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Wonderful readers,

I am so excited to share some updates with you! The Gifted trilogy is getting a sequel trilogy! I am here to answer some frequently asked questions about it.

Q: What will the sequel trilogy be called? A: Book one will be called The Radiant, book two will be titled Blessings of the Radiant, and book three will be known as Promises of the Radiant!

Q: Prosperity was full of twists and turns. What happens to Takashi?! A: Takashi will play her special role in navigating the future of Onajio, but I can't offer too many spoilers! Let's just say, she attempts to make amends with those whose trust she broke.

Q: Does Yui end up being married at the end of Rising? A: That is for you to find out in Prosperity! I don't want to spoil it for other readers who are just now getting familiar with the trilogy. Read for yourself and be absolutely amazed!

Q: Will the new trilogy focus on the Gifted trilogy's main characters, or new ones? A: The Radiant trilogy will focus on characters from the Gifted trilogy, as well as new characters who will further propel the story forward to make the plot more engaging.

Q: Do the people in the Gifted trilogy ever celebrate holidays? A: Yes, there are aspects on the novels which hint at holiday celebrations, but none are talked about very much. We will learn about traditional Unmeian and Onajian holidays in the Radiant trilogy!

Q: Is there going to be an author kickoff event or book signing to spread awareness about the new books? A: Yes! There will be a trilogy launching event which will promote the Gifted trilogy as well as get readers ready for the Radiant trilogy! Please check back on this website for updates, or visit the V Lynn facebook page for more information.

Please spread the word to everyone you know so that they can embark on all of the journeys my characters take together! Thank you to everyone who has supported my novels!

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

V Lynn

Have you ever heard anyone say that they want to 'write their own story'?

There can be many ways to write a story, whether that be writing a novel, investing in someone else with a servant heart, or perhaps illustrating a book.

The kind of story I am talking about, however, is the story that you are led to- your purpose. I know that many of us find ourselves longing to know the future of our own story. Sometimes, we wish we could take the pen and write every page of it ourselves. Unfortunately, that's not always how it works. We as people need to be receptive to the personal shaping that is required throughout our years. We have a part to play in this majestic universe, but we shouldn't try too much to make it exactly what we wish or hope it could be. The truth is, God knows the plans that He has for you. He made those plans specially for you. Oftentimes we will find that when we are led to His plan, we have more joy in our hearts than we have ever had before.

What a privilege to be part of something so wondrous! What a privilege to be able to make a difference in our communities. What a privilege to breathe in fresh air every single day with promises that we are loved, cherished, and held with high regard.

I hope that each and every one of you will answer whatever purpose it is that you have been called to. Serve with everything that you have. Then, and only then, will you be able to write your story.

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

Blessings,

V Lynn

What will it take for us to start loving kindness?

Take a look around at the way the world seems right now. There is hate everywhere around us. There are things we don't like. There is confusion.

Children are pressured to disobey their parents and break the rules. This rule breaking behavior only becomes more intense and severe as they get older. Eventually, they will think that they don't have to follow rules from anyone. 

Teens are pressured to find a partner younger and younger. They're pressured to rebel against the things they know to be right. They're pushed into all sorts of sin, which in turn causes pain.

Adults are pressured to serve themselves. They're pressured to spend their savings on things that aren't beneficial to them. They're pressured to act recklessly at bars and clubs. They're pressured to party away their future. They're pressured to fight. They're pressured to hurt other people with words and actions. They're pressured to lie, cheat, and steal.

Instead of acting this way, we need to take a break. Some of us have been hurt by those we love. It's time to forgive. It's time to start giving back to our communities. It's okay to not be sure about your future right away. It's okay to need some navigation along the way. It's okay to cry sometimes and let out our frustration. Don't be ashamed. That doesn't make you weak or pathetic. It makes you brave. We were never promised that we wouldn't have trials. We were promised that we will have support, should we choose to accept it. We were promised that we would be loved. God made those promises. God doesn't break promises. God loves us even when others may choose not to.

Shouldn't we do the same for everyone else? Shouldn't we spread love instead of hate? What good does hate bring to anyone? Who wants to hurt? Selflessness is the most important lesson here. We need to stop making attempts for people to have pity on us. We need to start serving instead of being served, giving instead of taking.

Politics has no place in the matter. We are one people who should be united across every social group. We are beautiful. It's time we all started acting like it.

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

Wishing you many Blessings,

V Lynn

Have you ever tried to set a goal, but you didn't know how to achieve it?

I can tell you that we've all been there. It may seem like some people are relatively fast at accomplishing their goals. It also may seem like regardless of how hard you try, your goals are unobtainable. You might try and compare your efforts with the efforts of those around you. But that is your earliest mistake, one that often gets out of hand. You figure if so-and-so can do it while hardly trying, then you surely can't do it even if you try one thousand times harder than them. This is not the outlook you should have on the situation. 

Odds are, if you are trying hard enough at something, then it means you want it. If you want it enough, you will do anything to get there. If you truly want to reach a goal, you will work and sweat until you see it through. Your aspirations are a part of what makes you your very own self. These goals have been put on your heart for a reason. You will know how to reach these goals if you stay true to your heart. 

However, selfish goals will not be so easy to reach. I urge you to make sure that the goals you have can benefit not only you, but those around you. Being a blessing and a light to others is what will get you to that goal you have been working to attain. Seeking true joy requires patience, gratitude, responsibility, and respect.

You can definitely reach your goals. Do all that you can to work toward your goals, even if you make your ultimate goal into easier and more achievable goals. Start out with a plan, and be open to adjusting it along the way. It might take trial and error, but you will manage.

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

V Lynn

What does it mean to 'find yourself'?

People often wonder what their purpose is for the future, how they are supposed to dress, act, and even who they are supposed to be friends with. It's not a one-size-fits-all idea. It takes patience, willingness, and openness to understand our purpose. The purpose we have has been predestined for us. We aren't supposed to have all of the answers right away. It's okay to not know what you want to do with your future. Eventually, at the right time, you will be sure of what it is you are passionate about. It will be placed on your heart.

Try not to give up, dye your hair blue (which might definitely be for some, just not everyone), and spend all of your bank account on nonsense. That's not going to give you what you want. That doesn't mean you should never have fun. Hey, if you want to occasionally eat Pocky and Hershey's while binging your favorite comedy, there's no shame in that. However, be careful not to distract yourself with things that aren't beneficial to your success. Eventually, that momentary happiness will run out. Where does your true joy come from? If you can figure out that answer, then you will surely be set.

Remember, along the way, you will meet people who want to invest in you. Be wise about this. If someone wants to be there for you always, I would say they are probably a pretty great use of your time. Get to know them. Learn who they are. Invest in them just as much as they want to invest in you, if not more. These will be your true friends long after you've found your purpose.

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

Wishing you many Blessings,

V Lynn

What is a calling?

Many ask that.

It's a unique purpose that has been assigned to you at the moment of your birth. You are loved and known by God... And to top it all off, you have gifts and talents that were given to you. Some of them, you may need to work to polish. It is my personal belief that we all start growing in our purpose the moment we decide to make that commitment.

If you feel like you don't know what your purpose is, I would encourage you to look within your heart. What do you feel the most called to do? What are your talents and gifts? Don't say you have none, because that's not true. All too many times we sell ourselves short. If we believe and have faith that we can succeed, then we will. The blessings we have been given should not be wasted. Believe in the power of those blessings. Those blessings were given to you for a predestined purpose. Don't waste them. Use them to minister to others. Use them to shine your light. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks of you. There will be those who believe in you and support you, and there will be those that don't. However, you aren't defined by people. Remember the importance and value of that absolutely undeniable truth.

When you find something you love, stay true to it. As long as it benefits others and is used as a service without selfish motivations, then you are good as gold. You will discover what it is you were made to do.

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

Blessings,

V Lynn

Have you been doubting yourself lately? Perhaps in many aspects? Do you have a low self-esteem?

What I am about to say next is powerful. Many of us have faith in something. I have faith in God, and I am so happy that I can share this with you. I hope your heart can be opened to these words. They can make a huge impact if you let them!

It's easy for the distractions all around you to make you feel less than, insignificant, or unimportant. However, God says very differently of you. There is no time to feel insignificant. You have too much to get done to further God's kingdom. He has set you apart to do good works for Him. He says that you are loved. The proof? The Lord sent His Son as the sacrifice for your sins so that you won't ever really have to die. What He says is important. What others say is not. He is the only one you need to work to please. 

What if it seems like you need to be someone else — perhaps someone that you are not?

I can assure you: you don't! God has given you your very own unique talents and gifts. Each and every person is equal, although they might have slightly different purposes. God still has a plan for you, as He does for everyone. He will see that plan through. Trust Him with the plan He has made for you! The most important thing is to make sure that you are working for His glory. That is the best way to let your light shine!

Although The Gifted is a fictional novel, it comes from a place of true self-acceptance. If you’ve read the novel, some of this might sound familiar to you. Who you are was determined before you were ever born. You are such an amazing person, no matter the decisions you may have made (or maybe were too afraid to make). Love yourself! Don’t ever be too hard on yourself!

Finally, I will leave you with these words.

Seek the Lord always. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you."

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light. 

Wishing you many Blessings,

V Lynn

I am sure that there are some who might be unfamiliar with Japanese/Asian culture names. I am here to help you with pronunciation! Here is my list of characters and their names with pronunciations:

Unmeia (The Land of Unmeia)- Pronounced OON-MAY-UH (derived from the Japanese word for 'fate,' Unmei)

Yui Shorizo- Pronounced YOU-EE, SHOW-REE-ZO

Riku Sato- Pronounced REE-KOO, SAH-TO

Rina Aiko- Pronounced REE-NUH, I-EE-KO

Kaito Ito- Pronounced KY-EE-TO, EE-TO

Dr. Ami- Pronounced AH-MEE

Sara Ito- Pronounced SAH-RUH, EE-TO

Hansuke- Pronounced HAHN-S-KAY

Aia- Pronounced I-EE-UH

Hiroko- Pronounced HE-RO-KO

Admiral Shoji- Pronounced SHO-JEE

Mr. Zora- Pronounced ZO-RUH

Professor Lee- Pronounced LEE

Ko (the lead guard)- Pronounced KO

Loki Sato- Pronounced LOW-KEY, SAH-TOW

Danji Ito- Pronounced DON-JEE, EE-TO

Names in Rising of the Gifted:

Onajio- OH-NAH-JEE-OH

Daisuke Iwatani- Pronounced DIE-S-KAY E-WUH-TAH-NEE

Shinobu Tanaka- Pronounced SHI-NO-BOO TAH-NUH-KUH

Takashi Hayashi- Pronounced TAH-KUH-SHE HIGH-YUH-SHE

Ao Hayashi- Pronounced OW HIGH-YUH-SHE

Dr. Kageyama- Pronounced KAH-GAE-YAH-MUH

Mr. Sato- Pronounced SAH-TOW

Names in Prosperity of the Gifted:

Director Ittoki- Pronounced E-TOW-KEY

Arashi- Pronounced AR-UH-SHE

Haru- HA-ROO

I hope this helps you to understand better how to pronounce the names in the book! Thank you for taking the time to read this! Happy reading!

Believe that you can. Shine bright. Love others and be a light.

V Lynn