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Ruthless by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

5/28/2024

Book Details

Book Title: Ruthless
Publisher: Concepcion Press
Back Cover Copy:
Seventeen-year-old assassin Cottia is desperate to leave behind the work she’s been forced into.

Her lord offers freedom in exchange for one last hit. The assignment is to start a war by killing a target during the Giddelian prince’s betrothal selection ceremony.

When the prince uncovers her identity, he offers her a new opportunity. Will his invitation grant her freedom from the notorious underlord?
Audience: For teens 13+
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: Ruthless – March 14, 2024

Interview

Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series? or What was your inspiration for writing this book or series?
Candice: Ruthless was meant to be something I gave away to my newsletter subscribers, and it was supposed to be a short story. It didn’t turn out to be so short, and I’m only giving away the story to ARC (Advanced Review Copy) readers.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique?
Candice: Cottia is an assassin who hates her life and wants to be free of her bonds. She makes a deal for her freedom that requires one last hit. She is Beatriz’s mom from my debut novel, Unbetrothed.

Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.
Candice: Cottia is very good with poisons and can’t shoot a bow and arrow for the life of her.

Brock: In three sentences (or you can choose three words) what is this book about?
Candice: An assassin who wants out.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?
Candice: I had written only a few chapters of this story years ago and plotted the rest using James Scott Bell plot points on an Excel spreadsheet.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?
Candice: I think many readers have felt trapped before by what people think of them and what is expected. Changing who you are isn’t easy and takes some major shifting in your life. In Cottia’s case, a prince with a weird dependance on this Ancient One changes her perspective with his integrity.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?
Candice: I loved writing this high fantasy world. I get swept away once I am in the world. But I love writing contemporary fantasy even more.

Brock: How many books are planned for this series?
Candice: I have about five books planned in this series. All of them are novellas and they’re the backstory for Beatriz’s parents and Laude’s parents from Unbetrothed.

Brock: How do you strike the right balance in your book? (Example Romance & Action, Fact & Fiction)
Candice: I try to write what I love. I feel like I need to be swept away by the romance, action and mystery. If I can do that for myself, then I feel like I’ve done a decent job. Next, I ask other people because every author has blind spots.

Brock: Are you working on the next book in the series?
Candice: I wrote the next book in the series and I need to edit it.

Brock: Can you give us a hint at the next book in the series? (If it’s a series)
Candice: There is a love triangle and a deadly ending. It’s not who you expect and not in the manner I expected.

Brock: What do you hope readers take away from the series?
Candice: I hope readers take away that they are more valuable than the things of this world. In Beatriz’s world, gifts give people value. But Beatriz had value before and after she received her gift.

Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author?
Candice: Honestly, I’ve been very discouraged lately with the whole publishing process. I have no idea where God is leading and I have no idea what it will look like. I can’t see myself not writing the stories in my head.

Brock: Sorry, for your discouragement. I understand the desire to share the stories that swirl around in our minds. I think both traditional and self-publishing of titles has a place in the overall book strategy for each author! Thanks for your open and honest answers!

Author Details

Author Name: Candice Pedraza Yamnitz
Author Bio: Candice Pedraza Yamnitz taught in a bilingual elementary classroom for years until she decided to stay-at-home and teach a crew of imaginative children. So in between reading lessons and converting cardboard boxes into pirate ships, she writes YA novels and chapter books with a Latin twist. She lives in her native Chicagoland.
Author Website: http://candiceyamnitz.com
Author Facebook: http://facebook.com/candiceyamnitz
Author Instagram: http://instagram.com/candiceyamnitz
Author TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@candiceyamnitz

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What do you want to be? Part 5

5/11/2024

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So what did I want to be? A paleontologist, an aerospace engineer, a brand and marketing manager, a...

I last left off in December with the start of my role at Adventures in Odyssey, among the rebranding of a brand I grew up on, I had the opportunity to work with amazing content creators and publishing partners to bring Adventures in Odyssey to people all over the world.

While there we would celebrate Adventures in Odyssey's 25th birdthay, which meant planning one of the biggest celebrations in the history of the brand. I can still recall sitting in my director's cube, when we had the idea for finding the next voice for Adventures in Odyssey.

Did you participate in Get in the Show? Yes that was what we called the 25th birthday celebration of Adventures in Odyssey! This celebration would consume the focus of a year of my life. With a nationwide search for the next voice for Adventures in Odyssey, that would be online and in over 400 Christian Retail stores nationwide, a live show in Dallas, and a finale in Colorado Springs. A new music video, and retail kits complete with backdrop, microphone, and amplifier. We had to review six thousand auditions, to find our final three, contestants who would come to Colorado Springs for a live finale, voted on by fans all over the world! It was a massive undertaking, with a team of a few, trying to do their day-to-day jobs, while pulling off one of hte largest events in Focus on the Family's history, with several never-been-attempted concepts for the ministry or brand! To me the most exciting part was that we found Shona, who still plays Connie's sister on Adventures in Odyssey! AMAZING!

The celebration boosted awareness to Adventures in Odyssey and was the largest project I had ever take on up to that point, little did I know my next task for Adventures in Odyssey would be even bigger and have even greater longterm impact. But we'll talk about that next month! For now enjoy this...

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Faith at the Edge: Servant’s Heart (Edge of the Galaxy)

5/11/2024

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STARLOG ENTRY 1.003
(SAMPLE FROM EDGE OF THE GALAXY)

With two new families— seven additional people in total— arriving on Provider in the next week, there is a lot of other work to be done, in addition to the tasks required for my family’s mission to Titan. My sister, Aurora, and I were assigned to set up one of the two empty living pods. The pods in this section of the orbital station still had to be furnished with beds, storage, a sitting area, and a workstation. And since Provider has simulated gravity, the task wouldn’t be as easy as zero-G pie.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know what to do; KEWD had loaded the diagram for the new spaces on my mTab, and the materials to complete the task were just outside in the corridor. I was confident I could handle this job; I’m good at working with my hands, at construction and general problem- solving. The problem was. . . why. I wasn’t going to be living in this pod. My family was already doing all the work preparing the settlement on Titan.

Why couldn’t the newcomers build their own pods?

“All right, no more procrastinating,” Aurora said. “We’ve got to get this done. We need to start with the beds. Since this one is for the Evolt family, we only need three.”

I took a deep breath and tapped the mTab. “What kind of name is Evolt?”

“What kind of name is Gavin?” Aurora countered, retrieving a long pole from the corridor.

“I still don’t understand why we have to do this,” I said. “It’s not written in our mission requirements to set up other families’ beds. We had to set up our own.”

But Aurora was focused. She locked a long support pole into place and then disappeared into the corridor for another. I followed and grabbed the netted bed frame. Once the second support was in place, I attached the bunk.

“We don’t even know these people,” I said. “I mean, not really. Sure, we’ve had vid- chats, but we don’t really know them. And Comet said they aren’t our type of people.”

Aurora stopping working for a moment and sighed. But then we got back on task. Once all three bunks were set up, the sitting area was next. We deployed a wide foam couch along with two chairs. Then we constructed a low, round table, using materials from out in the corridor. I grunted and plopped onto the couch, sinking into the responsive foam. “I think we’ve done enough.”

Aurora turned and lowered herself into a chair, then folded her hands. “Gavin, you’ve been complaining about this job a lot,” she began. “Do you recall the oath you took?”

My cheeks warmed.

“To serve others by selflessly going beyond the known limits of humankind,” Aurora quoted. “Did you know this was meant to speak not only to geographical or physical limits, but also our mental and emotional limits?”

Sure, I knew that. My parents had explained it to me, using a story from the Bible. I knew Aurora was about to remind me of that.

“Comet’s right in the fact that we are different from those who will be joining us on Titan, but our difference is exactly why we are setting up this pod. And remember that we are not only called to serve others, but to do so selflessly and often without reward,” Aurora said. “It’s like the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. The disciples considered Him their master, yet He served them by washing their dirty feet. He wasn’t required to; He did it to selflessly serve them, to show them compassion and love.”

“I. . .” Words escaped me; I knew she was right. But sometimes it was hard to live out what I read in the Bible. To be what I proclaimed to be.

“Look, Gav, I know it’s not easy. We’ve been working hard for a long time to prepare for this moment, and it feels like these two families are coming after we’ve put so much into this--and they will get to benefit from all our hard work.” Aurora paused and leaned forward. “But that’s also what we get to do. We get to benefit from what Jesus did on the cross. So, what really matters is that by our servanthood, others might come to know the love of Jesus. As Christians, we’re called to a higher standard.”

I nodded, “You’re right. I’m sorry for complaining.”

“No one said any of this would be easy,” she said. “Whether exploring a celestial body in space or serving the Creator of it all, we’ll always face challenges and adversity. Compared to some of the trials that other Christians throughout history have faced, this is pretty easy. But it might not always be, so we need to preparehowever we can.”

“Yeah, I guess I can finish a few more pieces of furniture,” I said. I stood and pulled Aurora to her feet. “I’ll try to do it with a smile on my face—and in my heart.”

“That’s the way,” Aurora said.

Devotional

Sometimes it’s a challenge to help others out, and it can even more difficult to help while having a good attitude and not complaining.

Aurora reminded Gavin about the time Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Back in Jesus’ time, men and women walked everywhere in sandals. The roads were made of dirt, which meant there was a lot of mud when it rained. On top of that, the primary means of transportation were horses, donkeys, and camels. Now what do you think was left all over the roads?

All that to say, feet are pretty gross. Yet, without hesitation, Jesus filled a bowl with water, knelt before His disciples, and washed their feet. Jesus wanted them to follow His example and show others the same kind of compassion and love He showed them.

Leaders aren’t more important than those who follow. And those who follow aren’t more important than those who lead.

God created every single person. He wants His children to be an example of His love to everyone they encounter.

Exploration Questions:

1. Read the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples found in John 13:1-20. What can you learn about the heart of Jesus from the way He treats His disciples?

2. How can you be an example of God’s love for the people you know? How can you be an example of God’s love to a stranger?

Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures

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Dear Mouse Princess by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

5/8/2024

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Book Details

Book Title: Dear Mouse Princess
Publisher: Concepcion Press
Back Cover Copy:
Nine-year-old Veva hopes to find a friend. When she sees a sad mouse-princess blow the seeds off a wishing flower, Veva decides to be the princess’s best friend and writes the mouse a letter.

Mouse Princes Iza does not want to be friends but will answer questions about her underground kingdom in exchange for chocolate. Veva and Mouse Princess Iza begin to make trades when trouble stirs in the underground mice world.

Audience: Grade school kids 2nd through 4th grade
Release Date: Dear Mouse Princess – December 2023

Interview

Brock: What was your inspiration for writing this book or series?
Candice: When I was a little girl, I liked to pretend that there was a whole mouse society living in the bushes and under our houses. They had clothes and jobs like we did. They would let me drive them around on my bike. Yes, I was the weirdo girl talking to myself and stopping in front of neighbors’ yards to let the mice off the bike.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique?
Candice: Veva is spunky and lonely. She wants a friend and decides the mouse she spies in her backyard will be her best friend. She has a brother she doesn’t appreciate because he plays weird imaginary games that she’s not that into.

Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.
Candice: I based Memo off my son. Veva is a mixture of people.

Brock: In three sentences (or you can choose three words) what is this book about?
Candice: Veva decides she’s going to be friends with a Mouse Princess she finds in her backyards and starts writing her letters. Things don’t go according to plan.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?
Candice: Dear Mouse Princess was written before I started plotting. This one went through many different versions. The characters ran the show.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?
Candice: I believe everyone has felt friendless at some point in their lives. This will help them feel seen and show them that their quirks are nothing to hide.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?
Candice: Contemporary fantasy is my favorite to write. There is something about feeling like you can actually experience something fantastical.

Brock: How many books are planned for this series?
Candice: I have no plans either way with this one. It really depends on the readers’ responses.

Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination?
Candice: I did a lot of research on mice for this one. Mice don’t live very long and I guess cheese is not their favorite food.

Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?
Candice: I hope for this to be a fun read to chat about friendships, anger, siblings, and handling conflict.

Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series?
Candice: I hope they take away being kind, learning to share, and appreciating their siblings. Friendships are a hard thing to maneuver.

Brock: Where do you like to write?
Candice: I wrote Dear Mouse Princess at the dining room table one month in April. It was my favorite spot. Now, I write at my desk.

Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?
Candice: I’m a full-time homeschooling mom and a part-time writer.

Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book?
Candice: It depends on the book. I can finish a chapter book in a week, a novella in a month, and a novel in two months.

Brock: What do you hope readers take away from the series?
Candice: I hope readers take away that they are more valuable than the things of this world. In Beatriz’s world, gifts give people value. But Beatriz had value before and after she received her gift.

Brock: Thank you!

Author Details

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Ruthless by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Book Details

Interview

Author Details

What do you want to be? Part 5

Faith at the Edge: Servant’s Heart (Edge of the Galaxy)

STARLOG ENTRY 1.003
(SAMPLE FROM EDGE OF THE GALAXY)

Devotional

Exploration Questions:

Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures

Dear Mouse Princess by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Book Details

Interview

Author Details

Follow me

Join Phoenix eNews

Share a Joke.

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Ruthless by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Book Details

Interview

Author Details

What do you want to be? Part 5

Faith at the Edge: Servant’s Heart (Edge of the Galaxy)

STARLOG ENTRY 1.003 ​(SAMPLE FROM EDGE OF THE GALAXY)

Devotional

Exploration Questions:

Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures

Dear Mouse Princess by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Book Details

Interview

Author Details

Follow me

Join Phoenix eNews

Share a Joke.

Archives

Categories

STARLOG ENTRY 1.003
(SAMPLE FROM EDGE OF THE GALAXY)