Friday, September 10, 2010

Sharlene MacLaren ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Sharlene MacLaren is telling us about her new book, Tender Vow. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Sharlene! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Christian first, wife, mother of two married daughters, grandma of three (age 4 and under), retired schoolteacher, vocalist, and currently enjoying a very satisfying writing career.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I asked Christ into my heart as a teenager. I was raised in a Christian home, but I learned quite early on that I had to make a personal choice about serving Christ—I couldn’t just follow my parents into Heaven by hanging onto their coattails.

Are you:

A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
I am what you would call a seat-of-the-pants writer. I sit down at my computer, think about my next scene, and then just start writing. Don’t get me wrong; I do have a general idea of my beginning, middle, and end, but as I’m writing my characters sometimes say and do that surprise me—and off we go in a direction I hadn’t planned.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Probably a little of both, although I’m definitely more compliant than stubborn. Just depends on what the issue is.

Organized or completely chaotic?
I’m pretty organized most of the time—depending on the situation. I have to have a neat desk BEFORE I start writing and then when I close up at night, but things can get pretty chaotic while I’m in the writing process, sticky notes here and there, words scrawled across my whiteboard, papers strewn about with notes that only I understand. You get the picture.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
I don’t know as I have a “funny” story about handling disasters. I usually just try to go with the flow and, ALWAYS, if it’s something major, prayer is of utmost importance in solving it.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
Best trait? Hm, I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this before, but I guess I’d say my love of people, women and girls in particular, and my deep desire to encourage and build them up in the faith.

Worst trait? Probably lack of self-discipline. There are things I know need accomplishing every day, but I often get so distracted by the smallest things I don’t get to them. I have undoubtedly been going through life with undiagnosed A.D.D. **grins**

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
That’s a hard one because I’m very much an open book in that I don’t have much to hide. I love being authentic and showing others my very human, flawed side. Okay, here’s something: when I was a kid I had very few fears; I climbed trees, carried around snakes, strung big night crawlers on fish hooks, slept on the ground under the stars, looked for field mice to have as pets, caught bugs and spiders and stuck them in jars, skinned and gutted fish – you get the idea. As an adult, though, I am basically scared of anything creepy and crawly, and I have a terrifying, spine-tingling PHOBIA of mice.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
I don’t really think I write like anyone in particular, but others have told me I’m a cross between Tracie Peterson, Karen Kingsbury, and the now retired LaVyrle Spencer. I would consider my books PG for kissing content. I totally love a well-described, heart-stopping, emotion-wrought kiss, so when I reach that point in my novels I take my time with them. Overall, though, my stories are for general audiences. I receive fan mail from girls and women 13 – 93!

What are you working on now or going to write next?
Currently, I’m working on book one, River Song, of my next series titled River of Hope. The setting is Wabash, Indiana, circa 1926-1930, so, the roaring 20s.

How can readers get in contact with you?
You can reach me at any of these locations, including my email address:

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com

http://www.shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com

smac@chartermi.net

http://www.facebook.com (Let me know who you are and request my friendship!)

Book blurb:
Tender Vow releases September 2010, and you can purchase it and my other books at most any Christian bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. Also, you can always order online at http://www.christianbook.com or http://www.amazon.com. OR…just click on any of the book covers on my website and it will take you straight to Amazon.

Here’s a SYNOPSIS of Tender Vow:
Michigan-born brothers John and Jason Evans take a ski trip to the Colorado Rockies, but only one comes home alive—John was tragically killed on a daring descent down Devil's Ridge, an infamously dangerous slope.

In an attempt to soothe his guilt and grief, Jason sets out to make amends with his widowed sister-in-law, Rachel, by offering to help with her two small children, doing odd jobs around her house, and trying to ease her own heavy burden of grief. A new Christian, he is bent on growing his faith and helping Rachel see her way through the fog of pain and confusion.

Left to raise her three-year-old daughter and newborn son on her own, Rachel Evans is anything but willing to become her brother-in-law's charity case, particularly since they have a history she'd rather forget. She's determined to make it on her own but soon finds that God has other plans for her--and for Jason.

Can she accept the Lord's leading and still honor her late husband's memory?

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
Wow, I had a male character picked out before I even started writing Tender Vow, and it’s Chris Hemsworth. (Do you think he’d be available?) He would, of course, play the part of Jason (Jay) Evans. I’d love to see Carrie Underwood play Rachel, but, alas, we’d have to talk her into beginning an acting career first. I’ve heard she’s been giving it some thought.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Tender Vow is a stand-alone, contemporary romance, and you should be able to read portions of the book by going to Amazon. You’ll find a button that says “Look Inside”.
~~~~~
*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Tender Vow!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Tender Vow

**You can earn a total of 4 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (September 10) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (September 16). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 17th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

34 comments:

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings
This seems like such a great book.
Love your post.
Blessings,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

I follow your blog.
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

I commented on your review of Tender Vows.
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

collettakay said...

This book looks great. I would love to see Carrie Underwood in a romantic movie. A musical even? Maybe?

I am a follower.

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anne Payne said...

Love Sharlene! She is so funny :) Look forward to reading this one! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm a follower of your blog.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Virginia said...

okay I'm trying to get this to go thru for a second time!!! hope it works. I am a follower. Love the Sharlene wrote this story, 2 brothers and a wife...and a mystery past between brother and wife. and how God brings it all together. also like who the author picked for movie stars, they would be awesome. would love this book...too fun

SHARLENE said...

OH, OH, OH!!! I'm so excited to see my interview up . I love you, Carman Boley!

Hi, all you wonderful readers of Carman's blog. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my interview. Do hope you all have a fabulous weekend, and I'll check back later. Right now I'm off to a wedding.

Hugs and God's rich blessings!

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Sharlene, I have already fallen in love with "Tender Vow". This is going to be a great love story and I do love HEA. I love your choices for the hero and heroine. It sounds like you went from tom boy to deb before you were 18, love that.
Thanks for stopping by to chat and for your lovely interview.

Carman, Thanks for hosting and for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am an email subscriber and GFC follower

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I left comment on your review of Tender Vow. Great love story.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

MaureenT said...

Please enter me...and can I ask a question?? How did you go from capturing and playing with mice to being afraid of them? I've never liked them!
Maureen

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I am a follower of this blog!
Maureen

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I left a comment on those adorable Sunday funnies!!
Maureen

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

justpeachy36 said...

This looks like a wonderful book.

Please sign me up for the giveaway.

I am a GFC follower and an e-mail subscriber.

Clair said...

I would love to win the book. clair (at) yahoo (dot) com

PriviesAndPrims said...

I need more books! Please enter my name.
I'm a follower and a subscriber.

Doreen
priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the giveaway.

I have a total of 4 entries.

commenting.
follower/subscriber
and commenting on tender review.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

SHARLENE said...

Hi again, all you wonderful readers. It's great to see so many of you following Carman's blog. Somebody mentioned that it sounds like I used to be a tomboy. I think I was actually. I grew up in a neighborhood of boys. I had two older brothers, so their friends hung around out house--and then there were about three families who had nothing but boys! Boy, boys, boys! I can still remember standing in front of my window and staring outside where all the boys were playing baseball in the road and praying, "God, would you please, please send a girl to my neighborhood?" Guess what! He did. Not long after that a girl with TWO BROTHERS moved in next door. She and I had so much fun together.

As for my horrid mouse phobia - someone asked how I went from liking mice as a kid to being TERRIFIED of them as an adult. Let's just say, lots of bad experiences - BOYS chasing me carrying a mouse by the tail, hearing them scamper around in my dresser drawer when my dad was adding onto our house, and then having a literal infestation of them in an apartment I stayed in in college.

I think I went on too long. Sorry. I'm a writer, so I tend to get carried away. haha.

Anymore questions????

Love you all!

Anonymous said...

Wow this book sounds fantastic. I would love to see it in a movies with those same people. trishbazin(at)yahoo.com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! I would LOVE to win it!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I left a comment on the review.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1

Anita Yancey said...

I haven't read anything by this author. But this book sounds wonderful, and I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower, and email subscriber.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Shonda said...

I would like to be entered. shondaet at gmail dot com.

Shonda said...

I'm a follower. shondaet at gmail dot com

Edna said...

I would love to win this book I follow you blog and enjoy it so much


mamamt2730(at)charter(dot)net

Julie Lessman said...

Historicals by Sharlene are always WONDERFUL, but this contemporary is pulling at my heartstrings BIG TIME!! Sign me up, Carman, and I loved the interview. Of course, I love Sharlene, so NO SURPRISE there!! Hugs, Julie

gsus(at)charter(dot)net

amber said...

ooh, this sounds good!!!

amber (afren07@gmail.com

amber said...

and i just subscribed to your blog

amber (afren07@gmail.com)

Katie Marie said...

Id love a chance to win this book - it looks like a lovely read!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Marie said...

I am a follower of this blog!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Sylvia said...

Oh, this plot sounds interesting. Please enter my name in this giveaway. Thanks!

nina4sm[at]gmail[dot]com

I am already a follower. +1