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Author Chat with Kristen Young on Her New YA Dystopian Release
I first met Kristen in a Facebook readers group and discovered we share two things in common. First, we spell our names the same way. If you’ve ever had someone misspell your name, you know how exciting it is to meet someone else who has the same spelling as you. Also, we both write young adult dystopian fiction from a Christian worldview. I’m thrilled to share an interview with Kristen today where she talks about her new release, Apprentice, now available on Amazon. Q: You’ve written several nonfiction books for teens. What prompted you to also branch into young adult fiction and the dystopian genre, in particular? As a kid…
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Fall in Love with YA Fiction
Happy first day of October! I’m pinching myself over here, because Florida actually feels like fall right now. This morning was in the 60s! Northern friends, just humor me here. That’s a big deal for Florida. What better time of year to “fall” in love with fiction? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun!) I’m excited to share that my young adult dystopian trilogy, The Rogues, is on sale from October 1 through 5 for only $.99 on Kindle! The Rogues trilogy blends suspense, science fiction, and American history into a saga that offers hope through a rediscovery of heritage. One reader said: “I’ve read my fair share of dystopian fiction, Christian…
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Author Chat with Laura Thomas on Romantic Suspense and Her Heart for Readers
Laura Thomas is one of my new favorite romantic suspense authors, and once you get to know her, you’ll see why that’s no surprise! She is not only a gifted writer, but also someone whose desire to provide heart-warming encouragement to her readers shines through the pages. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did! Also, Laura has graciously offered to give away one e-book copy of her latest release, The Orphan Beach. To enter, simply leave a comment below or share this post on social media. Q: How did you first discover your writing ability, and how have you seen God use it in unexpected ways? I…
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Free Preview of The Revisionary – Now Available!
Samples have taken a hit since Covid19 struck. I was in a beauty store over the weekend, and the sales clerk apologized that she could no longer give me a sample to find my perfect shade match but assured me I could return the product if I was dissatisfied. Naturally, I understood, but samples can be so helpful in letting us determine if something is a good fit for us or not. That’s why I’m excited to share this news! My publisher has released a special three-chapter sample of The Revisionary, available for free as an e-book! Maybe you’ve never read dystopian before and are curious if you’ll enjoy the…
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Why I Love Online Learning (And You Might Too)
We often talk about writing and all things bookish here on the blog, but in light of current events, I feel it is important to share about another “hat” I wear: being an online teacher. As an English teacher, I am a believer in online education and homeschooling. Although I realize these schooling solutions are not a fit for all students, I personally enjoyed homeschooling as a student and now teaching online as a profession. Even if you’re considering online learning for a season, I want to share the benefits it can offer. Why study online or at home? I was homeschooled from first grade through high school. As a…
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If I Can Cook with Cast Iron, You Can Too.
Did you or your kids ever watch “The Little Engine that Could” where the train puffed and puffed and told himself, “I think I can, I think I can”? Yes, I did too. While I’m all for positive vibes, I also believe in giving ourselves and others grace for making mistakes. As an online English teacher, I often tell my students, “It’s okay to make mistakes,” and “Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try at all.” The truth is, there have been many days I needed to give myself that same freedom to make mistakes and learn from them, especially when in the kitchen. Cooking as a…
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My Writing Journey: An Interview by L.C. Helms
I so much enjoy chatting with authors here on the blog, and today, it’s my turn to share! I’m so grateful to my friend and gifted writer L.C. Helms for inviting me to be her “author spotlight” on her beautiful website. Below is an excerpt of our conversation. For the full interview, visit lchelms.com. Lori: How old were you when you started writing? Kristen: I discovered my love for writing when I was nine or ten. My older brother had a creative writing project in school, and he shared it with us and our best friends. We all got excited about his short story and expanded it, each one of…
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Author Chat with Ashley L. Jones on Modern Cast Iron
This author interview is special for so many reasons. I met Ashley during a writer’s conference several years ago, and we formed an instant friendship. She is such a godly friend and gifted writer, and I am so excited for you to learn about her new release, Modern Cast Iron. It’s a guidebook to choosing, using, caring for, and cooking with cast iron. Q: What prompted you to write Modern Cast Iron? It was totally a “God thing”! I had been using and researching cast iron for years for the health benefits and nostalgia of it, but it wasn’t until I met the publisher (Red Lightning Books) at a book expo and…
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Upset the World – Giveaway & Review
When I first read the title Upset the World, it immediately grabbed my attention. “Upset” so accurately describes our society these days. I was curious to learn what Tim Ross meant by “upset the world” and how being an “upsetter” could radically change people for good. His definition provided the starting point: “An upsetter is a person who has been upset by the overwhelming love of Jesus and upsets others” (Ross 12). Before we can do that, though, we must first allow Jesus Christ to upset our lives. In other words, we need Him not only to save us, but also to make changes. As Ross says, “If you come…
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Win a Kindle Fire! Go Places Giveaway
Last month, I went to Egypt. This month, I’ve got a trip booked to Sudan. Not in real life. In books. I confess. My husband James and I very much wanted to travel extensively in real life this year. Our bucket list destination later this fall was going to be Paris. We planned to check off some of the typical places like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe as well as Monet’s gardens and maybe Versaille. But we also wanted to explore some lesser-known but no-less-breathtaking places like Mont Saint-Michel. Since currently all Americans are banned from traveling to Europe and new Covid19 cases are soaring, it’s looking…
