Giveaway! The Next Target by Nikki Arana!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Nikki Arana, it is great to have you here!

Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

Most of my readers don’t know I was an activist in the Christian underground in Egypt and Africa. In 2007 the women, former Muslims, I worked with were all dead. They provided safe houses for other women who had converted from Islam to Christianity. They had been found and killed. I then began my own ministry here, A Voice for the Persecuted. I provide safety for persecuted Christians here in America, which is code for Muslims who convert. My experiences inspired my novel that’s releasing June 1, The Next Target.

5 things you love?

Well, the first two are obvious ones - my Lord and my family. I also love music. Almost any kind. But my favorites are piano, El Divo, and Joshua Ledet who is currently competing on American Idol. Another love would be the ocean. I love to visit Northern California beaches in the early morning when the fog is lifting, the sun is uncertain, and the day could hold anything. I like to stand still and breathe in that salty air and feel everything about that moment. There is something about that exercise that makes me feel connected to this world we live in and all the possibilities that every day brings. And finally, writing. I LOVE words. I can spend an hour on a sentence when I am writing my novels. I consider a sentence to be God-inspired when you read it and it touches you deeply. But when you go back and look at it you can’t identify the word that gives the sentence its power. There isn’t one word. It is the synergy created by the combination of words working together. When that happens I feel the stories are worth all the blood, sweat and tears it has taken to get them to the page.

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

The ability to bring the stories that I want to tell to print.  All my novels deal with social, political and spiritual issues that face Christians today. There are a number of things I care deeply about.  Human rights, liberty, and those who are considered “less than” or “other” in our society. I always have a least one point of view character like that who contributes to the story in a significant way. A one legged beggar, a child with Down Syndrome, a boy with ADD.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

I love to write women’s fiction because it is about relationships and deep characterization. I think it is my experience in honing that skill that is responsible for the success of my first suspense novel, The Next Target. It’s fast paced, putting characters you care about in danger.

Regarding reading, I usually read non-fiction when I have the time to read. Watchman Nee and Oswald Chambers, because it helps me keep perspective as I face the challenges of helping the persecuted.  But I must say when I get a few precious free moments for enjoyment reading I find Tamera Alexander’s latest novel and end up reading it in one sitting!

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

Write the book you’re called to write. Don’t spend time thinking about what you should write because it is the latest trend. Do you remember when Chick Lit was the rage? Or worry its too “Christian.” If you’re writing your truth, its not too Christian, its authentically an expression of your world view. Never let fear stop you from writing, querying an agent or talking to a publisher. If you’re in the will of God, He prospers what He ordains. Work with all your might, pray with all your and release the outcome to him.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

I am in all the usual places. “Like” me on my Facebook Author Page or follow me on my blog http://www.nikkiarana.com/blog/ . If you visit my website, www.nikkiarana.com , you’ll find a tab called My World and one called My Ministry. There’s a lot of information there.

Also, right now I have a great giveaway going on! Free books on Kindle and a FREE KINDLE to read them on.

The FREE Kindle contest runs May 14 - June 4. Click here for details: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/nikkiaranaauthor 

The FREE Books from Kindle, my award-winning women’s fiction series, are offered every week for the rest of May, starting May 15. Visit the News! page on Nikki's website. www.nikkiarana.com  for compete details.

Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Nikki's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.


For extra entries:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on June 29th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com