Giveaway! Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon!

Welcome back Bonnie Leon ! Since this is the third time for you to visit, I thought I would throw in some fun questions, maybe some that aren’t part of the norm in other interviews. :)

Three visits? I’m honored.

If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be?

Tough question, but after giving it some thought I’d have to say, Panama City Beach, Florida. My husband and I made a cross country trip a few years ago to do research for a book. We spent three days at Panama City Beach, a gorgeous place with white sand beaches and an ocean that is blue, aqua and green. October provided perfect weather. We visited a place called Shell Island where we lazed around on the beach and did a little snorkeling. And one day, I cheered my husband on while he flew above the ocean on a parasailing adventure. We had so much fun! I’ve always wanted to go back.

Do you have any pets?

We have just one, our dog Bella, unless you want to count our chickens. We have twenty of those. Bella is a Great Pyrenees puppy—ten months old. She’s big, white, comical and loving. And she’s also smart—too smart for her own good. She figured out how to open all the gates in our yard so my husband put the locks on the outside of the gates—she had that figured out in less than a day. We finally had to put on extra locks. 

Your favorite book that you have written?

This is a REALLY hard question. They each hold special meaning to me for different reasons. But I’d still like to do more editing, even on my favorites. However, if I must choose one it has to be To Love Anew, the first book in the Sydney Cove series. It represents so many of us, who struggle to fully grasp God’s love and mercy and who are unable to forgive ourselves.

Readers either love or hate the book—it’s a bit gritty for the CBA. When telling the story of the prisoners who were shipped to Australia in 1805 I couldn’t soft pedal their experience. The early Australians came mostly on prison ships. They were courageous, tough and passionate. When I was doing the research and discovered their history, my admiration for those first Australians swelled. I wanted to portray them as they really were and not shortchange them in any way. Presently the book is free on Kindle, Nook and other ebooks.

What is your favorite pastime?

There is really nothing I love more than to go lake or river fishing. It’s not something I get to do much of these days. My physical condition makes it almost impossible to fish the rivers, but on a good day I can still relax in our boat and cast out my line. I love the quiet sway of a boat and the sun doesn’t feel too warm when out on a high mountain lake. And of course it’s always fun to catch fish.

Favorite book?

I have lots of favorites. But I’ve discovered Laura Frantz and I’m presently reading her book, The Colonel’s Lady. Absolutely loving it! So, for today, she is my favorite.

Favorite movie?

I’m crazy about movies. My favorites are always true stories. I can’t narrow this down to just one. Sorry. But I’ll keep it short—my top three—#1 Anna and the King (beautiful love story), Secretariat(a must see), and Temple Grandin. Claire Danes did an amazing job of portraying this amazing woman.

I also have a long list of romantic comedies that I thoroughly enjoy time and again.

What people have inspired you in your writing journey?

It might surprise you to hear that it’s not writers, though many have come alongside to teach and encourage me and I admire many. However, the people who inspire me most are those who refuse to settle for less than what God asks of them. Some are well known, such as Helen Keller, Mother Theresa, Corrie Ten Boom and Condoleeza Rice. But there are others, the world doesn’t know but, who have made a personal difference in my life—my mother, Elsa Trover, Kelli Standish, Judy Underwood, and Lauraine Snelling(ok she’s a writer). All of these women have faced heartache with grace and good humor, refusing to allow the troubles of the world to hold them back, but rather allowing God to work through them no matter what.

What character in a novel you have read has stood out and seemed to stand the test of time?

I have to say that Hadassah in Francine Rivers book A Voice in the Wind. For days after completing the book I thought about her and even now I can see her and I know her, though it’s been many years since I read the book.

If you could meet one person from history who would it be and why?

I’d love to sit down with Corrie Ten Boom. Her courage and faith are beyond my ability to understand. I’d love to share time with her and hear from her own lips about her walk with the Savior and how she lived out her faith.

Okay, last one and a fun one for our readers today: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing, what would it be? Why?

I have to be practical. I’m a survivor. I’d take a survivors hand book and hopefully it would keep me alive until I was rescued.

Too fun, thanks for joining us for a third time!! It is a privilege. :)

Thank you for being with us today! 

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

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


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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 July 13th.

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