Tuesday, November 22, 2011

THE RESTORER - Expanded Edition - Sharon Hinck - Free Book


I was thrilled when I heard about this expanded edition. I loved the original edition of the book and knew I had to feature the expanded edition as well. 

BIO:  Sharon writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary people experiencing God’s grace in unexpected ways. Known for their authenticity, emotional range, and spiritual depth, her novels include contemporary fiction such as The Secret Life of Becky Miller or Stepping into Sunlight and the groundbreaking Sword of Lyric fantasy series which includes The Restorer–Expanded Edition. She’s been a Christy finalist and won three Carol awards.
Sharon’s undergrad degree is in education, and she earned an M.A. in Communication. When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She loves interacting with visitors at her website and blog: sharonhinck.com


ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Restorer-Expanded Edition

Susan Mitchell thought she was an ordinary homemaker. She was wrong. When she’s pulled through a portal into another world, she finds a nation grappling for its soul and waiting for a promised Restorer to save their people.

She has always longed to do something important for God, but can she fill this role?

While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.

This new expanded edition of The Restorer includes an in-depth devotion guide for readers who want to dig into the spiritual themes of the book, bonus scenes providing glimpses of the story through a variety of characters, and fun extras including links to songs and recipes.

What was it like developing new material for this new edition?
I loved these stories and characters so much that it was a treat to revisit the world beyond the attic. It was fun playing with scenes from new angles and exploring other character voices. The interactive devotion guide was rewarding to write, because it helped me dig deeply into the Biblical themes that inspired elements of the books.

How did you decide what bonus elements to add?
It was important to me that people would feel that it was worth the investment to own The Restorer-Expanded Edition, even if they had a copy of the original edition. I drew from all the mail I’ve gotten from readers about these books and created the things that I felt would do the most to enhance their experience of The Restorer.

Since many readers share that the spiritual themes had a big impact on them, I created the devotion guide to show the foundation of those themes – and also to give more glimpses into the way that Susan Mitchell is loosely inspired by Deborah in the book of Judges. The Bible study and journaling and prayers allow readers to go on their own spiritual adventure as they are reading the novel.

I also had fun creating new scenes from the perspective of minor characters. Since the book is in Susan’s first person point of view, it was fun giving other characters like Wade, Tara, Kieran, Nolan, and Tristan a voice. My publisher had suggested including “deleted scenes,” but anything that had been deleted from the original manuscript when the book was first published needed to be deleted. So writing fresh material from a new slant seemed like the way to go. I hope it’s as fun for readers as bonus material on a DVD is for me.

We also tried something innovative in using QR codes so that people with smart phones can hover over the symbol and go to a page to hear the music of a song in the story, or read a recipe for a meal that is described in the book.

Besides an entertaining read, what do you hope people experience in The Restorer-Expanded Edition?
God can use ordinary people in unexpected ways. I truly believe that many women live lives of quiet heroism – whether their battleground is caring for aging parents, raising a child with a disability, fighting a long-term illness, volunteering at their church, or supporting a friend through difficulty. My hope is that Susan’s adventure in an alternate world breathes inspiration into anyone feeling that the road has been difficult in his or her world.

Where can people find the book?
To order The Restorer-Expanded Edition:
Kindle version:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VM4XL4?tag=sharonhcom-20&creative=384345&linkCode=kin

Thank you so much, Sharon, for sharing this exciting new project with us.



Readers, l
eave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

36 comments:

rubynreba said...

I agree that God can use ordinary people in expected ways. Love to read this.
Beth from Iowa.

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this one :)

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Annette W. said...

It sounds very good!
Annette in PA

Sarah Elisabeth said...

I haven't read the original yet, and now I'm doubly intrigued :-)

Sarah Elisabeth said...

Sorry, forgot to leave my state. You can find me in beautiful East Texas :-)

Sharon Hinck said...

Lena, thanks again for inviting me to visit your blog today!

Ruby, Karen, Annette, and Sarah, whether you win the free copy or not, I hope you all get to enjoy the book sometime. Blessings in your own epic adventures today!

Patti Hill said...

Lena and all, I'm so glad you had Sharon here today. I have read the expanded version of The Restorer. The story is beautifully written, very meaningful as a stand-alone experience, but the expanded content adds even more.

Suzanne said...

This sounds like an exciting read. Fantasy with a Christian worldview. I love it!
Suzanne :O)
shartmann5 @ yahoo . com

Estelwen said...

I love the original!! It was amazing. I especially liked the characters of Kieran and Tristan. The way they interacted with each other was great.

Amanda from Connecticut

Sarah/Robert said...

Oh, how I want to own the new edition of The Restorer! I absolutely loved the series, and was thinking it was about time to read them all again, when, bam!... here Sharon is out with this expanded edition with devotional guide! Can't wait! Please enter me in the drawing!
(Sarah Brenner, Colorado Springs, CO)

Joyce said...

I LOVED the original (I've got 2 sets of the books so I can lend a copy and not lose my complete set if the book doesn't come back...)

I'd enjoy winning the expanded edition.

Joyce from Minneapolis

RED~Scribe said...

I've read the original multiple times, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the expanded edition. Thanks you so much, Mrs. Hinck, for writing these incredible books!

From Super-natural British Columbia (Canada :P)

Sharon Hinck said...

Ahhhhhh.... you guys all know how to brighten an author's day! Thank you so much for sharing.

Patti, thanks for being such a "songkeeper" in my life.

Suzanne - yes, and I think sometimes the fantasy genre can be extra effective at depicting themes of faith.

Amanda, I agree, I liked Kieran and Tristan, too. :-)

Sarah, I'm delighted the timing is perfect - that as you are in the mood to read the series again, you can dive into the expanded edition. :-)

Joyce, you make me giggle that you keep a "keeper" set and a "loaner" set of the books.

Eldra, I'm so glad you've enjoyed the books!

Blessings, everyone!!!

Lorna Faith said...

I love that the takeaway is that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways...Sounds like a great book:)
Please enter my name for a chance to win!

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would love to get inside the heads of the other characters. I often wish when writing my own stories that I could tell each scene from multiple points of view. You get so much more out of the story that way.

Megan from Iowa

ninaruth said...

Sharon's work had me at hello, so to speak & I was thrilled to see my favorite new fantasy/sci fi writer back with an expanded edition..I've read the new material & so many of the devos were so timely for me & what I've been going through with my life. Sharon is witty but never trite & I was so drawn in by her characters that I still forget sometimes that they aren't "real." :-)

Sharon Hinck said...

Lorna, that theme has always been important to me...perhaps because I'm so ordinary. :-)

Megan, yes it was fun to write the bonus scenes...but I'm also glad we tucked them in the back so they don't interrupt the flow and pace of the original story.

Nina Ruth, I'm so glad the devotions spoke to you. I love how God does that.

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Katie Marie said...

I have seen these around and have been wanting to read them. I would LOVE a chance to win The Restorer!! PLEASE count me in!! :-)

It kinda reminds me of the River of Time series, but with a whole different and unique twist to it. Deff a must-read for me!!!

~ Katie from Florida

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Sharon Hinck said...

FOr any of you longing for the book, but who might not win Lena's drawing, be sure to check the Marcher Lord Press website for Black Friday specials (there will be one involving Restorer Expanded Edition that I believe will run for two weeks after Thanksgiving)

Prescott said...

I'd love to enter!! I reside in Washington, and I've had the immense pleasure of meeting you before (I bought your book from you on that tour, and loved it)!

Kerry said...

I've read the original and am looking forward to the expanded edition. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Alicia said...

This looks like a good read.
Alicia in NY :)

Alicia said...

Looks like an great read!
Alicia from NY :)

Coolestmommy said...

ARRGH!! I can't wait to get my hands on this one. The opening has me chomping at the bit for more.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. I love the premise behind the book and God used ordinary people in the Bible all the time. I live in S. CA.

Mary Preston said...

What an intriguing premise: A portal into another world. I have THE RESTORER on my reading list now thank you.

QLD, AUSTRALIA

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Cindy W. said...

I would love the opportunity to read The Restorer. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

I live in Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Ann Lee Miller said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

Ann Lee Miller
Gilbert AZ

Sharon Hinck said...

Noah, that was a wonderful tour, and such a pleasure to meet everyone. I was just looking back at some videos from it the other day. :-)

Thanks so everyone for you comments and interest!

Remember, if you don't win the free copy, Marcher Lord Press is offering two free gifts when you order THe Restorer-Expanded Edition - but only through Dec. 8th, so don't miss it. :-)

apple blossom said...

please enter me thanks
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Lady DragonKeeper said...

This reminds me of when Wayne Thomas Batson's hardcover "Door Within Trilogy" was released in paperback, there were "extras" like short stories and "deleted scenes". I loved the concept and I wish more authors would/could do that. Christian fantasy is one of my favorite genres and I'd love the chance to win "The Restorer"!

jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

(P.S. I'm from Hawaii) =)

Lady DragonKeeper said...

Oh, I forgot to ask --will the other books in the "Restorer" series be getting an updated edition also? I remember they went out of print a few years back, which is why I wasn't able to read them --I couldn't find them anywhere! =)

Sharon Hinck said...

Hi, Lady DragonKeeper,
Great question.
YES...the expanded edition of The Restorer's Son will release in April 2012, and the expanded edition of The Restorer's Journey will release in October 2012. :-)

Enjoy!