The Sword by Bryan M. Litfin

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The SwordCrossway Books (April 30, 2010)by
Bryan M. Litfin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bryan Litfin was born in Dallas, but lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Oxford, England, where he discovered that the house of his favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was only five doors down from his own. Bryan still enjoys epic adventure stories, as well as historical fiction. However, most of his reading these days is taken up by academia.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (a true Southern belle), he went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays.

In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in the Theology Department. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods.

On the morning of January 6, 2007, Bryan woke up with an epiphany. Having finished writing his primer on the ancient church, he had the idea of trying his hand at fiction. The thought occurred to him that the writer of speculative fiction typically has two options. He can create an imaginary land like Middle Earth (which offers great creative freedom but is unrealistic), or he can delve into genuine history (which is realistic, yet limted to what ‘actually occurred.’) However, if a writer were to create a future world as in the Chiveis trilogy, it could be both realistic and creatively unlimited.

This little dream stayed in Bryan’s mind while he researched how to write fiction, and also researched the European landscape where the novel would be set. He planned a trip to the story locations, then went there in the summer with a buddy from grad school. Bryan and Jeff rented a Beemer and drove all over Europe from the Alps to the Black Forest with a video camera in hand. With that epic setting fresh in his mind, Bryan returned home and began to write.

Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He is blessed by God to be married to Carolyn, and to be the father of two amazing children, William, 11, and Anna, 9. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains (which means getting far away from the Midwest – preferably to his beloved Smokies).

ABOUT THE BOOK

This novel of page-turning action and adventure poses the question, "If a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?"

Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.

With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.

Visit the book website at The Sword to see amazing videos and a wealth of information about the trilogy!

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sword, go to HERE


Cut Here
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Posting Information

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433509253

Author's picture is:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLnAH72vx4ahhwGvu5fz4svukYnLpBVwNFDZ6y93Q1RwUByzrPV_YIlwwtKo-z2kB23bw8rO7Jst8kx37KnNDhe3qYl-aE_6sVs0Lh5u65Sm1WmMGHR_fmhUgeXO9LMgRSLfRqQ/s1600/Litfin-Brian_cl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLnAH72vx4ahhwGvu5fz4svukYnLpBVwNFDZ6y93Q1RwUByzrPV_YIlwwtKo-z2kB23bw8rO7Jst8kx37KnNDhe3qYl-aE_6sVs0Lh5u65Sm1WmMGHR_fmhUgeXO9LMgRSLfRqQ/s200/Litfin-Brian_cl.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>


The book cover photo is:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNPQ6sf1q0xPxsvuZpAfqIZH9-Mw5PzE79B8XLx4ickZ2U-AvyXAXlAvpDhk5IO0INEs1OKmpfUYf7X-4IX8jG-sd8URBNVmyXESfopmMqyK5NqOYJfygWlw9_tejlHGAOLrHdg/s1600/The+Sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNPQ6sf1q0xPxsvuZpAfqIZH9-Mw5PzE79B8XLx4ickZ2U-AvyXAXlAvpDhk5IO0INEs1OKmpfUYf7X-4IX8jG-sd8URBNVmyXESfopmMqyK5NqOYJfygWlw9_tejlHGAOLrHdg/s320/The+Sword.jpg" /></a></div>

The code for this post is:
<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div><center><span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></center> <br /> <center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center> <br /> <center><span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></center> <br /> <center><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433509253">The Sword</a></span></center><center>Crossway Books (April 30, 2010)</center><center>by</center> <br /> <center><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.chiveis.com/">Bryan M. Litfin</a></span></center> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLnAH72vx4ahhwGvu5fz4svukYnLpBVwNFDZ6y93Q1RwUByzrPV_YIlwwtKo-z2kB23bw8rO7Jst8kx37KnNDhe3qYl-aE_6sVs0Lh5u65Sm1WmMGHR_fmhUgeXO9LMgRSLfRqQ/s1600/Litfin-Brian_cl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLnAH72vx4ahhwGvu5fz4svukYnLpBVwNFDZ6y93Q1RwUByzrPV_YIlwwtKo-z2kB23bw8rO7Jst8kx37KnNDhe3qYl-aE_6sVs0Lh5u65Sm1WmMGHR_fmhUgeXO9LMgRSLfRqQ/s200/Litfin-Brian_cl.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>Bryan Litfin was born in Dallas, but lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Oxford, England, where he discovered that the house of his favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was only five doors down from his own. Bryan still enjoys epic adventure stories, as well as historical fiction. However, most of his reading these days is taken up by academia.<br /> <br /> After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (a true Southern belle), he went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays.<br /> <br /> In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in the Theology Department. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods. <br /> <br /> On the morning of January 6, 2007, Bryan woke up with an epiphany. Having finished writing his primer on the ancient church, he had the idea of trying his hand at fiction. The thought occurred to him that the writer of speculative fiction typically has two options. He can create an imaginary land like Middle Earth (which offers great creative freedom but is unrealistic), or he can delve into genuine history (which is realistic, yet limted to what ‘actually occurred.’) However, if a writer were to create a future world as in the Chiveis trilogy, it could be both realistic and creatively unlimited. <br /> <br /> This little dream stayed in Bryan’s mind while he researched how to write fiction, and also researched the European landscape where the novel would be set. He planned a trip to the story locations, then went there in the summer with a buddy from grad school. Bryan and Jeff rented a Beemer and drove all over Europe from the Alps to the Black Forest with a video camera in hand. With that epic setting fresh in his mind, Bryan returned home and began to write.<br /> <br /> Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He is blessed by God to be married to Carolyn, and to be the father of two amazing children, William, 11, and Anna, 9. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains (which means getting far away from the Midwest – preferably to his beloved Smokies). <br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: #ffcc00; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNPQ6sf1q0xPxsvuZpAfqIZH9-Mw5PzE79B8XLx4ickZ2U-AvyXAXlAvpDhk5IO0INEs1OKmpfUYf7X-4IX8jG-sd8URBNVmyXESfopmMqyK5NqOYJfygWlw9_tejlHGAOLrHdg/s1600/The+Sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNPQ6sf1q0xPxsvuZpAfqIZH9-Mw5PzE79B8XLx4ickZ2U-AvyXAXlAvpDhk5IO0INEs1OKmpfUYf7X-4IX8jG-sd8URBNVmyXESfopmMqyK5NqOYJfygWlw9_tejlHGAOLrHdg/s320/The+Sword.jpg" /></a></div><i>This novel of page-turning action and adventure poses the question, "If a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?"</i><br /> <br /> Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.<br /> <br /> With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.<br /> <br /> Visit the book website at <a href="http://www.chiveis.com/">The Sword</a> to see amazing videos and a wealth of information about the trilogy!<br /> <br /> If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433509253">The Sword</a>, go to <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2010/04/sword-chapter-1.html">HERE</a><br />

Bryan can be reached through the Contact link on his book Website

Come and visit with those participating in this tour:

Adam at Meaningful Suspense
Amy at My Life
Andie at Radiant Light
Andrea at Ask Andrea
April at Projecting A
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brittanie at A Book Lover
Christy at Christy's Book Blog
Dave at The Plot Thickens
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Debra at Soul Reflections
Delia at Gatorskunkz And Mudcats
E.J at Sword and Pen
Edyth at Great Reads by Jasmine
Elizabeth at Count it All Joy
Ernie at Writing: My Adventures In Words
Gina at Upon Reflection
Gina at Portrait Of A Writer
Gretchen at Back Cover Reviews
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jendi at Jendi's Journal
Jenn at One House Schoolroom Reviews
Jennifer at Quiverfull Family Blog
Jennfer at Scraps and Snippets
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Jill at Artistic Blogger
Jim T. at One Small Stone--CFBA Book Reviews
Kate at A Simple Walk
Katie at Christian Novels
Kelly at A Disciple's Steps
Kim at Window To My World
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
LaShaunda at See Ya On The Net
Allie at A Little Bit Of Sunlight
Linda at Mocha With Linda
Lori at Noggin Bits
Lynetta at Open Book
Margaret at Creative Madness Mama
Marjorie at The Writer's Tool
Mark at Thoughts Of A Sojourner
Missy at MamaBuzz
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
Nora at Finding Hope Through Christian Fiction
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Rebecca at A Christian Worldview of Fiction
Rulan at Fiction Showcase
Ruth at Booktalk & more...
Ryan at loves to read
Sean at Bookmark Cafe
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tara at Tara's View On Books
Tracy at Pix-N-Pens
Valerie at In My Little World