C. Kevin Thompson on his Christian thriller
C. Kevin Thompson is married, going on 38 years now, to his wonderful, supportive wife Cindy. They have three daughters, all of which are married now. They have five grandchildren and a rescue dog named Tiny. He’s an ordained minister, assistant principal at a high school, loves college football, really likes Need to Breatheand plays percussion (drums, bongos, congas, etc.).
Tell us about your newest book.
When the Clock Strikes Fourteen (A Blake Meyer Thriller – Book 4)is Book 4 of 6 in this continuing series. At this stage of the story, Blake laments his past, how it is infiltrating his present, and how the future may irreparably harm his family. He has a lead on his family’s whereabouts, but they are still captives. Pawns in a deadly game of vengeance. And the plan to release the contagion that threatens to infect America with its own version of the Black Death is being modified by those responsible, making it harder to defend.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
I tell people, “Think of the TV show 24, put a Christian twist on it, and you have my Blake Meyer Thriller series.” When we say “Christian twist,” we’re talking about worldview and it being a clean read. But I feel it’s just as suspenseful and riveting as any show on TV, like 24or The Blacklist, etc. My readers agree.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Blake Meyer is what I call a “tried and true hero for troubled times.” He’s served his country with distinction. He’s been a Black Ops guy, an Army Captain, an undercover agent, and now serves as a Supervisory Special Agent because it was to be a cover so he could keep tabs on a Russian assassin who becomes a popular figure in the story. Blake was a few months away from retiring. He and his wife Sara had agreed to do five more years, then he’d call it quits, or at least take on a desk job of sorts so there would no longer be any field work involved. He had a family to think about now. Little did Blake know his past had other plans.
I chose the name Blake Meyer from a series of questions I asked myself in the planning stages of writing this series. I took the one- or two-syllable idea and started playing around with names. I eventually chose one that didn’t seem to be overused but sounded realistic. A little macho, but also someone who knew how to think ahead four moves.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
When I worked as a middle school AP, I would get up at four in the morning and write for two hours before getting ready for work. Now that I’m at a high school, I have to get almost that early for work! So, my writing diverts to after I get home. However, I find I’m not as fresh in the afternoon and evening as I am in the morning, so I spend more time on Saturdays writing now than I did before. It definitely keeps me out of the pool halls.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’ve been told by a publisher that I write “smart fiction.” I had to ask what she meant by that, and this was her response paraphrased: “You make people think when they read. You make people feel when they read. You make people stop and contemplate when they read.” I asked her if that was a good thing, and she said it was a very good thing. It’s always good to get comments like that from experienced publishers/editors.
What’s one unusual fact about you?
Only close friends and family know this, but I like to sing, and I’ve been told I’m good at it (and trust me, my family would not say I’m a good singer if they thought otherwise…we’re very truthful with one another when it comes to things like that). Being a singer/songwriter was something I always wanted to do. Now, I rock out in my truck on the way to and from work.
What is your favorite pastime?
Besides spending time with my wife and/or family, it’s watching college football. The year begins in late August and ends in January for me. Then there’s this long drought between January and August with just a hint of promise in April in and around spring games.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I do. I have five published thus far. My debut novel, The Serpent’s Grasp, won the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference 2013 Selah Award for First Fiction (Debut Novel). Then, the first book in the Blake Meyer series, 30 Days Hath Revenge, was a Silver Medalist in the Reader’s Favorite-Christian Fiction category in 2013 as well. I also have Books 2 and 3 of my Blake Meyer series, Triple Timeand The Tide of Timesavailable. I also have a standalone novel contracted and scheduled for release in January 2020, titled The Letters.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Book 5 of the Blake Meyer series, A Pulse of Time. Then, it will be wrapping things up with Book 6 in the series, Devil of a Crime. Once those are completed, I have three different directions I can go.
Website: https://ckevinthompson.com/
Link to book: https://ckevinthompson.com/when-the-clock-strikes-fourteen-a-blake-meyer-thriller-book-4
Social media links:
Kevin’s Writer’s Blog: www.ckevinthompson.blogspot.com/
Facebook: C. Kevin Thompson – Author Fan Page
Twitter: @CKevinThompson
Instagram: ckevinthompson
Pinterest: ckevinthompsonauthor
Goodreads: C. Kevin Thompson
BookBub: C. Kevin Thompson
Kevin is also a regular contributor to Seriously Write!
Karen Lynn Nolan on Appalachian fiction
Karen Lynn Nolan is an award-winning writer of Appalachian fiction, mystery/suspense, and memoir. Her years in the eastern Kentucky mountains instilled a love of storytelling, mystery, humor, stubbornness, and deep faith. Her debut novel is Above the Fog, set in the mountains of eastern Kentucky.
Tell us about your newest book.
Above the Fogtells the story of Coreen and her struggles with her abusive father and rejection by her mother. On the eve of Coreen’s thirteenth birthday, the outlook turns even darker and out of desperation she prays to a God she’s not sure exists. The answer to her prayer sets off an adventure no one expected—an adventure that forces them to choose between survival or devastation.
What inspired you to write Above the Fog?
When asked to write a scene during a local writing class, Coreen popped into my head. At the following class, the instructor asked for more detail and dialogue. Coreen and her family came to life for me and I had to tell their story. That one scene became a story I knew God wanted me to tell.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Growing up in a coal mining camp is difficult enough. But when Coreen Shell’s abusive father makes a promise for her thirteenth birthday that could destroy what’s left of her life, she resorts a desperate prayer to a God she’s not sure exists. The next day, a flood washes through the coal camp, like a backhanded answer to her prayer. Coreen, her mother, and her crippled grandmother next door must climb the mountain to find refuge in a nearby church. Then, news of a murder changes everything, in a way Coreen never imagined. Will Coreen and her damaged, dysfunctional family conquer all the lies, secrets, hardship, and hatred … or be destroyed by them?
What genre do you focus on and why?
Appalachian fiction. I grew up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and have come to realize no matter what I do or where I travel, I am an Appalachian mountain woman. These are my people.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Coreen is my main character. I had recently reconnected with a high school friend, Corinne. When I reached into my brain to find a name, Corinne popped up. I changed the spelling only because non-Appalachians would need help in knowing how we pronounce it.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
My first book didn’t have a schedule. I wrote when I had a chance. Some days I spent 8-10 hours writing. Other days I spent one hour. As I work on my second book, I must split my time with marketing. And life. I have chronic illnesses that sometimes interfere with my ability to sit at the computer and think. I attempt to write 3-4 hours a day on my good days.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Marketing. It takes me away from the creative side I enjoy and forces me to do left-brained activities that are more challenging.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
When I began the process, it was being in the zone so deeply that the story acted out in front of me and became a part of my life. After the release, I find great joy in reading reviews and comments about how the story touched readers’ hearts and gave them hope. It’s exciting knowing my hard work is not in vain.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’ve had an adventurous life. I have a degree in music and theater, spent six years in New York City, and performed at Carnegie Hall for three seasons with the New York Choral Society.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
When I returned to writing fiction after so many years, I quickly learned how much I didn’t know. I pushed myself to learn everything I could learn, be teachable, and have a thick skin. Through social media, I went from an isolated and lonely writer to a writer with an abundance of fabulous friends. Writers’ conferences have become my support system of knowledge, networking, and friendships.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love mystery. My favorite way to chill is to read mystery/suspense novels or watch them on TV.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have contributed to several anthologies with Yvonne Lehman (Coolinary Moments, Christmas Moments, Stupid Moments, and Moments with Billy Graham) and will have a story in a new book, Horse of My Dreams, set to release from Revell on September 17, 2019.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on another novel set mostly in eastern Kentucky about Sparrow Massey. Sparrow believes she ended up in Appalachia by accident and spends her life trying to find her place in the world where she is loved and has worth. Her journey takes her through a series of natural disasters that force her to make hard decisions. Those choices result in even more disastrous situations, including assault, homelessness, and marrying a man who makes her a slave to his narcissistic desires.
Website: http://karenlynnnolan
Link to book: https://amzn.to/2voZUrR
You can contact Karen at http://karenlynnnolan.com.
Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyfulWritingAdventures/
Twitter: @KarenLynnNolan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlynnnolan/
Kathleen Maher on the Civil War
Kathleen L. Maher’s first crush was Peter Rabbit, and she’s loved conflicted heroes ever since. She has two novellas in Barbour Book collections: Victorian Christmas Brides and Lessons on Love. Winner ACFW Genesis Award. author of Sons of the Shenandoah Series: The Abolitionist’s Daughter and The Chaplain’s Daughter. Kathleen and her husband live in an old farmhouse in upstate NY with their children and a small zoo.
Tell us about your newest book.
The Chaplain’s Daughter is Book two in Sons of the Shenandoah, a Civil War romance. A feisty army laundress takes up her father’s calling when a proud artillery captain finds his heart and hope shattered. A minister’s daughter abandoned during war relies on faith and grueling labor to survive. A wounded widower feels God has forsaken him. Will her devout care bring medicine to his soul or rub salt in his wounds?
Why do you write? What drives you?
A desire to share the redemptive work of God in lives is a driving force—to share the hope found in a living relationship with Jesus Christ through faith. Even though my stories are fictional, the events are often based on true experiences, whether mine or those in history, or family members. I strive for authenticity in plots and conflicts and in resolutions and happily ever after endings. Sometimes God works through “coincidences.” And often, the worst possible catastrophes lead to those outcomes that scripture describes as “exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or imagine.”
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The hero’s name is Gideon, because the biblical judge by the same name has a similar growth arc. The Bible hero begins as a broken man, hiding his harvest from the Midianites, entrenched in a generational cycle of defeat. An angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and says, “rise up mighty man of valour.” Gideon is reluctant to assume this identity, but after testing God with fleece, he finally finds the confidence to move forward as the leader he was born to be. The story’s hero Gideon Sharpe has experienced a series of devastating losses, and like his namesake, must rediscover his true identity hidden in Christ.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Time management and marketing. Marketing consumes time just to learn the latest trends. Knowing what is working versus what is a waste of time and money means the difference between breaking even or possibly even losing money on a book launch. I am a traditionally and indie hybrid author, so some books require the additional expense of book covers, editing, plus marketing materials such as book marks, giveaways/blog prizes, featured deals, Amazon and Facebook ads. Writing can be an expensive and consuming endeavor.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The joy of reader feedback, hearing when one’s stories touch hearts, is the best payment a writer could ask for. Interacting with the wonderful people in the writing community, both readers and fellow writers, has been the highlight of this journey.
What is your favorite pastime?
Spending time with my family, my husband/soulmate, my grandkids, and gardening, raising Newfoundland Puppies, painting wildlife and pet portraits, learning our country’s fascinating history, and walking with the Lord.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! Thank you for asking.The Abolitionist’s Daughter is Book 1 in the Sons of the Shenandoah series. This historical romance features twin brothers, Ethan and Devon Sharpe, who fight on opposite sides of the Civil War, after the crusading daughter of a Washington politician drives a spiritual wedge between them.
I also have two novellas in Barbour collections: The Victorian Christmas Brides Collectionwhich came out last Christmas, and Lessons on Lovewhich will launch October 2019. A Civil War romance novella which will re-release as a single title soon as well, titled Bachelor Buttons.
What are you working on now?
Book 3 in the Sons of the Shenandoah Series, No Man’s Daughter.Two years after Lee surrenders, Ben Sharpe, the youngest brother, tries to claim land abandoned by his deceased neighbors. A young lady resides there, and she claims the property belongs to her. Sparks fly in Rockingham County, Virginia, where between two rival interests, the war is still on!
I would love to offer one lucky commenter winner’s choice of one of my ebooks: either The Abolitionist’s Daughter, or The Chaplain’s Daughter. To enter, please share the link to this interview on social media, and leave a comment saying where you shared. (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc) One entry per share. Be creative! ????
Link to book:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PPQ7H22/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Social media links:
Amazon: amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kathleenlmaher/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2531698-kathleen-l
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathleen-l-maher
YA author Hope Bolinger
Hope Bolinger is a literary agent and published YA author (Blaze, LPC). She’s worked for various publishing houses, magazines, newspapers, and agencies. More than three hundred of her works have been featured in various publications, ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids. She’s obsessed with all things theater, chocolate, and fire.
Tell us about your newest book.
Blaze is essentially the first three chapters of the Book of Daniel plopped into a high school. It follows the story of Danny as he transfers to a rival school after his previous school mysteriously burns down. Turns out, the arsonist attends the rival . . . and they don’t seem content setting fire to just one thing.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I found my niche in the young adult market. I remember my time as a teen, three years ago, as a period of turmoil, transition, and the constant need to trust in God. Teens nowadays face bigger and more complex problems than ever before. I wanted to write to that market to come alongside teenagers and say, “It’s hard. But I made it through. Here’s how you can do it.” Plus, I think young adult authors get to have all the fun.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I write “what if” scenarios I would never want to end up in. Burning building? Let’s stick some characters in there. My stories drive me. They burn up inside until I have to release them on paper. I have to write. I can do nothing else.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Danny Belte. Derivative from Daniel/Belteshazzar found in the Book of Daniel. He’s a sixteen year old with a sense of humor—often implemented in the worst situations—and severe anxiety.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Like my books, everything’s on fire. Except, not in a literal sense. Usually I try to hammer out 2,500-3,000 words a day when I’ve begun a writing project. Finding the time for that can prove a trial in itself. Back in high school, I used to write chapters instead of paying attention in math class. Probably explains my Pre-Calc grade . . . I try to find a quiet space and take breaks after every 1,000 words, unless I’ve tapped into the muse. Sometimes I’ll forget about things such as food and bathroom breaks.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Almost everything else that happens after you write the book. I’ve started to take to liking editing and marketing. I used to hate them. But I would say the waiting takes the cake. After writing a book in the span of 30-45 days, editing it/beta reader testing it for the next two months, you have to wait to hear back from publishers. This can range from several weeks to months, and usually it tends to result in rejection. If they take it on, you have at least a year before you have a physical book in your hands. I love every minute of it, but the waiting does kill you a little inside.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Everything. Warts, waiting and all, I would never do anything else. Even when people post nasty reviews or drop out last minute on an endorsement, at the end of the day, I had a chance to create something, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Honestly, a lot of God things. When a reviewer would drop out, He provided another. Or when someone bailed, He sent someone else my way.
For instance, I had an endorser drop out on me, and I got worried because he was an author I’d looked up to. And I understood about busy schedule. Even if we’d connected in September about the book, life happens. At that point, I’d had a number of bloggers quit, and I grew anxious that all the work I’d done for the previous nine months would go to waste. But then I received an email for the leader of a local writer’s group of about 1800 members contacted me saying she had the song, “High Hopes” stuck in her head for the past several weeks, and when she saw my name, she knew she had to contact me to come and speak with her group.
What are you most proud of?
Is it bad if I say Blaze? I’d had the dream to get a book published since I took up novel writing at 16. I’ve written 17 books, 13 plays, and 300 other published works since that time It took hundreds of rejections, dozens of edits, a 25-page marketing plan, and a great deal of wanting to give up. Even if it doesn’t sell well, even if it sells two copies, I still can’t believe this dream came true. If I can make it, any author can.
What is your favorite pastime?
Theater. Stick me on stage, and I feel right at home. If God decided one day I shouldn’t write anymore, I would find a way to get involved in every theater in the area.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, we have several books out on query.
What are you working on now?
My coauthor and I plan to do the finishing touches on Picture Imperfect. I also plan to begin Dreams, the third installment of Blaze. I also have three other books ideas I’m juggling in my head right now, trying to determine which one I should start first.
Website: https://www.hopebolinger.com/
Link to book:
Social media links: @hopebolinger (Twitter, Instagram) @therosewoman (Facebook)
Gina Holder on Adoption
Gina Holder has been married to her best friend for 12 years and has one 11-year-old daughter. She’s a stay at home mom and homeschools. She lives in Kentucky, but they’re moving back to Colorado in May. She indie published her first novel in 2017 and is preparing to release her next book at the end of April.
Tell us about your newest book.
My current release is titled, No Greater Love. It’s about a book-loving, coffee-drinking Portlander who discovers she is a “safe haven” baby after finding a Bible and a bookmark, leading her to the town of Whitman, Oregon, to search for her birthmother. Unfortunately, her birthmother doesn’t want to be found and Paige’s past comes back to haunt her when she becomes the primary suspect in a series of local robberies. Paige was adopted by a firefighter and after his death, she vows never to fall in love with a first responder- a hero. She can’t understand someone willing to give their life for a stranger. Patrol Officer Hamilton Bryant is investigating the robberies. After the death of his best friend and fellow officer, he vows never to fall in love with anyone, except Paige has stolen his heart and he doesn’t know what to do about it.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Historical Romance and Contemporary Romantic Suspense, but I enjoy incorporating some family drama into each of my stories.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I’ve always had a desire to tell stories. I want to be a witness for Jesus Christ, but I struggle to talk to people in person. Through my books, I can share the message of Salvation, and Spiritual lessons from the Word of God, without having to speak face to face.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Her name is Paige McDonald. I didn’t really choose it on purpose, it just came to me along with the story idea. It does fit her though since she is a book-lover.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
I’m a stay-at-home mom, so, writing comes secondary to taking care of our home and homeschooling my daughter. I try to work on my books after I finish housework for the day or sometimes, I set aside days for me to work without interruption. My husband supports my dream to be a writer and he helps when he can.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Accepting critique. I pour my heart and soul into my work and it’s difficult to make changes.
What are you most proud of?
That I did it. I achieved my dream of being a published author.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading fiction. I read about five books each month.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My debut novel is titled, Whither Shall I Go? It’s a historical missionary romance. It tells the story of an orphaned girl who goes from rags to riches, then falls in love with a young preacher. When he goes MIA during WWI, she continues their dream of being missionaries to Brazil, where she faces jaguars, anacondas, and an antagonistic Shaman. Amidst it all, she learns that God had a better plan for her life than she ever thought possible. This story is based on the Scriptures found in Psalm 139.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on book 2 of my Shadows Over Whitman. Books two will continue the story from book one. It does not have a title yet, I’m still working on that. I also plan on writing a series based on the brothers of my main character from Whither Shall I Go. I gave each brother a distinct personality, and I’m excited to share their stories with readers.
Social Media Links:
http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com
http://facebook.com/storiesbygina
http://instagram.com/storiesbygina
https://pinterest.com/ginaaholder/
Purchase link: No Greater Love eBookhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PG1CVTD
Jeanette and Beth on beauty
Humor/inspirational author and speaker Jeanette Levellie has published five books and hundreds of articles, columns, and stories. Jeanette enjoys speaking to groups of all kinds, offering hope and humor in every message. She and her pastor husband Kevin live in Paris, IL.
First-time author and fiber artist, Beth Gormong, is excited to share her heartfelt words in her first book. She lives in Farmersburg, outside of Terre Haute, IN with her husband, Jeff, a farmer.
Tell us about your newest book.
In Hello, Beautiful, Jeanette Levellie and Beth Gormong lead women on a hopeful journey to find lasting beauty in the eye of the beholder: God. This inspirational gift book contains forty stories based on some of the authors most vulnerable moments, highlighting how God redeemed the pain and taught them how to love themselves. Each chapter of this 40-day soul makeover begins with a Bible verse describing God’s view of us, His precious creation. Chapters end with a special feature, a journaling prompt giving readers the opportunity to apply the principles.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Inspirational non-fiction with humor sprinkled in. I love to help others discover more about God than they originally thought or were taught. For instance, he not only loves you, he likes you! I also love to use humor to make my point, because it opens the heart and gives us hope. People will listen better if they’re laughing, or at least, smiling.
Why do you write?
I’ve (Jeanette) always loved to write, from the time I was a child. What drives me is the desire to have someone, even one person, walk up to me in heaven someday and say, “I read your book (article, story) and it helped me believe.”
Sometimes I (Beth) sit at my computer or journal and wonder that myself, and then seemingly out of nowhere, it’s as if God whispers in my ear. My hand and pen can’t keep up with my brain when that happens.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Because I (Jeanette) have a day job, I write early in the morning before I go to work, then in little snatches during the day when I’m caught up on tasks at my job (my boss is wonderful). I also write some on the weekends, if my husband is gone.
I (Beth) wish I could say I have a daily routine, but for me it’s a much more “write when I can” style. I “free-write” every morning, but that is mostly not usable writing. It’s more like priming the pump, getting the ideas flowing.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
It’s sometimes hard to start a story I (Jeanette) have in my brain, but have no idea how to tell it. So I allow myself to write a really awful first draft, just to get some words on the page. Then I fix it later. I also don’t like all the time that marketing and social media take away from actual writing. I love people and I love to talk, but I don’t like to have to do it.
The hardest part is forcing myself to sit down and write. I (Beth) can come up with ideas all day, but doing the work takes discipline. I’m learning that I can do the work, do the hard thing.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Someone telling me they read a book or story of mine and it helped them in some way. That makes all the tears and hours of hard work worth it. Loving and helping people is what my writing is all about.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, a humorous devotional
The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul
Touchable God: Finding the Lord’s Friendship through Prayer
What are you working on now?
I (Jeanette) recently became a Guidepostsmagazine writer so I’m working on stories for their publications. I will have two short pieces published in the May and June issues.
I’m (Beth) filling several knitting and crocheting commissions, blogging and mapping out ideas for my next writing projects.
Website: www.jeanettelevellie.com
Link to book:
Social media links:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/1P766rm
Author Central Page: http://amzn.to/1TisY7w
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JenLevellie
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenlevellie/
Google+ http://bit.ly/1R6YXVP
Beth Gormong
Website: https://www.bgormong.com
Pinterest: @bethgormong
Instagram: @bethgormong
Facebook: @bgormong
Twitter:@bgormong