Untold Blog Tour: Author Interview with Vanessa Hall

Today I am interviewing author Vanessa Hall as part of her tour for her latest release, Untold. Saving the best for last, the interview is at the end of the post. Scroll slowly so you don’t miss a giveaway opportunity and a sale.

---

ABOUT THE BOOK

You can only run for so long …

Two years hasn’t erased the sting of betrayal and the shadow of the past, but Nikolai Alexandrov has finally found a way to live. Moscow, Russia, is the last place anyone would look for a rogue ex-CIA officer, and the members of Grace Baptist Church see beyond his past to the man he is now.

Molly Baird never wanted to be a missionary, but due to her father’s wishes, she lands in Moscow to aid her missionary cousin, Gabe Kelly. All is foreign in the massive city, though, rendering her unable to serve. Only the few English speakers in Grace Baptist’s congregation hold a trace of familiarity—including Nikolai, whose kindness she can’t deny.

Yet when a sniper’s bullet strikes far too close, Nikolai and Molly are thrown together in a desperate race against untold threats. When time runs out, will Nikolai and Molly be able to trust God with the past—and with the future?

Untold Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61167481-untold

Ebook and Hard Copy: https://books2read.com/u/m0vp77 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Hall is an author, musician, and homeschool graduate. Most days, she is reading, writing, or practicing the violin—or trying to find time for all three pursuits. Currently, she is working toward gaining a degree in instrumental music education. But above all, she is a sinner saved and held fast by the abounding grace of Jesus Christ.

Author Links

Website/Blog: https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21596469.Vanessa_Hall

Newsletter: https://vanessahall.ck.page/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vanessanhall7/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Hall/e/B09D5FK28P/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vanessa-hall-76d55a60-3f49-4ac3-8e43-d64014ae4c55 

---

Giveaway

One winner will receive free e-copies (epub or pdf) of Unworthy and Untold. Winner will be announced on Saturday, October 1, on Vanessa’s blog and will be contacted via email. Giveaway open to all entrants over 18. 

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b768bf280/?

---

Sale

Unknown (#1) is on sale for $.99!

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58357517-unknown 

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/49nnDk 

Blurb: 

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?

---

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Words of wisdom for those who are just starting out on the writing path?

Don’t be afraid. Try tons of different genres and plots and styles and characters. Writing takes a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it all in the end. And as a Christian writer, seek the Lord. Write to His glory. Surrender your stories and writings to Him, and write for Him, because He gave this gift to you in the first place!

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

I really enjoy the first draft—if I can stop the editing brain from kicking on, that is—but I also really enjoy points of the editing process. I just love when I really feel as if I know and connect with the characters, and when the whole story starts coming together … yeah, that’s a good time as a writer!

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I’m currently editing the fourth book and writing the sixth book in this same series. I also have a few smaller projects waiting to get some attention!

How do you get inspiration to write?

“Inspiration” can be one of those things I struggle with. When I was a younger author, it was no problem to plop down at the computer and type out thousands of words. Now, my life is busier, and my inner editor and critic is way stronger than it used to be. The combination of those two can be a good squelch for any desire to write. So I’m working on trying not to rely too much on a feeling of inspiration, but rather just opening the document and getting into the story. Most of the time, once I start writing, I can keep going. So it’s just convincing myself to get a move on!

Who is your favorite Biblical character?

Outside of the Lord, I really admire and like reading about Jonathan, Saul’s son. He was such a faithful friend to David and such a brave warrior for the Lord. He did what had to be done in spite of the costs and against incredible odds. 

How do you incorporate your faith into your writing?

Throughout every story, I strive to both edify believers and witness to unbelievers. So I typically have a variety of themes and/or struggles that I approach from a Biblical perspective, even if all the characters themselves are not Christians. (I try to get most of ’em saved, though.) But this can all look slightly different for each story—maybe I highlight these themes by using Scripture or a hymn or through something another character says. However, all of this is incorporated through the characters’ stories, and each main character ends up with his or her own spiritual arc. I want to write stories that are real and raw yet show the Lord’s power that is made perfect in our weakness!

Also, not every story I’ve written has a scene where a character is saved or the entire Gospel is spelled out, but I like to at least present the Gospel in general throughout the entire book, even if it’s just a few verses or something that comes up in a conversation.

Every writer has a message they want to impart to their readers. What is yours?

My primary message can be summed up in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Gospel is truly the most important thing I could ever share with a reader, and I pray each of my books hold that clear message in some form or another.

Specifically in Untold, there are a few themes and messages that come through the characters’ lives. One is depending on the Lord’s strength and His empowering Spirit throughout everything we do.. We can’t do anything without Him! And secondly, the book addressed the Lord’s Presence with us through every trial and affliction, and the fact He will use those trials for our good.

What book of the Bible is your favorite? What makes this particular book your favorite?

This is such a hard question! I don’t know if I can say one book is my absolute favorite. I love reading the Psalms, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, John … they’re all so amazing. (Well, all of the Bible is!) Psalms in particular is very comforting, beautiful, and relatable—I love how raw and honest David and the other authors are, and how they almost always turn back to faith in the Lord no matter how overwhelming life was at that moment.

---

TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday, September 23 

Kristina Hall – Spotlight

Rachel  – Spotlight

Emma – Review

Rachel Anne English – Spotlight and Author Interview

Vanessa Hall – Tour Kickoff + Giveaway Announcement!

Saturday, September 24

 Kristina Hall – Review

 Anna – Review

Vanessa Hall – 

 Lorelei Angelo – Spotlight

Sunday, September 25

 Jolene @ Beauty in the Binding – Spotlight

Monday, September 26 

Kristina Hall – Character Questionnaire (Daniil, Evgeny, and Gregor)

Grace A. Johnson – Spotlight 

Kirby @ The Preppy Book Princess  – Review

Tuesday, September 27 

Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled – Review

Lillian Keith – Spotlight

Charity Henico – Review

Wednesday, September 28

Lillian Keith – Author Interview

Saraina Whitney – Review

Issabelle Perry – Review

Thursday, September 29

Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled – Author Interview

Madisyn Carlin @ Madi’s Musings – Spotlight and Author Interview

Vanessa Hall – Music of Untold (In Which I Gift You with A Playlist!)

Friday, September 30

Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love – Spotlight and Review

Rachel Anne English – Review and Character Questionnaire (Nikolai)

Abby Burrus – Review

Issabelle Perry – Author Interview

Saturday, October 1

Saraina Whitney – Character Questionnaire (Molly)

Kayti – Review on Facebook and Instagram

Vanessa Hall – Wrapup + Giveaway Winners (And Exciting News!)

---

Thank you for agreeing to the interrogation interview, Vanessa! And Jonathan is one of my favorites, too.

Readers, how many books would you need for a six-week stay? I know fifteen wouldn’t be enough for me. What faith-related themes do you like to see in books?

Advertisement