Golden Keyes Parsons's Blog, page 7
December 17, 2014
Interview With Author Beth Wiseman
I am just so thrilled to have Beth Wiseman with us today. We were both debut authors at Thomas Nelson Publishing at the same time, and quickly became fans of each other’s work. Her books took off quickly, and she is now a best-selling author.
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below and be entered to win a free copy of her latest release, The Promise! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
Hi Golden. Thank you having me. I am a native Texan enjoying life in the country. My husband and I are empty nesters raising three dogs, a cat, two potbellied pigs, and eight roosters (yes, it is a bit loud at my house in the morning, lol). I’ve always had my hand in writing, beginning with stories to my grandparents when I was really young. I’ve been a columnist and a newspaper reporter, but writing fiction full time was where I wanted to be. That break didn’t happen until fairly late in life. God cracked the door, I pushed it open, and He has been blessing me with stories to tell ever since then.
Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about. 
The Promise is a step way out of the box for me. My readers mostly know me for my Amish novels, and I’ve also written two Texas non-Amish contemporaries—Need You Now and The House that Love Built. The Promise takes my character to a dangerous part of the world, to Peshawar Pakistan. It was a tough book to write since it was inspired by a true story. Someone dear to me traveled to Pakistan and was ultimately held captive there. My friend (we are calling her Laurie) sent me a code word that we had established before she left via email. I can still recall the panic I felt as I worked with the U.S. State Department, Consulate in Pakistan, and the Embassy in Islamabad to get her safely home. She spent time in a British safe house, and needless to say, there was much to be told in this story about the dangers that Americans face when traveling somewhere with a much different culture than our own. ‘Laurie’ is safe, and it was with her cooperation that I wrote The Promise. As an author, I always hope to write and entertaining story, but with The Promise, it was incredibly personal, and with everything going on in the world, The Promise is a book for now.
This book sounds so exciting. I cannot wait to read it myself.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
When I began writing, I told mostly sweet love stories, and most of those were Amish. While I’m still writing plenty of Amish novels and novellas, I’m alternating between those and non-Amish contemporaries like The Promise. It’s really the best of both worlds for me, like visiting old friends when I write my Amish stories, then making new friends when I leave Amish Country to venture out to new places and new genres. As for my style, my editor said I’ve been like a butterfly in a box, my wings brushing against the edges as I outgrew my space. My publisher was gracious enough to open the box so I could spread my wings. Even from the beginning, I tackled tough subjects sometimes, but if a story is going to be real, then characters are flawed, make mistakes, and find themselves in bad situations. The more layers a character has, the more the reader will identify with them.
What inspires you?
Life inspires me. And God, of course. Looking back, I can see how God never wasted an experience in my life, the good and the not-so-good. My life is reflected in everything I write. I am my characters.
Tell us about your writing process.
I usually put out two full-length novels and one or two novellas per year, so I’m always having projects overlap. I am constantly prioritizing. My first book was published in September 2008, and I’m on my 25th story. Back then, I was always striving for balance. And I still am. Like so many authors, I trek along at a fairly steady pace, but as a deadline approaches, I turn into a machine that rarely leaves the house. Over the years, I’ve had to learn when it was okay to say ‘no’ and when it was important to say ‘yes’ to invitations, lunches, etc. As for the process itself, I could NEVER outline a book. I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer, and if I knew what was going to happen in my stories, I would get bored and never finish them. I sit down and write with a two-paragraph synopsis in front of me, then see where the ride takes me and who shows up.
What are your writing goals?
I want to tell the stories that God lays on my heart in ways that glorify Him, with hope and prayer that those who are in need of His wisdom find his or her way to my books.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
That it’s the hardest job on the planet, but possibly the most rewarding. I wasn’t prepared for the emails and letters that have often dropped me to my knees. I tend to write about people on the fence when it comes to their faith, so if I receive a letter or email from someone in the same situation, it’s only through God’s grace that they found my book and jumped from the fence into the arms of God.
Those emails are humbling, aren’t they? But nothing more rewarding than hearing how God has touched someone through fiction.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
I am one quirky, OCD individual, lol. I’m told that I’m funny. Although, sometimes I don’t mean to be, so I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. I whistle ‘The Flintstones’ theme song when I’m alone in my house. I talk to my pets way too much. I wear my feelings on my sleeve, and I often speak without thinking, which has gotten me in a world of trouble. When I do a radio interview, I have a sign in front of me that says THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. I’m incredibly honest, and I won’t lie about anything, even to spare feelings. As for the OCD part, yep…I like everything organized and in its place at all times. So when my office becomes a wreck, I have to take a writing break to clean it before I go on.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love to paint in oils and acrylics. I don’t have any formal training, but I love being able to express myself in that way, and it’s one of the few times that I don’t hear voices in my head and plots building.
Where can your readers contact you?
My website has tons of information. www.bethwiseman.com. You can read the first chapter of all of my books, a true ‘try before you buy’ system. There is a place to sign up for my newsletter and a host of other information that I hope will be of interest to readers. I hang out at ‘Fans of Beth Wiseman’ on Facebook, and I twitter as Beth Wiseman. I gave up my blog along time ago because I was terrible at it. So, I very much appreciate you having me here, Golden, and giving me an opportunity to chat.
Thank you, Beth, for being with us today. It’s always fun learning about the writing process and lives of other authors.
Thank you so much for having me!
Every reader who leaves a comment with their email address in the next 7 days (Dec 16 through Dec 22, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE copy of The Promise, courtesy of Beth. The winner will be announced next week. No international shipping please.
Biography:
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2019. She and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in South Central Texas.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
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December 9, 2014
Interview With Author Martha Rogers
Martha Rogers, like me, entered the publishing field in our, shall we say, more mature years? She is a very prolific writer, and her books are much loved. I know you will enjoy reading about her journey.
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below and be entered to win a free copy of her latest release, Love Never Fails! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, and my husband Rex grew up in Banks, Arkansas. We met in Houston at First Baptist Church almost 56 years ago and have been married for 55 years. Rex and I are retired and living in the same house we moved into 38 years ago. We have three sons who married three wonderful women and gave us nine grandchildren. One of those is married with three children of her own, and a second granddaughter will be married January 2, 2015. We love having them all together.
We’ve been married 52 years this coming March, but we’ve moved many times in ministry. I envy your roots there in one place.
Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about.
My latest book, Love Never Fails, released in November 2014, is the third in a series that began as a genealogy project for my cousins. I was so fascinated by what I learned about our great-grandparents that I wrote it up for my family and then ended up with the first book in the series. Real names and real places are used throughout the series, but books two and three are all fiction.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
I write historical romance in the latter half of the 19th century because I love learning about that time period, and I love stories with happy endings. The research takes me places and teaches me things I might never have known otherwise.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by stories and people around me as well as historic events I come across in research. My main inspiration comes from the Lord when I ask Him to speak through my fingers as I write and give me the words He would have me share with readers.
Tell us about your writing process.
I am one of those SOTP writers who gets an idea, creates characters to fit then see where they will lead me. I generally know the beginning, some back story, and have an ending in mind. Whatever happens in between sometimes comes as a complete surprise. I let my characters lead me down their story path.
What are your writing goals?
My goal right now is to complete the next two books. Both are Christmas books, and one is an indie book with 11 other authors. The other will be the fourth in the present series and published by Charisma.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
I had no idea how much would be involved in marketing and publicizing my books. I am not a self-promoter and must really motivate myself to get people to buy my books.
I think you do a good job there, Martha. I’ve watched you at book signings, and you’re not timid about speaking to people about your books.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
Most people don’t know that I had viral meningitis as a child and was miraculously cured. For three days they took spinal fluid, treated me for the disease and kept me in isolation. On the fourth morning after a spinal tap, there was absolutely no evidence of the disease anywhere in my body. My precious grandmother had been outside my room sitting by the door all night praying for me to be healed.
Wow! What a great story of God’s faithfulness!
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love crafting and scrapbooking, but don’t have any time for those activities right now. The last scrapbook I did was for my granddaughter for her sixteenth birthday.
Thank you, Martha, for being with us today. It’s always fun learning about the writing process and lives of other authors.
Every reader who leaves a comment with their email address in the next 7 days (Dec 9 through Dec 15, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE copy of Love Never Fails, courtesy of Martha. The winner will be announced next week. No international shipping please.
Where can your readers contact you?
My website is www.marthawrogers.com where they can access my blog and also contact me.
Biography
Martha Rogers is a free-lance writer and was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW. Martha and her husband Rex live in Houston where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. A former English and Home Economics teacher, Martha loves to cook and experimenting with recipes and loves scrapbooking when she has time. She has written two series, Winds Across the Prairie and Seasons of the Heart as well as several novellas. Love Stays True and Love Finds Faith, the first three books in her new series, The Homeward Journey, are available now.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
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December 5, 2014
17th Century France Christmas Customs
My first series, Darkness to Light, is based loosely on my ancestors and takes place in 17th century France. They escaped the religious persecution and came to this country, settling in Pennsylvania. I thought it would be fun to take a look at the Christmas customs which take place in my books – 17th century France, colonial America, and during the Civil War in the month of December.
In France, Christmas is called Noel. This comes from the French phrase les bonnes nouvelles,” which means “the good news” and refers to the gospel. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.
Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or “little saints.” In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the 17th century.
The French also make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means 
“Christmas Log.” The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine.
My ancestors were from Southern France where the burning of the Yule Log was very popular. Families would burn yule logs continuously from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day and once the new year came, a part of this log was used to make the wedge for the plough as a good luck omen and plenty of harvest in the coming year.
I wish I had something from my ancestors Christmas celebrations, like a creche or some of the little clay figures, but if anyone in my family has any of those treasures, I have no knowledge of it.
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December 2, 2014
Interview With Author Linda LaRoque
Interview With Author Linda LaRoque
I am so excited today to be interviewing my critique partner and dear friend here in Waco, TX, author Linda LaRoque. Even when our critique group can’t get together face-to-face she is more than willing to read my manuscripts (sometimes lots of copy!) and offer constructive criticism and creative suggestions. Welcome, Linda!
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below and be entered to win a free copy of her latest release, Shattered Vows! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I was born and reared in Texas and lived out of state only three times in my life. My father was in the Air Force, and when I was very small, we lived in Darlene, Louisiana. At about age eight, Daddy was transferred to Stephenville, Newfoundland. What a wonderful experience. Though extremely cold, it was the ideal place for children to explore and learn. I learned to ice skate and my brother and I tested our skill at building an igloo. The trees were huge, their branches spread our making wonderful places to crawl under and hide.
I’m a retired teacher, my husband is a retired banker, and our children are grown. We have one exceptional grandson and a sweet little dog named Molly.
Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about.
My latest book, Shattered Vows, is an Inspirational Women’s Fiction, a first for me. It’s a genre I’ve always wanted to explore, but my ideas have gravitated toward other genres. This story somehow landed in my head and I had to put it to paper. It is not a reflection of my own life or of the life of anyone I know.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
Before Shattered Vows I wrote contemporary western romance, western historical (time travel) romance, futuristic romance, have a romantic suspense, and I’ll continue to write in those genres while I explore the women’s fiction genre.
Since I am only published in the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) Linda’s experience in the general market has been most valuable.
What inspires you?
Oh gee, things I see on vacations, dreams, interactions between people, television programs, books I read, and life in general. My futuristic novel, Born in Ice, evolved from a dream.
Tell us about your writing process.
I am what other writers call a “pantster.” I fly by the seat of my pants. I don’t sit down and plot each chapter, but I do have my idea and know where my story is going. Often I know how the story will end, but not which streets I’ll take. Some of my most satisfying endings have popped into my head at the last minute.
What are your writing goals?
Since I don’t adhere to a schedule, I’d like to improve my work habits. I’d like to write another women’s fiction and another western historical within the next year.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
To take several writing classes in creative writing before beginning. It would have saved me so much time.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
I was a twirler in high school and junior college and performed in the Cotton Bowl.
Well, Linda, I sure did not know that about you!
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love to crochet, knit, cross stitch, read, and travel. I used to oil paint and would love to learn to paint with watercolors.
Thank you so much, Linda, for being with us today.
Every reader who leaves a comment with their email address in the next 7 days (Dec 2 through Dec 8, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE copy of Shattered Vows, courtesy of Linda. The winner will be announced next week. No international shipping please.
Where can your readers contact you?
http://www.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/linda.laroque
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/649259.Linda_LaRoque
Biography:
Linda LaRoque is a Texas girl, but the first time she got on a horse, it tossed her in the road dislocating her right shoulder. Forty years passed before she got on another, but it was older, slower, and she was wiser. Plus, her students looked on and it was important to save face.
A retired teacher who loves West Texas, its flora and fauna, and its people, Linda’s stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest. She is a member of RWA, her local chapter of HOTRWA, NTRWA and Texas Mountain Trail Writers.
Linda writes contemporary western romances, time travel romances and futuristic romances. Shattered Vows is her first Inspiration Women’s fiction.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
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November 28, 2014
Fiction Friday! Interview With all Four Women From the Hidden Faces Series
Interview With all Four Women From the Hidden Faces Series
Today we have a special treat. All four women from the Hidden Faces series are here to talk to us and wrap up these interviews.
Q – First I would like each of you to tell me what was the most difficult part of your journey. Let’s just take the answers in the order of the books.
Anna, from Trapped! The Adulterous Woman - Watching the Roman soldiers beat and crucify Jesus. It was horribly wrenching, and something really that I have no words to describe. When I saw what my sin did to Him, I was undone, inconsolable. It took some time for the realization of what was happening in the heavenlies to sink in. It was too much. This was not just a man who rescued a foolish woman from the righteous Pharisees. This was God in the flesh, and they were killing Him.
Marah, from Alone, The Woman At The Well - Oh, Anna, I cannot even imagine how horrible that must have been. To watch the Savior being tortured like that. The most difficult part of my journey came before I met Jesus. The shame and guilt I experienced from having had five husbands absolutely destroyed my life, my self-esteem and my family. I was so embarrassed and ashamed, but I didn’t know how to fix it. After my first husband died so young, my life became more and more complicated, and I couldn’t seem to get things turned around.
Tirzah, from Broken, The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’s Feet - Oh, that’s easy for me to answer. The fact that I compromised my vow never to succumb to the lifestyle of a harlot to survive, like my mother and grandmother. Claudia and I tried to survive by baking bread, and she resorted to begging, but we were starving to death. I didn’t know what else to do.
Marah – I can relate, Tirzah. I never dreamed I’d end up begging, but when I had no other way to get food, the desperation won out.
Zahavah, from Hopeless, The Woman With the Issue of Blood - My most difficult issue was the hopelessness of having an incurable disease to which God seemed to be oblivious and uncaring. I became so desperate I’m embarrassed to say that I attempted suicide. And the isolation from my husband and family because the disease declared me unclean.
Q – The other question I’d like to ask is … in the language of an author … what is the main takeaway from your encounter with Jesus? What do you hope the readers gain from reading your stories?
Anna - That Jesus offers forgiveness to the vilest of sinners. He dealt with me with such compassion and tenderness … no judgment, no criticism … simply grace and mercy. How can I do any less toward others? Forgiveness is the theme of my story.
Marah - That shame and guilt need not dominate after Jesus invades our lives. It doesn’t matter what our past has been. Once Jesus redeems us, the past, present and future are cleansed. Freedom from shame and guilt is the theme of my story.
Tirzah - Of course, I agree with Anna and Marah, and my story includes both forgiveness and freedom from shame and guilt, but the takeaway from my story is that Jesus is worthy of extravagant worship. Whatever it takes to worship Jesus lavishly, we should be willing to do. It may mean crossing cultural lines and tradition, but He is worthy of it. Extravagant love produces extravagant worship.
Zahavah - That when Jesus is present, there is no need for hopelessness. Healing is available. It may not be the way we would have pictured it, but with Jesus there is always hope.
Thank you, thank you, ladies. I cannot tell you what delving into your stories has meant to me over the past two years. Your testimonies are life-changing. Bless you.
Click HERE to order your copy of Hidden Faces: Portraits of Nameless Women in the Gospels
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
The post Fiction Friday! Interview With all Four Women From the Hidden Faces Series appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.
November 25, 2014
Interview With Author DiAnn Mills
Interview with Author DiAnn Mills
Today I am interviewing my colleague and friend, author DiAnn Mills. Not only is DiAnn an award-winning, best-selling author, but she is an encouraging coach and mentor to aspiring authors. I am privileged to call her friend.
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below and be entered to win a free copy of her latest release, Firewall! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I’ve been married to Dean for 21 years and we have four sons and three beautiful grandchildren. We live in Houston, Texas. I’ve been writing since 1996 when Dean dared me to write a novel. I took him up on that challenge and have published 63 books and novellas since then.
Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about.
Firewall is a romantic suspense set in Houston, Texas. The idea first came to me in 2007 at the Kenya airport. I was waiting to board a flight home, and my mind was spinning with story ideas. After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be. Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company? With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.
To purchase the book, read an excerpt, or watch DiAnn’s interview about Firewall, CLICK HERE.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
Life is dangerous. Too many people live in fear, daily. I want to show in my stories how good overcomes evil. There is a God who loves us and wants us to serve Him.
What inspires you?
Many things: God’s creation, especially nature. My grandchildren! Well done movies. Well written books. Art. Traveling.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m disciplined, or so I’m told. :) I begin my day early with a quiet time; check email and do all my social media postings for the day; breakfast; exercise; and write until lunch. I have a word count, and I make sure that happens. In the afternoons, I edit and coach my writing students. I cook dinner (and I do like to cook) which allows me to process what I’ve done during the day and what still remains for me to do.
What are your writing goals?
To be the best that God has purposed for me. Sure awards are grand, and I’d love to hit the NYT. Specifically, I want each book to be better than the previous one.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
That if I applied my talents, I could do it. My husband dared me to write a book in 1996. I took the challenge and I’ve never regretted it. Actually, I’m glad I took a step at a time.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
I’d like to develop my own coffee beans for a unique smooth blend titled Adventure Coffee.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Cooking. Gardening. Grandkids. Traveling. Reading.
What is your favorite holiday season recipe?
Paula Dean’s ‘The Best Bread Pudding’.
Thank you, DiAnn, for being with us today. It ’ s always fun learning about the writing process and lives of other authors.
Every reader who leaves a comment with their email address in the next 7 days (Nov 25-Dec 1, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE copy of Firewall, courtesy of DiAnn Mills. The winner will be announced next week.
Where can your readers contact you?
I love to connect with readers and writers!
Biography:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expet an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
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November 21, 2014
Fiction Friday! Interview With the Woman With the Issue of Blood – Part 2
Part 1
Account taken from Mark 5:25-34
We are continuing with our interview with Zahava, from the fourth novella, Hopeless, The Woman With The Issue of 
Blood, in the series, Hidden Faces: Portraits of Nameless Women in the Gospels.
Q – I would like to ask you about your relationship with God during the years of your illness. I pictured you in the novella as having becoming pretty discouraged and cynical. Would you say that is a correct assumption?
A – Absolutely. I tried to stay positive, but after years of failed pregnancies, fruitless trips to doctor after doctor, and isolation, I fell into deep despair. If God truly cared about me and our family, how could this horrible disease go on and on? I would rather have been dead.
Q – Which in fact led to your serious consideration of suicide.
A – Yes. I’m embarrassed to admit it now, but I got to the point where I truly believed it would be better for all concerned – myself and my family – if I were gone, completely out of the picture. Then Gideon could remarry and have a normal family. When Gideon told me the family asked him to move me out of the house, I didn’t know what else to do. They wanted me gone, so why not do away with myself. I am ashamed that I thought it would solve everything, but I was desperate.
Q – It was the enemy who tempted you in order to destroy you.
A – I know that now. He tempted me, then when I gave into the temptation, he continued to torment me with the shame and guilt of it.
Q – That’s how Satan works. He harasses God’s people continually. Fortunately you were not successful in your attempt to do away with yourself. God had a plan for you, and it wasn’t suicide. Suicide is never the answer.
But let’s move on. I loved the character of Hasina. She had such elegance and class, and was a genuine friend to you, yet never stepped out of her role as a servant.
A – She was a God-send. I loved her like a sister. She took care of me without any grumbling or impatience. God sends people alongside us in our lives to minister to us, to encourage us, correct us, but sometimes we don’t treasure those relationships as we should. I’m afraid I took Hasina for granted for a long time.
Q – I’d like to ask you a hypothetical question. What if you had failed to reach Jesus that day? What if you had missed touching his robe by inches? Do you think He still would have healed you?
A – Surprisingly, I have thought about that so much, and I believe He would have. I think He would have honored my effort to reach Him, believing that healing was in reach. The compassion and mercy of Jesus embraces our human failures. He knows our hearts, and honors our feeble faith. I truly believe He would have healed me anyway.
Q – I do too. It’s so like Jesus to do so. Thank you for this interview, Zahava. Thank you for the inspiration the story of your faith has been to women through the years.
A – The pleasure is mine.
Next Friday I am going to have an interview session with all four women to wind up our time together. Do you have questions you’d like me to ask them? Leave them in the comments and we’ll answer them next week.
To read chapter one of ‘Hopeless’ click HERE.
To order your own copy of ‘Hopeless’ click HERE.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
The post Fiction Friday! Interview With the Woman With the Issue of Blood – Part 2 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.
November 18, 2014
Interview With Author Christine Lindsay
Interview With Author Christine Lindsay
Today I am interviewing my Canadian friend and colleague Christine Lindsay. Christine and I met several years ago at an ACFW conference and had a heart connection immediately. Unable to attend the next year she asked me to step in for her just in case she should win the Genesis award. Well, she did, and I was so honored to accept that award for her. I know you’ll enjoy reading about her and her writing life.
Don’t forget to leave a comment with your email address below and be entered to win a free Ebook of her latest release Veiled at Midnight! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I’ve been happily married to David for the past 32 years, but realistically we also know what it feels like to fall out of love and back in again. There is hope for marriages if you stick with it. David and I have 3 grown kids, Lana, Kyle and Rob, and I am also a reunited birth mom with my first child, so that makes me the mother of 4 kids. Sarah is my firstborn who I relinquished to adoption in 1979 and was reunited with in 1999. David and I are also the proud grandparents of 4 grandsons.
Tell us about your latest book, and how it came about.
I never thought that I’d write a series of historical novels when I wrote my first book Shadowed in Silk, but I fell in love with the characters like so many of my readers did, and I received lots of emails asking for more about these characters. The exotic setting of British Colonial India begged for more books too, since it was such a politically tense time with Gandhi and the Indian fight for Independence. So Book 2 Captured by Moonlight came out, and this autumn the final book to the series Veiled at Midnight.
But I have to add that each of these books centers around a spiritual theme that I either lived through, or someone close to me did. I try to deal with hard subjects such as spousal abuse, human trafficking, but believe it or not, in a non-offensive way, and offering hope and light on each page. I also love humor, so there’s lots of that in my books.
To purchase or read reviews of Veiled at Midnight on Amazon CLICK HERE. Also, to read the first 2 chapters for FREE CLICK HERE.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
I fell in love with great big thick romantic historical novels in exotic settings as a kid when I read the famous MM Kaye books. If I ever wrote a book, I decided, then I would write in that genre only from a Christian point of view. I want a book that takes me away for a few days to a brand new setting, full of beauty, excitement, adventure, a touch of mystery, danger, and of course a BIG LOVE STORY.
What inspires you?
The life struggles of my loved ones and friends inspires me, and seeing how God works those sad things around for good. God does not want us to fear, so I try to write the stuff of life, but show the happy endings of which I am a firm believer in. I can’t follow God and not believe in happy endings.
Tell us about your writing process.
If I am not working at one of my two part-time day jobs, then I start writing in the early morning. However, I have come to believe that I must live my life too, so if my mom needs to go out for a coffee—I go. If my husband wants to nip out for an ice-cream cone—I go. If my daughter wants to go shopping because she needs some mom and daughter time—I go. Family and friends must come before writing. Otherwise, I would feel a fraud in my Christian faith.
What are your writing goals?
It’s the same as from day 1—to write stories that entertain readers but also encourage them in their faith, to help them believe in a happy ending for themselves.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
That you do not make any money at it. Or if you do it is very, very small. That it takes a long, long time to become a writer, and that it takes up so much more of your life even after you have been published, and it’s a struggle to fit everything into an extremely busy schedule. Also, marketing is a killer of joy. Ooooooh, I hate marketing. But I love writing, and I love communicating with my readers.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
After I relinquished my first child to adoption and was reunited with her 20 years later, I struggled big time with jealousy of her adoptive parents. I wished at that time that I had never given her up in 1979. But God was good and brought me through those broken emotions, and nowadays I am grateful for all the Lord has done to sooth my wounded heart over losing my first child in this way. And now Sarah and I are a part of each other’s lives, and I am Nanny Chris to her little baby boy.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Gardening, home decorating, reading, talking walks with the dogs, and going camping with my husband in our tiny little travel trailer. Oh yes, and checking out thrift shops with my mom and daughter.
Thank you, Christine, for being with us today. It’s always fun learning about the writing process and lives of other authors.
Thank you Golden for having me as a guest on your blog. It is always a delight to connect with you. Hugs for now.
Every reader who leaves a comment with their email address in the next 7 days (Nov 18-Nov 24, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE Ebook of Veiled at Midnight, courtesy of Christine Lindsay. The winner will be announced next week.
Where can your readers contact you?
Please drop by my website http://www.christinelindsay.com/ or follow me on Twitter and be my friend on Pinterest , and Goodreads.
Biography:
Christine Lindsay was born in Ireland, and is proud of the fact that she was once patted on the head by Prince Philip when she was a baby. Her great grandfather, and her grandfather—yes father and son—were both riveters on the building of the Titanic. Tongue in cheek, Christine states that as a family they accept no responsibility for the sinking of that infamous ship.
Stories of Christine’s ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning, historical series Twilight of the British Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and now the new-ly released Veiled at Midnight.
Londonderry Dreaming is Christine’s first contemporary romance set in N. Ireland.
Christine makes her home on the west coast of Canada with her husband and their grown up family. Her cat Scottie is chief editor on all Christine’s books.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
The post Interview With Author Christine Lindsay appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.
November 14, 2014
Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman With the Issue of Blood – Part 1
Part 1
Account taken from Mark 5:25-34
For our last set of interviews of Nameless Women in the Gospels, we shall spend some time with the woman with the issue of blood.
Q – Thank you for allowing us to probe your memory of your encounter with the Savior. Yours is a story that is not told often, but one which particularly women hold dear. First of all, as the author of the biblical fiction novella about you, I’m curious to know if you like the name I gave you.
A – (Smiling) Of course, I do. Do you like your name?
Q – I do. That’s why I gave it to you as well. Years ago I learned that “Golden” in Hebrew is “Zahava.” And although an unusual name in English, in your culture it is fairly common.
A – That’s right, but I still think it is beautiful. And your mother’s name was Lois as well, correct?
Q – Yes. I just thought that would be fun. I suppose I would like to ask you about the difficulty of being chronically ill. What was the most difficult part of that journey for you?
A – There are so many aspects to being chronically ill. The isolation and misunderstanding of the family, the hopelessness of living year to year without relief, the weakening of one’s physical strength, and – in my case – the heartache of miscarriage after miscarriage. I hated what it did to my relationship with my husband. He was so patient and never gave up, but it was very difficult for us. I think after the illness continued for so many years, it had to be the hopelessness. There were times I wanted to die – even considered suicide.
Q – That’s a pretty extreme thought.
A – It was an extreme condition.
Q – Gideon sought out many physicians to try to help you through the years.
A – Yes, he never gave up, but I wearied of seeing physician after physician. The bizarre things they did to my body, the awful concoctions I had to drink, the contortions they put me through were beyond belief.
Q – Were any of them able to help you?
A – Not for long. Sometimes there was temporary relief, but nothing permanent. I think actually the temporary relief was partly because I wanted so badly for something to work. I willed it to be so. But the bleeding always came back.
Q – You even tried some Egyptian remedies that Hasini, your servant, made up for you.
A – She had oils and herbs that were soothing, and they gave me as much relief as anything, but nothing really helped.
Q – Tell us about the first time you met Jesus.
A – It was on our way to see yet another physician. We stopped to pick up some items Gideon had commissioned Jesus’s father, Joseph, to make for us. Jesus was working in the carpenter shop and customized a chair for me to ride in on my donkey.
Q – Did you sense anything different about him?
A – Not really. He was just a kind, young man, whose family was very hospitable to us. Little did I know that this ordinary looking man would change my life in the years to come.
Q – Did you ever think about why he didn’t heal you at that time? Surely he knew your problem even then.
A – I did at first, but then I realized that healing comes in God’s timing. It was not Jesus’s time, nor was it mine.
Q – We shall continue with this interview next week. Thank you, Zahava!
Questions for my readers
Have you experienced a chronic illness yourself or in someone very near to your life?
What ways have you coped with this major life challenge?
What ways have you felt the Lord help you along the journey toward healing?
Have you felt hopeless at times?
Have you experienced miraculous healing from the Lord?
To read chapter one of ‘Hopeless’ click HERE.
To order your own copy of ‘Hopeless’ click HERE.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.
The post Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman With the Issue of Blood – Part 1 appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.
November 11, 2014
Interview With Author Debbie Lynne Costello
Interview with Author Debbie Lynne Costello
Over the next several weeks I will be interviewing author friends of mine. Debbie Lynne and I have not ever actually met, but we are colleagues in a couple of online writing groups, and I feel as if I know her. Hopefully one of these days soon we will have the opportunity to officially meet. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and be entered to win a free copy of her latest publication! We will announce the winner next week.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I’ve been married for 34 years to a wonderful man who puts up with all the hours of research, writing, and media. We have 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren. We live in South Carolina and have bought 22 acres for a hobby farm. My hubby and I love to ride our horses, an Egyptian Arabian and a Tennessee Walker.
Tell us about your book, and how it came about.
I’d heard that Guideposts Books was acquiring short stories for their Christmas collection. I’d read their magazine since I was a kid so couldn’t resist the opportunity to try and sell a story to them. I was extremely honored when they chose “The Letter”, a World War II Christmas story. If anyone would like to purchase the two-book set, A Cup of Christmas Cheer, Click HERE to purchase.
Share about your genre and why you write in this style.
My full-length stories are late 19th century mainly. I love this time period with the clothing, the way of life, and the cusp of change. I also have a medieval series. The first book will be released in February. There is so much to love in this time period—chivalry, knights, castles, kings, and the list could go on.
What inspires you?
I have to say that I do pray for God to speak through my words, so I hope He is inspiring me. But I can read something or watch the history channel or even hear news of today and catch a glimmer of a story in it. Then I just have to flush it out. However, I have to admit that when I get these glimpses of stories if I don’t write them down right then I often forget what they were!
Tell us about your writing process.
I start by doing a bit of brain storming and getting the basic story plot. I figure out who my characters are and where they are in their lives. Originally I was a seat of the pants writer. I knew the basic story but I’d just write and my characters would take me on this wonderful journey. But when you write a proposal, often times they want to know what is going to happen in each chapter. That’s a bit of an issue with me because though I can try to map out each chapter, once I start writing the story my characters don’t always agree with where they are supposed to go and they take me in a direction I’d not expected.
What are your writing goals?
My goals have changed a lot since I first started writing. I knew what I wanted, but as time has passed I’ve learned that it isn’t about what I want, but what God wants for my writing. It’s taken a lot of trying to do things my way, but I finally have gotten to the place where I can say my goal is to be writing what and where God wants me to be. And if He tells me to lay down my pen tomorrow and do something else, I’m good with that because I know He has my best interest at heart.
What do you wish someone had told you about writing?
I think I was told everything I would want to know starting out. I had a terrific mentor in MaryLu Tyndall and she really did a great job preparing me for the industry. The one thing that she kept telling me and it is so true and so hard to do is you have to have tough skin. It doesn’t matter where you are in your writing career, just starting or publishing your 30th book, you need to be tough. If you are starting out you get all the rejections from agents, then come the rejections from editors. Then after your published it’s the 1 star reviews that hurt. It never stops so you have to be able to let the rejection roll off your back and know you are doing it for the Lord.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
This isn’t exactly about me personally, but my father-in-law would be 132 if he was alive today. He was an amazing man and died just before he turned 94.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
My favorite thing to do is horseback ride. But I also do hand smocking for my grandchildren. I sew, crochet, and knit. And I enjoy painting. You can find me lots of times trying out a craft that looked interesting. :o)
Thank you, Debbie Lynne, for being with us today. It’s always fun learning about the writing process and lives of other authors.
Every reader who leaves a comment in the next 7 days (Nov 11-Nov 17th, 2014) will be entered to win a FREE copy of ‘A Cup of Christmas Cheer’, courtesy of Debbie Lynne. The winner will be announced next week.
Where can your readers contact you? Click any of the blue links below.
www.debbielynnecostello.com
www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com
www.christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com
http://cupofchristmascheer.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello
https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello
https://plus.google.com/+DebbieLynneCostello/posts
Biography:
Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children’s director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, She and her husband enjoy camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.
The post Interview With Author Debbie Lynne Costello appeared first on Golden Keyes Parsons.
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