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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Interview & Giveaway! Rachelle McCalla ~ Author of The Missing Monarch!!

Today, Rachelle McCalla, the author of many books including the Reclaiming the Crown series (which I love!), is stopping by for an interview and has included a giveaway (details below).

Here are some links to her Reclaiming the Crown books:



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

Thanks so much for hosting me today!  I’m a pastor’s wife and mother of four.  My latest book, The Missing Monarch, is my tenth inspirational romantic suspense novel. 

For those who haven’t read your series, Reclaiming the Crown, will you tell us a little about it?

The series is comprised of four books, each following one of the four royal siblings of Lydia, a tiny Mediterranean kingdom which can trace its history back to Lydia, who the Apostle Paul met in Acts chapter 16 in the Bible.  In the Reclaiming the Crown series, the kingdom of Lydia is under attack from insurgent forces.  The royal siblings have been scattered and must find their way back to Lydia, stop the evil militants who’ve overturned their father’s government, and restore peace to their kingdom.

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

I recently traveled to Europe and visited several castles and palaces of the old European monarchies, and even had my picture taken with a real royal guard!

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

I think I’ve wanted to be a writer for almost as long as I could read, maybe longer.  People who knew me when I was a kid like to reminisce about the stories I would tell to entertain my younger cousins and neighbor kids.  I’ve always had a wild imagination!


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

I’m currently working on my thirteenth novel contracted for publication, but I’ve written many more books than I’ve had published—some of them may never find a home on the shelves, and I suppose that’s okay.  Dare I admit that my favorite story isn’t published…yet?

Oh, that is interesting... I wonder what it's about. :) What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I like to write first thing in the morning if I can spare the time for myself.  Then I hardly leave my desk, not even to eat or shower!  I also tend to hide the telephones during this time, because I can’t stand being interrupted when I’m on a roll.
  
Where do you like to write?

Some of my writing friends prefer to put pen to paper, but I always compose my work directly on the computer, either my desktop which is in the corner of my bedroom, or on my old clunky laptop, which I’ve been known to haul just about anywhere if I think I’ll get a chance to write.

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

Being a writer is the best!  I love my job and still feel amazed that I get paid to do something I love so much!  Of course there are downsides, such as lack of job security beyond the currently-contracted books, and the great uncertainty of income and long stretches between royalty checks. 

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

I love doing things with my family.  My kids enjoy baking and cooking with me, and I love to haul them out to go hiking (they whine and complain about hiking—until we see bald eagles or waterfalls, then they decide it’s not so bad after all!).  And of course I love traveling (the “being there” parts, not so much the trans-Atlantic flights or stuck-in-the-car-with-whiny-kids parts).

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

Greece, Scotland, Alaska, Hawaii, Istanbul (or is it Constantinople?)

Alaska and Hawaii are two places I'd like to visit too! Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the music of Chris Rice and Rich Mullins.

What is your favorite dessert?

Drinkable desserts are my favorite!  In the summer, I toss frozen blueberries, cherries, crushed ice, lemon juice, and any other fruit I have on hand in the blender to make a healthy smoothie.  During the winter, I mix up powdered milk, cocoa, sugar, and spices to make my own chai hot cocoa mix.  Mmm, heavenly.

I love smoothies and hot chocolate too! Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

This is even harder than the movie question!  There are so many verses I love from the Psalms and the epistles, and especially the Gospel of John.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…

Here are a few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?

Either!  We’re in the middle of a long horrid drought, so I will take precipitation any way I can get it.

Tea or Coffee?

Mmm, both please. 

Movie Theater or DVD?

DVD with subtitles on so I know what they’re saying.

Early-bird or Night-owl?

Back in my college days I would have said night owl, but ever since giving birth to early birds (three of my four kids are morning people—how is that possible?!) I’ve become more of a morning person myself. 

Cats or Dogs?

I love them both, but since cats make me sneeze I’ll have to go with dogs.

So I heard there are going to be more books set in Lydia (so excited about that!) will you tell us about them and are any of the characters from the Reclaiming the Crown series going to make an appearance?

All your favorite royal guards will be back for the Protecting the Crown series.  The royal guard is shorthanded after the insurgent attacks, so some of Prince Alexander’s soldier friends will be transferring into the guard as well.  In the Reclaiming the Crown books, the royal guards were tough heroes that could stand their ground against any threat.  But can true love bring them to their knees? 

Sounds like a great new series! Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?

I’m very excited for my first Love Inspired Historical, A Royal Marriage, which comes out in December.  As readers of the Reclaiming books already know, the Scepter of Charlemagne plays a vital role in the Lydian monarchy.  In A Royal Marriage, readers learn how the scepter came to Lydia…through Charlemagne’s daughter Gisela (who was a real historical figure, by the way—we just don’t know much about her life because historians didn’t preserve those details for us.  So I filled in the details.  I love Gisela and I hope readers will, too!)

I love historical books and A Royal Marriage sounds fantastic - it'll be great to learn more about the Scepter of Charlemagne!

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

Come find me on goodreads and facebook, and check out my website for exclusive information about my existing books and forthcoming titles, www.rachellemccalla.com

Book giveaway!


Enter to win a copy of Rachelle's new book, The Missing Monarch! Open Internationally! :)


Enter via the Rafflecopter below. The mandatory entry is to leave a comment on this blog post, after you do that, the optional entries will become available! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

70 comments:

  1. A Royal Marriage sounds great, I can't wait for it to come out, I'm ready to get my hands on The Missing Monarch though! I like to watch movies with subtitles too : ) You just can't understand what they're saying otherwise.

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    1. I can hardly wait for A Royal Marriage. :) I hope you love The Missing Monarch when you read it. :)

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  2. Great review! This author sounds like we have a lot in common. I would love to go to Scotland and Greece.
    Angela Hartness
    awhartness@yahoo.com

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    1. Those do sound like great places to visit... although I'd prefer to visit Alaska, Hawaii, and Colorado. :)

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  3. Thank you so much for a fantastic giveaway Melanie, that i would love to have the oportunity of reading. I adore historical fiction and i was very much intregued by Rachelle's interview, about her work and what she has published. The Missing Monarch is going on my to-read list!
    Thank you x

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    1. So glad you liked the interview! :) I loved the Reclaiming the Crown series and am excited that Rachelle did this interview and included a giveaway of The Missing Monarch! :)

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  4. Replies
    1. It was! I loved it! Thanks for commenting! :)

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    2. i love a historical romance,,wish i win..
      thanks for the chance

      icha09 at gmail dot com

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  5. Glad I stopped in!

    Katylee (at) cox (dot) net

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  6. Sounds like a good read! Hope I win.

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    1. Hope you get the chance to read it. :) Thanks for commenting. :)

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  7. This series sounds very interesting.

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  8. Great interview. It is always good to find a new author to me.
    Appreciate the give-away.
    Leona

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  9. I've seen this series several places and it looks very interesting! Thanks for the international giveaway!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad the series looks interesting to you. :)

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  10. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review. julierupert@gmail.com

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    1. It was a wonderful book - I loved it. :) Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  11. This sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. Love historical romances. I will be adding these to my tbr list. Thanks.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  13. I like those A or B questions. Not sure I'd be so good at answering them though. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Thanks for commenting! I like asking those types of questions, but, like you, I don't know if I'd be that good at answering them... I'm very indecisive with some things. :)

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  14. Another great review! I love historical fiction.
    Tammy Ford Cuevas

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  15. Love historical fiction and this is on my to-read list.
    Loraine
    Lpertelt@aol.com

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  16. today is the day od discoveries it seems, i think i would love this book but after a short break because i've read only historical romance this month and i'm starting to wish for a change^^

    thank you for this opportunity to win it

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  17. I really enjoy the Love Inspired books!! I haven't read any of this author... thanks for the review and introduction to her!

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  18. What a great giveaway thanks for letting me know by way of Google+. Maureen

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  19. Ms McCalla is a new author to me but looks like an author I would enjoy. Thank you for spotlighting her with an interview and giveaway. Thanks for the Google+ invite.

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  20. This looks like a fun book to add to my TBR pile.

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  21. Sounds like an interesting book!!
    Bethany

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  22. the book all sound great and would love to have all them in my collection and then
    ilove to blog and u tube it

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  23. Haven't heard of this book before, but sounds like a great and interesting reading for me
    Lissette Marvil

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  24. thanks for the chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  25. This series sounds intriguing!
    And the covers are gorgeous!
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy :)

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  26. I've really enjoyed reading your books and can't wait for first historical!
    jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com

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  27. The interview was great! Thanks for bringing another great author to my inventory.

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  28. So many great books I can't wait to read them. I have always wanted to go and see Ireland seeing that is where all of my family and relatives are from. But now I want to go to Algeria to see and be with my fiance who seems to be touring all over Africa boxing, I miss him terribly.

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

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

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  31. It sounds very interesting!!
    Thank you for the international giveaway :)

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  32. Enter me this book looks great!!

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  33. This sounds like a wonderful series. I haven't read any - yet. Please add me to the drawing!
    Rebecca
    rrgreene62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I love to read about royalty.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. Ooh, I'll have to keep my eye out for these books! I'm very excited to hear about the LoveInspired Historical also!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  36. Sounds like a good book. The series looks very interesting
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  37. Love the sound of this story, thank you for hosting the giveaway.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  38. You offer interesting insights with your plots. They sound really good. -Laura
    L_Hogg at comcast dot net

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  39. love the sories about royal !!
    thx for the chance of win :)

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  40. Enjoyed reading this interview! The book sounds interesting!

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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  41. Will love to read this book. Thank you for sharing this post!!
    And thanks for chance to win this :)

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  42. Thanks for the giveaway,enjoy the interview :-)

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  43. Thanks for the lovely interview:). I so wanna read this book, heard many good things about this book and saw many lovely reviews too;). Thx for the giveaway, I fill the raffelcopter as aretha zhen, thanks

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  44. It's always great to add another book to my collection. Thanks very much for the giveaway!

    Zara Alexis
    zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
    katsaddress AT gmail. DOT com

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  46. I had not read any of her books and would like to. Enter me please.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  47. Sounds like a great book to read!! I would love to win!! Thanks for a chance to win!!

    Brenda Robbins-Leon

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  48. Please do enter me in the giveaway! It sounds most interesting! :)

    ~Bekah
    bekahdwall(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. This is a new author to me and after reading her fun interview (especially the part about traveling with her whiny kids, which I can totally relate to) I'm very interested in reading this book! Thanks so much for the post and the giveaway:)

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  50. i'm interesting to read it.
    Thanks for the giveaway
    -Lilian S

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  51. Please Enter Me In Your Book Giveaway
    It Would Be Great To Win A Copy Of The Missing Monarch By Rachelle McCalla.
    I Enjoy Reading And Winning Free Stuff.
    Thank You For Having This Giveaway!!!!!!!!

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