Tuesday, August 5, 2025

The Crier Stone by Lyndsey Lewellen

About the Book

Book: The Crier Stone ( A Sequel to The Chaos Grid)

Author: Lyndsey Lewellen

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Brave the Plex. Unleash the stone. Embrace your destiny.

Freshly freed from an earth-dwelling monster, Juniper Conway is stuck with a promise she never intended to make. But if rescuing Plex City from a deadly nano drug is what she vowed, it’s what she’ll do.

Miles of wasteland stretch between Juniper and the domed city. In the Texas Outer Grid, following a tribe of whalers seems to be her best bet at surviving the chaotic storms. But when the nomadic tribes prove just as dangerous as the Grid itself, Juniper realizes her streak of bad luck is far from over.

Only her shipping crew friends can help her through the waste and into the Plex. When the crier stone guiding her mission only shows her fragmented steps, Juniper will need more than the stone around her neck and a halfhearted promise to make it out alive.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

What was the most challenging part of writing your book?
There is a scene in The Crier Stone where the main character climbs a very tall structure with no support. I never thought I was afraid of heights, but sitting in a coffee shop researching climbing videos by people with no fear and hundreds of feet in the air had my pulse racing. I stopped writing multiple times in that scene because it made me so antsy.

● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?
Chapter endings are by far my favorite parts of drafting a novel. They’re the punchline of the leadup that propels the reader to the next page. To me, they feel like buying someone a present you know they’ll love and watching them open it in surprise Christmas morning.

● How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?
I often glean inspiration from studying Scripture, listening to sermons, ingesting apologetics, or experiencing the Spirit in my daily life. I am a mom of five teens/preteenswho have non-believing friends. I want to be prepared to give an answer for the hope within me. That often comes by making analogies to teach my children the Truth of God’s Word, preparing them to do the same. These analogies have a wonderful side effect of exercising mystorytelling skills. Christ Himself told many truths through story. So it fits that we would, through the Spirit, do the same. Since He already fills me with His Truth, I allow that to spill out on the pages as it comes.

● Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?
When my kids were little, I’d say nighttime right after everyone was in bed. Now that they’re older and sleep inpast five o’clock, I’ll say morning time. I can get the kids off to school, finish my farm chores, and get the words cranked out.

● What is your next big goal as an author?
I am testing the indie publishing waters with my next release. In November 2025, book one in my steampunk middle grade fantasy series, Harlow Morgan and the Sky City, will make its debut. I’m familiar with the cover design aspect of independent publishing as a designer. But I’m excited to explore it fresh as an author.

About the Author

Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

More from Lyndsey

Justice. Mercy. Grace.

Teen girls in my youth group hear these words often. Maybe that’s because the simplest words are sometimes the hardest to define—and even harder to live out. So, we talk about them a lot. In fact, we go over their meanings so often that when our church’s youth pastor asked the main group to define grace one Wednesday night, girl after girl turned to look at me sitting in the back. They knew the answer. I was proud.

But knowing that justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don’t deserve is only half the battle. The real challenge? Learning when—and how—to apply them.

In The Crier Stone, the conclusion to The Chaos Grid duology, Juniper Conway comes face to face with God’s mercy in direct conflict with her sense of justice. We love it when He relents in His wrath toward us. But what happens when He stays His hand against our enemies?

The people of Juniper’s futuristic Texas experience justice daily for the sins of the past. In their attempt to fix the climate, their ancestors instead turned the world into a wasteland. Now, the last remnants of civilization hide away in domed cities, clinging to their technology like a drug—willing to sacrifice anything for the next upgrade. The government forbids advanced tech outside the domes, trapping its people inside their artificial paradise.

But a life of confinement and convenience is hardly the justice Juniper wants for those who orphaned her. And when visions confirm God’s call for her to save the worst of the domed cities from destruction, she rages at His mercy. Of all the people He could choose to show kindness to her enemies, why would He choose her?

If she had His power, she would do things differently.

At its heart, Juniper’s struggle is one of trust. Is God just in showing mercy to those who don’t deserve it? Would she see His choices differently if she knew everything He did? We may not always understand why God allows suffering on this side of eternity. In Juniper’s world, deadly nano-drugs run rampant, corrupt mega-corporations kill without consequence, and inhumane tech enhancement labs push the boundaries of morality for the next upgrade. Yet, God’s mercy does not mean He has abandoned justice.

Paul says in Acts 17:30-31:

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

It was at the cross that justice, mercy, and grace met—a breathtaking harmony orchestrated by a sovereign God.

Juniper’s journey is filled with trials, betrayals, and impossible choices as she is forced to confront the full weight of justice, mercy, and grace. Will she step into her destiny and save the domed city, or let it all burn?

Find out in the thrilling conclusion to this wild Texas dystopian duology.

—Lyndsey

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 26

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 27 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 28

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 29

Simple Harvest Reads, July 30 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, July 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 1

Guild Master, August 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 4

A Reader’s Brain , August 5 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 6 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54259

Friday, August 1, 2025

Waitin' on Paige by Mary Pat Johns

About the Book

Book: Waitin’ On Paige (Romance in Valiant Book Four)

Author: Mary Pat Johns

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

All he wants is to reclaim her love…

Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own

and not an endorsement of all author's opinions.

Author Interview

What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

The banter is always the fun part for me. I love the back and forth of

conversation. The action beats, however, make me crazy. I’m still on a quest to

improve how I write (and how often to use) them.

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

As far as the theme, I may have a tiny spark of what I want to do. That

connection grows as the characters develop. In Waitin’ On Paige, it was only at

the end of the story that I realized both main characters were dealing with strong

issues of abandonment. Once I knew, I weaved a healing process in for each of

them.

Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and

organized? Why?

I’m a blend of plotter and pantser. I only know a couple of things about the story

when I begin. Those “things” usually turn out to be plot points. Once the opening

chapters are fairly solid, I plot the other anchor points, but nothing is hardfast. It’s

all still a bit of a blur. I think, pray, and ask God for kernels to get scenes started,

but how they unfold is spontaneous and often surprises me.

Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

I am most productive in the afternoon. It’s my designated time to write. I write

some mornings, but often I’ll go to exercise or run errands. I rarely write at night. I

need that time to wind down and think about life beyond writing.

Why did you pick this genre for your book?

It’s hard for me to write a story without a romantic angle. When I read, most often

the plot is driven by romance. And I’m a die-hard happy ending girl.

About the Author

Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.

Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023, and books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.

She writes Christian romance because when we see life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.

More from Mary Pat

The ending of a series is always bittersweet. I will miss the characters, but I remind myself they are in a good place. Kind of like my grown children. They have their own lives to live, and I’m not as “hands-on” as I was during their formative years. If you weren’t around for the beginning of this series, no worries. Each book tells its own story. In the meantime, stay tuned. I have other stories to write. That said, I probably won’t wander too far from Valiant—the strong, safe place where it all began.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 22

Simple Harvest Reads, July 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 23

Leslie’s Library Escape, July 24

Artistic Nobody, July 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 26

Guild Master, July 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 28

Fiction Book Lover, July 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 31 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 31

Cover Lover Book Review, August 1

A Reader’s Brain, August 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary Pat is giving away the grand prize of signed copies of the four book in the series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54255

Friday, June 27, 2025

If Jesus Came To My School by April Graney

About the Book

Book: If Jesus Came to My School

Author: April Graney

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Release Date: June 10, 2025

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young girl learns how Jesus’s love can shine at school through her compassion, kindness, and inclusion. In this whimsical tale, a young girl imagines what it would be like if Jesus visited her school as a boy. She would show Jesus around her classroom, introduce her friends and teachers, listen to story time, and eat lunch together! But Jesus wouldn’t stop at learning and sitting in class. He’d invite the lonely to join in on games and find a way to love and get along with everyone. Soon the young girl realizes that even though Jesus doesn’t attend her school, he can live through her. Through rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, children will be inspired to make a difference in their schools through their actions. Because as they treat each other right and classes become families, Jesus truly will be in their school.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

1. Why did you want to become an author?

I wrote my first “children’s book” at the age of 5 when I first started learning how to write. It went something like this, “God made flowers. God made trees. God made the sun. God made me….” And so forth. I decorated the pages with my own drawings. I had completely forgotten about writing it, but my mom saved it in a baby book for me. So, I think the Lord planted the desire to write words about him from a very early age, and I feel very blessed that he has miraculously opened the doors for me to have books published by some amazing publishers!

3. What/Who inspired you to write on the main themes found in the book?

I teach at a school that is part of a children’s home for kids at-risk, and I see the challenges of how kids treat each other daily. Years ago, one of my students who didn’t fit in very well was being bullied. It took a lot of effort to create a sense of belonging between him and the other boys in the class. But praise the Lord, with some team building activities, an after-school club, and some kids coming to know Jesus, I saw the huge difference it made in this boy’s life. When some of my children attended public school, we saw the school as a mission field where they could have an impact by sharing about Jesus with their classmates and loving them the way that Jesus would. I wanted to encourage families who have kids in school to also share the light and love of Jesus in their classrooms!

6. What did your research process look like for this book?

I’ve been doing a lot of research on freedom of religion in public schools, and I have found some fantastic organization who are supporting families in public schools. Organizations like Decision Point are supporting students in public schools by giving them the tools to host outreach events to share the gospel with their peers, equipping them to engage in gospel conversations and invite people to meet Jesus, and provide on-the-ground resources like Bibles and gospel tracts. Teach for the Heart provides practical help & Biblical encouragement teachers need to shine the love of Christ in their classrooms. Christian Educators is a professional association of educators – supporting, connecting, and protecting Christians working in schools. Gateways to Better Education empowers parents with tools to navigate the public schools to help their children graduate with their faith and values intact, and they guide school leaders in establishing policies and practices that protect academic and religious freedom.Ultimately, families don’t need to go it alone as their child enters public school, so these organizations are making a huge impact, and I wrote If Jesus Came to My School to help launch kids into schools with a Christ-like mindset of reaching their schools for Christ.

10. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?

Dr. Pepper is my weakness, and for years it was my “morning coffee.” While I drink more coffee than Dr. Pepper these days, when I really want to celebrate, I go back to the 23 flavors of the best soda in the world!

11. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?

I really hope that families will use this book to have conversations with their children about what it means to love their classmates as Jesus would. Jesus taught his disciples to love one another. He said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (New International Version, 20011, John 13:34) If we can teach kids to love each other, to include those left out, to stand up bullies, to appreciate their teachers, then our nation’s schools could be transformed. Christian students should be known as the most loving people in the classroom, to make the world a better place, but ultimately so that hearts will be open to hearing the gospel or learning more about Jesus.

About the Author

April Graney is a teacher at Cookson Hills, a children’s home and school for at-risk students in Oklahoma. She is the author of The Marvelous Maker: A Creation and Redemption Parable and the ECPA Christian Book Award finalist The Marvelous Mud House: A Story of Finding Fullness and Joy. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, April loves studying and teaching the Bible. Her greatest joy has been raising five children with her husband Tom in their crazy, loud, happy house at New Life Ranch, a summer camp and retreat center where they have served for over twenty years.

More from April

When my husband, Tom, was in high school, a classmate leaned over and casually asked, “Hey, would you like to go to church with me sometime?” Tom wasn’t opposed to church. He’d just never been invited before. This invitation got him to a place where he began hearing the gospel. Finally, at a youth rally, my future husband tearfully repented of his sins and trusted in Jesus’ death on the cross for his salvation. He walked down to the center of that arena, with hundreds of others who had done the same. I’m incredibly thankful for his classmate who had the courage at school to ask his friend to come to church, something which changed the entire trajectory of his life.

Our nation’s schools are filled with kids who need to hear the gospel. After encountering the woman at the well, Jesus told his disciples in John 4:35, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” I believe this could be said of our schools today. There are nearly 60 million school age children in the United States. The Barna Group reports that nearly half of all public educators are practicing Christians, and 86 percent of Christian families send their children to public school. Christians are in public schools. I hope to support and equip them, by providing tools for them to teach their children about Jesus, the gospel, and his love. I hope to help families to see the fertile soil of our nation’s schools, and be faithful to shine the light and love of Jesus in our schools. They are ripe for harvest.

When school children encounter the love of Jesus, they become places where kindness, love and respect can flourish. With the divisiveness in our nation, it’s so important to teach our children how to treat each other with kindness, inclusion and understanding. We can teach our children that everyone is created and cherished by God. We can help reduce bullying in schools when children celebrate their differences and stand up for each other. Our schools would be places of impact for the individual and the school community. These are the truths that I hoped to communicate in If Jesus Came to My School, and I hope that readers will take these lessons to heart and make a difference in the world!

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 22

Artistic Nobody, June 23

Library Lady’s Kids Lit, June 24

Labor Not in Vain, June 25

Cover Lover Book Review, June 26

Guild Master, June 27 (Author Interview)

May Hake, June 27

A Reader’s Brain , June 28 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 28

Older & Smarter?, June 29

Texas Book-aholic, June 30

Vicky Sluiter, July 1

Fiction Book Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 3

Jodie Wolfe, July 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54242

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

In Tempest Winds by Kendy Pearson

About the Book

Book: In Tempest Winds (West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm #3)

Author: Kendy Pearson

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: May 7, 2025

Not all heroes are born of battle.

Some heroes are born of loss.

War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give. When Zander Dabney joins in the fight, army life is not what he expected, and it seems impossible to escape his hero-brother’s shadow. When Zander finally gets the chance to test his mettle, the horrors of battle shatter his faith and leave him questioning everything—even what he thought he knew about his brother.

Lola Wade has her hands full with the mercantile, rising prices, family, and a cunning thief. Despite her chaotic life, Zander has captured her heart. But the war has taken much from him. And he needs more than her love to confront his inner demons and fractured faith.

In a whirlwind of deception, the enemy attacks the town and garrison, leaving death and destruction in its wake. But this was no ordinary attack, and the evidence Zander has just falls on deaf ears.

He is determined to unearth the truth. She has lost everything and must make a heart-wrenching decision.

Betrayal plunges Zander into a nightmare of injustice and a perilous ordeal of sacrifice and endurance few can survive. He needs a miracle. A lot of them.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author's opinions.

Author Interview

● How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

I always have at least one character who is strong in his/her faith and not afraid to show it. And

that character is influential in the life of my protagonists. The other thing that has come very

naturally (so I know it is God’s doing) is that each of my novels has a biblical theme of some

sort. A reader will quickly discover that In Tempest Winds is about one young man’s crises of

faith. It parallels with the episode of Peter on the water with Jesus. Peter takes his eyes off the

master and begins to sink and panics. That’s Zander, in my book. As one reviewer put it, it is a

story of faith lost and faith found.

● Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and

organized? Why?

I am definitely a plotter, developing a semi-extensive outline—at least so I know what I need

to accomplish in each chapter. I start with a three-act structure and define what needs to

happen in each part. Then I roll up my sleeves, go through all my notes, timelines, and

character profiles to fill out a sentence for each chapter before I dive into that rough draft.

This is a lot of work and doesn’t sound as glamorous as sitting down and pulling a story out

of my head, I know. But I write historical fiction, so it requires a lot of research, and I have to

weave my story through actual events. All the prep makes the writing go super-fast when

finally get to start in on that rough draft, though!

● Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

You won’t find this girl writing in the early morning. At least not until I’ve had breakfast, my

devotional time, and at least four cups of strong black tea. I accomplish the most between

noon and 6:00 p.m.

● Why did you pick this genre for your book?

My favorite genre to read and write is Christian Historical Fiction. And since I’m a Civil War

reenactment enthusiast, the two go hand-in-hand for me. Also, having raised three boys, I

watched a lot of war movies over the years. When my agent told me to write something

completely different, it was really a challenge to write my fourth novel about something

completely unrelated to war. But I found a chunk of history with just as much conflict and went

with it. Hopefully, that book will be out in 2026.

● What is your next big goal as an author?

I have two goals: First, to publish the series that follows this one since In Tempest Winds is the

last of the West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm series. Secondly, I’d like to see my picture

books make their way into the world.

About the Author

Kendy Pearson is a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. As a veteran high school teacher, she loves to discover a pocket of American history missing from the schoolbooks and turn that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through historical events and settings, engaging with period personalities. And she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace.

She has received multiple lit awards and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. When she’s not clicking away on the computer or scaling mountains of research, she relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.

More from Kendy

As always, writing from the Heart of History requires I choose little-known events in history and weave a fictionalized story through them. In Tempest Winds is Zander’s story, the middle son of the five Dabney siblings of the “West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm” series. I promise, you will still laugh, cry, and maybe even swoon—and you will definitely learn a few things you didn’t know before.

I’d like to share a secret with you. When I wrote In Tempest Winds, I was thinking of two of my sons. Only a year and a half apart in age, they both joined the military around the same time. They each served one-year deployments. The first son deployed to Iraq and the second to Afghanistan a year later. They each left an infant child and wife behind. I held my breath for two years (barely hyperbole!).

As I researched the last desperate year of the Civil War, I somehow knew what events Zander must experience in this book. Like my sons, Zander is witty, athletic, handsome, and sensitive. And as a mother of veterans and the daughter of a two-war veteran, I know this to be a truth: “…War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give.”

Zander’s journey in this story is a little like Peter’s experience on the Sea of Galilee. Peter learned a valuable, frightening lesson when he took his eyes off Jesus and started sinking. (But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid… Matt. 14:30). Peter lost his faith for a time, forgetting who made that sea in the first place.

So, you are wondering about the leading lady by now. Lola is adorable, with her fly-away blond hair and spectacles that won’t stay where she puts them. And boy, is she smart, feisty, and falling hard for Zander! When the fireworks spark, she gives our boy much to think about. Lola’s got faith and pluck. She’s determined to trust God, no matter what the tempest threatens to destroy.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, please shoot me an email (kendy@kendypearson.com) and tell me your ideas for a grown-up Will and Bertie! What will they be like? I am excited to write their stories next.

Blessings from the Heart of History, my friends!

Kendy

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

Stories By Gina, May 31 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 4

A Reader’s Brain , June 5 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 7 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, June 8 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, June 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 9

For Him and My Family, June 10

For the Love of Literature, June 11 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kendy is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54232

Friday, May 30, 2025

Saving the Statue of Liberty by Andrea Jo Rodgers

About the Book

Book: Saving the Statue of Liberty (Saint Michael the Archangel Academy Book Two)

Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

Genre: Middle Grade Action Adventure

Release date: October 18, 2018

John Jenkins is on probation at Saint Michael the Archangel Academy. That means one wrong move on his part, and he’ll be tossed off Team Liberty like wilted lettuce on a soggy hamburger bun. But Team Mischief, up to their old tricks again, plans to vandalize the Statue of Liberty. Knowing his team needs him, John snags the opportunity to prove himself worthy of the academy. Together, Team Liberty must uncover clues and solve puzzles at Liberty State Park and Ellis Island as they race against the mischievous trio to save the universal symbol of freedom from harm.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author's opinons.

Author Interview

Andrea Rodgers

Kate Fowler Interview Questions: Fiction

● What was your process to align your book with your target audience?

Saving the Statue of Liberty-Mission Two is targeted towards readers of the first

book, Saving Mount Rushmore-Mission One and anyone who enjoys a fun,

middle grade action adventure with a Christian worldview. After I finished writing

the first book, I thought that John Jenkins and Team Liberty needed a second

adventure, so I began plotting another book.

● What was the most challenging part of writing your book? The most

challenging part of writing Saving the Statue of Liberty was to provide clues and

create puzzles that were interactive and fun for young readers to solve. I recall

enjoying reading mystery books as a child, and I loved gathering clues. I wanted

to provide the same sense of joy and satisfaction to my readers.

● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book? The most enjoyable

part of writing Saving the Statue of Liberty was visiting Ellis Island, Liberty State

Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Science Center with my family as I

researched the book. I went through the Touch Tunnel at Liberty Science Center

twice to make sure I could accurately describe the experience within one of the

chapters of my book.

● Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned

and organized? Why? My writing process for this book was planned out and

organized. I had already written the first book, Saving Mount Rushmore, so I had

ideas in mind for the sequel. I visited the sites I wanted to include in the book,

created an outline, and then wrote the book. However, sometimes spontaneous

ideas come to me, and I weave them into the book.

● How many books do you personally own? I own numerous bookshelves full of

books covering a large variety of topics. Some are nonfiction, dealing with

physical therapy and health-related topics. Since I have been a volunteer EMT

for over 35 years and have written five books about my inspirational experiences

with the rescue squad, I also have quite a few books about emergency medicine.

Other books are Christian-oriented covering topics such as miracles, angels, and

the like. I also love reading romances. I pass along many of them after I read

them, but I keep my favorites. I also have many of the old classics, like Pride and

Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Tom Sawyer.

About the Author

Andrea Jo Rodgers has a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. She has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician on her rescue squad for over thirty-five years and has responded to 10,000 first aid and fire calls. Writing is one of her passions, and she is the award-winning author of numerous inspirational books as well as A Practical Guide to Healthy Aging. She also enjoys reading, spending time with family, and visiting new places. She lives with her family and pet bunny on the east coast.

More from Andrea

In Saving Mount Rushmore-Mission One, John Jenkins, an awkward thirteen-year-old teenager, is unexpectedly chosen to attend Saint Michael the Archangel Academy. The top-secret school’s mission is to protect our nation by assisting authorities in solving crimes. Since the academy is for students with extraordinary abilities, John is puzzled as to why he’s been accepted. After all, he’s an average teen without any notable gifts.

While working with Team Liberty to save Mount Rushmore from Devlin Black and Team Mischief, John struggles to discover his special gifts. He’s mortified when he discovers that he’s been accepted to the academy due to a clerical error. He becomes strictly an “observer” until the mission’s end. But when his teammates run into trouble, John must summon up the courage to try to save Mount Rushmore. He learns that every person has special God-given gifts—including him.

I came up with the idea for Saving Mount Rushmore while in the airport, just before our plane departed for the famous landmark. I wrote feverishly the entire flight, and the first chapters were born. Saving Mount Rushmore is a middle grade novel which combines information about Mount Rushmore, adventure, and Christian values. My goal was to write an exciting, fun, educational book for middle grade readers that incorporates Christian values into the fabric of the story.

John and his friends have an opportunity to save another national monument in the sequel, Saving the Statue of Liberty-Mission Two. While performing research for the book, my family and I visited Liberty Science Center, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. While exploring the science center, I went through the pitch-black Touch Tunnel several times to make sure I could bring it to life in the book. Although I had visited these landmarks when I was young, it was incredibly fun to re-explore them through the eyes of my characters.

I hope you accompany John and Team Liberty in their action-packed adventures as they race to save the iconic Statue of Liberty. Come along for the ride and explore our fine country’s history, heritage, and landmarks.