Friday, June 22, 2012

Interview and Giveaway for Southern Superstitions by B. J. Robinson


CONGRATULATIONS TO
CAROLYN WINNER OF
"SOUTHERN SUPERSTITIONS"



 I am so excited to welcome B. J. Robinson to Sleuths and Suspects for an interview. She has graciously offered to give a copy of her book "Southern Superstitions" for a giveaway, just follow the instructions at the end of the interview. Here we go!



INTERVIEW

1.            Tell us a little about yourself. I'm an avid reader and passionate writer, and I've been writing and publishing since my first story about my pet dog was published in the third grade in a local newspaper. My husband and I live in Florida with our two girls, Honi, a golden retriever, and Sunflower, a golden cocker spaniel. Sunflower is a character in Last Resort, my 2011 debut inspirational romantic suspense novel. My work includes dogs and pets for animal lovers. I love both dogs and cats, and we have a shelter cat named Frankie. I believe books bring people together, and I treasure my wonderful readers, critique partners, and friends I've met through my love of writing and books. My children are all grown and have made me a grandmother multiple times. I am blessed with children, grandchildren, pets, a husband, and faith. Writing is my passion, and Jesus is my best friend. To God be the glory.

2.            Tell us about your most recent book/or the book we are focusing onSouthern Superstitions is my most recently published novel, a romantic suspense set in Louisiana. A Favorite Line: It was faith in God that would bring her husband home. Even a lucky penny or a dime declared, In God we trust. It's getting great reviews on Amazon. Here's a short blurb:

Prayer versus Southern superstitions when a woman's husband mysteriously disappears in the swamp on a deer-hunting trip. As steamy as the hot, thick, sticky heat of Louisiana, this page-turner will keep readers in suspense, as the author spins a tale of love, loss, superstition, pain, heartache, and faith in God. Reviewer Kathy Boswell says, "Very good! She never gives up hope that Andy will return to her someday. She puts it all in God's hands like she's done every crisis in her life. She knows He will take care of this for her." God and the power of prayer versus Southern superstitions. Through belief, faith, hard work, the power of prayer, and God's help, this powerful, moving story is a thought-provoking Christian romantic suspense about a young couple who fall in love, but have to change her mother's mind in more ways than one, if their relationship is to survive. Can Andy convince June there's more to their relationship than friends? Will he win the approval of Mrs. Myrtle, her mother, and can love survive strawberry season and an April flood? Will June be able to give Andy a child?

3.        Why did you choose this particular genre? I write inspirational romantic suspense because I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries and have always been a romantic. This genre allows me to combine the mystery, suspense, intrigue, and romance.

4.         What was your journey to publication like? It's been a long, hard road. I've always loved books, reading, and writing, and I've published lots of shorter works like poems, short stories, articles, and devotionals, but Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. out of California is the publisher who was willing to accept my work without an agent. Thanks to their wonderful team, I will have a total of four novels published by October 2012. One Rainy Summer, a YA novel releases October 11. The other three are all inspirational romantic suspense novels. If readers are interested, they can check out my Desert Breeze Author Page for a complete bio that provides information about my publishing history.

5.       What is a couple of your favorite books and what are you reading now? A favorite new read is Everglades by Petie McCarly. I just reviewed it on my blog. I'm reading Eva Marie Everson's new Cedar Key title Waiting for Sunrise. I've read the first in the series Chasing Sunsets, and I enjoy her novels. She also wrote This Fine Life and Things Left Unspoken. I've read and reviewed them all. Another favorite author is Naomi Musch. I love her historical novels The Green Veil and The Red Fury.

6.            What are you working on now and can you give us a little peek inside it? I just finished editing Whispering Cypress. It releases August 11 and is a romantic suspense set in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Here is a short blurb: You'll never have peace here. Leave the past where it belongs, or it will ruin you.

Spring Showers stared at the cutout newspaper letters pasted on a sheet of typing paper. Her heart pounded harder than any nail gun, and she placed her hand over her chest as if to still it. Nothing about the rundown campground prepared her for such a threat. Who could possibly care if she restored it?

After a decade of no contact, she purchases the campground a man from her past dreams of owning and hires him to repair and remodel the cabins. She still has feelings for him, and the sparks are still there -- smoldering like embers from a left-over campfire. A male friend from the city visits and trouble brews. A girl is attacked. Hackett is arrested. Did authorities arrest the right man? The girl is pregnant -- who is the father?

7.            What advice would you give authors who are on their own journey to publication? Learn all you can from those who've gone before you. Join a good critique group. You can learn as much from them as from taking writing classes, and it's lots cheaper. Do take writing classes if you can afford it and want to improve your skills and hone your craft. I've taken a couple classes through Long Ridge Writers Group and the Apprentice and Journeyman classes with Christian Writers Guild. I've honed skills through American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and my critique groups. I've also gained so much knowledge by working with my in-house editors through my publisher, Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. in California, such as formatting and editing to meet deadlines. Another tip is to take advantage of all the wonderful writing books on the market. I have a list on my blog of ones I've used.

8.       Do you have any books or websites that have helped you with your writing that you could share with us? There's an entire lists of books I used and would recommend on my blog if you scroll. To break writer's block, I recommend Natalie Goldberg's WRITING DOWN THE BONES. She has two others as well. Donald Mass has a book and a workbook Writing the Breakout Novel. There are many excellent books to help you hone your skills and craft. Check them out at my blog. I've used them.

9.            Is there anything you’d like to tell us we haven’t covered? June from Southern Superstitions would say, "It was faith in God that would bring her husband home. Even a lucky penny or a dime declared, In God we trust." Rod, June's son in Southern Superstitions would say, "The way those cypress knees stuck out of the shallow water, like protruding nubs, they reminded him of his grandmother's warning finger wagging in his face. They could tear a hole in the bottom of a boat. Thank God my boat survived the lick. Maybe that's what happened to Dad."




Please let us know where we can find you on the web.






FOR A CHANCE TO WIN "SOUTHERN SUPERSTITIONS," PLEASE:
1. Leave a comment and let us know if you've ever visited the south.
2. Sign up as a follower.
3. Sign up to receive blog posts by email.
4. Leave an email address so we can contact you.

HAPPY READING!
DEBORAH MALONE


Death in Dahonega

38 comments:

  1. I've never visited the South. Would LOVE to! Georgia, Arkansas, Florida to name a few.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda, Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget Louisiana and Mississippi. Southern Superstitions is set in Louisiana. Blessings, BJ

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  2. Already a GFC follower.

    desertrose5713 at gmail dot com

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  3. Can't find where to sign up to receive blog posts by email.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  4. Found it. So big I missed it! LOL! I'm already following via email.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  5. I have definitely visited the south... I've lived here MOST of my life. :) I am a true Georgia Peach (Atlanta born).

    I follow by networked blogs and by email. Thanks!!

    ladettek [at] gmail[dot]com

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    Replies
    1. I love those Georgia peaches. They're the best! Thanks for visiting. Blessings, BJ

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  6. Thank you for stopping by Linda and Ladette. Linda I live in Georgia and Ladette do still live in Georgia/South?
    Debbie Malone

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  7. I have been to Alabama.
    email is gerribowen5 at gmail dot com.
    Thank you!

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  8. Hi ladies, thanks for visiting. My novels are set in Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee so far :) and are Southern. Please visit me at http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com Blessings, BJ

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  9. Barb Malek said she tried to subscribe and comment, but couldn't. She posted under one of my links?

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  10. Hi B.J., I was born in Macon, GA and have lived in Georgia all my life. I have visited South Carolina, Fla, been through Ala, etc on way to New Orleans back in late 60's and went through Tenn on my way north. Visited San Antonio and loved it. The South has a slower pace, friendly people, good food and beautiful scenery. It also has great southern superstitions. I am adding your book to my wish list and look forward to reading. Thanks for the opportunity to win Southern Superstitions.
    Old email follower and GFC follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, and I'm so glad to know you're adding Southern Superstitions to your TBR list :) Sounds like you've visited the South and know what it's like. I love GA. You live in GA, so you live in the South :) Love those Georgia peaches. Blessings, BJ

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  11. I have spent most of my days in Georgia, although once in a long while I do get to visit some other states, mostly in the South, too. LOL!

    I receive blog posts by e-mail and enjoy each one. I am not on Facebook so I can't be a follower of that type at the moment. I guess you don't want me to be that other kind of follower---what's it called? A stalker! LOL#2!

    As for the e-mail, just in case the need arises: jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com. It would be great to receive some good news.

    Blessings, Janice

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    Replies
    1. Hi Janice,
      It's good to meet another person form Georgia. Those Georgia peaches are the best. One of my favorite fruits. Thanks for visiting. Blessings, BJ

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  12. I live in the aouth, in the Confederate capitol, Richmond, Virginia area.

    PamelaKKinney@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been to one part of Virgina and loved it, for Pony Penning. It's pretty country, too. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings, BJ

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  13. Yes, Deborah, I'm still in GA. I live in Coastal GA now. I've lived south of Atlanta, in Toccoa and now Coastal. We also have property in the mountains of GA. :)

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    Replies
    1. The mountains are beautiful. Thanks for visiting, Ladette. Blessings, BJ

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  14. I grew up on Nancy Drew books also and totally devoured them.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I have visited the south and am a follower.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. You'll might be interested in know I found Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books at "Books a Million" today. I had to buy one of each they brought back so many memories.
    Debbie Malone

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  17. I read every Nancy Drew mystery I could get my hands on. Loved those books. Thanks for visiting ladies, and Deborah, thanks so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here and having so much fun meeting all these mystery lovers.

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  18. Bj. Love ur book last resort. Always lived the romance novels but like the extras. You know what I mean. I enjoyed the purity of the book yet still the excitement. Being from Alberta Canada and having health problems I unfortunately has never been to the states but have read many books describing or storytelling of the states and southern belles. I enjoy throwing myself into another time and place and look forward to reading the next. With love and appreciation. Susanne. Ostrander

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    Replies
    1. Susanne, thanks so very much. I'm so glad you enjoyed my novel Last Resort. Good luck on winning Southern Superstitions :) I have a new release, Whispering Cypress, coming out on August 11. It's wonderful to get to travel to other worlds through the pages of a good book. Blessings, BJ

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  19. Love the novels but didn't like the extras. !! Darn phone. Lol

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  20. Susanne, Are you sure that wasn't "lived".LOL Wouldn't it be nice to be a character in a book sometime?

    Debbie Malone
    "Death in Dahlonega"

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  21. I've never been to the South except in books. sheiladeeth plus blog at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Shelia, thanks for visiting. That's the wonderful thing about books. You get to travel through them to places you may never go in real life and meet characters from another world :) Blessings, BJ

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  22. Wonderful blog! I love mysteries!! Yes, I've not only been to the south, I live there now, Atlanta, GA area. whatsheknew@gmail.com

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  23. i have known Barbara for years. she invited me to speak to her class on writing at Denn John Middle school years ago. I don't write fiction but have followed her faithfully as she has been published. I am a contributor to five CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL books. she is encouraging me to branch out into the fiction romance genre but I haven't had the nerve to do so yet.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Beverly and thanks for stopping by and visiting with us here. Beverly is a wonderful writer and if I can persuade her to try her hand at romance, I know we'll have another romance writer we love to read who'll take us places we've never been :) Blessings, BJ

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  24. I grew up in Great Plains, the Northeast, the Central US, before finally moving to the South. It's like a whole other country. I'm still trying to figure out a lot of the expressions and have been here for 30 years.

    authorboyles at swbell.net

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  25. Hi Tamylee, I love Georgia, Stone Mountain, and those Georgia peaches :) Thanks for visiting. Blessings, BJ

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  26. Hi Carolyn, I can just imagine you trying to figure out those Southern expressions :). Thanks for visiting. I loved reading all the Laura Ingalls Wilder novels when I was young about the plains, so different from the South. Blessings, BJ

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  27. Thanks so much, BJ.

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