Monday, November 8, 2010

Eileen Hinkle Rife's "Restored Hearts"


We're happy to have Eileen Hinkle Rifewith us today talking about her book, Restored Hearts.To learn more about Eileen and her book, read on!

Publisher: OakTara

Cover blurb: One brother’s dark secret. Another brother’s scorn.
Newlyweds Gavin and Maggie Munsfield return to care for the sick and wounded at The Oasis Compound in Chennai, India, which is still suffering from the recent tsunami. Gavin’s brother, Tim, a successful landscape architect, joins them for the clean-up and rebuilding of the Compound. But Tim harbors a dark past that threatens to destroy his relationship with his brother . . . and a promising new love. Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

1) How did this story come to you?
A few years ago, my husband, a licensed professional counselor and marriage/family therapist, asked if I would write a pamphlet on homosexuality which he could use in his office. I agreed and delved into research. However, it didn’t take long to realize I didn’t have the stomach for what I was discovering, so I abandoned the project. Three years ago, the Lord renewed my interest in the issue and pushed me to pursue the topic in a way I had not envisioned—in fiction format.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
In January, 2007, OakTara requested the manuscript for my first book in the Born for India trilogy, JOURNEY TO JUDAH, which was released in 2008. Since two other books were accepted at that time as well, Book Two, RESTORED HEARTS, naturally followed and was released in 2009.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Even though RESTORED HEARTS is set in India and I have visited on several occasions, I still do not like Indian food. However, I do like coconut water which is sold at roadside huts and is good for replenishing electrolytes. My Indian missionary daughter and son-in-law have now gifted me and my husband with three red-headed grandchildren!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
 The third book, CHOSEN ONES, in the Born for India trilogy is in the hands of my editor and should be released soon! CHOSEN ONES profiles a missionary couple in crisis who unexpectedly meet a child with a sorrow too big for words. A contract on my fourth novel, SECOND CHANCES, has also been signed by OakTara. One-liner for SECOND CHANCES: Mave Robertson has something in her purse that Dareece Jackson wants . . . and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.

5) Parting comments?
 As I walked through this journey with Tim, God used his story to shed light on my own healing journey. While I have not struggled with homosexuality, I have struggled with other equally devastating strongholds in my life. In writing Tim’s story, I learned in deeper ways to identify with another fellow struggler. And in doing so, my own prison door flung open and I was set free.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.eileenrife.com/, http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/, http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/, http://www.christianspeaker.net/, http://www.oaktara.com/.

17 comments:

  1. I am most intrigued by the theme of this book,
    Please enter me in this giveaway.
    Blessings,
    Chakasa58 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eileen, How I wish our whole town could read your book. Just this last week we had 2 teenagers feel that because they were different in some way that others could not understand and picked on them, that life wasn't worth being here any more. they were not connected it just happened in two different area's but the same cause was the reason for both.
    Its been a very hard week around here explaining to teens its o.k. to be yourself and to ask for help if you are being bullied.
    I really can't wait to read your book. If it can help one person understand then thats all I ask..
    Thanks so much for writting on a great topic..
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net
    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please enter me in this contest,Very inlightening interview
    chaarmedone1512@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks for the chance to win. I'm a subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I look forward to reading your book. I don't want to say too much on a public blog, but the topic is of great interest to me. I have two people that are very close to me that are struggling with this.

    Thanks for doing the interview.
    Brandi
    vi2005@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Would love to win a copy of your book...margie@mijares.net

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great interview! This is a book I'd definitely like to read!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful cover and synopsis. Thanks for the chance.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

    ReplyDelete
  9. My trip to India was one of the most amazing/terrible experiences for me. Amazing because of the people and pastors we met, and I liked the food (for the first nine days. By day ten I was ready for something else). Terrible because of the poverty, disparity between the castes, and the noise. For two introverts it got to be too much at times.
    Love to read this.
    Thanks
    kristengjohnson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Please enter me for this book, I like that the story is set in India and hope that everything turns out alright in the end.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the posts, everyone! My heart was moved by your words. Such a needy world we live in.

    My passion in writing RESTORED HEARTS is to awaken believers to embrace those who struggle with same-sex attraction. So often we only see what is displayed in the media, i.e, the militant gay population who are working hard to legislate laws to legalize same-sex marriage and other "civil" rights as they view them.

    My goal is not to debate the topic, although I want to be ready to do so when called upon, but rather to reach out to those who truly want to leave the lifestyle. I want to offer hope and healing through the grace and truth that the Lord Jesus Christ offers to all who are in bondage, and I want to do so with gentleness and reverence.

    ReplyDelete
  13. sounds wonderful...please count me in...thanks :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to win Eileen's book. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I subscribed to your blog and I'd love to win Eileen's book. :) Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think this is an important topic that I have not seen in Christian fiction. Thank you for having the bravery to tackle it fomr a Biblical perspective.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. What an utterly mystic setting, India, for a story of this genre. I love the positive title and beautiful cover. Eileen's interview showed her integrity by admitting that her first attempt to cover the homosexuality issue had to be scrapped. God must have shown her the tortureous side of the issue by comparing the suffering soul, regardless of what is the cause. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win this fascinating book. I hope I do!!

    Sharing Christ's Love,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete

Interview with Barbara M. Britton and spotlight of Lioness...

We're happy to have Barbara M. Britton with us talking about her book Lioness . To learn more about her and Lioness, please read o...