Spotlight on Betsy St. Amant and Return to Love

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETSY ST. AMANT lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Betsy has been published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, 'Kickboxing or Chocolate', appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. She is a wife, author, new mother and an avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God's grace through her stories. Return to Love is Betsy's first novel for Steeple Hill. The sequel, A Valentine's Wish, is contracted for a February 2010 release. Look also for Rodeo Sweetheart in April 2010.

Visit her web site and blog here: www.betsystamant.com & www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com.

RETURN TO LOVE
by Betsy St. Amant
Published by Steeple Hill/Love Inspired

ABOUT THE BOOK

"I'm Not The Man I Used To Be!"

If only Gracie Broussard could believe that! Years ago, Carter Alexander broke her heart and betrayed her. Now, just when she needs him most, he's back—asking her to believe he's changed. But this time, it's not just Gracie who'll be hurt if he disappears. A penguin keeper, Gracie urgently needs to find a new home for her beloved birds. Carter is the only one who can help. He promises that she can trust him, that he's not the rebel he once was. And that he needs Gracie as much as her birds do.

Steeple Hill Love Inspired, July 2009

Buy Your Copy of Return to Love today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I knew I wanted to write a love story between two childhood friends who were torn apart and then returned to love. The details just fell into place after I figured out that much. I think friendship-turned-to-love stories are so special to me because that is my love story with my husband.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I love penguins, just like Gracie, so it seemed fitting she'd work at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Also, like Gracie, I have trouble letting go of long-held grudges from people who have deeply hurt me. The hero in this story, Carter, dealt with a sinful, rebellious past, which is not something I can personally relate to. That struggle was his alone and he actually taught me a lot from it!

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Fun question! Let's see. Gracie would be strawberry, because she's mostly sweet, with a little tang - especially as a red-head! =) Carter would be Rocky Road, becase, well - he's had enough bumps over his lifetime, and he seems the type to like a mixture of tastes!

4. Are there any themes in Return to Love that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

I hope the reader sees the importance of forgiveness in this novel. It's truly the strongest element throughout, as well as the power of love between friends. History runs deep! I don't believe this story has any overt themes that sneaked past me. But my characters always seem to surprise me somehow along the way! =)

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

One of my favorite scenes to write in this story was the walking tour of New Orleans. I loved incorporating the flavor and historical, cajun elements into the scene, coupled with the tension between the characters. The hardest part to write was probably the ending. It's so hard for me to wrap up stories, because I hate to see my characters "finished"!!!

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I'm so glad you asked! My next novel with Steeple Hill Love Inspired releases February 2010 and is the sequel to RETURN TO LOVE. It's titled, A VALENTINE'S WISH and picks up with Lori, Gracie's best friend. Lori leaves the aquarium gift shop to work in a chocolate boutique in the french quarter as a favor to a friend, and ends up discovering she has a secret admirer. It will be a fun Valentine's read!

* * * * *

Thank you, Betsy, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Return to Love.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Spotlight on K.M. Daughters and Jewel of the Adriatic

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.M. Daughters is the writing team of sisters, Patricia (Pat) Casiello and Kathleen (Kathie) Clare. The penname is dedicated to their parents, Katherine and Michael.

Pat is a former technical writer, newsletter editor and corporate communications manager. She is also the founder and President of a relocation benefit management company and a real estate appraisal management company. Pat is married to Nick Casiello and has three/four children, Jen, Brian and Emilie and new son-in-law, Jeff. Pat and Nick live in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Kathie currently runs the appraisal company and has been a retail storeowner and accounting executive. She is married to Tom Clare and has two sons, Tom and Michael. She is also the proud Nana of five year old, Natalie and four-month old, Michael John. Kathie and Tom live in the sisters' hometown in New Jersey.

JEWEL OF THE ADRIATIC
by K.M. Daughters
Published by Wild Rose Press

ABOUT THE BOOK

A nightgown model and a soap opera star meet in Valselo, a Croatian village where millions believe the Mother of God appears to three visionaries. Yugoslavian born Maya Lidovic owns Intimate Whispers, a New York based sleepwear company. Determined not to lose her faith in a secular world, she spends her vacations leading tours in Valselo where her parents run an inn. Colin O'Reilly plays heartthrob, Dr. Brock Stone, on the soap opera Tides Of Tomorrow. Through various setbacks in life he's managed to keep God first. But now he's furious at God for taking his mother. Colin doesn't believe that God has sent the Virgin Mary to earth with messages of hope. He doesn't believe that God cares about the world. A series of apparitions, prophetic dreams and earthy attraction draw these different people together. Human frailties obscure the intention of the call that brought them to their destinies.

Buy Your Copy of Jewel of the Adriatic Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this book?

The collective experiences of three trips we took together: Fatima, Portugal; Lourdes, France; and Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina inspired us to write Jewel Of The Adriatic. We felt called to these places, historic and contemporary sites of Marian apparitions - the first time, shortly after our mother's sudden death. They were healing journeys for us that connected us to God and deepened our faith.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Our Dad died when we were teenagers. Mom died suddenly when our children were young. Dad's absence for all our milestone adult moments and Mom's absence for many give us insight into the burdens of grief – we would give anything if they were here to see K.M. Daughters published! But, we have experienced and continue to experience the healing power of prayer. Belief that our dad and mom are with God consoles us. Seeing God in nature – in all good things - helps us live lives of gratitude. No matter how difficult things seem, or truly are, turning burdens over to God brings peace. In Jewel of the Adriatic, Maya’s central defining trait is she IS her faith. She has doubts and failings and fears, but she handles them by seeking God's help. Colin is stuck in that place of constant anger at God for ripping away Maggie, someone he loves fiercely and needs sorely – in the here and now. And the prayers of well-meaning souls just serve to rip the scabs off his wounds, make the pain fresh and start the cycle of anger again. He needs God's healing love...he just has to get to the point where he wants it. But ah – the power of love.

3. What themes exist in Jewel of the Adriatic that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The central theme in all our writing is "love heals." Jewel's recurrent theme is pray, pray, pray. Turn your hearts to God. "Cast your burdens unto the Lord." Perhaps less overt, but hopefully inspiring to readers is the theme that with faith and trust in God come joy and riches beyond anything you can imagine for yourself. Ask and you shall receive surprising, wonderful gifts.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The most difficult parts were the "guide-talk" parts. Maya's job as a part-time guide in the village is an important role for her in the story, but we didn't want to set her "apart" from Colin too much. Limiting that narrative, but still conveying the "history" and flavor of events in the fictional village was sometimes difficult. Writing the rest of the book was our favorite. It felt like weaving a prayer for us.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

We're close to a release date for Against Doctors Orders, the first in our Sullivan Boys series. Gotta love those handsome Sullivan boys, all professional law enforcers.

* * * * *

Thank you, Pat and Kathie, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Jewel of the Adriatic.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada only.

* * * * *