Author Interview with Amanda Stephan!!!

I'm here today with a brand new addition to my Author Interviews list! With me today is bestselling author Amanda Stephan talking about her new book Lonely Hearts!!! (oh, did i mention it hit #1 bestseller on Amazon?)

1: If you had the power to control any of the 4 main elements (air, water, earth, or fire) which would it be? Why? 

I'd choose water for many different reasons. One, when I wanted to go to the ocean or river, wham! It's done!

2: If you had the power to go into the past where would you go? Why?

This question is a toughie! There's so many things I'd like to see firsthand that it's not easy to choose. But, I think I'd pick the crucifixion of Jesus and I'd wait for His resurrection three days later. That way, when I came back to the present time, I wouldn't take what He's done for me for granted.

3: If you could travel anywhere in the world free of charge and free from harm where would it be?

The Bermuda Triangle has *always* intrigued me. That's the first place I'd choose. 

4: If you could pick your own superhero power what would it be?

Super Ninja Powers. Oh yeah...bring it! ;)

5: If you could have 3 book characters over to dinner who would you pick?

Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, Aslan from Narnia, and Edmund from Narnia. (Can you tell I love Narnia?!) 

6: If you had the above book characters over for dinner what would you have to eat?

Chicken. Because everyone likes chicken, right?

7: If you could rid the world of one evil what would it be?

If I could rid the world of one evil, I'd choose to get rid of hate. So much garbage stems from 

hate.

8: If you could have any animal in the world (and afford it) what would it be?

Okay, I know that I should leave the animals in the wild, but the cuddly Panda would *so* want to be my pet! ;)

9: If you could replace any actress in a movie because you could do a better job acting what actress would you replace and what movie would it be?

I don't think I could do a better job (I'm not an actress in the broadest sense of the term) but I think it's a toss up between Keira Knightly playing Elizabeth Bennett or Mia Wasikowski playing Jane Eyre.

10: If Lonely Hearts was made into a movie what would you want the theme song to be?

Theme songs are not my thing. I really have no idea!

11: Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a homeschooling mother of two awesome kids, I get up at 4 am every morning and stay up, there are so many things I like to do that there's not enough time in my day to do them all, and lastly, I love to sew dresses. Weird. I know.

12: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Promise not to laugh? I wanted to be a cashier. Because I wanted to play on their little 'computer'. Instead, I became a writer!

13: Tell us a little about your book Lonely Hearts.

Oh where to begin? The idea for Lonely Hearts was born with the thought of how easy it seems sometimes for people to throw away their children. In LH, of course, one of the main characters is a young girl who is abandoned by her mother and raised by her father. I wanted to get the point across that even though people mess up, God still offers forgiveness and doesn't throw us away. That was my main point. My other points I wanted to get across, was there's usually more than one way to choose a mate for life. Scott was the symbol of following your feelings regardless of what's right. He's the whatever goes kind of person with no worries (and ends up really messing up his own life up ~ it's tragic. Trust me.) Then there's Jack, the preacher. Jack was a symbol of puppy love who *wanted* to be in love with someone. Pearce was the symbol of what a real relationship should be. Tough, rugged, and worth working for.

14: What character was easiest for you to write about?

Actually, the easiest characters for me to write about were the kids. I wonder if that's because I'm with mine 24-7?

15: What character was hardest for you to write about?

I didn't really care to write about Jack. I thought he had a good heart and I liked him, but to me, he wasn't the easiest to get inside his head.

16: What character is most like you?

Becky is most like me, I think. 

17: Do you have any ideas for more books?

Yes I do have ideas for more books. So many, in fact, that at the moment, I'm writing/editing the second book in my series. I'm looking for an agent at the moment, though, so who knows how long it'll be before these come out!

18: What or who was/is your greatest encouragement as an author?

My greatest encouragement as an author is hands down my husband, followed closely by my kids. They're always cheering me on. I don't know what I'd do without them!

Thanks Maniacal for being so patient with me and for having me here today! You're so sweet, and your blog is awesome!

Take a bow, Ms. Stephan! That interview rocked! Thank you so much for being here today. I had a really good time!

Also, if sweet Christian romance really isn't your thing be sure to check out Amanda's other book

 (a romantic suspense!)

And if you would like to help Amanda in her journey to become a world famous author you can purchase her books here:

The Price of Trust (paperback): Amazon.com

The Price of Trust (kindle edition): Amazon.com

Lonely Hearts (paperback): Amazon.com

Lonely Hearts (kindle edition): Amazon.com

Have a good day! :)

Jill Williamson author of Replication Interview&Giveaway!

How long have you been writing?


I started writing in 2004. I worked on my first novel for about three years. In 2007, I went to Mount Hermon and had the opportunity to send in my full to two agents. Neither one worked out, but I knew I was getting closer. I wrote a few other books. In 2008, I attended the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference and gave the first chapter of a different story to editor Jeff Gerke. I knew his company wasn’t looking for teen novels, but he had edited my first book and I wanted to get his take. He asked for the full, then wanted to publish it. By Darkness Hid came out in April 2009.

What (or who) helped you decide to be an author?

I had left the fashion industry and was searching for the plan God had for my life. Since I had a pretty interesting childhood/life story, I thought God could use me as a motivational speaker for teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. I was working on all that when a new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether the books were safe for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write a teen novel for Christians. Writing was so much fun I never stopped.

Who inspired you most in your life?

Both my parents inspired me a lot. They are both hard workers and creative. I think I got my creativity and work ethic from them.

Who are/is your favorite author(s)?

I like too many authors to name as favorites. Some of my favorites are: Frank Peretti, Jenny B. Jones, Bill Myers, Ted Dekker, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, Lowis Lowry, Nicholas Sparks, Cathy Gohlke, Tolkein, Lewis, and Melody Carlson.

What is your favorite genre(s)?

Fantasy.

What are/is your favorite book(s)?

Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, This Present Darkness, Blink, Harry Potters, William Henry is a Fine Name, A Walk to Remember, Hunger Games.

What are/is your favorite Scripture verse(s)?

John 3:16, Galatians 5: 22-23, 1 Cor. 11:1, Ephesians 2:10, the entire book of James.

Tell us a little about your book Replication: The Jason Experiment.

Replication: The Jason Experiment is about a girl named Abby, who is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Were you trying to get a specific message across in Replication? If so, what?

I want readers to consider that God is real and that he has a purpose for every life on this planet.

Why did you pick Alaska as the main setting?

I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. And it’s a vast enough state that a cloning lab would be easy to miss. Plus I grew up there, so I thought it would be fun.

What character was easiest for you to write about? Why?

Martyr for sure. He is smart and kind, but totally naïve about the world outside the lab. So he questions things like colors and animals and marriage, but doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what he believes is right. And it was fun to write his loving, selfless character in comparison with Abby’s by the book, it-has-to-be-my-way personality. Martyr sure showed her a thing or two.

What character was hardest for you to write about? Why?

Abby was the most difficult because I wanted people to like her but she was whiny and a know it all. I hope that her journey helped people identify with her in some way.

Are you currently writing another book now? If so, what is it about?

Right now I’m working on the first book in a dystopian trilogy. Book one is called Captives, and it’s the story of three brothers who are taken captive by their enemies and forced to live in a strange land.

Are there any additional thoughts you would like to add?

Come find me online. My website is: http://jillwilliamson.com/

And my Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites


Jill Williamson has also offered to *giveaway* a copy of her book! Just Follow this blog and comment (with your email address please. If you have already have followed this blog just comment :) below to have a chance to win! (Winner will be notified Saturday 17th. Giveaway ends Friday 16th! If you do not respond within 1 month you will forfeit to the next runner up!)

Divergent Review!

DIVERGENT by VERONICA ROTH

Movie Rating: PG-13 for violence, graphic images, and romance

Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction

Time Frame: Futuristic
Page Number: 487 (Hardcover)

Swearing: 4 instances of the h-word
Inappropriate scenes: A girl is caught with her bath towel off but it doesn't go into detail

Published By: Katherine Tegen Books

Back Blurb:     

      In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago society is divided into 5 factions dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue---Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is---she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
     During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are---and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden
from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.......or it might destroy her. ONE CHOICE decides your friends. ONE CHOICE defines your beliefs. ONE CHOICE  determines your loyalties---forever. ONE CHOICE CAN TRANSFORM YOU.

My Review:     
     Divergent is one of the bestest debut books I have ever read! As soon as you pick it up and read it you are thrust into a world of division. Everything and everyone is divided. Everything they do is different. And if you aren't as divided as others you will die. It's was very nice to read a dystopian book where the govenment doesn't control everyone and everything they do. I do wish that Veronica would have toned down the romance and put action in it's place. And everything the Dauntless do just seems to be dumb instead of brave. When I started reading the book I got confused will all the different factions and had to constantly refer to the back blurb to figure out which was which but, still this was a great book that every one (who likes blood shed and violence) will enjoy!

Top 25!

 Because of all the smut that's out in the world today I have decided to list my favorite books and their authors (they are in alphabetical order according to book title):                                                                                      

1. Catching Fire (The Hunger Games: Book 2)                                                 Suzanne Collins
2. Crossed (Matched: Book 2)                                                                       Ally Condie
3. Eldest (Inheritance: Book 2)                                                                       Christopher Paolini
4. Eragon (Inheritance: Book 1)                                                                      Christopher Paolini
5. Fang (Maximum Ride: Book 6)                                                                   James Patterson
6. Incarceron (Incarceron: Book 1)                                                                Catherine Fisher
7. Inkdeath (Inkheart: Book 3)                                                                        Cornelia Funke
8. Inkheart (Inkheart: Book 1)                                                                        Cornelia Funke
9. Inkspell (Inkheart: Book 2)                                                                         Cornelia Funke
10. Life as We Knew It (The Survivors: Book 1)                                              Suzanne Beth Pfeffer
11. Lonely Hearts                                                                                            Amanda Stephan
12. Matched (Matched: Book 1)                                                                     Ally Condie
13. Max (Maximum Ride: Book 5)                                                                  James Patterson
14. Mockingjay (The Hunger Games: Book 3)                                                 Suzanne Collins
15. Sapphique (Incarceron: Book 2)                                                                Catherine Fisher
16. Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride: Book 3)       James Patterson
17. Schools Out--Forever (Maximum Ride: Book 2)                                        James Patterson
18. The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride: Book 1)                                        James Patterson
19. The Death Cure (The Maze Runner: Book 3)                                             James Dashner
20. The Final Warning (Maximum Ride: Book 4)                                             James Patterson
21. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games: Book 1)                                     Suzanne Collins
22. The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner: Book 1)                                         James Dashner
23. The Price of Trust                                                                                     Amanda Stephan
24. The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner: Book 2)                                         James Dashner
25. This World We Live In (The Survivors: Book 3)                                      Suzanne Beth Pfeffer

That's it. (not very many, huh? jk!) ;) Anyway, all of these books are good books with little or no swearing and no 'bad' scenes. Great to pass on to readers of any age! What are your favorite Clean Books?