It's tremendously uplifting to meet other authors who are dedicated to providing refreshing and creative literature, especially for children and young adults. :-)
"Coffee Cake Days," Amanda's most recent short story, releases Friday, May 29, 2015 in e-book form. Like a hearty slice of sweet breakfast bread, "Coffee Cake Days" brings a delicious reading experience, either as a family read-aloud or as a treat that you might savor all by yourself! :-)
Here's the description of this new release:
Meg has finally graduated and has the time she’s dreamed of for months: time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and soak up His Word as she seeks what future plans He has for her.
She soon runs into a problem: her family. Unwanted interruptions and household duties tear her away from the time she longs to spend in the Bible. Journey with her as she strives to learn the balance of spending time in God’s Word and applying it to her daily life.
Sounds excellent, doesn't it? I'm in the middle of devouring it myself! :-)
Amanda has graciously dropped by for a "visit" today so that you all could get to know her a bit better. So, pour yourself a "cuppa tea" as Eliza Doolittle would tell you, and let's chat with this author.
How did you get the idea for Coffee Cake Days?
Amanda: It was actually on one of those "good days" where I was serving my family. :) I had been thinking about the Lord's conviction over my selfishness prior to that day and how amazing He helped me. Somehow with that, the Lord placed the idea of Meg's story in my mind.
Have you based characters in the book off real-life people and/or events?
Amanda: Oh definitely! I would say that this is probably the most auto-biographical short story that I have ever written. Though I love making coffee cake for my family, there have been many times when doing "that one thing" just irks me. And sometimes, it is the smallest, silliest thing yet satan allows it to become a stronghold in our lives.
Would you describe your target readers for Coffee Cake Days?
Though the lesson is one that is applicable to any believer, I would think that girls 8-18 would be the target audience.
What's the message that you'd like readers to take away from Coffee Cake Days?
Amanda: Servanthood. Selflessness. It doesn't matter how often we think that we "have it together," it is always good to stop and examine our hearts in following God's Word in these areas.
Now for some split-second questions! :-)
1. Favorite book?
The Bible. :) Other: one is a very hard choice, but I really like Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose
2. Favorite movie?
Courageous
3. Favorite place to write?
Outside on the swing under our magnolia tree.
4. Cake or ice-cream?
Ice cream!!!
5. Favorite/special Bible verse?
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7
6. Dream vacation location?
I'm not a big dreamer. :) But if I were to choose one place... probably Hawaii.
7. You have the ability to time-travel. What century and country do you choose? AND
8. You may meet anyone, past or present. Who is it?
This answer goes for both: I have always wondered what it would have been like to meet Jesus Christ face-to-face while He was here on earth. To see His miracles, to hear all that "even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21:25) Wow!
If you'd like more info on Amanda and her work, she's laid out the welcome mat:
Website: www.amandatero.weebly.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/amandaterobooks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/AmandaTero
Blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com
Her official bio: Amanda Tero is a homeschool graduate whose desire is to provide God-honoring reading material. Her current projects include short stories and novels-in-progress. When she was a young teenager, Amanda was obsessed with writing. However, the Lord helped her to realize that she was writing for her personal pleasures and purposes - not His. For several years, she put away "pleasure writing" and wrote mainly Biblical articles for several years (which she still continues). She found the time of writing silence beneficial in gleaning from God's Word and strengthening the focus of why she writes. Since 2013, the Lord directed her to begin writing fiction again. Her desire is to glorify and exalt God in all of her writing. She desires to challenge girls to focus on their relationship with God and grow in Him and His Word. If something she has written draws an individual into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, it is worth it!
This post is part of Amanda Tero's "Coffee Cake Days" blog tour. For more information and to view other participants, visit Amanda's website! :-)
I can't wait till I can read it!! <3 :D
ReplyDeleteKerissa
It was such fun doing the interview with you, Alicia! :) Thanks for featuring "Coffee Cake Days" on your blog. :)
ReplyDelete~Amanda
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30