Meet Kate Breslin

I met Kate Breslin through our agent, Linda Glaz, and I'm excited to introduce you to her today. Her book, For Such a Time, is one you don't want to miss.

For Such a Time

Powerful Retelling of the Story of Esther

In 1944, Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, her Aryan-like looks allow her to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, to maintain her cover as von Schmidt’s secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths, Stella appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's indulgence gives her hope even as she risks discovery with every attempt to help the prisoners. When her bravery brings her to the point of ultimate sacrifice, she faces an excruciating choice. God may have brought her to the camp for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she cannot save herself?

Kate, welcome to Patterings. I have to say (again) that your book, For Such a Time, is probably one of the books that I have most looked forward to reading!

Patty, thank you so much for hosting me today and letting me share with your readers!

The Holocaust is a tough topic, particularly today. What made you decide to do a historical on such a difficult issue?

I got the idea to write For Such A Time while reading Queen Esther’s story in the Bible. I realized how much the Jewish people had suffered at the hands of one tyrant or another throughout history; I began to see similarities between the wicked Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews and Hitler’s more recent Holocaust of WWII. I wondered if I could superimpose the life and challenges of Esther into this more recent time period. I knew little about WWII or the Holocaust when I began my research, but it soon became an emotional journey as well as a spiritual one. I was shocked to read first-hand accounts of Nazi brutality, yet moved, too, by tales of courage and faith-keeping in those who faced death. And there were so many real-life heroes and heroines who risked all to save others. Needless to say, I felt compelled to try and write their story.

How long did it take you to write For Such A Time and what did your research involve?
The entire research and writing process took me about five years: I studied WWII history in the European theater; the Nazi party, including Himmler’s evil SS; I also pored through personal accounts written by prisoners of the camps, including Dachau, Theresienstadt (Terezin,) and Auschwitz. I read memoirs of German Wehrmacht soldiers who fought from North Africa to Stalingrad, and I also attempted to become knowledgeable in the tenets and traditions of Judaism. At final count, my bibliography stood at close to thirty books, including several documentary videos and substantial online information. It was important to me to treat this horrific period with the sensitivity and accuracy it deserved, while crafting a fictional romance between a Jewess and an SS-officer.

What was a highlight of the research?
Much of my research was emotionally exhausting, but I do recall a story that stands out, written by one of the prisoners: about a former Luftwaffe pilot who, because of an injury, had to earn his living as an SS-guard at the camp of Dachau. He saw the plight of the prisoners and many times would bring from his home in the village food and medicine for them. When the Americans liberated Dachau in 1945, they were shocked to see a crowd of sickly, emaciated prisoners circle the guard protectively, so that he would not be hurt. The humanity in that moment touched me; like a glimmer of light in the darkness I’d been reading. It gave me hope that even amidst such evil, goodness could exist.

Did you travel to the region For Such a Time is set in? If you did, how did that affect you?
While I would like to visit the camps I wrote about, I’ve never been to these places. Instead, I “saw” my story setting through reading, viewing pictures, videos, and other imagery. I know that when I do go, it will affect me deeply!

Who is your favorite character in the book? How did their story impact you personally?
Well, I confess I love them all (except Captain Hermann, of course!) I admire little Joseph, because of his bravery and his child’s willingness to love, yet I think Stella (Hadassah) resonates with me most. Her journey became mine, and as we both struggled with the big question of “Why?” I gained a better understanding into the strengths and weaknesses of my own faith.

What was the main thing you learned from writing For Such a Time?
I learned that unconditional love is the surest weapon against evil; it was how Jesus destroyed death. And while evil may take the body, it cannot take the soul, so long as we hold fast to our heavenly Father.

What would you like readers to take away from the book?
I hope readers will gain better insight into the real events of WWII and Hitler’s reign of terror. It’s also my wish they’re inspired to stand a little more courageously in their daily lives. It only takes one to make a difference!

Where can people find you on the internet?
Either my website: www.katebreslin.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kate_Breslin‎
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/KateBreslinAuthor
I’m also on Pinterest and Goodreads!

If you like, you can sign up on my website to become a “Kate’s Crusader” and receive information on future events, books, giveaways, and/or blurbs from me. There’s also a contact form, or you can email me direct at katebreslinauthor@hotlink.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for being here with us today, Kate!

Here's an excerpt from For Such a Time...

For Such a Time by Bethany House Publishers

You can purchase For Such a Time at Amazon.

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Soldier's Heart by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Soldier's Heart

After returning home from the Civil War, will his soldier’s heart come between them?

Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.

But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?

Soldier’s Heart is available in e-book from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Reader, and Barnes & Noble Nook. It will also be available in paperback in a couple of months.

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction because there are so many stories in history. Tamera has recently celebrated her thirty-fourth anniversary with her loving husband. She has two grown and married children and two grandchildren.

Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She is also a writer and has curriculum published including Kid Konnection 5: Kids Entering the Presence of God published by Pathway Press. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

You can contact Tamera online at her website: www.tameralynnkraft.net
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com and on Facebook: and Twitter.

Tamera Lynn Kraft has crafted a well-researched tale about the residuals of war and the lessons of patience for husbands and wives. Well done! ~ Mary Ellis, author of A Heart Divided.

~*~

In Soldier’s Heart, Tamera Lynn Kraft weaves an uplifting story of the healing power of love and restoration. The historical details add notable authenticity. You won’t want this story to end. ~ Ann Shorey, author of the Sisters at Heart series

Karen Wingate did a great interview with Tamera...
KW:    Tell us a little bit about the two main characters in Soldier's Heart.
TLK: Sergeant Noah Andrews is a soldier from the Ohio Seventh Regiment, one of the most heroic regiments from the Union Army. Because he signed up for a three year enlistment when the war began, he came home before the war ended. During the last battle, he suffered the loss of his entire squad. Now that’s he’s home in his small town of Ravenna, Ohio, he’s suffering from PTSD, called Soldier’s Heart back then. He loves his wife and is glad to be home, but he’s having a hard time putting the war behind him.

Molly Andrews has always been in love with Noah. That’s why she married him as soon as she turned sixteen years old. It didn’t matter that he would be going to war the next day. She knew their love would be enough. She struggled during the years he was away, worrying about him and keeping the farm going. But she knew that as soon as he got home, everything would be better. She wasn’t prepared to handle his bout with soldier’s heart.

KW: What is the setting and time frame for your book?
TLK: The setting is Ravenna, a small town in Northeast Ohio that still exists today. I grew up in Ravenna and had fun researching the history. Many of the downtown buildings of that time period are still standing today. The time frame is July, 1864 when the Ohio 7th comes home. The war is still going on, but Sherman’s march to the sea is in progress and it’s only a matter of time before the South surrenders.

KW: What gave the idea to write this particular book?
TLK: I wrote another novel about the Ohio Seventh and was fascinated by that regiment. When the publisher wanted me to write a novel set in 1864, I thought about what is was like for the men from that regiment, who had fought many major battles and suffered its greatest losses in the last battle, to come home before the war was over. I started researching PTSD from that time period, and it all came together. When deciding what town to set the story in, I thought it might be fun to research the town I grew up in since some of the men from the Seventh came from there.

KW:  Soldier's Heart is about a young man returning from the Civil War. It reminded me somewhat of the 1946 movie, "The Best Years of Our Lives." What can families and friends do to help soldiers return to everyday life after returning from a war front?
TLK: “The Best Years of Our Lives” is one of my favorite classic movies. I’ll never forget that haunting scene when the man who lost his arms has his girlfriend help him get ready for bed. I think one of the best things family and friends can do to help soldiers return to everyday life is to be patient. Let them reenter at their own pace. Don’t expect them to get over it right away. They need time and prayers.

KW: What can a church do to show grace and mercy to a returning soldier and his family?
TLK: That’s a good question. In Soldier’s Heart, Noah’s pastor helps him get through PTSD by counseling him about his thought life. I think spiritual counseling is something that is needed with a returning soldiers and their families. Of course, prayer and showing the love of Christ is also very important. I think one thing that is needed that is lacking is patience. Sometimes God miraculously heals, but most of the time, it takes a while.

Be sure to stop by Karen Wingate's blog, Grace on Parade, to see how God's grace is portrayed in Soldier's Heart.

Personally, I like reading light, fluffy books--romances that are tied all nice and pretty at the end with a bow. I'm an escapist at heart. Although Soldier's Heart is not my usual fare, it's very good and worth reading, with just enough romance to keep me happy. My heart ached for Noah and Molly and I came to understand a little more about PTSD and those who live with it. Kraft pulled me into the story with her characters and kept me reading. It's a novella I recommend.

Don't forget to pick up a copy from  Amazon Kindle!

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If You Met a Purple Monster...

Welcome to our first ever Progressive Interview. What is a progressive interview? Well, instead of food at ever stop, we serve up one interview question, answered by many people. These questions were asked on our Take Flight Facebook group and we'd love to have you join us there for blog post idea starters as well as informal blog...help...fun...something. It's a group designed to help bloggers blog and is an extension of the Take Flight challenges and ideas I post here.

The question I asked the group was one of my favorite silly questions that helps me get to know authors more...

If you were to find a purple polka-dotted monster in your kitchen one morning, how would you respond?

And here's their answers...

Sharon Clements Srock Purple is my favorite color, my kitchen is my favorite room, so I'm two markers in the plus category. I'd fix him some coffee.

Yvonne Blake Hopefully, he isn't too dangerous. If he's spotted, it probably means he isn't feeling well and couldn't go to school that day. I'd give him a cookie and a glass of milk and ask him if he wants to sit on the couch with me and watch "Winnie the Pooh."

Diana Lesire Brandmeyer First I would take my temperature and finding it normal decide I need caffeine. If he's still there I'd say, "Come into my office and let's find out what your story is."

Valerie Comer I would look closer, realize the polka dots were actually rounded hearts, then recongnize my granddaughter's jammies. I'm pretty sure she's not dangerous, though at two years old, she can RAWR mightily. I think I would tickle her until she giggles and make her some breakfast. Maybe with blueberries, so we could have more polka dots.

Sherri Wilson Johnson I'd hand him a mop!

Joanne Sher The first thing I'd do is clean off my glasses - just to be sure it wasn't smudges. When I was certain it WAS the monster, I'd ask it (very politely) if it wouldn't mind cleaning my house. One can always hope, right? And, of course, if it said yes, I'd offer it a couple Cadbury Creme Eggs and a cup of something hot from the Keurig.

Linda McQuinn Carlblom I'd get my camera and take a few pictures just for proof. If it turned out to be friendly, I'd ask him to stay while I called my grandkids to come over to play with him!

Donna Winters "Hey, there. Know how to cook eggs? Better not let the dogs catch you here. You could be toast!"

Sharon Hoover After changing my pants (that I've pee-ed) and pulling my exhuberant terrier away from the dotted monster, I would to pretend that he's just another guest and offer a cup of English Breakfast tea. In reality, though, I would scream and jump out the back window!

Janet Sketchley How big is he, Patty? A little one would get "aww, he's cute!" In any case, once I got over the "am I really seeing this?" if there was no apparent danger I'd be looking to see which of my sons was pranking me.

Kristi Peifer Hey pal, I'll have a stack of chocolate chip pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs.

Christina Rich If I were to find a purple polka-dotted monster in my kitchen I'd probably go back to bed. Obviously, I haven't been sleeping enough.

And how would I respond to finding a purple polka-dotted monster in my kitchen one morning?
Relief. You see, this particular monster went undercover as a child of mine and I've been just waiting for her true colors to come out. I knew they would eventually and I've been sneaking around trying to catch her for months. I should've guessed she'd show up in the kitchen! (I'll hafta check her pockets for cookies--I bet she about cleaned out my stash.) She must've stayed up too late and didn't make it back into hiding under the bed before the sun came up. Silly ol' monster.

So tell me,

How would YOU respond to a purple polka-dotted monster in your kitchen one morning?

~*~*~*~*~

Be sure to check out the other progressive interview participants for more great questions! (Their links are with their answers above as well as below.)

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Spotlights

This week as I've been helping decorate our church for the Christmas season and program, I found myself in the spotlights a couple of times. Honestly. I was in the limelight. (Amazing, huh?!) My moments of glory came as I stood on the platform and looked for the next thing to do or listened to directions about bows and lights in the wrong place. LoL. That's as close to the lime lights as I wish to come, too! Those spotlights hurt the eyes! ;-)

But as I stood there in the spotlights I remembered I hadn't told you where the spotlights were and what's going on with them. This month the author spotlights are being hosted at Reflections in Hindsight. Come New Year's a new site is opening: The Barn Door Book Loft and it will be for author spotlights, interviews and book giveaways. I'll keep you posted, but it's gonna be a hopping site. =]

For now, here are the spotlights and book giveaways still open. Be sure to leave comments to be entered in the book giveaways!

Book Giveaways!

Enter to win A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant:

meet Cathy Bryant

Cathy Bryant interview

Enter to win Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis:

meet Mary Ellis

Mary Ellis interview

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with P. A. Baines

Welcome to Patterings, Paul!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
For me that moment happened about thirteen years ago. I was looking for something I could do for God and I spent a lot of time in prayer. Not long after that, an idea for a Christian speculative novel started rattling around in my head and wouldn't go away. I decided to write it down and was surprised that it wasn't as dreadful as I thought it might be. It wasn't polished but I sent it out anyway. It was accepted by a well-known agency in New York but, although it "came close" (their words) they could not sell it. By then I was hooked and have been writing ever since.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
I am busy writing a humorous space opera called "Hanzet, the Universe, and Everything" which I am enjoying way too much. I enjoy writing humor because you get to have fun while you work. My favorite character in Hanzet has to be Malcolm, an ordinary Earth human six million years from now. His life revolves around television and food, until one day he gets caught up in an adventure that takes him to the farthest reaches of the universe. He is flawed but has a good heart and ultimately ends up saving the day in spite of his best efforts to avoid trouble.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I struggle to get started. I'm fine once the first few words hit the page, but I really have a problem with that first sentence. I get around this by reading a few lines from one of my favorite authors at which point the urge to write usually grabs me.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Alpha Redemption has two main characters. Brett is an astronaut taking part in a prototype mission to Alpha Centauri. Jay is the computer program that controls the ship. Although the story centers around Brett's physical and emotional journey, Jay stole the show for me. He is like an innocent child with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Brett treats him badly at first and I really found myself feeling sorry for Jay. One aspect of the story I enjoyed the most was exploring life and the human experience through the eyes of a computer.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Singing "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music on stage during a school play is probably the quirkiest thing I have ever done. This is for two reasons. Firstly, I am normally a shy person. Secondly, I cannot sing.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
I tend to like peace and quiet, so a trip into a busy town center is something I will try to avoid if at all possible. Filling in my annual tax return is something I dread and always end up leaving until the last minute. I find any kind of formal occasion a chore and will drag my feet when going to one of those (not so much dread as discomfort).

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Realistically or in my dreams? Well, maybe I'll settle for a mix of the two. Waking to the sound of birds singing on the first day of a long summer holiday. A blue sky on a warm day spent at the beach with my family followed by a barbeque under the stars. Later, on our return home, an envelope is waiting on the doormat containing a publishing contract for my latest novel. Add cheesecake in there somewhere and you have my perfect day.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I write Christian speculative fiction but don't read very much in the genre. I tend to look for any story that is well-written with a strong voice. The story is paramount to me, no matter what the genre. As an example of the kinds of books I like, I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Both of these stories pulled me in and made me think about life and my place in the world. I think a good story becomes part of you and changes you a little bit.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
I used to nibble a lot of biscuits when I first started writing. These days I don't nibble much when I write, but I do like to keep some mixed nuts and raisins handy.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I think redemption is a big theme for me. I am drawn to imperfect characters who believe but who have doubts about their faith. Life has pulled them away from God but He still has a plan for their lives. I like to show the unfolding of that plan as God reveals His perfect love. I don't identify with flawless characters because people like that do not exist in the real world. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, yet He is always faithful. This, to me, is an amazing thing.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Something He has been teaching me for a long time now is to trust Him, even when things seem to be going wrong. I used to think that, as a Christian, I should never have problems and that my life would go smoothly if only I prayed. Now I understand that what I think should happen and what God wants to happen do not necessarily agree. Through this I am learning to align my will with God's. I used to get irritated if something happened to break my daily routine. Now, instead of getting annoyed, I thank God for whatever the reason is for the delay. Simply put, I am learning to let God take the reins of my life and not fretting when we take a route I did not expect. I have a lot more peace now.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I have a finished novel that I hope to show to my publisher soon. It is called Hour and involves the discovery of another planet just like the Earth on the other side of the Sun. A team is sent to explore the planet where they discover a civilization caught up in a terrible ecological disaster and harboring a secret that has spiritual consequences for everyone on Earth. For this story I spent a lot of time and effort researching space travel to make it as authentic as possible, including reading through an actual Shuttle accident report. I like this story because it has an ending that I think many Christians will enjoy.

You can purchase Alpha Redemtion from Amazon:




P. A. Baines is giving away a copy of Alpha Redemtion. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 15th and check back on Tuesday, November 16th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with P. A. Baines. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Alice K. Arenz

Welcome to Patterings, Alice! 
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
It happened when my husband (now ex) said I needed to stop filling all our notebooks with partial manuscripts and finish something, or decide to be serious about writing and learn how to do it properly. That’s when I started getting Writer’s Digest Magazine and compiling info to write and submit.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
I love all my books – each of them are just a bit different, with the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series, which are cozies (The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, The Case of the Mystified M.D.), TOTALLY different from my serious mystery/romantic suspense that I usually write (Mirrored Image, which releases Oct. 1)

Glory Harper, the “Grandma” in the Bouncing Grandma books, is a total nut, and I can’t help but love her and the other characters. But Cassandra Chase and Detective Jeff McMichaels from Mirrored Image have been living so long in my imagination that they have become a part of me in a way only another writer could understand.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Not wasting time – but that’s my major obstacle whether I’m writing or not. As for overcoming it . . . I guess I’m a work in progress. ;)

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Um . . . Lynette Sandler. I wouldn’t say she “interested me most,” but she was certainly intriguing. Lynette dies at the beginning of the book, but without her murder--and the subsequent discoveries made as the book progresses, you’d definitely lose a lot.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Or what is your strangest habit?
Became a writer. I think that’s pretty quirky.

I have a touch of OCD, so I have a routine I go through every day before I can start writing—checking email, playing a few games of Spider Solitaire while it downloads, and such. I’m trying to break the “need” for this, but without a lot of success so far.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Um, yep, there are. Sometimes my OCD comes in handy.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A day I could spend with my family—husband, kids, grandkids—without having to think about going back home and resuming the same old same old.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Mystery, suspense, thriller, historical, time travel (this fascinates me). But if the book is good, it doesn’t make any difference what genre it is!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Nope. If the words are flowing, I don’t even want to take a break to eat!

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
The necessity of forgiveness crops up a lot in my writing, as does the power of good over evil—though it sometimes seems like evil triumphs for a while, there is always hope and faith. I don’t know that I deliberately put these in my books, but I know they’re in them.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
As I said earlier, I’m a work in progress, so I feel I’m constantly learning. Mostly, though, it’s that I need to listen more to Him and not think I can do “it” on my own. I KNOW this already, but sometimes He has to shake me to get my attention.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Mirrored Image officially releases Oct.1st. It’s a mystery/romantic suspense, with the most awesome cover!

Thanks so much for having me here today! If you’re interested in finding out more about me, go to www.akawriter.com or www.sheafhouse.com. My books can be ordered at any bookstore and online at www.amazon.com, www.christianbook.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and most online book sellers.

You can purchase Mirrored Image from CBD, Barnes and Noble and Amazon:



Alice Arenz is giving away a copy of Mirrored Image. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 8th and check back on Tuesday, November 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Alice. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Michelle Sutton

Welcome to Patterings, Michelle. Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
I had found Cynthia Rutledge on the internet and contacted her as a fan. She was my favorite Love Inspired author at the time. She wrote pretty hot and interesting inspirationals and told me how she got started. I thought if she could do it, so could I. But without God continuing to inspire me, I would have dropped out long ago. There are a lot of things to discourage authors in this world, so without God behind me (and my husband and kids) I'd be sunk.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Honestly, they are all fun in there own way. And like any mother, my latest baby is my favorite, but I love them all. So First Love is high on my list. It's edgy and risky regarding the topic and subject matter, but it's all from my heart.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Discouragement is definitely high on the list. I just call one of my writing buddies on the phone and ask them to tell me I don't suck as an author and to remind me why I am even doing this. They always have just the right words to say. I also read reviews people have written that are truly heart-felt. That always gives me more creative energy.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Probably Tara, because she was a responsible and loving character who wanted to do the right thing but had a weakness for Josiah resulting from some past insecurities. She was so real I kept forgetting she was created in my imagination.

What is your strangest habit?
I don't know how strange this is but I usually read at least five books at the same time and I have books in every room in my house. I even have books at my office.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
When it comes to writing? Not really. I only write when I get the muse. If I force myself to do it then it is no longer enjoyable to me… Wait! I just thought of something. Paying taxes on my earnings. Yeah, I tend to drag my feet on that and wait until late March to send it in.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Eating calorie free (but scrumptious) chocolate while writing the most amazing novel ever that was sure to hit the best-seller's list, and all of this to celebrate signing my latest six figure digit deal with a large publishing house. (You didn't say it had to be achievable, right? So my dream-fantasy is outlined above.)


Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I tend to favor historical romances over all others. I also enjoy contemporary romances. It just has to be original and fresh. Interesting is always good. Sizzlings gives it more weight. I am a romantic at heart, so it's hard to avoid favoring those types of books. However, I have been known to enjoy books that are not in any way romantic. They have to be really good, though, and hold my attention. Not an easy task…

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Not really, but water and coffee are always good. Plus, if I drink enough of them both I am forced to take occasional breaks and go to the bathroom, which is necessary to prevent me from getting so stiff I can't move after typing for hours on end.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Redemption and forgiveness are my favorite themes. I like to wreck my characters' lives and then show how God binds their wounds and carries them through some of their hardest trials. When everything looks bleak, that's when God's love shines the brightest.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
That I need to write the stories He has inspired me to write without worrying about how to justify things if asked. Fortunately I haven't been challenged by people very much at all (no puritanical folks condemning me to hell for story content so far.) Also, not to worry about selling more books. God is taking care of me and I've got books releasing through 2012 so there is no rush. He is teaching me the beauty of patience.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
First Love releases in October 2010 (e-book)
Letting Go (Sheaf House) releases in Feb 2011
First Response releases in June 2011 (e-book)
Their Separate Ways releases in July 2011
Finding Love releases in Sept 2011
Keeping Promises releases in Feb 2012
Untitled releases in July 2012
Moving On releases in Sept 2012
Also, please check my website books page for current release dates.

You can purchase First Love from Amazon:



Michelle Sutton is giving away a copy of First Love. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 1st and check back on Tuesday, November 2nd to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Michelle. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Deanna Klingel

Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
I think that happened so many years ago, I don't remember. I have always enjoyed writing and always believed "someday" I would write seriously. Raising 7 children and moving every 2 years, I couldn't wrap myself up in it. But, now, I can. One day I got up, went to the computer and said "today is the day." I started writing Rebecca and Heart. That book went to the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2008 and 2009 and generated a lot of interest, but, in the end, it didn't get picked  up. This year it was acquired as an ebook on Storyrealm.com. Then I began Avery and Gunner. The first book went to Bologna in 2009 and a major publisher wanted it and wanted film rights, so that was pretty exciting. I did all the revisions they asked, learned a lot, and after about 18 months, they decided not to take it. I learned just this week that Avery and Gunner 1861-1865 is going to contract with Journey Forth Publishing in Greenville, SC.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Hmm. Honestly? Everything I write is fun. Otherwise, why bother. Everything is new, interesting, and I love research. That's probably why I enjoy historical fiction. But, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog, was a giggle and lots of fun. ( Released Sept. 2010). My children's books have all been fun. I love to write short stories and have won some contests, that's always fun. But, I guess, I'd have to say that I have the most fun learning quirky history.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
That's like asking which is the favorite child or which dog I love most. Avery is like my son. I know him. I admire him. I love him. I brought him into this world! Rebecca, a sweet autistic child of God; I'm so glad I got to meet her. She, too, is fiction. But my fiction characters tell me their stories. I don't fit them into mine.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
My most difficult obstacle is not telling the historical base. I've learned that the best approach for me is to go ahead and tell it. Write it like a history book as clearly, factually, and succinctly as possible. When I'm happy with it, then I chop it up, rewrite it dialogue, put in the contractions, make it informal, and decide which character wants to say which part. This was a huge challenge for me when writing Bread Upon the Water. This is a true story of a boy who left Vietnam as a "boat person" because he wanted to be a priest. There is so much background that middle schoolers wouldn't know that's important to the story. It was a challenge to incorporate it into the story, when it could be a story all by itself. (That manuscript is looking for a home.) The Vietnamese are quiet people and they wouldn't have talked about these history making events. Tien, my character and true life friend, doesn't use contractions. His speech is very formal as all his family is. But, publishers would call that stilted and not realistic, difficult to read. Editors would change it, so I might as well start out that way, right? But, since I know the sound of Tien's voice, writing it a different way was difficult.
The characters in my new release are many. It's multi-charactered. That's because this book, Just for the Moment, isn't about a character, and it's really not about the dogs either. It's about moments. It's about those beautiful moments when the therapy dog reaches a human soul and makes a difference, even if it's just for that moment. I've loved all the people my dogs have touched, and some of them really are characters in a real sense. They are all interesting, real people.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Oh, dear. I think you should ask my husband. I know a lot of people think dancing with a dog is quirky. We belong to WCFO, World Canine Freestyle Organization. Freestyle is dog dancing. Hmm. That does sound a bit quirky doesn't it. Yeah, costumes,sequins, music, tadah.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
No. I schedule them as early in the morning as I can. I get it over with. I don't do well with dread hanging over me. Just do it and get on with life.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A perfect day would look like the one I'm looking at today. It's an incredible morning here in the mountains. My desk is in the loft of our log house and the wall is a window. I can see the clear sky, the changing leaves, wildlife and birds. My dogs are curled at my feet. I'm getting ready to send Bread Upon the Waters to a couple more houses. My husband is walking down the driveway towards the house. Why's he coming home this morning? This is shaping up perfectly.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read all the time. I read lots of different things because I belong to two bookclubs. Last year I took college classes at Brevard College. I took YA/Lit and we read 9 novels. It was a wide range and a real stretch for me.( I'm called a nontraditional student. That means I'm older than the professor.) We read a graphic novel and a science fiction which I would never have read on my own. My favorite of those 9 was The Book Thief, least favorite was Looking for Alaska, which gagged me. I just finished reading Galway Bay. It's absolutely stunning, so well crafted. I rank it up there with Vanishing Point, another beautiful book. I've also recently enjoyed Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. My all-time favs always turn out to be historical fiction.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
That's funny. I don't really like food too much. If I didn't need it to live, I'd opt out of meals. But, when I was taking the Smoky Mountain Writers Class last spring, one of the women there said, with a perfectly straight face, that her advice to writers was this: "Whenever writers are feeling stress...either too much, or not enough...you should always, always, eat chocolate." I try to remember that.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
The spiritual themes I like to write about has mostly to do with the innate goodness of  people, the spirit that drives them. I like to write about people who find their strength in their faith. That would be Avery, and it would be Tien.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Patience. Humility. Writing takes both. I think that's why the Lords' time for me to write is this late in my life. The early me was in a great hurry, on a tight schedule (for 12 people in the household!) and I couldn't have waited for a book to take five years. I think I would have taken critique hard and personal. It would have been discouraging. At this point in my life, I have nothing to prove, I'm very confidant, I love to learn new things, and I love to see my writing improve. Yes, I'd say patience and humility; He's been working on me for a lot of years getting me ready for this phase in my life.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog released in September. It's my first manuscript between covers and I'm very excited about it. Now I'm busy marketing and I'm enjoying that, too. Rebecca and Heart and Beth's Backyard Friends went live on September 8 on Storyrealm.com. Avery and Gunner are just going to contract, so I don't know the release date, probably 2012. I hope to find a home for Bread Upon the Water in the next months. I've got two children's stories out and about: Amanda's Magic, and Walker Hound of Park Avenue. Their day will come.
If you'd like to find Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog you can find it at Indie Book Stores and www.therapydogstories.com, www.Dogwise.com, and book chains.
Thank you, this has been fun. Deanna


Deanna Klingel is giving away a copy of Just For the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 25th and check back on Tuesday, October 26th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Deanna. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Leanna Ellis

Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
Once upon a time, I was a teacher but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do forever. I was trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do when my sister suggested I start writing, “because I was always scribbling in a journal.” That seed took root and grew. And at the end of the school year, I quit teaching to become a writer. So writing was never a hobby for me. From there it’s been a long journey of almost twenty years. Quite an adventure!

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Whichever book I’m writing is usually the one that is the most fun. Facelift was difficult for me to write because I needed to start writing it the month after my father passed away. In a way, I was walking a path similar to Kaye’s in the book because I had to choose joy. I also needed an emotional facelift. So I think in going through that it actually helped me to write it.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
In writing Facelift, it was sitting myself in a chair and getting the words to come, being patient and not forcing them, just enticing them onto the page. Quite often staring at the blank page is more difficult for me. I actually like the rewriting process better. Once there are words on the page, I can maneuver them and fix them, rearrange or even delete. But a blank page…that’s so hard!

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
That’s a tough question because the different characters all kept my interest. Marla was probably the first character that came to me. She’s the ex-mother-in-law who has a botched facelift. But Kaye’s resilience intrigued me. And then there was Jack. I kept learning new and interesting things about him. Loved him! But then there was Cousin It. She was a ton of fun because I used a lot of experiences from my labradoodle puppy, The Hilo Monster (as we affectionately call her).

 What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
That’s another tough one. I don’t think of myself as quirky but I must be because I come up with pretty quirky characters, including the book I’m writing right now—an Amish/vampire book. That may be just plain wacky!

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Marketing. Marketing is hard for me. It’s way, way, way out of my comfort zone, more like the Twilight Zone.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A few weeks ago, I experienced one of those perfect days. I was in Kauai with my family. I woke up early, long before my husband or children did, and I wrote a few pages on a proposal while sitting out on the lanai and listening to the surf. Then when they woke up, we went for breakfast then to the beach for sun and snorkeling. Later that afternoon, I was lying in a hammock, listening to the surf (again!), watching the waves roll in and reading. It was a perfect day.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m very eclectic in my reading. I read books with my kids, so anything from children’s and YA, which is often fantasy, to Amish to literary to NY Times best sellers, from romance to thrillers. I like a wide assortment of books. I even love to read biographies. Those are fascinating!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
If I allow myself: peanut M&Ms. But I try to restrain myself on that.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I usually just write whatever the character needs but I will say perfectionism has come up a couple of times. But the books were completely different.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Trust. And little baby steps with that. But He is so faithful and loving in His teaching. I’m also in the middle of studying Daniel, which has been a wonderful study and has in so many ways mirrored what I wrote about in Facelift.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Facelift releases October 1st! After that, Forsaken, the first book of the Plain Fear series, which is my Amish/vampire book, releases August 2011. Then True Grits, a B&H release, comes out September 2011.
Thanks so much, Patty, for having me here! Blessings to you and your readers.


You can purchase Facelift from CBD, for your Kindle and from Amazon:


Leanna is giving away a copy of Facelift. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 18th and check back on Tuesday, October 19th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Leanna Ellis. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Lena Nelson Dooley

Welcome back to Patterings, Lena!

What would a perfect day for you look like?
My perfect day would be spent doing what God had planned for me that day. So I have a lot of perfect days. My husband is usually a large part of that day. Often my children or grandchildren are involved.

I really like to travel, so when we’re traveling, I’m very happy. And when I get to spend time with other authors, it’s a real plus.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
My husband used to be a truck driver. About 25 years ago, he was gone for a couple of days. At that time, I used a pressure cooker fairly often. I had cooked Swiss steak for the family dinner. After the pressure went down, I couldn’t get the pan open. After trying for quite a while, I called the police station and asked if a policeman could come by the house and open my pressure saucepan. They sent one out right away, and my family had dinner that night.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
When people ask me things like that, I always say the book I’m working on right now is my favorite. I haven’t written a book I didn’t like. And I love the characters God gives me to write about.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
In Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, I loved all the characters, but since Jeremiah was the one who had the most spiritual growth, I found him very interesting.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I have very eclectic reading tastes—historical, contemporary, romance, suspense, some speculative fiction. However, I’m not really interested in reading horror or dark spirits.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Chocolate, especially dark. Or M&Ms.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I write about redemption, trusting God, forgiveness. Things like that

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
To completely trust Him for everything in my life. This is an ongoing lesson.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I just signed a contract for a 3-book historical series set in 1885 about triplets born on the last wagon train west that were separated at birth.

Thank you for being with us today, Lena!
Lena is giving away a copy of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 11th and check back on Tuesday, October 12th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Lena. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with DeAnna Julie Dodson

Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
I actually started writing when I was extremely bored in my college accounting class. I wrote just to amuse myself and because I wasn’t seeing the kinds of books I wanted to read on the shelves. I started off with just some loosely related scenes and would write whatever interested me at the moment. With great fear and trembling, I finally let a friend of mine read one of those scenes. She was impressed enough to encourage me to try to get published. Miraculously, the third query I sent out got a request for the full manuscript, and a three-book deal followed. I’m still a little bit astonished by that.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
I’d definitely have to say that my most fun book is my current work in progress, Civil as an Orange. It’s a sequel to Rules of Murder, the first book in my 1930s mystery series, which was my most fun book until I started on Civil. My favorite character, of course, is Drew Farthering, my amateur sleuth hero. He’s stylish and witty and, of course, devastatingly handsome. And for some reason, through no fault of his own, he seems to always be running across dead bodies.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’d have to say plain old inertia is my biggest obstacle. More and more it seems like the hardest part of every day is just getting started. The only way I’ve found to get past that is to just write something. Anything. Being at home most of every day, it’s easy to let little things eat up my time. Just one half-hour TV show. Just a quick look at my new quilting magazine. Oh, look how cute the cats are being right now . . . And there goes the day. But if I can get started somewhere, even if it’s just an insignificant paragraph that links one scene to another, I can usually keep going from there.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
My new book, Letters in the Attic, is the fourth book in the Annie’s Attic Mysteries series, so most of the characters were already created before I started writing. But I ended up having the most fun with a character I created, Officer Roy Hamilton. He was supposed to have a very minor role in the story, but he demanded more. In fact, as it turned out, he gave me a great opportunity to increase the suspense in the story, and that’s always a winner.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Hmmmm, a perfect day would consist of sleeping until I felt like waking up and then reading in bed for a while. After a nice breakfast, perhaps French toast, I would do a little quilting or cross-stitching. Then, with my creative juices bubbling, I would write (brilliantly, of course) for a while. Once my brain was tired, I would go out to dinner with my family/friends and then curl up with a classic movie on DVD or DVR or, best of all, watch some Dallas Stars hockey. Ahhhhhh.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Oh, I love all kinds of books. I do tend to like historicals more than contemporaries, mostly because contemporary life is around me all the time. Historicals take me to someplace different and wonderful, a place with beautiful clothes and houses and oh-so-elegant manners. I love the classics, and I especially love classic mysteries: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham. – I can’t get enough!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
I think the overwhelming scientific evidence proves that one cannot write without chocolate.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Looking back at all the books I’ve written, I think the overarching theme is that, no matter how badly we mess up, God loves us and wants us, that He holds us in the palm of His hand and will never let us go, and that He seeks us no matter where we are. It’s something that still amazes me after a whole lifetime of being a Christian.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
I think it must be patience. My first three books came out in the late 1990s, so it’s be quite a while since I’ve had something new out. It’s really exciting, too, to finally hold that new “baby” in my hands. But it’s been a struggle to get things going on my mystery series, too. As my wonderful agent reminds me, though, my career is in God’s hands, not the market’s. In His hands is a wonderful place to be.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I don’t have any information about when my series of Drew Farthering Mysteries will be published, but I hope it’s soon. I adore Drew and want everyone else to have the opportunity to meet him. In the meantime, I have descriptions and excerpts for both books in the series on my website:
www.deannajuliedodson.com/drew
www.deannajuliedodson.com/civilasanorange

DeAnna is giving away a copy of Letters in the Attic. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 4th and check back on Tuesday, October 5th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with DeAnna. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Trish Perry

Welcome back to Patterins, Trish!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
It really was an epiphany, Patty. I was about to complete my Psychology degree and needed to align myself with a professor for my grad study work. I had started my first novel on the side, and suddenly wasn’t sure whether to seriously pursue the writing or go on toward my doctorate in Psychology. I was making the bed one morning, praying somewhat petulantly about the fact that God had always given me such peace about my degree pursuit. “Why aren’t you giving me guidance, Lord? I always knew I was in Your will while working on my degree, but now I’m not feeling it. Where’s the guidance?” And as if He spoke the words right into my head, I realized He was no longer guiding me toward Psychology. The moment I “thought” those words, I felt utter peace about pursuing the writing. I figured I’d give it a couple of years to decide for sure. I’ve never gone back to the grad work, and the writing has definitely worked out!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I struggle to remain disciplined with my writing. It’s very easy to get distracted and to procrastinate when you know the alternative is sitting at the computer and filling that empty screen with something you’ve pulled out of nowhere. That’s why editing and rewriting are so much easier—the creation is done; now you get to refine it.

The most effective deterrent to a lack of discipline for me is the beloved deadline. Honestly, deadlines are our friends! Another way to develop discipline is to just sit at the computer there and start. Just have a basic idea of what you want to accomplish in a given chapter and then let it pour out, without giving too much thought to whether or not you’re writing something you’re going to keep. I’m finding I’m more likely to do that when I’m forced to write in longhand and transcribe it later, but I’m not keen on writing by hand, so I seldom utilize that approach. But when I do, my right hemisphere really kicks in—my censor runs off to grab a cup of coffee or something.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
Of course that would have to be my heroine, Steph. She’s young and sweet, but she lacks direction and self-awareness. She’s very capable—she just doesn’t realize it yet. I enjoyed watching her grow through her various mishaps and experiences in her new hometown. And I loved watching her relationship with the hero develop and watching her come to the realization of why she made some of the bad decisions she did in the past.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I’m not a terribly quirky gal. But in answering another question below, I thought of something kind of strange I’ve done in the past. Because I earned my college degree as an adult, I attended as a part-time student. So the studying was spread out for several years, and between my college work and raising a family, I didn’t have much time for pleasure reading (as in, novels). So once I finished my degree, I started buying novels for myself. Lots of them. I took advantage of local book fairs and online discount sites. I stopped shopping like that about five years ago. Regardless, I have about 775 unread novels in my library, and that doesn’t include those that come along for me to read for endorsement or to influence or for my local book club or the CD books I listen to while I drive. I still get joy just looking at my bookshelves—all of those adventures my mind has yet to experience. I guess that’s pretty weird, huh?

LoL—it may be weird, but I sure understand it! ;-)
What would a perfect day for you look like?
On perfect days I manage to get to my Bible study first, my writing quota second, and still have time to get together with friends or family members. I enjoy beautiful weather, but I’m not all that much of an outdoorsy girl, so my day doesn’t have to be glorious outside to be perfect (but it does help). On a perfect day we have a nice lunch/dinner/evening out, with plenty of conversation, capped off by a fun film or show and more conversation.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read both Christian and mainstream novels (I always prefer novels to nonfiction), and I read in just about any genre. I’ll deliberately mix it up, so if I read a historical Christian novel about a woman in 1890s New Mexico, the next one might be a mainstream experimental novel in which everything occurs backwards in time. Then a light, romantic comedy, followed by a heavy literary masterpiece. Ooo, just writing this paragraph makes me want to go pick up a book!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
I used to be a slave to Lays Potato Chips and Fritos. Now I don’t eat that kind of thing anymore (or not very often, anyway), because I lost weight and love being thinner. My new “chips” are cashews or almonds. Crunchy stuff definitely does it for me. I can’t imagine sitting here with a cup of tapioca or a block of cheese. There’s something squishy and dense about that kind of snack, and I don’t want to be squishy or dense. I want to be crunchy!

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I never set out to write a book with a specific theme in mind. Rather, I design the characters and their setting and figure out what their conflicts are. But as a result of their having to work through those conflicts, a theme eventually emerges. Since I write Christian fiction, the theme always involves God. A few years ago Robin Jones Gunn pointed out that for most of us, if we looked at what we’ve written over time, we would see a particular facet of our relationship with God that He put on our hearts to express. I realized I was attached to the idea of His guidance and our need to keep turning to it. That theme certainly flavors all of my stories in a broad fashion.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
He’s been teaching me to lean on Him about the future. I’m in a position where I will probably need to supplement my writing income sometime soon, unless He has other writing-related things in mind for me. I’ve taken steps toward supplementing my income, but He has blessed me with so many writing opportunities, I’ve had to push my other efforts aside several times now. So I’m leaning on Him mightily for day-to-day guidance about His will. See? My “guidance” theme raises its ever-present head again!

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I have three books coming out in the first half of 2011. I’m uncertain on the release dates for two of them. Those two are Unforgettable (Summerside Press), a 1950s romantic comedy about a ballroom dance instructor, a brash newspaper reporter, and the adventure and romance they encounter between Arlington and Manhattan; and a totally fun, touching devotional, Delight Yourself in the Lord . . . Even on Bad Hair Days, (Summerside Press, maybe in March), which I wrote with the fabulous Kristin Billerbeck, Sandra D. Bricker, Diane Hunt, and Debby Mayne.

The third release date I do know about, and that’s the April release of Tea for Two (Harvest House Publishers), the second book in The Tea Shop Series. I loved writing this book. Here’s the blurb for it:

Zack Cooper tries his best to raise his children, but he's losing his grip on them in their teen years. They've both had scrapes with the local law.

Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel has the perfect woman in mind to help Zack. Counselor Tina Milano meets weekly at the tea shop with her women's group. Milly encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before they get in even hotter water. Milly never thought things might heat up between Zack and Tina. Or did she?

Tina's connections with the Middleburg police department prove a mixed blessing for Zack and his kids. Both her best friend and old boyfriend are officers on the force.

And when Tina's women's group gets wind of her personal pursuits and clashes, they want to help. The group's meetings at the tea shop take on a slightly different flavor. Tina wonders who, exactly, is counseling whom.

Thanks, Patty, for the interview! It’s been a pleasure visiting.

Thank you for stopping by, Trish! I really enjoyed this interview with you!


Trish is giving away a copy of The Perfect Blend. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, Sept. 27th and check back on Tuesday, Sept. 28th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Trish. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

If you haven't already, be sure to enter Lorna Seilstad's book giveaway for Making Waves by leaving comments on her spotlight and interview.

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