Craving the Supernatural

Hey, everyone! I am absolutely delighted to share with you the release of a very dear friend, Lisa Harris. She and her husband serve as missionaries in Mozambique, and Lisa is multi-published and extremely talented. I am so happy for her with this release--a dream and passion of her heart!

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Blood Ransom. (US & Canada only, please)

1. Why did you start writing?

I started writing because there was always a story in my head. It’s funny, because for the longest time, I assumed everyone’s mind was full of scenes and characters and stories. Then one day my mother-in-law asked me how I came up with my stories, and that no, she did not have characters and story lines running through her mind. I honestly was shocked. Because that why I started writing, to put to paper all the stories begging to be written down.

2. You are a multi-published author, with novellas and novels published through Barbour, Tyndale, and Steeple Hill. You also have titles with Summerside and now with Zondervan. Can you tell us how you juggle the writing life with all of your missionary responsibilities?

It’s not easy. When my kids were in the school system in South Africa, I had regular time to write and was more involved in ministry. Now that we are living in Mozambique and I home school, I’ve had to change how I do things. I don’t have a set time to write. During this phase of our lives, school has become a priority, which means I also support my husband in ministry, by going out to the villages, hosting guests, etc. but I don’t have regular, daily commitments. Writing is done in spurts during school when the kids don’t need me, an hour or two between school and fixing dinner, and after the kids are in bed.

3. Blood Ransom is very special to you. Would you please share that with the readers?

We’ve lived in Africa a total of almost ten years now, and it was always my desire to draw from these experiences and show the beauty of this continent. To me, Africa is the perfect setting for adventure with its diversity of terrain and people. To be able to write one of the stories of my heart, set in such a fascinating setting truly is a dream come true.

4. Why do you write?

For the most part for the same reasons of why I started writing. Every now and then I’m convinced I need to quit due to the business of life, but then I realize that writing is and always will be a part of me. So for now, I feel strongly that God is still calling me to write and will continue until He says stop. I’m also finding that a story can convey deep truths that I want to share with my readers. Words that will challenge, change lives, and bring hope

5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?

I’d probably be lost. I would read more, spend more time at the beach (we live near the Indian Ocean) and definitely sleep more. LOL

6. What are you working on right now?

I’ve just started a book set in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia, Africa) and New York in the early 1920’s. This is for Summerside Press’s new romantic suspense line. It’s a change in pace from my Mission Hope series, but the strong suspense—and the romance—is still there which I love.

7. Tell us about the book you have out right now.

Blood Ransom:

Deep in the heart of Africa, two American lives are about to change forever.

Natalie Sinclair is working to eradicate the diseases decimating whole villages in the Republic of Dhambizao, when she meets Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from a lucrative medical practice now volunteering at a small clinic.

Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad and Natalie decide to help Joseph expose this modern-day slave trade—and a high-ranking political figure involved in it—disaster nips at their heels.

Where is God in the chaos? Will Chad, Natalie and Joseph win their race against time?

Romance and adventure drive this powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare challenge it.

8. How important is faith in your books?

Very. I really believe that everything I do should be for His glory, so while I try to never “preach” in my stories, the spiritual themes run deep.


9. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

That’s simply not a fair question!  As of this moment? I just finished book two in my Mission Hope Series (with Blood Ransom being the first). Blood Covenant comes out next spring and as with every book, you want your next one to be even better. I worked hard to up the stakes and the characterization to where parts of it were extremely emotional to write. No spoilers here, but it was a tough story I loved writing.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Ronie!! I love to hear from my readers so please visit my blog and website for more information on my books and life in the heart of Africa.

www.lisaharriswrites.com
http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/

I am *so* thrilled to tell y'all that my awesome friend and crit partner, Lisa Harris, has her first book with Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense coming out in Septmeber. Final Deposit is a fabulously unique story, and I absolutely love the way Lisa weaves this story together. Here is a blurb of the book:

In 2006, the Internet Crime Report showed growing criminal activities targeting Americans had resulted in an estimated loss of almost two hundred million dollars. Thousands of people were scammed in such infamous con games like the Nigerian scam, fund transfer scams, and mail-order-brides.

Imagine finding out that your father has fallen victim to one of these long cons. After disposing of all his stocks, mortgaging his house, and maxing out his credit cards, George Taylor flies to Europe to meet with the man who promised him millions for his help in expediting funds out of West Africa. It’s a fortune he will never see.

When Lindsey Taylor tries to save her father from losing his life savings to the Internet scam, she discovers that losing everything you have isn’t the worst thing that can happen.

First - before I do the meme, I *have* to rave about a new book put out by B&H Publishing. The day I received Shadow of Colossus by TL Higley in the mail, I gasped. I'd been at the B&H website the week before absolutely drooling over the cover and story synopsis for this book. I was THRILLED to read it, but realyl nervous, too--ya know how it is. You see a book and think it's going to be fantastic, but when you read it... So, my fear of being let down kept me from reading it for a few days. THEN! I finally caved to my HUGE curiosity, and started reading.

Go HERE to see the trailer for Shadow of Colossus.

Betsy tagged me with this blog game!

Here's the rules:

Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!

Find page 123.
Find the first 5 sentences.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.

The book closest to me at the moment is Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren. So far, I LOVE it--Susie's one of the few writers whose writing actually grab me and don't let go, much like Rafe's grip on that bull rope--yeeeouch!! I think Susie is one of my writing heroes...or should that be heroines? LOL I'll be doing a post for her blog tour on this novel soon, so stay tuned for more details on this great read!!

Here's p. 123! (which I haven't gotten to yet! oh the suspense!)

She heard him sit beside her. Silence passed between them, but she didn't feel the need to fill it. She just watched the wind push the clouds across forever.

Hmm, many of my friends have already been tagged, so...I will tag:

**Sara Mills
**Lisa Harris
**Mindy Obenhaus
**John Olson (hey, the dude has a PINK page on Edgy Christian Fiction...check it out)
**Robin Miller/Caroll

Camy Tang & Patricia Carroll (PacJac) tagged me! I am supposed to tell where I was 10-20-30 years ago.

• 10—1997...Hmm, I was well into the first draft of my futuristic, Liberty's Son. My mom had died the previous year. I had two children. Live in Fort Worth and we were small home group leaders for our church.
• 20—I was in my senior year at Killeen High School. This is the point in my life where I was starting to find myself...Had an amazing English Teacher who impacted my life in a HUGE way. (Love you, Mrs. Montgomery!)
• 30—I was seven years old. Beginning to realize that what was happening to me was *wrong* (I was abused). Lived in Massachusetts...or were we still in Germany at that point? I can't remember. I honestly don't remember much of my young childhood because of the abuse.

I tag Sara, Lisa Harris, Shannon McNear, and the Lena Dooley. It was started by Mary DeMuth, so blame her. :)