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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Interview & Giveaway! Becky Wade ~ Author of My Stubborn Heart!!

Becky Wade, author of My Stubborn Heart, is stopping by with an interview today, and has included a giveaway (details below)!

Before we get to the interview, here's an excerpt from My Stubborn Heart:

My Stubborn Heart



Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Becky!!

My sincere thanks for inviting me to join you here, Melanie.  I'm honored.

Will you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a California girl who left home to attend Baylor University in Texas.  My mom now regrets sending me there because I ended up meeting a Texas boy, marrying him, and am currently raising her three grandchildren (12, 9, 3) in Dallas, Texas.

Let's see... breakfast is my favorite meal, I've been watching Downton Abbey since the first episode aired, I dream up romantic scenes while driving my kids around town, I hate cooking dinner, and I inherited my dad's sweet tooth.   

What is My Stubborn Heart about?

My Stubborn Heart is a contemporary Christian romance.  It's about a single girl who's been praying for a husband since childhood.  She's thirty-one and wondering where exactly her husband's been hiding and when exactly he'll be making an appearance.

It's also about an ex-pro hockey player whose wife died tragically.  He was so devastated by her loss, that he left his sport and retreated to his hometown to live as a recluse.

The single girl and the hockey player meet when they commit to renovate the same old house.  The question becomes... does God have bigger plans?

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you? 

The average reader might not know that I cry every time I watch the movie The Notebook.  Hmm?  Everyone cries when they watch The Notebook?  Ah.  In that case, the average reader might not know that I've perfected the art of reading while bobbing up and down on the elliptical machine at the gym.  How else can a person stand it?

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

At the age of twenty-two.  I'd always been a reader, but it had never occurred to me to attempt writing until the following circumstances came together:  My husband and I followed his job to a small Caribbean island.  I discovered that I had lots of free time on the island.  I possessed an imagination.  I owned a computer.  I read a book I disliked and thought, "I think I could do this better."
As it turned out, I couldn't do it better.  I have three manuscripts in my attic that are good for absolutely nothing except use as doorstops. 

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I never write a word until I've spent time reading the Bible, praying for God's help and guidance, and singing along to a worship song (no skill involved in the singing part).
 
Where do you like to write?

Two places. 
1) My desk at home.  It's situated in the front room of our house and faces a big and sunny window that overlooks the front yard. 
2) On Monday afternoons I take my laptop to the 'study floor' of my local library.  I always sit at a table that has a wide view of a walking path, a lake, and ducks.  Whenever I show up and find someone at "my" table, I'm miffed.  I park nearby, wait them out, then scurry over to the table the moment they leave.

LOL! I love the fact that if someone's sitting at "your" table you wait them out. :) What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer? 

Best: It's satisfying, humbling, and wonderful to do work that I feel God has called me to do, work that I love.
Worst: Receiving criticism from readers.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Tennis, pedicures, dinners out with my husband, lunches with friends, special outings with my kids.  In the evenings I enjoy bubble baths and reading but am often too tired to do anything but forage in my pantry for chocolate, lie on the sofa like a zombie, and watch TV with my husband.

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet?

The Four Seasons in Bali.  I saw a picture once of one their private outdoor garden showers.  It captured my imagination and has stuck with me ever since. 

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

At the moment my favorite song is: Always by Christian music artist Kristian Stanfill.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses." Acts: 1:8a

One of the main characters in your book, My Stubborn Heart, was a hockey player. I'm a huge hockey fan and was wondering if you have any favorite teams (whether in the NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.)?

My favorite team is my hometown Dallas team: the Stars.  I'm afraid I'm a frugal fan, though.  We attend games whenever friends or clients of my husband's give us tickets. 

I'm a frugal fan, too! I've never been to a hockey game, but I hope to one day. :) A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms.   

Tea or Coffee?

Hard choice, because I drink and love them both.  Coffee wins out because I can't arrive at the library on Monday without a latte in my hand.  Wouldn't be right. 

Call or Text?

Text! 

Early-bird or Night-owl?

Night owl.

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs.  If you could meet my King Charles Cavalier spaniel, you'd know why in an instant. 

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?

Sure!  My next novel is already finished and in the pipeline at Bethany House.  It's called Undeniably Yours and it'll be out in May.  Here's a hint: it's a Texas-set romance about an heiress and a cowboy.  Double secret hint: it will kick off four connected books!

Ohh....an heiress and a cowboy? Sounds really good! Thank you so much for being here, Becky! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web? 

I'd like to thank all the readers who have given My Stubborn Heart and its modern, funny love story/faith story a chance.  God has encouraged me again and again through your support.  My heartfelt gratitude to you!

I can be found online at:

web site: www.beckywade.com (I invite you to visit and sign up for my quarterly newsletter!)


twitter: beckywadewriter

Book giveaway!


Enter to win a copy of My Stubborn Heart! Open Internationally! Ends 11/13!


Enter via the Rafflecopter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

85 comments:

  1. {I never write a word until I've spent time reading the Bible, praying for God's help and guidance, and singing along to a worship song (no skill involved in the singing part).}

    Wonderful to hear this, Becky! I love to read books about young widows or widowers who find new love.
    I was widowed at 33 and God gave me a good Christian man to spend my later years with. I would love to read this book.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. God bless you, Jan! I'm so pleased to hear that God brought love back into your life after loss. That exact situation is what inspired me to write My Stubborn Heart.

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  2. Luisa Alves - Thank you for the GA!

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  3. This is one book I've been wanting to read! So please do enter me!

    Thanks for hosting! :)

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  4. I would love to win this book! Great interview!

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  5. Sounds like a good book, I would love to read it.

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  6. Aww! The story looks so sweet, and so does your next one! Thanks for the interview!

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  7. This book sounds wonderful (I will definitely have to look for it for my mom).

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  8. Melanie, I'm so impressed with your skill and artistry! This is one of the most sophisticated and visually interesting blogs I've had the pleasure to visit. Wow! I love how you dropped in an excerpt in actual book format, added charming photos, and made it all so lovely to look at. Thank you for inviting me to visit.

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    1. Thanks, Becky! I'm glad you like how the interview turned out. :) Thank you so much for doing the interview!! :)

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  9. I loved your comment about reading on the elliptical machine! I hate exercise of almost all forms, but I've always told myself that one day I'll become a career author and buy a treadmill so I can read and run. :P

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    1. Author Lisa Wingate has told me that she knocks out a great deal of her reading on the treadmill, Emily. Side bonus for her: she's so fit!

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  10. Good interview, Ladies. I have a copy and consider Becky's book one of the best CBA contemporary romances. Real characters, humor, real faith, genuine.

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    1. Thank you very much, Nicole. That means a great deal to me because I strive for each of the things you mention.

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  11. This book sounds so good. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! julierupert@gmail.com

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  12. Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. I would love to win!!
    Sarah Richmond
    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

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  14. I loved the "about me" question. The answers were so unique and quirky!

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. This looks like a great book! Written in a different way! Hope I win!
    E.Kate

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  16. This book looks great! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. Thanks for the interview! Michelle bookwormgal2011(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Thanks for the giveaway. I liked the interview.

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  19. Enter me this book looks like a great read!!

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  20. Thanks for the giveaway! The book sounds great!

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  21. This looks like a great read and I love the interview!
    I signed in using the name Kimberly!
    Thank you both for the giveaway!
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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  22. I enjoyed reading the excerpt and your interview!!!

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  23. The book sounds great! Hope I win! Can't wait to read it =)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  24. Sounds really good!! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  25. Great interview. I'd love to read the book.
    mrshud@cox.net

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  26. I really would like to read this book!

    Colletta :)

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  27. Thank you for the interview and giveaway. :)

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  28. Thanks for the interview! Another great book to read.

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  29. Enter me into this giveaway. Love to read!

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  30. Thanks for another great interview and chance to win.

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  31. The books sounds great! Count me in! I'd love to win a copy! Thanks!

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  32. Hi Becky,
    I love the blurb of My Stubborn Heart.
    We don't have hockey ice teams here in my country (I live in Southeast Asia) but when I think it's an exciting sport. And I love that the hero of My Stubborn Heart is an ex hockey player :)

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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    1. I had a lot of fun, Aline, casting Matt as an ex pro hockey player. As tough and strong as he was on the outside, his heart was devastated and vulnerable. That juxtaposition interested me the whole way through the writing of the book.

      You're welcome for the giveaway! Happy to do it.

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  33. Thank you so much for a fantastic book giveaway, that sounds really interesting and a great read. I loved the interview and also the extract, hence now i cannot wait to read more. Thank you x

    Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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  34. I look forward to reading your book, it sounda like a wonderful story.
    Linda Finn

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  35. This sounds like a wonderful book!

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  36. It looks good, would love to have the chance to win this =D

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  37. Looks like a great read!
    Will love to read this book. Thanks for sharing :)

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  38. Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win. Good luck everyone :)

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  39. I like reading book reviews on here. :)

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  40. I've seen this book around the blog world and it looks like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  41. Read the chapter one of this book and loved it! Definitely love the chance to win! Becky you did such a great job with the prologue I actually smiled at Kate's thoughts!

    Well done Becky!

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    1. Thank you, Miranda. A tibdit about that prologue... It wasn't in the original rough draft of the manuscript. I wrote the entire book and was rewriting it when I began to feel that I needed a prologue. My main goal in adding it was to fill readers in on Matt's backstory. I didn't want them to have to wait and learn about it when Kate did. I wanted them to know about his hockey and his heartbreak right from the start.

      As it happens, I'm *very glad* I decided to include the prologue. I hear from readers about it all the time! One lady convinced her book club to choose My Stubborn Heart by reading them the prologue aloud. :)

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  42. So great to read a bit about this lovely woman! Absolutely a wonderful writer too! I loved her debut!!

    Thank you for the giveaway :-)

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  43. This book looks awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!!! :-)

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  44. I've been a little uncertain about this book. I've read some good reviews and some that weren't very good. I've decided I'd like to find out for myself; it certainly sounds like a story I'd enjoy reading. Thanks for the interview with Becky and the giveaway.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. Good for you, Pam! Fiction is very subjective. My cup of tea is going to be so different from my friend's cup of tea which is going to be so different from my neighbor's cup of tea. We all have such varied tastes. I'm encouraged to read that you have an open mind and a willingness to try if for yourself and form your own opinion. I appreciate that!

      Warmly, Becky

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  45. Like what I see and read. Would love to read your book, review it, and share it.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  46. This is on my to read list, so I hope I win.

    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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  47. I would love to read this to see how God brings together these two. Love romance books
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  48. thx for the interview and the giveaway...
    the book has a beautiful cover..i like it :)

    nurmawati djuhawan

    chikojubilee at gmail dot com

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  49. I really want to read My Stubborn Heart! It sounds so good! I've never read any of Becky Wade's books, but both of the ones she has so far sound interesting!
    Thanks for this giveaway!

    -Shantelle

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  50. This make me laugh so much "My mom now regrets sending me there because I ended up meeting a Texas boy" This is soooo my mom too! LOL! A Downton Abbey fan! YAYYYY! ~high five~ I loveeeee Downton Abbey! Hopefully I win! :D I'm also looking forward for Undeniably Yours a heiress and a cowboy! Yee hah! Count me in! Thanks for the giveaway! Keeping fingers crossed!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Sounds like we have some things in common, Ileana!

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  51. That excerpt was great...looking forward to reading this book! Also, Undeniably Yours sounds fun, too. I'm thinking I will really enjoy your books! Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Thank you, Randi! I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed the excerpt. :)

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  52. Loved the blurb, expert and interview
    And yes I cried watching Notebook 3x
    A real sucker for these stories.
    Thanks for the invite

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    1. Even through I've watched the Notebook several times, crying is inevitable for me. Gets me every time!

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  53. Love the fact that this story is about someone who has been praying for a husband since childhood & is wondering when he is going to show up!

    Oh, & congratulations Becky on mastering the art of reading while bobbing up & down on the elliptical machine at the gym. I have a machine at home which bobs you up & down too (can't recollect the name so don't know if it's the same as the one you use) but so far have not managed the skill of reading at the same time!

    Thanks for the giveaway!


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    1. Wendy, you're hardier than I if you can do cardio without the distraction of good fiction. :) I think in my case reading on the elliptical was a skill borne out of desperation. Other gym goers often make comments along the lines of, "You can read while you do that?!!!"

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  54. Thanks for introducing us to another author. Would love to win.

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  55. Thank you for the review and giveaway.
    Rafflecopter name: Jeana Keller

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  56. Looks like a wonderful read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  57. I'm so excited to read this book. I heard it was really good!

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    1. Happy to hear you've heard good things, Veronica! Yay!

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  58. I love books! I'm always looking for new authors to fall in love with.

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  59. thanks for the giveaway

    kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  60. sounds interesting thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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