CATCH A FALLING STAR - Beth K Vogt - One Free Book on This Blog, Plus Much More

Meet Beth: Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice), though she said she'd never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four, though she said she'd never have kids. She's discovered that God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." Her contemporary romance novel, "Wish You Were Here", debuted in May 2012 (Howard Books), and "Catch a Falling Star" releases May 2013. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren. 

About Catch a Falling Star: 

What does a girl do when life doesn't go according to her plan? 

At 36, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She's a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives-a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But the feeling of being "the kid never picked" looms large when romance continues to evade her and yet another one of her closest friends gets engaged. Are Kendall's dreams of having it all-a career, a husband, children-nothing more than childish wishing upon a star? Should she hold out for her elusive Plan A? Dust off Plan B? Or is it time to settle? God says he knows the plans he has for her-why can't Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?

Griffin Walker prefers flying solo-both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of "flying a desk" are complicated by his parents' death-making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can God get his life back on track ... or has there been a divine plan all along?

Catch a Falling Star reminds readers that romance isn't just for twenty-somethings and that sometimes letting go of your "wish I may, wish I might" dreams is the only way to embrace everything God has waiting for you.

Welcome back, Beth. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I posted this answer on my Author Facebook page a few weeks ago when the reason I write crystallized for me: I write books because ... life is messy. And I write stories about that. About how we make a mess of our lives ... or someone else messes up our lives ... and there is hope ... there is redemption ... It's the whole reality of "But God ... "

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day I married my husband, Rob – because that was the beginning of so many other wonderful things in my life: adventures as a military wife, motherhood, even the difficult times we’ve faced – God’s used all of these things to make me the woman I am today, revealing both my strengths and my weaknesses.

How has being published changed your life?

Being published strengthened my relationship with God. I’ve learned that, in God’s economy, being published isn’t about how many books I sell or if I win an award or not. He’s using everything in this journey along the writing road to conform me to His image – to make me look less like me and more like Him. That means he’s had to scrape off whatever attitudes mar his image: doubt, jealousy, fear, pride. And yes, all of those emotions have shown up this past year.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading and re-reading a manuscript that is due to my publisher in early May – and trying to ignore some wonderful books that have arrived by Joanne Bischof and Jody Hedlund and Susan May Warren and Cynthia Ruchti.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on a novel called Take Another Look, which is a contemporary romance set in Colorado that involves twin brothers.

I can’t wait to read that one, too. My most recent series is about identical triplet sisters. What would be your dream vacation?

I’ve been to Venice back when my husband was in the air force and when our children were young. I would love to go back with my husband and enjoy a romantic moonlit ride in a gondola.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m having fun exploring all the different corners of Colorado—I haven’t begun to exhaust the possibilities. But every time I travel some place I think, “Hhhhhm. What kind of story could I write about this location?”

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

I can’t tell you how many times I read and re-read this question. At first I thought about saying Elisabeth Elliot because I respect her so much as a writer and a woman of faith. And then I decided my answer would be my husband’s Aunt Jean. She’s my “mom in the Lord” – a true woman of faith and a prayer warrior for many, many years. Our relationship has been mostly long-distance and having an evening to sit and talk with her, uninterrupted, would be delightful. She has the treasured ability of truly listening when someone talks and her words of wisdom are laced with compassion.

When I wrote curriculum for a Christian company, I wrote a script for a video about Elizabeth Elliott. I became very interested in her life and the life of her husband. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I’m craft-challenged, so I don’t do anything like knitting or crocheting – and I gave away my sewing machine years ago. I love to go walking and/or hiking in Colorado. I’ve also learned to shoot at a local gun range, but I really need more practice. I like to exercise and a relaxing evening at home watching classic movies – think Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn or some of the musicals like Singing in the Rain or On the Town – is my idea of the perfect Friday night. My family loves game nights too: Bohnanza and Scotland Yard and Quelf are favorites.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I trip myself up more than anything else – doubting myself, focusing too much on “I can’t” rather than trusting the talent God has given me, the support system He’s given me, and believing that I can. The English writer Samuel Johnson had a great quote: “Knock the ‘t’ of the can’t.”

Thanks for the quote. I’m facing a daunting project myself right now. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

You’re going to need a lot of patience along the writing road. There’s a lot of waiting – both before you’re published and after you sign a contract. Don’t waste the waiting. Learn the craft. Hang out with other writers. Keep writing.

Tell us about the featured book.

Catch a Falling Star was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend who was in her mid-forties who has a very full, satisfying life: a wonderful career, lots of friends, hobbies – and yet, Mr. Right hasn’t shown up yet. There are lots of women in their 30s and 40s who face the same reality: Life is good in so many ways but … And everyone deals with the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? While the book is a romance, that’s the question all the characters in Catch a Falling Star have to answer.

Sounds wonderful. Please give us the first page of the book.

What exactly was she celebrating?

The question haunted Kendall all day long. It was her birthday—she ought to be able to answer it.

She pulled into a parking space outside her favorite Mexican restaurant. Shifting into neutral, Kendall turned off the Jeep and deposited her keys into her purse, exchanging them for a tattered makeup bag and her ever-handy GorillaTorch.

Just once, she’d like to put her makeup on in front of the bathroom mirror like a normal person.

Attaching the twistable hands-free flashlight to her steering wheel so her face was illuminated in her rearview mirror, Kendall twisted her body to the left so she could trace a hint of brown eyeliner. Sheesh. Most women used a makeup mirror. Tossing the pencil into the bag lying open on the passenger seat of her Jeep, Kendall sorted through the containers of eye shadow and lip gloss, looking for her mascara. A quick peek at her phone lying on her dash told her that she had five minutes before she was officially late to her birthday dinner. Yep. Enough time for mascara and a little blush. She assessed her short brown hair—all it required was a quick comb-through with her fingers.

Her closest friends waited inside On the Border, eager to celebrate. Nineteen hours into her birthday and she wanted to label it RETURN TO SENDER. Kendall couldn’t help comparing today with her thirteenth birthday, when her mom decided to deluge her with pink frilly clothes. Pink. She looked like an overdose of cotton candy on a too-short stick. She returned all her gifts—except for the oversized stuffed pink bear her then three-year-old-sister Bekah refused to release—and pocketed the cash.

Kendall swept blush across her cheeks. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a satisfying life—an exciting life, even. It’s just that at thirty-six years old, she’d hoped for . . . more.

The buzz of her phone mocked her attempts to be on time. Why did she think she’d ever be in control of her time and be the first to arrive? She abandoned that ideal the day she entered medical school. Besides, all the other partygoers tonight were physicians like her. They’d understand when Kendall walked in late. Half made up. As usual.

She switched from blush to mascara as she turned her phone to speaker. “Dr. Haynes.”

“Kendall, it’s Mom.”

Kendall’s eyes closed as she mentally and physically sat straighter, as if her mother could see her. “Hey, Mom. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Are you having a good birthday?”

“Just finished clinic. Going to dinner with friends.”

“Oh, how nice. I’m so glad you’ve found some friends there in Colorado.”

The book came the other day. I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure my readers feel the same way. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethKVogt?ref=hl

Twitter: @bethvogt

Website and blog (In Others’ Words): http://www.bethvogt.com

Celebrate the release of Catch a Falling Star (Howard Books) with Beth K. Vogt by entering to win a Romantic Weekend Getaway and RSVPing for her June 4th Author Chat Party.

  One "lucky" winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Perfect for a weekend stay at a hotel or B&B!)
• Catch a Falling Star and Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon-worthy!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Catch a Falling Star" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 4th. Connect with Beth for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Beth will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Catch a Falling Star and join Beth on the evening of June 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

Thank you, Beth, for sharing your book and the party with us.

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

Catch a Falling Star: A Novel - paperback
Catch a Falling Star: A Novel - Kindle

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