At fifteen, two things happened which would shape Julie Cave’s future: she heard a creation science speaker at her church, which cemented her faith in God; and she finished writing her second novel-length story and realized she had fallen in love with writing novels. There were several detours on the road ahead, including law school, a science degree, and a “coincidental” meeting with the man who would introduce her to her U.S. publisher.

Julie’s second Christian thriller was recently released. She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and one daughter.

You had written two full-length novels by the age of fifteen. How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

I had started to write stories from the moment I learned the alphabet. Writing for me was as natural as breathing or eating! I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a story bouncing around in my head waiting to be told. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact time that I considered writing to be a possible career, but it was in my teens as I continued to practice writing and continued to love it. During high school, I would come home and immediately begin to write on my computer whenever I could. I realized it was not a phase or a fad, and that this was something I genuinely loved to do. However, most of the time I still thought of it as a hobby, rather than a serious aspiration, and continued to do so right up until my publisher expressed interest in my first book!

Did you (do you) have other career aspirations? What would you want to do if you didn’t write books?

My other great love is the law, and I was completing a law degree when I was offered a contract with the publisher, and also found out I was pregnant with our daughter. If I wasn’t a writer, I could finish the law degree and work within the field. I have a great interest in justice for those without a voice in our society, and so I would probably find myself working in some capacity for that part of our community.

Prior to writing, I completed a science degree in public health and worked in banking and finance. My interest in the heady world of high finance has well and truly been satisfied; I have no desire to step back into that world. I am still interested in public health, particularly those in our community who suffer due to lack of funding, education, and opportunity.

How does your faith play into your writing?

My faith is the greatest driver behind my writing. I want to write books that are confronting and challenging and have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. Fiction is often accused of being shallow and pointless; that is the opposite of what I hope my books portray. My ideas for writing come from current world events, and then I think about what God says about that issue in the Bible. That’s how I formulate my plots—I take a relevant issue, delve into how it affects people and families, and discuss what God says about that issue.

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

This experience is a good example of how God can use even acts of rebellion for His good. As a young woman, I turned my back on Christianity and decided to run my own life and do whatever pleased me. Part of this was dating and marrying a non-Christian man. My husband Terry had no background in Christianity and no desire to learn about it. It wasn’t until we had separated and were discussing divorce that I began to re-think my selfish ventures—they were not working out so well! At the same time, Terry sought the advice of a long-time friend who was a Christian. It became clear to us over time that the solution to our marital problems was God, and we both made the commitment to give our lives to the Lord. Now, funnily enough, this friend of Terry’s just happened to know a publisher who just happened to like the first draft of my first book. God certainly used my rebellious act of marrying a non-Christian for His glory.

Let’s talk about your new book, The Shadowed Mind (New Leaf Publishing Group, November 2010), the second in your three-book Dinah Harris Mystery Series. Please tell us about it.

The Shadowed Mind is a thriller set in Washington, D.C., and revolves around the hunt for a serial killer who is choosing victims based on their worthiness to live. Dinah Harris is an ex-FBI agent, new Christian, and recovering alcoholic who is tasked with helping the MPD find the killer. You will also meet Ella Barnett, a young woman struggling to care for her father who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Over the course of the story, these two plots intertwine as it becomes clear the killer firmly believes in eugenics, the practice of “improving” the human race. The book discusses the topics of eugenics, euthanasia, and racism from a Christian viewpoint and points out the dangers of the worldly viewpoint in relation to these issues.

What sparked the idea for the first book in the series, Deadly Disclosures (New Leaf Publishing Group, February 2010)?

I have long been interested in the ongoing debate between atheistic evolutionists and Christian creationists (I am the latter). I saw a documentary by Ben Stein called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed which reveals the extent of discrimination and harassment that exists in the academic and scientific world against those who don’t believe in evolution. I learned about Smithsonian staff members who were slandered and asked to resign; students who were refused PhD’s; and refusal of employment to otherwise qualified candidates simply due to a person’s refusal to believe that evolution is the only explanation for the origins of life. Some of those discriminated against weren’t necessarily Christian, but allowed for the concept of intelligent design in their thinking. Deadly Disclosures is about that discrimination, in which the Secretary of the Smithsonian disappears and is murdered because he dared to challenge the dominance of the scientific establishment.

You make your home halfway around the world from your United States-based publisher. How did you connect with them?

Through what would appear to be a set of coincidences, but what I know is God’s perfect timing. My husband Terry met a Christian guy named Steve, many years ago, more than ten years before Terry met me. Steve comes from a family passionate about upholding the authority of the Bible and his brother Ken is a well-known and multi-published author living in the States. Fast forward almost fifteen years, when Terry talked to Steve about his marital problems with me. Through Steve’s witness, we both became Christians.

Steve and I one day discuss fiction (he thinks it’s pointless, I vehemently defend it) and then he says, “why couldn’t a fiction book have some non-fiction teaching in it?” I say to myself, I could write something like that. We work on an outline together and then I write the first chapter. Steve, who is in the process of writing a book with his brother Ken, says he’ll talk to his publisher about it—but to keep in mind that his publisher has never published fiction before. Funnily enough, at about that time in the States, Ken is watching the popularity of Christian fiction such as the Left Behind series, and he remarks to the publisher that it would be good to tap into the fiction market. The publisher begins to think about that, and then gets the draft of my book on his desk. I think you’ll guess that the publisher liked what I had done, and the rest is history. You may know Steve and Ken, both of whom are in the States now—their last name is Ham, and Ken is the head of the ministry Answers in Genesis.

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?

Strangely, a packet of chicken-flavored chips always works for me! Followed closely by a plate of hot fries smothered in gravy.

This website features both music and literary guests. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I should say that I used to have musical talent! I started the piano at five and moved on to the flute at eight, then the saxophone at fifteen. I played in a Christian orchestra and the school orchestra most of my high school years. In fact, the Christian orchestra cut a cassette tape (as it was in those days) and we recorded the songs over one weekend in a church auditorium. I am ashamed to say that I haven’t played any instrument now for ten years, though I keep meaning to get back into it.

What kind of music do you listen to when you’re relaxing with the radio or an mp3 player?

I like rock of all kinds, except the heavy stuff. I listen to a variety of both Christian and non-Christian music—and I particularly like Casting Crowns, Coldplay, and U2 with some Australian bands you may not know, Eskimo Joe and Powderfinger.

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

I’d like to be a soulful rock song with lyrics that mean something—like U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Minor—quieter, less noticeable, less flashy, but that turns an ordinary song into something extraordinary!

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?

The mysterious woman behind dark glasses who (if I’m allowed to elaborate) doesn’t say much, watches intently, listens closely, and solves the mystery first!

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets.

We have a dog named Sage, who is a shiba inu (related to the Husky family) and is six years old. She has beautiful golden fur and a placid, relaxed temperament. She is slightly obsessive-compulsive when it comes to playing fetch, but none of us are perfect!

Thank you, Julie. It’s a pleasure to have you at DivineDetour.

Thank you for having me!

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For additional information about Julie, visit her website at http://www.juliecave.com. Follow Julie on Facebook (www.facebook.com/julieacave) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/julieacave).

To view The Shadowed Mind book trailer, logon to: http://www.newleafpublishinggroup.com/product_info.php?products_id=874

To purchase Julie’s books from her publisher, logon to: http://www.newleafpublishinggroup.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=julie+cave&x=0&y=0

To purchase Julie’s books at other online retail stores, logon to:

The members of Christian pop-rock band, Sixteen Cities, range in age from 21 to 23, but each are already on their way to becoming music veterans. The group, which now tours the U.S. and internationally, began performing together regularly during their early high school years. After breaking into the indie scene in Portland, Oregon, they captured the attention of a Nashville record label and in 2010 recorded their self-titled, debut CD.

Lead singer, Josiah Warneking, stopped by DivineDetour to talk about the group’s musical journey so far, and their latest single.

How long have you been performing together? When did you realize you had something special as a band?

We have been performing together as a band for over seven years. We started in high school, as a ministry to our peers in high school, and went full-time into music after graduating. We truly felt like God has called us into this band, and love using music to reach people for Christ.

What was the inspiration for the group name?

We saw a huge need on our campus for some kind of ministry that was relevant and real, and that soon became our mission statement, “to be a relevant voice for our generation, and point them to a real God.”

We heard about the tribe of Issachar (found in the Old Testament), who were the men who “understood the times and the season, and knew God’s heart for their nation.” We wanted to be like the men of Issachar, so we found a verse in Joshua 19:22-23 that said the “inheritance given to the tribe of Issachar…were sixteen cities…” and that name stuck.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” for the group that turned out to be positive?

God regularly uses situations we perceive, in our human understanding, to be roadblocks, and turns them around for His purposes. Sometimes we’ll arrive at an event that seems like it might be unsuccessful and, by worldly standards, might be. But we’ve always believed that God is leading us, and when we surrender to His purposes, we always find a beautiful reason for us to be exactly where we are. Sometimes it’s simply to plant a seed in just one person’s heart. Over the years, we’ve become accustomed to trusting that God is in control, even when it seems like everything around us is unstable. We’re actually thankful we spent several years traveling and ministering independently before signing to our record label, because we feel it prepared us for the journey we had in front of us. God knew we needed to be refined and matured before we’d be ready to take our ministry to a higher level. And that’s exactly what He did, and we wouldn’t change a thing.

Let’s talk about your debut, self-titled CD, Sixteen Cities (Centricity Records, 2010). Please tell us a little about it.

Our self-titled project was our first nationally distributed album with our record label, Centricity Records. We were honored to work with acclaimed producer Jason Ingram, and feel like we created an album that truly reflects our “sound” and style. When writing for the project, we focused on songs that dealt with the often-dynamic relationship we have with God, and tried to make the songs poignant to the things people face every day. Many of our songs deal with the way we see ourselves, and how that differs from the way God sees us. The album features 11 songs, ranging from up-tempo pop-rock tunes to ballads that deal with more intimate issues of the heart.

Did you write the songs? How do you usually find inspiration for the songs you write?

Yes, I am the primary songwriter in the band. I feel like inspiration can come from almost anywhere. Most of the time I try to think about real people, and all the struggles, trials, and battles they face, and write songs that speak to those situations. I also think about how I relate to God, and try to use language that shows how real my relationship with Him is. I want my songs to be relevant, so I simply speak from the heart. I feel like the Spirit of God will give you inspiration, if you’re open to Him and willing to listen.

What was the catalyst for your website PrayYouThrough.com?

When I wrote the song “Pray You Through,” I didn’t have any particular person or situation in mind. I simply knew that often times we run out of words, and can’t think of what we could do to help someone through a situation. And sometimes the best and only thing we can do is pray. However—the story behind the song began to be told by fans of our music, who heard the song and began sharing about how prayer had impacted their lives. The stories we were hearing were so powerful, we soon realized that the story behind the song was ever-evolving in the lives of people all over the world. So we thought it would be powerful to create a website where people could share stories of how God used them to “pray someone through,” or maybe share how someone else prayed for them during a difficult time.

What’s coming up next for the group?

We’re currently touring across the United States, as well as writing for a new album (which we hope to record by the end of the year). Also, our second radio single, “Pray You Through,” has been released to radio and is beginning to be added to playlists around the country.

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

We love southern food. Being from the Northwest, we don’t normally have the luxury of real Sweet Tea or quality deep-fried goodness. We’re also quite fond of Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle.

This site is about books as well as music. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

All of us in the band love C.S. Lewis. We also do a devotion from Oswald Chambers every day while on tour.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I am a major chord, all the way.

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?

That’s a hard question. I try to be the romantic lead (especially around my wife), but secretly want to be the mythical warrior.

I’m a dog lover… so I have to ask, do you have pets?

Being on the road 250+ days a year, we don’t have the ability to truly take care of pets. However, our family has a golden retriever named Charlie, and a Morkie named Coco.

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

~ ~ ~

For more information about Sixteen Cities, visit their website at www.sixteencities.com or www.prayyouthrough.com.

To listen to music samples, logon to http://www.myspace.com/sixteencities.

Follow the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sixteencities and Twitter at http://twitter.com/sixteencities.

To purchase the Sixteen Cities’ debut CD, logon to—

The Sixteen Cities website: https://missinginkshop.com/sixteencities/store/albums/pre-order

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sing-along/id364820203?i=364820314&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sixteen-Cities/dp/B003BUAP1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293814982&sr=1-1

Ten years ago, Carla Stewart made the decision to pursue her lifelong dream to write. She began what would become her debut novel, Chasing Lilacs, in 2004. Although it wasn’t published until last year, Carla was encouraged along the way by feedback she received from American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Awards critiques—and two Genesis wins.

The ACFW Genesis, an annual contest for pre-published fiction writers, is currently accepting submissions. For more information follow the link at the end of this article.

Prior to being published in fiction, you were a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award winner. How long had you been writing and studying the craft before winning a Genesis award? What impact did Genesis have on your career?

I began writing in earnest in 2001 and got my initial writing credits with articles published in magazines, literary journals, and anthologies. All that time, I was studying the craft and writing novels. In 2004, I began the book which became Chasing Lilacs. It was a Genesis winner (historical category) in 2007 with the title A Dandelion Day. The following year, my young adult manuscript won its category (a book not published and now dormant).

The Genesis is an excellent way to get feedback on your writing, and if you final, I believe agents and editors are taking note. What most people don’t know is that in each of the years that I won, I also entered another category—two manuscripts which didn’t final. They were less polished, but I received wonderful critiques on those which have been a great help.

I consider myself very fortunate to be among the many former Genesis winners who are now published, and I applaud ACFW for this great contest.

I understand that you experienced a number of rejections as a pre-published writer. What motivated you to keep writing, to keep submitting, and to continue to believe in yourself?

After a folder full of rejections, I did feel the sting and wondered if I had what it took to be a novelist. I decided to give Chasing Lilacs one last shot by submitting it for a paid critique at my first ACFW conference in 2006. If I didn’t get a favorable response, I was ready to move on to something else. What happened was that the session with the published author stunned me—she loved it! Soon after an agent read my proposal and suggested I have a professional edit done. Again, I received a favorable response but also a very long list of things to improve the novel. I rewrote most of it and submitted it to the Genesis. I think it’s important to be teachable, and while all of the things I envisioned for the novel remained in the final draft, it was made better by listening to others and being willing to do the work. I hope I can maintain that teachable spirit so that every novel I write becomes better. And to be honest, I still struggle with believing in myself. It’s the bane of writers I’m afraid.

If you could share only one piece of advice or encouragement with new writers, what would you tell them?

Don’t be afraid of being unique—the novel of your heart may be the next big thing!

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

Many times! My husband and I have moved several times during our marriage, and a few of those times, I went kicking and screaming! Looking back, I can see that God had so many wonderful new people and experiences planned for us, and we would’ve missed them if not for the detours. In my writing life, I’m thankful that it took me nine years to have my first book published. I learned so much during that time and grew not only as a writer, but also as a person.

How does your faith play into your work?

Faith is an integral part of my stories as it is in my life, but I try to keep it real and let my characters make mistakes or even waver in their faith. I believe in Jesus, doing the right thing, and the power of the written word, so I hope that those are the things people see when they read my work. The messages aren’t overt, but undergirded with a Christian worldview.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, Chasing Lilacs (Faithwords, June 2010). Please tell us a little about it.

It’s a coming of age story set in Texas in a petroleum camp like the one where I grew up. Elvis is on the radio. Summer is in the air. Life should be simple and carefree. But not for twelve-year-old Sammie who has plenty of questions about her mother’s “nerve” problems. About shock treatments. About whether her mother loves her.

As her life careens out of control, Sammie has to choose who to trust with her deepest fears. Her best friend with an opinion about everything? The mysterious kid from California whose own troubles plague him? Or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on? Then, there’s the elderly widower who seems nice, but has his own dark past.

It’s a novel about learning who she can trust, clinging to faith, and persevering in the face of grief and adversity. The theme of community is ever present.

Faithwords will release your second book, Broken Wings, in June 2011. Can you give us a peek into the story? What was the inspiration behind it?

Onstage, the singing duo of Gabe and Mitzi Steiner captured America’s heart for more than two decades. Offstage, their own hearts have throbbed as one for sixty years. Only now, Gabe has retreated into the tangles of Alzheimer’s, leaving Mitzi to ponder her future alone.

On the other side of Tulsa, everyone believes Brooke Woodson has found the perfect man—a handsome lawyer with sights on becoming Tulsa’s next District Attorney. If only Brooke felt more sure. If only her fiancé could control his anger. If only love didn’t come with so many scars.

When an accident lands Brooke in the hospital where Mitzi volunteers, the two women quickly develop an unlikely friendship birthed by providence and bathed in grace. And with Mitzi’s help, kindness, and insight, Brooke learns how to pick up the broken pieces of her life.

The inspiration was a number of things that sort of evolved all at the same time. I’d written a short story several years before about three children who were orphaned on Black Sunday (during the Dust Bowl). I knew the oldest of those kids had a story to tell. She became the main character, Mitzi. At the same time I’d read about a Tulsa jazz hall from the 1940s that was going to be renovated. I decided Mitzi would be a jazz singer who was now in the sunset of her life, so the story would be both contemporary and nostalgic. Framed stories had captured my fancy where the past and present are interwoven. I chose a young woman in need of a friend and let Mitzi be that friend. It turned out they needed each other in this tale of providence and grace.

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?

It’s not a food, but a drink. I’m a coffee drinker, and there’s not much in this world that can’t be fixed with a fresh cuppa. To celebrate, a glass of wine and usually going out to a Mexican restaurant. My current faves are avocado enchiladas at Abuelo’s or shrimp quesadillas at Los Cabos.

This website features music as well as literary guests. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

My only musical talent is appreciation of a wide variety of music genres.

What kind of music do you listen to when relaxing with the radio or an mp3 player?

I enjoy golden oldies, soft jazz, some country, and praise and worship music—it all depends on what I’m doing and the mood I’m in.

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

Doo-Wop. There’s always a lot of heart and soul in those songs, and they’re just plain fun. (This will undoubtedly embarrass my children if they read this – ha!)

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Definitely a major chord! Although I often write stories in a minor key, hope is the bass line that anchors my characters.

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?

The mysterious woman behind dark glasses. Or the schizophrenic who has many sides to her personality.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any.

Ah, one of my favorite topics! Zelda is our beloved dachshund, eleven pounds of sass who sits at my side in my recliner while I write. She’s my shadow, my muse, and my delight!

Thank you for your time, Carla! It’s a pleasure to have you at DivineDetour!

Thank you so much for having me. One last thing for any of your readers who are thinking about entering the Genesis:  You can’t final (or win) if you don’t submit. So God-speed on polishing those manuscripts! I’m rooting for you!

American Christian Fiction Writers is currently accepting submissions for the 2011 Genesis contest. For information, logon to http://www.acfw.com/genesis/.

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For additional information about Carla and her books, visit her website at www.carlastewart.com or her blog at http://carlastewart.blogspot.com/.

To purchase Chasing Lilacs and Broken Wings, logon to:

January is National Mentoring Month. January 25th is “Thank Your Mentor Day.” Follow the links below for additional information.

I was twenty-one when I moved to Nashville to work in the music industry. Fresh out of college, I thought I was prepared for the future. But I hadn’t yet learned enough about the past.

For that I needed a mentor. In my case, his name was Leo Zabelin.

Leo was a few decades my elder, and when he was in Nashville I was assigned to drive him around. I’m not sure why Leo needed a driver, but it was my good fortune to have the job. In hindsight, at that time I probably didn’t fully appreciate such an opportunity. I had a college degree in communications. But Leo held a doctorate magna cum laude in life and public relations. He also had a wealth of experience in the entertainment business, and he was more than willing to share what he knew.

He told me stories about “discovering Elvis” when he was editor of DownBeat magazine in the 1950s and about his time on the staff of Variety. Leo had an extensive press and promotion background, including working with Michael Todd to promote the film “Around the World in Eighty Days,” and he was generous with his insights, as well as his encouragement.

Despite our disparate backgrounds—we did have the common ground of growing up near Chicago—and our age difference, Leo and I became friends. I enjoyed his company, and I hope he enjoyed mine. I was intrigued by his stories, and he seemed to be enlivened by my naiveté and eagerness to learn. I was part of the new generation coming into the business that he loved. And he never made me feel that “we” were less than adequate.

Sometimes our detours are short, just a few trips around the block—or, in my case, around Nashville. But it’s on those unpredicted paths we often meet the most interesting people. People who make a difference in our lives.

Thank you, Leo, for helping me believe that I could achieve my dreams.

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For information about National Mentoring Month, visit one of these sites:

http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/

http://www.mentoring.org/

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/01/11/national-mentoring-month/

Chris Fabry is the host of Chris Fabry Live!, a two-hour radio show heard weekdays on Moody Radio, and the author of more than 40 fiction and non-fiction books.

In 1998, Jerry Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye hired Chris to write the series, Left Behind: The Kids. During the next six years, he wrote 35 books for that series. His adult fiction outing, Dogwood, took six years from start to publishing and won a Christy Award in 2009. It was followed by the acclaimed June Bug, and his latest release, Almost Heaven.

Born in West Virginia, Chris now lives with his wife and family near Tucson, Arizona.

You began your radio career even before finishing college. Did you know at that time that you also wanted to be a writer, and how did you go about reaching that goal?

I actually began in radio in high school, but I was always writing poems, dramas, stories, songs, etc. as a child. I think writing was in my blood. I studied journalism, not knowing I could be a full-time writer any other way. Then, when I was in my 30s, I felt the need to really go full force toward getting published so I spent years at the 808 section of the library, read Writer’s Digest Magazine and read lots of fiction I wanted to write. That was the path for me. That and meeting Jerry Jenkins and having him say, “I can help you.”

What was the best piece of advice you received as a writer who was just starting out and learning the craft?

Seat in chair. Every day. Read everything. Turn off the TV. If you want to write, you’ll find the time. Make the time.

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

Ha! My whole life is an unexpected detour. Our recent battle with mold illness, while I would not choose it, has provided so many avenues of blessing in the midst of the pain. Faith is believing God is at work even when you don’t see a way out of the detour. Faith is seeing the detour as God’s plan rather than the one you had.

Let’s talk about your new book, Almost Heaven (Tyndale House, September 2010). What was the inspiration for it?

I met a listener to my radio show in January of 2009. She told me the story of Billy Allman, the real man. I was so captivated by his life that I wanted to write a fictional story around the events that led to his death and a story that had been cooking in my head for a few years.

One of your characters in the book is a guardian angel. Did you find it difficult to write from that point of view, and how did you prepare for it?

It was quite challenging. I’ve always been fascinated by angels. I took a course at Moody Bible Institute on angelology and I know there are many things written about angels that just aren’t true theologically, so I wanted to get as close as I could to what a real angelic being might go through on an assignment. It was difficult to see things from the eternal perspective because I am time-bound.

Billy Allman’s faith was key to his success in the face of adversity. You recently co-wrote, with Drew Brees, a biography with a similar theme, Coming Back Stronger, Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity (Tyndale House, July 2010). Is there also a faith element in the Brees’ book?

Absolutely. Drew and his wife went to New Orleans to look at the opportunity to play there, then went to Miami. Katrina had just hit New Orleans and Miami…well, there was just no comparison. But God did something to them as they drove through that devastation and they both felt a “calling” to New Orleans. And when God calls, it’s important to listen.

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

Pumpkin seeds. I have them at my desk all day, except when I’m on the radio. : )

This website is about both writing and music. Do you also have musical talent?

I play piano, guitar, and sing. Not well, but I enjoy it. My kids all play and sing as well.

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

A ballad.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I’m a Dm7.

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?

Definitely the child in the adult’s body who wants to be a warrior.

I’m a dog lover. On your website, you write about two very important dogs in your life, Pippen and Frodo. Please tell us about them. Do you have other family pets?

We had to put both Pippen and Frodo down in October 2008. We haven’t been able to have another dog since then. It’s still the single most difficult thing I’ve ever done. One day we’ll have another dog. The kids are begging for one. Pippen and Frodo showed up in my children’s series, Red Rock Mysteries. I could write about them for days.

Thank you for your time, Chris. It’s a pleasure to have you at DivineDetour!

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For more information about Chris Fabry, visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com or his blog at http://chrisfabry.blogspot.com/

To purchase Almost Heaven and other books by Chris Fabry, logon to:

Vannetta Chapman discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. A multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America, she has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines and currently teaches in the Texas hill country.

A Simple Amish Christmas is her debut in Christian fiction. Falling to Pieces, the first book in her Amish murder mystery series set in Shipshewana, Indiana, releases in September.

Your journey in publishing began with article writing for Christian magazines. How long have you been writing fiction?

About six years, though my first inspirational was contracted only a year ago and published in October 2010.

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

Only one? Ha ha. There have been many, although I’m not sure how many were God-provided and how many I created all by my little-self. I can say that God used all those detours to mature me, to create compassion in me, and to help me to see other people the way He does. For example, I was a single mom for three years. That was a very difficult time, but I now understand how lonely and what a struggle that sort of life can be. It definitely influences my writing.

How does your faith play into your writing?

My main goal in writing is to write “fiction full of grace.” By that I mean that I want God’s grace to be evident through my characters’ lives, because God’s grace has been so evident in my life.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, A Simple Amish Christmas (Abingdon Press, October 2010). Please tell us about it.

A Simple Amish Christmas released October 1 and reached #14 on the CBD fiction bestseller list within a few weeks. It’s the story of a young Amish girl who becomes a nurse before she joins the church. Then she’s called home, and she must find a way to integrate her skills into her community. In the process she falls in love with the man her community uses for their minor medical needs. Annie has to trust that God has a plan for her life, has a future for her that will include her passions, her skills, and the man she has grown to love. I came at this story with the idea that not all Amish women would be happy with an eighth grade education, but that didn’t mean that they would want to leave their church or community either. Annie is the woman who has a foot in each world, and her heart is split in two. Only God can help her find a way home.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from the book?

That God can help us find a place within our communities, no matter where we live. That God has a plan for us, and it is perfect.

You have contracted with Zondervan for a three-book series of Amish murder mysteries set in Shipshewana, Indiana. What can you tell us about the first book in the series?

Falling to Pieces is a fun cozy mystery which centers around two women—Deborah Yoder and Callie Harper. Callie is visiting Shipshewana and is not planning on staying, then she stumbles upon a murder, or what might be a murder. But perhaps more important, she falls into this unlikely friendship with Deborah, an Amish woman her age who quilts, has a large family, and loves to piece things together, even mysteries. When Callie begins to open her heart to Deborah, there’s a chance she can let go of the past which haunts her. And if she can do that, then she can embrace the future God offers.

Why do you think Amish lifestyle stories have become so popular in today’s culture?

I think we’re drawn to the simplicity of their lifestyle. It’s very reminiscent of our grandparents or great-grandparents, but set during our day and age. There’s something charming about that, and also intriguing.

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? Do you have a favorite Amish-style dish?

My favorite dish is always chocolate, and my favorite Amish dish would be their desserts. I especially loved the ones that were warm and buttery, and filled with apple and bread.

This website features writers as well as musicians, so I like to mix it up a bit. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Surprisingly, yes. I’ve played the piano since I was about ten, played in the praise band at church for quite a few years, and still play at home for the fun of it.

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

I’d be an old southern hymn, but done with a touch of blues.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I like the minor chords, but I like to resolve them.

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?

Girl next door—I like blue jeans and boots!

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any.

Three cats, but we adore dogs as well (as you’ll see with my next book cover, and that’s ALL I can say).

Thanks, Vannetta! It’s a pleasure to have you at DivineDetour!

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For more information about Vannetta and her books, visit her website at http://www.vannettachapman.com/ or her blog at http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/

To purchase A Simple Amish Christmas, logon to:

James L. Rubart, C.J. Darlington, and Jen Stephens are back this year with their second novels. Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect from each of these acclaimed authors.

Happy New Year, and happy reading!

BOOK OF DAYS

James L. Rubart

B&H Publishing Group

January 2011

Rubart’s Rooms was one of the most applauded fiction releases in 2010. He follows up with another metaphysical tale, this one based on Psalm 139:16. Rubart’s third book, The Chair, will also release this year, in late fall.

God’s Book of Days. A record of the past, present, and future of every soul. Some say it’s fable. Others are sure it’s real, hidden somewhere on Earth . . .

If Cameron Vaux can’t find it, he will lose everything.

“You will lose your mind. When it starts happening . . . you must find the Book of Days.”

When Cameron’s dying father delivers this message, he brushes it off. Lose his memory? He’s only twenty-five. Find a book that doesn’t even exist. Foolishness. Nothing more than the product of his father’s dementia. But now, eight years after his father’s death, it’s happening. Chunks of Cameron’s life are just—gone. Even memories of his wife, killed two years ago, have slipped away. Could it be . . . ? Is his father’s eerie prediction coming true?

Desperate, Cameron determines to fulfill his father’s last wish. He will find the Book of Days. But when a lead takes him to the small town of Three Peaks, Oregon, Cameron realizes dark secrets are at work. The townspeople, warm as apple pie at first, turn cold as liquid nitrogen when Cameron mentions the Book. As his mind works against him, Cameron discovers that friends may be enemies. And the one person Cameron can’t stand? She might be his strongest ally. But there are others seeking the Book. Others who will stop at nothing to get it. And they’re closer than Cameron ever imagined. . . .

BOUND BY GUILT

C.J. Darlington

Tyndale House Publishers

March 2011

Winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest, C.J. hit the ground running with her debut, Thicker Than Blood. Her sophomore effort, Bound By Guilt, is a standalone sequel to the first book.

Roxi Gold has been shuttled from one foster home to another most of her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in—even if it’s against the law. Soon she’s traveling the country in an RV stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. If she refuses she’ll be put out on the streets.

Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. Her ex-husband has wrested her daughter away from her in a bitter custody battle. The job she once loved has become a chore – the world isn’t safer, and there’s no joy in her life.

One night a man’s innocent blood changes Roxi and Abby forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?

THE HEART’S LULLABY

Jen Stephens

Sheaf House

October 2011

Jen Stephens’ second outing is due from Sheaf House in October. The Heart’s Lullaby, book number two in the Harvest Bay Series, is a sequel to Jen’s well-loved first release, The Heart’s Journey Home.

After two years of trying without success to have a baby, Elizabeth Truman learns that her husband may already be a father. While he spends time with the son he never knew he had, she becomes increasingly desperate to have a baby of her own. But a miscarriage causes her to question both her faith and the faithfulness of the Lord.

Amy Beauregard arrives in Harvest Bay with her ten-year-old son and the conviction that God has long since abandoned her. But while she picks up the pieces of her shattered life, things start to fall into place that she couldn’t have predicted.

With Christmas approaching, an unexpected visitor and a strange twist of fate remind both Elizabeth and Amy that even in the darkest times God is guiding His children, drawing them together in a way neither could have imagined. Will their renewed faith be strong enough to withstand another devastating blow—or will The Heart’s Lullaby be left unsung?