Tuesday, March 6, 2012

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."



28 comments:

  1. Tricia, I LOVE the theme of your book! My dad served in World War II as a young man and I only wish he were still alive today to tell me more of his many stories.
    My daughter went to college in a city away from home, but close to her other grandparents (my husband's parents). She got the old man to share stories none of us knew about. Like how he travelled the width of South Africa in an ox-wagon, for starters. Oh how I wish I could sit with HIM today. You're so right. The time is gone sooner than we expect. And so are the stories.
    Ruth, thanks so much for this super interview. I'd love to be entered for the draw. shirley(@)shirleycorder(dot)com

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  2. My Dad also served in World War II. Love to read stories about this. Tricia, I'm also anxiously awaiting the release of Beyond Hopes Valley!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  3. Love your books on WWII. Can't get enough! You have such rich story lines. Please enter me.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  4. I am interested in books on WWII; I appreciate the interviews Tricia did with actual veterans. It is wonderful to get these stories documented before their passing, even when some are fictionalized. Thanks for the interview and the drawing. I would be very pleased to win a copy of "Remembering You."

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  5. I have really enjoyed the Goyer novels I've read so far, and historical Christian fiction is my absolute favorite style. I feel like I not only gain or learn something that helps in my walk with Jesus, but I also learn something of the ways of our world in earlier times. It's like a bonus! Great interview. Can't wait to get my hands on Remembering You!

    amhall82@gmail.com

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  6. My father served in the Army Air Core during WWII. He and my mother wrote letters back and forth and I am so happy that I still have them. I still wish that he was alive so he could tell me more about it. I would really love to read this book as it has real veterans
    stories behind it and it was written by Tricia Goyer.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Thank you for your comments Shirley, Rubynreba, Linda, Pam, Anna Marie and Carol- there's quite a few of us who love books with a WWII setting.

    I think it's great that Tricia is capturing stories from that era and preserving them in her books.

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  8. I'd love to read this! Thanks for the opportunity to win! One of my all-time favorite books is The Hiding Place, as well. (Also like those books by Bodie Thoene & Jack Cavanaugh.)

    misshoneybee(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I am very excited about the theme of this book. I have always had a fascination with the Titanic. I just finished 'Chasing the Mona Lisa' and look forward to reading more of the books set during WWII. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.

    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Thanks for sharing about Hana's story and the chance to win this book! The Hiding Place is also a favorite of mine.
    Have a blessed day!

    seventysevensusieq[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  11. would love to read your story about the titanic, tricia...thanks for the opportunity

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  12. Hi Tricia, I loved your WWII books and admire how you interviewed former military to get your facts before you wrote your books. I have this one on my wish list as well as Chasing Mona Lisa. I love Christian books and so glad I discovered them.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  13. Thanks for sharing Hana's story. Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to be in the draw, dharcombe(at)bigpond(dot)com

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  14. That story about the medic and baby reunion sent chills up my back! Beautiful.

    Tricia, did you find that most men were willing to talk about their experiences in WWII? My great-uncle fought in the war and I never heard him talk about it, but when my brother asked him about it (for a school project), he wrote about four pages on his experiences in Europe. I always wanted to ask him more, but sadly, never took an opportunity to do that and now he's gone. So as you say, NOW is the time to tell the stories of these veterans and to remember what they did for us (because so many of my generation are already forgetting about WWII and what Hitler did).

    My email is bway underscore writer at yahoo dot ca.

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  15. A wonderful idea for a story. Always enjoy Tricia's books.
    cllyrics at gmail dot com

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  16. Tonight at church, Amos 3:3, “Do two walk together unless they agree to do so?” was part of the message given!
    My husband and I have friends in Berryville, AR, and the husband interviews veterans and gives the video to their families.
    I would love to read Remembering You!!
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  17. Your book sounds fascinating, Tricia. My first novel 'Helena' (2007) is set in Czechoslovakia during WW2, mostly in Tabor and Prague, so I was interested to read how you love Prague! My novel was inspired by the real life story of a Czech woman we knew at our church here in Sydney whose husband was part of the Czech underground in the war--all very moving. So I would love to read 'Remembering You'. God bless! jobert(at)tpg(dot)com(dot)au

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  18. Tricia, your book sounds great. My grandfather was a World War II vet. He died several years ago. I have a deep respect for those men who did and do fight for our country.

    mafinnegan@yahoo.com

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  19. Oh, this book sounds good. I love reading about people going to search out their past roots. WWII is a very interesting time period and Europe just tops it off!

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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  20. I would love to win and read this book!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I've never been disappointed with a Tricia book! HOpe I win!

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  22. here's my email from the previous comment: ebyounts (at) gmail (dot) com

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  23. Thanks so much for the chance to win Tricia's book!
    Ann
    Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com

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  24. Tricia, enjoyed this blog. Your Titanic book sounds good also.Brothers in WWII-always interested in those stories.
    Jude Urbanski

    urbanski4u@aol.com

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  25. What an incredible story of how God used you to reunite Hana and the medic.

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  26. Wow! This book sounds amazing! I would LOVE to win a copy! I have always been intrigued about The Titanic and have read lots of books that are fiction and non-fiction on the topic. My question is: how do you keep coming up with such interesting topics to write about? You mentioned interviewing people about your books, do you based your books on those people, or do characters just kind of come to you after meeting these people? Thanks for the chance to win such a wonderful book!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  27. Tricia, thank you for such a great blog. This book sounds quite interesting and would love to read it. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  28. Thank you to everyone who left a comment.

    The winners are Linda and Jo.

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