Jeanne Brooks' "Through the Waters"

We're happy to have Jeanne Brooks with us today talking about her book Through the Waters. To learn more about Jeanne and her book, read on!

Title: Through the Waters
Cover blurb: MADELINE MARIE GALLOWAY is a single, solidly Christian young woman excited about the future until she experiences the loss of her father and a violent attack resulting in a pregnancy. How could God let this happen to one of his faithful? How could she ever offer herself to her future husband now that she was no longer pure? And what about the baby? Abortion, Single parenthood? Adoption?
JIM AND SUZANNE are a young couple looking forward to raising a family and having a loving Christian home. They experience multiple disappointments until tragedy forces them toward a choice they never expected to make. Unexpectedly, the result brings them great joy, but will their happiness last? Why do tragic things happen to good people?
Watch how God carries them through their trials and tears. See how “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:27-29 KJV

1) How did this story come to you?
As a medical professional for over 30 years, I have had the opportunity and challenge to work with many of these situations. Probably the one event in my life that strongly impacted me was when my oldest sister became pregnant after an attack and chose to give up the child for adoption. Combining my personal experience with various individuals I’ve treated helps me build strong characters. Recalling how my faith has carried me through various losses: grandparents, father, daughter, helped me insert that into this story in a realistic manner.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Honestly, I never approached an agent or traditional publisher to attempt to get published. I have been writing for years, but struggled with self-esteem issues, so wasn’t willing to risk rejection. Instead, I decided to test the market by putting this quartet of books out there using self-publishing. I prayed hard about it and felt impressed to go this path, even though I knew that many did not respect self-published authors. I’m glad I chose self-publishing because it has allowed me to continue my primary job, working with soldiers before and after deploying to war. I was even able to freely give copies to soldiers heading to the combat zones without feeling guilty; the cost was on me and my publisher carried no risk.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
 was the first female in my career field in the United States Air Force: Aircrew Egress Systems Repairman,
 worked in a male, medium-high security prison for nine months, and
 married nearly 38 years and have 10 grandchildren (guess that’s a two-fer)

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I tend to work on multiple projects at the same time. Right now I am working on the third in this series, Journeys of Faith, named “Out of the Valley”. The second book entitled “Across the Wilderness” came out in January, so I hope to have number three out this summer or fall. There is a fourth, “Over the Mountain” which will be out early 2012 if all goes according to plan.

5) Parting comments?
Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite Bible verse, “I know the plans I have for you, they are plans for welfare and not for evil, plans to give you a future and a hope.” ESV

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
 http://www.jeannebrooks.com/
 Facebook Author page: Jeanne F. Brooks
 Twitter: Author4Him
 Amazon Author Central: Jeanne F. Brooks