I have been enjoying getting to know other Prism Book Group authors and I have started to dig into their writing so I can get a feel for the publishing house as a whole and help them out with reviews, as I hope they will help me in the future. Plus, I just love to read and I finally figured out a way to get back to reading...(I put the kindle app on my phone so I can read while rocking my daughter to sleep!) Paula Mowery, fellow Prism Book Group author was the first one to offer her book to me so I could read and review it.
"Legacy and Love" is made up of two novellas..."The Prayer Shawl" and "The Inheritance."
In "The Prayer Shawl" we meet two main characters, and let me just tell you, the characters are very vivid. I felt like the story was being driven by and orchestrated by them. I'm not sure how Paula Mowery writes, if she thinks of stories first or characters first, but I felt like the characters were very alive. I envy this in writing because it's not something I feel like I always do well.
I won't give away details in the story and you can read a summary below, but let me just say that it was a delightful, very Christian-oriented story. It had themes of miracles and belief and it's a great read for anyone needing something to reconfirm their faith.
Then came "The Inheritance." This story surprised me. When I read the first few chapters, I figured I knew where it was going. It seemed typical in plot and I thought I could predict what would happen. But the two main characters have to find something and I was surprised by what they had to find. Then, as they started finding things, I was surprised by those items as well. Serves me right for thinking I knew what was coming!
This story is also very Christian-oriented and a great read for those who enjoy Christian romance stories. It also had tinges of mystery to it.
My biggest complaint of the stories is that they moved very quickly, given their shorter lengths. I think either or both could have been expanded into full books and that would have been enjoyable as well. The stories moved at a fast clip and could have slowed down in places to give the reader even more detail. That being said, they were great the way they were. I would recommend"Legacy and Love" to Christian readers who enjoy stories of faith and hope.
"Legacy and Love" is made up of two novellas..."The Prayer Shawl" and "The Inheritance."
In "The Prayer Shawl" we meet two main characters, and let me just tell you, the characters are very vivid. I felt like the story was being driven by and orchestrated by them. I'm not sure how Paula Mowery writes, if she thinks of stories first or characters first, but I felt like the characters were very alive. I envy this in writing because it's not something I feel like I always do well.
I won't give away details in the story and you can read a summary below, but let me just say that it was a delightful, very Christian-oriented story. It had themes of miracles and belief and it's a great read for anyone needing something to reconfirm their faith.
Then came "The Inheritance." This story surprised me. When I read the first few chapters, I figured I knew where it was going. It seemed typical in plot and I thought I could predict what would happen. But the two main characters have to find something and I was surprised by what they had to find. Then, as they started finding things, I was surprised by those items as well. Serves me right for thinking I knew what was coming!
This story is also very Christian-oriented and a great read for those who enjoy Christian romance stories. It also had tinges of mystery to it.
My biggest complaint of the stories is that they moved very quickly, given their shorter lengths. I think either or both could have been expanded into full books and that would have been enjoyable as well. The stories moved at a fast clip and could have slowed down in places to give the reader even more detail. That being said, they were great the way they were. I would recommend"Legacy and Love" to Christian readers who enjoy stories of faith and hope.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I was a middle school English teacher before quitting to homeschool my daughter. I have always set the example of writing whether for my students or for my own daughter.
Now tell us how you got into writing.
Reading and writing have always been things I have loved doing. Reading Christian fiction has been a hobby and still is. As my daughter began to move up in grades, she did more independent work. This is when I started to write. I had over 15 manuscripts written before I ever got the courage to submit anything.
Was getting published hard?
Getting published is definitely not easy. I wrote and wrote and read and read. Then, I joined an online writers’ group and learned and learned. After that came learning to submit, looking for a place to submit, and building the courage to submit.
Give us a summary of your current novel.
My newest release is entitled Legacy and Love. There are two stories in this book in which each heroine has been influenced by a godly grandmother. For a more specific idea about what each story is about, please read the blurbs for each.
Blurbs for Legacy and Love
The Prayer Shawl
Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?
Inheritance
Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.
Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.
Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?
And what about your upcoming release?
The two stories in Legacy and Love are truly special. In each I reveal a little bit about my own grandmother. I’ll give you a hint: She always read her Bible before going to sleep and listened to Southern gospel music as well as allowed me to sit near her as she crocheted.
Where do you get your ideas?
That varies. I have gotten ideas from sermon illustrations, newspaper articles, ancestry studies, and even eavesdropping (which is called research if you are a writer).
How long does it take you to write a novel?
The length of time it takes for me to write a novel varies as well. Inheritance, one of the stories from Legacy and Love, took about two to three years because of revising and chopping. Whereas, The Prayer Shawl took several months.
What do you enjoy doing outside of writing?
In addition to writing my own novels, I am an acquisitions editor. In this role I get to help other writers achieve their publishing dream. I also do some speaking, mostly to women’s groups. I do enjoy sharing with them. And aside from the writing world, I enjoy spending time with my hubby and daughter.
Do you find certain times of the day or certain things inspire you to write?
Because of the schedule I have to keep, I’ve had to manipulate those inspiring times to write. I have another part-time job in public school so I have to adjust my thinking and write when I am home to do it. In other words, I can’t presently take advantage of my best hours to write or when I can produce more. I just have to take what I’ve got! I arrive home each day during the week around 12:30. I have lunch with my daughter and then I set out to mark off my to-write and to-edit list.
What advice would you give to a new writer wishing to make it in the publishing world?
Read, write, learn, and repeat! Read in the genre you are interested in writing. Practice writing. Take a course or join a writing community and learn. Then, stay persistent and consistent.
We'd love to hear a few quirky facts about you...things that don't normally come up in an interview!
Being a pastor’s wife, I have to be really careful about how closely a story or character resembles someone in my church. They are always looking to see if I wrote them into a story. I think that is so funny because I’m always sitting in church wondering if my pastor/hubby is going to share a story that everyone will know is something stupid I did.
When my first book came out, I practiced my signature for booksignings – reminded me of when you would practice writing your married name when you were dating someone in high school.
Anything else you want to add!...
My writing, editing, and speaking are encompassed into the calling God gave to me about three years ago when He made it clear that this is what He wanted me to do in this season of my life. I am humbled and grateful He would choose me to present His truths through fiction.
Thank you for this opportunity to share.
I was a middle school English teacher before quitting to homeschool my daughter. I have always set the example of writing whether for my students or for my own daughter.
Now tell us how you got into writing.
Reading and writing have always been things I have loved doing. Reading Christian fiction has been a hobby and still is. As my daughter began to move up in grades, she did more independent work. This is when I started to write. I had over 15 manuscripts written before I ever got the courage to submit anything.
Was getting published hard?
Getting published is definitely not easy. I wrote and wrote and read and read. Then, I joined an online writers’ group and learned and learned. After that came learning to submit, looking for a place to submit, and building the courage to submit.
Give us a summary of your current novel.
My newest release is entitled Legacy and Love. There are two stories in this book in which each heroine has been influenced by a godly grandmother. For a more specific idea about what each story is about, please read the blurbs for each.
Blurbs for Legacy and Love
The Prayer Shawl
Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?
Inheritance
Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.
Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.
Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?
And what about your upcoming release?
The two stories in Legacy and Love are truly special. In each I reveal a little bit about my own grandmother. I’ll give you a hint: She always read her Bible before going to sleep and listened to Southern gospel music as well as allowed me to sit near her as she crocheted.
Where do you get your ideas?
That varies. I have gotten ideas from sermon illustrations, newspaper articles, ancestry studies, and even eavesdropping (which is called research if you are a writer).
How long does it take you to write a novel?
The length of time it takes for me to write a novel varies as well. Inheritance, one of the stories from Legacy and Love, took about two to three years because of revising and chopping. Whereas, The Prayer Shawl took several months.
What do you enjoy doing outside of writing?
In addition to writing my own novels, I am an acquisitions editor. In this role I get to help other writers achieve their publishing dream. I also do some speaking, mostly to women’s groups. I do enjoy sharing with them. And aside from the writing world, I enjoy spending time with my hubby and daughter.
Do you find certain times of the day or certain things inspire you to write?
Because of the schedule I have to keep, I’ve had to manipulate those inspiring times to write. I have another part-time job in public school so I have to adjust my thinking and write when I am home to do it. In other words, I can’t presently take advantage of my best hours to write or when I can produce more. I just have to take what I’ve got! I arrive home each day during the week around 12:30. I have lunch with my daughter and then I set out to mark off my to-write and to-edit list.
What advice would you give to a new writer wishing to make it in the publishing world?
Read, write, learn, and repeat! Read in the genre you are interested in writing. Practice writing. Take a course or join a writing community and learn. Then, stay persistent and consistent.
We'd love to hear a few quirky facts about you...things that don't normally come up in an interview!
Being a pastor’s wife, I have to be really careful about how closely a story or character resembles someone in my church. They are always looking to see if I wrote them into a story. I think that is so funny because I’m always sitting in church wondering if my pastor/hubby is going to share a story that everyone will know is something stupid I did.
When my first book came out, I practiced my signature for booksignings – reminded me of when you would practice writing your married name when you were dating someone in high school.
Anything else you want to add!...
My writing, editing, and speaking are encompassed into the calling God gave to me about three years ago when He made it clear that this is what He wanted me to do in this season of my life. I am humbled and grateful He would choose me to present His truths through fiction.
Thank you for this opportunity to share.
Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements. In November of 2013, her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. Legacy and Love is her first solo romance. Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living.
As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.
Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a first year college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
You can follow Paula at www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187. Learn more about Paula at her blog at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or enjoy her monthly columns on www.christianonlinemagazine.com.
As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.
Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a first year college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
You can follow Paula at www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187. Learn more about Paula at her blog at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or enjoy her monthly columns on www.christianonlinemagazine.com.
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