| The terrible accident happened too long ago to remember the specifics. Having lost what she doesn’t remember owning, it takes the miracle of crossing paths with Hush, Shush and Silence, to reveal the truth. The shock of realizing she struggled to maintain an identity never meant to be hers, floors her. From a position of surrender, the surface of her tears mirrors who she has always been but hasn’t seen and does not know. Unimaginable possibilities, surprising choices and thrilling freedom ensues. At the core of all anxiety is mistaken identity. About Face invites readers to consider who they might be apart from other people’s expectations and who they might become. Click here to get your copy of About Face! |  |
 | A perennial gift book for the stressed and beleaguered. Falling into the growing category of children’s books for adults, Rest: An Invitation to Freedom, lures readers out of frenzied productivity into a state of peaceful contemplation. Written for exhausted high achievers, this story is suitable for office lobbies, coffee and bedside tables. “The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. At its best, the fairy story or fantasy is far from being a flight from reality; it is, rather, a flight to reality.”- JRR Tolkein “The trumpet of imagination, like the trumpet of the Resurrection, calls the dead out of their graves.” – GK Chesterton “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” — C.S. Lewis Click here to get your copy of Rest |
| This story took longer to live than to transcribe. For daydreamers, truth-seekers, joy-feeders, and those longing to let your heart instruct your mind, this little book is for you. Falling into my own stylized category of children’s book for adults, Intents and Purposes, chronicles the path of a life abandoned by disconnection and loneliness as it moves to the threshold of hope and contentment. Both text and illustrations are mine. Although countless versions reside in my constantly reconfiguring memory, this compilation seems to be its truest version. Click here to get your copy of Intents & Purposes! |  |
Interview with Tonia
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Three of my books are being reviewed for this blog tour. Each one derived from a different experience, but all address the theme of moving from the “orphan” realm to entering the territory of God’s unfailing love, acceptance and forgiveness. I wrote each one from a slightly different perspective.
Rest: An Invitation to Freedom addresses the weariness of people pleasing.
About Face focuses on what it is like to go through life unaware of your true identity in Christ.
Intents & Purposes looks at how the best of intentions are not enough to empower one to save one’s self.
In the case of all three, I wanted to create a message of beauty that would lure readers into Biblical truths they may not be equipped to decipher directly from the Bible, but that would trigger their hunger for the rich food of God’s word.
Three of my books are being reviewed for this blog tour. Each one derived from a different experience, but all address the theme of moving from the “orphan” realm to entering the territory of God’s unfailing love, acceptance and forgiveness. I wrote each one from a slightly different perspective.
Rest: An Invitation to Freedom addresses the weariness of people pleasing.
About Face focuses on what it is like to go through life unaware of your true identity in Christ.
Intents & Purposes looks at how the best of intentions are not enough to empower one to save one’s self.
In the case of all three, I wanted to create a message of beauty that would lure readers into Biblical truths they may not be equipped to decipher directly from the Bible, but that would trigger their hunger for the rich food of God’s word.
 | #2. How long did it take to finish writing this book? Each book went through countless, (dozens & dozens) of edits. The initial premises came quite quickly but the sculpting, arranging, rearranging & refining took years. #3. What drew you to write in this particular genre? The stories “came” to me in these fairly solid forms, too insistent to ignore. |
#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
The characters are me in various forms of my spiritual development, malaise and moments of fleeting enlightenment.
The characters are me in various forms of my spiritual development, malaise and moments of fleeting enlightenment.
#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
#6. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
The development of these books has been a slow act of obedience, discouragement, perseverance, faith building,
anxiety and beseeching the Lord of guidance. Lots of tears and disappointment and God’s revelation of His love for
me despite it all.
The development of these books has been a slow act of obedience, discouragement, perseverance, faith building,
anxiety and beseeching the Lord of guidance. Lots of tears and disappointment and God’s revelation of His love for
me despite it all.
| #7. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends. I have 2 grown daughters and 3 grandchildren. My marriage came to a screeching halt a few weeks before my 35th wedding anniversary. God has used writing and art to heal and instruct me. As frustrating and rewarding as writing can be, it is my way to connect with God. |  |
#8. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I wish I had spent less time being shackled by fear.
I wish I had spent less time being shackled by fear.
#9. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Ask God what story He created you to live out.
Ask God what story He created you to live out.
#10. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
More from Tonia
They are ready! Finally! These three illustrated books are condensed chronicles of various phases of my spiritual development. Over the years, I’ve learned that the deepest matters of the heart seem to be resistant to the confines of words. Images aid in the capture of emotions, but even still, the heart is shy. It runs from impatience and requires a concentration of listening and a suspension of judgment.
Each one of these books hovers over distinct territories and touch down in depths most avoid. I struggle to put my experiences into a kind and beautiful package, hoping to lure readers into places of feeling many might avoid. Not realizing they would be officially released during this unnerving pandemic, I am now so grateful for the message of hope that invites readers into possibilities and faith in our merciful Father of Lights who brought all things into being and is, even now, administering Peace to those who simply ask and expect. For those who suffer in the unknown, as I have and often do, I invite to include the reading of these missives of encouragement and their distribution of the message of Hope hidden in their pages. They were written to uplift you on the days when you can find no words for your longing, no relief for your uncertainty and a deep desire for encouragement. I am eager to get them out in the world.
 Tonia Colleen Martin | I earned my MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, received the Hallberg Award for Art; Best of Show, Blue Line Gallery, Membership Medley; published in The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies; Ruminate Magazine; Metonym; Sierra College Journal. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Tonia is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 19
Texas Book-aholic, September 20
Beauty in the Binding, September 21 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 21
For Him and My Family, September 22
For the Love of Literature, September 23 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions, September 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 26 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, September 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 29
Sara Jane Jacobs, September 30
Through the Fire Blogs, October 1 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 1
Emily Yager, October 2
Texas Book-aholic, September 20
Beauty in the Binding, September 21 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 21
For Him and My Family, September 22
For the Love of Literature, September 23 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions, September 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 26 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, September 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 29
Sara Jane Jacobs, September 30
Through the Fire Blogs, October 1 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 1
Emily Yager, October 2
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