Grace Triumphant: A Tale of the Slave Trade has released!!! This is the seventh book written by Alicia Willis, who I have been privileged to be internet-friends with over the last year and a half or so. I have read all (yep...all) six of her already-published novels. My favorite? Rising to the Challenge: A Tale of Perseverance and Unconditional Love (which I got to beta-read for last winter - that was sure a cool experience!).
It also happens to be Alicia's 24th birthday today, so happy birthday!
And I'm going to soon be reading Grace Triumphant... (I'm looking forward to that! It sounds like an interesting, faith-based tale.)
Without further ado, here's the books synopsis, an interview with Alicia, and links to where you can find her new book (and the author herself).
Synopsis:
Profligate London, 1788. Slave ships haunt the seas, bearing human cargos to further the wealth of the rich and destroy the souls of the slave traffickers.
Russell Lawrence is an avid skeptic. Captain of the slave ship Barbados, wealthy, and a respected leader, he views religion as a crutch for the weak. But when the debauchery of the slave trade begins to destroy his good morals, his battle becomes more than fighting pirates and mutineers. What if there really is a God?
Impressed as a cabin boy, Jack Dunbar sees his forced service on the Barbados as a God-given opportunity to witness Christ to the crew. But his efforts to influence the hardened slavers seems to be doing little good. How is it possible to live as a Christian on the sin-ravaged seas? Can his light shine bright in Africa's dark interior?
Back in Grosvenor Square, Elizabeth Grey battles opposition from society and her self-seeking fiancé. Her work with John Newton to end the slave trade is being harshly attacked. She faces life branded as a jilter and radical if she stands up for what she believes in. Will she ever glean the strength to call sin by its rightful name?
A tale of adventure on the high seas, redemption, and faith. Sin abounds. Is grace enough to conquer doubt and triumph over evil?
(Doesn't this sound good?)
BUY GRACE TRIUMPHANT HERE.
Book trailer:
Interview time!
MK: Hi, Alicia! Welcome to Adventures Beyond the Horizon. Congratulations on your book's release! Could you start by telling a little bit about yourself?
Alicia: Thank you for having me! I am a 24 year-old Independent Baptist, engaged to the most wonderful man in the world. When I am not writing or doing research, I enjoy being the church pianist, a Sunday School teacher, music teacher, and coffee connoisseur. My fiance and I are to be married, Lord willing, on February 13 of 2016. We are called to full-time ministry as missionaries with an emphasis on the deaf.
MK: What inspired Grace Triumphant?
Alicia: The story of Amazing Grace, John Newton, and William Wilberforce were my sources of inspiration.
MK: Were there any ways in which you were encouraged or challenged in your faith-walk while writing this?
Alicia: One cannot write a story about the slave trade and God's amazing grace without being entirely blown away by our awesome God!
MK: What is one thing you're hoping readers will take away from this book?
Alicia: I hope readers will understand God's amazing grace, forgiveness, and love. I also hope to clear up the misconceptions about the slave trade and understand the racism on both sides.
MK: What does your writing process look like - do you outline and write everything down, or are you more of a mental planner? (I tend to fall into the latter category...but then again, I outline in my head.) ;)
Alicia: I am a panster. Towards the end of the book, I outlined a little bit, just to bring the loose ends together. However, I am a strong believer in allowing the characters to tell their own story.
MK: Do you have a favorite book/author?
Alicia: Modern or classic? Oh, Florence Kingsley is my favorite classical author. And I love Erynn Mangum, Sarah Varland, Anne Mateer, and John J. Horn.
MK: Yes, John J. Horn is really an amazing author - I agree with you there! Okay, Alicia, we must know... Do you have a favorite character from Grace Triumphant? Whose story did you enjoy writing the most? (Or can you just not pick?)
Alicia: That is hard! I had a difficult time "feeling" Jack at first, but, as he matured, he really grew on me. I loved Russell from the start and could totally understand him, which is funny, seeing as he is a skeptic! And my heart went out to Elizabeth the entire time. So, I cannot really pick a favorite!
MK: What is your favorite time period - to write or to read about? (I kinda fell in love with the Victorian era when I read Martha Finley's updated A Life of Faith series...and I still love it!)
Alicia: The Middle Ages would be number one. But ancient Rome is a favorite too! I mostly enjoy writing about those eras, but have found a few books centered around those times that I have enjoyed reading too!
MK: And, lastly, what inspires you to write - and keep writing?
Alicia: I love history. And I want to bring glory to God! Weaving God-centered tales around fascinating historical eras always inspires me!
MK: Thank you so much for stopping by, Alicia!
Find Alicia on...
Amazon
Her blog
Goodreads
Her website
And her Google+ account
Buy the book (get it signed! That's always a plus!), read it, and enjoy it! I will hopefully (maybe) be posting a review of it once I get my signed copy - and the specially included tea!
Until next time...
MK
Great interview! That looks like a really cool book!
ReplyDelete-Mikayla-
Thanks, Mikayla! Doesn't it? :) I'll let you know how it is when I read it.
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