Dandelion Dust + Review + Interview // MY FRIEND PUBLISHED HER BOOK

I'M BACK TODAY because my friend, Faith, just published her first novella. Ever. And it's called Dandelion Dust.

I'll repeat that.

MY FRIEND PUBLISHED HER LOVELY BOOK, GUYS. And it's adorable and re-read worthy and... maybe just GO GRAB A COPY.

Okay first finish this post...then you're free to leave and buy it. *wink*

And just like the banner says, I'm participating in her blog tour!! So we've got a whole enchilada of things to read AND an interview at the end. LET'S GET TO IT.

 Synopsis:

Like a speck of dandelion dust riding the tides of a prairie wind, life is fleeting. Though I never realized just how fragile it was until that day . . . 

Charity always had a dream. It was simple, really. Find a guy, fall in love, and get married. The day she met Ryder, Charity knew he was the man God had chosen for her. But she never expected their relationship to be tested and tried through the fires of a freak accident. Suddenly, her world is thrown into chaos, and the bleak, white walls and sterile smells of a city hospital fill every spare minute. And then there comes the dreaded news. It was likely Ryder would never make it out of the hospital bed. As her carefully laid plans for the future come crashing down around her and the sun seems to set on her dreams, can Charity still find hope in the dark of night?

Like a dandelion, life is beautiful. But treasure every moment. . . for one day, the flower will be gone. 

Add Dandelion Dust on Goodreads right here.


 MY REVIEW:
Rating: 4 stars

When Faith posted on her blog with a sign-up form to beta-read her soon-to-be-published, and FIRST, novella, I jumped at the chance - partially just because Faith is my friend and it was her book - ya know?

And I was delightfully surprised and impressed. Faith has a fantastic writing style - it flows nicely and doesn't feel stilted. The dialogue is real and everyday. The plot kept me going. The characters grabbed my attention. On page one I was already interested and rooting for the couple. Overall? I think Faith hit a home run with her debut. She's a really good writer, guys.

Dandelion Dust is an adorable, sweet tale that will capture your attention and keep you hoping and wondering and wishing. It paints a lovely tale of young love and faith in God with wonderful fictional humans. I'm totally going to reread it - as soon as I can get my hands on my own (signed *ahem*) copy.

The main characters were well-rounded and, honestly? could be real people. (They are, right? I mean, I could just hop on a plane and go see 'em? Waaaait...no?) Namely Charity and Ryder and Drew and Hannah - all of whom I liked. Charity was a great main character - very sweet and relatable. Which is really cool because it's not often I like the main girls in books. Often enough they're annoyingly naive or frustratingly stubborn or whiny - but Charity? *shakes head* She wasn't any of those things. Her relationship with God - but also with Ryder - was, again, real (I keep using that word but it's true). Ryder was charming and goofy and sweet. Hannah feels like a bit of a mystery - but I think that'll be revealed in the not-toooooo-distant future? ;) And Drew - definitely one of my favorites. He was the cool older bro who's really sweet and caring and thoughtful. (There's a story with this guy, Faith. *raises eyebrows pointedly* ;))

The romance in this novel was SO well-done and cute! I was literally sitting there reading, thinking: "How does Faith write this good?!" The romanc was really clean, which was fantastic. Charity and Ryder's relationship was well-written and realistic and adorable. Another thing I liked about Dandelion Dust was the uniqueness of it, but also some of the scenes that were really cool (and I didn't feel like I'd read them before *nods*). Like the hair cut or shouting match with God - both great. <33

The story itself progressed well - and there was most definitely a curveball thrown in that I kind of saw coming but didn't want to have happen. It was sorta like “Is she gonna do it? Is she? Is that where this is headed? WAHT SHE DID IT. NO.” And then even that all turned out so beautifully, it warms my heart. <333

Overall, Dandelion Dust is a book I want to reread. And have other people read. It was well-written, realistic, touching, lovely…Faith did a fabulous job, and I’m totally in for reading the edited version. SOON. Most definitely recommended.

About the author:

Faith Potts is a teenage writer, living with her family and beloved yellow labs in the southeastern US. When she's not writing stories, consuming large amounts of coffee, reading books, or creating pottery, she can be found laughing harder than is healthy, daydreaming, and – of course – blowing dandelions.

Find this girl on Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads! Be sure to give her a follow and friend her - she's really fun. ;) Also find her on her blogs - Chosen Vessels and Stories by Firefly.


INTERVIEW with Faith herself:

1) HELLO, FAITH! Thank you so much for stopping by my corner of the internet! It's a pleasure to have you here. First off, I want to wish you a huge, ginormous congratulations for publishing Dandelion Dust! It must be so exciting!! (I'm personally looking forward to having a paperback copy on my shelf. *nods*) Let's get down to business - what inspired Charity and Ryder's story and the characters themselves?

The inspiration for the book/plot actually came from a dream I had back in late December. It changed a lot from the original, but the main points are still there. Charity is basically me, so I guess that's where her character-inspiration came from. And I would be lying if I said that the idea of a 'farm family' didn't come from my close friend's family.

2) What did the writing process look like? Do you have a favorite - and least favorite - part of that process?

The writing process looked like...chaos. Legit chaos. I wrote the first draft in 25 days, which was really fast for me at the time. (And, honestly, still is. :P) Hmm...tricky. I don't know that I could pick a favorite or a least favorite! I enjoyed it all, except maybe formatting? Yeah, word doc hates me.

3) Is there a scene that you particularly enjoyed writing? One that you didn't see coming but love how it turned out?

The haircut scene. Hands down. It came into the book in the third draft/second edit (right before beta-readers) because I felt like that area needed something light-hearted after all the 'heaviness' of the first half to three-fourths of the book. It will always be among my top three favorite scenes of the book. ;)

4) What is the biggest thing you want people to take away from Dandelion Dust? 

To trust God no matter what. As hard as it may be to see (and chances are you wont see, at least for awhile and maybe not ever), God has a plan. Every difficult situation in each of our unique lives, every hardship or struggle we face, has a purpose. One day it will all be worth the hurt.

5) AND LASTLY would you mind giving us a hint into the next book in the series?? *wants Drew's story*

Hehe, you'd like that, wouldn't you? XD I don't want to say too much about what I'm thinking for the sequel...but I can give a couple hints. Here you go: Wedding preparations. Tear-jerkers. Road trips. Summertime. *smiles*   

And guess what?! Faith is giving away TWO paperback copies of Dandelion Dust!! The contest lasts only until midnight tonight SO HURRY AND GO ENTER. You won't regret it. *nods*

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Grace Triumphant and an Interview with the Author

Hey, all! Today is special because...

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
Facebook
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 

A Different Kind of Courage Blog Tour

 

Hello, everyone! I was invited to do a blog tour with Sarah Holman for her latest book, A Different Kind of Courage! I am looking forward to reading this novel, and I will be soon! Below, you can enter for a chance to win a copy of her book! But for now...here is a fun interview with the author:

Hello there, and welcome to Adventures Beyond the Horizon, Sarah!

Thank you for having me! I am very excited to be here!

 

What inspired your newest release, A Different Kind of Courage?

Two conversations actually. The first was one our family had after watching several of movies and TV shows about people with secret identities. We talked about the real consequences of such a life style that most of the movies and such didn’t show. The second conversation was one my mom and I had about people who try to live up to their parents expectations for them, instead of God’s.
 

Would you give us a synopsis?

After three years in England, William Landor returns to Boston in 1774, little knowing the events that are about to unfold.

England has issued an ultimatum: pay for the tea that was destroyed in the Boston Tea Party, or the Port of Boston will be closed. Williams knows that this will have a devastating effect on his hometown, which is so dependent on the sea. However, he finds himself in the middle of the political struggle he wanted to avoid.

William's father is a merchant and loyal to the kind and is furious at what the rebels of Boston have cost him. He would like nothing more than to rid the city of their poisonous influence. Meanwhile, William's best friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, is one of the leaders of the rebels, or Whigs, as they call themselves.

As if his life was not complicated enough, he meets a fiery indentured servant who tugs at his heart as well as his loyalty. When he is confronted by the consequences of his many secrets, he has to make a choice whether of not to tell the truth. Does he have the kind of courage it will take?

What was the hardest part of writing it?

Editing. Editing for me is very hard. It takes a lot of time, and is tedious.

What's your favorite part of the writing process?

I love it when I get the feeling that I am just watching the story unfold along with my readers; the unexpected twists and turns that come as a surprise to even me. I also love creating stories like the ones I always wanted to read as a kid.

What/who inspired you to start writing?

It was a joint effort of my mom and Robin Hood. I was a little obsessed with Robin Hood at one point and I wanted to write a version of my own. My mom encouraged me to write my own stories, instead of retelling someone else's, so I did.

Who is your favorite author?

It would be a toss up between Elizabeth Camden and Sarah Sundin. Both of them are amazing story tellers who tackle tough issues without being crude. Both are amazing story tellers that have kept me up late at night. I would be hard pressed to pick between them.

Can you name a few of your favorite books?

I can indeed! Christy by Catherine Marshall (that was a life changing book for me), A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin, Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden, the Firmament series by J. Grace Pennington, The Charity's Diary by Elisabeth Allen, The Messenger by Siri Mitchell, and many, many more.

Who is your favorite fictional character?

Christy from the book of the same name. Her journey's story was life changing for me in many ways and she and I have so much in common.

If you could meet one person, who would you meet (other than Jesus)?

George W. Bush. He was very inspiring to me and is someone I have greatly admired.

Which time period is your favorite to read/write about? Why?

Until a little over a year ago, I would have said the Middle Ages, but the early American Revolution has captured my imagination after doing all the research that was necessary for this book. I think that wars tend to bring out the best and worst in people, and the American Revolution was no exception. For this reason as well as others, I love this time period.

Favorite writing space and snack?

My favorite writing space is my writing corner in my room or on the couch. Snack? Cheez-Its! I love munching on them while I am working out a plot, writing, or am editing.

If money were no object, where would you go for vacation? Who would you bring with you?

I would go to England and take my whole family with me. I would visit castles and museums, and maybe even make time to visit Jane Austen's home.

Any final thoughts?

Don't give up on your writing. Few, if any of us, are born with all the talent it takes to make a good book. You have to keep writing and building your skills to get good.

Thanks for being here, Sarah! We enjoyed getting to know more about you!
 

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of five published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.

You can find Sarah over at her blog, The Destiny of One, her Facebook page, Twitter (@thedestinyofone), Pinterest , GoodReads, and her LinkedIn!

I hope you enjoyed the interview - I did! You can enter the giveaway below to receive a copy of A Different Kind of Courage! I haven't read A Different Kind of Courage yet, but I've a feeling it's good book!!!

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