tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51632051007639287202024-03-29T00:26:09.378-07:00Christian Living: Real-Life Stories and Book ReviewsAuthor Juanita Nobles shares stories from her life and books she's read. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-41873843006498747982014-03-17T04:30:00.000-07:002014-03-17T04:30:03.429-07:00Water Under the Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaanwT-inQrnXZPuVQGiU78AnhtwimeoWFB3UMX24JcpdjEFFt1KQhSiSvuy55nTY-L4XXZBoi7hEbCPZJuc_FYBDQVTTeHTuJKOrIewXcANwtKE8tlyr2AdkFeX0EU7huRX3EGVYQNw/s1600/51WckODJVLL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaanwT-inQrnXZPuVQGiU78AnhtwimeoWFB3UMX24JcpdjEFFt1KQhSiSvuy55nTY-L4XXZBoi7hEbCPZJuc_FYBDQVTTeHTuJKOrIewXcANwtKE8tlyr2AdkFeX0EU7huRX3EGVYQNw/s1600/51WckODJVLL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a></div>
My friend and writing associate, Verna Simms, has written a book which was published by Rocking Horse Publishing in St.Louis, Missouri, in February of this year.<br />
<br />
Verna is 92 years old and this is her first book. It is captivating. If you want to read an excellent story that you won't be able to put down, you might want to go to Amazon and take a look at this book and at the reviews. I don't have permission from her to send a free one to the winner this week, but I know you will enjoy reading this book.<br />
<br />
This book is historical fiction. It includes some things that happened in Verna's life, but it is not an autobiography. Amelia, the little girl who is the main character, does some things that Verna did as a child, and she very precocious. I was amazed at some of the things she was able to do--proving that this came from Verna's creative imagination.<br />
<br />
You will be astounded by some of the things that happen in the book. I was amazed that a little girl could come up with such creative ideas, when she rescued her sister and herself from her father's plot to marry the two girls off to much older Mormon men. Amelia's brother was also creative as he helped the girls to hide out and escape.<br />
<br />
The mother in the book is very creative in ways to take care of her family during a dark time in American history, the Great Depression. This was a time when family depended on each other much more than they do today. They had to, in order to survive.<br />
<br />
Here's an interview with Verna about her writing and why she decided to become an author.<br />
<br />
<div>
<span>Question: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Answer: I'd say around 45 years of age or so, one New Years' Day I sat down to make a New Years' resolution and typed out ten things I would like to
accomplish in my lifetime. I don't recall all ten but one of the dreams I had
was to view both oceans. I did that. One was to learn to play the piano--no luck
there--and the third that I remember was to write a novel and have it
published.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Question: Why did you wait so late in life to start the
project?</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Answer: I'd say it was because I was too busy doing things that needed to
be done, and wouldn't wait. I needed to help with my grandchildren and my aged
mother. Also, I loved traveling and camping in the beautiful state parks in
Missouri. No time for sit down projects.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Question: Is the novel in any way a story of your life?</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Answer: Definitely not. I had the family live in the same town I grew up
in and described the school I attended. I mentioned an aeroplane that came to
town and Lindbergh's flight over the ocean. <br />These were happenings I remember. Also the
mountain I loved in my youth, but Amelia's family and mine are no way
related. All the characters and the life they led are 100% fictional. I created
them from my imagination.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Question: How did you choose the topic to write about?</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Answer: An article in the newspaper a few years ago touched my heart. It
told about a dad that beat his young daughter unconscious because she ran away
rather than marry her uncle who already had several wives. </span></div>
<div>
<span><br />Question: Are you blaming
the church for the problem?</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span>Answer: No, I have no fault for the Mormon religion. You will find bad
people in any culture. It just happened this girl's dad was a member of a cult
that had spun off from the religion practiced today. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span></span> </div>
<br />
I hope you will consider purchasing this book. I can guarantee you will enjoy it.<br />
<br />
Verna will be having a book signing Saturday, March 22, at 100 Jefferson in Kirkwood from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. I'm sure she would be happy to sign a book for you if you are able to get there.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-70618833835696327352014-02-24T04:30:00.000-08:002014-02-24T04:30:02.924-08:00Blog Winner, and Guest Post
Blog Winner of the book by Eva Marie Everson is Dorie<br />
<br />
Sweet Tea-- by our son, David Nobles<br />
......Today I'm posting an article by our son, David Nobles, an attorney in Midland, Texas. I hope you enjoy his writing. I never tire of reading it.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like sweet tea. Growing up, we had sweet tea at just about
every meal. With four kids, it was hard and expensive to go out to eat, so my
mom cooked for us, and she cooked really well. I can remember her pot roast,
fried chicken, spaghetti, and lots of other great meals. Almost all were
accompanied by sweet tea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We very rarely bought soft drinks. Maybe Mom thought they
weren’t healthy enough, but I suspect it was “all about the Benjamins” and cost
kept them out of our house. I do remember they didn’t last long if they ever
showed up. My biggest memory of soft drinks in the house was on Sunday nights
after church, getting a half-gallon (in a glass bottle) of Dad’s Root Beer and
having root beer floats. If only Blue Bell had been around back then! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So tea was my drink of choice, until I went off to college
and they had soft drink fountain dispensers in the dorm cafeterias. Forget the
tea, gimme the good stuff! Being a loyal Baylor Bear, Dr Pepper quickly became my
favorite. I even learned that it’s spelled WITHOUT the period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At some point in my early adult days, I began drinking tea
again, and decided to drink it without sugar. At first it was very bland, but
eventually I came to appreciate it. I was eating out more, and adding sugar to
the iced tea brought to my table wasn’t anything like home, so I figured it was
no great loss and maybe even a bit healthier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, more and more restaurants offer sweet tea. I have
noticed some of the tea in town is worth it and some is not: Rosa’s is amazing,
Bush’s is good, McAlister’s is OK, Jason’s sweet tea is putrid. I’m sure you
know as I do that it depends on the type of tea and sweetener used and when and
how sweetener is added. When the tea is hot, real sugar (the best sweetener) dissolves
and flavors the whole pot. When the tea is cold, you can stir that thing all day
long and you’ll still end up with a lot of sugar on the bottom of the glass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words, the tea has to be right to accept the sugar.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 66.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you see where I’m going with
this? Just like the tea, we have to be in the right position to accept God’s
truth and instruction in our lives. The sugar doesn’t change—it’s still
sugar—but when the tea is hot it combines with the tea in a way that produces a
much different result than when the tea is cold. I know there’s a scientific
reason for this, and it’s all about the heat. When we are ready to accept God’s
influence, he can dramatically flavor our lives. How do we get hot—how do we
become ready? Admit sin. Repent. Ask Him to give you the desire to experience
Him fully, then ask Him to fill you, lead you, influence you. Get in the habit
of talking to Him all the time—He wants to hear about everything, no matter how
big or how small. Read His word and let it fill your heart. Serve God by
serving people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 66.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All that is really easy to write
and much more demanding to do—but when we do—life is sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-36685992963852773512014-02-17T04:30:00.000-08:002014-02-17T04:30:01.847-08:00Meet Eva Marie Everson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngwdiiN22y4zcXSOWDyYob755tu5RpdKgqwxh6A2jnFycqYH5jbfmkSojayEY2QIGKAjCvjDML2FW2qMnQCexngWx6jJ17YQIoOm3P6STfj7Cg372vVKopxxzSVSc8Nf_uztjT2yBiiQ/s1600/va+at+BRMCWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngwdiiN22y4zcXSOWDyYob755tu5RpdKgqwxh6A2jnFycqYH5jbfmkSojayEY2QIGKAjCvjDML2FW2qMnQCexngWx6jJ17YQIoOm3P6STfj7Cg372vVKopxxzSVSc8Nf_uztjT2yBiiQ/s1600/va+at+BRMCWC.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mceZ-YJhszBAq0qi7sU4Ylc2XNRu9suvwgydcpYAu_9QI4DDH6XNWVK1YKhGbCalBl3IU3J24GJG4DXIbPjvKPoRS63fqM0tS85sxAeFWFQAJgq7TDs3t-gYU3kHQaxQT8dRtBB0Bos/s1600/a76b9bb652b90ac1d18884_L__SX80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mceZ-YJhszBAq0qi7sU4Ylc2XNRu9suvwgydcpYAu_9QI4DDH6XNWVK1YKhGbCalBl3IU3J24GJG4DXIbPjvKPoRS63fqM0tS85sxAeFWFQAJgq7TDs3t-gYU3kHQaxQT8dRtBB0Bos/s1600/a76b9bb652b90ac1d18884_L__SX80_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we get to meet Eva Marie Everson, a Christian
author I met while reading one of her books she offered free on Kindle. It was
so good, I ordered a couple more. (By the way, the book I read is the one she is offering free to the winner this week!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Hello, Eva Marie. I’m so glad to welcome you to
my blog today. I hope all the blog readers enjoy meeting you and learning about
your books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Me, too! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> (Hello, readers
…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: The first thing that really impressed you was
when you talked about your relationship with the Lord. Please tell us about
your salvation experience and your decision to write Christian books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I grew up knowing the Lord. There was never any
question for me. Of course I had the “break away” during my teen years, and a
pretty discouraging event in my late teens that hardened my heart. But God
wouldn’t let go. I rededicated myself to the Lord at about age 21 but had my
“real Come-to-Jesus” meeting when I was probably in my mid to late 20s. Closer
to late. Everything changed for me in one night. Everything became more real. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He </i>became more real. I learned to listen
for and hear His voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When the door to publishing opened (I was over 40 by
this point), I walked through, knowing God had my hand. Writing for the
Christian market wasn’t a decision I made. There simply wasn’t a decision <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to </i>be made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I am always thrilled to hear authors tell about the time they came to know Jesus. It is so important to have a personal relationship with Him. Another big impression was when I read that you
really love the Old Testament. I do, too. I just completed a Bible study about
many of the Old Testament characters. I know many people say they don’t
understand it or don’t know anything about it. Why do you like the Old
Testament so much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Well, I’d better like it; I’m working toward my
Masters in OT Theology. I like the Old Testament because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our Christian faith is built on it. </i>It’s the root of our faith. Listen,
Jesus (Y’shua) didn’t think of the OT as the OT. He thought of it and called it
“the Scriptures.” What He talked about, what He taught from … where the Jewish
Scriptures and the culture of their day. When we learn it … truly learn it …
our eyes are opened to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">completeness </i>of
Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Each week I attend a class at a shul (Jewish
congregation) on Jewish Life. I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amazed
</i>at what I’m learning about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christian
faith! </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, you may know that I wrote a book with
Miriam Feinberg Vamosh called “Reflections of God’s Holy Land; A Personal
Journey Through Israel.” This book, published by Thomas Nelson in 2008 (the 60<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the statehood of Israel) won an ECPA Silver Medallion as well as
some other awards. But it was the writing of it, the walking the land with my
Jewish friend Miriam, the photographing of the land and of the sites that will
always stir my heart. I laid on a large rock at the brook where Gideon
separated the soldiers as the ones who would fight from those who would go home
… I placed my hand in that cool water … and watched the ripple. What an effect
it had on me! I stood where Elijah called down fire from heaven and, after a
few minutes of standing on Mt. Carmel alone (and I do mean ALONE), I cried like
a baby. I went with Miriam by IDF protection to where Rachel is buried … in a
bus with a few dozen Orthodox Jews who take their lives into their hands every
day <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just to pray! </i>I have so many
amazing memories …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Tell us a little about your family and your
hobbies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I married my husband nearly 35 years ago and he
“gifted me with two children” right away. I love my stepson and stepdaughter
dearly!! Then we had a child, a daughter—a gifted writer and editor in her own
right. They are all married, all have kids now, and my husband and I are
“empty-nesters” unless you count the two dogs who pretty much own us. As for
hobbies, I love walking/hiking, photography, ancestry, knitting and … I’ll be
honest … shopping. Of course reading and writing … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I noticed that you have a seminary degree,
something few women possess. What made you decide to go for this and which
seminary did you attend?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: My first trip to Israel. God had been nudging me
anyway … I went to Andersonville Theological Seminary where I am still
enrolled!! One day!! I. Will. Get. That. Final. Degree! My friends tease me
that when I’m done with my Masters I’ll go for my Doctorate. But … no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I’m married to a preacher, so I worked while he
attended seminary and typed all his papers. I only got a “Putting Hubby
Through” degree along with my “MRS”. But I enjoy studying the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you ever
think about writing a novel based on the life of one of the Old Testament
characters? If so, who would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: No, I haven’t … so, there’s no answer to the
second part of that question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Has your writing career been a life-long one, or
did you take it up later in life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Like I said, I was 40. But as soon as I could
hold a pen, I started spinning yarn … If I couldn’t write them, I told them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: And I’m sure you attended Writers’ Conferences
and studied about how to be a better writer. What importance do you place on
these kinds of activities? Tell us about your speaking and writing life. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I attended my first writers conference as
faculty, but I wouldn’t suggest that. I’m not the director of Florida Christian
Writers Conference and I cannot say enough about “sharpening your skills as
iron sharpens iron” type of thing. I’m also the president of </span><a href="http://word-weavers.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Word Weavers International</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">,
Inc, which is an international group of writing critique groups. I worked with
Jerry Jenkins for years as a mentor (Christian Writers Guild) … so yes! I think
this is important. I spend at least a little time every day learning more about
my craft, not just for myself but to pass along that knowledge to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: If I could start over, I would study journalism
in school and focus on writing. But we don’t get a second chance at life. What
would you say to women who wish they had become a writer early in life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Well, I think we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>get second chances. We cannot go back but we can start right
now. Listen, if you want to go back to school, go back to school. (But, you
say, it will take four years to get a two-year degree. Okay, I say, so four
years from now you can either stand with a diploma in your hand or nothing in
your hand. Doesn’t matter. Four years will come no matter …) So, if you want to
be a writer … <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">write! </i>Come to
conferences. Join groups like Word Weavers. Take some classes at a nearby
university or online university. But don’t just sit there wishing …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Thank you so much for visiting with us today. I
just wish it could have been face-to-face. I hope to read many more of your
books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like that, too! And be sure to tell me
what you think!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvkbanCE-nlicHdLZqlZvPAUU3Wxjk1AT8nayMTij9qd9TnPXQ8h8Tj9v48lExhhGEa3HeadUq11JxYGLhgbGR-e2zKFAA7RGcpDdtS2m6lPicmvU9WbPKiiOMLr7AG2nYYDbYzEOoUc/s1600/41dJYifAAkL__SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvkbanCE-nlicHdLZqlZvPAUU3Wxjk1AT8nayMTij9qd9TnPXQ8h8Tj9v48lExhhGEa3HeadUq11JxYGLhgbGR-e2zKFAA7RGcpDdtS2m6lPicmvU9WbPKiiOMLr7AG2nYYDbYzEOoUc/s320/41dJYifAAkL__SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And now readers, you can comment and enter your name
to win<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>CHASING SUNSETS (BOOK 1 IN THE CEDAR
KEY SERIES). I have read this one and loved it! I know you will too. Be sure to leave your email address so I can notify you if you are the winner.</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-60966900364537378212014-02-10T04:30:00.000-08:002014-02-10T04:30:01.406-08:00Blog winner!Congratulations to Diana from Indiana. She won the free book by Kimberly Rae this week. <br />
<br />
I just completed a new book by Meg Moseley--<strong><em>A Stillness of Chimes</em></strong>-- it will be out February 18.<br />
Meg now has written three novels: <strong><em>Gone South</em></strong> and <strong><em>When Sparrows Fall </em></strong>preceded this one. If you haven't read one of her novels, you are in for a treat. Check your local library or go on-line to find one of these titles.<br />
<br />
Another one I read this week is <strong><em>The Final Note</em></strong> by Kevin Milne. I read this in one sitting. My 94-year-old mother told me about this (we talk almost every day by long distance) and I wen on-line to find it. Since it's an older issue, I got it for $2.00 plus postage, and it was such a good book, I would have paid more to get it.<br />
<br />
I also have been reading the Bible and many things have been brought to mind because of this reading. I'm teaching a study of Old Testament characters for some women in my church, and reading several of the Old Testaments books while we were snowed in for a couple of weeks has been a great blessing in my life.<br />
<br />
Hope you're enjoying what you are reading these days. Tell me about a book you enjoyed recently!<br />
<br />
In two weeks I will have an interview with Eva Marie Everson, another Christian author I met while blogging. The winner of those who comment will win of her brand new books coming out in April: <strong><em>The Road to Testament.</em></strong> Be sure to come back Monday February 17 to read her interview and enter your name to win.<br />
<br />
Every day is one more day closer to spring. We're all anxiously waiting for that, I know. This winter has been a bad one!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-6416606793359973502014-02-03T04:30:00.000-08:002014-02-03T04:30:00.073-08:00Kimberly Rae, author of several genres...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSWkmcCPYD9fgooWEr8B8hcpsC9Dqrd-udCzLMvU2k6E7iLyS9YSD2AOszuDr_55BI-a5xp85XsJtqChkbnaoaZyGamc5l6ky4EZI7yPfm4CU5rdhvgyDcgmAGqZezrsUXi2zkHmblBI/s1600/10c21de830140a7e9d9ae4_L__V376756162_SL140_RO5,1,174,177,178,255,255,255,15_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSWkmcCPYD9fgooWEr8B8hcpsC9Dqrd-udCzLMvU2k6E7iLyS9YSD2AOszuDr_55BI-a5xp85XsJtqChkbnaoaZyGamc5l6ky4EZI7yPfm4CU5rdhvgyDcgmAGqZezrsUXi2zkHmblBI/s1600/10c21de830140a7e9d9ae4_L__V376756162_SL140_RO5,1,174,177,178,255,255,255,15_AA160_.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we meet Kimberly Rae, author of Christian
suspense. She has written a series on human trafficking as well as a series
about dealing with pain, and I think we’ll be interested to hear what she has
to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Hello, Kimberly. It’s so nice of you to come to
visit today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Hi and thanks for having me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I looked on your Amazon page and saw that you had
lived in several foreign countries and that you had work in five languages.
Please tell us about that, how you came to be living in so many different
exotic places and knowing so many languages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I’ve lived in Bangladesh, Uganda, Kosovo and
Indonesia. I went to Bangladesh for 2 years after I graduated from college, to
teach school and do writing projects. Uganda and Kosovo were both short
humanitarian trips, and then after I got married my husband and I lived in
Indonesia for nearly 3 years. He taught ESL at a University there. I love
different cultures!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I loved the trailer on your site where you talked
about your books. Please tell our blog readers why you write the books about
human trafficking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs7Lfcchtylj9iTVq_QZBF4VCceJ354VD9961aiRe_Yuz6dkcEypBhtfhd4bxa5f3IhrUNfb2swnXg54NVc6x0DJ6pVDogSmXwxXuixMxknOXXLclrM8oZa3otRbReJ3i_fYqNrNZxKM/s1600/512ZvKJBHAL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs7Lfcchtylj9iTVq_QZBF4VCceJ354VD9961aiRe_Yuz6dkcEypBhtfhd4bxa5f3IhrUNfb2swnXg54NVc6x0DJ6pVDogSmXwxXuixMxknOXXLclrM8oZa3otRbReJ3i_fYqNrNZxKM/s1600/512ZvKJBHAL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: When sickness brought me permanently back to the
US, I wanted to stay involved in doing things that matter in the world. Human
trafficking was a major subject on my heart. I had been writing for 10 years
but mostly for magazines and such, so when I started thinking of writing a
novel, I tossed around some ideas but wasn’t sure what to focus on. My mom
looked at me and asked, “If you could write about anything, what would you
write about?” By the end of the day, I think I had 3 chapters of Stolen Woman
done. It brought together things I’m passionate about—human trafficking,
missions, and women finding their worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I also discerned from your trailer that you love
Jesus. Will you tell us about your salvation experience and a little about your
life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I definitely love Jesus! Everything good in my
life comes from Him. I trusted in Christ to save me when I was a child, and
grew up loving Him. My dad was in the Navy, and my mom was a school teacher. I
have two sisters—I’m the middle—and we lived in the South but I don’t like
grits and don’t have an accent most of the time (though my husband thinks it’s
funny how thick it gets when I’m talking to someone who does!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: When did you decide to become a writer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I’ve been writing since I was a kid. Actually I
just found a set of stories I’d written when I was only 10 and ironically, I
had a story of rescue in there. I guess this idea of helping the helpless was
something God put on my heart a long, long time ago. Officially, I began
writing for publication after college, if you don’t count the novel I wrote in
high school that was so horribly cheesy I threw it away a few years ago to make
sure nobody ever found it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: How was your writing journey? Was it easy or
hard?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Definitely hard work, with a lot of
humility-inspiring events along the way, but that’s a good thing! When I
started writing for magazines, at first of course rejection felt devastating.
However, once I decided I was in this to learn and succeed, and after I told
myself to expect nine out of ten submissions to get rejected, it really did get
easier. I learned to submit several pieces at a time, so I wasn’t biting my
nails waiting for that one to get returned, and to study my target magazines to
know what they were looking for, and how to write a great query letter. I have
a blog now for other writers, to hopefully make it a little easier on them! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Tell us about your series “Sick and Tired”. What
compelled you to write about this? </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I have had health problems since childhood, but
they seemed random and disconnected. When we lived overseas, my condition got
worse and worse, but years of doctor’s visits and heaps of tests still didn’t
reveal the problem. Now, after fifteen years of searching, I was finally
diagnosed by a specialist at Emory. I have Addison’s disease, hypoglycemia,
asthma, and a cyst on my brain. Dealing with lifelong illness gets
discouraging, and those of us with chronic illness tend to feel alone. I wanted
to read a book that was funny, empathetic and helpful, but especially one that
would remind me that God loved me and had purpose for me, and my worth wasn’t
it how useful I felt I could be. I couldn’t find that book, so I wrote it! It’s
now a series, with the first two out and two more on the way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I know there are many, many people with chronic
pain and I am sure they would profit from reading what you have written. If
there were one book in this series that would benefit a sick person most, what
would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_OuF_e5Jwsa5vgFiQufXs-xAl_Jh_x9n3sDIrRAho4ZdYDloH6ytYVNXRNO_ntsJESAq3bpzMyjZ0OVuHz02L_NipktsPTpKwi-8cTrf1_dnNT0XFFEwvAM7GaGOAUNK2PutCLNkFuI/s1600/51FZAv8NTVL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_OuF_e5Jwsa5vgFiQufXs-xAl_Jh_x9n3sDIrRAho4ZdYDloH6ytYVNXRNO_ntsJESAq3bpzMyjZ0OVuHz02L_NipktsPTpKwi-8cTrf1_dnNT0XFFEwvAM7GaGOAUNK2PutCLNkFuI/s1600/51FZAv8NTVL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I’d have to say the first one, <strong>Sick & Tired</strong>.
Nearly one out of every two people in America has some kind of chronic
illness. They need to know they are not alone, and it helps to hear somebody
say it stinks, they understand, and they’re cheering you on. That’s what the
first book in the series is meant to, with some practical help like how to
explain your condition in a way that doesn’t leave room for people to think
it’s in your head. =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I saw a letter on your Amazon site from a doctor
who was praising your work as something both doctors and patients would enjoy
reading and was very impressed. Do you get a lot of letters like this from
doctors and patients?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I love hearing from both doctors and patients! I
have one doctor friend who keeps stocked up on the books to give to certain
patients, and I love that. She gets to encourage them, and they feel more
understood. I heard about another doctor who put the book in their waiting room
and had a patient ask if she could keep it! They said no. =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFI5FmCSFNF1muXefRlzWCWWLyd2R2JN82HuMUfjEzUxBCKnoUcgMprSstRlm26idIOw9OJyEy6qFx1MAJwpQpP97XEQSdFdw7xnfe006G3LZJZ3mIldDdELKQsgJHhmlZu5Kpfv-PIA/s1600/51Ou1GP2SSL__BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFI5FmCSFNF1muXefRlzWCWWLyd2R2JN82HuMUfjEzUxBCKnoUcgMprSstRlm26idIOw9OJyEy6qFx1MAJwpQpP97XEQSdFdw7xnfe006G3LZJZ3mIldDdELKQsgJHhmlZu5Kpfv-PIA/s1600/51Ou1GP2SSL__BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Tell us a little about your new book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue
Ridge Setup, </i></b>that was released this month? It is anything like the
other books you have written or it is the beginning of a new series?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: It’s totally different novel than my ones on
trafficking. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At its
heart, Blue Ridge Setup is a fun read about a young woman getting set up who
doesn’t want to get set up. Kayla Madison moves in with her eccentric
romance-novelist great aunt, who is determined she and Ryan Cummings would make
great characters for her next novel, if only she can get them together! Poor
Ryan has no idea what he’s getting into when he agrees to do a landscaping
project for the great aunt, who intends to keep coming up with jobs for him to
do until her plan works! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But it
also has the serious themes of what illness takes away, struggling with feeling
useless, needing to find worth for who you are, not what you do. It was good
therapy for me, writing the book, and I hope it will be good therapy for others
reading it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Sounds like fun, and it also sounds like a good
lesson. I can’t want to read it. Tell us about some of the children’s books you
have in print.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: The newest one, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When I’m With Jesus</i></b>, is
due for release November 29<sup>th</sup>. It’s a beautifully illustrated book
for children who have lost a loved one, from the perspective of the person who
goes to Heaven. This is a very special book to me, and I hope God uses it to
touch and comfort many children and adults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: It sounds like you have your finger in lots of pies--lots of different genres--I'm looking forward to reading some of them. Kimberly, it has been so nice to talk with you
today. I’m looking forward to the readers’ comments about your diversified
books. Thank you so much for your interview.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Thanks so much for letting me visit here today.
God bless and keep you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">_____________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">OK, bloggers, it’s your turn again. Leave a comment
if you’d like to win one of Kimberly’s books, and don't forget to leave your email address and the name of the state you live in!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdNqpwU9Z7PKxNXqYnk3FjSd4nqK76ark5ijbyYnFcZ4__iP14Tlo3D6ZPBMl0y3ZqoNdcOurDGVympl1f0HFlDe_25GvLuObQIrMhj6gUKtST4AX7z38wO19jnX5EQXys0E57Y9K6QE/s1600/51FZAv8NTVL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdNqpwU9Z7PKxNXqYnk3FjSd4nqK76ark5ijbyYnFcZ4__iP14Tlo3D6ZPBMl0y3ZqoNdcOurDGVympl1f0HFlDe_25GvLuObQIrMhj6gUKtST4AX7z38wO19jnX5EQXys0E57Y9K6QE/s1600/51FZAv8NTVL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-78182440922034182062014-01-27T04:30:00.000-08:002014-01-27T08:17:20.345-08:00Bette Lee Crosby's new book!<strong><em>The winner of Kimberly Rae Jordan's book is Valerie from North Carolina.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Congratulations, Valerie, and thanks to all those who visited my blog last week!</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Now read about Bette Lee Crosby's new book:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Jubilee's Journey</em></strong> by Bette Lee Crosby<br />
Give-away of one paperback and one e-book to the winner of those who comment!<br />
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If you read Bette Lee Crosby's book <strong><em>Spare Change, </em></strong>you met Ethan Allen, an eleven-year-old boy whose life was pretty destitute. Born to parents who cared more about spiting each other than caring for him, he found himself in a desperate situation. Both his parents were dead, and the sheriff was looking for him! All he knew to do was to try to find his grandpa. But he didn't know where he was. Finding an envelope in the house with his grandpa's address on it, he went searching for somebody to live with.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Jubilee's Journey</em></strong> starts out in a similar fashion. Jubilee, aged seven, and her brother Paul, aged fourteen, lost their parents, so they headed out to find a place to live and be together. When they arrived in Wyattsville, Virginia, a catastrophe took Paul away from her. Ethan Allan rescued her and took her to his grandma Olivia. The adventures they have are full of fun and suspense.<br />
<br />
You'll love this novel, another winner by Bette Lee Crosby, in book two of <strong><em>The Wyattsville Series.</em></strong><br />
<br />
If you'd like to win a copy of this book, there is one paperback and one e-book to give away. Leave a comment, along with you email address, and I'll notify the winner on January 31 or February 1.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-38473384461711053122014-01-27T03:30:00.000-08:002014-01-27T03:30:03.203-08:00Winner of Kimberly's book!The winner of last week's blog is Valerie from North Carolina. I appreciate all those who stopped by to leave a comment about the interview. I thought an interview with the daughter of a missionary was pretty special.<br />
<br />
I'm teaching a Bible study that I wrote to women in my church, from now through the first of March, about people in the Bible. The title is <strong><em>Ordinary People come face-to-face with Extraordinary God.</em></strong><br />
We meet people in the Old Testament through the first part of the study and we're enjoying them. I've been working hard to get the book adapted to be used as a Bible study, and to make study sheets to go with each week's lessons.<br />
<br />
As you might have noticed, I'm only doing one post per week. Enjoy the rest of winter, try to stay as warm as you can, and look forward to spring. I think it's only bout 50 days away, and I can't wait. Can you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-80728749881231581472014-01-20T04:30:00.000-08:002014-01-20T04:30:01.014-08:00Meet Kimberly Rae Jordan<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we are visiting with Kimberly Rae Jordan, an
author I met when I downloaded one of her books on my Kindle. I’m so glad she
agreed to do an interview. She has some interesting material and I want to
introduce her to all of you who read my blog.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Hi, Kimberly, it’s so nice that you can visit
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Thanks so much for having on your blog, Juanita!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Tell us about your life—where you live, your
children, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I live in central Canada where we have beautiful
summers and horrible winters! I have four wonderful kids. My oldest daughter is
in university and my youngest son is just getting out of diapers! In between
them are my boy/girl twins who have just entered the teen years! I do have a
“day job” working in the administration department of my brother’s technology
company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: The book you authored that I read was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faith,
Hope and Love</i></b> and it was about a missionary couple. I noticed that you
are the child of missionary parents. How long did you live in Asia, and did
this book have any connection to your experiences there? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: My parents took me to the mission field when I
was 18 months old and, aside from furlough years, I was there until I was 18
and graduated from high school. Yes, this book was based on my experiences to
some extent. The missionary center that is introduced in the prologue was based
on the one I grew up. Rural and beautiful with dirt paths running through the grass
and lots of trees to climb! The hostage-taking part of the story was based off
several different incidents. From the time I was around 11, I was aware of
missionaries who had been kidnapped. It is always a possibility for
missionaries serving in foreign lands, but there are definitely countries that
have been more dangerous in this regard than others. As I read the stories of
these men who had been kidnapped, I was always amazed and encouraged that
through it all, they maintained their faith. It led me to wonder what it would
be like if the opposite occurred. A man taken hostage, tortured and
released…having lost his faith. That was the basis of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faith, Hope & Love</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I suppose you left Asia to go to school in the
states. Did you study journalism, or was that something that came later in
life? In other words, I think I’m asking, did you always want to be a writer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: I left after high school and came back to
Canada—talk about a shock on several levels! At the time I was planning to go
to college for Business Administration. That didn’t work out so I ended up
working at a few different jobs until I had my first child. It was around then
that I began to dabble a bit in writing. I have always loved reading, and
growing up without a television really helped develop my imagination. I would
tell myself stories to fall asleep at night. Early on I don’t think I was
necessarily writing in pursuit of publication, but more for the enjoyment of
it. So the written word has always been a large part of my life only now I get
to share it with lots of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Tell us about your spiritual experience and when
you came to be a child of God. With missionary parents, I’m sure this was an
important part of your life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Yes, growing up as a missionary kid meant that I
was exposed to Christianity at a very young age. It was a large part of my life
through most my school years as well since the schools I attended were all
missionary schools which included Bible teaching along with other subjects.
Having all that exposure does not, however, guarantee that a missionary kid
will “stay the course”, so to speak. As a young adult I found myself just
drifting along in my spiritual life. I spent a lot of time trying to be the
person people expected me to be because of my parents and my background. I went
to church because that was expected of me. I agreed to work in the nursery and
teach children’s Sunday School because it seemed like the right thing to do. I
adhered to the conservative life I’d been raised with for no other reason than
I’d been told to. I struggled a lot for a few years and finally came to a
breaking point where I questioned much about my spiritual life. It was a very
difficult time for me spiritually and emotionally. I never questioned the
reality of God, but just felt lost in my relationship with Him. Eventually I realized
that I needed to have my own personal relationship with God, not my parents’
(grandparents, etc.) relationship with God. My writing has helped me to
continue to build that personal relationship. Often the things my characters
struggle with and learn in the course of the story are based on my own struggles
and what I’ve learned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: How true, Kimberly. We all have to have a face-to-face encounter with God. I call it a "point in time" experience. Something you can always remember. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tell us a little about your writing journey. How
long did it take after you started writing to get a book published? Or did you
start with free-lance writing for magazines, etc?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Once I put my mind to trying to publish, I began
to research publishers and agents. I joined a writers’ organization which lead
me to become part of a couple of critique groups. Those groups were filled with
some wonderful women who helped me polish my writing and offered encouragement
along the way. I originally targeted the Love Inspired line and had several
requests for complete manuscripts, but each time I ended up with a rejection
from them. It was discouraging, but I kept writing and submitting. When I had
my spiritual crisis, I stopped writing. I stopped submitting. I was in a place
where I just couldn’t face any more rejection. I set aside my writing and
focused on other things. A couple of years ago I reconnected with an old
critique partner. She had self-published through Amazon and told me I should
look into it too. My husband also encouraged me to take up my writing again. It
took me awhile to get the nerve up, but eventually I pulled out those old
manuscripts and began to revise (update!) and polish them. At the end of
January 2013, I published <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faith, Hope
& Love</i>, and I haven’t looked back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I so appreciate authors who write Christian
fiction. How long have you been writing and how many books have you published?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: My writing journey has been kind of fractured,
but I think it’s safe to say I’ve been writing in one form or another (fiction,
journaling etc.) for most my adult life. To date I’ve published six books and
contributed to a devotional for authors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: I notice you have a series about the Karlsson
Brothers. From the reviews I read, this is a popular series. Tell us about
these guys and how you came up with a series about them. How many books are in
the series? Do you plan to write more?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: To be honest, when I wrote the first book (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waiting for Rachel</i>), I never planned for
it be a series. As the story unfolded and Jace was introduced into the story, I
began to think about writing his story. I had already planned that Damian (the
hero of book 1) would come from a family of three adopted boys, so then I just
needed to flesh out the middle brother, Alex. There will only be three stories
in this series, but I have discovered a love for series books! In writing the
stories of these three brothers, the thing I enjoyed most was not having to say
goodbye to the characters at the end of their book. Well, except when I got to
the end of book 3. Lol! Being able to carry on parts of Damian and Rachel’s
story into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worth the Wait </i>was fun.
And then to be able to revisit the lives of the characters of the first two
books in the third, which takes place a few years in the future, was very
satisfying for me. I hope the readers feel the same way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: What would readers be surprised to know about
you? Tell us an embarrassing situation or an unusual happening, please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: This question has me stumped! I try to avoid
embarrassing situations at all costs. Lol In addition to writing, I enjoy
baking. I don’t bake as much as I would like to because baking leads to eating,
and eating sweets and such leads to…well, you know! I was first introduced to
baking by my dad. He helped me bake my first pie! When I was 14 years old, 4
friends and I started up a bakery on our missionary center. Each day we would
take orders and then would bake things like cookies, bread and cinnamon buns.
The name of our bakery was “Dough-Dough’s Bakery” and our slogan (courtesy of
my mom!) was “We knead your dough.” We each made a nice sum of money that
summer. I have sold baking to help raise money for my oldest daughter’s
mission’s trip to Jamaica as well as to supplement our income at varying times.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Kimberly, thank you so much for being with us
today and for your insightful answers. I hope our bloggers will be looking for
your books. Tell us where you can be found—your website and how to reach you on
Facebook or Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A: Thanks so much for the opportunity to share about
myself and my books with your readers! I’m in all the usual places on the web.
My website is </span><a href="http://www.kimberlyraejordan.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.kimberlyraejordan.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.
You can like my author page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyRaeJordan"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyRaeJordan</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
and follow me on twitter at </span><a href="https://twitter.com/KimberlyRJordan"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://twitter.com/KimberlyRJordan</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.
I answer all email, so you can also write me at kimberly@kimberlyraejordan.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q: Thanks, and I hope I
get to read more of your wonderful books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Note from Kimberly: We will hopefully have Faith, Hope and
Love available in print by the end of the year. I would be happy to donate a
book for your winner! </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Readers, you will love this book! I read it on my Kindle and had to keep recharging so I could keep reading! Remember to leave your email address so I can notify you if you win.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I'll announce the winner on January 26, but will email the winner on the weekend, January 24 or 25.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-70642853257389770222014-01-13T04:30:00.000-08:002014-01-13T04:30:02.853-08:00Mona Hodgson--Interview with Wooly Rutherford Wainwright, character in first novella<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTkUGdO0zd8LPqfm_V25gFkkVZ3onsZ276699onrsQ9A6tDrCz8RA989qRh4AlUUAPOzzGRKHGl8Lkz8W_MHyCsYaMW_RTqFUXIfEmFdsFtZU73CIoLTn4okVwCvCrdXa4WA5pC8WV9M/s1600/Mona+Profile+2.jpg" height="200" width="127" /> </div>
<br />
The winner of last week's blog contest is Rachel from Virginia. Congratulations, Rachel! You'll be hearing from Sarah Sundin soon.<br />
Now meet "Wooley" Rutherford Wainwright-- a character from Mona Hodgson's book, <strong><em>The Quilted Heart.</em></strong> Be sure to read to end to find out how you can enter to win a copy of this book on Mona's blog.<br />
<br />
"Wooley" Rutherford Wainwright is the son-in-law of Mrs. Brantenberg, who has been away in the Civil War for four years, ever since the birth of his little daughter, Gabi, and the death of his precious wife. Gabi can't understand why her PaPa has never come back to see her. As you read <strong><em>THE QUILTED HEART by Mona Hodgson, </em></strong>you might wonder about this man. I did. So here is an interview with him to learn something about his life. He is a man of few words, and he has a sorrow about him that is evident as you read his words: <br />
<br />
Wooley, tell us a little about yourself. What is your job?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>I was a farmer, then a soldier. Now my work depends on how I am received by Mrs. Brandenberg.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
How would you describe yourself?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>As a disappointment. </em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What do you need most right now?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Forgiveness.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
How do you face disappointment or hardship?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>In the past I ran. I hope I can do better this time around.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What is your most important goal in life?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>To reunite with my little daughter, Gabi, and be a PaPa to her.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What are you most afraid of?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>That I won't be given a second chance.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
If you could travel back in time, where would you go, and why?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>To the day before my daughter was born. I'd like to do things differently. And right.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What do you put off because of dread, or because you just don't want to do it?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Returning to St. Charles.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What is most important to you?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>To return to St. Charles and to make sure the daughter I abandoned knows how much I love her.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
What do you want others to see in you?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>My dependence on God for every step I take, from now on.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>---------------------</em></strong><br />
<br />
If you have not yet read <strong><em>The Quilted Heart</em></strong> by Mona Hodgson, you can get it and learn about Wooley and his second chance. The sweet love story of Wooley and Maren, and his precious little daughter Gabi is in the first novella, <strong><em>Dandelions in the Wind.</em></strong> All three novellas will thrill you as you read about three women in the town of St.Charles. The women are of different nationalities with different customs but they are tied together because of a love of quilting. In <strong><em>Bending Toward the Sun</em></strong> and <strong><em>Ripples Along the Shore</em></strong> you will meet other beloved characters, all friends, some of whom are making their plans to go to West on a Wagon Train. <br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXXMQU4A2CpzTjtixB4NpxJIX1XtjODKQQivabH2_AmAH9dtD1gK6JEvTVTRqC7NZBq1BnvWe7XX5DKTo5w7ipYvX2b9fBken5SB79DDLBWBKR5g-_laO2AjJ1vhXqO7B0IJoNwB30NA/s1600/Quilted+Heart+Series+Omni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXXMQU4A2CpzTjtixB4NpxJIX1XtjODKQQivabH2_AmAH9dtD1gK6JEvTVTRqC7NZBq1BnvWe7XX5DKTo5w7ipYvX2b9fBken5SB79DDLBWBKR5g-_laO2AjJ1vhXqO7B0IJoNwB30NA/s1600/Quilted+Heart+Series+Omni.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">Blurb</span></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><i>The Quilted Heart Omnibus</i>Like a beautiful patchwork
quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched
together with love and Gods unending grace. </strong><br />Once a week, Elsa
Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the
outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather
there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the
Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with
friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched
together by Gods grace? </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i><br />Dandelions on the Wind </i></b>
Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg's St. Charles, Missouri farm, she
never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg
and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order
bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But when
Gab'is father, Rutherford Wooly Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly,
everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find another job. Are
her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan?
<br /> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Bending Toward the Sun </i></b>Dedicated to her education and
to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is convinced she
doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles,
Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie's
eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and
a future with a husband and family of her own? <br /> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Ripples Along the
Shore </i></b>Change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are
preparing to head west on the Boone's Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious
and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war
that killed Caroline's husband. Despite her dislike for him, Caroline is tempted
to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw
forbids her, a single woman, to travel with them, will one man's prejudice destroy
Caroline's hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of Gods love bring the
answer she needs?<br /><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">
<br />Click here to pre-order your paperback or eBook copy of <b><i>The Quilted
Heart</i></b>. (<a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=220625">
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=220625</a>) <br /><br /><strong>Comment on Mona Hodgson Author Page [</strong><a eudora="autourl" href="https://www.facebook.com/Author.Mona"><strong>
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Mona</strong></a><strong>] before Friday,, January 31st to enter
the BLOG TOUR DRAWING for one of three signed copies of <i>The Quilted Heart.
</i>Which blog did you visit and comment on?</strong> You can enter once for each
Blog Tour Drawing blog you visit and comment on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bio<br /><br />Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 40 books, historical
novels for adults and childrens books, including her popular Sinclair Sisters
of Cripple Creek Series, <i>The Quilted Heart</i> novellas, and <i>Prairie
Song</i>, Book 1 in her Hearts Seeking Home Series. Her childrens books include
bestseller, <i>Bedtime in the Southwest</i>, six desert and princess
<i>Zonderkidz</i> I Can Read books, <i>Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day
Devotional</i>, and her six <i>I Wonder</i> books.<br /><br />Mona's writing credits
also include several hundred articles, poems and short stories, which have
appeared in 50 different publications. Mona is a speaker for women's groups,
Christian womens retreats, book clubs and reading groups, schools, and
conferences for writers and librarians.</span><br />
<br />
<x-sigsep>
<br />
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><b>Mona Hodgson</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;"><a eudora="autourl" href="http://www.monahodgson.com/">www.monahodgson.com</a> </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Prairie Song, Book 1 in the Hearts
Seeking Home Series </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;">(WaterBrook Press/Random House) </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;">NEW!</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Quilted Heart
Omnibus</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;"> (Pre-Order for
January 21st Release) </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series
</i></b></span></x-sigsep><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-7262700252838093732014-01-06T04:30:00.000-08:002014-01-06T04:30:00.646-08:00Meet Sarah Sundin, author of novels set during World War II<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGNBUKxehIzl-9UijqaZ6JDftSZilzvANeiCZOlV6RqdWaTPIOx34zrx6RtArt_iFAlYJXgE-vKXmRMsDLj1vhTn6u1oZarMlnaUbC7NQOOcsBb62NEMraSZBB3gXjrv1jFguLOhjJgg/s1600/SUNDIN~1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGNBUKxehIzl-9UijqaZ6JDftSZilzvANeiCZOlV6RqdWaTPIOx34zrx6RtArt_iFAlYJXgE-vKXmRMsDLj1vhTn6u1oZarMlnaUbC7NQOOcsBb62NEMraSZBB3gXjrv1jFguLOhjJgg/s1600/SUNDIN~1.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
Hello, Sarah, I’m looking forward to our visit today and to getting to know you
better. First, will you tell us where you grew up and where you live now? Also,
tell us a little about yourself and your family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
grew up in southern California and now live in northern California. My husband
and I have three children—two in college and one in high school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
noticed from your website that books were important to you as you were growing
up. I think you said “Our house was wallpapered in books.” That’s a great way
to grow up. What were some of your favorite books when you were a little girl
and a teen-ager?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
read pretty much anything I could get my hands on. The Little House on the
Prairie books were particular favorites, as were the Betsy, Tacy, and Tib
books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
Now will you tell us about your spiritual heritage? I know you are a Christian
because of your testimony on your website and the things you do. When you began
writing, what impressed you to write from a Christian perspective?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
I write from a Christian perspective because I can’t imagine writing from any
other. The Lord is active in my life, and I see Him at work all around me. To
write stories omitting Him wouldn’t be true to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
That’s a great testimony, Sarah, one I love to hear. I just finished reading <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On
Distant Shores</i></b> and the main character was an Army Pharmacist. I also
notice you have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Doctors’ degree in
pharmacy.</b> Please tell us about this direction in your life and what
inspired you to write about this medical field, along with placing it in the
time frame of World War II?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
Starting in sixth grade, I fell in love with science and knew I wanted to use
science to help people, which led me into pharmacy. I never seriously
considered becoming a writer—but God had other ideas! However, my scientific
and health care training has ended up being very useful to me as a writer. I’ve
been able to decipher technical pilot manuals and write authentically about
Army hospitals, nurses, and health care. My husband (also a pharmacist) kept
bugging me to write about a pharmacist. My research turned up very little about
pharmacy in the military during the war…but when I finally found some sources,
what I learned fascinated me—and inspired <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On
Distant Shores</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
notice a lot of World War II history is included in your writing. Are most of
your books set during this time period? What impelled you to get into this part
of history and devote so much time to it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As
of now, all my novels are set in World War II, including a future contracted
series. I find it such an intriguing time period with an unlimited supply of
stories. Part of the appeal is how ordinary men learned they could do
extraordinary things, and how women tried on new roles while remaining ladies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
You are also a Sunday School teacher and a leader in Women’s studies. I do
these things, too. Can you tell us how long you’ve been doing this and which authors
you prefer to study with the ladies you teach?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve
been teaching Sunday school since 2002 and women’s Bible studies since 2003.
I’ve enjoyed learning from Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and many others. Our church
women’s ministries uses a combination of video-driven studies from established
teachers like these, but we’ve also recently begun using our own material. We
have an excellent teaching team of about a dozen extremely talented ladies. We
rotate teaching throughout the quarter, write our own lectures, and develop the
discussion questions. The teachers like this because we get to teach from our
personal study and what God lays on our hearts—but we only have to put together
a handful of lectures each year. And the women love the variety of teaching
styles and focuses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That
sounds like something I would love to be a part of.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I like the lecture format, too, and I just finished writing a
Bible study about ordinary people in the Old Testament, that I will teach in
January at our church. How long have you been writing and how many books have
you authored? Are all of them still in print?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NQzhI3YiC3tvCNw_FBrx986KFRydpcD7-GExQNm2GsygcjUm656X3GzcKk-mAA-WPnHhYCHqboO7eSqGefGpCc2FoNYoGg3LXyjTDEaAHq2gfXBkxSOYviWv0MH1Zr-nQzBNhicsRt4/s1600/51TaaRTlzHL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NQzhI3YiC3tvCNw_FBrx986KFRydpcD7-GExQNm2GsygcjUm656X3GzcKk-mAA-WPnHhYCHqboO7eSqGefGpCc2FoNYoGg3LXyjTDEaAHq2gfXBkxSOYviWv0MH1Zr-nQzBNhicsRt4/s1600/51TaaRTlzHL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve
been writing since 2000, and my first novel (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Distant Melody</i>) was published in 2010. I have five books
published right now (all still in print), two more coming in 2014, and then
another three-book series after that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If
one wanted to read a book just to get to know you and your style of writing,
which one of your books would you recommend that we start with?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
I’d suggest either <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Distant Melody</i>
(Book 1 in the Wings of Glory series) or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">With
Every Letter</i> (Book 1 in the Wings of the Nightingale series). However, all
the novels do stand alone, so if another story particularly appeals, start
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
also noticed that you place a lot of importance on belonging to writers’ groups
and studying the craft of writing. What advice would you give a beginning
writer in this respect?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
If you’re writing for the Christian market, I strongly recommend joining
American Christian Fiction Writers. There are email loops, free courses for
members, online critique groups, and an excellent yearly conference. I love this
group. Also look for writers’ conferences, which are great ways to learn gobs
of material, meet other writers, and get connected in the industry. A good
conference is worth every penny. I joke that I’m “addicted” to the Mount Hermon
Christian Writers Conference—I need my yearly dose! (That’s a pharmacist joke).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
Do you have any more “words of wisdom” for our blog readers this week?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If
you have a dream on your heart, take advantage of the spirit of the New Year.
Pray about this dream, and if it’s something God wants you to do, pray He’ll
give you the courage, discipline, and wisdom to bring it to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Juanita:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks
so much for being a guest today and for introducing us to your books. I love
books set during the 1940’s and 1950’s and many of our blog readers do, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sarah:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
Thank you so much for having me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">_____________________</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Readers, be sure to leave your comment and email address so your name can be added to the list of those who qualify to receive a free copy of <em><strong>On Distant Shores</strong>.</em></span><br />
If you have problems signing on here, you can send me an email (mjnobles at charter dot net) or find me or Sarah on Facebook and comment there. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-79834315287640848312013-12-16T08:37:00.000-08:002013-12-16T08:37:23.282-08:00Blog Winner!The winner of Rosemary Hines' free book is Katrina. Thanks to those of you who commented.<br />
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Rosemary's trilogy is a wonderful story. Michelle Barron, the heroine in the book, tells Rosemary's story of her struggle through dabbling in the New Age movement, finding Christ as her Savior, and her life. If you read the interview, you saw Rosemary's testimony (and if you didn't, you can go back and read it. You will be blessed.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-kmMJIjwptBEHbvVhDEuWdHhIlERgUHSkF6eOqfEdj7LWl_Pdbr9rl163M1G2YrM-msieQi7cs12gng4teItXb1pfiZzI1ma7JvaEUwzbalopjjGhBdQx_X288jHId7zZdi6oJTTzxo/s1600/Out%2520of%2520a%2520dream%2520front%2520cover%2520final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-kmMJIjwptBEHbvVhDEuWdHhIlERgUHSkF6eOqfEdj7LWl_Pdbr9rl163M1G2YrM-msieQi7cs12gng4teItXb1pfiZzI1ma7JvaEUwzbalopjjGhBdQx_X288jHId7zZdi6oJTTzxo/s320/Out%2520of%2520a%2520dream%2520front%2520cover%2520final.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
In <strong>Out of a Dream, </strong>we meet Michelle and learn of her temptations with New Age. Once Satan gets a foothold like he did with her, it's hard to get away. But she succeeds as you will see when you read this book.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzGWDmtfinpM9RqK01d8DXph5kRe-cmMfv3c8eMVoGZu3pLnrWieQTa2mCOxsfNtW8wsSwr59Rc6uj8EtWX7_C_b9ccR6kK02h13U__h00IqOR_VKfHy4I8VsSWb_e9Bk_0Mtpc-rUJI/s1600/Through%2520the%2520tears-cover_jpg_opt204x301o0,0s204x301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzGWDmtfinpM9RqK01d8DXph5kRe-cmMfv3c8eMVoGZu3pLnrWieQTa2mCOxsfNtW8wsSwr59Rc6uj8EtWX7_C_b9ccR6kK02h13U__h00IqOR_VKfHy4I8VsSWb_e9Bk_0Mtpc-rUJI/s1600/Through%2520the%2520tears-cover_jpg_opt204x301o0,0s204x301.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjrw4X3wOC1jSaPgTY00VNUtlWtWB4-7cRmevXWbvpt0vW_QCK-d2kgoqKYWVMj_PUMZtWk12nANMjdyvNzFw1Fb05M8qXDEY451oAxZNSEEGLl5NY3zuCo9Vf3H3GBFIFiettFqIwWM/s1600/Final%2520final%2520Magnolia%2520cover_jpg_opt194x302o0,0s194x302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjrw4X3wOC1jSaPgTY00VNUtlWtWB4-7cRmevXWbvpt0vW_QCK-d2kgoqKYWVMj_PUMZtWk12nANMjdyvNzFw1Fb05M8qXDEY451oAxZNSEEGLl5NY3zuCo9Vf3H3GBFIFiettFqIwWM/s1600/Final%2520final%2520Magnolia%2520cover_jpg_opt194x302o0,0s194x302.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>Through the Tears</strong> tells of her problem with infertility and her subsequent adoption of a baby. <strong>Into Magnolia</strong> recounts Michelle's experience with a young girl in her class at school who is unmarried and pregnant. I downloaded all these onto my Kindle and read them in a short time. <br />
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If you want to read a great story, download these and read them. They are expensive as print, but as e-books they are quite a bargain. If you don't have a reader, you can download an app on your computer to read them.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-988015289463191002013-12-09T04:30:00.000-08:002013-12-09T04:30:02.674-08:00Author Rosemary Hines--one more time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iWZxZPe5_GxqzTvqGfuYEZDzA3bD4YxDx6J3pjp4BSZecr6tvhKkHSWRAMZbgt7pOKhE1nRT-wBVJrXnvl7EtmUPT6w-CayiraGZwUUnABZlw2_pAYQTbDgDSiG3TL_j8qYZEf-8YzE/s1600/Head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iWZxZPe5_GxqzTvqGfuYEZDzA3bD4YxDx6J3pjp4BSZecr6tvhKkHSWRAMZbgt7pOKhE1nRT-wBVJrXnvl7EtmUPT6w-CayiraGZwUUnABZlw2_pAYQTbDgDSiG3TL_j8qYZEf-8YzE/s320/Head+shot.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong>Hello, Readers, </strong>Since my blog was not working last week, I'm posting it again this week. Hope you'll read and comment and enter your name to win one of Rosemary's books. If you can't comment but want to enter the contest, please send me an email at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="mailto:mjnobles@charter.net">mjnobles</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">@charter.net</a> and I'll put your name on the list.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hello, Rosemary, It’s so nice to be able to visit with you today. I know we’re going to have a great time as we get to know you. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Thanks, Juanita! I’m looking forward to our time together and the privilege of being a guest on your blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I found your books on an e-Reader list and am so glad I downloaded and read them. Your three-book series was wonderful—up-to-date and so relevant to today. The setting was modern America, present-day, and dealt with problems everyone has heard about. Please tell us about them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I’m glad you enjoyed them. Since you’ve read all three, you know that they are realistic, contemporary Christian fiction. My goal was to create a seamless story line that spanned all three books. I’ve been told they are page-turners, with many readers reporting they stayed up late to finish reading. That’s music to an author’s ears! </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong>Juanita: </strong><span style="color: black;">Did you always aspire to be an author?</span><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Will you tell us why you wanted to write these books and what you want people to take away from them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Becoming a writer was never on my radar growing up. Although I’ve always been an avid reader and found that words flowed easily for me, my career goal was focused on teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I didn’t become a Christian until I was 30 years old, choosing New Age beliefs instead. One day I was praying and expressing my regret to God about how I had wasted those first 30 years trying to live without Him. I’d even mocked Christians as out-dated and narrow-minded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I expressed my regrets in prayer, God impressed on my heart that He was going to redeem the years the locusts had eaten away. As a new believer, I had no idea that was actually a Bible verse from the Old Testament book of Joel. Then He gave me an inspiration to use the gift of writing and my life experiences from those first thirty years to help others understand His grace, mercy, and love. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Initially, I hesitated, not seeing myself as an author. But bit-by-bit God dismantled my excuses and fed me the stories that became the Sandy Cove series. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My hope and prayer is that He uses these books to make a spiritual impact on believers and non-believers alike. For believers, I hope Michelle’s journey through New Age deception will help them understand this false religion and be better equipped to share Jesus with family members and friends who have been seduced by its tantalizing lies. For non-believers, I hope it will open their eyes to who God really is and the only truth that can truly set them free. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How much of your own life did you write into this series? How true to your life was the heroine of <strong><em>Out of a Dream</em></strong>, Michelle Baron?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: First let me say I believe that fiction authors are most effective in their storytelling when they write about struggles and conflicts they have faced in their own lives. That said, each of Michelle’s trials are trials I have experienced, but her story is definitely her own, and she has her own unique responses to these circumstances and struggles. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How easy is it for people to become taken in by the New Age Movement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: For those who have never experienced a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the New Age system of beliefs is very enticing. It gives followers the flexibility to basically design their own religion and create their own personal god, suited to their lifestyles and desires. In our contemporary culture, that kind of self-power is very appealing. Plus, New Age beliefs espouse “tolerance” for all beliefs, a mindset that is advocated in our public life in America, including in our public schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tell us a little about your writing journey. How hard was it to get started on this road and where has it taken you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Writing these novels was a seventeen-year journey. I wrote as God inspired me along the way, while I worked full time and raised a family. In addition to the writing process, I had to make decisions about publication, which required research and attending writers’ conferences. Once the books were published, I began the process of learning how to get the word out to potential readers through social media, advertising, and lots of prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Please tell us a little about yourself. Besides writing and reading, what do you like to do? I understand you were once a schoolteacher, as I was. I think your teaching experiences led to the writing of your third book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Into Magnolia.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV8ifvqdzTMrb3mNrQBwnxXz2nx9js4dpdfa4zopd-D976EvoZ8gx4w342XLHUrHqp_y4ef1172FrTAElHVCvD32sAAXryfaNTkJmdMx6zfzjVL1cLvUOZhz7qUgLxP2ZQPMTXYGzGSI/s1600/Recent+pic+of+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: My childhood dreams always revolved around being a wife, mother, and teacher. God has graciously given me the opportunity to fulfill all of those dreams. My husband and I have been married for 37 years, we have two wonderful children — a daughter and a son — who are both married and live near us. Recently we became grandparents to two beautiful granddaughters now ages one and two. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My dream of teaching did not unfold easily. It was nearly derailed before it began by an anxiety disorder that crippled me for the first year after I obtained my credential. This was back in my New Age days, and I basically abandoned any hopes or plans for teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After I became a Christian and began asking God to make me one of His servants, He answered, “Teach my children.” That was a very frightening thought for me. I resisted for awhile, but He patiently and gently led me one baby step at a time back into the classroom, beginning with a handful of preschoolers in a parent co-op on the beach, to an elementary position, and finally into my 15 years of teaching junior high English. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Those years as a junior high teacher gave me an opportunity to work some intensive interventions in the lives of kids who were struggling. Through my experiences, I saw the effects of broken homes, a limping foster care system, and the lack of character education and values on some very fragile kids. All of this contributed to the third novel in the series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Into Magnolia.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Your second book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Through the Tears, </i></b>dealt with the prevalent problem of infertility. I went through this with my daughter and thought you presented the problem very realistically. Why did you choose to write a novel with this topic?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: When my husband and I first tried to start a family, we were hit with an unexpected diagnosis of infertility. Although the characters in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Through the Tears</i> were dealing with male infertility, ours was a case of sporadic ovulation coupled with endometriosis on my part. Eventually, surgery and fertility drugs succeeded, and we were able to have our daughter. Since endometriosis goes into remission during pregnancy and nursing, our son was a special surprise baby who was born 17 months after our daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wrote about this topic because there are so many people who struggle with it silently. I wanted to portray how this issue wrenches the hearts of those involved and becomes a consuming factor for them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My prayer is that family members and friends, who are looking in from the outside, will have a deeper understanding and compassion for those in the midst of this struggle. I wish I had a dollar for every person who suggested I should just “relax” and then I would get pregnant! For those in the throes of medical issues, that is the very last thing they need to hear. I also hope and pray that those who are immersed in the heartache of infertility will find courage and hope from Michelle’s journey.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And you certainly attained your goal, in my opinion. Having watched my infertile daughter suffer for many years, I can attest to that. Are you a member of a Writers’ group? How important do you think this is for people who desire to write?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I have been involved in several writers’ groups. It is a wonderful way to learn and grow as a writer, and I highly recommend trying it! If you don’t click with one group, don’t give up. Try another. Or start one yourself!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I read these books in e-format. Are they also available in print? How can people get these books to read them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: My books are all available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. They sell on most online vendors such as Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, Kobo, Apple Books, etc. For more information, your readers can visit the book page of my website, which provides some links for purchasing them. <a href="http://www.rosemaryhines.com/books"><span style="color: blue;">www.rosemaryhines.com/books</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you have any more books in the works? What are your plans for the future?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I have been praying about a fourth book in the Sandy Cove series and have an idea for a devotional/prayer book. My sister and I may co-write a stand-alone novel as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary, thank you so much for being our guest today. We’ve enjoyed reading about you and your work. We’ll look forward to hearing from you in the coming years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">-----OK, Readers, Now it’s your turn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave a comment and your name will be entered in a drawing for one of Rosemary’s books. (If the "comments" don't work, please send me an email and I will enter your name.) The winner will receive a copy of Rosemary’s first book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out of a Dream</i>,</b> in print or e-format (Winner's Choice). The winner will receive a link from Rosemary with instructions on how to download the book if you choose an e-book. <u>Print book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses</u>. <strong><em>Don’t forget to leave your email address so I can notify you if you are the winner.</em></strong> </span></div>
My email is <a href="mailto:mjnobles@charter.net">mjnobles</a><complete id="goog_2097950193"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">@charter.net</a></complete><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-69332571080182385262013-12-02T04:30:00.000-08:002013-12-03T06:49:26.159-08:00Interview with Rosemary Hines, author of contemporary fiction<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iWZxZPe5_GxqzTvqGfuYEZDzA3bD4YxDx6J3pjp4BSZecr6tvhKkHSWRAMZbgt7pOKhE1nRT-wBVJrXnvl7EtmUPT6w-CayiraGZwUUnABZlw2_pAYQTbDgDSiG3TL_j8qYZEf-8YzE/s1600/Head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iWZxZPe5_GxqzTvqGfuYEZDzA3bD4YxDx6J3pjp4BSZecr6tvhKkHSWRAMZbgt7pOKhE1nRT-wBVJrXnvl7EtmUPT6w-CayiraGZwUUnABZlw2_pAYQTbDgDSiG3TL_j8qYZEf-8YzE/s320/Head+shot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hello,
Rosemary, It’s so nice to be able to visit with you today. I know we’re going
to have a great time as we get to know you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Thanks, Juanita! I’m looking forward to
our time together and the privilege of being a guest on your blog.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
found your books on an e-Reader list and am so glad I downloaded and read them.
Your three-book series was wonderful—up-to-date and so relevant to today. The
setting was modern America, present-day, and dealt with problems everyone has
heard about. Please tell us about them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I’m glad you enjoyed them. Since you’ve
read all three, you know that they are realistic, contemporary Christian
fiction. My goal was to create a seamless story line that spanned all three
books. I’ve been told they are page-turners, with many readers reporting they
stayed up late to finish reading. That’s music to an author’s ears! </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong>Juanita: </strong><span style="color: black;">Did you always
aspire to be an author?</span><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Will
you tell us why you wanted to write these books and what you want people to
take away from them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Becoming a writer was never on my radar
growing up. Although I’ve always been an avid reader and found that words
flowed easily for me, my career goal was focused on teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I didn’t become a Christian until I was 30 years
old, choosing New Age beliefs instead. One day I was praying and expressing my
regret to God about how I had wasted those first 30 years trying to live
without Him. I’d even mocked Christians as out-dated and narrow-minded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I expressed my regrets in prayer, God impressed
on my heart that He was going to redeem the years the locusts had eaten away.
As a new believer, I had no idea that was actually a Bible verse from the Old
Testament book of Joel. Then He gave me an inspiration to use the gift of
writing and my life experiences from those first thirty years to help others
understand His grace, mercy, and love. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Initially, I hesitated, not seeing myself as an
author. But bit-by-bit God dismantled my excuses and fed me the stories that
became the Sandy Cove series. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My hope and prayer is that He uses these books to
make a spiritual impact on believers and non-believers alike. For believers, I
hope Michelle’s journey through New Age deception will help them understand
this false religion and be better equipped to share Jesus with family members
and friends who have been seduced by its tantalizing lies. For non-believers, I
hope it will open their eyes to who God really is and the only truth that can
truly set them free. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How
much of your own life did you write into this series? How true to your life was
the heroine of <strong><em>Out of a Dream</em></strong>, Michelle Baron?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: First let me say I believe that fiction
authors are most effective in their storytelling when they write about
struggles and conflicts they have faced in their own lives. That said, each of
Michelle’s trials are trials I have experienced, but her story is definitely
her own, and she has her own unique responses to these circumstances and
struggles. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How
easy is it for people to become taken in by the New Age Movement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: For those who have never experienced a
genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the New Age system of beliefs
is very enticing. It gives followers the flexibility to basically design their
own religion and create their own personal god, suited to their lifestyles and
desires. In our contemporary culture, that kind of self-power is very
appealing. Plus, New Age beliefs espouse “tolerance” for all beliefs, a mindset
that is advocated in our public life in America, including in our public
schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tell
us a little about your writing journey. How hard was it to get started on this
road and where has it taken you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: Writing these novels was a seventeen-year
journey. I wrote as God inspired me along the way, while I worked full time and
raised a family. In addition to the writing process, I had to make decisions
about publication, which required research and attending writers’ conferences.
Once the books were published, I began the process of learning how to get the
word out to potential readers through social media, advertising, and lots of
prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Please
tell us a little about yourself. Besides writing and reading, what do you like
to do? I understand you were once a schoolteacher, as I was. I think your
teaching experiences led to the writing of your third book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Into
Magnolia.</i></b></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: My childhood dreams always revolved around
being a wife, mother, and teacher. God has graciously given me the opportunity
to fulfill all of those dreams. My husband and I have been married for 37
years, we have two wonderful children — a daughter and a son — who are both
married and live near us. Recently we became grandparents to two beautiful granddaughters
now ages one and two. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My dream of teaching did not unfold easily. It was
nearly derailed before it began by an anxiety disorder that crippled me for the
first year after I obtained my credential. This was back in my New Age days,
and I basically abandoned any hopes or plans for teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After I became a Christian and began asking God to
make me one of His servants, He answered, “Teach my children.” That was a very
frightening thought for me. I resisted for awhile, but He patiently and gently led
me one baby step at a time back into the classroom, beginning with a handful of
preschoolers in a parent co-op on the beach, to an elementary position, and
finally into my 15 years of teaching junior high English. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Those years as a junior high teacher gave me an
opportunity to work some intensive interventions in the lives of kids who were
struggling. Through my experiences, I saw the effects of broken homes, a
limping foster care system, and the lack of character education and values on
some very fragile kids. All of this contributed to the third novel in the
series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Into Magnolia.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Your
second book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Through the Tears, </i></b>dealt with the prevalent problem of
infertility. I went through this with my daughter and thought you presented the
problem very realistically. Why did you choose to write a novel with this
topic?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: When my husband and I first tried to start
a family, we were hit with an unexpected diagnosis of infertility. Although the
characters in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Through the Tears</i> were
dealing with male infertility, ours was a case of sporadic ovulation coupled
with endometriosis on my part. Eventually, surgery and fertility drugs
succeeded, and we were able to have our daughter. Since endometriosis goes into
remission during pregnancy and nursing, our son was a special surprise baby who
was born 17 months after our daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wrote about this topic because there are so many
people who struggle with it silently. I wanted to portray how this issue
wrenches the hearts of those involved and becomes a consuming factor for them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My prayer is that family members and friends, who
are looking in from the outside, will have a deeper understanding and
compassion for those in the midst of this struggle. I wish I had a dollar for
every person who suggested I should just “relax” and then I would get pregnant!
For those in the throes of medical issues, that is the very last thing they
need to hear. I also hope and pray that those who are immersed in the heartache
of infertility will find courage and hope from Michelle’s journey.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And
you certainly attained your goal, in my opinion. Having watched my infertile
daughter suffer for many years, I can attest to that. Are you a member of a
Writers’ group? How important do you think this is for people who desire to
write?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I have been involved in several writers’
groups. It is a wonderful way to learn and grow as a writer, and I highly recommend
trying it! If you don’t click with one group, don’t give up. Try another. Or
start one yourself!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
read these books in e-format. Are they also available in print? How can people
get these books to read them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: My books are all available in hardcover,
paperback, and ebook formats. They sell on most online vendors such as Amazon,
Barnesandnoble.com, Kobo, Apple Books, etc. For more information, your readers
can visit the book page of my website, which provides some links for purchasing
them. <a href="http://www.rosemaryhines.com/books"><span style="color: blue;">www.rosemaryhines.com/books</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you have any more books in the works? What are
your plans for the future?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary: I have been praying about a fourth book in
the Sandy Cove series and have an idea for a devotional/prayer book. My sister
and I may co-write a stand-alone novel as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Juanita: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rosemary,
thank you so much for being our guest today. We’ve enjoyed reading about you
and your work. We’ll look forward to hearing from you in the coming years.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">-----OK, Readers, Now
it’s your turn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave a comment and your
name will be entered in a drawing for one of Rosemary’s books. (If the "comments" don't work, please send me an email and I will enter your name.) The winner will
receive a copy of Rosemary’s first book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out of a Dream</i>,</b> in print or e-format (Winner's Choice). The
winner will receive a link from Rosemary with instructions on how to download
the book if you choose an e-book. <u>Print book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses</u>. <strong><em>Don’t forget to leave your email address so you can be notified if
you are the winner.</em></strong> </span></div>
My email is <a href="mailto:mjnobles@charter.net">mjnobles</a><complete id="goog_2097950193"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">@charter.net</a></complete><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-30846588307882336222013-11-28T04:30:00.000-08:002013-11-28T04:30:02.178-08:00Books by Lisa Tawn Bergren<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><u>The Bridge</u> </span>by
Lisa Tawn Bergren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5lArzn4_PLPOfGtL8-F6Ocp1knQrM7cDyASrSWAZNjCi5olf-UWmldlV7Qm6vllLlKiQ52nWdnvt4df7lX1Nscnf0dFJHCVXK0mcIDGnLIBlGgPXdz2A1GdwwxQBj2CHTAI3-Dob_Tg/s1600/The-Bridge-e1276054597776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5lArzn4_PLPOfGtL8-F6Ocp1knQrM7cDyASrSWAZNjCi5olf-UWmldlV7Qm6vllLlKiQ52nWdnvt4df7lX1Nscnf0dFJHCVXK0mcIDGnLIBlGgPXdz2A1GdwwxQBj2CHTAI3-Dob_Tg/s1600/The-Bridge-e1276054597776.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This wonderful story is actually two stories, one in
present time and the other in flashback. It pertains to an accident on the
bridge over Swan River in Montana which resulted in a fatality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As Bergren deftly weaves her story, I was drawn in
so that it was hard to put the book down. She presented the story of Anna, the
woman involved in the accident, in italics, which indicated each flashback,
while the story of the man returning to his uncle’s cabin was in regular print,
indicating the present day story. They were slowly woven together to give the
reader both background and plot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jared Conway, divorced father of an eight-year-old
boy, took his son to his uncle’s old cabin so he could clean it up and sell it,
but he did not count on the quirky people he would meet there. Nor did he count
on the peace and comfort the cabin and its surroundings would provide for him
and his son during the summer. As we meet the characters, we are slowly taken
in by them, as the story goes back and forth between present day and the
40-year-old incident.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The surprise ending will leave the reader with an
“aha” moment when the reader fits everything together, as the two stories
converge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This book was a wonderful page-turner, and I
recommend it highly for someone who enjoys the combination of a light mystery
and a sweet love story. I borrowed this book from our church library and read it upon the recommendation of the librarian. She was right. I couldn't put it down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Mercy Come Morning</u> by Lisa
Tawn Bergren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi8cCFiD-fIMqe4sV5dBocwDJvw24BNi0YuzRu8On366AyCflw7EOIPt7WQtZ6-CD_EOh8wvvT0_wXIBhcW3LRlm_EbvsZ8UCuFNc7LUaOdxooUhWeqMDN5KqwUPkkpCajg06ARijCqQ/s1600/Mercy-Come-Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi8cCFiD-fIMqe4sV5dBocwDJvw24BNi0YuzRu8On366AyCflw7EOIPt7WQtZ6-CD_EOh8wvvT0_wXIBhcW3LRlm_EbvsZ8UCuFNc7LUaOdxooUhWeqMDN5KqwUPkkpCajg06ARijCqQ/s320/Mercy-Come-Morning.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Krista is a 38-year-old
history professsor in a college in Colorado, but she has never forgotten her
lost childhood. She grew up with an absent father and a mother who treated her
indifferently. When her mother is near death in Taos, New Mexico, she
reluctantly goes to be with her. Her mother never regains consciousness, but
Krista battles with memories from her past. A close friend of her mother who
has always befriended her helps her to see her mother in a different way as she
grows closer and closer to death from Alzheimers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Krista finds
diaries and letters and reads them, she comes to understand her mother better
and is able to clear her mind of some of the things that beset her for so long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The imagery in this book
is tremendous. Bergen's description of the countryside is colorful and alive.
As Krista remembers things, she also remembers historic events, so the reader
gets a history lesson as well as an enjoyable story. Krista also remembers Christmases
through her life. This book's first title was Christmas Come Morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I received this book
free from Waterbrook Multnomah for my honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCBzEIXC0pHe6QspIBqWACcsdJF0eAlEzsRQlmuAY6OJxz3aJJYuiQFET44hjthvh3eHiA3AkfjHjDr7bO_8oMlEcDRXSvU2X22uymQQl0C0otJ6ph8Ni9dXviHjIb5zzE5F6KJbxsw/s1600/61HU9HlPmgL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCBzEIXC0pHe6QspIBqWACcsdJF0eAlEzsRQlmuAY6OJxz3aJJYuiQFET44hjthvh3eHiA3AkfjHjDr7bO_8oMlEcDRXSvU2X22uymQQl0C0otJ6ph8Ni9dXviHjIb5zzE5F6KJbxsw/s1600/61HU9HlPmgL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Gave us the World by Lisa Tawn Bergren, art by Laura
J.Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lisa Bergren has written a beautiful story for young
children with her book, God Gave Us the World. Full-page artwork by Laura Bryant
is colorful and appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mama Bear, who makes her home at the North Pole, is taking
her cubs on a trip to see a special exhibit<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: </span>Bears
Around the World. As she explains to her cubs the different kinds of bears, the
artwork depicts the landscape where each kind lives. She impresses upon her
little ones the vastness of the world, the uniqueness of each kind of bear, and
their similarities and differences. Of course, the cubs are thrilled to learn
this, because all they know is the part of the world in which they live. Since
they are polar bears, they don<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">’</span>t know
about panda bears in China, sloth bears in India, or grizzly bears in America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mama Bear explains that while their family lives in the
cold, snowy North, some bears live in the rain forest, and others live in the
desert. Every bear has a special place in God<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">’s</span>
world, a place where they are suited to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is easy to see that the story of the bears relates to the
children who listen as this story is read to them. People, too, live in many
different places. Mama Bear shows her cubs that God gave us the world and
everything in it, and that God chose the place where each one would live. She
impresses on them a need to protect their environment, just as the children
should do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This delightful book will be read again and again as
children drink in the beauty of the artwork and come to realize that God made
the world for them, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah for my honest review.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-9576353512040430662013-11-25T04:30:00.000-08:002013-11-25T04:30:01.654-08:00Book Winner from Bergren's interview<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks to all of you who commented on the interview
with Lisa Bergren this week. There were<strong> 40 entrants from 18 states.</strong> I am
overwhelmed with all the comments from Lisa’s devoted fans, and from some who
were meeting her and hearing about her books for the first time. The internet
is truly an amazing tool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And the winner is......<strong>Julie from Minnesota</strong>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I've met several new authors since I started doing interviews last March--some new to me and some new to writing, as well as some I already knew. Check the <strong>Author Interviews </strong>tab to find the names of all of them. Authors coming up in the next few weeks and into 2014 are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Rosemary Hines</strong>, author of contemporary fiction, based on her New Age experiences. (found her on Kindle and ordered all three of her books)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Sarah Sundin</strong>, author of books about World War II women soldiers (found her on Kindle and ordered another one)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Kimberly Rae Jordan</strong>, daughter of missionaries, and author of a book about a missionary who was kidnapped and held for years by terrorists, and what happened when he returned. (Her books is an e-book but is being printed in December and will be available to the winner of those who comment)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Kimberly Rae</strong>, a Christian author of books about the sex trade among young girls (I've ordered one of her books and it has not yet arrived)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Eva Marie Everson</strong>, an author I found when I downloaded one of her books for free. She writes books about contemporary times. (I read one on Kindle and just finished the one I ordered from Amazon). </span><br />
<br />
<strong>Heidi Glick, </strong>author of Christian mysteries<br />
<br />
<strong>Becky Povich, </strong>writer of memoirs (just finished her book <em>From Pigtails to Chin Hairs</em> and chuckled my way through it.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Can you tell I'm an avid reader? If only housework and cooking didn't get in the way of my reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-50396239894871620332013-11-18T04:30:00.000-08:002013-11-18T05:18:20.710-08:00Interview with Lisa Tawn Bergren<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita: </strong>Hi, Lisa, Welcome to my blog today! I am so looking forward to learning more about you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa:</strong> Thanks for inviting me into your circle!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita:</strong> First, tell us a little about yourself, and your
reason for writing Christian books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: I’m a wife and mom living in Colorado Springs. I
finish ducks in the morning (I can see your puzzled expression—see
RMrustic.com) and write in the afternoon. I write Christian books because my
faith is such an integral part of me, I can’t imagine not incorporating at least a
tiny measure of spirituality in everything I write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: I looked it up and found what you mean. You are very artistic, too. Looks like you make these out of weathered wood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you always lived in Colorado? If not, did
you have any trouble adapting to the climate there when you moved to the state?
What do you like best about living in Colorado?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa:</strong> I came with a team to start a Christian division
for Random House, WaterBrook Press. They said we could move to New York or
Colorado, and we chose Colorado. We love it here. We adopted it as our home
state—I love the easy access to mountains, and the people, a wonderful
combination of Midwest-sensible and Western-casual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: Wow! I didn't know you were in on the beginning of that! What an honor. I've been to Colorado a couple of times, and I loved its beauty and the many different things you can see there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I notice you write in many genres—historical
fiction, children’s books, teen fiction, devotionals--- Do you have a favorite
or do you love them all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: My favorite is always what I’m currently writing.
But I do really love YA (teen) fiction because I think young women are
adorable, and so ready to interact with me. And when their moms read the same
novels along with their daughters? That’s a very happy place for me. The series
I wrote last for them is called The River of Time (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary</i>), and I have a
new series coming in 2014 called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remnants</i>.
Lots of action…those novels practically write themselves for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: How do you balance being a wife and mother of
three children with a successful writing career? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: It’s always a juggling act. But since my kids are
bigger now (freshman in college, freshman in high school and 4<sup>th</sup>
grader), it’s a tad easier. Concentrated hours while they’re away to get the
work done, so I can concentrate on them come evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: That is different, having kids in so many age groups. But I remember those days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you like to do when you have a little
free time? Or is that something you don’t know about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: Ha! I like to hike and host dinner parties. Being
outside recharges me and I love intimate, real conversations with dear friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: What part did books play in your life while you
were growing up? Did you always think you would be an author?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: I was one of those kids who read under the covers
until my mom found me out and made me go to sleep. There was nothing I really
liked more than getting lost in a great book. To be an author, however, seemed
like an impossible dream. I always wrote and had a role in my school yearbook
and newspaper staff, and I graduated in English Lit, but I was thinking more
about editing than writing myself. Post-college, I had a friend of a friend who
wrote a Harlequin romance and I thought, “Well, I could do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>…” And I did. God’s been more than generous in opening doors
for me ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: I read in one of your interviews that you didn’t
have to wait long after you started writing before you were a published author.
Tell us a little about your journey and the importance of having an agent
in this transition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: I wasn’t agented for my first 10 or so novels. I
was in the publishing biz (first in marketing, then in editing), so I felt I
knew enough about contracts and the “other side” to negotiate them myself. When
I stopped working in-house, I hired an agent. While I still keep up on what’s
happening, especially in this world of e-pub, I greatly value my agent and his
role in my traditional publishing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: Besides when you came to know the Lord, what was
the happiest day in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: The day I married my husband, Tim. He’s a prince
of a man, my best friend as well as the love of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Juanita</strong>: Lisa, thanks so much for visiting with us today. It's so nice to visit with you, and I really appreciate your taking the time to do this. Bloggers, you can find Lisa on the net at <a href="http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/">www.LisaTawnBergren.com</a> Also, check out her books on her Amazon page. I'm sure she has a facebook page too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Lisa</strong>: Thanks for inviting me to do so!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> ------</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSX-aTItUd3OP_SxHfM23xu1HR5AE8R1bF_qV2DARJK84g82mPlzEmB1Hoi7fN6joarQrVt03ywXecnQo1q_K_3Ber9DfUQBZ8rYZavIo21lUYUJMFrTln3h82iCLP9b8lKddKQYYMsg/s1600/GlamerousIllusions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSX-aTItUd3OP_SxHfM23xu1HR5AE8R1bF_qV2DARJK84g82mPlzEmB1Hoi7fN6joarQrVt03ywXecnQo1q_K_3Ber9DfUQBZ8rYZavIo21lUYUJMFrTln3h82iCLP9b8lKddKQYYMsg/s1600/GlamerousIllusions1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>Now, bloggers, we have a wonderful prize for this week's winner! Lisa has offered to give away a copy of one of her Grand Tour novels-- <strong><em>Glamourous Illusions, Grave Consequences, or Glittering Promises. </em></strong>This is a trilogy that </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>I read on my Kindle and they are wonderful. I also read <em><strong>The Bridge</strong></em> and it was one I couldn't put down. WINNER'S CHOICE!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>I have read and reviewed several of Lisa's children's books and donated them to our church library. Lisa is truly a talented writer of several different genres. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGyyfnYQ9HYUy_8CxwZnrM_Zc87mfW6Ffyyq9oCfw9K9vFjh0e0NoEG0XQ0QH_Dc9viBXGB4_tsWq_C_CMHPYmNyEZlEO6gZjV7NZO0sp8kqcWd076xQlH8kkouhYFggjs1EsK0r32Ak/s1600/GGUU-e1276056629574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGyyfnYQ9HYUy_8CxwZnrM_Zc87mfW6Ffyyq9oCfw9K9vFjh0e0NoEG0XQ0QH_Dc9viBXGB4_tsWq_C_CMHPYmNyEZlEO6gZjV7NZO0sp8kqcWd076xQlH8kkouhYFggjs1EsK0r32Ak/s1600/GGUU-e1276056629574.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>I hope you will leave a comment so you can be entered in the contest. I'll notify the winner by email on Saturday, November 23, and Lisa will mail the book to you. Please remember to leave your<strong> email address</strong>, and will you tell me <strong>which state you live in</strong>?</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>Have a great week!</o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-26685023374008714752013-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:002013-11-11T06:44:17.366-08:00ThanksgivingThanks to Angela Hunt for her interview last week. Not many people availed themselves of the free book--a children's book--but it was there for them if they wanted it. I know many of my readers probably don't use e-books, etc., and I didn't either, for a long time. I learned there is an app you can put on your computer to read the books, and then my husband gave me a Kindle for Christmas one year. I thoroughly enjoy reading the Kindle, but I like real books more.<br />
<br />
What are you thankful for? Several of my friends on Facebook have been posting what they are thankful for since the beginning of November. I haven't done it yet. I'm working on updating and rewriting my book about Bible Characters for use in a Women's Bible Study at our church, and it has been a time-consuming, but very rewarding project. I'm excited about getting these books printed (not published) for use by the women, starting in January. I'm thankful God gave me a mind that wants to learn more and more.<br />
<br />
Next week, on November 18, look for an interview by Lisa Tawn Bergren, with a give-away. She is letting the winner of the week's blog choose the book she wants. Take a look at Lisa's books on Amazon and see what she has written. I've read several of her books and they are all great!<br />
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I will not be posting any more this week--getting ready for the big interview next week.<br />
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Hope you are thankful this November. God bless you.<br />
<br />
Juanita<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-61701767887607226082013-11-04T04:30:00.000-08:002013-11-04T06:23:15.702-08:00Meet Author Angela Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvm-4pYAAhtdDNeunMV3t9-_5ahtczbxOz2-4xLR73A6Nik08FF-71diX9mCv0cBqnSKvt2cZ5gu4S9yotSl-xeyZMtKcA22JF58jVSuJn_UdpQwysJDj1K25m6ve1Mv3-pOhOF6v3r70/s1600/f92c51c88da0fd8dd9922210_L__SX80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvm-4pYAAhtdDNeunMV3t9-_5ahtczbxOz2-4xLR73A6Nik08FF-71diX9mCv0cBqnSKvt2cZ5gu4S9yotSl-xeyZMtKcA22JF58jVSuJn_UdpQwysJDj1K25m6ve1Mv3-pOhOF6v3r70/s200/f92c51c88da0fd8dd9922210_L__SX80_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hello, Angela, I’m excited to have you on my blog today. First, please
tell us about your salvation experience and why you write Christian
books.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;"></span><span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I accepted Christ as a child, at
about six years old. I was raised in a Christian family, so I was taught early
about the things of God. </span></div>
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: Please tell us about your early
life. Did you always want to be a writer or did you come from a family of
readers to cause you to become so prolific in your writing?</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 13pt;"></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I never really thought about being a
writer because I was a singer, and that's sort of what everyone expected me to
be. But my mother was a reader, so I was, too. I read everything I could get my
hands on. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: I read your book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roanoke, the Lost Colony</i></b> on my
Kindle and was surprised that I had not heard that story before. In all my years
of teaching children about the Pilgrims and the beginning of America, I wonder
how I missed that. How did you learn about this incident and why is in not in
the history books?</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I think the story of Roanoke is
often overlooked because the colony was not a "success" by historic standards.
The colony mysteriously disappeared, leaving only a few mysterious clues. When I
heard that part of the story, I loved the mystery and delved into the history.
The answer I came up with in my book is the one that best fits existing folklore
and probability.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: When I read <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Shadow Women</i></b> about the women in the life of Moses, I was excited to read
all the history you inserted into your novel. How do you go about beginning your
research when you start to write?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
depend wholly on facts or do you write some new things into Biblical
fiction?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I use as much history and cultural
information as I can, and I try never to contradict anything I know to be true.
But when you're dealing with times that ancient, you find that even scholars
don't agree on timelines and such. All I could do was compare the historical
sources with the Bible--my bottom line--and then do what felt most logical to
me. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: And you did a marvelous job, in my opinion! I was not aware of your children’s
books. Tell us a little about why you chose to write books for children, and
something about these books.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: My first books were children's
books, written when my children were small. I love kids, and sometimes I think I
still think like a kid. :-) Now that I have a granddaughter, I'm rediscovering
children's books and having a great time with them. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVtwx1HwX3zfHYnTEMV_sq8k_tnDnJSlm1BIJkLfvUIXpTBahXxvcQp1aVOKJBYYdh7sbNHFspJkuYdLegPu-irGjtcwJRGXAx1CfPZKB-a4JzXonmgif9j_EZTX9YWDSn6JBXWPaq9s/s1600/51aZk7bUrOL__AA200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVtwx1HwX3zfHYnTEMV_sq8k_tnDnJSlm1BIJkLfvUIXpTBahXxvcQp1aVOKJBYYdh7sbNHFspJkuYdLegPu-irGjtcwJRGXAx1CfPZKB-a4JzXonmgif9j_EZTX9YWDSn6JBXWPaq9s/s1600/51aZk7bUrOL__AA200_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: After looking through your website
and reading some of the titles of your contemporary fiction, I can’t wait to get
started reading some of these books. Where do you get your ideas for such
up-to-date novels—dealing with everything from a bad marriage to a surrogate
mother to a funeral home?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I love exploring anything that
interests me, and I'm interested by almost everything. And our society is
experimenting with a lot of technological advances that could have dangerous
ethical implications. I like exploring those issues so people can see how
serious the complications can be. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: Tell us about your newest book, and
what we can expect to hear from you in the future.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: I have just finished a novel on
Esther, and found her story fascinating! I'm still waiting to find the right
publisher for that one. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Q: Angela, thanks so much for visiting
with me and my blog readers today. I appreciate the time you took to answer
these questions and to help our readers get to know you and your books a little
better.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">A: My pleasure! Thank you for the
invitation! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 13pt;">Now readers, you can download a copy of one of Angela's children's book, <strong><em>If I Had Long, Long Hair,</em></strong> for your e-reader, phone, tablet or computer. Go to Facebook, search for <strong><em>Angela Hunt, Novelist,</em></strong> and you will find the link to download the book. You will see it in color, just as it is in print. Hope you enjoy reading it. I hope you will also comment.</span><br />
<br />
Or you can go to Google, type in <a href="http://www.angelahunt.novelist/">www.angelahunt.novelist</a>, then click on her link for Facebook and you will be directed to Amazon where you can click on the free book. I just did it. Angela says she has a free book offered regularly, so check this site often, and see what you find.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOTB3t4L6g2CCbMkXuTPAT7fEfZjoPp_8SwIGNeEKBIPs-9EkFL4GPrvD95mXpex7PkxWpcii59IMiahfVJcat2s2AvRd5EZnAo5uX8J3_OYrm_3wyztw_saruRuHqevHuMdLfRGn_1s/s1600/safe_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOTB3t4L6g2CCbMkXuTPAT7fEfZjoPp_8SwIGNeEKBIPs-9EkFL4GPrvD95mXpex7PkxWpcii59IMiahfVJcat2s2AvRd5EZnAo5uX8J3_OYrm_3wyztw_saruRuHqevHuMdLfRGn_1s/s320/safe_image.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is the cover of the free book, copied from the Faceook page.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-76525079959037527322013-10-28T04:30:00.000-07:002013-10-28T06:00:28.277-07:00The World of Reading--by our grandson, Austin DeGrootFirst, I want to congratulate Lisa from Ohio, who won the drawing for the free book from Susan Sleeman! Happy reading, Lisa!<br />
<br />
Last week's interview with Susan Sleeman was the second most popular interview since I've been doing this blog regularly. I started on March 4 of this year with the interviews, have done 16 of them (two a month) and only one netted more comments than the one last week. Thanks to all of you who came by and left your comments. Hope you will come again and keep commenting.<br />
<br />
Here is an essay by our grandson, Austin DeGroot. He recently completed his service in the U.S, Navy and enrolled in Texas University in Austin, Texas. Yes, Austin moved to Austin. One of the first assignments in his English class netted a great comment by his teacher, when she recognized his literary prowess. It is about how he learned to read as a four-year-old child, listening to his mother home-school his older brother, and how he came to discover the world of books. He is still an avid reader, like many in our family.<br />
<br />
____________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWFyqQRUsRLeEG7mRYzBwvy1Ra8neLzN5SBmEnFX94O5RdjYSWl-LtnK2jm9GRGRgUTrhecnygOrl4bOmo-P88J8h4D6OTJcoX8edl4XDcqRBzxDRDisOhzFzVfr5cyj7DHO7k5VbKzQ/s1600/10-27-2013+12;07;19PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWFyqQRUsRLeEG7mRYzBwvy1Ra8neLzN5SBmEnFX94O5RdjYSWl-LtnK2jm9GRGRgUTrhecnygOrl4bOmo-P88J8h4D6OTJcoX8edl4XDcqRBzxDRDisOhzFzVfr5cyj7DHO7k5VbKzQ/s320/10-27-2013+12;07;19PM.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surrounded by LEGOs and legs below
the table where my mother was slowly leading my older brother from A to Z, I
was doing more than building castles and starships; I was listening. Through
the thick mahogany desk that served as our home classroom, I was learning.
Aided by some discarded alphabet pages I’d found in one of my many forbidden
“treasure hunts” in the trash, strange shapes became letters, those letters
became words, and words became sentences. Soon my toys were collecting dust in
the corner and with a book in my hand I built castles and starships in my
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (in the picture, Austin is about 3, but he already loved books.) </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk6yLweKFudzE116zPU96n4Io_gDXn8VJeuuq_XDhVdJ73wDkboXevu4hMwb8wQGmc_K2J8U7WjEFsdS2_MkpVTyu3NPtBpCiBIeeOFYcmBSQnuk9BD2s1Hu7GU361O4pmVsrlWUngNI/s1600/10-27-2013+12;09;03PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsk6yLweKFudzE116zPU96n4Io_gDXn8VJeuuq_XDhVdJ73wDkboXevu4hMwb8wQGmc_K2J8U7WjEFsdS2_MkpVTyu3NPtBpCiBIeeOFYcmBSQnuk9BD2s1Hu7GU361O4pmVsrlWUngNI/s320/10-27-2013+12;09;03PM.jpg" width="320" /></a>Reading excited me in a way that the
little corner of the world I knew never had. I was always being told to hurry
up, to slow down, to come here or go there. I felt constantly rushed along by
my mother, whose time was ever stretched by her four very young children and
our soccer practices, doctor’s appointments, and annoying need to be clothed
and fed. No doubt a few of her gray hairs owe me some credit, but most often I
just wanted to be be away from the hustle and bustle and quietly explore new
frontiers on the page. (in the picture, Austin's mother is instilling a love of reading into her two oldest boys. Notice the other book stuck in the crack of the couch. Both Austin's parents loved to read. Books were everywhere in their house.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><o:p></o:p>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before long, inspiration struck. I
began to run wild with stories. I’d share them with anyone who would listen,
regaling them with imagined adventures alongside my monkey companion, Abu. We
raided ancient hidden temples, battled ghostly pirates, rescued hapless
villagers from dragons, and embarked on countless other death-defying
experiences. As soon as I was able, I laboriously filled notebook after
notebook with my stories. They were by no means good and hardly original, but
they were mine and I treasured them. As I grew older, more and more diversions
clamored for my attention. Friends, school, video games, and girls pushed my
writing back to the occasional scribbling. Still, reading and writing are such
a strong part of who I am that without them, I would be unrecognizable. Reading
expanded my mind and gave me big dreams. Writing let me express those dreams to
the world. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where I not only had the
tools to do this, but I had the encouragement and affirmation of my family. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrulplzGGUY3QfRaCvLCYEH_ywoGhDyoSFH0LvSqr5YiLt6-ptvTt2_E733yUjvbwLXurzmiUdPHmkFb7qJ4ccJe8m3xVz8cdnanVKenZ9KiFe9FvIwbwtqeG-1jvHOf6JxzHGtZ5hg8Q/s1600/Austin+read+book.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrulplzGGUY3QfRaCvLCYEH_ywoGhDyoSFH0LvSqr5YiLt6-ptvTt2_E733yUjvbwLXurzmiUdPHmkFb7qJ4ccJe8m3xVz8cdnanVKenZ9KiFe9FvIwbwtqeG-1jvHOf6JxzHGtZ5hg8Q/s320/Austin+read+book.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sadly, my privileged upbringing was just that; privileged. Children
everywhere grow up with none of the opportunities that I had. Born to
illiterate, overworked, or just plain apathetic parents, these kids never have
the chance to experience the magical worlds waiting between the covers of
books. Illiterate children won’t be able to experience the magic that this
world has to offer either; two-thirds of students in the fourth grade who
cannot read proficiently will end up in prison or on welfare. (In this picture, Austin was 8 or 9. Notice what a thick book he is reading.)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Eighty-five
percent of juvenile offenders have reading problems. Here in Austin, the
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas is working to give every child access to
the tools they need to read and succeed. Learning to read and write
proficiently is one of the single most important things a child can learn in
order to improve themselves and I strongly believe in supporting any effort to
help build those skills.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_cDpnPeQRSe-pZBRv_5GylHVr0pPggmYczX5hOGw-mvOS9zUwa-zW5osuEMPlloMD4wPcs_tughKH1UIfi8ZsInjsuHhTv-8EHlIPi61zWyTL0YepGifIIg9gkRxn__Utbyo6lCRPe8/s1600/71490_10151403511020098_809924082_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_cDpnPeQRSe-pZBRv_5GylHVr0pPggmYczX5hOGw-mvOS9zUwa-zW5osuEMPlloMD4wPcs_tughKH1UIfi8ZsInjsuHhTv-8EHlIPi61zWyTL0YepGifIIg9gkRxn__Utbyo6lCRPe8/s320/71490_10151403511020098_809924082_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is Austin today, all grown up. I can't wait to read his first published book!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBefGOtGuX7OYbMZKApxFmyQvNpiDeZPg2nDFMyu8KtQQfIyXfLLxsbTOHmdydrlKTjBNJ3hbDKU4KotRM6mCRDjjCyNzEngQ7L88fWVhNOksGmzQiFF2bWFrQz1JBhdICaDZKykA-DkM/s1600/smiley+face+with+question+marks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBefGOtGuX7OYbMZKApxFmyQvNpiDeZPg2nDFMyu8KtQQfIyXfLLxsbTOHmdydrlKTjBNJ3hbDKU4KotRM6mCRDjjCyNzEngQ7L88fWVhNOksGmzQiFF2bWFrQz1JBhdICaDZKykA-DkM/s320/smiley+face+with+question+marks.jpg" width="320" /></a>What do you think of Austin's essay?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-25443406649933584592013-10-23T04:30:00.000-07:002013-10-27T11:23:16.288-07:00Valley of Chaya by Tracey Hoffman<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xYVPXJn3Vid9moMMnkYrMtxcmIphcSfu3Fdup8fT3Ayi4rifo4yffsZZWtM1xzoUQvqI6C6knicjSPdu0FtE4MH0mSJeApZrIvNvWIE6Syiinl2O14mh4D06toYsnYCROCbdomHuVHk/s1600/51dMhsTaSfL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xYVPXJn3Vid9moMMnkYrMtxcmIphcSfu3Fdup8fT3Ayi4rifo4yffsZZWtM1xzoUQvqI6C6knicjSPdu0FtE4MH0mSJeApZrIvNvWIE6Syiinl2O14mh4D06toYsnYCROCbdomHuVHk/s200/51dMhsTaSfL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I downloaded this book to my Kindle, on the basis of what
was said about it on Amazon.com, and I must say, this is the most compelling
book I have read recently. I literally could not put it down. There were a few
errors, such as commas that had been omitted or used incorrectly,
and once “you’re” was used for the word “your”, but these few errors were
minimal when I considered the rest of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was the story of Charlotte Turner, an 18-year-old
girl who went to India for a mission trip and two children who lived there, and
the human trafficking that must be so prevalent there. The two children,
Ashtok, a boy about ten, and Shanti, his sister, about eight, were orphans who
were on their own, living on the streets and foraging for food every day and a
place to sleep at night. They had some friends, also on the street, so the few
of them banded together to try to keep themselves safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a little unbelievable because Charlotte's
friend backed out of the trip and she went to India on her own. She worked with
a group that was operating to help the street children, but she was on her own
at times, living in a hotel and not with a group that could protect her, and
during one of those times she was stolen and taken to live as a prostitute.
There she met Shanti, who had also been stolen and was living in the same house
of prostitution. A few other characters were introduced, but these were the
main characters, along with Charlotte’s brother Eli and Shanti’s brother Ashtok
whose main purpose was to find the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The author described in detail some of the things
that went on in the place where the women who had been kidnapped were living,
and the terrible conditions they had to endure. I don’t know anything about
this, but I know that human trafficking is real, so I do not doubt the things
she described.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Charlotte’s family were committed Christians from
Australia who were devastated when their daughter was taken captive. Her brother, Eli, went
to India to try to rescue her. Throughout the book, he is seeking her while
subsequent chapters told about her life in the brothel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In Hindi the word “Chaya” means “shadows”. These
women were living in the shadows. Charlotte tried to live in the love of God,
even though she was a prisoner. She quoted Scripture and she led some of the
women to the Lord, even amid the terrible conditions in which she had to live. Ashtok, the little Indian boy, also believed in God. He had
a card with a picture of the Good Shepherd that someone had given him, and he
comforted himself and his sister with his incomplete knowledge of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLGYgVXl3tlBRWAKK2g1v1XHERkOaVNNqfOYET9UkhtukANsIcLkIY7lACyTISn6scHz5mflyILxBjiMeO__kPHSRCYsDYWuMhzTe6MkIDUm6CbYHtCFTCZIfKdAhyphenhyphenByU5ox1mMph8ag/s1600/51dMhsTaSfL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I will not tell the ending, but I will tell you that
as you read, the pages will turn faster and faster and you will be compelled to
go on reading to find out what happens. I strongly recommend this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">___________________</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv51FqMcizIU9zG0YR4l-n35JJ9hY0P74dT1GnyBHvFwHvTXYDaM-LFKIW2mOdWYL8ySoS6j9Vd96XCc-NJrf0nllyA2JWyuxTvZSZzQ940ciSvDwdbnXPvaO2NGcmxxLJcS28hHf724/s1600/519diqhvBwL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ba67snsN9bsSyVdWSM8YPWR-Z5zPQ-NeH60mjIVexK32-dgMdwwpjFFYAwJfPnQdOIAc2ZhLHv3O74zg2HcihvCDm-PTga05OnlJ0NYIujjnagYRpHY_tUaBAf8bbEf33GtBcJsQblk/s1600/51agXBb1MRL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ba67snsN9bsSyVdWSM8YPWR-Z5zPQ-NeH60mjIVexK32-dgMdwwpjFFYAwJfPnQdOIAc2ZhLHv3O74zg2HcihvCDm-PTga05OnlJ0NYIujjnagYRpHY_tUaBAf8bbEf33GtBcJsQblk/s1600/51agXBb1MRL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You still have a few days to read and comment on this week's interview with Suspense writer Susan Sleeman. The winner will be selected on Saturday and I will notify the winner by email, so be sure to get in on the drawing if you like this genre of books.</span><br />
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Thanks to all you bloggers. This has really been a large group of commenters and I appreciate your visiting my blog.<br />
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<strong><em>Thread of Suspicion</em></strong> is the book that Susan is giving away to the winner.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-17627960235186768682013-10-21T04:30:00.000-07:002013-10-21T04:30:04.170-07:00Interview and Free book from Susan SleemanThe winner of Miralee Ferrell's book is Allene from Texas. I'll be contacting her for her address. Thanks to all of you who commented on the blog the last two weeks. Remember, you can comment on here or send me a personal e-mail. The winner this week entered by e-mail. I just put the names on a list as they come in, then I ask my husband to pick a number when it's time to select the winner. He never sees the list, so it's fair and legal!<br />
Juanita<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello, Susan, My blog readers and I are looking forward to
learning more about you today. I saw a picture of your pretty new home. Tell us
a little about it and your recent move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: We recently relocated from Florida to Oregon to be near
our children and grandson. We found a lovely house with an amazing backyard
garden less than a mile from one of our daughters and bought it on the spot. We
often walk over to see them or they drop in. After living three thousand miles
away from them for five years, it’s like a dream come true to get together for
meals and fun when ever we feel like it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: I read that your husband is a church music director. My
husband is a retired preacher. We have served 12 different churches in 3 states.
How many churches have you and your husband served, and how many states have
you lived in?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: My hubby has been the music director in four
congregations in four different states, but we’ve lived in nine states. He started
his church music career later in life and we moved for other job transfers,
mine actually, prior to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: Sounds like we have both moved a lot. My oldest son once
told one of his friends, “My mom taught me how to move. I may not be the best
at some things, but I sure know how to move.” Do you have a favorite state in
which you have lived?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: LOL, Juanita. My children are excellent movers as well. We
have loved every state we have lived in. People are different all across our
great country and it has been such a blessing to get to see these differences
and make friends all over the country. I do believe, however, if we had to pick
a favorite state, we would choose Oregon. Not only is the Portland area vibrant
and alive, but the scenery is so amazing. You can see all of God’s glory in the
mountains, lush valleys, dessert, and the ocean all in a drivable area. And, I
am an avid gardener and there is no better place for plants than in the
Willamette Valley in Oregon. Oh and most importantly, it’s where my children
and grandson live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: I noticed from one of your interviews that you used to
like to read Nancy Drew mysteries. How important were books in your life while
you were growing up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: I grew up in a tiny town in northern Wisconsin where
there wasn’t much to do. I was never athletic so I found my adventures and
excitement in books. I particularly liked reading Nancy Drew because I could
imagine myself in her shoes and loved to solve the mysteries along with her. To
this day, I love reading mystery and suspense stories and I particularly like
reading these books if you add a compelling romance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: When did you realize writing Christian fiction was your
calling?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: I never imagined myself as a writer growing up. Sure,
like most people I thought it would be great to write a book some day, but I
was too busy working, raising children, and everything else that goes along
with being a wife and mother. About thirteen years ago, I was diagnosed with a
chronic illness that has really changed my life. I was—am still I guess—a
type-A personality. Go, go, go. One of my favorite sayings for many years was
if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right and would’ve been worth more
if it had been done yesterday. So when a chronic illness that causes me to sit
more than move struck, I was at a loss. I knew I couldn’t just sit around and
do nothing. I then remembered my dream of writing and at the same time, I
discovered some of the pioneer author’s in Christian suspense like Terri
Blackstock and Linda Hall. Aha, I said, in my naïveté. I will write a book in
the suspense genre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: Tell us a little about your writing journey. How long did
it take you to become a published author and how many books have you written?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: After deciding I would write a book, I joined the
American Christian Romance Writers—now American Christian Fiction Writers—to
learn how to write and started learning the craft. After I finished my first
book, I entered a contest and finaled then signed with an agent. It took five
or so years after beginning the journey of seriously writing for publication
for my first novel to release with Love Inspired Suspense. I was so excited
when in November of that year, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">High-Stakes Inheritance</i></b> made the
ECPA’s best-seller list. The next month, I had a second novel—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nipped
in the Bud,</i></b> a cozy mystery with Barbour books—release, too. Though this
was my second book to release, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nipped in the Bud</i></b> was the first
contract I received, which was presented to me at the ACFW conference in front
of 500 other writers. In those early years, I wrote five books, and I now have eleven
books in print, three more written and scheduled to release this year and next with
two more under contract and six under consideration by publishers. God has
truly blessed my writing career, and I couldn’t be more thankful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: I read <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Way Out</i></b> and enjoyed getting to
know the characters. I also liked the size of the book because I could fit it
in my purse when I was going out. Have you always written <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love-Inspired</i></b> mysteries
and how many series have you done?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: In addition to Love Inspired Suspense, I write cozy
mysteries and have a trade length series that will publish next year. The first
two cozy mysteries are under the Spyglass Lane imprint and my other three cozy
mysteries are a part of the multi-author Creative Woman mystery series. The trade
book is a new venture for me and I’ll tell you more about it below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: I like the way your characters keep Christ important in
their lives. Tell us a little about your current work and what we can expect
from you in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A3BgErb13P_8IFdePvp5FM4vsQ-UaqxcOM4zvDNGpudRaYzyyFSglhOeTysKcmYpUoN8jRWgG9iV1JhfyYegSOpqlgNZGyH5MPTOjuiWyqWx8UF6xDgDrLV4-q4Oi_sm0pKHWhDoV7o/s1600/51agXBb1MRL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A3BgErb13P_8IFdePvp5FM4vsQ-UaqxcOM4zvDNGpudRaYzyyFSglhOeTysKcmYpUoN8jRWgG9iV1JhfyYegSOpqlgNZGyH5MPTOjuiWyqWx8UF6xDgDrLV4-q4Oi_sm0pKHWhDoV7o/s1600/51agXBb1MRL__SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp%252CTopRight%252C12%252C-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: My current release is a Love Inspired Suspense book,
titled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thread of Suspicion</i></b>. This is the fourth book in my five book
Justice Agency series. This series is about a family of adopted siblings who
have former law enforcement backgrounds and who work together in a private investigations
agency. Each book in the series features one of the siblings. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thread
of Suspicion </i></b>is Dani’s story and the final sibling Derrick’s story, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark
Tide</i></b>, releases in March of 2014. My third cozy mystery in the Creative
Woman’s mystery series, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Matter of Wife and Death</i></b>, releases
later this year, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as I mentioned above, I have another new series coming
out soon. This one is called Agent’s Under Fire with the first book <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Web
of Deceit</i></b> releasing in November of 2014 and two additional books in
2015. This series features three female FBI agents who work on an elite Cyber
Action Team. This series will be published by BelleBooks, which is not a Christian
imprint. Though, I mention God in the books and my characters are believers,
the books do not carry a Christian message. The books are classified as clean
reads and I’m excited about this opportunity to bring fiction without profanity
and sex to readers looking for such books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: Do you write only mysteries, or do you have another genre
in which you like to write?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: I only write mystery and suspense books. I find that
though I can appreciate other genres, as a reader, I quickly lose interest in
them and so I write what I like to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: Tell us about an embarrassing moment, or something
readers would be surprised to know about you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: I am a computer geek at heart. Where many people hate computers
and find them frustrating, I embrace them and love to learn about new
technology. I even taught computers at a private elementary school for a few
years. I taught myself the coding needed to design websites and do that for
fun. So far, I’ve created my own website, www.susansleeman.com, plus the
SpyglassLaneMysteries.com site and TheSuspenseZone.com site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q: That's a wonderful and helpful thing to learn. I wish I knew more about computers, but I usually get along with what I know, and when I don't know what to do, I call my handy computer friend and he sets he straight. Susan, thanks so much for visiting with us today. I hope
our readers have enjoyed this visit as much as I have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A: Thanks for having me,
Juanita. You are such a blessing to Christian writers by featuring us and our
books on your blog. God bless you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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OK, bloggers. Now it's your turn again to leave a comment. The winner will receive a copy of <strong><em>Thread of Suspicion, </em></strong>signed and mailed by Susan. Be sure to leave your email address unless you have commented before, and please tell me in which state you live. When I announce the winner, I like to tell where she is from, if I can.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-88001319833740101762013-10-14T06:20:00.004-07:002013-10-14T06:20:55.138-07:00Error on my last postIf you want to comment on Miralee's interview, and if you want to send your comment by email, please note the correct address-- mjnobles (at) charter (dot) net.<br />
I've only had this email address for about 15 years-- why did I get it wrong? Because this early in the morning, I'm already going too fast.<br />
<br />
Scroll on the read the message I corrected.......Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-44540245686761478922013-10-14T06:18:00.001-07:002013-10-14T06:18:24.486-07:00Miralee is Here for Another Week!Good morning, friends,<br />
I'm so glad to say that Miralee Ferrell's interview will be up for another week! It was so nice of her to visit and so few people got to see her interview, so I decided to leave it up until next Monday. I'll announce the book winner at the end of this week instead of last, so you still have time to enter the contest. You can comment on any of these pages--the interview, the book review, or today's post--or you an send me an email if you can't get your comment to publish. (mjnobles (at) charter (dot) com.) I'll be checking everywhere to be sure your name is on the list. You can even go to my facebook page and leave a comment. I hope to see many more comments before I draw the name of the winner of Miralee's wonderful book!<br />
<br />
I'm writing a 2-week assignment of devotionals for the Nazarene Publishing House and working on my book again. At our writers' meeting last Saturday, we heard from a publisher in St. Louis that is accepting submissions. So I'll be sending in my book as soon as I look it over again. So this will be a busy week for me. (What's new?--ha!)<br />
<br />
I hope everybody is enjoying the beauty of Fall as it comes upon us. Here in our part of Misssouri it has not become colorful yet, but it's on the way.<br />
<br />
Have a great week!<br />
Juanita<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-71690568053581074202013-10-09T04:30:00.000-07:002013-10-09T04:30:03.188-07:00Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Miralee has written a delightful novel set in the 1800's in Oregon. It is the first of three books in the series,<i> <b>Love Blossoms in Oregon.</b></i><br />
<br />
In the opener for the series we meet a young widow, Katherine Galloway, who runs a boarding house in Baker City. She and her husband started the venture before his untimely death. She is fairly happy with her work and her two daughters, until she learns that her elderly mother plans to come and make her home with her. Katherine and her mother never got along well. Biting remarks and corrections rule when Katherine's mother talks to her, and contention rules when they are together. So we see the set-up for conflict and the age-old problems of mothers and daughters, even though Katherine respects her mother and does not talk back to her, even at this age when she is the one in charge.<br />
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Katherine's thirteen-year-old daughter Lucy has a friend from school, a fifteen-year-old boy named Zachary. His father, Micah, is the new smithy in town, and he happens to be very handsome. When the two meet, we see the beginning of a possible romance. Micah has recently lost his wife, though, and has no plans to court another woman. When Katherine's mother arrives, she plans to make sure Katherine has no time for another man.<br />
<br />
We meet various people who live in the boarding house, learn about their personalities, and see how they live on a day-to-day basis in the boarding house. Of course we meet other people in the town, like the preacher, the store owner, and the women in Katherine's quilting group. When Micah's shop and apartment burn to the ground, Katherine offers him and his son rooms in the boarding house, so they are thrown together a lot, muddying the mix and bringing in some romance.<br />
<br />
As problems come to the forefront, and we discover they are like our problems today. The conflict is exciting, the plot is great, and you will enjoy reading this book.<br />
<br />
If you have not commented on the interview with Miralee from Monday, please do so to get your name in the drawing for this book. (Go back to Monday's blog, or comment on here.)<br />
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Other books in this series will be <i><b>Wishing on Buttercups</b></i> and <i><b>Dreaming on Daisies</b></i> as we meet other people in Oregon and read delightful stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5163205100763928720.post-37645564130714354902013-10-07T04:30:00.000-07:002013-10-07T04:30:05.378-07:00Say Hello to Author Miralee Ferrell<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8wpEa5rshgXaY4ryK2koQuRpVAbPd6XLdBb_EM6ye6tes5prF7lmYyAt2g-di6F4sbrDn8jey-T6UX7M0JU77FEUxlDLwlQhiLn40fXPjwFBJkK7AIShxU8_W0QVbuvitZpi0TVjz2w/s1600/P1010028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8wpEa5rshgXaY4ryK2koQuRpVAbPd6XLdBb_EM6ye6tes5prF7lmYyAt2g-di6F4sbrDn8jey-T6UX7M0JU77FEUxlDLwlQhiLn40fXPjwFBJkK7AIShxU8_W0QVbuvitZpi0TVjz2w/s1600/P1010028.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Hello, Miralee, we are so glad to
hear from you today. As you look at your beautiful mountains in the Northwest,
can you tell us why you like to write Christian fiction for women?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A: Hi Juanita, from the time I started
writing I had one major goal and that was to minister to the hearts and lives
of hurting women while (hopefully) also offering a measure of entertainment to
the rest of my reading audience. I’ve been involved in praying with and
counseling women for years, and I feel that my writing is an extension of that
ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: I notice you write historical
romance, western romance, and women’s contemporary books. Do you have a
favorite among these genres? What was the first book you had published?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A: The first book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Other Daughter</i></b>, is
women’s contemporary, as was the sequel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finding Jeena</i></b>—the only two I’ve
written in that genre. I enjoy writing it, but I truly found my ‘voice’ when I
started writing historical Western romance. I have three in that genre, all in
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love
Finds You</i> </b>line. I’ve also written three historical romance that are set
in the West, Even though they don’t have the high action and adventure of a
Western, they still have a degree of ‘Western’ feel. In fact, there will be two
more coming, as my current release, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blowing on Dandelions</i></b>, is the first
in a set of three located in Baker City, Oregon, in 1881. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: If you could choose one book for us
to read, what would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcksOAhs3hyphenhyphendZeo0ib2LkyRIS1aH2Y-1QsiVMdoKm5XOSOKFhdn_4_hq8zzi9qDSThgVzI95fWbJsYhf5sxD6Sa7tVMhVQkwnpbLjaH5KtdnlAR0tNQUW7tNJVzr_7vNBMDaM1Ufi95Y/s1600/BlowingonDandelions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcksOAhs3hyphenhyphendZeo0ib2LkyRIS1aH2Y-1QsiVMdoKm5XOSOKFhdn_4_hq8zzi9qDSThgVzI95fWbJsYhf5sxD6Sa7tVMhVQkwnpbLjaH5KtdnlAR0tNQUW7tNJVzr_7vNBMDaM1Ufi95Y/s320/BlowingonDandelions.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A: Definitely <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blowing on Dandelions</i></b>,
the first book in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love Blossoms in Oregon</i></b> series. God
spoke to my heart about writing that one, and I believe it will minister to
many hurting women who’ve experienced a less-than-happy relationship with a
mother or grown daughter, as well as bringing enjoyment to romance readers.
That book was birthed as a result of an encounter with an emotionally damaged
woman who’d been hurt many, many times by her mother over the years. I decided
to place it in a historical setting and bring a romance element into play, but
the underlying theme of ‘relationship’ is clear through the entire story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: I read that book and I can agree. The relationship between the protagonist and her mother are so like the relationships between mothers and daughters. What
is the most God-breathed thing that has happened to you in your quest to become
a published author? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d have to say it’s the way the Lord has orchestrated my entire writing
career. He spoke to me through a pastor who prayed with me and told me he
believed God was calling me to write—not just to write, but to be published.
That was in Feb. of 2005. By late fall of that year I’d had three magazine
articles published and finished the first draft of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Other Daughter</i></b>, my
debut novel. I had NO experience in writing fiction, nor had I ever had a
desire to write it. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Other Daughter</i></b> was picked up the following fall, one year
from when I started, and released a year later. Doors have opened (like
obtaining an agent) and other contracts have followed, that have shown me God’s
involvement over and over again. It still amazes me that I’m published, but I’m
to the point where I can’t imagine doing anything else. I truly love it and am
so thankful He put my feet on this path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb7evsweG7sGST4Ky54wkZ4DuQSLwaMEkVFZbLFCZD_p71lyP_F-Dhh1N5VtEtLOjGARXCSDfI6dBlfrHZNqGe_3Sx3z9zeX9MD1Ndg-yTEAr114_ZzCoiG1QNkUNdaM80sRUoFEV8KE/s1600/BloggerSize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb7evsweG7sGST4Ky54wkZ4DuQSLwaMEkVFZbLFCZD_p71lyP_F-Dhh1N5VtEtLOjGARXCSDfI6dBlfrHZNqGe_3Sx3z9zeX9MD1Ndg-yTEAr114_ZzCoiG1QNkUNdaM80sRUoFEV8KE/s1600/BloggerSize.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: That’s amazing, how God leads us into
the path He wants us to follow, isn’t it? I loved <strong><em>The Other Daughter. </em></strong>It had such an unusual twist, and was a good family story. In this book, one
of the things I noticed was how you insert knowledge of topics dear to your
heart. You taught me something about horses (something I know nothing about) while I was reading this book. Tell us about the animals you love and care for.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38GI40Yerz1jOpyQWvw5kjCTgwfyUywKqE8A4qOlyOPokWha7Pc0sS9J8W0yODLQqOItwEtzn8yoJGGb3Vghb9IfcKKzG2XjcDFI0tcyHNR_pwY3BJwLuAMgv_sfD2Yf5N2KCVWEz0qQ/s1600/d52f086ea0320a7f02350b_L__V143979749_SX200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38GI40Yerz1jOpyQWvw5kjCTgwfyUywKqE8A4qOlyOPokWha7Pc0sS9J8W0yODLQqOItwEtzn8yoJGGb3Vghb9IfcKKzG2XjcDFI0tcyHNR_pwY3BJwLuAMgv_sfD2Yf5N2KCVWEz0qQ/s1600/d52f086ea0320a7f02350b_L__V143979749_SX200_.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re correct, I love working in snippets of information or episodes
from my own life or those of my ancestors. I’ve owned horses for years and
enjoy sprinkling them through several of my books. I’ve also included true
events from history and from my own ancestors, which you can read about in my
author notes. My old Arabian mare went on to horse heaven this summer so I’m
without a horse for the first time in 40 years, but I’m still riding regularly
as my daughter and her husband live close by, and I use one of their horses
when we ride together. My husband and I also have two cats, and two dogs, an
Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler cross named Sophie, and a little 6 ½ lb,
long-haired Chihuahua named Lacey. She’s my constant companion when I’m home
and often sits on my lap as I’m writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Tell us a little about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blowing
on Dandelions</i></b> and its journey to publication.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A: <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">When my agent started ‘shopping’ this series, I was also writing another
series that is more of a true ‘Western’ romance, with all of the action and
adventure that implies. I was enjoying writing it and hoped it would sell first,
but in my spirit I knew that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blowing on Dandelions</i></b> was the book
God wanted released. Sure enough, it was picked up by my current publisher,
David C Cook, and the other house looking at my alternate series stepped back.
God knew exactly what He was doing. Not only was the book supposed to come
first, but I LOVE working for this Cook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: I know this book is a series and I can't wait for the next installment. When can we expect the next book to be ready for us to read?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A: Yes, it’s the first of three books.
Each one can stand alone, but they are all set in Baker City, Oregon, with many
of the same characters. The second book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wishing on Buttercups</i></b>, is located in
the same boardinghouse as the first, and the opening chapter is printed at the
end of book one. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wishing on Buttercups</i></b> releases Feb 1, 2014, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreaming
on Daisies</i></b> on Oct. 1, 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Thank you, Miralee. I'll have to mark my calendar and be watching for these. We’ll be looking
forward to more books from you in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now, blog readers, it’s your turn. Leave
a comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blowing on Dandelions</i></b>,
which debuted on June 1. Miralee will be checking in once in a while to leave a
comment, too. Don't forget to leave your email address, and would you tell me which state you live in when you comment, please? Sorry, only US residents are eligible to be in the drawing.</span><br />
You'll love this book!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08741393018123609305noreply@blogger.com17