Carol Cox is a pastor’s wife, a mom, and a grandmother. She has an abiding love of history and is the author of more than twenty-five books. Her latest, Trouble in Store, released earlier this month.

Carol, her husband and her daughter live in northern Arizona, fifty miles from the nearest mall.

See below for details on the contest Carol is holding to celebrate the release of Trouble in Store.

Please tell us about Trouble in Store (Bethany House, June 2013).

I’ve always been fascinated by stories of people who are thrown into impossible situations and manage to prevail, despite the odds. That’s exactly the kind of situation Melanie Ross faces in Trouble in Store.

Here’s a bit about the book:

Fired from her job as a governess, Melanie Ross has no one to turn to and no place to go . . . except the Arizona mercantile owned by her late cousin and his partner. She packs her bags and heads west, hoping to make a new start. But when she arrives, she learns her cousin’s partner has also died, and the mercantile is being run by his nephew—who has no intention of letting Melanie take over the store he’s inherited. When a body turns up on the doorstep, squabbling with Caleb Nelson over ownership of the store becomes the least of Melanie’s problems.

What inspired the story?

I love studying history and learning about the way people lived in different times and places. And I’m always struck by the fact that while fashions and customs may change from one era to the next, the issues we deal with don’t.

While Trouble in Store is set in 1885 Arizona, the problems facing Melanie and Caleb are the same issues people face today: loneliness, difficult economic times, and balancing life as a single parent.

Melanie’s struggle to find a home reflects the longing we all experience for a place where we can belong, where we’re accepted and loved. It’s a longing God has placed in all our hearts—the awareness of an emptiness only He can fill.

Detours in life can be frustrating—kind of like plot twists in the stories we write—but the outcome is often even more intriguing than our original plan. Can you tell us about a recent “detour” in your life—or in one of your character’s lives—that taught you something?

Melanie’s experience is a perfect example of that! When her job as a governess comes to an abrupt end, she finds herself cast out into the world all alone, with no family to rely on and no place to call her own. Her only possible haven is the mercantile her late cousin owned, along with his partner, Alvin Nelson. But Alvin has also passed away, and the warm welcome she hoped for doesn’t materialize. Time after time, she experiences a stumbling block along her path . . . and yet God is faithful, leading her one step at a time into new and richer experiences that turn out to be blessings that draw her closer to Him.

I’ve seen that happen in my own life. I’ll make plans, only to see blocks arise in the path before me. When that happens, I have to make a choice. Do I rail against seeing my ideas thwarted? Or do I put my trust in God and let Him turn my feet in a new direction? He knows the end from the beginning and sees possibilities I can’t imagine!

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For more information about Carol and her books, visit her website at http://authorcarolcox.com/books/historical-novels/.

To purchase Trouble in Store, logon to:

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.

Psalm 8:1 NIV

Jehovah. The most frequently used name for God in the Old Testament. When combined with other Hebrew words, it shows us the many facets of God’s love and care for us.

Jehovah-Jireh—THE LORD WILL PROVIDE (Genesis 22:1-14)

Our God knows, and provides for our every need—day after day after day.

Jehovah-Rapha—THE LORD HEALS (Exodus 15:22-26)

When we are confronted with problems and heartache in our lives, our God brings healing, making the bitter things in our lives sweet.

Jehovah-Nissi—THE LORD IS MY BANNER (Exodus 17:8-15)

Under the banner of God, victory is ours, testifying to the power of God in defense of His people.

Jehovah-Mekoddishkem—THE LORD SANCTIFIES YOU (Exodus 31:12-18; Leviticus 20:7-8)

The purpose of the Sabbath was that the Israelites might know the God who sanctifies them and makes them holy—just as the blood of Jesus Christ sanctifies us and makes us holy.

Jehovah-Shalom—THE LORD IS PEACE (Judges 6:11-24)

When the hour is dark, the situation despairing, we can look to the Lord to give us His peace—a peace that does not change regardless of circumstances.

Jehovah-Sabaoth—THE LORD OF HOSTS (1 Samuel 1:3-11; 17:42-47)

As the supreme head and commander of all the heavenly host, which are ever ready to execute His will, our Almighty God fights for us and helps us find our strength in Him.

Jehovah-Raah—THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (Psalm 23)

Even though we stumble and fall, our Heavenly Father cares for us as a shepherd cares for his flock and leads us to the house where we will dwell with Him forever.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu—THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:1-6; 33:16)

The Righteous Branch, Jesus Christ, gives us a new heart and a new life because the only way we can be right with God is through Jesus Christ.

Jehovah-Shammah—THE LORD IS THERE (Ezekiel 48:35)

Jehovah did not abandon Jerusalem. And He will not abandon us. Ever. Even when no one else is there, He will be.

What beautiful names for our God! Why not celebrate Father’s Day by looking for other names and attributes of our Great Jehovah. And remember—when we focus on Him rather than ourselves, we realize that He is all these things and even more. He is there—always! Amen.

Happy Father’s Day, Pa-Paer, from your “other kid.”

Linda Veath Cox is a regular contributor to DivineDetour. She recently retired after twenty-five years as a district office secretary for the State of Illinois. Her first loves are studying the Bible and reading, but she occasionally tries her hand at writing. Her work is published in All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa (Thomas Nelson),The One-Year Life Verse Devotional (Tyndale), Life Lessons from Grandparents (Write Integrity), Love Is a Verb (a devotional from Bethany House), and Chicken Soup for the Soul’s I Can’t Believe My Dog Did That. She lives in a small town in the Midwest with the “Bone Mafia,” her two indoor/outdoor mutts.

When Greg Becker and his wife packed up their home in California to move to South Africa eight years ago, they had no idea what God had in store for them. They were eventually led to help produce an animated kid’s story about Africa—written, directed and produced by Africans.

Adventures of Zambezia also features voice overs by an all-star Hollywood cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with Abigale Breslin and Jeremy Suarez. In this story, Kai, a young falcon sets out on a journey and finds the detour of a lifetime. The story’s uplifting, faith-influenced message is appropriate for children of all ages.

Greg and his family currently reside in California.

When did your family first travel to South Africa, and why were you there?

We first moved to South Africa in 2005. We had met several South Africans in the Bay Area where we live and found them delightful and filled with faith. In 2004, I had travelled to Cape Town on a scouting trip by myself. While there, I sensed the Holy Spirit speak to me and encourage me to bring my family. During that time of worship, it seemed He was also telling me that He would give us a place of rest and lead us step by step. We were to trust Him completely and wait upon Him for specific directions.

God often sends us on unexpected detours that turn out to be positive. Please tell us about a recent “Divine Detour” in your life.

Probably the biggest detour for us in our entire South African story was the one that brought us back to America after several years there. We absolutely loved our time in South Africa and really wished we could have stayed. Our older kids were getting close to high school age and in hindsight it seems God had a plan for them to be raised here. It’s still puzzling a bit to us at times and the re-entry phase into American life was more challenging than we realized. We have returned twice to South Africa and hope to go again soon.

Let’s talk about the Adventures of Zambezia. How (and why) did you become involved in the project?

One early morning at a large men’s prayer breakfast, a couple of animators presented a short that they had done. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of their work. It never in my wildest dreams occurred to me then that it could be an investment opportunity.

The producers eventually approached me about funding a direct-to-DVD movie. Although I was seeking God about how to invest some of the funds He had given us when we left for South Africa, an animation project was something we had not considered. I told them “no” at least two times. They persisted and eventually I agreed to a meeting. From there, I agreed to be the development funder of their smaller project, but once we embarked upon that work and I saw the potential, we decided to make a pilot and develop a script for a full feature movie instead. I wanted to provide them with the beginning platform that would help them see their greatest dreams realized. After that, we became part of the executive group that sought funding for the feature film and built a dynamic international team that played a part in completing the movie.

What age group will most enjoy the film? What takeaway do you hope they will come away with?

Our target audience was five to twelve, and I think that audience, along with their parents, will especially love Adventures in Zambezia. It’s a great family film with wholesome messages of love, teamwork, acceptance, forgiveness, and overcoming evil. The setting for the action is Victoria Falls on the boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, and the scenery is not only delightful but also educational for children from around the world learning about the beauty and wonders of that place. The birds in the movie are all indigenous to that area.

Our first scripts for the movie were based upon the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke Chapter 15 in the Bible. That is the story we set out to tell. As we moved along in script development though, we found it difficult to portray the perfect Heavenly Father. We morphed the story several times and perhaps ironically lost the Prodigal Son story. However, a real nice reconciliation scene between the father and son remains.

We just want the audience to enjoy themselves as they watch a new style of animation from a relatively previously unknown part of the animation world. It is kind of cool to have a kids’ story about Africa actually written, directed and produced by Africans.

What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or yourself) in the process of making this film?

We are still learning. We had to trust God from the very first day, believing that we heard His voice and were following His Spirit in making the investment. The journey has now been going on for over seven years, and we are still waiting to see what sort of outcomes He may provide for fruit.

What’s next for you as a producer?

I am not certain. People in the movie industry and folks who recognize what we have done in South Africa desire to converse with us about all that we have been through. So, opportunities for next steps seem to be bubbling up. I think we will have to wait to see.

A few fun questions…

What was your favorite South African food, and what American food did you miss most while living overseas?

We loved the Afrikaans version of Shepherd’s Pie called “babooti.”  They also made an egg tart pie for dessert that resulted in some troubling weight gain.

By far, we missed Mexican food the most while in Africa. Not many there ate burritos and tacos, and we found it difficult to find a Mexican restaurant. Each time we landed on American soil to visit home, we immediately rushed out to Chipotles.

What’s the title of the last GREAT book you’ve read?

The last great book I read was The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I enjoy reading to my kids before bedtime. We just finished the adventures of Bilbo Baggins recently.

If you were a song, what kind of a song would you be?

I think I would change songs a lot. Today, as my older three kids finished up their school year and the sun was shining bright in our corner of the world, we played every “California” song we could think of.

On the subject of music, Zambezia was nominated for Best Music at the Annie Awards, the animation industry recognition. There is one song called Get Up sung by Zolani from South Africa that is especially delightful.

Which character in the movie are you most like, and why?

In the old days, I think I was most like Kai, young, crazy, risk taking and idealistic. Now, I think I am probably more like Tendai, older, a bit worn, some broken feathers, yet with a little fight left.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

We have two dogs that my daughter absolutely loves. One is a Yorkshire Terrier and the other is a shorthaired Chihuahua. They bark like big dogs but are the size of large mice. The Yorkie was born in South Africa and made the trek back alone. Obviously, she is one tough cookie.

Thanks, Greg! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Adventures of Zambezia and to view the movie trailer, visit the official website.

Adventures of Zambezia is available for purchase at Walmart stores nationwide and/or Walmart online.

Murray Pura has traveled the world as far as China, mostly by thumb, and lived in the Middle East. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and his ThM degree in theology and interdisciplinary studies from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more than twenty-five years, he has pastored churches in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Alberta. His writings have been shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award, the John Spencer Hill Literary Award, the Paraclete Fiction Award, and Toronto’s Kobzar Literary Award.

Murray lives in southern Alberta near the Rocky Mountains. He and his wife, Linda, have a son and a daughter.

Your writing journey began at an early age and your itinerant spirit has taken you, literally, across several continents. I’m willing to guess that you have a long list of book ideas from which to draw. How do you decide which story to write next?

Sometimes it’s simply decided by a contract. A publisher asks you for some story ideas and they accept one or two of them and that’s where you start. So you throw out several ideas and you don’t know which one they will take an interest in.

How does your faith play into your writing?

Well, I started writing before I became a Christian and then when I did start following Christ it affected everything I wrote. My heroes and heroines deal with life by means of prayer, Scripture, and their faith in God. It’s real to them, not just a habit or something they grew up with. They expect God to be intimately involved with their struggles and difficulties and help them work everything out.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

We were supposed to live several years in Scotland but unexpectedly had to return to Canada. It was upsetting and disappointing. However my writing began to take off months after our return because I received several publishing offers after meeting people in Canada and the USA. What a surprise that was!

Let’s talk about Whispers of a New Dawn (Harvest House, April 2013), Book 3 in your Snapshots of History Series. Please tell us about it.

It’s the sequel to The Wings of Morning and takes place twenty years after the events in that novel. So Wings occurs from 1917-1919 and Whispers occurs in 1941. It’s the same characters, an Amish man and wife who love to fly and now their daughter, who is also a flier. They return to the Amish colony in Pennsylvania and try to start a new life with their families and the Amish church and give up their airplanes. But through various twists and turns they wind up leaving the colony and traveling to Hawaii to help friends who desperately need their flying skills to train Army pilots. Of course this creates a crisis in their relationship with the anti-military Amish. But Hawaii opens doors of romance for their daughter and the painful decision to leave the colony in Pennsylvania is eased by her love for a young Army pilot. Everything seems to be going along beautifully—until Sunday morning, December 7, 1941.

God often uses our work to teach us something. What has writing taught you (about life, faith, and/or even yourself)?

In my stories I can control the plot to a great extent. I’m the creator. But in real life I can’t do that. Many times I’ve said, “If I was writing my life as a book I wouldn’t have let that happen!” All I can do is kneel before God and seek his peace and strength and guidance—I can’t run things in the real world like I can in my novels and stories.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Salt and vinegar potato chips and Coke Zero. I love the flavor and it reminds of sitting down to watch a good movie in the comfort of my own home.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I like all kinds of music. But we especially love acoustic guitar. In our house we have lots of guitars—Martins, Larrivees, and Taylors and they see a lot of use. It is a great way of relaxing after writing intensely and meeting deadlines.

If you were a song, what kind of a song would you be?

In pensive moments, a slow jazz ballad with a tenor sax solo. In active moments, fast finger style acoustic guitar or really fast Les Paul electric guitar.

In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?

I’m definitely the mythical warrior. That’s me, with my horse and sword and courage!

I’m a dog lover, and I know you are too. You recently lost a canine companion (something my husband and I also experienced in April), and you wrote a beautiful blog post about your loss. Have you and your wife added another canine to your family yet?

Well, my wife doesn’t want to because each time we’ve lost a dog it’s hurt so much (we’ve had dogs since 1986 without a break). I still want to have another pair (we’ve always had brothers and sisters). I guess we’ll have to see.

Thank you, Murray! It’s a great pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

My pleasure, thanks for the fun questions.

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For more information about Murray, visit his website.

To purchase Whispers of a New Dawn and/or other books by Murray, logon to:

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. As a teenager, she backpacked through Germany and Eastern Europe, studied German in Salzburg, ate gelato in Italy, and rode camels in Morocco.

When she’s not traveling, she likes to read. When she’s not reading or writing Biblical fiction, she is feeding a “ravenous horde” of kids and their friends, volunteering at church and school, battling dandelions, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

Stephanie lives in Minnesota with her husband of twenty-two years, four children, three fat cats, and a tortoise named Moe.

You love traveling, but what sparked your literary journey?

I’ve always loved to read, but historical fiction caught my interest early on. It’s one step up from travel . . . it’s time travel. With a good book, you can live in an ancient city or a medieval castle. You eat the food, wear the clothes, and experience what life was really like in that far-off time and place. That’s what I hope my readers can experience when they read my books.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Yes, I never ‘planned’ on writing Biblical fiction. My favorite historical time periods tended to be ancient Rome or Medieval Europe. I thought I’d end up writing a story set in either of those eras. But when I started thinking about the story of Mara, it took hold of me and didn’t let go. I found that Biblical had everything I loved about history, plus the beautiful spiritual element. Now, I have a contract for three Biblical fiction novels, of which The Well is the first, and I couldn’t be happier.

How does your faith play into your writing?

It’s my hope that my faith plays into everything I do.

Most of us won’t get to come face to face with Jesus until heaven, but I like to spend some time here on earth imagining what it might have felt like to meet the Incarnation. Jesus, the Son of God, as He walked, talked, and ate with men and women of His time. How would it change you, how would it affect those around you?

Let’s talk about your new book, The Well (Howard Books, June 2013). Please tell us about it.

The Well is about a girl named Mara who lives in the Samaritan town of Sychar with her disgraced mother and crippled little brother. Because of her mother’s many sins, Mara struggles against the constant threats of starvation or exile. Mara and Nava’s lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man from Caesarea, and  Jesus, a Jewish teacher. Nava is transformed by Jesus, but His teachings come too late and she is stoned by the unforgiving villagers. Desperate to save her dying mother, Mara and Shem embark on a journey to seek Jesus’ help—a journey that brings unexpected love and unimaginable heartbreak.

God often uses our stories to teach us when we’re writing them. What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the process of writing this book?

I learned about trust in God. Trust in His timing. Trust that what He wants for us is so much bigger and better than anything our little minds can imagine. It’s a lesson I think we can learn every day in everything we do.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I’m a big fan of cheese. I love pretty much all of it: Wisconsin cheddar to stinky French cheese. If the words aren’t flowing, I turn to the comfort of a gooey grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup. It never fails to make me feel better. When I turn in a manuscript or finish a round of edits, I like to treat myself to a couple little wedges of exotic fromage and a warm baguette.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I’m like the manager for the Partridge Family—surrounded by musical talent, but have none myself. My husband has had a band since our college years, and now both my teenage sons play guitar and piano, and write music. We have band practice at our house at least twice a week, more in the summer. When the guitars, drums, keyboards, and bass are going strong in the basement, I’m usually in the kitchen making food for the hungry band members, so I guess I do my part!

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

I’d be a simple song, maybe kind of folksy, nothing complicated. I’d have a nice melody, some lyrics that make you think a little bit, and just enough harmony to make it stick in your head.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

What I see: the little girl trying to walk in high heels

What my husband sees: The super heroine

What the world sees: The girl next door

What I wish I saw: The mysterious woman behind the dark glasses

What I really am: In any given moment, a combination of all four!

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I love all pets. Right now, we have three cats (Linus, Milo, and Lucky) and a tortoise (Moe). The cats keep me company when the kids are at school. I’ll be typing away, deep in a scene, and I’ll feel eyes watching me. I turn around to see the three cats sitting on the floor, staring at me. They either want food or they are waiting to see if I’m going to move to the couch and become their human futon. Moe, the tortoise, is a great pet. He doesn’t smell bad, he eats lettuce, and he never complains.

Thanks, Stephanie! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Stephanie, visit her website.

To purchase The Well, logon to:

Multi-published author Miralee Ferrell has had thirteen books published or contracted in the past eight years. Her first novel, The Other Daughter, was released by Kregel Publications in 2007. David C. Cook just released the first book in her new Love Blossoms in Oregon Series.

She serves as president of the Portland, Oregon chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers and often speaks at women’s groups, libraries, and churches about her writing journey. Inspired by the work of Zane Grey, Miralee has a large first edition collection of his books.

She and her husband, Allen, live on eleven acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State.

What sparked your writing journey?

I know a lot of people talk about God nudging them to write, but that truly happened to me. I had no desire to write (other than personal memories/journals/letters). I was visiting a neighboring church to hear a special speaker. At the end of the service I responded to a call for prayer. The pastor/speaker prayed with me and stopped after a few moments. He shared that he felt God was saying that I should be writing . . . he didn’t know whether fiction or non-fiction, but that it was important it be published. I took that word home, prayed about it and counseled with my pastor, husband and mother, who all urged me to take it seriously. Two-and-a-half years later (after three magazine articles were published) my first book, The Other Daughter, released.

How does your faith play into your work?

My books would be hollow without my faith. I weave my beliefs into each book . . . the first two (due to inexperience) a little more blatantly than the more recent ones, as I’ve learned to share my worldview and my faith in Jesus through my characters’ encounters and challenges. I’m a certified counselor with the American Association of Christian Counselors, so I also present issues women deal with, while trying to show the hope that God brings into our everyday struggles.

Let’s talk about Blowing on Dandelions (David C. Cook, June 2013). Please tell us about it.

Blowing on Dandelions is the first book in the three-book, Love Blossoms in Oregon series. It’s a historical romance set in Baker City, OR, 1880, but while it’s a romance it also has a strong women’s thread. I wrote the story after talking to a close friend and seeing the depth of pain she was dealing with in her relationship with her mother, a woman who showed nothing but disapproval and often times used manipulation to get her own way.

While my book has a definite romance thread and a variety of interesting characters that bring flavor and color to the story, it also deals with a difficult relationship between Katherine (my widowed heroine who is raising two daughters) and her mother, who decided to move in permanently with Katherine’s family at her boardinghouse. Readers will also meet Micah, a quiet but kind blacksmith who recently arrived in Baker City, along with his fifteen-year-old son, Zachary, and hopefully enjoy the budding friendship with Katherine’s daughter, Lucy, and the romance that develops between Katherine and Micah.

You’ve had eight books published or contracted since you began writing eight years ago. How do you meet deadlines? What’s your typical writing routine?

Actually, that’s recently changed. My current count is seven published, two more historical romance under contract, and four middle-grade horse novels under contract, so I’m definitely feeling the pressure to perform and stay on task.

I break the book down into needed word count and calculate how many ‘writing days’ I have, not counting weekends, and allowing for a handful of days for vacation or sickness, and exempting the final month prior to deadline (used for revising/polishing), then divide the number of days into my word count so I know what I must average each day to make my deadline. I have a large, desktop calendar, and I write my month’s word count goal at the top, and each week’s goal at the start of the week, then note the amount I’ve written each day. I’m a visual person and this goes a long way toward keeping me on track.

I don’t really have a typical anything in my life. I write when I’m able to carve out time between family and church responsibilities, marketing/publicity, errands, and more, but I’d say I do the majority of my creative writing in the evenings when the house is quiet and there are less demands.

Can you tell us about a recent “detour” in your life—or in one of your character’s lives—that taught you something?

This particular detour happened almost two years ago and concerns my current contract for my new series. My agent had submitted the proposal for the Oregon romance series to Cook, while at the same time presenting a three-book series of Western (cowboy type) romances to another company. I really wanted to write that other series. I’d started it and was having so much fun with the characters that I longed to finish and not get detoured to another book/series. Both series passed editorial review and were slotted for committee . . . but the Western series kept getting stalled and pushed to the following week, then to the following month. In the meantime, Cook had made a very attractive offer, and I needed to make a decision. I prayed, but kept asking the Lord to please let the other company hurry up, so I could write the other series.

God had other plans. Deep in my spirit I knew I was supposed to write Blowing on Dandelions first. God had given me the story idea and title over a year earlier, but I’d gotten off the path and lost that sense of calling . . . I’d taken a detour after my own flesh. The other company delayed yet again, and my agent and I decided that clinched it. I would take Cook’s offer and let the other one go. I can’t tell you how grateful I am now that time has passed and I have some perspective. I’m sure the other company would have been great to work for, but this is the book I was meant to write first, and this is the company God wanted me with, at least for now. Cook has been such a joy and a blessing to work for, and I’m praying I’ll be able to find a writing home with them for a long time to come. God took my own selfish desire that could have taken me on a round-about detour, and brought me exactly where He wanted me to be, and I have to say, I’m more than thankful!

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Oh, that’s hard, as I have several. But I think the top two are Rocky Road ice cream and Dove dark chocolate. Yum!

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I wish I did, but unfortunately, no. I love listening to Christian worship and praise music, but I have no musical talent at all. My only other ‘artistic’ type talent is oil painting. I used to paint scenery, but once I started writing I no longer had enough time for painting.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Definitely upbeat, joyful, praise and worship. I’m a glass half-full kind of gal, and tend to see the good in life and expect God to move on my, or other’s behalf, because I know how much He loves us and cares about His children.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I’d have to say that most of the time I’m the strong female lead, but with a little bit of the girl next door thrown in to soften the edges.  : )

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

Oh yes, I LOVE animals, too. In fact, as I’m writing this, Lacey, my little six lb, long-haired Chihuahua is curled up on my lap trying to sleep through my typing. Often she’ll perch her chin on the edge of my keyboard and softly growls at me if I shift her in another direction, LOL! She knows exactly what she wants and does not care to be corrected. An hour ago I finished giving Sophie a bath, our Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler cross, and she’s snoozing on her bed not far from my desk. Our two cats, Tom and Smoke, are curled up somewhere enjoying the warm house, as it’s raining outside. Oh . . . and I have an Arabian mare as well . . . Khaila, who just this year is enjoying retirement, so I ride my son-in-law’s horse when my daughter and I go trail riding together.

Thanks, Miralee! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

I’ve loved being here. You had some excellent questions, and I do hope your readers will consider picking up a copy of Blowing on Dandelions and consider posting a review if they enjoy it!

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For more information about Miralee, visit her website.

To purchase Blowing on Dandelions, logon to:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

I don’t know about you, but I love looking at the night sky and all the twinkling stars. I could gaze at them for hours, thinking of their vastness and how they declare the glory of God. And I confess, even as an adult, I still wonder what the stars are. Oh, I know astronomers could explain it all to me, of course. But even if they did, I would still gaze with amazement at the glorious sky God has created.

Just think how Isaiah must have felt when he wrote those words. He was no doubt looking up at the night sky over Israel, gazing at the nearly five thousand visible stars. Five thousand twinkling lights. Wow. If you think that’s a lot, astronomers now estimate that there are more than four hundred billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. And in the whole universe they have estimated that there are ten billion trillion stars. Now that’s a whole lot of twinkling going on, folks! All created by our amazing God!

But what’s even more amazing is that the God who created all of those stars even calls them all by name and ensures that none of them are missing. Wow! I mean WOW!

And if God knows each and every star by name, if He knows when any of the ten billion trillion stars is missing, He will surely not forget even one of His people whom He created in His image and sent His Son to die for.

So the next time we look up into the night sky and see the twinkling stars may we rejoice that our Creator God, who knows each star by name, also knows ours.

And BTW, this 19th Century poem turned English lullaby, has several verses, one of which just may describe that “twinkling little star” which led the Wise Men to the babe in Bethlehem.

Then the traveller in the dark,

Thanks you for your tiny spark,

He could not see which way to go,

If you did not twinkle so.

Linda Veath Cox is a regular contributor to DivineDetour. She recently retired after twenty-five years as a district office secretary for the State of Illinois. Her first loves are studying the Bible and reading, but she occasionally tries her hand at writing. Her work is published in All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa (Thomas Nelson),The One-Year Life Verse Devotional (Tyndale), Life Lessons from Grandparents (Write Integrity), Love Is a Verb (a devotional from Bethany House), and Chicken Soup for the Soul’s I Can’t Believe My Dog Did That. She lives in a small town in the Midwest with the “Bone Mafia,” her two indoor/outdoor mutts.

Misty Edwards’ music has impacted thousands. As a worship leader and songwriter at the International House of Prayer since its inception in September 1999, her songs and performances have been streamed live 24/7 around the world.

Her new Praise and Worship CD/DVD, Only a Shadow, recently debuted in the Top Ten on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, at #2 on the Soundscan Digital chart, and reached #1 at iTunes.

In December, Misty also released her first book, entitled What Is the Point?

When did you know music would become your life’s work?

I never intended for music to be my life’s work or even my full time occupation. But when the International House of Prayer of Kansas City started in 1999 we set out to do perpetual prayer twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and we combined the spoken prayer with music. The music literally never stopped. Fourteen years later, it still hasn’t stopped! Both day and night the music carries the intercession and the worship, and in my desire to live a life of prayer, I found this was the most enjoyable way to sustain corporate prayer. Music became my vocation by accident because it is the backbone to day and night prayer.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

My life is full of unexpected detours. I trust in the Sovereign leadership of God in a massive way. I could never map out my life with the wisdom that He does. I trust when things do not go as I planned or as I thought they should go (that) it is His hand intervening or His hand being lifted in a time of testing. Knowing that His aim is to form love and humility in me is what helps me make sense of the detours of my life. His goal is my heart when, often, my goal is other things. Learning to trust the Potter and yielding to His hand even under pressure is a huge part of walking with Him.

What prompted you to write a book?

I was approached by Charisma Books with the idea of writing and my first answer was “no way.” I was extremely intimidated and hesitant. It was a daunting task but I enjoyed the challenge.

Let’s talk about What Is the Point? (Passio, December 2012). Please tell us about it.

What Is the Point? explores the questions that I wrestled with from my childhood—questions concerning the meaning of life and the purpose of creation. It is a bit of my own story intertwined with the truths that I have learned over the past decade of searching out the Invisible One.

You’ve just released a new CD/DVD, Only a Shadow (Forerunner Music, March 2013). When and where was it recorded?

Only a Shadow was recorded live at our end of the year conference, called Onething, where we host about 25,000 young adults here in Kansas City. We did a prophetic worship concert late one night and hit “record.” Only a Shadow is the result of that evening.

How did you go about selecting the songs?

I wanted to choose songs that combined themes of the fragility of life, our eternal destiny and the significance of our lives today, all in the midst of the routine and the small. Keeping Jesus at the center and seeing our story wrapped up in His, both now and forever, is what helps us make sense of our lives today. This album weaves in and out of these themes.

Tracks like Ezekiel 1 and Baptize My Heart might best be described as “spiritually electric.” Who were your early musical influences?

I honestly do not have a lot of musical influence(s). I grew up in a household where we couldn’t listen to anything that had a rock beat in it. Now, I love intense music, I love passionate sounds and sounds that make you “lean in.” So, when describing mysterious things like on “Ezekiel 1,” I try to create a landscape of mystery through the music.

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

My favorite comfort food is chocolate. Probably because it feels like I am getting away with something sneaky.

This website features literary as well as music guests. What’s the title of the last GREAT book you read?

The last book I read that I loved was the Life of St. Anthony of Egypt.

What verse or story in the Bible best describes your personal faith journey?

There are too many to list. I relate to different aspects of many stories in the Bible. One I often return to is the story of Mary of Bethany and her extravagant devotion. Whenever I feel like I am wasting my life by giving myself to a life of prayer and serving I remember Mary and hear the words that Jesus spoke over her life and I want to be like her.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I’m probably the mysterious woman behind the dark glasses.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

At the risk of being offensive… I’m not much of an animal lover. I appreciate the beauty of animals in the midst of all of the created order and I am fascinated by animals but don’t really have a personal affection for them. I had a Persian cat when I was growing up and he was a bit on the crazy side.

Thank you, Misty! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Misty, visit her website. To view Misty’s recent 700 Club interview, logon here. To view a generous sampling of the Only a Shadow DVD, logon here.

To purchase What Is the Point and/or Only a Shadow, logon to:

Ask the members of the Andy Needham Band (ANB), and they’ll tell you that the Christian music scene in Boston is on the rise. They know, because they are on the forefront of the movement.

While the idea of a mega-church may be foreign to most New Englanders, and it may not be common to see Boston area arenas filled to capacity for Christian bands, the ANB, which evolved from a church camp praise and worship ensemble to a full-time touring group, is now witnessing firsthand a grassroots revival in the Northeast. Their new CD, Lifted High, was produced by Grammy Award winning Mitch Dane, whose credits include Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman, and Brandon Heath.

Andy Needham recently agreed to an exclusive interview with DivineDetour.

At what point in life did you realize music was God’s calling for you?

From the first time I picked up a guitar at the age of fifteen, the idea of music and especially the practice of writing songs was a devotional experience. The notebooks I filled with song ideas were in reality my faith journal. Not long after I learned to play two chords my youth pastor caught wind of my new hobby and invited me to join the student worship team. While my abilities took some time to catch up, leading worship was a clear calling.

In my early twenties I worked on staff at a Christian camp in Southern NH, Monadnock Bible Conference. My job was to design and execute youth programs. I embraced the platform of leading worship at the camp for winter retreats and summer camp weeks. Other young adults with a heart for worship and musical gifting joined the team. Two of those young people were Joel Rousseau and Jonathan Mason who are the lead guitarist and bass player for the Andy Needham Band today.

Has God ever sent you on an unexpected “detour” that turned out to be positive?

In 2008 I stepped out of an influential regional ministry role at the camp to serve as the Student Ministries Director at a church thirty miles west of Boston. Leaving camp meant losing a platform for leading hundreds of churches in worship. The camp also retained the sound equipment we had built up over the years and even the name of the band. It was a season of surrender and refining for the musical part of my life.

We reformed the band. The guys asked that we simply call it the Andy Needham Band to maintain a sense of consistency with what we had been before. That said, our first year yielded only two gigs. It was slow at first to say the least.

The next year we played two-three times a month, still all serving in different ministries and jobs. The band was a great hobby. A good gig might provide enough money to go out to eat afterwards. In 2011 we jumped to over fifty dates. We had to say no to dozens of excellent opportunities. God was moving in and through us and we were seeing amazing ministry take place.

This all led to a jumping point in 2012. With great faith and the support of our families God called us to work full time on the band ministry. Our drummer stepped out at this time because he was newly married and unable to commit to the intense travel we would be embarking on. Within days we met and began a dialogue with our current drummer, Andrew Picha, who has become an integral part of the band. We served over 160 days in 2012. Today we have a rapidly growing platform and are now travelling well beyond the New England states we call home.

You recorded your debut CD, Lifted High, in Nashville. How did that come about?

In 2011 as we prepared to transition from a part-time to a full-time touring act we realized we needed the best recording possible. Jonathan and I drove through the night to Nashville in November of 2011 and met with every producer that would return our persistent emails or calls. We connected with everyone from seasoned pros to upstart new comers who were building their portfolio.

Jonathan is a big fan of the music of Jars of Clay so he cold emailed one of their producers and surprisingly Mitch Dane offered to meet. We figured it was a courtesy and would be beyond our budget, but we really hit it off with Mitch and worked out a plan that would allow us to hire him to produce our project.

We recorded six songs in January of 2012 and four more in April to complete the project. Lifted High was released in September consisting of re-imagined songs we had tested on the road and some brand new writing. The response from our fans and respected national critics like Worship Leader Magazine, CCM, and New Release Tuesday has been overwhelmingly positive.

You write much of your material. Did you have a foundation song or central theme in mind when you set out to record the project?

Like most writers I am often asked what comes first, the lyric or the melody. My answer is that what comes first is the idea. A strong song, especially a worship song, needs to anchor in a clear thesis. The big idea of the song forces the writing to seek clarity and creativity.

Each of the songs on the project reflect stand alone big ideas, but they are all centered around corporate worship, which is our passion. The key line of the title track, Lifted High, sums up the project and our purpose as a band: “May the matchless Name of Jesus be the anthem of our lives.”

Please tell us about the Simply Worship Conference.

We never set out to start a conference. A small church in Massachusetts asked us to come and help train and encourage their team. We decided to open the one-day event to other churches. When the day came, 125 worship leaders from dozens of churches attended. The response was overwhelming and the need was crystal clear. The Simply Worship Conference was birthed, an affordable, biblical, practical event designed for volunteers who help lead worship or run AV at their churches.

We refined the event through a couple other offerings in 2012, serving over 300 worship leaders. We are honored to be a resource to encourage and equip the local church!

This year we will have one event on November 16 in Hudson, MA. Details will be posted soon at this link.

A few fun questions…

The Boston area is famous for its local cuisine. What’s your favorite New England-style comfort food and why?

I am not sure it would be a comfort food but I love New England seafood. Lobster and scallops have to top my list.

This website features literary guests as well as musicians. What’s the name of the last GREAT book you read?

Love Does by Bob Goff is one the most enjoyable and yet deeply insightful books I have read in a number of years.

What Bible verse or story best describes your personal faith journey?

Life is seasons. Each season of my life has had a unique theme and scripture. This journey as a musician has been really about Genesis 12:1 where God calls Abraham to an unknown land. God doesn’t reveal the end point but promises that He will lead and He will be with Abraham.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I would not describe myself as an animal lover but having two kids has brought on life with pets. We currently have three Bearded Dragons. They just might be the perfect pet for someone like me.

Thank you, Andy! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour. May God continue to bless your music.

~ ~ ~

For more information about the Andy Needham Band, visit their website.

To purchase the Lifted High CD, logon to:

Ginger Garrett writes novels and nonfiction books that explore the lives of historical women. Critically acclaimed as the author of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, she was nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2007.

She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater. After a devastating car accident, Ginger was set on a journey through infertility and miscarriages. She turned to writing, and within a year she landed an agent and a publishing contract.

She now resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.

You experienced an unexpected detour that led to writing your first book. Had you aspired to writing prior to that time?

Not really, although I was a newspaper columnist at age twelve. I tried several times to start a novel but never could get past the first few pages. I just decided it was not a profession I was suited for.

Let’s talk about Reign: The Chronicles of Queen Jezebel (David C. Cook, May 2013). Please tell us about it.

I wanted to take a fresh look at some of the Bible’s more infamous women, including Delilah and Jezebel. (I’d already written about Jezebel’s daughter, Queen Athaliah, in Dark Hour.) For Jezebel, I wanted to understand why she was the most despised woman in the Bible. After all, Solomon had plenty of wives who worshipped pagan gods like Jezebel did. That was not a unique crime. So what was it?

Why did you decide to write about Queen Jezebel?

At first, I tried to get out of it! I wanted to avoid her. But a friend asked me to do it, and then one morning I was reading the paper and spied an interesting article. Archeologists had gotten thrown out of a country after discovering a “tophet,” a mass gravesite. In it were the remains of tens of thousands of infant skeletons. The site had ties to Jezebel, and the country did not want to be associated with what had happened. It seems that Jezebel’s crime was much more than worshipping pagan gods—she was sacrificing children to them.

God often uses our stories to teach us when we’re writing them. What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the process of writing this book?

Perseverance. I had to throw out the book three times, and start fresh again. I was doing something so difficult: making an evil woman the lead character, but in a way that readers would feel compassion without admiration. I didn’t want to make her a heroine, but instead, give us all reason to pause and consider how we at times refuse to be saved, too.

One of your non-fiction books, Beauty Secrets of the Bible, is fascinating. What was the inspiration for it?

After researching Queen Esther’s year in the harem receiving beauty treatments, I realized that ancient women not only used natural products with great results, they had a more spiritual view of beauty. My agent at the time, Lee Hough, encouraged me to turn the research into a book.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Chocolate, a Starbucks latte, rinse and repeat! If I am in serious need of comfort, it’s chocolate chip cookies. My mom used to bake them for me, and I loved both her and her cookies. : ) Today, I make them gluten free, though.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

My husband once said that when I sing, I sound like a cross between Carol Channing and David Bowie. But my aspiration is to learn to play banjo. I love banjo music, the blues, and anything with a cello. Or a great hair band from the 80’s.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Something with banjo, of course, or anything that seems to require sitting on the front porch with a basset hound.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I wanted to be the mysterious woman but I am too plain spoken. I’ve always been the strong female lead because I had to be. My prince didn’t show up until I was twenty-seven. By then, I didn’t need saving. But I sure like having him around anyway!

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

Dogs!! Is there any sweeter creation? I have two rescues. I call them the great loves of my life. They include a Great Pyrenees named Duke, who was rescued from the streets by a kind elderly woman, and a Great Pyrenees mix named Snowie. They came into my life after my beloved Bearded Collie, Grendel, passed away before his seventeenth birthday.

Thank you, Ginger! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

Thank you! How fun to discover another dog lover and book fiend! : )

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For more information about Ginger, visit her website.

To purchase Reign: The Chronicles of Queen Jezebel, logon to: