Easing into Ebooks by Shawna Williams (part 1)

Easing into Ebooks
Part One
by Shawna Williams

It seems to be human nature to greet something new with a certain amount of skepticism, and I can't claim to be totally immune. When I first became aware of ebooks, I turned up my nose, thinking they were a passing fad in which I had no interest. But when an author I like published a book in ebook format, I decided I would give it a try. Reading on my computer wasn't my preferred choice, as I like to recline on the sofa and get cozy, but since the book was interesting, it was worth snuggling up with my laptop instead.
Of course, now with the influx of ereaders and ereading apps there are plenty of options that make reading ebooks a more enjoyable experience. There's also a lot of misconceptions, and today I'd like to address the top three as they pertain to ereaders..

Anytime I see an article on ebooks/ereaders I always scroll down to the comments section, and it never fails, someone has made this statement. "I don't want an ereader because reading off a screen hurts my eyes." Sometimes the complainant ventures further. "In ten years, when all of today's youth are blind from staring at screens for countless hours, then what are we gonna do!" Occasionally, they're downright belligerent. "Ereaders! No thanks! If I wanted to fry my eyeballs I'd stare directly at the sun!" (You may think I'm joking, but I'm not.)
Let me explain the technology behind today's ereader. It's called e-ink, and it actually is ink. The particles are rearranged with every turn of the page through an electronic charge. It looks like paper, with non-reflective surface and a contrast that is pleasant to the eyes -- no blurring or smudging of words either. The font is also adjustable. In short, there is less eye strain than what you will encounter with a traditional book For more on e-ink:

http://www.biblio-tech.com/BTR901/January_2001/e-ink_for_e-books__.html

Probably the second most common complaint is that the cold ereader can never match the comfort of holding a "real" book. Now, before I fully address this, I want to tell readers to please reconsider before saying this aloud, or typing it in a comment. It is offensive to authors, who have put countless hours into writing, researching and editing a book; then to have gone through the submissions process, being rejected numerous times, most likely; finally being accepted (brief celebration) more edits, formatting, promotion and so forth, to be told that theirs isn't a "real" book.

There. Since that's off my chest, I'll continue. For some people, this is true. Reading from an ereader is a slightly different experience than reading from a print book. But "different" isn't the same as not being cozy or comfortable. I have a Kindle. I keep it in a book-like cover made especially for Kindles. When you open it, you can either hold it like a book, or fold the cover behind the Kindle so that the soft felt surface rests in your hands.
I'm prone to muscle cramps and stiff fingers, so for me, holding a book causes discomfort over time, since constant tension is needed to keep it open. I also like the fact that if I read at night, I'm not continually having pages get caught on a book light and having to readjust it. So while reading from an ereader is different than reading from print, I wouldn't go so far as to say the experience is any less satisfying.

The last most common objection I want to address, though not the last I've heard, is this: "What if the power goes out. Then my ereader is useless." Thanks to e-ink, and the minimal amount of power it requires, your ereader's battery should last from two to four weeks, if you remember to turn off the wireless feature. This is a reasonable amount of time for your power to be restored. http://ireaderreview.com/2010/01/14/the-opposite-approach-making-ereader-batteries-better/

These are just a few of the concerns consumers have, and often voice. But not all concerns are related to ereader. Some are related to ebooks, and in my next post I talk about the top three of these.

Kimberly Woodhouse's Welcome Home

We're very excited to have Kimberly Woodhouse with us today talking about her book, Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy.

Click on the photo of the book to be taken to the CBD website to read more about it and to purchase. To learn more about Kimberly and her journey to publication, read on.

Title: Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy

1) How did this story come to you?
This is my story. The ups and downs of life with my daughter Kayla’s diagnosis, her rare condition, brain surgery, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition experience, and the joy of the Lord.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As a fiction writer first, I never thought about writing non-fiction until millions of people saw the EMHE episode on TV and the requests started rolling in. When I was approached to write our story so that we could encourage others, I was humbled and thrilled to write it.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
-I read really fast, and finish a book pretty much every other day. This surprises most people because my life is so busy—but I love to read, so I squeeze in as much as possible. 
-When I was a child, I never dreamed of being a writer. I studied music all my life, all the way through college.
- I once fell almost 500 feet while climbing a mountain in Switzerland. Hmmm, maybe I’ll write a book about that one day 

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
-Kayla and I are writing three suspense books for B&H Publishers. They are set in Alaska. Kayla will be the youngest published novelist! The first releases in March of 2011, the second in February 2012, and the third in August of 2012.
And I’m also working on a Parenting Book.
In April, we’ll be traveling back to Alaska for a research trip with my incredible editor, Karen Ball. We are so excited and privileged to be working with B&H.

4) Parting comments?
Thank you so much for having me here!

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com/
www.twitter.com/kimwoodhouse
www.facebook.com/kimberley.woodhouse
www.kimberleyandkaylawoodhouse.com

Darlene Franklin's Beacon of Love

We're happy to have Darlene Franklin with us today talking about her book, "Beacon of Love."

To learn more about Darlene, please read on.

Your title: Beacon of Love

1) How did this story come to you?
I often research actual historical events to come up with ideas for stories. When I learned that a hurricane destroyed a Rhode Island lighthouse in 1816, I knew I had the setting for Beacon of Love!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Tamela Hancock Murray, Lynette Sowell and I put together a proposal for three books set in historical Rhode Island for Heartsong Presents (Barbour Publishing). Heartsong has (or will) publish 3 contemporary and 3 historical romances for all fifty states! The editor chose our proposal to represent Rhode Island. (And by the way, I’m also writing three books set in historical Vermont, starting with Prodigal Patriot this July.)

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I graduated from high school in Augusta, Maine.
I studied church music in college.
I have had almost 200 devotions accepted for publication.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently working on my second Vermont historical romance (to be followed by book #3): Bridge to Love and Love’s Raid. At the moment, I have books lined up for publication through 2012. God is good!
This summer, look for the repack of our Rhode Island stories under the title Seaside Romance.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Look for me on Facebook and at darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com. I’m also a regular contributor to http://thebookdoctorbd.blogspot.com/. You can get a free critique at the Book Doctor blog—check it out.

Register to win "Love Lessons" by Margaret Daley

We're happy to have Margaret Daley with us today talking about her book, Love Lessons. Margaret has been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of the book to one lucky blog reader. To register to win, place your e-mail address in the box to the right (subscribe to my blog via e-mail) if you've not done so and leave Margaret a commment with your e-mail address at the bottom of her interview. To learn more about Margaret and her book, read on!

Your title: Love Lessons
1) How did this story come to you?
I was asked by the publisher to come up with a series about homeschooling. I wanted to show different situations involving homeschooling. One of those is having a father the primary person homeschooling his child.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This is the first in three books about homeschooling. I interviewed a lot of people about homeschooling to get a feel of what were different issues in homeschooling. My three books deal with three situations surrounding homeschooling but not the only ones. The second book in the series will be out in July (Heart of a Cowboy) and the third in November (A Daughter for Christmas).

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I don’t know about surprising readers but: 1) I love Christmas music and listen to it year around. 2) I’m a workaholic who enjoys working. 3) One place I would love to go back to is Tahiti—maybe one day.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on my first book in The Guardians, Inc. series for Love Inspired Suspense about a group of female bodyguards. The first book comes out in December (Christmas Bodyguard).

5) Parting comments?
I love writing romance and romantic suspense. Those are the type of books I love to read, too. Throw a little adventure into them and I’m a happy camper.

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

Elizabeth Goddard's "Disarming Andi"

We're happy to have Elizabeth Goddard with us today talking about her book, "Disarming Andi."

To learn more about Elizabeth, please read on.

Your title: Disarming Andi

1) How did this story come to you?
I came across information regarding decommissioned missile sites being remodeled into homes.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

I heard back from my editor two years after sending in this proposal that she was interested in contracting the novel.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

I have a B.S. in computer science. I was a regional account executive in the corporate world, a job that sent me to 48 states, Canada and the Bahamas and after that I sold drugs (ahem, pharmaceuticals). I prefer action adventure movies to chick flicks.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?

Currently, I’m finishing up the third book in this series, Praying for Rayne. Book 1 is Dissarming Andi. Book 2, Exposing Amber.

5) Parting comments?

Thank you for having me here!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?

http://elizabethgoddard.com/ and on facebook, Elizabeth Goddard Readers Group.

Leanna Ellis' "Once in a Blue Moon"

We're happy to have Leanna Ellis with us today talking about her book, "Once in a Blue Moon."

To learn more about Leanna, please read on.

Your title: Once in a Blue Moon

1) How did this story come to you?

Once in a Blue Moon came to me when I was reading an article about a woman who writes obituaries. I wondered what that person would be like if her first obit had been written for her own mother. Bryn Seymour intrigued me from the beginning and I had to know more about her life.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I had finished my first contract with B&H Publishers and submitted a short synopsis for Once in a Blue Moon along with a brief blurb on two other novels. They were accepted and I signed another three book contract with B&H. I really enjoyed writing the book but hit a snag toward the end because my own father was in the hospital on and off for several weeks. It was a very difficult time to work as I was in the car a lot or sitting in the hospital room. But I managed to get the book finished just before my father went into the hospital for the last time.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I’ve been writing since 1991 and published since 1995.
2. I have a crazy dog we call the Hilo Monster, a combo Labrador and poodle that likes to eat our eye glasses. So far, she’s eaten six pairs.
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?

My next book is Facelift and it will be out in September 2010. It’s about a can-do kind of woman who takes in her ex-mother-in-law after a botched facelift only to receive an emotional facelift of her own as she learns to lean on God through life’s trials.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?

I’m on Facebook and Twitter and my blog is on my website at www.leannaellis.com. Thanks so much for having me here today!

Lauralee Bliss' "Love's Winding Path"

We're happy to have Lauralee Bliss with us today talking about her book, "Love's Winding Path."

To learn more about Lauralee, please read on.

Your title: Love’s Winding Path

1) How did this story come to you?
I actually conceived the story nearly five years ago when four of us authors had an idea to write real life novels as biblical allegories. And so I chose the Prodigal Son. Not knowing, in fact, that many years later when the book was bought, I would be dealing with my own "prodigal son" situation and am to this day.

As far as the location, having traveled Utah several times and visiting its national parks, I fell in love with the state and wanted to bring the area to life within the pages of a novel.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I mentioned the idea came about five years ago for a separate collection that didn't pan out. Like everything in our lives, our writing and the publication of that writing is in God’s perfect timing. This was one of those books. It sat for a quite a long time, until one day out of the blue when the editor from Barbour bought it as part of a series based in Utah.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine
I will stop at any outdoor shop to look at gear rather than clothing stores
I love to eat brownie batter straight out of the bowl

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am currently editing Book Three of this series set in Utah called Wasatch Love. After that, who knows? I might take some time off to do more hiking and see where the Lord leads. It is His work that I do, after all, and so I wait to discover what He wants me to write.

5) Parting comments?
I hope readers will come away with words of comfort in Love’s Winding Path, especially if they have prodigal sons and daughters--that with God, there is hope.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
On my web site at: http://www.lauraleebliss.com
My blog: http://www.blissfulwritingthoughts.blogspot.com

Cathy Bryant's "Texas Roads"

We're happy to have Cathy Bryant with us today talking about her book, "Texas Roads: A Miller's Creek Novel."
To purchase Cathy's book, navigate to the bottom of her interview. To learn more about Cathy, please read on.

Your title: TEXAS ROADS

1) How did this story come to you?

The spiritual message of the book came from my own desire to find home. After moving from one small Texas town to another, God taught me that our only “real” home is in Him. My heroine takes the same spiritual journey. The basic plot of the story came when I was working in the garden and a car drove by slowly, the driver staring at me like I was a zoo exhibit. The incident irked me, and I thought, “If it bothers me so much after living in small towns my entire life, how would a city socialite handle the lack of privacy you sometimes feel in a small town?” Afterwards, the scenes began playing out in my head like a movie.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

TEXAS ROADS, a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist, was being considered by two publishers when I felt God telling me to go a different direction. Against the advice of many, I pulled the manuscript from further consideration, and put it into e-book and print format myself.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
~ I’m a published composer of several children’s songs.
~ I’m a teacher/musician by profession.
~ I’m self-taught on piano.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?

I’m currently trying to get the word out about TEXAS ROADS, but I’m also over halfway finished with book two in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series, tentatively titled A PATH TOO NARROW.

5) Parting comments? TEXAS ROADS is available in e-book format at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8963. The book is available at a 25% discount during the week of March 7-13, 2010 in honor of “Read An E-Book Week.” The book is also available in print format at https://www.createspace.com/3429242. If you prefer an autographed copy, you can mail a check for $17.06 (to cover book cost, tax and S&H) to Cathy Bryant, P. O. Box 971, New Boston, TX 75570. Be sure to send a return address and let me know who to sign the book for. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Buckner International, a global Christian ministry that provides care and resources for orphans and at-risk children in the United States and more than 50 countries around the world.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?

I spend at least a few minutes each day at Facebook, Twitter and ShoutLife. But the best places to reach me are my website guestbook at www.CatBryant.com or my blog, WordVessel (http://WordVessel.blogspot.com).

Queen of Hearts by K. Dawn Byrd

I'm really looking foward to the release of my new book, Queen of Hearts, from Desert Breeze Publishing on April 1. Click on the image to the left to read an excerpt.

Daphne Dean is proud to be serving her country stateside during WWII as a reporter and an Office of Strategic Services operative. When the photograph she takes of the crowd at a murder scene places her on the mob's hit list, she's forced into hiding in a vacant mental asylum in the middle of nowhere with terrifying secrets of its own.

Daphne believed herself to still be in love with her ex-fiancée, Kenneth, until she spends several days locked away in the asylum with Vito, the mob boss' son. Can she put the terrifying events that occurred there behind her and allow herself to pursue a relationship with Vito? Or, will she return to Kenneth who has turned his back on his country by becoming a draft dodger and a black market racketeer? One thing's for sure, it won't matter if she can't escape the mental institution alive.

Question:
In Queen of Hearts, our heroine, Daphne Dean, took a book to bed with her to take her mind off the fact that she was in hiding in an abandoned mental institution. She chose a comedy. What do you like to read and why?

Amanda Cabot's "Scattered Petals"

We're happy to have Amanda Cabot with us today talking about her book, "Scattered Petals."

To learn more about Amanda's book, click on the cover to the left. To learn more about Amanda, please read on.

1) How did this story come to you?
I knew I wanted Zach, who was introduced in Paper Roses, to have his own story, so I asked myself who would be the perfect woman for him. The answer came as a bit of a surprise. Who would have thought that a quintessential Texas cowboy like Zach would need a sophisticated East Coast lady? And who would have thought that Priscilla’s craving for adventure would bring her first tragedy, then healing and happiness?

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Since this book was part of a three-book deal, the real story relates to the first book in the series, Paper Roses. Although I had been writing for the secular market for many years, I had never seriously considered writing for the CBA market. All that changed the year that a dear friend entered the final stages of leukemia. Sharing her final months and watching her journey toward the Light changed my life and the direction of my writing. Although it took longer than my agent and I expected to sell Paper Roses, God’s timing was perfect, because Revell has proven to be the perfect publisher for me.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) When I studied in France, my French mother served me what appeared to be hamburgers but was actually ground horsemeat. (We won’t talk about my reaction when I learned what it was.)
2) My sisters call me the queen of small kitchen appliances, because I have (and use) a soymilk maker and yogurt maker in addition to the usual suspects (food processor, stand mixer, breadmaker, etc.).
3) I’m considering writing a cookbook entitled “I Can’t Believe This is Low Fat.”

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Tomorrow’s Garden, the third of the Texas Dreams books, which is due out next March, is currently in the production process (final editing, designing the cover, etc.), so my involvement in that is minimal right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not writing. I’m hard at work on the first of my Wyoming Winds trilogy and am having a great time introducing readers to my new home.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks so much for inviting me to be part of your blog. I enjoyed our conversation.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I invite them to visit my web site, www.amandacabot.com. I also welcome email from readers and try to respond within a couple days.

Adding Pages to Blogger

Adding Pages to your Blog

Welcome to my blog! I'm always happy to share information that I believe will help others. If you're a writer, check out my page of websites with info that's helpful to writers.

I was kicking around the idea of designing a website for my book that's coming out in April now that my cover is up. You can read more about it at http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-70/Queen-of-Hearts/Detail.bok. Then, I discovered that pages can be added to a blog. I've added a few pages already. You can see them by clicking on the links under my title bar. If you're interested in adding pages to yours, here's how:

1) Go to "Customize"
2) Click on "Posting"
3) Click on "Edit pages"
4) Click on "New Page"

Deb Raney's "Beneath a Southern Sky."

We're happy to have Deborah Raney with us today talking about her new release "Beneath a Southern Sky."

Don't forget to place your e-mail address in the feedburner box to the right also to receive blog updates. We give away at least one book per week. Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's or publisher's website. Read on to learn more about Deborah and her book...

1) How did this story come to you?
I’d heard some stories from World War II and even the Vietnam era where women believed their husbands to have been killed in the war, and then––after they’d remarried––they found out they were still alive. I wanted to explore a contemporary version of that dilemma.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met Lisa Tawn Bergren through a writers group I’m part of. She loved my idea and pitched it to the pub board at WaterBrook Press where she was an editor (and author). They love the idea and eventually ended up buying the sequel, plus two other novels. I’m thrilled they are reissuing the book now.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. My first contract offer came the day after I witnessed a murder at our local grocery store.
2. I lived in New York for two years when my husband and I were newlyweds. (Those were two of the best years of our lives, but it was truly like living in a foreign country for this Kansas farm girl!)
3. Doctors told me I probably wouldn’t be able to have children, but the Lord blessed us with four––one born in the 70s, two in the 80s and one in the 90s!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just (on Valentine’s Day!) finished Book 2, Forever After, of my new Hanover Falls Novels series. Book 1, Almost Forever comes out in May.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me on your blog! I love hearing from readers, so I hope anyone who’s interested in my books will take the time to contact me through my website.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
www.deborahraney.com

Flaherty's Crossing" by Kaylin McFarren

We're happy to have Kaylin McFarren with us today talking about her book "Flaherty's Crossing."
Don't forget to place your e-mail address in the feedburner box to the right also to receive blog updates. We give away at least one book per week. Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's or publisher's website. Read on to learn more about Kaylin and her book... FLAHERTY'S CROSSING

1) How did this story come to you?
About sixteen years ago, following my father’s death, I found myself obsessed with sitting in front of a typewriter trying to come to terms with unresolved issues by banging on keys. This silent venting became a sort of “therapy through writing” exercise which slowly evolved, taking on a life of its own. I began creating a related fictional story about a woman’s personal journey, titled Flaherty’s Crossing, and in the process of exploring my main character’s growth, I found myself learning and growing as well.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although Flaherty’s Crossing was a 2008 Golden Heart finalist and won numerous awards, rejection letters became common place. Emails and handwritten letters indicated my writing was strong, my voice unique, and the dialogue spot on. But with this story being a bit out-of-the-box, no one knew exactly where it would fit on the shelf. I eventually signed with an agent who fell absolutely in love with Flaherty’s Crossing. However, after being rejected by eight large publishers, we amiably parted ways. I sought out smaller publishing houses on my own and fortunately found a home with Champagne Books.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
a) I purchase tabloid magazines at the grocery store with no intention of reading them. Instead I cut out photographs of models and actors so I can visualize them as characters in my stories.
b) I've been caught writing in my pajamas by the postman so many times he doesn't seem to notice the sushi or pink umbrellas on my flannel wear any more.
c) My rule of thumb: the perfect ingredients for writing romantic scenes are a nice glass of merlot and the soothing sound of Michael Buble's voice.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
At this time, I'm working on an action/adventure romance series titled Severed Threads which introduces Rachel Lyons, a former marine biologist. In book one, Rachel's forced to steal a legendary artifact out from under Jordan Novak, a salvage diver and former love interest in order to save the life of her estranged brother from a ruthless mobster. However, when she discovers that Jordan has his own unselfish agenda for recovering the treasure, she must decide whose life and love is more important. In subsequent novels, readers will be taken into Australia's desolate outback and the mysterious geisha quarters of Japan, which I've had the privilege of visiting on multiple occasions.

5) Parting comments?
In order to honor my father's memory and do my part in bringing an end to cancer in our lifetime, I've made a commitment to donate all the proceeds from the sale of this book to the cancer research center at Providence Medical Center. I strongly urge anyone who enjoys reading to visit my website, read excerpts and information about the mouse project, and purchase your copy of Flaherty's Crossing today. Together we can truly make a difference.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com/
http://www.flahertyscrossing.com
http://www.facebook.com/kaylinmcfarren
http://www.myspace.com/kaylinmcfarren
http://www.twitter.com/4kaylin

We're happy to have Sandra Soookoo with us today talking about her new release "The Trouble with Love."
Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's or publisher's website. Read on to learn more about Sandra and her book...

1) How did this story come to you?
This was one of the first books I’d completed. I thought it would be funny to write about a woman who had a secret admirer as well as another guy who was interested in her at the same time.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It crashed and burned on the contest circuit & got shredded in a critique group. When I casually subbed it to Desert Breeze, the editor loved it immediately and offered a contract. Guess you shouldn’t give up on a book

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I can’t bake cakes very well. My favorite book to read of all time is Jurassic Park but I can’t read it before bedtime because I’ll have nightmares. I secretly find writing love scenes a bit easier to write than fight scenes

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I’m working on my third full length paranormal/fantasy book dealing with dragons. What’s next? Anything’s possible but most likely it’ll be another paranormal novella (if the first one finds a home)

5) Parting comments?
Keep plugging away. Keep writing. If you give up because things get hard or uncomfortable, you’re only hurting yourself.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website: http://www.sandrasookoo. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter. Both links are on my website homepage.

"Walking on Broken Glass" by Christa Allan

We're happy to have Christa Allan with us today talking about her new release "Walking on Broken Glass."
Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's website. Read on to learn more about Christa and her book...

1) How did this story come to you?
I’m a recovering alcoholic, and by God’s grace, have not had a drink for over twenty years. I invited God back into my life because of AA, not in spite of it. As I grew in my faith and in my recovery, I realized that so many Christian families suffer in silence. Alcoholism, drug, sex, or food addiction, lifestyles are all the big elephants in the room we don’t talk about. But we all know they exist. So, what’s someone to do who’s immersed in these challenges? I wanted to reassure women struggling with addiction that they’re not alone, that there’s a loving and compassion God who cares about them and His grace will be sufficient for them. I wanted to remove the façade that often hinders real recovery. “Good” Christian families aren’t immune to the world, but once we admit we have a problem, we can be healed by God.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
One of the first mile-markers was my husband buying me a laptop. Ever so romantically, he says, "Here, now go write something."
Three years, a hurricane, and an ACFW conference later, my tenth graders stroll into my classroom and find me, their teacher, staring at my computer monitor. In tears. Rachelle Gardner of WordServe Literary wanted to talk. To me.
Ten months, several passes by publishers, and another ACFW conference later, my tenth graders stroll into my classroom, and find me, their teacher, snapping my cell phone closed. In tears.
Rachelle called to tell me Abingdon Press had just offered me a contract.


3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I sometimes read the end of the novel before the beginning!
2. Alone, I’m a fashion train wreck. I rely on two of my daughters to avoid frumpy.
3. I hate roller coasters.


4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Rachelle is shopping two proposals now. I’m hoping another contract is next!


5) Parting comments?
Thank you so much for hosting me, and thanks to all of you who are turning the pages of my novel!


6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
WEBSITE: www.christaallan.com
TWITTER: ChristaAllan
FACEBOOK