Thursday, April 21, 2011

Review, Interview and Giveaway with Hope White

My Review of Witness on the Run by Hope White:
5 STARS
What if the only thing you remembered about your life was that someone was trying to kill you? This was Robin's life. Robin witnessed a brutal killing and ran for life right in to the path of danger. Then she is suffering from fear-induced amnesia and can't even remember who she is. Jake Walters is a P.I. who happened to be watching the building when he saw Robin fleeing for her life, he felt responsible for her well-being and intended on staying by her side to keep her safe until the case was solved. Multiple attempts were taken on Robin's life and she and Jake were continually trying to hide from danger!

Hope White did an amazing job with keeping the story unpredictable and enthralling! You never know who to trust or who the villain is or whether or not Robing and Jake will survive. Right from the start your heart is softened to Robin and what she is going through. Robin was my favorite character in this story because she is determined to not let the fear control her life. She is trying to deal with all the emotions of her memory coming back to her while trying to stay alive. She is strong confident woman and you don't often see that in the main women in stories.

There were a lot of spiritual threads throughout Witness on the Run. Both Robin and Jake had a lot of hurt in their lives and all through the story they are reminded that God is the source of all things. This book reminded me that we are stronger than we think with God's guidance in our lives; all we need to do is give him the control! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Inspirational Romance and Suspense!!

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. My review is not biased by the fact that I was given this book. I HONESTLY read and review any book whether bought or given to me. If I did not like the book I would definitely not give a rave review or recommend it.
 
AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Hello, Hope White, and thank you so much for talking with me today! To begin, could you just tell us a little about yourself?

Accused of being an eternal optimist,  I began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when I was in grade school, and wrote my first book when I was eleven — a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!   My college sweetheart and I have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie.  When not dreaming up inspirational tales, I’m usually out walking the many trails here in Washington, enjoying a fine cup of tea with friends, or hiding out in a movie theatre. 

How long have you known that you wanted to be a writer?  Did you receive a clear “calling” from God or have you always had a desire to write?

I've always known I was meant to be a story teller.  During school I'd gaze out the window and dream up these fantastic adventure stories with, of course, a tender romance!  Didn't make for a great GPA, but it was a lotta fun.  I kind of backed into writing fiction by starting my career as a reporter.  Eventually I figured out these great stories in my head should be written down and shared, so I embarked on a fiction writing career and have loved every minute of it!

Who has inspired you the most?

Wow, a loaded question.  I find inspiration from so many people in my life!  As far as inspiring me to write, I'd have to say my high school teacher (see, I was listening in *some* classes <G>) Miss Scott.  She encouraged me to get my ideas down on paper and she celebrated my creative talent.  These days I'm inspired by both the creative  and humanitarian works of rock singer Bono.  He's didn't let stardom go to his head, and instead shared his success with the world by helping people in need.

What are 2 things that people wouldn’t normally know about you?

I want to para glide.  Occasionally I have chocolate for breakfast!

You recently have had a book published, would you take this time to describe it to us?  How and where can readers buy your book? (versions and locations)

You may buy "Witness on the Run" from any online store (Amazon, B & N, etc.),  or in bookstores.  Some Wal-Marts and Targets also have copies.  The book is suspense driven with strong romance and faith elements.

Here's the blurb:

A gun firing. A man killed. Running for her life. That's all Robin Strand remembers of the shooting she saw. With fear-induced amnesia, she can't identify the killer, no matter what the police say. The only one who believes her is private investigator Jake Walters. And he's the one who steps in to rescue her when her safe house is discovered. As they struggle to stay one step ahead of danger, Robin needs Jake more than ever. With his faith and training as a guide, they work together to bring back her memory. Before the killer can ensure that she never remembers.

Is there a spiritual message in your book?  If so, what is it and what can readers expect to get from reading it?

The main spiritual message is to surrender your fear to God, and have faith.  We often times run from fear when, in fact, there's a great lesson to be learned. 
“Witness on the Run” challenges my heroine to find strength in herself and seek guidance from God, although she’d turned away from him years ago.  Due to her temporary memory loss, Robin is challenged to take a look at her life from a whole new perspective, and find courage she never thought she had.  I believe we are stronger than we think, especially with the Lord’s guidance and love, and we’ll rise to conquer any challenge.  I hope readers will look at the fear in their lives and surrender it to God to help them find their own inner peace and strength.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

Two parts:  When he asks her questions to help her access her memory, which brings them closer together, and when she rescues him from the water.  During this second scene he asks her never to put herself in danger for him again.  She can't make this promise and tells him so.  She's growing stronger here, working past the fear of not knowing who she is, and she's redefining herself as a strong woman who will protect the man she loves.

What was the hardest part to write?

I'm drawing a blank.  This book was so much fun to write!

Do you have any other books in the making?

My next Love Inspired Suspense "Christmas Haven" will be out in November 2011.  It also takes place in Port Whisper — I love this fictional town! 

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?  Anything else you’d like to share?  (promotional information)


Here is a few fun questions:
Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate, of course!
Pepsi or Coke?  Tea (Can’t drink soda)
Cats or Dogs?  Nooooo!  Do I have to pick?  I guess it would be cats because they teach me so much about being independent.
Summer or Winter?  Winter!

Thank you so much Hope White for being with us today!

GIVEAWAY TIME
 
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of her November title
, "Hidden in Shadows”

TO ENTER:
 
*Leave an encouraging comment about the interview/author with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address. Use this format kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com to protect you from spam.

*If you leave a comment you are automatically entered in the giveaway, unless you tell me not to.

*Here are ways to get entries:

mandatory entry: comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Rate my review on Blogging for Books by clicking here.
 
+2 Read and leave a comment on any of my other reviews located on this blog.

**This is a total of 6 entries.  Tell me in your comments which of these entries you did. **
*The contest will run from today (April 21) until Tuesday (May 17). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.
**USA addresses only, please**

46 comments:

  1. Hello Hope! You grabbed my attention from the very first lines of your blurb...can't wait to read your works! Thank you for the opportunity to win.

    amanda38401 at gmail dot com

    I'm already a GFC follower - Amanda Stephan :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review and interview! The book sounds great, I'm definitely putting it on my to-read list. kristenbivens(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  3. Thanks, Amanda and Kristen! Glad you could stop by and check out the book (and me ). Have a wonderful Easter!

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  4. Wow, this sounds like a great thriller! The blurb about your book really piques my interest. Can't imagine doing anything that would have someone after me. And since I haven't read a book by you, I would greatly love to win this one!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  5. I became a follower and a subscriber!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  6. oh, I love love inspired books. Your Christmas Haven sounds interesting.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  7. Great interview. I love Love Inspired and enjoyed hearing your thoughts.

    sharonsnote*at*gmail(dot)com

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  8. Liked the interview. I enjoy reading the Love Inspired books. Carman sent me.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  9. Turning to God in a time of fear is extremely difficult. I'm thankful I don't have much to fear. I just keep telling myself, this life on earth is only temporary so why fear anything.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. It sounds great.

    Carrie
    happyasalarks (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I follow your blog (cluedn)
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

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  12. This sounds like a great read! The author had "running for her life." Love to read exciting books.
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

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  13. I rated your BB post. loved it!
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I rated your BB post. loved it!
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Please enter me! It's a great giveaway. :)

    photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

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  16. I appreciate the spiritual message in your book!
    Surrendering my fear to God is still something I
    deal with on a daily basis. Her Christmas Haven
    book sounds delightful...
    Many thanks for the interview and book giveaway!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  17. I am an email subscriber to your blog...
    Again, many thanks!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I also rated your review of When the Heart
    Mends by Cindy Woodsmall!
    Thanks bunches...Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  19. I also rated your review of When the Heart
    Mends by Cindy Woodsmall!
    Thanks bunches...Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  20. I left a comment on your review of All's Fair in Love, War, and High School by Janette Rallison...
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  21. I left a comment on your review of All's Fair in Love, War, and High School by Janette Rallison...
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  22. this sounds like a wonderful story...thanks for the chance to read it :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. i'm an email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  24. Hope, Chocolate for breakfast? That's awesome!
    Sounds like a great book!

    Please enter me

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great interview! I'm impressed that you wrote your first book when you were eleven! And with such a cliffhanger! ;) Hidden in the Shadows looks great. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    Jordan
    lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot(com)

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  26. I am also a follower of the blog. :)

    Jordan
    lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot(com)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I also rated your review on Blogging for Books

    Jordan
    lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot(com)

    Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Chocolate for breakfast - can't beat that! And I enjoy a good cup of tea also. This book sounds great. I love all Love Inspired books! Would enjoy reading it.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  29. The title Witness on the Run made me want to win it because I knew that it would be a Christian supense and thats what I love to read. Thanks for the chance to win it! I am also a public follower of Google Friend Connect. ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com
    +2

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  30. Sounds intriguing!

    joyfulhutch(at)msn(dot)com

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  31. Great interview and the book sounds like it is going to be a good one. Please enter me

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  32. I'm following you on gff

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Just wanted to congratulate you on your first interview. Good job!
    Deborah M.
    deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. + 1 This looks like an interesting book. I love the message of surrendering your fear to God.

    + 1 I'm a new follower

    +2 I rated your review on BfB

    +2 I read, and left a comment on the Apothecary's Daughter review on your blog.

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  35. Hope, the book sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read it! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

    Angie
    angjay(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  36. Hope, sounds like a great book, a page-turner!
    Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

    Tammy

    rntammyp(at)msn(dot)com

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  37. I will look for Witness on the Run. I love romantic suspense and the spiritual thread touches me, it is hard to let go of fear sometimes. Please include me in the drawing. 1+

    I'm a follower.1+
    I rated the review of When the Soul Mends 2+
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  38. With a name like Hope, you should be an eternal optimist! :-) Sounds like a great book. Thanks. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

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  39. follow you on gfc joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  40. Yay! Someone else who isn't scared to have an occasional sweet in the morning! LOL!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  41. GFC follower

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  42. Really enjoyed the interview. Book sounds like a great read. Carmen sent me.

    true_sheila(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Witness on the Run sounds like a great read. I have always enjoyed suspense books where someone has lost their memory. Robin sounds like an interesting lady who's life is in danger. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Debbie Clark

    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am already already a follower.

    Debbie Clark

    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. The cover grabbed my attention first and than when I read about the book it doubly had my attention. I definitely want to read this book. It sounds like such a great read. Please add me to the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I believe we are stronger than we think too. That's always a good moral for a story! Thanks for entering me.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete