We’re gonna do a small post today that sort of recaps previous posts but in an inspiration way, so I hope my post encourages you. There’s also a surprise at the bottom, so… 😉
Don’t forget to leave an Amazon review for this beastie and share the word about the blog tour. I hope you’re enjoying it!
THE DIVIDED NATION
WHEN THE NATION DIVIDES, THE INFIDELS MUST RISE.
The United States has fallen. Three years after the 2024 presidential election and the declaration of martial law, the nation is at war against itself. Gangs battle, civilians struggle for survival, and officials of the United Nations thrive. West Johnston, heir to the most powerful ganglord in the country, refuses to continue the family legacy. But, in order to defeat his father, he must become him: bloodthirsty and willing to do whatever it takes for control.
West gains control by helping fellow gangsters, Nate and Simon, when they form an alliance with one of the last remaining townships in America. After years of surviving and winter fast approaching, Springtown is in desperate need of supplies from the two teenagers. When the town leader’s daughter, Rene’, is kidnapped by an unknown rival, Nate and Simon risk their reputations to save her and the town they now love. But without help from West, their rescue mission will fail.
Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE DIVIDED NATION steps into a future where brotherhood bonds must be stronger than iron to survive a broken world, and faith without courage is dust in the wind.
GIVEAWAY
US shipping only. If an international winner is drawn, they will receive an ebook only.
1st place: hardback copy of The Divided Nation. A custom mug with a quote from the book, bookmark, and an exclusive snippet from The Infidel Books.
2nd place: paperback copy of The Divided Nation, bookmark.
3rd place: ebook copy of The Divided Nation.
SCHEDULE
August 12th
Author Interview @ Taking Up My Cross
Book Spotlight @ Unicorn Quester
TODAY’S STOP | August 13th (RELEASE DAY)
Author Interview @ Coffee, Classics, and Craziness
I had a BLAST being interviewed by my dysto loving pal, Eva!
Author and Character Interview @ HauntingGhostTown
Shine is a delightful interview and I think y’all will like the answers to these questions… 😉
Character Interview @ Imperial Scribis
Merie is a fantastic friend and I ADORED watching Gideon respond to her questions. Chaos ahead!
Character and Author Interview @ FaithLaneAuthor
Another FANTASTIC interview, though I’m not sure if the character isn’t still traumatized… *spoilers*
August 14th
Book Spotlight @ The Writer’s Song
My dear friend (and I met her at Realm Makers and we had a BLAST) shared about TDN on her blog! Give her a follow!
Guest Post @ Jaye L. Knight
I had the honor of guest posting for Jaye L. Knight. I met her at Realm Makers and she is officially a huge inspiration, y’all.
August 15th
Book Review @ Kaitlyn Krispense, Author
A great review from Kaitlyn (who has a book coming out, so give her a follow)! It’s funny, I actually tackle one note she gave about faith in this post. 😀
August 16th
Book Review @ We’ve Got Pockets
A unique review that was so nice!
Book Spotlight @ Bella Putt: Writer. Reader. Follower of Christ.
Bella was going to review but switched to spotlight, due to LifeTM, so be sure to give her some love because she’s so sweet.
August 17th
Author Interview @ Gabriella Slade
I loved being interviewed by my friend Gabriella so much, go check her blog out!
Book Spotlight @ Stories by Firefly
Faith and I have a lot in common regarding tackling tough topics in fiction. She’s so sweet. Give her a follow. You won’t regret it.
Book Review @ Scribes and Archers
I will update this once the review is posted! ♥
August 18th
Author Interview and Guest Post @ Tangled Up In Writing
Guest Post @ Read Write Breathe
August 19th
Book Review @ Reveries
Book Review @ Just Writing
Author Interview @ Allison’s Well
Book Review @ Books, Life, and Christ
WHY I WROTE THE DIVIDED NATION
The Divided Nation is the darkest novel God has given me to write thus far. It is the first book in a dystopian thriller series, tackling hard topics, showing battle scenes, revealing how broken the world is without Jesus.
As I wrote this painful novel, I learned more about Jesus than I expected. God’s love isn’t limited. Isn’t selfish. Isn’t weak or timid. Isn’t people pleasing. And Jesus calls us to be like Him! God calls us to be like Him, not other Christians. I turned to the Bible, again and again. Jesus loved His friends, family, brothers, disciples, EVERYONE. He loved His enemies, the men who hurt Him, humiliated Him. He intervened to save others, He healed others, He helped others, He washed people’s feet. He flipped tables out of holy anger. He prayed despite the end. He wept.
The Bible influenced this series heavily. I wrote about brotherhood bonds, thicker than blood, when no forces of evil could stop them because Jesus was with them. I wrote about family love being a blessing and praying together being a powerful weapon. I wrote about Believers being killed in the US for their faith. I wrote about teenagers facing war and death because they had to protect their families in a broken world. I wrote about sex trafficking and human trafficking being normal and how few tried to stop it. I wrote about characters who refuse to love God, characters who try to be a god, and characters who die for God. I wrote about characters being swarmed with demons and spiritual warfare they couldn’t even see, but with the help of Jesus, they prevailed.
My goal with writing The Infidel Books is to reach people, inspire them, show them the Love of Jesus. The love of Jesus is not limited to those who never sin, or never try to place themselves before God, or never try to be good enough without Jesus. This book is for the infidels. The broken. The searching. The hungry. The one wandering in a fallen world but is desperate for hope.
Like me when I started these novels. Like me when I can’t pick up another novel meant for a Christian reader because of how sickening and unrealistic it is. Like me when I realized just how VAST Jesus Christ’s love is.
And I faced spiritual warfare as I wrote this novel. I faced rejection. New challenges in life. I faced fears in my life. I tried hard to be like Jesus, only to get hit hard by Satan. It was all worth it. Every tear, every day of struggle, every moment of hurt… It was all worth it. It helped me to write and work on The Divided Nation, every step of the way, and trust Jesus as I lived my life and wrote to glorify Him. And I did. God helped me write a novel that made me face many of my own fears, and I have grown to understand Him better and love Him even more.
I wrote this novel for myself. For others. For God. And it has paid off from the start, my friend.
AND NOW, for the surprise… Ask me anything! Seriously. I’ll be (HOPEFULLY, if our internet permits) doing a live Q&A video on my author Facebook page, so drop your questions below for the rest of the tour.
God bless,
Ang
I’m loving this blog tour! ❤ Question: did you ever consider traditional publishing while writing TDN? And if so, what made you chose self publishing?
Great question! 😀 SO glad you’re enjoying it!
I am SO proud of you, girlie. <3
I am SOOO proud of you, too! ♥ Hope the tour prep is going well.
The story behind TDN is a tremendous inspiration! It’s amazing that you persevered to write such a gritty, difficult novel and trusted that God would help you with it– which He clearly did. I’m honored to have been part of the beta team for this book and hope to do it again next time. 🙂
You have been an absolute BLESSING, Merie! Thank you so very much. ♥ It’s been an honor to have your help and I can’t wait till next time.