UNDERCOVER ANGELS: Kayla’s Big Move - Angela Dusenberry - Free Book

What has drawn you to writing for the YA market?

I love writing books for “tweens” because that's the age when girls are just on the verge of making the kinds of decisions that will dramatically affect the outcome of their lives.  I remember this season in my life with striking clarity, and I desire to see young girls sowing good seeds...and reaping the benefits.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I love doing quirky things just for the fun of it, so that’s hard to say. I taught preschool for a while, so my husband teases me because I have children’s songs for almost any occasion and I tend to break out in song throughout the day. I also love adventure and I have a bad habit of sneaking on slides in foreign countries. My favorite slide was the water slide out of the side of a pyramid and through a shark tank at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau Bahamas.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. The first time I got an article published was exciting, and over the past ten years I have had numerous articles published, but I didn’t really feel like I was a writer until a little girl contacted me and told me that she wanted to do a book report on me because I was her favorite author. That was the moment that I realized I had really begun to fulfill my dream. For me it’s about the girls who read my books. They inspire my passion for writing.  

That’s what writing means to all us authors—reaching the reader. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love reading all kinds of books including non-fiction self-help books, doctrinal books and Bible commentaries, but by far, fiction novels are my favorite. I like contemporary Christian fiction and historical fiction. My all time favorite author is Karen Kingsbury. One of her books was loaned to me on my first trip to Europe. I stayed up all night sitting in the hallway of the castle where we were staying…reading. I didn’t even mind that the only light was set on a motion detector and I had to raise my arm to turn it back on every few minutes. When I was a kid I would often stay up late into the night reading as well. My favorite books during that time were the Mandy books by Lois Gladys Leppard, The Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin, and The Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn.

What other books have you written?

I am currently working on my second novel in the UNDERCOVER ANGELS series entitled: The Oregon Caves Trip. I had so much fun doing research for this book. My husband and I took a trip to the Oregon Caves and to the Treehouse Resort just outside of Cave Junction. Pictures from our trip are posted to the UNDERCOVER ANGELS Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Undercover-Angels/143108086993.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Honestly, my daily devotional time is the source of all of my sanity and peace.  God helps me to keep focused on eternal goals. I also try to make sure I have those goals as well as my personal goals clearly defined. I’ve heard it said that if you don’t have a goal for yourself, others will. I filter everything I do with my time through those goals, and I’ve learned when to say “no.” Jesus could have achieved many wonderful things during His time on earth, but I take comfort in the fact that He only did those things the Father called Him to do. I want to live like that.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of, besides family?

I know it is silly, but I am so proud of my sales team when I was a manager. We took a store that was closing and not only saved it, but brought it up into the top ten out of 600 stores. I love motivating people to live up to their full potential, overcome difficulties and truly believe that anything is possible.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Definitely a butterfly. They start out as an ordinary caterpillar and then transform into one of God’s most beautiful creatures, able to soar on the wings of the wind.

What is your favorite food?

I would have to say a Dutch Freeze from Dutch Bros.

And I don’t even know what that is. Is it hard to break into the YA market?

It was for me. It took me about nine years to get my first novel published.

My first book took eight years to be published. What advice would you give to an author wanting to do that?

Persistence is the key. I am a firm believer that those who are successful are not those who have never failed, but those who always persevere.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

UNDERCOVER ANGELS: Kayla’s Big Move is a book about, Kayla, a 12 year-old girl who recently lost her father during a school shooting. Although she has been raised in a Christian home, she has taken her religion for granted. As she starts seventh grade in a new town and at a new school, she makes friends with two girls who seem to be archenemies. For the first time, being a Christian seems to interfere with being popular, and she is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life: Does being a Christian mean more than just believing in God…and if so, does she really want to be one?

Please share the first page with us.

Chapter 1

Fairview Academy, Here I Come!

“Are you sure I should wear the pink tank top, Mom?”  Kayla asked, as Kim walked past her bedroom door.

Mom popped her head into Kayla’s large room with a bay window and eyed her daughter.  “I think you look fine, Hon; you had better hurry, though, it’s almost time to leave.”  With that, she turned and walked down the stairs.

“Fine isn’t good enough for my first day at a new school.”  Kayla frowned as she gazed into her full-length mirror.  She decided against her pink tank top and threw it on the bed with the small pile accumulating there.  Her purple duvet cover was almost covered with clothes that had been deemed “fine.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website: www.angeladusenberry.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Undercover-Angels/143108086993

Thank you for the interesting interview, Angela.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Undercover Angels: Kayla's Big Move - paperback
UNDERCOVER ANGELS: Kayla's Big Move - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com