For the first giveaway of the year, I’m so excited to be able to share A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes with you. This is a great book to start off your 2015 reading. It’s one you won’t soon forget and might even help shape your thinking as you forge into the year ahead.
In A Time to Die, Nadine isn’t afraid to wander the difficult paths, drive her characters to the end of their strengths, or ask the sort of tough questions that will keep you awake, pondering through the long hours of the night. I’m looking forward to sharing more of my thoughts provoked by A Time to Die with you on Thursday.
In the meantime, enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter below! Nadine was kind enough to provide a copy of her book for the giveaway and give us an interview with her main character, Parvin Blackwater.
About the Book:
How would you live if you knew the day you’d die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall — her people’s death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.
Add A Time to Die on Goodreads.
Meet the Author:
Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. She writes stories about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. Her debut dystopian novel, A Time to Die, released Fall 2014 from Enclave Publishing. When Nadine’s not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, she is out pursuing adventures. She currently lives in Idaho with her husband.
(Note: This interview was originally published by the author on her blog and has been reproduced here with the author’s permission for your enjoyment.)
Hello Parvin, thank you for stopping by my blog. Tell us a little about yourself.
Oh about me? Well, there’s not much to say. You don’t really want to know about me, do you?
Of course I do! I wouldn’t interview you otherwise. Tell me something — anything — about yourself, and don’t be afraid to be honest.
I’m always honest…at least I try to be. I only lie if I need to protect Reid — to keep him safe. I do that because I must.
Reid? Is he your only brother?
Well there were three of us, William, Reid, and me. We’re triplets, but William died moments before Reid and I were born, so we never met him. But Reid is my best friend. He’s the best older brother a girl could ask for. Do you have siblings?
Oh, we’re not here to talk about me. Do you mind if I ask some deeper questions?
I guess not.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I’d stop the Radicals from being sent across the Wall. Don’t tell Reid but, I go to the town hearings every morning and try to vouch for the Radicals who are being sentenced. It never works, but someday…someday I’ll save one.
Tell us about the Wall.
I’d rather not.
Have you ever been to it?
I’ve lived in its shadow my whole life, isn’t that enough?
So you’ve never been to it.
No, and I don’t plan to. Can we move on, please?
Sure! You have one year left, right? And you’re trying to find purpose. If you don’t mind my asking, why did it take you so long to desire more from your life?
I don’t expect you to understand. You’re from a High City, right? But I’ll answer anyway. When I was little, Reid always told me not to worry about the Clock, that it didn’t matter. I guess I took it too much to heart and didn’t live. When you’re a kid, death feels like forever away, even with your Clock showing you the seconds. Unless you can tell time, it doesn’t mean anything. I just waited too long.
You recently met your hero, I heard. Tell me about him.
Skelley Chase — he’s the most famous biographer in the United States of the East. He’s helping me write my story — me, a nobody! But it’s my Last Year wish and he’s going to get it published for me. Hopefully, it will help save Radicals.
So…is he handsome?
Ick. Ew. No, he’s old. Well, older. Thirty something. I’m only eighteen!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest…well anyway, is there a boy in your life?
*Sigh* No.
What would you look for in a guy?
A soulmate. I know that sounds old-fashioned, but if I had enough time for a relationship, I’d want someone who really understands me. Someone who doesn’t see Radicals as livestock. Obviously I’d like him to be attractive and adventurous. Yes, adventurous is important…so he could take me on escapades with him. That’d be nice.
What are some of your hobbies?
Sewing and reading. That’s about it. I’m to the point where I’m realizing they weren’t worth spending my whole life doing. Not that it’s not fun losing yourself to a book or sewing project but…without a purpose for it or applying it, what’s the point? I only have a year left anyway.
Well, I hope this last year is successful for you.
Yeah, whatever that means. Depends on your definition of success.
In any case, thanks for taking the time to let me interview you.
Sure, thank you for having me on your…um…did you call it a blog?
Yes. It’s on the Internet.
Oh, that explains it. I’m from a Low City, we don’t have Internet.
I see. Well…good-bye.
We don’t say good-bye either, not unless it’s the day you zero out.
How about you bid them farewell, then?
Alright. Talk to you later…maybe.
Dom says
This year I am going to try to keep track of all the books I read. I can go through three or four full sized books in a week, perhaps more depending on the amount of homework I have, but I can never keep track of all of them. This year is going to be my knuckle-down year.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
That's a great goal! It's always fun being able to look back and see what you've read the previous year, and it sounds like you read a lot of books!
Nadine Brandes says
Dom, have you ever heard of Goodreads? It's a fantastic way to keep track of which books you read! I always love hearing about reading goals. Good luck! :)
Mawa Mahima says
A Time to Die sounds brilliant. I love dystopia (the cover is gorgeous by the way) and the main character Parvin sounds tough and funny. I can't wait to read this!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
It is a great book! You can tell there's a whole lot of heart poured into it, and to me, that's what really helps a book stand out.
Nadine Brandes says
Definitely let me know what you think when you do! And thanks! My cover designer was AWESOME. It's not often when someone else gets your imagination on screen perfectly. :D
And thanks, Gillian! :D
Nightingale says
This book looks so great! I'm surprised I haven't bought it yet. Thank-you for sharing this post with us, Mrs. Brandes, and thank-you Ms. Adams for the giveaway! :)
Keeping track of every book I read (and my thoughts on them) is on of my literary goals in 2015 too. I'm also trying to branch out to non-fiction more and read 75 books. We'll see- mostly I just want to keep track and write down my opinions of each one. ;)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
75 books? Wow, that is a lot. Quite a worthy goal. :) One of the ways I learned more about writing was reading a ton of books with a notebook in hand and jotting down all of the things that I thought the author did really well and the aspects of their technique that I enjoyed in addition to the things that didn't work. It's a great way to learn!
Nadine Brandes says
Thank you, Nightingale! Glad you enjoyed the post. Good luck with that 75 book goal! You can do it! :D
Emma Marie says
I've seen this book before, it looks really interesting!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Thanks for stopping by, Emma Marie!
caliyapond says
I definitely need to check this book out! I'm very obsessed with dysopias (writing my own at the moment) and I'm always looking for good ones. My goal this year? Finish my WIP. And read, always read a lot and often :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
That's a great goal! There's nothing quite as exhilarating as finishing a WIP unless it's starting a new one. :)
Nadine Brandes says
Oooh, you're writing one? Let us know when it's out! No matter if the trend fades or grows, I love me some dystopians. :D
Kaira PrairieFrogs says
This looks like an interesting book!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Hi Kaira! Thanks for stopping by. It is really interesting, one of those I feel like I can recommend without any reservations!
Stefanie Nicholas says
Thanks for the lovely giveaway! This book has been on my TBR for ages, now if I can just acquire it all would be lovely ;) I say lovely a lot. Resolution for this year: sound more Canadian. Sorry. Also, I want to write another novel and edit The Bound Kingdom. And read your new book when it's out :D
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I type "lovely" a lot, but don't say it quite as often. Both my accent and word choice tend to be fairly fluid – the way I write is a tad different than the way I talk, and even the way I talk changes depending on where I am and who I'm around. It's not intentional, which makes it even more funny. So I'll wind up talking way more Texan when I'm out working horses than when I'm talking about books. :)
Sierra Faith says
One of my goals is to read 100 books! I think I can do it and more! And I want most of them to be new books. And another goal is to read all the books that I have that I have never read! that's a lot :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh, those are both wonderful goals. I should make my goal to read any books I have that I haven't read yet … but new books are just so tempting! :)
Melody Jackson, Author says
My goals for this year are pretty simple: Finish and publish my second book "Dragons' Bane" and just learn to appreciate even the smallest things in life before they're gone, which I think is fitting considering what this book is about. :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
That's very fitting, Melody, and something I've been thinking about lately too … but y'all will get to read more about that in my post on Thursday!
Jenelle Leanne says
Goals for this year: finish 1st grade with my daughter before Memorial day, read more Indie Authors, publish Yorien's Hand, finish editing book #4, and finish writing the sequel to Orb and the Airship… just to name a few. :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Whew, that's quite a lot of goals! Sounds like you're going to be one busy person. Good luck with it all!
Heather says
I haven't actually sat down and thought about my goals yet, but I certainly need to! I know that I want to graduate, though, so that's something important that will take plenty of time and focus. XD
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Graduating is a great goal … and it's one of those that makes setting other goals a little harder since they all tend to have to revolve around that one big goal!
Sarah says
I'd already seen A Time To Die around the internet, but this interview made me want to read it even more. :)
Highlights of my goals for the year: write more or less every day, finish all my WIPs, do photography once a month, get the rest of my English assignments in on time (or as close to on time as possible), and try a certain thing I've been wanting to try for a long time.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh, a mysterious certain thing, eh? Good luck on all your goals, Sarah! Sounds like you're going to be busy in a good way.
Nadine Brandes says
Glad this interview piqued your interest! Love your goals. I wish I could have more time to learn about photography!
Andy Walser says
I want to finish a writing project! I've never really finished much beyond a few short stories. I also want to stick to my blog and keep it alive.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Good luck with your writing, Andy, and thanks for stopping by!
Elizabeth Anne D. says
My goals this year are to write more, listen more, and to stop procrastinating. Hopefully I'll stick to them… And thank you for doing this giveaway, I've heard about this book once before, and it looks incredible!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Good luck on your goals, Elizabeth!
Maddie Jay says
This sounds amazing!!
Nadine Brandes says
Thanks, Maddie! :D
Christine Smith says
Oh, how fun! Thank you both so much for doing this giveaway. I've seen this book before and instantly fell in love with the idea. It sounds like a story just up my alley.
I don't quite have any "official" goals for this year yet, but I do want to strive to use my words to encourage instead of bring down. I struggle about speaking before thinking and my words aren't always uplifting. Words are powerful, and I want to use mine to shine God's glory with those I come in contact with, not bring discouragement.
I'm also planning on rewriting a story I wrote last year. I've got quite a project ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks again! This is very exciting. ^_^
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Those sound like wonderful goals to me! Too often I feel like we just slide through life and aren't really that intentional about the way we're living.
Good luck with your rewriting too!
Nadine Brandes says
You'll have to let me know what you think if you read it! :)
You are right — words are powerful! What a wonderful vision you have for your writing! I know He will be glorified through you!
Kathryn MacKinney says
This book looks great!
Susan says
This looks like a great book. I'm definitely adding it to my To Read list.
Laura Pol says
This was such an EPIC novel! Loved it and can't wait for book two!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Me too! That's one book I'm definitely looking forward to reading this year.
Nadine Brandes says
Awwww, you two…. :D
Emma says
This books sounds awesome! One of my goals is to write. Every. Single. Day. Even if it's just for ten minutes.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
That's awesome, Emma! Honestly, there's no better way to build a lasting habit or become really proficient at something.
Nadine Brandes says
That's one of my goals too! You can do it! :D
Unknown says
I entered the giveaway! I read the preview of this book and loved it. My goals for this year : Do well in school, exercise more, be more patient with my siblings :) spend more time Bible reading, and work on all those unfinished stories I have hanging around! Elizabeth
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Good luck on all your goals, Elizabeth! Those are some great things to work toward.
Unknown says
Thank you!
Hannah says
This book is sounding more and more interesting. Well, I hope to get a job soon, finish a good second draft, and lots more! :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I think you would enjoy it, Hannah!
Emily Kopf says
My goals for the year are to read 100 books, write more, and stop procastinating so badly. A Time to Die is one of the books I intend to read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of it!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I'm super impressed with all of y'all who want to read 100 books this year! Y'all are awesome. :)
Nadine Brandes says
Hurray! I'm a bit jealous of your 100-book goal! I need to carve out some more reading time…In fact, today's Saturday. Hm….. *runs to library*
TW Wright says
I loved the interview! :D
Some goals I have this year are read more than 29 books (that's all I finished last year… :P ), write close to every day, and edit my novel. :)
Thanks for holding the giveaway! :D
TW Wright
ravensandwriting.blogspot.com
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Wasn't that great? Nadine is quite clever!
Writing pretty much every day is one of my goals too … but it's more of a necessity than a goal, so I'm not quite sure what to call it. :)
Hannah White says
This sounds so awesome. Such a great hook. A clock that tells you when you're going to die? So many possibilities …
Gillian Bronte Adams says
It definitely sets you thinking, doesn't it?
Rachelle O'Neil says
Everyone has such great goals for their year! And what a great way to start of the year of giveaways, Gillian! This book looks so awesome! Personally, I want to edit and finalize my WIP and write the first draft of its sequel, as well as read everything I can about WWII in preparation for a future project. And I want to be intentional about growing my blog.
You've made me think about actual goals, Gillian! Thanks!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
WWII? That's awesome! I don't know if I have the gift for writing historical fiction – maybe historical fantasy (that can be a thing, right?) – but if I did, I would love to write something set in WWII. *sigh*
Rachelle O'Neil says
Historical Fantasy could totally be a thing! I love WWII; it's probably my favorite historical period to read about, and I'm super excited to write about it now! I'm hoping to focus on Pearl Harbor. :)
Nadine Brandes says
I love WWII books! Fantasy, realistic, it doesn't matter! I always love them.
Rachelle O'Neil says
Me too! :)
Elisabeth Sullivan says
One of my many goals for this year is to finish the first draft of my novel. :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Good luck on that Elisabeth! I love and hate first drafts. Love them because the possibilities are endless … and hate them because the possibilities are endless. :) But there is something beautiful about the blank page waiting to be written, and when you finally figure out the right possibility, well, that is beyond exciting.
Ryebrynn says
My goal for this year is to finish my mom's Christmas gift. :)
Thanks for the giveaway! I love this book! :)
-Ryebrynn
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Christmas gift from this past Christmas or for next Christmas? ;) I've given gifts that I had to keep working on throughout the year – one time I gave my dad a story I was in the process of writing and kept sending him chapters throughout the year. It was a pirate story set in Barbados in 1715. Turned out I didn't really know much about Barbados in 1715, but it was still really fun to write! ;)
Bookishqueen says
There are far too many to name, but the first is to finish writing my novel.
Nadine Brandes says
That's a giant goal in itself! You can do it! :D
Jake says
Ah! I've been wanting to read this. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Jake says
As for my year goals…I'm going to work on outlining and finishing my science fantasy murder mystery called Chromeheads.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Science fantasy murder mystery? Sounds fascinating! Good luck with it! :)
Nadine Brandes says
Ah! I've been wanting you to read this! ;) May the giveaway odds be ever in your favor. [grin] Good luck with your science fantasy! Love the title.
Clare says
This book is on my really, badly want to read list!
Clare says
Well I want to work on a book I'm writing and get more photo shoots.
Nadine Brandes says
I think I need to make up a "really, badly want to read" list. :D
Victoria Grace Howell says
Cool! I've had my eyes on this book. ^ ^ It's so neat to see a character interview with Parvin. :)
Stori Tori's Blog
Galadriel says
Finish knitting a small TARDIS and stuffed Eleven.
Get a new job
Nadine Brandes says
LOL, I love that you're knitting a small TARDIS! I bet that would fly into carts on Etsy!
Brooke Faulkner says
I'm so excited! I've been meaning to get this book for a while now,
I'm looking forward to reading a lot more this year. :)
alifeonmission says
I'm only getting more excited about this book… ;)
A few of my writing goals this year are to finish at least the first draft of my current WIP and edit two of my other books. Depending on how well I think they turn out, I may even be–*gasp*–querying towards the end of the year! Scary stuff!
— Amanda
Robert T says
I must say, that book cover looks fantastic.
My foremost goal for this year is to write a novel!
Wild Horse says
Are international entries okay? A Time to Die sounds really interesting!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Yes, international entries are okay for this giveaway since I forgot to state otherwise – and that's hardly fair. A good number of the other giveaways will probably be limited to the states due to shipping costs or might be ebook only for international entries … :)
Kristene Tew says
This book looks interesting and I like how it is about a topic most people are uncomfortable to talk about. I am excited to read it! :) My goal for this year is to live life to the fullest without worrying about tomorrow. However, that being said I want to be able to finally make a decision about if, what, and where I want to go to post-secondary school.
Nadine Brandes says
Yes, it's a challenging topic to bring up in conversation, but it's changed my life so much! My hope is it changes others, too! :)
I LOVE your goal. Go get 'em!
Sittinan Liankatawa says
Great book interview! Really got me interested. My goal this year is to stop saying "I can't"
Nadine Brandes says
Love that! Don't limit yourself! :D After all, we have a limitless God!
Erika says
My goals are to get my life organized and balanced! Health, work, home, family, etc.
Elizabeth says
I am now officially dying to read this! :)