Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Many Strange Women by Parker Cole

Many Strange Women by Parker Cole
ISBN-13: 978-0615951638
Publisher: eLectio Publishing
Softcover (336 pages)

Purchase the book:
Publisher | Amazon

Book blurb:

Solomon Greene made a deal with God.

If He'd send him an unattractive woman, he'd marry her on sight and do what was spiritually right. After all, he needed that kind of wife to help him escape from his sordid past.

Celeste Martin made a deal with Solomon. She'd be his ugly wife. All she wanted in return was his name. She was in love with her sister's fiance and he would be the only man she'd ever love.

Solomon had no idea that he'd find his wife fascinating. Celeste didn't know that one taste from her husband's lips would have her wanting more. Yet many strange women were between them.

Could Solomon ever escape from his past?

Could Celeste ever love her husband?


Excerpt:

"I wanted to see if you would join me for dinner tonight. I haven't seen my wife in over a week."
Celeste fought to keep from rolling her eyes. Hadn't she made it clear she did not want anything to do with her husband? Did he not understand?
"No, thank you." She responded politely.
"Why not Celeste? We're married for heaven's sake!" He waved his hand in agitation.
She put down the dress and looked up at him. "I do disdain repeating myself or answering ridiculous questions. But I'll do this for you. I do not want anything but the barest of contact with you. I do not want your company. I do not desire to be with you. All I have taken from you has been your name and that you gave to me." Her voice was at its driest, and she knew it.
"You are some piece of work, aren't you?" A note of disbelief underlined his words.
"Whatever do you mean?" She pretended ignorance although she understood.
The gold specks in his eyes flashed. "You tell me you don't want to have anything to do with me and yet Patrick gives me the bills of the money you've spent in handling your affairs. You don't want my company and yet I find you in here with Gonzo as cozy as lovers."
"Goijaart is not my lover sir. Neither are you."
Before she knew it, Mr. Greene reached down, gripped her arms, and pulled her against his body. His hands scorched her through her layers of clothes. Her dress fell from her lap, and she gasped in surprise.
"What are you doing?"


About the author:


Parker J. Cole is a writer and radio show host who spends most of her time reading, knitting, writing, cooking, and concocting new ideas for stories. Her first novel, Dark Cherub, won Best of Spring Reading 2013 from eMediaCampaigns. She lives in Michigan with her husband and their beloved dog, Sarah.

Contact the author: Website

Reviews Update

I am very sorry, but until I can catch up on my reviews, I am not taking any new review requests with the exception of publishers. I will start taking new requests again around October 2014. If anything changes before then, I will gladly let you all know.

Thank you for considering me for reviewing your book and I hope that you will keep me in mind in the future. Please do check out my review policy prior to submitting your book though. Thank you so much and have a wonderful and blessed day!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Every Waking Moment by Chris Fabry

Every Waking Moment by Chris Fabry
ISBN-13: 978-1414348636
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
Softcover (400 pages)

Purchase the book:
Amazon

Blurb:

Treha Langsam is a mysterious young woman who has fallen through the cracks, much like many of the elderly people she works with at Desert Gardens Retirement Home. But Miriam Howard, director of the facility, sees her extraordinary gift and untapped potential. Treha is a whisperer of sorts, calling those who have slipped into dementia back to a life of vibrant, if only temporary, clarity.

When Treha’s and Miriam’s stories intertwine with a documentary team looking for stories of the elderly, Treha’s gift is uncovered, and the search begins for answers to the mysteries of her past. As their paths converge, each person is forced to face the same difficult question: What if this is as good as my life gets?

An uplifting, human tale of an ordinary woman with an extraordinary gift.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.


Every Waking Moment was a heart wrenching, but inspirational book. Chris Fabry pulls you not only into the book, but into the life of Treha Langsam. You literally feel everything that this woman goes through in her life. Despite the many things that happen to her, the message of God's love always envelops her. The author did a wonderful job of not only capturing my attention, but keeping it throughout the book. This was a book that was hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading other books by Chris Fabry.


I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great read. This book will not only entertain you, but it will leave you with an important lesson as well.


I give this book 4 stars out of a total of 5.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

 CrossReads Book Blast, Timothy Phillips by Cliff Ball 
 Timothy Phillips
Timothy Phillips
By Cliff Ball

About the Book:

Can a nineteen year old stay true to the faith he was brought up on when he's under the spotlight?
Timothy Phillips dreams come true when he's discovered by the producer of a national talent show. So what's the problem? The recording contract is not in the Southern Gospel he would prefer to sing. As he begins recording and performing the music, he encounters increasing hostility towards Christians. Can he stay true to his faith, or will he end up compromising his beliefs little by little the more famous he becomes? When his world comes crashing down, will he have anything left to help him stand as the end times approach?

KINDLE | PAPERBACK
 
cliff41 
Cliff Ball lives in Texas, born in Arizona, is a Christian and is Baptist. Has two BA's, and a Certificate in Technical Communications from the University of North Texas. Has published ten novels and four short stories in multiple genres, but is currently writing a Christian fiction series called "The End Times Saga." Cliff's first taste of being published was when he won third in high school for a short story written in Creative Writing class for a young adult magazine.
 
Follow Cliff Ball

Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Cliff Ball! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by CrossReads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Please Welcome Author C.N. Pinckard

Hello Ms. Pinckard. Welcome to my blog. Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

My novel is about a girl, Meranda who truly finds out who she is. It is also about a group of orcs and goblins working in a cave to capture the towns. My inspiration came from the lack of Young Adult fantasy lacking a strong female character. 

What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?
             

Most are fantasy or Young Adult Fantasy.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

My toughest criticism is that I tend to repeat words, such as Looked, quietly, quickly. Also that I wasn't descriptive enough. These things are easily changed, I just had to realize I had look a thesaurus and pull up the words I was repeating, it helped me a better writer.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

When inspiration hits, I usually have a pen and paper new by, but mostly I choose the computer as my typing is way faster than my hand writing.

What do you do when you are not writing? Do you pick up some from you to be read pile?

I am a stay at home mom currently, with an autistic 12 year old son. I have no time to do anything other than read. I am the autistic mother of 2 autistic boys, 17 and 12..

Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?

Even in the past year, my writing has improved than when I have started.

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

I love fantasy, I love elves, dragons and things as the such.

What has been your favorite part of being an author? What has been your least favorite?
The favorite part of being an author is the joy that people get when they read my books, the least favorite, is waiting for it to be published.

When you walk into a book store, where do you head to first? Why?

The fantasy section, I love it, it is my favorite second.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?
I was currently a student, but right now, I am a stay at home mom. I write when I can.

What has been the strangest thing that a reader has asked you?

Why do you write fantasy?

 What is your favorite junk food vice?

Chocolate.

Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

Listening to music, and watching Crime drama's on TV. Also love super heroes.

Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?
No, no teachers encouraged me to write.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

I don't have much that bugs me, I keep an open mind when it comes to writing.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

I listen to music from around the world from Deep Forest to Peter Kater, Even darker stuff like Raison D'etre

On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?
Playing with my kids, or watching football with my husband.

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

I am starting to work on more of a fantasy mystery

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

The current one that is out is dedicated to my friend who gave me the strength to get published

What are you currently reading?

Nothing, to busy with life to do much of anything

Who are your favorite authors?

John Flanagan, RA Salvatore, and Paul S. Kemp

What authors inspired you to write this particular novel? Why?

John Flanagan

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself.
Shy, Cautious, Sensitive, Emotional, Creative, Strong, Innovative


Which is your favorite character in your book and why? 

Meranda, because she is strong willed, and despite her hardships, she rose above them and conquered them.

 Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?
Continue to follow your dreams, don't ever give up. Don't let people discourage you to quit what you are doing. They are simply jealous that you are doing what you dreamed of doing.


Arising From Darkness by C.N. Pinckard


Always questioning the man who called himself her father, Meranda, had enough of torment and ran. Fueled by fear and knowledge that King Ledric was in the kingdom, the further she ran. With her goal in reach, death stalked her. Her father behind the ultimate betrayal. With Meranda's life pending, she would need the help of her dear friend Erissa, and a man on the run, Gavid.

With Treidon, a handsome forest elf, aiding her, he would investigate what measures had been taken to kill her and the power behind it. If her punishment had not been enough, a cruel mental toruture and torment was what lie ahead for Meranda. With the handsome elf by her side she would be safe.

While away, Gavid, begins a war, with the help of orcs and goblins. Taking over the kingdom, he plans to take control, but Lord Siebrien, an Elven man, stands in his way, wanting all control over Beris.

With Meranda awake and alive, her training must begin. She makes her way to Treidon. She will travel to Elmwick, home of the riftriders, and prepare to stop Siebrien and Gavid from taking over the realm.

Please Welcome Author David Johnson

Hello David and welcome to my blog. Please start by telling us a little about yourself.

I am an author and teacher with a BA in Asian Studies and a MDiv in Bibilcal Languages who currently resides overseas with my family serving as teachers and living witnesses of our faith.  I have been an avid Fantasy and Science Fiction fan for over thirty years and have now turned my cross-cultural experience to the task of blending Fantasy fiction with a biblical worldview in this new series which mixes the Fantasy storytelling elements of Chronicles of Narnia with the personal spiritual journey elements of Pilgrim’s Progress.

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

I have been a fantasy and science fiction fan since I was old enough to read. While these days, living and teaching overseas, I have had many opportunities to travel the world, but growing up in a poor family in rural North Carolina, the furthest I had been from our little home town was our once a year vacations to Myrtle Beach. Books were my way to travel, not just to faraway places, but to travel in time, to span the galaxy, and to visit new worlds. Books were my portal outside the boundaries of my small hometown. I had toyed with writing fantasy, some short stories, even started a novel or two, I had never really finished or submitted anything for publication. Then, I became a Christian late in life, I was 39 at the time, and after becoming a Christian I really struggled between my desire to write the genre I loved, and the compelling call to teach the truth of God’s word and to share the gospel with the world. For six years I put my writing aside not sure if I would ever pick it up again, but I kept praying that God would show me a way to reconcile these two things. The answer came as God brought me an idea for a series grounded in a backstory which was anchored in Scripture, but which went in a speculative direction. I took great care and even engaged ministers and missionaries as beta-reader for my stories with the instruction that if they saw me write anything that crossed the lines biblically, they were to call me on it. The result is a trilogy called the Chadash Chronicles. The first book is titled Fool’s Errand and the second is Mystic’s Mayhem, both of which are available now through Tate Publishing and in February should be in full distribution in bookstores and on Amazon.

What do you do when you are not writing? Do you pick up some from you to be read pile?

I actually read voraciously when I am and am not writing. I believe to be a credible author, one has to be an avid reader. I do have one odd quirk in this, though. When I am writing, I have to be reading something in the same genre, otherwise it is hard for me to switch mental gears when I sit down to write. When I am not writing, I can read several different books in different genres at the same time no problem, but writing I have to stay in the “zone” of that genre or else I waste a great deal of time getting my mind back into the right mindset for writing the genre I am working on.

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

I am probably a bit strange in this, as I don’t really limit to just one or two genres. I enjoy a widespread variety and like to mix in reads or re-reads of classic literature with contemporary fiction. I divide these, when talking to my daughter about her reading list, into “meat and potatoes” books, and “Snickers Bar books”. She earns one “Snickers” for every three “meat and potatoes” literary novels she reads. I try to set a similar example, though I expand the definition of “classic literature” to include the masters and pioneers of Sci-Fi and Fantasy because they are written in just as solid a literary style as the classics, but are from a genre she and I both enjoy. I think good writing is a key element in my enjoying a book. Some have argued that a “good story” is more important, but I would say if you have the best story in the world, but tell it poorly, the result is not an enjoyable book. Quality writing is equally as important as having a quality story concept.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?
My family and I live and serve overseas as witnesses to our faith. We serve in a closed country in Asia, so I can’t really talk too much or be too specific, but I will just say the Lord has granted us an amazing opportunity to live overseas, teach English while I am there, but also in our spare time be blessed with the opportunity to share my faith through writing as well as directly and personally with the people we live among.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

Probably the biggest thing that bothers me is when an author violates logic or is inconsistent or unrealistic in their writing. Now that may sound strange coming from someone who writes about Fantasy creature, elves, orcs, etc. I don’t mean in the speculative elements, I mean in the areas where they are basing things on real world physics, but don’t get it right. Like when they have their characters take a several weeks long journey through the desert, but make no mention of the provisions for feeding and watering the horses or themselves. Or when they have adventurers on horseback make a 300 mile journey in three days. Under good conditions, with proper provisions and rest, you can get maybe 50 miles per day out of a horse without pushing it too far. Specially conditioned or trained horses might get a bit more than that, but this is not a fantasy element where the writer is having characters flying on the backs of dragons or something, this is real world physics. When an author doesn’t care enough to check the details and at least try to help his readers achieve that “willing suspension of disbelief” that is so critical to enjoyable fiction, then it usually is a book I won’t finish and will move on to the next one, marking that author off my “read more works from…” list.

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

Well, as I said, Fantasy and Sci-Fi are my beloved genres. I have just finished writing the third book in my fantasy trilogy, but there is much editing and preparation before I decide where/how I will publish it. Much of that will depend on the critical reception of the first two books. I have on my radar an epic Sci-Fi/Superheros series which I think will be a really fun project. That should be starting soon. I am also currently working through a noir detective novel for National Novel Writing Month. I really wasn’t going to do NaNoWriMo as there are a number of aspects I don’t like about that method of encouraging fast, bulk writing over quality wordcrafting, but my daughter wanted to do it, so I agreed to do it with her. The noir novel was something I had way out on my radar, but it was the only project idea I had that would fit what I needed for NaNoWriMo. Thus far, it has been a great stretch and a fun adventure in writing, as I am a huge fan of the classic noir detective novels by masters of the genre such as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, so this is my attempt at an homage to those classing noir adventure mysteries. The final thing on my radar is taking a shot at the Steampunk genre. I have an idea on the “to do” board for a Steampunk novel/series that will take place in Qing Dynasty China (which overlaps in part Victorian England). With my degree in Asian Studies and my knowledge of Chinese history, I think this will be a really neat project to work on.

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

First and foremost it is dedicated to God, who saved me and answered my prayer with the concept for the series. Secondly it is dedicated to my daughter Ariel, who has been a constant cheerleader and source of encouragement through this process. As a result, she has taken up her own enthusiastic love of writing and has started work on her own Young Adult Fantasy novel. Lord willing, we will become a father-daughter writing team and may even at some point collaborate on something.

Who are your favorite authors?

While most of the masters of Sci-Fi and Fantasy were outspoken atheists, they were also masterful authors with creative minds that are worthy of admiration. I do like Christian masters such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and also writers who many people may not realize were Christians but who are among the classic masters of Fantasy and Sci-Fi such as Madeleine L’Engle (Anglican), Marion Zimmer Bradley (Episcopalian), Philip K. Dick (Episcopalian), and Jules Verne (Catholic). There are also incredible authors like Isaac Asimov (raised Jewish, became atheist), Robert Heinlein (raised Baptist, became atheist), and Fritz Leiber (raised Jewish, became Neo-Pagan) who are fantastic authors for their writing and creativity, but who, at the time of their writing, were not believers. While I now tend to lean toward Christian, or at least “Christian-friendly” authors, I do respect these other authors for the amazing work in Fantasy and Science Fiction that helped to spark a love of the genre in me.

What authors inspired you to write this particular novel? Why?

I would say the authors that probably most heavily influenced the style of my Chadash Chronicles series would be C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Fritz Leiber. I love Leiber’s swashbuckling style and how his heroes often have to think their way out of things rather than just swinging a sword to solve the problem (though there is plenty of that as well). I like Tolkien’s deep and rich worldbuilding, which I believe is one of my strengths as an author. Finally Lewis bringing his faith into the work, at least allegorically, was inspirational, though I would like to think I was a little more direct and less allegorical with how I worked faith into my novels, without taking it to the point of being preachy. Faith is a clear element in several of the characters’ lives, and I don’t shy away from that, but I hope it is presented in a natural way, and how they interact with the unbelieving characters in the books I hope can be a mirror or model for real-life Christian readers as perhaps a guide to how to talk about their faith naturally without being pushy or offensive.

Which is your favorite character in your book and why?

I would have to say Thatcher. He has a lot of aspects of myself when I was a teenager. Thatcher is an orphan who has been raised in the thieves’ guild. He is a “street rat” that has had to learn to survive, but he is also clever with a love for gadgets. He in fact is quite an inventor himself, and always carries a little notebook where he is constantly scribbling ideas. The first book takes this city-raised street kid out into the wider world of adventure where he uses his skills with gadgets and stealth as part of a group of adventurers hired to investigate bandit raids. He quickly forms familial-like bonds with several of the other characters, and seeing Thatcher grow and develop into a competent and confident adventurer I think is one of my favorite parts of the whole series. Thatcher is a character I created around thirty years ago, and have toyed with in various stories as an adult, but I took him in this story back to the beginning and showed how he got into adventuring and began to learn the skills necessary to become a true hero.

Pam, I am grateful for the opportunity to talk with you and let your blog readers know a little more about me and about the Chadash Chronicles series novels I have just published, Fool’s Errand and Mystic’s Mayhem, from Tate Publishing, which are available now from the publisher and should be in full distribution in bookstores and Amazon by early February, 2014.


Purchase the Books:  Fool's Errand | Mystic's Mayhem

Contact the Author: Facebook | Blog

Introducing Author Tamara Shoemaker

Hello Tamara. Welcome to my blog. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am a full-time wife and mom of three rug-rats. I spend my days running after my three adorables, and writes mysteries and fantasies between diaper changes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. My first two books, Broken Crowns and Pretty Little Maids, have remained at the top of the Religious Mystery category on Amazon since the beginning of 2013. My third book, Ashes Ashes, will hit the market in February of 2014.



Why did you choose to write about the sex slave trade?

Every good book needs a truly evil villain. Sometimes that villain can be your average Joe you'd meet on the street, but with a really dark secret life that you just wouldn't see unless you really got to know them. I guess I saw human trafficking as being this horrific evil that actually is a part of American culture, though most of us don't realize it happens all around us.

Is it really that prevalent? I mean, you don't typically see this every day.

I know, I was kind of shocked when I started doing research and realized just how prevalent it really is. Humantrafficking.org listed some statistics on their website. Did you know that as of last year, approximately 2.4 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking, and an estimated 80% of those people are used as sex slaves? And every year, between 14,500 and 17,500 victims, mostly women and children, are trafficked to the U.S? It really does go on all around us.
           
So do you typically see this every day? Maybe not in most circles, but it's definitely around us, even if we don't see it. Take, for example, the recent news story of the guy in Cleveland, Ohio, who was busted when one of his sex slaves escaped his house. Three women kept for ten years. I can't even begin to imagine the horror.

Where would most trafficking take place?

In the U.S., a supposed human trafficking hotspot is the Super Bowl every year. That's when the pimps really kick it into gear. All those guys, pouring into one place from all over the country with free time on their hands . . . yeah.
 
What are you hoping to accomplish by choosing this topic as a theme for your book?

Well, I certainly hope it helps to raise awareness of what's going on all around us. I had not known much about it beyond a vague concept of “modern-day slavery” I'd heard mentioned once or twice a few years ago. Then a friend invited me to a human-trafficking awareness meeting at her house about a year ago. They showed a video of some of the facts about what's happening in the trade, and since then, I've been much more aware of what's going on. I started Googling news stories about trafficking, started seeing movie stars and other people in positions of influence publicly denouncing human trafficking. The war against it has certainly increased, but the problem is by no means gone.

In your book, you have some pretty depraved conditions that your victims lived through. Is it like that for most victims of trafficking?

Obviously, I can't know the condition of every victim of trafficking, because I've not seen every victim of trafficking. But I did read a news story about a man in Texas who was busted for keeping sex slaves in cells in his basement before he was caught. In that story, I believe he had eleven women. In other news stories I've read, victims have been kept in warehouses, in storage units, in the backs of tractor trailer trucks. Many of them come from overseas, their journey to the U.S. (ironically the land of freedom) turned into a journey of horror. A few places I read mentioned that missing persons often turn up in the trade.

Probably makes you a little nervous for your kids.

It makes me terrified for my kids. The world is not a safe place and anything can happen. We follow all the safety rules: “Don't talk to strangers, never accept rides from anyone, stay within sight of one of us at all times,” but even then, you just don't know.

How do you integrate your faith with what you've read and researched about human trafficking?

I don't want to be trite about the situation, because it is real, and it does affect the lives of millions of people. It's easy to push the issue to the back burner because it doesn't happen to greatly affect my current life situation, but I don't want to. God has put a burden on my heart for those who suffer in these situations, so I pray for them. I think about them. I talk about them. I write about them.

In my book, Rayna, the main character, struggles over many years to forgive the people who had made her life a literal hell. She's human, so even at the end of the book, she still wrestles with the issue. I wanted to illustrate that faith is not a sentence with a period. It's a cyclical journey, where ups and downs happen, sometimes you backtrack, sometimes you take a leap of faith. Rayna has to fall on God's grace time and again as she journeys through her healing process. She will probably always struggle with forgiveness for her captors, but she knows that God is bigger than her situation.

I hope, in some way, to illustrate my own faith through Rayna's journey. I'm not Rayna, I certainly don't have Rayna's background, but the story of grace and forgiveness is still the same in my own life. I fall down, I get back up again, and God is there through it all.

Do you plan to make human trafficking the theme of any more books?

I won't shut out the idea. Right now, in my Shadows in the Nursery series, I'm tackling a different theme with each of the three books. Broken Crowns dealt with coming from a past in the occult, Pretty Little Maids, of course, deals with a past in the sex slave trade, and Ashes, Ashes, the book I will release in February of 2014, deals with gang activity and past abuse. It's been an interesting journey–certainly a learning experience, since I have to research these topics pretty carefully as I write about them.

My next series is a departure from the mystery/suspense genre. I'm delving into fantasy, so it's going to be a different approach altogether with those. But I intend to keep writing mystery/suspense books at the same time, so I might go back to some of these same topics.

Or find new ones.

Or find new ones. Yes, exactly.
 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Please Welcome Andrea Gardiner

Please tell me about your book. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?
My book is based on the true story of me travelling to
Ecuador from the UK to work as a doctor. It recounts my
adventures, the challenges of a new culture and the
obstacles to be overcome. I tell the inspirational
stories of the people I met there and include a little
romance.
What are some of your favorite genres to read and to
write?

I love to read biographies and Christian fiction,
detective fiction and historical fiction. I have written
memoir and children´s books.
When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you  prefer one way or the other?
I make my notes using a notebook and pen, then tear out
the pages and rearrange my thoughts until they make some kind of sense. I then write the book on the computer.
What do you do when you are not writing? Do you pick up some from you to be read pile?
Yes I love to read. I always have a book on the go. I also homeschool my girls, work as a doctor, run a sewing project and a sponsorship scheme for local poor kids to be able to go to school. So I keep busy!
 Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?
I write in my spare time. I am a family doctor in the day. I work for a charity, Project Ecuador, in Ecuador in
a village health centre.
Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?
I love to sew. My Granny was a seamstress and taught me. I love to do colourful embroideries and to sew cute clothes for my little girls.
On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?
On a typical weekend I am with my husband and my little girls. We hang out on our farm, have a swim in the river and enjoy spotting the iguanas and the humming birds.
Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?
It is dedicated to my 2 daughters because it is also their story.
Who are your favorite authors?
John Grisham, Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson, Philip Yancey and Maeve Binchey.
What 7 words would you use to describe yourself.
Adventurous, dedicated, hard-working, crazy, faithful,
content, joyful.




Andrea Gardiner was born in Kent and educated at Headcorn Primary School, Underhill Preparatory School, Ashford School for Girls and Edinburgh Medical School. She pursued training as a General Practitioner in Aberdeen and Shetland before heading to Ecuador in 2005. She is founder of the Christian Charity Project Ecuador, a ministry that reaches out through health care,
child sponsorship, building projects and a sewing project. 

Website | Amazon | Amazon UK

Interview for The Baron of Larcondale



Marji - What inspired you to become a writer?
Mary - I started out wanting to be an artist, but everything I drew was characters from a story. So around Junior High, with the encouragement of some teachers, I began to write the stories. God had a hand in this. I don't have the discipline to create the level of art required to be successful in that field, but I still use my artist's "eye" in the graphic designs I make for our books and videos.
Marji - What is your ultimate goal for writing in general?
Mary - The primary goal in the writing both my husband and I do is demonstrate the authority of the Word of God. Both in fiction and non-fiction, that's our overall purpose. Know the Word, believe the Word, know the Lord Who wrote it.
Marji - How does The Baron of Larcondale satisfy that goal?
Mary - The story has some parallels to the lives of Jacob and Esau in the Bible. Tristan and Dunstan are princes. Dunstan is the older, favored son of a father who is blind to his faults. Tristan is trapped in a situation he can't change until God removes him, then prepares him to come back and make right what his brother has corrupted.
Marji - What inspired this particular story?
Mary -Partly Jacob's story, as I mentioned, and partly the idea that a person may be good, and right with God himself, but still not prepared to do the work God has for him. Tristan goes through some very hard times to get him ready to come back to his kingdom when it needs him the most.
Marji - Okay, I'm a visual person and this is a question I ask over and over because I love having a face in mind when I read. What actors might play your main characters if they made a movie of this?
Mary - For Tristan, I love Hugh Jackman and Robert Downey Junior. Mayra, the female lead, is very young, between thirteen and sixteen for most of the story, so I honestly don't know any actresses that young who could play her.
Marji - What's a lasting line from your novel - like the "Frankly, my dear ..." from Gone with the Wind, or "You had me at hello."
Mary - This is a line that Mayra says about Tristan. I can't tell you the circumstances without giving away a big part of the story, but here it is. “My prince is ready to make me his princess, now. I’ve helped him see, just as I promised. Just as I always will.”
Marji - How does writing fit in to your everyday life?
Mary - I write off and on ever day. Traveling while my husband drives, I help with the trip paperwork, load finding and other work chores, but in between I network, edit, write and refine our work.
She's also shared a snippet from The Baron of Larcondale.
"Do not continue to oppose me, prince," Shneea warned. "This man you have loved since childhood will die here, and he will only be the first."
"I have no choice but to oppose you," Tristan said. "You feed off innocent men's flesh."
"You will submit," Shneea said. "You and I shall wed, or I will destroy you without touching your body. Prince Tristan will cease to exist."
"How can you do such a thing?" Tristan was baffled.
"Do not tempt me to show you," Shneea said. "Marry me, handsome prince."
"It's impossible," Tristan gritted. "You have a husband, and I have a wife."
"My husband will be dead almost any moment," Shneea laughed. "But you have got yourself a wife, have you? The marriage will be annulled."
"I have no desire to be rid of my wife, nor to wed you."






Mary C. Findley is 54 years old, married 32 years, 3 20-something children, traveling in a tractor trailer with her husband through all the 48 connected states full-time. 


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