DRIFTWOOD TIDES - Gina Holmes - One Free Book

Welcome, Gina. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I grew up reading Stephen King and so I thought that was the kind of stuff I should be writing. My first few (unpublished) novels were in that genre. Then, I began to discover more literary writing (like Charles Martin, Lisa Samson, etc) and I absolutely fell in love with books all over again. I tried my hand there, and at last I was offered a publishing contract. I’m so glad that God held me back with those early books because I believe I’m writing what I was meant to write. If I’d have gotten published back when I was writing suspense, that would be the genre I’d have to continue with and it’s no longer my passion. It’s taken me awhile to come to terms with the fact that I had a unique childhood and that the rough stuff I’ve been through can speak healing and hope over others.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

It would definitely be the day I gave birth for the first time. Holding my firstborn son overwhelmed me when I realized that God loved me even more than I loved this child.

How has being published changed your life?

Before I was published I kept hearing from other authors that being published wouldn’t validate me. It certainly didn’t validate my life, but it changed how others viewed me. Life as a “bestselling” author seems like it would bring riches, fame and glamour and it’s really just the opposite. I make far more money working a regular job with a steady paycheck. With writing, the job can be twenty-four seven. If I’m not writing, then I’m working on publicity, doing interviews, mailing out books and postcards. It’s a lot harder work than I thought it would be. People do take me a little more serious and I get a little more respect when others read my work. When I was still in the process of trying to get published, I think a lot of people thought it was just a pipedream and I was deluding myself.

What are you reading right now?

I forever have a self-help book going at the same time as a craft book (Currently Writing for Story), the Bible and at least one novel. I’m reading Jessica Dotta’s Mark of Distinction at the moment. She’s an incredible writer.

What is your current work in progress?

I currently am under contract for 3 more novels with Tyndale. I’m in the early stages of a coming home story. Because I’m still in the discovery stage of the story, I have to hold that close and be a little secretive. Chances are if I told you what it was about now, the final book would look nothing like what I imagine it will at this stage.

What would be your dream vacation?

I would be in a RV with my husband and children, maybe traveling across the country to see Montana or the Grand Canyon.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m originally from New Jersey and moved to the South close to 20 years ago. I love the south. Everything about it. I tend to set my stories there because I have to spend a lot of time in my head there so it may as well be somewhere I like. I love the beach, specifically the Outer Banks so I’ve set a few stories there. I love nature and the mountains, so my writing descriptions tend to come more alive to me when I can smell the forest so to speak.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’m not much for idealizing celebrities. They’re just people. While one name doesn’t come to mind, picking the brain of someone fresh off a mission trip or someone who is accomplishing great things for the Kingdom of God is what turns on my heart and mind.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love walking along the river, hiking, and camping. My very favorite things to do are hang out watching something like Deadliest Catch with my husband, or laying in bed on a Saturday morning with my boys, laughing and talking, or talking to my best friend or Mom and sisters on the phone.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

On more than one occasion I’ve had to write through a bout of depression. During those times, each word was pure drudgery to get down. It’s like trying to redecorate a house when you’re suffering with some debilitating disease that makes you bone-tired, with a hundred pound backpack on, wading through Vaseline, when you couldn’t care less about the stupid house.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Talent is a great start, but it’s only a start. Teachability and perseverance are what matter the most though. It’s most likely going to be a long road with lots of rejection along the way. Get yourself to a writers conference, get in a critique group, read great books and lots of them, read every craft book you can get your hands on and don’t give up.

Tell us about the featured book.

He made himself an island until something unexpected washed ashore.

When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making drifwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until twenty-three-year-old Libby knocks on his door, asking for a job and claiming to be a friend of his late wife. When he discovers Libby is actually his late wife’s illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, his life is turned upside down as he struggles to accept that the wife he’d given saint status to was not the woman he thought he knew.

Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby’s father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

The pillow pushed against Holton Creary’s nose forcing him to turn for air. His eyes fluttered, opening just enough to take in the first blush of morning light. Realizing he had at least another hour of solid sleep, he smiled in contentment.

Flipping toward her side of the bed, he reached out to pull her hip against him. The warmth of his wife’s familiar body molded against his was a ritual as old as their marriage. Instead of landing on her hip, his hand thudded against the mattress jolting him awake. Lifting his head, he listened for her pattering about their small house, but heard only Rufus snoring from his spot on the floor.

Their small house was full of the smell of freshly brewed coffee ... but not her. He peered out the front window not surprised to see her standing with her back to him watching the sunrise from the beach they called a front yard. She still wore her nightgown with his old cardigan serving as her bathrobe. The breeze made the nightgown cling to her legs, which filled him with a momentary possessiveness. If any man should happen to walk by at the moment, the sight of her would stop him in his tracks.

That was the downside of marrying a beautiful woman—he wasn’t the only man with appreciative eyes. He climbed down the stairs leading to the beach and quietly sidled behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her to jump and turn her head in surprise. A warm smile replaced her startled expression. “You’re up early,” she said.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.ginaholmes.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorginaholmes

Thank you, Gina, for sharing this new book with us. I can't wait to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Driftwood Tides - Christianbook.com
Driftwood Tides - Amazon
Driftwood Tides - Kindle

Christian Book Store

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

CROSSING OCEANS - Gina Holmes - Free Book

Really excited about featuring this debut author. Welcome, Gina. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Wow, so very much of myself goes into my characters. Every one of them, even the villains take something from me. When you read an author’s work, that’s going to be true universally I’d think. That’s where the authenticity comes in and the story and characters ring true. When we read someone else’s work, we’re looking at a window into that writer’s soul. Lucky for us writer’s that the reader doesn’t know which parts are pulled from our lives, struggles and personalities. I wrote an article on Novel Journey some time ago titled “Pimp my Soul” that deals with that very subject. If you go to the site and put that in the search bar at the top, it’ll come up.

Of course, some characters are going to be more like us than others. In Crossing Oceans, for example, some of my early readers assumed that the main character, Genieve was heavily based off me, but I think if any character was like me, it was the little girl, Isabella. She’s very much like I was as a child.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Man, I have done a LOT of quirky things in my life. I’m a pretty quirky person. Moving to the island of Cyprus with no money and a one way ticket was pretty out there. For kicks, me and my teenage friends would drink coffee at Dunkin Donuts wearing our underclothes on the outside of our clothing. We would follow people at random in my old Chevette for sometimes an hour. (I still feel bad about that. We really freaked some folks out! I’ll blame it all on being young and immature.) I’m still a little different.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Back in high-school it started to dawn on me that I could write. Everyone else would get a writing assignment and I found it so odd to see them struggle through it. I could whip out an A paper in a couple of minutes. It came easy for me. (It doesn’t come quite as easy these days unfortunately.) It was college though that I really got that I could write. I turned in a short piece on musak and my professor didn’t know I was watching him read it. I remember his eyebrows shooting up, him grinning and shaking his head. I thought, this guy really likes it and he’s someone whose opinion had some weight for me. I’ll never forget that feeling.

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

I grew up on things I would never in a million years let my kids read. V.C. Andrews for one. Stephen King was my man. I still think he’s a fabulous writer. My tastes now have changed considerably thought. I like historicals, classics, literary, mainstream and some suspense. I adore Frank Peretti, Francine Rivers, Lisa Samson, Claudia Burney and think Charles Martin is a genius.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

My first four novels were suspense—ranging from a woman who falls prey to a Wiccan priestess, to a sleuth nurse. I plan to stay in the mainstream genre now. Now that I believe I’m writing what I was created to, I no longer feel like a salmon swimming upstream. What I’m writing now is a much better fit for my strengths.

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

I don’t. I think I’m a little crazy, but hey, I’m functional. My kids keep me busy, my nursing career, publicity, writing, being a wife to the world’s most amazing man and all that goes with all of that. I’ve got a great sense of humor and as long as I keep that, it ought to keep the straight jacket at bay. That’s the theory at any rate.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I go through baby books, now online baby name websites and just look through them, try them out on my tongue and in the story until one feels right. My main character from Crossing Oceans name is Genevieve and I had a friend many years ago with that name and always loved it.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Hands down how my two boys are turning out. God has mercifully covered my shortcomings as a parent. Jacob (13) and Levi (8) are the most loving, charming, intelligent, funny and happy children you could imagine. I don’t take full credit of course but I can’t help feeling like I’ve done something in this world right when I look at them.

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

Hand’s down—a bird. They’re so amazing—delicate, beautiful, resourceful and free.

What is your favorite food?

I love me some cheese! Oh and a romaine salad with crumbled bleu cheese and balsamic vinaigrette rates pretty high too.

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

Being too sparse with my descriptions. I have a critique partner, Jessica Dotta, who is unbelievably talented in that area and editing her and being edited by her and the others in my group eventually wore me down and made the light bulb come on. Plus, whenever I read, I stop at good descriptions and reread them several times. It was bound to sink in eventually. One of the greatest compliments I can get involve ones on the descriptions I’ve used, because I guess, it doesn’t come naturally. I really work at that.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Relax. It’s not going to happen in a day or even for a few years. Calm down, go to writer’s conferences, make friends, join critique groups, read how-to writing books, and above all be teachable.

Tell us about the featured book?

Crossing Oceans is the story of a young woman who must return home to face the ghosts of her past and tell the man she left behind that he’s about to inherit a daughter he didn’t know existed.

It’s a beautiful storyline and I’m very proud of it. I hope that it will make everyone who reads it look within themselves and question what they really believe about eternity, death and start to really consider the legacy they’ll leave behind for their children and children’s children to inherit. If you like Nicholas Sparks, Karen Kingsbury or Charles Martin, I think you’d like this one. Think Terms of Endearment, Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas, or Hope Floats. It’s along those lines.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Nothing deepens a stream like a good rain … or makes it harder to cross.

Just a few hundred feet away from the home I’d sworn never to return to, I sat on the smooth surface of a boulder. With my jeans cuffed and toes wiggling in the cold water, I considered how recent rains had caused these banks to widen and swell.

Perhaps a decent relationship with my father might also rise as a result of the storm we’d endured. Much could happen in six years. Maybe my absence had, as the adage promised, made his heart grow fonder. Maybe my homecoming would be like that of the prodigal and he’d greet me with eager arms. Together we’d cry for all that had passed between us—and all that should have, but didn’t.

Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

It’s going to go just fine, I told myself as I traced the slippery surface of a moss-covered branch with my foot “What’s funny, Mommy?” Isabella’s voice startled me. I didn’t dare admit that what my five year-old interpreted as mirth was really a grimace, because then of course she’d want to know what was the matter. “Nothing, sweetness.”

She threw a pebble at the water, but it dropped inches from its goal, clinking against slate instead. “You were smiling like this . . .” She bared her teeth in a forced grin.

Gently, I pinched her cheek.

“You’re beautiful, Mommy.”

“Thank you, baby. So are you.”

“Yes, I am.”

I smiled at that. I smiled at just about everything she said and did.

“Mommy, why’d we drive here stead of Cowpa’s house?”

Cowpa was her name for grandparents of either gender. I probably should have corrected her long ago, but I found the odd term endearing. Besides, I reasoned, she’d grow out of baby talk all too soon, without any help from me. I found myself wondering what other lessons she would learn in my absence.

The thought overwhelmed me, but I refused to cry in front of my daughter. Unloading my heavy burden onto her delicate shoulders was not an option. I might not be able to control much in my life lately, but I could still protect her. Nothing mattered more.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.ginaholmes.com/ http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/  and I’m also on twitter as: Ginawrites, facebook under: Gina Holmes Waters (Waters is my married name) and shoutlife.

Thanks for having me, Lena. Really great questions.

And thank you, Gina, for the fun interview.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you help support this blog.














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.

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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/