Interview with Tricia Goyer and Giveaway

I'm thrilled to announce that Tricia Goyer is our visitor today. She's chatting about one of her latest books, Remembering You. Leave a comment for a chance to win one of two copies of Tricia's book—the draw is open to readers worldwide.

Tricia is the author of 30 books and has published over 500 articles for national publications such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine.
She won the Historical Novel of the Year award in both 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005. Tricia's co-written novel, The Swiss Courier, was a nominee for the Christy Awards.


Ruth Ann: Welcome, Tricia, it’s great to have you visit our blog. Please tell us a little about your book, “Remembering You”, and what inspired you to write it. 

Tricia: Great question. In interviewing World War II veterans I've learned many amazing historical facts, but it was the men themselves who inspired Remembering You.
In the last ten years since I started interviewing veterans for my WWII novels, most have passed away. Some of them—realizing their days on earth were coming to an end—returned to Europe one last time with their family members to walk along paths they’ve never forgotten. Those trips inspired my most recent novel, Remembering You.

Remembering You is a work of fiction, but the experiences of the men are true. The experiences of the main character, Ava, are also true-to-life. Ava is a lot like me. I was busy with life when God pointed me to an amazing story, and to even more amazing men. I’m so thankful I took time to listen and care. I’m so thankful I allowed these men to share what…and who…they remembered most.

We’d love to hear how you researched “Remembering You”?  Do you have any anecdotes or interesting experiences to relate?

One of the most amazing experiences was when I received an email from a woman named Hana. She wrote me after my first novel, From Dust and Ashes was published. She’d heard of my book and knew I’d interviewed some of the veterans. She asked if I’d interviewed any medics. I had. Then she told me an amazing story. Hana was born on a cart just outside of Mauthausen. Her mother had survived being a prisoner of another camp and was transported to Mauthausen at the end of the war.
Hana was just three weeks old when the Americans arrived, and she was very ill. Because of the filthy conditions she got a skin infection and sores covered her body. No one expected her to live. Yet one of the medics saw the small baby and knew he had to do something. Even though it took most of the day, he lanced and cleaned all Hana’s sores, saving her life. Over the years she’d wanted to find the medic, but didn’t know where to start.
I was amazed by Hana’s story and told her I knew one medic—maybe he remembered who that man was. I gave Hana the contact information and I soon heard the good news. My friend LeRoy “Pete” Petersohn was the medic who’d saved her life! The two were soon reunited! After all these years Hana was able to look into the eyes of the man who saved her and thanked him. After all these years Pete was able to meet the woman he saved. “Baby!” he called out when he met her.

What an amazing story! What a wonderful reunion!
How did you weave a spiritual thread through “Remembering You” without being preachy?

There were a few spiritual threads. One of them was forgiveness. A few of the characters had problems forgiving people from their past—and one character had trouble forgiving himself for things that happened in the way. I tried to show the pain through actions and dialogue. It's only as the book progress that the story of what happened unfolded.


Did you have any particular Bible verses running through your mind as you wrote?

Yes, I actually put it in the front of the book. Amos 3:3, “Do two walk together unless they agree to do so?”

Sometimes we get so busy in life that we forget to join those we love on a journey. That's what this trip was for Ava, a physical journey with her Grandfather but also a journey of discovery about her grandfather's past. Ava also grew in her walk with God through the process.

What do you hope your readers will take away from your book

I hope they will take time to spend with those they love. I hope they'll get away with an elderly person and listen to his or her stories. If we don't take time to listen the stories will soon be gone.

Do you enjoy reading books with foreign settings? Any favorites?

Yes! Some of my favorites:
Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene
As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers
While Mortals Sleep by Jack Cavanaugh
Winter Passing by Cindy Martinusen
Into the Nevernight by Anne de Graaf
and my favorite all time book (besides the Bible)
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

If you were given an all expenses paid holiday anywhere in the world to research a novel, where would you choose to go? Why would you choose this location?

Great question! Prague is my favorite place in the planet, but I've been there four times. There are lots of other places I'd like to visit. I even have a board on Pinterest dedicated to that:
http://pinterest.com/triciagoyer/places-i-want-to-visit/

But today I'd pick Barcelona. My husband talks about going to Spain at least once a week!

Please tell us about your current novel.

My newest release is By the Light of the Silvery Moon (March 1, 2012). It's my novel set on the Titanic. I'm very excited about it because it's the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic disaster. Here's what the book is about:

Amelia Gladstone's hopes are tied up in the Titanic--hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change. Quentin Walpole us stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America--and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

You can watch the book trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0g18-m_qII

Thank you Tricia, I look forward to reading your new book. 


Tricia has kindly offered to give away two copies of Remembering You. Please leave a comment or question for Tricia AND your email address before Thursday 15th March if you would like to be entered in the draw which is open to readers worldwide. Winners will be announced in the Sunday Edition on 18th March.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."