The Brothers' Keepers by Author NLB Horton

I love the Protestant Reformation (keep reading because it gets better), partially for non-theological reasons.

My devotion exceeds Luther, Calvin, Knox, or Tyndale. I include da Vinci, Galileo, and Copernicus as well, men whose revolutionary ideas enriched a sixteenth-century world barreling from the restrictions of the Middle Ages into the light of the Renaissance. 

Courage and intellect created counter-cultural heroes then. And those traits define my protagonist, archaeologist Grace Madison, in the first two books of the Parched series: When Camels Fly (May 2014) and The Brothers’ Keepers (November 2014).

When I began percolating about The Brothers’ Keepers, Grace’s character, and the seminary backgrounds of the troupe of octogenarian theologians who assist her and her family, led my thoughts to the Reformation. I admit that I went willingly.

The Brothers’ Keepers is a tale of international suspense: theologically sound and scientifically correct. It is liberally sprinkled with Grace’s warped humor and slight sarcasm, and extolls contemporary family dynamics—in a family not unfamiliar with espionage and danger. 

It opens in Brussels, when Grace learns that her beloved daughter Maggie has disappeared in France, and that her son’s bride has been attacked in Switzerland. In a five-star review of When Camels Fly, one reader described Grace as a Mama Bear protecting her cubs. Her growl from Belgium in the opening chapter of The Brothers’ Keepers resonates around the globe, attracting family and friends to Paris to begin the search for Maggie. 

Grace inspires that kind of devotion as a vigorous, joyful woman trying to live fully in the image of Christ. 

Maggie inspires devotion of a different sort. As the object of affection from two very dissimilar young men, her professional success as a hydrologist balances her epic failure as a sweetheart. Will she accept the repeated proposals of the all-American who is as loyal as a drooling golden retriever? Or will the handsome sayan (helper) for Mossad break through her Herculean defense mechanisms to win her heart? And where in the world is she, anyway?

“The nut didn’t fall far from the tree,” Grace’s husband Mark says of the mother and daughter, and Grace has heart issues of her own. She and Mark are working to rebuild a thirty-year marriage after growing apart. The healing process complicates life-threatening situations in When Camels Fly and The Brothers Keepers, but reveals the devotion they still share.

Using clues Maggie has left at the American Church in Paris, where she was last seen, the Madisons pick up the trail of an ancient relic that they hope will save her life. The desperate journey crosses four centuries and three continents. Difficult choices endanger everyone the family and their friends love, and compromise nearly every belief they hold dear. 

And in the end, they discover that to save themselves, they must first rescue an old friend who deceived them.

If he’ll let them.

As with When Camels Fly before it, The Brothers Keepers is all about doing the right thing. Because sometimes, doing what’s right is all that’s left.

A member of the venerable Explorers Club, NLB Horton returned to writing fiction after an award-winning career in marketing and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. She has surveyed archaeological digs under Syrian and Lebanese heavy artillery fire in Israel and Jordan, explored the Amazon River and Machu Picchu after training with an Incan shaman, and consumed tea on five continents—and while crossing the North Atlantic.

http://nlbhorton.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/NLB-Horton/289059931145461

https://twitter.com/NLBHorton

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Deleted Scenes—The Pitfalls, The Upside by Author Beth WIseman

Is there anything more painful for an author than to hit the ‘Delete’ button?  We’ve given life to our characters, created scenes that we know are perfect, and bled onto the pages.  How in the world can an editor see what we can’t and insist that some pages—maybe even entire scenes—need to go? The horror.

But if you’re in the game long enough, it will eventually happen.  My latest release, The Promise, was a literary endeavor that was way out of the box for me, and as such, my editor set the bar really high.  I was crossing genres, and she wanted a really tight story that popped on every page.  But I initially had a mental block while writing the book.

The Promise is inspired by a true story, and I knew that once my character got on a plane to head to Pakistan, all of the real-life events would come hurdling back at me, taking me back to a time that was painful and scary.  So, I prolonged putting my character on the plane.  Instead, I sent a secondary character cross-country, filled the pages with a bit of fluff, and basically wrote about a hundred pages that didn’t help to further the story, but caused it do drag.  In the end, it was delete, delete, delete.  

So, is there an upside when this happens?  At the time, it’s hard to see one.  But looking back, there was a silver lining.  Perhaps the reader didn’t need those hundred pages, but I did.  It was an opportunity to get to know my characters.   In that regard, I can’t consider it wasted time and effort.  

Have you ever written a letter and not sent it?  Maybe it was just for you, a way to vent, part of a healing process, or an incentive to forgive.  Sometimes, deleted scenes end up in the same ‘File 13’ as other projects that weren’t really for anyone else’s benefit, except our own.  

In the scene that never made it into The Promise, I felt like I was sitting in the backseat while my character drove to New York City.  I learned a lot about him, his motivations, hopes, and dreams.  I was a silent player in my own book, watching and learning.  In hindsight, these tidbits weren’t anything that the reader needed to know, but the journey enabled me to incorporate the emotions my character was feeling through other ways that drove the story forward.  

At the end of that trip to New York City, Tate and I parted ways, and I returned to my computer to hit the delete button.  But, we had that time together, and I returned from the adventure with a much better understanding about who Tate really is.  

As authors, we must realize that even the deleted scenes serve a purpose.  As readers, we appreciate when an editor or author has gone the extra mile to keep any unnecessary filler out of the book.

As a reader, how many times have you skimmed sections of books that really should have been deleted or shortened?  And author friends, as painful as the deleting process is, has it benefitted you in ways that I mentioned?

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series.  Wiseman has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. In her daring new novel, Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and the small Texas towns of her previous releases to a dangerous place on the other side of the world.  Inspired by actual events, Wiseman believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time.  

Wiseman can be found at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers. Learn more about the author and her books at bethwiseman.com and on Twitter (@bethwiseman).

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Always Writing by Author Kate Lloyd

I recall a vocal coach remarking that as a singer part of her was continuously thinking of, preparing to, or actually singing. The same holds true for me as a writer. In my mind, I’m always writing. I’ve dabbled in many of the arts—painting, sculpture, singing, photography, and dance, but only writing fiction has grabbed hold of me and won’t let go. Not that I want it to. I love the English language and writing is my greatest pleasure!

I’ve always had what some grown-ups call an overly active imagination and I continue to play make-believe. As I navigate my day I find myself pondering new ideas for novels or musing over a blog piece I need to write. Tackling the mundane duties of life, in the grocery store, I might notice a couple either infatuated with each other or arguing, and create a storyline to incorporate them. While weeding in my garden or doing laundry, ideas transport me from my ho-hum chores and convey me to exotic locations where I meet fascinating fictional people of my making. Writing in my head makes all activities fun.

I love to read fiction in bed at night. My eyes examine each sentence with curiosity and admiration if I’ve discovered an accomplished author or characters who have caught my fancy. Delving into non-fiction, I might glean knowledge I’ll use later, including Biblical passages or a verse that hits home. I underline and circle words and sentences, jot notes in the margin, and sometimes turn around and reread an entire novel, using it as a textbook. I am always striving to improve my craft. 

My written stories, with all their twists and turns, continue to meander through my brain, even after the final edit and my novel has been published by David C. Cook, so there’s no going back. The characters of my recent novel Forever Amish, the third in The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, travel with me as dear companions. Sometimes I must remind myself that it's time to move on and let my readers meet them and evaluate what I hope is a captivating and unique story.           

Author Kate Lloyd, a native of Baltimore, spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her bestselling novels Leaving Lancaster and Pennsylvania Patchwork. Forever Amish, the third novel in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, released June 5th, 2014.

She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, the setting for Kate’s first novel, A Portrait of Marguerite. Kate studied art and art history in college. She’s worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

Learn more about Kate Lloyd on her website: www.katelloyd.net and her blog: http://katelloyd.net/blog/ 

Like her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/katelloydbooks 

Follower her on Twitter: @KateLloydAuthor and Pinterest: @KateLloydAuthor

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Money or Ministry by Author Robin Lee Hatcher

Awhile ago, a friend posed a couple of questions to a group of writers for a workshop she was preparing, based upon something she’d heard asked at a conference, “If Jesus asked you to write a book but warned you that, once it was written, He would then tell you to put that manuscript in a drawer, never to see print, would you write it?”

Intriguing question. As a Christian novelist, do I write for Jesus or do I write for money? Is this my ministry or is this my vocation? Yes. Both. All. And therein lies the struggle.

The aforementioned friend then asked two specific questions, included below with my answers.

Why do I write for the Christian market? Ministry, entertainment, or both?

It is both for me. I wrote 30 books in the general mass market, and God very specifically called me out of that career and into a new one of writing for Him. But my goal is always to entertain my readers. I am not writing them a sermon. I am telling them a story that, hopefully, will also reveal some truth to them.

What do I consider the criteria for a book to be considered “Christian”?

A book can be inspirational and/or educational and/or the best book you’ve ever read without the author naming the name of Christ anywhere between its pages. It can certainly be fiction that is informed by a biblical worldview. But I believe that to be called “Christian fiction,” a novel should name His name (in a way that brings honor) somewhere between the covers. 

However, there is a very wide field to play on under the banner of Christian fiction. And naming His name does not mean being preachy or heavy handed. “Gratuitous Christianity” is bad writing just as gratuitous violence and gratuitous sex and gratuitous whatever are bad writing. The Christian plot thread must be an integral part of the story just as any other plot thread must be.

Years ago, the Christy Award web site contained the following excellent definition of Christian fiction:

“Good fiction, whether or not it is identified as Christian, will provide a memorable reading experience that captures the imagination, inspires, challenges, and educates. Fiction published for the Christian book market does not include the gratuitous demonstration of sin—whether language, violence, sexual situations, or the more hidden sins of idolatry and self-worship. Credible characters in a fallen world, of course, will sin. But the Christian novel’s presentation of the grit and grime of human circumstance will not be done for its own sake or to titillate, but to point the reader toward hope, toward God.

“Because the essence of Christianity is a relationship with God, a Christian novelists’ well-conceived story will in some way, whether directly or indirectly, add insight to the reader’s understanding of life, of faith, of the Creator’s yearning over His creation.”

I hope that the above definition is true of every book I write, including my latest novel, The Heart’s Pursuit, an Old West adventure novel with two wounded souls in need of redemption.

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher—author of over 70 books—is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. She and her husband make their home in Idaho where she enjoys spending time with her family, her high-maintenance Papillon, Poppet, and Princess Pinky, the DC (demon cat). You can learn more about Robin and her books by visiting her web site at http://www.robinleehatcher.com. Links to her social media pages can be found at the top of her site.

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Inspirational Romance Interview ~ To Die Once

Please welcome debut author Miranda Uyeh to the BB! Miranda blogs at To Be A Person, and she offers authors assistance in putting together blurbs (etc.). She loves stories, and I'm thrilled that she's here to share a little more about her own story with you!

***

Amber: So exciting this day is finally here, Miranda! Congratulations on the upcoming release of your poignant debut later this month. Knowing your love of poetry, could you describe the premise of To Die Once to my readers in the form of a poem?

Miranda: Thank you for the sweet, warm welcome! My, you’ve caught onto something I hoped would be a surprise! You didn’t put me on the spot at all, as I’d already planned to release seven Sunny Sunday Poetry special features for the seven weeks the tour will run. Yep. Seven poems in all! The first Sunday, April 6th [yesterday] will feature the love and friendship poem stories (Part 1 and 2) of To Die Once), and I’m so excited! The rest of the Sundays will tell the story from Jennifer, Rodrigo, Stefano, Chidi, and Jacob’s points of view, and finally, a wrap-up on the beauty of God’s grace. For a snippet, I’ll give the first and second verses of poem 1 and the third and fourth verses of poem 2. Here it goes!

This is a love Story 

Not one full of Glory 

Diced with thorns, but not Gory 

Oh, just listen to the Story … 

Two unequally yoked Hearts 

Come together as hinged Carts 

At first it seemed pretty like the Arts 

But soon came along piercing Darts … 

(Verses 1&2, Part 1, To Die Once Poem Story) 

We love God, we love songs, and this way we’ll Stay 

We’ll sing along hymns and then we’ll Pray 

No need to worry about a party, we’ve got much to Say 

But we wouldn’t mind those fruity drinks on the Tray! 

But lo, one day a man walked In 

His eye, Jennifer caught like a Pin 

He vowed then that her heart he’d Win 

Even if it meant plunging her into Sin … 

(Verses 3&4, Part 2, To Die Once Poem Story) 

I hope this piques your curiosity! Poem 1 has 10 verses in all, and poem 2 has 11. You’re welcome to stop by at my blog for the full versions!

Amber: How fun that you already had this in the works! [Readers, you can find the first poem post HERE. And stop by Miranda's blog in the coming weeks for more!] 

You know my love and appreciation for flower themes in stories. :) Tell us, what is your favorite flower? What role do flowers play in your debut? 

Miranda: Yes, I know how much you love flower-themed stories! ;) My favorite flower is the rose. One of the reasons I used it in this story is because it symbolizes love/romance, which I wanted to delve deeply into. As beautiful, intense, and delicate as the petals are, so can love be. Surprisingly, on the very same stalk you find these petals, you also find the thorns. But that doesn’t stop the flower from turning out beautiful at the end of the day. It is able to grow alongside, survive, and even flourish despite the presence of the thorns for the rest of its natural life. The thorns will never have the power to stop the rose from being the beautiful flower that God intended it to be. So it is with love.

More importantly for the story theme, I wanted the rosebush to be a symbol of hope to the characters, something they could always look back on and remember that no matter how dead something/someone may appear, it is possible to bring them back to life by the power of God’s grace. Each had to learn to NEVER give up on love and life, even in dark times.

Amber: Great thoughts, my friend. So which of your characters are you most eager for readers to meet? Which character’s story resonates the most with you as the author?

Miranda: Wow! Lovely question. Intimate too. *softly smiling* I can’t wait for readers to meet Rodrigo! The guy’s a complex mix of many things. He’s intelligent, but cunning; he’s sleek and very stubborn—wouldn’t take no for an answer! It was these traits that led him (and Jennifer) into a lot of trouble, one he finally realized that neither of them could get out of without God’s great mercy and healing grace. He simply had to learn that he couldn’t always have his way. He’s a major part of the reason I titled this book To Die Once.

Jennifer and Chidi resonate with me in a lot of ways. I really can’t choose one over the other. I guess it’s the reason I put them together as friends. While Jennifer has a heart for adventure and love, Chidi plays the role as Jennifer’s voice of reason. Chidi’s passion for God and common sense rule her world, even her personal dreams. Merge these two characters together … equals me! I recently took a quiz that confirmed it—the Jane Austen Character quiz? I ended up being Elinor Dashwood! Posted the button on my blog’s sidebar too. :)

Amber: Nice! I confess I'm excited for your readers to meet the complex and intriguing Rodrigo, as well. :) 

The journey to publishing a book is often a long and difficult one. What helped you to hold onto your passion for To Die Once when challenges arose? Based on your experiences so far, would you say the journey has been worth it? 

Miranda: The word “often” in your question consoles me a lot because at some point I seriously started to wonder if there was some sort of conspiracy somewhere to keep me from being published! Yeah, I know, it’s a crazy thought! But don’t worry. I finally calmed down and became reasonable about it. It is often said in this industry that “writing ain’t for the faint of heart.” There are other authors out there that go through their unique struggles on their journey to being published, and afterwards. It truly has been worth it. I’ve learned to relax and not panic even in the worst of situations where there seems to be no hope at all. I just need to take it to God in prayer. He’ll make a way where there seems to be no way. This journey has taught me to trust God on a far deeper level than I ever did before.

Amber: I so agree. God really does provide all we need to walk in His will. It's been encouraging to me to see things come together for you! Now, what’s next for the “Child of Grace” series and for your blogging? 

Miranda: It is my good pleasure to let you know that I’ve started working on book #2, To Lie Once. This story centers on Jennifer’s sister, Joyce—“a good girl gone bad” story. I’m so excited! This time, we’re going to Paris! And a little bit more of Nigeria. Stay tuned! ;)

As for my blog, there will be more entertainment (music/movies) and spiritual-themed posts.

Amber, it was nice of you to have me today! I truly enjoyed answering these questions. Let’s do this again and again, yes?

Amber: Yes, let's! ;) Great to have you here, and looking forward to seeing where God leads you next!

***

Miranda A. Uyeh is an assistant lecturer at a local college in Makurdi City, Nigeria, where she teaches two geology courses. Her love for books goes as far back as when her father placed Disney's Rapunzel in her hands - her very first storybook! By the time she was thirteen she knew she was going to be a writer. You can find Miranda on her blog where she shares her love for books, entertainment, and Christian spirituality with her readers. Miranda holds a B.Tech (Hons) in Applied Geology from ATBU, Nigeria. To Die Once is her debut novel, #1 of the Child of Grace book series.

You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Google+.

About To Die Once

"Two men, one woman, a rosebush … 
… a terrible past, an uncertain future 

Jennifer, a woman unexpectedly trapped in a path of love and passion against everything she believes.

Rodrigo, a man set to get what he wants at the cost of what matters most.

Stefano, a man with a past, a story to tell and passion to offer.

Chidi, a friend in need, a friend indeed. Or not?

From a culture where good girls follow the norm and live as they’ve been told, Jennifer is no different from any other girl until by happenstance, she meets and falls in love with Rodrigo, a man who’s handsome, rich and foreign. Different. She has no idea who he is or what he does, and is swept into a world of romance and passion. It is not long before she discovers a shocking truth that shakes both her world and his.

Then he is gone.

Stefano shows up at a time when Jennifer has made up her mind about the rules of life. He thinks she’s beautiful and is in love with her. In a bid to convince her to give him a chance in her life, old memories once buried are brought to life. And the events that follow don’t leave anyone unaffected by the truth of the past that was left unsettled.

Meanwhile, Jennifer with her friend Chidi, find themselves on a self-discovery journey that has one of them raising questions.

Some just have to ask, where is God in all this?

… an inspirational romance, from Lagos to Italy."

Giveaway!

You can be one of 10 readers to win an e-copy of To Die Once each week of the blog tour (making a total of 70 ebook winners in all)! Visit Miranda's Facebook page to enter, or enter using the Rafflecopter form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(Note: The giveaway is open internationally and is not hosted by The Borrowed Book. Winners will be emailed their prizes after the blog tour concludes.)

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“Undeniably Yours” by Becky Wade | Kindle Fire Giveaway and 5/29 Facebook Party!

Becky Wade is celebrating her latest swoon-worthy novel, Undeniably Yours (Bethany House), with a Kindle Fire giveaway and hosting an Author Chat party on Facebook {5/29}!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Undeniably Yours and My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Undeniably Yours" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 29th. Connect with Becky for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Becky will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Undeniably Yours and join Becky on the evening of May 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

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