ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHRISTINA BERRY is a single mother and foster parent who carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, releases from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers. Find her at www.christinaberry.net and authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com.
THE FAMILIAR STRANGERby Christina Berry
Published by Moody Publishers
ABOUT THE BOOK
Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise...if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.
They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, discover dark secrets. What will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?
Readers, buy your copy of The Familiar Stranger today!
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?
In the summer of 2006, two stories appeared in the newspaper. One was a huge, national story; the other a smaller, local-interest item. I wondered what it might look like if those two stories conceived a child. Boom! I had the entire plot for The Familiar Stranger. It will be interesting to see if readers can figure out which stories inspired the book.
2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?
Any character has some aspect of my personality, for better or worse. I can only write what I know. I've seen a richness develop in my writing as I've grown in my faith and walked through some valleys in the last decade.
Denise and Craig's story is based on the lessons of forgiveness God taught me when my marriage fell apart...the first time. Accordingly, many of the emotions Denise goes through correspond to what I felt, though our situations differ. However, I also wanted to really understand the male perspective, so Craig had parts of me in him as well. The path away from God and following temptation is something we can all recognize and, unfortunately, identify with.
During the editing process and years after my husband and I reunited, our marriage of thirteen years unexpectedly ended. The words I had written as a happily married woman ministered to me in my singleness. My heart's hope is that this book will lead people to Live Transparently—Forgive Extravagantly!
3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?
My hero would be Double Fudge. Hidden secrets means he's lying in both his professional and personal lives, but he has the potential to be delicious. Oh, and lots of women are attracted to him, which tends to be true of chocolate. ;)
Denise I would describe as a lemon sherbet. She's blonde, a little bit tart while still refreshing, and worried about calories!
4. Are there any themes in The Familiar Stranger that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?If reading The Familiar Stranger makes even one man or woman be more honest with his or her spouse or delve into trust issues in a healthy way, I'll consider it a success. The recent changes in my life—losing my husband, facing finding a "real" job, selling my home—have done nothing but solidify what I hope to be the theme of the book and my life: Live Transparently—Forgive Extravagantly. Maybe there's a hurting heart that can find a new path to forgiveness because of the story.
5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?
Most difficult part to write: I was in the middle of revisions when my marriage fell apart. God orchestrated it so that I was beefing up a "struggle with forgiveness" scene in those first few weeks of singleness. While aspects of that were hard to deal with, the very words I thought would help someone else ministered to me.
Favorite: I have a scene involving a Krispy Kreme donut that was particularly tantalizing to write. I laugh every time I read it. Also, I had to take a research trip to Multnomah Falls in the gorgeous Columbia Gorge. Using the beauty of that place in a scene was a lot of fun.
6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?
I’m about 1/5 of the way through my next manuscript, Unafraid, a story about a girl's kidnapping, and how her life unfolds because of the trauma. One of my characters is a PI, so I’m having loads of fun with the research.
The humor Sherrie Ashcraft (my sometime co-author and always mother) and I display in our infrequent, humorous newsletters has garnered the attention of an editor. You just might see a funny, non-fiction cooperative work from the Ashberry Ladies at some point in time. You can sign up for that newsletter at www.ashberrylane.net/update.aspx. By signing up, you will be entered to win a 4GB iPod Shuffle or free books for the life of my writing career.
Oh, and I have a funky TV-based devotional a house is interested in. Busy, busy, busy!
* * * * *
Thank you, Christina, for being in the spotlight with us.
Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Familiar Stranger.
Christina will be doing TWO drawings for two TEN-BOOK GIVEAWAYS. The first will take place on September 30th, her birthday. She will draw 10 names, then repeat the process on October 31st. You could be 1 of the 20 winners!
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.
And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.
This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.
* * * * *
BLOG TOUR LIST
Tuesday, 9/1
Jennifer AlLee http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 9/2
Tiffany Amber Stockon http://amberstockton.blogspot.com
Thursday, 9/3
Cara Putman http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
Friday, 9/4
Writing Career Coach Blog http://writingcareercoach.blogspot.com
Saturday, 9/5
Sherrie Ashcraft http://www.sherrieashcraft.blogspot.com
Sunday, 9/6
Edwina Cowgill http://musingsofedwina.blogspot.com
Monday, 9/7
Nikki Raichart http://beinggratefullygrounded.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 9/8
Patricia Woodside http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 9/9
Jody Hedlund http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com
Thursday, 9/10
Dawn King http://momofkings.wordpress.com
Friday, 9/11
Grace Bridges http://splashdownreviews.blogspot.com
Saturday, 9/12
Laura Hilton http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
Sunday, 9/13
Bette Bantz http://bantzbooks.com/Blogspot-Review.html
Monday, 9/14
Stormi Johnson http://bookblogs.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=ladystorm30
Tuesday, 9/15
Michelle Shocklee http://michelleshocklee.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 9/16
Robin Johns Grant http://dimensionsartandeternity.blogspot.com
Thursday, 9/17
Novel Journey http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com
Friday, 9/18
Tracy Ruckman http://www.pixnpens.com
Saturday, 9/19
Karin Beery http://therehastobeabeginning.blogspot.com
Sunday, 9/20
Glynn Young http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com
Monday. 9/21
Sharon Ball http://www.sharonball.com
Tuesday, 9/22
Cathy Bryant http://wordvessel.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 9/23
Roseanna White http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com
Thursday, 9/24
Ashley Weis http://blog.ashleyweis.com
Friday, 9/25
Brenda Anderson http://spirereviews.blogspot.com
Saturday, 9/26
Krista Phillips http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com
Sunday, 9/27
Debra Ullrick http://christianromancewriter.blogspot.com
Monday, 9/28
Chila “Maggie” Woychik http://msghomeschoolauthors.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 9/29
Lyn Cote http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 9/30
Cindy Loven http://cindystamps.blogspot.com
Thursday, 10/1
Patty Wysong, Part 1 http://pattywysong.blogspot.com
Friday, 10/2
Patty Wysong, Part 2 http://pattywysong.blogspot.com
Saturday, 10/3
Jeannie Campbell http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com
Sunday, 10/4
Christa Allan http://christaallan.com/blog
Monday, 10/5
Jaime Wright Sundsmo http://thejaimereports.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 10/6
Miralee Ferrell http://www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 10/7
Martha Rogers http://marthasbooks.blogspot.com
Thursday, 10/8
Delores Liesner http://www.examiner.com/x-8081-Milaukee-Christian-Living-Examiner
Friday, 10/9
Ann Shorey http://annshorey.blogspot.com
Saturday, 10/10
Lil Duncan http://www.examiner.com/x-12639-Cleveland-Christian-Books-Examiner
Sunday, 10/11
Winter Peck http://www.rodeosuspense.com/?page_id=5
Monday, 10/12
Lisa Lickel http://lisalickel.com/cgi- bin/blog
Tuesday, 10/13
Mara Kim http://marakim.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 10/14
Jodie Bailey http://jodiebailey.blogspot.com
Thursday, 10/15
Deborah Vogts http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com
Friday, 10/16
Susan Reinhardt http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com
Saturday, 10/17
Annette Irby http://annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com
Sunday, 10/18
Beth Wiseman http://blog.bethwiseman.net
Monday, 10/19
Tammy Bowers http://writesteps.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 10/20
Margie Vawter http://marjorievawter.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 10/21
Lynette Sowell http://myslicesoflife.blogspot.com
Thursday, 10/22
Trish Perry http://trishperry.blogspot.com
Friday, 10/23
Jude Urbanski http://judeurbanski.blogstream.com
Saturday, 10/24
Brenda Jackson http://bkjackson.blogspot.com
Sunday, 10/25
Kristen Johnson http://adventuresofhistorygirl.blogspot.com
Monday, 10/26
Carla Stewart http://carlastewart.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 10/27
Jean Kiney http://kystorywriter.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 10/28
Angie Breidenbach http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com
Thursday, 10/29
Linda Rondeau http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com
Friday, 10/30
Camy Tang http://camys-loft.blogspot.com
Saturday, 10/31
Rose McCauley http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com
19 comments:
I've heard this book is really amazing. I'd love to win it. Please, enter me.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you, Tiffany, for hosting this. I really liked thinking about the ice cream flavors! Yum. :)
Lady Araujo, best of luck! Just keep following the tour around and you'll have LOTS of chances.
Wow..what a long book's Tour that you have : )
Hi Christina, I've been following you around lately, to make sure that i have the chance to win your fabulous book!
The Ice cream thing makes me laugh and 'YUM' :D
Mariska
cuniquas at gmail dot com
What a delicious interview! I love the phrase "forgive extravagantly." And that you walked through it while writing makes it so meaningful.
Please enter my name in the drawing. Now I'm hungry to read this book...
jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you!
Jen
Audience of ONE
I enjoyed the spotlight. This sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me in the drawing.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
It's been a pleasure to share what God is doing in my life through this book. Thanks for following, ladies!
WOW ~ you're going to be busy! You might want to stock up on ice cream, before you're too tired to run out and get it! :D
Your books sounds wonderful, I can't wait to give it try.
~ Lori
sugarandgrits{at}hotmail{dot}com
http://sugarandgrits.blogspot.com
Great books. Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail com
I would love to win The Familiar Stranger as well as the other books Christina will offer. Please
enter me. Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net
The books sound really wonderful! Please enter me!
mollydawn1981(at)aol(dot)com
Please enter me! Blessings!!!
connieed53(at)aol(dot)com
First off congratulations on the book. Secondly Happy Birthday early. I enjoyed this blog. The book sounds interesting and I'd love to win it.
God bless and annoint you and use you mightily for his glory.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com
Lori, I guess I need to stock up on ice cream and keep a fan happy. :) I like the way you think!
Thanks for being interested, all of you!
And thanks, squiresj, for the early birthday wishes! This is going to be one amazing year.
Sounds like a great story line!
I enjoyed this interview very much!
Please enter my name in your book drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Sounds great. Great interview. Please enter me.Blessings. AprilR
tarenn[at]yahoo[dot]com
Great post! Please enter my name for the book giveaway!
lelou2(at)ymail(dot)com
I can tell this book would pull at my heartstrings. I've been through a similar situation with my husband. I'd love to read this.
A wonderful review..please add my name to this giveaway...thanks.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Count me in please, sounds like a wonderful book!
ellybean (at) connected2christ (dot) com
http://www.connected2christ.com
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