MYSTERY OF THE HEART - Jillian Kent - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jillian. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

First off, thanks for having me back, Lena. I don’t know how you keep up with everything you do. God has been so awesome and faithful to me in my writing life and personal life.  Wow! I wish I knew what was on the horizon with all the changes in publishing. I can tell you what I’m doing and thinking about but it’s going to be an interesting year no matter what happens. For all of us who write and read.

I’ve developed some story ideas I’m going to submit to my agent and pray something good comes of that even though many are saying to go it on your own. I’m really interested in learning how to make my own e-book so plan on educating myself. None of us can take for granted that we can always publish the traditional way. At least that’s what it’s sounding like out there in the publishing world. A lot of folks are going to have a lot of thoughts on this subject I’m sure. And I want to dabble in short story writing and possible a novella.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married to my hubby Randy Nutter for thirty-one years. This August will be thirty-two! Hard to believe. We are both full-time social workers. I counsel nursing students in a hospital based college and he helps oncology patients and their families. We both love what we do. My mom who lives with us will turn eighty-eight this month and I have a birthday on the eleventh. My daughter Katie lives with us, she’s 23 and searching for her future and now addicted to inspirational fiction although neither of my girls has read my books. Go figure. My daughter Meghan is a missionary for Youth With A Mission and currently leading her own team at the age of twenty. She held off on college because she felt led to do this work. I have a feeling she will be the next social worker in the family.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Yes. I love to read, but with all the demands on my life I don’t read nearly as much as I used to read. When I do it’s usually mystery/suspense.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working up an idea for a new regency novel.

What outside interests do you have?

I love learning. I’ve set a goal this year to learn how to utilize Scrivener and make an e-book. I enjoy prayer walking.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m an Anglophile. I love writing during England’s regency era and may soon explore the Victorian era as well. Maybe.

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

The famous architect John Nash would be one. He was responsible for much of the layout and design of Regency London. I bet he knew a lot that he never shared with others being so close the heart of London. Hmm. Now that might play a part in one of my future novels.

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

Not to write one book to death. Write one and move on.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

That I don’t have to be good at everything as much as I want to be.

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

It all depends on the definition of success. But if you want to write and publish I                         

would say:

1) Study the craft. And by that I mean really study it and to do that you have to know                            where to start. Buy a book like James Scott Bell’s, Plot and Structure.

2) Practice, practice, practice. Just practice opening story ideas. Make them unusual.

3) Attend a conference and network.

Tell us about the featured book.

I love this book. Of course I like all my books but I think because this is the last in the series I have a special appreciation for it. I call it my Indiana Jones novel. It’s based in part on the legend of the Holy Lance, the lance that the Roman soldier used to pierce the side of Christ to be certain he was dead. The Bible doesn’t go into detail about this but it’s been very interesting to research and see why there is so much interest and speculation about this lance. Today, to the best of my knowledge based on extensive research, Austria, The Vatican, and Armenia believe they have pieces of the original Lance of Longinus or The Spear of Destiny as it is also known. Hitler was obsessed with the lance and there are thoughts that it resides in Antarctica. 

The novel centers around the youngest of Lord Ravensmoore sisters, Mercy who wants to be a doctor like her big brother, but in the time of the regency that is an impossibility, or is it? J She meets Vincent St. Lyons who is returning from a secret quest for the Prince Regent. Unfortunately for Mercy she’s washed up on the shore of Northumberland.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

Appearances are often deceiving.

—Aesop

Northumberland, England, Spring 1819

Mercy Grayson gulped for air as another cold wave battered her, pulled her under, and scraped

her along the coast floor. She propelled her way to the surface, kicking and climbing through the water. God, help me get to shore. I have nothing left.

Sand scraped through her fingers, and then she tumbled with another wave away from it. Again and again she stroked through the water, hoping to reach solid ground. She gasped for air, silently prayed for courage, and choked as her mouth and throat filled with saltwater. The brightness of the sun inspired hope, and she pushed on, unwilling to let the sea win.

Sand from the coast floor squished between her toes. Her knees buckled when she tried to stand, and she splashed face first back into the water. Finally she gained a wobbly stance and forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. She’d made it. Looking heavenward, she simply whispered, “Thank You.” Once onto the beach she fell to her knees. Tears stung her eyes as she vomited seawater. Coughing and sputtering, she dragged herself farther onto the sand.

Weary to the bone, she didn’t care if anyone found her wearing trousers instead of a gown. She closed her eyes and vomited again. Vaguely it occurred to her that the trousers, her physician’s attire, had saved her life, along with the prayers God had seen fit to answer. Lying limp, she had only enough energy to kiss the wet sand in gratitude before falling into an exhausted sleep.

An annoying brush of twigs drummed against her check.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.jilliankent.com

http://jilliankent.blogspot.com/

 http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/

Twitter @JillKentAuthor

https://www.facebook.com/JillianKent

And I’m very proud to coordinate and write The Well Writer Column for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/

Thank you, Jill for sharing this with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Mystery of the Heart (The Ravensmoore Chronicles)


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