ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK - Betsy St Amant - Free Book

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. She's a multi-published through Steeple Hill and has alsobeen published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, "Kickboxing or Chocolate," appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. She has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly freelances for her local newspaper. ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK is Betsy's first YA novel. Betsy is a fireman’s wife, a mommy to a busy toddler, a chocolate-loving author, and an avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

Welcome, Betsy. I love that you've done this book. I'm married to a PK. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

God is indeed good! My next Love Inspired novel releases Spring 2012, HER FAMILY WISH. I have a lot of different projects in the works! We’ll see which one takes off next. It’s all in His timing and will. I’m eager to see what He has for me next.

Tell us a little about your family.

My favorite subject! I’m married to a hunky fireman and we have the sweetest little three-year-old-girl in the entire world. (I’m biased but it’s also just true ::wink:: ) She gives me plenty of writing material and keeps my days full of joy. We live in the country and I work part-time outside of writing, as well as freelance for my local newspaper. I can’t remember the last time I was bored!

Has your writing changed your reading habits?

If so, how? Just in that I don’t have as much time to read, now that I have so many writing obligations. But I do make some time for it, of course, and I strongly believe reading genres that you write keeps you sharp.

What are you working on right now?

I have several new ideas for more YA books that I’m really excited about and that are pretty unique. Too early to share details yet but hopefully one of them will come about soon! J

What outside interests do you have?

Besides reading and family time, I love ogling shoes in store windows, downing Nerds right out of the box, watching Disney movies with my toddler, playing with all her fun new toys from Christmas and drooling over Godiva chocolate! I wish I could say I love to cook but…I don’t. I also can’t knit, crochet, draw, paint, sketch, sew, or play a musical instrument to save my life. Ha.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I usually develop my characters first and their internal struggles, then develop the outside conflict and plot, and decide from there which setting best fits that situation. So setting for me is usually last! But occasionally, like in my first Love Inspired novel RETURN TO LOVE, it was first. I knew I wanted to write a story in New Orleans, so there you had it. Beignets for everyone! ::wink::

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Jane Austen! I’d love to pick her brain about her books and the real life truth hidden inside some of those classic tales, and if she had any inkling at all while writing that her stories would never die.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

How much time is involved in the entire process of writing, submitting, and publishing! Even after a contract, it’s a year or more before your beloved book lands on a shelf. Patience is a virtue writers MUST eventually possess or go absolutely crazy. Ha! That’s why I encourage other writers to keep projects rolling. It’s easier to wait to hear back on one proposal when you have another one in the works. It also makes rejection easier when you have another story you’re excited about and can switch gears to it.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Right now, God is teaching me a lot about going deeper. I received that Word from Him during the 2011 ACFW conference and I thought it meant in regards to my writing. But I’m realizing now He meant in my writing but also in my daily life. It’s been a chaotic journey the past few months J  Thankfully, I know He is faithful.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1. Never give up, even when you have enough rejections to build a dog house.

2. Develop friendship with other authors who “get it” and care about you and your dreams.

3. Pray regularly and trust God’s will and timing. (this is the hardest to do but most important!)

Tell us about the featured book? 

ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK is my favorite story to date. I just love her! When my author copies came in the mail, I carried one around in my purse for days because I just wanted her close! Haha. Addison’s story is about a day in the life of a PK (preacher’s kid) and her struggles in facing the opportunity to NOT be good for the first time in her life. She’s never had a problem doing the right thing…unless Wes Keegan roared into town on his motorcycle. Addison is also trying to figure out how much of her faith has been handed down to her and how much is actually her own.

Please give us the first page.

He looked good in those jeans, and he knew it.

There was no other explanation for the way Wes stood on the sidewalk across the street, one arm braced against the light post, his back to me as he chatted up a curly-haired blond in a midriff-baring top. I'd always hated those shirts. It's like, are you that proud of your belly button? Really?

I still think he only pretended to care about that poodle-ish waif who lived a few streets over. In fact, I was as sure of that as I was sure his favorite song was "Free Bird" and his favorite color was green - well okay, I assumed that because he wears it the most often, and it does ridiculous things for his eyes. I'd almost told him before, but every time I got that close I froze and could only stare at his crooked grin that had a tendency to melt my legs like a 3 Muskateers bar in the sun. So, to avoid the risk of babbling incoherently and dishonoring my 4.0 reputation, I'd mumble some excuse to head home before I leaped into his arms like the dozens of ska--sorry, there's no other word for it--skanks that willingly did just that. I definitely wasn't the only one who found Wes charming.

But I was the only one who didn't have a clue why. 

That really caught my attention. I can hardly wait to get my book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.betsystamant.com 

I created an interactive quiz and put on my website.

It's here: (and really fun!) http://www.betsystamant.com/extras/

www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com

I also regularly contribute to www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com and www.girlsgodgoodlife.blogspot.com 

I’m also on Facebook and Twitter!


Thank you for introducing us to Addison, Betsy.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK - Kindle
Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK - print copy


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