Good morning and Happy Tuesday! Today, I’m talking with friend and author Linda K. Rodante. Readers, Linda is offering an autographed paperback or e-book of Amber Alert. If by chance you’ve read it, she will offer another another book (U.S. only, please). Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Now, let’s get busy.

Personal

Linda, tell us about yourself.

Wow. Okay. My bio starts with “Linda K. Rodante is an author and lover of sweet tea now living in the foothills of Tennessee. She sometimes misses her native state of Florida—the beaches, the swamps, and the forests–but she loves the coolness and seasonal changes in Tennessee. Especially the fall leaf change!” And that is so true. I grew up in Florida and spent a number of years living at a place called Juniper Springs. My family ran the park and campground. It was a great place to live. Actually, both my husband and I are both native Floridians. We only  recently moved to a small town in Tennessee. I’m loving Tennessee, the mountains, the cooler weather, and the slower pace.

Professional

I like Tennessee too. But my heart is in Georgia and Virginia. 🙂 Next question…Where did you get the idea for your latest WIP or your current release? And where did you get the inspiration for your setting?

My newest release is titled Pursued. Before we moved to Tennessee, I heard so much on the news and from friends in law enforcement about the drug/opioid epidemic in our area that I knew I wanted others to realize how addictive prescription drugs could be. While doing research, I realized that it was even a bigger problem than I’d heard, and that it was nationwide. While still writing on the story, we moved to Tennessee; and the first thing on the news there was the problem they were having with prescription drug addiction—and that drugs were spreading into the high schools and middle schools. This made me realize a book showing this problem was right on time.

Of course, my books are romantic suspense, so I also had this scenario at the back of my mind about a couple horseback riding and the kiss the guy would initiate when they climbed off the horses. Yeah, there’s the romantic in me. I love love.

I have one other book that is set in Tennessee (Looking for Justice), and since my husband and I were moving there, I thought I’d take up that thread and do another book in the mountains.

Great idea! Favorite thing to do when not writing. 

Really, I love reading, but I also love worshiping the Lord and listening to great messages. I recently took part as a prayer intercessor at the Passion Conference for 18-25 year olds in Atlanta, GA. It was such a great time for these young adults to hear terrific speakers and to press into God. I’m so thankful I could be a part of it.

Wow. What a great experience. Now, Linda, please share a writing quirk—a ‘must have’ or a ‘must do’ to get words down on paper.

I listen to praise and worship songs to get focused. I feel that God uses them to help me keep my eye and concentration on Him and not get lost in the story itself. I’m not listening to it all the time, but often, especially if I feel I’m “floating.” I don’t want to write just anything, but something that is pleasing to God, something that will help someone else with their walk with God, something encouraging.

Worship music is awesome. Okay, last question.

Inspirational

This year’s theme is First Things First. Setting our priorities is a must if we’re to be about our Father’s business. What advice would you offer someone struggling to spend time with Him? And, how has spending time with Him changed your life?

I remember seeing my mother reading her Bible every morning when I came out from my bedroom. Every morning without fail. That was such a statement and witness to me. I’ve tried to do the same thing, but I haven’t always. However, most mornings I get into the Word of God first thing. It speaks to me, helping me see life more clearly, lifting me above situations, keeping my feet on the right track. The other thing is I take time to worship God by myself—I listen to praise and worship songs and sing along. God has used the words of songs to minister to me so often. I feel His love and its power.

Click to Tweet: “I listen to praise and worship songs and sing along.” #Interview and #giveaway with Linda Rodante @GailJohnson87 #WomenofFaithandFiction

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Book Blurb

After a disastrous engagement to an abusive boyfriend, Sharee Jones tells God that she’s not dating anymore. If he has someone for her to marry, he’d better just drop the man in front of her. She’s not thinking of the tall, handsome man who moonlights as the church’s maintenance crew of one—a man she feels sure doesn’t know the Lord.
Since the tragedy in his own life, John Jergenson wants nothing to do with God, but every time he turns around lately, Sharee is in his face—wanting help with her Christmas program, needing help with her car, even threatening him with a pair of stakes—and talking about God. He’s not sure what to do about her, but he doesn’t like the mutilated dolls they’ve found, or the homeless hitchhiker she picked up, or the fact that she never watches out for herself. With someone terrorizing the new mom at the church, and Sharee playing detective, can he keep his past secret and keep her safe long enough to figure out if he’s ready to love again?
Amber Alert is a warm romance, with intrigue, ‪‎mystery‬ and suspense; a ‪‎whodunit‬ with heart and faith. And an ACFW Genesis and First Impressions finalist. Best-Selling author Sandra D. Bicker said, “Amber Alert…takes the reader on a suspenseful ride with unexpected twists…and characters you’ll care about.”
Author E. J. Willis said that, “The characters…pull you into their story… there’s just the right mixture of romance and suspense. If you like Karen Kingsbury or Dee Henderson, I believe you’ll enjoy Linda’s books as well. They’re hard to put down!”

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Author Bio

Linda K. Rodante is an author and lover of sweet tea now living in the foothills of Tennessee. She sometimes misses her native state of Florida—the beaches, the swamps, and the forests–but she loves the coolness and seasonal changes in Tennessee. Especially the fall leaf change!

Connect with Linda:

Author website

Facebook

Twitter

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay