Monday, December 26, 2016

EHVAH AFTER - Rose Dee - One Free Book

Dear Readers, as I’ve said before, I love books set in Australia. Here’s another one from one of the Australian authors I featured last week in a Christmas collection. I read Ehvah After as soon as I received it and loved it. I’m sure you will, too. Rose’s writing takes the reader straight into the setting. I felt as if I was there in Australia.

Bio: Rose was born in North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her Resolution series.

Two of the three Resolution novels have won Australian CALEB awards. She has also released The Greenfield Legacy, a collaborative novel highlighting the pain of Australia’s past policy of forced adoption, as well as standalone novel, Ehvah After. Her most recent release is A Christmas Resolution, which is part of the novella box set, An Aussie Summer Christmas.

Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and her desire to produce stories that point readers to Jesus. Rose holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, and resides in Mackay, North Queensland, with her husband and son.

Welcome back, Rose. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Because that’s what the Lord inspires me to write. It’s also what I know – beaches, ocean, island, Australia, redemption, and grace.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
To date, it would be my wedding day. That was sweet. But it’s hard to narrow the happiest down. I’ve been blessed in abundance.

How has being published changed your life?
It hasn’t changed it that much. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. Whether I’m published or not, it’s all about being in His plan, and what if His plan was just for me to write? Or write for just one person to read? We don’t know His purpose, but we do know it’s wonderful – whatever that journey entails.

What are you reading right now?
A non-fiction book by an Aussie author friend of mine, Jo-Anne Berthelsen called, Becoming Me. I’m only one third of the way through it, but I can certainly relate to the story. It’s about struggling with self-doubt, insecurity, and perfectionism and Jo-Anne’s journey through these bondages and into freedom. It’s a brave story, and I’m discovering things about myself through it. When the Lord uses a book to give you your own revelations, it’s a great book.

I’ve featured Jo-Anne on this blog, but it was a long time ago. What is your current work in progress?
I’m currently working on a new Resolution book. It’s been a while since I visited my little resort off the Australian coast, so it’s time to get back to the island.

What would be your dream vacation?
I would love to take one of those European river cruises. My husband and I were talking about it recently; it would be a real trip of a lifetime. We’ve never been to Europe.

I haven’t been their either. I’d like to travel to Norway and Sweden, the countries of my paternal ancestors. How do you choose your settings for each book?
My stories are known for their descriptive settings. With this in mind, I always write what I know. Places where I’ve been, mostly because I love to re-visit these places myself.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Deborra-Lee Furness. She’s Hugh Jackman’s wife. Deborra-Lee has been active in lobbying for change in Australia’s adoption laws. I’m a supporter of her work. Australia has had big problems with balance in this area. We have swung from the destructive laws of forced adoption and the stolen generation, (in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s) to the process today that sees children languish in foster care their entire childhoods. Change needs to happen, and I think people like Deborra-Lee are leading the charge.

My mother was a forced adoptee, and the Lord gave me so much understanding of that era in our history when I wrote my conjunction novel, The Greenfield Legacy. It deals with Australia’s past policy of forced adoption.

I’d love to feature this book on my blog. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Gold mining. We own a couple of gold mining claims in the Australian bush. We have a permanent camp and go mining every weekend. We haven’t found that enormous gold nugget … yet, but we have been blessed with small finds, and it’s a wonderful place of peace and rest.

That’s one of my favorite things about. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Getting started. I’m a horrible starter, but once I’m into a story it flows quickly and I love it.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Only He can navigate you through the writing journey He has you on for His purpose. Do NOTHING without consulting Him and knowing His direction, because there are a lot of options out there, and only He knows which one is the best for you.

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.
I could re-write the blurb, but instead I’ll give you my favorite quote from the book, and one that really spoke to me as I wrote it. It’s from Ehvah:

“I realized nothing can ever separate us if we have faith, and trust in Him. It’s not easy, but it’s a promise He has made to us. And I know now that God’s love for my parents went on, even after they died. His love for me went on, too. He’s just been waiting for me to get that it’s not about them and Him; it’s about me and Him.”

I loved that line, too. Please give us the first page of the book.
“I can’t believe how horrible it was tonight. I don’t know why I bother going to these things.” Ehvah Rowe flipped the car visor down and groaned at the sight of her knotted hair in the tiny mirror.

“I know. The paparazzi were nasty.” Ritchie pulled the sports car around a series of Beverly Hills corners. Palm trees flashed in the headlights as he braked.

Ehvah fingered the hair extensions in an effort to improve her appearance, then flipped the visor back up.

“You could have grabbed me before I fell. Now the whole world will think I’m back on the clubbing scene.”

“Aren’t you? This is the third club we’ve been to this week.”

Ehvah let a long sigh escape. “Only because you insisted we go. The tabloids must be sick of printing photos of me leaving clubs. Besides, I hadn’t stepped foot in one for over a month before you dragged me back in. I’m sick of my bad press.”

 “You can’t blame me for your fallen princess rep. You got that title all on your own, dahling.” Ritchie changed gears as they climbed a hill.

“Don’t remind me. Sometimes I wish I could re-do the last two years.”

Ehvah closed her eyes in the hope that the pitch black would block out her mistakes.
“I can’t go back to clubbing every night, Ritchie. No matter how much you love the scene. There’s nothing in it for me anymore.”

“So what are you going to do? Your singing career didn’t take off. Are you going to try to get back into acting?”

Ehvah contemplated his question. Her successful years on a TV sitcom may have scored her a teen queen title and a few hit singles, but the fame was long gone. The time she had spent out of the entertainment industry had produced nothing but a fallen star persona.

“I want to sing, but I just can’t break though. The last time I met with a recording company, they told me I had a great voice, heaps of talent, and a fine heritage, but I didn’t fit into any of their current successful molds. Nothing much has changed in the last two years, so what’s the use?”

She had been devastated to be pegged as a has-been at the age of twenty-two. At the time she had settled for being a professional party girl. Now it was obvious that career move had been useless.
“I have no idea what to do, but anything is better than being tabloid fodder.”

Ritchie pulled into the long driveway of the two-story Beverly Hills house she shared with Aunt Mara and her fourth husband, James.

“Turn off the lights and try to sneak around the back entrance,” Ehvah said as they approached the building. “I don’t want James to know I’m home.”

The last thing she needed was an encounter with her uncle. Besides, the two cars parked in the front driveway meant he was busy with clients.

“Does he hate you for coming in late all the time?”

And now every reader wants to know the answer of that question. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Rose, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Ehvah After - Paperback
Ehvah After - Kindle

Conversation Starter Questions: Do you like romantic suspense? If so, you'll love this story.
Do you like novels set in foreign countries?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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13 comments:

SavingsInSeconds said...

I do like romantic suspense. I like having something besides the romance to keep me reading.

I am not familiar with the term "forced adoption." This interview really drew my attention to the topic.

Dianna G. in TN

Rose Dee said...

Hi Dianna,

Thank you for reading my interview. I am exactly the same as you, I love romance, but the story has to have something more to keep me reading, so that is what I write. :-)

The Wikipedia explanation of forced adoption in Australia is:

"Forced adoption was the practice of taking the babies from unmarried mothers, against their will, and placing them for adoption."

This practice was in place from the 1950's to 1980's. It was thought to be the most 'loving' way for both mother and child, but the way it was executed caused so much heartache.

There was an official national apology to those affected by forced adoptions in 2013.

My Mom was a force-adoptee, and I gained so much understanding through writing The Greenfield Legacy. Lena has said she would like to feature this book, so I know that will happen in the near future.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family

xo Rose.

Melanie Backus said...

Romantic suspense....love it!

Melanie Backus, TX

Christine Dillon said...

I don't mind 'romance' if there is plenty of other story and suspense is always great.
'Foreign' countries - 'foreign' to where? If it's not our country I guess it's 'foreign.'
I love learning about cultures other than my own.
Christine -Taiwan

Shoba Sadler said...

It can be very satisfying to read a romantic suspense especially where the suspense is not contrived nor the scenes predictable. I have not called Australia home for long. I have lived here for just about seven years but through my husband's eyes I have come to love the unpretentious and nature-loving Aussies. We live in the bush, as my husband would say, I would love to read a book with an authentic Aussie setting.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I enjoy romantic suspense and I also like different locales for the setting of the books I read. I especially like your advice to authors because this is the rule that ALL of us need to go by@
Happy New Year!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Abigail Mitchell said...

Yes, i love romantic suspense! And this story looks great.
Abigail in Clarksville VA

Beth Gillihan said...

I love romantic suspense! I also like stories set in other countries. Great first page. This will go on my wish list. Happy New Year!

Beth in Montana

kim hansen said...

Interesting book. north platte nebraska.

Library Lady said...

I enjoy reading novels set in other countries. I will probably never get to some of them and this is my way to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Rose Dee said...

Thank you all for your interest in Ehvah After. You will certainly get a taste for Northern Australia in this book. I write where I live, so in the pages you will find scenes of beaches, boats, islands AND the Aussie bush land, (snakes and spiders disclaimer right here ;-) )

Every book I've ever loved has been romance suspense, so that is what I write. I love romance, but a story needs a little more for me to love it.

My work is different from a most Christian genre's in that it doesn't follow the typical Christian model. You will not find heavy cussing, or sex scenes, but you will find characters who are on a redemptive journey. And there is drama, romance, and suspense mixed in.

About a year ago I asked the Lord what to call my work? I knew it didn't fit into the Sweet or Edgy section. He gave me the word, Redemptive. So that is what my work is: Redemptive Fiction.

Thank you all again. It's such a blessing to see interest in my work.

Happy New Year to you all. xoxo

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC.

Christine Dillon said...

so who won?