This week the Grace Awards Launch is showcasing Ken Winters' The Lost Crown of Colonnade. He was recently interviewed by fellow author and friend Tammy Doherty. Transcripts of that interview follow the book and author information. Check it out!
About the Book
Davey Johnsen
is a physically challenged fourteen-year-old from a wealthy community in
Connecticut. In a moment he exchanges the comfort of his beautiful home for the
rugged terrain of an unknown land.
There he
meets six faithful companions who join him in the perilous journey to reclaim
“The Lost Crown of Colonnade.” One of
them is the most beautiful young lady he has ever met, the teenager, Princess
Alisande.
Is it all a
dream, or are his new friends and the enemies he faces very real? Will this
band of seven accomplish their quest, or will they fall victim to the
overwhelming forces of the Evil King of Necrus and his Master, Dagron? The
answers can only be discovered between the covers of “The Lost Crown of
Colonnade.” www.lostcrownofcolonnade.com
About the Author
“The Lost Crown of Colonnade” is Ken Winters’ first novel. Ken resides with his
wife of 41 years, Connie, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Since
retiring from the U.S. Navy Chaplain
Corps in 2004 he has served in that rural town as Associate Pastor at the First
Congregational Church(CCCC). They have two adult children and one joyful
grandson. Holding a deep concern for the youth of our nation, his goal is to
provide fun, wholesome adventures that both entertain and communicate hope in
the perilous world of today. Buy
The Lost Crown of Colonnade on AMAZON!
Interview with Ken (by Tammy Doherty)
I’m pleased to have
this opportunity to interview my friend and fellow author, Ken Winters. Be sure
to leave a comment for a chance to win a FREE copy of THE
LOST CROWN OF COLONNADE.
When I was a teen, Ken
Winters and his wife Connie played a big part in the foundation of my faith.
Back then, Ken was the Youth Minister at my church; he led a musical group
(made up of many of my friends) called True Direction. I did Ken the favor of
not singing. Later, Ken joined the Navy Chaplain service and we fell out
of touch for a number of years. When he retired and came back to my church as
Associate Pastor it was a great joy to learn that Ken had become an aspiring
novelist.
In the last few years, Ken and I have both grown in our writing
abilities, each helping the other. Now, Ken’s dream has reached fruition with
the publication of his young adult novel THE LOST CROWN OF COLONNADE. I LOVE this book!
It’s got action, adventure, a touch of romance, humor, and (most important?!)
talking bears.
Tammy: Seems like
youth ministry is near and dear to your heart. Can you touch on that?
Ken: Yes, Tammy.
As you know, from 1976-83 I served as Youth Pastor in North Brookfield. Then
God led me into the Navy and for twenty years I primarily ministered to and
counseled young adults and young families. So, the societal changes that affect
them have been obvious and important to me.
Tammy: Is that what
led you to write a young adult novel?
Ken: It was a part of
it. Of course, this book “developed” over many years. I don’t think it
would have ever been completed if it weren’t for the encouragement of the
Writers’ Group at our Church, and friends like you and Kay Combs. My hope was
that this book might get some teens or young adults to re-think their values
and beliefs. I have to mention that, while I did write this book with that
audience in mind, the book has been read and enjoyed by people from 11 to 92!
The 92-year-old, a dear friend named Mike, read it in a couple of days about 2
months before the Lord called him home.
Tammy: In THE
LOST CROWN OF COLONNADE,
Davey comes from a dysfunctional home where he has all the worldly goods a boy
could want but is missing the most important thing – love. Do you see this as a
common problem with today’s kids?
Ken: The American
family today is in big trouble. At least Davey’s parents are still together.
Unlike him, many of the teens and young adults I have met come from broken
homes. Sometimes there have been multiple relationships that parents have had
with multiple other spouses and/or “significant others” over the years. That
doesn’t create a very stable place to grow in and learn about what a family
should be.
I do find that, even
among less affluent families, “THINGS” have become way too important. The
biggest HDTV, the newest cell phone or I-Pad bring a temporary thrill, but no
deep meaning. When obtaining and playing with things supplants building loving
relationships with others, or the God who created us, the results are emptiness
or hurt or both.
Tammy: Some of the characters and scenery in your novel are
reminiscent of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. I like the conversational voice of the
writing, almost as if I’m sitting by the fire in Bundiggle’s trading post,
listening to you tell the story. Your humorous author interjections are much
like Tolkien in THE HOBBIT. Were these authors an influence in your writing
style and/or the choice of setting?
Ken: I love C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. Their books are very
different, yet pack a message that is deeper than just the story. I know that
the “rules of writing” discourage directly addressing your audience in the
first person. However, after I submitted my book to XULON Press, I
happened to read Stephen Kings The Eyes of the Dragon. Actually,
I’ve never read any of his horror stories. They are not my thing. But I
had heard that this book was a very different book for King. I was surprised to
find that he adopted that writing style. So at least I’m not alone.
Tammy: Davey comes from Connecticut, where you were last
stationed with the Navy. Colonnade, however, is a fictitious land. Are there
any real-world influences on the setting? For example, Davey arrives in a cave
and crawls through a tunnel to exit, finding himself on the side of a dead (or
sleeping) volcano. Is that a bit of Hawaii?
Ken: No, it’s a bit of Colonnade’s Northern Reaches.
Obviously, there are things I have used from my own personal travels to the
Rocky Mountains, Europe, the Dominican Republic and even Caverns here in the
Continental US. But I did not consciously model Colonnade after any one
of those places.
Tammy: THE LOST CROWN ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I don’t
want to spoil it for anyone, but can you share a little about book 2?
Ken: Hmmm. Book 2 is a work in progress. Many of the key
characters return to take their respective places in the next adventure. I
won’t tell you which characters. I believe there will be some surprises in
store for those who have enjoyed The Lost Crown. The working
title right now is “The Enchanted Bride” Book II of the Journeys to Colonnade.
Tammy: Wrapping up on
a lighter note, my daughter wants me to ask this question – quoting from
the novel: Most of the talking bears I know prefer small quiet farm
villages, or just living in the woods like Snuffles.
How many talking bears DO you know?
How many talking bears DO you know?
Ken: Well, since I first read, The Chronicles of
Narnia when I was about fourteen, in the land of my imagination I’ve
met many talking animals. Haven’t you? But remember, make sure you’ve heard
that bear talk before you try to make him or her your friend!
Tammy: Thank you, Ken, for sharing your time with us. Is there
anything you’d like to add?
Ken: Like your own writing, your questions have been fun
and insightful. I’ve really enjoyed this interview, which is no great
surprise. Thanks for a great time and God bless!
The Lost Crown of Colonnade thrusts a
physically-challenged teen, Davey Johnsen, and readers into a new land where
dangers abound. There they meet the regent of the land, his daughter, Princess
Alisande, Snuffles the talking bear, and Captain William of Conklinton. While the regent and his vastly outnumbered
army faces hordes of Vulture Soldiers and the dreaded Werebane of Nethland,
Davey, Alisande and their faithful band take on the quest of recovering the
legendary Lost Crown of Colonnade. Adventure, a budding young romance, and a
journey of faith meld into a touching and unpredictable fantasy. The book has
received wonderful reviews from readers aged 12 to 92. Buy
The Lost Crown of Colonnade on AMAZON!
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