Meredith Leigh Burton United States
Website
http://www.Crimilia.tateauthor.com
Genre
Religion & Spirituality, Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Meredith Leigh Burton was born on July 4, 1983. As a result of a premature birth, she
was placed under oxygen to develop her lungs. The three month's exposure to the
oxygen led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity. Meredith attended the
Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, where she enjoyed choir, theater classes,
and participating on the forensics team. After high school, Meredith attended Middle
Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English
and theater. She is a certified English teacher for grades 7-12. Meredith loves assisting
with church activities, spending time with family and friends, and reading any book she
can get her hands on. She is a chocoholic and Mexican food fanatic from Lynchburg, Tennessee, (my hometown, too. Her parents were two of my beloved teachers in school; MCHS.)
Meredith Leigh Burton is a motivational speaker, singer, teacher and author. She loves to write stories with disability representation, heroism and hidden strength. Meredith’s other titles include Rebekah’s Refuge, The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree, Blind Beauty and Other Tales of Redemption and The Chocolate Dog, her first picture book for children. Meredith resides in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
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Average rating: 4.12 · 57 ratings · 27 reviews · 8 distinct works
Blind Beauty and Other Tales of Redemption
4.19 avg rating — 16 ratings — 2 editions
The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree
3.81 avg rating — 16 ratings — 3 editions
Rebekah's Refuge
3.89 avg rating — 9 ratings — 2 editions
Crimilia
4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions
A benevolent baker⦠a diabolical queen⦠an ancient prophecy⦠and a secret strength that can only be found in two very special people. Hannah Wilkins is bitter. In addition to being teased at school about her weight, she has now been struck blind in a terrible accident, causing her to lose all sense of normalcy, and her tight-knit family. She struggles through every day, each of which only seems to get worse than the last, until one fateful morning when her bus hits a deer and the resulting jolt sends her flying into another universe. Brandon Pringle struggles every day to fit in and function like the rest of the children at his school. Afflicted by a debilitating limp, he doesnât seem to be useful to anyone. But when he is thrown from the school bus and lands on an unfamiliar riverbank, everything he knows about himself is completely overturned. Tossed together in the unfamiliar and turbulent land of Crimilia, Hannah and Brandon must fight their way through the unfamiliar landscapes of jealousy, greed, temptation, and hate in order to help restore peace to a land run by a tyrant. With the help of a few friends and through the goodness of a kindly baker named Jamal, they might just succeed in freeing the citizens of Crimilia from the ruthless Queen Salak. Join author Meredith Burton for an unforgettable tale of friendship, faith, and perseverance in the land of Crimilia.
In the pages of Crimilia, we are introduced to two decidedly
different kids who have both been injured by the same accident and are now dealing with it in their own, separate way. Hannah is a girl easy to sympathize with. I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose my sight, and the steely determination with which she sets out on every day is admirable. Brandon is a fun, perky kid who doesn't let much daunt him. I became immediately attached to both of them and could only smile as they are suddenly jolted into a foreign world where occuring events are strangely familiar.
Crimilia is a thoughtful allegory of the story of Jesus Christ. Meredith Burton's retelling of the events therein bring a fresh appreciation for the incredible story we can start to take for granted. When we first meet Jamal, the benevolent baker, I was reminded what a wonderful personality Jesus must have had. The author's representation of themes (ie. the bread of life) was a real delight to watch.
While this is an endearing tale, I can't decide what age range readers should start at. I'm guessing middle-grade up. Just so know, there is an evil pagan "union" ceremony mentioned, but such an awful event actually never takes place in the novel, though one girl is momentarily threatened. Also, the pain of Jamal could be hard for little ones to understand. So not for the kiddies, I think.
One thing interesting to note, is that for those of you who don't know, author Meredith Burton has always been blind. Yet, her story abounds in description--touch, taste, and color. It's really neat.
If you're looking for an encouraging tale of redemption, enter in to the world of Crimilia where the story is not so far-fetched from our own. :)
Six weeks have passed following the events in Crimilia. Hannah Wilkins and Brandon Pringle are becoming accustomed to their physical disabilities, although certain days are more difficult than others. But, spring break is approaching, and the two friends look forward to a few days away from the taunts of classmates, yet, harrowing nightmares plague both of them, and they cannot forget their sojourn in the land of Crimilia.
A blind beauty ... a slave girl ... a lonely daughter.
Immerse yourself in three stories that are unique but reminiscent of tales as old as time.
Princess Snowdrop didn’t mean to kill her mother. And now, no one will believe her story about the mysterious peddler who gave her the poisoned pastry. She’s desperate to uncover the man’s identity, but no one else remembers seeing a stranger at the palace on that fateful day or hearing his melodic voice.
Never allow a stranger to buy you anything. Never reveal what you truly are. Above all, never, ever allow your hair to be cut.
In a plague-ravaged world, people will stop at nothing to find a cure. Rebekah is a young norn who on the run for her life. Charles, a man desperate to heal his ailing wife, wants the life-giving magic contained in Rebekah's hair.
When Rebekah’s path crosses with Martha’s, a mother who has lost her daughter to the same man, secrets will be revealed. Buried fears will be resurrected, and the conflict between norns and humans may cause devastating havoc. Will Rebekah and Martha find a way to help both human and nornkind, or will Rebekah’s pursuer capture her? Will the plague be eradicated, or is a more sinister plan at work?
Things are not how they appear in this story of finding a place to belong. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of sacrifice, love and courage. You will meet many individuals, human and norn alike, who bear scars, scars that cannot be seen. A tenuous thread binds their destinies together, but threads, like hair, can easily be cut. Only those who listen can find the courage to fight. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of desperation and hope, a story of turmoil and healing.
When one life is saved, a world is rescued.
Aria has heard this saying all her life, but it has little to do with her. She knows that her destiny is written in the Song of the Sea. She will marry, birth children and, occasionally, sing the Death Journey songs to guide lost souls to their final resting place. She knows that the Treaty of Separation prevents merkind and humankind from interacting except when misfortunes occur at sea. Aria is content with her life and is preparing to embark upon the journey of courtship and matrimony. A chance encounter will force Aria to question where she truly belongs.
Prince Reginald struggles with feelings of self-doubt, a debilitating spinal injury that causes him constant pain, and his father’s harsh treatment. After an unexpected accident places the burden of kingship on the prince’s shoulders, he embarks upon a sea voyage and is attacked by an unexplained malevolent force. Rescued by someone he cannot see, Reginald is thrust into an unexpected adventure.
Aria’s and Reginald’s stories combine in unforeseen ways as they must confront an evil that possesses an unquenchable thirst for vengeance. Surprising allies and deceptive falsehoods battle, and the fate of two kingdoms hang in the balance. Will the Song of the Sea be silenced?
Song of the Sea is a story of momentous decisions, forbidden love and self-discovery.
Inspiring the Individual, Empowering the Christian, & Motivating the Writer
United States of America
God bless us everyone!
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” -Galatians 6:1
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