Marlene Banks author interview and feature

 Welcome, Marlene! We are so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.

Q: First of all—Pepsi, Perrier, ice tea, or a fruit smoothie from organic non-GMO fruit?  J

Marlene: Ice Tea, I am a hardcore tea drinker. Earl and Lady Grey (and the Duchess) are my favorite black teas along with herbal teas and White Tea Pomegranate.

Q: When did you first know you were a writer?

Marlene: Around 7 0r 8 years old I knew I loved to read and write stories even then. I printed out little stories as best I could back then but didn’t know (connect the idea) that I was born (designed by God) to be a Kingdom storyteller until I was 40 years old. Amazingly I had been writing all my life but didn’t truly connect the dots.

Q: How does history play into your writing?

Marlene: I like writing romance. The male-female dance of love never grows old in my opinion but history excites me too. I have become a bit (a small bit) of a history buff in the last decade or so. I love learning about historical events that spark my imagination wanting to know more about the feel and culture of that time. For me marrying the two genres, romance and history, is a wonderfully blissful writing experience. I love taking little known or misunderstood African American historical events and add them as a backdrop /subplot to my love stories

Q: If you could sit down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that be and what is the first question you would ask?

 Marlene: That’s an easy one, Jesus, The Christ and my first question would be, “I’m in, right?”

Q: Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?

Marlene: This may sound odd but in writing I haven’t had any personal mentors. I have had spiritual mentors in my life though. One is Dr Yvonne Naylor and another is Mrs. Annie McCants. Annie McCants helped me find Jesus. She prayed for me…a lot. She also set an example of how Christ-likeness looked in living terms.  Being in her godly presence ushered me into wanting to know Christ for myself and subsequently getting saved. Dr Yvonne Naylor helped me learn how to biblically educate myself and find my spiritual groove. It was through her ministry work that I realized I was designed and called to write for the Kingdom.

Q:  What do you hope your readers will take away from your books?

Marlene: The short answer would be I hope they take away a desire to get to know Our Savior or know Him better in my showing of how He works in everything concerning our lives.

The longer response is, I do not write my novels with specific messages in mind. As the Holy Spirit leads I write and the messages unfold without my forethought. Because of my not so conventional style of writing the messages are many. Their relevance, I dare say, is according to the reader. Wherever the reader is in their faith and mentality my stories will in some way touch and speak to them right in that place. However, my universal message; seek and trust God in all things at all times even when the circumstances seem impossible. Nothing is impossible for God and His plans should guide our lives in all areas. That includes romance which even some born again believers seem to forget.

Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?

Marlene: Yes. When you read a novel do you prefer a formula type story in conventional makeup or do you prefer something a bit out of the box like soap opera style? Bear in mind I’m talking presentation and style not subject matter. Is it too hard to follow multiple plots in a read story?

Kathy: Thank you for being with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory!

Marlene: Thank you for the opportunity to engage with other historical fiction readers.

About the Author: 

     MARLENE BANKS is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native where she now live. In addition to being a prolific writer she has an associate degree in Theology from Rhema Bible Institute in Keysville, Virginia. Marlene is a member of Bethel Deliverance International Church in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. She considers her writing a Kingdom assignment and being a novelist is by God’s design. It is also Marlene’s goal to bridge the gap between faith-based and secular literature.

     A divine gift of storytelling with her unique voice and love of Christ Jesus creates engaging and inspirational novels. RUTH’S REDEMPTION was her debut fiction release followed by SON OF A PREACHERMAN and her third novel and sequel to SON OF A PREACHERMAN titled, GREENWOOD AND ARCHER.

     Her novel, RUTH’S REDEMPTION has been translated into the Dutch language. Her other novels are also selling (English versions) in the international market in Australia and South Africa.

To find out more about these novels visit her website:  marlenebanks.com

Friend https://www.facebook.com/authormarlene.banks

 on Facebook or Tweet and Follow https://twitter.com/MarleneBanks2 on Twitter.

Interview with Elaine W. Miller, New York State author, with giveaway

Welcome, Elaine! We are so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.
Q: First of all—coffee, tea, soda, or vitamin water?
EM: Hot tea, iced tea, sweet tea, unsweetened tea, black tea, herbal tea. I love all tea! Something romantic about tea, don't you think? "Tea for two and two for tea. Me for you and you for me" is a sweet song I love to sing.

Q: When did you first know you were a writer?
EM: When my husband was preaching a sermon on the Parable of the Talents. In that parable, God is angry at the lazy servant who buries his talent. With no coaxing from me, God spoke to my heart, What good are your writings buried in a file cabinet if no one reads them? I laughed, but I knew I was to write a book. I was in my 50's and had no clue how to write a book, but here I am in my 60's with three published books.

Q: How does upstate NY play into your writing?
EM: This question made me laugh. Winter is my favorite season. It's my writing season because my world is blanketed in snow and quiet. I tuck myself into my office and write away! When the sun shines and the weather is warm, I run outside to play. Oh dear, I'd never finish a book if I lived in the South.

Q: If you could sit down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that be and what is the first question you would ask?
EM: I'd sit down and enjoy a cup of tea with my grandmother. She was the first (and the only) person to sit me on her lap and read the Bible to me. After her death I found one page of a journal written in her own handwriting. In it, she prayed for her five children to believe in Jesus Christ. Her journal inspired me to write so my great grandchildren would know of my faith one day when I'm gone. I'd ask her how and when she believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Then I'd bask in her love and soak in all her wisdom.

Q: Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?
EM: I didn't believe in Christ until I was 32. Immediately, I joined a Bible study and have participated in Bible studies for most of my life. Meeting weekly with those women mentored me spiritually. They taught me through their lives and studying the Word what living a Christ-life looks like.
I've read every book written by Hannah Whitall Smith and Linda Dillow. Those dear authors mentored me spiritually as well.
As a writer, I have always been in a monthly writer's group. Love these women who read my work with new eyes and make my words shine.

Q: What do you hope your readers will take away from your books?
EM: Hope. We live in a world that lacks hope. We give up too soon on people and on circumstances and on marriages. I pray my readers' take away is seeing Jesus Christ as the hope they search for and desperately need.

Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?
EM: Who was the most inspirational person in your life? I'd love to read your story. Please share.

I'd love to do a book give away for the readers. The winner can choose one of my three books, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can, Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms, or Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Wives. If you leave a comment to enter, be sure to tell us if you are following any of Elaine's social media or have shared this on fb, twitter, or Google+ for extra entries. Possibility of up to eight entries. ENDS FRIDAY 8PM

KM: Thank you so much, Elaine, for being with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory!

Elaine W. Miller is a popular author and speaker known for sharing biblical insights with warmth, enthusiasm, and humor. A member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, she has been encouraging audiences for over 25 years. Elaine and her husband, an ordained minister, have been married 41 years. Together they have led many marriage retreats and counseled numerous hurting couples. Residing in upstate New York, Elaine and Dan enjoy a beautiful and sometimes idiotic life together. Besides her newest release We All Married Idiots, Elaine is the author of two additional books, Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms and Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Wives. For more information, please see her website, www.SplashesofSerenity.com or connect with her at Elaine's personal facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.w.miller?ref=tn_tnmn,Elaine's author facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Elaine-W-Miller/202625069765960,Elaine's We All Married Idiots Facebook page gives daily marriage encouragements:https://www.facebook.com/#!/WeAllMarriedIdiots
Elaine's twitter: https://twitter.com/ElaineWMiller