Month: June 2018

Scripture Graphics #95

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

So very grateful for new, day-by-day mercies for whatever the day holds!!


There are times in our lives where the walls crumble, when aspects of our lives are unruly, when we seem to lose control and things come in and out of our hearts and minds which do not please God. In essence, the walls need to be built back. And, like with every building project, it takes energy, time, and labor. We need tools such as prayer, God’s Word, praise, and hymns. We need diligence to capture every thought, turn humbly to God, seek His help, and obey Him. Without these materials and tools, the walls of our Spirit will stay broken down, bringing damage to us and others.


And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? – Luke 12:16-21

When we refuse to seek God and “lend back to Him,” God can take it away from us. There are so many points in this passage: honoring God with our first-fruits, seeking Him vs. leaning on our own understanding, living for Him vs. hoarding our time and profit to ourselves, and the power of God to over-ride our plans. Where, in this list, are we like the rich man?

What promises are you claiming today?

The Road to Magnolia Glen | Book Review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Can we just pause a moment and enjoy this cover?! I mean, beautiful cover, Mississippi author (my state), 18th century, the Natchez trace… all of these lured me to this book, and I was not disappointed.
Irish immigrant Kiera is in charge of her two younger sisters, flighty and heedless Amelia and tomboy Megan, bringing them to the husband in American that her brother-in-law has set up for her to marry. Meanwhile, another Irish immigrant, Quinn O’Shea, is surrogate father to his two younger brothers, coming to America to join his oldest brother then make his dreams of adventure and freedom come true. Except nothing goes as planned for either of them.
Kiera’s husband-to-be is actually a vile, wicked man who wants Kiera and her sisters not for family but for disgusting profit. I was on pins and needles when tables turned and Kiera and her sisters were led inside a brothel. I won’t spoil too much of the story for you, but they didn’t stay there long. This type of thing threaded through the entire story, though. How much detail was included I honestly can’t tell, because I’d rather skim if I thought the content was iffy rather than read it and give a solid report (which is probably why I enjoyed this book as much as I did; because I skimmed several parts and enjoyed the rest). It seemed, though, that the bulk of the content here was in crude comments and not in actual actions. This does put it as an adult novel, though, for my recommendations… I’d say conservative readers 25 and older, but you may be the judge there.
Besides the above material, the romance was sweet and clean. There did seem to be a lot of kisses and “fiery touches” for the two not to realize they were in love with each other or necessarily want to commit to each other. But compared to several books I’ve read recently, their relationship seemed chaste without the emphasis on daydreams and passionate desires. Because there was so much other stuff going on in the plot, the romance, while there, didn’t seem to be the consuming goal of the novel.
There were quite a few Scriptures quoted (mainly from the Psalms) and Sunday meetings regularly mentioned. The main characters seemed to get their strength from God and prayed for wisdom and direction. I really appreciated that. It fit into the story well and didn’t seem to be put in “just so it can be a Christian novel” nor was it too shallow.
Now, for what really stands out to me: the adventure and action. Because of the beginning, when Kiera and her sisters are rescued from the brothel, there is an evil villain who keeps the girls from settling in with complete peace of mind—for lawfully they are still indentured to Le Blume. It definitely made for a tense storyline. Added to that, there were other characters introduced whose lives entwined with the main characters and I enjoyed how the tension naturally built because of those characters. There were a lot more than just the two main character’s point of view displayed, but it seemed natural and needed for the storyline. So, the writer in me really appreciated how this novel was written.
This is book two in a series, but it read just fine as a stand-alone. I will mention, though, that if you don’t like spoilers, read book one first. They do link together and I can see where it would have been much more effective to have read this as a series.
*I received this book from Tyndale Publisher and happily provided my honest review*

It’s Here! "Quest for Leviathan" release day!!

Published on by Amanda Tero7 Comments
The whole writing process never ceases to amaze me. One would think that, for a short story, there’s nothing extra exciting about “Quest for Leviathan.” But for me, it holds a powerful punch of excitement!
First… God has seen it through! I had moments of doubt as I tried writing this that it was a story I was supposed to tell. But, it was done all in His timing (more on that later) and, as with each of my publications, He has guided me and led me to do more than I thought imaginable.
Second… the idea was one that came to me while reading my Bible. Those are always fun! I thought it would be an easy-to-write idea (I mean, Leviathan! Come on!!!!). Instead, it took me the span of a few months to get beyond the first few paragraphs. I knew where I wanted to go, I knew the message God had given me for the story, but it just wasn’t coming together. Lots of prayer and patience went into this project!
Third… the timing was completely in God’s hands. As I mentioned above, “Quest for Leviathan” wasn’t a weekend project. But then and again, had I released it in the fall, I just might not have had Natalie illustrate it for me–as it wasn’t until much later that I decided I wanted to try some illustrations this go-round. There are many other exciting things related to “Quest for Leviathan’s” release (some of which I’m not at liberty to share yet) that are all happening because it’s a June release, and not a fall 2017 release.
Fourth… all of you have been so excited and supportive of my little story. For an author, that means the world (and I truly mean it). Unless you’re an author, you might not know just HOW MUCH it means to have others read your work, share about your work, and encourage you in so many ways! Thank you all to everyone who has made this such an exciting release to me!
Now… a little more fun stuff for release day…
ABOUT THE STORY

Leviathan took the life of his father.


Anath has spent three years preparing for the voyage that will end the threat of Leviathan. Yet as the Valor launches into the depths of the Mediterranean, an inward quest also begins, taking Anath to depths he is not willing to face.


Purchase an e-copy on Amazon or order a paperback.

If you would like a signed copy, email me at amandaterobooks@gmail.com
Add to your Goodreads shelf.

GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away TWO print copies of “Quest for Leviathan” to one winner — one for you, and one for your friend!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BLOG TOUR
A shout-out to these lovely people who are helping spread the news of “Quest for Leviathan!” The bloggers are doing a diversity of things, so be sure to check them all out!
June 8 – With a Joyful Noise (Release Day Post)
               Resting Life (Spotlight, Review)
              The World of the Writer(Review)
              Authoring Arrowheads(Review)
              Purely by Faith Review(Review, Interview)
June 9 – Victoria’s Book Nook (Spotlight, Review, Giveaway)
              Bekah’s Books (Spotlight, Review, Interview)
June 11 – Clothed with Scarlet (Spotlight, Review, Giveaway)
              Reveries Reviews (Review)
June 12 – Chosen Vessels (Spotlight, Review)
              My Purple Pen (Review)
              Read Another Page (Review)
June 13 – Once Upon an Ordinary (Review)
              Maidens for Modesty (Review)
              Yahweh Sisters (Review)
June 14 – Honey Rock Hills (Review)
              Life of Heritage Corner (Spotlight, Review, Interview, Giveaway)
              Kaylee’s Kind of Writes (Review, Interview)
June 15 – The Red-Hooded Writer (Review)
              Blossoms and Blessings(Spotlight, Review, Interview, Giveaway)
              Lit Aflame (Review, Interview)
June 16 – The Left-Handed Typist (Review)
              Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Review, Interview, Giveaway)
June 18 – Great Books for God’s Girls (Review, Interview)
              Peculiar Miss Darcy(Character Interview)
June 19 – Done in Love (Spotlight, Review, Interview, Giveaway)
              Creating Romance (Spotlight, Review, Giveaway)
June 20 – Keturah’s Korner (Review, Interview)
              Rock and Minerals 4 Him(Spotlight, Review, Giveaway)
June 21 – A Baker’s Perspective (Review, Giveaway, Character Spotlight)
              Christian Author: A.M. Heath (Review, Interview)
              Views from the Window Friend(Review)
              Hunting for Truth (Spotlight, Review, Giveaway)
June 23 – Reading on the Edge (Spotlight)
              Summer Snowflakes (Review, Giveaway)
June 25 – With a Joyful Noise (Giveaway Winner Announced)

Countdown to Release: 1 Day! Who is Leviathan?

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Tomorrow is release day! Already, I have been blessed by the feedback I’ve received from “Quest for Leviathan’s” reviewers. It never ceases to amaze me how God will give an idea, give me wisdom and time to see that idea to completion, and then use it to help others in their Christian walk. What an honor to be writing for Him!

One of the highlights of my story is writing about Leviathan, this terrible fire-breathing sea creature. I know that I’m not the only one fascinated with Leviathan, because many other readers have mentioned their allurement to him. He is such a unique and captivating creature! But just who is this Leviathan?


 I personally believe that the leviathan was a literal dragon (sea monster, whatever you want to call him). For the sake of the story, I made his (or her, I suppose) name a proper noun, Leviathan, and will probably continue to as I talk of this creature. My prime source of research was Job 41 (I read the King James Version of the Bible, so everything I reference is from there). From this passage, we discover a few facts about this creature:
–          He was a big creature, not something men would just go fishing for (“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?” Job 41:1-2
–          His scales were pretty tough, a seal to his body, and impenetrable (“Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?” Job 41:7 … “His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.” Job 41:15-17 … “The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.” Job 41:23)
–          He really wasn’t a creature that men messed with (“None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before Me?” Job 41:10 … “When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.” Job 41:25)
–          He had terrible teeth (“Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.” Job 41:14)
–          He was fire-breathing! (“By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.  Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.  Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.  His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.” Job 41:18-21)
–          Weapons were useless against him (“The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.” Job 41:26-29)
–          His movement churned the water fiercely (“He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.” Job 41:31)
Some have said that the leviathan was likely a creature like the elephant (I don’t quite get that image from the text above…), giant croc, or some dinosaur skeletons that have been found. I will admit that I really don’t know the exact image of Leviathan and my illustrator just guessed the best she could (consciously creating a larger-than-life image), but I firmly believe that Leviathan was a real animal that really lived in the sea and really did harm and damage upon men and their ships. A creature I’d definitely prefer to not meet in person!

Countdown to Release: 2 days! Puzzle Fun

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments

So… it’s two days until release. Instead of anything informative or chatty, let’s just have some fun. 😉 I love putting together jigsaw puzzles, so why not do some of Leviathan?

I’ll confess, this was a lot harder than I thought it would be!! It took me 4 minutes, 9 seconds to do it. 😮 Give it a try and see what time you can get (and comment!!). If the puzzle doesn’t show below, go here to put it together.

And now that we had a tough one, let’s just do the cover for an easier round. 😉 This one took me 1 minute, 41 seconds (which I still felt was a little sluggish on my part). But! How do you do on this one? (link here if image doesn’t show)

Countdown to Release: 3 days, Interview with my Illustrator

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Today I’m thrilled to have my illustrator, Natalie, join me in an interview! We’ve known each other for–what, six or seven years now? It’s been fun, but I learned a lot more about her when I did this interview. 😉




Me: How long have you loved to draw?
Nat: I’ve always enjoyed drawing! It’s something I did casually, but i got serious about it a few years ago. I was tired of the people I drew looking like childish cartoons. I wanted to draw more realistic things and essentially get good at drawing, if that makes any sense XD

Me: Love it!! That actually sounds really similar to my writing journey. 😉

I know you like art, but it’s just one of your many hobbies. What all do you enjoy doing?

Nat: Goodness, there’s a lot of things I like to do. I enjoy playing music on my violin, piano, or ukulele. (I also have a pretty cool teacher so that’s a plus ;)) I like playing video games–usually puzzle solving games though. They’re extremely fun, but can also be extremely infuriating! I also enjoy writing myself! I only started because my sister was writing and I, being the younger annoying sister, had to do everything she did. But I found out I enjoyed doing it, so I kept writing even when she stopped. And I’m still writing to this day! 


Me: Aw, thanks (yeah, I’m her piano/violin teacher)! 😉 That’s neat about you and writing; didn’t know that bit!

Because I’m a writer, the way I read is affected. Do you find yourself examining others’ illustrations and such? Do you learn from this? How?

Nat: I try to examine illustrations as much as I can since I’m pretty new to the thing. Most of the time I’m end up staring at the paper wondering how they did something so amazing! There’s usually always something to learn, it’s just a matter of if you look for it hard enough. I have a lot of problems capturing features in people to make them distinct (like, drawing a specific person), so seeing different people drawn by others is actually very useful!


Me: Learning from evaluating others’ work is probably my favorite. 😀

Out of all of your interests, is there one in particular that you feel God leading you to more seriously pursue right now?

Nat: I’m considering writing as a possible career, but I’m not positive about it. Still praying about everything. But being a writer what I find myself day-dreaming about the most. I would love to get to the point in drawing so I could like, draw my own cover or something, but I don’t know if I’ll ever get to that point. It’s fun to think about though! 


Me: Sounds like me and my graphics’ designing!

Okay, so some quick-shooting questions.

1)You have a weekend to do anything you want—no budget or limitations. What will you do?

Go to London! I’ve always wanted to go there (^_^)

2) Favorite beverage

Hmm, I like… lemonade. It’s usually my drink of choice.

3) Favorite snack

I’d die for just about anything sweet! I really like chocolate covered strawberries. 

4) Favorite place to write/read/draw

On my bed. It’s the perfect place to curl up and escape to another world.

5) Favorite author

There’s a lot of authors I like, but I really enjoy reading Marissa Meyer’s work. Gah, I don’t know how she writes so good!

6) Favorite color

My favorite color changes every other day, but aqua blue usually dominates the others.



Thanks so much for joining us today, Natalie!!! And if you haven’t already seen her illustrations, I’ll share just one with you… it’s kind of my favorite, bringing Leviathan to a larger-than-life proportion, yet incredibly amazing…




Countdown to Release: 4 days, More Q&A

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Last Monday, I featured three Q&A’s from upcoming interviews. Today, here are three more Q&A’s. I’ve been asked some really thought-provoking questions!

Q) What made you decide to write stories that bring glory to God?
A) This is actually a long story, but I hope to be brief and not bore you out here. I have loved writing since I was probably six. As I entered my teens, I began to write stories that were exciting and adventuresome, but I had a hard time finding how to fit God into my stories. I mean, I was a Christian, so I had to write Christian, right? I just couldn’t figure it out. I actually took a few years off fictional writing in my late teens because I just couldn’t come to peace with what I was writing and what I should be writing (and how to get there). In that time, I wrote blog posts and inspirational articles. I actually thought at one point that I’d not write fiction again. But, the Lord allowed me to bring it into my life again, and this time, I feel a peace with the balance He’s helped me to find. I don’t write Christian fiction just because I’m a Christian so I “have” to. I write Christian fiction because I personally believe that God has given me a gift in writing, and that He wants me to use it for His glory—and in writing inspirational fiction, I can bring to life spiritual lessons and Scriptural principals.
Q) Did writing Quest for Leviathan help you grow in your walk with God?
A) When I think back to the whole process of this story and the things I’ve been going through in life… I think the main thing God has taught me is along the lines of trust in Him (again). I’m a big schedule-person, but His timeline is perfect. Completely perfect. I wanted to have this short story done in one month, it took one year. But if it hadn’t taken a year, there are certain things that wouldn’t have been set in place for its release. Which is such a valuable lesson for me right now, as I’m about to start college (for the first time) and my writing may have to take back burner. God knows what He’s doing, and His timing for all of my ideas will be perfect!
Q) What do you hope readers will take away from Quest for Leviathan?
A) The main quote that the entire story wraps around is, “If we were to understand all of the ways of God and His workings, then we would be above mortal man, and God would not be God.” Not only do I want my readers to be reminded of the power of God, I also wish to remind them of Him as a personal Savior, and not just a big scary judge—because, while He is Judge, He also is loving and merciful.

Scripture Graphics #94

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And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course… there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
(Luke 1:8, 11)
Zacharias was doing his duty, being a faithful priest, when God chose to answer his prayer (vs. 13-14). If this couple lived today, they may have become bitter against God, or stopped going to church, because their prayers over the years had been unanswered. But not Zacharias and Elisabeth. They were faithful to God, even though God hadn’t answered their prayer for a child. And, in time, God honored their faithful dedication and gave them a son in their old age—John, the forerunner of Jesus. Are our desires so powerful that they prevent us from staying faithful to God when they go unanswered? Or do we keep diligent to serve God, even in the midst of unanswered prayer?


“But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.” (Luke 5:15-16)

A Christ-like attitude seeks more of a unified connection with God than the laud and praise of men or a following.

Also, from another angle, Jesus never let the demands and busyness of people’s needs interfere with His alone-time with God.


Our standard is God—not what other do, how others treat us, or what we feel like doing. God’s mercy is greater than the heaven is high (Psalm 103:11), is cloaked in everlasting kindness (Isaiah 54:8), is rich and coupled with His love (Ephesians 2:4), and cleanses away our sins to remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12). Do we extend this type of mercy toward others—especially those who misuse us (vs. 32-35)? Maybe if we meditated a little more on God’s mercy, it would help us to extend more mercy.


God never promises bountiful provision, but He does promise substantial provision. Are we content with our “food and raiment” and day-by-day provision? To ask for more than our actual needs may not be wrong—because God Loves to bless His children—but focusing on more often reveals a lack of faith and trust in God’s ability to sufficiently provide. Do we doubt that God will provide like a loving Father (vs. 9-13)?
“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Luke‬ ‭12:24‬

Share a promise from which you get comfort.

Beautiful Name | Book Review

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The cover of this book was so cute, but I had to give it two stars. Read why in my review below.


Children’s curiosity leads them to ask a lot of deep, theological questions. “What is God’s Name” is definitely one of those questions. Having never read author Matt Goselin before, I was interested to see how he brought the answer down to a child’s level.

The art is very whimsical and childish—something that I think children would greatly enjoy. There are a lot of colors and some “sparkly” hints which I really liked. 

We meet Mo, who is a very relatable little girl—she wakes up grumpy, doesn’t like to be reminded of her chores, and snaps back at her mama. In her anger, Mo exclaims, “Lordy, Lordy, Lordy” to which her mom says, “Go to your room right now until you can remember the name of God who loves you so much.” Which then leads Mo on a quest to finding God’s Name. 

Up to this point in the story, it was one that, if I read to my sister, I’d read with discussion. “Was that right for Mo to do? What should she have done? Why was her attitude wrong?” I wouldn’t exactly have given the book to her to read on her own. But I would have read it to her until this point.

The book proceeded to something that I personally disagree with theologically, where God answer Mo’s prayer in a dream (which, I believe that now that we have all of God’s Word, He doesn’t answer our prayers by coming to us in a dream but through His revealed Word). Yes, there were Scriptural examples in the dream (example of answer Moses by saying “I am that I am.”) but then there is the phrase, “The first breath of a baby and the last breath of an old man are speaking my name.” The last half of the book was just… confusing to me. And I’m an adult who was raised on the Bible and its teachings. It is very abstract in its teachings. I couldn’t put my finger on what was so “weird” to me about this, so I handed it to my mom, and she came away with the same conclusion as I did, but without any concise way to put how it was weird without really knowing why.

Because of the theology, it’s not a book that I can personally recommend.

*I received this book from Book Crash and happily provided my honest review*

Countdown to Release: 6 days, Book Bloopers

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

Surely I’m not the only person who likes to watch blooper reels, right? Okay, I know I’m not the only one, because my siblings enjoy it too, and we create a nice, grand party of laughing at others’ bloopers. Well, just as there are behind-the-scenes in movies, there definitely are some behind-the-scenes in books…and, yes, some bloopers too.
For “Quest for Leviathan” I had two main bloopers (I mean, I have countless “Amanda-isms” that my mom or sisters catch and go, “That only makes sense to you” or “Did you mean THIS word insead?” but those don’t count, okay?).
First… everyone knows that you measure a ship’s speed by knots. It’s a really cool, nautical term to use to get you in that seafaring mood. Unfortunately, though, it was introduced only in the 15th century. “Quest for Leviathan” was set in an era about 4,000 years earlier. Yeah… that is one historical error I’m thankful my mom caught.
Second… when I was getting things geared up for my blog tour, I got this brilliant idea to match 99 reviewers to the Valor’s 99 rowers. I got everything set up and about 50 people signed up. Then, a friend texted me, “Hey, do you realize you only have ninety rowers on Anath’s ship?” Whoops! Huge advertising error there! So, I just cheated and changed the manuscript to say 99 rowers after all. So we have 99 rowers and 99 reviewers, and all’s good.
Certainly in your life you’ve had a few bloopers of your own? Care to share??