About the Book
Didi O’Brien is
engaged—at least she was an hour ago. Now she’s not so sure. Her fiancé, the
suave Kevin Cabot, has just revealed that he’s been unfaithful, and he’s not
the least bit sorry. Reeling from the betrayal, with her plans for a
happily-ever-after life in doubt, she prays for direction. The answer comes as
a complete surprise. God has someone better in mind.
Middle school teacher,
Jake Montgomery, is struggling with some issues of his own. Sadly, a year
previously his fiancée had been killed in a car crash. Battling anger and
despair, in a mountain-top experience, Jake wrestles with the Almighty, and is
ready to live again. In his youth, he’d felt an unmistakable call to the
ministry but, like the prophet Jonah, since then, he’s been running hard in the
wrong direction.
Through a crisis of
faith, and glimpses of mercy, Didi and Jake find each other. But can they find
the strength to resolve the many obstacles that conspire to keep them apart?
Prism Book Group, September 2016
$3.99 eBook
$14.99 Print
ISBN: 978-1537410845
Buy on Amazon
A Brief Interview with Jan
Jan, welcome. Tell us what
do you love about this book.
Seven (long) years ago, I started to
write my first book, Love, Lies, and Fireflies. I loved the process of dreaming
up exceptional characters with unique personalities and it kick-started my
creative juices. Creating characters with hardships and major flaws, just like
real people, was something I really wanted to achieve in an entertaining way. And
what was most important? Making sure that God showed up as a central
character—without being preachy. That will always be a passion for me.
One of the most wonderful aspects of
writing this book, though, was that I could slip parts of REAL people in there.
The hero, Jake Montgomery, is a lot like my dear husband and the heroine, Didi
O’Brien, has a lot of me in her. In the novel, Didi’s father passes away many
years before the book starts and my own amazing father died in 1992. I made
Didi’s dad a lot like my own. She has wonderful memories of sweet times spent
with her father, and so do I. In fact, the title of the book has a lot to do
with her daddy. I feel pleased that by including him in my book, I can honor my
father in this special way.
Cool! That is an awesome tribute. I doubt I'll ever publish my first book, but every once in a while I pull it out and glance through it. Introduce
us to the easiest character to work with.
That would have to be Jacob Scott
Montgomery, a.k.a. Jake the easygoing introvert with the word “hero” stamped on
the back of his tee-shirt. Seriously, though, he’s a good guy who’s had some
real tragedy in his life, but he’s determined to make it through.
I’ll give you a taste of this
sweetheart’s personality with a short excerpt from the book:
Didi opened the door with a sunny smile. “Hi, Jake. I see you
found me.”
On this unseasonably warm evening she was wearing cream-colored
slacks and a petal-sleeved, burgundy, flowered top. Jake had remembered her as
being cute, but this evening, his date was downright beautiful.
Full of admiration, his eyes widened. “Nice outfit. You look
great.” He handed her the bouquet with a flourish. “I hope you like flowers.”
Didi’s face lit up with pleasure. “How thoughtful, Jake. I love
flowers, and these are beautiful. Please come in for a minute, and I’ll put
these in water.”
They moved into the living room as the cat from the window
scampered into the room.
“Remember Maisie? I hope you’re not allergic to cats.”
“Definitely not allergic. I have a cat of my own.” He squatted
down and extended his hand to the calico. “My, you’re pretty.” Maisie sidled up
to him, rubbed her face against his leg, and fell in a happy heap at his feet.
Doubtless, it was because his hands still smelled like the catnip he’d just
given his own cat, Lucy, but there was no need to share that information with
Didi.
“Little flirt.” Didi slanted her head. “I’m shocked. Maisie’s
usually wary of men, so this is a monumental occasion. Look at her. She’s
practically batting her eyelashes at you.”
Jake hoped to have Didi batting lashes at him soon, but for now,
winning over her cat was a good start.
Sounds like a guy you’d like to take
home to mother, doesn’t he?
Definitely! Share
two things you learned during either the writing or publication process of this
book.
Everything takes longer than
expected but you make some wonderful friends along the way.
And speaking of friends, in the
Christian world, publishing is not only about what sells, but also about how to
get the word out there that God loves us unconditionally and He wants to have a
real, exciting, personal relationship with His children. If we are all focusing
on this truth as a team, nobody loses. I am blessed to work with so many remarkable
authors who feel the same way.
What
do you hope readers will tell others when they've finished the book?
I will share a review I received on
Amazon that made my heart soar. As an author, hearing words like this are so
very uplifting because you feel the reader actually “got” what you were trying
so hard to convey. A humbling moment that truly brought tears to my eyes and a
“Thank you, Jesus”:
This story certainly didn’t disappoint!
The characters were engaging and well developed. In fact, they practically came
to life and jumped right off the page. On the surface, this was a romantic tale
with a suspenseful twist, but on a deeper level, this story explored the love
of God and many other Christian issues. As the story unfolded, it discussed the
complexity of dating relationships and the consequences of certain choices. I
appreciated how the author gave the characteristics of abusive relationships
and explained how a person could get out of one. I also appreciated the
emphasis the author put on God. I thought this was a truly wonderful book. It
had romance, suspense, and a beautiful, redemptive message. I’m looking forward
to reading more books by this author.
What
are you reading now?
I’m SO glad you asked that question.
I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. this morning reading an advance copy of YOUR new
novel, UnderStory. That’s another
cool thing about being an author—getting to read some stellar books before anyone
else!
Blushing...Thanks, Jan. What's
next for you?
I’ve just finished writing a
Christmas novella for a boxed set with four other inspirational authors. The
set is called Frosting and Flurries
and there is a cake and a celebration featured in each book somewhere. My book
is titled Moostletoe, set in a
fictional town in Maine called Moose Creek. Here’s the short blurb:
Rev. Samantha Evans lands in Moose Creek,
Maine, where parishioners chew up new ministers for breakfast. Happily, she
also reunites with forest ranger Eric Palmer, her best friend from her teenage
years. With Samantha’s career on the line, Eric must
save her job and rescue his own shattered heart in the process. But where does
Matilda the moose factor in?
At the moment, I am writing book 2
in the series, tentatively titled Moosed
Opportunities. Lots of fun!
That does sound like fun. Can't wait to see it in print. I've got Love, Lies, and Fireflies on my list. Watch for a review!
About Jan
Jan Elder is an inspirational romance
writer with a passion for telling stories other women can relate to on a deep
level. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader’s
faith, introducing the reader to a loving and forgiving Lord who walks beside
us in our daily lives, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love
story.
Happily married for thirteen years to
loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along
with Jamie (a chubby black and white tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a willowy
tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside
in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.
Connect
with Jan:
Thanks, Lisa, for having me on your blog. Good questions and lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Jan. Best wishes!
DeleteEnjoyed the interview. I have read and loved Live, Lies and Fireflies.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear. Thanks for stopping in, Ann.
Delete