A Time To Speak by Nadine Brandes | RE:VIEW

Bold. Action packed. Unexpected. A Time To Speak is a book you won't soon forget!

Riding on the tales of A Time To Die (see my review here) Nadine offers the second, thrilling installment in the Out of Time Series, A Time To Speak. Here, the very same Parvin that we fell in love with in book one is back and ready to make a difference. She's faced with the challenge of living without a clock in a world where time is counted and almost everyone knows the day they will die.

The stage for A Time To Speak is deceptively large
and expands the further you progress into the book. The characters have strong motivations and the reader is dropped into a world they can both understand and imagine through Nadine's descriptions.

Overall, Parvin speaks and acts as a bastion of truth in a world that is saturated with fear and anger. She's a beacon--though often times her circumstances are so bleak that you wonder how she'll survive. We also see more of Salomon Hawke and, though he still remains partly a mystery, we get to see a lot more of what makes him who he is. He's definitely a favorite character of mine!

As I read, it did take me a few chapters to really get hooked. Once I was in it though, I was there until the end. You guessed it: laughing, tearing up, shouting at the pages...all the emotions! I enjoyed what felt like a little bit of additional action in this book (yep, the suspense writer in me coming out) and really liked Nadine's ability to keep me guessing. There were often times where I thought "how in the world will they get out of this situation". And yet, she had a way!

I definitely recommend this (and book one, of course) to fans of YA Literature, action, and those who like struggling through problems and issues with a main character that they at once love, are frustrated by, and are rooting for. You'll definitely end this book already wanting book three and the conclusion of the Out of Time Series. (P.S. Nadine just released the title: A Time To Rise and I LOVE it!)

Rating: 5*
Purchase: A Time To Speak

Book Description
(from Nadine's website)

How do you live after you planned to die?

Parvin Blackwater should have died in her brother's place. She didn't. Now she's the only one who can protect her village, but no one wants to listen. When the Council starts forcing "new and improved" Clocks on the public, those who refuse are declared Radicals and exiled. Having been across the Wall once, Parvin is the only one who can save them. But instead of going through the Wall, she's packed into a boxcar, loaded on a cargo ship, and forced out to sea. How will she lead when facing the unknown? Worse yet, why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Cynthia Ruchti & Nadine Brandes | New Novel News + GIVEAWAY

An Endless Christmas
by Cynthia Ruchti

October 13, 2015
Worthy Inspired
Purchase: An Endless Christmas


On the way to Christmas with his family, Micah Binder asks Katie to marry him. She says no, but there is no getting out of Christmas now. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas.






Get to know Cynthia...

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? Monterey, CA

Favorite dessert? 
Crème brulee…with a chaser of cheesecake!

What's one chore you hate doing? 
Taxes. That was too simple. :-)

A Time To Speak
by Nadine Brandes

October 16, 2015
Enclave Publishing
Purchase: A Time To Speak

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to?

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she's being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude's Clock-matching invention to force "new-and-improved" Clocks on the public. Those who can't afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council's purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Get to know Nadine...

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
My power would be to be able to jump into and out of storyworlds! It’s pretty much the best superpower ever. Seriously. I’m going to Hogwarts first. Then Narnia.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
I’m addicted to traveling. So far, my favorite place is Russia. 1) Because I love the people and the language. 2) Because hubby and I do ministry there and it’s just…meant for us. :D 3) Much of my writing reflects some of their culture.

Would you rather go to the future or go to the past?
Well, as long as I didn’t have to stay there forever, I think I’d probably want to go to the past. I’d go there with my super-hubby and we’d learn how to dance like pros. Plus…hubby looks good in a fedora. :D

Go join Nadine's awesome Facebook Party TOMORROW (October 20th)! There will be some awesome prizes :D
https://www.facebook.com/events/1121961131167200/ 

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::WINNER::

It's time to announce the winner from last week's New Novel News about Vannetta Chapman and her new release, Anna's Healing! Congratulations to...

Susan Fletcher


I'll send you an email Susan! And everyone else, if you didn't win I'd recommend coming back often. I love giveaways and, speaking of, I will be hosting a fall giveaway at the end of the week!!! You heard it first here :D Thanks for being faithful readers!

Called to Speak Blog Hop: Silence Isn't The Answer

Today's post is part of a Blog Hop! This hop is to spread the word about Nadine Brandes’s new dystopian novel, A Time to Speak, releasing on October 16th. It is also to encourage myself and others to speak out for our passions and against injustice.

I'm taking a little bit of a different approach to this post and not talking about a typical injustice. Hopefully you'll forgive me, but this topic is something I'm passionate about.

I will speak out against...silence. 

Before moving to Washington, DC I lived in sunny Southern California and worked for a church. During my time there, I also volunteered with our awesome youth group (Souled Out) for just over six years. There aren't words enough to say how much I loved (and still love) those students. Even now I get teary just thinking about them and how much they impacted me. I know, it's supposed to be the other way around and Lord willing I did have a positive affect on them too...but they taught me a lot about fun, faith, and what it looks like to love someone.

The reason I'm speaking out against silence is simple: there's too much of it.

I know, I know...we live in a world that's clogged by noise. Texting, television, radio, music, the internet, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, movies, Netflix, SnapChat....yeah I could go on. That is noisy. We've become deaf to the language our hearts were made to speak. To the language of conversation. (tweet this)

The reason I bring up my youth group experience is because I look back on my days spending time with my students (yes, mine - I'm quite possessive of them hehe) and the amazing conversations we had. We talked about everything. Deep things. Hurtful things. Happy things. Real things. And you know what? Our friendships were (and still are) stronger because of it.

I look around me at what our society is becoming and I mourn for the loss of depth. The allowance we make for living on the surface. This isn't just an issue with Jr. High and High School students, its and issue with adults too. We talk about things like sports, fashion, the latest Netflix episodes we've watched, but we're afraid to jump into things that go beyond what's socially acceptable.

Silence isn't the answer. 
(tweet this)

We can't let silence be go-to, the easy thing we turn to when we don't know what to say. I'm not saying "surface" things are bad, but they can't be all we have. When we will post more on Facebook than we will say to the person sitting next to us on the Metro or in line at the grocery story or sitting at the dentist office...what does that make us? Disembodied voices in a sea of faceless cyber people who forgot that they are living in a real world. A beautiful world fashioned for us by our Creator.

It's time to speak up. To break the silence. To enter into vulnerability with those around us. Yes, it's scary, but you will be better for having been known. To realize that you are not alone in this world and that there is solid reality to your friendships. To your life.

Lastly, I have a challenge to parents and anyone who has input into a youth's life. Speak the real things to them. Tell them the truth and be honest. As I dived in deep with the girls in my small group I opened up who I am to them. I didn't sugarcoat my life. I admitted I struggle to find time to read my Bible and pray. I admitted when I messed up. I offered them a look into my imperfect life and I've never regretted that.

Be brave. Be bold. Speak. (tweet this)

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I definitely recommend the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes! Book two comes out October 16th and is on pre-order now {find it here} so...you should probably go get that ;) PLUS she's got an awesome party planned on October 20th with some fantastic giveaways (trust me, I know what they are hehe!). Join the Facebook Party!

A Time To Speak
Book Two in the “Out of Time” series.

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to?

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude’s Clock-matching invention to force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council’s purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Read about the first book, A Time to Die, here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's the blog hop schedule for you as well - follow along!

9.28.15 – Gretchen Engel
9.30.15 – Nadine Brandes
10.01.15 – Jason Joyner
10.05.15 – Gretchen Engel (part 2)
10.06.15 – Tricia Mingerink
10.08.15 – Gretchen Engel (Scriblerians)
10.09.15 – Emilie Hendryx
10.11.15 – Janeen Ippolito
10.12.15 – Zachary D Totah
10.14.15 – Brittany Valentine
10.15.15 – Andrew Swearingen
10.17.15 – Megan Besing
10.19.15 – Angel Roman
10.20.15 – Charles Franklin
10.21.15 – Lisa Godfrees
10.23.15 – Shantelle Hannu
10.27.15 – Natalie Walters
10.29.15 – The Artist Librarian
11.02.15 – Rosalie Valentine
11.17.15 – Amanda Fender

Nadine Brandes {Writer Wednesday} + GIVEAWAY

A little bit about Nadine...

Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. Her dystopian trilogy, the Out of Time Series, challenged her to pursue shalom, which is now her favorite word (followed closely by 'bumbershoot'.) When Nadine's not taste-testing a new chai, editing fantasy novels, or being a Harry Potter super-nerd, she and her knight-in-shining armor (nickname: "hubby") are out chasing adventures.

How to connect with Nadine...


-->Website: http://nadinebrandes.comBlog: http://nadinebrandes.com/blog
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/NadineBrandes
Facebook: http://facebook.com/NadineBrandesAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NadineBrandes
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/NadineBrandes
Instagram: http://instagram.com/NadineBrandes
Purchase: A Time To Die

Author Interview | Nadine Brandes

--> You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I can’t remember a time when I didn’t enjoy writing. As a kid, I processed through words and through story. I’ve journaled since I knew how to hold a pen. When I hit college, that’s when I realized I wanted to be an author… as a career. Nothing else “fit” me so I started pursuing it in a more serious way—writers conferences, research, editing, etc.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Well, I’ve written only two books – A Time to Die (book 1) and A Time to Speak (book 2, releasing this fall) – but book two is my current favorite. You’ll have to wait until it releases so you can find out why. :P

If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...I think the hardest thing about publishing is how much changes once you’re contracted. Suddenly there are deadlines (when I previously took a leisurely three years to write book one.) I had to learn to be a more dedicated writer, whether inspiration was there or not.

...The easiest thing for me about publishing is all the “tech stuff” because I don’t have to do it! The glories of going through a traditional publisher is that I pretty much focus on writing, editing, and marketing myself. All the formatting and logistical steps are on someone else’s plate. [grin]

--> Your Writing

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...Parvin Blackwater is my favorite character because I feel she asks all the questions that many of us asked at one time. She’s not afraid to admit she feels distant for God or doesn’t “get” the whole relationship-with-Him thing. She’s a searcher and I can relate to those years of searching for answers. I hope my readers can, too.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I hope that my books cause readers to think about how they’re pursuing life and God. I took both for granted through my own teenage years. Life demands pursuit, and God’s given us the perfect amount of time with which to catch it. I want my readers to re-evaluate their pursuit of God and of shalom. Our lives are given to us for a purpose and I hope to live mine out. :-)

Coming out October 1, 2015

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...My inspiration comes from a mixture of real life, scripture, and imagination. But the idea for A Time to Die came from the death of a young acquaintance of mine. His death started me asking myself, “How would I live if I knew the day I’d die?” and I channeled that into a story. :-)

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Funny you should ask. I just wrote a blog post on the 8 pieces of advice I have for writers, but if I had to narrow it down it would probably be to attend a writer’s conference.

You

What is your favorite activity during the summer?
...Hunting for morel mushrooms! That’s usually early summer. And then hunting for huckleberries in late summer. I live in the perfect place for both. Yum!

Apparently August 15th is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day (who knew). What is your favorite dessert?
...I’m an old-school chocolate-chip-cookie inhaler. But, if you want to get really fancy (and deadly)… I’ll never say no to sticky toffee pudding. I had it when living in England for a few months and it’s now our go-to specialty dessert. It’s AMAZING! Come over. I’ll make it for you. :P

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Thanks so much for being my guest today. Readers - I got to meet this awesome author at the Realm Makers Conference after having connected with her online and now I get to host her on the blog! How fun? I haven't gotten a chance to read A Time To Die yet but it's in my TBR pile and I can't wait to get to it. And Nadine, it's really amazing to hear how you came up with the idea for this book. Real life sometimes provides us the opportunity to ask deep (and sometimes hard) questions. Thanks again and I hope to have you back to talk about A Time To Speak ;-)

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::WINNER::

It's time to announce the winner of this beautiful book from Sarah Sundin. I had her on the blog last week introducing this WWII romance and talking about her writing journey. She's offered one lucky winner a copy of her book. 

Congratulations go to...

Rachel Gheen

AND...because there were so many awesome comments left, I'm going to contribute another copy for the giveaway!

My second winner is...

Pattymh2000

Contact me using the from to the right so we can get you your copies! Don't worry if you didn't win here, there's still my awesome, month-long newsletter GIVEAWAY! Enter here!