I am so excited to welcome Amanda Cox to the blog today to chat about her DEBUT novel, The Edge of Belonging!
Amanda Cox is a blogger and a curriculum developer for a national nonprofit youth leadership organization, but her first love is communicating through story. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and theology and a master’s degree in professional counseling. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children.
You can connect with Amanda on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
THE EDGE OF BELONGING
SERIES: The Edge of Belonging #1
GENRE: Inspirational Dual Timeline Fiction
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: September 8, 2020
PAGES: 397
“A beautiful story about broken people coming together to find healing. With a masterful pen, Amanda Cox draws us into a story of dynamic characters, gentle romance, and an authentic celebration of life and humanity. A touching and brilliant debut novel that is sure to linger sweetly in the minds and hearts of readers.”–Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award-winning author of Freedom’s Ring and The Tea Chest
When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother’s estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames–she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy’s adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.
Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he’s ever loved.
In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth–both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others–takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.
Hi Amanda! Welcome to the blog! I’m so honored to have you here!
Amanda: As a long time fan of your blog, I am so excited to be your guest!
Carrie: It’s always super fun for me to see blog fans become authors & get to host them here š
Amanda: Winter! Where I live the summers are hot and humid and the winter is generally mild. If I have the choice I would rather be cold than hot! Iām sure I would change my tune if I lived in a different part of the country, but for me, winters are usually nothing more than a nip in the air and a slight chance of snow a few times per year!
Carrie: I’m with you!
Amanda: I always thought I was a dog person until I got my Bengal cat, Crusoe. As a busy mom, I enjoy my little cat buddy who isnāt needy and likes to hang out next to me while I write without wanting attention. Of course, he does play fetch like a dog, so maybe Iām still a dog person.
Carrie: hahaha
Amanda: Coffee! I like tea, but I love coffee. There is something comforting about the rich smell and flavor. And the extra caffeine content doesnāt hurt either š
Carrie: Caffeine is life. lol
Amanda: Tough choice⦠If I had to choose I guess I would choose the ocean, but one of my favorite places in the world is Acadia National Park in Maine where I get to have mountains and oceans all in one place.
Carrie: See? that’s what I want – a place to live where there are both in one place!
Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Amanda: Hmmā¦listening. Iām not much of a talker, but I love to kick back and listen to people and their stories.
Carrie: a superpower that more of us need for sure!
Q: If you knew you were only going to be allowed FIVE books for the rest of your life, besides the Bible, which five would make the cut?Ā
Amanda: Ouch, this is brutalā¦I wanted to cheat and include a trilogy and a series butā¦.Iāll switch it up and stick to the rules. The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, Where the Red Fern Grows, Anne of Green Gables, and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Carrie: i know… i should fire myself for asking such a horrible question š And I adore your list – except for Where the Red Fern Grows which I’m still traumatized from reading in 5th grade hahaha
Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?
Amanda: I love to sit outside in my backyard to write if the weather is nice.
Carrie: You live in such a beautiful city too – I bet it’s lovely outside when not too hot
Q: Some authors like to hide little things in their stories. Is there anything you have hidden in The Edge of Belonging?Ā
Amanda:Ā I have a little obsession with the historical meanings of plants, flowers, and trees. So, if I mention a specific name of a plant or tree in a specific scene it is usually intentional. I know that my little nerdy self is probably the only person who is going to know that, but it makes my little symbolism loving heart happy.
Carrie: lol i love that – and i’ll be keeping an eye out for it now š
Q: What do you most want readers to take away from The Edge of Belonging?
Amanda: To borrow my character, Pearlās, words, āIf the story of my life could say one thing, Iād hope it would show the importance of venturing into the highways and the hedges to let invisible people know theyāre seen and loved. To invite them in.ā
If I had to choose one thing that I hoped readers would take away from my book, that would be it. It would be to encourage them to slow down and count the people around them and see past first impressions.
Carrie: beautifully said ā„
Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! š Before we say goodbye for today, tell us whatās coming up next for you.
Amanda:Ā Fall 2021 my next book, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, will hit the shelves. This novel is about three generations of women whose lives have revolved around the happenings at their family owned grocery store. When the store may have to close due to the changing times, the past resurfaces, revealing that each of these women have kept secrets from one another, secrets that have shaped the course of their lives and Old Depot Grocery in surprising ways. Iām so excited to share this story about mothers and daughters and how those relationships make a lasting impact across generations.
Carrie: oh my goodness – i love that title!
Revell is offering a print copy of The Edge of Belonging to THREE of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox?
Okay, I’m sold on the author and the book. I’m putting on my MUST READ list.
hooray! I love to hear that! š
I have enjoyed reading her books so this one looks just as good!
So excited about this book! Congrats, Amanda!
This sounds so interesting! I like the purpose you shared about hoping the book causes people to stop and notice people more.
I enjoyed this book…so lovely and touching.
Sounds like a book I will enjoy.
I really like dual time line books. The plot of this book sounds very different from what I normally read, and very intriguing.
Very nice cover. I like the dual timelines. Thanks for the chance.
Captivating, memorable and a wonderful story with dual timeline makes this fascinating and unforgettable.
I love dual-timeline storylines, and I am extremely interested in the story of Harvey James and the abandoned baby.
I LOVED this book!!! As I said in my reviews, it needs to be a book that every foster parent/adoptive parent needs to read!!
This book sounds so good.
Sounds like an interesting book.
Marilyn
Great story line!
The beautiful cover draws me in. I’m also intrigued by Harvey’s story, a homeless man wanting to keep a baby he found. It’s an interesting story idea.
Sounds really great
Nice cover. I liked the blurb. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
The story line sounds fascinating; I’m really interested in reading The Edge of Belonging.
I like to read anything about adoption. I know of one girl that was adopted. This one looks interesting.
Iāve been wanting to read her book for a while. The characters sound interesting and Iām sure with a counseling degree, Amanda Cox must have such a great understanding of the deep emotional feelings that people have and then be able to translate that knowledge into her characters.
I read one of her books and it was awesome. Sure would like to read this one.
This one sounds interesting. I think I would enjoy it.
yay!
This cover draws me in! And I’ve heard really good things.
me too!
I have heard nothing but good things about this book! Seriously… I don’t think I have heard/read any bad reviews. It is on my Amazon wish list!
I love dual timeline stories and have seen lots of reader recommendations for this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I enjoy reading about people who overcome hardship. It reminds people that our choices determine who we will become.
Well, the book sounds wonderful by the reviews I have read!
This book has been highly recommended to me by several people.
yay!