Dear Readers, Keisha is a friend of mine. She and I served together as officers of the ACFW - DFW chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. I'm thrilled with her success with her books.
Bio: Permanent Resident at the Altar is Keisha
Bass’ second novel. Her debut novel, Permanent
Resident at the Purse Table, was released in February 2014 and left her
readers wanting more, so installment two of her main characters’ journeys was
created. She has also published non-fiction articles in magazines and online,
including sharing her testimony, “Heart Problems,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles.
Keisha is a member of the Dallas Screenwriters Association
and a connect member of the International Screenwriters Association. She grew
up in Houston , Texas ,
but now resides in Arlington , and teaches P.E.
and coaches volleyball and softball in Crowley Independent
School District . She is
currently working to complete her first screenplay, an adaptation of her debut
novel, and has several more fiction and non-fiction projects in the works. She
loves to dance, play sports, and spend time with family and friends. She is a
member of Word of Truth Family Church in Mansfield ,
TX , where she serves as a
greeter.
Welcome back, Keisha, I love your new author's photo.
Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write to inspire, entertain, and make people think. I also
count it joy to share God’s unconditional love, no matter what we have done or
are currently going through.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I purchased my first home. I had been wanting to for
years, and God made it happen.
How has being
published changed your life?
Being published has helped me to realize that no matter how
long it may take, if God put it in your heart, it will come to pass. Also, the
feedback from my readers has been life changing. They can relate to my
characters and have appreciated me taking serious issues and handling them with
care. I hope to continue to do that as I move forward. And lastly, it has
fueled my fire for more.
What are you reading
right now?
The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
What is your current
work in progress?
I am currently working to complete my first screenplay. It
is an adaptation of my first novel, Permanent
Resident at the Purse Table. It’s entitled, The Purse Table.
I’m on the
screenwriter on the Board of Directors of Higher Ground Films. We’re in
pre-production for our first faith-based movie, Abducted to Kill. What would be your dream vacation?
I would love to go to Italy one day.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I was told a long time ago to write what I know. I grew up
in Texas , so my settings are in Texas cities.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
It’s hard to choose just one, but currently, it would have
to be Shonda Rhimes. As I am looking to establish a screenwriting career, I
would love to sit and pick her brain.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
My hobbies are dancing, rapping, and watching football.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Currently, I am finding it difficult to write in present
tense in my screenplay as I have been writing in past tense for my novels. I
overcome it with a great deal of editing. J
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
My advice would be to learn your craft, keep at it, and
enjoy the process.
Tell us about the
featured book.
If Ava has to wear her fake smile one more time while
standing in a wedding party, she might come unglued. She and her boyfriend,
Kevin, have been seriously dating for six months. At the marriage-ripe age of
thirty-one, she can’t help but count down the days until her wedding day. It
seems like everyone in her immediate world is getting hitched but her: cousin,
friend, and even a coworker who is shacking up, while Ava’s trying to live life
on the straight and narrow.
Kevin is the man of her dreams, but his mother doesn’t
believe Ava is the woman of his. Two of his sisters seem to be on the same page
with their mother, treating her like an outcast every chance they get. Ava’s only
ally in Kevin’s world is his baby sister, Tweet, a drug addict who takes up a
lot of his time. Trusting God is all Ava can do as she hopes for the best, but
if Ava and Kevin are meant for each other, then why is it such a struggle to
get down the aisle? What’s wrong with Ava? What’s wrong with Kevin? Or is
Kevin’s mother the one calling the shots?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
It had been a year since Ava had given it all to God for
guidance through her life. He had led her into accepting what she could not
change and forgiveness for herself and others. She glanced at Kevin, her
boyfriend, and thought back to all she had been through.
How could she have been so easily turned to the enemy? Ava’s
one mistake led her into a tailspin of lows. The impulsive behavior caused her
to almost lose her best friend forever. As much as she wanted to blame the
entire incident on the alcohol she had consumed, she couldn’t. Sleeping with
her best friend’s fiancĂ© was only the start of stepping the hill onto the path
of transgression and ultimate betrayal.
When she received news of her pregnancy, a result of her
undeniable mistake, her life turned into pure devastation, and she felt
unwilling to go on. Her closest friend pushed her into getting the help she needed.
The CCC became her refuge in her time of turmoil and uncertainty. After a few
months of therapy and group sessions with prayer, she finally learned to
forgive herself and let God handle the mayhem within, including her
self-esteem, something she had struggled with most of her life.
Putting God into her life, to let Him lead her where she
needed to be, gave her great pride. She had her biggest believer on her side,
and she had confidence that He would only lead her in the right direction.
Because she let God lead, she was blessed with the man she imagined having for
the rest of her life. God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good.
Sounds like a very
pertinent and good story. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Keisha, for sharing this new book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Permanent Resident at the Altar (Urban Books) - PaperbackPermanent Resident at the Altar (Urban Books) - 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.)
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28 comments:
would love to win. angela in ky
Lena, thank you for this introduction to Keisha and her newest book. The first page is a great start!
Blessings to both of you!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds great!Would love to win a copy.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair N.C.
The story line sounds very interesting.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Keisha, Permanent Resident at the Altar sounds like an intriguing must read. All the best for putting The Purse Table into a screenplay.
Sandy Q
Texas
Great to learn about you Keisha Bass. :-) I am Melissa in Mechanicsville VA. :-)
New author to me, Yay!
Thank You.
Karen H.
New Author YES. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte nebraska.
If you substitute marriage for adoption, this book sounds entirely like my life right now! My parents are trying to adopt my sister (she's actually my cousin.) She's a year old and we've had her half a week, every week, since she was born, with the intention of adopting her. My Grandma has never liked my mom and can't stand the thought that we might get to raise her, so two months ago she took her away from us and said we can't have her anymore. My two aunts hate us because my Grandma gossips about us to everyone and makes us out to be horrible people. The only person who even likes us at all in that town is my dads youngest sibling, who is a drug addict and lives with my Grandma. For some reason, everyone in that town is manipulated into thinking and doing everything my grandma says. Shocking similarities to you're book, aren't there? It's almost scary, the similarities. Are you spying on my life and writing about it? Lol
J.C. -Indiana-
Thank you for stopping by Angela!
Thank you, Connie! And blessings to you too!!
I appreciate that! Good luck to you, Jackie!!
Thank you, Mary! Good luck to you and hope you enjoy it :-)
Thank you, Sandy! It's been an exciting transition to screenplays.
Thank you, Melissa! Glad you stopped by and thanks for introducing yourself :-)
I appreciate your excitement, Karen!
Thank you for stopping by and good luck to you, Kim!
I promise I'm not spying...LOL!! There are a great deal of similarities though. I pray that all goes well for you and your family, and it works out best for the little one involved. And remember, God is in control and no weapon formed against you will prosper. Blessings :-)
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Thank you, Sharon for dropping by and good luck to you!
Permanent Residence At The Altar intrigued me by the name. I would love to win this one. Thank you for the chance to win.
happygrammaof3(at)Comcast.(net)
Thank you, Brenda for your excitement and I'm glad you found the title intriguing. Good luck to you!
Poor Ava! A boyfriend making her wait and wait and one of THOSE future ma in laws. Hope there's a happy ending!
From Donna, TX!
Poor Ava! A boyfriend making her wait and wait and one of THOSE future ma in laws. Hope there's a happy ending!
From Donna, TX!
This really sounds like a great book! And this was a fantastic interview :)
Thank you!
Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the chance to win!
BEth in Montana
Love the title and cover! Looking forward to reading this.
Beth from IA
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