The fantasy novel Bane & Blessing, written by James Chinery and published by Halo Publishing International, follows three main characters as they face challenges in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred. The story depicts religious leaders and beliefs in a positive light, challenging theologians as one character investigates reports of dark magic. Early reader reviews praise the novel for creating an entire fantasy world called Superion and showing how characters' actions can affect the fate of the world.

1. The Ultimate Battle Between Good and Evil Hits Bookstores
Halo Publishing Author James Chinery Pens Fantasy Novel: Bane & Blessing.
Frankenmuth, MI, January 9, 2016 -- Bane & Blessing, the first in a series of fantasy novels by
James Chinery was recently published via Halo Publishing International. The main characters,
Lazarus, Anselm and Mikal face a variety of challenges, adventures and fantastic conflict when
dealing with the realities of a world where not everything is black and white.
“I have been a fan of fantasy and sci-fiction since I was a young boy reading Lord of the Rings,”
said James Chinery, author of Bane & Blessing. “I wanted to create a fiction world in which
characters are faced with decisions and an understanding that life isn’t always easy. There is
good and bad and sometimes the lines are blurred. In Bane and Blessing magic isn’t evil; it is
how people chose to use their magic that becomes good or evil.”
In Bane and Blessing one of the main characters, Anselm Van Helflyn, who is a newly
consecrated mage of the Antiochim, is sent out on a mission to investigate reports of dark
magic being practiced in Askani. What he finds will shake the continent, challenge theologians
and threaten the peace between man and elf that has existed for a hundred years. Has dark
magic returned to Superion? The Superion Union declares no, but the evidence proclaims a
more sinister truth.
“In all my readings over the years, I realized that, with the exception of the Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis, there aren’t any fantasy adventure books that depict religious leaders and
religious beliefs as a positive influence. As a Lutheran minister, I wanted to create a book that
wove a fairer representation of religious beliefs while also recognizing that no one person or
idea is perfectly good. However, in Bane & Blessing readers will find that the evil characters are
truly evil.”
Although the book has only been available for a short time, readers are already sharing their
comments via social media. One reader says: “In Bane and Blessing, the author has created not
just a story, but an entire world called Superion set in an austere, medieval era. It is an epic
story where the actions of the characters matter to the fate of the entire world.”
A reader on Barnes and Noble had this to say: “As the story unfolds, it shows how newly
consecrated magician, Anselm Van Helflyn, is sent out on a mission to investigate reports of
dark magic that were practiced in Askani. What the magician finds out will challenge everyone
including the ordinary person and theologian. It will threaten the peace between man and elf
too. It would seem that dark magic has returned to Superion.”
“I really enjoyed working with Jim on his first novel, Bane & Blessing,” said Lisa Umina,
publisher and founder of Halo Publishing International. “Jim’s love of adventure in a fantastical
world comes alive on the page and his unique background adds an element of history and

2. religion that inspire readers to look for connections between fantasy and reality. I look forward
to reading his next installment.”
Bane & Blessing is available via Amazon and Barnes and Noble; $15.95 for paperback and the e-
version is available for $6.99.
* Paperback: 300 pages
* Publisher: Halo Publishing International (December 11, 2015)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1612444393
* ISBN-13: 978-1612444390
About James Chinery:
James Chinery is a former occupational therapist and now full-time pastor and chaplain who
has always wondered if there were one or two hobbits lurking in his ancestral tree. He lives in
Frankenmuth, MI, with his wife, three children and two unruly yet goodhearted chocolate labs.
His interests include fishing, hunting, homeschooling, reading and doing his best to live as both
sinner and saint.
About Halo Publishing International:
Halo Publishing International is a self-publishing company that publishes adult fiction and non-
fiction, children's literature, self-help, spiritual, and faith-based books. We continually strive to
help authors reach their publishing goals and provide many different services that help them do
so. http://www.HaloPublishing.com
Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 - USA
+1 877-705-9647
http://www.halopublishing.com