Monday, October 8, 2012

Giveaway! Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof!


Welcome to Writing for Christ Joanne Bischof, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

Oooh…great question. I’ve always been a complete introvert. Then I married an extrovert and somehow had 3 very outgoing kids. I used to panic when my toddler son would strike up conversations with people in the grocery store. But now, I’ve learned to come out of my shell and absolutely love connecting with people. Writing always worked for me because I was so shy, but in turn, it’s been the tool to unlocking that shyness. Just last week I did my first radio interview and to my pleasant surprise, I had a ton of fun! I love how God stretches us beyond what we think we are capable of.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Most definitely, my favorite genre to write is Historical Romance. I never considered myself a “romance” writer until that was how my publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah, defined me. Then the light bulb sort of went on and I embraced the romantic side of storytelling. Of course, now, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Surprisingly, I don’t really have a favorite genre. I read mostly Christian fiction and while I love Historical Romance, I’m pretty much drawn to any really good book. I love to have a diversity in my to-be-read pile and when I look back at some of the books that moved me deeply, it’s a kaleidoscope of genres.

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

Probably the best nugget that changed my writing was to stay organized. I’m quite scatterbrained and I used to have things all over the place. When I had the pleasure of sitting through one of Sarah Sundin’s workshops at Mt. Hermon on researching for historical fiction, I really buckled down and made it a greater priority. I’ve always kept a binder, which I call a book kit, but now I keep it much more organized and detailed. I did a video on it here and whether it’s one book, a series, or even just an idea, I always start a book kit and since I don’t have an office, it’s a great grab-and-go binder, no matter where I’m writing.


5 things you love?
My family
A cup of tea and a good book on a cold day (Did I just sneak in 3?) ;)
Autumn
Folk music
and Chocolate

What novel have you recently read that has stood out to you that both teens and adults will find enjoyment in?
A book quickly comes to mind, Autumn Changes by Beverly Nault. It’s a great seasonal read that explores a handful of friendships in the charming town of Cherryvale. The storyline centers around both adults and teens with themes of change, kindness and working together. It’s a wonderful new addition to the cozy fiction genre.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

I blog once a week at www.joannebischof.com and love to chit chat with readers on Facebook where we do lots of fun giveaways, and in fact, there is one going on right now! I also have a newsletter, The Heartfelt Post, which I send out each spring or autumn.
Thank you for being with us today!
Thank you for having me, Casey!

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Joanne'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 October 19th.
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 

85 comments:

  1. Looking forward to reading this book.

    Carissa
    belovedgraceful(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  2. I LOVE most all Christian Fiction also!! tammyredd@gmail.com I'm a follower and a subscriber!

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  3. I LOVED Joanne's book. What a fun interview! And Joanne, I need to watch your video on staying organized, methinks. :)

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    1. Melissa, I LOVE your comments! :) And your videos are always so cheery and fun. And I just have to add that I'm looking forward to the day when I get to hold YOUR book!

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  4. i am a follower and subscriber and i rated your book review. i absolutely love the cover of the book! cant wait to read

    pinkbonnie93@yahoo.com

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    1. Bonnie, I love hearing that and even more, love passing it along to my cover designer. He did an amazing job. I'm so thankful for the way he brought the story to life! If you get a chance to read the book, I hope you enjoy it!

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  5. Oh, bless your soul! I've looking forward to this, since you've said you had something interesting coming up on your blog for this book, Casey!

    Hi Joanne!! *Waving*. Have I mentionned how it's always nice to see you? *Smiling* I think you have a very sweet personnality!

    Bless both of you, Ladies!

    Thanks for the giveaway but I'm not in the U.S! But I am definitely reading this one!

    Have a lovely day, everyone.

    :-)

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    1. Ganise *waving* right back!! I recognized your name right away and it is always nice seeing you too! Thank you for your sweet words. Delighted that you're going to read Be Still My Soul and I so, so, so hope that you enjoy Lonnie and Gideon's story. Take care!

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  6. I would LOVE to win the book - I have not read any by this author before. Loved the interview

    I am a follower.

    I am a subscriber.

    littlebird@hur.midco.net

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    1. Oh Carla, wonderful! I'm so glad to cross paths :) You are entered!

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  7. Hi, Casey and Joanne! I have a wishlist that I saved to my drafts and as soon as I saw simply the cover to this one, it went on my wishlist. Now that I have been hearing such good things about Be Still My Soul in cyberland, it is a must read for me! Thank you for the opportunity to win this book by a "new to me" author. It would be such a blessing!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

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    1. Diana, your comment just gave me a huge smile. Thank you! Honored that Be Still My Soul is on your wishlist and is on "must read" status ;) I so hope you enjoy it! So nice to see you here. Isn't Casey's new look fabulous!?

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  8. Extra entries-I am a follower already via GFC!

    I am a follower via email already!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

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  9. Beautiful cover and title! This book is definitely one I want to read!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Thank you and thank you! I'm so glad that the cover and title of Lonnie and Gideon's story has resonated with you. Blessings!

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  10. I am a follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. I am a subscriber.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  12. Hi Joanne and Casey, I enjoyed the interview and the introduction to another new Christian author. I look forward to reading "Be Still My Soul". Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    I old GFC follower

    I am old newsletter subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Hi miss Kallie! Casey asks some great questions and really made for such a wonderful experience. Glad you are looking forward to reading the book. If you get the chance, I hope that it encourages you!

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  13. Loved the interview, Casey! And I really want to read this book! I watched the video on the making of a "book kit" and must say, Joanne, our brains work very much alike! I do all of those same things but keep them in picture files on my laptop. If I had a binder I would just lose it! I too am very scatterbrained and have had to force myself to be more methodical and organized when it comes to my writing. It's actually the only part of my life that is organized. Probably because its my favorite thing to do and the one thing I work hardest at.

    Crandallberries at gmail dot com

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    1. Greetings from one scatterbrain to the other, Dawn! ;) Sounds like we have more than a few things in common! I can completely relate. If only my laundry room and sock drawer looked like my writing research. How wonderful life would be! It sounds like you have everything digital which must make it so, so easy! :)

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  14. This book looks great!! Thanks for the giveaway-- would love to win, it'd be a great birthday present!! ;)

    I am a follower (GFC) and a subscriber.

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Hi Ladette! I'm so glad you entered the giveaway and that you've got an idea up your sleeve if you win. Smart gal :) So glad you think the book sounds like a good read and it's so nice to meet you!

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  15. Yay for Joanne! I loved her book and love her. What a sweetie!

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    1. It's Lindsay! Right back atcha ;) 1894-er squeezy hug!

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  16. Nice inteview! Found out I have some things in common with Joanne. Love of Family, Chocolate, Autumn, Tea, and Folk Music. Thanks for the giveaway!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. oooh, many things in common, Amy! What fun! Isn't it just delicious heading unto autumn? It was so crisp today and I am SO ready! Glad to see you here on Casey's blog :) Take care!

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  17. I'm a follower.
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  18. I'm a subscriber.
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  19. Interesting interview. I love the cover of this book...would love to win a copy, but it's on my TBR list in any event!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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    1. Oh, you gad me at "TBR" ;) glad you're entered for the giveaway and thanks for your sweet words about the cover!

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  20. I am a follower
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  21. I am a subscriber
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  22. This sounds like a great book, thank you for doing the interview and hosting the giveaway.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Hi Wendy! It's truly wonderful what Casey does here. She's a bright light in the writing world. So glad you popped in and entered for Be Still My Soul!

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  23. I am a GFC follower, wfnren.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  24. I am a subscriber.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. I can relate to the "book kit" idea. I do craft shows and keep a plastic crate loaded and ready with everything I need from price tags to a hammer.

    Would love to win this book! Our library doesn't have it and after I'm finished reading books, I donate them to the library.

    blessings,
    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

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  26. PLEASE ENTER ME!!! I REALLY, really, REALLY want to read this book! I have been intrigued from the moment I read the description!

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

    amada_chavez[AT]yahoo{DOT}com

    Acts 16:31

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    1. Haha, Amanda, your voice has been heard and you are ENTERED! Woohoo! :) Love your enthusiasm and am over the moon that you were intrigued from the get go. I hope you get the chance to read Lonnie and Gideon's story. Blessings!

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  27. I really want to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber.Tore923@aol.com

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    1. Wonderful, Tore! Glad you stopped in for the giveaway!

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  28. I can't wait to read this book! It sounds so interesting!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Marissa, honored that you're eager to read Be Still My Soul. I hope you like it! Also, hope that the story encourages you and shows the amazing things that God can do. :) Blessings!

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  29. I'm a follower!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  30. I'm a subscriber!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  31. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
    GFC-Tressa & email subscriber.
    tressa dot sherman at hotmail dot com

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    1. Delighted that you stopped in for both, Tressa! :)

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  32. sounds like a wonderful book thanks for chance to win a copy


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to read a little more about it. So nice to meet you, Apple Blossom!

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  33. email subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  34. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  35. Wow! Great interview! Another new author I'm dying to know! Thanks, Casey!
    kandrajane at bellsouth dot net

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    1. Oh, Kandra, you are so sweet!! It's wonderful to get to cross paths with you here :)

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  36. Great interview! Would love to read this.

    andrea2russia@hotmail.com

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    1. Thanks Andrea :) You are entered! Have a great night!

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  37. GFC follower - Andrea Williams

    andrea2russia@hotmail.com

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  38. Lovely interview and covers.

    I follow via email.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. I'm eagerly hoping to win this book!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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    1. Your eagerness is a bright light to my evening, Melody. Bless you!

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  40. I am a subscriber.

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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  41. I am a follower.

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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  42. Tis I again asking to be entered in the "Be Still My Soul" book giveaway. I love the title of the book. We all need to "Be Still My Soul" to hear the voice of God when He speaks to us.

    Also, we need to be still to get away from the hustle and the bustle that is thrown at us from every direction. I could go on and on but I won't.
    Thanks for entering me in your book giveaway.

    Janet Estridge.
    von1janet@gmail.com

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    1. Janet, such beautiful and true insights. To be still and just listen to God. It's so important during the day to day grind. I had one of those moments last week of just resting and listening and God moved in amazing ways. Your comment has been a blessing on my night. Thank you!

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  43. I can totally relate to Joanne's story about her toddler son. I'm also an introvert (as was my husband) but our daughter is very much an extrovert. When she was a toddler, she would shout "hi" to strangers across the store parking lot. I finally got used to meeting people after my daughter started talking with them.
    This sounds like a great book (with a lovely cover). I'd be very pleased to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
    I'm a follower.
    I'm a subscriber.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. Pam, wow do we have that in common, or what!? I know exactly what you mean. I would have just been content to keep my head down and go about my merry way if it weren't for my chatty kids. I'm so used to striking up conversations everywhere we go now that I've begun looking forward to who we are going to meet when we go out :) So nice to meet you here on Casey's blog and thanks for your sweet words on the book!

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  44. I am really looking forward to reading this. I just entered on another site to win this book, so I am excited to boost my chances by entering to win here too. :)

    emmamalissa(at)gmail(dot)com

    I am also a follower of your blog.

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    1. Emma you are a girl after my own heart :) Thanks for hopping around with me and the book and entering these giveaways. It's so nice to see you!! I hope one of them has your name on it! :)

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  45. Hooray! It's so nice to see you, Brenda!

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  46. Please don't enter me, I already have a copy of Joanne's book! I really enjoyed it! Here is a link to my review http://homeschoolblogger.com/martha/784694/
    I love to read about your organizing tips and how it helped you overcome shyness!

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    1. Martha, I just hopped over and read your review and it's beautiful. So insightful with truths of how God works and how like Gideon, growth and maturity are so important. Blessings to you and it's so nice to meet you!

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  47. I already have the book in my stack of to-reads. Can't wait to get to it!!!

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    1. Hi Sherri! I'm so glad!! You and Casey have been the most wonderful hostesses this week :)

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  48. I would love to win this book. Looks like a great read! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com

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  49. I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds great.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  50. I'm a subscriber!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  51. I'm a follower!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  52. Please enter me - I'm a follower
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  53. Casey--if I entered this twice, please disregard! I can't find where I commented!

    I'm a follower & a subscriber :)

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  54. I am a follower

    crs.psalms23@gmail.com

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  55. I absolutely loved the advanced e-book I read and reviewed. But I really want my 3 teen grand daughters to read this one. Please put me in the drawing for the paper copy. I follow you.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)