Margaret Daley's "Saving Hope"

Title: Saving Hope, 1st book in Men of the Texas Rangers Series
Publisher: Abingdon Press

Cover blurb: When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped. Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

1) How did this story come to you?
I wanted to do a story that would have an emotional and social impact--something that was a problem today. I took a seed of an idea and started building on it. Over time it developed into what I wrote. Sometimes I don't even know where the story comes from.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My agent sent it out to various publishers--Abingdon Press brought it along with two other books in this series. Shattered Silence, the second book in Men of Texas Rangers will be out in October 2012.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I rarely cook anymore. I don't have a favorite color--I like a lot of different colors, depending on my mood. When I first went to college, I was studying to be a nurse, but I had a fear of shots. I knew I couldn't be a nurse when I couldn't give someone a shot.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just finished writing my fourth book in Guardians, Inc. called Christmas Stalking (Love Inspired Suspense, November 2012). My next project is the second book (Detection Mission) in the Love Inspired Suspense Continuity Series for 2013 called Texas K-9 Unit.

5) Parting comments?
I enjoy hearing from readers. You are the reason I write.

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

Jennifer Hudson Taylor's "Highland Sanctuary"

Title: Highland Sanctuay
Publisher: Abingdon Press is the publisher

Cover blurb: Caithness, Scotland (1477) Gavin MacKenzie is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh. He discovers a hidden village of outcasts that have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass who captures Gavin’s heart. The villagers have an intriguing secret, while Serena harbors a deadly past that could destroy her future. When a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. As Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s love is more powerful than any human force on earth.

1) How did this story come to you?
I've always loved historical romances set in Scotland. The highlands have always fascinated me and since so many of my ancestors were Scots-Irish, I wanted to write about that setting. When my daughter was born with a seizure disorder and we were surrounded by hospital staff, had access to medications, and support, I began to wonder what it would have been like for a family in 15th century Scotland.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I first pitched it to my editor at the ACFW Minneapolis Conference. I knew she was considering my debut novel at the time and wanted to tell her about the sequel. At that time she wasn’t interested, but after my debut novel came out, she asked if I had any other Scottish historicals. I pitched it again and the second time they made an offer on it. So a “no” isn’t always a permanent “no”.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) I am a workaholic. I have a full-time job, then I come home and write til late at night.
2) I have become a coffee-holic in the last few years. My husband's family have always been huge coffee drinkers, I guess they finally got to me.
3) My dream is to go to Scotland. Although my books are set in Scotland, I've never been fortunate enough to actually go.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on a Quaker historical set in the heart of Piedmont North Carolina in 1858, called A Path of Promise.

5) Parting comments?
No matter what your dreams or goals in life are, never give up, persevere and continue to press through.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.jenniferhudsontaylor.com/
www.facebook.com/jenniferhudsontaylor
www.twitter.com/jt4novels

Joyce Magnin's "The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow"

We're happy to have Joyce Magnin with us today talking about her book, The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow.To learn more about Joyce and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Agnes walked into my bedroom late one night, sat on my bed, I felt the thud, and said, write my story. It really just kind of happened.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Oh, this is neat. My dear friend Nancy Rue told her friend Barbara Scott who had just taken the position of acquisitions editor at Abingdon Press about my novel. Barbara requested it and a week later I was offered a contract. Pretty sweet. But this only happened after about a year of going down the usual publishing path of query and submission and rejection.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’ve never eaten a scallop.
I play RPG video games and own my own XBOX 360.
I once worked as a dog groomer—for one day. I wasn’t very good at it. Those poor Scotties.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on the fourth Bright’s Pond novel—Blame it on the Mistletoe. The second Bright’s Pond novel, Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise will release September 1.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for letting me share your blog space. Just remember, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. So if you write, keep writing. If it is meant to be it will. And eat your veggies.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Joyce can be found at http://www.joycemagnin.com/ or http://www.joycemagnin.blogspot.com/