Friday, October 7, 2011

Help Me Welcome Michael Duncan!

Welcome to A Minute with Marianne, Michael Duncan!

Michael's book, Shadows, is one of four debut titles that mark the launch of Harbourlight Books. I'm delighted to help spread the word about this fascinating and very special offering.

First--meet Michael!

Michael has spent more than 20 years preaching and teaching God's Word. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Rev. Duncan entered into public ministry and has served in four churches. He currently resides in Washington State with his wife and three children and serves as pastor. When Michael is not preaching or teaching God's word, he spends time writing. His first novel, Shadows, will be released in October, 2011. He is an apprentice-level alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild. Michael is also a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and serves as a board member and a critique group facilitator. Given the opportunity, he also enjoys time on the golf course.

SHADOWS BLURB:

A stolen text...When the Book of Aleth is stolen, Aaron, captain of the Royal Guard, is ordered by Emperor Therion to reclaim the ancient tome. The mission thrusts Aaron into a world he's never known--a world of elves and dwarves, races long thought extinct; a world where everything he has known and believed is a lie. A secret past... Forced to challenge his long-held beliefs, Aaron and his companions, two soldiers of the Royal Guard and two men of the Dwarvish kingdom of Brekken-Dahl, set out on a quest to recover the Book. Aaron resolves to discover the truth, and rescue the empire he is sworn to protect.

SHADOWS EXCERPT:

Prologue

The Coming of Darkness


He stood alone. As the Usurper’s army approached, the tall, solitary figure kept silent vigil outside the high-walled city of Charis, the last free city of the King. Captain of the royal army, Protector of all Celedon, the lone warrior positioned himself like a bulwark between the unbreached gates and the Usurper’s evil horde, determined to stop the tide of vile creatures that continued to advance. At his command, those who remained faithful to the King waited within the protective fortress leaving him to face the enemy alone. He gripped his sword. Cold steel flashed with brilliance as the silent warrior waited. A halo of emerald light radiated from a small gem in the hilt and surrounded the protector.

A gentle summer breeze drifted across the vale, but it carried no scent of hope, only the half-dead stench of the Usurper’s army. Miles beyond the walls, the ancient forest burned unabated and belched thick clouds of smoke high into the air. Acrid smoke darkened the sun and shadowed the world in a ghastly twilight as embers drifted like snow from the sky. Thousands of vile creatures and traitorous men marched against Charis. Their approach echoed like thunder across the valley and shook the ground with every step. Through the haze and smoke, the Protector saw the Usurper, mounted on his black steed on a small hill behind his forces.

An explosion of fire shook the ground. The Protector stumbled to his knees and gazed upward at large daemons soaring through an ash-filled sky. The dark, leathery-winged creatures hurled flaming spheres at the lone defender. Each ball of fire burst in a violent detonation that shook the earth, but the sword he held radiated even brighter, its emerald glow thwarting every attack. No magic could penetrate the radiant circle of light. Undaunted, Celedon’s captain rose to his feet and held his ground.

The Protector’s heart raced with anticipation. In his steeled eyes, a fierce anger burned against the Usurper. He knew that his greatest challenge drew near. He suffered no fear, but hungered with the desire to avenge himself upon the hosts of evil. He knew his duty—to protect the King and defend Celedon, and at that duty, he believed he had failed. He thought of his wife and son and all those who remained inside, of those who stood loyal to the King. He gazed back toward the last, great city.

The high, granite walls of Charis guarded the hosts of those loyal to the King. Atop the battlements, the Protector saw archers of the High-Born elves, vigilant and ready to defend the city. The tall, oak gates at the center of the city wall remained closed. Along the ramparts, flags displayed the crest of the King of Celedon and fluttered in the breeze. Beyond the massive wall, in the midst of Charis stood the Tower of the Wind, a regal spire of white marbled stone. It shimmered in contrast to the black curtains of smoke. The Protector gazed up to the pinnacle of the tower where he saw a rampart and upon the rampart stood the King.

Ingrigued? Then join in the fun! Michael is sponsoring a contest to win an autographed copy of his book! Here's where to go to find out all the details and enter:

http://www.michael-duncan.net/contest.html


PURCHASE LINKS:

Harbourlight Books

Amazon.com

I can't wait to read this book, gang!! Enjoy!!

12 comments:

  1. Intrigued for sure! What a powerful, intense excerpt. Thanks for sharing, Marianne.

    Congrats on the release of SHADOWS, Michael!

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  2. Sounds like another great book by PBG!

    Congratulations Michael - looking forward to spotlighting you on my blog next week.
    PamT

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  3. I finally got a chance to take in the book trailer for Shadows, and it really is intriguing! Congratulations, Michael - sounds like you've got a winner on your hands! :)

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  4. Well, Blogger is being temperamental today! Michael asked that I post his thanks!!

    Marianne - Thanks for being such a good host and featuring me on your blog today!

    Dora & Pamela - Thank you! I pray that God will use this book for His glory and the building up of the faith of His people.
    -Michael

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  5. And the thanks go for me as well!! Delia, Dora and Pam, you're the best!! :-) Michael, feel free to drop by any time!

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  6. When isn't blogger temperamental lol. Just started reading this one and am hooked from the word go :)

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  7. So good to meet you, Michael, and thanks to Marianne for hosting. I was intrigued from the moment I saw the book trailer for Shadows and I'm really looking forward to reading the book. Congrats on the release, Michael!

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  8. Good to see you here, Michael. I copied what you said the other day about bad boys and put it in my "hero" file. As I've said before, I really look forward to reading this story.

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  9. And since Blogger is still being snarky, here's another comment from Michael! :-D

    Clare, Carol Ann, and LoRee - and the rest - thank you for your kindness and encouragment. I am so blessed that it's nearly left me speechless (and that's not easy to do to this pastor!). God bless. :)

    Thanks for the support and encouragement, folks! God bless, and good reading!!

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  10. And another!! This one from Dana Pratola ~

    Sounds great, Michael. You'll definitely have to stop by my site soon and shake things up =-)

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  11. What a great excerpt! Made me think of angels defending the throne of God (not that they need to)...

    Reminds me of a cross between Tolkien and Piers Anthony, maybe a touch of Frank Peretti. LOL Nice company he keeps!

    What a great start for Harbourlight!

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  12. Thank you, everyone, who stopped by! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to connect with each one of you individually - but I was at a conference until late last night! God bless, and for those who pick up the book - I truly hope you enjoy it. :)

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