Spotlighting Cindy Pon's SILVER PHOENIX

Today, I get to spotlight a wonderful new addition to multicultural fiction, and with a kickass main character, to boot!

SILVER PHOENIX is the story of ai ling's journey. On the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. She can reach into other people's spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams...and that's just the beginning.

ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor's palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. Here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.

Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. The author is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy Pon lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.

Here are Cindy's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

CP: ai ling is seventeen.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

CP: stay true to yourself and believe in yourself.

NM: Words to live by at any age, indeed! Now, please complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

CP: Everyone should definitely, for sure never skip a meal.

You should NEVER, EVER give up on a dream. But if you absolutely must, make sure to find another.

Agreed! Thank you so much, Cindy, for stopping by on Spotlighting!

To find out more about Cindy and her work, visit her site. To buy a copy of SILVER PHOENIX, click here.