Meet Sharlene MacLaren - Interview & Book Giveaway

If you haven’t met Sharlene MacLaren, get ready to smile! She’s one of the sweetest people I know, and a great author to boot. Her latest novel, Courting Emma, is the final book in her Little Hickman Creek series. Let’s meet Shar!


THE BIO

I'm a retired schoolteacher who, after 31 years, decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" It's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, heart-wrenching (AT TIMES), and inspiring adventure to say the least. One thing I know--God dropped a seed of passion for writing in my heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. (Who else in her right mind would jump out of bed in the middle of the night just to run to the computer and finish a scene that all of a sudden comes together in her head?) I have two wonderful daughters and two handsome sons-in-law, but the joy of my life (besides my sweet, darling husband) are my adorable grandsons, Dylan, born March 21, 2006 and Gavin, born March 3, 2008. AND GUESS WHAT ELSE!!! I'm expecting a GRANDDAUGHTER in June '08. Does life get any better than this? Grandma and Grandpa MacLaren just love their babies!

I’m an occasional speaker for MOPS, am involved in KIDS’ HOPE, USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsel young women in the APPLES OF GOLD program, and attend two weekly Bible studies. I also enjoy my involvement in church choir and worship team.

My darling husband, Cecil, and I live in Spring Lake, MI with Dakota, out loveable collie, and Mocha, our lazy fat cat.

THE INTERVIEW

JA: Your latest book is Courting Emma. Please tell us about it.
SM: Here’s a brief “book blurb” about Courting Emma:

Twenty-eight-year-old Emma Browning has experienced a good deal of life in her young age Proprietor of Emma’s Boardinghouse, she is “mother” to an array of beefy, unkempt, often rowdy characters. Though may men would like to get to know the steely, hard-edged, yet surprisingly lovely proprietor, none has truly succeeded. That is, not until the town’s new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, takes up residence in the boardinghouse. After a stunning, unexpected turn of events, will Emma risk removing her protective shell to accept the love of God—and the love of a man?

JA: Courting Emma is the third and final book in your Little Hickman Creek Series. As a reader, I hate to see a series I love come to an end. How do you feel about bringing this series to a close?
SM: Isn’t it strange how we allow ourselves to become so emotionally involved with fictional characters? I suppose in a way I did find it hard to say goodbye to Little Hickman Creek and all its lovely people. After all, we spent a few years together! BUT—there was also that WONDERFUL sense of relief to have written that final chapter; thus, freeing me to move on to the next series brewing in my head. ((We writers must be gluttons for punishment.))

JA: Of your three Little Hickman heroines – Eliza Jane, Sarah, and Emma – which would you say is the most like you?
SM: Wow, no one has ever asked me this before; hence, I’ve never thought about, but now that you ask, I’d probably have to say “Sarah”. “Liza” is a spitfire, determined, independent, brave, and outspoken. “Emma” is strong and stubborn, and quite rebellious when it comes to all things Christian. “Sarah” embodies some of the above characteristics, too, particularly the outspokenness, but she’s probably the most gentle-spirited, passionate about her faith, practical-minded, and tenderhearted of the three. I think I see myself more in her character than any of the others.

JA: You’ve been married to your awesome hubby, Cecil for over thirty years (is it thirty-two now?) Do you find yourself writing Cecil into your heroes?
SM: Yes, I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 32 years, and he’s a very loving, faithful, gentle, romantic man. It’s definitely easier to write romance when you see it lived out day-to-day! I don’t actually consciously write him into any of my characters, though. All my male characters wind up having their own, very distinct personalities.

JA: What do you hope people take away after reading Courting Emma?
SM: My very deepest desire and heartfelt prayer is that my books will cause people to recognize the love of Christ and His redemptive power in their lives. I want to give people a reason to go back to their Bibles. Not long ago, after having read Courting Emma, one of my reviewers wrote this:

This book touched me in ways that are totally unexplainable. Never before has a book made me shed tears, especially in a crowded roomful of strangers. It made me think of my own issues, which helped me to strongly identify with the main character. My only reaction was a strong desire to fall to my knees and pray. This book reopened things about myself that I’d let go of and should probably find my way back to.

That review represents everything that I’m about as a writer. I want to touch lives through Christ’s power and strength.

JA: You’ve written both contemporary and historical fiction. Do you prefer one over the other?
SM: I enjoy both genres. My first two books, Spring’s Promise (2002) and Through Every Storm (2006) are contemporaries. And I’m releasing another contemporary, Long Journey Home, this September. But I also LOVE writing historical books. I love the period between, say, the 1880s up through about 1910 and I think it’s because my own grandparents were born in the 1880s and because my memories of them remain fresh, the era seems more real to me.

JA: What’s next for you in the writing arena?
SM: I envision myself writing into my 90s if God allows! I can’t imagine ever reaching the point of saying, “I don’t like doing this anymore.” I’m too passionate about it. It is in MY BLOOD!

What’s next? Well, The Daughters of Jacob Kane is another 3-book series, this one with a West Michigan 1903-05 setting. If all goes well, it should start releasing in January ’09. The three books are titled Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and Abbie Ann. As in my “Hickman” series, each girl will have her very own unique personality.

JA: I know you’re a big American Idol fan. My favorite this year has become David Cook. How about you? What are your thoughts so far?
SM: Ha! We digress! Yes, I am an AI fan, but this year I’m having a much harder time identifying with any particular contestant. I’d read that Chikezee is a Christian – so I rooted for him. But now that he’s gone, I can’t say I have a favorite. They’re all so amazingly talented, so I guess I’ll just sit back and see who takes the prize.

JA: Is there something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
SM: Hmm, what would people be surprised to learn about me? Maybe it’s that by all appearances I’m a very friendly, open, and outgoing person (yes, even funny!), but on the inside, I sometimes feel insecure and shy. I sometimes have to work at my “outgoingness”. I LOVE spending time with friends and family, and I enjoy making people laugh with my antics, but I’m also a very private individual who loves solitude and quiet. I’m rarely the one who gets on the phone and instigates the social gatherings. I will be glad to attend things when invited, but if given a choice, I’m more apt to want to stay in the comfort of my home and just veg-out with my hubby. Fortunately, he feels exactly the same as me. Two boring little fuddy-duddies; that’s what we are! Pathetic, huh! haha

JA: Between family, writing, and church commitments, you are one very busy lady. If you had a week off with no deadlines, nothing marked in your calendar, how would you spend it?
SM: Probably what I described above, only I’d add that I’d want my precious grandkids with me. Maybe enjoying time by the pool, playing, reading, EATING scrumptious food, and maybe going to some exotic place.

JA: Last but not least, how can people keep up with your latest publishing news?
SM: Oh, I love visitors to my websites. I always reply to comments there and all emails. Please feel free to come “see me” anytime. I also welcome prayer requests and promise to lift you to the Father with any needs weighing heavy. Here is my contact information:

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com
http://shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren
smac@chartermi.net

Thanks so very much for allowing me to share from my heart. It’s been great fun.

COME SEE ME, EVERYONE!

Thank you, Sharlene, and continued blessings to you in your writing journey!

JEN’S REVIEW

Emma Browning has had a lot to deal with in her life. Coloring everything she does is the memory of the abuse she endured at the hands of her alcoholic father. Jon Atkins had an equally difficult childhood, but rather than hold on to the bitterness, he turned to the Lord. Courting Emma is not just a historical romance. Rather, it’s a story of redemption, forgiveness and how God truly does work things out for good. Fans of the Little Hickman Creek series will not be disappointed in this, the final book of the series.

MacLaren populates her novel with a great cast of supporting characters. The interplay between the citizens of Little Hickman is wonderfully natural, evoking a time when people knew what it was to live in a “community.” While the burgeoning romance between Emma and Jon is lovely, the real strength here is the evolving relationship between Ezra Browning and the rest of the town. How Jon, Emma, and even the church, look on Ezra will be sure to inspire and convict readers.

WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Courting Emma just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll combine the responses of my Blogger and ShoutLife blogs to pick a winner at random on April 23rd. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) ShoutLifers will be contacted via ShoutMail. Good luck!