I grew up in the church, and was saved at a young age (let’s say seven) and then baptized at 12. However, in my teenage years I went through some questioning about my faith, and I’m sad to say I walked away from the Lord in my early college years. I realized how empty my life was without him pretty quickly, however, and I rededicated my life to Christ in July 1987. I also dedicated my life to missions, or full time ministry if He wanted at that time. Obviously, at that moment, Christ took the reins of my life and my heart and I’ve never been the same since. Yay!
How did you and your husband meet?
I worked as a program director at a wilderness camp; he worked as a trail guide at a local outfitter’s place. My place had no indoor plumbing or electricity – his place was a cake walk with HOT showers and a television! So, every weekend I went down and took a shower and ate hot pizza. We met during training week – or rather, he remembers meeting me during training week; I don’t’ remember meeting him until the end of the summer when our crew came to help their crew tear down a building. I was assigned to his tear down crew, and my first words to him were, “Can I borrow your hammer?” We “hit” it off, and were engaged 2 ½ months later!
James and I got married 3 months and 3 days after we met. Now, you’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Hmmm….well, I love the plotting and deep thinking of James Scott Bell; the spiritual depth of Rachel Hauck; the literary voice of Mary DeMuth, and the free-spirited fun of Karen Ball. (Can’t I have more? I have SO many more!!)
Do you have a singing and speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Not singing – unless you count Karaoke, and if you ever heard me sing, you’d know I have a voice fit only for heaven (as in, it needs to be transformed). But I do love speaking – I do a lot of women’s ministry speaking, at retreats, luncheons, teas, etc. I love getting to know women on a personal level, and sharing so many of the stories that God has used to teach me. (I’m a storyteller, not a Bible expositor).
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I brought the wrong kid to summer camp! Sadly, our camp was six hours away (one way), and they had flipped the regular schedule, so I THOUGHT I was supposed to bring my son – but I should have brought my daughter. I was rescued by a great friend who picked her up and drove her ½ way. We were still able to get her to camp by the lights out bell! I always double check now…
Now tell us about the book.
Yes. I LOVE Christmas stories - and every year I read aloud to my kids (okay, my college kid MIGHT be too old), The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever. And recently Dave Barry's, The Shephard, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog. (SOOO funny). I wanted to write my OWN Christmas Classic.
So, I did. Well, at least I HOPE it is a Christmas classic.
Marrianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s football team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one, her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life continues to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
Dear Readers, I've read and reviewed this book, and I think you'll love it.
Thank you, Suzy for spending this time with us.
Readers, here's a link where you can order the book: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.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Sounds great, enter me please
ReplyDeleteI love Susan's books and I've really been looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Michelle
sounds like a great book, please enter me.
ReplyDeletekefarley89(@)gmail(.)com
Enjoyed the interview and would love to be entered in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteJust reading the little blurb about the book makes me laugh! Sounds like a funny Christmas story! I love them too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview, Lena!
Meg
This book sounds great! Please enter my name in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteconnieed52 at aol dot com
Great post. This book sounds great. Please enter me.Blessings.
ReplyDeletetarenn98[at]yahoo[dot][com
I really like this interview, have not read any of Susan's books yet but would love to win this one. I love the Christmas stories.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
I love Susan's writing!!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me!
Rae
Sounds like a great book! I love stories like this at Christmas. Can't wait to read it. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteJulie
sweetpea{dot}hull{at}gmail{dot}com
Sounds like a great book to get me ready for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love Susan's books. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book! Sounds like a great one! Thanks.
ReplyDeletejackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net
I love Susan's writing. Please enter me in the drawing for The Christmas Bowl.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi! Good to know that others' lives unravel too. Sometimes books gloss over "real life" but this one sounds quite realistic and I'm looking forward to checking it out further. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this author---we (my friends here in Russia) love reading from her perspective because it's so true to life being over here!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me!!
jnkbullatgmaildotcom
Sounds like a wonder plot foor a holiday novel.
ReplyDeleteTheresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
please count me in!
ReplyDeletedle1947 @ yahoo.com
Sounds very interesting, please count me in.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to win this one other contests. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks,
gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com
This sounds like a fun book. I have been hearing a lot of good things about it. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas stories and your books sounds great!!
ReplyDeleteHi, please enter me in the giveaway. I love to read her books and this one sounds great:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all you do with the interviews and all.
esterried@yahoo.com
LOL - I've never read any of your books but this one looks great! Please enter me! Great interview by the way!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have wanted to read it since it came out. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSounds hilarious, and heart-warming. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading during my Christmas reading this year. Even better if I win a copy! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Would LOVE to read this book...thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletekaren k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
A Christmas story by Susie...gotta have it! It's been on my wishlist for a while now...please enter me! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great interview!
~ Lori
sugarandgrits{at}hotmail{dot}com
Love Susan May Warren's books!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing.
onepilgrim86(at)yahoo.com
I'd love to read this book.
ReplyDeletePlease, enter me.
I love Susan May Warren's books, and I need a pick me up book this winter, so please enter me! I will get hold of this book one way or the other! LOL
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful, please enter me!
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
I really love to read this book,it sounds so good.Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read the book! Please enter me.
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
Thank you all so much for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Lena for the great interview - and for all you do!
Christmas Cheer to you all~
Susan May Warren
www.susanmaywarren.com
I would like to be entered for this book. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteA Christmas book by a great author--what more could I ask for other than a cup of hot chocolate and time to read it!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me. Sounds like something different. Thanks!
ReplyDeletekoinonia572001@yahoo.com
I've seen this book at a lot of places, please include me in the giveaway.
ReplyDelete