Author Spotlight - Excerpt from: Safe & Sound

We hope you've enjoyed Christina's week in the spotlight. Leave a comment today, Saturday, Sunday along with your email address and we'll pick one winner to receive a PDF copy of Safe and Sound and a mini stocking with a military theme. Enjoy the excerpt!

Moderator Steph

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EXCERPT:

Safe and Sound by Christina Freeburn

Katrina fled down the small hallway leading to the back door. She slammed her hand onto the bar and the door shot open. Run. Don't look back. The pace of the words matched her heartbeat and she sprinted down the sidewalk.

Footfalls sounded behind her.

She pushed past people. Knocked into a young mother.

"What's your problem, lady?"

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Katrina ran. She couldn't waste her breaths on words. She had a few precious moments, one last time to outrun the past coming back to claim her. She scanned the area for a place to hide or seek help.

Across the street was an alley leading to the fire station. Safety. Katrina surged forward. A horn blared. Brakes squealed. She pivoted away from the car and leapt onto the sidewalk.

A twinge in her ankle sent her reeling forward. She grasped onto a parking meter and regained her balance. Ignoring the pain in her foot, she pounded down the sidewalk and made it to the opening of the alley.

Darkness surrounded her. She fought the instinct to stop instead of plunging into the damp, musty pathway. She was too close to change plans now. This was her one way to freedom and hope. A hand bit into her shoulder. She screamed and twisted. Her injured foot slid on something slick. The man tightened his grasp. He lifted her and pushed her against the building.

"You made this so easy." He pressed into her back, his body holding her against the brick.

Katrina stomped on his foot and jabbed her elbow into his stomach. He sucked in a breath but the pressure against her didn't decrease. A hand inched down her stomach and rested at the waistband of her jeans.

"How should I make this look? An assault? Robbery gone bad." He twisted her arm behind her back. "Let's just go with dumping you in the middle of nowhere. Don't have to worry about anyone looking for you. You're already dead."

Author Spotlight - Christina Freeburn talks about writing a Holiday Setting

I love the holiday season: the decorating, the baking (not so keen on the 'regular' cooking), the wrapping, and even the shopping. And the reading. From Thanksgiving until January 8, I only read holiday themed or set stories. Since I adore these types of books, it seemed like a natural fit for me to write one. I like combining my 'loves' into my stories, but I was always afraid to use this time frame for a book.

Could I do the season justice? Would the season work as part of the story or would it feel forced...like I was writing a holiday setting story just for the sake of writing a holiday setting not that it mattered to the plot? Would I start and find out I couldn't pull it off?

For me, it was important that the story blended with the time frame. This time of year is filled with so wonder, love, forgiveness and renewal, it was important I did it justice. When I started Safe and Sound, I realized the emotions of the season fit with the emotions and changes the hero and heroine would explore and experience.

As I wrote, I found the setting really helped bring the story to life and I had made the right choice and was glad I put fear aside and gave it a try.

Author Spotlight - Character Interview with Hannah from Safe & Sound

Author: How did you come to this point in your life?

Hannah: I had no other option. I've made some very bad choices in my life so I understand why people don't trust or believe in me. There was no reason for a community to believe over a long-time member. Plus, the situation I found myself in started when I went against my husband's advice. When the worst happened, I did the only thing I could to protect Connor and myself...run.

Author: What lead you to make the changes you did in your life?

Hannah: The truth is kind of painful...basically I got caught. I don't know if I'd have faced the past if the man I wanted to outrun hadn't found me.

Author: What is your favorite quote or Bible verse.

Hannah: Psalm 10:17: "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." For so long, I've struggled through life by myself that it gave me hope to know God listened to me and wanted to encourage me. Especially after all the wrong I had done.

Author: What are you plans for the future?

Hannah: I think for now, I'm going to focus on the present. I've lived so long in the past, dreaded the future, I gave no attention to the present. I think for now the best thing is to brace what is before me and no longer focus on what was or what could be.

Author Spotlight - Christina Freeburn talks about Family Dynamics

Family. It's where we learn about relationships and start to feel what our role is in life. For some people it's a good place, a soft place to land, the place we return when we feel lost and adrift. For others family is a place of hurt and where they feel the worst about themselves. In the New Beginnings Series, especially in Safe and Sound, I show two different families and how they handle the rough times that happen in life.

As with all relationships, sometimes people can disappoint us and the way it's handle can make the situation worse or better. Because of the way her family dealt with problems and the way they viewed her, Hannah believes running...saving others from her...is the best choice. Connor knows he can rely on his family to help him, but in doing so has to deal with a consequence he hadn't intended...his cousin's distrust of Hannah.

The Stratford family is a loving, supportive, and overly protective at times bunch. Sometimes those qualities are a positive and a source of strength, other times as cousins Alex and Connor find it's the beginning of a major conflict and division. Acting in someone else's best interest doesn't always go the way a person plans, nor perceived as a good thing. I had wanted to explore this type of situation in a book and fit in well with this book.

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Christina Freeburn

STEPH: I don't know much about "Safe and Sound." What's it about?

CHRISTINA: Book three of the New Beginning Series focuses on Connor Stratford who is still grieving the death of his wife. Hannah had gotten lost in a blizzard and the mountain claimed her. A woman's body was discovered after an explosion and Connor learned Hannah's death wasn't the accident everyone thought. One of the men responsible for Hannah's death is hunting down another woman. Connor decides to do everything in his power to save the young woman from the same fate as his wife. When the woman comes to Connor's home for shelter, he discovers the murderer's new target might actually be his wife.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

CHRISTINA: About six months.

STEPH: How much research did you have to do?

CHRISTINA: Most of the research I did for this book was about tracking and rescue dogs. I had done some for Led Astray as Connor made an appearance in that book but the research I did was minimal. Since Connor is a point of view character in Safe and Sound, I needed to do a little more in depth research as Connor trains the dogs. The surface research I did wasn't enough to get a feel for what Connor, or the dogs, could or would do in certain situations.

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?

CHRISTINA: For me, the cover reflects the story because it features the cabin where Connor has secluded himself for the last four years and where Hannah goes to reclaim her life.

STEPH: Hannah is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weakness?

CHRISTINA: Hannah's strengths are her kind heart, seeing 'the big picture' and her willingness to do anything for others. Her willingness to do anything for others is also one of her weakness because at times she makes poor choices for herself if she feels it will benefit others. Hannah also brushes off the good qualities in herself too often.

STEPH: What does Connor find appealing about her?

CHRISTINA: He loves Hannah's willingness to freely give love and friendship even if it doesn't come back to her.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?

CHRISTINA: Trust and forgiving yourself. For some people, forgiving others is easy but forgiving 'ourself' is hard and almost impossible at times.

STEPH: As a writer, where do you draw inspiration from?

CHRISTINA: It can come from anywhere. Most of the times it's from a simple what if question that pops into my mind when I hear something on the news or out and about. For this story, the 'what if' popped into my head when I was editing Led Astray.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

CHRISTIN: 'regular' Kindle and a Kindle Fire though I mainly read on the 'regular' Kindle.

STEPH: Fun question: Do you have any thanksgiving traditions you'd like to share with us?

CHRISTINA: We're pretty much a go with the flow family when it comes to Thanksgiving, so don't really have any traditions...unless you count the bringing down the boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic the day after Thanksgiving.

Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "That Impossible Dream"

Thank you so much for supporting Shirley during her week in the spotlight. Leave a comment on today's excerpt post, today, Saturday, and Sunday along with your email (so we can get ahold of you) and I'll pick a winner on Monday to receive either a GC to Amazon or B&N or a PDF copy of one of Shirley's novels, "That Impossible Dream," or "Say Goodbye to Yesterday."

Enjoy the excerpt!
Moderator Steph

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She waved a hand to stop him. "Please...don't explain anything. I've already made up my mind anyway. I shall work as your hired governess, Mr. McKenna."

His eyes widened. "But didn’t you think, or assume...I mean, should I not explain?"

At this point, she was not ready to hear what he might have to say. It would only make matters worse. She lifted her cane again, and held it in front of her, so he might get a good hard look at what she needed to get herself around each day. It was what her stepfather carved on it which was most important to her.

"I suppose if you think I'm suitable enough at least for governing a child, Mr. McKenna, then, no, there's nothing to explain right now. After all, what else am I good for? Hmm?"

She glared at him obstinately then turned toward the window, immediately embarrassed at what she just said. After closing her eyes briefly, Geraldine veered back. She shook her head and glanced over at Erin then back at him. "I apologize for that. What I just said was terribly rude. What I meant to say was--" What exactly had she meant to say?

Still she had to add one more jab. "I wonder if this is the time to be discussing my frailties and my inconveniences, especially since I've learned you disapprove of me as much as your brothers did."

He gave her a look of shock. "Disapprove? What made you think...hardly do I--" He stared at her in silence. Finally, he finished. "I was going to explain."

She held up a hand to stop him, fixing her eyes on her skirt. "I've already informed my uncle I'd do this." She lifted her chin. "You see, I want no part of any union with you, sir -- not with any McKenna male. Marriage into your family couldn’t be further from my mind."

He looked stunned. "My grandmother suggested otherwise, Geraldine."

Twisting away and returning to her chair, she pretended to make herself more comfortable. "Whatever your grandmother or my aunt inferred, well, you no longer need to assume it's so. I have clearly changed my mind." Of course, when she said she had no interest in marrying Shaun Alistair McKenna, it was not exactly true -- okay, not at all true. Geraldine crossed her arms, angry with herself once again. She knew deep down, way deep down, she in no manner wanted to let go of the vision she alone held of herself and Alistair together. In truth, she did not want to think about Alistair in any way other than as a dear friend and potential husband. When she dreamed, she would have to make certain it happened only rarely from this point on. There was no reason he need know what might accidentally wander through her thoughts.

Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews

Author Spotlight - Shirley Kiger Connelly talks about making characters come alive

Story characters are inspired by those we observe throughout our lives, by experiences we've had with friends or acquaintances, both to the good or bad. Often the inspiration for our character comes from what we wish could happen to us or what we hope would never happen, but it’s sure okay for our characters. After all, these are just characters. Even if they fall from the sky, we won't feel a thing.

How about getting a character through a dream, especially a guy character. I could give you many examples of that potential guy, but then I'd have to share him. I'm not prone to pass on what took so long for me to dream up.

The characters in our stories must come alive The last thing we want is to see the character turn into cardboard, with no life-breath, stilted, easy to discard, inanimate, and without interest to the reader.

As you write, ask yourself how interesting your character really is. Does he jump out at you? Is he a person you'd like to get to know or invite into your home one day? Maybe he’s one you wouldn’t dare say hello to.

Oftentimes, we, as writers, need to step back and look with more of an objective eye to make sure our character is substantial to the story, doesn’t lack depth, and doesn’t seem artificial.

How do you avoid those uninspiring, uninteresting little men and women? How can you breathe personality back into them?
1 Give them memories.
2 Give them flaws.
3 Give each a past life.
4 Give yours a terrible memory or a nasty relative.
5 Provide something they want desperately to forget.
6 Make them flawed but find something to give them appeal.
7 Give them feelings; make them noisy or quiet, happy or sad, smiley or frowny.

You get the idea.

Always remember, a character without substance bores the reader in no time. Before you know it they'll close your book and grab another from their TBR pile.

There are numerous ways to inspire your character into that one that the reader finds irresistible--a fragment from someone somewhere. People all around you are interesting to observe. Writers can find them everywhere. It's amazing how quickly we can find that suitable one to fit our story needs perfectly. It works every time.

Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Shirley Kiger Connelly

STEPH: I don't know much about "That Impossible Dream." What's it about?

SHIRLEY: Geraldine Jordan has lived all her life with an unpleasant disability. She learns the meaning of painful rejection early. Any probability of obtaining a respectable suitor one day to someone like Alistair McKenna the man of her lifetime dreams is slim to none.

When Geraldine is passed off to live with her controlling-zealot Uncle Henry, she grows weary of waiting for that impossible dream -- until a treasured aunt arranges a potential marriage with an esteemed Chicago banker in search of a wife and mother for his young ward. But Geraldine’s disgruntled Uncle Henry whose always believed her unsuitable for any man of status, sets out to block the betrothal. He quickly demotes Geraldine to status of a common servant, hiring her off to a family in need of a governess.

Will the shattered Geraldine be forced to abandon all hope when she suddenly learns the prospective groom-to-be her aunt arranged for her was none other than her life-long love, Alistair McKenna?

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

SHIRLEY: Everything I write seems to me to take forever, Steph. This one took me a year.

STEPH: How much research did you have to do?

SHIRLEY: Since this was the second in my Decisions series, I didn’t have to do too much research except for the area of Chicago, where Geraldine must go. Also, as it is about a young woman with a disability, I didn’t find that difficult either. That’s because my model for Geraldine, has character traits and reactions to her problems that are similar to what I’ve seen in my physically challenged daughter.

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?

SHIRLEY: The cover artist did an awesome job. Since the story is so much about a dream that’s impossible for my heroine, the artist showed the house Geraldine must go to, but with an gated area that looks very difficult to go through. I was more than pleased with her vision.

STEPH: Geraldine is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weakness?

SHIRLEY: Geraldine’s strengths are her determination, her sweet disposition, her faith, and I believe, her stubbornness. Her weaknesses probably would have to be the difficulties she believes she has with her disability. That and her over-sensitivity about how she might look to others. She’s a typical woman, really, who has a thing about her appearance. I decided to emphasize that in the story.

STEPH: What does Alistair find appealing about her?

SHIRLEY: Her perseverance, her uprightness, that he hasn’t seen in most of the women he’s known before, her faith, and that she lives it.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?

SHIRLEY: Not to give up, even if things don’t look like they are going the way you might have hoped they would. And if something other than your dreams are headed your way, try to look for the good in them, rather than the bad, no matter how difficult it might be.

STEPH: As a writer, where do you draw inspiration from?

SHIRLEY: Mostly from God. Sometimes from past experiences that have taken place throughout my life or that I’ve seen.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

SHIRLEY: I use a Kindle. Although I love print books, at night before I go to sleep and whenever I’m traveling my Kindle works best. I really hope to get myself an ipad soon.

STEPH: Fun question: Autumn is the season for baking. Do you do any autumn baking? Pies? Cookies? Specialties?

SHIRLEY: I love to do apple pies and pumpkin pies. Not sure how I’m going to work that this year, since my husband and I are trying to go gluten free. My cookies are the pits, so I avoid them, except for eating of course. Specialties? Baked squash with brown sugar and butter and nuts, scalloped potatoes, fresh clam or mushroom soup. Autumn is my favorite time of year…could it be because I’m a redhead and those are just my colors?


Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews

Author Spotlight - Excerpt from Lost Then Found

Thanks so much for supporting Christina this week while she's been in the spotlight. She's offering a giveaway = a PDF copy of "Lost then Found." Post a comment on the blog today, Saturday, and Sunday and I'll pick one lucky winner out of a hat to win a copy of Christina's novel. The winner will be announced on Monday here on the blog and on the Connections Loop.

Smiles
Moderator Steph

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She entered into the small room and Jonas followed, stepping into the dark office. The room had one small window near the top of the wall. A coat of dust blocked out most of the sunshine.

"Thanks for talking to me."

"Hold the thanks." Renee pressed the door closed then turned to face him. Renee jabbed a finger toward a plush chair across the room. "Sit."

Without a word, Jonas complied.

Sweat coated her hands and her stomach clenched. Give her a screaming, profanity-spewing ex-husband of one of her clients instead of an indifferent and calm Jonas Knight. To hide the tremble wanting to buckle her knees, she slid onto the desk and thumped her heels against the marred wooden legs of the hand-me-down furniture.

"All I want to do is help you." Jonas leaned forward, decreasing their distance.

"I can handle a man like Howard." She scooted back a few inches. "And I did. I don't need you showing up here putting my staff and my clients in danger. What if he followed you again? I thought you were better than that." The baiting words flowed from her before thought stopped the spitefulness.

Blankness filled his gray eyes. Jonas steepled his fingers and pressed them against his lips. Renee had always assumed the lack of readable emotions came from being a top-notch skip tracer, not an ingrained personality trait. She learned otherwise, discovering love couldn't...and wouldn't...change it.

She pressed her hands onto the wooden top to stave off the tremor building in her body. "I have no information for you. I want you to stop harassing me. Leading people to me."

His brows rose. "Little dramatic, aren't you? This is not harassment. This is one professional coming to talk to another professional about a common case."

"We have nothing in common."

A hint of an unreadable emotion jumped in his eyes. "We have a lot in common. Denying it doesn't change the fact."

Something fluttered in her heart, and she refused to acknowledge it enough to define it. "We're not here to talk about us."

Jonas settled into the chair and rested one jean-clad leg on top of the other. "Aren't we? Isn't this whole issue about us?"

Renee clenched her hands, knuckles jamming into the desk. Pinpricks of pain traveled up her arms. Why did Jonas turn everything into a battle? "Not on my end. Is it on yours?"

A smile inched up the corners of Jonas' mouth. Her heart fluttered. His smile always affected her. The first time she saw it, he stood in front of the classroom listing his credentials. The grin grabbed her and reeled her in. She focused on the shape of his mouth rather than the words coming out of it. The paper in front of her remained blank, and she had to take that particular seminar again. The next time, she chose a different instructor as the handsome, renegade Jonas Knight distracted her attention and captured her heart.

In three months, he swept her off her feet and to the altar. Her heart had never known such happiness. A memory of her sister's funeral trickled into her mind. Or pain. Jonas had stood beside her, arms crossed, staring into the distance without a flicker of emotion on his face or in his eyes. Renee had needed the feel of his arms around her, to lean on him and gather strength, but Jonas denied her comfort that day. He closed himself off to her, to her parents, to Alex. Her husband turned himself into a stranger the day she needed him most.

Author Spotlight - Christina Freeburn talks about Christmas stories & writing

It's getting to be that time of year again. Turkey. Present shopping. Putting up the Christmas tree. Present shopping. House decorating. Present shopping. Cookie baking. Putting a limit on the present shopping.

And along with all that fun, comes my favorite and most anticipated activities of the year. That window of time available to listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas movies, and the reading holiday themed books. Usually, I start collecting --hoarding-- the books around October so I have plenty to read. I have a few favorites but am always on the search to add to my collection. My favorite topics for holiday books are rekindled romances, the loner finding those who want to make him or her a part of their family, and the ones centered around 'holiday drama'.

I'll admit right now that I like my holiday angst to be have a light and humorous tone. I don't mind some heavy hitting issues, but nothing to deep and heart-breaking. There is one Christmas song where I can't turn the radio over fast enough when it comes on. If I'm going to cry at the holiday, I want it to because my heart was touched by kindness and generosity. During the rest of the year, give me the heavy themes, the life-altering, heart-wrenching books but from the week of Thanksgiving through January 1, I want 'holiday drama'. It's a weird quirk of mine.

'Holiday Drama' books are based on those perplexing and aggravating issues which only come up around the happiest time of the year--the time of joy, love, and getting together with family members. The angst over not being invited, or being invited, to 'the' cookie exchange party of the year, deciding to pare down the holiday spending and activities only to be confronting by those not agreeing with your choice, or the holiday planner/baker/shopper/decorater having enough and going on strike. Throw in the neighborhood war of banning blow up yard decorations, greedy shopper buying the entire stock of the hot item to sell for a fortune on an auction and there's enough drama to last the whole season long.

And with that time sneaking up on me pretty fast, I'd love to hear some recommendations. I've been real busy this year with writing books, volunteering, driving teens around, and helping plan a wedding this summer, so I haven't conducted my 'intense' search for those holiday drama stories and would love to hear what you enjoy.

Author Spotlight - Christina Freeburn talks about her influences

I always thought I didn't have a 'true' influence on my writing because I've always wrote different types of stories. How could any one writer, book, or even style of story, have influenced my writing when I create stories that use voices and techniques that are the opposite of each other.

One day, I saw a poll someone was doing regarding the influence Nancy Drew had on female mystery author's writing...and I realized how wrong I was. I enjoyed reading about Nancy Drew and her adventures but my true love was the Hardy Boys. Frank. Joe. Fenton and Laura. Aunt Gertrude. Even now, I still sometimes pick up a Hardy Boy book and read it. There's something about the stories that tug at my heart and are a comfort to me.

I was more drawn to the Hardy Boys because I yearned to be in their family. I loved to experience the warm and loving family of the Hardy Boys. Reading those books allowed me to spend time with siblings who loved and cared about each other, where parents supported their children (though I'd never be that supportive if my teens wanted to hunt down criminals), filled a longing in me. Those books brought joy to my life and allowed me to experience the type of family I dreamed about as a child.

Without having known it, the Hardy Boys played a key role in the type of stories I wrote. Whether I write mysteries or romantic suspense, there is a strong family unit that is the backbone of the book. The family members don't always get along in harmony. They have their moments of arguments and saying just that 'perfect' thing to irritate their sibling but in the end ... they stand up and by each. When one is threatened, they close ranks as no issue between them is ever more important than each other's well-being. Disagreements and personality clashes become non-existent. Family is first.

Author Spotlight - Christina Freeburn talks about writing the self rescue princess

I first heard this term when I was complaining to a friend about a rejection I received. The letter mentioned great characters and plot, original idea but ... the Christian heroine wasn't woman-in-jeopardy enough for a romantic suspense.

"What do I do next?" I started talking about the changes I could possibly make for the heroine to fit into the mold.

My friend stopped me by commenting that I didn't write damsels-in-distress, I wrote the self-rescuing princesses. She was right. That was the whole point --the heart--of the stories I wanted to write. It might be because I have daughters, but there was a need for me to write heroines who are an equal to the heroes. I wanted to write Christian romantic suspense stories which featured strong heroines. I wanted to show that Christian women were strong, tough, and could stand on their own and fight against evil. They could be the 'heroes' in their lives.

Christian heroines --and real, life Christian women-- were capable of slaying their own dragons, so to speak, and stepping up to help others when needed. A woman didn't have to wait around for a man to rescue them, they could do it themselves.

Eventually, the right man comes along who they can share their life with but until then ... they'll do what needs to be done to make their life better and fulfilling.

Fortunately, I found Desert Breeze Publishing who published books with the type of heroine I needed to write. I am blessed to have the opportunity to share my self-rescuing princess heroines with readers.

The self-rescue princess isn't a woman who places herself above others but one who doesn't place herself below others. She isn't waiting to be rescued, but laying the ground work and doing the work necessary to change her circumstance. The self-rescue princess is not only able to see her strengths and positives but also her weaknesses and flaws. She takes control of her life and accepts responsibility for her decisions, good and bad.

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Christina Freeburn

STEPH: I don't know about "Lost then Found." What's it about?

CHRISTINA: Lost Then Found is about skip-tracers Renee and Jonas Knight, ex-spouses and former business partners, who find themselves on opposite sides of a case. Renee lost her sister to domestic violence and decides to her skills as a skip-tracer to relocate and hide abused women who are trying to start their lives over. She's starting to feel whole again when her ex-husband shows back up in her life demanding to know the whereabouts of one of Renee's clients. Jonas knows the young woman couldn't have vanished by herself and suspects Renee helped her. When his client starts acting suspicious, Jonas decides to team up with Renee to protect her and also to discover the truth about the young woman in hiding.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

CHRISTINA: The first draft of Lost Then Found took me about 3 months to write.

STEPH: Where did you find the inspiration for the novel?

CHRISTINA: I attended a writer's workshop that had a skip-tracer speaking. I signed up for the newsletter and a few months later the newsletter talked about how paparazzis use skip tracers to find out the secret locations of celebrity weddings and vacations. I started thinking about what would happen if a skip tracer was hired to find a person who had a very, good reason to have gone off the grid. What would cause a person to make that choice? How would a person know how to hide themselves? More and more what and how questions developed and as I answered them, the New Beginnings series took shape in my mind.

STEPH: How important is setting to the novel?

CHRISTINA: As the story starting forming, the setting became more important. Not so much the area where the heroine’s office is located in Maryland, but the town two women she relocated call home. This town, Mourning, took on a life of its own and became, in a way, a character with its own personality and plays a key role in other books in the series.

STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research for the story?

CHRISTINA: I did research into skip tracing, wills and estates, and also checking to make sure the choices Renee made never crossed the line between right and wrong legally. Or is a decision will have her crossing that line, it’s a conscious choice where she's willing to accept the consequences.


STEPH: Hollywood is calling. Cast the lead characters of the story.

CHRISTINA: This question took me a little while to answer as I hadn't really thought about it. But, I think Josh Lucas and Emma Stone would be great to play Jonas and Renee Knight.


STEPH: What's the theme of the novel? What do you want to resonate with readers?

CHRISTINA: The theme of the novel is forgiveness and responsibility. What do I want to resonate with the reader ... that's a tough question. The main thing is that there is always hope for a better life no matter the circumstance and no matter your past. And sometimes to fulfill dreams and move past pain, we have to come term with wrongs we’ve committed and set out to make them right.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

CHRISTINA: I have a Kindle and am being tempted by the Kindle Fire.

STEPH: How long have you been writing?

CHRISTINA: I have been writing since I was in the ninth grade. I just did the math and realize that’s about 27 years. Wow! Though, I didn’t start taking it seriously, as in trying to get published, until 15 years ago.

STEPH: FUN question: What's your favorite Thanksgiving day pie?

CHRISTINA: Apple pie with crumb topping.

STEPH: My son, Andrew, (he's 9) absolutely LOVES Apple pie like this!

Author Spotlight - Excerpt from Powerline

The seated draftee, currently senior deacon Ed McCaskey, began jeering at the men. Ball after ball failed to dunk him. "Hey, everybody, I'm still dry up here. Isn't any of you man enough to drop a tired old beanpole like me?"

"Pick any of these. They'll get you yet," Andie said.

"You said it, lady." Kevin's eyes narrowed into a steely glare. He took aim and made a huge powerful throw, missing the target by a hair.

"Not even close, farm boy," yelled the deacon. "This target's practically the broad side of a barn. Come on, turkeys. Isn't there one among you with any--"

Jeff cut him off. "We haven't sent in our strongest player yet." He backed up to where Cassie stood sipping lemonade. With a gleam in his eyes, and a courtly bow from the waist, he offered her a ball. "How about it? Relief pitcher?"

She laughed aloud, flushing with embarrassment and a peculiar twist of pleasure. "The relief accepts the challenge." In a deliberate manner, drawing out the suspense, she handed her lemonade to Pam, and accepted the ball from Jeff. Their fingers met, and he clung to her touch for a moment. That strange electric thrill happened, the one she felt each time his skin made contact with hers. Cassie frowned with a studious air as if gauging her throw, and stepped up to the line. "You're in trouble now, Ed," she informed the deacon politely.

He gave an airy wave off gesture with one hand. "You're too little to move that ball half this distance."

"Get him," yelled her friends. "Make it count, Cassie!"

She judged the distance, biting her lip as if concentrating. "This is for the youth ministry," she said, enjoying her moment.

"Powerline, Kids' Clubs, and the Sunday school. All worthy causes."

"Come on, Cassie!"

"You can do it!"

"Let him have it, girl!"

She wound up her best sandlot pitch and let fly. A huge splash dropped the deacon abruptly into the inky depths. Ed came up sputtering, wiping his face down. "Well," he called, "I'm cooled off now, by golly."

Cassie laughed in excitement. The day seemed charged with enjoyment and good fun. She accepted her tiny animal prize with pleasure from the attendant. It was a four-inch tall stuffed eagle. Isaiah 40:31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. You promised, Lord. Let us always remember to wait on You. She turned to Jeff, gravely handing him the toy with a little flourish. "I hereby present the turkey prize," she announced to their laughing friends, "to the turkey who put me up to this -- Jeff Hadley."

He burst out in an unrestrained, infectious laugh, a warning look in his eyes. Cassie knew he'd pay her back later. "It's an eagle, not a turkey. What do they teach farm girls these days? Can't you tell the difference?" He stuffed it into his pocket as the laughing group moved on to the next stall.

"You're a good sport." The group moved on to the face-painting booth with the eager children. Cassie declined, not liking the feel of tempera on her skin, but watched as Melinda, Pam and Vera's girls all acquired pseudo-tattoos. "Neat," enthused Heather, Vera's twelve-year-old.

Amber, age four, rubbed at hers, afraid it might be permanent. Jeff scooped the giggling child onto his shoulders.
"Will it come off, Jeppie?" she asked plaintively.

"Sure it will, sweets. Just give it a good scrub-a-dub in the tub." He tickled the child. Cassie beamed, a step behind and out of sight. She thought of Leon's nieces, or of cousin Santiago and his daughter Amalia. Jeff was good with kids, like the men of her own family. He'd fit in with them. They'd like him, everybody would. He was a people person, like the folks she'd grown up with. Even Abuelita would take to him like a Cuban to picadillo.

On the spot she decided that Jeff was a prize, the pearl beyond price the Word spoke of. If he was crazy enough to want her, she'd spend the rest of her life giving to this man. He'd been tested, gone through the fire. He'd lost his wife. But Cass was here, and there was a plan for their lives, the two of them together.

Funny, thought I was getting pretty tuned in, pretty spiritual. But Jeff saw it way before I caught a glimmer. He sensed we belong together. Glad he didn't give up on me. Thank You, God. I asked You to give me a love for him that I couldn't mistake. And that's exactly what You did.

Author Spotlight - Deborah Kinnard dares to fly

Lately we’ve heard about authors in the general fiction market and some genre markets turning down large advances in order to take their stories direct to the readers. Yes, that’s right – the bad child of the industry, self-publishing, is growing up. Barry Eisler turned down a six-figure advance to self-publish. Joe Konrath has been trumpeting the advantages of direct-to-reader publishing for years now.

It’s easier now to self-publish, and from some blogs lately I’ve sensed that it’s both more lucrative for the writer and more risky. Read Kiana Davenport’s blog to see her take on the risks.

So has the Christian romance market embraced this brave new world? Not so much. We’ve been led to believe for a long while that the publishers are the gatekeepers, the patrones who watch over us all and make sure we don’t get our hands on bad fiction. For that matter, even edgy fiction…

Do I have answers for a writers who want to dip a toe into this edgy new market? No. I’m happy with my publishers, though frustrated at times that the market doesn’t provide much of what I like best to read. I salute those authors who have sufficient following to try this approach. What the markets will look like five years from now, or even two, I’d need a crystal ball to say.

Whatever shape it takes – more out of the box fiction, please!

Author Spotlight - Deborah Kinnard discusses Writing to All The Readers

A senior editor at a major Christian publishing house was lately quoted as saying, “We don’t pay attention to what our readers say they want” in referring to “edgy” or “out of the box” fiction. What? Last time I heard, readers were the folks who bought the books. Yet the sales numbers mean nothing? Publishers don’t pay any attention to them?

This isn’t only disingenuous, it isn’t true. Fact is, publishers do listen to their sales numbers, and therefore, they’re hearing their readers every time they vote with their Visas. That one type of book may consistently sell better than another does not mean there is no market for the latter. It just means the publisher may have to try a little harder to reach the non-easy part of the market.

I suspect that means they’ll go for the easy sell whenever possible.

It also means some of us are becoming strongly tempted to “go indie.” More on that later.

Author Spotlight - Deborah Kinnard talks about "the easy stuff"

Many of us have heard that Christian fiction is simplistic and boring. Mostly we hear this from people who deliberately stay away from reading in our market – maybe years ago they gave a historical romance a try, or maybe one of those short novels you can find at Wal-Mart.

Their complaints may go a little over the top. Did you cease reading literary fiction because you were forced to read THE LORD OF THE FLIES in high school? Okay, well, maybe you did. But most people don’t dismiss an entire genre because they’ve had one less than stellar experience.

The easy stories, the simple themes – why does Christian fic embrace them? Easy, we’re told – they sell. Prairie romance is better than medieval romance, because it sells better. A popular author is allowed to try her hand at a medieval, and her novel sells a third of what the publisher expects. It cannot be the publisher’s fault, obviously it’s not the author’s – so it must be the time frame.

I submit that Christian fic must rise to the challenge of writing – and publishing – out of the box types of books as well as those that sell predictably. We readers are not all the same. Why should we expect our reading material to be? Since we don’t all read bonnet books, is it necessary to produce only that type of novel?

Is some of this due to laziness? Stay tuned for more thoughts.