Heidi McCahan's Blog, page 20

31 Days of Debut Authors: Nancy Kimball’s Chasing the Lion

Book Blurb:

From the blood-soaked sand of the Roman arena, a divine destiny will rise. For as long as Jonathan Tarquinius can remember, everyone has wanted something from him. His half brother wants him dead. His master’s wife wants his innocence. The gladiator dealers want him to fight—and die—for their greed. Rome’s most famous prostitute wants his love. And the gentle slave girl who tends the wounds on his body and the hidden ones on his soul longs for him to return to his faith. What Jonathan wants is simple. Freedom. But God wants something from Jonathan too—something more than anyone would ever imagine. The young warrior’s journey will push him to the limits of human endurance and teach him that true freedom is found within. The greatest battle Jonathan must ever fight will not come in the arena, but deep within himself as he is forced to choose between vengeance and mercy—with the fate of an empire and the life of the woman he loves hanging in the balance. Nancy’s Bio:

Author, avid reader, and shameless hero addict, Nancy Kimball loves books, Ancient Rome and all things gladiator. She makes her home in Houston, Texas and is the former president of her local American Christian Fiction Writers chapter, Writers on the Storm. Her industry accolades include a two-time ACFW Genesis finalist (Chasing the Lion – 2012 / Unseen Love – 2013), and a Romance Writers of America Lonestar finalist in the Inspirational Category (Adrift No More – 2013). In 2012, her best friend and critique partner bestowed Nancy with the nickname “Phoenix” after hearing her personal testimony. Nancy loved the name and adopted the Phoenix symbol to embody her life verse, Ezekiel 36:33-36. It later came to represent her brand, Fiction from the Ashes, symbolizing stories of characters that rise from brokenness to victory.

She interacts regularly with readers on Facebook and with other fiction hero lovers at Fiction Hero Features. Chasing the Lion is available here.

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31 Days of Debut Authors: The Butterfly and the Violin

 

“… debut novelist Cambron vividly recounts interwoven sagas of heartache and recovery through courage, love, art, and faith.”  —Publishers Weekly

Book Blurb:

Today. Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world’s elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

Vienna, 1942. Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna’s vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family’s tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele’s barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait—Adele—they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God’s faithfulness never falters.

Author Bio:

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII Era since hearing her grandfather’s stories of his experiences as a B-17 co-pilot in the war. She writes WWII and Regency Era Christian fiction titles, which placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations & 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and finaled in the 2013 Lauries. THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, Book One in the Hidden Masterpiece series on the prisoner camp art of the Holocaust, released from Thomas Nelson Publishers in July 2014. A SPARROW IN TEREZIN (Hidden Masterpiece #2) will release in April, 2015.

She’s a proud Hoosier, living in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

You can connect with Kristy via her website, where she has an awesome video cafe featuring conversations with other Christian authors.

The Butterfly and the Violin is available here, as well as other major retailers.

 

31 Days of Debut Authors: Sandra Ardoin and The Yuletide Angel

It’s never too early to read Christmas-themed stories as far as I’m concerned. October’s practically over, right? And my inbox is full of enticing offers to get an early bird discount on my Christmas cards. So let’s talk about Sandra Ardoin and The Yuletide Angel, shall we?

Book Blurb:

It’s Christmastime in 1890s Meadowmead, and someone is venturing out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed The Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor.

No one, except Hugh Barnes, a confirmed bachelor who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison, a young woman who risks her safety to help others.

When Violet confesses her fear of eviction from her childhood home, Hugh longs to rescue her. His good intentions are thwarted, however, when Hugh’s estranged brother shows up in town … and in Violet’s company.

But Violet faces an even bigger threat. A phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of The Yuletide Angel.

Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction who writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases October 2014. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

The Yuletide Angel is now available here.

Happy Book Birthday, The Land Uncharted + a Giveaway

“Not only is Keely’s writing beautiful and full of vivid detail, but the story and characters are incredible! I love the way she crosses genres and how well it all blends together.” -Christina Yother, author of Reverie

“The Land Uncharted captured my interest from the opening lines. Keely Brooke Keith skillfully weaves an engaging story that explores the possibilities of a simple, peaceful existence in a society set apart from a world ravaged by conflict. Equal parts suspense and romance, this debut novel is a compelling read.”
                 -Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled

Congratulations, Keely Brooke Keith! Her debut novel The Land Uncharted officially releases today. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy and sharing my endorsement. There’s so much to enjoy  here, including that stunning book cover. In celebration of the novel’s release, Keely is giving away a copy. You can find the nitty, gritty details regarding the giveaway at the end of this post.

Back cover blurb:

Lydia Colburn is a young physician dedicated to serving her village in the Land. Day and night, she rushes by horseback to treat the ill and injured, establishing a heroic reputation as the village’s new doctor.

Naval Aviator Connor Bradshaw is flying over the South Atlantic Ocean on a mission to secure any remaining sources of fresh water in a 2025 world torn apart by war. A malfunction activates his aircraft’s ejection system, parachuting his unconscious body to the shore of a hidden land.

Lydia risks her safety to help the injured outsider despite the shock of his mysterious arrival and the disastrous implications his presence could have for her peaceful society, which has gone undetected for seven generations.

Connor searches for a way to return to his squadron, but his fascination with life in the Land makes him protective of Lydia and her peaceful homeland. And while Lydia’s attraction to Connor stirs desires she never anticipated, it also pushes an unwanted admirer to stage a dangerous attempt to win her affection.

As Connor tries to keep the Land off the radar, he learns the biggest threat to Lydia lurks in her village. But when Lydia’s greatest passion and darkest fear collide, will she look to the past or the future to find the strength to survive?

Mini-interview with the author:

The premise of your novel is so intriguing. What inspired you to write this story?

Thanks, Heidi. I’ve always loved maps. When I was a kid my Grandma saved National Geographic maps for me. I would paper my bedroom walls with those maps. I often stared at the wide blue swaths of ocean on the maps and wondered if there was really land there. As an adult, I researched my family history. Most of my ancestors moved west in the middle of the19th Century. They traveled in groups like so many Americans at the time and it made me wonder: what if instead of going west a group of families wanted to find a whole new land and got on a ship. I wondered what that settlement would be like several generations later and decided to drop a modern man into the middle of it to find out.

If you could travel through time, what era or significant historical event would you like to witness/experience first hand?

I would like to witness Jesus’ resurrection. And I want to know what He was writing in the dirt when the religious leaders were questioning him. Was it something profound? Was it a doodle? Was it “Jesus was here”?

What can readers expect from the next book in the series?

I love the Colburn family so the second book is Levi’s story. I wanted to write a series where each book focuses on a different sibling and this story is so multi-faceted that I had the opportunity to tell his struggle with forgiveness and redemption while continuing the over-aching plot. The second book in the Uncharted series is entitled Uncharted Redemption and is set to release Spring 2015.

Keely is a bass guitarist and lives on a hilltop south of Nashville. When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys dancing, having coffee with friends, and sifting through vintage books at antique stores.

Readers can connect with Keely via Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and Pinterest

The Land Uncharted is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and iTunes

If you’d like to enter to win a copy of The Land Uncharted, please leave a comment below with your name, valid email address and tell us which historical event you’d like to witness firsthand. The contest closes next Tuesday night, 10/28/14 at 11:59PM EST. 

 

31 Days of Debut Authors: Sarah Creech and Season of the Dragonflies

I’m always on the lookout for authors from the Carolinas. The local newspaper mentioned Sarah Creech and her debut novel, Season of the Dragonflies, recently. I just picked up a copy and I’m eager to read it.

About the Book:

As beguiling as the novels of Alice Hoffman, Adriana Trigiani, Aimee Bender, and Sarah Addison Allen, Season of the Dragonflies is a story of flowers, sisters, practical magic, old secrets, and new love, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

For generations, the Lenore women have manufactured a perfume unlike any other, and guarded the unique and mysterious ingredients. Their perfumery, hidden in the quiet rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, creates one special elixir that secretly sells for millions of dollars to the world’s most powerful—movie stars, politicians, artists, and CEOs. The Lenore’s signature perfume is actually the key to their success.

Willow, the coolly elegant Lenore family matriarch, is the brains behind the company. Her gorgeous, golden-haired daughter Mya is its heart. Like her foremothers, she can “read” scents and envision their power. Willow’s younger daughter, dark-haired, soulful Lucia, claims no magical touch, nor does she want any part of the family business. She left the mountains years ago to make her own way. But trouble is brewing. Willow is experiencing strange spells of forgetfulness. Mya is plotting a coup. A client is threatening blackmail. And most ominously, the unique flowers used in their perfume are dying.

Whoever can save the company will inherit it. Though Mya is the obvious choice, Lucia has begun showing signs of her own special abilities. And her return to the mountains—heralded by a swarm of blue dragonflies—may be the answer they all need.

About the Author:

Born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sarah Creech grew up in a house full of women who told stories about black cloud visions and other premonitions. Her work has appeared in storySouth, Literary Mama, Aroostook Review, Glass, and as a finalist for Glimmer Train. She received an MFA from McNeese State University in 2008 and now teaches English and creative writing at Queens University of Charlotte. She currently lives in North Carolina with her two children and her husband, a poet. This is her first novel.

If you’d like to connect with Sarah, as well as read an excerpt from Season of the Dragonflies, you may visit her website here.

Write 31 Days: Amy Woods and His Texas Forever Family

Fans of Harlequin romance novels might be interested in checking out Amy Woods and her September debut, His Texas Forever Family. I’m working my way through Harlequin’s Heartwarming line as that’s my targeted line for publication, so I haven’t had a chance to read Amy’s work yet. I do love the book’s cover. That’s one swoon-worthy hero there.

Back cover blurb:

MR. CAMPBELL, PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE…

Paige Graham only had room for one man in her life—her son, Owen. The little boy hadn’t spoken since his father died, but things changed when he met his new art teacher, Liam Campbell. Paige couldn’t help marveling at the progress Owen made while working with his instructor—and Mr. Campbell wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes, either!

New to Peach Leaf, Texas, Liam was captivated by his beautiful boss—who was none other than Paige! He couldn’t risk his job or his future by falling for his supervisor, but there was just something about her he couldn’t resist. Thanks to Liam’s lessons, Owen was on the road to recovery. Now if only Liam could show Paige that the best way to heal her heart was to open herself to love again….

Author Bio:

I’m a lifelong reader, book hoarder, lover of words, and a textbook introvert—despite the obvious career choice, I took the scenic route to writing. 
I worked as a bookkeeper, a high school English teacher, a claims specialist, and a family protective services call-center worker before selling my first book in December, 2013.  
Suffice to say, writing’s my favorite.   
I grew up in Austin, earned a B.A. in English from The University of Texas, and I still live here with my wonderfully goofy, supportive husband and our very silly rescue dog, Maggie.

You can connect with Amy here and learn more about her next release from Harlequin as well as sign up for her newsletter.

 

31 Days of Debut Authors: Jake Smith’s Wish

Drumroll, please … presenting an inspirational debut novel written by a male author.  How about that. Welcome to the party, Jake Smith. I enjoy watching baseball, particularly this time of year on the cusp of the World Series (a shout out to those long-suffering Royals fans!). As you can see from the endorsements,  back cover copy, and Jake’s own explanation about what inspired Wish, this is so much more than a book about baseball. It’s about hope, love and perseverance and the power of doing good in the face of the hard stuff of life.

Praise for Wish:

“Wish pulled at my heartstrings like few books ever have. It’s a poignant reminder that life, like any great game, is less about the final score and more about how we play. Baseball fan or not, you’ll find something to love.”

—Kevin Milne, author of One Good Thing

“A delightful, remarkable debut novel, Wish reveals the power of faith and love in the most difficult of times. But it is more a story of hope than heartbreak. I recommend it highly.”

—Dan Walsh, bestselling author of The Unfinished Gift

Book Blurb:

James McConnell’s one wish is that his nine-year-old son will finally be healthy enough to play a game of catch. Then he and his wife, Emily, receive news they’ve dreaded: Aaron’s cancer has relapsed.

As the family steels themselves for a draining treatment regimen in yet another hospital, Aaron receives the gift of a lifetime—a personal visit from one of his favorite professional baseball players—and the chance to make a bold request, his wish: to see his dad play in one major league game.

A former college standout, James fears he doesn’t have the talent it takes, even for one game, and that he’ll miss what could be Aaron’s precious last weeks. Yet how can he refuse his dying son’s wish?

Poignant and triumphant, Wish is the story of a father’s love, a family’s perseverance, and the miracles that can happen when you believe in the impossible.

Five Questions with Jake Smith:

What was the inspiration for your novel?

Wish started off with a single image: a young father, not unlike myself, standing alone in the middle of a major league baseball field, in uniform, under the lights, listening to the crowd. I didn’t know how he got to that point, only that he was there for a pretty important reason. About the time I kept fixating on this image, I was watching a Detroit Tigers game with my family, and one of our favorite players hit a home run. As the player rounded the bases, he was quite emotional, and the announcers went on to explain how earlier in the day the player had visited a children’s hospital and a special friend who had autographed his arm. Wish grew from there – my young father ended up on the field because of a wish made by his ill son. As soon as I thought of that, I thought that if the book were successful and found a publishing home, we might be able to use it to do some good, which is exactly what we’ve done: donating proceeds to children’s hospitals, and motivating people to sign up for the national bone marrow registry.

If you could have dinner with three people (living or dead), who would you choose and why?

I’m going to cheat on this one a bit: Instead of one dinner with three people, I’ll give you three different dinners with one person each.

#1: Homemade pizza with my grandfather. My grandpa was known for his homemade pizzas, and when he passed away, I sort of unofficially took over the reins, piecing together his unique recipe from family members. I never told my mom I was doing this, and one time, home from college, with the recipe mastered, I made these pizzas for Mom and Dad while they were out. By the time she came home, the entire house smelled like my grandpa’s pizzas. So, I would love for my grandpa to taste my version of his family-famous pizza. And I really, really miss him.

#2: A local Caribbean dinner with my wife. Because that would mean we were in the Caribbean and finally on the honeymoon we still haven’t taken (17 years and counting).

#3: Any sort of a meal with Jesus. I’m not sure I really need to explain that one.

Okay, the opposite: one dinner with three people. That would be a dinner with my three kids – from the future, when each one of them is 40 years old. I’d love to be able to tell them how much fun I’m having right now with their younger selves (12, 10, and 7) – and how much they drive me crazy sometimes! And it would be awesome to see the kinds of people they would have grown into without having to wait nearly 30 years to find out. (And maybe, based on what I learned, I might give them different advice right now!)

  In terms of writing a novel, are you a plotter or a pantser? Or a hybrid combo?

Sort of a hybrid, but more plotter. I have a pretty organized way of approaching a new book – notes, research, a brief general plot outline, then an expanded plot outline where I see where the chapter breaks are. Then I outline an individual chapter and write that chapter. But so much happens during the writing process, and then again during the individual chapter’s editing and revising process – new threads and characters emerge, things I hadn’t planned on just naturally happen – that I have to go back and tweak the plot. Many times.

  What can your readers expect from you in the future? Prequel, sequel, novella, etc.

I’m working on the second book right now – the plotting is mostly all done, three chapters are in my agent’s hands, and research and writing continues. It’s not a sequel or prequel, but in the same genre of family, Christian, inspirational fiction – “fiction with a mission” my publisher likes to call it, like Wish.

  Please share one piece of advice for aspiring writers you wish you’d known before you started this writing journey.

That writing the book is the easy part! Editing and revising, while difficult, is so extremely necessary; in fact, that’s where the real writing takes place. The other thing I wish I’d known – well, I guess I always knew it, but I really didn’t believe it… but I do now – is that when an agent says he or she “really has to love” the book to agree to represent it, it’s not just a line. In the course of my many rejections for Wish, I lost count of the number of times I rolled my eyes when I saw the line, “I liked it but just didn’t love it.” Once I got my agent and witnessed the amount of work he put in to both the book and to my career, I saw how an agent really does have to love the books they represent.

 Jake Smith is an author and magazine editor who lives in Traverse City, Michigan, with his wife, Vickie, their three children, and a Labrador  retriever. A former assistant high school baseball coach and All-State shortstop, Jake now spends his time on the field helping coach his kids’  youth baseball teams.Wish is Jake’s debut novel, and he hopes it will help support children’s hospitals, patient and family foundations, and  participation in the National Marrow Donor Program.

Wish is available now at Amazon, B&N, and various other retailers. You can connect with Jake via his website. He has an excellent post about the importance of developing an editing process, which I found quite helpful. Thanks for participating in 31 days of debut authors, Jake. Congratulations again on the release of Wish.

31 Days of Debut Authors: Laura Lanni’s Or Not to Be

 

Laura Lanni’s debut novel, Or Not to Be, releases 11-11-2014

Book Blurb:

Alive, Anna considered leaving her husband. Dead, she naively believes she has escaped this difficult choice. How cruel for relationship problems to tag along to the dead side. 

On November eleventh, Anna Wixim, mother of two, number geek and palindrome seeker, finds herself dead at forty-four. While wandering the universe and watching her family grieve, Anna learns that the two-way portal between her life and death remains wide open. Still, Anna hesitates to return to the man she loves. She has many reasons, real and imagined, to hesitate. The universe is full of wonder; time is boundless; she doesn’t have to do laundry. And her husband doesn’t want her back. 

Based on his own experience in crossing a yawning space-time gap, her husband, Eddie, understands the rules of the universe, including Anna’s free choice to come back to him. He also knows that she doubts his love because he forgot to say that he loved her—for twenty years. On top of that, he wasn’t even nice for the last two months of her life. Don’t judge. It wasn’t fair for the universe to reveal Anna’s deathday to him. Eddie couldn’t function, couldn’t have a conversation or take a full breath, faced each year with the relentless approach of November eleventh.

Laura’s Bio:

By day, Laura Lanni teaches organic chemistry and oversees her undergraduate research laboratory. When not teaching or writing, she can be found working with writers in her critique group, running, hugging her grandchildren, riding a jet-ski, blogging, and baking.

Visit Laura’s website at www.lauralanni.com or chat on Twitter @lauralanni.

Or Not to Be is available for pre-order here and the first three chapters are available now via Laura’s blog.

31 Days of Debut Authors: Jill Lynn and Falling for Texas

In my quest to feature 31 debut authors, I’ve enjoyed learning more about these writers and their first book babies. From Tweets to updates to pages to posts, I’ve visited blogs that make me think deeply and clog my throat with emotion (such as Jill’s post ‘What Do You Say To A Friend Who is Dying?’ which you can read here), to Instagram photos that make me smile and pins that make me wish these authors and I could grab a coffee and chat for real. Fans of inspirational romance should watch for Jill Lynn’s debut, Falling for Texas from Harlequin Love Inspired in early 2015, as well as connect with her online. She has a vibrant social media presence that I think you’ll enjoy.

Jill Lynn writes inspirational romance filled with humor and grace. Her first novel, Falling for Texas, will be available from Harlequin™ Love Inspired in February 2015. Jill lives in Colorado with her husband and two children who make her laugh on a daily basis. She has a penchant for boots, thrift stores and books she can’t put down.

Back Cover Blurb:

Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn’t easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister’s grades and attitude, Cash realizes he’s facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn’t date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia’s quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that’ll last a lifetime?

Five Questions with Jill:

What was the inspiration for your novel?

I worked at a crisis pregnancy center before becoming a stay at home mom. Hurt and shame from the past are so prevalent. I wanted to write a story about a woman running away from her past, desperate for a new start—a story about grace.

If you could have dinner with three people (living or dead), who would you choose and why?

I’m an introvert. Why are we inviting people to dinner? J

I’d like to see my grandparents (who are gone) but I’d like a time machine to their younger years. I’ve heard they were lots of fun, and I’d love to hang out with them during that part of their life.

C.S. Lewis

Red Shirt from Laura Frantz’ book, Courting Morrow Little.

In terms of writing a novel, are you a plotter or a pantser? Or a hybrid combo?

I used to be a pantser, but now I’m definitely becoming a plotter. Of course the story sometimes surprises me along the way.

What can your readers expect from you in the future? Prequel, sequel, novella, etc.

I’m still figuring this out. I will either be writing the stories of the sisters in Falling for Texas or starting something new.

Please share one piece of advice for aspiring writers you wish you’d known before you started this writing journey.

Don’t fight God on what he wants you to write. He always wins.

 

Thanks for participating in 31 Days of Debut Authors, Jill.

Curious about her book cover reveal? Connect with Jill via her website here and stay tuned for the latest updates.

Falling for Texas is available for pre-order here.

 

 

31 Days of Debut Authors: Brenda Anderson’s Coming Home Series + a Giveaway

Brenda Anderson’s debut novel, Chain of Mercy, released in April and her readers are eagerly anticipating the prequel, Pieces of Granite, next month. We’re celebrating the Coming Home Series today with an interview and a giveaway. You’ll find more information about that at the end of the post.

Book Blurb:

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women, and he proudly lived that prodigal lifestyle.

Until one disastrous evening, when that world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer clothes in his closet.

Five Questions with Brenda:

What was the inspiration for your novel?

That’s a tough question. I wrote CHAIN OF MERCY so many years ago, and the original “what if” idea that prompted the story isn’t part of the book. But I do know that as the story developed over time, it was very important for me to be open-minded. While Chain is not about abortion, the main characters in the story are all impacted by abortion in some way. I wanted to be honest with their perspective, whether it agreed with mine or not, and I wanted to see each characters’ heart as God sees them.

  If you could have dinner with three people (living or dead), who would you choose and why?

Another good question. Going back to Biblical times, I’d love to have dinner with Asaph. He’s actually mentioned frequently in the Bible, but I never hear people talk of him. He was a Levite and a gifted musician who wrote 12 of the Psalms. As a musician, I find that fascinating. Not only would I enjoy talking with him, but I’d love to hear his music.

Fast-forwarding a few years, I’d love to invite Jonathan Swift. I loved Gulliver’s Travels—no one can duplicate Swifts gift for satire. I can see him having all my dinner guests in stitches.

Lastly, I would invite Horatio G. Spafford, who penned the lyrics to It is Well With My Soul. To have the kind of faith he had under such tragic circumstances astounds me. I covet that strength of faith. There is so much I could learn from him.

In terms of writing a novel, are you a plotter or a pantser? Or a hybrid combo?

Definitely a pantser, which is ironic considering that in most every other aspect of my life I’m a planner. I love numbers and spreadsheets and outlines, but when it comes to story creating, I can’t plot. Knowing the story in advance takes away the joy of writing for me. I enjoy writing the story, being surprised by the plot twists, and then do heavy editing afterward.

  What can your readers expect from you in the future? Prequel, sequel, novella, etc.

Chain of Mercy is the first release in the Coming Home series, and next month the prequel Pieces of Granite comes out. Two additional books in the series, Memory Box Secrets and Finding Home will release in 2015. Memory Box Secrets continues where Chain of Mercy leaves off.

  Please share one piece of advice for aspiring writers you wish you’d known before you started this writing journey.

Be prepared to wait. For everything. Nothing moves fast in this industry, but that’s okay. I’d rather move slowly and get it right, than rush a book through the conception, birthing, and raising process, likely creating an underdeveloped work. When that book comes out, you want it to be the best it can be.

Brenda Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is currently President of the ACFW Minnesota Chapter. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, travel, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. Brenda lives near Minneapolis, MN with her husband, their three children, and one sassy cat. Learn more at www.brendaandersonbooks.com.

You can also connect with Brenda via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Watch Chain of Mercy‘s book trailer here

Chain of Mercy is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million and iTunes.

Brenda is offering an eBook copy of Chain of Mercy to one fortunate reader. Please leave a comment below with your name, valid email address and tell us who you’d have dinner with, living or dead. The contest closes on October 21, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.