Author Mini-view:
Hello, blog family! I'm so glad you stopped by for today's author interview and giveaway! I'm featuring the lovely Tanya Eavenson and her book "Unconditional" today. Isn't the cover pretty?
Let's get this interview started!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing.
I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children. My favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. I’m a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and I love writing contemporary and historical romance novels.
How did you get started?
Actually, I believe God called me to write because I never wanted to. Never thought about writing until I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life. I remember saying, with ready fingers on the keyboard, “Are you sure, God?” I had no idea what I was doing at the time, but I had a burden to share the story God had placed on my heart.
Where are you on your journey?
I’m not sure. Really, only God knows. But there are two things that I do know. The first is that God is molding me to be the person He’s called me to be through this writing journey. Second, God is using me for His glory, that every word I write, every time I get into my character’s head, describe a scene, etc., I’m pointing people to Christ. I’m showing His unconditional love and redemption for His children.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I’d have to say Philippians 4: 6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
As of right now, I’m not reading anything due to my fast approaching deadline for my current work in progress Restored. However, the first few books on my reading pile are from Mary Connealy’s series Wild at Heart. Once I finish my Unending Love series, I’ll be snuggling up in a chair with one of Mary’s books. =)
What book are you featuring today?
Today I’m featuring my contemporary romance novel Unconditional, the first book in the Unending Love series. Unconditional is a story of a husband and wife who struggle with disappointment and heartache and ask if marriage is worth fighting for. But it’s also a story of how God’s grace can lead to healing beyond the imagination because with God, nothing is impossible.
Here’s the first page of Unconditional. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
“Please, Elizabeth...I can’t lose you.” Chris Roberts gently kissed his wife’s hand. He focused on her bandaged head and breathing tube, looking for any sign she heard his pleas, felt his touch. Nothing.
“Your daughter needs you. I need you.” His voice faded into the quietness of the room. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and tried to force his mind clear. The image of his pregnant wife slipping from the church steps still haunted him. He should have been closer, should have caught her.
The doctor and nurse came into the room, but he barely acknowledged them as they checked his wife’s vitals and changed her bandage. There was nothing more they could do.
“Mr. Roberts,” the doctor spoke from Elizabeth’s bedside. “There’s been no change, but the wound to her head is healing nicely.”
“It’s been two weeks. Will she ever come out of this coma?”
“I don’t know. All we can do is wait and pray. But I thought you should know about your daughter.”
Chris met his gaze. “Katherine. Is she all right?”
The doctor’s eyes softened. “Her breathing is still our main concern since her lungs weren’t fully developed, but she is doing better than we expected. What I’m trying to say is she’s thriving and should be able to go home within the week.”
Chris tried to smile but failed. Katherine had survived the terrible incident, but what about Elizabeth? He turned back to his wife and squeezed her hand. “Did you hear the doctor? Katherine’s doing well. We can go home soon, but you have to wake up.” He bowed his head and fought against his tears. The door clicking closed behind him echoed in the room.
The days passed in slow motion — the next day, and the next — all blending together into one long vigil, one long prayer that never seemed to go farther than the ceiling. Where was God? Was he even listening?
Doubts preyed on Chris as he entered Elizabeth’s room and found his brother standing at Elizabeth’s bed. Phillip’s eyes were closed, head bowed. He held Elizabeth’s limp hands in his. He spoke in soft whispers, and though Chris couldn’t make out his words, his brother’s expression suggested he was pleading to God in prayer.
What good would it do? Another week had passed, and still his wife lay unconscious. Three weeks, and Elizabeth’s condition hadn’t changed. The window to her recovery was quickly closing. He’d never in his life felt so helpless.
After several minutes, Chris touched his brother’s shoulder. “Phillip.”
Phillip whirled to face him. “She squeezed my hand. It was soft, but I felt it. I think she’s waking up.”
Chris went to Elizabeth’s side and searched her features, her eyes, as he’d done many times before for any sign she’d come back to him. A vise tightened around his heart. False hope, yet again.
He fought the desire to sink into a chair and sob, but instead collected her hands within his. A small moan escaped her lips.
Chris’s breath caught. “Oh, Elizabeth. I’m here. Look at me.”
“I’ll get the doctor!” Phillip rushed from the room.
Chris touched her forehead where the bandage had once been and smoothed down her hair. “Open your eyes.” He ached for her touch, for her smile, for her love. “Sweetheart, I’m here. I love you.”
Slowly, surely, Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered open. Tears filled his own eyes.
The doctor burst into the room with a nurse on his heels. Even while they examined Elizabeth, he refused to leave her side. She squinted and blinked twice. A frown touched her brow as she gazed around the room, then at him.
He smiled down at her, joy filling his heart. His wife was alive. “Katherine’s home. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Elizabeth licked her lips, her gaze never leaving his. “I’m sorry…” she paused. “Who is Katherine? Who are you?”
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
It’s so hard to come up with just one thing! =) But I would have to say as people read my stories, I hope they will know that God’s love for them is unshakable no matter the circumstances. I love what Isaiah 54:10 says, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” This is a promise from the Lord and a theme you’ll find in every novel I write.
Let's get this interview started!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing.
I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children. My favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. I’m a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and I love writing contemporary and historical romance novels.
How did you get started?
Actually, I believe God called me to write because I never wanted to. Never thought about writing until I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life. I remember saying, with ready fingers on the keyboard, “Are you sure, God?” I had no idea what I was doing at the time, but I had a burden to share the story God had placed on my heart.
Where are you on your journey?
I’m not sure. Really, only God knows. But there are two things that I do know. The first is that God is molding me to be the person He’s called me to be through this writing journey. Second, God is using me for His glory, that every word I write, every time I get into my character’s head, describe a scene, etc., I’m pointing people to Christ. I’m showing His unconditional love and redemption for His children.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I’d have to say Philippians 4: 6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
As of right now, I’m not reading anything due to my fast approaching deadline for my current work in progress Restored. However, the first few books on my reading pile are from Mary Connealy’s series Wild at Heart. Once I finish my Unending Love series, I’ll be snuggling up in a chair with one of Mary’s books. =)
What book are you featuring today?
Today I’m featuring my contemporary romance novel Unconditional, the first book in the Unending Love series. Unconditional is a story of a husband and wife who struggle with disappointment and heartache and ask if marriage is worth fighting for. But it’s also a story of how God’s grace can lead to healing beyond the imagination because with God, nothing is impossible.
Here’s the first page of Unconditional. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
“Please, Elizabeth...I can’t lose you.” Chris Roberts gently kissed his wife’s hand. He focused on her bandaged head and breathing tube, looking for any sign she heard his pleas, felt his touch. Nothing.
“Your daughter needs you. I need you.” His voice faded into the quietness of the room. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and tried to force his mind clear. The image of his pregnant wife slipping from the church steps still haunted him. He should have been closer, should have caught her.
The doctor and nurse came into the room, but he barely acknowledged them as they checked his wife’s vitals and changed her bandage. There was nothing more they could do.
“Mr. Roberts,” the doctor spoke from Elizabeth’s bedside. “There’s been no change, but the wound to her head is healing nicely.”
“It’s been two weeks. Will she ever come out of this coma?”
“I don’t know. All we can do is wait and pray. But I thought you should know about your daughter.”
Chris met his gaze. “Katherine. Is she all right?”
The doctor’s eyes softened. “Her breathing is still our main concern since her lungs weren’t fully developed, but she is doing better than we expected. What I’m trying to say is she’s thriving and should be able to go home within the week.”
Chris tried to smile but failed. Katherine had survived the terrible incident, but what about Elizabeth? He turned back to his wife and squeezed her hand. “Did you hear the doctor? Katherine’s doing well. We can go home soon, but you have to wake up.” He bowed his head and fought against his tears. The door clicking closed behind him echoed in the room.
The days passed in slow motion — the next day, and the next — all blending together into one long vigil, one long prayer that never seemed to go farther than the ceiling. Where was God? Was he even listening?
Doubts preyed on Chris as he entered Elizabeth’s room and found his brother standing at Elizabeth’s bed. Phillip’s eyes were closed, head bowed. He held Elizabeth’s limp hands in his. He spoke in soft whispers, and though Chris couldn’t make out his words, his brother’s expression suggested he was pleading to God in prayer.
What good would it do? Another week had passed, and still his wife lay unconscious. Three weeks, and Elizabeth’s condition hadn’t changed. The window to her recovery was quickly closing. He’d never in his life felt so helpless.
After several minutes, Chris touched his brother’s shoulder. “Phillip.”
Phillip whirled to face him. “She squeezed my hand. It was soft, but I felt it. I think she’s waking up.”
Chris went to Elizabeth’s side and searched her features, her eyes, as he’d done many times before for any sign she’d come back to him. A vise tightened around his heart. False hope, yet again.
He fought the desire to sink into a chair and sob, but instead collected her hands within his. A small moan escaped her lips.
Chris’s breath caught. “Oh, Elizabeth. I’m here. Look at me.”
“I’ll get the doctor!” Phillip rushed from the room.
Chris touched her forehead where the bandage had once been and smoothed down her hair. “Open your eyes.” He ached for her touch, for her smile, for her love. “Sweetheart, I’m here. I love you.”
Slowly, surely, Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered open. Tears filled his own eyes.
The doctor burst into the room with a nurse on his heels. Even while they examined Elizabeth, he refused to leave her side. She squinted and blinked twice. A frown touched her brow as she gazed around the room, then at him.
He smiled down at her, joy filling his heart. His wife was alive. “Katherine’s home. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Elizabeth licked her lips, her gaze never leaving his. “I’m sorry…” she paused. “Who is Katherine? Who are you?”
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
It’s so hard to come up with just one thing! =) But I would have to say as people read my stories, I hope they will know that God’s love for them is unshakable no matter the circumstances. I love what Isaiah 54:10 says, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” This is a promise from the Lord and a theme you’ll find in every novel I write.
Author Bio:
Tanya Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World Ministries. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/ on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unconditional-ebook/dp/B00AZL8F5G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357883999&sr=1-1&keywords=tanya+Eavenson+Unconditional
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unconditional-tanya-eavenson/1114108760?ean=2940016066837
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/unconditional/id592895859?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/unconditional-7
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unconditional-ebook/dp/B00AZL8F5G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357883999&sr=1-1&keywords=tanya+Eavenson+Unconditional
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unconditional-tanya-eavenson/1114108760?ean=2940016066837
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/unconditional/id592895859?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/unconditional-7
Giveaway Time!
Tanya is giving away an e-book of "Unconditional" to one lucky subscriber this week! To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Giveaway Tools entry form below. Giveaway ends 9/29. Good luck and happy reading!
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