Today I'm interviewing someone extra special. Not an author or editor, like some of the friends who have visited my blog. Not even someone in the publishing business. Yet he is playing a big role in the Fantasy Fiction Four Tour that I'm participating in as part of the launch of

The Restorer, The Sword of Lyric Series #1

. John Cooper is a Christian international distributor of fine swords, armor and period clothing for Roman, Renaissance and Medieval periods for collectors, theatrical groups, reenactors as well as major studios and production companies.

He is generously providing SERIOUS swords (high-carbon steel which will break a cinderblock) and shields for us to bring on our tour, to our book signings and presentations. Since our fantasy novels feature plenty of sword work, this is an exciting chance to touch something tangible, as if it's sprung from the pages of our stories.

Q: Welcome, John! Thanks for visiting my blog! You have a passion to bring people to Christ.
How did God lead you into this career of selling swords and armor?

A: Actually, I never thought in a million years I would be doing this. My background is in sales and marketing for wholesale distribution of computers and supplies. I was given a sword by my father-in-law as a thank you gift. Of course, my wife did not want it in the house... so we agreed to have it framed and put a scripture verse plate under the sword (Hebrews 4:12). It looks great and has been an interesting conversation piece in our house over the years. With new friends and people we are not sure of their faith, we conclude our sword explanation by turning the conversation to Jesus and a gentle witnessing conversation.

A few years later, we were given a medieval knight figurine which had all the pieces of the armor of God. I told my wife how much I had always wanted something like it and how awesome I thought it was. Next thing I know I was telling her, “I bet there are a lot of other Christian men who would like these too”.

We started the business on $500 and two products we manufactured, a sword frame with any scripture and a medieval knight figure with a paraphrase of Eph 6:13-19. Of course, I needed to find a few swords to offer people. Since the knight figure was all about the armor of God and we were selling “real” swords, we decided to call the company Real Armor of God.com

The sword market is heavily saturated and very competitive. I laugh when I look back at our humble beginnings. We had about 15 different swords we offered at first and averaged about 450 hits a month on the website. God has blessed us and we now have about 700 items we sell in 155 categories with about 5 million hits a month (400,000 pages read a month for those interested in the details).

We also have a great deal of education and historical information on the site for people to learn from. Christians really like our Knighting Ceremony information and use it for Raising A Modern Day Night graduations. (Of course they also get a nice sword and or a custom painted shield for their son too.)

Our staff personally evaluates every product to ensure only the better quality items are added… and customers love it.

Q: When my son was younger, his career goal was to be a knight in shining armor. As he got older, he discovered that not many corporations were hiring knights. Since there are few working knights these days, who purchases your weapons and supplies?

A: This is a great question… and we are regularly trying to find the answer. God has blessed us and we get all kinds of customers. Of course we get the theatrical groups and reenactors as you might expect, but we were surprised as how many women are buying swords and shields as gifts for their fathers, husbands, sons, and boyfriends. We have lots of requests for specific swords, swords in frames with scripture verses, and custom painted shields for people who want their own heraldry (family crest, coat-of-arms) on the shield. We have also helped stunt organizations, film studios (Fox, Universal, etc) and international production companies. It never ceases to amaze me how God can bring customers to your door from anywhere.


Q: Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia all featured fantastic sword play, and were hugely popular films. Why do you think people continue to be fascinated by sword fighting, even in the modern age?

This is true, and you have hit the point exactly, but I don’t have a good answer as to why. Is it our fascination with historic periods, valiant men fighting for freedom and honor against tyranny, or is it a desire or dream of living in the past? It could even be all of the above or none of them.

In my opinion, there are several driving reasons for sword enthusiasm. On one hand, it could be related to a huge variety of things, including any of the following: the sword shape and design, its function related to the time period, and/or the sword fighting techniques required to master a specific sword. As an example, the Japanese Samurai katana, a Roman maintz and a Medieval long sword all had their own unique strengths and weaknesses in battle. Each required an extremely different technique to master. These could be a factor in ones appreciation for a particular sword.

On the other hand, swords are a part of history that you can touch today. Like a castle, pyramid, ancient treasure tomb, or palace, swords are something from our past. Each unique design throughout history incorporated improvements that would give the soldier an advantage over an opponent’s body protection (woven materials, leather, steel, etc). Very few people get the chance to hold a real sword from the Roman or medieval times. They are in private collections or museums. Today, new swords that are designed after historical swords are called ‘replica swords’, and these are what people buy today from our website.

Another factor for sword fascination could be as simple as “the thrill of the moment”. If you have never had the thrill of riding on a roller coaster, go-cart, or snow skiing, no one can really help you understand the excitement of the moment. The same is true for swords. Until you have held a quality, high-carbon steel sword, no one can fully explain the excitement of the moment.

To hold a Roman sword is to step back in time for a moment and feel the weight and balance of a weapon used thousands of years ago. You get to experience exactly what a Roman soldier felt when he held his first sword. The same is true for a Medieval knight’s long sword, or a Japanese Samurai’s katana. You don’t have to imagine what it felt like for one of the 3 Musketeers to sword fight with a rapier, you can hold a replica rapier, swing it in the air and know the feelings first hand.

It really boils down to the individual and their personal reason for liking a specific sword design, era or time period. Stories keep these periods alive today. Since Lord of the Rings was written, there has been a very loyal following, as with the Chronicles of Narnia. Stories of William Wallace (Braveheart), Maximus (Gladiator) and Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) and only a drop in the bucket of things that keep people interested in the days of olde.


Q: Do you have stories about some of the unique events you've provided swords for?

God has blessed us with being able to supply Roman armor and clothing to many major Church Christmas and Easter shows all over the country. There was a huge show a few years ago in Washington, D.C. that comes to mind as really special. The producer called me a week later and told me the following.

We had supplied Roman swords, armor and clothing for about 8 soldiers who marched into the middle of the show from the back. He told me… “the actors completely changed their countenance and started acting like real Roman soldiers (better than they ever did with the plastic armor we had before). As they marched in the entire audience went completely silent – ‘an awesome hush fell over the audience as they marched in and all you could hear was the thumping of the soldier’s marching and the clanking of armor … it was fabulous!’. All the spotlights were aimed at the Roman soldiers and the lights reflected light all over the auditorium. If the light caught someone’s eye it blinded them for a second. Everyone watching knew these were real Roman soldiers coming to arrest Jesus in our show.”

He went on to tell me that a local radio DJ happened to be in the audience on opening night and spent 30 minutes on the Monday morning show telling everyone in Washington that it was the best show he had ever seen and the costumes were unbelievable. (And yes, this church has been a good repeat customer ever since.)


Q: Have you seen some specific times where God has used your work to introduce or encourage people in their faith? (besides supporting our band of Christian authors who use sword-fighting imagery to depict the invisible spiritual struggle we face).

We have many stories of how parents have used swords with their sons in Christian manhood or knighting ceremonies (Raising A Modern Day Knight graduations). On our Raising A Modern Day Knight page, we have a detailed outline that a pastor used with his own son. The father coordinated an entire weekend with his son, their grandfather, an uncle and a mentor. Each man spent a ½ day with the son talking about a specific topic and relating it to scripture and the Christian walk. For example, the uncle took him swimming in a major river. They went one mile upstream and one mile downstream. When they were done, the uncle started talking about marriage and family life. How sometimes it’s easy (downstream) and other times it will be hard (upstream)… and then went through scripture and shared Christian advise. Later on the grandfather took the young man to a graveyard and talked about the importance of family heritage, Christian tradition and the Christian way of life. It’s really an incredible story and your readers can use the information on our site to have their own Christian knighting ceremonies for their sons.

Rather than going on through a short list of names and what happened, I would like to also share a little about the way we approach Christian ministry.

There are literally thousands of websites selling swords - and we are the only Christian site. Most other sites sell demon swords and focus on a darker side of life (dungeons and dragons, witchcraft, Satanic symbols, etc.). We are a family friendly site focusing on education and historically designed products. Our education and materials are positioned on the website in such a way as to get people curious about, “What is the Armor of God”?

The top of our main pages have a horizontal menu that lists ‘Roman Era’, ‘Medieval Times’, The Renaissance’… and ‘Armor of God’. Well most people know these time periods, but if they are not Christian, they likely have never heard of the Armor of God. Naturally, they click on it to see what it is. We use our Armor of God page to explain spiritual warfare plus we have many links to many other Christian topics. Our hope is to plant Christian seeds in the minds of people that might not ever have seen or heard anything about Christianity at any other time in their life.

We also have a more direct path into ministry with our Witnessing Coins. The Witnessing Coin is a fun, creative and effective tool to share Jesus with non-Christians and struggling Christians alike. Based on the Bible verses from Ephesians 6:13-17 and John 3:16, one side of the coin shows two cliffs and the cross of Jesus and is designed for pure Christian witnessing and evangelism. The other side of the coin shows the Full Armor of God pieces which is the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:13-17. This spiritual armor is what God provides each believer for daily victory over temptation, trials, test, suffering, and sickness. This side of the coin is used to encourage people in the Lord during temptations and trials, or to encourage another Christian who is troubled. The Witnessing Coin has been used internationally by many evangelical organizations and within the USA, it is used for things like VBS, Sunday school lessons, Christian gifts, etc…

You can visit http://www.realarmorofgod.com/witnessing-coin.html to see samples and learn more about how the Witnessing Coins can be used in your area.


Q: Anything else you'd like to share with my readers?

A: I would like to offer the opportunity to your readers to visit our website and let us know what you think. We welcome any suggestions to improve. After you have reviewed the site, go to the Contact Us page and type your feedback in the open text area. (Thank you in advance!)

John, thank you so much for the huge support you've put behind the Fantasy Fiction Tour this July, and thanks for visiting my site today! Blessings!

Sharon

A Visit from Athol Dickson

Today I'm happy to announce a new release from fellow Bethany House author, Athol Dickson.

The Cure
By Athol Dickson

Imagine a medicine that cures you of your worst vice.

One dose and you’re free. How much would a person pay for such a cure? How far would they go? Would they lie for it? Steal for it? Kill for it?

Riley Keep, former man of God, former missionary, has been a beggar on the streets for years, desperate to forget the past. His wife, daughter, work, and faith were all lost in the aftermath of one far-flung act of wickedness. Believing some things cannot be forgiven in this life, lately Riley has begun to think of giving up the ghost. Then he hears the rumors.

Miracles are happening in Maine.

An old woman fleeing a horrific monster, a lonely wife and mother tempted by forbidden desire, an impoverished lobsterman lured by tainted wealth, a young girl weighing life and death decisions, a small town cop with a murder on his hands . . . these are just a few of the citizens of Dublin, Maine, a picture postcard village slowly suffocating underneath an avalanche of hungry people searching for a miracle. But only Riley Keep will find what he desires. And only then will Riley learn if it will save him, or if it’s true what people say . . . .

Sometimes The Cure is worse than the disease.

Advance praise for The Cure:

“…well-written, intelligent follow-up to Dickson's Christy Award-winning River Rising. An involving, suspenseful take on God's transforming grace, it tackles a serious issue while providing an absorbing story.” (Library Journal)
“…unpredictable and surprising, even though clues are sprinkled throughout the book. The final twist was chilling…the author does a wonderful job weaving in the deceit and the actions of those unrestrained by ethics and driven by the bottom line…a powerful book, one that will remain on my bookshelf for a long time to come.” (Crosswalk)

About the author:

Athol Dickson’s writing has been favorably compared to the work of Octavia Butler (Publisher’s Weekly) and Flannery O’Connor (The New York Times). His They Shall See God was a Christy Award finalist and his River Rising was a Christy Award winner, selected as one of the Booklist Top Ten Christian Novels of 2006, and a finalist for the Christianity Today Best Novel of 2006.

Learn more about Athol Dickson and his work at his website.

Of Swords and Shields

Step back in time with Real Armor of God.com to relive the past - and keep part of the olde world with you! Find a huge selection of historically designed items from the Medieval Ages, Roman and Renaissance Era. Battle Ready Swords to wield against a mighty foe, Functional Shields to deflect each attacking blow, Historical Clothing and Costumes to complete your ensemble. Everything you need and more!

As I prepare for the fantasy fiction book tour this July, I'm particularly grateful to one of our tour sponsors. John Cooper has generously given each of the four authors a sword (to match the ones in their fantasy novels) and shields we can use as set pieces at our book signings (or for protection if we run into some battles - LOL!)

Since our fantasy novels feature plenty of sword work, this is an exciting chance to touch something tangible, as if it's sprung from the pages of our stories.

If you've never seen his website, be sure to visit!

Blogger Reflection Award

Today, my blogging friend, Deena, told me she'd picked me for a Blogger Reflection award. I'm so honored! You can read about it at her site.

Do You Live Near...

... Nashville, TN
Oak Ridge, TN
Knoxville, TN
Asheville, NC
Raleigh, NC
Washington DC
Alexandria, VA
Newark, DE
Brooklyn or Manhattan, NY?

I'm coming for a visit!

I'm looking for a grassroots volunteer promoter in each of these cities - someone to gather friends, tell the community/church/neighbors, and come out to see the group of Fantasy Fiction Authors who are on tour in July.

I've found folks in the other cities we are visiting, but the ones listed above are still up for grabs. :-)

Of course the tour organizers, our four publishers, and the venue managers are all working to professionally promote the events. But it always helps to have a few buddies in each town, too. Please email me if you're interested!

More tour info coming soon!

Blessings!
Sharon

Fantasy Four Tour Trailer

As I've mentioned before, I've been invited to be part of an East-coast book tour this July. One of the tour authors, Christopher Hopper, created this video trailer about our trip. Enjoy!

Becky Miller on your iPod

My son told me about audible.com, where you can get downloads of lots of books. I tried a trial membership (with a couple free downloads) and while exploring discovered the audio book of Renovating Becky Miller! So fun! The narrator, Johanna Parker, has also narrated books by NY Times bestseller Meg Cabot (of Princess Diaries fame) so I'm blessed to have that talent applied to the performance of the book.

My picks for downloads? Since I already have a Bible on my iPod, I picked Richard Foster's book on Prayer and Phillip Yancy's Rumors of Another World. Anyone else like listening to books? I'm not a very auditory learner, so I'm interested to see how well I stay focused as I listen to these books. How about you? What are your favorite books to listen to?

A Visit from Maureen Lang

The Oak Leaves
Maureen Lang

One writer’s take on the “book of her heart.”
Maureen Lang thought she’d write about her experience with Fragile X Syndrome (a genetic form of mental retardation) “someday.” After all, having a child who requires round-the-clock care doesn’t make for the upbeat, escapist reading most romance novelists prefer to write about. Still, Lang wanted to include Fragile X in a story because so few people have heard of the disorder that affects her 12-year-old son. So she put the tale in the middle of a love story.

The Victorian romance of Cosima Escott is interspersed between the pages of a glimpse into the contemporary life of Talie Ingram as her world is forever altered by her son’s diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome.

From the back cover:

Talie Ingram has an ideal life: a successful, devoted husband; a beautiful one-year-old son; and another on the way. But her world is shattered when she discovers a shocking family secret in the nineteenth-century journal belonging to her ancestor Cosima Escott. Only in reading Cosima’s words can Talie make peace with the legacy she’s inherited and the one she’s passed on to her son.

“…A lush and moving tapestry of love, fear and faith…spellbinding… Flawlessly plotted, filled with flesh-and-blood characters and a radiant faith…Very highly recommended.”
Christian Book Previews

If there’s one thing Maureen Lang would like readers to take away, it’s that God loves us all, even through the trials He allows into our lives. And one more thing…the next time you happen to see a family with a disabled child…send a smile their way!

A Concert in the Park

Last night my husband and I settled into creaky lawn chairs on a grassy hill at a local park and enjoyed hours of amazing Celtic music and dance. The backdrop included trees in so many dappled greens they looked like an Impressionist painting. The lake behind the bandshell held enough water lilies to do Monet proud. Children joined hands and skipped in free form choreography in an open space near the stage. Young men rested back on their elbows and studied the clouds. Mother's unpacked snacks for their broods, while elderly couples held hands, nodded, and smiled. Father's bounced toddlers on their shoulders. Musicians gifted us with pipes and flutes, guitars and voice. Reels, jigs, and plaintive song.

Was this what is was like when communities were smaller? When clans gathered at twilight to lift the burdens of the day with a story and a song? When music filled the open air and birds flitted overhead in time to the tin whistle?

And why is it that live music has so much more breath than even the best of recordings? Happy, happy sigh.

Thank you, Lord, for music.
And for the men and women who give so much time to hone their skills and offer the beauty of music in ways that feed the soul.

===

In addition to the concert, I had another treat yesterday. Bob Crittenden of the radio show "The Meeting Place" interviewed me about The Restorer and asked wonderful questions about God-stuff, and about faith and culture. You can download the interview from his website (the menu of guests is in alphabetically order).

Restorer Sightings!

Click here for the links to reviews, interviews, and chats about the Restorer.
(new posts added frequently, so check back often)
Click here for info on free bookmarks.
Five winners announced in the "Search for the Restorer" contest.
. . . Scroll down for my recent blog posts.

Wednesday - Last day of Blog Tour

As I said on the first day, I've been a member of the CSFF Blog Tour group for about a year, and have enjoyed the discussions each month, and loved interviewing authors, discovering new websites, and learning about new books of speculative fiction -- in a wide variety of styles -- by Christian authors. Uniting to bring attention and support to authors who are publishing in this genre is a huge gift, and I'm honored and humbled to be the recipient of that gift this month.

Thank you to everyone who participated. My prayer is that the efforts of the CSFF Blog Tour will help open doors for more and more Christian authors to publish in this genre, and stimulate greater readership for those who do. The founders of this group epitomize Philippians 2:4.

There's been so much activity, it's hard to keep up on highlighting everything. But I need to mention Grace. She emailed me the weekend she read The Restorer and didn't know some very hard things I was facing at the time. Her words of appreciation were a direct blessing from God at a crucial time. When you visit her, be sure to congratulate her on her new release! Jason had some great questions for me, so be sure to visit him. (By the way, I did a number of interviews in person, on the phone, or via email ahead of time for the tour, and enjoyed each conversation a TON! What a bunch of cool people!) I also have special gratitude for Merrie, who worked to coax all the spec-fic folk together at Mount Hermon and encouraged prayer for each other.

For those of you so led, please keep me in prayer as I head to ICRS soon, and then embark on the adventure of the east-coast book tour with three other CBA fantasy authors. Please also pray that The Restorer gets into the hands of those that would be blessed by it.

Blessings!
Sharon

More Blog Highlights

The Restorer tour continues! Be sure to drop by Speculative Faith and Rebecca Miller's blog, and check out author Wayne Batson's place for an interesting male perspective. I think Hanna's post wins for most succinct and uplifting at the same time. :-) Tina is doing drawings for free books, as is Jill Hart. and if you visit Heather's review, be sure to post a comment from a future date to mess with her head (I'm making her crazy because I use future dates to keep my ongoing blogpost on the top - hee hee!) Eve asked about how long the series is, but for some strange computery reason I wasn't able to leave a comment/answer at her site. Three have been contracted, so far. The second book releases in September.

Happy exploring!
Have a blessed day!
Sharon

Monday Blog Tour Highlights

I've been a member of the CSFF Blog Tour group for about a year, and have enjoyed the discussions each month, and loved interviewing authors, discovering new websites, and learning about new books of speculative fiction -- in a wide variety of styles -- by Christian authors. Uniting to bring attention and support to authors who are publishing in this genre is a huge gift, and I'm honored and humbled to be the recipient of that gift this month. My prayer is that the efforts of the CSFF Blog Tour will help open doors for more and more Christian authors to publish in this genre, and stimulate greater readership for those who do.

I've taken the time today to pop in to some of the sights on this first day of the tour.

Shannon made me cry, as she shared how a spiritual-truth nugget of one of the characters reached out and grabbed her.

Pastor John wrote an early review and promises "something exciting" in the coming three days.

Karri Compton posted her review early before going out of town. She's bummed to be missing the tour days, but we can all still post comments for her to find when she returns. :-)

Jill Hart did a radio/podcast interview that you can listen to on her site (I just hope she edited it to make me sound less goofy!).

Karenee wrote about the "perils and joys of faith" in the story, in a way that warmed my heart.

Just a few of the places to explore! I hope you'll have time to visit these sites and leave comments to the bloggers know you appreciate their work on behalf of this genre. I'll visit and highlight more tomorrow!

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Merrie Destefano
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

Blog Tour for The Restorer!

First, an interesting note for those who have read The Restorer.
C.J.Darlington wrote to say, "Did you see that Susan Mitchell won the Jeopardy game show a couple days ago? Um, a little surreal ... ha ha."

I love it! Where else will Susan show up this week?

The members of the Christian Sci-Fi/Fantasy Blog Tour will be chatting about The Restorer Monday June 18 - Wednesday June 20. In preparation for the tour, I've enjoyed being interviewed by several of the tour members. Great questions. Great insights. Lots of cool people who enjoy exploring faith themes in speculative fiction.

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

Father's Day Article

The folk over at TitleTrakk just posted an article with "My Dad's Best Advice" from 31 different Christian authors. I was honored to be included.

My dad (who went to heaven 25 years ago this summer) battled some tough things. Alcoholism, workaholism, immigrating to the U.S.A. as a young man in total poverty, fighting in the Korean war, two different cancers, and depression. Sometimes my teen angst coincided with his bouts of insomnia, and we’’d both be prowling the quiet house late at night. He’d often say to me, “If you can’t sleep –– stay awake.” He said it with a smirk and a shrug –– acknowledging the humor in the advice. Yet those words continue to speak to me in a broader way. They remind me to stop fighting too hard against things I can’t control –– to be willing to change course –– to adapt and make the best of a situation. Something he often lived out during his quest for sobriety.

Stop by TitleTrakk to read more tributes to fathers - and you can also take a peek at their hot-off-the-press in depth review of The Restorer. :-)

Blessed Father's Day!
Sharon

A Visit from Angela Hunt

I met Angela at Mount Hermon a few months ago. Her warmth, humor and insights blessed me - both about writing craft AND living the writing life. She's written an amazing number of books in a variety of genres (see why I like her?) I'm pleased to welcome her to my blog today as she announces the release of her latest contemporary novel, THE ELEVATOR (Steeple Hill). Furthermore, she has just signed paperwork that sets it well on its way to becoming a Lifetime TV movie! Be sure to read her suggestions of things to do in a elevator. :-)

The Elevator

THREE WOMEN . . . ONE MAN . . . A GATHERING STORM

In the path of a devastating hurricane, three very different women find themselves trapped in the elevator of a high-rise office building. All three conceal shattering secrets —unaware that their secrets center on the same man.
The betrayed wife, eager to confront her faithless husband, with rage in her heart and a gun in her pocket . . .
The determined mistress, finally ready to tell her lover she wants marriage and a family . . .
The fugitive cleaning woman, tormented by the darkest secret of all . . .
As the storm rages ever closer, these three must unite to fight for their lives in the greatest test of courage — and faith —any woman could ever face.

Q: Where’d the idea come from?

A: Easy—the cover of Nick Hornby’s A Long Way Down. I had picked up that book for my book club to read, and I found myself staring at the cover, which featured the shoes of four different people against a background of sky. Then I naturally began to think about people trapped in a crucible . . . like an elevator. And though that’d be tense, what would make the situation worse? Maybe the arrival of a hurricane? Next thing I knew, I pretty much had the plot synopsis in my head. All that remained was working it out . . . and finding a way to keep a reader’s attention (a bit of a challenge when most of the book is set in an elevator!)

And now I’d like to offer you fifteen fun things to do the next time you’re caught in an elevator!

1. Grin at another passenger for a while, then announce, “I’m wearing new socks!”
2. Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
3. Whistle the first seven notes of “It’s a Small World” over and over and over . . .
4. Open your purse, peer inside, and ask, “Got enough air in there?”
5. Stand silent and motionless against the back, facing the wall, until everyone else gets off.
6. Greet everyone getting on with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Queen of the Universe.
7. Meow.
8. Start a sing-along. “Kum by yah” works well.
9. Say “DING!” at each floor.
10. Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
11. Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and then go back for more.
12. Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers (you’ll know all about these after reading THE ELEVATOR!).
13. Take pictures of everyone aboard with your cell phone—even if it doesn’t have a camera.
14. When there’s only one other person aboard, tap them on the shoulder and pretend it wasn’t you.
15. Hold a copy of THE ELEVATOR, read it, and keep moaning, “Why didn’t I take the escalator?”

Angela, thanks for visiting - and for giving us lots of ways to be weird in an elevator!

Five Winners!

From all the people who entered the "Search for the Restorer" contest, five names were randomly drawn.

The winners are:

* Shannon
* Deborah
* John
* Katie C.
* Chawna



Congratulations!
Your Restorer Book Bag filled with books by other Christian authors is on the way


Happy summer reading!
Thanks for helping celebrate the release of The Restorer!
Sharon

Lost in the Sky

This morning I got lost in the sky.

I went for my morning jog – and I use that term loosely, because I jog for about a half mile and walk the rest of the way – and instead of a quick glance to see if rain was due, I looked at each section of sky.

To the east, the rising sun seared and warned that I was too small and too imperfect to look long in that direction, even with the haze that tried to soften the glare. To the south, the palest shade of blue held gentle wisps of trailing white. To the north, broad cloudy towers rose in vertical swoops. To the west a hint of heaviness darkened the grey above the tree line. Overhead, wisps of white played tag with barely visible shades of rose against a blue that grew more vibrant with each minute.

The heavens declare . . .

How many mornings do I glance up and feel I know the sky? One quick look is all I spare. Today it’s cloudy. Today it’s clear. All I care about is if it’s going to rain on my parade.

How many mornings to I glance in God’s direction, and miss seeing Him?

The holiness that burns my eyes and heart. The gentleness that reveals itself in beauty with soft edges. The power that stretches from earth to eternity. Even the dark tones that threaten on the horizon reminding me that time is short and judgment is real.

The heavens declare . . .

This morning I got lost in the sky.
This morning,
every morning,
I want to get lost in God.

Rend the heavens and come down.
Let me see each facet of Your nature. Purity, compassion, might and relentless grace. Let me celebrate each shade, each portion You choose to reveal.

Amen.

Pre-ordering Perks

I recently learned that a devotion about my favorite verse will be in a new Tyndale LifeVerse devotional. The book releases in September, but is already available to pre-order. That reminded me of the fun of pre-ordering. I generally suggest folks order my books through my website (clicking on the book you want takes you the christianbook.com, which I enjoy supporting). HOWEVER, I've watched something interesting on amazon. Book prices fluctuate like corn and wheat futures for the books that aren't out yet.

Today, The Restorer's Son (releasing in September and a $14.99 book) can be pre-ordered at amazon for $10.19. WOW! Those prices will go up as we get closer to the release date - but people who order at this price are "locked in" at the discount. Since I'm a bargain-hunter, I figured I'd mention this deal - so you can grab it before it changes. (I ordered some copies of The Restorer at the pre-order price last spring, and a day later it had gone up several dollars).

BLESSINGS!
Sharon Hinck

Visit from Robin Lee Hatcher

Today, I'm taking a moment to let you know about a new release from author Robin Lee Hatcher:

RETURN TO ME
Zondervan, June 2007
About the book:

Discouraged and destitute, her dreams shattered, Roxy Burke is going home. But what lies beyond the front door? Rejection ... or a brighter future?

A lot has changed since Roxy escaped small town life to become a Nashville star. Her former boyfriend Wyatt has found Christ and plans to become a minister. Her sister Elena, who comforted Wyatt when Roxy ran away, is now his fiancée. Her father Jonathan, a successful businessman, is heartbroken over the estrangement of Roxy from the family.

Now Roxy—her inheritance from her grandmother squandered, her hopes of stardom dashed—finds her way home ... not by choice but because it's her only option. Her father's love and forgiveness surprise her, but her very presence throws the contented Burke family into turmoil, filling Roxy with guilt and shame.

Elena is shocked to discover doubt and resentment in her heart after her father's easy acceptance of Roxy into the family circle. Wyatt wrestles with doubts about marrying Elena. And Roxy struggles to accept forgiveness. Isn't she more deserving of rejection? As the story of the prodigal plays out, each member of the Burke family must search for and accept God's grace.

AUTHOR BIO:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. However, she's certain there are better plots and fewer calories in her books than in puffed rice and hamburgers.

The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home in Idaho, which she shares with Poppet the Papillon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN INTERVIEW QUESTION:

SO, DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?

No, I didn't, although I loved books and stories even before I could read. In fact, I went to my first day of first grade with only one goal in mind — learn to read. When they didn't teach me how that very first day, I told my mom there was no point in going back. Fortunately, my mom knew who was boss, and I did go back to school.

When I was young, what I wanted to be most in all the world was a movie star. My closest friends all nod their heads, I'm sure, when I say this, knowing my theatrical nature. I took ballet for seven years, and I was in various theater productions, both in school and as a young adult.

My storytelling career began in grade school when I told my fifth grade friends that my mother was born in a covered wagon while coming west on the Oregon Trail. It seemed plausible. My mother was, after all, 47 years old at the time. My word! Had they even invented the wheel when she was born? [Sorry, Mom.]

Fast forward to high school. I was a compulsive writer, scribbling stories and poetry in notebooks and on binders. This wasn't work. This was fun! Writing could transport me to any place, any time. How cool. I also was a lover of horses and spent many years riding and competing and raising them.

Marriage and family filled the next decade. I read voraciously. I daydreamed. In my mind, I reworked the endings of both movies and books any time they didn't suit me. I performed with a Christian theater troupe. We raised a few horses. Then I got an idea for a story, a Gone With The Wind type saga. I talked about it with others for about six months. Finally, I sat down and began to write. I wrote long hand on yellow legal pads and typed the pages on the office Selectric typewriter during lunch hours and coffee breaks. Nine months later, I had a book, and two years after that, it was published.

The rest, as they say, is history. These days, the nest is empty. My daughters are grown with families of their own, and I am the ridiculously young grandmother of six. My mother (past her 93rd birthday — who was not born in a covered wagon) lives with me, as does Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.

Being Unique

The Christian Suspense Zone recently posted an interview I did with them, and while I was in the neighborhood, I checked out a review they posted of The Restorer.

I wanted to highlight something that made me cheer (No, not the part about liking the book. That was lovely. :-) But this is something else).

Karri Compton wrote:

"It's hard to compare this novel to any others out on the market, although several fiction titles dealing with parallel universes or time travel may coincide in some manner. The only book series I can think of that even remotely parallels this one concerning modern life vs. a medieval-type alternate world is Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy. But that's a very sketchy comparison. The Restorer starts out with a "mom-lit" feeling, but quickly changes into pure fantasy. As such, it proved to be one of the best novels I've read all year."

"Hard to compare." That is such a daunting challenge for writers. We are encouraged to have concise elevator pitches. Editors like quick and apt comparisons to share with the sales and marketing folk. "It's like Erma Bombeck meets Braveheart." The bookstore buyers want a quick answer to "who is it like? Karen Kingsbury? Ted Dekker?"

But some of the most interesting novels I've read don't quite fit any clear category, and are difficult to compare to others. I've loved Jasper Fforde's "Thursday Next" books and can only imagine how his agent pitched them to editors. LOL!

My teens recently performed in "High School Musical." I was struck by the theme of "status quo" - and how much safer that culture felt when everyone had a proper label and fit a category.

I'm not a mad rebel. If I felt called to write books that fit snugly into a clear, popular genre, I would do so gladly. But my brain takes weird twists and so do my stories. Trying something that isn't "status quo" causes extra challenges. That's why I appreciated that the reviewer commented on the uniqueness of the story.

Today I'm cheering for all the writers who are trying new things--blending genres in new ways. And another cheer for the brave publishers and hard-working marketing teams who are trying to find ways to describe these works. And my biggest cheer of all - for readers who come along for the ride.

Oh - and speaking of unique? Wanna hear a great joke?
How do you catch a unique rabbit?
U-nique up on him.
How do you catch a tame rabbit?
Tame way.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Trustees...

I posted today over at "Faithchicks" but thought I'd also share the thoughts here.

In a recent interview I was asked for "writing tips." All the standard answers jumped to mind. But the stark awareness of my inadequacies stopped me from spouting off my thoughts. Instead, here's what I offered:

The most valuable advice I can share is to seek Him first.
If stories burn in your bones and you wrestle the words onto paper and that's part of how you know Him and make Him known - then it will be time well-spent.

Recognize that Christ's redemptive sacrifice, the Father's creativity and compassion, and the Holy Spirit's empowering are all far beyond the ability of our writing to express - so we will always face the frustration of seeking to "utter the unutterable."

We're all like Isaiah, saying, "Woe is me. I'm a man of unclean lips." Our words are so limited and flawed in the face of God's glory. Yet when God calls us and touches that coal to us, like Isaiah, we can cry out, "Send me!"

And He will. He'll give you unique stories to tell about the human condition, and about His grace. Calvin Miller said, "We are the trustees of our glorious individuality." No one else can write the stories God has given you to write. Treasure that calling. Make yourself available. And trust that He uses the broken, the wounded, and the flawed in bewildering and unexpected ways.

A Real Live Tour

For both The Secret Life of Becky Miller, and Renovating Becky Miller, I went on a "virtual book tour" visiting blogs around the world.

But for the release of The Restorer, I'm also doing a real live tour, along with three other gifted and Christ-following fantasy authors.

I would LOVE to meet you if you live anywhere near the cities we'll be visiting in July. You can find the itinerary here. Post a comment if I'm coming to your town! Oh, and if you want some house guests, we're still looking for a place to rest our weary heads a few nights along the way.

In the meantime, you can play "Search for the Restorer" for some great prizes, and visit the websites and blogs that are buzzing about The Restorer.

What a joy it's been to begin getting reader mail about The Restorer as people get their hands on copies. I love that people have been entertained, but also have found encouragement through the story. In fact, some people have drawn meaning from the story that I didn't even know was in there. Isn't that just like God? Gives me happy goosebumps.

May you have a wonderful weekend of celebrating God's improbable and undeserved blessings!

Sharon

Visit from Tamera Alexander

Today, I'd like to celebrate with a fellow Bethany House author as her new book releases.

REMEMBERED
Though loss is often marked in a single moment, letting go of someone you love can take a lifetime...
The threat of war—and a final request—send Véronique Girard from France to a distant and uninviting country. In the Colorado Territory, she searches for the man who has held her heart since childhood—her father. Pierre Girard left Paris for the Americas to seek his fortune in fur trading, vowing to send for his wife and daughter. But twenty-five years have passed and his vow remains unfulfilled. Sifting through shards of broken promises, Véronique embarks on a dangerous search for a man she scarcely remembers.
His grief finally healed, Jack Brennan is moving on with life. After years of guiding families west, he is now working as a freighter to the mining towns surrounding Willow Springs. What he doesn't count on is an unexpected traveling companion on his trips up into the mountains, and how one woman's search will cause havoc with his plans... and his life.

A few questions:

Q: Hi, Tammy! Thanks for visiting today.
Do you consider writing a calling or more of a season of your life for right now?

A: I’ve have to say a bit of both. I’m certain God invited me to write fiction for now and yet I’m not certain how long he plans for me to do that. Right now I’m contracted for three more books with Bethany House (another historical series) but who knows beyond that. One thing I’ve learned in my walk with God is that there’s nothing better than being centered in the middle of his will for my life—whatever that brings—and nothing more miserable than being outside of it.


Q: What do you do when you find yourself overwhelmed with all the stuff that goes along with publishing?

A: I have a background in marketing and management so I actually love the business side of writing. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t get overwhelmed. I most certainly do at times. Learning to say no to ‘really good things’ has been freeing, although not without an occasional twinge guilt.

I’ve led women’s ministry for the past fifteen years but recently stepped down. My juggling skills just aren’t what they used to be and my writing time was suffering. My last book was turned in horribly late and that about killed me. It wounded my pride, which in the long run, was a very good thing personally (sure didn’t feel good though). I’ve always “prided myself” on being on time, on having everything organized and “slotted.” I don’t think God wants me to take pride in myself about anything, so that was a good lesson for me.

Writing this last book also came during a time when I had some personal challenges, and I hit the wall creatively speaking. Wasn’t pretty. But God brought me through it. His faithfulness constantly amazes me. He’s so lavish with his grace! My editors at Bethany were wonderful and understanding about the delay (and I kept them abreast of my progress each step of the way so that it wasn’t a surprise to them—HUGELY important to do if you’re ever going to be late).


Q: Do you have a life verse or a mission statement that guides your writing? If so, will you share it with us?

A: A verse that God is etching on my heart these days is found in II Corinthians 4:7 – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

God has given us this treasure—a relationship with him, a promise of an eternity with him—in jars of clay, in broken, marred vessels in order to show that the transcendent power comes from him. It may flow through us, praise his name!, but it originates in the heart of the Giver. Not in the one gifted.

Our gifts, however imperfect and weak, are given to reflect his glory and are made “perfect” when we give ourselves and those gifts over to him. There’s no end to what God can do with someone who makes themselves totally available to him—something that’s easier written than done.

Sharon adds: I LOVE that verse. It's been my theme verse, as well. I do believe God calls us to be available and authentic (instead of shiny and perfect in our own strength or power). Thanks again for sharing, and blessings as your new book releases!



Author bio:
TAMERA ALEXANDER is the bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered, the three-part Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Rekindled, a CBA bestseller, has won critical acclaim and was chosen as one of Library Journal's Top 5 Picks for Christian Fiction 2006. Rekindled and Revealed triple-finaled in the 2007 RITA® Awards sponsored by Romance Writers of America-Rekindled and Revealed for Best Inspirational Novel, and Rekindled for Best First Novel.

Tamera frequently speaks to women's groups, sings on the praise team, enjoys mentoring other writers, and also served as the conference coordinator for the 2004 American Christian Romance Writers National Conference in Denver, Colorado. She and her husband, Joe Alexander, make their home in Colorado with their two college-age children, and a seven-pound Silky named Jack. Tamera is currently working on her fourth novel, part of another three-book historical series with Bethany House which is set in the Colorado Territory.
Visit Tamera’s website at www.tameraalexander.com
And her blog at www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com

Uncle Roland

The photo shows Uncle Roland after he was the first to ride the zipline at the high-ropes course at a family reunion a few summers ago. In his eighties, he continued to scuba dive all over the world, including cave diving. A sparkle-eyed man of great spirit.

He went to heaven yesterday. A cousin said,"It was so
hard to watch, I can't begin to tell you. He fought so hard and so
long, but when he finally died I know he burst into heaven."

Oh, Lord, may we all burst into heaven when it is our time. May we charge forward to embrace you with joy and fulfillment.

And Lord, help me also burst into life each day with the same passion as Uncle Roland did.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2a

24: A Wedding. A Funeral. A Graduation.

Jack Bauer isn't the only one who has intense 24 hour days.

Saturday afternoon, one of my daughter's friends was married. I started crying even BEFORE the processional (my daughter was a bridesmaid). The couple had chosen an international theme, and the guests were dressed in costumes representing nations from around the world. They are Bible translators and plan to give their lives to service internationally, as well as in love to each other. Their service was a celebration of God's love to every nation.

Young cousins sang "In Christ Alone" - and the words vibrated in my bones. "No guilt in life, no fear in death--This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny."

Especially poignant because my next stop was a funeral.

The news of this friend's death had been a surprise. She often came to my rubber-stamping workshops, and made oodles of handmade cards that blessed others. I had first met her at the young mom's Bible study at our church. Her laughter and warmth lifted me often. She had asked that instead of a funeral service, our church celebrate Jesus with a powerful time of worship. "Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness," we sang. And God met us in our sadness.

After quick hugs, we hit the road for the four-hour drive to Sioux Falls, checked in to a motel, and tumbled into bed. The next morning we joined hundreds of other families for the Baccalaureate Service of the Augustana College graduates (including our daughter). A wonderful sermon spoke of how we all live in the place between. The place of wanting to stay and wanting to go. (Although I think there should be a law against speakers at graduations talking about "only moments ago, you brought them to their first day of kindergarten." Yep. More tears. Ted just sighed and handed me more Kleenex from his jacket pocket).

Amazing how all those themes blended in my heart. Love and commitment. Going forth. Graduating to heaven. Graduating from college. The next step. And how all the steps are protected, nurtured, and accompanied by Christ Himself - because He loves us that much.

A short time ago, I blogged about how brief and fragile life is, in a post called Lilac Day. My 24 hours of commemorating milestones of all sorts reminded me that change is scary. A marriage commitment, the step from this world to the next, the launching into the world after college. Yet none of those changes needs to hold terror for us, since we aren't moving forward alone.

In the words of the hymn (by Suart Townend and Keith Getty, copyright 2001)

"In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all--
Here in the love of Christ I stand."

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

A Visit from Marlo Schalesky

A Raging Firestorm . . .
A Light in the Hills . . .
And a Mystery Rises from the Ash.

In 1894, the worst firestorm in Minnesota history descends on the town of Hinckley. Heat, flame, and darkness sweep through the town, devouring lives, destroying hope. In the aftermath, the town rises from the ashes, its people determined to rebuild their lives.
But in the shadows, someone is watching. Someone is waiting. Someone who knows the secrets that can free them all. A rumor begins of a hermit in the hills - a person severely burned, disfigured beyond recognition. Doubts rise. Fear whispers. Is the hermit a monster or a memory? An enemy or a love once-lost?
Based on historical events, Veil of Fire beckons to a time when hope rose from the smoke of sacrifice, when trust hid behind a veil of fear, when dreams were robed in a mantle of fire . . .

Q: Marlo, I'm a native Minnesotan, so I've heard of the Hinckley fire. But where did you birth the idea for this book? When? How did it come about?

A: People often ask where I get my ideas for my books. My answer? You never know! For Veil of Fire, the idea was birthed at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the mission town of San Juan Bautista. There I was, sitting with my family, nibbling chips and salsa, when a wedding party came by. The bridesmaids were dressed in beautiful turn-of-the-century style gowns. As they passed, my mother-in-law began to tell me of the dresses that her great grandmother, who lived in Hinckley, used to sew for the rich ladies in Minneapolis and St. Paul. From there, came the story of the great Hinckley fire and the rebuilding that this woman, my husband’s great-great-grandmother, was a part of. And finally, I heard the tale of the mystery figure in the hills, a person burned beyond recognition. A person never identified, living as a hermit until one day he just disappeared.

At that moment, the first inklings of the story that would become Veil of Fire were born in my heart. Who was the hermit in the hills? What happened to him? And how would I solve the mystery if I could? As I pondered those questions, I knew that I had to write the hermit’s story. Had to explore what it would be like to lose everything, even your identity. Had to hear the hermit’s voice in my mind, and hear the story for myself.

So, the writing of the book became for me a process of discovery, as I hope it will be for my readers. I hope that as the mystery of the hermit drew me, so too it will draw others to this story of how fire can change you, take from you, and in the end, may just set you free.

What Others are Saying about Veil of Fire:
Reading Veil of Fire is like feasting on a banquet of rich words and vivid images.
─Tricia Goyer, award-winning author of five novels, including A Valley of Betrayal

Moving. Heartbreaking. Compelling. This beautiful, sensitive story of pain, loss, and, ultimately, healing touched the deepest parts of my heart.
─Laura Jensen Walker, author of Miss Invisible and Reconstructing Natalie

A truly gifted storyteller, Marlo Schalesky has woven a beautiful tale that confronts readers with truth and the character of God. Her lyrical style and deep characterization will transport you into a story populated with unforgettable characters.
─Judith Miller, author of the Bells of Lowell, Lights of Lowell, and Freedom’s Path series

Veil of Fire is a lovely, well-crafted story of love and loss, redemption and restoration. Marlo Schalesky has written an original, unpredictable story that will stay with me for a long, long time.
─Annette Smith, author of A Bigger Life

For more information, a preview of the entire first chapter, and discussion questions for groups, please visit www.marloschalesky.com.

Veil of Fire may be purchased at amazon or at your local bookstore.

Thanks for stopping by, Marlo. Blessings on your new book!
Sharon

English Tea

A few weeks ago, I was bid on in a fund-raising auction. (An English Tea with an author). I expected the winning bid to be about twenty-seven cents, but instead went for a ridiculously high amount. I'm pretty sure the tea was the big draw. Not to mention the delectable scones, sandwiches, and other desserts (many baked by Emily - thank you!)

What an amazing evening! This lovely group of women do a Wednesday Bible study together, and also read and discuss a wide variety of books (from Bonhoeffer to Gilead to Left Behind to Blue Like Jazz). We met at the home of Sharolyn - who has a tremendous gift of hospitality AND a basement decorated as an English pub with authentic signs, bar, and wonderful art collected over many years. I could imagine Tolkien and Lewis meeting there for a pint and a chat.

Their warmth, intelligence, interest, terrific questions, and delicious laughter were a tremendous gift after many weeks of hard rewriting work alone in my office.
Thank you, dear ones! You blessed my socks off!

Sharon

I'm Feeling Popular

Okay, I've been tagged to play "8 Random Things" by three friends in the last few days: My delightful Aussie friend Jane (aka Rel), the 251 year-old Heather (hey, that's what her blogger profile says!) and the sweet ex-Minnesotan, Sooz.

So I'm relenting and posting the 8 random things

First, these are the rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

My eight random facts:

I once rappelled down the outside of a five-story building.

I love listening to director’s commentaries on DVDs more than watching the actual movie.

I fell in love with my husband Ted when he threw seaweed at me during a class picnic when I was fourteen.

In sixth grade my career goal was to be a secret agent.

My favorite childhood television shows were Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission Impossible, and Mod Squad.


I once performed a tap-danced interpretation of the Carl Sandburg poem, “Lines Written for Gene Kelly to Dance To.”

While Ted and I were in grad school, our car was shot (we weren’t in it at the time).

During the rehearsal for an outdoor production of West Side Story that I was choreographing, the police barreled into the parking lot responding to a call from neighbors that gangs were fighting. I told the dancers to drop their chains and knives and start singing.

Now, whom to tag?
Chawna, Cheryl, April, Jill, Alison,Heather,Deena, and Julie. Come on everyone! Share those random facts. :-)

Bookmark Update - Please Read!

Last week I posted an offer for the beautiful art-cover bookmarks of The Restorer and asked you to email me through my website if you wanted some.

Well, there was an error at my website host, and NO emails that were sent through my contact page came through. My awesome web designer is on the case and redesigning my "contact sharon" page. But in the meantime, if you'd like bookmarks, please email me directly (inserting the email symbol)
sharon at sharonhinck.com

Let me know your snail mail address and how many bookmarks you'd like (from a dozen on up). :-)

A Visit from Rachel Hauck

Today I'm welcoming Rachel to my blog to share about her latest novel. I've gotten to know her through blogging at Faithchicks, where her authentic and insightful posts have blessed me on many a tough day.

Here's info on Diva NashVegas:

For the past decade, Aubrey James has ruled the charts as the queen of country soul. She rocketed to fame in the shadow of her parent’s death – Gospel music pioneers Ray and Myra James. While her public life, high profile romances and fights with Music Row execs writes juicy tabloid headlines, the real and private Aubrey’s is a media mystery.


When a close friend and former band member betrays Aubrey by selling an exclusive story about the Diva to a tabloid, Aubrey knows she must go public with her own story.

Inside NashVegas sports anchor, Scott Vaughn, is not prepared for the assignment of interviewing a country super star. Especially not one he dated, then abandoned. Yet, his boss leaves him no choice. His career and the future of Inside NashVegas depends on the success of this interview.


When Scott shows up at her home for the first session, Aubrey threatens to back out of the deal. But, it’s too late. Instead, she bravely opens her heart as Scott probes into her life and discovers a future of faith, hope and love by letting God heal her past.


Q: Rachel, what do you want readers to take away from the book?



A: First, a great read. I hope they can be transported into Aubrey James’s world. Next, a message that life isn’t always fair, but we have the power of choice in our response. God is always there for us, even when we don’t feel He is.



Diva NashVegas was difficult to write. I had a few crisis, but when I finally submitted it to my editor, I wrote in my email, “I love Aubrey James.” She really came to life for me in the end.


My editor loved her, too. I’m confident she’ll capture readers.




Q: What is your writing day like?



A: It varies, but I try to settle down from my morning routine by noon and focus on writing. Some days it’s earlier, and some later. If I’m approaching a deadline date, I completely clear my schedule and work twelve hours a day or more.

Email is my weakness. I’ve modified the Lord’s prayer some for writers: “give us this day, our daily word count, and delivers us from email.”

Seriously, I’m like an email junky. Half the time no one emails me, I just have to check and see. Secretly, I’m hoping a Broadway or Hollywood producer will email me wanting to make a movie or play out of one of my books.




About Rachel:

Rachel Hauck lives in sunny central Florida with her husband, Tony, a pastor. They have two ornery pets. She is a graduate of Ohio State University and a huge Buckeyes football fan. Rachel serves the writing community as Past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the Advisory Board. Visit her blog and web site at www.rachelhauck.com.

Leave a comment on her blog and be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks or Barns & Noble. Two names will be drawn.

Rachel, thanks for stopping by!
I know my blog readers have enjoyed meeting you.
Sharon Hinck

My Visit to Deenas Books

I had the privilege of doing an interview with Deena at "A Peek At My Bookshelf," and she's featuring The Restorer over at her blog. Please stop by, and especially check out the very last endorsement she listed at the end of the article. :-) Made me giggle all night.

A Peek at My Bookshelf

BOOKMARKS

In preparation for The Restorer's release, I decided I needed a bookmark that was more than just a bit of advertising, but was a true work of art, in keeping with the beautiful cover of the book. I hired
Dineen Miller
to design it using elements of the cover art.

(She is amazing, by the way! If anyone needs design work done, be sure to contact her!)

With the gracious permission of the artist who created the sword, the gifted cover designer, and the art team at my publishers, she put together an amazing design. (You can glimpse the front and back of the bookmark in the photo).

Now here's the fun part.
I'm happy to send you one of these gorgeous bookmarks. But I'm asking for a favor. If you email me with your address and request a bookmark, can I please send you a dozen of them? And would you agree to share them with folks who might enjoy this book? This may include fans of general contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, women's fiction, fantasy and speculative fiction, adults and even teens. It might be friends from church, book clubs, your local library, or your local bookstore. I think a humble grass-roots effort will do a lot to help people learn about this new novel.

I need to save a certain number of the bookmarks for use at ICRS and on my east-coast tour with the Fantasy Four Fiction Authors in July, so this will be a first-come, first-served offer until I run out. :-)

If you're interested, please email me through my website contact page (scroll down to the "leave Sharon a message box") and be sure to tell me your mailing address. If you'd like more than a dozen, just let me know that, as well! I'll get them out to you ASAP.

Thanks so much for helping me get the word out about the first book in this exciting new series! Watch for my "The Hunt for the Restorer" contest which I'll post about at this blog on May 15th. :-)

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck