Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 73
March 6, 2011
Meet the Author Monday & a Giveaway!
Yes, you read that right ~ we're having a great Monday! Join me in welcoming Amanda Bradburn, author of
The Keepers of Elenath
.
How long have you been writing and what genre do you write?
I've been writing for more than a decade! And I'm still a teenager. I wasn't published until I was almost seventeen, and I think all the time about how GOOD God has been to me.
Tell us how you come up with characters.
*laughs* I honestly think they come up with themselves. I give them a name, and BOOM! They're running off my page, speaking, living their own lives and I'm forced to chase after them shouting for them to wait. *sighs* They usually don't.
What POV do you find most comfortable to write in, and why?
I love third person; who doesn't? Recently, however, I began a first person fairy tale. I love both of them, but I honestly think that 1st person, though restricting to me, is easier.
What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
Remember that you might be 'just getting started' for seven years. I was. And the more time you work at your book, the more effort you expel and more 'how-to' books you read, the better your book is going to be. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed; take it a day at a time. I could give you a boatload of tips! If you need them, email me!!
Favorite scripture and/or quote: Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." And "I am but a pen in God's hand, and what praise is there due to a pen?" (I don't know the author of the quote, sorry )
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Recently, I was faced with the reality of having to find another publishing company. Don't get me wrong, Tate is a wonderful company, but we were forced to go our separate ways. It was hard to make that call and tell them that I wouldn't be accepting their offer of a contract for my second book.
Where can you find Amanda?
Amandabradburn@ymail.com (I love getting emails)
The Keepers of Elenath - Website
~FB fanpage
~Personal FB
Amanda has so graciously offered to have a giveaway of her novel, The Keepers of Elenath, so thank you Amanda for your generosity! What do you have to do?
Leave an encouraging comment with your email address.
Extra chances:
+2 - Tweet about the giveaway & send me the link.
+2 - follow this website
That's it! Winner will be drawn March 12th!
About Keepers of Elenath:
When her father is murdered, Princess Gwaeron Whitefeather becomes a spy in the city where her family once ruled. Aen, a young slave, watches his king die and swears to become a knight. An ancient evil begins to move once again in the world of Elenath, and rumors abound that a vial of dragon venom, the ultimate weapon, has been found. All of Elenath will need to heed the clarion call before it's too late. A feverish race begins.
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How long have you been writing and what genre do you write?
I've been writing for more than a decade! And I'm still a teenager. I wasn't published until I was almost seventeen, and I think all the time about how GOOD God has been to me.
Tell us how you come up with characters.
*laughs* I honestly think they come up with themselves. I give them a name, and BOOM! They're running off my page, speaking, living their own lives and I'm forced to chase after them shouting for them to wait. *sighs* They usually don't.
What POV do you find most comfortable to write in, and why?
I love third person; who doesn't? Recently, however, I began a first person fairy tale. I love both of them, but I honestly think that 1st person, though restricting to me, is easier.
What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
Remember that you might be 'just getting started' for seven years. I was. And the more time you work at your book, the more effort you expel and more 'how-to' books you read, the better your book is going to be. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed; take it a day at a time. I could give you a boatload of tips! If you need them, email me!!
Favorite scripture and/or quote: Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." And "I am but a pen in God's hand, and what praise is there due to a pen?" (I don't know the author of the quote, sorry )
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Recently, I was faced with the reality of having to find another publishing company. Don't get me wrong, Tate is a wonderful company, but we were forced to go our separate ways. It was hard to make that call and tell them that I wouldn't be accepting their offer of a contract for my second book.
Where can you find Amanda?
Amandabradburn@ymail.com (I love getting emails)
The Keepers of Elenath - Website
~FB fanpage
~Personal FB
Amanda has so graciously offered to have a giveaway of her novel, The Keepers of Elenath, so thank you Amanda for your generosity! What do you have to do?
Leave an encouraging comment with your email address.
Extra chances:
+2 - Tweet about the giveaway & send me the link.
+2 - follow this website
That's it! Winner will be drawn March 12th!
About Keepers of Elenath:
When her father is murdered, Princess Gwaeron Whitefeather becomes a spy in the city where her family once ruled. Aen, a young slave, watches his king die and swears to become a knight. An ancient evil begins to move once again in the world of Elenath, and rumors abound that a vial of dragon venom, the ultimate weapon, has been found. All of Elenath will need to heed the clarion call before it's too late. A feverish race begins.
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March 5, 2011
Need Your Help Please!
I was told by a potential customer yesterday, that my book was no longer available for her Kindle. After doing some research (waiting on hold with customer service), Amazon.com proceeded to tell me that it was pulled. Why, I have no idea. So, if you wouldn't mind, could you please go to my book on Amazon and click the link underneath that says you'd like to 'Read this book on Kindle'? I'm hoping to get as many people as possible to request this so that this can be fixed asap. Thank you in advance for your help!
Amazon.com
Don't forget ~ we're having a discussion on The Price of Trust on Good Reads. Stop by and join us!
Now, here's a list of FREE Christian Kindle ebooks:
Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller
The Secret (Seasons of Grace, Book 1) by Beverly Lewis
Here's a list of FREE Kindle Classic ebooks:
Poor Miss Finch by Wilkie Collins
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Beauty and the Beast by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont
Hurry while these last!
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Amazon.com
Don't forget ~ we're having a discussion on The Price of Trust on Good Reads. Stop by and join us!
Now, here's a list of FREE Christian Kindle ebooks:
Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller
The Secret (Seasons of Grace, Book 1) by Beverly Lewis
Here's a list of FREE Kindle Classic ebooks:
Poor Miss Finch by Wilkie Collins
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Beauty and the Beast by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont
Hurry while these last!
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March 2, 2011
We're Having a Book Discussion
on Good Reads about The Price of Trust!
Questions like,
Amanda, it isn't typical to find an author that writes a love letter to her children that has physical and mental abuse as part of the plot.
What would you say is symbolic in your story of the abuse? Would you say the symbol of the physical abuse to Carly represents the abuse the world gives to God's children?
Are you working on book 2? If so, is it a sequel? Or a stand alone?
I am soooo curious about who was making the prank calls to Carly at the store.
Why don't you stop by and see what you're missing? I'd love to hear from you!
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Questions like,
Amanda, it isn't typical to find an author that writes a love letter to her children that has physical and mental abuse as part of the plot.
What would you say is symbolic in your story of the abuse? Would you say the symbol of the physical abuse to Carly represents the abuse the world gives to God's children?
Are you working on book 2? If so, is it a sequel? Or a stand alone?
I am soooo curious about who was making the prank calls to Carly at the store.
Why don't you stop by and see what you're missing? I'd love to hear from you!
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February 28, 2011
The Brotherhood Certificate Winner
Good afternoon, y'all!
After a grueling couple of days with the flu, we're up and running on all cylinders again. (Finally!) I really do not like getting sick. Bleh, there's way too much to do. But I did get a chance to read an excellent book. If you like thrillers with Christian standards and morals, you just might want to pick up a copy of K-I-L-L FM100 by Teric Darken. Very good job, Mr. Darken!
Anyway, the announcement that you've all been waiting for
drum roll please-
rnt.nelson is the winner of the certificate for Jerry Jenkins new book, The Brotherhood ~ Congratulations!
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After a grueling couple of days with the flu, we're up and running on all cylinders again. (Finally!) I really do not like getting sick. Bleh, there's way too much to do. But I did get a chance to read an excellent book. If you like thrillers with Christian standards and morals, you just might want to pick up a copy of K-I-L-L FM100 by Teric Darken. Very good job, Mr. Darken!
Anyway, the announcement that you've all been waiting for
drum roll please-
rnt.nelson is the winner of the certificate for Jerry Jenkins new book, The Brotherhood ~ Congratulations!
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February 20, 2011
The Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins
Boone Drake is a young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. Everything is going right. Until everything goes horribly, terribly wrong. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy, Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. But when he comes face-to-face with the most vicious gang leader Chicago has seen in decades, he begins to realize that God is a God of second chances and can change the hardest heart . . . and forgive the worst of crimes.
My thoughts...
Boone Drake has everything. Beautiful wife that he adores, adorable son, the perfect job. But he's got a problem ~ he thinks he's the one responsible for his perfect life. When that perfect life spins wildly out of control and he's faced with a lonely future, where will he find his comfort? To the God who has been patiently waiting for him, or will he blame God for taking everything away?
Am I hopeless? Do you love me? Do you still care about me? Could you help me survive this? Could you help me understand? ~one of Boone Drake's prayers to God
This was a difficult read for me, not because it's messy and ill-written. On the contrary, this is an extremely well written book. What else would someone expect from an author superstar like Mr. Jenkins? No, this novel is full of tragedy and heartbreak. (Two things I don't deal well with) Mr. Jenkins has the ability to navigate these complex emotions and make them believable and gut-wrenching.If you're a fan of police thrillers that have tragedy, this is probably the book for you. If you're more of the happy reader only (similar to me) then you may want to pass.
Life lesson learned?
"...sometimes God has to allow a person to come to the end of himself before he realizes his deep need."
Giveaway!Leave a comment below for a chance to win a Gift Certificate for Jerry Jenkins book, The Brotherhood.**Ends February 28th**
Jerry Jenkins Blog
Jerry Jenkins Entertainment
For More Information
This review is my own opinion ~ book was generously provided by Tyndale Publishers for my honest review.
February 17, 2011
She Writes Blogger Ball
Welcome to the First Ever SheWrites B&W Blogger Ball!
I love meeting new people, and this sounded like a great wayto meet others that are like-minded ~ bloggers & writers! Oh yeah!Please look around and make yourself at home. If you have any questions, leave a comment, or contact me and we'll chat.
Other than meeting and getting to know each other, we're supposed to give one tip for blogging. I am in no way an expert,so I always have a hard time giving anyone else pointers. But, I have learneda few things during my journey.
So, here's my tip.Make friends with other bloggers and authors. Don't be afraidto give them a compliment or a shout-out ~ or even to host them on yourown blog. Chances are, you have an entirely different audience than the otherwriter, and someone from your audience may rather readnon-fiction than fiction. Or they might like thrillers instead of romance. So post away about their book and leave links. (Be sure to tell the other author!)Some of the greatest friends I have were made this way. Not only doesthis help someone else out, but it's really a great way to meet some pretty awesome people.
Thanks for stopping by! It's been fun & be sure to check out the other blogs listed below!
1. Carolyn Barbre 9. Helen Smith 17. Samantha Sotto
2. Fi's Magical Writing Haven (my writing blog) 10. Karen Kanter (Journey to Self-Publishing) 18. Deborah Lawrenson
3. Valerie Nieman 11. Meg Waite Clayton 19. High Heels and Hot Flashes
4. C.M. Villani: Inside the Heart of a Storyteller 12. Anne K. Albert 20. The Blue Inkwell (for novice freelance writers)
5. Janel's Jumble (writing) 13. Dawn Brazil's Brilliant Babbles about Books 21. Sarcastic Female Literary Circle (eclectic)
6. Brenda Kezar 14. Becca Rowan 22. Anglers Rest, Rambling Obsessions of a .....
7. Victoria Noe 15. Piedmont Island Trilogy
8. Roxanna Bennett 16. Muriel Reeves Mysteries
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I love meeting new people, and this sounded like a great wayto meet others that are like-minded ~ bloggers & writers! Oh yeah!Please look around and make yourself at home. If you have any questions, leave a comment, or contact me and we'll chat.Other than meeting and getting to know each other, we're supposed to give one tip for blogging. I am in no way an expert,so I always have a hard time giving anyone else pointers. But, I have learneda few things during my journey.
So, here's my tip.Make friends with other bloggers and authors. Don't be afraidto give them a compliment or a shout-out ~ or even to host them on yourown blog. Chances are, you have an entirely different audience than the otherwriter, and someone from your audience may rather readnon-fiction than fiction. Or they might like thrillers instead of romance. So post away about their book and leave links. (Be sure to tell the other author!)Some of the greatest friends I have were made this way. Not only doesthis help someone else out, but it's really a great way to meet some pretty awesome people.
Thanks for stopping by! It's been fun & be sure to check out the other blogs listed below!
1. Carolyn Barbre 9. Helen Smith 17. Samantha Sotto
2. Fi's Magical Writing Haven (my writing blog) 10. Karen Kanter (Journey to Self-Publishing) 18. Deborah Lawrenson
3. Valerie Nieman 11. Meg Waite Clayton 19. High Heels and Hot Flashes
4. C.M. Villani: Inside the Heart of a Storyteller 12. Anne K. Albert 20. The Blue Inkwell (for novice freelance writers)
5. Janel's Jumble (writing) 13. Dawn Brazil's Brilliant Babbles about Books 21. Sarcastic Female Literary Circle (eclectic)
6. Brenda Kezar 14. Becca Rowan 22. Anglers Rest, Rambling Obsessions of a .....
7. Victoria Noe 15. Piedmont Island Trilogy
8. Roxanna Bennett 16. Muriel Reeves Mysteries
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February 16, 2011
My Meter Reader Doesn't Know I Blog...
which is probably a good thing, because I just have to tell you something.
Living in the country, we have chickens. Not too many, just enough to provide us with enough eggs for a week. We also thought we'd just love to have a Bantam, because they're oh-so-cute. (If you know anything about bantam chickens, you should probably be shaking your head at our naivety right now.) We actually got our little rooster along with a pretty female bantam from some friends. (Or so we thought...)
This particular rooster, whom we nicknamed Banty, of all things, was a TERROR. No. He wasn't mean. He was pure, unadulterated EVIL. And he was smart. He was free-range, which means we let him roam the yard to eat the ticks and chiggers, and he would actually wait until you weren't looking and attack you. Repeatedly. Over and over and over again. I don't think I can count how many times our kids ran into the house screaming because they were attacked by a CHICKEN. (Sorry. I have to admit, that yes. There were times I giggled. All right. I probably laughed.) Because it's just a chicken, right? Then he started flogging me. I admit. I do happen to find the oddest things funny.
He was so mean, we didn't need the dog anymore. No, we thought we'd just leave him alone (YOU try to catch a demon chicken and put him in a cage! When you do, please let me know so I can watch.)
One day while we were safely in the house doing school, the meter reader came to take the reading. On the meter. That's on the side of the house. No, the OTHER side of the house. hee hee ~ we stopped school to watch. Banty was innocently pecking the ground as the victim man got out of the truck.
"Oh, you're a cute little chicken." he said as he walked by. (Poor city slicker.) The chicken nodded his head as if to agree and let him pass. I thought, wow. All we have to do is flatter him and we should be safe. Not so. As soon the that meter reader got to the OTHER side of the house, demon chicken takes off after him. Next thing we hear is (wait. I can't post that here. This is a family friendly blog) and we see this grown, six foot man running full speed ahead and diving into his truck. With a leetle eety beety cheeken running after him...
Admit it...you'd be laughing too.
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Living in the country, we have chickens. Not too many, just enough to provide us with enough eggs for a week. We also thought we'd just love to have a Bantam, because they're oh-so-cute. (If you know anything about bantam chickens, you should probably be shaking your head at our naivety right now.) We actually got our little rooster along with a pretty female bantam from some friends. (Or so we thought...)
This particular rooster, whom we nicknamed Banty, of all things, was a TERROR. No. He wasn't mean. He was pure, unadulterated EVIL. And he was smart. He was free-range, which means we let him roam the yard to eat the ticks and chiggers, and he would actually wait until you weren't looking and attack you. Repeatedly. Over and over and over again. I don't think I can count how many times our kids ran into the house screaming because they were attacked by a CHICKEN. (Sorry. I have to admit, that yes. There were times I giggled. All right. I probably laughed.) Because it's just a chicken, right? Then he started flogging me. I admit. I do happen to find the oddest things funny.
He was so mean, we didn't need the dog anymore. No, we thought we'd just leave him alone (YOU try to catch a demon chicken and put him in a cage! When you do, please let me know so I can watch.)
One day while we were safely in the house doing school, the meter reader came to take the reading. On the meter. That's on the side of the house. No, the OTHER side of the house. hee hee ~ we stopped school to watch. Banty was innocently pecking the ground as the victim man got out of the truck.
"Oh, you're a cute little chicken." he said as he walked by. (Poor city slicker.) The chicken nodded his head as if to agree and let him pass. I thought, wow. All we have to do is flatter him and we should be safe. Not so. As soon the that meter reader got to the OTHER side of the house, demon chicken takes off after him. Next thing we hear is (wait. I can't post that here. This is a family friendly blog) and we see this grown, six foot man running full speed ahead and diving into his truck. With a leetle eety beety cheeken running after him...
Admit it...you'd be laughing too.
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February 15, 2011
$10 Kindle Card Winner & other News
Good morning! I'm thrilled to announce the WiNnEr of the $10 Kindle Gift Card ~~
ELLE!
Thanks to all who participated, you made it so much fun! Loved reading through the comments! Come back often and leave many comments as I'm addicted to blogging, writing, and networking. (vicious. Really it is.)
In other news...
An author friend of mine, Michelle Sutton, is having her very own giveaway (that seriously blasts my Kindle Card out of the water) ~ Win a CrUiSe! (yes. I want to win...)
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HERE'S the details of her giveaway.
(REMEMBER though, you have to visit her BLOG and leave a comment for your chance to win this vacation ~ none will be accepted here.)
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ELLE!
Thanks to all who participated, you made it so much fun! Loved reading through the comments! Come back often and leave many comments as I'm addicted to blogging, writing, and networking. (vicious. Really it is.)
In other news...
An author friend of mine, Michelle Sutton, is having her very own giveaway (that seriously blasts my Kindle Card out of the water) ~ Win a CrUiSe! (yes. I want to win...)
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HERE'S the details of her giveaway.
(REMEMBER though, you have to visit her BLOG and leave a comment for your chance to win this vacation ~ none will be accepted here.)
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February 12, 2011
Follower Love Giveaway Hop Ends 2/13
Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop! This is just a reminder post ~ if you'd like to see/read the original, please click HERE!
Hurry and leave your comment, the hop ends February 13th (You'll find the list of participating blogs HERE.)
Generously thought of and endorsed by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, as well as participated by no less than 200 Blogs & Shops. So, why not grab that cup of coffee, relax, and hop from one blog to another & meet some great new friends! You really HAVE to see the list of blogs!
Leave a comment below for your chance to win a $10 Amazon.com Kindle gift card (will be emailed to winner)
Winner chosen & notified February 14th.
(Leave a way for me to contact you.)
+1 chance = Follow this blog through GFC
+1 chance = Follow on Twitter
** You can enter HERE for a chance to win an autographed copy of my novel on the Press On blog! **
(Ends February 14th)
What if you're the winner of the gift card? What would you use that $10 on? Here's a few of my favorite Christian authors you might like:
A Beggars Purse by Toni Nelson (Christian non-fiction)
K - I - L - L FM 100: Music to Die For by Teric Darken (Christian Thriller)
A Legacy of Love by Victoria Burks (Contemporary Christian Romance)
Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider by Ellen C. Maze (Christian Horror/Vampire)
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen
Heal the Wounded by Lynn Dove (Christian YA fiction)
Until Forever by Darlene Shortridge (Contemporary Christian Fiction)
Go Into the House by Rodney Winters (Christian non-fiction)
Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury (Christian Romance)
and of course,
The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan (Contemporary Christian Romance)
Enjoy!
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February 8, 2011
Follower Love Giveaway Hop Starts Today! Win a Kindle Gift Card
Hello, Friends! Welcome to my first ever participation in the Follower Love Giveaway Hop!
Starting today, February 8th, and running through February 13th you will have the opportunity to enter numerous giveaways. (You'll find the list of participating blogs HERE.)
Generously thought of and endorsed by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, as well as participated by no less than 200 Blogs & Shops. So, why not grab that cup of coffee, relax, and hop from one blog to another & meet some great new friends! You really HAVE to see the list of blogs!
Leave a comment below for your chance to win a $10 Amazon.com Kindle gift card (will be emailed to winner)
Winner chosen February 14th. (Leave a way for me to contact you.)
+1 chance = Follow this blog through GFC
+1 chance = Follow on Twitter
What if you're the winner of this lovely gift? What would you use that $10 on? Here's a few of my favorite Christian authors you might like:
A Beggars Purse by Toni Nelson (Christian non-fiction)
K - I - L - L FM 100: Music to Die For by Teric Darken (Christian Thriller)
A Legacy of Love by Victoria Burks (Contemporary Christian Romance)
Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider by Ellen C. Maze (Christian Horror/Vampire)
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Simonsen
Heal the Wounded by Lynn Dove (Christian YA fiction)
Until Forever by Darlene Shortridge (Contemporary Christian Fiction)
Go Into the House by Rodney Winters (Christian non-fiction)
and of course,
The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan (Contemporary Christian Romance)
**You can enter HERE for a chance to win an autographed copy of my novel on the Press On blog! (Ends February 14th)
Enjoy!
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God is Good, God is Great
A little of this, a little of that. I love doing many different things, but I'm going to share my love of good books, fun crafts, freebies, contests, and scrapbooking with this blog. Enjoy!
...more
- Amanda Stephan's profile
- 110 followers
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![[image error]](http://thecaribbeancruiseline.com/images/TOP.jpg){kind=link}
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