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Uncommon Adventures: An Interview with Author Jessica Lippe
Please welcome author Jessica Lippe to the blog today! I’ve had the privilege of contributing to Jessica’s Christian e-zine for teenage girls, Girlz 4 Christ, and when she shared that she’d written a travel book for Christians, I wanted to learn more! As she told me, age doesn’t matter in travel, so whether you’re a young adult or young at heart, you can be encouraged by this book. Enjoy this interview and check out Uncommon Adventures, now available. What prompted you to write this book, and why do you think it’s timely for Christians today? Jessica: I’ve met other Christian travelers, but they seem to be few and far between.…
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Box Jumps in the Writing Life
When my husband and I joined a gym together, he introduced me to the box jump. In theory, it’s simple, a metal platform that you jump on with both feet at the same time. You can move to higher levels as you advance in ability. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. In theory, publishing is simple too. You have a great idea. You write it down on paper. You publish it, and it becomes a New York Times’ best seller. And you laugh. Of course, publishing doesn’t work that way. Mastering the box jump isn’t so easy either. In fact, it has many parallels with the writing life.…
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Win a Year of Free Books
A year of free books? Unlike Aladdin’s story, there’s no genie required for this wish. Although we don’t have magic carpets to take us to exotic places, we do have books, and I’m excited to share about my publisher’s unique giveaway which might just open a whole new world to you. That has been my experience with books. You see, as a child, I devoured most of my local library’s Nancy Drew series and borrowed unashamedly from my Aunt’s personal collection. On an ongoing basis, my mom had my brothers and me participating in the Book It program where we earned personal pan pizzas through Pizza Hut. Those were good…
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Two YA Authors to Read this Spring PLUS a Giveaway!
Spring weather in Florida is blissful and hints that summer is just around the corner! Maybe you have an official spring break, or maybe, you’re in my camp and don’t technically get one. Regardless, you can still hop in to some spring reading. If you’re a sunshine girl like me, I suggest grabbing a beach towel, some sun protection, and a book you’ve been wanting to read to enjoy the best of both worlds (in my case, Florida and fiction). Perhaps you’ve finished your current read and are looking for something new. If you enjoy young adult fiction, here are two authors worth adding to your list. Also, be sure…
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The Reactionary: Happy Launch Day!
Happy release day! I’m so excited to share The Reactionary with you and hope you enjoy the final part of Portia’s story. Tonight at 7 pm Eastern, I’m hosting a launch party on Facebook, and you’re invited to join! There will be trivia and drawings for an autographed copy, Kindle copy, and some other special giveaways. To join the party, click here. Don’t miss out on the special release day sale for The Reactionary and the first book in the trilogy, The Revisionary. Both Kindle versions are at discounted price. Thanks for being part of this trilogy adventure! Hope to see you at the party tonight. ~ Kristen
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The Reactionary: Gratitude Moments
Coming to the end of a trilogy is a little like crossing the finish line of a half marathon. The only reason I felt amazing at that time is that I’d prepared and trained with friends. Others cheered me on, even though they may have secretly thought I was crazy. This Tuesday, The Reactionary publishes, and I want to start the week with gratitude by saying thank-you to everyone who made crossing this finish line not only possible, but truly unforgettable. My family has been my constant support, and some new faces have joined those ranks throughout this journey, including my sister-in-law Brooke. I also want to say a special…
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Come Explore Orvieto with Me
The Reactionary, the final book in The Rogues trilogy, releases in 4 days! As I anticipate launch day and entrusting the last part of Portia’s story to you, I want to share some more snippets from my own journey to the Italian settings she encounters. Portia’s mission to secure communications with a possible international ally takes her to Orvieto, a cliff-top Italian city with more charm and beauty than one visit can capture. My friend Maria and I decided we could live in our Air B&B indefinitely and never soak in everything this city has to offer. However, because I didn’t want my novel to be the length of War…
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Book Trailer for The Reactionary
Cue dramatic music! The book trailer for the finale to The Rogues dystopian trilogy is here. The driving beat reminds me of the purpose behind this book and the motivations that propel the characters themselves. That driving force is hope. Hope for justice Hope for personal liberty Hope for family restoration Hope for love Hope for national reunification Hope for meaning and identity outside of circumstances Hope for truth that transcends the individual Hope for eternal assurance and salvation Dystopians aren’t known for hope, but this one is. Enjoy the official trailer for The Reactionary, available on Amazon.
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The Beautiful Doors of Civita di Bagnoregio
A few weeks back, I had a little heart-to-heart with you about closed doors and open doors in my life. As we count down to book release day for The Reactionary, it seems only fitting to have a little fun with doors today! When I traveled to Italy to do book research, one of my favorite places to visit was Civita di Bagnoregio. Aside from the pizza there, which was amazing, I also fell in love with all the architecture, namely, doors. In fact, my friend Maria snapped my back cover author picture in front of a vine-framed door I wouldn’t stop raving about. (For more of her Italian stories…
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Thanking God for Closed Doors
When my older brother’s children would stay at my parent’s home, my mom and dad would often close some doors so that my nieces and nephews wouldn’t get into things they shouldn’t. Naturally, their little hands would reach for those doorknobs. There’s something about closed doors that we inherently dislike. The mystery of what’s on the other side tempts us to pry open doors we have no business entering. As a writer, I know my professional life will have its share of rejection letters, but recently, I’ve received nothing but them. Thank you, but our publishing house is changing directions. Thank you, but we’re no longer representing fiction. Thank you,…
