Interview and Giveaway (set of e-books and necklace) with Sandra Byrd

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

Sure!

I knew that I wanted to be a writer at six years old, as soon as I'd learned to read the Bobbsey Twins books. Really! When I was a kid I wanted three careers: to be a hair stylist, to be a waitress, and to be an author. After I mohawked my Barbie I knew I wasn’t cut out for the hairstylist career. I actually was a waitress in a Jewish deli when I was a teenager, and I worked for a caterer. Writing, however, was the real passion. And it stuck.

I earned my first rejection at the age of thirteen, but eventually became a bestselling author in spite of it all! I've published more than three dozen books for tweens, teens and women.

I'm also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. I've mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.  Here's my coaching page:

http://www.sandrabyrd.com/more-writing-coach.php

I live Washington State with my husband Michael, a chaplain, our two children, and a circus dog named Brie!

I also live in Washington state, how neat!!

Did you receive a clear “calling” from God or have you always had a desire to write?

I always knew I wanted to write, but while my husband was in seminary I thought I'd have to put it aside for a long while, though I was working as an editor at the time.  I prayed about it and I felt God telling me," Why wait?"  Why, indeed? I've been writing ever since.

Who has inspired you the most?

My husband.  He's been a constant presence in my life for 26 years and has always made me get back on the computer every time I've fallen off and skinned my knees. :)

Where do you spend your time writing? Describe your office space?

I have a lovely office with a "peek" view of the lake behind our house. It's painted in a sage green, which I love, with glass and redwood furniture.  Right now the walls are covered with Tudorana, as I am writing a Tudor-set series.  I also keep my most-treasured books in my office, and a good speaker system, as I love to listen to music while I write.

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)

I've had some print books published this year, but I'm also very excited about the books I've loaded onto kindle and nook.  They are series I wrote some time ago, but I've completely updated each and every one.  They're written for two age groups:  tweens aged 8-12,  and teens aged 11-14.  The covers were redesigned to appeal to today's girls, but the insides of the books are still very much what I designed them to be: an anchoring of family, faith, and friends within a girl's heart as she grows into a young woman of her own.

There are two free short stories on my website, too, both for the younger girls.  Please check out this page:  http://www.sandrabyrd.com/teens-ebooks.php

It's a long page! So be sure to keep scrolling down to learn more about, and access links to, each book.

I know your book is catered towards young girls, being a young girl is pretty tough yet fun, what is one thing you are glad you never have to go through again from that age and what is one thing you miss about being that age?

I most miss the carefree expectation that anything is possible.  I still think much is possible, but I've added some gravitas to my expectations as I've aged! I'm glad I never have to go through the mean-girls thing again.  We as women, all of whom had to survive that in one form or another, should be inoculated for life against gossip! 

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

I like to describe my books as having a gentle Christian faith.  The first series, Secret Sisters, is perhaps a bit more evangelical as it comes from my own background of not having grown up in a Christian home.  The other two have Christian messages woven, through, too, but perhaps more in helping girls to understand and live life through a Christian world view.  I always try to remember - these are stories, meant to entertain, not devotionals.  So while faith permeates the pages, the story is what counts!

What’s your favorite part of the story?

I love girls coming to understand that when they lose their lives, willingly, they gain it, and more, back in return!

Do you have any other books in the making?

I'm currently finishing up a devotional for Tweens which will be published by Tyndale House in fall, 2012.  I'm very excited to get that into girls' hands!

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

Here's the website: www.sandrabyrd.com  Please sign up for my newsletters, or friend me on facebook.  That's where the contests are!

Coffee or Tea?  Both! Vanilla Latte or London Fog Steamer

City or Country?   Small picturesque town?

Dream Vacation?   I've  been to London, I've been to Paris, but I still dream about going back to both.  Someday!

GIVEAWAY TIME

ENDS Nov 25th

**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win one set of any of the e-books (whichever your winner chooses) and this double cross necklace.

TO ENTER:

*Leave an encouraging comment about the interview/author with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). Use this format kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you do not want to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory 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.

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (Nov 17) until Friday (Nov 25). 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.

eIn

Interview with Pam Hillman with bonus giveaway and review

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

Award-winning author Pam Hillman writes inspirational fiction set in the turbulent times of the American West and the Gilded Age. Her debut book, Stealing Jake, won the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis contest and was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest. She lives in Mississippi with her husband and family.

I'm still amazed that Stealing Jake was your debut novel.....

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 starting pursuing publication in 1994, but I’ve wanted to be a published author ever since I can remember. As a child, I was fascinated by how authors put all those stories on paper. Somehow, my brain just naturally made up stories. But for years, I didn’t write them down. I tried to get started a few times, but didn’t know how to construct a compelling story with an interesting beginning, firm middle, and satisfying ending. So out of lack of knowledge and fear of failure, I just kept dreaming. I think I had the idea that as long as I didn’t attempt to write, I couldn’t fail at writing. In 1994, I decided that if I was ever going to write, I had to stop kidding myself and get to work.

We are glad you finally gave it a shot...

Who has inspired you the most?

My daddy. After you read the story below, titled “Daddy’s Girl”, you’ll see that just because I was a girl, didn’t stop Daddy from letting me attempt to do anything I wanted to. Maybe it was just my nature, but growing up, I really believed I could do anything, be anything, I wanted to be. I still believe that. And the one thing I’ve always wanted to be was a writer.

That's really sweet....What are 2 things that people wouldn’t normally know about you?

I was a tomboy growing up, and was my daddy’s righthand “girl” until I married. I can cut, rake, and bale hay, or drive 40’ cattle trailer to the stockyard if needed. I’m a purchasing manager (my predecessors were all men) for an OEM company where I purchase tons of stainless steel, pumps, motors, relays, and solenoids all day long. And I know the difference in a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver, and that 26 gauge stainless steel is a lot thinner than 14 gauge, which is weird when you think about it!
 

Readers can click here to read “Daddy’s Girl” http://calicotrails.blogspot.com/2011/07/daddys-girl.html)

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?

Stealing Jake, Tyndale House Publishers, July 2011

When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

To read the first chapter, click this link:  http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2007/11/stealing-jake-prologue.html

Stealing Jake is an ebook and can be purchased at these locations. And, actually, for a limited time, Tyndale is offering the book for FREE in all formats! I’d love for your readers to download a copy, and if they love it, please post reviews and tell their friends. Word of mouth is priceless!

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Jake-ebook/dp/B0057Z87DK/ref=zg_bstf_digital-text_1

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-jake-pam-hillman/1103995167?ean=9781414366616&itm=1&usri=stealing%2bjake

CBD.com: http://www.christianbook.com/stealing-jake-ebook-pam-hillman/9781414366616/pd/19108EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=19108EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

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

I’d like to quote from this reviewer. She said it so much better than I ever could! “Light-fingered Livy O’Brien grew up on the streets of Chicago. Raised on the cold and hunger of homelessness, friend to pain and the tragic death of her sister, hers is a story of God’s love shining in the most broken of hearts.

Woven into the story of Jake and Livy is a cast of street kids. Arrested in Chicago and sold—by the police, nonetheless—as child labor, these kids find themselves alone and without hope in Chestnut.

And yet God never leaves us that way, does He?

Because He brings Jake and Livy together at His perfect time, not only to discover a future together, but so they can intervene in the lives of kids who have no one to fight for them.”

Natalia Gortova, Reviewer

What’s your favorite part of the story?

All of it? Seriously, I love creating the opening of a story. That part percolates in my head for weeks, months, sometimes years, until it finally boils over on the screen. Yeah, it gets some tweaks before the final hoo-rah, but those opening scenes are usually still with the book once it’s finished.

What was the hardest part to write?

All of it? lol – Hmmm, the hardest part to write for me is the middle, trying to tie all the threads together and keep things interesting and clear for the reader. All this has to then dovetail for an ending that’s like snapping a bullwhip.

Do you have any other books in the making?

Stealing Jake is my first book, and I’m excited…and blessed… to see the great reviews that are popping up on Amazon, B&N, and CBD. As for what’s next, there’s a feisty young widow named Johanna Thorndike in Stealing Jake who’s looking to tell her story along with a brawny coal mine owner named Trey. Working title is Trusting Trey.  It’s not contracted, so we’ll see. And I’m been working on a book set in the 1790’s about an indentured servant. It’s been a lot of fun.

Oh, I love it when a character from a first book gets to have a story too, so excited to read about Johanna!!

Here are a few fun questions:

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

Pepsi or Coke?Coke

Cats or Dogs? Cats

Summer or Winter? Summer

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

I can be found at www.pamhillman.com, www.calicotrails.blogspot.com and www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Giveaway Time

And I’d love for your readers to sign up for my Kindle Giveaway. Three Seeker books (Stay tuned. More to come!) already pre-loaded! Deadline to enter is September 30th: http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2011/07/pams-blog-tour-kindle-contest.html

My Review of Stealing Jake:
5 STARS

Light fingered Livy who was an expert at pick pocketing has given up her old ways of living and has changed for the better! She is now a Christian and is helping run an orphanage in a small time to start a new life for herself. She is troubled though by all the street kids in her new small town that are getting a bad name because someone is stealing and everyone is blaming them. She is trying to help figure out who is the thief to clear the street-kids names and at the same time trying to convince them to come stay at the orphanage where they will be safe!

Livy meets Deputy Jake and instantly there are sparks a flying! The only problem is that she is afraid of falling in love, afraid of lawman, and afraid that once Jake knows her past he will abandon her!

Stealing Jake starts off with a bang and you are instantly involved in the lives of the street kids and the story of Livy! I was devouring the chapters as fast as I could and I finished the book in one night because I had no desire to wait until tomorrow to keep reading! I just had to know who the bad guys were and what would be the fate of the poor street kids!

I really enjoyed the character development of Livy! I felt like I knew a lot about her and could easily connect to who she was. I also felt this way about Jake, although at times I wish I knew a little bit more about what happened to him in the mine but I still really felt connected to him.

The spiritual aspect of this book was very refreshing and inviting! Hillman portrays a message that God can take anyone and restore them to beauty for God's glory and that when you seek God for help he will always provide for you! I was touched by the sweet way the Christians were portrayed in this story but I also never felt the Spiritual aspects were too pushy!

I very much enjoyed reading this debut novel and will be making sure I check out more of Pam Hillman's work. By the way - I got this novel free on Amazon, not sure how long the deal will last!

Content: Very clean, minor kissing!

eIn

Interview of Dawn Dyson/Book Review of Bella Maura

Interview with Dawn Dyson:

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

I’m a newbie author from Nebraska. I live on a farm where I primarily do office work and write novels during the winter months. I have degrees in Animal Science and Special Education and I enjoy gardening and riding horsesJ

 

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?

The idea started as a seed when I worked at a female psychiatric treatment center for youth in the Omaha area. It was a live-in, lockdown facility and my heart went out to those girls. Most of them had one thing in common besides the pain they were suffering—they read books. Ever since that summer job I’ve wanted to write something that could inspire and touch the heart. The world is desperate for it. When circumstances in my life allowed the opportunity, I prayed for confirmation from God to become a writer and here I am!

Who has inspired you the most? 

Besides God Himself, I’d say Joyce Meyer. I don’t go a day without reading something of hers or watching her television program. I highly recommend her teaching; it’s life changing.

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

I train my own horses to show them with the American Quarter Horse Association. I’m fascinated with Old World architecture, especially castles and churches.

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)

Bella Maura is Book One of the Beautiful Justice Series. It’s romance/suspense with a spiritual theme. Bella is a little girl with an amazing gift of intercession. The book details how this praying child transforms the lives of all those around her. It is a story of love and the beauty of overcoming abuse by rising from the ashes of one’s past to help another.

My books are available on my website, www.dawndyson.com, or online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook, etc. Bella Maura is offered in hardcover editions now and will be available in ebook format (Kindle, Nook, so on) at the same time Justice Quinn (Book Two) is released this fall.

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

The spiritual message of Bella Maura is about the immense power of prayer as portrayed by the character, Bella. The book encourages the reader to respect the gifts and privileges of God above all other worldly ideas or cares. If they are open to the patterns and examples set before them through the characters in this book, hopefully their own lives will become more authentic, interesting, and true. There is nothing in this world quite as satisfying as finding God’s purpose for your life. I pray this book will assist readers in discovering or refreshing their own.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

My favorite part of Bella Maura is actually a hidden principle. The character Jonathan represents Jesus in my opinion. He’s very loving, loyal, and he’s willing to suffer years waiting for the undecided (Cheney, in the story’s case) to choose Life. Sienna represents all women looking for romance, adventure, and restoration in their lives and truth be told, it doesn’t always come from a man. It comes from God, especially in the form of a friendship with Jesus. He’s our true soul mate.

What was the hardest part to write?

The most difficult parts were based on experiences I’ve either suffered myself or stood by while others were suffering the aftermath. Some of the parts about “takedowns” in psych wards or the familial abuse situations are, sadly, based on true stories.

Do you have any other books in the making?

Justice Quinn is Book Two of the Beautiful Justice series (Bella Maura’s sequel) and it is due out September 2011. Mason Michael (Book Three) is my current project. I estimate it to be out in fall/winter 2012. And Mercy Sky was my first attempt at authorship; it’s been out since 2005.

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

My website is www.dawndyson.com My books can be ordered there or through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook, etc. Complete synopsis, reviews, and book signing information are listed on my website. I’m also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Dyson/113527298682699 and I can be followed on Twitter @DawnDysonNovel.

Here are a few fun questions:

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. It’s one of the five food groups, right?

Pepsi or Coke? Coke.

Cats or Dogs? Both, but I don’t tell them that.

Summer or Winter? Summer, or winter in the Caribbean–either way!!

Thank you for the interview and your interest in Bella Maura! God Bless you, Dawn Dyson

Bella Maura Book Blurb:


Novelist Sienna Emory is surprised by a frantic call she receives from her old college friend, Cheney. When she arrives at Cheney’s house, Sienna finds her passed out from a drug overdose and neighbor Jonathan Driscoll arriving on the scene. Trying to help Cheney overcome her addictions, Sienna develops a friendship with Jonathan, a handsome single father, and his five-year-old daughter Bella. However, Bella is not the typical kindergartner; she has special gifts, as if she is communicating on a direct line to God. Sienna and Jonathan quest for answers to Bella’s special gifts, leading them to Jonathan’s hometown in Ireland that holds the key to a family secret. Sienna begins to fall in love with Jonathan, but wonders what is God’s plan for them and if their faith is strong enough to protect them from evil.

In her second novel, author Dawn Dyson seamlessly weaves together a touching love story with weighty spiritual topics such as overcoming abuse, trusting God, and stepping into your spiritual gifts. Bella Maura is the first installment of the two-book series Beautiful Justice. This exhilarating novel will open readers to the spiritual opportunities and challenges that face us all. 

My Review:
I've never read anything so spiritually powerful before in my life! Bella Maura is so hard to describe though I don't know where to begin. Sienna is a writer who has taken in 4 young ladies to be sort of like their foster mom. All of these ladies have suffered through terrible tragedies and abuse and Sienna is the key to leading them through the pain by God's power. She gets a call from an old friend Cheney who is drug addicted and drunk and everything is leading Sienna to go help her out. She follows God's will and goes to help Cheney and while she is there she meets Cheney's neighbor and ex, Jonathon and his son Bella Maura.

We learn about the unique spiritual gift that Bella Maura has and how Jonathan needs to learn to trust God to protect his daughter against spiritual warfare and attacks!

Like I said before, I've never read anything so spiritually powerful before in my life. Sienna is a powerful character that reminds me a bit of my own Christian mom; Intense and very spiritually grounded in her beliefs of God and not only God but Satan as well. She believes everything happens according to God's plan and prayer can truly save us in all circumstances.

I thought the romance was very sweet although I did struggle with the initial intensity of it because things moved so fast but the way that Dyson described it the more I fell in love with the book even more.

This story is about overcoming abuse and finding out who God made you to be and embrace your spiritual gifts and lead your life after God. Dawn Dyson has this way of describing details that truly paint a raw and emotional picture of what is going on. If you like a story that will make you cry, and think deeply about God's plan for your life, has mystery, romance and redemption than this is the book for you!

Thank you Dawn Dyson for the free copy of Bella Maura in exchange for my honest review. All my opinions are true and my own!

 Buy Bella Maura by Dawn Dyson: