K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 2

Interview with Gail Pallotta & spotlight of Stopped Cold...

We're happy to have Gail Pallotta with us today talking about her novel Stopped Cold. To learn more about her and her book, read on!
Back cover blurb:Things aren't what they seem in peaceful Mistville, North Carolina.Margaret McWhorter enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school swimming and hanging out with friends—until the day her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking steroids. Now he's lying unconscious in a hospital.Anger sets a fire for retribution inside her, and Margaret vows to make the criminals pay. Even the cop on the case can't stop her from investigating. Looking for justice, she convinces two friends, Jimmy and Emily to join her in a quest that takes them through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture they discover deep in the woods behind the school. Time and again they walk a treacherous path, and come face-to-face with danger.All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

Please give us the first page of the book.My first day as a Freshman at Meriwether Christian High School in Mistville, North Carolina, the sun shone on a small plant with pink blossoms on the window sill and gave Mrs. Hornsby’s English class a cheerful look. She stood in front of pine straight back chairs scrunched together in the middle of the room, the tables shoved up against the wall at the end of it.“Today we’ll form a circle and get acquainted.”Her voice sounded bubbly and kind, but I wanted to escape to the pool or a beach. She directed us with her hands as we scraped chairs across the laminated floor and took our seats. That’s when I noticed Jimmy Willmore staring at me. As self-conscious as a possum in a dog show, I peered at my lap. Was he checking me out? I raised my head and glanced at him. He shifted his gaze to the blackboard.Mrs. Hornsby ran her hand through her short, salt-and-pepper-colored hair then twirled around. “Let’s start with you.” She gestured toward a pretty girl with dainty features and long, blonde hair.“I’m Sally Dumont, a transfer student from North Wilkes.”The other kids gave their names, but I let them fade into the background while I thought about Jimmy Willmore. Then it was my turn. “I’m Margaret McWhorter, and I entered Meriwether in middle school.”What do you do for fun when not writing? Get together with friends and family, go to lunch with hubby, swim and go to the beach every chance I get.What are you working on now?  I’m excited about a new adult romantic suspense novel I’m working on.
Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.I’m a fan of Elvis Presley. I listen to his CD, “An Evening Prayer,” three days a week on the way to the pool.I love fresh fish, especially eating it on the Back Porch in Destin, Florida.It’s hard to find my shoe size, so I rarely throw away a pair of shoes no matter how old and ragged looking they get. I have Lyme disease, but thanks to Jesus and a wonderful alternative doctor, I’m up and kicking.I cook Southern recipes handed down from three generations.
Why did you choose to write this book?As a college student then later as a young Mom, I knew of children, teens and young adults affected in a devastating way because they didn’t always excel. The results ranged from heartache in children over not winning a race or making all As to suicide attempts and suicide in young adults. I’m not sure if these sad situations crossed my path more than they did that of others or not, but the more pain I witnessed, the more I wished these children, teens and young adults had believed they did not have to be the best, but do their best. Even though the drive seemed to originate from different sources - parents, siblings, peer pressure or within - I wanted to tell them that God had given each of them a gift or gifts to use for Him, and they didn’t need to be #1. The theme rattled around in my head for years until finally I put it in Stopped Cold.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  It takes a lot of hard work.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer? Marketing, especially balancing it with time to write.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel? Standards set by others pale when we use our talent to glorify God. We’re all created in His image, but each of us has a particular gift or gifts to use for Him.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? My wonderful, Christian daughter.
Bio:Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s a former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, a 2013 Grace Awards finalist and a 2017 Reader’s Favorite Book Award winner. She’s published six books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.
Where else can readers find you online?I have a special twitter site for the high school in Stopped Cold and would love to have people follow it. It’s Meriwether Christian @MeriwetherCS. (https://twitter.com/MeriwetherCS)Website - https://gailpallotta.comBlog - https://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com... - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMo... - Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords  

Interview with Alexis A. Goring & spotlight of Love in Pictures...

We are happy to have Alexis Goring with us today talking about her novel Love in Pictures. For more information, please click on the cover, the link, or read on!

Back cover blurb for Love in Pictures(book) by Alexis A. Goring: Wedding photographer Michelle Hadley has a passion for diversity and believes that love comes in all colors. So, she’s working hard to convince editors to feature her clients’ images on the covers of the mainstream bridal and wedding magazines.

Despite having a career that focuses on celebrating forever love, Michelle has never actually been in a romantic relationship, and she’s not looking for love, until she meets the one man she cannot forget.

Since his fiancée broke his heart, Logan Emerson’s focus has been on his career. He’s won awards for his work as a print journalist and dreams of greater success on television as a broadcast journalist. But his personal struggle presents many challenges that might prevent his dreams from coming true.

Michelle doesn’t date often, and since his heartbreak, Logan has shied away from the dating scene. But something about Michelle awakens Logan’s desire to love again.

The first page of the book:

Chapter 1
Michelle Hadley stared at the Lightroom editing screen on her computer and studied the newlywed couple she’d captured in the photo. The bride held a beautiful bouquet of soft blue and pastel pink hydrangeas near her waist, while the handsome groom with skin the color of coffee stood close behind her, holding her in a loving embrace, kissing her forehead.Michelle sipped her favorite green tea as she sat and worked at Marie's Mocha Café and sighed. The forehead kiss. So romantic. Meant he loved her brains, not just her beauty.The bride’s olive skin glowed, and her dark brown tresses cascaded down her shoulders and rested at her waist. She peered at the flowers she held in her manicured hands, her golden-brown eyes sparkling, a sweet smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Everything about this picture showed that this couple was in love and happy to say I do, not only on their wedding day, but every day they spent together thereafter.Ah, love. Something she might never experience.She bit her bottom lip. Would she ever meet a great guy and be blessed with a real-life happily ever after?She reached for her cup and took a sip to the calming accompaniment of the smoothie machine.She tapped her fingers on her computer keyboard and opened Facebook Messenger. Writing messages to her best friend, Juliana Fernandes, who worked as a writer for Bridal Mode Magazine, also soothed her nerves.Michelle: Hey, girl. What’s up?Juliana: Michelle, mi amiga, it’s been such a long day! Want to meet me for lunch? I could use a little    girl talk.Michelle: Sorry. I’m editing photos, and I’m on deadline.Juliana: Oh yes, my lovely friend the wedding photographer who’s all work and no play.Michelle: What do you mean?Juliana: You never make time for fun.Michelle: Yeah, I do. I meet up with you, and we go shopping and for coffee.Juliana: Yes, and I love our time together, but girl, you need to meet a man and go out on a date,   several dates, with several eligible bachelors. I could find one for you. I meet plenty in my line of  work.Michelle: Aren’t most of those men you interview getting married? Juliana: Oh yeah, that’s right. LBut they have brothers, cousins and friends! Amiga, I could totally hook you up!Michelle: Lol. Thanks, but no thanks. God is my matchmaker.Juliana: Yeah? Well, sometimes God uses good friends like me to pull the strings.Michelle: Sorry to cut this short, but I need to get back to work.Juliana: And then you do that.Michelle: Do what?Juliana: When I get too close to the truth, you end the conversation.Michelle: Jules, you’re taking this way too personal.
Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.#1: I love Talenti Gelato that’s available in American grocery stores but nothing tastes better than authentic gelato that’s only made fresh and tastes the best in the actual country of Italy!#2: When I went to Italy with friends, we got lost and ended up in front of a bridal shop where I instantly fell in love with the beautiful wedding dress on display in the shop’s window!#3: The song “Christmas Day” by Mandisa and Michael W. Smith has a special meaning for me because it reminds me of a special someone and Christmastime in the city!#4: Fresh spinach leaves cooked to perfection and properly seasoned is my favorite healthy food!#5: Wish-Bone® Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing and homemade honey-lemon dressing are my top two favorites in the world!
Why did you choose to write this book?I chose to write this book because I love wedding photography, good food, Journalism and Italy! So I thought that it would be a wonderful idea to write about those passions in a story. I’m also passionate about the issues that set the heart of the heroine in this story (Michelle) on fire: celebrating diversity, seeking justice, keeping hope alive, sharing kindness, and capturing people’s love for each other in pictures. Like Logan (the hero), I have dreams of being a broadcast journalist on television and radio, so it was fun to explore that more in this story.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  Everyone can learn how to write but not everybody is a professional writer. It can be a tough but very rewarding profession. However, it’s not for the faint of heart! It takes discipline and perseverance past rejection. But if God’s called you to it, He’ll help you through it!
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?The toughest test that I’ve faced as a writer is trying to write full-length novels that have a minimum word count of 70K words. My stories so far, stop around the 45K mark and I haven’t yet figured out how to stretch the story to novel-length without making it messy.Writing a full-length novel is not a walk in the park! It takes time, perseverance, creativity and a lot of planning and it doesn’t come easy to all authors. My specialty thus far is writing novellas. I know that my readers want me to write full-length novels and turn my standalone stories into series but at this point in my career, it’s too overwhelming of a task to take on. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do this for my readers in the future but first I have to get over my tendency to write “precise and concise” (I’m a trained print journalist)! Lol.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?I hope that readers learn how important it is to treat everyone with kindness and judge people by the content of their character, NOT their skin color. I also hope that my readers are inspired to never give up on dreaming about, being blessed with and keeping true love.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?The accomplishments that I am most proud of include but are not limited to:#1: Knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior and Truest Friend#2: Earning my B.A. in Print Journalism and my MFA in Creative Writing#3: Working as the Morning Show Intern for WGTS 91.9 FM#4: Writing and publishing three books!#5: Writing the devotionals that God places on my heart to help people.
What do you do for fun when not writing?I love eating good food at restaurants with loved ones and I enjoy watching movies on the Hallmark Channel.

What are you working on now?  My first standalone nonfiction book project. But I cannot share details about it yet.

Where else can readers find you online?  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlexWebsite: https://alexisagoring.jimdo.comPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7260528.Alexis_A_Goring“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com
Bio: Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Interview with Lynn Basham Tagawa & spotlight of The Shenandoah Road...

We're happy to have Lynne Basham Tagawa with us today talking about her book The Shenandoah Road: A Novel of Great Awakening. To learn more about Lynne and this historical fiction novel, read on!

From the back cover:
John Russell's heart aches from the loss of his wife, but the Shenandoah Valley frontiersman needs to marry again for his daughter's sake. At first he believes he has found the right young woman, despite their differences, but his faith falters when time reveals she isn't quite what she seemed. Can he truly love her? 

Unlike her disgraced sister, Abigail Williams obeys the Commandments. At least, she thinks herself a Christian until a buckskin-clad newcomer courts her. He treats her kindly but also introduces her to a sermon by the controversial preacher, George Whitefield. Her self-righteousness is shattered, and she wonders about their relationship. If she confesses her lack of faith, will John continue to love her? 


The first page of the book:
Chapter OneThe Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;He makes me down to lieIn pastures green; He leadeth meThe quiet waters by.--Psalm 23:1, The Scottish Psalter, 1650May 1744John Russell knelt on the grass that grew over the grave. The small hickory cross had survived the winter.  On it was carved a name. His wife’s name. Janet Russell (1719-1742)He had spent hours over the little cross, finding the best wood, hand carving it, engraving it, and rubbing linseed oil into it again and again. Still, it would not endure the elements. Wood never did. But her soul was safe with God, and though he had grieved long and hard, his peace was real, too. The peace that went beyond all understanding. He stood.“She was a good wife,” Sarah murmured behind him. “And she willna mind you marrying again.”

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you. I’m a science teacher by trade, and I’ve taught a lot of algebra over the years—I’m definitely the nerdy type. I play the flute. I graduated from the University of Hawaii. I married a “local boy” I met in Geology 101.
Why did you choose to write this book? A lot of things came together. My friend Douglas Bond has written a number of HF books both for adults and young teens, and his writing inspired me. I thought, “It’s possible to write an engaging story without sacrificing spiritual truth.” I also realized that there were few stories written in this time period. One of Douglas Bond’s (for juveniles) and Jack Cavanaugh’s The Colonists come to mind. But nothing exactly like I wanted to write.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? The huge amount of labor that goes into a book you can read in two days. Especially a genre like historical fiction. Some writers have no problem writing a thousand words a day, every day. But sometimes I spend more time researching that actually writing. Then you come to “The End,” but that’s only the beginning. Next comes the rewrite, the editing, and so forth.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer? My debut novel was hard (A Twisted Strand). I’d already published a nonfiction book (Sam Houston’s Republic) but fiction is different. The rules are different. Sometimes I felt like a grown-up going to first grade, and I like to think of that story as my Creative Writing 101. From conception to publication it took four years.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel? I want readers to get a sense of what it was like to live in that time period, in every regard: daily life, cultural differences, the impact of the Great Awakening, and even things like the flora and fauna of the time period. Did you know that buffalo often wandered into the Shenandoah Valley? But most of all, I’d like the reader to come away with uplifting and challenging scriptural truth. It’s why I added the subtitle. I want readers to know upfront that it’s not a romance per se, it’s something much more, which is why it doesn’t fit into the “romance” genre.What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? Besides my kids and grandkids? LOL Actually, I am happy about “placing” at the Selah Awards—tied for second place in the historical/biblical fiction category. It is gratifying for a relatively untested writer.
What do you do for fun when not writing?Read!
What are you working on now?  I’m working on a sequel to The Shenandoah Road. It’s set roughly ten years later, during the time period of the French and Indian War. I won’t give anything away, except this: I decided to create a Shawnee point of view character in addition to the main two. I have really loved that aspect of the story.
Where else can readers find you online?   I have a Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/lynne.tagawaI also have a website: https://www.lynnetagawa.com/
BioLynne Tagawa is an author, editor, educator, and best of all, grandma to four. She loves to writes quality fiction with solid gospel content. Her debut novel, A Twisted Strand, is contemporary romantic suspense, but she thinks she’s found a true home in historical fiction. Currently she’s writing the sequel to The Shenandoah Road: A Novel of the Great Awakening.Back cover blurbJohn Russell’s heart aches from the loss of his wife, but the Shenandoah Valley frontiersman needs to marry again for his daughter’s sake. At first he believes he has found the right young woman, despite their differences in background, but his faith falters when time reveals she isn’t quite what she seemed. Can he truly love her? And what about his own failings?
Unlike her disgraced sister, Abigail Williams obeys the Commandments. At least, she thinks herself a Christian until a buckskin-clad newcomer courts her. He treats her kindly but also introduces her to a sermon by the controversial preacher, George Whitefield. Her self-righteousness is shattered, and she wonders about their relationship. If she confesses her lack of faith, will John continue to love her?

Interview with Jarm Del Boccio & Spotlight of The Heart Changer...

We're happy to have Jarm Del Boccio with us today talking about her book The Heart Changer.  To learn more about Jarm and her book, read on!


Cover blurbCan an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what she could imagine.
This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.1. I love to travel, and am passionate about visiting new places. My motto is: never visit the same location twice. Well — I’ve disregarded my own rule a few times, but otherwise, I stick to it as best I can. I’m slowly checking off destinations on my bucket list, and have journeyed to six of seven continents. I’ll let you decide which one I have yet to step foot on . . .
2. I was accidentally hit in the head with a baseball bat and sported black and blue eyes for eight grade graduation. A well-meaning elderly man thought I had applied my makeup incorrectly. The ironic thing is — I am not a sports fan!
3. When I was a junior in high school my first job was — no joke — in a Chinese laundromat.
4. My secret desire? To get caught up in a flash mob singing a tune from a favorite musical.
5. When I was in elementary school, I begged my Mom for a baby alligator from Florida, trying to convince her we could keep it in our bathtub. She gently asked me what I would do once it grew to full-size. I pondered the question for a minute or two, and reluctantly backed down.
Why did you choose to write this book?I have a soft spot for kids in the Bible who have no name and backstory, but have made a huge impact on the people around them. So, I chose the story of Naaman’s wife’s servant girl from 2 Kings 5. I gave Miriam a name AND a feasible backstory! I try to stay as close to the historical account as possible.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  Authors are not passionate about writing for financial gain, but because we have a story to tell the world that can’t be squelched. We want to impact lives!
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?Hmmmm. I guess I have to say receiving one manuscript rejection after another. One year, I submitted to agents and editors twice a month. That’s over 24 submissions which ended up as a ‘no’ or ignored, as I watched other kid lit authors sign contracts and find agents after only a few tries. It will happen when the time is right. My career is in God’s hands.What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?There’s always hope when God is allowed to write our story. He has conceived it, so He will bring it to pass in the best way possible.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?I wouldn’t consider this an accomplishment, per se, but I have the ability to fit into whichever culture or country I am visiting at the time. Often, while traveling, folks can’t tell by my speech that I’m American. They say I have more of a cosmopolitan accent. And I love to eat, speak and live as they do. From ‘85 to ‘87 I taught missionary children in an isolated village of Papua New Guinea. Even there I tried to fit in by carrying a load in a woven bag on my back with most of the weight resting on the strap across my forehead, just like the local women.
Please give us the first page of the book.
C H A P T E R  O N E
“RUN! RUN, MY DAUGHTER! DON’T let them see you!” Miriam’s mother cried in alarm, shielding baby Zacchaeus in her long robes. She watched, helpless, as her precious child ran to escape the oncoming invasion.
      Picking up her skirts, the young girl fled down the center of the Shunem town market, following the frantic path of others, terror- stricken by the billowing clouds of dust gathering in the distance. As the villagers ran for their lives, baskets of fruits and vegetables, nuts and spices were carelessly scattered on the parched ground. Carts of fish and goat’s cheese were upset, the sound of splintering and cracking adding to the mayhem as striped awnings ripped from their door frames. Goats and sheep scattered, and those who could not be freed from their leads bleated in fear. Shouts of the Syrian army, and the sound of clomping horse’s hooves on the stone pavement signaled the enemy’s advance. Cries and screams escaped from the villagers as they dropped a trail of precious belongings in their flight. A keepsake and a fresh loaf of bread meant nothing. Only their lives mattered now.
     Miriam eyed another overturned cart, its sweets scattered in the dust, and swiftly darted behind it to evade the soldiers’ haunting advances. She covered her face with the cloth from her head covering, tucking it in to hide her maturing face. Heart pounding, she took a deep breath, pressing her head against the rugged wood, praying no one had seen her.
 What do you do for fun when not writing?I love to take tours and visit museums, especially when they relate to history. Travel is my go to inspiration, so I take advantage of it whenever possible. Next on my bucket list is a cruise through Scandinavia or a stay in a Mongolian yurt! And I have to admit, I love to be pampered with a facial or massage, but it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed one.
What are you working on now?  I have three other middle-grade novels, set in England, Spain, and the 1893 World Columbian Exposition. The latter novel I’ve been submitting to publishers and agents, so I would be blessed if it was in God’s plan for it to be snatched up in 2019!

Jarm (‘J’ pronounced as a 'Y') Del Boccio finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history.
Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated area of Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in "The Old Schoolhouse" magazine.
“The Heart Changer,” her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, releases with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband, adult daughter and son (when he lands at home) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago. You can connect on her author’s website/blog at: https://www.jarmdelboccio.com/
"My Passion is to Make Scripture and History Come Alive for my Readers: Illuminating the Past. Making Sense of the Present. Offering Hope for the Future.”

Where else can readers find you online?   My author’s website/blog: https://www.jarmdelboccio.com/            Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JarmDelBoccio/            Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jarmdelboccio/           Twitter: www.twitter.com/JarmVee            Instagram: @JarmDelBoccio

Interview with Sherrinda Ketchersid and spotlight of Lord of Her Heart...

We're happy to have Sherrinda Ketchersid with us today talking about her book Lord of Her Heart. To learn more about Sherrinda and her book, read on!
Back cover blurbLady Jocelyn Ashburne suspects something is amiss at her family’s castle because her father ceases to write to her. When she overhears a plot to force her into vows—either to the church or a husband—she disguises herself and flees the convent in desperation to discover the truth.

Malcolm Castillon of Berkham is determined to win the next tournament and be granted a manor of his own. After years of proving his worth on the jousting field, he yearns for a life of peace. Rescuing a scrawny lad who turns out to be a beautiful woman is not what he bargained for. Still, he cannot deny that she stirs his heart like no other, in spite of her conniving ways.
Chaos, deception, and treachery threaten their goals, but both are 
determined to succeed. Learning to trust each other might be the only way either of them survives.
Please give us the first page of the book.“I tire of this endless cleaning.” Jocelyn Ashburne sat on the cold stone floor of the cellarium and put a hand to her aching back. Her gray woolen habit made her itch. She wanted to pull off the veil to release her damp curls from its confines. “Methinks the Reverend Mother Agatha is attempting to tire my body and mind into forgetting my desire to return home. My petition for release has been again ignored, and I know not what to do.”            “Perhaps you should write to your father once more.” Sister Mary, her dearest friend at the convent, scrubbed the floor, swiping at her forehead before looking up at Jocelyn. “It could be he has had much to deal with at Ramslea and has been too busy to answer.”Jocelyn dipped her rag into the bucket of rosemary-scented water and wrung it out. “I’ve been here four years. I know I’ve only heard from him a few times, but ’tisn’t like him to be so silent, even with the distraction of his new wife. My father has been silent for an entire year, and I am worried.” Perhaps she should scour his missives for clues to solve the mystery of his silence. “Do you sincerely think Helen might sway his ability to make decisions?” Jocelyn huffed and scrubbed the floor with renewed vigor. “Aye, she cares not for me and only fawned over me in the presence of Father. He was blind to everything but her beauty and charm.”“He was lonely after losing your mother. I’m sure Helen fills the void in his heart. God will provide for you. Never fear.” Would that Jocelyn had Mary’s faith in God’s ability to manage her return home. So far, He had been silent to her pleas. Perhaps His lack of communication was His answer. Perhaps she was to have faith amid the silence of her earthly father, as well as her heavenly one.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.1. I love to paint and letter in my Bible.2. I have scoliosis and had to wear a metal back brace as a freshman and sophomore in high school. Think Joan Cusack in Sixteen Candles. J3. I moved away from home to attend a Bible school when I was 17 and just out of high school.4. My husband gave me a dozen roses on my 18th birthday (I’d only been talking to him for two weeks.) and we were inseparable after that. 5. Coffee with cream is often my go-to dessert. Why did you choose to write this book? I originally wrote this book to tell a good story and bring someone as much joy as reading has brought to me. But as I wrote, the message of trust came through and I hope that brings hope to others as they journey with God.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  Hhmm. My friends and family are very supportive of my writing, but I hear others say they wished people would understand how time consuming the writing life can be. A writer must treat writing as a job and pass up invitations sometimes in order to get their “job” done. It takes a lot of discipline and hard work to get a book written and rewritten.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer? Rejection is always difficult. There have been times when I have wanted to give up, but as a spinner of stories, I have decided I would write even if the book doesn’t see the light of day. I write because I am a writer.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel? I would love for readers to get lost in the story and come away smiling. But on a deeper level, I hope they can see in themselves a need to trust—not only the need to trust God in difficult times, but learn to trust others for help when they need it. Everyone needs a listening ear or help from time to time, and sometimes we are afraid to ask. We need to get over that feeling of not wanting to bother someone or not trusting others to step up to the plate and help us out.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? I’m most proud that I have raised self-sufficient and loving children. They are kind, thoughtful, and generous. They are my greatest accomplishment and I love them dearly. Writing-wise, I am most proud that I stuck with my first story and didn’t shove it under the bed. The book needed a lot of work, but my publisher took a chance on it and molded it into something I am super proud of.
What do you do for fun when not writing? I love to read inspirational romance, historical or contemporary. I also like to paint and letter in my Bible as a way of worship. I like to spend time with my seven month old puppy, Phineas. He gets me outside and moving.
What are you working on now?  I am editing and rewriting my second story, His to Keep. It is the story of Ian McGowan, the head guardsman in Lord of Her Heart. He receives an inheritance that forces him to marry an English woman.
BioSherrinda Ketchersid is a lover of stories with happily-ever-after endings. Whether set in the past or present, romance is what she writes and where her dreams reside. Sherrinda lives in north-central Texas with her preacher husband. With four grown children, three guys and a gal, she has more time and energy to spin tales of faith, fun, and forever love.

Where else can readers find you online?    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrindaKetchersidAuthor/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sherrindaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrindaPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sherrinda/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19022507.Sherrinda_KetchersidWebsite: https://www.sherrinda.com

Interview with Gina Holder & Spotlight of No Greater Love...

We're happy to have Gina Holder with us today talking about her book No Greater Love. To learn more about Gina and her work read on!
Back cover blurb:One Book Changed Her Life…and Her Eternity

He said he’d never risk leaving a widow.She said she’d never love a man in uniform.
Paige McDonald collects antique literature and works at the largest bookstore in Portland, Oregon. When her grandfather, a firefighter, was killed, she vowed never to fall in love with a first responder. An old Bible leads to an unexpected discovery and disrupts everything she knows about herself, her family, and God. Her desire to know the truth sends her to the town of Whitman directly into the radar of Patrol Officer Hamilton Bryant.After the loss of his best friend and fellow officer, Hamilton vowed never to marry. He won’t risk leaving a widow. Instead, he reserves his passion for serving his family and the town he’s sworn to protect. When a series of robberies and threats against the mayor correspond with Paige’s sudden appearance in Whitman, their paths intersect.
Please give us the first page of the book.There isn’t another smell like this in the entire world. The musty scent of vintage paper enveloped her like the familiarity of a security blanket, drawing her into her happy place. The smell of various perfumes and lavender vacuum powder lingered in the air. Several dimly lit, antique lamps sat atop the stand-alone marble-topped bookcases in the middle of the room. A terracotta rug and leather chairs gave the room the appearance of a cozy den. Paige McDonald closed her eyes and jostled her hand along the fraying spines where their roughness tickled the pads of her fingertips. She imagined the lives they’d lived, the places they’d been, and the stories they could tell beyond the ones written on their thinning, yellowed pages.A shrill noise echoed in the distance, breaking into Paige’s daydreams. She lowered her hand and sighed, moving to open the interior door of the Rare Book Room. She stepped through the doorway into the Pearl Room on the third floor of the largest bookstore in the world. Florescent lights momentarily blinded her. She clicked the door shut behind her, protecting the rare literary volumes against the ultraviolet rays. “Paige! Paige McDonald!” Customers lifted their heads as the intrusive sound interrupted their browsing. The source of the offensive voice topped the stairs leading from the color-coded Red and Purple Rooms below. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”“Yes, Mrs. Bastille. What can I do for you?” Paige clasped her hands behind her back and waited for instructions as the swanky assistant manager stalked her direction. Cat Bastille’s red hair complemented her fiery personality. She wore an outdated navy pantsuit and a gold scarf around her neck. Paige detested the woman, but she was all that stood between herself and the unemployment office.The manager invaded Paige’s personal bubble and blew coffee breath in her face. Paige scrunched her nose against the odor. “The toilet is overflowing. Get in there and put a stop to it. Then, clean out the fridge in back. Some of the employees’ lunches are growing mold.” Cat tossed her hair over her shoulder with a show of dramatics. The woman should have been an actress…or a troll. “Of course, Mrs. Bastille. I’ll take care of it.” Paige kept her voice sweet and submissive, when all she really wanted to do was grab the woman by her oversized hooped earrings and shake her. Cat repeatedly assigned her to the lowest and most demeaning tasks in the store. However, working at Powell’s City of Books in downtown Portland was the closest thing to her dream, and if it required groveling at the feet of Cat Bastille, then so be it. Without another word, she ducked under her boss’s outstretched arm, heading for the janitor’s closet on the second floor.
Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.-        I have heterochromia, meaning my eyes are not the same color-        I collect Precious Moment figurines.-        I took horseback riding lessons for three years.-        I play piano, organ, and I used to also play cello and guitar.-        I’ve visited 15 countries and 43 states.
Why did you choose to write this book? I wrote the book in such a way that if I share my inspiration for the story, I’ll give away spoilers! 
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? Writing a book is about 10 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration. (Yes, I’m aware that doesn’t equal 100%.)
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer? When I was editing my debut novel, Whither Shall I Go, my husband took me away to a cabin in the mountains for us to work on the book together. Unfortunately, I was very sick the entire time, burning up with fever. When I got home, I was diagnosed with mono. I couldn’t do anything for the next two weeks.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?A reminder of just how much God loves them. Also, a new or renewed appreciation for the first responders and their families.
 What do you do for fun when not writing? I read books for fun and for review. I love to watch cheesy Hallmark movies with my husband. I spend time with my family. I’m addicted to social media and spend time each day surfing the web.
What are you working on now? I’m beginning Book 2 of the Shadows of Whitman series, the sequel to No Greater Love. I’m also working on a historical romance called, In the Midst of the Sea, it’s book one of a shoot-off series from my debut novel.
Where else can readers find you online? I can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter under the name “storiesbygina”. I also have a blog at http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com.   

Gina Holder dreamed of being a writer from her early teen years and completed the Long Ridge Writer’s Group “Breaking into Print” course. She also graduated from Faith Bible Institute. In August 2017, she published her first novel, Whither Shall I Go?, a historical romance. No Greater Love is her first contemporary romantic suspense.She lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. When she’s not homeschooling her daughter or working on her next novel, she enjoys reading, watching movies, singing, and playing the piano and organ.

Interview with Patrick E. Craig & spotlight of The Mennonite Queen...

We're happy to have Patrick E. Craig with us today talking about his novel The Mennonite Queen. To learn more about Patrick and his book, read on!


Back cover blurb: Isabella, Princess of Poland, is raised to a life of great wealth and leisure in the Polish Royal Court, destined to marry a king. But fate or divine providence intervenes when she meets Johan Hirschberg, a young Anabaptist who works in her father’s stable. This chance meeting leads the young couple into a forbidden love. Together they flee Poland and embark on a dangerous journey that brings them, after great peril, to the small parish of a troubled priest named Menno Simons. Catholic Bishop, Franz von Waldek, paid by King Sigismund, Isabella’s father to find the princess at all costs, pursues them across Europe. Isabella does not know it, but if von Waldek captures her, she will have to make a choice that will change the course of European history forever.
Please give us the first page of the book. PROLOGUE—1559  Sic Fata Volunt, The Will of FateThe woman groaned and turned on the couch, awakened by a patter of rain rattling the windows. Outside, dark heralds of the unseasonal storm hid the moon. Distant lightning illuminated the room. An unearthly light touched her face momentarily and then faded as the gray predawn took victory over the indigo night. A long roll of thunder shook the window again, and she pulled her shawl tighter, a frown furrowing her brow.I must tell him… before I go… Queen Isabella of Hungary focused her eyes on the candle sputtering in the persistent draft that plagued the building. The flickering light illuminated Filippo Lippi’s painting above the fireplace, Madonna and Child Enthroned. Mary held the Christ-child, the love in her eyes captured perfectly by the artist. Jesus’s tiny hands clutched his mother’s robe, but he was not happy, nor was he comforted. Isabella could imagine his little mouth quivering—as though someone unseen was preparing to tear him from his mother’s arms.Isabella blinked back tears. Ah, my Abel, my son... where are you tonight?

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you. 1.     I was a professional Rock & Roll Musician from the sixties to the eighties with albums on Warner Brothers Records.2.     I quit the music business in 1986 and became a pastor/worship leader.3.     My favorite sport is fly fishing4.     I am one of only seven male Amish Authors5.     I have every one of the Hardy Boy Books on my library shelf
Why did you choose to write this book? The Mennonite Queen ties up my two Amish series, Apple Creek Dreams and The Paradise Chronicles, all of which are about several generations of a fictional Amish family, the Hershbergers, in Ohio and Pennsylvania. This book tells the slightly fictional story of the matriarch of the Hershberger clan, Isabella, who became the mother of the first Hershberger son in 1534. I say slightly fictional because Isabella Jagiellon was a historical figure I surrounded with fictional characters to create a mythical “missing three years” story to help me establish the roots of the Hershberger family.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  The best writers do not write about topics they think will sell, they write stories that are in their hearts.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer? To be honest, the toughest test has been continuing to write as I waited for that one breakthrough book that captured the imagination of the reading public. So far, The Amish Heiress has come the closest, although I have great hopes for The Mennonite Queen. As a writer, I am determined to continue writing my stories. If I can’t get them published traditionally, I will publish them myself. So far, I’m about half and half.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel? Every story does not end with a “happily ever after.” Life can be hard, it can be painful, and it can especially be unfair. Yet in every story, people can achieve greatness by clinging to that which is great—truth, faith and love.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? I’m proud of the success I had as a young man in the music business, I am proud of my work as a pastor and worship leader in the middle part of my life, and now I am proud to be pursuing the thing I love the most—telling stories that touch people in the deepest part of their lives.  What do you do for fun when not writing? My wife and I love to pack up our travel trailer and take off for the mountains of Idaho and Oregon. We fish, ride bikes, rest, sit by the campfire and get back in touch with God’s wonderful creation.
What are you working on now?  I have several projects in process. One is a World War II series I am co-authoring with my friend, Murray Pura, who I consider one of the great writers of this generation. The series title is Islands and the first book is Far On The ringing Plains. I am also working on a book title The Amish Menorah. It’s set in the last Amish community in Europe in 1937 and it is about an Amish man who falls in love with an Amish man who falls in love with and hides a Jewish girl from the Nazis. I also have a medieval series, Amour mi Tien (Love Keep Me), that is set in the heart of the Wars of The Roses. I call the first book in that series The Roses of Agincourt. I also just signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing to release my YA mystery series, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo. The first book, The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch, will be released in August. 
Bio:  Patrick E. Craig is a traditionally published/independent author. In 2013, Harvest House Publishers published his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles, published by P&J Publishing, and the first book, The Amish Heiress was published in 2015. It remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list for seven months. The Amish Princess was released in 2016 and The Mennonite Queen in April 2019. In 2017 Harlequin purchased the print rights for The Amish Heiress for their Walmart Amish series. That book is now in Walmart stores on across the country. Just recently Patrick signed with Elk Lake Publishers to publish his kids’ mystery series, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo.  Patrick and his wife, Judy, make their home in Idaho. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.
Where else can readers find you online?    www.patrickecraig.com  Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig  Facebookhttps://twitter.com/PatrickECraig  Twitter

Where can readers find your books? http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/yyjfwl6j Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/y4t4dts6 KOBO http://tinyurl.com/y4b7pt6v Apple Books

Interview with Johnnie Alexander & spotlight of Match You Like Crazy...

We're happy to have Johnnie Alexander with us today talking about her book Match You Like Crazy. To learn more about Johnnie and her book, read on!
Back cover blurbThey have everything in common. So why aren’t they a perfect match?
Bre Fisher wishes she’d said no when her grandmother gave her a trip to Matchmaking Week, especially when Nate Hunter takes the seat beside her on the puddle-jumper to Joy Island. He’s the last person she expected to see.
Nate figures he can’t go home if Bre is his match. The longstanding business rivalry between their families makes romance with a Fisher impossible. 
Yet in addition to the same family expectations and obligations, Bre and Nate have the same interests ~ maybe even the same dream. 
Will a week on Joy Island spark another feud? Or prove they’re a crazy perfect match? 


FIRST PAGE“Match You Like Crazy” Resort to Romance Series
Johnnie AlexanderChapter One
A puddle-jumper!
For the hundredth time since Bre had arrived at the oceanside airport, she wished she had paid more attention when Gran asked if she wanted to take a plane or a boat to Joy Island. The plane seemed the obvious choice since the flight didn’t depart till three. The boat had left the dock at ten that morning. Way too early!
By choosing to fly, she’d had plenty of time to make the drive from her Tampa home to the private airport located along Miami’s southeastern seaboard.
But a puddle-jumper?
She prayed she wouldn’t vomit as she maneuvered the narrow aisle on her way to Seat L-1 near the back of the small plane.
L for Love. Perhaps it was a sign.
Gran had suggested as much when she printed out the ticket and stuffed it in the packet with Bre’s other travel documents. Her gray eyes had sparkled with a mischievous glint. Bre should have summoned the courage to say no.
No to the plane. No to Joy Island. No to the whole matchmaking scheme.
Yet here she was, entrusting her life to a flying tin can to make her grandmother happy. But she refused to sit in a window seat no matter what it said on her ticket.
Each row held three seats—two on the right side of the aisle and one on the left. Row L was empty, and Bre gratefully dropped into L-2, the only seat that wasn’t next to a window. Perhaps L also stood for Luckand no one else had been assigned to the row.
She stowed her tote then opened the texting app on her phone to send a quick “I’m on board” message to Gran and her parents.
“I think you’re in my seat.”
Bre looked up at the man hovering above her. And gasped. It couldn’t be. Not him.
Recognition dawned in his eyes, and a slow smile curved his lips.
“You’re Bre Fisher. Aren’t you?”
“And you’re Nate Hunter. Small world.”
“Too small.” He tapped his phone screen. “I’m pretty sure my ticket said L-2. I’ve got it on here.”
“I’m L-1. It’s just that . . .” Bre gazed toward the window. Outside the plane, palm trees waved their fronds in beat with the tropical breezes wafting from the Atlantic Ocean. The sun shone bright and hot in a perfect blue sky dotted with perfect white clouds. A tranquil picturesque scene if you overlooked the concrete of the tarmac.
But to be among those clouds in that perfect blue? Bre gagged at the thought.
“How about I take the window seat?” Nate offered. “You look a little tense.”
“Thank you.” Bre stood so he could squeeze past her. She’d imagined this day getting worse before it got better but sitting beside Nate Hunter for the duration of the flight was the worst of the worst. Unless she did vomit. She shuddered at the thought of that humiliation.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.1.     My birthday is in a couple weeks!2.     Captain America is my favorite Avenger.3.     I traveled through Europe with a penguin travel pillow.4.     My mom lost the crest on her class ring, so she had it polished and gave it to me when I was thirteen. I’ve been wearing it ever since. 5.     I took my kids out of school for Trilogy Tuesday—when theaters showed all three of the Lord of the Ring movies.
Why did you choose to write this book?Authors Jill Kemerer and Jessica Patch created the series and asked me to write one of the ten novellas. The concept—ten couples spending Matchmaking Week on a Bahama island owned by two eccentric and wealthy sisters—sounded so fun that I immediately said yes. All the stories in the Resort to Romance Series have the word “Match” in the title.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?This is a light-hearted romance which I hope readers will simply enjoy—an escape from the to-do list to a romantic tropical island. The main characters, Nate and Bre, work in their individual family businesses but they both have an adventurous dream. It’s a story of reconciliation and following one’s heart.
What is something you hope to achieve, writing-related or not?I’d like to write a screenplay based on a short story that was published in an anthology. And though I don’t expect to ever have the opportunity, I’d love to be a director’s VIP guest on a movie set.
What do you do for fun when you finish a writing project?Start on the next one!However, I also enjoy going to the movies, browsing the shelves of my local library, taking walks, and curling up on the couch with a good book.
What are you working on now?  I’m writing “Blue Moon,” a WWII novella for Barbour’s Hometown Heroines Collection. My heroine, a member of the Women Officers of Public Safety unit, teams up with an Army Intelligence agent to protect a top-secret atom bomb facility from sabotage.
BioJohnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won't forget. Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, is a CBA bestseller. She writes contemporaries, historicals, and cozy mysteries, serves on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Johnnie lives in Oklahoma with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr. 
Where else can readers find you online?    My monthly newsletter provides fun updates and giveaways. Please sign up at http://johnnie-alexander.com. Connect with me on other social media sites via LinkTree.

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

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


Back cover blurbTwo sisters. One summer. Multiple problems.Younger sister Hope has lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend all in one day. Her well-laid plans for life have gone sideways, as has her hope in God.Older sister Faith is finally getting her dream-come-true after years of struggles and prayers. But when her mom talks her into letting Hope move in for the summer, will the stress turn her dream into a nightmare? Is her faith in God strong enough to handle everything?For two sisters who haven't gotten along in years, this summer together could be a disaster ... or it could lead them to a closer relationship with each other and God. Can they overcome all life is throwing at them? Or is this going to destroy their relationship for good?
Please give us the first page of the book.“In all honesty, I really thought this meeting might have been to say I was going to get a raise next year.” Hope Cook gave a little chuckle. Anything was better than bursting into tears in front of her boss, even if it was faking laughter.“Trust me, Hope. If I could have done that, you would be at the top of my list.” Mr. Smith straightened some papers. “Unfortunately, the school board has spoken. The team has to have another coach.”“I know.” Hope half-heartedly held up a fist. “Go Buckley!”“If anything changes at all, I’ll let you know.”Hope couldn’t help but slump her shoulders as she opened the doors to rain. Evidently, the weather was in the same mood she was. She stepped out from under the overhang ... and directly into a puddle.Laid off.Wet clothes.Soaked feet.She listed every bad thing the afternoon had wrought thus far as she squished her way through the parking lot.“You have got to be kidding me.” The umbrella doused her with another shower as she fought to close it. She tossed the miscreant tool into her backseat and slammed the door.She took a moment to lay her head on the steering wheel and give in to her depression. “Why, God? Why give me my dream job only to take it away?”A clap of thunder sounded. She lifted her head and hands.“Okay, okay. Sorry. But I don’t understand.” She shook her head. Was she really arguing with God? Obviously, she needed to go home and rest.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.1. I hate plan white socks. I prefer polka dots, stripes, and sometimes a mixture of each.2. I love having a random few streaks of hot pink in my hair.3. I love reading about horses, but not so much actually being near them, and especially not riding them.4. I used to tell people that I wanted to be a babysitter when I grew up.5. In high school, I was a runner up in a contest and had a drawing hanging in the football stadium where the Tennessee Titans play.
Why did you choose to write this book?I sort of wrote this book as therapy for myself. It helped me work through some of the things I was going through dealing with infertility at the time. I also just couldn’t get the idea out of my head—what would happen if two sisters who didn’t along were forced to spend the summer together?
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  It’s almost impossible to be perfect. I don’t mean me. I mean my manuscript. No matter how many different eyes have looked at it or how many times I have gone through each line, it seems there is always a mistake left.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?Marketing myself and my books. It’s not that I don’t believe they’re good and that you’d enjoy them. It’s that I don’t want to be pushy, either.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?No matter what you are going through in your life, if you have God, you can make it through and come out better on the other side. Especially if you have other Christians there to help you.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?Being a mommy. Having made several quilts. Any plants that don’t die in my gardens.
 What do you do for fun when not writing?Crochet, paint, sew, read, garden, teach Bible class, chase kids, and the usual things like laundry and dishes.
What are you working on now?  I am waiting to hear if I’ve made it past round one in the Love Inspired contest, and rewriting a romance I started back in like 2008 that needed A LOT of work.

BioAmy R Anguish
Author of An Unexpected Legacy

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

Interview with Jennifer Slattery & spotlight of Restoring Her Faith

We're happy to have Jennifer Slattery with us talking about her Love Inspired book Restoring Her Faith.  To learn more about Jennifer and her book please read on!

Back cover blurbShe left belief behind…
Yet this family could change her mind

With two boys to raise, a fledgling contracting business to run and a family ranch to keep afloat, widower Drake Owens finds his hands aren’t just full—they’re overflowing. When Faith Nichols is hired to help him renovate the church, he’s drawn to the beautiful artist, but he can’t fall for a woman who isn’t a believer. Can love restore her faith…and his heart?
Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.I have a fierce ice cream addiction which my husband encourages. I may have three containers of Blue Bunny Peanut Butter Party ice cream in my fridge at this moment—as he wants to see I never run out! My daughter jokes that I would quickly choose coffee over dinner, if forced to make a choice—and she’s not entirely wrong. I would also much prefer a leisurely walk with my man on a sunny day than a fancy steak dinner. I’ve attended eight colleges in five different states but only acquired one degree. I’m a terrible cook.
Why did you choose to write this book?Normally, my story ideas start with a character—her struggle, fears, dreams, etc. But this time, it began with a church. A series of churches, actually, sprinkled throughout Texas. They’re known as the Painted Churches of Texas, and they are gorgeous. I was immediately drawn to their artistry, the symbolism in many of their images, and the history behind them. As I spent time learning about these churches, Faith, my heroine, emerged, and the plot took form.
What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?  Hm … That God made me to be strange. It’s just a symptom of the creative brain. ;)
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?These are questions I’ve never thought of. I think the toughest test will likely be a continual one—will I serve myself or stay obedience to Christ, however He leads.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?That faith can carry us through really difficult challenges, families can stay strong through chaos if they hold tight to one another, and close-knit communities make life easier and more fun.What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? Holding tight to my marriage and (both my husband and I) choosing to get help and push through when we wanted to quit. We almost got divorced some 20 years ago but God radically transformed our marriage, and I’m so glad He did. And that, by His grace, we stayed.
Please give us the first page of the book.The long, deserted road felt much too similar to one Faith had taken decades before, with all her belongings crammed in a pair of tattered suitcases. Hopefully Sage Creek would be nothing like her experience in Alpine, back when she’d been a gawky, metal-mouthed kid in desperate need of a friend.She’d received taunting and rejection instead.Her cell phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. It was her best friend, Toni. As a fellow artist fighting to survive Austin’s competitive market, she understood Faith in a way few others did.She answered through her Bluetooth. “Hey, girl. What’s up?”“Girls’ night out this Friday. Bahn mi French fries, baby!”“Sounds fun but can’t. I’m on my way to that contract job I told you about. I’m just over fifteen miles out. With no sign of civilization, except the occasional longhorn, in sight.”“You make Sage Creek sound so appealing.”Faith glanced at her wobbly trailer through her rearview mirror, packed with, she hoped, everything she’d need to restore Trinity Faith’s historic stained glass windows, which had decorated the church since its founding. “Let’s just say I haven’t had the best experience with small town Texans.”“Not all ranching communities measure a person’s worth based on how well they bake a casserole. Besides, those people didn’t hire you to make friends.”“True.” She was going to, hopefully, get some media exposure, enough to salvage her career. If she, and whoever else she’d be working with, pulled this job off well, the church stood a good chance of receiving historical status. “Depending on how this deal turns out, I may even be able to get Jeremy Pratt from Lone Star Gems to write a feature article on me.”“Wow. Just a mention in that magazine would for sure get folks’ attention. But a full story? That’d put your name on the map for sure.”She gripped her steering wheel with both hands as something black—a tire?—came barreling toward her in the opposite lane, while a red pickup screeched past, throwing sparks.She screamed and slammed on her brakes. Her trailer tugged right, then left as the oncoming tire rammed into her front end. It bounced off, flying ten feet into the adjacent field.Smoke seeped from beneath her hood as she veered onto the shoulder, and the acrid stench of burning rubber pricked her nose.“Faith, you okay?”“I…” Her throat felt scratchy. What had happened? “Can I call you back? I was just hit by a…a flying tire. The front of my car is smoking.”Her supplies! She shot a glance to her trailer—lying on its side—behind her. She groaned and closed her eyes.Faith pressed trembling fingers to her temples. Now what? All her sheets of specially ordered glass, potentially shattered. She didn’t have time to order new. And what about the damage done to her car? Fighting the urge to hyperventilate, she focused on her breathing—in through her nose, out through her mouth. In, out…Did Sage Creek even have a mechanic? Probably one that charged outsiders ten times what they should. Through her rearview window, she watched a tall, broad-shouldered cowboy step out of his now lopsided truck. Dressed in faded jeans and a Stetson, the man had to be at least six foot five and was built like a linebacker.
 What do you do for fun when not writing?I love spending time with my husband, our adult daughter, her boyfriend, and her dog. It doesn’t hugely matter what we do, though playing games always leads to laughs. Oh, and coffee must be included at some point. I also love spending time with my friends and reading. Does brainstorming count as writing? Because that’s crazy fun for me also!What are you working on now?  I’m plotting a book I plan to write a proposal for soon. I’m super excited about this one. It’s also set in Sage Creek.
Bio: Jennifer Slattery  is a writer and speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of seven contemporary novels, including her latest release, Restoring Her Faith . She also maintains a devotional blog found at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries , she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online HERE to find out more about her writing, ministry, speaking engagements, or to book her for your next women’s event.
Where else can readers find you online?    They can visit my website at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com or find my blog on Crosswalk. They can also visit my ministry’s website, WhollyLoved.com, find me on Facebook, Twitter(though I’m nearly nonexistent there …) or Instagram.