Hello, everyone! I have a
special guest this week…Danele Rotharmel. I know you’re going to love her as much as I
do.
I remember the day I met
Danele. We joked around and chatted on Facebook and before we knew it, an hour
had disappeared. It was like I’d found a long lost sister. She has a contagious
sense of humor. You can literally feel her love for life the second she opens
her mouth! Without further ado, let me introduce you to Prism’s Danele Rotharmel.
Renee: Hi, Danele, welcome to the Diamond Mine. I’m so
excited that you’re here. Time Tsunami,
your debut novel, is an awesome book! Congratulations on its outstanding
success. What’s so unique or special about it…from your point of view?
Danele: When I wrote Time Tsunami, I wasn’t seeking
publication. I was writing to distract myself from physical pain. I was
extremely ill and in the middle of a seven-year period of quarantine. I needed
a way to entertain myself—so I wrote. I would laugh like crazy over my funny
scenes, and shiver when I wrote my scary ones. I lived Time Tsunami with my characters,
and when I was through, I’d written a book that made me proud. Time Tsunami is
a “clean” book that focuses on beautiful themes like self-sacrifice, love, and
friendship. It’s a story about overcoming the odds. I’d like to think that my
book has something for everyone. It’s full of suspense, romance, and humor.
There are plot twists to keep you guessing, action to keep you on the edge of
your seat, religious discussions to make you think, and funny scenes to make
you laugh. Throw in a few time travel twists, and you have a unique book that’s
designed to entertain.
Renee: What about your characters? For our writers out there…how
do you make them “real?”
Danele: When I was in quarantine, my characters were very
important to me—in a real way, they were my friends. As the long days of my
quarantine stretched, I enjoyed analyzing my characters and discovering their
strengths and weaknesses. I worked hard to give them backstories to explain
their quirks and behavior. I came to love my characters, and I treated them
with respect. I let them evolve and grow. Just like real people, my characters
have victories, but they also have failures—and it’s how they handle their
failures that determines the caliber of their personalities.
Renee: Is writing easy or hard for you, Danele? What about
editing?
Danele: For the most part, writing is easy. It’s like flying.
I love it!!! I enjoy editing too, but I’m such a perfectionist that editing my
work can take forever. Sometimes it takes me an hour to edit each page. That’s
because I read each sentence hundreds of times. I analyze the language, the
punctuation, and the flow. For me, five hours of excruciating work can mean
five complete pages. When you read my novels, you’re looking at literally
hundreds of hours of work. I want to be proud of each and every sentence. I
want to do a good job.
Renee: What’s your biggest challenge as an author?
Danele: Time. When I was in quarantine, the pace of my life
was extremely slow. The days stretched on forever. There was all the time in
the world for writing. But now that I’m starting to reclaim my life, I find
that days are zipping by so quickly that I don’t know where the hours have
gone. Sometimes I find it hard to squeeze all of my tasks into a single day—but
I suppose that’s true for everyone. There’s a talent to managing time—I’m just
a bit rusty.
Renee: I can relate to that one! I don’t know if I can help
you or not, Danele. All I can say is…get a planner, but don’t forget to make
time for God, you, your family, and rest. LOL Oh, and practice how to say the
word “no.” That’s my advice on “time.” So…now that you’re a published author,
do you have any advice for the new writer?
Danele: Pray about everything. Dedicate your work to the Lord
from the very beginning. God gave you your talent—use it to glorify Him. Never
compromise. Never write a single sentence that you would be ashamed to read
directly to Jesus.
Renee: Very good advice…even for the best-selling author.
Thank you, Danele. Let’s switch topics from writing now to something a bit more
personal. I know you’ve experienced a great deal of trial and pain in your
life. Is there a special quote or verse which comes to mind in times of need or
adversity?
Danele: I love Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through
Christ who gives me strength.” When I was in quarantine, I would quote
Philippians 4:13 as I went through each day. When I was in pain, knowing that I
could do ALL things—even survive—was important to me. A special comfort comes
when you know that Christ’s help makes everything attainable, doable,
survivable, and reachable.
Renee: Our God is an awesome God, isn’t He? I have one last
question for you. As most people know, I’m from Wyoming. I love to spend time
in this rugged but beautiful land. I call it God’s country for I experience the
glory and peace of God here in many ways. Do you have a cherished “spot?” If
so, where and why.
Danele: My cherished spot is an isolated lake behind my
house. I love strolling around it, basking in its beauty. When I was in
quarantine, the lake was my place of escape. When my “cabin fever” would become
too hard to handle, that’s where I’d go. On the shores of the lake, I’d feel
peace seeping back into my soul. I loved watching the dragonflies, and the
frogs, and the hawks. I loved hearing the wind whispering in the leaves. I
loved seeing the waves lapping against the bank. That little lake is beautiful
to me—it’s the place that epitomizes peace.
Renee: I would love to see your lake. I bet it’s absolutely
beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your writing, your story, and your
heart with us. You are one amazing lady, and author!
Danele: Thank you so much for having me on the Diamond Mine,
Renee! I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you and your readers!
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GIVEAWAY
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If you love Danele as
much as I do, don’t miss your chance to win a copy of her new release Time
Tsunami. But Danele is AMAZING and is giving away an AWESOME giveaway PRIZE on
the Diamond Mine!
Answer this question and
you will be entered to win this FABULOUS PRIZE!
“If you could travel back
through time, where would you go?”
(One winner will be selected by random draw from comments on 3/23/2016. Minimum of 5 comments required to validate contest. Valid entries include comment and email address.)
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GIVEAWAY
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About the Book, Time Tsunami, The Time Counselor Chronicles Book One :
To stop a cruel serial killer, she must travel
twenty-four years into the past…
Gil Montgomery, a cadet
in the Temporal Counseling Program, can’t wait to pass her field exam and
become a professional time surfer. The TEMCO program targets death-row
offenders for time-based counseling while they’re children. For her exam, Gil will travel twenty-four
years into the past to counsel ten-year-old Danny Winston before he murders his
abusive babysitter, Rick Olsen.
Preventing the stabbing should stop the chain of events leading to
Danny’s eventual execution.
Gil’s assignment seems
simple until her adviser, Dr. William Ableman, learns that Rick is a serial
killer targeting Danny’s mother. If Gil
stays and protects the Winstons, she might not survive. William wants the woman he loves to be pulled
from the field, but if Gil fails to complete her assignment, it will unleash a
Time Tsunami and destroy the timeline.
As TEMCO undergoes an
emergency lockdown, and Gil’s fellow cadets try to figure out what’s happening,
Gil and William learn the importance of faith and the price of true love.
Everyone’s fate is resting in Gil’s hands, but does she have the strength she
needs to defeat a ruthless serial killer intent on annihilating everyone in his
path? Will she return from the deadly mission?
Time Tsunami is a
fast-moving thriller with time travel twists that keep the reader guessing
until the very last page.
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/234DFBS
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-tsunami-danele-j-rotharmel/1123153640?ean=2940152530919
Prism Book Group:
http://www.prismbookgroup.com/timetsunami.html
About the Author, Danele Rotharmel:
Danele Rotharmel grew up
with a love of the literary word, and by age five, she knew she wanted to be a
writer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness
brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a low-level carbon
monoxide leak from a faulty furnace in her home was slowly poisoning her. This
poisoning triggered severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and partial amnesia.
During this time, the
hardest thing she faced was a crisis of faith. She had to quit her job and stop
going to church. She couldn’t write, couldn’t drive, and could barely remember
who she was. To say she was upset with the Lord was an understatement. She began
reexamining her faith in light of her illness, and eventually, she came to the
firm conclusion that God is real, God is good, God is interested and involved,
and God is trustworthy regardless of tragedy.
When her illness became
even more severe, she was put into quarantine and could only talk to friends
and extended family through the glass of a window. This quarantine lasted for
seven years. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time
Counselor Chronicles.
Danele currently lives in
Colorado where she continues to write. Although her journey back to health was
long and difficult, it provided her with the opportunity to grow closer to God
and to write her books. For that, she is forever thankful.
Danele’s Blog:
https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/
Blog’s Welcome Page:
https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/welcome/
45 comments:
Dear Renee, thank you so much for having me on the Diamond Mine! I have really enjoyed working with you. This whole experience has been such a pleasure! Thank you!
I would like to travel to Regency England (early 1800s) to see what it was like to be involved in the marriage mart!
You're welcome, Danele! It's been fun. :) Love you!
Susan, I think Regency England would definitely be interesting! LOL
That's a really tough one. I love history and have always been fascinated with the concept of time travel. Wouldn't it be great to be able to understand our ancestors well? I think if I were to go back in time, though, it would have to be to the 18702-80s - the time of the Oregon Trail and the American West. I love the endurance, persistence, and determination that these people have shown.
I'd like to go back to the 1800's I would have loved to be a cowgirl rancher!
Your book sounds so interesting :)
What an exciting story! I don't want to travel through time because I know God has me where I am supposed to be right now. I do look forward to being in Heaven with God, at the time He calls me home. :-)
Being a southern gal, I'd have to say the pre-Civil War in the south, preferably Georgia. And, of course, I'd be the daughter of a rich cotton farmer. Think of the sprawling oaks, rolling green grasses, and beautiful dresses and gowns. Hmmm, come to think of it they didn't have air-conditioning, maybe I'd best rethink that point of time travel!
DiAne Gates
t
If I could time travel, I would like to be with Jesus in the Holly Land during the first century AD and be able to sit at His feet and learn from Him.
Wow!!! I'm loving these comments!!! So far there are people who would like to travel to Regency England, the Oregon Trail, a 1800's ranch, heaven, the Pre-Civil war era, and the Holy Land! Isn't the idea of time travel fun? I think it makes the imagination spin like crazy! I can never decide where I would go first. There are so many awesome moments in history that it would be great to witness! One tiny moment in history that I would love to visit again would be my 5th birthday party. I'd love to hug my grandmother and have a bite of one of her famous cakes!
What an inspiration you are, Daniele! What a faith lesson! Despite being quarantined away from your family, you chose to find God in your circumstances.
I would travel back to meet my ancestors, The Mortons. They were part of the original New England Bay Colony. My distant relative, Nathaniel Morton, wrote a book describing God's Providential Care of the New Plymouth Colony in New England. If you type in his name, you can find it on Amazon.
I would love to talk with them and discover where they found the courage to step out in faith towards a new life here in America.
Kathy Anderson
My email address is phoneticpanda (at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for such a generous giveaway, Daniele
Hello, Kathy! Thank you for your kind words! I think it would be fun to visit my ancestors too! Can you imagine all the stories they could tell?? Wow!
What an inspiring post. Your book sounds just wonderful. I am mad for time travel, as I love to read and write it myself. God has chosen to bless me with the ability to do both. In answer to your question, I frequently wish I could travel back in time, never forward. My favorite time is the late 1880's. The country is largely civilized, at least by their standards. The new millennium is dawning with the promise of such advancements ahead. Things now we take for granted or consider terribly out of date. The world was still open for a person to make their own mark, by their own efforts. It wasn't perfect but it offered opportunities to anyone who wanted to reach for them. And we were still free to worship, pray, display or talk about our faith in public. Finally, I would love to win your story. My email is phoenix69@bellsouth.net. Thank you for such an uplifting post. Ryan Jo Summers
Dear Fawn, I'm so glad that you think Time Tsunami sounds wonderful! That's music to my ears!!! I think it would be fun to visit the late 1880's too! What an exciting time! Can you imagine witnessing the introduction of electric lights and automobiles? Wow!
Renee, this is my first visit to The Diamond Mine, but certainly will not be my last. Since I am friends with both you and Danele, it made the interview come alive for me. Danele is such a vibrant, fun, and remarkable individual who has, through her faith in God, overcome what could have been impossible obstacles for many. Her sense of humor has brought many smiles to my heart. I would be so honored to receive her book (autographed, of course) and the other beautiful prizes she is offering. I am looking forward to reading Time Tsunami very much. Thank you Renee and Danele for bringing me here. I see many other friends among those who have already commented. Joyce - Heart"wings" joyce1510(dot)jrg(at)gmail(dot)com
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Danele. I have read and loved Time Tsunami very much. I read it in e-book form and would love to win a print copy for my library. If I could travel back in time, it would be back to the 1800's when my ancestors came from Norway. I have my my great-grandfather's journal describing their trip from Norway into Norway and I think it would be neat to experience that with them.
Danele, I can relate to your story and struggles. I too desired to write as a child. However given the circumstances in which I was reared the opportunity didn't come until much later in life. At a time when escape from reality needed to happen. God gave me plenty of plots and distractions to dwell on rather than the painful situation I was facing. Yes if I could go back in time I would love to visit the old west, however if I had to choose I'd rather right wrongs but with that being said I don't think I would be the person I am today. See God gives us all an inner strength to overcome with his grace of course to push forward to learn from mistakes to make us wiser in the choices that we make. How else would we be able to understand forgiveness and mercy in order to merit it own to another human being? Blessings to all . Terri Crews.
Tdc88@windstream.net thank you for being an inspiration.
I would like to travel to solve all the famous mysteries, like where is Jimmy Hoffa. :-)
Ember99 at hotmail dot Com
I would love to go back in time to England - any time! I would still know the language and so much history happened there!
Janice
pjrcmoore@windstream.net
Hello, everyone! I'm having such a blast reading your comments! You're all being so incredibly terrific!!! I appreciate your kind words so very much!!! And I'm having lots of fun hearing where everyone would like to go--the possibilities are endless! From traveling from Norway, to visiting the Old West, to figuring out what happened to Jimmy Hoffa! Time travel brings imagination to life!
Danele - I commented earlier but forgot to say where I would like to travel in time if I could. I would want to go back to the time when Jesus was a young boy beginning His visits to the temple and to be able to stay there through Resurrection Sunday. Joyce - Heart"wings" joyce1510(dot)jrg(at)gmail(dot)com.
You two ladies bring my heart such joy. The scriptures Phil. 1;1-8 and Col. 1:1-14 come to mind when I think of you. I love reading both of your books and talking with you. Your a blessing to me.
I love all things Victorian and would love to travel to that time period but with my luck I would be a servant girl, and learn to deal with the trials of life rather then be born with the silver spoon. But hey that's how GOD grows us to trust and love Him. Right?
steelerenette@msn.com would so love a signed copy of Danele's book ;~} The other gifts are very nice as well.
My love to you both, thanks for a great interview.
What an amazing story! I heard about people overcoming unbelievable obstacles in life, but nothing like that. As for time traveling, I'm used to modern conveniences, and also I think there is a reason for me to be where I am, so I wouldn't travel back in time. Well, with one exception. I'd like to talk some sense into my younger self! Thank you so much for a great giveaway!
Dear Joyce and Renette, I really enjoyed your comments! Joyce, what fun it would be to see Jesus as a young boy! Wouldn't that be amazing?? And Renette, those lovely verses touched my heart! You're such a sweetheart--you're also a crack up! I read your comment about the servant girl and nearly died laughing! I hope that both of you have a wonderful day! Thanks for making my day so bright!
Dear Alexa, thank you so much for your kind words! I agree that it would be hard to give up modern conveniences. I like my electric lights and running water!!! Like you, I wouldn't mind talking some sense into my younger self! Wouldn't that be grand?? I hope you have a great day! Thanks for commenting!
Your book sounds so very interesting Danele. I'm eager to read it! I have to admit the idea of time travel stirs the imagination. I LOVE history! I'm especially interested in the time period just prior to, during and after WWII. I'm a Winston Churchill fanatic for reasons that even a mystery to me. While that time period is so interesting, the real reason is that my mom has been gone for nearly 22 years. (So hard to believe) She grew up a very lonely little girl in an unhappy family situation. I'd love to spend time with her and my grandma during those difficult days. She always called me her sunshine and I'd like to inject a little sunshine into that period in her life. Blessings!
Hello, Kaye! Blessings to you too. I'm so glad that you think Time Tsunami sounds interesting. I agree that the WWII era was fascinating. Your desire to visit your mother and grandmother touched my heart. Wouldn't it be a blessing to be able to go back and comfort our loved ones? I hope you have a really great day. Thanks for commenting!
I would travel back in time to the Antebellum South before the Civil War. I would like to live in an antebellum mansion and experience life as a Southern Belle.
diannekc8@gmail.com
Hello, Dianne! Weren't the dresses beautiful back then? I've always thought it would be fun to wear a hoop skirt--but then I remember how klutzy I am. I have a hard time walking in heels--I'd be an accident waiting to happen if I added a hoop skirt to the mix. LOL! I hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for commenting!
This is a great article. Even though I prefer Westerns, your time travel series sounds so interesting that the fact it isn't a Western doesn't seem to matter. I loved the person who commented that they would love to go back to the time Jesus was a boy through His resurrection. That would be so exciting. I just pray I would be a gentile who would recognize the divinity of Christ and accept everything He said. It must have been so difficult for people then to understand and believe Jesus when most had never experienced His truths and love in any way, and they did not have His written Word yet nor His Holy Spirit.
I have mostly wanted to go back to the time after the Civil War from the late 1860's to the1890's, though, I prefer the early Western years where people were first moving West and the cattle drives were going on. Thank you for telling so much about yourself, and what all you have had to go through. Your years of suffering have produced an incredible witness to others, especially to those of us who are facing serious health problems of our on and who also dream of getting published one day, or in my case, having a TV show produced or working on a TV show as a staff writer after a 20+year break in writing as I stayed home with my 3 children in Texas instead of continuing to live in Los Angeles.
Hello, Connie! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm glad that you enjoyed this article. I love the Old West too! I grew up watching John Wayne movies with my father. I have some of them practically memorized! I will be praying for your health to improve, and if you think of it, please pray for me too. There is such strength when we join together in prayer. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I wish you all the best with your writing!
Howdy, folks! See what happens when I work 9 hours, Danele? Y'all light up the the blog! Wow, talk about a bunch of time travelers! LOL As far as "when" I'd go...mmmm...how about into the future? I'd love to figure how to zap something with one of those ray guns. ;)
Oh, Renee! You scamp!! You and your ray guns! I was eating a late supper at my computer when I read your comment. I nearly choked to death!! Believe it or not, you can't swallow and laugh at the same time--I've just proven that fact. LOL! Renee, you are such a joy! You totally crack me up!
Your journey is such a inspiration to me and if I could travel it would be to England to see the places where Christian revivals took place which means that if I could travel back in time it would be to hear those great preachers.
Dear Helen, thank you so much for your kind words! I agree that it would be wonderful to hear some of those great old-time preachers! Wouldn't that be amazing?? And to be a part of some of the old revivals would be incredible!!! Thank you so much for commenting!
I'd love to travel back to the Regency era. I love the fashion. This era is SO fascinating!
psalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Dear Caryl, wouldn't that be glorious?? I'd love swishing around in ballgown.... Of course, I'm almost six feet tall and clumsy to boot. Can a klutzy giant actually swoosh?? hmmmmm...... Well, since we are just theoretically dreaming, I suppose anything is possible. In my daydream I will be graceful, elegant, and dainty--and all of my ballgowns will definitely swoosh!! LOL!!! Have a wonderful day, Caryl! Thanks for commenting!
Welcome, Danele and congrats on the new release! Yay! It sounds great. I can't wait to dive in! So glad you stopped in at the Mine!
Thank you, Peggy! I'm glad you think that Time Tsunami sounds great. I've really been enjoying my time on the Diamond Mine! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Congratulations, Caryl Kane! You're the winner of the Time Tsunami prize package!!! I will be contacting you shortly about your prize! I hope you have a wonderful day!
I want to thank each and every one of your for your lovely comments!! You have made this interview so much fun!!! I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Thank you again for all of your support!!
Renee, thank you so much for providing me with this opportunity! I have had such a marvelous time!!! Thank you!
Two favorite ladies! Danele and Renee! Thanks for the great interview! :) Blessings from Texas!
Thank you, Caryl!!! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!
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