Beauty in the Binding: Author Interview & Giveaway: Kingdom Above the Cloud by Maggie Platt

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Kingdom Above the Cloud by Maggie Platt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Kingdom Above the Cloud
Author: Maggie Platt
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: April 17, 2020
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

What if the nine Fruit of the Spirit and the Seven Deadly Sins were locked in a battle for control?

Abandoned as infants, Tovi and her twin brother were raised by an eclectic tribe of warm, kind people in a treehouse village in the valley. After her brother’s sudden disappearance Tovi questions her life and her faith in an invisible King. Ignoring her best friend Silas’ advice, she decides to search for her brother in the kingdom on top of the mountain.

Above the cloud, the Council of Masters receives their orders. Tovi and her brother are the objectives. King Damien has a plan and Tovi is the key. The Council of Masters want her, but will she remain unscathed?

Amidst the glamour of the kingdom above the cloud Tovi is torn between her own dark desires and unanswered questions. It starts with a snake and a crown. When the ring is complete, will her life be over?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maggie Platt is a writer, traveler, cancer survivor, and dreamer. Her greatest joys are being Auntie M to her amazing nieces and nephew and sitting with students and friends over cups of coffee and deep conversations. She works at her alma mater, Anderson University in Indiana, and she lives in a cozy little cottage nearby where students come to sit on her couch just to laugh, cry, and talk about life.

CONNECT WITH MAGGIE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Would you share your inspiration for Kingdom Above the Cloud?

Maggie: It really started with a daydream. What if there was a world full of characters who had mastered either a deadly sin or a fruit of the spirit? I started designing characters and imagining scenes, and it took on a life of its own. By the time I was done writing it, it was a deep dive into my Christian faith on a scale I never expected!

How long did it take you to write this novel?

Maggie: Over a decade! I toyed with this idea for what seemed like forever. I would obsess over it for about a month, and then it would go on the back burner while I focused on work and other stories. In 2011, I quit my job and moved to Florida so that I could focus more on writing. I wrote the bulk of the first draft over the next year. It wasn’t anything like I expected that year to be! I had grand visions of writing on the beach. Those daydreams didn’t include blowing sand and glaring sun. So, instead of the beach, I spent every evening after work holed up in the local library, hammering out each chapter. I submitted the story to Ambassador International in December 2018, and I signed my contract in early 2019.

Do you have a favorite character in Kingdom Above the Cloud?

Maggie: Eryx is by far my favorite! He became a pet of mine sometime in the middle of writing this story. He was very minor at first. He is one of the “bad guys” who lives on the mountain, and he represents the sin of wrath. One day, I heard the song “A Bad Dream” by Keane and the lines, “I’m a man, I was born to hate,” and “I was fighting, but I just feel too tired to be fighting, guess I’m not the fighting kind,” hit me so hard. It knew in that moment that Eryx has lived a life of wrath, but he is exhausted, frustrated, and longing for something different. I’m not totally sure why he became so dear to me. Maybe it’s the hope he represents. He’s a “bad guy,” but he wants to be better. Adwin (the God character in the story) goes out of his way, time and time again, to draw Eryx in. I hope we can really see them connect in a sequel, but we’ll have to see where Eryx takes us in the story!

What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Maggie: My hope and prayer is that readers feel even just one step closer to God after reading this book. God, Jesus, and Christianity are not mentioned by name, but the whole story is a vulnerable look inside my faith in Christ. I hope that the words of the story point readers to Jesus and the love, hope, joy, and peace that only He can provide.

Can you share a book you are currently reading or have read recently?

Maggie: I just finished The Overstory by Richard Powers, and it was incredible. It is not the same genre as Kingdom Above the Cloud in any way! I love reading fantasy and allegory, but I also love other types of fiction. The Overstory follows several characters that seem totally unrelated, other than that each storyline involves something about trees. By the end, their stories have intertwined in ways I never could have imagined.

Who is an author that you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Maggie: C.S. Lewis, whether you’re reading fiction or nonfiction! The Chronicles of Narnia and Screwtape Letters will always be some of my favorite books, and his nonfiction has also impacted my life in so many ways. My mom passed away very suddenly a couple of years ago, and A Grief Observed has been incredibly meaningful to me in this season.

What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren't writing?

Maggie: I love to garden, and that hobby was passed down from my grandma to my mom and then to me. I recently expanded my flower beds to about four times their old size! I think I would be the happiest person in the world if I could spend all of my time digging in dirt and typing on a keyboard (after washing my muddy fingers!). I have a back patio that is surrounded by my flowers. Once they grow a little bigger, it will be the perfect place for some inspired writing.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Kingdom Above the Cloud, limited edition map, laptop decal/sticker, and bookmark.

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 11, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on May 18, 2020. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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