![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e0GA0FY9gRs/SXodkCqSdBI/AAAAAAAAAqM/YL6RXbSIaYc/s320/trophy.jpg)
The 1st Most Entertaining Books of 2008 are...
"The Restorer's Son" & "The Restorer's Journey"
by Sharon Hinck
"The Restorer's Son" & "The Restorer's Journey"
by Sharon Hinck
Last year Sharon's first book "The Restorer" won in the Most Life Changing category and I did an interview with Sharon then, you can read that here. I have rarely been as excited about a sequel in a series as I was when Restorer's Journey arrived in the mail - I was like, "Everybody leave me alone! I'm reading Restorer's Journey!" It's always bittersweet of course when you read a book that you know might be the last, you have to savor every word, so I did. My biggest concern is that a lot of you out there haven't read these books yet. That dismays me.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e0GA0FY9gRs/SXodY61QZ8I/AAAAAAAAAqE/RViPFiOPJc4/s320/Restorer.jpg)
I'm trying not to spoil anything here... In the Restorer's Journey we have another Restorer and yet another enemy - though some enemies never seem to really go away. We see most of the same characters in each book which I love and the overall setting stays the same - but situations and circumstances sure change. In every book Sharon packs the storys full of amazing allegorial pictures (the people of Lyric have the Verses (a version of our Psalms), the Rhusicans use mind poisoning to torment and kill people (our negative thought life) and much more). These books will make you think, let you escape, and thouroughly entertain you! They are too good not to read -
Now let's meet Sharon...
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e0GA0FY9gRs/SXodFdvXJCI/AAAAAAAAAp8/vmk8J1jA_wQ/s320/sharon+hinck.jpg)
1. I picked The Restorer as one of the Most Life Changing Books of 2007 and while The Restorer's Son and The Restorer's Journey could have easily garnered the same title this year I decided that they should instead receive the title of Most Entertaining because above all else this entire series is designed to sweep you away to a different world and into a place where you wish you were but would be kind of freaked out to be. Is Susan based on you?
I think every character has some shadings of myself. There are elements of Susan that I identify with. I’m a wife and mom who struggles with the journey of serving Christ being more painful than anticipated, and also has felt the joy of surrendering to His purposes. But I haven’t ventured through any portals into alternate universes.
I’m a “discovery” writer. I have a sense of where the story is going, but it often surprises me. I didn’t see either of those Restorer’s coming until it happened. It was one of those fun novel-writing moments, where I lifted my hands off the keyboard, read what I’d just typed, and said, “Wow!” And even though it surprised me, it felt like it had been meant to be all along.
3) In The Restorer series you make parallels between Susan and the Old Testament judge, Deborah and Kiernan and the judge Gideon. Did you model Jake after a judge ( a young, handsome, 18 year old judge)?
I was inspired by young David. He was the one voice ready to stand up to the Philistines when the seasoned warriors were afraid, he was a poet with a tender heart for God, and he had a difficult relationship with King Saul.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cESuxv-WNX8/R8TbMw2YBGI/AAAAAAAAAhU/O7U3DXHLWAM/s320/Restorer%27s+Journey.jpg)
4) There are different enemies in the books (Rhusicans, Kahlareans, etc...) are they modeled after anything (or anyone) in particular?
When I was developing the Rhusicans (Rhus is the Latin botantical name for poison), I had been pondering the modern marketing industry. It targets people’s insecurities and seeks to exploit them to create a need. I wondered what it would be like if an enemy used that technique on a very personal level – probing, twisting, and literally poisoning people’s minds.
5) Is the Sword of Lyric series over or will we get to see what happens next in the land of Lyric?
For me, the adventures continue. I have more stories in me set in that world. I’m praying that if God wills it, I might one day have an opportunity to write more stories in the series.
6) What do you have in the works right now - so I know what to be looking forward to?
I’ve been busy the last few months with the release of “Stepping Into Sunlight” - a new contemporary novel about a Navy chaplain’s wife and her journey toward healing from PTSD.
****Readers, I recently read "Stepping Into Sunlight" and it would not surprise me to see it on the 2009 Most Life Changing list. It is a wonderful book that will increase your empathy towards others, open your eyes to those hurting and give you insight into the minds of those that have dealt with painful things. It's a wonderful story that is full of moments that will make you stop and think and be grateful for what God has given you. *****
I LOVE for folks to visit me at www.sharonhinck.com. There is encouragement for writers, for the faith journey, for families. Info on all my books. Fun video interviews. Audio clips of the music from The Restorer books. Lots to explore. :-) Thanks so much for your encouragement on these books that meant so much to me!!!!
Hugs,
Sharon
Sharon won Book Of The Year in the fantasy category at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Minneapolis this year - this is a picture of Sharon giving her acceptance speech. You can see the picture of the winning book "The Restorer's Son" in the background.
*********************************************
I love these books so much that I am going to give away a copy of "The Restorer's Son" from my own collection since I have two and some of you don't have any. Be prepared though... if you win and don't have the first one, then you must go buy it so that you can read them in order. This is one series where I think it's almost unacceptable to read them out of order *grin*. So you know the rules...
1) Leave a comment telling me where you would go to getaway if you could (obviously as much as I would love to go to Lyric like Susan did, not really a possibility) along with your email address and you get 1 entry
2) Blog about this giveaway yourself and leave another comment here and get 2 entries
3) Tell someone else about this interview with Sharon and when they leave a comment with your name in it you will receive 3 entries
4) Become a blog follower (on the left of my blog you can do that) and receive 1 extra entry
16 comments:
Fantasy books have always 'scared' me because I was afraid I'd fall away from the Lord. Your explanation sounds intriguing. It's one reason I love to read your insights to books. I would like to try Sharon's books. Please enter me.
desertrose5173[at]gmail[dot]com
I'd love to win a copy of these books. they sounds so wonderful.
For my get away I'd love to go to England, Ireland, etc. and visit castles.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Someday I would love to visit Venice!
Those gondolas look so romantic!
I love Sharon's books!
msproule1225 at gmaildotcom
I would love to go to Switzerland. I have read too many books and seen too many pictures to think otherwise.
-ReadingToMyself(at)yahoo(dot)com
I tend to stay away from fantasy books and romance novels. But lately I am giving it all a try. Janna is very convincing. Thanks for another chance to win this book.
I'd love to get away to a country village in Germany.
le15307@msn.com
I would love to visit Europe especially Scotland and Ireland.
stacie_vaughan AT hotmail DOT com
I loved this series! Stepping into Sunlight will be read by my book discussion gorup in March!!
I would probably go visit the New England states.
I really want to read this series! My ideal getaway would be on a cruise or maybe Italy, France, or Greece!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Anna W.
writer_weaver(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd love to go back on England and to Normandy. Research a larger WWII book and just experience the places I've read so much about. I think that would be awesome!
I would love to take another cruise to anywhere in the Caribbean...it's got to be warmer there now than it is where I am! But if I couldn't go there, I'd love to go to England.
Christy
orca0024 at yahoo dot com
I would love to go to Spain which is where my hubby's family is from and also to Ireland and England. Actually, would love to see all of Europe as a getaway.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Okaaay, I am not a fantasy fan but I will try too....
Thanks!
cmrobin at bellsouth net
Can you believe I still don't own this one?!?!
My getaway destination would have to be Maui - hubby and I went once and would LOVE to go back!
ryanx6 at msn dot com
these books were great-the first one is my favorite..As a get-away I wouldn't want anything as challenging as the world Sharon created. I like places that speak English- Please enter me
Jolene
if it's not too late please enter me...you can email me for information petriekidn@yahoo.com
Post a Comment