Introducing B. Benfield | Author Interview

It is my honor and privilege to introduce a brand new Christian author to you folks. She is not only an amazing author, she is my best friend. I've known her since she was 5! We go wayyyyy back, and I am thrilled at the chance to help her promote her writing. I've been hard on her as she started her writing career because I wanted her to be the best she could be. Her first novel, Sophia Redeemed, blew me away. I haven't started her newest novel, Saving Taya, yet but I have high hopes! Without further ado, let me introduce you to my very best friend and author extraordinaire: B. Benfield.

Hi Brittney. Welcome to Faith * Love * Books! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is B. Benfield, otherwise known as Brittney. I’m a banker by day and writer by night, spending all time in between hanging out with my three year old son, husband, family, and friends! I also like to squeeze time in for a good book when I can!

Banker: that's an interesting career choice. When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I’ve always known I wanted to be an author I just always thought it was a dream that would never come true. I started working on a book a couple years ago and discovered self-publishing. My story transpires from there…

Tell us about your writing journey.

I started writing New Adult Romance in 2014 where I self-published four books. At the beginning of 2015, I had an idea for a Christian Romance story, so I started brainstorming. After I started writing the story, I had decided that I didn’t want to associate my name with both New Adult and Christian Romance, so I pulled all of my books from the shelves. I self-published Sophia Redeemed in October of 2015. A short while after it had been released, I had submitted the book to a publisher, not expecting anything to come out of it, but to my surprise, they signed me! Sophia Redeemed was just re-released on March 29th, 2016, and will be followed by Saving Taya and Mila’s Strength, which are the next two books in the series.

That must have been a hard decision. I'm glad you made the jump to Christian Romance and I can say that it has been an amazing journey! Where did the idea for Sophia Redeemed come from?

I’m not sure if it was something that was said in church, but I remember sitting at the table with my husband and son one Sunday evening eating dinner and the idea for Sophia just came to me. I was a little nervous and wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue the idea, but the character kept growing and I decided this story was one I had to tell.

I remember having several conversations with you about the main story line for Sophia Redeemed. Can you tell us a little bit about what your current project is?

I’m currently working on book three in the Faith and Love series which is Mila’s Strength. I have also started throwing around ideas for my next project once the series is complete, which I believe will be a standalone novel, but I don’t want to give too much of that away yet!

Thank you so much for joining us today Brit. It's been fun! 

Here's where you can find B. Benfield on the web:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/bbenfieldbooks

Website: http://www.authorbbenfield.com

Purchase your copies of Sophia Redeemed and Saving Taya:

Saving Taya: Amazon  CURRENTLY ON SALE FOR $0.99!! 

Sophia Redeemed: Amazon | B&N

Please provide an excerpt for readers of Sophia Redeemed.

It was a slow night. My short, red dress that was always so promising, had failed me. My long, brown hair hung in loose waves down my back, and my green eyes popped with the heavy make-up and dark liner. What was the deal tonight? This was bad, really bad. I was $500 short and things weren’t looking in my favor. I had two options: one, tell Jax I didn’t have the money and face punishment; or two, give him everything I had without taking my cut, pushing me back another week behind on rent. Another week behind, and another week closer to eviction. What to do, what to do.

“Here you go,” I heard a man say behind me. His voice sounded oddly familiar. I turned around to find a frail girl, wrapped in a torn, blue blanket. Thick grease molded to her hair and her face was smudged with dirt. She was holding a can with a sign: HOMELESS. ANYTHING HELPS. Oh no, I don’t think so.

“Take it back, Charlie. Take the money back, or I’m calling your wife,” I said.

“What?”

“I said take it back!” I yelled.

He reached into the can and pulled out his five-dollar bill, mouthing I’m sorry to the girl. He glared at me before taking off. I marched over to the girl and propped my hands on my hips.

“What are you doing?” I snapped.

“What does it look like?” she scoffed.

“Go,” I ordered.

“Excuse me?”

“I said go. This is my corner.”

She looked around aimlessly and shook her head. “I don’t see your name on it.”

I laughed dryly. “No? But you’re getting ready to see my six-inch heel where the sun don’t shine if you don’t leave.” I pulled off my shoe and held it in my right hand with the left still propped on my hip. I wasn’t kidding. Determination seeped out of my voice and ownership covered my face. As far as I was concerned, this was my corner and others weren’t welcomed. My money depended on it.

“Fine, fine. I’m going.” She stood up with the blanket still wrapped around her. I noticed the brand of her jeans as she sloshed off. Abercrombie. Ha, I laughed to myself. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she dirtied herself up and parked on the street just to make some money. Lazy people. Some of us had to earn a living the hard way.

I didn’t have another hit the rest of the night. I contemplated what to do. I couldn’t be kicked out of my apartment, but I didn’t want to face another beating from Jax. The last one left me with a busted lip and a black eye. Needless to say, that wasn’t good for business.

He pulled up to the curb in his black Cadillac at three in the morning, the same time he did every time I worked the street. I got into the car and pulled the money from my bra.

“Here,” I said, tossing him the bills.

“That’s my girl,” he said, caressing my cheek.

“Take me home, Jax. I’m tired.” I wasn’t tired. I was stressed. I needed money for rent.

“You don’t want to talk?”

“I’m not much in the mood for talking.”

He took the hint, and we drove in silence downtown to my apartment. I gazed out the window the whole way, feeling distraught. I just wanted to be home alone.

“See you tomorrow, Sugar,” he said. I blew him a kiss and exited the car, rolling my eyes the whole way up the stairs to the door.

When I arrived at my apartment, I was greeted by a friendly note on the door.

Rent by next Friday or you’re out.

Ah, the man who owned this building, he had a way with words that was for sure. I lived in a rundown building, probably built in the 1800s. I found the occasional bug, and you could hear the softest of noises through the paper-thin walls. There were a few other apartments around me, if you could even call them that. Five hundred square feet including a kitchen with ancient appliances, a tiny bathroom enough for one, a small bedroom big enough for my bed, and a living room the size of a walk-in closet. On the lower level of the building was a furniture store. I paid $600 a month for this “home,” but it’s almost all I could afford. Housing in Atlanta, Georgia was hard to come by. At least for me!

Once inside, I tore the place apart. Surely I had some money around, some kind of stash I put away for emergencies. I flipped up the mattress, nothing. Tore through the closet, nothing. How am I going to make rent? I couldn’t get kicked out. I had nowhere to go. There was no way I was going to stay with Jax. I would just have to work really hard for the next week. Call me what you want, but you couldn’t call me a quitter.

I wanted a new life. There were so many times I thought about taking every penny I had, packing up my car, and just leaving. I’d drive until I couldn’t drive anymore, and I’d start a new life. There were only a few problems with this dream of mine. I wasn’t sure if my little Saturn would make it. That car was on its last leg, and I, of course, couldn’t afford a new one. The other problem, I had no idea what I’d do when I got there. Hard to find a job when you don’t even have a high school diploma. Does McDonald’s even hire without a diploma? Didn’t know, never tried.

I felt like I was dying a slow death, my past and present a pure hell. All my life I’d been a runaway. I had perfected the art of escape; running was all I knew how to do. Only now there was nowhere for me to go. Four years on the streets had done me in. I’d had enough, but escaping this life almost felt impossible. Life continued on, but I was stuck. Death almost sounded better than this game of survival I called life.

To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino | Review & Interview

Overview: In an uncertain time, Heather Flower faces a choice that will change her life forever...
It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die—until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice—stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

ISBN-13: 9780800722197 | Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication date: 07/07/2015 | Series: Southold Chronicles Series, #2

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I must admit, I'm a little disappointed at this book. While it was well written and historically interesting, it didn't grab my attention the way the first book, A Place in His Heart, did. I did enjoy catching up with Mary and Barnabas and the rest of the Horton clan, and I was glad to see they finally got their house full. I also enjoyed the interesting tidbits about Heather Flower's life as the daughter of the sachem. I felt, however, that the love triangle between Heather Flower, Ben Horton, and Dirk was forced. It didn't seem natural to me. Heather Flower's abrupt conversion was also a little disappointing. I would have liked to have seen more development in her character on that front. Overall, though, this was a very enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more by this author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Rebecca DeMarino writes love, legends and lore as a historical romance author and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother, a love of horses, reading and writing from her dad, and the wanderlust gene from both parents. Her travels have taken her from Alaska to Nebraska and Florida, from Long Island to England and Italy, and from Washington DC to Texas, California and Guam. But usually you can find her at home, enjoying her grandchildren and baking crisp little ginger cakes. From Publisher’s Weekly ~ DeMarino’s … strong suit is recreating history and relating it to readers.

Congratulations on the release of your new book To Capture Her Heart. Tell us a bit about it. Thank you so much! I am really delighted to be here. Here’s a synopsis of my second novel in The Southold Chronicles: In 1653 Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid, she is nonetheless bound by her captors and left to die—until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of Englishman Ben Horton, a longtime friend of her people. But despite Ben’s affectionate attentions, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome Dutchman who saved her from certain death. Can she find peace again among her own people? Or will her growing affection for her rescuer draw her into conflict with everyone she loves? Loyalty or love?

How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling? This aspect just amazes me. I always thought I would write contemporary suspense with a touch of romance and a Christian worldview. But when I sat down to write my first novel, it was a historical about my Puritan ancestors! Talk about getting into the thick of things. So while I think there is definitely a message that comes out in my writing, I write to entertain through story and To Capture Her Heart, like book one of The Southold Chronicles, is a love story I hope my readers enjoy. The spiritual thread that touched my heart as I researched the book is that we are all God’s children, no matter who we are or where we came from.

What do you consider the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career? It was when I watched my dad, Howard Worley, type “The End” for his novel, The Stagecoach Murders. He began writing that book at age 87, because I was writing a novel. He would send me each chapter in a priority envelope as he finished them, and he was amazing me. Then when he was almost finished he required open-heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. Two days later he had a major stroke. His recovery is a whole other story, but I was able to help him type the last four chapters while he dictated, and then we published it through Create Space. Watching him autograph a copy for me was my second greatest moment, followed closely by his book signing at his 90th birthday party. He’s 92 now!

Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from? I grew up listening to my mom’s stories about Barnabas Horton, my ninth great-grandfather and how he came across the pond from England on a ship called The Swallow, in the 1600’s. When my brother became interested in genealogy, we discovered there was a lighthouse named after Barnabas, located on Long Island. I asked my mom if she’d like to go there, and off we went. There was a lot of interesting information about Barnabas. He was a baker and a very recent widower with two young sons when he met my ninth great-grandmother, Mary, in Mowsley, England. But I could find very little about her, and I began to wonder about what dreams and motivation she had, and courage she must have possessed when she married and then left her family behind for the wilds of Long Island. A few years later, I began writing my first novel in a quest to give her a voice. While researching that book, A Place in His Heart, I uncovered a nugget of information about a Montaukett woman called Heather Flower. She is said to be the daughter of Grand Sachem Wyandanch, and I wanted to use the tidbit in book one. But the decade did not fit. So I took book two, To Capture Her Heart, up a decade and she became my heroine! The Hortons and Southold provide the backdrop of the story and sweet Ben Horton is all grown up. It was such a fun book to research and write!

What was the greatest challenge in writing this book? After time management (isn’t that a problem for us all?) the greatest challenge is also something I enjoy the most – the research! Though some documents exist such as Barnabas’s will, and some that pertain to his landholdings and tenure as a magistrate, I didn’t have any diaries or letters. And I found many controversies of “facts”. Heather Flower’s existence is an example. Some believe her to be a myth, others say she existed but was not Quashawam. Though that could be frustrating at times, it also afforded some leeway which is nice when you are writing fiction!

Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in? I was born in a car and have been on the move ever since. My dad delivered me, and my sisters can still remember standing in the picture window of our house with the babysitter and Dad holding me up so they could get a glimpse. He was a career Navy pilot and my husband a career officer in the Air Force. I retired as a service director from United Airlines in 2008 and settled in the Pacific Northwest. I’m blessed with three beautiful daughters, eight beautiful grandchildren, and when I married my sweet husband in 2006, he added a charming son and a beautiful daughter and three more beautiful grandchildren to the count. I should say we are empty nesters, with all of those kids happily settled with their own spouses, which give me time to be a fulltime writer!

What’s next for you?I just turned in the manuscript for the third book in The Southold Chronicles. It moves up another decade—to 1664—and Patience Terry, the young girl who sailed with the Hortons on The Swallow is my heroine. My working title was Pure Patience and I love her story! And I love the editing phase of a book, so I’m looking forward to that. To Follow Her Heart release next July!

Birthday Bash! - Day 7 - Dani Pettrey Interview

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

I love the McKenna family. I have enjoyed getting to know them and watch them grow. Which character do you relate to the most in the McKenna family?

Such a tough choice. I’d have to say of all the characters I’ve written I actually resonate the most with Bailey Craig from Submerged (she’s a McKenna now, so I think it counts :)). I really relate to her struggle in Submerged. Looking for wholeness outside of Christ is always going to let you down. Like Bailey, I too, found forgiveness of sins and became a new creation in Christ. His grace never ceases to amaze me.  

I’m so sad that we’re coming to the end of the McKenna family’s adventures. Are you working on anything now? If so, can you tell us about it?

I’m sad too. I’ve spent years with the McKennas so it is going to be hard not telling their stories. In my mind they’re still there, having adventures, I’m just not telling them…for now, at least. Never say never. I’m working on a new four book series next. I’m really excited about the stories and the characters, and particularly excited about the setting. The new series will take place along the Chesapeake Bay where I live. Can’t wait to share my neck of the woods with readers. 

Thanks for taking the time to answer those questions. Now, for a little bit of fun! 

If you could spend a week in any book, which would it be – one of yours or someone else’s?

I’m a huge Jane Austen fan so I’d pick one of her books. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. How fun to get dressed up and attend balls. I’d love a dance with Mr. Darcy—if he found it amenable, of course :) 

 

What is a unique trait about yourself most people are not aware of?

Not sure it’s unique, but I’m very contemplative. I’m constantly thinking, imagining, daydreaming, pondering... I can’t just sit and watch a movie; I’m assessing the entire time. Usually have the ending figured out about five minutes in. Drives my poor hubby nuts. 

If you were making a movie out of one of your books, who would you cast as lead?

For Submerged Chris Hemsworth would play Cole McKenna and Katherine Heigl would play Bailey Craig. 

This or that?

Chocolate or vanilla?  

Definitely chocolate! The darker the better.

Coffee or tea?  

Definitely coffee. Even better if there’s chocolate mixed in.

Coke or Pepsi?  

Coke. 

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I really appreciate it!

Thanks so much for having me. Had a lot of fun with your questions.

Blessings,

Dani 

Dani has graciously provided one copy of Submerge, Shattered, Stranded, and Silenced in her "Alaskan Courage" series!

See my reviews of her books here.

Birthday Bash! - Day 6 - Katie Ganshert Author Interview

Christy Award finalist and Carol Award winner, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband, their young son, and their goofy black lab, Bubba. When she’s not busy writing or playing or reading or snuggling, she is obsessing over the paperwork and the waiting that comes with adoption. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or author Facebook page.

Welcome, Katie! I'm so glad you could join us.

Your book has a pretty strong theme/message about what is beautiful. How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?

I’ve done junior high ministry through my church for several years. I see what society is shoving into the faces of our young women regarding beauty and quite honestly, it breaks my heart. I wanted to tell a story that explored this theme, so A Broken Kind of Beautiful came about.  

As the story progresses, the reader can sense that you are trying to get a point across. What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

I never go into a book with any specific agenda in mind, other than a prayer that the story would encourage people in their faith, draw hearts closer to God, and bring glory to His name. That’s my blanket prayer for all of the stories I write. For this one, I also prayed that Ivy’s story would minister to the broken—those women who felt unloved and beyond repair. God can take the most broken parts of ourselves and create something beautiful. He’s in the business of redemption. 

The theme of your book was very well developed. What are some of the references that you used while researching this book?

The theme verse of the novel comes from the second part of Isaiah 43:1, which is Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Even though God is talking to His people in the context of this verse, we know from the rest of the Bible that His nature is to redeem. He sent His son so that all of us could receive that same redemption. I think it’s such a beautiful picture, especially for a character as broken as Ivy. 

That is one of my favorite verses. It has meant so much to me in the past! Thank you for taking time to answer those questions. Now, for a little fun!

Do you have a favorite TV character? If so, who and why? 
You know, I don’t watch a lot of television. Usually I’m behind the game. I’ll watch a show on DVD or Netflix, after it’s been out for awhile. If I had to choose, I’d probably say Rick Castle and Kate Becket from the show Castle. I love their chemistry and the dialogue. It doesn’t hurt that Castle is a writer. 

What is the first book you felt like flinging across the room while reading and why?

Oh man! That’s a tough one. I’m sure there was one before this, but the one that jumps to mind is A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It’s the first book of her Mark of the Lion trilogy. They are my all-time favorite. So why did I feel like flinging it across the room, you might ask? Because the ending is a total cliff hanger of the panicked, distressed, no-this-can’t-be-happening variety. Thankfully, I was able to pick up the second book right away. 

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

If they don’t just come to me, I usually ask readers to vote on my author Facebook page! 

This or that?

Chocolate or vanilla?

Do some people really say vanilla!?! Chocolate, always.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee with cream, please.

Coke or Pepsi?

Diet Coke is my favorite!

Thanks again, Katie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here! I really appreciate it! 

Katie is graciously giving away a copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful.