Soul Inspirationz // The Christian Fiction Site Blog

Monday, February 24, 2014

Featured Author Interview: Ruth Logan Herne

Ruth Logan Herne loves Charlie Brown Christmas trees, rooting for the underdog and people who go the distance while others see the path as too long or broken!

She loves God, chocolate, writing, dogs and is blessed by a sprawling family, oodles of grandkids and a sweet old farmhouse in constant need of work. She's sure that clean rooms are over-rated, snakes and possums should mind their own business and buy their own farm and puppies and kittens and babies are about the cutest things on Earth.

An author for Love Inspired Books and Summerside Press, she lives in upstate New York.

The following is a February 2014 interview with Ruth.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win
the Kirkwood Lake series (first 3 books)or a copy of Try, Try Again,
Running on Empty or Safely Home
by Ruth Logan Herne

1 book set and 2 Kindle copies to be won

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from 21 February - 7 March NZDT

Featured Debut Novelist: Carla Laureano

Carla Laureano is the author of the romance novel, Five Days in Skye, and as C.E. Laureano is the author of the young adult fantasy series, The Song of Seare.

Carla Laureano earned a degree in English from Pepperdine University in 1997. Since then, she has been a professional marketer, copywriter, and martial arts instructor, but her first love is telling stories that cause readers to look at their world and their faith in new ways.

Carla is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). She was selected as a finalist in ACFW’s 2012 Genesis contest in the speculative fiction category. She lives with her husband, two sons, and a menagerie of small pets in Denver, Colorado.

The following is a February 2014 interview with Carla.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
Five Days in Skye
by Carla Laureano

One copy to be won

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from 14-28 February NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Robbie Cheuvront

Robbie Cheuvront is the author of The Guardian and Worship Pastor of North Point Church in Corona, California, and was previously at The Journey Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. He is married and has two beautiful children, a boy and a girl.

Before going into ministry full time, Robbie was a professional musician on the road for about 10 years, where he played bass guitar and sang in the band Lonestar. He traveled the world and experienced many different cultures.

Robbie has always been an avid reader, and after being a professional song writer for several years, decided to try his hand at a novel. Robbie and his co-author and partner in ministry, Pastor Erik Reed, came up with the idea for their first novel, The Guardian, a few years ago. Their publisher, Barbour Books, released their next book in September 2012, Fall, the first in The 13 series, with the conclusion, Stand, published in November 2013.

The following is a February 2014 interview with Robbie.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a set of
The 13: Fall and The 13:Stand
by Robbie Cheuvront & Erik Reed
(with Shawn Allen)

2 paperback sets to be won
Contest open to entrants with USA addresses only.
Contest runs from 7-21 February NZDT

Falling for the Farmer Blog Chase: Stop #5

Welcome to the Blog Chase for Falling for the Farmer by Narelle Atkins, her debut novel with Heartsong Presents, releasing February 2014.

Back cover blurb:

KATE LAWSON IS A RUNAWAY BRIDE

And she’s incredibly grateful when Jack Bradley offers her a job on his apple farm. Working side by side in the orchards with her best friend’s brother seems like the perfect way to get over her disastrous engagement. Until Kate finds herself falling hard for the handsome farmer.

Jack Bradley knows city-girl Kate isn’t here to stay. Yet suddenly he’s imagining a life with her in the country. When Kate considers going back to the city, can Jack find a way to show her that her real home is here on the farm, by his side?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter One Excerpt:

She massaged her temples, a dull ache starting to pound her head. The white ribbon attached to the front of the car stayed firm in the breeze, unlike her tumultuous thoughts.

Jack stopped at the next light. “Do you want to go to my sister’s place?”

She nodded. Megan, her maid of honor, would hopefully realize her Chatswood apartment was Kate’s logical destination.

“Are you okay?” His eyes softened and his questioning gaze held a look of genuine concern.

She blinked away the moisture building in her eyes. “I need to think, and work out what to do.” All her plans for the next few months had disappeared the moment she left the church. Where would she live? She’d need to find a new job.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If Kate ran away to Taihape, New Zealand, where could she go?

The setting for Falling for the Farmer is Snowgum Creek, a fictitious town located on the western slopes of the Snowy Mountains in Australia. But if Kate decided to skip the country entirely, and hide herself away in a small rural community in New Zealand, such as in Taihape, what would she find there?

Taihape is a small town nestled among high country hills in the centre of the North Island, New Zealand. Capitalising on its reputation of being the "Gumboot Capital of the World", a giant corrugated iron gumboot can be found along the main road, right next to a walkway up Mt Stewart in the centre of the town. Outside the town, work can be found on sheep and cattle farms, a local peacherine orchard, and also on the various tourist adventure spots nearby, such as Gravity Canyon, with its bungy jumping, flying fox and giant swing, right through to various other spots that feature white water rafting, river kayaking, farm stays, 4WD farm tours, skiing in winter and hiking in summer, and even running with the Kaimanawa Horses in their native habitat. Back in town, a number of cafes and boutique gift and clothing stores could beckon to Kate as well.

My question for the blog chase giveaway: Which piece of footwear, constructed with corrugated iron, can be seen as you travel through Taihape?

Ellie and her friend Jen in front of the giant corrugated gumboot at Taihape

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You're at Stop 5 on the Falling for the Farmer blog chase. Please fill in your answers to the questions located on each of the participating blogs when you reach Narelle’s blog at Stop 6. If you have five correct answers, you'll receive an entry in the drawing to win one of three print copies of Falling for the Farmer.

You can gain a bonus entry in the drawing if you have five correct answers and leave a comment on the ACW post at Stop 1.

Current and new subscribers to Narelle’s email list will automatically receive an extra entry if they correctly answer all five questions. The giveaway entry form and terms and conditions are included with Narelle’s post at Stop 6. The winners will be announced in a comment on this post on Wednesday, February 12.

Your next stop on the blog chase is Narelle Atkins blog.

If you have missed any stops along the way, here is the full list:

Stop 1: Australasian Christian Writers (ACW) http://australasianchristianwriters.blogspot.com.au/

Stop 2: Iola’s Christian Reads www.christianreads.blogspot.com

Stop 3: Ink Dots http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com.au/

Stop 4: Ausjenny http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/

Stop 5: Soul Inspirationz http://soulinspirationz.blogspot.com/

Stop 6: Narelle Atkins http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com/

Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.

Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited.

Cover copy used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February New Releases in Category Fiction

New Releases in Category Fiction for February 2014 include titles from Harlequin's Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired Historical, and Heartsong Presents.

The following blog post is a title listing with descriptions of each release.

PLUS! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Be in to win a copy of one of the following:

The Baby Rescue by Margaret Daley
Treacherous Slopes by Terri Reed
Royal Wedding Threat by Rachelle McCalla
The Widow's Suitor by Rose Ross Zediker
Falling for the Farmer by Narelle Atkins
Rocky Mountain Romance by Lesley Ann McDaniel
Heartland Courtship by Lyn Cote
The Marshal's Ready-Made Family by Sherri Shackelford
The Cowboy's Reunited Family by Brenda Minton
Her Valentine Sheriff by Debra Kastner
Mommy Wanted by Renee Andrews
A Daughter's Homecoming by Ginny Aiken

Simply comment at the end of the blog post on which titles you would love to read the most AND which titles you would most like to win and you can enter the Rafflecopter draw.

Contest entries close Sunday January 19 NZDT.

February New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in CBA Trade Christian Fiction for February 2014 include 34 new releases and reprints from Abingdon Press, B&H Fiction, Barbour Publishing, Bethany House Publishers, David C Cook, Harvest House Publishers, Howard, Revell Books, Zondervan and other publishing houses of CBA Trade fiction.

PLUS! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Simply comment at the end of the blog post on which titles you would love to read the most and you can enter the Rafflecopter draw.

Contest entries close Sunday February 16 NZDT.

Be in to win a copy of one of the following:

Jenny's Choice by Patrick E. Craig (USA & Canada only - 1 copy)
Sadie's Secret by Kathleen Y'Barbo (USA & Canada only - 1 copy)
Wishing on Buttercups by Miralee Ferrell (USA only - 2 copies)
Love's Sweet Surrender by Ann Shorey (Worldwide - 1 copy)
A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron (USA only - 2 copies)
A Sky without Stars by Linda S. Clare (USA only - 2 copies)
Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard (USA only - 2 copies)
Poison Town by Creston Mapes (USA only - 2 copies)
Warrior Poet by Timothy Stoner (Worldwide - 2 digital copies)
Taken for English by Olivia Newport (USA only - 2 copies)

Plus! Bonus Giveaway

Enter Jill Eileen Smith's
Wives of the Patriarchs Rachel Giveaway with Revell Books.

NB: Contest operated by Revell Books and not by Soul Inspirationz.

Featured Debut Novelist: Cathleen Armstrong

Cathleen Armstrong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Ed, and their corgi.

Though she has been in California for many years now, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives.

After she and Ed raised three children, she returned to college and earned a BA in English.

Welcome to Last Chance won the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for Women's Fiction, and is the first novel in the A Place to Call Home series. One More Last Chance is the second novel, releasing in May 2014.

The following is a January 2014 interview with Cathleen.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW
Be in to win a copy of
Welcome to Last Chance
by Cathleen Armstrong

2 print copies to be won

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from 31 January - 14 February NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Hannah Alexander

Hannah Alexander is the pen name for the husband-and-wife writing team Dr. Mel and Cheryl Hodde. The Hoddes began collaborating on fiction books during their first date, actually a blind date arranged by their pastor. It all began when Cheryl shocked Mel with her request, “Can you help me paralyze someone without killing him?”

Cheryl went on to explain that she was an author and needed to paralyze a character in the book she was working on. Mel, a board-certified ER physician with a degree in osteopathy, was happy to assist. This was Mel's introduction to the world of fiction and Cheryl’s introduction to medicine. They were both fascinated, and a year and a half later they were married.

The couple established a pen name that rightfully distinguished the two sides of their writing. After more than a decade of marriage, they have written more than a dozen books as Hannah Alexander and have garnered a Christy award for their work.

The following is a January 2014 interview with Cheryl.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
Keeping Faith
by Hannah Alexander

5 copies to be won

Contest open to entrants with USA addresses only.

Contest runs from 24 January - 7 February NZDT

Featured Debut Novelist: Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green is an award-winning author who inspires faith and courage in her readers through both fiction and nonfiction. A former military wife herself, she offers encouragement and hope to military wives worldwide through her Faith Deployed ministry. Her novels, inspired by real heroines on America’s home front, are marked by their historical integrity and gritty inspiration.

Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She is an active member of the Evangelical Press Association, Christian Authors Network, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Military Writers Society of America.

She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two small children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The following is a January 2014 interview with Jocelyn.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
Wedded to War
by Jocelyn Green

One digital copy to be won

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from 17 - 31 January NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Rene Gutteridge

Rene Gutteridge is the author of more than a dozen novels, including suspense fiction and comedic fiction, and one novelization. Her comedy novel, Skid, has been adapted into a movie.

Rene's latest releases are Misery Loves Company, Heart of the Country, Escapement, Possession and Listen, from Tyndale House Publishers. Her other suspense titles include the Storm Series, plus her very first novel, Ghost Writer (Bethany House Publishers).

She is also known as a comedy writer. Her latest comedic novels are Never the Bride (winner of the 2010 Carol Award for best women's fiction), and Greetings from the Flipside, both co-written with screenwriter Cheryl McKay (of The Ultimate Gift). Her other comedy titles from WaterBrook/Multnomah Publishers include the Boo Series and the Occupational Hazards series.

The following is a January 2014 interview with Rene.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
Misery Loves Company
by Rene Gutteridge

One print copy to be won
Contest open to entrants with USA addresses only.

Contest runs from 10 - 24 January NZDT

Featured Screenwriter/Novelist: Cheryl McKay

Cheryl McKay has been professionally writing since 1997, as "Purple Penworks", the banner under which she works on creative projects, penning film and television projects. She also now works as a producer on scripts she writes.

She has also written a script called Greetings from the Flipside, commissioned by Art Within, after winning a year-long fellowship. It’s been adapted into a novel for B&H Publishing (with Rene Gutteridge) and released in 2013. Her screenplay, Never the Bride, has been adapted into a novel for Random House Publishers and was released in 2009. The film version is in development. She also wrote the screenplay for A Friend for Maddie.

Cheryl lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Chris, who is a photographer and a musician.

The following is a January 2014 interview with Cheryl.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
Greetings from the Flipside
by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

One print copy to be won

Contest open to entrants with USA addresses only.

Contest runs from 10 - 24 January NZDT

January New Releases in Category Fiction

New Releases in Category Fiction for January 2014 include titles from Harlequin's Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired Historical, and Heartsong Presents.

The following blog post is a title listing with descriptions of each release.

PLUS! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Be in to win a copy of one of the following:
Frame-Up by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Race for the Gold by Dana Mentink
Homefront Dreams by Darlene Franklin
The Heiress's Courtship by Gina Welborn
Love on the Slopes by Elizabeth Goddard
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings
Journey of Hope by Debbie Kaufman
Her Unexpected Cowboy by Debra Clopton
His Ideal Match by Arlene James
The Firefighter's New Family by Gail Gaymer Martin
The Rancher's Secret Son by Betsy St. Amant

Simply comment at the end of the blog post on which titles you would love to read the most and you can enter the Rafflecopter draw. Contest entries close Sunday January 19 NZDT.

January New Releases in Christian Fiction

Happy New Year!!

New Releases in CBA Trade Christian Fiction for January 2014 include 35 new releases and reprints from Abingdon Press, B&H Fiction, Barbour Publishing, Bethany House Publishers, Center Street, Harvest House Publishers, Revell Books, River North, Thomas Nelson, WaterBrook Multnomah and other publishing houses of CBA Trade fiction.

PLUS! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Simply comment at the end of the blog post on which titles you would love to read the most and you can enter the Rafflecopter draw.

Contest entries close Friday January 17 NZDT.

Be in to win a copy of one of the following:

The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis
Solomon's Song by Roberta Kells Dorr
Songs of the Shenandoah by Michael K. Reynolds
Shadowed By Grace by Cara C. Putman
All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse
Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman
Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand
Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson
Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

Featured Author Interview: Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is an American author of inspirational Regency romance novels. She is the winner of several Christy Awards and a Midwest Book Award.

Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.

Julie graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

The following is a December 2013 interview with Julie.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of
The Dancing Master
by Julie Klassen

One print copy and one Kindle copy to be won

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from 20 December - 3 January NZDT

December New Releases in Category Fiction

New Releases in Category Fiction for December 2013 include titles from Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired Historical, and Heartsong Presents.

The following blog post is a title listing with descriptions of each release.

PLUS! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Be in to win a copy of one of the following:
Christmas Cover-Up by Lynette Eason
Wilderness Peril by Elizabeth Goddard
The Lady's Hero by Carolyn R. Scheidies
The Professor's Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes
Home at Last by Anita Higman
Return of the Cowboy Doctor by Lacy Williams
Her Holiday Hero by Margaret Daley
The Lawman's Holiday Wish by Ruth Logan Herne

Simply comment at the end of the blog post on which titles you would love to read the most and you can enter the Rafflecopter draw. Contest entries close Tuesday December 31 NZDT.