Author Interview with Sharon Rene and Giveaway!

Today we have a special treat! Children's author Sharon Rene is here to share some fun with us today, including a paperback giveaway of her book, A Mixed Bag of God's Grace!

Sharon Rene strives to honor God in all her writings and help people know Him better. Currently she’s working on a Christian Young Adult series.  She’d love for you to connect with her on her website www.sharonreneauthor.com to learn more about her Divine Destiny series.

 

Welcome Sharon! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your book.

A Mixed Bag of God’s Grace is a collection of short stories for elementary and middle-grade children. The stories are biblical, historical and contemporary. A devotion follows each story.

Where did the inspiration for this book come from? 

When writing this book, I thought of a parent who had three or four children. One child liked contemporary stories another preferred historical and the others loved the great stories in the Bible. A mom or dad can please every child in the family with A Mixed Bag of God’s Grace.

Mixing short stories and devotionals is an interesting weave of fiction and spiritual content. Can you tell us more about how you work your faith into your writing?

I’ve taught Sunday school, children and youth, for over fifteen years. I’ve had to be creative to capture my students’ attention. I use the art of story-telling to pull the child into the situation. Before they know it – they’ve learned something.

One of my critique partners suggested that I add a devotion behind each story. She thought this would be a great way to help children learn and remember. I loved the idea.

Tell us how you chose the title.

Since this is a collection of short stories the name couldn’t be based on a character, place or situation. I thought that these stories were like a “mixed bag” a little bit of everything and God’s grace was the one common factor.

What do you enjoy most about writing for children?

Children are very imaginative and impressionable. I hope children will be entertained by my stories but also learn more about history and the Bible.

What was your favorite book or movie as a child?

I read every Nancy Drew mystery I could get my hands on. I also loved Laura Ingalls Wilder. I’ve always been a history nut. That’s why my book contains three stories set in England in the middle ages.

What advice would you give to parents and grandparents that would like to encourage their children to read more?

Reading is one of the most important things a child can do, especially in our high-tech society. I would encourage parents and grandparents to find books that will tempt the child to read. If the child is interested in planets and space find books on these topics. If they prefer American history search for books in that category. And, of course, buy A Mixed Bag of God’s Grace to satisfy everyone.

What are you working on next? 

I’m currently writing a Young Adult series. Hesitant Heroes is set in 2062. Jordan Scott, a teenage computer geek, discovers that Christian students are disappearing from her high school. She and her friends are pulled into danger and intrigue as they try to solve the mystery.

Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us! 

Readers, Sharon is giving away one paperback copy of A Mixed Bag of God's Grace, so be sure to leave her a comment to get your name in the hat! Winner announced in the Weekly Windup.

Fun with Special Guest Mariah Holloway

Today I'm excited to introduce a friend of mine that I met last year in New Mexico. She and I hit it off and have been bouncing story ideas back and forth ever since.  Today, she's joining us for a Fun Friday and sharing an excerpt from her Work in Progress. We're going to see her characters having a bit of fun themselves. ;) But first, let me tell you a little about my friend.

Mariah Holloway has been writing stories since about the age of seven. She has always enjoyed making up her own stories. When she heard something that fascinated her, she was quick to write a story inspired by that. When she was young, she would draw pictures on each page of her stories to convey what she was saying. Mariah’s love for writing increased as she took English classes in elementary school through college. Along with her passion for writing, Mariah enjoys reading, photography, and art. You can follow Mariah on Facebook and check out her website www.mariahholloway.wordpress.com.

And now for the excerpt from On The Wings of Freedom:

She stared at the sun as its rays peeked through the branches of the trees above them. The sun seemed to be winking at her. Ella laughed and winked back.

She sighed in contentment. It was the perfect day to be out with her family. It felt good to get away from the loud bustling town for a change though she did enjoy hearing the laughter of the Jewish children running through the streets after one another, the mothers holding their babies while laughing and carrying on about the latest gossip, and the fathers bidding on items to buy. Ella was blessed with a lovely town, but moments like the moment now was what she lived for.

Ella turned her head slightly and saw a red cardinal sitting on one of the branches, singing a beautiful melody. Another bird joined him, and they flew off together towards the sun. Ella smiled as she watched the exchange. The birds were free. Their wings of freedom always flew them to new heights and places. They did not have a care in the world. They never had to watch their backs because they could always fly to new heights. They always had a happy song in their hearts because they knew they would always have their wings of freedom. No one could take that from them. They never—

“Hey!” yelled Ella as she abruptly sat up.

Cold water fell down her face and neck as loose tendrils of her hair plastered to her face. She spat water out of her mouth and began wiping her face with her hands.

Just then she saw her husband drop a bucket and run off laughing. Realization dawned on Ella, and she threw her head back in laughter.

“You little sneak!” she laughed after her husband.

She hopped to her feet and ran after him. He slowed down still laughing as she caught up with him. He picked her up before Ella could respond and began spinning her around. Ella raised her hands in the air and laughed. She was flying just like the birds. She was free.

A bird whistling on a nearby tree shook Ella out of her reverie. She turned to the sound and saw a bird perched on a nearby branch. It was not a bright-colored, beautiful red cardinal. Instead it was a black raven. It was not singing a beautiful medley. It was only whistling. Ella looked up and saw a group of ravens fly by. Ella brows furrowed together as she looked back at the single raven. Why would he not fly with the others? Did he not see he had the ability to soar in freedom? Instead he just sat there.

The raven matched Ella’s inner turmoil. His blackness matched what was going on inside of Ella. Ella no longer had a beautiful melody to sing just like the raven, and she could not fly on the wings of freedom any longer. She was no longer that red cardinal. 

****

Mariah's first story, The Castle is available on Amazon, and she will soon be releasing The Prince. It is an allegorical medieval tale taking you to the heart of knowing who you are.

 Aaron always knew he was meant for something greater, but he did not know what it was. He did not realize what laid within him until a mysterious beggar appears.

Weekly Windup: Comment to win Dawn of Liberty by Amber Schamel

The winner of Hearts Tightly Knit (ebook) by our very own, Jodie Wolfe is...Susan Marlene Kinney!

 

 

This Week's Giveaway is: 

Dawn of Liberty- Short Story Collection (ebook) by Amber Schamel

Liberty comes with a price. Can a fledgling nation bear the cost?

British forces advance upon a struggling colonial army. The time of decision has come. Declare independence, or give up the fight. The weight of a nation rests on Samuel Adams' shoulders as he joins the delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Can he raise the cause of Liberty above the fear of the King's wrath in the hearts of his countrymen?

Three riveting short stories follow Samuel Adams as he struggles through the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and evokes the Dawn of Liberty.

This giveaway runs through May 30th. Comment on any post between now and then to enter, and remember, the more comments you make, the more entries you earn!

    Winners will be announced in the Weekly Wind-up on May 31st.

 Check out our Prizes Galore Page to see all our giveaways.

 

We look forward to hanging out with you this week!