Sandra Robbins' Yuletide Defender

We're happy to have Sandra Robbins with us today talking about her book, Yuletide Defender. To learn more about Sandra and her book, read on!


Title: Yuletide Defender
Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Cover blurb: Is a vigilante responsible for the murders of Lake City gang members? According to reporter Rachel Long’s anonymous source, yes. The goal is to trigger a gang war—and her investigations lead Rachel to the heart of the battlegrounds. Which is where she finds handsome officer Matthew Franklin. The protective cop wants her out of harm’s way. But she needs the raise from a big story to secure care for her special-needs sister. Rachel won’t walk away, even though the vigilante is now aiming at a determined reporter—and a tailing cop—for a showdown just in time for Christmas.

1) How did this story come to you?
The idea for the book popped into my head one day. I think I’d read something about a reporter not wanting to reveal a confidential source, and I thought that would make a good plot. As I thought about it more, the idea of gang murders came to mind, then the vigilante. After I sent the proposal to my editor, she asked if I could incorporate a Christmas theme. I really enjoyed writing my characters into situations that seemed so opposite to all the Christmas cheer that surrounded them.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This is my third book with Love Inspired Suspense, so I’ve learned what the ediors liketo see in a proposal. I think that understanding the kind of stories that the publisher you’re targeting helps a writer.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I love to play all kinds of board and card games.
When a friend and I were visiting San Francisco once, we hired a limousine and driver to take us on a tour of the city.
I am a big fan of Broadway musicals and was thrilled when I got to attend the London production of Cats.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on two books that are sequels to my Love Inspired Suspense that will release next July. The three books are set on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. I am also working on a historical romance set in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains in 1894.

5) Parting comments?
It’s been a pleasure to be a guest again, and I hope readers will enjoy Yuletide Defender. It releases December 7.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
For more information about me and my books, go to my website at http://sandrarobbins.net/. I always enjoy hearing from my readers at Sandra@sandrarobbins.net

LoRee Peery's "Moselle's Insurance"

We're happy to have LoRee Peery with us today talking about her book, Moselle's Insurance. To learn more about LoRee and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
My ideas evolve from life experiences mixed with imagination. I was captivated by the novelty wrapped up in a group of women’s shops in neighboring Louisville, Nebraska. Frivolities was born. My maiden name is Mosel and I always thought a niece or granddaughter named Moselle would be sweet. So I birthed another girl with that name as a heroine. My husband is a retired insurance agent, thus Eric’s occupation. Often in life, first romantic relationships end without closure, so I’m drawn to reunion stories. I had so much fun creating Moselle’s mother and aunt that they became heroines of the next two stories. I’m revising the fourth in the series, in which Eric’s ex-wife is the heroine.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I’ve been writing a long time. And I’ve tried to quit writing several times, but I guess the Lord doesn’t want me to. When I had three or four book-length manuscripts (and piled up rejections from editors in the process), I searched for an agent. Moselle’s story was rejected by five agents, but feedback led me to believe I was close to acceptance. I had never considered going the route of an online publisher. But at the time, there was only one NY publisher that accepted unagented material, and they had rejected half my stories. Lori Graham, an editor for The Wild Rose Press and then editor for White Rose Publishing, came to Prairieland Romance Writers. She invited me to submit Moselle’s Insurance. It was rejected twice by White Rose editors, with the invitation to resubmit. I was devastated by the second, very detailed rejection letter, and quit writing for several months. At retreat in January of 2010, my fellow writers encouraged me to reconsider that best-kind-of-a rejection. So I went through the editor’s comments, agreed with her, revised, and resubmitted. Moselle’s story was accepted in less than a week.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
My father’s homicide remains one of Nebraska’s unsolved cold cases.
I would rather clean a toilet than dust furniture.
Before lumbar fusion I wanted to ride a burrow to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I mentioned that I’m polishing the fourth story in the series. It’s less about Frivolities, since the heroine only works there part time, and contains a suspense element. I’m also fictionalizing my dad’s death. This time, there will be closure.

5) Parting comments?
At the end of the day I like to agree with George Strait, and say, “I Saw God Today.” I look for evidence of God every day. For me, it often comes from something visible seen in the nature of country living. If I don’t see Him in the colors of the sky, a flower or butterfly or deer, He gives me peace through His Word. His presence also comes through the trust of a grandchild, the eyes or smile of a friend. He’s with me, His blessings are all around. He is ever-present.

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

Jody Hedlund's "The Preacher's Bride"

We're happy to have Jody Hedlund with us today talking about her book, The Preacher's Bride. To learn more about Jody and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
The Preacher’s Bride is a tale about finding true love amidst the intense discrimination and persecution that existed after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1650’s England.
This book is inspired by Elizabeth Bunyan, the second wife of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, one of the most popular books of all times. As I was reading a biography about John Bunyan, I ran across a small excerpt about Elizabeth.
I loved the brave way Elizabeth defended John during one of his trials when he was under arrest for his “unlicensed” preaching. Her strength to face a court of persecutors and her determination to faithfully support her husband touched me so deeply, that I decided her little-known story needed to be told to the world.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I spent about 6 weeks reading biographies and other time-period books. I sifted through plot ideas, wanting to stick as closely to the facts as possible, but also knowing I needed to dramatize the story to bring it to life.
A large part of my planning involved the process of getting to know my characters. I used an extensive character worksheet (available on my blog for free). I try to use what history has told us about the real characters, but then I filled in the rest and made them larger than life.
Then after my characters were living and breathing in my mind, and after I had a basic plot outline, I started the actual writing. It took me about nine months of writing during my little ones’ naptimes. When I finished, I spent several months editing it.
Finally, after about a year from when I first started, I queried the book to agents. It took me another nine months to get an agent to take me on as a client (an ACFW Genesis contest win really helped me). Then my agent shopped my book to Bethany House . . . and the rest is history!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I eat pie for breakfast. Yep. Anytime there’s pie in the house, I indulge myself in a piece for breakfast, especially if it has fruit in it of any kind because then I’m getting a couple servings of fruit.
2. I’m a fast walker. My kids usually have to run to keep up with me everywhere I go. I’m sure it looks quite comical to see me, the mother duck with my five youngun’s trailing after me, tripping over themselves!
3. Writing quirk? While I write, I stick bananas in my ears to block out the noise of my children. Okay, so not really. But I do wear headphones and listen to Pandora a LOT during my writing time.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m in the editing stages for my next book, The Doctor’s Lady (which will be published in September of 2011). And I’m also working on researching and plotting a third contracted book (to be published in 2012).

5) Parting comments?
I love meeting readers! Please stop by my Author Facebook Page and introduce yourself! I’d love to connect!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.jodyhedlund.com/
Blog: http://www.jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/
Email: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJodyHedlund

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund

Vicki McDonough's "Second Chance Brides"

We're happy to have Vicki McDonough with us today talking about her book, Second Chance Brides.  To learn more about Vicki and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Second Chance Brides came pretty easily. I’d written The Anonymous Bride, and my editor asked for a sequel book. I already had the town and the characters, and I had two mail-order brides left over from the first book who needed to find a home—and a man to marry. Second Chance Brides is their story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I said above, this book came to me easily, but selling my first trade fiction book came about after a lot of hard work. I started out writing novellas, which are 20,000 words. Then I graduated to writing books for the Heartsong Presents book club, which are 45-50000 words. I’d sold 8 novellas collections and 8 Heartsongs, when my editor told me she’d like to see a proposal for a long fiction book. So I worked up one and sent it to her. She rejected my first idea, but liked The Anonymous Bride and bought it.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I lived on a kibbutz in Israel with my husband for a year, shortly after I was first married.
2. I bought a motorcycle when I was 14 and rode it all over the place
3. I love my blue jeans. I don’t even own a dress that fits. I used to have two of them, but I’ve lost weight and they no longer fit.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently writing the 2nd book in a short historical series for Heartsong that’s set in South Carolina. Next, I’ll write the 3rd book. Also coming next April, is the third book in my Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, Finally A Bride.

5) Parting comments?
I have a little sign taped to my desk that I picked up at a writer’s conference I attended when I first started writing. Maybe it will inspire you. It says: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.vickiemcdonough.com/
I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

Cathy Bryant's "A Path Less Traveled"

We're happy to have Cathy Bryant with us today talking about her book, A Path Less Traveled. Cathy has been kind enough to offer to give away a copy to one lucky blog reader. To learn more about Cathy and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
During the writing of my first novel in the Miller’s Creek Series (TEXAS ROADS), I really grew to love Andy’s character and knew that I wanted to find a romantic interest for him. Trish James made the most logical choice, though it meant a horrible accident for her husband.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I actually wrote most of the book in November 2009, but had to lay it aside to launch TEXAS ROADS. I finally had time to get back to it June 2010. In August, I started sending the book out to beta readers, and just recently sent the manuscript to proof-editors. The book is in the process of being published in both print and e-book format.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) I have a music education degree with trumpet as my primary instrument.
2) I’m a reality TV junkie.
3) I was a drum major in high school.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently launching Book 2 in the Miller’s Creek series, A Path Less Traveled. Next on the agenda is writing Book 3 in the series.

5) Parting comments?
I’m currently taking pre-orders on A Path Less Traveled for a reduced rate. You can find out the details on my blog, WordVessel (http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/).

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My blog, WordVessel: (address above)
My website: http://www.catbryant.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cathy.england.bryant
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CathyBryant

Lesa Henderson's "Someone to Trust"

We're happy to have Lesa Henderson with us today talking about her book, Someone to Trust. To learn more about Lesa and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
LOL. I have so many characters, places and story lines living in my head at one time it’s hard to say exactly. My stories usually develop as I write them – I have my ending and work toward that. It was birthed from the rising issue of infidelity in the home and the heartache it can cause a little girl and the lack of trust that develops in that little girl as she searches for love as an adult. Of course, in Someone to Trust this compounded by a horrible mistake the heroine makes as an adult and a second betrayal by a man.


2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Whew! I get tired just thinking about it. LOL. I actually wrote Someone to Trust about six years ago! I submitted the first three chapters and synopsis and the company requested the complete manuscript – which I gladly sent them. After about nine months I hadn’t heard anything from them so I made a polite inquiry. The manuscript had been lost and I was asked to resubmit via email this time. I did and the waiting game began again. This time a year went by and again I inquired – again it was lost. Unbelievable, I know, but it’s true. After a third submission it was rejected. I was totally disheartened and put the MS away. A couple of years later I heard about the White Rose Publishing and I felt prompted to get the MS out, dust it off, tune it up and submit it again. Someone to Trust by White Rose Publishing is the result.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Okay this is embarrassing…there are many days – I’d rather pull weeds or paint the house (two things I despise) instead of write.

I have an incurable sweet tooth and the icing filled chocolate-chip cookie I describe in Chapter One of Someone to Trust is my favorite.

As a little girl I played Charlie’s Angels with my sister and best friend and I was always Kelly (Jacklyn Smith). I’ve been making up plots and story lines my whole life.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
 I’m working on YA novel with my daughter Tiffany as well as multiple articles and my husband Ken and I are working on our 4th Screenplay.

6) Where can fans find you on the Internet?
http://www.lesahenderson.com/
 Twitter and Facebook.

Maureen Lang's "Whisper on the Wind"

We're happy to have Maureen Lang with us today talking about her book, Whisper on the Wind. To learn more about Maureen and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?Through research! I love reading about the First World War era, and came across references to an “illegal, uncensored” newspaper that the German occupying army in Belgium very much wanted to stop. I knew there was a story there. So I created characters living in Belgium who are willing to do whatever they can to resist the Germans. For them, it’s helping to circulate this powerful little newssheet that thumbs its nose at an iron-fisted enemy.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.This book actually has one of the longest journeys. I originally conceived the idea back around the year 2000, but I had so much fun with the first draft it was extremely long—over 150,000 words. I knew it would have to be cut to a more reasonable length, under 100,000 if possible. But rather than take the time to make it more marketable, I went on to write and then publish several other books. I always knew I’d come back to this one, though. And I did. I never entirely gave up on it, and it’s had plenty of time devoted to cutting and revising, so I’m hoping it’s my best book to date.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.Well, if they haven’t read anything else by me, in particular The Oak Leaves, they might be surprised to learn I have a child with Fragile X Syndrome, a form of genetic mental retardation. He just turned fifteen, but functions more like a two year old—a very tall two-year-old, since he’s taller than I am! That means pretty much constant attention when he’s not at school for those few hours during the day.
Readers might also be surprised to learn that although I’m an eager, avid reader, I only finish books that captivate me. If I’m not learning something from a book, or enthralled with the plot or characters, I just don’t have the time to plod through something just to reach The End. I know many readers who would never abandon a book once started, but I just can’t force myself to be that diligent. I admit this reluctantly, knowing that in all likelihood some people have set aside one of my books, which is of course just about the saddest thing an author can envision about their work.
That’s only two, but for the life of me I cannot think of a third! I’m pretty open about most things in my life, so everything that comes to my mind doesn’t seem as though it would surprise anyone. I’m a member of groups you would expect: ACFW, RWA, a local writer’s group, a Christian church, a wonderful family. All that might seem rather dull, and not very surprising, but that’s my life!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?Did I just say my life was dull and not very surprising? Not true! I just finished a book I’m sooo excited about, and not only was it anything but dull, the content was a total surprise to me. I thought it might be interesting to finally give a plot line to the Germans, who have largely been the “bad guys” in my previous books. Of course every book needs angst, but there was just so much to choose from if I set the book in Germany at the end of the war. I zeroed in on my heroine, who tries escaping the guilt she feels over her father’s war profits by going to Munich and taking up with a seductive revolutionary. But when her parents send an old friend after her—a soldier trying to get over his own war nightmares—she must choose between faith or guilt, conservative or liberal hopes, and love or appeasement. It’s titled Springtime of the Spirit and comes out with Tyndale next March (2011). And I can’t wait!
Okay, so my excitement only comes through the characters I dream up…I guess my real life is still rather dull and unsurprising. Sigh.

5) Parting comments?I’m happy to present a signed copy of Whisper on the Wind to a blog winner according to Dawn’s guidelines, and hope the story will inspire and entertain. Thanks very much for visiting with me!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?http://www.maureenlang.com/
http://maureenlang.blogspot.com/ (where I’m blogging about the story behind Whisper on the Wind)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/maureen.lang

Martha Rogers' "Finding Becky"

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

1) How did this story come to you?
It was a natural progression of a character from a previous book. I wanted a young woman who was independent, searching for truth, and firm in her belief about equality for women. Becky is all of those and her journey was fun to write.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It’s the third book in the series Winds Across the Prairie and was part of a three book contract. It took several years for an editor to choose the first book for publication. This one was only a one paragraph summary, so I had four months to plot and write it. Luckily I knew all but a few new characters, so the story came right along. It was the most fun to write.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I love Christmas and my house is totally decorated for that season. I have 24 storage boxes of decorations in my attic.
I am a Baylor graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in what was once Home Economics but is now something like Consumer Science.
My husband and I have lived in the same house for 34 years. (Didn’t think I’d haul all that Christmas stuff around did you?)

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve just started a new series and am working on the first book. This one starts in Connecticut and ends in Texas.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for hosting me, and I hope you enjoy this new visit to Barton Creek with the Haynes and Frankston families.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?

http://www.marthawrogers.com/

Alison Strobel's "The Weight of Shadows"

We're happy to have Alison Strobel with us today talking about her book, The Weight of Shadows. To learn more about Alison and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
A few years ago I heard about a high school senior who was involved in a wreck that killed an off-duty policeman who'd been out cycling. She was, as you can imagine, completely devastated by the experience, not to mention terrified that she would be found at fault even though she hadn't been. But before the findings of the investigation even came back, the officer's widow met her and told her their family harbored no ill-will toward her, and that they didn't blame her at all for what happened. The grace they gave her was just amazing. But it made me wonder what would have happened if she actually *had* been at fault--and no one had found out. Would she have come forward and admitted it? Would she have kept the secret? And if she did keep the secret, how would that secret affect her soul as the years went on? From there, the story evolved of a woman who allowed herself to be abused because she thinks she deserves it because of the guilty secret she harbors.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I already had a contract in place, so getting the book picked up by a publisher wasn't a problem, thankfully! However, the writing of the story was a very different experience from the experience of writing my first two books. It was the first time I'd used the Snowflake Method of plot and character development, and it made the process so much smoother. After using it on that book I vowed never to write another book without it!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1 - I was hopelessly addicted to online roleplaying games in college. For a writer, they're *so* much fun--you're basically writing a story on the fly, but you don't get to control all the characters.
2 - My other dream job (since writing is my #1 dream job) would be to be a Broadway musical singer. I can really belt Eponine's songs from Les Miserables
3 - My husband and I met on eHarmony. com. He was my 100th match, after being on the site almost a year. I was his first match, after being on the site for about ten minutes.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My fourth book, Reinventing Rachel, just came out Sept. 1. I have two more books scheduled to release next year--The Heart of Memory comes out in April, and book #6, currently titled Trouble Child, comes out in September. My husband and I also have a second children's book coming out in the spring, and we're hoping to add two more books to that series.

5) Parting comments?
I host a number of contests and giveaways on my blog and through my newsletter. I currently have two contests going to celebrate the release of Reinventing Rachel--one for college students and one for everyone else. :)

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.alisonstrobel.com/
Children's book website: http://www.danandalimorrow.com/ (we have contests there, too!)
Blog: www.AlisonStrobel.com/alison-blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alison.strobel.morrow#!/alison.strobel.morrow
Twitter: twitter.com/alisonstrobel (not that I'm on there much, but I'm making an effort to be more active)

Elizabeth Goddard's "Exposing Amber"

We're happy to have Elizabeth Goddard with us today talking about her book, Exposing Amber. To learn more about Elizabeth and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve always wanted to do a story about a fossil dig and I found a museum that was connected to one and knew it would make the perfect setting for a book.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
For some, especially these days, it seems the journey to publication happens quickly. For me it’s been long and arduous. I started working toward publication in 2001, though at the time I hadn’t yet decided to focus on novel writing. But when I attended my first conference, ACW, and met DiAnn Mills I knew I wanted to write novels. I didn’t receive my first contract until 2007.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’d rather go to Yellowstone National Park than Disney World. I prefer action movies over chic flicks. I haven’t read any Amish novels. Not even one.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I recently turned in a romantic
suspense proposal to a category romance publisher and I’m working on a big story for my agent right now. I’m very excited about both stories, but I don’t want to give away any company secrets.

5) Parting comments?
I’m so thankful the Lord opened these doors for me—I love to write!

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

Phyllis Johnson's "Being Frank With Anne"

We're happy to have Phyllis Johnson with us today talking about her book, Being Frank with Anne. To learn more about Phyllis and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
My book, Being Frank with Anne came to me after reading her diary. The effect the book had on me never let me go. In my adulthood, I felt moved to interpret the diary entries into unrhymed verse.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
There was the process of sending it out to publishers. Then someone in my writing group suggested I send it to Community Press and the publisher decided to publish it as my second book with them. This book is posted the New York Anne Frank Center website bookstore, a copy was autographed by Miep Gies and reviewed by her first cousin, Buddy Elias.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I like to act and model. I’ve been in FBI Files and New Detectives. I’ve also been in a feature film on the big screen.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve co-written a young adult suspense novel with Nancy Naigle. I’m also working on a book of funny high school stories and a book of monologues.

5) Parting comments?
I tell aspiring writers to never give up their dreams.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.phyllisjohnson.net/ and they can read more about Being Frank with Anne at http://www.beingfrankwithanne.com/

Tessa Afshar's "Pearl in the Sand"

Here's Moody's blurb about Tessa's book...
Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel' Shockingly, the Bible's answer is yes.
Pearl in the Sand tells Rahab's untold story. Rahab lives in a wall; her house is built into the defensive walls of the City of Jericho. Other walls surround her as well-walls of fear, rejection, unworthiness.
A woman with a wrecked past; a man of success, of faith - of pride; a marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another's worth and find healing in God.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Sand-Novel-ebook/dp/B004089202/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1284082202&sr=1-1-catcorr

Sarah Sundin's "A Memory Between Us"

We're happy to have Sarah Sundin with us today talking about her book, A Memory Between Us. To learn more about Sarah and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
My first novel, A Distant Melody, was originally meant to be a single novel, but while doing research, I became enamored with the US Eighth Air Force in World War II, and I wanted to tell the full story to V-E Day. Since my hero had two pilot brothers, I decided to write a three-book series, with each book focusing on one brother, with each book standing alone.
About this time, the character of Army nurse Lt. Ruth Doherty came to me—what if a poor girl made a bad decision in order to feed her family? What kind of girl would make such a decision? What would she be like when she grew up? I mentally put Ruth in the same room with Jack Novak—and sparks flew! Writing A Memory Between Us was a blast. Jack and Ruth were such fun characters.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I first submitted A Distant Melody at Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference in 2003. I received good feedback from published authors, editors, and agents—and began accumulating a stack of “good” rejection letters. They liked my writing, my story, and my characters—however, historicals weren’t selling. They wanted chick lit. This continued through 2007. I often felt discouraged, but the Lord made it obvious in many ways that He wanted me to finish the series so I kept plugging away. Then at Mount Hermon in March 2008, I heard, “We don’t want chick lit. We need historicals.” And there I was with the first two books in the Wings of Glory series complete. I submitted to Vicki Crumpton at Revell, and in September 2008 I was offered a three-book contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I hate housecleaning—but I enjoy laundry.
I wrote my rough drafts longhand in pencil, curled up on the couch.
My sons think I rock. My daughter (14) thinks I’m a dork. She’s closer to the truth. 

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I turned in Blue Skies Tomorrow (Book 3 in the Wings of Glory series) to my editor recently, and now we’re going through the editing process. I’m putting together a proposal for another series set during World War II.

5) Parting comments?
If God has given you a dream, have the courage to do what He asks you to do. Persevere, learn, seek support, and keep praying.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com/
Blog: http://www.sarahsundin.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahsundin
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

Lorna Seilstad's "Making Waves"

We're happy to have Lorna Seilstad with us today talking about her book, Making Waves. To learn more about Lorna and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life and Lake Manawa is about a ten minute drive from my house. Since my dad lived there as a child, I’d heard stories about the resort’s heyday, but I had no idea just what a fascinating place it was until I began to research it. After I did, I had to write a story set there. I wanted to bring the area back to life—at least on paper.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
At the 2008 ACFW conference, I presented this book to Andrea Doering. I completely forgot my pitch and just handed her my one sheet. Then, I sat there while she read two chapters. Thank goodness, she laughed in the right places! I knew I was in trouble if she didn’t.

After she was done, she complimented my fresh voice and asked me to send of full copy to her. Less than a month after I submitted the manuscript, I received an e-mail asking for a couple more ideas to make this into a possible series. A month later, Revell offered me a contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I’m good at pinball. This really surprised my husband when we were dating.
2. I’ve never sailed, although I’d love to. I read “Sailing for Dummies” when writing Making Waves. I also had help from a sailing writing friend to make sure I got the information correct.
3. I occasionally serve as a wedding coordinator. I guess romance is in my blood

3) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
There are two more books in the Lake Manawa Summers series. The next book is called A Great Catch and occurs five years later at the lake. I’m busy working on book three which will be yet another five years later and will feature the resort’s new roller coaster.

4) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me today. It’s been fun.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love connecting with and hearing from readers. I can be found at:
http://www.lornaseilstad.com/
http://www.inkspirationalmessages.com/ (10-writer blog)
On Twitter and on Facebook

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.”

Carie Lawson's "Beyond Summer"

We're happy to have Carie Lawson with us today talking about her ebook, Beyond Summer To learn more about Carie and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
The story evolved out of the hero's character. He was such a pushy guy, stubborn, maybe more than a little temperamental. Of course, he had to have the one woman he would despise on sight...as a learning exercise.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Because it is Insprational Romance, I was very skeptical about Beyond Summer being published at all because the hero is divorced and the story centers around the marriage Carly is escaping from. I was so thankful to find Desert Breeze as a home for it.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. My friends reading my books makes me ridiculously nervous.
2. I have four kids that I homeschool.
3. I went to Romania one summer with a missionary team and my soon to be husband. While we were there, I got to visit the "real" Dracula's castle.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on revisions for the third book in the Twisted Roots series, Beyond Ever After. It's Haven McCord's story about falling in love with her first crush, marrying him and getting to a place where she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me today! It was a lot of fun and I hope whoever wins the free copy enjoys it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I have a website, http://www.carielawsonbooks.com/ and a facebook page, Carie Lawson books.

Mary Ellis' "Sarah's Christmas Miracle"

We're happy to have Mary Ellis with us today talking about her book, Sarah's Christmas Miracle. To learn more about Mary and her book, read on!

• How would you describe your book?
Sarah’s Christmas Miracle is a tale about an Amish woman on the cusp of changing her life. She’s courting a serious beau, and is at the age expected to join the church and get married. But Sarah loves her job at the B&B and isn’t sure she’s ready to settle down and raise children. Before she commits to anyone, she must find an older brother who left the Amish for the big city and never came back. What was so appealing that it was worth breaking his parents’ hearts?

• What message do you hope it conveys?
I hope it conveys a message of hope and love for the Christmas season. The story is also told through the eyes of Sarah’s mother, who’s already lost one child to the English world, and fears she might lose another. She must trust that the bonds of family love will be strong enough to keep her daughter from falling away from her faith.

• What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I set the urban scenes in the city where I went to college and met my (future) husband. We had
a ball “researching” a once familiar city, seeing things from a fresh perspective. It’s very uplifting to be a tourist in your own hometown.

• What did you dislike most about writing this book?
I was held to a strict word count and told not to go much higher. I would have enjoyed exploring emotional avenues from more characters’ perspectives.

• What inspired you to become a writer?
As a dedicated reader, I reached a time in my life where I couldn’t keep myself from sitting down and writing. Every writer arrives at a point when he or she must write.

• Tell us about your writing process.
Uh, oh…there is a process I’m supposed to follow? For the first ten years, I also maintained a day job. My writing had to fit in wherever I could squeeze an hour or two. It’s hard to remember who has blue eyes and who has brown, besides the various plot twists when you create in fits and starts. It’s somewhat easier now that I write fulltime, but publicity demands fill in for my former day job. I still haven’t developed much of a schedule…maybe next week.

• What are you working on now?
I’m working on a story about an Amish midwife who runs afoul of the law when a birth goes horribly wrong. It’s a tale of growth within a marriage, dealing with grief, and staying true to your convictions when the road becomes rocky. But it also includes a romance between two people no one would expect to fall in love. The title is Abigail’s New Hope and it will be released on March 1st, 2011.

• What books do you enjoy reading?
I enjoy reading romantic suspense and family sagas.

• Where can readers buy your book?
Reader’s can find Sarah’s Christmas Miracle at http://www.christianbook.com/ or www.barnesandnoble.com or from my publisher http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/

• Where can readers find you online?
I hope readers will drop me a line at my blog: http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/

C.S. Lakin's "Someone to Blame"

We're happy to have C.S. Lakin with us today talking about her book, Someone to Blame. To learn more about C.S. and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I wanted to write another psychological mystery based on another of Agatha Christie’s famous murder mysteries. I had written one earlier called “Innocent Little Crimes” based on her book “And Then There Were None.” My next idea was to do a variation of “Murder on the Orient Express” but set it in a small town rather than on a train. I had been kicking around the idea for a couple of years and when I knew I’d be taking Jim Bell’s mentor track at Mount Hermon in the spring, I thought to write this book for the Christian market and use it in the workshop, which I did. I liked the idea of exploring the way a small town distrusts a newcomer, one especially abrasive. So by having Billy Thurber’s arrival in Breakers coincide with an outbreak of crimes, I explored how easy it is for people to blame someone they don’t know. I also wanted to explore a wider theme of blame, and so my story features a family new to Brekaers that is suffering form their own brand of blame regarding a horrible tragedy in their family. The two stories collide in upheaval and grace.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I did the usual pitching at conferences but couldn’t get anyone interested. So I submitted it in the Zondervan 2009 First Novel Contest at Mount Hermon and it won the contest. I feel extremely honored to have Zondervan enthusiastically supporting this book.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Well, who knows? I was a pathological liar when a child and used to steal bottles out of neighbors’ garages to get the 5 cent refunds to buy candy. But I was also a kleptomaniac and stole candy more often than bought it. I was a bit neglected and ignored by my mom, who was a single parent working full-time. I got into a lot of trouble as a kid. Now, I try to behave myself. I was raised Jewish, which usually means atheist celebrating a few random holidays. Thankfully, God chose to reveal himself to me, and I’m very grateful and am glad he forgives sin!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m finishing book four in my fantasy series The Gates of Heaven, for AMG, a collection of full-length fairy tales in the style of C. S. Lewis. I’m very excited about that series and the first book, The Wolf of Tebron, is getting some great buzz and reviews. I’m also plotting out my eleventh novel, my fifth commercial contemporary book, which is not so much a mystery as the modern-day story of Jacob and Joseph, detailing a dysfunctional family in need of grace. It’s another huge challenging, crazy, different project. I’m alsway pushing the envelope and writing harder and harder things. Don’t know why I torture myself like this!

5) Parting comments?
I write all kinds of things, but although I’ve been chastised and told to stick to one genre, my Boss seems to have other ideas for me. I always look to Him to tell me what to write and the ideas bubble up and spill over. I know what to work on by how excited a project gets me and how it grips me to where I can’t really focus on anything else. I usually am working on one project while writing another, and the last six or so novels have alternated between fantasy and contemporary drama, so I guess that seems to be the pattern I’m sticking with for now. Unless a publisher gives me some three-book deal and I have to do that for a while. I feel blessed to spend my time doing what I really love—writing and editing for other writers. If you need mentoring or help on a project, hire me!

6) Here are the websites for the new releases:
http://www.gatesofheavenseries.com/ and http://www.someonetoblame.com/

John Herrick's "From the Dead"

We're happy to have John Herrick with us today talking about his book, From the Dead. To learn more about John and his book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
On my way home from work, I turned on the radio and listened to the oldies station. Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” played—a song I never cared for. But this time, the song’s opening groove pulled me in and for the first time, I paid attention to the lyrics about a straight-laced preacher’s son. After the song ended, I thought, “Preacher’s kids often get stereotyped as near perfect. What if a preacher’s kid’s life hit rock bottom and, given his unique background, he had to climb out of a pit of his own making?” A few minutes later, random ideas for From The Dead started to pour forth. When I got home, I spent 30 minutes getting all the initial thoughts on paper. As the weeks passed, the concept grew. In your gut as a writer, a sense settles in: “Yes, this is my next book. I can marry myself to it for the next nine months.”

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I’d written one prior novel—some would consider it a novella. It received great feedback but hadn’t found a home. Its short length added to the risk of taking on a new writer. An author friend of mine offered words of encouragement about that project and encouraged me to start the next novel, which would become From The Dead. Unknown to her, I’d had that sense in my gut that my next step was to write the second novel, but she provided that final, strategic nudge. Sometimes we don’t know our impact on others until down the road.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I spent 8 years in information technology, doing everything from writing computer code to project management. I had zero training in it and didn’t care for the field, but it ended up fostering the discipline and framework I needed to write a novel.
2. I devour books, but I’m a painfully slow reader! Slowing down is the only way I can remember any details.
3. I once drove the wrong way up an interstate ramp at 3 a.m. I was out of town, construction all around, and none of those orange signs were lit—the ones that tell you where to go! At 3 a.m., we didn’t see anyone enter or exit, so my buddy and I guessed on the correct ramp. Halfway up the ramp, we saw oncoming headlights. Comical in retrospect, but thankful I’m alive!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m in the preliminary stage for my next novel. I tend to let the ideas marinate in my gut for a while, and the vital scenes seem to rise to the surface. That method seems to work best for me.

5) Parting comments?
No matter your dream, never give up! I’m a classic example of someone who had to hold out for a couple of decades—but the breakthrough finally arrived. I try to document some of the things I learned along the way in my blog. Thanks for letting me stop by today!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can visit my website at www.johnherrick.net. Feel free to send me a message; I love to hear from readers! I also have a blog at http://www.johnherricknet.blogspot.com/.

Kenneth Weene's "Widow's Walk"

We're happy to have Kenneth Weene with us today talking about his book, Widow's Walk. To learn more about Kenneth and his book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I actually had occasion to work with a family in which a son had become quadriplegic as the result of an accident. It was my intervention that got him out of the house, to rehab, and eventually back into live. When I was thinking about that family, I realized it was really the mother’s story that I wanted to tell. From there, the story just took its shape.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
No real journey. I sent Widow’s Walk to three publishers. All Things That Matter Press decided that it was an important tale. They are very much a values oriented publisher and take books like Widow’s Walk seriously.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m a psychologist, I’m an ordained minister, and I am a New Englander: I don’t know if these will surprise, but they certainly will help readers to understand what and how I write.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Since Widow’s Walk I’ve had a second novel, Memoirs From the Asylum published (also by ATTMP). I have a conspiracy novel, Times To Try The Soul of Man, ready to go. Currently I’m working on a new novel that has not title, but it is primarily written in a poetic voice, which makes it very challenging and exciting for me as a writer.

5) Parting comments?
I don’t just write stories; it is very important that my books make people think. Widow’s Walk is about faith and spirit; it is also about responsibility and love. Memoirs From the Asylum is about freedom and fear and about existential choices.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.authorkenweene.com/ I also have trailers for my books. The trailer for Widow’s Walk is http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=wbgzb2yk

As with most books, the easiest way to purchase mine is at Amazon and look for my name, Kenneth Weene; or you can visit All Things That Matter Press.