Kathi Macias and Free Books!

Can a simple man and his faith be enough for her to stay?

Today we're revisiting with novelist Kathi Macias, author of A Christmas Gift (New Hope Publishers, October 2014).

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 50 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs.

Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel set in China, Red Ink, was named Golden Scrolls 2011 Novel of the Year and was also a Carol Award Finalist; her October 2012 release, Unexpected Christmas Hero, was named 2012 Book of the Year by BookandAuthors.net.

She has recently taken the position of Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for Elk Lake Publishing.

Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

--I have 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grands.

--One of my first jobs (while in high school) was as a lifeguard.

--My aunt took me to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes and The King and I when I was eight; as a result I wanted to be a Rockette when I grew up (needless to say, that did NOT happen).

I still haven't gotten over the comment about your being a great grandmother, Kathi! You must have started your family at a very young age.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Christmas Gift.

Chiapas, Mexico, had proven to be the distraction and escape Julie needed. As a teacher, she had longed to travel and instruct abroad. Now, she was teaching and falling in love with her students in this remote corner of the world where strangers were not welcome—and, in fact, could be in real danger.

But what she didn't expect happened in the short days leading up to Christmas. She didn’t know that her freedom would depend on Ramon, the local pastor, nor did she anticipate the emotions this man of God would stir deep in her spirit. This Christmas Eve service would be unlike any other she had ever experienced.

Would this simple man and his faith be enough to cause her to stay when she had every reason to leave?

What is it about Julie that will make your readers care about her?

She is struggling to move past her mourning of her husband’s death and to find a reason to live and love and laugh once again.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead role?

Julia Roberts would be perfect for Julie in the book.



How much prep work do you usually do before you actually start writing your books?

Just enough to set the stage, which often includes foreign locations, languages, and cultures. Getting that nailed is the primary challenge, not only as I prepare to write but as I continue through the book.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Burning Sky by Lori Benton. Captivating story! I absolutely did NOT want it to end, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I can see why it won several Christy Awards.

What are you working on now?

In addition to working on various projects as Senior VP of Acquisitions at Elk Lake Publishing, I am preparing to start writing my 2015 Christmas novel, which will deal with the issues of PTSD (in a returning vet) and Attachment Disorder (in a young child).

Where else can readers find you online?

In addition to my website (www.kathimacias.com), I am on Facebook (Kathi Macias—personal page; Kathi Macias Author); Twitter (@alandkathi); and Pinterest (Kathi Macias).

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:



CBD.com



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is your greatest ministry passion? Mine include persecuted Christians around the world and those caught in human trafficking. What about you? I would love to know, as those ministry passions just might become the focus of one or more of my future novels.

Thanks, Kathi, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Kathi has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, November 24. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Kathi's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Stephanie Reed, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a free copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.