Wednesday, September 4, 2019

13 Reasons Why Blog Tour // Author interview(s)



On this fine day, I have a very special post to share! I was extremely happy (and excited) to be apart of both my online friends book release blog tours! Two new indie books are coming into the world, and I am stoked! Like... YASSS x100! I totally need these two books on my bookshelf ASAP!

*cough* Please excuse my excitement. Today's post is going to be author interviews! Two of them to be exact!

And before we begin the interviews, I'd like to share a little bit about this blog tour and why it stands out from the rest-- it's message.

Why Faith and Kaitlyn call this the 13 Reasons Why Blog Tour:
13 Reasons Why is a Netflix TV series centered around a young girl's suicide. There's debate about whether it promotes suicide or simply raises awareness, but the undeniable fact is that this show has persuaded others to take their own lives. Each episode explains a reason for the girl's suicide—13 episodes, 13 reasons. Since both Freedom and Beloved deal with the topic of suicide, we decided to name our blog tour the 13 Reasons Why tour—but each day, we are giving reasons to choose life. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, loved beyond measure by our Creator. And that makes every day worth living.

Because they are raising awareness with their books and this blog tour, they asked if I'd like to share a few of my reasons to live.

The one reason to live I'm going to share is Jesus Christ. Think of it, He made the ultimate sacrifice so you could live! Jesus made a way for sinners like us to have L i f e .  Jesus is our reason to live because He has made a way for us. He has a reason and purpose for us to live. And He loves us so much!

~~~

With that said, lets start the interviewing!


~Faith's Interview~

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you love being an author, what made you decide to self-publish? 
Thanks for having me today, Brooklyne! First off, I’m a redeemed child of God, a southern girl, and a lover of words and stories. I’m so thankful for the opportunity God has given me to shine His light through the stories He places on my heart. Self-publishing is something that I discovered in 2014 and loved from the start. Such an awesome way to chase your dreams and reach readers with the stories of our hearts! In early 2016, having just finished my first book, God impressed upon me the idea of self-publishing.

2. Where did the idea for your book, Freedom, come from?
Originally, the inspiration came from a story I stumbled across on Pinterest… :P But from there, the more I researched veteran suicide, the more I wanted to write a story that would (hopefully) portray these topics in a real and heartfelt way.

3. What makes Freedom stand out from your other works?
At surface level, Freedom is my first published novel and the second longest book I’ve written to date. But beyond that, Freedom is the hardest book I’ve written. It deals with dark topics that too many of us would like to shy away from instead of shining a light toward.

4. Out of the characters in Freedom, who do you relate to the most?
I’m really not sure. I guess Alex—because she often cares more about people and relationships than she wants anyone to know. And she knows Marines are the best branch of the military, sooo…

5. What message would you like to come across to your readers when they finish reading Freedom?
It’s all worth it. Even when it seems hopeless, Light will triumph over darkness. God is always in control. Jesus died for you. Your life has meaning and purpose. And no matter what, hold onto hope.


~Kaitlyn's Interview~

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are passionate about writing, what made you decide to become a indie author?
I’m a Kansas girl with a love for my Savior, family, books, music, and sunflowers! As to why I’m passionate about writing . . . I couldn’t give you a reason; I just am. Ever since I learned how, I’ve loved reading. So I guess it just seemed natural to weave stories of my own. Back when I started my book, I don’t think I even considered traditional publishing—not at length, anyway. As this is my debut, I wanted this to be something special. I wanted to have control over what happened to this book. Plus, I lacked confidence that I would ever get a publisher to accept me! But more importantly, I felt God leading this way. And how He’s played it all out has been amazing.

2. What inspired you to write Beloved?
A random pin from Pinterest, actually. The simple black background with the white words “I’m the girl no one wants” started a journey on which I never would’ve imagined myself to be. God continually inspired me throughout the writing of this book, and in the years after it was completed.

3. If I understand correctly, Beloved is your debut novel, (so excited for you btw!) how does it feel to be a author??
Surreal. Honestly, I don’t feel like an ‘author.’ I still feel like the same blogger I’ve been for years, who wrote the story that God laid on her heart. I don’t feel any more important now that I’m being published than I did when I first started writing Beloved. I’m still Kaitlyn, the country girl whose brothers often called a bookworm, even before she considered the name a compliment.

4. What is your favorite character in Beloved?
How can you ask that?! It’s like asking your mom which of her children she likes best! Um . . . I could be cliche and say Erich (because he’s the heartthrob and everyone’s favorite somehow *facepalm*), but no. Cara is a very close favorite (I just kinda love her, y’know? *winks*), but I’d have to say that my favorite is probably Edward. He doesn’t play a huge, huge role in the story like Erich, but he’s still my baby.

5. What lesson would you like your readers to learn while reading Beloved?

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” His love for us is constant, unwavering, passionate, persistent. We are all loved, each and every one of us. Loved beyond measure.We just need to accept it and allow Him to work through us. Because without love . . . life is hopeless.


~~~

Want to learn more about these books and authors? Keep reading!

~Freedom~ 



About the book:

Having just returned to American soil from the desert sands of the Middle East, James Greene is done with his life. 'Double amputee' doesn't seem like a strong enough phrase to label the physical and emotional pain he bears. Add the lack of love and communication with his family members, the demons that haunt him day and night, and he can find nothing worth living for. Ending it all is the only way out.

Alexandria Lorance is a not-so-ordinary physical therapist, content with aiding in her patients' recoveries. Her work gives her fulfillment, but alone in the silence, she still endures the hidden scars of a past, unhealthy relationship. Reminding herself that true healing is found in Christ alone, she seeks to show kindness and love to everyone she meets.


When these two broken ones' paths intersect, the spark of friendship is ignited, bringing hope and joy to both. Can they step out of the darkness of suffering and into the freedom of grace?


A Marine, broken by war. A therapist, scarred by words. A chance meeting in a parking lot bonded them together. But can love grow in these two hurting hearts? Or are they truly too broken to ever find lasting happiness?

Find on Goodreads and Amazon!


About the author:

Saved by God's grace, Faith Potts is a teenage writer and homeschool graduate, living with her family and beloved yellow labs in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not weaving stories, consuming large amounts of coffee, reading stacks of books, or studying American Sign Language, she can be found laughing harder than is healthy, daydreaming, and—of course—blowing dandelions.

Visit Faith on her Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, and Instagram!

~Beloved~ 



About the book:

Life without love is hopeless.

Foster teen Cara Richards is unloved. With nothing left and nowhere to go, she is determined to find peace, no matter the cost. But despite her intentions, she’s tossed into another foster family and this time, there’s no going back to who she used to be. To make matters worse, one of her five new foster brothers is a Jesus freak, and she refuses to believe that God actually cares.

Her world is thrown upside down in a way she never expects. Though she prides herself on a resilient heart, her mind is lost adrift among a sea of questions: Is death really the answer? Does God care about someone as unworthy as me? Can everyone truly be loved, no matter what?


Find on Goodreads and Amazon!


About the author:

Kaitlyn is a farmer's daughter and a born-again believer in Christ with an obsession for books and music. It is these obsessions that led her to write her own stories. Psalm 46:10 gives her inspiration, her brothers make her laugh, and there's nothing quite like the excitement of opening an unread book for the first time. Her passion is to share the steadfast love of her Savior through the writing that takes up much of her free time, whether actual writing takes place or writer's block, in which case she's probably browsing Pinterest.

Connect with Kaitlyn through her Blog, Goodreads, and Instagram!

~~~


Also, enter the giveaway they are hosting HERE!!!

Ahh, I loved reading interviewing you both and learning more about your books! And the messages in these books are GOLD! I can't wait to have these to books sitting on my shelf!!!

Have you read either Freedom or Beloved? Do you want too?? Doesn't this blog tour have a awesome message to the world? Comment Below your favorite indie book!


On a side note: Today was the last day you can enter my 100th post Flash Fiction Contest! HOWEVER, because I have only received a few contest entries, I am postponing the deadline of the contest. You now have until September 11th at midnight to enter! Results will be in on the 16th of September! Get your entries sent in at wofgoatsmilksoap@gmail.com for a chance to win scrunchies, soap, and a mystery prize! If you haven't already, go to my 100th Post for all the contest details. <3

16 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting us, Brookylne! And your R2L...yes. Just yes. <3
    (Also thanks for the extended deadline on the contest, I'll keep trying xD)

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    1. You're so welcome!! I'm thrilled to participate! It was super fun interviewing you! And Beloved is a very special and lovely debut novel! What a powerful message to share!! <3
      (Yeah, no problem!XD)

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  2. Ahhhhh I really want to read both of these!!! And a very special congratulations on your debut novel, Kaitlyn 😃

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    1. Yessss!!! I got the privilege to beta read Beloved, and it was amazing!! And I'm SO excited to get a copy of Freedom! It's been my most anticipated book for this year! XD
      Yes, I'm so excited for Kaitlyn! Publishing a debut novel is super exciting! <3?

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  3. Fun interviews! I really enjoyed reading them. :) You asked some great questions, Brooklyne. :D

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  4. Great interviews, Brooklyne! And amazing choice of R2L!!! <3

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  5. These books look great! <3

    Also, thanks for extending the deadline for the contest! I could have maayyybe had my story done by tonight... but, it still needs a lot of work. xD Very happy I'll be able to have a little more time to work on it. :D

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    1. Yes! They are! <3

      You're welcome! I'm excited to read your entry!!

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  6. GIIRRLLLL. <333 Thanks so much for spotlighting us! <3

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    1. Oh my pleasure!!! I LOVED interviewing you both! And I'm over the moon excited to read Freedom!!! <3 <3 <3

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  7. I've not read Beloved, but I have read a version of Freedom and just saying, James is mine XD I used to live near a Marine base and y'all, Faith got them spot on! There was one Marine in particular that he made me think of, super cool and got it all together kinda guy...but on the inside, he was such a softie. There was a song me and my siblings would sing and every time, he'd be sitting there bawling. He even requested it! Miss my adopted big brother...♡

    Favorite Indie Book...probably O To Be Like Thee by Kassie Angle. If you haven't read it, you so need to.

    Btw, I know I don't comment often, but you are doing a super job, girlie! Keep it up!

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    1. Ah, I can't wait to read Freedom!! And that's such a cool memory you have!

      Oh, I've heard of that one! I'll have to look into it some more! ;)

      Aw, thank you! That means a lot! <33

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  8. This is such a cool blog tour. I love that Faith and Kaitlyn are using the name of an awful show and turning it into something beautiful! And spreading awareness of such a horrible thing that is happening in our world with the goodness and love of our Savior is so amazing and wonderful and fantastic! *applauds*

    BTW, what font did you change your blog to? I love it!

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  9. Yes!!!! It's pretty awesome isn't it!?

    (Hmm, I can't seem to remember the font name, but thanks for noticing the change! *winks*)

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