Thursday – A Little Personal – Serang – A New Book by C.S. Boyack

“I see we have Lisa Burton in the house.”
“Yes, kids. So you have the day off.”

Craig and Lisa

Craig’s Bust and Lisa

I am very pleased to again welcome Lisa Burton who as you know is C.S.Boyack’s Personal Assistant. She is also the host of Lisa Burton Radio on most Thursdays. Here is a link to the last show. Lisa is here to talk about C.S. Boyack’s latest book

So, Welcome to Fiction Favorites, Lisa.

Hi, John. Always a pleasure to visit you during these book tours. Craig has a new book out, and this one ties into the Lanternfish trilogy. But it isn’t part of the trilogy, if that makes sense.

Let me try again. Serang was a popular character in Voyage of the Lanternfish. Her origin is pretty amazing, and Craig decided to turn that into a book. It supports the Lanternfish trilogy, but isn’t part of the trilogy. It also helps quell that urge for more Lanternfish while he finishes writing the remaining tales.

Serang’s father was a fisherman, and he died when she was very young. Her mother abandoned her at a monastery, and she was raised by monks. She learned things she never would have learned otherwise, like reading, writing, and martial arts. She also adopted a lifestyle of service to others and sharing what she has.

Fathers are kind of a driving force behind Voyage of the Lanternfish. James became who he is, because of his father’s actions. Dan also had some father issues he dealt with, and even Mal dealt with some of this from the father’s point of view.

Serang never let go of her father, either. Her memories are limited to the idea that he was a fisherman. She and her master were helping a village, because the Emperor took nearly everything they have for his war. When she stumbled across some old fishing crocks, she used one to reconnect with her father – in a way. The crocks involve a kind of hand fishing, and you can see how they work in my poster.

The Goonch catfish is a real creature living in the waters of Asia. It’s amazing how real creatures were as good as fantasy creatures in this story. Nature is strange and wonderful, and Craig used them where he could. Some of them were enhanced for the fantasy elements of the story, and others are complete fantasy. In the case of the Goonch, he remained as he is in nature.

I thought the scene with Serang and the Goonch was wonderful. I insisted that one of our promotional posters reflect that scene. She wasn’t exactly weepy, but when she became an actual fisherman it was an important event in her life.

I hope your fans enjoy this poster, and feel free to add it to Pinterest or use it for computer backgrounds. And remember, this robot girl is an animal lover, so I practice catch and release.

Thank you, Lisa. This sounds like an excellent read and I certainly enjoyed having you over today. Lucy and Twiggy enjoyed your visit as well and were grateful for the day off.

***

Blurb:

Monastic life is all about duty, service, harmony. For Serang, a young girl abandoned at the temple by her mother after the death of her father, that life becomes all she knows. The monks give her purpose, and become her new family.

When political upheaval causes chaos throughout the land, Serang again loses everything and everyone she loves. Alone, she struggles to survive. She convinces a wandering monk to take her under his wing and complete her training. Thus begins her adventures through strange lands and her trials to become a confident, capable, independent adult.

This is a coming of age story set in a fantasy world. Its filled with monsters and martial arts, difficulties, and dangers. The serious situations preclude the story from the levity of its predecessor, Voyage of the Lanternfish, but it provides a compelling look at the origin of one of the sagas most fascinating characters.

Purchase Link http://mybook.to/Serang

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98 comments

  1. Looking forward to reading this one, John…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hope it’s to your liking.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Sure it will be, Craig…

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you for the nice comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Congratulations to Craig. Thanks so much for sharing, John!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Jill.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you, Jill. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Congratulations, Craig on the launch of another exciting book!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you. It’s an exciting time right now.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you, Darlene.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. It is an interesting theme, to highlight fathers and their relationships with their children. I do like it. I just finished The Playground yesterday.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. It is an underlying issue in these stories. In historical times, things were tough, and fathers weren’t always available. Hope Playground was to your liking.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Absolutely. I loved the story with the who technology control theme. I’ll be reviewing it next Wednesday on Roberta Writes.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I’ll try to keep an eye out and support the post. Thank you.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. It is a great theme, Robbie. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I have this downloaded already and am looking forward to reading this. It looks like it’ll be right up my street. Thanks, John. Best of luck, Craig 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Harmony. You’ll have to let me know what you think. I’m a bit nervous, because I did not include a particularly religious aspect in it. You’ll have a unique point of view.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you for the support, Harmony.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for helping with the heavy lifting.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re welcome.

        Liked by 3 people

    2. Thanks for the reblog, Charles.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Great review! Thanks for sharing, John.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you, Mark.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Thanks for the visit, Marc.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. You’ve sparked my curiosity.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Glad to hear that. Writing tour posts is like dowsing. We never know which one is going to pique someone’s interest.

      Liked by 3 people

  8. Sounds like a good book!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Jennie.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. You are welcome.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. It does, doesn’t it. Thanks, Jennie.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Like

  9. Thank you for hosting Lisa today. Means a lot to me that you’d have us back so soon.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Always a pleasure. Tell Lisa I’m sorry about the dog hair on her outfit.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. She’s used to it. She just appeared in a book with Clovis’ dog.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Hahahaha. She also has to get used to barfed up hands with Clovis’ dog.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Okay, that happened, too.

        Like

  10. Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
    Lisa Burton is visiting with John Howell today. The topic is my newest book, Serang. She’s also handing out one of her posters. Hope all of you will stop over, and check out John’s site. He’s an awesome blogger/author/supporter.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Gwen M. Plano · ·

    I’m looking forward to reading this, Craig. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Gwen. 😁

      Like

    2. Thank you, Gwen. Hope you enjoy it.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Congrats, Craig! I’ll move on to this one when I finish Viral Blues. I’ve been having technical difficulties with Alexa reading it to me lately – she won’t do what I tell her, but we hear her talking when no one is in the room. Weird.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m laughing, sorry. There has to be a story in there somewhere. Alexa goes insane.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. If she was mobile, we’d really be having problems.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Poor Alexa. I think she is having emotional problems. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  13. Congratulations, Craig! Best wishes for continued success. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing, John, as always.
    Cheers to you both!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the well wishes, Natalie.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you, Natalie. Cheers to you as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I downloaded this and can’t wait to read it. I loved Serang in the Lanternfish. I’m critiquing a manuscript for a friend, and then I can delve into Serang’s quest. Can’t wait!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Judi. I’m sure Craig will be happy. Thanks for the visit too.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. So excited to lean this, Judi. Hope Serang’s origin lives up to your expectations.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I started it this weekend when I had a few hours of downtown between stuff for my grandson’s wedding. Love it so far! When I get home, I have to finish critiquing my friend’s manuscript, then I can read it again. And I’m really looking forward to it. Love Serang as a tiger:)

        Liked by 2 people

      2. She likes tigers.

        Liked by 2 people

  15. D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    I can’t wait to read her story! Thanks for sharing, John:)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Denise.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you for taking a chance on Serang.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I had a sneak peek at this one and it’s wonderful. Wishing Craig much success with it!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mae.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Congratulations, Craig! I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. It’s such an exciting and nerve-wracking time for an author. That feeling never gets old.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am feeling like that frazzled cat that used to be a popular meme. Still, it’s exciting and I get to exchange comments with a lot of my online friends. Hope you enjoy Serang when you get around to her.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I understand completely. At the moment I resemble Wile Coyote after a run in with the Road Runner and ACME Explosives inc. Sigh.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Yes it is and no it never gets old.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. […] time out, I’m still going slow. John Howell hosted me today. If you missed the reblog, this is the link. I’m custom writing all the pieces once again. I have one post I need to write this weekend, […]

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
    Serang is sure to be a good read. Putting this one in my TBR!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, P.H. Means a lot to me, and thanks for the reblog, too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You bet. Happy to help.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thak you for the support, P.H.

      Like

      1. You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Congratulations on your new book, Craig. Thank you for sharing, John.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Miriam.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Craig.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you, Miriam.

      Like

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Good luck, Craig … and a tip of the cap to John for promoting.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Frank. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I’ll take all the luck I can get. Thanks, Frank.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. And luck will keep you smiling! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Craig – FYI – Long ago you participated in one of my challenges. (I post very little fiction). What you to know that you submission actually influenced a future story (which was also a challenge). Here’s my rendition that you inspired. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2018/11/13/on-she-he-initiating-the-challenge/ … thanks.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I remember participating in that, and I took a hitman approach to the dance. So glad it inspired you.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yep … It stuck in my head so I morphed the idea into this one.

        Liked by 2 people

  22. I have this book and look forward to reading it over the holidays. The cover is very eye-appealing as is the storyline! Craig is such a great writer of fantasy and I know this is going to be a great story!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You’re going to make me blush, Jan. Good thing I have this beard. Have a great weekend.

      Liked by 2 people

  23. Hi, John! It’s great running into Craig here. Serang is a fascinating character. So, this is a “spin-off” of Lanternfish. Do I need to read Lanternfish first? You both have a great weekend!😊💕

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You don’t need to read the Lanternfish first. Thanks Vashti. Have a great weekend as well

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you for the faster reply, John.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I also resd the post material 😂

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Thank you, John. 🙂

        Like

    2. John advised you correctly. Serang played a good role in Lanternfish, but didn’t enter the story until about 1/3 of the way in. This book is Serang’s coming of age story, where she is an adult in Lanternfish. You can read them in any order you like.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks, Craig. That’s good to know. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for the link, Traci

      Like