Welcome Joy!! I am delighted to host you today. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate your debut, Meant for Her.
But before we talk about the book, I would love for our readers to get to know you better.
SHAREE: For those of you who don’t know, Joy is an amazing mentor. She’s a three-time CONSECUTIVE Mentor of the Year Nominee (2016-2018) and she won ACFW’s 2015 Mentor of the Year. What do you think is the most important thing about mentoring writers?
JOY: I firmly believe anything I’ve learned should be imparted to others, not hoarded for only my personal gain.
SHAREE: I love that you’re willing to share those incredible morsels, and those of us who have learned under your prayerful wings (waving hand emphatically), we are most blessed! Would you please share a little about your writing journey?
JOY: How much time and space do we have here? I was in the last marking period of 8th grade, when God used my English teacher and then a combination of other people, circumstances, and situations, I fondly call my God-given Dot-to-Dot Connections. In 2008, I was able to finally dig in and write in accordance to obedience and trust – lots and lots of trust.
SHAREE: Trust and obedience are definitely must-have writing essentials. Great writers are also readers. What are your favorite genres to read?
JOY: In order of preference – Gripping Romantic Suspense, Romance, Historical Romance and light Women’s Fiction.
SHAREE: I sooo appreciate that you like romantic suspense since it happens to be one of my favorite genres too. LOL. So, of all those wonderful books, what was the most influential book you’ve read and why?
JOY: I was 13 years old. I read a book by the author, Christmas Carol Kaufman (real name) LIGHT FROM HEAVEN was the title – I think I read that book once a year for five or six years afterward. That author knew her characters and put them into positions that were anything but pleasant, yet they persevered. I tear up now, remembering how the mother in the story was such an example of love under horrid conditions and how it shaped her son’s life.
SHAREE: The greatest stories are the ones that stick with us. What are you working on now?
JOY: I’m scheduling book signings, book club presentations, blog tours, and review tours like crazy. I’m also editing for a long-time client – we are into my 16th book with her. I will be getting ready for the holidays – squished in like a slice of meat in a sandwich – and January 2nd – without any time to READ or HALLMARK MOVIE-WATCH – I’ll be tearing into editing/revising Book One of my wounded warrior series, Operation Return To Peace, SOWN IN PEACE. Lord willing, I’d like to see it published before Veteran’s Day 2020. (Of course, that means it’ll be squeezing me up against another holiday season with promotions, right?!) I’ll have to see what the Lord intends for that book.
SHAREE: Whew! No rest for you! We know it’s serious when there’s no time to read or watch Hallmark movies. When you’re writing, are you a plotter or a pantser?
JOY: Is there such a thing as Plantser? LOL – Seriously, my characters are extremely well developed with definite backstories before I commence writing. I also write chronologically, so the story unfolds as the characters lead me forward, often shocking me with things they do or say, I can’t believe as I write it. Those tend to become my, and many readers’, favorite places in the book, also.
SHAREE: I absolutely believe in PLANTSERS!! I am one. 😊 What’s one fun fact about you?
JOY: Oh, boy. One fun fact? (Isn’t that an interviewing trick – asking a question of the interviewer to gain time as the interviewee flounders for an answer?) Honestly, I’m kind of at a loss since I spend so much time in my personal library with a computer screen in front of me, I don’t know exactly how to answer that. BUT During the holidays, when hubby is working, I get out the snackies instead of a real lunch – curl up in a comfy chair with our Is-A-Bella Bindi (Is-A-Beautiful Little Girl) and watch Hallmark Christmas movies to death – it’s my reward for having worked like a crazy woman all year, and I do it when Jerry is at work, because he cannot handle so much “gush” as he puts it.
SHAREE: I’m laughing because when you asked if my fun fact question was a time stall technique. All I pictured was when the dentist asks you a question while he’s working on your teeth. LOL. Joy, I’m so glad you were able to join us today. Blessings on your long-awaited debut. I cannot wait to get my hands on the print copy! And Joy is generously offering ONE lucky commenter a print copy of Meant for Her (US only for print/ Ebook for International).
Now let’s talk about Meant for Her:
Had it all truly been ~ MEANT FOR HER?
Kidnapped, raped, brutally beaten, and left for dead, Candi Reynolds becomes a prisoner of fear. Faced also with the impact of the unexpected break-up with her fiancé, and an unwanted pregnancy resulting from the attacks, she believes God has forsaken her. Choosing to move back to the Michigan horse farm, owned by her older brother, Dr. Cam Reynolds, Candi essentially goes into seclusion.
Dr. Patrick (Mack) MacKevon, long-time friend of Cam’s, watches from the sidelines at the farm, w here his horses are stabled, while Candi struggles to regain a sense of normalcy. His own big-brother tendencies develop into a much deeper emotion over the months he prays for her.
Is it possible for Candi to put all of the pain and trauma behind her and renew her former relationship with the Lord? Will she allow her heart to open enough to discover authentic love, while making decisions of victory on her personal journey to joy?
Get your copy at:
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y8RJFJ1
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Meant-Her-Intended-Avery-Melville/dp/1691723665
Email joyjournaling@gmail.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/Journeystojoy
Website https://www.joyaverymelville.com
Blog https://www.journeystojoy.net
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/joyaverymelville
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/joyjournalinggmailcom
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joy-avery-melville
Newsletter: https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/s/websitesignupform10102019122229pm
What a great interview! I will definitely be looking for Joys books.
Vivian;
I sincerely hope and pray you get to read Meant For Her and the stories that follow it in the Intended For Her Series.
Praying you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Hi Joy!
I love survivor stories and have always written survivors in my own novels. Your blurb sounds wonderful. I love the themes of redemption and healing too.
I’ve always been a planster, but heavy on plot. However, good character development takes me in more meaningful directions at times and makes the story fresh. Thanks for sharing your story with us. 😊
Yvonne;
Candi IS a survivor, although she’s questioning that for some time.
There are two characters in Meant For Her that surprised me by not only their appearance in the story, but the impact they have on the story.
I hope you get the opportunity to read Candi’s story!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks for giving Joy space on your blog. Very good questions.
I agree, Heidi – Sharee asked some tremendous questions! It was a FUN interview!
Hello, Joy! It’s so good to meet you here on Sharee’s blog. I love that you are writing a wounded warrior series. My father was a wounded warrior, so I appreciate the sacrifices made by these heroes and their families. Blessings as you fit in all the activities you have scheduled!
Sherida, I so appreciate all your father has gone through on our behalf here in the U.S. – My heart has been so wrung with some of the stories my two very special wounded warriors have shared with me. I mistakenly thought I was going to have those two human resources for information – logistics and such – WRONG – GOD USED THOSE TWO PEOPLE IN MY LIFE in such a way – that WITH THEIR PERMISSION – they have found their stories melded into my fictional story – Those two warriors are now family – very special to my husband and myself!
It would be unfair to them to make them wait for the entire Intended For Her Series to be told before their first book!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT!
Joy, congratulations on Meant for Her. It sounds like an amazing story. You’ve always been so kind to me and encouraged me on my writing. I thrilled for you.
Sharee and Joy, I hope you both have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much, Jackie!
I have SO appreciated your encouragement along my journey as well, Jackie – I’m still praying for you at NTW – haven’t stopped!
I hope and pray you get a chance to read Meant For Her and that it touches your heart.
HUGS
Praying you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Joy, congratulations on your debut! That’s so exciting and sounds wonderful.
I enjoyed learning more about you. I’m also a huge romantic suspense reader. I think it’s my favorite genre.
Wonderful interview and I wish you the best. And I hope Evan squeeze in one or two Hallmark movies.
Terri;
Oh, I so hope I can get in at least ONE Hallmark movie – just to slow this roller coaster I’m on. LOL
Thanks so much for your comment and I hope you get to read this novel!
Hugs
Hi Joy! I am SO happy for you and am ordering your book as soon as I post this comment!
I enjoyed your interview with Sharee, and have to say your book sounds fascinating. That cover is beautiful too.
You are a sweetheart, and I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving to Sharee, too!
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Oh, Patti Jo:
It’s so good to hear from my Georgia Peach this morning – I PRAY you enjoy Meant For Her – I am praying it will touch each reader’s heart. Thanks so much for those Thanksgiving wishes.
Love you big time, Patti Jo – Happy Thanksgiving! We’ve SO much to be grateful for!
Enjoyed this interview and getting to know a little about you, Joy. Congratulations on your book! Beautiful cover, and it sounds so interesting!
Thanks, Laura;
Isn’t Sharee a good interviewer?
I totally enjoyed answering her questions – even though that one about FUN stumped me at first.
Thank you for the comment – and I pray you can get your hands on a copy of Meant For Her and snuggle in for an enjoyable read – there’s some humor – some tension – some conflict – some romance -and a lot to think about.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Laura!
Thank you all so much for commenting. Happy thanksgiving and blessings!!!
Thank you for hosting me, Sharee!
IT was a blessing to have been here and your questions were STUPENDOUS!