Interview and Book Giveaway with Cindy Green!!

A Bible Study Challenge, A Prayer Journal & Homecoming--the combination just might change her life.

Hi visitors!! Today we're welcoming multi-published author Cindy Green to The Diamond Mine

Her new book is Andrea and the 5-Day Challenge, which is the first book in the Aubrey Christian Academy series. Sounds like a wonderful set of stories to look forward to! If you want to be entered for the free drawing of a copy of her book, please leave a comment for Cindy after the interview.  So let's welcome Cindy, and start the interview.

Hi Cindy!  How did you get the idea for this story?

This book takes place in a Christian school. I worked as a Christian schoolteacher for several years before becoming a stay at home mom and author. So, this story came out of my experience as both a student and later a teacher in the Christian school.

Do any of the characters share qualities with you?

In the Aubrey Christian Academy series, there are 4 girls and each girl will eventually get their own novel. Book 1 is Andrea’s story, but you do meet all the girls. I would say that each of the girls has certain characteristic of me. Andrea is much more insecure and melodramatic than I was at her age, but her soft and easygoing temperament are definitely me.  Amy has my take-charge demeanor (when the situation calls for it), Angie has my witty sarcasm and Alisha my quiet insight.

All the girls sound interesting! If you could be one of the four girls in the group, which one would it be?

It is so hard to say. They are all terrific. Each one has their strengths and weaknesses. But if I had to choose, it would probably be Amy. She’s smart, has strong convictions, knows what she wants and goes after it.

Is Luke based on anyone in particular?

Luke is not based on any one in particular, but I I’ve realized after the fact that his temperament is a lot like my oldest teenage son. They are both wise for their years, assess situations before acting and have quiet strength of character.

Those are admirable qualities. Is there a specific theme or message in this book?

The theme in this book is really about seeking God. My heroine needs to learn to find her strength in God and to lean less on self and seek God’s will in her life. Also, by doing this she learns to be less self-absorbed and instead becomes sympathetic to the needs of others.

Since this book begins a series, will there be a separate theme for each one?

There will definitely be different themes as each of the girls have different issues going on in their lives. Purity and Forgiveness for example. And the topics will become more and more serious and grownup as the series continues.

Another good reason to look forward to each book of this series! Is YA your favorite genre to write?

I love writing first person and humorous for both Young Adult, New Adult and Adult. I find it fits my voice best and so I find it the easiest to write. However, I love switching genres and do it often. I’ve done Contemporary and historical romance, fantasy, mystery, even a chick-lit. Switching around in the genres helps me keep things fresh. Having said that, though, I absolutely love writing YA and it is my focus for the time being.

I like to write in different genres, too. So, when did you first know you were a writer?

I feel as if I’ve always been a writer. I was that 5^th grade girl who filled notepads with her scribblings and stories. I still have a folder filled with stories and story ideas from middle school and high school. But it wasn’t until I took some time off from teaching to stay home with my own children that I started writing for publication. That was about nine years ago.

And you've been a busy lady since then! Do you use outlines, for your stories?

I do use outlines especially for my full-length novels. I like to start with the final conflict so I know where I am going. Then I go to the beginning and outline inciting incident and several main plot points before starting. I don’t like to outline in too much detail because that seems to stifle my creativity, but I do like to have a game plan.

What are you working on now?

I just finished book 1.5 in the Aubrey Christian Academy series which is Luke’s book. It is novella length and should be coming out this Christmas.  Next, I plan to begin Amy’s book from the series: Amy & the Trouble with Fathers. Amy finds out something mind altering about her father and goes on this quest over Christmas vacation.

Thanks for the interview, Cindy! Your series sounds captivating, full of great characters and interesting challenges. It's been great to host you on The Diamonf Mine!

Here's a peek from Andrea's diary:

Dear Lord,
I need Your help and sooner would be better than later. Wouldn't you know it, just as soon as I decide to attempt the 5-Day Bible Study Challenge, my parents start heaping on loads of pressure to get me into Julliard. My friend Amy isn’t any better, urging me to ask Luke Ryan to homecoming. As if the cute, transfer jock would actually go out with me. I mean, we’re kinda friends, and I’ve enjoyed our Geometry study sessions, but in case Amy hasn’t noticed, I’m the invisible one at Aubrey Christian Academy, and I like it that way. On top of that, I have a feeling Luke’s concealing something behind those chocolate-brown eyes of his. I know I can be self-centered and a bit melodramatic, but I really do want to seek Your will for my life. Then maybe I’ll even figure out which direction points up.

Sincerely,                                                                    

Andrea Jamison

High School Junior

Change-o-phobic & complete neurotic 

Now an excerpt from the book:

"Well, looky there.” Amy lifted her glasses and peered down the hall before returning her specs back to her nose. “Is it me or does Luke look like a mild- mannered reporter type?”

I glared at her.
It was as though she’d read my mind.
”It’s you,” I snapped back. Seven thirty-eight in the morning was way too early for all my synapses to be able to process this information. I was being rude and didn’t even know why.

“He’s like your Romeo in cargo pants.”

“He’s not wearing cargo pants. And don’t compare him to Romeo. That story is way too depressing.”

“OK, then he’s Mr. Darcy come to sweep you away from your mundane existence.”

“Amy, seriously, it’s time to lay off the romantic fiction. Besides, didn’t you tell me that crushes were for immature adolescents?”

“Crushes maybe, but Luke might just be the one for you. You know, the One.” She did the quotes in the air thing to emphasize her statement.

“Are you missing your macaroons or something? I’m only sixteen.” I must have been missing mine because I hadn’t used that expression since sixth grade. I covered my face with my hands.

“Whatever, Andi. Here he comes. If you ask me, he’s trying to woo you. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She tapped my shoulder before she traipsed away.

I barely took notice of her absence because I had mere seconds before Luke Ryan arrived. He didn’t even give Stephanie a glimpse as he passed by her down the hall. His gaze remained focused on me. I swiveled my stance to face my locker and pulled out the daisies, forming a half-dozen bouquet in my hand. How did he know daises were my favorite? Had I mentioned it?
More importantly, was Amy right?


Could Luke really be trying to woo me like some totally romantic gesture straight out of medieval, courtly love? I must have accidentally inhaled window cleaner or something because that just wasn’t possible. His note had only been meant as a thank you. Yes, that was it. He’d even said just that.

Sneaking a peek out of the corner of my eye, I could see he was almost upon me. My evil, impossible heart did a somersault in my chest. Oh, my gosh! Did I remember to put on deodorant this morning, because I was really starting to sweat. As if suffering from some horrifying form of hysteria, I stuffed my books into my locker as fast as I could. I had to get out of this hallway before he caught up to me.

“Hi.”

Too late.

I love it! Now here's a little about Cindy, along with her social links:

Cindy K. Green has worked as a middle school history & English teacher, a frozen yogurt server and a golf magazine employee. Today she's a multi-published, award-winning author, a mother, a wife, and a homeschooler too. This native Californian now resides in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and two cats named Chloe & Kassey. 

http://www.cindykgreen.com

http://cindykgreen.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/CindyKGreen

https://twitter.com/cindykgreen

https://plus.google.com/+CindyGreenAuthor/posts

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Don't forget to leave a comment for the chance to win a free copy!

Here are the purchase links for Cindy's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Andrea- 5-Day-Challenge-Christian- Academy-ebook/dp/B00TJAG8P8/ ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_6

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ w/andrea-and-the-5-day- challenge-cindy-k-green/ 1121286382?ean=9781611164053

http://www.christianbook.com/ andrea-and-the-day-challenge- ebook/cindy-green/ 9781611164046/pd/75286EB? product_redirect=1&Ntt= 75286EB&item_code=&Ntk= keywords&event=ESRCP

http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ ec/index.php?main_page= product_info&cPath=34& products_id=653

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/andrea-and-the-5-day-challenge