Lisa Harris ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 10 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Lisa Harris is telling us about her new book, Blood Covenant (Mission Hope series, book 2 -- February 2011). 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.

Here is Lisa's author bio:

LISA HARRIS is an award-winning author who has over twenty novels and novella collections in print. She and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live near the Indian Ocean in Mozambique as missionaries. As a homeschooling mom, life can get hectic, but she sees her writing as an extension of her ministry which also includes running a non-profit organization. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8)

When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit http://www.theechoproject.org/.

Welcome, Lisa! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ early in my life, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I took on my faith as truly my own. I remember realizing how my faith couldn’t be an extension of my parents’ faith, but instead a very personal decision I had to make. For me, it was a profound time spiritually and changed the course of my life.

Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Very scheduled.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Hmmm…depends on the situation, but I probably lean toward being more compliant.

Organized or completely chaotic?
Organized (for the most part :) ).

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
And interesting question, because, living overseas has forced me to become extremely flexible, though I have to admit, it’s still not always easy. I’ve also had to learn to deal with one problem at a time and not worry about tomorrow. I love Matthew 6:34 where it says. “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

That’s so true, isn’t it? So while I don’t always make it, I really do try to live one day at a time, and tackle one problem at a time.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
My worst- probably that I analyze things far too much.

My best trait? I always try to look at the good in the other person and assume that their motives are good as well.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I ate raw herring in Holland last fall and enjoyed it. (Really :) )

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?
Tough questions, as it’s hard to compare myself to another writer, because I try to be unique with my style and settings. I’d love to be compared to authors like Dee Henderson and DiAnn Mills. As for romance, my stories have always been pretty G rated.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
Our family is just now reaching the end of our furlough and will be headed back to Africa in a few days. I’ve taken off the past few months from writing because of our hectic schedule, but am already itching to get back into it. Once we are home I have a couple fiction projects I’m excited to jump into.

How can readers get in contact with you?
Please drop by my website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/ or my blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/. To learn more about our new non-profit, check out http://www.theechoproject.org/.

Book blurb:

“From the explosive first pages, Lisa Harris weaves a tale of heart-stopping suspense and adventure with her second book in the Mission Hope Series.

When fighting erupts between government forces and renegade Ghost Soldiers deep within the Republic of Dhambizao, thousands are forced to leave their homes. Dr. Paige Ryan, who works with Volunteers of Hope International, is sent to lead a team to set up a refugee transit site—where the immediate needs for shelter, water, sanitation, and food are critical. Nick Gilbert, a bush pilot for Compassion Air, joins the team to help fly supplies in and out of the area.

With the refugee camp already experiencing overcrowding, raids, and uprisings, a group of American mountain climbers is attacked by the Ghost Soldiers. Paige’s medical team responds immediately, rescuing survivors and taking them into the camp. When it’s discovered that one of the trekkers is carrying an infectious disease, the harrowing conditions of the camp are forgotten.

In desperate need of vaccines and the Ghost Soldiers blocking the only road out until their demands for amnesty are met, it won’t be long before the disease is out of control … and there is nowhere to run.’

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Readers can find a sample here:
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310319061&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I love to hear from my readers, so be sure and send me an email, especially if you read one of my books. I’d love to know what you think!

~~~~~

**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Blood Covenant!

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.
+1 For every person (up to six) you get to come and enter this giveaway. But, they must mention you BY NAME so that I know who to give the extra entry(s) to. :)

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

**You can earn a total of 10 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 (February 11) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (February 17). 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 18th, 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.