Some time ago, I mentioned that I was going to publish a book that had a message about compassion for all sentient beings, and finally, finally, it is here! I published it last night, at midnight exactly, when this day, 20 May 2020 began.
Thorn Heart is very special to me, because I finished writing it years ago, but in 2017, a fake publisher stole it from me, and it took me a while before I got my work back. Then I left the manuscript on my USB, untouched, for months on end. Last year, I decided to publish it, it was high time, and now it is finally available on Amazon and Smashwords; it is also free on Kindle Unlimited.
Publishing it after all this time and after so many setbacks feels like victory.
If you would like to read the full story on why and how my manuscript was stolen, please click here to read more.
What is Thorn Heart about?
Let me share the book blurb with you here.
In 2285, it would be exactly two hundred years since the Mountain and the Valley Kingdoms had been created. It had taken time and many errors, even when everyone did their best to avoid the mistakes of the past that had led to destruction of life.
The human world was destroyed. Technology was gone, electricity and running water were no more, whole cities had been obliterated, and food supply was scarce. The survivors awoke to a new world where humans once more were weak and defenseless, stripped of their protective towns and comforts, tools and weapons, machinery and cars. The food chain was no longer what humans had created and believed, but it reverted to how it had been before they took over the world. All they had left now was their common sense and the will to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.
They knew their place.
They knew that they could not repeat past mistakes.
Never again.
****
Two kingdoms, opposed in philosophy and action
The Mountain Kingdom is a place of peace and respect for all sentient beings. The Valley Kingdom clings to the old destructive ways.
Special talents such as animal speech, top speed, and other superhuman attributes are honed and revered in the Mountains, but non-existent in the Valley.
Luna, a young noblewoman with the talent of animal speech, and Prince Storm of the Mountain are betrothed, and nothing seems to stand in the way of their arranged marriage. Storm is a good man and Luna needs an escape from her abusive home.
Bluntax, the Valley king, has long desired everything the Mountain Kingdom possesses, and the upcoming royal wedding between Luna and Storm might be just what he needs to provoke the Mountain Kingdom into a battle they cannot win. His son, Thorn, is his strongest asset and the only man who can help him succeed.
The Mountain Kingdom is unprepared for the threats from the Valley, but when Thorn meets Luna, events are set in motion, forcing them both to make decisions that could change their fates forever.
While human and animal refugees seek shelter in the Mountains to flee the terrors of the Valley, King Bluntax prepares for war.
Thorn finds his destiny intrinsically linked to Luna and he must decide. Will he betray her and help his father achieve victory or will he forsake his family and stand by the woman who is also engaged to his rival?
****
So, the story portrays a conflict between two worlds, one (the Mountain Kingdom) whose society is based on compassion and one (the Valley Kingdom) that is based on exploitation. The Valley wants what the Mountain has and plans to take it by force.
Animals and humans must team up to fight this common evil that is threatening to destroy their peaceful way of life.
Something You May Not Have Known About Me
Besides blogging about vegan food, life, and tips, I am also a published author, and Thorn Heart is different from anything I have ever written. I did, however, write a similar story when I was only six years old – which is a very long time ago, lol. It had different characters and a different plot, but the message was the same and the setting was similar.
When I started writing this tale in 2016, I did not recall my writing project when I was six, although I had cherished the memory of it all my life. Nevertheless, a few days ago I started remembering my very first unpublished book, and that is why I am doubly pleased that now, decades later, I subconsciously managed to revive that story and publish it.
It is interesting that I – at six years old – knew nothing about animal exploitation and the way the world operated in general, but I already wanted to share the message of compassion for all and to stop destruction of our habitats when that was also something I had no clue about yet. This is why Thorn Heart is special. And no worries, this was not written by a six-year-old, I am a few decades older now, just a few, lol.
I hope you’ll give Thorn Heart a read and support this vegan author. It is available on Amazon and Smashwords, and it is also free on Kindle Unlimited. On Thursday, 22 May, I will create a paperback version of this book.
If you decide to purchase Thorn Heart or read it for free on Kindle Unlimited, and you enjoy the story, could you please leave a book review on my Amazon page (or Goodreads)? A review can be as short as a Facebook update, and it really helps the author to get noticed.
Thank you! Have a wonderful day!
You enraptured me within a few lines of the text of your new book. It is interesting to me to consider a fictional-futuristic work as anything other than science-fiction, which can simply mean science that is realistic but hasn’t been proven yet, like that of Isaac Asimov, or the truly fictional concepts of some writers that base their feigned ideas on purely random thoughts that have no bearing in reality and often contradict science. But you’ve gone another direction which I find interesting, and perhaps more believable. The future may have less technology, as you’ve stated. That actually makes sense to me when we consider the fact that technology could be our downfall. If we lose that for whatever reason, we learn to live in the valley. We learn to thrive in the mountains. No running water and no electricity. When sunset falls, so does the valley. Whoever sees the sun first has the upper hand. What a different world than what we predict. I dig your book as far as what I’ve read. What will it look like in two hundred plus years? George Orwell had many decades in advance of his controversial book, 1984. But he was eerily on target with the big picture, even though the fulfillment is just now happening. The movies about AI are realistic, although currently somewhat fictional. The Matrix? Are we there yet? No, but we are closing in on that territory technologically. But the opposite direction could well be the not too distant future. Technology, warfare, obliteration, starting over. This may have happened before!
I enjoyed your post and look forward to more.
Darrin
Hi Darrin!
George Orwell was really not so far off topic with 1984, that is eerily true. I always often wonder what the world will be like in 200 years. Remember Back to the Future 3 where Marty travelled to 2012 and we had flying cars in the movie? Lol, that didn’t quite happen, although I have read about some car models that were built to fly, interesting, isn’t it?
I also think that a fictional-futuristic work with less technology is indeed less common and perhaps that could be more realistic, seeing how technology is indeed destroying much of the world.I appreciate your thoughts on this. Now, you made me think even more about that.
Thank you for you great comment!
Hey again,
Wow! That’s a fantastic thing to accomplish. First, I want to say, “Congratulations.” Being a writer is a challenging but amazing at the same time. It is a great way to tickle our brain with all of these fantastic imaginations and core thinking to develop a masterpiece like your book.
I am pretty sure so many people are going to love your book Thorn Heart. I am one of these people! I love to read sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure books in general. However, I enjoy reading other amazing books, as well. Also, I am open to reading new books all the time because most of the time, I find hidden golds!
Also, I am sorry someone tried to steal your hard work! Unfortunately, many people are like that. They are like parasites. But, it is always the best to never give up and keep going because whatever they do, they will never reach you. It sure took you a lot of time to write your book, and now you can celebrate publishing it.
Hi Mohammad!
Thank you! I hope people will love my book! It is very different from what I’ve ever written and also different in what is usually published, so I hope it will make an impact.
Thank you for visiting my blog again!
Have a beautiful day!
First off – I can’t believe someone stole your book! I hope everything is resolved by now.
Really intrigued by your book Thorn Heart – to be honest, science fiction isn’t exactly my genre but you got me hooked when this is post-apocalyptic time. And I love how you got us questioning whether Thorn will be uphold his family or forsake them.
Would definitely give Thorn Heart a read! And all the very best to your writing success 🙂
Hi Wina!
Although the story is set in a future time, it does not feel like science fiction at all, because there is no technology and no aliens. It is mostly fantasy set in a future time. I hope you will give my book a try 🙂
Thank you for your comment!
Oh Gosh! Your Thorn Heart made me daydream for you that one day you will be on Netflix series or movie. It really sounds very exciting… Congratulations on your latest book and I can’t wait to get my copy. You really are rocking, probably that “Scam Publisher” stole your work years ago.
Thanks for the inspiration. You mentioned, you already published several books before, can you send me the links to your other books, please? Are they also on Amazon?
Hi Che!
Wow, Netflix, yes, that would be a wonderful achievement 🙂 I would love that!
If you like to see my other books, there are here on Amazon, here is the link to my author profile where all my books are listed. >==> Christine Duts on Amazon
I also have a 5-book series in the historical fantasy genre, I am sharing the link for that too. >==> Aurelie Series
All books are available as Kindle and paperback.
Thanks for your comment and I hope you enjoy my book! Feel free to leave a review on Amazon if you like it. Those reviews are always a great support. 🙂
Congratulations on your release. I got trapped by the blurb. The story is really something!
This seems to me one of those books that will totally trap you from end to end, and keep you at the edge.
I am really looking forward to get it and for what I have seen so far I am sure I will really enjoy it.
And I will be back and tell you more afterwards.
Hi Pablo!
Thank you! I hope you like it. And yes, please tell me about it later, I would love to hear your thoughts! 🙂
A very interesting plot indeed! The stage seems set for a repeat of what led to the world’s present state – mindless destruction of lives!
It looks like only true love can prevent the looming war between the Valley and Mountain Kingdoms. I would love to see how the story turns out.
I hope that all who read Thorn Heart will understand that what the world needs is true love. I look forward to getting a copy of your book.
So much can be solved with love and forgiveness, and that is also an important theme in this book. Thank you for getting a copy of my book!
Have a nice day 🙂
Hello there, This is an amazing article that you have got here. To be honest with you, I perceive that this book title ‘thorn heart’ is going to be worth the reading. As I go through the introduction that you shared here in this article I felt the urge to get this book. I love the story line and I am so keen on finding out how it played.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi!
Thank you very much! I hope you enjoy reading it 🙂
I know that finding a good article does not come by so easily so i must commend your effort in creating such a beautiful website and writing an article to help others with useful information like this.wow its a nice book you’ve written,i actually like the story line.the story portrays a conflict between two worlds,between the mountain kingdom and the valley kingdom,The Mountain Kingdom is a place of peace and respect for all sentient beings. The Valley Kingdom clings to the old destructive ways..As a kid i’ve always pondered on how the future or the world would look like in a 100yrs from now.but from the current happenings in the world,i think there’s actually going to be a threat to the human species in time to come,we just dont know how and when.its a lovely piece from me,looking forward to hear from you
Thank you for your comment, Wilson!