CHRISTMAS BELLES OF GEORGIA - Jeanie Smith Cash, Rose McCaulley, Jeri Odell, Debra Ullrick - 3 Free Books

I just love the Christmas novella collections. And all these authors are good friends of mine. Now girls, how did your story for the collection come about?

Jeanie Smith Cash: The Lord gave me the idea for this collection about four young women who were Quadruplets. I thought what if they were adopted out to four different families at birth? What would happen when they find out they have three identical siblings. I emailed to these three authors and told them I was going to write one of the stories and asked if they would like to write the other three stories.

Rose Allen McCAuley: Jeanie Smith Cash came up with the unique idea and contacted me.

Jeri Odell: Jeanie came up with the idea and asked me to join her in writing one of the stories.

Debra Ullrick: How did your story for the collection come about? It was Jeanie’s idea and a great one at that. *smiling*

What are you reading right now?

Jeanie Smith Cash: I just finished reading Allie Pleiter’s book, Bluegrass Hero. I enjoyed it so much that I’m now reading her second book, Bluegrass Blessings. These are good books. I plan to read the other two as well, Bluegrass Courtship, and Bluegrass Christmas.       

Rose Allen McCauley: Woodlands by Robin Jones Gunn and In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer. And typing in these author’s names remindeds me of people like them and Lena Nelson Dooley and Jeanie Smith Cash who use their maiden names plus their married names when they write which I chose to do also.

Jeri Odell: Erasing Hell by Frances Chan

Debra Ullrick: Dance of the Dandelions by Dina Sleiman

What other books have you had published?

Jeanie Smith Cash: I have novellas in three other collections, Christmas in the Country, Wyoming Christmas Heroes, and Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe. I also have two short stories in Magazines.

Rose Allen McCauley: This is my first fiction publication, although I do have some non-fiction selections already published.

Jeri Odell: I've had 10 novellas and 9 Heartsongs and 3 collections and 1 nonfiction book. My latest are Romancing America Nevada and Perfect Peace. I have two Christmas novellas coming out this fall

Debra Ullrick: The Bride Wore Coveralls, Déjà vu Bride, Dixie Hearts, The Unexpected Bride.  A Log Cabin Christmas, and in January 2012, An Unlikely Wife.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Jeanie Smith Cash: Making sure our stories coincide and they all come together correctly in the epilogue at the end.

Rose Allen McCauley: This novella and this group of authors were a joy to work with, but the hardest part was making sure all the information in one story fit with the others. Although we each came up with our own storyline and locations, the heroines all had to come together at the end of the book in an epilogue written by Jeanie, and they all had to be the same age, weight, height, etc. to fit the storyline.

Jeri Odell: Keeping not just mine, but everyone else’s details straight.

Debra Ullrick: Keeping all the facts straight and making sure they correlate with everyone else’s.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Jeanie Smith Cash: I really enjoyed writing with this team. I thank the Lord for each of them and that He has called us to write Christian Romance. We have become even closer friends through the time we’ve spent working on this collection. It’s very satisfying to see all of the stories come together when they’re finished.

Rose Allen McCauley: It made me so appreciative to our Heavenly Father for bringing me into contact with each of these ladies through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). And it impressed on me how as a part of the family of Christ we could all work together in harmony like His church does.

Debra Ullrick: I got to know Rose and Jeanie much better. Jeri’s a super busy woman with a job, so didn’t get to talk to her much. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Jeanie Smith Cash: I have a book of babies’ names, sometimes I use it and sometimes I just hear one I like that fits my story. In this book we named the girls Christmas names since they were born on Christmas Day.

Rose Allen McCauley: Jeanie asked us to all come up with Christmas themed names since it was a Christmas book and the girls were born on Christmas Day.

Jeri Odell: My hero was named after my grandson, Camden. 

Debra Ullrick: Sometimes I go online and look up names. Or, like in my story, Loving Stetson, I knew a boy named Stetson, who my daughter used to baby sit when we lived on the Singer place that was part of Grand River Ranch. Plus, it’s a great brand name of a cowboy hat.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Jeanie Smith Cash: How important it is to forgive. The Lord gave His life on an old rugged cross to forgive us from our sins and we as Christians need to remember that we all make mistakes, so therefore we need to be forgiving of each other and love one another as He loves us. Also that no matter what, He never changes and He’s always there. When we get ready to admit our sins and ask His forgiveness, we will always find Him right where we left him every time. 

Rose Allen McCauley: The Bible verse I chose was “God sets the lonely in families…” Psalm 68:6. When I studied the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren several years ago, one of the many things God taught me was that he sets each person in their family for His purposes and for our good. Like me, my heroine, Carol, had to come to believe that.

Jeri Odell: God is faithful, even when life is hard, hurtful and confusing.

Deb Ullrick: That our pasts are just that—the past. When we are forgiven for past mistakes, we don’t need to go fishing and keep reeling them in. No need to resurrect dead dogs. The stench is horrific and causes the ones we love to have to live it over and over. Now, if you want to remember it to help you to not make the same mistake again, that’s awesome. But too many times we judge people for what they did in the past. 

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so why?

Jeanie Smith Cash: Yes. To interact with and learn from other Christian writers. Joining ACFW was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my writing career. I also enjoy being a part of the prayer group.

Rose  AllenMcCauley: Yes. It is the best organization for Christian fiction writers around. I doubt I would be published today if God hadn’t led me to ACFW in 2002 right before the first national conference.

Jeri Odell: Yes. I joined when it was American Christian Romance Writer because I love romance. That was many years ago...

Deb Ullrick: Yes, I am and have been for over seven years now. I love the people in ACFW. They’re friendly and ready to help without expecting something in return. Plus, I’ve made a lot of fabulous friends through the ACFW. And, my first published book was a result of being a member of the ACFW. Then called, the ACRW (American Christian Romance Writers). 

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Jeanie Smith Cash: To find a good critique partner that you are compatible with. One that will critique your work, without trying to change your voice.

Rose Allen McCauley: To do the work God sets before me. The best story ideas and writing can’t get you published unless you do the work!

Jeri Odell: For me it was don't read your own press.

Debra Ullrick: If you find someone who understands your voice and style and doesn’t try to change them, hang onto them, they are worth their weight in gold.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Jeanie Smith Cash: Through my website www.jeaniesmithcash.net, my blog, www.jeaniesmithcashs.blogspot.com, on Facebook, Shoutlife, and Goodreads. Thank you Lena, you are a special friend and I appreciate you doing this interview for our new book. God Bless!

Rose Allen McCauley: www.rosemccauley.com and also my blog at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com Thanks, Lena. I have read your blog for years and even won a couple books on your blog from other authors, so it is such a thrill to be interviewed on your blog and have my own book to give away. God is so good!

Jeri Odell: Jeri.odell@gmail.com

Debra Ullrick: www.debraullrick.com and Facebook, Shoutlife, and Goodreads.

Thank you, ladies, for the fun interview.

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