All posts in category Interviews

Interview with Bree from Double Identity

Today we are glad to meet Bree, one of the main characters from Inspirational Author Dawn Byrd’s new book “Double Identity”

Bree, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I’m not sure how interesting it is, but I’ve had the same boyfriend since middle school. I’ve always known Luke is the guy for me. We have big plans for the future. He’s going to be a veterinarian and we’re going to work together. He’ll take care of the large animals and I’ll be a small animal expert.

 What do you do for fun?

I love to hang out with Luke. He lives on a farm and raises horses. It’s fun to ride through the meadows and to pet the newborn animals.

What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I put off washing my car. It’s such a pain.

What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid of losing my dad to cancer. Now that he’s back in my life, I don’t want to lose him.

 What do you want out of life?

All I want is to graduate from high school and college and marry Luke.

 What is the most important thing to you?

My parents and Luke and my faith. For seventeen years, I thought my father was dead, but he’s alive. He’s fighting cancer right now and I’m really scared. I don’t know what I’d do without my faith in God. I’m having a really hard time right now because my identical twin sister, Cassie, is in love with my boyfriend.

 Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

I don’t have much time to read. I’m in high school and I work part-time at the local bowling alley.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d want to look totally different from my twin, Cassie. Having a twin does something to a girl’s identity. For example, Luke thinks I’m beautiful. Does he think my sister is beautiful too?

Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No pets, but I love to play with the animal’s on Luke’s farm.

 If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I would go back to the day I was born and find a way keep my parents together so I could grow up with my sister. Maybe if we’d grown up together, she would be a nicer person.

We thank Bree for taking the time to talk to us.

About K. Dawn Byrd

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband’s Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, “For the simple joy of placing words on the page!”
To connect with K.Dawn Byrd

Email: kdawnbyrd@yahoo.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Pinterist: kdawnbyrd

Facebook: kdawnbyrd

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLtz_kGEFFk&feature=plcp

 

DoubleIdentityCoverArt72dpiSeventeen-year old Bree has always wanted a sister. She’s shocked when she learns that her father is alive and her identical twin sister, Cassie, is coming to live with her. She can’t wait for Cassie to arrive. She just knows they’ll be best friends.
Bree soon discovers that even though they look alike, they’re totally different. Cassie is wild and impulsive. She hates Bree’s little town and everything in it, except Bree’s boyfriend, Luke. When Cassie becomes obsessed with Luke, she’ll go to any length to have him for herself.

 
Luke has a secret, which Cassie learns and uses against him. She’s off her medication and will stop at nothing. She says he’s in love with her. He says he loves Bree. Will their secrets destroy them and their relationships?

 

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by Naty Matos on December 24, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on December 24, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/interview-with-bree-from-double-identity/

Interview with Vicki Tiede

Today we welcome author Vicki Tiede to discuss her latest book When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart.

Welcome, Vicki. They say, “write what you know.” How did this book come about for you?

This is my story. In my first marriage, my husband regularly engaged with pornography. I often say, “the good guys struggle with this addiction, and the rest just do it.” Unfortunately, my husband was in the second category. He never took responsibility for his actions , nor did he repent of his behavior. As a result, it spiraled out of control. When my emotional, physical, and spiritual health was at risk, I ended the marriage.

If I was going to write a book based on Truth, then I had to begin by being truthful. My first marriage did not survive pornography. Some issues may make a marriage irreconcilable. A recent study indicated that 56% of divorces today involve at least one of the people having “an obsessive interest in pornographic websites.” That’s the unfortunate reality about the state of our world right now. Obviously, for many people divorce, not restoration, is the outcome. But the truth of the matter is God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16 NIV) and He is all about restoring hearts and marriages (Job 22:23). Because I’ve been in the shoes of the heartbroken woman, I know that more than anything she longs for hope. I want my reader to know that there is another answer besides divorce, and that regardless of how deep her pit of despair feels, God’s hand can reach her.

How long did it take from the initial revelation of your husband’s addiction to a healing within your heart?

That’s a tough question. From the initial revelation until my divorce was 3 years. That was 16 years ago. While I leaned into Christ during those 3 years, I didn’t have a resource like my book to walk me through the process, so I fumbled around in the dark for a while. I’m not sure you ever get to brush your hands together and declare, “There! All better!” Even the writing of this book brought a new level of healing to my heart that I didn’t even know was needed.

Can that be a paradigm for other women?

There’s no magic timetable. Each of us have to wait on God’s timing. He will wait as long as it takes for us to exhaust our human efforts, put total trust in him, surrender our will, and expect the impossible from the Creator of possibilities.

You wait until later in your book to deal with one’s identity in Christ; yet you make it seem like one of the most important aspects for a woman’s healing in these circumstances. Could it have come earlier with all others building upon it?

The simple answer is, yes, it probably could have. However, I was drawing from my own experience and confirmed with my focus group that when my husband’s addiction was unveiled, I wasn’t in a position to hear, let alone believe, anything I was told or already knew about my identity in Christ.

If my plane crashes in the middle of the ocean and I survive, I don’t want to hear about forgiveness or that I’m a child of God. No. I want to know that there is hope that God can and will rescue me from this situation. I need to know that He sees, and hears, and cares, and that He won’t leave me in this place of pain. That’s why I start the book out with hope. My reader will name her losses and address and eventually surrender unproductive feelings, behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, including ownership of her husband’s daily choice about whether or not to fight this addiction. She’ll also spend a week processing through trust, which is one of the single greatest losses for the wife of a pornography addict. Then we get to identity.

I do think identity is a particular point of difficulty. Speaking from personal experience, when we were at the pinnacle of our crisis, I was a shell of my former self. I didn’t know what I believed about God, my husband, or myself anymore. I allowed my identity to be defined by my relationship with my husband rather than by who God says I am. It is vital that every daughter of the Lord know that He (God) deems her irreplaceable and that she learn to only let His opinion shape her identity.

Thanks so much for joining us. Readers, do you have any questions for Vicki?

More about Vicki: I am an author and speaker who has a passion for opening the Scriptures and pointing women to their true source of grace and faithfulness. For the past ten years, I have been honored to speak for numerous women at conferences, retreats, and women’s events. I am the author of three books including When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography (2012), Plug Me In and Let Me Charge Overnight (2009), and Parenting on Your Knees: Prayers and Practical Guidance for the Preschool Years (coming January 2013). I live in Rochester, Minnesota, with my husband Mike, daughter, and two sons. Visit her on the web.

For Your Readers: Sample Chapters from When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart

Links to buy the book:
Vicki Tiede 

NGP 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble (BN’s processing times are lagging, but it will eventually be available here too)

Nook

CBD  

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by Naty Matos on November 12, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on November 12, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/interview-with-vicki-tiede/

Interview with Sharon Srock

Welcome to Grace & Faith for you Sharon. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Believe it or not, I went to bed one night, a normal person, and woke up the next morning determined to write a book. I know, now, where that came from. It was more than a little weird at the time.

I totally understand, tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love a good courtroom drama. Fantasy when it’s well done. By well done, I mean it has to completely draw me into a different world. Mysteries, and Romantic suspense are devoured at my house like chocolate covered cherries.

How do you keep your sanity in this crazy fast paced world of ours?

I guess I’m a product of our environment. I like being busy. Even on a vacation I have to consciously tell myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. Sanity…I’m a writer, that option took a hike a few years back.

What is your favorite food?

I have two rules when I cook. If it’s sweet add chocolate. If it isn’t sweet add cheese.

I totally agree, I’m a chocolate and cheese person myself.  So, If you could invite a fictional character to dinner who would it be and why?

Oh, can I pick two? Merlin and Spock. Merlin because I’m captivated by the whole knights in armor, Arthur, slaying the dragon thing. Spock because…well…because the idea of extraterrestrial life interests me. If we ever find life out there, I’d hope they would be wise and beneficial sort like Vulcans. Not the I’ve come to destroy your world we see portrayed 99% of the time.

Haha! I like that. So now that you have released Callie, What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That sometimes we spend too much time beating ourselves up for something God has already forgiven and forgotten. That we do a disservice to ourselves and others when we indulge in those feelings.

Where can our readers find you online?

Sharon Srock
The Women of Valley View. Ordinary women using their faith to do extraordinary things.

Thanks for your time Sharon, it has been a pleasure having you with us.

You can obtain Callie at:

And here’s the chance to win a huge basket of gifts. Keep reading

A copy of Callie’s story
A certificate for Terri’s story when it releases in April
A 6 piece Cherry blossom bath set
A cosmetic bag
A Bath Wrap
A Cozy pink eye mask
A Pair of aloe infused booties
A Hair Turban
A Tennis Bracelet
A 25.00 Amazon gift card
The rules are easy. For every reader that comments on this post, you get an entry into the drawing. A winner will be drawn Monday November 19th. The items add up to well over 100.00 in value.
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by Naty Matos on October 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 22, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/interview-with-sharon-srock/

Interview with Shaina Cilimberg

Today we welcome GNF Author Shaina Cilimberg. Thanks for accepting our interview.

So Shaina, When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote for fun on and off since eleven but I guess I was 13 when I first started to realize it.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It takes me a few months but then I have to edit and re-edit so that takes a few hours…then few months later i have to re-edit again.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A few from personal experiences , from other people’s experiences, the internet, observation, TV, Movies, Music and Books
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Go to church, school, watch Bachelor/ette, watch Good Luck Charlie, watch Austin and Ally, watch xfactor. JESSE is also a funny show. Debby Ryan is so funny.  I excerise and listen to music. I spend time with friends. I like fashion but I also like kicking around a soccer ball adn shooting hoops. I dress anywhere from trnendy, to punk alternative, to girl next door. I like thrift stores and other inexpensive stores.  I prefer music that is deep and has meaning. I also like good guitars and drums in songs. However, I do like Justin Beiber, One Direction and Selena Gomez. I am a Demi Lovato fan, but her songs are probably in a different section of pop music. I like “Firewok” and “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry.  I like some country. There was a country singer named Maxfield on Season Two of Glee Project and I like him. I also like Carrie Underwood. I like Christian rock groups such as Icon for Hire, Red, Skillet, Flyleaf, Tenth Avenue North, POD. I like Linkin Park’s old stuff-2010 and earlier. I also like The Fray and Parachute.  I also like to play a little bit on my guitar once and a while.  I sometimes try to  play “Hero” by Superchik and “In Christ alone” on my guitar. It’s fun but writing is probably a better fit. If I had things my way, you could burst out in random song and dance without it being weird. They should make a “Random Dance and Sing” Holiday. If I were President, I’d totally invent it.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I wrote a bunch of books since I was 13 and gone through lots of edits. Only two are online: “Crowded” and “Perfect Forgiveness” I have a very short non-fiction book called “Racing Bloodstream,” about a girl who rides horses.
Tell us about your most recent book. 
Right now, I am working on my third book. It is about an orphaned girl with OCD and Asperger’s who falls in love with a boy who practically got a makeover during the summer. They also are in a band together. It  also deals with their insecurity. My books deal with bullying. Even though the boys in my book recieve physical bullying, bullying does not always have to be physical. It can be verbal, emotional, mental and cyberbullying.
How can readers find you online? 
Shaina has been writing  since the age of eleven.  She  took Creative writing and journalism in 8th grade, journalism in 9th grade, creative writing in 11-12 grade. She is promoting her second book in the Deep River High Series- Perfect Forgiveness.
A last message from Shaina:
I write my books to bring people to and closer to God. I hope people read my books and discuss the characters. I want them to be able to relate. I wrote “Perfect Forgiveness” originally I thought it would be a good idea to write about. I did not want bullying to be the reason.  I think bullying contributes to school shootings, but  I think there are other factors that go along with it.  Then, I decided to have one of the shooters actually shoot down the school because of bullying. The character fo Kirk is very sad and  I hope you get to see the struggle throughout the book. He was kind of inspired by Santana High School Shooter Andrew Charles Williams. Also, I based it on the rumor that Dylan was more or less going along with Eric Harris in the Columbine shootings. Supposedly, Dylan Klebold let a guy go and Eric got mad. Another time, they were overheard aruging. Dylan wanted to stop adn Eric did not. I do not know if that was true or not. So, basically the other two shooters did it because they thought God wanted them to. Kirk shoots down the school because he was bullied and from a broken home.
Characters from Crowded make an appearence. Emily, Lydia and Josh befriend him, along with a new character. So, that adds more to Kirk’s struggle, including how he deals with what he’s done.  Lydia is not quite as happy-go-lucky as she was in “Crowded.” Josh is not a jerk like he  was in “Crowded.” Emily is more or less the same.
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by Naty Matos on October 12, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 12, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/interview-with-shaina-cilimberg/

Interview with Jim and Karen Baney

 Welcome, Jim & Karen.  Can you tell us what Christian eBooks Today.com is all about?

Jim:  Christian eBooks Today.com is a website that is for fans of Christian fiction and nonfiction.  It is a safe place to browse and learn more about great Christian eBooks without worrying about coming across any racy or explicit content.

Why did you start Christian eBooks Today.com?

Karen:  I’ve been an avid reader of Christian fiction since I was a young girl.  But, over the past few years as I started publishing books, I noticed that it was getting harder and harder to browse for Christian eBooks online without coming across some pretty embarrassing and racy covers.  I just wanted to find a good clean Christian romance book and find new authors.

In August, Jim joined the ranks of the unemployed, so I asked him what he thought about helping me launch a site for Christian readers.  It took some convincing, but he finally agreed to do it.

Jim:  Hey!  It didn’t really take much convincing.  I like the idea of being self-employed.

On your Vision and Mission page on the website, you mention edgy Christian fiction.  Can you tell us more about this?

Karen:  Sure.  Over the past few years or even a decade, the Christian fiction market is changing.  Authors are writing more true-to-life characters that get thrown into some pretty tough circumstances, such as rape, abuse, abandonment, etc.  In fact, some of my novels fall into that category.

Anyway, there is a bit of a divide in readership.  Some readers don’t like the trend, while others prefer it.  We wanted to mention that we accept those types of books on our site so readers are not surprised if they come across something like that.

So, your site includes Christian nonfiction too?

Jim:  Yes.  We include a variety of nonfiction genres, too.  Bible studies, devotionals, self-help, Christian living and much more.  We really want the site to be a place where readers can find any type of Christian eBooks.

Who runs the site, I mean really?

[Karen glances at Jim and giggles.]

Jim:  We joke around.  I’m the chief operations officer and Karen is the CEO.  She has the vision and then I do all the hard work to make it happen.

Karen:  [elbows Jim]  I do some of the hard work, like marketing and writing content.

Jim:  Okay, okay.  I’ll give you that.

Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?

Karen:  Yes.  We have a feature on our website under the “For Readers” menu called “Reader’s Choice”.  This is where readers can fill out a form telling us about great Christian eBooks that they’ve read.  Each week, we will select one submission to appear on our website.  Then, once a month we will randomly choose a winner from all of the submissions (even if they don’t get featured).  The winner receives a $25 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  Readers can submit as many eBooks as they want.

Wow, that sounds great!  So, where can we see this new website?

Jim:  Visit ChristianEBooksToday.com.  You can also follow us on Twitter (@cebtoday), Facebook, or Google+.  Check our site daily for our list of free fiction and free nonfiction ebooks.

Karen:  Remember to sign up for our newsletter too.  Just click on the envelope icon in the upper right corner of our site.  Each week we email readers a summary of our key weekly features including: guest blog posts, great reads, author of the week, and the reader’s choice selection for the week.

Thank you so much for hosting us!


http://www.christianebookstoday.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cebtoday

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ChristianEBooksToday

Google+: https://plus.google.com/111493938878400897607/posts

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by Naty Matos on October 1, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 1, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/interview-with-jim-karen-baney/

Interview with Deborah H. Bateman

Deborah H. Bateman is a Best Selling Christian Author on Amazon. She is a self-publisher, blogger, and website designer. Deborah is the Founder of Christian Daily Resources a Christian Online Ministry. Deborah is dedicated to “Sharing God’s Word” and empowering others to share their message.

 Welcome Deborah, What is your most recent book?

My most recent book is “The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection.” It is a Daily-Bible-Reading Study of the book of Ezra. It is a great story about the building of the Second Temple at Jerusalem and how God provides and protects His children.

 What is your passion?

My passion is “Sharing God’s Word” with the world. I love studying the Bible and sharing it with others. I also enjoy writing, publishing, working on the computer and learning new things and sharing what I learn with others. Maybe I should have been a teacher.

 What do you hope to accomplish by doing this?

I hope to help others develop a close, personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I also hope that by sharing some of the things I have learned through publishing my books I can empower others share their message.

What other books have you published?

The first book I published was The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption. The second book I published was The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Redemption. The third book is Beatitudes: How to Live a Blessed Life. The fourth book is Finding Our Identity in Christ. The fifth book is The Book of Ezra: A Story of Provision and Protection. The sixth book is in the process of being published now and may be out by the time you read this interview or shortly thereafter. It is called Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle

How did you get started writing?

I got involved in a Christian Online Business Coaching Program a few years ago. I started learning how to build websites and blogs among other things. I had been sharing Bible verses with my friends on Facebook. One thing led to another. I first built Christian Daily Resources website to help encourage people in the Lord through music, books, poems, prayers, etc. I didn’t realize at the time that Christian Daily Resources would become the name of my ministry and be the publisher of my books.

Then, I started the Daily-Bible-Reading blog and after about a year of blogging I became interested in publishing my Bible studies. I took an eBook course and learned how to publish my Bible studies as eBooks. The rest is history.

What else do you like doing besides writing?

I like to cook, not as much as I used to, but I still enjoy it when I have time. I like doing crafts. I also enjoy interior decorating. I like coordinating colors and helping people pick out decor for their houses. In fact, at one time, I thought Interior Decorating might be my new career after losing my job due to a surplus situation, after twenty-two years’ service. But, God had other things in mind for me. Every time I would try to go to work something would happen to stop the process.

What are you working on now?

The book I have been working on for a while and finally finished this month, in fact it is being edited now, is my first book about publishing and is called Self-Publishing Simplified: How to Publish a Book on Kindle. It tells a little bit about my journey of publishing my books, but is more about how to publish a book on Kindle and how to promote your book once it is published.

 Where can people get your books?

My books are available on Amazon. If you go to my author page you will see all of my books listed there at  http://tinyurl.com/ckjv4u2

 

How can people connect with you?

Here are some places people can connect with me. I love getting to know new people and am constantly looking for new ways to connect with readers and others.

Author site: http://DeborahHBateman.com

Website: Christian Daily Resources at http://ChristianDailyResources.com

Blog: Daily-Bible-Reading at http://Daily-Bible-Reading.com

Blog: Bible Verse Tweet at http://BibleVerseTweet.com

Blog: Recipe for Life at http://deborah-bateman.blogspot.com

 

 

Facebook Pages:

http://facebook.com/DeborahHBateman

http://facebook.com/ChristianDailyResources

http://facebook.com/DailyBibleReading

http://facebook.com/BibleVerseTweet

http://facebook.com/SharingGodsWord

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/DebBat

Linked In:

Linked In:

http://linkedin.com/in/DeborahHBateman

You Tube:

http://youtube.com/DebBat0519

Google+

https://plus.google.com/101748228171676648200/posts

 

 

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by Naty Matos on September 28, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on September 28, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/interview-with-deborah-h-bateman/

Interview with Author Dawn Byrd

We are delighted to have Author Dawn Byrd with us today. Dawn tell us, how did this story come to you?

Sometimes I get the strangest ideas! I love a good mystery and I love romance, but you don’t find the two together very often. Also, there are very few books available with college-age characters. I pitched the idea of combining all of the above to Desert Breeze and the rest is history.

That’s interesting. Please tell us more about the journey to getting this book published.

I had already published several books with Desert Breeze when they opened a young adult line. I’m excited that they liked the idea for this new series.

I’m sure our readers would like to know more about you. Please tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

I own two hairless Chinese Crested dogs. I love sour things….pickles, lemons, sour candy. I used to ride a Harley, but gave it up in order to have more time to write. (My husband always wanted to stay out way too long and take the scenic route home. He still has his bike, but I don’t miss mine at all.)

We have two things in common, I love dogs and sour things. So tell us, What is your favorite writing tip?

Write something every day. All of my books are written in 30-day marathons. I decide how many words I want to write in 30 days and map them out on a calendar, so I can keep track of where I am and where I need to be.

I totally agree. So, what are you working on now and what’s next for you?

I’m working on my December release, which is the third book in the “Identity Series.” It’s called Double Identity and is about two seventeen-year-old identical twins who never knew about each other. One, raised by her mom, is a Christian, the other, raised by her father is a wild child. When the two meet up and the wild one falls for the Christian one’s boyfriend, sparks of the worst kind begin to fly.

It was a pleasure having you with us today. Any parting comments for our readers?

Thank you for hosting me! For those of you who love Christian fiction, please check my blog for weekly book giveaways. I interview 3-5 authors a week who give away their books. www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Zoe is thrilled when she lands her first paying case until she learns she’ll be going undercover at a local blood bank. The fact that she faints at the sight of blood makes working there more than difficult. Who would steal blood and what would they do with it? Is her creepy vampire-like coworker using it in a cult ritual?

When Zoe learns that Nate will be working undercover with her, she’s overjoyed. She soon finds that the gorgeous Rikki’s attraction to Nate is too distracting and considers throwing him off the case. Zoe questions his loyalty even as Nate proclaims that she’s the only girl for him.

Nothing is as it seems and Zoe has no clue who can be trusted. Who’s stealing the blood? Is it the director? The vampire-like guy with the fangs who wears all black? Or, her gorgeous co-worker who has a thing for Nate?

K.Dawn Byrd, Author
When painting with words…expect the unexpected!
BLOG: http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com
WEBSITE:http://www.kdawnbyrd.com

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by Naty Matos on August 20, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on August 20, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/interview-with-author-dawn-byrd/

Welcome: Amy McGuire

I’m so pleased to welcome Amy McGuire to our author spotlight….

Can you tell us a little about your background, Amy?

I was born in Campbell River, B.C. and grew up the child of missionary parents in East Africa.  Due to my unique upbringing I have moved many times and experienced many cultures.  This I feel helped in the creation of my first published novel.  Since I was a little girl I have written stories.  In junior high I liked to write comedies but by high school I had graduated to writing romance and have never really considered writing anything else.  In 2009 I began the saga I am working on now, finishing up book 1-3 by the end of 2010.  Romance is my passion and I hope to continue to write love stories for many, many years to come.

I’m with you on the romance thing!  Tell us about who you are when you are not writing.

I’m a stay at home mom and have been since my little bunny arrived in May of 2008.  I love to sit and read just about anywhere, but I truly love the outdoors.  I love to dream and see inspiration in a lot of things around me.  My idea of the perfect vacation is one where I have my feet in the ocean, warm sand sifting between my toes, a book in one hand and a tall glass of root beer in the other.  The only decision I have to make is whether I’ll spend part of the day swimming or sightseeing.  I love the taste of chocolate, the softness of my daughter’s hair, the sound of birdsong, the smell of cut grass and suntan lotion in summer and the amazing contrast of colour in the world around me.

Who are your greatest influences either writing or personal?

I think Lucy Maud Montgomery would be one of my greatest influences.  Since I was very young I have read the Anne of Green Gables series many times.  Her characters are dreamers, thinkers and free spirited.  I think what draws me to her work the most though, is that she writes about Canada.  I read a lot of romance but find very, very few based in Canada.  I don’t know why that is, since Canada is so beautiful and diverse.  As such, I think she truly inspired me to write what I know and love.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

‘No dream is too big if you’re willing to work for it’ and ‘you’re never too old to fulfill your dreams’.  Those are two pieces of advice my mother gives me often.  She has taught me to dream big and go after those dreams.  I know we are put on this earth to care for others and have a relationship with our creator, but I also know we were meant to dream and strive for those dreams, as long as they won’t harm others.

What has been your greatest challenge in life so far?  How did you handle it?

Motherhood, hands down.  It’s been a joy as well as a true challenge to raise a child in this world.  There are moments I question whether I’m the right girl for the job.  I’m so grateful to have a big God to take care of both of us.

Motherhood.  Definitely a new challenge every day!  So, what do you like to read?  What are some of your favorites that you have read?

I like to read romance, the occasional young adult novel and a romantic comedy if it makes me laugh out loud.  My favourites are pretty much anything by Nora Roberts, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Anne of Green Gables, The Twilight Saga (there, I admitted it) despite the writing (the story was good but made a much better movie saga than books), Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness and Piercing The Darkness, The Oath, Visitation, a few of Debbie MacComber’s works, the occasional Fern Michael’s book.

Peretti is one of my literary heroes as well.  🙂  So what are you working on now? 

I am currently working on editing as well as marketing Sweet Love, the first in my The Heart’s Five Senses saga.  I hope to have it in print edition from CreateSpace for sale on Amazon as well as for any book signings I may have in the future.  Book Two, The Essence of Romance is due to come out in e-book format in December with a print edition shortly thereafter.  I have a blog I try to keep updated with all the latest happenings with my books and a website I am proud to say I created myself.  You can find both at www.shesanauthor.com.  I have recently started being a guest on a Google On Air program for Indie Authors hosted by Jason Matthews and AC Cruz.  It runs every night from 6-7 pm PST, 9-10pm EST and we talk about the different elements of self publishing.  I’m very excited to be an author in such a digital age where someone on the completely opposite side of the world can buy my book and be reading it only minutes later.

Where can readers find you on the ‘net? 

My website as I stated before is www.shesanauthor.com and my book can be found at www.shesanauthor.com/webstore and http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Love-ebook/dp/B0077IUEX6/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&qid=1332876155&sr=8-44

Thank you so much for this fantastic opportunity, Staci.

Thanks so much for joining us, Amy!  It was great to have you.  Please come back and share with us again!

 

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by Staci Stallings on May 4, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Staci Stallings on May 4, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/welcome-amy/

Never Say Perfect

What is special about Never Say Perfect?

The setting includes Pawleys Island, Litchfield, Murrells Inlet, the Grand Strand—all in South Carolina and offers the names of some local points of interest such as Brookgreen Gardens, Hannah Banana’s Sunshine Cabana at the Waccawache Marina and Lazy Gator Gifts in Murrells Inlet. Other locations in the book are Cape May, NJ, New York City, and Milan, Italy.
What is a brief synopsis of the book?

Following a romantic second honeymoon in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Dan Strickland mysteriously disappears at the airport. What inexplicable secrets was he hiding? Why had he seemed so loving and blissful during their vacation only to suddenly vanish? Will the weight of disaster cause Laina’s faith to crumble?

From Pawleys Island to Cape May, New York City and Milan, you will travel this emotion-packed journey with Laina and her family. Will they discover that one should “Never Say Perfect?”
What is the theme of the book?  What message are you trying to convey?

My purpose in writing this book includes demonstrating that our lives, as we currently know them,  can be irreversibly changed in an instant. Everyone has challenges in life, and no one is exempt from sad or difficult events. How do we cope? Even people with strong faith can experience times when they feel disconnected and distant from God, but the point is when we stop relying on God and placing our sorrows in His hands, the longer it will take us to recover. He is our strength.

Another message I wanted to share is how important our friends, and particularly for women—our girlfriends can be. Close girlfrends navigate any number of sorrows and triumphs together. Even if we are miles apart, we can still be there for each other, providing emotional and spiritual support. In Never Say Perfect, Laina’s girlfriends come to her rescue when she desperately needs them. She didn’t ask for their help—they just knew and took action. I have a group of friends who would do the same for me, and they are priceless. So a segment of this book was meant to honor them.

Just as in my first novel, Eyelash,  I wanted to tell a story that reminds us that family relationships can be complicated.  If no one makes an effort, nothing can be gained or resolved. Someone has to make the first move or the situation remains stagnant, and harmony is continuously obstructed.

There is more romance woven into Never Say Perfect than in Eyelash, but I have to be careful not to reveal too much of that aspect. I don’t want to spoil the mystery that was built into the story!

 

Are you taking a writing break now, or are there more books on the horizon?

 

Just a month before releasing Never Say Perfect, my nonfiction book, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time! was published. I’ve barely had time to wear the marketing hat for 7 Easy Steps and now Never Say Perfect is out and in need of marketing attention as well. So I’ll be juggling promotion and marketing of both books, as well as speaking engagements for 7 Easy Steps. There are definitely more book projects in the works, however. Never Say Hopeless will follow, as will Never Say Final if I live long enough! These stories will continue the saga of the life of Laina Strickland and her family.  Additionally, I have two more nonfiction works to finalize, which are currently in various stages of completion—lots to keep me busy for a very long time. I’m also helping a friend, who has led a rather bizarre life, capture her story.  It is more dramatic than a Made for Television movie, and the scary aspect is that it’s all one hundred per cent true. At any rate, I won’t be bored for some time to come!
Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, only that I really love writing inspirational fiction. It’s exciting to be able to mold my characters into anything I want them to be and to put them into situations that are intriguing. I love writing dialogue, something that some authors say that they despise, but I get a real kick out of putting words into the mouths of my characters. At the end of the day, however, my fervent hope is that hearts and souls are touched by reading my books. Nothing makes me feel that it’s worth all of the time and effort more than someone saying, “Your book entertained and blessed me all at the same time.”
Where do we buy your books?

 

They are on Amazon, Nook and Kindle. A visit to my Web site, www.awriterspresence.com will present you with the links to all formats.
 How can you be contacted?

 

E-mail: info@awriterspresence.com

Web site: www.awriterspresence.com

Blog: www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com

Travel blog: www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com
 Brief bio:

Mary Anne Benedetto is a speaker, blogger, Certified Lifewriting Instructor, ghostwriter and author of Eyelash, Never Say Perfect and 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time! Her passions include helping people capture and preserve their memoirs, guiding pet owners in writing their treasured animal stories, world travel and walking the spectacular South Carolina beaches. Visit her at www.awriterspresence.com, www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com and www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com.

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by Staci Stallings on April 27, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Staci Stallings on April 27, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/never-say-perfect/

Interview with Ada Brownell

Grace & Faith is pleased to welcome Ada Brownell.  She is such a wonderful, Godly lady!

Welcome, Ada!

First, tell us a little about yourself.

I have been writing for Christian publications since age 15. I did interviews with people who had wonderful testimonies, devotions, Bible studies, evangelism pieces, personal experience  and some fiction. I sold my first book, Confessions of a Pentecostal, in 1978, not long before I receive my degree and went back to work as a newspaper reporter. After working as a journalist earlier, I’d stayed home 15 years with our five children. I studied fiction writing early in my free lance career and learned only about one in 1,000 novels sell and decided to keep writing for Christian magazines. But fiction ideas kept burning in my heart and after I retired, I  joined American Christian Fiction Writers.  I’ve since written a teen novel, Joe the Dreamer and the Mystery at Sir Henry’s Castle, and a historical romance, The Belle of Peachville.

I also had been working on a non-fiction book, Swallowed by LIFE, and it was published about the time I completed the romance. I put the romance on hold while I promoted Swallowed by LIFE.

Who are your greatest influences either writing or personal?

My parents and siblings have been my greatest influences. I am the youngest of eight, and we were rich in love, but almost destitute financially. But we were achievers.  My mother, who was able to attend college one year, figured out how to barter garden goods during the Great Depression and Kansas Dust Bowl so my oldest brother could board with a woman in town and go to high school.  Daddy dammed the creek, and put it through his garden. The brother, Virgil Nicholson, worked his way through college to a doctorate in education and sociology and was the force behind Evangel College’s great accreditation. Another brother became a minister. The youngest also received his doctorate and taught music at Evangel for years. My sisters ran businesses, worked or sang in the church, and were great wives, mothers and examples.

My maternal grandma, however, was a writer. In her youth she was an elocutionist and she recited and sang her original songs and often humorous poems on stage.  Her song, The Rocky Mountain Columbine, was a runner-up to be Colorado’s state song.

Our family became dedicated Christians not long after I was born, and the excitement of serving the Lord and lively Christian music always filled our house.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

Accept Jesus as your Savior now and spend your life following Him. That is the only way to have joy unspeakable and full of glory, supernatural wisdom, and assurance of eternal life with Him.

What do you like to read?  What are some of your favorites that you have read?

            I immerse myself in reading and I’ve reviewed 30-some books for ACFW writers. My favorite novel is Catherine Palmer’s Prairie Rose, written several years ago; books by Max Lucado; and Frank Peretti. Yet, ACFW members are writing outstanding books and often I’m awed at the interesting characters, the twisted plots that look as if they can never be untangled. I relish the joyful  spiritual uplift that often occurs when I read the stories. I think Rosie Mills (an orphan actually named Rosenblom Cotton Mills) in Prairie Rose was so hilarious and wonderful that she wrapped herself around my heart  and I’ve read the book probably close to 10 times.

What is a quote or saying you live by?  Where did it come from?  Why does it speak to you so deeply?

I have many scriptures, but my Mom lived by a motto that hung on the wall of our home: “Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past, Only what’s done, For Christ will last.”

What are you working on right now?

I still sell to Christian magazines and Sunday school papers and write op-ed pieces for newspapers occasionally. But I’m also marketing Swallowed by LIFE, speaking occasionally, and deciding where to send The Belle of Peachville.  The Mystery at Sir Henry’s Castle is still unpublished and I’m finding fewer publishers are interested in teen books, especially those that aren’t fantasy or speculative fiction. When I can afford it, I might publish the teen book with Amazon’s CreateSpace.

I like to post about twice weekly on my blog and I’m a frequent guest on other writers’ blogs. Thanks, Staci for the invitation to be on yours.

Where can readers find you on the ‘net?

               http://www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

               http://www.adabrownell.com

You’re welcome, Ada!  It has been a treat to have you.  Be sure to stop by again some time!

ADA BROWNELL spent 17 years as a newspaper reporter (the last seven years on the medical beat), mostly at The Pueblo Chieftain in Pueblo, CO.  She has sold approximately 275 articles and fiction stories to 45 Christian magazines and wrote one story on assignment for US Magazine. Her new book Swallowed by Life is available at http://amzn.com/1466200936

The Kindle version is http://amazon.com/swallowed-by-life-ebook/dp/B007BGCVSU/ref=sr_.1_3?s=books&ie+UTF8&qid=1330035854&sr+1-3

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by Staci Stallings on April 20, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Staci Stallings on April 20, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/interview-with-ada-brownell/

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