Interview with Nancy Kimball and giveaway Chasing the Lion audiobook

Welcome Nancy! What a thrill to have you as an honored guest. I first met Nancy Kimball when she and I were finalists in the 2012 Genesis contest for unpublished writers. She is an amazing writer and a terrific person.

Thank you for having me! I remember that well because the other historical finalist was my crit partner. Secretly I think we both needed you to win so we wouldn’t have the awkwardness if she or I had one, LOL, so we cheered you long and loud for your well-deserved win that year. And by the way, my debut novel was that same story. He looks good all grown up, doesn’t he? =)

 

We are so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself. I know we’re all going to enjoy getting to know you and your work better.

Q: First of all, granola with chocolate chips, celery sticks with organic peanut butter, or a decadent mocha frappe with New York style cheesecake?   ;)

How is pizza not among my choices? Where is the pizza, Kathleen? #highmaintenanceguest

Q: What causes are you passionate about, and how do they find their way into your writing?

Watch me keep being difficult, LOL, but for me it’s an attitude rather than a cause. I believe, and have personally experienced over and over, that no life is too messed up and broken to be used by 

God, and that no person is too far gone for the Lord to redeem. I think 

Christians have no trouble believing this, until we’re required to translate that belief into practical application, especially for ourselves. I already knew this in my own life, which I’d wrecked fairly well prior to writing this novel. However, I hadn’t realized how fully that truth for me had translated into my hero’s journey until we reached the end together. It was at that point we renamed the series “The Sword of Redemption” (from Forges of Faith). The same way our hero’s sword brought redemption to many throughout the story, it was the same way God through the sword of His word and the Spirit (Eph. 6:17, Heb. 4:12 ) brought redemption to my hero, and to me in my own life.

  

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?

Prince Jonathan, from the Bible, and my first question would be how did he remain faithful to God and loyal to two men he loved that were enemies for most of his life.

Q: Which parts of your heroine or hero are you, or do you aspire to be?

I am all the characters in Chasing the Lion. From the bravest of heroes like Jonathan and the deepest of faith Christ-followers like Nessa to the vilest of villains. (Caius Pullus & Valentina Florus anyone?) It was a great question, Kathleen, but I’ve found for me I have to continue to be as honest with myself as I am with my readers and it means owning I’m the villains just as much as the heroes and heroines. Like when a prism is held to the light, the refraction allows you to see all the colors individually that make the light. I’m the prism and the characters in this novel are my colors. Every last one of them.

Q: Tell us about your writing journey and how you came to the indie decision.

Chasing the Lion was my first NaNoWriMo project. The next two years were spent learning the craft of fiction and making it a publication ready novel instead of a beginner manuscript. After countless revisions and rewrites, I sold Chasing the Lion to a small press in 2013. Later that year the publisher and I chose to part ways because of contract issues and differing expectations of each other. For the first time I began to seriously consider self-publishing. I met Indie author Nicole Deese (a God thing) and after a lot of prayer and reflection, made the decision to self-publish in January of this year. For more on the how and the why I went Indie, see this post at Writers on the Storm.

Q:  What message do you hope your readers will take away from your debut? And can you hint at any works to come?

You have a choice with what to do with your suffering. This is driven home in a letter in the final chapter that is very special to me, and explained in the acknowledgements. As for my work in progress, it is the sequel of course!

In their quest to defend Rome and protect all they hold dear, our heroes will again be tested. Old enemies return, alliances are tested and a new threat greater than any they’ve faced is coming. Charging the Darkness (Spring 2015).

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

Yes! For the authors, I want to know if you write or edit to music like I do. And for readers, have you tried audiobooks yet? Why or why not? And I would LOVE to giveaway a copy of the recently released audiobook of Chasing the Lion. Trust me. I have one of the most amazing narrators the world has ever heard! (That was a God-thing too.)

***Listen to an excerpt from the audiobook here

Author, avid reader, and shameless hero addict, Nancy Kimball loves books, Ancient Rome, and all things gladiator. She makes her home in Houston, Texas with one very spoiled pitbull mix named Eric T. and still doesn’t understand the point of white crayons. Learn more and read the incredible story “Finding Jonathan” at her official website and connect with her on Facebook. 

Viking Week: interview with Heather Day Gilbert, author of God's Daughter

Welcome Heather! We are so happy to have you here today and feature your book this week, and I am excited that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.

Q: First of all to ward off this crazy, persistently chilly weather, French vanilla coffee, hot cocoa, or steaming tea?   ;)

Oh, boy. The answer is ALWAYS coffee for me, no matter what type! A nice cappuccino sounds really good today...

Q: What causes are you passionate about, and do they find their way into your writing?

I'm passionate about many things, but one issue that's found its way into all my books so far is the need to present marriage realistically. I think most married couples, if they're honest, would say they have gone through some really rough times, even if they're just newlyweds! There are seasons to marriage, and I feel it's important to show the ups and downs we all experience. Another topic I often find creeping into my stories is the supernatural, because I think it's a hard thing to understand—yet it's so important to look at it biblically.

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?

I think right now, it would definitely be Freydis, daughter of Eirik the Red, and the woman who will be the main character in my second Viking novel, Forest Child. She did some things historically and I really want to know the true motivations she had. However, I'm afraid I might hate her answers and then readers would hate her too! I'm really striving to incorporate the reality of her choices with the reasons that could have pushed her into them.

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

My Grandma Wilcox, my great-aunt Jenny Lee (also a writer), my parents, my in-laws, my siblings...honestly, my family has been so supportive of every writing endeavor. But it's really the prayers that are the biggest help. Prayers are powerful, even if you feel like they're not being heard. My mom also taught me the importance of giving things up to the Lord—which means asking Him for guidance and then, often, taking those hard steps of obedience.

Not to mention my husband, who I would say has really pushed me to ask those hard questions of the Bible and has helped me understand it better. I have so much respect for him.

Q: Which parts of your wonderful Viking heroine Gudrid are you, and which are the heroine you aspire to be?

Great question! Our characters often reflect us in some ways as authors, and you really have to get into their heads when you write in first person, as I do. I'm more like Freydis in some ways and more like Gudrid in others. I feel compassion for others and have that desire to heal, like Gudrid. But I also tend to run out and fight, like Freydis. Also, my in-laws are a huge, loving part of my life, like they are for Gudrid—they are my family.

As to what I aspire to with Gudrid: I love her deep faith in God's goodness. I tend to question everything, but Gudrid tends to trust.

Q:  What message do you hope your readers will take away from your books? And can you hint at any works to come?

I hope they take away several things:

1) Vikings weren't that weird or different from us on many levels. They had the same motivations (just like humans throughout history).

2) Lust in marriage can be overcome, as well as a host of other misunderstandings.

3) Paganism was not a good thing for the Vikings.

4) Sometimes we don't give our spouses enough credit.

As far as upcoming novels, I have a contemporary Appalachian mystery, Miranda Warning, which will release (hopefully!) June 20, 2014 (West Virginia Day). I'm so excited about this book, which brings modern West Virginia to readers...and my main character, Tess Spencer, is close to my heart.

My second book in The Vikings of the New World Saga will be next in line for publication—Forest Child. I'm figuring this won't release until 2015. Again, Freydis is such a multi-faceted gal—an anti-hero in some ways—that I want to be sure I take time to get her right, plus integrate all the historical details properly.

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

I'd just love to know what you think about books with married main characters, and what the benefits/drawbacks of those might be. Since that's all I've written so far, I'd like your input (I have thought about writing YA or NA).

Heather has graciously agreed to give away an ecopy of her wonderful book to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email when you reply to be entered.

Author Bio:

Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing stories about authentic, believable marriages. Sixteen years of marriage to her sweet Yankee husband have given her some perspective, as well as ten years spent homeschooling. Heather regularly posts on Novel Rocket about self-publishing.

You can find Heather at her website, Heather Day Gilbert—Author, and at her Facebook Author Page, as well as Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Goodreads. Her Viking novel, God's Daughter, is an Amazon bestseller. You can find it on Amazon and Smashwords.

Viking Week! God's Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert: review and giveaway

Has this long winter got you feeling like you've moved to Iceland, minus the volcanoes? It has for me. Here in upstate NY we have small glaciers in our back yards, and the reindeer are being rounded up for our monthly trek to the store. Well, maybe not literally. But it is starting to feel like it.

As they say, when in Reykjavik, do as the . . . . oh, wait. That's Rome. But as long as you've come for Viking week, pull up a fur and a cup of grog, and warm yourself by the fire. I have a story to review that I think you are going to love!


God's Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert.

This is not your mama's bonnet and buggy romance. This is a story in which heroines wear axes and know how to use them, where wolves--not diamonds--are a girl's best friend, and when men were either there to protect or pillage you. A girl had to be on her toes in 1000 AD, a time and place where winter sticks around most of the year and exploration to uncharted lands brings clashes with natives, unknown illnesses, mutiny among a rowdy crew, and rebellion among the slaves you rely on for daily living. And all the while you juggle that, you are caring for a newborn, delivering your sister-in-law's baby, and serving as healer. Not to mention dodging the pagan practices of the day, as you hope and pray you can influence others for the Christian God.

Sound like a good read? It was all that and much more. . .


One Viking woman. One God. One legendary journey to North America.
In the tenth century, when pagan holy women rule the Viking lands, Gudrid turns her back on hertraining as a seeress to embrace Christianity. Clinging to her faith, she joins her husband, Finn, on a voyage to North America.
But even as Gudrid faces down murderous crewmen, raging sickness, and hostile natives, she realizes her greatest enemy is herself—and the secrets she hides might just tear her marriage apart.
Almost five centuries before Columbus, Viking women sailed to North America with their husbands.God’s Daughter, Book One in the Vikings of the New World Saga, offers an expansive yet intimate look into the world of Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir—daughter-in-law of Eirik the Red, and the firstdocumented European woman to have a child in North America.

My review:
I've read dozens of inspirational titles in the last five years, and have loved a few, and enjoyed many more. What I value about any book is a fresh, original voice, learning a new history or setting, and falling in love with the characters. This book had it all.
Gudrid is a heroine in the true sense of the word, and her admirable strength and compassion in the face of powerful adversity and danger impressed me. But what will stay with me for a long time is her bared soul. As handy as she is with her Icelandic seax weapon and her ability to stand up against barbaric Viking men, what made me love her was her bared soul. She is a wonderful contradiction of strength and vulnerability, of morality and human weakness, of pain and healing. It was a pleasure to see how each of her longings and conflicts were resolved.
The author, who was new to me, had a lovely, "invisible" voice, meaning her vivid story world emerged in all five senses, while her intrusion in the story faded to nonexistence. The conflicts, tastes, longings, and experiences of each character were palpable, and told in first person present point of view, which added to the immediacy of the dangers, challenges, and hopes which move the story forward.
Likewise, the story delivered a powerful journey back in time to a thrilling time in history. I enjoyed learning about Norse custom and beliefs, particularly at a time when Christianity's influence challenged practices such as human sacrifice, rape and pillaging. The setting felt convincing, and in every way enhanced the page-turning plot.
I am eager to see the next installment of this series, and consider my week reading this book time very well spent.


As thanks for coming to our hearty Viking longhouse party, I am giving away my gently loved print copy of God's Daughter to one lucky commenter. Leave your name and email addy and I will select a winner on Saturday, March 8.

Stay tuned as on Wednesday, I will post an interview with Heather Day Gilbert and she will be offering an ecopy of God's Daughter to another winner, also to be drawn on Saturday.

Heather Day Gilbert writes character-driven novels that go beyond the vows, capturing the triumphs and heartaches unique to married couples. A graduate of Bob Jones University, she’s been married to her sweet Yankee husband for over sixteen years. After ten years of homeschooling and six years of writing, she really doesn’t have many hobbies. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, she believes that bittersweet, generational stories are in her blood.

Interview with Joy Ross Davis--a repost by K. D. McCrite

Today, I post about Countenance, by Joy Ross Davis. See original post here.This is her debut novel, published earlier this year by Ecanus Publishing. Joy refers to her book as “paranormal”, but these days, that genre conjures up images of vampires, werewolves and zombies, all of them so overdone that the majority the reading public is exhausted by it. I think the content of this book can more aptly be described as “supernatural”.

The author and I shared some conversation recently, and I now share with you a few tidbits on how this story came to be:

§ Where did the idea for Countenance originate?
The idea came from a voice I heard while standing on my porch one night. It said, “Countenance.” From there, the story ideas took hold and by the next morning, I knew all of the characters.

§ Why this story?
 Countenance came at a time when I needed relief from the grief of losing my mother. It kept me sane and occupied, and the story blends all the elements of my family and experiences.

§ How long did it take you to write it?
 I wrote it in eight months then spent another four months with an editor to revise and polish it.

§ Do you believe in angels and demons (bright spirits and dark spirits) and were you taught to believe as a child?
 I do most certainly believe in angels and demons, but I was not taught that as a child. I was discouraged in those beliefs, but when I was six, I had an experience that cemented my belief in angels.

§ Do you believe you’ve ever had encounters with either side?
Oh, most certainly. I believe that when I was a child, an angel saved me from a deadly lightning strike. Lightning struck at my feet just as an angel appeared and told me to run. I ran and suffered only minor blisters from the strike. When I looked back, the angel was gone, but the ground where I had been standing was completely charred.

§ I know you told me some people refuse to read Countenance because of its supernatural theme. What do you say to those who think your story is “of the devil”?
This sort of makes me laugh. I know that some people choose what to read based on their beliefs, and of course, that is their right. But I would say to everyone that Countenance is a work of fiction. It is not intended for any purpose other than to entertain…and possibly uplift. I really don’t believe that a work of fiction can test anyone’s faith.

§ What’s next?


Next on the agenda is finishing the sequel, which takes place in Ireland.
My original idea was that Countenance would be three books: one in Tennessee, one in Ireland, and the last in Tennessee. But, that vision has changed a bit. I still see it as three books, but there will be more blending of the characters and places. The major characters from the first book will remain in all three books with a deeper look into the family history and a few extra ghosts and angels sprinkled throughout!




Getting it Together for Historical Fiction (by JudyAnn Lorenz)(original post here)

Joy Ross Davis brings more angelic storytelling to her readers and the Angel Pack! Set in Ireland, 1938, Emalyn’s Treasure tells us of a young woman with a heightened spiritual experience which contributes to the ‘treasure’ that she has kept close by, yet hidden from all, since she was a 6 year old child. Her encounter with lightning and a protective angel lies at the foundation for the treasure story.

Emalyn has led a privileged life during a tumultuous period in Irish history that we seldom hear about. Civic improvements for water and electricity were becoming accepted and expected, although resisted by some people. Assessment costs and resistance to change sparked civil disorder. I especially enjoy a story where I can learn — a factoid here; a skill there! Our Author’s research is extremely active for this book; the descriptions of politics, available appliances, clothing, decor, architecture, and hospitably take you right into 1938!

Our Emalyn is still a young spirit, becoming more mature and generous by the day. How blessed the man and woman who find their matching ‘swan’ to become a life’s companion as Emalyn and husband Owen have done. Joy Ross Davis brings her gentle story-telling to Emalyn’s Treasure as we would expect, with some twists and turns that keep it from being at all saccharin sweet! Indeed, tragedy marks high points in the story and leads to the finale.

Emalyn’s Treasure has no ghosts. Angels are present to take on earthly appearances, protecting and guiding the characters through their activities. Lives are transformed subtly. Supportive characters Fiona and Percy become more mature. I perceive the potential for follow-up stories, but as a skilled author, Joy Ross Davis brings this story to a sensible end without a cliff hanger ending that seems to just drop off that cliff.

My review of Burning Sky by Lori Benton, a novel of the Upstate NY frontier

Willa Obenchain’s quiet strength will stay with me for a long time, and so will this beautifully written story of the New York frontier. 

Taken captive by the Iroquois as a child, Willa now returns to her white village near present-day Herkimer, uncertain of her place in either world. She finds more questions than answers in the abandoned farmstead of her parents, whose loyalty in the recently ended Revolution is questioned. Locals from Shiloh, especially a former love interest Richard Waring, claim her parents disloyal to the patriot cause, and threaten to confiscate her land. To complicate matters, Willa’s sworn solitude has been invaded by a wounded botanist—Neil MacGregor—whom she takes in, and who in turn charms her grieving heart.

Clues about her past come into focus in the ethereal visits of a mysterious boy in the woods. Francis Waring is a heartbreakingly pure soul and the polar opposite of his brutal older brother Richard. Francis’ underdog simplicity and vulnerability drew me more powerfully than any other force in this deeply moving novel. This book has depth that haunts your heart and an uplifting power that ascends to. . .well, the Burning Sky.

For me, this is the best read of this year, by far. Bravo, Lori Benton on a breathtaking debut. 

Don't forget that we have an ongoing giveaway of this gorgeous novel. Leave a comment to be entered! A winner will be chosen by random.org on Friday. Good luck!

interview with Lori Benton and giveaway of her debut novel Burning Sky, ends Aug 16

This week we are celebrating Lori Benton's fabulous debut with an interview today, a review Wednesday, and a giveaway on Friday! Be sure to leave a comment with your email to enter both today and Wednesday.

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

Q: First of all—biscotti and coffee, tea and crumpets, or scones and latte? J

A: Coffee in the mornings, tea in the afternoons. But, alas, I am eating gluten free these days. Before that it would have been scones and tea. Thankfully there are gluten free alternatives, and some of them aren't half bad. J

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

A: I remember it well. I was nine years old when my best friend announced (already an avid reader) that she had written a story. She showed it to me, and that was a moment of revelation. Anyone, whenever they felt like it, could write their own story, about whatever they wanted. Of course I had to give it a go. I wrote Yellow Feather and the Wild Mustang (and thanks to a grandmother who saved that story, dated 1978, I still have it). I never lost interest in storytelling from that day on, although writing took a back seat to painting for a few years during high school and art college. But in 1991 I began writing again with an eye toward one day being published.

Q: How does New York State history play into your writing?

A: My debut novel, Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier, is set in upstate New York in 1784, months after the Revolutionary War ceased raging in the back country so close to British Canada, and the inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley and along West Canada Creek were finally able to straggle back to their homesteads (if they still existed) and pick up the pieces of their lives. Burning Sky presents a portrait of one such (fictional) settlement at this time, and the scars that both the land and people were left to bear and overcome. European settlers and their neighbors the Iroquois, who experienced their own struggles, defeats, and triumphs during the War.

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?

A: The answer to this question evolves, since I’m always researching the 18^th century, learning about the people of that time, sometimes scratching my head over their choices and actions—or marveling at their bravery and dedication. Just now a certain man comes to mind. I’ll introduce him, as I don’t believe he’s well known. His name was Peter Agwelentongwas, also known as Good Peter. He was an Oneida Indian who helped lead his people during the Revolutionary War era. Unlike most members of the other Iroquois Six Nations, the Oneidas fought for the patriots. And they suffered for it. Many Oneidas were by this time Christians. Good Peter, born in the 1720s, accepted Christ as his Savior in the 1750s. He was a warrior known for his fervent faith—he taught himself to read the Bible, translated into Mohawk—and for his loving nature. In spite of the terrible poverty and suffering the Oneidas experienced after the war, he maintained a hopeful optimism about his nation. He would travel from village to village, offering kind words and prayers, singing hymns, and preaching sermons to encourage his brothers and sisters, until his death in 1794.

This is what I’d like to ask Good Peter. Tell me what is the reason for the hope that is in you? Not because I don’t already know the Answer for myself. Because I would very much like to sit beside this beloved man and hear him tell me about his Savior.

Q: Beautiful portrait. I looked up Oquaga, where Good Peter regularly preached--near what is now Deposit, NY--and it's less than 2 hours from where I live. In that vein, who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?

A: So many writers have mentored me during my 20+ year writing journey, most of them unknowingly. Some of the best mentoring I’ve received has come from simply reading novels of the sort I long to write myself, paying attention to what it is that’s ringing that bell for me, and attempting to recreate it in my own words.

There is one place where I’ve learned a great deal about writing fiction over the past 15 years, and that’s the Compuserve Books & Writers Community. It’s the oldest books and writers forum on the internet. It’s gone by different names over the years, and there are writers who’ve been members there since its inception. One of them is bestselling author Diana Gabaldon, and it’s down to her books that I became interested in the 18^th century in the first place. I’ve learned much about writing from Diana, and others on the forum, many of them multi-published authors and journalists. But there was one woman, Lauri Klobas, who had never published any fiction of her own, who helped me tremendously. Lauri had a gift for editing, especially for wading through a tangle of overwritten prose like I once produced (and still often do in my first drafts), and cutting away the excess to find the core of a story. It’s largely because of Lauri that my writing finally captured the eye of an agent, and I’ve dedicated Burning Sky in her memory.

Q:  What do you hope your readers will take away from Burning Sky and your other books in general?

A: Aside from the obvious—being entertained and feeling like they've gained a new circle of friends in the characters—I would like the reader who finishes Burning Sky to be encouraged and reaffirmed that God is working all things together for good in their lives. That they can trust Him without fear, through pain and disappointment, through hardship and hard work, no matter what the situation looks like on the ground. He has good plans for us, blessings now, and on into eternity.

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

A: I’ll put to them the same question you asked me (it’s a good one!). If you could sit down and interview any person, from any time, who would that be, and what is the first question you would ask?

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

Visit the Burning Sky page on Lori's website where you can read the first two chapters now: http://loribenton.blogspot.com/p/burning-sky.html

Lori's Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriBenton#

Burning Sky

Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path and feels obliged to nurse his injuries. The two quickly find much has changed during Willa’s twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired has grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage—the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

I am giving away a copy of this beautiful book to one lucky commenter. Answer Lori's question about who in history you would love to interview, and you might win this beautiful story of the NY frontier. To increase your chances of winning, tell me if you follow this blog, Lori's blog or FB author page, or share on Twitter, FB, or Google+ That gives you 8 chances. Good luck!

Introducing Dixie Diamanti, and her debut memoir, Climbing out of the Box

Welcome Dixie! 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—hot fudge brownie sundae, chocolate covered strawberries, carrot cake, or spinach and artichoke salad? J note the sliding scale from decadence to health?

Ummmm chocolate covered strawberries for sure!!!

 

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

About 20 years ago when I decided it would be fun to take a writing composition class at my local college.   I was like a duck that found water!  Absolutely loved it!

Q: How does your faith play into your writing?

My faith is who I am.  I cannot imagine doing anything without it being within that realm. 

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?

Wow, how fun would that be?   I think I would interview Mary of Magdala from the times of Jesus.   I would ask her what it was like after He delivered her and she was in His company for the few years before He returned to heaven.

Q: What an amazing interview that would be! Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?

My life has always been one that at the right moment in time God would bring a gifted mentor into my life to drop a few nuggets of wisdom, and then they would be moved on.  There are so many that I have grown from knowing and applying what they taught me to my own life. 

Q:  What do you hope your readers will take away from your debut? And can you hint at any works to come?

Since my book is a memoir, my prayer has always been that readers will see that there is healing from the worst possible emotional pain one can endure and hope for a life that is more than they ever imagined.  And that they will find true relationship with a God who is very real and involved in our everyday lives.    My next book will be entitled, “Fifty Ways to Meet Your Lover” and will be a compilation of daily stories drawn from my walk of faith.

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

Do you know that you were created with a purpose and a plan, and that everything you have encountered in your life can be used to,  not only move you into that plan, but to help others who have experienced the same thing?

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

Thank you,  Kathleen, for this opportunity!!

Web site:  www.reflectionsofgracehome.com

Blog site: http://reflectionsofgracehome.wordpress.com/

Book site: http://www.amazon.com/Climbing-Out-The-Box-Spiritual/dp/1478296852/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353720856&sr=8-1&keywords=dixie+diamanti

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/ClimbingOutOfTheBox

Facebook Life Coaching page:  https://www.facebook.com/ReflectionsOfGraceLifePurposeCoaching 

click to enlarge

 About the Book

Climbing Out of the Box is a totally honest, deeply-felt memoir written by a courageous woman who has not only survived, but triumphed over, childhood sexual abuse, a dysfunctional family, loss of identity, rejection, self-denial, divorce, and spiritual abuse. Now a successful Certified Life Coach, author, and speaker, Dixie Diamanti has so much to teach us about childhood and adult struggles – physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual -- and the often-precarious journey from unsatisfying religious practices to a true and enriching relationship with Jesus.  You will laugh, wince, cry, and be inspired as you walk with Dixie on her path from darkness to light, from captive to free and fulfilled child of God.  A compelling story all spiritual seekers should read!

About the Author 

Dixie Diamanti’s long journey to recovery from sexual abuse began early in her life.  As a result of the abuse, she spent many years struggling for purpose and identity.  Through her need to feel safe and to be valued, she sought solace in the rigid confines of religion, and found herself the victim of spiritual abuse and addiction to “ministry.”  The self-denial that enshrouded her led to her young daughter being molested by the same family member that had molested her.  As her adult world fell apart with the loss of all that she loved and trusted, she found herself totally alone in life.  It was in her most troubled times that she found a relationship with Jesus that far exceeded anything she had ever experienced before. 

Dixie is a wife, mom, and nana to a large and wonderful family.  She has discovered that God had actually been preparing her, through many years of adversity, for stepping into a new and exciting adventure with Him.  As a Certified Life Coach, author, speaker, and teacher, Dixie has reached out to women and men on the Central Coast of California for many years, leading them to freedom and self-esteem.  She believes that every child of God has a distinct calling, and through her work, she assists and coaches women and men in finding their unique purpose in life.  Dixie’s passion is to see people discover how precious and valuable they are to God, and loves to encourage and challenge them in uncovering and making use of God’s hidden treasures within themselves.