RETURN TO ME - Lynn Austin - One Free Book on this Blog, Plus Much More

Bio: Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

No single character is ever completely like me but I think I put a little bit of me in each one. When I write, I’m almost like an actress who gets into each character and plays the parts of different people as I write.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I spent a month in Israel volunteering on an archeological dig, getting dirty and searching for buried treasure as we excavated the ancient biblical city of Timnah.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I have always loved to read but there came a point where I became fed up with the Life is hard and then you die worldview of many popular books. I agree that life is hard, but God is good! So I decided to write a book with that worldview and message. I had no idea how well I’d be able to write but once I sat down and got started, I discovered how much fun it was to create characters and storylines. I was able to use my imagination and creativity and my lifelong love of story, and I realized, “Hey! I love doing this! I must be a writer!”

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

All types—suspense, mysteries, historical fiction, nonfiction books, contemporary stories. I’m in a book club that picks all types of books to read and I love the variety.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Who says I’m sane? J I start each day with a quiet time, reading my Bible and praying, and I find that this discipline helps me keeps my priorities straight. I also make sure to set aside time in my schedule to relax and be with my family and friends. My husband and I take a three mile walk every morning and we also love to bicycle on the weekends and get out in nature.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Once I choose a historical time period, I look up the most popular names from that era and choose one that seems to fit the character’s personality that I’m developing.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising my three outstanding adult children and seeing the wonderful mates they’ve married.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A bird because I love nature and I love to travel and see the world. (And birds get to go south for the winter where it’s warm.)

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food! Enchiladas, refried beans, tacos, guacamole, burritos—I could eat these every night.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Getting published for the first time was the biggest hurdle—and not giving up during the long road to publication. I overcame it only because my friends and family continued to encourage me, pray for me, and tell me to keep trying. They believed in me and loved my stories and wouldn’t let me give up.

Tell us about the featured book.

Return to Me is the first book in a three part series titled The Restoration Chronicles, based on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. In Return to Me, the prophesies are finally coming true after decades of exile and King Cyrus has declared that the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God’s renewed favor. For too long they’ve remained in Babylon, and many Jews, including Iddo’s sons and his young neighbor, Yael, are losing the faith that sets them apart. But only a few exiles choose to leave everything to return to their homeland and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo’s beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God’s leading. Zechariah, Iddo’s oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather’s ancient beliefs and his friendship with Yael. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah—and history—forever.

Bringing the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One of Return to Me

OCTOBER 539 BC

A boom of thunder woke Daniel from a deep sleep. He lay in the darkness, disoriented, waiting for a flash of lightning to illuminate his room. The thunder rumbled again—but it wasn’t thunder, it was pounding. Who would pound on his door in the middle of the night?

“Coming,” he called as the noise continued. “I’m coming.” He climbed from bed, his movements slow at age eighty-two, and wrapped his outer robe around his shoulders like a blanket. The stone floor felt cold beneath his bare feet as he groped his way in the dark. He opened the door to a blaze of blinding torchlight. “Yes? Who is it?” he asked, shielding his eyes.

“You’re needed at the palace, my lord.”

Daniel squinted at the bright light. Two men in blood-red tunics. The king’s servants. He wondered if he was still dreaming. On another night years ago, King Nebuchadnezzar had also sent servants to bring him to the palace in the dark of night. The king had suffered a nightmare and would have executed Daniel and all the other wise men if the Almighty One hadn’t shown Daniel the dream and its meaning. He had been a much younger man, back then. Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson summoned him now.

Daniel rubbed his eyes, struggling to shake o] his sleepiness. “The palace? Why? What’s wrong?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website: www.lynnaustin.org OR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnAustinBooks

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/LynnAustin  

Blog: http://writespassage.blogspot.com/


Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Return to Me by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd 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 by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Thank you, Lynn, for sharing your new book and Facebook Party with us.

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

Return to Me - Christianbook.com
Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles) - Amazon.com
Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles Book #1) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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