Women of Faith and Fiction

Women of Faith and Fiction ~ Gail Kittleson

/ Gail Johnson / 20 Comments

Good morning, dear friend. Please help me welcome author Gail Kittleson to Women of Faith and Fiction. Gail, please share a little about yourself.

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I’m old enough to know better–about a lot of things–but I still have the urge to plunge into new adventures. As I review the last ten years of my life, I can see mistakes, but I’m also glad I took risks. (Even if I was fearful.) We’re still here on earth to learn and grow, and it’s taken a long time for me to view my errors as learning tools.

My supportive husband has encouraged me to nourish my writing bent through all the ups and downs of this journey, and several times I’ve had the sense of coming full-circle. That tells me to keep listening and do my best to obey the leading I receive.

I believe viewing our errors as learning tools is something we learn to do as we age.

 

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Where did you get the idea for your latest WIP or your current release? And what inspired you to choose the setting of your story?

Since it wraps up a series, the characters and plot of A Purpose True were already in my mind. So was the setting of Southern France during WWII. But in the process of writing, another subplot kept niggling at me. Many Nazis fled to South America at the end of the war, and my husband and I had visited one location where they sought refuge.

That trip we took entered into A Purpose True rather unexpectedly, and led to WWII flashbacks occurring to a main character in the 1970’s. I felt unskilled at this type of era-skipping, but did my best to make things clear. Some of my beta readers’ reactions increased my confidence that this was, indeed, a vital part of the story.

No matter my age, I seem never to outgrow my need for this kind of affirmation. Like most people, I avoid failure whenever possible, but if you do that all the time, you miss out on a lot.

Favorite thing to do when not writing.

I love to read and spend time with our grandchildren. Our 12-year-old granddaughter likes to read books out loud with me, and that is such a joy. There’s something about that shared focus that magnifies the gift of the book. Our grandson, 14, is all about becoming a pilot — it’s fun to encourage their passions. I hope they spend far less time in fear than I did.

Please share a writing quirk—a ‘must have’ or a ‘must do’ to get words down on paper.

I need quiet. I’m so word-centered that if I hear music, the lyrics run through my mind and get me off track. For fiction, I also need a character whispering in my ear. For me, the characters always show up before the plot.

You are truly a kindred spirit, my friend! 🙂

 

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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 think you nailed it when you used the word priorities. Back during my freshman year of college, I learned about having a “quiet time,” even a few minutes alone each day with God. That became a habit, probably because I was so extremely needy of inner peace.

Maybe it had something to do with my love of the written word, too—it seemed natural to listen for messages as I read and prayed. But bottom line, I made a commitment to be there each morning, and decisions like this make all the difference. To some, an every-day meeting might seem dull and wooden, but for me, it’s essential and very alive.

Recently I’ve been studying Spanish, and have learned the word for prayer comes from the same Latin root as the English word orator. To pray is to speak—I used to try following “guidelines” for prayer, keeping lists, etc. But now I see communicating with God as simply listening and speaking, a back and forth relationship.

Commitment and continual conversation is a recipe for growth. Gail, thank you for visiting Women of Faith and Fiction and for sharing your thoughts with us.

Readers, Gail is offering an e-copy of A Purpose True to one commenter.   

Click to Tweet: Women of Faith and Fiction welcomes Gail Kittleson @GailJohnson87 #interview #giveaway

A Purpose True

Southern France – Spring, 1944

A Purpose True Gail KittlesonGerman panzer units crisscross the region, dealing ruthless reprisals against the French Resistance, and anyone suspected of supporting its efforts. Secret Operations Executive (SOE) agent Kate Isaacs is tasked with providing essential radio communications with the Allies, while her guide, Domingo Ibarra, a Basque shepherd-turned-Resistance fighter, dedicates himself to avenging the destruction of his home and family.

Thrown together by the vagaries of war, their shared mission, and common devotion to liberty, the last thing Kate and Domingo anticipate is the stirring of affection that threatens to blossom into love. But how can love survive in the midst of the enemy’s relentless cruelty toward innocent citizens?

Everything hinges on the success of the Allied Invasion – L’Invasion

When Gail Kittleson’s not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors. She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim. Favorites: walking, reading, meeting new people, hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.

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Women of Faith and Fiction ~ Linda K. Rodante

/ Gail Johnson / 13 Comments

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.

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Linda, tell us about yourself.

linda2 2015Wow. 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.

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coffee-2306471_1920I 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.

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stones-451329_1920This 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

Amber Alert: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 1) by [Rodante, Linda K.]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!”

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

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Women of Faith and Fiction ~ Karen Jurgens

/ Gail Johnson / 21 Comments

Welcome to Women of Faith and Fiction. Author Karen Jurgens is with us today, and  she is giving away a copy of A Perfect Fit to one lucky winner. Be sure to leave a comment and your name will be placed in the drawing. Let’s get started, shall we?  Karen, tell us a little about yourself.

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I was born in Cincinnati, where my growing up years are my sweetest memories. As a young child, I became a devourer of books, and I promptly got hooked on The Bobbsey Twins series. Since the stories were about solving mysteries, I expanded my appetite to Nancy Drew, and later, to Agatha Christie.

Since I had no siblings my age, I occupied myself with paper and pencil, writing all kinds of stories. After reading Gone with the Wind at age ten, my love affair for writing romance began. At age eleven, my first “novel,” Love is Forever, flowed from my imagination and is still tucked among my stacks of early handwritten stories.

In high school and college, I pursued creative writing courses. But when a non-fiction piece of mine was published in a national magazine, the desire to write professionally grabbed me and has never let go. After retirement as a secondary English and French teacher, the time was right to pursue my dream.

Today I live in Texas along with my two adult daughters and my mother, who will soon celebrate her 96th birthday.

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I love a good mystery too. On to the next question. Where did you get the idea for your latest WIP or your current book?

My idea for my books comes from my ministry, Touched by Him. I write Christian stories that reflect God’s Scriptures about His recipe for love and marriage. A Perfect Fit is about finding a Christian mate based on 2 Corinthians 6:14: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? My current WIP is titled Stained Glass, which deals with infidelity in marriage. God makes a way back to original commitment through repentance, forgiveness, and rebuilding trust.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you ~ Ephesians 4:32 NKJV.

Can’t wait to read it! This next question from a reader. Where did you get the inspiration for your setting?

My setting comes from my hometown, Cincinnati. It’s modeled after real places and a mindset typical of the Midwest. The characters attend an actual college—Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Since I had visited Miami only once or twice, I delved into research about it. Although a public institution, it’s highly respected as a substitute ivy-league school for students who can’t gain acceptance into places like Harvard or Yale.

My research also led me to some surprising discoveries, such as an interesting tidbit about a ghost who supposedly haunts Peabody Hall at night. But romantically speaking, a campus landmark, Upham Arch, lent itself well to the book’s ending because of its tradition: if a couple kisses there at midnight, it means they will marry. I found that to be the perfect time and place for God to heal my protagonists’ broken relationship, and it lent a satisfying ending to their romance.

Ooh, I like the arch story. Time to have some fun. Favorite thing to do when not writing.

My other love besides writing is gourmet French cuisine, born from my undying love of France, its culture, and beautiful French language. As a teenager, I experimented from some state-of-the-art cookbooks, watched chefs on TV including Julia Child, and enrolled in French cooking classes.

I experienced only one disaster during those learning years—the time I set the oven on fire. The made-from-scratch Danish hadn’t been sitting at 375 degrees for more than five minutes before the butter melted and ran off the cookie sheet, igniting into flames. Of course, my perfectionistic mother almost never allowed me into her kitchen again. But, after the scorched oven regained its original color, she relented but forbade me from making puff pastry in the future.

Today, I only put on my chef’s apron for birthdays and holidays when I enjoy creating beautiful table settings and flower arrangements to compliment a culinary experience. One major wish twinkles yet on my bucket list—to dine at the Tour d’Argent atop the Eiffel Tower.

I’m with your mother on this one. LOL! Please share a writing quirk—a ‘must have’ or a ‘must do’ to get words down on paper.

In college, I couldn’t sit down to study at my desk until my room was tidy. Today, I’m the same with my computer. Before I can write, I must go through email, check social media, and play catch-up. Absolute silence with no interruptions is a must. The best time for me to be creative is at night when I’m the only person awake. My sleep schedule is really terrible, but that’s when inspiration drives me to work well into the wee hours.

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This year’s theme is “First Things First.” Setting our priorities is a must if we are 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 have a long-established habit of tithing the beginning of my day to the Lord. I read His Word at breakfast before I look at anything else. Afterward, I always pray. When I used to drive to work, I prayed in the car—just because that was the only place I could be alone. The habit is so natural to me that I still always talk to Jesus while I’m driving.

Spending time with the Lord is my lifeline, my way of survival as I sojourn through this world. My relationship with Him brings me grace and peace in my daily life. The My ultimate desire is to write and speak His words of encouragement and comfort to those who are hurting, and to be used to bring God’s truth and hope to a lost world.

Karen, thank you for joining us today on WFF. Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win Karen’s book.

Click to Tweet: The made-from-scratch Danish hadn’t been sitting at 375 degrees for more than five minutes before the butter melted and ran off the cookie sheet, igniting into flames. #Interview with Karen Jurgens @GailJohnson87 #WomenofFaithandFiction

Formally titled Desire’s Promise – Newly revised and expanded. Carlie Livingston is steering into her last year of college in Oxford, Ohio, confident that she and Lance Holloway are headed to the altar after graduation. Those plans are wrecked, however, by her dad’s infidelity, causing her parents to walk through a messy divorce. Will she have the same fate if she marries her college sweetheart who comes from a secular family? Her mother insists she will.

She tests God’s Word by letting Him take the wheel of her life. But if God is in control, why are all her close relationships crumbling?  Nothing makes sense.

Just when it appears hopeless, Clay McKinney two-steps into Carlie’s life, promising to provide everything she’s looking for in a Christian mate. But if he’s God’s answer, why can’t her heart release Lance? Where will her final destination be on this journey of trust?

picmonkey-photoLiving in Texas for more than 30 years has been an adventure, but Karen still proudly claims her Cincinnati roots. She spent her career as a high school English and French teacher and will always be a lifelong learner. She loves everything French, especially creating gourmet cuisine for birthdays and holidays, and you will likely find French culture and language in whatever she writes.
She began a new ministry, Touched by Him, where she blogs monthly. Her passion is to share answers from God’s Word about life’s trials and to incorporate those answers into her fiction stories, especially written for women seeking God’s best in marriage.
Her greatest accomplishment has been raising two lovely daughters who are now grown and living out their own adventures. Along with her mother who is now 95, the four of them enjoy fun times together shopping, dining out, and traveling.

Connect with Karen:

Website
Fb Author Page
Twitter
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Amazon author page
A Perfect Fit Link