Stephanie Guerero and Shades of the Orient

Stephanie, welcome to Romantic Reflections. Please, tell us about your book.

An action-packed suspense in the exotic Orient.

No one is who they seem…

A classic tale of good versus evil: spies, smugglers and betrayal

The Smuggler

Black Jade is many things… Hiding behind a prominent name by day and a Chinese mask by night, he can be anyone, just not the man he wants to be. Trapped in an ever tightening web of deceit, and pursued relentlessly by the White Dragon (Major Montero) he must choose which man he wants to be. When a way out is offered from a surprising source, will he choose power or let it go?

The Spy

A Spanish officer, a black market dealer, a shipping executive…

Intelligence officer Philip Montero is skilled at wearing masks to defeat the enemy, but this time he must face the enemy within. When his body betrays him with night terrors, he must unlock the past in order to survive, but time is running out and Black Jade has targeted the woman of his heart.

Betrayed by his family, his fiancé, and his fears, WHO can teach him how to trust again?

The Senorita

Shipping heiress turned missionary nurse, Francesca McRae is a target everywhere she turns. Desired as an heiress by power-hungry men and hated by the Chinese Boxers for her interference in the culture… she is surrounded by betrayal and hatred. None of her suitors are who they seem, yet one has stolen her heart. When loving others becomes more than she can handle, WHO can she trust?

Where do you turn when life is too much to handle?

There is a God… Who is waiting to be your answer…

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

Computer hard drive crashes. The first time I lost 2/3 of my book and had only a paper copy that had to be typed back in. The next time it happened I had backups, but it can make you want to quit. Never give up!  Breaking into the market has been a challenge too.  I finally went through the self-publishing arm of Thomas Nelson (Westbow Press) I have been very happy about it. Again.  Never give up!

What was your inspiration behind “Shades of the Orient”?

Long story short… I found a really amazing quote among some correspondence between American officers involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. The quote stated that if any tale had all the elements of a good story filled with betrayal, power, greed, etc it would be the tale of the Boxer Rebellion. I took the bait, did the research, and the rest is history.

I will add this note however… The entire tale of the Boxer Rebellion is tragic and horrific. Somewhere between 10,000-11,000 Chinese Christians were violently murdered just because they followed the “foreigner’s God”. Many other foreigners were killed just for being foreign. I chose to use the two years leading up to and during the Rebellion as a backdrop to a tale of smuggling, betrayal and romance. I did not want to take away from the tragedy of the real people who suffered and died.

 What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

I love to write about going beyond forgiveness to actively love those who hurt or betray us or those we love.  What a challenge the Father has given us… one we can only do in His strength, but oh the grace received when we do. James 2:13

What was your favorite part to write?

There are a couple of surprise twists in the story that were a lot of fun to write. Since the story is an espionage there are quite a few “masks” that need to be pulled back. I had the most fun deciding how to “unmask” certain people.

My heart is also in the “romance” of the book. It was important to me to portray the fun and beauty of doing things God’s way contrasted with the devastation of following our own way.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

One of the many names of God is El-Rohe “God sees”.  I want my readers to know that no matter where you are or what has happened to you… God sees you…really sees you. He knows your hurts and pain, and He will wrap you in His arms and help you turn and show that same love to others. When you get tired of doing right… don’t give up. When you are betrayed and hurt, RUN TO HIS ARMS… NOT AWAY.

Why did you choose to use WestBow Press? Are there any advantages or disadvantages you’ve encountered with self-publishing so far?

I never thought I would consider self-publishing until I discovered Westbow Press. Westbow is a division of Thomas Nelson Bible Publishers, one of the major Christian publishing houses. Thomas Nelson was receiving so many good manuscripts from new authors that they were unable to publish them all. They decided to bring Westbow as an arm in order to give these authors a shot while still monitoring the integrity and tracking the numbers. If a Westbow author is extremely successful, there is the possibility that Thomas Nelson will bring that author under its wing.

There are many advantages, these are just a few:
1.The books are printed on demand, so it makes self-publishing much more affordable.
2. I am now a professional, published author and that opens doors.
3. I owe all the rights to my own book. (Not so with a publishing house)
4. I had a wonderful creative team working with me.
5. I got to price the ebook (Right now it’s just $.99)

There are a few drawbacks:
1. There is no editor provided.
(I had two hard drives crash and there are newly typed pieces that did not get as much editing as I would have liked)
2. All promotion falls to the author, though advice is given.
3. I did not get to price the hard and soft covers. Books on demand are generally a little higher.

Where is Shades of the Orient available?

Shades of the Orient is available at www.Westbow Press.com, www.Amazon.com,  and www.BarnesandNoble.com

The ebook is just $.99 right now!

What is your favorite color?

Absolutely purple!!! Rich royal purple would be my favorite, but even lavender or periwinkle will do. Red is a close second. I really just love color in general. (The walls of my home are rarely white!)

What do you like to do besides write?

I love to be outside and hike, garden or rock climb. Cooking is also a fun thing for me!

What is your favorite type of cookie?

Cookies in general are my favorite weakness! My newest favorite is peanut butter chocolate chip. Check out this recipe: WOW!

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
(chocolate chips if desired)
Mix, drop onto cookie sheet, and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.

What project are you currently working on?

I currently just finished Shades of the Orient, a historical romantic suspense, and now I am starting the sequel. It’s coming together in my head, and I can’t wait to get it on paper!

Thank you, Stephanie, for visiting today.

Mildred Colvin

We Have Snow!

Here's a photo of the snow that fell overnight across Missouri and Kansas. I'm sure it covered more areas as the storm was widespread reaching into other states, as well. This is our first real snowfall of the season---late and short-lived. It's already melting at 32 degrees, and rain is expected in a couple of days with temps. in the 40s. While I love snow, I'm glad the roads are passable. No hummingbirds are here to visit the feeder.

Mildred Colvin

Sherri Wilson Johnson Shares Her Story!

I'd like to introduce Sherri Wilson Johnson. She started the journey to publication several years ago, and in God's time, is now realizing her dream come true. 

SHERRI has enjoyed creative writing since she was a young girl and has always loved spending summer vacations at the beach. To Dance Once More is a culmination of those two loves. A special project originating from Sherri’s love of pure romance, and inspired by the love stories of her ancestors, To Dance Once More sets out hoping to prove that true love still exists. Sherri candidly speaks of the purity of not only the heroine, but also the hero, and wholeheartedly desires to point others to Jesus through her words.

Sherri has been married since 1988 and has homeschooled her children since 1997. She lives in Georgia with her family and pets. She is a graduate of the Christian Writers Guild writing course and has been published in Creation Illustrated magazine, The Link Homeschool newspaper, Homeschooling Today’s Homeschooling Helper, and The Writing Academy’s Daily Devotions for Writers. Sherri has written two Inspirational Romances in addition to To Dance Once More, two self-published Bible study guides, and various other resources for homeschoolers and churches.

Sherri, please tell us a little about yourself and your book.

I am Sherri Wilson Johnson. I live in Georgia with my husband, children and dogs. I love to make people laugh and I talk a LOT. Writing is my favorite pastime and, fortunately, I have been able to see my dream of publication come true. I write non-fiction and homeschool resources also, but fiction is my true love.

To Dance Once More is a special project originating from my love of pure romance, and inspired by the love stories of my ancestors. It sets out hoping to prove that true love still exists. I candidly speak of the purity of not only the heroine, but also the hero, and wholeheartedly desire to point others to Jesus through my words. It is set in Victorian Florida, which is a combination of two of my favorite things—the beach and Victorian times. Of course, there has to be more to a novel than just the romance and so there is betrayal, sacrifice and a bitter enemy that Lydia must overcome. 

 Here's a short excerpt from To Dance Once More: “Tell her what you do in the city, Father,” Eliza suggested.

“I fear my daughters romanticize my work a bit too much, Kathryn. I run a
modest lumber and turpentine business. I am hoping one day Nathan will work
with me, and possibly even a son-in-law or two.” He shrugged his graying
eyebrows at his daughters. All the girls except Lydia giggled.

Lydia noticed how he cheered at the thought of sons-in-law. “That is if I
get married. The only boy I like is Nathan, and he is my brother! I think
marriage is very old-fashioned and limits what women can do with their
lives,” Lydia explained, glancing towards Kathryn.

No one reacted immediately to her well-known response about boys. Kathryn,
new still to the plantation and not quite accustomed to Lydia’s free spirit,
hid her smile with her napkin.

“Now, Lydia. A girl has to marry eventually. How else would she ever support
herself?” Rosalyn finally asked. She chided Lydia with her eyes, as only a
mother could do.

“Mother, I am very resourceful, you know. I will find a way.”

“That kind of talk can get a girl in trouble. You cannot venture out without
a gentleman by your side. A woman cannot make it in the world alone,”
Archibald interjected. He made it clear by his fierce look toward Lydia that
he was through with this kind of independent thinking.

“What about Miss Kathryn, Father?” Lydia knew severe chastisement would
occur for contradicting her father, but she had to ask. After all, her
parents had insulted Kathryn to her face when they said those things about
women.

“Allow me, please, Mr. Barrington,” Kathryn cut in. “Lydia, I am not on my
own. As you see, your father employs me and provides a place for me to live
while I am in his service. This did not happen by itself. I had to receive
my teaching certificate, after much studying, mind you, and I had to have
references from people who knew me well before I could even imagine having
work like this. Although I am not married, I do not consider myself an
independent woman. I am very dependent upon the good graces of your family.
And I have very little to call my own.”

Lydia blushed at her own naïveté. “I never really thought of it like that,
Miss Kathryn. I see your point.” She paused thoughtfully, then added,
“However, I still am not going to marry someone wealthy just so I can travel
the world. I’ll find another way.”

That sounds interesting, Sherri, now tell us three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

1. I am really bad at finishing projects. A long time ago, I gave up on sewing projects, home decorating, and volunteering for long-term projects or projects that required a lot of planning. Writing novels seems to be the only thing I actually stick to long enough to complete. I did, however, homeschool my children all the way through high school.

2. I can write and edit more than one project at a time. I easily switch back and forth from my historical novels to my contemporary novels with no problem.

3. My favorite animal is the Bengal tiger and I would love to hug one someday.

Hugging a tiger? I shudder, but remembering my homeschooling days, maybe you are brave enough. LOL! As a child or teenager, did you ever dream of being an author?

I dreamed of being an author for as long as I can remember. At first, I wanted to be a reporter and then a newscaster because I loved the excitement of digging into the happenings of society. I always dreamed up stories and could never quite exchange them for the real life stories in the news, so I decided to stick with fiction.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I answered this question in another interview and it seemed to strike people as quite funny. So I will tell the story again. I have a twelve year old Labrador who at times loves to bark like crazy. A few years ago I bought a bark collar for her to stop her from barking. It wasn’t working so I decided to see if something was wrong with the collar. I placed the little booger on my own throat and barked. To my horror, the collar worked quite well and shocked me ferociously.

Oh, that is funny is a sort of scary way. I can’t even imagine! How many books do you have published and where can they be found?

My debut novel, To Dance Once More (OakTara), was released in September 2011 and can be found on Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble, and many other websites and in stores upon request. You can find links to these stores at my website, www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com . My second novel, Song of the Meadowlark (OakTara), comes out in May. I am currently writing the sequel to To Dance Once More.

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

I recently wrote a blog about my publication journey. Rather than sharing all of that here, I offer the link to that blog post: http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/2011/09/09/my-road-to-publication/

Sherri, I read your “journey” and it is inspiring. Well worth reading. What inspired you to write this particular book?

This book is about selflessness, surrender, and seeking God’s will for your life. The theme of this and my other novels revolves around the purity of both my heroine and hero. I have worked with teens for years and have witnessed the baggage that they carry with them when they do not remain pure. I long to encourage my readers (both young and old/married or single) to live a life of purity and to feel the hope of forgiveness when they do not.

That is a wonderful and much needed theme in our books and in our lives. How long did you write before you sold your first book?

I started writing To Dance Once More in 1993! It went through many rewrites and critiques and sat on a shelf while I worked on other novels. Finally in 2008, I received a contract.

Where do you get ideas for your books?

My brain is always in motion. I don’t sleep very many hours at night for dreaming up new story ideas. I watch crime shows and also Jane Austen movies and a good mix in between. I guess my ideas come from those places. I also read a lot and that helps to stimulate my creativity.

Isn’t it amazing how many ideas are there if we just look? Are you a plotter, a pantster, or somewhere in between, and can you elaborate on your answer?

I am a plotter initially. I love to draw up an outline and to clip photos from magazines that represent my characters. I look up baby names to find names that relate to the personalities of my characters. But then, once that’s all planned out, I fly by the seat of my pants. I jump around from one chapter to another and then go back and complete sections that just didn’t flow the first time.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write?

I write eighteen hours a day between what I actually put down and what I concoct in my head. Sometimes I am at my desktop in front of the window. Sometimes I am at my laptop on the sofa with my Chihuahua by my side. And sometimes I am in the bed writing into the wee hours of the night with a pen and pad or emailing my main computer from my phone.

That’s a lot of hours. But was another writer, I have no problem believing you. Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?

In 1997, I began homeschooling my children and just finished in 2011. I have also worked several stay-at-home jobs throughout the years (church secretary, bookkeeper, legal transcriptionist) while I homeschooled. Writing often had to take the backseat, but never did I give up.

Does your faith affect your writing? How?

One thing I vowed from the very beginning was that I would never write anything that would shame my dad, who was a preacher, but mainly that would shame my heavenly Father. Because God has been so amazing to me throughout the years and has never left me in the midst of my trials, I can’t help but season my writing with my faith.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Do not give up. Take classes. Keep practicing. Get critiques. Read in your genre. Just do it!

Very good advice. Where can fans find you or your books on the internet?

http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/to-dance-once-more/

http://www.christianbook.com/to-dance-once-more/sherri-johnson/9781602902862/pd/902862?item_code=WW&netp_id=961019&event=ESRCG&view=details

http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Once-Sherri-Wilson-Johnson/dp/1602902860/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317834254&sr=8-1

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Dance-Once-More/Sherri-Wilson-Johnson/9781602902862?id=5209476941309

Sherri, thank you for allowing me to interview you. Please let Sherri know you're been here. I think you'll enjoy her book. Check out the above links to learn more about this book and to obtain your own copy.

Welcome Paula Michelson

Writing What Should Have Been First, Last! By Paula Rose Michelson

Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing

An illegal immigrant

Bound by secrets

Trapped by choices

An arranged marriage

A forbidden love

Will Naomi be able to tell her husband about herself before someone else does?

Many wonder how a first time author could write, “She could still hear herself scream, ‘Abuela Sosa, please do not be dead,’ sobbing while she had tried to shake the old woman awake. The next thing she remembered was that the old woman’s daughter-in-law had packed her meager belongings into her suitcase. Unable to stop herself, she demanded, ‘You have no need of me anymore? I gave you a year of my life! Your esposo—I mean, your husband—promised he would help me enter America and search for my uncle if I took care of his madre!’” This is my story.

Ten years ago, I gifted a friend, who publishes Messianic authors, one of my framed writings. Whenever we met, she asked if I was perusing my craft. Six years later, I heard David Hocking speak about Israel being the land and the people. I wondered about the hidden Jews, asked God to show them to me, and I petitioned him to give me something to do that no one had done. Wishing to do something to advance the gospel, I meet with my publisher friend, and spoke of potential projects. She asked me what I would do if I could write anything. Suddenly David Hocking’s message, my desire to discover the hidden Jews, and share the gospel coalesced. I knew what I was going to write about.

I researched the Appalachian Trail, and wrote character sketches for two of the three women who would meet while hiking. However, I could not write about this Sephardic Jew named Naomi, because her people were an enigma to me. While lunching with friends, I discovered that two of them were Spanish Jews. Another friend had married a Sephardic Jew. Months of research prepared me to begin writing Naomi’s character sketch. Since my publisher friend asked me to send her my dailies, I did. Forty days later she informed me that I was writing a book. She suggested that I go back three days, and read what I had written. When I did, I discovered that she was right. However, I was not writing the book I had intended to write, but the one God wanted me to write!   

As I wrote, the characters told me their stories. Once they stopped speaking, the book was finished. I spoke with some of my writer/author friends, and discovered that hearing the characters was a blessing all writers long for. Therefore, I proudly proclaim that I am a scribe for God!

My husband and I had lunch with my publisher friend and her husband. “What’s the title of your book?” she asked. “Have you tiled the chapters?” A lengthily discussion ensued. Before we parted, the novel had a title, and she had suggested a series. Only when I sought Messiah (Christ) in prayer did I believe that this novel was the first one in a series of books.

When the novel was ready to be published, my publisher friend was unavailable. At first I was miffed. Yet God knew that a rough draft does not a book make. My husbands’ comments fueled my desire to give readers a book they would not put down until they read the last page. I attended critique groups, edited the manuscript, and was blessed to be given an editor at Tate Publishing who loved my project. Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing released on December 20, 2011, and garnered many accolades including those from readers who read the novel in one sitting. You can read them when you visit www.Amazon.com

Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing

Fulfilling the Great Commission through Literature http://CasadeNaomi.blogspot.com

This novel explores the life and practices of a Sephardic Jew. Within its pages one sees the issues that all people face when living without Messiah. The book’s cliffhanger ending ensures that though there is no resolution to their problems in book1, both the reader, Naomi and her husband Chaz meet Messiah in book 2.

View the Casa Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDXgUNpNJuQ

Discover the details of my writers’ journey at http://PaulaWordsmith.blogspot.com

Visit http://www.PaulaWordsmith.com to book a Casa Event, or learn more about me.

The Michelson’s serve the Lord with Chosen People Ministries

Love Returned in Top 100 on Amazon

Today when I checked the sales for my e-books on Amazon.com, I found a nice surprise. Love Returned is now ranked #30 in Amazon's Best Seller's Rank for Religious Fiction Romance. I appreciate all the sales that allowed this to happen, since I'd never dreamed of any of my books even coming close to the top 100.

I love seeing my book in that list, but whether it stays there or not, is not important to me. My goal in writing is to bring clean entertainment to readers. My hope is that my readers can identify with the characters and take a good satisfied feeling away from the story. If I've given you a few hours away from the cares of your life, I've done my job. We all need a break from worry and care. What better way to escape than with a story you can share with anyone from your grandmother to your granddaughter?

Oh, Love Returned is also #1 in the list for stories dealing with adoption.


Happy reading!
Mildred Colvin

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine. It was quite thrilling to have our three children and grandchildren in church with us Sunday morning. We enjoyed a great lunch afterward and opened gifts in the afternoon. Thanks for my new cookware, kids! Now if I can just figure out how to display them. Oh, or am I supposed to start cooking now? LOL! Most important was being together and celebrating the gift of God's Son to each of us. There is no greater gift!

God bless,
Mildred Colvin

I’ve asked Regina Tittel, to tell us about her new series set in southeast Missouri. Each book in this series has an unusual and very worthwhile message while providing an exciting, page-turning romance as well as gentle (or not so gentle) suspense to keep you enthralled. The first book in the series is Abandoned Hearts. Regina, I’ll let you tell us about your next book in this series. I’ve read both books and can highly recommend them.

Unexpected Kiss is the second volume to The Ozark Durham Series. It was written with the intent to connect with readers who grew up without a father and help them understand their heavenly one.

Surveys show that girls who grow up without fathers experience much higher rates of sexual activity, adolescent pregnancies, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, and suffer from health and emotional problems than those with active fathers in their lives.

Unexpected Kiss approaches this common topic with gentleness, yet honest realism. In this novel, Carli is a young woman who fits into the above statistic. Through her growing relationship with the hero and her fatherly landlord, she finally accepts she is forgivable and begins to understand God's unconditional love. Readers will be able to relate with her sinful past and weakened self-esteem whether through personal experience or through someone they know.

Here's a blurb from the back cover:

Breaking her pattern of bad mistakes, Carli's fresh start begins with finding the father she's never met. But will the price of her decision outweigh the risk?

Ethan Durham hadn't planned on losing his heart to the girl in the staged photo, but if he can't convince her of God's unconditional love, she may never accept his. And if he can't put an end to the attempts on her life he may lose far more than his heart.

This character came about easily for me since I have often felt drawn to young women struggling with poor decision making and the consequences thereof. Although I'm not able to save anyone, that job is Jesus Christ's, I can lead them to a better understanding of His will and of His love and that's what I want to accomplish through my writing.

For the character of Carli, I did interview someone to learn more about the thought pattern of a girl like my heroine. This individual knew why she was being questioned and opened her heart to me. That not only made Carli more relatable but it also allowed this friend of mine to take part in helping others. I hope to offer the same opportunity, for those who want to help others struggling through some of the same paths they themselves have trod, through my next romance series; which will concentrate on couples already married.

For those interested in my books, here is a list of what I have published and in the works, and their spiritual messages;

Abandoned Hearts:  abstinence before marriage, supported with the importance of scripture memorization (avail. now)

Unexpected Kiss:  how to understand our Heavenly Father when raised without an earthly example and trusting God as the one in control (avail. now)

Coveted Bride:  building self-confidence through Christ after living under abuse and safe-guarding children in today's world (avail. spring 2012)

Cherished Stranger:  recognizing the need of sponsoring children in third-world countries and the difference between 'milk verses meat' churches (avail. winter 20012)

The fifth book of the series is still in the planning stages.

Thank you for the opportunity to share with everyone. It's been a pleasure and God bless!

Thank you, Regina, for being here with us. Regina’s book can be purchased from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com or from smashwords.com. Simply type Regina Tittel in the search box. They are available in either e-book or paperback.

God bless,

Mildred Colvin