Category: giveaway

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Interview: Rachel Dodge + Giveaway

Author-Interview-Rachel-Dodge-tisha-martin-historical-fiction-jane-austen-devotional.png

For many of us, we love Jane Austen, her books, and the world of Jane’s precious Victorian England. But what do we know of her prayer life? My friend Rachel Dodge has published a debut devotional of Jane Austen’s prayers. Please welcome her to the blog today. (There’s also a giveaway, so read through to the end!)

Outside of being an avid Jane Austen reader, what inspired you to write about Jane’s spiritual life? How has that shaped your own spiritual journey?

I’ve always been fascinated by Jane Austen’s personal life. I love reading her letters, her prayers, and the family memoirs written about her. She grew up in a devout Anglican family and was a strong Christian. I wanted to write a book that would highlight Austen’s prayers and the way her faith influenced her life and writing. I wrote Praying with Jane as a devotional book because I wanted to give readers the chance to slow down and savor Austen’s prayers. Each day’s entry includes a portion of her prayers, key Scripture verses, anecdotes from her life and novels, thoughts for personal application, and an invitation to pray. It’s my hope that readers will draw closer to God in prayer as a result of their time spent “praying with Jane.”

nicola-nuttall-730567-unsplashMy own spiritual journey has been shaped by my deeper understanding of Jane’s prayers and by the process I’ve gone through to research and write this book. I’ve never been one to write out my prayers consistently, but since I started writing this book, I now write out my own prayers almost daily. I didn’t plan that; it just happened. My prayers aren’t as elaborate as Jane’s, but I love “talking to God” on paper. It helps me articulate my prayers, stay focused, and keep track of the wonderful and mysterious ways God answers me. There was also a full week last summer when the Lord told me to stop all work on the project and devote myself to prayer. I’m still seeing fruit from that week of prayer (in both my writing and my personal life).

I’ve often written down my prayers too and have discovered that it’s a special conversation with God. What is your favorite Jane Austen prayer from your book?

I love that each of Jane Austen’s three prayers includes a time of thanksgiving, confession, petition, and intercession (praying for others). Her language is beautiful and fervent. Trying to choose just one line to share is difficult! Here are a few of my favorite lines (written as they appear in the original manuscripts):

“Thou art every where present, from Thee no secret can be hid; May the knowledge of this, teach us to fix our Thoughts on Thee, with Reverence & Devotion that we pray not in vain.” (Prayer One)

“Thou knowest the infirmity of our Nature, & the temptations which surround us. Be thou merciful, Oh Heavenly Father! to Creatures so formed & situated.” (Prayer Two)

“Father of Heaven! whose goodness has brought us in safety to the close of this day, dispose our Hearts in fervent prayer.” (Prayer Three)

Those are beautiful prayers. She inserted a lot into such a few lines. Who is your favorite Austen character or favorite book?

I side with Jane Austen herself here. In a letter to her sister, Cassandra, Austen wrote this about Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice: “I must confess that I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know.” I admire Elizabeth’s loyalty, wit, and spirit. She knows her own mind, but she’s also quick to admit when she is wrong. She’s someone I’d like to know.

Thanks for sharing your time with us, Rachel! And readers, don’t forget to read about Rachel, her book, and enter the giveaway below!

About Rachel Dodge

Rachel Dodge Headshot

 

Rachel Dodge teaches college English and Jane Austen classes, gives talks at libraries, teas, and Jane Austen groups, and is a writer for the popular Jane Austen’s World blog. She is passionate about prayer and the study of God’s Word. A true “Janeite” at heart, Rachel enjoys books, bonnets, and ball gowns. She makes her home in California with her husband and their two young children.

 

About Praying with Jane

Praying-with-Jane-rachel-dodge-tisha-martin-historical-fiction-jane-austenFor more than two hundred years, Jane Austen and her novels have charmed readers from around the world. While much has been written about her fascinating life, less is known about Jane’s spiritual side. In this beautiful 31-day devotional, Austen’s faith comes to life through her exquisite prayers, touching biographical anecdotes, and illuminating scenes from her novels. Each reading also includes a thematically appropriate Scripture and a prayer inspired by Jane’s petitions.

Where Can Readers Find You?

Website: http://www.racheldodge.com

Facebook: @racheldodgebooks

Instagram: @kindredspiritbooks

Twitter: @RachelDodgeBks

The book is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, and other retailers. My web site www.racheldodge.com has links set up.

Giveaway

Click the link here to enter the Giveaway! Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

Which is your favorite Jane Austen book or character?

Rachel and I would love to know in the comments!

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Author Interview: Grace Hitchcock + giveaway

Happy Friday, everyone! Cannot believe this is the last day of August … kind of makes me sad. But! I’m so glad to be able to introduce this month’s author interview and book giveaway! My good friend Grace Hitchcock (along with other wonderful author friends) have recently launched a new Southern Belle Brides collection from Barbour!! Grace is also gracious and giving away a signed copy of her latest story!

~ The Southern Belle Brides Collection ~

Miss Beaumont’s Companion by Grace Hitchcock
Baton Rouge, Louisiana—1892
When lady’s companion Aria St. Angelo is coerced into posing as her political employer’s absent daughter for the evening at the Louisiana Governor’s masquerade ball, she wasn’t planning on falling for Byron Roderick, the most eligible bachelor in the capitol.

~ Blurb ~

In the Old South, hospitality is king—and charm is queen! Using grace and gumption, seven determined women face chaotic life challenges on the way to personal peace and lasting love—from the 1850s marriage market to the 1918 flu epidemic. Will each bride eventually discover a safe place to call her own—and a husband to love?

~ Without further ado, the author interview ~

I love the mentions of all the books in your novel. Out of all of them, which one is your favorite and why?

Hi, Tisha, thank you for having me here! It’s so hard to pick, but as a young child, I would watch the BBC’s productions on practically all of the Charles Dickens works and Little Dorrit was one of my favorites. While I’ve never sat down and read that exact work of his, I felt that since I’ve read Dickens and watched Little Dorrit so many times, it would be fun to add it into a story that my heroine liked that book too!

So fun to see your characters enjoying coffee at a local coffee house. I know you prefer tea, so how easy was it to write about your characters enjoying coffee instead of tea? Did it make you cringe?

While I love a good cup (or three) of tea, I have to start my morning off with a steaming cup of café au lait, especially with having a baby. When I wrote those scenes, I usually had my morning cup in hand, but tea is my favorite go to hot beverage for the rest of my writing sessions and reading.

Mister Rodrick wears spectacles and Mildred shows her disdain. Was there a particular view against men wearing spectacles during this time and why would the ladies find this distasteful?

Mildred’s distaste stems more for her love for another man rather than a view point. In my research for the novella, I didn’t find a specific view on spectacles, but I’ve read in quite a few novels where glasses acted as a deterrent for the heroines, so I wanted to write a story where the glasses actually attracted the heroine, Aria, to the hero, Byron.

Why is Byron interested in law work? What drove him to decide that as his career?

Byron’s compassion for people drove him to excel in his law practice to help others and his father thought that it would be an easy transition for his son into the political realm. Byron’s vocation was inspired by my older brother, who is a lawyer and worked a lot of cases in the capitol of Baton Rouge. I had fun calling my brother up several times in the writing of the story to ensure that all of my law scenes/phrases were accurate.

Where did you get your inspiration for Aria marrying above her social class? Dickens or Jane Austen?

Jane Austen! Even though Aria is poor, she hails from a distant noble heritage, similar to Sense and Sensibility’s heroines. I love all of Jane Austen’s works and enjoy reading Austen influenced books. The heroine in my debut novel that releases in March, The White City, will be strongly influenced by Austen’s Northanger Abbey’s heroine.

Thank you so much, Grace, for sharing the day with us! Reading your story from The Southern Belle Brides was an adorable, compelling read. Can’t wait to read the other stories as well!

~ About Grace and How to Keep in Touch ~

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. Grace holds a Masters in Creative Writing and lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son.

Instagram: @GraceHitchcockBooks
Twitter: @grace_hitchcock
Facebook Page: GraceHitchcockBooks
Website: GraceHitchcock.com

~ The Giveaway and How to Enter ~

Be sure to answer the comment question for a chance to enter the giveaway too!!

Click the link below to go to enter the exclusive Rafflecopter giveaway:

Enter for a Chance to Win a Signed Copy of The Southern Belle Brides Collection

~ If You Don’t Want to Wait or Want to Buy as a Gift ~

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
ChristianBook.com

Enjoy your day!

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Christmas in July Book Giveaway

PeterSalm-Bookstore

I hope everyone’s having a great summer so far! July’s turned out very busy, but a lot of fun, as we’re enjoying the sunshine and the flowers, and perhaps the pool too.

Since we’re doing a Christmas theme this month—having missed these installments back in December—I’m happy to introduce these authors to you! There will be two winners, and both books have e-book option, so this giveaway is also for international readers!!

Here’s a little fact about books during WWII:

Publishers Gave Away 122,951,031 Books During World War II.

First Author + Book

ace collins bio photo tisha martin author editor historical fictionAce Collins

Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith.

In 2017 new episodes from In The President’s Service continue to be released by Elk Lake Publishing. The most recent is The Cat’s Eye with another novel, The Red Suit Case, set to hit the market at Christmas. Others in this series include A Date With Death, The Dark Pool, Blood Brother, Fatal Addiction, The Devil’s Eyes, The Dead Can Talk, Bottled Madness, Shadows In The Moonlight, Evilution, Uneasy Alliance, The 13th Floor and The White Rose. 

Collins’ hobbies include sports, restoring classic cars, Wurlitzer jukeboxes and running. He and his wife live in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and have two grown sons.

The Book: The Red Suit Case

Red Suit Case lobby card

Second Author + Book

Barb-warner-deane-author-photo-tisha-martin-author-editor-historical-fictionBarb Warner Deane

Barb Warner Deane was born and raised  in the beautiful Finger Lakes area of New York. She graduated from Cornell University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Barb, her husband, and three daughters have lived in the Chicago area for the past twenty-five years, other than two years in Frankfurt, Germany and two years in Shanghai, China. She draws a lot of writing inspiration from her experiences as an expat. On The Homefront, her historical women’s fiction novel, was inspired by a trip to Normandy, France. After giving up the practice of law, Barb has worked mostly as a mom, but also as a paralegal, bookstore owner, travel writer, high school library media guru, and IT tech specialist.  She has also volunteered for Girl Scouts, the American Women’s Club in both Frankfurt and Shanghai, as President of the Windy City Chapter of Romance Writers of America, and high school PTA president. In addition to writing, Barb is a genealogy and WWII buff, loves to read, of course, is a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory and Harry Potter, and is crazy for both U.S. and international travel. Now that she and her husband are empty-nesters, she’s making plans to expand on her list of having visited 47 states and 41 countries on 6 continents.

The Book: On the Homefront

On-the-home-front-barb-warner-deane-tisha-martin-author-editorIn 1941, WWII begins for the United States, and life will never be the same for three women as they send their husbands, brothers, and friends off to war.
Ruth, a young wife and teacher, Lilly, her teenaged sister-in-law, and Helen, a British war bride, learn to cope with rationing, change, fear, loss, humiliation, and brutality while they forge an impenetrable bond and grow to be stronger than any of them ever dreamed possible. They lean on each other for support, aided by the family and friends who surround them, but when one decides to go to the front lines as part of the American Red Cross Clubmobile program, how can they cope with her absence—and more telegrams reporting loss? 

Where to Find Barb:

Website – https://www.barbwarnerdeane.com

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/author/barbwarnerdeane
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/barbwarnerdeane/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/BarbWarnerDeane
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/barbdeane/
My publisher’s page – https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/2293_barb-warner-deane
Will you give away a paperback or ebook?
If the give-away is limited to US readers, I’ll send a paperback. If it’s international, an e-book.
Who is your favorite character from your book, and why?
Although I originally thought Ruth would be my favorite character, it turned out to be Helen. As a British war bride, who lived in London’s East End, but moves to a small upstate NY town, she is out of her element in many ways. She’s unwanted by her new in-laws, ashamed of her illiteracy, awkward, and alone, but so kind and genuine. When she makes friends with Lilly, she becomes a part of the Walker family in every way but blood and it changes her life, as well as theirs.

The Giveaway:

  • open to US and international readers
  • both books are e-book giveaways
  • you must have valid email address
  • you must be 18 or older to enter
  • no purchase necessary to win
  • giveaway not affiliated with any online entity or social media
  • giveaway ends Midnight, Thursday, July 26, 2018, and winners announced July 17, on the blog
  • to be eligible, you must click the link below and comment on the question
  • that is all!

Enter Here:

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Photo Credit: booksforvictory.com

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Author Interview: Jessica Ronne + Sunlight Burning at Midnight Giveaway

Jess and I have discussed that she sleeps more than I do—and she has eight kids! How could I sleep when I was reading her memoir (about the birth of her son Lucas, who had a serious heart condition, and the passing of her late husband, Jason) Sunlight Burning at Midnight?? I’m excited to introduce to you my friend Jessica Ronne, fondly known for her simply lifestyle at Jess Plus the Mess, founder of the Lucas Project, and lives the mantra #justkeeplivin.

Thanks, Jess, for sharing a bit of your life with us today. And, readers, there’s a #giveaway at the end, so just keep reading!

What was your go-to Bible passage or quote during your pregnancy with Caleb, and how did that transform your thinking?

Psalm 91. The imagery of the Father, covering me with his mighty wings, shielding and protecting me and my family from harm was an image I often returned to.

Who was your earthly rock during the events surrounding your Jason’s illness, and how did they give you hope?

I’m not sure I allowed anyone to be my earthly rock. I’m too stubborn to let people into my pain and so Jason and I relied heavily on each other’s strength during those tumultuous years. He retained his mental and physical strength almost to the very end and was my rock. I leaned on him until I absolutely had to let go.

How did you think your kids would react to meeting new husband Ryan and the Ronne kiddos? And what surprised you?

They were so excited. Only weeks after Jason’s death Caleb asked when he was going to get a new dad. There was such a void there that he wanted filled. He loved the idea of a father because his experience with Jason had been so positive. It surprised me how well they all clicked from the very first day. They laughed and played and even fought like they had always been siblings!

What has been the best memory so far with your family?

Hmmm. There are so many joy filled days. I don’t know if I have one. One moment that may seem insignificant to many but holds meaning occurred after we followed our hearts and moved to rural Tennessee to pursue a simple life. We purchased a big old deserted house and the water pipes broke and so we didn’t have water. The kids needed a shower, and it began to rain. I told them to grab a bottle of shampoo, put on their bathing suits, and head outside to shower. They danced all over the patio, lathering each other up as bubbles flowed down their bodies and into the overgrown grass. There was such joy and determination and this idea of – as long as were together and we’re a family we can get through anything and find joy in the mundane, and we have.

Jessica, thank you so much—your story is truly an inspiration to us all.

jessica-ronne-headshot-tisha-martin-author-editor-sunlight-burning-at-midnightAbout Jessica Ronne

Jessica Ronne is a wife, mother, author, and teacher. She lives in the hills of Tennessee with her husband Ryan and eight children where they cultivate the simple life, which they’ve discovered isn’t really all that simple. She is the author of Sunlight Burning at Midnight, her memoir of beauty from ashes. She can be found at jessplusthemess.com, blogging about faith, grief, food, simplicity, special needs children, blended families, and everything else in between. You can find her also on Facebook: jessplusthemess and on Instagram: jessplusthemess.

Reader, your turn! What’s been a hard or challenging experience for you, and how have you seen God help you through it? In short, what’s been your sunlight burning at midnight?

Now … for the giveaway details:

  • no purchase necessary to enter or win
  • open to participants under the age of 18 and in the lower U.S. 48 states
  • your name/email will not be sold to any third party vendor or used in any way other than to contact you if you are selected a winner
  • giveaway runs until Friday, May 25, 2018, through Rafflecopter
  • All the best to you!

Enter the Giveaway! Click here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde8b93613/?

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Open to Authors: Christmas in July 2018

Christmas in July

I’m doing a huge Christmas in July #giveaway extravaganza, with

  • indie and traditionally published historical/romance book giveaways,
  • What It Was Like During Christmas in WWI and WWII blog posts,
  • and other fun #giveaway prizes.

If you’re an #author and have a clean historical or historical romance book or ebook that you’d like to contribute to this Christmas in July celebration, please

Click here —> Contact Tisha and put “Christmas in July” in the subject line.

**Books will be reviewed and accepted until June 18, 2018. If you contact me after that date, it’s too late.** 

#readers, you won’t want to miss out! Check the blog every Friday in July for great giveaway books, historical blog posts about what Christmas was like during WWI and WWII, and other historical goodies!

Looking forward to the celebration!

Giveaway Details:

  • Will feature up to 8 books on two Fridays in July.

  • No purchase necessary for entrants to win. Not affiliated with Facebook or any social media site. Giveaway is hosted by tishamartin.com.

  • Entrants must be 18 or older and have lower 48-state U.S. address to receive hard copies and prize packs.

  • Entrants must be 18 or older and live outside of the lower 48 U.S. states to receive e-book prizes.

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Author Interview: Cynthia Roemer + Under Prairie Skies Giveaway

 

 

I’m excited to welcome award-winning author Cynthia Roemer back to the blog and to introduce to you her second novel, Under Prairie Skies! If you loved Under This Same Sky, you’ll love this second novel! It’s a tugging story of love and humor that will have you turning pages.

(Don’t forget to leave a comment and enter the giveaway! But read the interview first!)

Thanks for joining us, Cynthia! What’s Under Prairie Skies about?

~ Beyond shattered dreams lies a realm of possibilities ~

Illinois prairie ~ 1855

Unsettled by the news that her estranged cousin and uncle are returning home after a year away, Charlotte Stanton goes to ready their cabin and finds a handsome stranger has taken up residence. Convinced he’s a squatter, she throws him off the property before learning his full identity. Little does she know, their paths are destined to cross again.

Quiet and ruggedly handsome, Chad Avery’s uncanny ability to see through Charlotte’s feisty exterior and expose her inner weaknesses both infuriates and intrigues her. When a tragic accident incites her family to move east, Charlotte stays behind in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the elusive cattleman. Yet Chad’s unwillingness to divulge his hidden past, along with his vow not to love again, threatens to keep them apart forever.

I love that your hero and heroine are so opposite, and that Charlotte’s ruthless and Chad’s kindhearted! Looking forward to this story!

What is Chad most afraid of?

Chad’s biggest fear is failure. Hurts from his past have left him unable to move forward and allow himself to love again.

I’m sure many of us can relate to Chad’s fear. Why does Charlotte dislike Chad?

Well, without giving up a spoiler, let’s just say they started out on the wrong foot. Wrong assumptions on Charlotte’s part left her vulnerable. She isn’t accustomed to someone standing up to her or exposing her flaws the way Chad does.

Ooh, so much conflict! I love it! One word that describes Chad? Why?

Determined. Chad is determined not to let anything stand in the way of his dream and what’s right and fair.

I can relate to that too! One word that describes Charlotte? Why?

Strong-willed. Charlotte has a will of iron that sometimes gets her into trouble. Not until Chad enters the picture does she learn how to use her strength of will for the good of others.

A perfect match, perhaps? Can’t wait to find out! What is the significance of the cows in this story?

The cattle represent Chad’s dream, one he shared with his wife. In a sense, they are his way of holding onto what he’s lost.

Oh, I feel so bad for him already. What do you expect readers to look forward to when reading this story?

The key verse is Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It’s my prayer that in reading Under Prairie Skies, readers will get a sense of how the Lord uses people to spur each other on and encourage each other to become more like Christ.

Thanks for sharing your characters with us, Cynthia! Looking forward to this book! Where can readers purchase Under Prairie Skies?

Under Prairie Skies is available on

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Under-Prairie-Skies-Sky-Book-ebook/dp/B07BDKTNK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522690946&sr=8-1&keywords=under+prairie+skies

About Cynthia Roemer

bio1Cynthia Roemer is an award-winning inspirational writer with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the lives of readers. Raised in the cornfields of rural Illinois, Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the 1800s prairie. She writes from her family farm in central Illinois where she resides with her husband and their two college-aged sons. Under Prairie Skies is Book Two in her Prairie Sky Series.

Contact Info:

Cynthia Roemer can be contacted at:

Website:  http://cynthiaroemer.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com@cynthiaroemer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16785237.Cynthia_Roemer

Author Newsletter Sign-up: http://cynthiaroemer.com/

Your turn! Enter the Giveaway! Be sure to enter all the options for the most points for more chances to win a copy of Under Prairie Skies!

Details:

  • No purchase necessary to enter.
  • Open to entrants 18 and older, in the lower 48 U.S. states.
  • Not affiliated with any other organization, including Facebook.
  • Winner will be emailed no later than Monday, May 7, 2018, so please provide your contact information.

Click the Rafflecopter Link Below:

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

 

–Engage in the Comments! I’d love to know–

What’s your favorite snack or drink when sitting down with a good book?

 

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Author Interview: Rick Barry + Giveaway

I’m pleased to welcome Rick Barry to this month’s author interview and book giveaway. Rick recently attended the Awards ceremony for MovieGuide’s 12th Annual Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays. Rick was in the Top 10 for the Kairos Prize by Beginning Screenwriters. What an honor, Rick! Let’s take a look at the book that made the Top 10! Presenting … The Methuselah Project.

Book Giveaway and Blurb

The Methuselah Project, genuine paperback copy

In WWII, Nazi scientists began many experiments. One never ended. 

Roger Greene is a war hero. Raised in an orphanage, the only birthright he knows is the feeling that he was born to fly. Flying against the Axis Powers in World War II is everything he always dreamed–until the day he’s shot down and captured.

When Allied bombs destroy both his secret prison and the eccentric genius experimenting on POWs, Roger survives. Within hours, his wounds miraculously heal, thanks to those experiments. The Methuselah Project is a success–but this ace is still not free. Seventy years later, Roger hasn’t aged a day, but he has nearly gone insane. A Bible becomes the only reliable anchor for Roger’s sanity and his soul. When he finally escapes the underground organization holding him in our time, the world has become an unrecognizable place. Will anyone believe his crazy story before the organization’s assassin can snuff out his long life once and for all?

Wow, what an action-packed plot!

 

You have three published novels and could have used any one of them to turn into a script. Why The Methuselah Project?

First, an author improves with experience. Because it’s my third book, I believe The Methuselah Project is my best so far. It’s also my favorite to date. I poured quite a bit of myself into it. Even as I wrote it, I pictured the scenes as a film playing before me. Also, many reviewers have declared, “This should be a movie!” So, it was my logical choice.

After such a plot as The Methuselah Project, I can see why a screenplay would be in order!

How did you get involved with the opportunity to enter the Kairos Prize?

A few years back, it was my privilege to drive Movieguide’s Dr. Ted Baehr from the Indianapolis Airport to the downtown hotel where American Christian Fiction Writers were holding their annual writers conference. During that ride, we talked about stories, and Dr. Baehr encouraged me to visit California to take his screenplay-writing class “How to Succeed in Hollywood without Losing Your Soul.” That was a terrific introduction to writing scripts for movies. (But of course, I still needed to study professional scripts and to practice writing my own.) For the past three years, I’ve entered Movieguide’s worldwide Kairos Prize competition, which exists to encourage Christian writers to develop wholesome scripts that point viewers to God. On my first two tries, I was a rank amateur and got nowhere. But, praise the Lord, my third script was my best yet, and it made the list of 10 Finalists.

Wow, what an awesome opportunity! Who influenced you for this project and why? 

Among individuals, that would be Dr. Ted Baehr, mentioned above. But in a general sense, I’ve also been encouraged to see others, such as David A.R. White and the Kendrick brothers, creating wholesome films that boldly present a God-centered worldview.

That must have been a great conversation on the way to ACFW conference that year. How has writing a script changed you as a writer? Developed you as an editor?

Novels are stories, and movie scripts are stories, but they are totally different kinds of documents. For film, each page of a script equals about 1 minute of movie time. So there’s no way to include everything in a novel in a 90-minute movie. I had to eliminate my own scenes, reduce the number of characters, and emphasize the main thrust of the story (the “through line”) with lean writing and no wasted words. In that regard, I’d say script writing has taught me–as both writer and self-editor–to focus strictly on the key elements. Never again will I watch a movie based on a novel and complain, “Hey, they left out some things that were in the book!” It’s simply a necessity of that medium.

Goodness gracious, you put a lot of time into script writing and studying a different art form. What is one lesson you learned from turning a novel into a screenplay?

It’s work. Tedious work, and not for the faint-hearted if you’re adapting your own novel, because you WILL have to axe people, lines, scenes that you love. Script writing is not for the mildly curious. You must really love your story and possess a drive to make it available for an audience. Otherwise, the work becomes drudgery, and you’ll be tempted to quit. I was tempted, too. But God has gifted me with some sense of perseverance–or stubbornness!

And that is where passion is the greatest asset in this industry. What is your desire for the screenplay? 

First, it has already accomplished what I personally needed most. By becoming one of 10 Finalists out of hundreds of submissions from 20+ countries, this script has provided some affirmation that, yes, I am succeeding in learning the ins and outs of writing screenplays. (In fact, in this journey, my script actually got further than scripts of more experienced colleague friends who have been writing them for longer than I have. That is exciting for me, but can also be a wee bit awkward.) Past the affirmation, it would be exciting if a producer decided to option it for possible production. It could still happen. We’ll see what the Lord has in store.

Thank you so much, Rick, for sharing your celebration with us! As I understand, there is a filmmaking seminar coming up! For anyone interested in the movie business, hop on over to https://www.movieguide.org/class/.

About Rick Barry 

A longtime WWII buff, Rick Barry has a B.S. in Foreign Language Education. He speaks Russian and has visited Eastern Europe over 50 times for Christian ministry. Rick’s short fiction and articles have appeared in a variety of publications. The Methuselah Project is his third novel. In February 2018, Rick’s screenplay on the novel was one of 10 Finalists for Movieguide’s Kairos Prize.

Visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rick.barry.184/

Visit his website at rickcbarry.com

Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WriterRickBarry

Purchase The Meluselah Project

Now what you’ve been waiting for: the giveaway!

Details

Open to participants over 18.
Giveaway will run March 9 to March 16.
No purchase necessary to enter.
Winners will be contacted via email and announced Friday, March 16.

Click the link below to enter the giveaway:

 

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D-Day Plane Takes Flight + Sundin Giveaway Winner

Sundin February 2018 Winner Announced

This article from The New York Times is perfect timing because today we’re announcing the winner of Sarah Sundin’s latest release, The Sea Before Us! Wow, I am so thrilled at the volume of entries and comments! Thank you for participating and for suggesting some really neat places to visit!

Two Alabama historians purchased a military transport plane that stormed the air on Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944. According to The New York Times article, Doug Rozendaal, the pilot in command for the test flight of “That’s All, Brother,” said every C-47 is unique. “It’s not really an airplane — it’s kind of a person, and you come to know each one,” he said in a video recorded before the flight.

You have got to check out this article! Look at pictures of the 1944 plane, watch a few engaging videos, and see what’s in store for That’s All, Brother!

Read A D-Day Plane Is Flying Again!

There were over 320 entries for Sarah’s latest novel. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their favorite place to travel.
The winner of The Sea Before Us is:

  • Judy M.

Congratulations, Judy! Enjoy your book!

Next month, we’ll interview Author Rick Barry and you’ll have the chance to participate in another book giveaway and learn of his recent success tied to this action-packed book. Stay tuned! I cannot wait to share!
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Author Interview: Sarah Sundin + The Sea Before Us Giveaway

The Sea Before Us

It’s an honor to have WWII author Sarah Sundin with us today. Her latest The Sea Before Us in the Sunrise at Normandy series released just a few days ago. Have you ordered your copy? You’ll want to after this delicious interview!

  • Stay tuned til the end for a Rafflecopter giveaway of the book and a package of goodies: Keep Calm and Carry On Traditional English biscuits in a sweet little tin and a Loose Lips Might Sink Ships pin.

The Sea Before Us

In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France, determined to redeem himself with the brothers he has betrayed. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France—including those of her family’s summer home—in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans. As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

What drew you to write about three estranged brothers?

9-5 Telephone
Stereotypical tourist-in-a-London-phone-booth pic.

For the Sunrise at Normandy series, I wanted to explore D-day from the sea, the air, and the ground, seen through the eyes of three brothers. Most series are told chronologically, book two following book one, etc. But this series required all three stories to occur simultaneously, in parallel. If the brothers were in communication with each other, the first book would contain huge spoilers for the rest of the series. But if the brothers were estranged, they would be blinded to each other’s actions. Then I imagined a tragic sequence of events that thrust the Paxton brothers apart. This also lends the series an overarching theme of forgiveness and redemption that I love exploring.

In The Sea Before Us, Dorothy collects holiday snapshots. Why holiday snapshots?

This is a fun bit of historical trivia! In March 1942, the BBC put out a call for people to send in their favorite snapshots of the French coast for a contest. But they were secretly working with the Royal Navy! All those “holiday snaps” showed great details of the Normandy beaches that were used to create maps and diagrams for the D-day landings. In The Sea Before Us, Dorothy Fairfax is assigned to this project because of her own vacations in Vierville-sur-Mer, on what would become Omaha Beach. Since her family has been shattered by the war, she clings to her memories of their time in Normandy.

Why does Dorothy’s father depend on her?

9-5 Peter Pan Sarah
With the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, which plays a role in the story.

Reginald Fairfax, Dorothy’s father, became one of the most interesting characters in The Sea Before Us to me. He’s grieving deeply—but poorly. He barely eats, rarely goes to work at the company he founded, and ignores his daughter. Dorothy is trying to help him as best she can, and she feels that without her, he would surely waste away and die. This challenging father-daughter relationship produced the most poignant scene in the novel.

Describe Wyatt in one word.

Steady.

Wyatt is a quiet man, dependable and loyal, determined to always do the right thing. The fact that he hurt one brother and betrayed the other has rocked him to the core, and he has dedicated himself to paying off his debt.

Other than the closeness of war, what are some elements pulling Wyatt and Dorothy together that readers can anticipate?

9-6 WWII Women S
At the Women of World War II monument in London, since Dorothy Fairfax serves in the Women’s Royal Naval Service.

Ironically, Dorothy’s father pulls them together. Mr. Fairfax is drawn in a fatherly way to Wyatt. Although Dorothy is trying NOT to get involved with Wyatt, she has to admit Wyatt cheers her father up. Also, Dorothy is alerted to possible embezzlement in her father’s company, and she enlists Wyatt—as an accountant—to investigate. And the more time they spend together…well, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!

Ooh! I can hardly wait to dive into my copy!! Thank you for joining us today, Sarah!

About SarahSundin Sarah Author Photo Tisha Martin Author Editor

Sarah Sundin is the author of ten historical novels, including The Sea Before Us. Her novels When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and Through Waters Deep was a finalist for the 2016 Carol Award and won the INSPY Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California. Please visit her at www.sarahsundin.com.

Sarah’s Books

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Before-Us-Sunrise-Normandy/dp/0800727975/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sea-before-us-sarah-sundin/1126332868?ean=9780800727970

ChristianBook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/the-sea-before-us-1/sarah-sundin/9780800727970/pd/727970?product_redirect=1&Ntt=727970&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Rafflecopter Giveaway Details

  1. No purchase necessary to enter or win.
  2. Entrants are 18 and legally able to enter this giveaway.
  3. Giveaway will last two weeks from Friday, Feb. 9, to Thursday, Feb. 22.
  4. Winners must have a U.S. address.
  5. Winners will be announced via email and via social media, Friday, Feb. 23.

 In addition to winning a copy of The Sea Before Us, you’ll also enter to win a tin of English biscuits (NOTE: cookies contain gluten) and a Loose Lips Sink Ships pin.

 

Click the link below to:

Enter the Giveaway!

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Author Interview: Liz Tolsma + Giveaway

The Melody of the Soul (002)

Anna has one chance for survival—and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy. 

Excited to introduce Liz Tolsma’s The Melody of the Soul and the chance to get to know a few of her characters. Plus, stay tuned for a Rafflecopter giveaway of Liz’s book, as well as winners from last week’s multi-author giveaway!

About The Melody of the Soul

It’s 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she’ll do anything to keep her safe—a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

Why does Horst love art? 

He’s a very creative person. He understands and appreciates beauty, whether it’s in music, architecture, or drawing. It’s God’s gift to him, and he uses it.

What drew him to it in the first place?

His troubled past was haunting him. He knew what he’d done when he was young was very wrong. Like King Saul in the Bible, he was tormented, and the music and the architecture took him away from his demons and brought beauty back into his life.

How does Anna remind Horst of his mother?

Her gentle spirit, her love of music and all thing beautiful, her kind her. All of these are traits that Anna shares with Horst’s mother.

What are you working on next?

I just finished book two of the series, What the Heart Sings, which comes out in August. That one is set in Poland. Next up is book three with the working title of The Music Within. That one takes place in Hungary.

Thanks for coming, Liz, and for telling us about your book and your next projects! I’ve just received my copy of The Melody of the Soul and can’t wait to start reading! Readers, here’s a chance to learn more and Liz and to enter a giveaway for a copy of her latest book.

About Liz Tolsma 

Liz Tolsma headshot (2)Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels and prairie romance novellas. The Rails to Love collection released in October 2016. The Matchmaker Brides collection releases in February 2017, and her next WWII novel, The Melody of the Soul, is scheduled to release in April 2017. She is a popular speaker and an editor. She has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two daughters. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), and LinkedIn. She is also a regular contributor to the Pencildancer blog and the Midwest Almanac blog.

Connect with Liz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.tolsma.9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizTolsma

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-tolsma-64992ab7?trk=hp-identity-name

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/liztolsma/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorliztolsma/

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaj5gp7Yvk4

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christianbook.com

Giveaway Details:

  1. No purchase necessary to enter the giveaway.
  2. Giveaway runs from Friday, January 26, 2018, to Thursday, February 1, 2018.
  3. Winner will be contacted via email.

Click the link below to enter the giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde8b9369/?

 

Multi-author book winners from last week:

  1. Breanna P. — won Sharlene MacLaren’s Their Daring Hearts.
  2. Becky S. — won Joyce Valdois Smith’s Grandpa Forgot My Name.
  3. Brenda M. — won Daisy Townsend’s Sarah’s Legacy, an e-book.
  4. Connie S. — won Pegg Thomas’s A Bouquet of Brides Collection (my story being “In Sheep’s Clothing”).

Congratulations, winners!!! You have been contacted via email.