Running with the Wolves, by J.E. Reed, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Kiuno woke up one morning in a mild state of amnesia with nothing but the clothes on her back and a bracelet with her "name" on it. While she can vaguely recall her life back home, the forest she now finds herself in seems somehow familiar as well.  She comes to remember that Kiuno is her online ID for a video game she plays, called Chronopoint.  She also remembers she has a husband and an ordinary life back home. Eventually, she decides to look for civilization, hoping to find some of the other players she knows through their shared online experience. Instead, she meets strangers with whom she forms an alliance and they set out together to find her online friends and her real-world husband. Ultimately, she wants nothing more than to find her way out of the game, which is comprised of ten realms. But in her new reality, the one which takes place in the very real world of Chronopoint, everyone is a potential threat who may be willing to kill to survive so they can find their way to the tenth realm and get back home.

Running with the Wolves is an action-packed thriller with complex characters and an unpredictable storyline.  Author J.E. Reed has created a mysterious fantasy world in which monsters and magic seamlessly intertwine.  With captivating plots and subplots which keep readers guessing throughout, Running with the Wolves is recommended for home and school libraries, and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

The Enchanters' Child, by Navya Sarikonda, has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Wren is the last of the Arobols, a group of magic-wielders. Her parents were murdered when she was just a child and she has devoted her young life to finding her parents' killer. Through a series of events, she is forced to flee her home and soon finds herself joining efforts with two young men who, along with her, wish to find the Dark Sorcerer whom she now believes was behind the untimely death of her parents. Wren must keep her identity to herself, but unbeknownst to her, her new cohorts Quinn and Zayne have their own share of secrets.

Teen author Navya Sarikond has crafted an intriguing tale of magic, honor, and friendship. This compelling story, rich with vivid imagery and solid character development, is one that will enthrall readers of all ages. Recommended for home and school libraries, The Enchanters' Child has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Faeborne, by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Following the death of his parents and sister, Brennon assumes the role of guardian for his blind nephew, Rori.  The boy and his uncle, living a solitary existence, both ache for a life that once was.  Brennon harbors guilt over his family’s death, the burden of which haunts him relentlessly.  One day, while on a hunting expedition, he hits a deer, only to discover it is actually a changling.  The deer morphs into a beautiful young woman, named Seren, and he offers to give her shelter over the winter to allow time for her to regain her strength.

As the story unfolds we are introduced to a skillfully layered tale of fantasy fiction.  In what ultimately becomes a wonderful love story, Seren introduces a beauty and light into Brennon’s formerly dark and somber world.  Author Jenna Elizabeth Johnson’s Faeborne is part of the Otherworld series, but reads well as a stand-alone.  This book earns our recommendation and has received the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Eventyr, by Ellias Quinn, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Matil is a fairy, at least that’s what she presumes.  But it’s hard to say for sure because she has no wings, and no memory.  Aside from vague recollections which come to her as she dreams, Matil has no knowledge of her past.  Even her name has been given to her on loan since she can’t remember her own.  Determined to find answers, she is joined by an unlikely pair of allies, enemies who put their differences aside for the sake of their nameless and wingless friend.

Eventyr is an incredibly unique tale which is as suspenseful as it is unexpected.  With fabulously flawed, and genuinely likeable characters, this fantasy fiction novel is vividly insightful. Exhibiting exquisite depth, this delightful book leaves readers dangling at a precipice wanting for more.  Ellias Quinn exhibits rare talent as an author in this, her first book in the Eventyr series.  We look forward to reading more work from this extremely gifted writer.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Words on Wings Award Recipient, R.A. McClure on her Award Winning Title

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?

I’ve been told that as a child I would tell some “whopper” stories. That may have been a nice way to say that I told a lot of lies, but apparently I made them quite intricate! My teachers frequently commented to my parents that I had quite an imagination. By the time I was a teenager I was beginning to write poems and short stories. Somewhere along the way I decided that writing must be a part of my future. 

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AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

An actress, naturally! I’ve always loved “make-believe”!

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HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?

I’ve always been fascinated by contrasts, especially between dark and light, good and evil. Human nature, with all of its complexities, has always intrigued me as well. The plot began to take shape in a series of recurring dreams. The series title, The Knights of Nevertheless, was a bit of an epiphany that came to me while listening to Dr. David Gibbs, Jr., deliver a key-note speech at a teacher’s convention. He spoke of the hope found in the word nevertheless. I was inspired!  

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Originally, The Knights of Nevertheless was my book title, but an editor felt that it would make a better series title and that I should have the word shadow in my book title.  

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TELL US SOMETHING RANDOM/INTERESTING/FUNNY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER

I write best by candlelight with Celtic hymns or musical scores by Hans Zimmer in the background. 

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WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are my favorite fantasy writers; but my writing is also infused with some Orwellian influence. I’m an avid Jane Austen reader as well. She is the great master of characterization who is in a class all by herself!  

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When I showed my first few chapters to my oldest son, he commented that my style reminded him of Tolkien. I took that as high praise! 

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WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

The King James Bible. 

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?

Winning the LITERARY CLASSICS 2015 Words on Wings Award. 

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CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?

Well… since I do not have a traditional publisher, I cannot offer any tips for getting published, except, never give up! Definitely make use of a professional copy editor. Also, don’t shrink from constructive criticism – it will make you a stronger writer! 

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CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?

I’m still learning the ropes there too… 

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IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?

I nearly lost my book to the nefarious intent of a person that I allowed into my life against my better judgment. This person gained access to my laptop and deleted my book, even from my network backup system and absconded with my flash-drive backup! Fortunately, this individual did not know that I had also saved the bulk of my work on some old floppy disks that had become partially corrupted by the time I discovered the malicious attack. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise when the last three chapters I had written were irretrievable because I wasn’t happy with them anyway. Some of my best inspiration seemed to come following that event and I was much happier with the turn in my story when I was able to take it up again. The moral of this story: always have multiple backups in multiple locations! 

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DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?

Yes! I am currently working on Book Two of The Knights of Nevertheless: Piercing the Shadows.  

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I hope to have Piercing the Shadows complete by the end of the year. Book Two will focus on Onar, Ava’s younger son. This will be my first attempt at writing from a first person point of view. I was inspired to make the attempt after teaching To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee for a few years. It is such an intimate means of delivering a story. I hope to illuminate this character and his surroundings more fully from this angle.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Uprising, by Jessica Therrien, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

In book two of the Children of the Gods series we see Elyse’s character developing as she grows into her role as leader of the descendants.  Elyse is the one foretold to save the descendants from centuries of oppression, and according to prophecy she will have a baby who will become the new oracle. But the Council, under the control of Christoph, wants the baby in order to maintain rule.  Elyse begins to have prophetic nightmares and must make some difficult decisions and life-altering sacrifices for the good of the descendants.

Uprising is an exciting page-turner which grabs the reader from the beginning and never lets up. There are enough plot twists to keep readers sufficiently engaged throughout. About the time you think you’ve figured out what’s going to happen, in comes another mind-blowing turn of events.

Author Jessica Therrien artfully depicts scenes and events throughout the book; in her description of the descendant’s annual celebration one can nearly smell the blossoms on the trees and hear the beating of the drums. This is an exhilarating read that will have your heart beating with anticipation. 

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Oppression, Children of the Gods, by Jessica Therrien, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Elyse looks eighteen even though she's nearly 90 years old.  She also possesses the ability to heal people.  One might find these traits to be enviable, but Elyse knows first-hand the price that comes with such power. So when she learns she’s a descendant of Greek gods and that she may hold the key to the fulfillment of a prophecy, it's not long before she realizes she may become a target.  

Author Jessica Therrien has crafted an exciting and unique twist on Greek mythology in her fantasy fiction novel, Oppression, Children of the Gods.  This book, the first in a series, is a captivating read and one which will appeal to fantasy fiction aficionados as well as fans of Greek mythology.  Therrien skillfully draws readers into this intricately woven tale which offers a fast-paced adventure paralleled with a touching love story.  Sometimes violent, often tender, this book is sure to keep readers enthralled; and they will certainly look forward to the next installment in the Children of the Gods series.


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Mercy's Prince, by Katy Huth Jones, earns the CLC Seal of Approval

Well written and surprisingly believable for a work of fantasy, Mercy’s Prince is a highly engaging tale which is difficult to put down.  When a young prince groomed to be ruler is killed in battle his scholarly younger brother, Valerian,  must fill the role.  After he becomes the crowned prince Valerian befriends a peasant girl who is a healer; he soon learns he can communicate with her telepathically.  To save his people Valerian attempts the impossible as he elicits the help of dragons to help save mankind.

This novel is replete with tales of royalty, magic, dragons, love, adventure, and life-and-death struggles.  This exciting work of fantasy fiction is suspenseful and well written. Mercy’s Prince is an entertaining venture into another world, a time of mystery, a time long gone.

The exciting adventures within the pages of this book offer escape to another world and an alternate way of life. Katy Huth Jones keeps things interesting with continuous twists and well developed and refreshingly unexpected characters.


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Hidden Among Yourselves, by Bill Hiatt, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Author Bill Hiatt has once again proven his ability to weave a spellbinding tale with the third book in his series about Taliesen Weaver, a teen who possesses magical powers and has lived countless past lives.  Book three picks up with Tal struggling to move past his anger over his good friend stealing away Eva, the girl of his dreams, amid dealing with an evil supernatural force bent on killing him.

Later, at a meeting of the tribunal, Tal is tasked with procuring the lyre of Orpheous.  He only has two weeks time to complete this inconceivable undertaking or risk an evil rival being released from imprisonment.  Armed with a team of friends with otherworldly powers, his magical sword, and a reed pipe, he sets out to conquer the foreboding forces that would deter his efforts to save Santa Brigida.  In a world where things are rarely as they seem,Taliesen finds himself waging a war of magical skill and wits against opponents he'd never believed truly existed.

Author Bill Hiatt possesses a knack for portraying dramatic events with vivid depth while weaving captivating tales of fantasy and adventure.  Hidden Among Yourselves is book three in the Spell Weaver series.  It can well be read as a stand-alone, but is recommended as part of a series.  Hidden Among Yourselves has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org