Dear Readers, I was
privileged to read this book for endorsement. You won’t want to miss this book.
The way Julie deals with the need for forgiveness, and how terribly hard it is
sometimes, is masterful. And the suspense in the story will keep your heart
beating double time.
Bio: Julie B
Cosgrove is widowed and lives in Fort
Worth , Texas , with
two cats, lovingly dubbed her “beastie boys.” She is a part-time church
secretary, professional public speaker, faith-based freelance writer, and award-winning
author. Julie writes regularly for six Christian devotional and inspirational
magazines and websites, and has her own blog, Where Did You Find God Today? She
has published six non-fiction and four fiction works, with five more under
contract. A native Texan, she grew up in the Texas Hill Country and is a true
“river rat” who enjoys people watching, word games, and mystery novels/movies,
especially British ones. She is active in the prayer and outreach ministries in
her church and president over the women of her denomination in three states.
Julie is also a representative for Women at Risk International, a missionary
group who rescues women and children from sex slavery in thirty countries, and
she speaks to civic and church groups about how to thwart human trafficking in
their communities.
Welcome back, Julie. What
are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
Whether fiction or nonfiction, I write about people finding
God in their everyday lives and Him meeting them where they are. So often
people wonder where He is moving in
their lives, but they are so focused on themselves and their conflicts, they
can’t see His fingerprints on the situation.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
So glad you asked because I am giddy about it. I have been a
mystery aficionado forever, so I finally got up the gumption to write one. Bam
- I just signed a three-book contract for a cozy mystery series called The
Bunco Biddies Mysteries about twelve women in a retirement community who gather
for Bunco and solve crimes as they toss the dice. Book One, Dumpster Dicing, will be out the summer
of 2016, book two, Baby Bunco, will
be out in the winter of 2016 and Threes and
Sixes will be out the summer of 2017.Yes, the series is humorous as well as
faith-based and heart-felt.
I also have two romance novellas, Navy Blues and Greener
Grasses which will launch in 2016 as part of an anthology of fifteen works
with fourteen other authors based on 1Corinthians 13.
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
I’d really like to spend the evening with Joyce Meyer. When
I was at a real low point in my faith years ago, her TV program lifted me. I
saw her once in person as well. I have seen her talks lift other women as well,
plus she is a hoot, right? It would not be a dull evening.
James and I have
enjoyed her for years. We were in the studio audience when she was on James
Robison’s show. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus)
and why?
Sam Houston. Any man who nails studs to the banister of the brand
new Texas Governor’s Mansion main stair railing to keep his kids from sliding
down it during dignitary visits is worth meeting. He must have been a bigger-than-life
sort of man to fight with the Texicans, be the first president of a brand new country
and then lobby for it to become a part of the United States and take on being the
first governor.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
If they are truly serious about their craft, I encourage
them to never give up. Keep writing
and learning. Like many things, it takes time, effort and dedication to develop
your talents. Find a supportive critique group with published authors who will
mentor you and take their advice to heart. Finally, purchase Autocrit. Take the
time to put one of o your rejections through it and go through the editing process.
It is an amazing tutor.
Tell us about the
featured book.
(Author sucks in her breath.) Freed to Forgive is about
forgiving those who hurt us so we can heal and move on. God commands us to do
that in the Lord’s Prayer and it is the hardest and most uplifting thing we can
do on our faith journey besides initially accepting the fact we need a Savior.
That being said, it does come with a disclaimer. Though
faith-based, this novel does contain veiled and delicately-worded abusive
scenes necessary for the plot, and unfortunately, all too common in human
trafficking.
This is a not a fluffy romance. It is a story of a young of
girl’s journey from trafficked to triumph. I researched and conferenced for
hours and hours with legislators, social workers, immigration counselors and
missionaries before I wrote it to make sure I’d tell the story accurately.
Jesus met people where they were—in the middle of their sins—and
then healed them and lifted them out of it into redemption. Thus, I felt I had
to take the reader through the whole journey. But there is a happy ending, and
the reader can see God’s purpose and movement in her life, even though Marisol
doesn’t see it at the time.
Juxtaposed to Marisol’s journey is that of a young pastor as
well as the protagonists from the first two novels, Hush in the Storm and Legitimate
Lies, who will cross her life several times. But I purposely added scenes
not revealed in the first two in this series and only referenced to scenes
elaborated upon in the first two, so hopefully the reader doesn’t feel like
they are in the middle of a rerun if they have read them or feel lost if they
have not.
It’s my favorite of the trilogy and I am blessed that Prism
Book Group has taken the “leap of faith” to support me in this effort and
publish it. And I thank you, Lena , for endorsing
it and encouraging me.
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
Marisol Hernández did a double take. An icy tingle slithered
down her arms. She recognized the
woman’s face. One she never thought she’d see again. Jen Westlaw. Except now
her name read Wilson ?
She back-stepped a few paces to peer into Jen’s pixelated
bluish-green eyes displayed on the Abundant Life Church’s marquee as it flashed
the latest posts from their social media site. The face beckoned her—once
again. Yes, definitely the same woman.
They met in 2013. The year Marisol’s life changed. Hadn’t
the news reported she’d disappeared without a trace and was presumed dead years
ago? Yet there she gleamed in 3D color.
A man with a handsome smile stood next to Jen in the photo.
Tom, it read. She’d never learned his name, but she recognized him all right.
He’d helped Jen escape. He appeared again at the shelter on that horrid
day—held Marisol’s hand, whispered she could trust him. She had, and part of her
still regretted the decision.
Vivid memories flooded her thoughts, pressing against the
emotional dam which she’d carefully constructed over the past decade. The hurt,
once pooled deep inside, rushed from its stagnant state through cracks in her
psyche. Waves of her secret torment rolled and crashed within the walls of her
heart, threatening to drag her under. She gasped for breath.
“Watch it. Other people use this sidewalk.” A sharp male
voice jolted Marisol back to the present. She’d absent-mindedly edged into the
passenger’s path.
She dashed her gaze to the concrete. An old habit. Never
look a man in the eyes. That had been pounded into her brain. And her back. Her
last jefé once beat her with a belt
for doing it. Ten lashes. Obey, or suffer. A tough lesson learned for a
spirited, angry teenager who’d fought so hard to survive. She twitched her
shoulder blade, the old pain jabbing her once again. Some scars never heal.
In a low voice she apologized to the stranger. “Lo siento. Um, sorry.”
“Yeah. Well, this isn’t Mexico .” Disgust vibrated through his
words. “Give them some help and they think they deserve the world.” His
grumbling faded with his footsteps.
Thank you. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
My website is www.juliebcosgrove.com.
I also have a devotional blog, because I write devotions for several
publications as well as Bible studies.
You can also find my books on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and
Noble, and seek me on Facebook - juliebcosgrove_texas, Twitter@JulieBCosgrove,
LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Thank you, Julie, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are eager to find out how Marisol's story ends.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Freed to Forgive - paperbackFreed to Forgive - 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.
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15 comments:
Angela in KY would love to win.
I am also concerned about human trafficking! San Diego is one of the prime spots for that and there is a Christian ministry helping this problem for girls. sm wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com CA
I enjoyed Julie's interview. I have read and enjoyed all of her books but this one especially. Please do not include me in the drawing as I have been blessed to have read it and would love to give someone else a chance.
I am not familiar with Julie's work but the subject of this book is so relevant in today's culture!
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at)gmail (dot)com
I would like to read more about human trafficking. Looks like a very good book.
Beth from IA
Freed to Forgive sounds like a powerful story! Thank you for sharing this great interview and giveaway.
Britney Adams, TX
I'm looking forward to reading this series, especially Marisol's part in it!
A weighty subject matter but one that needs to be highlighted.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Human trafficking is a very real problem. I would like to read this book about this problem. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Would love to read the book.
Edward A in VA
Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Sounds like a book I definitely want to read. I'll be adding it to my list, whether I win or not. :)
Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway!
Raechel in MN
Hi Lena. Thanks for the interview with Julie. Trafficing is such a horrible thing. Wish all of the victims could be rescued. I would love to win Julie's book and find out how it ended. Maxie (TX) > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I'm sure this is a tough read, but the hea is worth the journey. I can't imagine how hard it could have been to immerse yourself into learning about human trafficking and then writing about it.
Terrill - WA
Thanks for the interesting interview, and the opportunity to win a copy of 'Freed to Forgive'. I enjoy fiction books based on fact.
Bonnie R., Ky.
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