| 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
Release Date: December 19, 2023
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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
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)!!
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!
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Guild Master, December 18
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