Thank you, Lena , for
hosting me here at “A Christian Writers World—Characters Who Grip your Heart.”
Who would have thought when we met at an early ACFW Conference that we would be
here now talking about my debut romantic suspense, Her Deadly Inheritance?
Welcome, Beth. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
What a hard question to answer. To my complete surprise, I’ve
discovered I get to know my characters by observing them as I write their
stories. Yet some of me or my life experiences come out through them. Like
Jill’s determination to follow God even into danger, if necessary. Like Clay’s
passion for historic architecture which led him to become a restoration contractor
and his expertise at playing ball. I borrowed a fantastic catch he made from
one of my husband’s ballgames. Much of what goes on with Jill and Clay during
the Fourth of July comes right out of Jim’s and my experiences as we enjoyed
the Fourth at Munising , Michigan . In my life, I have also had to
deal with the shock and grief of losing loved ones unexpectedly. My life was
touched by suicide and the haunting wondering if there was anything I could
have done that might have prevented it. So much more is in there, however, I
don’t want to spoil the story by saying too much. But I do know that,
in order to strike a cord of authenticity, writing a character’s story
necessitates delving deeply into my own memories and emotions. It’s akin to the
excitement of digging through Grandma’s walk-in attic to discover
long-forgotten treasures.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
Probably while I was in high school, taking a one-semester
journalism course and discovering I could write great news stories that
appeared both in our high school paper, the Kau-Hi
News and the town newspaper, The
Kaukauna Times. That’s when I knew I could write. But even before that,
while still a middle schooler, my friend Gwynne Vils and sat on her porch for
hours an entire summer, writing our fiction tales. Unknown to me, my mother
saved my attempts and returned them to me when I was in college. Maybe back
then, Mom already saw something in them and had a sense of where life might
lead me.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My hands-down favorite genre continues to be Christian romantic
suspense. But I also read other genres. Lately, I’ve enjoyed Andrea Boeshaar’s A Thousand Shall Fall (historical
romance), Pesto and Potholes by Susan
Baganz (contemporary romance), and The
Dividing Stone by Anita Estes (Christian paranormal akin to Frank Peretti’s
work). And I wouldn’t miss reading Karen Witemeyer’s historical romances set in
Texas . I’ve
also enjoyed Gloria Clover’s YA Christian fantasy novels and hope she will have
another released in the near future.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Sanity? What sanity? Since the release of Her
Deadly Inheritance on January 2, I’ve traveled such a fast track that it’s
all I can do to barely keep up. At the same time, it is great fun connecting
with readers, friends, and supporters who are so excited for me. What a
beautiful blessing! And, yes, I do have help keeping my sanity. First of all,
God’s faithful answers to the prayers of my prayer team and many other well-wishers.
I could never do any of this without the Lord and these wonderful people. Also,
my agent, Jim Hart, who offers direction and a calm voice of assurance every
time I need it. I could say the same for my editors, Rowena Kuo and J.
Christine Richards. The Lord has also kindly provided so many wonderful
novelist friends who have traveled this road before me. God is always there for
us when we need Him and reach out to Him.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Oh, I knew someone would ask that question. I might as well
admit it. My characters tend to choose their own names. I read baby-name books
and all, but in the end, my characters are pretty adamant. Maybe it’s because I
send out weekly requests to my prayer team, and God answers their prayers. I do
like to look up the meanings of their names to get a better perspective on who
they are, and I often know how they came by those names, which adds even more
information to the picture. But name them? No. They do that themselves.
I know. I had a
character force me to change his name in the middle of a novel. He just wouldn’t
accept the name I gave him. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud
of?
Starting a local writers club almost 30 years ago. I asked
God for one. The prayer was barely out of my mouth when he put me together with
another writer to plan and begin Word and Pen Christian Writers. It has served
hundreds of writers since its inception, most of whom were published as a
result. We encourage each other, pray together, learn together twice a month.
First, at the general club meeting, and later, during our critique meeting. I
thank God, too, that from Word and Pen, other clubs have been born--Lighthouse
Christian Writers in the Peshtigo, Wisconsin area, Pens of Praise in Manitowoc,
Wisconsin, and a new one in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where members haven’t yet
chosen a name. This is all the Lord’s doing, and we often say how grateful we
are to him.
What is your favorite
food?
Bread—every kind and variety except with caraway seeds.
Fresh and fragrant from the oven. Warm from the breadbasket. Cheesy bread,
whole grain bread, toasty garlic bread, marble rye … okay, that’s enough
rhapsodizing. I suppose I should also admit that I bought a practically new
bread machine at Goodwill one summer, and I love using it to make bread.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My original dream was to write romantic suspense, exploring
how Christian characters with all their flaws might address the frightening
challenges they would face during the story. Writing nonfiction came easily to
me. But writing fiction took many years of learning a whole different set of
skills to produce a publishable novel. Prayer and persistence made the
difference. What others were telling me—“Don’t give up!”—was good advice. So, I
kept working at the craft and networking with others in the industry, praying
for them, encouraging them, and learning from them. Then one day the dream came
true. God has a right timing for everything. Usually when we least expect it.
He loves riding in on that white horse to surprise us!
And His timing is
always perfect. By the way, I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book.
Her Deadly Inheritance is the first in a series of three novels
that follow Jill and Clay through the challenges of a growing love and
surviving horrendous life-threatening situations. Each book can easily stand on
its own, and I’m loving the writing of the second even more than the first—if
that’s possible!
In the first book, they overcome impossible odds to fall in
love and nearly lose their lives, but of course, I don’t want to give away the
story. I can say that, in this book, Jill deals with her need to put to rest
her festering self-blame regarding her mother’s death. Though her mother died
while Jill was hundreds of miles away, did she unknowingly contribute to the
tragedy?
Here’s the back cover blurb: First a runaway. Now running
for her life. Won't Jill Shepherd's family be surprised when she returns to Grand Island , Michigan ,
to end their lies and scheme to have her declared legally dead? But when Jill
exposes the mastermind behind her intended death, her family's deception may
kill any chance she has of remaining alive.
Clay Merrick may seem to be little more than a handy-man restoring homes, but when the former Special Forces operative tracks a brutal killer to Jill's historic house under renovation, he has most of the evidence he needs to bring the killer to justice ... until Jill gets in the way.
When the killer sets sights on Jill as the next victim, it's not just Clay s mission on the line, but his heart.
Clay Merrick may seem to be little more than a handy-man restoring homes, but when the former Special Forces operative tracks a brutal killer to Jill's historic house under renovation, he has most of the evidence he needs to bring the killer to justice ... until Jill gets in the way.
When the killer sets sights on Jill as the next victim, it's not just Clay s mission on the line, but his heart.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
5:00 a.m. Twelve hours before a judge would declare her
legally dead.
Clutching her cell phone to her ear, Jill Shepherd turned
away from the red numbers glowing on her bedside clock and paced in the room’s pre-dawn
shadows.
“Say you’ll come, Jill.”
“Don’t ask me, Uncle Drew. You know I can’t.” She squeezed
her eyelids shut and struggled against the tightness in her throat. “The minute
Lenore finds out I’m alive and you knew, she’ll think we planned this.”
His wife would turn on them both for snatching the house on Michigan ’s Grand
Island from her at the last minute. “She’ll leave
you.”
“I’ll take my chances. More important things are at stake
here.”
His quiet resignation clawed at her conscience. She clenched
her teeth. She would remain strong. He deserved that much.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
She swallowed hard at his pleading.
“I have to go,” he said, “but please come. The company plane
is waiting at O’Hare. You have the pilot’s number. Call him.”
Jill pulled in a shaky breath. “She’ll never forgive you.”
“I’ll meet the plane when you get here. On the way to
Windtop, we’ll decide how to break the news. Everything will be fine.”
He disconnected the call.
Everything would not be fine. Even he knew too well that
someone would pay. The same woman who had driven Jill’s fragile mother into seclusion
would see to it
I’m glad my book
arrived this week. It’s the next one I’ll read. This has me really hooked. How
can readers find you on the Internet?
Currently, on my website at www.bethziarnik.com,
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beth.ziarnik
and www.facebook.com/authorBethAnnZiarnik,
and my blog at www.bethziarnik.wordpress.com.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing your debut novel with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Christian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance - PaperbackChristian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance: First a runaway. Now running for her life. (Christian Mystery & Suspense) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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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24 comments:
angela in ky would like to win.
This sounds exciting. I would love to read more.
Linda in California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a series I'd like to read!
J.C. -Indiana-
Sounds gripping!
-Melissa in TN
It is a great cover. I look forward to reading the entire series.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
This book sounds great and I defintely want to read it.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
This sounds very exciting and I loved the first page. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Raechel in MN
I love suspense and learning about new authors! Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity!!
Diana in SC
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
Love the plot! Sounds like a book you can't put down!
Beth in Montana
I enjoy suspense and this sounds like it is full of intrigue.
A new author to me...yay! I'd love to read this book!
Sounds like a good read. cheetahthecat1986ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte Nebraska
Thank you all for leaving such encouraging comments. I am constantly blown away by readers who say they couldn't put Her Deadly Inheritance down because they had to know what happened next. Of course, that's what we authors work toward, but ... really? It amazes me every time I hear those words. My best to you all!
Christian Romantic Suspense is my favorite genre! Please throw my name in the pot to win a copy! Thanks so much!
rw620 AT aol DOT com
My favorite genre, too, Robin. God bless!
Hi Beth & Lena. Her Deadly Inheritance sounds like a real nail biter and the cover is beautiful! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Words every author wants to hear, Kristen! Thank you for posting.
Sounds very exciting. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Looks great! Please enter me.
Blanch, NC
Looks like an awesome giveaway!! Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Brenda ... Abigail ... Sharon ... thank you for entering the giveaway and leaving such encouraging words. Bless you and have a great day!
I really look forward to this book. The first page makes me want to read more.
Beth from IA
The romance in this sounds just as good as the suspense.
Terrill - WA
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