James Rubart's "Book of Days"

We're happy to have James Rubart with us today talking about his book, Book of Days. To learn more about James and his book, read on!

Title: BOOK OF DAYS
Publisher: B&H Fiction

Cover blurb: God’s Book of Days.
A record of the past, present, and future of every soul. Some say it’s fable. Others are sure it’s real, hidden somewhere on Earth ... if Cameron Vaux can’t find it, he will lose everything. (Full back cover copy at the bottom.)

1) How did this story come to you?
In late 2000 my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I began to live the great sadness of seeing my father slip into the chains of Alzheimer's, and watched his memories fade away. I wondered where they were going. Was God catching them as they escaped his mind? Would they one day be restored to him? When I read Psalm 139:16 I realized God had already written down every moment of my Dad's life in His book.
After that I started to wonder—what if that book was on earth? And what if we could find it and see our past, and our future? And what if my protagonist had to find it to keep his own mind from slipping away? Out of those thoughts came BOOK OF DAYS.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
ROOMS (my first novel, released in April 2010) was rejected by all major publishers in the fall of ’06 so in early 2007 I started writing BOOK OF DAYS. I thought it would be published first, then if it found success ROOMS might be published.
But I ended up signing a contract for ROOMS in the fall of ’08, thinking I’d sign a contract for BOOK OF DAYS soon after. I didn’t get an offer for BOOK OF DAYS till mid December 2009, but fortunately I already had 70% of the novel written, so I finished the rest of it in a mad push in January of 2010.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’ve almost drowned—twice. But I still like to scuba dive. I’m an introvert (most people who meet me assume I’m a extrovert, because I love people and savor my relationships, but I DEFINITELY need my alone time. That’s how I get energized. As much as I love around my friend and meeting new people, it drains me.) And third, when I was one and a half, the fingers on my right hand were healed after a table saw fell on it.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m finishing edits on my third novel, The Chair which is about a young antiques store owner who is forced to confront his greatest fears and greatest failure when he’s given an artifact that might be a legendary healing chair made by Jesus Christ.
I’ve started brainstorming on my fourth novel, Backspace which will release summer 2012.
I’m developing a series of online marketing courses for novelist's who need to be more proficient and effective at marketing their novels.
And I’m working on an ancillary product tied into ROOMS that will release at the same time as The Chair.
As you can probably guess, I’m not sleeping much these days. But I’m loving all the projects.

5) Parting comments?
I followed my dreams and now I’m living it. So take the chance, take the risk, and take your wings to the air.
Thanks so much for having me!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.jimrubart.com/
http://www.jameslrubart.com/
FB: James L. Rubart
Twitter: @jimrubart
http://www.jimrubart.com/

Delia Latham's "Destiny's Dream"

We're happy to have Delia Latham with us today talking about her book Destiny's Dream. To learn more about Delia and her book, read on!

Title: Destiny’s Dream
Publisher: White Rose Publishing, the first book in the Solomon’s Gate Series.

Cover blurb:
Is a little respect too much to ask at a parent’s funeral?
Apparently it is for Destiny May. Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting when he shows up late to her mother’s “going away party.” When it turns out he’s not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day’s dreary proceedings. Spending time with a handsome stranger who makes her laugh is more therapeutic than fighting with her overbearing family.
Clay finds Destiny beautiful, charming...and intelligent. So why is she stubbornly determined to open a Christian dating service? Clay has little respect for such a frivolous profession, and doesn’t think the small, conservative town of Castle Creek will welcome such a progressive business. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm’s way.
Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses, and Destiny may be the one thing Clay can’t escape...if he even wants to.

1) How did this story come to you?
I read a book about a woman who operated a dating agency several years ago…well, actually, it’s been a decade or more—before dating agencies became commonplace. The concept intrigued me, and I couldn’t help thinking how fun it would be to write a book about a Christian dating agency. From that, the storyline just evolved and grew and became Solomon’s Gate.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I submitted the manuscript to two other publishers. The first one wanted either pure romance, or a heavier dose of intrigue. The second wanted some changes I wasn’t thrilled about making—I would have, of course, had that been my only option. But I decided to send it to one more publisher first, and pray that they would love it as it was. White Rose Publishing did love it, and asked for information on the two follow-up storylines as well. I wound up with contracts on all three books, which was so much more than I had dared to hope for.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I used to sing in a Country and Western band, and actually made a couple of recordings during that time. I still love to sing, although an episode of asthma and pneumonia stole my breath and made it harder for me to sing for extended periods of time.
2. I married at age 16 and, thirty-seven years later, my husband and I still love each other.
3. Even though I write in the inspirational market, I do not read only inspirational books. Actually, my favorite book ever is Swan Song, by Robert R. McCammon. I also particularly enjoyed The Stand, by Stephen King. Neither book is inspirational, but both are epic tales of good vs. evil.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently working on Gypsy’s Game, the third book in the Solomon’s Gate Series. The second book (Kylie’s Kiss) is in the hands of the editors. I’ve already seen the first galleys, and am expecting 2nd round edits any time.

5) Parting comments?
Along with my blog tour, I’m conducting a big, fun contest. I’m encouraging readers to check out the details and find out how to earn plenty of entries into the Daughters of Destiny Contest.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Lots of places, the most obvious, of course, being my website. I also have a blog, where I conduct interviews with other authors and post reviews of books I’ve read.
Then there’s my bi-monthly newsletter, Facebook, Bebo, Twitter, and a bunch of other networking sites. I love hearing from my readers, so be sure to pop in and say hello!

Martha Rogers "Caroline's Choice"

We're happy to have Martha Rogers with us today talking about her book Caroline's Choice. To learn more about Martha and her book, read on!

Title: Caroline’s Choice
Publisher: Realms Fiction Division of Strang Communications

Cover blurb: Matthew Haynes enjoys working the ranch with his father. Caroline Frankston has had her eye on Matt since their school days, and has put off any advances from other young men. Now in her mid-twenties, she’s afraid she’ll never marry because Matt Haynes shows no interest in marriage, so she moves to the city to begin a new life. Matt misses her, but after seeing how happy she is with her new friends, he won’t pursue her. Two events, one happy, the other traumatic, work together to change hearts and bring love.

1) How did this story come to you?
It grew from the other books in the series. When I was asked to write the fourth book, I knew it had to be Matt and Caroline’s story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It came about as the result of the first book in the series, Becoming Lucy. The publisher liked the first one and asked for three more.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
That I once made all my own clothes when I taught Homemaking.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The second book of my new series, Seasons of the Heart. This one is Autumn Song. I have two more in this
series and then a Christmas novel is set for 2012.

5) Parting comments?
I’m excited about this new series, and I so appreciate all the love and support given me by my ACFW friends. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am with my books today.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.marthawrogers.com/