"Castles in the Clouds" by Myra Johnson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate her latest release, Myra is giving away one (1) copy of "Castles in the Clouds" (hard copy - US ONLY). To enter, go to the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post. The last day to enter is January 13, 2017. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I will contact you and then pass your information along to Myra. Good luck!

Q & A with Myra...

Q:  How was your Christmas? Does your family have any special traditions you would like to share with my readers?
A:  Our family Christmas traditions are fairly simple. Christmas Eve candlelight services (my husband and I both sing in the choir) then eggnog and cookies afterward. Christmas mornings vary, depending on whether we have kids and grandkids home for the holidays. This year we did —  our younger daughter, her husband, and their four children (ages 14, 11, 5, and 3) – so it was a fun day!

This daughter and her family have served on the mission field in the Middle East, so one tradition they observe that we enjoy tagging along for is going out for Middle Eastern food on Christmas Eve. It's nice to imagine we're eating a meal similar to what people in the land of Jesus' birth are serving.

Q:  That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas! Castles in the Clouds was released last August. Can you tell me about the inspiration behind the story?
A:   The story was partly inspired by my missionary daughter's experiences during a six-weeks-long college mission trip to Kenya several years ago. I always knew I wanted to include some of what she shared with us in a book someday. Then in 2013, when my husband and I traveled to Africa on a photo safari, our Kenyan guide related a little of the history behind the school system. As Larkspur's story developed, the idea of sending her to Kenya to work at a mission school took root.

Q:  How much research went into this book?
A:  Quite a bit. I had much to learn about life in rural Arkansas during the Great Depression  and also how the school system developed in 1930s Kenya. A fun bit of research involved watching a YouTube video of a ship traversing the Suez Canal in the 1930s, much as my story characters would have done as they traveled from America to Kenya.

Q:  What message do you hope your readers take away from the story?
A:  One underlying message could be stated in the words of Proverbs 16:9 (RSV): "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." We sometimes think we know exactly what we want from life,  but no matter how hard we strive to make it happen, God may have something entirely different in mind. If we're not open to new possibilities, we may miss the special blessings God has planned for us.

Q:  Oh, that's so true! And God's plans are certainly better than anything we can imagine :)  What is the next project you are working on?
A:  I currently have three new novels in various stages. Two are Love Inspired contemporary romances set in the Texas Hill Country, the first of which should release in September. I'm also preparing to release A Rose So Fair, book 3 in the Flowers of Eden series. Readers of Castles in the Clouds and the first book, The Sweetest Rain, will have met spunky Rose Linwood and her longtime friend Caleb Wieland. Their relationship will take them through many twists and turns before they find their happy ending. Watch for the book this spring!

Q: It sounds like there will be some great books to look forward to later this year! One final question. What are some of the books in your TBR pile?
A:  Actually,  I'm in the middle of a book that's going to take me a while to finish!  A few years ago, for a change of pace, I tackled Ken Follett's epic historical novel The Pillars of the Earth. Later, I picked up a used hardback copy of Follet's World Without End, which takes place two centuries later. It sat on my TBR stack for a long, long time before I felt ready  to dive in to another 1000+ page tome. It's an interesting foray into the history of England in the latter years of the Middle Ages, and definitely a departure from my typical historical fiction read!

Q:  It certainly sounds like you will be busy :) Thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to stop by and chat with me. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better.

My review...

Larkspur (“Lark”) Linwood’s visit to Professor Keene’s office would change her life … in many ways. She agrees to travel to Kenya to gain practical teaching experience as part of a mission program. While there, she meets Professor Anson Schafer, but health problems cause him to return to the United States earlier than anticipated. Lark unfortunately realizes that things with the trip were not as she had been led to believe, so she returns home. Her path crosses once again with Anson, who is looking to start a program to help the uneducated in Arkansas. He wants Lark to help him. She agrees, as it is an opportunity which will allow her to earn money to complete her own education. Anson’s vision for a school to educate students of all colors is not as well received as he had hoped, which will leave Anson and Lark questioning whether they should follow their dreams or their hearts.

This is this second installment of the “Flowers of Eden” series, and it is just as delightful as the first! Precise details combine with touching scenes, and the book is topped off with a beautiful cover. Johnson weaves in numerous historical facts and addresses difficult topics, such as discrimination, in a sensitive manner. The author’s time in Kenya adds to the realism of the story. She also provides historical details related to the story which will educate the reader on things such as Jim Crow Laws, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression.

I love the overall theme that satisfaction comes from your heart’s attitude instead of what you are doing. While this book can be read as a standalone, the reader will have a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the family if the books are read in order.

One of my favorite lines is, “But if you’re too focused on falling, it isn’t a leap of faith at all, is it?”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I was not required to provide a review. All opinions are my own.

Amazon purchase link...

http://amzn.to/2iy91yE

About Myra...

About Myra…

Award-winning author Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. Her historical romance When the Clouds Roll By won the 2014 Christian Retailing’s Best award for historical fiction. Myra is also a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. They reside in beautiful North Carolina near four of their grandchildren, but as a native Texan Myra sorely misses real Texas barbecue and those gorgeous bluebonnets every spring! The Johnsons share their home with two pampered rescue dogs.

Readers can keep up with the latest by subscribing to my e-newsletter(http://myrajohnson.com/newsletter-signup/) or visiting me online at the links below:

Website: www.myrajohnson.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor

Twitter: @MyraJohnson and @TheGrammarQueen

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mjwrites/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1391761.Myra_Johnson

The Seekers blog: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

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Friday Reads with "The Sweetest Rain" by Myra Johnson

To celebrate her latest release, Myra is giving away one (1) copy of "The Sweetest Rain" (hard copy - US ONLY). To enter, go to the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post. The last day to enter is September 30, 2015. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I will contact you and then pass your information along to Myra. Good luck!

Inspiration behind the story…

     After I completed my post-WWI romance series, Till We Meet Again, my editor suggested a new series set in the 1930s. I picked up several books about the era, including one with personal accounts of survivors of the Great Depression in Arkansas. Ideas started percolating, especially as I read about the devastating drought of 1930-31. I imagined three sisters living on a struggling tenant farm and the hopes and dreams they might hold dear. I chose the name Eden for the community where they lived because of the sharp contrast between the searing heat of that Arkansas summer and the lush beauty of the biblical Eden. Then it seemed only natural to give the three girls flower names—Bryony, Larkspur, and Rose—reminders of something pretty, green, and growing, and the hope of better days to come.

     As it turned out, the publishing house I had been working with changed course, so for a while I wondered if I’d have the opportunity to see these stories in print. I was thrilled when my agent found another home for them with Franciscan Media!

My Review…

Bryony Linwood dreams of a different life. Instead, her reality includes raising her sisters on their grandfather’s struggling tenant farm in Arkansas during the middle of a drought. Food is scarce and their money is about gone. Bryony devises a plan which she hopes will help them keep their farm. Unfortunately, it involves working as a housemaid for Sebastian Heath, their strict landlord who is seemingly without compassion.

Michael Heath is trying to forget the war he barely survived, all the while struggling with shell shock and damage from mustard gas. The one thing that brings him any solace is drawing, particularly botanical illustrations. His father, however, is pressuring him to join in the family business of overseeing the plantation, which Michael vows not to do.

Days are long for Bryony, as she spends all day working at the mansion and then goes home to care for her sisters. She begins to develop feelings for Michael, which is something that could only lead to problems for both of them if his father were to find out. However, the heart wants what the heart wants. Is it possible for them to move beyond their positions and have a future together? Or will Michael bow to his father’s wishes to protect all he holds dear?

There is so much to say about this book, starting with the wonderful cover that is closely linked to the main character, Bryony, who has a beautiful name. She is a strong, independent heroine who is willing to do whatever it takes to hold her family together. Some scenes have a bit of a Gone with the Wind feel to them, particularly in the discussions of plantations. Johnson educates the reader along the way on various topics, such as the harsh realities during the Great Depression, racial division, Alzheimer’s disease, and the England Food Riot of 1931. The characters also demonstrate sacrificial love, which may remind the reader of what God did for us through Jesus. This book was different from what I normally read, but I found it to be extremely engaging. I told myself, “Just one more chapter.” on more than one occasion! I look forward to reading the second book in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Q & A with Myra…

 Q:  What are your thoughts on the publishing industry, particularly in relation to self-publishing?

 A:  There are certainly a lot more options for getting published these days, and the stigma of self-publishing isn’t what it once was. Unfortunately, there are still a few companies out there ready to lock uninformed writers into expensive self-publishing deals and then give them nothing for their money except a garage full of books they then have to sell themselves.

            Personally, I’m happy to be a hybrid author, both traditionally and independently published. Having your book contracted by a reputable publishing house gives an air of credibility and (usually) the assurance of skilled editing and at least some level of in-house marketing and promotion. Independent publishing, on the other hand, gives the author full control over content, design, and production, and also can be a viable alternative when the story doesn’t easily fit into a single marketable genre—true of my novel Pearl of Great Price.

However, I can’t help but be concerned about the growing number of self-published books now available on Amazon and through other independent sources. Authors who invest in quality editing and attractively designed covers have an edge that I hope won’t be undercut by those who are just throwing their books out there without the benefit of professional input.

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

A:  It would probably be something animal-related, like fostering rescue dogs or volunteering at an animal shelter. Several years ago, before my writing career began to take so much time, my husband and I volunteered several hours a week at a therapeutic horseback riding center. I’d probably still be doing that if we hadn’t moved from the area and the writing life hadn’t gotten so busy.

Q:  What advice do you have for new authors?

A:  First, naturally, I’d invite them to visit Seekerville, my group blog devoted to teaching and encouraging others along the writing journey. The archives are filled with instructional and motivational posts about writing. I’d also recommend joining a writers group and connecting with a critique partner whose opinions and skills you respect. And read! Read lots and lots and lots of books in your chosen genre. Not only will you get a feel for what editors are publishing and readers are buying, but you’ll learn which publishing houses would be the best fit for your stories.

Q:  What is the next project you are working on?

A:  I just turned in book two in my “Flowers of Eden” series and am ready to start writing the third book, which will feature Rose, the youngest of the three Linwood sisters. Set on the family tenant farm in 1933-34, this book will tell the love story of Rose and her longtime best friend, Caleb Wieland, both of whom were first introduced in The Sweetest Rain.

Q:  What is your favorite writing-related book?

A:  Probably the most helpful instructional book I’ve ever read is Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer. If I had to recommend just one book to an aspiring writer, that would be the one. A close second is Dr. Stanley Williams’s The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue & Vice for Box Office Success. Stan’s teachings have helped me tremendously to identify the single universal truth at the heart of each story and make sure this truth is reflected in each character’s growth and plot development.

Q:  PC or Mac?

A:  Mac, definitely! I’ve been an Apple convert since 2007!

Q:  City or country?

A:  A little of each, preferably. I like being near the city for shopping, restaurants, etc., but I prefer a “country” feel—a little space between us and the neighbors, lots of trees, birds and wildlife in abundance (except the creepy-crawly kind!).

Q:  Cat or dog?

A:  I love them both! For several years, though, we’ve just had dogs (two rescue pooches these days). A grandson was severely allergic to cats, so since our last cat went to kitty heaven, we haven’t gotten another.

Q:  Introvert or extrovert?

A:  Terribly, incurably introverted!

Q:  Tea or coffee?

A:  Earl Grey every morning, the occasional decaf after dinner or with a yummy slice of pie.

Q:  Mountains or ocean?

A:  I love the beach! Mountains make me a little claustrophobic.

Q:  Winter or summer?

A:  Definitely summer. Give me a warm, sunny day anytime! Snow is pretty to look at once or twice a year, but I despise being cold.

Q:  Casual or dressy?

A:  Um, all I can say is, I’m glad you can’t see what I’m wearing right now! (And I guarantee it isn’t dressy!)

Q:  Twitter or Facebook?

A:  Both, for different reasons. But keeping up can be so hard!

Q:  Mexican food or Italian food?

A:  Both, just not at the same time—LOL! And make mine Tex-Mex since I grew up in the Texas Rio Grande Valley!

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me, Myra. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better :) And, I totally agree with you about creepy-crawly bugs and being a casually dressed introvert!

About Myra…

Award-winning author Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. Her historical romance When the Clouds Roll By won the 2014 Christian Retailing’s Best award for historical fiction. Myra is also a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. They reside in beautiful North Carolina near four of their grandchildren, but as a native Texan Myra sorely misses real Texas barbecue and those gorgeous bluebonnets every spring! The Johnsons share their home with two pampered rescue dogs.

Readers can keep up with the latest by subscribing to my e-newsletter (http://myrajohnson.com/newsletter-signup/) or visiting me online at the links below:

Website: www.myrajohnson.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor

Twitter: @MyraJohnson and @TheGrammarQueen

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mjwrites/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1391761.Myra_Johnson

The Seekers blog: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

Amazon link for purchase...

http://www.amazon.com/Sweetest-Rain-Flowers-Eden/dp/1616369817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442176979&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sweetest+rain

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Friday Reads with "Refuge of the Heart" by Ruth Logan Herne (and a GIVEAWAY!)

To celebrate her latest release, Ruth is giving away one (1) copy of "Refuge of the Heart" (reader's choice of hard copy or eBook). To enter, go to the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post. The last day to enter is September 10, 2015. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I will contact you to find out your preference and pass your information along to Ruth. Good luck!

Inspiration behind the Story...

Well, this is the most important thing of all. Like most stories, a combination of things came together and made me say, "What it?" My daughter was sent to Myanmar to study refugee camps there… a chance encounter with a parking lot cart boy who thanked me for putting my cart back because so many people don't bother…and then all of a sudden, I saw "Lena," a refugee who goes the distance, a victimized woman with a rise-above mentality strengthened by faith, hope, and love. The love of her family, of her mother, of her little sister, born out of grievous circumstances. Chechnya was in a frantic state at the time, so many people seized and killed, and there was little to be done. So much blame, and so little action. But when I read of one small Catholic enclave that had been obliterated, one by one, that helped cement where the story should be set…and Lena's history was born. Fiction from fact.

We have many refugees here in upstate New York. Each one has a story. Most stories aren't as dark as Lena's, but I worked with Cambodians who had to escape their country post-Vietnam as they helped Americans. They made it across a great space, and across the river, and eventually here, to America where they worked cleaning restaurants and businesses…and now the son owns a beautiful restaurant, employing two dozen people.

So many things came together to make this story happen, but primarily it was spirit-driven. Lena's story came to me like a blessing from the Holy Spirit… and it needed to be told. God has surely blessed America!

My Review ...

Refugee Magdalena (“Lena”) Serida and her five-year-old sister Anna escaped an uprising in Chechnya and headed to America to pursue a better life. Lena is in nursing school and struggling to support her sister, but she is quite content with her new life. She meets District Attorney Mitchell Sanderson when he helps her with a flat tire. This chance encounter is the start of a new friendship. A tragic accident once cost Mitch everything he loved, so he is not looking for a relationship at this time. Or so he thought. He finds himself falling for the Christian refugee from an Islamic region as she slowly turns his world upside down. Lena has a strong faith, which is something that Mitch is struggling with. He can tell she is fearful about something related to her past, and he wonders what it is. How will he feel about her when he learns the whole story?

This is the first full-length novel from Ruth Logan Herne, and I certainly hope it will not be her last! There is so much to be said about this book. The story details how opposites can truly attract. There are a number of emotionally gripping scenes, including some humorous ones as Lena tries to get a grasp of the American language.

While Mitch is a strong, driven character, and Anna is endearing, Lena is truly the heart and soul of this novel. She is a strong, courageous, and inspiring character — one of the best characters I have encountered in a long time (and I read a lot of books!). She is a kind soul despite her past circumstances, and she is determined not to be stopped by those events. Lena has many wonderful insights about faith, such as: “Perhaps faith is the equalizer. If we are born with varied talents and strengths, perhaps it is the valor of God which brings us to new heights.” As a refugee, she understands how much responsibility comes with the freedom that many people take for granted every day. Lena also exemplifies the importance of remembering to bless others when we, ourselves, have been blessed.

This is a well-researched novel and it educates the reader on refugees and Chechnya, which may be unfamiliar to some readers. The relationships develop at a realistic pace, and the emotional ending will stick with you beyond the final sentence.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Q & A  with Ruth...

Q: What are your thoughts on current trends in the publishing industry, including self-publishing?

A:  This is the best time ever to be an author! No longer must authors wait to be discovered and published by diminishing publishers and their lists. We have a host of choices awaiting us! Now this shouldn't minimize our responsibility to bring the best work possible to readers, but I trust readers to find me (my traditional and indie published works) and they do! I am so blessed to have a foot in both waters.

Q:  What would you be doing if you weren't an author?

A:  Well, I'm still doing it, LOL! Like so many others, I'm still working a full-time job with children, and I love it. Keeping myself immersed in young families helps me to keep my fingers on the pulse of today's family dynamic: the good, the bad, and the funny! I have six children, and now a 14th grandchild on the way, and I love being surrounded by mayhem. While this works for me, most folks would cringe … But I'm okay with controlled chaos and kids love it!

Q:   What advice do you have for new authors?

A:   I get all Winston Churchill on them: Never give up. Never, ever, ever give up. Write every day. Don't take a day off. Develop writer habits early. Don't whine :)

Q:   What is your next project that you are currently working on?

A:   Several! I'm so delighted to say that! I've got several novella collections coming out in early October: "Home for Christmas," a historical collection, "A Heart Full of Christmas," a contemporary collection, and a duo/duet called "Ribbons and Roses" with Mia Ross, a friend and fellow Love Inspired author. Then I have my first Grace Haven release for Love Inspired in January, "An Unexpected Groom," a Franciscan release in March, "More Than a Promise,"and then the first Double S Ranch book for Waterbrook/Multnomah, "Back in the Saddle." It is been a crazy, fun, busy year here on the farm, Leslie!

Q:   What is your favorite writing-related book?

A:   Don't hate me. I never read writing-related books. I do study authors. I'm self-taught. I never went to college, so what you get from me are life-shaped stories that embrace all of the beauty, wonder, and sometimes ill, of mankind, but with the strength and wonder of faith, hope, and love, and how that strengthens us — ALL OF US! — To those times of trouble. But what I do believe is that practice, practice, practice makes better writers. I don't learn by reading … I learn by doing, so once I recognized that, I pushed myself to be like Dorrie on Finding Nemo : (imagine sing-song voice) "Just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing…" :)

Q:   Now for a few fun getting-to-know-you questions. PC or Mac?

A:   PC, an HP laptop that I love, love, love with Windows 7, because why on earth would I want to waste good writing time teaching myself Windows 8??

Q:  City or country?

A:   Both. I live in the country. We have a small farm, so summer is crazy busy, but I love going down to NYC (about five hours away). I'm in upstate, so envision Lake Ontario, with hills and green, green, green, deciduous forest land. If you don't mow it or plow it, a forest will appear, and fairly quickly! Amazing! But I love going to the Big Apple, Philly, Baltimore, etc. I love cities!

Q:   Cat or dog?

A:   Dog, but we have two farm cats, too, and they are sweeties.

Q:   Introvert or extrovert?

A:   Extrovert. I love people.

Q:   Tea or coffee?

A:   HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :)  I am an admitted coffee addict. But I'm safe to drive with, so that's good, right???

Q:   Mountains or ocean?

A:   Gosh, both. Who wouldn't love both? But if I was to live by one or the other, it would be water. I love watching storms roll and ebb across the water.

Q:   Winter or summer?

A:   Winter. Hot and muggy and bug-infested aren't my thing. I love winter. I'm weird, I own that, but by the end of February I'm ready to be done with it and embrace spring. Up here, winter is not generally that accommodating!

Q:   Casual or dressy?

A:   Both. Mostly casual by nature of working with kids, but I love to dress up now and again and make sure I'm still a girl!

Q:   Twitter or Facebook?

A:   Facebook. I love human contact. I love chatting back and forth with people!

Q:   Mexican food or Italian food?

A:   Italian, Italian, Italian! I love pasta! I will never be a skinny woman because I love pasta and potatoes (I'm Irish, so of course, right??) and homemade bread.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better :)

About Ruth...

Multi-published, best-selling author Ruth Logan Herne lives in upstate New York where record-setting snowfall buys her extra time to write sweet books mid-winter. Inaccessibility has its advantages! She loves God, her family, her country, dogs, chocolate, and coffee. The order of preference varies depending on mood and season. She loves to hear from readers. You can friend her on Facebook or stop by her website (http://ruthloganherne.com/), visit her in Seekerville (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/), or the Yankee Belle Cafe (http://yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com/), where she and a sweet group of regional authors share recipes, thoughts, and pictures of life, sweet life!

Amazon link for purchase...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616369531?redirect=true&ref_=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1

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