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.”

Leanna Ellis' "Once in a Blue Moon"

We're happy to have Leanna Ellis with us today talking about her book, "Once in a Blue Moon."

To learn more about Leanna, please read on.

Your title: Once in a Blue Moon

1) How did this story come to you?

Once in a Blue Moon came to me when I was reading an article about a woman who writes obituaries. I wondered what that person would be like if her first obit had been written for her own mother. Bryn Seymour intrigued me from the beginning and I had to know more about her life.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had finished my first contract with B&H Publishers and submitted a short synopsis for Once in a Blue Moon along with a brief blurb on two other novels. They were accepted and I signed another three book contract with B&H. I really enjoyed writing the book but hit a snag toward the end because my own father was in the hospital on and off for several weeks. It was a very difficult time to work as I was in the car a lot or sitting in the hospital room. But I managed to get the book finished just before my father went into the hospital for the last time.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I’ve been writing since 1991 and published since 1995.
2. I have a crazy dog we call the Hilo Monster, a combo Labrador and poodle that likes to eat our eye glasses. So far, she’s eaten six pairs.
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?

My next book is Facelift and it will be out in September 2010. It’s about a can-do kind of woman who takes in her ex-mother-in-law after a botched facelift only to receive an emotional facelift of her own as she learns to lean on God through life’s trials.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?

I’m on Facebook and Twitter and my blog is on my website at www.leannaellis.com. Thanks so much for having me here today!