Thursday, May 31, 2012

Scavenger Hunt - Stop #19


This is STOP # 19 on the Hunt!

Welcome to the first ever Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! Make the loop to discover 23 new or upcoming novels, and write down the clue at each stop (clue #19 will be somewhere in this post). When you know what the clues say, fill out the Rafflecopter form by June 4, 2012 (midnight EST) at www.LisaBergren.com, and you could be in the running for the grand prize of 23 new, autographed books (if you live in the USA; unsigned if international). Note: if you're the winner, you must email the complete statement within 24 hours of notification in order to claim the Grand Prize...so don't miss a stop! Be ready with your answer if you're the lucky winner! No need to email it unless you receive the good word on June 5, 2012.

My guest for the Scavenger Hunt is lovely author

Yvonne Lehman.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

YVONNE LEHMAN is an award-winning, best-selling author of novels in many genres such as historical, contemporary, romance, mystery, women’s fiction, mainstream.  She earned her Master’s Degree in English Literature at Western Carolina University and has taught English and Creative Writing on the college level. She founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years and now directs the Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat held at Ridgecrest NC in October. She is a mentor with the Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers Guild. 

Other novels to be released in 2012 are A Knight to Remember in April (Heartsong, second in a series set in Washington DC) and Let it Snow in December (Heartsong, third in the DC series). 




ABOUT THE BOOK:

Hearts that Survive – A Novel of the Titanic (Abingdon) is her 50th novel, released in time for the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

Is Love more powerful than the pain of loss?

Lydia Beaumont and her new friend Caroline Chadwick plan Lydia's wedding aboard the "grandest ship ever built." Yet their lives take a tragic turn when the "unsinkable" Titanic goes down. This epic tale of faith and perseverance follows their lives and the lives of their descendants as they struggle with all that was lost on that fateful night and what the future holds for those brave enough to face it. 


Of all the unbelievable things that occurred, the strangest thing took place. The floating half of the ship began to melt like a dollop of butter on a hot roll. It just melted smoothly into the ocean and the hoard of people were in the water. Their hair didn’t get wet. No water splashed on their faces. For an instant they didn’t scream. They couldn’t. A communal gasp went out over the sea, produced by hundreds and hundreds of terrified people who unexpectedly stepped into icy water up to their necks.

The ship of dreams vanished, disappeared as it sank into the sea.
In its place emerged a nightmare.

The sinking of the “unsinkable” Titanic was not the end of the story for the 2207 passengers, plus the crew. It was the beginning of an unforgettable event that changed history, changed culture. There were only a few hundred saved in the 20 lifeboats. Not only were hundreds and hundreds of souls lost that night, but the event touched people throughout the world. Each person had family, friends, acquaintances and their lives too were touched and changed. Being saved was not the end, but the beginning for those who struggled not just to survive, but to live again.

Read this incredible story of
ONE SHIP… TWO FAMILIES… THREE GENERATIONS.


EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL FROM YVONNE FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT:

 
Interview with the heroine of Hearts that Survive – A Novel of the Titanic

1. My name is Lydia Beaumont. Others behave and speak as if the most interesting thing about me is that I’m heiress to the Beaumont Railroad Company and my father is fabulously rich. However, I think the most interesting is that I’m sailing on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built and am on my way to America where I expect my life to really begin. And yet, if anyone else knew the secret known only to me, I suspect that would be of incredible interest.

2.  What do you do for fun?
Before John, I was escorted by Craven to the finest establishments in cities like London and Paris. After John, fun was escaping from those who watched my every move, and sneaking out to run around town with friends as if I were a commoner. Now that I’ve matured considerably in the past few weeks, nothing is more fun than exploring this ship with John or just talking and laughing with him.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I dread revealing my secret because if it were something that would not cause distress, decisions, and uncertainty to many, then it would not be a secret.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?
Never being free to live and love the way I want, but having my life dictated by others.

5.  What do you want out of life?
What I want most is to marry John and live happily ever after.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?
            Marrying John.

7.  Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Oh yes, my favorite book is a best-selling one titled Once Upon an English Garden. The author is aboard this ship, in second-class unfortunately but that doesn’t bother John. The two of them have become friends.

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about me it would be my former naïveté about my own susceptibility to temptation which led to indiscretion.

9.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Why have a pet when you, yourself, are a pet to your own father, eligible and ineligible bachelors, friends of the family, servants, governesses, tutors, and guards. In a sense, I feel like a pet who is pampered and trained and has every moment scheduled. If I want something fetched I simply speak to a servant and I never fear any disobedience. Were I to have a pet however, I think it would be a little songbird in a cage, so I could set him free.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Oh, when one is in a palace on the sea, aboard the grandest ship ever built, one simply could not desire to travel elsewhere. We sail on a glassy smooth sea, with only hope and beauty ahead of us and my dear love is walking toward me. The grandeur of this ship is a world of its own. I cannot imagine traveling back from this or being more fortunate than to be aboard this magnificent “unsinkable” ship of dreams.

You can pick up a copy of Yvonne’s book at
Amazon,
Barnes & Noble,
ChristianBook.com
or your local bookstore.
Find out more about Yvonne at her website.

THE SCAVENGER HUNT SKINNY:

Now mosey along, Hunters, to STOP #20 Sibella Giorello, (sibellagiorello.blogspot.com), to pick up your next clue.

But before you go, write down this STOP #19 clue: enough

BONUS: As an added treat, subscribe to my free "Book Buddy" newsletter to be entered to win a free Restorer book bag. To subscribe, visit the first page of my website, and enter your name and email in the Book Buddy sign-up in the right hand column. Then leave a comment here so I know you entered! Have fun!

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Clash of the Titles

The Restorer's Son-Expanded Edition was selected to be featured at "Clash of the Titles," a site that highlights new Christian fiction titles. Please stop by to see the various titles and vote for your favorite.

Today is the last day for voting.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Friday, May 18, 2012

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt

Like Christian fiction? There’s a fun event coming up…I'm part of a scavenger hunt for upcoming or just-released novels from some of your favorite authors, including exclusive content from each one.

Make the rounds to 25 blog stops, fill out a form (that will be posted on 5/31), and you could win 25+ new novels!

The scavenger hunt runs from 5/31-6/4 noon MST.

Authors taking part: Judy Baer * Lisa T. Bergren * Colleen Coble * Carol Cox * Margaret Daley * Sibella Giorello * Winnie Griggs * Robin Lee Hatcher * Rachel Hauck * Tracy Higley * Sharon Hinck * Angela Hunt * Jenny B. Jones * Maureen Lang * R.J. Larson * Yvonne Lehman * Bonnie Leon * Gail Gaymer Martin * Nancy Mehl * DiAnn Mills * Marta Perry * Cara Putman * Deborah Raney * Kim Vogel Sawyer * Janice Thompson

Monday, May 14, 2012

Teen Readers

When I began writing the Restorer books, the readership I had it mind were my friends: Other moms, struggling to find the courage for some hard roads. Asking questions about the unexpected turns that life sometimes takes. Wondering how to draw closer to God instead of pulling away from Him.

I didn't anticipate how many younger readers would embrace the stories. What a fun bonus! I hear from teen readers often, and love their enthusiasm and ability to embrace an imaginary world and travel to creative places.

My friend Renee just posted some beautiful thoughts from a teen reader, Alissa. You can read about it here.

I'm so grateful when I hear of someone who has been blessed by these stories.

Now, time for me to stop blogging and get back to work on The Deliverer (book 4 of the Sword of Lyric series). The story is taking some interesting turns.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Infinite Beauty

I cut the last of the tulips from my garden, and they elicited a reflex of praise:

Creator Lord, you've designed infinite variety and beauty. You are amazing. Thank you!

I stayed (mostly) away from social media this past week to focus on writing, and made significant progress on my current manuscript. Even better than reaching a word-count goal were the fun surprises. New things happened in the scenes that I hadn't expected. The story is taking on its own life, and that's always encouraging to me. I also took time to write a short interview with Kieran that will be part of the upcoming Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt...so stay tuned!

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt coming soon!


I'm so excited to be part of this fun upcoming event. Watch for more news about it as we get closer to the date.

o   Upcoming event! WIN 25+ new Christian novels (autographed if in USA).

o   Mark your calendars! Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! 5/31 noon MST - 6/4 noon MST

Click HERE for more information.