The Word is Where It’s At for this Cat

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog for another enlightening interview. Please help me welcome Ms. Kelly Q. 

1. What inspired you to be a writer and to write your first book? Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
The inspiration to write this book began when I noticed our real life rescue cat, Oliver, who is wild and super-energetic by nature, strangely calms down and becomes peaceful when my husband and I read our morning daily devotionals aloud. It wasn’t just a one-time occurrence, but became a consistent and regular behavior we observed. After a while I joked with my husband and said we should call him “Scripture Cat”!
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
The only memory I have of my interest in writing was when I was ten or eleven years old. I used to go down in my parent’s office and type Soap Opera scripts on an electric typewriter! I remember the title was “Problems in Paradise” and that I would get absolutely engrossed in doing this, losing track of time because I loved doing it. My childhood passion has been re-awakened 30+ years later!

2. Is there a message in your novels you would like your readers to grasp?
Absolutely! The mission of the Scripture Cat book series is “to encourage children to know God more and engage with Him daily”. I had the realization that in my own journey with Christ, I would experience women’s bible studies and videos of the leading teachers telling us exactly how to have a relationship with Christ. They teach us how to pray, what to say, and practical steps in which to take to strengthen our bond with Jesus and to grow in relationship. I haven’t seen much available aimed at the middle year readers to demonstrate and encourage them just how to get started in a daily relationship with their Lord and Savior. This is the important stage in their lives for this to happen as the world begins to lure them in many different directions during this period of time. This age can be the defining time of children to formulate who they are in the world and what their morals and standards are going to be for their lives. I wanted to put something out to them that was relatable and whimsical, yet serious about directing them to Christ.

3. How much of your books are realistic? Are the experiences based on someone you know or events in your life?
Scripture Cat is based on our real life rescue situation when our truck broke down on the way to a camping trip for the summer, traveling from Maryland to Florida. While at the car dealership, Oliver’s measly meow caught the ears of my two daughters. He was
impossible to catch so we had pretty much given up until my ten year old approached him saying “it’s ok, I’m going to take care of you” and he let her pick him up! The rest is history!

4. Would you like to share a little of your current work in progress or ideas for your next novel?
“Scripture Cat: A Cat-i-tude of Gratitude” is coming soon, along with a daily devotional entitled “Laying S.O.D” (Scripture of the Day) so that children can establish a daily practice of daily devotionals and spending time in God’s word.

5. What books or authors have influenced you the most? Is there a writer that you consider a mentor? Do you have a favorite?
I have been encouraged on my walk with the Lord from Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, to name a few. I recently read a book entitled “Making the Right Decisions” by Karen Jensen Salisbury, which has been an influence on how I pray to God. Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” had a profound impact on reframing the view of my life events and understanding the breaking of generational curses.

6. Do you work with an outline or do you just write?
I have to admit, I am not a fan of rules or too much structure. I like to sit down in front of the computer and let the Holy Spirit open the gates and let the story-line flow out! My first draft of Scripture Cat took me about four hours and I had one re-write after a coffee date with a new friend who used to be a publisher with a well known company in New York. Her advice to me was to share the story, not just tell it. So I went back through the story and tried to really share the sights, smells, thoughts and feelings of Oliver the cat.

7. Do you ever experience writers block? If so, how do you combat it?
I pick my times to write and usually when I get going, the story takes on a life of it’s own!

8. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
If you have a story on your heart, take the time to write it down. My mantra during this whole process is to not base my joy of this project based solely on the final outcome, but to enjoy and savor each step in this process. I realized that I have robbed myself out of much joy in my life because I was only focused on the finish line. How foolish of me! That is only a fleeting moment of the journey and then we as humans tend to more right on to the next thing! No more, I am going to be intentional and celebrate every step of
progress and blessing that has come along with this experience. I would encourage everyone to live their lives in that same way with whatever it is they are doing.

9. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? What were/are the challenges (for example: research, literary, psychological, or logistical) in bring your works to life?
For me it’s putting aside what others may think of the book or what I have created. I believe God orchestrated the events that inspired this book for His glory and to reach an audience for Him. Some people will see great value in it while others won’t think twice about it.

10. Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
God has revealed to me two weeks AFTER Scripture Cat was released a deeper purpose for this book series and for my life. As I mentioned earlier, my initial motivation for writing this book was fueled from the observation of a lack of material for children (ages 7-12) with practical insights into how to grow closer to Jesus. My two daughters are in that age group and I also teach a fifth grade group of girls at my church.

In "Scripture Cat: The Word is Where It's At" Oliver tells of how he loses his Mama and siblings to Animal control, gets adopted by a loving Christian family and is ultimately directed to a relationship with Christ by listening to their daily morning devotionals. I suddenly dawned on me that the story-line parallel in which I had written had a similar likeness to what I experienced as a child, as I was a child of an incarcerated parent 30 years before. I know firsthand the despair of having my father taken away from me and the devastation it has on children and families. This is true for any children with adverse family circumstances such as foster kids, orphans, children of parents with addictions... the list goes on and on.

I spent most of my adolescence and early adulthood covering up the fact that my Dad had gone to prison. It was embarrassing, shameful and just not something I wanted to be known about me. Many years have gone by and God has blessed me with a family of my own and many positive life experiences. I know the Lord now and I want others to know Him too and experience the redemption, grace and peace He so kindly extends to all of His Children! It’s time that I embrace my truth and it be used for good. My hope is that I can be an example to this generation of hurting children and show them that life truly goes on. Jesus has plans for their lives!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 For more information and how you can help, please visit www.scripturecat.com. You can also be a “Foliver”, a follower of Oliver, on twitter @scripturecat, instagram @scripture_cat and facebook.com/scripturecat.

Sunny the Sea Turtle

Sunny the Sea Turtle is about a baby sea turtle who hatches out of his egg and gets turned around by

the bright lights of the city. Poor Sunny faces just one of the many dangers that can stop a baby turtle from finding his or her mama. At the end of the story are things you can do to help sea turtles live a long and healthy life in our oceans, as well as some very interesting facts about them.

A portion of the proceeds of this book are being donated to turtle rescue groups, such as Turtle Time, to help them continue rescuing and caring for lost, entangled or injured sea turtles. So, not only are you teaching your child how our actions can affect sea turtles, you’re helping them save them as well!

Introduction
I wrote Sunny The Sea Turtle because of a wonderful experience my family and I had while on vacation in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. As we took our morning walk on the beach, we saw tracks leading from the sea grass near a hotel all the way down to the water.

A woman came over, holding a bucket and wooden stakes. She said that she was from an organization called Turtle Time, and that the tracks were made by a loggerhead turtle making her nest. Unfortunately, the mama turtle had picked a spot in the path beach-goers take to walk to the beach, and would be too close to the water when the tide came in. She didn’t want the nest to get trampled on or flooded, so she decided to move the nest to safer ground.

We watched with amazement as she carefully dug to find the leathery, ping-pong ball-sized eggs. She put them in her bucket and counted them, one by one. Then she picked a new location for the nest, where it wouldn’t be disturbed. She used a small shovel and dug to the correct depth, then gently placed the eggs in their new nest and covered them up, just as the mother turtle had done.

As she went about her task of relocating the eggs, she told us all kinds of interesting facts about sea turtles. By the time she was done, quite a group of people had gathered around her. She took the time to answer any questions people had, then she roped off a wide area all the way around the nest and marked it with special signs.

It was an incredible experience, getting to watch her move the nest. I only wish we could have been there when the babies finally hatched out several weeks later!

About the Author, Sandi White

Born in Buffalo, NY, I am the younger of two children. My family moved to Florida when I was 4, which is where I spent the rest of my childhood. After graduating from high school, I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College. I also took art classes at Mission College in San Jose, California, and attended Grand Valley State University for a year, studying to be a physical therapist. After my daughter was born in 1994, I started my own transcription company, which allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom while still making a living. Five years later, my son was born.

I’ve always enjoyed making rhymes for things, whether it’s just making up silly lyrics to a favorite song on the radio, or making up phrases that just fit the moment. When my children were young, I didn’t want to do the typical plastic egg hunt for them, which ended with a basket full of sugar-laden candy. So I started doing a “treasure hunt” of sorts, where the kids would have to decipher rhyming clues to find the next egg. A trail of clues led them to the “prize” at the end, anything from a large stuffed animal to a toy of some kind. I finally put a set of those rhymes to good use and wrote my first children’s book, The Egg Hunt.

Living in the woods in West Michigan, I got to see a lot of wildlife right in my backyard, so I wrote my second book, Treasures In The Woods, which includes beautiful photographs along with fun rhymes that teach kids about nature. I am planning to do a series of “Treasures” books about different locations. Check out my website to see all of my books.

My hobbies include kayaking, bicycling, swimming, spending time at the beach, and making rhymes.

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My Forever by Sarah McLendon

My Forever by Sarah McLendon
Christian Romance, Romance, Fiction 

Purchase book : Amazon | B&N


Blurb: Only a few years after a tragedy strikes Savannah James causing her to lose her hearing, she is blind-sided by the death of her mother. Alone, in a world that can hear when she cannot, Savannah struggles to find her way in the world again after losing the most important person in her life. She returns to the radiology department at Mountain View Hospital, hopeful that immersing herself in work will help to ease the pain. With her self-esteem at a low point in Savannah's life, a chance encounter with Nurse Carter Reed leads to a blossoming romance, and for the first time in a long time, Savannah is no longer self-conscious about being deaf. Will Carter and Savannah be able to overcome the darkness they both have had to face in their lives to find My Forever... 

Q&A: 

What inspired this book? After my mother passed away, I needed a way to express my emotions and find a way to start to heal. This tragedy in my life turned in to Savannah’s story.

What was the hardest part of writing this story? Reliving what had happened and bringing those emotions back up so that I could make the reader feel the same way. Also, taking a true event and turning it in to a fictional story.
What messages/ themes do you hope your readers will get out of this book? That despite facing a life changing and heart breaking event, you can face it, become stronger and move on
with your life and find happiness. I also want people to know that there can be romance novels that are clean and Christian based that people actually want to read and are well written and capture your attention.
What is the main character like? She is broken, hurt and alone. She discovers that she is tougher than she ever imagined and that if she has faith, she will survive and thrive.

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Like Herding the Wind by Cindy Koepp

Ella Font: This is Ella Font with the Inter-Dimensional News Network. I have with me today two police officers. [Looks at notes] Sergeant Edward Osborn of the Las Palomas Police Department and Amaya Ulonya Kiand of the Eshuvani Kiandarai. Good morning to you both.
Ed Osborn: Good morning.
Amaya Ulonya: Grace be unto you and peace from God, the Father of Our Lord.
EF: Wow, that sounds so weird coming from an alien?
AUK: Why is that? Do you think God is a respecter of persons? That he would not include all his created children?
EF: Um, well, I never thought of it that way, actually. [Straightens her notes] So, um, Eshuvani criminals have been plaguing Las Palomas?
SEO: Yes, that’s right, and many of my men have been injured trying to either take them into custody or protect civilians.
EF: So, why haven’t the kiandarai stepped in to help? Aren’t they the Eshuvani equivalent of a police force?
AUK: Police and rescue, yes. Unfortunately, the kiat of Woran Oldue, the police chief of the nearest enclave if you will, does not place a high priority on helping out humans. Fortunately, his superiors do value humanity, and steps are being taken to secure help for Las Palomas.
EF: Can’t you help them, Amaya?
AUK: From Marquette, Michigan? That’s a bit of a commute to the Texas coast, but I’m trying to arrange something. If I can take some personal time off and secure a temporary replacement for myself, I can fly down to Las Palomas and give the officers there a few quick lessons. That might help until a more permanent solution can be enacted.
EF: Sergeant Osborn, you’ve spent considerable time with Amaya. After all, she is your-your, um–
SEO: Urushalon, my adopted relative, yes.
EF: Exactly. Urushalon. Can’t you teach your men what Amaya has taught you?
SEO: Amaya trained me from a very young age. I’ve tried passing on some of that knowledge, but I’m afraid teaching isn’t a skill God gave me. I try, but [cringes] it’s hit or miss. We really need an expert.
AUK: [Glances at Ed] I have it on good authority that help will be on the way soon. Either I’ll find that relief and take my vacation, or the Council of the Kiati will force the local kiat to step in and do something constructive.
SEO: I hope that comes soon. We lost another two men to the injured list yesterday.
AUK: [Grips his hand] As quickly as it can be arranged, urushalon.
SEO: [Covers her hand with his] I know you’re trying to work it out.
EF: So, how did you two meet?
SEO: I got lost in the woods around Marquette when I was on a camping trip with my parents. She found me.
EF: Love at first sight?
AUK: Not the way you mean.
SEO: Amaya is three times my age. I was almost four years old at the time. She’s my adopted mom, not my wife or girlfriend. I’m married to a wonderful lady and have two kids.
EF: Oh! [blushes] I thought urushalon meant “beloved.”
AUK: It does, but that’s not the same kind of love you assumed. My native language has different words for “love” or “loved one” and only a couple mean anything like the sort of physical or emotional attraction you thought it meant.
EF: Then what kind of “love” is urushalon.
AUK: Like many translation issues, it doesn’t cross the language barrier easily, but it describes a type of love that puts the other person’s needs ahead of one’s own. There is also a family connection implied.
SEO: In Eshuvani society, I am considered a close relative of Amaya’s. That gives me privileges to move around the Eshuvani enclaves without escort, although I can expect to be stopped and asked to prove my identity if I encounter kiandarai. I can also act on her behalf if needed.
AUK: With the bulk of my family living on other continents, Ed is also my nearest available relative, even though he is in Texas.
EF: Sort of a “next of kin?”
AUK: In a way, yes. If something were to happen to me, he would be the first notified, and he is authorized to make decisions about my medical care or about final arrangements.
SEO: Nothing is going to happen to you.
AUK: This is a dangerous job we do, and the results are in the hands of God. Nevertheless, I pray you are correct.
EF: By the sounds of things, Sergeant Osborn is the one in the greatest danger just now.
AUK: A fact that weighs on my mind often, but worrying is like herding the wind.
EF: Yes, I suppose it is. Well, we’re out of time for today. Thank you both for visiting.
SEO: Thanks for having us.
EF: This is Ella Font of the Inter-Dimensional News Network.

Blurb:

A Mystery. A wounded path. An alien society with centuries of work to coexistent with humans, but someone isn't happy with the progress made. Will the human-alien team find those responsible before another human dies? In the 1600s, an Eshuvani generation ship crash-landed in a farmer's field in Germany. Unable to find the resources on Earth to fix their ship, the Eshuvani built enclaves and tried to let the humans develop without interference. Three hundred fifty years later, Eshuvani criminals start a crime wave in the Texas coastal town of Las Palomas. With police officers being injured and killed in the efforts to stop them, Sergeant Ed Osborn attempts to use his ties to the Eshuvani community to get help for his men, but the local leadership wants nothing to do with humans. Ed contacts his urushalon, Amaya Ulonya, the Eshuvani mother he adopted when he was a boy, and seeks her help. After the death of her partner, Amaya, the captain of a police and rescue team, finds more grief than joy in her current assignment. Amidst controversy, she arranges to spearhead the new Buffer Zone station between Las Palomas and the nearby Eshuvani enclave of Woran Oldue. She hopes the opportunity to help Ed train his people will help her bury the past. The indifference of the local administration leaves her with Ill-functioning equipment and inexperienced staff. It only gets worse when the attacks of an Eshuvani criminal grow personal. Amaya must get control of her grief to help Las Palomas or risk losing someone even more dear to her than her last partner.

Purchase the book: Amazon

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Everlasting by L.K. Kuhl

Everlasting is the first book in the Everlasting Trilogy, a YA Paranormal Romance series.

Purchase the book: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords



Back Cover Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Bandell is scared of boys, and her biggest fear is dying. Boys make her uncomfortable and itchy and dying is …well …dying. She is ecstatic when her long lost friend calls her, inviting her to spend the summer with her on the beach at Charleston, South Carolina.
When a plastic saucer hits her in the head as she’s sunbathing, Sophia has no idea it will forever change the course of her life. It is there she comes face to face with the impressive Tate Forester.
She is scared and …itchy, but he’s gorgeous and she can’t shake him from her mind. They begin dating and Sophia soon knows he’s the one.
But things turn dark when she learns Tate isn’t the person she thinks he is, and the real reason her friend has brought her to the beach will teach her about life after death.
This everlasting summer on the beach gives Sophia a sweet taste of first love—the happiness as well as the heartbreak. 


Excerpt:
We stood there and looked around, an awkward silence playing between us. Then he stepped closer and took my hand in his, sending a bolt of staggering electricity zipping through my chest. “Her hand fits perfectly in mine.” He whispered this, as if confirming it with someone. His gaze locked on it, analyzing, then with a shake of his head, he spoke louder. “Sophia, I’m sorry. I …I lied to you.”
I looked at him—bewilderment crinkling my face—and tried to understand. “Lied?” My voice broke. “I don’t get it.”
“I wasn’t sick that day. Well, in a way I was, I guess. The truth is, I was gut-sick. That guy …he was sitting by you the whole day ...and …and he never left your side. I’d check throughout the
day, but he was still there. I couldn’t help it. I was insanely jealous.” He looked down, his tone deepening as he flexed his fingers that were still laced through mine.
“What?” His words astounded me. I swiped my brow with my free hand. “You were jealous …of me?”
He released my hand and paced back and forth, the nervousness seeping through as he wrung his hands. “I know it’s stupid, but I couldn’t help myself. I love the way you laugh and …I like you, Sophia …a lot, and it hurt me to see you with someone else.”
He lifted his hair off his forehead, pushing it up. His eyes locked on mine again, captivating me. I couldn’t look away. My self-consciousness took over—heckling me. The way I looked right now—with my hair a matted mess from the mist, and no makeup on—must look ridiculous. I drew away, making myself smaller.
I laughed my nervous laugh and kicked the sand with my shoe. “Who, him? You mean …Brian?” My words wobbled, but I giggled, unable to believe that Brian talking to me could make anyone jealous.

Author Bio:
L.K. Kuhl lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg, their Black Lab dog. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.

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