Title: The Secrets of
Yashire; Emerging from the Shadows
Author: Diamante Lavendar
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure
Publisher: Shelf Published
Release Date: Jan 9 2014
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging from the Shadows is a young adult fantasy adventure that occurs within the framework of a young girl's subconscious mind. The main character, Brianna, finds herself thrown into a world called Yashire where she is forced to deal with circumstances that are threatening Yashire's existence.
The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging from the Shadows is a young adult fantasy adventure that occurs within the framework of a young girl's subconscious mind. The main character, Brianna, finds herself thrown into a world called Yashire where she is forced to deal with circumstances that are threatening Yashire's existence.
Against her will, she is sent on a journey to restore
unconditional love back to the land while also contending with the evil force
in the land, Zolan.
Brianna is sent on her mission by Libban, Keeper of the
Land. Along the way, Brianna travels with the mystical tiger, Angelos; a huge,
whitish-tan tiger with thick black stripes who sings only the purest songs of
love, and the wondrous little one-eyed bird named Abiba. During the journey, Brianna
is also preparing to meet her soulmate-the one she longs to be with and the one
who will bring complete healing back into her life.
Together they travel through fantastic lands filled with
magical creatures that could only exist in the wildest of imaginations. Through
her treacherous brushes with danger and heartwarming experiences of love and
acceptance, Brianna discovers many things.
It is here, amidst the powers and phantasms of the mind that
Brianna receives life lessons and virtues to help her. Will one of her greatest
triumphs be achieved as she learns to believe in herself? For only then can she
truly see all of the wondrous things that life has to offer.
Opening her eyes,
Brianna gazed into a clear blue sky illuminated by warm, hazy rays of sunlight.
She slowly turned her head to look around. She was lying on a carpet of soft,
green grass. All around her she heard the sweet, cheerful songs of birds as a
playful breeze rumpled her long black hair.
Where am I?
She tried to raise
her head but a hot, sharp pain shot through it.
Ow! I have one
heck of a headache!
Gently, she lay her
head back down. As she stretched into a more comfortable position, she noticed
the clothes she was wearing; a white, ruffled blouse and a long, purple skirt.
She was vaguely confused but couldn’t figure out why. Suddenly a strong urge to
sleep overcame her. Closing her eyes, she listened to the birds and felt the
warm sun soaking into her skin. The soft breeze caressed her cheeks and pressed
the tendrils of her hair against her forehead. Gently, she was lulled back to
sleep.
Brianna was awakened
by a swishing sound nearby.
What was that?
She turned her head
to see a woman with long, blonde hair and a robe the color of fresh, pink rose
petals walking through the grass with two little blue gnarled creatures at her
side. She tried to jump up, to run away, but another hot flash of pain in her
head quickly halted her efforts.
Oh God! What are
those things?
In terror, she
watched as the woman looked over at her.
“Oh my goodness! My
dear, are you ill? Where did you come from?” The woman walked over to Brianna
and bent down, her brow knit with concern. “You needn’t be afraid, dear. I am
Libban.”
The two little blue
creatures hopped around Brianna, sniffing and snorting as they nudged her arms
and legs.
“Stop! Please!” She
begged. “Where…where am I?
Libban spoke sharply
to the little blue creatures and they ran to her side, looking at Brianna from
behind her skirt.
“Who are you?”
Brianna said, her voice shaking.
“I am Libban, Keeper
of the Land.”
“Keeper of what
land? Where am I?” Brianna managed to whisper.
“Why, you are in
Yashire!” Libban crouched next to Brianna.
“What is Yashire?”
Brianna asked, tears stinging her eyes.
“You must have had a
hard fall, my dear. Do you remember how you got here? What is your name?”
Libban surveyed her intently with crystalline blue eyes.
“I…I’m not sure!”
Brianna answered.
What is my name?
Oh, God! What is happening?
“Here, let me help
you. Would you like to come to my home? Maybe you will remember as we walk.”
Libban stood and offered her hand to help Brianna up.
Carefully, Brianna
obliged, inching herself up slowly because of the throbbing in her head.
They walked through
the meadow and up a small hill to a large mansion. The two little blue
creatures chased each other through the meadow ahead of Brianna and Libban and
disappeared into the mansion. The windows in the mansion were open and plump
white doves perched on the sills amongst brilliant red, white and orange
flowing vines that climbed the stone walls.
This place is
huge! It looks like a castle or something!
Brianna gazed at the
huge leafy trees all over the grounds. Roses bloomed among the deep purple
violets growing thick in the flower gardens in front of the mansion.
I’ve never seen
anything like this in my life! Wait…how do I know that? Where am I? What is
this place? Am I hallucinating?
Brianna stopped
walking, her thoughts racing.
Who am I? How can
I not know who I am?
Panic gripped her.
“What is this place
called?” she asked, her throat tightening.
“This land is called
Yashire. Please come in and sit down. Maybe you will begin to remember if you
relax a bit.” Libban answered, motioning for her to follow through the arched
front doorway.
Books
a Million (BAM)
Where do the ideas for your books come from?
My ideas come from various life experiences. Not just my own, but also of those who are
close to me.
Have you ever co-written book/books? If so was it difficult?
If not would you ever consider co-writing with another author? No, I haven't as of yet. I have had some offers. I would do it if I felt a connection with
another writer.
Where do you get your character names from?
I pick some based upon the characters. At times I try to make the names correlate
with who the characters are. Other
times, I just randomly pick names.
What type of research goes into your writing?
My writing is based upon life
experiences. If I add research to it, I
do my research on the internet.
Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?
I write anonymously, so only close family
members know of my writing. They are
supportive because writing is my dream; it is what I feel I was put here to do.
Do you remember when your interest in writing came
about?
I have been interested in writing
since I literally learned how to write.
I started with very elementary rhyming poems and worked into
stories. I wrote my first book when I
was about ten. I illustrated it as
well. I wrote it for my siblings.
Other than writing what are your interest?
I love gardening, swimming, drawing and
painting, refurbishing furniture, cooking and decorative interior design.
Did you learn anything from writing your books, if so what
was it?
I learned that writing is a
process. First you write your basic
story, then you edit several times and finally publish. It takes determination and time!
What are your current WIP? Can you share with us?
Right now I am writing an adult fiction story
set in the medieval times. It is a
combination of fiction, fantasy, mystery, self discovery and a touch of
romance. I am having fun with it!
Faves
Food: peas and spaghetti
Color: purple
Quote: Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.
Movie I like: many, but for laughs I think The Mask is
hilarious!
Music: R&B, rock,
spiritual meditative music and occasionally opera
This or That
Day or Night: Night
Rain or Snow: Rain
Facebook or Twitter:
Twitter
Mac or PC: PC
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. She spent many hours listening to her mother read to her when she was young. As she grew older, she enjoyed reading novels of all genres: horror, fantasy and some romance to name a few.
She began writing in college and published some poetry in anthologies over the years. After her kids were older, she wrote as a form of self-expression and decided she wanted to share her stories with others.
Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories.
Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark in the world, to make it a better place for all. Writing is the way that she is attempting to leave her mark—one story at a time.
Thanks for having me on your blog!
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