Interview & Book Giveaway with Author Michelle Griep

A big welcome to author Michelle Griep. Make sure to leave a comment on today's post for a chance to win a copy of her new novel, Undercurrent.

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  Yes, except for a short season when I kicked around the idea of becoming an astronaut. Two problems with that, though. First off, I hate science and math, both of which you should at least have a mild interest in to be successful in a space career. Secondly, when I found out that astronauts don’t actually wear cool Lt. Uhura uniforms, it was a deal breaker.

Q:  What’s your favorite part of the writing business? What’s your least favorite?
A:  Getting paid for penning down my daydreams is my fave. Least is marketing. There’s a reason I’m not a salesman. I stink at it.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  The freak magnet effect. When people hear you’re a published author, you will be blown away by the connection that others instantly feel toward you. I’m convinced that 99.9% of the population are wannabe-writers with not only novel ideas, but entire epic trilogy tales. These people will corner you and tell you every detail of their story, then expect you to help them get it published.

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A:  I’d be running a B&B in England. Near a castle. On a moor. With Mr. Rochester as my neighbor. Wow. Did I mention I’m an out-of-the-closet Charlotte Bronte fan-a-maniac?

Q:  What event, writer, or book has most impacted your writing life?
A:  My critique partners. These gals are ruthless. They’re cute when they wear their cheerleader costumes but my-oh-my…my head’s been on a platter many times over for lazy writing or a sagging plot. These writing buddies are always there for me whether I’m riding the crest of victory or weeping from rejection. I couldn’t play this game without them.

Q:  What does your family think about your crazy career?
A:  My husband knew I was certifiably insane when he married me, so no problem there. As for my kids… My oldest son thinks it’s great but only reads audio/technical textbooks. My second son reads my rough drafts, cutting out scenes that are too sissy and/or adding in some sweet moves to my fight scenes. My oldest daughter is too busy fixing her hair to notice that I write. And my youngest daughter is pretty sure Hollywood will make blockbuster movies of my stories, and can I please get her into a starring role?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes…except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. Find out more at www.mmgriep.com

ABOUT THE BOOK - Undercurrent
People go missing every day. Many meet with foul play, some leave the social grid by choice, but others are never accounted for. Such is the fate of successful linguistics professor Cassie Larson. She leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit—or did he? He can’t remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn’t in his plans.

Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik’s innocence. He didn’t count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in Alarik’s absence.



WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Undercurrent, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, May 13th. 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.)

Good luck!

Dreaming with Amy Deardon - WIN HER BOOK!

It's my pleasure to welcome debut novelist - and first time Musings guest - Amy Deardon.


“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11


My first published book, A Lever Long Enough, is my dream. My hope for this book is that God may use it to open the heart and mind of a skeptic.

A Lever Long Enough is about a small military team that travels back in time to film the theft of Jesus' body from the tomb. While the emphasis is on the story, Lever fairly presents the arguments for and against the resurrection, and demonstrates (without the use of fictional miracles) that the case for the resurrection is remarkable. I tried to write the kind of book I love to read: full of action, a love story, and exotic background and ideas.
It's been a long journey to hold this book in my hands. My first efforts were terrible, but slowly, the characters and story took shape. I didn't want to stop until it had been born. My husband was encouraging but clueless. "Good job," he'd say, and then fall silent. Writing was the secret dream I nurtured in my heart; God alone walked with me to do this.

When it was finished I gave this book to the Lord. It's OK, I told Him, if it's not published. I wrote this book for you, and it's my best.

Lever came out in January, and I am humbled and awed to see the enthusiastic responses. Reviews on Amazon have been amazing. I have some wonderful endorsements, including from Wayne Batson, Thomas Phillips, and Randy Ingermanson. I am so grateful to people like you, Jen, who are kind enough to allow me to visit with your readers on your blog. I have spoken at book clubs, and am looking forward to an online discussion this week on the ACFW book club.

Lever has opened opportunities for me to speak about writing and my faith. I don't care if it sells two or two million; I simply want this to be a tool that a believer can place into the hands of a non-Christian to open discussion of Who is Jesus? I have discovered a new career -- I love writing, and am eager to produce more books soon. I believe with all my heart that before my dream for me to write, this was the Lord’s. How awesome!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m married and fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with our two children, now 15 and 12. In my life B.C. (before children) I did bench science research and taught anatomy and physiology at an undergraduate level.

I undertook a personal quest to investigate the claims of Jesus’ resurrection with the goal of destroying them. To do this I studied biblical and extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and numerous commentaries by believers and skeptics alike, listed the facts agreed upon, and began to explore scenarios that could explain what was known. To my surprise and considerable dismay, the evidence kept pointing away from naturalistic explanations and eventually formed a virtually certain case for the resurrection of Jesus. Finally I admitted defeat and became a Christian.

Visit Amy's web site at: www.amydeardon.com


ABOUT THE BOOK – A Lever Long Enough

A small military team travels back in time to film the theft of Jesus' body from the tomb . . .

The Israeli team, led by Benjamin Finan, has exactly seventy-two hours to collect the data. Failure threatens the existence of Israel and may cause the world to slip into all-out war.

Drawn into a web of first century deception and death, the only way to escape is for Benjamin to change the past.

In the present, a traitor determines to sabotage the mission and seize control of the complex housing the time machine. Only Benjamin can reveal him, but he is trapped two thousand years away. Even with a time machine, time is running out.


WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of A Lever Long Enough, just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on March 25th. 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.) Good luck!