Welcome back,
Hilarey. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I value honesty, and I like to know what makes people
believe the way they do. I will always have a little romance in my stories, but
I am more interested in why two people fall in love than how. Secondly, I read
for adventure and entertainment, so that is also what I try to write—but I want
it to matter.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
This question is difficult. Every joyful event comes to us
in a fallen world. For example, the birth of my children came through pain.
Many of my personal successes have arrived on the tail end of a God-ordained
humbling or correction, or preceded one. Two really happy days were when it
rained on our (August) vacation in Orlando
and the park cleared out so my husband and three teenagers had cool weather and
small crowds. Also the day I got news I was a semi-finalist in Jerry B Jenkins
Operation First Novel was pretty great. It validated writing for me.
How has being
published changed your life?
It has shown me that no one thing will bring true joy on
this earth.
What are you reading
right now?
The Legend of Sheba by
Tosca Lee.
What is your current
work in progress?
I’m stretching myself right now, it’s a martial arts fantasy
set in 1863.
What would be your
dream vacation?
To take my three grown children to Prague , Czech Republic ,
and show them where my husband and I spent our first year of marriage.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Setting can add to or detract from a book. My first book
location was because when I lived in Reno ,
I drove by strip club billboards every day. The second book was about a
character from that story—so it was chosen for me. I picked Idaho for the one I am currently working on
because it was so volatile and wild during the time period.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I would say Saeed Abendini because that would mean he was no
longer imprisoned in Iran
for his faith in Christ. #savesaeed
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to garden and cook. I love to take walks and meet
friends for coffee. Martial arts is a big part of my life—but more than a
hobby. Before publishing, I made time for crocheting and sewing. Lately I’ve
been having more fun than should be allowed at Zumba Senato. I would scuba dive
if I didn’t live in a land-locked state.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Discipline and switching between book marketer and writer. I
haven’t overcome either yet. I’m hoping if I ignore my obstacles, they will
just go away.
Good luck with that. What
advice would you give to a beginning author?
Write several books before you try to publish. Don’t think
about anything but story.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The first in the Breaking Bonds Series was about a girl
trapped outside of church. Heart of Petra is about a girl
trapped inside. It has similar elements of spiritual suspense.
Leah was raised in a conservative, dying church. Leah’s
father was so controlling, her sister was expelled when she chose to go to
college instead of letting her him choose her husband. Leah wants to submit to
God, and her father, but her father begins to push her toward a relationship
that isn’t right. The man ends up having ulterior motives.
You could also say the story is about not allowing your
heart to turn hard because you are complacent in your faith, the damage done by
church splits, courting, texting while driving and spying on your neighbors.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Whoever heard of an insomniac with a pajama fetish? I swipe
my hand down the leg of my lime-green cotton PJs, but it doesn’t help steady
them, and I still need two tries to adjust the telescope.
With a deep breath, and a double check at the lock on my
bedroom door, I’m able to slow the skipping in my ribs. It’s amazing how blood
and heart vessels work together, pumping day and night, even while people
sleep—well, while most people sleep. An insomniac doesn’t have the pleasure of
dreaming during the seven hundred and twenty minutes our sun shines on the
other side of the world.
I twist the focuser on my telescope clockwise—a bit too far,
back just a hair. Perfect.
Returning to my love of pajamas: Seven sets of long-sleeve,
long-pant outfits wait in my bottom drawer in two neat piles. One drawer up
contains nine matching shorts-sets, twelve nightgowns and one baby-doll
nightgown my parents don’t know I own...
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website/Blog --
http://hilarey.com/
Facebook
-- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilarey-Johnson/214879415388747
Goodreads
-- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8182303.Hilarey_Johnson
Twitter --
https://twitter.com/HilareyJohnson
Amazon
-- http://www.amazon.com/Hilarey-Johnson/e/B00K0LJOQK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
YouTube --
http://youtu.be/B8XWSF9mIloThank you, Hilarey, for sharing this new book with me and my readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Heart of Petra (Breaking Bonds) (Volume 2) - Paperback
Heart of Petra (Breaking Bonds Book 2) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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
19 comments:
Angela from Ky would love to win.
Love to win! Shelia from MS
Thank you ladies. Good luck!
This story sounds very different and interesting.
rdewey17(at)yahoo(dot)com
I will have to hid this from my daughter, or I won't get to read it!!!! Thanx for the giveaway!!!
Sorry forgot the requirements! I'm a Michiganer transplanted to Texas.
Jennifer, my daughter is my favorite book club partner. This is a great one for moms and daughters too.
insomniac with a pajama fetish that's just too cute ! ! loved meeting you today :) dee from NEBR
Thank you for a great interview.
Melanie Backus, TX
Such an intriguing story line & cover.
Mary P
QLD, AUSTRALIA
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Looks Awesome!!! Please enter me!
Blanch, NC
Looks like a good book!
Beth from IA
Heart of Petra sounds like the kind of book I have not read before, and I'd like to read it. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Heart of Petra sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the interesting interview.
Tennessee
Heart of Petra sounds so interesting, I'd love to win it!
Merry in MN
Looks like a good book! :)
Indiana
Thanks for the giveaway!
If you don't win the paper copy, email me and I'll let you know when the kindle is available for .99 cents. hilarey@hilarey.com
I would be so blessed to win this book!!! Thanks for the chance!!! Good Luck and God Bless Everyone!!! I am from Deltona, Florida!
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