Peg here: It is my pleasure to welcome back author Julie Arduini, and to welcome her teen daughter Hannah Arduini. Together, this mother-daughter writing duo have published an amazing book presenting a touching look into everyone's struggles with bruised self-worth and battered self-esteem. Sit back and enjoy.
Title: You're Beautiful
Author: Hannah Arduini & Julie Arduini
- Publication Date: January 6, 2018
The
Unique Characters Behind You’re Beautiful
by Julie
Arduini
I
had just finished my contemporary romance series Surrendering Time when I was
talking with our teen daughter with slight special needs about her school year.
Middle school is never fun, and seventh grade was no exception. We discussed
what went right and how we could improve things on our end for eighth grade
when Hannah shared her heart. She didn’t want to see any girl go through the
hard things she had.
As
Hannah continued to talk, she formed a story about a group of girls who would
each go through a trial. The more she shared, the more I realized she was onto
something. I promised her that if she worked on this and not hand it all over
to me, I’d publish it and give her a co author credit. Hannah not only plotted
what became You’re Beautiful, she
created a three-book series.
The
Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinking series is a unique concept for girls 10-100. It
doesn’t have to be moms reading with daughters, although we think that’s an
amazing idea. Women can read it, college girls could be inspired, as can high
and middle school students. Each book features two sets of characters—a group
of middle school girls, and women who serve as mentors for a new ministry the
girls participate in called “Linked.” Each book uses a character from the
younger and a character from the mentors to tell their stories. Both characters
have their own journey where they are believing a lie they need to surrender.
In You’re Beautiful, they need to let
go of the lie they believe about being ugly.
Hayley
Atkinson is in middle school and Linked is a new activity she isn’t too sure
about. With her best friends, Bethany and Jazmin, they encourage her to give it
a try, even though her long time “frenemy,” Jade Green, is also attending.
Hayley enjoys Linked and even finds the courage to suggest a coffee time with
everyone at their favorite hangout, Mugs. Jade responds that the idea is
terrible because Hayley should never go to Mugs. The reason? “You aren’t just
ugly, you’re pretty ugly.” That was all Hayley needed to hear to withdraw from
everyone and start making choices that were ugly.
Sabrina
Wayson is a recent college graduate who agrees to be a Linked mentor because
the pastor’s wife, her aunt and the closest thing to a mother she has, believed
Sabrina would be a great addition. Although nervous, Sabrina gives it a try and
loves being around the energetic and chatty girls. However, a run-in with her
biological dad opens old emotional wounds. Sabrina isn’t sure she can be a
mentor when she lacks self-esteem in the very areas she’s supposed to encourage
the girls.
Hannah
crafted a story that touches on a lie all girls can relate to. If we didn’t
fight feeling ugly, the cosmetic industry wouldn’t be so profitable. It also addresses
bullying, family, friendship, and the power of our words.
This
summer we’ll write her concept for the second book, You’re Amazing. This will feature Hayley’s friend, Jazmin, and the
Linked mentor Lena, who is a mom of young children. Like You’re Beautiful, Hannah will create any new character names and
personalities, oversee my writing to make sure it stays close to her vision,
and design the cover. I’ll write the story, take it through the editing and
revision process, and get it published.
How
about you? Have you ever participated in a mother-daughter project? Have you
battled feelings of unworthiness? How did you combat it?
From the back cover:
Hayley Atkinson
withdraws from her friends and new opportunities with the new mentoring group,
Linked, after she is told a lie that she believes is true about herself.
Sabrina Wayson is a mentor in Linked who feels she can’t help encourage girls
because she’s struggling as much as they are. Can they surrender the lies and
find freedom?
Purchase:
 |
| Hannah Arduini |
Hannah
Arduini is in the eighth grade and lives outside of
Youngstown, Ohio. She loves fashion, Starbucks, and serving at church. She has
a brother who lives at home, and siblings that live in Wisconsin. She also has
two nephews. You’re Beautiful is her
first published book.
 |
| Julie Arduini |
Julie
Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the
bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary
romance series Surrendering Time, featuring ENTRUSTED, ENTANGLED, and ENGAGED. FINDING FREEDOM THROUGH SURRENDER is her
30-day devotional using the surrender themes and characters from the series.
She shares her infertility story in A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other
Wednesday for Christians Read,
and also is a blogger for Inspy Romance.
She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting
her at http://juliearduini.com.
Thank you, Peggy, for letting us share!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Julie. Thank you ... and Hannah ... for sharing. I wish you both the very best success with this book and the ones to follow.
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