Turning God Stories into a Book

                                                           Author Sharon Davy

JU: Sharon and I are new friends and I am excited about her recent book. So, please tell our readers about yourself and family.

SD: My name is Sharon Lynn Davy and I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Bill, for the past 44 years. We have three grown children: Tracey, Matthew and Mark and eight grandchildren. I’ve been working for Goodwill for the past 10 ½ years.  I enjoy camping, gardening, singing and writing.  I have been singing for 12 years with the Distaff’s Choral Group. This is an interest group that is part of the Ball State University Alumni Women’s Club. We perform at area nursing homes in the spring and at Christmas.  I also am “Mrs. Claus” while my husband is “Santa” at the Christmas season. We have been Santa and Mrs. Claus for nine years. In this role, we greet many children, but also visit nursing homes.  I attend and am active in the Yorktown Church of the Nazarene. 

JU: I know you are one busy and one giving lady, Sharon! Trace your writing journey and tell us what makes you write or how this exciting journey started.

SD: I am not a college graduate nor do I have formal training in writing.  In 1979, my family and I moved from Lambertville, N.J. to Yorktown, Indiana. It was not easy to leave our families back East, but I kept up communication through letters. I was excited about our new home and all the things that were different in the Midwest. My letters home became novels, so to speak. I write like I speak, in detail.  I’ve journaled for many years. For three years, I attended Bible Study Fellowship and God’s Word became real to me. I could see where I was living the Word.  When I’d go through the storms of life, I could see God’s intervention.  After the storms calmed, I would sit down and write and share how God was always there. For the past twelve years, I’ve written what I call “God Stories” and put them away in a folder.

JU: Bible Study Fellowship certainly does take one on a grand journey of learning. I was with them for eight years, but that folder of yours became a book. Right? Tell us about this.

SD: During the twelve years I was writing what I called God Stories, (stories of God’s intervention in my life) I would have people read some of them and ask, “When are you going to write the book?” I knew that all things were possible with God, but I just didn’t think I would actually become an author. I can remember our pastor sharing that we should ask God to use us in a mighty way. And you know, I did pray to be used.

In January of 2012, I went to the Christian Book Store and ran into 

a someone I’d not seen in probably five years.  Her first words to 

me were, “Have you written the book yet?”  I said, “No not yet.” 

A couple days later, I was back at the book store and happened to 

see a big poster on the wall with a book on it opened wide with the 

message “ARE YOU READY TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK 

NOW?” Needless to say that really spoke to me.  I went home and 

prayed, “Lord, if it’s your time for me to write a book, please bring 

someone to me with publishing knowledge.”  The very next day a 

construction worker came to our house to put in a new shower in 

our bathroom and he had just had a book published. We sat down 

and talked and he shared with me how to go about getting a book 

published.

The next day, I was on the phone with Xlibris Publishing and by the 

time I got off the phone, I had a contract and was officially on the 

way to becoming an author.

JU: What is a take away message from God’s Stories?

SD: My take away message from God Stories would be that if we will be still, we will see God’s hand daily as we walk through this life. We will see His abundant love and faithfulness for His children.

JU: Is there any writer, past or present, which you admire and enjoy reading?

SD: I spend most of my time reading my Bible.  I have a “New King James Student Bible” that has really helped me to understand the scriptures.  When I’m not reading my Bible, I really like Pastor Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” devotional.  I really like nonfiction books because I want to read truth. 

JU: Understandable. Have you other books brewing?

SD: For years I had many people asking me when I was going to write a book.  Now I’ve written God Stories and my readers want another book. Every day I can see God working in my life and so I’ve still been journaling.  I recently had a reader say, “you need to include your reader’s responses to God Stories in your next book.” This was interesting in that this thought had been coming to me in recent weeks.  Ever since God Stories was published, I’ve been keeping a notebook of the responses.  All I can say is that I will be waiting on God’s perfect timing and if it be His will, yes, there will be another book.

JU: A wonderful way to look at it. How can readers find you and your book, Sharon?

God Stories (Seeing the hand of God) can be purchased through:

Sharon Lynn Davy, 8213 W. Weller St., Yorktown, IN. 47396

      E-mail address: sldavy@hotmail.com

      Website: www.sharondavy.com

Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Stories-Seeing-Hand-God/dp/1477152237/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369001623&sr=8-1&keywords=god%27s+Stories+by+sharon+Davy

Barnes and Noble. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-stories-sharon-lynn-davy/1112471006?ean=9781477152232

The publisher: Xlibris http://bookstore.xlibris.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=God's+Stories+by+Sharon+Lavy 1-888-795-4274 Ext. 7879

JU: Sharon, I have so enjoyed talking with you and wish you many sales and satisfaction from this book. Any parting words for readers?

SD: It is my hope that the God stories I have shared in this book will reach out and touch the hearts of many. God is our everything and He is always there for us.

JU: This book ministered to me in a refreshing way and I enjoyed doing the review for you on Amazon.

SD: Thanks for having me!   

Writers, Take Note. Our Stories or Our Story?

                                     

I laughed when I read this 'autobiography,' but then stopped to think harder. I recalled the saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results."  I suddenly realized the verses below apply to taking accountability in my daily life as much as they relate to my life as an author. In both cases, if I want different results, I must do different things. 

           

                                   AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS

CHAPTER 1          I walk down the street.

                                 There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

                                 I fall in.

                                 I am lost and I am hopeless.

                                 It is not my fault.

                                 It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER 2         I walk down the same street.

                                There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

                                I pretend I do not see it.

                                I fall in again.

                                I cannot believe I am in the same place.

                                It is not my fault.

                                It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER 3        I walk down the same street.

                               There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

                               I see it there.

                               I still fall in -- it is a habit. 

                               My eyes are open.

                               I know where I am.

                               It is my fault.

                               I get out quickly.

CHAPTER 4       I walk down the same street.

                              There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

                              I walk around it.

CHAPTER 5      I walk down a different street.

                                                                                        by Portia Nelson

     Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! And that it makes a change for you.

                                         Multi-author Book Signing 

                  Roanoke, Indiana Public Library

                                 May 4, 2013

  

                                                               

                                              Jude Urbanski, Desert Breeze author

                                                   

                                                   Donna Rich, Heartsongs author

                                                     Sharon Davy, Xlibrus author

It was the grand opening of the new library in Roanoke and a wonderful day of meeting the public, networking with other authors and being treated to a delightful luncheon at the Joseph DeCuis Emporium. 

Until next time, when we have Sharon Davy as our guest and learn about her fast -selling book, God's Stories.

Happy Spring!

                                                             Texas wildflowers

Jude

About Author Danielle Thorne: Her life and Her Book, Josette

                                                                    Danielle Thorne

Danielle Thorne writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and contemporary. Danielle has published poetry and short fiction as well as novels. Her popular blog, The Balanced Writer, focuses on life and the pursuit of peace and happiness. Ms. Thorne has four sons with her husband, Rob. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors.

Danielle thanks for visiting today! You have several books to your credit, but how long did it take you to get a full-length fiction contract?

Almost ten years ago, I decided to tackle the New York publishing industry, but quickly became disenchanted with the time and discourtesy. It was like trying to reach the Stone Age!

Because I had already become involved with the electronic industry early on, I decided to target that market with intense scrutiny despite the fact my first manuscript was light on romance and big on historical detail. I received my first contract with a few months.

Love that-Stone Age versus Electronic Age. Enlightening, huh? All of your books have amazing stories and plots but was there a specific 'what if' moment to spark the story we’re highlighting today? How did Josette originate?

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan and consider her work the finest of all romances. My idea for Josette came from developing an Austen-esque character that needed to discover herself in order to understand love. I don't believe any of us will ever be truly happy until we love ourselves first, before we try to love someone else.

Sage advice. Tell us about your story of Josette? Who was your favorite character? Why?

                                                             

Writing Josette was fun, because I played with an assortment of different personalities to make her life interesting. My favorite character is Lady Berclair, the aunt to Josette's sea captain. She is nosey and bossy at first glance and I wanted the reader to despise her.

Later, we discover that underneath Lady Berclair's proper English manners is a woman of great wisdom and sympathy, who enjoys playing the part society expects of her, until those rules cross the people she cares about.

An interesting character, for sure. Just a brief shout out about you personally, Danielle. Do you have a full or part time day job? If so, how do you balance writing time with family and work?

To be honest, I feel like I juggle several part-time jobs, and I have to work hard not to get overwhelmed. I'm a full time mom, author and I freelance as a copy writer at this time, although my resume includes editing and reviewing. I also am a blogger, sharing good news and focusing on the positive in this crazy world. Being active with my church and trying to keep fit fills in any available cracks I can find. Now--the house and yard are at the bottom of this totem pole, but I don't apologize to visitors anymore. BYOHS! (Bring your own hand sanitizer!)

Definitely one full life, lady. Like that BYOHS. Did anything unusual or funny happen while researching or writing this book?

My sweetest recollection of writing this romance novel is when I sat down at a jewelry party being thrown at a friend's house. After chatting a few minutes with a friendly and sophisticated stranger, she introduced herself as "Josette" and the little light bulb in my head went off like a beacon. I'd been struggling to find a name for my heroine, and meeting this good lady seemed like providence. It a strong, romantic name fit for a tomboy or a proper young woman.

I love instrumental music, candles and solitude when I write. What visuals, if any, do you use to create your writing ambiance?

I tend to need nothing but quiet and a laptop to write. Music usually distracts me, although I have been known to turn on a box fan for white noise when there's a lot going on. Oh! Well, then there's chocolate. When I'm on a roll, I can put a bag of M&M's away in an embarrassing amount of time.

Fess up. Are you a plotter, a pantster, or somewhere in between?

I'm a plotter for the most part and love to work out my plot maps before I get started. Recently I've tried to be more relaxed and impulsive, but I find my writing meanders a lot, and I don't get as much accomplished. I don't plan out all my scenes to the last detail, however. For the most part, I plan out each turning point in the story and make sure the telling is balanced and moves at an acceptable pace. My plot map is my GPS.

Have to fess up, too. This sounds like me. Any thoughts on critique partners? 

I've never tried a critique partner. Honestly, I don't know any writers that have the time. I do have a wonderful friend that is a great beta reader and another I call on for technical editing. Shout out to Beth Lyons and Mary Royal!

How do you overcome writer’s block if you have it?

Torture seems to do the trick. I've actually struggled with writers block over the past year, because I've been so busy with so many other things. This has resulted in two or three unfinished stories that I am working on right now. I choose one story at a time and sit down and work its plot. When the writing begins, I commit to words per day or week, and then I face any remaining blocks by forcing myself to keep writing forward, even if it makes no sense and will be cut later.

Running, also, is a great way to move past writers block. My current work in progress moved over the hump when I was able to finally work out a good outline while jogging on the treadmill.

What's your strength in writing (characterization, setting as character, description, etc)?

I love details, but it takes a lot of work. The most complimentary feedback I receive is that my characters are real and believable, even if they don't do what everybody wants. Readers love the unique story lines my back list offers, and I take that as a sign that different is good, and I should keep dancing to my own music.

Wonderful. Did Josette give you any problems? Or have any of your other books given you big problems?

I really had to sink my teeth into the Regency era, but I enjoyed the research. This romance was a pleasure to write, and the only hair I pulled out was over the historical details.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

Grow a thick skin (Done that!), throw rocks at your characters (Working on it!), and don't quit! Endurance and desire is the name of the game in the writing business.

So true. What take away do you hope readers take from Josette or from your writing in general?

My hope is that readers experience great adventure with every novel, whether it's a sweet romance or a swashbuckling historical quest. I've added Inspirational Paranormal to my backlist with Death Cheater, hoping to inspire others to find faith and courage in those things that hold them back in life.

Also, I hope they will follow me on my blog and join me in weekly survival ventures and giveaways at TheBalancedWriter.blogspot.com.

How can readers find your books?

My books are available in print and e-book all over the web, at Amazon.com, Barnes& Noble, Kobo, All Romance EBooks and at my publishers below:

Whimsical Publications:

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/danielle_thorne/Josette.html

Desert Breeze Publishing:

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/search.php?search_query=Danielle+Thorne&x=0&y=0

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/23431

Willow Moon:

http://www.willowmoonpublishing.com/

Danielle, thank you so very much for being here today. Keep up the good work. 

Danielle’s Backlist:   

Josette

The Privateer

By Heart and Compass

Turtle Soup

Death Cheater

Southern Girl, Yankee Roots

Visit Danielle at www.daniellethorne.com

                                                               

Do Dry Deserts Bring Growth? Can Writers Survive Drought?

Do Dry Deserts Bring Growth? Can Writers Survive Drought?

I recall a recent, riveting Lenten message of my pastor. It was about time spent in spiritual deserts and a challenge to believe a desert can birth vigorous life. This made me think of the times I have felt like quitting in my writing quest. I read on my email loops of many who question the same. Writing is not an easy endeavor and most of us write because we must write, but the angst and disappointment is still there among the successes, joys and highlights.

We all know deserts are normally thought of as dry, parched and without life or growth. Why else did Jesus need angels to minister to Him when He sought a desert retreat immediately after His baptism?  One specific, fallen angel encouraged Jesus to succumb to worldly delights while isolated in his barren environment, but Jesus determined time in the dry places would prepare Him for days ahead. Jesus saw green in His brownest hour. Can I, can you believe offers and contracts can follow the form rejections? Does our learning curve of honing our craft prepare us for the days ahead? I believe it does.

Pastor convinced me, that though nearly waterless, the crusty, arid desert can be home to many species of living things, including even flowers.  I questioned this at first, but he’s right. Desert plants and animals adapt to life in the desert, but plants like cacti, brittle bush, and the Joshua tree can be found. Animals are usually small, such as vipers, beetles, insects, or lizards, but they are certainly present.

Life is present in the wasteland. We can resurrect from our writer’s block.

I believe Pastor’s salient point was spiritually-dry times can bring abundant growth in our life. If, that is, we can adjust and adapt, like living things do in the desert. If we can, we often find, at our driest spiritual ebb, vigorous growth can surprise our feeble souls. It’s then the words of Isaiah 58:11 bring comfort: The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

We, as writers, may need to question our genre, our thoughts on publishing, and our dreams. Our talents.

Who hasn’t been in a sun-scorched situation at one time or another? Who hasn’t been rejected? If you haven’t, you aren’t doing much. Are you trudging through a desert right now? Kicking up nothing but sand?  Do you crave a cold draught of water and release of turmoil?  Thoughts of any vigorous life in your desert terrain are eclipsed by survival mode. All you desire is an oasis. You don’t even care the desert supports living things. No matter what pastor says.

No one escapes dry patches. Sun-scorched lands are part of life. We ache with loss of a spouse, a child, a parent. We fight depression, suffer financial chaos, feel alone and lonely. Our health falters. We accept we have gifts other than writing. We see no life in the desert. Green? No way.

But, closer observation reveals delicate flowers perched on the cactus, a little varmint who just burrowed under the sand. A green shoot here. A slinking viper there. For us, it might be a chance to blog here, a free-lance article there, a small publishing contract offered, a constructive critique group. Vigorous growth does abound. Visible only with the right eye. See it?

 If we really take inventory and, indeed, look closer at our anything-but-ordinary life, there is evidence of growth. Remember the angel mechanic who stopped to help on the highway, the check that came just in time, the medical report showing no cancer, the child who called home? The bright sun that chose to rise today?  That agent who became ours out of the blue, that contract we never dreamed of.

Oh, do all that’s necessary to sharpen that memory. Do. Embrace the spirited life parched deserts can create within, and happily declare ownership of your growth. See the new thing coming about.

May this post encourage us to stay calm and carry on.

Jude

Historical Writer Uses Spiritual Twist

Our guest today is Christine Lindsay, who loves to write historical stories, but adds a spiritual flavor, gained from her own life experiences.

                                 Author Christine Lindsay

Christine, as starters for those who may not have met you, share a little about yourself and your family with us, please. You’re Canadian right?

CL: Yep, I’m a Canuck, and I’m also British-born. My family emigrated from Northern Ireland when I was five years old. I’ve lived across the entire country of Canada in various places. I’m proud to be both Canadian and Irish, my great grandfather and grandfather were riveters in the Belfast shipyard, and actually helped build the Titanic.

Fascinating, Christine. In reality, Canada and North America are both land of immigrants we could say. I’ll tell my grandson about your grandfathers. Jonathan just published a children’s book on the Titanic, and with his family, just visited the Belfast shipyard. He’ll love hearing of real people who built the Titanic. You’ve had success with your two books about the Twilight of the British Raj in colonial India, but when did you begin to write in earnest? What made you want to write? It’s not a task for many, as you know.

CL:  The call to write came out of a sense of loss. About 15 years ago I was reunited with the daughter I had relinquished to adoption when she was three days old. We were reunited when she was 20, and this was wonderful and yet terrifying at the same time. I began to relive my original loss of her as my child. My husband caught me crying one day a few months after the reunion. He went out and bought a brand new journal and pen, placed these items in my hands, and said, “Here, honey, write it.”

That was the start, and a few years after, I felt the Lord encourage me to put the emotional and spiritual healing I had received into fictional novels to encourage others.

Oh, the wonder, Christine, when we make all our losses count. I’m glad you were faithful and willing. Your subject material is so interesting and since I have Indian friends, was doubly interesting for me, but why did you chose it? And tell us the synopsis of your stories.

CL: India has always been a fascination for me. First, because I grew up on stories my mother told me of our Irish ancestors who served in the British Army and Cavalry in India. I also grew up on the blockbuster novels of MM Kaye, who wrote such epic, adventure romances, set in the British Raj. If I ever wrote a book, I felt it had to be like hers, only from a Christian point of view.

My series, Twilight of the British Raj, starts out with Shadowed in Silk, set just after WWI, with characters who are wounded by the physical and emotional trauma of war. Their personal romance and adventures (including Russian spies) is set against the beginnings of India’s fight for independence and Gandhi’s rise to fame.

Book Two of that series, Captured by Moonlight, carries on with characters from the first book, showing more of the Indian rebellion in the background, but in the forefront, are the romantic and spiritual adventures of two, very likeable women and their journeys into their dangerous and respective pasts. It’s an exciting book with a cholera epidemic, a cyclone, a tiger and her cub, and two romances.

Book Three will be called Veiled at Midnight, and will be released 2014. This book will bring the reader up to after WWII, and to the independence and partition of India, and the birth of Pakistan. This book will have the same kind of danger, adventure and romance set against an extremely volatile time in India.

I thoroughly enjoyed book two and know I will pick up the first one and definitely the third. India’s achieving independence was a watershed moment in the history of our world. I always ask ‘Do you resonate with any one of your characters? If so, whom?

CL: I think I resonate will all the characters, as there is always something of the writer’s mind in each one. For example, in Tikah, the Muslim woman in Shadowed in Silk, I resonate with her in her tremendous desire for a child. There’s a lot of me in Abby Fraser, too, in that all I ever wanted was a loving husband and children. I resonate with Laine Harkness in Captured by Moonlight for the same reasons.  And there’s a bit of me in Eshana, who struggles to yield in surrender to God, when she thinks she has such great plans to serve Him.

I like your reasons and yes, I think we do put personal snatches in our writing. Is there a message you want readers to take away from your books?

CL:  In Shadowed in Silk, I want readers to know that no matter what they are going through, God sees them and cares. None of us are invisible to Him. In Captured by Moonlight, I want readers to be like Eshana, and to realize that those times in their lives when they are held back from doing the thing they want to do, may be a time of purification and clarification. We must die first to our own ambitions and plans, so Christ may live His life through us. Once we totally surrender, we discover His plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could ever devise.

So well said, my dear and so true. Where and how can readers find your books? (highlight and click link)

Shadowed in Silk Amazon.com

Shadowed in Silk Barnes and Noble

Shadowed in Silk Ebookit

Captured by Moonlight Amazon.com

Captured by Moonlight Barnes and Noble

Captured by Moonlight Ebookit

If Hollywood called, are there actors who would fit your characters? If so, whom? I’m never good at this myself!

Edward Norton and Naomi Watts in ‘The Painted Veil’ fit Laine and Adam in Captured by Moonlight to a tee. Only Naomi’s eyes need to be brown instead of blue. Here’s a photo from that movie.

But in truth I made my own movie. Here is the link for the Book Trailer for Captured by Moonlight and that for Shadowed in Silk.     (highlight and then click links)

Certainly worth watching! Was finding a publisher hard? These stories are always to be remembered.

CL: Yes, it was hard to find a publisher. When I was writing Shadowed in Silk, I had no idea I was writing about a slightly edgy topic that the big publishers didn’t want to take a chance on with a new writer. I was writing a theme which I thought pertinent to men and women today—that of looking for love in the wrong places. Thankfully, White Fire came along, brand new at the time, and was looking for stories such as mine, that deal head-on with difficult subjects, but show the redemptive aspect to God’s love. And that’s what my writing is all about—God’s redemption.

And…to be just in that sweet spot of God’s will is so special. I’ve always felt redemption shines brighter on a darker canvas, and it seems much of life proves that, as you’ve shown, Christine. Any parting words or words of wisdom?

CL: Whatever your hopes and plans, surrender all to God. Love Him first and trust Him, even if for a time it seems to hurt. Trust Him, and He will take your breath away with His goodness.

We need moments that take our breath away! My thanks to you for being with us today, Christine Lindsay, author of Shadowed in Silk and Captured by Moonlight.

 

So What's an Influencer to Do?

So What’s an Influencer to Do?

If you’ve been ask to be an influencer for a book and 

aren’t exactly sure your responsibility, the following may help. These are things I’ve gathered and learned.

·       Don’t accept unless you feel pretty sure the book will be to your liking or you have time. An author is counting on you.

·       Of course, read the book and try to do so in a reasonable length of time.

·       Ask library to order (sometime only one request is needed)

·       Pass out any advertising specialties the author may give you-bookmarks, postcards;  post these where you can

·       Read the book in public places; talk about it.

·       Pass the book on to someone who may also be an advocate.

·       Pass the book on with http://www.bookcrossing.com/  Check this unique process out.

·       Ask your church library to order.

·       An email blast to friends would be wonderful.

·       Don’t be shy about asking for a return favor from the author for your book.

·       Post reviews (a review is not a critique; only review if you can be positive).

o   Amazon.com, goodreads.com, barnes and noble.com, christianbooks.com, on Publisher’s web site, any other page or group you’re connected with. Ask author where to send.

o   If part of a local writer’s group, talk up the book, show the book, read from it.

·       Places to promote book:

o   On your blog, website,  Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterist, LinkedIn, MySpace, Shoutlife, others.

o   Always link book back to author’s blog or website or place to buy.

o   Forums you belong to on social media or emails.

o   Amazon forums if you belong to them.

Jude Urbanski

March 2013

http://www.judeurbanski.com

judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Meet Patty Froese: she loves first drafts, she's multi-published, she's awesome!

WROTE her first novel when just out of college, snatches time to write from a busy, young mom's schedule, has written extensively and successfully. MEET PATTY FROESE!

Patty, you have so much going and all of it is so impressive.  The number of books you have written is fabulous. Readers, you should check her out on Amazon. She makes me look lame! You’re a young mom with lots of fun stories there! So tell us when you are able to write. What’s your schedule?

"Right now I don't have much of a schedule, to be honest. I write where I can squeeze it in, and with a four year old at home, that time looks different every day.My son will be in school next year, though. I'll have time to sit down and write uninterrupted. "

When did you know you wanted to write? Is there any one person that influenced you in this decision? Please share.

I've always loved to write, ever since I was a little girl, but it was after my BA in English Lit that I decided to pursue novel-writing full time. I quit my job, took a part time position and lived on the cheap while I wrote the first novel that would be published under my name. I haven't looked back!

What do you like about writing? What do you not like?

I love working on a first draft--that's the fun part for me. I'm not as crazy about the editing stage, but I still thoroughly enjoy the whole process. I can't think of a better job.

You have two recent books just out. Tell us about those. How did the stories come about? Give us a brief synopsis of those.

Sure! Legally Wed, published by Desert Breeze Publishing, is a light-hearted read about a couple who thought they were divorced and found out otherwise:

When Rich McConaughey comes back to town, divorce papers in hand, he's in for more than he bargained for. Lisa Young, the woman he was married to for six months, hasn't changed a bit. His mother has though... she's gone from matronly to meow, and his father has taken off with the secretary. Does anything last anymore?

Lisa Young feels chained to the hardware store her family has run for generations. How can she tell her father that she hates the family business? When Rich walks back into her store asking her to finalize a divorce she thought was behind her, she thinks that the answer is to sign on the dotted line and move on. Except, Rich isn't making it so easy... and God has other plans. 

For better or for worse, when you're legally wed, things can get complicated.

Eye of the Beholder, published by Pelican Publishing Group, is my newest release.

Tricia Hunter was an extraordinary beauty...before a horrible bus accident left her irreparably scarred. In an effort to accept the things she cannot change, she heads to her uncle's cabin for some time alone.

Forest ranger Jesse Reynolds recognizes Tricia the minute he sees her, but nothing flickers in her eyes. That's fine by him. The same accident that stole her good looks killed his fiancée, and he simply can't bring himself to feel sorry for Tricia like everyone else in her life seems to do.Thrown together in the autumn woods, they are faced with the past, an uncertain future, and a struggle to find out why God allows terrible things to happen.

Where can readers find your books? Who is your publisher?

I've been published by several publishers, but you can find me on Amazon, which is probably the easiest place to locate all my books in the same place. (http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=patty+froese)

Just for fun-If you could go back in time, whom would you want to spend a day with? Why?

I'd love to spend a day with my grandmother when she was a young woman. She was fiery, opinionated and full of family anecdotes that I'd love to hear first hand. What better way to learn about your family that from one of the matriarchs.

After that one, I won’t ask any thing harder. Do you have something you’d like to say to readers or to writers?

I'd just like to let you know that I also write for Harlequin Love Inspired under the name Patricia Johns. My first book through Love Inspired is coming out this summer. You can find me at either of my two blogs:

www.pattyfroese.com

www. patriciajohnsromance.com

My thanks to you, Patty, for joining us today. Before we go, I'd like to post your words about beauty being in the eye of the beholder. I found the essay beautifully poignant. It makes your latest book sing.

Patty-

The ideals of beauty have changed over time, and I have to tell you—if I were born in the 1700's, I'd be hot, hot, hot! Just give me permission to gain about 30 more pounds (or give me a few years to get there on my own) and I'll have the perfect shape for that time period. I'd be their Marilyn Monroe, with a few more inhibitions.

I've heard that even Marilyn Monroe would be considered overweight in this day and age. With the paparazzi following her around, they'd probably splash on the tabloid covers those pictures of her bending over, declaring her cellulite unacceptable.

It doesn't seem to matter what we look like, there is always a critic. Sometimes it comes in the form of TV commercials or magazines. Other times, it comes from inside our own heads. If you could change one part of your body, which would it be?

You had an answer for that, didn't you? Right off the top of your head, you thought about your thighs or your stomach. Maybe it was your hair or your nose. But wouldn't it be amazing to be able to look at yourself in the mirror, just the way you are, and think, I wouldn't change a thing?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I think it's high time we women stopped criticizing each other and see beauty in all its varied forms. Wide hips and narrow, large busts and small, from the short to the tall and the love handles in between.... We're beautiful, and I'm tired of being told otherwise.

But we haven't even gotten to the deepest part of a woman yet. So far, we've only talked about the parts that are skin deep. What about the heart of a woman, the strength that holds both her and her family together? What about the kindness of a woman, or the faith that gives her hope when she can't see where her answers are going to come from?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you must consider the source. A man might see me one way, and woman might see something different. But when God looks at me, He sees every piece of me, knitted together with intention and love. Hips, thighs, stomach and nose—chosen, sculpted. And my heart still in His Hands. He's not finished with me yet.

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Thank you so much for having me, Jude. I really enjoyed this time with you.

The best to you, Patty Froese!