CALEB 2011 Winner ... Paula Vince

Paula Vince

My last featured author for January is Paula Vince. Paul won the CALEB 2011 Prize with her novel, Best Forgotten.

Welcome, Paula!

Please tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

I’m a homeschooling mother of three children aged between seven and seventeen. We live in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia which I’ve found is the perfect place to set novels. It’s beautiful all year round with four very distinctive seasons.

Ever since I was a young schoolgirl, writing fiction is all I ever wanted to do. I believe a story has its own awesome power to touch readers’ hearts in ways other genres don’t. I’ve had faith-inspired novels in the Australian market since 2000.

Your book, Best Forgotten, won the 2011 CALEB Award. Would you tell us about it and what inspired you to write it?

I’d been intrigued by the relationship between our thinking habits and what we make of our lives. Are our personalities a product of random events or the thoughts we choose to think about them? I’d wanted to tackle questions like that for a long time.

In Best Forgotten, I have a bewildered young hero with complete amnesia who develops an aversion to the person he used to be. He can’t understand the way he used to behave or the choices he made. His girlfriend is keeping him at arm’s length and he discovers that his best friend disappeared without a trace on the night of his own accident. The more he investigates, the more likely it appears that he was involved in something really sinister and shady. He is both hero and detective of his story and terrified that he may also turn out to be the villain. It’s a blend of mystery, suspense and romance.

Who is your favourite author and what is it about their work you like?

There are so many excellent fiction authors I admire, I’d honestly find it difficult to choose one or two. I would like to pay tribute to Janette Oke and Francine Rivers, though, because these ladies first made me aware that there is even such a thing as Christian fiction. Way back in the late eighties when I was still a schoolgirl, I sat up late turning the pages of their books, anxious to find out what was going to happen to their characters. These two authors are responsible for making me determined to try my hand at doing for Australia what they were doing for America.

What books did you read growing up?

I read a steady diet of the old classics. As a girl, I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” series and anything ever written by L. M. Montgomery. The formative book during my teens was Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I considered that book the prototype of everything a wonderful novel was supposed to include. I used to love studying its elements, pulling it apart and marveling at the perfect blend of characterization and plot, all enhanced by her wonderful descriptions of her local environment, the Yorkshire Moors. It still sits in a position of pride on my shelf.

What does a typical day look like for Paula?

I like to get up before others for some quiet time and a bit of writing. We have a relaxed homeschooling style based on reading books and following wherever the kids’ interests lead them. This results in a really interesting blend of studies and excursions, especially as their ages are so diverse. Fitting in a walk and a bit of reading is ideal, too, and there’s always housework. I’m definitely the stay-at-home type.

What advice would you give an aspiring Christian romance author?

If your personal daydreams about your characters and their potential storylines intrigue you, there is an excellent chance that they’ll capture other people’s imaginations too. Whenever the writing becomes more of a chore than a labour of love, perhaps you need to sit back and ponder how to re-ignite that spark.

Also, be prepared to revise and re-write a lot. Getting to enjoy the editing stage as much as the writing is an important part of the lifestyle.

What can readers expect in your next book?

Its working title is Along for the Ride. The heroine is a young woman who feels compelled to travel to the other side of the world to right a wrong she committed in her childhood that has never stopped eating her peace. The hero is a brilliant young man who faces the challenge of changing everything he ever believed was true. It also tackles the question of divine healing and whether God chooses to work independently of or in response to our faith. I always aim to draw tears and laughter from my readers. I hope this will be no exception.

Best Forgotten by Paula Vince

Thanks for being part of my blog today, Paula.

To learn more about Paula and other books she has written, you can read her blog www.justoccurred.blogspot.com

Paula's books are available at Koorong, Christian Bookworld and independent bookstores.

Helen Lacey ... Romance From The Heart

Today, I'm interviewing debut author, Helen Lacey. Helen has a passion for horses, and her dream has come true with the recent release of her novel, Made for Marriage.

Helen Lacey

Welcome, Helen!

Tell us about your debut release, Made for Marriage, and why you decided to write romance?

I wanted to write romance from the time I read my first Mills & Boon novel when I was twelve years old. Made For Marriage is my debut book, published by Harlequin Special Edition. It’s the story of a former elite equestrian from California and her struggle to not fall in love with a single dad hero. Of course she fails and falls head over heels – but the journey was fun to write.

Finding a literary agent to represent us is difficult. Tell us about your experiences in finding an agent?

I had a short list of agents I felt would be a good ‘fit’ for me. And rather than submit the usual way to the agent I really wanted to represent me, I watched the Romance Writers of America chapter contest circuit and waited until he was the final judge for one – I entered that contest, won it, and a few weeks later was offered representation.

Who is your favourite author and what is it about their work you like?

Hard question – I have several. I grew up reading Danielle Steele and Barbara Taylor Bradford in mainstream romance, and too many to mention in category romance. I am currently reading a lot of Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber. I love their home town settings and the ensemble casts in their books.

What books did you read growing up? How have they influenced the person you are and your writing today?

Black Beauty, The Silver Brumby, The Black Stallion – see the theme? I love horses and they are a big part of the inspiration for my stories. I also read L.M Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder and discovered Jane Austen when I was about eleven. I believe the books we read as a child are some of the most important of our lives and am so pleased I had opportunity to read diversely.

You live in a beautiful part of Australia. Tell us how you came to settle in this area?

About five years ago my husband and I went to visit a friend who lived in a small town by the beach. We’d been considering a sea/tree change for a while and fell in love with this part of the world. The weather is moderate for most of the year and I have a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean from my office window. Plus I get to have my horses in the back yard, which I just adore.

What does a typical day look like for Helen Lacey?

First I set my husband off to work and feed the dogs. If it’s a full writing day I’ll usually do emails first and check my website. Then I’ll start writing. I try to set a target of 1500 words a day, sometimes I do more, sometimes less. I keep a dairy to keep track of my word count for the week. I’m not a very organised person, so this daily tracking keeps me on target. In the afternoons I head outside to spend time with my horses – feeding, grooming or riding. Then I feed the dogs. I try to spend a couple of hours outside every day. And in between there are errands and house chores and seeing friends and family.

What advice would you give an aspiring romance author wanting to write category romance?

Just write the best book you can. And know what line you want to write for. Read everything current in that line that's available, follow the blogs of your favourite authors to see what they’re up to and what they are selling. Enter contests if you can, find a good critique partner, invest in professional assessment if you can afford it. But mostly, just write and write.

Made For Marriage by Helen Lacey

Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Helen.

You can learn more about Helen and her upcoming books by visiting her website http://helenlacey.com

Helen's books are available at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Harlequin-Special-Helen-Lacey/dp/0373656483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313399068&sr=8-1

Harlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=25098&cid=2868

BE A WINNER!!

Leave a comment below and put yourself in the draw for a copy of Made For Marriage.

Follow Helen's blog tour at http://rbpp-hl.blogspot.com/ for more giveways and a grand prize of an Amazon $50 Gift Voucher; and for those who like a little bling, a silver Pandora bracelet!

Rose Dee - A Passion for Tropical Islands

Rose Dee

January is my interviewing Aussie authors month, so keep dropping by to see who I'm interviewing each week.

Today, I'm interviewing Australia's newest author, Rose Dee. Rose's passion is writing about the islands off the coast of Queensland. Welcome, Rose!

Tell us about your debut release, "Back to Resolution" and what inspired you to write this romance novel?

When I decided to ‘have a go’ at writing something I had no idea it would end in a book length manuscript. I didn’t really have a plan or preconceived idea of the end result. I just wanted to see if I could write something. "Back to Resolution" is the culmination of my imagination and my experiences in tropical North Queensland. It has a bit of mystery, drama, and a great portion of romance.

Who is your favourite author and what is it about their work you like?

If I had to narrow it down, I would say Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre is my ultimate favourite), and in a more current sense, Tamara Alexander. I very much enjoyed her Timber Ridge Reflections series. While settings are important, it is the character analysis that draws me to a story. I love the sense of knowing who the characters are at the end of a novel, and not wanting to say goodbye to them.

What books did you read growing up? How have they influenced the person you are and your writing today?

When I was a child I loved books and reading. As I grew into young adulthood I read a variety of teen romances, as well as classics (Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, etc.). I love both contemporary and historic romances. Any story with a romantic theme is acceptable reading material to me, so when I decided to write this was the one criteria – got to have romance.

What does a typical day look like for Rose Dee?

Apart from the household, mother and wife duties, we run our own business so there are always tasks to perform in the office. I endeavour to find time to write, blog, or contribute in some way to my writing. I’m not a planner, so I will write when I have the opportunity, or when inspiration strikes. I never sit down to slog through something if it isn’t working for me. I will often leave my writing for days or weeks, and do something else – like a blog. I would dearly love to have the time to write every day, but the fact is – 24 hours goes by too fast.

"Back to Resolution" is the first book in a series. Why did you write your first book as part of a series rather than a stand alone?

I didn’t plan to do a series. Three quarters of the way through writing "Back to Resolution" I found myself thinking a lot about one of the characters and I knew she had a story of her own. It was a natural progression to tie her in with the first.

Back to Revolution by Rose Dee

Thanks so much for your time today, Rose.

Rose's debut novel, "Back to Resolution" is available at Koorong, Word and Collins bookstores. It's selling quickly, so make sure you secure your copy. Should you want to know more about Rose visit to her website: http://rosedee.com

For the Children...

As I've been travelling this vast country during recent months, I've thought about the freedom and choice of lifestyles we have in Australia. I imagined what it must be like to live in a place where tomorrow doesn't have the certainty we take for granted.

I wandered in my imagination to a country that had been destroyed by war. Buildings razed beyond recognition. People huddling against the rubble with a sheet of cloth protecting them from the weather. No toilet, no water, no bed, no kitchen, a couple of pots and pans, if I was lucky.

I became one of those people....

All my possessions gathered at my feet, my toddler huddled close to me for security, trusting me I will provide a meal for her. I know her belly is empty. I see hunger in her eyes. 'Please Mummy can I have something to eat?'

I pull her closer. Her skin is cold. The rag that covers her body offers no warmth.

My stomach aches. We haven't had food for over a week. My energy is low and all I want to do is lean against this wall of rubble and slip away from the poverty, but I can't. I have six children depending on me. The eldest, a daughter, who is ten years old, rummages in the bins for scraps of food, while the youngest sucks on my empty breast hoping for a drop of nourishment. But there is none.

Another daughter dawdles toward our home, searching for food her eyes full of despair. No shoes, a ragged dress that is held on her shoulder by a mere scrap of fabric, her skin caked in dirt. A son carries a small bucket. Brown liquid splashes over the sides. He slows so the liquid will be contained. There is water for us to drink...maybe. My other sons, six and eight come back empty handed. All we have for today is a cup of water each to drink. The water is dirty, but it is all we have.

The smell of death is all around me. Anguished cries of desperation reach into the human parts of me. I want to do so much for them, but I have nothing to give. I'm struggling to keep myself and my family alive.

A cold wind blows and fills my nostrils with a mixture of human excrement, decaying meat and sulphur fumes. Death is coming, too quickly. I draw my children closer. I have to get my family out of this wasteland. I must do something before the last of my energy leaves me. Bombs explode in the distance. I am powerless, but I have hope. Tomorrow will be a new day, but each tomorrow becomes the same as yesterday.

Tomorrow has come and with it comes a ray of hope. A man approaches me and says he can help us leave the torment tomorrow. He promises an education for my kids, a home, employment and a future. 'I have no money', I say. 'Why do you want to help this woman who can't pay?'

'I have a way to get you to Australia. You can pay when you find your future in Australia. I will keep a record.'

Is this my new hope? Dare I believe it to be true? What choice do I have? None. Staying means certain death for me and my children. I see others around me packing their meagre possessions. They are in search of hope and a future, just like me. I know nothing about Australia, but perhaps it is good there.

For the children I will do anything...

This is what I imagine the life of a refugee is like before they come to Australia. How can we deny these desperate people entry to our country when all they want is an opportunity to have a little of what we have?

Paula Vince ... Award Winner

A couple of weeks ago Aussie author, Paula Vince, won the Fiction: Religious Fiction category of the 2011 American International Book Awards with her novel titled, Picking Up the Pieces. It's an exciting time for Paula and I congratulate her on her award which will no doubt lead to a re-release of this terrific novel.

Best Forgotten by Paula Vince

Her latest book, Best Forgotten, has recently been released and is a book not to be missed.

Protagonist, Courtney Lockwood, gets amnesia when he is hit by a car. When he returns home from hospital he is confused and unsure of whether he liked the person he was before he got amnesia. When he finds out his best friend, Joel Connell, mysteriously disappears he's concerned his friend, Jasmin, and he may have had something to do with with their friend's death, but he can't think how he might have been involved in the incident.

Courtney's girlfriend, Jasmin, doesn't want to talk about their relationship before the accident and she does everything to remind him they aren't to discuss their relationship before amnesia. His parents have divorced but he wants to re-connect with who he used to be, but as he reconnects with the people who mean so much to him the mystery of Joel's death escalates until Courtney's and Jasmin's lives are threatened by a person Courtney least suspects.

Amnesia is a very difficult theme to write about. Paula Vince has skillfully kept her reader engaged with the characters in the story by adding mystery that rushes the reader along to the end.

In the beginning, I felt the pacing was a little slow and Jasmin's character wasn't as well-rounded as I liked for such a major character, but I'm glad I continued because once Courtney began to get his memory back, the pace picked up and had me wanting more. The ending left me feeling good and satisfied the right people got what they had coming to them.

Take time out to read Best Forgotten. It's a great read where you can lose yourself for a few hours.

Paula Vince's blog can be found at http://appleleafbooks.com/pages/paulas-blog.php