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/

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

This Last Surrender: Review and Giveaway!

I'm so excited to present to you a book today, the release of which I've long anticipated... my dear sister Rebekah Neal's devotional This Last Surrender! {Giveaway at the end of this post.}

The Book:

This Last Surrender: A 31-Day Devotional for Women Seeking a Deeper Walk with Jesus Christ

Releasing Thursday, March 19, 2015

In Paperback and Kindle

The Description:

Are you weary in spirit – looking for deep rest? 

Are you thirsty in your soul – needing living water? 

Do you long for a word of encouragement, helping you to persevere through the seeming monotony of motherhood, the press of modern culture, and the difficulties of the Christian life? 

Savor This Last Surrender, a 31-day devotional adapted from some of the most beloved posts from Rebekah Neal’s blog “Ready to be Offered.” Here, you’ll discover a respite – not an escape; a time of refreshment rather than of distraction; and an opportunity to surrender daily everything – heart, soul, mind, and body – to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

You’ll find each day’s selection includes nourishing quotes from past Christians who have walked the narrow way before us, as well as a heart-softening, soul-enriching selection from Rebekah. Ranging from, “Why It’s Not About Losing the Last Ten Pounds,” to “Is He Enough?”, Rebekah handles topics close to almost every woman’s heart with unswerving Scriptural faithfulness and love. 

Every daily reading includes questions for prayer, journaling, or small-group discussion.

My Review:

{Rebekah Neal}

What a tremendous blessing Rebekah's writing has been for my spirit, both on her blog and through this devotional, excerpted and edited from her blog. {Some of you may follow her blog already - Ready to be Offered.} In a way similar to Elisabeth Elliot, Rebekah tackles difficult topics that wrestle with the soul and heart of every woman who seeks a closer walk with her Lord... and she does so with grace, without pulling any punches, and with intense application of biblical truth. Often, I find my heart panged with conviction when I read Rebekah's writing; she removes the outer trappings of our often-mediocre-yet-somehow-acceptable Christian life to show us the core - the place where we need the Surgeon's scalpel.

One of my favorite parts of this devotional? Wait a second - I think that I need to list three. :-) First, I love the quotations from those who have walked the narrow way before us - These carefully-selected words truly enhanced each day's selection. Second, the thought-provoking journaling questions are wonderful, especially for delinquent journalers like myself! Bible study leaders: They can also be used for discussion in group settings. Third, Rebekah's style of writing... well, I suppose that the best way to describe it would be poetry in the guise of prose. 

The devotional - perfect for those of us who don't want to go through an entire year with the same devotional writer - works well {and is intended} for a month-long accompaniment to your Bible reading. However, none of the readings depend on one another for understanding, so they can definitely be read in whatever order you wish. Highly recommended for young women {several of the readings touch on courtship/seeking God's will, etc.} and older women {again, many readings on marriage, family life, prayer, children, and more}.

AND NOW...

I GET TO GIVE AWAY A COPY HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS!

Rebekah's This Last Surrender releases next Thursday, March 19, 2015, but I'm giving away a hot-off-the-press paperback copy during this pre-release week! Enter below and feel free to share! {The giveaway runs 3/13/15 - 3/19/15 and is open to U.S. residents only.}

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I might share this post with these blogs: Strangers and Pilgrims, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, Yes They Are All Ours, Missional Call, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Messy Marriage, My Teacher's Name is Mama, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Homestead Lady, Deborah Jean's Dandelion House, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Count My Blessings, Beauty Observed, Christian Mommy Blogger, Serenity You, Renewed Daily, Sunday Stillness, The Beauty in His Grip, Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom.