Thursday, June 25, 2009

Choices Meant for Gods


CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS
by SANDY LENDER

BLURB: Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.

When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?


WHAT I THOUGHT: If you know nothing else about me by now, (unless this is your first time here, in which case I forgive you) you know I love a strong heroine. Not the kind who play the part of the victim, although I know a certain amount of vulnerability is sometimes what makes a strong heroine seem stronger...anyway...LOVE CHARISS. It's been a little while since I've read a good fantasy, so I was overdue. Who wouldn't want to be born with an amethyst set into the corner of their right eye, I ask you??...oh and I really like dragons...


We're in for a special treat today Chicks, as the Author,


Sandy Lender has joined us for a Guest Post:


Strong Chicks Rule
By Fantasy Author Sandy Lender
www.authorsandylender.com

Amanda Chariss Derdriu is a strong chick. And I dig that. She’s not the sarcastic, scantily-clad, promiscuous heroine you see in a lot of fantasy and spec fiction novels these days, but she is intrigued by humor, romance, and scandals she can solve. She knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to speak it. (Within reason.) See, she’s a good girl, except for a propensity to stick knives and swords in people. (I think she gets that from me. Now, I’ve never actually stuck a knife in anyone, but I sure feel better having a sword under the bed and a medieval dagger on the dresser.)

Back to Chariss.

Chariss has a power known as the geasa. In my fantasy writing, this is a gift the gods breathe into a soul after his or her conception, while the person is still forming in the womb. I designed this power for the “good guys” in the fantasy world of Onweald so they wouldn’t be using sorcery. I’m a Southern Baptist and I believe that you need to be pretty darn cautious about playing around with magic and sorcery—danger, Will Robinson—so I needed something “completely different” in my story. Now, you can argue that even the geasa sounds like magic (and I’ll agree), but I had to do something. I mean, this is fantasy. So the good guys like Chariss have the geasa and the bad guys get their “gift” of sorcery from the big bad evil Julette, an ancient goddess who has gone a little nuts with wanting to usurp her husband and son’s worshippers.

What else about Chariss is cool? Well, she was born with this beautiful little amethyst on her cheekbone, high up near the corner of her right eye. I used to be married to someone who couldn’t grasp the concept when I explained it to him. He kept saying, “A stone is inorganic matter.” And I would say, “It’s fantasy.” The point is Chariss has a destiny that was set in motion prior to her birth and the amethyst is a birthmark that seals her fate. (And her eyes match the color of the amethyst, which I think makes her just gorgeous.)

Chariss saw the massacre of her family when she was four years old. The sorcerer Jamieson Drake would have killed her back then, too, if Hrazon of Mon’dore, the greatest wizard the gods created hadn’t shown up and whisked her off to safety. He’s been her guardian, mentor, teacher, and constant companion ever since. The perfect love and respect these two have for each other is amazing to me. It’s based on 1 Corinthians 13:4 and The Master Rothahn alludes to this in CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS. He seems almost jealous of it when He first mentions it, and that deadly sin of envy only grows.

As you can see, Chariss isn’t an insular character who goes through the novel on her own insular journey. She affects the people around her. One character she affects in an extreme fashion is Nigel Taiman. This poor man seems to have given up on love and the pursuit of happiness when we first meet him. He’s just going through the motions of tending to his family’s estate and school. He protects his little sister and his mother from a tyrannical father and hides among the shadows of the estate until Chariss appears and knocks the wind out of his sails. She doesn’t mean to. It just sort of happens. In fact, she’s apologetic and fretful when she finds out he’s in love with her.

There are plenty of sides and shades to Amanda Chariss. The best way to get to know her, of course, is to read about her in the trilogy, to follow her through her arc. I’ve lived with her in my head for years now so I know her like a sister. She’s a beloved friend to me. I hope that folks who come to the series as new readers will find a friend in her as well. There’s a quick little description of her in the “Character Sketches” section of the Worlds link on my new Web site at
www.authorsandylender.com.

Thank you for visiting today to learn a little more about Chariss!
“Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”


For a chance to win a signed copy of


Choices Meant For Gods by Sandy Lender


Please leave a comment with your email!


Sandy is giving away 1 copy a week during the blog tour


You can see all the particpants at her blog


HERE


For more chances to enter!


Thanks and


READ ON CHICKS!!

21 comments:

Sandy Lender said...

Good morning, Amy!
Thank you for hosting me during my tour. I was tickled pink by everything about this blog and thrilled to get to be on it for a day. This is too cool.
And I'm doubly thrilled to hear that you liked Chariss! I'm like a proud mom that way...
Thank you for your kind words.
Sandy Lender
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Pam said...

Great interview! This sounds like just the type of book I'd like to read with my baby girl when she's a little older - one where the heroine is tough and smart. Please enter me in the contest.

melacan at hotmail dot com

KR said...

Sounds great! Please count me in.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

L said...

Enter me please!

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

K Giardina said...

My daughter & I will definitely look forward to finishing our summer reads with this one - sounds exciting!

I have to confess to harboring a not-so-secret fondness for dragons, myself! lol

Cheers, and thanks for the contest!
kim dot giardina at gmail dot com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Aargh. I totally need to read this. It's so up my alley (even if it's not about rock stars). But... Amy, you know the book situation around here. No need to enter me.

I've got this posted at Win a Book. Sandy, if we can help you get word out about other guest blogs you do, or gives or interviews, holler. We'd love to help spread the word.

Amy can vouch for me!

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Hi Sandy, I always enjoy hearing abour Chariss - she doesn't just affect the characters around her - she affects the reader as well. You can't help but love her.

JaneKennedySutton

chey said...

Hi,
Great interview. Sounds like a wonderful book!

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Vanessa said...

I love a strong heroine! This sounds like something I'll really enjoy reading.

gypsyrover21@yahoo.ca

Sandy Lender said...

Hello, Everybody!
My work day got a little more intense than I expected so the lunch break...well...you know.
But I'm so pleased to see folks stopping by and I'm pleased to hear the support for strong heroines. Girls rule, man! :)

And, Susan, you shouldn't assume this book isn't about rock stars. If you know any Duran fans, they can fill you in...He he he.

Sandy Lender
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

Marie said...

This sounds like such a neat book, I'd love to read it!

marielay@gmail.com

Nancy G said...

Hi Sandy! I've tried to keep up with you, but a few of the sites wouldn't let me post. I will get this book soon, and I love the excerpts you've posted throughout the tour. And I also think the dragons should win, but I've told you that already.-joshgranny@msn.com

Sandy Lender said...

Hi, Nancy,
A couple of the sites have not played nicely with me either! But the hosts have been lovely. :)
The dragons are in the details...
Sandy Lender
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

throuthehaze said...

count me in!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

donnas said...

Please include me. It sounds interesting.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Unknown said...

Looks like a good read, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Ashley Newell said...

Sounds like an interesting book!
actressangel at gmail

M. said...

Hey, I didn't know you read fantasy! And I agree with you on strong heroines. I just finished a book sent to me by 'tell harlequin' - and the heroine was the opposite, to the point I was almost disappointed things turned out well for her in the end.

mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca

Kytaira said...

hmmmm, I thought I posted earlier but I don't see it.

I've missed most of you blog tour but I did get to see the trailer at Long and Short. Nice trailer! O yeah, the book sounds great as well! ;)

Thanks
lynda98662 @ yahoo.com

Carlene said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net