Category: Brett Armstrong

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong (Give.away)

8/28/2024

AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give in. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.

Genre: Christian dystopian, science fiction
Release date: September 26, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Brett

#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I've been a fan of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian stories for as long as I can remember, which certainly played a role in it. I think more than that though is the compelling way in which dystopian stories strip away noise and distractions and set a distilled version of what our current reality is like and can become if we do not act to change course from that future. Even more than that, Christian dystopia has the possibility of showing something more. Instead of merely painting a bleak picture on a dark canvas and leaving readers in dread, Christian dystopia can point to a country beyond all of the brokenness when and where everything is made whole again and we are with the Lord. So, even if we do face a dark tomorrow, at the edge of that tomorrow is a brighter tomorrow ever fair.

#2. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I really enjoyed writing just about all of the characters in Silent Stars. That isn’t always the case and I didn’t necessarily like the turn some character’s arcs took or the roles they had to play, but they were all interesting to write and felt pretty vibrant and unique. Most of the cast is returning from earlier entries and over the years I haven’t said enough how much I enjoyed writing Elliott and Lara’s characters. They balance each other really well and their commitment to each other, stopping Project Alexandria, and the Faith never felt forced. Whenever I would have to take a break from writing Tomorrow’s Edge and then come back to it, I tended to come back to scenes with them in it, because they really helped make that world come alive for me and kind of welcome me back into it all.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Hold onto hope. “Ask, seek, and knock” as the Lord exhorts us to. Remember that He is with is in the darkest hours of our lives when everyone else seems to turn their backs on us and it looks like there is no possible way out, no possible way forward. One of my favorite moments in the book echoes with the reminder that He makes a way in the wilderness*. If he can part the Red Sea, bring down Jericho's walls, turn water to wine, feed 5000+ from a boy's lunch, walk on the waves, and rise from the dead after enduring the punishment for our sins; He can make a way, a road through the hardships we face that leads us straight to Him. So, no matter how bleak or dark the world and events around us grow, hold onto the hope of the better land, the better tomorrow, we are promised with and in Him.
* Isaiah 43:19

#4. How did you name your characters?
A lot of Tomorrow’s Edge involves the dynamics within the McIntyre family and I drew some of that from experiences with my own family. So, some of the character names came from family too, though the names didn’t really match with the influences on personality. John is named after my grandfather and since the family is Scots-Irish, I thought it would make sense for Grandpa McIntyre’s name to be Ian (which is a Scottish transliteration of John). Others got their names just from trying out what sounded good or in the case of the villain, Dr. Victor Almundson, a little menacing. The most fun naming approach in the whole series was using car manufacturers to name some characters who were siegers (hackers) who boost cars and retrofit them to help sneak people around the country. They do that because all of the cars in Tomorrow’s Edge operate autonomously under the control of centralized operating systems. That kind of set up makes it hard for certain types of people to get around unnoticed otherwise. That makes those characters serious targets for the authorities, so they go by aliases which are the make of car they tend to work on. Nissan, Ford, and Chevy are the characters who have the biggest impact on series out of that group.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I think since this is the final book in the series it’s appropriate to share the first Bible verse that appears in the series.

“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Every chapter in the Tomorrow’s Edge series starts with a quote. Most of it is from Shakespeare’s works, because of the significance of the book Elliott’s grandfather left him in Day Moon. But the very first quote in Chapter 1 in book 1 is the verse above, Proverbs 23:23. That verse very succinctly sums up a core theme and truth of the series. Often we allow the noise of the world to distract us. In time, distraction gives way to a numbness and that numbness leads us to missing those moments when something that is against the Truth (1) enters our lives, often bundled in the very noise we become calloused to over time. The Truth is worth more than anything, His Kingdom is the “pearl of great value” (2) and a treasure that is worth giving everything for (3) and yet we sometimes find ourselves giving away bits of truth that would be a “light to our feet and a lamp to our path” (4). It’s hard enough to stand against the noise, against the current pulling us away from the shores of the homeland we are to strive for (5), and that’s in part what Tomorrow’s Edge is about. Encouraging each of us, myself included, through the story of Elliott’s struggles and perseverance, to stand firm. To not barter away the precious truths that help us to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith…”(6) and to “press on toward the high calling” (7) we have in Christ, no matter what we face.
1. John 14:6
2. Matthew 13:45-46
3. Matthew 13:44
4. Pslam 119:105
5. Hebrews 11:13-16
6. Hebrews 12:2
7. Philippians 3:14

More from Brett

Dystopian stories remind me of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is heartbroken for Tiny Tim and asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if the boy will live. The ghost, to paraphrase, says that if the shadows of the things present are not altered the child will not live. Dystopian stories show us the shadows of things that if left unaltered, if not safeguarded against, can bring dire consequences. Years ago, I began writing the Tomorrow’s Edge series because I was concerned. Looking at headlines and articles about everything from the latest tech developments to the weakening links in western society’s integrity, I could understand why so many people fear the future. For me, it was fear for a tomorrow that is the fulfillment of every dystopian nightmare to us, but because it is so gradual so innocuous in coming, those in the future living that dystopia won’t even see it.

Our hold on reality is tenuous in the modern digital world—particularly with AI deepfakes, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse increasingly edging into our daily lives. And when combined with post-modernist philosophy’s denial of objective truth it makes for a serious existential threat. So, I wrote a story about some teens living in the near future where it is very nearly too late to come back from that edge. Teens who are gifted a glimpse of truth and reality and now can’t turn back from pursuing it. I hope it isn’t a stretch already to see that a story like that is layered. The gripping, fast paced surface narrative has beneath it an adjuration and encouragement for those of us who follow Christ to cling to the Truth and the Creator of all reality, no matter what may come. Silent Stars takes that story arc to its conclusion and in writing it I discovered there was an even more potent symbolic meaning to “Tomorrow’s Edge” than us being on the precipice or a dangerous dystopian tomorrow. It was one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve had as a writer and I hope you enjoy uncovering it as well.

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of Silent Stars, and an illustrated
print featuring a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5421

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, August 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 23
Vicky Sluiter, August 24 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 25 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, August 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 28 (Author Interview)
Through the Fire Blogs, August 29 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29
Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, August 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31
Beauty in the Binding, September 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2
Guild Master, September 3 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 4

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Resurgence Of Dawn by Brett Armstrong (Give.away)

12/15/2023

2 Comments

Hope returns with the dawn…

Haunted by tragedies and failures, Anargen and Jason each struggle to find their way. Night has fallen in the Lowlands and neither teen has an easy road ahead. In Anargen’s Era, Monarch Ilyron’s powers and influence grow, forcing Anargen and his dwindling list of allies to travel the length of the Lowlands in a desperate attempt to keep the Quest and all they hold dear from falling into ruin.

Jason meanwhile must find Aria and her grandfather to help unite the Knights of Light from across the Lowlands against his brother, Dorian. But agents of darkness and painful vestiges of his past mix with vindictive new enemies to make the hope of seeing the dawn of the longed-for King’s Day ever so faint. If either teen gives in and surrenders, doom will come swiftly on their world.

Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy
Release Date: December 19, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Brett

#1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
I’ve been writing bits and pieces of it for years, pretty much since the series was contracted for publishing back in 2018. I’ve had a few different versions of the overall story arc along the way as well. The lion’s share of the writing though happened earlier this year, as I crashed headlong into the deadline for the manuscript to be submitted to the publisher. Writing like that is like a full out sprint, but almost for a marathon distance. It’s hard, but weirdly helpful, because it forces me to be on task and not let anything distract me when I am able to write. And it wasn’t just meeting the deadline that concerned me—I was worried the pressure would negatively impact the tone and quality of the story. So, I prayed about and for it so much leading up to the deadline. Recently I re-read the manuscript and I was struck by how well it turned out. Without a doubt I know the Lord helped me through it and made the book more than I could have on my own.

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I share this often, because I think GK Chesterton states my reasoning for it so much better than I could: “Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey.” Fiction in general, but perhaps fantasy and sci-fi in particular, have enormous potential for helping readers to face the most terrifying aspects of reality on a landscape that allows them to understand there’s victory possible and having experienced that victory there, to go on to face the real “bogeys” of this world bolder. The intriguing and fantastical worlds and situations that arise in speculative fiction pique readers interest and draw them in to face their foes with weapons that appear novel but feel familiar. That in and of itself draws me to speculative fiction. Though, I hope and have the intention to write any story the Lord leads me to, whatever the genre may be.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
My hope is that readers will reach the last page and close the book, but carry it with them. So that the next time they face a trial in or challenge to their faith, they do so with more confidence, more resilience. There is so much chaos and noise that comes at us every day and seeks to wear away at our faith. I hope that Resurgence of Dawn helps in the middle of those storms for readers to trust the True High King, knowing that the Lord is there with us, working in and through us.

#4. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
A succinct description of me is:
I'm a Christian, a writer, a full-time programmer, a husband, a dad, and quite often sleep-deprived. Not necessarily ranked in order of importance, except #1.
I enjoy drawing, gardening, movies, reading books (probably easy to guess that one), and spending every moment I can with my family. My mom has always been incredibly supportive of me and was my first (and sometimes toughest) editor growing up and my dad is the sort of man whose life speaks as strongly as his words do to the content of his character and the strength of his faith. My wife and I met by literally being pushed into each other and that providential night is one I’ll always treasure. Then, there’s my son, who is so caring and thoughtful and goofy and earnest and spritely—parents sometimes say their children are blessings almost off handedly, but having him in my life is unequivocally a blessing far beyond anything I could ever deserve.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” *

“Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your footprints were unseen.” **

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.’” ***

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!“ ****

The Lord consistently comes with us into the hardest circumstances of life both physical and spiritual and carries us through. The journey might be arduous and the circumstances look terrifying, but He’s with us and
“we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” *****
Though everything seems to conspire against it and so much cruelty and hardship bear down on us, the Lord is with us and loves us. He makes the impossible possible.

* Isaiah 43:19, ESV
** Psalm 77:19, ESV
*** Exodus 14:13-14, ESV
**** Romans 7:24-25a, ESV
***** Romans 8:28, ESV

More from Brett

Resurgence of Dawn takes the main characters, Anargen and Jason, and those they care deepest about through some intense trials. Everything seems to be falling apart around them and each character has a mountain of guilt weighing down on top of them. They know that their mistakes in Shadows at Nightfall enabled the forces of darkness to advance their evil campaign. The lives of others they cared about were lost or endangered and the Quest is overlooking the precipice of failure and ruin. They have repented of their errors and turned back onto the path of light but these consequences still haunt them. And in that haunting lies a continuingly heinous fear that they will falter again. Things are only complicated further when trusted allies abandon and betray them.

Epic fantasy stories are often filled with darkness, but the best of these stories show that the light is never so far away as we imagine. When I write the entries in this series, I’m acutely aware that in our world too it seems as if darkness is winning the war. It’s my sincere hope that as readers encounter the perseverance and surrender to the High King’s will that Anargen, Jason, and so many other characters choose to pursue, they will be encouraged to do the same in our world. I have watched friends fall away from the faith, been buffeted by the storms of life, and been battered by the continual assault on my faith that come from living in our fallen world. I know others have endured the same and often far worse. So, if these stories of Knights and valor and steadfastness as the world crumbles can encourage one person to pursue the Light and hold fast to the Way, the Truth, and the Life; then every hour spent in dreaming and drafting and agonizing over edits is worth it to me. Stories can and should entertain, but they should also inspire and encourage readers to face the real world when the story ends. All the more, because “the night is far gone; the day is at hand.” *

* Romans 13:12a, ESV

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Day Moon and Veiled Sun), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon
gift card, copy of Resurgence of Dawn, and digital extras (exclusive map and music)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/29247/resurgence-of-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 5
Artistic Nobody, December 6 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 7
Simple Harvest Reads, December 8 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, December 8
Texas Book-aholic, December 9
Through the Fire Blogs, December 10 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 11
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 12
For the Love of Literature, December 13 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, December 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 15 (Author Interview)
Splashes of Joy, December 16 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, December 16
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 17 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, December 18

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Succession by Brett Armstrong (Interview & Guest Post & Giveaway)

12/4/2020

4 Comments

Son of the Northern Realm’s Defender, raised among dwarfs of Ordumair, Meredoch was anticipated to succeed his father. Some whispered he would bring the longed-for peace between Ordumair and their ancient foe, Ecthelowall. All of that changes when Ordumair’s Thane is killed and Meredoch and his family are exiled. From prestige to poverty, the young boy must chart a new course.

As the years pass and the idol that was his father’s legacy tarnishes, Meredoch’s past resurfaces. An artifact of immeasurable worth to Ordumair is found. If recovered by the wrong hands, disaster would befall those Meredoch serves and cares about. Battling creatures believed only myths and racing against evil toward the prize, Meredoch must face the truth of his place in the world and claim his right of succession.

Genre: Christian Epic Fantasy
Release Date: October 6, 2020

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Brett Armstrong

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
When I started the Quest of Fire series, I was a senior high school and thought I was just writing a three-page fairy tale for a class assignment. By the time I had to turn in the assignment it was a twenty-seven-page long synopsis of several key plot points for The Gathering Dark. Fortunately, my teacher was understanding and encouraged me as a writer. As I grew up spiritually and as a writer, so did the story. It grew into something far more intricate and richer than I had ever expected. It grew to a tale that weaves each protagonists’ life experiences into a singular saga of pursuing the completion of a quest worth living and dying for. It’s a story that actively shows how stories encourage and shape us. Since it’s such a huge and sweeping story I’ve pulled inspiration from everything I’ve enjoyed over the years growing up. Arthur legends, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Shakespeare’s plays, movies like Star Wars, my love for history and folklore, and life experiences and stories from the lives of believers through the ages. And, of course, Scripture. Particularly verses exhorting us to stand firm in our faith, to fight the good fight, and show love and forgiveness to others that mirrors Christ’s which was undeterred even knowing it would not stop others from hating and seeking to hurt Him. Love that looked down from the cross and asked God the Father to forgive His tormentors.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
Succession was one of my quicker writes. The first draft took maybe four months and to get it ready for the publisher took around a year. The Gathering Dark was a long time in coming so it took around twelve years to get it from the idea to print. Though with it came the entire framework for the entire Quest of Fire series.

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia definitely influenced me to dabble in fantasy, but I stuck with it, because there’s a tremendous amount of freedom in it. Fantasy lets you thrill and inspire and show people things they can’t see anywhere else, while also showing them things about our world that they can carry with them. You can encapsulate some really beautiful things in fantasy and that makes it hard to resist.

#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
That’s a tough one to make a call on. In Succession, I do really like Meredoch. It’s hard not to root for him, to empathize with him. Life has been hard but he still fights to hold on to his convictions about goodness and honor. That definitely gets tested and he has a lot of bitterness and anger to sort through, but he isn’t giving up on what he believes in and I admire that.
For The Gathering Dark it’s The Storyteller. Some it is because of things he does and says later in the series, but I just like the mystery he carries with him. There’s more to him than meets the eye and I’ve always liked characters who are full of surprises. Particularly what he brings to the end of the book.

#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
It’s easy to lose sight of what an incredible God we serve and to slowly reduce our estimation of Him in our day-to-day lives. It’s the nature of the world, it wears at us and our faith like the sea does the shoreline. But the sea doesn’t just take away, sometimes it brings with it something to add to the shore and I hope my stories do that. Being in the world but not of it, a fantasy story that can entertain and excite but also engage the heart and reinvigorate its memory of the splendor of the King of Kings. My hope is Quest of Fire will encourage those who follow Christ and incite wonder in their hearts that helps carry them through the deceptively simple days in life.

#6. How did you name your characters?
Early drafts played with variations on names of people I knew or characters I liked from other stories, and then I moved towards names based on meanings, sometimes carrying hints of what was to come from them as a kind of shared secret with readers who look into the names. Sound also plays a role in picking them and hints of different cultural influences. For instance, the Knight Errant Omelek compared to Meredoch in Succession. As I discover new lands and lore in the Lowlands the variation in names and the cultures that created them have become more varied.

#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
If it’s okay, I’d like to tell about something really cool that happened. I started on Succession in earnest while I was doing edits on The Gathering Dark with the publisher. I had already written the lyrics to a lay/lament that appeared multiple times in The Gathering Dark and at first it was more about what Anargen from that book felt about those lyrics. As I was working on Succession, I kept asking myself why did the character who

first sang the song do so when he did? Why that location and that moment? Then the answer hit me one day and suddenly it was like that moment didn’t just belong to one character but to both and there were layers to what was happening in that scene. That’s one of my favorite parts of storytelling. When you think you’ve read a scene and gotten everything and then realize there’s another dimension to a moment and how it resonates with the different characters. I geek out over that kind of thing. So much so that I gushed about it to music director at the church I attend, who happens to be a fantasy fan and songwriter. He looked at the lyrics of the song and offered to put it to music. So I now have a fully recorded version of the song from the book which acts as the official theme music for the series! Anytime I need to drop into the Lowlands and put myself in the right mindset to write in the series, all I have to do is listen to that song.

#8. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I’m a Christian and consider that the most important and defining thing about me. I grew up going to the church I still attend in a small town in West Virginia. I majored in computer engineering and computer science and minored in creative writing, history, and mathematics. I then went on to complete grad school for creative writing. My day job is infectious disease data manager for the state of West Virginia, which is how I support my family. COVID has made work crazy these past few months, but we’re holding together. I have an incredible and supportive wife who teaches 7th grade Math and a wild and wonderful little boy who keeps us on our toes. We live just outside town and raise a garden each year. Pumpkins are probably my favorite thing that we grow. I also enjoy drawing and when I’m able watching movies (in addition to reading which is probably obvious). My wife would likely add that I remember an annoying number of quotes from movies, which I have a tendency to want to drop in a conversation when the moments present themselves.

#9. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
Much as Aslan warned against it in The Chronicles of Narnia, I try not to play the “What if?” game too much. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes, though if I had to choose, I would say better time management. I would take opportunities I had early when I was just getting started and try to keep better focused during certain periods in my life. Particularly during the long months since the pandemic started. It’s really taken a toll on my writing productivity and I think it would have been helpful to have not let so much time go by without action. My work has kept me insanely busy, but I would really liked to have carved out some time that is now gone.

#10. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Just to be mindful that what you read eventually becomes part of you. I read about a study that was done a couple years ago that determined when you read stories your brain processes that information in the same way it does lived experiences. So, to some degree what you read becomes part of you at a physical level. Guard your heart, but when you do find a solid story really dig in deep and let it encourage and inspire you. It’s like GK Chesterton

said, children already know bogies exist, but through stories we can help find a St. George to defeat them. As kids and adults, stories are a really special opportunity to face and overcome the monsters of daily life.

#11 Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.

More from Brett

The Lowlands are on the edge of dramatic changes. In every era, warriors for the High King must rise to keep the light burning and hold back the beasts of the darkness that most believe only myth. But those creatures of lore wait for the nightfall that will allow them to roam free and relish that complacency.

None of the protagonists in the Quest of Fire saga—Anargen, Jason, and, in Succession, Meredoch—realize how great a change is coming. Anargen is from a quiet, little town that has stood unchanged and insular for centuries. Jason has been running from a darkness in his past so long he only looks to his next step, never what’s coming ahead. Meredoch grew up with high hopes for his future, proud of his family’s legacy. In the course of the saga, each faces a moment when what they’d clung to and trusted in fails them. For Anargen it’s his quaint life, Jason self-absorption, and Meredoch his family pride. In losing those things, however, each gains something. The chance to join the ancient Quest of Fire on behalf of the High King of All Realms. There’s a passage in The Gathering Dark that sums it up nicely. “Life is filled with losses full of greater gains.”

What excites me to write and share the Quest of Fire saga is showing through sweeping epic fantasy the way these characters stand firm. Though not the only spiritual theme woven into the stories, both The Gathering Dark and Succession invite readers to journey with these characters to the brink, risking their lives, and find there the greatest gain.

Brett Armstrong

From an early age, Brett Armstrong had a love for literature and history. At age nine, he combined the two for his first time in a short story set in the last days of the Aztec Empire. After that, writing’s role in his life waxed and waned periodically, always a dream on the horizon, till he reached college. At West Virginia University, he entered the Computer Engineering program and spent two years pursuing that degree before an opportunity to take a creative writing class, for fun, came along. It was so enjoyable, he took another and in that course he discovered two things. The first was the plot for a short story called Destitutio Quod Remissio, which the other students

really seemed to love. The second, he realized he absolutely loved writing. For him, it was like the proverbial light bulb coming on. In the years since, describing that epiphany has been difficult for him, but he found the words of 1924 Olympian Eric Liddell are the most eloquent expression for it: “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” God gave Brett a passion for writing, and so feels His pleasure when writing.
Brett lives in Saint Albans, West Virginia, with his beautiful wife, Shelly. In the summer the pair gardens together, and each day Brett continues writing his next novel.