Spotlight on Candace Calvert and Critical Care

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CANDACE CALVERT is an ER nurse who landed on the "other side of the stethoscope" after the equestrian accident that broke her neck and convinced her love, laughter--and faith--are the very best medicines of all. The inspirational account of her accident and recovery appears in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, and launched her writing career.

The author of a madcap cruise mystery series in the secular market, Candace now eagerly follows her heart to write Christian fiction for Tyndale House. Her new medical drama series offers readers a chance to "scrub in" on the exciting world of emergency medicine, along with charismatic characters, pulse-pounding action, tender romance, humor, suspense--and a soul soothing prescription for hope.

Born in Northern California and the mother of two, Candace now lives in the Hill Country of Texas. She enjoys cruise travel, Bible study, bird watching, hiking, gardening, cooking, and being her husband’s biggest karaoke fan.

CRITICAL CARE
by Candace Calvert
Published by Tyndale House

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her brother dies in a trauma room, nurse Claire Avery can no longer face the ER. She’s determined to make a fresh start--new hospital, new career in nursing education--move forward, no turning back. But her plans fall apart when she’s called to offer stress counseling for medical staff after a heartbreaking day care center explosion. Worse, she’s forced back to the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believes touchy-feely counseling is a waste of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator . . . who just might teach him the true meaning of healing.

Buy Your Copy of Critical Care today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Like my heroine Claire Avery, I was a long time ER nurse. I also acted as a peer counselor for Critical Incident Stress—part of a team trained to support medical and rescue workers in the emotional aftermath of catastrophic disasters such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. And with the less dramatic but no less harmful cumulative effects of “burnout.” Very much a concept of “healing the healers.” It bothered me that medical TV shows are so very popular but rarely address issues of faith when, in truth, countless prayers are sent heavenward from hospitals by patients, family members, and medical staff. I wanted to help "Grey’s Anatomy find its soul"!

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

My experiences in the ER (and as someone who has experienced grief, loss, and a renewal of faith) absolutely influenced the dramatic struggles that the characters face on the pages of Critical Care.

I’m a goal-oriented, list-making planner: which undoubtedly spurred Claire Avery’s unwavering drive to plot her entire future out on spread sheets—and expect God to give His stamp of approval. I was a jogger, and she’s always looking for that soothing endorphin rush that comes after her runs.

I like country music, and spent wonderful summers at Lake Tahoe in northern California: Dr. Logan Caldwell escapes stress by jumping on his Harley and heading into the Sierra Mountains. And he’s not half bad at the Texas Two Step.

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

Amazing question! Let’s see . . .

Nurse Claire Avery would be Neopolitan—perfect, parallel stripes of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Cautious and highly planned out. Because that’s the only way she feels safe.

Dr. Logan Caldwell would be Ben & Jerry’s "Willie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler"—eaten from a Styrofoam cup, with tongue depressor. On the go, mission accomplished and no excuses, STAT—because that’s what he expects from himself and his ER team.

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

The overall theme in is one of hope; that there is a loving plan in place to give us hope and a future. And in order for that to happen, we must be willing reach out in faith, accept help to face our fears and past hurts. The story utilizes symbols and motifs to support the overall theme.

For instance, Claire Avery has a cat named Smokey who lost an ear in a fight with a raccoon and is afraid to venture outdoors. His struggle is similar to Claire’s refusal to work in the ER after her brother’s death in a trauma room.

Dr. Logan Caldwell repeatedly takes an axe to the oak stump stuck square in the middle of his future home site—very much like his stubborn struggle with faith.

I hope that these elements combine to offer an enjoyable and spiritually uplifting read.

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

Strangely ( given my background in the ER) the intense medical scenes were likely most challenging. Not clinically; I know the subject. But when my (awesome) editors pressed me for "more emotion," I had to overcome my tendency to "protect" the reader from the tough realities of ER. Much the way I always protected my friends and family, I suppose. And I imagine that some of the scenes made me re-live those heart-wrenching moments.

On the other hand, I loved infusing warm humor and bits of quirky dialogue into the story. It tempers the highly emotive medical drama and makes the characters come alive for the reader. Dialogue is one of my favorite things to write, and I had such fun with the exchanges between Logan "McSnarly" Caldwell and Claire Avery. It was a hoot to have her nearly sit on a chicken, and for him to make a fool of himself dancing the "Watermelon Crawl" at children’s charity event.

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

The second book in the Mercy Hospital series, (working title) Disaster Status, is scheduled for release in January 2010:

ER nurse Erin Quinn (introduced in Critical Care) escapes personal turmoil to work at the peaceful California coast. But when a pesticide disaster brings dozens of victims to Pacific Mercy Hospital, she suddenly finds herself immersed in community panic—and at odds with ambitious fire captain Scott McKenna, a man who is no stranger to the toxic effects of tragedy.

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Critical Care.

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 anyone worldwide.

Spotlight on Megan DiMaria and Searching for Spice

I am so happy today to spotlight, not only another friend, but also another fellow debut novelist AND an author who will be joining me for my very first book signing on April 12th! She's having a Book Launch party on the 10th then driving down here so she and I along with 2 other author friends can all sign together. We're looking forward to it!

Her book is so popular right from the start that there are only TWO left in stock at Amazon.com, with more coming. But that's a fantastic way of seeing what a great book this is.

And now, let's let you meet Megan (pronounced Mee-gan Dee-Ma-ree-a).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Megan DiMaria received her B.A. degree in Communications, with a specialization in Mass Media from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She has been a radio and television reporter, a Web content editor, a contributing writer for local newspapers and has worked for a weekly newspaper. Megan has sold magazine articles locally and nationally. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers since January 2001, is a member of HIS Writers (Denver branch of ACFW) and is assistant director of Words for the Journey Rocky Mountain Region, a Denver-area writers group. She is an alumnus of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference and the Glen Eyrie Writers Conference.

In her day job, she works in the marketing department of an upscale Denver portrait photography studio. She is also a freelance writer, crafting magazine articles and advertising copy. Her second novel, Out of Her Hands, will release from Tyndale in October 2008.

Megan and her husband Carl currently live in suburban Denver near their three adult children. They often travel back to their roots in Long Island, NY to visit family and get their fill of delicious Italian food.

To learn more about Megan and her books, visit her website at megandimaria.com or for more interactive information, stop by her blog at megandimaria.blogspot.com.

SEARCHING FOR SPICE
by Megan DiMaria
Published by Tyndale House

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this debut novel, readers will meet Linda Revere, a woman who longs to experience true romance with her nerdy, practical husband of twenty-four years. Her desire to add a little pizzazz to her marriage only confuses her husband and frustrates her. Linda struggles to ignite romance and excitement into her marriage amid the turmoil of contemporary life.

From the Back Cover

Linda Revere longs to have a sizzling affair . . . with her husband--a practical, no-nonsense community college science teacher. Unfortunately, life isnt scripted, and nothing goes according to plan. From having a demanding boss and at times a frustrating job, to helping her family and friends with their troubles, life seems to be preventing Linda from achieving her goal of an exciting and passionate marriage. Linda hopes God will answer her prayers to jazz up her marriage, but is she ready for what happens next?

Buy Your Copy Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Thanks for hosting me, Tiff. Searching for Spice was written as a response to a running joke I had with some girlfriends. You know, despite being long married, women still want romance in their lives. God hard wired us to crave closeness and a special connection with the men we love. Unfortunately, some times we need to remind them of that. :)

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

My observations influenced my characters more than my own experiences. However, as far as the setting of Searching for Spice, anyone familiar with suburban Denver will recognize certain areas and establishments. My favorite local restaurant is in the book, but it's called the Gray Pony Inn. I've worked in two different photo studios and trained in a handful more. Dream Photography is 100% a figment of my imagination, and the references within the studio are industry-generic. In some ways I think we're all a little like my character, Linda. In our hearts we truly want to trust the Lord, but when difficulties arise we sometimes run ahead of our faith and try to "fix" things on our own. I've been told by some close friends that they believe my internal dialogue is similar to some of the things Linda thinks, although I've been told by many women my age that Linda's internal dialogue is similar to the way they think as well. What if very different between me and Linda is that she is a bit more patient than I am. I tend to speak my mind more quickly than she did in Searching for Spice.

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

Life is hard, and that’s a reality that must be accepted. We shouldn't be caught off guard when we hit a bump in the road. The biggest theme is to trust God despite what your circumstances look like. That was a lesson I had to learn during a difficult valley I walked through. At the time it looked like nothing good could come of that situation, but now I see the hand of God guided me. Equally important to me is the theme that marriage is valuable and precious and should not be lightly regarded. Another theme in the book shows that friendship is priceless and we should cherish the people in our lives.

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

I think the hardest parts to write were the ones that travelled toward deep emotions. I am too sympathetic toward the pain of others, and even though my characters are fictional, I felt sorry for the pain and trials they faced. My favorite parts of the story to write were the moments when Linda and Jerry really connected with one another.

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

My next book, Out of Her Hands, is scheduled to release this October. It has the same characters as Searching for Spice, but the focus is more on the relationships Linda and Jerry have with their children. Like many parents of young adults, the Reveres want their children to be careful about making decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. As usual, there is always more than one situation clamouring for Linda's attention. They're helping Jerry's father get on with life after he's widowed, Linda's best friend is moving out of state, and then their son decides he's falling in love, but the object of his affection doesn't share his Christian values.

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

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Searching for Spice.

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 anyone worldwide.

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CFBA Blog Tour - Karen Ball and What Lies Within

You'd never believe from the content of her latest books that this author is a side-splitting riot when she does speaking engagements and live talks. Not only is she a prolific and established author, but she's been an editor of many top names in the Christian book industry and worked for Zondervan, among many other publishers.

Now, partnering with David Webb of B&H Publishing, she is helping to relaunch their fiction line with a new and innovative brand.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
What Lies Within
Multnomah Fiction (November 20, 2007)
by Karen Ball

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Ball , bestselling novelist, is also the editor behind several of today's bestselling Christian novels. Her love for words was passed down through her father and grandfather - both pastors who shared God's truth through sermons and storytelling. Blending humor, poignancy, and honesty, Karen's writing style is a powerful force for revealing God's truth. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their "kids," Bodhan, a mischief-making Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-terrier mix who should have been named "Destructo."

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing’s going to stop Kyla…

until the ground crumbles beneath her feet.

Kyla Justice has arrived. Her company, Justice Construction, is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful companies in the Pacific Northwest. And yet, something is missing. Not until she’s called on to build a center for inner-city kids does she realize what it is: her sense of purpose. Now nothing can stop her, not the low budget, not supply problems, not gang opposition, not her boyfriend’s suggestion that she sell her business and marry him–and most especially not that disagreeable Rafael Murphy.

Rafe Murphy understands battle. Wounded in action, this Force Recon Marine carries the scars–and the nightmares–to prove it. Though he can’t fight overseas any longer, he’s found his place as a warrior in the civilian world. So he soldiers on, trusting that one of these days, God will reveal to him why Rafe survived the ambush in Iraq. That day has arrived.

Kyla and Rafe both discover that determination alone won’t carry them through danger and challenges. When gang violence threatens their very foundations, there’s only one way to survive: rely on each other, be real–and surrender to God. In other words, risk everything…

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in a drawing for a FREE copy of this book. If you do not wish to be entered, say so when you post. This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.