Tell us
about REDEMPTION.
It’s the third
and final book in my Sisters by Choice series. Well, probably last. I do have
an idea for a fourth book rattling around in my brain, but it’s only an idea at
the moment. Who knows if it will actually grow into a book?
Redemption
brings the series full circle and gives closure for those who’ve read all three
books. Jamie is the missing twin in the first book-DECEPTION. And in
REDEMPTION, we come to learn more about Jamie and her spiritual struggles. But
the main story is about a missing child who Jamie is determined to find—no
matter the danger to herself.
What’s
the setting for REDEMPTION?
This story is all over the place. It starts in Florida , then Jamie goes to Ohio
and on to Wyoming and New Mexico
How did
you come up with the title for REDEMPTION?
The story begins
with Patti not understanding why her twin, Jamie, continues to place herself in
serious jeopardy time and time again. Jamie doesn’t understand either. Only
that she needs to help others if and when she can no matter the danger to
herself.
As the writer I
know why, and I’ll share the secret with you. Jamie is ashamed of things she’s
done in her past. As a result she feels God can’t love her the way she is. So
she seeks redemption by putting herself in dangerous situations to help other
people.
But then I
checked out the definition of redemption. Dictionary.com defines redemption as
an act of atoning for a fault or a mistake; deliverance or rescue; deliverance
from sin; salvation; atonement for guilt.
Wow! As I look
at those definitions, I realize REDEMPTION is full of all sorts of redemption
for many of the characters in the story—not just Jamie’s. No wonder that’s the
title I chose.
Why did
you write REDEMPTION?
We only catch a brief glimpse of Jamie in DECEPTION and
BETRAYED. REDEMPTION is Jamie’s story.
What do
you want readers to take away from REDEMPTION?
God loves us no matter what we’ve done in the past or what
we do in the present or will do in the future. His love is the one constant we
can always count on!
Does
REDEMPTION have a theme?
God loves us just the way we are and He is always there
waiting for us to come to him.
What’s
the SISTERS BY CHOICE series about?
This series definitely has romance in it, but I also wanted
to explore the strong bonds that form between women—through blood or through
the choices we make. Each story focuses on a relationship between two women
that becomes as important to the story as the romantic plot.
Why did
you become a writer?
I always had stories in my head waiting to be told.
Unfortunately for many years those stories were only being enjoyed by me. One
day a light bulb went off—hey, maybe I should be writing these stories down for
other people!
That was the day a writer was born, but it took many long
years until I could say, “I’m a writer!” Now, I love saying that.
What is
your writing process?
I am not an outliner. I wish I were—it seems easier to me.
But my mind doesn’t work that way. I never know what is going to happen in my
story on any given writing day. It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I
watch that day’s events and then I write it.
When I start a new story I usually have a clear picture of
the main character in mind and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything
goes after that. If I’m writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone or
blow something up. And that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers.
Do you
know who the bad guy is when you begin your story?
Not usually. Most of the time I have several characters who
it might be. As the story comes to a conclusion, I am surprised right along
with my readers. REDEMPTION was no exception. I thought I knew who the bad guy
was but as usual there were a few surprises!
Most
people don’t think of murder mysteries and suspense novels as Christian
Fiction. What do you say to them?
I can certainly understand their point of view. And for some
readers my stories might be a bit too graphic or edgy and that’s all right. I
understand that. I would say my readers are those who like traditional suspense
and mystery novels but are tired of all the explicit language and sex scenes
that aren’t necessary to a good story.
As mysteries and suspense, there is, of course, some
violence in the stories. However; I don’t promote or glorify violence. I make
sure to show characters experiencing the natural consequences of bad choices
and bad actions.
Then
what makes your stories Christian Fiction?
My stories always have an element of faith in them. How that
plays out depends on the individual plots of each specific story. My main
characters are always on a spiritual journey, though some may be further along
than others.
My stories show characters in crisis. I use the crisis to
illustrate how real Christians react to real problems in their life. We all
react in different ways when bad things happen and the same is true in my
stories. I show characters having doubt but also resolving that doubt and
becoming stronger in their faith as a result of the crisis.
One more word about Christian Fiction, it has changed
dramatically over the past ten years. Other than erotica, readers can find
their favorite genre as Christian Fiction as well as mainstream fiction. There
are Christian Fiction books out there for every book lover—historical; romance;
regency; science fiction; even horror novels.
If
REDEMPTION becomes a movie who would you like to see play your main characters?
I’d love to have the Oslin twins play Jamie and Patti. As
for Enrique—a dark, handsome actor with a bit of a Hispanic accent. Mmm, who
could that be?
What
are you working on now?
In July, I had a new mystery novella series released--DEADLY
COMMUNICATIONS. It features a crime-fighting speech pathologist. Having been a
speech pathologist for almost 35 years, this story was so much fun for me to
write.
The second in the series—NOWHERE TO BELONG—will be released
sometime next year and I still have some work to do on the third in the series.
Along with that I have a few other projects I’m working on. Busy, busy, busy!
HOW CAN
READERS FIND YOU ON THE INTERNET?
My website is www.lillianduncan.net. My
blog is TIARAS & TENNIS SHOES at www.lillian-duncan.com. I’m also on
Twitter as @LillianDuncan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan I also
contribute to Putting On The New at www.puttingonthenew.com.
REDEMPTION PROMO:
To celebrate the
release of REDEMPTION, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card. But wait…there’s
more! I always feel bad for the people who enter the contest but don’t win. So
I’m also going to pick FIVE more lucky names to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Just
the right amount to buy REDEMPTION! Just kidding, the winners can use it to buy
whatever they wish.
So hop on over
to TIARAS & TENNIS SHOES at www.lillian-duncan.com
to enter. Leave a comment on the post REDEMPTION and you’ll be entered
to win. Easy Peasy!!
BLURB:
Others may think Jamie Jakowski is a hero, but
she knows differently.
Haunted by her past, she seeks redemption by
helping others in spite of the danger to herself. However, after almost
orphaning her daughter, Jamie opts to retire. When a friend needs her, Jamie
agrees to one last undercover operation.
She is determined to reunite a heartbroken
mother with her kidnapped son. Used to working alone, Jamie’s not happy when
she’s assigned a partner. And after a failed operation and their failed
romance, Enrique Rodriguez is the last person she wants to work with—ever.
To succeed, Jamie must confront her past as well
as the people who want her dead.
BIO:
Lillian Duncan: stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem!
Lillian is a multi-published
writer with several Amazon bestsellers, including The Christmas Stalking and
Betrayed. Lillian writes
the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense with a touch or two of
romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us
Whether as an educator, a writer, or a
speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially
God’s Word.
To learn more about Lillian and her books,
visit: www.lillianduncan.net. Tiaras & Tennis Shoes is her personal blog at www.lillian-duncan.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment