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!)

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

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