I can only hope to be like my parents. They had strong faith and always encouraged me and my brother to work hard and pursue our dreams. They believed anyone could do anything if they set goals and worked hard enough to achieve them. I would amend that and say anyone can accomplish anything God has planned for them. Too often, we think we know what we’re supposed to do, and we make our own plans. Then we wonder why our lives become unfulfilled and unmanageable. We’re living out of the will of God. When we pursue God, He lights the path He wants us to take. The spiritual gifts come when we accept Him as Savior and Lord. We learn to use the talents and abilities God gave us for His good purpose. Even with Christ at the helm, sailing the seas of this life is never easy. Every day can be a challenge. But walking with Jesus is more exciting and fulfilling than living any other way. I don’t want to merely talk about these things with my children and grandchildren but have them see these things in the way I live.

What has God been teaching you as you’ve journeyed through writing these books?

God showed me how important “backstories” are in helping us understand one another. It was difficult for my grandmother to talk about her childhood or to say she loved anyone. I’ve learned from others that this was common among members of her generation. It took me a long time to convince her to write about her life, and when she did, she summarized eight decades in a few pages. I could see how she glossed over major events in her life: being taken out of school, the death of her sister, the struggles of her family, the decision to set off on her own in her early teens because she wanted a better life. It’s important to share these things with family members. This information is part of our heritage. We may also find common ground and see patterns in the way we think and act.

It’s important to tell your children how much you love them and offer them a blessing. My grandmother wanted the best for her children, but my mom longed to hear the words “I love you.” She told me she knew she was loved, but I could see how much the words would have meant to her. To say “I love you” is a blessing bestowed on our children. Sharing feelings can be risky, but not sharing them leaves us with regrets.

What would you like people to walk away with from these books?

Put fear aside and tell family members you love them. Without casting blame, share the experiences that shaped your life. If you were to lose a loved one today, what would you wish you had said? Don’t wait. Say “I love you” without expectations. Don’t let fear keep you from reaching out to one another. If there are broken relationships in your family, pray, forgive, and work at building bridges. It can be hard to listen and not want to interrupt with your point of view, but practice active listening. We waste so much time wishing or playing the “if only” or “what if” game. Please, please offer a blessing, even to those who have hurt you most. Love others the way Jesus loves each of us. It’s not easy, but it brings peace and a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus.

You’ve been interviewed many, many times through the course of your brilliant writing career. Have you ever been completely stumped by a question from an interviewer? (If so, what was it?) If not, what’s the strangest comment/question that you’ve ever been asked?

I think this is the first question that has completely stumped me.

With so many profound accomplishments under your belt as a writer, is there anything new that you’d like to try? (Screenwriting? Different genre? Something that might surprise people?)

The story that is playing in my mind now will stretch me as a writer. I’m not sure where to begin or how to proceed, and it doesn’t fit any genre. Fantasy? Allegory? I don’t know. The characters are already alive to me, and I dream scenes. Right now, I will continue to read and study the Bible, write down ideas, and see where all this will lead.

When you need downtime, what do you do? Read? Watch a movie? Go for a walk? Long hot bath?

All of the above. I am always reading something, alternating between fiction and nonfiction, general market as well as Christian. I love movies but prefer renting rather than going to a theater. If there’s a scene I don’t want to watch, I can press the fast-forward button. Sometimes I’ll have a movie marathon. For example, I’ll watch all three Lord of the Rings movies back-to-back or go through my collection of Jane Austen stories. My husband, Rick, and I also love to travel and do as much as we can when time permits. While writing Her Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream, we visited Switzerland and Italy. When I finished the project, we went to France and the Netherlands. We have a long “bucket list” of places we would like to see. It seems to be getting longer rather than shorter.

A little about Ronie:
Sixteen years ago when my husband suggested I write for publication, I refused to entertain the idea. I told him it would remove the pleasure I got out of writing. And sure enough, when I became consumed with publication, I lost my joy. So God led me through a series of experiences–excruciating ones, if I do say so myself–that forced me to grow up or give up.

I’m not a quitter.

I grew up. Got serious about writing, and man! Writing got hard. But I love writing more now than I ever have.

Erynn Mangum plans her life around caffeine, but when she’s not tipping the coffee mug, she’s spending time with her husband, Jon, who she met and married since writing Miss Match, ReMatch, and Match Point.

She also works as an intern at her church and loves hanging out with her family and friends. She’s a graduate of both Christian Writers Guild courses. Learn more at www.erynnmangum.com and http://www.navpress.com/author/A10689/Erynn-Mangum.

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e . . .”®

Brandilyn’s first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn’s awards for her novels include the ACFW Book of the Year (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice.

About Deceit:

Some evil shouts from rooftops; some scuttles in the dark. The worst evil tips its face toward light with shining innocence.

Baxter Jackson shone with the worst of them.

Skip tracer Joanne Weeks knows Baxter Jackson killed his second wife, Linda—Joanne’s best friend—six years ago. But Jackson remains a church elder and respected member of the town.

As Joanne drives home on a rainy winter night, a hooded figure darts in front of her car. Concealing his identity under a bloody mask, the man gives Joanne a stunning message: “You want to get Baxter Jackson? Find Michelle.” The 16-year-old had lived with the Jacksons when Linda disappeared.

Using her skip tracing skills, Joanne sets out to locate Michelle, now 22. But Joanne soon realizes there’s more at stake than justice for Baxter Jackson: her own life.

Alternating the current story with Michelle’s life in the Baxter household years earlier, Deceit explores the psychology of a stable family gone awry and deception hidden in the brightest of places.

Radiant Lit had the opportunity recently to interview Psalm 91 author Peggy Joyce Ruth:

RL:  Describe your book in 15 words or less:
PJR: Psalm 91 God’s Shield explains the covenant God saved for the end days for the protection of His children. I Peter 1: 3-5 NAS

RL: What inspires you when you’re feeling “writers block?”
PJR: Realizing how much God wants this message out to His children keeps me motivated.

RL: What is one thing you love best about writing?
PJR: It is a permanent record of what I believe God is wanting to say through me to His people

RL: What do you want readers to take away from this book?
PJR: The realization that they do not have to accept the curses being handed down in the world. We, as God’s children, have a covenant that gives us rights and privileges separate and apart from the world, if we release faith for it.

RL: What is your biggest lesson you’ve learned from writing?
PJR: The awesome responsibility that a writer has been given since people tend to take someone’s written word very seriously.

RL: What one tip would you give to those wishing to be published?
PJR: The importance of placing one’s work into the hands of God and believing Him to put His anointing on the work He wants to be publicized.

RL: How do you balance writing time and family time?
PJR: Set aside quiet, alone time to write and put yourself into it body, soul and spirit. Then lay it aside when you are with the family and refuse to allow your topic to compete with family time.

RL: What are you currently reading?
PJR: The Messianic Church Arising! by Dr. Robert D. Heidler

I’m excited to get to share this interview with you – we chat about her new book, Here Burns My Candle, which is based on the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi … set in 18th Century Scotland, of course.

About Never The Bride:
Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember. But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn’t been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she’s cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?

A romantic comedy with a spiritual twist, Never the Bride is what it means to lose control—and getting more than any woman could ever imagine.

Please visit the official movie website: http://www.neverthebridethemovie.com

About Rene:
Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels, including Ghost Writer (Bethany House Publishers) The Boo Series and The Occupational Hazards Series (WaterBrook Press) and the Storm Series, (Tyndale House Publishers). She released My Life as a Doormat and The Ultimate Gift: the novelization for WestBow Press. She has also been published over forty times as a playwright, best known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting under a Mass Communications degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, and earned the “Excellence in Mass Communication” award. She served as the full-time Director of Drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writers conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.

Read my review of Jill’s book, By Darkness Hid, here.

ABOUT JILL:

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She writes stories that combine danger, suspense, and adventure for people of all ages. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find great books to read. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two book-loving children. By Darkness Hid is her first novel.

Visit Liz’s website!

Buy the book!

The first book in Kathy’s new series is titled, The Real Enemy, and the plot will challenge even the sharpest of sleuths. It is based on Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The main character in the series is Brill Jessup, the first lady police chief in Sophie Trace, Tennessee. Brill (short for brilliant) is a nickname she picked up during her eighteen years on the Memphis police force. Brill may be a pro at solving cases, but she has a lot to learn about what it means to “Let go and let God.” On the outside she’s got things under control. But when she goes home and kicks off her shoes, her insecurities kick in. Her husband Kurt knows her better than anyone…and if she’d open her eyes, she’d see that he’s becoming a polished version of the man she married. But Brill’s not about to let him hurt her again—not ever. Kurt knows that. He blew it. But he also believes that every sin is redeemable, and good can come from even the stupidest mistake he ever made…if he turns it over to God.