About the Book

Book: Here Lyeth (A Lifeline Fantasy Series Book Three. It can be read as a stand alone)

Author: Johanna Frank

Genre: Religious Fantasy / Coming of Age Fantasy

Release date: November 1, 2024

Answers to her identity lie beneath a gravestone; her own.

Something was missing. It was easy for Lexxie to bury that niggling sense, she had all the love and protection a young woman needed. But when the man she thought to be her father spilled a fever-pitched confession, her content and isolated life ended. Angry and heartbroken, she left the people she loved on a mere hint—her true father lived in Vereiteln Dorf, two villages over. Once there, she’s drawn to an unconsecrated graveyard and patches shocking revelations and broken pieces together, and the more she does, the more her presence in this superstitious village becomes a threat. The perils of a noose amid a 1688 witch hunt lay heavy on her shoulders.

Years earlier, in the same village, young Meginhardt succumbs to a vicious attack. Ethereal beings take him on a time-traveling journey to resolve the lad’s deeply rooted struggles. When Meginhardt learns that some woman named Lexxie is the chosen one to carry forward his father’s line of descendants, fits of jealousy ensue—a dream shattered. It should have been him. He becomes frantic to ensure the demise of this undeserving woman. In apparitional form he delivers her a message, face to face.

Her future lyeth in his words.

STIRRING… EXTRAORDINARY… UPLIFTING

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About the Author

Before she started writing, Johanna spent her days working with profit and non-profit organizations, while spending her evenings studying theology part-time. Now she spends her waking hours creating fantastical stories she hopes will touch the lives of her readers. Her goal—to deliver soulful, whimsical, and venturous reads.

More from Johanna

A little heavenly imagination can loosen the chains of life.

My ‘playground’ for creating Here Lyeth was far-reaching, though insulated with firm boundaries. From fictional Germanic villages in days of old in one corner, a low fantasy kingdom where the perished journey to the foot of a guarded gate, in the other.

Admittedly, I took many privileges with beloved values and symbolisms dear to my faith, daring to employ startling imagination for the purpose of enticing generosity of thought for the great …and small …mysteries in life. My favourite, where the waters of a supranatural river flows through time carrying with it various stones, each belonging to a life on Earth, often getting caught in stormy swirls or stuck in a bank of mud, representations of its owner’s personal trials and sufferings.

The story itself, though smattered with biblical senses, is not meant to be a teaching of ways, (I’m not qualified for such!) rather, to provide inklings of encouragement, to set within minds a sublime curiosity—what life might we find after this one?

My hope is you will enjoy the sparkles of divine happenstances, the pulls of faith and the eager wonder of ever-after capers to be pleasing.

Although the third instalment into A Lifeline Fantasy Series as far as publication dates go, Here Lyeth takes the position of first when it comes to the natural flow of time compared to its stand-alone novel-mates, The Gatekeeper’s Descendants and Jophiel’s Secret.

I promise you, Here Lyeth won’t leave you hanging, though it may unearth you a little 🙂

Johanna

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

For me, it’s that rewarding sense of accomplishment. Having a place for imagination, where creative thoughts and ideas can trickle and ooze, the end result being something tangible—a finished novel to hold in your hands (or read on your kindle lol). The ultimate satisfaction is when a reader reaches out and expresses how a novel touched them in a meaningful way. Of course, ending in the black and not the red when it comes to economics is a realistic goal many authors, me included, strive for.

Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The historical setting! I never set out to be a historical fiction writer. I have great admiration for those who accept such an undertaking. It was a privilege to enter into another’s era (1670-1688) so that my characters could suitably journey within it, though it took considerable research. I beg forgiveness to avid historical readers—I did my best, allowed several misgivings, and I hope you will still enjoy the plot!

What inspired this book?

At the beginning of my first novel, The Gatekeeper’s Descendants, there exists a prologue to set the stage for the story. This prologue is narrated by an unnamed character 300 years prior to the book’s setting. Here Lyeth is the backstory to that prologue. Hence, although Here Lyeth is the third instalment into A Lifeline Fantasy Series, I’ve set it as the ideal first read for the series. Having said that, each instalment into this series is an absolute standalone read, so any order will do!

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

That’s easy. Isaiah 41:13. “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” NIV

My teenaged daughter carried this verse on her flip phone for spiritual nourishment while going through treatment to challenge osteo-sarcoma. A shortened version is carved onto her gravestone.

Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I’ve attached a photo! Mind you, I have a few spots in our home I tend to be a regular at. I like to change things up, helps with inspiration. But mostly, I move about to avoid stiffness in back, shoulders, legs, etc. (An age thing perhaps?)

If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

Music and podcasts. Something instrumental and calming and spiritually edifying.