At last! FORSWORN

At last, FORSWORN--the second full book in my new fantasy series--has hit the shelves. Again, Julaiin and her family are struggling to protect their family's most cherished secret, while her enemies, mortal and immortal, are hunting her down to permanently end her rebellion. 

But Julaiin, her family, and friends are feverishly praying and implementing a plan to destroy their enemies' control over all the souls the Eternal holds dear. To remove the false pedestals from beneath those who hold the faithful captive for power's sake.

Inspired by actual accounts of medieval scholars, FORSWORN is a family saga of faith, and devotion--even when all worthy causes seem lost. 

Thank you, dear everyone, for waiting so patiently as this series makes its way to retailers. 

Blessings, 

R. J. Larson

Waiting and ...

Each month this year, I've held off writing a blog post, thinking that SOON, any day, I'd receive word that the next book in the Legends of the Forsaken Empire series will hit the shelves--virtual and otherwise. Unfortunately, the unspecified technical glitch that's hindering the publishing process continues.

So I wait.

Am I going nuts? Yes. And no.

Calligraphy Practice While Waiting

Yes, because I feel as if I'm losing my writing momentum. This more-than-a-year-long wait has dragged at my creative flow like a wet blanket in a humid climate, smothering all initiative and sense of purpose. I didn't realize I'd become so dependent upon the completed cycle of publishing. Yet I am.

And no, because it's been a learning experience. A time to remind myself of discipline, study, and vigilance. Discipline to write during all available hours. Study, intentional study, to keep my sense of wonder and curiosity fresh. Vigilance to remain focused in faith and life. Waiting works too, with purpose. Prayer. And gratitude.

I'm grateful to you all for being there. For encouraging notes I've received. Thank you, dear everyone, and remain safe. I'm praying for you as well during this long, unwantedly eventful, memorable year. Despite everything I could say about this wait and this year, the Lord is GOOD. Always. More news SOON!

Prophet, the German Translation

PROPHET, the German translation

Indulge me, please, while I celebrate.

Prophet has been translated into German, Die Prophetin. Special thanks to translator, Alexandra Wolf, and to the amazing team at @ReformaZion Media. This is a privilege and a blessing I never expected. Praying readers who love German enjoy Ela's story. Have fun, dear everyone!

Realm of Thorns, First Draft DONE!

Celebrating!

A Novella is born--thus far ;)

This week, I finished Realm of Thorns, the novella-backstory to my next series--Legends of the Forsaken Empire. For once, my attempt at a novella remained novella-size, coming in just under 33,000 words. Not bad! However, I'm approaching the second draft full of ideas for add-ins as I polish and refine the story, so I shouldn't congratulate myself yet.

 Wish me blessings, guys!

Meanwhile, here's a tiny hint of this mini-novel:

Reckoning has come. Khelqua, the crown of the Syvlande Empire has been destroyed. The royal house of Khelqua lies drowned beneath a prophesied destruction of its vast river valley, leaving an ocean of dead waters. Khelqua's ancient royal lineage now rests with two siblings, who have lost their family, their fortunes, and the realm that defines their existence.

Realm of Thorns: Work in Progress

Happy New Year!

I spent most of my 2017 writing and re-writing book one of the Legends of the Forsaken Empire series. While I wrote it, I realized there was another story to tell: A novella-sized overview of the era when the last alliances in the ancient Syvlande Empire were broken, and the Empire was abandoned amid the rise of a new faith.

Realm of Thorns will be a standalone story, complete, yet a bridge between its ancient history and its new era. Think of it as a lead-in to the New Testament age of our own world.

For fans of the Infinite series, this series won't be part of the Infinite series. However, the Infinite series *might* be understood as the ancient history of the Forsaken Empire series.

Just sayin'!


Stay warm and well throughout the winter's chill, dear everyone.

Hope your 2018 is blessed thus far!
What do you think of this mock-up cover?

Valor Cover

 Valor Cover

At last, we have a cover image for Valor, the seventh volume in the Books of the Infinite stories!

Valor was inspired by Judges, chapter 11, specifically, the tragic story of Jephthah and his heroic daughter--verses from the Scriptures, which distressed and absorbed me when I first read them at age eight. 

For readers of the Books of the Infinite, Valor is set in Agocii lands, which is perfect for unfolding this tragic story, so horrifically bound by its own times, traditions, and laws, as well as eternal expectations. 

Yes, you might cry--never say I didn't warn you--but I pray that Valor will leave you with hope!

Blessings, Dear Everyone! You are in my prayers. 

Quiet Characters

Not long ago, a reader sent me an email--YAY!--listing his favorite characters thus far in the Infinite series.
1. Bryce, the dauntless household steward turned spy in Judge.
2. Tsir Aun, the calm, efficient commander in Prophet.
3. Pet/Scythe, the ever-hungry monster warhorse in Prophet, Judge, and King, who is not, I repeat NOT, based on Maximus from Tangled. (Prophet was on my editor's desk months before Tangled hit the big screens. I bought tickets to Tangled, enjoyed the show, bought the dvd, and told DH, "I'll receive mail asking about Max/Scythe." Sure enough.)

I was intrigued by this list because this reader, Jeff, had chosen two of my favorite supporting characters, Bryce and Tsir Aun. I replied, of course, and asked why these two made the top of his list, and in our ensuing emails, we agreed that Bryce and Tsir Aun were quiet characters. The sort of friends we should all be lucky enough to number among our own. Read more Here.

Ever since this email exchange, I've been pondering Quiet Characters. Why are they important in life and, as a result, in fiction?

I'd like to think of Quiet Characters as the everyday heroes who cross our paths and our Main Characters' paths routinely--calm, efficient, dauntless, honorable and faithful souls who are pleased to remain in the shadows while they work in humble occupations. In short, Quiet Characters provide glue that holds our societies together. This is not to say that Quiet Characters lead boring lives and are content with everyday humdrum. They don't, and they aren't. Didn't Bryce volunteer himself as a spy and infiltrate an enemy army's encampment to aid his own people? Didn't Tsir Aun accept and undertake (honorably and efficiently) a punishing political task after striving mightily to lead his country away from defeat in battle?

Hats off to you, dear Quiet Characters, in life, poems and prose. Life on Earth would be bedlam without you.

What I Did on Summer Vacation

It's been two months since my last post. However, I delayed for a purpose--to share news. Dawnlight, written under my Kacy Barnett-Gramckow name, is being released in paperback!

Meanwhile, Dawnlight's new book trailer is featured in Book Fun 
Magazine's August issue, along with one of my lengthier summer projects--an article offering a few secrets, a SALE, and an explanation of my writing journey, as well as my dual writing personality. (page 111)

Drop in for a look-see! 

I've been delighted by Dawnlight's reception among readers. Matthew 27:52-53 is one of the most intriguing yet obscure verses in the New Testament, and bringing that era to life was a prayerful challenge and a joy. Want a sneak peek at chapter 1? You'll find it here.

What's next on my schedule? Elk Lake publishers will soon release Exiles, a spinoff from the Books of the Infinite series, followed by Queen.

More details to follow  in my end-of-August post!