Interview with Lynette Endicott, author of More than a Job

I'm thrilled to introduce debut author Lynnette Endicott to my blog today to tell us about her new book, More than a Job, and to tell us about her unexpected journey to becoming a published author.

 When she loses the job that was her full existence, Paige Hamilton learns that there are other more important things in life - including love. Can Joshua draw her away from her anger at his company and into his arms?

 Tell us about yourself.

I have been writing all my life, was first published at 14.  I have lived in Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and now Fresno, California. My husband of 37 years and I have a married daughter and son-in-law who live nearby, and although we'd never had pets before, today have one therapy dog, one adopted cockatiel that landed on our back patio last summer, and two rescue cats. The grandpuppy visits often and we also enjoy a grandkitty.

Tell us about your new book?

More Than A Job is the story of Paige Hamilton, a woman who loses the job she'd poured herself into, which was working with people with developmental disabilities at home. As a result she has to find a way to start over. When she does she meets Joshua Robinson, because she finally has room in her life for more than work. It is one of a series of three starting over stories. The next one, Return of Joy, releases in October.

What inspired this story?

So many people are finding themselves out of work, and if work is all that defines them it is devastating. I think Paige's story gives us another way to survive that kind of crisis.

 Is there an underlying theme?

Sometimes we have to lose something in our lives so that there is room for what God has intended for us.

 What's your favorite scene/character?

I enjoy Paige. She is feisty, and bounds back from her job loss to live a life that is much better suited for her.

What do you hope readers take away from reading your book?

If you trust in God's working in your life you will find that you can survive and thrive after an unexpected loss.

How did you get started as a writer?

I was chosen in a Freshman class to write the story of our visit to a federal prison. I got excerpts from the other students, wrote the summary, and it was published in a national youth magazine. (The teacher from the workshop was the publisher and editor in chief, so that helped. As time went on they published 10 more stories or articles I'd written.)

Do you have any particular method to your writing, any quirks that help you along in the creative process?

It really helps me get work done to schedule writing time. Sometimes I discard pieces that don't fit well because I was writing by appointment - but even those sometimes find their way to another story. The writing challenges of 70,000 words in a month or 50,000 in a week, work well for me.

What are some of your favorite books?

I read all kinds of things - always have - so it is hard to name a favorite. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the Dragonriders of Pern series, the Chronicles of Narnia are some that pop into my mind.

What genre(s) do you write and what draws you to this genre?

They say you should write what you read, and since More Than a Job and the other two books in the Starting Over series are contemporary romance and I just listed favorites that are speculative fiction, that may seem odd. I am also working on a series of speculative fiction through time with Tami Dee. The first book in that series is scheduled for release August 21.

What was your journey to publication like?

In the beginning I wasn't really driven to publish. I  fell into it as a teenager because other people encouraged me. As an adult I didn't stop writing - I joined critique groups and a local writing group and continued to write and edit. I wasn't thinking about that next step, though. I hadn't ever pitched a book, but when one of my critique partners of yore, Tami Dee, said she'd like me to get the books she'd read to her editor, I polished More Than a Job and Return of Joy in a week and had them on the editor's desk. When she gave me contracts for both I decided, hey, maybe I did want to be published! It has been great fun to hear from old friends who have read my book and are sending their reviews my way.

What's up next for you?

The first of the Time After Time series, Animal Instinct, will be released August 21 and the second book in the Starting Over series, Return of Joy, will be released October 15.

What might surprise readers about you?

In my spare time (hmm) I am a management consultant and I assist non-profits in the disability services world in identifying areas for improving and planning and implementing the changes needed. Sometimes this is a half a day project, and other times it takes as long as a year at another site. And everything in between.

 What do you think of the ebook explosion, pros and cons, and what do you think will happen with print books?

If you are a Star Trek fan you know that one thing Captain Kirk and Captain Picard had (or will have, since they are in the future?) in common is their love of the old-fashioned printed page. They are nostalgic about reading printed books. We are so early in the eBook explosion that I'm not sure yet how we will feel in 50 years or so about our paper books. I know that pragmatically I can carry more books when I travel, my eReader doesn't hurt to hold (arthritis in my thumbs) and that next book is just a quick download away. As a result I read more, always have reading with me. I think we may keep print books for nostalgia but not for real reading in the future.

Three favorite things: movie, place and food?

Movie: While You Were Sleeping, or the Notebook, or the Harry Potter series or the Lord of the Rings series or the Chronicles of Narnia. I can't decide.

Favorite place - day to day, my garden. For a trip to a city, either San Francisco or Vancouver, BC.

Food: Crisp Jonathon apples (which we can't get in California), a nice piece of wild salmon from the grill, or maybe Thai food depending on my mood.

When a high school writing assignment was published, when I was 14, I was hooked and have been writing for fun and in the context of work ever since. I have lived in Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas and most recently in California. I have a husband, a daughter and son-in-law, a dog and two cats. My hobbies include collecting castles, reading, and volunteering with my certified therapy dog as a reading tutor at a local library.

http://www.lynetteendicott.blogspot.com/
http://www.lynetteendicott.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/lynetteendicott
Purchase Lynnette's book at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Desert Breeze

Play It Again by Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss, author of ‘edgy inspirational fiction’, is launching her book  PLAY IT AGAIN on Feb. 21. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of cool free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Landing Page on Tracy’s Website

2. Buy the book at amazon.

3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the form with your name, email and purchase number

It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.

About the book:

An unlikely duo meet in Play It Again, a story of love, life and faith. Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy’s debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham’s journey began in this, the story of his parents.

What others are saying about PLAY IT AGAIN:

“This is one of the best contemporary novels I've read all year. . . Not only was it well-written, but it was edgy in that the story dared to be honest. . . I can see this touching a lot of people who have thought about God but have been afraid to move forward.”

-  Michelle Sutton, author of more than a dozen inspirational novels

“This book is hot property, and grabs your interest from page one.”

-   Yvonne Pat Wright, author of From Spice to Eternity

Author bio:

Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011.

FREE STUFF:

Here’s just a sampling of the FREE e-gifts from generous supporters:

-          An e-copy of Lisa Lickel’s award winning novel Meander Scar

-          Sample chapters from The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper, Warring Spirits by April Gardner, and The Right Person by Stacy Padula

-          Beautiful downloadable art cards by author and artist Brenda Hendricks

-          A free subscription to ‘PixApple’

-          You copy of Frazzled No More by Shelley Hitz

-          A cool ‘Daily Scheduler’ developed by author Janalyn Voigt

-          And much more!

All if you buy your copy of PLAY IT AGAIN at amazon.com on Feb. 21!  All links will be operational on the ‘Landing Page’ at www.tracykrauss.com/ 



DISCLAIMER: This ‘Best Seller book launch’ has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com  

Dangerous Ties: Interview with Author Debra Parmley

Today I get to welcome Debra Parmley to my blog with her new book, Dangerous Ties. Debra is a multi-published author, but this is her first work with Desert Breeze.  Dangerous Ties is a historical romance for the secular market, and it sounds like a really enjoyable book!

Hello Debra, and Welcome!

Tell us about your new book? Dangerous Ties is a western historical romance. Lillian's fiancé convinces the townsfolk to exchange their gold for his worthless bank notes. When he disappears, every eye turns to Lillian. Even her cousin Carl insists she knows where the gold is. Carl is deeply indebted to Kingston, owner of the saloon and small town criminal.  When Nick discovers Lillian she's strung up over a mineshaft and the rope is breaking.

What inspired this story? My stories always come to me with an opening scene. I see the heroine in a situation and wonder what happened to her, how did she get there and where does she go from there? For Dangerous Ties, I saw the heroine strung up over a mineshaft and the rope was breaking. Everything else grew from that initial scene.

Is there an underlying theme? Yes. In the beginning of the book, Lillian sees herself as a victim, but by the end she realizes she is a survivor. Someone once asked me why I write about victims. (In my first book the heroine was married to an abusive man.) I don't see myself writing about victims. I write about survivors.

What do you hope readers take away from reading your book? I hope my readers enjoy the read, that it transports them into the story, as all good fiction should do. But also that we can overcome the things which happen to us and that it is what comes from within that defines who we are.

How did you get started as a writer? I believe I was born a writer, from the singsong rhymes I would make up as a child, to the poetry and diaries of my teen years. In college I had a few poems published in literary journals and began writing short stories. I turned to novel length fiction not long after my first short story was published.

What genre(s) do you write and what draws you to this genre? I love writing romance because they must end with a happy ever after. I love writing historical romance because history fascinates me. I also write fantasy and paranormal romance because I can play in those genres and let the imagination fly more so than in other genres. And I still write a bit of poetry, though not every day like I used to.

What was your journey to publication like? Oh my. Well it has been quite the roller coaster ride. The first novel I ever wrote came about as a challenge issued to me at the Ozark Creative Writers conference in Eureka Springs, AR. Dusty Richards, a western novelist challenged those of us who had never written a novel to write one and have it to him by the next conference and the winner would receive a complete read from his agent. At the time I had written only poems and short stories. So I entered, but by the time the next conference had come around he was no longer with that agent. Instead he sat with me and went over the first few chapters giving me tips. I then came home and started rewriting it. Then I attended my first RT convention and entered it in the Bobbi Smith beginning writers competition. My story was a finalist and Bobbi told me the story really begins in chapter three. I went home and rewrote it. The following year when I went to the RT convention I had entered it in the American Title II competition where it was a finalist. Eleven of us were competing for one publishing contract with Dorchester Publishing and RT magazine would feature us in each issue as readers voted for the winner. Suddenly I had to have a website and get the PR going to get votes. All this and I didn't even have a book out yet. It was an exciting time. Quite the wild ride. I was bumped in the second round, but soon after got an agent. About a year after that he sold A Desperate Journey to Samhain. I used to call the novel my training wheel novel because I learned so much about writing with that one. The learning curve was tremendous. My newest book, Dangerous Ties, was the first novella I ever wrote, so there was a learning curve there as well, but nothing like that first book was.    

What do you think of the eBook explosion, pros and cons, and what do you think will happen with print books? I have been saying for several years now that publishers cannot continue with so many forms of books. Right now we have hardback, trade paperback, mass-market paperback and now eBooks. There are simply too many forms for even the largest of publishers to afford putting out a book in all these forms. One or more is bound to be phased out.  It is great to have a book in print and also in eBook. I have both with my first book, A Desperate Journey. But the simple fact is, even with your book in print, unless it is sitting on the shelves of a bookstore, the reader is not likely to come across it. Distribution is very important to authors. The eBook allows readers easier access to the books if they live overseas or in an area, which doesn't have a bookstore carrying your book. The eBook also makes it easier for a reader to try a new author or a new genre because of the lower cost. I think we are going to see an upswing in readers who weren't reading much before as well as readers exploring more books than they were before the eBook readers came out. I am reminded of Gutenberg and the Bible. I'm sure the printing press raised controversy as well. No, we don't have the beautiful illuminated manuscripts that were once in the homes of the wealthy, but the books are in the hands of more people.  It's an author's job to write the best book possible and then to see it reach the hands of as many people as possible. I'm happy that eBooks will help to accomplish that.

Three favorite things: movie, place and food?
Out of Africa, though it ends sadly. The island of Moorea where we stayed in an over the water hut and swam with dolphins. Tiramisu, which I can never turn down.

Thank you for visiting today!
To Purchase:
Desert Breeze
Amazon
B&N

Originally from Ohio, Debra now lives in Tennessee, just outside Memphis. She has lived in six states and traveled extensively. Her experience includes work as a city recycling co-ordinator, bank head teller, selling advertising for a weekly newspaper, work as a dance instructor and work as an independent travel consultant. Ms. Parmley holds a BA in English from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Her first book, A Desperate Journey, was an American Title II manuscript. Desert Breeze Publishing will publish her second book, Dangerous Ties, in February of 2012. It is with infinite love and gratitude that she gives thanks for this opportunity to fulfill her dream of sharing her stories with readers all over the world. One of her greatest joys is to hear from her readers.

More about Debra:
http://www.debraparmley.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?sk=wall
https://twitter.com/#!/DebraParmley
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?sk=wall

An Inspiring Word with Author JoAnn Carter

Some of you guys know that aside from being an author, I also work as an editor for two publishing houses. I love what I do, but sometimes get a little frutrated at the lack of time it leaves me for reading what I want to read. This makes it all the more special when a book comes along that's not only a project, but something I can get lost in and truly enjoy. Well, I've had a slew of these privileges lately, and one of them came to me in the form of a sweet, novella-length story called Mercies in Disguise. I write 20th Century historicals, so I was especially delighted with this story's setting. It's my pleasure to introduce the author, JoAnn Carter, and let her tell you what inspired her to write this story.

I have to let you in on a secret... I've been having a blast with this project! I'm thrilled at the release of the second book in this series, Mercies In Disguise. I think what has made this particular book so special to me is the setting. You see the Pine Barrens of New Jersey was where I grew up.

I love the woods. I realize some city folks would get nervous following a seemingly never-ending dirt path, where every tree looks the same – tall and scrawny—but it's home to me. I've learned many lessons in the pines, but I think the most important is "looks can be deceiving." Now, I must admit, scrub pine trees aren't the most attractive trees in the world. In fact, they look as if a good wind could knock them over. However, it isn't what you see on the outside that's most important. Rather, it's what you can't see – their complex root system – which is crucial to not only their survival, but their ability to thrive.

The soil in this neck of the woods is pure sand. It gets very dry and fires can wipe out acres upon acres in mere hours. But these hardy little pines have an amazing resilience. It's all because of their roots. They get burned, totally scorched and you'd think nothing could ever grow back, but wait even just a few weeks and before you know it, little shoots are sprouting back up. Within a few years, you can't even tell there had been a fire. What an awesome object lesson God blessed me with in my own backyard!

We see this same kind of strength through the main character, Abigail, in this story. In the midst of disappointments, storms life sends her way, and the fears she needs to face, her "roots" in Christ keeps her grounded. I hope her story (as well has her hero's) will be an encouragement to you. No matter what you may be facing today, if your "roots" are grounded in Christ, He'll see you through.

Blessings, my friends! Until next time~

JoAnn

What's Mercies In Disguise is about:

Abigail Madison, a gentle quiet spirit, has always dreamed of a life away from her mother’s controlling ways. Even more than that, she’s dreamed of finding someone with whom she could share her life with. However, her shyness is often taken as aloofness and no marital prospects were anywhere to be found. What was to become of her hopes?

Stanley Fisher, the Steamboat pilot of the Ticonderoga, was drafted and fought in World War I. The experiences he lived though on the battlefield left him wounded -- but not in a way that the naked eye could see. Yet, when he meets Abigail, he yearns for a love like his best friend and Captain of the Ti, Philip found in Ellie. However, with his recurring nightmares from war, what does he have to offer to this special woman?

EXCERPT

Abigail's dark hair hung to her shoulders, framing her fair face in shiny curls and her green eyes sparkled when he asked if he could take her bag. A slight blush colored her high cheekbones. He was in trouble -- deep trouble. She was every bit as beautiful in person as she was in the photograph Ellie had given him earlier today when she asked him to pick up her friend at the train station. Like a magnet, the picture had held him captive. And now that he saw her in person... he gulped. As his fellow bell bottoms would say, she was a doll. And although she was very quiet, the longer they talked he couldn't help but notice her beautiful, expressive eyes. They held a sort of tempered peace, or perhaps it was contentment, which he found completely unattainable.

Never before had he been so enamored, nor had he ever had as much reason to keep far away from that allure. He needed to stay strong. The serenity in her eyes would vanish if she knew the sorrow buried within his heart and how it affected him. Granted, his war wounds didn't leave any scars on the outside, but they were too numerous to count on the inside.

Lord, help me overcome the past.

He took a deep breath and stepped back, widening the space between them. If he could just turn off his thoughts and stop dwelling on his recurring nightmares, he'd be great.

Time.

He was sure that's all it would take... time to put his experiences behind him. Meanwhile, he had God, work, friends, and most importantly, the determination to make it through -- somehow, someway -- without being a total killjoy and dragging a beautiful woman into the mess of his life.

Abigail finished the letter, tucked it into her handbag, and gazed trustingly into his eyes. "Will you please take me to the steamboat now?"

Stanley nodded and offered her his elbow. "I'd love to." To fill the time and keep his mind off her tiny hand warming not only his arm, but also a place in his heart, he asked, "Have you been on board the Ti before?"

Abigail nodded. "A time or two. My family and I once resided here in Vermont."

"Ah, so that's where you know Ellie from."

"Yes. We've been best friends since grade school."

Purchase Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-262/The-Roarin%27-Twenties-Book/Detail.bok also available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as other e-book retailers.

--

About the author:

JoAnn Carter writes stories that will encourage your faith through her inspirational romances. She resides in Vermont with her wonderful husband and four children. JoAnn is available for speaking engagements to book clubs, reader groups, library groups, women's ministry events, school events and church retreats.

You can find her here:

JoAnn's Website
JoAnn's Amazon Author Page
Connect with JoAnn on Facebook

Meet June Foster!

When Jess Colton stops drinking, he replaces alcohol with food, and nothing Holly Harrison does eases the pain of her past mistakes. Can their romance survive the obstacles from their former lives?

Today I have the pleasure of introducing debut author, June Foster. After reading the premise of her new book, I'm especially excited as June's book promises to take on some modern day issues we don't often see written about in fiction. I don't know about you, but I find it refreshing to read about characters who aren't all gorgeous, smart and ridiculously wealthy and successful by the age of 29. A little reality within the pages of a book is a good thing, after all.

 Welcome June, tell us about yourself.

I am a retired school teacher and travel full time with my husband Joe in our RV. I had never written fiction until January of 2010. The Lord literally opened up my heart and gave me the desire to write. I poured over every "how to" book I could get my hands on and started writing the story He'd placed on my heart. Today I've received contracts from Desert Breeze for four of my inspirational romances, all set in the Seattle area where we lived for ten years.

        Tell us about your new book?

Give Us This Day is book one in the Bellewood Series. The three titles each come from the Lord's Prayer. I have a heart to write about Christians who struggle with issues in their lives. Give Us This Day is about a man who gave up alcohol when he became a Christian. Because he was raised in a dysfunctional family, he struggles with an addictive personality. Now he's replaced alcohol with food and is extremely overweight.

Holly Harrison is a beautiful woman who knows the Lord but can't forgive herself for the ungodly lifestyle she led in college. She lives with the permanent scars of her past. When she meets Jess Colton, she sees past his bulk and falls in love with him.

 They are powerless over their pasts but God is able to work in their lives.

     What inspired this story?

My stories are based on issues that either I've dealt with or have personal knowledge of. To an extent, Jess Colton's problem could've been mine since I grew up in a dysfunctional home as well. But through God's grace, I've been made whole.

     Is there an underlying theme?

Yes. Jess Colton replaced alcohol with food because alcohol isn't acceptable in Christian circles. In addition, he learned the overuse was destructive. Jess realizes he should've replaced it with God instead. He confesses he relied on other things to bring him comfort instead of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. When he admitted he was powerless and passed it on to the Lord, he began to find freedom.

       What's your favorite scene/character?

One of my favorite scenes is when Holly reveals her prosthetic to Jess. He tells her he can't see her anymore because he's ashamed of his size and doesn't want her to live with a hopeless diabetic. She removes her device to show him for the first time. She wants to prove to him he's not the only person whose body is flawed. Jess kneels down on the floor and kisses her stump as she sits on the couch. It's a very dramatic scene.

     What do you hope readers take away from reading your book?

I pray that anyone who struggles with the same issues as the hero and heroine will find hope that the Lord is mighty and can free them.

     How did you get started as a writer?

As I said above, I didn't start writing until after I retired from teaching. I never had any interest in writing fiction and had only written academically in college and graduate school. It was truly a "God thing."

       Do you have any particular method to your writing, any quirks that help you along in the creative process?

I love James Scott Bell's Plot and Structure, the three act structure, and his LOCK method. I plot a book in this manner and figure out the order of my chapters and what will take place. A plotter. But after that, I turn into a Pantzer. Many times, I'll be writing a scene and the characters "tell" me something about themselves I didn't know before or that would happen. I've changed entire chapters based on this information.

      What are some of your favorite books?

I love Latayne Scott's work, the entire Left Behind Series, and romance writer Mildred Colvin.

      I think it's very exciting to see Christian fiction broadening into new genres and addressing some difficult topics. What are your thoughts on this and where do you see things headed in the future?

Shawna, this is a question very dear to my heart – difficult topics. That is exactly what I feel the Lord has placed before me. I've written one book, Ryan's Father, on a very difficult topic but from a Christian worldview and have received numerous rejections. In each case, the publishers or agent said the market is not ready for it. But I haven't given up on Ryan. The Lord has a place for him one day. Christians are not immune to the world. I would like to see difficult topics addressed by the CBA market and told from a Christian worldview.

      What's up next for you?

I am working on book one of my Almond Tree Series set in Chico California. As you probably guessed, the characters in each deal with difficult problems but overcome by the grace of God.

Thank you for visiting, June. I think you and I have a lot in common with what we want to accomplish with and through our writing. I enjoyed this interview tremendously and hope to have you back with the next book.

Book blurb:

When Jess Colton asks Jesus into his life, he gives up alcohol but replaces it with a food addiction. The three-hundred pound man is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison declares her affection.

Holly Harrison lives with the results of an ungodly past. What Christian man would want a woman who lost her unborn baby and her lower leg due to her own carelessness? She doesn’t plan on falling in love with Jess yet she sees past his bulk to the godly man inside. When Jess drives a wedge between them, Holly loses all hope of a future with him.

Only God has the power to restore a hopeless food addict to good health and teach a young woman how to forgive herself, opening the door for an unlikely romance.

Purchase: Desert Breeze, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

June Foster is a retired school teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She writes full time and travels in her RV with her husband Joe. June has contracts for four novels with Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find the freedom to live godly lives.

For more about June please visit: http://junefoster.blogspot.com/

Author Interview with Steve Rzasa

I'm very excited to welcome back Christian Scifi/Speculative author Steve Rzasa. Steve visited last year to talk about his debut book, The Word Reclaimed, and its sequel, The Word Unleashed. Steve has a third book out now, Broken Sight, which he's here to tell us about, and also about what else is going on in his life. Be sure to leave a comment because Steve is giving away a signed copy of his book.

Steve, I know I asked this question in our first interview, but it's been awhile. Will you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born and raised in South Jersey, and have loved to read from an early age—adventure, history, and especially science-fiction. My wife and I live in Wyoming with our two grade school-age boys, where she teaches and I am a librarian. Prior to working at a library I was a reporter/editor for eight years in Maine and in Wyoming.

What have you been up to since you last visited?
Since last spring I finished writing Broken Sight, my new novel, in December 2010 and just last week finished a fantasy/steampunk novel, tentatively titled The Bitter Crosswinds (more about that at the close of the interview!) When I’m not busy preparing new books for library circulation or writing the newsletter, I’m helping folks find the books they need. In my “spare time” I write, draw, watch movies and play video games, play LEGOs and soccer with my boys, and cook dinner with my wife when we’ve got a minute.

Tell us about your new book?
Broken Sight is the tale of Lt. Cdr. Brian Gaudette and the crew of his new rescue starship as they respond to a distress call from a remote planet. Little do they realize they're being plunged into a race against evil forces that could result in a powerful weapon falling into enemy hands. It takes place two years after my previous two novels, The Word Reclaimed (Marcher Lord Press 2009) and The Word Unleashed (Marcher Lord Press 2010.)

 What inspired this story?
I always enjoyed writing about Brian Gaudette, the main character of my 2009 short story Rescued. He was a character I wanted to revisit in detail, and to give a shot at a grander adventure. Well, he got it. My purpose was also to explore the world of the Face of the Deep series after the restoration of religous freedom, to see how things had changed.

Is there an underlying theme?
Themes are not my strong suit, but if I had to pick two, it would be faithfulness and teamwork.

What's your favorite scene/character?
Charlotte Ruby Bell. Ex-pirate, former pirate-hunter, and all around crude individual. She's ill-tempered, rude, but also one very good starship commander and someone who can bully her crew into getting results. She can be cunning and smart. Just an all around fun individual to write.

What do you hope reader take away from reading your book?
I hope they can experience this adventure with a sense of wonder, and not worry too much about the details of sci-fi that sometimes bog down the casual reader. And if they come away from this tale realizing that there is a one true God who cares for them and is in control of all things, even better.

How did you get started as a writer?
 I wrote ever since I was little, and even then science-fiction was always on the brain. Somewhere in our house I have a story I wrote for fourth grade about two space explorers on an adventure -- I think they were based on LEGO guys I built. From there I expanded into writing a novel in high school and working for the school newspaper, and penned some short stories in college. There's still a stack of notebooks with fragments of stories and ideas stashed in a drawer in our back room. And after college I self-published a short novel called This Stirring Strife, a space opera that can still be obtained used on Amazon, I think.

Finally, I worked on the project that became The Word Reclaimed and The Word Unleashed -- a single, large novel called Commissioned -- for about six years until I finished it in February 2009. A few months later I was blessed to have Marcher Lord Press publisher Jeff Gerke agree to publish the story as two books.

Do you have any particular method to your writing, any quirks that help you along in the creative process.
I’ve found that listening to music inspires my writing, especially when working on an action scene. The particular song can make a big difference in helping straighten out the flow of action in that scene—for example, if it’s a dramatic scene I don’t want lighthearted music playing. I also am compelled to draw characters, starships and settings to help visualize. Oh, and I’m a huge sucker for maps.

Have you always loved science fiction?
Sci-fi is definitely the genre with which I’ve had the strongest relationship—can’t tell you how many evenings during my high school years were spent watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. (Me too!) And I went to see the re-released Star Wars in the 1990s when I was recovering from a fever. So that tells you my level of obsession. As for literature, I devoured books by Michael P. Kube-McDowell, Kathy Tyers, Chris Walley,

I think it's very exciting to see Christian fiction broadening into new genres. What are your thoughts on this and where do you see things headed in the future?
I'm encouraged by the raft of new Christian speculative fiction authors who have appeared in recent years, and by the creation of new small publishing houses dedicated to the genre. No longer do writers have to fret that their somewhat odd or out of the ordinary tales of space opera, fantasy or the supernatural have to remain unpublished because they're too weird. We have several publishers who like weird. The genres available to Christian readers will hopefully continue to grow and the selection and quality of writing keep getting better.

What's up next?
Well, I just this week finished a fantasy/steampunk novel called The Bitter Crosswinds and started in on the prologue for the sequel. Not sure when or if those will be published, but I've got more stories to tell. I'm also putting notes down for an alternate history/alien invasion -- hopefully sooner than later! Anyone who's interested can keep tabs at my website, www.steverzasa.com, or find me on Facebook. My books are available at www.marcherlordpress.com and Amazon.com.

Purchase from Marcher Lord
Purchase from Amazon

Steve Rzasa was born and raised in South Jersey, and fell in love with books—especially science fiction novels and historical volumes—at an early age. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communications in 2000, and then spent seven years as a reporter and assistant editor at weekly newspapers in Maine. Steve moved to Wyoming in 2007 to become the editor of a weekly newspaper there, and now works at the local library. He and his wife Carrie have two boys and live in Buffalo, Wyoming

Author Interview with Deborah Malone

Hi Deborah, you and I have been corresponding for awhile now, and have been there to see each other succeed. I want to congratulate you on the publication of Death in Dahlonega. It's an absolutely beautiful book -- except for the axe dripping with blood, but that's the intriguing part. I'm looking forward to sitting down over the holidays and reading it!

Since this is your first visit to my blog, I'd like to welcome you and ask that you tell us about yourself? First I'd like to thank you for having me as a guest on your blog. I live in the mountains of North Georgia about 60 miles from Atlanta. I have two grown girls - Niki and Leah. Niki is disabled and because I have fibromyalgia I need caregivers to come in and help with her care. I've written for a historical magazine "Georgia Backroads" for about 10 years. I also enjoy macro photography.

When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer? I image this is a similar answer most writers give that they knew since they were children they wanted to write - when I was around 11 or 12 I remember starting a mystery, but only got about 3 pages done. I was an adult when I wrote again. I wrote my first article when my friend dared me to write about an old restaurant we had gone to. I said okay I would. And that is the beginning of my writing.

What was your journey to publication like? This is an interesting question. There are certain paths all writers will take but the actual journey will be different for all. I wrote the first draft in about a year then put it aside while taking care of my family. When I discovered ACFW I knew I wanted to make it a Christian fiction book. That meant rewriting it - which I did. I soon found out I had a huge learning curve to make it publishable. I spent time learning what I needed to make it better. I did not have an agent. I sent it out to several publishers and did not hear back anything favorable so I was looking into self publishing when Lamp Post Publishers offered me a contract. Needless to say I was walking on air. It took about six months from editing to the finished product and it was on the market in October 2011.

How did you get the story idea for Death in Dahlonega? I had written several articles for "Georgia Backroads" about Dahlonega. I've always loved to visit this charming little town. I knew I wanted to write a cozy mystery so I just needed to find a setting and decided Dahlonega would be the place. And don't you just love the name? (pronounced Da-lon-a-ga)

How long did it take you to write it and what is your writing routine/schedule like? I was finished with the first draft in a year but then set it aside for a couple of years. Then when I got serious about publishing it took three years from rewriting it to publication. So that is a total of six years. I don't really have a schedule, but I like to write in the evening when things are quiet.
You and I are very similar this way. I set my first book aside for several years also and rewrote it quite a few times. I write in the evening when it is quiet, too.
Do you have a favorite scene? There are several I like. I always like the funny scenes, like the one where they meet up with a mountain man who has a still in his back yard and find out when they try to question him about the murder he's none to friendly to strangers. Then there is a dream scene that I like also. I'll let you read the book to find out about that one.

Is there a message you'd like readers to take from the story? Well, Trixie has found herself starting her life over while in her 40's. She is struggling with her faith and draws strength from her friend. She's also hardened her heart towards men and is working on trusting again. I would hope that after reading "Death in Dahlonega" that the reader would find their own message.

I love that you wrote a story with a more mature heroine. Sometimes I wonder if people think life stops after 29, or becomes too boring to acknowledge.

What are you working on now? I've already finished the second book "Murder in Marietta" and I'm working on the third in the Trixie Montgomery series "Terror on Tybee Island"

Where can readers find out more about you and your books? I would love for my readers to visit my website at www.deborah-malone.com and my blog is www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com. My publisher Lamp Post Publishing is a www.lamppostpubs.com.

Death in Dahlonega Back Cover:

 Historical writer Trixie Montgomery is asked by her editor to cover “Gold Rush Days”, an arts and crafts festival, in the small, picturesque town of Dahlonega located in the north Georgia Mountains. Trixie seizes the chance to mix business with pleasure and asks her best friend, Dee Dee to tag along.

Their well laid plans go awry when Dee Dee is discovered standing over the lifeless body of prominent citizen, John Tatum – the very man she’d had a run in with earlier that day – holding a bloody pickax in her hands. The local Sheriff is determined to solve the case as soon as he possibly can so he can retire with a clean slate and run for town mayor. Can Trixie find a way to finish her assignment and keep Dee Dee out of the slammer?

Author Bio:

Deborah Malone has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards. As current member of American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction. She is also a member of Georgia Writers Association. "Death in Dahlonega" Deborah's debut novel won an award in the ACFW Category Five Writer's Contest.

Purchase Death in Dahlonega