WOMEN OF THE BIBLE - Dianne Neal Matthews - Free Book

Welcome, Dianne. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?


The closest that I’ve come to writing fiction is when I write opening scenarios as illustrations for devotionals. I usually base them on real stories and real people that I know about, but sometimes I create something from my imagination. I always enjoy that and stop to ask, “God, are you preparing me to write fiction?” Right now I’m dreaming—and praying, about writing a novel. Maybe someday…

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I would like to assure readers of my books that I most definitely do not have it all together. Sometimes after writing a devotional, I feel like a hypocrite. I never want to give the impression that I don’t struggle with the issues I write about. Truth is—I’m a mess. My writing isn’t a reflection of my spiritual maturity; it’s an extension of God’s grace and the wisdom found in His Word. Every day I thank Him for using me in spite of my many flaws and my hardheadedness in learning spiritual lessons.
Tell us about your family.

My husband (Richard) and I met in college and have been married 36 years. We have two sons (Eric, Kevin), a daughter (Holly), and a son-in-law (Brandon Rose). We’ve been blessed with a 5-year-old granddaughter (Lacey), and a new grandchild due in early June.
Have you written other nonfiction books?

Tyndale published my first book in 2005. The One Year On This Day uses origins of holidays, historical anniversaries, current events, and pop culture trivia to illustrate biblical truths. I’ve also contributed stories to a few compilation books including : True Stories of Holiday Cheer and Goodwill, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace and Classic Christmas.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Yes, in October 2010 Baker Books will publish Drawing Closer to God: 365 Meditations on Questions Asked in Scripture. I based the devotionals in this book on questions asked by God, Jesus, different people in the Old Testament, the writers in the New Testament, and even Balaam’s donkey. Each meditation ends with either a reflection question for readers to ask themselves or a question to ask God in prayer.

I’m in the process of writing another one-year devotional book for Baker (still untitled) that moves through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. After it releases October 2011, I will have written more than 1500 devotionals for publication.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love hiking and nature-related activities, hanging out with my children and granddaughter, cooking, needlework and knitting, and of course reading, especially classic literature. But when I’m under contract to come up with 365 different ideas for devotionals, I can’t fit much else in my brain or my schedule.
Why did you write the featured book?

The editors at Tyndale House asked if I wanted to write a devotional based on women in the Bible. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the project. I was struck by the fact that biblical women struggled with the same basic problems, temptations, and needs that contemporary women do. The project also gave me a new appreciation for how highly God values women and how He shapes us in unique ways to carry out His purposes.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I would like the devotionals to renew readers’ appreciation for how relevant the Bible is to their lives. Also, the overall message I hope to convey is found in the very last devotional of the book. I open with a story of an anxious bride starting down the aisle. When she looks at her groom, she sees a reflection of her beauty in his eyes and his intense longing to claim her as his own.

That scene gives us a little taste of how God looks at us. He loves us just the way we are, even though we don’t see ourselves as desirable, and even when our culture thinks we don’t measure up. And He can’t wait to claim us as His own for all eternity.
Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

My website is http://www.diannenealmatthews.com/ . Please drop by and say “hi.”

Thank you, Dianne, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


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/