What’s Up in FabianSpace

It’s Valentine’s Day month, so let me tell you about the reason I am who and what I am. Rob Fabian and I met in January of 1989, through a mutual friend who knew we both loved Star Trek. The first words I said to him were “Live Long and Prosper!” and he said, “I’ll be right over!” He showed up at my door holding up the Vulcan peace sign and I knew we’d be instant friends. Ten days later, I finally admitted to myself that I’d met my soulmate.

As many of you know, we were both in the Air Force at the time, and I was assigned to San Vito, Italy, while he was still at El Dorado Missile Warning Station in Texas. That started a two-year long-distance relationship during which I came home to get married because there was no reason to wait. We believe that being so far apart ensured early on that we knew how to communicate and work as a team apart as well as together.

We’ve been a team ever since. Rob had made me a better person. He believed in me but also helped me work through my flaws. He’s the reason I’m not a drama queen or prone to pessimism or depression. He’s my idea man. He makes me laugh and laughs at my jokes. He’s a kinder and more patient person than I am, but also more confident. I feel like those go together. He’s also got this way about him that makes people trust him to do anything well – and he will work like a maniac to be worthy of their trust. He's simply the best man I’ve ever known, and I thank God every day that He brought us together. (I also thank his mom on her birthday because she birthed and raised him well!)

We’ve been married 32 years, and we are still mushy in love. Ironically, it does make it hard for me to write romances because we have so little conflict. I’m not complaining, though!

Attention: Catholic Writers

If you are a Catholic and a writer, this is for you. (If not, scroll down to meet Corinna Turner). Every year, I help organize the Catholic Writers Conference Online. CWCO2023 has a great list of speakers on all aspects of writing and faith, networking sessions, and even a chance to pitch your fiction or nonfiction books to reputable publishers. It’s Feb 24-26, with pitches happening the following week. Learn more at https://catholicwritersguild.org/online-conference. Cost: $60 for non-CWG members, CWG members - email me for a coupon code.

I'm ready to join CWCO

Author Highlight: C.D. Smith

Chris (aka C.D. Smith) is a fellow Guild member and is part of my crit group as well. I’ve had the chance to critique the first part of the sequel to this book. I immediately had a fantasy adventure feel like some of my favorite shows on Netflix.

Bonvida’s Awakening Summary

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Eighteen-year-old Atticus wakes from a fall and learns he comes from an ancient bloodline and that he alone can wield the Sword of Bonvida. To do this, he must first travel to treacherous lands to gather the shards that give the sword its power. Then he must face Luvanasis, who has escaped the dark realm of Calsriv with his army of Arcods and taken control of Bonvida. But how can he accomplish any of this when he struggles to accept his identity as the chosen one?

Left as an infant in the hands of farmers, Atticus has longed for adventure and hopes to one day become a knight. But now that the adventure lay at his feet, he’s not sure he has what it takes. Compelled to help in this great mission, others join Atticus: Daria, his adventurous sister; Zane, a scholar with knowledge of the old stories and prophecies; Prince Victor from the kingdom of El-Valr; Barlos, Victor’s army commander; Meg, a young girl sent off by her father; and Lena from the sea colony of the Brus. As the evil wakes, they must keep faith and hope, trusting one another and persevering in their quest.

Get Bonvida's Awakening

Interview with Chris:

What's your favorite part of this book?

This is a tough question. There are so many, but I would say near the end when Atticus has to obtain the emerald shard. But to do it, he has to face himself. Through doing it, he learns a lot about himself. It was his big growth moment, and it was so fun to write a fight scene where he had to battle himself mentally and physically. 

What's the best compliment you've gotten about this book?

I’ve gotten a lot, but I’ll go with one of my youth from my youth group who said, “Chris it’s such a captivating book I don’t want to put it down, but when I did, I had to pause and say, ‘I know this guy!’”

Tell us what's next for you and/or the characters.

The second book is being edited, and I hope it will be released this year. As for the characters, some are helping restore the land from the aftermath of the attack from book one. But that may not last long when they are called again to face the darkness. This darkness will affect them emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.