Some of you may have already read this week’s giveaway choice, since I’ve happened across it quite often in the past few months in this corner of the blogosphere that many of us frequent. I myself only discovered the author at the beginning of this year, but once I read her book, I knew I simply had to ask if she would be interested in participating in our year of giveaways. Thankfully, she was.
So I am terribly excited to be able to present author Jaye L. Knight and her book Resistance, which she has graciously offered as a paperback copy for the winner. If you have already read the book, I do still encourage you to enter the giveaway. You could always win a copy to give to a friend or to read once your copy has fallen apart from much use. Or tell your friends about the giveaway and encourage them to enter too! You won’t be disappointed in this book. I can guarantee that. Don’t believe me? Read a little bit about the book and then enter through the Rafflecopter widget below …
(Note: due to the high costs associated with the risk of sea dragon attacks upon trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific shipments, this giveaway is limited to US entries only.)
Resistance
“Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”
Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.
Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God. Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted.
With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.
Meet the Author
Jaye L. Knight is a homeschool graduated indie author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean new adult fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Etsy.
Jace rose up on his toes and stretched his arm as far as he could but, even being taller than most other six-year-olds at the estate, he still couldn’t quite reach the top roost in the chicken coop. He puffed out a sigh and came down flat-footed again. It would be so much easier and faster if he could just reach it. With resignation, he grabbed the small stool he kept in the corner and moved it in place. He stepped up onto it and came face-to-face with one of his master’s hens. The chicken gave him a wary look, but he’d learned how to handle them. He lightly stroked her feathers, calming her. He then slowly reached underneath her warm body for her eggs and withdrew them before she could peck at his hands. Once he had checked each hen for eggs, he picked up his full egg basket and left the chicken coop. Cook would be getting impatient by now. He was always in a bad mood in the mornings. Jace set off across the yard toward the kitchen with quick, but careful steps. Broken eggs would really make Cook angry. A horse whinnied and drew Jace’s attention to the fields, where most of the slaves worked. He wished he were big enough to work in the fields. It would be better than working around Cook or his wife. They were both mean. If only he could work with the master’s horses . . . Loud, desperate chirping stopped Jace short. His gaze darted to the large willow tree near the master’s house, where cruel laughter followed the chirps. Jace’s stomach tightened up. A baby bird flapped helplessly on the ground, while Nicolas and Teege, the master’s two sons, poked at it with a stick. Jace cast a hesitant look toward the kitchen. Going near the boys would be trouble. It was always better to stay far away from them . . .
(Note: due to the high costs associated with the risk of sea dragon attacks upon trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific shipments, this giveaway is limited to US entries only.)
Jenelle Leanne says
If I were forced to fight as a gladiator, my weapon of choice would be … um… a dragon.
Oh, that's not allowed?
Hm. Then I choose Maximus to be on my team. And if THAT'S not allowed, then I'm going with a bow and arrows. Swords are cooler, but bow and arrows are the machine gun of the medieval world, and let you fight from a distance, and I'm pretty sure I'd only last for about 2.5 seconds in up-close combat.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Total win right there for bringing up my favorite movie ever! Seriously, Gladiator is so awesome. :)
Sarah says
If I were forced to fight as a gladiator, I would die. (And also strongly protest that I'm a girl and girls aren't gladiators.) But . . . I think, as Jenelle does, that a bow and arrow would give me the best chance of survival. Barring that, I'd go with a spear so I still can keep some distance between me and my opponent.
Also, excellent choice of book. :D
Bookishqueen says
Actually, girls could be gladiators, the Romans were not too picky about who they threw in there.
Hannah says
I think they were called gladatrix.
Jaime says
If I KNEW how to use each weapon properly, maybe the "fascina" or tridents? I like the idea of bow & arrows as well. If I had anything for closer combat, I don't think I'd win.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
For the sake of the question, we'll at least assume that you know how to use each weapon properly. :)
Ryebrynn says
Umm… I think, no matter what weapon, I would lose horribly. :P
Caryl Kane says
No close combat for me. :)
Grace Gidman says
I adore this book/series/author. I have all of her books on Kindle but none in hard copy, I would love to win this giveaway!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
If I read a book on Kindle and really love it, I always turn around and buy the hard copy too. For me, nothing quite beats actually getting to hold the book in your hands and gaze adoringly at it sitting on your bookshelf.
Rachelle O'Neil says
*shudders* Being a gladiator? Ugh. I've always thought I'd prefer to fight with a knife, though I don't know if I'd be any good with it, and I have the feeling being that close to my opponent could be difficult. Though maybe being small and quick would help. Honestly, though, I'm not sure I could fight as a gladiator, even if I was being forced to. Hard to know on that one.
I'm so glad you're offering Resistance! I'm heard plenty of fabulous things about it; I just haven't read it myself yet.
Alea Harper says
You must read it!!!! It is AWESOME!
Christine Smith says
Oh! I've seen this book everywhere and heard only good things about it. I've been DYING to get my hands on it. It's so nice of both you and Jaye to do this! ^_^
Me? Fight as a gladiator? Goodness, whoever allowed me to be a gladiator needs a few more cookies in their jar if you know what I mean. XD
I would have to say bow and arrows. At least I might last for five minutes or so if I'm not right up against the enemy. Not that I'd manage to shoot anyone. I've tried archery before and, well, I'll never be a true elf. It's a sad fact.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Yes, I am afraid I would not be an elf either. The sword is definitely more my weapon than the bow – that or a good old fashioned six shooter, but that's slightly beside the point. :)
Ants and Epic says
Gladiator?! Yikes! I would definitely be dead in under a second, but as far as weapons go…maybe a spear to fight at a reasonable distance and a knife hidden on me for desperate measures? Either or I'd still die…very quickly.
Abby
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I'm sure if we're all being realistic, most of us would be dead pretty early on … but who likes being realistic :)
Sierra Faith says
Uhhh… Running might be my weapon… LOL!! Probably a sword and shield!!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Running could be a good tactic, provided you have an end game in mind. Guess that's where the sword and shield come in handy. Lol. :)
Elizabeth says
A gladiator? Wow…probably a bow and arrows. I'd have a better chance of surviving if I wasn't in close range. I'm not horribly bad at hitting…oh wait…non-moving targets….
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Lol. So just shout at your enemies to "freeze" before you fire. That should work, right? ;)
songbird says
If I had to be a gladiator.. The weapon I would chose is probably a sword and a shield. The shield so I can hide behind it.But I think I would die really fast.
Athelas Hale says
Oh, Jace. I have a feeling Half Blood is going to reduce us all to teary messes.
Merenwen Inglorion says
"If you were forced to fight as a gladiator, what would be your weapon of choice?"
…Real me, or fantasy me? 'Cause fantasy me can kick butt. Real me, not so much. ;)
Real me weapon of choice: something that would enable me to attack from far away, like a spear (if I could lift the thing) or a bow and arrow (if I could pull the string back without losing the arrow). But I wouldn't want to kill anyone, just leave them incapacitated.
If the person facing me had a close range weapon (small knife or something), I might be able to defend myself for a few minutes, and/or take the knife away…but if the weapon against me was something like a sword or mace…um…bye-bye…*run*
Fantasy me weapon of choice:
*shrug* I don't know. I guess something like a knife would work. I would probably just use some ninja skills and punch the guy out, though. Oh, he has a helmet? Then…work the sword away from him, and knock him out with it. If they don't let me leave after that, then I'd use Jedi acrobatics and get the heck out of there. ;)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Love your answer! Especially the ninja part.
Reading through all of these has made me realize that all of you are so much more honest and realistic than I am. That or I just have crazy high views of my own meager sword skills, because I'm like, toss me the sword and shield and send me out into the arena. I will totally survive and emerge victorious (after incapacitating my opponent in such a wildly skillful way that the crowd decides to let him live, of course!)
Yeah … maybe I spend too much time writing fantasy books.
Ekaterina says
Can gladiators fight with a bow and arrows? If gladiators could fight with a bow and arrows I would pick that, but if that wasn't an option, then a sword would definitely be my pick.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I'll be honest, I have not spent a ton of time researching the subject, but I'm fairly certain most gladiators did not fight with bows and arrows. Those were only used by mounted bowmen for special mock battles staged for the audience's entertainment. So perhaps you could be one of those?
Bookishqueen says
My personal favorite is the net and trident. I've studied gladiator armor and weaponry, and that is the most mobile choice, but is only a good idea if you are smaller (which I am).
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Only with the net and trident, you don't get as much armor … which is definitely a con. But the good thing about being smaller is that you're harder to hit! Dodgeball, anyone?
ghost ryter says
Hmm…sword and shield. I'd say net and trident, but the thought of limited armor scares me. 'Course the whole idea of being forced into a gladiator fight scares me, too… *shudders*
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I'm with you on that. I would probably pick a sword and shield over a net a trident, although I think it would be fun experimenting with a net and trident just to see how exactly one would fight with them.
BJM says
I hope I would never be in that position, but I guess I would pick a sword and shield.
Raechel says
I tried to comment yesterday, but it was having problems. =/ Hopefully this one will work!
Well, I hope I don't have to ever be in such a position, as others have said, but I would choose either a bow and arrow or a really lovely, strong, spectacular sword and shield. :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Hey, it came through this time! :) I feel your pain. My computer and internet both randomly decide to quit working on me. I think sometimes they go on strike to protest the ridiculous number of hours I make them work …
Raechel says
Horray!
Ah yes, computer troubles are not enjoyable! Silly things think they're in charge. ;)
Susan says
This book looks so cool! If I were forced to fight a gladiator, my weapon of choice would be a bow and arrows or the force. If you are small, it is easier to fight someone big without having to get too close.
Jack says
I LOVE Resistance!! It is by far one of my all time favourite books
Gillian Bronte Adams says
It is good, isn't it?
Emma Clifton says
If i had to face a gladiator, I would want to have one of Iron Man's suits.
Athelas Hale says
As for the gladiator question (all of you fantasy writers are going to hate me for this. :p)
I would pick a gun. With large pockets so I could keep hundreds of magazines with me. Not so fantasy-like… And you won't find them in medieval gladiator fights, but if we can pick any weapon, guns are more than effective. xP
Polaris Northstar says
Can I choose more than one (I like arsenals)? I like: Bow/arrow, Fascina (Trident), Gladius (Sword), Lancea (short Javelin), Pugio (dagger). I don't know if I can pic just one…guess it would depend upon the fight being close quarters, or long range. Maybe the Trident, or Javelin, because they could be either or.
Polaris Northstar says
I changed my mind. I want the Sword! ;)
Emily K says
I tried this before but I don't know if it worked so sorry if this comes through twice.
Hmm. . . If I were forced to fight as a gladiator my weapon of choice would be a bow and arrow in order to avoid close combat. There is something inspiring about Legolas, Katniss, and Hawkeye that makes me feel as if anyone with a bow and arrow naturally must win :)
However, if I could have more than one weapon I would add a dagger just to make me feel safer if someone came too close. . .
E. Kaiser Writes says
The Strength of the Lord, obviously!!! :-) Other than that, whatever I could get my hands on. There's no way I'd be able to win due to amazing athleticism and personal power, but "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" so who knows what the outcome would be?!! :-)
Personally, I'd try to get my hands on a short sword and buckler combo… the shield part would be very important, and my arm strength could only hope to wield a short, more compact sword for any length of time.
That can be a fairly effective combination, too, especially in Roman times, since that was what the Roman's were famous for using!
So then I'd just need to close quckly, negating whatever strength or reach that my opponent had, so that I could do a quick thrust motion that would hopefully brign them down.
Still, I'm very glad that being forced into the arena is not something that is likely to happen in my future!!! :-) "I'm convinced I'd be a very poor…" gladatrix. ;-) (Bonus points to anyone who can recognize the movie quote I just co-opted! ;-) )