Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Resurrection Project
Series: The Resurrection Project Series #1
Author: Tanya Sparks Belvin
Publisher: Tonya Belvin Publishing
Release Date: September 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Futuristic, Medical Mystery
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (ebook/audio) | Amazon (print) | Barnes & Noble
Interview with Author Tanya Sparks Belvin
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I retired from teaching after 32 years. Because I was in special education, I had to be certified in language arts and math, but language arts was my favorite subject. I had the most fun reading as I set up my personal classroom library. I encouraged my students to find books that they felt their peers would enjoy reading, and I continually read and promoted middle school literature that I hoped would excite and inspire them.
In addition to teaching, my husband and I have raised three wonderful children, and we have also been blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren.
Currently, I lead Bible studies in my neighborhood and church, and I'm an active choir member.
I also play in a neighborhood Bunco group and participate in two book clubs.
What do you do besides writing?
When I retired from teaching, I began taking care of my grandchildren. I also tried to expand my cooking skills by watching the Food Channel and challenging myself to copy some of the recipes. My ultimate goal is to do an online cooking class with my grandchildren, called "Mimi's Cooking Show." However, it appears that my grandchildren would rather consume my goodies rather than help prepare them. That's fine with me.
What was your favorite part of researching for this book?
I have heard others ridicule authors who claim that their writing stemmed from a dream. Well, that's exactly what happened to me at least five years before I began writing The Resurrection Project. I truly believe I was divinely directed to share this message of the sanctity of life. When I originally wrote the book in 2015, there was a prediction of a worldwide pandemic in 2020 changing the trajectory of our medical system as we knew it. After initially meeting with some agents, each one said it wasn't ready to be published, so I put it on a closet shelf and forgot about it. Then, in 2023, God told me to take it down and try again. When I reread the prediction, I was dumbfounded. I am not a prophet, but God can do anything.
As I wrote this book, I was challenged to delve into the subjects of patient care, cryogenics, genetically modified foods, etc. I enjoyed researching and adding creativity in developing this futuristic setting.
How do you find visual inspiration for your characters? Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters?
All readers put their individual images to characters within a story. That's what I do as a writer. My initial dream had L2 sitting on a bench, swinging her legs back and forth, with her shoulder-length brown hair swaying from side to side. God started me with that character, and I developed the rest. None of the other character descriptions in the book are based on anyone I know.
I have heard others ridicule authors who claim that their writing stemmed from a dream. Well, that's exactly what happened to me at least five years before I began writing The Resurrection Project. I truly believe I was divinely directed to share this message of the sanctity of life. When I originally wrote the book in 2015, there was a prediction of a worldwide pandemic in 2020 changing the trajectory of our medical system as we knew it. After initially meeting with some agents, each one said it wasn't ready to be published, so I put it on a closet shelf and forgot about it. Then, in 2023, God told me to take it down and try again. When I reread the prediction, I was dumbfounded. I am not a prophet, but God can do anything.
As I wrote this book, I was challenged to delve into the subjects of patient care, cryogenics, genetically modified foods, etc. I enjoyed researching and adding creativity in developing this futuristic setting.
How do you find visual inspiration for your characters? Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters?
All readers put their individual images to characters within a story. That's what I do as a writer. My initial dream had L2 sitting on a bench, swinging her legs back and forth, with her shoulder-length brown hair swaying from side to side. God started me with that character, and I developed the rest. None of the other character descriptions in the book are based on anyone I know.
What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?
As you read The Resurrection Project, you will find music mentioned throughout. That is from my real life. My mother was a music teacher and choir director. Music filled my home, and I have carried it with me all my life. I am a singer. My oldest son is a praise and worship leader at his church. My middle son is a band director at a local middle school. I have Christian radio playing at home and in my car wherever I go.
As you read The Resurrection Project, you will find music mentioned throughout. That is from my real life. My mother was a music teacher and choir director. Music filled my home, and I have carried it with me all my life. I am a singer. My oldest son is a praise and worship leader at his church. My middle son is a band director at a local middle school. I have Christian radio playing at home and in my car wherever I go.
What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?
The message I believe God wants me to share is that He is our Sovereign God. Like the people in Genesis working together to create a tower to the heavens, a great majority of people today think they knew more than our Creator. In an effort to meet the medical needs of one group, they choose to take the lives of others deemed less important or even, as in the case of unborn babies, not even considered viable humans.
In the fall of 2023, I watched the movie, Sound of Freedom. It was one of the most uncomfortable films I have ever viewed and, honestly, I wanted to leave within the first few minutes. Seeing children being abducted and trafficked took me well out of my comfort zone. As I contemplated what to do, God told me to stay and finish watching. When the film concluded, I had to take a few minutes before I could stand to leave. I kept asking God why I needed to see this. At that moment, I realized that the message of that movie was also the sanctity of life. Just like the children in The Resurrection Project, the children in the film were not being seen as precious children of God with a purpose and a future to expand His kingdom. Their importance was being measured by how they could be used by others. I knew that I needed to give all the proceeds from the sales of my book to support the Tim Tebow Foundation for rescuing missing and exploited children.
What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?
I have just recently published the sequel to The Resurrection Project, Rescuing the Remnant. I hope that readers will enjoy the continuation of this "God Story."
The message I believe God wants me to share is that He is our Sovereign God. Like the people in Genesis working together to create a tower to the heavens, a great majority of people today think they knew more than our Creator. In an effort to meet the medical needs of one group, they choose to take the lives of others deemed less important or even, as in the case of unborn babies, not even considered viable humans.
In the fall of 2023, I watched the movie, Sound of Freedom. It was one of the most uncomfortable films I have ever viewed and, honestly, I wanted to leave within the first few minutes. Seeing children being abducted and trafficked took me well out of my comfort zone. As I contemplated what to do, God told me to stay and finish watching. When the film concluded, I had to take a few minutes before I could stand to leave. I kept asking God why I needed to see this. At that moment, I realized that the message of that movie was also the sanctity of life. Just like the children in The Resurrection Project, the children in the film were not being seen as precious children of God with a purpose and a future to expand His kingdom. Their importance was being measured by how they could be used by others. I knew that I needed to give all the proceeds from the sales of my book to support the Tim Tebow Foundation for rescuing missing and exploited children.
What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?
I have just recently published the sequel to The Resurrection Project, Rescuing the Remnant. I hope that readers will enjoy the continuation of this "God Story."
More Books in This Series
About the Author
Tanya Sparks Belvin is a retired middle school teacher, with thirty-two years of experience. Her passion is serving the Lord, reading, writing, and entertaining her seven grandchildren. Tanya, her husband, Ron, and her mother, Tommie Moton, enjoy lakeside living in Denver, North Carolina. Tanya and Ron have three adult children. The Resurrection Project is her debut novel.
Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyasparksbelvin.com.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Resurrection Project and its sequel, Rescuing the Remnant, as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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