Drum roll please.
The contest answer is: June writes in their RV!
And the winner is: Susan B. Haws.
Remember to pop over the June's blog and leave a comment with your email address so she can get your copy of Give Us This Day.
Congratulations!
Next week we"ll be visiting with Tina Pinson.
(Those of you who know me and follow here on Saturdays know that I don't post terribly early due to time Zone differences between me and the author I'm interviewing. Okay, I like to sleep on Saturday mornings too.)
March 17, 2012
March 16, 2012
Let's get to know June
Contest hint: Look at the picture real close, the cabinets are a bit low, there's a tell tale with the window blinds. Is that chair secured?
March 15, 2012
Talking Thursday w/ June Foster, author of Give Us This Day
Give Us This Day is the first in The Bellewood Series scheduled for release through Desert Breeze Publishing.
June, what do you love about your latest book?
I guess what I love the most is the fact that it's my debut novel which means I've got the opportunity now to get my stories "out there." I'm praying my stories will bring hope to readers who deal with similar issues as my characters.
Can you tell us something about this book that your readers would love to hear?
Jess Colton, the hero in Give Us This Day, is a computer geek who lives and works in Bellewood, a fictional name for the Microsoft mecca of Western Washington, Bellevue.
Tell us about your dream of becoming a writer.
That's the crazy part about me. I never dreamed of becoming a writer nor did I have the desire to do so. After I retired from teaching, I discovered a story lurking in my head. I told my daughter about it, and she casually remarked that I should write it. That was the spark which the Lord used to put the desire in my heart.
When did you decide you wanted to write, for real?
As I said above, the Lord literally opened up my heart and poured the desire to write inside. God was my only catalyst. I felt as if I was compelled to begin writing my stories. I read every "how to" book I could get my hands on and started pounding the keys of my laptop.
How does it feel when you write?
When I write, I feel as if I'm telling God's story. Sometimes I get a feeling about a character, as if he/she is my best friend, and I care about them. Now, don't laugh, but once when my husband and I were worshiping in a church service, I saw in my mind's eye, my character standing right there next to me worshiping as well.
Tell us what your favorite genre is, and why?
Before I started writing, I read end-time fiction such as the Left Behind Series. So crazy because I had never read romance and now that's what I write.
How is it that you decided inspirational romance is what you do best?
I can't explain it. The stories God gives me are contemporary inspirational romances though I've toyed with the idea of writing romantic suspense. But that's for another day.
Is there a secret recipe to writing inspirational romance?
When I first started writing, I read "Writing the Christian Romance" by Gail Gaymer Martin which was like my Bible. I learned so much from that book.
Tell us about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Is he/she modeled after a real person?
Ryan Reed from Ryan's Father is my favorite character. He's not modeled after any real person. The stakes are higher for Ryan than any of my other characters. Of all my others, Ryan has to take hold more firmly of his Christian faith to see him through his dilemma and become whole in Christ. His issue is one that the Christian market seems to want to sweep under the carpet for now, but I believe the Lord will eventually find a home for this book.
In case you want to know the theme of the book, here it is. Ryan Reed battles same sex attraction but through his confession that homosexuality is a sin, intense counseling, and the power of God's word, he finds freedom to marry the beautiful young woman who falls in love with him.
Readers, did you hear? Not one but four new titles to watch for…
Give Us This Day -- Available Now.
A Hometown Fourth of July -- July 1, 2012
As We Forgive -- September 1, 2012
Deliver us -- April 1, 2013
You can find June at http://junefoster.blogspot.com/
http://www.infinitecharacters.com/
http://www.desertbreezepublishingcompany.com/
June's books are available at Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble.
Contest hint: June writes almost everyday.
June, what do you love about your latest book?
I guess what I love the most is the fact that it's my debut novel which means I've got the opportunity now to get my stories "out there." I'm praying my stories will bring hope to readers who deal with similar issues as my characters.
Can you tell us something about this book that your readers would love to hear?
Jess Colton, the hero in Give Us This Day, is a computer geek who lives and works in Bellewood, a fictional name for the Microsoft mecca of Western Washington, Bellevue.
Tell us about your dream of becoming a writer.
That's the crazy part about me. I never dreamed of becoming a writer nor did I have the desire to do so. After I retired from teaching, I discovered a story lurking in my head. I told my daughter about it, and she casually remarked that I should write it. That was the spark which the Lord used to put the desire in my heart.
When did you decide you wanted to write, for real?
As I said above, the Lord literally opened up my heart and poured the desire to write inside. God was my only catalyst. I felt as if I was compelled to begin writing my stories. I read every "how to" book I could get my hands on and started pounding the keys of my laptop.
How does it feel when you write?
When I write, I feel as if I'm telling God's story. Sometimes I get a feeling about a character, as if he/she is my best friend, and I care about them. Now, don't laugh, but once when my husband and I were worshiping in a church service, I saw in my mind's eye, my character standing right there next to me worshiping as well.
Tell us what your favorite genre is, and why?
Before I started writing, I read end-time fiction such as the Left Behind Series. So crazy because I had never read romance and now that's what I write.
How is it that you decided inspirational romance is what you do best?
I can't explain it. The stories God gives me are contemporary inspirational romances though I've toyed with the idea of writing romantic suspense. But that's for another day.
Is there a secret recipe to writing inspirational romance?
When I first started writing, I read "Writing the Christian Romance" by Gail Gaymer Martin which was like my Bible. I learned so much from that book.
Tell us about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Is he/she modeled after a real person?
Ryan Reed from Ryan's Father is my favorite character. He's not modeled after any real person. The stakes are higher for Ryan than any of my other characters. Of all my others, Ryan has to take hold more firmly of his Christian faith to see him through his dilemma and become whole in Christ. His issue is one that the Christian market seems to want to sweep under the carpet for now, but I believe the Lord will eventually find a home for this book.
In case you want to know the theme of the book, here it is. Ryan Reed battles same sex attraction but through his confession that homosexuality is a sin, intense counseling, and the power of God's word, he finds freedom to marry the beautiful young woman who falls in love with him.
Readers, did you hear? Not one but four new titles to watch for…
Give Us This Day -- Available Now.
A Hometown Fourth of July -- July 1, 2012
As We Forgive -- September 1, 2012
Deliver us -- April 1, 2013
You can find June at http://junefoster.blogspot.com/
http://www.infinitecharacters.com/
http://www.desertbreezepublishingcompany.com/
June's books are available at Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble.
Contest hint: June writes almost everyday.
March 14, 2012
Trailer & Blurb Burp
or
(Go to second video at the above link.)
Jess Colton can earn a PHD in computer science but can’t manage his own life.
Raised by a doting mother and controlling father, Jess battles against his addictive nature. When Jesus comes into his life, he trades one addiction for another—alcohol for food. His doctor warns him of his poor health as his weight soared past 300 pounds. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison comes into his life and declares her affection for him. What could she possibly see in him?
Holly Harrison has a past. But it catches up with her when she loses her leg and her unborn baby in one night as a result of a motorcycle accident. At this low point in her life, she finds strength through God and a relationship with Jesus Christ while she works as a dental hygienist. But now, no Christian man would want her so she avoids serious relationships. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with Jess Colton. She sees past his rolls of fat to the godly, tender man inside. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses all hope of having a future together.
Can Holly overcome her handicap? Does Jess find control over his eating and his life? Only God can provide the answers they need.
Web addresses:
http://junefoster.blogspot.com/
http://infinitecharacters.com/ (I share this one with Vanessa and 3 other writers.)
http://www.desertbreezepublishingcompany.com/
Ebooks can be downloaded at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles as well as Desert Breeze
Contest hint: June's husband removed a couch for June's writing space.
March 13, 2012
Tickle/Tease Tuesday
Give Us This Day
(Excerpt is unedited.)
Pastor Downing rose from his chair and stood at the pulpit, the lake visible behind his thin frame. Jess couldn't remember a Sunday when he wasn't blessed by the man's power-packed message. "My beloved, I want you to understand who you are in Christ."
Jess gazed down at the tissue Holly fingered again.
"Satan would have you believe you have no value, but the Lord wants you to know you have been bought with a price, and you belong to God."
Holly crossed and uncrossed her legs. She rummaged through her purse before setting it down on the pew.
"God is patient and slow to anger. You have been chosen by Him. Your relationship with Him is not based on yourself or anything you've done, but the work He did for you on the cross."
His new acquaintance picked up a hymnal and flipped through the pages.
"Believe me when I say you are free from condemnation. God loves you that much, my beloved."
Holly grew still, her gaze glued on Pastor Downing. His words must've struck a chord.
Her hands lay quietly in her lap as she stared at the preacher.
"You may approach God with freedom and confidence. Hope is only found in the Lord.
Our regret or grief should turn us toward him, not away from Him."
Holly ran a finger under her eye. She curved her gaze to Jess and then back toward the front, a look of discomfort on her face. Did the pastor say something to touch her heart?
Jess froze. Maybe her unease wasn't about church after all. Maybe it was about sitting next to him. The fattest man in the building.
Hint for book contest: June travels a lot.
(Excerpt is unedited.)
Pastor Downing rose from his chair and stood at the pulpit, the lake visible behind his thin frame. Jess couldn't remember a Sunday when he wasn't blessed by the man's power-packed message. "My beloved, I want you to understand who you are in Christ."
Jess gazed down at the tissue Holly fingered again.
"Satan would have you believe you have no value, but the Lord wants you to know you have been bought with a price, and you belong to God."
Holly crossed and uncrossed her legs. She rummaged through her purse before setting it down on the pew.
"God is patient and slow to anger. You have been chosen by Him. Your relationship with Him is not based on yourself or anything you've done, but the work He did for you on the cross."
His new acquaintance picked up a hymnal and flipped through the pages.
"Believe me when I say you are free from condemnation. God loves you that much, my beloved."
Holly grew still, her gaze glued on Pastor Downing. His words must've struck a chord.
Her hands lay quietly in her lap as she stared at the preacher.
"You may approach God with freedom and confidence. Hope is only found in the Lord.
Our regret or grief should turn us toward him, not away from Him."
Holly ran a finger under her eye. She curved her gaze to Jess and then back toward the front, a look of discomfort on her face. Did the pastor say something to touch her heart?
Jess froze. Maybe her unease wasn't about church after all. Maybe it was about sitting next to him. The fattest man in the building.
Hint for book contest: June travels a lot.
March 12, 2012
Contest-ing Monday
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This weeks contest:
Visit June's Blog at http://www.junefoster.blogspot.com/ and become a follower. Become a follower here. Then leave a comment here telling us that you have done so and tell us what makes June's writing space unique to enter to win a free e-copy of Give Us This Day.
Winner with the correct answer will be drawn by June herself and announced here on Saturday. Good luck and come back soon!
March 11, 2012
So You don't think DARK DAYS OF PROMISE will do well as a Ebook
Or your book either? I love this arguement section!
Have arguments prepared...
Argument...
"Oh, I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars just to read an ebook..."
"You don't have to. Kindle offers a basic ebook reader for $79, and since ebooks are often much less expensive than print books it doesn't take long for an ebook reader to pay for itself."
Argument...
"There's just something about the feel and smell of a real book."
"You know, I once thought that until I started reading ebooks. The smell of a printed book doesn't make me smell the fresh baked cookies in the novel any better, it doesn't help me imagine a spring day. It's the words I read."
Argument...
"I'm old and I need large print."
"Then ebooks are perfect for you! You can make the font any size you want, and many readers have the ability to change the type of font if one is easier for you to read over another, and on some readers you can change how bright or dim a background is, and whether you read on a white screen or a beige screen. You can change to match whatever you need for that day."
Argument...
"I don't read much because holding a book hurts my hands."
"There is an ebook reader for everyone. The lighter, smaller ones are even lighter than a book and you don't have to hold open a binding or turn a page. A press of your finger will turn the page for you."
Argument...
"Ebooks aren't real books."
"Wow, then I'm getting a royalty check for selling nothing. That's great!" (okay, that one is a bit snarky... but it makes a point)
Think ahead about some of the arguments you might be hit with, and come back with a positive response.
Okay... I'm done. :-)
Gail R. Delaney
Editor-In-Chief
Desert Breeze Publishing
http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/
Have arguments prepared...
Argument...
"Oh, I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars just to read an ebook..."
"You don't have to. Kindle offers a basic ebook reader for $79, and since ebooks are often much less expensive than print books it doesn't take long for an ebook reader to pay for itself."
Argument...
"There's just something about the feel and smell of a real book."
"You know, I once thought that until I started reading ebooks. The smell of a printed book doesn't make me smell the fresh baked cookies in the novel any better, it doesn't help me imagine a spring day. It's the words I read."
Argument...
"I'm old and I need large print."
"Then ebooks are perfect for you! You can make the font any size you want, and many readers have the ability to change the type of font if one is easier for you to read over another, and on some readers you can change how bright or dim a background is, and whether you read on a white screen or a beige screen. You can change to match whatever you need for that day."
Argument...
"I don't read much because holding a book hurts my hands."
"There is an ebook reader for everyone. The lighter, smaller ones are even lighter than a book and you don't have to hold open a binding or turn a page. A press of your finger will turn the page for you."
Argument...
"Ebooks aren't real books."
"Wow, then I'm getting a royalty check for selling nothing. That's great!" (okay, that one is a bit snarky... but it makes a point)
Think ahead about some of the arguments you might be hit with, and come back with a positive response.
Okay... I'm done. :-)
Gail R. Delaney
Editor-In-Chief
Desert Breeze Publishing
http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/
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