Dear Readers, I am a
long-time fan of Terri Blackstock suspense novels.
Welcome back, Terri. What
are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I like to write about suffering, because I believe that a
lot of Christians are dealing with extreme trials. I want them to understand
that there’s purpose in all of it, and that, while God doesn’t insulate us from
suffering or solve every problem as we want Him to, He doesn’t abandon us as we
endure it. Instead, He’s right there with us through it all, and what the enemy
means for evil, God uses for good. He may not cause our suffering—sometimes
that’s the work of others or of our own mistakes—but He uses all of it to grow
us. Sometimes when we look back on our biggest crises, we can see that God
turned them into blessings.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
Right now I’m working on If
I’m Found, the book that follows If I Run. In it, Casey, my fugitive,
changes her identity again and runs to another town, where she encounters
another adventure as she tries to stay hidden from those who are hunting her.
Dylan, the investigator who’s closing in on her, realizes that someone wants to
kill her, so he’s searching harder for her to keep her alive. He goes from
being her nemesis to being her protector.
Sounds wonderful. If
you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of
yours), who would it be and why?
Kay Arthur, because I’ve been a student of her Precept
courses on different books of the Bible for many years. I would love to ask her
some questions about passages in the Bible, then sit at her feet and listen as
she unpacks them. I admire her wisdom and her love for God’s Word so much.
What historical
person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
According to a genealogy study I did, it appears that I have
three ancestors who came over on the Mayflower—Edward Fuller and his wife, and
their twelve year old son Samuel Fuller (named after his uncle, Samuel Fuller,
who was also on the Mayflower). I haven’t had it verified, so the connection to
my family could be a mistake, but whether we were related or not, I’d love to
have the chance to talk to Samuel about what his experiences were as a kid,
having both of his parents die during the first winter they were on American
soil, and how he went on to help build this new world. His father signed the
Mayflower Compact that was the beginning of our democratic government, and I
just think he’d have a world of wisdom to pass on to me.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I would tell them to listen carefully to the criticism
they’re getting—view it as a gift that someone has given them—and make the
changes they’re suggesting. Keep learning your craft. Join writers’ groups,
read everything you can in your genre, go to conferences. Learning your craft
the right way takes a long time and a lot of practice, so write, write, write.
If you don’t love it, quit. The only reason to be a writer is because you love
it.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I wanted to feature a character who is an unbeliever, who
has nowhere to turn when life crashes down around her. Casey Cox is one of my
favorite characters in any of the books I’ve written because she’s complex and
simple at the same time. When she’s accused of committing a heinous murder and
knows her DNA is all over the crime scene, she decides to run. She leaves
everyone she loves behind, because she believes deeply that if she’s caught,
she won’t just go to prison. She’ll be murdered as well.
The private investigator contracted to find her and bring
her back is Dylan, who’s been working in the Criminal Investigations Division
of the Army, but because he’s a survivor of some IED explosions that killed
several of his buddies, he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to his
condition, he’s been discharged from the Army, and he’s had trouble getting
another job. The family of the murder victim hires him to find Casey, the
fugitive they think killed their son. As experienced as he is at solving
crimes, his personal problems sometimes get in the way. He reacts intensely to
loud noises, has nightmares that keep him from wanting to sleep at night, is
depressed, has survivor’s guilt, and deals with a number of other things. But I
really like him because he doesn’t see himself as a victim. He’s a Christian
who’s trying to overcome his problems through his faith, but sometimes they’re
just bigger than his faith.
As Dylan learns more about Casey so he can get inside her
head, he realizes they have something in common. They probably both have PTSD.
He begins to see that Casey doesn’t really fit the profile of a killer. Is she
a psychopathic killer, or another suffering victim?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
From If I Run (Zondervan, 2016):
There’s blood on the bottom of my shoes. I rinse the soles,
knowing the police will trace the impression of the rubber pattern and
determine that they’re Skechers. They’ll find the charge for the shoe store on my
credit card, proving they’re mine.
Blood runs down the drain. My heart races as though it’s my
own draining away, but it’s not mine. My throat constricts as tears fill my
eyes, but I push them away. There’s no time to feel.
When the shoes seem clean enough, I blot them on a towel and
slip them into my bag.
They’ll see the traces of blood on
the sink, in the footsteps at the door where I took the shoes off, on the
towel. They’ll shine that Luminol stuff all through my apartment and add it to
the evidence list against me. There’s no point in wasting time cleaning it up.
I just have to get out of here.
I’m eager to get started reading my copy of the book. How can readers
find you on the Internet?
My web site: http://www.terriblackstock.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tblackstock
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of If I Run
- A Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)
Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.
Thank you, Terri, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, 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.
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:
39 comments:
angela in ky would love to win.
A new Terri Blackstock series??? I'm IN! Would love to win this book.
Pam in OH
My brother has some of your books and my sister has others. They both really enjoyed them! This sounds amazing and I'd love to read it!
J.C. (Hey, I'm a Cox too!) -Indiana-
Thanks, Lena! I so appreciate your hosting me. Only a few more days until the book is out!
With Terri Blackstock, you know you have a winner!
Melanie Backus, TX
Yay! Terri Blackstock's reads never disappoint! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tammy in Texas
Terri is one of my favorite authors. I'm looking forward to this book.
Beth from IA
I absolutely love suspense novels and this first page grabs the reader immediately! Thank you for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail.com
Love Terri's books and am looking forward to this one! Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
Cyndi in AL
This sounds really interesting. I'd love to read it.
Linda in California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Love her books! Can't wait to read this one!
Melissa in NC
Definitely on my wanted list!
Dee from NE
Thank you for your sharing struggles we have and showing how to grow through them! No wonder so many people love your books, including me!
Janice
pjrcmoore@windstream.net
A great post thank you. On my reading list.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I recently read an amazing review for If I Run by one of my favorite bloggers. Can't wait to experience it myself.
Terrill - WA
This sounds soo exciting! The only bad will be waiting for book 2 to come out!! :-)
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
I would love to read this book! I'm Kelly from Virginia.
I love Terri Blackstock's stories so I am really excited about her latest. Getting to know the characters a little more has only increased my excitement! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
I love historical fiction, but I get a craving now and again for a different genre. I feed that craving with Christian suspense novels. Lol Love them! My bestie has encouraged me to start reading some of Terri's since I have never read her books. And I've had my eye on this one for awhile. Sounds intriguing and would love to read it. Thx for the opportunity and the interesting interview!
Diana in SC
Sounds like an exciting read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
This book sounds amazing
! Rachael in Maine
Love her books and have read them all! Am so anxious to read this new one; thanks for your giveaway.
Jackie Smith in GA
I love Terri's books! Would love to win!
Blanch NC
Hi Terri & Lena! I have yet to meet a Terri Blackstock book I haven't loved & doubt this will Bee any different!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great start to a new series!
Patty in SC
Nice interview. I'd love a chance to win a copy of the book. It sounds wonderful.
Winnie T from Utah
I was SO excited to learn that a new Terri Blackstock book was coming out, I'm excited for the chance to win a copy! Thank you :-)
Trixi in OR
I always watch for new books by Terri. I love the way she tells stories. I went for some years not reading much but when I got serious about reading more again, her books were some of the first ones I read. I have been hooked ever since.
Edward A in VA
Enter me in this awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I'm a long-time fan, too! This one looks great!
-Melissa M. in TN
I would love to win this book.
BJM in SC
I love that she said He doesn’t abandon us and that He’s right there with us through it all. I love her stories would love to win.
Lourdes in Long Island, New York
Kristie in Northern Arizona can't wait to read this book!!
Terri has been one of my favorite authors for years. I have read almost all her books.
Kay in East Tennessee
I am always thrilled with Terri's books, I can't wait to dive into If I Run.
Merry in MN
I am a huge fan of Terry's! Thank you so much for the interview and giving us a glimpse of how awesome the book is.
Dana in Memphis!
I can't wait to read this! Terri writes some of the best romantic suspense out there. Her books are always a thrill ride. Would love to win!
Pam in OH
I love reading Terri's books. She is an excellent author who caught my attention several years ago with some great series.
Edward A in VA
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