Monday, December 22, 2014

Alana's Newest Novel, a Refugee Fundraiser, and a Chance to Win $100!

Torn Asunder by Alana Terry 



LIMITED TIME: Get the ebook for $0.99 or the paperback for $7.00!

Torn Asunder is the newest suspense novel from award-winning author Alana Terry. Torn Asunder is the story of Hannah and Simon, two North Korean refugees who sneak back into their country to serve as underground missionaries. In this world of spies, secret police, and informants, Simon and Hannah learn that staying together won't just compromise their ministry. It could cost them both their lives.

All book sale proceeds on Dec. 22 support the work of Liberty in North Korea, an organization that runs an underground railroad for North Korean refugees. You can get the paperback or the ebook for 99 cents for a limited time only. And remember the best news ~ Your purchase will help save a North Korean refugee!


SPREAD THE WORD AND ENTER THE $100 GIVEAWAY!






Are you on twitter? Just click to tweet ~

Tweet: Buy a book. Save a refugee. Torn Asunder by Alana Terry. All proceeds today to @libertyinNK. #99cents #suspense http://ctt.ec/QjI3D+

Tweet: New release Torn Asunder, Christian #suspense set in #NorthKorea. All proceeds today donated to @libertyinNK #99cents http://ctt.ec/6io3Z+

Or copy and paste into an email or Facebook status: Torn Asunder is a new Christian suspense novel by Alana Terry about two North Koreans who serve as undercover missionaries. It's on sale for only 99 cents, and all book proceeds today will be donated to Liberty in North Korea's underground railroad for North Korean refugees. http://amzn.to/11XkjTL

Did you help spread the word? Click below to claim your prizes!




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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday: Writing With Kids

Happy Wednesday, everybody! Today, I'm sharing a snippet from the Torn Asunder Bonus
Materials, an ebook that contains the funniest typos, some deleted scenes, an alternate beginning, and just about anything else you'd like to know about how the Torn Asunder novel came into being. On the third Wednesday of the month, I'm sharing three paragraphs from the behind-the-scenes section, where I talk about my life in general as a writer. This section is called Writing with Kids.

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I often wonder if I would be a much better mother if I wasn’t a writer as well. I’ve done a pretty good job compartmentalizing my work time, but compartmentalizing my energy is another matter altogether. Here’s what I mean. I never write before lunchtime. I hardly ever do anything writing-related, at least not on the computer.

The idea behind this schedule is to give my kids my best hours (yes, I’m a morning person), and then I can spend an hour or two in the afternoon on writing and go back to it when they’re in bed for the night. Unfortunately, even though that schedule theoretically leaves me “plenty” of time for parenting, I find my mind consumed with writing musings, plot daydreams, marketing ideas, etc. all the time, whether I’m “on the clock” or not.

I honestly don’t know the answer to this. I love my kids and hate to think they might look back on their childhoods and feel left out. Once my son told me it hurt his feelings when I was on the computer so much. Several years ago, I came to the conclusion that feeling inadequate to perform all your duties at 100% capacity just goes along with the territory of being a mother. Hopefully, it’s the house and the cooking that’s getting neglected as a result of my writing, and not my children.

***

I KNOW many of you can relate (whether you're writers or not.)

Blog Love: Huge thanks to K L Schwengel for hosting the WIPpet Wednesday blog hop, where authors post snippets from the current Works In Progress.

Random Fact: If I could pick one word I'd hope my boys would describe me as, it would be gentle. If I could pick two, the second would be playful. I'm not there yet, but I try.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

A Big Bundle of Thanks

Torn Asunder will release in just 8 days!
 This Christian suspense story is about two North Korean refugees who return to North Korean as underground missionaries. I'd like to take a few minutes to thank those who helped it come together.

My thanks go out to my story editor, Nat Davis, and copy editor, Sheila Hollinghead. I appreciate the professional thoroughness you both bring to each project you’ve helped me with.

I also relied heavily on feedback from my beta readers, and am exceptionally grateful for the advanced reviewers and bloggers who helped me spread the word about my release. I’d like to especially mention Annie Douglas Lima, who consistently goes beyond the call of duty when it comes to the thoroughness of her beta reading.

Regi McClain, as always, offered support in a wide variety of ways. She is my critique partner as well as my prayer partner, who doubles as an editorial assistant and helps me tremendously with her amazing organizational skills.

I’d also like to thank my other friends, those I’ve met in “real life” and those I haven’t, who pray for me and my writing and bring so much encouragement. I would also like to mention Jon and Dabin and others who helped field my questions about Korean culture.

Cherie Norquay is an amazingly talented recording artist who was kind enough to let me use her lyrics in this novel. I was surprised time and time again by how perfectly her words fit in with everything Hannah and Simon went through. She is truly blessed and anointed by the Holy Spirit, and I love the way her lyrics give Hannah a true voice.

My husband remains my biggest fan and supporter. I am so thankful the Lord allowed us to enjoy such sweet romance and companionship. There is no way I could have written Hannah and Simon’s story if I hadn’t already known the thrill of being loved by someone so wonderful.

With each book I work on, I’m reminded of my own weaknesses. While writing Torn Asunder, carpal tunnel flare-ups and frequent eye strain reminded me I couldn’t draft a single word if the Lord wasn’t the one sustaining me. Additionally, the spiritual and emotional toil of getting a novel edited and ready to publish would be insurmountable barriers if the Lord didn’t go before me and allow me to complete one more book.

Torn Asunder is dedicated to the brave men and women from North Korea who sneak back home to share the gospel and those who live out their faith in the most hostile mission field on earth. May the Lord protect and provide for all your needs, and may your stories continue to encourage and inspire us as you bring the gospel to people living in darkness and oppression.

***

Be sure to pre-order Torn Asunder now before the price goes up!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday: "Every Rose"

Happy Wednesday!

The kids spent last week getting over a stomach bug but now everyone is thankfully back to normal. I hope you are all having a great week so far!

Since this is the second week of December, here are two paragraphs from the Torn Asunder Bonus
Materials. I included a soundtrack with different songs I listened to while working on the story.

***

Every Rose Has Its Thorn – My husband is way more into classic rock than I am, but I found myself drawn to this song more so than just about any other I’ve included in the Torn Asunder soundtrack. The lyrics speak more about the kind of relationship where selfishness just gets in the way of love, but the chorus is so right-on when it comes to Hannah and Simon’s story. Their love is beautiful, like a rose, but it’s the beauty of it that makes it so painful when they are torn apart.

I also love this song because it's reminiscent of the cover image. I love how the cover designer included the rose, both as symbol of love and beauty, but also of pain as it’s stuck in the barbed wire of Camp 22’s fence. Like I said, the verses of this song might not speak to Hannah and Simon’s situation one-hundred percent, but I have hardly been able to get the chorus out of my head since I first started working on their story.

(You might also enjoy this version from the soundtrack to the musical Rock of Ages)

***

Blog Love: Huge thanks to K L Schwengel for hosting the WIPpet Wednesday blog hop, where authors post snippets from the current Works In Progress.

Random Fact: I met my husband when I was 19. Of course, he wasn't my husband then. But you know what I mean.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday: "Happy Endings"

Happy Wednesday!

I had a very embarrassing week that involved mailing advanced copies of the Torn Asunder paperback out only to realize they weren't quite ready for distribution. I may or may not have overworked my poor wrists and eyes trying to whip out a better version in a very limited amount of time, but if I did, that would explain why I unfortunately didn't get around to WIPs last week. (Sorry, friends!)

This week, I have one paragraph from Torn Asunder since this is the first week in December. In case you missed the news earlier, Torn Asunder is now available for preorder for 99 cents.

***

Simon didn’t know what to say. He felt Hannah’s heart flutter against his chest. He tipped her chin up to his. He longed to kiss her cracked lips, to cover her with his love until all her scars and injuries vanished. She hadn’t stopped trembling. He rested his chin on the top of her head and prayed. If God was merciful, he would let them both die right now. But this was no fairy tale. No matter how fervent his prayers, no matter how deep his love, Camp 22 was no place for happy endings.

***

Blog Love: Huge thanks to K L Schwengel for hosting the WIPpet Wednesday blog hop, where authors post snippets from the current Works In Progress.

Random Fact: Camp 22 is actually pronounced "Camp Two-Two," which I fortunately learned about a week before I submitted the files to the narrator who produced The Beloved Daughter audiobook.

Liberty NOW: One thing I love about Liberty in North Korea is their mission: to see the North Korean people achieve their freedom in THIS GENERATION. If you'd like to make a donation of any amount to LiNK's underground railroad for refugees, or if you just want to pass on the link to your friends, you can see my fundraiser at fundraise.libertyinnorthkorea.org/tornasunder