Winners of 101 cups of water are..

cathikin and christyjan, congratulations!

Interview with Louise Gouge

Today I have Louise Gouge and she is going to tell us about her new book Then Came Hope. She is also going to give away a copy to one lucky winner so if you would like to enter the drawing please leave a comment.

Tell me a little about yourself?

In my day job, I'm a college English and humanities professor. But my first love is writing. My husband of 43 years and I have four children and five grandchildren (with number six on the way). My favorite hobby is visiting historical sites and learning about the people who settle our great land. They had so many struggles! It makes me grateful for the ease of our lives today.

How was your road to publication? Smooth, bumpy, or just plain rocky.

I've had a couple of bumps in the road. My first two short romances were published in the 1990s, but my third book didn't come out until 2004. Now I've had seven novels published, but I'm between contracts ... again. I've learned that this is the way of the industry. Very few writers get started and have smooth sailing from that point on. I keep writing and trust the Lord to direct my future.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Sometimes they just pop into my head, almost as if they were introducing themselves. Other times, I have to read my name book from cover to cover to find just the right one. I like the first way best.

How did you handle your first rejection?

Well, since I was certain I was the greatest author since Jane Austen, I thought the editor was crazy for turning me down. LOL! Boy, have I learned a lot since then. I'm so grateful that God was patient with me and still let me be published.

What did you do the first time you saw your first book in print?

Is there a word for being "beyond excited"? The cover was gorgeous, and MY name was right there for the whole world to see. That feeling never goes away. Each new book thrills me so much that I have to sit down and cry some happy tears.

Tell me about your book Then Came Hope.

Then Came Hope is one of those precious stories I just needed to write. It tells the story of Delia, a slave girl who has finally gotten up the courage to run away from her owners near the end of the Civil War. She meets up with other former slaves as they make their way North. Also in the group is a handsome young soldier, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Negro Regiment, who has become separated from his fellow soldiers. So you know there's a love story somewhere in the book. This group struggles to travel through a hostile, beaten South. With the help of God and some humble farmers, they finally reach Boston. But even there, they struggle to find their place in the world. Looking back at the history of those times, I just weep for all that people had to go through back then.

Are you currently working on a new book?

Yes. After living in Florida for twenty-eight years, I've finally set my sights on its fascinating history. In what I hope will be a series of four books, I've begun a generational saga that begins during the Revolutionary War, a war that barely touched these "other" British colonies in the New World.

Winner

of Your Chariot Awaits is needsanap, Congrats!

Interview with Lauralee Bliss

Today I have a interview with Lauralee Bliss and she is giving away a copy of her book Virginia Weddings, so if you would like to enter the drawing please leave a comment.

Tell me about yourself.

I won’t bore you with my age (ha, ha), but I can tell you that I was born in New York and became an adopted southerner to the state of Virginia some twenty years ago. I am married to a great man of God, and we have one son whom we have home schooled throughout his life and is now taking classes at a community college. To date I have published a dozen Christian romance novels, both contemporary and historical, through Barbour Publishing. My other big accomplishment is that my son and I recently completed a hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.
You can read more about this adventure of a lifetime as well as my books on my web site
http://www.lauraleebliss.com



How was your road to publication? Was it rocky, bumpy or smooth.

I know of very few authors who have ever had smooth roads to publication. Mine could be construed as bumpy as my first few books were rejected. And of course, being a new author, rejection letters hurt. You believe you have created a masterpiece in your eyes until some stranger comes along and rips it apart. Then you suddenly discover, wow, maybe there are things about writing I need to learn! It was my third novel that finally became published through Barbour Publishing back in 1997. But even then it was bumpy as the manuscript had been misplaced (back then, manuscripts were sent in the mail). Thankfully the editor at Barbour called me personally to ask me about it, and from there we were able to track it down. Another valuable lesson learned – this writing ministry really is in God’s hands, and He watches over everything that concerns us.


When you get a rejection letter what do you do to make yourself feel better?

Well, I’m much better at handling rejection than I used to be. In the old days I had my usual temper tantrum, going so far as to toss proposals into the garbage. While it does still sting to this day, I look to God who opens and closes doors as He sees fit. I’ve had some real stingers of rejection too in my career – including having a book contract canceled even after it was bought, the manuscript completed with two revisions (after thorough research and writing for two years), and an advance paid. After that one, I didn’t write for three months. But at this stage in my career, having been in the publishing arena for a dozen years, I’ve learned to have several irons heating in the fire. That is, having several proposals of one form or another out there in circulation. Hopefully one of them is bound to be hot enough that an editor will buy. And that’s what I work toward. If one proposal fails, I can fall back on another one. In the meantime, while I wait, I work on new ideas. Hope then remains, despite rejection.

Tell me about your latest book Virginia Weddings.

Last year was a great year for publications in that I had four books released. Probably the one I am most excited about is Virginia Weddings – a compilation of three previously published contemporary romance novels, all with a hint of mystery. The books are also unique in that they delve into love between older couples as well as younger. There seems to be plenty of books about the love of 20-year-olds, but these books celebrate the wonderful, satisfying, romantic relationships God can bring between older couples. I also have a new book coming out with Barbour Publishing in February – Seneca Shadows, set in West Virginia during World War II.


How do you come up with your characters names?

Well, sometimes I will simply sit at my desk and try to come up with names. I will look through the Bible for good names, especially if it is a historical novel. Just the other day I was Googling on the Internet for names used in the Civil War period! And I have used names of my friends as well in previous novels.


Are you currently working on anything?

Yes, several projects. I am writing my first non fiction book on my hiking adventure with my son on the Appalachian Trail, which my agent is currently marketing. Recently I have been asked to coauthor a Christmas novellas collection for Barbour Publishing, set in the Civil War period. And I am working on a series of historical novels set in North Carolina's Outer Banks region. These are all my irons in the fire, so to speak, with more in the works.

Thanks for being on my blog,

(Thank you for having me! God bless)

Sanctity of Life Week

HOLLYWOOD MAMA DRAMA

How Babies Have Replaced Bling as the Cool Fashion Accessory and Why You Need to Know What to Do if Your Friend Buys Into This

There's a baby boom in Tinsel Town, and many of its biggest stars are taking part. Already this month, singer Christina Aguilera and her husband welcomed a son, and Nicole Richie, girlfriend of rocker Benjie Madden, gave birth to a daughter. Others are mamas-in-waiting, proudly showing their expanding bellies and giving interviews on when their engagement may take place. Still others allow the media to guess who the father might be.

Popular magazines cover every moment of their pregnancies and likely would have sent reporters into the delivery room if allowed. Designer diaper bags have replaced designer purses as the cool new Hollywood accessory. Baby showers take precedence over wedding showers, and the wedding does not necessarily come before the birth.

It all looks so glamorous and exciting. Who wouldn't want a beautiful bundle of joy to lavish love and kisses on? And yet, sometimes that bundle arrives under circumstances that are not God's best. Take, for example, Jamie Lynn Spears. One moment she was a squeaky-clean teen television sensation and star of Nickelodeon's Zoey 101. The next, she's in the news not for her acting but for being a pregnant teenager. With one decision, her reputation is now in shreds and her television show is under the threat of cancellation. One decision; huge dilemma.

This week is Sanctity of Life week. And because of the Hollywood Mama Drama, it is also a perfect time to understand that mama drama doesn't only happen in Hollywood. Every year nearly 1 million teen girls find themselves pregnant, and unlike Hollywood stars who have the money and fame to carry them, these girls wonder what they should do. Many choose abortion, and because of this they not only sacrifice the life of their child, but this decision also brings heartache they must carry for the rest of their lives. Perhaps YOU can be the one who can make a difference.

Who was the first one Jamie Lynn Spears turned to when she found out she was pregnant? Not her mom. Not her sister. She turned to a friend. What if you were that friend?

As a teen what can YOU do when a pregnant friend comes to you for advice?

Remain calm and loving. Your friend most likely feels alone, frightened and extremely sensitive about her pregnancy. The most important thing you can offer is your continued friendship.

Show God's love and forgiveness. Your friend may have been looking for love by giving herself intimately to a guy. Now she might feel ashamed and unworthy of love at all. Point her to God, who loves her unconditionally.

Celebrate life. She may consider this baby a "mistake"--a barrier between her and "normal" life. Lovingly remind her that no matter how the baby was conceived, he or she is a gift from God.

Be available to share ... and to listen. Your friend has big decisions to make, and although you can't make those decisions for her, you can be available to help her consider her options. Share information you've discovered on fetal development and on the physical and emotional trauma of abortion. Most of all, be willing to listen to your friend's deepest concerns.

Find help. Your friend is most likely in need of more answers than you can give. Visit a local crisis pregnancy center with your friend, or call CareNet for help at 1-800-395-HELP. Encourage her to tell her parents and to seek the counsel of a pastor or youth pastor.

Partner with her to make better decisions in the future. My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson) is a book for teen girls and encourages teens to script their lives instead of being caught up in the drama and emotions of the moment. Read it together. Talk about the importance of making good choices.Give her a book to help her face her unique issues, such as Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being Young Mom (Zondervan).

_________________________________
Of course teen pregnancy isn't the only drama young women face. If you or someone you know has made a positive decision as a teen, Tricia Goyer wants to hear about it.

***Video Contest for teens. Watch the video for the contest here! Here's the scoop! Attention TEENS! Want to win an iPod? Yeah, me too! (Just kidding.) Tricia Goyer, author of the teen non-fiction book My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson) is hosting a video trailer contest! My Life, Unscripted uses the metaphor of screen writing to challenge young women to "script" your lives, rather than be blown along by the next emotional drama or temptation! (Been there, done that!) You could be one of three lucky contestants to win an iPod! All you have to do is make a short (or not-so-short) video trailer sharing concepts shared in the book: My Life, Unscripted ... such as: how you've overcome temptation, or survived peer-pressure, or dumped the Loser boyfriend, or restored a relationship with your parents, or found your strength in Christ! Be creative ...interview your friends (or even better, make them wear dorky costumes) and add some cool music. Then just post it on GodTube (video must be approved by GodTube before it is broadcasted, which takes a few hours) or YouTube! You also must include three things in your video:1) the book title: My Life, Unscripted2) the author: Tricia Goyer3) and these words: "Check it out!" After you finish the video, email your name, age, video link, and your address to: bookmarketing@triciagoyer.comThe winning videos will be the top three with the most views as counted on GodTube or YouTube on March 31, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. This contest is open to young women ages 13-19. So go ahead, tell your friends, your teachers, your youth leaders ... and your parents friends to check it out!

***Videos with inappropriate content as decided by Tricia Goyer will be disqualified (G-rated please). For your best chance to win, only upload videos to either GodTube or YouTube. Choose one. We will not add totals from more than one site together.

Three winners will receive an iPod Nano 4G.

Tricia Goyer writes articles for national publications such as Focus on the Family and is a columnist for teen moms through MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International: (www.mops.org/teen)For more information, go to: http://www.triciagoyer.com/

101 Cups of Water

Today I am giving away two copies of 101 cups of water by C.D. Baker. If you would like non-fiction book then please leave a comment will hold a drawing in two weeks.

Bio: C.D. Baker founded and operated an award-winning insurance business before redirecting his career to write. His historical novel Crusade of Tears in The Journey of Souls series earned a Christy Award nomination. He’s completing a master’s degree in theological studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland , where he splits his time from home in Bucks County , Pennsylvania . His website is www.cdbaker.com.

Summary: C.D. Baker dips into the flowing stream of God’s love and draws out relief, refreshment, mercy, hope and sustenance for a new generation of Christ-followers. Baker’s clean, simple prose is paired with evocative, black and white photographs that will etch each truth into the reader’s memory.

Excerpt: A cup of Hope

Living the way I do must be abnormal.

I do the things I don't want to do. And I don't do the things I want to do. Thats the sad reality of my life.

Am I a normal Christian?

Well, yes. Romans 7, in a strange way, offers a message of comfort--not permission for to feel good about my limitations, but affirmation that I am not abnormal, not alone. The apostle Paul makes it very clear that this struggle with the things done and the things left undone has been his too. He even claimed to be the chief of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

So where is the good news?

Romans 8:1

In spite of are "normal" conditions, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

In 101 cups of water each chapter is a cup of something to ponder.

Winner

The Winner of Elvis Takes a Back Seat is Julie Lessman! Congrats!

Interview with Lorena McCourtney

This weeks author is Lorena McCourtney. She is giving away a copy of her book Your Chariot Awaits. For a chance to win please leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.


Tell me a little about yourself.

I’m a Christian, a wife and mother, and a writer. My husband and I live in southern Oregon. We lived out on rural acreage for many years, but last summer we decided it was time to move to town. Which has been quite a life adjustment.



How was your road to publication? Smooth, bumpy, or just plain rocky.

I’ve had several roads to publication, in different genres, and each seemed to be a totally separate journey. I started out writing children’s short stories, mostly for the Sunday School publications. Then I switched to women’s short stories, which required a new route, at least as far as marketing went. Then I switched to romances for Harlequin, Silhouette, Jove, Dell, etc. (under several names). And finally, when the Lord made it plain that writing secular romances was not what He had in mind for me, I switched to Christian fiction. I did several Christian romances and have now changed to Christian cozy mysteries. So I’d say my road to publication has been more a series of switchbacks than a straight route.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Sometimes a character just jumps into my head, complete with name. More often I have to struggle to find what feels right for the character. I probably pay the most attention to generational differences with names. I keep a stuffed “Names” file, and I wander through it when I’m trying to find the right name. There are certain names I tend to stay away from because they are too closely tied to someone in my life.

How did you handle your first rejection?

My first rejection. That was so long ago that I’m not sure I really remember it. I started trying to write in about the sixth grade. My mother had done some non-fiction writing, so she could tell me how to go about submitting a story to a magazine. I think my reaction was probably more indignation than anything else. How dare these people just send my story back!


What did you do the first time you saw your first book in print?

Sent a copy off to my mother.

Tell me about your book Your Chariot Awaits.

Your Chariot Awaits is the first book in a fun, lighthearted cozy mystery series, the Andi McConnell Mysteries, from Thomas Nelson. It’s been a bad week for Andi. She’s been downsized from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and depressed by her upcoming birthday. An unexpected bright spot is her surprising inheritance of a sleek stretch limousine – but now there’s the even bigger problem of that dead body in the trunk.

Enter Keegan “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, former Tv detective. Very interested in the case – and in Andi. As they work together to solve the crime, one big question becomes vitally important: are those windows in her limo really bulletproof?


Are you currently working on a new book?

I’ve completed the second book in this series, Here Comes the Ride, which is scheduled for release in May or June of ’08. So now I’m hard at work on the third book in the series.

I’ve always considered writing my job, something I just do every day – no waiting for inspiration! – so if I weren’t contracted for this series I’d be getting something else started. A writer writes.

I’m always delighted to hear from readers. Contact me through my website at http://www.lorenamccourtney.com

Winner of Too Good to Be True

The winner of Trish Perry's book Too Good to Be True is Becca! Congrats!

Interview with Leanna Ellis

This weeks author is Leanna Ellis telling us about her new book Elvis Takes a Back Seat. If you would like to win a copy of this book please leave a comment.

Tell me a little about yourself?

I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and writer. All the basics and not necessarily in that order. Most importantly, I’m a daughter of the King.

How was your road to publication? Smooth, bumpy, or just plain rocky.

My road to publication has probably been all three at different moments. This business is not for the faint of heart. I quit my teaching job in 1991 and began writing. Three and a half years later, I sold my first book. I was like many newbies and thought I’d sell within a year of starting. LOL! Then I learned how hard it is to write, to submit and how difficult it is to jump that hurdle. I wrote twelve romances for Harlequin/Silhouette then walked away. The reason is muddled. Basically, I was tired after writing 6 books in 2 years and also having 2 babies fifteen months apart. But I also ran out of ideas for romances. I had other ideas simmering and wanted to take more time to be with my babies and also pursue these other ideas. During those years I also gave my writing over to the Lord and really began to pursue what He wanted me to do. One thing was homeschooling. God kept revealing to me that He wanted me to write. So it wasn’t until around 2004 when I really kicked myself into gear and began to pursue publishing again. During the summer of 2006, God steered me toward the CBA. Long story short, I went to my first ACFW conference in September, secured an agent and by March of 2007 had a three book contract. It was all God paving the way, opening the doors.


How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Sometimes the names just come to me. Other times, I search through baby name books. Sometimes I choose a name and just know it’s wrong. Eventually the character will tell me their name as their story unfolds.

How did you handle your first rejection?

That’s been a long time ago. I’m not sure I remember. But I probably didn’t handle it very well. I’m sure I shed a few tears, fumed, ate a carton of chocolate ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s is the best for this). I know those feelings as a working writer continues to suffer rejections in many, many ways. I’ve learned over the years to give myself twenty-four hours to pout, fume, eat dark chocolate … whatever it takes. Then I figure out either how to fix the project (if the critique was valid), where to send it next or let it go. I used to think of rejections as slammed doors. Now I think of it as God saying, ‘Hey, let’s go over here.’

Two years ago, two weeks before Christmas, my husband was laid off work, my dog died and I received a rejection on my book (the one that’s out now). All three were answered prayers. Painful as it was, I knew God had our best interest at heart. And sure enough, even though it took some time, God provided for us financially. It was my dog’s time to go. She was blind and deaf. But she went very quietly in her sleep. God also took me along a different path for my writing. It has turned out to be much, much better than I could imagine (and I have a pretty good imagination!). The book is much, much better too, as I revised and revised, changed the title. God showed me how to make that book much deeper and tell the story He wanted told.

So I remember now that rejections can mean many things. Sometimes it’s just not the right time. Sometimes the work needs work. Sometimes it’s not the right place. But God has a plan, and I choose to trust Him.

What did you do the first time you saw your first book in print?

I fainted. Literally. Let me explain: I had skipped breakfast that morning and someone offered me a chocolate candy bar later that day. I have low blood sugar, so my sugar level shot up. I went to Barnes and Noble to see if my book was on the shelf yet. It was. I grabbed a copy and went to buy it. Standing in line, my blood sugar levels dropped. I passed out. Literally. I was so embarrassed.

Tell me about your book Elvis Takes a Back Seat.

A young widow, determined to fulfill her husband’s last request, hauls a three foot bust of Elvis strapped in the back seat of a vintage Cadillac from Texas to Memphis to return it to its rightful owner. The road trip with her eccentric aunt, who knew the King of Rock n’ Roll, and a temperamental teen, hits roadblocks and detours as the three women uncover pieces of their own past along with the bust’s mysterious history. The discoveries change the course of their lives forever.

Are you currently working on a new book?

I’m writing the third book for my contract with B&H Publishing. I just finished the line edits on Lookin’ Back, Texas which will be out September ’08. A devoted wife and mother must return to her Texas hometown to help her mother plan her father’s funeral. Trouble is – he isn’t dead! And neither are the secrets she buried there years ago.

Thanks for having me, Stormi!

Announcement!!

It's finally time for the launch of Heartsong Mysteries!
http://www.heartsongmysteries.com/
You can try four books free at this link.


If you love a good mystery you might want to try this out. We need to support this new line so that Heartsong will know how much we love a good cozy mystery.