THE DUNES by Erin Sands Review & Interview

THE DUNES, Releasing Your Fears, Restore Your Soul, Renew Your Live Virtual Book Tour

Genre: Christian- Mind-Body-Spirit-Self Help

Paperback: 230 pages

Publisher: The Dunes (May 22, 2014)

ISBN-10: 0615982948

ISBN-13: 978-0615982946

About The Author

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Erin grew up with an innate love for dance, theatre and the written word. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Erin began her career in the arts as an actress and choreographer. After booking several notable roles in television and film, Erin began to use her gift of writing in blogs featuring political and social commentary, as well as developing content for theatrical use.

Although The Dunes, is a divine departure from Erin’s previous writings it is by far her most cherished work to date. “I wrote The Dunes initially as self therapy because I needed to release some painful experiences and disappointments from my past. I had this thirst to walk in the complete fullness of life with joy as my constant companion. I had no idea what effect it would have on other people. But when I saw people read it and be released from fears that had held them back for years…when I saw people forgive and be able to walk in the freedom forgiveness brings…when I saw people commit and serve and how those things opened up new opportunities in their life, I was just humbled. Humbled by the awesome power of God and humbled that I had been allowed to go along for the ride”.

When asked why she writes, Erin pauses and reflects on the truth of her heart. “I write because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader, grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked thought and debate. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of that phenomenon? Why wouldn’t I want to share my story, give my testimony…add my paradigm to the mix? Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. And with that I live my life”.

About The Book

If there was a journey that could masterfully change your life in seven revelations…would you take it?

In life, sometimes the kernels of wisdom and the richness of revelation can be found in the most innocent of stories; and so it is with The Dunes. Join one man and one woman in an exquisitely simple yet remarkably profound journey as you discover with them that the mountain you must climb in order to live the abundant life of your dreams is located squarely within your heart.

Illuminated in seven revelations; The Dunes carries the reader on a journey to not only examine the obstacles that are holding them back in life but to conquer and overcome them as well. With each revelation The Dunes intimately calls on the reader as the journey companion to face a challenge…a dare if you will that requires an uncompromising commitment to change. In the family of faith-based self help books The Dunes stands alone, simultaneously taking the reader from fiction to life and back again, equipped with a tailor made journal for the readers inner most secrets and reflections. The Dunes is part allegory, part testimony and part journal but the best part is the healing it offers your heart. When you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and step into the miracle of your life…The Dunes awaits.

Caution: Readers of this book are subject to significant changes for the better. Side effects include frequent smiling and enjoying life in every season.

Social Links

Email:   thedunesbook@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.thedunesbook.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheDunesbook

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheDunesbook

Trailer: http://youtu.be/dxCc270iTDY

Buy Links

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dunes-erin-sands/1119633905?ean=9781483527086

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00KO43L2Q

Tour Hosted by WNL Book Tours www.wnlbooktours.com

 Interview:

Please tell us a little about yourself

I am a Christian. I live in Southern California with my husband. I am active in ministry and I am passionate about issues that concern humanity. Whether it is policy based or related to opportunities being fairly provided for all, you will find me at the front line, marching and championing human rights. I love exchanging ideas with critical thinkers who look at life outside the box. I love faith driven passionate people who are open to new ideas and who realize the importance of giving back. I love creative people who use their talents to entertain and enlighten. These are the topics, the endeavors and the kind of purposed living that excites me and makes my heart sing. These are my passions.

Do you feel like your background or upbringing influences your writing style? If so, in what way(s)?

I currently reside in southern California with my husband. However, I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and I was raised in northern California’s Bay Area. To be honest I am very much a product of both environments. I like things simple, I love outdoors, I appreciate the value of hard work and the importance of family. I believe that is very systemic of my Midwestern roots. I appreciate culture, I love diversity, I love the arts and I am passionate about politics. Those are things I believe I inherited from my Bay Area upbringing. The environments and the value system of these two states and regions influenced my outlook on life and thus influenced my writing. Each place is rich in heritage and culture. I am proud to be a product of both.

Describe The Dunes in 10 words or less

The Dunes is a journey of transformation, triumph and discovery.

When and why did you begin writing

When I was in fourth grade my elementary teacher told me that I was a great writer. It instilled a confidence in me and inspired me to write more and become better. When I was in high school my eleventh grade teacher recognized my writing talent and took the time to introduce me to different authors who helped to expand my writing style. A good teacher can sow a seed in the heart of a student and help to identify talent and purpose. Now as an adult I write because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader, grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked thought and debate. Why wouldn’t I want to be apart of that phenomenon? Why wouldn’t I want to share my story, give my testimony…add my paradigm to the mix? Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. And with that I live my life.

Is there a central message or theme in (book name) that you hope readers will come away from the reading experience with?

Maya Angelou wrote: “Courage is the most important of all of the virtues, because without courage you can not practice any of the other virtues consistently”.

It is my sincere hope after reading The Dunes that people would walk away feeling a bit more brave. I bared my soul in The Dunes and I did so because it is important for people to know that they are not alone. Others of us have been afraid and let it block us in one way or another. Others of us have needed to truly release the pain of the past and forgive, to learn to trust on a new level and to move forward and appreciate life in its fullness. When you know that you are not alone and that others have felt what you have felt, yet were able to summon the courage to move forward. It lets you know that if they did it, you can too. I hope The Dunes reminds the reader of their innate courage and their God given ability to overcome.

What has been the toughest criticism you’ve received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism was not so much a criticism but a lesson on what it takes to be a good writer. Writing The Dunes reinforced the most important and yet the most painstaking quality of writing, which is re-writing. I really cannot tell you the number of times I have re-written The Dunes. I’ve lost count. But if you want to be a good writer you must become comfortable with this very necessary truth. Writing is re-writing and your first draft is just that…a “draft”. Excellence requires writing, re-writing, re-writing that and then re-writing again and that’s before the editor takes a pass at it. There were times when I was completely blocked and I would write something down on the page just so I could move on to the next thought. Luckily my husband wouldn’t let me get away with it. He would take one look at it and shake his head “no” and give it back to me. I can’t tell you how infuriating that was! How many times I wanted to yell and scream at him but I am so grateful he did not let me fall victim to my impatience of wanting to be finished with my book. He knew that I could express the idea in a better way for the reader and he made me stick to it. The funny part is, my husband wasn’t even my editor, these were just the challenges I went through before I gave my manuscript to my editor. Who upon receiving it made even more suggestions on how to make the book better. Writing is re-writing and in the end when you have a book that you are proud of from cover to cover, you know that it was so worth it. The best compliment of my writing has come from the testimonies of my readers. When I witnessed people read The Dunes and be released from fears that had held them back for years…when I saw The Dunes help readers to forgive and walk in the freedom that forgiveness brings. When I saw The Dunes help readers to commit and serve and how those things opened up new opportunities in their lives, I was just humbled. Humbled by the awesome power of God and humbled that I had been allowed to go along for the ride.

What’s next for you? What can readers look forward to from Erin Sands?

Several years ago I toured in a Christian play entitled S.T.E.M. It was a theatrical ministry vehicle I co-wrote with three of my dearest friends. It was composed of dramatic and comedic monologues where we gave our personal testimonies of how, by grace, we not only survived things like breast cancer, domestic abuse and low self-worth but triumphed through the power of forgiveness and faith. Our testimonies and our witness of God’s faithfulness encouraged women in similar circumstances to persevere, to have hope and expectancy in a God who is able to bring us through. We have recently decided to bring S.T.E.M to the masses in the form of a DVD, with added commentary from our present lives. That is what I am currently working on.

How can we find you online and where can we pick up a copy of The Dunes?

The Dunes is available in hard copy on Amazon.com and as an eBook everywhere eBooks are sold.

Readers can find me by checking out my website (www.thedunesbook.com) and signing up for my mailing list which will feature my Blogs and upcoming events. You can also follow me on Social media! I am on:

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Godinterest and Youtube as: TheDunesBook.

If you had to go back and do it all over again, is  there any aspect of writing your novel or getting it published that you would change?

Absolutely nothing, every experience has worked together for my good.

What has been the most effective method of marketing and/or pubblicizing your books so far? Why or how?

Social Media has been a great marketing tool. It has enabled me to reach readers all over the world for free. It has allowed me to share content in the form of book trailers, blogs and inspirational picture quote cards.

My Review:
This was a nice book to read around Christmas time. I liked that the seven revelations were each given their own part in the book. I was able to think about each separately. When I was reading challenges I really wanted to do they and change for the better. I also enjoyed that there were areas in the book to put notes. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.