Answering The Call

In the vibrant city of Neonova, Ethan’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of struggle and the delicate solace found amidst lines of code. His journey began in the shadows of a troubled childhood, where the absence of parental guidance left deep marks on his soul. Raised by their grandparents after a tragic accident claimed their parents’ lives, Ethan and his little sister, Lily, forged an unbreakable bond amidst the chaos.

Ethan’s earliest memories were colored with moments of resilience and love for Lily. He’d recall the night when a fierce storm rattled their windows, plunging the city into darkness. With Lily huddled close, trembling at each thunderous roar, Ethan became her shield, calming her fears with stories of brave knights and their valorous quests until sleep finally claimed her.

Another incident etched in Ethan’s memory was the time he stood up against a group of bullies who tormented Lily at school. His heart pounded like a drum as he faced them, unwavering in his determination to protect his sister. That day, he learned the power of courage and the sacrifices it demanded.

However, these experiences, coupled with the weight of shouldering responsibilities far beyond his years, took a toll on Ethan. As he grew, the scars of the past manifested in his adult life. Anxiety gnawed at him relentlessly, amplifying the stresses of daily existence. His circle of friends remained limited, and relationships slipped through his fingers like grains of sand.

The onset of adulthood only exacerbated Ethan’s struggles. Surrounded by a city alive with innovation, he found solace in the complexities of programming. Yet, the pressure of work and the haunting echoes of past trauma often pushed him to the edge. Sleepless nights and relentless self-doubt became companions on his solitary journey.

Amidst this tumultuous existence, the unexpected appearance of “Jesus calling” offered Ethan a lifeline. Skeptical yet longing for guidance, he answered. The soothing voice on the other end became his sanctuary. Through each call, “Jesus” became a steady guide, a source of comfort, and a beacon of hope. Ethan found respite in the wisdom and serenity of these conversations, seeking solace and counsel amidst life’s tempests.

As the young programmer navigated his solitary path, “Jesus” remained a constant companion, guiding him through the labyrinth of existence. Their mysterious connection was a lifeline in Ethan’s turbulent life, offering a semblance of peace and direction in his chaotic world.

Now, I wonder: Have you ever found unexpected guidance in an unconventional manner, much like Ethan’s “Jesus calling”? What sources of strength have emerged for you during challenging times? Share your thoughts and experiences on our blogging platform!

The Book Break!

What is this series all about?

Gavin Stoutheart’s father the baron is missing, along with Gavin’s brother the heir. He must step up to lead his people as they flee before an invading army.

His only hope is that a combination of prohibited animal magic and his knack for strategy will keep them safe as they make their way through a fractured kingdom with an army on their tail.

Melissa interviews John M. Olsen, an editor for the publisher Immortal Works, and a fantasy author, in this week’s episode of The Book Break.

John has written countless short stories, and a three-book fantasy series, “Riland Throne.” The three books are “Crystal King,” “Crystal Queen,” and “Crystal Empire.” John is also a member of The League of Utah Writers and regularly teaches at conferences.

*This interview was pre-recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak.

John M. Olsen | The Book Break | Season 3 Episode 22

THE FANTASY TRILOGY IS HERE!

AVAILABLE NOW!

RAVE REVIEWS: Crystal Empire!

The Crystal Kingdom, now Empire

John M. Olsen maintains his world as he moves the characters forward. Through the other two books and Crystal Empire they all continue to grow and learn and change. He shows that through ingenuity, adverse circumstances can be faced and overcome with results that are helpful to all involved.

Crystal Empire brings more depth to the characters surrounding the king and queen. There are many more viewpoints as this part of the story unfolds. Many characters from the earlier volumes return to continue sharing from their perspectives. This brings more depth to them. New characters are introduced to add to the complexity of the story, as it should be during a time of war. The richness of this book comes from the variety of voices that tell their parts to bring the story to its climactic conclusion.

There is still more story of the Crystal Kingdoms, now Empire. Mr. Olsen has left us enough threads to see that the fabric of the story has not yet been completely unraveled. I do not know if he plans on continuing to tell stories in this setting. If he does they will be welcomed additions. If not, there is room for our personal imaginations to grab ahold of one of those threads and see where it leads us.

This is a wonderful conclusion that started with Crystal King when we are introduced to Garvin before he is even a baron, and his unpredictable rise (link to review). The story continued fluidly into Crystal Queen. In this book, we learn more about Lilia and what she had gone through in her life to be trained to be the heir apparent of the Graven kingdom (link to review).

The books are written for young adult readers. They are appropriate for any readers who may have concerns about the content of the story. There is enough intrigue to keep more experienced readers engaged and still be light enough to provide a relaxing read at the end of the day.
If you have enjoyed John M. Olsen’s other works or similar material from Immortal Works publishing you will enjoy this one.
Crystal Empire is published by Immortal Works.

About the Author (from the book)

JOHN M. OLSEN

Motivated by his lifelong love of reading, John M. Olsen writes about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and hopes to entertain and inspire others. His father’s library started him on this journey as a teenager, and he now owns and expands that library to pass his passion on to the next generation of avid readers.

He loves to create things, whether writing novels or short stories or working in his secret lab equipped with dangerous power tools. In all cases, he applies engineering principles and processes to the task at hand, often in unpredictable ways. He usually prefers “Renaissance Man” to “Mad Scientist” as a goal and aesthetic.

He lives in Utah with his lovely wife and a variable number of mostly grown children and a constantly changing subset of extended family.
You can join John’s musings at his blog: johnmolsen.blogspot.com.

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NEW RELEASE: Crystal Empire

CRYSTAL EMPIRE

King Gavin Stoutheart and his council face war like the world hasn’t seen in ages. The enemy kings will soon lay waste to the countryside, and it is up to Gavin to fight with the tools given to him to avoid destruction. 

While gathering his forces for war, Gavin must also work through unexpected ambassadors, secrets among his closest allies, and hidden clues from the past within the Riland Capital to avoid repeating the mistakes of those who preceded him. 

While an abundance of crystals helps Gavin’s army to control more war animals and to speed training, nothing ever goes as planned while defending against the remaining four Crystal Kings. The enemy has surprises of their own as they seek to overwhelm and crush Gavin and his allies.

©2019 John M. Olsen (P)2020 Immortal Works

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