JOY TAKES FLIGHT - Bonnie Leon - One Free Book

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Themes that show up in my stories often have to do with my day-to-day life or those close to me—topics that have impacted me personally. I may not have been transported on a prison ship and experienced the hardships and faith testing that comes with that kind of experience and I’m not a pilot who flies the Alaskan skies, but I have known hardship, fear, hope and the discovery of God’s presence in the midst of a storm. Those are the things I love to write about.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

For the first time in a very long while, I’m writing without a contract. I have two must write books on my docket. The most pressing of the two is a true story.

A few years ago, a woman I’d never met asked me to write her story. I was in the middle of a series at the time and couldn’t take on another project. This gal did not give up. She called me a couple times a year and we’d chat briefly. Finally, we met while I was at a book signing. She told me her story and I started to cry as I realized that maybe I was supposed to write her story.

She is Native American and lived an incredible life in the Alaskan wilderness. I am midway through the book and can’t wait to introduce her to readers. She’s an amazing woman.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I would be honored to spend an evening with Condoleezza Rice. She is an exceptional person—her background, her life experiences and her career are inspiring and intriguing. She is a deep river of experience, wisdom and knowledge. I’m certain that one evening with her would be life changing.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’ve been asked this question before. There is always more than one answer. Today, when I consider the possibility Corrie Ten Boon comes to mind first. She was a courageous woman of faith. I’m grateful for all she did for the German people during Hitler’s reign. She is a beautiful picture of who we can be in Christ when we fully entrust our lives to Him.

I look forward to meeting her in heaven where we will have all eternity to spend time together.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Rejections are part of being a writer. Published authors hear back from agents, editors or publishing houses with critiques or outright rejections of their work.

As writers we need to keep a proper perspective. A negative response to a manuscript is not a personal rejection. And it may have nothing to do with the quality of our work. Often times, publishing houses refuse a manuscript because they’ve already done something similar recently. It may be a topic they don’t feel comfortable working with. Or a genre that would be better handled by another publisher.

In the end, we need to trust our careers to God. He knows the beginning and the end and the “why” of all the in between places. Rejections are often a gift. We need to pay attention to any critiques that come with them and be thankful for them. They offer us an opportunity to improve our craft. And after all, we want only our very best work to go out to readers.

Tell us about the featured book.

Book three, like the first two books in the Alaskan Skies series is filled with high flying adventure. It includes lots of authentic details of 1930’s Alaska.

Kate Evans, an Alaskan bush pilot, is living her dream. She and Dr. Paul Anderson finally marry, and although she expected life to be smooth sailing it is anything but. Kate had imagined her life as an Alaskan bush pilot to continue without a hitch. But some of the promises Paul made to her were misleading and he is still withholding a secret from his past that creates a barrier between the newly married couple.

When Kate discovers she is expecting a baby, more questions about what her role as wife and mother are raised. She wants one thing, Paul wants another. Their life begins to come apart. A tragedy frays away the final seams that hold them together, and Kate fears she’s lost Paul forever.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Kate stared into the church mirror and recited the name once more. “Mrs. Paul Anderson.” She’d tried on the name many times, and in less than an hour it would truly be hers. This all felt like a dream. She’d thought she’d lost him. And now she was about to become Paul’s wife.

      She turned to the side and smoothed her floor-length gown. Her dear friend, Muriel Stevens, had convinced her to use a little extra makeup, and she’d made sure her hair was perfectly coiffed. Still, she looked like Kate Evans—tall and athletic, her auburn hair peeking out from beneath a veil and hazel eyes vibrant with anticipation. “Kate Anderson. Mrs. Paul Anderson.”

      February 26, 1938, would draw a line in Kate’s history, one that stated she’d never be the same. She’d still be Kate the bush pilot who loved a challenge, but she’d also be Paul’s

wife . . . . She’d be better because he shared her life, but she was a little frightened. She didn’t know how to be someone’s wife. Kate smiled at her image and almost giggled. Poor Paul. It wouldn’t be easy on him while she learned to relinquish some of her independence.

      Kate glanced at the clock—thirty minutes. Nerves skittered up and down her spine, tickled her arms and made her stomach flip. What kind of wife would she be?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m easy to find. My website address is www.bonnieleon.com and my blog address is http://bonnieleon.blogspot.com/ . I also have an author page on facebook at www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAuthor. And I’m a bit new to twitter but I’ve jumped in. My handle is @Bonnie_Leon.

I look forward to meeting some new friends.

Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Joy Takes Flight: A Novel (Alaskan Skies) paperback
Joy Takes Flight: A Novel (Alaskan Skies) - Kindle


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