THE PROMISE - Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley - One Free Book

Bio: Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 9 novels, published by Revell and Guideposts. He’s won 2 Selah Awards, 3 Carol Awards, and twice his books have been finalists for RT Book’s Inspirational Book of the Year. Now he’s writing a 4-book fiction series with Gary Smalley. Book 2, The Promise, released on Sept 1st. Dan served as a pastor for 25 years and now writes fulltime. He and his wife Cindi have been married 36 years and live in Port Orange, FL. 

Welcome, Dan. It was wonderful to see you at the ACFW Conference this past weekend. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

Since we’re talking about Book 2 of a series, the first person I should mention is Gary Smalley, who contributed the source material I used (along with Dr. John Trent) when writing The Promise. They wrote an amazing book called The Blessing, which sold two million copies. Gary also gave many helpful suggestions along the way. Next, would be my wife Cindi. She reads every chapter after I write it and gives me great advice, especially ensuring the parts involving women ring true. And finally, my editor for all my books with Revell, Andrea Doering. She has final say on everything before the book goes to press.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I do speak and teach occasionally. I think I would enjoy doing even more. The only two things confirmed on the calendar right now are the Florida Christian Writers Conference in April, and the Oregon Christian Writers Conference next August. I’ll be teaching fiction workshops there and sharing the keynote messages with Allan Arnold.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

Maybe Charleston, SC, as long as Cindi would be there with me. It’s simply our favorite town in the country. We’ve visited Charleston more times than I can count. But I’d have to have a lot more money in this fantasy, because we’d have to live in the historic district to be happy there.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

I know the idea being self-published has become a far more favorable thing than in years past, and a few authors have even become huge bestsellers taking this route. But don’t be fooled into thinking you can take shortcuts with the quality of your writing or your storytelling skills. You should hone your craft until you write well enough to be picked up by a traditional publisher, even if you take the self-publishing path.

That is excellent advice. You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])

I guess I’d ask Michael Buble and his band to do the music, because it’s fun to listen to and husbands and wives could dance to it, too. I’d try to sign up a couple of really funny and clean comedians, because I love to laugh. And I’d hire Gary Sinise to put together some kind of play, because he is one of my favorite actors. 

I would recommend Michael Junior as one of the comedians. He’s a Christian and very funny. He’s also nationally known. Tell us about the featured book.

It’s called, The Promise. I wanted to call it, The Broken Portrait. If you read it, I think you’ll agree that’s a much better title for the book. It’s getting great reviews, thankfully, so I guess that doesn’t really matter. My friend and author, Martha Rogers, just emailed me her review of the book today. She does a great job of summarizing the story.

“In The Promise, Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley give us the continuing story of the Anderson family. The main plot revolves around the son, Tom and his wife Jean, who are having much the same problems as Jim and Marilyn in The Dance. Where the first book began with how the problems were resolved, this book dives deeper into the pain that is produced by deceit and non-communication in a marriage. The reader also gets to see how Jim and Marilyn Anderson from the first book are carrying out what they’ve learned, and I loved seeing Italy through their eyes. Jim realizes what his previous behavior has produced in his son, and sets about to remedy it. The story wraps up in a beautiful way I won’t divulge. These are characters with whom the reader can relate.  In fact, I became so involved with their lives I wanted to give them some advice of my own.”

Please give us the first page of the book.

Tom Anderson would point to the events of this day as the time his master plan began to unravel. Like many of his flawed schemes, this one, too, seemed like a good idea at the time. Tom wasn’t quite twenty-seven years old but felt as if he’d already made enough bad decisions to last a lifetime. He was glad his folks were on their second honeymoon in Italy; he didn’t want his father to ever here about the mess he’d made of things.

It all started to fall apart when the glass door of the Coffee Shoppe flew open and a young man in a black hoodie came in.

Tom was sitting pretty close to the front doors. He always did; it was his table. It had an outlet nearby for his laptop. Normally, he didn’t pay attention to people coming through the door, but he couldn’t help but notice this guy. The hoodie caught his eye. It was the end of April in central Florida, already hot enough to make you wonder if they’d be skipping spring this year and jumping right into summer.

Everyone else in the café wore short sleeves, including Tom. Most wore sandals and flip-flops too. He glanced over his shoulder at the kid, now standing in line. An elderly man was at the counter in front of him, placing his order. The kid’s head swiveled on his shoulders, his eyes scanning the room. Taking in the customers first, then the exit, then the cashier. Back to the exit, then another look at the customers. On this second pass, he looked right at Tom for a moment.

Tom knew then something bad was about to happen. 

Okay, I’m so glad that book has arrived at my house. I must know what happens next. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

The best way is probably from my website: http://danwalshbooks.com . On my homepage buttons you can click to link up with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. I also blog weekly with two of my good writing friends, Jim Rubart, and Harry Kraus at http://3menwalkintoablog.com.

Oh, I love reading all three of the male authors. Thank you, Dan, for again gracing my blog.

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

The Promise - Christianbook.com
Promise, The: A Novel (The Restoration Series) - Amazon.com
Promise, The (The Restoration Series Book #2): A Novel - Kindle

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