MINDFIRE - Allen Steadham - One Free book

Welcome, Allen. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I certainly write aspects of myself into my characters. I don’t know exactly how much but there is certainly some in each one.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

In 1993, I bought a one-way ticket from Austin, Texas, for the chance to surprise my then-fiancée at the Dallas airport. She was in between flights en route to her Army Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Arizona. I hadn’t seen her since she’d gone to Basic Training. Seeing her shock and delight at my being there, was wonderful. We spent a total of thirty-six minutes together. Then I bought another one-way ticket back to Austin and went to work. We both agreed later that it was totally worth it!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

At age ten, I started writing and drawing home-made original comic books.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I tend to like science fiction and science fantasy (for years, all I read was Star Trek books), with the occasional supernatural novel. But I have been expanding my horizons recently. I now enjoy a good Christian fantasy. sci-fi, and am open to other genres as well.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Prayer. I need the Lord to help me in almost everything. I’m also motivated by my wife and three children. Music also helps me stay sane, especially when writing or in traffic.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

For normal Earth names, I mostly improvise. For alien names, I do a lot more research to make sure any extraterrestrial-sounding name doesn’t mean something rude in another Earth language.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Having a family (my wife and our three kids) is the accomplishment I’m most proud of.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A cat. I’m mellow, love affection from those close to me and can be quirky at times.

What is your favorite food?

My wife’s homemade katsudon (Japanese-style fried pork cutlet) in a special sauce with a fried egg on top.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I used to make comics in my tweens, teens, and early twenties. Then from my late twenties onward, I created webcomics. So transitioning from scripting scenes that would be drawn to using words to paint those “pictures” was my biggest challenge. I overcame it through prayer and persistence. It’s taken several years to span that gulf but I feel completely comfortable with it now.

Tell us about the featured book.

MINDFIRE is a Christian fiction superhero thriller. It focuses on a twenty-year old woman named Leia who develops superpowers. She then learns that her father and stepmother used to be superheroes. And Leia’s biological mother is a supervillain!

The theme of MINDFIRE is “Power alone does not make a hero or villain.”

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

Leia Hamilton can move things and set them on fire with her mind.

Leia's father and stepmother tried to hide their past: a time when they were part of a team of superheroes. But despite being disbanded for over twenty years following a series of tragedies, their problems were passed to their children and Leia finds that her future collides with their past.

In the diverse world of human and superhuman, heroes and villains, friends and enemies, some of Leia's choices have terrible consequences. For Leia, this leads to a personal crossroads and a search for redemption.

Not your normal superhero novel, Mindfire isn't about secret identities, costumes, or evil plots endangering the world. Instead, self-discovery and adaptation is at the forefront as the reader follows the lives of the characters, who are unafraid to show love and explore spirituality.

Can redemption and renewed grace weather the flames of absolute power and superhuman strength?

Please give us the first page of the book.

SWEATING FROM HER BRISK WALK across the Digby College campus in record-breaking near-ninety-degree July heat, Leia Hamilton dragged herself into an empty seat towards the back of the large Jason V. Frederick lecture hall, which wasn’t well-lit or properly ventilated. The building itself must have been at least twenty-five to thirty years old. The acoustics carried well enough but also made it seem like all sound escaped from a human-sized tin can. Students were always tempted to sleep but their success often depended on the teacher.

Professor Angela Merrick, whom Leia had nicknamed “Professor Doom,” scowled and deliberately made direct eye contact with Leia but said nothing, continuing her lecture. The professor radiated confidence and something else, Leia wasn’t sure what. The professor’s long black hair was often worn in a bun like today but sometimes she wore it down. Leia believed the professor would be very beautiful if she didn’t always project a certain amount of tension. It had given her worry lines that made her look a few years older than she probably was.

Thirty minutes later, Josh Manning saw Leia escaping her first class of the day. Mentally noting her distressed expression, he whirled her around and kissed her passionately in front of the other class escapees in the hallway. He was red-haired, even taller than Leia and lanky. He also had more than a bit of Southern charm to accompany his slight Alabama drawl. Suddenly, he pulled back, confused and concerned.

“Your skin is, like, really hot!” Josh put his hand on her forehead. “You have a fever or something?”

“I’m fine,” Leia pulled back and glared at Josh. “Now what are you doing? You said you’d keep things mellow on-campus!”

“You looked like you needed cheering up,” Josh said.

Leia facepalmed. And a moment later, she grabbed his arms in a rage.

“What is wrong with you?” Leia screamed. “Save that stuff for when we’re alone!”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: https://www.allensteadham.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaspecfiction

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Mindfirenovel

Instagram: www.instagram.com/allensteadham

Thank you, Allen, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m sure I’ll enjoy reading it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Mindfire - Paperback
Mindfire - Kindle

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