My first on camera interview + PM Updates

First, I'd like to say thank you so much to everyone who is participating in the blog tour, following the blog tour, and spreading word about my new release. I am so grateful to have received so much support this week. (By the way, you can check out today's blog tour stop and read a review and an excerpt from PURPLE MOON on Heather's blog!)

Also, PURPLE MOON is currently #6 in the Kindle YA Christian fiction category! =D Click here to buy it on Kindle for only $3.00.

I was recently interviewed by a reporter from my local newspaper (which I am on the front page of today!) And I was also interviewed on video as well, which you can view by clicking here. (My first on camera interview! I'm much better at writing than I am at speaking though.)

Interview snapshot. Photographer: Ken Ruinard

Also, be sure to enter the contests I'm holding for the chance to win prizes, including an Amazon gift card! You can enter the Character Cast Contest, and/or the Creative Photo Contest. (So far there hasn't been any entries in either of the two categories; so if you enter, chances are you'll probably win something!)

What's God Doing In Your Life? ~ Jessica's Story: Physical & Spiritual Transformation

A few months ago, I ran into a beautiful blog, Forever Convinced, ran by an even more beautiful lady, Jessica. Of course, the first thing that caught my attention was the fact that Jessica loved Jesus, chocolate, and iced coffee. =) I then read her weight loss story and became so inspired by the determination she had to lose as much weight as she did! However, what really stood out to me wasn't the amount of weight had lost, but the way that she had to completely rely on God to transform her--and not just physically. I am thrilled to have her at my blog today to share her transformation story, and I'm sure it'll bless you just as much as it has blessed me.

~~~

As a girl growing up, I developed a weight problem at a young age. By the time I was in high school, I was at least 20 or 30 pounds overweight. As a Christian, I really began to question my faith in God at this point in my life. “If you really loved me God…then why would you allow for me to have weight problems at such a young age? Why are you ruining such an important part of my life by making me feel completely insecure with my body type? Why can’t I just be skinny like all of my other friends?” These were some of the many questions that I would ask God on a daily basis.

As time went on, I did anything I could to distract myself from my disappointment of being overweight. I joined the swim team in high school, and even became relatively good as I began to compete with other teams. I made friends with the popular crowd at school, and I loved the fact that they had accepted me into their “elite group.” I distracted myself from my disappointment of being overweight by finding other ways to receive attention through my personality, and also by putting my identity in the different activities that was involved with.

But my weight didn’t stop piling on as time went by. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I officially was labeled as “obese” based on the weight that I was at. I had never felt as insecure as I did at that point in my life, and to make things worse I also was developed horrible acne all over my face. My parents desperately wanted to do anything they could to get me at a healthy weight and fix my skin problem, because they saw how much pain it was causing me as a young teenager. They knew that it was simply the bad genetics that had been passed down from our other relatives and they felt bad for me.

Toward the end of my high school experience, I learned that putting my identity in the popular crowd and in the swim team wasn’t working out. Eventually my friends in the popular crowd rejected me, and I was heartbroken. The swim team became too much of a commitment, so I quit. I couldn’t believe the circumstances that I was in, and it felt at the time that the Lord had forgotten about me. My friends that I loved rejected me, I no longer felt the same passion to swim as I used to feel, and I was obese with acne. This is when the depression set in. I decided that God was mad at me forever, so I forgot about my faith and put God on the back burner. I decided that it was time for me to do life my way, without God’s help.

Fast-forward to a few years later when I was a junior in college, still struggling with my weight and battling depression. I was sitting at a coffee shop with one of my close friends, who had been telling me about a guy named Jesus. She told me Jesus loved me, and I didn’t believe her until about 5 seconds later when I heard a soft whisper in my heart that to this day I will never forget.

“I love you Jessica, please return to me.” The voice said.

I don’t even know how to explain it, but it was in that exact moment that there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that it was God Himself who had just spoken into my heart loud and clear.

From that moment on, I knew I had to let God into my life to fix the mess that I was in. When I finally let God take the wheel and stopped doing things my way, Jesus transformed me from the inside out. Through consistent prayer, God taught me to respect my body by fueling it with healthy foods and by eating smaller meals. I went on a healthy meal plan where I learned how to maintain my metabolism by eating 6 small meals a day. After a period of 6 months with committing to eating differently, I lost 50 pounds and I felt amazing.

It has been two years since I lost the weight, and by the grace of God I have kept it all off since that time. No my weight loss story did not happen overnight, and it certainly was not in easy in any way. There were many times where I wanted to give up, but as I continued to lean on God for strength during that period of my life, He helped me get through the struggle of it all. I not only grew closer to the Lord during this time but I also discovered my hearts deepest satisfaction was found in God alone, and not in people, activities, food, or anything else. God also lifted me out of my pit of anxiety and depression, by completely renewing my mind and teaching me to conquer every single fear that I had in my life.

As I look back on the past couple of years, I am amazed at how God truly cared enough about every detail of my life to bring me to where I am today. He loved me enough to renew every single ugly part of me. He took away all my brokenness and replaced it with His wholeness. He made me feel beautiful, and He still continues to demonstrate His love for me every moment of every day. My blog is called “Forever Convinced” because I truly am forever convinced that if God was able to transform me into the person that I am today from the person I used to be, then there is hope for anyone out there to know the real Jesus Christ.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

~~~

Visit Jessica's blog,
"Forever Convinced".

Thanks for sharing your story with us!

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My debut novel released yesterday! + 99 cents launch special on Kindle & Nook

You guys, I've waited for this day for so long!

My debut YA Christian fiction novel, PURPLE MOON, officially released yesterday.

Not only that, but I also talked with a newspaper reporter (who is a Christian, by the way) yesterday, for three hours. A photographer is coming tomorrow to take pictures for the article, and possibly record an interview with me (prayers appreciated!)

I am so, so, so humbled and grateful (and in shock) at the feedback I've received on the book so far. Click here to read the reviews posted on Amazon, and here to read the ones on Goodreads.

There is also a launch day special for my book on the Kindle page (on sale for 99 cents! Only for a limited time). And for those who have a Nook, click here to visit the B&N page. Also remember that you can still order the Kindle version, even if you do not have an e-reader. You can download the Kindle app on your computer by clicking here.

Also, I have two really exciting news that I'm hoping to announce next week!

If you share this post on Facebook with your friends, you will receive ten extra entries for the Purple Moon prize pack!

(PS: Don't forget to check out the stops of the "Purple Moon" blog tour! Click here for the list.)

"Purple Moon" Blog Tour Kick Off!: The Story Behind the Story

I am thrilled to announce the kick off of the blog tour for my debut YA Christian fiction novel, PURPLE MOON (which releases Sept. 24 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas). You will not want to miss this! I will be stopping at 28 different blogs and sharing excerpts from my book, behind the scenes secrets, themes that are covered in PURPLE MOON, answering Q & As, and much more. There will also be contests to enter for your chance to win prizes, such as an autographed print/ebook version of my book, $20 gift card, Starbucks instant mocha (because who doesn't love coffee?!), etc. Also--by the end of the tour, three people will be chosen to win a the "Purple Moon" Prize Pack (see below!).

For those of you who are new to my blog, here is the back-cover-copy for PURPLE MOON:

Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to give up her "bad habits" for this.

Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one of her cousin's nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she follow her mom's example in running away, or trust that God still has a fairy tale life written just for her?

Find “Purple Moon” on Amazon

Find “Purple Moon” on Goodreads

Like “Purple Moon” on Facebook

The Story Behind the Story

I first came up with the story idea for Purple Moon when I was fifteen. Since I'm more of a character-driven novelist, the protagonist  Selena, naturally came to my mind first. I pictured a teenage girl who is technically a "good girl" but has made mistakes and constantly deals with issues that many teens have to face. Selena's life is not what she imagined it would be as a kid, when all she could picture was a fairy tale. As a teenager and living with her alcoholic mother in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn, NY, Selena no longer feels as if she has a purpose in life. 

The emotional and spiritual arc of PURPLE MOON was greatly influenced by the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North, as well as the skit that many churches have performed to the song “Everything” by Lifehouse (which you can find on YouTube). I wanted PURPLE MOON to be a story about healing and forgiveness, but also one that would entertain teenagers. In summary, I wanted to write a clean book about a girl who I--and other teenagers--could relate to, as well as the kind of story that I would personally like to read myself.

Although I wanted PURPLE MOON to be a clean story, I wanted it to be genuine and not shy away from real issues that teenagers face today. I also tried to stay away from coming across as preachy yet without watering down the spiritual element. 

After writing the first version of PURPLE MOON when I was fifteen, I realized that it was not the story I wanted to write. I kept the main elements of that story, including protagonist, and started over in a brand new setting and plot. The first draft for Purple Moon was complete when I was sixteen. It was also then when I attended my first writing conference and met my soon-to-be publisher, Eddie Jones from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. 

As I continued learning more about the writing craft over the next couple of years, I kept wanting to go back and change/rewrites part of the story. However, when I was eighteen, I was finally satisfied with PURPLE MOON and decided to send it off to my editor.

I’ve had a blast creating Selena’s story, and I can only hope that this isn’t the end for her, but that one day I can have a sequel published for PURPLE MOON.

Needless to say, writing Selena's story has definitely been a journey. I can only hope that you will see the purpose behind PURPLE MOON and fall in love with the story the way that I have fallen in love with writing it. But most of all, I pray that you will come to experience the love, healing, and forgiveness that God has to offer—the chance to start brand new.

Fact or Fiction?:

Guess this fact or fiction, and be sure to stop by the next blog tour stop to see if you guessed correctly! (You’ll also receive one extra entry for the “Purple Moon” Prize Pack if you send me your guess.)

"Purple Moon" Prize Pack:

Two people will receive the below prizes--however, I will also be giving away one more prize pack (as well as two signed copies of my book) at my virtual launch party on Sept. 24th. RSVP by clicking here! a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Purple Moon” Blog Tour Stops:

Don’t forget to stop by the blog tour’s next stop to increase your chances of winning the PURPLE MOON Prize Pack!

Wednesday, September 18^th: Purple Moon Blog Tour Launch: The Story Behind the Story: Christ is Write

Thursday, September 19^th: 5 Facts about Purple Moon: Kim Vandel

Friday, September 20^th: Character Sketches + Character Cast Contest: Who YA Reading?

Monday, September 23^rd: Behind the Scenes: Why I Chose Lake Lure: Words to Dreams

Tuesday, September 24^th: Release Day! Selena’s Diary Entry + Creative Photo Contest: Writing for Young Adults

Wednesday, September 25^th: Austin’s Diary Entry: Amy’s Book Blog

Thursday, September 26^th: Q & A: Notebook Sisters

 Friday, September 27^th: Purple Moon Playlist: Ashley Carr  

Monday, September 30^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Wooden Swings: Heather Brice   

Tuesday, October 1^st: Dealing With Anxiety—The Spiritual IV: The Destiny of One  

Wednesday, October 2^nd: Q & A: Saved by Grace

Thursday, October 3^rd: Behind the Scenes: Name Meanings: Labor Not In Vain

Friday, October 4^th: Is It Okay To Be An Introvert?: Alex Inks It  

Monday, October 7^th: Story Behind the Cover Art: Candy Apple Books

Tuesday, October 8^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Cherishing the Sunrise: Author Casey Bond

Wednesday, October 9^th: Q & A: Writing While the Rice Boils

Thursday, October 10^th: Behind the Scenes: Christian Human Videos: Writing in Wonderland  

Friday, October 11^th: Teenage Substance Abuse: Emily Rachelle  

Monday, October 14^th: Behind the Scenes: Lake Lure Academy of the Arts: Worthy 2 Read

Tuesday, October 15^th: My Middle & High School Experience: Hello Highlights  

Wednesday, October 16^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Meatless Turkey Sandwich: Diane Estrella  

Thursday, October 17^th: Body Image Laurel’s Leaves

Friday, October 18^th: Behind the Scenes: Brewer’s Coffee: A Splash of Ink

Monday, October 21^st: Purple Moon Excerpt: Farkle at the Park: A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm

Tuesday, October 22^nd: Teenage Dating: Tell The World

Wednesday, October 23^rd: Q & A: The YA Book Stack

 Thursday, October 24^th: How Much of My Personal Life Did I Put Into “Purple Moon”?: Read For Your Future

Friday, October 25^th: Fairy tales & Happy Endings + Contest Winners!: Inspiring Daring

Currently...

Currently Reading...

• Just finished reading "Divergent" by Veronica Roth...loved it!
• Currently reading "2 Timothy: Winning the Victory" by Katy Kauffman...can hardly put it down! And I'm not just saying that because Katy is one of my writer friends. I can't help but highlight pretty much the entire book. It's that good. (Review will be up within a month!)

Currently Watching...

Image source

• Tonight is the premiere of "The X Factor: Season 3". Can't wait!
• My sister's video blog (starring me!)

Currently Listening To...

• Misty Edwards' worship music
• Jesus Culture's latest album
• Air1 Christian radio station
• Country music radio station

Currently Working On...

• Preparing for my blog tour (kicks off next week!)
• Trying to promote "Purple Moon" (let me know if you'd like to help!)
• Brainstorming my 3rd and 4th books (because I'm not sure which one I'm going to write first)

Currently Sipping On...

Starbucks medium roast--because it's too early for Pumpkin Spice Latte (in my opinion), and too late for an iced coffee or frappucino.

Currently Taking Pictures Of...

Currently Looking Forward To...

• My book release, of course (two more weeks!) =D
• Fall, my favorite season. <3 font="">

"Purple Moon" Blog Tour: Sneak Preview!

For those of you who are not aware, the blog tour of my upcoming YA debut novel, PURPLE MOON, launches September 18th and will continue through October 25th.

You will not want to miss out on this--I will be visiting 30 different blogs and participating in Q & As, sharing excerpts from my book, behind the scenes secrets, themes that PURPLE MOON covers, etc. There will also be contests and giveaways to enter that you will not want to miss!

Hope to see you right here on September 18th for the launch!

(Let me know if you share one of the above banners on your blog/website, and you will receive 5 extra entries for the "Purple Moon" Prize Pack!)

Tweetables: (+1 entry for the "Purple Moon" Prize Pack!)
Join Tessa Emily Hall celebrating the release of her debut YA novel! #giveaways #contests http://bit.ly/ckm6uD Click to Tweet

Perks of Being a Teen Writer

Hey everyone!

I'm over at Go Teen Writers today, discussing the perks of being a teen writer. Hope to see you there!