“Battle of Lion Rock” by D.J. Williams … and a GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to Friday Reads!

 

 

 

#Giveaway to win a print copy of Battle of Lion Rock by D.J. Williams, courtesy of the publisher. (US ONLY!) Enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of the post. (Contest ends January 10, 2025) Share on X If you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information to pass along to the publisher.

 

 

 

About the book…

Ladened with guilt over the innocent lives lost in the war, Jack Reynolds is more determined than ever to honor his sister’s promise. He must fulfill a quest to unite supernatural artifacts missing for centuries and hunted by the Cherub, followers of Elyon, and the Merikh, an evil group seeking world domination. With Eden’s Star as their guide, Jack and Emma journey from this world into other realms to uncover ancient secrets buried in a legendary battle. What they discover could alter the course of history.

Back at Beacon Hill, tensions are rising among the Cherub. Friendships and alliances are tested as great loss divides the followers of Elyon. While the thief of Dragon Soul seeks greater power, a dark force from centuries ago has awakened in a realm untouchable since the Mercy Covenant. Revenge rooted in the past collides with the present, forcing Jack to fight against his greatest fear as a legendary warrior’s unrelenting power threatens the destruction of everything and everyone he loves.

Battle of Lion Rock is the third novel in the Beacon Hill series, an epic young adult supernatural fantasy that launches you on an action-packed quest for ancient artifacts, secret realms, and true allies. This book is for readers who love fantasy, incredible world building, adventure, found family, loyal friendships, a taste of romance, and the ultimate gift: forgiveness.

 

Q&A

 

Q:  What inspired you to write the Beacon Hill series? Can you tell us about the research that went into writing this novel?
A:  As an expat who grew up in Hong Kong until my mid-teens, I always wanted to write a supernatural YA series rooted in that part of the world with characters inspired by many of my childhood friends. As the series has progressed, Jack Reynolds and his band of misfits find themselves traveling throughout Asia and beyond into other supernatural realms. It’s been an evolution I never imagined would finally make it onto the  page, but with Battle of Lion Rock the dream of the trilogy has gone beyond what I ever imagined.

I guess you could say the research has taken decades, as I’ve allowed my imagination to run free, rooted in my travels and life experience—while revisiting my years growing up in Kowloon and the adventurous path that I have traveled since. As the years have passed, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for where I was raised and the countries and places I have experienced firsthand. From the city lights across Asia to the  jungles of Africa to the rivers and mountains of South America, I’ve been inspired to bring readers into these incredible settings while taking them even further into supernatural realms that will leave them holding on tight. Now with Battle of Lion Rock on the verge of being released, I have the satisfaction that all my inspiration and research has brought readers an epic story that began as a spark of an idea in my imagination.

Q:  You used your many travels as inspiration for the settings of the series. How can young people benefit from experiencing other cultures?
A:  In today’s world, whether you’re a young person or part of an older generation, isolation can creep into our lives even though social  platforms are more popular than ever. As I’ve met many young people over the last few years, it’s become clear that validation is often based on views, clicks, and likes. Growing up, I never had this distraction because it didn’t exist yet—but it is definitely a challenge today not to get sucked into watching the world around me rather than experiencing the world and other cultures firsthand.  

I’ve learned from cross-cultural experiences to broaden my perspective on society and expand my worldview beyond my immediate surroundings. There is a greater emphasis on diversity in today’s culture, and there is also an opportunity for greater empathy and tolerance if we choose to respect the differences in our beliefs, traditions, and points of
view. We don’t have to all agree, but we should be able to have conversations that grow and encourage friendship. And we can find creativity, fresh inspiration, and connection by engaging in diverse cultural expressions—art, music, cuisines, storytelling.

Young people face a great challenge to fight against isolation masked as engagement and to broaden their experience across various cultures that allow them to adapt amid unfamiliar environments in a globalized world that is constantly changing. Overall, experiencing other cultures enriches young people’s lives by offering them a broader perspective while fostering diverse friendships, as well as offering an enriching experience that will help them thrive in a multicultural world for a lifetime.

Q:  You wrote this series with the intent of creating books that are clean and uplifting (while also thrilling and adventure-filled). Why was this focus important to you?
A:  Clean and uplifting stories can deeply resonate with readers and provide moments of joy, empathy, and reflection, fostering a meaningful connection between the reader and the characters’ journeys. Thrilling and adventure-filled stories, especially those wrapped in the  supernatural, captivate readers’ imaginations and transport them to exciting worlds. Such stories not only entertain but stimulate creativity and curiosity, encouraging readers to explore new ideas and possibilities. Creating the Beacon Hill series as a clean, uplifting, thrilling, and  adventurous read is important because I want to provide readers—especially young adults—with a story that offers a positive influence through lessons that will travel with them beyond the last page. In a world where negativity and cynicism can be pervasive, uplifting themes such as courage, friendship, forgiveness, and resilience provide readers with hope and inspiration. And I believe these themes and the story within the pages of Beacon Hill resonate with readers and encourage them to embrace not only positive values in their own lives but a search for deeper faith.

As an author, I want my stories to reflect in some way my personal values and the faith that has been rooted in my soul since I was eight years old. Crafting the Beacon Hill series has allowed me to embody those values and to share underlying messages with readers that I hope will last a lifetime. Ultimately, my mission in writing Beacon Hill is to offer readers an enriching, entertaining, and uplifting experience.

Q:  How do you hope this series will impact readers?
A:  My hope is that the series will inspire readers of all ages to face daunting challenges with courage and resilience. Through the journeys of Jack and his band of misfits, readers may find encouragement to confront their own obstacles and adversities in life.

As I’ve mentioned, the series explores forgiveness, faith, friendship, and the complexities of family. I hope these themes provoke reflection among readers about their own beliefs, relationships, and values. By portraying characters dealing with loss, grief, and the search for meaning, Beacon Hill offers an entertaining space for readers to empathize and process their own emotions. I hope it will encourage them to explore how they navigate difficult feelings and to find strength in challenging times. From the first page, the series demonstrates the power of inner strength and the importance of supportive relationships to encourage personal growth and the pursuit of resilience in the face of adversity. Through the search for supernatural artifacts and the exploration of faith, the series digs deeper into cultural and spiritual awareness, culminating in the last book of the trilogy, Battle of Lion Rock. Along my own journey, I’ve found friends and a compass that guides my steps. My hope is readers will discover the same.

Along with exploring thoughtful themes, Beacon Hill also aims to entertain and bring enjoyment to readers searching for escapism and exploration wrapped in an adventurous plot, engaging characters, ancient mysteries, and the unpredictable. By weaving together the supernatural with profound human experiences, readers will be challenged to engage with deep questions about identity, relationships, and the journey toward deeper faith. I believe this combination of adventure, introspection, and moral and spiritual exploration resonates strongly with readers. When the final page of Battle of Lion Rock is turned, my hope is readers will be further along their journey in this world toward the great beyond.

 

Thanks. I’m sure my readers enjoyed learning more about you and your book.

 

About D.J. Williams…

With the DNA of a world traveler, D. J. Williams was born and raised in
Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit. Providing a fresh voice in
mystery, suspense, and YA fantasy, Williams’s novels have climbed the
charts, ranking as high as #1 on Amazon Hot New Releases. His
books The Auctioneer and Hunt for Eden’s Star have received stellar
reviews from Kirkus Reviews, the most trusted voice in book discovery. The trailers and documentary of his latest YA series, Beacon Hill, have reached over 1.8 million views. Battle of Lion Rock is book three in the Beacon Hill series. Williams has also been an executive producer and director on over five hundred episodes of broadcast television. To learn more, visit djwilliamsbooks.com.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Rules for giveaway can be found here.