Jayne Pearson Faulkner's "The Place of Belonging"

Title: The Place of Belonging
Publisher: Deep River Books

Cover blurb: This elegantly written story is told from the eyes of a child of a single mother, set in the 1940's in Big Sky Montana. Humorous yet bracingly honest, The Place of Belonging stirs our basis feelings of wanting to belong somewhere and to someone. Beautifully and simply told, The Place of Belonging takes the reader on an uforgettable step back in time, a place many will recognize. [“This emotionally satisfying book reads like prose. It is one of the best books we have ever published, and certainly, that I have ever read.” Nancie Carmichael, DRB Publisher, and bestselling author. ]

1) How did this story come to you?
I found an old ragged 5-year diary given to me by my grandma when I was eight years old. It brought me back to the 1940’s in Montana, and my life with my single mom and grandma, struggling to “fit in”—not very possible in that time period. Then Mom met a farmer from Conrad (Montana) and our lives changed forever, but not without the ever-old question, “Where do I belong in this scheme of things?”

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My writing has been in the short story venue, so I was only planning to write a short fiction story based our life experiences during this five-ear span. When I realized that what I was writing was actually more than fiction, and told through the eyes of a child, I decided to tell the whole story. I meant to only make copies for my family to read. When my sister saw it, she wanted it to be published, and helped me to that end.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
(1) I’m pretty old. (Maybe that wouldn’t be surprising.)
(2) My husband and I were missionaries in the Philippines and Tonga during our kids’ growing-up years, and we all loved it.
(3) I can yodel. But I only do it in private.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a sequel to The Place of Belonging, which will go into high school years in the 50’s—the trying to fit in (in high school) honed to a new level—with the mix of younger siblings, farm life, and adolescence. It will probably be more funny than sad this time around.

5) Parting comments?
I appreciate very much the fact that so many people have enjoyed my book. It makes me enormously happy. Thank you.

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

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.

Nan Corbitt Allen's "Watercolor Summer"

Title: Watercolor Summer
Publisher: DEEP RIVER BOOKS

Cover blurb:
If Kathleen could relive any moment, it would be the one in 1969. Not because of its sweet memories, but because it changed her life forever.

In the summer of 1969, Kathleen’s thirteenth year, her mother drags her to yet another artist colony on the beaches of Northwest Florida. There, Kat’s feelings of isolation and hopelessness, spawned by her parent’s estrangement, develop into a selfish rage.

Malcolm, a mentally-challenged boy who lives at the artist colony, tries to befriend Kat, but his very presence annoys her to her core.

Though it takes a long and difficult summer for Kat to see it, Malcolm and his colorful guardian, Jeanette, are the examples of true and selfless love. Just as Kat’s heart begins to melt, Malcolm’s congenital heart problems become a concern. The canvas of Kat’s life, first stained by pain and trial and now touched by love, begins to transform into a masterpiece.

1) How did this story come to you?
I’m a child of the 60’s who grew up on the beaches of Northwest Florida, so the time and place weren’t hard to imagine. Having been a 13-year-old girl myself once I understand what it’s like to feel out-of-place and ignored as my main character, Kat, did. I decided to put my memories of this time, place, and feelings into a novel and let readers know how God can take any life and remake it to be something beautiful.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I went through three literary agents to help me find the right publisher. They all were unable to help me. Then I contacted Deep River myself. It took six months to write the book and maybe three more to find the right publisher.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
•I’m a song writer/musician who has written over 100 musicals and collections and 100’s of single songs with my husband, Dennis. He and I are three-time Dove Award winners for musicals we wrote: two for children’s choirs and one for adult choirs.
•Watercolor Summer is my third published book. I had my first novel Asylum published with Moody Press in 2004. I had a non-fiction book called The Words We Sing published by Beacon Hill Press in the fall of 2010. It is a reference/devotional guide that gives insights into lyrics that we sing on Sundays but hardly use otherwise, i.e. Abba, Redeem, Ebenezer.
•My husband and I are about to celebrate 37 years of marriage! We have two grown sons and two beautiful daughters-in-law and two exceptional grandchildren.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I will continue to write music, drama, lyrics, etc. but my next book project will probably be a historical fiction work based on the life of William Carey (the father of foreign missions).

5) Parting comments?
I hope the readers enjoy reading the book as much as I had writing it. It was such a blast!

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