Interview and Giveaway with Gay N. Lewis!!

 

Hi there, readers!! Today we welcome author Gay N. Lewis to The Diamond Mine for an interview and a book giveaway. You can be entered in the drawing for the free book if you click on the "leave a comment" button at the end of the interview and social links, and leave a comment with your email address.

Her book is: Sarah's First Mission to Earth, which I know you will be delighted by! 

Sarah's motto is Faith, Humor and Red Stilettos!

Here we go with the interview! 

Please tell us about Sarah’s First Mission to Earth.

Sarah comes to Earth to help humans, but she’s lost and bumbles her way through adventures. God gifted me with a generous sense of humor, and Sarah makes my readers laugh aloud. My husband often hears me chuckle as I write of Sarah’s goofs and he says, “What’s Sarah done now?”

In her first mission to Earth, Sarah’s first assignment is to help Tom Shoemaker find a mate by valentine’s Day. Mercy me! How can an inexperienced angel do this in such a short time? Sarah accidentally dumps food on Tom in a restaurant, and the accident causes him to meet Marcy Montgomery. Marcy is a military widow with a five-year-old, precocious child. Hope, the daughter, wants a daddy, and Sarah decides Tom is the perfect candidate. But is Tom the wrong man for Marcy? Well, “Poopty doopty!” Sarah may have to go to Cloud Nine for a reprove.

Poopty doopty is one of Sarah’s favorite phrases. It’s a nicer phrase than a string of naughty expressions, don’t you think? I use it often.

I love it! I'm chuckling already! Sounds like a charming story.

What do you like best about writing?

The best part of writing for me is the creativity. I invent a man and woman, throw rocks at them, resolve their issues, and then they fall in love. Most of my books have been Christian romances with the genre of fantasy or historical as part of the mix. I have one book that is Christian, but not romance. It is historical Women’s Fiction. In the book, Mattie’s Choice, two women face abusive husbands and must decide how to handle their situations. This book is historical and was the hardest one I’ve ever written.

I know what you mean about writing historical books. Lots of research. I've grown to love the research part, though. I've learned a lot in that process.

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

I don’t write from an outline. I keep a general story-line in my head and go forth. Sometimes a chapter will surprise me and take me in a new direction. I love it when that happens.

Me, too!! I love it when the characters surprise me, too!

What do you want your readers to take away from your books?

I want my readers to learn something about Christ. I am not preachy in my stories, but I install appropriate tidbits of theology. I hope readers find them inspirational.

I'm sure they will. Any chance we can get to learn more about Christ is a great thing!

Now I'd like to hear more about you personally.

Thanks, Nancy for introducing me to your readers. I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. My parents later moved us about thirty miles east to Irving, TX. As a child, I thought it great fun to catch a bus and travel to Dallas. Shopping in beautiful stores like Sanger-Harris was a grand event. Times change, and now the cities in the DFW Metroplex blend into each other, and alas! Sanger-Harris no longer exists. As of today, I’m a pastor’s wife in a bi-vocational church and live west of Houston in Fulshear, TX. When I was eight years old, I knew God wanted me in special service. As I child, I thought assisting the Lord meant years as a missionary in an exotic country. Ten years after I decided to make this sacrifice of home and country, I married a Baptist minister. My husband felt called to ministry, but not to missions. Except for our first year in Oklahoma, we’ve served in Texas.

What was your childhood family like?

I’m the eldest of three, and I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, born on the 4th of July. The doctor told my mom she’d have a firecracker before Sunday School, and she did. Friends say my birthday fits my exuberant personality. A sister and brother joined me later. My mom named me Gay Nell. When I started writing, I chose the name Gay N. Lewis. However, a group of people use the name Gay to describe a lifestyle. I now write as G. N. Lewis. You’ll find my books under either name. The newest books are G. N. Lewis.

What’s your favorite pastime?

I’m a big fan of baseball and the Astros. We watch every game and sometimes go to Minute Maid Park to see them play. I even wrote about them in my latest book, Sarah’s Mission to Earth. The hero, Tom in the story, lives in Houston but once played football for the University of Texas in Austin. While visiting his mom in the Texas Hill Country, he meets Marcy. He’s thrilled when he learns Marcy loves sports.

What's your home life like?

I married a minister and we have three grown daughters. I’m grateful for hubby’s easygoing nature. When I wreck the car, he responds in his unflappable manner. I sideswiped a vehicle recently, and he texted, “No worries. All is good.” In my first year in Houston, I had nine wrecks. Yes, you read correctly. Nine. They weren’t funny at the time, well, some were.

One morning I drove my car to the body shop with the passenger side caved in. The man fixed it. A few weeks later, I wheeled in with the identical scenario—the same passenger side crumpled again. The manager scratched his head, “Ma’am, may I ask you a question?” I nodded. “Where did you learn to drive?”

That's so funny!!

Then, a few years after the body shop incidents, my husband was called as senior pastor to a Baptist Church in Central Texas. We’d been in the county-seat town for two weeks when a group ten miles away invited me to teach a Bible study. I left early. I always give myself time to make wrong turns. Or have wrecks.

In the heart of town, I made a wrong turn.

Uh-oh! You’re not gonna believe this, but as a brand-new citizen, right then and there, I stranded my car on a railroad track in the middle of that city. Yep. I did. Well, it was dark. Does that count? I thought I saw a street and turned. Boy! Was I surprised? It wasn’t a road—it was a choo-choo track. I drove forward, backward, nothing, nada, zip. I was stuck. I jumped out, left the car, and ran to the police station. The officer said, “We could have a major fire if that coming engine plows into your car.” I bit my nails as I waited for him to notify officials. I imagined the newspapers across the country with the headline. “Pastor’s Wife Burns Down Texas Town.” I called my husband. He didn’t say much. He’s used to it.

Sarah’s chaotic episodes are oftentimes things I’ve done. Like most authors, I include personal experiences. The idea of a dyslexic, bumbling, chaotic, angel came to me out of the blue. Or was it a God thing? 

Oh, my goodness, you have had an interesting  time of it! You must appreciate your hubby for being so understanding. I'd say that's definitely a God thing, too!!

You remind me of a dear friend who often has similar experiences. I always chuckle  with her when we remember some of her humorous dilemmas. We all need some laughs! And you  and Sarah are so generously giving us some.

Thanks, Nancy, for asking about Sarah. She’s a heartwarming little angel, and her baubles give the reader insights. I look forward to hearing from your readers.

Now, one more question: What are you working on now?

I thought I’d try something different – a murder mystery. My female lead is researching ways to kill two men. They robbed her and she seeks revenge. I haven’t decided if she will succeed with murder or not. There’s a therapist involved, he loves her, but can he talk her out of murder? I’m not sure yet. At first, I wasn’t going to write this as a Christian novel, but this style didn’t fit me. I finally gave up and allowed God to make His way into a few sentences. I’m halfway through, and I don’t have a title. I’m into year four with work on this one. 

As most of my readers know, my daughter is in the last stages of dementia, and we take care of her. This emotional roller-coaster often zaps me. Finding energy and time to write is a challenge.

I'm so sorry to hear that you have such an intense challenge. May God continue to help you, strengthen you and give you His peace. He is very close when our hearts are hurting.

Thank you so much for this interview. It's been wonderful to get to know you.

Thanks, Nancy. I appreciate being on the Diamond Mine.

Well readers, here are Gay's links, and don't forget to leave a comment so you will have a chance to win the drawing for the free copy of her book!

Gay N. Lewis is a Texas best-selling author, and she writes under the names Gay N. Lewis and G. N. Lewis. Most of her books are about a dyslexic angel, and they are laugh-out-loud funny. Gay has also written two historical, women’s fiction novels. Visit her blog at http://gaynlewis.blogspot.com/ Gay’s daughter suffers from early-onset dementia, and she writes a blog about their journey. https://dementiadaybyday.blogspot.com/ You’ll find Gay N. Lewis novels on Amazon and other online booksellers. http://amzn.to/2hwc6nB A link to G.N. Lewis. https://amzn.to/3G3ZdZm Catch Gay on Facebook as Gay N. Lewis You’ll find her on YouTube. https://bit.ly/3SQhIXc

Interview and Giveaway with author Miriam Thor

 

Today we welcome Miriam Thor to The Diamond Mine! She is offering an e-copy of her book, Listening to the Rain. 

To be entered in the drawing for the free copy, just leave a comment with your email and you will be entered!  Now, here's a little preview of her book. 

Even the worst storms can be beautiful if you learn how to listen.

During her freshman year of high school, Ally Griffin is determined to find her thing, a talent that will let her gain praise and recognition. Her cousins, Billy and James, have found theirs in sports and music, but Ally has yet to discover something that will make people cheer just for her.

At her best friend's suggestion, Ally tries ballet. When that doesn't turn out the way she hopes, she signs up to sing in the school talent show. Thanks to support from James, Ally's performance goes well, and she thinks she has found her thing at last.

But when James gets into an accident, Ally's whole world is turned upside down. As she tries to be there for her cousin, Ally wrestles with why God allows bad things to happen and whether she should keep doing her thing at all.

Sounds like a great read! Now let's get to the interview!

Hi Miriam! Can you tell us a little about your book?

Listening to the Rain is a contemporary young adult Christian fiction novel about faith and family with a splash of romance. It focuses on high school freshman, Ally Griffin, and her relationship with her two cousins, Billy and James.

At the beginning of the story, Ally is committed to finding her thing, something she’s good at that will help her stand out. She’s been searching for it for years, and when she finally finds it, she’s ecstatic. Then, James gets in an accident that has life-changing implications for her entire family. Ally has to figure out how to navigate her family’s new normal and how her newfound thing fits into that, if it does at all.

Sounds very engaging. How did you get your idea for this story?

I got the idea to write about three cousins living with their -grandfather from watching the TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard, while I was in high school. From there, I developed the three cousins’ characters in my head and got to know them, so to speak. As for the plot, I wanted the main problem the characters face to be something near and dear to my heart. I don’t want to give too much away, but the life-changing event the Griffin family faces relates closely to something I am passionate about.

Now you've got me mighty curious!

What made you decide to be a writer?

When I was in second grade, my teacher, Mrs. Chambliss, noticed how much I enjoyed my writing assignments, and she encouraged me to write as much as I wanted. That was when I really fell in love with writing. At that time (and still today), I loved to read. As I read book after book, I started dreaming about writing a book of my own that others would read and enjoy.

And what was your first story?

I first attempted to write a novel in middle school, although I only completed a few hand-written chapters. My first published short story was called “Simon Says,” a Biblical fiction story focusing on the apostle Peter’s wife. Listening to the Rain is the first complete book I ever wrote, although I had two novellas published before it was accepted for publication, and it’s gone through major changes since I finished the first draft almost a decade ago.

It must feel good to see it in print! 

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

These days, I always write from an outline. I’m working on two different novels right now, and I have fairly detailed outlines for both of them. My process for writing Listening to the Rain was a little different. I wrote the first couple of chapters while I was in college and had the plot more or less planned in my head. I suppose you could call that an outline, but I never wrote it down.

I think that fits as an outline!

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

Listening to the Rain has two main themes. The first is that we need to trust God, even when life is hard and we don’t understand what He is doing. The second is that our God-given gifts and talents are meant to be used for His glory, not our own.

Great Themes!!

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

Ally definitely shares my independent nature, although she is more outspoken about it than I am, most of the time. Billy, Ally’s oldest cousin, shares my brother’s sense of humor. I didn’t set out to model his sense of humor after my brother’s, but when I reread some of the scenes where Billy is joking, I can picture my brother saying similar things when we were younger.

Do your characters ever surprise you?

Yes, they do, and it’s one of my favorite parts about writing. I remember writing a scene in Listening to the Rain that I thought would be entirely focused on Ally and Billy. The two of them were in the barn by themselves. Billy was so upset about James’s accident that he was punching a wall, and Ally was trying to get him to stop. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Grandpa showed up with first-aid supplies.

As I was writing the scene, I was surprised when I realized I was about to type that Grandpa was in the doorway behind them. I hadn’t planned for him to be there, but it just fit so well with his character that I ran with it. Of course, Grandpa knew Billy well enough to know how he’d react to the situation. It felt like I should have known he would do that all along.

That cracks me up! I love it when characters do that. Do you have a favorite character in your books?

I have a lot of trouble choosing a favorite character as an author because I get to know them all so well. I think I like different characters more at different times, depending on which scene I’m working on. While I was writing Listening to the Rain, Ally, Billy, and James were each my favorite character at one point or another. Now, I guess I’d say all three of them are my favorites.

It's definitely not easy to pick a favorite. We get so attached to our characters! 

So, what are you working on now?

I am working on a contemporary Christian Christmas novella. I’ve written eleven chapters so far, and I have either three or four more to go. I started working on it in October, and I’ve really enjoyed writing it. I’m hoping it will be ready to submit to a publisher in a few months.

I’m also in the middle of writing a young adult Christian fantasy series. I’ve completed the first book and have written a few chapters of the second one. I put that on hold to focus on the Christmas novella, but I plan to go back to it soon.

Sounds like you're a busy lady! Thanks so much for the interview, Miriam! 

Well, readers, I'm including an excerpt from Listening to the Rain here for your enjoyment: 

Unfortunately, it started raining a few minutes before the bus reached our stop. By unspoken consent, the two of us walked home as quickly as we could so that we could get warm and dry as soon as possible.

I wanted to talk to James as soon as I’d changed into dry clothes, but I knew better than to try. 

Grandpa insisted that we start on our homework as soon as we got home, and while I was willing to bend that rule from time to time, James definitely was not. Resigned to wait, I solved a page of equations and read the short story Mrs. Chamberlain had assigned.

When I was finished, I went in search of my cousin to see if he had completed his homework, too. I found him sitting in a rocking chair on the porch with his eyes closed.

“What are you doing?” I asked, puzzled.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Listening to the rain. God plays beautiful music, don’t you think?”

I wasn’t sure how to respond. James said stuff like that sometimes. Random, weird stuff. And I was never sure what to make of it.

“It’s not music, James,” I said. “It’s just water hitting the roof.”

He shrugged, unperturbed, and studied my face. “What’s wrong, Ally?”

“What makes you think something’s wrong?” I demanded.

“You’ve got that ‘I really want to ask you something, but I don’t know how you’ll take it’ look on your face.”

I smiled. He always could read me like an open book.

“Well…” I said slowly. “You heard about the talent show at school today, right?”

He nodded. “Yeah, Mr. Jenkins announced it in homeroom.”

I bit my lip and stared at my lap. I wanted to sing in the talent show so badly. What if James did, too?

“What about it?” James prompted when I didn’t continue.

“Do you want to enter?” I asked and held my breath.

“No,” he said. “Performing in front of all the kids at school and a panel of judges doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”

I heaved a sigh of relief and grinned at him.

“Good.”

“Does that smile mean you plan on entering?” he asked.

“Yep,” I said. “I didn’t want to compete against you, though.”

He smiled. “So, what will you sing?”

I didn’t even ask how he knew I planned to sing. We both knew my talents. Unless I wanted to bring our hens to roost on the stage and gather their eggs, singing was my only real option.

“I don’t know yet,” I said, “but I’ll figure it out.” I started to turn around. “You can go back to your…rain listening now.”

He rolled his eyes as I headed back inside.

There you go, readers! And now here's a short bio and some social and purchase links from Miriam. And don't forget to leave a comment and be entered into the drawing for the free copy of her book!

Bio:

Miriam Thor grew up in Louisiana. After high school, she attended Gardner-Webb University, where she earned a degree in American Sign Language and elementary education. Currently, she lives in Alabama with her husband and six cats. She is employed as a sign language interpreter at an elementary school.

Miriam discovered her love of writing in second grade and has been doing it ever since. Her first novel, Listening to the Rain, was published in September 2022. She has also had two novellas published: Her First Noel, a contemporary Christian romance, and Wish Granted, a young adult fantasy story.

To learn more about Miriam, visit her website: https://miriamthor17.wixsite.com/author.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Rain-Miriam-Thor-ebook/dp/B09VS27PHW

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/listening-to-the-rain-miriam-thor/1141235963

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=cupkEAAAQBAJ&gl=us

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/listening-to-the-rain-1

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/listening-to-the-rain/id1615814817

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063738865282

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miriam_Thor17

Instagram: @miriamthor17

TikTok: @miriamthor17_author

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Miriam-Thor/author/B0BB47Z88N

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18283324.Miriam_Thor

Blog: https://threecs.org/

From City to Country, Beverly Varnado Lives Her Best Creative Life

 This week, we welcome Beverly Varnado to The Diamond Mine. Here is her official introduction:

Award winning Southern writer, Beverly Varnado, is a novelist, screenwriter, and blogger who writes to give readers hope in the redemptive purposes of God.

She has written a nonfiction memoir as well as several novels and screenplays, one of which was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in Screenwriting. The novella, A Season for Everything, is the third work in a series set in Worthville, Georgia. Previous novels set there are A Key to Everything and A Plan for Everything. Her work is also included in several anthologies and periodicals. As an artist, her work was recently chosen for exhibit at a State University.

She lives in Georgia with her husband, Jerry, and their chocolate Aussiedor who is outnumbered by several cats. Beverly is Mom to three children and Mimi to two grandchildren.

Readers may find me at One Ringing Bell, peals of words on faith, living, writing, and art at oneringingbell.blogspot.com. 

Also at www.BeverlyVarnado.com , on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyVarnadoAuthor, Twitter @VarnadoBeverly, or @ Beverly Varnado on Instagram. 

SW: Thank you for joining us, Beverly, we’re so grateful to have you stop in this week this week and share more about yourself. Let's get started with a couple “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? 

BV: I’m conflicted on that one, because I like both. In another career I spent much time in New York City, and I love the hustle and bustle and somehow can tune it out when necessary. But currently, my husband is pastor of a rural church which is surrounded by pastures and many cows and I love the setting. It’s a toss up.

SW: There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to either setting. Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?

BV: I think I could live with no chapter numbers, bit I’d have to have page numbers. 

SW: I agree with you. 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. 

BV: I spend much time writing and painting in a little studio in our backyard.  I have also been a church musician since I was twelve years old, so the piano is big for me, and I sing with a symphony chorus.

For many years, my husband and I were involved in prison ministry, and we’ve traveled internationally on mission trips.

SW: You have a lot on your hands, but doing what you find joy in sure makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? What are three books on your tbr?  

BV: My interests are varied. I’m looking forward to reading Ann Voskamp’s new book, Waymaker, a biography of Winston Churchill, and rereading Elizabeth Mussers’s classic, Swan House.

SW: I'm a fan of Elizabeth Musser. What does your writing space look like? 

BV: Though I have an office inside in a lovely sunroom, when the weather permits, I do prefer to be in my little studio in the backyard. I need ventilation when I paint so it works perfectly for that, and when I write, I have fewer interruptions. Here are a few shots.  My blog is called One Ringing Bell, so I love that vintage bell given to me by a neighbor. 

SW: What an inspiring space! Thank you for sharing the photos with us. Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?

BV: My passion for writing began at eight when I published my first magazine, which I sold door to door for a nickel. I also received a long awaited present of a journal for my birthday that year. The magazine folded in the first week, but the journal writing continues to the present day. 

So, though I’ve written since I was a child, it wasn’t until about twenty years ago, I began to sense God wanted me to devote more time to my writing and seek publication. I initially worked in non-fiction, but God led me to write a novel, which at the time, felt a bit like walking on water since I had always thought of writing fiction as doing the impossible. But somehow, through a lot of prayer and God’s help, I did it. 

I won a book deal in a writing competition for Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees, which was a semi-finalist for Jerry Jenkin’s Operation First Novel. My script for this story was a Kairos Prize finalist and was optioned for a film. I then indie-published Home to Currahee―a novel I wanted to dedicate to my father. He was in declining health, but blessedly, he saw it in print a short time before he died. Five years ago, a publisher contracted for a non-fiction book, Faith in the Fashion District, and at the same time I received a contract from Anaiah Press for The Key to Everything followed by A Plan for Everything and then the Christmas novella, A Season for Everything. I also have a blog, One Ringing Bell which has over 1000 posts, and I write for various print and online publications, as well.

SW: I love hearing how God led people to where they are in their writing journeys. Tell us more about your latest release.

BV: It is a Christmas novella, a sequel to the two other small town romances set in Worthville, Georgia that are  mentioned above. During these challenging times, I hope the readers of A Season for Everything take away hope and joy. My characters, Catherine and Collin, have recently faced major difficulties and wrestle with finding a new season in their life. The world is in such an upheaval at present, it’s sometimes difficult to imagine that life can look differently than it does now, but we have to keep up our hope. 

SW: Wonderful. Readers, there is more about A Season for Everything below. Which of your male characters (including works in progress) would you most like to go on a date with and which of them would you most like as your best friend?

BV: Most of my lead characters have at least one trait from my husband in each one, and he is also my best friend, so I don’t think I can answer that tricky question. 

SW: What are you currently working on?

BV: I’ve just finished an historical young reader that is under consideration and I’m also halfway through another romantic comedy that is a sequel to the Worthville smalltown romances. 

SW: We appreciate you taking time to share with us. Before we leave, how can we pray for you?

BV: Thank you for asking. Please pray that I would be faithful to use all that God has given me for His glory. 

Despite the glowing gas lights, festive wreaths, and holiday cheer that covers the town of Worthville, Catherine Todd is far from being in the Christmas spirit. She continues to wrestle with the losses that shattered her heart two years earlier, and while shopping for her kids, her overreaction to a disappointment confirms what she already knows―she’s stuck in her grief.

Children’s book author Collin Donnelly shows up in Worthville for a signing, but when an abrupt first interaction with local resident, Catherine, doesn’t go well, he wonders if he made a mistake coming to this small town. Eager to make amends, he soon learns they share a common interest in birding, and he invites her on an adventure that turns out to be filled with unexpected wonder for both of them. 

They soon find themselves working together to save an endangered bird, and the more time they spend together, the more Catherine is drawn to Collin. But there are forces mounting against them having a relationship, including Catherine’s reluctance to embrace the future, a difficult secret in Collin’s past, and an alliance Collin has with his agent, who clearly doesn’t want to remain his former girlfriend. 

Can they trust that, through God, there really is a season for everything?

Purchase your copy or any of Beverly's other books at AMAZON.