K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 57

Mary Ellis' "A Marriage for Meghan"

[image error] Title: A Marriage for Meghan
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Cover blurb: How long will true love wait? Meghan Yost is bright, talented, and eager to prove to her father, the bishop, that at nineteen she's mature enough to teach in an Amish school all by herself. But just as she gains confidence and assurance, a troubled student challenges her authority and an enthusiastic suitor in the headstrong Jacob Schultz challenges her patience. How can Meghan outgrow her nickname of "little goose" if she can't prove herself to be a capable adult who can stand on her own two feet? When a series of apparent hate crimes sweep through the district, the sheriff calls in the FBI, and Special Agent Thomas Mast arrives in Wayne County carrying a secret he's hidden for years. Will he come to terms with the past and regain his relationship with God (before his career hardened his heart)? (With more on her plate than one girl can handle, Meghan sets out to help with the investigation.) Thomas works closely with the bishop, who hopes the criminals will be arrested before Meghan finds herself in love with the most inappropriate of suitors—an Englischer…An engaging story of one girl's quest for independence and true love as social prejudice tests a community's faith in a simpler world.

1) How did this story come to you?
As a former schoolteacher, I still have nightmares regarding facing six classes of middle-school teenagers during my first year. My heroine experiences similar jitters. Regarding hate crimes against the Amish, I ran into (and interviewed) a county sheriff's department deputy who sparked that part of the story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
We don't really have kind of time, do we? I can only say I never gave up despite my fair share of rejections. Keep your dreams in your heart and pray for direction is the best advice I could give. Keep knocking on doors until one opens, even if it's only a crack.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm obsessed with Niagara Falls; I'm obsessed with popcorn (I eat it every day) and I make an incredibly good lobster bisque (soup). Can you tell I just returned from a research trip to Maine?

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next release in Feb 2012 will be An Amish Family Reunion. It will be book four of the best-selling Miller Family Series. For those who enjoyed the series, we pick up the story 12 years after A Widow's Hope and 4 years after The Way to a Man's Heart. Right now I'm working on Living in Harmony, set in Maine.

5) Parting comments?
Any readers who'd like my recipe for lobster bisque can send me an email: maryeellis@yahoo.com

6) Where can fans find you on the internet? I hope they'll stop my blog:

http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Register to win Mary Ellis' "A Marriage for Meghan"

[image error] There are a total of four book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Mary Ellis with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "A Marriage for Meghan" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, if you haven't done so, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: A Marriage for Meghan
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Cover blurb: How long will true love wait? Meghan Yost is bright, talented, and eager to prove to her father, the bishop, that at nineteen she's mature enough to teach in an Amish school all by herself. But just as she gains confidence and assurance, a troubled student challenges her authority and an enthusiastic suitor in the headstrong Jacob Schultz challenges her patience. How can Meghan outgrow her nickname of "little goose" if she can't prove herself to be a capable adult who can stand on her own two feet? When a series of apparent hate crimes sweep through the district, the sheriff calls in the FBI, and Special Agent Thomas Mast arrives in Wayne County carrying a secret he's hidden for years. Will he come to terms with the past and regain his relationship with God (before his career hardened his heart)? (With more on her plate than one girl can handle, Meghan sets out to help with the investigation.) Thomas works closely with the bishop, who hopes the criminals will be arrested before Meghan finds herself in love with the most inappropriate of suitors—an Englischer…An engaging story of one girl's quest for independence and true love as social prejudice tests a community's faith in a simpler world.

1) How did this story come to you?
As a former schoolteacher, I still have nightmares regarding facing six classes of middle-school teenagers during my first year. My heroine experiences similar jitters. Regarding hate crimes against the Amish, I ran into (and interviewed) a county sheriff's department deputy who sparked that part of the story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
We don't really have kind of time, do we? I can only say I never gave up despite my fair share of rejections. Keep your dreams in your heart and pray for direction is the best advice I could give. Keep knocking on doors until one opens, even if it's only a crack.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm obsessed with Niagara Falls; I'm obsessed with popcorn (I eat it every day) and I make an incredibly good lobster bisque (soup). Can you tell I just returned from a research trip to Maine?

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next release in Feb 2012 will be An Amish Family Reunion. It will be book four of the best-selling Miller Family Series. For those who enjoyed the series, we pick up the story 12 years after A Widow's Hope and 4 years after The Way to a Man's Heart. Right now I'm working on Living in Harmony, set in Maine.

5) Parting comments?
Any readers who'd like my recipe for lobster bisque can send me an email: maryeellis@yahoo.com

6) Where can fans find you on the internet? I hope they'll stop my blog:

http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Sam Batterman's "Maximal Reserve"

Title: Maximal Reserve
Publisher: Deep River

Cover blurb: WHAT IF OIL ISN'T SCARCE? A secret that can change the balance of the world's power and finance in a moment is known by the most unlikely of people—and he's only been employed for a week.

Philip Channing was just an ambitious college graduate who wanted to make his mark on the world. He didn't know that mark would be the greatest oil discovery of all time—in the wrong place. Philip finds the largest oil reserve in history, a reserve that dwarfs the lucrative reserves in Saudi Arabia and threatens to change the world's balance of power and wealth in favor of the most unlikely country of all.

But Phil isn't the only one who's discovered the reserve—and an alliance of crooked politicians and European terrorists will do anything to keep it secret.

1) How did this story come to you?
I have always been curious about whether or not oil was generated when the dinosaurs died, or if something else provided all this petroleum we burn in our cars every day. As a Christian, I don't prescribe to the notion that dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago and thus created all the hydrocarbons on our planet in a "geologic instant." In searching for this answer, I came across a real scientific theory that underpins the Russian Science Academy and the Russian Exploration effort and also endorsed by scientists like Hans Bethe and Freeman Dyson. With that kind of scientific pedigree behind it, I figured I had found something worth writing about.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Maximal Reserve was relatively easy for me to get published. Wayback was a best seller for my publisher, Deep River and I have continued to build my audience (which is the real hard work for an author now days). The Christian publishing market (and actually the entire book market) is going through tumultuous changes right now.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I work at Microsoft, I teach computer programming at a Christian High School for an elective, I travelled to Israel back in March, it was amazing to see many of the things I write about (the Lion Gate, Masada, the Dead Sea and the Western Wall) in person.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on the sequel to my first book, Wayback. It's called Insurrection and I've rewritten it three times in the hope of getting it "right." Insurrection picks up where Wayback leaves off and includes quite a number of surprises and twists from the original. The most difficult part of writing a sequel is giving it its own feel and theme to be different, but making it close the original to make it feel like a continuation. In short, it's not easy. I have a lot of other ideas cooking in my mind, but they have to wait until I get Insurrection out.

5) Parting comments?
Here are some endorsements:
"Maximal Reserve is a fascinating adventure into the depths of God's earth. Batterman's book is a combination James Bond movie and Ken Ham seminar—entertaining and educational. And Batterman makes science fun. He presents his theories in an action-packed way that makes it all seem so realistic, I wonder if it isn't happening this way right now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it made me ponder the great mysteries of this planet."
---Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid

"The world needs oil, and Phil Channing has just discovered the greatest single oil reserve in history. Ripped from the headlines, Sam Batterman's sophomore techno-thriller is a compelling, fast-paced read that weaves together scientific discovery, biblical prophecy, romance, and action-packed adventure in the Middle East. From the riveting opening to the jaw-dropping conclusion, readers will delight in drilling to the depths of Maximal Reserve. Batterman especially excels at wedding science with biblical truth in Crichton-esque plots. An awesome ride!"
---Adam Blumer, author of Fatal Illusions

"Maximal Reserve has a shockingly intelligent premise, bolstered by equally intelligent research. The stuff truly great techno-thrillers are made of."
---lan Brown, author of The Firstborn and The Overseer

"A rousing, suspense-fueled thriller that grabs you from page 1, Maximal Reserve is a cautionary tale about the world's largest oil reserve, found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the terrible price people are willing to pay to get to it."
---Mike Lynch, author of American Midnight

"Maximal Reserve has an intriguing premise involving fascinating science and relevant history. I love it when a novel not only entertains, but educates."
---Kerry Nietz, author of A Star Curiously Singing.

"In Maximal Reserve, Sam Batterman ratchets up the tension about Israel's future. As timely as today's headlines, this techno-thriller plunges the reader into the struggle for the world's lifeblood—oil—and combines the need for diminishing resources with end-times prophecy, resulting in a timely novel for the inquiring mind."
---Diane and David Munson, bestselling authors of Hero's Ransom


6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My author site, http://www.sambatterman.com/, or my fan site on Facebook:
Wayback Fan Site (http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=79413287456)

Register to win a copy of Sam Batterman's "Maximal Reserve"

There are a total of three book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Sam Batterman with us today. He's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "Maximal Reserve" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.


Title: Maximal Reserve
Publisher: Deep River

Cover blurb: WHAT IF OIL ISN'T SCARCE? A secret that can change the balance of the world's power and finance in a moment is known by the most unlikely of people—and he's only been employed for a week.

Philip Channing was just an ambitious college graduate who wanted to make his mark on the world. He didn't know that mark would be the greatest oil discovery of all time—in the wrong place. Philip finds the largest oil reserve in history, a reserve that dwarfs the lucrative reserves in Saudi Arabia and threatens to change the world's balance of power and wealth in favor of the most unlikely country of all.

But Phil isn't the only one who's discovered the reserve—and an alliance of crooked politicians and European terrorists will do anything to keep it secret.

1) How did this story come to you?
I have always been curious about whether or not oil was generated when the dinosaurs died, or if something else provided all this petroleum we burn in our cars every day. As a Christian, I don't prescribe to the notion that dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago and thus created all the hydrocarbons on our planet in a "geologic instant." In searching for this answer, I came across a real scientific theory that underpins the Russian Science Academy and the Russian Exploration effort and also endorsed by scientists like Hans Bethe and Freeman Dyson. With that kind of scientific pedigree behind it, I figured I had found something worth writing about.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Maximal Reserve was relatively easy for me to get published. Wayback was a best seller for my publisher, Deep River and I have continued to build my audience (which is the real hard work for an author now days). The Christian publishing market (and actually the entire book market) is going through tumultuous changes right now.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I work at Microsoft, I teach computer programming at a Christian High School for an elective, I travelled to Israel back in March, it was amazing to see many of the things I write about (the Lion Gate, Masada, the Dead Sea and the Western Wall) in person.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on the sequel to my first book, Wayback. It's called Insurrection and I've rewritten it three times in the hope of getting it "right." Insurrection picks up where Wayback leaves off and includes quite a number of surprises and twists from the original. The most difficult part of writing a sequel is giving it its own feel and theme to be different, but making it close the original to make it feel like a continuation. In short, it's not easy. I have a lot of other ideas cooking in my mind, but they have to wait until I get Insurrection out.

5) Parting comments?
Here are some endorsements:
"Maximal Reserve is a fascinating adventure into the depths of God's earth. Batterman's book is a combination James Bond movie and Ken Ham seminar—entertaining and educational. And Batterman makes science fun. He presents his theories in an action-packed way that makes it all seem so realistic, I wonder if it isn't happening this way right now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it made me ponder the great mysteries of this planet."
---Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid

"The world needs oil, and Phil Channing has just discovered the greatest single oil reserve in history. Ripped from the headlines, Sam Batterman's sophomore techno-thriller is a compelling, fast-paced read that weaves together scientific discovery, biblical prophecy, romance, and action-packed adventure in the Middle East. From the riveting opening to the jaw-dropping conclusion, readers will delight in drilling to the depths of Maximal Reserve. Batterman especially excels at wedding science with biblical truth in Crichton-esque plots. An awesome ride!"
---Adam Blumer, author of Fatal Illusions

"Maximal Reserve has a shockingly intelligent premise, bolstered by equally intelligent research. The stuff truly great techno-thrillers are made of."
---lan Brown, author of The Firstborn and The Overseer

"A rousing, suspense-fueled thriller that grabs you from page 1, Maximal Reserve is a cautionary tale about the world's largest oil reserve, found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the terrible price people are willing to pay to get to it."
---Mike Lynch, author of American Midnight

"Maximal Reserve has an intriguing premise involving fascinating science and relevant history. I love it when a novel not only entertains, but educates."
---Kerry Nietz, author of A Star Curiously Singing.

"In Maximal Reserve, Sam Batterman ratchets up the tension about Israel's future. As timely as today's headlines, this techno-thriller plunges the reader into the struggle for the world's lifeblood—oil—and combines the need for diminishing resources with end-times prophecy, resulting in a timely novel for the inquiring mind."
---Diane and David Munson, bestselling authors of Hero's Ransom


6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My author site, http://www.sambatterman.com/, or my fan site on Facebook:
Wayback Fan Site (http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=79413287456)

Jayne Pearson Faulkner's "The Place of Belonging"

Title: The Place of Belonging
Publisher: Deep River Books

Cover blurb: This elegantly written story is told from the eyes of a child of a single mother, set in the 1940's in Big Sky Montana. Humorous yet bracingly honest, The Place of Belonging stirs our basis feelings of wanting to belong somewhere and to someone. Beautifully and simply told, The Place of Belonging takes the reader on an uforgettable step back in time, a place many will recognize. ["This emotionally satisfying book reads like prose. It is one of the best books we have ever published, and certainly, that I have ever read." Nancie Carmichael, DRB Publisher, and bestselling author. ]

1) How did this story come to you?
I found an old ragged 5-year diary given to me by my grandma when I was eight years old. It brought me back to the 1940's in Montana, and my life with my single mom and grandma, struggling to "fit in"—not very possible in that time period. Then Mom met a farmer from Conrad (Montana) and our lives changed forever, but not without the ever-old question, "Where do I belong in this scheme of things?"

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My writing has been in the short story venue, so I was only planning to write a short fiction story based our life experiences during this five-ear span. When I realized that what I was writing was actually more than fiction, and told through the eyes of a child, I decided to tell the whole story. I meant to only make copies for my family to read. When my sister saw it, she wanted it to be published, and helped me to that end.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
(1) I'm pretty old. (Maybe that wouldn't be surprising.)
(2) My husband and I were missionaries in the Philippines and Tonga during our kids' growing-up years, and we all loved it.
(3) I can yodel. But I only do it in private.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a sequel to The Place of Belonging, which will go into high school years in the 50's—the trying to fit in (in high school) honed to a new level—with the mix of younger siblings, farm life, and adolescence. It will probably be more funny than sad this time around.

5) Parting comments?
I appreciate very much the fact that so many people have enjoyed my book. It makes me enormously happy. Thank you.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.jaynefaulkner.com/

Register to win a copy of Jayne Pearson Faulkner's "The Place of Belonging"

There are a total of three book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Jayne Pearson Faulkner with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "The Place of Belonging" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: The Place of Belonging
Publisher: Deep River Books

Cover blurb: This elegantly written story is told from the eyes of a child of a single mother, set in the 1940's in Big Sky Montana. Humorous yet bracingly honest, The Place of Belonging stirs our basis feelings of wanting to belong somewhere and to someone. Beautifully and simply told, The Place of Belonging takes the reader on an uforgettable step back in time, a place many will recognize. ["This emotionally satisfying book reads like prose. It is one of the best books we have ever published, and certainly, that I have ever read." Nancie Carmichael, DRB Publisher, and bestselling author. ]

1) How did this story come to you?
I found an old ragged 5-year diary given to me by my grandma when I was eight years old. It brought me back to the 1940's in Montana, and my life with my single mom and grandma, struggling to "fit in"—not very possible in that time period. Then Mom met a farmer from Conrad (Montana) and our lives changed forever, but not without the ever-old question, "Where do I belong in this scheme of things?"

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My writing has been in the short story venue, so I was only planning to write a short fiction story based our life experiences during this five-ear span. When I realized that what I was writing was actually more than fiction, and told through the eyes of a child, I decided to tell the whole story. I meant to only make copies for my family to read. When my sister saw it, she wanted it to be published, and helped me to that end.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
(1) I'm pretty old. (Maybe that wouldn't be surprising.)
(2) My husband and I were missionaries in the Philippines and Tonga during our kids' growing-up years, and we all loved it.
(3) I can yodel. But I only do it in private.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on a sequel to The Place of Belonging, which will go into high school years in the 50's—the trying to fit in (in high school) honed to a new level—with the mix of younger siblings, farm life, and adolescence. It will probably be more funny than sad this time around.

5) Parting comments?
I appreciate very much the fact that so many people have enjoyed my book. It makes me enormously happy. Thank you.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.jaynefaulkner.com/

Marianne Evans' "Hearts Communion"

Title: Hearts Communion
Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Cover blurb: Jeremy "JB" Edwards dreams of one thing: Having a loving wife and children of his own. Not a surprising ambition, since he was raised at the heart of a large, tight-knit family. Monica Kittelski spends her days at Sunny Horizons Daycare Center pouring her heart and faith into other people's children. But Monica harbors one impossible dream: Having children of her own someday. JB and Monica seem the perfect match, but what will come of their electric, sassy relationship when Jeremy learns of Monica's infertility? Hopes and reality collide when they must confront the idea of finding God's plan and following His will when a dearest hope is destined to remain unfulfilled. Can these two loving, passionate hearts survive a communion of dreams and reality?

1) How did this story come to you?
Hearts Communion is part of my Woodland Series, so it bloomed as I settled into this very special fictional church and got to 'know' my characters. The series centers around a church in suburban Detroit called Woodland. Woodland stands along the shoreline of a gorgeous and picturesque lake called Lake St. Clair. These inspirational romances center around a few of the parishioners who worship there.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It all began with a contest win. White Rose Publishing sponsored the "Hearts Crossing" contest with the grand prize being publication. I was blessed by a win, but here's the funny part: as I waited for the results of the contest, a series came to life in my heart. I had to tell these stories, whether I won the contest win or not. Hearts Surrender followed as book 2 in the series, and Hearts Communion is book 3. Hearts Key concludes the series early next year…although my editor has said, "You know…there are more parishioners, and more stories you could tell if you want to keep it going…" I like hearing that kind of reaction.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm a collector of antique salt cellars. I garden and weed to break episodes of writer's block. I'm a Food Channel addict.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm developing another series for White Rose Publishing called 'Sal's Place.' Sal's Place is a comfy, family owned diner with lots of regulars, and employees, who I can see embracing some amazing stories of faith and love! My publisher is also considering a mainstream Christian novel I've tentatively titled Devotion. Devotion studies a marriage on the rocks, and how only God can get you through the tough times in a long-term, committed relationship. Writing it has been a complete joy, and such an eye-opening journey! I'll keep you posted on developments!

5) Parting comments?
I'm grateful to be part of your blog today! Thank you so much for creating a wonderful space on the 'Net! Also, I love hearing from readers, so please, connect with me via my links below and let's hang out!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.marianneevans.com/, http://www.marianneevans.blogspot.com/, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744  is my Facebook reader's page




< --- Click on cover for more information!

Register to win a pdf copy of Marianne Evans' "Hearts Communion"

There are a total of three book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!


We're happy to have Marianne Evans with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a pdf copy of "Hearts Communion" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: Hearts Communion
Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Cover blurb: Jeremy "JB" Edwards dreams of one thing: Having a loving wife and children of his own. Not a surprising ambition, since he was raised at the heart of a large, tight-knit family. Monica Kittelski spends her days at Sunny Horizons Daycare Center pouring her heart and faith into other people's children. But Monica harbors one impossible dream: Having children of her own someday. JB and Monica seem the perfect match, but what will come of their electric, sassy relationship when Jeremy learns of Monica's infertility? Hopes and reality collide when they must confront the idea of finding God's plan and following His will when a dearest hope is destined to remain unfulfilled. Can these two loving, passionate hearts survive a communion of dreams and reality?

1) How did this story come to you?
Hearts Communion is part of my Woodland Series, so it bloomed as I settled into this very special fictional church and got to 'know' my characters. The series centers around a church in suburban Detroit called Woodland. Woodland stands along the shoreline of a gorgeous and picturesque lake called Lake St. Clair. These inspirational romances center around a few of the parishioners who worship there.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
It all began with a contest win. White Rose Publishing sponsored the "Hearts Crossing" contest with the grand prize being publication. I was blessed by a win, but here's the funny part: as I waited for the results of the contest, a series came to life in my heart. I had to tell these stories, whether I won the contest win or not. Hearts Surrender followed as book 2 in the series, and Hearts Communion is book 3. Hearts Key concludes the series early next year…although my editor has said, "You know…there are more parishioners, and more stories you could tell if you want to keep it going…" I like hearing that kind of reaction.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I'm a collector of antique salt cellars. I garden and weed to break episodes of writer's block. I'm a Food Channel addict.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm developing another series for White Rose Publishing called 'Sal's Place.' Sal's Place is a comfy, family owned diner with lots of regulars, and employees, who I can see embracing some amazing stories of faith and love! My publisher is also considering a mainstream Christian novel I've tentatively titled Devotion. Devotion studies a marriage on the rocks, and how only God can get you through the tough times in a long-term, committed relationship. Writing it has been a complete joy, and such an eye-opening journey! I'll keep you posted on developments!

5) Parting comments?
I'm grateful to be part of your blog today! Thank you so much for creating a wonderful space on the 'Net! Also, I love hearing from readers, so please, connect with me via my links below and let's hang out!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.marianneevans.com/, http://www.marianneevans.blogspot.com/, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744  is my Facebook reader's page




< --- Click on cover for more information!

Lisa Bergren's "Mercy Came Morning"

Title: Mercy Come Morning (previously released as Christmas Every Morning)

Publisher: WaterBrook

Cover blurb: Krista Mueller is in a good place. She's got a successful career as a professor of history; she's respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It's been more than a decade since Alzheimer's disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller's mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother's side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane's kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

1) How did this story come to you?
I had two grandparents who died of Alzheimer's. It's a tragic situation, every time, and tragedy breeds good novel tension…I thought, "What would happen if you had issues with your loved one who has Alz, and never had the opportunity to talk them out?"

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Happily, I've been published for a while, and one contract leads to the next. Given how publishing is changing, I'm not sure how long that'll last, but I appreciate it for now!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a ski bum/bartender for the winter after college; I've been in the tomb inside the Great Pyramid at Giza; my husband and I met on a blind date.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm in the midst of promoting a YA series called The River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent), about two teen girls who time travel back to medieval Italy. Lots of action and romance. Next up: An adult trilogy called The Grand Tour—beginning with Grand Illusions—about a group of young people traveling across Europe in search of cultural refinement, and an understanding of themselves.

5) Parting comments?
I love to connect with readers and hope your readers will check out one of my books!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.lisabergren.com/
@LisaTBergren on Twitter
Facebook: Lisa Tawn Bergren and River of Time Series

Register to win Lisa Bergren's "Mercy Came Morning"

There are a total of four book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Lisa Bergren with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "Mercy Came Morning" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: Mercy Come Morning (previously released as Christmas Every Morning)

Publisher: WaterBrook

Cover blurb: Krista Mueller is in a good place. She's got a successful career as a professor of history; she's respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It's been more than a decade since Alzheimer's disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller's mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother's side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane's kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

1) How did this story come to you?
I had two grandparents who died of Alzheimer's. It's a tragic situation, every time, and tragedy breeds good novel tension…I thought, "What would happen if you had issues with your loved one who has Alz, and never had the opportunity to talk them out?"

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Happily, I've been published for a while, and one contract leads to the next. Given how publishing is changing, I'm not sure how long that'll last, but I appreciate it for now!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a ski bum/bartender for the winter after college; I've been in the tomb inside the Great Pyramid at Giza; my husband and I met on a blind date.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm in the midst of promoting a YA series called The River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent), about two teen girls who time travel back to medieval Italy. Lots of action and romance. Next up: An adult trilogy called The Grand Tour—beginning with Grand Illusions—about a group of young people traveling across Europe in search of cultural refinement, and an understanding of themselves.

5) Parting comments?
I love to connect with readers and hope your readers will check out one of my books!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.lisabergren.com/
@LisaTBergren on Twitter
Facebook: Lisa Tawn Bergren and River of Time Series