A God-Appointed Chosen One 
& Exclusive Author Interview!

(Image received directly from the author)

Chains of Prophecy

Book 1 of the Samuel Buckland Chronicles 
by Jason P. Crawford

My rating on a 100-point scale: 97

How I discovered this book:

When signing up for the author's newsletter (introduced via Twitter/X), I received a free copy of this book!

My synopsis: 

   Samuel Buckland is an accountant who, one day, takes one thing a little too far and loses his job over it. Then, more tragedy strikes him. Could the two most negative events in his life be connected? It seems they may be... but Sam has some trouble coming to terms with what he seems to be destined for. Events force him to try and be a savior in a way he could have never imagined, and he seems to be a natural at it, but he's never been taught how to do what he can, and the ancient book that would help him succeed in his endeavors comes up missing... What follows is a kind of war, a journey of discovery, and the reader is swept along with Sam as he stumbles his way through seemingly insurmountable challenges. 

My review: 

   I was VERY pleasantly surprised with this independently published GEM of a novel! The plot and words are intricately woven to keep a reader intrigued, entertained, and looking forward to what happens next. The characters are complex and struggle with themselves and each other. The story is clear, has details that ground the reader well, and there are some nice twists here and there. For an example on the writing style, see this short excerpt from Chapter 1: 

Gregory had been clear on how this was his space, how he needed a room to do his work and have things his way. At first, his wife had worried that there was something... untoward going on, that maybe this room was where he would stash his child pornography or something like that. As years had passed, however, she had come to accept the fact that, sometimes, a man needs a place to be himself. 

Here, we see easy character development, and the slow creation of a mystery: Gregory is even hiding something from his wife at home -- he somehow comes up with brilliant ideas in this space related to his success... but that's nothing sketchy -- is it?

    Some themes I picked up from this novel concern overcoming adversity despite the shortcomings you encounter within yourself, the importance of appreciating what you have, and rising to challenges with confidence to succeed -- all messages worth receiving. Another theme, God has a plan for you, and other religious themes, can be seen in text like this, from Chapter 3: 

     Although only five years old at the time, Sam had still been possessed of a prodigious intelligence. He had thought about his great-grandma's question for several moments before answering. "I think it's because Solomon was using God's magic, but the witches were using bad magic." 

        More laughter from the old lady. "Exactly what I thought you'd say." She had clapped her hands together before leaning in closer. "Don't forget this, Sammy; there is good and evil in the world, but all of that is in here," and she pointed as his head, "and in here," to his heart. "A rock can kill people, or a rock can build a house, but a rock can't be good or evil. Magic could hurt people, or it could help them; it was the magician, the sorcerer, who decided if they were working for God or not..."  

Here, I know there are readers out there who may think "blasphemy!" at using magic at all, especially when saying God condones it, whether for God's purpose or not. That's okay (that's why I'm mentioning it here, so you know) -- but there is magic in this book, both magic being used for good and magic being used against the betterment of all. In my educated opinion, it enhances the story and its entertainment value -- and it's fiction -- we are not saying this is real!

     With the right amount of "figuring it out," readers follow Sam as the story builds up to an exciting climax, an unpredictable reveal, and a very fulfilling resolution. There is an excerpt from the beginning of the next book at the end, and I totally drank that up. Sam is such a well-developed, dynamic, realistic character (despite the magical elements) that you'll want to visit with him and follow his adventures more -- it may be a little addicting, I'll warn you. 

     The reading flows easily after the initial "what the...?" of the opening pages. There's a sense of mystery about what the "villain" of the story is exactly doing -- why does he have a secret warehouse and what is he doing there? Whatever it is, it seems to be tied to his prominent influence as a politician. Sam, just a former accountant, must approach this insurmountable power again and again to answer questions and overcome the evil of the story, creating a kind of intrigue that keeps a person intrigued and reading on. 

     There's just one thing that is a little irksome to me, personally, but it's a little, vestigial thing from long times past, and not a big deal at all: the author puts "The End" at the end of the book, and at the end of the preview to the next book. Just a little thing, but when it's a series, it's not the end, you know...

   

My Goodreads updates: 

I had 3 updates on Goodreads while reading this book: 

"So far, a captivating author intro. and a captivating read!"

"I think I’m enjoying this more than any other indie book I’ve read so far (except my own, that is…)!" 

"The author is handling mental instability well ☺️."

I highly recommend to... 

Fans of fantasy and paranormal novels and thrilling reads with religious themes.

Suggested restrictions: 

I do not suggest this novel for anyone less than 13 years of age due to sparse adult language, some adult situations that may not be suitable for younger readers, and mild, magical violence.

I'm going to brag for the author a little bit here: 

Chains of Prophecy won the 2014 Paranormal Silver Global Ebook Award! 

This novel currently has 4.25 on Goodreads (which better than most classics)! 

Also, this whole series (all 5 books) consistently has above 4 stars on Amazon!

-- So, I'm not the only one who says it's GREAT!

Links and information from Amazon are at the end of this post! 

When finishing up this book, I thought, oh my goodness, an indie gem like this, I want to resurrect my book blog to talk about it! I reached out to the author, and he agreed to an exclusive interview here! 

My interview with the author, Jason Crawford: 

Tell us a little about yourself. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Are there any people who are extra special to you as a writer or as a person that you would like to tell us a little bit about as well?

I was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, to Army parents. We moved around a lot—Germany, Panama, Maryland—until we came back to Louisiana, where I lived until I myself joined the military as a cryptologic linguist. That's where I met my wife of now 21 years, Cherrie, or CL Fors as she's known for her award-winning art and amazing science fiction. I have four children from 18 to 9 years old, love tabletop roleplaying, and teach high school Physics in southern California.

That sounds interesting and eventful! We have something in common -- I love studying language; I call myself a "linguistics nut" at times. It's so great that you have multiple successful writing careers in your family. 😁

(This picture taken from Mr. Crawford's website)

I know there are tons of ups and downs with being an author. What is the best part of writing for you? What is hardest about it?
 
The act of creating the story is my soul's ambrosia. I write what I want to read and I love every moment of it. The hardest part is, of course, rejection—whether that's my first reader telling me that I didn't manage something the way I wanted, or the repeated form "No thank you's" that I get from short-story magazines; it's never fun. Still, I've gotten to the point where I can absorb most of those without falling down or getting depressed. Usually.

I completely understand! I love that I can say that I loved your book enough to give you further praise! 

I just saw a Twitter post yesterday about the "coincidences" of our characters and events in relation to real-life people and events that we generally put at the beginning of fiction books as a disclaimer. Are the characters in your books based on people in real life? If they are, would you care to share with us who? If they aren’t, how do you create complex characters for your books?

I definitely take traits from people that I know, but I don't ever make the character the same as they are. The character starts as a general idea; for instance, Sam Buckland, from Chains of Prophecy, started as "A genius accountant has to save the Archangel Gabriel from being captured by a politician/businessman." That, and the idea of the Keys of Solomon, was all I knew about him when I started. My characters are complex because I let them make decisions, steer the story, and tell me what they're going to do. I don't control them (except in very rare instances); they control the writing by the choices they make.

Mine, too! My characters often change my plans for a story after I've planned it out. They're like, nuh uh, that's not how that happened... This is how it happened. 

What would you say to a reader who approached you and praised your work, saying Chains of Prophecy is one of their absolute favorites?
 
This has happened! I was vending at a local convention and a reader came up, saying she'd bought my book at the last event I was at and showed me how beat-up it was because she'd been reading it so much. I gave her a new signed copy, and we've been friends since. This is the best feeling that a writer can have, and I encourage all readers to let their favorites know that you love their work. It makes our day, every time.

That's wonderful! Thank you for sharing that -- perhaps it will be inspiration to both readers and writers who are readers to do just that! 

Now that you've clearly had success with your writing endeavors, I want you to reflect on what inspired you to become a writer. What would you say to someone who asked you why you do what you do? How has writing affected your life?

Becoming a writer has happened in three stages. In 2012, my sister-in-law suggested to my wife and I that we try writing, since we're creative and intelligent. That's how I wrote my first book, The Drifter. Chains followed soon thereafter.

The second stage happened much more recently. In 2024, my wife returned from her first Superstars Writing Seminar in Colorado, an annual event made by several influential authors like Brandon Sanderson and Kevin J. Anderson. She was effusive about how wonderful it was, and her experience inspired me to really try with my writing. I started setting aside more time, submitting to short-story markets, and putting myself out there. I made my first fiction sales to anthologies here.

The third stage, the present, happened after I attended SSWS in 2025. I realized that writing fuels my soul, that it isn't work, and that it's what I want to spend my life doing. I want this to be my full-time career,  crafting stories for myself and others. Since February of this year, I've written three full novels and I have plans for more. I can't stop, don't want to, and I'm so grateful for this chance.

That is absolutely wonderful -- your evolution to the writer you are today! Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us. 😃

I've very much enjoyed this opportunity to get to know you a little better and wish you further success with your writing career. Have a great weekend! 

Find this awesome author online: 

Website: https://www.jasonpatrickcrawford.com/ -- here, learn more about his work and awards!

Also, you can sign up for his newsletter on his website! (It does NOT spam your inbox AT ALL!) 

Connect with Jason on his website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads!

Currently, for signing up for his newsletter via Bookfunnel, you receive "Legacy of Lies" for free!

Amazon Author Bio: 

(Taken from Amazon)

(Alternate cover from Goodreads)

Synopsis from Amazon: 

   Samuel Buckland has everything going for him—until a single encounter shatters his certainty and thrusts him into a hidden war of magic, myth, and ancient prophecy. Gregory Caitlin, a rising star in politics and business, claims he’ll bring hope to a crumbling world—but his ambitions hide something far darker. When their paths collide, even angels falter.

Sam must grapple with forces he never believed in—demons, djinn, and an ancient power long thought lost. Gregory walks a razor’s edge between messiah and tyrant, and he’s not above using forbidden knowledge to shape the future.

Their choices will tip the balance between salvation and ruin.

Chains of Prophecy (Book One of the Samuel Buckland Chronicles) is a fast-paced blend of modern fantasy and ancient lore, perfect for readers who enjoy smart, character-driven stories with deep mythological roots and explosive consequences.  

National Poetry Day

Water

Image from etftrends.com

   Despite the fact that I'm American, I'm all about celebrating the written word. So, though October 3rd is National Poetry Day for the United Kingdom, I choose to help celebrate it. After all, some of my ancestors were from that relative area of the world - I have a bit of Scottish blood in me. I also have a decent amount of Native American blood in me, but that is beside the point. I'm part English. So I can participate in the UK's National Poetry Day, right? 

   Any way, I'm posting one of my own poems today. It'll be included in my short works collection I am due to release before the year's out. 

   This year's theme for National Poetry Day is Water and I have the perfect poem to share. I wrote it in July of last year and hereby share it with my readers.

Eternal Life

a coffin for a shower, who would’ve ever thought

that eternal life could be found in simple water

it runs to catch itself with gravity’s help, like a bus picking up passengers

it has to go a little out of its way for love

it just wants to be closer to atoms just like itself

so simple yet so complex, this love of self

Image from smscs.com

they’ll say, oh how she loved her baths

but oh they’ll never know what I found in this coffin

their highfalutin ways blind them, they’ll never see

highfalutin, someone angry made up that word: highfalutin

the water is so warm surrounding my frame

I listen to its blurred message

so silent one can only hear when submersed

blood is the answer for Christians, blood and water

blood and water for eternal life in Christ

water is the answer to Heaven, the accumulation is Paradise – so simple and so common a thing

and He put it right in front of our face

water runs through my veins, mixes with my blood

it races to catch itself

to join close with its friends and wait for the end

surface tension

broken by more coming to join in to wait for the end

a crowd of an uncountable number of lives in this coffin

just waiting

just swirling down the drain, waiting for the end

Faye Hollidaye, July 2012

   I hope you enjoyed! Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think, or leave me one of your poems - I'd love to read them. I'd also like to know what your favorite poem of all time is, so feel free to share!

Challenged Books

Banned Book Week

Image from alasu.libguides.com.

   It's incredibly surprising how many great books are on the 100 Most Challenged Books list. I'm currently unacquainted with the first two titles on this list, but there are many there that my high school class was encouraged to read. First, what are "banned" or "challenged" books and why are they treated so by some?

   I personally learned about Banned Book Week from Cabin Goddess' blog. I didn't know there was such a thing as a week to raise awareness about censorship concerning books until this week when I got the weekly email about Ms. Morton's blog and her new posts. When learning, I was inspired to create this special post to help raise awareness. 

   There is a lot of information regarding this topic out there: I encourage you to learn what a banned or challenged book is at this link. Also at that link, you can find the following quote from John Stuart Mill, as he wrote in On Liberty, and additional information. 

If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. Were an opinion a personal possession of no value except to the owner; if to be obstructed in the enjoyment of it were simply a private injury, it would make some difference whether the injury was inflicted only on a few persons or on many. But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.

Image from hellogiggles.com.

For the Love of Books
    Now, do not take this the wrong way. I am NOT saying that children ages ten and under should be allowed to read erotica. There's no reason anything like erotica should be within the grasp of an 8-year-old child -- I'm sure everyone reading this agrees -- unless that child is a 40-year-old man trapped in a child's body, which is highly unlikely.
   What I AM saying with this post is: Phillip Pullman's books should not

The Bible 30-Day Experience: Daily Guidebook
by Bob Hostetler

My rating on a 100-point scale: 82

My thoughts:
   I didn't study this in a small group or with the dvds, but I still learned from this book. It's set up well and is very clear on what it teaches.

I recommend this book to:
   Christians, whether you're studying the good book alone or with a partner or small group.

This book has no restricting content.

The Second in a Series

Daughter's Justice
by Thaddeus Nowak

My rating on a 100-point scale: 91

My review:
   If you've read the first in this series and liked it, you'll definitely want to read this one. Stephenie's fight with her circumstances continues in this adventurous tale. I highly recommend to fans of supernatural/fantasy who like books with female heroines.

   Though there are a couple things I could complain about ("However" and a single technical error every 20 or so pages), this book was well worth the time. I cut back on my screen-time reading during this book, but it had nothing to do with the novel, only the format I had it in. I enjoyed this read immensely and think many other readers will too.

This sequel's predecessor: 
Mother's Curse

My recommender:  
   I recently participated in a blog tour hosted by Novel Publicity for this series. Though I didn't finish this sequel during the tour, I still feel the need to share my thoughts on it. 

Suggested restrictions:
There is some foul language throughout and a little gore, so be forewarned. I personally don't think anyone under the age of 14 should read this without parental guidance.

One for Christians

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
by Francis Chan

My rating on a 100-point scale: 87

My short and sweet review:  

   This book is well-written and inspiring. Though at one point the author's crazy does show through a little, the ideologies are pretty clearly stated in the Bible, just pushed home a little harder here. I highly recommend to everyone who calls themselves Christian and anyone who aspires to be called a true follower of Christ. In my opinion, every Christian should read this book. 

How I came upon this book: 

   My husband had a copy on our bookshelf from a class in church he attended once. He mentioned selling it, but I asked to read it before he did so. 

A very short excerpt: 

   "I believe that much of the American church-going population, while not specifically swimming downstream, is slowly floating away from Christ. It isn't a conscious choice, but it is nonetheless happening because little in their lives propels them toward Christ." - from page 95.

 

Additional info and thoughts:

   This novel is meant to challenge Christians to give more of themselves to Christ. The author points out verses and legitimate reasons why followers of Christ should give all the glory to God, and I personally found it uplifting and inspiring, for the most part. 

   I especially liked the idea of the chapter devoted to those who've devoted their lives to living like Christ. 

   

This novel has no restricting content.

   

A Catholic-Themed Novel, Synopsis, and Interview with the Author

Sprainter by JT Therrien

My rating on a 100 point scale: 93

My thoughts: 

   I really liked this novel. It held my attention from beginning until end and ended up being a real quick read, ending too soon. There are a few things that could have been fixed, but from here on out, if a novel has less than ten total technical errors, I choose not to mention them in my reviews, as is the case in this novel. There simply isn’t enough to complain about. And the complexity of this novel and the enjoyment I got reading it totally makes up for whatever I could find to complain about it. I highly recommend for anyone and everyone who likes a good read.

My synopsis:

   A spray painter named MrE spreads God’s Word and revolutionary propaganda through illegal vandalism in a city purposely isolated by its government from the rest of the world. One routine night, a girl named OZone appears out of nowhere to admire his artwork, alarming the cops to his presence with her voice. She helps him escape being arrested and he takes her back to his hangout, a church where anyone can stay as long as they remain chaste, attend Mass, and bring food back with them whenever they’re out. MrE can’t help but wonder where OZone came from and who she is, and she seems to be incapable of telling the truth, but he has no choice but to trust her and let her stay. 

My interview with JT Therrien, author of The Well and Sprainter:  

   What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Are there any people who are extra special to you as a writer or as a person that you would like to tell us a little bit about?
   Um… I don’t understand the question. What do I do when I'm not writing? Lol… Well, I love to bike! In Southern Ontario, we have a great system of recreational trails, so I'm on there whenever it's not raining… or snowing. I'm married to a perfect woman who also happens to be a librarian, so we have a common love of books that keeps us together. Oh, and we also have a son.

One for Adolescents

Image via amazon.com

The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass
The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman

My rating on a 100-point scale: 98

     This trilogy is a masterpiece. The first time I read it I was in the sixth grade, and I have read it another two times since. These books are very-well written and very-well thought out, and I personally love the adventure they provide their readers with.

     When I first read them as an adolescent, the end of the trilogy shook me as a Christian. I wasn't technically a Christian yet, according to the current definition I claim, but I was trying to find my place in Christianity. The ending makes the author's atheism very evident, and either makes or breaks the story for the reader. For me, I'm not sure whether it made or broke the story (the first time), since I don't know where I was then in relevance to my religion. But now, being solid in where I stand (as a Christian), I can look around the implications of this fictional story and see the amazing piece of work Philip Pullman has created. It's an amazing story, and despite whatever religion you claim, you should read it, especially if you enjoy reading, adventure, and thought-provoking material. However, if you are a fundamentalist Christian parent who's wondering whether they should allow their child to read this work (from an atheist author) or not, I suggest you read it for yourself before you decide (though I believe you will probably decide to advise against your child's reading of it). Though I encourage you to keep an open mind, I know that "narrow is the gate," and you must do what you must for your child's security of mind. But realize that your child will come into contact with the world and the people in it sooner or later, and you can't stop that (no matter how much you may try). 

      This story is brilliant. It's fiction at its best. If you have any questions concerning it that I may be able to help with, please email or comment below. 

These are meant to be children's books, but I would recommend these books for no one below the age of 8, since the writing and storyline can be complex at times. There are also mythical, mystical, and war-like elements. The bear battle is a bit gory and the main character is a liar, for example; there are things of this world and those of another included in the story (witches, talking bears, spirits, magic, science, daemons, etc.). As always, if you question whether your child should read these books, read them yourself and determine with your own standards.