Interview with Author Gay N. Lewis!

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 author Gay N. Lewis! 

Gay N. Lewis writes under two names, Gay N. Lewis and G. N. Lewis. She writes two blogs, Gay N. Lewis and I’ll Always Remember, a blog about dementia. Visit Gay N. Lewis on YouTube and her Amazon Author Page! 

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?

Thank you for inviting me to visit with you in a coffee shop. I love coffee. I like it plain with no sugar in the winter, and in the summer, I like it sweetened and iced. I stumble from the bed every morning and don’t wake up until the caffeine hits. There’s nothing better than that first cup.

That first cup is the best! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?

If I could order anything in the world to eat, what would it be?  That’s a tough question because I enjoy food. My favorite dish is my mom’s chicken and dumplings, but she’s in heaven now, and no one can make them as good as she did.  I’d like to order pizza from Italy, and I would also like to experience Belgium chocolates. However, I have no plans to travel to Europe, so these two authentic treats are not in my future.

Nothing tops mom's food! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?

My favorite place to write is on my desktop in my office. I’m not an organized person, and I write amidst chaos.  My workplace is at the back of my house, and I can see into the backyard. The view of three huge trees, along with the squirrels chasing each other, refreshes me. Those tiny creatures are fun to watch.

That does sound fun! What inspired you to write Kade's Worth?

What inspired me to write Kade’s Worth?  When I heard of the Safe Haven Laws, the idea came to me. I had a distant relative who threw a newborn into a dumpster some 40 years ago, and she spent thirty years in prison. She could have aborted the baby back then, abortion was legal, but she didn’t. If the Safe Haven Laws had existed at that time, she could have saved herself and the baby after the child was born.

So interesting when family history inspires a story! What led you to write in this genre?

Kade’s Worth is about a young girl who is raped, wants to keep her baby, but with no help, she can’t. She learns of the Baby Moses Laws aka Safe Haven Laws and surrenders her baby. She manages to cope with her loss, but her self-worth vanishes. She marries, but after her husband dies, fury from all the injustice hits her full force. She can’t bring back the baby or her husband, but she can kill the men who raped her. She sets out on a quest to find them.

This book is a far cry from my usual Christian novels. Kade’s Worth is edgy. I normally write Christian historical and fantasy, but this one took me to another level.

That does take an edgy turn! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?

My purpose in writing this book is to help women with unplanned pregnancies. With the Safe Haven, or Baby Moses Laws, there is hope. Parents can surrender a child anonymously. No one needs to know about the baby.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level? 

One of my favorite Scriptures is Philippians 4:6-7 from the NLT. “Don’t worry about anything; pray about everything, tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.”  My children learned this at an early age, and when my daughter lay dying, we quoted it together.

How special to your family in times of hardship! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?

I don’t have the next project in mind, however, I may write a nonfiction book entitled Life in the Parsonage. I’ve lived in parsonages before, and I have friends who have also. We do have some funny tales to tell.

I bet you do! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)

I am currently reading Lily’s Redemption by Ann Marie Jameson. It is about a woman who dies, goes to heaven, and returns to earth. She is to make amends to all the people she wronged in her life. It is amusing and has a bit of fantasy. Those are two ingredients I love in a book.

Very interesting! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Gay! 

Check out Kade's Worth 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. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and create aesthetic content 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, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Author Page!

Colleen Synder

 Happy New Year from down here in Houston! Gay N. Lewis here, and I want to introduce you to Colleen Synder!

Colleen was born in Iowa but now lives outside Fresno in the Central Valley of California. She is divorced and lives on a "ranchette" with her 92 year mom, a sister, two ponies, and her mom's dog. She has two children and two grandchildren who live elsewhere. She has served in the US Air Force but now enjoys writing novels. She loves chocolate in any form. The darker the better. She works jigsaw puzzles and watches birds from her window. She and her mom enjoy going to the ocean to watch the waves crash against the rocks.

I asked her how she came to faith. Here's her reply.

I came to faith as an adult.  I knew nothing of the Lord or God. My family background was New Age in the 1960s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lots of “God as I understand Him” and “You are your own God” and all of it was confusing. And scary. I was taught, “You are totally responsible for everything that happens in the world.” If there was a famine in Africa, it was my fault because I created it that way. It’s a heavy, heavy thing to be told you are your own God. New Year’s Eve 1974. I was in my apartment, alone, and totally lost. I was scared, hurting, with nothing to live for. I hit my knees and cried out to “God, if there is a God, take my life and do something with it. Or I’ll take my own life. I can’t go on like this.” There came a feeling of peace I’d never known, and a sense of a Voice saying, “You can go on. It’s going to be okay.” Not an audible Voice, but a sense in my soul. I got up with the determination to live. To do the things I’d always wanted to do. I rode an elephant. I went up in a hot air balloon. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (twice. BIG mistake, that one!) I joined the US Air Force. The first Sunday we were there they marched us to chapel. It was a contemporary chapel service, and for the first time, I really heard the message of the Gospel and met Christ. I pledged my life to Him at that moment and have been following Him ever since. Sometimes closer than others, but always knowing He is the reason I’m alive and living.

When did you decided to write?

I began story telling before I could read or write. I would gather my stuffed animals at my feet and tell them stories. My mom read Winnie the Pooh to us with a stuffed bear on her knee. I knew then I wanted to tell stories. My first “official” books were published in 1990-1992. “Journey to Amanah: The Beginning” is a Christian Allegorical Fantasy about my children coming to faith in Christ. What was then Broadman Press, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, read it, liked it, and published it and the sequel, “Return to Tebel-Ayr.” I didn’t write again until 2020, and my first book published that year was “Verdict at the River’s Edge” a contemporary Christian Suspense/mystery. It was the first in the Collin Walker Series, with a total of 7 books in the series.

Are you self-published? If not, how did you find publishers?

I am published through Winged Publication, a “small house” owned by Cynthia Hickey. I met Cynthia at an online conference, where I signed up for 15 minutes with an editor/publisher. My first choice was unavailable. So was my second. And my third. I  said, “Okay, who IS available?” Cynthia Hickey. Fine, I’ll talk to her. I emailed her my “One Sheet” with my information. She liked the presentation and said to send her the first chapter (right then.) I sent it to her. She looked it over, read it, then said, “I’ll publish the whole series.” God moves. Never doubt His timing.

How do you come up with so many twists and turns?

I try to imagine all the obstacles that my character can encounter, and then how she (or he in the new series) will get out of them. Sometimes I have to go back and start over, having got my character in someplace I can’t get them out of! It’s always a challenge to not repeat a danger or situation. Especially after so many books.

Tell us about your latest book. Be sure to include links.

The last book I wrote was part of my “Knights of the Octagon” series…a Contemporary Christian Mystery/Suspense. (“Octagon, because no one had a round table, and Knights of the Oval sounded weird.”) It’s a Christmas Romance, “The Christmas Stalker.” Someone is stalking Chay Waylon. They’re sending her emails from her own computer. The one she never leaves unattended during the day. Yet the emails continue to pop up as she’s working. Then someone hacks the company computer system, and suspicion falls on Chay. She has to solve the mysteries…but are they connected? Who is threatening her? And why? Then an old flame comes back into the picture. Is he part of the problem? Or is he the solution she’s been waiting for?

On Amazon

I enjoyed visiting with Colleen, and I know you will enjoy her books!

Connect with Colleen at http://colleensnyderauthor.com/, cksnyderauthor@gmail.com

and on Facebook at Colleen Snyder and Colleen Snyder, Author.

Welcome to New Members 2024!

Welcome friends and readers!
And welcome 2024!

A new year is always a time of changes here at the Diamond Mine and this year is no exception. 

We sadly say goodbye to Janet Morris Grimes, Carlene Havel, and Lianne Bruynell Lopes, and Penny Frost McGinnis. And while they are leaving The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, each author will still be penning amazing stories to feed our imaginations.

And speaking of Christian authors firing up their writing forges, I just want to take a moment to encourage all of our readers not to forget to show appreciation for the stories we love in this new year. In other words:

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AND NOT-SO-LOCAL CHRISTIAN AUTHORS!

This may seem impossible to you as a reader. But it’s so simple! Here are some practical ways that you actually HELP Christian authors. You might call it the 12 Ways of Supporting Christian Authors, (catchy, right?!?) although I'm not promising it will match the Christmas tune.

1. Buy the book(s).

2. Use word of mouth to support an author’s book.

3. Follow authors on Social Media.

4. Leave messages on how you enjoyed a book.

5. Follow and interact on an author’s blog.

6. Attend local (and maybe not-so-local) book signings.

7. Send an email telling an author how much you loved an author’s book.

8. Join an author’s newsletter. (Please!)

9. Attend a readers’ retreat and participate. (And boy, are there lots of freebies there!)

10. Buy more books. (!) Buy books as gifts.

11. Join an author’s Street Team. (You can help promote, read early editions, etc.)

12. LEAVE A REVIEW. on Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Goodreads, etc. (I cannot express how much this helps/encourages a writer.)

See? It’s easy! I challenge all readers (and we here on The Diamond Mine are readers, too!) to show your appreciation to those Christian Authors who write those books we love sooo much!

WE LOVE CHRISTIAN FICTION!

Ah, I feel better now. Onward to the purpose of this post. To welcome in some NEW Christian Authors! This year, Lisa M. James, Gay N. Lewis (also known as G.N. Lewis), Regina Rudd Merrick, and Carrie Walker have put on their miner’s hats to become members here on The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. All together we shout:

WELCOME ABOARD!

And now, let’s get to know a little about these authors.

Lisa M. James

    Lisa M. James is an independent author, marketer, and former Sunday School teacher. She loves writing fantasy novels featuring women of color for both young adult and adult audiences.   

Her novels have hit the Amazon Best Sellers list for numerous Fantasy categories, including: Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Christian Fantasy, and Religious Science Fiction and Fantasy. Her fictional writing is inspired by Historical Fiction, Fantasy genres, and Christian novels.

 When not writing, Lisa loves talking about her faith, Disney movies, and football while drinking chai lattes. To keep up with her latest releases, subscribe to www.lisamjames.com.

Gay N. Lewis

       Gay N. Lewis, a Texan, and a best-selling author. She writes as Gay N. Lewis and G. N. Lewis. Most of her books are about a dyslexic angel who produces chaos as she helps humans. They are laugh-out-loud funny. Gay has also written two, serious historical 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 @http://amzn.to/2hwc6nB and other on other online booksellers.  A link to G.N. Lewis is: https://amzn.to/3G3ZdZm.

Regina Rudd Merrick

 Regina Rudd Merrick started her journey as a life-long lover of reading in first grade, and eventually parlayed that love of literature into a degree in library science, with stints as both elementary and middle school librarians, and later as a public library director.

After finding the enjoyable world of reading and writing "fan-fiction"--original stories based on characters from familiar stories, television shows, and movies--she realized that for some reason God had given her the ability to weave a story, whether it be in this online community or with original characters. Her first novel, Carolina Dream, book one of the Southern Breeze Series, was the winner of a publishing contest with Mantle Rock Publishing, LLC (now Scrivenings Press), and her writing career was born.

Now the author of seven novels and a contributor to four novella collections, Regina writes about people like all of us who sometimes struggle with their faith and trusting God. Her latest novella contribution is included in the collection, Love in Any Season, and her latest novels are Window of Peace, book two2 of a multi-author series entitled Stained Glass Legacy, releasing in April 2023, and Twelve Days of Mandy Reno, a short Christmas novel and book two of the RenoVations, Inc. series. In addition to writing, Regina has recently added the title of “editor” to her resume.

In 2024, she’ll have three offerings: Carolina Connections (January 2024), Rebuilding Joy (February 2024), and Christmas, ReWired (November 2024)

Regina loves chocolate, the beach, playing keyboard and vocals in her church's praise band, historical homes, watching other people renovate on HGTV, and Hallmark movies. She and her husband of forty years are empty nesters in rural western Kentucky and are the proud parents of two grown-up daughters and a son-in-law, along with the family's sixteen-year-old Schauzer-mix, Cedric.@reginaruddmerrick.com.

Carrie Walker

Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader, she pens what she loves to read: contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among storylines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. 

When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus, or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

A member of ACFW, ACFW-GL and FHLCW, Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests and her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the 2020 ACFW First Impressions Contest for Contemporary.

To learn more about Carrie and her writing or to connect with her, follow her on social media! She’d love to hear from you. You can also sign up for her newsletter on her website at carriewalkerwrites.com.

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Another great goal for readers is to follow The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction Blog all year! Please post us on your social media and encourage your friends to follow us as well. We highlight Christian authors and have book giveaways every Wednesday. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for 2024, can you?

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DIY addict and Christian author Peggy Trotter would love for you to subscribe to her newsletter @peggytrotter.com. Join her on social media, well, pretty much everywhere.

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. 

Interview and book giveaway with Gay N. Lewis!!

Sarah and a Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island

She can fly but can she swim? Dyslexic and bumbling angel, Sarah, comes to earth to unite Carolyn with a mate. Poopty doopty! She must do it on a ship while Carolyn cruises to Catalina Island. Sarah fears falling into the ocean, and she’s horrified soggy wings will drown her.  On this mission, Talen, an evil spirit is assigned to thwart Heaven’s Little Love Angel’s efforts. Tomas, the Warrior Angel, must protect Sarah. Can Tomas succeed without Sarah goofing up the war between the holy and unholy spirits? Will Talen succeed in spoiling Carolyn’s romance?

Today on The Diamond Mine, we're going to listen in on an interview with Sarah, the angel who stars in the series of books by Gay N. Lewis. So prepare for a fun ride on the Sarah roller coaster, and don' forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this delightful book. And here we go!!

Sarah has been making the rounds of television shows. She’s promoting the latest book about her, Sarah and the Midnight Ride to Catalina Island. A movie producer, Darcy DoGood, employed by Pie in the Sky contacted her producer, Gay N. Lewis, for an interview with Sarah. Gay made the arrangements and then recorded the dialogue.

Darcy:        I understand you’ve had many assignments on Earth. What was the latest one that brings you down here to us?

Sarah:       “My duties this time were soooo scary. I had to go on a cruise to Catalina Island and the sea makes me dizzy. I feared the ship might sink, or I might fall off the boat before the thing went into the deep like the Titanic did. Carolyn Baker, a college student who works in a mall, chose this trip for a vacation. Her dad had recently died, and she was grieving. Two men introduced themselves to her on board, and I had to discover which one was the right man for her.”

Darcy:        “You’ve done that before. What made this mission different?”

Sarah:        “I had a wicked spirit named Talen who wanted to thwart my efforts. I’d never tangled with an evil one before, so that complicated matters.”

Darcy:        “Now that sound chilling. What happened?”

Sarah:        “He has the same powers as me, but he uses them for evil. He appeared many times as a human. I used my spontaneity to prevent his moves, but he tricked me into going to Cloud Nine. He planned to banish me, but Tomas, the Warrior Angel, rescued me. If you’d been on Earth, you’d have seen an incredible lightening display taking place in The Heavenlies as the two clashed their swords.”

Darcy:        “I’m sure the fight presented a stormy scene to the watchers below. Did you goof up at all this time?”

Sarah:        “Oh my yes. Disguises are difficult for me. Carolyn and Nick toured Catalina Island, and I went with them in female form. People thought I resembled Dolly Parton, and I heard one woman tell another that I must have paid a fortune for my Botox. I guess she was talking about the brand of jeans I conjured up.”

Darcy:        “Anything else?”

Sarah:        “I accidently bopped into a hotel room and awoke a man and woman. I said that I was a therapist who made love connections. They told me they didn’t need any help and to leave immediately. I scared them when I disappeared.”

Darcy:        “You mentioned two suitors. Why was it difficult to decide which one was right for Carolyn?”

Sarah:        Carolyn lives in the Houston area, one of the men did too, but the other man came often on business. Both wanted to date her when she returned to Houston. They were both handsome and charming, and each of them tried to sweet-talk his way into Carolyn’s life, but I discovered one was dishonest.”

Darcy:        “We women must be careful when dating. Men can fool us.”

Sarah:        “Yes, especially when an unholy angel like Talen comes into the mix.”

Darcy:        “Will you read an excerpt for us?”

Sarah:        “Gladly.  This one is from Chapter Eleven. Nick, one of the suitors and Carolyn are standing on deck gazing at Catalina Island.

Sarah hovered above Nick and Carolyn as they enjoyed each other’s company on the upper deck until the middle of the night. Their attraction seemed to grow with each passing moment, but was it real or merely the ambience of the evening?

Nick glanced at his watch. “Almost midnight. You know what happens at that magic hour?”

“I turn into a pumpkin?”

Nick’s laugh rang out, deep and melodious. “No. Tradition of the islands says fair maidens should be kissed at midnight.”

“I didn’t read that in any brochure. You’re making that up.”

“No, kissing on a ship at midnight with an island as a backdrop is a new ritual.”

“Oh, really. Whose?”

“Mine. I just established it.”

Darcy:        “Nick sounds charming. Did he win the hand of the fair maiden?”

Sarah:        “Sorry. I can’t say. You have to read the book. Gay N. Lewis would not be pleased if I told you everything.”

Well that was a fun glimpse into this latest adventure with Sarah! Don't forget to leave a comment so you'll be entered in the drawing! Here's a little about Gay N. Lewis, followed by her social and purchase links:

Gay N. Lewis has a background in video production and interior design. Her credits include Psalms from the Mountains, The Canadian Rockies and Many Churches, One Vision.  As a pastor’s wife and Adult Bible Study Leader, she has written numerous church programs and newsletters. She lives in Fulshear, TX, a small town west of Houston.

http://prismbookgroup.com/angels

For more information, please go to http ://gaynlewis.com/

Read excerpts on www.prismbookgroup.com

Gay would love to have you see her video trailers and become a follower of her blog.

http://www.gaynlewis.blogspot.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/gaynlewis
www.facebook.com/GayNLewis and also on Twitter @GayNLewis2.

Sarah has her own Facebook page. Follow Sarah on Facebook@ Sarah Wingspand

Books

Sarah: A Mission of Love

Sarah: Laney's Angel

Sarah and the Widow's Mate

Sarah and the Internet Dating Service

Sarah and the Scary Ferris Wheel

Sarah and a Dad for Mandy

Sarah and a Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island

ttp://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Midnight-Cruise-Catalina-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00YW68GQS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433469867&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=sarah+and+the+midnight+cruise+to+catalina+island