Interview with Kathy McKinsey & spotlight of Millie's Christmas...

We're happy to have Kathy McKinsey with us today talking about Millie's Christmas. To learn more about Kathy and her wonderful book, read on!

 From the back cover:

Ruthie says Millie will love Christmas. Ruthie is Millie’s best friend, so she’s sure Ruthie’s right, but why does Millie keep finding Ruthie and her brother Jake crying?

Millie, an orange kitten, shares about her first Christmas. Her best friend Ruthie, six years old, teaches Millie about Christmas—food, decorations, music, presents, and Jesus!

Millie’s friend Bruce, the family dog, also helps her celebrate Christmas, and sometimes gets her in trouble.

When Ruthie’s big brother Jake breaks his ankle, Millie learns about sad things, like divorce, when Jake can’t visit his mommy for Christmas. Millie watches Ruthie’s family love each other through the sadness, and find joy in Christmas.

The first page of the book:

MILLIE'S CHRISTMAS

ONE

Hello. My name is Millie, and I'm a cat. Well, my mama says I'm still a kitten. But I'm four months old. I think that makes me a pretty grown-up cat.

We live in a house where there are two cats, Mama and me. There’s one dog, Bruce. He’s my friend. And we have four people. The most important person is Ruthie. She's six years old, and she's my best friend. She says I'm her cat, but really she's my person.

Ruthie has a big brother named Jake who's nineteen. He's funny. Then there are their parents, Mommy and Daddy, and they're nice but very busy.

Ruthie says I'm beautiful. I'm orange all over, except a white spot on my tummy and one white ear. Bruce laughed at me once and said I looked goofy with that one white ear. What does he know? He's mostly brown all over, with a black patch above his nose, and he has white feet. Now that's goofy.

Something exciting happened today. Ruthie picked me up, squeezed me, and ran all over the house yelling, “It's Christmas time. It's Christmas time. Millie, you're going to love Christmas.”

“Meow, meow,” I yelled back. I didn't know what Christmas was, but Ruthie was excited, so I was too. “Meow.”

Ruthie kissed my face and whirled through the house, making me dizzy. “At Christmas we have lots of fun food, and candles, and decorations, and visiting, and candy.” She rubbed my ribs. “You’ll love it, Millie.”

I didn’t know what most of that stuff was, but it made Ruthie happy, so I knew it would be great.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

My favorite vegetables are coffee and cocoa beans. Daisies are my favorite flowers. I am starting a new job as a braille certification teacher in a women’s prison. My favorite color is orange. When I was a teenager, I had a crush on Tony Orlando.

Why did you choose to write this book?

Several years ago, I learned about NaNoWriMo, a program where writers are encouraged to write a novel during the month of November. I didn’t feel ready for this, but I did want a project to keep me writing every day. By then it was December, and I decided to write a Christmas story. I am more of a pantser than a plotter, but usually I have a very basic outline of what will happen in the story. This time, however, I just sat down to write whatever came to mind. Before long, God had given me this fun family Christmas story. I believe people of all ages can enjoy Millie’s Christmas.

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? 

Readers should know what hard work a writer does, from working up an idea, writing, editing and re-editing, to publishing to marketing.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

The hardest thing for me has always been making myself sit down and write. Once I start, I love it. I am making slow progress in this discipline.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

I want them to remember that the love and joy of Jesus will be with them during hard times.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I am most thankful for the gift God has given me of being mother to five wonderful children, now adults.

 What do you do for fun when not writing?

I love to read, crochet and knit, cook and bake.

What are you working on now? 

I am working on a story about a mother and her teenage daughter, and the mother is blind. I am blind, but I have never tried before to have a main character be blind. I’m finding it quite a writing challenge.

Bio and links:

Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for nearly 40 years, she still considers herself a farm girl.

She’s been married to Murray for 32 years, and they have five adult children.

She’s had two careers before writing—stay-at-home-Mom and rehabilitation teacher for the blind.

She lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dog.

Kathy.mckinsey@gmail.com

https://www.kathymckinsey.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathy.brinkmann.mckinsey

https://twitter.com/kathymckinsey

https://www.amazon.com/All-My-Tears-Kathy-McKinsey-ebook/dp/B07P92QZPJ

Interview with Amy R. Anguish and spotlight of Faith and Hope....

We're happy to have Amy R. Anguish with us today talking about her book Faith and Hope. To learn more about Amy and Faith and Hope, read on!

Back cover blurb

Two sisters. One summer. Multiple problems.

Younger sister Hope has lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend all in one day. Her well-laid plans for life have gone sideways, as has her hope in God.

Older sister Faith is finally getting her dream-come-true after years of struggles and prayers. But when her mom talks her into letting Hope move in for the summer, will the stress turn her dream into a nightmare? Is her faith in God strong enough to handle everything?

For two sisters who haven't gotten along in years, this summer together could be a disaster ... or it could lead them to a closer relationship with each other and God. Can they overcome all life is throwing at them? Or is this going to destroy their relationship for good?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“In all honesty, I really thought this meeting might have been to say I was going to get a raise next year.” Hope Cook gave a little chuckle. Anything was better than bursting into tears in front of her boss, even if it was faking laughter.

“Trust me, Hope. If I could have done that, you would be at the top of my list.” Mr. Smith straightened some papers. “Unfortunately, the school board has spoken. The team has to have another coach.”

“I know.” Hope half-heartedly held up a fist. “Go Buckley!”

“If anything changes at all, I’ll let you know.”

Hope couldn’t help but slump her shoulders as she opened the doors to rain. Evidently, the weather was in the same mood she was. She stepped out from under the overhang ... and directly into a puddle.

Laid off.

Wet clothes.

Soaked feet.

She listed every bad thing the afternoon had wrought thus far as she squished her way through the parking lot.

“You have got to be kidding me.” The umbrella doused her with another shower as she fought to close it. She tossed the miscreant tool into her backseat and slammed the door.

She took a moment to lay her head on the steering wheel and give in to her depression. “Why, God? Why give me my dream job only to take it away?”

A clap of thunder sounded. She lifted her head and hands.

“Okay, okay. Sorry. But I don’t understand.”

She shook her head. Was she really arguing with God? Obviously, she needed to go home and rest.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

1. I hate plan white socks. I prefer polka dots, stripes, and sometimes a mixture of each.

2. I love having a random few streaks of hot pink in my hair.

3. I love reading about horses, but not so much actually being near them, and especially not riding them.

4. I used to tell people that I wanted to be a babysitter when I grew up.

5. In high school, I was a runner up in a contest and had a drawing hanging in the football stadium where the Tennessee Titans play.

Why did you choose to write this book?

I sort of wrote this book as therapy for myself. It helped me work through some of the things I was going through dealing with infertility at the time. I also just couldn’t get the idea out of my head—what would happen if two sisters who didn’t along were forced to spend the summer together?

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? 

It’s almost impossible to be perfect. I don’t mean me. I mean my manuscript. No matter how many different eyes have looked at it or how many times I have gone through each line, it seems there is always a mistake left.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

Marketing myself and my books. It’s not that I don’t believe they’re good and that you’d enjoy them. It’s that I don’t want to be pushy, either.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

No matter what you are going through in your life, if you have God, you can make it through and come out better on the other side. Especially if you have other Christians there to help you.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

Being a mommy. Having made several quilts. Any plants that don’t die in my gardens.

 What do you do for fun when not writing?

Crochet, paint, sew, read, garden, teach Bible class, chase kids, and the usual things like laundry and dishes.

What are you working on now? 

I am waiting to hear if I’ve made it past round one in the Love Inspired contest, and rewriting a romance I started back in like 2008 that needed A LOT of work.

Bio

Amy R Anguish
Author of An Unexpected Legacy

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Where else can readers find you online?   

http://abitofanguish.weebly.com and http://facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

Interview with Kathy McKinsey & spotlight of All My Tears...

We're happy to have Kathy McKinsey with us today talking about her new release All My Tears.

Back cover blurb

Meet five women who struggle with life’s deep sorrows. Beth fights to recover from alcoholism and to mend her relationships with her family. Ann doesn’t believe God will forgive her. Kathleen wrestles with a years-old fear and with saving her marriage. Cassie needs to learn to deal with chronic depression. Martie finds herself the single parent of the eight-year-old niece she barely knows when the child’s parents die in a car wreck. See how god gives them the gifts of hope, healing, and love.

Kathy, please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

I have three brothers; please pray for me.

My favorite TV shows are MASH and West Wing

I graduated from high school in a class of seventy-two

My mother’s homemade white bread is my favorite recipe to bake.

I love when my dog kisses me on the lips.

Why did you choose to write this book?

I wanted to write stories about women, in different stages of life, with a variety of struggles.

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?

I wish non-writers understood what a hard job writing is.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

The toughest part for me is convincing myself to start a story. When I start, I thoroughly enjoy it.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

I want my readers to know that God is a loving Father, who waits for us and runs to greet us the moment we turn to him.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I am so blessed to have five adult children who are fascinating, competent individuals.

The first page from All My Tears

 When I opened my eyes, my brother Jeff sat beside me, his head in his hands, asleep.

Where was I? I didn’t know this room. What . . . “Jeff?” My voice croaked.

He jerked awake, then looked straight at me. “Cassie. Hey.”

“Why are you here?” My eyes were heavy and my mouth dry. Turning my head, I saw the IV attached to my arm. “Is this a hospital? Why, what, why are you here?”

Jeff leaned over and put his face right beside mine. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.”

“What—what happened?” I lay in a bed, and my head was confused and groggy. “Jeff?”“You’re hurt.” He laid his hand on my shoulder. “But yes, this is a hospital, and you’re going to be okay. Just sleep now. I promise I’ll stay with you.”

Relaxing, I closed my eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere.

-

 What do you do for fun when not writing?

Besides reading, I love to knit and crochet and play with the cat and dogs.

What are you working on now?

My current story is about a lady who, after tragedy, returns to the farm home and family she’s kept herself from for twelve years.

Bio:

Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for nearly 40 years, she still considers herself a farm girl.

She’s been married to Murray for 31 years, and they have five adult children.

She’s had two careers before writing—being a stay-at-home-Mom and working as a rehabilitation teacher for the blind.

Now she lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dogs.

Where else can readers find you online? 

http://kathymckinseyauthor.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kathy.brinkmann.mckinsey

https://twitter.com/kathymckinsey

Contact Kathy at:

Kathy.mckinsey@gmail.com

Interview with Sara Foust & Spotlight of Rarity Mountain...

We're happy to have Sara Foust with us today talking about her book Rarity Mountain. To learn more about Sara and her book, read on!

Cover blurb: On the surface, SIMON FINCUFF and FERN STRONGBOW have nothing in common. Simon has served his sentence, but his past conviction still haunts him. Fern is a veterinarian and grew up on an off-the-grid homestead. The one thing they share? Each has a dark secret they would do almost anything to protect.

When their current careers are yanked away, they are left scrambling to pick up the pieces. A reality television show falls into their paths, offering a life-changing opportunity that tests their resolve and their faith.

These two unlikely partners must battle to survive for thirty days in the untouched wilderness of Rarity Mountain with only a handful of survival items and a director who is out for drama, no matter the cost. With their lives and their carefully guarded skeletons on the line, they will discover how far they are willing to go to win the million-dollar prize for Survival Tennessee.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you. 

I was born in California, but I grew up in Tennessee. I tried to save a chipmunk once and ended up with it latched onto my thumb. I want to learn to SCUBA dive. My favorite bird is a blue heron, but I also really love owls. I had recurring nightmares about Bigfoot as a child.

Why did you choose to write this book?

This story began forming as a prayer for God to give me another book idea. Once the idea for a book about a survival show came to me, Simon’s and Fern’s past mistakes just had to be written. Their story is one of pasts that contain some very bad decisions and a present filled with God’s forgiveness.

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? 

I have to write. It’s part of me, and if I don’t write I cannot be complete or even completely happy.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

Getting started was hard. I kept getting critiques from other writers that made me cry and made me wonder if I was really any good as a writer. I am so thankful for my cousin Becky. Without her encouragement, I probably would’ve given up before I’d gotten a good start.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

I hope readers realize that no matter what they’ve done, having faith in God and in mankind is always worth it. God can forgive any indiscretion and wants a relationship with you.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I am so proud that I have followed my dream and now have 4 books published, all while homeschooling 5 kids, working part-time from home, keeping up with housekeeping, and all the other daily tasks of life.

What do you do for fun when not writing?

I read, watch television, and get outside with my kids. I also love to camp and hike.

What are you working on now? 

I am writing the first book, called The Jade Owl, in a new Inspirational Romantic Suspense series about an archaeologist looking for relics in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

Dr. Fern Strongbow settled into a folding chair across the desk from Dr. Sylvia Greenlee. Fern popped a flower into her mouth and smiled as her friend and mentor grimaced. “Dandelion?”

Sylvia shook her head. “You eat some strange things, Fern.”

“They’re delicious.” Fern ate another yellow top and smiled. “What’s on the agenda for our weekly session?”

A dog whined in the next room, drawing Fern’s gaze to the office door. No doubt Max was having trouble awakening from his dental surgery. Pentothal did some strange things to their patients in recovery.

“I’m sure Kaylee can handle that.”

She was probably right. But what if Kaylee was otherwise occupied? Fern leaned back into the cold metal and sighed. “I miss the old chairs.”

“Well, they were worth $50 at the farmer’s market. Paid the water bill last month.”

Max whined again.

Fern’s gaze once again darted to the closed door. “You sure Kaylee isn’t busy with something else?”

“Max will be fine. We need to talk.”

Bio:

Sara is a multi-published, award-winning author and homeschooling mother of five who writes surrounded by the beauty of East Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is the author of the Love, Hope, and Faith Series, which includes Callum's Compass (2017), Camp Hope (2018), and Rarity Mountain (March 2019).  She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone and a novella, Of Walls (November 2018). Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.