Dear Reader,
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is M.H. Elrich and I am a YA Christian Fantasy author of books with heart pounding adventures, unique world building, and sweet romance. I hope you’ll stick around to learn more about my stories and get book recommendations, but if not, you can unsubscribe at anytime.
Lavanna’s Journey Snippet
Lavanna slid into her hammock and rummaged around her knapsack until she found her book. The leather-bound Words of Melchizedek were foreign in her hands. She hadn’t read in so long, lost in her duties as a crew member. It’s been two weeks since my mother was kidnapped. She swallowed hard. Is that why I’ve been avoiding this book? Because I am angry at Melchizedek? Deo didn’t stop her mother from being kidnapped, and did nothing to stop [redacted]. She took a deep breath and cracked open the Words. Her eyes stung with tears as she read the dedication.
For my beloved daughter.
A first edition.
-Etania
Etania’s note was a painful reminder that her mother was sailing further and further away.
After retiring from adventuring, her mother decided to make the Words of Melchizedek more widely available for others. Because of heavy donations and the invention of a press, the book was now in most shops. However, this hand-copied version was one of the first her mother had completed, making it a rarity among books. Lavanna traced her mother’s handwriting with her index finger.
How much progress had they made in their journey? Lavanna couldn’t tell, and pointing out their location on a sea chart did nothing to calm her racing heartbeat when she saw a foreign ship on the horizon. So far, they had spotted three ships. Each one turned out to be a merchant’s vessel. Frustration mounting, Lavanna wanted to abandon reading and find Garel for a duel. Her Mark seared her shoulder, and she turned back to the book.
Papa told me I was going to embark on an adventure. I didn’t know it would be like this. What was that verse he told me? Maybe I should start there.
Flipping the pages to the spot, she located the Words.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask Deo, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. “
Joy. Perseverance. Wisdom. Lavanna knew, deep down inside, she didn’t have those traits. Is that why you’ve allowed me to experience this, Melchizedek? She prayed. Her Mark glowed in response and she groaned. Alright, what about this part? It says all I have to do is ask, and you will give me wisdom. Well, I’m asking now. Can you please give me wisdom? The Mark did not glow or respond to this. Stubbornly, Lavanna kept reading.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Was her impatience evidence of her doubt? Maybe that was why her Mark had not glowed in response to her question. She didn’t truly want wisdom. If she did, she would’ve sought Melchizedek’s guidance before now.
The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
The words penetrated her mind. She doubted they would reach her mother and the other Lehrlings. She doubted they would make it in time. Finally, she doubted Deo’s sovereignty. She read on:
“That person should not expect to receive anything from Deo. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
Lavanna clenched a fist over her heart. Doubt and faith should not exist at the same time. They were polar opposites, fighting for dominion over each other. Either I have faith that Melchizedek will help us save Mother, or I don’t. There is no in-between. Lavanna put her arms over her eyes. I will believe it. I won’t doubt any longer.
Even as she made this promise, her will undulated like the waves beneath her.
News
I chose to start this month’s newsletter off with a snippet from Lavanna’s Journey that I think reflects the heart of my story: having faith when everything seems hopeless.
This is different than the snippets I had you vote on last month because a) no one voted b) because I felt led to share this.
Recently, I was interviewed on a podcast where I shared about what inspired my books.
One of the biggest things? I wanted to have a book that could show Christians how to grow in their faith without being preachy.
I like to call my fantasy books parables because they tell a great story with Christian truth. They aren’t preachy. They’re both practical and entertaining.
I want my stories to do this:
If that’s what they did for you, I hope you’ll share it with a book loving friend, so they can experience it, too. If you’ve never read my work, you can always start with Lavanna’s Journey. It is not required to read the other books in my series to enjoy this one! You will get some tie-in’s, but consider this a starting point!
News
Lavanna’s Journey has a release date: November 1st!
The ebook is available for preorder on Amazon.
Paperbacks will be available on Amazon after the release date. (I previously had it available in my store, but then found the fees and shipping to be too complicated).
The audiobook will be available as recordings for paid subscribers.
The Kickstarter for H.L. Burke’s anthology, It’s Dangerous to Grow Alone, which features my short story, “Mrs. Fairy Godmother’s Therapist,” will be live November 2nd!
I will be joining Kayla E. Green and interviewing her to celebrate her release of two great books. If you have Instagram, feel free to join us!
Author Spotlight
Hi , I’m Alexandria, the Curator behind the Library of 21:25 Books, where cozy Christian fantasy meets a world built entirely around wonder, faith, and story. My books, Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel and Chip and the Book of Rose Leaves, follow characters learning that wonder is always worth defending and that God is faithful to hear and cherish our every prayer.
If you love portal fantasy, gentle adventure, and stories where faith is never softened or hidden, you’ll feel right at home in the Library. New subscribers get a full map of Ellura, the wintery world of Penelope Grace, as a welcome gift, plus monthly letters, sneak peeks, and the occasional giveaway.
Come take a peek.
Book of the Month
A heart-pounding adventure with emotional stakes that makes the sweet romance even sweeter.
I absolutely loved this book. The prologue intrigued me, but as I read more, I kept flipping the pages until the very end. This book was intense, especially since there was so much at stake---Thea's family and their welfare, her father's life, the beast's curse, and even Thea's life. The stakes made the plot even more intense, and I loved how Abigail took elements of both the Beauty and the Beast and the Labyrinth and wove them together in a unique way.
Thea and the Beast were such a sweet couple! Thea is so sassy, and the Beast is so grumpy, it just made a perfect pairing. I especially loved how Thea stood up to manipulative men and bravely faced terrible dangers for those she loved. Thea is one of those strong female characters that didn't seem like a "I want to show everyone how strong I am," but instead a balance between strength and femininity. The Beast's roughness and anger was understandable given his circumstances, but he also had a gentle side to him that came out gradually. So both of them were flawed but love-able.
This book definitely took twists and turns like the labyrinth before the epic happily-ever-after.
Content Warnings:
The beast is the executioner of the labyrinth so that means he kills the prisoners who land in the labyrinth. He calls this a mercy because he ends a life that could be filled with suffering. After meeting several of the prisoners, I tend to agree with him. He does lash out at Thea physically, which is both intense and terrifying, possibly triggering those who have been physically abused (though I personally felt it wasn't that bad because he restrains himself). He considers committing suicide several times, but it is not described. As for romance, there is nothing beyond kisses and wrapping around arms. There is a bit of a threat sexually by another character, but it doesn't go beyond a forced kiss. PG-13 in my rating system.
Until Next Time,
M.H. Elrich
P.S. I will be sending a reminder email out on November 1st about the release! I don’t usually send this many emails, but with my book coming out and Black Friday sales, you’ll have more than usual.