INTO THE LAND OF SNOWS
A troubled, sixteen year old Blake travels to Base Camp on Mt. Everest to spend time with his physician father. When a deadly avalanche occurs, Dad is forced to rethink things and sends Blake off the mountain. Now accompanied by a Sherpa guide, and in possession of a mysterious camera, Blake undertakes a journey which will challenge everything he believes. In the magical Himalayas, he will be forever changed by what he experiences.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
“Well-written with engaging and believable characters, this story has it all: adventure, mystery, magic, and wisdom.” Naomi C. Rose
“Yes, this is a “YA” novel, but to call it a cross-over, or even transcendent, would not be an exaggeration.” Kevin Robinson
“A great YA novel–enough to challenge YA readers to understand and perhaps learn more, and smart enough to engage adult readers as well.” Phyllis DePriest
“The journey that you will be taken on is an exciting, fast-paced adventure that will have you gasping for breath in some parts and reading with your mouth wide open in amazement only to find yourself laughing a few pages later.” Book Peeps
“If you are someone that believes there is more to this world than what you can presently see, hear, taste, smell, feel or touch, this is a story that will affirm that for you. If you are somewhat of a skeptic, this book may soften some of those sharp edges. If you are the parent of a young adult I would highly recommend you both read this book. You will find you have something to talk about!” Book Peeps
How This Book Came Into the World
Several years ago I had a particularly bad year. My father died, my son was hospitalized, and I came face to face with my own health crisis. All in one year. My illness effectively took me out of the world and focused my attention inward. I returned to basics and found my interest in Buddhism waiting for me. Silent, I think, since at least my teenage years.
I began taking classes offered in faraway Dharamsala, India. Thanks to the internet, I was able to study with a master who had fled Chinese-occupied Tibet to follow His Holiness, the Dalai Lama into exile in 1959. Listening to Geshe Sonam Rinchen’s patient lectures aided my understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. That along with my friendship with a young monk in India helped me to process and write, Into the Land of Snows. The novel explores many of the themes I was exposed to as I learned Eastern concepts.
The process of the inward journey continues for me. Living in the material world is not easy. I know the majority of readers will read the book as an adventure in a foreign land, but I hope the book finds a few fellow spiritual travelers.
Thanks for your visit Ellis. Your books sounds interesting. Hope I get to read it sometime. Keep writing and inspiring.
Congrats on getting published. I love YA! That’s all I read and I’m currently working on a YA urban fantasy…cross your fingers that I get published. And thank you for checking out my blog.
Thank you for liking my blog. I also began writing seriously when I was out of the workforce and recovering from an illness. Best wishes on your continuing journey.
Thank you for following my blog.
Your book about mountain climbing sounds interesting and exciting. I have never even thought about doing that – too scared of heights. Good luck with your book. Do you climb?
Thanks for stopping by at my site! I wish you all the very best with your books!
I just finished reading Into the Land of Snows and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the concepts in the book really make you think. Like many people, I’ve always had a fascination for anything to do with the Himalayas. Hopefully I’ll get to see them for myself one day. Who knows, perhaps I’ll even set a Jaspa’s Journey adventure there!
Wonderful to hear you liked the book. If you get a chance, I’d love for you to write a few words on Amazon or Goodreads.
I hope to win a copy of the book but if I don’t, I’ll be purchasing a copy.
Your book sounds wonderful! What a great combination of adventure, spiritualism, and a character a young adult can relate to. Looking forward to reading it when I get a chance. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Thanks for the stop by on my Blog Hop post. And congrats on being published. Do you belong to the SCBWI?
I was a member of SCBWI years ago, but found the membership fee to be higher than the value of what I personally got from it.
I hear what you are saying. I’m belonged for so long it would feel disloyal not renewing. I try to write an article every year to offset the cost (they will trade the values).
Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to check
it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking
and will be tweeting this to my followers! Fantastic blog and
wonderful design and style.
thanks for stopping my blog, is this your first book? Have you taken courses in writing? I wonder if we all have a book in us? I am the 25 year recipient of a kidney transplant and believe I will do speaking to promote organ donation but I would also like to try writing a book. I am retiring by the end of the year and want to work on writing next year, but am beginining now by taking a college course.
This is my first published book but I’m working on my 5th novel now. I have a BA and an MS but have no formal training in fiction writing. Classes can’t hurt but actually producing a book will take more than technical knowledge. There’s the butt in chair aspect many people can’t do. Good luck!
Hi again. How nice that you found me through your blog. My own sensibilities are very much in tune with what you write and your interests.
I have been interested and practicing yoga and meditation for 30 year
(of course I started as a mere child, ha ha).I am very interested in Buddishm and have a bookshelf of interesting books. Always interested in the mystical since I was a teen.
I will get a copy of your book In the Land of Snows. I love to read YA and children’s fiction.Both Dennis and I started out in this art business as chledren book illustrators.That’s what brought us together.
I am definitely wood from the descriptions.
Looking forward to more good reading
Andrea
Glad to meet you, Andrea!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. All the best
Hello! I was just wondering if this book was available in paperback, or just ebook? I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks!
You can get the paperback at Amazon, B&N, or through the publisher. Click on the links on the right side of my blog and it’ll take you right to the book.
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i like mountain climbing because it is a particulary challenging tasks.,
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Hi Ellis,
Your book sounds very interesting. I too am on a spiritual journey and my spiritual life is covenanted with Jesus Christ, which means I am a Christian. I have put your book on my list of books to read for my book review blog.
All the best for 2013.
Ciao,
Patricia
Sounds like a great read! Going to purchase it today
Let me know what you think and thanks!
http://sophiebowns.wordpress.com
Thanks so much for liking my “about” page
Thanks for stopping by my post and liking it – I too have an interest in Buddhism and mystical books – I love the Himalayas too having been into the foothills when in India.
I’ve just bought your book and I’m really looking forward to reading it!!
Thanks! Hope you like it and come back to let me know what you think.
I will do!! It has all the ingredients for a good read!
Hi Ellis, thanks for the ‘like’ earlier. Good luck with the writing, congrats on getting published…
Ellis, your book sounds really interesting and I’m going to try and get a copy. Adolescence is such a trying time (and it IS more trying now than in decades past) and sets a strong foundation for the rest of life. In my practice I counseled so many teens and young adults, who were my favorite age group to work with, and I tell you what, those kids were dealing with some heavy duty stuff. Thanks for liking my blog post today.
Thank you for liking my blog post. I am a big fan of YA books! I would love to read yours if I find one here in our country (Philippines). Thanks again!
Hello Ellis,
Sorry it took me so long to look at this — I’m going to pick up the book! It certainly DOES look inspiring. And thank you for all your support of my blog, The Stoop…
Best,
A575757
Ellis – Thks for your comment on my Paris Adieu blog. Paris Adieu is free today and tomorrow only, Thurs. Nov. 29 and Fri.,30 at amzn.to/MLX194. I think you might enjoy this coming of age tale of a young American au pair in Paris. Tell me which of your books I should read first.
Inspiring! Thanks!
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Sounds interesting! I’ll have to check it out!
Perhaps this will be the book that gets my 16-year old son interested in fiction!
I hope so. It is hard when there are so many other distractions.
Thank you for liking my blog. I will definitely read and comment on my journey as I read this book!
Thank you for liking my blog. I wish you the best with your book launch.
This is an inspiring, touching story that skillfully melts together elements such as mountain climbing, Tibet, snow, and the main character Blake. I am thinking about recommending this book to my students in schools and adopting part of the contents as my teaching material. Allowed?
I may write a thread about it in my blog as well : http://www.followmetojapan.wordpress.com
I’d be willing to help if I can. Skype makes more connections possible. Copyright issues would require permission from the publisher to use extracted material, of course.