Quest for Leviathan Blog Tour //An Interview with Amanda Tero and More!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my corner of the blogosphere! Today I have a bushel of goodies for you so let’s hop right in, shall we?
A friend of mine, Amanda Tero, who I met through her books and blog, has graciously allowed me to take part in the release of her newest short story, Quest for Leviathan, a biblical fiction. Let me first say, I am not a fan of most biblical fiction, because most authors, I feel, take too much license. But not Ms. Tero! This story was amazing!

(Stay tuned for another WIP snippet at the end of the post!)

And before I forget, let me give you the links to the other bloggers participating in the book tour. (Please note, I don't know all of these people, so I can necessarily recommend them or un-recommend them {Whew! I'm inventing words!| I'm sure there tour posts are just fine, I just haven't had the chance 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)
June 22 – Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections (Review)
              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)

Are sea monsters a real thing? What about fire-breathing dragons? According to the Bible, there is a fire-breathing sea creature who really existed: the Leviathan. Amanda Tero brings this dragon to life in her newest short story, "Quest for Leviathan." Join Anath and his crew of ninety-nine rowers as they face the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and the power of Leviathan.
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.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.

About the Author
Amanda Tero began her love for words at a young age—reading anything she could get her hands on and penning short stories as young as age eight. Since graduation, she has honed her writing skills by dedicated practice and study of the writing craft. She began her journey of publication with a few short stories that she had written for her sisters and continued to add to her collection with other short stories, novellas, and novels. It is her utmost desire to write that which not only pleases her Lord and Savior, but also draws the reader into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Connect with Amanda
Email: amandaterobooks@gmail.com
Website: http://amandatero.com/
Blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AmandaTero
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/amandatero

Book Review:
This story is short, but well worth the read. I read it in one sitting and there certainly wasn’t a dull moment. It didn’t take biblical liberty, but very vividly described the Bible dragon of Job, Leviathan, in a biblical setting. This creature is truly fierce and Ms. Tero showed it’s magnitude well. I’m afraid to tell more for fear of spoiling the story 😊 Also, she weaves a convincing tale of a young man’s struggle with his own desires of revenge and the desires of God. Well crafted and engaging! And the artwork! It’s very well done and stunning in my opinion. Well done, Ms. Natalie Nelson!

Interview with Ms. Amanda Tero:

What inspired you to write Quest for Leviathan?
I was actually reading through the book of Job, not even searching for a story, when the thought crossed my mind, “A boy whose father was killed by Leviathan. He is angry at L, and he is angry at God—yet just like Job needed to realize the power of God, so does he.”
 
What was the hardest part about writing QFL?
The hardest part was probably just writing it. I thought it would be an easy idea that I could churn out in one sitting. A full year later, I’m finally publishing it. I can’t exactly say why it was hard to write… it just took a long time to get the flow of the era and the exact words I wanted on paper. But, I can see many blessings that God has hidden in it taking so long to write. :) So I’m not complaining here.
 
Since this is biblical fiction, were you nervous about taking too much historical license?
Oh yes! I love historical fiction, but what I love most about it is being accurate in my portrayal of the era. Since there are limited resources for researching this far back I had to use my imagination a lot, and that definitely made me nervous. As for the Biblical-fiction side, because I don’t actually portray any Bible characters, I wasn’t nervous about that (actually, that was the reason I didn’t portray Biblical characters; I would be too nervous there!).
 
Do you see yourself writing more biblical fiction?
I can see myself writing this style of Biblical Fiction—where I don’t portray actual characters (or, if I do, they will be side characters). I actually have a few ideas in my mind about other Biblical-Fiction type stories.
 
What was your favorite part about writing QFL?
Leviathan! I mean, really. A real, live, fire-breathing dragon? He was amazing to work into my story and imagine.
 
What do you hope readers will take away from QFL?
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.
 
Would you mind sharing your salvation testimony?
I would love to! I was raised in a pastor’s home and was one of the “good kids.” I tried to obey my parents and I really felt bad when I got in trouble. When I was about five, a lady in our church did a sign language class. During one of the classes, she asked who in there wanted to be saved. Well, I raised my hand. She later talked to me and told me to talk with my parents about it. Dutifully, I obeyed and bounced up to Dad and Mom and said that I wanted to be saved. That night, they talked with me, but very wisely, they didn’t lead me to pray a salvation prayer. I didn’t understand what salvation truly meant and was just going through motions—not because God was working in my heart. A few years later, Mom had us doing a little devotional for school where we would read a passage and answer a few questions she had (like “What stands out to you in this passage?”). I remember very vividly reading a passage and writing down, “THEY need to be saved.” Then, the Lord pricked my heart and I realized it wasn’t just “they” that needed to be saved—I needed to be saved. Later, I talked with my mom about it, this time fully understanding my sin, Jesus’ sacrifice for my sin, and my need to fully trust in Him as my Savior. In my teen years, I had doubts on and off since then about whether or not I “did it right” and if I was truly saved. After all, shouldn’t you see a vivid difference before and after salvation? The Lord has brought me to a place of full trust and assurance through Him, though. No, I don’t see a big “before and after” difference in salvation, because I was so young and a natural rule-follower. But my motive in living is to live for Him, to serve Him, and to follow Him. Added to that, I know that I am never worthy to enter heaven by my own good works, but that Jesus’ blood makes it possible for me to have eternal life. So in hindsight, I was truly saved when I was around seven years old, even though there was so much about life and the Gospel that I didn’t fully understand—but isn’t that why Jesus says we must come as children? Full, complete surrender and trust in Him.
 
What is your number one piece of advice for writers?
I could give a lot of advice from mistakes I’ve made. ;) Top piece of advice, though, is to be sure you’re following God every step of the way! Then, don’t be too proud to learn. Always try to actively learn as you write. Anyone can get an idea, and anyone can jot down words…but I personally believe that as Christian authors, our quality is a testimony of our diligence to develop the gifts that God has given us.


Last but not least, click here for a chance to win two print copies of Quest for Leviathan, one for you and one for a friend!

You can find out more about Amanda and her books at www.amandatero.com.  Also, I recommend you read her blog, as she gives sweet devotionals every Monday and bookish/writer posts in between.

Have a blessed weekend!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

P.S. The above graphic show cases the song that inspired the title (and theme) of my upcoming release "The Rivers of Sorrow". It is from the song "How Firm A Foundation."