Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
No doubt there’s a part of me in every character, because
imagination comes from our experiences. Still, if there is a similarity, it’s
usually only that a character shares my particular worldview.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
That’s a hard one, Lena .
I’m a fairly regimented person. Although my humor definitely qualifies as
quirky. I’ve traveled a good bit in my lifetime, and many of those trips were
spontaneous and/or included spontaneous (as in quirky) detours. Years ago, I was in Nice , France
on business. My then husband-to-be, who was a part of the entourage, and I had
the opportunity to spend several hours in Monte
Carlo on the last night of the trip. It was a
spontaneous decision—and one that produced indelible memories, some quite
laughable, especially later, because my limited knowledge of French almost
caused us to miss our ride back to Nice. J
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
When I was seven or eight years old, I dreamed of writing
books. In high school and college I studied journalism, advertising, and
English, hoping to snag a job in the news or advertising industry. Instead, I
took a job in the music industry, which I like to call my “Divine detour.”
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
When I was younger, I loved the classics and popular
fiction, but over the past twenty years or so I’ve settled very comfortably
into reading Christian fiction and non-fiction. I enjoy all genres—from
apocalyptic to romantic suspense—but my favorite is Christian women’s fiction.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
If I do, which is sometimes debatable (lol), it’s because I
realize that God is in control. Even when life is the most stressful, I remind
myself that He works all things to the good for those who love Him. Accepting
that brings a lot of peace.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Character names are important to me—to the
point that I can’t begin writing a story until I’m satisfied with the names for
the main characters. While a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, to
paraphrase another writer, a name does convey a certain connotative meaning. Sometimes I research names for the
right connotation, sound, and number of syllables. Other times, name choices
are intuitive. For example, in The Road to Mercy the male
protagonist’s nickname is a reference to one of my dogs. J
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I suppose it would be pursuing my writing after decades of
saying I was going to write books. Studying the craft, spending the time
required, digging in and working hard…
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I love dogs, so I would have to pick that. Most “kept”
American dogs live a wonderful life nowadays. I know ours do. J
What is your favorite
food?
If I must limit my answer to one food, it would be pizza,
because it can be made with lots of different food combinations. I love veggie
pizza with the works, including broccoli. I make a tasty chicken and artichoke
pizza at home—a recipe my husband found. We eat healthy versions of pizza a lot
at our house!
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Finding the ability to focus when I have the time to write.
With a full-time job, taking care of family, and writing, I have to
compartmentalize my life. I realized a few years ago that writing at a coffee
shop helps me to focus solely on the task at hand. When I’m in full writing
mode, I generally write one scene a day. It doesn’t sound like much, but it
works for me.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian
singer, and his wife Bethany face a difficult decision that also tests their
faith. A rupture in Beth’s carotid artery leaves her on the brink of death even
as she’s pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to
terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith
and decide to carry the baby to full term.
During the next few months, Josh struggles
with his faith, and Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She
also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his
life forever.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
I’d love to! The
main story is set in present day, but the first few pages are Prologue, which
is set in the late 1950’s.
God blesses those who
are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
October 10, 1959
Jack Randall jerked his foot from the accelerator and
instinctively applied the brakes. His mind raced as his Plymouth Belvedere
slowed to a stop. Police cars with lights blazing blocked the intersection that
led to his home. The reflection off the wet pavement created an eerie blur, and
shadowy figures danced across the sides of the squad cars.
Must
be a bad accident. The
storm that passed earlier in the night had soaked the black asphalt.
As
he watched the policeman walk toward his car, Jack cranked down the driver’s
side window. The uniformed officer flashed a bright light in his direction, not
quite in his eyes.
“Sorry,
sir, no through traffic this morning. A small plane crashed on the Neimann
farm.”
Jack’s
heart pounded. “Anyone hurt? I need to see if my family is—”
“No
one on the ground was hurt, sir. Everyone in the plane was killed. May I see
your driver’s license?”
Jack
reached into a back pocket for his well-worn wallet. From it he pulled a small
piece of paper, which he placed into the gloved hand of the Illinois State
Trooper.
Intriguing! How can readers find you on the Internet?
My author site is www.KathyHarrisBooks.com. I
regularly interview literary and music guests on my blog at www.DivineDetour.com. Or you can find
me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor,
or Twitter at @DivineDetour.
Thanks, Lena , for having me
here today. It’s been fun!
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Road to Mercy - paperback
The Road to Mercy - Kindle
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.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
39 comments:
Ah! I need to read more! Thanks, Kathy for stopping by!
Rosie from OH
i agree with Rosie...i need to read this novel! Thanks Lena and Kathy for a great interview and giveaway!
Marianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
Good morning, Rosie and Marianne! Nice to meet you both!
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
(from PA)
Hi, KarenK! Thanks for dropping by this morning!
Would love to win and read this book. Read part of it on Amazon and got me hooked. Library doesn't have it and I need to read more!
Thank you for the chance to win it.
Karen, Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Breanna, I'm thrilled to be here. Hope you're having a good day!
Thanks for your kind words, Karen! Good luck with the drawing!
I would love to win a copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Nice to meet you, Linda. Good luck with the drawing.
I could eat pizza everyday. Names are very important to a story.
I loved the first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I've great reviews on this one!
Amy C
VA
I've great reviews on this one!
Amy C
VA
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
This sounds like a wonderful book! Angie in Illinois
Wow, the beginning sure is intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kandra in TN
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book!
Lyndie Blevins
Duncnaville, Tx
Thanks, Mary! You've reminded me that I haven't had pizza this week : ) I'm going to need to fix that : )
For health reasons, we eat low-sodium (and I eat gluten free) at our house. I've posted an easy reduced sodium pizza recipe on my website if you're interested. http://www.kathyharrisbooks.com/healthy-living.html
Thanks, Amy!
Hi, Sharon! Good luck with the drawing.
Hi, Angie, a fellow Illinoisan! If you're near Carterville, IL, I'm scheduled to sign books at the LifeWay there next Friday, Oct. 19, 3-5 p.m. and would love to meet you!
Thanks, Kandra! Good luck with the drawing!
Lyndie, it's nice to meet you! Hope you're having a great weekend! Good luck with the drawing.
This sounds very interesting. I'm in MN.
Enter me! Thanks!!!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.
Wow! what a way to leave us guessing :) I would love to win this book....Faith's Grandma/Ohio
Thanks for your note, Veronica! Have a blessed Sunday.
Hi, Abigail! Thanks for dropping by!
Hi, Faith's Grandma : ) Good luck with winning the book.
I always enjoy the interviews, thank you for them. Would love to win.
Lourdes from Dix Hills, Long Island
Lourdes, I agree . . . Lena asks some fun (and unique) questions.
This sounds so interesting!!!
I love in Colorado!
marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
This book sounds sooo goood!!! Will have to put it on my to read list. Thank you.
Kay from NY
msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, Marissa!
Hope you enjoy it, Kay! Thanks for taking the time to post.
The book sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway! Chicken and artichoke pizza sounds good too!! :)
Jes (CA)
jswaks at gmail dot com
Would love a chance to win "THE ROAD TO MERCY". Cannot find it in any of the libraries. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kevlin, NY.
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
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