Lavender Tears Blog Tour: Author Interview + Giveaway

 

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lavender Tears by Sondra Cunningham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Lavender Tears
Author: Sondra Cunningham
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Genre: Christian Historical Biblical Women's Fiction

The strength to rise again and again is not for the faint of heart.

Like each new sunrise, Mary of Bethany's journey required an inner strength and faith that would permeate through the darkness of life's unexpected tragedies. 

When her hopes and dreams came crashing down around her, Mary's life began to spin, seemingly, out of control. What she couldn't see, was that God, the faithful potter, was shaping her life into a valuable vessel. One mended and filled with the pure gold of the Father's love and destined for a unique purpose. 

Held together by the sweet and calming scent of lavender and the memories of her mother's garden, Mary journeys on, learning how to defeat the night and radiate like the noon day sun.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

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Sondra Cunningham is a wife, mother, worship leader, women’s minister, artist, dreamer, interpreter, and the writer of the new novel, “Lavender Tears.” Her words are eloquently written with sincere pathos and personal understanding of life’s hardships. Sondra’s desire is to use her voice in both song and written word, to sing healing over others and inspire the fallen to get back up. Through many difficulties within her years, Sondra has learned the precious truth of overcoming. Her ministry radiates hope for all those who have struggled to truly receive the love of God and find the confidence to leave the past behind. Sondra lives and works out of her home in upstate New York with her family. She spends her time passionately seeking Jesus, homeschooling her two children, leading worship, biblically interpreting dreams, painting, and writing.

CONNECT WITH SONDRA: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Welcome Sondra! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and allow my readers a chance to get to know you and your new book Lavender Tears.

I like to start these interviews the same way, with something fun to break the ice. Can you share 5 random facts about you that we will not find in your bio? 

1.     I grew up on the Jersey shore, and I’m pretty ‘shore’— there is still sand in-between my toes!

2.     I was once prophesied over, during a worship service, and the Lord called me His, “Songbird,” it’s been my nickname ever since!

3.     I am an oil/acrylic painter who loves to paint a variety of nature scenes, skies, birds, florals, and more!  

4.     I am an organization lover!

5.     I enjoy early mornings, whether on the beach, lake shore, or breezy back yard; you will often find me up with a strong cup of coffee—writing, humming, or simply listening as I watch nature around me.

 

When did you first discover you had a passion and talent for writing? 

 I always enjoyed writing poems and making up stories throughout my schooling. I even wrote some devotional bullets for my childhood church bulletin throughout my high school years. However, aside from being an avid reader, I never considered a career in writing until Lavender Tears. The Holy Spirit gave this book to me and I wrote it under His leading within a few months.

 

What drew you to creating Biblical fiction?

Again, I would have to say I was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I was always so drawn to the women with their alabaster jar/box. I tried to imagine what their lives may have been like, and included pieces of my own story. The desire was to make their historical story, relatable.

What was the most challenging part of bringing this story to life? The most rewarding?

The most challenging was definitely, making sure the timelines all connected, or were plausible within Torah and Biblical History!

The most rewarding was seeing it all come together in the end.

Lavender Tears is your first novel. Congratulations! Can you share what this experience has been like? What was your reaction to seeing your words in print for the first time? 

It was a very exciting and humbling experience. The more I wrote and the more my beloved ones read, the more I began to believe in myself. There was a joyful determination that could not be stopped and quite simply, I just trusted God. I remember receiving a word from the Lord from a strong woman of God, “Enjoy it! The Lord wants you to enjoy it!” So, that word became my ‘gas gauge’. I guarded and protected the joy I felt and refused to allow anything to slow me down or diminish my zeal! And, wow! When the first printed copy came, it truly felt like I was holding a brand new baby!

Can you tell us a little bit more about Lavender Tears? 

Lavender Tears is the book you pick up when you’re looking to connect with another woman’s journey to find herself. We all go through good times and bad, heart ache, suffering and healing. As you read this story, you become a confidant along side Mary of Bethany. What she goes through, you go through. I believe all of us can find ourselves somewhere within these poetic pages. Maybe at one moment you are Deborah, and another Mary… Regardless of your journey, you will make it to the feet of Jesus…one step at a time.

What do you hope readers will take away from the book? 

 I think this question connects with the prior. I believe the anointing on this book is more than just for Christian entertainment. I believe it’s meant to stir the spirit of ‘overcoming’ in each reader and to help us feel less alone. We can always get back up and keep moving forward—Jesus is what our hearts are searching for, even when we don’t know it. We too, can take all of our issues and lay them at the feet of Jesus in total trust and abandonment and experience our greatest unconditional love, forgiveness, freedom and grace.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. Before you go, are there any other projects you are currently working on that you can share? 

 

 My husband and I are almost finished with Lavender Tears companion devotional! It will be a guide through some spiritual truths I sewed within each chapter. It will help others find a scriptural path to their own freedom and identity!

And, yes, Lavender Tears will have a sequel! Book two is underway and I am hoping for a 2021 release! Mary’s journey isn’t over yet and let me tell you—her rising story is going to glow like a radiant sunrise!

 

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(1) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Lavender Tears, Target gift card for $10, a digital copy of the Lavender Tears Devotional, and a lavender sachet!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 19, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 26, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Print copy US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

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