Interview with Aussie author Laura O'Connell and book giveaway

Narelle here. I'm delighted to welcome Laura O'Connell back to our blog today. Laura's debut novel African Hearts is an April 2011 release from Even Before Publishers. And Laura has very kindly offered to give away a copy of African Hearts to one of our Australian or New Zealand readers who comment on this post.

Narelle: What was your inspiration for African Hearts, your debut novel set in Africa and Australia?

Laura: When I was in year three at school I saw a picture of an African boy standing next to a thatched roof hut. It piqued my interest and this image has stayed with me all my life. Three years ago God put on my heart to write a story about Africa. A couple of months after this the Watoto Choir performed at our church. We billeted two of the choir members, and their guardian with whom I had a long and honest conversation. When I asked him what the biggest challenge for the orphans were when they grew up, he said it was their sense of belonging. I lost my father when I was three and my mother when I was eight so I understood the challenges these young people have. The sense of belonging is a major issue for orphans.

In my novel, African Hearts, Kam lost his parents at three years of age and grew up in an orphanage, and Gina lost both her parents by the age of twenty-seven. Belonging is a major issue in their story as well. It’s difficult for some people to understand why people who lose their parents at a young age are so independent and driven and others lose hope. This is one of the themes I hope I’ve addressed in African Hearts.

Narelle: Please share with us a few of your research tips. Do you have plans to set future books in Africa?

Laura: Apart from talking with the Watoto boys’ guardian, I interviewed a missionary who had worked in Africa for much of her young life; I watched U-tube videos and read the Ugandan newspaper on the internet and also did other research on the internet. At this stage I have no plans to set future books in Africa, however, I’m considering a sequel to African Hearts telling Justin and Kizza’s story which will be a young adult novel set mainly in Australia.

Narelle: At present, you’re travelling around Australia in a caravan with your husband. Where have you visited and where are you heading next? Has travelling changed your daily writing routine?

Laura: I’m enjoying travelling around our great and diverse country. We had to come to Melbourne the week before Christmas because of a niece’s wedding and Christmas with family. We then headed to the Mornington Peninsula and have been here ever since because we had a small accident in the caravan and it can’t be fixed until mid-April. We’ve been to Melbourne often in these months to visit family and friends.

Toward the end of April we head north for the winter along the east coast. We have to be in Mackay in North Queensland in July for another niece’s wedding then we’ll go further north to Townsville, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown if the roads are open after the torrential rains this summer, then we’ll head west to Mount Isa and return to Brisbane through the centre of Queensland then down to Tasmania for next summer. After that it’ll be back north for winter 2012, but we are open to change as God leads us, and that’s the exciting thing about this travelling all over Australia.

I’m trying to keep to the same writing routine I had at home, but God has different ideas. I’m working off a laptop and I’m learning to be flexible in my writing routine. I find I’m writing whenever I get a few minutes in between site seeing and travelling and even when we’re on the road in the car. It’s been great to be camped in one spot for a while so that I can catch up.

Narelle: How has your faith influenced your writing, and the type of stories you write?

Laura: My faith has a strong influence on my writing. I write about faith, hope, love and forgiveness and I like to challenge my readers to think about whether they’re fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. Also, I hope my readers will be able to relate to my characters challenges which will trigger any healing they may need.

Narelle: What do you hope your readers will take away after reading African Hearts?

Laura: After reading African Hearts, I’m hoping my readers will think about events that happen in their lives may be beyond their understanding, but it’s important not to be afraid of change that might be happening. Grab hold of that change because God has the big picture and with time they will find where they belong in the world and the purpose for their lives. I want my readers also not to fear when they have God in their hearts because he is in control and only wants the best for them.

Narelle: African Hearts is published by Even Before Publishing. Please share with us what it’s like working with a small Australian press. How can we purchase a copy of African Hearts?

Laura: Working with Even Before Publishing has been a positive and encouraging experience. When Rochelle said she liked my manuscript she suggested I go on a week-long mentorship to learn about editing and marketing. It was the most encouraging week I’ve ever spent. It was intensive and I learnt how to look at my work in a different way. I’ve also learned about how the publishing industry works. I’ve also gotten to know her personally which I’m not sure I would get so quickly if I was with a bigger publisher. Rochelle has a God-given dream for Christian publishing in this country and I’m sure she will be successful. I’m glad I’m part of that journey.

African Hearts is available from Koorong and Word bookstores, Angus & Robertson as well as your independent book stores. It can also be purchased from my website.

Narelle: Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on?

Laura: My next work is set in Sydney and Mount Tamborine in Queensland and is an adoption story. The main characters have been manipulated by lies by people whose intentions are well-meaning but ends up hurting a whole family. Working title is Behind The Mask. This work is nearly complete and my next project which is half written is an Australian military story set in Townsville and Afghanistan.

Laura, thanks for joining us today. It's been a pleasure to interview you and I enjoyed reading African Hearts. By commenting on today’s post, Australian and New Zealand residents can enter the drawing to win a copy of African Hearts. The drawing will take place on Friday, April 22 and the winner announced on Sunday, April 24. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"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."

Laura O’Connell has a passion for a good story that will inspire and challenge. She travels with her husband around Australia writing and speaking.

To learn more about Laura O'Connell, please visit her website http://laura-oconnell.com

Narelle Atkins writes contemporary inspirational romance. She resides in Canberra, Australia with her husband and children. To learn more about Narelle, please visit her website.

BLOOD RANSOM - Giveaway for two great books!

Many years ago I had contact with LISA HARRIS through us both being members of American Christian Fiction Writers . Then my husband and I were preparing to go on our third short term mission trip to Africa. At that time Lisa and her husband were American missionaries in Johannesburg. When Lisa heard we would have a night stop-over between Australia and Ghana, she offered three Aussie strangers beds for that night. That alone shows the heart of this Lisa Harris who for many years has longed to have a book set in Africa published.

Ray and I learned to love so many dear African Christians on our trips to first East Africa and then on that later trip to Ghana. I have enjoyed every book Lisa has written and was absolutely thrilled when I heard that Zondervan Publishers had contracted Lisa for her book, Blood Ransom.  She has an excellent book trailer on her website about this book that shows just a little of this “powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare to challenge it.” Do click on her name above to take you to her website.

This book shows only too clearly the horror of what can happen to Africans in parts of modern Africa today. It is so obvious to me that Lisa has written about Africans from her heart of love for them. Her descriptions of African life are so true and real there were times emotions whelmed up in me at the thought of dear people such as we have met suffering so sadly from unscrupulous evil men in this 21st century Africa.

Like myself, Lisa enjoys romance in her books and there is certainly that also in this exciting story. Two American aid workers learn about love and more about our faithful God as they put their own lives at risk to fight for the lives of the family of one young African boy traumatised by what he has seen happen in his village to those he loves.
This is one book not to miss!

It was so powerfully written it brought tears to my eyes and anger to my heart for those humans who let evil consume them and eventually destroy even their own lives. But then joy came too at the reminder that there are good men too who are prepared to sacrifice everything in God’s battle against evil, even their own lives. They remind us all of “the even greater sacrifice made by Jesus Christ” who has given up His life so that we might have abundant life. But there's more!!

                                                                          

When I finished reading it I was just so very, very thankful it is only Book One in her Mission Hope series. Do make sure you do not miss either Blood Ransom or Lisa’s latest book set in Africa, Blood Covenant. This is being released this very month of February!

On Lisa’s blog  http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/ 
she tells us, “Together with my wonderful publisher and publicist, we'll be hosting a lot of book giveaways and really cool prizes from the Heart of Africa to promote the book in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!”

However, just in case any reader has missed reading Book One, BLOOD RANSOM, I would like to give a copy to someone who is a "Follower" of this ICFW blog and also leaves a comment after this post.

AND THERE'S STILL MORE!

BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO READ a copy also of BLOOD COVENANT! Do check out the trailer on Lisa's blog!
There will be a second draw for it! Two chances to win a book!  
Lisa will send you a signed copy of BLOOD COVENANT if you enter the draw for the books! Do make sure you follow the instructions above to join in the draw! Remember you do need to be a Follower on the International Christian Fiction blog as well as leave a comment. So, if you are not one already, become a Follower today!

And please remember the time zone differences! Enter before February Friday 11th 12.05 am US Pacific time and 7pm Australian Eastern Standard time on Thursday February 10th.PLEASE return to check out the winner so an email can be sent to me at mary@mary-hawkins.com with contact details.

Debut Novel - AFRICAN HEARTS

by Laura O'Connell

I'm delighted to be guest blogger today because my debut novel will be released in April 2011. Even Before Publishing is an Australian Christian publisher headed up by Rochelle Manners, a dynamic woman with a passion for Australian Christian fiction. This is an opportunity for Australian authors who sometimes feel they are isolated from the overseas publishing world.

African Hearts has been a work inspired by God and written with His grace. I struggled with God when He presented me with the idea. It’s too controversial, and it’s set in Africa where I’ve never lived, but God persisted and I felt compelled to write the story. The last couple of years have been a journey of understanding about who I am as a writer, where I fit in the market, and what God has in store for my future as an author.

My journey started twenty years ago when I felt God calling me to write, so I plodded along in the writing process for honing the craft, until He felt I was ready to tackle the idea for African Hearts.

Research, if I was going to write about Africa, I had to do research. To my astonishment I found the research a bit of fun. I watched You Tube videos, viewed Ugandan sites on the internet, and I read the Ugandan newspaper, and books from the library. My best piece of research though was interviewing a local African missionary. She shared much about her time in Africa, so much so I was transported into a world that intrigued, saddened, excited, and educated me about a life that was very different to my own.

During the writing process, I drew close to God in a way I’d never thought possible. His spirit was deep within me giving me the words and nudging me back to the story when I was straying off target. I was grateful for His presence throughout the writing process because I learned what it means to lean on God, and also that He is faithful and never leaves us. It is I who leaves him trying to write and do life in my own strength.

African Hearts is a novel that will challenge you about your current position in life and whether you’re living it the way God wants you to be living right now. African Hearts is about Australian, Gina Messina, who goes to Africa to find her dying brother, but her brother’s doctor has some unexpected news that challenges her to make change in her life.

A few days ago, my husband and I made change in our lives, and started our new adventure travelling around Australia in a caravan to write and encourage others to be the people God created them to be. You can follow us and be part of our journey at my website www.laura-oconnell.com

I wish all readers a joyful festive season.

Laura usually lives with her husband, Frank on the Gold Coast. She has one son, Dan who started his own life’s adventure a few days ago, too. Laura is passionate about encouraging people in their life’s journey.

To learn more about Laura and her debut novel, African Hearts, please visit her website.