THE SHATTERING - Marsha Barth - One Free Book

Welcome, Marsha. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Most of my stories are non-fiction so my characters pretty much contain 100% me. In my fictional writings that I do and my blogs, they too contain pretty much 100% me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Probably chasing two criminals, with my husband, behind a department store where they had just robbed an elderly lady of her purse. (I was a lot younger and faster then, than I am now when I did that.) Laugh a lot.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I wrote my mom a poem for Mother's Day and she cried as she read it. I learned how powerful words can be when they are able to move a heart.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Wow, I love pretty much all range of books. I love true stories, inspirational stories, fictional stories that could be true, stories of good overcoming evil, and stories of love, victory, and adventure. I love books that I can learn from which covers all ranges. My favorite book that covers all those genres, and that I love the most—The Holy Bible.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I have to take down-time. I make myself, because I am an A personality. In that down time, is my time with God—just Him and me, time that I read some or any of the above books, and I love watching old movies to just veg.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I have to envision that the name I pick fits the character I am developing. I probably could not pick a name for a bad person in which I have only known nice people with that name. I kind of pick names I have no connection with personally or I pick names I purposely associate with good people or bad people. This makes it very easy for me to develop the character either into the villain or the hero.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Wow, that is another great question. But I have several that tie for that one. Marrying my wonderful husband of 45 years and having my two beautiful children will always be at the top of that list. I also am thankful for the accomplishments God has called me to do in the work that I am doing—whether it be from teaching a small child in Sunday School who now is grown and serving God, or speaking at the prisons, rehabs, Universities, state events, to congressmen, senators, governors, and bringing them the wonderful message of hope that we can go from Victim to Victor. Whether writing books, blogs, or speaking and teaching, the joy of being a small part of changing a life is an accomplishment that brings more joy than pride, I believe.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Probably, a doggie. Any kind. The dogs I have had throughout my life have always given me so much love. They were my best friends, and my best ears, for listening to my problems at some of the hardest times in my life.

What is your favorite food?

Wow, can any of us only pick one? Unfortunately, I love many. I love chicken and veal and a good roast beef, real mashed potatoes and gravy that only southern people can make. And for dessert, a German Chocolate Cake, or Carrot Cake or a prize winning Apple Pie. That's my one favorite.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My books are my true stories, so writing was a little more different for me because as I wrote my stories, I initially had to relive them. I overcame this, because God had taken me on a healing journey before I wrote my stories. I was able to write them as a victor and not a victim. Also, as far as the actual writing in itself, I believe that any story's greatest challenge in writing will be to find a key interest point that draws the reader into the book before he/she knows they are hooked. Also, not overwhelming the reader with too much detail or difficulties at once, by intriguing uplifting moments or laughter to soften these, is a very beneficial attribute for any author to challenge themselves to do this

Tell us about the featured book.

The Shattering- A Child's Innocence Betrayed by Marsha Barth is my true story. More than a story of victimization from abuse, it is a story of the power of love, the promise of hope, and the joy of overcoming. All of us have been shattered at sometime in our life by someone or something. In this amazing story, written in novel form, the reader gets to see how one thread of hope changes a life forever and how we can go from victim to victor. The Shattering is a story of how all of us can be inspired to overcome what has shattered us and to realize that sorrow is but for a season and that joy does come in the morning. May you be blessed by the reading of this inspirational book. May your heart be opened to the joy and realization that, you do matter, and that you can heal. May you know that God has not forsaken you and that He is not the cause for man's sorrow, but the solution to our complete restoration.

Please give us the first page of the book.

A light breeze blew through the open door and blew the loose pictures off  the end table. Julie bent down to pick them up. She leaned back in the chair and fingered the pictures tenderly, looking at them one by one. She paused, engulfed in the memories that they were stirring. A slight smile broke across her young face as she looked at the picture she now held in her hand. It was an old black and white picture. Julie remembered the little white house with the red shutters. Julie shifted in the big chair. She tucked her legs up under her to get more comfortable. Slowly, she turned the pictures through her hands before stopping once again. The old photo with the pinked edges had caught her attention. Julie held the photo in her hand and placed the other photos down on the table beside her. She peered into the photo as if to glean some understanding from the young face that stared unknowingly back at her. The child in the picture looked to be six or seven years old. His straight, dark-brown hair hung to one side and swept over his small brow. Julie brought the picture closer and studied it in detail. The little boy did not smile, which saddened Julie. Even more disturbing was the lost look in his little eyes. They were void of laughter and appeared sorrowful. The innocence of childhood... 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://marshabarth.com

https://www.facebook.com/The-Shattering-215752548593960/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-marty-barth-9865a840/

https://twitter.com/mbarthmbarth

https://www.pinterest.com/martybarth3/the-shattering/

mbarthmbarth@gmail.com

Thank you, Marsha, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here is a link to the book.

The Shattering

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