Welcome, Linda. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I put a little bit of my life or life experience into every
character, even the villains. In Hosea’s Heart, I asked myself if I
would be that faithful to an unfaithful spouse. Having experienced a divorce, I
doubt I would. However, Aubrey’s command for faithfulness came from the Lord.
He obeyed, not out of common sense, but out of his allegiance to a greater
power.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I was once challenged to eat four pancakes. Simple right?
Only, at the time, I didn’t realize the pancakes were the size of a plate. I
did it, only because I was too stubborn to admit defeat.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
The old cliché … I was born with a pencil in my hand is
almost true. As a young girl, I loved to tell stories to the younger children
and write them down for my classmates. My teacher often read my stories or had
me read them to lower grades. In high school, I won an award for a poem. I was
published in my college journal. I loved to write plays for my church and
devotionals for our church ladies. However, I did not consider writing
professionally, until I reached my fifties.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Like my taste in music, I enjoy an art well done regardless
of genre. My favorite books range from sci-fi/fantasy to historical and
everything between.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I am fortunate to have a spouse who keeps me grounded. He
tells me to slow down or speed up as the need arises. Since he retired, he
likes to clean and cook. I don’t mind. I was primary household manager for the
first 35 years or so even when I worked fulltime. Hubs also likes to go for
walks in City Park , an occasional movie, or walk in
the mall. This change of pace helps me to keep my sanity.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
They come to me. Sometimes, I associate a name with a
certain social class or occupation. Sometimes my character’s personality quirks
invite a name. Occasionally, I will consult my baby name book or research
popular names by year.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My three children. They are more of a blessing to me than
the many books I’ve written or any accomplishment in my writing journey. They
may not be perfect, but they bring me such joy, in addition to my nine
grandchildren!
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a tiger. They are majestic and graceful.
What is your favorite
food?
Is it cliché to say chocolate? Chocolate anything. Although
one of my favorite dishes is chicken and biscuits. I rarely have that anymore
since my husband is not fond of it. Growing up it was always my request for
birthday dinner.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
At the moment, I have so many stories pouring out of my
brain, I don’t get writer’s block very much as to what to write. However, my
creativity is often shut down because of marketing demands. They mentally
exhaust me, and I find it difficult to pick up where I left off in my writing.
I pull myself out the funk through prayer and writing small amounts. I write
something every day even though I might have to put my work in progress aside
for a bit.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Hosea’s Heart is a modern day adaptation of the Biblical
Hosea’s quest for his runaway wife. Aubrey Beaumont has been in search of his
drug-addicted, runaway wife for fifteen years. However, new to faith, she finds
him. When they are reunited, Aubrey discovers that she is not only terminally
ill, but she is a star witness against a notorious drug lord, her former lover.
How much should a wrong husband forgive? The book is set in Washington , DC .
Aubrey finds new ministry as a result of his wife’s struggle with addiction. I
have attempted to show the human equation in a serious epidemic. Reviewers so
far find the book suspenseful as well as heart-warming.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Prologue
Aubrey Beaumont’s heart pounded as Darlene burst past stodgy
Mrs. Donovan and ran into his arms. The girl’s reddened eyes confirmed his
worst fears.
“Mommy went away again, Aubrey.”
Darlene sobbed against his overcoat while he absorbed the
news. From the entryway, he saw Paul and Bradley at the kitchen table, frozen
to their seats, remnants of peanut butter sandwiches on their plates. Paul
guzzled the last of his milk, and Bradley rocked back and forth as he hummed
“Jesus Loves Me.”
“Thank you for staying with the children, Mrs. Donovan. I
rushed out as soon as the seminary gave me your message. I don’t suppose you
know where Joanna went off to, do you?”
She handed him a note tucked inside Joanna’s wedding ring.
“Sorry, Mr. Beaumont. I got here my usual time, and your
wife handed me this package like it were a present. Then she stormed out the
door. Slammed it so hard, she done bust the hinge. Said I was to stay here with
Darlene and the boys ’til you came home. Then she slapped a twenty-dollar bill
in my hand. ‘For the inconvenience,’ she said. ’Taint no inconvenience. I love
these kids as if they were my own.”
Aubrey gripped the parchment paper—Joanna’s curt goodbye.
She’d never left a note before. Usually, she slithered away during the night.
This time she left while the sun still shone. He slid the gold-edged stationery
from its circular perch as he gazed toward Mrs. Donovan. “Did my wife say
anything else?”
Mrs. Donavan lumbered toward the coat rack. “Nope. Just
high-tailed it out that door.” She twirled as she wriggled her wide body into a
coat three sizes too small. “Didn’t even take her purse. Walked out with just
the clothes she wore … no coat or nothing.” She grabbed the doorknob with one
hand and snatched her straw purse off the counter with the other.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is www.lindarondeau.com.
My social media links are: Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus,
Linked In, Instagram and Goodreads.
Thank you, Linda, for
sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. I’m intrigued by your
storyline, and I’m eager to read my copy when it arrives.
Readers,
here are links to the book.
Hosea's Heart - PaperbackHosea's Heart - Kindle
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11 comments:
Thanks for hosting me today
Enjoyed being here.
This sounds like an unusual retelling of the Hosea story!
Dianna (TN)
Diana ... thanks for stopping by. The setting is D.C. Eastern Ave tenements make me sad. The area was once an important area of the city. Love sometimes requires us to go into places nice people stay away from.
Linda what a challenge to write of Hosea in today's world. After our daughter passed, I felt abandoned by God at first. It felt like I could not breathe. A book about Hosea gave me comfort and got me into the book of Hosea for 5 months. I feel like I know and understand a bit of Hosea.
It would be interesting to read a modern day version of the character who deepened my walk with God.
Delores
I enjoyed reading your interview with Lena. Hosea's Heart sounds like a story I'd like to read. You have me heading back into the Bible to reread Hosea!
Thank you, Linda and Lena, for your interview. The Book of Hosea is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful examples of the love of Christ that is found in the Bible. Every time I read it, I am overwhelmed with how much God loves us. This is a message that needs to be told and heard again and again. Thank you, Linda, for doing so in your story. Many blessings!
Delores,
Prayers. I cannot imagine anything worse than the loss of a child. You will relate to Joanna's parents. Hosea's Heart is multi-level forgiveness, unconditional love, and friendship with God. Thanks for your comments and stopping by.
Sally, Thanks for stopping by. As I reread Hosea over and over again for this book, I, too, am touched by God's call and unconditional love. Though the consequences of our sin will play out, God still stands ready to make us whole again if only we come to him.
MaryAnn,
Thank you for stopping by and for your comments. My hope is that Hosea's Heart will touch those whose lives have been upended by their own choices or choices of others.The book is an allegory of God's unconditional love for us.
Linda, this sounds very intriguing. I always enjoy an author who tells a modern version of a story found in Bible scripture. These stories always prompt me to go back to their basis.
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
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