Monday, February 16, 2015

Giveaway! Where Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Welcome to Writing for Christ Kellie Coats Gilbert!, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I spent a lot of time in courtrooms working on high profile cases, including the Jack-in-the-Box e-coli litigation in the mid-nineties and the largest cattle fraud case in the United States.  People are often at their most vulnerable in these tense situations where much is at stake, and I gained a unique perspective on the human psyche.  Early in my writing career, I recognized there could be value in telling stories about women facing relationship fractures, betrayal, and loss and what it looks like to exhibit strength and dignity in these journeys.

I am meant to write stories for women that focus on relationships, and the deep places in life. People have many layers, and never more than in family dynamics and hard times. I’m intrigued with the coping mechanisms we employ to fill our empty places—that space inside of us designed to be inhabited by God. These are the stories of my heart.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

In the seventh grade, I read two books that scared the wads out of me. One was Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo
Jones, about a high school aged couple who did not follow God’s precepts for sexual activity. The girl ended up pregnant and they wed, far too early and with dire consequences. The other book was called Go Ask Alice, a first person narrative of a girl who became a drug addict. Both of these books caused me to make wise choices for myself to avoid the consequences depicted in the books.
That’s the power of fiction, I believe—when a story nestles deep within your spirit and changes how you think.


If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

I would tell myself not to get caught up in the thrill of getting a book published, but instead to educate myself and focus on what was necessary in order to build my publishing career.

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out?     Take-out
Email or snailmail?   Email
Online shopping or Black Friday deals?         Online shopping
Books or movies?    Duh….books!
Note-taker or memorization?            Note taker
         
Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

My debut novel, published by Abingdon Press in 2012, will always be my heartsong. MOTHER OF PEARL features a mother who learned too late that her daughter was making bad choices that put her in danger. I still get weekly emails from readers telling me they cried buckets and could not put the story down, which were my exact emotions while writing the book.  

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My website is a great place to hang out. Readers can find out about my books, of course, but also take part in a new feature—my monthly contest for fabulous giveaways.  There are links to all my social media sites (I love PINTEREST!) and a sign-up for Kellie’s Readers Club! 
www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com


Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, enter to win Kellie's book here! 

Please leave an email address! 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 February 27th
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 

25 comments:

  1. This book is on my TBR list. I like the premise of the heroine being involved in a courtroom case. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I subscribe and follow.
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  2. Thanks for the interview and the wonderful giveaway. msudawgtooATcomsouthDOTcom

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  3. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I have read MOP and AWOF by Kellie and am very anxious to read this book. Kellie has become a favorite author for me!! I subscribe via E mail.
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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  4. Great interview with Kellie! I am so excited about this series. I would love a print copy of WHERE RIVERS PART.

    I subscribe and follow
    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. This book looks really good!!! Thanks for the giveaway! I am a follower and subscriber!

    sierrafaith327(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Entry for Velva:

    I would love to win this book.

    My email address is bhssnellville@comcast.net

    Thanks!

    Velva Brown

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  7. This is on my TBR list.. I enjoyed getting to know you. :) I'm now a club member too!
    I follow & subscribe :)
    dkstevensneAToutlookD OtCoM

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  8. This book sounds like one I'd enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I'm a follower and subscriber.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. Thanks for the interview ladies! I've been seeing this book around the book blogosphere and it sounds interesting, and has a beautiful cover...

    I am a follower and a subscriber

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. I wish I had read the books you did as a teenager. I was definitely reading the wrong books for my age at that time. I am a follower and subscriber. fishingjan[at]aol[dot]com

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  11. I love stories that focus on relationships.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  12. I forgot to say I follow and subscribe.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  13. Thanks everyone for commenting on Casey's blog. I'm so excited to send this new book out into the world for readers to enjoy. I certainly felt entertained writing it! Good luck, all!

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  14. I enjoyed the interview!
    subscriber and follower.
    nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a follower and subscriber. New author for me that I'd love to try!
    Susan in NC
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  16. I have been wanting to read a book by this author. I would love to win. Please enter me. I am also a subscriber.
    donvelma (at)gmail (dot)com

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  17. interested that your jibe influences your novels and probably makes them authentic. Sm wileygreen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. I love Kellie and her writing! Thanks so much for sharing this great interview and giveaway!

    I am a blog follower.
    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  19. Thanks so much for the great interview. I enjoy hearing how an author's personal experiences shape their future stories. I recently picked up the first book in this series and look forward to reading it. I would also love to be able to add the 2nd book as well. 😃

    I am also a follower and subscriber. Thanks again for the great giveaway.

    Jennifer
    Jennybug52 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  20. I'm a subscriber and follower. This is a beautiful looking book. It was interesting to read of the author's background. Thanks for the interesting interview. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  21. This sounds like a wonderful book. I love the cover.
    I am a follower and subscriber.
    straitfromthehive(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Love the interview! This looks like a book I would LOVE! Thank you for the chance to win!
    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  23. Kellie is a fantastic writer! She is a delight to be around and I hope this book flies off the shelves for her.
    I am a follower!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  24. Entry for Norma:

    Hi! I am Norma Jean a writer/not published yet, but I would like to enter the contest!

    jncrise@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am grateful since I get an opportunity to read this article. I had been looking for this type of article so far. Thanks for sharing this post here!

    www.buyessays.us college paper writing service

    ReplyDelete

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