Birthday Bash Day Seven - Fantasy

Congratulations to Jenn of A Country Girl's Ramblings. She won a shirt of her choice (up to $18) at From*me Tees. I would have been happy for whoever won, but I'll admit to being excited when Jenn's name was anonymously drawn from a bowl. Jenn graciously donated a prize for Day one of the Bash.




As I learned yesterday, blog readership tends to go down during the weekend...even when a fabulous prize is being given away. I also know from experience, that Sunday is not a popular day for blog reading either. In order to be fair to my next guest, I'm going to extend today's contest to 12 p.m. on Monday, January 12th. Don't worry, I'll still give you a full 24 hours to win the "One to grow" prize from Isn't She Adorable.

Several months ago, I happened across a blog that was reviewing a fantasy novel geared to readers between the ages of 8 and 14. Intrigued that the author was a Christian, and this novel was his debut into the literary world, I kept reading. When I learned that the author of Ryann Watters and the King's Sword was Eric Reinhold I wondered if it was the same Eric Reinhold who I once worked with at a financial planning firm in Orlando, Florida. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that Eric Reinhold, novelist, and Eric Reinhold, certified financial planner, are indeed the same person.

It's a pleasure to introduce you to someone with whom I actually had face to face conversations. It's also a joy to let others know about an engaging and well-written book that incorporates Biblical principles into the plot. That's rare these days...especially in the genres of fantasy and science fiction.

Another cool fact about this book is that a screen play has been written and is currently being shopped around Hollywood.

Here is a little more information about Eric and his book Ryann Watters and the King's Sword.


About the Author:

Eric Reinhold is the father of three—Kaylyn, Kara, and Kyler. While telling his kids bedtime tales, Eric developed the story of Ryann Watters. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Eric holds his B.S. in Economics from that institution and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. He is a Certified Financial Planner, having received such from the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. When not weaving his fantastical tales of supernatural adventure, Eric serves as President of Academy Wealth Management, a fee-based, financial planning firm utilizing Biblical principles. He and his wife, Kim, make their home in Orlando, Florida where Kim home schools their three children. They are members of First Baptist Church Sweetwater in Longwood, Florida, where Eric teaches the Cross Trainers Bible Fellowship Group every Sunday morning.

About Ryann Watters and the King's Sword
Ryann Watters and the King's Sword is the first segment of a trilogy based on the book of Ephesians chapter 6 (putting on the armor of God). When asked what he considers to be the strength of the Ryann Watters series, Eric replied,

"The biggest strength of my story is that there is believability. At least early on, everyone can picture themselves as Ryann. He lives in the real town of Mount Dora, Florida, and is visited in the middle of the night by Gabriel and tasked with finding the King's sword. Gabriel gives him three gifts to help him along the way. I loved super hero comics growing up (still do), so Ryann is given a staff (smooth and metal with 7 buttons) and as he matures throughout the story, the buttons light up and have different powers. Not only that, but he is given a ring that changes colors when he's near different things. He has two good friends, Liddy and Terell, and together they have to piece together clues to find Aeliana and search for the sword. Across town, the class bully is visited by a Dark Angel and told to stop Ryann. Book 2 in the Annals of Aeliana is almost finished. I've gotten carried away and it's over 400 pages now, but "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith" introduces a very cool cast of new characters, including; a Pegasus, White Dragon and Unicorn, a Black Unicorn, Elves, Dwarves… oh, and a new evil race – The Hugons (half human – half dragon). It's due for release in May 2009 and you can find out more on my blog."

If you know anyone who enjoys reading fantasy please leave a comment and you will be eligiable to win a copy of Ryann Watters and the King's Sword.

If you don't win, there is no need to fret. The book is now available on line and in stores and can also be purchased at RyannWatters.com. Be sure to order it soon so that you and your science fiction fan can finish reading it before the sequel, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith, is released this May.