Hello, blog friends! Happy February! We're kicking this month off with another author mini-view and giveaway this week. Joining us today is the lovely Alice K. Arenz. Let's get this interview started!
Author Mini-view:
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)
I’ve always had a very active imagination, but didn’t really write much down until I was twelve or so. A lot of years went by before I took writing seriously. I devoured Writer’s Digest Magazine, took a creative writing course at the local university, and sent “over the transom” queries to editors and agents. In the early 90s I landed a contract with a New York literary agency. Though it didn’t produce the hoped-for results, it taught me a lot about how much discipline and determination were vital necessities in the writing world.
Years later I joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learned a lot from the group, and made some contacts that eventually earned me a contract with a small press.
In spite of a myriad of health issues—especially the hypersensitivity in my fingers and hands which makes typing a challenge, between 2008 and 2010, I managed to get three books written and published. Those books, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (cozy mystery), The Case of the Mystified M.D. (cozy mystery), and Mirrored Image (classic romantic mystery/suspense), all finaled in ACFW’s Carol Awards, with The Case of the Mystified M.D. winning in 2010.
Now, after a five year absence from the writing scene because of even more challenging health issues, I’ve signed with a new publisher, Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications, published a new classic romantic suspense, An American Gothic, my fourth novel, and re-issued the previous three with wonderful new covers and changes. Talk about feeling God’s blessing with this second chance!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
John 3:16-17—I memorized it at a very young age and it has been my constant companion since.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
To be honest, I haven’t read anything in a very long time—unless you count my own work. Because of my latest health issues, I find it challenging to both read and write. I used to read three or more books a week, and it’s been very hard on me. But I’m working on it.
What book are you featuring today?
An American Gothic. Here’s the one-liner and back of the book blurb:
She came to Foxxemoor to write a mystery, not to become part of one.
Devastated by the death of a child in her care, Lyssie's heart strings are tugged when she finds another child in danger. Amid past secrets, lies, and betrayals of an old college friend's family, she must choose a twin brother to trust. If she makes the wrong decision, she could not only lose her own life, but also the life of the child she's come to love.
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
Be prepared to be surprised. ;) Whether you read one of the cozies, mystery or suspense, I hope you will find a lot of surprises.
I’ve always had a very active imagination, but didn’t really write much down until I was twelve or so. A lot of years went by before I took writing seriously. I devoured Writer’s Digest Magazine, took a creative writing course at the local university, and sent “over the transom” queries to editors and agents. In the early 90s I landed a contract with a New York literary agency. Though it didn’t produce the hoped-for results, it taught me a lot about how much discipline and determination were vital necessities in the writing world.
Years later I joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learned a lot from the group, and made some contacts that eventually earned me a contract with a small press.
In spite of a myriad of health issues—especially the hypersensitivity in my fingers and hands which makes typing a challenge, between 2008 and 2010, I managed to get three books written and published. Those books, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (cozy mystery), The Case of the Mystified M.D. (cozy mystery), and Mirrored Image (classic romantic mystery/suspense), all finaled in ACFW’s Carol Awards, with The Case of the Mystified M.D. winning in 2010.
Now, after a five year absence from the writing scene because of even more challenging health issues, I’ve signed with a new publisher, Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications, published a new classic romantic suspense, An American Gothic, my fourth novel, and re-issued the previous three with wonderful new covers and changes. Talk about feeling God’s blessing with this second chance!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
John 3:16-17—I memorized it at a very young age and it has been my constant companion since.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
What have you read lately that you would recommend?
To be honest, I haven’t read anything in a very long time—unless you count my own work. Because of my latest health issues, I find it challenging to both read and write. I used to read three or more books a week, and it’s been very hard on me. But I’m working on it.
What book are you featuring today?
An American Gothic. Here’s the one-liner and back of the book blurb:
She came to Foxxemoor to write a mystery, not to become part of one.
Devastated by the death of a child in her care, Lyssie's heart strings are tugged when she finds another child in danger. Amid past secrets, lies, and betrayals of an old college friend's family, she must choose a twin brother to trust. If she makes the wrong decision, she could not only lose her own life, but also the life of the child she's come to love.
If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
Be prepared to be surprised. ;) Whether you read one of the cozies, mystery or suspense, I hope you will find a lot of surprises.
About the Author:
An American Gothic, published August 2015, is the newest book of 2010 ACFW Carol Award winning author, Alice K. Arenz. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her first three novels were honored by two finals and one win in ACFW’s Carol Award: cozy mysteries The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a 2009 finalist), The Case of the Mystified M.D., (2010 winner), and mystery/suspense Mirrored Image (a 2011 finalist)—all re-released by Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications. Visit her at her website www.akawriter.com .
Amazon Link to An American Gothic
http://www.amazon.com/American-Christian-Romantic-Mystery-Suspense-ebook/dp/B013J4599K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438922230&sr=1-1&keywords=Alice+K.+Arenz
Amazon Link to An American Gothic
http://www.amazon.com/American-Christian-Romantic-Mystery-Suspense-ebook/dp/B013J4599K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438922230&sr=1-1&keywords=Alice+K.+Arenz
Giveaway!
Alice is generously giving one Kindle e-copy of "An American Gothic" away to one of my blog subscribers! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to enter. (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 2/9. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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