Bio: Tanya Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World Ministries. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.
Welcome back, Tanya. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I believe the Lord called me to write stories for Him. Several years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and it was a defining moment, not only dealing with my cancer prognosis, but asking the Lord if He truly called me to write as I thought or was I mistaken. But through the fears and searching for God’s direction, I learned He did indeed place this desire to write on my heart and no matter what I was facing in my life, that didn’t diminish His call. I’m inspired by the Lord to write inspirational Christian fiction so people may know the love of Christ. To know the depth He will go to have a relationship with us. And though we struggle, He uses us. He uses people like me, the ordinary, to do out of the ordinary things. Unexpected things—like writing.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I had been through so much within our marriage, our daughter was an answer to prayer and a precious gift from the Lord.
How has being published changed your life?
Being published is a journey I’m on as an author, but also as a follower of Christ. It’s relying on God to direct my path that takes faith—a lot of faith. This seems funny to say, but sometimes I feel like I’m in training, allowing God to have His way in my life, and when I do, He uses me to touch others in ways I’ve never dreamed. I know this for sure, the Lord is fulfilling a purpose in me, and whether it’s in word or in deed, He will be glorified.
What are you reading right now?
As of right now, I’m not reading anything due to my fast approaching deadlines for my current work in progress The Rescue. However, my reading pile has grown over the last months and I can’t wait to dive in!
What is your current work in progress?
I’m changing gears from Contemporary to Historical Romance. I’m working on a series of novels set in the late 1800’s. The first novel in the All Roads Lead to
Texas
series is called The Rescue and will release this fall!
What would be your dream vacation?
My husband and I have always wanted to take a family trip to Bass Pro Shop in
Missouri
and stay in their log cabins, rent a boat, and go fishing. Twice we planned it, but we’ve had to cancel for various reasons. It’s a simple dream, but I hope we’ll be able to do in the future.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
Settings depend on where I’ve lived or where I’d like to visit. If I’ve never visited the location for my novel, I do research about the setting and find someone who has lived in the area. This is where research comes in regardless of whether it’s a contemporary or historical novel.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d love to spend an evening with author Lori Wick. I love the biblical aspects of her writing and how the characters feel like family. God was calling me to write, but it wasn’t until I read her The English Garden Series that I began write. God used her in my life, and I’d like to say thank you.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
You won’t believe it, but it is fishing! I enjoy getting out in the bass boat and spending a few hours on the water. My dad always wanted a boy; instead he got a baby girl. He taught me how to fish at an early age, and it came in handy when I met a guy from my church who loved to fish. =) Now married nineteen years, my husband said it was one of the things he found attractive about me, a companion to share his life with.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
My greatest obstacle is time. I wish I had more of it. =) So I pray that God allows me to use my time wisely, to give me wisdom on how to write these stories for Him, and strength as I write.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
The best advice I’d give to a new writer besides encouraging them to study the craft or find a critique group, is to never give up. Writing isn’t easy. The journey has so many highs and lows that if you give up, you’d never know the person you’d become, or how your stories impact hearts and lives in the process.
Tell us about the featured book.
RESTORED is a story about lost love being given a second chance. Sometimes love arrives when you least expect it.
Dr. Steven Moore is known nationally for saving lives. If only he could save his own. Unable to deal with his cancer prognosis, he retreats to a happier time in his past—to the woman who once stole his heart.
Four years after the death of her beloved husband, bookstore owner Elizabeth Roberts still struggles to sustain her faith and joy in the Lord as she raises her two sons. She strives to find a way through her family's grief, never suspecting a man from her past might offer hope for her future.
But how can there be a future when he's only come to kiss her and says good-bye?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Sure! Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
Elizabeth
ran her fingers down the wooden handrail along the stairs, glancing at the ornate clock on the mantle. “Not much longer now.” Her heart pounded with excitement as her gaze moved to the framed picture beside the clock and settled on her husband’s handsome face. Warmth flowed through her as she lifted the portrait with its silver frame. Chris had just tackled their son, Luke, with the football in the front yard when she snapped the picture. She touched the glass over Chris’s blond hair. His hazel eyes peered up at her. She smiled. It still amazed her how their lives had changed throughout the years, coming back from the brink of divorce to discovering what unconditional love truly meant. What they meant to each other.
“Two hours and you’ll be home,” she breathed. This mission trip to Goma,
Africa
, kept Chris away for several weeks this time, but now it was time for him to come home to stay.
She closed her eyes, envisioning Chris’s arms around her. Tonight, she’d drink in the words of love she’d missed before she fell asleep every evening, the feel of his body next to hers.
She smiled and pressed a hand against her flat belly. “Yes, Daddy will be home soon. Won’t he be surprised?” The chime of the doorbell broke through her thoughts.
She set the frame down and hurried to open the front door.
Elizabeth
smiled at her sister and brother-in-law. “Hey, why did you ring the doorbell? You could have come right in.” She halted. Something in their expressions made her heart race. “Where’s Luke?” she asked her sister.
Sam’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She grabbed Phillip’s arm as if she needed support.
Moisture filled Phillip’s eyes. “There’s been an accident. They tried to call. We tried to call.”
“Lizzy.” Her sister moved to her side.
Elizabeth
couldn’t breathe. No, God, no. Please, God, I can’t take losing another child. “Where is he, Sam? Where’s Luke?”
Phillip cleared his throat. “Luke is fine. He’s with Mom.”
Elizabeth
glanced between them, not understanding. “But you said there was an accident…that they tried to call—”
“My brother…” Phillip’s voice broke and a tear ran down his face. “
Elizabeth
, there’s been a plane crash.”
This gave me chills, it was so personal. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can connect with me at my website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/. There they can learn a little about me, my journey as an author, and grab a sneak peak of the opening of Unconditional. They can also contact me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://ow.ly/YhprC
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/0XoMab.l
Barnes and Noble: http://ow.ly/YhpB1
Thank you, Tanya, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager to read it as I am.
Readers leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com