Interview: Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

As promised, today we're chatting with author Marianne Evans. If you missed the previous two posts, you'll want to check 'em out, so you're on the same page with us today. It's worth it!

Welcome to My Book Bag, Marianne! I've been enjoying your Woodland Series, so I'm very excited about your special Easter release, A Face in the Clouds. Tell us about this book.
Delia, it's my pleasure and honor to be here – thanks so much for being an outstanding hostess and opening the doors of your wonderful blog!! I'm excited about the new release as well! A Face in the Clouds tells the story of a pragmatic 'show-me' kind of reporter who falls in love with a woman of faith who needs no quantifications in order to hold firm to her Christian belief system. Through the miracle of an artist's inspired work, their hearts are transformed forever.
I've read it, so I can truthfully say it is phenomenal. I absolutely loved it! How long have you been writing? Was there an "aha" moment when you knew that's what you wanted to do?

Delia, you're so sweet! Thank you for the support and encouragement! Writing is something I've loved to do for as long as I can remember. Seriously, back in grade school, I'd write and produce stories a chapter at a time and hand them out to my friends to read. They kept coming back for more, and I loved answering the call!

I'm sure you did! LOL What inspired you to write the Woodland Series? And what's next from you?

Oh, Delia, talk about an "ah-ha" moment!! For almost two years I had felt the call to write a Christian romance. I tried to come up with ideas, and never found one that grabbed me by the soul and demanded to be told. Also, I think there was a large part of me that just didn't feel 'worthy' of writing a Christian romance. God had other plans, I guess!

I was sitting next to the hubby at church one Sunday and I watched people coming forward for communion. As they did so, I had a true, God-touched epiphany. I studied their faces, and realized, these were all beautiful children of God. Each of them had a story, a journey of faith and love. The idea I had been searching for finally emerged. Not only did the story come to life – the Woodland Series was born.

And what a great series it is! I know this is not going to be easy, but… :D Of all the books in the Woodland Series, do you have a favorite scene? If so, please share it with us.

Wow! That's like asking a mom to pick a favorite child! I love so many scenes throughout the series! I'll provide one, but I just know, as soon as you post this interview I'll be going: "Well, shoot! What about this scene or what about that scene?" LOL!!! OK, then – here we go!

Let me ask a question first. Have you ever longed for a second chance? An opportunity to reclaim a love that got away? What if you were once the queen of the school – the one most likely to succeed? What if your life didn't turn out the way you planned – and you ended up having to leave everything behind except your four-year-old daughter? What if you held in your hands, the heart of a boy, now man, who adored you for everything you are on the inside, not just your popularity and reputation? And what if he was now a highly acclaimed Christian musician who hadn't forgotten you for even one minute?

Meet Amy Maxwell and Tyler Brock—you may remember them as teenage mission group members in Hearts Surrender—well, they're grown up now, and life's given them lots of surprises – good and bad. This is their reunion scene, so it's a sneak peek at Hearts Key, the concluding book of the Woodland Series. Enjoy!!

MARIANNE'S FAVORITE SCENE:

Amy took a deep breath. It was time to move forward, and act like the friend
she had always been. She made progress toward approaching Tyler.

He shook hands with members of his crew and received enthusiastic hugs of support. Then in came Rebecca. Tyler spotted his back-up singer immediately and grinned while she made a dash for his ready embrace. She gave a happy shout as he lifted her up, and spun her in a full circle.

"You were great," she enthused, her voice touched by the cadence of the south. "Honestly, what a show!"

"Inspired, wasn't it, Becs? It feels so good to be home!"

Amy's heart sank when she watched Rebecca peck both his cheeks and smile into his eyes. His dynamic colleague then greeted others around them and dissolved into the crowd of tour staffers. Amy winced, battling off turmoil, self-doubt, and inadequacy.

It was a battle she lost.

In that instant, her mature, straightforward intentions to say hello to Tyler vaporized. Hiking up her purse and camera strap, Amy kept a tight hold on them both as she turned to leave. She took a few steps toward the exit. This was senseless. Futile. She needed to bid this entire, world-rocking episode farewell. In the morning everything would be back to normal. In the morning she could—

"Seriously?"

Amy froze at the sound of the smooth and deep voice that carried with it just a touch of the South. She closed her eyes, and she trembled. Bad.

"You were seriously gonna leave without sayin' hello to me?" the voice continued.

She couldn't pull in a proper breath. Her heart skittered wildly. Red-hot heat crawled up the skin of her neck and ignited her cheeks, melting and burning in one fell swoop.

Bravely she turned around, her lips pressed tight, though she fought through it all to offer a tentative smile. "Hey, Tyler."

It was the best she could manage. His eyes were unspeakably gentle and tender. His attitude of warmth was so typical of the Tyler she had known, once upon a life. Amy welcomed that fact, and at the same time she was swept away by just looking at him.

"Hey, Amy," he greeted softly. His smile bloomed when he took her hands. A beat later, he drew her in for a long, tight hug that left her aching. He felt so hard, and strong. So wonderful. A lump formed fast in her throat—a bit of mourning, she supposed, for all she missed.

"I, ah, didn't want to interfere or anything." As soon as the words crossed her lips, she realized how lame they sounded.

Tyler kissed her cheek, and Amy went a bit dizzy. A bit weak at the knees. "You couldn't interfere if you wanted to." He leaned back and drew a fingertip against her chin; he looked deep into her eyes. "I've missed you."

Wow, wow, wow! Now I can't wait to read the whole book. That was dynamic! Thank you for giving us a sneak peek.

Now, what's the most touching/exciting/encouraging thing a fan has ever said to you about one of your books?

I heard from a widow of two years who read Hearts Surrender and was tremendously touched by Pastor Ken Lucerne's story of remerging from mourning following the death of his wife. The review and e-mail left me in tears because it impacted her at a very deep and personal level—what a precious gift her connection was to me!!

That's what it's all about, isn't it? Do you have a favorite verse of scripture? If so, what makes it special to you?

Oh, yes! Jeremiah 29:11 , which tells us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Gives me chills every time I read it because, since God's word is Truth, we can hold fast to the knowledge that all things will work to the good! We are part of His plan—we are His precious children. As such, he wants us to be prosperous, full of hope, and to know he is giving us an eternal, perfect future with Him!!

Another "wow"! Great verse, Marianne, and wonderful interpretation. Where can readers find you and your books?

Please connect with me at:

www.marianneevans.com or www.marianneevans.blogspot.com and I have a Facebook readers page located at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744

Thank you for spending time with my readers and me on My Book Bag! We've loved having you.