Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 72

Completely Whole by Paulette Harper

Oftentimes, many people try to seek fulfillment from money,

relationships, accomplishments, or material things. Others choose to cope with difficult problems by using drugs or alcohol, but they often come up short and soon have to realize that such things do not bring true happiness and fulfillment in life. How then can we successfully solve the problems that we face and find true happiness and peace in our lives?

Well, author, Paulette Harper, in her latest book, Completely Whole, shows readers how to overcome suffering caused by alcoholism, substance abuse, poverty, and other obstacles blocking the path to a life of wholeness in spirit, soul, and body.



In her well-written, resource-filled guide, Harper provides readers with

practical and biblically-based solutions to overcome everyday problems. Completely Whole features prayers, meditations, and powerful scripture passages to allow readers to interact with the text and to apply it to their own lives.

Harper uses personal experiences and biblical principles to place readers on a path to be in connection with God. This life-changing book will help readers to transform their spirit, soul, and body through Jesus Christ, so they can live a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment.



Special May 9th Only!

Buy a copy of Completely Whole by Paulette Harper and get immediate

access to amazing Free Bonus Gifts and contest giveaways.



Visit the link below for more details...

Completely Whole Book Launch

WIN Unforgettable by Trish Perry!

~~*~~Christine~~*~~ is the lucky winner of the $10 Amazon.com gift card from Debbie Lynne Costello Congratulations!

Thanks to all who left a comment, we appreciate you stopping by!



Next, I'd love to introduce you to our next guest. No stranger to writing fantastic stories, please join me as we welcome Trish Perry!





Thank you for being here today, Trish! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. They were very interesting ~ for you other writers out there, this is for you!



Tell us how you got started writing.

I was in college (as an adult), working on my Psychology degree. I discovered I really enjoyed the various writing assignments I had, and I started incorporating  creative writing courses into my degree program. By the time I was ready to go to grad school for Psychology, I decided to take a few years off to try writing full-time. I loved it and never went back to the Psychology!



What is the hardest thing about writing? Easiest thing?

The hardest thing is remaining disciplined. It's too easy to get distracted when you're your own boss. So I give myself a word quota that I have to meet each day, no matter how late in the evening that takes me. Keeps me planted!



The easiest thing? Editing, I suppose. Once you have something to work with, everything is so much easier. That's what I remind myself when I feel as if I'm struggling to get the story down on paper—as long as I have something to work with, I'll be able to get it done.



What piece of advice can you give to newer writers that you wish someone would have told you?

Join American Christian Fiction Writers. I think ACFW offers so many advantages to writers of every level. I didn't join until I had already published my first novel or two, and then I realized how much the group had to offer brand new writers: free online classes, email access to some of the most successful novelists in the industry, ready research help and advice on the craft, a fantastic annual conference (with access to agents and editors from the major publishing houses), and so much more. You can't beat it, for only $45 a year. (Of course, the conference costs additional money, but everything else comes with the membership.)



How do you work your proofreading and edits? Do you do these as you go along, or after you've finished the whole book?

I actually do a bit of editing as I go, and each day before I start writing, I tend to read and edit what I wrote the day before. I submit a few chapters at a time to my critique partners, and then incorporate their suggestions. So once I have my first draft done, it's already fairly clean. Then I reread the book and do another edit, enhancing here, deleting there. Once my editor(s) read the manuscript, I have more editing to do, according to their suggestions.



How do you make time to write, market, and sell your books?

I always calculate how many days I have from contract to deadline, taking into account any dates I know for certain I won't be able to write. Then I knock off a week or two for unexpected interruptions, and I leave myself a few additional days for rereading the entire manuscript. That way I know exactly how many words I need to write each day.



The marketing usually comes in a rush right before and after the book's release, and those weeks are fairly hectic, but I don't go on book tours—I'm not a big enough hot shot for that—so those heavy promotional periods are manageable.



Do you ever get writer's block, and if you do, what do you do to get out of it?

I always pray when I get blocked, and then I step away from the computer and occupy myself with others things for a while. I take a drive, I read a magazine, I cook. But I'm still thinking about the story, and if something doesn't eventually come to me, I simply force myself to sit there at the computer and plow through. It's surprising later to go back and see no traces of a struggle.



What is one thing most people don't know about you?

Sometimes I feel as if I've answered so many interview questions, there's nothing people don't already know. I'm not that interesting!



Hmm . . . I'm currently training to be a courtroom stenographer—you know those people you see hammering away on those funny little machines while witnesses testify in court cases? I'm training to do that to supplement my writing income, because it will be easy to schedule that job around my writing obligations. Prayers are more than appreciated. It's hard!



Well, prayers are headed your way, Trish! I can only imagine how difficult it is!









Friends, Trish has been so good as to offer her new book, Unforgettable to one lucky winner. Please leave a comment for your chance to win. Drawing will be held May 7th



+1 entry = follow this blog

+1 entry = tweet this ;)

+1 entry = Like my fan page on Facebook

+1 entry = follow me on Twitter

What's Going On?

Good afternoon everyone ~ I'm so glad you stopped by! Here's a quick list of what's going on around here:





First, I'd like to introduce you to my guest, Debbie Lynn Costello. It's been fun meeting all these new people & authors, and Debbie has made quite the impact on me. She's also graciously offered a $10 Amazon.com gift card to one lucky winner. Leave a comment HERE for your chance to WIN it!

*Drawing ends March 25th*







Another giveaway? You Bet!

Time to enter a COMMENT to win my Book! Please stop by as we need several more comments for my book to be given away :)







What's my book about? So glad you asked...



Carly Richards is on the run. For the last two years, she's skipped from town to town, ducking her dangerous and well-informed ex-fiance every few weeks, never settling anywhere for long. With the death of her parents, Carly's vulnerability made her trust a man with an attractive facade. Now that same man has tracked her across the country, always nipping at her heels, preventing her from reaching out to anyone other than her God. Now she's in Montana, and surely that is far enough away from Texas and her abusive past that she can rest. But her emotional scars are reluctant to heal, and Carly resists the friendliness of those in the small town she lights upon, especially handsome farmer Joe Baird. Without a car and money though, she has little choice but to dig in and begin building back up her savings so she can run once more.



Caught in the circumstances, the kind people around her begin to creep into her softening heart. God is at work, and she has to trust him to not only take care of her, but care for the the people she is learning to love. Carly must learn the Price of Trust.

Meet Debbie Lynn Costello...

and get a chance to WIN a $10 Amazon.com gift card!

A little about Debbie:
Southern-kissed historical romance is Debbie Lynne Costello’s genre of choice. Her favorite setting is the romantic city of Charleston, South Carolina. Debbie Lynne is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray.
Clover, South Carolina is the small town Debbie Lynne calls home. She and her husband have four children, two shelties, a cat, a miniature donkey, and an Arabian horse. She is finding out how wonderful it is to be a grandparent with the birth of their first grandbaby. Debbie Lynne studied journalism in college before choosing to become a wife and a stay-at-home mom.
Debbie Lynne has finished one medieval story (her first) and two 1880’s historical romance stories set in the southeast, and is starting her third.
One of her favorite things to do is load up the fifth wheel and go camping at the beach with their boys. She reads while they fish. Debbie Lynne might write southern historical, but if you step into her house you would guess she writes westerns. She loves the modern conveniences but likes to surround herself with pieces of the past from the Old West.


Where are you right now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing?
You have to tell the truth. Okay Amanda, I will say, it does pay to know the questions you are going to be asked! I’m in my blue jeans, my favorite pair of cowboy boots, and my rust color short sleeve wild horses shirt.

Who's your one biggest fan/supporter of your writing?
My husband, my mother, and Kathy Maher. My husband has been wonderful, he bought me a new computer as a surprise because he didn’t want me to lose my book if my computer crashed. He is forever encouraging me and he recently took me to Charleston for research. He’s just so willing to do whatever I need. My mom is always encouraging me also. She goes out of her way to help me stay on my writing schedule. And Kathy, is my crit partner who is a constant source of encouragement. I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am right now if it wasn’t for these three people.

What is your favorite time period to write in?
A few years ago I’d have said anything Medieval, but I’ve been writing in the late 1800’s and love it. So I think my answer would have to be the 1800’s…right now. But ask me again in a couple years and that may change.
If you could be any character in any literary book who would you be and why? Scarlett O’hara! No question! Why? Because she gets Rhett, of course. LOL If I’m going to be a heroine I want to make sure I like my hero.

Are you or any close family members in the characters personalities?
Yep. You’ll find bits of my husband in all my hero’s. I don’t model the personalities just like his but I find I love so many of my husband’s traits that they sneak into my hero’s when I’m not looking.

What is something that very few people know about you?
I coached cheerleading for several Christian schools for about 12 years. We did a lot of competitions and went to nationals many times, where we came home with trophies as high as 3rd place. Never got that elusive 1st place, though. I think maybe God didn’t let us win it because I probably never would have stopped coaching if we had!

If you could live in any time period when and where would that be and why?
I think I’d like to live in the late 1800’s. As long as I was born to a wealthy family. LOL. I love the architect from that time period, I love the properness of everything, and I love to get dressed up! How much fun to be able to wear all those beautiful gowns! I’d just want to be able to push a button when I wanted and come back to the 21st century and air conditioning.

If you could visit any place in the world where would you go and why?
Scotland. I have a Scottish hero in my second story and a Scottish heroine in my third. I love the Scottish burr. I could sit and listen to it for days on end. The pictures I’ve seen of Scotland and the castles are breath taking.
*I agree one hundred percent! I'd love to visit Scotland, so if you go before me, please please PLEASE send me a postcard! ;)

What is your favorite material item that you own (examples: ipod, Gone with the Wind book, grandmother’s rocking chair)
This question is actually hard for me. I collect old bibles and those are precious to me. I have old cookie jars that I love. My great-grandmother’s trunk and a 100 year old rocking chair are very special. And I do love my computer. But I think the thing that is the most precious to me would be my wedding ring. I just get all warm and tingly when I think about the day my husband slipped that on my finger.
*I love it, Debbie! What a cherished memory!*

Friends, Debbie has so graciously offered one lucky person the chance to win a $10 Amazon.com gift card! All you need to do is leave an encouraging comment below for your chance! Extra chances are always available ~
+1 if you're a GFC follower
+1 if you tweet about this interview/giveaway
+1 if you follow me on Facebook (never be left out of giveaways and interviews again!)
**Giveaway ENDS April 25th!**

Meet Debbie Lynn Costello...

and get a chance to WIN a $10 Amazon.com gift card!





A little about Debbie:

Southern-kissed historical romance is Debbie Lynne Costello's genre of choice. Her favorite setting is the romantic city of Charleston, South Carolina. Debbie Lynne is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray.

Clover, South Carolina is the small town Debbie Lynne calls home. She and her husband have four children, two shelties, a cat, a miniature donkey, and an Arabian horse. She is finding out how wonderful it is to be a grandparent with the birth of their first grandbaby. Debbie Lynne studied journalism in college before choosing to become a wife and a stay-at-home mom.

Debbie Lynne has finished one medieval story (her first) and two 1880's historical romance stories set in the southeast, and is starting her third.

One of her favorite things to do is load up the fifth wheel and go camping at the beach with their boys. She reads while they fish. Debbie Lynne might write southern historical, but if you step into her house you would guess she writes westerns. She loves the modern conveniences but likes to surround herself with pieces of the past from the Old West.





Where are you right now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing?

You have to tell the truth. Okay Amanda, I will say, it does pay to know the questions you are going to be asked! I'm in my blue jeans, my favorite pair of cowboy boots, and my rust color short sleeve wild horses shirt.



Who's your one biggest fan/supporter of your writing?

My husband, my mother, and Kathy Maher. My husband has been wonderful, he bought me a new computer as a surprise because he didn't want me to lose my book if my computer crashed. He is forever encouraging me and he recently took me to Charleston for research. He's just so willing to do whatever I need. My mom is always encouraging me also. She goes out of her way to help me stay on my writing schedule. And Kathy, is my crit partner who is a constant source of encouragement. I honestly don't think I'd be where I am right now if it wasn't for these three people.



What is your favorite time period to write in?

A few years ago I'd have said anything Medieval, but I've been writing in the late 1800's and love it. So I think my answer would have to be the 1800's…right now. But ask me again in a couple years and that may change.

If you could be any character in any literary book who would you be and why? Scarlett O'hara! No question! Why? Because she gets Rhett, of course. LOL If I'm going to be a heroine I want to make sure I like my hero.



Are you or any close family members in the characters personalities?

Yep. You'll find bits of my husband in all my hero's. I don't model the personalities just like his but I find I love so many of my husband's traits that they sneak into my hero's when I'm not looking.



What is something that very few people know about you?

I coached cheerleading for several Christian schools for about 12 years. We did a lot of competitions and went to nationals many times, where we came home with trophies as high as 3rd place. Never got that elusive 1st place, though. I think maybe God didn't let us win it because I probably never would have stopped coaching if we had!



If you could live in any time period when and where would that be and why?

I think I'd like to live in the late 1800's. As long as I was born to a wealthy family. LOL. I love the architect from that time period, I love the properness of everything, and I love to get dressed up! How much fun to be able to wear all those beautiful gowns! I'd just want to be able to push a button when I wanted and come back to the 21st century and air conditioning.



If you could visit any place in the world where would you go and why?

Scotland. I have a Scottish hero in my second story and a Scottish heroine in my third. I love the Scottish burr. I could sit and listen to it for days on end. The pictures I've seen of Scotland and the castles are breath taking.

*I agree one hundred percent! I'd love to visit Scotland, so if you go before me, please please PLEASE send me a postcard! ;)



What is your favorite material item that you own (examples: ipod, Gone with the Wind book, grandmother's rocking chair)

This question is actually hard for me. I collect old bibles and those are precious to me. I have old cookie jars that I love. My great-grandmother's trunk and a 100 year old rocking chair are very special. And I do love my computer. But I think the thing that is the most precious to me would be my wedding ring. I just get all warm and tingly when I think about the day my husband slipped that on my finger.

*I love it, Debbie! What a cherished memory!*



Friends, Debbie has so graciously offered one lucky person the chance to win a $10 Amazon.com gift card! All you need to do is leave an encouraging comment below for your chance! Extra chances are always available ~

+1 if you're a GFC follower

+1 if you tweet about this interview/giveaway

+1 if you follow me on Facebook (never be left out of giveaways and interviews again!)

**Giveaway ENDS April 25th!**

Grace Award Finalists Announced!

I'm super excited to bring you the finalists in the

Action Adventure/Western/Historical Epic Fiction for the Grace Awards, 2010!







Alpha Redemption ~ P.A. Baines, Splashdown Books



Book Description:



From despair he fled, through tragedy he lived on, and journeyed to innocence. His trajectory: the stars. His companion: a computer poised at the brink of sentience. An unlikely friendship on a prototype spaceship at lightspeed towards Alpha Centauri, and redemption.

















In The Manor of the Ghost ~ Tina Pinson, Desert Breeze Publishing



Book Description:

It's the 1870's. The Civil War has long since been fought and laid to rest, settlers are still joining the wagon trains and heading west to the New Eden. The land is changing. But those who dwell in Clayborne Manor seem trapped in time.





Trapped amid the whispers of failure and sorrow, whispers of longing and defeat. Kaitlin hears them clearly at night. But who haunts Clayborne Manor? The ghost that restlessly walks the halls in the night? Or the ones that plague the minds and spirits of those residing there? Though not inclined to believe the dead can walk the night laden corridors, Kaitlin can see them clearly in the eyes of her husband Devlin, and hear them in the deafening silence of her son, Derrick.



Does she have the courage to search the past and face the ghosts? Does she have the faith to stay and direct all those who dwell In the Manor of the Ghost to the one who sets the captive free?





Wounded Spirits ~ April Gardner, Vinspire Publishing



Book Description:

On the frontier, Adela McGirth's life is simple, rugged, and exactly to her liking. Her greatest concern is whether to marry the settlement's most eligible young officer. When a distant war spills over into a nearby skirmish, life takes a perilous turn. Deep in enemy territory Adela must choose between the man she loves and a baby that has yet to be born; will she be strong enough to wait on God's provision?A peaceful yet loyal Creek Warrior, Nokos is dragged into the inevitable war against the settlers whom he has grown to respect. No matter which path he follows, someone he loves will die. Forced into aligning with the extremist Red Stick faction, Nokos must ready his bow to eradicate his neighbors from Creek soil. Inside, rages a battle of another sort. The struggle against the Spirit.

Having lived a life plagued with death and loss, Zachariah McGirth is a man on a mission - he'll have his revenge or die trying. Blinded by grief, he can't see his way clear of yet another tragedy. Why has God taken everything from him...or has He?

Their lives molded by the course of history, can these Wounded Spirits learn to rely on God's grace during one of the bloodiest conflicts in the South?



 



Congratulations to each of these fine authors!



If you would like to read these books for yourself, click on the title of each, and you'll be taken directly to Amazon.com where you can purchase your own copy!





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Meet Teric Darken and a Book Giveaway

Be forewarned. I play favorites. And I gladly bring one of them to you today. I'd like you to join me in welcoming Teric Darken, author of K-I-L-L 100FM, U-Turn Killur, Feckless, and I have it on good authority that he's working on another awesome book! Plus ~ He's just signed on with Treasureline Publishing, so please send him a hearty congratulations!



Thank you Mr. Darken for being here today!



Tell us a little about yourself.



Thank you for having me, Amanda; I am sincerely appreciative! I am originally from Jefferson City, MO. I was born in 1971. Music and books are the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion. Musically speaking, I enjoy everything from blues, to soul, to rock, to hip-hop, to metal. Books: where do I begin? To Kill a Mockingbird… The Screwtape Letters… Comes a Horseman… The Oath… Adam… all are books that have influenced me, right off the top of my head.



I began writing in 1987 when my English teacher gave our class an assignment to script an original poem. For me, it was a great way to relieve the angst of life's pressures as a teenager. From there, I began writing short stories. Those skills soon morphed into song lyrics, as I began writing songs for a Christian rock band I was in from about 1991 till around 2003. From there, well, I'm currently putting a lot of heart and soul into writing books. Most of all, I have a relationship with the Messiah Yeshua- Jesus, the Christ. I acknowledge Him as LORD; I strive daily to match my walk with my talk. I am thankful for His grace when my humanity gets in the way. I invited Him into my heart when I was ten years old… best thing that's ever happened to me.









How did you come up with the idea for K-I-L-L 100 FM? And was Cart-man based on you? (yes. I can see you playing air guitar in your chair.)



I am a master at air guitar… though usually prefer to play it standing up in front of my air audience. To date, I have played over five thousand air concerts!



The idea for K – I – L - L FM 100 began while I was lying in bed at my work (the fire station). I had been reading a Dekker book, and thinking about how far Christian fiction of the thriller variety had come in the past two decades. I was laying there and thinking, "If I were to script a thriller, how could I make it unique?"



I've always heard, "Write what you know, then, more than likely, it will be believable." I know music. While concocting this story, the idea for a twist- or perhaps a more appropriate term would be "subliminal message" hit me, first. I offer the reader a major tip in the story by actually giving a partial revelation of the subliminal within the storyline itself. Take the first word in every chapter- that will be the first word of every song in all caps- and write them down on a piece of paper. They reveal two sentences that coincide with the story.



When I first mentioned my idea to the company I published through, they were elated and told me that they had never heard of that before. That said, there are a zillion novels out there. But maybe I have done something unique.



The "KILL" part is actually in reference to being crucified with the Christ- putting to death our old, sinful nature. My book titles usually have a double meaning. I am forthright in painting darkness for what it is, meaning I try to keep the script as real and believable as possible, but I do not condone the darkness. I also script the Light for what it is, and who He is. My promise to the reader: as dark as one of my stories may seem- I will always expose humanity's need for the Light. The Light always receives the glory. And I back every one of my books up with scripture. I am a firm believer in the power of The Almighty's Word. It is a double-edged sword. Jesus, Himself, the Prince of Peace said that He didn't come to bring peace but a sword (Mat. 10:34). If someone is looking for "edgy" material- look no further than the Bible. It's ALL in there.



Was Cart-Man based on me? No. I only wish I was half as cool and kind-hearted as Cart-Man. He is my kind of earthly hero.



Please tell us a little about your book and where we can purchase a copy.



My books can be found at the following venues in-store and online: Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, Borders.com, BooksAMillion.com, Lifeway Bookstores, etc… My website also has a store section where a person can click on the various links.





You've written more than just K-I-L-L. Would you please tell us about those, and what are you working on now?



My second thriller, which also includes a healthy dose of the supernatural, U-TURN KiLLuR, was released this past January. The idea for that story hit me as I was still typing away at K – I – L – L FM 100. It involves a serial killer who is preying upon a firefighter's family. The firefighter tries desperately to defend his loved ones, and it simply gets raw, gritty, and dark. But again, it serves a purpose in that inasmuch as the darkness waxes gruesome, it exposes our dire and utter need for the Savior. I can promise the reader this: they will be surprised at whom the killer is, and the method in which the deed is done.









Feckless was also a hoot! Ellen Maze, the editor, tapped me and asked me if I'd like to throw my hat in the ring of a supernatural, paranormal, thriller, sci-fi, atypical anthology with eight other writers. I was up for it, as A) it was an honor to be asked, and B) it allowed me the opportunity to get a couple short stories out there that I had written "outside of the box." My contributions were the supernatural/thriller spoof "Road-trip," and an allegory entitled "Man."



By the way, if I may, I'd simply like to say that I'm in EXCELLENT company amidst the Feckless authors. My fellow contributing writers include: Ellen Maze, Krisi Keley, Kat Heckenbach, Elizabeth Little, Angela Dolbear, Pete Turner, Kevin Maze, and our brilliant Aussie author, Stu Loudon.



I am actually putting the finishing touches on the first phase of my newest supernatural thriller. I'll say this about it: I've held nothing back, whether in depicting the darkness disguised as light, or in displaying the true Light which unveils the darkness for what it truly is. If the reader will choose not to miss the forest for the trees, I believe they will develop a deep appreciation for this story. If all goes well, and The Almighty willing, it should be available before July 2011.



I am also speaking with a publishing company that I have a great deal of respect for. Again, The Almighty willing, they will retain interest in me, and, hopefully, they will see me as an asset. My wish is that we will be a blessing to one another.



Where else on the internet can we find Mr. Darken?

Let's see, how 'bout: Facebook, www.tericdarken.com, and www.tericdarken.blogspot.com. I also lurk about on Goodreads, Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers, and A Flame in the Dark quite a bit.



Scripture verse that has meant the most to you.



Honestly, different verses have stood out and ministered to me at different stages in my life. Right now, this portion of scripture, from 1 John 3:8, has really made my heart soar: "…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." That is one of the main key verses that I've been utilizing for my new novel. The devil has done some kind of work, alright, but Jesus, the King, destroyed his work. He already has, for as the Risen Son stated prior to His resurrection, "It Is Finished!" (John 19:30) Three words, right there, but- WOW! -they sure do say something amazing!



What is your source of encouragement?



Not to sound cliché, but the Bible. I try to read at least one chapter per night, usually more. This world is not our friend, not our home. We are fish out of water here. The Bible- the True and Living God's Word- those are messages from home… that's The Almighty texting and tweeting us (He also throws in an e-mail or two)!



My author friends have also been a great encouragement to me: Toni Nelson, Nike Chilemmi, Krisi Keley, and the author of The Price of Trust… they have all been a major source of encouragement to me as of late. I also have to throw in Linda Boulanger… she has been a tremendous blessing.



Thank you for the interview, Amanda. I am genuinely appreciative!



Mr. Darken of the Slightly Bald Head has so kindly offered to giveaway a copy of FECKLESS to one lucky winner! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win ~ giveaway ends March 30th!As always,+1 entry for tweeting+1 entry for following this blog thru GFC







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I've Got a Treat for YoU!

**Side note ~ There's a giveaway going on at The Sword and Spirit blog ~ leave a comment for a chance to win my book!**





I've got an EXCLUSIVE interview with the victim & author of the book, False Victim! (Oh yeah, doing the happy dance!)



When I read the book, False Victim, in short, I was stunned and appalled. Overwhelmed, even. So being the nosy person I am, I couldn't help but ask questions, and Mrs. Truitt has so graciously answered them for me. What a treat!

So without further ado, please join me in welcoming Kathie.










Thank you, Kathie, for being my guest today ~ and for answering my nosy questions!



Your book, False Victim, is based on your true story, which makes it all the more terrifying. When you first moved into your neighborhood and met the antagonist in your novel, what was your first impression?



My first impression of "Lynn" honestly, was 'very attractive, but kind of slutty looking'. Yikes - did I just say that? It's true, she always wore really revealing clothes and I almost wasn't friends with her because of it, but thought I was being petty so brushed it aside.



When you first learned that Lynn had manipulated your emotions about the loss of a 'pretend' baby, how did you face her again? I can only imagine that it was extremely difficult.



It was incredibly, incredibly hard to face her. I still to this day don't know why I didn't ask her about it. I have no answers for that.



To me, Anne was a mystery, and I wasn't too sure I liked her. When Lynn talked to Anne about you, even though Anne told you what was being said, I would have had a hard time believing that she didn't participate in some shape, form or fashion. In my opinion, when someone talks about someone behind their back, it's to someone that feels the same way. Looking back on the situation, do you think Anne was an innocent bystander that was sucked in and cowed into silence by terror? And yet, at the same time, my feelings about Donna were entirely different. I felt Donna's terror more than I felt Anne's. Would you like to compare the two women?



Believe it or not, Anne and Donna were both equally good friends. I don't believe that Anne ever talked about me to Lynn. Lynn had a good thing going with us (me and Anne). We both understood that she there was something 'not right' about her but we'd kind of had a secret vow to stick by her and 'take care' of her. We never gossiped about her although we caught her in several lies. We just made sure we cleared things up with each other before we ever trusted anything she said about the other one. Another reason I don't believe that Anne was going behind Julie's back is because she was 100% clean with the Private Investigator. She told him EVERYTHING Lynn had ever told her. THIS was why it was so important for her to testify. As far as Donna, she is just the better person. She didn't come forward and it hurts to this day, but at least she apologized. I have seen Donna since this and she won't even speak to me. I know she asks about me and tells everyone she's proud of me, and while I forgive Donna, I think Donna can't forgive Donna.



Out of morbid curiosity, do you ever 'see' Lynn out and about? And, do you think she's getting the help she needs?



No, I never see Lynn. Ever. I moved to a completely different county. I know she used to try to get it out of various people where I was living, what I was doing. She recently left her husband and moved to Massachusetts. She's not even in the area. NO, I don't think she's getting the help she needs because no one had forced her into it. Since "False Victim" I have heard from several of her earlier victims, one who has known her her entire adult life and says she has made a career out of this.



When Tom took things so lightly, there were times I seriously wanted to shake him. Hard. Would you like to tell us what finally got through to him and caused the red flag to appear?



Yes, I know that lots of people were mad at Tom. That's understandable, but I wonder what would have transpired if I had waited for him to get home from his business trip and we approached them as a unified front. We'll never know. But, to answer your question, is was the first time the police showed up on my door step wanting to arrest me for assault when she'd walked by my house. We had two witnesses that vouched that I'd never touched her! Or even spoken to her! THAT was when Tom finally woke up and said, 'whoa!' It amazes me that every book club I attend, people are alway shocked by the times the police show up at my house (I don't want to give too much away), but you can lock me up and throw away the key, but don't you DARE try to take my child from me. I may or may not do anything well, but I am a good mother and to suggest otherwise and then try to have my child removed from my home - Oh! I still have a hard time talking about that. At 16, Will is now at the age that I feel I can 'relax' and not worry about someone showing up on my doorstep to take him.



Next to Julie, Olivia was my favorite character. To have someone that was in Julie's corner, ready to fight for her and be there for her, was a Godsend and a gift. Do you think Julie and Olivia are closer now than they were before? What about Tom and Julie?



Yes, Olivia was definitely on to Lynn from the get-go. Absolutely. We are definitely closer than ever. I know there is some guilt on her part about leaving and going to college. She thought she was leaving me to fend for myself but that's not the way I see it. She was 19 - it was not her responsibility to take care of me. She did what she was supposed to do - go to college.

Tom and I are DEFINITELY closer. People who know us personally say there was one chapter about us that was hard for them to read. The fact is, I prayed hard to get my marriage back on track and to 'fall in love again'. God definitely intervened and we are better off than ever.



One last question ~ what advice would you give to someone who is going through similar circumstances?



I have no answer for this either. I can tell you though that I get asked this a lot - that and what would I do differently, or what would I do if she found me. Well, I was very careful to change names. But if she were to start something again, I would go straight to the Washington Post, or some other news outlet. I would then start a blog and post her name in full, and take pictures and post them - anything to protect myself and to draw attention to what she was doing.



You can purchase a Kindle copy of False Victim on Amazon.com for only $9.99 and a paperback copy for $18.99



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Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall

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Book Review



Two reluctant young people, engaged for all the wrong reasons.



He needed her money to further his family's business. She needed to marry to unlock her inheritance so she could save her beloved mother. Two hearts so intent on using the other for everything but love, can there be a reconciliation? Is it possible for two people so far apart to find the one thing they never expected?



Join Marianne as she chases loathsome Noah down after he deserts her and publicly humiliates her in front of everyone of importance. Watch in horror as a delightful set of circumstances abound to keep the two disinterested parties together - finally culminating in a heroic set of events that takes place in the War of 1812.



I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I had no desire to put it down. Ms. Tyndall has the ability to make you feel as though you were actually there in the thick of things by her spellbinding imagery. I look forward to reading more of her works, and highly recommend it to those who love historical fiction.



You can purchase a copy of this wonderful book from Amazon.com!



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Meet the Author Monday & an eBook Giveaway!

Yes, you read that right ~ we're having a great Monday! Join me in welcoming Amanda Bradburn, author of The Keepers of Elenath .





How long have you been writing and what genre do you write?

I've been writing for more than a decade! And I'm still a teenager. I wasn't published until I was almost seventeen, and I think all the time about how GOOD God has been to me.



Tell us how you come up with characters.

*laughs* I honestly think they come up with themselves. I give them a name, and BOOM! They're running off my page, speaking, living their own lives and I'm forced to chase after them shouting for them to wait. *sighs* They usually don't.



What POV do you find most comfortable to write in, and why?

I love third person; who doesn't? Recently, however, I began a first person fairy tale. I love both of them, but I honestly think that 1st person, though restricting to me, is easier.



What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

Remember that you might be 'just getting started' for seven years. I was. And the more time you work at your book, the more effort you expel and more 'how-to' books you read, the better your book is going to be. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed; take it a day at a time. I could give you a boatload of tips! If you need them, email me!!



Favorite scripture and/or quote: Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." And "I am but a pen in God's hand, and what praise is there due to a pen?" (I don't know the author of the quote, sorry )



What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

Recently, I was faced with the reality of having to find another publishing company. Don't get me wrong, Tate is a wonderful company, but we were forced to go our separate ways. It was hard to make that call and tell them that I wouldn't be accepting their offer of a contract for my second book.



Where can you be found?

Amandabradburn@ymail.com (I love getting emails)

The Keepers of Elenath - Website

~FB fanpage

~Personal FB



Amanda has so graciously offered to have a PDF giveaway of her novel, The Keepers of Elenath, so thank you Amanda for your generosity! What do you have to do?

Leave an encouraging comment with your email address.

Extra chances:

+2 - Tweet about the giveaway & send me the link.

+2 - follow this website

That's it! Winner will be drawn March 12th!



About Keepers of Elenath:

When her father is murdered, Princess Gwaeron Whitefeather becomes a spy in the city where her family once ruled. Aen, a young slave, watches his king die and swears to become a knight. An ancient evil begins to move once again in the world of Elenath, and rumors abound that a vial of dragon venom, the ultimate weapon, has been found. All of Elenath will need to heed the clarion call before it's too late. A feverish race begins.







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