FROM DARK TO THE DAWN - Alicia Willis - One Free PDF Ebook

Welcome, Alicia. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Generally speaking, I try not to write myself into the characters. However, I made the exception with my new release, From the Dark to the Dawn. Many of Philip and Marcus’s prayers and emotions during difficult times were originally my own. I was going through a hard time when I wrote the book, and my feelings flowed over into their inner monologue and petitions.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Ah, confession time, is it? Is unexpectedly wrestling with my younger brother during a get-together with friends quirky or just plain weird? J

Sounds quirky to me. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was eleven. I found myself unable to put my writing notebooks down and would actually feel guilty when I was not writing.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

 I mostly enjoy historical fiction, biographies, history books, and Biblical self-help type books.

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

Prayer and coffee. Enough said.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I choose them historically. While doing research on whichever era I am working in, I study the names of that era and choose the names according to their historical significance and my own preference.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

As an author, I am very grateful to have been a top-thirty winner for the CrossBooks/LifeWay Manuscript contest two years in a row. The contest has several hundred entries, which makes it extra special to me. As an individual, I hope developing a reputation as a coffee connoisseur counts as an accomplishment - because I am rather proud of it!

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

I have never thought of it until now! I honestly have no clue. I am 5’10”, so maybe a giraffe.

What is your favorite food?

I love spicy Mexican food. Indian rice, enchiladas, tacos, and Mexican lattes are just a few of my favorite dishes!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I was heavily influenced by the classics as a young writer. While I will always appreciate the beauty of the classics, I have since learned that modern readers don’t always appreciate the old style. Therefore, I have learned to surmount my classical style with the inner monologue and second person outlook that historical-fiction readers so appreciate.

Tell us about the featured book?  

Here is the official synopsis!

Decadent Rome

61 Anno Domini.

The masters of the universe have crushed the Iceni rebellion with an iron hand, slaughtering and enslaving her people.

For Philip, his existence as a captive means living to hatred. He despises his rich, young master, resenting his life of servitude and the wrestling feats Marcus forces him to perform. Bitterness engulfs his soul until he only lives for the day when he will crush the might of Rome.

Then Christianity enters the picture. Taught by a Jewish breadmaker to know the man called Christus, Philip begins the struggle to forgive and honor his master. But forgiveness is not easy toward one who lives for himself.

Marcus Virginius knows nothing but power and pleasure. Destined to a successful career serving Nero in the Praetorian Guard, he wants no part of Christianity. And he is determined to crush Philip’s newfound faith—no matter what it takes.

Join Philip and Marcus in their journey of redemption, faith, and forgiveness. Is love enough to conquer hate? And will the light of the gospel ever surmount the darkness of Rome?

Persecution abounds—will the two young men survive its terrors and live to experience the bright hope of a new dawn?

Please give us the first page of the book.

61 Anno Domini

British Isles

Philip crouched in the tall grass, his heels poised to spring. His pulse raced, pounding against his chest. The smell of smoke and death was gagging. All around him, carnage and the bodies of thousands of his tribesmen were haunting reminders of yesterday’s battle.

Indistinct shouts sent chills running up and down his spine. The Roman legionaries ran like red ants through the plain and glades, plundering, capturing, killing. Massacre was still in their blood.

They would kill him if they found him. Or, worse still, they would enslave him.

Philip peered through the grass. The sun glistened off of thousands of pieces of armor and weapons, half-blinding him. Many of the weapons had been stolen from the Romans themselves. Now, their fallen glimmer was a mocking reminder of what they had lost.

They had failed. His people lay dead in the thousands.

Philip’s heart lurched as a legionary ran in front of his hiding place. He stumbled over a longsword, evoking a short chuckle from his comrades. The sight, trivial as it was, was a small consolation. The longswords of the Iceni had been no match for the Roman gladius. Short and efficient, the Romans had killed thousands of them with it. But at least it had played a small part in humiliating one of them.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can connect with me on Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, Pinterest, and my personal blog. I love meeting new readers. I hope you will connect with me!

Thank you, Alicia, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
From the Dark to the Dawn: A Tale of Ancient Rome - Amazon
From the Dark to the Dawn: A Tale of Ancient Rome - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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