Genre: YA Fantasy/Adventure
Synopsis:
Evil stalks her. True love finds her. Destiny claims her.
Rose wakes from a coma to find her life has changed forever.
Her parents were killed in the accident that nearly claimed her life. Now orphaned, her mother’s sister brings her to live in the country with her cousins, who quickly make their resentment known.
Once courageous and full of life, she only wants to be left alone to wallow in the murky shades of grief. Yet, evil stalks her dreams, and fate moves her towards her destiny.
Ghostly meetings, attacks under the cloak of storms, and a threatening dark presence brings danger and adventure to Rose, her cousin and new friend. Her special abilities, known to no one, must remain a secret – somehow.
The trio uncover a portal that takes them to a magical kingdom threatened by an evil creature thirsting for eternal darkness. Only one can stop him . . .
Already heart-broken after the loss of her parents, Rose struggles to deal with the hostility from her cousins, the constant danger, and the guilt that keeps her from Diamond, her horse. But, she is totally unprepared for a turn of events that has staggering consequences. Her special abilities are strengthened as she is tested, time and again.
Birth of a Destiny is the first book in the Light Bearer series. It is the beginning of a tale of a lost champion, found by fate and guided by love – growing through adversity and turmoil – on a journey that becomes a crusade. Readers will join Rose, a young girl crossing to a young woman who must travel dangerous and unexpected paths to recapture her warrior spirit, heal her heart and claim her destiny.
Review by Keagan Rae
I really enjoyed this book! I wish it had been around when I was in my early teens and just getting into reading, but regardless of that, it is a fun read. It's a mix of some of my favourite genres that I never even thought would work well together in one book, but I was proved wrong with this one!
I definitely can't wait for the next book!
About the Author
Her love affair with writing began nine years ago, when her first child was still a baby. Since then, between working part-time and parenting a brood of scrumptious children, she has been writing during little stitches of “free” time in coffee shops, kitchen tables, libraries, and her study.
She now lives with her husband and three children in Melbourne, Australia where she is a Change Manager and Author.
T.R. Milne finds inspiration for writing in all the things that bring light into her life T.R. Milne loves writing for Young Adults, stirring their fertile imaginations and eager sense of adventure. Birth of a Destiny, the first in the Light Bearer series, is her debut novel.
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Interview
I was initially inspired to write Birth of a Destiny when my eldest daughter was about one year old. I was craving a creative outlet and decided to write a book. I had always loved fantasy books, so I knew mine would be one, too. I was also inspired by the farm where I grew up - in a ghostly, creaky old house, with horses to ride, creeks to swim in and room for my imagination to grow wild. I feel very connected to this farm and it evokes such a strong sense of place for me, so it became the setting for Birth of a Destiny. Once I had my setting, the broad story line came together quite easily.
How long did it take you to write Birth of a Destiny?
It took me nine years from the time that I started writing to when I published Birth of a Destiny. In between those years, I learnt the craft of writing, had three children and continued to work part-time. The second book in the Light Bearer series will only take about one year from start to finish - thank goodness. I have read that it takes about 10 000 hours (5 years full time) to become a good writer, and I believe this to be true. So much of writing Birth of a Destiny was about learning the craft of writing.
Do you write every single day?
I wish! I work part-time and am a parent to three young children, so I don't get to write every day. When I am writing a draft of my book, I try to write three to four times a week. It is my dream to write every day, so ask me again in a few years and hopefully I will have a different answer.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Food is such a big factor in my book (and my life), so it's no surprise that my writing time starts with a home-made chai tea, toast and jam. I put on my oil burner a dear friend gave me, and then, I start work. I don't stop until have one or two chapters down on paper.
I try and write even when I am tired, cranky and just want to crawl back into bed with a good book. But, if we waited for the perfect times to write, when we feel refreshed, motivated and generally awesome, books would never get written. It is a job - so showing up is mandatory.
Have you attended any book signings or conventions as an author?
I have only just published my first book, so whilst I haven't had many opportunities yet, I have been lucky enough to sign hundreds of bookmarks as presents to students at my school author visits. When one student told me he would always keep my book mark, words can't say how honoured I felt.
Tell us some more about your book:
I like nothing more than slipping into the pages of a book, so I have written Birth of a Destiny so that its readers can do just that: jump off every-day life and enter another world where mystery and magic rule. Birth of a Destiny is a layered book, and what I mean by that is that underneath the storyline where Rose is sizing up to battle the darkness, she is also fighting her own dark demons after losing both of her parents in a car accident. The light vs dark storyline circles around each other in a dance, and the reader will have to read all of the Light Bearer series to find out who ultimately wins.
How far do you plan to continue this series?
I won't be stopping until all of the books in the Light Bearer series are published, and then I'll start writing some more. I am not sure whether there will be three or four books in the series at the moment, but either way, I will tell the story that is waiting to be told.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks so much for hosting my on-line book tour - you've asked some fantastic questions.