THE TOMB - Stephanie Landsem - One Free Book, Plus More

Welcome back, Stephanie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I do see God moving in my writing life and hope each day that I’m open to his will. Right now, I’m discerning where to go next with my writing. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire me as He has been for the last few years.

Tell us a little about your family.

Absolutely. My first vocation is as a wife and mother. I’ve been married for 25 years to a wonderful man who is always supporting me whether I’m writing, volunteering, or planning a trip to somewhere amazing. I have four kids, two boys and two girls, ages 21 down to 13. They are my greatest inspiration and joy.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Mostly, I read less than I used to just because I have less time. I also read more critically, which is probably a good thing but often I wish I could just lose myself in the story like I did before I wrote books, instead of analyzing the characters, the plot, and the sentence structure.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been looking into new historical periods and have some ideas for an upcoming novel that blends my love for the Bible with a new historical period. I hope to be able to share more soon!

What outside interests do you have?

I love to travel and am lucky that I’ve been able to see many parts of the world and have visited 4 continents. I’d love to go to Australia before my kids are too busy to travel with us. I love to cook, especially new ethnic cuisine from places where I’ve traveled. When I can’t go to new places, I like to be outside hiking, taking walks, or even snowshoeing during our long Minnesota winters. When it’s too cold outside (like today, the wind chill is 26 degrees below zero), there’s no better place to be than curled up with a good book and a cat.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

In The Living Water Series, I think the settings chose me! The characters are what initially drew me in, and the settings came later as I researched Samaria, Jerusalem, and finally the small town of Bethany where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived.

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

If I had to choose I would say Mary, the mother of Jesus. She knew him best and I would never tire of hearing her stories of her son’s childhood and early years, something we know nothing about.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish someone would have told me how it would take over your life! I think writing fiction—especially Christian fiction—is more than a job, it’s a vocation. It seems to get into every part of your life: your family, friends, and your work within your church. I had no idea how much my life would change with the publication of my first book.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Patience. As I wait to determine what my next step will be in writing and answer the question I get at least once a day: “What is your next book about?”, I’m learning to be patient and wait for the Lord’s timing and inspiration.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

For an author just starting out with an idea or a rough manuscript, I’d say a critique group is a great step. I don’t know what I’d do without honest, constructive feedback on my novels. Next, I’d encourage a new author to enter contests for unpublished writers such as the ACFW Genesis contest. It takes courage to hit Enter and send your writing out into the world, but it is excellent practice for when you query agents and editors. And finally, don’t forget to pray and trust in God’s plan for you. He has one. And it might not be what you expect.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Tomb, A Novel of Martha, is a surprising story of the family at Bethany and the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Everyone in Bethany admires Martha—the perfect Jewish woman. She feeds and clothes her loved ones, looks after the family farm, and meticulously follows every precept of the Pharisees’ strict laws. But Martha is hiding a secret. At her sister’s marriage feast, she gave her heart and her innocence to a young musician who promised to return and marry her, but instead betrayed her love and abandoned her.

Seven years later, only two people in Bethany know of Martha’s secret sin: her brother, Lazarus, and Simon, the righteous Pharisee to whom Martha is betrothed. When Lazarus falls ill, Martha is faced with a choice: send for Jesus to save her dying brother—risking the wrath of Simon who threatens to betray her—or deny Jesus’ healing power and remain trapped in her tomb of secrecy and lies.

Meanwhile, on the shores of Galilee, Isa roams the wilderness, tortured by demons and knowing only that someone is waiting for him. When he is healed by Jesus, he finds that seven years have passed since his descent into madness. Isa journeys home to Bethany only to find he is too late to win back Martha’s love.

When Martha risks all to heal Lazarus, will Jesus arrive in time, or will he—like Isa—come too late?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Hear, O children, a father’s instruction, be attentive that you may gain understanding! Proverbs 4:1

Martha clenched her teeth so tight her jaw ached. She’d kept quiet for seven days. Seven days. Now she felt like a pot left too long over the fire. If another old woman gave her a pitying glance, if one more village girl whispered behind her hand ... by the Most High, she’d boil over.

She filled a cup for Josiah, her sister’s new husband. Who would have believed it? Sirach of Bethany’s daughter—his youngest daughter!—choosing her own husband. And what a husband he was. Josiah had many good qualities. He was kind and patient and everyone knew how he loved Mary. But he was also poor and none too smart. Even his own mother admitted that he as useful as a three-legged donkey.

She took a deep breath and poured a cup of wine for Abba, careful not to spill a drop on his fine linen tunic. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that Mary got to choose and she didn’t.

When Abba agreed to the betrothal a full year ago, the women of Bethany had gossiped for weeks. Most had concluded that Sirach was eager to be rid of Mary, his grown daughter who spent more time playing with the village children than taking care of her father’s household. But they were wrong. Abba loved Mary just as much as he loved Martha and Lazarus.

Now, at almost fifteen years, Mary was ready to start her own family with a man she adored. Martha was glad that Abba had allowed Mary her hearts desire. If only he could allow Martha hers.

If Mary can choose Josiah, can’t I have a say in my husband? But of course, she knew why.

How can readers find you on the Internet? 

Visit StephanieLandsem.com

Follow @StephLandsem on Twitter

Like Stephanie Landsem on Facebook

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing this new book with us.

Dear Readers, Stephanie is having a blog tour giveaway in addition to the one on this blog. 
Here is the link to that: http://www.stephanielandsem.com/2015/03/blog-tour-giveaway/

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Tomb - Christianbook.com
The Tomb: A Novel of Martha (The Living Water Series) - Amazon
The Tomb: A Novel of Martha (Living Water Series Book 3) - 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

THE THIEF - Stephanie Landsem - One Free Book on This Blog, Plus the Chance to Win a Kindle Fire HDX

Bio: Stephanie Landsem loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she's explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she's not writing, she's feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

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

I never planned to write Biblical fiction, but one day I was listening to the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, and I just knew I had to tell her story. Since then, I’ve discovered that I love delving into ancient history and imagining what it was like to live in the time of Jesus.

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

I guess it would be a tie between the birthdays of my four kids. I didn’t know until my oldest was born how much I would love being a mom.

How has being published changed your life?

I had to learn how to juggle! I have so much more going on now, in addition to my vocation as a wife and mother.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a book called Consider the Birds, it’s a lovely, prayerful discussion on the birds of Biblical times.

What is your current work in progress?

The Tomb, the third book in The Living Water Series. It is a surprising story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

What would be your dream vacation?

A trip to the Holy Land with my husband and children.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

In Biblical fiction, I choose the characters, and the characters dictate the settings: Samaria, Jerusalem, and Bethany.

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

My dad. I live in the Midwest and my parents are on the west coast, so I don’t see them much. My dad is very quiet and I’d love to just have an evening with just him, to hear his stories of growing up and his thoughts on everything from politics to his grandchildren.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to cook, especially in the summer when there is lots of fresh produce and berries available. With four teenagers, I have plenty of people willing to eat!

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

Time management. I have a set schedule that I try to stick to. Writing in the morning, with no distractions, then marketing and social media in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening, as well.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Don’t despair! Write, and don’t worry if what you write looks terrible. Sleep on it and go back the next day. It almost always looks better than you first thought.

Tell us about the featured book.

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Abandoned by the God she once loved, her only recourse is to depend upon Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, to keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and the landlord satisfied.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure and is desperate to escape the accursed Judean province. Accepting a wager that will get him away from the aggravating Jews and their threats of revolt, he sets out to catch the thieves harassing the marketplace.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Nissa hopes for freedom from her life of lies. But the supposed miracle brings only more misfortune, and Longinus, seeking to learn more about the mysterious healer, finds himself drawn instead to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Cedron, Longinus, and Nissa are unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. As danger closes in on them from every side, they must decide if the love and redemption Jesus offers is true or just another false promise. How can the so-called Messiah save them from their shackles, when he cannot even save himself?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Mouse darted through the crowded streets of Jerusalem. His name suited him. Small and drab, he fled from one street corner to the next as though stalked by an unseen predator. Dirt and ash streaked his face, and the tatter of wool covering his head was no less filthy. Both his worn tunic and the cloak over it looked like they had been made for a man twice his size.

Not a head turned as he zigzagged around caravans, street vendors, and plodding donkeys. He was invisible—poor, dirty, worthless. Just another half-grown boy in the lower city whose parents couldn’t afford to feed him. If a Greek trader or a Jewish woman noticed him at all, that’s what they’d see—just what Mouse wanted them to see.

Mouse skirted the hippodrome, built by Herod the Great to show off his fastest horses, and moved like a trickle of water past slaves carting oil jars and women haggling over the price of grain. He didn’t stop to admire the trinkets laid out under bright awnings. He couldn’t be late.

There had been no food in his house for days, and the rent was due. Another week and the landlord would throw them into the street.

Thou shalt not steal, the commandment said.

A familiar voice whispered in his mind, dark and compelling. You don’t have a choice.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: www.StephanieLandsem.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/stephlandsem

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/slandsem/

Don't miss Stephanie Landsem's outstanding sophomore effort, The Thief.

Best-selling author Tosca Lee had this to say of the book: Filled with memorable characters, The Thief is a tale of hopelessness turned to hope, of high stakes made higher, and ultimate love. What happens when a character at the lowest rung of society crosses paths with the most well-known figure in history? The story of The Thief. I couldn't stop reading.

Stephanie is hosting a Kindle Fire HDX and book giveaway at her website. CLICK THE BUTTON to find out more and enter to win.

Find out what readers are saying HERE. (Click the REVIEWS bar.)

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Thief  - Christianbook.com
The Thief: A Novel (The Living Water Series) - Amazon
The Thief: A Novel (The Living Water Series) - 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 Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

THE WELL - Stephanie Landsem - One Free Book

Readers, don't forget to follow the instructions at the end of the post to be included in the drawing for the free book. Today, I'm interviewing a debut author.

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

Too much. I sometimes find that in my first draft, I slip into myself. It’s clear when I do a read-through what I’ve done. So I go back to my character notes and get into my character’s head. Then I dive in, changing her dialogue, thoughts, or actions into what she would say, think, and do. That always serves to make her a more compelling character. I always want my characters to be more interesting than I am!

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

When I was young and not as smart as I am now, I was traveling in Spain with a friend and we had this great idea to go to Morocco. It probably wasn’t the best idea we’d ever had. We managed (just barely) to stay out of trouble, and we did do some amazing things. We bought Morroccan carpets, ate goat meat kabobs, learned to belly dance from the locals, and ended the trip by riding camels on a deserted beach. My friend and I still look back on the weekend and laugh about it, but have decided we’d never let our own daughters do something like that.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I think it dawned on my slowly over a period of years. I started writing The Well about five years ago. Three years ago I finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest and started to wonder if maybe I really could be a writer. About six months later, I got a book contract. When The Well released just a few weeks ago, I guess it really hit home for me and I finally believed that I was a writer J

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

Although my first choice in fiction is historical, I read a wide range of genres—mostly thanks to my children. I read Terry Pratchett with my oldest daughter, Walt Whitman poetry with my 17-year-old son, and zombie apocalypse stories with my 14-year-old boy. My youngest daughter likes action and adventure stories, which I think helps me keep my own plots fast paced. When I want to relax, I read Jane Austen or a good Dean Koontz thriller.

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

I’m a very distracted person. Four kids, a husband, housework, yard work, and writing — my daily to-do list is endless. But my church has a small chapel that’s always open and always silent, with beautiful stained glass windows. When I go there, I feel like I can leave everything else behind and just be with Jesus, no distractions. Sometimes I pray for family and friends, many times I just sit and breathe. I try to go every day and I really miss it when I can’t be there.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

One of the reasons that I love to write Biblical fiction is that the names are so beautiful and have compelling meanings. When I first started thinking about writing the story of the daughter of the Samaritan woman at the Well, her name came to me: Mara, which means bitter. I knew that Mara’s story, a bittersweet story, was what I wanted to write. When I am developing a story, I look at Biblical names and their meanings and it helps me develop the character and his or her back story.

The first thing I wrote after God told me to become a professional writer was a dramatic monologue of the Woman at the Well. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

They are easy to name: Rachel, Andy, Joe, Anna, and 23 years of marriage to Bruce. Writing a book or three is a wonderful accomplishment, but my children and husband are my vocation and greatest joy.

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

Probably a cat. I often envy my cats. Especially when they are asleep on a sunny patch of carpet and I’m donning a parka and snow boots to go shovel the driveway on a snowy Minnesota morning.

My daddy grew up in Minnesota, and I have a large number of relatives there, but I haven’t been there in winter. What is your favorite food?

Cheese. Pretty much any kind of cheese, from Wisconsin cheddar to stinky French cheese. It’s my go-to comfort food.

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

Time management. I get caught up in research and can spend a whole morning tracking down differing viewpoints on some minor detail. It really can cut down on your word count and wreak havoc with deadlines. I have to find a place where I can reasonably say “enough research,” and get down to writing the story.

Tell us about the featured book.

For the women of the Samaritan village of Sychar, the well is a place of blessing—the place where they gather to draw their water and share their lives—but not for Mara. Shunned for the many sins of her mother, Nava, Mara struggles against the constant threats of starvation or exile.

Mara and Nava’s lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man from Caesarea, and Jesus, a Jewish teacher. Nava is transformed by Jesus, but his teachings come too late, and she is stoned by the unforgiving villagers. Desperate to save her dying mother, Mara and Shem embark on a journey to seek Jesus’ help—a journey that brings unexpected love and unimaginable heartbreak.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Dread coiled like an asp in Mara’s belly as the watery light of dawn seeped through the chinks in the roof of the clay house.

 Only a short span of dirt floor stretched between her mother’s corner of their one-room house to where Mara and her little brother lay pressed against its farthest wall. Mara’s worn cloak, pulled over their heads like a shield, had failed to block out the carnal whispers that had drifted through the confines of the dark room during the long night. Shame and fear had twined with tormented dreams until she prayed for dawn.

Now, as the murky beams of weak light puddled on the floor, Mara raised her head and strained to see through the gloom. Is Alexandros still here?

Relief trickled through her stiff limbs. Her mother slept alone in the corner. When had Alexandros left? And where did he go? How could Mama be so foolish? Please, Lord, let no one find out about him.

Mara’s bare arms, prickly with cold, were wrapped around Asher’s small warm body.

She slipped from under her cloak and eased herself away from her little brother. As she kissed his smooth cheek and tucked the tattered wool around his shoulders, he opened his sleep-clouded eyes.

“Shh, my sweet, go back to your dreams,” she whispered, rubbing his back. Asher garbled a few words, wedged his thumb in his mouth, and closed his eyes again. Mara stroked his back until his mouth went slack and his breath buzzed in a steady rhythm.

Silently, she crept past her sleeping mother. Nava lay crumpled in the corner like a pile of dirty rags. She would not stir until mid-morning. Then she would act as if nothing had happened, as if she’d done nothing wrong.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to hear from readers. And if they like Biblical fiction, they’ll enjoy the tidbits of Biblical history research that I post weekly on my blog. They can find me at:

www.Stephanielandsem.com

Or on these social media sites:

https://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem

https://twitter.com/#!/stephlandsem

http://pinterest.com/slandsem/

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your life and new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Well - Christianbook.com
The Well: A Novel - Amazon.com
The Well: A Novel - Kindle

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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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