INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY WITH AUTHOR M. JEAN PIKE!!

Today on The Diamond Mine we welcome author M. Jean Pike. She is offering a free copy of her book, The Little Things. 

All you need to do is click on the comment button at the end of the interview and leave a comment with your email and you'll be entered in the drawing!

Let's get a little taste of the book now: 

He’s everything she never knew she wanted.

 A decade ago, Rochelle Delany made a decision that changed her life forever.
Wanting more than just football games and potluck suppers, she boarded a bus for California and didn't look back. But instead of a glamorous life, she became trapped in a nightmare of labor trafficking. Now, she's made a daring escape and returns home to Ohio.

Sandy Fairbrother has a problem with trust.
Twice betrayed, he now puts his faith only in God. He' s a single dad doing his best to grow his construction business and raise his young son. But haunted by an impulsive kiss Rochelle gave him fifteen years ago, her unexpected return has him rethinking things. He' s been given a second chance to win her heart. And this time, he plans to succeed.

Sounds like a great read! On to the interview!

Can you tell us a little more about your book?

Thanks so much for the opportunity! I’d love to share a little about my book. The Little Things is a modern take on the parable of the Prodigal Son. As a young woman, Rochelle Delany leaves her small Ohio town of Redford’s Crossing and her family in search of glamour, fame, and fortune. Like the prodigal, things don’t turn out the way she’d hoped. After nearly a decade enslaved in human trafficking, she makes a daring escape and returns to Ohio, realizing that all she ever wanted was right there all along. But when her past catches up to her, she finds herself desperately in need of help from a man she rejected ten years before. And from the God she’s forgotten how to pray to.

How did you get your idea for this story?

After watching a documentary on the horrors of human trafficking, and how so many young people are deceived by vultures online, I felt compelled to write something that would bring awareness to this terrible condition.

Good for you!! That's great!

What made you decide to be a writer?

As far back as I can remember, I have used words in the form of poetry, short stories and journals to try and make sense of life. In college, an English instructor encouraged me to pursue writing more seriously but it was years before I started sending my work out. It just seemed too personal to share. But when my work started getting published in magazines, I was hooked! I wrote short stories and inspirational essays for about ten years before I decided to try my hand at novel writing!

I'm glad you made that decision! What was your first story?

The first one I can remember was a three-page mystery called Mac the Mysterious Mutt. I wrote it when I was in the third grade!

I bet it was cute!

So, do you write from an outline, or just from inspiration, or both?

I always start with a very basic outline, or at least a skeleton of what my major plot points will be. It keeps me from getting off track.

Good idea! Sometimes it's easy to get off track!

Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?

Mostly, I hope my readers will see in my stories portraits of how amazing the Lord is, and what a beautiful adventure life can be with Him in it! Sometimes you go miles out of your way to get to where you need to be, but nothing takes God by surprise.

That is SO true!!

Do your characters share any traits with you or someone you know?

My characters are usually a combination of many people that have crossed my path. In one scene my heroine might possess my best friend’s astounding capacity for kindness. In another scene she might borrow the sharp tongue of a stranger in an overheard argument in the supermarket. Basically, my characters are a big, beautiful, messy, melting pot made up of human nature as I have experienced it.

Wow!! What a great way to describe the process of developing characters!

Do your characters ever surprise you?

Oh, all the time, lol.

Mine, too! 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing another romance set in the small town of Redford’s Crossing. I’m a New York girl who fell in love with Ohio and I love setting my stories in its small towns!

I'm looking forward to it!

Well, that's it for our interview. I'm so glad we had this chat today! Thanks so much!

Here's a little more about our author, and don't forget to leave a comment for the free book drawing!

Author Bio: Changing seasons. Unexpected blessings. Love that lasts forever. These are a few of M. Jean Pike's favorite things. With a writing career that has spanned two decades, Jean combines an insatiable curiosity about humans and why they do what they do with a keen interest in the quirky and offbeat things in life to bring readers unforgettable tales of life, love, and the inner workings of the human heart. 

Author Blog:

https://mjeanpike.wordpress.com/

Buy links: Amazon : 

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Things-M-Jean-Pike-ebook/dp/B0C1ZYD5VB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CWJE4SFID0O&keywords=m+jean+pike&qid=1685235087&sprefix=%2Caps%2C523&sr=8-1

Pelican:

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=162

Historical and Contemporary Author Penny Zeller

 Hello, we are so glad you are here. This week, we welcome historical and contemporary romance author Penny Zeller. Before we get into the interview, here's a little bit about our guest. Be sure and read to the end because Penny is generously giving away a copy of her book to one reader.

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com and on her blog at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

SW: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Penny. We’re thrilled to have you visit us this week. I always like to start with a couple book- and writer-themed would you rather questions. Would you rather write in a rooftop garden surrounded by city noises — or in a quiet studio with cows as your neighbors?

PZ: Thank you so much for having me as your guest. It is great to be here! I would definitely prefer a quiet studio with cows as my neighbors. I’m a small-town girl who loves the country landscape.

 

SW: Country landscapes do offer wonders you’d never see in the city, don’t they? Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?

PZ: What a great question! I would choose to have no chapter numbers rather than no page numbers.

 

SW: Agreed! Otherwise, how would we know where to pick back up if we had to set our book down, right? Alright, that’s enough of those. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.

PZ: I am a wife to my husband, Lon, and the mother of two daughters. Writing is a full-time job for me, and I also am a fitness instructor, avid blogger, and volunteer.

 

SW: It sounds like you keep plenty busy. What are three books on your current tbr?

PZ: Shattered Reaction by Madisyn Carlin, Make You Feel my Love by Robin Lee Hatcher, and Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin.

 

SW: I haven’t read a single one of those titles yet, either! What does your writing space look like?

PZ: Right now a little chaotic with some crazy deadlines. 😊 My husband completely remodeled one of the bedrooms in our house and turned it into a home office for me. I have my computer, printers, folders, phone, research books, and pictures of my family on my desk. I also have a bookcase that he built into the former closet along with filing cabinets. To round it out, I have a fireplace, elliptical, and exercise bike. I am so blessed and so grateful for the time he took to create this wonderful writing space for me.

 

SW: Everything you enjoy close to you. Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?

PZ: At seven-years-old, I was bitten by the writing bug, and began penning stories about a dog’s adventures. For a writing assignment, I wrote my own second grade Bible story commentary of sorts for “kids.” In fourth grade, I “published” my fictional stories in homemade wallpaper-covered cardboard books. A poem published in a national magazine and a Young Author’s Award sealed the deal, and thus began my dream of becoming an author.

Later, when our children were babies, I began writing for both national and regional publications to help supplement our income while staying home with our daughters. Magazine writing soon gave way to writing books, beginning with a children’s book titled Hollyhocks, and followed by 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others. McKenzie, my first Christian historical romance was written during a particularly rough time in my life while recovering from a car accident. I soon wrote the other two books in the series. After a hiatus due to nearly losing my husband after open heart surgery, I wrote novellas for Barbour Collections. In 2021, I released a Christian contemporary romance and a historical romance, followed by several releases in 2022 and 2023. God is faithful. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined He would bless me with the honor of writing books for His glory.

 

SW: That’s quite the catalog of books. Love that God keeps bringing you back to writing. You write both historical and contemporary romance. Do you prefer one over the other? What do you like most about each genre?

PZ: I love writing both but do prefer writing historical over contemporary. What I like most about each genre is that historical novels take us back to a simpler, less stressful time. Contemporaries are easier to write, however, because of less research.

 

SW: Another great thing about historical books is that sometimes they bring history to life (I was never a fan of the dry facts given in history class!). Tell us more about your newest release.

PZ: I have a couple of new releases. Love in the Headlines just released May 9 and is a lighthearted and

fun Christian contemporary romance. It includes a small-town America setting with two reporters trying their best not to fall in love, an ornery shih tzu, a chew-happy German shepherd, and a cast of memorable characters.

My other new release was released in March and is the second in my Wyoming Sunrise Series. Dreams of the Heart is a tender romance about a handsome deputy sheriff, a woman in search of freedom, and an unconventional situation. It’s a reminder that God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.

SW: A reminder we all need from time to time. What are you currently working on?

PZ:  I’m preparing for the release of Over the Horizon, Book #1 in a brand new series that takes place in 1870s Idaho Territory. The blurb is as follows:

A most unusual proposal...

Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.

During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three orphans. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.

Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three children? Will love arise from a desperate situation?

In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.

 

SW: Adding all three of those books to my to-read list!! How can we pray for you?

PZ: Thank you so much for your willingness to pray for me. I would love prayers for time management as I meet upcoming deadlines. Thank you again for having me as your guest. It’s been an honor to be here!

SW: It’s been an honor to have you as a guest and learn more about you. Thank you for visiting the diamond mine! Readers, here more about Penny's latest releases

About the Books

Can paper and paw prints draw these two nemeses together?

All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward shih tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery.

Trey Montgomery has competed with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor, for the best articles at The Oakville Daily for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-minded pet are his adversaries. Trey’s attempts to keep his distance from her are demolished when their boss thrusts them together as The Oakville Daily Duo, forcing them to work as a team on every. Single. Article.

Petty crimes and crazy shenanigans in Oakville soon draw Carleigh and Trey into doubling as detectives. When dogs, including their own pets, begin to mysteriously disappear, Carleigh and Trey join forces to uncover the culprit. As they work to report the daily news and solve the crimes in Oakville, can these two stubborn reporters find love in the headlines?

Faith, plentiful humor, and tender romance round out the latest Christian contemporary romance novel by Author Penny Zeller. Order here.

Sometimes the hardest battles take place in the heart.

Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the handsome new deputy, who seems to be watching her every move, be Hannah’s one chance to escape the only life she’s ever known?

For as long as he can remember, John Mark Eliason has wanted to be a deputy sheriff. When a job opens in the nearby town of Poplar Springs, he eagerly accepts, but finds his greatest mission won’t be tracking down criminals and bringing justice to the ruthless Wyoming town, but saving a beautiful young woman he barely knows.

Will an unexpected answer to a difficult situation show how love can endure—and even thrive—in an unconventional situation? Or will fear and uncertainty keep two hesitant hearts apart?

A handsome deputy sheriff.

A woman in search of freedom.

An unconventional situation.

In the sequel to Forgotten Memories, author Penny Zeller weaves a tender tale of faith, romance, and humor in a memorable story that reminds us God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life. Order here.

Giveaway

Penny Zeller has graciously giving one of our readers a copy of Love in the Headlines (winner's choice of paperback or ebook). Open to US mailing addresses only. Giveaway ends Tuesday, 5/30/23 at 11:59 PM EST.

To enter, leave a comment and tell us whether you prefer historical or contemporary novels. Be sure and leave a way for us to contact you if you win.

Falling for Chris Posti

Hello Diamonds - As a reader, one of my favorite things to do is discover new authors. I'm intrigued by so many different pathways that lead to publishing that first novel. It's a dream come true for all of us, but it never comes easily. I often say God parts the waters differently for each one of us, but we all have equal parts faith and a 'failure to quit' that eventually bring our stories to life.  

Today, we get the chance to meet Chris Posti. She's been a great friend and source of encouragement, as we're both with Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. Within a couple of weeks, I will get to meet Chris in person at the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference. But for now, all we've got are my hot-seat questions and her enchanting answers. 

Before we get started, there are two things you need to know about Chris: 

1) Her debut novel, Falling Apart, Falling for You, is a Selah Award Finalist. That an amazing accomplishment! 

2) She writes in a genre geared toward 50-year-old women and up. It's even in her subtitle - Real Life and Romance for the 50+ Woman. Fascinating. 

Pay attention. These facts will come up again later. 

First, meet Chris. 

Chris Posti’s writing experience comes in a variety pack. She was a newspaper columnist for more than 20 years and has written three nonfiction books, two blogs, and a workbook. Self-employed for 30 years as a career & executive coach, Chris also wrote training programs, speeches, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, executive summaries, and proposals. 

Her debut novel, Falling Apart, Falling for You (Elk Lake Publishing in April, 2021), is a fun, witty, and uplifting story of three women who reunite 40 years after graduating from high school, just as their perfect lives are upended.

Chris's second novel in this series of three will be released in late 2023.

Me: What were your reading and writing habits as a child? 

Chris: I vividly remember my excitement the first time I read a book that had no pictures in it. I thought I’d be bored by it—but I wasn’t. After that, I got my library card and checked out piles of books every week. Reading led to writing. I still have a little book of poems I wrote for my mother when I was eight; it certainly wasn’t my first effort at writing, but it was a memorable one. Books taught me my life could turn out very different from what I saw around me—and, indeed, my life has been much more wonderful and exciting than I could have imagined, and writing has always been a significant part of it.

Me: At what point did you realize this was really going to happen? 

Chris: Being self-employed most of my career, I wrote a Sunday workplace & careers column for a Pittsburgh newspaper, as well as a lot of business-related communications. As a result, I considered writing an important part of my career. But in 2011 when I self-published my first nonfiction book, I remember turning to my husband and saying from somewhere deep from inside me, almost in another voice: “I am an author.” It was a powerful moment; I knew I’d taken a big step forward in my career and in my life.

Me: Your debut novel is now up for a Selah Award. What does this change for you? 

Chris: Anytime you write something—whether it’s a novel, a nonfiction book, an article, a newspaper column, a blog post, or even a carefully worded email—you always wonder how it will be received. You may think you have done a masterful job, but until you get some kind of validation from others, there’s always that doubt lingering in the back of your mind torturing you.

Since my debut novel, Falling Apart, Falling for You, was published on my 70th birthday, I didn’t want to waste any time writing any other books in this series if no one appreciated the first. So I entered a few writing contests to get some outside opinions. I was elated when Falling Apart, Falling for You got an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Angel Book Awards, followed by being named a Finalist in The Author Zone Awards.

Then, earlier this year, I was reading emails on my laptop at the dining room table when I happened to see my book had been named a Finalist in the Contemporary Novels category of the 2023 Selah Awards. I was so stunned that I slid off the chair and fell to my knees. I cried and gave thanks to the Lord!

Me: What do you wish you'd known before you published?

Chris: Before being published, I was thinking, I just want something challenging to occupy my mind during the pandemic. I figured I’d write one novel and then move on to something else like painting or mosaics. But I found love writing fiction. It’s a fulfilling mental challenge. I could be wrong, but I feel like it’s added years to my life. I’ve just finished the manuscript for the second book, and the plot of the third is already in my head. After that, I’m thinking I might write a romance about a woman in her 60s. 

Me: What happens next?

Chris: Along with writing the third book in this series and possibly a romance, I would like to get involved in some kind of artistic pursuit. I always say one of these days, I’m going to paint clouds. Maybe I will. Truly, only God knows.

Me: You came up with a new-to-me genre (50+ Woman). Yet, most readers I know fit this classification. How did you choose your genre, and will you ever write for another? 

Chris: I could never understand why nearly all the women in novels (and movies) were in their 20s and 30s—maybe (if they were “old”), in their 40s. When I had time on my hands during the pandemic, I searched on Amazon for novels about older women but in all honesty, I couldn’t find anything I wanted to read. Yes, there are many stories that include older women but I wanted them to be the main characters, not a doddering old granny who provides comic relief. I wanted them to be vibrant, smart, loving, real-life, and relatable women who overcome challenges, grow in their faith, have reasons to be hopeful about their future, and find some romance too. So, I wrote the book I’d like to read.

Me: Are your characters based on real people? 

Chris: Sometimes, yes, but only vaguely. Suzanne was modeled after a woman I met 40 years ago who worked as a trainer in the airlines. A classmate who appeared in my sixth-grade class, who stayed in my town only that year and resided with her aunt, was the inspiration for Marla. As an inside joke, I also scatter some names of family members and friends throughout the scenes. And it probably goes without saying, there is a lot of myself in each of the main characters.

Me: What do you do for fun? 

Chris: My two grandsons (6 and 3) who live nearby visit a lot and we do silly things together—mudpies, chalk on the driveway, searching for fossils in the dirt, playing hide and seek. My husband and I live in Pittsburgh, where it’s too cold most of the year to swim outside, so our house has an indoor pool. The grandsons love it, and so do I. Water a great place to play, think, exercise, and pray.

Me: What is the most satisfying part of writing? 

Chris: I wish I could say it’s the piles of fan mail, or all the times people tell me they loved my book, but the truth is, most authors don’t get a lot of that kind of feedback. Or at least I haven’t! 

So I’ve learned to write in a way that pleases me, and I hope it pleases others too. When I’ve labored over a scene or a chapter, I read it aloud to see if it flows. When I get through an entire chapter without stopping to edit anything, that’s a big thrill, and if the writing moves me emotionally, that’s the biggest thrill of all.

Me: Do you know how your stories will end when you start them? Or are you as surprised as your readers?

Chris: For both my novels, I painstakingly wrote out every single scene multiple times and felt sure I knew exactly how both books would end. But somehow when you’re in the flow of the writing process, you just type and see what happens. Usually, you will be surprised. I know I was.

Check out her books on Amazon. 

For more information on Chris, visit https://chrisposti.com.

Interview and GIVEAWAY with Megan Besing, author of Expired Hope!

Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3

Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Megan Besing, author of Expired Hope! 

Despite always adoring happily-ever-afters, Megan Besing didn't unlock a love for reading until her mid-twenties, which quickly expanded into writing. Her own stories have won many awards, including the Selah for her novella, Perfect for the Preacher, along with the Pre-published Maggie for The Rancher's Want Ad Mix-up which landed #5 on PW's Religion Fiction list. And now she's thrilled to be a Sunrise Publishing author. However, her most cherished achievements are being a wife and mother.

She lives in a pocket-size Indiana town, centered around extended family, where she's always planning a road trip with a view. Yet, her favorite place may just be on her front porch drinking tea. Connect with Megan at meganbesing.com. 

Instagram, Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, Amazon Author, Twitter, and Pinterest 

Interview ~

This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL! 

*drum roll*

What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?

My drink order preference would be tea first, then a hot chocolate (especially, if it’s snowy.) and lastly, coffee. 

All the favorites! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

Oh, this is hard. I’m not sure where to begin, but it would probably involve a starch. Potatoes, for example. I love mashed potatoes, but some homemade French fries with some cheese sauce sounds lovely. Which then would lead me to a soft pretzel with cheese. And then fried cheese with marinara. Then I may just circle back to some breadsticks with cheese sauce. So basically, cheese and a starch. But a fresh no bake cookie sounds nice right now too. Lol.

All the best answers involve cheese and a starch! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

I have what I call my writing room. However, it’s less like a room and more like an outdoor shed. Originally, my husband built a tiny building at my in-laws to be used as a greenhouse. (Pretty much the entire front is covered in windows and a glass door.) Recently, my in-laws no longer wanted it, so they moved the building to our house, and we put it by our lake. My husband then put electricity in there for me to run my computer and also a fan or heater depending on the weather. My writing “shed” is just large enough for a desk on one side and a lawn chair on the other, but it’s quiet, and I love looking out at the water while I’m writing.

I'd like to borrow your writing shed! LOL! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)

Hmmm, I don’t know if this is considered odd, but ever since I’ve started writing, I can predict most movie endings. Maybe an odder thing would be that if I see that someone in my family has left a book open and face down to “keep” their page. I will grab some kind of book mark and slip it in that page and then close the book, because I don’t want the binding “stretched.”

You're a hero for saving all those bindings! What inspired you to write Expired Hope?

I knew I wanted my heroine, Natalie, to be a veteran. My husband is a veteran and so based on my experience as an army wife living on army bases, I thought I could bring an authentic feel to her character. The first scene sparked from something my husband once shared with me after a deployment. I want to share more, but I don’t want to ruin anything in the story. So, I’ll just encourage you to read the special reader’s note at the end once you finish Macon and Natalie’s story.

Well, I'm hooked! What led you to write in this genre? 

I like suspense shows, but I was a little afraid to try and write a suspense novel. I had been a historical author before, but when Sunrise Publishing announced a mentor opportunity with a suspense author, I thought this could be a perfect opportunity to learn. And I’m so glad I made the jump into suspense. It has really grown me as a writer, and I think this story may just be my best one yet.

That's awesome! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

We are all flawed people looking for fulfillment, love, peace, and hope. And all of that can only be found in Christ.

Great message! Can you tell us a little about your next projects?

I’m working on a secret unannounced suspense story. Stay tuned to my social media and my newsletter for that information which I hope to share soon. But outside of that, I’m also working on a contemporary romance, and if I ever find time, I need to edit a historical too. But until then, you can check out my published historical, The Rancher’s Want Ad Mix-up. It’s about a heroine who thinks she’s answering an ad for a teaching position, but really, it’s a mail-order bride ad placed by the unexpecting groom’s parents.

Lots of exciting stories! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?

My go to verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” That verse seems to cover all the things that pop up in my life from my worries to fears to hopes. It reminds me of what my priorities should be and also who holds the future.

For my book Expired Hope, I used the verse : "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 NIV. My characters, Macon and Natalie, learn that their hope needs to be placed in God alone.

Love those verses! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

I’m reading Tunnel Creek Ambush by Kerry Johnson and The Baby Inheritance Tina Radcliffe.

Awesome! Thank you for answering all of my prying questions, Megan!

Check out Megan's new release, Expired Hope! 

Fire. Family. Faith.

A fire chief, a woman in danger, a forbidden love...can it survive the flames of revenge?

She's running to a fresh start...

Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson just wants to help heroes survive their past. But when she's rescued from a fire...and falls for the one person she's supposed to help...she could destroy both their futures.

It's his last chance to get it right...

Fire Chief Macon James is the right man for the job--he just has to prove it to the counselor who is signing off on his team. What he doesn't expect is to fall for her.

But danger is stalking her and someone is going to get hurt.

So, he'll have to protect her, without crossing any lines. And she'll have to make sure that she doesn't get him killed.

A romantic suspense with a heroic but wounded fire chief, a woman on the run, secrets, a forbidden love, and a plot that will keep you guessing.

Grab a copy of Expired Hope HERE!

Giveaway ~ 

Megan has generously offered an Expired Hope Bookmark and Mini Scripture Notebook for two US winners! 

Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away an Expired Hope Bookmark and Mini Scripture Notebook for each of the two winners!

This giveaway is open to the US only! 

This giveaway will close on 5/18/23 at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. The winner must respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, or their prize will be forfeit. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Enter via the handy Rafflecopter link below. May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable daughters. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Interview with Author T.K. Chapin

 

Meet Ben Chapin (T.K. Chapin)

 

Today, I have Ben Chapin (known as T.K. Chapin) visiting and I'm thrilled to invite you to sit in on our conversation. Ben is a bestselling author who has written more than sixty books in the Christian fiction genre. He has sold over a million copies of his books worldwide and has a loyal fan base. So, pull up a chair and settle in for a treat. 

Michelle: Ben, you've written over 60 books?! 

Ben: Yes, and I'd love to invite everyone to download a free copy of one of my novel When Broken Roads Lead Home. 

Michelle: Thank you! I can't wait to read it. But I'm still stuck on that number. SIXTY books?? How do you come up with so many story ideas?

Ben: Story ideas for me come one of two ways. First, real life situations I have experienced or seen. That’s the start of an idea and then I think up an entire story plot from there. The second way I do story ideas is to take other stories that already exist and completely change them into something new. An example of this is the movie Enough. It’s a story about a woman who ran away from an abusive husband and relocated across the country to start over. He ends up coming for her. I took that idea and made One Thursday Morning. If you’ve read the book and seen the movie, you can see they’re completely different from each other.

Michelle: Oh, they're very different! Your stories are overflowing with messages of faith and your writing is unmistakable. Sounds like you've perfected the art. 

Ben: No matter how many stories I write, my wife or editor finds a “your” that is used wrong in my manuscript. I can’t help but laugh because it doesn’t matter how hard I try to make it perfect, there’s always at least one. I think it’s God’s way of keeping me humble.

Michelle: (laughs) That's hilarious. It's good to have a sense of humor about it. And I'm glad to know I'm in good company when it comes to that! For a reader picking up one of your books for the first time, what should they expect to find in its pages?  

 Ben: Forgiveness, redemption, and second chances are big in my stories. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and that theme is reflected in my books. I also like to explore the idea of faith and how it can help people overcome difficult situations.

 Michelle: Beautiful. I know that resonates with a lot of our readers. I'm curious about your process. Would you call yourself a Pantser or a Plotter?

Ben: I used to be a pantser, but now I plot everything.

Michelle: Do you plot in the wee hours or in the dead of night? 

Ben: Morning 100%, I try to get to bed by 9pm at the latest.

Michelle: (laughs) Bruh. We could never be friends. Just kidding! If a friend came over to visit, what would they find you doing? How do you spend your free time?

Ben: I play video games in my free time, I enjoy anything to do with water, I lead a Small Group at my house on Thursday nights and Sunday School class on Sundays.

Michelle: Awesome. Awesome. Looks like your mug is almost empty, let me get you a refill Was that coffee or tea?

Ben: Coffee, black with a small amount of water to cool it down.

Michelle: Absolutely. And may I offer you something to eat to go along with that coffee? What do you treat yourself with once you've written "The End" on a book?

Ben: Hmm… Cookies :) Let me specify… Fresh baked M&M cookies from Albertson’s.

Michelle: Sounds delish, I think I'll join you. Thank you so much for visiting today, Ben. It's been great fun!

Be sure to visit T.K. Chapin's website to grab your free book and stay up to date on his latest news! You can also find him across social media at the links below:

Website: (https://tkchapin.com/)

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube