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Amanda Bews
{"id":7371735793817,"title":"Heaven Sent","handle":"heaven-sent","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHeaven’s life seems perfect. She has good grades, popularity, a rich family and the perfect boyfriend. Only she knows none of it is really true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBut one drunken mistake changes everything, as her life goes from bad to worse. With the end of school looming, a disappearing “boyfriend” and no parental support, Heaven can only wonder what her future holds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLittle does she know that it will be more than she bargained for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSent to New Zealand to “protect” her father’s reputation, Heaven discovers a different kind of community and a different kind of future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Amanda Bews explains some of the process of how and why Heaven Sent came to be:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMy husband and I were driving and discussing a disturbing article we had read in the newspaper about the choices some young people were making, choices that were ending very badly for them and leaving them hurting in ways they hadn’t foreseen. There was a map in the pocket of the car door and I said, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a map for life!” We began reflecting on some of our past choices and during this discussion the rough plan for a series of books was born, the first of which is Heaven Sent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat inspired you to spend the time developing this story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe high number of young women who are sexually assaulted while under the influence of alcohol. We do not live in a safe place. Our society is all about “me first” and unfortunately there are people who will prey on the unsuspecting—and sometimes those people can be closer to us than we think.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat did you learn or what most surprised you in the writing process?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI guess what shocked me the most was the number of people who, when I told them what I was writing about, could identify with Heaven’s story. There are so many people who are our friends, colleagues and part of our church family that have suffered through soul-damaging experiences and say nothing. We can live alongside them unaware of their hurts. Stories give people an opening to share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYou address serious social issues in this book. Why do that in the form of a story, rather than a textbook for example?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI hope that Heaven Sent will be an entertaining story, while also allowing an opening for discussion, for the reader to ask the questions they have “through” Heaven and the other characters, making any potential discussions less sensitive and personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat are the most important things you hope a young person might take away from reading this story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThroughout the story, Heaven moves from a life where God is largely irrelevant to a place where she begins seeking His leadings in her decisions. I hope young people will think about what it means to be “with” God in everyday life choices because He wants to do life with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI also hope they ask themselves, “Is this wise?” Sometimes we spend time considering what we would and would not like to do. That is all nice but sometimes the things we feel we want to do are really not wise or safe. Life can pivot on what felt like one small choice. Since we cannot foresee the future, we need to play life like a game of chess and consider where our next move will take us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2022-04-21T09:55:03+10:00","created_at":"2022-04-21T09:55:01+10:00","vendor":"Amanda Bews","type":"Book","tags":["Teens"],"price":1199,"price_min":1199,"price_max":1995,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":42070403907737,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781921292842","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Heaven Sent - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1199,"weight":282,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":42070403874969,"title":"Book","option1":"Book","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"0834020","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Heaven Sent - Book","public_title":"Book","options":["Book"],"price":1995,"weight":282,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781921292835","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/11.png?v=1680145322"],"featured_image":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/11.png?v=1680145322","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28918739632281,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.682,"height":1024,"width":698,"src":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/11.png?v=1680145322"},"aspect_ratio":0.682,"height":1024,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/11.png?v=1680145322","width":698}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHeaven’s life seems perfect. She has good grades, popularity, a rich family and the perfect boyfriend. Only she knows none of it is really true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBut one drunken mistake changes everything, as her life goes from bad to worse. With the end of school looming, a disappearing “boyfriend” and no parental support, Heaven can only wonder what her future holds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLittle does she know that it will be more than she bargained for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSent to New Zealand to “protect” her father’s reputation, Heaven discovers a different kind of community and a different kind of future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Amanda Bews explains some of the process of how and why Heaven Sent came to be:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMy husband and I were driving and discussing a disturbing article we had read in the newspaper about the choices some young people were making, choices that were ending very badly for them and leaving them hurting in ways they hadn’t foreseen. There was a map in the pocket of the car door and I said, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a map for life!” We began reflecting on some of our past choices and during this discussion the rough plan for a series of books was born, the first of which is Heaven Sent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat inspired you to spend the time developing this story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe high number of young women who are sexually assaulted while under the influence of alcohol. We do not live in a safe place. Our society is all about “me first” and unfortunately there are people who will prey on the unsuspecting—and sometimes those people can be closer to us than we think.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat did you learn or what most surprised you in the writing process?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI guess what shocked me the most was the number of people who, when I told them what I was writing about, could identify with Heaven’s story. There are so many people who are our friends, colleagues and part of our church family that have suffered through soul-damaging experiences and say nothing. We can live alongside them unaware of their hurts. Stories give people an opening to share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYou address serious social issues in this book. Why do that in the form of a story, rather than a textbook for example?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI hope that Heaven Sent will be an entertaining story, while also allowing an opening for discussion, for the reader to ask the questions they have “through” Heaven and the other characters, making any potential discussions less sensitive and personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat are the most important things you hope a young person might take away from reading this story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThroughout the story, Heaven moves from a life where God is largely irrelevant to a place where she begins seeking His leadings in her decisions. I hope young people will think about what it means to be “with” God in everyday life choices because He wants to do life with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI also hope they ask themselves, “Is this wise?” Sometimes we spend time considering what we would and would not like to do. That is all nice but sometimes the things we feel we want to do are really not wise or safe. Life can pivot on what felt like one small choice. Since we cannot foresee the future, we need to play life like a game of chess and consider where our next move will take us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
You may also like:
Heaven Sent
$19.95
Heaven’s life seems perfect. She has good grades, popularity, a rich family and the perfect boyfriend. Only she knows none...
{"id":7371762172057,"title":"Summer Fades","handle":"summer-fades","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSummer has a secret that is literally eating her up. Her friends and family try to make her face what they think is her real problem. But what they see is only a symptom of something much more sinister.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhen Julie whirls back onto the scene, Summer’s carefully organised life begins to spin out of control, even as she unsuccessfully tries to avoid Ben, who just might be the nicest guy she has ever met.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThen Julie discovers Summer’s secret. Something she’s been hiding to protect the ones she loves. With the support of her new friends—and Ben—the question remains: Will peace be found before Summer fades?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Amanda Bews talks about her Book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor thousands of years wisdom has been passed from generation to generation viastory. Jesus knew the value of stories. Stories impact our hearts, they arememorable and can lead us to knowledge that mere delivery of information cannot do. In the case of Summer Fades and Heaven Sent, the stories generate discussion and allow serious and often uncomfortable issues to be explored in non-threatening ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eObviously you do quite a bit of research about the issues you write about but then how do these grow into acharacter and a story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe issues grow out of my interaction with contemporary culture. After I have worked out which issues are being addressed, the characters and their stories develop—at times moving into more issues. It is then that I research the topics in depth and have the research inform the story. In researching an issue, I read biographies, newspaper articles and academic journals on the topic. After Ifinish the third draft I ask experts in that area to read the manuscript and make comment. For example, in Summer Fades, an ambulance arrives to take Summer to hospital, and I asked some paramedics to read through the scene and make sure that is how they would manage the situation. I also had a doctor, psychologist, counsellor and a sexual abuse survivor read the manuscript before I completed my final draft. They made suggestions and I made changes. Authenticity is important. I would never want someone to read one of my books and say, “No…it would never happen like that!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat have you learnt in the process of having your books published?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI have realised how many people are involved in the making of a book. The words might be mine but so much more has to take place before it finally makes it into the hands of a reader. I wanted to acknowledge the support and help I’ve had from all these wonderful people. I am so grateful for every one of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNot only do you write about social issues but faith is also a significant component of these stories. Why is this link important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMy faith is intricately linked to all the decisions I make in life. The times when I have tried to “go it alone” are when things haven’t worked out for the best. When they read the books, I hope young people are encouraged to explore how God wants to be a part of everyday life, give wisdom in all areas of life and see how biblical principles apply to contemporary issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat responses have you received to Heaven Sent?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJust how many people have found themselves in similar situations to Heaven. Date rape is so much more common than I would have imagined. There seems to be a great deal of concern about women’s drinks being spiked but the most used date rape drug is alcohol itself. Reading Heaven’s story has allowed many people to open up about their experience—and, more importantly, explore and experience God’s power to heal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eApart from the specific issues of anorexia and abuse considered in Summer Fades, what do you hope readers will take away from your new book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere are three main things. I hope people might be more willing to think about why people act the way they do. We all experience life differently and many people have lived through extenuating circumstances, so we should always be kind and considerate. The second is Christ’s renewing, healing power and the third is how God works in and through genuine community. A healthy church family is a wonderful place in which to experience life change.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-04-21T10:24:05+10:00","created_at":"2022-04-21T10:24:04+10:00","vendor":"Amanda Bews","type":"Book","tags":["Teens"],"price":1199,"price_min":1199,"price_max":1995,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":42070446309529,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781925044195","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Summer Fades - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1199,"weight":280,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":42070446276761,"title":"Book","option1":"Book","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"1973550","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Summer Fades - Book","public_title":"Book","options":["Book"],"price":1995,"weight":280,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781925044188","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/13.png?v=1680145029"],"featured_image":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/13.png?v=1680145029","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28918735601817,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.682,"height":1024,"width":698,"src":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/13.png?v=1680145029"},"aspect_ratio":0.682,"height":1024,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/hopebooks.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/products\/13.png?v=1680145029","width":698}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSummer has a secret that is literally eating her up. Her friends and family try to make her face what they think is her real problem. But what they see is only a symptom of something much more sinister.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhen Julie whirls back onto the scene, Summer’s carefully organised life begins to spin out of control, even as she unsuccessfully tries to avoid Ben, who just might be the nicest guy she has ever met.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThen Julie discovers Summer’s secret. Something she’s been hiding to protect the ones she loves. With the support of her new friends—and Ben—the question remains: Will peace be found before Summer fades?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Amanda Bews talks about her Book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor thousands of years wisdom has been passed from generation to generation viastory. Jesus knew the value of stories. Stories impact our hearts, they arememorable and can lead us to knowledge that mere delivery of information cannot do. In the case of Summer Fades and Heaven Sent, the stories generate discussion and allow serious and often uncomfortable issues to be explored in non-threatening ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eObviously you do quite a bit of research about the issues you write about but then how do these grow into acharacter and a story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe issues grow out of my interaction with contemporary culture. After I have worked out which issues are being addressed, the characters and their stories develop—at times moving into more issues. It is then that I research the topics in depth and have the research inform the story. In researching an issue, I read biographies, newspaper articles and academic journals on the topic. After Ifinish the third draft I ask experts in that area to read the manuscript and make comment. For example, in Summer Fades, an ambulance arrives to take Summer to hospital, and I asked some paramedics to read through the scene and make sure that is how they would manage the situation. I also had a doctor, psychologist, counsellor and a sexual abuse survivor read the manuscript before I completed my final draft. They made suggestions and I made changes. Authenticity is important. I would never want someone to read one of my books and say, “No…it would never happen like that!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat have you learnt in the process of having your books published?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI have realised how many people are involved in the making of a book. The words might be mine but so much more has to take place before it finally makes it into the hands of a reader. I wanted to acknowledge the support and help I’ve had from all these wonderful people. I am so grateful for every one of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNot only do you write about social issues but faith is also a significant component of these stories. Why is this link important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMy faith is intricately linked to all the decisions I make in life. The times when I have tried to “go it alone” are when things haven’t worked out for the best. When they read the books, I hope young people are encouraged to explore how God wants to be a part of everyday life, give wisdom in all areas of life and see how biblical principles apply to contemporary issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat responses have you received to Heaven Sent?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJust how many people have found themselves in similar situations to Heaven. Date rape is so much more common than I would have imagined. There seems to be a great deal of concern about women’s drinks being spiked but the most used date rape drug is alcohol itself. Reading Heaven’s story has allowed many people to open up about their experience—and, more importantly, explore and experience God’s power to heal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eApart from the specific issues of anorexia and abuse considered in Summer Fades, what do you hope readers will take away from your new book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere are three main things. I hope people might be more willing to think about why people act the way they do. We all experience life differently and many people have lived through extenuating circumstances, so we should always be kind and considerate. The second is Christ’s renewing, healing power and the third is how God works in and through genuine community. A healthy church family is a wonderful place in which to experience life change.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Summer Fades
$19.95
Summer has a secret that is literally eating her up. Her friends and family try to make her face what...