Category: Interview

When writing a mystery/crime novel, for you, what comes first: the crime, the villain, or how it is solved?
I’d say probably the crime. Sometimes as I’m gathering ideas for a new book, I’ll think of a creepy scene and work on that for a little bit, fleshing it out, without knowing exactly who will be in it or what that villain will be like.
That said, since I’m writing a series, there are some villains that overlap from book to book, and in those cases I would have that person in mind when I shape the scenes. I kind of enjoy that since I already know what that villain might think or how he would act. I like brainstorming some of the most disturbing things I can think of and then bringing them into the books. This really is a weird life.
The last thing I come up with when writing a novel is how to solve a crime. I try to create impossible crimes and then eventually solve them in a way no one would expect, but will still be satisfied with. That’s hard and it takes me a long time, often as much as a year, to figure out how to solve them. It’s wild.

Opening Moves is your sixth novel with Patrick Bowers, does his character become easier or harder to write with each book?
Easier, yes. Imagine spending several hours a day with someone for six years. You’d be able to anticipate pretty well how that person would react to different situations. That’s the way it is with Bowers. I know him pretty well by now. However, the books don’t seem to get any easier because I keep learning more about writing and end up being more and more critical of myself and having to go through more drafts until I reach the final product, so there are challenges and payoffs from doing this over a number of years.

 Patrick Bowers brings a unique platform to the crime novel table, in the sense that he specializes in geographic profiling. What made you choose this area of expertise?
I was doing research on different investigative techniques, and I kept seeing information on the same thing—forensics, profiling, traditional investigative approaches. I didn’t want to do what everyone else was so when I stumbled across geospatial investigative techniques, it was a perfect fit.
Bowers doesn’t look for means, motive or opportunity, doesn’t have anything to do with DNA, and hates profiling. This all makes him unique, and I think that’s one of the things that attracts readers to the series.

Having read Opening Moves, I was left with the desire to pray for the protection of my family as well as to pray for those people, who, as we speak may be at the mercy of some very sick and evil person. What is the message that you want people to leave with when they finish Opening Moves?
I don’t really start a book with a message in mind, but more of a dilemma or a question. In this case I wanted to explore the themes of sin and redemption in regard to some pretty violent crimes. Specifically I was asking myself “At what point do we become accountable for our choices?” I found that it wasn’t an easy question, and I’m still not sure I know what my answer to it is.

 So I was very excited to learn that there will be another Patrick Bowers book coming out next year called The King, but you have a new protagonist debuting in November in the novel Placebo. Is there anything you can share about that?
Jevin Banks is one of the world’s greatest illusionists and escape artists. In this first book in the series he uncovers a pharmaceutical firm conspiracy and has to use all of his skills to try and stop an assassination attempt. These books have a different feel than the gritty suspense of the Bowers books. The Jevin Banks novels are more science thrillers. It’s been fun to create another fictional world, one that I can move back and forth from. Who knows where this one will lead.

Thank you Mr. James! Check out my review of Opening Moves:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/09/11/steven-james-opening-moves/

Thank you for willing to be interviewed! My pleasure, Em – you have a great blog!

1. I thought it was interesting that you choose to write the Ballantyne Legacy in Pennsylvania (as opposed to Kentucky), was there a specific reason for this location?
My editor came up with Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh specifically. I think there is always concern that an author might get too tied to a setting and need a fresh location. Little did I know how historically rich that state would prove to be! I love it almost as much as Kentucky and had a wonderful time researching the novel there last summer. It doesn’t hurt that my hero, Daniel Boone, was from Pennsylvania.

2. When you were writing Love’s Reckoning, did you know everything that would happen or were you as surprised as the readers?
I’m really a seat of the pants writer who just sits down and writes without any map or preconceived ideas. I just had the basic premise for this story – a blacksmith apprentice who has to honor tradition and choose between 2 sisters – but all the rest came to me chapter by chapter. In fact, the male villain in the story (there was only supposed to be a female vixen, lol) came onstage in chapter 2 and nearly took over the story. I was just as surprised by readers by all the twists and turns. Poor Eden really suffered at times though that wasn’t my original intent.

3. Elspeth somehow managed to come off as more than a little creepy, what was your inspiration for her?
Eight years of social work in the mental health field. I knew quite a few Elspeths. Clinically- speaking, Elspeths is a very disturbed individual but you’ve read the book so I don’t have to tell you that. In book 2 I try to give a little more insight into her character and why she acted as she did. But in book 1, Love’s Reckoning, she’s just pretty creepy like you said.

4. I have had the pleasure to read about Lael, Morrow, Roxanna, and now Eden, and each of them has a unique personality. Is there any one heroine who is more like you than the others? Is there any heroine that you wish you were more like?
Lael Click is most like me except she’s a bit more fearless. She’s the character I grew up wanting to be so I finally took her out of my head and heart and put her into a book. Eden Lee is the one I wish I was most like. She has that gentle and quiet spirit which may make her seem meek at first but is in fact her greatest strength.

5. Silas was a great hero which a rich history, did you have to do a lot of research to develop his back story?
My favorite heroes have always been Scotsmen. There’s just something about their rich history and the country itself. I’m headed to Scotland in December to visit the very castle I write about in Love’s Reckoning and am thrilled. Over the years I’ve collected quite a few books on Scotland and its history and customs and traditions. Silas is sort of a composite of all that. I hope he springs to life in an authentic way.

6. It will be a year before book 2 comes out, but it already sounds exciting. Is there anything you can share with us about that novel?
I’m getting ready to turn book 2 in this week! It’s 408 pages long and involves the second generation of Ballantynes, specifically Ellie and her siblings, Ansel, Peyton, and Andra. I’m afraid Elspeth reappears which always shakes things up. This book makes the leap from the 18th-century to 1822. There are quite a few twists and turns. But no spoilers!

Ms. Frantz has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of Love’s Reckoning! And so, in keeping with my Monday Musings post, what makes a Laura Frantz novel good? Is it the characters? the research? the background? the storyline? the romance?something else?
I’ll give you my answer: originality. The Kentucky setting was what drew me in to the first Laura Frantz novel and I love the fact that I can never predict what will happen in the end. Keeps me on my toes!

Contest Rules: In order to win the copy, you must leave a comment and the winner will be randomly selected. If you are interested in participating in the contest, your comment must include your email address. If you are notified as the winner, please respond within 48 hours. Winner will be announced on 9/28!

Thank you for willing to be interviewed!

Well, thank you for asking me!!!

1. When writing YA fiction, are there certain things that you feel must be in a novel or shouldn’t be in a novel?
Great question! I actually just wrote a guest post for Go Teen Writers and that’s the very thing I discussed! Any great YA novel should have three elements.
A. An unforgettable character
B. An impossible situation
C. A relentless threat
If you have these three things, you’re on your way to writing a fabulous YA!

2. Halflings involves a number of spiritual beings. When writing Halflings, did you have to do any kind of research?
All the research came along years before I ever started the book. I’ve always been interested in angels … not to the point that I searched out websites or anything, but there are a lot of angel/human interactions in the Bible. I always paid close attention to how and why the angels acted the way they did. Then I took it and started spinning fiction into it. Quite fun, actually. 

3. What was your inspiration for this series?
A bunch of teenagers who started talking in my head and wouldn’t shut up until I told their story. When I started writing Halflings, I’d been working on a completely different style of book. You might say the story idea took me captive. So far, it hasn’t let go. Apparently, I have my own relentless threat at work.

4. As it stands, Nikki is not supposed to end up with either Mace or Raven, but I have great faith that something, somehow, someway will change that. Do you already know who she will end up with or will you be surprised as well?
I’ve always known who, but honestly when I’m writing her with the other character, I totally change my mind. I even told my husband, “When she’s with ——-, I really believe that’s her match, her soul mate. She should end up with him!” Even though I know differently. My husband told me that if I’m not convinced, the reader won’t be convinced. Every time she’s with one or the other, we should be wondering about who is right for her. We find out in Guardian if she actually can have one or the other.  Yes, there’s a BIG reveal in that book.

5. Please tell us something (anything!) about the upcoming Guardian.
Well, I can say this, it’s the funnest book I’ve ever written. Nikki has to dig deep to fulfill her destiny. She gets to take a trip to Europe with the Halflings, discovers her “girly” side when Winter, Vegan and Glimmer “adopt” her, and she struggles with fitting into a world of gorgeous half-angel beings making her wonder if she should return home. A painful realization opens old wounds and she finds herself hunting the very man who swore he’d protect her.
Guardian releases on October 9. But you can read the first two chapters free in the ebook short story A Halflings Rescue. It’s available at all e-retailers. It’s a fun short story and my awesome publisher included the first two chapters of Guardian with it.

Check out my review of Halfings:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/08/27/heather-burchs-halflings/

Ms. Pettrey,

1.      What was your inspiration for Submerged?

I watched a movie about cave divers and it got me thinking what type of person would pursue such a dangerous job for a living. Everything sort of spiraled from there. 

 

2.      Alaska seems to be a character in and of itself, did you have to prepare in anyway for using this environment?

I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Alaska yet, so that meant a lot of research. Fortunately I love research. I read travel blogs, travel guides, looked at a lot of photographs, read history books and watched movies filmed on location there.

 

3.      Cole (and his family) has an interesting job, what led you to decide on this profession? My love of adventure. I find extreme athletes and people who pursue adventurous careers simply fascinating. I began researching all the extreme sports and adventure professions, and the McKenna family was born.

 

4.      Bailey has to learn to let her past go and accept God’s grace, was this an issue you wanted to tackle when you started writing Submerged or did Bailey’s story develop as you wrote?

It developed as I wrote. I don’t usually start with an issue or theme in mind. I start with a ‘what if?’ or a premise, and the characters develop as I write the first draft.

5.      When writing the mystery, how much research did you have to do?

Quite a bit since the mystery involved so much history.

6.      So the next book, Shattered, is about Piper which is exciting! Can you tell us anything about it?

Shattered will be available February 1^st. Other than that and the fact that’s it is Piper’s story, I can’t share anything else just yet, but I encourage readers to sign up for my newsletter (via my website: www.danipettrey.com). I will share all information about upcoming projects and even some sneak peeks there first.

Thanks so much, Embassie!

Here is my review of Submerged:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/05/07/dani-pettreys-submerged/

Author Bio:

Tessa Afshar was voted “New Author of the Year” by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran to a nominally Muslim family, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as cochair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.

Hi Embassie. It’s a pleasure to hang out with you and your readers today.

   What inspired you to write Harvest of Rubies?

I had committed to writing three biblical novels that involved the symbol of walls. My first novel, Pearl in the Sand, dealt with Rahab, a woman who literally lived in a wall. Nehemiah, as the rebuilder of the walls of Jerusalem, was another obvious choice. But as I began to write Harvest of Rubies, my main character, Sarah, took over. She practically invited herself over for dinner and refused to leave! Her personality was so compelling that I had no choice but to tell her story, and tackle the walls that surrounded her world. In the follow-up novel, Harvest of Gold, I will tell the story of Sarah and her husband as they accompany Nehemiah to Jerusalem.

 Ms. Afshar, you were born in Iran and lived there for 14 years, has this experience influenced your writing?

Persian people love literature. Everyone from university professors to construction workers will quote five-hundred-year-old poetry during the course of a conversation. As you travel, you come across ancient structures, some as old as twenty-five hundred years old. The very atmosphere causes the love of history and story to sink into your bones. I think that’s why I am drawn to the historical genre. The Persians also love to laugh. Although I cover some serious topics, my characters often manage to see the lighter side of life. I love it when my readers tell me that I made them laugh and cry in the same novel.

     I imagine that Harvest of Rubies took a lot of research. How long does it take you to research a book?

 Each book is different. Harvest of Rubies required over a year of research. The ancient Persian culture is a complex and mysterious world. In recent years, scholars have made important breakthroughs in their study of the Persian Empire. I had to become familiar with these discoveries, while also studying Nehemiah in the Bible and through many commentaries.

  When you were thinking about the “wedding scene,” what helped you think of things to go badly for Sarah?

Often as I write, I ask myself this question: “What is the worst thing I can do to this character?” It’s a trick I learned from a favorite writer. As I wrote the wedding scene, I kept thinking of the most humiliating things a woman might experience on her wedding day and put Sarah through them. Isn’t that cruel? But it makes for good reading!

 Darius is quite the man, anything (anyone) influence his character?

He is a hottie, isn’t he? He isn’t patterned after anyone special. I wanted the right foil for Sarah—someone who would bring out her insecurities while at the same time strengthen her character and ultimately make her feel wanted.

    I was extremely excited to learn that there will be a book two, is there anything that you can share with us regarding it? Do you know when it will be coming out?

Currently, I am working on the sequel to Harvest of Rubies. There are more intrigues to solve, adventures to survive, and love to find for Sarah and Darius in Harvest of Gold. The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem has a special significance for Sarah and Darius’s marriage. I am hoping to finish the book by the fall of 2012, which would mean that River North Publishing (the fiction arm of Moody) will release it next May. But that is not set in stone yet.

 Embassie, thank you so much for inviting me to spend time with you. It’s been an absolute pleasure. If you would like to visit me on my website, the address is http://www.tessaafshar.com/ or visit me on my Facebook author page where there is always some new discussion going on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tessa-Afshar/337761827820?ref=ts

 

Please check out my review of Harvest of Rubies:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/05/04/tessa-afshars-harvest-of-rubies-9/

Ms. Higley,

1)      What came first, the research or your storyline?

Research always comes first for me.  It’s in digging through the real stories of people and places that the inspiration for my own story is born.

2)      You write a lot of books that deal with the ancient world, what made you choose this time period?

It chose me, I think!  I can’t really say – I’ve always been interested in the ancient world. Perhaps it was growing up in church, hearing all the Old Testament stories, and wondering about the culture and life of the people we don’t hear as much about.

3)      Obviously your books take a lot of research. How long did it take you to research the Garden of Madness?

Research is ongoing through the process. I start with a month or two of studying, plotting and outlining, and all through the months of writing the first draft I’m taking days out from writing to do more research that I need. Then at the end, there are always gaps to fill in, so I go back and research some more!

4)      Tia has a pretty adventurous and bold spirit in Garden of Madness, what (or who) was her inspiration?

Yes, she’s unlike most of the women of her acquaintance, but this was purposeful. I think many of us feel like we “don’t fit in” in some way in our lives. I wanted to see Babylon through the eyes of a woman who is questioning everything.

5)      When you write your books, do you plan everything in advance or are you surprised with the twists and turns of your novels?

I am definitely a planner, and know what will happen in most scenes, at least in general. But often twists and turns will jump out and surprise me as I write.

6)      If there is one thing you want your readers to take away from your book, what would it be?

I would love readers to realize that we are all playing a role in the One True Story that God is writing across human history. There is a battle to fight and an enemy, and we are each important. Live your adventure!

7)      I saw that Isle of Shadows is coming out later this year, is there anything you can tell us about it?

Isle of Shadows is actually a rewrite of an earlier title of mine, Shadow of Colossus. It’s been significantly updated, and has a beautiful new cover and a new title. I’m hoping readers will love it!

Ms. Hartz,

What inspired you to write this series?

Amazingly, the backbone of The Future Savior Series formed a very long time ago.  What’s funny (and this will sound totally unrelated) is it all began with a love of Star Wars.  I always wished George Lucas would have continued the story after Return of the Jedi.  My over active imagination began concocting the story myself.  Han and Leia had twins, a boy and a girl. One of them was kidnapped when they were very young by someone on the dark side and raised evil while the other remained a true Jedi.  Imagine to conflict and conviction when they discovered they were brother and sister!

Obviously, things have morphed a lot since then.  I think my 3 hour a day commute aided my imagination.  As did my love for all things fantasy and sci-fi!  During my drive (yeah, 3 hours is a long time to be in the car each day!) I began dreaming up a fantasy land, but the people had sci-fi like abilities.

I also have a huge love for Jesus and The Bible.  Even before I was a follower of Jesus I enjoyed Bible stories, I was fascinated by them.  Making sure these stories found their way into my own fantasy story only seemed natural.  Perhaps by reading The Future Savior Series others will discover a love for them too and in turn discover Jesus.

When I read about some of the unique abilities Christina, Shaw, Rayliex, etc. have, I immediately thought X-men. What made you pick the powers that you came up with?

I am a HUGE X-Men fan!  Just look at Drexton…. he’s my very own version of Gambit!  As for the powers, I really can’t say what made me pick those ones in particular.  I guess maybe I just thought they were cool!  LOL!

 Your series will contain five books at the end. So far at the end of each book there is an incredible cliffhanger. Do you plan it that way or are you equally surprised by the ending yourself?

Oh, those are all planned out.  ***evil laugh***  I think my obsession with the TV show Friends helped to fuel that.  At the end of each season they always left me hanging with some kind of killer cliffhanger.  I hated it as much as I loved it and I COULD NOT WAIT until the next season.  I think it’s only fair I torture my readers in the exact same way!

I thought it fascinating that Christina was a gym teacher, did you pick this career because of all the physical exertions that Meric would require (I know if I went to Meric and had to survive based on my physical abilities…I..would…not)?

I have to admit that Christina’s “normal” life really followed mine so much so that it’s comical.  Originally, Christina started off as an English teacher.  But as Christina moved through Meric I kept hitting those “physical exertions” you talked about and I realized it was detracting from the story every time I had to explain why she could do certain things.  So I changed her profession to make it easier.

In my own life, I started off as an English major in college and I LOVED it, but sometimes life likes to take us down a different path for awhile.  I ended up becoming a PE teacher, but I still loved my English origins… so much so writing became my hobby.  And I’m pleased to announce that this is my last year teaching.  I am about to become a full-time wife/mommy/writer!  So it seems the English wins out in the end.

So Shaw? What came first, the picture or the man?

Oh Shaw, ***sigh*** the man came first.  In fact, I made it two-thirds of the way through the first rough draft of Conception before I decided I needed a picture to aid the inspiration.  It was a no brainer on who I would pick… I think he may have been tugging at the back of my subconscious anyway, but the perfect person for Shaw is the breathtakingly gorgeous Kellan Lutz.

What (or who) do you picture Christina looking like?

Trying to figure out who would be the best image for Christina has been tough.  I think I’ve picked a dozen or so different actresses and then changed my mind!  Currently, I really like Sarah Bolger from The Spiderwick Chronicles.

When reading the Future Savior Series I noticed a little bit of David, Esther, Job, Jonah, Battle of Jericho, Ehud, and of course Jesus in there. Do you pick the Biblical stories first or does the narrative just kind of develop that way?

Wow! I’m so glad you picked up on Ehud!  I was worried nobody would find his story in there.  Some of the Bible stories I know I want to use ahead of time.  Esther was obviously planned out. Others sort of develop as I went along like Jonathan and his armor bearer only having one sword to defeat twenty enemies.

When your readers are finished with your books, what is the biggest thing you want them to take-away from the series?

I fully believe Christian fiction can be fantastical and edgy.  I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to read books with Suzie-Bonnet-Amish-Lady on the cover.  And don’t get me wrong, I’m a HUGE Chronicle of Narnia and Lord of the Rings fan (obviously), but I wished there would have been a real, in-depth romance to them.  And of course, you already know about my love for super-hero stories.  So, I wanted a high sci-fi/fantasy Christian story with some heavy romance to it… where was I going to find something like that?  It’s not easily located on the bookstore shelves.  Yep, I decided to create my own!

Admittedly, I wrote a story that I would love.  But I think there are plenty of women from ages fifteen to fifty who are just like me.  They want an amazing adventure story, with strong Christian morals, super-hero powers, and heart pounding romance.

For non-Christians, I hope they stumble upon The Future Savior Series and perhaps recognize one of the Bible stories in it.  Maybe they run off and grab a Bible to check it out and it gets them reading God’s Word.  Hey, anything that can get people to the Bible is good!

 

When you designed the layout of Meric, is it all in your mind? Do you draw it out? How do you keep the details together?

Actually the layout of Meric is very particular.  It will be explained in even more detail in the 4^th and 5^th books so… stay tuned!

I know the next book doesn’t come out until December, but is there any nugget you would like to share?

Future Savior Book Four: Desecration starts off running!  Within the first pages there’s an unexpected declaration of love, some new powers, a much anticipated fight and even the death of a beloved character!  Buckle your seatbelt.  It’s gonna be a wild ride right from the word “go”!

Once again, Thank you Ms. Hartz for being on my blog!

*Remember we still have a week left in the giveaway of the Future Savior Series Book One: Conception. Just leave a comment with your email address. Winners will be announced on June 8th!

Ms. Larson, what inspired you to write Prophet?

Believe it or not, I was inspired by a snatch of a dream hit me just before I woke up one morning. A dark-curled young woman in a dim room, facing a glowing bit of a branch (vinewood). She was in trouble, and I couldn’t forget the image, no matter how hard I tried, and I did try. Ela’s story interrupted another book I was writing—a historical set in 1890’s Colorado, which I loved—and still love, though it’s still stuck in chapter eight!!!

I simply couldn’t believe I should write a fantasy novel, but Ela and the Infinite insisted.

When I read your book, I definitely got a feel of the Old Testament Prophets. Did they influence you in any way?

They did! Ela’s story drew me toward Jeremiah in particular, along with Ezekiel and Elijah. As I wrote, I prayed and studied the Prophets, trying to understand what they suffered—the risks they took—for obeying their Creator. Like Jeremiah, Ela questions her Creator, and complains to Him, which He tolerated. Evidently, prophets are permitted to complain or express frustration with their lives and situations, as long as they obey God. In all true and good relationships, there’s constant and healthy discussion, with plenty of love-secured freedom to express opinions. As believers, it’s good for us to see Ela’s Jeremiah-style give and take with the Infinite.

Also, when I studied the scriptures, I realized that the Prophet Elijah had a sense of humor—with a touch of sarcasm. Both useful traits that I tried to show through Ela. The humor and irony offset her bad temper.

Your description of the Infinite (who is a reflection of God) was moving. I remember reading Prophet on my kindle while exercising and stopping (reading, not exercising lol) to think about how often I don’t trust God the way I should. Did you have any personal experiences that influenced your development of the Infinite

First and foremost, from a very young age, I have always felt the Lord’s presence. No matter where I am or what I am doing, He is there. It’s both comforting and worrisome, that Presence. Yet I know I’ve had the freedom to make my own choices in life in every situation. Like any believer, I had to decide to follow Him. To listen to Him. To—for pity’s sake!—obey Him, contrary to my own stubborn, foolish wishes.

I’m not perfect.

Yet He loves me. He loves us! He is there. And He is faithful. Like many people, my family has felt the financial bite of recent hard times—with the fear and uncertainty of unemployment and wondering how we’d earn enough money to pay bills. Again and again, for two years, He provided in unexpected ways, silently saying, “Trust Me!”

We trusted and He provided. It wasn’t always easy, but it was truly faith-building! The tough times deepened my love for Him, and I think this love shows in Ela’s story.

When writing a fantasy-like novel, what are some roadblocks that you come up against? If any?

I’d never expected to write fantasy. I couldn’t believe it when Ela appeared and it became clear that the Lord intended to have me (me?) write her story. That particular mental roadblock took me w-e-e-k-s to shovel past. Once I settled my brain with the realization that I had to write a fantasy Biblical novel, I fretted over names, landscapes, cities, and customs. How could I possibly research an entire planet?

The answer was simple: I love reading and history, and I’m interested in many subjects, as well as Biblical customs and lore from Earth’s ancient civilizations. My reasoning was, and is, that the Earth’s elements—with a few variants—would be much the same on another planet. Also, people are people no matter where their “hometown” happens to be, and their struggles against natural disasters, wild creatures, and each other would reflect the struggles and fears we all face in our own lives. Therefore, I wrote from decades-worth of previous research, and from my knowledge of human nature, as well as ancient lore and the Scriptures.

When you designed the layout of this other world, is it all in your mind? Do you draw it out? How do you keep the details together?

I’m a visual learner and kept a map of this imaginary, unnamed continent in my head as I worked. However, a few months ago, my Bethany House editors and I decided I should create an actual map reflecting the lands in our series. The map, hand-drawn by brilliant eighteen-year-old artist Katharin Fiscaletti, is now on my website, with Katharin’s image of the…scaln!  The map takes a few seconds to upload; we hope you enjoy it. J

http://rjlarsonbooks.com/Books-of-the-Infinite–Extras-.html

When you created Ela, was there anyone or anything that inspired her personality?

Us. You and me. I see Ela as an average young woman beset with the usual mortal fears, faced with the challenge of a lifetime. It is Ela’s willingness to follow her Creator’s leading and to learn from Him that ultimately sculpts her character and gives her the strength to confront her enemies and her own failings.

We could each step into Ela’s sandals as she says, “…I’m not going to be of any use to You at all!”

Our Creator’s reply to us would be the same: You will. If you accept.

So one of my favorite people in Prophet was Kien. He had a great sense of humor and really compliments Ela. What or who (if any) was your inspiration for him?

I love Kien! The first time we see Kien, he’s approving of himself in a mirror. That’s our initial Kien in a nutshell. Nice guy. Charming and fun, but afflicted with a bit of mortal vanity and self-importance. From my authorly point-of-view, those traits inspired Kien’s character and the starting point for his own journey. I wanted him to be nice, charming, and fun, but in need of soul-polishing—and some serious shaking up, which causes him to rethink his world-view.

I’m really glad that book two comes out this year. Is there anything you would like to share about Judge?

Speaking of Kien…. Judge is Kien’s journey. Kien is sent away on a spiritual and physical adventure that will test every fiber of his being as he strives to follow the Infinite. Like the men in Judges 17:6, Kien must learn to seek his Creator’s will above his own in order to survive his adventure.

Naturally, I’ve thrown in a few Biblical-twist surprises, and I posted some visual hints on my Pinterest page:

Is book two the last book in the series or will there be more?

Book three is in the works! King should appear in stores and online next spring. I posted visual hints for King on my Pinterest page as well, but here are the first few sentences:

A salt-tinged ocean breeze lifted Akabe of Siphra’s gold-edged mantle as he paced along the edge of the royal terrace. His terrace—much against his will.

His people were insane. As for his Creator…. Well, mortals must revere the Infinite even as they wondered at His reasoning.

Why had the Infinite, not to mention Siphra’s people, made him a king?

And what in the name of peacetime boredom did kings do?

BLESSINGS, Embassie, and thank you for inviting me to appear on your blog!

Ms. Pratola,

  thank you so much for being willing to be interviewed on my blog!

    What led you to write The Covering?

God. I mean He didn’t issue an order, LOL, just put the desire there and somehow it led to the importance of intercessory prayer and then to Tessa and Gunnar.

   When you started writing The Covering, did you plan out the twists and turns or were you as surprised as the reader as the novel unfolded?

Neither and both. I didn’t consciously plan everything out but once I started, things just naturally fell into place. It’s a gift from God when that happens.

    Gunnar is a very intense character with a heavy past, what or who was your inspiration for him?

I’ve never personally met anyone like Gunnar =-)  But people like him are everywhere – damaged to the point that they don’t see their own worth. I think he’s representative of folks who are broken and just trying to make their way through. Some are angry at people, at God and at life, and some of them are afraid to hope there’s anything better, and don’t think they’re worthy of it if there is.

    In The Covering, Tessa leaves her job as a lawyer and pursues opening a B&B, what led you to choose this new career?

Two things: 1) write what you know, LOL. I’ve been a housewife (is that still an accepted term?) for 26 years so I know about cleaning, remodeling, etc.  2) Tessa’s a nurturer and loves to take care of people so an inn seemed logical to me.

   If there is one thing you want your readers to take away from The Covering, what would it be?

That God isn’t mad at them. If you have issues (and who doesn’t?) He wants to help. He’s always waiting for us to reach out no matter what we’ve done, are doing, or ever will do. Jesus paid it all so we don’t have to. We are worthy because He is worthy. Too preachy? Sorry, it’s all I’ve got, lol.

  Do you have anything new that we can look forward to?

I’ve just finished book one of a series (as yet untitled). I’m really excited to get it out there. I’m also working on many other projects.

 Again, thank you, Ms. Pratola! My review can be found here: https://remaininhislove.com/2012/05/09/dana-pratolas-the-covering-7/

Ms.Wade,

Thank you so much for willing to be interviewed on my newly minted blog.

Sure!  Thank you for having me.

I’m so excited!

What inspired you to write My Stubborn Heart?  First, the Lord’s urging.  Seven years after I’d ‘retired’ from my career as an author, I sensed Him calling me to write again, this time for Him and His glory.   I thought, “Really Lord?!?  I’m a full time mom with three kids and a house I already can’t keep clean!”  He assured me that I had heard Him correctly and that I could do it (with His help).  Just that suddenly, I wanted to sit down at my computer and fill pages.  I longed to write.  I loved the time I spent working on my manuscript. 

The story told within the pages of My Stubborn Heart sprang from a single inspiration — Matt Jarreau.  I imagined a man swallowed by grief after the death of his wife.  I imagined him leaving his career as a professional athlete.  I imagined him returning to his small hometown to hide from life.

Was there someone or something that made you think of the character of Matt Jarreau?  Yes.  I knew from the outset that I wanted to write a book about healing.  That goal led me to the idea of a wounded hero.  I didn’t want my hero’s wounds to be physical, only emotional.  Which in turn led me to the idea of a hockey player.  I was fascinated by the idea of a man tough enough on the outside to flourish in the brutal and competitive sport of hockey and yet so tender-hearted on the inside that the loss of his wife would devastate him to his core.  It interested me – that juxtaposition.

Throughout the novel, I admired Kate’s boldness and outgoing personality, when you started writing this book, did you know she would turn out this way?  Yep!  Once I had Matt clear in my mind, I thought to myself, “What kind of woman does this guy need?”  I knew Kate would have to be very persistent, funny, warm, and confident in order to reach Matt. 

Kate doesn’t meet Matt until she’s 31, when you chose her age were you writing from experience or just creativity?  Creativity.  God introduced me to my husband when I was in college, so I married young.  However, plenty of my friends and one of my sisters waited until later to marry.  I learned from their experiences as they waited on God for the one. 

Also, an author simply must have the ability to sink into the hearts and minds of her characters.  By God’s grace, I’m able to do that with all my heroes, heroines, and secondary characters.  I had no problem ‘becoming’ Kate, putting myself in her shoes, getting in sync with her feelings about her singlehood.

So one of my favorite people in the book was Morty. I appreciated his willingness to do what it takes to get what he wants. What was the inspiration behind him?  Both sets of my grandparents were married more than fifty years.  My parents and my husband’s parents have been married more than forty.  I’m deeply inspired by loves that last a lifetime and also by loves shared by couples who find each another during their golden years.  It’s one thing to see two teenagers in love.  That’s lovely!  But to see two seventy somethings in love?  There’s a wonderful depth to that relationship, a sweetness.  Those qualities inspired me to write Morty’s story.

If there was one thing you would want your readers to take away from your novel, it would be….  How about three things?  🙂  I’d like for them to take away the reassurance that God hasn’t forgotten His lost ones.  That He hears and answers ours prayers.  And that He has the power to heal even the most broken of hearts.

Thank you Ms. Wade! My review can be found here:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/05/03/becky-wades-my-stubborn-heart/