Featured Author Interview: Steven James

Steven James is the critically acclaimed author of more than thirty books, including his bestselling The Bowers Files.

His books span the genres of psychological thrillers, prayer collections, dramas, monologues, a nine book series on creative storytelling, YA fantasy, and inspirational nonfiction. He has received wide critical acclaim for his work including four Storytelling World Honor awards, two Publishers Weekly starred reviews, and 2009, 2011 and 2012 Christy Awards for best suspense. 

The following is July 2013 interview with Steven.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Be in to win a copy of The King. 

Contest open to entrants worldwide.

Contest runs from July 22 - 28 NZDT

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Featured Debut Novelist: Bonnie Calhoun

Bonnie S. Calhoun is an author with Abingdon Press, Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance helping to promote Christian fiction with blog tours, and owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine devoted to readers and writers of Christian fiction. 

As Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she was named "2011 Mentor of the Year." She is President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and also Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.

The following is a July 2013 interview with Bonnie.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW Be in to win one of two copies of Pieces of the Heart.  Contest open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from July 16 - 31 NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Karen Witemeyer

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul. After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late 1800s. The following is a July 2013 interview with Karen. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW Be in to win one of two copies of Stealing the Preacher -- a print copy for US residents, and a digital copy (Nook or Kindle) for non-US residents.  Contest open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from July 15-21 NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Sandra Orchard

Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). 

From a young age, Sandra dreamed of being a writer, even as she majored in math at university. Then following her mother’s death, Sandra discovered Christian fiction. Seeing characters battle the same questions, yearnings and frustrations she battled, and triumph over them through God’s grace, restored her hope and rekindled her passion for writing. Six years and several much-revised novels later, Sandra received her first contract.

The following is a July 2013 interview with Sandra.

Featured Debut Novelist: Becky Wade

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University and is the author of contemporary romance novels My Stubborn Heart and Undeniably Yours. 

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

The following is a July 2013 interview with Becky.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW Be in to win one copy of Undeniably Yours.  Contest open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from July 1 - 15 NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Anne Elisabeth Stengl is the award-winning author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style.

She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower, with Dragonwitch releasing in July 2013. Her books are popular with adults and young adults alike. Heartless and Veiled Rose have each been honored with a Christy Award.

When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She is married to the handsome man she met at fencing class, Rohan, and lives with him, a gaggle of cats, and one long-suffering dog in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The following is a July 2013 interview with Anne Elisabeth.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW Be in to win one copy of Dragonwitch.  Giveaway open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from July 1 - 7 NZDT

The Carol Awards: 2013 Nominations Announced

The Carol Awards are ACFW's recognition for the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.

The following are the finalists for the 2013 Carol Awards that were announced earlier this week. The winners will be announced during the 2013 ACFW National Conference in Indianapolis at the Gala on September 15, 2013.

The Christy Awards: 2013 Winners Announced

The winners of the 2013 Christy Awards were announced this week.

Winners were announced and presented with their awards at the 14th annual Christy Awards dinner held Monday, June 24, 2013, at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

The following is a list of the winners and the categories they represented.

Featured Author Interview: R.J. Larson

R. J. Larson is the author of numerous devotionals featured in publications such as The Women's Devotional Bible, and Seasons of a Woman's Heart.

Prophet marks her debut in the fantasy genre, the first book in the Books of the Infinite series, acclaimed Christian fantasy fiction inspired by Biblical prophets and kings.

She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and their two sons, and is suspected of eating chocolate and potato chips at her desk while writing. 
The following is a June 2013 interview with R.J.

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW One copy of the winner's choice of either Prophet, Judge, or King.  Contest open to international entrants. Contest runs from June 24-30 NZDT

Featured Author Interview: Eva Marie Everson

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken, This Fine Life, The Cedar Key novels, and the award-winning novelization of Unconditional (based on the movie by the same name). 

From the time she was a little girl, Eva Marie wanted to be a writer. Yet her writing career started with a long walk on a spring day in her 40th year. Then, a case of "mistaken identity" during an AOL Instant Message set the plans God had for her to full speed ahead. Since that time, Eva Marie has gone on to see nearly 30 books published to date.

The following is a June 2013 interview with Eva.

Featured Debut Novelist: Jen Turano

Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles, and is the author of the rollicking historical romance series Ladies of Distinction.

Jen grew up in the small town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where she spent an idyllic childhood riding her purple spider bike, ice-skating on a little pond and reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books in her tree house. 

When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado.

The following is a June 2013 interview with Jen.

Featured Author Interview: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of more than twenty novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. 

Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy.

Kim and her husband, Don, reside in Kansas, where they operate a B&B. Aside from several beloved cats, the couple have three grown daughters and six grandchildren.

The following is a June 2013 interview with Kim. 

Cover Reveal: Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

"She Will Take Your
Own Two Hands

To Save Your Ancient,
Sorrowing Lands."
 

By her father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. Unable to bear the future she sees as her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory.

But Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world invaded by a lethal fey parasite . . .

A world that is hauntingly familiar.

Featured Author Interview: Creston Mapes

Creston Mapes is the best-selling author of Nobody, Dark Star, Full Tilt,and his new thriller series, The Crittendon Files. His early years as a reporter inspire many of his novels.

A journalist, copywriter, and editor, Creston works from his home-office in Atlanta for some of the nation's top media companies, and nationally-recognized corporations, including Chick-fil-A, Coke, ABC-TV, and The Weather Channel. In addition to Creston's novels and freelance writing, he has ghostwritten and edited seven non-fiction titles. 

The following is a June 2013 interview with Creston.

Featured Debut Novelist: Joanne Bischof

Joanne Bischof is the author of the Cadence of Grace series, a historical romance set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home schooled children.

When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

The following is a June 2013 interview with Joanne.