CONQUEROR // Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway

HELLO, MY DRAGONS. Today, I'm ecstatic to share with y'all an interivew and not one, but two giveaways, in honor of the release of Mandy Fender's final novel in the Defier trilogy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The final battle is on the horizon...

Still heartbroken over the loss of her best friend, Sky, Lennox must face her own demons as she continues to fight against Ahab and the Regime. She now serves as a combat medic, desperately searching for survivors in war-torn America. But as the Regime grows stronger and begins to genetically enhance both humans and animals, she questions whether she and her fellow Sparrows are doing enough. After an encounter with a Prowler changes everything, she must choose between vengeance and faith in God because the next mission she goes on could be her last.

Secrets will be revealed. Pasts will be forgiven. Defiers will be strengthened.

When all hope seems lost, who will be left standing?

INTERVIEW

Hi, Mandy! Welcome to my blog! I'm thrilled to have you here! 😀 Did you have any favorite authors -- or books! -- who helped encourage you along your writing journey? 

Hi, Liv! Thank you so much for allowing me to drop by! I am excited to be here!!!

I have a lot of literary heroes who I admire so much. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites from childhood and has influenced my life even into adulthood. The Screwtape Letters and, of course, The Chronicles of Narnia are some of my favorites. As far as modern writers go, I am inspired by some ladies who are breaking through genres, stereotypes, "glass market ceilings" and are unashamed of their faith in Christ. These women show me that it is possible to write amazing fiction works without compromising. Authors like Francine Rivers, Nadine Brandes, Mary Weber, Angie Brashear, and Krista McGee.

If you could have tea with one of your side characters, who would it be?

Oh, goodness… You know, I would probably like to have tea with Sky's grandfather, Pop, because he reminds me so much of my own grandfather who passed away when I was little. (I think I kind of shaped that role around him subconsciously.) I would like to sit and listen to his stories and profound wisdom. I think we sometimes miss the extraordinary people around us because of their age, or they're different from us, and if we would just sit down and listen they have so much to offer our world. I like learning and Pop could definitely teach me a few things! Plus, his warm, welcoming spirit is always nice to be around. 🙂

What was the first spark of inspiration for the Defier trilogy? Or did the idea come through a more gradual process? 

The first spark came from something quite heartbreaking, actually. As I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, I ran across a terrible video of real Christian persecution. I wish that I could un-see it, but once you see something like that you can never forget it, so I prayed hard and asked God to make me as brave as my brothers and sisters in Christ that I saw in the video. They stood for their faith even though it cost them everything and that's when I knew I wanted to write a story to honor them and their courage. I needed my faith to grow in Christ and writing Lennox's story helped me do that. This world is a very dark place, but I know there is a greater light and His name is Jesus Christ! So, I took my love of dystopian novels and wrote a Christian version that I pray entertains and uplifts!

Thank you so much for your time! 💕 One last thing: what is the message you want your readers to ultimately take away from your series?

TAKE A STAND. As Christians, we were never meant to fit in or join the crowd. We were made to be a light in the darkness, to point others to hope. In a time where everyone is afraid, we are the fearless. Defy the odds. Fight for faith. Be brave.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Liv! I so enjoyed the opportunity!! HAPPY READING! 💜

Thank you for hanging out with me, Mandy!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mandy Fender is an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger who hopes to glorify God and uplift others. She guest blogs for Broken, Beautiful, & Bold and has a monthly inspirational article in a local newspaper. Her writing has been featured in Devozine magazine for teens and Epifiction.

It is her aim to live and love like Christ and her writing is just another avenue to do that. She's a new homeschool mom and serves in full time ministry with her husband in the great state of Texas.

Readers can connect with Mandy via her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google Plus.

GIVEAWAY #1

Mandy is giving away the complete Defier series in ebooks! One winner will be selected. This giveaway is open internationally.

Entry-Form

GIVEAWAY #2

Something I find really, really cool about Conqueror -- besides it being a Christian dystopian by Mandy Fender 😉 -- is that I'm quoted in it! On pages six and seven, you can find something that might be a little familiar to my Twitter followers:

The beautiful thing is that, even in the darkest of times, there is Jesus. He is light. He is hope. And He will always be there. 💖

— Liv K. Fisher (@oliviakimwrites) June 6, 2017

Because (a) I find this KINDA SUPER AWESOME, and (b) I happen to have an extra signed copy of Mandy's novel Sparrow, I've decided to run my very first giveaway!

This giveaway runs from September fourth (today) through 11:59 PM (Pacific time) on September eighth. Lord willing, the winner will be announced and contacted Sunday afternoon.

Since I am a poor little muffin, I'm afraid that, due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, my dear Canadian, European, and Australian friends!)

US Dragons may enter in the Rafflecopter form below. 🙂 May the odds be ever in your favor! 💗

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

TOUR SCHEDULE

• Monday, August 28th
• Indie Book Reviews -- book review
• Tuesday, August 29th
• Author Reality Jumper -- author/book spotlight
• Wednesday, August 30th
• Tabitha Caplinger -- guest post
• Thursday, August 31st
• Unicorn Quester -- author interview
• Facebook party (5:00 - 7:00 PM, Pacific time)
• Friday, September 1st
• Dystopianlogic -- book review
• Saturday, September 2nd
• Sheri Yutzy -- guest post
• Monday, September 4th
• Liv K. Fisher -- author interview
• Tuesday, September 5th
• Woman at the Well -- book review
• Wednesday, September 6th
• Jannette Fuller -- guest post
• Thursday, September 7th
• Ashley Bogner -- author/book spotlight
• Friday, September 8th
• realitywriter -- book spotlight/review
• Lands Uncharted -- author interview
• Saturday, September 9th
• Unicorn Quester -- wrap-up post

~

Are you excited for Conqueror? Have you read any books in the Defier series, yet?

❤,

Blog tour images provided
by Laura A. Grace.