Monday, December 5, 2016

Autographed Copies Available for Christmas


Now available at a discounted price for Christmas, you can get an autographed copy of

 A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe for $12.00 (shipping and handling included) 


LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

Please send an email request
  BY DECEMBER 12TH
to nan_oneal@yahoo.com
for a guaranteed delivery by Christmas 


Payment accepted by check or through PayPal.

Any requests after December 12th will require additional charges for shipping.

This offer ends on  December 16th, or when supplies run out. Order today!


Friday, July 29, 2016

The Evolution of the Doorway: Part Five—The Gateway Between Two Worlds


A Doorway Back to Forever is a gateway between two worlds—ours, and a fantastic place where magic-sense was born. Not everyone can see the doorway. Your magic-sense, the ability to see and hear beyond Earthly sights and sounds, must be awakened to summon the door. Once it is, there’s no turning back! Get ready for an adventure that will awaken more than you expected.


As a child, we use our imagination freely—it’s the nature of childhood. But as we grow older, we put child-like things aside. The danger lies when we do this so often, we lose our ability to wonder, and we forget the possibilities of hope. We dismiss the value of believing in things greater than what we see around us. We become trapped in a finite world, routine patterns, and cloudy expectations. We lose sight of the Doorway.

But whether we see it or not, the Doorway is always there.

Have you had a secret dream that took you to a world of wonder and magic? Have you ever heard a call, beckoning you to be more than who you are? Have you had questions that no one seems to have the answers for? My guess is, you have—we all have. Maybe these thoughts are telling you something—persuading you to look beyond what you see and find your own personal Doorway. In a sense, they invite you to find out more about who you are, where you come from, and why you’re here—questions that break you free of the limitations of this environment.



We have access to a Doorway similar to the one in the story. For some it is unlocking the imagination and creative process of the brain. For others it is enlightenment in a spiritual sense. For all, it leads to a place of peace, clarity, and the hope that all things will be made right again. The sorrows and struggles of this world try to keep you from seeing it, try to burden you with self-doubt, cloud your mind with every reason not to search for answers. But answers are there for everyone. The trick is to find your personal Doorway—and when you’re ready, you’ll see it.

When life bears down on you, when the chaos of the world seems unending, when you are tempted to give up and give in to the pressures around you, stop. Take a deep breath. Find your Doorway and visit the magical world beyond. Escape, explore, energize, then come home and live as you were meant to—enlightened beyond imagination.


Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Evolution of the Doorway Part Three: When Harry Visits Narnia

If Harry Potter wanted to visit Narnia, he’d get there through A Doorway Back to Forever.

How fun is it mash our favorite stories or characters together! It shows how meaningful they are to us and that we have an affection for what they represent. We let our imagination continue to grow beyond the story we love, and like vines, they grab hold of everything meaningful, gathering it all together into one giant fantasy comfort-zone.




What did we love about Narnia? It was a fantasy series with gospel symbols that reminded us of our foundation—we come from a divine beginning, we have a divine heritage, and we will return to it one day. These are themes that resonate with people of every faith, nationality, and race, for one simple reason—they are true. Not only are they true, they are necessary, we crave them, and we look to them to strengthen our character and to build hope.


What did we love about Harry Potter? We got a chance to exhibit magical powers outside of this world, with characters we grew to love in a world we wanted to be a part of. We let our imagination take us to this world and we found our own personal place to live in it. We found family there. We found friendship that is loyal and true. We came home.

Do I claim to be a C.S. Lewis or J.K. Rowling? Not at all. But I was so touched by these authors’ works, I decided to tell my story just as they told theirs. I am a simple author with a powerful message. My message has the potential to touch readers’ hearts, to help them remember who they are, and to remind them of what they can become.



Reading uplifting works is a source of peace and strength for me—I hope for you too. It’s why I read scriptures every day.  Reading good fiction has a similar effect. It’s not simply a way to escape the chaos of the world. If the characters overcome trials of the heart, if good triumphs over evil, and if the message points us back home, then reading fiction is one more way we can grow stronger in our sojourn here on Earth.



There is so much evil in the world. The Pevensie children learned how to face it in Narnia. Harry overcame it at Hogwarts. Here’s your chance to immerse in another such world, in A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe, to witness another family find their way home. 

The Evolution of the Doorway Part Three: When Harry Visits Narni

If Harry Potter wanted to visit Narnia, he’d get there through A Doorway Back to Forever.

How fun is it mash our favorite stories or characters together! It shows how meaningful they are to us and that we have an affection for what they represent. We let our imagination continue to grow beyond the story we love, and like vines, they grab hold of everything meaningful, gathering it all together into one giant fantasy comfort-zone.




What did we love about Narnia? It was a fantasy series with gospel symbols that reminded us of our foundation—we come from a divine beginning, we have a divine heritage, and we will return to it one day. These are themes that resonate with people of every faith, nationality, and race, for one simple reason—they are true. Not only are they true, they are necessary, we crave them, and we look to them to strengthen our character and to build hope.


What did we love about Harry Potter? We got a chance to exhibit magical powers outside of this world, with characters we grew to love in a world we wanted to be a part of. We let our imagination take us to this world and we found our own personal place to live in it. We found family there. We found friendship that is loyal and true. We came home.

Do I claim to be a C.S. Lewis or J.K. Rowling? Not at all. But I was so touched by these authors’ works, I decided to tell my story just as they told theirs. I am a simple author with a powerful message. My message has the potential to touch readers’ hearts, to help them remember who they are, and to remind them of what they can become.



Reading uplifting works is a source of peace and strength for me—I hope for you too. It’s why I read scriptures every day.  Reading good fiction has a similar effect. It’s not simply a way to escape the chaos of the world. If the characters overcome trials of the heart, if good triumphs over evil, and if the message points us back home, then reading fiction is one more way we can grow stronger in our sojourn here on Earth.



There is so much evil in the world. The Pevensie children learned how to face it in Narnia. Harry overcame it at Hogwarts. Here’s your chance to immerse in another such world, in A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe, to witness another family find their way home. 

Thursday, July 14, 2016

The Dallas Police and the Doorway


Last week I was numb from the news—two incidences where black men were stopped for traffic violations and ended up shot dead at the hands of police officers, and then the horrific attack during the protest in Dallas targeting white police officers in retaliation. The events have since sparked a fervor of opinions, emotion, and actions from everyone, whether you have a political or social hat in the ring or not. The climate of the country is clearly leaning toward, “enough is enough.”

But something else spoke to me in regards to that week—something prompting me to look beyond the impulse reactions of anger and political blame. Is there more to see here?


I guess I always have one foot in the Doorway—and in this case, my orb is reflecting a glowing light, alerting me to think again, to rise above, and to see more clearly. And so this post is a reflection of my thoughts tying the Dallas Police to the Doorway back to Forever. This connection is where we begin to heal.

Go with me for a moment with this—put aside politics, blame, social justice, and retaliation. Those are the first reactions we feel when tragedy ensues. First reactions draw attention to the wound, but they don’t offer healing.

Take a deep breath. Now, look at what else happened in Dallas the night of the shooting—heroism. It took several days for the reports to come out, but in two separate instances at least, protesters came forward to testify of experiences which had the effect of softening their hearts toward the very people they were protesting against, the police.

One black woman testified how she had been shot in the leg during the carnage, and white police officers had surrounded her to protect her and her son. She had witnessed two officers get shot. She testified how their acts of heroism saved her and her son—heroism at a time when these heroes were in fact the targets of the shooter.

Another black man commented how he had been at the end of the line in the protest march, purposefully walking slowly to taunt the officers. When the shots rang out, the officers quickly surrounded him and pulled him from the chaotic scene. His life had changed that day, having witnessed how the very people he hated had used themselves as human shields to save him, despite the fact that they were the ones being targeted.

In other protests, blacks have been seen standing in front of the police to protect them from harm. Here we have a breathtaking example of people willing to lay down their lives to protect the officers—true heroes indeed.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

There was also video footage of a Black Lives Matters protest and a counter protest of whites coming together hugging, praying, and inviting the police officers to pray with them. These are the examples we must certainly revere, for they speak to who we are as individuals—sons and daughters of one race, the human race.

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you.”  (John 13:34)


While some high-profile figures in the news continue to bring up past grievances that had once divided this nation, and while others spout off rhetoric designed to further divide us still, we need to recognize the poison it represents and say, “Enough is enough.” We can then look beyond the Doorway to see more—how individuals rise above hate and embrace each other with love. Example of self-sacrifice and heroism are virtues that flow in abundance beyond the Doorway. It is my hope that more people will explore the Kingdom of Forever to remember these values again, to bring them home, and to share them more abundantly, one moment at a time. 

Thursday, June 30, 2016

The Evolution of the Doorway: Part two in the summer blog series The Classic Story—A Parable of Hope through Fantasy


The Classic Story—A Parable of Hope through Fantasy

What makes a story resonate on a higher level for you? What is it about a story that connects you to something greater than what you see around you? What makes it a classic? It is the theme, the underlying message. When the theme speaks directly to your eternal nature, reminding you of who you are, why you are here, and what your eternal destiny is to be, the story becomes part of you. It is hard to forget. 


Think about it: The theme of the classic story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, taught you how to find your way back home using your head, your heart, and courage. The theme of the Star Wars movies, by George Lucas, was to use the Force, an external power that could only be captured through faith, to guide you to your destiny. While these were simple stories, they spoke to the divinity within us all, opening our eyes to a higher realm, helping shape our own destiny, both in this life and throughout eternity.

Every good story sticks with you in spirit because it conveys the messages of hope, family, and home.

Many readers have been drawn to the story of the Doorway series because of its inspirational nature. While fantasy storylines are captivating in their own right, inspirational fantasies have a satisfying nature to them that more readily speak to the human spirit. This is by design—not my design as an author, but your design, as in your relationship with a loving Eternal Father.



My hope was to create a world that feels like home with characters that feel like you. As you read, you can put yourself in the story, experience the adventure as though you are there, struggling with the same challenges, making the same choices. As you escape into the story, you can face the whole range of emotions—the highs of excitement, the lows of despair, and the triumph of success. After the final page, you can go back through the Doorway, reentering your world with added strength and courage to face your unique challenges and to shape your destiny.


This life is a playing field to remember who you are. The story of the Doorway series acts as a parable of sorts, to comfort, to guide, and to strengthen your resolve to be what God intended you to be.



Next up in the blog series: The Heart of the Story—like Harry in Narnia


Thursday, June 23, 2016

The Evolution of the Doorway: Part One--Faith as a Motivator


The world is upside down. Corruption and crime, ignorance and insults, have taken over American politics. The media is more interested in ratings than right vs. wrong. No matter how strong a faith you have, you feel the pressure to give up. Seeing godliness in the world becomes almost impossible because there is so much sorrow, clouding your view.



Stop. Breathe. Remember.

 That’s not where you started. That’s not how it will end.

Why the Doorway Series?

One of the motivators for me in writing the Doorway Series was my desire to hold onto faith in this troubled world and to impart something of that faith to help strengthen others. I have a deep spiritual connection to my Father in Heaven. And yet, watching man’s inhumanity to man, his compulsion to do harm, his thirst for power and control, often leaves me overwhelmed. I see unthinkable acts of cruelty in the news daily. My mind struggles to make sense of it. This is not how we were meant to act. This was not part of our original design. We were born to rise above the inhumanity, to tap the divinity within us, and to utilize that power to create—not to destroy.

What we consume either edifies or destroys us.
We all know the results of a healthy diet and lifestyle—stronger body, longer life, happier days. Taking preventative measures to stay healthy shows wisdom of choice. When we do get ill, we take proper care to get better as fast as possible. Why? A healthy state is a happy state, both in mind and body.  But no matter how physically healthy we may be, disease of character—hate, bigotry, foolish pride, envy, dishonesty, unrighteous control, to name a few—can have devastating effects on the soul. These viruses eat at our heart, mind, and spirit as deeply as an infection eats at the flesh. If we continue to consume the poison of these vices, they will consume us.

Resetting a foundation of goodness
Filling your mind daily with hope is the antidote. Meditation, prayer, scripture reading—whatever speaks to your heart. Performing acts of kindness strengthens resolve. Viewing positive, wholesome entertainment also helps the soul to heal—and that’s where the Doorway Series comes in. Reading the Doorway Series is a way to reset your foundation. Forty-eight reviews don’t lie—people love the concept, the fantasy, and especially the hope that it offers. For children, it sets a foundation that we are more than what we appear to be. For adults, it reminds us of what we have forgotten—the divinity of our nature. The more we fill our hearts and minds with goodness, the more our actions will reflect that spirit. A foundation like this is what will change the world, one person at a time.

For those who are religious and spiritually minded, there is something of that nature included in the book that will speak to you. For those who look at the world differently, the virtues of goodness will still shine through. It is a novel that tells a story to your inner child, but it also holds your hand, guides you back to a better world, giving you the blueprints on how to make that world a reality for you here and now.


Open the Doorway, feed your mind and spirit with goodness again.

Next week: Part Two: The Story—where did it come from?





Monday, May 23, 2016

Picture This: Scenes from Behind the Doorway

Hi Skyborn Warriors!
I've been having fun on my  Facebook Author Page these last few weeks, posting snippets of scenes from the book and matching them with pictures I bought from Deposit Photos. I never realized how the perfect images can help the written word become even more magical! Here are a few examples:

She’d found the book in the attic before they had moved. Her father kept it in an old box he had been lugging around forever. Finding it was like discovering a secret passageway into the ancient crypts of the pharaohs … By the looks of its broken binding, yellow pages, and faded ink, no one would miss it. All but forgotten—but to her, it awoke a memory she could not yet place. ~excerpt from A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe.






“Welcome, Skyborn Traveler. This is the Doorway Back to Forever. Beyond its threshold lies the Kingdom of the Morning—a parallel realm where magic flourishes…your Awakening is now. Pass through this portal and learn your true story—the magic inside you is waiting to live again. Or walk away, and this entrance will disappear. The choice is yours.” ~excerpt from A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe



“I think that composition has more life to it than you’re willing to see, more answers than you realize.” He stood up and motioned for her to do the same. “Why don’t you go finish it and see where it takes you?”
“Where it takes me?” Robyn said, confused again over his riddles. “How can I finish a story that isn’t real—a story I know nothing about?”
Mr. Fischer squinted deeply as he smiled. “Oh, you’d be surprised how a simple composition can write itself, if you give it a chance.”
~ excerpt from A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe




Kit cleared her throat again. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I want to remind you that while you both have a personal mini snow-globe, I don’t. And apparently, the bad guys know this fact. I know you two are in the middle of your Skyborn reunion, but I’m still scared as all get-out.” ~ excerpt from A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe.





That whiff of cinnamon came on strong again, and something touched Robyn's right knee. She looked down and smiled. The last slice of cinnamon bread, toasted and buttered, was sitting on her leg. Her gaze darted over to see Cam with a playful grin on his face. He bounced his eyebrows twice, got up, put his bowl in the sink then headed out. Robyn mouthed a tiny "thanks," wrapped the present with a napkin, and hid it by her side. ~excerpt from A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe.


Robyn lowered her head. "I want to join, really. But I'm afraid I can't fight."
Gabriella lifted Robyn's chin. "You can stand. And every great warrior begins by taking a stand."
Take a stand. Join Robyn with the Skyborn warriors as they travel beyond the doorway back to Forever...


And there you have it. Several short snippets to ponder. Enjoy. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

If Harry Potter visited Narnia...

...he'd get there through A Doorway Back to Forever. Find out about the magic and the message.


Allegorical fantasy has a dual purpose--first to entertain and second to teach. (Some may argue the order, but that is for another blog!)

A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe is first a fantasy--a journey of two families that discover the magical power they were born with, the royal family that beckons them home, and the madman that wants them dead. It takes the two families to a wonderful realm beyond Earth where magic is real. They learn of their connection to this mystical world and the power they have to bring magic back to Earth, if they have the courage to believe. This is the magic.

But it's also more--it's filled with lessons of life, spiritual symbolism that may speak to those who are in tune with what it has to say. The readers are challenged to think deeply--not only about the characters but about themselves--what trials do they face, what voices tempt them to falter, what song sings sweetly in their heart to bring them back on the right track. This is the message.

I've enjoyed writing this book. If you enjoyed reading it, would you recommend it to a friend? Please do! That way they can catch the magic and the message too!

Friday, April 29, 2016

One Month Old Today! What has my book been doing?

Today is the one month anniversary of my release, and it has been an exciting month!

What has happened so far? We had a party to celebrate, we went on a virtual tour, and we've had some awesome reviews. Here are some of the highlights:

1. The Party:

Loving The Book Launch did a phenomenal job to welcome my new book. Everyone that "attended" the online party said it was a blast and a half. This meant the world to me--seeing faces and names of people from all over the country, people I've known forever, people who have been mentors to me, and people I've never met--I couldn't have been more happy with it all. I really felt connected, and I especially felt a lot of love and acceptance, both from the writing and reading communities. Thank you all so much!

2. The Tour:

What another great idea--going on tour without leaving your house! Loving the Book handled this virtual tour, setting up blog posts with about fourteen different bloggers. I also received five reviews from five different bloggers connected with the tour, each one favorable and informative. To date, I have 33 reviews on Amazon, one is a 4-star, the rest are 5-star.

3. The Opportunities:

I set up a Facebook page called Friends of A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe, and received many requests to join. This will be a launching pad for the rest of the series and supplemental material for home schooling, Family Home Evening Lessons, and teaching values and faith to children. Now that April's Camp NaNo is wrapped up, I can concentrate on giving you, the reader, just what you were hoping for--more news about what's beyond the Doorway!

4. The Response:

I'm so thrilled now that many of you are reading the book! Here are some of the things that verified readers have been saying:

From Bill Paliwoda: Excellent book for kids with important life lessons most kids can identify with. The author draws the reader into the story and develops the characters fully. Unlike many books where the characters kind of all blend together until you're not certain who is who, the author's construction of the characters ensures the reader can readily identify who is who. Handles the multiple simultaneously occurring events in a clear manner that will allow kids to follow the story line without confusion.

From Nansi Krauss: What an enchanting read! From the very start, Nanette's writing style drew me in. We get to know the main characters very easily. The setting comes alive with the author's ability to set the scene - great descriptive narrative! The book is aimed at a junior high audience, but that should be no barrier for any adult. The book speaks to things we all relate to - believing in something bigger than yourself, standing up to bullies, finding true blue friends, the regular conflicts of family life, and summoning the courage to do what you know is right, even if it's difficult. These themes may be in the forefront of a teen's life, but they remain with us throughout our lives. This book will reconnect adults with those important themes. Most importantly, it's written so well that it takes the reader on a wonderful journey. I could hardly wait to see what happened next!! My only regret is I finished it so quickly and now I have to wait for the next chapter to be published! I highly recommend this book to all that appreciate a well written story with beautiful scenes that transport you to a world where courage, friendship, loyalty and faith in what's right and just matter more than anything else!

From Karen McKown-Arano: Great read, very enchanting.
I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.

This book is aimed at 10-13 year olds, but is not childish in anyway. I am far from Middle School and enjoyed it. Robyn and Kit are two 12 year old girls who have both had strange senses awaken in them. Robyn sees visions and Kit hears voices having conversations. When Kit's family moves to town to escape frightening disappearances and arrests of family friends, Mr. Fischer, an elderly neighbor, introduces her to Robyn. Both girls are excited to have a best friend but are afraid to discuss their magical sense because it is a criminal offense to even talk about magic.

Telling any more of the story line would include spoilers, but there are magic doors, police actions that are reminiscent of the Nazis, demon-like creatures, a king and prince who have C. S. Lewis type connotations, and lots of lessons for the girls (and the reader) including how to treat others, standing up against prejudice, learning about your own weaknesses and strengths, and dealing with envy and anger.

From Donna K. Weaver: From the very beginning I found these two girls engaging, and I really felt for them. That time of life--twelve and thirteen--can be such a formative one as we're starting to step away from our parents and trying to find ourselves and our own view of the world. And then to find that there's more to that world than you'd had any reason to dream of?

Awesome! And scary.

This tale is very much a story of good versus evil--and trying to decide which is which. It's full of action and creative worldbuilding and standing for something, of taking risks for what you believe. Even facing your fears.

And there's nothing like having to save the world while you're at it.

The main characters are on the younger side of YA, but the story doesn't read like a kid's book. There're plenty of endearing characters, touching scenes, and breathtaking action. I'm looking forward to the next book!

(Thanks to all the thirty-three reviewers! You can read the rest by clicking here.

Now, the last thing I want to do is give spoilers, so if you wish to purchase your own copy, do so HERE!  And do it soon, so you'll be on board with future posts! Happy Reading!!


Monday, March 14, 2016

So What Happens at an Online Book Launch Party?


Two weeks until my book, A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe, comes out on Amazon.com, and I think I’m finally believing it myself!  The Official Launch Party, scheduled for that evening, from 7-9 EDT, will be a blast and a half! I’m excited to have eighty-five people “going” and forty-six “interested” so far.

Some of you have been asking what happens at a book launch party. Well, here are some things that will, and won’t happen:

What won’t happen:
1.      I won’t be doing book signings at the launch—sorry! The book is only available online so far, which means you can’t get it at a book store yet. And since the party is online, we won’t physically meet anywhere. Since you checked off “going” or “interested” the party is now scheduled as an event on Facebook. Make sure you go to the official page on March 29th to actually be “at” the party.
2.      There won’t be dance music—but you can play your own music if you’d like! Put on some epic soundtrack during the party. I suggest something with a driving theme like Pirates of the Caribbean or Robin Hood, or something with a haunting melody like The Hobbit or Harry Potter. Anybody remember the music from Hook? That would work really well too!
3.      You don’t have to dress up. You can even attend in your jammies. It’s not being Skyped so no one will see you, or me, for that matter. Hmm…which jammies shall I wear?

What will happen:

1.      You will go to the Official Launch Party page. There you will see posts pop up from my launch team, Loving the Book They are in charge of running the party. They will post snippets about the book, the characters, the author, and even some excerpts from the book.

2.      The posts will offer challenges for you to reply, and the best answers will win prizes. Some of the prizes offered will be print and eBooks, donated by some author friends of mine, gift cards, key chains and bookmarks. I’ve participated in some of these parties before, and it’s fun to watch what people are saying. It makes you feel like you’re actually connected to the world through the internet!
3.      Make sure you refresh your page to keep up with each new post.


4.      I will be eternally grateful for your support. I can’t begin to explain what this stage of my life means to me. My dream has come true, and this is only the beginning of a fantastic journey—not only for me, but for those readers who are looking for a good story that summons inner courage, offers hope, and brings them home with honor. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Final Proof Arrived for Review


It's Here!

This is the final proof of my book. I cannot believe I'm holding it. But the picture doesn't lie!

I got it late last week and literally carried it around with me all day. After all, it's a story that's been inside of me for a long time--it does feel almost like the arrival of a baby!

Once it passes review, I can get this baby up on Amazon pre-sales.  I am looking into the best way to handle the launch. There will definitely be one on social media, and perhaps a local launch near my home.

In any case, the planning is moving forward and I'm beyond ecstatic!

Thank you for all your support!

Nanette

Monday, February 8, 2016

Countdown to launch!

HI Skyborn Warriors!

If you are reading my blog, I am promoting you to the status of Skyborn Warrior! You are committed to being a part of this adventure, and I thank you for your dedication. I couldn't have gotten this far without you.

I am waiting to hear back from CreateSpace for my final printed draft of Believe. And while I'm waiting, I'm juggling fear, stress, and excitement like those guys who juggle a chainsaw, bowling ball, and an egg. It's driving me crazy!! *deep breaths*

My inner self is telling me this will all work out. This was meant to be. This is what I'm supposed to be doing. But my outer self has chewed my fingernails down to the nubs. I'm told this is normal, (well, maybe not the fingernail thing) so at least I know I'm not alone. *more deep breaths*

So, here is the countdown:

1. Once I get the final print draft back, and I decide it looks pretty, I will
2. Set the book up on Amazon pre-sales at a discount so that people can
3. pre-order the book and get ready for the
4. Launch Day!

I am looking for a launch team to help me with the Launch Day. If you are on board with this project, if you are as excited as I am about this book, and if you are willing to help me, you should join my  Skyborn Warrior Launch Team. What does that mean?

Skyborn Warrior Launch Team:

1. Let me know you want to be on the team--reply to this blog, email, etc.
2. Pre-order the book
3. I will send you a pdf of the first few chapters to review ahead of time!
4. Be ready to post a review on Launch Day to Amazon.com
5. Join my Facebook Group for A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe and be part of the Launch Day celebration.

I'm still working on the logistics of Launch Day, but I know there will be some fun give-away items, interviews, information about the series, and maybe other things I haven't even thought of yet! So stay tuned in.

I will send a special email with the pre-order information and the Facebook Group.  I'm looking at possibly late March or mid-April for the launch date.

Thank you for your patience, your love, and your willingness to be a part of my team!
 *big sigh of relief*



Tuesday, February 2, 2016

A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe --The evolution of a cover

What an experience! I've got a super awesome cover design, created by the team at CreateSpace, but the evolution of it was pretty fun. I first searched for an image from a website that I wanted to use as a base. Here is a screen shot of the doorway which I liked.


I purchased the image, and sent it along with a sketch I made of a sunburst:


I requested they put the sunburst inside the top arch of the door, with a castle inside the sun.
Simple enough request...and this is what they came up with:


For some reason, they put the sunburst outside of the archway, and the castle in the top crowning rays...*smiles* So I called the wonderful team at CreateSpace and asked for a do-over! They were happy to comply. This was their solution:


I loved the way they set the sunburst and castle above the opening of the door. But I wanted a few more changes. I felt the cover was too busy the way it was laid out, so we moved the endorsement to the back, moved the title up top, took out the subtitle, and maneuvered some of the wording and images on the back and the spine. After a few color enhancements, I finally settled on this:


In this version, the doorway pops a bit more, and the word, BELIEVE, is redder in color. I like the way the entire presentation is less busy. It seems to convey the fantasy-style I'm looking for.
It was a fun process to go through, and I really enjoyed the steps taken to create it. What do you think?

I'm in the process of approving the interior, meaning the printed portion of the book. Once it's done, I'm going to set a launch date, probably mid March. I will be setting the book up for pre-sales at a discount in a few weeks. Be on the lookout for my invitation for you to be on my Skyborn Warrior Launch Team! You'll receive some added perks, to be announced!

 It's finally happening, people. Can you BELIEVE it??