Interview with Debut Fiction Co-authors Denae Jones and Jennifer Thomas

Meet Denae Jones and Jennifer Thomas co-authors of But, Even Now, a split-time biblical and modern-day story. They are kind enough to offer a free copy of their book. If you'd like to win a the book, leave a comment with your name and email address by July 14. We must have your email address to be eligible.

I'm excited to interview both ladies and introduce them to you. 

Jennifer:

What genre do you enjoy reading most?

Historical fiction for sure! I love the feeling of going back in time and experiencing what life may have been like through the different characters' points of view.

Jennifer:
What is your favorite childhood book? 

Definitely King Bidgood's In The Bathtub by Audrey Wood... Check it out if you haven't read it! I guess you could say it would be historical fiction for a picture book. The last page will NEVER not make me laugh!!

Denae:
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Funny, I thought writing was a more recent dream of mine, but I found books with my writing in it from
all the way back to about third grade. Poetry, short stories, etc. Then in college, one of my professors asked us to make a list of our top 5 long-term dreams. Having a published book was on that list, but I had totally forgotten about it! I guess this is just what God wanted me to do. I started with having a couple of stories published in Chicken Soup books, then I created a line of greeting cards for people who had lost a child. About six years ago, I wrote for newspapers, which eventually developed into my devotion books. The latest is our novel, But, Even Now.  

Denae:

Do you have any upcoming projects, releases, or sales?

But, Even Now is our latest published book. The story goes between biblical times and modern day, and it's the first in this series. At the end of But, Even Now you can read the first two chapters of the sequel, titled The Two Martha’s. We are currently working on completing that and can’t wait to see how it ends!

Thanks for sharing a bit about you.

Denea:

Please share the book we are featuring here: 

But, Even Now  

Meet Trista, a woman whose present-day world has been falling apart for years. How can she stay close to God when insurmountable obstacles meet her time and time again? As advised by her counselor, she starts journaling, which inadvertently tells a heart-gripping story about an unexpected path to motherhood, love and loss, addiction, betrayal, and faith that will change future generations.

Meet Adinah, who lives in a world dominated by Roman oppression just as Jesus is being revealed as the Messiah. Being a barren wife in a culture where family lineage is everything, she questions God when she feels all but forgotten by Him. Ready to give up, she beholds firsthand how life-and faith-can change in an instant.

1,985 years ago, Adinah was there to witness a miracle. Today, that same miracle changes Trista's life. This historical/fiction novel will have you laughing and crying as it weaves together the intriguing stories of these two women who have one very important thing in common: Jesus.

(Available online most places books are sold.) Amazon

Denae, I know you delve into the Jewish religion in the historical fiction. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

But, Even Now is a time leap book that is historical/fiction. It was important to us that the historical part and the present-day part not only aligned with one another, but that they were as historically accurate as possible. We did quite a bit of research and conducted interviews to make sure the cultures described in the book were represented well.  

Jennifer:

Do you find yourself returning to a similar theme in your novels or do you have a new message with each release?

Honestly, we haven't had to choose a theme yet because God has clearly instructed us in our writing journey so far. It was clear to us that pornography addiction would be a part of our beloved Trista's journey in some way. This epidemic is stealing the innocence of children and harming marriages at an alarming rate in our world today. It was also clear that our two main characters would both be encouraged through their trials by words right out of Martha's mouth in the Bible. As for the theme of our sequel, The Two Marthas, we already knew what it was to be about before we finished the first. God is really in the lead with this series, and we are just hoping we get it right.

Jennifer:

Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book? 

Yes! So glad you asked! John 11:22...  Check it out and then read But, Even Now. :)

To finish our time together, each of you tell us a fun thing about you.

Denae:
What are the top three things on your bucket list?

One thing on my bucket list would be to travel to the Holy Land and then to parts of Europe. Another would be to go Sky Camping, where you camp in a hammock that is suspended over the side of a mountain. My top bucket list actually came true last year, and that was to see every member of my family baptized!

Jennifer:
If you could be any animal, which would it be?

I would probably pick to be one of my dogs, chickens, or ducks because of how much we spoil them!

If you'd like to win a copy of the book, leave a comment with your name and email address by July 14. We must have your email address to be eligible, and we need five comments from five readers.

Thanks for checking out The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction.

Welcome Mollie Rushmeyer

Posted by Penny Frost McGinnis

I got to read an early copy of Mollie Rushmeyer's debut novel, The Bookshop of Secrets. This is one of the best books I've read this year. Mollie is giving away an e-copy of her book. Please comment by October 19 to be entered to win. 

We'll start with 'what is your favorite' questions:

Coffee or Tea? Oh, man. You’re going to make me choose? I don’t think I can! I love coffee for my everyday morning caffeine pick-me-up. But tea is a great “treat” in the afternoon and reminds me of England. I’m a total Anglophile!

M&Ms or Reece’s Pieces? Reece’s, for sure. I love peanut butter!

Cat or Dog Person? Cat person, though I’ve come to enjoy dogs a lot more in the last several years. But we’re sticking with just our one sweet kitty boy, Brooks, at home.

Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter? Fall. Hands down. I live in Minnesota where autumn means crisp air, vibrant foliage, apple and pumpkin picking, and all things glorious fall.

Let's get to know Mollie as a writer:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote little stories and poems as a child, but I first thought I wanted to be a writer while in college. I was reading voraciously (maybe a little escape from the stress of homework, tests, and essay writing), and I remember thinking I wanted to do for someone else what these beloved authors had done for me. Provide a safe place to escape, adventure, think and feel and explore in a way that we don’t always have space to do in the real world. I hoped to create stories and characters that would live on in the hearts of readers. The way I carry all of my favorites with me.

What is your favorite childhood book?

I’m sorry, I have to be the rebel once again because I can’t pick just one. The stories that had the most impact on me were all given/recommended to me by my book-loving grandpa. The Giver by Lois Lowry. A Wrinkle in Time (and really the whole Time Quintet) by Madeleine L’Engle. And The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. The all had characters I still think about and captures my imagination as a young person.

Do you have any upcoming projects, releases, or sales?

There’s my debut, The Bookshop of Secrets, releasing October 25^th, 2022.

It’s up for pre-order on all book-buying sites. It is on sale at Harlequin and you can read the first two chapters free! Here’s the link: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335426215_the-bookshop-of-secrets.html

I also have a second book coming out with Love Inspired Trade/Harlequin next August 2023 called The Lost Manuscript. It’s set in Northern England and is about an estranged married couple coming together to find a famed lost medieval manuscript. So stay tuned!

Tell us about your book:

Do you have a new release you'd like to tell us about?

Yes! My new release is actually my debut novel, The Bookshop of Secrets. It’ll be out in the world on October 25^th.

Here’s the back cover: A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family's legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she's lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book?

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25

I chose this for my character Hope who has endured unspeakable tragedy and trauma in her past. For her, the idea of looking to the future with joy seems impossible, but her heart longs for this very thing.

Just for fun:

If you could travel anywhere without worry about cost, where would you travel?

This is easy! England and Scotland. My family and I were planning a trip back to these countries of my heart in 2020. We’d still like to make that happen in the next couple of years!

Bio:

Mollie Rushmeyer writes contemporary fiction with a heart for history. She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, and stories woven throughout.

A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.

Meet Mollie:

• https://www.facebook.com/mollie.rushmeyer and https://www.facebook.com/authormollierushmeyer
• www.molliejrushmeyer.com (newsletter sign-up here)
• https://www.instagram.com/molliejoyrushmeyer/
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21798490.Mollie_Rushmeyer
• https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-bookshop-of-secrets-by-mollie-rushmeyer

Universal pre-order link: https://books2read.com/b/3kP87L

Mollie is giving away an e-copy of her book. Please comment by October 19 to be entered to win. 

Sign up for her newsletter at: www.molliejrushmeyer.com

Writing and Life with Sara Beth Williams + a Pre-Order Giveaway

 Welcome back to the Diamond Mine!! We are so grateful for our visitors and hope you have discovered some new authors through us. 

Let's give a warm welcome for our guest this week. Sara Beth Williams is here!

About the Author

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. When she's not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads and Bookbub.

Receive a FREE short story when you sign up for her newsletter.

Connect with Sara Beth at: Amazon / Goodreads / Bookbub / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

Website / MeWe 

Suzie: Welcome Sarah Beth, and thank you for taking time out of your busy pre-release schedule to sit with us today. Let's ease right into things with a couple of Would You Rather questions.

Would you rather lose your sense of taste or your sense of smell?

Sara Beth: I like my sense of taste :D 

Suzie: I'm right there with you. Besides, there are a few things I'd rather not smell. Would you rather vacation in the mountains or at the beach?

Sara Beth: I love the beach. I don’t go enough. I visit the mountains more often. 

Suzie: What do you when you aren’t writing?

Sara Beth: I love to play guitar, hang out with my family or visit with friends. 

Suzie: How fun that you play guitar, and friends and family are necessary for our sanity. Name three books on your current tbr.

Sara Beth: I am currently looking forward to The Art of Rivers by Janet W. Ferguson, Always you by Jennifer Rodewald, and On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher. All of them sound AMAZING. 

Suzie: Oh, some good choices there. And your next book is coming out next week for the rest of us to add to our TBR lists. How did you connect with your publisher?

Sara Beth: I participated in #faithpitch on Twitter several years ago, (2017?) and from there, an editor contacted me, requested my first manuscript, and fell in love with it. I’m forever grateful! 

Suzie: I've followed #faithpitch for a couple years. There have been a few success stories coming out of it. It's exciting how many avenues there are for authors now. 

Anchor My Heart, your third full-length book, is set to release March 16. What have you learned about writing and/or the publishing industry from your first book to your third?

I sincerely hope I have greatly improved my writing mechanics. I’ve learned quite a bit about how to tighten everything in a story. I’ve also learned about the editing process, and how editing is not simply looking through incorrect words or phrases, but it begins with looking at the story as a whole, then continues to narrow its focus. It’s a fascinating process really. 

Suzie: Writing is a continuous learning curve, isn't it? So many elements come together to create that reader experience. 

Last but certainly never least, how can we pray for you?

Sara Beth: Thanks so much for asking! 

I am going to be losing my main income in a few weeks as the school I work at goes into hybrid learning. I cannot continue to work on campus because my youngest daughter who is in kinder will be remaining in distance learning through the rest of this year. So it’s a bit nerve-wracking but my husband and I are as prepared as we can be. I currently work as a freelance publicist and am hoping to expand more into freelance marketing and publicity, so if you know anyone interested in hiring someone, please visit my website for more information which is listed in my bio. I would greatly appreciate prayers for financial stability and God’s guidance and direction. 

Suzie: We will certainly keep you in our prayers. Thank you so much for sharing with us this week. I am looking forward to reading Anchor My Heart. 

Readers, keep scrolling for more about the book as well as how you can enter Sara Beth's pre-order giveaway, and be sure to give her a warm welcome to the mine.

More About Anchor My Heart

In the aftermath of tragic loss, worship leader Matt Lawson is grappling debilitating anxiety. The blessings he’d taken for granted—a dream job, a woman he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with, and his God-given musical talent—have crumbled at his feet, leaving him reeling in despair, unable to face the wreckage of the life he’d envisioned for himself.

 Tara Pierce is ready to put past hurts behind her as she prepares to graduate college and take a leap of faith in her career. When Matt’s grief causes him to isolate himself from everyone he knows, she refuses to stand idly by and do nothing. She has traversed similar terrain before. No one deserves to travel that road alone.

 Unexpected attraction flares as Tara reaches into the sea of Matt’s grief and helps ground him in reality. But Matt’s not ready to give himself away again. Can Tara risk her heart and their friendship and let God step in to heal where she can’t?

Amazon | Goodreads | Print | BookBub

Pre-Order Giveaway

Enter to win a grand prize pack full of books and bookish swag. THREE winners will be chosen in all. All chosen winners will be invited to join me on a Zoom coffee or tea date

Pre Order Anchor My Heart HERE: 

Click here to find out all the info you need to enter to Win

Would You Rather (and More) with Tanya Eavenson + a Giveaway

Hello, reader friends. Welcome back! This week I'm excited to introduce you to author Tanya Eavenson! And she's generously offering one of our readers an Amazon gift card (you'll have to keep reading to find out those details, though).

Tanya Eavenson is an award-winning Christian romance novelist. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/

Connect with Tanya

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub





Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Tanya. I’m so excited to introduce you and your books to our visitors!

Let’s begin with a short round of Would You Rather. I promise that none of these are disgusting questions.

Aww, thanks for having me, Suzie! And I love the game Would You Rather! We play it all the time as a family and yes, some of the questions can get disgusting. The things my kids can think of eating is beyond me! 

SW: Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?

TE: Pause button. The reason, my life is very blessed where I am. I won’t change it for anything.

SW: Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator?

TE: Oh, my! Can I just say, I’m TERRIFIED of heights, but I’m also claustrophobic. I would be a mess in either situation. However, if I was to pick, I guess it would have to be the broken-down ski lift so I’d be able to breathe. Breathing is a good thing. LOL!

SW: Would you rather lose your keys or your cell phone? 

 

TE: Keys, hands down.




SW: Tell us a little about yourself. What does a typical day (if there is such a thing for an author) look like for you?

TE: Since most of Americas are sheltering in place from COVID-19, my typical day isn’t very normal. It’s hard to explain. My day job has allowed me to work from home, which is a blessing, but it’s a little hard to work with a house full of people. 😊 I’m sure several of your readers can relate! Then there’s writing, and for some reason with everything that’s going on, I’m not able to concentrate to put down on single word. I’ve decided instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything, I will give it to the Lord day by day. Honestly, now I have more peace as I sit at home with my family. God’s got this virus, He has my family, and my writing, He has everything is in the palm of His hand. 


SW: Yes, I know many of us can relate. It's hard to concentrate on routine right now. 

If you weren’t writing, what would your career involve?

TE: If I wasn’t writing, I’d have to say something with social media or with finances in some way. But honestly, I can’t see myself not writing. It’s a part of me. 


SW: What three books are at the top of your TBR?

TE:

1) Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano
2) Above the Fold by Rachel McDaniel
3) Loving the Mysterious Texan Series by Mary Connealy 


SW: I've read the first two and your are in for some laughs with Jen's book and some great banter in Rachel's. 

You’ve got a busy 2020 with a few book releases. How do you balance writing different stories in different settings and time periods?

TE: It’s a busy year for sure! For me it’s not hard to write different stories. Each story plot and character is different from one another, they’re easy to separate. The hardest part is not being able to write fast enough because a lot of my time is doing research. Yes, even for contemporary stories, there’s a lot of background work that takes place before writing that first word. 

Book One of the All Roads Lead to Texas series

SW: To Gain Forever in the Love is in the Air Romance Collection is your upcoming release (readers: this is only $0.99 until the May 10 release day so grab your preorder before the price goes up. More details and order links are below). Can you share a little about the collaboration process for a multi-author collection like this?

TE: It’s fun working with authors to make a project come alive. Having a vision and a goal is so important because there are many deadlines. My partner in crime, Candee Fick, and I, have taken different admin roles for this set, and we’ve had a great time getting to know one another. I love how God brings people together! I’ve certainly enjoyed getting to know these ladies and look forward to more projects in the future.


SW: I think we can all agree that we’re here because we love words and stories. There’s a lot that goes into those and life/the world is so different right now than any of us ever imagined. How can we pray for you during this season and even throughout the rest of the year?

TE: I certainly appreciate the prayers! Please pray that God will heal those with COVID-19 and protect the ones who do not. For my writing, that the words will flow. And in all things, God will be glorified. 

SW: Thank you so much for you time today, Tanya. It's been a pleasure chatting with you and getting better acquainted. We're praying for God's blessings for you this year.

About Love Is In The Air

All you have to do is look up.

This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up.

First Class Wrong Flight by Laura V. Hilton

Candi Walker is excited to attend her former college roommate’s wedding. At least it’s a direct flight across the country and the potential of messing up is next to impossible…until she crashes into a handsome pilot. Now it’s a dream-come-true or her worst nightmare.

Alex Kuklewski has one last flight before he attends his stepsister’s wedding. Desperate to escape his tagalong ex-girlfriend’s clutches, Alex prays that his future wife would drop into his path. And she does. Too bad he and Candi aren’t headed to the same destination.

Emotional baggage on both sides exceeds the weight limit, and the flight to happily-ever-after seems grounded. What will it take for them to launch true love into the air?

A Castle in the Clouds by Candee Fick

Aspiring romance novelist Miranda Scott has her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. Raised by a single mother, extravagant trips to castles overseas are only a fairy-tale…until a co-worker’s accident has her boarding a plane to teach creative writing on an all-expenses-paid school-sponsored trip. Family responsibilities kept Joshua Clark close to home, but it’s finally time for the history teacher to spread his wings. Hopefully his time chaperoning an overseas trip and seeing history in person will reveal what the next chapter holds.

However, falling in love surrounded by teenagers was never the plan.

Flying Into Love by Kathleen Rouser

Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him, but she treasures the old journal with it. Ben hopes restoring her family’s antique will please her, until he discovers a secret that shatters his trust. And Talia hates flying. Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

To Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson

Karianne Bennett, small-town wedding coordinator, has always believed in happily-ever-afters. That is, for everyone but herself. Her fiancé’s alcohol-related death put an end to her own dreams and turned her career into a weekly reminder of all she’s lost. Hope comes when she adopts a retired service dog and a newcomer catches her eye.

Trey Scott has been fascinated with fireworks since he was a boy. If he can land the account for a hot-air balloon festival in an out-of-state town, he’ll be that much closer to achieving his lifelong goal. But his dreams never included a beautiful dog walker who also happens to be the stranger he’s been praying over for years.

Written in the Clouds by Kathleen Friesen

A mysterious cloud formation, a nerve-wracking introduction for JR and Serena, an unexpected reunion for Jim and Blythe, a few traumatic memories, a pilot for the company plane, and another afraid of flying. Mix them together…and what in the world is God up to? Is it love at first flight?

Can love—for two generations—be written in the clouds?

 Amazon | D2D | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Goodreads

Giveaway

Tanya is giving one of our readers a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card.

To enter, leave a comment and tell us one thing you are thankful for. Be sure and leave a way for us to contact you in case you are chosen as the winner.

The Many Facets of Tessa Emily Hall

Welcome everyone. I'm excited to introduce you to this week's guest. Let's get started with a quick author bio.

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who writes inspirational yet authentic books to remind teens they’re not alone. Her first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, released with Bethany House September 2018. Tessa's passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent for Cyle Young at Hartline Literary Agency, Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She's guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating art journals, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is through connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.

Tessa is represented by Cyle Young at Hartline Literary Agency.


Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine. We are excited you could join us this week. My first question is regarding your name. Because I live in the south where going by two names is a regularity, I have to ask: Do you prefer Tessa or Tessa Emily?

Tessa: Great question! I live in the south as well. Although my mom originally intended for people to refer to me as Tessa Emily, the two names didn’t seem to stick for very long. Most people simply refer to me as Tessa. =) 



Suzie: Ok, now that we’ve got that burning question out of the way. Let’s really dig deep with some Would You Rather questions (only three and nothing disgusting or impossible, I promise).

Would you rather invent a new gadget or discover a new species?

Tessa: Inventing a new gadget sounds fun! 


Suzie: Would your rather have a lifetime subscription to Netflix or an unlimited Starbucks gift card?

Tessa: Way too easy. I could never say no to unlimited free coffee!





Suzie: Would you rather always have slow internet or never have a good phone connection? Ok, that one is verging on the impossible with all you’ve got going on.

Tessa: Haha yes … that’s tough! I’d prefer to never have good phone connection. Most of my work is done through the internet. And even if I can’t talk on the phone then I could at least make video calls using the internet! ;) 



Suzie: That’s it for the icebreaker questions. Thanks for playing along. Now, let’s dive a little deeper.

I have to say, your resume is impressive—author, editor, agent, actress. This question has two parts. First, how do you balance your time with the many hats you wear? And two, what’s the best part of each position?

Tessa: Haha, thanks! I wouldn’t be able to pull off these various roles if it wasn’t for the teams that I work with. Since I work with other people, I am able to share responsibilities and tasks. And as far as time management goes--I learned how to divide my time accordingly when I was in school. When you’re taking classes, you have to learn the art of juggling multiple subjects. You have to know when to focus on a certain subject and when to move on to the next one. I’ve managed to find a work rhythm that works for me by using a block schedule system, which is similar to what I did in school. The only exception to this is acting. That’s more of a hobby than a career, haha. =) 

The best part of each position? Let’s see. Where to start? With writing, I love the opportunity to tap into this creative gift God has given me to further His Kingdom and reach readers. I find it fulfilling to connect with my Creator in these writing sessions. Hearing from readers about how they were ministered to never fails to remind me of why I love this job! 

As far as being an agent and editor goes--first of all, I absolutely love the publishing industry in general. It’s thrilling for me to play a part in shaping a book and delivering it to the hands of the right readers. But the reason I was initially captivated by this job was because I loved the idea of working to help the dreams of other writers come into fruition, of playing a part in their publication journey. I would say that is my favorite part of this job as well. 


Suzie: Oops, left one thing off that previous list. Would you share a little about the magazine you publish?

Tessa: Haha, I’d love to! PURSUE Magazine is currently a blog and digital magazine that encourages teen girls to embrace their uniqueness, tap into their potential, and pursue their role in furthering God’s Kingdom. I wanted to launch a magazine that could provide teen girls with a place to not only draw closer to God, but to connect with other girls. That way, they could receive inspiration, support, and community in pursuit of their God-given dreams. Readers can learn more at www.PURSUEMagazine.net.  



Suzie: Everything you've got going on is so cool. I love that you're ministering to teenagers and encouraging and supporting authors. 

Regarding your writing career, who were your influences and/or mentors?

Tessa: The answer to this question has several parts, haha. First of all, the person who initially encouraged this dream of mine was my mom. She always had faith, even when I was a kid, that I would become an author one day. I know I wouldn’t have pursued this dream without the support of both of my parents!

I was also fortunate enough to have had teachers in elementary school who spoke life into this dream as well. Their writing challenges would always stir my creativity, and even back then they would encourage me to pursue writing. 

I don’t necessarily have an author mentor; however, I have always considered Karen Kingsbury to be my author role model. The way that she has built a career by writing life-transforming fiction has shown me that it is possible to have a book ministry. 



Suzie: Along that same vein, who are you reading and/or keeping an eye on in the Christian YA market today?

Tessa: Unfortunately, this is a tough market for Christian YA authors. The larger publishing houses are no longer interested in selling Christian stories to teens anymore; instead, they want to publish YA fiction geared to a general audience. There is definitely ministry potential here as well--if not even more than the CBA market! But because of this, my YA reads have consisted primarily in the general market lately. Some of my favorite authors who write for this audience (and who happen to be Christians as well) include Stephanie Morrill, Nadine Brandes, and Jenny B. Jones.


Suzie: I've never thought about it that way, but when you point it out, I totally see what you're saying about larger houses tapping into the general market where YA is concerned. 

What would you like to see more of in the genre?

Hmm. Well, to begin with, I would like to see a growth in the Christian YA market in general. As I mentioned, the larger houses are not interested in publishing this general--but there still smaller houses that will take a chance on YA Christian manuscripts. I would love to see authors who are passionate about writing stories that teens love in a way that taps into their interests. There are many authors who want to write Christian stories for teens simply because they want to preach a sermon to them. To these authors, I would advise that they study the books that today’s teens are reading. Understand teenagers by hanging out with them. If authors can do this, then they will have the tools necessary to tell a story that meets them where they are in life without preaching to them.  


Suzie: Tell us about your latest book release.

 Tessa: FALLEN LEAVES released last fall and is about 17-year-old, Selena Taylor, who uses art to help her along a journey of finding her dad and brother in hopes that her family will be reunited after eight years. It is the sequel to PURPLE MOON but can serve as a standalone novel as well.

Suzie: I can attest to that. I read FALLEN LEAVES but haven't read PURPLE MOON (yet). And let's not leave out the devotional you wrote for teenage girls: COFFEE SHOP DEVOS

Which transitions well into my next question.What are you writing/are you writing now?

Right now I am working on LOVE YOUR SELFIE, which is a devotional journal geared toward teen girls that will take them on a journey of self-acceptance. It is scheduled to release March 2020. I am thrilled about this one! This book covers a topic that I am personally passionate about because insecurity is something I struggled with as a teen, and I know this has increasingly become an issue in the teen culture today. My hopes with this book is that teens will be taken on a journey that will allow them to learn to appreciate the unique way God has created them, and will give them the tools they need to further pursue their calling. 


Suzie: Well, I don’t want to keep you from everything else you’ve got happening. Thank you so much for take some time out of your schedule and stopping by for a bit. It’s been a pleasure getting more acquainted with you.

Readers, keep reading for the synopsis of Fallen Leaves and enter to win an eBook!

If you're interested in learning a little more about Tessa, check out this interview.

Fallen Leaves

Selena Taylor thought her only worry this fall was starting her junior year at a new arts school in

North Carolina, miles away from home. But when she finds out her mom could graduate from rehab sooner than expected—even worse, she could work for her former nothing-but-trouble boss—Selena's determined to create a new life for them. Back in her childhood Kentucky hometown. 

Step one? Track down her dad and brother that she hasn't seen in eight years. Her anxiety is put to the test, though, when she unveils a truth that could threaten her dreams. Add to that an art competition that pushes her outside of her comfort zone and a girl who seems determined to come between Selena and her hopeful boyfriend. 


Soon Selena must decide whether or not to continue her search for her dad and brother. But is there any hope that the ruins of her broken family could be resurrected? And how could God possibly have a purpose in the midst of these changing seasons? 

Purchase: Amazon | Christian Book | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million

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Interview and GIVEAWAY with Brandy Bruce, Author of After the Rain!!!

Hi guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ; ) And since we are all friends, one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends, family, the teens I mentor, and everyone else at coffee shops/bookstores. Books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination, after all. 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. ;-)

We're going to pry into the private life chat with my friend, Brandy Bruce! She is such a fun and genuine person, and if you don't know about her and her books, then you need to remedy that, like, RIGHT NOW! <3 I met Brandy online after reading and gushing about her novel, The Last Summer. (And it's AMAZING! If you need more convincing, read my review!) Her next novel, After the Rain, releases on February 4th, and it is also amazing!!! I know! I got to read it early! ;-)

Brandy Bruce is a mom, a wife, a book editor, an author, and someone who really loves dessert. She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, and The Romano Family Collection. Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Virginia.

Connect with Brandy on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest! 

Interview ~

What is your go-to yummy drink when you sit down to read and/or write? Almost every answer is acceptable. Just don't say carrot juice. ;-)

I’ve been drinking a lot more tea lately! I usually love coffee or cappuccino but lately I’m drinking French Vanilla chai.

I love chai! It's my go-to drink in new places! What is your favorite snack when you sit down to read and/or write?

Ugh. I’m such a snacker. I like anything and everything. Cheese cubes and grapes. Starburst candy. If I have some chocolate cherry-cordial Kisses nearby, I can eat the whole bag!

LOL! I can relate to the snacker life! Have you ever given a character one of your own “odd” habits? This is a safe space to share. ;-)

I think I’ve probably done that several times. But for one example, in The Last Summer, Sara likes Fruit Roll-Ups (so do I).

I'm having a Fruit Roll-Up craving now...LOL! What inspired you to write After the Rain? 

The story of The Last Summer had been written in my heart for years. But even during the writing of that book, I’d get these glimpses of what happened after. There’s one specific scene in After the Rain that takes place on a river. That scene came to me maybe ten years ago! And when I finally sat down to write After the Rain, I knew without a doubt that that scene would still make it in.

LOVED that scene!! Goodness, I have so much love for these books! <3 What is your favorite thing about writing in this genre?

There’s something wonderful about the time in our lives when we start to discover who we really are and where we want to go. I think this genre tries to capture that in real ways. The awkwardness. The emotions. Dreams for the future. Maybe falling in love.

YESSS!!! Love that about this genre! What is the hardest thing about writing in this genre?

As we move farther past that time in our lives (of falling in love), we know that you don’t stay in that place. Relationships change and get harder and deeper. I try to write my characters in such a way that while romance and falling in love are so fun—I want readers to get a sense of who these people are, to see their true-to-life strengths and weaknesses, to know that happily ever after is a process, and sometimes it doesn’t look like what we expected. It’s hard not to overly romanticize romance! (I hope that makes sense!)

Makes sense to me! I think you handle this so well in your books! What message do you hope to convey to your readers with After the Rain?

That it’s okay to change. For myself and many others, we’ve gone through times that make us maybe question what we’ve always believed. When we feel despair and not even a relationship can rescue us from those feelings. When we find ourselves wanting and needing change. I want readers to know that that’s normal and even good. Because becoming who we want to be doesn’t always just happen, sometimes we need to make that happen. That might look like someone realizing their career choice was wrong and they’re miserable and need to find their passion. Or perhaps they begin to shift ideologically and want to feel free to explore what they believe and ask questions. It might be as simple as needing to find new friends who are supportive and positive, rather than negative. We get older. We have more life experience. We learn. We change and grow. This can be painful at times, but when you know you’re going in the right direction—even if it’s different from what people expect from you—change can be good.

This is a powerful truth to learn...again and again! <3 Can you tell us a little about your next project? 

I have so many story ideas swirling around in my head! But I have to balance writing with my editing work as a freelancer. To be honest, I’d love to write one more novel that follows a certain character from these two books. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning toward diving in to that story.  

Everyone, please excuse my unashamed begging... PLEASE!! PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!! This character needs a story!!! <3 Reluctantly moving on...what is your (current) favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?

I’ve been thinking about the verse that says God restores the years that the locusts have eaten. In other words, he can redeem time that was stolen from you (or maybe wasted). He can breathe new life into someone who feels like they aren’t worthy, or someone who feels stuck because of years of heartache or abuse or disappointment. He can redeem that time. It’s been on my mind a lot lately. (Joel 2:25-32)

Love this SO much!!! Thank you for sharing this! <3 What are you currently reading? I always need more books to add to my TBR! LOL!

First Impressions by Sarah Price and Stepping into the Light by Candee Fick!

Those look so good!!!

Thank you so much for hanging out with us today, Brandy!! <3

Giveaway ~

Brandy has generously offered to giveaway one (1) ebook of After the Rain!

Debra Hart is moving on. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

As a radio show host, Debra spends her mornings as Miss Lonely Heart on air, empathizing with all the broken hearts in the Denver metro area. She spends her evenings watching old musicals and trying not to think about the guy who broke up with her and subsequently fell in love with one of her best friends. Alone in a new city, Debra meets singer Ben Price. Rock star appeal, with a day job as a worship pastor, Ben is everything Debra wants to avoid. But he's determined to be her friend, and it so happens she could really use one. Because try as she might, nothing seems to erase the anger and betrayal she feels. It's time for a new dream. but how does she start over when she doesn't even know what she wants anymore?

Rules, Info, and Such ~

The author is giving away one ebook of After the Rain!

This giveaway is open internationally.

This giveaway will close on February 6th, 2019, at 12:00 A.M. for all the night owls.

A winner will be drawn within four days of close of giveaway. If the winner does not respond to our e-mails within one week of notification, then a new winner will be drawn in their place.

May the odds be ever in your favor. ;-)

Enter using the handy Rafflecopter here ~

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Thanks for stopping by, my writerly, bookish friends! <3 See you next time!

Hugs,

V. Joy Palmer 

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!