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
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.
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=kinThank 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.)
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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
I agree that God can use ordinary people in expected ways. Love to read this.
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa.
thanks for the chance to read this one :)
ReplyDeletekarenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
It sounds very good!
ReplyDeleteAnnette in PA
I haven't read the original yet, and now I'm doubly intrigued :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry, forgot to leave my state. You can find me in beautiful East Texas :-)
ReplyDeleteLena, thanks again for inviting me to visit your blog today!
ReplyDeleteRuby, 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an exciting read. Fantasy with a Christian worldview. I love it!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne :O)
shartmann5 @ yahoo . com
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.
ReplyDeleteAmanda from Connecticut
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!
ReplyDelete(Sarah Brenner, Colorado Springs, CO)
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...)
ReplyDeleteI'd enjoy winning the expanded edition.
Joyce from Minneapolis
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!
ReplyDeleteFrom Super-natural British Columbia (Canada :P)
Ahhhhhh.... you guys all know how to brighten an author's day! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeletePatti, 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!!!
I love that the takeaway is that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways...Sounds like a great book:)
ReplyDeletePlease enter my name for a chance to win!
Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith at gmail dot com
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.
ReplyDeleteMegan from Iowa
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." :-)
ReplyDeleteLorna, that theme has always been important to me...perhaps because I'm so ordinary. :-)
ReplyDeleteMegan, 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.
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks and God bless!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
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!! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt 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
Enter me!
ReplyDeleteAbigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.
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)
ReplyDeleteI'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)!
ReplyDeleteI've read the original and am looking forward to the expanded edition. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good read.
ReplyDeleteAlicia in NY :)
Looks like an great read!
ReplyDeleteAlicia from NY :)
ARRGH!! I can't wait to get my hands on this one. The opening has me chomping at the bit for more.
ReplyDeletecoolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing premise: A portal into another world. I have THE RESTORER on my reading list now thank you.
ReplyDeleteQLD, AUSTRALIA
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I would love the opportunity to read The Restorer. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteAnn Lee Miller
Gilbert AZ
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. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks 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. :-)
please enter me thanks
ReplyDeleteI live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
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"!
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
(P.S. I'm from Hawaii) =)
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! =)
ReplyDeleteHi, Lady DragonKeeper,
ReplyDeleteGreat 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!