Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Welcome Sylvia Wheatley to the Mine!

Today I'm privileged to have independent author Sylvia Wheatley with me on the blog. She's produced several books in both fiction and non-fiction. As a special treat, Sylvia has agreed to make one of her titles Your Time or Mine available for free until the end of the day tomorrow (July 31, 2014). Read ahead for details.

Welcome, Sylvia! I'm so glad to have you with us today. Tell the readers a little about yourself and how you got into writing.
I was born in South Africa and brought up in a home where my parents loved the Lord with all their hearts. At nine years of age my mother told me I was not a Christian because they were. This made me think and I asked Jesus into my life. At twenty one I came to England and went to theological college.
  After college I trained as a registered general nurse and when I was trained nursed. I then married, had a daughter and became a district nurse. After that I became a teacher and later a chiropodist. I also became the minister of a church.
  I have always written, right from very young. Stories, articles, Bible studies, anything. To me writing is an intrinsic part of my life. I cannot imagine life without writing. My imagination is acute and I even dream stories though what I dream I do not usually write. 

How fascinating! I'll bet you have some fantastic stories from all your travels. Since you don't usually write about your dreams, what sort of books do you write and why?

Mostly I write novels and in all of them I like some excitement. Usually there is some medical aspect to a story though not always and there is always romance. My book ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ is about soul winning and I am hoping to publish some other Biblical books soon, God willing.

I'm a huge romance fan myself. I can't seem to write anything without at least a touch of it somewhere. Discovering how it fits is always fun. What's your favorite part of the writing process?
The most favourite part of the writing process is actually writing because I never plan my books. An idea pops into my head and I open my laptop and start typing. Because I do not plan I find the process very exciting because I never know what is coming next. It just comes. It feels as if I am reading a book, not writing it. Once the book is completed I go back and add to it, subtract from it, try to make it as readable as possible.

That does sound exciting! Like an adventure with your characters. :) Writing seems to be full of adventures, including the publishing process. How did you decide to self-publish and what challenges/rewards did you experience with that?
I decided to self publish because going through publishers is a long and tedious process. It involves sending books to various publishers and waiting for ages to receive responses, even to having the book printed. Short articles are a bit different but even they take ages until you receive the final payment. There are many would be authors who probably never publish because of these difficulties and I have found from reading self published books that most of the ones I have read are good. 


What do you hope readers take away from your story?
I always hope people will enjoy the plot. I also want them to think about God and how necessary Jesus is to our lives. That does not involve preaching. It involves bringing it naturally into the story. One can clearly tell people of their need for Jesus in just a few words and then bring it up again later in the story. My book on soul winning is slightly different because it is about that subject but in that I try to make it as readable as possible, not preachy and with lots of stories.

Any last words to your readers?
If you like reading I invite you to read one of my books and make up your mind about it. Below are the links to my books and my web page. I am also on Facebook. I have a personal page and also an author page.

Don't miss Book 1 of the 'When Times Collide' series, free on Amazon for 2 days only! Get your copy now at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KECYWI0. And make sure to leave a comment for Sylvia to make her feel welcome at the Diamond Mine.


Books by Sylvia Wheatley

Why Didn’t You Tell Me?
A book on leading people to Jesus

A romantic thriller set in East Germany and England
before and when the wall came down


A Christian romance set in Alaska and Great Britain
The first in the series ‘The Web of Lies’
A Christian romance and thriller
The second book in the series ‘The Web of Lies’

(Book 1 of a trilogy, ‘When Times Collide’))
This is a book about a young lady who accidentally discovers a
way to travel in time and travels back to just before the
first world war where she a friend who will change her life

(Book 2 of a trilogy, ‘When Times Collide’))
The first world war begins and Sylvia continues to travel back
in time while carrying on her own life in the year 2002


Web Page

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Interview and Book Giveaway with Dvora Waysman

 Today I’m interviewing Dvora Waysman. She’s a multi-published author as well as a syndicated journalist, who lives in the ultimate city: Jerusalem! Her newest book, “Autumn Blessing,” an e-book published by Prism Book Group, is available now. After the interview, I’ll post a blurb about it. If you leave a comment, you’ll be included in the drawing for a free copy of “Autumn Blessing!” So, here we go!

Hi Dvora! I’m so enjoying getting to know you. Let me start the interview by asking what inspired you to start writing fiction books?
I have always been a writer - short stories, articles, poetry - anything that invoves the written word. I also love reading, so novels were a natural progression for me.
I’ve read that you began writing at age 7! What age were you when you began to write fiction novels? What was your first novel, and how long did it take you to write it?
My first novel was "The Pomegranate Pendant" now a movie titled "The Golden Pomegranate".  It came late in life - in1995 - when I was 64. "The Pomegranate Pendant" is a historical novel set in Jerusalem over 100 years ago (in 1882, when the first Jewish Yemenites arrived in the Holy Land to escape their persecution).  I had to do a lot of research, and especially about Yemenite jewelry as my heroine is a silversmith.  It took me 9 months to write.
“The Pomegranate Pendant” was made into a movie. What was it like to see something that began as an idea in your head actually fleshed-out into reality?
Having it made into a movie was very exciting.  It is fairly faithful to my book although certain things were added for dramatic reasons.
I’ve heard some authors say they wished they hadn’t let go of creative control when their book was made into a movie. Did you feel that way? Was it hard to let other people take control of your story?
I had the right of veto and was present on the set for much of the filming - in fact I appear, like Hemingway, in a cameo part - but if you blink, you miss me.  I exercised my veto on a rape scene they wanted to include. It held  up the filming for a while, but in the end they agreed to delete it.
You’ve certainly had a very interesting life so far, and I can see that some of your books incorporate your experiences into them. After I read “Autumn Blessing” I found myself wondering how much of it was based on your own life. Care to expound on that?
"Autumn Blessing" is pure fiction, except for the name Dorothy which was my name in Australia (Dvora is the Hebrew version).  Thankfully I am not a widow and have been married 59 years.  But I think all fiction must represent emotions the author has experienced from time to time, or it would not be realistic.
I really enjoyed the way you describe Dorothy as if she were a flower herself, coming out of a dark, dormant phase and gradually responding to light and new growth. Was this a familiar process for you in your own life?
In my long life, I have lived in many places and travelled the world,sometimes on book tours  When I was young, I lived a few years in London and Youth Hostelled  my way around Europe; I have spent time also in the Far East - Hong Kong, Bangkock and Singapore.  But my life took on a new dimension when we came to the spiritual city ofJerusalem.  It is a great privilege to live here.
A large portion of American women (the baby-boomers, as we call them) are now around the age of your main character Dorothy. What advice would you give on how best to navigate this stage of life known as the golden years?
The golden years are really a misnomer, for they can't replace youth where every day is a new exciting experience.  But if you keep your heart young and take time to look for the dewdrop in the heart of the rose, you will go on finding life to be beautiful.
What is the main idea you want to convey to the reader through Dorothy’s story?
I think that when one door closes, another one opens.  We shouldn't cry because it's over, but smile because it happened.  Memories should be cherished.
What do you like most, and least about being a writer?
I love everything about being a writer. The joy never leaves me.  I am in love with words!
What are you working on now?

A new novel called "Searching for Sarah" set in Jerusalem.  It is about a portrait of a young woman found abandoned in a studio and the search for the artist.  I am 83 now, so this will probably be my swan song.  It is both prose and poetry and I aim to make it memorable if God grants me enough time to complete it.
I pray that He will, and more besides! Thank you so much for doing this interview, Dvora. I'm honored and thrilled to know you. I pray for blessings and safety to you in this challenging time in Jerusalem. May God's protection cover you and all of Israel, and may there soon be peace. 

Now, here's a short  blurb about "Autumn Blessings."
Autumn can be a desolate season. For Dorothy, after losing her husband, the autumn of her life stretches before her lonely and uncertain. But a change, a new hobby, and new friends prove this new season to be bountiful with blessings.
Be sure to leave a comment, and you'll be entered in the drawing for a free copy of the "Autumn Blessings" e-book.
To visit Dvora's blog, click on: Dvora's blog
To learn more about Dvora, click here: Learn about Dvora 
To read about and purchase her books, click on either of these: Dvora's books on her websiteDvora's books on Amazon

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

A warm welcome to Heather Day Gilbert!!


This week we will be talking to Heather Day Gilbert. She is a fascinating woman I’m sure everyone will enjoy getting to know. She will be giving away a copy of her book Miranda Warning to the lucky person drawn from those who leave a comment.

Hi Heather! Welcome to the Mine. We are so happy to have you.


Thanks for having me today! Glad to visit.


Let us get acquainted. Could you tell us who you are, and what you hope to accomplish through your writing?

First of all, I'm a wife and mom (homeschooler). I think of myself as an author second, although it does take up a lot of my time at this stage! I'm a West Virginia gal who just moved back a couple years ago to my home state.

I feel my writing is one way of using my gifts and talents for God. I truly hope, above all, to bring stories to people that make them think, take them to a new locale (be it Greenland in AD 1000 or the back roads of West Virginia), and bring them characters they can relate to in some way.


Tell us a little about your genre and why you chose to write in that particular one.

I am actually writing in two genres now: Viking Historical (Vikings of the New World Saga) and Contemporary Appalachian Mystery (A Murder in the Mountains Series).

I chose Viking historical because the sagas are a rich source of information on a little-known period of history (I'm allegedly related to Eirik the Red, which fueled my interest), and in particular I wanted to highlight the Viking women who historically sailed to North America. Gudrid, the main character in my first novel, God's Daughter, was a Christian Viking. So I felt it was interesting to explore what it would be like to be a Christian in a very pagan society. Freydis, the main character in my second (upcoming) book, was Eirik the Red's daughter and was known as a warrior woman.

I also enjoy writing my contemporary mysteries (Miranda Warning is my first novel in that). My main sleuth, Tess Spencer, is a West Virginia "mountain mama," and I really enjoyed creating a strong family dynamic in this series. Actually, come to think of it, a strong family dynamic runs through both series.


I guess I will start off by asking how you come up with your characters. Do you imagine them and then create, or model them after someone you know or have seen, etc.?

For the Viking historicals, I had the rough outline of who these women were and what they did. I just had to fill in the blanks as to why they did things and what motivated them. Character depth is very important to me, especially since I write in first-person point of view. I have to be in the main characters' heads and try to understand them.

For  the mysteries, I do draw from my surroundings to some degree, since I live in West Virginia and so does Tess.

I love searching Pinterest for pictures of people who resemble my characters and for locations/settings so I can have visuals. You can find my Pinterest boards here.

I think all our characters are truest to life when they resemble people we know/have known or ourselves. Even when we're writing someone totally unfamiliar or distasteful to us, we know they still have things driving them we can relate to, be it power, protectiveness, etc. I think the key, especially for writing in first person, is finding those points where we can relate and drawing those characters true to form, even if we don't think that way ourselves.


Could you tell us a little about how you felt when you first realized you would be published?

Being published was actually my decision, because I self-published. The decision to self-publish was not a light one (like most of the indie authors I know). I had three agents and had submitted three books via traditional publishing routes. God just showed me the time was right to self-publish. It was something I hadn't really wanted to do, because I knew I couldn't afford to outsource a lot (formatting, editing, cover art, marketing).

But God provided people in my life who were able to help me with those things and it was a learning process for me—one of those things where "teach a man to fish, feed him for life" held true. I learned hands-on how to publish my books and it's not something I'll forget. It's also not a solitary process. My brother is my cover artist; my critique partner edits and is my audiobook narrator, and the list goes on.


What is a day in the life of Heather Day Gilbert like?

This summer, I have spent much of my time marketing and doing a blog tour for my mystery. When school season rolls around, I hope to set hours for writing and let marketing take a back seat to some degree. But I think indie authors do spend a lot of time tweaking our marketing, because it's up to us to get the word out on our books.

I do garden a little, too, though I'm no expert! Every year it seems we learn more about how to get those veggies to grow!


Tell us a little about who has given you inspiration in your writing, and why. I believe readers want to know the author to a certain extent. It makes the reading experience more enjoyable.

As far as believing in me, my family has always been a strong supporter of my writing. My parents, siblings, in-laws, husband, and children have all prayed for me on this writing journey and have shared all the ups and downs that come with it. When the first book released, we were all rejoicing!

Author friends also encourage me to keep going when I hit roadbumps. We uniquely understand that sinking feeling that results from a publisher rejection or a bad review. I love the support system of author friends I have met along the way.


I see that you homeschool. Could you tell us some of the trials and tribulations of that endeavor and how it affects your writing?

I think any homeschooler will say that some days it's great; some days it's extremely hard and you want to quit. Kind of like being a writer, actually! But in the end, you do it because you know that's what's right for that child. My son is in Christian school—that was the best choice for him right now. I homeschool my two daughters.

All my children are more independent learners now. I don't think I could've written and homeschooled when all three were toddlers. I believe there are seasons in an author's life, just like in a mother's life!


What advice would you give to an aspiring writer such as myself about the whole ‘waiting’ process?

Waiting. That's like my Achilles' heel. I like to push and GO and not get hung up in the process. But sometimes we have to wait, to get to that next step. For me, it was years of waiting and submitting and thinking God didn't care about my dreams.

But at the end of all that disappointment, I saw God had a BIGGER and better dream than I could even conceive of. I love being an independent author and I see now how this is the best fit for me. I love having control over everything from my production schedule to my audiobook narrator.


I’ve written many different manuscripts, but there is that one that kind of defines who I am as a writer. What have you written that sticks out in your mind as ‘the’ one?

Oh, wow. That's really hard. God's Daughter, my Viking historical, was probably my most ambitious book. I had many sub-themes and a lot to share in that one. It was my "mission statement," if you will. :) But Miranda Warning, my mystery, is just as much a part of me, and I feel the contemporary Appalachian writing is more reflective of my writer "voice."

Every one of my books is really like a child. I wouldn't ever want to settle and write something just to be trendy or formulaic. I write my heart.


What message, if any, do you want a reader to take away from your work?

I don't like preachy messages in books. I want my books to reach readers, whether the readers are Christians or not. I want readers to remember my characters and the choices they made (good and bad). I do tend to focus on marriage in my books—both the highs and lows—and I do hope readers relate to that.


I know from my own experiences that when writing, sometimes a character begins to become a ‘part’ of us. Have you written a character like this? If so, could you describe the personality of the character and why you think he/she/it stays in your mind so vividly?

Again, I do feel that way with all my main characters, because I have to get into their heads to write first-person. I also feel my side characters are real...I have to, to write them properly. I will say I am very fond of Nikki Jo Spencer as a side character in my mystery series. She's Tess' mother-in-law and you can read an interview with her here.

But sometimes you have to strip away the parts of yourself you'd rather hide to get into your main characters' heads. I'm doing that while writing Freydis' story (my second/final Viking historical, Forest Child). It can be a scary process (trust me, Freydis is something else!), but I want to bring my readers an experience they will never forget. I personally love conflicted characters, like Scarlett O'hara or Anna Karenina. People who seem so real you can never forget them. That's the kind of characters I strive to write. Readers might like them or dislike them, but I'm hoping they will never forget them.


Author Bio:

Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing stories about authentic, believable marriages. Seventeen years of marriage to her sweet Yankee husband have given her some perspective, as well as eleven years spent homeschooling. Heather regularly posts on Novel Rocket about self-publishing.


You can find Heather at her website, Heather Day Gilbert—Author, and at her Facebook Author Page, as well as Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Goodreads. Her Viking novel, God's Daughter, is an Amazon bestseller. You can find it on Amazon and Audible.com. Her Appalachian mystery, Miranda Warning, is here on Amazon.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Meet Prism Author, Mary L. Ball!

I'm excited to present author, Mary L. Ball today. She's a fellow Prism Book Group author. Check out other great books by this publisher at http://www.prismbookgroup.com/.


Mary L. Ball
Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Mary! Tell us about your genre, and when you realized God wanted you to write?
Ever since I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I've wanted to tell people about His grace. I dislike a preachy person, so I'll mention my relationship with Him, but writing is another avenue of showing people how God works in our lives. Sometimes, we need a story to help us keep the faith.  I've always written Christian articles in the newsletter and on a few sites, but one day the Lord gave me an idea for a fiction novel. The inspiration just keeps coming.

Now, I see that you have two out with Prism Book Group, Escape to Big Fork Lake, and Stone of Destiny.  Are they part of a series or separate?
No, both are stand-alone novels, although my next novel to be released with PBG is titled, Redemption in Big Fork Lake, and visits the same characters in, Escape to Big Fork Lake.

I love old homes and see in your second novel that you have your main character, Taylor Harrison, renovate the family home. How did you research this and did you find anything, 'mysterious?' Lol
I enjoy watching HGTV, Property Brothers, and Love it or List it. That's my research. The hubby and I have done renovations of our own, so I know the pain. LOL. There are many things found in old homes that can turn mysterious. :) One could write about old letters in the wall, a lost picture, or even a missing ring from fifty years ago that has a legend surrounding it. (As in Stone of Destiny.)


Hmm. Great story starters! So, what is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
Each of us, believe we have the answers and know what we want in life, but at times, we're confused by the demands of the world. I hope the readers will discover that often our own desires aren’t the ones that lead to happiness. Trusting in God and following His guidance is the only true way to find contentment.

I gotta ask, fishing?! That's really your favorite pastime? You gotta let us know how that came about!
Fishing is a sport I learned to do with my husband. It's our time together when things get hectic, and we need to unwind. I like the challenge of catching a fish. When I'm fishing, it's just me and hubby. We talk about life and dreams. I watch nature and reacquaint myself with God's world. Not the congestive mess we see in the city, but the beautiful water, trees, and wildlife. Just writing this makes me want to grab a pole and go to the lake. I also enjoy going to the coast. I live in NC about 3 hours from Carolina Beach. Two years ago, I caught the largest Red Drum for the season on Kure Pier. Hubby had to help me reel it in, but it was fun hanging onto the 45-pound fish!

Wow, fishing, writing, editing, ministry─you are one busy gal. How does a normal day look like for you and how do you find time to write?
Peggy, you asked how a normal day is for me. You know the old saying, "be careful of what you ask." A normal dayI haven't found one yet. LOL. My favorite time is early morning. I get up before 6 o'clock, have my coffee, catch up on email, and write. Sometime after eight, I walk next door to the house where my Mother and Stepfather live. (Mom has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's-stepfather has Dementia.) I see they're okay, change Mom's bed and help them get settled for the day. Then back home where my grandsons are waiting, (Did I mention I watch my two grandsons while my daughter works?) One is 15 (No keeping him-only guidance, I hope.) the little man is seven. Throughout the day, I attend to any duties a work-at-home-Nana does. They'll be various phone calls from Mom, congregation, and friends. Somewhere in the midst of that, I can sometimes write more, or shut out on FB and Twitter. School's ended for the year, which means I also need to spend time with my grandsons. We have a no-electronics day out. I live in town, so we often go a few blocks to a fast food restaurant for lunch. That takes care of the day. At three, Joey (husband) comes home from work, and then dinner needs to be prepared. Oh my, I forgot to add that I sing at retirement homes with Joey and a few from church every Tuesday night.

Time to let us in on your secrets. What's next for Mary L. Ball’s list of novels?
A lot is going on. I have a new release scheduled for this year, titled, Redemption in Big Fork Lake. (I mentioned it earlier.) I have another novel, Postmark from Heaven, which I hope will be coming out this year also. My currant WIP is titled, Voices of Suspicion.

Thanks for being with us here at The Diamond Mine, Mary! You're yet another gem in Christian Fiction!

Here’s a sneak peek at Stone of Destiny:

     Taylor has given up on everything but her work. After becoming the youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, she believes life is complete─until her grandmother asks her to oversee the renovations of the family home, in addition to searching for a missing heirloom.
     Her first contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Unexpected feelings surface that she doesn't understand. Thoughts that should remain unspoken are voiced.
     Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself and forcing her to question everything she believes.
     Is this a fairytale, or simply her soul reaching out for a different world─a life she can only find through faith and a divine trust in God?

  




With Mary's new release coming up, here's your chance to get acquainted with the characters! 

Leave a comment with your email address for for a chance to win, Escape to Big Fork Lake!



You can follow Mary on her blog: http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/
You can purchase Mary's books through Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Prism Book Group.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Legacy and Love: More than Romance with Paula Mowery




Hello, readers! Please welcome Paula Mowery to the Mine. Once again, we’re digging for diamonds in Christian fiction, and I believe we have quite the gem among us today.

Hello, Paula, thanks for joining us at the Mine. I noticed you have a new release.

Legacy and Love released in March. It contains two romance stories which both have a godly legacy passed through a grandmother on to the main character.

Two stories in one, and the premise is amazing. Can you tell us a little more about it? Like… what’s the message you wish the readers to receive from them?

Most of all, I pray my readers will be prompted, as I have recently, to think about the godly legacy they are passing on to those around them.
In The Prayer Shawl, I would hope that additionally the reader would understand that the world will try every way to pull you away from God and your Christian beliefs, but God will always take you back. Through Inheritance, I wish the reader would understand that God has a plan for each of His children, but you must seek Him to find it.

Although you have two distinct stories, the faith and hope interwoven in your book sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to read it. Now I know you’re a busy lady. For those who may not know how busy, what’s a day in the life of Paula Mowery like?

During the school year, I go to work at 7:10 as an assistant in the Pre-K program at a local public elementary school. I get off at 12:15, come home, eat lunch with my daughter then begin my writing and editing jobs. Normally I write, promote, update blogs and Facebook, and send emails in the afternoon. Then, later I work on edits for my authors through my job as an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group. Not a moment to spare.

Sounds like it! Your day’s packed from morning to night. When do you find time to eat? Or sleep for that matter? I don’t see how you find time to write! By the way, what other types of books do you write?

My first two books were considered women’s fiction. The second two were both romance. I have also been included in several collaborative nonfiction books including Join the Insanity, a book for pastors’ wives. I have contributed to several devotional books as well.

Busy isn’t the word for you. I’m going to have to come up with another one. I have to say it though. I’m so excited for you especially with this book. Did you have special events surrounding the release of Legacy and Love?

Fairly soon after the book came out, I spoke at a women’s event, sharing about leaving a godly legacy. I signed copies there and at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

Blue Ridge… I’d like to go to that conference. Well, any conference. I’d love to meet you in person. Not happening this year though. Until then… what do we have to look forward to? Do you have something in the works?

I have a book I’m finishing up tentatively called Lamp Unto Her Feet. This is yet another example of a heroine being influenced by a grandmother’s godly legacy. Right after that, I have a romantic suspense. I also am working on a nonfiction book about being intentional about leaving a godly legacy. Another project I’m working on is a Christian writer’s creative spark book.

Innovative, creative…awesome! A true gem.

Thanks, Paula. I believe we have a diamond, folks. Questions for Paula, anyone?



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(signed or plain)



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About the Book: Love and Legacy

The Prayer Shawl
Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?

Inheritance
Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.
Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.

Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?


About the Author:

Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements. Be The Blessing won the Selah Award in 2014 in the novella category. In November of 2013, her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. This book went to number five on Amazon’s bestseller category, historical Christian romance. Legacy and Love is her first solo romance.

Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.

As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.

Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team. She was a member of the 2014 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference faculty.

Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.

You can follow Paula at www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187. Learn more about Paula at her blog at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or enjoy her monthly columns on www.christianonlinemagazine.com. You can also check out her blog for Christian writers at www.ccwcu.blogspot.com.