Molly and I have been
friends for over a decade. We’re both Texans, and I love her writing. When she
won the contest and this book was scheduled for publication, she asked me to
read it for endorsement. My endorsement is on the front cover of the book.
Welcome back, Molly. God
has really been moving in your writing life.
Yes, He has. For one thing, the Lord is teaching me to lean
on Him. For example, I am constantly losing things, especially my glasses.
After looking and looking, I finally stop and pray, asking for the Lord’s help
in finding the lost object. And do you know what? I usually find it within a
few seconds—often in the very place I looked previously.
That’s the Lord. When He says “Ask and you shall receive,”
He means it.
What do you see on
the horizon?
I read a lot of Bible prophecy, and I think America and Israel are headed for some rough
sailing soon. But as a born-again Christian, I know that the Lord has a place
of safety ready for those who truly follow Him.
As for my writing Gatehaven, the novel we will be
talking about today, won the grand prize in a fiction writing contest in 2013 while
still a manuscript. So I have high hopes for that book upon publication because
Lena Nelson Dooley endorsed it.
Tell us a little
about your family.
My husband and I met and married before I finished college.
We are still married and have three wonderful sons and six fantastic
grandchildren.
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Before I started writing I read mostly science fiction. But
after I started writing to sell, I read one or two romance novels a week and
less science fiction. Now I read mostly what I call “way out” Christian
non-fiction which is like science fiction except it is true and biblical. Currently,
I am reading a 557 page book titled Ex-Vaticana:
Petrus Romanus, Project LUCIFER and
the Vatican’s Astonishing Plan for the Arrival
of an Alien Savior by Cris Putnam and Thomas Horn.
What are you working
on right now?
I am promoting Gatehaven at the moment; so my
creative writing is in a safe-box in one corner of my mind, waiting to be
opened when the job is done. I have the rights to The Rogue’s Daughter, one of my sort of old Zondvervan novels. The Rogue’s Daughter is a western set on
a huge cattle ranch in South Texas in 1890. I
plan to update it and sell it on Amazon as an e-book, and I already have my new
cover.
I love that cover. What
outside interests do you have?
I love to read, of course. I am also interested in history,
especially the history of my ancestors, and we host a Bible study in our home
most weeks. I once loved to travel, but since my husband’s stroke a couple of
years ago, we don’t leave the house much anymore. But since I am a novelist, I fly
away to exciting places every time I write a book.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
That is an interesting question because I never really
thought about that. As I mentioned, I am interested in genealogy, and I
discovered that some of my ancestors were French Huguenots. It is not
surprising that I set Sanctuary,
another of my historical novels, and Gatehaven in Scotland and England
where my ancestors settled before coming to America .
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
That’s easy. I would love to spend an evening with Jesus
because he is my Savior, Lord and King.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
My maiden name is Noble and my married name is Bull; so I write
under three names, Molly Noble Bull. In hindsight, I wish I was either Molly
Noble or Molly Bull. It would take up less space on the cover of a book.
I use both my maiden
name and married name in my author name. It does take longer to sign books at
an event. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
I like to eat, especially sweets and Mexican food, and often
overeat. But the Lord seems to be saying Everything in moderation. He also
says, if you love me, keep my commandments.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Gatehaven by Molly Noble Bull
Have you ever known a teenage girl so in love with love and
a bad prince charming that she was unable to see her true prince? If so, you
should connect with Shannon Aimee as she and Ian Colquhoun battle an evil
Frenchman with dark secrets and evil desires. Set in Scotland
and England and ending in
the state of South Carolina
in 1784, Gatehaven is a scary Gothic novel with a strong Christian
message that will keep you reading to the last page.
Click below to see and hear the book trailer for Gatehaven.
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
A country estate in
Northern England
Early January 1784
Monsieur Etienne Gabeau wasn’t his real
name.
His name was Leon Picard. But Etienne Gabeau was the only
name he’d answered to since making England his home.
He stood at a window in his sitting room, smiling inwardly
as he looked out. “The haunting presence that surrounds your mansion always
amazes me, my lord.”
The young earl made no reply.
“Christians who read the Bible might say the atmosphere at
Gatehaven is quite the devil’s doing. We both know why.” Leon/Etienne’s laugh
had mocking overtones. He pulled his dark cape closer to his thin, shriveled
body. “It’s a bit chilly tonight. Surely you must have noticed.”
“Of course I noticed.” The earl laughed from across the
room. “An icy rain was coming down when I arrived. You might have to put me in
a spare bedroom for the night, Monsieur. And why did you mention the Bible? Who
among our circle of friends pay any mind to it?”
“A point well taken.” The Frenchman pushed back a curl from
his eyes.
His thick mass of dark curly hair had more white strands
than black, making Leon
look older than his forty-five years. But twenty years ago, he was called
handsome.
“Still,” Leon
continued, “to the local villagers your estate is quite mysterious. It reminds
me of structures I saw in France ,
growing up. And who can forget the red gate which gave Gatehaven its name?”
“When did you learn of the red gate, Monsieur Gabeau?”
“I learned the secret when your late father was the earl.
You were but a boy then.”
Lightning cracked the night sky. Thunder boomed.
“I saw it again, my
lord.”
“Really?” The earl’s weak smile indicated that he was mildly
interested. “What did you see?”
“Gatehaven…during that flash of lightning.”
Someday I will have Rachel and own Gatehaven as well, Leon vowed
mentally.
The earl cleared his throat. “I’ve decided not to go to Scotland
after all, Monsieur.”
“Not go?” Leon
turned around in order to face him. “You must go.” Leon Picard limped to his
high-backed leather chair near the fireplace, tapping his cane on the pine
floor as he went. “You will go.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I said that you will go.” Leon hooked his cane on the arm of
his chair. Then he sat down and reached for the portrait on the small table
beside him. “I demand it.” Leon ’s
words, spoken with his usual French accent, hung heavy in the air.
The earl didn’t answer.
“Demand?” The muscles around the young earl’s mouth slowly
relaxed. “You have crossed the line, sir. Besides, I cannot go to Scotland . I
have pressing business here. However, a French gentleman like you should enjoy
such a journey.” His smile was edged in sarcasm. “Why not go yourself?”
“On these crippled legs? I think not. Besides, she would
never receive me.”
“I am sorry. But it would be impossible for me to leave the
country at this time.”
“But of course. You know I need money to pay my gambling
debts.”
“Precisely.” Leon didn’t
miss the fleeting expression of fear that crossed the younger man’s face. “I
recently bought all your debts. I will destroy them all, but only if you do
exactly what I say. At dawn on the morrow, you will set out for Scotland . And
do dress warmly, my young friend. It will be cold out.”
I’m sure this snippet
piqued everyone’s interest. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: www.mollynoblebull.com
Goodreads: Molly Noble Bull
Facebook: Molly Noble Bull
Twitter: @Mollyauthor
Pinterest: Molly Noble BullThank you, Molly, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Gatehaven - Christianbook.com
Gatehaven: A Novel - Amazon
Gatehaven: A Novel - Kindle
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19 comments:
Thanks mucho for a great interview, Lena. What an honor it was to have you endorse Gatehaven. Thanks again.
Love,
Molly
Thanks again, Lena.
Molly Noble Bull, author of Gatehaven.
http://bit.ly/Gatehaven
Ooooh, a thriller! My sisters and I are ALL big-time into suspense/thrillers. I'd love to read this book!
J.C. -Indiana-
Thanks, J.C, I am thrilled that you want to read Gatehaven. It's pretty scary, and I would love to hear what you think after you finish reading it.
By the way, today is the last day to order the e-book version for only $2.99.
Love,
Molly Noble Bull
http://bit.ly/Gatehaven
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I am intrigued by this one. Thank you, Lena.
Melanie Backus, TX
Thanks for writing, Melanie and Sharon. I am so glad you liked my cover and maybe my book trailer. I hope you will like Gatehaven too.
Love,
Molly Noble Bull
I actually think that having the 3 names on the cover is memorable.
Your reading preference sounds most interesting.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thanks for liking my three names, Molly Noble Bull. I like my name, too. The three names not only honor my husband via my last name, Bull. It honors my parents by including my maiden name, Noble. In fact, that is why I use three names.
I'm also glad you think you might like the books I like to read. They inspire me.
Check out www.prophecyinthenews.com to learn about other titles I like.
Love,
Molly
I am so glad to learn of Molly and her book Gatehaven.
I love gothic novels but have not read any with Christian theme.
This book looks great. Enjoyed the interview Lena.
Thank you from Ohio
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Scary house, demanding characters, thriller/regency. Wow. Thanks for the interview & quick look at Gatehouse.
Vera in middle North Carolina.
Thanks for writing, Jackie and Vera. I love scary Gothic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, and I wanted to see if one with a Christian message might work.
Who knows? Gatehaven could be the first of many Christian Gothic novels. Maybe our Lena might even decide to write one. Wouldn't that be great?
Love,
Molly
Would love this book!
Jean K
West Palm Beach, FL
Jean, thanks for writing. I'm glad you like scary Christian novels like Gatehaven. Maybe you will win the contest.
I was under the impression that the sale of Gatehaven as an e-book for only $2.99 ended yesterday. but it is still available for $2.99 right now. So now I have no idea when the sale will end. I hope it lasts and lasts.
Love,
Molly Noble Bull
Molly
Loved the first page! I'm looking forward to reading Gatehaven.
Kay from Tennessee
Hi KayM. Thanks for writing. I am thrilled that you liked the first page of Gatehaven, and especilly that you are looking forward to reading the book.
The first page is the hardest page in a novel to write. I write page one the first time when I start a new book, knowing that I will write that page about a hundred more times before I click send and zap it to a publisher.
Thanks again.
Love,
Molly Noble Bull
Oh my gosh! I've been wanting to get my hands on this book for months! It sounds so good, Molly!
Kristen Anissa in OK
Dear Kristen,
Thanks for writing. I am honored that you want to read Gatehaven. You know, when you write a book you wonder if anyone will want to read it. When you discover that someone does, you truly feel blessed. That is is way I am feeling tonight with all the positive reports I am getting regarding Gatehaven.
By the way, I love the state of OK and have visited there many times.
Thanks, mucho.
Love,
Molly Noble Bull
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