Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Lynne Hinton

Jen’s Jewels
December 15, 2009
Lynne Hinton

We all have our talents and strengths. For some, it’s athletic prowess. Others, it’s an acute literary aptitude. For a select group, it’s a combination of culinary skills and the arts. If you’ve ever watched The Cake Boss on TLC, you know exactly what I am referring to! The designer cakes created on the show by Buddy Valastro and his teams of pastry chefs are truly works of art. I can only imagine what it would be like to taste one of them! I bet they are as yummy as they look…and then some!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Lynne Hinton, knows what it’s like to whip up the perfect cake. In her latest release, CHRISTMAS CAKE, our favorite church ladies are at it again as they try to spread some holiday cheer in the tiny town of Hope Springs, North Carolina. And as an added bonus, with each chapter comes a delicious cake recipe to share with family and friends! Without a doubt, it’s the perfect ingredient to add to your recipe for a happy holiday season.
As part of this interview, Avon Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers to try to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your 2009 reading adventure. Happy Holidays!

Jen: Your path to becoming an author has taken quite the circuitous route as you have embarked on more than one career. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background.
Lynne: I thought I would be a minister from the time I was fifteen. Since, however, I had never met a woman pastor; I never considered I would get that job. I thought I would be a missionary and a doctor. When I was a freshman at Wake Forest University and failing Chemistry, however, I knew the career in medicine was probably not going to happen. I studied to become a chaplain and I worked for a while as a chaplain with Hospice. It was there I learned some very important lessons for my living. In all my professional considerations I never really thought about being a writer. Again, I had no point of reference, never knew a writer. I have, however, always loved writing things down, being creative with words. When I attended seminary, Pacific School of Religion, I read literature that inspired and touched me in a way literature never had before. I was also encouraged in my writing, and it was at that time I considered being a writer.

Jen: As a pastor, your primary purpose is to shepherd your flock. As an author, your main goal is to entertain your readers. Do you view your writing career as part of your ministry, or are they merely two separate components of your life?
Lynne: I read a story once by Elie Wiesel that basically says that God loves stories. I do see my writing as a ministry, but probably not in the way some people think. For instance, my books are not available in the Christian Booksellers Market. My stories are considered a bit too raw for that market. I try to tell stories that feel truthful to me about the human situation, which means things are messy and not so tied up in the end, and my ministry in writing is trying to open people’s hearts and minds to the stories of those they are not likely to pay attention to in real life. I believe in the power of stories to change lives and I love being a vehicle of that change.

Jen: As a columnist for The Charlotte Observer, you have yet another outlet in which to share your talents. What is your main focus? And, are your columns available on-line for readers?
Lynne: I write what I call Spirituality-lite. I try not to speak using only the Christian language, choosing to speak more about issues of meaning and purpose and living authentically. I rarely quote scripture or tell church stories. This is more of a forum to speak to those who seek to find meaning in everyday occurrences. I’m considered a Guest Columnist, so I’m unsure about the on-line availability. I do have a blog where I post most of the columns. Check out my website to find the blog link.

Jen: In terms of your writing career, you have written mysteries, non-fiction, and fiction titles. Let’s start by talking about your mystery series under the pen name Jackie Lynn. Describe for us its premise. Also, what makes it unique compared to other mystery series on the market today?
Lynne: I never expected to write mysteries. The first one, DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE, came to me after the untimely death of a friend. I was devastated by his tragic passing and writing the mystery seemed to bring some level of comfort to me. I learned later that PD James was asked why she wrote mysteries and why people like to read them, she replied, “We’re all looking for order out of our chaos.” I think that was exactly my reason for this series. The premise is that the stories take place at a campground along the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Arkansas. It’s unique because there is a spiritual element to the series, a search for the characters to find “home” and family.

Jen: Your non-fiction title, MEDITATIONS FOR WALKING, seems to be the perfect book for those who want to start anew in 2010. Combining fitness and prayer is always a winning combination. How did you come up with the idea? And, what type of fitness program do you follow?
Lynne: Ah, love this question! Thank you. I was building a path in a forest of pine trees behind my house and I was pastoring my first congregation. Somehow, the two seemed to compliment each other and I found myself writing about the physical labor along with the spiritual work involved in being a pastor.

I am a runner. I’ve tried lots of fitness programs, but I have found that running with my yellow lab Carmella is the perfect fit for me.

Jen: Your latest release, CHRISTMAS CAKE, is the perfect gift for all the bakers in my audience. The fourth title in the Hope Springs Trilogy, our favorite church ladies are back in the kitchen whipping up some delectable cakes for the holidays. For those readers not familiar with it, please give us a brief overview of the series.
Lynne: The titles in the series are CHRISTMAS CAKE, FRIENDSHIP CAKE, HOPE SPRINGS, FOREVER FRIENDS, and due out in June 2010 is the fifth, WEDDING CAKE. These are the stories of women in a church who become friends when they decide to put together a cookbook for the church. The group is made up of older women and one young female pastor who journey together on this path of faith, finding friendship to be the sweetest part.

Jen: The main characters Beatrice, Louise, and Jessie embark on this new project in hopes of lifting the spirits of the dear friend, Margaret, whose cancer has returned. Quite ironically, their good will objective turns into a soul searching mission for each one of them. Let’s start with Beatrice. Why does she take the news the hardest of all?
Lynne: Beatrice speaks the truth for them all; Margaret is the glue that holds them together. She was the rock of that group of friends and of that community. Beatrice just cannot imagine her life, that community without Margaret.

Jen: Louise is quite the persnickety one always looking for argument even at the most inopportune times. Why does she wear this badge of disagreement so often? What is she hiding?
Lynne: Louise is hiding her own pain at losing the people she most loves. Deep down, I think she imagines that life is unfair, that the best people die and the worst of the humans live long years. Louise is just one of those crusty old women whose exterior you just have to overlook. Deep down, she’s a true friend to all.


Jen: Jessie seems to be the voice of reason holding the group together even in the hardest of times. With whom does she share the most in common and why?
Lynne: She and Margaret were the most alike, reasonable, sturdy, but Jessie depended quite a lot on her old friend. She is strong, but she also knows Margaret was part of the reason she had strength.

Jen: Of course, the story centers around Margaret’s coming to terms with her prognosis. Not surprisingly, it is she who teaches the group the importance of letting go. In turn, what lesson does she learn from her friends?
Lynne: She learns that friends will take you anywhere, love you through anything. She learns a final time and in a final way, the true meaning of friendship.

Jen: With each chapter, you share a scrumptious cake recipe with your readers. First of all, how did you collect the recipes? And secondly, which one is your favorite?
Lynne: Most of the recipes come from Fran’s Front Porch, the restaurant of a church member from my first parish. And as far as favorites, I like any of the ones with chocolate as a main ingredient!

Jen: What’s in store next for our favorite friends? And, when can we expect it to hit the shelves of our bookstores?
Lynne: It’s WEDDING CAKE, due out in June 2010. There are quite a number of unexpected unions in this story!

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plans. Will you be going on a book tour? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Lynne: I usually do book tours near my home. Last year I did go back to NC and enjoyed a week of visiting stores across the state. I didn’t do any tours for this book. Hopefully, I can work something out next year. I’m open to author chats. Contact me on my website and we can work something out.

Jen: Please take us on a tour of your website. Do you have promotional materials (i.e. bookmarks, bookplates) available for readers? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases?
Lynne: I am happy to send holiday bookplates for any books bought as gifts. If you’ll contact me on my website, give me names and an address to send them, I’ll gladly get those to your readers by Christmas! My website has reader’s guides for book clubs, a bio about myself, a bit about each book I have published, and a means to contact me personally. I can notify readers about upcoming books if they’ll contact me and let me know.

Jen: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. I truly enjoyed the story, and I look forward to reading WEDDING CAKE in the spring of 2010. Merry Christmas!
Lynne: Thank you, Jen, for choosing me as a guest on your site. Thank you, also for the very thought-provoking and lovely questions. I hope you and your readers have a lovely, restful, warm holiday season!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Lynne Hinton. If you still have some names on your list, why not pick up a few copies of CHRISTMAS CAKE today? It would most certainly make the perfect gift! Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and it’s yours! Good luck!

What is the name of Lynne’s fifth book in the Hope Springs Trilogy due out in June 2010?

To kick off the New Year, I will be bringing to you my interview with crime writer Lou Berney. You won’t want to miss it!

Happy Holidays!

Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jen Vido Interviews Author Lori Wilde

Author Lori Wilde

Jen’s Jewels
December 1, 2009
Lori Wilde

I have always been fascinated with the art of knitting. As a child, I would watch in awe as my mother would create beautiful afghans and colorful scarves. She always seemed so relaxed and at ease while masterfully designing her next creation. When the time finally came for me to join in on the fun, it didn’t take long for the “ooh” and “ahh” factor to quickly fade away. Knit one. Purl two. Whatever! Let it suffice to say that it’s not as easy as it looks!
The lead character in this month’s Jen’s Jewels feature title can relate well to my knitting nightmare since she, too, is knitting-challenged! In THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB, romance writer extraordinaire Lori Wilde takes the reader to the quaint, small town of Twilight, Texas in her new series sure to please her fans. Without a doubt, this delightful story is the perfect read for the holiday season.
As part of this interview, Avon Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check for the trivia question at the end. And who knows? Perhaps you may be inspired to try to learn how to knit when you’re done! Better yet…maybe you could even teach me!

Jen: It’s always a treat being able to catch a glimpse into the life of a favorite author such as you. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background.
Lori: I went to school to become a license practical nurse the week I turned 17. At the time, I was the youngest student ever enrolled in the LVN program in the state of Texas. I didn’t want to be a nurse. I always wanted to be a writer, but my parents told me I had to get out and make my own way because they had four other kids to raise. They offered to pay for LVN school. There were one hundred students vying for 20 slots. I prayed that I wouldn’t get in, but I did. Later, I put myself through R.N. school while working full time as an LVN. I didn’t write in the six years that it took to get my bachelors degree from Texas Christian University, but the minute I graduated, I started writing short stories. I wrote sixty short stories and didn’t sell a single one. I decided I needed to take writing classes and because I’d already written so much, I was at the head of the class. The teacher told me I needed to write a book. That was scary to me, so I looked around to see what books were short and that’s when I discovered Harlequin. I’m also a library school dropout. I have 18 hours toward a master’s degree in Library Science. I was a nurse for 22 years before I was able to retire and write full time.

Jen: Describe for us your “Ah! Ha!” moment when you knew that becoming an author would be your destiny.
Lori: When my writing teacher told me I was more talented than Fern Michaels. I decided right then that no matter what it took, I was going to become a published author or die in the process.

Jen: For those readers unfamiliar with your work, let’s talk about your prior releases. You have penned over fifty books for three major publishing houses and have received numerous nominations for your work. If you had to recommend one book that best exemplifies your talent, which title would you choose and why?
Lori: Actually, I have now sold 52 books to four major publishers. I have to say my latest book best exemplifies my talent because it’s an accumulation of 20 years worth of writing practice. My personal favorite of all my books is probably Saving Allegheny Green because it’s written in first person. I love first person and the heroine is the most like me of any of my heroines. But I wrote that book in 1998, (even though it didn’t get published until 2005), and I’ve improved a great deal as a writer since then.

Jen: What is the most valuable piece of advice about the business that you have learned from working with more than one publisher?
Lori: That you’re never as good or as bad as you think you are.

Jen: In your latest release, THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB, you combine, love, lust, and knitting into a delightful read filled with colorful characters and a captivating storyline. (I couldn’t put it down!) How did you arrive at the premise?
Lori: I came up with the basic romance plot—a love triangle between a good boy who’s not so good, a bad boy who’s not so bad and a woman who loves them both—while spending hours on the road driving forty miles one way to my mother-in-law’s house every day for six weeks to take her to radiation treatment for breast cancer. I plotted the whole book in my head during those drives. At the time I was with a different publisher, working on the last book in my Wedding Veil Wishes series, but I knew that THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB would be my next contemporary.

Jen: A question I just have to ask, are you a knitter? Why or why not?
Lori: I am now. I wasn’t a knitter when I came up with the idea of the knitting club, and neither is my heroine. But I knew that in order to do justice to the book, I had to learn. My mother and I took knitting classes together and now I’m obsessed with knitting. I’m still a rank beginner, but I love it!

Jen: Your lead character Flynn McGregor has many crosses to bear. Flynn’s mother died during her teen years, her father is a recovering alcoholic, and her sister depends on her wisdom as the mother figure in her life. In what ways has the stress of all this responsibility at such a young age affected Flynn’s own desires for happiness?
Lori: Flynn has shuffled her own desires to the background while making sure everyone else in her life is okay. I had a lot of responsibility as a teen, both my parents worked two jobs and I was the oldest of five with my sister being twelve years younger, so it was easy to understand how Flynn puts the needs of others ahead of her own happiness. It just seemed normal to me.

Jen: Flynn’s fiancé Beau holds a tight grip on “his woman,” if you will. In his eyes, being the sheriff in town gives him the authority to throw his weight around quite easily, even with Flynn. What makes him so attractive to Flynn? And conversely, what does Beau see in her that makes him stick around for ten years despite her obvious fear of commitment?

Lori: Even though she doesn’t realize it, Beau is sort of her crutch. She knows she can count on him to be there and he does put up with a lot from Flynn. In a way, she takes advantage of his loyalty. Beau doesn’t see himself as a bad guy at all. Because of what happened to Beau’s first love, he sees himself as Flynn’s protector. That’s an important identity to him and I guess you could say Flynn makes him feel good about himself. And he does love her in his twisted fashion.

Jen: No romance novel is complete without a bad boy! Soothingly sexy Jesse Calloway strolls into town upsetting its order and civility by vying for the sheriff’s girl. Having spent the last ten years in prison for a crime he did not commit, this “hottie” has an axe to grind with the man responsible for stealing his life away. Why does he allow his ego to get the better of him as he tries to win back his former lover Flynn?
Lori: Hmm, I don’t see that Jesse did let his ego get the better of him. I saw him as being really hurt because she didn’t trust him. Maybe that is letting his ego get the better of him, but I didn’t think of it that way. He’s been hurt so much in his life that I saw it more as his vulnerability.

Jen: From the get-go, Flynn does not believe that Beau’s marriage proposal is the answer to her future. Why then does she choose to go ahead and accept it? In the back of her mind, what does she fear the most?
Lori: She sees Beau as safe. Flynn has always chosen the safe path.

Jen: Secondary characters have a way of stealing the show, and in this book Hondo is no exception. Without giving too much away, how are he and Jesse similar in their primal need to love and be loved?
Lori: They’re both proud men who were hurt deeply by the women they loved.

Jen: Would you agree that Flynn’s decision to open a knitting store is an attempt to gain a sense of acceptance from her deceased mom? Even from the grave, what influence does she have over her daughter and why?
Lori: Oh absolutely. Flynn is a people pleaser and in essences, she took over the parent role when he mother became ill. She loves her mother deeply and wants to honor her.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plan for the book. Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Lori: I’m having a new website built by Wax Creative. Not sure yet when it will be up and running. I do have email notification of upcoming releases to readers on my newsletter list and through Fresh Fiction where I’m advertising. I haven’t yet participated in author phone chats. My schedule is pretty hectic. I write five books a year and teach monthly online writing classes through 1600 colleges and universities internationally.
Jen: Readers, here is a link to one of her on-line classes!
http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/ed2go/newcrsdes.cgi?course=rws&title=Romance%5EWriting%5ESecrets&departmentnum=PW&path=1


Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? If so, what can you share with us?
Lori: I’m working on the third book in the series about Twilight, Texas. This time the ladies of the knitting club are involved in a Christmas cookie swap.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved the book! Many wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!
Lori: Thank you so much. It was a delight to be here. Happy holidays to all the readers out there. Thank you so much for continuing to read.


I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Lori. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite bookstore and pick up a copy today. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Okay, be one for the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the trivia question and it’s yours!

Name the title of Lori’s personal favorite book?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Lynne Hinton, author of the inspirational book CHRISTMAS CAKE. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido's Interview with Author Carolyn Hart

Jen’s Jewels
November 20, 2009
Carolyn Hart

Every summer, my husband and I take the boys to our favorite destination, Charleston, SC. With each visit, we discover another facet of the Holy City that we never knew existed. Without a doubt, our most memorable tour was in Charleston’s Haunted Historic District. Lurking in one of the country’s oldest graveyards after dark in search of ghostly beings is an indescribable experience. Even if we hadn’t entertained the idea of them existing before, afterwards we were true believers!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels Carolyn Hart knows exactly what I am talking about. In her latest release MERRY, MERRY GHOST she continues her highly popular Bailey Ruth Series incorporating the holiday season with ghostly beings. A delightful mystery perfect for this time of year, her jolly good cheer brings much joy to her many devoted fans.
As part of this interview, William Morrow has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check for the trivia question at the end. And without a doubt, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your holiday season!

Jen: As a child, you were nipped by the “writing bug” at the young age of eleven. Since then, you have become an award-winning mystery writer as well as a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction nominee. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path that led to your stellar career, please tell us about your educational and professional background.
Carolyn: I was a child during WWII and I quickly realized the importance of newspapers. We received most of our news from the newspapers or radio. I decided to be a reporter when I grew up. I worked on school newspapers and majored in journalism at the University of Oklahoma. I never thought about being anything other than being a reporter, but a funny thing happened on the way to the newsroom. I married a law student. I worked on the Norman Transcript while he was in law school. After his graduation and the arrival of our children, I decided not to go back to work as a reporter. That was when I first thought about writing fiction. I saw a contest for a mystery for girls 8 to 12. I loved Nancy Drew and I decided to write a book. The Secret of the Cellars won the contest. It was my first published book. My 43rd published book is the just released MERRY, MERRY GHOST.

Jen: When you first launched your career back in 1964, you began by writing teenage and young adult mysteries. From there, you went on to write some non-series books. Describe for us what it was like for a woman in the publishing business during that time in terms of establishing a career as a mystery writer. What was the most challenging part of the process?
Carolyn: I was a writer working in isolation in Oklahoma. I had no knowledge of New York publishing. At that time, New York publishing houses believed there were two kinds of mysteries, the hard-boiled private eye books written by American men with male protagonists, and the traditional mystery written by dead English ladies. There was no room in this publishing world for mysteries by American women. In the mid 1980s, the private eye books written by Marcia Muller, Sara Paretsky, and Sue Grafton were published. New York bought the books because they fit the concept of the American mystery even though written by women with women protagonists. The success of these books persuaded New York publishers that readers were interested in books by American women with women protagonists. That opened the window of opportunity for me and many other women writers.

Jen: Now let’s fast-forward to 1987 with your first commercially successful series called DEATH ON DEMAND. How did the series evolve?
Carolyn: I was a discouraged writer. In 1985, I had written seven books in seven years and at that time none of them had sold. I decided to try one more time. I wrote the kind of book I love to read, the traditional mystery that celebrates goodness and justice. I had no hope the book would sell so I simply had fun. I created a young couple who truly loved each other. That wasn't fashionable in books then. Often a woman protagonist had no relationship with a man or she was involved in a dysfunctional relationship. I didn't think it had to be that way. I am not romantic, but I believe in love. Annie and Max understand how to love. They are young, enthusiastic, and genuine. I set Death on Demand in a mystery bookstore because I revere mysteries. I wanted through Annie to share my joy in books that celebrate goodness. I set DEATH ON DEMAND on a fictional version of Hilton Head Island. We started vacationing there in the mid 1970s. I love the South Carolina lowcountry. In my view, anything can happen in a land where Spanish moss quivers from the limbs of live oaks and alligators rest on the banks of lagoons. To my great joy, readers liked Annie and Max and their idyllic sea island. Annie and Max will embark on their 20th adventure in LAUGHED 'TIL HE DIED (April 2010).

Jen: In the early 90’s, you began your next series called HENRIE O. Please describe for us its premise as well as its unique appeal.
Carolyn: Henrietta O'Dwyer (Henrie O) Collins is a retired newspaper reporter, a smart, capable, sophisticated woman who has known joy and sorrow and roamed the world. She is my tribute to older American women who are often dismissed as negligible by our culture. Henrie O expects to be treated with respect. I have always explained that Henrie O is taller, smarter, and braver than I, but she very much reflects my attitudes and interests.

Jen: Your latest endeavor is the BAILEY RUTH RAEBURN mystery series which mixes the supernatural with murder! Quite a novel concept! This month, the second title called MERRY, MERRY GHOST hits bookstores. For those readers unfamiliar with the premise of the series, please give us some background including a description of the quirky Bailey Ruth Raeburn.
Carolyn: I grew up loving the Topper books and movies. Blithe Spirit is one of the most delightful plays ever created. I love good-humored, fun ghost stories. For many years, I toyed with the idea of a novel with a ghost. In fact, I touched a bit upon ghosts in Southern Ghost in the DEATH ON DEMAND series. A few years ago, I told my editor I wanted to do a ghost book. This was before the explosion in paranormal publishing so I wasn't trying to be part of a trend. My editor encouraged me. I started thinking about ghosts. Who was my ghost? Someone who had died. Where was she? In Heaven. I thought about Heaven and suddenly a fun, energetic, lively redhead came swinging around a cumulous cloud. She was Bailey Ruth Raeburn. The name came to me immediately. I looked at Bailey Ruth with interest. Where was she going? To The Department of Good Intentions. What was that? I followed her around a curve and up to an old-fashioned train station and I learned that the Department of Good Intentions dispatched emissaries to return to earth to help people in trouble. That was my introduction to Bailey Ruth, who never met a rule she wouldn't ignore and who has a heart as big as Texas.

Jen: In MERRY, MERRY GHOST, Bailey must find out who murdered a rich dowager. Of course, the plot thickens with the arrival of an unexpected heir. Let’s start by talking about the supporting characters. Susan, the old woman, has no family until her grandson shows up on her front porch. How does his arrival breathe new life into her soul?

Carolyn: Susan Flynn has known great heartbreak in her life, the death of a beloved daughter, a son who has been missing for some years. She is widowed. Her health is failing. She has nothing to live for. Everyone she has loved the most is gone from her. Those around her, some of whom are kind and supportive, are the relatives of her late husband. She has no family of her own. When Keith, the little four-year-old boy, is left on the front porch of her home shortly before Christmas, she discovers he is her grandson. His father, Susan's son, was killed in Iraq. Keith's mother died from pneumonia. Susan's joy in Keith makes Christmas once again a cherished holiday.

Jen: Her sister-in-law Jake stands to inherit the family estate upon Susan’s death. Their relationship seems quite strained. What is the cause behind the tension? Is it jealousy?
Carolyn: Jake is very fond of Susan and has always been kind to her. Since Susan's illness, Jake has served as mistress of Susan's stately home, Pritchard house. Susan appreciates Jake and has made it clear that Jake will inherit the house. Jake has enormous pride of possession in the house. The possibility that Susan will change her will and leave her estate to Keith shocks and upsets Jake.

Jen: Besides the obvious familial connection, how are these two women similar? Who is the stronger person and why?
Carolyn: I don't see them as very similar. Susan has always been confident, her status assured because she is a Pritchard. Jake had to scramble for security. The house matters more to her because she spent so many years beholden to Susan and her husband for support. Susan takes her wealth and position for granted. She automatically assumes leadership.

Jen: Jake’s daughter Peg is the not only the peacemaker of the family but also the strong-willed daughter who stands up for what she believes. Why then does she allow her boyfriend Dave to walk all over her?
Carolyn: Dave is one of the golden young men who have great charm. Peg was flattered that he cared for her though it becomes increasingly clear that Dave's interest depends upon whether Peg can further his career and ambitions through her connection to Susan. At first Peg is shocked when he begins to reveal his true nature. When she understands, she chooses the right path over pleasing Dave.

Jen: Police Chief Sam Cobb is the only character privy to existence of Bailey, the celestial-being, although he is not quite certain what to make of her. Why does he so readily accept her “help” along the way in the solving of the murder case? And, at some point will he choose to confide in someone as to where he receives his tips? Why or why not?
Carolyn: Sam Cobb is old enough to know that there is more to this world than we can always readily explain. He first encountered Bailey Ruth in GHOST AT WORK so her appearance in the events at Pritchard House does not come as a complete shock. He may wonder why he is visited by a helpful ghost, but he is willing to take assistance where he finds it. I don't know whether he will ever share this knowledge.

Jen: Finally, as for Bailey herself, it seems a challenge for her to remain unseen due to the fact that she is in her hometown. Do you think her being a ghost is a blessing or a hindrance, and why so?
Carolyn: Definitely, her status as a ghost is helpful. It makes it possible to employ an omniscient viewpoint. However, her unseen presence observing a character can only occur when Bailey Ruth decides on a course of action prompted by her own reasoning.

Jen: Now that the novel is complete, what’s next for Bailey? And, when can we expect to see the third installment in bookstores?
Carolyn: GHOST IN TROUBLE will be published in fall 2010. Bailey Ruth returns to earth when a woman undertakes a dangerous course of action to try and prove a murder occurred.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plan. First of all, please take us on a tour of your website.
Carolyn: It is http://www.carolynhart.com/ . The website includes information about both current and past books, recent blogs and essays, reviews and interviews.

Jen: Secondly, do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Also, do you have Reading Group Guides available for your books?
Carolyn: I would be delighted to take part in a phone chat. To schedule, please contact my publicist at HarperCollins (Danielle.bartlett@harpercollins.com). I don't have Reading Guides. I know they would be helpful but right now I am trying to write two books a year and I haven't found time to develop Reading Guides.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved MERRY, MERRY GHOST! What a perfect book for the holiday season!
Carolyn: Thank you very much, Jen. I hope your wonderful readers agree. Bailey Ruth and I send our warmest Christmas greetings.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with the prolific writer Carolyn Hart. I highly recommend all of her series. Believe me, if you have never read any of her books before, you’re in for a treat! Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch today and pick up a copy of MERRY, MERRY GHOST.

Then again, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me with the correct answer to the following trivia question and it’s yours!

What is the name of the 20TH title of the DEATH ON DEMAND series due out in April 2010?

In December, I will be bringing to you my interview with romance writer Lori Wilde. You won’t want to miss it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido Interview Author Kevin Michael Connolly

Jen’s Jewels
November 10, 2009

Kevin Michael Connolly

Life is about choices. Whether it’s something as simple as what to make for dinner or as complex as which type of chemotherapy will work best, we all have decisions to make as well as adversities to overcome. How we choose to face them determines which path in life we take. Every road has its bumps. The trick is knowing how to successfully navigate around them.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Kevin Michael Connolly knows all too well that life is not fair. Born without two legs, he has learned in his brief twenty-four years how to turn his unfortunate circumstances into a life lesson we all can benefit from experiencing. In his poignant memoir DOUBLE TAKE, he shares with us his inspiring journey. Truly, his story is unforgettable.

As part of this interview, Harper Studio has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.


Jen: At the age of twenty-three you penned a memoir that from start to finish defies imagination and reads much wiser than your years would suggest. Your life story to date is truly remarkable. Let’s start by talking about the unique circumstances that compelled you to tell your story publicly.
Kevin: Thanks for the opportunity to do the interview. You certainly kicked it off with a big question! I really felt compelled to write this book for a couple of reasons. I’d completed the photo series discussed in the book about a year before I began pitching my idea to publishers. The reason why I wanted to write a memoir over a more traditional, coffee-table like approach was simply because I’d get more of a voice. As far as I’d known, I’d never heard of anyone at 23 who had traveled around the world on a skateboard without legs taking photos of being stared at. The more I started to think about that accomplishment, the more I realized the importance of discussing where that strength came from.

If you want me to be totally honest, writing the book was hard as hell. Trying to be emotionally honest as an athletic 23 year-old Montanan was difficult enough, but putting all of those emotions to a page you knew would someday be read was really scary. I feel like I’ve grown up a lot just by virtue of surviving the writing process. That said, I’m so glad that I did it.

Jen: At the beginning of the book, you mention briefly how your sister Meagan fought a “silent” battle as defender of her disabled brother. In your childhood days, how did your lack of legs positively affect your relationship with both your sisters?

Kevin: I think that if anything, my lack of legs possibly solidified the familial bond. Not just between my sisters, either, but the whole family. I think that in some ways, that bond was created through dealing with all of the unwanted challenges and attention together. Maybe it’s a little like the bond I hear of between men and women in the military. Once you’ve seen and been through some nasty stuff together, that bond of friendship (or family) is strengthened.

Jen: At any point did you feel a sense of guilt knowing that your disability greatly affected your family unit as a whole? And if so, how did you overcome that guilt?
Kevin: I think that one of the smartest things that my parents did was to not let my disability greatly affect the family as a whole. I still got on the bus and went to school with my sisters. Still had the same amount of homework. Still got yelled at when I whined or shirked responsibility. I think that those very ordinary demands kept me from getting all wrapped up in guilt during my younger years.

However, I would say that at a couple of points I’ve felt guilty about the impact my not-having-legs has had on my family. Most summers in Montana are spent hiking or camping, and I remember feeling bad about not being able to keep up on some of the more strenuous hiking trips. I’m damn strong, but my stride is short and a pack is more difficult to carry when you’re only using your arms to ambulate. All of those things added up to me usually being the last in the line of people on a hike. That said, as I’ve gotten older and spoken more openly with them about it, that guilt has really dissipated. Now I sound a lot like my Dad on hiking trips. “Screw ‘em, they can wait!”

Jen: Despite your limitations, you were able to find a physical outlet that allowed your innate yearning for competition to surface. I chuckled as I read your description of the dirt bags, the men on the slopes. Please share with us your introduction to skiing and how it enabled you to find your voice within.
Kevin: I was introduced to skiing at the age of ten, and my first day was spent up at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, MT. I think my most vivid memory of that first day (and maybe my skiing experience as a whole) was of the car ride. Helena is almost two hours west of Bridger Bowl, and I remember grudgingly eating my cereal at five-thirty during that first morning while Dad ran around the house trying to scrounge up old hunting clothes and anything that would keep us warm on the hill. Most ski days, we left Helena before the sun came up, and got back well after it’d gone down. Especially during those early days of skiing when I was still trying to get in shape, I would maybe ski only four or five hours in a day. With that in mind, as much time was spent in the car as on the slopes.

Crazy road trips aside, I think that skiing really gave me a physical outlet in which to both vent and express myself. It got me in shape and gave me more confidence. In high school especially, it allowed me to create an identity for myself that extended beyond “Kevin-the-Student” or “Kevin-the-Kid-in-the-Wheelchair” and into something much more in kind with my fellow peers. “Kevin the Skier.” The book is all about identities – both those that we occupy as well as those we throw onto others – and being a skier provided a really positive, challenging identity for me.

Jen: Your relationship with your Dad in your teen years appears to be the center core of your being. In a sense, you both set out to conquer your disability from two unique angles yet ultimately united as one in its discovery. When was the defining moment in your relationship when you knew that with your skiing, you two had found a mutual respect and admiration for each other?
Kevin: I don’t know if it really happened during skiing, to be honest. Dad – while he supported my skiing with almost religious fanaticism – still stressed that my success in school was far more important than on the ski hill. So while I admired what Dad was doing for me all of those years, I don’t think that I appreciated (or fully realized) just how much he was doing for me during that time. During the writing of the book, though, I called him on more than one occasion to thank him just for putting up with a semi-ungrateful (or not grateful enough) son and some long hours on the road.

Now things are much different, of course. Pops and I definitely have the mutual respect thing going, though it stems from a more holistic, traditional place. The basic thing with my Dad is that he’ll give all of the time and money he physically can to his kids, but he expects a hell of a lot out of them in return. So I think that he’s more admiring of the fact that I’m his 24-year-old son with a college degree; a good job; a solid work ethic; and decent moral fiber.

Jen: Growing up without two legs, you know firsthand how it feels to be living as if you are always under the microscope. Rather than dwelling on the harsh reality of your circumstances, you chose to turn it into a learning experience for all of us. Please describe for us your project.
Kevin: The Rolling Exhibition involved rolling around the world on a skateboard and chronicling the reactions people had to me in all of these different countries and cultures. The bulk of the photo project was shot over the summer of 2007, between my Junior and Senior year of college. The project involved almost 33,000 photographs and really went out to prove two things: 1.) That nearly everyone - regardless of age, location, or culture - stares at the people that spark their interest or curiosity.2.) After that initial look, people sometimes create a narrative in their heads as to why that person came to be. This is where the nuance comes in, and where I would like to turn it over to an excerpt from my artist statement that's posted at http://www.therollingexhibition.com/statement.php . It says:"Whether it is a glance or a neck twisting ogle, we look at that which does not seem to fit in our day to day lives. It is that one instant of unabashed curiosity - more reflex than conscious action - that makes us who we are and has been one of my goals to capture over the past year. It is after this instant that we try to hazard a guess as to why such an anomalous person exists. Was it disease? Was it a birth defect? Was it a landmine? These narratives all come from the context in which we live our lives. Illness, drugs, calamity, war - all of these might become potential stories depending upon what we are exposed to in connection with disability."While I think that the first objective was clearly accomplished by the photo series, the second was much better articulated in the later sections of Double Take.

Jen: Your mother seems to be the constant in your life always willing to accept any decision you make as a step in the right direction. When you made the decision to travel the world, what was going on in your mind about the way this would affect her? As a mother, I can only imagine how she must have worried about your safety.
Kevin: By the time I came to her with my idea to travel, I already knew that she’d have my back. She’ll always advise us kids, but once a decision is reached, she gets behind it. So when I called her, I was kind of hoping that she’d play against type and actually try and talk me down. I knew that I was making a big commitment to the project, and that conversation was probably my last chance to back out of the whole trip. If there’s one thing Mom’s good at, though, it’s controlling her tone and emotions. She can’t play poker to save her life, but she sure is tough to read on the phone. If she sounded worried or concerned, she didn’t let on.

Jen: In order to navigate your journey, you enlisted the aid of your “custom-built” skateboard. Describe for us your mode of transportation and how you were able to use it to serve your purpose.
Kevin: My mode of transport during this journey abroad was a Sector9 longboard (basically a heavier, longer, and more stable version of a skateboard). While I did assemble the board using my own selection of parts, the reason I chose a skateboard over a wheelchair was specifically because it wasn’t truly custom built. If I shredded a wheel on glass bottle or seized up some ball bearings in a flood, I could pull a replacement out of my backpack, or find something at a skateshop if I was in a city. Those are advantages not as easily afforded to a wheelchair, and as a result, I found that traveling on a skateboard was a much more efficient (if not attention-getting) way to get around.


Jen: Throughout the book, you have peppered each anecdote with examples of your fascinating photographs. Truly, a picture says a thousand words. Which one best encapsulates your entire experience and how so?
Kevin: Boy, I don’t know if I’d be able to answer that. While I’m dearly in love with certain photographs on an aesthetic level – the Girl on the Millennium Bridge in London, or the two Romans in Split, Croatia – I don’t think that I can single one out as best encapsulating my entire experience. I think that, if anything, the photo series is meant more to explore single reaction as it appears crystallized in all these faces around the world.

When I set out to make this project, I set out to prove a fact about human nature, and so I wanted to be as deliberate as I could in terms of creating something that looked more like a data set from a scientific study than a bunch of pretty photographs. It’s why all of the photos are taken on the same lens, from the same angle, without ever once looking through the viewfinder. I was setting rules for myself. Basically creating a system of controls in which my only variable was the bipeds walking by.

So as a result, while really love my photo project, I feel like it is ultimately more a visual preface to the ideas expressed in the book rather than its own entity. We created the endpapers to the book with just that idea in mind. All of those faces on the endpapers of Double Take serve somewhat as a Cliff Notes to the photo project itself.

Jen: I read that your photographs have been on display around the world. Are they currently on exhibit? And if so, where?
Kevin: Yes they are! I have two galleries currently traveling around the continental U.S. as well as another gallery displaying in Liverpool, UK.

Jen: I was so excited when I read about your girlfriend! Every person needs to love and be loved. In what ways has your disability made you a better partner? If you don’t mind me asking, are you currently in a relationship?
Kevin: I don’t know if I can answer that fairly or responsibly. Being born without legs, I’ve never really been in someone else’s shoes, and thus can’t really speak on whether or not my not-having-legs has had any effect on my success as a partner. I would say that I’m a constantly traveling workaholic has probably more to do with my efficacy as a partner than the legs thing!

That said, I am not currently in a relationship.

Jen: One of the most moving parts in the book for me was on page 171 where you discuss the word disabled. You write, “You are only disabled if you are incapable of overcoming the challenges presented in any given situation.” What powerful words! So true! How have you been able to incorporate these words into your everyday living?
Kevin: The way I apply those words to my life is by looking at time in small chunks. I’m a big fan of “winging it” in almost any situation – whether that’s speaking in front of a crowd or trying to adapt my way out of a new situation – so viewing disability in an ephemeral light makes a lot of sense to me. Say we’re racing through an airport. I’m going to smoke you both speed and efficiency anytime we’re on flat ground in the terminal. However, you’ll be able to laugh at me later when I’m hauling my slow butt up a flight of stairs. It’s all a tradeoff. Not better, not worse, just different.

Jen: In the book you mention that you were driving with your family alongside you in the car. What specific adaptations were made in order for you to do this?
Kevin: Automotive hand controls are actually a fairly standard device that we had installed by a small business an hour outside of my hometown. It’s basically a little lever that sits underneath the blinker on the left side of the steering wheel. Pull down for gas, and push in for brake. Try not to mix the two up.

Jen: Now that your story has been put into words, what is next for you in your life’s journey?

Kevin: Another project. This one deals a bit more with tech than photos (so images are still a big component). We’re still in prototype phase, but all I can say is that I tested out one of the rigs I’ll be using on my next bout of travel and….I can jump (really high) and run (really fast).

Jen: Finally, let’s talk about your website. Please walk us through it.
Kevin: My work on the web has really been where I put most of my early efforts. The website for The Rolling Exhibition ( www.therollingexhibition.com) was built by an old high school buddy who offered to do it for super cheap. After collaborating on the design for the site, we realized that my image needed to be in some way integrated with the website in order to understand the look on each person’s face in the photos. After my appearance on ABC’s 20/20, I remember my site crashing four or five times due to the traffic load. Since then, the link has made its way around the world, and I still get hits from Iran, Russia, and Korea, to name a few.

Since the inception of that site, I’ve created another one that works somewhat as my “mothership” online. All of my photographs (including The Rolling Exhibition and extra photos from my book Double Take) are stored on the site along with my blog and book trailer. The site is called http://www.kevinmichaelconnolly.com/ and I check up on it every day. Posting a comment on my blog or sending me a line from there is definitely the best way to get a hold of me.

Jen: To thank you for stopping by would be such a trite statement. Rather, thank you for allowing my readers the chance to view the world through a beacon of hope. Your story is truly amazing. I wish you only the best in your future endeavors. I have no doubt. You will soar.
Kevin: Thanks again, Jen. I hope everyone enjoys the book!


I hope you’ve been inspired as much as I was from reading about Kevin’s miraculous journey. Please stop by your favorite bookstore, Amazon.com, or local library branch and pick up a copy of DOUBLE TAKE today.

Better yet, would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five people to send me an e-mail at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question.

What is Kevin’s “custom-built” mode of transportation?

On November 20th, I will be bringing to you my interview with the award-winning mystery novelist Carolyn Hart. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…

Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Fern Nichols

Fern Nichols

Jen’s Jewels
November 1, 2009

I have a secret that I must share. I have rekindled an old relationship. As the saying goes…it just happened. My discreet partner is thoughtful, understanding, and at times comforting on a cold, blustery day. When I need a moment of silence on my way to carpool, I have it. When I need a friend to lean on after a long day, I have one. Quite frankly, I never realized just how in tune I have become with my long, lost friend…God.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Fern Nichols has experienced quite the same epiphany. As a mother, she experienced firsthand the ups and downs of raising children in the crazy world in which we live. So, she turned to a higher power to help her navigate life’s journey. In her latest release, WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER: True Stories of God’s Power to Transform Your Child, she calls upon the help of faithful moms to give encouragement to others facing life’s challenges.

As part of this interview, Tyndale has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As the mother of four children as well as a grandmother, you have experienced firsthand the Herculean feat of raising healthy, happy children. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path you took in becoming an author, please tell us about your educational and professional experience.
Fern:
My mother was an inspiration to me. She took seriously her role of mothering. She was able to be a stay-at-home mom and was very intentional about our physical, mental and spiritual development. She made nutritious meals, made sure we went to school, taught us the Word of God, modeled prayer and faithfully took us to church.
As a result of how she was raising me, I believe God set deep in my heart the importance of the godly influence of a mother. And that’s what I wanted to be. I had no intention of going to college or having a career. I wanted to be a MOM!! But God in His Sovereignty not only opened doors for me to go to college, but to major in the thing I loved most -- children. I earned my degree in education. Both my fiancé, Rle, and I graduated from college together, got married one month later and both taught school in the same district.

In our third year of marriage God blessed us with a baby boy, and I was able to become a stay-at-home mom. God gave me the desires of my heart. But did I ever learn a lot as a new mom! I needed the Lord more than ever. I was in the Word and on my knees seeking direction, wisdom and guidance for this new little life. I was intentional, just like my mom, and from birth began the life-long teaching of the Word, prayer and taking him to church. God blessed us with three more children and my desire to raise “Jesus Lovers” was heightened all the more.

Throughout those years of raising these precious “gifts” God gave us, I was very active in living out my faith. I wanted to serve the One I loved. I had many opportunities to do that through teaching Sunday School, being choir director, playing the organ and piano, and teaching neighborhood Bible studies. My husband and I were called to serve in Campus Crusade for Christ for 15 years. Rle was the coach for Athletes In Action. In my seasons of service, I purposed in my heart that my priorities would be God first, family second and ministry third. Truly my profession was Motherhood!

Jen: Your religious faith has been the cornerstone to the development of your career as an inspirational speaker and advocate for Christianity. What was the driving force that led you to pursue this vocation?
Fern:
There really was no driving force to be an inspirational speaker. As I desired to please the Lord and follow His will for my life, opportunities opened for me to speak at retreats, churches, seminars, workshops. My main topics were always centered on how to be a mature Christian, the blessings of motherhood and prayer.

On one fall day in 1984 as I kissed my two eldest sons goodbye before they left for school, I went back to the kitchen with a very heavy, burdened heart for them. I was truly fearful for their spiritual lives at that public school. So many things loomed in my mind of the incredible battles they would be facing. Would they make the right decisions in tempting situations, would they be able to recognize humanistic teachings, would they choose godly, moral friends? And on and on it went. As I was talking to the Lord about this, I prayed a desperate simple prayer, “Lord, there must be one other mom who will pray with me for our children and the school.” I had experienced the power of corporate prayer and it was time to unite.

The Lord laid upon my heart the name of another mom. I immediately called her and poured out my heart, the burden I felt, and asked if she would take time out of her busy schedule to come to my house and pray. She felt the same way and agreed to come. We thought of a few other moms we could invite. So, that very next week there were five of us in my living room praying a simple four step format of prayer that kept us praying the whole hour. We were serious. The lives of our children were at stake.

Out of one desperate mom’s burden for her boys, God birthed a prayer ministry for children and schools. You truly do not know what God has in mind when on one unassuming day you are in prayer.

Jen: Let’s talk about Moms in Touch International. Please describe for us its core purpose.
Fern: We named our group Moms in Touch -- moms in touch with God, with one another, with our children and the school through prayer. We knew we could not physically follow our children around at school, even though a lot of moms would love to. But, the one thing we did know was that when we prayed, Jesus would be there. We were experiencing so many answers to prayer that we couldn’t help but tell others. The grassroots movement began. Moms were calling me to come to their house to help form a group for their school. Then churches began inviting me to come share. God opened opportunities to share at retreats. The word about this life-changing ministry was spreading.

Jen: How did your vision become a reality? And, what part did Dr. James Dobson (Focus on the Family) play in helping you achieve your goal?
Fern:
God kept increasing my vision. At first it was prayer for my children and the school they attended. And then the vision increased for all the schools to be covered in my area. Then in 1985 God moved our family with Campus Crusade for Christ from British Columbia, Canada, to Poway near San Diego, California. I knew no one. One simple prayer emerged, “Lord, I need one other mom to pray with me.” By the end of the school year, there were 15 moms coming to my home to pray for the high school. In 1988 we had our first MITI retreat. Thirty-five women were at a retreat center together in a fire-side room thanking God for all the answers to prayer we had seen since praying in a MITI group. The Holy Spirit was moving sweetly among us. A prayer emerged, “Lord, we have been changed, our children and the school have been changed, and we now ask that all the schools in the San Diego area be covered in prayer.” The prayer grew even bigger. We then prayed for all of California schools to have a MITI group. Then our faith grew to ask for the whole Northwest. The Holy Spirit moved our prayers across the United States and then around the world. There was silence. Then one mom prayed, “Lord, who can tell the women of the world about Moms in Touch?” There was a pause. “Dobson, that’s who.” “Lord, we ask to be on his program.” I think we were all stunned at first by the request and then there was a joyous agreement.

Three months later, without anyone contacting FOF, LuAnne Crane from FOF called me, asking about MITI. She caught the vision, and said there were a lot of requests that crossed Dr. Dobson’s desk so she couldn’t promise anything.

Did we ever pray! We were so bold that not only did we ask to be on the program, but that God would give us two days, just in case a mom didn’t hear the first day. God answered above and beyond our request. He gave us three days. Twelve other moms joined Dr. Dobson and me in the studio. God knew this message of hope needed to be heard by moms. The result of the program was over 24,000 responses. Needless to say, the ministry has never been the same since that day. We are Moms In Touch International, and we are now in over 130 countries.

Jen: And initially, what affect did it have on your family? Did your children feel any pressure growing up having to live up to other’s high expectations in terms of their behavior? Their mother was (and still is!) a devoted Christian. We all know…kids will be kids no matter who their parents are.
Fern:
My family really didn’t know exactly all what was happening. By God’s grace, I was able to change hats from ministry to home easily. When my children were home I was able to have my focus on them and was involved in all their activities. I remember one time I took a red-eye flight to speak at a MITI retreat so that I wouldn’t miss my son’s football game. They realized the scope of the ministry for the first time when they attended the MITI 10th Anniversary Retreat. There were 750 women who came from many different states. My family was amazed and said, “Mom, I knew you prayed for us, but we didn’t realize what you were doing.” It was a real eye-opener, even for my husband.


Jen: With the creation of this powerful group came your writing of several books. Your latest release, WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER, is a heart-warming collection of stories that would inspire even the non-believer to have faith. Describe for us its metamorphosis.
Fern:
I never set out to be a writer. In fact, I remember in my English class in high school that I had a lot of red marks on my papers. But again, God in His Sovereign plan for my life had an agent from Zondervan contact me to encourage me to tell my story. If it weren’t for Janet Kobobel Grant capturing my “voice” in the book Every Child Needs a Praying Mom, it would not have received the silver medallion award. She was a key piece in writing that book. Connie Kennemer was my co-writer for the gift book Prayers From a Mom’s Heart.

The new book WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER was birthed because of my deep desire to glorify God for His faithfulness to MITI for 25 years. As our 25th anniversary was approaching, I wanted to display His glory through sharing answers to moms’ prayers. I was encouraged by Cheri Fuller to call Larry Weeden and share my vision for the book with him: 25 stories representing answers to prayer over 25 years. I wanted it to be a legacy book that I could give to my grandchildren one day and say, “Honey, the God who answered these prayers is the same God who will answer your prayers today.” This is not a “coffee table” book to just sit on the shelf. I wanted this book to strengthen the faith and prayer life of women all over the world. Larry caught the vision and the project began. Once again I needed the “body” to make this book have the impact that I wanted it to have. Thankfully, when I asked three women to come alongside me and edit the stories, they each said, “Yes.” They are Cyndie de Neve, Mary Jenson and Cheri Fuller.

When a mom wrote me after reading the book, I was so pleased. She said, “This book is all about God and His glory. It doesn’t glorify MITI at all, and yet the heart of MITI shines through, offering hope to desperate mothers who need to know that God cares, is powerful, and offers compassionate support for moms, through women who will pray without judging.” What a great joy to see that the vision was truly fulfilled.

Jen: In terms of the nuts and bolts, how were you able to collect these inspirational stories to share with your readers? And, did you make an outline of certain topics that you wanted to explore, or was it simply just finding a unique voice within each one that needed to be heard?
Fern:
We put the word out to our MITI leadership about the project and asked them to share with us a powerful answer to prayer. We gave them guidelines and suggestions of topics that we were interested in. The stories started coming in. Through prayer, my team and I came to consensus and identified the compelling stories that we felt were not uncommon and that mothers would readily identify with. Each story displays God’s glory even though some of the prayers did not turn out as expected.

Jen: The inspirational quotes and prayers peppered throughout the book are truly beautiful. Can you lend some suggestions as to how the reader may go about incorporating them into his or her spiritual journey?
Fern:
There is something about hearing truth from the heart of another saint. I chose quotes that had meant a lot to me over the years. Quotes that encouraged me, made me ponder and sometimes led me to prayer that God would strengthen me with this truth and that He would help me live it. I wanted the reader to have the opportunity to be blessed as I was and still am. I also chose Scriptures that are especially meaningful to me. I wanted a lot of Scripture in the book. There are no greater words than God’s words. It is His “now” speaking voice that pierces the soul, draws it to a greater intimacy with Him. I would suggest memorizing one quote or Scripture a week! When we hide God’s word in our hearts, at the appropriate time in whatever circumstance we may be going through, God will bring these Scriptures and quotations to mind to give us courage.

Jen: I have to admit, each story is utterly amazing in the sense that as a mom, I could totally relate no matter what the circumstances were. The one that left a lasting impression on me was chapter 13 Unlocked: Hope for Moms with Disabled Children by Thalia Henning of California. In what ways did you personally reach out to the contributors?
Fern:
Each story touched my heart. Each one drew me into the hurt and pain of her situation, and her desperateness to believe and her courage to join with others and not give up praying. I was so blessed that each story revealed a faithful, caring God who manifested Himself in precious ways. If the story needed clarification or if emotions needed to be described more clearly, the editors would get back with the story writers and ask appropriate questions to bring about a clearer, more compelling understanding. They were all wonderful to work with, even though at times it was hard for some of them to go back to a dark emotional place, but they did, for the sake of the reader.

Jen: If you had to choose, which story impacted you the most and why?
Fern:
The chapter that filled my eyes with tears each time I read it is was Connie’s Kennemer’s story, chapter 15. Connie and I go way back to 1985. She came to my home to see how a MITI group could pray a whole hour. As a result, God prompted her to start the first elementary MITI in the Poway area. She was a worship leader also and came to lead the worship at our MITI retreats. We traveled together, prayed together, laughed together, cried together, and talked about the MITI vision together. Her story did not turn out all neat and tidy. And yet, by what God taught her about who He is through MITI -- she still sings. She is an inspiration to me.

Jen: How did you personally grow as a mom after the completion of this project?
Fern:
Once again the great realization that God’s plans and purposes will not be thwarted, and the wonderful mystery, the marvel that Almighty God in His Sovereignty has chosen His bride to partner with Him in prayer to accomplish His will on earth. So, now as a grandmother, crying out with other grandmothers for the next generation, I know that my God is an unchanging faithful God. He will save, deliver and lead my grandchildren on paths of righteousness because I have seen the power of God revealed manifested by the prayer of many.

Jen: And, what was the most valuable lesson learned from this experience?
Fern:
That moms are not alone. Our hearts beat the same for our children and grandchildren all over the world. Also, that God did not intend for us to carry our burdens by ourselves. We truly do need each other. There is no better place to be than in the community of praying moms. This book is proof of that.

Jen: How would my readers go about joining (or even starting) a Moms In Touch group?
Fern:
To start or find a local Moms In Touch group to pray for your children and schools, and for resources and information, we have an excellent, user-friendly website: http://www.momsintouch.org./ We also have a number they can call: 1-800-949-MOMS. As our vision is that every school be covered in prayer we are excited to think that after moms/grandmothers read this book they will not wait, but start today. Truly, the time is urgent. As Lamentations 2:19 says, Arise cry out in the night, as the watches of the night being. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord, lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street. Our children need Jesus NOW! We MUST pray.

Jen: Now that this project is completed, what is the next step in your journey?
Fern:
To keep on keeping on. We will not rest until the vision is realized. We will continue to sound the clarion call to “Arise! Cry Out!” through whatever means available as we seek the Lord for His continued direction, wisdom and guidance. We are being very intentional in our strategies to reach out to the moms with young children. She is the next generation of moms that we will hand the baton of this prayer movement to. May the LORD find us in prayer until the day He returns.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. Your book is the perfect gift for any mom this holiday season. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom with my readers. God Bless.
Fern:
What a great joy that I can share through this book the goodness of the Lord through the power of praying with others. And that you have given me this opportunity. Thank you so much. May the Lord receive all the glory.


I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Fern Nichols. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite bookstore today and pick up a copy of WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER: True Stories of God’s Power to Transform Your Child. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question. Good luck! (If you would like the Charleston County Public Library to add this title to its collection, call your local branch today and make a Suggestion for Purchase!)

What is the name of the organization Fern started for praying moms?

On November 10th, I will be bringing to you my interview with an extraordinary young autobiographer, Kevin Michael Connolly. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…

Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Cathy Marie Buchanan

Photo by Nigel Dickson

Jen’s Jewels
September 15, 2009

Cathy Marie Buchanan

If you’ve never taken the family on a trip to Niagara Falls, you’re really missing out. The sights and sounds of the roaring water majestically flowing over the falls are like none other. Not to mention, crossing over the Canadian Border is an adventure all in itself. We tend to forget about this natural wonder which lies well within our reach.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Cathy Marie Buchanan takes us back to 1915 in her beautifully written debut novel THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL. With the Niagara Falls as her backdrop, she creates the perfect love story filled with tragedy, redemption, and pure delight.

As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question after the interview. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As a Canadian, your life experiences attribute greatly to the unique voice in your writing. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.
Cathy: I spent my teenage years disgracing myself in English, often getting upwards of 20 percent deducted for spelling mistakes on high school English exams. When it came time to head off to university, I picked my courses using the criteria that I wouldn’t have to write−that is spell−a single thing. I ended up at University of Western Ontario and graduated with a BSC in biochemistry and then an MBA. I spent the bulk of my non-writing work life at IBM at first in finance and then in sales, selling to the banks. By then spell-check had been invented, and I started noticing that I could write pretty well. On a whim, really, I took a night school creative writing course at Ryerson University, and I was hooked.

Jen: Describe for us the defining moment when you finally decided to take a leap of faith and follow your dream of becoming a writer.
Cathy: With my husband, Larry, and me both from families of seven, the original plan was to have a brood of five. By the time we got around to talking about a fourth child, I’d kept up the regime of demanding full time work by day and a bit of crammed in writing in the evenings for four years. And I was still astonished on a daily basis by the wildness, loudness, and messiness of the three boys we already had. That conversation went something like this:
Me: “I’ll go insane.”
Larry: “Quit your job. Slow down. Write.”
Me: “Really.”
Larry: “Yes.”
I quit my job, and I’ve have been writing five days a week when my boys are at school ever since.

Jen: In your debut novel entitled THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL, you chose to base your fictional story on a true historical event. How did you arrive at the premise?
Cathy: When I set out to write my first novel, setting is where I started. Not character. Not plot. I do think starting with setting was the result of me being born and bred in Niagara Falls with its staggering beauty and storied past. To begin, I turned to books surveying Niagara’s history. What I was seeking, as I read, was the time period and narrative that best showcased Niagara’s wondrous and quirky history. The story of William “Red” Hill, Niagara’s most famous riverman, came up time and again. I’d grown up seeing the rusted-out hull of the old barge that’s still lodged in the rapids a short ways back from the falls and knew he rescued the men marooned there in 1918. I’d been told stories about the ice bridge tragedy that took place in the winter of 1912 when people were crossing the river and the ice suddenly gave away, and I knew Red Hill saved a teenage boy that day. As I read, those bits of lore ignited, and I became more and more certain my main male character would be loosely based on Red Hill. He lived at a time when massive amounts of water were first being diverted away from Niagara Falls to fuel the powerhouses generating hydroelectricity on the river. I could see the potential for conflict between a riverman, deeply reverent of the river, and the power companies harnessing the river’s power.

Jen: In terms of historical information, approximately how much research was needed in order to create an accurate backdrop for your novel? And, what was the most fascinating tidbit you learned along the way?
Cathy: Before I put pen to paper, I spent four months researching The Day the Falls Stood Still, a wonderful experience for me, and then throughout the writing and the rewriting, I was continually turning back to the history books. I was fascinated, daily, but doubly so by the story of Charles Stephens, who went over the falls in a barrel with an anvil as ballast in 1920. To minimize the thrashing he would surely take inside the barrel, he tied his feet to the anvil and strapped his arms to the sides of the barrel. After his disastrous plunge, only his severed arm was recovered, tattooed with the words “Forget me not, Annie.” I couldn’t resist including this bit of lore in The Day the Falls Stood Still.

Jen: I was truly fascinated by the original photos used throughout the novel. Why did you choose to incorporate them into the book? And, which one is your favorite and why?
Cathy: While I was researching, I kept coming across extraordinary pictures. I sent a handful to my agent, thinking she would get a kick out of them. When she sent the manuscript out, looking for a publisher, she had the foresight to include the pictures. It was a great pleasure for me to learn that the publishers, who bought the manuscript, wanted to include the pictures in the book.

Jen: The main character in the novel is Bess Heath, a student at the Loretto Academy for girls. What can you tell us about this school? Is it still in existence today?
Cathy: Archbishop John Lynch deeded the Loretto Sisters six acres of land overlooking Niagara Falls for a new convent and school. As a boy, he had seen a picture of the falls and thought it would make an idyllic place to adore the Creator of heaven and earth. His notion of the mist rising above the plunge pool shepherding prayers along resulted in the traditional perpetual adoration. Always, a sister or one of the girls was in the academy chapel, folded hands tucked beneath her chin, offering up a continual stream of prayer. The north wing was built in 1870, with additions made in 1890, 1925, and 1926. In 1938, a fire destroyed the cupola and fourth floor. The academy flourished for over a century with students coming from all over the world. In 1969 the boarding school closed but the day school continued, becoming a coed school in 1975 and most recently, a retreat centre for youths and adults. In 2006 it was sold to a Niagara hotelier. In 2009, the Niagara Falls City Council voted in favour of an amendment to the city’s official plan, a first step in permitting the construction of three high-rises flanking the academy.


Jen: Let’s talk about Bess. From the get-go, the reader quickly learns that she is a strong young woman overshadowed by her beautiful, older sister Isabel. How does their relationship affect Bess’s view of her own self-esteem?
Cathy: At one point in the story, we hear from Bess, who has just watched Isabel brazenly flirt with a boy.

“I envy Isabel. I envy her nerve, her get-up-and-go, her readiness to shape her world.
I only watch for Tom. For over a week. From the veranda, from the yard, from the window of the sewing room.”

Bess longs to be more like Isabel and is critical of her own lack of pluck. Later in the story, Bess’s best friend tells her she is getting more and more like Isabel and it’s true. Bess does develop a resolve in keeping with Isabel’s.

Jen: On her way home from school, Bess meets Tom Cole, a simple river man as well as her future love interest. Despite being from different social classes, Bess senses a strong, physical connection with this young man. In what way is Bess’s choice to openly defy her parents by pursuing a relationship with him a cry for independence? In what way is she is striking back at her sister as well?
Cathy: Until the summer of 1915, Bess had lived a sheltered life, mostly between the walls of a prestigious convent school. That summer, her world turned on its ear, she grows up more quickly than she would like. I see the independence that gave her the courage to defy her parents as being born of necessity rather than rebellion. In a way that she had never before experienced, she was suddenly making all sorts of decisions for herself. Was she striking back at her sister? I don’t think so. By the time Bess turns to Tom, she has seen her sister’s good match fail and knew all too well the wreck her life had become. I do think those experiences would have added to the courage that choosing Tom demanded of Bess.

Jen: In order to make ends meet, Bess’s mother becomes a seamstress and shortly after, so does Bess. How does their sewing business become a source of comfort for these two women in times of trouble?
Cathy: On the surface, the sewing business allows Bess and her mother to make money and keep their families afloat, which would surely be comforting. I think the sewing would have brought them serenity in their newly out-of-kilter world on another level, too. Contributing to the putting right of a situation, even in some small way, can brings us a measure of comfort, particularly in situations we have little power over. I think it’s partly why we recycle and bring meals to friends who are suffering.

Jen: One could say that the river (or falls) is truly the main character in this book. Tom Cole has lived his life as one with nature. In what ways does the water’s ebb and flow accurately portray the misfortunes in his life as well as the tranquility in his relationship with Bess?
Cathy: The river is turbulent and unpredictable, and I suppose the same could be said of the misfortunes in Tom’s life. At one point in the book, he describes the river as “something that would cause a man walking by to stop, and maybe fill with wonder for a bit and be lifted up from the drudgery of his day.” The river and his reverence for it are the constants in his life. The ease and comfort he experiences on the river does mirror his relationship with Bess.

Jen: Politics play a huge role in the future of the falls as Tom and Bess quickly come to learn. How does Bess’s decision not to tell Tom her involvement in the process test the strength of their marriage? At what point does she realize that her husband’s happiness is worth more than his monetary gains?
Cathy: Tom could have interpreted Bess going behind his back as a betrayal, but, because of the trust in the marriage, he is able to accept her actions as a heartfelt effort to put his life back in order. A few days before Bess goes public with the information about the havoc the power companies are wreaking on the river, Bess’s best friend confirms that the power company had been concerned with Tom keeping his mouth shut about their negligence in the scow becoming marooned. Bess chides herself for not piecing together the facts about the severity of Isabel’s situation and intervening. She draws a parallel between her culpability in that situation and the one at hand, and resolves to take action.

Jen: There is so much we can’t talk about without giving the plot away, but I do have to briefly touch upon the ending. It’s not what I expected. (Bravo!) Was the ending firmly planted in your mind from the novel’s conception or did it slowly evolve along the way?
Cathy: The ending evolved as I wrote. Initially I thought the story would more closely parallel that of Red Hill and his family. In additional being a hero, Red Hill was a daredevil, a trait handed down to his sons. He shot the Whirlpool Rapids in a barrel as did two of his sons, Red Junior and Major. Both attempted “the big drop” as well. Major’s trip was cut short when his barrel was tossed ashore in the rapids above the falls. Red Junior was not so lucky. In 1951 he plunged to his death in a barrel constructed of inflated rubber tubes, canvas and fish nets. Corky, another of the Hill brothers, died in an accident while working in a hydro-electric diversion tunnel. Once I made the decision not to incorporate the daredevil side of Red Hill into Tom Cole, the story I was telling changed dramatically.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plans. Do you have a website? E-mail notification of upcoming appearances? Will a reading group guide be available for book clubs? Will you be participating in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Cathy: My website is http://cathymariebuchanan.com. It’s a robust website with lots of features that will give readers insight into The Day the Falls Stood Still. For instance there is an interactive map with landmarks from the book that users can click on to read a relevant excerpt or history or see historical pictures. Upcoming events are listed through fall 2009. As for a reading group guide, a Q&A with me appears and a list of discussion questions. I am also offering author phone chats for book clubs and can be contacted on Facebook and twitter http://twitter.com/CathyMBuchanan.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Cathy: I am working on another historical fiction novel. This time it is set in and around the Paris Opera in 1880.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. Your debut novel is like a breath of fresh air. Not only is it a good old-fashioned love story, but also it takes the reader back in time to an era filled with hope and love. I wish you only the best!
Cathy: My pleasure, Jen. And thank you to all Jen’s Jewels readers for their interest.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Cathy. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite book store and pick up a copy today! Better yet, how would you like to win one? Just be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and you‘ll win! Good luck!

What is the name of the lead character in THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL?

In October, I will be bringing to you my interview with Julie Buxbaum, the author of the sensational story AFTER YOU. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.