Meet My Friend, Angie Breidenbach

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win an

e-copy of her "Creative Cooking for Colitis."

You MUST leave your email address or some way to contact you. Thank you, dear readers!

Now read on to learn more about Angie's writing life:

How long have you known that you were a writer?

I’ve known my whole life. I used to write little poems and grew up writing a journal.

Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I feel like there’s been a few clear calls on certain work and the innate love of writing and speaking throughout my life. I felt like the call on Creative Cooking for Colitis was there to bring hope and joy back into the lives of others who also struggle with this condition.

What is the genre you write in?

I actually write in several genres, but if you could put one overlying theme on it I would call it wisdom. Whether I’m writing a cookbook full of tips, non-fiction Christian living, or clear-cut Christian fiction the theme is always wisdom.

Would you explain what it is?

This particular book is Health/Cookbooks. It’s a tight niche for a specific condition, but I hope that it becomes a classic for the nearly 2 million colitis patients in America. Recently I looked at the message in my work. I felt like through all of it ran the theme of wisdom. It’s even in my freelance work with ezines, magazines, etc. I found that really intriguing that I didn’t realize that for so long. I think it’s the message God whispered into me from the beginning and let me catch a glimpse of now and then.

How do you spend your writing days?

This might sound a little unusual, but I start off working in bed. Since I live on the Western side of the country, all the business seems to get started much earlier. So when I wake up, I’ve found I say my prayers and read my devotional. Then I pick up my blackberry and look for any emails that absolutely have a time crunch. I also delete those I don’t need. It clears my mind for sitting down to my computer later. I don’t worry over whether something will become emergent anymore. So I’m actually at my desk by between 9 and 10 a.m. I stay there until I’m hungry. Then I take a break to eat, run errands, and do chores. I’m usually back upstairs in my office from evening until wee hours. I work best as a night owl on new material.

Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?

I try for 2K words on days I’m adding new material. But if I get into a zone, I will go until I fall asleep at the computer, and yes that’s happened, lol.

Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

This cookbook took the least of anything time wise. It took me two months only because I had to make each dish, photograph them, and learn to format a cookbook. I definitely want to do another. It was so much fun! The non-fiction book I finished last year took me three months. But fiction is harder for me. I would say three to six months.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it?

Creative Cooking for Colitis is both heart work and hard work. I was diagnosed with severe microscopic colitis that caused malnutrition and dehydration for six months. I had lost all hope of enjoying food without pain, of eating happily around the table with my family, and of confidently going to social outings. This book worked for me and the journey back to hope and joy. God created food for both our nourishment and enjoyment. He wants us to take joy in His provision. I hope that I’ve written a book that honors God’s desire to give us joy.

What can readers expect to get from reading it?

A lot of hope through fun recipes with beautiful photos. They are intentionally simple, though some are a bit more elegant than others. I also think it’s great for the extended family to know what to cook for meals and holidays. When our loved ones have such debilitating health issues, it’s easy to feel helpless and not know what to serve. I think this cookbook offers freedom for both the colitis sufferer and the family/friends who want to include them in mealtime as well as happy holiday traditions.

How and where can readers buy your book?

http://www.MyGemOfWisdom.com/products-page/books/creative-cooking-for-colitis-cookbook/

and
http://colitiscooking.blogspot.com/

The ISBNs are:

978-0-9827172-0-2 for the CD version

and

978-0-9827172-1-9 for the e-book PDF version

Do you ever feel like giving up?

Oh yes. But it’s in my DNA, writing. I’m not happy when I don’t write. I might take a little time off, but I’ve noticed I lose joy during that time. I think we were just made for specific purpose and mine is speaking & writing.

Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

When I was so sick for six months, the fatigue made it almost impossible to write. I wanted to, but just as I’d start another wave would hit. I couldn’t think clearly. I began to lose hope that I would live out the calling I was so sure God seemed to weave into my soul. Mix that with the confusion of life’s demands and it seems that writing keeps moving down the list. I found that when I didn’t write, I was the least satisfied and the most irritable.

Who’s inspired you the most?

I have had the blessing of so many heroes. Some of them were put right in my path to help me take the correct fork in the cross roads and some were there to encourage or uplift me. Sunni Jeffers, Margaret Daley, Julie Cowan, Tosca Lee, Mary DeMuth, Randy Ingermanson, Tamela Hancock-Murray, my blog partners on Writing By Faith, Cec Murphy, and recently Marlene Bagnull. Truly, there are so many that I could write pages of names. Each one had a unique gift and I am grateful for each one.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin.

Oh don’t we all wish, lol.

For this cookbook, I was pointed to Kunaki.com to create the CD version. I chose to self-publish it in order to control the material and amount of photography, but also the fact that I wanted to help the Jadyn Fred Foundation. I didn’t want to wait on getting it out in the public.

My non-fiction book coming up will be traditionally published. It was rejected many times before landing in the right place (information pending on this one in a few more weeks.) I wrote a new proposal for each publishing house based on their needs. It was a huge amount of work because each proposal is 30-50 pages long in addition to the length of the book. It’s crucial to understand the publishers and their different needs. It was because of this research that I decided to self-publish the cookbook. I didn’t want to make it fit certain guidelines. I wanted the ability to be out-of-the-box and very creative with it.

Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

This is where the hard work starts. While promoting the book that is out there, and that takes hours every day, I have to start the next one. The crucial part to being a successful author is that you always have another book in the pipeline. You don’t get to sit back and admire the cover of the latest book for weeks on end. In the publishing business, it takes so long to get a book to the shelf that the next one MUST be in the chute. All the while a writer has to make time to do the social networking, blog tours, speaking engagements, and attend conferences. Writing takes intentionality and intense internal drive!

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes?

• Well, for the cooking side of me, I admit to hating fish and coconut. You won’t find those ingredients in my recipes, but you will find nutritional substitutions.
• I also will share that I don’t like loud, harsh noises. I don’t know if that comes from living in the country or just me. But you won’t find me comfortable in really loud events.

Hobbies, interests?

• I love baking and love doing that with my grandson.
• I really enjoy reviewing books, singing, and public speaking.
• My favorite sport is synchronized swimming to both watch and do myself. But I haven’t had much time for it recently.
• My new miniature horse, Spanky, gets lots of attention as I’m working with him to let my grandson ride. I hope to train him for visiting children’s hospitals in the future.
• Besides food, I love to photograph my horses and the sites of Montana.

Where would you like to travel if you could?

Scotland and Sweden, I’d love to live in both places for several weeks or more. I’d like to write fiction while I’m there. Oh, my heart sighed as I wrote those dreams.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?

Yes, thank you.

http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/

and two blogs:

http://colitiscooking.blogspot.com/

http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’ll be speaking at some upcoming events. I’ll have the CD version of the e-cookbook with me for the special price of $10 also. Any time I speak, that’s where people can get a better price than the online regular price of $12. If anyone would like to attend, they are:

http://www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado

http://www.lifeandfaithtour.com/

Promotional information?

I’d love to give away one of my e-cookbooks to one of the readers here.

If you don’t win, please come over to the New Release Special on http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/ and get the discount. It’s on sale for $10 during April! If you like it, please mention it on your social medias. I’d be highly appreciative. The only way to help people is if they know where to find the help.

Thank you so much for hosting me!

Angie Breidenbach

Thank you for joining me on my blog, Angie! I loved having you. Folks, check out Angie's book for sure!

Winners!

We've randomly selected the two winners of Roxanne Rustrand's book! They are:

Apple Blossom
Jan Marie

Emails are sent!


NEXT:

Coming up June 30th:

I'm so excited to have Angie Breidenbach visit my blog. She'll be giving away an e-copy of her "Creative Cooking for Colitis." Let me tell you now, that this is a fantastic book for anyone who wants to eat healthier. Don't miss the interview!

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

For thou, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive: and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you. -- Psalm 86:5

Wonderful blessings!

Review of Diana Symons'
Where the Jewels Are

Back Cover:
How do you say No to a Princess who has everything? This Princess has a wise Father who sends her on a journey to find the one thing she doesn’t know she’s missing.

My thoughts:
A delightful children's book that I predict will become a family favorite. The usual tale of a child with everything, but who wants more. The Princess also has a wise-enough father to know how to deal with his child. I loved how Diana brought in the father's wisdom in sending servants to watch over his daughter: something we don't realize till the ending.

The servant child is a sweet person willing to do her duty in making the Princess happy. Fortunately, the Princess must inherit some of her father's wisdom, because she learns a valuable lesson that real jewels--real treasures--are our friends.

I happily recommend this wonderful book to anyone who wants to give their child a good read. Looking forward to your next one, Diana!

Blessings

Review of CJ Darlington's

Thicker Than Blood

From the cover:
Christy Williams never imagined that a Hemingway first edition would lead her back to the sister she left fifteen years ago. But when things being to unravel, she finds herself on May's doorstep, fearing for her life.

After a bittersweet reunion, will te two discover that some hurts can't be healed, or is there a tie that's thicker than blood?

My thoughts:
Great beginning. In fact, the whole book kept my attention. I loved the sitting-on-the-edge-of-my-seat feeling that it gave me. Although not a suspense book, a hint of that prevailed throughout the book.

Christy's faulty personality and sinful life was very real and interesting. Yet something inside her craved a better life. Her own efforts at making a good life for herself might have worked had she not given in to the vices that defeated all her purposes to succeed. Those same vices, and some real misjudgements in other people, led her to an unevitable failure.

In all that, God answered her sister, May's prayers, by leading and creating a desire in Christy's heart to see May again. Once there, it was a matter of time, before Christy's eyes and heart were opened to the Word of God and his love for her.

There was little real romance in the book, but a great women's fiction book. I urge you to check out this book and see for yourself the reality of God's mighty ability to help the hopeless. You'll not be disappointed in CJ's debut book!

Blessings

Review of Robert Elmer's

Wildflowers of Terezin

From the cover:
When nurse Hanne Abrahamsen impulsively shields Steffen Petersen from a nosy Gestapo agent, she's convinced the Lutheran pastor is involved in the Danish underground. Nothing could be further from the truth. But truth is hard to come by in the fall of 1943, when Copenhagen is placed under Martial law and Denmark's Jews-including Hanne-suddenly face deportation to the Nazi prison camp at Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Days darken and danger mounts. Steffen's faith deepens as he takes greater risks to protect Hanne. But are either of them willing to pay the ultimate price for their love?

My thoughts:
This love/realistic story takes place in one of my favorite time periods: World War II. And though I found the beginning slow and both main characters, at first, hard to fall in love with, I enjoyed reading about Steffin's quick change of character once he decided to become involved.

Hannah's determination to stay, instead of escaping from the Nazies was touching, and I liked her determination to do what she felt she should. The romantic interest between Stephen and Hannah caught my attention too. From the first there was a connection that circumstances in their lives prevented them from acting upon that interest, yet it developed gradually. I believe it was this interest that gave Stephen the courage to act upon what he knew was the right thing: getting involved in helping the Danish Jews to escape persecution. 

I enjoyed reading about the Terezin camp where Hannah was eventually deported to, and her activities there. The fact that she received letters from Stephen and his efforts to send medical supplies, although phifered by the Nazies, helped to give the whole story a real purpose.

Why did Robert Elmer title his book Wildflowers of Terezin?

Well, I won't say, but if you get this book, the answer is within the pages.

This story will stay with me for a long time and gave me a completely different view of World War II.

Blessings!

Reflections on Fathers

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. --Clarence Budington Kelland

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. -- Author unknown

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. --Author unknown

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years. --Mark Twain

Fatherhood is pretending the present you like most is the soap-on-a-rope. --Bill Cosby

Father!  To God himself, we cannot give a holier name. --William Wordsworth

Blessings!

My Thoughts of Karen Witemeyer's novel:
A Tailor-Made Bride

From the back cover:
When a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity, the sparks begin to fly.

My thoughts:
Wow. It's not often that a book comes along that I absolutely, positively fall in love with. But this is one of them. From the first, Karen's excellent writing drew me in, captured my fancy with the so-much opposite characters--and loveable ones at that. You'll find books where you love a certain character, but can't feel any love for the other. Settings don't "set" right. Plots don't work. But this book had it all.  Wonderful, warm characters, a setting that made you feel right at home, a plot that kept you rooting for the end.

Hannah's independence and determination to succeed in her new business adventure as a seamstress, are admirable. Yet her caring spirit for those less fortunate: a smelly, old man suffering from depression, and a little girl who she befriends and teaches a trade, combine to give her a unique and wonderful personality. Her fun-loving attitude and teasing were a delight to read about.

At first glimpse, you'd think a narrow-minded, quick-to-judge man wouldn't be someone you'd take to, but J.T. Tucker had hidden depths that Karen skillfully wove into the story. He's all man, yet gentle in ways that he doesn't want broadcast about town. And quick to own up--even its only to God--his faults.

I'm so looking forward to Karen's next book. This is a keeper! A wonderful read for anyone who wants an excellent, well-written book. You'll not be disappointed!


Blessings!

Meet Inspirational Author, Roxanne Rustrand

Roxanne is giving away TWO books, one each to

two different commenters!

Please make sure you leave a comment AND

someway to contact you.

Now read on to learn a bit about Roxanne's writing life:

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?
I've always been an avid reader. My mom thought I would be a writer, even when I was a child. But decades later, it took a random offer of a job writing feature articles for a regional horse magazine, and the associated offer of a free computer, for me to realize just how much fun it was to write. "Copy/Paste" and "Erase" opened up whole new vistas! I wrote humorous articles for a few years and then, I just kept going. I never expected to sell, though. That seemed like an impossible dream.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I've written twenty-four romantic suspense novels. Sixteen for Superromance focused on relationship and family/friendship situations, more than the suspense. I also co-wrote a straight mystery for Public Radio. More recently, I've completed my seventh romantic suspense for Steeple Hill, for which the romance and suspense carry equal weight. Also, just this month I completed my very first non-suspense for Love Inspired Romance. What a learning curve that was--but great fun, too!

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I keep a progress chart posted above my computer--much like those United Way temperature graphs for fundraising, with a column showing page numbers marked in increments of ten, and also a column showing rising steps in word count. It feels so good to mark off another square, that it can help drive me on to finish a few more pages! I write approximately three books a year.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

My June book, END GAME, is the third in my Big Sky Secrets series set in the Montana Rockies. Winter Reunion (the first in my new Aspen Creek Crossroads series for Love Inspired Romance) will be out in November....but then the fourth Big Sky book will be out next April. All of them stand alone, though there are recurring characters here and there.

The heroine in END GAME is county deputy, and is one of three cousins who experienced a terrible tragedy--the murder of a fourth cousin--when they were young teens. Each of them has carried those emotional wounds into adulthood. Each of them faces faith issues because of that tragedy and other events in their lives. And in each story, the heroine returns to Montana for various reasons....only to face renewed danger of a different kind, and ultimately find their once-in-a-lifetime love.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

I cannot imagine wanting to give up. That's not to say there isn’t stress, or anxiety at times! I remember hearing as an unpublished writer that "it was even harder after you sell." I couldn’t imagine that was true. After all, when you are chasing what might be an impossible dream, spending weeks and months and years trying to develop your craft--maybe for nothing--that isn't easy! For those of you still hoping for a first sale, I empathize fully. It can take so much determination and endurance to get there!

But there are different challenges after you sell. The first ones hit after the first sale--when you discover that your beloved "baby," the book that finally sold, isn't perfect after all. You may face extensive, multiple re-writes at the revision stage. Heavy line edits. Then there's all the other stuff that goes along with the process--and everything has a deadline. And there's promotion...and the need to be pulling together new projects. The hope that you can make a second sale. Oh--and then there's your family, job, church...and other important things in life. It can be hard to juggle it all. Finding a balance is key.

And even after you sell a lot of books, things can change. Editors quit to have babies or go to a different publisher. Lines fold. Entire publishers fade away. All disappointing events--but also, a wonderful opportunity for growth and renewal. If you need to re-invent yourself in a new genre, perhaps you'll find that change was just what you needed!

A series of rejections, after making well over a dozen sales, led me from secular to inspirational fiction, and I couldn’t be happier!

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

If you are an avid reader for so long, you internalize what you love to read (and read the most.) When I started writing I had no plan, no idea of what I was doing, until someone told me what it was!

Sit back and relax? LOL. I am busier now than ever--and I feel richly blessed by that fact. I've now cut way back on a day job I love, as a dietitian for a psychiatric facility, because I have less and less time to spend away from my office at home.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

Now that our three children are all in college, my husband and I travel a lot more--which we love. I enjoy photography, reading (of course!), spending time with our horses, and the long walks my husband and I take with our dogs. There's always so much more to learn, so many more ways to grow as a writer, so I really love to attend every writers' conference I can. I cannot wait for RWA in Orlando, and ACFW in Indiana this year!

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Here is the backcover blurb for END GAME:

"I'll be seeing you again..."


The attacker's words still ring in Deputy Megan Peters' ears. Her attempt to trap a serial rapist terrorizing Lost Falls failed, but she has succeeded in becoming the target of his attention. Undaunted, she moves forward in her investigation, and Scott Anders, the only newcomer in town, draws her suspicion. Is his gentleness just an act? Yet as Megan and Scott grow closer, she finds herself questioning her instincts. What will she believe--her heart, or the evidence against him?

The book is available at boosktores, Wal-mart, Kmart, Target, at www.target.com, www.steeplehill.com, www.christianbook.com and various other online sources.

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

• Website: www.roxannerustand.com
• Blog: http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com

I'd love to have everyone stop by at my "All Creatures Great and Small" blog--where readers and writers share amusing or poignant stories about their pets. I also have run quite a few "Tales of the Old Horsetrader" from my old magazine articles, so one can check the archives.

If anyone would like to be featured on the blog (you don’t need to be published!) Just give me a shout, through my website! I'd love to have you visit!


Thank you, Roxanne, for visiting my blog today!

Blessings, dear readers.

What is it?

Anyone know?

Blessings!

Interview with Author Richard Leonard

FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY!

Richard has offered a book (your choice) to everyone who comments and leaves their email address!!

Here are your choices:

HEART OF THE HIGHRIDERS (http://www.haxbooks.com/)

or

NEW AMERICA (http://www.rcleonard.com/)

• Make sure you leave your comment, email address, and which book you'd like, so that I can get ahold of you! Now on to the interview:

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I have been writing since childhood.

• A while ago, sorting through some memorabilia, I found a little story I had written at age five or six that my mother had saved.
• In high school I won two local short story awards.
• I took a writing class in college and had stories published in the college literary magazine.
• In graduate school my writing shifted to an academic vein (term papers, doctoral dissertation, etc.) and then to writing sermons.
• In secular work I became a technical writer, creating software manuals. Eventually I was engaged to write some works for hire, as well as to do some editing, for Christian publishers.

• Finally I decided to try my hand at novels, and have produced three (with another in progress).

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

As the above answer indicates, I have written in several genres. My fiction genres, all with a Christian perspective, have included family life, fantasy-adventure, and speculative.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

Because I am retired I have a wide range of interests including web site development, which involves writing descriptive copy such as material relating to locomotive photographs in my railroad hobby site, http://www.railarchive.com/.

Because of my varied activities I do not have a consistent fiction writing schedule, but write when ideas come or opportunities arise. I wrote Heart of the Highriders (http://www.hazbooks.com/) jointly with my daughter, sending files via email, and it took us about two years. I started New America in 1993 and worked on it intermittently, completing it in 2008.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

New America is a story set near the end of the twenty-first century in a Christian nation that had been established a generation earlier on the east coast of Siberia. The main character makes several trips to the United States, during when we witness the further development of today’s cultural trends.

There is a prominent romantic interest; the main character has to rescue a young woman, an abortion survivor whose life is endangered by the Fugitive Fetus Law. He is reluctant, because the way he has to do this jeopardizes his relationship with his New American girlfriend. I think one spiritual lesson here is to avoid postponing hard decisions — especially about things the Lord calls you to do — in the effort to protect yourself.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

It is tempting to give up, especially when it is difficult to interest an agent or publisher in your work because you don’t write to a current popular template. I finally decided to write fiction for my own satisfaction, and for posterity, and not to try to suit publishers’ ideas of what they think they can market. My writing is motivated by ideas, not by the need to sell what I write. In fiction, I am a reader of older novelists such as Elizabeth Goudge, Joseph C. Lincoln or Samuel Hopkins Adams. But I would not say that these fiction writers inspire me as much as do some current writers in biblical theology, especially N. T. Wright whose style is not only learned but lucid and witty.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

I am a published author through works for hire for which I was engaged by a book packager, Livingstone Corporation. I was the “ghost writer” of A Theological Miscellany (Nelson, 2005) and co-compiler of A Glimpse of Heaven (Simon & Schuster, 2007), and have contributed to other publications from Hendrickson, Tyndale House, Integrity and Broadman Holman. Thus I was never chosen by these publishers, who contracted with the book packager for the work that was assigned to me. The books I have authored on my own have been self-published through our own imprints, Laudemont Press and Lampstand Books, plus a few other outlets.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

• I am a big fan of classical symphonic music, especially from the first half of the twentieth century, and enjoy collecting CDs of works by composers who are not well known (Albéric Magnard, Franz Schmidt, Havergal Brian, Edmund Rubbra, Arnold Bax and Howard Hanson are not household words). I was a music major in college and have composed hymns, worship choruses and other pieces including a flute sonata which I performed.

• I also am a railroad fan with a large web site (http://www.railarchive.net/) of historic photos, especially steam locomotives, many of which I took in the 1950s.
• I enjoy working with computers (we own five) and have built or rebuilt a few. I host and manage the web sites for several churches and Christian organizations.
• I publish WestWard Quarterly (http://www.wwquarterly.com/), a poetry magazine edited by my wife, Shirley Anne.
• As to travel, I think it would be fun to see South Africa, New Zealand or Australia but have never planned to do so. I did make several trips to the Netherlands, France and other European countries some years ago, most recently to teach at a seminary in Croatia.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

The most recent title is New America, described above, which is available through our Laudemont Ministries web site (http://www.laudemont.org/) or through Amazon.com. Actually, I give away most of the copies that are distributed as an outreach of our ministry. Readers of this page are free to request a copy by emailing laudemont@aol.com with their address information.

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

My blog, “Considered Opinion,” is embedded in my author web site, http://www.rcleonard.com/. I comment on theological, biblical, literary and other matters. I would be happy to take advantage of any offers to assist with the promotion of my fiction titles. While I do not write in the typical genres of Christian fiction (romantic, historical, etc.) I believe my stories maintain the interest of the thoughtful reader and will stand the test of time.

Wonderful, Richard. I've loved having you and look forward to reading your books. Thanks for visiting.

 

Blessings, friends!

My New Friend, Dawn K. Bryd


What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

The two releases coming out this year through Desert Breeze Publishing are both inspirational romantic suspense. This means that they're Christian-based romance books with some suspense elements. My April 1 release, Queen of Hearts, is set during WWII, so it's also a historical. I am currently working on a contemporary romance without the suspense.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

There are times that I may go a month without writing. During that time, I'm editing a previous work or getting one ready for release. When I begin writing again, I've found that I have a real hunger for putting the fingers to the keys after taking time off. My goal is 2,000 words per day, which will allow me to write a novel in a month. I began using this word count strategy after completing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

I wanted to read Michelle Sutton's new book, Danger at the Door, and was disappointed to find out that it was available only in ebook format. I gave it a glowing review because I loved the book. Michelle e-mailed me to thank me (we'd never had a conversation prior to that) and we became fast friends. Michelle recommended that I send my work to Desert Breeze, and I did. After learning how to download Michelle's book to my Blackberry, I no longer buy print books. I love the convenience of being able to read ebooks on the go. That experience has changed my life in more ways than one.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

Of course, I love to read and write. I believe the two go together...if you're a writer, you're probably an avid reader. I keep my hobbies in check because they can take time away from what I really enjoy...writing. I'm not much of a traveler other than to Myrtle Beach, SC a couple of times a year for vacation.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Daphne Dean is proud to be serving her country stateside during WWII as a reporter and an Office of Strategic Services operative. When the photograph she takes of the crowd at a murder scene places her on the mob's hit list, she's forced into hiding in a vacant mental asylum in the middle of nowhere with terrifying secrets of its own.

Daphne believed herself to still be in love with her ex-fiancée, Kenneth, until she spends several days locked away in the asylum with Vito, the mob boss' son. Can she put the terrifying events that occurred there behind her and allow herself to pursue a relationship with Vito? Or, will she return to Kenneth who has turned his back on his country by becoming a draft dodger and a black market racketeer? One thing's for sure, it won't matter if she can't escape the mental institution alive.

Purchase: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/


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

I give away several books a week on my blog, most of them signed by the author. You can check it out at: http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/


Thank you, Dawn, for sharing a little of your writing world with us!
 
Blessings to all!