Author Spotlight week - Excerpt from Beyond Ever After

Hi All - it was great to have Carie on the blog this week. GIVEAWAY: Read this excerpt and leave a comment. You'll be entered to win a PDF copy of "Beyond Ever After". This giveaway will be going on all weekend. Winner will be picked on Monday morning. Please leave a contact email if you post so we can get ahold of you.

Smiles
Moderator Steph

*****


"I've prayed all week about going to Africa, and I was sure the right answer was to go. I truly believed, and still believe, it's what I am supposed to do. Then, this morning everything changed." Haven picked up her tea, took a quick sip like it was something stronger and set it down. "I was wrong in the way I handled all of it."

She didn't meet Brody’s eyes when she spoke. Those words must have cost her. There was that urge again, to pull her close to him and just hold her until the sadness was gone. But he remained seated, hating the fear that kept him rooted to the couch.
Finally, she blew out a breath and spoke quickly, without emotion, looking at his chest instead of at him. "I would like to go to Africa, but I won't go unless it's okay with you." Then, she met his eyes and finished, "I'm asking for your permission. I'll stay here if it's what you decide. But I really want to go. Eliya... the little girl on the fridge--"

He nodded. Did she really think he didn't know who Eliya was? That Haven sent a check every month to help the girl? That Haven had been there when she arrived at the mission?

"She's hurt and needs my help."

He remembered at that moment how much joy had once been bundled inside Haven, even as a child. She had been quick to smile and tease, soothing away the pain of anyone around her. She had laughed often and openly. Because the memories were so at odds with the woman who sat in front of him, he couldn't deny her. With the realization, the last drop of anger drained out of him.

Of course she could go. How could he deny her helping a child she loved? "I'll go with you." Had he really just said that?
Surprise flashed in her eyes and then acceptance. He desperately hoped happiness would come in its wake. But she closed her eyes again, and when she opened them there was a sad sort of resignation.

It cut deep. She didn't want to spend the summer with him. She wanted to go alone. Letting her go might be easier than spending the summer with her, when she didn't want him. But fear of the infinitely dangerous possibilities overrode his pride.
He couldn't let her go with no one to watch out for her. Despite what she thought, he couldn't imagine a life without Haven.

"Don't look so excited, honey." Anger fired out the words.

"Stop." The single, broken syllable held his tongue better than rage would have. "I can't... I can't do this. Please, Brody. No more." Her dry eyes were empty. "I'll do anything to help Eliya, but I can't spend the summer fighting with you. Not here and not in Africa. I need a break."

Brody sat in silence, staring at the drops of water running down the side of his glass. Maybe they were crying for Haven, because she didn't and wouldn't. Maybe they were crying for him, too, because he couldn't figure out how to make her happy.
There was no way he could let her go alone. He had to either go with her or tell her to stay. Because he couldn't stand the unhappiness he saw on her face, he clutched desperately to the one thing that came to his mind. "A truce."

Her head jerked backward.

He held up a hand of reassurance. "No fighting. We'll go to Africa on your terms. I'll be your bag boy and body guard. I'll do everything I can to help you and not get in your way. I'll have no expectations of you, Haven. If we start arguing, I'll go home and you'll get the break you think you need."

"What do you get in return?"

"I guess I get the satisfaction of knowing if something goes wrong, I'll be there to do what I can." He leaned back, settling in to the idea.

Haven stared for several long minutes in disbelief. It was enough to make him want to withdraw his offer. Instead, he waited. Despite the pain, and it was there, so deep it created a physical ache in his chest. The one person on earth who had ever loved him needed a break from him.

Author Spotlight Week - Carie Lawson talks about books

I recently have read several books by Elizabeth Rolls, who writes Regency romance. I haven’t read any historicals in quite a while, but enjoyed her. She does a good job adding a suspense element to her stories that hooked me as a reader.

I also recently read your book, The Hungarian, and really enjoyed it, Steph. You did a great job with building the tension and the suspense of who the Hungarian really was. I’m looking forward to the reading, The Count’s Lair. I’ve also recently read and highly recommend Tamara Alexander’s book, The Inheritance. The story gives a tremendous amount of meaning to the struggles in life. You know those moments when you can’t help but ask yourself, Why me, God? I won’t say it was an easy read, but it was a book that has stuck with me since I read it.

Author Spotlight Week - Carie Lawson shares her passion for Inspirationals

Why do I write inspirationals? Mostly because I couldn’t write anything else. Showing God’s goodness to his children is the reason I started writing. One of my favorite verses is James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. The romance part of my books is fun to write… and hopefully read. There’s nothing quite like the flirty, fun, falling-in-love feelings that romance brings. But the hope that’s there is because God is present in all of our lives.

I hope that my books are examples of God’s goodness to his children, those who have always know him and faithfully seek His will and those who are just coming to know Him and need his presence to help them find their way.

Author Spotlight Week - Q&A with Carie Lawson

STEPH: I don't know much about Beyond Ever After. What's it about?

CARIE: Beyond Ever After is the story of Haven and Brody McCord, a couple who were high school sweet hearts. After being married for five years, they wonder if their marriage will make it one more day. When Haven takes a trip to Africa, Brody knows he has to go to protect her. During that trip they find the friendship that they once shared. But Brody has a secret that will change everything before they leave.

STEPH: Where did you get the inspiration for it?

CARIE:The inspiration for this book was all the might-have-beens in life. Brody and Haven just couldn’t seem to get their relationship right from the first kiss to the last. Even when they did everything wrong, God worked things out for the good when they finally put their trust in Him.

STEPH How long did it take you to write?

CARIE: It took about nine months to write and another six months to revise. When the idea for this book hit me, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I couldn’t wait get to my computer to write more. Doing the revisions was like sitting down with an old friend and hearing more of her life story than I had known before.

STEPH: Did you use a working cover? If so, share.

CARIE: I didn’t have a working cover.

STEPH: Cast the movie. Who are the leads?

CARIE: I have to tell you this is the hardest question for me. I rarely watch anything that isn’t animated. And the leads don’t resemble anyone on Phineas and Ferb☺ I had to search images and here’s what I came up with… Brody looks like Jensen Ackles. Haven looks like Charlize Theron in a pony tail. You know he’s the scruffy beard and worn out blue jeans guy and she is the girl next door.

STEPH: What song would you use to describe the mood/tone of the story?

CARIE: Garth Brooks, Unanswered Prayers

STEPH: Tell us a little about the place you live.

CARIE: We live outside Nashville, TN. To get to our house you have to pass a dairy farm and a little Methodist Church. We have a pool and lots of toys stuffed onto an acre of land. I keep telling my hubby, if we want to put anything else in the yard we have to find some property. But we love living in a neighborhood where the kids have lots of friends and everyone looks out for one another.

STEPH What's your writing space like?

CARIE: I have a little laptop desk that I use while I sit in my bed. There’s always a pot of coffee nearby and preferably some chocolate to keep the imagination flowing.

STEPH: Fun question: What country haven't you gone to yet, that you would like to visit.

CARIE: There are so many places I’d like to see. Greece and Ireland are probably the top two.

Steph, Thanks so much for having me. You came up with some fun questions. You are always wonderful to talk to!

STEPH: Thanks for being here, Carie. It's always fun to have you on the blog!

Smiles

Introducing Beyond Ever After by Carie Lawson

HERE'S A BLURB:
Haven Castlin is married to the boy she fell in love with as a teenager, Brody. After a series of mistakes, their marriage isn't working any more. When she asks Brody if she can go to Africa on a summer mission alone, he offers her the one thing she didn't expect -- a truce. In Africa they find the friendship they lost after making too many mistakes.

Brody can't figure out how to make Haven happy and doesn't deserve her, but he just can't let her go to a dangerous country alone. He'll let her go soon enough.

EXCERPT:
Of course she could go. How could he deny her helping a child she loved? "I'll go with you." Had he really just said that?

Surprise flashed in her eyes and then acceptance. He desperately hoped happiness would come in its wake. But she closed her eyes again, and when she opened them there was a sad sort of resignation.

It cut deep. She didn't want to spend the summer with him. She wanted to go alone. Letting her go might be easier than spending the summer with her, when she didn't want him. But fear of the infinitely dangerous possibilities overrode his pride. He couldn't let her go with no one to watch out for her. Despite what she thought, he couldn't imagine a life without Haven.

"Don't look so excited, honey." Anger fired out the words.

"Stop." The single, broken syllable held his tongue better than rage would have. "I can't... I can't do this. Please, Brody. No more." Her dry eyes were empty. "I'll do anything to help Eliya, but I can't spend the summer fighting with you. Not here and not in Africa. I need a break."

Brody sat in silence, staring at the drops of water running down the side of his glass. Maybe they were crying for Haven, because she didn't and wouldn't. Maybe they were crying for him, too, because he couldn't figure out how to make her happy.

There was no way he could let her go alone. He had to either go with her or tell her to stay. Because he couldn't stand the unhappiness he saw on her face, he clutched desperately to the one thing that came to his mind. "A truce."

Her head jerked backward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carie Lawson home schools her four kids, drives the soccer van --- complete with dirty socks and McDonalds bags scattered throughout --- and tries to sneak away to her computer whenever possible to write. She is an active member of a local writer's group, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and received third place in the North Texas Romance Writer's Great Expectations contest in the Inspirational Romance category.

Author Spotlight week - Excerpt from Beyond Summer

"Who's the girl?" Bailey Adams nodded in Carly's direction.

The urge to just say 'mine' flashed through his brain. That was wrong. "She's keeping Daniel for me this summer." Nanny sounded so formal.

"Nice." Bailey grinned at him. "So, are you two..."

"No."

"Good. That leaves the field open for the rest of us."

He wanted to shout 'she's married'. But that wasn't his story to tell, so he crossed his arms over his chest. It didn't sit well, letting Bailey think the field was open.

But what would Zane do if the field was, in fact, open? He wasn't really thinking about dating Carly, was he? She wouldn't be married forever. When the field was open would he competing for her? Hadn't he promised himself he wouldn't get involved with another senseless beauty.

Problem was, Carly wasn't senseless. She'd been nothing but considerate and caring for the last two weeks. But still, there would always be competition for her heart, and if things got rough, it would be easy for a girl like Carly to find something better.

Daniel canon-balled into the group of playing kids. It broke Zane out of his downward spiraling thoughts. Before he could get to the edge of the pool, through the milling crowd, Carly had Daniel in her arms in three foot of water.

His son's legs were wound around her waist, and their foreheads pressed together. He took a step closer so he could hear what they were saying.

"You have to be careful when there's this many people, okay? You could accidentally kick someone or hit them." Carly's voice was soft, and she smiled as she spoke to him.

"I didn't hit nobody, Miss Carly."

"I know. Remember when we talked about jumping into the deep end instead of the shallow part so you would be safe, too?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"That would be better. And try to find a spot where nobody else is at, okay?"

Daniel's smile was a mile wide. "Yes, ma'am." Daniel laid his head on Carly's shoulder and squeezed. "I love you."

Carly held him just as fiercely. "I love you too, Daniel. You are a good boy."

Standing at the edge of the pool, Zane gripped the railing until his hand ached. Two short sentences had changed everything.
Daniel swam off to the other end of pool, happy to comply with her soft request. Zane was stuck, couldn't move as she walked to the edge and started up the stairs. She caught his stare. Her eyes blinked up at him in surprise. She shouldn't be just as pretty without all the paint on her face as she was with it.

But she was.

His hand reached out to help her from the pool. "Thanks for handling Daniel. I was just on my way to talk to him and I saw you."
She smiled and her cheeks got a little pink. "No problem. I guess I should've let you talk to him since you're here."

"No, you did good." He released her hand. "Why don't we get you a drink? You have to be thirsty from all of the lifeguard work you're doing."

Her glance went back to the kids. "It is hard, sitting there soaking up the sun." She said it with a straight face.

He liked her sense of humor. "They'll be fine for a minute. There's plenty of adults to make sure Brie's head's still up."

His hand went to the small of her back and for the first time he just enjoyed the little zap he got from touching her.

Author Spotlight week - Carie Lawson shares her favorite author

This is a hard one. I love, love, love to read, and there are just so many talented writers. One of my favorite new finds is Deanne Gist. I read A Bride Most Begrudging and had to find another one of hers to read immediately. It had been a while since I'd read a historical novel, and she really pulled me into the time. She'd obviously done much research about early American history before she began writing. It was honest, the characters were believable. I love to learn something while I'm being completely entertained by a story.

In contemporary fiction, I'm blessed to be in a writer's group with Tamara Leigh. I ended up going home from a meeting with one of her books. It was so fun, lighthearted and smart. I was hooked, so now I can't pass up one of her books without reading it. She shared with us her use conflict in her books, and you bet I was taking notes that day!

There are lot of others that I love to read too. But those two have been fun finds recently.

Author Spotlight Week - Carie Lawson shares her favorite movie

Well, I have to admit I my favorite movie of all time is You've Got Mail. It makes me happy because I love the two main characters and want them to fall in love.

BUT, I have a new "favorite" movie I just recently got the chance to see, Facing the Giants. It was on TV the other night and my husband turned it on as I was working on something, so I was half listening, not too interested. But it captured me. What an awesome message it carries! God really used that movie to change my perspective on a few things in my own life where I had developed a bad attitude. The message that I took away from it was this...it's ALL about God. Nothing else we do is going to have lasting impact. Our job is to do our best and let God bring a harvest.

It's changed the way I handle my kids complaining about others because I was reminded that God has told us to pray for those who don't treat us well. It had made me look at all of our activities and ask again, "How can this bring glory to God."

This lesson was something I knew, but had conveniently forgotten in some aspects of my life. I was inspired to relook at these areas to see how our family could improve.

Author Spotlight Week - Carie Lawson shares her passion for Inspirationals

My writing career was inspired by the question, "What can God do with your greatest weakness?" The first time I heard the questions, I shrugged it off. I have so many flaws, how do I pick just one for God to use. A couple of months later, the same questions came around and I got honest. My biggest weakness is my love to read romances. I love them all and would read to the exclusion of spending time doing the things I need to do. Not just the exceptional book that was too good to put down. I really spent a lot of time curled up with a book.

So when the question came up that second time, I spent some time thinking about it. What could God do with my love of reading? God planted a seed in my head--I could try to write. As it turned out I loved to write just as much as I loved to read. When I sat back and was honest, God had been fertilizing the soil for a long time, I just hadn't been aware. I'd started a book in a spiral bound notebook while I was in high school, then threw it away when I headed off to college.

Because of the way God introduced writing to me, there was no way I could write anything but inspirational. If I was going to use this weakness to glorify Him, then I'd better make sure He was solidly in the stories.

When I was creating my website, carielawsonbooks.com, I was trying to find a simple statement that would reflect what I write. I came up with "Messy Middles, Blessed Ever Endings" because I think most people's lives are messy, but when we learn to rely on the Creator he can turn a jumbled mess into something wonderful. That's what I hope my stories reflect to the readers.

Author Spotlight Week - Q&A with Carie Lawson

STEPH: I'd like to welcome author Carie Lawson to the Spotlight this week. Carie's latest release is "Beyond Summer," Book 2 in the Twisted Roots Series. Carie, I don't know much about Beyond Summer. Can you tell us a little about the book?

CARIE: Beyond Summer is Zane McCord's story. He's a single father who has good reason to mistrust a pretty face. So when his family goes to Africa and he needs help with his son for the summer, the last person he'd want in his home is former beauty queen, Carly Peterson. Add to her beauty a hefty stash of secrets and Zane is sure falling for her is a bad idea.

STEPH: What was the inspiration behind the book?

CARIE: One of the early criticisms I received from the first book, Beyond Africa, was that Lilly was too perfect. Well, I wanted to write about two people in the second book who were anything BUT perfect.

STEPH: How does it fit into the "Twisted Roots" series? What's the tie to Book 1?

CARIE: The Twisted Roots series centers around the McCord siblings. There's four of them Case, Zane, Haven and Jude. The first book was Beyond Africa and it told Case's story. The second, Beyond Summer, is Zane's story. One of the things I love the most about this series is getting to go back and "see" old friends from the previous books.

STEPH: How many books do you have planned in the series?

CARIE: There are four, one for each sibling. It was also fun to plant "clues" into each book as to the character of the next hero.

STEPH: Do you have a certain process to develop your characters? Do you cast your characters? If so who are the leads?

CARIE: I don't cast characters because the imagining is half the fun. I guess I kind of start with one character trait and build around that. Beyond Summer's, Zane, is stubborn. Carly is sassy under a thick layer of gloss.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write Beyond Summer?

CARIE: It got almost complete rewritten in about four months. The shell of the story was there, but I'd learned a lot after I'd originally wrote it, so I wanted to make it better. I was very happy with how the story turned out.

STEPH: How did the book come to find a home with Desert Breeze?

CARIE: I actually submitted the third book in the series, Beyond Ever After, to Desert Breeze and got an e-mail back that they were interested in the series. When I got the email, I walked calmly down the stairs, into my room and asked my husband to follow me (woo, this could be the start of a really interesting story;). Back up the stairs we went and I pointed at the computer and asked, "Do you think this is for real." Once I got over the shock that someone was interested in publishing my books, I was hopping up and down happy!
STEPH: Do you have any hobbies you'd like to share with us?

CARIE: This is it. Reading and writing. Once upon a time I scrapbooked, I had good intentions of learning to make jewelry, occasionally I reupholster something. They're all fun things, but right now time is very limited. My motto is "someday I'll..."

STEPH: Fun question: If you were a NASCAR driver, what sponsor would you want on your car?

CARIE: Steph, I have to tell you the question is hilarious because any time I'm in the car with my husband, I'm constantly saying to him, "Slow down...you're following that car too close...stop changing lanes." I think the NASCAR guys are safe from me! BUT, the question remains so I'd say Baskin and Robbins so I could have an unlimited supply of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.

The Reviews are in!! Recent Desert Breeze Reviews

BEYOND SUMMER
By: Carie Lawson
A thank you goes to the author for providing me with this complimentary review copy! Great Job Carie!!! Can't wait for Beyond Ever After!"

Love 2 Read Novels Blog
Rating = 4.5 Tickets

I highly recommend this and also the first in the series, “Beyond Africa”. You won’t be disappointed."

Janet's Treasures

****

IN THE MANOR OF THE GHOST
By: Tina Pinson
Ms. Pinson explores it deftly in this book... The answers lurk in the manor of the ghost -- waiting to be drawn out."

Naomi Musch Blog Book Reviews

This is a novel you will want to read again and again, so be sure to get a copy for yourself and let your friends know about it as well!"

Latawnia Kintz Reviews

*****

CHOSEN TARGET
By: Melanie Atkins
hosen Target is a pulse-pounding page turner."

Stephanie - Classic Romance Revival Reviews
Rating = 5 Wings

****

BEYOND A VIKING HORIZON
By: Tami Dee
"Beyond a Viking Horizon" is rich in love, hope, and family."

Stephanie Burkhart - Author of The Hungarian (Posted at Amazon)
Rating = 5 Stars

*****
WHAT THE HEART SEES
By: Janice Zick

For all their quirkiness, the characters in this story are well-rounded, enjoyable to spend time with and have you yearning to ensure they all get what they deserve. This book is a keeper."

Fennel - Long and Short Reviews
Rating = 5 Books - Nominated for BOOK OF THE WEEK!

*****

END GAME
By: Gail R. Delaney

This is a gripping saga that any sci-fi fan is guaranteed to enjoy. My only complaint is that I didn’t know about this series sooner.

Kirra Pierce - Just Erotic Romance Reviews
Rating = 5 Stars

With rich characterization and great world building, END GAME is a highly recommended science fiction romance.

Marlene Breakfield -- ParaNormal Romance

Featured September Release - Beyond Summer by Carie Lawson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Zane has a theory in life: Beautiful women are more trouble than they're worth. So when he's coerced into spending the summer with the very beautiful Carly as his nanny, he expects the worst. But she changes his opinion, one good deed at a time. Until he gets a little too close and finds out his beauty queen is nothing more than a liar and a thief. Theory proven.

But the pretty liar has two little girls who've stolen Zane's heart. He's going to have to wade in and untangle the mess Carly's made of her life for her daughters. Can Zane ignore the theory Carly's proven, forgive her, and accept that beauty is sometimes more than skin deep?

EXCERPT:

She should let go of him. But to let someone else carry the weight of her world, even if just for a moment, seduced her. A sigh escaped and she tightened her hold.

"Look, your Daddy is hugging Mommy." Brie chirped, breaking the trance.

"Maybe they're going to kiss." Daniel belly laughed at his own joke.

It was enough to make Carly back up. She pushed away and wiped her cheeks where a few disobedient tears had trailed down.

Zane's hands moved to her shoulders. "Better?"

She nodded, still unsure of her voice.

"How long was she missing?"

"Not long. Maybe five minutes."

He started rubbing her arms. "You're still shaking."

At some point this story would be amusing, so Carly tilted her lips upward. "But then she screamed for the next hour because she wasn't going to get any candy."

Pressing his lips to her forehead, he murmured, "You're a saint."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carie Lawson home schools her four kids, drives the soccer van --- complete with dirty socks and McDonalds bags scattered throughout --- and tries to sneak away to her computer whenever possible to write. She is an active member of a local writer's group, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and received third place in the North Texas Romance Writer's Great Expectations contest in the Inspirational Romance category.

Desert Breeze Congratules Carie on her latest release!

An interview with Lilly & Sam, from Beyond Africia

We're here today with Lilly and 3 year old Sam from Beyond Africa . (Author Carie Lawson is in "character") Welcome Lilly and Sam.

STEPH - Lilly, where did you train to a missionary?

LILLY: At my Mom's knee. This mission is home--it's where I grew up, I say grew up, but really I lived here from the time I was two until I was eight. It's a place I felt very loved. The best memories of my childhood were right here. It's kind of funny comparing those childhood memories with the reality of today. You know everyone talks about things seeming smaller when they return to a place they remember as a child. I'm finding that things here are more worn than I remember.


STEPH - Lilly, what inspired you to become a missionary? I understand you grew up with a Aunt.

LILLY: After my parent's died, all I ever wanted was to come back here. The best way to do that was to get a nursing degree. I completed my degree about eighteen months ago and started looking for a way to get back to the mission. God worked more than one miracle to help me get back.


STEPH - Sam, what about Lilly do you like?

LILLY: Her hair is shiny like the sun. And she smiles a lot. I'm not scared anymore when she's near me.


STEPH - Lilly, how has Sam's presence in your life, changed you?

LILLY: He's given me a family again. I know what it's like to be alone and so does he. I guess that makes it very easy for us to stay together.


STEPH - Lilly, I hear there's a pilot who likes to help out, Case? What's he like?

LILLY: Hmm, well. I'm not sure that he really likes helping out. But he's been very kind when we've asked him. We might have overstepped by asking for his help this last time. It's just that there are these children here, a family looking for their mother. They got separated from her during a round of fighting not too far away. Nick, another missionary, suggested asking Case to help us look for their mother, because he's a pilot. Of course, I had to ask him because I met him first and we've become friends...kind of. He agreed to help, but wants me to go with him. It makes me a little nervous. He's so handsome and has been kind, but I don't really know that much about him. I mean, why would an American pilot chose to stay in the DRC? I don't think it's for the money. Still, if it can help those children, I'll go. It'll be fine.


STEPH: - Lilly, what do you love about the Congo ? Sam, what do you love about your home?

LILLY: I like helping people who need it. The other missionaries, Bill and Sarah, remember my parents so it's kind of like being with family.

Sam: I like Lilly and Nick. I get to sleep on a pile of blankets in Lilly's room and Nick gives me cake sometimes. He smiles a lot.

Lilly: I think Nick might be the real Santa Claus. He's great with the kids here.


STEPH: - Lilly, do you have TV? The Internet.

LILLY: Oh, no. We have one phone here. It has a cord. But I wasn't expecting things to have those things.


STEPH: - Sam, are you an Elmo fan?

SAM: Lilly, who's Elmo? Oh, no, but there's a dog that I like to play with sometimes. I think monsters are scary.

Thanks for popping in today Lilly & Sam.
*smiles*
Steph

Carie's book is available at the Desert Breeze Site or on Amazon for the Kindle

Featured March Release - Beyond Africa

THE BLURB:

Lilly finally returns to the only place that's ever been home, a mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But the ongoing civil war creeps closer, threatening her sanctuary.

Case McCord, a weary soldier, determined to keep Lilly safe from the encroaching dangers, offers her protection, a home and love. Accepting him would mean turning her back on everything she believes. Rejecting him would mean turning down the greatest desire of her heart, and putting a child she loves in danger.

******
EXCERPT:

"Tell me about Sam," Case ordered, breaking the silence between them.

Instant words of defense sprang to her mind. She shoved them away. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, he looks like a native, but Sam's not exactly a Congolese name. And he looks as if he belongs to you, or at least wants to."

"Bill and Sarah named him after he was found walking out of the jungle. You know, because Samuel in the Bible was taken to the temple when he was probably about this age." The second comment could be ignored.

"Didn't know that."

Now you do. "Why do you ask?"

"You two looked so close, I thought I might offer a suggestion."

This sounded suspicious. She raised her eyebrows and smiled. "What's that?"

"What if I could get both of you out of here? Wouldn't it be worth it to rescue this one child from the poverty, sickness and war he's destined to see if he stays here?"

Shock took her words. "You. You. You could do that?"

****

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carie Lawson home schools her four kids, drives the soccer van --- complete with dirty socks and McDonalds bags scattered throughout --- and tries to sneak away to her computer whenever possible to write. She is an active member of a local writer's group, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and received third place in the North Texas Romance Writer's Great Expectations contest in the Inspirational Romance category.

****

Beyond Africa is available on Amazon.com and at All Romance Books

Interview with Desert Breeze Author, Carie Lawson

Carie Lawson has a March release with Desert Breeze, "Beyond Africa." She's here with us today to talk a little about the book and her writing. Welcome, Carie! Onto the questions:



#1 - You have release coming out in March - Beyond Africa. What inspired the plot?

When I decided to write Christian Fiction, I wanted to write something with a dangerous, sexy hero. Lilly was a missionary from the first time she popped into my head, so her hero had to be able to appear in the mission without being a missionary...hmm, a pilot. After that, I think I let them tell me their story more than anything else.

STEPH: Pilots always make sexy heroes.

#2 - Can you tell me a little about the plot for Beyond Africa?

Case meets Lilly when he's assigned to take her to a mission in a dangerous part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He's seen enough of the area to know he doesn't want to leave her there. His conscience continues to drag him back there to offer her a small amount of protection. Lilly fights her instant attraction to him because he obviously isn't a Christian and she's dedicated her life to continuing her parent's work as a missionary. She finds herself in the undesirable position of having to choose between everything she's ever believed and the only thing she wants in the world. A little boy she meets at the mission, Sam, adopts her and then she has to factor in his safety.

STEPH: I love the plot. It sounds really exciting.

#3 - Do you cast your characters when you write? If so, who would cast for the main characters in Africa .

I didn't cast my characters exactly. The McCord family is very loosely based on my own family. I've taken personality traits from my four kids--the good and the...hmm...challenging. Case is a pretty typical oldest child--a little bossy, protective and serious natured. His closest friend is his younger brother, Zane, who's story is told in Beyond Summer, coming out September 1.



#4 - You have four kids and a soccer van! Tell me when you have time to write? Seriously, when do you write? Do you listen to music? Light candles. Tell me about your writing space.

I started writing Beyond Africa when my daughter, who's now six, was an infant. Much of it was written with her sleeping in my arms. That's a wonderful memory for me as this dream of writing is starting to happen. Not much has changed, I guess. When all goes well, I enforce a naptime at my house and then head off to my computer for an hour or so. It probably takes me longer to write than someone who has a little more free time. But I find I'm better off when my life is balanced (sometimes it feels like a tight rope) family time mixed with writing time. What's funny is that my creative juices really get flowing when I'm driving. I think because the kids are in the backseat and I have a little bit of time to let my mind wander or mull over a problem. By the time I get to the computer a lot of the time the scene exists entirely in my head and all I have to do is get it out on paper.

STEPH: I agree in that balance is so important. I have two kids, a full time job, a passion to write, and a desire to go to the gym every day. Striking the balance is not easy. I, too, find that same peace to let my mind wander when I'm driving. Sometimes, I'll put on a audio book. It's one of the few times I can 'read.' so to speak.


#5 - Who are your favorite authors?

That's a tough one. I love to read and nearly always have a book going. Some of my favorite inspirational authors are Susan Mae Warren, Tamara Leigh and Kaye Dacus.


#6 - What's the last book you read?

The Heart's Journey Home by Jen Stephens. It is a wonderful book written by a friend of mine.


#7 - What inspires you in general?

This sounds like a simpleton answer, but its honest. That fun, fluttering, falling in love feeling inspires me to write...and read. We all need little escapes in the everyday.

STEPH: Yes, I agree - we all need the little escapes everyday. It keeps me sane. When I get to work and I have down time between calls or on the radio, I pull out my pen and paper and escape. My co-workers have gotten used to me escaping into my fantasyland, haha! Those escapes are so important. It keeps us all fresh.

Thanks so much for being here today, Carie!