Sarah Sundin's "A Memory Between Us"

We're happy to have Sarah Sundin with us today talking about her book, A Memory Between Us. To learn more about Sarah and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
My first novel, A Distant Melody, was originally meant to be a single novel, but while doing research, I became enamored with the US Eighth Air Force in World War II, and I wanted to tell the full story to V-E Day. Since my hero had two pilot brothers, I decided to write a three-book series, with each book focusing on one brother, with each book standing alone.
About this time, the character of Army nurse Lt. Ruth Doherty came to me—what if a poor girl made a bad decision in order to feed her family? What kind of girl would make such a decision? What would she be like when she grew up? I mentally put Ruth in the same room with Jack Novak—and sparks flew! Writing A Memory Between Us was a blast. Jack and Ruth were such fun characters.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I first submitted A Distant Melody at Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference in 2003. I received good feedback from published authors, editors, and agents—and began accumulating a stack of “good” rejection letters. They liked my writing, my story, and my characters—however, historicals weren’t selling. They wanted chick lit. This continued through 2007. I often felt discouraged, but the Lord made it obvious in many ways that He wanted me to finish the series so I kept plugging away. Then at Mount Hermon in March 2008, I heard, “We don’t want chick lit. We need historicals.” And there I was with the first two books in the Wings of Glory series complete. I submitted to Vicki Crumpton at Revell, and in September 2008 I was offered a three-book contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I hate housecleaning—but I enjoy laundry.
I wrote my rough drafts longhand in pencil, curled up on the couch.
My sons think I rock. My daughter (14) thinks I’m a dork. She’s closer to the truth. 

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I turned in Blue Skies Tomorrow (Book 3 in the Wings of Glory series) to my editor recently, and now we’re going through the editing process. I’m putting together a proposal for another series set during World War II.

5) Parting comments?
If God has given you a dream, have the courage to do what He asks you to do. Persevere, learn, seek support, and keep praying.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com/
Blog: http://www.sarahsundin.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahsundin
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

Lorna Seilstad's "Making Waves"

We're happy to have Lorna Seilstad with us today talking about her book, Making Waves. To learn more about Lorna and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life and Lake Manawa is about a ten minute drive from my house. Since my dad lived there as a child, I’d heard stories about the resort’s heyday, but I had no idea just what a fascinating place it was until I began to research it. After I did, I had to write a story set there. I wanted to bring the area back to life—at least on paper.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
At the 2008 ACFW conference, I presented this book to Andrea Doering. I completely forgot my pitch and just handed her my one sheet. Then, I sat there while she read two chapters. Thank goodness, she laughed in the right places! I knew I was in trouble if she didn’t.

After she was done, she complimented my fresh voice and asked me to send of full copy to her. Less than a month after I submitted the manuscript, I received an e-mail asking for a couple more ideas to make this into a possible series. A month later, Revell offered me a contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I’m good at pinball. This really surprised my husband when we were dating.
2. I’ve never sailed, although I’d love to. I read “Sailing for Dummies” when writing Making Waves. I also had help from a sailing writing friend to make sure I got the information correct.
3. I occasionally serve as a wedding coordinator. I guess romance is in my blood

3) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
There are two more books in the Lake Manawa Summers series. The next book is called A Great Catch and occurs five years later at the lake. I’m busy working on book three which will be yet another five years later and will feature the resort’s new roller coaster.

4) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me today. It’s been fun.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love connecting with and hearing from readers. I can be found at:
http://www.lornaseilstad.com/
http://www.inkspirationalmessages.com/ (10-writer blog)
On Twitter and on Facebook

Leanna Ellis' "Facelift"

We're happy to have Leanna Ellis with us today talking about her book, Facelift. To learn more about Leanna and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Most of my ideas are a little whacky and this one began with the idea of a woman who is extremely self-focused and vain. What’s the worst that could happen to someone like that? A botched facelift. She is actually the ex-mother-in-law of my main character. I wanted to probe how society often makes women feel inadequate. Even the church sometimes makes us feel that way when we’re compared to the Proverbs 31 woman. I’ve struggled in this area my whole life. It’s definitely a battle. And yet, if women could just see themselves the way God sees us…well, I believe it would revolutionize the church and the world.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Right before I started writing this book, my father passed away. So in the aftermath of all of that, I had to begin. But it was a slow process. Some days I could only write two words: Chapter Five. Literally two words. When you’re on deadline, that’s a bit of a panic situation. But I tried not to pressure myself or beat myself up over those days. Some days were very depressing. But I made a conscious decision to get out to take walks when sometimes I just wanted to curl up in a ball and pull the covers up over my head. But in going through that I learned not only about the choices we face and decisions we make but also about my character Kaye and her lessons in this book.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I utilized our crazy labradoodle we call the Hilo Monster, a combo Labrador and poodle that likes to eat our eye glasses and everything else in sight in FACELIFT. Many days she seemed bent on creating more headaches than smiles but hopefully she adds some nice humor to the book as she added that bit of levity to our lives during a rather difficult and painful period.
2. I just started fencing! And it’s a lot of fun and a LOT of hard work. Very good exercise.
3. I have a weird sense of humor. Oops! If they’ve read my books, then I guess they know that.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?

The book I’m working on next is FORSAKEN, book one in the PLAIN FEAR series, which is an Amish/vampire story.

5) Parting comments?

God is good. Always. Even on the difficult day, the trying days, the painful days, which we all go through. It’s important to keep our focus on Him. Two of my favorite passages fit beautifully with FACELIFT:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to hard you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 139:14-16 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Carie Lawson's "Beyond Summer"

We're happy to have Carie Lawson with us today talking about her ebook, Beyond Summer To learn more about Carie and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
The story evolved out of the hero's character. He was such a pushy guy, stubborn, maybe more than a little temperamental. Of course, he had to have the one woman he would despise on sight...as a learning exercise.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Because it is Insprational Romance, I was very skeptical about Beyond Summer being published at all because the hero is divorced and the story centers around the marriage Carly is escaping from. I was so thankful to find Desert Breeze as a home for it.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. My friends reading my books makes me ridiculously nervous.
2. I have four kids that I homeschool.
3. I went to Romania one summer with a missionary team and my soon to be husband. While we were there, I got to visit the "real" Dracula's castle.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on revisions for the third book in the Twisted Roots series, Beyond Ever After. It's Haven McCord's story about falling in love with her first crush, marrying him and getting to a place where she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me today! It was a lot of fun and I hope whoever wins the free copy enjoys it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I have a website, http://www.carielawsonbooks.com/ and a facebook page, Carie Lawson books.

K. Dawn Byrd's "Killing Time"

Mindy McLaurin, thinks it's the end of the world when she's incarcerated on trumped-up embezzlement charges. While in jail, she investigates the death of an inmate who allegedly died of an overdose. Mindy suspects foul play when her cellmate dies and she learns that both women had ingested the same drug. Mindy trusts no one, including Drew Stone, the handsome counselor she can’t stop thinking about. She faces many challenges, including constant interrogation by the Major and emotional abuse from the other inmates. Upon release, someone is stalking her and framing her for the murder. Can she prove to Counselor Stone that she’s innocent of all charges before she loses him forever?



Purchase links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Time-ebook/dp/B003XYE8K8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1280791153&sr=1-1

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-103/k-dawn-byrd-killing/Detail.bok

Barnes & Noble: http://www.b&n.com/

Sony ebooks: http://ebookstore.sony.com/

Joyce Magnin's "Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise"

We're happy to have Joyce Magnin with us today talking about her book, Charlotte Figg Takes over Paradise. To learn more about Joyce and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
It’s part of a series of books I will be doing with Abingdon Press. It’s not exactly a sequel just more mayhem. The story deals with domestic abuse in a back door sort of way. It’s a subject I would like to raise awareness about—not just physical domestic violence, but emotional and verbal also. So I came up with Charlotte and set her on her way to find a path that would bring her to some difficult conclusions.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I’m one of the fortunate authors. My first book, The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow did well and my publisher wanted to do more Bright’s Pond books. Very sweet.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I love to play video games—RPGs.
I have never owned an umbrella.
I once won a year’s supply of chocolate for writing about my Dad.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just turned in the 3rd Bright’s Pond book ``Griselda Takes Flight and I’m writing the fourth—Blame It On The Mistletoe.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you Dawn for inviting me back to your fabulous blog. For you writers out there still waiting for the call—perseverance is key. And for the readers, thank you and keep reading. And eat your veggies, get some exercise.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find Joyce at her blog http://www.joycemagnin,blogspot.com/ or website http://www.joycemagnin.com/ or on Facebook.