Tricia Mingerink's DARE: Author Interview & Giveaway!

One of my favorite things about being an writer?

Meeting other wordy people who are also afflicted with stories running through their heads!

Today, I'm so pleased to introduce you to debut author Tricia Mingerink, whose Christian fantasy novel Dare released Tuesday, June 2, 2015. {And we are participating in Tricia's generous giveaway! - More on that after the interview!}

Who is Tricia Mingerink? Here's her official bio:

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursing backwoods adventures across the country. You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and her blog.




Now grab a cup of coffee and a pistachio cannoli, and we'll have fun getting to know Tricia a little better. :-)

How did you get the idea for Dare?

TRICIA: Lots of places. It was like a whole bunch of inspirations came together all at once. I’d been doing research on the Dutch Resistance in World War II, which inspired a lot of the structure of the Resistance in Dare. My friends also held a Bible verse memorization challenge where we each set goals for how many verses we wanted to memorize. It made me think about how much I take the Bible for granted, and from there of course I began asking what if my Bible were taken away? What if it were illegal to own one? Many Christians around the world have to already face that reality. And, finally, it came from me wondering if I would have the courage to stand up for my faith even if my life were threatened for it. 

Have you based the people or events in the book off real-life people/events?

TRICIA: I got some of my ideas from my love of history, and my imagination took it from there. 

What's the message that you'd like your readers to take away from Dare?

TRICIA: You don’t have to be a brave or tough person to find courage. True courage can be found even by the most weak and scared person if they look for it in the right place. 

{Alicia here: That last bit reminds me of one of my favorite fantasy characters - Frodo Baggins. :-) "I will take the ring... though I do not know the way." On that note, I may or may not be rewatching LOTR this weekend. ;-)}

Now for some split-second questions!
FAVORITE BOOK?
I have to choose? Seriously? Fine. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
Tangled

FAVORITE PLACE TO WRITE?
My family’s cabin deep in the woods.

NOW THE IMPORTANT STUFF - CAKE OR ICE-CREAM?
Ice-cream. It’s a family tradition. My brother even had ice cream instead of cake at his wedding.

FAVORITE/SPECIAL BIBLE VERSE?
Romans 8:28

DREAM VACATION LOCATION:

Anywhere that has mountains, waterfalls, and lots of hiking.

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO TIME-TRAVEL. WHAT CENTURY/COUNTRY DO YOU CHOOSE?
The history lover in me has too many places I’d like to visit, though I know history too well to want to stay in many of those places for very long.

ABOUT DARE

Courage could cost him everything.

Third Blade Leith Torren never questions his orders or his loyalty to King Respen until an arrow wound and a prairie blizzard drive him to the doorstep of the girls whose family he once destroyed.

Their forbidden faith and ties to the Resistance could devastate their family a second time.

Survival depends on obedience, but freedom beckons. How far does he dare go to resist the king and his Blades?

No matter what Leith chooses, one thing is certain.
Someone will die.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! :-) Hurray!

Enter to win a Grand Prize giveaway to celebrate the release of Dare! Prize includes an autographed paperback of Dare, a necklace like the one Renna has in the book with a sterling silver cross pendant, a medieval dagger (not sharp) like the one Leith carries, and Dare-themed bookmarks! (Due to the difficulties in shipping weapons across international borders, this giveaway is open to US residents only). The winner of the giveaway will be announced at the end of the Facebook party on June 10. To participate in the Facebook party, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/868240409913703/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is part of the official blog tour for Dare. CLICK HERE for fun posts from other participants!