Sunday, March 23, 2008

Walking Man By Narciso Zamora


Walking Man: A Modern Missions Experience in Latin America by Narciso Zamora.

What inspired the book?

I've been working for many years in missions and my inspiration in life has always been spreading the word of Christ. This book chronicles all the adventures that I've had in hopes that it will inspire others to join in the work that our Lord asks us to do in his name.

What makes this book special to you?

This book allows me to open the door and let people into my life. It is obviously close to my heart because it recounts all my failures and successes and the way that Jesus has worked in my life. Opening up about it all has allowed me to reflect on the many blessings that the Lord has given me and the miracles that He has worked through the years.


What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

There is so much work left to do and so many people that need to know more about the Lord. People need to let Him into their hearts and accept him as their personal savior. It is so important to inspire others to know Christ and to act upon that desire to let him be a part of their lives. So many are in need of Him and it is our duty to help others find the way to Him. That's why reading this book and choosing to take action is so important. Mine is just an example of the miracles that the Lord can perform if you let him in and work hard to serve him.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

EVERYONE! Jesus can work wonders in someone's life and everyone can work to spread his word. Children and teenagers can start early and know more about Jesus and become spiritually strong adults that can work wonders in their community and the world. Young adults can say "I can do that!" and find themselves in their own quest for inspiring others to serve Jesus. Adults can not only act but transform their own life and their family's.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

When something amazing happens - when God provides for my need in just the moment I need it, I feel inspired to share it with others, in some cases, in writing.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

I guess having enough time is the biggest stumbling block. For those of us that have full time pursuits and want to write as a sideline, it can be hard to convert those good intentions into printed words. The thing that has worked best for me is to block off a few hours on one day a week or one hour the same time each day, usually the early morning before the phone has started to ring - and just do it!

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Writing is an excellent way of reaching others. It allows you to share your personality, your ideas and, in my personal case, a lifetime of experiences and lessons. I am always looking for ways to reach people and writing my autobiography only seemed appropriate after so many years of working in this field. I wanted others to know that it is never too late to accept Jesus, that as long as you straighten your life and live it fully in His word then your past is not a reflection of the wonders you can do through Him.


Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I haven't gotten too crazy yet, as my book just came out. But if we still have a few thousand books sitting in my publisher's basement a year or two from now, you'll see me get crazy! My publisher suggested that I walk my entire author tour, since my book is called Walking Man. She actually wanted me to walk from Indiana to Texas to Florida in July heat!! I told her I was up for anything, but then she came to her senses (thank God).

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

My personal experience as a nonbeliever who struggled to live in the right path and was still able to find Jesus and, for more than thirty years, reach the most isolated areas of Peru and Chile to start churches and spread the word have given me the knowledge to counsel others. God works wonders through those who accept him and I've been privileged enough to know him for many years now.


NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

Many have a need to fill that spiritual void that people carry these days and reading this book may be the answer to finding a sense of purpose in life. Even if they think their life is perfectly fine, reading this book may let them discover a whole other side of life they hadn't considered before. There are so many that need help and reading my testimony can give them inspiration and Jesus can start finding His way into their hearts.


NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Well, the topic of this book is basically the passion of my life; it describes the love of Jesus and his wonders. I am certain that readers can go through this book and find the story of a real man who has worked hard to accomplish an important goal in life. That is a struggle that all human beings can relate to and reading somebody else's way of getting through the difficulties with the help of God is an inspiration that can help them find motivation to accomplish their personal goals.


NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

My book shows in great detail the poor conditions that so many people have to live in because of the underdeveloped areas that they have been born into. It is difficult for them to get by and poverty is a pandemic that haunts them throughout their entire lives. I have made an effort to reach those isolated areas because I come from a small rural town myself, and I know how limited the opportunities are for these people. I am one of them, and the Lord has helped me overcome many issues they deal with on a daily basis. There is a need for many others to come and provide them with the tools for a better life both materially and spiritually.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

In Detail With Patricia Guthrie

Tell us the book title and your author name.
In the Arms of the Enemy

Patricia A. Guthrie

What inspired the book

About a decade ago a horse mob in the Chicago suburban area were murdering horses for insurance money. Quite a few horsemen were indicted, some jailed. That seed stayed planted in my head until about three years ago when I wrote this book.

What makes this book special to you?

In the Arms of the Enemy is dedicated to those horses lost to man’s greed and inhumanity and to those humanitarians whose mission is to save and protect them. The love I have for my characters and their horses have made this special. (It’s also my first published book)

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

First off, this is a ‘durn good mystery. Outside of that, it educates the public on what happens when money, animals and greed come together. It also shows what can happen when you deceive the people you love.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Probably the same answers as the last question, but this is for horse lovers

And shows them another side of the horse industry.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

I take my ideas from topical events, mix it with things in my life I love (Romanian castles, horses, collies, women who have to run from dangerous relationships) I like to point out the evils in life balanced with the good.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

I think marketing has been my biggest stumbling block. I don’t mix writing and marketing well together, so when I market I don’t write and when I write I don’t market. I’m trying to over come that. I’m sure others have much going on in their lives, trying to juggle all that is hard. Writers block? I do, but I usually talk or walk it off. Music helps too, although I can’t write and listen to music. Being a musician I have a tendency to listen and stare at the walls, picking out the cello and violin sections. LOL

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I think people write when they have a good story to tell and it must come out. I think reading and talking to other writers can “egg-on” that feeling to write.

I think those people have a natural interest in the craft of writing and aren’t afraid to write bad drafts, then start rewriting. It’s just in you.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

This story takes place a horse locations. My prototype for Kalian Downs Racetrack was Arlington Park Racetrack in Illinois and most of the race took place a the barn where I board my horse. When I walk through there and smell the hay and horses, watch the horses movements, the sounds they make when they’re eating dinner, it makes it easier to write it into a chapter.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

I had to write in Adam. He was so intent in finding a killer of his father’s horse and its trainer and was convinced the trainer’s partner was guilty. He was a man on a mission. Maggie was motivated by the need for peace, having had a stressful and bad experience with her fiancée and the owner of the barn where she trained. The rest of the novel she must learn to protect herself from deliberate accidents and learn to trust Adam, although she believes he’s not what he appears.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

Well, this is a mystery, so I won’t tell you who, but there are several conflicts here. First Adam being not the naïve, suave and rich entrepreneur he claimed to be. Evidence is pointing toward Maggie being part of the gang who kills horses for insurance money for horse owners. Even as Maggie has no idea she’s even being under suspicion.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

I hope you enjoy the book. It’s not long, but does get intense. A book where good intentions lead to deception and lies and misunderstanding leads to kidnapping.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

You’re welcome. I hope your readers enjoy this incite into the characters in the story. My website: www.patriciaanneguthrie.com, www.paguthrie.blogspot.com and www.myspace.com/paguthrie.


You can purchase the book at the publisher’s website www.lightswordpublishing.com,

www. Amazon.com, Borders, Waldenbooks, Barnes and Noble and most of the online independents. You can also order the book at the actual book stores and some stores carry it on their shelves.

These were great questions. I really enjoyed talking to all of you. Any questions:

Patguth@aol.com Please email me.

For more information about Patricia's virtual book tour - visit her tour home page http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie

To order your copy, visit http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Enemy-Patricia-Guthrie/dp/0979203082

Monday, March 17, 2008

In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie

I will be posting the "In Detail" answers soon, in the mean time here is some "inside info" about the cover of the book.

The cover story of the covers of In the Arms of the Enemy:
Front:

Cody, (Cajuns Cayenne Kid) is the horse on the front cover of "In the Arms of the Enemy." Although he's not a thoroughbred race-horse, we decided to acknowledge this beautiful horse on the cover as a tribute. Cody was a champion cutting horse and produced magnificent foals who have gone on to become champions in their own right in many disciplines.

According to his owner, Bonny Kirby "
He was an AQHA, ICHR and FQHR registered. He is a Gold Champagne and is 92.19% Foundation. His bloodlines are Champions and will produce the same. He was lost to colon cancer on October 13, 2007"

The back cover is a tribute the author's gray quarter horse Shotgun Socks who won classes in pleasure and halter at American Quarter Horse Association horse shows. He was owned by Ms. Guthrie until last year, when he died at twenty-five from complications due to colic.

I've acknowledged these two horses in the same manner as Adam Blakely might acknowledge his beautiful thoroughbred Black Autumn.

Patricia A. Guthrie
"In the Arms of the Enemy." (Light Sword Publishing)
Dedicated to those horses lost to man's inhumanity and greed
and to those humanitarians who's mission is to save and protect them.

www.paguthrie.blogspot.com
,
www.patriciaanneguthrie.com

Patricia A. Guthrie
"In the Arms of the Enemy." (Light Sword Publishing)
Dedicated to those horses lost to man's inhumanity and greed
and to those humanitarians who's mission is to save and protect them.

www.paguthrie.blogspot.com
,
www.patriciaanneguthrie.com