Interview and Giveaway with Erin Unger!

Erin Unger is back in the spotlight on The Diamond Mine! Today, we're offering a free copy of her thriller The Cabin. Just leave her an answer at the end of this interview to be entered in the drawing for a free copy. Let's turn our attention to The Cabin!    
Being trapped in a snowstorm might not be the worst thing…

Leah Kettridge’s writing career is over before the first book lands on the shelf, when a famous author has claimed she’s stolen his work.  

Keenan Brinner has it all. He's a best-selling author who's only headed toward more greatness. And he must be the most gorgeous guy Leah's ever seen. But he's also a liar and a cheat.

When they end up at the same cabin to write, emotions explode. 

But an unexpected snowstorm traps them deep in the mountains. Is 

he bent on destroying her in more ways than one? How will love 

find them amidst all their anger and distrust?

Sounds like a good one!! Now, let's get started on the interview!

Hi Erin! 

What does it mean to you to be a published writer?

I have worked so hard and for years to get to where I am today. It means so much to me to be traditionally published. I thank God for getting me where I am.

Do your characters ever surprise you?

When I write, I love to let the characters surprise me. They do tend to have a mind of their own.

That's so true!

Since you write stories with intricate plots, do you need to work from an outline?

It’s kind of funny how long my outlines are. My friends like to tease me about it. They usually average 50-60 pages. Pantster writers think I’m crazy but it allows me to write faster and cleaner.

Wow, that is a long outline!!

Have you ever started a story with no idea of how it will end?

My first two books didn’t have an outline and I didn’t know the ending, so it was a little hard for me to work without completely developing the story first. But they were a great learning experience.

Which is more fun for you to write, the hero and heroine or the villain or villains?

I completely love writing both sides! The hero/heroine are characters I get to really delve into. I love to develop them and show their weaknesses. But the villains creep me out sometimes, yet I love to get into their heads.

It's so funny how a character you're writing can actually creep you out. I think only a writer would understand that!

How would you describe the way you feel when writing?

Quite often, it takes a long time for me to get into writing a scene—even with an outline—so it can be frustrating. But when I get into the groove, excitement wells up when I see how my characters are going to get out of the messes they get themselves into.

What do you want your readers to feel when reading your stories?

Emotion is a very important part of writing. If readers don’t feel anything as they read, they’ll put the book down and never finish it. I want them to be on a rollercoaster ride with my characters, to feel what they feel in every part of the story.

Yes!! That's the main thing I think most fiction writers strive for.

Is there a common underlying theme in your work?

There does tend to be a common theme in most of my stories. It’s that bad things can happen to good people, yet God is in control of it all.

Do you write in more than one genre?

I do. I have a children’s book I illustrated, and I plan on writing and illustrating a whole series about a kitten who is always getting into trouble. It’s based on my adorable Persian cat who does the funniest things.

That sounds like a lot of fun! What are you working on now?

I’m about to start rewriting a manuscript called Expired Coupons: Buy One Get Dead Free that I wrote years ago. This fun romantic suspense is about a coupon addict and a murder. Throw in an adorable neighbor, and the main character will never be the same again. It’s due to the editor soon, so I better get to work.

To win my giveaway for an eBook of The Cabin, answer this question. Who is your favorite author and why do you love them?

Thanks for the interview, Erin! So there you go, readers! Answer Erin's question in the "leave a comment" section and you'll be entered for the free copy. Now here's a short bio of Erin, followed by her social and purchase links:

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby, five grown children, and a couple grandkids.

www.erinungerwrites.com

https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/

https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites

https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/33A6muW

https://www.pinterest.com/erinunger1/

Amazon- https://amzn.to/2WHTDru

God Has a Plan!

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all of her grown children and a couple grandkids.

Here is what Erin had to say about one of her latest book.

Fateful Fall is my fourth book and I’m beyond excited to share it with readers. It is the perfect example of God’s timing. You see, this book was born once before. My first book to come into the world. It only had four days to live that first time. And when the publishing house closed right after its release, I was devastated. I thought it had to be a clear sign I was done as a writer. I put my keyboard aside for what I thought was going to be the last time and bowed my head in defeat and tears. But this story wasn’t over. God was going to use some incredible circumstances to bring it back to life.

A year passed. My heart was heavy with lost dreams and an unsure future. But one thing I knew was that God didn’t want me to write anymore. So I dove into life at home in a busy household, where teenagers and friends came and went at a dizzying pace. But no words ever crossed my screen even though my writing haunted me. God was about to show me in the most incredible way that He had a plan…and it took a woman from across the world to accomplish it.

I had made many friends on social media over the years. One in particular was from the United Kingdom. How cool was it to have a friend in England? One night I was sitting on my couch when I got a message from her. She told me she felt God telling her to encourage me to keep writing. It was so out of the blue, so astonishing that I burst out in tears. She had become friends with a lady from my church and they had been talking about Fateful Fall prior to her message to me. What were the chances that she would know this lady from my church?! Sure, social media can make connections, but this was extraordinary.

God could not have spoken clearer to me than in that conversation. I can’t thank my English friend enough for letting God use her to get me back on track. Now my book is reborn. And it’s so much better than on the first go around, because I had time to grow and learn more by the time it was getting to the editing stage.

If you’ve been discouraged to the point of giving up, take courage. God has a plan!


Here's a blurb: 

Private Investigator Ava Worthington and her partners head to the mountains to solve the death of a farm owner’s son who was discovered murdered in an outhouse on the property. Without local cowboy Cory’s protection, Ava won’t get the chance to follow leads as the killer tries to stop her investigation. But Ava’s falling for Cory against her better judgment. She should be working and not pining after a cowboy. And Cory doesn’t want a relationship. His successful career was destroyed by a woman he trusted, and he won’t make the same mistake twice.

One suspect after another is cleared from Ava’s list until she’s sure she has the real killer targeted in her sights, but he’s hunting her, too. How will Ava and Cory find the killer and admit their love before they are buried under a mountain of secrets?

You can find Erin at:


www.erinungerwrites.com

https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/

 https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites

https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/

Multiple Interview and giveaway with Pelican authors!!

Next up, we're checking in again with author Erin Unger to spotlight her new release "The Cabin." It's due out on June 14th!! Leave a comment after the interview for a chance to win a free copy! Here's a brief glimpse into the story:

Leah Kettridge’s writing career is over before the first book lands on the shelf, when a famous author has claimed she’s stolen his work. If it wasn’t for a story brainstorming luncheon with her sister, he’d have never overheard her conversation about the novel she was writing. Who will she ever trust again if not her most favorite writer? And what about the one fabulous date they had before she knew what a traitor he was?

Keenan Brinner has it all. He’s a best-selling author who’s only headed toward more greatness. And he must be the most gorgeous guy Leah’s ever seen. But he’s also a liar and a cheat.

When they end up at the same cabin to write, emotions explode. But an unexpected snowstorm traps them deep in the mountains. Is he bent on destroying her in more ways than one? How will love find them amidst all their anger and distrust?

 Sounds like an exciting read! Welcome again to the Mine, Erin! I've got a few questions for you. 

When did you decide you wanted to write a book, and how did you get to that decision?

I was 27 when I really felt God calling me to write. When I make decisions, I get to work. And that’s what I did with writing too. My first book, a YA that’ll stay hidden in a computer file forever, got me headed into the writing realm.

You've got me wondering if you'll ever decide to publish that first book! 

What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

I absolutely love to read and write suspense. Add romance to it and it makes the perfect blend. I think it’s the blood-pumping drive of excitement to get to the next page that makes me love it so much. And who doesn’t love a great love story too?

That's so true! Suspense and romance are a powerful combination. So, what do you want your readers to experience by reading your stories?

If my readers can’t put the book down long enough to get some sleep at night, then I’ve done my job. That’s my goal in every book I write.

I'm sure your stories meet that goal! 

What do you experience when writing your stories?

Writing is a difficult thing. It’s time consuming. It makes my brain hurt sometimes. And it challenges me to pray, pray, pray. But I think that’s why God chose it for me. He knew it would make me rely on Him more.

Your response makes me think of that famous Ernest Hemingway quote: "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." I've always loved that quote!

So, what are you working on now?

I have had the best year with my writing! Two of my novels released at the beginning of the year and my third book, The Cabin, comes out June 14. I’m still in the middle of preparing for its release, which involves way more than I even imagined possible before I started getting published. And then there will be two more books to release by the end of autumn. Phew…

Wow!! You're having a big year. What a treat for readers! Thanks so much for the interview, Erin! Now readers, here is a short bio, plus Erin's links:

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grandkids. Her next novel, Fateful Fall, releases August 9, 2019.

www.erinungerwrites.com

https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/

 https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites

https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/

Four New Members Join the Diamond Mine in 2019!

Happy New Year! I hope the year 2019 greets you with love and joy that lasts and blesses you throughout the entire year!

We here at The Diamond Mine are very blessed also. We are welcoming in four new writers who will be conducting new interviews of Christian Authors throughout the new year. Sadly we've said good-bye to several and we will miss them greatly. But, please help me herald in a new wonderful bunch of writers! Karla Akins, Crystal Caudill, Terry Palmer, and return blogger, Erin Unger!

Karla Akins

Karla Akins is the author of A Pair of Miracles, the story of raising her twin sons with autism. Akins is also the author of several history books for homeschoolers including O Canada Her Story, Sacagawea, and Jacques Cartier. Her work has also been published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and she currently writes for Spirit-Filled Woman Magazine. Her first novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots includes a character with autism. Karla is a full-time special education teacher. She loves writing with her fur kids on her lap: a pug, a Boston Terrier, and two tuxedo cats. When Karla isn't writing she's dreaming about writing and making movies. Karla lives with her husband, twin adult sons with autism and her mother-in-love in rural Indiana.

You can connect with Karla at: KarlaAkins.com, https://www.instagram.com/karlaakinsspedwriter/, https://www.facebook.com/KarlaKAkins/, https://twitter.com/KarlaAkins.

Crystal Caudill

Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her parents had no idea what a monster they were creating when they took her to her first history museum. From that moment on, she has researched and crafted stories filled with danger, love, and history.

Her latest project won the 2018 RWA Wisconsin Fab Five, came in second for the 2018 RWA Touched By Love Contest, and was a finalist in the 2017 ACFW Virginia Crown Award.

You can connect with Crystal at: www.crystalcaudillwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/crystalcaudillauthor/, https://twitter.com/ccaudillwrites, https://www.pinterest.com/crystalcaudillwrites/, Instagram:@crystalcaudillauthor, Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c9n-7P

Terry Palmer

Author Terry Palmer lives in Rosemount Minnesota with his author wife Leann. Seven busy grandchildren are a constant source of amusement, source of stories, and source of mischief – like papa. No writers could be farther apart in style. Leann loves to write in her romance style, with the deeper feelings of life painted into her stories. Terry has to have some action/adventure, with disaster after disaster which makes the characters face those tough choices in life while on the run. But both are also the same. From separate points of view, our books bring the reader to one essential truth - ‘How to overcome adversity and darkness through a step of faith in Jesus Christ.’ You see…only by going through some tough challenges and finding out that it’s all about Jesus, about our worship and relationship with Him that makes the difference of either fear or peace, of either chaos or contentment. Last Christmas, Terry placed A Night to Remember into the market and ranked as high as #5 in the children’s Christmas books category. A Night To Remember is actually a gospel tract. The cute Christmas story leads right into ‘how to’ accept Jesus Christ as told by my characters. Right now Leann is trying to finish, ‘Strength For today’ in her romance voice and Terry is trying to get Shaken to market in his action/adventure voice.

So pleased to be part of the ‘Diamond Mine’.  Such a gathering of great voices for Jesus is like a literary choir of praise to Him and amen for that.

You can connect with Terry at: https://chroniclesoform.wordpress.com/.

Erin Unger

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grand kids. She has won several writing awards. 2019 is a busy year for Erin. Several of her books are releasing. Her novel, Desolate Paths, releases January 11, 2019 and Practicing Murder, releases March 29, 2019. Be on the look out for a few other novels of hers next summer and fall.

You can connect with Erin at: www.erinungerwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/, https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites, https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/.

In celebration of inducting these 4 new Christian authors, we are giving away a $25 Amazon card. Please leave your email in the comments and become one our our readers to qualify. Welcome aboard authors and thanks for reading!

A Friendly Chat with Erin Unger and Honorary Giveaway

Renee: Please welcome Erin Unger back to the Diamond Mine!

Erin Unger weaves romantic suspense tales long after the midnight oil has burned out. And her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to a house full of teens. Her first novel, Fateful Fall (Worthington Detective Agency Book 1), released on August 2. She illustrated Memphis Learns the Hard Way by Karla Priddy Gragg in 2013. And, Splickety Magazine published her flash-fiction story, An Accomplice to Love, in February 2016.

For those who may not know, Erin is one of the founding members of the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. She helped create this wonderful blog and as I like to say, once a Miner, always a Miner. I can’t wait to get started so without further ado, here’s Erin.

Erin: Hello, everyone. It’s a great pleasure to sit and talk with you today!

Renee: It’s so nice to see you here. Even though you’re no longer gracing our blog as a Miner, I know you’ve been busy. What’s your biggest challenge as an author?

Erin: A house full of teens, makes writing quite difficult at times. My kids love to have friends and family around, and they know how to wheedle me into allowing everyone to visit when I should be writing. No matter how much they promise to be quiet, I never manage to get much done with a bunch of guests. But they are lots of fun to be with.

Renee: I have an official empty nest now. No child, no parents, just me and the hubby and believe it or not, I’m busier than ever! LOL When you do get around to putting the pen to the page, what is one of your favorite settings?

Erin: There’s nothing like being in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall. The colors are phenomenal and there’s a festival or fair to attend up there pretty much every weekend. There’s this one festival I put on my calendar every year. There’s no cell reception and it’s very remote. It’s the perfect location for a murderer to hide.

Renee: I love the fall colors. The Rocky Mountains and Black Hills are beautiful that time of year too. I’ve never been to many festivals though. Fairs and rodeos, yep. They make for good story fodder too. It’s amazing where the ideas come from! What would we do if we couldn’t write anymore?

Erin: Writing is ingrained so deep I don’t know how to not write, but if I stopped I’d go back to doing foster care. I love the kids so much. And, I’d be thankful for the opportunity to show them Christ’s love, even if only for a bit.

Renee: You are one special lady. And strong. I bet you’d read one of your children’s books too. By the way, what’s your favorite book and where do you like to read?

Erin: My favorite book is The Host by Stephenie Myer. The emotional way the story grabs me, keeps me turning the pages, and gives me the inclination to want my readers to feel the same way when they read my work. I have this great sunroom. It’s light and airy, full of beach pictures and memorabilia. Yep, it’s the most comfy room in my house to cuddle with my cat and read.

Renee: That’s the type of room I want my office to be. Light, airy, and fresh. A place where I can go and breathe lighter and easier when I write. That sounds crazy, don’t it? Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do when you aren’t working?

Erin: Renovating my house, ha ha. It’s a never ending battle but I quite enjoy most of the work. And most of the houses we’ve owned, we’ve remodeled. I’ve done almost everything from kitchens, dry-walling, roofing, even a bathroom remodel just the other week. But my favorite is painting. It can transform a room with minimal work.

Renee: Painting? I wish I liked to paint. I like it for the first ten minutes. I have a few rooms you can transform if you want to come on by. I’m sure my landlord won’t mind. Truly, I’d love to just get away from it all. Not sure where’d I go, but—hey, if you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Erin: Ireland for sure! We took a two week trip last year and drove around the country. It was the best vacation ever, and I want to do it again.

Renee: Oh, I’d love to see Ireland and Scotland. Those are two places on my to-see list, but things are getting a bit hairy in Europe right now. I’m not sure if it will ever happen. I may pass on those dreams . . . for now. How do you face life in this changing world today?

Erin: Boy, do we live in a scary world these days. I can’t imagine life without Christ. He keeps me going every day.

Renee: Amen to that, my friend. Thank you for visiting with us and don’t be such a stranger here at the Mine. We’ve missed you!

Erin: I’ve missed you too. Thanks for chatting with me.

Renee: Find out more about Erin at the following sites! She's awesome.

Website: www.erinungerwrites.com

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/

https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites 

https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/

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* * * HONORARY GIVEAWAY * * *

To celebrate Erin’s visit back to the Diamond Mine, Renee’s offering one of her books as the giveaway prize (winner’s choice)! Answer the question below to enter:

How do you face life in this changing world today?

Winner will be selected by random draw from eligible comments on 8/13/2016.

(Minimum of 5 comments required to validate contest. Please include your email address with your comment to facilitate contact if you are selected as the winner.)

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About the Books:

Beast of Stratton (Amazon Best Seller):
2014 ACFW Genesis Semi-finalist

He appears the beast but she sees his heart.

Architect Aimee Hart, determined to locate her father, infiltrates Miles Stratton’s engineering firm as a secretary. Her presence wrenches the shaggy, wounded man from his penthouse, and the quest begins.

He’s been betrayed by his best friend. Miles would rather hide than help, especially his daughter. But it isnt over. Someone’s trying to destroy Stratton Industrial. A war veteran, he knows how to defend his own, the Beast of Stratton can do it again.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/aENB6DcJxfQ

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Stratton-Renee-Blare/dp/1508606021/

To Soar on Eagle’s Wings:

Spring’s in the air. While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The area’s new game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the season, but the trouble follows him—straight to town.

Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her classroom. So much for relaxation. A ‘chance’ meeting with her brother’s old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers love, like life, isn’t easy.

He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more of a challenge than ever before…

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/6g0TNc5WLEI

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Soar-Eagles-Wings-Renee-Blare/dp/1514775387

Through Raging Waters (Amazon Best Seller):

If Mother Nature has her way, Timber Springs will never be the same...

A warm spring and early rainstorms melt the snowpack. Spring runoff compounded by the storm of the century sends Timber Springs into a tailspin.
Tossed into the role of rescuer, local pharmacist Paul Fitzgerald must face his past before the whole world falls apart. While he fights to contain the beast around him, he finds his steadfast control slipping through his fingers. And life…everyone’s life…hangs by a thread once again.
She isn’t a hero. Melissa Hampton has her own demons to battle. After she learns of her mysterious beginnings amidst her mother’s keepsakes, she faces more than just the river rushing outside her door. Now, she must discern friend from foe…but as waters rise and tension climbs within Timber Springs, she needs to rise to the challenge or lose the only man she's ever loved.

Can two people find each other through raging waters? 

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/tE055Wyzaso

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Raging-Waters-Renee-Blare-ebook/dp/B01HBSB9BM/