Guest Author: Jan Elder

A huge welcome to fellow Pelican Book Group author Jan Elder! You'll be happy to know Jan will be giving away not one, but two electronic copies of her new release, A Semi-Sweet Summer. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win one of them!

When I first started writing a “New Adult” novella for the Pure Amore line of Pelican Book Group, I was waxing nostalgic about my teenage years. Memories flooded through me and a myriad of feelings, some quite strong, rose up to assault me. There were a great many pleasant remembrances, but what I recall the most about being in those “stuck in the middle” years was that there was a great deal of anxiety, the sensation of being so very different—certainly not part of the “in” crowd.

My thoughts swung to a boy I had the biggest crush on in high school. He was three and a half years older and he was definitely part of the “elite” segment of our church youth group—the cool kids I so longed to be a part of. Sorry to say, I followed him around like a puppy, learned all of his favorite foods, chosen hobbies, etc. I try not to think I actually stalked him, but I was very aware of his presence, and searched for ways to be near him.

In A Semi-Sweet Summer, I tried to transfer some of that raging angst into fodder for Cassidy’s discomfort in finding her unrequited love living right next door. Cassidy never really fit in, hardly that enviable cheerleader, not a person that anyone would notice. Rather, she sees herself as sort of an ugly duckling. Now she’s back ten years later and it’s a tough situation. The pain of those past years rises up to haunt her, and the boy who is now a man was the cause of much of her pain. If she had been prettier, smarter, more engaging, would he have loved her? And what about now? Can she learn to see herself as God sees her and find her value in His eyes?

One of my favorite passages of the Bible talks about how we are wonderfully made. Why would we want to be anyone but the person God created us to be? I like to think that God can use our experiences to help others through similar situations. God makes each of us so different, so unique, so special, and trying to be a copy of someone else makes the world less colorful.

Psalm 139:14-16 - The Message (MSG)

 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.

A Mini-interview with Jan:

Which character in your new release did you most enjoy writing? Why?

I had a fine time creating Hunter Gray, the hero in the novella. He’s a great deal like my husband—smart, savvy, droll, witty…just a fun guy to be around. He’s had some ups and downs in his life and he has come through with shining colors, mostly because he has learned to rely on God for his strength.

What I like best about him is that he has a heart to help other, and that includes our heroine, Cassidy. She is quite the handful sometimes, and he always responds with grace and tries to balance her seriousness with a touch of lightness—something she sorely needs in her life. When he finds out that in the past he has hurt her deeply, his immediate response is to ask for forgiveness.

Sure, we all mess up sometimes, but when we ask the Lord for forgiveness, He is quick to respond, welcoming us back with open arms. I like to think that we could all learn something from Hunter, a good-hearted man who longs for reconciliation.

What makes you laugh out loud?

My cats make me laugh on a daily basis. My husband and I have two (he wanted none, I wanted four so we compromised). When I write, I am usually sitting in a lounge chair with my laptop on my lap, and my gorgeous black and white tuxedo cat, Jamie, enjoys sitting on the arm of the chair. Her front paw dangles and she is often patting me in some way, obviously offering encouragement. As she is quite a vocal creature, occasionally, she’ll comment, helping me with word choice (she has an amazing vocabulary for a feline).

When 15-year-old tortoiseshell, Shu-Shu, awakens from her frequent naps, she has a fine time dancing on my keyboard to get attention. She has been known to type actual words, but the meaning is often cryptic. I am sure she has a secret language and have wondered if I should offer her services to the CIA or some such organization who would use her expertise. 

 Please share your conversion experience, if you’re comfortable doing so.

I was immensely blessed to grow up in a Christian family and Mom always made sure we were in church at every opportunity. From the day I was born, I knew that God loved me and wanted the very best for my life.

At the tender age of five, our pastor at church invited those who didn’t know the Lord to come down to the altar for prayer. I remember pulling on my mother’s sleeve asking her if she would go down that long aisle with me. I asked Jesus into my heart that day. Is life always wonderful? No, because we live in this fallen world. But there’s a joy deep down in my soul that can never fade or falter. What a glorious gift!   

About A Semi-Sweet Summer

Cassidy Cooper never wanted to set foot in Crystal Falls again. Ten years earlier, she’d given her heart to a boy who’d, in turn, humiliated her deeply. Now, back in town as the sole beneficiary of her sister's estate, she’s determined to make her sister's dream of an upscale chocolate truffle shop, come true.

Hunter Gray is very intrigued by his new neighbor. His escape artist cow, Marigold, engineers an introduction…but it's not quite the first impression he was hoping for. Baffled by the nagging suspicion he’s seen this woman before, he plots to win Cassidy’s heart at every opportunity.

With the object of her unrequited love living within shouting distance, Cassidy prays for strength to forgive and forget. And Hunter? He just wants to get back to his own dream to grow his farm and get to know the pretty girl next door. If she'll let him.

Purchase A Semi-Sweet Summer

About Jan Elder:

JAN ELDER is an inspirational romance writer with a passion for telling stories other women can relate to on a deep level. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader’s faith, introducing the reader to a loving and forgiving Lord who walks beside us in our daily lives, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story.

Happily married for fourteen years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a chubby black and white tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a willowy tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.  

Guest Post: Debra E. Marvin

Debra E. Marvin

I’m so pleased to visit Delia’s blog. Goodness! What a great blog name! When she and I chirped and chattered last month, I was actively promoting my novella, WHY NOT, part of the Valentine Matchmaker Collection from Forget Me Not Romances. I say ‘was’ because I’m now in the Land of Impending Deadline and working on two upcoming stories that (ahem) may or may not be late.

Confused? So am I. Some days I type in the wrong character name. 

But WHY NOT (purchase link) is available now, (Ebook), and I’m giving away the nine-novella collection. Let me know in the comments, if you’re interested.

While the action culminates at a Valentine’s Party held at the Grand Canyon’s El

Tovar Hotel, 1914, the theme resonates year round—control. 

Do I jest? Because if you still think you have control over things, you must be young or…slow to catch on.

Desiring control of our lives is part of the process of maturing and, dare I say, escaping from the whims of our all-too-flawed parents and teachers. Being in control lets us finally make our own incredibly insightful decisions.

In WHY NOT, we meet Amber Wynott, a confident, intelligent young woman eager to prove that she has more to offer the world than settling for the role of society wife and mother.  Amber’s station in life has provided a safe base for her dreams. And perhaps that’s half the problem. If she had no choice but to work—taking in laundry, for example—in order for her family to eat, she wouldn’t have time to pooh-pooh her limited options. Don’t worry. Amber is not as snooty as she sounds. She’s also a champion of the working class… and much more unsure of herself than she wants you to think.  But, bless her heart, she has something to prove.

Next along is Stone Morrison, a master stone mason, and he just happens to have even more to prove than Amber. He’s just not so obvious about it.

Amber and Stone are both desperate to control their futures, rather than fall into the old, un-escapable family expectations, and gave me a lot to work with! I hope you are tempted to find out how incredibly suited they are to one another.

Because I can’t quite control what you do, can I? No more than I controlled my children, my pets, or my undying love for baked goods. Wishing we had control over things isn’t a bad thing; we’d protect our loved ones, and help those in need. What about self-control? For me, I can manage to stay away from sugar, or avoid buying another book, or yard of fabric, but, boy, the big things like doubt, worry, depression? No. That’s when we learn that giving it up, turning it over by faith to our God is the better choice. He can guide us, but he won’t control us.

“Jesus, Take the Wheel”, right?

Unfortunately, right down the road, we grab that wheel right back when things get bumpy.

I suggest you give yourself a little break. We can start over every day, multiple times a day, if needed.  God wants obedience—not because He abhors free will (He gave it), but because He knows the plans He has for you. Just like parents would love to control their children if it meant keeping them safe from harm and pain.

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About WHY NOT?

Love Puts These Two On the Edge!

Grand Canyon, 1914

Society girl Amber Wynott’s wintry escape to the Grand Canyon provides a chance to pursue her dream and prove she has what it takes to be a successful architect. It doesn’t take long to realize the incredible scenery can’t hide the simmering anger between ‘railroad money’ and the struggling locals.

Which side is master builder Stone Morrison on?

Amber has met her match in the handsome, hard-headed man. He’s been directed to keep an eye on her, but when iron meets iron—oh the sparks! As their unlikely old matchmaker tells them, pride goes before a fall, and this is a bad place to fall. Will danger finally knock some sense into the pair?

You can find me in too many places. Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, Pinterest, and my website, DebraEMarvin, where I’m currently offering a 1-in-50 chance for a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for new subscribers to my newsletter.

About the Author

Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and serves on the board of Bridges Ministry in Seneca Falls, NY. She is published with WhiteFire Publishing, Forget Me Not Romances, and contracted with Journey Fiction. Debra works as a program assistant at Cornell University, and enjoys her family and grandchildren, obsessively buying fabric, watching British programming and traveling with her childhood friends. 

Author Interview: Pamela S. Meyers

I'm pleased to welcome Author Pamela S. Meyers to Chirp 'N Chatter...and you'll be pleased to know she'll be giving away a Kindle copy of her new release, Second Chance Love! Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.

Pamela S. Meyers

Your book and you:

What inspired you to write Second Chance Love?

I’ve always loved cowboys since I was a kid and dreamed of even owning my own horse, but my parents put a kibosh on that because there wasn’t room in the budge. I eventually grew into my teens and became interested in other pursuits. About twelve years ago I met a former bull rider who has become one of my best friends and he took me to my first rodeo. I was hooked. Over all those years we’ve attended a Labor Day rodeo festival in Palestine, IL. It’s set in a unique little town that seemed to beg me to write a story set there during the rodeo. Of course, it had to be about a bull rider, and what better conflict than to have him fall in love with a Chicago-born-and-bred woman who couldn’t imagine digging up roots and settling down on a Texas ranch. Or could she?

What spiritual theme does this book include? How did it come to be a part of this story line?

My character Sydney Knight is scared to death to take a risk and trust God. She’d been abandoned in an emotional way by her dad when he died while she was in high school, by her brother whose debilitating accident had left him disabled for life, and by her fiancé on their wedding day. She’d done well avoiding anymore romantic entanglements until she met Jace McGowan. They’d met two years before the start of my story when his uncle (her boss) asked her to take him around Chicago for a day. In the course of one day, their chemistry was so strong, it left her head spinning, not to mention the one and only kiss they shared when they said good bye. Sydney has to learn to trust God and let go of her fears.

About you:

What household task do you most dislike?

Can we make it an office task? I am retired from my day job and writing is now my full-time work. I love writing and all things related to writing, but hate the behind the scenes work of keeping up with the business end of it. It seems papers keep coming in that need to be filed (despite we are in a digital age) and that means filing. I hated filing with I worked in an office and I still hate it today.

Which do you most enjoy?

Can’t think of any that I really enjoy, but what I do enjoy is when the tasks are done and my condo is dusted, vacuumed and disinfected. It’s such a great feeling for at least a day or two.

What smell do you love most, and why?

I love the smell of lilacs when they bloom in the spring. They aren’t around very long and perhaps that’s why I love the scent as much as I do. In part, too, because it takes me back to grade school when the classroom windows would be open on warmer days and the scent would ride the breezes into the room. On some of those days students would bring the teacher bouquets of lilacs and she’d place them around the room. I loved that heady scent so much.

God and you:

Where do you hide away when you want to pray, meditate, read, or just cuddle up with God?

Since I live alone, except for my two rescue cats, I don’t feel a need to find a place to hide so I can be alone with God. The place where I spend my morning devotions, one end of my couch. I put a Christian online music station on softly in the background (right now my favorite is www.soulkeepermusic.com, but Pandora also has some great stations for that as well) and begin by reading entries from a couple devotionals, then go to the Bible and read and meditate on scripture. I keep a daily journal and use that to write prayers to God after I’ve spent time in the Bible.

Please share your conversion experience, if you’re comfortable doing so.

I grew up in Wisconsin and attended Sunday school, but never heard much about a personal relationship with Jesus during those years. As I grew into adulthood, not having a solid biblical foundation, it was easy to drift away from church attendance. From age 25 until age 33, I lived in Southern California for seven years. Toward the end of those years, I began to sense there was more to life than partying and yearned to move back to the Midwest.

I transferred to the Chicago area with my employer and settled into the northwest burbs. A couple months later, my mom became seriously ill, and I promised God I’d start attending church again if she got better. She did, and I went to the church closest to my apartment. I knew little about what made up a good church and attended one that put an emphasis on earning your way to heaven, rather than by faith alone.

God made sure I would eventually hear the truth by having some Christian women move into my apartment building. One of the women shared the gospel with me. I politely listened, but thought I was already a Christian. I continued attending the church I first went to, and one Good Friday afternoon, while the biblical account of Jesus’ crucifixion was read out loud, the Holy Spirit opened the eyes of my heart and all that my neighbor had been telling me made sense. That Jesus went to the cross for me because without His sacrifice that covered my sin, I could never spend eternity with Him.

After the service, with tear-filled eyes, I told the pastor what had happened and he simply sent me on my way with a “God bless you.” Regardless of his dismissive response, I walked home feeling as if I was floating. My neighbor made sure I would be discipled properly by getting me into a Bible study and before long, I moved on to a church that preached the gospel. Since then, over these many years, I’ve grown in the Word and serve Him through leading Bible studies, my writing ministry and being on a calling team for my church’s radio ministry. I never cease to be amazed at how much Jesus had to suffer for the sake of all of us, and that by believing in Him we are seen as righteous by God. What a comfort to know I’m going to spend eternity with the Lord.

About Second Chance Love:

Chicago lawyer Sydney Knight and Texas bull rider Jace McGowan have nothing in common but everything to lose when they are thrust together during a weekend rodeo in rural Illinois. Neither one of them would have imagined two years ago that the deep attraction they sensed during a day-long outing would resurface when Sydney’s boss assigns her to Jace’s legal case.

Sydney has been through a world of hurt since losing her dad when she was sixteen, then being dumped the morning of her wedding. She’s sworn off romance and instead devotes her time toward a partnership in her father’s law office.

Jace has found faith in God and wants out of his sponsor contract with a risqué restaurant chain that requires him to pose with scantily-clad women. He’s about to bail on the contract and pay steep penalties—something he can ill afford, given that his deceased father left the family with unpaid taxes.

Sydney is determined she’ll get Jace out of his contract and return to Chicago with her heart intact, but Jace is just as determined to help her see they are meant to be together. Can a city girl with roots deep in Chicago and a bull-riding rancher with roots deep in Texas give themselves a second-chance love?

About the author:

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. Her novels include Thyme for Love and her historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Her novella, What Lies Ahead, is part of a novella collection, The Bucket List Dare, which is now available at Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. Second Chance Love from Bling!, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, released in January 2017. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other Midwestern spots for new story ideas. Here’s the link to her Amazon author page where you can purchase Second Chance Love and any other of her books: http://amzn.to/2kqP5CC

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Guest Post: Patrick E. Craig (with GIVEAWAY!)

A warm welcome to Author Patrick. E. Craig! I love this post, and I think you will too, my fellow sheep. As if the post isn’t a sweet enough reason to be right where you are right now—here on Chirp ‘N Chatter—Patrick will be giving away THREE copies of his latest release, THE AMISH PRINCESS! Read the post and leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win one of them.

No Wonder He calls us Sheep

by Patrick E. Craig

My wife, Judy, and I used to raise sheep. We gave them shots, we sheared them, we cleaned up their feet when they got foot rot, clipped their hooves, cleaned their boils and abscesses… it was a never-ending story. If we didn’t feed them by 6 a.m. they stood at the back fence and bellowed until I came out. When the ewes lambed, we had to put them in the barn with the baby for three days so they would bond. We had to give the mama a bucket of molasses water to help her get her strength back. We had to make sure that the mama had enough milk and if they didn’t we had to bottle feed the lamb

                                        stock.adobe.com

for a month. That meant getting up at 12 a.m. and feeding them every four hours for thirty days. We did all these things for their good, and still they fought us every step of the way. They struggled, they cried, they ran away when we needed to get them in the pen. When it was time to give them their yearly shots, I had to chase them down, drag them to the barn and “cast them down,” which means that I wrestled them down on their back with their feet up in the air. When they are in that position, they are completely helpless.

Bet you didn’t know that when you read “Why art thou cast down, O my soul” in Psalm 42:5. God is describing a sheep with his legs stuck straight up in the air, hopeless and helpless.

Being a writer is like being a sheep in some ways. We want to do it our way. We want fame recognition, publishing contracts, an agent, a New York Times Bestseller, and all the rest. God leads us in one direction and if it goes against what we want, we fight Him every step of the way. In my latest book, The Amish Princess, the primary conflict for all the main characters—Opahtuhwe, Jonathan, Joshua and even some of the secondary players—is the age-old battle: doing what God wants, or doing what we want.

You see, it’s no mystery why God calls us “the sheep of His hand.” Everything God does for us, He does for our absolute good, and yet we continue to "struggle against the goads." That’s why sometimes He must apply “the rod and the staff,” or even “cast us down” by adverse circumstances, so that we are absolutely helpless. It is then that the Holy Spirit inspires us to cry “Abba, Father, help us.” It is then that we come back into the relationship that God desires—one of complete dependence on Him. Our writing will only accomplish His purposes when we put our hopes, dreams and desires in a subordinate position to His purpose for us.

You know we really should listen to what He wants and follow His plan. After all, He made the universe. He’s at least a genius…

About THE AMISH PRINCESS

Opahtuhwe, the White Deer, is the beautiful daughter of Wingenund, the most powerful chief of the Delaware tribe. She is revered by her people–a true Indian princess. Everything changes when the murderous Delaware renegade known as Scar brings three Amish prisoners to the Delaware camp. Jonathan and Joshua Hershberger are twin brothers that Scar has determined to adopt and teach the Indian way. The third prisoner is Jonas Hershberger, their father, who has been made a slave because he would not defend his family. White Deer is drawn to Jonathan but his hatred of the Indians makes him push her away. Joshua's gentle heart and steadfast refusal to abandon the Amish faith lead White Deer to a life-changing decision and rejection by her people. In the end, White Deer must choose between the ways of her people and her newfound faith. And complicating it all is her love for the man who can only hate her.

About the Author:

Best-selling author Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor. In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first two books in the series, The Amish Heiress and The Amish Princess, were published by P&J Publishing . Patrick and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Find Patrick online:

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Purchase Patrick’s books:

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Author Interview: Barbara M. Britton

It is my pleasure to welcome Barbara M. Britton back to Chirp 'N Chatter! We're talking about her new release, BUILDING BENJAMIN: NAOMI'S STORY. Barbara will give away an electronic copy of this exciting book of biblical fiction, OR a print copy of PROVIDENCE: HANNAH'S JOURNEY. Leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing.

Welcome back, Barbara! I'm eager to hear about your new release. I gotta say, I'm intrigued with this series. And both of your Tribes of Israel covers are absolutely stunning!

Thank you for having me back to talk with your readers. I am so excited to be launching another Tribes of Israel novel into the world. BUILDING BENJAMIN: NAOMI'S STORY releases today in e-book. The print edition comes out April Fool’s Day. I’m going to have to think of something fun to do on April 1^st.

Absolutely! You can't pass up an opportunity like that. :) Are your characters based on real people?

In my first book, I was inspired by the servant girl in the story of Naaman (II Kings 5). The servant girl was mentioned briefly, but we didn’t know her backstory or whatever happened to her. Building Benjamin is inspired by the chaos in the last three chapters of the book of Judges (Judges 19-21). I had no idea this Sodom and Gomorrah story was in Judges and that the tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out—by the other tribes of Israel, no less. We know the incident from the Bible narrative. I threw some characters into the mix.

How interesting! What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

I love all my books, so it is difficult to pick a favorite. I will say that Naomi’s story was the most difficult to write because it is an enemies-to-lovers story. I had to change Naomi’s feelings for Eliab 180 degrees. And I changed them in a short amount of time. I found that hard to do and make it seem believable. I find boy-next-door romances or handsome stranger romances much easier to write. But I’ll never say never on doing another whirlwind transformation. 

I love coming up with titles for my own books. How did you come up with the title for this one?

At the end of Judges, the tribe of Benjamin is left with 600 men and no women or children. Wives are a necessity if the tribe is going to survive. But alas, the rest of the tribes have taken an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to those nasty Benjamites. What’s a man to do when God has forbidden the Hebrews from marrying foreign women? Well, some Benjamites hide in a vineyard and steal Ephraimite women when they come out to dance. What would it be like to be one of the women stolen? Naomi, Cuzbi, and Jael find out. The tribe of Benjamin needs babies to continue on. The tribe needs to be built up, so Building Benjamin.

On a Biblical note, both Saul, the first king of Israel, and Saul of Tarsus (later named the apostle Paul) come from the tribe of Benjamin. God had a plan to rescue the tribe.

Now let's get really up close and personal... lol  What did you edit out of this book?

Nothing. This was a shocker! I thought I would have to tone down some sensuality, but I sailed through the editing process. I mean, this is Christian fiction, so there are no sex scenes, but my characters do fall in love. I did however have a ton of comments on one certain scene where a lame ewe is left on the roadside. Oh my, did I get scolded. Now, being the author, I knew what was going to happen, but my poor editor didn’t. She was so relieved later on in the story. So when you hit that scene, trust me—even though you might shed a tear.

When you wrote this book, did you have an idea of how it would end at the beginning?

I followed the Bible narrative, but the last chapter of Judges treats the capture of the women matter-of-factly. The ending loses steam compared to the accounts of all the battles and the kidnapping. I added a bit of spice based on what might have occurred from the text. The ending remains the same, as the tribe of Benjamin was saved.

I was wondering if any of your readers were familiar with this Bible story before today. I remember Sunday School and VBS stories about Deborah, Samson, and Gideon, but never this story from the book of Judges.

How about it, readers? Are you familiar with this story in Judges?

About BUILDING BENJAMIN: NAOMI'S STORY:

Love Grows Where God Grafts the Tender Shoot.

Naomi desires to dance well enough to catch the eye of a wealthy landowner. Her father needs a substantial bride price due to the deaths of her brothers at the hands of the tribe of Benjamin. But when Benjamites raid the Ephraimite feast and capture young girls, Naomi is bound and carried from her home by Eliab, a troubled shepherd who needs a wife.

As Naomi awaits rescue, she finds Eliab has a strong faith in God and a just reason for abducting her. A reason that affects all the tribes of Israel. The future of the tribe of Benjamin hangs in the balance, but if Naomi follows her heart and stays with Eliab to rebuild his lineage, she must forfeit her family and become a traitor to her tribe.

About the author:

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb kicked off her Tribes of Israel series in October with the release of PROVIDENCE: HANNAH'S JOURNEY. Naomi’s journey is set to release this spring. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.

Want to learn more?

Barbara’s website          Facebook

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Purchase links:

Amazon                         Pelican Book Group

Author Interview: Lena Nelson Dooley

Great news, friends! Lena will give away an electronic copy of A HEART'S GIFT. Be sure to leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing.

Lena, it's a pleasure to welcome you to Chirp 'N Chatter. Congratulations on your new release! What inspired you to write A Heart’s Gift?

I’ve always loved second-chance-at-love stories, because they take what has been hurt or broken and make something new out of the situation. I really didn’t realize what I was getting into with this one. It had been percolating in my mind and heart for several years. Then while I was writing it, God kept giving me new inspiration that took the story directions I never planned for it. But all these things only made the story better. He even turned the story into a suspense during the last part of the book.

I love second-chance romance stories too. Aside from the romance, what spiritual theme does this book include? How did it come to be a part of this story line?

For some reason many of my books have the theme of truly trusting God, and this one is no exception. And often my books are about forgiveness, often unmerited forgiveness. Another spiritual theme. But there is a totally unexpected spiritual truth woven into this one. I don’t want to give it away, but God revealed a truth to the hero that was very important.

That's exciting! Something to watch for... :) Let's talk about you just a little. I wonder...what makes you laugh out loud?

The antics of my great grandsons. They are 9, 3, and almost 2. And they are a hoot, especially the 3 year old. The 9 year old is becoming very sensitive to the needs of his great grandparents. All three are joys of my heart.

God certainly provides a blessing in our grands, doesn't He? What book are you currently reading?

I have a 3-book series by Sandra D. Bricker that I hadn’t read because of my busy writing year in 2016. I finished reading On a Ring and a Prayer yesterday and started Be My Valentino. Sandra had a unique voice in her writing that made us laugh and then took us deep into the characters. She went home to be with the Lord late last year. I’ll miss her a lot.

I haven't read any of Sandra's work, but now I'll want to look into that. It sounds like she left quite a legacy.

Do you usually insert a spiritual theme into your books? If so, do you have a favorite?

I don’t as much insert a spiritual theme in my books as they grow out of the story. I won’t write a story that doesn’t point the way to the Lord, so as the stories progress, the spiritual theme of the book evolves. I am usually several chapters into the book before I begin to discern that theme.

Your process sounds much like my own. Please share your conversion experience, if you’re comfortable doing so.

My mother died when I was 7 years old. I’d been raised in the church, so God and Jesus were often spoken about in our home. During the summer soon a few months after my mother’s death, our little country church had a revival. My older brother walked the aisle on Wednesday night and gave his heart to the Lord. On Saturday night, I told my daddy that I wanted to as well. In those days, people often thought that young children couldn’t understand what that meant. My father remarried the next year. Once again, I asked if I could walk the aisle and accept Jesus. My stepmother, who was a wonderful woman, told me I was too young to understand. I promised myself then and there that I would never tell a child that. Soon after, they realized that I really did understand. Of course, not everything. But I was allowed to give all that I knew of myself to all I know of Jesus and ask Him to live in my heart.

Well, I'm so glad you were finally allowed to walk that aisle! I also received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the age of 7, and have always considered it a scary thing to keep a child from making that decision when he or she wants to do so. I understand the parents' concern, but Jesus did say, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me." Your decision to live for God has blessed a lot of people through the years.

About A HEART'S GIFT:

Because of an earlier betrayal, Franklin vows never to open his heart to another woman. But he desires an heir. When Lorinda is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she will never allow a man to control her again. But how can she provide for her infant son? Marriage seems like the perfect arrangement until two people from Franklin's past endanger Lorinda. How can he save her? And how will this affect the way they feel about each other?

About the author:

Award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 875,000 copies of her books sold. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the local chapter, ACFW - DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

She has been on the ECPA and CBA Bestseller lists, Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list, and several Amazon Bestseller lists as well as a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011.

Her awards include: Will Rogers Medallion Awards, the Selah Award, Reader’s Choice book award, a Reader’s Choice blog award. She has finaled in the Can Golden Scroll Award, and finaled three times in for the Carol Award.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She hosts “The Lena Nelson Dooley Show” on the Along Came a Writer blog radio network.

Lena has an active web presence on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.

Website               Blog

Pinterest             Facebook

Twitter                Official Fan Page

Goodreads          Christianbook.com

LinkedIn             Instagram

Pinterest            Amazon Author Page

Blogtalk Radio, The Lena Nelson Dooley Show 

Guest Post: Ane Mulligan

I'm delighted to welcome Author Ane Mulligan back to Chirp 'N Chatter! I know you'll enjoy Ane's wonderful post, and...she'll be giving away an electronic copy of WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS! Be sure to leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing.

Everyone Wants to Belong

Every time I passed a mirror, I would look to see if I could catch a glimpse of someone I looked like. You see I was adopted as an infant. Now before y'all get the wrong idea, I had a wonderful childhood in a loving family.

I always knew I was adopted. I felt special and loved. I never lacked for love, but when I started school, I met my first set of twins. They were in my class and the two people who looked exactly alike fascinated me. That's when I realized I didn't look like anyone.

My lineage is Irish and a pinch of French. My adoptive dad was Scandinavian and mama was German and Scottish. I began to watch sisters who looked alike, a daughter who looked like her mother. And I felt like I didn't belong anywhere. That is when it started; my obsession with looking at people to see if I could find someone I looked like.

When I turned fifty, I would look in the mirror and wonder if I looked like my mother or father. Was I a combination of both or a replica of one? I didn't have my biological mother or a sister to ask about the changes that happen to women. I would stare into the mirror and ask whose nose is this? Whose ears? Whose hands?

Then in 2009, I found my birth sisters. The whole story is on my website under Adoption. I finally had my answer. I was a replica of my mother – nearly an exact one. I have sisters who look just like me. I have the Mullvain hands. I watched my sisters' mannerisms and realized they were the same as mine!

When my youngest sister, Cindy, and her husband came to see us, I don't remember what I did, but her husband, John, turned to her and said, "She is so your sister." Sweeter words were never heard. And for once, I felt like I truly belonged.

I knew if I felt like this, other people—other women—did too. Being a novelist, the natural progression was to write a story about an adoptee who looks nothing like her loving family. I decided to give her a profession that might help her find her birth mother, and it was one with which I had experience. I made her a lobbyist for a pro family group.

My heroine had to learn that God had placed her where He wanted her. There is a Scripture I love, Psalm 27: 10 "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close." NLT

For me, the story is a tribute to my adoptive parents. And it also is a tribute to how God is trustworthy with our dreams. I had to give Him my dream of finding my birth sisters, and He was faithful with it. In His time, he brought me great joy by fulfilling my dream. I didn't just get a sister, but five of them.

About WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS:

Her dream job has a Catch 22—and time's running out

Rookie lobbyist Sienna O'Shea is determined to make a name for herself in New York's capitol city and use that influence to gain easier access to her birth records. For years she's searched for her birth mother, but when she's handed her first assignment—to lobby support for the permanent sealing of all adoption records—her worlds collide. Swept up into the intrigue of backroom politics, falling in love was not on Sienna's agenda, but the candidate for Lt. Governor runs a formidable campaign to make her his first lady. When an investigative reporter discovers foreign money infiltrating political campaigns, the trail leads to Sienna's inner circle.

Ane Mulligan writes Southern-fried fiction served with a tall, sweet iced tea. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. An award-winning and multi-published novelist and playwright, Ane is the creative director and CEO of Players Guild@Sugar Hill, a community theater and a contributor to Novel Rocket. She resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a dog of Biblical proportion. You can find Ane on her website at www.anemulligan.com or her Amazon author page.