Meet the Author: Linda P. Kozar
Welcome, Linda Kozar!
Here’s Linda’s bio: Linda Kozar, is a successful author of over 16 traditionally-published and indie-published books, speaker, and podcast host of Chat Noir Mystery & Suspense and Network Coordinator for the Along Came A Writer Network on BlogTalk Radio. Recipient of ACFW’s Mentor of the Year award 2007, she founded The Woodlands Texas chapter of ACFW, is currently on the board of the Christian Authors Network and is a member of Chi Libris, ACFW, RWA, AWSA. Linda and her husband of 28 years, Michael live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, wonderful son-in-law and their spunky Jack Russell Terrier, Gypsy.
Tell us about your newest book. Besides my other projects, I am writing the final book in my Until The Fat Ladies Sing series. It’s called “Custard’s Last Stand.” My two main characters, Sue Jan and Lovita own a beauty salon in the little town of Wachita out in West Texas. They do some styling and sleuthing whenever there’s a mystery to be solved. And this last mystery will be a doozy. That’s all I’m going to say. Gotta go out with a bang. Of course, I tell myself it’s the final book in the series, but who knows, right? Honestly though, I have other series ideas and would like to move on and introduce some new characters to my readers.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I focus most of my attention these days on Cozy Mysteries, mostly because I love writing them. Cozies are fun and writing them comes easy to me. Feels right, you know? Besides mysteries, I’ve written romances, both contemporary and historical, even speculative fiction and nonfiction devotionals. Plus, I get to call myself Kozy Kozar!
Why do you write? What drives you?
My sister used to tell me I was a frustrated writer because I would write these long, entertaining, wacky Christmas newsletters to family and far-flung friends every year. People actually looked forward to my Christmas newsletters. I guess because a lot of Christmas letters are people bragging about themselves or their kids or their pets. Anyway, I wrote for a bunch of different newspapers before I decided to start writing books. Turns out that writing on a time crunch and a deadline is great training ground for being an author.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character in this short story is Trey Graham and I named him like I name all my characters. Their names just sort of pop into my head. And the only time I change a name is if two of my character’s names start with the same letter. For instance, I wouldn’t have a Trey and a Tom in the same story. Too confusing for readers. Heavens, I might get confused too!
What does a day in your writing world look like?
A no more than 2,000 a word day. Sure, I could spit out 5,000, and I have, but I want my words to count for something. Besides that, writing cozies involves comedy and comedic elements and the timing has to be right for the comedy to work. So 2,000 words a day is reasonable.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
There used to be a downside, that being trying to get a publishing house to say yes to your work. But now if you get a rejection, all you do is say “Okee dokee,” shrug your shoulders and publish it yourself. I don’t see any downsides to being an author these days. It’s glorious!
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The best part is releasing all the stories scurrying around in my head. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t an author. Where would all those stories and characters go?
What are you most proud of?
For non-fiction, I would say, Babes With A Beatitude because my co-author and I were able to share a great many miracles God has done in our lives. And there’s nothing more inspiring than sharing your testimony. For fiction, I would say Food Baby because it’s funny, but also somewhat biographical. Seven years ago, I took on a caretaker role for my mom who has dementia. Sharing some hard times and incredibly hilarious moments in the story were not only cathartic, but made for a good storyline.
What is your favorite pastime?
Besides writing, my favorite pastime is Gypsy, our Jack Russell terrier. She demands nothing less than every spare second of my time and attention and will boldly throw a squeaky ball in my lap if I’ve been giving more attention to writing than to her.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know. Below are some of my books. All of them are on my website. Until The Fat Ladies Sing Series: Misfortune Cookies, A Tisket, A Casket, Dead As A Doornail, That Wasn’t Chicken, Felony Fruitcake, Weighty Matters, Custard’s Last Stand, (Releases June 2017)
What are you working on now?
So my current project is a year-long experiment. Almost all of my other books are full length. But one day I was kicking around ideas and came up with the concept of writing a year’s worth of what I call Sweet Petite Mysteries, 5,000 or 6,000 word short stories—an entire mystery from start to finish, with holiday themes. Each month offers a different holiday-themed mystery. I write a new story, come up with the cover and formatting and publish it every month. It’s tremendously fun and exciting. And all fresh and new characters in every book. Check them out at my website.
Website: www.lindakozar.com
Social media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Audible | Radio | LinkedIn
Bookish Desires Blog | Beatitude Blog | Cozy Mystery Magazine Blog |
What did you like about this interview, and what other questions would you like my author friends to answer?
Meet the Author: Lori Wildenberg
Welcome, Lori!
Here’s Lori’s bio: Lori Wildenberg , licensed parent-family educator and co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13Parenting, is passionate about helping families build connections that last a life time. She’s a parent consultant, national speaker, and lead Mentor Mom on the Moms Together Facebook Community Page. The Wildenberg home is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A perfect day in Lori’s world is a hike with her hubby, four kids plus a daughter-in-love, and Murphy the family labradoodle.
Tell us about your newest book:
Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home is for parents walking the difficult road with a wayward child. This book is filled with stories from dozens of Christian parents and some prodigals. It includes my personal journey with my same-sex attracted daughter. The book is vulnerable and honest. No matter why a parent has a prodigal (or if you love someone who does) this book will bring comfort, help, and encouragement. Practical grace- and truth-filled ways of navigating a relationship with a detoured child who is rejecting faith, dabbling in sin, or wholeheartedly embracing sinful behavior are given. There is hope.
What genre do you focus on and why?
My books are written for moms and dads in the trenches of parenting. They are for parents who are looking for another way to raise kids other than simply behavior modification or natural consequences. If families seek to encourage grace, responsibility, and interdependence my parenting books will provide faith-based, practical, and easily applicable help and support. My mission is to help families build connections that last a lifetime. My parenting philosophy is not only to encourage desirable behavior but also to raise kids in a way that encourages character development and spiritual growth. It is best to work from the inside out rather than the outside in; grow the heart, adjust the behavior.
What inspired you to write this?
Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. As parents, we can do everything “right” and still have a child who veers off the expected path. With my daughter’s permission and input, I share our journey— the struggles a prodigal child brings and how to live life in the middle of the mess.
How did you research or plan your book?
Both personally and professionally I have experienced the messy journey. I have personally lived the journey and walked alongside many families who are heartbroken and weary because their child has taken a detour.
Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?
Messy Journey is for the wounded and weary parent and for those who love them. It is also a resource for counselors, pastors, and support group leaders. This book offers biblical truth, helpful strategies, prayers, and hope for the hurting and often lonely parent.
What sparked your interest in this topic?
This is a book I didn’t want to write. Having a child who has gone astray not only causes heartache it can be isolating and shaming. No one wants the hurt, the pain that a prodigal brings. But as only God can do, in my grief He tenderized me and moved me to reach out to bring comfort and encouragement to other families facing major struggles with their child.
What do you hope readers will gain from the book?
My prayer is that the moms and dads reading this book feel encouraged and less alone. My hope is that by reading the stories of others and implementing the suggestions presented they feel empowered to get through the day and to never give up.
How did personal experience impact writing this book?
My personal experience provides the overarching feeling of connection from the reader to author. Even if the reader’s struggle looks different from mine there are common threads and truths when one is the parent of a prodigal.
How much of your own life goes into your books?
This book isn’t only about my daughter and me, it is filled with many parents and their stories. The prodigals’ substance abuse, sexual sin, and/or rejection of faith are all topics that are addressed. As society normalizes sin, Christian parents feel as if they are constantly fighting the culture. But we have a God who always wins and never gives up!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a teacher and a mom. I am thankful I have been able to wear both hats. I am passionate about helping parents be the moms and dads their kids need. I never considered becoming an author. In the first parenting course I developed and taught, a few of the participants told me I should put the information in a book. I told them I was too busy raising my four kids, so they could take notes. Messy Journey is my fourth parenting book. God can do the impossible, even with a resistant and rebellious heart.
Links:
Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home
Raising Little Kids with Big Love (for parents of toddlers- 9)
Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love (for parents of tweens-young adults)
Social Media links:
Blog link: www.loriwildenberg.blogspot.com
Website: www.loriwildenberg.com
Facebook pages: Lori Appel Wildenberg, www.facebook.com/momstogether www.facebook.com/1Corinthians13Parenting
Resource site: www.1Corinthians13Parenting.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoriWildenberg
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/loriwildenberg/
Instagram: LoriWildenberg
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Meet the Author: Ane Mulligan
Welcome, Ane Mulligan!
Here’s Ane’s bio: While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, bestselling author Ane Mulligan has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislativeaffairs director (that’s a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and multi-published novelist. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband.
Tell us about your newest book, When the Bough Breaks.
Rookie lobbyist Sienna 
O’Shea is determined to make a name for herself in New York’s capitol city and use that influence to gain easier access to her birth records. For years she’s searched for her birth mother, but when she’s handed her first assignment—to lobby support for the permanent sealing of all adoption records—her worlds collide. Swept up into the intrigue of backroom politics, falling in love was not on Sienna’s agenda, but the candidate for Lt. Governor runs a formidable campaign to make her his first lady. When an investigative reporter discovers foreign money infiltrating political campaigns, the trail leads to Sienna’s inner circle.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Women’s fiction, because I love it and read it the most. I have to say When the Bough Breaks has political intrigue in it because it’s a world I know well. I was a lobbyist for Christian Coalition of New York and part of a team that was brought to Washington on accession to lobby important issues. I learned there can be a lot of skullduggery on both sides of the aisle. Backroom politics isn’t just a word … or two words.
Why do you write? What drives you?
Whenever something touches me, I want to know all about it. A house … who lived there? What happened? Then characters begin to form in my mind and want their story told. Literary agent and author Karen Ball said it best: “God whispers to our hearts. Our hears whisper back in stories.” That’s exactly what happens to me.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Sienna is a young woman of Italian descent. As a baby, she was adopted by an Irish couple. As often happens, once they adopted her, they went on to have 4 more natural births children – all redheads. I chose her name because it’s a color, always reminding us that she’s not the fair redhead her brothers and sisters are. Yet, she is the center of her family’s world and something she needs to learn.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Never the same! I try to start my day writing, but often get pulled away by an errand, the new puppy, my husband, or the theatre. I am the managing director and board president for a Community theatre in my town. It’s my other passion and I often am called to the local high schools to collaborate.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
I’m a true extrovert, meaning I recharge my batteries by being around people. Writing is a lonely profession and most days it’s me and my laptop alone in my chair, pounding away. I crave being with people. A phone call won’t do.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Getting to entertain people with my stories. I believe people let down their guard when the think they’re being entertained. Then when it’s least expected, the words in my story and the truths just beneath the surface, can reach out, touch hearts, and change lives.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
When characters hijack my story and take it in a direction I never saw coming. It’s such fun for them to take on life. I just hang on, following them and recording as fast as I can.
What are you most proud of?
Truthfully, I have to say my son. I’ve watched him get saved, then a few years later he strayed away. Praying for and loving my Prodigal has been as 25 year journey. But I believed God and trusted Him. I continued to pray that the Lord would send someone who would reach his heart. And he did. Oh how He did! Today, my son is a sold out, fully committed disciple of Jesus. He lives to bring glory to God. So if anyone out there has a prodigal, trust and believe. Love them and pray. Because God’s promises are trustworthy.
What is your favorite pastime?
Community theatre. My husband and I are both involved. He acts and I write and direct plays.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have my Chapel Springs series: Chapel Springs Revival, Chapel Springs Survival, Home to Chapel Springs, and coming in September 2017, the final book (maybe) Life in Chapel Springs. There’s also a cookbook with all the recipes from the characters in the books. I also have a novella in a collection comeing out in May, 2017: Coming Home ~ a Tiny House Collection, and my title within that is Love is Sweeter in Sugar Hill.
What are you working on now?
I’m excited about my latest series. It’s set in the Great Depression and each book has an ensemble cast of strong women helping one another. The first book is called In High Cotton. Southern women may look as delicate as flowers, but there’s iron in their veins. While the rest of the world has been roaring through the 1920s, times are hardscrabble in rural Georgia. Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. Can five Southern women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the Great Depression?
Thanks, Ane!
Here’s how you can connect with her:
Website: www.anemulligan.com
Link to book: http://amzn.to/2kt3l8W
Social media links: Amazon Author page, Novel Rocket, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.
What did you like about this interview, and what other questions would you like my author friends to answer?
Meet the Author: Susan G Mathis
Just for fun, I thought I’d start out my Meet the Author blogs with my husband interviewing me!
Tell us about your newest book. Why did you write The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy?
I feel like my entire life has led up to this novel. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy is based on my family story—my great great grandmother, Margaret, and loosely based on my personal story as well. The hardest part about writing Maggie’s story was not holding too closely to mine!
The historical family is my ancestors. Margaret and James have six children from ages nine months to thirteen years. Can you imagine immigrating on a famine ship with six young children? And how did they feel leaving Ireland and moving to the New World?
The contemporary character has struggles similar to my past. She’s a single mother who has lots of challenges, especially when her only daughter nearly dies in Africa. Yes, it is two stories of my personal journey in one novel.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I am so blessed to have accomplished such diverse published works, but it’s tough to promote books to three different audiences—the nonfiction premarital audience, the picture book audience, and now the historical fiction reader audience. So what have I learned? I love historical fiction and am going to stick with that! Smiles.
Why do you write? What drives you?
Eric Liddel said, “When I run, I feel His pleasure,” and I can sure relate. When I write, I feel His pleasure! So even though it’s hard work, I enjoy it immensely.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
Since I’m a morning person, I generally spend three to five hours plugging away, depending upon the project, deadlines, etc. I spend the first few minutes answering emails, checking on my social media pages, and planning my day. But then I buckle down and write, write, write! When I’ve exhausted my creativity, I take a break and move on to the editorial aspects of writing.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Connecting with my audience, whoever they are, is the best part of being an author. Whether I hear from them in person, through my website or email, or on Social Media, hearing the stories of how my work has touched their lives keeps me going and helps me remember why I do what I do.
What writing are you most proud of?
Although I am so humbled to have five published books fir adults and children, have published works in several book compilations, have written curriculum, wrote a weekly newspaper column, have had several hundred magazine and newsletter articles, and more, I’m most thrilled to have my family legacy in print. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy has been a work of the heart, mind, and emotions.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to travel the world with my husband, Dale. We’ve been to more than 40 countries and still have several more on our bucket list. When we’re not globe trotting, I love Skyping with my four granddaughters who live in South Africa.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I currently have five published books. My debut novel, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, just came out, and I’m excited to turn my attention to writing historical fiction full-time. My journey has been multi-faceted, and I consider my writing as ministry.
My first two books are Tyndale published nonfiction premarital books—The ReMarriage Adventure and Countdown for Couples. Last year I had two published children’s picture books—Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya: Love is Patient and Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure.
What are you working on now?
I’m halfway through writing my next novel. It’s called Katelyn’s Choice, and it’s the first in the Thousand Islands Summer series. It’s the story of nine-year-old Katelyn Kavanagh who leaves her family’s struggling farm to work on Pullman Island for the famous George Pullman. There she finds herself serving powerful men such as President Ulysses S. Grant and General Sheridan—and falling in love with her best friend’s brother. Katelyn gains popularity with some of her friends by spilling the sensitive high society gossip she’s privy to. But when she overhears a possibly damaging presidential conversation, she knows she can’t tell anyone. She could lose her job—and endanger the president’s 1872 reelection—and jeopardize her relationship with the man of her dreams. Still, the scandalous news just keeps begging to be told…
If you haven’t connected with me on Social Media, please do. Here are the links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Goodreads | Google+ | CAN |
What did you like about this interview, and what other questions would you like my author friends to answer?
Oh, and would you please send this to a few of your friends? I’d love to connect with them as well. Thanks!
Meet New Authors!
With the release of my novel, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, I’ve been interviewed on nearly a dozen blogs. I’ve been asked some very interesting questions and enjoyed doing each one. I’ve heard from old friends and made new ones. I’ve connected with new potential readers and enjoyed getting to know the interviewees.
Over the past year, many of you have asked me to recommend authors and books to read. I finally got your message! To better serve you, I’m changing up my blog.
Although I’ll still write a personal blog now and then, I’m moving from my various ponderings to providing author interviews. I hope this will meet your voracious reading needs. Smiles.
Each Wednesday, I’ll be introducing an author to you. These authors are all Christian authors and friends or acquaintances of mine. They will tell you about one of their books and what they are working on, yes, but they’ll also answer some fun questions, too.
You’ll learn about what drives authors to write, why they name characters the way they do, what their writing days look like, what they like and dislike about being an author, what their favorite pastimes are, and much more.
I’d love to know what you think about this. Let’s make this a conversation, ok? Who would you like me to interview? What questions would you like me to ask? And as you read them, whose interview did you enjoy? I want to serve YOU, so let me know, please!
Birthday Memories
When I was a kid, my mom got together with three other moms who had kids my age who were born on April 4. The four moms decided to throw a birthday party together. The problem was, I was the only girl! Three boys and I sharing one birthday party? Are you kidding me?
As you might guess, the boys had a blast, but I was left out in the cold. Cowboys and Indians, scalping the squaw, and chasing each other through mud puddles was not my idea of a Happy Birthday!
Birthdays can be lots of fun, or they can be a great big disappointment. There can be expectations that aren’t met and sometimes they are even exceeded. But whatever the case might be, birthdays are a special time to look back on our lives and see what God has done in the past and look forward to the future.
So, in honor of everyone who was born on April 4th, here’s some fun trivia I thought you might enjoy.
- April 4, 1841 President Harrison ends the briefest term in U.S. history when he dies in office.
- April 4, 1895 Arthur Murray, the ballroom dancer, was born.
- April 4, 1949 NATO was formed.
- April 4, 19XX Susan G Mathis was born. Smiles. As a birthday gift, my mom could have bought me a Shetland pony or a Great Dane out of the Montgomery Ward catalog! (She didn’t, but it’s a fun thought anyway.)
- April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.
Hope you enjoyed this bit of trivia with me. It’s sure better than a scapling!