This year I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful fantasy novel by a new author - Kelly Komm. In fact, part of my review is on the front cover of...

Sacrifice

ISBN-10: 0-7414-4254-X

Publish date: December 2007

Trade paperback; 194 pages; $13.95

Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure

Recommended for: YA/Teens and Adult

Mystical and rich with vivid description.

After her parents are slaughtered by the evil Garshu, young Nell is raised by Garick, a wise elf who shelters her and protects her from danger by passing her off as an elf child. Until the day Nell discovers the truth. She is Human, a race that is thought to be nearly extinct.

Accompanied by Garick and a band of fascinating characters, Nell sets off on a perilous journey to rid the world of the bloodthirsty Garshulan soldiers, to destroy once and for all the Garshula and their nests, and to find justice for her parents’ death.

Kelly Komm’s writing is lyrical, moving and engaging. Mystical and rich with vivid description, Sacrifice is a mix of fantasy and adventure that will keep you turning the pages until the very last one. It is one of those rare finds, and although it is marketed as young adult fiction, even adult readers will enjoy this entertaining novel. I certainly did.

You can order Sacrifice HERE.

This year for Christmas, I gave out a few Chapters/Indigo gift cards. Strangely enough, I didn't get any in my stocking. :(

But I did get Tim Horton's and Starbucks cards. (They know me sooo well!)

With all of the book signings I've done over the years, I am still surprised at how many people in Edmonton (and possibly across Canada) aren't aware that the Chapters gift cards are actually good for the following stores:

• Chapters
• Indigo Books & Music
• Coles
• Smithbooks

Amazon gift cards are good for...well...Amazon (as far as I know, that's it).

So for those of you who received either of these cards, I invite you to consider ordering some of my novels. January is a great month to start reading again. Reward yourself and give yourself permission to relax and enjoy some time to yourself.

*Anyone who orders my books in January can email me and request a personalized and autographed bookplate and a colorful bookmark.

If you have an Amazon gift card, here are the links to my books:

• Whale Song                $10.36 US
• The River                   $22.50 US
• Divine Intervention    $22.50 US

If you have an Chapters/Indigo gift card, here are the links to my books:

• Whale Song                $13.95 Cdn ($13.25 with iRewards
• The River                    $17.15 Cdn ($16.29 with iRewards)
• Divine Intervention   $17.15 Cdn ($16.29 with iRewards )

Want to see the original cover of Whale Song (2003)?

You can read about my book covers, how they came to be, who created them and then vote on which cover you prefer--

the 2003 cover with artwork by my good friend and internationally acclaimed marine artist David Miller...

or the new 2007 edition cover by the talented Kam Wai Yu of Persona Corp.

Check out the Whale Song book covers at:

Judge a Book by the Cover

I hope your Christmas was filled with joy, fun and family.

Below is part of an email that Jan from Alliance for Children's Enrichment sent me. It's a short update on what turned out to be an amazing part of my Christmas celebration this year--and I hope for all of the authors, publishers, reviewers and anyone who donated books, gifts or money.

"We finished up the Christmas Drive fairly successfully. We were able to give books to almost every child remaining, even those who didn't ask for them, thanks in great part to you and your efforts. Two publishers sent multiple books. We also had another publisher send a box of books for younger children. Your efforts must have inspired other publishers and bookstores, who also sent us boxes of books. We started getting lots of books from lots of places. I don't remember where they all were from, but we kept the cartons to send tax letters and thank you cards after we go back to work next Thursday. We never did get every child sponsored, but we got most of them. The books really helped out more than you realize in the end. Every book we received was given out.

Again, thank you for everything you did to help us with Christmas. Please pass my appreciation along to everyone who heeded your call for help.

Happy New Year
Jan"

This is what Christmas is really all about.

Read more about the Alliance for Children's Enrichment wish list, a special project that is close to my heart.

I wish you all the very best in 2008.
 
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Bestselling author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
http://www.whalesongbook.com
http://www.cherylktardif.com

I was featured in the Edmonton Journal on the front page of the CityPlus section - Dec. 13th issue. I was interviewed about the nonprofit organization Alliance for Children's Enrichment in Newnan, Georgia.

Read about Cheryl in the Edmonton Journal.