Cecelia Dowdy, a prolific up-and-coming author, has been an avid reader since she learned to string letters together to form words. While pursuing a business degree in college one of her professors tried to convince her to get an English degree since he felt she was a great writer. Years later, after receiving her BS in Finance, she took her former teacher’s advice, and started pursuing her literary career.

Cecelia loves to read, write, and bake delicious desserts during her spare time. Traveling is another favorite hobby, and she’s been to various countries around the world, including Germany, France, England, Tahiti, New Zealand, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Santo Domingo. She enjoys listening to old tunes with her husband on Saturday nights. Currently she resides with her spouse and young son in Maryland.

Cecelia, thanks for stopping by my blog today! Where did you get the story idea for John’s Quest?

I work for a non-profit scientific publishing company. Therefore, there are a lot of scientists working in my building. One day, my mind was wandering, and I wondered if any of my co-workers were atheists or agnostics. My musings continued until I came up with the story idea for John’s Quest.

The child in the story, Scotty, is visually impaired. Why did you decide to make this character blind?

My husband is totally blind, so I decided to make one of the characters in this story blind.

Can you tell us a little bit more on what the story is about?

John French, a science professor, is an agnostic–he’s unsure if God exists. When he’s hired to tutor a blind seven-year-old child, Scotty, he finds himself falling for the child’s beautiful aunt/guardian, Monica Crawford. Monica’s life changes drastically when her irresponsible younger sister abandons her handicapped son on her doorstep. As John helps Monica to educate her nephew, he falls in love with her. However, problems arise when Monica, a devout Christian, finds herself drawn to Scotty’s handsome and intelligent tutor. Monica finds herself in a bind because she knows it’s a sin to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. How in the world can these two lovebirds overcome the huge problems that stand in the way of their relationship?

How long have you been writing?

I started writing seriously back in 1994, so I’ve been doing this about fourteen years.

Do you have any other future projects in the works?

Yes! Barbour has contracted me for two more novels! Milk Money, which I’ve just completed the content edits for, will be out tentatively in January 2009! Here is a brief summary of Milk Money:

Running a dairy farm is a big job, but doing it alone is almost impossible.
When her dad dies, Emily must work hard to save the family farm, but she manages. Until the day the CPA pulls in her drive and announces he’s there to do an audit on the place.

Franklin Reese is appalled at the lack of interest the Cooper women have in the financial end of their livelihood, but he dives in, determined to help them learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper’s dealings, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes.

Can he uncover the truth of the situation and still earn the love of the amazing Emily Cooper? Will issues in Franklin’s own life keep them apart, even after the farm is taken care of? Only God can heal hurting hearts and repair broken lives. Will these two let Him in?

I’m also contracted for a third novel entitled Bittersweet Memories. This novel will be the third in Barbour’s Maryland Wedding Series.

What advice would you give those seeking publication?

Learn all that you can about the craft! Take writing workshops, and if you’re focusing on Christian Fiction, then attend the annual American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference in September! You’ll receive a wealth of information there, also, you can meet editors, agents, and tons of authors who may be able to help you break into the publishing field! Also, when submitting to a publisher, be sure that you’ve read several novels in the series you’re targeting to get a feel for the types of books this publisher releases, and don’t forget to follow the submission guidelines!

John’s Quest (ISBN# 978-1-60260-006-5) is available now! It’s only $2.97 and can be ordered directly from Barbour Publishing by calling:
(740) 922 7280

Or you can order by using this order form:
http://www.heartsongpresents.com/download/pdf/order-form.pdf
The book is currently featured on Barbour’s Heartsong Presents website:
http://www.heartsongpresents.com/book/detail/9781602600065/

Thanks, Cecelia, for spending some time with my blog readers today. You’ve started off our list of summer-must-reads!

To learn more about Cecelia, visit her website: www.ceceliadowdy.com
or her blog: www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com