FORSAKEN - Vanessa Miller - Free Book

Welcome, Vanessa. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Not much these days. Right now I’m writing my 10th novel, and I haven’t written my personality or bits of my story into a character since my 1st book, Former Rain.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t developing some type of story. Of course, as a child I didn’t know that I would become a novelist. I just knew that I love to create stories.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read tons of Christian fiction but I also enjoy mysteries and thrillers.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Several, my goal is to write at least a hundred books, so I’m off to a slow start but my list is as follows: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, Latter Rain, Rain Storm, Through the Storm, Forsaken, Forgiven, Yesterday’s Promise, Long Time Coming and A Love For Tomorrow.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Sometimes I wonder if I haven’t already lost it and I’m just too insane to know the difference. :-) But seriously, prayer works for me. There are times when I have to get in a quiet place and just pray.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I use names of some of my family members and friends, I take them out of the paper or I just make one up.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Spiritually: having the good sense to fall in love with Jesus

Professionally: finishing my first book. It took years to get that first book done, but once I was able to get the first book done, I haven’t been able to stop until I type "the end" on each of my books.

Personally: My family

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Butterfly. My name means butterfly, and I believe that my life has been one transforming moment after the next.

I love that. What is your favorite food?

Mexican food or Mac and Cheese

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My greatest roadblock would have to be the building of my readership. Although many thousands of people read my books, I have not reached the readership goals that I have set for myself. The way I handle what seems like a roadblock to me is to just keep plowing forward. With each new book, I try to reach more people than I did before. With prayer and hard work, I believe I will meet my goals.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Write the best book that you can and then work with a professional editor before submitting the book to publishers. Writers have the passion for the story, but editors understand the skill and elements of a story.

Tell us about the featured book?

Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor: Pastor Jerome Tyler "JT" Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn't sure he can stay tied down.

Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his "extracurricular activity" comes knocking on his front door, JT's life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he's been forsaken by God?

Intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE

“Your husband is cheating on both of us.” Those happy home stealing words ricocheted through Cassandra’s mind as she drove to Faith Outreach Church to confront her husband, Pastor JT Thomas. She willed herself not to cry. Not to think about the five wonderful years of marriage she’d experienced with JT.

She pulled into the first lady’s parking spot, turned off the engine, and put her hand on her swollen stomach. No, she couldn’t even think about the child growing inside her. If her life with the magnificent pastor of Faith Outreach Church had been nothing but a lie, and if the woman that had the audacity to telephone her was telling the truth, then JT was going to admit it to her face.

Pressing her hand into the small of her back, she ambled her way through the fellowship hall. The lower the baby dropped, the harder walking became. But Cassandra loved every minute of being pregnant. This was her second pregnancy. Their first child was a girl, and she had died after only a few precious moments on earth. It was hard to deal with, but she and JT made it through; now they had other problems.

JT’s office was toward the back of the building, right across from the sanctuary. Another ten steps and she would see what the good pastor had to say for himself.

“First Lady, can I get you something?”

Cassandra smiled as she weebled around to greet Deacon Joe Benson, the almost seven foot, solid built man who didn’t talk down to anybody, but still managed to treat her gently. “No. I’m okay.”

“Well, just let me know if you need anything,” he told her.

I need a faithful husband, Cassandra thought, and wanted to beg Deacon Benson to go get that for her. But it wasn’t Deacon Benson’s fault that JT was one way behind the pulpit and quite another at home. So she patted him on the shoulder and said, “I will, Deacon Benson, thank you.”

That should make readers want to get a copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My websites: http://www.vanessamiller.com/  http://www.anointedauthorsontour.com/

www.facebook.com/vanessamiller01  www.myspace.com/vmiller1

Thank you, Vanessa, for this delightful look into your writing career and life.

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