A Time To Rise by Nadine Brandes | Re:View

A fantastic end to a thrilling series, A Time To Rise fulfills all of my hopes for the end--and beginning--of Parvin's story!

***

From the very beginning with Parvin in book one (A Time To Die) to following her to the end of this book, it has been an emotional roller coaster of highs, lows, excitement, sadness, crazy miracles, and hints of romance. And yet, coming to the end, I really felt as if it was all "right".

I won't go into much detail here since I don't want to spoil anything, but this third book will take you to places you never expected to go with Parvin, Solomon, and the rest of the unique and eclectic cast of characters. The storyline delves deeply into what it means to truly sacrifice.

Skelly Chase is back as well, and proves to be a very interesting character. I think that's one of the things I admire most about Nadine's writing. She doesn't just make cut and dry characters, she creates whole people who are flawed just like you and I. It makes these characters real as well as it connects you to them in a way that is both beautiful and sometimes uncomfortable due to the depth of emotion you experience toward them.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book as well. We see more technology included and I also noticed how the world we saw from Parvin's point of view expanded as she experienced more and grew as a character.

While I'm sad to see the series end, the ending itself was really appropriate for the series as a whole. It left you satisfied with everything all tied up, as good endings do.

I would definitely recommend this series to those who enjoy YA dystopian with a hint of futuristic-ness to their novels. It has a strong Christian theme to it, but this works well with the story.

www.instagram.com/createexploreread

My rating: 5*
Purchase: A Time To Rise #3, A Time To Speak #2, A Time To Die #1

Book Description
(from Amazon)

What more can you sacrifice than your life? 

Parvin Blackwater is dead.

At least that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.
Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?

_______________

I received this book for free but was under no obligation to 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.

Gilded Cage by Vic James | Re:View

Imaginative and dark, Vic James explores a new dystopian fantasy world that will leave you shocked and craving more.

*** 

As per my usual, I didn't know anything about this book before diving in. I mean, I knew I liked the cover, knew it was a "hot topic" floating around the YA community, and probably knew it was a fantasy, but other than that I was flying blind. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Following the perspectives of several different characters throughout the story, we see the dismal future of a modern-day world divided by magic and no magic. A strange happening called "the slave days" causes all non-magic users to offer up ten years of their life in service to the elite. Those with magic. The political tone of the book is evident as well, creating a very real feeling atmosphere in a world not too different from ours, and yet worlds away.

The concept is creative and well executed, though it definitely has left me craving more information on the magic and what will happen to the characters. Twists and turns abound in way that will have you flipping pages quickly to the end!

I did find the timeline a little frustrating at times. Due to the multiple viewpoints, the reader is transported through weeks/months at a time per viewpoint. It can become a little jolting because things happen that we don't see (due to another characters involvement) and then the next character reacts to something we didn't experience with them. For the sake of the book and the events that transpire, I can see why it was done this way, but it left me feeling a little "left out" at times. I also had some serious trouble with the characters names haha. Not all, but some were just very difficult to wrap my reading brain around (likely a personal issue 😉).

I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing on in the series. It does get dark, just as a "warning". This is not a light and fully fantasy read. I recommend it to fans of urban fantasy, YA dystopian/fantasy, and dystopian.

*A note to my clean readers: There is use of language and some rather violent descriptions in a few parts of the book. Probably a 16+ read (with parental interaction) in my opinion.

My rating: 4*
Purchase: Gilded Cage

Book Description
(from Amazon)

MAGIC RULES. WE SERVE.

In a darkly fantastical debut set in modern-day Britain, magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

This is the darkly decadent world of Gilded Cage. In its glittering milieu move the all-powerful Jardines and the everyday Hadleys. The families have only one thing in common: Each has three children. But their destinies entwine when one family enters the service of the other. They will all discover whether any magic is more powerful than the human spirit.

Have a quick ten years. . . .

_______________
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to 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.  

Raging Storm by Vannetta Chapman | Quotes

Welcome author Vannetta Chapman to the blog today, friends. She's going to share some quotes from her new release, Raging Storm. See the book description below and find out more about Vannetta at the bottom of the post.

Raging Storm
by Vannetta Chapman

In the Darkness,

Anarchy Awakens

When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows she can't simply remain hidden forever. Carter is a type 1 diabetic in need of insulin—and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it.

Shelby's best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won't even consider letting her make the perilous journey alone. Together, they manage to get to the capital—only to discover that while things are desperate in Abney, Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy.

Shelby and Max's search for medical supplies will lead them into terrifying territory, where the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive.

* * *

In this second book in an eerily plausible, action-packed dystopian series, survival will be threatened and faith will be put to the ultimate test as a raging storm engulfs America.

* * *

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’m thrilled to talk to you today about my newest release, Raging Storm. This is the 2nd book in my Remnant series. It’s a story about a world where most technology has been destroyed by a massive solar flare, and how a small group of friends from Abney Texas learn to survive.

I’d like to share with you a couple of quotes from the story.

They found a room that had been set up with tables and chairs. Several lanterns sat darkened on the middle of the tables. Shelby glanced at her watch—it was only ten o’clock, but the room was empty. Everyone was in bed. Funny how their sleeping patterns had reverted back to a farmer’s lifestyle. They were up at sunrise and asleep by the time it was good and dark. No more late nights scouring the Internet, watching television, or reading one more chapter. She was reminded again that life had changed, and they had changed with it. Surviving took every ounce of energy they had.

There’s so much in this excerpt that I like. People’s lives have fallen into a natural rhythm again. I imagine much of our problems with insomnia would be gone, because we’d be physically exhausted from a day of labor. Plus we wouldn’t have the technological noise that has become a constant background to our lives. I enjoy many of these things as much as anyone--social media, digital music, an endless supply of movies at my fingertips--but I do wonder if perhaps these things have come at a great price. At the end of this excerpt, Shelby realizes that life has changed. That they are stronger than they’ve ever been.

He leaned in toward her, his hand tracing the outline of her jaw, his lips finding hers. Softly, gently, he kissed her.
She pulled away first, laughing nervously. “That didn’t settle me down.”
So he reached for her hand and pulled it between his. “Your hands are always so cold.”
“Low blood pressure.”
“Even as the world is ending.”
“Even then.”
“You were so happy just a few hours ago. What happened?”
“Fear crept in.”

This short romantic scene between Max and Shelby makes me laugh. I can see it in my mind. Shelby has held her emotions at bay for a long, long time. She loves Max, but she’s afraid to admit that--afraid of being hurt, afraid of being abandoned, afraid. Her emotions somersault between joy and fear. Max sees it, and Shelby finally acknowledges it, and that’s a turning point for her. Because she begins to understand that fearful is not what we’re called to be. As Christians, our trust is in the Lord, and so we can afford to be bold in our faith and in our relationships.

She saved Max for last. When she moved to slap his hand, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear. “Carter’s going to be fine, and he’s lucky to have you for his mother.”
She touched his cheek once and started to answer. Changing her mind, she kissed him on the other cheek and whispered “thank you” before pulling away.
Something inside of Max blossomed, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Certainly not since the flare, and maybe even before that. Maybe it was something he’d smothered well before the sun changed their world.

For the first time in many years, Max experienced hope. That they would get the supplies of medication back to the people who needed them and that Carter would be fine. He caught a glimpse of a future with Shelby, one that was more than friendship. He allowed himself to dream about the next day and the next one after that with Shelby in his arms, by his side, completing his life. And in that moment the thought crossed his mind that just possibly the life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.

And there is another theme of the book, that sometimes the things we fear, the things we would never wish for, give us joy that we couldn’t imagine. No one in this story would have wished for a solar flare, to lose all modern conveniences, to be thrown back into the lifestyle of their grandparents. But once these things happen, they find joy. They find hope in the future that God has planned. “The life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.” I think this is a truth for each of us, because God’s grace is always sufficient.

________________________

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country.

Connect with Vannetta:
http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/
Purchase: Raging Storm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heroes and Heroines of Dystopian Fiction by Vannetta Chapman | Guest Post

What’s your favorite kind of hero/heroine? Do you envision the hero riding in to save the day on a horse? Or driving a sports car? Is your heroine a woman with a career or a stay at home mom?

My upcoming release, Deep Shadows, is a dystopian story. These are tales centered around a dramatic change in society, major what if scenarios. They are stories about relationships and how they survive or crumble when what we’ve feared, as a society, occurs. They’re stories of faith and hope in the most desperate of times. And the major characters in these stories are a bit different!

Dystopian heroes/heroines:

1. Are usually “reluctant heroes.” They don’t seek the spotlight and don’t want to be the one in charge. But when things fall apart, they step into the role where they’re needed.
2.  Have unusual skills. Usually those are survival skills. They know how to find things that you need to survive. They know how to get by without their cell phone, Google, and GPS. 
3. Are loyal. They might not be the strongest or the bravest, but they genuinely care about their family and friends, and they’re willing to do anything to honor their promises. 
4. Are adaptable. In a dystopian world everything is turned upside down. Heroes are able to adjust quickly. Instead of asking “why” they focus on “what we need to do now.” They understand the time to grieve over what’s been lost is later. The thing to do now is to be strong for friends/family/neighbors. 
5. Have an abiding faith. Despite the odds, the bleak turn of events, the seemingly desperate future, heroes and heroines in a Christian dystopian novel believe that God is still in control. Do they struggle? Sure. Do they doubt? Sometimes. But in the end, they lead others not just through a crumbling world but on a journey of faith.

Deep Shadows is the first book in my upcoming Remnant Series. It’s a significant change from the Amish books I’ve previously published, and for me this journey began with a few questions:

Would I know how to survive if the technology I use every day disappeared?

Would I be strong, physically and emotionally, to care for my family?

Would my faith, my belief in God’s care and provide, remain strong?

Deep Shadows is a journey into fast paced, unexpected journey through a world turned topsy-turvy. I hope it’s a journey that you’ll take with me.

______________________________________

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

Connect with Vannetta: 
http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/

A Time To Die by Nadine Brandes | RE:View

Would you live differently if you knew the day you were going to die?

For Parvin Blackwater, and those living in the dystopian world created by Nadine Brandes, this is reality. A life where your Clock tells you how much time you have to live--and the day you'll die.

Up until her eighteenth year Parvin has played it safe. Her life has been vanilla when she was hoping for cinnamon. With thoughts of her final days on the horizon, she begins stepping out in a feeble attempt to save Radicals from unjust governmental rule. Her actions fall sort, but spark something inside of her. A desire for her life to stand for something. Being forced through the Wall, as is the form of justice, Parvin finds more than she ever could have imagined.

What can I say about this book? It was an emotional roller coaster for me (in the best way). I really felt carried along by Parvin and her ideals, thoughts, and actions. There were times when I was excited for her, frustrated at her, angry with her, sad about the circumstances, and oh so happy for her. I think, as is the case with a lot of first person books, there were times when I was a bit fed up with Parvin, yet I was able to see a truth about humanity in her. We make our decisions, but we're often faced with the reality that our convictions waiver. We falter, even when we're passionate about something. That's what made Parvin real to me.

I enjoyed the discovery of the world of A Time To Die. This first book left me wanting more of the world and more information on certain characters. I'll also say that the ending was...wow, awesome as well as tough and yet right. It sets you up perfectly for book two (which I'll likely be starting tonight ha!).

I definitely recommend this book to YA fans and those who enjoy a great dystopian novel. Fans of Hunger Games,  Divergent, and Maze Runner will find similar themes and a story they can sink their teeth into. Be prepared to be pulled in, emotions and all!

The lovely Nadine and I

Rating: 4.5*
Purchase: A Time To Die

Book Description
(from Nadine's site)

How would you live if you knew the day you'd die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

Check out this awesome video for A Time To Speak (which releases October 16th!): 

You can pre-order it now....  A Time To Speak

_______________

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.

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

_____________________________

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 ;-)

_____________________________

::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!

Choosing The Choosing: A Look at Rachelle Dekker's New Release

Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—would end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority.

But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. The whispers contradict everything she’s been told; yet they resonate deep within.

Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, but she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.
(From Rachelle's website)


Who is Rachelle Dekker?

The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair.

Visit her online at rachelledekker.com.
Twitter: @RachelleDekker 
Facebook: facebook.com/RachelleDekkerAuthor
Instagram: @rachelle_dekker


A little bit about the book and Rachelle...

How did you come up with the story for The Choosing?
...This is a hard question because it has many answers. I wanted to write a theme-based novel about identity. I wanted to write a dystopian novel. I wanted to write in a world that was familiar, but in a setting where I could change the way the world worked. It actually is several ideas I’d been toying with pulled into one story. Once I landed on Carrington’s core revelation and story arc, I simply fell in love with her as a character and drew the rest of the story around her. That’s usually how it works for me. I come up with a character, good or bad, and create the story from there.

"Life is a journey of remembering and forgetting.” 

This is one of the story’s most significant lines is. What do you mean by this?
...It means exactly what you probably think. We have these flashes of clarity where we see so clearly who we are—and our connection to the Father—but then, in a single moment, something pulls our attention away and we forget who we are. This is the journey of life, remembering and forgetting. But I believe the more we remember, the more we set our gaze on the Father, the less often we forget.

What do you hope readers will take away from the story?
...I hope readers are filled with joy and power as they either realize for the first time who their Father is and what they are really worth, or as they simply remember this truth.
The Choosing is the first of a three-book series. What can we expect in the next two books?
...More struggles with identity, but in different ways. Familiar characters dealing with fear and worry and forgiveness. We’ll walk with our characters as they continue to understand the true way of Aaron’s Father. More excitement, more romance (of course), and more self-discovery.

Lastly, I have long since LOVED Ted Dekker's books. I mean...I've read almost every single one there is ;) So...what is it like being Ted Dekker’s daughter? Did your father help you with the writing process?
...Being Ted’s daughter is wonderful! He’s the best, but then I hope many daughters feel that way about their fathers. He is a bit of a mystery, though. Sometimes, even sitting at the dinner table, I can tell he’s lost in thought, and I wonder what it might be like to have his mind.

...It’s been a blessing to watch him write and struggle with writing, so that now when I struggle I have an understanding ear to talk off. He is always willing to talk me through the emotional and mental side of writing (which is where the biggest battles lie in wait) but as far as story, for the most part he lets me fend for myself. It’s always been important to me to write through my challenges on my own. To figure out scenes alone. In fact, he didn’t even read The Choosing until I was already in conversations with Tyndale about publication. I think that’s because he wanted me to believe I could do it on my own.

...But when I doubt my ability as a writer, and when I forget who I am, he is the one I call. And he reminds me that life is a journey of remembering and forgetting, and helps me in remembering once again.

Awesome! Love this, Rachelle. So, there you have it folks - a great NEW book on the market that you must check out! I'll be starting it soon for review and I can't wait to share that with you all!

Purchase: The Choosing (A Seer Novel)

Amanda G. Stevens {Writer Wednesday} + GIVEAWAY

I am so exited to introduce you to the lovely Amanda G. Stevens. You'll probably recognize her from a previous post about headshots, but what you don't know is that she's a newly signed author with David C Cook and her book has just been released. Join with me in a little cheering *woohoo*!!!

Anyway, I'm honored to have her as a guest here on the blog today. PLUS (it just keeps getting better) she's offered a copy of her book as a giveaway. Yep, that's right! You could be reading Seek and Hide by next week (or now if you go and buy her book wink!).

To enter to win a copy, leave a comment for Amanda below and/or share your favorite fall drink.

A little bit about Amanda...

As a child, Amanda disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now, she writes speculative fiction. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and has taught literature and composition to home-school students. She lives in Michigan and loves books, film, music, and white cheddar popcorn. Her first novel, Seek and Hide, is now available.
How to connect with Amanda...

Website: http://amandagstevensbooks.com
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/AmandaGStevens
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AmandaGStevens
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmandaGStevens
Purchase Seek and Hide: A Novel (Haven Seekers Book 1)

Author Interview | Amanda G. Stevens

You and Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...Story has been my deepest love since before I could read. I wrote my first story in first grade, and I’ve been writing ever since. It’s something I’ve always known I wanted to do and be. I guess I’m kept writing by the characters in my head—loving them and wanting others to love them, too.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Any work in progress is always my least favorite when I’m drafting and my favorite when I’m editing. But if I really had to choose, I guess it has to be Book Three. I waited years to write some of those scenes. They’d taken root inside my head, and when I could finally give them life on the page, it was an emotional experience. Hopefully, when Book Four is finished, it will be my new favorite, but I’m too mired in the first draft right now to believe myself about that.

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...I haven’t been published long enough to comment on being published, but as for getting published … For me, the most difficult thing is networking. I’m extremely introverted. This doesn’t mean I have no use for people, but it does mean small talk with strangers takes effort. Mingling at writers’ conferences? Walking up to strangers and saying hi? The prospect of these things has made me short of breath a few times in my life. Usually (less dramatically), I just freeze. I’ve improved a lot with this, but I still have improving to do.

...The easiest thing for me is editing. Not that it’s easy, but I love to do it. Once that first draft is born, I love the process of molding it and polishing it into something I want other people to see. 

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book? Why did you write it?
...Seek and Hide, which has just released, is the first in a four-book series in which the government has taken control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations.

...This book is about Marcus Brenner, a new Christian who is in awe that, after years without family, he now has one in his Christian brothers and sisters. He vows not to let this new family down and plunges into a one-man war, helping Christians flee or hide. The book is also about Aubrey Weston, who recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. She was released back then, but now she’s targeted again, and her baby is taken into custody. Aubrey and Marcus collide in the cabinet aisle of a hardware store, one needing protection and the other determined to protect. God uses this encounter to grab hold of both of them and compel them to confront the lies they believe about themselves.

...I wrote Seek and Hide because of Marcus and Lee (who plays a secondary role in this book and whom Marcus is in love with). I’ve had these two characters in my head for ten years—their desires and fears but also the little individualizing details about them. I’ve always wanted, more than anything else, to introduce them to the world and to write them well.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...Haha, see above. If it’s between my two series leads, I have to choose Marcus. I love the earnestness with which he approaches everything he does. I love the crinkles around his eyes when he smiles. He risks himself to save strangers. He fights so hard to stay sober and loses himself so easily in his woodworking. He’s a terrible communicator and he can’t quit anything he starts, good or bad. He loves ice cream sundaes and good movies and hard work and sky-gazing.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...This is a tough one, because I don’t write with themes in mind. Sometimes I can see them after the fact; sometimes readers point them out to me. I guess I hope Christian readers ask themselves what they’d do in a world like Marcus and Aubrey and Lee’s. Would they risk their freedom to tell the Gospel? Hopefully, Seek and Hide will cause Christians to examine the world around them and stop taking for granted the Bible in legally plain sight on their nightstand.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...My characters are never based on myself or people I know. Not deliberately, anyway. For example, Aubrey values books and literacy. Marcus has no use for books. I’m with Aubrey on this one, but I didn’t give her that trait because I agree with her. It just fit who she is and didn’t fit who Marcus is. Or for example, Marcus is a ridiculously stubborn person. I know stubborn people and pliable people and people in between (we all do, right?). But that doesn’t mean Marcus is supposed to resemble the stubborn people I know. Stephen King describes writing a story as “unearthing” it, and I feel that way about my characters. All I’m doing is discovering who they already are. And my plots unfold based on what these characters would naturally do.

...As for this particular storyworld, Marcus and Lee are the kind of characters who want to be fighting a war. The storyworld grew from that.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I want my reader to grow to love and worry about my characters. I want to provide artistic excellence; improving my craft is really important to me. I want to tell the truth about evil and bring glory to God as the only true good.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Well, if you can be a happy person writing sans publishing, do that. If you really want this, if you can’t stop wanting it, then read a lot and write a lot. Work on your craft and never stop working on it; always improve with the next book. Let the story lead you. As Steven James says, “If you’re starting with a message you want to get across, write nonfiction instead.” Also, if you’re a believer, then give everything to God. Pray a lot. Otherwise, priorities get murky.

You

When you get an idea for a novel, what is the first thing that you do?
...Either I scribble some thoughts into a notebook (depending on how clear the idea is), or more likely I think about it for awhile before I try to write anything down. I need at least one night’s sleep. For some reason, the idea is more vivid the next time I’m awake. This is true of my scenes as well. It’s easier to write something I came up with yesterday than something I came up with today.

September is Classical Music Month (who knew?). In keeping with that theme, do you have a favorite character from a classical novel?
...Oh, no. This is too hard. Um … Okay, a list? Classic characters I love, in no particular order: Rhett Butler, Fitzwilliam Darcy, John Thornton (I confess I haven’t read this one, only seen the wonderful BBC adaptation), Atticus Finch, Long John Silver, Bigwig the rabbit, Philip Marlowe, Sherlock Holmes, Sir Percy Blakeney, Shane, Aragorn, Aslan.

What is your favorite fall snack food?
...My favorite anytime snack food is white cheddar popcorn. It’s treacherous. I open the bag and suddenly it’s empty and I have no memory of how that happened, except there’s this white powder coating my fingers….

_____________________________

Thank you so much for being on the blog today Amanda! Folks, I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda at the ACFW Conference last year and we ended up waiting for a flight together. It was so fun getting to talk to her about her writing aspirations, to become Facebook friends (so, "real" friends - ha!) and then to see her dream to become published turn into a reality! And then I got to interview her. How fun is that?

Anyway, I say "amen and amen" to the difficulty of networking. Being an introvert myself, it's just tough to step out of your shell (or from behind your computer) to try and convince someone that the characters who talk to you are worth selling in book form. I also think it's great that you had such a hard time picking characters from a classical novel :D There are so many good ones...

**Readers, don't forget to leave a comment below so you can enter to win the GIVEAWAY! I expect we'll be seeing a lot more from Amanda (and her books) in the future.**