The Faith and Fate of David Ghent By: Maren Dille *Author Guest Post & Tour-Wide Giveaway*

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Book Description

In the Lucen city dwell the descendants of Righteous and Fallen angels. Kept hidden from the rest of Earth and governed directly by Heaven, each descendant is given a chance to prove themself loyal to Heaven, and obtain salvation. For most, the task is encouraging and fair, but for David, it’s devastating. 

David Ghent has waited twenty-one years to fulfill a prophecy foretelling the destruction of Lucifer’s power on Earth and Heaven, saving himself and the entire world from Hell’s power. His training is complete, the city prepared. As the battle commences, the city’s most beloved daughter, Layla, suddenly appears at the Hellgate. David is then faced with an impossible choice: fulfill the prophecy, or save her life. The consequences David faces after choosing Layla force him to question his entire life, and his loyalty to Heaven. As the aftermath of failure unfolds, David discovers that the real battle against Lucifer has just begun.

Buy the book at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords

Check Out This Author Guest Post

The Joy of Reading by Maren Dille

One of my favorite things to do is laugh. People say that a lot, but it’s true! I love the feeling my stomach muscles have with a good bout of laughter, how relaxed I feel after, and how the memory stays with me and keeps on giving. I laugh a lot. At everything. At things nobody else thinks is funny. I also cry almost every time I laugh. Having to wipe tears away when I think something is funny is embarrassing, but I think it’s worth it.

One of my other favorite things to do is read (as an author, go figure). Just like I laugh at just about anything, I’ll read anything. Non-fiction, fiction, memoirs, sci-fi, chick-lit . . . I’m always hungry for a good story.

I’m used to people rolling their eyes at me about books. There were only a few of us at work that particularly enjoyed reading. Most of my co-workers rolled their eyes every time I pulled a new book out. Oh it’s just Maren, she’s got her nose stuck in another book. Then I’d receive strange looks when I’d start giggling for no apparent reason. “What’s so funny?” or “What are you laughing at?” came at me. Have you ever tried explaining to someone how a book makes you laugh? Vivacious readers know exactly what I mean. Well-written words are just as funny as anything you see on film or television. My co-workers didn’t understand, and I became even weirder.

Writing comedy is tough—for me, that is. It’s not the banter between characters, or the slap-stick humor, or the irony of situations that is difficult to write. That comes easy to me, probably because my life is full of it. As an author, the problem isn’t the delivery, it’s the perception. I have no idea how readers will construe my words. Life experiences and differing personalities alter each reader’s sense of humor. What is funny to me could be hysterical, flat, or outright offensive to another.

For example, when you think of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, does the description “comedy” arise? Certainly not in the literary world, where Jane Eyre is considered a romance, gothic, and social criticism novel. After my book club read this, another member asked me how I liked it. I said I liked it very much, and thought it was hilarious. This brought me more strange looks as I attempted to explain how Mr. Rochester’s theatrical and dramatic tendencies were funny instead of severe. What kind of grown man (especially a brooding one) dresses up like a gypsy and tricks his party guests into giving away secrets? I picture so easily the dainty, manipulative Ingram trying to woo him, clinging to his arm for safety from the loud noises of Thornfield, while Jane inwardly rolls her eyes. Certain parts of that novel had me laughing out loud—on a plane, meriting more strange looks. 

So far, I’m the only person I know that thinks Jane Eyre is comical.

The Faith and Fate of David Ghent isn’t a comedy, so why am I writing a post about comedy when my novel has nothing to do with that topic? Because though the means is different, the intention of a book—whether a comedy or drama—is to make you feel. To move you. To laughter, to tears, to deep thought or reflection, writing a story is the way we demonstrate what moves us. I’ve had success with comedies and laughter already, it’s time for a dive into a more serious, epic world. Hopefully David will move you like he did me.

About the Author

           Maren grew up in Rochester, NY, which is why much of her work is set in the East. She moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University in 2004. Meanwhile, she received a license in cosmetology in 2006, and graduated with a B.S. in Home and Family Living-Clothing and Textiles in 2009. After graduation, Maren worked as a cosmetologist/barber, while her husband finished his own degree in Special Education. After he graduated, they settled in Spanish Fork, UT, where they plan on staying for a long time.

Now Maren is a stay-at-home mom, part-time piano teacher, cosmetologist, and writer. Amidst the buisiness of being a housewife, she loves reading, writing and playing music, vacationing, going on dates with her hubby and friends, throwing dinner parties, and sewing. She enjoys collecting books, and hopes someday to have a library big enough to fit all of them. Currently, her two pretty-enough-to-be-displayed-bookshelves are overflowing, and she's got books stashed all around her house. Open a random drawer, you'll probably find one.

Maren's previous work includes a short comedy, "A Tale of Two Cemeteries," and a middle-grade reader, The Treehouse. The Faith and Fate of David Ghent is her first published novel. Find out more about Maren at www.marendille.com, or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

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