Showing posts with label Women of Valley View. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women of Valley View. Show all posts

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Sharon Srock Introduces us to...Terri...with a Print Book Giveaway!

The Women of Valley View are back, so I'm welcoming author Sharon Srock to the blog once again. I'm eager to check out this new release and discover what's new with Sharon - this gracious author has even offered up a print copy of Terri to a lucky commenter, so leave us some love and your e-mail address so we can reach out to you if you win! 


Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter.

Sharon’s debut novel, The Women of Valley View: Callie released in October 2012. The second in the series, The Women of Valley View: Terri freshly released just this month.

Connect With Sharon Here:

 

Sharon, do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I’ve always been a reader. I NEVER had any desire to write, but God had other plans for me. So, the interest comes directly from Him. I’m waiting to see where He takes it.

What books have most influenced you?

I’ve had a library card for as long as I can remember. As a child I was more interested in the next book than the next…anything. I don’t think I can narrow fifty years of books to a specific set, type, or author. As a child I read just about anything I could get my hands on. I had my Trixie Beldon years, that graduated to Ms. Holts Gothic romances in mid high, Straight romances as a young wife and mother, I had several years of Horror novels, a decade or so of Science fiction/fantasy, heavy on Star Trek titles, Now, mainly court room drama and romantic suspense when I have time to read.

What book are you reading now?

Homefires by Emily Sue Harvey

What are your current projects?

Pam, the third book in the Women of Valley View series is at my publisher for consideration. I am furiously writing the fourth book, Samantha.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I try to write it right the first time, instead of just getting the story on paper first and fixing it later. It slows me down since I try to re-read the whole thing everyday before I add new lines and pages. After I have 50 pages or so, the writing seems to progress much faster since I don’t have time to reread.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The importance of dreams, and the importance of NOT putting those dreams in front of what God has for us. If God has given you a dream for your life, He’ll get you there if you give Him control. Just because the route He takes is different than yours doesn’t mean the destination isn’t the same.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

OH, yeah. I’m Terri in most of the book. I saw so many parallels in her confusion over where God was taking her and where she wanted to be with my life in the early writing and my questions about this  being God’s will for me. Most of Terri’s prayer’s are mine as I wrote.

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

You know, writing Callie’s story was a challenge for me in so many ways. Pam’s story was an emotional challenge because I’ve had a lot of the feeling she’ll deal with in the third story. Aside from the introspection mentioned above, Terri’s story was pretty easy to write.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

To repeat the most important point-- If God has given you a dream for your life, He’ll get you there if you give Him control. Just because the route He takes is different than yours doesn’t mean the destination isn’t the same.

And now, let's meet Terri! (And, as a personal aside, I just have to say, I love the hero's name - Steve Evans - since that's my DH's name as well!!)




Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.
 
Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child.  She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.
 
Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?
 
PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/d9kwdcc
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/cud7xb6
Pelican book group: http://tinyurl.com/cd5zqar

Monday, November 5, 2012

Meet Sharon Srock & The Women of Valley View


Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.

How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

I don’t, intentionally, write any of me into my characters. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a little piece of me in all of the women. Callie teaches Sunday school and loves her guacamole, Terri is looking for God’s will in her life and arguing the whole way, Pam is learning lessons in forgiveness. Yep, there I am.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Believe it or not, I went to bed one night, a normal person, and woke up the next morning determined to write a book. I know, now, where that came from. It was more than a little weird at the time.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love a good courtroom drama. Fantasy when it’s well done. By well done, I mean it has to completely draw me into a different world. Mysteries, and Romantic suspense are devoured at my house like chocolate covered cherries.
What's the best writing advice you've ever received?
To find a good critique partner and learn to work with them. I have the best one in the world. I'm thankful beyond words that God matched us up when He did.
How do you keep your sanity in this crazy fast paced world of ours?

I guess I’m a product of our environment. I like being busy. Even on a vacation I have to consciously tell myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. Sanity…I’m a writer, that option took a hike a few years back.

What is the accomplishment of which you are most proud?

I’m going to assume you don’t mean raising terrific daughters.  Really? This book. Not just for the validation or a sense of “I can really do this”. But because I feel like it represent me, finally finding God’s place for me.

What is your favorite food?

I have two rules when I cook. If it’s sweet add chocolate. If it isn’t sweet add cheese.

What’s item number one on your bucket list?
I want to go to Australia. God willing, in a couple of years, I'll be in a position to do that. 2013 in a cruise with my youngest grandaughter. The last of the grandchild vacations. 2014 is the Alaskan cruise I'm dying to take. Both great things to look forward to, but Australia...That's the grand prize on my to do list.



Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.
Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.
Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.

Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing. And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.

For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.

EXCERPT:

Callie Stillman dabbed raindrops from her face with a linen napkin as Benton dodged a server with a loaded tray and took his place across from her. She smiled into her husband’s blue eyes and reached across to wipe water from his beard. “We’ll both have pneumonia if we don’t dry off soon.”
Benton took the napkin and finished the job. “I’ve been told the food is very good. A few sniffles should be worth it.”
Callie’s gaze roamed the room. “It’s…” Recognition slammed into her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. The man crossing the room behind her husband nodded and continued to his table. Was that the bailiff? Do you swear to tell the truth… She gulped for breath and fought the familiar darkness that crowded the edges of her vision.
Callie ran a finger around her collar, tugging the neck of the blouse away from skin suddenly dewed with a fine film of sweat. Too hot. She took a sip of water, dismayed at the tremor in her hand as she lifted the glass to her lips. Not here, not tonight. Callie closed her eyes and practiced the breathing techniques she’d learned over the last six months. In through her nose, hold for a few seconds, and out through her mouth. Concentrate only on the current step in the process, the next breath. The tightness in her chest began to fade away. Thank you, Jesus. She raised her water again and held the cold glass to her flushed cheek.



Leave your e-mail to be entered in a sensational gift basket giveaway. One comment equals one entry! The winner will be drawn November 19th! Good luck!! Also, if you'd like a PDF featuring excerpts from Callie and her second release in the Women of Valley View series, Terri, please click RIGHT HERE - it's sure to be an enticing treat.


PURCHASE LINKS:



FIND SHARON:

Visit her BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock

Congratulations, Sharon, and God's blessings on the release of Callie! Thanks for joining me today!