Interview & Giveaway! Dora Hiers ~ Author of Journey's Embrace!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Dora!! Will you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! A few years back, I left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to our two sons. When our youngest didn’t want me hanging out at school with him anymore, I started writing what I call Heart racing, God-gracing books. I’m married to my real life hero, a fire chief, who likes to plot with me during our lunch dates. When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, family gatherings, and mountain cabin getaways. I despise traffic, bad coffee, technological meltdowns, and a sad ending to a book.

What is your book, Journey's Embrace, about?

I’m so glad you asked, Melanie. Here’s the back cover:

After an injury forces Deputy U.S. Marshal Sage Michaelson off duty, he heads to his hometown with two things on his mind: recuperating and reevaluating, but Sage can’t refuse his best friend’s plea to keep a protective eye on his little sister after someone ransacks her house. But Delaney’s not so little anymore—and definitely not the young “Dane” Sage remembers. 

Flight Medic Delaney Hunt has loved Sage forever. But, he’s all about control and order while she embraces life and takes risks. As much as the idea appeals to her, she doesn’t need Sage looking over her shoulder. But when things go wrong and she finds herself hanging by her fingertips, who does she call to rescue her?

Will Delaney ever be the woman Sage wants by his side? Can Sage learn to live by grace, recognizing that God is in control? Can they overcome their fears to embrace life together?

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

I’m a family room sports fan. Why should I leave the comforts of my air-conditioned (or heated) family room to enjoy NASCAR, football, and hockey?

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

I wasn’t born with a pen in my hand like most writers. My urge to write came later in life. After dropping out of the workforce to taxi my two sons around (and to make sure one of them actually attended school, he had a slight problem with that!), the writing seed dug in and took root around my heart with the idea for Journey’s End, the first book in my Marshals series.

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite?

3 published, 2 scheduled to release in March 2013, and 2 more contracted, all with Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing. I’m working on 3 more in various stages.

I don’t play favorites. It’s always tough to come to the end of each story, but my next hero and heroine desperately long for their happily-ever-after, too. :-)

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Noise bothers me. I enjoy quiet while I write. No music or distractions, just the soft snores of my golden retriever behind me and the chattering of birds outside my window.

Where do you like to write?

My office. Occasionally our back deck, but I feel out of sync anywhere else.

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer?

The best? Journeying with my characters as they come alive on the page, from that first spark of an idea, to their first zing of attraction, all the way to their happily-ever-after.  

The worst? Self-discipline. Forcing my rump to sit in the chair and write and not be distracted by overflowing laundry baskets, the grass that’s about six inches too high, personal phone calls, you name it. When you work from home, it’s tough to overlook household tasks and particularly difficult to say “no” to personal requests. But, one thing I can’t say no to: watching a sick grandchild.

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

Read. What else do writers do to relax? While my hubby’s watching his favorite television show, I read. In the summer, my hubby enjoys cranking up the smoker for family gatherings, guaranteeing a crowd around the table. I swear my youngest son catches a whiff of the finger-licking ribs two hours away. When the temperature cools, you’ll catch me flicking the fireplace switch on and kicking back under a blanket to cheer for the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Just about any time of the year, we’re game for a quick jaunt to the mountains. And nothing beats spending time with our grandkids! See those cuties! >>> 

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

The Holy Land. Can you imagine walking where Jesus walked? Talk about standing on holy ground.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Psalms 19:14 (NIV) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

I Can Only Imagine by Amy Grant and This Is Christmas by Kutless.

Any movie I see with my sweet granddaughter. Hubby falls asleep in the movie theater, so I don’t see too many adult movies.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. Soft music plays in the background. A gigantic Fraser Fir tree, loaded with pinecones, cranberries, and sentimental ornaments, stands tall in the corner of our family room. Wassail simmers on the stove, the scents of cloves and cinnamon drifting through the house as family members start to arrive. There’s a lot of snuggling going on with hubby in front of the fireplace while we sip hot chocolate and cheer for our favorite football teams. And a lot of hollering from some of our competitive ping-pong players as they hammer out a game upstairs. A season full of faith and family. Mmmm…can’t wait!

A few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms? Ooh, I love a good thunderstorm.

Tea or Coffee? Coffee in the mornings, iced tea from lunch on.

Call or Text? Text

Early-bird or Night-owl? Definitely early-bird! I wake up anywhere from 5-5:30, so I’m worth zilch around nine p.m. Good only for reclining in front of the television, watching a recording of Castle or Covert Affairs, or reading.

Cats or Dogs? Dog. Bruiser, our Golden Retriever, thinks he’s an only child.

Facebook or Twitter? Twitter.   

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

Of course. Rori’s Healing, the first book in my Harmon Heritage Series where three grieving siblings struggle to find healing and love. Here’s a peek:

Still stinging from the publicity surrounding her father's death, social phobic Rori Harmon prefers the solitude of her animal sanctuary, accepting that marriage isn’t in her future. Racecar Driver Graham Decker refuses to be wrangled into a relationship by another money-hungry female. On a philanthropy mission, he arrives just in time to assist Rori with a llama birthing, but his appearance thrusts her into the media spotlight again. Has Graham found a woman who doesn't care how deep his wallet extends? Has Rori finally met a man who will stick around when times get tough? Is healing for a hurting heart finally within Rori's reach?

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

Thank you, Melanie, for hosting me today. I’ve enjoyed visiting. I love to connect with my readers. They can find me all over the web, but here’s a list of places I hang out most.

Website: www.dorahiers.com

Blogs: http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/ & http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoraHiers

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dorahiers/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dorahiers

Book Giveaway!

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