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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Blog Tour Spotlight on Rene Gutteridge and Boo! Humbug

Here is spotlight #2 for this week. And remember, there are 3 previous ones before this one with chances still to win. I'll choose a winner for Miralee's book tonight. So check that post for the announcement.

Lots of chances for FREE books. Don't miss out.

Today, despite my lack of interest in even recognizing Halloween, I figured at least featuring a book with "scary" elements and Christian spiritual threads would supercede the evil that occurs today...even if the subject matter is more Christmas-related. :) Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rene Gutteridge is the author of 10 novels, including the Boo series, the Storm series, The Occupational Hazards series and My Life as a Doormat, a Women of Faith selection for 2006. She has been published over 30 times as a playwright, and holds a degree in screenwriting, graduating magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University. Rene is married to Sean, a musician, and they have two young children. They make their home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

BOO! HUMBUG
By Rene Gutteridge
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Readers have come to love the eccentric characters from Skary, Indiana, in Rene Gutteridge's popular Boo! series. Now, in Boo, Humbug! they're back – and they're stirring up a large amount of holiday havoc.

It's Christmastime in Skary, and the town is planning an original production of A Christmas Carol with a horror spin. As showtime approaches, things go very awry for director Lois Stepaphanopolis. She panics when she discovers that her marketing director loathes Christmas and that the audience has been promised not Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but the real Christmas story. Can the actors pull off the improv of all improvs and convince their community to embrace the true meaning of the Christmas season?

Boo, Humbug! offers readers a delightful glimpse into small town, community life with heartwarming humor and winsome characters. And in the end, the true meaning of Christmas shines out bright and clear, in a decidedly un-Skary way.

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is book 4 in your Boo! series, and it features the same eccentric, zany characters from Skary that have been spotlighted in your previous books. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I'd told everyone I wasn't doing anymore Boo books. I felt like I had a good finish with Boo Hiss and didn't want to force a plot just for the sake of getting another book out there. At Christmas dinner my sister asked if I was going to write another one and I joked, "No. I don't have a good title." And she said, "Boo Humbug." My eyes widened and instantly I knew I had to write another one. It was a very smooth writing process. It flowed easily. The theme was apparent from the start. I was very happy to do this book. It brought a lot of joy the entire time I was writing it.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of Lois? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

Ha! Well, Lois is a very strange, delicate, eccentric character. Since the moment she was born into Skary, she fit right in and added so much delight. I don't know that I'm like Lois at all. I think I wish I were a little more like her, actually. She drives people nuts but she doesn't know it and that's got to be a good thing in life! (At least for her!)

3. What themes exist in Boo! Humbug that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The themes aren't unexpected. Since I'm dealing with Dickens and A Christmas Carol I don't think readers will be surprised by the theme necessarily, but I think will be delighted at how the theme is delivered. It's a unique spin on a familiar but life changing idea we continue to struggle with in our country: the true meaning of Christmas.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The difficult part was picking the passages from Dickens and correlating that with my book. But every time I found the exact right passage, it guided me in that chapter, which then made it easier to write. My favorite part was the end. I think once people read it, they'll know why.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book is Skid, which is the third book in The Occupational Hazards series, featuring Hank. Nearly the entire story takes place on an airplane!

Thank you so much! It means a lot that you would take the time to set up the interview. God bless you and your blog!

Warmly,
Rene

* * * * *

Thank you, Rene, for being in the spotlight. Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE, autographed book. If you don't wish to be entered, say so when you post. This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

10 comments:

Cherie J said...

Ooh! This is one I have been wanting to read alot. Thanks for the spotlight.

Stormi said...

I haven't read any of her boo series, but I would love the Christmas story, please enter me.

Stormi
ladystorm282001@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have this whole series on my wish list. I'd love to read this one as well. Thank you!

Pam said...

Loved the other "Boo" books. Please enter me.
pam at daysong dot com
http://daysongreflections.com

tetewa said...

Looks like a great series, I'd like to be entered for this!

ChristyJan said...

Boo! Humbug sounds like a fun holiday read. The whole series sounds great! Please enter me to win.

Angela said...

This is on my christmas wish list. Id love to win!

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a special bonus for this one. Not one, but THREE winners from this drawing thanks to Rene's generosity in donating 3 books for the giveaway.

And the winners are:

PAM
ANGELAANDCONNOR
TETEWA

Teresa, I have your information, but Pam and Angela, I need you to send me yours so we can get Rene's books out to you.

Thanks for your support!

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Ok, Pam already won this book on another blog, so I've selected another winner for her copy that she graciously offered to someone else. Thanks, Pam!

That winner is:

STAC, VADER'S MOM

Congratulations. Send me your information, so I can get Rene's book out to you.

tetewa said...

Sweet, I'm looking forward to this one! tWarner419@aol.com