A quick game of tag ;)

TAG! I'm it! :)

Last week Laura Smith tagged me in a game of blog tag, where writers share what they’re currently working on with each other and with their readers :) Fun stuff!

Laura is about to go on tour (!!!) with Christian recording artist, Holly Starr. They'll be traveling through the Midwest in September sharing the message of finding true identity in Christ. The tour is called Through My Father’s Eyes Tour and is being sponsored by Sisterhood Magazine.
   

    

This tag game requires some Q&A, so here's my go at it...

HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?I think every author puts a fresh spin on their individual work, regardless of genre. It's been said before you could give ten different authors the same plot - "start with this, have this many characters, have this situation happen in the middle, and end with this type of scene" and you would still end up with ten very different novels! :)  I love that about writing. For me, I'd like to think my novels share my heart, which is also unique, and reveals a bit of the struggle or spiritual lesson I'm going through at that time in my life. I never want anything wasted, and it seems like God always has me tie that personal element into my stories in some way.
WHY I WRITE WHAT I DO?This ties into my first Q&A. I write to share God's grace, God's love, God's mercy on us. I write to entertain and provide quality stories of romance that speak to the heart and inspire hope for those still searching for their own - hope that despite the failings of men, they have a Lover of their souls in Jesus who will never fail or disappoint or neglect. And I write to remind myself of all of the above.

HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?
What process? Ha! I'm a single mom of a 6 year old, with a full time job, who freelances for a local newspaper on the side , has another part-time side job online, and is involved with a weekly ministry group. There is no schedule, or routine, or organization to the chaos - nope. There is only desperation and deadlines and please-God-pleas and middle of the night Pringle binges with my Netbook, trying to get word count in and a million interruptions and distractions and sleepy-eyed afternoons. That's my life in this season, and it's absolutely fine with me.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME?
My first contemporary romance with Zondervan releases in a few weeks!! ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & CUPCAKES is available now for pre-order and will release officially on September 2, 2014. I'm working on writing the sequel now LOVE ARRIVES IN PIECES which is scheduled for May 2015.




Description:



Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.
As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.
The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.


I also am still celebrating the release of my novella with Zondervan, FEBRUARY BRIDE, which released last January and was part of a super fun Year of Wedding series Zondervan produced.

Description:
A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.Allie left the love of her life at the altar—to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak. When a Valentine’s Day wedding brings them back together, she struggles against her family’s destructive history. Can Allie ever realize that a marriage is so much more than a wedding dress?

Now for the fun part - I get to tag two other people!! :)

I'm tagging ERYNN MANGUM (my dearly loved YA author and friend and fellow blogger at www.scribblechicks.BlogSpot.com and KATIE GANSHERT (another dearly loved author buddy who once threw mugs and vases at my barn with me. You know that's a true friend)

TAG, girls! You're it!! :)