D.C Trip

End of September, my parents and I went to Washington, D.C. I've never been there before, so it was pretty awesome. Also, I don't get extended one-on-one time with my parents very much (#largefamily), and this trip was probably the biggest dose of that I've ever had.

I saw a lot of neat things, and while I'm not huge on pictures or videos, I do have some for y'all. Admittedly, they are from the National Zoo, which was my favorite part.

I know the quality is horrible, but this little guy was SO cute! So watch it anyway. PLEASE!!

A Meekrat

I have more somewhere. I know I do, and it's slightly annoying because I have amazing pics and funny otter videoes. Oh, well maybe next time.

RhoXie

KoFaI Snippet

This is from my WIP The Kingdom of Fire and Ice. I just topped 45k words, and it's still going strong. Enjoy!

Via Pinterest

~~~

She tried again. Prepared for the wind’s forcefulness, she made it this time. A minute later, she had the rope. A second passed, then two and three.

Come on, Ciara, I thought. Come on! Then it happened. The sail went slack. The force pushing against the rudder eased. I found I could breathe again, not even sure when I stopped.

For a moment, lightning lit up the sky, but as thunder boomed, I couldn’t find Ciara. She wasn’t at the starboard railing. Panic filled me worse than the rain filled my eyes.

“Ciara! Ciara!” I yelled her name, but only the pounding rain and waves answered me.

“Ciara, where are you? Answer me!”

Wind howled in my ears, drowning out any other sound. Then it just stopped. The waves shrunk, and the rain slowed. I stood up, my eyes searching for Ciara. But she wasn’t on the Aegir.

“Ciara!”

“Aleksander, help!”

My eyes ran over the deck again. She wasn’t there. The blood at my temples pounded. I realized the truth.

“Help me -”

Ciara was somewhere in the water. Blocked by the darkness, I couldn’t see her. But I knew I could hear her.

~~~

RhoXie

This Moment in My Life

Via Pinterest

A change,

It's from You,

But it still scares me,

This moment in my life.

A change,

I didn't plan.

Only You planned it,

This moment in my life.

A change,

Guide me through;

I cannot walk alone,

This moment in my life.

A change,

I accept.

It's a gift from You,

This moment in my life.

WORTH OF A KING Book Tour ~ Interview with Nadilynn

So my friend Kendra's newest book is out. *squeals* I haven't read it yet, but it sounds awesome and has backstory for two of my fav characters from The Rizkaland Legends. Plus the cover is amazing.

 Princess Obsidia’s father was killed the night she was born. Since there was no male heir, the crown went to the man who killed him, by Dialcian law. This never bothered her, growing up, and when it comes time for Obsidia to choose her husband, she chooses Prince Delaney, the son of that man, with little hesitation. Only then does her life start crumbling around her.

Adrian expected to live a normal life, taking his father’s place at the print shop when his father retired. But, on his eighteenth birthday, when the princess’ engagement is announced, his world is ripped out from under him when he learns that his life was a ruse, and he is the twin brother to the princess – and expected to take back his father’s throne.

Delaney knows that his country is hovering on the brink of war – and that his father may harbor murderous intentions towards his intended bride due to her Zovordian blood. He wants nothing more than to protect Obsidia and his people, but as merely prince, he has little power against his father.

The ancient war between the Dragons and the Immortal King and Queen is nearing its climax, and the three are already caught in it.

Today I'm interviewing Obsidia's little sis, Nadilynn. Here goes.

1. Favorite thing about Kendra?

She's a really fun author who can be talked into anything if you make it sound fun enough.

2. Least favorite?

But sometimes she gets really stubborn and won't budge no matter how hard you try.

3. If you could visit our world, would you?

Oh, yes! That would be awesome. I mean, I really don't know much about your world, but it sounds very different from mine, and different always makes for adventure. 

4. What's your favorite childhood memory?

Childhood memory. Ooh, let's see. There was that one time ... no, that wasn't it ... I ... Oh, how about that time that Sidi and I convinced Del to have a tea party with us when we were seven? But then he did have to go and get boring and make it about 

5. Five years from now, where do you want to be?

Five years ... that's a ... long time from now. I don't generally think that far in advance when it comes to what I want. After all, I know that I probably will be married off to whichever prince Father thinks will make the best alliance, and I'll probably have produced him an heir or two at that point. I'm hoping that it'll be Prince Corrin of Fiyar, as I know that I don't want to marry Prince Harold of Hollolund, and they're currently the only two eligible princes actively hunting for a wife. I still have six months until my Choosing, though, and I'm not the only princess of marriageable age. Knowing my luck, Corrin will have already found another princess. 

6. What would you change about your story?

I'd like to be the main character, actually. That way Kendra would care about giving me a proper plotline and happily ever after instead of just having me be the comic relief for whenever Del's being too serious. Is that too much to ask? Sigh - it's not that I'm desperate for attention or anything, it's just that ... some attention would be nice. It'd be nice to know that someone cares. I know that Del and Sidi do, but some days it seems that they're the only ones who really do, and now they're getting married and I don't want to come between them, but at the same time I don't want to be left out. We used to be a threesome. And now ... not so much. I'd like to know that there's a place for me in this world. Me as a person, not a political pawn. Is that too much to ask?

Giveaway: Kendra will be giving away a paperback copy of the book and a 15ml bottle of Peppermint oil (US only), so go visit her blog! She also has a special prize for whoever leaves the most comments across the blog tour – and that one is international. 

Author Bio:

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairytales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been or acting them on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years. "Finish your story, Kendra," is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that glorify God and His Word.

Find her online at: Website || Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter || Amazon

Later, y'all,

RhoXie

Inspiration for my WIP

The WIP I'm referring to is The Kingdom of Fire and Ice. Today is nothing more than pictures from a Pinterest board. But I think it'll help y'all see my thoughts better.

So this is Ross, Aleksander's horse.

In a couple ways, he represents how much Aleksander has accomplished, and he's valued for that.

A sweet memory.

A picture of young Aleksander and his father. 

How Ciara feels about her father.

It's rather true.

Ciara

as she's dressed in

the Kingdom of Fire and Ice.

Nodreck,

the King of Ice and ruler of the Kingdom.

A truth

Ciara and Aleksander

learn.

Hope this interested y'all.

RhoXie

Joni And Friends Family Retreat ~ 2018

Via Google

I haven't shared about Camp this year yet, so I think I'll do that now.

   First off, our theme verse was Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."

   An amazing verse for an amazing week. Where to even begin? Every year it gets better and better. I have no way to describe the love and joy of Camp. The words simply do not exist. I had a camper this year, a new experience for me. But she was so sweet, and I miss her a lot. I miss all of Camp.

   I think I'll share bits and pieces from my prayer journal entries that week. Y'all will learn more from that than anything else. Here goes.

July 22, 2018

I praise You because You have prepared miracles for this week. I rejoice in You because You have chosen everyday people to be Your tools for them. I bow before You because You have called me to be a part of this.

Later,

We are ending our day. Things are quiet all across Camp.... I am at peace. Thank You. 

July 23, 2018

Thank You for the time I spent with [my camper] yesterday evening. Thank You for her smile.

Later,

Bless all who are part of this specialness, Father. Bless them to the farthest star You've made.

July 24, 2018

Thank You for the joy of this day, of this night.... My heart has no room left, I think. Maybe it does, but only because of You. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

July 25, 2018

This moment's quiet is breathtaking. Camp is still half-asleep, and the sky is still pink-edged. There is no where I would rather be than this place You've put me for a week. Nowhere.

   Tomorrow is the last day. Tears already have to be swallowed. I don't want to leave. This place is too special. Thank You for bringing me here again.

P.S. A full heart is heavy.

Shouldn't have done this post! Shouldn't have done this post! Dang it! As if I didn't miss Camp enough already.

RhoXie out before I cry on the keyboard.

Elevator Pitch

Via Google

I'm going to my first ever writers' conference at the end of the month. Am I excited? Of course! Am I nervous? As all get-out!

   Anyway, a friend pointed out that I need a one sentence summary and a one paragraph summary of my WIP, The Kingdom of Fire and Ice. Or as they're sometimes known, an Elevator Pitch. So here goes.

One Sentence Summary:

A runaway princess and a guilt-ridden man seek out a fantasy kingdom.

One Paragraph Summary:

Ciara is desperate to win her freedom by retrieving the Stone of Fire and Ice, but the Stones aren't supposed to exist. Aleksander has agreed to help Ciara for the sake of his missing sister. Together they find healing as they work to reach the Stones' homeland, the Kingdom of Fire and Ice.

Okay that wasn't too bad. Now I just need to memorize them.

RhoXie 

Sneaking a Peek

So let's do a bit from The Kingdom of Fire and Ice because I don't really know what else to do, but I want to post and it seems like a good idea.

Via Pinterest

“Guards are waiting at the bottom to escort you to the great hall,” Marva told me.

“So I don’t run.”

“So you don’t get lost.”

“Of course. That’s what Father was thinking.”

“Just… go.”

I breathed in and walked forward. Two steps later, I stood in unknown territory. I looked over my shoulder to Marva. She nodded, and I turned around. Slowly, I walked down the curving stairs. At the last step, twin guards bowed to me. “Your highness.”

“Gentlemen.”

I stepped down, and they took up positions beside me. Their chain mail rattled as they led me down the many hallways. People crowded the halls, but they all parted before us. As we passed, I could feel their stares and hear their murmurings.

“Is that -”

“- the princess -”

“Thirteen princes came.”

Then the people fell away, and I could see beyond them to the main door. The door to the courtyard. I had never been there, and I wondered what it would be like out there, in the fresh air and the endless sky.

The guards walked me past it though. A minute later, we stood in front of the double doors to the great hall. Two more guards pulled them open. Through the widening crack, I could see into the hall-full of feasters.

They filled three long tables, and their jewels danced in the light of many fireplaces. But brightest of all were those who sat at the dais. I counted them. The king, his three advisers, and thirteen others. The princes, I thought. The doors opened fully, and the hall rose to its feet as one. The king raised his hand towards me and smiled for his guests.

“I present the crown princess, Ciara of Crosia!”

The feasters applauded, and I took slow measured steps up to the dais. I kept my head high, focusing on the swish of my white dress, but I could feel the eyes on me as I stopped before the king.

I curtsied low. “Father.”

RhoXie

What's Up With Me

So this is a new kind of post. A round up of what I'm doing in my life. Hopefully it won't be boring.

What I'm reading:

THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY

by Trenton Lee Stewart.

I'm not far into it, but it's interesting so far. A group of children and world stakes, that kind of thing.

What I'm writing:

Via Pinterest

THE KINGDOM OF FIRE AND ICE

We're about to hit 30k in word count here, and I still have two chapters at least to write.

Then there's editing, editing, editing. So fun-time!

How I'm fixing my hair:

Via Pinterest

THE FAN BUN

Super easy and comfortable.

I wore it all day yesterday, and I have a half-up version in right now.

Anyone want a tutorial?

What I'm laughing at:

Via Pinterest

Why does this make me laugh so hard every time I read this?

Why?

 It's soooo bad!

What I'm learning:

God's plan beats my plan.

End of story.

Now if I can just remember that when actually need to.

RhoXie