| Two young people from opposite sides of the Great Continent must make sense of their life. Rune has grown up all of her life in the mountainous northern nation of Kansanai. As granddaughter of the Senior Elder, she has been a devout believer of the Vihishki gods her whole life. Yet, when a prophet challenges the Vihishki gods against his Aivan, the One Truth, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. Will she be able to let go of the life she thought she deserved for something far greater than what she could have ever imagined? Rolf goes through the motions of everyday life in the southern nation of Etalentin. Yet, his routine is disrupted when a voice claiming to be the one true God speaks to him. Listening to his heart, he follows Aivan, but he is thrown temptation after temptation on his journey. Will Rolf be able to resist the temptations in order to fulfill Aivan’s plan for him? Aivan: The One Truth is a story about self-discovery, identity, and faith. |  |
Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy
Release Date: July 23, 2022
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Kayla
1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Simply, the book was a story placed on my heart by God. I had a general idea for a story following a young girl who had her life planned out only for the plan to fall to pieces. I spent a lot of time crafting this girl’s personality and character, even naming her Rune. However, I didn’t exactly know how to tell her story. One Sunday at church, the sermon focused on Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The passages in 1 Kings recounting how God set the altar on fire when called on by Elijah not only influenced an important scene within Aivan: The One Truth but it led to an “ah-ha” moment for me. I began piecing together details of the Great Continent and Rune’s world which has several Old Testament story influences.
Simply, the book was a story placed on my heart by God. I had a general idea for a story following a young girl who had her life planned out only for the plan to fall to pieces. I spent a lot of time crafting this girl’s personality and character, even naming her Rune. However, I didn’t exactly know how to tell her story. One Sunday at church, the sermon focused on Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The passages in 1 Kings recounting how God set the altar on fire when called on by Elijah not only influenced an important scene within Aivan: The One Truth but it led to an “ah-ha” moment for me. I began piecing together details of the Great Continent and Rune’s world which has several Old Testament story influences.
2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love magic and whimsy within fantasy books, and I believe that played a role in my own stories being primarily fantasy. Aivan: The One Truth is a young adult novella, but even advanced middle grade readers will enjoy it, too. My current work in progress is also YA fantasy, and my planned project to follow is a Middle Grade fantasy.
As both an avid reader and an educator, I have been let down with the gradual increase in the mature content included in books marketed to young adult audiences. Clean books should be available to young readers. This isn’t to say books should ignore the sad, messy parts of life, but these ideas should be handled in an age-appropriate manner.
I write for younger audiences because, in addition to wanting to share stories that allow readers to embrace their childhood, I want books that have a premise that will engage a diverse group, including reluctant readers. Further, writing books that reflect real-life situations for children and teens, even within a fantasy setting, is important to me. Above all, I strive to write books that I would have been drawn to as a young reader while sharing the truth about God’s redeeming love.
I love magic and whimsy within fantasy books, and I believe that played a role in my own stories being primarily fantasy. Aivan: The One Truth is a young adult novella, but even advanced middle grade readers will enjoy it, too. My current work in progress is also YA fantasy, and my planned project to follow is a Middle Grade fantasy.
As both an avid reader and an educator, I have been let down with the gradual increase in the mature content included in books marketed to young adult audiences. Clean books should be available to young readers. This isn’t to say books should ignore the sad, messy parts of life, but these ideas should be handled in an age-appropriate manner.
I write for younger audiences because, in addition to wanting to share stories that allow readers to embrace their childhood, I want books that have a premise that will engage a diverse group, including reluctant readers. Further, writing books that reflect real-life situations for children and teens, even within a fantasy setting, is important to me. Above all, I strive to write books that I would have been drawn to as a young reader while sharing the truth about God’s redeeming love.
3. How did you name your characters?
My main characters, at least in my novels, tend to have “R” names. I did not plan that initially, but the names fit in my mind. I spend a lot of time on baby name sites! And I also will sometimes ask my husband to help me pick between two or three names for a character.
My main characters, at least in my novels, tend to have “R” names. I did not plan that initially, but the names fit in my mind. I spend a lot of time on baby name sites! And I also will sometimes ask my husband to help me pick between two or three names for a character.
4. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
In addition to writing fantasy stories and poetry, I am a school librarian. I am also a furmom to two talkative miniature dachshunds, a 60 pound retriever mix, and an easily-spooked cat. My husband is my best friend and keeps me laughing even while doing mundane tasks like grocery shopping. I am an avid reader, book blogger, and unicorn in training. Singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio in the car, binging audiobooks while doing housework, and painting are things I enjoy doing.
In addition to writing fantasy stories and poetry, I am a school librarian. I am also a furmom to two talkative miniature dachshunds, a 60 pound retriever mix, and an easily-spooked cat. My husband is my best friend and keeps me laughing even while doing mundane tasks like grocery shopping. I am an avid reader, book blogger, and unicorn in training. Singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio in the car, binging audiobooks while doing housework, and painting are things I enjoy doing.
5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Thank you so much for interviewing me! I pray readers who pick up Aivan: The One Truth will walk away comforted by the fact that we were made resilient and we can always rebuild when our plans fall apart, empowered knowing that the one true God in our own world loves them, and filled with hope at the reminder that light will always prevail over darkness.
Thank you so much for interviewing me! I pray readers who pick up Aivan: The One Truth will walk away comforted by the fact that we were made resilient and we can always rebuild when our plans fall apart, empowered knowing that the one true God in our own world loves them, and filled with hope at the reminder that light will always prevail over darkness.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” —1 Peter 3:15, NIV
give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” —1 Peter 3:15, NIV
More from Kayla
Working in education, it often is disheartening to see how much darkness bombards today’s youth. With Aivan: The One Truth, the forthcoming Chronicles of the One Truth series, and all my writing, my primary goal is to offer young readers a beacon of hope in this dark world. Alluding to many stories and lessons found in the Old Testament, Aivan is a fast-paced novella designed to capture young readers and pull them into the world of the Great Continent. It is my biggest prayer with this book that Rune and Rolf’s journey in this fantasy narrative will serve as a guiding light to lead readers of all ages to seek truth in our reality—the truth that can only be found through our one true God.
One of my current projects is developing a companion devotional for Aivan: The One Truth as well as the full-length novels that will be part of the complete Chronicles of the One Truth series (which will be released at a later date). The devotional would be a tool for parents, teachers, and pastors to use along with the book to help young readers understand the themes and biblical parallels.
Two major themes within the novella center around identity and purpose. Rune’s struggles with disappointment with shattered dreams and the heartache of feeling lost, alone, and unfulfilled are struggles that are arguably universal. In looking at Rune’s journey, young readers as well as adult readers can recognize the real-world challenges of identity: Who exactly are we? In today’s world, there is a constant battle between God and society. How can one embrace their identity as a child of God when the world demands us to rage and rebel against that title?
In Exodus 3:11 (NIV) Moses asks God, “Who am I?” after he is told to go to the Pharaoh to rescue the Israelites. God tells Moses, “I am with you,” (Exodus 3:12, NIV). Similar to Moses’ walk of faith, Rune, like us all, must learn to accept the truth. Like Aivan in the fantasy novella, our God, the one true God, is always with us. We may not immediately—or ever—understand His plan; however, through Him we are whole, redeemed, and loved. And in that, we have great purpose.
I pray that whoever reads Aivan: The One Truth finds parallels to our own world and finds solace knowing that we are because God is the great “I Am.”
In my upcoming companion devotional, I will explore the concepts of identity and purpose from a biblical perspective. Anyone who wants updates on this, should follow my blog and subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to know!
One of my current projects is developing a companion devotional for Aivan: The One Truth as well as the full-length novels that will be part of the complete Chronicles of the One Truth series (which will be released at a later date). The devotional would be a tool for parents, teachers, and pastors to use along with the book to help young readers understand the themes and biblical parallels.
Two major themes within the novella center around identity and purpose. Rune’s struggles with disappointment with shattered dreams and the heartache of feeling lost, alone, and unfulfilled are struggles that are arguably universal. In looking at Rune’s journey, young readers as well as adult readers can recognize the real-world challenges of identity: Who exactly are we? In today’s world, there is a constant battle between God and society. How can one embrace their identity as a child of God when the world demands us to rage and rebel against that title?
In Exodus 3:11 (NIV) Moses asks God, “Who am I?” after he is told to go to the Pharaoh to rescue the Israelites. God tells Moses, “I am with you,” (Exodus 3:12, NIV). Similar to Moses’ walk of faith, Rune, like us all, must learn to accept the truth. Like Aivan in the fantasy novella, our God, the one true God, is always with us. We may not immediately—or ever—understand His plan; however, through Him we are whole, redeemed, and loved. And in that, we have great purpose.
I pray that whoever reads Aivan: The One Truth finds parallels to our own world and finds solace knowing that we are because God is the great “I Am.”
In my upcoming companion devotional, I will explore the concepts of identity and purpose from a biblical perspective. Anyone who wants updates on this, should follow my blog and subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to know!
 Kayla E. Green | Kayla E. Green is a school librarian, speculative fiction author, and poet who adores her husband and their furbabies. When she isn’t writing, reading, or taking photos for her bookstagram, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio, napping, and pretending she’s a unicorn. Her award-winning YA fantasy novella, Aivan: The One Truth, and her inspirational poetry collection, Metamorphosis, are now available through book retailers. Kayla also has stories and poems featured in various anthologies, contest-winning stories published with Clean Fiction Magazine, and several flash fiction stories available online through Havok Publishing. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback of
Aivan: The One Truth, a paperback of Metamorphosis, an Aivan inspired booksleeve,
Rune and Rolf character art cards, and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!!
Aivan: The One Truth, a paperback of Metamorphosis, an Aivan inspired booksleeve,
Rune and Rolf character art cards, and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13
Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, January 15 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 17
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19 (Author Interview)
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Pause for Tales, January 20
By The Book, January 21 (Author Interview)
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Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 23 (Author Interview)
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