The True Christmas

For unto us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his

shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and

of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his

kingdom,

to establish it and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this forth and

forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do

this.

~Isaiah 9:6-7

For he grew up before him like a young

plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we

should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire

him.

He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted

with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their

faces

he was despised, and we esteemed

him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our

transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that

brought us peace,

and with his stripes we are healed.

~Isaiah 53:2-5

Merry Christmas!

RhoXie

Y'all's Christmas Present

So I'd been trying to think of what to do about Christmas and my blog. Then it hit me. Why not do a post of snippets from Inkling Adventures? So that's what I'm doing! Enjoy.😸

~

Hazel laughed cruelly. "Well... I was just wondering what your mom would think of her replacement."

"Ooh!" Hazel's friends exclaimed.

"Aunt Helen isn't a replacement for Mom," I said, gritting my teeth.

"Of course she isn't," Hazel replied. "Who'd want to replace a mom who does even have the guts to live? I mean, really."

“I knew you’d find out sooner or later. If you didn’t, I would’ve told you in a few years,” Dad said, then asked, “How much do you know?”

I counted off on my fingers. “You and Mom were Inklings – but I’m not sure what that means – the real reason Mom died, and that elves exist. That’s about it.”

Elflings shall hear the call;

The Black forever shall fall.

Deepest dark they will face,

Seeking to defeat evil’s race.

“You’re as bad as my dad,” I muttered. “God made us but no longer cares about us.”

“If you indeed believe that to be true, then your life lacks much truth in it,” Nelacra sadly said. “For you are wrong. God cares for you in ways you will never imagine.”

I didn’t answer her, but I didn’t believe her either.

Darkness met my eyes when I opened them again. Something woke me. what was it?

I lay still and listened. Then I heard it. A voice calling my name.

“Priss!”

The voice came from nearby. It sounded familiar, and the tone urgent.

“Priss!”

I swallowed. “Is that all?” I attempted to say the words jokingly and mask my fear.

“No,” said Lamsor gravely. “There is Zaltin the Black as well.”

"Oh, yeah. Him," I said. He's the one who has Dad. He's the one who has to pay.

We were face to face with the remaining Night Wizard.

He was a tall figure, dressed in silver. Writing in a foreign language covered his robes. But what unsettled me most was his smile. It seemed friendly yet cold at the same time.

The smile of death, I thought and then realized what that meant.

The judge turned to Mr. Inndigo. “Do you wish to cross-examine the witness?”

“I do, your honor,” he answered promptly.

Mr. Inndigo stood and walked towards me.

I grinned. Yep, I was right. It's Daynin. A wizard for a lawyer, not bad.

~

And that's it! Hope y'all have a merry Christmas.

RhoXie

Want to know more about Inkling Adventures? Check out these posts!

• Inkling Adventures Visuals
• Visiting The Land
• Priss' Prophecy
• Not the Cover Reveal

Jedi Braid Bun and Variations

Say hello to Sarah, everyone! With December here, I'd like to show y'all an easy hairstyle that works all day. It's a beautiful bun with a story behind it. 

Sarah's dance studio was having a costume day one Friday, and Sarah was going has a Jedi. I had the wonderful privilege of braiding her hair for the event. However, we were pressed for time, and I didn't get to do it quite the way I'd envisioned it. Today I'll get to share some variations.

The Jedi Braid Bun

1. Part hair in the middle.
2. Run finger up from behind the right ear up to the part and section off the hair in front of the finger. (Optional: Secure loose hair out of the way.)
3. Section off the last fourth of hair from step 1.
4. Divide the the fourth into three equal pieces and braid down the length. (Left piece over middle; right piece over new middle. Repeat till braid is done.)
5. Secure Braid with a small ponytail holder.
6. Repeat steps 5&6 on the remaining three fourths.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 on the left side of head.
8. Gather all the hair that is not braided into a ponytail but DO NOT secure.
9. Add all braids  and ponytail all the hair including the braids. Make sure the braid lay flat against the head.
10. Wrap the braids around the rest of the hair, and twist into a bun by making a slightly twisted loop of hair and pulling the ends thru.
11. Tighten the loop by pulling on the ends. Then Tuck the ends under and pin in place. Make sure the ponytail holders on the braids are hidden.

Variations:

1. Turn the ponytail into one big braid and bun normally.
2. Leave it as a ponytail.
3. Braid the rest of the ponytail in little braids and bun it as above.
4. Or braid it and leave as a ponytail.

Well, there y'all have it. One hairstyle five ways. Hope that meets all your holiday hair needs. As always if you need help, just leave a comment.

Lessons from the Move

  

   My family is now happily semi-settled in our new house. However, the process has taught a few thing I'd like to share with y'all.

1. No matter how worried you are, trust God. We seriously didn't know if we'd have a house for a while. Then we didn't know if we'd have buyers. But God came through.
2. Real friends are a gift. So many people helped us. They gave us boxes, meals, and storage space. And those are just the ones I can easily list!
3. You don't need all the stuff. I had no electronics, slept on a bare mattress, and ate off paper plates. But I survived it!
4. You never know when God will bless you. I've wanted a lap-desk for the longest time but could never I liked and could afford. But one was left at the house, a really nice one.

   I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving Day, and I'll see y'all again next week.

RhoXie

Interview with Jonathan Hubbard

   I think Jonathan maybe my favorite Time Captive. So I was thrilled when Morgan said I could interview him. Hope you enjoy it too.

1. I know you've read several of my favorite authors, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Who is your favorite?

Tolkien’s great and I love Lord of the Rings and all, but C.S. Lewis will always be my favorite. *shrugs* I read Narnia first. Besides, I relate more to Narnia. Frodo and Sam are fantastic, but they belonged to Middle Earth. The Pevensies and Digory and Polly and Jill and Eustace all came from our world. I can like Lord of the Rings, but I can be Narnia. I like E. Nesbit and George MacDonald too, but C.S. Lewis is the best.

2. Would you say his/her books prepared you for your adventures as a Time Captive?

Definitely. No, Calhortea isn’t exactly like Narnia, and no, our story isn’t just like the Pevensies, but I can’t imagine coming here without having any idea of what it would be like to go to a fantasy world—or even any idea that fantasy worlds might exist. I feel sorry for everyone who came here before Narnia came out.

3. What were the benefits of being a Time Captive beyond the obvious?

The obvious of not being able to die, or the obvious of getting to go to a fantasy world? The biggest benefit is getting to go to a fantasy world. Well, that’s probably not the right answer. The right answer is that we get to help people and fight for their freedom. But we couldn’t do that if we hadn’t come to a fantasy world, now could we?

4. What were the cons?

We couldn’t ever change, a lot of people hate us, and we spent a long time in the dungeon. Then there’s the fact that we can die now that we’re all together—now that we’re finally facing war. But it’s all worth it.

5. Would you change anything you've done in your adventures?

Well…I would say spend less time in the dungeon, except that the ones who didn’t haven’t exactly had the best time. Other than forty years in the dungeon, though, it’s all gone pretty well. There isn’t anything I’ve done that really made a huge negative impact.

6. What was the hardest part?

Waiting. Well, we haven’t fought the war yet. I’m sure that’ll be hardest once we come to it, which will be soon, but right now, the worst part has been waiting in the dungeon for forty years. The Pevensies didn’t have to sit around in a dungeon for forty years before they could fight the White Witch, and I’m jealous of them for that. They got it over and done with, and then they had fifteen years of mostly peace for the Golden Age of Narnia. And the rest of them didn’t have to wait either. Though Jill and Eustace always left (or died) when their quest was over.

Review of Cannig Castle

I have read all of Morgan's books, and Cannig Castle is her best. She masterfully ties the threads into a complex knot of a climax. Though I'd say that the biggest knot was in my stomach as I watched Eleanor accepted her past, Adriel risk everything, and Jonathan lead troops. Then it all came together to rip me apart emotionally. I loved it.

   Since Crieghton Hill, I've wondered how the Hubbards' story would end. Buut I never saw it coming. Morgan beautifully brought closure but still left openings for new books. (Hint, hint.) And, oh! How my fan-girl was messed with. Teasing, teasing author!

   All in all, Cannig Castle is a fastinating read for all ages. Now I just need Morgan's next book.

Be sure to check in Thursday for my interview with Jonathan Hubbard.

Blog Tour

No, I'm not back to posting regularly, But I couldn't miss the blog tour for Morgan's last Time Captives book. Here's the schedule.

Monday, November 7th

·        Tour Introduction at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

·        Book Review at Sarah Allerding

·        Book Review at Written Rest

·        Character Interview at Jenelle Schmidt ~ Rae

·        Character Spotlight at Bring Your Own Books ~ Toarna

·        Character Spotlight at However Improbable ~ Jill Hubbard

Tuesday, November 8^th

·        Book Review at ReadingAnyone

·        Book Review at Books, Braids, and Born Again

·        Character Interview at Bring Your Own Books ~ Jill Hubbard

·        Character Spotlight at Jaye L. Knight ~ Allan Hubbard

·        The End of This Story and the Beginning of All the Others at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Wednesday, November 9^th

·        Book Review and Author Interview at Reflections of the Heart

·        Author Interview at Bookish Orchestrations

·        Character Interview at Knitted by God’s Plan ~ Samantha Hubbard

·         Character Spotlight at HOPE Through the Pages ~ Ariela

·         You Might Also Like… at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Thursday, November 10^th

·        Book Review at Scattered Journal Pages

·        Author Interview at The Overactive Imagination

·        Author Interview at The Epic Place

·        Character Interview at Books, Braids, and Born Again ~ Jonathan Hubbard

·        Character Interview at HOPE Through the Pages ~George Hubbard

·        The Effects of Writing at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Friday, November 11^th

·        Book Review at Bring Your Own Books

·        Author Interview at HOPE Through the Pages

·        Character Spotlight at Written Rest ~ Connor

·        Character Spotlight at Leah’s Bookshelf ~ Jonathan Hubbard

·        Character Q&A at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Saturday, November 12^th

·        Book Review at Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings

·        Book Review at O. Scarlett! Reviews

·        Character Interview at The Epic Place ~ Theodore Hubbard

·        Character Spotlight at Bookish Orchestrations ~ Thomas Hubbard

·        Writing Forward at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Monday, November 14^th

·        Tour Recap at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Not Posting

So I'm posting to tell y'all I'm not posting. For at least three weeks. Yeah, moving eleven people, two cats, a dog, and all their stuff is hard. But on the bright side, we have a house. On the dark side, moving feels like this:

Wait on Him

I believe that I shall look upon the the

goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take

courage;

wait for the LORD!

~Psalm 27:13-14

   I have needed these verses over the weekend. First, the situation with our house is still iffy, second, I lost the typing program I use for my book, and third, we're not sure where we'll be next. So yeah, it was rough.

   I don't see God's goodness very clearly right now, but I chose to believe it's there. I believe and wait.

   Though it's difficult at times, I know God's timing is best. My belief in that makes me strong against these struggles.

   I have courage that God will bring my family through this. I admit I want it to be over, but I'm willing to wait on Him.

~

   Please grant me grace about posting as we move. On the plus side though, y'all can now subscribe by email so y'all never miss a post.

Cannig Castle Cover Reveal

   Why am I posting a day early? I promise it's for a really good reason. Ready for this?

Morgan's next book comes out in November, and today's the cover reveal!!!!

   I love the Time Captives Trilogy just so dang much! Words fail me, completely fail me. They're that wonderful and emotional. And oh, the feels! The whole thing with Eleanor and Grant... Excuse me while my heart curls up and dies.

   So here we go. The cover in all its awesomeness!

Ta-Da! Oh, the glory!

About the Book

God, please look after Adriel. Keep him safe and keep him from acting foolish. And please help him to be able to find me.

Rae knew she could trust God to look after both of them. It was all she had now.

The Time Captives have been reunited. The rightful king has been freed. Now all that remains is to defeat the strytes who still hold a tyrannical rule over the people of Calhortz. But with their lack of soldiers, it’s a task that is easier said than done. They need allies, but are they worth it when it requires facing ghosts from their pasts?

Returning to his home country only brings the loss of Adriel’s family to the forefront of his mind. His determination to find Rae has never ceased, but now that determination could potentially destroy all that he and the Time Captives have been working towards. And his new-found faith may not be able to withstand the challenge.

Will they be able to set aside their personal struggles for the sake of the freedom of all or will they allow their pasts to consume them? Will they manage to win back Crannig Castle from the rule of the strytes? The fate of Calhortz hangs in the balance.

Crannig Castle is the final book of the Time Captives trilogy, a tale of faith, family, fantasy, and a fight for truth and freedom.

Release Date

Crannig Castle, will be released on November 7th, 2016. Stay tuned on Morgan’s blog and Facebook page for more information and sneak peeks.

And now for an interview with the author herself!

Are you excited to be finishing your first series?

I am. It’s been a long, hard journey, and it’s definitely exciting to finally see it all come to completion. This December it will have been four years since I first wrote the prologue to Creighton Hill, which isn’t so long when you just think about the raw numbers, but so much has happened in those four years—and the story has given me so many fits—that it feels like much longer. I’m a little sad to be leaving these characters (especially Adriel and Eleanor), but it’s still amazing to have reached the end of the journey. Though if I ever come up with plot ideas, spin-off novels are a possibility.

What have you learned?

Lots. None at all. (I know you’ll get that joke.) In all seriousness, I have learned a lot. One thing is that sometimes you initially pick the wrong protagonist and have to rewrite your entire book with a different main character, but that’s okay because in the long run it will be much better for it. I also learned principles about dealing with magic in Christian fantasy. I learned a ton about writing itself from K.M. Weiland. And I also learned that sometimes writing can be incredibly difficult, but that only makes it even more worth it.

Do you have plans for new books?

Why certainly I do! Up next (my publishing plan is sometime next summer) is a Sleeping Beauty retelling called Twisted Dreams that I wrote last year for a contest. I like to say it’s fairy tales meet Doctor Who meets Merlin meets Star Wars meets Michael Vey meets my imagination. What if Sleeping Beauty found herself in another world when she fell asleep?

I’m also working on an outer space dystopian trilogy. I just rewrote the first book completely a few months ago (yet another case of wrong protagonist, coupled with severe empty middle syndrome). The only problem is that the second draft plot twists kind of make my original second book uncanon. So now I have to replot the rest of the series.

An Espionage sequel is still in brainstorming stages as is “the Storyless Storyboard Story” about a kidnapped baby, bionics, and an evil scientist. I’m also in the early stages of a cowrite with a friend. I’m really excited about it, but I’ve yet to complete a cowrite, so fingers crossed.

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment as well as the Time Captives fantasy trilogy.