The Catholic Writers Guild

This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Guildie Amanda Purcell Lauer’s book, “A World Such As Heaven Intended.” It is an SOA winner and a CALA award winner. “Follow Amara and Nathan’s story from war-torn Atlanta to the plains of Texas as their lives connect in a way that shatters the separate worlds they once knew.”

Summary:

Amara McKirnan and Nathan Simmons share a devotion to their Catholic faith but their loyalties lie on opposite sides of the conflict. Dedicated to the Confederate cause, Amara offers to help out at her uncle’s makeshift hospital in Atlanta. Fate brought Nathan to their doorstep and into Amara’s life. Little does Amara know that the wounded soldier she cares for harbors a secret that will not only jeopardize his life but hers as well.

Follow Amara and Nathan’s story from the heart of war-torn Atlanta to the Northern Georgia battlefields to the plains of East Texas as their lives become intertwined in a way that shatters the separate worlds they once knew.

Awards: “A World Such As Heaven Intended” is a 2016 CALA award winner.

Excerpt:

Amara began to cough, trying to dislodge the swamp water from her lungs. It took her several minutes before her voice and energy came back to her. She then started to wriggle to get out of Nathan’s arms. “Where in God’s name were you?” she sputtered, breaking free from him. “Didn’t you see that dog had a gun pointed at my head?”

“I was well aware of that fact. I was biding my time, ready to make a move when the opportune moment presented itself.”

“Would that have been before or after I was shot, drowned or eaten by an alligator?”

“It would have never come to that. I had everything under control.”

“Under control, my foot.” Amara stomped over to the fire and started kicking dirt over the flames. “Next time why don’t we let you go for a swim in alligator-infested waters with a madman who has a gun stuck in your neck, and I’ll watch from the safety of the trees,” she screeched.

“Would you promise to save me?” asked Nathan sweetly.

“Oh, everything would be under control, trust me,” said Amara sarcastically.

“Let me think on that,” said Nathan with a laugh. He adjusted the packs on the horse and then offered to help Amara up. She slapped at his hand and mounted unassisted. Easing himself up behind her, he couldn’t help but lean towards her and ask, “Were you really eyeballin’ me up?”

“The only one who’s going to be eyeballin’ you up is that gator when you fall off this horse,” said Amara irritably. She dug her heels into the horse’s flanks and the surprised animal shot off, causing Nathan to tighten his grip on her waist to keep his seat.

“You’re not going to lose me that easily, Miz Amara.”

Bio:

Wisconsin resident Amanda Lauer saw her debut novel published October 29, 2014. A World Such as Heaven Intended hit the no. 1 spot in its genre on Amazon two months later and was the 2016 YA CALA winner. The second book in the trilogy, A Life Such as Heaven Intended, was published April 1, 2018. A Love Such as Heaven Intended is scheduled to be published November, 2018. Lauer has been offered a contract from a Catholic movie production studio based in Los Angeles to bring A World Such as Heaven Intended to the big screen. They are in the pre-production stage of the film and are actively seeking out investors to help bring the production to life.

Lauer learned the technical aspects of writing as a proofreader in the insurance, newspaper and collegiate arenas. Over the last 14 years she has had more than 1,400 articles published in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. In addition to her proofreading, copy editing and writing career, Lauer is involved in the health and wellness field and does commercial acting and modeling. She and her husband John have been married 37 years, have four grown children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, four adorable grandchildren and another one on its way.

Website: fullquiverpublishing.com

Blog: https://aworldsuchasheavenintended.wordpress.com/

Twitter handle: @amandalauer23

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandapurcelllauer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.p.lauer

YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1kbKpBNHv8

Amanda Lauer’s business website: KangenWisconsin.com

Buy Links:
https://tinyurl.com/yalsckdb Amazon
https://tinyurl.com/ycfacwfj Barnes & Noble

Tweet:
A World Such as Heaven Intended, by @amandalauer23, winner of the 2016 YA CALA Award. Amara McKirnan & Nathan Simmons share a devotion to their faith but their loyalties lie on opposite sides of the Civil War. #SummerReading #CatholicFic #CivilWarRomance https://tinyurl.com/y7nh8e4q

Book Giveaway: June 5-7, 2018, the Kindle version of A World Such as Heaven Intended was offered as a free download on Amazon. In three days, 3,800 copies of the book were downloaded.

 

Why to buy:

Do you want to support Catholic arts? A World Such as Heaven Intended has an offer from a Catholic movie studio based in Los Angeles to turn this award-winning novel into a major motion picture. Every book sold brings more attention to this poignant Civil War love story. If we can make this novel a national bestseller, that momentum should help us find the investors we need to bring this project to reality.

With all the issues in which Hollywood is currently embroiled, the American public is clamoring for excellent films made by moral production teams that feature large-draw actors who are known for their talent and not their scandals. People are looking to be entertained with movies that harken back to the Golden Age of Hollywood — a good, old-fashioned story that will “make them laugh, make them cry, and move them.”A World Such as Heaven Intended will do precisely that.

We invite you to join us in bringing excitement, joy, laughter, and love to moviegoers worldwide by investing in our film, A World Such as Heaven Intended. You have a chance to make a lasting difference in millions of lives.

Thank you for your consideration. We’ll see you on the red carpet!