Monday, March 08, 2010

THE EASTER EDITION - Robin Shope - Free Book

Today, I'm featuring Robin Shope, the author of several books, but we're featuring her Easter one. She's going to just tell us about herself, her writing, and her book.

Falling in love with writing in the fifth grade was the easy part. I adored my writing teacher. She always read the best compositions aloud in class. The way she cradled them in her hands told me they were treasures. I worked extremely hard to please her; to hear my words read aloud—but I was never chosen. A few years later, we moved to Delavan, Wisconsin. I wrote a composition for my language arts teacher and she told me there was no way I could have written that paper because it was too good. I proudly explained every word belonged to me. She sent me to the principal for lying. The principal called my mother and spoke with her. Mother told him that she watched me write that paper sitting at the kitchen table. All the fuss and commotion sent me a clear message that I had a good story. My motivation springs from that moment.

Please forgive me because my genre is rather schizophrenic. I began my adult writing career by writing mystery and co-authored three books with Susan Wales. Since then I decided I needed romance in my life so I wrote a series of romance novels, under the series name, The Turtle Creek Edition. The first was The Christmas Edition, quickly followed by The Valentine Edition and now The Easter Edition .

The Christmas Edition caught the eye of director/producer Steven Zambo of Salty Earth Pictures and by the time this interview ‘airs’, he will be in post production. The targeted release of the movie based on my book is December 2010. The name of the story has been changed for the movie. It will be aired as Journey to Paradise. As a result, my publisher is re-leasing the book with a new ending and more scenes, so even if you have read it the first time, you will want the newer copy. Steve Zambo plans on releasing The Valentine Edition next, and then The Easter Edition.

A new book series is in the works with Point Yonder Press. The series combines mystery and romance about a young woman who is a biologist and returns to her hometown, which happens to be on an island in Lake Michigan—Willow Island. The women at Bridge Over Troubled Waters Bible Study stir enough trouble for everyone, and Wynn sets out to solve the island mystery as well as uncover her own past. Be sure to watch for the release of Wynn in the Willows.

Lastly, I have co-authored a young adult book with former Dallas Cowboy, Kalen Thornton. Ruby Red is being published by Sparklesoup and the talented Amu Munoz is designing the cover. The story is told through Ruby Red’s eleven-year old eyes. Set in the 1920s, Ruby is taken in as a maid and finds little hope of being anyone. Then she makes a risky move by faking insanity. After being tossed out, she sneaks onto a train that is heading west where she finds adventure, danger, and renewed hope.
I love writing about strong women. Does it show?

Readers can order my books from Amazon or any bookstore. Each of my books has a spiritual message which is close to my heart. The Easter Edition's is " Follow God for He will give you the desires of your heart." Not only will readers be captivated by the story and characters but they will find messages of hope and renewal.

Here is a blurb: Bridal shop owner, Carol Horn, looks forward to being a bride herself someday. Having surrendered her desires to God, she's praying the Lord will show her the path she should take. When she meets new assistant pastor, Luke Peters, she feels he is the answer to her prayers, but if that’s so, why does she feel called to go overseas to help build an orphanage?

Luke has a sketchy past that includes doing jail time, but he comes to Turtle Creek, Wisconsin, as a changed man. He falls hard for Carol, but when she applies for the mission trip, Luke finds himself torn between ignoring her application and giving up the one person who trusts that he has truly become a man of God. Can Luke overcome his shadowy past and show Carol that he is the man for her, or will she discover that the rumors about him are true?

Generally ideas come to me all the time. I write them down the minute I get them, otherwise they're gone along with my youthful figure. I have the beginning plots for ten more books but I have to write and edit the books which are contracted first. As for names, I have a baby book that sometimes I look through, but usually my characters tell me what their names are as I write about them. They are insistent like that. Some of my characters personify different sides of my personality.

Like a smoker (which I am not) I have given up writing and then taken it back up again at least a hundred times. What drives me? It is part of who I am and I suppose that is part of every successful writer’s psyche. The inner conflict is often a driving force to put fingers to the keyboard and start pecking away. I have all these characters inside of my brain that want to be set free on paper and each has his or her own story to tell. There were discouraging times when the rejections piled up. To some degree I wanted to be published, but there was also a part of me that wanted to write even if that work might not be published. With each rejection, I became even more determined to write a good book. I learned a lot from reading the books of other authors, attending writer’s workshops, and going to ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. That organization is invaluable. They are loving and supportive; it’s good to have a ‘friend’ when things go right and wrong.

I never sit back and relax. I am driven to write, but writing is also a form of relaxation. There will always be the next book to tend to whether I have to polish a rough draft or write out what is burning inside me, there is always good work to do.. It’s like having a lot of children. You want to enjoy the ones that are already born and you do, but it’s the newborn that needs the most attention. God has opened many writing doors for me and I keep walking through them. I never chose publishers at random. I study the market to see what publishers are looking for and query those publishers with suitable book proposals.

The Easter Edition is the third book in the Turtle Creek Edition series. I think readers will find it to be a passionate read about a young woman who is torn between serving God and being with the man she loves. (Let's not overlook The Valentine Edition which shows ultimate forgiveness).

Readers can find my books on amazon.com at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=robin+shope&x=0&y=0  or order them from any bookstore.

I would be honored for everyone to befriend me on Facebook, Robin Jansen Shope. Also please join Journey to Paradise Movie and Salty Earth Pictures for movie updates.

My blog is http://write2robinshope.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Robin, for spending this time with us.
 
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.



Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.


The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.


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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the opportunity to read robin's book. it sounds wonderful :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

runner10 said...

This books sounds great. csdsksds@gmail.com

Judy Glidden said...

I was so excited to see "The Easter Edition" up for a chance to win it. I have read Robin Shope's other 2 book in this series and absolutely loved them. Would love to win this one. (I look forward to the movie coming out later this year too!)
Thanks,
Judyg

Anonymous said...

Robin is such a delight and her books really warm your heart. I am so excited the Easter Edition is out. She makes these holidays so romantic......

apple blossom said...

I've read the Christmas Edition. I'd love to win this one too. Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Robin Jansen said...

Aww, thanks ladies. I am so flattered. It means a lot to an author to hear how much her stories are enjoyed. Yes, I am so excited about the movie coming out later this year.
God bless you, Robin

Margo Carmichael said...

Thanks for a chance to win. I read _The Candidate_, _Wild Card_, and _The Christmas Edition_ and can't wait to see the movie made of it, "Journey to Paradise"!

Merry said...

I've enjoyed several books by Robin and would love a chance to win The Easter Edition. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

This series sounds really interesting! The movie sounds cool too! I will definitely be waiting for it as well!!

Thanks!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot) com

Sheila Deeth said...

Sounds an interesting series, and an interesting writers' journey.

Robin Jansen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robin Jansen said...

I hope you all keep up with the movie on facebook. Please send me a friend invitation Robin Jansen Shope and also send an invitation to Steven Zambo (Madison Wisconsin) who is the producer and also to Journey to Paradise Movie. Its interesting to see how a movie is made and get updates. I am living my dream of a movie being made from one of my books. Hopefully this is the start of many more to come. Hugs, Robin Jansen Shope

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Count me in! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the intervie! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Marla said...

Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the giveaway and interview.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Carolynn said...

Please enter me, this book sounds great, thanks!
carolynnwald at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me,the book sounds very interesting.Thanks

rubynreba said...

I haven't read any of her books yet but I know I really would like them. Thanks.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Coolestmommy said...

Such strong themes for these books! They all sound like they will be on my TBR pile very soon.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail.com

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

I watched the preview of the movie - how exciting
to see your words come to life. Please do enter my name for the
newest book, the Easter Edition.

Cindy W. said...

I really want to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

Blessings,
Cindy Woolard

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would love to read the book!
dancealert at aol dot com

Sylvia M. said...

Wow! I've never heard of these books. This sounds good.

Samitude[at]hotmail[dot]com

Carole said...

What a great outreach to see Robin's books made into movies! I really enjoyed this interview and appreciate the chance to win Robin's book.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Molly said...

Please enter me! Thank you!


Blessings and hugs,
Molly

Unknown said...

This book sounds great. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Edna said...

neat name for a book this time of year, would love to win it.


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Memawof2boys said...

I'd love to read this. Many thanks.

Linda Kish said...

I like the cover. Your review also makes it sound good and it is the perfect time of year for it.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com