Happy New Year!!!

How many times have you heard that one so far this week? I can't even begin to count, but I do know that saying it will not make it happen...it takes lots of work and understanding.  I got behind on my reviews when I let my circumstances overwhelm me, and likewise we can get behind in life when we let the same thing happen there. I have to trust and believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a lesson to be learned, a detail to be attended to, a trait I need to focus on, or a bad habit that needs to be removed that tends to bring on these things. Someone said recently that we need to remove ourselves from that "give me/ help me" attitude and fight our way over to that place where we make ourselves content with what we have and can help others. There are always others so much worse off than we are...we should appreciate all we do have!

I have heard preachers that feel we were just being strengthened to face 2012, and that it may prove to be our worst year so far. Wow. Yeah, that gets me excited...NOT! But it wasn't said to excite us. It was said to remind us of all the "natural disasters" (fires, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes in places never before stricken, new diseases, volcanoes, you name it) are only the beginning of the last days. Some believe we, the true believers will be raptured up before the tribulation and others think it will be after the trials. In either case we have some getting ready to be done. The time is coming when we will look at electricity as a luxury, have to learn to sanitize our water, and how to dispose of our trash without others to do it for us. The days of fast foods, credit cards, stores stocked with everything you can imagine, transportation, and utilities will be a thing of the past. You will long for a copy of Mother Earth News to help you out and teach you how to get back to basics! The richest people wont be in the penthouses or live at Trump Towers...they will be the self sufficient farmer living with solar power and raising his own food that will be looked up to. (For a good series that follows this thought read Terri Blackstock's restoration series).

As for me, I am going to focus on learning to do with less this year, becoming more self sufficient, and appreciating what God has blessed me with. I want to rely on His Grace to give me the strength to endure His trials leading to my growth and perfection in Him.

As I Promised...a Trivia Quiz!

As I mentioned, I am offering a quiz to see how well you know Tricia Goyer! Mail your answers to cherihorgan@hotmail.com and I will pick someone who has all the answers correct to receive a $25 Starbucks gift card! Good luck, and have fun searching...oh, and by the way, not all answers are found in my blog. Some will have to be searched out!

Next week I will finish with Tricia's story about how she finds all of her stories in real life situations and people.

Tricia Trivia
1. Who died, that inspired Tricia's first publication?
2. How old was Tricia when her first child was born?
3. What ministry did Tricia start based on her own experiences?
4. Name Tricia's first Book published.
5. When did she marry her husband?
6. What town was she born in?
7. What school did her children attend?
8. Who invited her to their reunion?

That's it! Good Luck and have fun!

Due to illness and severe back pain the remainder of this week's posts will be delayed until next week...sorry!

More on Tricia Goyer...

The first thing that I wanted to know was what kind of education did Tricia have to accomplish so many goals.  I cringed, expecting to hear of several Master's degrees and other assorted academics. Instead I learned that she only had a high school diploma...but received most of her training from attending writer's conferences and retreats, and soaking up everything she could learn.

Things were different back then.  Tricia would write the first three chapters and submit them to contest after contest, and agent and editor; meanwhile beginning a new story and send it out too. At that time you didn't have to have a completed manuscript, just the first three chapters, so if one didn't garner the attention of agents she threw it in the pile and started another one...and another one, until she found the one that did. The best advice she ever received was to follow her heart.  If she wrote from the heart, she found the words just flowed, and her first contract was offered! After reading her first three chapters they requested three more...and she finally finished a manuscript and turned it into her dream.

She remembers the first time she saw her dream in its finished form in a book store. They were traveling across country and stopped at the store, wearing her sweats and no make up on, she ran in to buy a few things. There on the shelf in the book section sat her book! She was feeling so thrilled, then she saw a woman walk by carrying her book under her arm! She was going to buy her book! John told her to go introduce herself. At first she had her doubts, but then she walked over and asked the lady if she were going to buy that book. When the lady told her she liked what she had read on the back cover and that it sounded interesting, Tricia introduced herself and graciously signed her first sale.

There was much to learn about what she could and couldn't say in the CBA as opposed to secular writing, and there were strict guidelines on what words were allowed and which ones were banned. Can you imagine her surprise when she was told her book had two restricted words and had to be rewritten..."Shoot, and Darn" were almost enough to get her rejected! She found alternatives and they were replaced. Today they are not as rigid and there are many more freedoms than there used to be.

All of Tricia's stories are based on true headlines, and even though she took freedoms with the characters, often placing herself in the situation, she enjoys the research that introduces her to the real people behind the stories.

One of Tricia's bits of advice is to write every chance you can get. write for blogs, write for magazines, write for newspapers, anything to get your words out there and get people acquainted with your work. Tricia had over 30 articles written for "Light and Life" Magazine  and she was asked to write a devotion for Women of Faith Study Bible! You never know where something might take you. This month Tricia is featured in Guide Posts Magazine.

I met the most facinating friend today...

Today was book signing at our local Harrisburg, Pa. Life Way Store! I was so excited. Tricia Goyer was going to be there. As a writer she is one of the finest, but that barely touches the ice burg in what makes her such a blessing to know.

As usual, before I write about anyone, I try to do a search to see what I can find out. For most writers the interest centers on the books they wrote and the awards they have won, alone with a small personal bio. When I began to read about Tricia I knew there was so much more to her that I would be able to capture in a small blog. Her emotions run deep, and her books pull from the heart her most descriptive scenes and thoughts. But beyond her words are her actions that make her the mentor and friend everyone wants to know. Tricia feels that every experience leads us to a greater picture if we only allow it.

When Tricia was a senior in high school, at age 17, she was your typical outgoing cheerleader...full of energy with a smile that made her the life of the party. She loved going to the library, and reading was her favorite pastime. There really wasn't a lot to do in a little town called Weed, California...population just over 3500. (Rumor has it that also includes the pets.)  It was during that all important year that God decided to expand her world the first time.  Tricia found out she was pregnant, and as often happens the father took up track...running that is, and left Tricia to face responsibility alone.

It was while she was pregnant with her son that Jesus met her in a very real and personal way and she gave her life to Him. She knows the feelings a young girl feels when she finds out that her life is about to change, and can understand their disappointment when they realize their dreams don't always happen the way they wanted them to. As she said, sometimes we pray for one little thing when God has a plan for a much larger picture in their life...and she would later start a crisis pregnancy center with her best friend Twila. Who better than someone who had been down that road and knew first hand what the girls were feeling? Last year alone they believe they made a difference in the lives of 22 young women who chose life over death for their child's future. Tricia is so effective in ministering to the needs of young women because she has a heart for them that only comes from God's plan in her life. She has written a book called, "Praying for your future husband: Preparing your heart for his" with dear friend Robin Jones Gunn. Like many of Tricia's books, it has been translated into many languages.

One of Tricia's fondest fan letters comes from a young girl who couldn't speak English well but wanted to let her know she had accepted Jesus into her heart just as she had read it in the book, "Dust to Ashes". Another one asked how they were going to find boys who were Christians. The girls had accepted Christ, but most boys had never read her books and the girls feared they would never become Christians. Tricia realized she is touching lives around the world. She told them to continue to pray that the boys will accept Jesus.

Like every young girl of God, she prayed that God would would bring her a Christian husband and later that year John entered her world. They were married not long after that and today they are parents to four wonderful children, Two boys and two girls. Today she enjoys the entertainment of one grandchild, a boy named Clayton that belongs to Corey and his wife Katie.  Clayton is close in age to her baby girl, Alyssa. Her daughter is in college; and her youngest son still helps out at home and is finishing high school as a home schooler, like his older siblings. With his help, and a husband she loves dearly,  Tricia is able to write, minister, have her own radio show, and still run a happy family! I smiled as I saw Alyssa "sign" thank you. Her older sister had taught her.

Her youngest daughter, Alyssa,  looks exactly like her, and I believe that is because long before she was born God had a plan in her life.  He knew she would be loved and cherished by Tricia and John, and he gave her Tricia's glowing smile and deeply charming dimples...even though her birth mother is a very tall blond with blue eyes! Yes, the sweet treasure of their life is adopted. It is simple, her birth mother was just her temporary housing until she could get to her real parents! When Alyssa was only 6 days old she came home to John and Tricia.  According to Twila, Tricia was a wonderful home school teacher for her son too, and has a deep love for all children as is shown through their children's ministry and frequent missions trips. Her oldest three children have been home schooled by their mom and Tricia laughs as she recalls working on her book with her children beside her working on their school work.  When there was a math problem, she would have to stop her creative flow and work on her math situation with her "student" then return to work. She became accustomed to multi-tasking with a child on her hip and another one beside her, while writing down her book ideas, as her children were growing up, so these days it is a piece of cake to carry 19 month old Alyssa on her hip, and take care of interviews, book signings, or even getting food at the Chinese Buffet we were able to squeeze into her busy schedule. She never missed a step, as though it was common practice for everyone!

When Tricia was 22 and pregnant with her third child she attended the Mt Herman's Writer's Conference and decided she wanted to be a writer. Balancing two toddlers and one on the way she sat down to write story after story. Each time one would be rejected she would start another, never finishing any of them until she finally stumbled on the perfect combination, after 14 years of attending writer's conferences and learning everything she could. (Note:  Never give up! 14 years she attended, learning everything she could, and still writing every chance she could. 14 years of rejections!) In the meantime she found the right combination for her crit group and together they also formed an on-line prayer group. One of her mentors, and a BFF of over two decades, Robin  Jones Gunn, stood by her side offering love, encouragement and chocolate. As the success flowed on prayer requests so it also flowed with contracts, and one by one each girl in the group found an agent and sold their literary creations for publication. This was just her beginning...

Following advice from her mentors she wrote from the heart, pouring herself into every word and crying along with every tear she wrote. When  she wrote about a boy and his music she pictured her own son and the tears flooded her cheeks as she sobbed out the words. Her results were more than words on paper, they were parts of her own soul displayed for everyone to feel with her. If she was having a great day, she would jump over to a joyful part of her story and write it...but if her day was taking a turn for the blues then she knew it was a day to write the tears and let them flow freely from her keyboard. It was a winning success, and in 2003 she won the Writer of the Year Award from Mt Herman's Writer's Conference. Following that, she won awards from American Christian Fiction Writers Award in Historical Fiction in 2005 and 2006. Thirty Books and over 500 articles in publications like Guide Posts, Focus on the Family, and Christian Women Magazine has blessed her with numerous recognitions and rewards.

Watch for Part two in this series about how things have changed since Tricia began her writing journey, and how she describes her first experience of seeing her book for sale in a book store and a woman carrying it around to buy! That will be published Tuesday October 25th.  On Wednesday October 26th we will talk more about the men who invited her to their reunion and into their hearts as she wrote her Liberator series.

On Thursday we will discuss how she is now recognised by her publishers and her agent well enough they call HER and ask her to write a certain story! Wouldn't we all love to reach that point!

And Finally on Friday we will wrap it all up by telling you about the many different books she has penned (from Amish to Military!) and if any of her characters are like her. And we will print the trivia questions about this fun and inspirational mentor. The winner will be drawn from all the correct entries.  See you tomorrow!

Gina Holmes, Brains and Beauty too!

Meet Gina Holmes...an amazing woman who has many talents, not the least of which is writing award nominated romance and Women's Inspirational stories for Christian Fiction. According to her website Gina Holmes is the President and founder of Inspire a Fire and Novel Rocket and award-winning author of Crossing Oceans and Dry as Rain. In 1998, Gina began her career penning articles and short stories in ten years, and a stack of rejection letters later, she held her first published novel. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.

In 2004 Gina started journaling about her path to becoming published. Five years and a name change later, She realized her dream and the world of Novel Journey has become an award winning website, inspiring writers at all stages of their career with tips, secrets, and facinating interviews with such exciting authors as Dean Koontz, Francine Rivers, and Nicholas Sparks. Today her dream has grown into dozens of contributors and includes book reviews, interviews, daily devotions and writing help from some of today's best writers. It was recently recognised by Writers Digest as one of the best websites for writers. You can see for yourself by going to www.writersjourney.blogspot.com or www.novelrocket.com or www.ginaholmes.com



In 2010 she saw the release of  her first publication after years of rejections. Gina credits her rejections for the success of this debut award winner. As a child she was a an of Stephen King and loved to read suspense stories, so she assumed that was the directin she would head.  After four finished manuscripts that didn't sell, she began a brand new creation that won the hearts of the people who read it. It tugs at your heart, makes you re-evaluate forgiveness, faces death, and fight the pains of wrong doings.   Crossing Oceans was a success that took 10 years to be born!  In September Gina saw the release of her second literary birth as "Dry as Rain" hits the shelves. Another story written to penetrate your heart and leave you thinking long after the last page has closed, "Dry as Rain" follows the downfall of a marriage taken for granted, and left to dry up and die. The ultimate straw of infidelity breaks the remaining ties until Eric gets a second chance to save his marriage when Kyra is in an accident that leaves her memory fragmented...and no recolections of the events that caused their marriage to fall apart. As forgiveness challenges us along with the couple in question, you will find yourself challenged beyond your normal limits...and wondering if you could forgive...anything, if it was in God's plan. Here's the twist...Gina writes in first person from a man's pont of view! Now that takes talent, and I for one can't wait to read it!

When I asked Gina what her personal favorite love story was she never hesitated to say it was her real life love story with her new husband of two years, Adam. She expressed her answer in a way that touched my own heart since I also went through a painful divorce and understand that rejected feeling. Here is what she had to say...

The best love story I've ever heard is my own with my husband, Adam. We've been married a little over 2 years. Both of us coming from really heartbreaking situations that caused both of our previous marriages to fail. We both thought love wasn't in the cards for us but never have two people been more meant for each other. He is my soul mate, my best-friend. In so many ways, I thought I was fatally flawed since my own husband couldn't stand me and then I met Adam who honestly adores me. It's been very healing for both of us and we're so grateful for God's mercy.  She forgot to mention how they crawled into a shark cage and swam with the sharks on their honeymoon....or how she wants to go skydiving! I guess they bring out the adventurer in each other as well!

When I asked her if she enjoyed writing and what got her started in something that takes so long to see the rewards she said...

Writing for me is therapy and a way to get others to see things from another's perspective. I've always been the empathetic type, being able to see things from other's point of view. In person, I am a terrible convincer but through fiction, I'm effective. I love exploring what makes people tick. What makes them fall off the path, or think thoughts that are off, and just put myself in their shoes. Plus, words just excite me. Always have.

What got me started is that I knew I could write. It's always been a natural ability for me ever since I can remember. When I was a stay at home mom, I wanted to help my family bring in some extra cash, so I started penning everything from greeting cards to articles. I had a little success but not much. When a girl at church said she was working on her second novel, I thought if she can do it, so can I. And so I did.

 

Of course I had to ask her who she admired most and she answered as graciously as she is..

Outside of Jesus, I try to be careful not to idolize anyone. The truth of the matter is that we're all fallen people in a fallen world. I can't trust anyone not to let me down sometimes, not even myself. Only God is worthy of my full trust and heart. However, my friend Ane Mulligan is definitely someone I greatly admire. She's just the sweetest person I know. I've seen her in so many situations that I would have gone on the attack and she always takes the high road, not just takes the high road in action, but in thought too. She always seems to give people the benefit of the doubt. Someone could run over her dog on purpose and she'd say, "Oh, they're just having a bad day," and actually mean it. She's one of a kind.

 

Until I started researching this amazing gal  I had no idea how many people loved her. She never acts like some "fancy, famous author", lol! To everyone who knows her she is an encourager who will give her all to help someone reach their dreams. SHe still works as an RN in Virginia, where she lives as a newly wed with her husband Adam and her Brady Bunch family (was that 6 children, Gina?) and her pets.  Here is how she described her "other children"...

 

We have a yorkie, named Sophie, (we call her "Soapie"), who is the sweetest, most loving dog in the world, as well as being the prettiest. She's not without fault though, she is also the sneakiest dog in the world. You take an eye off her and she finds a way into anything edible. The other day she ate all of the fish food. She also refused to be house broken (we got her when she was 2 years old), so all the rugs in the house are put away. But we adore her. We also have an older hound dog named Maggie. She is so easy-going and it's hard to find any fault with that old hound dog. The only thing I can complain about is that she stalks us wherever we go, with drool running out of her mouth. If she were a human she'd definitely have a weight problem. Her thoughts are: "food. food. food. more food. do you have food? I need food."

Lastly, our easiest pet, a beta named Les Paul. He thinks he's bad with flailing those gills out whenever I get near his fish bowl. I'm glad he's not bigger. He'd be scary.

 

Be sure to stop by www.novelrocket.com  www.inspireafire.com  www.ginaholmes.com  for more about "Crossing Oceans" or "Dry as Rain" or to get to know someone who brings a little joy into everyone's life she meets!  Here's a list of her upcoming personal appearances...

Appearances

Oct 21–Roanoke Virginia
Book Signing-Lifeway Christian Store (Valley View Mall) 5-7 pm
Oct 29–Franklin TN
Book Signing-Lifeway Christian Store-Franklin TN
Nov. 5 –Atlanta, GA
Book Signing-Lifeway Christian Store-Buford (Mall of GA) 1-3 pm
Book Signing-Books A Million- 5900 Sugarloaf Pky, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 5-7 pm

Nov. 12 –Roanoke, VA
Book signing– B&N Valley View Mall (Sat) 6-7pm.
Nov. 19 –Roanoke, VA
Book signing– Books A Million (Sat) time to be established.
Jan 2012–Roanoke, VA
Teaching- Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference (dates to follow)
May 2012–Asheville, NC
Teaching at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference

 

 

 

 

                 

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments!

Thank you for your very helpful posts. I am feeling much better and am happily back to writing and getting those creative energies flowing. For any of you that might now know these wonderful friends, be sure and click on their links and read more great ideas and thoughts on their blogs!

If it is one thing I have learned it is that writers are quick to help one another, whether it be helping with needing research, a phrase we just can't get, or finding that "just right word" that is right beyond the reach of our finger tips...or helping restore balance to blockages! I have also seen them reach deep into their pockets for a sister in need, and help anyone who needs help if they can. Beyond their books they are real people with big hearts, and this is just a part of their ministry. When you buy their books you might be helping support the Wolf Sanctuary in Paradise, Pa. or giving to Wounded Warriors  (Loree Lough's favorite charities), or helping someone pay their back taxes as a group of writers did recently after hearing a sister was about to lose her home. You might be helping people rebuild in Joplin, Mo. or buying food and clothing for a family in the other storm ridden areas. They don't get paid a lot, but they are willing to share what they do have with others who need it more. Writers are an interesting breed of people.

In the coming weeks I hope to introduce you to some of these fine people and tell you more about the books they write. Tricia Goyer and Gina Holmes will be my featured author next week, but don't look for a favorite recipe from Gina...she says she cooks like she writes, "From the seat of her pants"! While her husband says she is a good cook, they both agree nothing turns out the same way twice, lol! Til then...keep reading!

Have you ever felt Creatively Constipated?

     I have a question for all of you who write for a living...have you ever felt Creatively Constipated? Like you had all these wonderful ideas but they were stopped up inside of you and wouldn't flow the way they should? Have you found a Mental Ex-Lax that will set your ideas free and get you back on track? In my fleshly reality I am surrounded with obstacles that distract me from the the ideas that are jamming up fighting to escape.  When I sit down to write the mail will run dropping off those friendly little reminders...(note: there is nothing friendly about their notes or phone calls to remind you that you are a dead beat and you need to pay your bills, even if it means selling your grandmother's hope chest you had promised to your granddaughter!), or the fleas that have taken over residence in your home setting up maternity hospitals instead of flea markets, and mass producing little pin-sized vampires to eat you alive while you try to concentrate! So I come to you now asking...what is your secret Chocolate-flavored solution to release the little people in your head? How do you get your creative juices flowing again and feed the people that fill the pages of your manuscript?

     Or is it just me that experiences these blockages? I remember when I was little my grandmother would tell me if I ate too much cheese or too many bananas I would get "stopped up" (she was very delicate with words) and I would have to take a little chocolate flavored bite (lousy chocolate too,let me tell you!)  to "set me free".  As I got older and hated that fake little rectangle of brown lies, I discovered I could get the same results by drinking grape juice or eating prunes...and they were so much tastier! So what have you discovered that works to get your imagination back on track again?

Did you miss me?

     In the last few weeks I have heard so many heart breaking prayer requests taking our dear friends away from their writing and other important work. It sounds like the enemy is pulling out all of the punches to bring us to our knees. But you know what you do best when you are on your knees, don't you? That's right friends...YOU PRAY!  You pray for yourself, you pray for your loved ones...and you pray for everyone else! You pray through to victory. There is strength in numbers and if we all bind together we can fight the forces that try to bring us down. I have seen miracles happen! In the next few weeks I am going to ask some of our friends how they deal with these occasions when we can't seem to think clearly and our creative energy feels drained. I have faced some challenges that I thought would never end, but through faith those too passed and I finally stopped crying and pulled up my big girl panties and faced the day ahead.
     Old Slewfoot knows our weaknesses, and isn't afraid to attack them! Mine was my son, and he decided he wanted to move out after graduation. No job, no plans, stay up all night and sleep all day. He left me. Just like his father before him...he left me. He was the man in my life. He protected me when I was afraid, and now he was the one scaring me!  He didn't want to talk. What happened to the boy who used to crawl into bed with me when he was sick and let me massage his foot, like I did when he was a baby? Where was the boy with the dimple who smiled so big it would make me tear up with joy? He seemed hardened and I didn't know him anymore. All I could think about was that my family was falling apart, and what a terrible mother I must have been to make him want to leave. He didn't just leave, he left me for another family...another mother, who could take him to the beach and to fun day trips. Places I couldn't afford. He didn't see it that way. To him, he was taking that all important step in life and moving out on his own. Once again....I had been replaced just like his father had replaced me with another woman. Old wounds ripped open and oozed fresh pain.  Writing was the farthest thing from my mind!
     In the distance a victory cry broke the silence of the evening. Satan's minions moved rhythmically to the bet of the "happy dance".  I curled up into a ball and went to sleep instead of working on the books God called me to write. I stopped reading anything...other people's books, my research, even the Bible.
     This week my son moved back home, and things started to look up.  I knew I had ignored my blogs, nothing seemed important during the attack. I rationed that no one reads my silly ramblings anyway. Then God sent me a message through a most unlikely angel. Not some Fabio look-a-like...no my angel was an old friend...a big cuddly teddy bear who is a bounty hunter, rides a Harley, and works as security for the WWF. (Wrestling Federation for those who didn't know). The last person you would ever expect to read Tea Time wit Cheri. He said, "You haven't been keeping up with your blog much either, have you?" The words could have come straight from God. Ouch! He read my blog, AND he knew! So today I am going to start talking to some of my friends and asking if anything ever stops them from writing. How does the enemy attack them? Does a true writer ever let anything get the way of their calling? Troubles pass. Maybe not as fast as we want them to, but they will pass.
     Thanks for sticking with me and still reading...it will get better. And thanks Jack!
  

BONUS!!!! ENTER TO WIN ONE OF JANICE"S BOOKS!!!

Leave a comment with your name and e-mail for a chance to win one of Janice's Books!!! 

WOW! Look Who Came to Visit... It's Janice Hanna Thompson!!!

     I met Janice on a prayer chain we both belong to and thought immediately, "Hey, I really like this gal!". She is the best friend you picture in your mind; the funny friend on a girls' night out; the loyal prayer partner you can always count on. I had no idea when I met her she was also an accomplished screen writer, and had a long string of successful books published...or that she was such a wonderful mentor for many beginning writers needing guidance. She has produced several Christian theater shows such as "Zaney Muldaney, on the Road to Kingdom Come",a fun musical with wild costumes and crazy characters that bring out a new way of understanding the Bible that she co-produced with friend, Brenda White. You can see some of the fun pictures here... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150457262925386.642170.899110385


Janice Hanna (also published as Janice Thompson) has published more than seventy novels and non-fiction books. She has also published more than fifty magazine articles and several musical comedies for the stage. Janice makes her home in the Houston area near her children and grandchildren.


     Her books are enjoyable to read and remind me of simpler times and the old sit-coms of my childhood. I first read "Fools Rush In" after I read about a free download for my Kindle. I had just bought "Love Me Tender" and hadn't had time to read it yet, but with Kindle I could take "Fools Rush In" with me wherever I went.  After an hour of reading I knew that would never happen...I wasn't going to put it down until the very last page!  Inside the pages of "Fools Rush In" I met two delightful families that reminded me of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Little House on the Prairie". There was a parrot that once belonged to the mob, that Uncle Lazlo wanted to get saved so he could be returned to his mobster friend and lead him to salvation. There was  D.J. who became a DeeJay for Bella's wedding facility, the Spendora Sisters who are the epitome of a good Texas woman;  Bubba (D.J.'s brother who sings opera) is an award winning BBQ champion, and a whole cast of unique characters that delight the soul and tickle the sense of humor. I had to read the whole series...and am thrilled to hear there are rumors of more Bella books to come! The Splendora sisters even share their favorite beauty secrets with you!
     Janice's latest release is one I am really excited about. In 1999 when my kids and I moved East from California we were thrilled to see the giant cross that stood beside the road in a little town in Texas. In 1995 Steve Thomas was so tired of all the XXX adult entertainment  billboards along I-40 he decided to build a cross as a testament to his faith, and from there produced an entire sculpture garden of the life of Christ. Although this is NOT in her book, the location is...and what better place for a "Love Finds You" book than in...GROOM, TEXAS?
     Without further delay I would like to introduce you to one of MY favorite people, and a terrific writer...Janice Hanna Thompson!
Me: I notice you write under two names (Janice Hanna and Janice Thompson). Why?

Janice:

Those who’ve been reading my romances over the past several years know me as Janice A. Thompson. My joy is mixed with a smidgeon of sorrow as I explain the change in my last name for some of my current releases. In 2006 I lost my father to bone marrow cancer. His last name (Hanna) is my maiden name—and it’s a name that means even more to me now that he is gone. In memory of my father, I use the Hanna name in my historicals. My Revell books will still release under Janice Thompson. I hope you my readers will stick with me, no matter which name I use!

Me:Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

Janice:

My dad was the president of the University of Houston Cougar Cagers Club, so my birthdays, holidays, etc. were spent at basketball games. Our family traveled to Mexico with the U of H Cougars to watch them compete, which was great fun. When I was eleven, I got to play (for fun, of course) with the Harlem Globetrotters, who came to Houston for a visit. To this day, I love a good basketball game.

I once lied to a fellow camper at church camp, telling her that my dad (Billy Hanna) was William Hanna of Hanna/Barbara (Flintstones) fame. That lie still haunts me, though, to his credit, my dad did eventually work as a movie producer on our co-authored movie, Liar’s Moon. (Yes, it’s true. I got to meet and work with Matt Dillon. Eat your heart out, girls!)

I occasionally bake wedding cakes. In 2009 I baked a lovely four-tiered white cake with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting that toppled less than an hour before the wedding. I managed to piece together two very messy/ugly layers. Thankfully, the bride did not murder me. It made for a great scene in a later book. (Nothing ever gets wasted, not even a mashed piece of cake.)

Me: What are your favorite things to do (besides writing)?

Honestly? I love hanging out with my grandbabies. They grow up so quickly and I don’t want to miss a thing! Maddy is four now. She’s the oldest. Avery is three. Peyton is three. Ethan is two. Boston is one and a half and baby Brooke turned one this week. I love them so very much. They keep me young (and give me plenty of fodder for books).

Me: Are you a full-time freelancer?

I’ve been writing full-time since 2005. I write novels, non-fiction books, magazine articles and a variety of other things. I’m so fascinated with the world of freelancing that I decided to create an online writing course to teach others how to do what I’m doing.

Me: I know that you enjoy teaching. Can you tell us about your online courses?

Thanks for asking. I enjoy teaching almost as much as I enjoy writing! For many years I taught creative writing at a school of the arts. These days I teach through my online courses. They’re audio/video driven, which is great fun. I get to go into a recording studio to record them! My courses are, as follows:

Becoming a Successful Freelance Author

Fiction Writing Master Course

Navigating the Business of Freelance Writing

Magazine Article Writing Master Course

Creative Writing

U.N.I.Q.U.E. – Finding Your Unique Place in the Writing Industry

Non-Fiction Book Writing (coming in August, 2011)

Me: Any suggestions for writers who are trying to get published?

Learn the craft. Take courses. Go to conferences. Do the work. But don’t ever let what you’ve learned rob you of your natural, God-given voice. There’s only one you, after all.

Me: I understand you have a new VIP bookclub. Can you tell us about that?

Yes, I’m so excited about this, too! I came up with this idea several months ago: Why not create a “club” where members can get each new Janice Thompson/Janice Hanna book as it releases for a set price of $11, shipping included. Books are autographed and mailed out to club members before they ever hit the stores. I also encourage my VIP club members to leave reviews, as they are able, on amazon, christianbook.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. If people are interested in joining the club, all they have to do is shoot me an email at booksbyjanice@aol.com with the words “VIP bookclub” in the subject line and their address in the body of the email.

Now lets change to subject  little bit and can you tell me about your newest book?

Me: Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas.

Always the groomsman, never the groom… It’s 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals: He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the woman to capture his heart. And now with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.  

Anne Denning has made the difficult decision to move with her sisters to Texas, but a train derailment forces them to seek shelter in Groom, near Amarillo. Mrs. O’Farrell, hopeful that Anne will catch her youngest son’s eye, invites the girls to stay at her home until the train is repaired and ready to pull out. Anne has no idea of the blissful chaos that lies ahead! 

Me: Why did you decide to write this story?

My editor at Summerside approached me with the name of the town because she knows I write a lot of wedding-themed stories. She wanted something lightweight/fun, and she knew me well enough to know I would enjoy a fun story. The only real question we had in the beginning stage was: “Should this be a historical or a contemporary?” We went with historical because I felt sure the story idea was better suited to the turn of the century.

Groom is a wedding-themed book. Why do you write so many stories with a strong wedding theme?

I have four grown daughters—Randi, Megan, Courtney Rae and Courtney Elizabeth. Yes, I really have two daughters named Courtney. (Long story!) All four of my girls got married within four years of each other. We’re told to write what we know. I know weddings, trust me! I helped coordinate all four weddings and even worked as a wedding coordinator at my church for a season. I was also tickled to be the “Wedding Planner Examiner” for the city of Houston for a spell. What fun! You’ll see me writing about weddings for years to come, so hang on for the ride!

What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about her?

Readers will care about Anne because she’s been through so much and still chooses to move forward. They will also love her relationship with her younger sisters. She’s the only remaining parental figure and takes that position very seriously.  

Me: Why will readers enjoy your novel?

In spite of the lead character’s tough situation, the story is filled with comedic elements. Anne’s two younger sisters are a hoot. So is Maggie (the hero’s mother). She’s an Irish spitfire! I think readers will appreciate the romance between Anne and Jake. It’s filled with all sorts of sweet and comic moments.

Me: Tell us a little about your hero? Is he true hero material?

Jake is a hunka-hunka Texas man! He’s a railroad man who loves his job, loves his family and loves the heroine. He’s got a great sense of humor, which is perfect for this story, because the heroine’s little sisters are loaded with antics! Jake has a lot to deal with: he’s the town’s last single man, which has made him the brunt of many a joke. His older brothers (all married with children) taunt and tease. Jake can never catch a break. Unless he’s with Anne, of course. Then he catches far more than a break. . .he catches the woman of his dreams!

Me: Give us one sentence that shows/tells us something about your heroine as a child.

Papa used to say the only ‘buts’ were the ones left behind when a man finished a good cigar.

Me: What are readers saying about this book? Have you had any feedback so far?

So far the book has all five-star reviews on amazon (which makes me smile, of course). Here’s a review I found that really got me excited:  

5.0 out of 5 stars: A Delightful Read

This delightful tale of romance which emerges out of tragic circumstances is set in a wonderful town called Groom in the panhandle of the great state of Texas. It is a story of tragedy, love, and God's divine hand of providence that enters a situation just at the right time and changes everything. Young Anne finds herself on a train heading to Dallas with her two younger sisters after the loss of their father. When fate intervenes, the trail derails and their future is forever altered. And then there is Jake, the last available young man in Groom who finds himself to be the recipient of many jokes about his situation, especially from his brothers. Jake's mother, Maggie, embodies everything wonderful that Anne remembers about her own mother before she died. Throw in the mixture of the antics of Aunt Bets and the perceived sternness of Uncle Bertrand, and you have a story of new revelations and delightful outcomes.  

How absolutely wonderful, in this day and age when problems seem to loom on every side and people have lost faith and hope, to read a story that is all about faith and hope. It is refreshing to read a story set in an era when one's words meant something, when prayer was the first course of action, when faith ruled our very existence, when people looked out for one another even during hard times. Perhaps after reading this book, your faith will be renewed, as well. – Cherri Taylor

Where can I get the book?

Love Finds You in Groom, Texas can be purchased at any number of online stores, as well as my website: www.janicehannathompson.com (front page). Readers can always join my VIP bookclub and get the locked in price of $11 (no shipping) by contacting me directly at booksbyjanice@aol.com.

 

Thanks for spending time with me! I had a blast!

Thank you Janice! You are an amazing lady! We didn't even get into so any other questions I wanted to bring up, like your road trip that you took your other on recently, and your precious little doxys Copper and Sasha. There is one more thing I need from you before you go. Here on Tea Time With Cheri' we love to eat! So if it wouldn't be too much trouble, can you share a favorite recipe with us?

In honor of "Love Finds You in Groom, Texas" Janice has shared Maggie's favorite recipe (Maggie is the mother figure in LFY in Groom, Texas) for Chicken Fried Steak...

Mama Maggie’s Chicken Fried Steaks

Ingredients

                            4 (4 ounce) cube steaks (good TEXAS beef, of course!)

                            1 cup all-purpose flour

                            2 eggs, lightly beaten

                            vegetable oil

                            1 cup milk

salt and pepper to season

Directions

1.  Season meat with salt and pepper and set aside. In a shallow dish, dredge each steak in flour. Dip in beaten egg, then dredge in flour again. (It’s important to get this right so that the crust is the right thickness.)

2.  Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Fry steaks on each side until golden brown. Drain.

Maggie suggests a milk gravy (made with the scraps of the meat) to serve on top. She also feels her creamy, smooth mashed potatoes taste great when served next to this chicken fried steak. Smother it all in gravy, and you’ve got the best meal in the panhandle!