Monday, January 31, 2011

Julie Bell's "A Place of Abundance"

We're happy to have Julie Bell  with us today talking about her book  A Place of Abundance. To learn more about Julie and her book, read on!

Title: A Place of Abundance
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Cover blurb:
“Look!” a voice in the train car rang out. Richard looked out the window to see five horses riding alongside the train. Oh God, Richard inwardly cried, What are we going to do? Richard heard the sound of guns fired and slid his eyes shut. His last thought was of home.

Three years later, eighteen-year-old Alicia Barnes is still dealing with the death of her father. When she suddenly loses her mother in an unfortunate accident, Alicia is devastated and promises to never trust God again. She decides to start a new life in a new town as a schoolteacher. There she meets Caleb Carter, a young ranch owner whose parents were killed three years ago. As Alicia begins to make friends with Caleb and his younger sister, Claire, she wonders how a loving God could allow terrible things to happen to good people. Then, an unwelcome band of outlaws appear in town, and Alicia is faced with two choices – holding onto a bitter heart or accepting the peace of forgiveness. Will Alicia learn to trust God and allow him to bring her to A Place of Abundance?

1) How did this story come to you?
For a while I had a rough outline of a story rolling around in my mind. One day I was sitting in bumper to bumper traffic and we weren’t moving at all. I had a notebook in the passenger seat, grabbed it, and starting writing down the story. Once I got home, I wrote a more detailed outline and five months later I had finished the first rough draft.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I wrote the first rough draft five years before I really began to pursue publishing. I did some online research and sent my manuscript to Tate Publishing. After reviewing my manuscript they offered me a contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I speak French (I’m a French teacher) but I also studied American Sign Language in high school and used to interpret in the deaf ministry at the church I went to as a youth. I love to ride horses. I sang the National Anthem at a minor league baseball game in 2009.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently in the editing phase of my second novel, a sequel to the first, which will release this fall.

5) Parting comments?
I have been influenced and inspired by many Christian fiction authors throughout the years. I hope and pray that you will enjoy A Place of Abundance and that it will inspire you the way that the writings of my favorite Christian authors have inspired me.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Readers can email me at juliebell2000@gmail.com, check out my website at http://juliebell.tateauthor.com/, and find me on Facebook under Julie Bell, Novelist.

19 comments:

  1. This sounds like quite a interesting story. Very powerful although dealing with a lot of death. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow what a story. Please enter me.

    I'm a subscriber/follower through gfc. Posted to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win_31.html

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have learned about trusting God after losing
    my mom and only brother four months apart.
    I would love to read about Alicia's life...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please enter me to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity! I'm from SC.



    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. i subscribe to your blog, K. Dawn.
    So, even sitting in bumper to bumper traffic can be turned into a blessing. Love it! Thanks for a chance to win.
    mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, that's a lot for an 18 year old to overcome, sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just finished reading this book and it is a 5 Star! Love Love Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. sounds like a great novel...thanks for the chance to read it :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. i'm interested in reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this story and have been entering other giveaways to win A Place of Abundance but no luck so far. Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for stopping by to share with us Julie.

    I am old email subscriber from the warmer state of Ga. Ready to curl up and read your book.
    Thanks for giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved the book Julie and love see ing you at church. Can't wait to read your second novel.

    Gail Mundy

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm a subscriber. Love to win thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds like a great read.
    Please enter me into the giveaway.
    Thank you for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This sounds like a great read.
    Please enter me into the giveaway.
    Thank you for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This book sounds awesome! I'd LOVE to win a copy! Thanks for the chance. I'm an email subscriber.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would really love to read this book. Love getting acquainted with new authors!




    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Above comment hasn't shown up yet, but I think I may have forgotten to put email address. Just in case it's:


    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

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