Readers, I was so
blessed when God brought Lynne Gentry into my life as part of the critique
group that meets in my home. We quickly became close friends. I’m so glad God
allowed me to be a part of what God has been doing in her writing life. And He
often used her to help me see deeper into my own characters. Part of the group
that met in my home came from the southern part of another county, and as we
grew, they were able to establish another critique group closer to home. When
Lynne asked me to read this book to maybe write an endorsement, I jumped at the
chance. We were both surprised to see my endorsement on the cover of the book
Welcome, Lynne. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
I grew up on a Kansas
dairy farm. Our cows didn’t travel. So neither did we. I longed for adventure.
I wanted to visit exotic places and meet famous people. Imaginary trips became
my escape from rural isolation. In an instant, my mind could magically
transform a tree house into a medieval castle, hay bales into a pioneer fort,
or a dank root cellar into a time portal that could transport me into the
ancient civilizations of the Bible. In my make-believe world, I was bold,
brave, and beautiful. The heroes were handsome and romantic. Humanity’s fate
hung in the balance. Good always triumphed over evil. And in the end, I left
the past in far better shape than I found it.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Joy refuses to be pinned down to one day. My life has been
blessed with many happy days, most of them include family: Marriage to wonderful
man, birth of two beautiful children, their marriages to incredible people, and
the birth of a grandchild. But a day that sticks out in my mind is the day I
was on the verge of giving up on writing and my agent called to say I’d sold
not one, but SIX books to Howard Books. That day still makes me smile. Not
because of anything I had done but because of the faithfulness of God.
How has being
published changed your life?
Deadlines. Writing deadlines. Editing deadlines. Marketing
deadlines. Always deadlines. I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer who has always had
the luxury of waiting for the story to come to me. Not anymore.
What are you reading
right now?
I just finished reading the Hunger Games series for the
second time and then I’ve been reading some novels for endorsement for my CBA
friends.
What is your current
work in progress?
Just finished the edits for Book #2 in The Carthage
Chronicles series. Return to Exile
will release in the fall.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I am dying to go to the Mediterranean, especially Carthage . That part of the
world is a bit too dangerous, even for me, so I would be happy in Rome .
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
The settings often choose me. This book had to be set in Carthage , Tunisia ,
because that’s where the actual third-century plague took place.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I would choose the Apostle Peter. He had an opportunity to
step upon the world stage and declare his love of the Lord and he failed. I
love how God redeemed Peter’s failure, restored his bold and courageous spirit,
and used this ordinary man to change the world. Peter’s story gives me hope. The
Lord is in the process of mending my broken life. I can’t wait to see how he
uses me to His glory.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love socializing. Writing is such a solitary sport. I leap
at every chance to leave my imaginary friends and meet real people for lunch or
a cup of coffee. I’m also a walker. Love to take my Great Pyrenees for a spin
around the block.
I’m with you. We’re
both extroverts, and I love getting together with people. What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Writing a saga that continues over the course of six books
requires serious plotting. I’m NOT a plotter. I’ve written myself into some
sticky corners. To get out of the mess is like a chess game. One wrong move and
the whole thing comes undone. Getting in there and moving story and words
around is the best answer to those fears.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Write. Read. Write. Read. Then read some more.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Healer of Carthage is about a 21st century doctor dropped into
a 3rd century plague. The interesting thing about this story: it is loosely
based on history. The hero, Cyprianus Thascius actually existed. He sold his
massive estates to fund Christianity and the first organized medical care. And
the Plague of Cyprian nearly wiped out the Roman Empire
in the third century. The time travel part is all fiction. J
Since I read the book
before it went to press, please give us the first page for my
readers.
“Time is a
commodity first-year residents can’t afford to waste, Dr. Hastings.” Nelda, the
chunky ER charge nurse, held out two charts. “Which one do you want? The
diabetic with a necrotic foot ulcer? Or the questionable TB hacking his lungs
out?”
What Lisbeth
wanted was a bite of the tuna sandwich she’d just purchased from a vending
machine, ten minutes off her feet, and a chance to read the letter burning a
hole in the pocket of her white coat. But if she had any hope of catching a
break in the next fifteen hours, tonight was not the time to spout off to the
snarling brick house who had the power to make a thirty-hour call seem like
sixty.
Frigid
temperatures, combined with the loneliness of the holidays, had driven the
uninsured of every age, sex, nationality, and state of mental duress into the
county hospital. Regurgitated Jack Daniels, exhaust fumes, and too many nights
on the streets fouled the emergency room air. Vagrants slumped in the upholstered
chairs or lay sprawled across every inch of shiny floor tiles. Bearded men and
frazzled women scrapped for an inch of real estate and clamored for the
attention of a doctor.
The desperate
begged for someone like her.
Lisbeth’s eyes
flitted from the stale sandwich she clutched to the occupied gurneys lining
both sides of the hall. A grizzled man wearing a filthy, oversized army jacket,
and combat boots without laces sat up, flashed a toothless grin, then coughed
blood into a tissue.
So much for
her appetite. Lisbeth slid her sandwich on top of the letter in her pocket.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: http://lynnegentry.com/
Facebook: Author Lynne Gentry https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Lynne-Gentry/215337565176144
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lynne_Gentry
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lynnegentry7/
Simon & Schuster: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lynne-Gentry/412732530Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I do.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Healer of Carthage - Christianbook.com
Healer of Carthage: A Novel (The Carthage Chronicles) - Amazon
Healer of Carthage: A Novel (The Carthage Chronicles) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
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14 comments:
would love to win!!Angela is KY
What a wonderful story of your friendship! I am intrigued by the time travel aspect of this book and appreciate the opportunity to win a copy! Thank you so much!!
Britney Adams, TX
Would Carthage, MO count? Probably not! That's where I'm from - I'll just pretend the book is set there...
Donna, TX
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sydney Harries GA
Thrilled for you, sweet Lynne! You are an amazing writer. I'm honored to call you friend, and can't wait to read all that you write.
Hugs to you and Lena!
What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing and the giveaway.
Melanie Backus, TX
I always enjoy time travel stories. Fantastic.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
This sounds like a beautiful story. Would love to read it. Thanks ! Rhonda Gayle from VA
This is something that I have wanted to read for a while!
Rebekah TN
This sounds really intriguing, and I loved the interview. (Oregon)
This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for this opportunity.
Jean K
West Palm Beach FL
Oh! I've been wanting to read this book ever since I first heard of it!
J.C. -Indiana-
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I'd love to win this one, too!
Courtney C. from AR
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