Readers, Elizabeth is
another Texas
author. We’ve been friends a long time. We’ve been on writing retreats
together. I love her heart for the Lord, and I love her writing, and this series are three of her best books. I think you
will, too.
Welcome back, Elizabeth . Tell us about
your salvation experience.
I got saved when I was twenty-one. My husband and I had only
been married for a couple of years, but we’d dated all through high school, and
I knew that we differed on exactly what it meant to be saved. You see, I had
been raised as a Catholic, and my husband was a Pentecostal.
One day, my sister approached me about some of the
conversations my husband and I had been having regarding faith. She explained
that salvation wasn’t about denomination, it was about surrendering my heart
and life to God, and about acknowledging my need for a Savior. Though I
pretended to understand, deep down, I was hiding a secret. I was holding back—afraid
to commit everything to a God I didn’t really know.
About a year after this, my husband and I suffered the loss
of our second child, our son, Seth, at three months of age. With the agony and
grief arose questions regarding faith. Commitment. Trust.
Though I had managed to fool myself for several years, the
time had finally come when God demanded an answer from me regarding my
salvation. Would I trust Him with my most precious possessions? Would I commit
myself to Him no matter where He led, even if it was through the Valley? Did I
believe that even in the midst of suffering and fear, He was able to direct my
path and protect me from evil?
I believe that when I finally answered yes to these
questions, God truly became my Lord and Savior. I still remember letting go of
the struggle—it was like a conscious movement, an opening of my hands. I let go
of doubt, indecision, and fear, and I gained grace. I gained God.
You’re planning a
writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be
and why?
Only four? Oh my…
I’d say it would have to be Michelle Griep, Janelle Mowery, Kellie
Coates Gilbert, and Candice (Speare) Prentice. Each one of these ladies has
been such an encouragement to me over the years. They love to laugh, they love
the Lord, and I know they would be a whole lot of fun.
Yes, they would. I
know all of them, and two of them are dear friends. Do you have a speaking
ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Oh yes, I do! I love to talk to community organizations,
writers groups, and book clubs. In just the past year, I’ve visited with over thirty
local groups and taught several workshops. But it’s not always just about my
writing. I’ve been invited to speak at several women’s ministry events, which
is always fun because I get to combine two of my favorite things—writing and
Jesus. J
For anyone who is interested in booking me for their event,
I have a partial list of topics on my website at www.elizabethludwig.com.
What is the most
embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
LOL! This just between you and me, right? ;-)
My husband and I were at a basketball tournament once, and
during half-time, I decided to get up to use the restroom. Bathrooms were
across the gym, so I left and came back a short while later. As I’m walking
across the floor, I see my husband frantically waving at me and pointing at
something behind his back. After several seconds, I realized that he was
pointing at me, so I start checking my shoes, my zipper…nothing.
Have you ever walked out of a bathroom with toilet paper
stuck to your shoe?
Yeah, well…mine wasn’t stuck to my shoe. It was a piece of
toilet paper about 10 inches long, and it was coming out the top of my pants,
and flapping along like a flag behind me. The second I saw it, I tore it off
and threw it on the floor, where it lay like a badge of shame until the game
workers came out and swept it away.
Been there, done
that, and it’s embarrassing. People are always telling me that they’d like to
write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone
who came up to you and said that?
I always like to encourage people to follow their dreams, so
when a person says that to me, I give them my card and tell them to contact me
so that I can put them in touch with some literary organizations that can help.
It’s not much, but it gives them a place to start if they’re really serious
about pursuing a career in writing.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I am so excited for the release of Tide
and Tempest! Originally, I had intended for the EDGE OF FREEDOM to be a two
book series, so this was the only story that wasn’t planned. It has turned out
to be my favorite. I love, love, love this hero and heroine—Keondric and Tillie.
Their story amazed me, and their love was just phenomenal to write.
Also, I share a common grief with Tillie—the loss of a
child. I think that’s why she resonated with me so deeply. I really hope her
triumph over guilt and grief speaks to readers.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Sure! Here you go.
“Captain Morgan? Sir?”
Keondric Morgan glared over his shoulder at the deckhand
waving furiously at him from the bow of the Caitriona Marie. He slowed his
steps, halting the rhythmic cadence of his feet against the gangplank. “What
now, Donal?”
His fingers beat with irritation against the pouch strapped
to his side. He had somewhere to be, and if he had to mind every move his
crewmen made, he’d never get there.
“The doctor, sir.” Donal shifted from foot to foot and
tugged at the collar of his shirt.
Blowing an impatient blast from his lips, Morgan lifted his
cap, dragged his fingers through his hair then gestured for him to continue. “Well?
Go on, man, what about him?”
“What. . .uh. . .” Knuckles white as he gripped the rail, he
glanced over his shoulder and back then cupped a hand to his mouth and leaned
out over the water. “What should we do with him, sir?”
“He’s dead, Donal,” Morgan shouted back, raising his voice
to be heard above the flocks of seagulls arguing overhead. “What do you think
we should do with him? Contact his next of kin and see about getting him
buried!”
Sighing, Donal grumbled, “’Twould have been easier if the
man had died at sea.”
A lull in the noise clamoring from the vessels along the
dock carried his words to Morgan’s ears. He paused mid-turn and narrowed his
eyes. “What was that?”
Donal’s chin lowered. “Nothing, sir.”
“Good. See to it, then.” Jamming his hands into his pockets,
Morgan hunched his shoulders, spun on his heel, and stormed down the gangplank.
The doctor’s death disturbed him, but not nearly so as much as did his dying
words.
“I did it, Morgan. God help me, I took the money.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I’ve made quite a home for myself on the web. Here is a list
of places where people can find me:
Thank you, Elizabeth, 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.
Tide and Tempest - Christianbook.com
Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom) - Amazon
Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom Book #3) - 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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
27 comments:
Portsmouth, VA
Good morning, Lena! Thank you for having me on your blog.
I'll be popping in periodically, so if you readers have something you'd like to ask, fire away! :-)
Lena, Thank you for featuring Elizabeth and Tide And Tempest.
I love the cover of this book. I was not familiar with these books but would like to read this.
Elizabeth, What inspired you to write about this period of time ?
thank you from Ohio
mcnuttem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Ooh, I would love to win a copy of Elizabeth's book. Thank you for the chance.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Hi, Jackie! I was inspired to write about this time period by an article I read on the Fenians. There was so much turmoil going on in both Ireland and America, and reading the history of the Brotherhood made me want to write about it! Thank you for asking!
Hi, Sharon! Thank you for stopping by. Good luck!
Hi, Cindy!! Blessings to you in Indiana. Has it finally quit snowing?
Hi, Cindy!! Blessings to you in Indiana. Has it finally quit snowing?
I've heard great things about this series!
Courtney from Arkansas
I am intrigued by this one, it sounds like a great book. I love the basketball game/toilet paper moment! Thank you for the great interview, Lena.
Melanie Backus, TX
TIDE AND TEMPEST sounds like such an amazing read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
The cover begs for the book to be read. ;) Would love to win a copy, Lena. :)
I'm in North Carolina -it rainy and a cool/cold Spring day. At least it is not snow or ice.
Doesn't this story sound wonderful?
In Nicaragua but coming back this Wed!
Would love to win one of Elizabeth's books. And yes, I think we've all had the toilet paper stuck somewhere on us before. But in front of a whole gym full of people - argh!
Elaine from Iowa
This sounds like a great series! Would love a chance to check out Elizabeth's writing.
It's damp, but mild here today in SC.
Patty in SC
LOVE Elizabeth's books! I was eagerly anticipating Tide and Tempest after reading the first 2 in the series! I am currently reading it in fact! :-) If I was so fortunate to win, I'd be blessing our church library with it.
Oops! And I even know the routine! LOL I'll say it again though... LOVE Elizabeth's books! :-)
Cyndi W. in AL
Tide and Tempest sounds mysterious and gripping. Thanks for the little peek!
Merry in MN
Would love to win the book! It sounds very intriguing and the cover is amazing!
~Angie~ from Washington
The loss of a child would absolutely devastate me! Such emotion must be challenging to write into a character. Sounds like a great book. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
My brother lost a baby girl at 2 mo. old. Hardest funeral I ever went to. Don't see how parents can stand it. Only with GOD's help. Maxie from Texas.
mac262(at)me(dot)com
This sounds like an interesting story that I would love to read.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY
i would love a chance to win!!
audreypsalm421ATgmailDOTcom
Boones Mill,VA
Oh my goodness, this sounds so good! I have the first book in The Edge of Freedom series! Thank you for giving me the chance to win a copy of this of Tide and Tempest! Your cover model, I'm assuming is Captain Morgan, is wicked dreamy!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
I enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth and would love to win a copy of TIDE AND TEMPEST! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Britney Adams, TX
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