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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Spotlight on Liz Johnson and Vanishing Act

Don't forget the rules of the spotlights here. Answer the random question associated with this spotlight in the comments in order to be entered in the drawing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


LIZ JOHNSON grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, she set out to fulfill her dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-becoming an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she completed the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course and wrote articles for several magazines.

Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

VANISHING ACT
by Liz Johnson
Published by Steeple Hill/Love Inspired Suspense

ABOUT THE BOOK

Eighteen months ago, Nora James watched as her father was shot in an alley-and then she fled. She changed her name, her appearance and her job, hoping to keep her father's shooter at bay. For months, it worked…but now her luck has run out. A ruthless assassin is on her trail, and soon Nora, now known as Danielle, will be found. But this time, she has FBI agent Nate Andersen by her side-right? The handsome agent would give his life to protect Danielle, but he’s wary of giving his heart…until a deadly confrontation leaves him with both on the line.

Readers, buy your copy of Vanishing Act today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I was really excited to write this story as it features one of the minor characters from my first novel, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. I was so excited to tell Nate's story.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

As I wrote the book, I realized I was dealing with a lot of fear in my own life, and that wound up as one of the strongest themes in the book--giving fear over to God and trusting that he's in control. But there's certainly a lot of original traits that belong only my characters. For example, Nate loves his coffee, and I'm not a coffee drinker at all. And Nora/Danielle has technical skills that I can only dream of.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

If Nate were an ice cream, he'd be a Starbucks coffee flavor.

4. Are there any themes in Vanishing Act that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

As I mentioned, dealing with and facing fear is certainly a big theme throughout the book. I was surprised to see how much Nora's love for her friends was a big part of overcoming her fears at the beginning of the book. Nate's big fear in the book deals with the sins of his father and grandfather, and Nora's fear also comes from what happened when she left her father bleeding in an alley. Those family ties and the sins of fathers came out of the characters and really weren't planned.

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

By far the hardest part for me to write was a fight between Nora/Danielle and Nate. I hated having to write her heartbreak and that he was the one breaking her heart. Fights are the worst for me! My favorite part to write is always the ending. I love a happy ending.

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

The next book is tentatively titled Code of Justice, and is due out in March 2011. Another familiar character, FBI Special Agent Heather Sloan, tracks down the people behind a drug ring that brought down a helicopter--one her Heather and her sister were both riding in. Heather's sister Kit was killed in the crash, so Heather teams up with a local Sheriff's Deputy to solve the crime and begin to heal Heather's heart.

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Thank you, Liz, for being in the spotlight with us.

ENTRY RULES Readers, answer the question associated with the spotlight in the comments, then leave your email address for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Vanishing Act. If you do not answer the question, you will not be entered.

Question: Which of the themes in Vanishing Act (fear or sins of the family) do you most relate to and why?

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

15 comments:

Jan Marie said...

The hardest thing for me to do is give it to God and trust that He is in control. I know in my heart that He is, but getting my mind to accept that is not always easy. This is the theme that I relate most to.

I would love to read this book - please enter my name. Thanks!

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

Merry said...

Fear is something I have to deal with, the unknown can really trip me up. Without God I'd be hiding all the time!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Edwina said...

I definitely relate to fear. :(

I would really enjoy reading this book - I love the police/FBI/crime stories!

edwina[dot]cowgill[at]yahoo[dot]com

Mark said...

I would say fear - I worry a lot about the future and have a lot of fears about it
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo said...

Fear is something that I can relate to. I give it to G-d but than try to do something about it because I am afraid that it is not going to be fixed.

This sounds like a awesome book and one that I definitely want to read.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Pain SUX said...

I have to say that for me it is both equally..fear that I may never be able to forgive my sister for her sin..she murdered my grandfather five years ago and is now serving life in prison.

Id love to win and read this book.

~Steph
soklad(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ann Lee Miller said...

With my whacked family, definitely "sins of the family."

Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Vanessa A. Johnson said...

I'm torn between fear (of the unknown mainly) and sins of the family because there are definitely some skeletons in some of my family's closets that I'd be ashamed if revealed.

Vanessa A. Johnson said...

Oops, forgot to leave my email addy
vanessaajohnson@hughes.net

A J Hawke said...

I try to wrap II Timothy 1:7 around my fears. "For God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and self control."

Please add my name to the drawing.

A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com

karenk said...

the fear of the unknown is my 'sin'

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Cherie J said...

I most relate to the emotion of fear. Over the years I have tried to give things to God and let go but I always finding myself taking back the very thing I just gave to God. Especially, when it involves my 3 year old and 7 year old. I know it involves the issue of wanting control of eveything and it is probably something I will spend a lifetime working on.

This sounds like a wonderful story. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Leah said...

Like some people wrote i like to take control of my life, i dont really want to give my fears over to God and let him deal with it. For some dumb reason i think i would do a better job of dealing with it,
definitely need to work on that.
anyway, did that answer the question?
This book sounds REALLY good!
cant wait to read it!
dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

Unknown said...

Mostly fear. Fear about my errant daughters futures, fear over my marriage, fear that a healed illness will return. It's a struggle for me with God...he does have a stronger hold on my problems, as it should be, but I still fear at times that I don't release them early enough. About sins of the generations back, I worry that my husband's past sins will affect our lives today; That has already begun in our lives, but I don't want to discuss what those sins are, my husband needs prayer and I pray constantly for him and my children. Thank you for the question and I'd like very much to read this book. I appreciate it being available for giveaway.

Blessed Be in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Carolynn said...

I can definitely relate to fear...mostly of the future, and what will happen.
carolynnwald [at]hotmail [dot]com