About the Book

Book: Torch

Author: Sofia Simpson

Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Relentlessly pursued by the Extremists, Vela and Linc embark on a perilous journey toward a hidden Elemental community in the Canadian mountains. It’s a place where couples of different elements thrive, raising families while living off the grid.

These Elementals, like the Extremists, are searching for the portended Chosen Child, the one who will unite the clans. Vela is forced to accept she might be a part of this prophecy whether she likes it or not.

Vela is more than intrigued by a mixed Elemental in the community who single-mindedly pursues her. Faced with a choice between two very different men makes committing to Linc as her Intended harder than she imagined.

Can Linc win the fight for her heart? Will this prophecy be her undoing or the Elementals’ salvation?

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About the Author

Sofia grew up moving constantly. Never in one place more than three years, there was plenty of time to daydream during long car rides. College finally gave her a chance to study what she had always dreamed of doing, writing her stories.

She obtained a B.A. in Journalism, married her handsome husband and had two amazing sons.

A big believer in dreaming big, Sofia loves speaking to youth, encouraging them to find hope no matter what their life looks like. Sofia is a daughter of the Lord first and foremost and finds inspiration with the stories like King David and Esther.

More from Sofia

This book has been my absolute favorite to write. I switched my POV to first person, and it made all the difference in the world as far as getting into my character’s head. I’ve been so intimidated in writing in first person POV, so I’m so happy I went out on a limb and tried it. The story flowed so easily once I did! I wrote the first draft of this book in 10 weeks! I got on an intense writing schedule, stuck to it and voila! Out popped this book.

I loved every minute of it, especially the researching part. Researching how to live off the grid was fascinating to me, and it couldn’t have been more interesting. It really made me understand how people lived without modern conveniences. Well, in my book, they lived with modern conveniences thanks to generators and the Elementals’ gifts and abilities, but they had to make their own soap, butter, cheese, sometimes, clothes. I learned how a toilet can work thanks to gravity and setting up the pump on a hill. It’s all fascinating to me and I hope everyone finds it fun to learn, too, all while a great story unfolds!

The following recipe was so neat, I had to include it! And, yes, it’s in the book. They had to cook bread without an oven, so this worked nicely so they could still enjoy some fresh cooked bread.

This recipe was copied from the following link from Veganonboard.com:

Campfire Bread on a Stick Recipe – Vegan on Board

Ingredients

1 tsp dried yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 ½ cups (300 g) flour
⅞ cup (200 ml) warm water
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 tsp salt

Dough:

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients into a moist dough. No need to knead!
Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size – about 1 hour.
With floured hands, briefly ‘knock back’ the dough by making it into a ball.
Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 8 pieces.

Shaping your breadsticks:

Start by stretching the dough into a strip and then roll it into a long sausage shape.
Twist a strip around the end of your sticks. Pinch the dough together to secure the end if necessary.

Cooking Over a Campfire:

Either hold or prop up your stick over the fire.
Choose a spot over hot embers for best results.
Keep rotating until all sides are browned.
Enjoy your freshly baked bread!

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

I’m a success as an author when I have someone read my book and say it encouraged them, especially in their faith. I want more than a feel-good book. I want a book that someone can take away and use in their life. That sounds like a non-fiction book, I know, but I feel like I learn more from a fiction book than I would from a non-fiction book. I find situations characters face are so relatable.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I have a minor character, Hannah, in Torch, that said and did things I would say and do. I hope I’m like her, at any rate. She’s a loving mother who loves to laugh and encourage. I wrote her from my heart and wish to be like her.

3)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

There’s a childbirth scene I sobbed over as I wrote it. There’s a woman who is way overdue in her pregnancy. Gyans, in my book, are natural healers, but the Gyan midwife can help with some things in labor, but not everything. The labor goes wrong, and they lose the baby’s heartbeat and they have to do drastic measures to save the life of the baby. (don’t worry, the baby is fine in the end). This scene reminded me so much of my first labor that it brought back all those intensely stressful moments.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.

This was the first verse I learned as a child, and I carried it with me in all the darkest times of my childhood. As an adult, I learned more about my faith and added to that verse, memorizing more that will help me walk in my faith. I feel this verse is the backbone to my faith, and it entirely rests on this Scripture.

What are you reading right now?

Suspended in the Stars by E.A. Hendryx. It’s a YA Science Fantasy that I absolutely love! This author writes it all, but this is my first book I’ve read of hers but it won’t be my last.