Dear Readers, Lynne
is a dear, dear friend of mine. She and Lisa Tawn Bergren taught me that there
indeed can be time travel novels that are Christian. Lynne and I both have a
strong drama background which helps us create novels with just the right amount
of setting and living, breathing characters. I have waited anxiously for the
release of Return to Exile, the
second book in her The Carthage
Chronicles series. It pulled me through the hidden portal with her heroine, and
I walked beside her through the book. I believe you will, too. Now I’m
anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
Bio: Lynne Gentry
has written for numerous publications and is a professional acting coach, theater
director, and playwright with several full-length musicals and a Chicago children’s
theater curriculum to her credit.
Her love for writing stories was born while growing up on a Kansas dairy farm as she
longed for adventure and dreamt of traveling to exotic places. She likes to
write stories that launch modern women into ancient adventures, such as Healer of Carthage (2014), which was the
first in The Carthage Chronicles series. Return to Exile is the second, and Valley of Decision
is expected September 22, 2015.
Gentry is also an inspirational speaker and dramatic
performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.
Welcome back, Lynne. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I grew up tethered to a Kansas dairy farm. 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?
I feel I’ve been blessed with many happy days. Most of them
include family memories: marriage to a wonderful man, the birth of two
beautiful children, their marriages to incredible people, and the blessed
arrival of grandchildren. But one special day also sticks out in my mind. I was
on the verge of giving up on writing when my agent called to say I’d sold not
one, but SIX books to Howard Books. That day still makes me smile. It wasn’t because
of anything I had done but because of the faithfulness of God.
How has being
published changed your life?
Besides the constant pressure of meeting deadlines (writing
deadlines, editing deadlines, marketing deadlines), I’ve had a profound
realization of the responsibility that comes with writing. Knowing that people
are actually reading my spin on the world fuels my desire to bring glory to
God.
What are you reading
right now?
Besides the CBA novels I’m reading for endorsements, I am
reading Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin,
and Thief of Glory by Sigmund
Brouwer.
What is your current
work in progress?
I just finished first round edits on the final book in The
Carthage Chronicles series. Valley of
Decision releases in September 2015, and I’m excited for readers to get a
peek at the conclusion to this epic tale.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I am dying to go to the Mediterranean, especially Carthage , Tunisia .
That part of the world is a bit too dangerous, even for me, so I would be happy
to rent a villa in Rome
for a month.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
The settings choose me. This series 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 person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I would choose Meryl Streep. I believe she is one of the
most versatile actors of our day. She creates unique characters every time she
comes on stage. I would love to pick her brain and discover the secrets to her
process.
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’ve spent several months training my dog, and he is finally
a certified medical therapy dog. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to take
him to the hospitals. He brings so much joy and relief from suffering for the
people there.
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 the story and words
around is the best way to tackle those fears.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Read. Write. Read. Write. Read. Then read some more.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Return to Exile is the second book in The Carthage Chronicles.
In this story, Dr. Lisbeth Hastings has been home for six years. But when she
learns the shocking truth of what her husband faces in the third century, she
makes a bold choice and decides to return. But going back is never easy.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“Master, you’re in no shape for today’s senate session.”
Pytros bustled into the council chambers laden with all of his writing supplies
and a pitcher of water. “You should have canceled.”
“Your lack of forward thinking is why you will live and die
a lowly scribe.” Aspasius limped to his place at the curule seat.
Pytros carefully spread his utensils. “I don’t know what you
hope to achieve. The order has been issued.” With a peevish look upon his face,
he poured a glass of water and held it out. “But has word of Valerian’s edict
reached the ears of the senate? That is what I must know.” Ignoring Pytros’s
pout, Aspasius took the glass and plopped onto the ivory chair with curved
bronze legs. He wanted to be well-situated in the bowl-shaped stool before he
allowed the chamber doors opened. These days his physical comfort was hard to
come by. He was either in desperate need of a drink of water or access to a
chamber pot. And most disturbing of all, the feeling had disappeared from his
foot. A fact the power-hungry vultures waiting to take his place must never discover.
He downed the water, then gave his slave the empty glass.
“Knowledge is power, and I intend to make certain I always possess the bulk of
it.”
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 me and my readers. It's truly wonderful.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Return to Exile - Christianbook.com
Return to Exile (Carthage Chronicles) - Amazon
Return to Exile: A Novel (The Carthage Chronicles 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
15 comments:
It's wonderful seeing Lynne here. Time travel is a fascinating subject. I would love to read RETURN TO EXILE.
Caryl in TEXAS
This is on my TBR List would love to win a copy :) Very interesting!
Deanna in Nebraska
I'd love to have a chance to win this book.
I live in Houston, TX.
This book sounds good! Shelia from Mississippi
Oh wow! I have waited SOOOO long to read this book. SO EXCITED!! I got the first book from the library and bought the two novellas on the kindle. (Please let me win. Please let me win.)
J.C. -Indiana-
I look forward to catching up with all of these books. They sound wonderful.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Someone who lives in two times... This sounds so cool. Sheila from OR
I am really looking forward to reading this one. There are so few time-travel Christian books. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
Loraine in TX
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
oh, boy! I am so excited about this author!!! I went to a chat hosted by here and I really enjoyed the discussions! can't wait to read this!
Sierra
Indiana
So excited to see all these avid readers clamoring for a chance to read Dr. Lisbeth Hastings' story. Thanks for stopping by Lena's blog, Caryl, Deanna, Dawn, Mary, Sheila, Loraine, Sharon, and Sierra, even the two who are anonymous.
A time travel book is always interesting. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Beth from IA
These books sound fantastic and are in my TBR pile for the year! The first novella was really intriguing and I can't wait to start the series. Thanks for the chance to win!
Liz in Alabama
Hi Lynne & Lena! I'm a Carthage Chronicles junkie! I'm dying here having to wait another 7-ish months for Valley to come out! I've bought Healer for a few friends, family and myself because I don't just want this series on my Kindle - I have all 4 - but I want them all on paper and to find out there will be a 6th - novella, I presume - I'm about to bust! This is the Best. Day. Ever!!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Hi Lynne & Lena! I'm a Carthage Chronicles junkie! I'm dying here having to wait another 7-ish months for Valley to come out! I've bought Healer for a few friends, family and myself because I don't just want this series on my Kindle - I have all 4 - but I want them all on paper and to find out there will be a 6th - novella, I presume - I'm about to bust! This is the Best. Day. Ever!!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
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