HOLIDAY AFTERMATH

Our guest today is Gay N Lewis, a Texas pastor’s wife, author, speaker, and mother. 

A New Year is here. Yay!  We can put away the decorations and look forward to a fresh beginning. Right?

But wait a second—what about the old feelings?  You know what I mean? Those emotions of anger and sadness because someone hurt our feelings last year. Yeah, those.

We experience domestic times at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those two holidays occurred just a few days ago and were a nerve-racking, merry-go-round for countless folks. Did you suffer disappointments with relatives during those recent festivities?  Does the irritation, anxiety, or pain still linger? Will it last forever?

For many, the discord goes on. I work with an architect whose daughter hasn’t spoken to him in four years. He didn’t know she had moved back to Texas until I told him. He misses her and the grandchildren. I have a friend whose son never sees or visits his ill mother. She cries and prays for him to call her. Another friend hasn’t said a word to her mother in ten years! I have a cousin who was disowned by her immediate family fifty years ago. She left town, and none of us knows where she is to this day.

A famous twin sister duo, Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren, each wrote newspaper columns. They gave advice to the brokenhearted, but they themselves had separated from each other. Letters poured in to each of them—asking Dear Abby or Ann Landers how to fix a relationship with an alienated relative. The ladies gave excellent guidance, but they never took this advice themselves. They loved each other, but competition had driven them apart. Abby once commented she had a hole in her heart, but I guess it wasn’t a big enough hole for her to mend the situation. After twenty-five years, the sisters had a partial reconciliation, but they never fully regained a closeness.

Why is it family members are toxic and refuse to see each other? Is it personality conflicts? Political opinions? Religious beliefs? Jealousy? Money matters? Rivalry? Control problems?

Whatever the issue, a kinship divided is a painful situation, and families should work at resolution. As we all know, life zooms by at a rapid rate, and our missed opportunities can’t be recovered. A shaky association where people work to connect is usually better than no association at all. Thanksgiving and Christmas will come again. Let’s get the extended family together.

In my book, Family Secrets, Rebecca’s folks wounded her deeply with their deception. Rebecca’s mom and siblings thought the secrets they kept would prevent hurt. When Rebecca heard about her birth, she ran away. (Kind of like my cousin) Anger then kept her from the ones she loved. Rebecca met Marshall, and he along with neighbor Sam, tried to convince Rebecca to reconcile, but Rebecca was stubborn. Did she listen?

I hope you’ll read Family Secrets. It’s a historical novel, and it may help you reconcile relationships.

 You can visit Gay's blog at http://gaynlewis.blogspot.com/   Her novels are on Amazon and other online booksellers. 

Author Lorena McCourtney Brings the Cozy Mysteries!

 Cozy up, readers I've a really special author for you. An author dear to my heart. I've fully enjoyed her Ivy Malone books and highly recommend all of them. This woman is Ivy Malone in flesh (at least I think so, wink.) With any Mac n' Ivy Mysteries up for grabs for this weeks giveaway, welcome, author Lorena McCourtney!

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PT: Welcome to a new year and to The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, Lorena. Tell the readers how you became a writer. Did you start young? Start later in life? And why?

LM: I started young, about 6^th grade, I think. Horse stories, of course. I was one of those “horse crazy” girls. My mother was a writer and helped me send the stories to some children’s magazines. The magazines, however, were not impressed with my youthful “talent,” and sent them right back. I sold a few agricultural articles while I was in college (my major was animal husbandry and I had in mind writing in that field) but that ambition floundered and I didn’t write for several years after college. I was busy getting married and raising a toddler, and by the time I did return to writing I knew I wanted to write fiction

PT: How did you get into writing cozy mysteries? Did you start with a different genre?

LM: I started writing with short stories for children for the Sunday School publications. (Are there still Sunday School papers?) Then I wrote some 150 stories for confession magazines. Remember confessions? Lurid titles but the actual stories were more of the good-girl-done-wrong-and-learned-her-lesson type. When I turned to book lengths, I originally wrote romances. Then I threw a murder into one and realized I liked doing a story with mystery. From there, I naturally gravitated to cozies because I’m not fond of gore and serial killers.

PT: You have some of the most interesting similes when you write. Like “sizzled like a downed electric wire.” (From That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles) How do you devise such interesting ones?

Click pic for purchase link.

 LM: I’m not sure. That’s just the way my mind works!

PT Haha! Well, I sure like those similes. Now, let’s dig into your character Ivy Malone. Would you say she’s a bit like you or completely fictional?

LM: I think there’s a little of me in many of the characters I’ve written. (The latest Mac ‘n’ Ivy mystery is my 51^st published book, so there have been many characters over the years.) But there’s more of me in Ivy than in any of those other characters. Ivy feels she has aged into invisibility, that people just don’t see her any more, and I’ve certainly felt that way!  Ivy is, however, more adventurous than I am. And, though Ivy keeps running into dead bodies and murder, that isn’t something I’ve ever personally done (thankfully!).

Click pic for purchase link.

PT: I definitely feel like I’m developing that LOL (little old lady) invisibility that Ivy has. Since Ivy  (and Mac) travel around in a RV most of the time, did this idea of living in an RV come from experience, a wishful dream, or just plain research?

LM: We never lived full-time in a motorhome, as Ivy and Mac do, but we have traveled in various RVs, from a truck-mounted camper to various sizes of travel trailers to several different motorhomes. Fun!

PT: Let’s get to The Tunnel of Doom. How did you come up with the plot and setting?

LM: I wanted to do a setting near home, and Mt. Shasta is only a few hours’ drive from where we live in southern Oregon. The plot just evolved from the setting.

PT: Do you have a particular time/place that you write?

LM: I have a home office, where I can spread out whatever I’m working on and not have to put my mess away at night. I’ve always considered writing a job so I just got up in the morning and went to my office to work. If I waited for the muse to strike before I started writing I’d probably still be muddling around with my first book! (However, these days, as I’m into Ivy’s senior age, I get started later in the day with writing and quit earlier.)

PT: What Bible verse is your current favorite?

LM: Phillipians 4:6 (NIV edition) is a long-time favorite: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

PT: Do your books cycle around a certain Bible verse/theme?

LM: A general foundation of all the Ivy books is, although it may not be exactly in the style or form that you’d prefer, God will take care of you and is always present.

PT: Give me 5 things fast about Lorena McCourtney that have nothing to do with writing.

LM:

1.     I love to travel, but I’ve lived in Southern Oregon for almost 65 years and think it’s the greatest place to call home.

2.     One place to which I’ve always wanted to travel is Ayer’s Rock (also named Uluru)in Australia.

3.     I collect old spurs and pocket knives.

4.     I make a great cheesecake, but grilling steak is not one of my talents.

5.     I’m short (4’11’’) and mostly invisible.

 

PT: What book are you currently working on and when is it expected to release?

LM: I’m working on Book #6 in the Mac ‘n’ Ivy Mysteries series. Title is tentatively Charlie’s Secrets, and it is set in the area where I graduated from high school. Release date? Good question! When I get it done is the best I can do.

PT: Thanks so much for being with us today, Lorena! I'm looking forward to Mac n' Ivy book #6!

If you can't wait to get your hands on Lorena's books, check out these links and go crazy with that Christmas Amazon or B&N card:

Amazon e-book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDT7NFTB

Amazon paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHJ5H56H 

Barnes & Noble e-book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tunnel-of-doom-lorena-mccourtney/1142306852?ean=2940186560265

Lorena is graciously giving away YOUR CHOICE of one of the Mac n' Ivy Mysteries. Here's the drill. Leave a comment (and encourage Lorena on her writing journey) and your email address. Or you can leave your email on our contact form to be entered.

Be sure to check the book giveaway tab for winners!

Interview and Giveaway with author JoAnn Carter!!

 

Today we welcome author JoAnn Carter to The Diamond Mine! She will give a free copy of her book Detour: Destination Abiding Love, to the drawing winner.

In order to be in the drawing for the book, please leave a comment along with your email address in the comment link at the end of the interview. Now, here'a  peek at her book!

Sometimes Life’s Detours Deliver The Greatest Blessing 

Ex-bad-girl Sierra Sinclair has finally surrendered her life to the Lord. A hopeful future pursuing her dreams in music lies ahead. But first, she must provide restitution for those she wronged in the past. Returning to her hometown, she offers an eloquent testimony and a series of free concerts. And then, Colton Smith, son of a prominent town leader, shows an interest in her. Sierra's bright future looks trouble-free, but she soon finds out otherwise. When Colton's parents and the townsfolk won't forgive or forget her past, will this promising romance end before it ever has the chance to begin?

Sounds like a great read! Welcome to the Diamond Mine, JoAnn! I've got some questions for you!

What made you decide to be a writer?

What an interesting question. Most of my writing friends have this need to write everything down and if they’re not writing, they go nuts. It’s like a part of who they are. I’m not one of those people. Actually, as a child, I never would have dreamed I’d enjoy penning a story! You see, I have dyslexia. As a very young girl, reading and writing was a huge challenge. It wasn’t until my early teen years, that I found there could be great joy in entering story worlds, which let me experience life outside of my own. It was Christian authors, like Janette Oak, CS Lewis, and others that planted a seed.

It takes work to overcome a learning disability. For me, this only proved to strengthen my character and determination in many areas of my life. I wanted to encourage and inspire others as I myself had (and still am) through reading. So, my journey started there and I’m so glad that God is bigger than any difficulty we face.  

Perhaps today you feel inept to the task the Lord may be calling you to. Take heart. In our weakness is one of the most beautiful places where God’s strength can be found. Am I a great author? No, I wouldn’t say that -- and yet I know that God has used some of my very fallible stories to encourage others. I can't help but recognize, that's a God thing!

I was recently reminded that it’s not about what I/we can accomplish, but rather what the Potter can accomplish when I/we stay moldable in His hands. So, go ahead and take the leap today into whatever the Lord may be asking of you. I promise you, He can use anything you offer him, even those places where there is brokenness.

How true, and you said it beautifully! Can you tell us a bit about your book?

I don't want to give any huge spoiler alerts about this story, but let me share what one review said on CBD, "This little and lovely story teaches a big message about persevering love. It's not only a sweet romance, it is a gentle life lesson, encouraging readers to keep on loving...keep on being gracious...even when it's hard. The author reminds us that we can only do this with the power of Christ within..."

Sounds wonderful! How did you get your idea for this story?

I got my idea for this story after hearing a testimony at Church one evening (unrelated to the one in the book) in combination to going to a Youth Orchestra on a different night. It made me ask "what if these two worlds were to collide" and that's what this story grew from.

I love hearing how a story idea begins. The creative process is so interesting, and varied. What was your first story?

Hidden Paths was the first story I ever wrote, though not the first story I had published.

Do you write from an outline, or just from inspiration, or both?

I typically have a loose outline, though there have been times that my characters decided to go in a different direction. When that happens, I see where it leads. That being said, I am a planner. The more stories I write, the more details I desire about the characters and plot prior to writing a single word. I have come to realize and appreciate getting to know my story-world well before trying to share it with others. 

It's funny how the characters we imagine often end up surprising us!  Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?

As far as underlying themes that I would love a reader to come away with is, well, I guess I would say this is different for each reader. What I mean by that is, we all have lenses in which we see the world. Something that I need to hear right now may be quite different than what you need depending on our circumstances. Perhaps you're in that place where you need to forgive yourself for something in your past or perhaps you're the person who's been judgmental towards someone else. Where we're at as individuals could be very different. However, the universal truth is that God loves us all -- just as we are -- but loves us enough not to leave us here. Any other themes you can glean from the characters lives in this story,  I hope the Holy Spirit can use to reveal God to you and encourage your heart wherever you're at as an individual today. 

I love that answer! Full of wisdom and understanding. Do your characters share any traits with you or someone you know?

For Christmas, one of our sons gave me a book about personalities. It's so fun to look at the books and try to figure out what classification I am and what my loved ones fall under -- or what love language is the main way we feel loved. People are so interesting! So, of course my characters share traits with people I know. It helps me know how my fictional person will respond to a circumstance. 

Great point! Do you find that your characters often surprise you?

For some stories, my characters stay very true to who I thought they were. Actually, it's only recently that a few are going rogue on me, though it could be because I've been facing a huge learning curve with trying to write within the sci-fi genre. :)

Do you have a favorite character in your books?

The Floating Palace is a book that I wrote several years ago, which unfortunately is no longer available. But, this manuscript has my favorite character to date; Ellie Dunkling. She was a sassy, yet classy lady from the 1920's.

Those sassy characters are often so entertaining! What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a Sci-fi story, writing in collaboration with one of my sons, Jeff. It's been a lot of fun, but it's been several years in the making already. Jeff recently joined me and it's brought a freshness to the story. I'm super excited and really enjoying not only the process of writing with him, but just spending time in this creative space together. 

I think that's so great that you and your son are working together! Thanks so much for the interview, JoAnn!

Thank you for having me, Nancy. It's been fun. :)

Okay, readers! Here's a bit more about JoAnn:

JoAnn Carter is married to an amazing husband for 30 years. The Lord has blessed them with four children, and four daughter-in-laws spread across many states. Currently she resides in NJ and works as a nurse. She enjoys being with her family & friends, writing, reading, exercising and cooking. Her desire is to write in such a way as to encourage readers of all ages and to strengthen their faith in our amazing God.

Please feel free to check out her webpage at: https://joannwrites.wixsite.com/website

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://a.co/9K7g2JT

Pelican Book Group: https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=636

Christian Book Distributors:

https://www.christianbook.com/detour-destination-abiding-love-ebook/joann-carter/9781611164251/pd/74000EB 

Barnes and Noble: Detour: Destination Abiding Love|eBook

Don't forget to leave a comment with your email in order to be eligible for the drawing for a free copy!

2023 Brings in New Blood to the Diamond Mine

As you know, dear readers, the end of a year and the beginning of a new one brings both melancholy and overflowing hope. And so it is here on the Diamond Mine. We will be saying goodbye to Karla Akins, Crystal Caudill, Jill Chapman, and Kathleen L. Maher. We pray their writing careers will continue to excel as they lift the gospel through fiction.

But it is with great joy we bring in new blood into the Diamond Mine. Please give a heartfelt welcome to Janet Morris Grimes, Carlene Havel, Laura V. Hilton, Lianne Bruynell Lopes, Michelle Massaro, and Mindy Steele.

Janet Morris Grimes

Janet Morris Grimes may not have realized she was a writer at the time, but her earliest childhood memories were spent creating fairy-tale stories of the father she never knew. That desire to connect with the mysterious man in a treasured photograph gave her a deep love for the endless possibilities of a healing and everlasting story. 

A wife of one, mother of three, and Tootsie to four, Janet currently writes from her quiet two-acre corner of the world near Elizabethtown, KY. She has spent the last few years preparing to introduce her novels and children’s stories to the world. 

Stories that stretch your heartstrings. 

An unforgettable combination.

 Find Janet on her website: http://janetmorrisgrimes.com/

 Janet's book:

Click pic for Amazon link.

Carlene Havel

Carlene Havel writes Christian-themed romances and historical novels. She has lived in Turkey, Republic of the Philippines, and numerous US states. After a career in human resources and software development, she began writing in 2005. The Havels live in Texas, surrounded by their extended family. She is currently hard at work on a sequel to Song of the Shepherd Woman.

Check out Carlene on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarleneHavel/

                                    Carlene's latest release:

Click pic for Amazon link.

Laura V. Hilton

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Hidden Springs Series, The Amish Wedding Promise, The Amish Christmas Gift, and The Amish Secret Wish. She also has the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series.

Join Laura on her Faceobok page:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraVHilton/

Laura's latest release:

Click pic for Amazon link.

Lianne Bruynell Lopes

Lianne Bruynell Lopes writes stories that meld her passion for God, history and romance. Her WW2 novel, Shadow of the Wolf, won Treble Heart Books, who published it, the book of the year award as well as ACFW’s Carol award for historical e-book in 2002. It also received a four-star review from the Romantic Times magazine. For ten years, Lianne taught middle and high school English and history at a Christian school in sunny Florida where she lives. Before that, she and her husband served as missionaries in Brazil. They have two beautiful grown daughters and a wonderful new son-in-law. When not writing, Lianne can be found reading, crafting, volunteering at the Miami hospital where her husband is director of pastoral care, and doing anything else that will get her out of cleaning the house.

Website: www.LianneBLopes.com

Facebook.com/lianne.b.lopes

Twitter.com/lianne_lopes

Pinterest.com/mercywriter

instagram.com/mercywriter

Stay tuned for Lianne's next release!

Michelle Massaro

Michelle Massaro writes contemporary fiction soaked in grace. A Southern California native, she and her husband now proudly make their home in East Tennessee. While raising their four children, she’s dabbled in homeschooling, teaching Creation Science, and leading worship. When she isn’t tinkering with words, Michelle enjoys old Rogers and Hammerstein movies, snuggling her Pomeranian, and scouring Zillow for investment properties. A new lipstick and a good French roast always make her happy. And if you need a hug, she's your gal!

Find Michelle on her website: https://www.michellemassarobooks.com/

Michelle's latest release:

Click pic for Amazon link.

To celebrate onboarding these authors I am giving away 3 prizes. 1. Daisy Journal 2. Handcrafted earrings, and 3. Hand Crocheted Flower Crown. Leave a message or fill out our contact form to be entered. And don't miss anymore of my giveaways! Sign up for my newsletter today @peggytrotter.com.