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.

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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.

"You're Beautiful" ~ Julie Arduini

 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

Publisher: Surrendered Scribe Media (January 6, 2018)

• 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:

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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

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.