Welcome, Liz. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
I try not to put too much of myself into my characters, but
always the spiritual lessons that I’ve been learning end up being the same
lessons that characters struggle to figure out. In my most recent book, A
Promise to Protect, my heroine has to learn to be weak in order to let
God be strong. Learning that in my own life was an awful challenge for me, but
when I finally caught on to what He was teaching me, I was able to help my
characters come to understand similar things.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
When I was 19, I decided that I needed a nose ring. At the
time, I was working at DisneyWorld , and I
wasn’t allowed any visible piercings except my ears. So I had to wait for about
two months, but the day before I left Florida ,
I got my nose ring, which I wore for two years. And the day I graduated from
college I took it out. Sometimes I still miss it, but it doesn’t exactly go
with my day job, so I guess we’ve seen the last of my nose ring.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’m not sure I ever really discovered. I was just sort of
always writing. When I was seven, I was given a school assignment to write two
paragraphs about a bear. I ended up writing several pages. That was probably
the first indication that I was going to be a writer.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love reading just about anything. I’m a big fan of L.M.
Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and
other books. My all time favorite book is The
Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, a Newberry Award Winner
from 1955. But close behind that are The
Princess Bride and The Guernsey
Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. From dystopian YA to historical
romance to biographies and Christian living books, I’ll pick it up.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I’m not sure I’ve done a good job of keeping my sanity, but
I do find that when I feel overwhelmed, stopping for a moment to listen to a
worship song always soothes my nerves.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I’m not great at naming my characters, but recently I’ve
discovered BabyNameGenie.com, which randomly offers names, and I love that! I
almost always have it open in my browser to help with naming secondary
characters.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I think I’m most proud of being my nieces’ and nephews’
favorite aunt. It’s taken no small amount of time on the phone with them
reminding them that I’m their favorite. And I’ve spent a lot of time shopping
to spoil them. Okay, seriously, I love being an aunt, and I love spending time
with all five of my nieces and nephews. I’m also honored to get to write and to
have been published in some really successful books, and that’s a blessing I
never expected. Getting letters from readers who have been encouraged by my
books is maybe the best part of being a writer.
If you were an animal,
which one would you be, and why?
I think I’d like to be a horse, strong and graceful. They’re
just so beautiful. But realistically I’m probably closer to a house cat. If I
have the chance, I love a good nap.
What is your favorite
food?
My dad’s hamburgers fresh off the grill with a little
ketchup, cheese, lettuce, and pickles.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’m a terrible procrastinator. But I’m also grateful that I
write better under pressure. Procrastinating makes meeting deadlines hard, but
I’ve found that I can set up a schedule, set smaller goals, and find folks to
keep me accountable to write. These help me make my deadlines and keep me
moving forward with my writing.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Navy
SEAL Matt Waterstone knows about keeping people safe. When his best friend’s
sister is attacked, Matt promises no harm will come to Ashley Sawyer–not on his
watch. But Matt’s not the only protective one. Ashley will do anything to
safeguard the residents of the battered women’s shelter she runs. She’s sure
she can handle the threats she gets in return. What she can’t handle is the way
Matt scales the walls around her heart. Yet when she falls prey to a crime web
more sinister than she’d realized, trusting Matt could be the only way to
survive.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
"When do you go wheels up?" Ashley Sawyer asked as
she walked down the street toward the local grocery store several blocks away.
"And you're avoiding the question." Tristan had been deploying with his team of U.S. Navy SEALs since she was sixteen. She knew that when he didn't answer a question, it was usually because he couldn't. Stepping onto the curb, she asked, "Well, you and Matt just take care of each other, okay?"
Silence hung on the line for so long that she checked her phone to make sure she hadn't dropped the call.
"Tristan?"
"Matt's not going this time."
Her heart squeezed just a bit. She'd counted on Matt Waterstone, her brother's best friend since their first day in SEAL training, to watch out for Tristan. Matt had a habit of being in the right place at the right time, protecting Tristan from at least one bullet during their deployments. And that was just what he would actually own up to.
She swallowed an unexpected lump in her throat at the thought of harm coming to the man she'd had a crush on once upon a time. "What happened?"
"Nothing major. He'll heal up just fine with a little time. Hey, maybe I'll send him your way for a visit—keep him from getting bored here on his own."
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I enjoy connecting with readers and fellow book lovers at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com, www.twitter.com/lizjohnsonbooks
, and www.facebook.com/lizjohnsonbooks
.
Thank you, Liz. We loved learning a little about your life and your book.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Promise to Protect (Love Inspired Suspense)
A Promise to Protect (Love Inspired Suspense)
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
26 comments:
i fell in love with navy seals after reading one of Dee Henderson's novels, and now it seems i can't get enough of them! Thanks for the great interview, Lena and Liz and the chance to win.
marianne from Northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
reviewingnovelsonline.blogspot.ca
I haven't read any Navy Seals books and have been wanting to. This sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you for the opportunity!
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
Ooh - I love the title and the description is even better!
From the Black Hills of SD!
would love to win. angel from KY
Sounds great, thank you for hosting this giveaway.
Wendy from FL.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Would like to win.
Rebekah from Tennessee.
This looks amazing! I'm definitely in!
Eldra from BC
I would love to win a copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Book sounds great would love to win.
Lourdes in Long Island NY
Navy SEALs make great heroes.
I love horses too.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book!
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville Tx
Thanks for chance to win a copy of this love inspired book
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Enter me!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
I would like to win and read A PROMISE TO PROTECT. Suspense sounds good. Sharon, San Diego
Oooo, sounds like an awesome read!!
- Leauphaun from BC
Suspense, romance and Navy Seals... count me in, A Promise to Protect sounds perfect!
Merry in TX
I would love an opportunity to win this book. Please enter me.
God Bless You!
Dennie Richmond
Blanch, NC
I love these Love Inspired Suspense books. Thanks for a great interview and giveaway.
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Adding this to my TBR pile right now. Sounds wonderful.
Gnger in AL
This sounds so suspenseful! I'm in MN.
Sounds great! Please enter me! I'm from NC.
Katie G.
Navy seals will make a very interesting read.
Beth from IA
Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I love Love Inspired Suspense novels. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of A Promise to Protect.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 at yahoo dot com
Lena, thanks again for hosting me. What a treat to be here this week. Good luck to all the entrants! Thanks for reading the interview.
Looks Interesting!
Enter Me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC.
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