Hello, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Joseph Stemberga and Thomas Lane (AKA Kamila Oleszczuk) and their new book, “A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters: The Tragedy of Lucifer,” here on FAB!! For other stops on their Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.
Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Joseph and Thomas (AKA Kamila) and to increase your chances of winning!!
Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!
A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters:
The Tragedy of Lucifer
by Joseph Stemberga
&
Thomas Lane
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GENRE: Children's
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BLURB:
This retelling of books V and VI of the epic poem Paradise Lost, written by John Milton, follows the story of Satan's rebellion and fall from grace. The Father announces his heir, Satan rebels, Abdiel tries to reason with the fallen angels, followed by a war scarring Heaven's landscape. Brother against brother, the rebellious few against their Father, a family torn apart by war, concluded by the victor, the Father's chosen Son, casting the disobedient out of paradise.
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EXCERPT THREE:
At God’s declaration of war, dark clouds covered all of Heaven and smoke began to roll down the sacred hill. Then the countless hosts of Heaven marched on the enemy, fully armed from head to toe with helmets, spears, and shields.
Satan gathered together his army as well. He stood on his chariot, bright as the Sun, surrounded by his fiery angels with their golden shields, and marched toward the throne of God. He hoped that if he moved swiftly enough, he could reach the throne unopposed. Michael’s army dashed his hope very quickly. Before the armies clashed, Satan dismounted from his chariot and met with Abdiel on the battlefield.
Satan taunted him, “I see you have decided to bend your knee to the new Lord of Heaven. Tell me, Abdiel: is it your laziness that led you to accept eternal servitude?”
Abdiel was unfazed and responded sternly, “Better to serve in Heaven than rule in Hell!” With that, Abdiel threw a single strike on Satan’s helmet so lightly as to be done in mockery. It was so unexpected that it knocked Satan back ten steps before he had to bend to one knee to stop himself from losing balance and falling over. Both armies watched in disbelief. The rebels became filled with rage and the saints were filled with joy, and then Michael sounded the trumpet for his army to march.
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book is an interesting, intriguing, and thrilling children's read!!
This book is a uniquely clever retelling of a powerful and classic story retold for a younger audience. While the message is still deeply profound and challenging, the authors were able to find a way to successfully adapt this story for children.
The illustrations are significantly well done, with extensive detail, and help move the story along.
This book is full of strong, deep rooted messages and life lessons that are sure to connect and resonate with young readers.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all children’s books readers will like this book too!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**
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AUTHOR BIOS:
From a large Croatian family, Joseph Stemberga grew up with three sisters, a father, and a mother.
He
studied theology at Concordia University, earning both a bachelor’s and a
master’s degree, as well as a bachelor’s degree in history and religions.
Inspired by a transcription of Dante’s Divine Comedy for a younger target audience, he contemplated and discovered that no such equivalent existed for another epic poem, Paradise Lost.
Thus, the work began . . .
Thomas Lane was inspired to work on the project in the same way the Irish monks copied and recopied older manuscripts to keep them from disappearing during the Dark Ages. Just as these monks never signed a single manuscript with their names, Lane prefers to use a pen name to honour their legacy and bring a classic work to life for its own sake.
Kamila Oleszczuk has been drawing since the age of three, but contrary to most children, she never stopped. Her passion for art and animation fueled her desire to create. Beyond the years of drawing throughout her childhood, she went on to learn more about different art mediums and forms by studying film animation at Concordia University. Kamila has been focusing mainly on children’s illustrations ever since.
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CONNECT WITH THE AUTHORS:
Website:
Email:
paradiselostparaphrase@gmail.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/paradiselostkid
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paradiselostkids
Goodreads Author Page – Joseph Stemberga:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22007200.Joseph_Stemberga
Goodreads Author Page – Thomas Lane:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22110785.Thomas_Lane
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59651696-a-paraphrase-of-paradise-lost-for-youngsters
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
Amazon US Paperback:
Amazon CA Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.ca/Paraphrase-Paradise-Lost-Youngsters-Tragedy-ebook/dp/B09QLHGBZ1
Amazon CA Paperback:
https://www.amazon.ca/Paraphrase-Paradise-Lost-Youngsters-Tragedy/dp/022884472X
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
Book Depository Paperback:
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Joseph and Thomas (AKA Kamila) will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGreat cover.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita,
DeleteI am so glad that you love our cover. I think you will like all the illustrations, as they are all fresh in a new way depicting the scenes from long ago. Fell free to share with your loved ones and friends!
cheers,
Joseph St
Feel free to share with your loved ones and friends! ***
DeleteI am the co-author, Joseph Stemberga of " A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters" and I would love to thank Fabulous and Brunette ( Ally Swanson) for reviewing our children's book! She was generous in her words when describing our story to the world and we thank-you! It was an absolute please in doing.
ReplyDeletepleasure in doing**
DeleteBeautiful cover, excellent excerpt, A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters sounds like a book to share with my granddaughter! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Fabulous and Brunette, for sharing your review! Have a spectacular day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review of A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters: The Tragedy of Lucifer, this sounds like a great story to share with my grandchildren and I am looking forward to reading the book with them
ReplyDeletethank you guys for all your support!
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book. Amazing cover!
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ReplyDeleteDid you write as a child ?
ReplyDeleteHave a marvelous Monday!
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ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite book from childhood?
ReplyDeleteWhich of the characters do you relate the most to and why?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any other writers in the family?
ReplyDeleteHere's to a super week!
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ReplyDeleteWhat advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
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