When the Titanic movie first came out in 1997, Goyer, like most of America, became fascinated with the tragedy. “The movie captured my attention. Yes, there was a love story, but the ship of dreams fascinated me even more. I checked out many books at the library and bought others on the Titanic. I didn’t think of writing a novel about it. Still, I carried a love inside for that amazing ship and its passengers,” says Goyer.

Around that same time, Goyer had been working on the idea for a novel centering on a contemporary retelling of the prodigal son. While the idea did not go farther than the prologue at the time, she kept the idea in the back of her mind. Fifteen years later, when her publisher approached her about the possibility of writing a book to mark the anniversary of the Titanic, Goyer was excited about the opportunity and realized that it was time to merge the two ideas together in a unique, faith-filled tale of love and reconciliation.

Goyer’s extensive research from books, documentaries and visiting a museum dedicated to the ship all contribute to making By the Light of the Silvery amazingly historically accurate. With her beautiful gift of storytelling, readers are sure to feel that they have been transported back 100 years to the fateful night that changed the lives of all onboard the “Ship of Dreams.”

An Interview with Trisha Goyer

Q: By the Light of the Silvery Moon is a fictional story taking place on the decks of the Titanic. How do you think this setting enhanced the story?

Every author tries to weave conflict into a story—it’s that conflict and tension that keep readers turning pages. Because the sinking of the Titanic is so well known, the tension is built in. As my character Amelia is being wooed by two men, the reader knows what’s coming—an iceberg is ahead!

Q: This novel has appropriate timing, releasing on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. How heavily did you research the Titanic before writing By the Light of the Silvery Moon?

You should see my stack of books on the Titanic; it’s as tall as me! I’ve read through many books—not just recently but over the last fifteen years. I’ve watched many documentaries, too. I’ve been fascinated by the Titanic for a while, and I was excited about the opportunity to write this novel.

My whole family also visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. It was amazing! They had a complete model of the Titanic, and numerous artifacts like life vests, watches, and purses. They had models of the staircase, the staterooms, and the decks. Each of us received boarding passes of actual passengers and we read about their lives as we went along. My passenger—a young mother—didn’t survive. Probably the most emotionally powerful element was a water tank that held water at the temperature of the frigid ocean so many people plunged into. I put my hand into it and after ten seconds it was aching. The museum brought to life what I’d been reading about.

Q: Did you take steps to ensure the story remained historically accurate or did you let your imagination run wild?

I worked hard to ensure the story remained historically accurate. All the time is true—when the ship launched, when they reached France and Ireland, when they set out in the open ocean, when the first ice was spotted, when the lifeboats were launched, etc. I researched the layout and decorations of the ship. I even made sure things like what they ate and the musical entertainment were correct. I included real passengers within my story, too.

My creativity came in with my primary characters. There was no Amelia Gladstone or Damian and Quentin Walpole on the Titanic. They are purely figments of my imagination.

Q: By the Light of the Silvery Moon parallels the story of the prodigal son from the Bible. How is this story different than the Biblical version?

This story is different because it’s set on the Titanic for starters! I did try to keep the heart of the prodigal son story—the emotions of the brothers and the love of the father especially. While the Bible doesn’t describe if the brothers ever reconciled, there is some level of reconciliation in my novel—but I don’t want to give too much away!

Q: How is By the Light of the Silvery Moon different from other novels you’ve written?

This is the first novel I’ve written about an event so widely known. There are THOUSANDS of books written on the Titanic. I am certain that experts can find little things I may not have researched enough. . .like the correct size of the linen napkins or things like that. As I wrote, there were those doubts and worries if Titanic die‐hard fans would enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed it, but in the end I had peace. I love the story, and I loved bringing the prodigal son story to life. Yes, there is room for one more story about the Titanic—especially when it can highlight the love of God.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from By the Light of the Silvery Moon?

I hope they’ll understand more about the Titanic. As with all my novels I believe that bringing history to life honors those from the past.

I also hope their understanding of God’s love and forgiveness and open arms will grow, too. As someone who didn’t grow up having a relationship with my father, the love of my heavenly father can be hard for me to grasp. For readers who have the same experience, I hope they’ll take away a deeper understanding of God’s undying love.

Book two in the groundbreaking Sword of Lyric series, The Restorer’s Son won a Carol Award for speculative fiction.

Plunged again into the gray world of Lyric and Hazor, Susan and Mark search frantically for their teenage son, Jake. All signs hint that a trusted ally has betrayed them and threatens their son. A target of assassins and more political intrigue, false leads and near misses beset their path, which leads them into the dark prisons of Hazor before the One’s purpose is revealed.

Cast out by those he trusts, the new reluctant Restorer prefers to cross swords with the One rather than submit to His will. Pursued by his calling, he journeys to Sidian, where he finds a boy without a home, a king with burning questions, and a nation torn by darkness. As he embraces the tasks the One has set before him, this new Restorer learns that the One requires his all—perhaps even his life.

This new expanded edition of The Restorer’s Son includes an in-depth devotion guide for readers who want to dig into the spiritual themes of the book, bonus scenes providing glimpses of the story through a variety of characters, and fun extras including links to songs and recipes.

AN INTERVIEW WITH SHARON HINCK:

What was it like developing new material for this new edition?

Books are like children. I treasure each of them in different ways, and among the novels I’ve written, I try not to have favorites. However, I confess that The Restorer’s Son has an extra special place in my heart. Because of that, it was fun to revisit the characters and world of this story. Kieran’s attitudes were loosely inspired by a verse in Judges where Gideon is told God will use him to save his people. Gideon’s response is basically, “If God is for us, why have all these bad things happened to us?” It’s a question many can relate to, and part of the reason that Kieran is such a beloved character.

The new devotion guide gives readers an opportunity to dig deeper into the Biblical inspirations that helped inform the book, as well as find personal application. About forty pages of new content, including bonus scenes and a new song composed for the book, make this edition a new experience.

How did you decide where to put in bonus elements?

Working with the publisher, we decided it was important to keep the flow of the story intact and free from distractions. So the book is designed with a large back-of-the-book section that can be used either after finishing the story, or during the reading of the main story. Small symbols and page numbers at the end of chapters direct readers to bonus scenes, and QR symbols in the margin invite readers to explore audio files, or recipes, or rules for playing Perish – all without interrupting the story.

It was important to me that people would feel that it was worth the investment to own The Restorer’s Son-Expanded Edition, even if they had a copy of the original edition, so we packed this book with lots of added value.

Besides an entertaining read, what do you hope people experience in The Restorer’s Son-Expanded Edition?

My hope is that readers will catch glimpses of the way the One speaks to each of us in the language we understand, and that we can go to Him with our difficult questions. For those who are walking very painful roads, I hope the story will help them feel acknowledged. The journey is hard, heroic, and sometimes frightening. But we are never alone.

To order The Restorer’s Son-Expanded Edition:

http://urlcut.me/aM3

Kindle version:

http://urlcut.me/aM2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sharon writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary people experiencing God’s grace in unexpected ways. Known for their authenticity, emotional range, and spiritual depth, her novels include contemporary fiction such as The Secret Life of Becky Miller or Stepping into Sunlight and the groundbreaking Sword of Lyric fantasy series which includes The Restorer’s Son–Expanded Edition. She’s been a Christy finalist and won three Carol awards.

Sharon’s undergrad degree is in education, and she earned an M.A. in Communication. When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She loves interacting with visitors at her website and blog: sharonhinck.com

RL: Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer…
SPD: Lady Anne must give her uncle important news–but somebody wants to stop her.

RL: Where do you most often write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
SPD: At my desk at home.

RL: What’s your favorite book?
SPD: The one I’m reading at the moment you ask. (Right now I’m reading two–Renee Yancy’s A Secret Hope and Tim Downs’s Nick of Time.)

RL: What do you want readers to take away from the Prairie Dreams Series?
SPD: I hope they’ll find entertainment and escape her, but also be reminded that God is still in control, no matter how bleak life looks at times.

RL: What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?
SPD: Read a lot. Write every day. Study the craft, and never think your book is perfect.

RL: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
SPD: Yes, I’m writing a book in the Miracles of Marble Cover series for Guideposts. In it, four women in a Maine seacoast town hope to find a long lost treasure to use for a good cause.

How does this series differ from Gigi?
“The heart behind Gigi is to let little girls know that as they are right now, they are loved by God and are truly princesses because God our Father is a King. Gabby’s focus is to let them know they are never alone, that God and His angels are watching over them.”

Why did you write a new series of books for girls 3-7?
“There was such an overwhelming response to the Gigi series of books I wrote for girls ages 3-7, so I set out to develop a new character that young readers would embrace and delight in.”

How did you come up with the theme of God’s love and ever-presence?
“I’m moved by God’s passion for children. We live in a crazy world, but we serve a God who loves us and our children with a relentless passion. What a gift to let our children know that they are never alone, that they are always loved. That is a story worth telling!”

Why did you want to write about angels from a child’s perspective?
“There is a lot of interest in angels in our culture, but so much of it is based on fairy tales and not the truth of God’s Word. In Matthew, Jesus draws a child to his side and says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

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Tosca Lee is the critically-acclaimed author of Demon: A Memoir–Christy Award finalist and ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award winner–and Havah: The Story of Eve, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and 4.5 stars from Romantic Times.

Fisher uses anecdotes from real Amish families to illustrate principles even modern families can adopt. In this inspiring and practical book, readers will be charmed by true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what’s truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

An Interview with Author Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and nonfiction and sold over 350,000 books in less than two years. She is the host of the widely popular weekly radio program Amish Wisdom. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. She lives in California with her family where she raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind in her spare time.

Q:  What is the inspiration behind Amish Values For Your Family?

After Amish Peace released, I had a number of speaking engagements to groups interested in the Amish. There was such interesting feedback—parents wanted take some principles from Amish Peace into their home. But how? That’s how this book came into being. I think of Amish Peace as a book where you are peeking in the windows of an Amish farmhouse. In Amish Values for Your Family, you’ve been invited in for dinner.

Q:  What are clues that we might need to incorporate some Amish principles into our family life?

One of the keys to contentment in the Amish life seems to be the commitment they have to filter every decision through a set of questions: what will the impact be on our family? Will it bring us closer to God? Closer to each other? Adopting that kind of decision-making helps to keep the demands of life in their proper perspective.

Q:  What makes Amish Values For Your Family unique from other parenting and family life books?

During these speaking engagements, there was always a moment when the audience stilled, leaned forward in their chairs, and began to scribble notes. It happened when I made this statement: “Children are loved but not adored.”  The Amish have a different way of relating to their children—they highly value children, but they have clear expectations in their home. I think they provide a better balance of loving children, yet raising them with an eye on adulthood.

Q:  Explain the Road Map sections of the book. (LOVE these by the way!)

The Road Maps are a practical way to take some principles of the Amish life and weave them into your family’s life. After a story about an Amish family that loves to go bird watching together, there are suggestions to encourage your children to be knowledgeable about nature. Another story describes a father and son who build a rabbit hutch rather than buy it. The Road Map gives some of the benefits of what happens when a parent slows down and takes the time to teach a skill. Wonderful things happen!

Q:  What are one or two principles you talk about in Amish Values For Your Family that families could easily adopt into their lifestyles right now?

There’s a theme of revering nature that runs through many stories. The Amish are outdoorsy—they are so aware of nature! I think that is one thing we parents can do a better job of—turn off the TV or computer, take a walk, plant a garden, provide a backyard bird feeder, stargaze at night. Get outside! And start to notice this beautiful world God has created.

Q:  In the introduction, you introduce a concept you call the “disappearing childhood phenomenon.”

There are quite a few studies that show some alarming trends in modern American families. Children’s free time has declined by twelve hours a week in the last twenty years; time spent on structured sports activities has doubled, family dinners are down by a third, and the number of families taking vacations together has decreased by 28 percent. Parents now spend 40 percent less time with their kids than they did thirty years ago. And another study found that the higher the income, the less time a family spends together. These findings are troubling. By contrast, the Amish maintain one of the most stable family systems in America. They’re doing something right!  And I think it has something to do with the amount of time they spend with their children.

Q:  You’ve spent a lot of time researching today’s families and family dynamics for this book, what are some of the major struggles families are facing?

The pressure to succeed, to be the best. Many parents place their need for significance onto their children. Here’s where the Amish differ from modern America—we have a focus on raising children who are special. Unique. Admired and respected. They have their focus on pleasing God.

Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell Books/August 1, 2011
ISBN: 0800719964/paperback/$12.99
www.RevellBooks.com ~ www.SuzanneWoodsFisher.com

About the Book: It is the dawn of a new century and Olivia Stewart is heiress to an empire. Her family numbers among the Four Hundred – those considered the wealthiest and most distinguished in America. Unfortunately their wealth has nearly disappeared, and now their security rests solely on the Stewart daughters’ marrying well.

Olivia’s sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation’s wealthiest men, but has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor’s fiancé. Using her family’s long-forgotten English title, Olivia travels to Mercy Falls, California, as Lady Devonworth, hoping to learn more before committing to marriage. There she finds that Eleanor’s death was no accident. And Harrison is not the man she thought he would be.

When Mercy Falls holds a charity ball masquerade to raise funds for the new lighthouse, secrets–and truths long hidden–will be revealed. But can Harrison really love Olivia when he finds her true identity? Can she live with the repercussions of failing her family, or will she finally realize that nothing–not money, family, or romance—will ever compare to God’s unconditional love?

About Colleen:Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

The Mercy Falls series centers on a small town in California and its lighthouse. Coble uses the lighthouse as a reminder that Jesus is our lighthouse always leading us home. In her latest addition to the series, the main characters must wrestle with their desire to find fulfillment in more than their work and money while being hunted by those who are holding on to resentment and unforgiveness.
With murder, suspense and desire, readers will enjoy peeling back the layers and discovering that this is more than your average romance novel. They will be perched on the edge of their seats trying to solve a mystery while discovering that the true worth of an individual never comes from a name or accomplishments. True worth can only be found in Christ.

An interview with Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper’s Ball

Q: Did you always dream of becoming a writer? Why did you choose the romance genre?

I wrote my first story in the first grade. It was about a horse that had twin colts. The teacher praised it and the writing seed was planted. I love illustrating God’s love through romance. I especially love the suspense I put into all my books as well. I have a strong streak of justice and it plays out in the suspense element.

Q: What inspired you to write a historical series based in the early 1900’s? What would you have enjoyed about living in that time period and what would you have found the most difficult?

I happened to read an article about the Gilded Age and it mentioned how that era was so similar to today’s. I was intrigued with that, plus I wanted to choose a time period that wouldn’t be too much of a departure from my contemporary books. In that era, there were still cars and telephones!

I would have loved the simpler lifestyle. However, I would miss my jeans! How vain.

Q: Society at the turn of the century was very preoccupied with appearances and impressing other people. How is that not so different than our society today and how can we keep from falling into that same trap?

That’s exactly right! The parallels between the two eras are astounding. I’ve been at the cancer hospital this week with a dear friend, and it was a reminder of how fragile this life is. We seek THINGS when God wants us to seek Him. We need to keep our eyes set on eternity and remember that THIS life is the real dream. When we reach heaven, we will finally start to really live.

Q: Bitterness and unforgiveness led to the death of Olivia’s sister. Why is it so important to forgive those who have wronged us?

An unforgiving spirit hurts us much more than the person we hate. It makes us ugly and crowds out the love we want to show other people. God is love, not hate. Bitterness is the very opposite of the attitude God wants us to have.

Q: This is the third book in your Mercy Falls series. Addie and Katie were the main characters in your first two books. Olivia was given a true gift in the friendship of Katie and Addie. What does it take to find trustworthy and loyal friends? Why do you think that we all desire to find friends like these?

You have to first be a friend. You have to be open and giving of yourself to have those kinds of friends. A true friend tells you the truth in love, and that’s an important component of the give and take of real friendship.

Q: What do you hope that your readers will take away from reading The Lightkeeper’s Ball?

I hope the readers who feel they have to earn love will take away the realization that their true worth is that Jesus loves them and died for them. They are valuable beyond comprehension. When we can step into the role of daughters and sons, we can realize our true potential.

The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson/April 19, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-5955-4268-7/304 pages/paperback/$14.99
www.thomasnelson.com ~ www.colleencoble.com

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?  When did you first begin to write?

I’ve always been an avid reader, but I didn’t start dreaming about writing a novel until I was in my early twenties.  By then I was married and busy pursuing a degree.  I put writing on the back burner until my grandfather became fatally ill.  While I was visiting him in the hospital, I was struck by the brevity of life and felt God pressing on my heart to take the first step.  I started my first novel a couple weeks later.  I had two small children by this time, so I wrote while they napped.  I wrote my first four books that way.  Even if you can only write a page a day, by the end of a year you’ll have a complete manuscript!

Q: Are you a small town or a city girl?  What inspired you to write a book about the life of a cowboy?

I’m a little of both.  We live in a country setting just outside the city.  It’s the best of both worlds.  There’s something very earthy and organic about a cowboy’s life.  I was drawn by the idea of living off the land.  I think it takes us to a simpler time and place—even though the life of a cowboy is not necessarily simple!  And Montana is such a beautiful state.  I thought my readers might like to journey there with me through story.

Q: Can you tell us a little about what you have learned about the cowboy lifestyle while doing research for this book?

I learned a lot of fascinating details about the workings of a ranch: branding, breeding, cattle disease, etc.  But what I came away with is a great respect for cowboys and their families.  Those who choose this way of life do it because they love it.  It’s not easy, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Q: Abigail’s title at her job is “the Truthseeker.”  What is the significance of this title, and what do you think a real truthseeker does?

I thought it would be interesting to write about a protagonist whose job was to seek the truth and have her find out that she was missing the real Truth the whole time.  Since Jesus is the Truth, a real truthseeker follows Him.

Q: Forgiveness seems to be a recurring theme in your books.  Why do you feel it is so important?  Your main characters both dealt with forgiving their past mistakes.  Do you think that it is just as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive the mistakes of others?

With sin rampant in all of us, this is something we need to get good at!  Eventually, someone’s going to do something you struggle to forgive.  I think this is partly because forgiveness is easily misunderstood.  It’s not saying that what they did is okay.  It’s saying that you’re not going to hold it over them anymore.  I do think it’s just as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive others.  Oftentimes, it’s even harder.

Q: Abigail and Wade both threw themselves into their work in order to escape their pasts.  Do you believe it is easy to find an escape in work in order to hide from our problems?

No one likes to hurt, so I think the tendency is to avoid it however we can.  Throwing ourselves into our work is certainly one way of doing so.  But these things have a way of bubbling up to the surface eventually, no matter how hard we try to avoid them.

Q: What would you like your readers to take away after reading A Cowboy’s Touch?

Abigail was essentially trying to work off her guilt.  She thought if she could just keep exposing other peoples’ wrongs, it would appease her own guilt.  I’d like readers to see that only God can redeem us.

In her best-selling series of Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience God’s grace anew. Her best-selling historical novels, which transport the stories of Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Dinah, Naomi, and Ruth to eighteenth-century Scotland, have also helped her readers view these familiar characters in a new light. And her nonfiction book, Embrace Grace, winner of a 2007 Retailers Choice Award, presents her message of hope in an engaging and personal way, speaking directly to the hearts of her readers.
A veteran speaker, Liz has presented more than 1,600 encouraging programs for audiences in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries: South Africa, Indonesia, Germany, France, England, Canada, Thailand, Ecuador, Scotland, Portugal, and New Zealand. In 1995, she received the Council of Peers Award for Excellence from the National Speakers Association, becoming one of only 32 women in the world named to their CPAE-Speaker Hall of Fame.