CHARACTER INTERVIEW: with Sabrina Wayson You’re Beautiful ~ Julie Arduini ~ Giveaway

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Sabrina Wayson

You’re Beautiful (Timeless Thursday)

Julie Arduini

You’re Beautiful is the first of three books in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series that I wrote with my teen daughter, Hannah. She had the idea after going through a hard time in middle school, and she wanted to encourage girls before similar things happened to them. We realized that women struggle with believing lies about themselves as much as girls and teens do. The series is for females for all ages revolving around a mentoring ministry in Youngstown, Ohio. The middle school character and the adult mentor from each book both have their own story but believe the same lie about themselves.

You’re Beautiful highlights Hayley Atkinson and Sabrina Wayson’s story. Sabrina is a recent college graduate with a unique upbringing. It’s my pleasure to introduce Sabrina through her character interview.

THE INTERVIEW: 

JULIE: Sabrina, you seem to have a passion to encourage girls. Where do you think it comes from?

SABRINA: Great question. I think it’s from the home I grew up in. My biological parents were not able to take care of me, so my uncle and aunt invited me to stay with them. They are my parents as far as I’m concerned, and they are the pastors at our church. Aunt Cheri’s a natural at reaching out and encouraging others, and it was her idea to start the Linked mentoring ministry. I jumped at the opportunity.

JULIE: How do you balance everything? You recently graduated from college, work at a coffee shop, serve with Linked.

SABRINA: A lot of caffeine! I also try to stay organized, and I have a lot of reminders on my phone, including texting the others in Linked so they know I’m praying for them.

JULIE: Tell me about Linked. What are the girls like?

SABRINA: So much fun. I don’t know why adults don’t want to be around teens. The girls are hilarious, and they just want to be loved and needed. Even the ones who aren’t always pleasant, I know at their core they also have a desire to be loved. It’s the least I can do to show them Christ and remind them there will be no regrets if they make Him number one in their lives.

JULIE: How often do you see your biological father?

SABRINA: That’s a work in progress. He has a lot of issues to work through, and I think he’s doing his best. I’m very thankful for Uncle Chet and Aunt Cheri. They keep my focus on Christ as we all navigate these waters.

JULIE: Are you spontaneous at all?

SABRINA: I can be. One thing I did after graduation was I went to the mall and got my nose pierced. I’m sure a few people at church weren’t happy, and my bio dad made a comment I haven’t forgotten, but it was fun.

JULIE: What’s next for you?

SABRINA: A job in my field. Growing my relationship with everyone at Linked. The rest I’m not sure about, but I know God’s in it all.

JULIE: You’re invited to check out You’re Beautiful and get to know Sabrina and Hayley. You’re Amazing has been released, and Jazmin and Lena have a powerful message to share. If you enjoy any of my books, please leave a review. It means so much!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

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: eBook: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Beautiful-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin-ebook/dp/B078VK3JJB

Print: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Beautiful-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin/dp/0692056238

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her latest release, YOU’RE AMAZING, is a book for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 2 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JulieArduini

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini

G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JulieArduini/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini

Instagram: http://instagram.com/JulieArduini

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/JulieArduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/

Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dCFG

About Julie's Giveaway:

I’d love to give away a copy of You’re Beautiful. Leave a comment below with your name and email, and I’ll choose a random winner. US winner can choose print or eBook. The international winner automatically wins an eBook. Giveaway runs for one week, ending next Thursday, March 7 at MIDNIGHT, CST. Winner will be drawn on Friday, March 8 and notified via email.

JENNIE: A character interview by Terri Wangard

PLEASE WELCOME author Terri Wangard as my Guest Blogger today. All set? Let’s go!

Getting to know Jennie, by Terri Wangard

• Title: No Neutral Ground  (2012 Genesis finalist)
• Publisher: HopeSprings Books
• Release Date: May 3
• Genre: historical romance, according to the sub-title
• Stand alone or Series: Book 2 of Promise For Tomorrow, but can stand alone

Buy he Book: http://amzn.to/1q6LFTt

♦ ♦ ♦

No Neutral Ground is the newly released, second book of my Promise for Tomorrow series.

After his father divorces his mother because of her Jewish ancestry, Rafe and the rest of his family flee Germany. As a B-17 navigator, he returns to Europe. Flying missions against his former homeland arouses emotions that surprise Rafe. Despite being rejected, he is troubled by the destruction of Germany and his heart still cries for his father’s love.

Sweden may be neutral, but it’s full of intrigue. Jennie assists the OSS at the American legation in Sweden. She thought she’d be doing passive, behind-the-scenes work. Instead, she’s pushed into an active role to gain intelligence and frustrate the Germans.

How can Rafe and Jennie succeed in their dangerous roles when they are so conflicted?

♦ ♦ ♦

Get to know Jennie Lindquist in this interview.

You traveled overseas in 1944. What did you do in the war years before that?

I worked at the Chicago art museum where I put together special exhibits like “Art in War: American Artists’ Record of War and Defense.” I also conducted tours through the museum for school groups.

What prompted you to go overseas?

Rumors of layoffs swirled around the museum, with the understanding that the last hired would be the first fired. I don’t know how true the rumors were, but my dad saw them as an opportunity to spread my wings and go to Sweden, where he was a military attaché.

My boss at the museum thought that was a great idea. He said, “Sweden is one of very few countries escaping the destruction of war. It represents a unique opportunity to be near the conflict but not involved. Think of it. You could have a ringside seat.”

Being ringside to a vicious war didn’t sound appealing, but he also said I could scout out possible exhibitions for after the war. Other countries wouldn’t be able to take part in exchanges, what with the mess they were in and their art stolen or destroyed. The possibility of scouting for the museum was enticing, and a job would be waiting for me when I returned.

Were you aware of what was happening to museums in occupied Europe?

Yes. We knew works of art had been taken from France, Belgium, and other occupied countries to Germany for what the Germans called safekeeping. An anonymous French museum official says they were quite capable of caring for their artwork, and they had grave fears of ever seeing it again. The Germans just took whatever they wanted.

You traveled across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Were you concerned about submarines?

By 1944, the U-boats weren’t having the success they enjoyed earlier in the war. Both of the Queens were supposed to travel so fast, the U-boats couldn’t set up a shot. I never heard of either ship having a torpedo fired in their direction. That gave me confidence I wouldn’t have had if I’d traveled on a Liberty ship.

How did you like being one of few women among all the troops making the crossing?

Over twelve thousand servicemen packed in, plus the nurses in a few medical units. But you know, being so crowded made it safer for us. There was no privacy. No man could be improper toward us without someone to rescue us.

You managed to have a shipboard romance.

Oh, I wouldn’t call it a romance. Rafe and I did spend a lot of time together, and I hoped to see him again after the war. I wondered about him often. Being part of a B-17 crew was so dangerous. And then his plane crashed in Sweden and there he was, covered in blood. My heart stood still.

You had a brief but intense training course for the OSS. You saw no danger there?

I was convinced I’d work behind the scenes. And I was going to Sweden. That was hugely different from being an agent in Germany. Still, when I was assigned to leave the legation and meet with agents, I definitely had qualms. Not until Rafe joined me did I start to enjoy our outings. They could still be nerve-wracking, but Rafe made it fun. Of course, as a former German national, the war was very personal for him.

Did you have any misgivings about Rafe being from Germany?

Never. I knew the day we met that he was angry with the Germans and with his father for rejecting him and the rest of their family because of Jewish ancestry. It hurt him to see Germany being destroyed. By war’s end, he came to understand how his father had been unable to cope with the belligerence of the Nazis. How would any of us react if we’d with a government turned so vicious? I’m so glad we found Rafe’s father in Cologne after the war and their relationship began to heal. Remembering their embrace still brings tears to my eyes.

 

Terri Wangard’s first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her occupied as an associate editor.

Character Interview with Mary Hamilton and Claire Thompson, w/Giveaway*

Sorry, folks, this giveway has ended, but DO emjoy the post.

Whispers in Purple is delighted to be hosting Author Mary Hamilton and her book SEE NO EVIL,

and an interview with one of the characters in the book.

So please join us as Mary delves into the inner workings of

what makes Claire Thompson tick.

~ ~

Book Title: See No Evil, Rustic Knoll Bible Camp Book 3

Author: Mary Hamilton

Publisher: HopeSprings Books

Release Date: May, 2015

Genre: YA

Book Overview:  Steven Miller guards a dark secret.
Dad drilled into Steven that blindness should never be used as an excuse. So when Steven finds an old triathlon medallion among Dad's belongings, he's inspired to follow in his footsteps. Maybe it'll quiet the guilt he's carried since Dad's death three years ago.
While Steven continues his triathlon training during his final summer at camp, a serious illness keeps Rustic Knoll's beloved Nurse Willie from managing her clinic. When Steven teams up with his friend Claire to encourage Willie's recovery, his feelings for Claire grow beyond friendship.
But his buddy, Dillon, has started down a dangerous path that Steven knows all too well. Can he keep his friend from falling into that sin without exposing his own past?

~ ~

We’re now talking with Claire Thompson

You’ve played a supporting role in all three of the Rustic Knoll Bible Camp books. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from Milwaukee, WI and I live with my mom, dad and younger brother, Seth. He and I get along pretty well most of the time. I’ll be a senior in high school this fall, so I’ll be applying to a couple of the state universities. Right now, I’m planning to major in education, but that could change. I’ve also thought of kinesiology or something like that since I like being active.

You’ve been coming to camp along with Steven for many years. And even though you only see each other one week out of the year, the two of you seem to have a lasting friendship. What has kept your friendship so strong when you only see each other one week out of every year?

I like Steven because I can be real with him. By that, I mean I can say just about anything to him and not worry that he’ll take it the wrong way or think less of me. I don’t have to pretend around him, because even though he can’t see, he’s very perceptive. It’s almost like he can feel my mood without me even saying anything. We’ve had some really good talks because we both accept each other for who we are. Besides that, I’ve always thought he’s kind of cute!

In the Rustic Knoll books, we see the spiritual struggles and growth of Brady, Taylor and Steven, but we never really see your faith. What can you tell us about your faith walk, and maybe something you struggle with?

My parents taught me from a young age about God and the Bible and Jesus. I don’t really remember ever not believing in God. But I’d say my biggest struggle is knowing He’s involved in every part of my life. Sometimes, like when I heard that Steven’s dad died, it’s hard to think that God would let that happen if He honestly loves us. It’s easy to think He doesn’t care, or maybe that He’s punishing us for something we did in the past. My emotions want me to think that’s true, but it’s not. He feels every hurt we do, and wants to comfort us if we’ll run to Him rather than blaming Him and running from Him.

Besides your friendship with Steven throughout the series, we also see your kindness to Brady in Hear No Evil and your willingness to look deeper into Taylor’s personality in Speak No Evil. What attracted you to those two very different personalities?

When Steven first introduced us, I thought Brady looked like a lost puppy. His eyes had sort of a scared look in them. I didn’t know all that had happened with his mom rejecting him, but he obviously needed someone on his side. I guess in a way, he reminded me of my little brother. Maybe that’s why I accepted him so easily.

Taylor was a different story. I really did not like him at all. It was only through getting to know his sister, Marissa, that I started to see him in a different way. I realized that outer toughness and bullying was just covering up a lot of stuff going on inside.

In See No Evil, we see some conflict between you and Steven for the first time. How did that affect you?

Like I said before, I’ve always felt free to tell Steven anything. I’d watched his dad challenge him to do things he didn’t really want to do, and that was good as far as making him independent. But sometimes, especially after his dad died, it seemed like Steven would try things just to prove he was as capable as the rest of us who can see. He didn’t like it when I questioned that, and tried to persuade him not to do the triathlon. It really hurt when he got mad at me and walked away. We’d never had a fight before, so I didn’t know how this would turn out. But looking back, I can see that our foundation of friendship held us together and helped us forgive each other in the end.

What’s your favorite memory from all the years you’ve come to camp?

That’s a hard question! My first thought is Zeke’s chapel talks where he drew pictures to go with his lesson. It wouldn’t be Rustic Knoll without that, or without Janie’s cooking or Nurse Willie’s hat with the fishing lures all over it. But I guess the memory that will always be my favorite is when Steven and I first started going together. I wanted a picture of him to take home with me, but since he can’t see, he asked if he could touch my face as his way of remembering me. It felt so weird sitting on that log at the campfire site with his fingers moving all over my forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks and chin. But it was so tender that when he finished, it felt like he’d kissed me.

One last question: I’m going to jump a few years ahead now. Were you surprised when Steven proposed?

(blushing) Yes! I totally was not expecting that. And how cool that he chose that campfire site to propose. He’s the best!

~ ~

Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a youth camp in southern Wisconsin, much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. While raising her own three children, she was active in her church’s youth ministry, including serving as a camp counselor for a week. Once was enough.

Mary is a graduate of Long Ridge Writer’s Group and a member of ACFW. Her writing has won recognition in both the Genesis and Selah contests.

When not writing, Mary enjoys knitting, reading and being outdoors. She and her husband make their home in Texas.

Where can we buy this book and the others in this series?

http://amzn.to/1MtOkMj

Connect with Mary:

• Website/blog: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com


• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maryhamiltonbooks


• Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mhamiltonbooks


• Twitter: http://twitter.com/@MHamiltonAuthor

~ ~

Peg here:

Thanks, Mary, for being with us today, and for giving us an inside glimpse of Claire. I like her name, by the way. Maybe that’s because Claire is my middle name.

I loved Bible Camp when I was a child, and for two years in my late teens, I was a camp counselor. Loved that, too.

*GIVEAWAY: What about you, readers? Did you go to a Bible Camp, or any summer camp, as children or teens? Why not share some of your favorite memories? Mary, Claire, and I would love to hear about them. All commenters, whether you share a camp experience or not, will have their names entered in a random drawying to win a copy of See No Evil. Sorry, open to the Lower 48 US only. Ends Monday, Aug 17, at Midnight Central Time. Winner will be notified via email on Tuesday. Note: I require a minimum of 5 (five) entries in order to hold a fair drawing.

C’mon, don't miss a chance to win: join the conversation.