About the Book
Book: The Gatekeeper’s Descendants
Author: Johanna Frank
Genre: Christian/Fiction/Fantasy
Release date: September 2021
ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A CURSE
Hesitant to enter the kingdom, spirited and stubborn Pipiera grudgingly accepts a task to save a fledgling earth-dwelling boy, Matthew, from sabotaging his own future. Challenged with the pull of an obsessive emotion from her past life, she’s unequipped to handle the mission, let alone discern the perplexing interference from a rebel–an unearthly soul who takes great interest in both she and the boy and who relentlessly seeks to capture their affection.
As Matthew’s world spins throughout the cosmos, his mother’s world churns at his bedside while she awaits an unknowing outcome.
Who overcomes?
Who ends up cursed forever?
The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is an easy-to-read, thought-inspiring fantasy. The story weaves together adventure in the afterlife with growing faith and family drama.
BEAUTIFUL… TWISTED… LIVELY…
Click here to enter the giveaway!
About the Author
To Johanna Frank, retirement means the freedom to do what she simply loves—bringing family and friends together with good food. But even better is the space to pen creative, inspirational fiction; stories she hopes will touch the lives of her readers.
Johanna lives in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada with husband, Joe, cherishing and watching their children and their families as they churn through life and develop into their own wonderful characters.
At the time of publishing, Johanna’s The Gatekeeper’s Descendants was declared a Winner of The Word Guild’s 2021 Word Awards.
The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is Johanna Frank’s debut novel.
More from Johanna
Hey, hello! It sure is a pleasure to be here 😊.
I’ve always believed it’s a gift when others just happen to come into our lives. Sometimes it’s like a drift and ever so brief, maybe even digital. But always, I like to think anyway; it is for a reason. Sadly, we simply don’t see it that way.
That was just one premise for The Gatekeeper’s Descendants. There is so much more to our life journey than what we see and, therefore, what we could possibly appreciate.
According to some translators of ancient Greek (yes, I google the internet a great deal), the term we so often use today to explain chance happenings, coincidence, is derived from the word synkyrian – a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun reported as meaning “together with” and kurios reported as meaning “supreme in authority.” So, a chance happening, meeting someone along one’s path in life? …not an accident. The question becomes why.
As far as the story in The Gatekeeper’s Descendants goes, sure, I had a plot in mind. But those wonderful fictional characters came first, and I quickly discovered they had much to say about their own decisions and paths. Important to me was to incorporate realisms: personality traits, emotional challenges, tough situations and simply, life in general. And then place all such realities alongside characters from an ethereal and lively kingdom. Of course, what would a kingdom be without its rebels? This fantasized world in charge of intervening to make chance happenings actually happen, or, interfering to disrupt the course of one’s path? Well, what fun! I totally loved the adventure of writing this novel. But please, be rest assured. Faith is central in my life, and I did my utmost to treat it with great and utter respect.
And you are part of this equation. That is the most exciting part for me: your experience with the read. One reader told me how grateful she was after reading The Gatekeeper’s Descendants for the hope it gave, particularly as it came at such a perfect time—weeks following the loss of a parent. Another said it brought to her imagination the child she lost at infancy and the absolute joyous wonder of her lively existence now. Yet another felt the appreciation of having a chance at feeling a troubled teen’s point of view and the potential of very real battles that are not always visible. As one reviewer put it, “this is a story that has something to impart to even the most cynical among us.”
Without readers, writers simply wouldn’t have much purpose. So, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you will give The Gatekeeper’s Descendants a chance even if it is a diversion from your normal genre.
I would absolutely love to connect and hear your experience with the story!
And may you journey well!
Johanna Frank
My Thoughts
The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is written by Johanna Frank. This is the first book that I have read by this author. This is a Christian Fantasy book. This is not my typical go to genre to read, but I enjoyed the story. It was unique and flowed nicely across the pages. This story follows follows the life of young Matthew. He has been savagely beaten. He suddenly finds his spirit being led away by Kasartha, who promises to show him the universe. Kasartha helps his spirit get back to earth and Matthew starts to recover.
The book switches POV a few times - which until I got ahold of it was confusing. It is mostly told through narration. The POV are Matthew, his mother, and then sometimes the characters from the other universe. I do like how much is invested into Matthew's character and how she showed some of what teens struggle with today. Matthew especially struggling with his fathers death. I wish that I would have asked my 10 year old, who is a huge YA fantasy reader to review this with me, but I will be passing it on for him to read.
The book is well written, the story is unique. Once you get the flow of the POV changing you should not have any problems. I was surprised to find out that this is the author's first book. I hope to read more from her in the future. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11
Texas Book-aholic, February 12
By the Book, February 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14
For Him and My Family, February 15
Inklings and notions, February 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17
deb’s Book Review, February 18
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 21
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Spotlight)
Through the Fire Blogs, February 22
Blogging With Carol, February 23
Wishful Endings, February 24 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Johanna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/1a459/the-gatekeeper-s-descendants-celebration-tour-giveaway
Sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteThe Gatekeeper's Descendants sounds like a great fantasy read and I like the cover! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Because I Said So - other adventures in Parenting, for sharing your thoughts! Have an excellent weekend!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! And thank you so much for taking the time to read my debut novel and for providing a review, much appreciated. I am in the crux of book #2 with all the same characters - the adventures, drama and growth will all continue. Take care and thank you again. Good luck to all in the draw!
ReplyDelete