Saturday, February 27, 2016

Roseanna White - Woman For All Seasons

Being a WhiteFire Publishing author has shown me Roseanna White's expertise in editing and creating incredibly beautiful covers. You'll note her handiwork on her own book cover below.

Today, I've asked her to share about her many roles, and also about her latest novel, The Latest Heiress. Go for it, Roseanna.


I’ve always been a hat lover. Maybe that’s why I wear so many of them—metaphorically—in my everyday life.

Ever since I was in primary school, I knew that someday I wanted to be a novelist. And when I’m asked what I do, that’s still my primary answer. I finished my first book at the ripe old age of 13, and since then I’ve added another 31 books to my completed manuscripts folder. They’re not all good—and some will never (ever. EVER.) see the light of day. But I’m thrilled to be working with two different publishers right now (and two more in the past), bringing my published books list up to 10 as of today—and it’ll be 13 by the end of 2016.

But though novelist is my primary hat, it’s certainly not my only one. I’m also an editor (and designer . . . and PR person . . . and general go-to contact) for WhiteFire Publishing, the company my husband founded to launch my first book back in 2005, A Stray Drop of Blood. WhiteFire has grown from just publishing my titles (had to experiment and learn the ropes with my own, LOL) to having the honor of working with about 30 fabulous authors of both fiction and non-fiction. 

As editor, I read incoming proposals, request full manuscripts of those that I feel warrant more attention, chat with the committee about pros and cons of said manuscripts . . . and then there’s the actual editing. Going through a manuscript and making the necessary changes to bring it up to WhiteFire standards—which are set quite high. Through the last six years of hard work, we at WhiteFire (the editorial team, acquisitions team, and amazing authors) have earned the company a reputation for quality that has made it one of the most respected small presses in Christian publishing.

It’s through my work for WhiteFire that I got involved in book cover design, too. What started as a hobby that I would never put up in public gradually grew to be something that I was good enough at to do professionally. At first my only cover designs were for WhiteFire books. But just as I was toying with the idea of taking my designing skills freelance, one of our authors emailed to ask me if I ever considered designing for others, as she had a friend who needed historical book covers designed. That was the beginning of Roseanna White Designs. =) I’ve now expanded this fun little side business into something that keeps me fairly busy.
And when you put all those jobs together . . . well, I can get really busy—especially when you factor in that I homeschool my kids, who are 8 and 10. People often ask me how I balance it all. Obviously, I reply that I neglect my housework (which is true, LOL). But it’s also a matter of prioritizing and being very strict with my time.

I get up at 5:30 every day and write until 7:30 (with interruptions as the kiddos get up and I need to, you know, feed them). After showering, etc., I then have until 9 to get any loose ends tied up or other pressing projects done. School starts at 9, and our first session usually runs until about 10:30 or 11.

I'm inserting Roseanna's photo here, so you can see she somehow manages to keep from having bags under her eyes. 

During the kids’ break from school, I tackle editing and design work. School starts again at 1 or 2 (depending on the day), then I have another hour or two for whichever work is most pressing before looking up and realizing it’s time to make dinner (Seriously—these people insist on eating more than once a day! Sheesh…). 

After dinner is often spent running here, there, and everywhere with my little ballerina, or to Bible study. But I will frequently squeeze in another hour or so of work sometime in the evening. Then after the kids are in bed, I’ve discovered a love for knitting while I watch TV with my husband.


Definitely a busy life…but worth every minute.

Roseanna will give away one copy of The Last Heiress to a fortunate commenter. Below, you can familiarize yourself with this enticing novel, and qualify for a free paperback copy by leaving a comment.  Thanks so much for visiting us, Roseanna.



Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

About Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. The Lost Heiress is Roseanna’s tenth published book. Her novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com

LINKS



Add The Lost Heiress to your shelf on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22383696-the-lost-heiress

Pre-order at ChristianBook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/the-lost-heiress-roseanna-white/9780764213502/pd/642135?event=ESRCN
Sign-up for Roseanna's newsletter to get updates on availability at other retailers, like Amazon and B&N: http://eepurl.com/hIvJw

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Everything About Author, Lisa Lickel

So glad you stopped by! Welcome on in, and it won't cost you a nickel to discover most everything about Lisa Lickel! (Welllllll . . . .maybe not quite everything, wink) But I couldn't resist rhyming her name, because it sure will give you a tickle to meet Lisa Lickel. Maybe it might be best to grab a pickle while you read more about Lisa Lickel! (Last one I promise!) 

And like always, the Diamond Mine has talked Lisa into giving away one copy of 
Everything about you!


PT: Pardon all the silliness, Lisa. The readers can't wait to find out everything about you. So we'll start right off with where you hail from. And while  you're at it, tell us something special about your home.

LL:  I grew up in a dying multi-racial integrated industrial community—home of Johnson Wax, if anyone is familiar with any of those products, and many other world renowned businesses. Racine, Wisconsin is on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and I’ve always loved visiting the lighthouse.
       I currently live on the east side of the state in a cream city brick home built in 1852 by a Great Lakes ship captain. I love the history of it, but soon we’ll head “west” to where my husband’s family now lives on the other side of the state, and not too far from where my parents relocated, to build a new home of our own. Our neighbors are Amish.

PT:  Wow. I'm a sucker for a house with a history. Now I've noticed you do a plethora of different types of writing: children’s stories, mystery, romance, short stories, radio, radio theater even editing. Give us the inside story. Tell us everything. Which do you enjoy most? 

LL:  I like to write stories that talk about relationships, whether it’s genre romance, cozy mystery, or something with more depth, such as what happens after the whirlwind courtship and fairy-tale wedding in The Last Detail. Even Christians who are as hooked into God as possible have to deal with reality. 
       Everything About You is a little campy, and I combine my tiny experience of writing for theater to form the novella into a little bit of backstage romance. History plays into a little of everything I do—we all have to come from somewhere. 
       I won’t write any more children’s books. Too hard to find the right language and illustrators. First Children of Farmington was a labor of love. 
       If I had a choice I’d write literary fiction ala Jody Picoult, Khaled Hosseini, or Jackie Mitchard—alas, if only I could. Great drama and tragedy…NYT best sellers list. Movie deals…
       Anyway, my upcoming novel in November, UnderStory, is romantic, technically a romance, but is framed by dealing with prejudices within and without, a mysterious organization running a sex trade operation and a cold case murder threatening the appointment of a supreme court justice. 
       Last summer, 2015, I did my first work for hire project in writing the biography of a prominent man and his roots—his father was the founder of the West Bend Company, maker of pots and pans and small appliances like the first slow cookers, popcorn poppers and so forth. It was an amazing experience and I produced the book on my own with some help from friends. Lots of learning.

PT:  I'm always interested in how authors get started. Tell us everything about where the writing bug bit you.

LL:  I’ve always enjoyed writing but I never thought about writing professionally until about 2001 when I took Jerry Jenkins’ Writer’s Guild course and did pretty well, netting some early magazine article sales, a good standing in the first Operation: First Novel contest, eventually an agent and first contracts in 2007. I started writing reports about our local historical society for the newspaper, and then moved into regular reporting and feature writing, novels and so on.

PT:  So let's cover everything about your new release. Tell us a little about your new Novella, Everything About You.

LL:  Everything About You is about a movie shoot in western Wisconsin gone horribly wrong when the lead actor is fired. The publicity manager, Shelley, is in a bind and when the company owner decides to hire a complete unknown and untried local resident on the spot to take his place. She is given the opportunity to turn Danny Winston into America’s next heartthrob in five days or potentially lose her job.

PT:  This is a great intro for a wee little excerpt from Everything About You. :)

       By the time Fred corralled Shelly for her final blog entry, it was dark on the outdoor set, mosquitoes overcame the aerial spray, and Shelly had not eaten since mid-morning. Winston was safely ensconced in Roma’s quarters, a canvas tent she insisted on so vocal distortion was kept to a minimum.
       “You got Winston on film today, right?” Shelly twisted her neck to loosen up and swung her shoulders.
       “Oh, yeah, I did that, sweetheart.”
       “How’d he do? Sound okay?”
       “He’ll need some work with Roma, but he handled himself well.” Fred wore a strange grin.
       “What? He have good angles? He looks all right?”
       “That he does. Okay, I’m going to run film, so pretend I’m not here and talk like the camera is your best friend. Spill your guts, doll, and mean it.”
       Shelly swallowed a few times and put the long, long, long day to the back of her mind. The light kept her from seeing Fred. She blinked at the red light and…
       “Tommy set me up for this. I am a good publicist and he knows it. Tommy Lord became what he is because of me. Wait. I take that back. He’s a rat fink, but I didn’t make him that way.
       You hear me?” Shelly laughed from the back of her throat. “For dropping me, I’m going ride tracks all down your back on the way to taking Jovian Productions to number one. You don’t deserve to be second in the industry, either. Everything about you and your joke of a distribution company is second-rate.”
       Cripes, now she was repeating herself. Shelly stared at her hands, trying to think of stuff to say that sounded good. People loved at that juicy dirt talk. Even if she was over Tommy. She had her pride, after all, and none of the gossip in the tabloids was true. Talk about her day. Yeah.
       “Since the moment Mr. Pettibone kicked Seth Taylor off the set and Winston Daniels stepped into the spotlight, I knew I could do something with him. Such great bones and good physique to work with. I guarantee you that within five days, I make every woman in the world drool over him and every man admire him. With his naturally thick hair, romantic build, and dreamy eyes, we’ll create a publicity campaign that puts his picture on billboards in every city, ads in all major publications, and do an online drive in everyone’s face and ear. The world will fall in love with him, the new lead in Everything About You, a movie that will make Love Story look like a postcard.”

PT:  Sounds terrific! Last but not least, tell us everything about where you go from here.

LL:  I look forward to my upcoming releases this year. A book called Innocents Pray releases in September about a Catholic brother trench-deep in human stem cell experiments going on at the hospice where he serves. UnderStory hits the shelves in November, and a sequel to my non-cougar older woman-younger man love story Meander Scar called Centrifugal Force will release some time in 2017. I’m also working on sequels to my cozy Meow mystery series and continue to work with writers as coach and editor.

PT: And that's nearly everything about Lisa Lickel. Thanks for being with us,  Lisa!

Need to know more about Lisa and her writing? Start here:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-J.-Lickel/e/B002D66ECC

Win a free ebook of 
Everything About You!

Leave a comment below. P.S. Don't forget your email if you really want to win, lol.
OR
If you can't wait, and ya gotta have a copy right now,
you can pre-order right here:
http://amzn.com/B01BYIUBKA
(Only $2.99!)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

A GIVEAWAY of An American Gothic

Welcome one and all! This week we have Alice K. Arenz and she's giving away a Kindle copy of her latest release, An American Gothic.

An American Gothic

She came to Foxxemoor to write a mystery, not to become part of one. Devastated by the death of a child in her care, Lyssie's heart strings are tugged when she finds another child in danger. Amid past secrets, lies, and betrayals of an old college friend's family, she must choose a twin brother to trust. If she makes the wrong decision, she could not only lose her life, but also the life of the child she's come to love.








Rebekah:  What's your favorite thing about classic romantic suspense?
Alice:  As a seat-of-the-pants type writer--and the fact that I write chronologically--I love the constant surprises that I didn't see coming. When I have to go back and read what I've just written to actually KNOW what I've written, then I know I'm on the right track.

Rebekah:  Describe An American Gothic in three words.
Alice:  Suspense with a twist--sorry that's four, but it fits.

Rebekah:  How long did it take you to write this book from first draft to final edit? How do you balance writing with other responsibilities (job, family, etc.)?
Alice:  I first wrote this book in the early 90s. After a stint with an agent for five years, I broke that contract and took it back. Around 2003 or 2004 I joined ACFW after "discovering" Christian fiction, dug the manuscript out, re-wrote it to bring it more up-to-date, then started searching for a publisher. It was originally supposed to be published in 2011 by the publisher who'd done my first three books, but circumstances intervened, my health declined, and just when I thought I was out the game...I'm back. So...in some ways, Gothic was 20 years in the making--or thereabouts ;)

Rebekah: When did you realize you first wanted to be a writer?
Alice:  I've always had a very active imagination, but didn't really start writing things down until I was around twelve or so. My first "book" The Adventures of Christopher and Christina was a big hit in my junior high/high school where it got passed around during study hall. I believe that cinched it for me.

Rebekah:  Do you stick to your TBR pile or are you an impulsive book buyer? What are you currently reading?
Alice:  Unfortunately, due to some health issues, I haven't been able to concentrate on reading a book now for some time--and because of hypersensitivity to sound, it also rules out audio books. When I began this recent foray back into writing, I didn't know if I'd be able to do it. I can't spend very long working, amazed if it goes beyond a half hour or so. But I'm trusting in God to see me through. If this is where He wants me, then I know He will give me the ability and strength to see it through.

Rebekah:  At some point an author has to torture their characters. Tell us the truth. Do you enjoy or hate it?
Alice:  Um...I don't know if I actually torture them. I mean, trial and tribulations, and pain are all a part of living, right? It's just the way it is, no love or hate involved. Except for one character, and it wasn't torture, but just deserts. His ending was...rewarding.

Rebekah:  Who's your number one fictional character crush or favorite fictional couple?
Alice:  Um...I love Jamie and Claire in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. 

Rebekah:  What's one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Alice:  This is a hard one...Perhaps it would be that I'm terrified they won't enjoy my books, that I've failed to entertain them. I'm sure every author feels that way, it sometimes overwhelms me to the point it takes considerable effort and a lot of prayer to get me to calm down enough and just "let go and let God" take control and calm the fear.

Rebekah: What are you working on now?
Alice:  With the help of my brilliant, computer-savvy son-in-law Greg, my novel, Portrait of Jenny has been taken out of an old DOS word processing program and put in to Word--intact! Right now I'm in the middle of the first run-through to make sure all the formatting is correct and then I'll begin the task of editing. While I always say it's "bringing it up-to-date" that's kind of a misnomer because I'll keep the year intact--the middle 90s--but will, hopefully, update the language style to something a little less formal, I guess would be the correct terminology. Though Jenny has Christian overtones, it will be on Winged Publications more secular side. It is a mystery/suspense written from the male POV.



Alice K. Arenz
An American Gothic, published August 2015, is the newest book of 2010 ACFW Carol Award
winning author, Alice K. Arenz. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her first three novels were honored by two finals and one win in ACFW's Carol Award: cozy mysteries The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a 2009 finalist), The Case of the Mystified M.D., (2010 winner), and mystery/suspense Mirrored Image (a 2011 finalist)--All re-released by Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications.

Connect with Alice on her website at www.akawriter.com


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Surrendering The Good, The Bad, and Maybe One Day, The Chocolate with Julie Arduini

Today, I want to welcome Julie Arduini, an amazing author. I met Julie through ACFW, and she is an amazing author, woman of God, and a dear friend. So, let's get to know her a little bit, shall we?

Joi: How about a small bio?

Julie: I love to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. I’m the author of the Amazon bestseller, ENTRUSTED, and upcoming ENTRUSTED and ENGAGED. I also shared my story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. I blog every other Wednesday for Christians Read. I reside in Ohio with my husband and two children.
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Joi: Why did you start writing? How did you start writing?
Julie: I was always writing, even before I knew how to write I was scribbling on pieces of paper. I believe God created me to write. When I finally got serious about it years later, graduated from the Christian Writer’s Guild and started submitting to FaithWriters.

Joi: How did you select your genre?
Julie: I think it selected me. I always read contemporary romances and as young as middle school I was the girl on the bus passing out daily papers updating friends on the latest perils in what today would be a sad middle school soap opera. I don’t consider the genre superficial as it’s faced that criticism. Instead, I feel it’s an open door for me to share Surrender Issues and of course, chocolate!

Joi: What is your writing day like?
Julie: Things are different this year as I my husband has a new position that allows him to work from home, and I am branching out in what I do and how I do it. This year I bought the iBloom planner and that really helps me stay on track. I start with devotional time and prayer, move into reading emails, updating a couple social media sites, and then I have a specific task. I’m either in research, writing, revising, critiquing other works, or marketing. I try to get as much as I can done before school gets out. If I’ve been interrupted a lot, I’ll probably get back at it once everyone goes to bed.

Joi:   How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its)
Julie: I use yWriter software to plot, organize research, character notes, etc…

Joi:  What's the most surprising thing a character has “told you”?
Julie: That through his death, he was going to make a way for others to pursue their dreams.
Joi: That sounds pretty deep. I look forward to reading more about that in your book!
Joi:  Do you have a list of characters that you're saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters.
Julie: Yes. Through yWriter I have a character database of past, present and future characters. I use names, setting, what book, their choices, if they are minor or major characters, their surrender issue, chocolate preference, what they look like.

Joi: What does your work space/office look like?
Julie: It changed this year. My husband now has the office so I work out of our dining room. I’ve made my things portable so I can set it aside and things can look neat again. I have a great view of the woods and enjoy watching birds as I think.

Joi: What is your go-to snack when writing?
Julie: I do enjoy a Dove bar or some Hershey kisses. However, I try to steam carrots or eat a salad.

Joi:  If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why?
Julie: That’s so hard because I’d love to show you my Goodreads page and tell you to read them all. However, since you said one, I’ll go with WHAT A GIRL WANTS by Kristin Billerbeck. I felt like Ashley Stockingdale gave me permission to write a sassy heroine who could be beloved. Jenna Anderson in ENTRUSTED was created after realizing it was okay to be funny, bold and strong even if everyone in the world was telling me chick lit was dead.

 Joi: If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it be? Why?
Julie: Thank goodness you don’t mean crochet! Easy. FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You! By Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. They were so generous with what they have learned and shared all of it. My copy is a mess. I go back to it time and time again.

Joi:  What else would you like to share with the readers?
Julie: I’m committed this year and beyond to have consistent resources available to help audiences find freedom through surrender. Whether it’s my Adirondack series, new books coming, or speaking, learn more by visiting http://juliearduini.com. I invite readers to subscribe to my monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities at JULIE ARDUINI: SURRENDER ISSUES AND CHOCOLATE as well as my weekly encouragement email, SUNDAY’S SURRENDER AND CHOCOLATE. I appreciate you thinking of me for this interview. Thank you, this was fun!



*************************************************************


Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl, plows—literally—into Speculator Falls with a busted GPS, arriving in town as the new senior center director. She has only one goal—that of belonging no matter how out of place she appears and how angry she makes town councilman and grocer Ben Regan. Her new life is so rural there are no traffic lights, and when she learns her car isn’t equipped to handle the mountain terrain, Ben’s grandmother offers her late husband’s vehicle, further alienating the local businessman. As she endears herself to the seniors at the center and creates a vision full of ideas, programs, and equipment, she ruffles Ben’s plans to keep Speculator Falls void of change, including the store his grandfather built. The two work through community events and shared heartbreak only to face off in a town council meeting where Ben publically rejects her proposal for the senior center, causing Jenna to react out of her fears about belonging. She returns to Ohio where she realizes she needs to surrender her plans for the center and fears about belonging and trust her Heavenly Father when facing fear, change, loss, and love.






Julie Arduini is a wife, mom, author, reader, blogger,and amateur nature photographer. And of course, chocolate eater.  She encourages you to surrender the good, the bad, and maybe one day, the chocolate. Find out more about Julie at http://juliearduini.com/, her Amazon Author Page, and across social media (links on her website.)

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Interview and Giveaway with Author Anita Klumpers!!



Being a beautiful, rich young widow has its drawbacks. Avoiding a murderer shouldn’t be one of them.

Elise Amberson’s husbands always die before she can get the marriage momentum going. At least this last one left her with lots of money. Now she can hang out with her dogs, avoid men, and try to keep off God’s radar.

But her dogs are behaving oddly, a pesky pastor can’t keep his hands off her soul, and God is backing her into a corner. It’s all more than a rich, beautiful young woman should have to bear. But when someone begins targeting Elise, she’ll have to figure out why before she becomes the late Widow Amberson. 

Wow!! Welcome to the first book in the new series from Prism Book Group! It's "Hounded," by our guest author, Anita Klumpers! Be sure to leave a comment for Anita at the end of the interview for a chance to win a copy of this exciting story. Now let's get to know Anita a little better. Here we go!

Hi Anita! Welcome to The Diamond Mine!
When did you know you were going to be a writer?
I started creating stories when I was very young—always rambling plots that never had a conclusion. (I still have not mastered the art of the wrap-up. Or brevity.) In my wildest dreams, though, I never thought I would be published. But wait! I remember I won a contest in 5th grade for a fine arts festival, and the story was published in their mimeographed, stapled newsletter. I called the story ‘Mandy,’ which at the time I was convinced was the loveliest name in the world. And I had an essay published in 6th grade for a contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It was a patriotic essay which I no doubt sobbed over because I was quite emotional, and I won a 1924 silver dollar. Whad’ya know? I’ve been published more than I thought!
And you started pretty early, too! What’s the first story you remember writing?
An action-adventure story when I was about eight. I think the heroine was a girl who liked to climb trees and read and was bullied by a mean boy named Eli. I got about two pages written and asked my parents if I could read it to them. They got suspicious when the tale went on for a good twenty minutes. Yep. I was making it up as I went along. 
That's a cute memory! So, who are your writing influences?
Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. Josephine Tey.
Interesting picks. I think I read all the Mary Stewart books in the local library and loved them! Do lots of people still go to the library? I hope so! One of my favorite places. (My Mom's a retired librarian.)
Anyway, how do you get your story ideas?
I’m supposed to have STORY ideas? Maybe that is my problem. I start with a first line—literally—and see where it takes me. I haven’t a clue as to what the story is about. But I sure have that first line clearly defined in my head!
That is so cool! Do you work from an outline, or craft the story as you go?
(Well this was typical. I answered the question before you even asked it.) If I had to outline a book I would never write, and take up something relaxing. Knitting custom-made sweaters for cobras, maybe. And ‘craft’ is too generous a word. The story line and I slap each other around and argue and backtrack and we both accuse each other of never looking at a map. My husband has come in on me shouting at the computer numerous times, something along the lines of “How on earth am I supposed to make THAT plot twist work out?”
You're cracking me up! I thought I was the only one who argued story lines with my computer. 
Now give us a few sentences about “Hounded.”
‘Hounded’ opens with the funeral of a wealthy, respected man, survived by his emotionally distant family and his very young second wife. Elise married him for his money—she’s pretty blunt about that—because after the death of her first husband she decided marrying for love was no longer an option. She inherits his two mixed-breed dogs, a lot of his money, his family’s mistrust, the suspicions of the police and the threat that she might be the next in line to die. Into her very messy life comes an old friend, now a pastor, who wants to help her, emotionally and physically and spiritually. Elise not only faces pressure from Russ, who has God on his side, but from an unknown someone who for an unknown reason is trying to get her out of the way.
It sounds so intriguing! 
Are the main characters anything like you or anyone you know?
No. Elise is feisty and speaks her mind, very unlike me. Not everyone who reads ‘Hounded’ warms to her right away. Russ, her pastor friend, is inspired in a small way by a co-worker from way back named Russ, a decent, honorable man with a sense of humor.
What do you like best about your main characters?
Oh, I like that Elise is a chatterbox. Silence drives her crazy. She is so human, and what others see as strength and sass is really a coping mechanism for a life spinning out of control. She loves her dogs. Always a good character trait.
And Russ is just a peach. His confidence comes from knowing he isn’t perfect, but the God he serves is. I like that he doesn’t take anything too seriously except what concerns his faith.
It will be fun to see them interact! 
Since this is a “Love Is…” novella, and your theme is Love is patient, how hard was it to create a story around that theme?
Pretty easy, actually. I wrote it in a month! So by expending great amounts of impatience with everything (and everyone) around me, driven by panic and realizing that without God’s patience we’d all be lost, I bulldozed my way through and my characters (probably watching me anxiously over their shoulders) cooperated.
Sounds like you were inspired! What are you working on now? 
My first book, ‘Winter Watch’ was set in a fictional town called Barley. I’m finishing up ‘A Barley Christmas’ with many of the same characters, and then will resume ‘A Late Winter Poison’ that picks up in Barley a week after ‘Winter Watch’ left off.
Well, this was a fun interview. Thanks, Anita!
 Thanks for having me! Great questions!
Okay readers, here's a short excerpt from "Hounded":
The remote was nowhere. Not by the television, in a nearby drawer or on top of the refrigerator. Seized by an almost febrile need for televised entertainment, Elise tore through every drawer and cupboard in search of the elusive remote, then tried to turn the TV on without it. She couldn’t find a power button, much less a knob to change channels. The glassy black screen reflected her own irritated image. And a face leering over her shoulder.
Ooh, I love this! Really grabbed my attention! Here's a short bio on Anita:
Anita Klumpers, wife, mom and grandma, homeschooled her three sons for seventeen years and emerged relatively unscathed. Her life then and now is remarkable by its very ordinariness. She’s been blessed with a husband who is good and hardworking, a church that is small but gospel-driven, children who for every step back took two forward. 

With her youngest son launched into college, she wondered what an unorganized procrastinator could do to make the world a better place. Convinced that a bit of humor and a dose of prudishness were a good place to begin she started to blog, first as ‘The Prude Disapproves’ (http://theprudedisapproves.blogspot.com) and now at ‘The Tuesday Prude.’ (http://thetuesdayprude.com) She goes for coffee with friends frequently, writes skits and teaches drama classes seasonally, cleans the top of her fridge occasionally and marvels at God’s grace daily.

Anita’s first book, a romantic suspense titled ‘Winter Watch’ was released in January 2014 and her second, (let’s call it a suspense-romance for the sake of variety) ‘Hounded’ was released in e-book on February 5, 2016. Both are published through Prism Book Group.

Currently at work on a third novel, this one a romantically-tinged novel of suspense, she would accomplish more if she spent less time admiring her small but oh-so-brilliant grandsons.

Here are some links for her books:
http://www.amazon.com/Hounded-Anita-Klumpers-ebook/dp/B01ACFCNFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455080613&sr=1-1&keywords=anita+klumpers

http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Watch-Anita-Klumpers-ebook/dp/B00HZ5R7WM/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455080613&sr=1-3&keywords=anita+klumpers