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 last week’s Author Spotlight with Mary Connealy is Passion for Books! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address. (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com)

This week please welcome back Regina Jennings in the spotlight! To win a copy her new book Love in the Balance (Bethany House, 2013), leave a comment on this post!

Regina is giving away a Kindle Fire! Click the banner below to see what others are saying about her new book, sign up to win, and RSVP for her Facebook party on 4/4!

What was your biggest break?

My first break, or the decision that led to the big break, was joining my local ACFW writers’ group. There I learned much about the craft and the industry. I met people who were honest-to-goodness authors and benefitted from their advice.

Through that group I heard about the ACFW conference and attended in 2010. My big break came from my 15 minute editor appointment with Dave Long of Bethany House. After listening to me pitch my story he requested the first fifty pages of my manuscript. A few months and several steps later they offered me a contract.

One of my great adventures has been…

Once my friend Kala and I decided to drive to San Diego where our husbands were working. We left Oklahoma City at 5 a.m. with seven kids and drove straight through for 23 hours. We had a system down. The kids would play on the restaurant playground while we ordered food. They ate while we drove and only drank when we were within 30 minutes of a gas station. NASA couldn’t have planned it any better. The reward was a week at the beach and the Grand Canyon on the way home.

What has been your most surreal, “pinch-me-I’m-dreaming” moment so far?

Every time I get an email or a Facebook message from one of my favorite authors I feel like dancing. I can’t believe they consider me a colleague. For instance, I’m working on a novella collection with Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer and Carol Cox. As the emails fly between us I feel like I’m eavesdropping on a dream team. I can’t believe I get to work with this level of talent.

Best Way to Break a Sweat

Stacking firewood and anticipating a nice, warm snuggle with hot cocoa ahead.

Best Style Icon

I follow “Shabby Apple” on Facebook because I love their dresses. I’ve never ordered one, but someday…

Best Time-Waster

Incessantly checking email. If you have enough email addresses you can make the loop last for a few minutes before checking them again. I’d much rather read a book, but the question asks for time-waster and reading a good book is never a waste of time.

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