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! :)

BEWARE!

  

   I usually check out my books very thoroughly before I read them. One of the most helpful places that tells me about dirty books is GoodReads on my group Good Books For Picky Teenagers. Where the group members get together and warn each other about books that they have read that were really dirty. And because I don't do a lot of reviews about books that have bad scenes in them so I compiled a list to warn you guys.

These books have inappropriate scenes:

The Bar Code Tattoo by Susan WeynGraceling (do not be fooled by cover)
Across the UniverseDelerium by Lauren Oliver
Shatter MeThe Mortal Instrument Series
The Gone Series Thirteen Reasons Why
Perfect ChemistryBefore I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Stardust

And here are some books that have over-excessive swearing:

The Book Thief by Markus ZusakI Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Virals by Kathy Riechs

*If you really want to get the scoop on Dirty Books join my Good Books for Picky Teenagers group on GoodReads! Click the link on the left hand side of my blog)*

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

ASHES, ASHES by JO TREGGIARI

Movie Rating: PG-13 for scenes of peril, scary images, and light swearing
Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Dystopian
Swearing: couples uses of the h-word
Inappropriate scenes: None
Number of Pages: 341(hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Back Blurb:
      Smallpox epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, stealing with it everyone she ever loved. Even the landscape of her beloved New York City is ever-shifting and full of hidden dangers. As the weather rages out of control, she survives alone in the wilds of of Central Park, hunting and foraging for food and making do with the little she has, while avoiding roving scavengers and thieves. But when an unrelenting pack of vicious hounds begins to hunt her, Lucy is not sure she can continue on her own. Then, suddenly, she is swept to safety by a mysterious boy named Aidan, who helps her to join a band of survivors. Reluctantly, she finds him after her home was destroyed; however, new dangers await her.
      An army of Sweepers terrorizes the camp, carting off innocent people and infecting them with the plague. Lucy and Aidan realize that it's up to them to save their friends, but Lucy doesn't know that the Sweepers have laid a trap--for her. There is something special about Lucy, and the Sweepers will stop at nothing to have her in their clutches.
      Jo Treggiari spins a thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Ring around the roses A pocket full of posies Ashes, Ashes We all fall down.

My review:
     Plagues, Cures, Evil Scientists, One girl surviving, One boy watching. This. Book. Was. Terrific. It's like Dystopian and Sci-fi combined. My two favorite genres! :D One of things I like most about this book is that Treggiari doesn't live in a fantasy world. Where even after a couple of weeks without a shower the main character is still gorgeously clean, they don't stink, their hair isn't greasy. No, nothing like that. Here it's written like the real world would be like. Most of the islands are gone. Australia is half it's size now. Coastal cities are gone. The only thing that connects the characters to the world before is memories. A book of pictures, a blanket, etc. The book was very well written and focused on making you see what the world really would be like if something like this happened. And Lucy's secret?
Yeah, I know what it is. But I ain't gonna tell ya. ;)

Lonely hearts review.

(sorry it's late. bad storm where I live so I couldn't get on)

LONELY HEARTS written by AMANDA STEPHAN

Movie Rating: PG

Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Swearing: None

Inappropriate Scenes: None

Number of Pages: 226 (paperback)

Publisher: Treasureline Publishing

Back Blurb:
       Becky Callis is the widowed mother of two trying to make ends meet. Moving to a new town, things get a little complicated for Becky when her mischievous children think she's been lonely far too long and try to take romantic matters into their own hands.
       Scott Boone seems to be everything their mother could like. Handsome and friendly, Scott makes his interest in Becky clear even though she is older. Is he the handsome, debonair cowboy Becky needs, or just a rake looking for another notch in his belt?
       Jack Anderson and Becky have been friends since childhood. When they're reunited years after their lives have taken very different paths, this lonely preacher begins to wonder if God has brought her back into his life for a reason.
       Pearce Morgan is a single parent raising his young daughter. Divorced and disillusioned, an unlikely friendship arises between him and Becky when his shy daughter decides she loves Becky and her kids.

True love is more complicated than it looks.

*ONE LONELY MOTHER, TWO MATCHMAKING KIDS, THREE ELIGIBLE BACHELORS, AND SOME VERY YUMMY APPLE PIE...*

My Review:
     Amanda Stephan has done it again! Weaving her faith, romance, and humor into one Stupendous novel she has created a book that would be spectacular as a movie! (Seriously, Hollywood needs to pick this up.) I thought this book was very funny. Love the part where they enter the town and the raccoon scene! Lonely Hearts is book that can be enjoyed by people of any age! From 10 years old to 100+ years old. Lonely Hearts is a novel you Do Not want to miss! :D

Look what I got for you! A review!! ;)

INKHEART (book 1 of the Inkheart trilogy) by  CORNELIA FUNKE

Movie Rating: PG-13 for violence and frightening images; mild swearing scattered throughout

Book Rating: @@@@@

Swearing: There are a few instances of small swear words. Such as h*** and d*** Nothing huge.

Genre: Fantasy

Published By: Scholastic Inc.

Inappropriate Scenes: None

Back Blurb:  
    One cruel night, Meggie's father read aloud from Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of the book, landing in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie's in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Somehow she must master the magic that has
conjured up this nightmare. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?

My Review: 
     Inkheart is one of my favorite books! As soon as I started reading this book Cornelia Funke had me believing that a single voice-a Silvertongue-could bring a book character out from the pages of its own world and into ours. I didn't much care for Farid but I loved Meggie.  New York Times Bestseller Cornelia Funke has wriggled her way onto my favorite authors list for years to come! (and i must confess. i did sit on my bed and read aloud to see if I'm a Silvertoungue. I'm not... :( )

I have an announcement! :O

(This is the book cover)

(This is the movie poster)








As you know I am the BIGGEST Hunger Games fan. (just ask my poor mom as she deals with a very ecstatic teenager blabbing on and on and on alllllll day about the hunger games. luckily, she still has some hair) And well I learned that there is a BRAND NEW movie trailer out for it. So I thought I'd post it here just for you guys. (and for me so I can watch it over and over and over) :D And then I thought I'd post one of the songs for it on here too. Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift. March 23,2012! Only 48 days 4 hours and 8 minutes! :D

(this is the movie trailer)

(this is the song)

ENJOY! :D

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!

Replication Review

Well, it's Book Review Friday again! And I got another review for you! YAY!!! (I'm finally getting back on schedule...) Today review is for...*drum roll*...Replication!

REPLICATION by JILL WILLIAMSON

Movie Rating: PG (for minimum violence and some kissing)
Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Science Fiction
Time Frame: Contemporary
Page Number: 287--Not including the discussion guide (Hardcover)
Swearing: none
Inappropriate scenes: none
Published By: Zondervan

Back Blurb:
       MARTYR--otherwise known as Jason 3:3--is one of many clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to "expire" in less that a month. To see the sky.
       Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has the feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars.
        As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures--the one for which he was produced, and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known.

WHEN YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN

My Review:
     I really enjoyed (no, LOVED) Jill Williamson's book 'By Darkness Hid' (check it out some time, seriously)so when I got the chance to review her book in my favorite genre (Science Fiction, btw) I was soooooo happy! This book ROCKED! Follow Martyr a.k.a. Jason 3:3 and Abby Goyer as they try to thwart the evil scientists from creating (and killing) a whole race of clones made for one purpose. The Purpose? I can't tell you that. I give away to much. ;) But I will say this-you will NOT be disappointed. If you are a HUGE Sci-fi fan (like me) definitely check this book out! Jill Williamson is an AWESOME writer!!! (I hope there's a sequel...) :P

Check out Chapter One of the book in the trailer below:

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?