John L. Owens' THE NINTH GENERATION

We're happy to have John L. Owens with us. Click on the photo to the left to visit his website. Read on to learn more about John and his book...

1) How did this story come to you?
The story slowly unfolded while cleaning the acrylics of our family-owned tanning salon. My wife and I took turns running it. Between customers, it was a great escape to delve into the setting of The Ninth Generation and to ponder the dialogue that might have taken place between Noah’s father, Lameck, at 112 and Enoch, at 364 years of age. The time period before the flood had fascinated me and there were mysteries that I longed to solve. I had also prayed for something that would help our 18-yr-old adopted son to obtain a Biblical world view. An adventurous, fast-moving novel with some clean romance seemed in order.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had followed the advice of David Morrell, author of First Blood, who said to writers, “Your goal should be to write something that’s important to you, not to the critics.” And while I had utilized the editorial arm of The Christian Writers Guild, the final novel was a difficult sell to a regular publisher – most prefer a New Testament time period. I had also taken a position on Genesis 6:4 – the angelic / human view – that may have been uncomfortable to some. So, with prayerful consideration and some advertising – publishing experience, I decided to go with a reputable pod Christian publisher (Xulon). If it was meant to multiply, perhaps it would. At least I had something to give my son and, interestingly by request, to the mothers of his friends.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I passed out once when asked to speak in public. / God used a witch to open my eyes to the reality of the demonic (she was delivered and saved). / I served as academic dean to the first above-ground pastoral training school in the former USSR.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a field manual on spiritual warfare – Positioned for Victory (non-fiction), while thinking about another more contemporary fictional novel that might parallel The Ninth Generation – Jesus prophesied that the last days will compare to the days of Noah.

5) Parting comments?
For those who have ever wondered what it was like living among the centenarians, and would like to preview a well-researched, imaginative novel, please visit my book site.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.TheNinthGeneration.com – contains links to blog and podcasts

Laurie Alice Eakes "The Glassblower"

We're happy to have Laurie Alice Eakes with us today talking about her new release "The Glassblower." Click on the image of her book to visit her blog and learn more about the book. Here's her interview:

1) How did this story come to you?
a. I set out to write a historical novel about New Jersey for Heartsong and started reading a book on New Jersey history. A chapter on the glassmaking industry fascinated me, and I built from there.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
a. That was painful. I’d sold two books when I submitted this proposal. I’d submitted a lot of proposals around this time and subsequently. 20 months later, nothing had sold and I was thoroughly discouraged. I was even looking into going back to school and kept praying that God would show me what else to do if He no longer wanted me to write. I was in New Jersey at a training when I got the call from my agent that JoAnne Simons wanted my New Jersey historical series. That led to the sale of eleven books in the next nine months.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
a. I’m extremely shy in person.

b. Pasta makes me gag unless it’s smothered in cheese.
c. I read a hundred and fifty books a year.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I just finished my first long mainstream historical for Revell called Bride of the Mist out in January of 2011 and am working on the third New Jersey Historical, set in Cape May in 1899. Next I’ll start on my first Regency for Revell, out in May of 2011.

5) Parting comments?
I think as a younger woman I must have prayed for courage, patience, and a job I could love, for God made me a writer, a profession one can love, but which certainly takes courage and patience.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My blog is most frequently updated www.seizethechance.blogspot.com