Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Journey to Unshakable Faith by Sydney Witbeck, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Doesn't this cover look so dreamy? It definitely gives me "medieval" vibes! I was sent the ebook for this tour and can't wait to read it. Be sure to check out my Q&A with the author below.
About the Book
Title: A Journey to Unshakable Faith
Series: Journeys of Faith #1
Author: Sydney Witbeck
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: July 2021
Genre: Christian Medieval Action/Adventure Fantasy
Left with no other option, fourteen-year-old Esther is forced to leave the castle for her own safety, not knowing if she will ever see her mother and father again. With only a pack of food and her faithful horse Onyx, Esther sets off on an adventure to find her mother’s people. But the enemy is never far behind, closing in on the princess who eludes them. Will she be able to make it to safety? And will she ever see her parents again?
When all hope seems lost, Esther soon finds that God never leaves His children on their own. At every turn, Esther meets friendly faces willing to help her as she strives to find a way to get back to her parents. With only her faith in God as her weapon, Esther turns back to home, determined to have the victory once and for all. But will that be enough? It seems that Esther will never see her parents in this world again. And all hope seems lost when Esther is finally captured and hidden away. It’s time for the villagers to take up arms and fight for their freedom. Will they prevail? Or will evil finally win? The true victory lies in finding a faith that is unshakable.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author
More Books in This Series
Q&A
1. Did you design the cover? If so, how did you decide what it would look like?
I actually found the cover of my book online. It was on a website where individual artists post covers for sale. When you purchase one, you also buy the copyright to that design. It took a while to find “the perfect cover.” All I knew was that I definitely wanted a princess and a horse on the cover. Once I saw the sunset on it, I knew that was the design I wanted!
2. Since you don't like to dog-ear books (I'm with you) what is the funniest or craziest thing you've ever used for a bookmark?
Hmmm, I’ve used quite a variety of items for bookmarks. I do remember one time I just kept using this same gift card for a bookmark. It kept traveling from book to book because it was flat and just the right size. It was one of those gift cards where you use it until it only has about $0.11 on it, and you don’t know what to do with it. 😊
3. How did you decide what genre you wanted to write in for young girls?
I discovered the Chronicles of Narnia as a young teen. I loved how Lewis blended Christianity and adventure in the world he created. Then I read the Hobbit, and I was enthralled again! After that, I tried to find other books in a similar vein but without much success. I start read books that claimed to be Christian but found myself putting them aside. I was disappointed as either God was only mentioned a few times of there were issues with the way the author’s perspective on romance or unaddressed sin. My parents own a bookstore, Learning Cycle Homeschool Store. I grew up working there. I started hearing more and more often from customers who were struggling to find novels for their daughters to read. They, too, wanted books that were clean and faith-building while still being adventurous. I remembered being in a similar place myself and feeling there just wasn’t anything out there for me to read (which is quite a problem for a bookworm like me!) So, I suppose really it is the old adage – “write the book you want to read” – playing out again!
4. Has your family read your story? What were their thoughts?
Yes, my family has read my story. I honestly don’t think A Journey to Unshakable Faith would have come together like it did without their support. It started as a story I was writing just for fun in a notebook. I had a couple scenes, a few chapters, nothing big. I didn’t really take it that seriously… Then my sister asked to read it–and told me I had to finish the story, so I did :) I think they enjoyed reading it, and their feedback throughout the process helped me out when I got stuck at times.
5. Where do you come up with names for your kingdom, characters, etc?
Naming the people and places in my book is one of my favorite parts of starting a new story…there is a kind of satisfaction in finding a name that feels just right! When it comes to character names, I usually go to genealogies – especially from the Bible! (The early chapters of Genesis, Numbers, Chronicles…) Esther, Hezron, Seth, Nathan, and Joram are all character names from my books that I found in the Bible. Some of the places in my book are spin-offs of names I found in the Bible as well although I will say I honestly can’t remember where “Alvastia” came from. Maybe it was a play off the word “Alsatian” (as in the dog breed Alsatian shepherd).
About the Author
Sydney Witbeck is a Christian self-published author. She has a strong love for the Lord, her family, church, and friends. She has been blessed with supportive parents and two sisters and often helps out at the family business, Learning Cycle Homeschool Store. An avid bookworm, Sydney is happiest curled up with a good book. She has always enjoyed reading and rereading her favorite stories – a passion that soon transferred to writing books of her own. Her writing journey began when she heard how many moms were looking for fiction novels for girls that were both clean and Christian. In her free time, she likes drawing, spending time with her dog, and caring for her miniature horse and her three goats.
Connect with Sydney by visiting storiesoffaithfulness.com.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and signed paperback copies of A Journey to Unshakable Faith and the sequel, A Journey to Abiding Forgiveness.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 17, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 24, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
6 comments:
These books sound really good.
i really enjoyed reading this interview!
I enjoyed the Q & A.
This sounds great!
This should be a novel I will thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed the interview
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