Spotlight on Amanda Stephan and her romance novel Lonely Hearts

I've enjoyed getting to 'know' Amanda through our John316MarketingNetwork, and am happy to introduce my readers to her and her book today by shining my spotlight on her even though her bio says she doesn't like the spotlight! Here's what Amanda has to say about her book:

Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian romance
by Amanda Stephan

One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors, and some very yummy apple pie!

When widow Becky Callis moves to a new town, she thought it would be easier to start over in a place where she's not reminded of her dead husband. Her kids on the other hand, take it as a chance to help their mother start over romantically. The only problem is, there seems to be quite a few eligible bachelors they can choose from! They soon realize it's easier to find someone to like their mother than it is to figure out which man is best for her.

Even though this handsome cowboy is younger than Becky, Scott makes his interest plain and starts courting her almost immediately to the delight of both kids.

Jack and Becky have been friends since childhood. When they're reunited years after their lives have taken very different paths, this lonely preacher begins to wonder if God has brought her back into his life for a reason.

Pearce Morgan is a single parent raising his young daughter after his wife deserts them soon after Emily's birth. Divorced and disillusioned, an unlikely friendship arises between him and Becky when his shy daughter decides she loves Becky and her kids.

True love is harder than it looks!

Rose back: This book sounds as yummy as the apple pie to me--all the right ingredients baked up in a story to satisfy anyone who loves gentle Christian romances like me! Check out her bio and other info below and order this book right away!

Bio: Amanda Stephan is just a normal, everyday country girl. She resides near Columbia, TN with her husband and children, three cats, one dog, and multiple roosters that love to roost under their bedroom windows. She loves to laugh and have a good time, and loves to read a good book.

Out of love for her family and love for God, she finds writing to be an opportunity to share God's love for others in a fun and entertaining way. Her first novel, The Price of Trust, was published in May of 2010, her second novel, Lonely Hearts, is due for release at the end of October, 2011, and her Slade series was just picked up by TreasureLine Publishing.

If you were to ask her to share one thing about herself that most people don't know, she'd have so many to choose from that she'd probably hesitate for a moment. Not quite a recluse, she's rather camera shy, doesn't like to be in the spotlight, and absolutely LOVES to have her feet tickled. But she would say her most interesting accomplishment is that she laughs like Scooby Doo.

You can usually find Amanda lurking in several online places at once like her

Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/thepriceoftrust
her Facebook author page http://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan
her website http://www.booksbyamanda.com/ or http://www.thepriceoftrust.com/
or her personal blog http://authoramanda.blogspot.com/

Monday Musings pre-empted for the next seven weeks to bring you...

Spotlights on Authors!

The first author I am spotlighting is Amanda Stephan, a fellow member of the John316MarketingNetwork and also ACFW. Amanda's first book, The Price of Trust, a Christian romance/suspense is available now, and she is offering a pdf copy of the book to one commenter so be sure to comment on this post and leave your email addy by Saturday night as she will draw at the end of this week.

Here are some questions I asked her followed by her answers. Be sure to keep reading for the book blurb and more info on Amanda and her new book out this fall.

Thank you, Rose for having me here today! I look forward to meeting your readers!

1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
My favorite book as a child would have to be the Trixie Belden mystery series. I almost devoured those books, and at one time had the entire collection of hardbacks. As an adult, my favorite book is Pride and Prejudice with Jane Eyre at a very close second. I really can't see a connection through those books ~ I guess I just love a good story!

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
My favorite Scripture is 3 John 4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. I look at my children, and realize they are a walking testament to what my husband and I have taught. If they serve the Lord, it doesn't matter what else I've ever done or will do ~ they will be my success. (Rose adds: that's one of my fave verses, too, and I have it three places in my house!) When I'm discouraged--yes, it happens--I turn immediately to the Psalms. To pick a favorite is almost impossible.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose? Scotland or Ireland, hands down!

4. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
One thing I don't like about technology, is how easily it is to get sidetracked. You know it's bad when your husband has to email you to remind you to cook dinner! I actually have stories I wrote in college and high school the hard way. Pen and paper! Boy those were the days... ;)

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Wow, that's a very easy question! When I finished my book, The Price of Trust, I had initially intended it only to be a love letter to our children. A kind of encouragement during times when they thought they had to settle for abuse ~ and when I finished it, my husband asked me to at least try to have it published, and that's the rest of the story. It wasn't easy to let people--strangers, even--read it. Now, we're rounding the corner for my second novel, Lonely Hearts to be released in October, so I guess I could say I'm getting a little used to it! ;) By the way, if any of your readers would like to get a sneak peek and read the first three chapters of The Price of Trust and the first chapter of Lonely Hearts, they can do so by visiting HERE.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
Research potential publishers. Check them out thoroughly, ask questions, ask authors that are with that publisher, and make a list of the pros and cons.

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?
You can purchase The Price of Trust on Amazon.com, ThePriceofTrust.com, Christianbook.com, or BooksByAmanda.com

The Price of Trust - Christian Romance/Suspense
Beaten and betrayed by the one who was supposed to love her...
Carly Richards is on the run.
Forced to live as a fugitive as her ex-fiance stalks her across country, she finds refuge in a small town in Montana. Her emotional scars are reluctant to heal, and Carly resists the friendliness of those around her ~ especially handsome farmer Joe Baird. Caught in the circumstances, the kind people around her begin to creep into her softening heart. God is at work, and she has to trust Him not only to take care of her, but care for the people she is learning to love.

EVERY purchase includes a FREE audio book download (mp3 format)

Lonely Hearts ~ releasing in October, 2011!
One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors and VERY yummy apple pie!
Becky Callis is the widowed mother of two. When they move to a new town, she only intended it to be a safe haven where she didn't have to be reminded of her late husband. Her children had other plans, as well as a variety of men to choose from!
~*~ releases October 2011 ~*~

**follow Amanda's blog, Facebook, or Twitter for exciting release news as well as many opportunities to win great prizes*

Amanda Stephan
Author - The Price of Trust
Lonely Hearts - Coming Fall, 2011
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