Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts

Saturday, June 3, 2017

The Secret Slipper Blog Tour & Giveaway!



I have the privilege of being a part of Amanda Tero's book tour.  Her stories are quite unique and lovely!

About the Book

Being a cripple is only the beginning of Lia’s troubles. It seems as if Bioti’s goal in life is to make Lia as miserable as possible. If Lia’s purpose is to be a slave, then why did God make her a cripple? How can He make something beautiful out of her deformity?

Raoul never questioned the death of his daughter until someone reports her whereabouts. If Ellia is still alive, how has she survived these ten years with her deformity? When Raoul doesn’t know who to trust, can he trust God to keep Ellia safe when evidence reveals Bioti’s dangerous character?

As time brings more hindrances, will Raoul find Ellia, or will she forever be lost to the father she doesn't even know is searching for her?

Buy on Amazon



About the Author

Amanda Tero is a homeschool graduate who desires to provide God-honoring, family-friendly reading material. She has enjoyed writing since before ten years old, but it has only been since 2013 that she began seriously pursuing writing again – starting with some short stories that she wrote for her sisters as a gift. Her mom encouraged her to try selling the stories she published, and since then, she has begun actively writing short stories, novellas, and novels. If something she has written draws an individual into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, it is worth it!

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Connect with Amanda
Email: amandaterobooks@gmail.com


My Review


The Cinderella story as you've never before seen it!

Lord Kiralyn believes his daughter has died in a plague...but years later hears that she is likely still living. The search begins, and the impatient father forgets for a while that he should be seeking God's guidance. His faithful servant and friend, Jolin, lends gentle wisdom.

Will Ellia, on her own journey of hardship and bitterness, find rest for her soul?

This is a well-done story, with emotional twists, suspense, godly lessons, great characters, a refreshing lack of romance, and a satisfying ending. 4.5 stars.


Interview with Amanda

When did you begin to write stories and why?
I was definitely under ten when I began writing, just little scribblings that my sisters and I would put together for fun (or exchange in a secret sister mailbox). It is really hard to explain the “why.” It is just something that I’ve always enjoyed.

What was the inspiration for your current series?
Ah, “The Secret Slipper.” As funny as it may sound, it was just a question. I had finished “Befriending the Beast” (a spin-off of Beauty and the Beast) as a stand-alone when an author friend asked, “Hey, have you ever considered a father/daughter Cinderella story?” And that is exactly where the inspiration started. I prayed about it, and the Lord supplied the full story for book two of this series I hadn’t planned on.

Tell me a bit about your family. How do you schedule your time in order to finish your stories?
I am happily child #5 of an even dozen (ten of which are still home). We go around singing as opportunities arise (our sorely out-of-date blog: http://www.terofamilyministies.com), so that makes life quite busy. I’m also a music teacher (I currently have 30 piano/violin students), so writing is definitely more of a hobby. Some weeks I am able to write for several hours, other weeks, I can’t write at all. So scheduling time for writing is a hit-and-miss. As much as I’d love to be a full-time writer, it’s just not that stage of life for me right now. So I write when I can and by God’s grace, I’ve published three novellas in the past year.

Are your stories more plot driven or more people driven, or are they equally both?
Hmm…my stories are changing as I’m learning more about the writing craft. Initially, I would say that my stories are people-driven, though “The Secret Slipper” has a little more plot drive in it.

If you use outlines, how so?
I use a very loose outline—basically, I get a general idea of the storyline and go from there, changing it as I go. I’m more of a pantster than a planner.

How many books do you plan to write in the Tales of Faith Series?
Ah, THE question. Honestly, I have no clue. As I earlier mentioned, a few months ago, I hadn’t planned on anything more than a cute little stand-alone story, but God led me to continue with a book two. I have a book three mulling around in my mind, but I have absolutely no clue how many will follow. We’ll just see where the Lord leads!

Video chat with Amanda Tero, answering some of the same questions--and more!

Giveaway (Ends Soon)!

Click here to enter a giveaway for 1 paperback set of Befriending the Beast and The Secret Slipper.

Click here to enter an international giveaway of her two ebooks, Befriending the Beast and The Secret Slipper.


Also Touring with The Secret Slipper
May 25, 2017
Amanda @ With a Joyful Noise | Release Day, Giveaway
Leila @ Leila Tualla's Bookshelf | Spotlight
Faith @ Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections | Review, Giveaway
Leona @ Great Books for God's Girls | Review, Interview

May 26
Emily @ Zerina Blossom’s Books | Interview
Kendra @ Knitted By God's Plan (Spotlight) and O'Scarlett Reviews (Review) | Spotlight, Review
Alicia @ A Brighter Destiny | Review, Giveaway

May 27
Anika @ This Journey Called Life | Spotlight, Review, Giveaway
Katie @ His Princess Warrior | Review, Giveaway
Sarah @ The Destiny of One | Spotlight
Heather @ Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Spotlight, Interview, Giveaway

May 29
Kate @ Once Upon an Ordinary | Review, Interview
Sarah @ Penumbra Reviews | Review
Dary @ Peculiar Miss Darcy | Character Interview
Julia @ My Joyful Journey with Jesus | Interview

May 30
Kenzi @ Honey Rock Hills | Review, Giveaway
Anita @ Christian Author: A.M. Heath  | Review
Judith @ JudithWNicholson  | Interview

May 31
Jesseca @ Whimsical Writings for His glory  | Spotlight, Review
Raechel @ God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae  | Spotlight, Review
Esther @ Purposeful Learning | Review, Interview, Giveaway

June 1
Kellyn @ Reveries Reviews  | Review
Victoria @ Victoria Minks Blog  | Spotlight, Review
Kelsey @ Kelsey’s Notebook | Spotlight

June 2
Hanne @ RockandMinerals4Him | Spotlight, Review, Giveaway
Erica @ Roxbury Books Blog | Spotlight
Janell @ Views from the Window Friend  | Review
Crystal @ Crystal’s Adventures for Christ  | Spotlight, Review, Interview

June 3
Alexa @ Verbosity Reviews  | Spotlight
Faith @ Chosen Vessels  | Review


Thursday, February 17, 2011

Interview with Chantel

The first interview on my blog is here now, by my online friend, Chantel Brankshire! Her blog, Life, Laughter, and the Little Things is that and more. I especially love her cheerful, thankful outlook and encouraging words. She also writes book reviews, which I enjoy.

So, without further ado, here is my interview with her.


Could you tell me something about your family?
My family is a growing, wonderful group of people who I am so honored and privileged to be a part of. I am the middle child of three, (making me the sandwich filling, so to speak!) and have 9 siblings-in-law total, and two sets of parents, and two nephews and a niece. I also have the joy of having two childhood friends as sister-in-laws. I love each one of my family members, and love being an auntie!

Some of Chantel's family at Thanksgiving time

Could you tell me something about your courtship and/or wedding?
Scott and I lived over 1000 miles apart, and it wasn't always easy to have so much distance between us, yet all the times apart make all the times together so much more beautiful, and while romance is a part of every relationship, we were able to become best friends and then lovers, and that is one of my favorite things- being married to my best friend. We got married in Washington state on March 15, 2009 in a little white church not far from the river. Our wedding was small and simple, but we were so blessed to be surrounded by our families, and even though I was so sick, it is a special day that I will always cherish.


Is there a word of encouragement or advice you could give to single (and/or married) young ladies?
God's way and His time are always perfect. It is hard to wait, and hard to not know, but don't let the waiting and the not knowing- whether you are single, newly wed, or an old married lady- keep you from really living, from finding the gold in every day moments, and from the sweet contentment of knowing that He is good, and that He does all things well. All things.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I've always had a really hard time picking out a favorite hobby, but I love writing, and letters, and books, and gardens and barefoot days and sunshine and raindrops. I like to sew and crochet and cook almost all our meals "from scratch". And every day is busy, but when every day things are hobbies, it makes every day very satisfying.

A moose in her AK garden!

Home canning

What is your favorite Bible verse, or book of the Bible, and why?
For some years, I have treasured a good portion of the 18th Psalm. Often, it feels as if it was written just for me, as I am reminded that "as for God, His way is perfect." and that He can make even my stumbling, halting feet like the feet of a deer, jumping on the mountains. It gives me courage, and hope that no matter what today looks like, He sees what I cannot see. He will make everything perfect in His time.

What are some of your favorite books? (Hard question to limit, I'm sure.)
I grew up listening to and reading Pilgrim's Progress. It is a book I turn back to often in my daily life, and feels like an old and trusted friend and counselor. I also find so much of myself in Much Afraid of Hind's Feet on High Places, and enjoy reading about the March Sisters in Little Women. I love books about Christ's life, and love to read my Bible through slowly and savor it.

What are your guidelines for what you read?
When I was a child, I made the words of Philippians 4:8 my standard by which to measure the books I read. A number of years ago, I also read this quote by Susanna Wesley that I try to also make my motto in living.

“Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.” –Susanna Wesley (Letter, June 8, 1725)


What are some of your long-term and everyday goals?
I guess I don't feel like I have a lot of important goals right now. My husband and I would love to one day own a small farm or ranch, but while it is a cherished dream, I couldn't exactly call it a goal, for we are learning to hold onto things with an open hand for God to give and take as He sees best.

I suppose my one big goal would be to be more like Jesus, and to not fight against the things that He brings into my life to change me, even if they are often hard and painful. Every day, I am striving for greater perfection in organization and time management and in keeping the most important things, like my spiritual health, marriage, family and the people God puts into my life, first and not be so easily caught up in other peoples' goals for my life.

Chantel and her husband starting their first garden

Who are the people who most inspire you?
People like Noah and Abraham inspire me with the amazing depth and intensity of their faith in following God no matter if it makes sense or not. Early missionaries like Hudson Taylor and Adoniram Judson, and David Livingstone, and Amy Carmichael inspire me by the way they gave so much to serve Him. Corrie Ten Boom, and others inspire me by their faithfulness and forgiveness. But often, it is the simple, trusting sweetness of people who I meet that inspires my heart every day in so many ways.

If you could travel through time, which three people would you most like to meet?
I think this might be the hardest question to answer. Not including Jesus, who I long to meet more than anyone else, I would love to meet Noah and Paul and Elizabeth from the Bible, and Patrick Henry, Galileo and Abraham Lincoln otherwise.

~~~

Thank you, Chantel, for taking the time to write these excellent answers!

I'm planning to interview several people whose blogs I admire, so stay tuned for more in the coming months, if God wills!