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Cover Reveal: Searchlight (Crystal 1)

Dayo Benson

searchlightSo, I finally have cover for Searchlight (Crystal 1). I didn’t want a bright cover because that could cause people to think they’re getting a light ‘easy’ read when the book is actually pretty dark in places.

Searchlight should be out over the next few days. If you’re on my email list you’ll get an email alert. If you’re not on my email list Click Here and sign up so that you’ll get the alert.

I’m sending book 2 in the series to my editor tomorrow. I finished my own ‘self-edit’ of it yesterday and I asked myself: if someone else wrote this, what would my verdict be? And guess what, I really couldn’t answer. If I hadn’t written it, I would have been scared reading it because there are some intense scenes and I’m a bit of a wimp (seriously I can’t even watch anything above a 12a). So, I honestly don’t know how I can write dark stuff.

Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself talking about book 2 when I haven’t even published book 1 yet. Book 1 will be out this week.

What do you think of the cover?

Blessings xx

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Author Spotlight: Amanda Tru

Dayo Benson

ImageIsn’t it great when you read a book, and you absolutely love it, when you contact the author to interview them and they are a lovely, warm, sweet, funny person? Well, I read Amanda Tru’s ‘Tru Exceptions’ series and absolutely loved every minute of it. The first book of the series, Baggage Claim, is one of the best books I have ever read. It grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until you turn the last page. The second book of the series keeps you guessing even more, then in the last book when everything is revealed it’s all so clever and unexpected. Amanda Tru is a master of suspense. I’m so glad I interviewed her because she revealed that ‘Tru Exceptions’ is in fact not a trilogy, and that another book will be out in the summer. I can’t tell you how excited I am. So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Amanda Tru…

 Me: Thanks, Amanda, for agreeing to do this interview. First, I’d like to ask a personal question. What are your hobbies?

Amanda: I have a wide variety of interests, though with three young boys, my life currently revolves around the world of boys. We love camping, swimming, and fishing. I love to read (I know, big shocker!). I’m artsy and like to bake and do creative, crafty projects. (I’m a whiz with duct tape). I love drawing and painting, and I play the violin.

Me: Any interesting facts about yourself?

Amanda: Overall, I feel pretty boring. 😉 Although, once upon a time, I competed in scholarship pageants and was Miss Boise!

Me: That is not boring at all! Tell us about your family.

Amanda: My family and I live in a small town in Idaho where our closest neighbors are a pack of coyotes. I spend my days chasing after three smart, sweet, and thoroughly exhausting boys, ranging in age from 7 to 1.  I’m married to the most wonderful man in the world and am blessed to have my parents nearby. I am happiest when my entire extended family is together, and I consider it a vacation if I can sneak some form of chocolate without three little hands coming to take their share.

Me: How did your interest in writing begin and what inspired you to write your first book?

Amanda: I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a writer. Though it has been my life-long dream, it had always seemed out of reach. I wrote my first book for my sister. She loves to read but is very picky. I wanted to write something that she would like and give it to her as a special birthday present. Driving home one day, I wondered what it would be like if someone started driving in one time, and when they reached their destination, they were in another, without any sign they had traveled through time.  Thus, the idea for ‘Yesterday’ was born. I intended to write it as a short story, but it lengthened into a full book, and then another one. Now I’m currently writing book 5 in that series!

Me: Who is your intended audience and why should they read your books?

Amanda: I think my books appeal to a variety of readers. I write Christian fiction, but I wouldn’t call it classic. It’s a lot more edgy. A book isn’t fun for me unless it is different or unexpected. In some ways, my books are written in a young adult style. They are action-packed with lots of twists. I think they would appeal to young adults, Christian readers, but also people who just enjoy a good, exciting book.  My books are not preachy or overly-evangelistic in nature, but they are all clean and often have spiritual angles. I think people should read my books because I write good stories! They are pretty unique and full of surprises that people might not see coming. It’s nice to know that my books have a wide appeal. I receive messages and reviews from readers ranging from teens to retired. The common thread is that they can identify with the characters, love the suspense, and can’t wait to see the next plot twist. Let me surprise you!

Me: What books have influenced your life most? 

Amanda: The Bible—no contest.  As far as fiction . . . ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series.  How is that for a combination!!!

Me: I love the chronicles of Narnia too. What is your writing process? Do you outline your book before writing it, or make it up as you go?

Amanda: I usually write a rough outline before beginning a book, and then I typically never look at it again.  I keep most of the details and storyline in my head, though sometimes I write notes in simple phrases to remind myself where I’m headed.  The end product usually bears little resemblance to the original outline, but the outline at least cements the plot in my head.

Me: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing? 

Amanda: Time. With a busy family to care for, I have little time to write. I can actually write very quickly.  I wrote my book ‘Baggage Claim’ in about six weeks from start to finish. The challenge for me is that the only time I get to write is at night when I’m already dead tired.  I spent my days caring for my kids and usually only write after they are in bed. Trying to manage my time to get things done when I’m already exhausted is definitely the most challenging part of writing for me.

Me: I totally agree with that. Finding time to write is tough with kids running around and getting up to all kinds of mischief 🙂 What time of the day do you write?

Amanda: Between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am.  With those hours, it is a complete miracle that any of my writing makes sense!

Me: Name one person that you feel supported you with regards to your writing.

Amanda: I think my parents should count as one person!  They always raised me with the belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. Today, my mom reads and helps edit all of my books. My dad is my ‘technical advisor’ as far as details.  He is a ninth degree black belt, and when I was writing ‘Baggage Claim’ and the other books in that series, he helped me choreograph all of the fight scenes to make everything accurate. For who I am, my wonderful childhood, and my current endeavors. Any success should be attributed to my parents and the grace of God.

Me: Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Amanda: No, I don’t think I’ve ever really experienced writer’s block. I think I have more book ideas than I could ever write in one lifetime. If I’m ever struggling with a problem, my mind goes on overdrive and won’t shut off until I’ve figured it out. Sometimes my mind gets muddy and I may struggle with how to word a particular scene. My trick, in those instances, is to take a shower!  Something about taking a shower gets my mind to flowing, and by the time I’m done, I have it figured out. I’ve gotten some of my best ideas in the shower!

Me: I get great ideas in the shower too. Bizarre. What book are you currently working on?

Baggage ClaimAmanda: I have so many projects going on right now!  I’m working on ‘Tomorrow,’ which is Book 5 in my time travel romance series, ‘Yesterday.’ but I’m also working on writing my first children’s chapter book!  I’m really excited about both books. After these two  books, I’m hoping to have Book 6 in the ‘Yesterday’ series available in the Summer and Book 4 in the ‘Tru Exceptions’ / ‘Baggage Claim’ series available in the Fall.

Me: Oh, wow. There’s going to be a book 4? I can’t wait. I guess you better get back to writing. Thanks for stopping by to chat.

About Amanda Tru:

With a lifelong love of reading and writing, Amanda Tru loves to let her imagination paint pictures in a wide variety of genres. Her current book list includes everything from a Christian time travel / romance series, to an action-packed suspense, to a romance involving a mysterious department-store Santa.

Amanda is a former elementary school teacher who now spends her days being mommy to three little boys and her nights furiously writing. Amanda lives in a small town in Idaho where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.

Find out more about Amanda Tru and her upcoming books at her website amandatru.blogspot.com 

Check her out on Amazon!!

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Book Update – Bondage: How far does witchcraft affect Christians?

Dayo Benson

I just received theImage first round of edits from my editor. The first stage is a developmental edit where she points out all the things that don’t make sense, all the plot holes, all the inconsistencies, and what I should do to make the story tighter and more enjoyable. This is only the second time I’m working with this editor and she’s really good. If you are a writer and you’re looking for someone who’ll tear your work apart prior to publication you need this woman. Seriously, she’s ruthless, which I think is great.

Anyway, so I’m in the middle of making tough decisions about the book. One of which is the issue of witchcraft and how far we as Christians believe in it. In Bondage, Savannah has a spell cast over Rhys who is a Christian, and when she tells him about it years later he doesn’t believe it ever worked on him. There are Christians who believe that witchcraft does work on Christians and that we need to daily pray against it. There are Christians who don’t believe that any power of the enemy can work on them at all. Then there a lots of people in the middle who ask questions like ‘why then do some Christians need deliverance after getting saved.’

Personally I don’t believe that any power of the enemy works on us as Christians. The Bible says no weapon formed against us shall prosper and I wholeheartedly believe that. But I also believe that if a Christian is not living right they give the enemy a loophole to exploit. The Bible talks about Joshua the high priest who stood before God and the devil was at his right hand to resist him. Just in case we wonder why, the next verse tells us that Joshua was wearing filthy garments. So I guess the devil felt like he had the right. But the good thing is God rebuked the devil on Joshua’s behalf. This can all be found in Zechariah 3:1-10.

There’s also the story of the devil instigating David to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1, 2), which shows that a Christian can be under satanic influence; and the story of Job, whereby God removed the hedge around Job and the devil was able to afflict him.

The Bible tells us how we can overcome the power of the enemy. Submit to God and then you can resist the devil (James 4:7) & put on the whole armour of God so that you can withstand all the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). I guess there is no straightforward answer to this question. People from places like Africa and Asia are more likely to believe in the reality of the devil’s power because they see it more. In the UK, we’re kind of oblivious to it’s existence most of the time–unless you go to a church that likes to talk about deliverance.

In summary, the devil uses fear, so if you’re not afraid of him and you put your trust in God and live right there’s nothing he can do to you. Purity is power. In Bondage, Rhys doesn’t believe he is under the spell because he is a Christian, but Savannah has experienced a lot of Satanism through her involvement in a music industry cult so even when she becomes a Christian she is afraid that the spell is still in operation, because she knows just how real the power of the devil is. She doesn’t want Rhys to love her because of a spell she cast when she was younger. My dilemma now is whether to cause her not to believe in the spell anymore and not care about it (would that be too drastic of a change for her?) or let her be afraid and seek for a way to reverse the spell.

Anyway, I have revealed enough. No more tidbits.

God bless x

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New Release

Dayo Benson

Very happy to announce that book number 7, Lust (Pure Passion Series), is out. Here’s the synopsis:

lustbookcover

Grace begins where human efforts fail. 

Noémi Casson has booked herself on a sexual healing retreat after struggling in silence for seven years. It was just a matter of time before she gave in to the demons that have plagued her almost her whole life, and wholeness seems unattainable. 

David Steel is living the perfect life, now that he’s sworn off women. Hard work and long hours are all the companion he needs—until Noémi comes crashing into his life and disturbs his steady equilibrium. 

David is convinced that his love is all the healing Noémi needs. 

Noémi is convinced that David must be delusional. 

As Noémi allows God to work on her, she begins to see herself and her problems in a new light. But just when all seems to be going well the unthinkable happens, and Noémi doesn’t know whether to focus on saving her relationship with David or saving herself. Will she learn to trust God’s purpose, or will she give in to the temptation to do things her own way?

You can get it on Amazon and Smashwords and will soon be available on Kobo.

Hope you enjoy reading it. And, as always, I look forward to your feedback xx

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New Year’s Resolutions

Dayo Benson

ImageHappy belated 2013 everyone!! Hope you’ve had a great start to the year.

This year I took a few days before deciding my resolutions because I really didn’t want to rush into making decisions and then feeling guilty when things don’t go as planned. I also wanted God to help me focus on what’s important. Sometimes, I have this tendency to focus on things that will take care of themselves.

I finally took time out yesterday to spend some time with God and pray about the year, and work out what my resolutions should be.Here’s a VERY abbreviated/watered down version of my resolutions:

1. To walk closer with God

Something along this line is on my resolution list every year. It takes the top spot because I know that anything I achieve without God is meaningless. Like Scriptures say: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things shall be added unto you,” (Matthew 6:33).

2. To be a better wife and mother

This encompasses oh so many things. I have come to the conclusion, in the short time that I’ve been married, that only God can teach you how to love.

3. To release my Tough Girls series

I’m really excited about this series, but I’m trying to reign my excitement in as excitement can make you release a book before it’s ready. I do think this series is pretty cool though. I hope it outdoes my beauty for ashes series. I want each book I write to be better than the last.

4. To drive more slowly

I’m ashamed to admit this, but I turn into like this maniac once I get behind the wheel. I seem to have this need for speed that’s really not good. So far this year I’ve been good. It killed me at first and my foot was itching to press down further on the accelerator, but I’m getting better now. I’ve been keeping to 30mph and I hope to keep it that way.

5. To write book reviews

It surprises me every time I get a message from one of my readers saying that they wish there were more authors like me, or more authors that write for Christian teens. There are! Lots of them. So, I’m going to start posting book reviews on my blog.

I have more resolutions, but I’ll spare you. What are your resolutions and have you accomplished any of them yet?

God bless.

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Random Update

Dayo Benson

Today has been a very random day. Don’t ask. I’ve sent random texts, random emails, and asked my husband multiple random questions. Now, I’m about to post a random blog 🙂

I’m thinking, why do we let other people put us into boxes, inhibit us, restrict us from being who we are. Why do we let them put a leash on our freedom? Why do we even care about their opinion. I want to challenge you right now to break free. Don’t let anyone make you cover up your true feelings, don’t let a weird look from someone stop you from enjoying your God given life and opportunities. Make the most of your life, praise God with your hands in the air if you want (no matter who is looking), pray over  your lunch at work if you want (who cares if they think you’re weird), hook up your gospel music filled IPOD, ITouch, IPhone, or MP3 Player to your car stereo even when you’re giving that nonChristian a ride. Don’t let someone else’s view stop you from expressing yourself. (Within reason of course, lol).

The essence of what I’m saying is don’t be ashamed to be you. Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Don’t worry about what people will think. Life is too short.

And a quick summary of the random thoughts I’m having right now:

– I love the smell of McDonald’s fries…

– Wow, Jesus love me!!

– So glad Rhema is taking solid food without a fight now 😀

– James Bond drives an Aston Martin doesn’t he?

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Celebrate Your Womanhood…and everything that comes with it

Dayo Benson

Ever felt frustrated being a woman? Ever felt like men have it better and easier. Ever felt like you are undermined, not taken seriously, messed about, and Bible-bashed (the whole ‘shut up and submit’ thing, etc) because you are a woman. Well, I have bemoaned being a woman. It’s like life on the female side is just all about:

– pain: period pain, pregnancy pains, labour pains

– and instability: hormonal fluctuations, and emotional imbalance due to the hormonal fluctuations

– and insecurity: am I fat? Have I got bingo wings? And of course the hair drama characteristic of a woman’s (and especially a black woman’s) existence.

And of course there’s the good old menopause that will greet us with hot flushes and hormonal imbalance once we hit the older part of middle age.

I have seriously wished I was a guy. I have been seriously fed up of being judged on:

– how I look (when guys can just rock up in the same tired get up they wear week in and week out and still be treated normal)

– how I behave (women should be like this, or women should be like that)

– what I do (women should/shouldn’t do things like that, that’s is/isn’t a woman’s job/role/position/ministry)

Four things made me realize that my attitude to the whole thing was wrong. One, Job 1:22 talks about how Job did not charge God foolishly, neither should I. Two, if God wanted me to be a man He would have made me one. Three, my husband says he’s very happy I’m a woman. Four, I don’t actually want to be a man. I just want woman to be treated fairly (Note, I did not say equally. There is a huge difference between fair and equal. I would hate to be treated equally to a man, treat me like a woman please).

Woman Thou Art Loosed

Jesus specifically said these words and they are highly symbolic. A woman who had been in bondage for many years stood before Him representing women in general who have been in bondage for hundreds of years. Jesus came to set us free. Notice that this woman was not in this condition because of any man but because of the devil. Likewise, the captor who has bound women for centuries is the devil, not men. The devil wants us to feel inferior and to think we are not allowed to do anything other than stay home with our kids so that when God calls us into His service we will resist the call as a result of the many years we have been brainwashed into thinking that women have no place or ministry outside the home.

Being a woman has lots of advantages. I will proceed to list some of these:

We are needed

In the creation story there was only one thing that God said wasn’t good: man without a woman. It was not good for man to be alone, he needed a woman in his life; and research shows that married men usually have better health than unmarried and divorced men, they live longer too. (This is just in general, there are plenty of exceptions to every rule).

Women are needed not just as wives but as mothers too. A woman’s emotional quotient (EQ) is usually higher than a man’s and this enables her to ‘feel’ a baby’s unspoken needs, perceive a child’s emotional and psychological (and if she is saved, spiritual) state.

Women are needed economically. Women produce more than half of the world’s food, (believe it or not).

These are just a few examples that illustrate how a woman’s touch is essential to the general health and wellbeing of men, children, and society at large.

Sisterhood

We form fab friendships. We can be ourselves with our girlfriends, laugh, cry, talk, shop, etc. Our friendships generally go deeper. Our bonding is not limited to ‘what team do you support’ and watching football together.

Motherhood

Well, last Sunday was my first Mother’s Day as a mother and it was awesome. I tried to count my blessings and found that they are innumerable. Motherhood is definitely one of the greatest blessings ever. Before you become a mother you don’t realise how fantastic and rewarding it is. It’s a chance to practice unconditional love. A chance to give without expecting anything in return. If my daughter gives me just one of her adorable toothless smiles it is more than enough payment for all my labour and interrupted sleep. Unthankfulness (if there is such a word) makes you see childbirth and motherhood as pain and hard work. Gratitude makes you call it delivery (not labour) and recognise it for the miracle that it is.

Only a woman can carry a child for nine months, push s/he out (almost as hard as a camel passing through the eye of a needle; and c-sections count too by the way), then shower him/her with love, attention, appreciation, and encouragement for the rest of their life. A man has neither the physical ability nor the hormonal requirements. (Neither does he have the patience or the pain threshold, lol).

Great Clothes

Come on now, women’s clothes are awesome. Shopping for my husband has taught me that once you have seen one men’s suit you have pretty much seen them all. There’s not much variety with the shoes either. But we can wear a whole host of colours, materials, and styles; and there are a whole variety of shoes to choose from with differing heel heights, yay!!

Note: although variety of attire is something a woman can celebrate that a man can’t really celebrate, God ordained it that way for a reason. A man that matches his shoes with his ‘man bag’ has a problem.

Long hair

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:15).

It’s great having long hair, although in my experience the longer my hair the more the stress. In fact, I admit to leaving home without an umbrella and praying all day that it wouldn’t rain. Because of my hair. God usually answers though, lol.

Freedom of Emotional Expression

We can cry without anyone thinking we’re weak, spineless, ridiculous, or gay. In fact we usually find it easier to express how we feel than our male counterparts.

We live longer

Research shows that women generally live five to ten years longer than men, and 85% of people over 100 years old are women. (And it’s not because we have an easier life because we don’t).

XX

Women have not one but two X chromosomes. We are the double X factor. X factor squared, in fact!

It’s great being a woman. We need to ignore what society says about womanhood and all the derogatory things we’ve heard and just be glad that we are what we are. If there was no need for us we wouldn’t be here. God placed us here because He wants us to be here.

Yes, it was Eve that led the way with regards to the Fall. Yes, they say we are the weaker vessel, but it was a woman that gave birth to Jesus, it was a woman that He first appeared to after His resurrection, and it was the seed of the WOMAN that bruised the devil’s head.

Women, stop feeling inferior and less than. God doesn’t see you that way at all. Sin is sin, whether committed by a man or woman, and salvation is salvation, whether you’re a man or a woman. He loves you and esteems you. Let Him give you beauty for your ashes, love for your labour, and recompense for your pain.

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Privacy Policy

Dayo Benson
Introduction

This privacy policy governs how Dayo Benson Books collects and processes personal data we collect from you and the personal data you provide to us.

Dayo Benson Books is the data controller. If you have any questions about this policy or about how your personal data is used, please write to us at dayo@dayobenson.com.

This policy is effective as of 25 May 2018. Dayo Benson Books reserves the right to review and amend this policy from time to time. We advise that you visit this page frequently to familiarize yourself with any changes. We accept your continued use of this site as assent to any changes made to this policy.

When we Collect Personal Data, What data we collect, and for what Purpose.
When we collect your data What Data we collect Purpose
When you contact us via email or contact forms on this website. Your name and email address, and all content in the message -In order to communicate with you

-Our records

-If we would like to quote you, for example for use in the marketing of any of our books, your permission will be obtained first.
When you contact us via any of our social media accounts. All message content -In order to communicate with you

-Our records

-If we would like to quote you, for example for use in the marketing of any of our books, your permission will be obtained first.
When you sign up for our readers’ group Your name and email address -To notify you of new releases

-To send you updates

-To deliver relevant content including marketing, promotions, giveaways, etc.
When you sign up to be a beta reader Your name and email address -To provide you with the books and request your feedback
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We also use your data to:

  • deliver communications that we believe will be of interest to you.
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We may receive data from third parties that are based outside the EU, for example MailChimp, Facebook, and Google.

Some data is collected automatically, whenever your visit our website, e.g. your browser type, the search terms you used to find our website. However, this information is not linked to any personal data.

We collect no sensitive data such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, criminal convictions, etc.

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This website and all our products and services are aimed at adults. By contacting us or providing us with your personal data, you certify that you are over the age of sixteen or have the consent of a parent/guardian who supervises:

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Security measures have been employed to ensure that your personal data is kept confidential and is safeguarded from accidental loss, destruction, and unauthorised access.

Data Sharing

We share personal data with service providers and business partners who process it on our behalf and according to our instructions. These third parties include marketing services and advertising platforms. Such services are not authorized to use your data for their own marketing.

Data Retention

We conduct regular reviews of all Personal Data we hold and may permanently delete your data if it is no longer necessary, or we may anonymise it for statistical use and retain it indefinitely.

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You may, at any time, request access to the information we hold about you. You may also ask us to change any of your data, restrict us from processing your data, or permanently delete it.