Tag: Illustrations

Celebration!

July 14th is the third anniversary of the first book’s release in the Shadow Journey series. The Shadows We Make made its debut on that day. I can’t believe it’s been three years since this journey (no pun intended) began!

Since then, The Thrice-Gifted Child, The Sleeping Myth, and the fourth and final book, In Darkness We Break have been released. This YA series–although not only for the teen audience, which many can attest to–has been a source of excitement and joy for me. I LOVE these characters in ways I’ve never fallen for any of my characters in the past.

Many people have asked if there will be more books in the series. I’ve talked about doing a collection of back stories, but I’ve delayed, because honestly, I think they need a whole new quest in their lives.

Not right now, though. I have several other books I am working on. But I am, indeed, teetering on the edge of a return to the strange, alien world with ties to our own in which the Shadow Journey series is set. It’s calling me more strongly than I would ever have expected.

However, I’ve gotten off topic. I was talking about an anniversary celebration. There is, of course, another anniversary in the near future. The anniversary of the last book’s release. But that’s a discussion for another day. As far as this one, the covers for all the e-books in the series have been remade with illustrations by a talented young illustrator named Hampton Lamoureux. So, I am sharing them here with you all. The more I look at them, the more I think they are FABULOUS! 🙂

And if this post has inspired you to read the series, please let me know what you think of it! You can also find out more at my Jo Allen Ash website (joallenash.com).

A Visit from St. Nicholas

A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore
(a little fun for the holidays with this great holiday classic)

Twas the Night Before Christmas 2
‘Twas the night before Christmas

when all through the house not a creature was stirring
when all through the house, not a creature was stirring

Not Even A Mouse 3
Not even a mouse.

Stockings were Hung
The stockings were hung by the chimney
with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

Children were Nestled
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

Mama and I
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

Moon on the Breast
The moon on the breast of the
new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

Miniature Sleigh
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

When out on the Roof
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

St Nick close up
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

Went Straight to his Work
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

Miniature Sleigh 2
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Merry Christmas, everyone!
You all know the poem, but I added a variety of my own illustrations to this blog for fun. One day I would like to illustrate the entire poem in the manner in which I had begun to do so, with “when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” (at the top)
Who knows? I may surprise myself one day. : )