopping.htm

Starlighter is a Bestseller Again

Starlighter is again a bestseller, #13 in the November ECPA young adult list. http://www.ecpa.org/bestseller/young-current.php

It is one of only two novels on the entire list.

Book Signing Event in Memphis Tomorrow

This is a reminder that I will be at the Lifeway Christian Store at 7720 Polo Grounds Blvd in Memphis, TN, from 11 am until 1 pm, Saturday, October 23.

Dragons Books now Available for Amazon Kindle!

All eight Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire books are now available as ebooks for the Amazon Kindle. Even if you don't own a Kindle, you can download Amazon applications that will allow you to read the books on your computer or one of many other devices.

Here are links you can use to go to Amazon's pages for the ebooks.

Masters & Slayers is in Stock at CBD

Masters and Slayers is now in stock at Christianbook.com (CBD).

Click here to go to Masters and Slayers page at CBD.

Masters & Slayers is in Stock at Amazon

If you want to buy Masters and Slayers from Amazon.com, now is the time. It is in stock.

Click here to go to the Amazon page.

Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire Available as ebooks

All eight books in the Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire series are now available as ebooks at Christianbook.com. Here are links you can use to purchase them:


Raising Dragons - eBook
The Candlestone - eBook
Circles of Seven - eBook
Tears of a Dragon - eBook
Eye of the Oracle - eBook
Enoch's Ghost - eBook
Last of the Nephilim - eBook
The Bones of Makaidos - eBook

Masters & Slayers is Here!

I received my copies of Masters & Slayers, and  I will be mailing out orders right away. If you want an autographed copy, go to my ordering web page by clicking here.

Masters & Slayers Promotion Contest Begins Tomorrow

The promotion contest for Masters & Slayers begins tomorrow. Click Here for the official rules.

The grand prize includes a free Amazon Kindle as well as all four Children of the Bard books. The top four point collectors will win the "Bard" series, and everyone in the top ten will win Song of the Ovulum, the first book in the series.

The contest will last through October, so there is still time to get involved.

The 2010 Clive Staples Award Winner - The Bones of Makaidos

The Bones of Makaidos won the 2010 Clive Staples Award. The award website states: "The Clive Staples Award for Christian Speculative Fiction is a readers’ choice award for the year’s best Christian worldview science fiction/ fantasy/allegory/futuristic/supernatural novels published in English by a royalty paying press."

I feel very blessed. Thank you to those who voted for this book, the folks at AMG for all their support, to my wife (my wonderful editor), and especially to God from whom all blessing flow.

Here is a link announcing the award: http://clivestaplesaward.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/the-2010-clive-staples-award-winner/

Promotional Contest for Masters & Slayers

On September 15 I will begin a promotional contest for Masters & Slayers. This contest will take place on my Facebook fan page, so you will have to be on Facebook and "Like" that page to participate.

Here is a link to the Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/BryanDavis.Fans

Contest details will be posted there soon.

Music Video - A Song from Masters & Slayers

In my book Masters & Slayers, a character sings a song I have called Cassabrie's Song. Here is my friend Jessica Coleman performing her arrangement. The music was composed by "Gwendolyn," a young lady who sometimes posts comments on this blog.



Click here to see it at the Youtube site.

Passion, the Fire that Cannot be Quenched

I recently gave a speech at the Montrose Christian Writers' Conference entitled "Passion, the Fire that Cannot be Quenched." If you would like to hear it, click here. I hope it is inspirational for all you writers out there.

If you are inclined to comment about it, feel free to do so.

Master & Slayers and Starlighter Combo Pack

If you would like to buy autographed copies of Masters & Slayers and Starlighter together, my price for that combination is $17 instead of $23 if you buy them separately. Since I will ship them together, you will get a shipping charge savings as well. Click here to purchase.

Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire Apparel

In case you didn't know, you can buy Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire apparel, including t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, and caps. It's still t-shirt and polo season, but autumn is right around the corner, so you'll soon want a new hoodie. Check it out - Click Here

Endorsement for Masters & Slayers - #3

Bryan Davis once again writes a novel that captures the imagination and the heart. Masters and Slayers is packed with colorful characters and the story moves at a good pace keeping the mind on high alert. This first novel in the adult series, promises to be another masterpiece for Davis. Well crafted and beautifully written.
    Aaron Patterson (Author of the WJA series)

Masters & Slayers - Two Series?

Confused about how Masters & Slayers relates to Starlighter?

Masters & Slayers, published by AMG/Living Ink, is the first book in Tales of Starlight, a series for adults that acts as a companion series to Dragons of Starlight, a series for young adults (which includes Starlighter) published by Zondervan.

How to Read the two Series:

You can fully enjoy the Tales of Starlight series without reading the companion series, Dragons of Starlight, and you can fully enjoy Dragons of Starlight without reading Tales of Starlight. If you read both series, however, you will enjoy a fuller understanding of the story world.

If you intend to read both series, here is my suggested reading order:

1. Starlighter (Dragons of Starlight book #1)
2. Masters & Slayers (Tales of Starlight book #1)
3. Warrior (Dragons of Starlight book #2)
4. The Third Starlighter (Tales of Starlight book #2)
5. Diviner (Dragons of Starlight book #3)
6. Dragons of Starlight book #4 (Untitled at this time)

You may switch the reading order for entries 1 and 2 on the above list without any problem, and you may also switch the order for entries 4 and 5.

Parents’ Guide:

Although Masters & Slayers is designed for adults, it can be read by teenagers, especially those who have enjoyed Starlighter, the first book in the Dragons of Starlight series. The adult designation is due to the fact that the story follows the adventures of adult characters instead of teenagers.

The good-versus-evil violence in this book is similar to that of the young adult series, except for a few more graphic events, such as the fiery execution of a boy and the severing of a murder victim’s fingers. There are no sexual scenes, but the breeding of humans by order of the slave-master dragons is mentioned. This practice takes place “off-screen” and is not described, though one character explains his dilemma when faced with an order to participate. There is no profanity or sexually provocative language.

Endorsement for Masters & Slayers - #2

All I can say is that I'm now a huge fan. Davis's pacing is masterful, and his story craft is on par with the greats, making him a legend in his own day. But what grips me the most are his characters. Never have I been so sad to see a story come to a close.

Davis's leap to adult fiction was no leap at all. At least he made it seem that way. Writing for an older audience comes as natural to him as Adrian parrying a sword attack.

It's one thing to use fantastical creatures of the status quo, but it's quite another to form new ones from the ground up, giving readers beings they've yet to imagine! Hats off to Davis for reinventing the norm in fantasy once again.

Adventure. Courage. Valor. Sacrifice. An absolute must read.

Christopher Hopper (Author of The White Lion Chronicles and co-author of The Berinfell Prophecies)

Endorsement for Masters & Slayers - #1

Believable world building undergirds good fantasy. In Masters and Slayers Bryan Davis takes as much care establishing the physical backdrop as he does in character development. The result is another tale that draws in fantasy lovers and satisfies the reader on a spiritual level as well as on the entertainment through adventure plane. Mr. Davis has given us the beginning of another series to put on the Keeper shelf.

    Donita K. Paul (Author of Dragon Keeper Chronicles and Chiril Chronicles)

Vote for the Clive Staples Award - The Bones of Makaidos

The Bones of Makaidos has been nominated for the Clive Staples Award for speculative fiction. If you have read at least two of the nominated books, you are eligible to vote, and voting is now open for one month.

Here is a link for voting. Please follow the rules carefully - Clive Staples Award Voting

I would be grateful if you would consider voting for The Bones of Makaidos, but, of course, you should vote for the book you think most worthy.

If you haven't read two books in the nomination list, there is still time to do so and vote before the end of the month.

Reviewers Needed for Masters & Slayers

If you are a reviewer for a blog or for a print or on-line publication, a librarian, or a serious, experienced reviewer, I would like to invite you to participate in an opportunity to review Masters & Slayers, the first book in the adult companion series to Dragons of Starlight.

The publisher has the digital file for Masters & Slayers available for reviewers who are willing to give no-spoiler reviews. This system allows reviewers to download the file free of charge, and the file will expire after 15 days.

I am hoping to limit this offer to experienced reviewers who are well-versed at writing no-spoiler reviews, so I might ask you for a link to a sample review you have done.

If you are interested, please let me know by email - bryan (at) daviscrossing (dot) com. I will need your email address so that I can send it to the publisher who will then communicate with you.