Spotlight on Erynn Mangum and ReMatch

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erynn Mangum is the author of Miss Match and ReMatch. She's twentysomething, single, and works as a youth intern at her church. She's very involved with her college Bible study. Erynn has completed both of the Christian Writer's Guild's Apprentice and Journeyman courses. These books are direct results of too many mochas and chick-flicks.

REMATCH
By Erynn Mangum
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is book 2 in your Lauren Holbrook series and it sees the return of Laurent at it again with her matching mayhem. What gave you the inspiration for this book?

Mostly, I got inspiration from the first story - I had so much fun playing with these characters, I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Lauren next! As for the inspiration for different scenes in the book, I get a lot from my own life. I should probably be sending out apology notes to friends and family for using them as fodder in these books. Ah, well! They do say to write what you know. :)

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of Lauren? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

Her coffee addiction is all mine, and the college Bible study group I was involved with at the time influenced a lot of the Wednesday night scenes in the book. Her dad, though, is nothing like my father. Her honest-but-often-tactless speech is completely hers – I wrote things that I wish I were brave enough to say! Lauren is much more carefree than I am too – she doesn’t worry about what people think. I like that about her.

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

The main theme in ReMatch is Lauren learning to delight in God. She starts discovering this as she goes through her nightly devotional time. One subtle theme that just developed is trust – when I read back through ReMatch, I noticed how much Lauren learned in that area. Definitely did not plan for that theme to be in there!

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

The scenes with Laney's pregnancy and then with the babies were hard to write (my copyeditor will agree!), just because I have no experience with births and so I didn't know a lot. Kathy Moiser, my copyeditor, and I spent many long conversations about exactly how long a woman would be pregnant with her second set of twins. Actually, it's pretty neat – Kathy had just given birth to her gorgeous twin girls right before we edited this book!

I have a lot of favorite scenes – I loved watching Lauren's dad fall in love. So much fun! Also, any scene that involves Laurie scheming about matchmaking became favorite scenes to write just because of the dialogue.

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

The next book is scheduled for a June 1st release and it's the third and final installment in the Lauren Holbrook series. Lauren has always been the matchmaker, but in this story, the tables are turned and those she's set up start matchmaking her!

Thanks Tiff! I enjoyed reading your wedding story – congratulations! :)

* * * * *

Thank you, Erynn, for being in the spotlight. Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE, autographed book. If you don't wish to be entered, say so when you post. This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Colorado Springs!

I announced it last week, but yesterday we had the opportunity to holler "Move That Bus!" as the bus pulled away to reveal the brand new home for the Woodhouse family. Here are some photos for you to view of the event:

Extreme Makeover Gives a Home to the Woodhouses!

Enjoy!

The day started early for my husband and me. After coordinating with the others from ACFW, some from our church home group, and my sister-in-law and her family, we decided we'd be the ones to get there early and save spots for everyone who might come. So, we went to the early service at church, grabbed an early lunch afterward and headed to the new home site. After parking and walking to the spectator area, we were in place around 11am. Not long after, the crew asked all of us to move closer to get everyone on camera. Then again around 12:30, we were asked to move a second time. We ended up with decent spots just off the western front corner of the house.

The one BIG miracle of the day was the weather. For the entire week leading up to the reveal, temperatures had been in the 70's with clear skies. Perfect for the round-the-clock construction, but not so perfect for Kayla (the daughter in the family) who suffers from Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Disorder. Her body can't regulate its own temperature, and she has no sensory feeling. She can even pass out walking from the house to the car if circumstances aren't just right. Temperatures inside and out can be no higher than 62 degrees for Kayla.

But this day? It was a cool 56 degrees with an overcast, which hid the sun. This meant Kayla didn't need an umbrella to keep the sun off of her; nor did she need her cooling pack to keep her at the required temperature. Today? Temperatures are back in the 70's. God is awesome!

In typical "TV" fashion, there were a lot of test runs, a ton of standing around and waiting, and quite a bit of retakes. They even had a "fake family" stand in for the Woodhouses so the media and film crews could block the shots. A boom camera was set up over the crowd and periodically went into action. I have no idea how much of these shots will be included in the actual show, but it was fun cheering and waving for the camera. :)

The "reveal" was set for 2pm, but the house had to be cooled down to 60 degrees before the family could enter. The crew had to tote in 6-8 portable AC units to speed up the process. Ty Pennington came out, but soon went back in after several shout-outs from the crowd called for his attention. He returned again a little later holding a giant thermometer above his head in a "success" pumping motion with his arms before winging the thermometer frisbee-like off into a clear area. The house was finally ready!

The family arrived on site around 10am and were herded off to a blacked-out trailer to prevent them from seeing anything beforehand. EMHE sent the Woodhouse family to Breckenridge, CO, where they received free ice skating lessons and the royal treatment at the resort there. They came home Sunday and waited for their shining moment.

That happened a little after 3pm. The bus moved into place blocking the view of the house. After a test run with an empty limo, the driver returned to get the family. Ty Pennington had been inside with the crew and designers doing a final check, and the crew outside made the grounds look spotless. They also primed the crowd, placed the VIP folks in their special section, then arranged the designers and EMHE team of volunteers and others who had worked around the clock for the past week to get this house finished.

Finally, the time came! Whoops and cheers sounded as the limo came driving down the road and stopped with the bus between the limo and the house. The family exited and was greeted by Ty, who spent a few minutes chatting with them, as he does on every show. I had a fairly good position, so I held up my camera and zoomed in to snap several shots. You'll see from the photos posted that they came out pretty good...even if I DO say so myself. :)

Oh, and before I forget--for those of you who are familiar with the metal divider barracades often used at public events to section off areas or close in specific areas for media, VIPs, etc.--I straddled one of those for about 2-1/2 hours on and off so I could get a view above all the heads. My husband could see fine, but he's 6'3". I don't have that luxury at a full foot shorter. So, I had to take drastic measures. My legs are blaming me for it. LOL!

Ok, back to the story. After a chat with the family, Ty and the crowd hollered, "Driver! Move That Bus!" and off it went!

As predicted, Kim (mom) and Kayla both cried at the sight of their new house. Joshua (son) made faces at the crowd and cameras, and Jeremy (dad) remained stoically impressed. They moved toward the driveway, where they were greeted by EMHE crew and finally the design team. After a round of hugs, several conversations (which we'll hear when the show airs in January) and more instructions, the family walked up the driveway and stood at the edge of the walkway to their front door.

They moved toward the front door, then stepped aside to allow the media to precede them inside. The crew them moved them to stand in front of the dining room window on the porch so they could look out at the crowd and wave, posing for photo ops. I have a great one in the mix that I'll be sure to send to Kim for her scrapbook. Finally, around 3:30, the family checked out their new house!

Ty stood outside, looking over a script or something, waiting for the family to go from room to room and allow the camera crews to record their initial reactions. Stuart and I didn't stay and wait for them to come back out again, but after the family was inside, their brand new car was backed into the driveway to await their exit. EMHE always does something extra special that no one knows about beforehand. This car was one of them.

It's a 2009 Ford Edge, a prototype that no one in the world owns yet, and they won't for another year. You can see it here. Awesome car, inside and out, and perfect for this family.

Some of the ACFW folks stuck around, so I'm able to continue with this story. About 30 minutes later, the Woodhouses came back out with Ty, who had gone in to reveal Kayla's room--his special assignment for the week. It took them three run-throughs of revealing the car to the family to get it on film. They did a fantastic job of acting surprised the second time equal to the first, but by the third time, they all found it quite humorous. Still, the joy of the car took precedence.

Once that surprise was revealed, everyone pretty much disbursed. Other filming and final details were wrapped up today with EMHE and the Woodhouse family. I can hardly wait until Kim invites us to her home so we can see it in person, close-up. From what I've heard, it's similar in layout to the home they were "renting" after losing their home to foreclosure last year when Kayla required brain surgery and the medical bills prevented them from paying their mortgage.

The new house is a 4200 square-foot stucco home with a duo-tone exterior, 2-car garage and spacious back yard. The 3 bedrooms are on the west side of the house with the living room and dining room in the center and the kitchen on the east side. The basement has a bowling alley, ice cream parlor, and a home theater styled after a drive-in, with seats from a 1964 Mustang convertible. A wall-size aquarium is in Kayla's room. And, of course, each room is custom-designed with the family's needs and wishes in mind. It'll be exciting to see it from the inside once all the hoopla settles down.

Please continue to keep the Woodhouse family in your prayers. A local bank and several other organizations have set up donation accounts and resources to help the Woodhouses with future utility costs and other expenses. There was even a charity event Friday and Saturday where money was raised to cover the $500,000 in medical bills that have accumulated just in the past year. One place you can help with finances is: BIGG City. We won't know until the show airs whether or not there were any announcements of checks given to the family as have been on other EMHE shows. I do know hundreds of thousands were raised.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm so glad I had the chance to be involved, even in such a small way. How awesome to say I actually know a family from EMHE. :)

CFBA Blog Tour - Kristen Billerbeck and Trophy Wives Club

CHRISTIAN FICTION BLOG ALLIANCE

introduces

THE TROPHY WIVES CLUB

Avon Inspire (September, 2007)
by Kristin Billerbeck
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing. She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit.

Her last three books were:

Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April, 2007)
She's Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (November, 2006)
Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (October, 2006)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps "was" is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.

When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity.

With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay's financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he's nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can't deny that there's a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she's never experienced in a man before.

But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what's on the outside.

Spotlight on Cara Putman and Canteen Dreams - FIRST NOVEL!

Ok, so I never got around to announcing winners. That means FOUR of you will be announced today. So, check the past 4 Wednesday spotlights to see if you won!

Today's spotlight author is not only the ACFW Publicity Officer, and the original writer for character, Jake Tremaine, on Brandilyn Collins' Scenes and Beans Blog, but she's also a friend and fellow Barbour/Heartsong author. She received her first contract at the Dallas ACFW Conference in 2006, and we all rejoiced with her, sharing in her surprise and glee. Now, you can learn a little more about this bubbling dynamo.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. For years she asked God if this dream was from Him. Her life was full. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), moved to the Washington, DC area, married the man of her dreams, worked in the non-profit world, went to George Mason Law School at night while working, and then started having children. While her life was far from empty, the dream wouldn't die. Then she followed her husband to Indiana. Talk about starting over!

In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara's been writing books. Heartsong Presents is publishing a three book series of World War Two romances: Canteen Dreams (October 2007), Sandhill Dreams (May 2008), and Captive Dreams (September 2008). And she is thrilled that Love Inspired Suspense chose to publish her first romantic suspense, releasing in June 2008. Cara is also an attorney, women's ministry leader, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is.

CANTEEN DREAMS
By Cara Putman
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is your very first book! Congratulations! You've got a 3-book series set in Nebraska during World War II, the first taking place in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. What gave you the inspiration for this book?

The first idea came because of the way my hometown, North Platte, responded to the countless troop trains traveling through. North Platte is a Union Pacific hub to this day, and during the war 8 and more trains a day would run through town. Each train between December 25, 1941 and April 1946 was met by volunteers armed with coffee, food, and appreciation. Over time the offerings grew, and North Platte became a place the soldiers anticipated. I read Bob Greene's short book on the topic and wondered if Americans would ever band together again like they did back then. The story gets me so excited and passionate. Out of that sprang an interest for other World War Two stories set in Nebraska. Sandhill Dreams highlights the K-9 training that occurred at Fort Robinson during the war, and Captive Dreams will have one of the many POW camps that dotted Nebraska as the backdrop.

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

Audrey and Willard are loosely based on my mother's parents. I have been blessed to have a wonderful relationship with them and am absolutely thrilled that when this book releases they are both still alive. My grandfather was the only son of a farmer and so could not serve becuase of his essential occupation. He also played baseball. My grandmother taught -- but in a one-room schoolhouse. The opening scene is loosely based on how they met. My grandmother is not shy like Audrey, but the appearance is similar. I would love to highlight my other grandparents' story in another book, but haven't found the right one yet. He served for awhile at the Pentagon while my grandmother remained in Nebraska with their oldest son.

It was interesting as I wrote to watch the characters take on lives of their own -- even though they were based on people I love dearly. Characters have a way of doing that though!

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

Canteen Dreams is about the reality that we can lay down our lives for others in a multitude of ways. For example, Willard thought the only way he could serve was by joining the military. Audrey was desperate to find a way to participate in the effort. And the residents of the 125 towns in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado that supported the Canteen during the 5+ years it was open demonstrated laying down their lives by saving the best for the soldiers. So many food items were rationed, yet they saved the sugar, butter, etc, for the food and cakes for the soldiers. I would love to get to a place where I live my life like that.

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

Hmmm. This book was really easy to write. It sprang from my passion and was written in about three weeks. My favorite parts included the scenes at the Canteen and bringing details to life. The hardest was probably the scene where Willard fights with a soldier.

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

Sandhill Dreams releases in May 2008 followed by Deadly Expectations in June 2008 and Captive Dreams in September 2008. It's going to be a busy year! Sandhill Dreams is set in the beautiful, but remote, sandhills of northwestern Nebraska. Fort Robinson became one of a handful of locations that trained the dogs used during World War II. I also got to highlight some of the war games that were played there in preparation for D-Day. I was blessed to spend an entire day with the museum curator at Fort Robinson who literally opened his files to me and gave me tours of the K-9 facility and POW camp there.

* * * * *

Thank you, Cara, for being in the spotlight. Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE, autographed book. If you don't wish to be entered, say so when you post. This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

My Book is Done! PLUS...Exciting News!

Yes, I know I'm late again, but I have an excuse. I received some FANTASTIC news yesterday morning and I'm still reeling from the effects of it. I was also finishing my book for a deadline set for today.

But, first the news.

For anyone who is familiar with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, you know they travel the country looking for families who are in need of a new home. Dozens of factors are taken into consideration, and 5 finalists are narrowed from nearly thousands of nominations.

Well, I'm pleased to announce that the EMHE bus pulled up in front of a friend of mine's house Sunday morning!! They were one of the finalists, and EMHE chose them! Land has been donated just 5 miles south of where I live, and the EMHE team is there this week to build this family a new home. Some of us who know her are going to head over there one or two mornings this week and volunteer, and we'll be there Sunday for the unveiling so we can shout..."MOVE THAT BUS!"

No airdate yet, but I'm just tickled pink and praising God that this family is going to get their home. They are technically homeless right now living in a temporary home built for owners who aren't taking residence yet. Now, after losing their home last year because of medical bills for their daughter, they will finally have a new home, custom-designed for their every need. God is awesome!

---

Now, for my book update.

But, before I forget, I have photos from the ACFW Conference. Take a look:

ACFW Dallas Conference 2007

When I sat down Friday to finish, I realized I had duplicated two entire chapters in my word count, so I had 7,000 more words to write than I had thought. YIKES!

But, I sat down at my computer and prayed, then the words flew my fingers. By the time I ended for the night, I had over 8,000 words!! That's the most I've ever written in one day. But I was still 10,000 away from my needed word count, so after a good night's sleep, I was up and back at it the next day.

My husband left me alone all day with the exception of a break in the evening so we could go out to dinner. Final word count report = 8,500 words! I only needed 2,000 more to reach goal.

Sunday was church, and I don't normally work on those days, but I was up against a brick wall. So, after church and lunch and a break for a movie, I again sat to write the final chapter. By 9:30pm, I had finished the book at 2,000 OVER my needed count. This morning, I did a final read-through for typos and edits, then put it in a file and sent it to my editor.

PHEW! What a relief. That, along with the cover information and my headshots, and it's really starting to feel like it's going to happen. Amazing how dream-like it's been to this point. With book 1 coming out in February or March, I'll soon begin my marketing campaign. That'll include a web site update with new pages and minor changes.