Newbie

Well, I'm not gonna beat  the "first time" joke to death so I'll just be straight up with everyone... I am a newbie... and I am also probably very annoying to my fellow writers.  Please believe me when I say that none of this is coming from a place of arrogance.  In fact, if you know me at all, you know how much I lack self-confidence when it comes to my writing.  I'm just as surprised as the next guy with how quickly Future Savior took off... and how much praise it gets from people who read it.

I wrote Future Savior Book One: Conception, my first ever attempt at writing, during my 2009 summer break.  I started querying that September.  By early December I was signed on with Desert Breeze... from what I understand this is very quick and very unusual for a first time writer.  Conception wasn't released until September 2010, but still a very fast turnaround for a newbie like me.

I was sooooo stoked to sign the contract from Desert Breeze!  But what I think gets me even more are the fans... I ACTUALLY HAVE REAL FANS!!!  There are people out there who are freaking out over the next book.  Who devote entire weeks to their blogs just to talk about Future Savior.  Who list The Future Savior Series right along side The Hunger Games as their favorite series of all time!!!  It is such an amazing feeling!  Knowing I have fans out there dying for the next installment keeps me writing even when I wonder, "why the heck am I doing this?"  Here are some snippets of what people have been saying about The Future Savior Series:

"An action-packed, chock-full of romance, cool-creature filled read that keeps your eyes glued to the pages!  Five stars and lots of love for this diamond of a read!  I highly recommend reading this whole series, because it will be one of your favorites!"

"Today, I bring you a special gem.  Every once and a while you take a chance and when you do you find that diamond in the rough.  Well my friends...this is that diamond...I'm glad I picked up this little bit of delight...I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down."

"...you'll be anxiously awaiting the second installment just as soon as you turn the last page of CONCEPTION!"

"I give The Future Savior Series 5 stars! On second thought, scratch that... because it really deserves all the stars in the sky!! Jennifer Hartz knocked my socks off and completely blew me away! I only wish I had more hands so I could give it more than two thumbs up!!! Read it and you'll see, it is superb!"

It never ceases to amaze me that people would say such awesome things about my writing.  I must thank Gail Delaney and Desert Breeze Publishing a thousand times over for offering me that first contract.  They took a shot, not only on me, but also on a story that realistically had no right to be published.  If you know The Future Savior Series, you know it's a sub-genre of a sub-genre of a sub-genre... (Christain/Fantasy-Sci-Fi/Romance) Even though it feels so familiar it's like nothing else in existence!

If you haven't checked it out yet, please do so!  Even if you only enjoy it 1/2 as much as the people above, I think you'll still have a fun time reading!

~Jenn Hartz
The Future Savior Series

Website:  http://jenniferhartz.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TheFutureSaviorSeries
Twitter:  @JenniferLHartz

Buy Links:
Desert Breeze Publishing:  http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-107/Jennifer-Hartz-Future-Savior/Detail.bok
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Future-Savior-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0041HXOUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339429074&sr=8-1&keywords=jennifer+hartz
Barnes&Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/future-savior-book-one-jennifer-hartz/1025599355?ean=9781936000586&itm=1&USRI=jennifer+hartz

Super Awesome Totally Cool Giveaway/Interview

Hey All!

So my post today isn't going to be my post at all... that's just how lazy I am!  Actually, I want to direct you to a Super Awesome Totally Cool Giveaway/Interview that a fan is having.  She loves The Future Savior Series so much that she asked to interview me.  Along with the interview, I'm giving away 3 Amazon Kindle copies of Future Savior Book One: Conception.  PLUS, there are some supper yummy pictures of the absolutely gorgeous Kellan Lutz (my inspiration for Shaw!)  Please stop by and check it out:

http://twentysomethingfictionwriter.blogspot.com/2012/05/interview-with-author-jennifer-hartz.html

Oh, Sir Luca...

Hey all!  So, I know I should be busy promoting The Future Savior Series and it's wonderful hero, Shaw...Give me a second to drool over Kellan Lutz, who is the perfect Shaw...

Okay now that I've got my drool under control, I want to tell you that Shaw is taking part in a really cool blog tour called Oh, My Hero!  The tour doesn't officially start until Friday, but you can check out Shaw's contribution now (which has more super yummy pictures of Kellan)... and you can enter to win Future Savior Book One: Conception right now!  Follow the link HERE.

All right... now on to the real point of my blog today.  I want to talk about another hero who has totally captured my heart.  Sir Luca Forelli from the River of Time Series.  This wonderful series, written by Lisa T. Bergren, currently has three full novels (Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent) and a short novella called Bourne. A second novella titled Tributary will be released in June and I cannot wait!  Especially since the cover will feature Sir Luca himself...***sigh***

Here is a brief premise for the series:  Gabriella and Evangelia Betarrini are the daughters of Etruscan archeologists. Stuck on a hot, dusty dig site for yet another long, dreary summer—far from the nearest boys—they go exploring. They enter a forbidden tomb and find two handprints among the frescoes. And when they touch them, together, they are catapulted back in time…and into the adventure of their lives.

But honestly, I don't think this summary does this fantastic series justice.  The adventure will have you devouring the pages!  I read all four of these books in less than a week.  If I had one complaint about the River of Time Series it would be that there's just not enough Luca!  He's really the secondary hero... the love of the main heroine's sister... so his page time is minimal until he gets some good spotlight in Bourne.

Sir Luca Forelli (yes he's a knight as in knight in shining armor! ***sigh again!***) is wonderfully funny, witty, and romantic.  Here's just a small sampling of his tantalizing sense of humor.  This snippet comes from Bourne.  There are other super fun scenes I wish I could share with you, but I certainly wouldn't want to give any spoilers of this great series.  Enjoy this lovely bit of Sir Luca and Lia, the girl that he loves.

*   *   *

     "You are free to believe what you wish," I whispered back with a teasing smile, edging away.  "There is no law against such things."  I turned back toward the door, intending to go in, but he held it shut, hovering close.  Deliciously close again.  Teasing me.
      "Evangelia," he said, his lips practically on my ear, his breath tickling my neck.  "How long shall you torment me so?"
      "That remains to be seen," I said, smiling up at him from the corner of my eyes.
      "Ahh, how you wound me!  Such...is the excruciating...pain," he gasped, pantomiming injury, "of unrequited love."  He stumbled back a step.

*   *   *

Oh, Luca!  He is just so much fun!  I think I love him because he acts exactly how my husband acts.  It's silly, sure, but it's real.  My hubby is every bit the funny, goofy romantic that Luca is... and believe it or not, the picture of Sir Luca resembles my hubby... except for the hair :)  No wonder I'm in love!

Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend this series!  You will not be disappointed.  Here's some links so you can find Lisa and the River of Time Series:

Lisa's Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/LisaTBergren

Website - http://www.lisabergren.com/

River of Time Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/riveroftimeseries

Sir Luca's Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/LucaForelli

And don't forget to check out the amazing Shaw from The Future Savior Series on his first ever blog tour!  Remember, you could win your very own Amazon Kindle copy of Future Savior Book One: Conception!  Go to my blog to learn more.

Jenn's Blog - http://jenniferhartz.com/blog/

Jenn's Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferLHartz

Future Savior Series Facebook (under construction) - http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheFutureSaviorSeries

Future Savior... the cast.

Like Steph posted earlier, it's fun to cast the book.  Come along with me as I figure out who would be great as the characters of The Future Savior Series.

Christina

Ugh!  She's the hardest one to cast!  I think since Future Savior Book One: Conception, I've picked about five or six different actresses for Christina.  Here are some of them:  Alyssa Milano, Serena Gilroy, Kate Beckinsale.  Right now?  I like Sarah Bolger from The Spiderwick Chronicles.  She might be a little bit young for Christina, but I think she would do well.  What do you guys think?



 

Shaw

Excuse me while I drool for a second…. Okay, I'm back.  I don't think I would let people make a movie of Future Savior unless they cast Kellan Lutz as Shaw!  If they wanted to do it without him I wouldn't sell the rights to it!  He IS Shaw.

 

Jonus

Zac Efron would make a fantastic Prince Jonus.

 

Rayliex

Hayden Christensen is another actor who I had picked a long time ago.  Rayliex is the tortured bad guy… who better to play that then Darth Vader!  Plus he really looks the part.

 

Charis

I've always liked Carla Gugino for Charis.  I'm not sure what it is about Carla that fits, but every time I see her in a move I say, "Hey, it's Charis!"

 

Drexton

Ryan Reynolds has the perfect amount of cheeky charisma to pull off Drexton.  He's hysterical, but can also show a serious side when need be… plus he's easy on the eyes which helps too!

 

Beliza

Not only is Mandy Moore so beautiful, but she also has the singing chops that Beliza needs.

I hope you've enjoyed casting the book with me.  Sure, there are many other characters in Future Savior that would be fun to cast like Markella, Leticia, Brezkin and Trayd.  Maybe we'll hit those characters up next time.

But now it's your turn to BECOME PART OF THE STORY!  Don't forget to go to my website http://jenniferhartz.com to learn more about this exciting contest. You could be a character in Future Savior Book Four: Desecration.  And who knows, maybe someday we'll be casting you in the book!

Until Desecration comes out, here's a little taste of the latest release in The Future Savior Series, Book 3: Evacuation:

 

 

While on the suicidal mission to save her brother, Christina must learn to trust Shaw again after discovering the instrumental part he played in the death of her father. Mysteries are unraveled and a new threat emerges. Will the people of Meric take Leticia's mark or will they have faith?

Please feel free to harass me on the web at the following locations:

Website: http://jenniferhartz.com
Twitter: @JenniferLHartz
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000624983529&ref=tn_tnmn



Flights of Fantasy

I love fantasy.

I always have. It combines two of my loves so perfectly I can't help myself. I love history and I love imagining new worlds. To me fantasy has always been taking history and slapping a whole new face on it. I refer to it as the great and powerful 'What if?'

Growing up these books filled me with wonder that very few things could touch. The Lord of the Rings kick started my infatuation, like you had to guess. Next came Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. In rapid secession came Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, Christopher Stasheff, who might be more scifi, but his books were fantasy at heart, Robert Asprin, and Anne McCaffrey, another scifi with a fantasy bent. Science fiction and fantasy hand in hand. It's hard to separate the two, especially when you find and author who can blend them so seamlessly you can't tell the difference.

But, before those authors came one who instilled wonder in me at a very tender age. I first read C.S. Lewis before I knew what fantasy was. I just knew I'd fallen in love for the first time. From the second Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan walk through that wardrobe, and I was hooked. I can remember crying when the evil witch ties Aslan to the stone and cuts his mane, only to cry with joy when he comes back. By the end of the book, I was panting for more. When Sister Regina told me the next day in class she had the rest of the books in the library at school, I almost lost my fear of nuns. Almost mind you. Needless to say I devoured the books in less than a month.

Thinking back, I should have guessed there was an ulterior motive for Sister Regina giving me those books. After I returned the last book, she smugly told me that I'd just read the greatest books next to the Bible, and that they'd all been about God. I didn't even feel duped or cheated. They were the greatest books I'd ever read. It took me a few years before I began to work my way through the Bible, but The Chronicles of Narnia were never far from my thoughts or bedside table. I think they were the first books to start the massive collection that dominates my house in every room.

Now, I have a new author to add to that lists of authors who have inspired me to think not to the stars but to a world within the one I already know. Jennifer Hartz's Future Savior series embodies all those things my early loves held so dear. Savior starts in our present day world where Christina is like the rest of us, living a life so normal it hurts. Then on her thirtieth birthday something amazing happens. She finds out that normal is just the tip of the iceberg. Okay, she also finds herself in another world where nothing makes a lick of sense. From that simple beginning, an explosion of rich vibrant details draws you into a story that spans both time and the imagination. See, we're treading dangerously close to science fiction, but like Stasheff and McCaffrey, Hartz dispels your disbelief and demands you believe every word you're drinking in.

Like C.S. Lewis, Future Savior is more than a fantasy. It is a message wrapped around fiction. That message isn't in your face but its impact is the same nonetheless. You want there to be clear distinctions between good and evil. You want hope to shine through the blackness of everyday life. Above all else, you want there to be a Savior out there, who's willing to die for us. Here's a hint. There is one and He already did. Future Savior brings those things to your heart and so much more.

Three books into the series, and that initial spark of wonder has not diminished. If anything, it has grown. Evacuation was a nonstop ride of emotions and action. To me, hands down, it is the best book of the series. I seriously hate talking about the species of a book because to me, doing so always gives away something. Spoilers, sweeties! So I'm asking you to believe me when I say that Jennifer Hartz has penned an amazing series that will strap you in for the ride of your lives. To say anymore would spoil--see above Doctor Whoism--the unraveling of the books before your eyes.

I started this discourse to show my journey through the many worlds of fantasy, and I think I've succeeded to illustrate that I'm not responsible for the person I am today. I place the blame solely on the authors who created worlds more interesting that the one I was born into. To sum it up in a neat little package.

Thank God for authors!

Enter the World of Future Savior

As you may or may not know, Future Savior Book Three: Evacuation was released earlier this month and that means it's time for me to do some shameless plugging!  Let me start by telling you about two contests I've got going on at my website right now.

#1.  Win a copy of Future Savior 1: Conception.  If you haven't checked out Future Savior yet, what better way to start then for free!

#2.  Become part of the story! Ever wish you could be a character in a fantasy novel? Now's your chance!  One lucky winner will be a character in Future Savior 4: Desecration.  How cool is that!?

Go to my website - http://jenniferhartz.com/ - and enter now!

 

 

 

Future Savior 1: Conception

Sent from Pittsburgh to a mysterious fantasy-like land, Christina struggles not only to believe that the people of Meric have been awaiting her arrival but that she is destined to save them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Future Savior 2: Resurrection

After dying, Christina finds herself abandoned in her past. While reliving one of the worst days of her life, she wonders if she will ever return to Meric or if her amazing adventure in the mysterious land had all been a dream.

 

 

Future Savior 3: Evacuation

While on the suicidal mission to save her brother, Christina must learn to trust Shaw again after discovering the instrumental part he played in the death of her father. Mysteries are unraveled and a new threat emerges. Will the people of Meric take Leticia's mark or will they have faith?

 

 

 

 

 

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Here's what people are saying about The Future Savior Series:

 

"Any words that I come up with won’t do this book justice. I loved everything about Book 1 and was curious to see how Jennifer could top it. With an incredible story and a surprising ending like the one found in this book, it has definitely taken the title as my favorite in the series so far.  I loved returning to Meric.  With action, romance, mythical creatures, unexpected surprises and so much more,  Resurrection has it all. This was a great fantasy read that pulls you in from the start with a firm grip and doesn’t let up until the very last page." - A Book Lovin' Girl Reviews

 

 "It grabs you and pulls you right back into the story, and it doesn’t let go until your staring at the last page! Both books leave your mouth hanging wide open, with shock and appreciation of this fantastic fantasy story. I highly commend Hartz for books well written! Don’t miss out this fabulous series!!" - Page by Paige Reviews

 

"The descriptions of Meric are wonderful, the country and it’s people coming as alive as Tolkin’s Middle Earth" - Happily Ever After Reviews

 

"It’s been a long time since a story has captured me in such a way, but I couldn’t put Ms. Hartz novel down once I started it. It was as if I was reading a masterful blend of  J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis’s  Chronicles of Narnia, the Matrix, and Avatar all wrapped up in one exciting plot. It kept me scrolling page after page." - Author JoAnn Carter

 

"After reading Book one, I couldn’t wait for this book to come out. When it did, I spent the better part of a day giving myself a literary headache, because I honestly couldn’t put it down. That headache was well worth it. Future Savior: Resurrection was even better than Conception and that’s saying a lot. As much as I loved Book one, Resurrection is without a doubt my favorite in the series so far. Jennifer Hartz has penned an amazing book, with a plot deeply entrenched in a world so believable you won’t want to leave it or let go of the characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.If anyone loves a good fantasy and romance this series will not only satisfy you but it will leave you wanting more" - Author J. Morgan

 

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I hope you're intrigued by the world of Future Savior!  Please swing by my website.  There you'll find purchase links, some more stuff about me, and how I'm giving away all the money!  (That's right I said, "giving away all the money!")  Plus you can enter the two contests I mentioned above.  You'd be crazy not to hop on over!

 

Website:  http://jenniferhartz.com/

Twitter: @JenniferLHartz

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000624983529