Author Interview with K. M. Weiland

I can't begin to tell you how excited and thrilled I am to bring you a very special interview from a very amazing Christian author: K. M. Weiland. A couple weeks ago, I wrote a nervous, fangirly email to one of my new favorite authors on her website, asking if she would be willing to do an interview with me on my blog.
To my surprise (ok, I may have had a small heart attack...one of those good heart attacks that fangirls get every once-in-awhile) SHE SAID YES!!!!! And I...like the proper fangirl I am...totally freaked out on the inside.



Since being led to her website by my older sister, I have read three of her fiction novels and one of her nonfiction works. After the first book I read by her: Dreamlander, I was hooked. The fascinating characters, unique plot lines, sweet and humorous romances, faith building lessons, and page-turning action all sucked me in, making it hard to put any of her books down.
I'm a fan.
And, if you have read any of her works, you probably are too. ;) If you haven't read any of her works...I'll tell you now, Dreamlander is a free e-book right now on Amazon, so go read it and join the fan club. :) For those of you who judge books by their covers...these are the covers of the fiction stories I've read. Judge away...if you can.

 

Ok, ok. I'll try to tone down the fangirling at this point. It probably won't last long...but note that I made a valiant effort.

About this fabulous author:

K.M. Weiland lives in make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives primarily on chocolate truffles and espresso. She is the IPPY, NIEA, and Lyra Award-winning and internationally published author of Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs. She writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in western Nebraska and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

Let's go onto the interview, shall we? After all, that's kinda why I wrote this post. :P She gave me the limit of five questions... *cough* I may have stretched that line a bit. But I only numbered four of them, so we're even. ;)

1: Which authors inspired/impacted your writing style the most?

As a novelist, I am inspired by countless excellent authors and filmmakers. Specifically, Brent Weeks’s epicness, Margaret Atwood’s prose, and Patrick O’Brian’s sheer genius speak to me and urge me on. As a blogger, I’m inspired by the professionalism and creativity of people such as Joanna Penn, Porter Anderson, and Jody Hedlund.

 

I love reading authors who are masters of characterization, adept with subtext, and players with their prose. Authors who can put all the puzzle pieces of a story together seamlessly always have something to teach me.

2: What part of writing (brainstorming, typing, outlines, editing, publishing etc.) has been the hardest for you? And on the flip side, which parts are the easiest/most fun?

Sometimes starting is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. But it only takes five seconds of courage, and it only gets easier from there.

The conception stage, before I’ve put the idea down on paper, is always my favorite. The story is free and full of possibilities and uncaged by my words. But I also love the outlining period, when I’m really digging into the story and discovering the path it’s going to take.

3: I know this is like choosing a favorite child for you, but if you had to narrow all your fiction stories down to one favorite, which one would you choose and why?

Yes, to paraphrase Dickens, authors aren’t supposed to have their favorite children. But my medieval epic Behold the Dawn still manages to maintain a special place in my heart. Aside from the fact that it was a comparatively uncomplicated book to write, I’m still just as much in love with those characters as I was when I first created them. Marcus Annan—surly, broken, and good-hearted—and crazy, funny, irreverent Peregrine Marek were such a blast write.

 

4: Finally, since you probably noticed the extra questions I slipped in there...would you mind giving some writing advice to all of us aspiring authors?

Don’t scrimp on the small stuff. Understanding the details of your craft—and the publishing industry—is what sets the pros apart from the amateurs. If you’re really serious about selling stories, perfectionism needs to be a constant goal. In a cutthroat market such as we have today, nailing the small details will make all the difference.

 

Special thanks to Katie for being willing to take the time and answer some questions that I hope you all will find as helpful as I did. Again, if you haven't checked out her website, I put a link in the intro paragraph. Her blog has been incredibly helpful to me, and I know it will be to all you fellow aspiring authors who I know read my blog. :)

Should I do more of these interviews with authors we constantly fangirl/boy about? If so, who should I have next? Give your vote in a comment below and I'll see if I can round up another awesome author to question. ;)



~Let everything you do be done for the glory of God~

Belated Post: Dandelion Dust Blog Tour

Yes, this is terribly late. I was supposed to do this post on Thursday. -_- I have already apologized to poor Faith, and now I'm apologizing to all of you. Profusely. I beg you to forgive me. PLEASE. This beautiful, touching story deserved better, as did it's equally beautiful author. I'm just going to say it again, because it makes me feel better about myself: I AM SO SORRY.
Now, enough of the apologies. On to a much more delightful part of my post today.

Take no note of the dates...*looks into sky and whistles a few random bars of Amazing Grace*

Let me introduce you to the fabulous novella Dandelion Dust. A touching story of family strength, steadfast love, and abundant faith in times of testing. Sacrifice. Hope. And a LOT of tears and feels. Make sure you have a Kleenex box nearby. Trust me on that one.

Here is the beautiful cover:


And, the summery:
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.

And, here is my Goodreads review:

Faith, Faith, Faith! This was amazing. I'm so sorry my hectic schedule kept me from enjoying this heartwarming tale sooner. I think I've fallen in love with each and every one of your characters and you had better be plotting the sequels or so help me... I rarely cry while reading, but I choked up not once, but at least FIVE times while reading this. I'm glad I had a Kleenex box nearby. It was a beautiful, inspiring, and uplifting read that I want to have on my bookshelf as soon as possible! So h Faith, Faith, Faith! This was amazing. I'm so sorry my hectic schedule kept me from enjoying this heartwarming tale sooner. I think I've fallen in love with each and every one of your characters and you had better be plotting the sequels or so help me... I rarely cry while reading, but I choked up not once, but at least FIVE times while reading this. I'm glad I had a Kleenex box nearby. It was a beautiful, inspiring, and uplifting read that I want to have on my bookshelf as soon as possible.

Last, but not least, I give you an exclusive, just-for-Rebekah's-Remarks-followers-and-nobody-else, interview with the one and only FAITH POTTS from STORIES BY FIREFLY!!!!!! *cue confetti and fanfare* *also cheering and clapping* *and anything else happy and excited that I missed*
I threw some pretty crazy questions at her...this should be entertaining...*insert evil laugh* FOR ME.

1: What inspired your book's plot/characters?

The inspiration for the basis of the plot actually came from a dream I had. (I know. Weird, right?) Nope. That sounds completely normal to me. XD I started with what the dream gave me, and just went with it. Of the characters, some of them are based off of friends and family members, and others are just figments of my overactive imagination. That sounds familiar. ;P

2: Do you have a favorite chapter/scene?

My favorite scene would be the 'haircut scene' from chapter thirteen. It was just so much fun to write, and I feel like the characters' personalities showed through well. For the record, that was one of my favorite scenes too. Gave my poor heart a chance to heal a little. Chapter thirteen could be counted as *one of* my favorite chapters from the book, as well as chapter six. 

3: This is a cruel one, but too much fun to pass up: in five words or less, sum up your book. (Without spoilers. *evil laugh*)

*makes a face and growls* Okay, I'll try. My five or less words: emotional. heartbreak. relationships. trusting. Ooo...good answer. So much for my devious plan. :P

4: Favorite fangirl/boy response from a reader?

Oh goodness, that's a hard one! I don't know that this is my 'top favorite', but I can definitely say I was grinning pretty big when one of my beta-readers told me Ryder was "the most adorable thing ever." Well, he IS. I second that reader's opinion! :D

 

5: Tell us something you learned in the making of this story. :)

Through the making of this story, God taught me many life lessons. One of them being to cherish those close to me and not take them for granted. Another was to be open to God's will for my life, and to be willing to wait for His perfect timing. And that's just two of them. ;) Thanks so much for doing this Faith! Once more, I apologize for my lateness...I really loved beta-reading your book, and I look forward to holding a copy in my hands! (Along with a bountiful amount of tissues. ;)

 

 

Have any of you read Faith's book? If not, go pick up a copy HERE. No excuses. Shoo.

Martin Hospitality: Blog Tour

*Swooshes curtains aside*
*fanfare*

Step right up folks for this limited sneak peek of a fabulous book. (Actually, it's not limited. You're free to buy this book now, that's why we're letting loose it's fabulousness to the world.)

I should warn you to prepare yourself for excessive fangirling in this multimedia presentation. *clears throat*

BECAUSE I LOVE THIS BOOK. 

AND THE COVER IS AMAZING. 

AND THE AUTHOR IS PRETTY COOL TOO. ;)

So sit back and enjoy seeing the cover, oooing and ahhhing over it again, and then going and buying the book. (Because you KNOW you want to...)

Without further ado, here is the gorgeous cover I already shared with you all: 

About the book:
Gemma Ebworthy is eighteen, pregnant, and alone. Now that she’s been evicted, she spends the night in a barn, never dreaming that tomorrow could bring kindness of a life-changing magnitude.
The Martins aren’t a typical family—even for rural Kansas. With more kids than can be counted on one hand and a full-time farm, Gemma must make a lot of adjustments to fit in. But despite their many differences, Gemma finds herself drawn to this family and their radical Christian faith.
When Gemma’s past collides with her yet again, she must begin revealing her colorful history. With every detail Gemma concedes, she fears she will lose the Martins’ trust and the stable environment she desires for herself and her unborn child. Just how far can the Martins’ love and God’s forgiveness go?

Fangirling moment:
Here is where I put aside a section for gushing about the book. BECAUSE I REALLY LOVED IT!!! I was given the delightful job (though it could hardly be called a job) of beta-reading "Martin Hospitality" last year and enjoyed every minute of it. :) 
Gemma is both loveable and easy to relate to as she tries to cope with first a new environment and then having everything coming crashing down around her later. The Martin's are a beautiful example of a harmonious (but still imperfectly human) Christian family who seek to glorify God with their everyday life. Some of them grew nearer and dearer to my heart than others, but I loved them all. <3 (*whispers* Josiah + Gemma = TOTALLY ADORABLE...just saying) Gemma's baby alone makes the whole book worth reading again. I actually fell in love with that little tyke and all its cuteness. ^_^
 I will refrain from giving spoilers, but you guys...*deep breath* YOU GUYS NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE, OK? Just...please go buy it and read it. For my sake. Please. 
The different settings are perfect, and the villain is shudder-worthy. Despite having a large number of minor characters running about in different parts of the book, Abi does a fantastic job keeping them unique from each other. Which I know, as an author myself, is a very hard thing to do. So, in a nutshell, here's my thoughts about the various parts of her book:
The characters: sdlkqsrlkhasflkhafasflknafafslb <3333
The plot: AMAZING!
The setting: I LOVE KANSAS. LIKE I SERIOUSLY WANT TO GO THERE.
The villain: *shudders* perfectly horrible
The themes and messages: In awe. I am in AWE. 
I loved how Abi was able to bring the gospel message into her book in an interesting, non "preachy" way. I loved how the Martin's answered Gemma's various questions with intelligent, thoughtful answers that made logical sense. I was so blessed and encouraged by this book, which I know was Abi's goal, and I know you will be too if you read it.
Am I looking forward to more books by Abi? ABSOLUTELY. (You'll help me convince her to write a sequel, right? ;) 

About the author:

Abigayle has been inspired to write since she could spell her own name. Her passion wasn’t completing the stories (she did that twice and decided it wasn’t for her), it was jotting down the ideas.

But in 2015, a story grabbed her—one she had to finish. Inspired by a crazy dream in a genre she no longer reads, Abigayle set off on a journey to write her first novel and she hasn’t looked back since.

Writing is her ministry, freelance editing her job, and reading her pastime—all of which prove that God really does know what He’s doing when He inspires a 6-year-old with a pencil in her left hand.

Annnnd (special bonus!!) an exclusive interview with the author IN VIDEO (I told you it was multimedia, didn't I?):

Now comes the moment that you were waiting for: that moment I tell you to go find this book at Amazon and buy it. And then when you get it, read it. Because then, you can join all us other fans of Abi's work and we can talk together like this:

"OH MY GOODNESS THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC!" 

"I know, right?" *hugs characters and book*

"asdlkfjzdflkjzdlfkjzdoijf"

"I completely agree"

...Etc.

So, what are you waiting for?? GO READ "MARTIN HOSPITALITY". That's totally an order. ;) 

A Question of Honor: Cover Reveal

I TOLD you there would be more of these coming up. ;) This time, I'm here to share the cover of "A Question of Honor", a WWII novel written by my friend and fellow blogger, Jesseca Wheaton. I had the privilege of beta-reading this book and I can tell you with confidence that the story inside is just as beautiful as its cover.
AND it will be available for you all to buy on March 3rd, 2017!!! :D

So, what am I waiting for? Here's the stunning cover you have all been waiting to see:

About the Book:
A Man. A child. A war.
 
When German soldiers invade France during World War II, young Joyanna's perfect world is shattered. In the hands of those who hate her, she battles to comprehend why people can be so ruthless and cold toward those whom they have never met.
 
David Sullivan, pilot in the Royal Air Force, was certain he would never hate, but a painful loss forces him to either reconsider or do the inconceivable—forgive.
He is suddenly challenged by the realization that doing God's will is not easy, but most important.
With the lives of freedom-fighters relying on him, he must learn the difficult lesson that he is not in control, but merely one who must surrender his heart of obedience to One greater. 
 
A sudden turn of events lands Joyanna and David in the same country—but for far different reasons.
When their paths cross, David finds he must make a decision that will affect them both for the rest of their lives.
 
Will he chose vengeance, or will he let his life be ruled by a higher standard? A standard of Honor.

About the Author:
Jesseca is an 18-year old daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano. And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

Can't wait to see your book out and available to the public, Jesseca! Best wishes on this publishing journey! :)

Left to Die: Blog Tour

Just to warn you all, there's going to be a LOT of book sharing going on here at this girl's blog. I guess everyone's New Year's resolution (like mine *cough*) was "publish book asap". At least, a lot of MY friends seem to have made that resolution. ;)

Anyways, I bring you today a fabulous book that I really want to read by the wonderful, talented Ivy Rose from Lakeside Publications. Guys, if you don't follow her delightful blog, GO. AND. FOLLOW. IT. (Seriously. I'm not kidding. In fact, just stop reading my post and go subscribe. Then come back and finish reading it. ;)
She's hosting a giveaway with some pretty fabulous prizes...just saying. ;)

The Beautiful Cover:

About the Book:
Lindy Greene’s life is perfect. Too perfect. But living as a missionary nurse, serving in a small hospital in China, soon brings the disaster she fearfully anticipates. All of her well-thought-out plans for the future disintegrate after pulling a fatally ill, disfigured, abandoned child from a pile of trash. She doesn’t even like babies.

Nathan Thomas can’t find balance. College suited him just fine until his cash ran out, forcing him to the Chinese mission field with his parents. The chaotic atmosphere in China does little to relax his agitated mind, and the pretty blonde nurse at the hospital does nothing to help him focus.

The Chinese mission field isn’t for the faint of heart. Nathan wonders how he can survive his remaining time there, while Lindy struggles to help everyone she can. With different ideals pulling them in separate directions, there is one thing drawing them together: a tiny, sickly, crippled orphan who relies on them to stay alive.

Find on Goodreads ~ Find on Amazon

About the Author:

Ivy Rose is an 18 year old history lover and literary enthusiast. Aside from writing, she enjoys being outdoors, eating chocolate, traveling, reading, and doing TaeKwonDo. She resides with her family of 9 on the banks of the Long Lake in eastern Washington.

She can be found at various places on the internet:
Blog

Pinterest

Goodreads

Instagram

 

A Short, Exclusive Interview with the Author:
(yes, you're allowed to feel special)

What was it like to finish your FIRST book and see it published?

It was pretty amazing! The excitement was through the roof! And the feeling didn’t change much this second time around—there is nothing comparable to holding a finished book in your hands!

What inspired "Left to Die"?

Left to Die was inspired by my sister, whom we adopted from China almost ten years ago. She had a rough start to life and almost didn’t live to see her first birthday, but because of some fantastic people in China who made sure she could have her lifesaving heart surgery, she is now a bubbly bouncing 11 year old! The orphan crisis is such a huge burden on my heart, as four of my six siblings have been adopted. I hope Left to Die will help raise awareness and maybe even encourage others to adopt.

What was the biggest encouragement and boost that kept you writing all this time?

There are so many things that I draw encouragement from, but I think the overarching encouragement comes from my amazing parents. They’re always ready to listen, brainstorm, or tell me when I need to slow down a little.

Hope you all enjoyed this glimpse at Ivy Rose's spectacular book. Now, go buy it. ;) *shoos*

Three French Hens: A Book/Author Spotlight

My good friend and fellow (sister?) author is publishing a Christmas WWII Cinderella re-telling and invited some of us to join her in spreading the good news that y'all can buy it now!! ^_^ I agreed to do this spotlight on it! 

(You can find her book "Beyond the Horizon" on Amazon and Goodreads)

The GORGEOUS Cover:

About the Book:

Eliana longs to see the world beyond the mountains that tower above Salzburg, Austria, but knows that dream will never see such adventure- and neither will she.
Surrounded by a world of cruelty, she lives for the weekly visits of Aron, a boy she met on one of her rambles through the countryside.

But as the years pass and she begins to grow older, a new and unwelcome world is opened up to her.

On a fateful night at a party she vowed she’d never attend, she comes face to face with a shocking truth.

As the world around her teeters on the brink of war, Eliana struggles to figure out just where her loyalty lies; a decision that will drastically change the course of her life. Will she ever be free to see what lies beyond the horizon?

About the Author:

Jesseca is an 18-year old daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano.  And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

Connect with Jesseca:

Blog: Whimsical Writings

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14241334.Jesseca_Wheaton

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/pacitosenoritaj/

Here are some questions Jesseca graciously answered for those of us *cough* who were DYING of curiosity

--What Inspired Beyond the Horizon?

Well, when I traveled to Washington in October, I was able to watch the 2015 Cinderella  for the first time ever. I loved it so much! The whole setting and all made it feel historical, and not at all fantasy. And, immediately, one of the first things I thought was "What would it be like to write Cinderella in WWII?" So that idea and the 2015 movie is what inspired the book. ;) 

--How did mixing the fairy-tale and historical aspects work? 

Well, I pretty mcuh took all magic out of the story, so it wasn't too difficult. There are some twists that are different from Cinderella, and of course the era is different so than changed a bit. What was nice about Cinderella was the there really isn't any spells or such involved in the original fairy tale, so it was fairly easy to set it in a realistic world. And ... *cough, cough* I pretty much skipped over the fairy Godmother part with one of the twists. *cough, cough* 

--How long, from start to finish, did it take you to write Beyond the Horizon?

Ohh, writing or editing? ;) I wrote the whole thing in about two weeks from start to finish, and it ended up around 19K words. With the editing and all, it took me about a month and a half. Probably wouldn't have been as long, but I was trying to balance it all out with NaNo, sooo...that made it a bit slower. 

--What did you do for editing? 

Well, the first draft was awful. xD I took a week or so break to start NaNo, and then I edited a chapter or so a day. It's about 10 chapter, so that made it pretty quick to be able to edit. After that, I sent it to my critique partner who read through it and gave me feedback, and then it got sent out to beta-readers. Doing it this way works well for me, because then I get help with the 2nd draft from my critique partner, and it gets improved a lot before the beta-readers get it. ;) And of course, beta-readers are awesome because they seem to catch EVERYTHING!

--How did the cover designing go/ who designed the cover?

It was amazing! I placed 1st in a writing contest earlier this year, and the prize was a free cover design from Willowy Whisper ( http://willowywhisper.com/). I had pretty much no idea what I wanted the cover to look like, so she sent me a list of questions about the story, setting, characters etc. Literally, that was all. I knew I wanted mountains, so I told her that. And then she told me she'd get back with me. I was SHOCKED when I saw the cover! It was the most beautiful thing ever! So yes, I'd highly recommend her as a cover designer! Even if you don't know what you want for a cover, she'll make you something beautiful! 

--Any tips for mixing the historical/fantasy worlds? 

Hmm, well, as I said above, it was fairly easy for Cinderella. I think one of the main things to remember is that you're writing a retelling. As such, your main character, plot, and pretty much everything else may differ from the original. But even if you change a lot, keep some of the original elements in the story, so that the reader can see the nods to the original. There's nothing I enjoy more than reading a retelling and looking for all the little things that refer to the original fairytale. Just little details make such a difference, even if your plot is wildly different. Oh, and don't kill off the prince, or hero of the story. That's just . . . sad. ;)

Well? What do you think? You're going to go buy the book now, right?? ;) See you back here tomorrow!!

(NINE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!) :D

The Silent Blade Blog Tour

I am thrilled to present you with a review of this FABULOUS book written by a dear friend of mine, as well as an interview with her! I was so blessed to be able to make the acquaintance of this wonderful, godly young lady last summer, and we have become even better friends over the months that followed.

When I first heard about this story I was so excited! As you probably all know by now, I have a weakness towards anything that has to do with the British Isles, and Ireland has always held a special place in my heart. Not only is their accent AWESOME (do I hear an Amen?) but they have beautiful music, and live in the midst of beautiful scenery. And this was where Jesseca Wheaton chose to have the setting of her medieval novel "The Silent Blade".

>>The Review:<<

Obviously, I may be a bit bias since she is a friend of mine. :)
But, I will endeavor to keep it as unbiased as possible. Bare with me. (Oh, and watch out for spoilers...I may or may not warn you ;)

The Cover:

( I LOVE THE COVER!! I mean, really? Isn't it AMAZING?!?!)

The Summery:

Eira has no greater desire than to see her life returned to what it once was—before her older brother Kevin’s sudden disappearance four years earlier. But the simple life she hoped for seems unattainable; on the contrary, her life is about to get all the more complicated.
When she suddenly finds herself and Willem, her twin brother, taken captive by someone who claims to be Kevin’s enemy, things go from bad to worse. It soon becomes clear that she and Willem are to become bait in a trap set for Kevin, and Eira knows she must try to warn him. But how, when she herself is a captive?
As mysteries of the past are unveiled, and loyalties are revealed, Eira realizes how precious her friends truly are. And when mortal danger threatens those nearest to her, will she be able to trust God with the lives of her friends and family?

The Characters:

For me, characters always play a big part in how much a given story is liked by me. :) And in "The Silent Blade", Jesseca does a fabulous job creating loveable (while still believably human) characters...and her villains...*shudders*. A few of my favorites include her main character Eira (after all, who doesn't love a girl who can't dance to save her life but can swordfight along with the best of 'em?), Eira's brother Willem (funny, loveable, and kind to all whether enemy or friend), and their friend Casmir (well...more than a friend to some...*coughcough*). Oh, and the hero of the story, namely Eira's oldest brother Kevin is basically someone that everyone wishes was THEIR older brother. He's so kind and protective and *hugs self* Ah! I love them all!

The Setting:

Ireland, as I mentioned above, has always held a special place in my heart...I love their rich history, and their beautiful music and scenery. Really, sometimes I wonder why I haven't written a book about characters who live in Ireland yet...well, I know what's next for me after finishing "The Princess & I" and "Beyond the Galaxy"! :)
Jesseca does an excellent job describing her various settings, and I love the way she paints the village where her main characters live as well as the woods they frequent *cough* for a large chunk of the story. (See? Aren't I doing so well not giving spoilers?? ;P)

The Plot:

Jealousy. Revenge. Trickery. Love. War. Peace. And the holy law: to "bless them that hate thee and love them that spitefully use thee and persecute thee". I admired Jesseca's ability to weave all those things throughout her story to create a beautiful picture of Christ-like love Kevin gains towards those who would do anything to hurt the people he holds so dear. The journey is a hard one for him, and one where he often has to struggle inwardly between his desire to have his own revenge towards those who hurt his family, and his equally strong desire to do what is right and forgive his enemy. It's a journey you'll take yourself as you submerge yourself in Jesseca's story: Kevin's struggles will become yours, Eira's frustration will cause you to frown, Willem's jokes and Casmir's teasing will bring a smile (and a laugh more often then not) to your lips.
It's amazing. :)

My rating:

Definitely five stars over all. :) Sure, her writing might not be as good quality-wise as C. S. Lewis's, J. R. R. Tolkien's, or Jane Austin...but really, who wants to be an exact copy of one of those authors? Everyone has to start somewhere, and she has certainly started off on the right foot. Her writing holds a lot of potential, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!! :D

>>The Interview:<<

 

Me: What was the title and basic plot of the first story you ever wrote?
Jesseca: I believe it was called "My special Pony." I wrote it when was 11, and it was about a girl who had dreamed about having a horse for her entire life, and her wish came true when they moved to the country. 

 

Me: Which of your characters would you say is the most like you?
Jesseca: In The Silent Blade or just overall? In TSB it'd be Kevin. We're both the oldest, and we both tend to struggle with being over-protective of our family and letting others down. 

If you mean in any of my stories, then I'd have to say Micah from A Question of Honor, my current WIP. He's probably the character I have written that is the most like me. We both enjoy helping others, making sure their needs are met and making sure everything runs smoothly, but we don't like talking about ourselves or letting anyone know what we're thinking. 

Me: Which of your villains is your favorite?
Jesseca: Oh, Erich Essler from the same WIP as Micah! He's really, really, bad and creepy and all that, but at the same time, there's such a sad story behind it all. He's one villain who has literally hurt me as I'm writing more then any other. He is so awful, but his story is just.. yeah. I'll stop talking about it. ;P 

Me: What first inspired you to write?
Jesseca: When my dad was first diagnosed with cancer a few years back, I kinda turned to writing as a way to get away from everything. That was when I realized just how much I loved it!

Me: It is pretty awesome, huh? ;)

Me: How many stories (short or long) have you actually COMPLETED?
Jesseca: Oh, goodness! Umm, let me think. I'm pretty sure I've completed 30+ on my own, and then quite a few others I wrote with friends and completed. :) 

Me: *applauds* That's better than me! I think I may have only completed around fifteen or so. It's hard for me to keep focused on one story long enough to complete it. Don't ask me how many stories I've started and never finished...I think it's probably more than a hundred at this point. XD

Me: Have you ever had a book keep you up all night (like past midnight...not literally ALL NIGHT)? If so, what was it's title?
Jesseca: Oh, so many! I'll only give you a few of the most recent ones...

Remembrance by Theresa Breslin

A couple of Sarah Sundin's books

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson 

The Rescuer by Dee Henderson

Where Shadows Lie by Talia Rising

Echoes of Titanic by Mindy Starnes Clark

A Night Divided by Jenifer Nielson

Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer

Defy by Tricia Mingerink

With Ever Letter by Sarah Sundin

And... yeah. I shall stop now. Don't even ask how many nights I stay up with a book past midnight. ;P 

Me: Tsk, tsk. Really Jesseca, you know, we authors need our sleep! ;) Just kidding. I'm guilty of staying up past midnight myself. :) Aren't we all?

Me: Any top favorite book(s) you would like to share that have inspired you (and might inspire others)?
Jesseca: Right now I'd have to say Remembrance by Theresa Breslin. It's not a Christian book., but it's very clean, and written in a style similar to Anne of Green Gables. Just the raw reality and the emotions she showed made me see WWI through very different eyes. It wasn't a sweet, light book. It was heavy, and some of the themes it dealt with were really thought-provoking. So yes, if you can get your hands on a copy then read it, and be prepared to never look at war in quite the same way.
Me: Hmm...I'm going to have to check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation! Always on the lookout for more good reads!

Me: Any words of wisdom from your experiences in writing? Please. We need to hear it. :)
Jesseca: Share your work! Let someone you trust read through it and critique it, and then when you feel it's ready, find some people you don't directly know to read through it.  Not only will it improve your writing, you'll be able to get go know other fellow readers/writers. And of course, since they don't know you too well and aren't personally connected with you, they'll be more honest in their feedback. 

Me: Ooo...good advice! (Take heed all ye authors!)

Me: Planner or panster (a.k.a NOT a planner) when it comes to writing?
Jesseca: I'm more of a plotter. I like to have an idea of where I'm going, what Biblical principal will be woven in through the story (and what verses I'll use), what the characters will go through, etc. Of course, a lot changes as I'm writing, but I like to have at least a small idea of where I'm heading! 

Me: What current story or book are you working on and what is it about?
Jesseca: I'm getting to realize that this is a popular question. ;)  Currently I'm working on a historical-fiction novel set in WWII during the Battle of Britain. It’s currently in the 2nd re-writing/editing stage. It's my "special" novel, and I've learned a lot through writing it, both in ahistorical context and through my writing it, it's brought me closer to the Lord.

At times I feel like the book and characters have become a part of me...sometimes I'm not sure how good that is. ;)

 

Me: If you had to be stuck for a whole day with one of your characters...which one (or two or three) would you choose?
Jesseca: Thank you for adding that "two or three" in there!!!!! Otherwise.. I would have just ignored the "one" in the sentence and listed two or three anyway. ;P 

Me: I know the pain of having to narrow it down...you know, "do unto others as you would have done unto you" and all that. ;)

Either David, Micah and Gil from A Question of Honor,  or Kevin, Eira and Casimir from The Silent Blade. 

The first three just because they're so funny and thoughtful and then they could take me flying and then I could go spend the rest of the day at the hospital with Micah. Flying and medicine--now THAT is a perfect day!

The 2nd three..well, because they're all so awesome. And I could learn sword-fighting. Or at least make all three of them laugh with all my clumsy attempts with the sword. ;) 

Me: Which villain would you be able to tolerate for a whole day?
Jesseca: Erich Essler. Because while he is super cruel and mean and all that, he does still have a  conscience. And...well, I can't say much more without giving away the plot of the story. ;P 


Me:  What's the longest book (word-wise) that you've written?

Jesseca: A Question of Honor. It's finished, and around 65,000 words. But.. once it's edited, it may end up becoming quite  a bit longer. ;) 

Thanks so much for having me, Rebekah! :) 

Me: You're very welcome! You know how much I love asking questions. B-)

 

 >>About the Author:<<

 

Jesseca is an 18-year old daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano.  And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

 

Now you all need to go over to her blog and check out her book!

If you want to win free stuff, enter this giveaway!

Also, if you're interested in hearing less bias persons give THEIR reviews of this book, you'll find their posts throughout the blog tour:

Wednesday, July 20th

Mikayla H.at The Bubblegum Ballerina --Review

Blessings Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Author Interview

Ivy Rose at  Lakeside Publications --Review, Spotlight

Mallory Beth at Renewed by Grace --Review

Thursday, July 21st

Lydia Dyslin at Through the Wardrobe --Review

Rebekah Eddy at Rebekah’s Remarks --Review, Interview

Abigayle Allison at The Left-Handed Typist --Review, Spotlight

Friday, July 22nd (Publication Day!!)

Blessings Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Review

Rebekah Ashleigh at Rebekah Ashleigh --Spotlight

Amanda Tero at  With a Joyful Noise --Review, Interview, Spotlight

Deborah O’Carroll at The Road of a Writer –Review, Spotlight

Kaitlyn K. at Prairie Gal Cookin’ --Review, Spotlight

Bethany R. at A Great God and Good Cocoa --Review, Spotlight

Deborah C. at Reading in June --Spotlight, Review

Emily at A Purpose and a Promise --Spotlight, Review

Saturday, July 23rd

Kellyn Roth at Reveries--Review, Interview

Jason McIntire at Elisha Press--Interview

Natasha H. at Looking Through my Lens --Review

Faith P. at Stories by Firefly --Review, Interview

Monday, July 25th

Jesseca Wheaton at Whimsical Writings --Blog Tour wrap-up post