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 Trailer

I thought I'd share with you the new trailer for Disney's short, Frozen Fever, that's premiering before Cinderella!

I am personally really looking forward to both the short and the movie - they both look so good!

Here it is:

 

Isn't Olaf adorable? And did catch a glimpse of Oaken? Are you looking forward to Frozen Fever and Cinderella?

A Bunch of Announcements

Some of you might've heard of the new, live-action take on Peter Pan that's coming to theaters this year, starring Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Amanda Seyfried, and introducing Levi Millar as none other than Peter Pan himself. And it's officially coming July 24th! That's three days before my 15th birthday (which is July 27th), so maybe I can persuade my family to go with me then! ;)

I've actually only seen the original, animated Peter Pan once - and I was about six years old, so I can't say for sure if I liked it or not!

Anyways, it looks like a rather adventurous movie - and you know me and adventure (and if you don't, just look at the title of my blog)! ;) Plus, Levi Miller seems like a really great new actor from the trailer! Granted, he's only 11 or 12 years old, but that only makes it more impressive! 

Levi Miller also had a small role in the ninth episode of one of my favorite shows - Terra Nova. That's not a big deal, but it was interesting to find out! :)

Here's the trailer for Pan:

 

All right, now for another announcement:

 

Cinderella is coming to theaters on March 13th! This is also a new, live-action take on the much-loved Disney classic. It seems to be a new 'phase' that the movie-making world is going through: recreating animated Disney movies! Because they're also going to start production on a live-action Beauty and the Beast later this year! Oh, and, um... they're also doing a live-action Jungle Book!! And guess who's voicing Sher Khan!? Benedict Cumberbatch, that's who! This is just a mind-blowing myriad of announcements I'm throwing at ya here... ;)

 

Okay, okay...back to Cinderella.

 

I am looking forward to seeing this one (even more so than Pan), and there is a teeny, tidbit of news that makes it all the more great...

 

The new Frozen short, Frozen Fever, is premiering with Cinderella!!! So instead of just seeing Cinderella,  you'll also be seeing Frozen Fever! How cool is that!? 

 

So, to whet your appetite for both Cinderella and Frozen Fever, here is the Cinderella trailer, and the synopsis for Frozen Fever:

 

 

 

Frozen Fever synopsis:

 

 

On Anna's birthday, Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa's icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

Starring: Idina Menzel (as Elsa), Josh Gad (as Olaf), Kristen Bell (as Anna), and Jonathan Groff who plays Kristoff (all of the original voices from Frozen).

Running time: 7 minutes

 

On Cinderella:

 

I have to say that it looks like they've done a really great job on it! And also with making it more real-to-life. In the animated film, Cinderella is pretty at ease with her life as a servant, but I think it would be much harder in reality - especially with such a cruel stepmother and stepsisters. And she certainly didn't grow up as a servant! Do you agree?

 

Really, though, it looks like it's going to be a good adaption! And it also seems as though they made some pretty good casting selections! Agreed?

 

And we are so going to the theaters for this... There's no missing it.

 

What about you? Are you looking forward to any of the movies just mentioned? What about Cinderella and Frozen Fever? What do you think of Prince Charming and Ella? What do you think of the new Peter Pan?