Interview: Tide of Lies by Sarah Ballance

I will be interviewing my second guest for today, Sarah Ballance, author of Tide of Lies. Here is a quick blurb of her new book:

A devastating secret. A shocking betrayal. A deadly obsession.
Haunted by three unsolved murders, Detective Holden Whitlow is stunned when his cold case takes a heated turn. Julia Cohen, his ex-lover, is back in town, and in the face of a brutal attack she’s ready to run. No matter how tightly she holds her secrets, for Holden, turning away from the woman he’s spent a decade trying to forget isn’t any more an option than walking away from his job . . . even when it threatens to cost Julia her life.
Julia is still reeling from a past she can’t bear to face. When she becomes the target of a killer, fate throws her back into Holden’s arms, but she’s yet to recover from a truth that has stripped her of everything—and everyone—she loves. Will she tell him the secret that will destroy him, or will her lie destroy them both?

Thank you for coming, Sarah. How did you come up with the idea for Tide of Lies?

I participated in the Noble Romance Authors Blog Tour last fall, for which I needed to come up with a story, 10k words, incorporating the Timeless Desire theme. I'm a huge fan of romantic suspense and wanted to write that genre, but I couldn't fit my story in 10k words. So I came up with the idea of finishing that story in a longer book, which is what became TIDE OF LIES. Although it's a spinoff of the original story, FAMILIAR LIGHT, this one stands alone with two new main characters and a plot written just for them.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

A devastating secret, shocking betrayals, and a long-buried resentment culminate in a thrilling life-and-death showdown in TIDE OF LIES … need I say more?

Who is your favorite character from Tide of Lies, and why?

Holden, the book's hero. I normally have the most affection for the leading man, probably because they always get their best qualities from my husband. In Holden's case, he's a genuine guy who admits his mistakes and fights hard for the woman he loves. He gets knocked down in this story—hard—but he risks it all for . . . well, that's a spoiler. Let's just say he gets back up. ;c)

What motivated you to start writing?

A friend of mine suggested I write a novel. I immediately said I couldn't and that was the end of it … only it started to bug me I'd said I couldn't do something. So I wrote a book, and I submitted it to exactly one publisher just to say I followed through, LOL. Imagine my surprise when the contract arrived, and a few months later my debut DOWN IN FLAMES hit the shelves.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

I used to read a ton when I was a kid, but when I started having babies I didn't read anything but parenting magazines for years. I credit Carolyn Keene (or, rather, the ghost writers) for developing my love of mystery through the Nancy Drew Case Files I read as a teen. Years later, the Harlequin Intrigue line cemented my love of romantic suspense. I honestly don't think I'd have stuck with writing if not for discovering that particular genre, which I absolutely adore.

What is one book everyone should read?

This is a hard question for me because the exact answer depends on my audience, LOL. But one of the few I've read more than once is ISAAC'S STORM by Erik Larson. It's a narrative nonfiction account of the 1900 Galveston hurricane, which still counts as the deadliest in U.S. history. It's a profound story—if fiction, no one would believe it.

If you could go anywhere in the universe where would that be?

I'd love to drag my husband to Europe—I've toured Spain, and now I'd like to see Italy or Ireland—but he won't fly and I'm afraid of breaking some obscure law and ending up in a foreign jail, lol. So I'll keep it simple and say I'd like to be in the Florida Keys, in a cabin cruiser anchored within swimming distance of a great bar with fabulous food and live music, LOL. (We already have the boat, so I guess it's just a matter of filling it up with fuel and taking a few days off to get there.)

And just for fun, what is your favorite word?

Please, please, please no one tell my kids I said this, LOL, but it's "mom." My husband and I have six kids and homeschool them, and they drive me about half crazy most of the time, but I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world. My life wouldn't be the same if not for the constant demands of "Mooooooooom!" and the variations thereof, which include "Mudder" (that would be my 4-year-old son saying "Mother") and "Hey, Mom" (the 8-year-old boy, who has largely replaced that with "Hey Mom . . . sorry, it's a force of habit" because I kept telling him I wasn't "Hey, Mom.") There are three girls and three boys, ages 13, 11, 8, 6, 4, and the little one turns two this month. ;c)

Wow, five kids - that would certainly keep life interesting, and my hands are full with just my three girls. Thank you so much for coming!

Teens and Their Supernatural Pursuits

Today I am welcoming Melody Carson, accomplished author of Diary of a Teenage Girl series and the True Colors series. With the approach of Halloween, she is here to discuss the appeal of the Supernatural to teens today. Her newest book is Moon White: Color Me Enchanted.

Teens and Their Supernatural Pursuits

By Melody Carlson

Have you even wondered why some teens are drawn toward things like Ouija boards or psychics? Or why séances are still popular at sleepovers? Does it just have to do with Halloween and that spine-chilling need for a good scare? Or could it be something more? And, as a Christian, should you be concerned?

            Those questions, as well as some confused reader letters, prompted me to tackle the “supernatural” in one of my teen novels (Moon White, TrueColors, Nav Press). And whenever I write an issues-based novel, I’m forced to research—and often in some dark places. So I began scouring websites, learning more about Wicca and the occult, trying to grasp what was really going on with today’s teens—and how I could write about it in a helpful and relevant way.

But, as usual, when I write a teen book, I go back to my own adolescence...trying to connect with my inner teen...and I suddenly remembered a short era when a friend and I got very interested in witchcraft. I had honestly forgotten about this time and was fascinated to recall how we scoured some witchcraft stores on a local campus—I think we even purchased a few things. Fortunately, this interest was short-lived and I became a Christian not long afterward.

            However, as I reconnected with my inner teen, I had to ask myself—why had I looked into witchcraft back then? Why do teens dabble with it now? Suddenly the answer became crystal clear. I was searching. I’d been calling myself an atheist for several years by then, but I was spiritually hungry—starving in fact. Consequently I was looking for spiritual answers—something that would fill that empty void within me. I wanted a supernatural force in my life and I didn’t even care where it came from. I needed something bigger than me, more powerful than me, something to hold onto. I had no idea at the time that I was really searching for God.

            This realization changed the way I viewed my research. Instead of feeling disgusted and dismayed by the witchcraft/Wicca sites (which are not particularly enjoyable) I began to recognize that these people (mostly girls) were simply searching too. They wanted a power source in their lives just like I wanted one in mine. They just hadn’t found God yet.

            This led to another discovery. A girl who’s attracted to a religion like Wicca is usually seeking to gain some control over her life. Something is wrong and she wants to change it. To do so, she’s often enticed to purchase something—like “magical herbs”—to create a potion that will give her some control over her situation. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even realize she’s being tricked.

            But think about it, wouldn’t you love to have control over a bad situation sometimes? Wouldn’t you love to be able to change the circumstances that make your life unpleasant? So what if someone offered you the “power” to do just that? Perhaps if you’re fifteen, you wouldn’t see that person as a charlatan and you would fall for it.

            Which brings me to another important factor in understanding this generation’s attraction to the supernatural. Follow the money. The more I researched, the more it became painfully obvious that Wicca and witchcraft and the occult are money-making enterprises. Thanks to the internet, these savvy distributors sell anything imaginable—and many things you can’t. That leads to some serious motivation—these marketers want to hook their unsuspecting young customers and reel them in. Of course, these potions and trinkets and how-to books don’t come with a money back guaranty. Nor are they approved by the FDA. Yet they are a multi-million dollar industry.

            So, in a way, it’s a perfect storm. Teens that are insecure, lost, unhappy, and searching...meet up with an unregulated industry that offers supernatural answers and power and control...for a price. And, oh yeah, I never even mentioned how this opens a door for Satan to slip in and wreak havoc. For that...you’ll have to read the book.

Getting Random With... Me & Giveaway

Reading With Tequila hosts the regular meme Getting Random With... to feature other bloggers on her blog, and today she is featuring me, JacobsBeloved, with a series of random questions that I've answered. She is also hosting a giveaway to accompany it, in which the winner will recieve a book from her prize bin. To be entered in the drawing you must be a follower of JacobsBeloved, and you can gain an extra entry by also following Reading With Tequila. Then fill out the form here and in a week one name will be drawn. The drawing is U.S. only. Good luck!

The contest is now closed, and the winner is listed here.

Blogger Spotlight

 Kristin over at Bookworming in the 21st Century is hosting an interview of me as well as a book review that I have done today on her awesome blog, so go check it out! The book review is Extras by Scott Westerfeld, which I have posted on my site here. (I love her button, wish I knew how to animate mine!)



Tell me what you thought of my interview!

Author Interview with Tina Turbin

1. Can you tell the readers a bit about yourself?


I love writing books for kids and writing in general, I love my family and helping other families to thrive. I personally love to swim and Pilates. I actually love a bit of exercise daily.
I am passionate about raising awareness to Celiac Disease and the many adverse effects that gluten produces in many children and adults- even animals! One in every 120-130 people have this disease which means about 2.35-2.85 MILLION Americans to this date have not yet been diagnosed. It takes an average of 4-10 years (depending on your reference), to be properly diagnosed and in the meantime other auto-immune diseases can kick in and a whole mess evolves. People find out about celiac or gluten intolerance and start researching it themselves and then bring the topic up to their doctors, after many years of tests and troubles to no resolution. I was one of these people! Also, many kids with autism are taken off of gluten for a very good reason. Much more is on my resource site about these topics: http://glutenfreehelp.info/ . I discovered this whole area as a result of many years of not being able to find out what was wrong with my body, and I went to many doctors. I then resorted to searching for my own answers, like much undiagnosed celiac. I came upon this subject called Celiac and gluten and the lights went ON. I presented this topic to my doctor and asked for the proper test. I FINALLY had the test I had needed and there is my story in a very short version. I soon learned more, such as the many adverse effects that gluten produces in many children and adult bodies- and even animals!

2. What inspired you to write Danny the Dragon?

I love kids, I wrote a lot as a child, loved my Art classes and sports. I think the world at large inspired me. I always was very creative and athletic and that fact was fortunately accepted and nurtured in the schools I attended. So, all things in life to this day still inspire me to write, as they did for me as a child.

3. What do your three children think of your book?

They are thrilled about this one. They are all very supprotive.

4. Do you have any plans to write another children's book? If so, what?

I am mid a children's Gluten-Free activity and cookbook as well as the next two in this Danny the Dragon series.

5. What were some of your favorite books when you were a child?

I loved Charlotte's Web, Ramona Forever and Curious George.

6. How do you balance your work as both a children's author and humanitarian with your roles as a wife and a mother of 3?

It takes a lot of organizing of time to get things done. Some things slip though the cracks on some days - oh well, 'tis life as a mom.

7. Why did you decide to create the website GlutenFreeHelp.info?

To help the many people out there who may still be wondering what the heck is wrong with their body, it may have something to do with gluten. With this looked at, many people's eyes are opened to the fact that foods DO have effects on us - some adversely. Also, my intention is to raise awareness to Celiac Disease in general.

8. Is there anything else that you would like to tell the readers?

Enjoy momhood! It's an incredible experience and adventure life presents. I also love to share with women that it is important to have your own goals and do a bit for yourself as it only helps everyone else out around you.


Thankyou!

If anyone would like some Danny the Dragon swag, such as stickers, bookmarks, etc., let me know in a comment!

JacobsBeloved at 451 Fridays

Elizabeth at As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves hosts the meme 451 Fridays, which is based on an idea from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In his novel, a group of people (Bradbury calls them Book People) are trying to keep the ideas found in books alive. Instead of actually saving the books, the Book People each "become" a book - memorizing it, word for word, and passing it down to the next generation.


451 Fridays asks what books you feel passionate about. What book do you think is so important that you would be willing to take on the challenge of "becoming"?
She interviewed me as a participant of her 451 Challenge, and today she has posted that interview at her site! Head on over and check it out!