Bio: Heart,
home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories
that feature those comes naturally to her. She has been writing contemporary
Christian romance for more than a decade. Her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, will be released in November by
Love Inspired. Her second novel, Lakeside
Family, will be released in August 2012 by Love Inspired. Happily married
for over twenty years, Lisa and her husband have two young adult sons. When she
isn’t writing or caring for children in her in-home childcare business, Lisa
enjoys family time, romantic comedies, good books, crafting with friends and
feeding her NCIS addiction. Visit her at www.lisajordanbooks.com to learn
more about her writing.
Welcome, Lisa. Tell us how much of yourself
you write into your characters.
I’m not exactly sure how
much of myself is written into the books. When my characters go through trials,
I try to think about how I reacted in those situations and draw on the attached
emotions to write a scene that will resonate with readers.
When did you first discover
that you were a writer?
I wanted to write when I was
16, but I realized I could be a writer when I completed the rough draft of a
novel during Nanowrimo almost a decade ago.
Tell us the range of the
kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love contemporary
romances, romantic suspense, women’s fiction. I love happily ever after endings
and stories that fill me with hope.
How do you keep your sanity
in our run, run, run world?
I’ve lost my sanity a long
time ago. J Having a supportive
family and taking time out for myself helps me to stay focused when I need to
be.
How do you choose your
characters’ names?
I created Lindsey and
Stephen so long ago that I’m not really sure where their names came from.
Lindsey’s original name was Ivy, but I couldn’t get the character to open up,
so I changed her name. I like to check meanings of names, too and make sure
they fit the character.
What is the accomplishment
that you are most proud of?
So hard to say—I’m proud of
my young adult men for being kind and respectful. I graduated college at the
age of 40. Publishing my first book at 42 was fun too.
What is your favorite food?
Lasagna. Mashed potatoes. My
mom’s stuffed pork chops. Hubby’s rotisserie chicken.
Tell us a little about your
journey to publication.
I wanted to write since I
was 16, but didn’t become serious until just over a decade ago. I spent years
working on my craft, and then finaled in the 2009 Genesis contest. In 2010, I
signed with Rachelle Gardner, who submitted my manuscript to Love Inspired. I
received “the call” in January. Lakeside Reunion was released on November
1. Lakeside Family, my second book,
will be released in August 2012.
What is the problem with
writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I struggled with flat
characters, but Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck taught me how to get to the
core of my characters’ motivations.
What advice would you give
to others who are trying to get their first book published?
Allow God to guide your
steps, believe in yourself and the talents God has given you, listen to the
experts, but find your own voice, and don’t rush to get published.
Tell us about the featured
book.
Lakeside
Reunion: Bed-and-breakfast
owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to
Shelby Lake . Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and
Lindsey fled town. But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls
her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he’s still able to stir up
Lindsey’s old feelings for him. Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes
a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust
in God and take a risk for love—again. Read an excerpt
of Lakeside Reunion
Please give us the first
page of the book.
Any moment now, Lindsey
could put the car in Drive, touch the gas pedal, drive past the green-etched
Welcome to Shelby
Lake sign and return to
her past. Another hundred feet and she would be back.
Visitors traveled to the northwesternPennsylvania lake-front
community to get away. She escaped to put her life back together.
Center Street unfurled like black satin ribbon under a canopy of evergreens and multicolored maples and oaks that would take her right down memory lane. Past the elementary school where Mom taught kindergarten. Past Aunt Claire's sewing shop. Past Mrs. Lawson's pink-sided house with the plastic yard goose she dressed each holiday. Past the church where Lindsey almost said "I do."
Mom, why did you have to fall down the stairs?
Lindsey gripped the steering wheel, pressing her forehead against the powder-blue fuzzy cover. Maybe banging her head against it would knock some sense into her brain. She'd made promises that never, ever, not in a thousand years would she return toShelby Lake .
But promises didn't account for widowed mothers who might slip on a dirty sock on the stairs to the laundry room.
Next to her, on the seat of her friend's borrowed Taurus, her cell phone chimed. She read the display. Perfect—Granddad checking in. He probably expected her to hedge at the city limits, weighing the pros and cons.
Like for the past half hour.
She answered the call. "I'm on my way, really."
"No doubt in my mind, sweetness. Your mama's been taken to X-ray. She's asking for that quilt—you know, the one with all those circles—off the recliner near the davenport. Could you pick it up on your way?" Granddad's voice betrayed an edge of stress—playing family watchdog for the past five years whittled any visible panic from his voice. "Can you hurry?"
"Yes…sure. I'll be there in about twenty minutes or so." She ended the conversation and clenched the phone.
Quilt with circles, Granddad had said. The wedding ring quilt on the recliner near the couch. Dad's recliner. Closing her eyes, she could picture him sitting there—feet crossed at the ankles, hands tucked behind his head. An ache pinched her chest. But she would do it. For Mom.
She imagined her mother, fragile, her eyes wide with pain, maybe even fear as she lay puddled at the bottom of the stairs, or trying to drag her broken body toward a phone. If Lindsey hadn't swept theShelby Lake dust off her feet, she might have
been there. Might have heard her cry out. Or rather, might have been the one
carrying the laundry downstairs.
She glanced at the sign again and released a loud sigh. Okay, so the town had fewer than five thousand people. Entering city limits didn't guarantee she'd see him. Or his son. Or run smack into the humiliation of being left at the altar.
It felt that way. Come on, who calls off a wedding a week before the big day?
Visitors traveled to the northwestern
Center Street unfurled like black satin ribbon under a canopy of evergreens and multicolored maples and oaks that would take her right down memory lane. Past the elementary school where Mom taught kindergarten. Past Aunt Claire's sewing shop. Past Mrs. Lawson's pink-sided house with the plastic yard goose she dressed each holiday. Past the church where Lindsey almost said "I do."
Mom, why did you have to fall down the stairs?
Lindsey gripped the steering wheel, pressing her forehead against the powder-blue fuzzy cover. Maybe banging her head against it would knock some sense into her brain. She'd made promises that never, ever, not in a thousand years would she return to
But promises didn't account for widowed mothers who might slip on a dirty sock on the stairs to the laundry room.
Next to her, on the seat of her friend's borrowed Taurus, her cell phone chimed. She read the display. Perfect—Granddad checking in. He probably expected her to hedge at the city limits, weighing the pros and cons.
Like for the past half hour.
She answered the call. "I'm on my way, really."
"No doubt in my mind, sweetness. Your mama's been taken to X-ray. She's asking for that quilt—you know, the one with all those circles—off the recliner near the davenport. Could you pick it up on your way?" Granddad's voice betrayed an edge of stress—playing family watchdog for the past five years whittled any visible panic from his voice. "Can you hurry?"
"Yes…sure. I'll be there in about twenty minutes or so." She ended the conversation and clenched the phone.
Quilt with circles, Granddad had said. The wedding ring quilt on the recliner near the couch. Dad's recliner. Closing her eyes, she could picture him sitting there—feet crossed at the ankles, hands tucked behind his head. An ache pinched her chest. But she would do it. For Mom.
She imagined her mother, fragile, her eyes wide with pain, maybe even fear as she lay puddled at the bottom of the stairs, or trying to drag her broken body toward a phone. If Lindsey hadn't swept the
She glanced at the sign again and released a loud sigh. Okay, so the town had fewer than five thousand people. Entering city limits didn't guarantee she'd see him. Or his son. Or run smack into the humiliation of being left at the altar.
It felt that way. Come on, who calls off a wedding a week before the big day?
Wow! Interesting. How can
the readers find you on the Internet?
Email: lisa@lisajordanbooks.com
Website: www.lisajordanbooks.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisajordan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaJordan
My Book Therapy:
http://mybooktherapy.ning.com/profile/LisaJordan
I blog at MBT
Ponderers: www.mbtponderers.blogspot.com
I blog at
WordServe Water Cooler: www.wordservewatercooler.com
Thank you, Lisa, for spending this time with us.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Lakeside Reunion (Love Inspired)
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Wow--what an opening page. I can't wait to read more. Thank you for sharing. I love the opening and can't wait to see what happens as she enters town. I hope she makes it to her mom's side at xray.
ReplyDeletecoolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
Oh thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks amazing. I would love to win this. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI am from Oklahoma
Sounds like a great novel. Thanks Lisa and Lena for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletemitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
from the Peace River Country, Alberta
Thank you for the chance to win this novel!
ReplyDeleteI live in Oregon.
Thanks!
what a beautiful cover - sounds like a wonderful book
ReplyDeletecheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
Would love to read it!
ReplyDeletefrom South MS
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Lakeside Reunions sounds great, second chance at love stories are always a favorite.
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX
Loved reading the first page of Lakeside Reunion! Makes me want more and more!! Thanks so much for sharing:))
ReplyDeleteEnter me I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks and God bless!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
I'm looking forward to this book! I'd love a copy. I'm in Ohio :)
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win a copy of Lakeside Reunion. I have not read any of Lisa Jordan's books and this wold be a good chance to get started! margie at mijares dot net
ReplyDeletesounds very interesting I would Love to read it enter me in the giveaway thanks and God Bless
ReplyDeleteJoanna Richmond
Blanch NC
Looks interesting!Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteNathanael Richmond
Blanch, NC.
Thanks for the Interview, nice to meet you Lisa, your book sounds great and can't wait to start reading it, please enter me in your Contest.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to all
I live in S.Illinois
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds great! I would love to read it. Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
It looks interesting!!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
Hey, sounds great!
ReplyDeleteRose
WA
I would love to read this book. I haven't read any work from this author yet. I live in S. CA.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you on this blog.
I have seen you often on MBT.
I would love to win your book.
Thanks so much for the opportunity.
Jan K.
janet(underscore)kerr(at)msn(dot)com
Sounds like a nice read! Please enter me in this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI live in New York
please enter me in this book giveaway thanks. I live in ND
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
LOve to read this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa.