Hi June, Welcome to Cindy's Book
Reviews, I have reviewed a couple of your books, but this is our
first interview. So I am excited for my readers to get to know you.
First of all tell the CBR readers a bit about yourself.
Hi Cindy. Thank you for inviting me. I
am a retired teacher, mother, and grandmother. I have a BA in
Education and a MA in counseling. I have to joke and tell people I'm
homeless which is partially true. My husband and I travel and live
full time in our RV. My sweet guy took the couches out and put a
table and two filing cabinets in to serve as my writing area. I'm
probably the only author you know of whose office is in an RV.
What made you want to write books?
Well, Cindy, I truly believe the Lord
called me to do it. I had never written fiction or had any desire to
do so until November of 2009. I had noticed a story mulling around in
my head for a few years and happened to tell it to my daughter one
day. Her casual remark, "Mom, why don't you write it" was
the spark I needed. I knew that I knew I had to write stories about
Christian people who struggled with issues in their lives but
overcame by the power of God.
Has writing books influenced your walk
with Christ? If so how?
Yes, definitely. I believe I have a closer
relationship with
Him now. For one thing, I'm still in awe of the fact God himself placed
this
desire in my heart. Now I see God as my boss, in a small way like my
principal when I was a teacher. God directs and guides my every step
each day.
Many times I ask Him to help me think of a way to express myself in my
WIP or make a decision about marketing. Without Him, I doubt if I could
accomplish anything.
Share a writing day with us, what does
it look like when you write?
When I first get up, I grab a cup of
coffee and sit down to read the word. I wouldn't try to begin a day
without it. My Bible time is a necessary connection with the Lord. If
I've got a goal of one or two chapters a day, I try to write them
before I go to email, because there's always something in my email
that requires time, occasionally taking up the whole day. I'm a
notebook person, so I have all my folders, three by five cards,
calendars, etc. sitting by my computer and start in working. Since
I've got a chatty husband, I stop numerous times to talk to him, but
that's okay. He's a wonderful man. Most days I do the cooking in
between writing paragraphs but am blessed to have a husband who does
laundry. Finally when I start looking at the computer cross- eyed, I
figure it's time to quit. So with reluctance, I turn it off but enjoy
relaxing and reading my kindle.
Who are some of the authors who
influenced your writing?
Before I started writing, end time
prophecy fiction was a favorite. But when I began writing
inspirational romance, I realized I needed to read in the genre. Gail
Gaymer Martin was one of the first authors I read. Mildred Colvin was
another. She writes wonderful sweet contemporary and historical
romances. Though Fay Lamb wasn't published at the time, she impacted
my writing in a viable way. Fay is the moderator of Scribes with ACFW
and offered wonderful critiques patiently helping me learn the many
skills involved with writing fiction.
Off the subject of writing, I know you
live in an RV and travel alot, what are some neat places you have
seen this year?
Wow, in 2012 we've spent time in
Coaldale, Colorado, Cullman, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, Palmetto,
Florida, Olympia, Washington, and El Paso, Texas.
Back to writing, can you share what
you're working on at this time?
Yes, I'm working on Deliver Us, the
third in my Bellewood Series, set in the Pacific Northwest. This book
is under contract to Desert Breeze Publishing. In the story, the
heroine is an obstetrician who lives with the guilt of aborting her
baby ten years before when she hadn't walked with the Lord. The hero
is the janitor at the hospital where she works and is sure he can't
compete with the handsome Dr. Jett Camp vying for Jillian's
affection. Riley regrets his past mistakes, his time spent in jail
for dealing drugs, but praises God he gave his life to the Lord while
in prison. When he finds out he's the father of Jillian's aborted
baby he's devastated.
Where can my readers find your books?
And where can they learn more about you and about your book releases?
I'm happy to share, Cindy. Here are
some links.
Thanks June for joining us at CBR,
before we go one last fun question, If you could write about anyone
in the Bible (except Jesus) who would it be about, and why?
Oh, I love this challenging question.
If I were enough of a Biblical scholar, I'd love to take characters
and write their stories, kinda like Francine Rivers. But back to your
question. Maybe I'd take Martha, of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus fame.
I'm a Martha as well. I'd like to understand her and how she changed
after Jesus told her Mary made the wisest choice by sitting at his
feet and listening to him.
Thank you so much, Cindy, for having me
on your blog as well as doing your reviews. You have a needed
ministry to authors who need your TLC.
June's Books:
NOW for the GIVEAWAY, all week I will be taking comments on this blog. Leave a comment for an entry,
Share this contest and come back and leave another comment with the link to where you shared for a second entry. I will announce the winner, next Sunday July 29th. I will be buying the winner a copy of Hometown 4th of July for their Nook, Kindle or a copy for your computer. (your choice).
