Bookish Tuesday: Cradle Snatchers by Henry Brooks

by LeAnne Hardy | @ICFWriters

From time to time I have the opportunity to participate in the creation of quality Christian literature by being a beta reader for a colleague or editing for a client. One such book was Cradle Snatchers, the latest in British author Henry Brooks’ Will Houston mystery series and definitely his best so far. Brooks is an enthusiastic young father with seemingly boundless energy and creativity. He has a sharp mind and is eager to use story to communicate ideas he feels very passionate about. I’m usually pretty impatient with agenda-driven fiction even when I agree with the agenda, but in Cradle Snatchers Brooks has given us fast-paced action and laugh-out-loud characters that slam home his human-life agenda with gut-punching force.

It is difficult to talk about this book without giving away a bit of the plot so *spoiler alert* the theme is abortion in the UK and the world. Early on a young woman has a seizure while burying an infant corpse in Hyde Park—with a clump of daffodil bulbs. “We don’t plant daffodil bulbs,” says the park maintenance man. I will never look at daffodils the same again. In Cradle Snatchers the daffodils that blanket Hyde Park and beyond represent more than six million abortions to date. Brooks draws readers in with horror and righteous anger over dead babies and then points a finger like the prophet Nathan: Thou art the man! In the end, he will floor you with the facts and the heart-stopping decadence of modern society. He puts a human face on what his character calls “the defining issue of the age”.

Brooks is a Brit. He is not writing to American sensibilities. There is language in this book. There is violence. The characters drink alcohol. Catholic/Protestant animosities play a part, and for a while it almost sounds like Dan Brown’s anti-Catholic DaVinci Code, but nothing is inappropriate to the context, and the story packs a punch. I think this book will find an audience in the pro-life community and among teens, especially older boys. I am proud to have had a part in producing it.

I recently interviewed Brooks on the writing of Cradle Snatchers.

LH: Why did you choose a mystery story instead of non-fiction to present your case?

HB: Jesus rarely taught except that he used a parable, a story. Narrative seems to switch something on in our brains and hold our attention better. There are so many excellent books dealing with this debate, but I know teens are not going to read them, so this was my offering for them.

LH: You obviously have a passion for the subject. Have you ever been tempted to behave like your character Gabriel to shake sense into your opponents?

HB: Well, this is very difficult, isn't it? Anger and grief is the correct response and the Bible is not against anger per se, but how we express that is the real question before us. In the Batman Dark Knight movie, the righteous Harvey Dent allowed grief and anger to turn him into the same type of monster he had set out to fight. A lot of my own fiction deals with this. The lessons and tragedies of church history are before us. You cannot fight fire with fire. Jesus could not be clearer on this point: if you live by the sword you will die by it. It is a lot 'easier' and takes considerably less courage to blow up an abortion clinic, than to adopt unwanted children. Christians need to pioneer new, prophetic models of social service, and not just point a self-righteous finger. This debate is almost too polarised and toxic for dialogue, people need to see the Gospel principle in action.

LH: You link issues like abortion and euthanasia, health care and women’s rights. In the book, you make a point of sticking to non-religious arguments. How do you believe these issues are related in the gospel?

HB: This is very simple to answer. It was the same issue at stake in Nazi Germany and the Communist Gulag. And the same issue at stake in the LGBT issue. It is the issue of anthropology—are we made in the image of God or not? If not, then we have no leg to stand on. But if the Imageo Dei is the foundation of human existence, then Christians have the awesome responsibility of saving their post-Christian societies from the catastrophic course on which it has embarked. I cannot state this strongly enough. The Imageo Dei is the bedrock of a free society. We were given a glimpse in the twentieth century of where the materialist view of humanity would take us, but we have not listened. C. S. Lewis' lectures called The Abolition of Man should be read by anyone who thinks I am exaggerating.

LH: What suggested daffodils to you?

HB: We believe in the resurrection, thank God! Not one child aborted will ultimately be missing on that great day. Daffodils are a reminder each year at Easter time that God is faithful and that he has not, and will not, abandon his creation.

LH: What do you have planned next for Will Houston?

HB: There is a fourth book called The Student Jihad which I wrote ten years ago. It deals with issues relating to Islam and Christianity, which is a real button issue in the UK right now. I started to get it ready to send to an editor recently but got bogged down with so many other things that it will have to wait at least 12 months.

LH: I hope we will see some of the same characters we met in Cradle Snatchers who lent humor to an otherwise heavy topic. All the best to you on your current project!

LeAnne Hardy has lived in six countries on four continents as a writer and missionary librarian. Her plots and settings are inspired by these diverse locations. She currently writes and does freelance editing from a lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where she and her husband enjoy visitors, especially grandchildren.

Heaven's Prey Blog Chase

Heaven's Prey is a novel of suspense and redemption, so let's have some fun with a "blog chase." Follow the trail between Oct. 31 and Nov. 7, 2013 for a chance to win a print copy of Heaven's Prey.

You're at the first stop in the chase. Welcome! At the end of this post you'll find a link to the next stop. You'll need to visit each stop so you'll know the answers for the quiz at the end ... that's how you enter the prize draw.

Let's peek into the story world:

A chill wind moaned around the corner of Ruth and Tony Warner's suburban bungalow, etching frost ferns on the window. In the kitchen, Ruth stirred chocolate sauce at the stove.

Bubbles multiplied, tumbling over one another until the whole mass seethed up the sides of the pan. Like Ruth's fears for her missing niece—they'd grown until she thought they'd swallow her whole. She cut back the heat and kept stirring.

Susan had been gone for a month now, with no clue, no contact. Could Ruth trust this new hope that lit her spirit? She glanced at her husband's broad back as he washed the cherries and strawberries. His shoulders drooped these days. "Tony, I have something to tell you, and I don't want you to laugh."

"You're going to get a rosebud tattoo. Somewhere personal." His sandy eyebrows wiggled.

Ruth flipped a pot holder at him. "No, I mean it."

Tony leaned against the counter. The overhead light showed lines that hadn't creased his face a month ago. New strands of grey glistened in his beard.

Ruth pushed the fringe of hair off her forehead. "I had this dream last night. About Susan."

His smile fled. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"No, it was a good dream. I saw her—Susan—in a beautiful garden. In a long, white gown. She looked so happy. Maybe—maybe it's God saying she's okay."

The lines deepened around Tony's eyes. "It's time to face reality. She's not coming back. When a young woman disappears, especially in a big city like Toronto ..." He clamped his lips together.

Stepping out of the story ...

This is a glimpse of Ruth and Tony's lives before the novel opens. I hope you'll follow along and learn a bit more.

Since Ruth and Tony live in Nova Scotia, on Canada's east coast, each of our blog chase posts will include a piece of Nova Scotia trivia.

Did you know? Nova Scotia is the Latin name for "New Scotland."



Heaven's Prey releases November 1, 2013. Visit Choose NOW Publishing to read a sample chapter ... just don't forget to come back to the chase! Preorder links are on the Choose NOW site as well.

Next stop on the blog chase

Lisa Harris's Stolen Identity

No, Lisa Harris hasn't stolen anyone's identity. That's the title of her new book! Lisa describes herself as “a wife, mom, [homeschooling] teacher, author, dreamer, photographer, but most importantly a follower of Christ Jesus.” She’s also a regular blogger for International Christian Fiction Writers—one of our own.

Lisa’s new romantic suspense, Stolen Identity, is out this month. Here’s what the publisher says about it: Danielle Corbit doesn't understand why someone would want to steal her identity. A single mother running a small business—nothing special, right? But after discovering a dead body on the Oregon coastline, she's attacked by a dangerous hacker who will stop at nothing to frame her. Only her former fiancé, Jason Ryan, is willing to help. Years ago she broke his heart, but he can't walk away from a woman in need. He'll do anything to protect her from their unseen adversary. But is there enough time to work together and untangle this twisted web of fraud and deception?

  LeAnne Hardy: My eighty-seven-year-old mother-in-law had her identity stolen this spring. Someone tried opening a dozen credit card accounts in her name using various family phone numbers and addresses. He even knew what kind of car my mother-in-law drives. So how did a stranger get all that information? It’s scary to think that the scenario of Stolen Identity is not all that far fetched! Lisa, what made you think of turning identity theft into a thriller?

Lisa Harris: Wow, that is scary about your mother-in-law, because you're right, identity theft is real. Which is one reason I wanted to write this book. I remember getting my first scam letter a number of years ago. It made me angry when I found out what people were trying to do and how many people had been scammed, and continue to be scammed today. As a romantic suspense author, it also became the perfect backdrop for my story. So while I hope to entertain--and know that what happened to Danielle in this story probably will never happened to anyone--I hope it also educates people to be careful. Here are some practical ideas from the US Department of Justice to avoid being a victim of identity theft.

  LeAnne: You live in Africa near the Indian Ocean, and some of your books have been set there. Others are set in North America where you grew up. Are there common themes that run through your books regardless of setting?

Lisa: One, I like to take a real-world situation, like identity theft, or human trafficking, or refuge camps, and use those issues as the backdrop for my story. These are real issues, but they are also the perfect setting for ordinary people to face tremendous odds and have their faith challenged. On a spiritual level, I want to then use this situation to show how even when life is spinning out of control, our only hope can still be found in our heavenly Father.

LeAnne: How do your faith and your own past experiences of pain and infertility affect the way you approach your writing?

Lisa: I think having faced some difficult issues in my own life, like infertility and a miscarriage, helps me be able to relate to some of the emotions of my characters. I know what it is like to love, and to lose, and yes, even to question God. While I always want the spiritual thread in my stories to be natural and not forced, it is very important to me to have my characters grow or be challenged in their faith. I often find that my character's spiritual struggles and growth mirror my own.

LeAnne: You and your husband are church-planting missionaries. Your blog and website describe some of the major projects you are involved in. You’re also a homemaker (in a challenging environment!) and school your own kids. How do you find the time to write? 

Honestly, it's not always easy. I am blessed because my family is very supportive, and help out whenever I'm on a tight deadline. My twelve-year-old has even been known to cook dinner for us to help out in a pinch--there is no fast food where we live--but I also strive to put my family and our ministry first, which means I have to be careful and realistic with my writing schedule. I also know how fast these years with my children slip away, and I don't want to sacrifice them for a career. So the balance isn't always easy, but I'm always trying to adjust and be better organized--aren't we all?--and enjoy life as much as possible.

Lisa will be giving away a signed copy of Stolen Identity to a lucky reader of this blog. An e-book is available if the reader lives outside the US. Leave a comment with a disguised e-mail (to phoil phishers!) by Saturday to be entered in the drawing. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Void where prohibited by law.

___

LeAnne Hardy used to live in Mozambique so she follows Lisa Harris with special interest. LeAnne's juvenile fiction The Wooden Ox is set there. Learn more at www.leannehardy.net .

A Conversation Across the Water

Donna: My guest today is Claire Dunn from England, a friend I made through the Association of Christian Writers. Congratulations, Claire, on publishing your first novel. Tell us about yourself.

Claire: With a degree in history and a career in specialist education, writing a novel is not so divergent a choice of occupation as it might at first seem. My all-abiding love of history, language and learning came together in my debut novel: Mortal Fire – The Secret of the Journal - the first of a series of romantic thrillers with a twist published by Monarch Books in the UK in May, 2012, and in August in the United States.

Mortal Fire grew out of a desire to weave the sort of story that kept me enthralled – multi-layered, dark, with an evolving tale that packs a punch, but it might never have been written if the predictions of my headmaster at primary school had proved correct. Struggling to learn to read and write, school represented a hurdle to be overcome. I nonetheless loved literature, and it wasn’t until I left school that dyslexia was diagnosed.

Refusing to be daunted, I went on to study history at university. On graduation, and building on my own educational experiences, I established a school for children with dyslexia, autism, and communication difficulties, which I still run.    

Now I divide my time running my school in Kent and writing in the south west of England, a life I can only describe as living between the here-and-now and the never-never.

Donna: And I’ll bet you’re never bored, Claire. Can you share some of your story without giving too much away, of course?

Claire: Mortal Fire follows Emma D’Eresby – a 29 year-old, independent and self-contained professor of history – who leaves her Cambridge college for a post in an exclusive university in Maine, USA. It is meant to be the culmination of her obsession with a curious journal – the diary of a long dead Englishman - a portion of which was left to her by her grandfather; instead the legacy leads her to a head-on collision with history and a secret that should never have been uncovered. But, most diverting and disconcerting of all, is Emma's growing attraction to the strikingly handsome Dr. Matthew Lynes, whose kind but deliberately distant demeanour puzzles her. And the mystery surrounding Matthew only deepens when Emma discovers a link between him and the journal. What is Matthew trying to hide?

Donna: That sounds gripping, indeed. Congratulations on being endorsed by Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse) and Fay Sampson (The Hunted Hare)). Those are two of my favourite authors. Now, tell us how you came to write Mortal Fire.

Claire: Hanging on my bedroom wall is an excerpt from the poem ‘God Knows’ written by Minnie Louise Haskins in the early C20th, and used for King George VI’s Christmas broadcast in 1939. You may know it from the opening lines:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

It is undoubtedly easier to put this into practice when the way is clear and the light shines brightly on your road ahead. Sometimes, however, your way is not clear until you are on it, and this is the path I found myself treading one spring in 2009. First, a bit of backstory...

Although a career in writing and history had been my ambition from my earliest years, the twin revolutions of finding Christ and a diagnosis of dyslexia took my life in a different direction.  I fully believed – and still do – that the dyslexia was  both a gift (in the way that only God is able to turn a negative into a positive and so much more) and a command to direct my life in service to others with the same condition. The setting up and running of a school for children with a range of specific language difficulties was therefore a straightforward, unquestionable act of obedience. It wasn’t easy, in fact there were many obstacles over a long period of time that threatened to stop the project in its tracks, but not once did I question the validity of what I had been asked to do.

So what has this to do with writing, you might ask? Well, quite a lot really. I had long put aside any desire to write, and the development and running of the school dominated life for a considerable number of years. Content with this, I didn’t look for anything else. It came as something of a surprise, therefore, when a thought became a niggle, and the niggle became an itch. In 2009, I resisted no longer, and scratched the itch until it became a book. But what sort of book and who was I writing it for? Herein lay my dilemma.

Although Mortal Fire is primarily a book about a developing romance and the mystery that surrounds the central characters, I introduced elements of faith because it is important for my heroine, and has a bearing on the unfolding story. Emma is a Christian but in this first book of the Secret of the Journal series her faith is almost dormant as she hides in a bubble created in an attempt to protect herself from her past. Emma is not seen praying on a regular basis, does not attend church – yet faith underlies her life and the choices she makes and, gradually, as she is shaken from her somnolence, she wakes. Nonetheless, I would describe Mortal Fire as a secular book, albeit written from a Christian perspective. How could I justify the amount of time spent writing a story and one not intended to enlighten or comfort, but merely to entertain? Where was this in God’s plan for me? How did it serve Him?

I discussed it with Christian friends, read how other authors and singers juggled secular and non-secular aspects of their work, and, of course, I prayed, bending God’s ear repeatedly over the months it took to complete Mortal Fire. And each time I prayed for clear direction I had the same message to keep going and I would ask ‘but why?’, because I couldn’t quite believe there could be any purpose in it. Non-Christian friends didn’t see the problem – ‘write because you want to’, they said. But it was difficult for me to see how I could serve God through writing this book, whereas the purpose of the school had been abundantly clear from the outset.

There came a point when I had a completed manuscript – well two, but that’s another story – and I set off to find a publisher. To cut a long story short (and what a story) I entered into negotiations with a Christian publisher in the UK. We discussed what they were looking for, I explained my perspective - toning down some elements, and highlighting others - until we had a balance and I had a contract.

I had accepted the directive to write; but I still didn’t understand why? Then a friend said to me “Write for God in the best way you can and He will find a purpose for it”, and someone else said, “It’s not what you do that matters” and at last I understood that it wasn’t up to me to decide God’s purpose in this, all I had to do was to let go.

It came down to trust. The lesson I learned when writing The Secret of the Journal series is echoed by one of the characters who, taking from Isaiah 55:8, quoted:  

 ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.’  (King James 2000 Bible)

Mine is not to reason why; mine is to do and write. Stepping out of our comfort zone is a matter of trust, stepping out into the unknown – at whatever level – is a matter of faith.

Donna: So true, Claire. Obedience is a lesson we just have to keep on learning, isn’t it? Where can we find you on the web?

Claire: The Mortal Fire video is on YouTube at: http://ning.it/MNRTNQ     

            And the book is on AmazonUK at: http://ning.it/MNSSO1

                                                                                                        

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.



__________________________________________________
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.

Interview and book giveaway with DiAnn Mills!

Today, I’d like to welcome award-winning author DiAnn Mills who was my first writing mentor and has been an encouragement and blessing to me over the years. DiAnn launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than 1.5 million copies.
DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure” as she combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

LISA: You have three books set in Africa, two fiction and one non-fiction. Can you tell us briefly about the fiction series as well as Lost Boy No More?

DIANN: Lost Boy No More is a nonfiction book about Abraham Nhial and his journey from his homeland in Sudan as a nine-year-old boy to the United States. Through the eyes of Abraham, the reader learns about Sudan’s history, religion, politics, natural resources, and slavery.


When the Lion Roars is a fiction novel about three different people and how their lives weave through the tragic civil war in Sudan and the slavery issue. The characters include a white American woman doctor, an Arab Christian, and a black warlord.

When the Nile Runs Red is the second book about these three people. The time period is right after the peace treaty is signed between north and south Sudan. The story weaves their unique personalities and how they view the best way to mend the people and the country, while a plot unfolds to kill the Arab Christian.

LISA: What first drew you to write about this continent?

DIANN: I think Africa chose me! When I was approached to write a book about the Lost Boys of Sudan, I wasn’t even sure where Sudan was located in Africa. The more I studied and learned about the people and the country, the more I fell in love.


LISA: What one moment still stands out about your trip to Sudan?

DIANN: The incredible faith of the Sudanese Christians. When a Sudanese says “Jesus is enough,” and we consider all the tragedies that have befallen these people, then Jesus is truly enough.

LISA: Amazing and so true! What did you find challenging/rewarding about your trip?

DIANN: Challenging: the primitive conditions. Rewarding: meeting the people and listening to their stories--and their faith.

LISA: Give us a glimpse into what was necessary to research your books.

DIANN: In the nonfiction, I interviewed hundreds of people: Lost Boys, Sudanese refugees (men and women), and those who worked with the Sudanese. Some of those who worked with the refugees represented Christian organizations, and others did not. The experiences and information were often emotional. The directors and teachers of the refugee camps were extremely helpful.

The organizations here in the US who are instrumental in helping the Lost Boys shared with me their victories and their defeats.

I also researched African politics, the history of Sudan, slavery, natural resources - specifically oil, and religion. I took a twelve week class on the Muslim religion to better understand the culture of the government and its people.

LISA: Many of our readers are also writers. What advise can you give to authors as they seek to up the suspense in their own novels?

DIANN:
1. Continue to raise the stakes by allowing the character(s) to walk through fire. Sometimes allowing the character to be burned and other times allowing the character to be singed.
2. Use words that build suspense, which means avoid the poetic and flowery words used in romance and fantasy novels.
3. Use the ticking-clock tool to keep the reader turning pages.
4. John Gardner wrote: “Create the best possible characters and allow the worst possible things to happen to them.”
5. Emotive conflict is the key to a page-turning novel

LISA: Your tagline is Expect and Adventure, and you have two books coming out soon that fulfill that very promise, Sworn to Protect and A Woman Called Sage. Can you tell us a bit about both books?

DIANN: A Woman Called Sage is a historical novel to be released March 1 by Zondervan. A woman bounty hunter searches for the killers of her husband, only to discover she has become the hunted.

Sworn to Protect is a contemporary suspense novel to be released April 1 by Tyndale. This is the second novel in the Call of Duty series. A Border Patrol agent in McAllen, Texas fights to uphold the law while struggling with her personal life torn apart by violent crime.


Thanks so much for sharing with us today! To find out more about DiAnn and her books, please visit her website. DiAnn has also offered to give away a copy of When the Nile Runs Red. Please leave a comment on this post with a way for me to contact you. I’ll draw a winner on December 5th. US addresses only please.

And for those in the US, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Blessings,

Lisa