ABOUT THE AUTHORElizabeth Goddard obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State University in Computer Science. After spending several years in high-level software sales, Beth retired to become a full-time mother. She has since discovered that her job as a home schooling mom of four is much more stressful than anything she encountered in the corporate world.
When she's not writing or home schooling, she's serving with her husband as he pastors a local church in Southern Oregon. She enjoys hiking in the Redwoods or camping on the Oregon coast with her family. Be sure to visit her website.
Seasons of Love
By Elizabeth Goddard
Published by Heartsong Presents
Search by book #777 or view the authors and find Elizabeth Goddard in the alphabetical listing. Book will be on Amazon.com in about 3 months.
SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
1. This is your very first book! Congratulations! It's full of suspense, intrigue, questions and mystery. What gave you the inspiration for this story?
The inspiration for this story really began with the setting. Several years ago I saw a news clip about a cranberry farm. It was then I learned a little about the process of flooding the bogs to cause the fruit to float. That fascinated me and since then, I’d always wanted to set a story on a Cranberry farm. I’m not sure I could ever write a book without suspense so couple that with my computer science background and you have the search for a clue to find the decryption key—a password to unlock hack-proof code—before it’s too late.
2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Riley and Zane?
My own experience in the corporate world greatly influenced both Riley and Zane. Riley is searching for contentment and discovers that she can’t find that in the endless battle to climb to the top of her company. Zane is trying to grow a company, but learns that nothing he does matters if he doesn’t have God in his life. Those were two very important things that I learned during my time in corporate America. Honestly, there are so many things about Riley that are like me I can't think of traits that belong to her and not me. But Zane grew up in a very wealthy family, he's an investor and entrepreneur, and throughout the story, he struggles with believing that God is interested in our daily lives. He doesn't have a personal relationship with God, but still call himself a Christian simply because he believes there is a God and Jesus is His son.
3. What themes exist in Seasons of Love that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?The main theme I based the story on was Riley's search for contentment. We can know Jesus and have that relationship, but still not feel satisfied, or feel His peace until we go deeper with Him. Riley moved across the country and began a new life, hoping to find inner peace. Something I hadn't intended, but that grew out of the story as it developed was that Zane considered himself a Christian but yet he had no relationship with God. We have to remember that even Satan and his demons know God and that Jesus is His Son, but that doesn't make them Christians, obviously, so believing there is a God isn't enough.Walking daily with the Lord and trusting our lives to Him makes the difference. Zane realized that nothing he did in life would matter much, if he didn't have a relationship with God.
4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?
I enjoyed learning about growing cranberries and the harvest season, but the research and getting it right wasn't easy. The same is true for learning about encryption technology and how that could work in my story. I spent countless hours researching and discussing this with an encryption specialist. Although I do love the research, I love writing more so my favorite part was getting it all down on paper. Satisfaction comes in getting it right.
5. What are you working on now?
The problem I have with writing is that I have too many stories and not enough brain (or time). I’m working on various proposals for stories I've been brewing for a while. When I get those sent out my plans are to write the "big one" and look for an agent.
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Thank you, Beth, for being in the spotlight. Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE copy of Seasons of Love. If you don't wish to be entered, but still wish to comment, say so when you post. Beth will be dropping by to reply to comments you wish to leave for her.
This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.
