Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway is Georgianne Barnett! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
This week we are featuring Rebecca DeMarino, author of A Place in His Heart! To enter to win a copy of A Place in His Heart, leave a comment on this post.
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I was born in a car and have been on the move ever since. My dad delivered me, and my sisters can still remember standing in the picture window of our house with the babysitter and Dad holding me up so they could get a glimpse. He was a career Navy pilot and my husband a career officer in the Air Force. I retired as a service director from United Airlines in 2008 and settled in the Pacific Northwest. I’m blessed with three beautiful daughters, eight beautiful grandchildren, and when I married my sweet husband in 2006, he added a charming son and a beautiful daughter and three more beautiful grandchildren to the count. I should say we are empty nesters, with all of those kids happily settled with their own spouses!
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I always imagined I’d write a novel in the suspense genre. At my ten-year high school reunion I confessed (for the first time to anyone) I’d like to be a published author. But it was years before I ever began to write, and by that time I was hopelessly lost in time, discovering my roots and wondering about the dreams and motivations of my ninth great-grandmother, Mary Langton Horton.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
I began my first novel in the fall of 2008 and finished it in early 2010. I signed the contract for that book—A Place in His Heart—and two more in the series, in April of 2012. The series is called The Southold Chronicles.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I love that I don’t need to set an alarm clock anymore, but I do get up early—usually by 4:00—and start my day with a good cup of black coffee and my prayers and devotional at my desk. I’m blessed to have either a beautiful view of Mount Adams or a beautiful view of the weather from my window. Both inspire me to write.
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
There is no doubt in my mind that I’ve been blessed on my writer’s journey with the people and opportunities that God has put on my path. When I retired from the airline, I was blessed to see a tiny ad that said “Tell me what you read.” Two months later I was working for one of the best literary agents in the business. She impressed upon me the importance of learning the craft, joining a writer’s group and attending conferences. When I meet someone who tells me they would like to write a book, that’s the advice I pass on.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love, but the Puritan baker grieves the loss of his beloved wife and only needs a mother for his two young sons. Two tender hearts, an ocean to cross, and a leap of faith.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
Watch for updates about book # 2 of The Southold Chronicles, releasing June, 2015.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
Read a chapter excerpt: Visit here
Like Rebecca on Facebook
Follow Rebecca on Twitter
Add Rebecca to your circles on Google+
Follow Rebecca on Pinterest
Subscribe to Rebecca’s Blog and/or Newsletter
[Tweet “Get to know @RebeccaDeMarino & enter to win #APlaceinHisHeart!”]
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I love being introduced to new authors, and I love a love story. Please count me in!
I love anyone that write Amish books. I’m in
This interview was very interesting and just another example of how hard work, determination, and a strong support system leads to success.
Thanks Suzanne and Rebecca for a chance to win this book and blessings to you both!
So glad you popped in, Connie!
Would love to win this book, sounds like a good book!
This cover is drawing me in. I hope to have a chance to explore new authors. Thanks for the giveaway
Sounds like another great read. Would dearly love to win this book. Thanks for all the offers to win new books.
First of all, the cover of your book is beautiful!! I would pick the book up to read it based on the cover alone! Thanks for a great interview. I enjoyed hearing about your different careers and it reminds me that there are many different seasons of life and different seasons bring different opportunities! Thanks for the giveaway. kosterbind (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you Kelly! I love what you said about the different seasons of our lives – that is so true! I’m so happy you stopped by!
Sounds like a great book! Thanks!
Thanks for the intro to a new author!
The story line sounds enchanting and exciting…like searching for your roots must have been! Enter me to win please!
Would love to win your book. Love love love these Christian fiction books. God bless.
Great interview, Rebecca. I love learning more about you. The story of your father delivering you in the car is priceless.
Having read this book, I know it will be a success. I can’t wait to read the remaining chronicles. The taste of the second book is more than I can take until next June.
Thank you so very much, Dora! I’m so glad you liked the book!!
Looking forward to reading Rebecca’s book. This sounds like myself back in the ’90’s. I didn’t have a body of water to cross, but hearts to win. Some have not been won yet, but looking forward to that day.
Donna, thank you for stopping by. Some hearts take longer than others, but isn’t it so good to know we have a special place in God’s heart – always! Blessings to you!
Lovely interview!
Rebecca is new to me and her book sounds great! Cover is beautiful too
The author herself sounds very interesting and I’d love to win her new book!
this definitely sounds like a book I would love to read and I am looking for a new author,
This sounds like a great book, and I love that it is based on your great, great, etc. grandmother. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
This book (series) sounds really good. I’d love to win one. I also love to try new authors and I think Rebecca sounds quite interesting.
Wow – thank you all for your kind, encouraging words for my debut novel! I appreciate them all!! And thank you, Suzanne, for featuring me on your blog! This is fun!!
I’d love to win and read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
It was so nice learning about Rebecca and her book which looks like an inspiring read. I am looking forward to reading it soon.
So interesting about her dad delivering her in the car.
Thank you for featuring her on this post.
Sounds like a great book! Looking forward to reading it whether I win or not. Great interview!
I loved her back story. Couldn’t even get out of the driveway before being born. I guess she was in a rush. This book sounds great. I’d love to read it.
Another book that looks interesting to read. My TBR list is neverending…oh, well I will have books for days to come 🙂
Sounds like a great book, please enter my name.
I read the excerpt of the first 21 pages. How interesting so far. I would love to read more of the story! Sounds like a great book. Please consider me for your drawing.
I love marriage if convenience stories in which the couple find true love. I’ll be looking for you book!
I was thinking the same thing, Tonja. Somehow, we’re rooting for love to happen!
Would love to win!
I cannot wait to pick up a copy of this novel. Sounds good!
Interesting interview. I’d love to read this book.
I would love to read this book. It sounds like a great one to read!
I would love to read this book. I have been introduced to new authors and this one is new to me.
I love that cover! Thanks for the interview and for the giveaway–I can’t wait to read this novel.
It sounds like a good read. 🙂
We are empty nesters also, but will soon be doing babycare for our son’s baby arriving the end of September. That should bring back some long buried memories of raising our own boys. I’d love to win your book!
I love reading historical love stories and faith based books. I love ancestry.com and looking up my ancestors and I would love to win your book!
Rebecca–I’m thinking of you, with a cup of good coffee, Bible open, watching the sun rise behind your mountain! What a great way to start the day. Quiet and peaceful…and I bet it doesn’t last long with so many children and grandchildren! (Same here!) My house is always expanding and contracting.
Looking forward to reading your novel–it sounds like an interesting mix of main characters! Thanks for taking time to share your life with my readers. blessings to you, Rebecca!
Warmly, Suzanne
Sounds like a good summer read.
Love reading about the Amish. Would love to win this book! Thanks.
I so enjoy the author interviews! The author becomes a real person instead of just a name on the front of a book. I’ll be adding this title to my summer reading list.
Love meeting new authors!! And I always love new books!!!
Wow! born in the car! now that is a book in itself! I love being introduced to new authors and sure enjoyed your story also the review of your book, “A Place in His Heart”…Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter a giveaway in hopes of winning your book. May God continue His blessings on you and His God given talent of writing for His glory!
I enjoyed reading the excerpt of the first chapter and can’t wait to read the rest of the story!
I would love to read this book! Thanks for participating in her blog event!
Books like this are my guilty little pleasure! As a mom odlf three, time is hard to cone by, which makes it a real treat!!
Great interview. Would love to win a copy of this book – it sounds really, really good. Going to add it to my wish list.
So Can’t wait this book sounds so good and I so love getting to know new authors. Would love to be able to read and review Rebecca’s book and I can’t wait.
Blessings and Much Love
Thanks for sharing her with us Suzzane wonderful interview !
This book sounds so interesting. I would love to win it. After I was finished reading it, I could share it with some of my friends.
I’m glad to be introduced to this author and would be interested in reading her new book.
Love getting to try new authors! Love to win her book!
i would love to win thank you
I enjoyed learning a bit about Rebecca DeMarino. A PLACE IN HIS HEART sounds like a wonderful story!
I love finding out about new authors and Rebecca sounds like a good one! Great interview! This book sounds like one I’d really enjoy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Interesting interview. This book sounds so wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
I have already got Rebecca’s book, but I would love the chance to win one for my mom!
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for the give-away and hosting Rebecca, and the give-away. Rebecca i have enjyed all of these interviews and revews I have heard about your new book. And, Congratulations on your debut novel. I found this in Facebook telling about this Blog Tour. I would sure love to win this book. Maxie Anderson