Lisa Bergren's "Mercy Came Morning"

Title: Mercy Come Morning (previously released as Christmas Every Morning)

Publisher: WaterBrook

Cover blurb: Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

1) How did this story come to you?
I had two grandparents who died of Alzheimer’s. It’s a tragic situation, every time, and tragedy breeds good novel tension…I thought, “What would happen if you had issues with your loved one who has Alz, and never had the opportunity to talk them out?”

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Happily, I’ve been published for a while, and one contract leads to the next. Given how publishing is changing, I’m not sure how long that’ll last, but I appreciate it for now!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a ski bum/bartender for the winter after college; I’ve been in the tomb inside the Great Pyramid at Giza; my husband and I met on a blind date.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m in the midst of promoting a YA series called The River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent), about two teen girls who time travel back to medieval Italy. Lots of action and romance. Next up: An adult trilogy called The Grand Tour—beginning with Grand Illusions—about a group of young people traveling across Europe in search of cultural refinement, and an understanding of themselves.

5) Parting comments?
I love to connect with readers and hope your readers will check out one of my books!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.lisabergren.com/
@LisaTBergren on Twitter
Facebook: Lisa Tawn Bergren and River of Time Series

Sharon Dow's "Antipas: Martyr"

Title: Antipas: Martyr
Publisher: Deep River Books

Cover blurb: Young Antipas is steeped in the religion of Zeus but his belief that there must be more to life finds him rejected and driven away from his own family and home. Overwhelmed by his loss, he cowers in the darkness when an opportunity arises for him to leave behind his troubles and embark on a new life. On the ancient Roman road through the wilderness of Asia, Antipas finds a new friend in Epaphras who teaches him everything he can about Christ. Laying his life on the line, he lives in danger from his own father and brothers as he grapples with the forces of good and evil in an epic battle for his soul.

1) How did this story come to you?
I was reading in the book of Revelation chapter two where Christ is talking to the church of Pergamum. He mentioned Antipas, his faithful witness who was martyred where Satan lives. I was intrigued and did some research on him. He is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, and there is little historical information about him. I decided to write his story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As a new author, it is hard to break into the publishing world. Major publishing companies state on their websites that they do not accept manuscripts from new authors. One site directed me to Christian Manuscript Submissions, an online site where you can (for a fee) post information about your manuscript. I did this and was approached by Deep River Books. When they read my manuscript, they suggested I have it critiqued, which I did. Then I did a revision of the book and submitted it again. This time it was accepted!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I spent 27 years in the field of Education as a junior high teacher and principal of an elementary Christian School.
2. I have a great desire to travel to Russia. This country has long fascinated me as I have read many stories set in Russia prior to the Revolution.
3. I love politics and have harbored a secret dream to run for office at the federal level.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have completed the manuscript for ‘Pergamum: Satan’s Throne’ which is the sequel to ‘Antipas: Martyr’. I have over 22,000 words written on a third book titled ‘Huldah: Prophetess’. This is a stand-alone book and is based on the life of Huldah found in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. She was a prophetess when Josiah was King.

5) Parting comments?
Writing for me is pure joy. It has been a life-long dream to write a book. Now that I have had my first book published, my dream has expanded. I now want to write 10. I have ideas for all ten and maybe more.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.sharondow.ca and I can be found on facebook – Sharon Dow and/or Antipas: Martyr.

Marilyn Meredith's "Bears With Us"

Title: Bears With Us

Publisher: Mundania Press

Cover blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree has her hands full when bears turn up in and around Bear Creek, a young teen commits suicide and his parents actions are suspicious, a prominent woman files a complaint against Tempe and her preacher husband Hutch, a love affair from long ago comes to light, and a woman suffering from dementia disappears.

1) How did this story come to you?
My grandson is an Aspen CO police officer and he kept telling about chasing bears out of people’s homes and posting photos of the bears on Facebook. I emailed him asking lots of questions about how they knew the bears were inside homes, how they chased them out, what the bears did inside, and how they smelled. I knew my heroine, Deputy Tempe Crabtree would have some of the same experiences.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Because I am writing a series, my publisher seems to be willing to publish the next one. This series does have a history though. The first four were published by a small press who put them out in mass market paperback. I had one earlier one that an e-publisher picked up. My publisher passed away and I met the publisher of Mundania at a conference and asked if he’d be interested in picking up the series. Thankfully, he said yes and I’ve been with Mundania for this series ever since.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. Though I’ve had over thirty books published, I’ve been rejected many, many times.
2. I’ve written in all sorts of genres, historical family sagas, psychological horror, Christian horror, romance with a touch of the supernatural, ghost stories, and of course, lots of mysteries.
3. And years ago, I went to a nudist colony. One day I ought to put something about a nudist colony in a book.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on a new Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery that has yet no name. The next one in that series, No Bells, will be out in

5) Parting comments?
Writing is an important part of my life—something I really enjoy. My characters all seem very real to me—and I hope they do to my readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My webpage is http://fictionforyou.com/ and my blog is http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Jeff Dixon's "The Key to The Kingdom"

Title: The Key To The Kingdom
Publisher: Deep River Publishing

Cover blurb:
Grayson Hawkes learns how imaginative and elaborate Walt Disney World is when he accepts an invitation that lands him in a world he never knew existed. Suddenly unraveling a perplexing puzzle and trying to solve a mysterious disappearance . . . Hawkes navigates through the Magic Kingdom where the knowledge of seemingly unimportant Disney facts and some divine help may be the only way he can discover the answers and get back out.

Soon the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. Telling the difference between the real and unreal becomes nearly impossible. Loyalty to faith, family, and friends is stretched to the extreme in a pulse quickening adventure through a place where dreams really do come true. In this world, Disney trivia is no game...and the ancient key is the only way out.

1) How did this story come to you?
The origin of the story actually began with a love for the creations of Walt Disney and a fascination with the powerful way the Disney company tells a story. As a preacher and storyteller I have always been on a quest to tell stories in a way that not only connects with the hearer but also can change their lives. I had the opportunity to sit down with a Disney Imagineer and ask how we as a church could learn to tell the story we tell each week better. I can still remember the Disney stories I saw and read as a child. The ability to tell a story that becomes unforgettable is in many ways a lost art form. I get the chance each week to tell the Greatest Story Ever Told and I desire to tell the story in ways that people will never forget.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had never written a novel before so I jotted down a notebook full of notes and ideas. Just like putting a puzzle together I began to sort through the pieces and started connecting them into a real storyline. I submitted a concept idea for the book through a manuscript submission group and was contacted by Deep River Publishing.

Once the contract was signed I took the rough copy of the story and began to tweak and fine tune it (or so I thought.) The most humbling moment came when the editors contacted me and told me that the story was way too long and I had to lose a significant number of pages. Working with the editor was fantastic because it really began to teach me how to craft a story that was not only readable but also how to bring characters to life and keep them moving at a pace the reader would enjoy. The end result is a page turning thriller and I am excited about the response people are having to the story.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
First, I am part of a group of people building a Christmas theme park for terminally ill children and their families. It is a place where parents will bring their children to experience one last Christmas. It is called Christmas Dreams... because some children just can't wait for Christmas.

Second, I wrote the bulk of the original storyline for The Key To The Kingdom while watching college football. There is just something exciting about the game and there were moments that I was listening to the game and I just could not type fast enough.

Third, I actually have been Goofy at Walt Disney World. Now don't misunderstand me, I don't mean I was acting silly while visiting Walt Disney World. I really was the character Goofy in the theme park. It was fantastic and the job of a lifetime.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a sequel to The Key To The Kingdom. The reaction to the adventure of Grayson Hawkes has been phenomenal and I immediately began receiving mail asking "what next?" I am excited about answering that question and I think that fans of this story will like the next installment a great deal.

5) Parting comments?
I am just thrilled and amazed that people are connecting to this story like they are. I have gotten e-mail from all over the world and people sending me stories, pictures, and questions about their family vacations to Disney World and allowing me to catch glimpses of their lives. For people to want to open up their world just a bit and allow me to be a part of it means more to me than words can express.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.keytothekingdombook.com/
www.facebook.com/KeytotheKingdombook
twitter.com/keykingdombook
http://www.jeffdixon.org/