Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Cowboy for a Rainy Afternoon

Today I am pleased to present author, Stephen Bly. Stephen is a prolific author of more than 100 novels! Stephen and his wife Janet live in Idaho and are full time authors. Stephen has graciously offered to give away a copy of his latest book to one fortunate commenter, so be sure and read to the end to see how to enter!

Welcome to Writing for Christ! Thank you for being with us today.



1: How long did you write before you were published?

I got published before I started writing. Let me explain. My wife, Janet, had attended several writer’s conferences. While transcribing my sermons one day she said, “Some of this is pretty good. I could clean them up into stories and articles and send them to editors.” I replied, “Do what you want, just as long as it doesn’t involve me. I’m not interested in writing.” Several months later, in December 1976, I received several checks in the mail from magazine publishers for two different articles. I looked at those and told Janet, “Hey, I think I could like being a writer.” After that, I wrote hundreds of articles and short stories for numerous magazines. My first book proposal, Radical Discipleship, was released by Moody Press in 1981. That was 102 books ago.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?
It’s always exciting. Publishing a book has never lost its amazement for me. Each one is such an honor and privilege. I never dreamed there’d be more than 1. . .or a couple. . .or a dozen. But my thought when I saw the first copy of Radical Discipleship? Wow, I better make sure I live up to that title (that wasn’t my original title for the proposal). I didn’t realize the pressure publication puts on the author to live up to certain expectations and standards.

3: What are you working on now?

Coming June 2010 is my next western novel, Cowboy For A Rainy Afternoon, which is almost a novel as memoir for me. Set in 1954, in Albuquerque, it involves: A ’49 Plymouth. A 10-year-old boy. An open trunk. Six old cowboys. And a lady in distress. The memoir part comes from the fact I was 10-years-old in 1954 and one of the cowboy’s is loosely patterned after my granddaddy.

My WIP (work in progress) is set back in the late 1800s, mainly on a train ride from Omaha to Sacramento. I’ve got two different working titles for it: “Throw Away Heart” and “Lady-Broke.” I realize they both sound more like romances than westerns, but that’s my struggle right now. . .figuring out a title that my western fans will like, when most of the story centers around a romance. Don’t have a publication date yet for this one, but do have a contract.



4: Where can readers find out more about your books?

We’ve got a website that says a lot about our books with reviews and such, also a bookstore for PayPal orders: http://www.blybooks.com/  We’ve also got a brand new blog that includes western flair devotionals and info about our books: http://www.blybooks.blogspot.com/


5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

No matter what the trials and troubles of life, faith in Christ gets you through to the other side.



6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?
As a writer. . .I rarely know when I sit down at the computer where the plot’s headed. I research the place and times and know my characters as well as I can, then mix them together and see how they react.

As a person. . .few folks realize that my main hobbies include collecting antique Winchesters. . .and playing golf. My partner and I have a website for the Winchesters: http://www.tapaderaswinchesters.com/  I’m also privileged to be a roving editor for Big Show Journal magazine, which aims for gun collectors.

As for the golf, I used to play on the college team years ago, but just lately got real regular with it again. What I can’t understand is how come I play better now than I did back when I was young? My life might have taken a different turn if I had.

Thank you for being with us today!
Any final words for readers?

Maybe you weren’t born 100 years too late! Check it out in Cowboy For A Rainy Afternoon.

Okay readers here is your chance to check out Stephen's brand new book!

 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

And a NEW one:

~Follow Stephen's blog, HERE

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 5/22

Music to Encourage and Inspire on Your Sunday

I love the music of Mark Schultz. My mom and I went to one of his concerts about 3 years ago and I got to meet him! I love how he sings from his very soul and the words to his music just speak to the heart. Have a wonderful Sunday and don't forget to let your mom know how much she means to you. A relationship like that should not be thrown away.

WINNER and a Blog Award!!

The winner of Teresa Slack's two books is...

Sara! (mrs_kelly76....)

Congratulations and happy reading! Sara will have one week to get a hold of me or another winner will be drawn.

Before I move onto the award, I want to thank all of you who entered and for the kind comments you left. Many of you like my interviews and I am so glad to hear that! Thank you for making my day!!

And now, I was gifted an award earlier this week from Ashley at After All Tomorrow is Another Day... (check it out, she writes great book reviews!!)

This award is awarded to those bloggers that: post almost everyday (if not every), reply to every comment that's posted, and just down right LOVE blogging! Those bloggers are the ones that make it more then worthwhile to be a follower!

Now, here are rules for this award :
Share one extraordinary thing that's happened to you then pass this award along to 5 Xxtraordinary bloggers.

On extraordinary thing?? That might take awhile let me get with you. : )

Here is my list of 5 Xxtraordinary blogger (in no particular order):

1: Laura Frantz @ Laura Frantz.net
2: Molly @ Book Reviews by Buuklvr81
3: Michelle @ Michelle V's Blog
4: Sherrinda @ Sherrinda
5: Cathy @ Word Vessel

Be sure and check out these great blogs, they are so worth the time!

Still trying to think of something extraordinary and not coming up with anything.... LOL!

Have a great weekend everyone!! Thanks for stopping by. : )

Special Giveaway and Interview: They Almost Always Come Home

This week I am hosting an extra giveaway. Read to the end to find out how to enter.

Welcome to Writing for Christ! Thank you for being with us today.


Tell us a little about yourself!
Cynthia Ruchti is the current president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), which she’s served in various volunteer capacities since shortly after she became a member in 2002. In her role as president of ACFW, Cynthia writes a monthly “From the President” column for ACFW’s Afictionado ezine. For two years she was one of four humor columnists for Afictionado’s“Let There Be Lite.” In 2007, she was the recipient of the ACFW Member Service Award. In 2008, Cynthia won second place for Women’s Fiction in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Contest.

1: How long did you write before you were published?

I’ve been writing professionally for 31 years for radio broadcast scripts, magazine articles, newspaper columns, and compilation books. I began tackling full-length fiction as a serious project about eight years ago. That might make me sound like a slow learner, but I prefer to think of it as carefully spacing out my breakthrough moments.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

Truthfully, after thanking the Lord, my first other thought was, “Oh, Momma, I wish you could have lived to see this.” She had invested so much in my writing pursuits and had served as a constant cheerleader for They Almost Always Come Home. But congestive heart failure took her Home in February after a long, tough battle.

3: What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished the first round of edits for my fall release—The Heart’s Harbor in A Door County Christmas novella collection from Barbour Publishing. I’m doing some character development (both my own and the characters in my books) for a couple of other stories that are waiting for an opportunity to be told. In each one, the wonder of grace, forgiveness, and endurance overwhelm me, as I hope the will future readers.

4: Where can readers find out more about your books?

Connecting with readers is one of my greatest joys. They can find me on my website: http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/  or http://www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com/ . I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Shoutlife, and can be found all too frequently at the grocery store and not frequently enough at a spa!

5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

The tagline for all my writing projects is Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark. That’s what I long for my readers to clearly see in my stories and in their lives. No matter how desperate the situation, no matter how dark the moment, or how bleak the prospects, hope—the Hope God offers—lives. It sometimes hides, but it’s there, hovering, waiting for the opportunity to surprise us, bless us, or heal us.

6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

Not that there’s ever much call for the skill, but I can write cursive backward almost as fast as I can forward. There must be a way to capitalize on that talent someday, right?

I played bassoon in junior high, high school, and college. One of my most cherished family photos is of a family reunion in 1992 when my dad, a band director, borrowed instruments and we siblings, cousins, and grandkids formed an instant concert band. Tuba, French horn, flute, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saxophone, and...a bassoon!



Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

Thank you for the privilege of spending some time with you. Readers, you’re on my mind a lot these days. I’m eager to hear how the book They Almost Always Come Home impacted your life or which passages stirred your thinking or how far your own imagination wandered as you accompanied Libby on her journey. I’m looking forward to talking to you about it!

Readers here is your chance to enter to win this debut novel!  Leave a comment with your email address. IF I DRAW YOUR NAME AND THERE IS NO EMAIL ADDRESS YOU WILL NOT WIN!!

For extra entries:
~be a follower
~be an email subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow OR (not both for extra entries) subscribe to my new group blog, The Writer's Alley


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 of said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter!


Contest ends on May 21st.

What I Read This Week

I finished 5 books this week. I should really stop saying I "read" because some of the books are ebooks and take me several weeks to get through. But here is what I got done this week, how about you?

And they are:

A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann

A Stray Drop of Blood by Rosanna M. White

Saving Sailor by Renne Riva

Too Close to Home: Lynnette Eason

No Greater Love by Kathi Macias

Don't forget to enter the contest going on right now too! There is only one day left to win 2 of Teresa Slack's books!

Visit The Writer's Alley

Today I am blogging on The Writer's Alley, an introduction to myself. So nothing here, but I hope you will stop by! I would love to see some of you there. : )

Book Review: John 3:16

This story is really about the power of God’s word, sharper than a double edge sword. With an ensemble cast larger than most novels, John 3:16 encompasses many lives and their intersection. What I loved about this book was even with many different and varying characters, they all played a part in each other’s lives. Some interaction was major, most minor, but each played a role in each other’s lives. You would think in a story with so many lead characters, it would become confusing, but I was never once. Each life has a different path and story to tell, but all are changed at one moment. When a John 3:16 sign is held up at a high school football game.


What I loved the most about this story more than anything else, is the lesson that one life can make a huge difference. The story centers around one young man, who maybe has one or two leading scenes. After that is just how his friends and family see his life and how he was a witness for others.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced novel, filled with twists and turns, lessons and one overpowering message: one life, one scripture reference, has the power to change a multitude of lives, if only they will obey.