CAN Scavenger Hunt STOP #25

Dear Readers~

Today Everything Writerly is participating in the CAN authors’ Scavenger Hunt. What fun! 

If you haven't yet begun the hunt, CLICK HERE to start.

Welcome to STOP #25 where I'm hosting author Linda Rondeau …

High School Gym Class with Richard Gere? No pressure, right...WHAT?

Linda: I spent most of my life in central and Northern New York. Born in Syracuse and

graduating from North Syracuse High School, and yes…the alma mater of movie star Richard Gere. Sadly, I was a senior when he was a sophomore so I think the only class we shared was gymnastics. He specialized in the rings and I was on the balance beam. Oh, then there was music. Only he was in Marching Band and I was in Select Choir. I did win the Hootenanny Contest that year so maybe he did know who I was. Guess I’ll never know.

A New York State of Mind.

Author Linda Rondeau

In later years, I lived in Northern New York, the setting for most of my novels. Five years ago I ventured to Jacksonville, Florida because I could golf all year around and I preferred sun rather than six months of winter.

Writing and Publishing Q & A

Andrea: In which genre do you usually write

Linda: I write mostly contemporary fiction, although on occasion I write non-fiction. My contemporary novels contain a mixture of humor, history, intrigue, and romance…some more of these elements than others. I write to show that our worst past, once we surrender to God’s love, can become our best future. He is sovereign of our yesterdays as well as our todays and tomorrows.

Andrea: What do you do when you’re not writing?

Linda: We are still exploring Florida and our new city of Jacksonville. Besides golfing, we enjoy going for hikes at the National Arboretum and the various nearby parks. One of our favorite places is along the St. John’s River. 

Also, I have recently taken on teaching a class of senior women. They challenge me to “study and show myself approved.” 

We also participate in the church choir which is a challenge, to be sure. In NNY the largest church we attended was smaller than our choir. The music is contemporary and memorization is required. Whew!

Andrea: What’s one of the things you like best about being a writer?

Linda: I worship while I write. I find myself in prayerful moods as I think about the words I convey to the page. In addition, I love the research. I’ve learned so much about life and the world as I look into facts and information.

Andrea: What are some of your recent book releases?

Linda: My most recent release is Fiddler’s Fling, a contemporary set in the Adirondack Mountains. My heroine is a country girl who spurns her roots when she becomes engaged to an up and coming political star. In so doing, she put aside her greatest talent, her fiddle. 

When she receives a call from her high school sweetheart informing her that her estranged father is dying, Jolene decides to return home. 

The endeavor pits her against her fiancé, who disapproves of her former lifestyle and has tried to remake her in the image his mother has determined suits the spouse of a state senator. 

The biggest conflict arises when Jolene agrees to enter the county’s most prestigious fiddlers contest, a last chance to play a duet with her father. As she engages in past pursuits, her feelings reignite for her old sweetheart, now her father’s business partner. Yet, the secret she has kept from him must never be shared. Jolene struggles to find meaning for a future she resists while reconciling a past she wants to forget.  

Andrea: A large number of authors are venturing into self-publishing these days. Is this the case with you, or are you strictly published through a large traditional publisher?

Linda: So far, my novels are all traditionally published. However, I am considering self publishing a few of my works.

Andrea: Thank you so much for being a guest today, Linda. 

Find out more about Linda Rondeau at her website: httop://www.lindarondeau.com

Or her blog: Snark and Sensibility found on her website http://lindarondeau.com/snarksensibility

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lwrondeau/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwrondeau

Official Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/lindawoodrondeau/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5352394.Linda_Wood_Rondeau

Other blogs where she’s a regular contributor: http://puttingonthenew.com/

Note to Readers...

The phrase for this stop in the Scavenger Hunt is CAN authors’. Linda, will be giving away a copy of Fiddler’s Fling as one of the many books in this year's grand prize. Don't miss out!!

Now, proceed to scavenger hunt STOP #26, 
Linda Rondeau’s blog site! 

Click here: STOP #26

Linore Rose Burkard's Impossible Dream

Back around 2005 I had completed my first book, but was struggling with how I wanted to try and get it in the hands of readers. As an outsider to the world of publishing, I sent it to only two publishers. ( I got one "no" and one "maybe" which turned into a no.)

At the same time, I came across information about a POD printer which appealed to me. I still  dragged my feet although I felt the book was ready, but the Lord gently prodded me into action. The amusing thing is the way He did it. With a background in English Literature, I'd done my fair share of studying Shakespeare, but I was nevertheless startled to hear the Lord reminding me to return to "thine almost blunted purpose." Goodness! I wasn't seeking to avenge anyone's death, but apparently I bore a resemblance to Hamlet. And I know what it was, too: we were both procrastinators!

With a couple of gentle Shakespearean reminders behind me, I got things moving and published my first book, a pioneering work at that time, since it was a Christian regency romance, and there were none on the market. (That was, in fact, the impetus for my writing to begin with. I longed to see a Jane-Austenesque 

 romance with a Christian emphasis.)

Since that time, Harvest House Publishers picked up that book (Before the Season Ends) and gave me contracts for two others, which make up my regency series. I'm so grateful that God didn't let me miss the boat, so to speak. He got me back to my purpose, which was, and is, still, writing. As a homeschooling mother of five, it's certainly not 

 my only purpose, but one He considered important enough to warrant a few dramatic reminders that I thoroughly understood!

For more about Linore, see her website:
http://www.linoreburkard.com/

Meet My Friend Becky Melby!

Becky Melby and I have known each other for many years. She's another Wisconsin author. We both began our careers writing stories for Heartsong Presents (Barbour). I will always be grateful to that publishing company for giving me my start and Becky is still writing for Barbour's trade line. 

For those unfamiliar with Becky's work, here's her bio:

Becky Melby has been married to Bill, her high school sweetheart, for forty years. They have four married sons and twelve grandchildren. Becky has co-authored nine books and Heartsong Presents and has had stories in two novella collections. Her Lost Sanctuary Series—three contemporary stories each with a historical thread—releases in 2012, as well as Contest of Wills, a novella in Cedar Creek Seasons. Becky’s favorite pastimes are spoiling grandkids and taking trips with Bill in their RV or on their Honda Gold Wing. To find out more about Becky visit http://www.melby-wienke.com/.

Here's the blurb of Becky's latest book.

Emily’s fractures have mended and her scars have faded, but she can’t forgive herself for the accident that stole a young girl’s dreams. Before she can allow herself to live again, she needs to make restitution. The first step toward her goal is flipping a house built in 1847, but Jake Braden, her contractor, doesn’t share her vision. Jake has bigger battles to fight as he tries to gain guardianship of his late sister’s twins. When they discover the house was part of the historic Underground Railroad, they uncover clues about an old love story...and God’s plan for their future.

Note: Becky will be giving away a copy of her book, so at the end of her interview be sure to leave a comment. You'll be entered into the drawing which will be held on Thursday!

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And now my interview with Becky!

1.What genre do you write in? (Historical, contemporary, romance, etc.)

            Contemporary Romance

2. What motivates you?

I’m passionate about what I like to call spiritual Cinderella stories. I love to hear and tell accounts of how God intervenes in the lives of ordinary people. These are the kinds of stories I want to write to show people that a relationship with Jesus Christ is a wondrous adventure. Even though we all face trials and shattered dreams, and life rarely ever plays out the way we plan, God uses all of the things he allows us and empowers us to endure for His Greater Good.

3. How does your faith affect your daily life?

I genuinely can’t imagine going through each day without Someone to lean on and talk to about everything. I love to start my day with alone time with God—reading, praying, praising (out loud if I’m alone in the house!) and I try to continue that interaction throughout the day. I will admit that sitting still and listening is hard for me, and of course I have days when I allow my to-do list to take priority over that precious time. At the end of those days I generally reflect on the lack of direction I felt all day. I make enough blunders as it is, I can’t imagine trying to run my life without God’s guidance. And it saddens me to see the purposelessness in the lives of those who haven’t yet experienced this incredible relationship.

4. What message do you hope to convey to readers, either in this latest book or in all your books?

            That God is the author of second chances. He takes our tarnished dreams and refinishes them—repurposing our desires to fit His.

5. Do you believe there is evil in the world and, if you do, how do you portray it in your novels (or do you portray evil in your novels?

            I do believe there is evil in the world. Most of my books have an antagonist who is out to thwart my hero and heroine. I try to give a glimpse into the reason this person was susceptible to evil acts. It’s a sad fact that hurting people hurt people and we are called to pray for those who lash out. They are desperately in need of the grace and mercy of God.

6. How do you deal with rejection letters or an irate reader?

            I consider it grace practice! Thankfully, I’ve never received a letter I’d label “irate,” but I recently received an email from a reader who was offended by the negative way I portrayed my antagonist in Tomorrow’s Sun. This character is seen through the eyes of the twelve-year-old step children he is mentally and physically abusing, and they use some very derogative names for him. This reader felt I was being disrespectful to all people who share one of this man’s physical traits. That couldn’t be further from my intentions, and at first I was shocked and a bit defensive, but after praying, giving it some time, and trying to see the issue through the reader’s eyes, I was able to sincerely thank this person for taking the time to share those concerns and promise I will keep that in mind in future stories—and I will.

7. What’s next for you as an author? Any books in the hopper?

            I recently sent my agent two proposals. One is for a contemporary series with historical parallel stories going back to the nineteen-forties, -fifties, and -sixties. This one may require a trip that traces the original Route 66 and will stretch me by forcing me to crawl into the mind of a footloose hippy on fire for the Lord, an actress who chooses her career over the love of a soldier, and a small-town Midwest nurse driving to Hollywood in a 1949 Chevy. I already feel like I know these characters and can’t wait to write their adventures.

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Thank you so much, Becky, for making an appearance on Everything Writerly! 


To my readers, please be sure to leave a comment so you're name is entered into the drawing for Becky's latest novel, Tomorrow's Sun!