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.

Interview and book giveaway with Lisa Harris

COLLEEN: Today we have the privilege of interviewing multi-faceted, multi-published author, Lisa Harris. Lisa is no stranger to ICFW, as she is one of the creators/founding mothers of this great site. Thanks for your hard work and welcome, Lisa.

Your colleagues and fans want to know what makes Lisa Harris tick, so let’s give them some answers to their questions. First of all, why? Why do you write? What is the engine behind the hours, days, and weeks of clicking on the keyboard, wracking your brain for better ways to tell your story?

LISA: If I were to be completely honest, I’d have to admit that I’ve thought about quitting a hundred times. Not because I don’t love to write, but as all mothers, daughters, friends, and wives know, life can get complicated. It amazes me just how much we have to fit into a twenty-four hour period! But I’ve also come to realize that writing is something that comes from deep within me and is a part of who I am. I see it as a gift from God and one I want to use to his glory. So because of that, I’ll keep writing until God says stop.

COLLEEN: And how long have you been doing this?

LISA: I started writing Nancy Drew type stories when I was in junior high, but didn’t decide to actually try a book until much, much later. When my oldest was born, I was at home with no car and since he slept a lot, I decided to take the plunge. Writing one book left me wanting to understand the craft better. So, I studied and wrote, went to conferences and wrote, and eventually sold my first novella to Barbour Publishing.

COLLEEN: Your tenacity is an inspiration. You’ve sold scores of short stories, articles, and now your twenty-first book, an incredible accomplishment for such a young woman. But more mind-boggling yet is that your work spans contemporary and historical romance, cozies, and international thrillers. How you do that, and what challenges do you encounter writing in more than one genre?

LISA: Even though my books do span a number of genres, I’ve tried to keep the same basic elements in each story. I love suspense and mystery, so in most of my romances you’ll find these threads woven into the story. My current series with Zondervan is set in Africa, combining strong suspense and adventure, with a subtle romance line.

COLLEEN: You are going on your seventh year of living outside of the United States, having resided in South Africa, Brazil, and now, Mozambique. How has that influenced your writing?

LISA: Very deeply. I love the chance to take my readers to places they might not ever be able to visit in person. And as I look at other cultures, settings, and people who live differently from us, I’m also reminded of the fact that we are really all very much the same, especially through God’s eyes.

Revelation 5:9 (NLT) says, “And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

COLLEEN: That verse sends shivers up my spine. And it explains why you are in Mozambique right now. How do you balance ministry with writing?

LISA: It has its challenges. We are currently working in a relatively unchurched area with house churches and discipleship. What actually takes more time right now than writing, though, is home schooling, which has had to take priority even over my ministry opportunities. I’ve come to realize that we all have seasons in our lives, and each season can take us in very different directions. Before children, I was heavily involved in ministry, and I believe that once my kids leave home that time will come again. For now, though, I feel it important to teach, train, and disciple my children, while playing an active, but supporting, role in the ministry.

COLLEEN: Without a doubt, God honors those priorities, Lisa. But you do continue to write. So, let’s talk about your newest release, Blood Ransom. I’ve had the privilege to read only the Prologue and the first chapter. But, I am like, “Pass the popcorn, folks, this is going to be an awesome movie!” Tell us where you got your idea for this book and how you researched to assure authenticity.

LISA: I’m so glad you enjoyed the opening! I’ve always loved adventure movies set in exotic places and really wanted to write one set in Africa. So I took that beginning seed of suspense, adventure, and a sprinkle of romance and began to come up with a solid plan.

My editor, Sue Brower, wanted the main characters to be a part of a mission-type organization that brought humanitarian relief, so Volunteers of Hope was born as the backdrop organization several of my characters work for.
Even though I live in Africa, writing the book still required tons of on-line research, as well as help from my experts, to ensure the book’s realism and authenticity.

COLLEEN: Blood Ransom is the first in the Mission Hope Series. How many books can we look forward to?

LISA: So far, Zondervan has contracted two books in the series The hero of the second one, being released next spring, is Nick, a pilot and secondary character Blood Ransom one who begged for a story of his own. If the book sells well, I’d love the chance to add to the series.

COLLEEN: Lisa, I know you have a specific theme on your heart that you want to emanate from the pages of Blood Ransom. Please tell us about that.

LISA: I want to inspire people to let God use them in extraordinary ways. You probably feel the same way I often do. God, I’m too small and inadequate to do what You’re calling me to do! But the Bible is filled with inadequate people. When God called Gideon, Gideon’s response was that not only was his clan the weakest in his tribe, but that he was the least in his family! God proceeded to lead Gideon to victory with only three hundred men, some trumpets, jars, and torches. David, a shepherd, became king of a nation. Rahab was a prostitute, yet because she feared God, she not only saved Israel’s spies, but she became a part of the linage of Jesus. God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things with His power!

A friend and I recently started a blog to motivate and inspire with stories where God is using people, just like you and me, to do extraordinary things. You can find out more about it here.

COLLEEN: Thank you so much for sharing with us today. It has been a privilege to interview you and get to know more about the author behind these great books. Be sure and visit Lisa's blog and website to find out more about her books. And check out the book trailer for Blood Ransom below.

LISA: Thanks so much for the interview, Colleen!

COLLEEN: Lisa will be giving away a copy of Blood Ransom. Please leave a comment below with a way to contact you for a chance to win a copy. The winner will be drawn this Friday and announced on Sunday.



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Colleen Shine Phillips lives with her family in Quilpué, Chile. Teaching, leading, and discipling have dominated the last thirty-two years of her life in South America. Although she continues these activities, her primary professional role today is writing. She has authored many plays, Bible studies and lessons, and short stories. You can read her first published short story, “Beware of the Caleuche”, in Clubhouse, February 2009. Colleen is in the process of marketing her Tween adventure novel, Caleuche Redemption, which just won second place in a writing contest. Her newest work in process is International Intrigue. To learn more about Colleen and her writing, please visit her blog.

Contest is 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.