If you shop through my Amazon link for anything, I'll earn a small percentage. Thank you so much. :) Christian Books and Bibles

Saturday, September 21, 2013

An Interview With Rene Gutteridge ~ Plus A Giveaway!

Summer 2013 is officially over. While I'm sad about that fact, I'm looking forward to fall and winter. I'm also SO excited that hockey season is here and I can start watching my favorite team play again! Only ten days until the regular season begins! =)

Today is also the last day of the End of Summer Birthday Bash! Rene Gutteridge stops by for an interview and has included a giveaway!! I hope you all have enjoyed the posts this week. :)


Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Rene! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! Will you tell us a little about yourself? Is anything exciting happening in your writing career?


I’m a wife and mom of two. I live in Oklahoma City, where my husband is a worship pastor.  Is anything exciting happening in my writing career?  Well, most days it’s just sitting in my chair and writing my books.  But this summer and fall, I actually have three books release, so it’s a pretty fun season!

What is your new book, Misery Loves Company, about and what inspired it?

Misery Loves Company is about a novelist who kidnaps his biggest fan.  It was inspired by Stephen King’s Misery, but then it takes its own twists and turns and goes its own way.  I think it’s a really suspenseful, intriguing and in some places, heart-rending book.

What is your favorite summer activity?

Nothing.  I hate summer.  There are people who get seasonal depression in winter, but I get it in summer, I think.  It’s so hot and miserable in Oklahoma that it’s virtually impossible to enjoy myself.  If I can tolerate the heat, then I have to contend with the flies and mosquitoes.  So.  I guess I’d have to say seeing summer blockbuster movies!

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

I cut off my finger in January with a blender.  I’ll spare you the details.  They managed to get it back on.  It’s slowly coming back around to being useful again.  For awhile I got really good at typing with nine fingers.

What’s the best and/or worst part about being an author?

The best part about being an author is when a reviewer loves my book.  The worst part about being an author is when a reviewer hates my book.  So I had to work out all that anguish in Misery Loves Company.  I’ve had a few book bloggers joke about being apprehensive about posting a review of my book about a book blogger who gets kidnapped.  It’s very funny.

Do you have a favorite birthday memory?

This year was fun.  Usually my husband, who is not an avid shopper of anything, panics at the last minute and does a frantic run to Walgreens.  So if it’s at Walgreens, I’ve probably gotten it for my birthday at some point or the other.  But this year I was shocked to unwrap VERA WANG PAJAMAS!!! He’d actually remembered me saying how much I love her pajama sets.  I was amazed.  Not that I didn’t miss the giant package of tic-tacs…

If you won the lottery, what are the first three things you’d do?

Well, I’d not spend a dime of it for a year.  Then I’d try to think of all the ways it could ruin my life.  Then I’d probably be one of those people that starts handing hundred dollar bills out on the street, or tipping a waitress five thousand bucks.  There’s such a thrill to pay for someone’s coffee behind you at Starbucks. My husband does this all the time and he loves it.  It’d be fun to bless rather than buy.  Don’t get me wrong. I’d buy stuff.  Vera Wang pajamas, for one.  But these powerball jackpots are just insane.  I mean, what is someone going to do with $169 million dollars?

Let’s say you’re hosting a party and can invite any ten people, living or dead, who would you invite?

Gosh, well, ten would be a stretch for me.  I like small crowds, intimate dinners with just two or three friends.  So, this is off the top of my head.  Don’t judge me for it.  Anne Lamont, Charles Dickens, Tommy Lee Jones, Lawrence Kasdan, the Apostle Paul,  Timothy Keller, Queen Elizabeth and then a couple of my friends or family, in case the dinner guests are duds.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“The test of a man’s religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting on.  The worth of a man is revealed in his attitude to ordinary things when he is not before the footlights.”  Oswald Chambers

A few this-or-that questions:

Cake or Cupcakes? Pasta. Weirdly I can easily pass on baked goods. I struggle with cheese and spaghetti.
Chocolate or Vanilla? Neither. It needs to be a flavor explosion with both chocolate, vanilla, nuts, cookie crumbles, gooey stuff, with whip cream on top.
The Pool or the Beach? I know I’m sounding alarmingly uncooperative here, but I’d rather be in a cabin on the mountains in the dead of winter.
Sunbathing or Swimming? Sheesh, sorry, neither.
Heels or flats? Bare feet.
Early-bird or Night-owl? I go to bed early and get up when I have to, which unfortunately with kids is early.
Ice Cream or Sorbet? Ice cream all the way.

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

I am working on a contemporary drama called Just 18 Summers, which will be out next year. I’m working on a suspense idea that I’m tremendously excited about.  Putting the final touches on it now.  My novelization Heart of the Country, with director John Ward, comes out in a week (don’t miss the movie, starring Jana Kramer and Gerald McRaney, available on DVD from Fox) and my new comedy with Cheryl McKay, Greetings from the Flipside, comes out in October!

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?
Find my author page on Facebook, where I give away books and let readers know about what’s going on with my writing.  And my website is www.renegutteridge.com

Book Giveaway!!


Giveaway details: Enter for a chance to win a copy of Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge! Giveaway is only open to residents of the US. Ends 9/29

How to enter: Sign into the Rafflecopter form below (it might take a moment to load) and click “enter” on each of the entries you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 comments:

  1. Love the interview. Seems we have a lot in common. I also go to bed early, love ice cream and the first thing to come off when I hit the door at home are shoes! Sorry Rene I haven't read any of your books but would love to. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have not read any of your books, but after reading your interview I definitely want to read "Misery Loves Company." What an intriguing premise! Thanks so much for coming by to talk with us!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great interview! I hate hot weather too. Atleast with cold weather you can bundle up with heavy clothes and accessories. You can't take clothes off outside in the summer unless you want to be arrested!

    I've read The Splitting Storm, Storm Surge, Storm Gathering and Listen. They were all really good.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I enjoyed the interview. Hope your finger starts working better soon. I have not read any of your books yet

    ReplyDelete
  5. No I haven't heard of this author before

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like to read about authors I am not familiar with. It introduces me to new people and new books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved this interview and I do want to read this book. I would love to win it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, I read all of the Boo books and the Scoop books. LOVE them! And love your interview :) Way to not cave to peer pressure lol.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This book sounds great and I already had it on my TBR list!

    ReplyDelete
  10. No! I've not read any of Rene's novels. Yet. Really want too and I've heard grand things about this new book. :) Super anxious to read some of those upcoming projects Rene referenced also - sounds like some GRAND fun.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm not here for the contest, I already have the book and I LOVED it! I was one of those "people" who sent Rene an email about now being afraid to give a bad review for fear of being kidnapped! LOL!!! She emailed back and said that i "cracked her up!" I just loved her note! Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to laugh and make people laugh too! Who wants to laugh by themselves? Actually, I have on more occasions than I care to admit. Watching a funny movie or reading a funny book...all alone, just laughing till tears are running down my face. Anyway...I got WAY off subject.

    Rene's book is FANTASTIC and whoever wins will be so happy. And if you don't win, then go buy it. It's well worth your money.

    And this was a GREAT interview. Rene, I'm so sorry to hear about your finger, really I am. So glad that they were able to put it back and you're doing better.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  12. How exciting Rene to have movies out. Will watch for them. I loved "Misery". Would love to win this book of yours and to learn more about you. Thanks, Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I laughed a lot over her book, Never the Bride. Would love to read this new one.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds amazing i'm definitely adding it to my TBR list on goodreads

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the interview. Always love learning about authors, especially my favorites. I think I have read all of Rene's books, except her newest. Would love to win it! msudawgtooATcomsouthDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't think I've read any of Rene's books. I have to read this one. I am a book reviewer so I need to know what to watch out for, lol. It sounds really good.

    It's awful that you had the accident with your finger Rene. I hope it isn't still painful now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've read Rene's Listen and enjoyed it. Would love to win this new book of hers. Sounds intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome interview. I am the same way with cheese and pasta. I would fail miserably a hundred times on Atkins. I need carbs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have not read any of her books but I did enjoy Misery and I am curious how her take on the story turned out.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Interesting interview, I have read Listen, Boo,Boo Hoo, Storm Gathering and Storm Surge.
    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are lucky modern medicine has progressed as they have. It is amazing to me they can put a severed part back on and have it workable again in some instances.
    I have not read any of Rene's books but would very much like to.
    Great interview.
    I hated Summer's as a girl living in Mesa/Phoenix area in AZ. No matter what, I could never get cooled off for long.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hmm, well, I haven't read any Rene Gutteridge books, but I'm going to. She's on my want-to-read list. :) Thank you for the fun interview ~ I believe I'd ask Tommy Lee Jones to be my guest as well!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I enjoyed the interview. I have also read the Boo series and a couple of individual books by Rene. Enjoyed them all.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fun interview with an interesting lady! I haven't read any of Rene's books yet but Misery Loves Company sounds twisty and suspenseful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I haven't read any of Rene Gutteridge's books but I would like to read this one. Great interview. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love Rene Gutteridge's books!! Also enjoyed the interview!!
    Thanks,
    hollymag(at)gmail(dot)com from SoCal

    ReplyDelete
  27. What an interesting interview! Love the quote, & agree that blessing others is a joy! SO sorry to hear about your finger, but glad it was saved, & pray that it heals completely!

    Your book has an interesting, & unusual, storyline - would love to read it, thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great interview! I haven't read any of her books however Misery Loves Company sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wonderful interview! I've read and adored Rene's Book books, among some of her other suspense books. Misery Loves Company sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I liked the Boo series, so I'm sure I'll love this one! Thanks for the giveaway!
    -Emily Reynolds

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I haven't read very many Christian Suspense/Mystery novels so this would be a treat. Thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great interview, wonderfull give away, i would love to win thanks
    Shirley B jcisforme@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. The title and premise both caught my attention, so even though I haven't read any of Rene's books, I'd love to now! This was a refreshing interview! Thank you for the chance to win!
    falses1gns(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yes I have read Rene's Boo series also - would love to win her new book

    ReplyDelete
  36. I enjoyed the interview! And the book sounds exactly like something I would love to read. *grins* I have never read any of Rene's other books before though. I would absolutely love to win this one; it sounds like it would be a favorite of mine. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  37. I haven't read any of her book yet but I would like to!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love how candid this interview is. Now I want to read the book!! I've never read any of Rene's books, but I'm adding them to me "Want to Read" list. Thanks Melanie and Rene for the interview and giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ouch! Glad her finger is getting better! I haven't read any books but this one sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Fun interview! :) Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I haven't read any books by Rene Gutterridge. I love mystery and suspense books so Misery Loves Company sounds right up my alley. The interview was amusing! I wouldn't be that uncooperative in an interview. Lol. Actually, I probably would. My luck you would give me a different set of questions and I would be just as indecisive.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment - I love reading them! Comments are moderated and I reserve the right to not publish any comment that I find to be offensive (i.e. foul language, inappropriate content, etc.) or spam.

Thanks for stopping by and for commenting! =)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

Some of the links in my blog posts, tweets, social media posts, etc. contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.
Powered by Blogger.