13 Reasons Why || Story Behind the Story

Happy Day Two, faithful followers!

Wow, the tour is already off to such an incredible start. I've been so blessed and encouraged by everyone's outpouring of love and display of enthusiasm! <3

Kaitlyn and I are each sharing the inspiration and origination of our books as today's theme. Make sure you check out her post of the day—link below. :D

Kaitlyn Krispense, Author

|| Story Behind the Story 

I've been asked many times how on earth I ended up writing a book about suicide. The answer? It just kinda happened.

In August 2015, I stumbled across a story about a veteran. After returning to the states after serving a combat tour in Vietnam, he called home, told his parents he was coming home, and asked if they'd mind if he brought a friend along. He explained that the friend had been hurt and was an amputee, and added that he wanted the friend to come to live with his family. The parents expressed sympathy for the friend's plight, but declined the son's request. A few days later, they received a phone call. Their son had committed suicide, and they learned of his secret. Turns out...there was no friend. Their son was the injured soldier.

Quite the story, huh? Around the same time, I came across a video, created by a teenager, which vividly depicts a modern-day retelling of the story I'd read. I've poked around on the internet for more information about this story, but little is known. If it's a true story, that hasn't been verified, but the basic twist of the story has been used in books and movies for years.

Regardless, the creativity wheels were spinning. The story wouldn't get out of my head. And one question plagued me the most: What if...what if he didn't die? 

So I went with it. Started writing a story about a suicidal Marine. The scraps of a story I had at that time grew and broadened, morphed and twisted, and became a different story entirely, but one that's still closely connected to the passionate topic I began with—suicide.

After many days and months of writing and rewriting, crying and moaning, whining and groveling, the Freedom that's releasing in seven days came to be. And I'm SO excited to share it with all of you. <3

|| R2L 

Today's reason to live is: stories. I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore stories. Happy, sad, funny. Stories of heartbreak or journeys or everyday life. Love stories, children's stories, adventure stories, sob stories. Point is—I.love.stories. That's the cool thing about life—every single soul that's been placed on this earth is living out their own story. And even better than that, all of our stories are intertwined with the story of every person you've ever crossed paths with. And without every single strand, the master story would be incomplete, lacking, unfinished.

Ponder on that next time you feel like your life has no purpose. <3

|| Preorder Freedom

In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month as well as release month for Freedom, I'm hosting a special preorder/order option for paperback copies of this new novel.

All profits from Freedom (both Kindle and paperback) for the month of September will be donated to Cover Me Veteran, a non-profit organization fighting for prevention of veteran suicide. If you're hesitant about the validity of the cause, I'd encourage you to read the testimonials listed on their site. Gives me chills. <3

Because I want to amp-up sales of Freedom this month in order to be able to make a sizable donation, I'm offering a discounted total for of $17 for book + shipping. Details are on the form!

claim your preorder copy!

|| Today on the Tour

Even though it's only day two, I've already been blown away by the number of people posting about the book, sharing the tour on social media, and writing out their own R2Ls. Keep it up, lovelies! <3

Joining us today on the tour, we have...

Victoria @ My Crazy Write Life — Interview w/ Kate
Abigail @ Read Write Breathe — Review of Beloved
Shine @ HauntingGhostTown — 2x Interview + 2x Review
Merie @ Imperial Scribis — 2x Review

Don't forget to enter the giveaway and submit your questions to the Q&A! 

do you find backstories intriguing? favorite part of the tour so far? 

13 Reasons Why || Intro + Q&A Announcement

People. pEopLe. PEOPLE. *lowkey screaming*

Is this even real?! I don't know how this day has finally arrived—but it has, somehow. Day 1 of the 13 Reasons Why blog tour is officially underway, m'friends.

As you probably already know, my friend Kaitlyn Krispense and I are both releasing books on September 10th—World Suicide Prevention Day. And along with that, we're co-hosting a dual blog tour with an emphasis on raising awareness and prevention of suicide.

Are the next thirteen days going to be extremely full? Most definitely.

Kaitlyn and I will both be posting every day, from today through the 14th. So be sure to check out her blog for the featured post, today and every other day of the tour!

Kaitlyn Krispense, Author

|| Intro to 13RW

Chances are, you're confused by the title of this blog tour. If you're at all familiar with the wording "13 Reasons Why," it's probably from the Netflix series that came out in 2017.

The one that caused a spike in teen suicide during the first month following it's release. The one that had people petitioning for it to be removed from Netflix and not brought back for a second season. Regardless, the show returned for a second season, then a third, and recently, talk of a fourth.

On the show, a high-school aged girl named Hannah records a series of tapes depicting her thirteen reasons for ending her own life. The tapes are found by a friend and classmate, following her suicide. The show is dark, depressing, and focused solely on the negative side.

But, for the 13 days of this tour, we're choosing LIFE. And we're sharing our thirteen reasons for choosing life. We'd love to have you join us, whether that's just by reading along or sharing your own reasons. We're glad you're here. <3

Having just returned to American soil from the desert sands of the Middle East, James Greene is done with his life. 'Double amputee' doesn't seem like a strong enough phrase to label the physical and emotional pain he bears. Add the lack of love and communication with his family members, the demons that haunt him day and night, and he can find nothing worth living for. Ending it all is the only way out. 

Alexandria Lorance is a not-so-ordinary physical therapist, content with aiding in her patients' recoveries. Her work gives her fulfillment, but alone in the silence, she still endures the hidden scars of a past, unhealthy relationship. Reminding herself that true healing is found in Christ alone, she seeks to show kindness and love to everyone she meets. 


When these two broken ones' paths intersect, the spark of friendship is ignited, bringing hope and joy to both. Can they step out of the darkness of suffering and into the freedom of grace? 


A Marine, broken by war. A therapist, scarred by words. A chance meeting in a parking lot bonded them together. But can love grow in these two hurting hearts? Or are they truly too broken to ever find lasting happiness?

Amazon || Goodreads || Paperback Preorder

Life without love is hopeless. 

Foster teen Cara Richards is unloved. With nothing left and nowhere to go, she is determined to find peace, no matter the cost. But despite her intentions, she’s tossed into another foster family and this time, there’s no going back to who she used to be. To make matters worse, one of her five new foster brothers is a Jesus freak, and she refuses to believe that God actually cares. 

Her world is thrown upside down in a way she never expects. Though she prides herself on a resilient heart, her mind is lost adrift among a sea of questions: Is death really the answer? Does God care about someone as unworthy as me? Can everyone truly be loved, no matter what?

Amazon || Goodreads

|| R2L (Reason to Live)

My reason to live is: friends. Working on preparations for this tour for the past few weeks and even months has made me appreciative of my friends. Friends who signed up to take part. Friends who offered to do whatever they could to help out even though they're busy with their own projects—just because they care. Friends who agreed to handle the interior design of my book, even though they barely have time. Friends who've prayed for this tour and these books as much as we have.

Today, I'm thankful for the friends God has blessed me with. <3

|| Q&A Announcement 

GUYS. I'm so excited about this one.... Kate and I are hosting a Q&A! Do you have any questions about books, publishing, or what it's like to host a dual blog tour? Now's your chance to get your answers!

>> 13RW Q&A form << 

|| Giveaway

Annnddd, of course, there's a giveaway. Because honestly, what better way to kick off a party? Three lucky winners will wrap-up the party with anywhere from a ebook copy of one of the books to paperback copies of both!

Giveaway closes midnight September 13th, winners will be announced on the 14th. International entrants are welcome, but should they win first or second place, ebooks will be substituted in place of paperbacks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

excited for the next twelve days! 

who's counting down to release day with us?! do you have an R2L to share?  

Blog Tour Prep + End of Summer Vibes || August Recap

Hey, fam. How goes it?

I know I say this like every month, but did August F.L.Y. by or what?! Like, what happened. Seriously.

|| Work

• Work was pretty typical. We did have a few positions change, with summer employees going back to school and new people arriving on the scene. There's always good and bad sides to that sort of situation, but it's all starting to fall into place. 

printing lots of tags for new merchandise! 

• Aside from my real job, I spent two days dog-sitting/house-sitting this month. Which included falling asleep on the couch with the puppy in the floor beside me both nights. And getting like four hours sleep before going to work. 'twas great. *thumbs up*

• Another "side job" that I stumbled upon recently was helping my family roof a house. The mission trip we go on every year in June always involves roofing houses, so the #PottsFam figure that makes them professionals...or something...

|| End of Summer Vibes

• Lots of end-of-summer vibes this month! Including a lake day with the family which turned out to be loads of fun, even though we did end up trying to get four people and a bunch of stuff across the lake in two single-person kayaks...right before a thunderstorm. But we survived—clearly. xD

Since I didn't get any pictures that day, here's a few random summery pics from the last few weeks. <3

|| Random Life

• Helped plan a surprise birthday party for my boss which...turned out to be as much of a surprise for us as it was for her when she showed up 30 minutes early. xD  Anyway, it was a lot of fun though. And everyone got a good laugh out of the whole thing.

• Got to hang out with my sweet friend, Angela! While in the area, she came by to see me at work. We got to talk books and blog tours, laugh and catch-up, and pray together. It was a sweet time. <3

• Went to see Overcomer with a friend and, ummm.... If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go see it already. It might be their best movie yet. Spoiler: I cried. A lot.

I don't think I read a single book this month?? I did read quite a bit in a book one day, picked up a few books on a sale, and got some from a friend. But other than that? *shakes head* The way things are going, I should just discard this whole section and save myself the trouble. :P

|| Update

Writing for the month of August consisted of final edits on Freedom (#YEET) and piddling in a few random WIPs when I had a few minutes to spare + had the need for word magic. After the craziness of the blog tour winds down, I'm STOKED to get back to work on Chasing a Dream. :D

|| Snippet

“That’s pretty much it…” I say, staring down at the decking boards that stretch out beneath my feet and run the length of the porch. Anything to not have to see the tears shimmering in her eyes.
She doesn’t say anything, doesn’t have to. I know how she feels. But I just needed to tell her, needed her to know.  

“I’m sorry for bringing this up now,” I say softly, when seconds turn into minutes without a word from her. “This should be a happy time for us,. Not spent dwelling on the past, but… I just needed for you to know.” 

“No.” A pause, and then her voice softens. “No… I’m glad you did.”

— random snippet, random project

|| Blog Tour Prep

• Literally spent the whole month figuring out things for the blog tour, sending and responding to emails, answering interview questions, sending review copies, organizing links, creating blog tour schedules and plans, and finalizing giveaway details.

Oh, and did I mention chugging coffee and drawing semicolons on my knee?

|| My Posts. 

|| August Goals

• Finish the final edit of Freedom.        YES.

• Send Freedom to the formatter.         YES.

• Prep for the 13 Reasons Why blog tour.            YES.

• Answer all blog tour author interview questions.      barely...

• Pre-write over half the blog tour posts.      *dies laughing* nope. I'm winging it.

• Order a proof copy of Freedom.      hehhhh, no. Soon.

• Finalize paperback preorders of Freedom.      YES! Details releasing tomorrow :D

• Anything and everything Freedom. xD           I guess?

• Probably 74 other things I'm forgetting.          Honestly, who knows....

• Sleep occasionally.         Once in awhile...?

|| September Goals

• Rock the world with the 13RW tour.

• Release Freedom.

• Mail all preorder paperback copies.

• Keep up with social media.

• Clear my inbox.

• Figure out what to do with myself once I'm not spending every waking moment freaking out over anything and everything Freedom related... xD

how was your august? are you okay with summer being over? 

who else is H.Y.P.E.D. for 13RW?!

also this <3

The Divided Nation || blog tour + book spotlight

Hello, friends!

I'm here today with a blog tour for a dear, dear friend of mine. Angela Watts's book released this week and the blog tour has been a BOMB. I just love this gal and her heart for the Lord. And I'm SO proud of her for writing the story God called her to write and not shying away from the tough topics. Rock on, sweet friend. <3

Introducing... *drumroll*... book one of The Infidel Books...

|| The Divided Nation

WHEN THE NATION DIVIDES, THE INFIDELS MUST RISE.

The United States has fallen. Three years after the 2024 presidential election and the declaration of martial law, the nation is at war against itself. Gangs battle, civilians struggle for survival, and officials of the United Nations  thrive. West Johnston, heir to the most powerful ganglord in the country, refuses to continue the family legacy. But, in order to defeat his father, he must become him: bloodthirsty and willing to do whatever it takes for control.

West gains control by helping fellow gangsters, Nate and Simon, when they form an alliance with one of the last remaining townships in America. After years of surviving and winter fast approaching, Springtown is in desperate need of supplies from the two teenagers. When the town leader’s daughter, Rene’, is kidnapped by an unknown rival, Nate and Simon risk their reputations to save her and the town they now love. But without help from West, their rescue mission will fail.

Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE DIVIDED NATION steps into a future where brotherhood bonds must be stronger than iron to survive a broken world, and faith without courage is dust in the wind.

Amazon || Goodreads

|| About the Writer

Angela R. Watts is a Christian fiction author who strives to glorify the Lord in all she does. She’s a homeschooled highschooler living at Step By Step Sanctuary, Tennessee, though with Gypsy and Norwegian in her blood, she tends to travel. She’s been writing stories since she was little, but also enjoys chores, painting, and watching sunsets.

Facebook || Website || Amazon || Instagram || Goodreads

|| Giveaway

Because...what would a blog tour be without a giveaway? ;)  

1st place: hardback copy of The Divided Nation. A custom mug with a quote from the book, bookmark, and an exclusive snippet from The Infidel Books.

2nd place: paperback copy of The Divided Nation, bookmark.

3rd place: ebook copy of The Divided Nation.

*US shipping only. If an international winner is drawn, they will receive an ebook only.

>> Enter Here <<

Find the rest of the tour schedule on Angela's blog, The Peculiar Messenger! 

have you read The Divided Nation? or any of Ang's previous books? <3 

Always at Work + Sweet Nineteen || July Recap

 

Yes, this is late again. Yes, I'm aware. As with last month's, I almost just skipped, but I didn't want to break a trend. But at the same time... there's not much to report, as I was basically at work all month. xD 

|| House-Sitting

• I was house-sitting for about five days this month, making a little extra money. And having an entire house to myself (except for the puppy dogs) for a few days, mwahahahaha. So I basically ate junk food and watched Hallmark every night. :P

stinkin' adorable baby

|| Sweet Nineteen

• So, I turned 19. Which is kinda freaky. And also kinda scary. Because I now have less than a year of teenager-ism left?? and then I'll probably have to be a real adult or something????

tired birthday selfie. just cuz.

A dear sweet friend (you know who you are <3) made these darling wood-burned signs for me, with the titles of all of my published or about-to-be-published books. Aren't they amazing? I adore them so much! 

looking into the future like... "lots of clouds...but it's pretty so"

|| Independence Day

• So, the 4th of July happened. We were supposed to dress in red, white, and blue for work that weekend, so I pulled out my very patriotic and very adorable, thanks for noticing sandals. And blared patriotic country over the speakers at work. (You're welcome, customers.) 

Yet again, I really don't know what to put in this section. I read some here and there, but only finished one book—The US Marine Corps by Rebecca Rowell. I did buy a few books—The Reinvention of Skylar Holt series by Stephanie Morrill. It was a birthday sale or something, so I went ahead and snagged all three books, even though I haven't even tried Mrs. Morrill's writing yet—except in Go Teen Writers, which I adore.

So yep.

|| Freedom Update 

Writing wise, Freedom is really all that got my attention during the month of July. Like, at all. Since my editor finished the last week of June, I started working through and applying her edits to the book in my free time. I should be finished with this final edit in the next day or two!

25 days until release!

|| Snippet

I’m suffocating, dying the slow, defeated death of a prisoner. Freedom…  

There’s only one way out.  

A war surges through my mind.  

A war between giving up and getting help. A battle between getting out and waiting until I can think clearly. A fight between doing what my broken mind wants or sticking to what I know is right.  

I grip the top of the dresser with a shaky hand as my head spins, threatening to send me to the floor.  

I can’t, I can’t… 

|| Favorite Posts

Showers of Blessing >> Only in You, Lord

Kaitlyn Krispense, Author >> Beloved + Freedom: Blog Tour Signups

RebekahAshleigh >> Exciting News

|| My Posts

|| July Goals

• Because I posted the June recap soooo late (later than this one, actually), I didn't state any July goals.

|| August Goals

• Finish the final edit of Freedom.

• Send Freedom to the formatter.

• Prep for the 13 Reasons Why blog tour.

• Answer all blog tour author interview questions.

• Pre-write over half the blog tour posts.

• Order a proof copy of Freedom.

• Finalize paperback preorders of Freedom.

• Anything and everything Freedom. xD

• Probably 74 other things I'm forgetting.

• Sleep occasionally.

how goes it, my peeps?! anyone else out there just trying to keep up? *raises hand*

FREEDOM || blog tour signups + ARCs

The time has come, my friends...

Blog tour signups for the long-talked-about, much-loved (at least by me), long-awaited Freedom are HERE!

Even better than that? I'm joining my friend Kaitlyn in the release of her debut novel, Beloved. Utilizing the time, talents, and platform the Lord has given us, we're using this opportunity to speak out against suicide for the 13 days the tour will run.

Why 13 days? Netflix released a series in 2017 known as 13 Reasons Why. There has been much debate over the series—some find it triggering and have even gone through with their own suicide, while others argue that it promotes awareness of mental health. A girl on the show recorded tapes of the 13 reasons why she was committing suicide, and left them for family and friends to listen to following her death. But we believe that anything glorifying the taking of God-given life is in err.

So I present to you: the 13 Reasons Why Blog Tour. 13 days of choosing LIFE. 13 days filled with reasons to stay. Spotlighting two new releases that delve deep into the rough truths and murky darkness that shrouds this life-taking epidemic.

And since the tour will be open to participants for eleven of those thirteen days... now's your chance to join in!

|| Blog Tour

|| ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies)

are you signing up? are you as excited about the tour as we are? 

Mission Trip + Birthday Bash || June Recap

Yes, that says June. Yes, I realize this is two days shy of being a month late. Am I back to a consistent schedule? No, but I'm back for right now. Am I promising I'll do better? No, but I'll try. I could make up a bunch of excuses, but I'm basically just a procrastinator who needed some time after a trip the last week of June. And is still trying to get things re-aligned. :P

All that to say...this may be boring and lame, but I didn't want to break my trend of doing a recap every month. And I didn't rly wanna combine it with July, because they felt like distinctly different months. For some reason. xD

So hey there, friend! Please—forgive me for disappearing. And prepare yourself for a photo dump. Also let's talk and catch-up in the comments. :D

|| Random

• Work, work, work...and did I mention work?  Okay, seriously, I'm not complaining. At all. But sometimes I feel like I spend 60 hours a week in a checkered uniform shirt. xD

• I also spent a lot of time camped out at the library—hoping for a spot by an outlet, wearing a hoodie, chugging coffee, taking up a whole table with my notebooks and planner and schedule and editing notes and...such—because our internet at home has been iffy.

• When your bro comes by where you work...and as he's leaving, you realize that his means of transportation is farm equipment. 

take a look at dat plow boy

|| SOS = Servants on Site

My family and a group from our church participated in the same mission trip/group ministry that we've did for the past few summers. It was an absolute blast, and as good and powerful and life-changing as always. <3

in the chow line ;)

SOS 2019 theme

my work crew!

posing in Smithfield's

that sky tho

hauling home ALLL the dirty clothes...

group scavenger hunt on Thursday night :D

girl time!

my pretty mama <3

I read like one book (A Letter to the One by Abby Rose Nichols) during the month of June...which might have been even worse than May, actually—can't remember. I did acquire several books. Including The Broken Prince by Kara Linaburg which I'm super excited to read sometime! Hopefully soon. :D

(Told you this would be lame and boring.)

|| Freedom Update

Freedom is coming along quite nicely! The lovely Abi Claire finished edits while I was away from home, so as soon as I finish sorting and applying those, the next step is formatting!

Meanwhile, there's a lot of blog tour prep going on behind the scenes. Ya know those situations where you have wayyyy to much to text someone so you call them? That's me and my bestie trying to plan this thing out. It's so crazy—in a good way. xD

Speaking of the blog tour, the lovely Kate and I will be opening the signup form tomorrow! How exciting is that? We'll be sharing an ARC option as well, for anyone who wants to help out but doesn't have a blog and/or just likes to review. ;D

Also, if you're someone who likes for Kindle books to be downloaded directly to their device on the day of release... Freedom is available for preorder!

|| Snippet 

Goodbyes said, I pocket my phone and, foreseeing the opportunity, step ahead to hold the door for the older couple.  

The lady’s eyes lock on mine as she nears. “Was that your girl on the phone?”  

My girl? I can’t help grinning. “Well… she was once.”  

“I hope you’re doing whatever you need to to get her back.”  

“Edna!”

* 

“I could lie and say I hoard phone numbers.”  

The elevator door opens, revealing the walkway to the front doors of the trauma center entrance. I motion for the other couple to exit first and then follow, falling in step a pace behind them over the crosswalk.  

“But that would be a lie. You’re one Lysol can shy of a clean freak.” 

|| Favorite Posts

The Danger of Writing << Ink Blots and Coffee Stains

Waiting for Nothing << The Storybook Journal

|| My Posts

|| Dandelion Dust: Birthday Bash

• For those who missed it or didn't realize something was going on, I hosted a birthday bash for Dandelion Dust in June, since June 30th was the 2nd anniversary of the book's release. Many other bloggers and friends in the community helped spread the dandelion love, shared about the book-birthday, and talked about my books on social media!

>> Abigail Harris did an amazing week-long author spotlight. Which was super sweet and a fabulous idea! Give her posts a read.

One ~ Two ~ Three ~ Four ~ Five ~ Six ~ Seven

>> Julia @ Lit Aflame and Liz @ Home with the Hummingbirds and Molly @ Qadash - Set Apart, for Him each did a fantabulous interview!  

>> Brooklyne @ Showers of Blessing — This girl's photoshoot, y'all! I am totally in love. *heart eyes* 

>> And let's not forget the epic peeps on Instagram! So many lovely bookstagram pictures. <3  I felt so loved-on. ^_^

• The Kindle ebook was free on the 30th...and I expected *some* downloads. I was thinking, maybe 50-60 at the very maximum. Guys... we topped out with 576 free ebook downloads of Dandelion Dust.

FIVE.HUNDRED.AND.SEVENTY.SIX.

I'm greatly indebted to and appreciative of y'all for spreading the word! I did very little to promote the free day, and the bash in general, so I was absolutely blown away by that number. Wow, y'all. God is good. <3

• I have some DD bookmarks and postcards left over from the party. If anyone would like a couple, shoot me a message or email with your mailing address and I'll send you a few to keep or share with friends. :)

|| June Goals

• Send Freedom to my editor.      YES!

• Celebrate the 2nd book-birthday of Dandelion Dust.         YES! 

• Go on our annual in-country missions trip with the church gang.       YES! 

• Blog weekly.     No-ish?? 

• Read 4 books.      Not quite.... *ahem*

• Resume staying alive.    So it would seem. 

|| July Goals 

• Considering the date, I'm not going to post July goals...because it would sorta kinda probably be cheating to list things I've already did and/or will finish in the next, like, two days. So check back soon for my July recap + August goals. :P 

how was your June? anything exciting happen/happening/happened over the course of your summer?