Author spotlight + GIVEAWAY - Rachel Hauck

"Everything is . . . story."
 
These words on Rachel Hauck's website reflect her imagination and creativity when it comes to storytelling, and you'll also see her passion for the Lord that shines through her writing. I am thrilled to welcome Rachel to The Power of Words this week and hope you will enjoy getting to know a little about the talented lady behind her writing.
 
Rachel is graciously sharing a copy of her newest release, Princess Ever After, with one of you. I thought Rachel did a great job at blending a highly entertaining story with an important spiritual message that everyone needs to hear. (See my review of Princess Ever After here). Entry details are at the end of the interview.
 
Now sit back and visit with Rachel . . .


Q:  First, tell us a little about yourself and how you got started writing, Rachel. Do you write full time?
 
Sure thing… I started writing fulltime in ’04 so this summer is my 10^th anniversary. I’ve been writing most of my life – I kept diaries for 17 years – but I started writing in ’94 when I discovered the young but growing Christian fiction.
 
 
Q:  What are three things that would surprise us about you?
 
I wish I could say I was a secret ballerina or university softball player but alas, I am not. I’m sure there are things that would surprise you all about me but they don’t surprise me so… LOL. I’m not sure what to say. Um, I have a small tattoo on my right ankle. My sorority letters. I got it back in the day when no one but bikers and sailors were tatted. J
 
 
Q:  I'm a church musician, so I love that you lead worship at your church. Do you have a band? What type of music touches your soul?
 
        Oh, good for you! I love worship. I do have a band at church – faithful saints whom I love. I also have a band for a joint church prayer and worship project called MyHOP. The band is comprised of musicians from six different churches. It’s amazing.
        Music that moves my soul really and truly is worship music. I love live worship (even if it’s recorded) and there are so many great ways to get live worship sets online today.
 
 
Q:  I understand you love movies, Rachel. What are some of your favorites? Any "royal" ones you can recommend?
 
I’m a romantic comedy fan but I love thrillers like the Bourne movies or life stories like Remember The Titans. I can’t say there are many good “royal” movies out there but The King’s Speech is outstanding. See that if you haven’t.
 
 
Q:  Among your favorite things from your website, you list "a good prayer meeting." What is that prayer meeting like for you, and how has prayer played a part in your life?
 
        Prayer is the corner stone of my life. That and the Word which I combine together with worship. I read the Word, pray the Word (how fun to pray God’s Word back to Him) and then I love to sing the Word.
        A group of teens in our church challenged my husband, the youth pastor, to meet them at church for prayer at 6:00 a.m. before they went to school. We met for over a year and a half, six days a week, for prayer at 6:00 a.m. I was going through a hard time and those prayer times changed me, my thoughts, my emotional chemistry, my idea of who I was in Him.
        I’m a great believer in the power of prayer!

Q:  Tell us about The Royal Wedding Series and your newest book that we're featuring today, Princess Ever After. What is the inspiration behind it?
 
        The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was the inspiration behind the series. Kate was so confident and poised I thought, “I have to write about this.”
        Princess Ever After, the second book in the series, is about an American girl who discovers she’s a long lost princess. I wanted to focus on commoners rising to royalty so I thought the “long lost princess” angle would be fun.
 
 
Q:  With so many of us fascinated by royalty - William and Kate, for example - how much fun was it to write these stories with a royal theme? And do you keep up with today's royals?
 
        I do keep up with the royals… but without being obsessed. I pray for them. They are positioned on the world stage to be great influencers. I pray they know the Great King and honor Him.
        I had to do a good bit of research, more than I thought I would, to get the tone of royalty right and figure out how to create my own royal family ruling a fictional country. I actually learned a lot. I enjoyed the research.
 
 
Q:  Tanner, Hessenberg's Minister of Culture, is described in the story as "existing but not living," and I suspect that's something to which many people can relate. How did change come about in Tanner's life and is this applicable to us?
 
Oh great question. Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out how he changes, but for me, the biggest catalyst for change in his life was the heroine, Regina. Her courage made him face his own fears and weaknesses. Love took over from there. J
 
 
Q:  The words of Tanner's dad, the archbishop, offer so much comfort: "We are nearest to him when we are in the wilderness." Is this something you have experienced personally, Rachel?
 
I’ve had my wilderness experiences, for sure, but we see that in scripture. Jesus was driven to the wilderness. John lived in the wilderness. The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. It’s in those dry times we either turn to Him and encounter His presence of become bitter. The choice is ours. But the wilderness can be a place of great change and encounter.
 
 
Q:  What is the most important message you hope readers will take away from Princess Ever After?
 
For me, the prevailing message is when we find out who we really are – beloved of God, kings and priests in His kingdom – we can’t really go back to our old ways, to being in control of our own lives. There’s always a level of dissatisfaction once we’ve met the One who loves us with His life.
 
 
Q:  What's on the book horizon for you?
 
I’m finishing up How To Catch A Prince, the third book in the series, which is Prince Stephen’s story.
 
 
Q:  How can we, as readers, support and encourage you, Rachel - both personally and as an author?
 
Oh how sweet! Thank you. I love letters from readers. Also, five star reviews. Ha! Seriously, good reviews mean so much to writers. Above all, pray for me. I’m writing because He’s called me and I want to honor Him, put Him first, in all I write and do.
 
 
Q:  Is there anything else you would like to share?
 
Stop by my Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/rachelhauck. Leave a message and I’ll respond. I appreciate you all.
 
And visit my web site to sign up for my newsletter: www.rachelhauck.com/blog.

Thanks for having me on your site!

____________________

Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to be with us today and hope you will come back. Readers, please consider leaving reviews when you enjoy a book because, as Rachel said, this means a lot to authors. But most importantly, pray for Rachel as she follows her calling and writes the stories God puts on her heart.
 

GIVEAWAY

 
To enter the drawing for Princess Ever After, simply leave a question or comment about Rachel's books or something you found interesting in this interview, along with your e-mail address in a safe format. If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook.
 
And I'm always glad to have new followers on my blog and "likes" on my Facebook page, The Power of Words Book Reviews.
 
The fine print:
 

• E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
• Contest ends at midnight on Sunday, May 25. No purchase necessary.
• Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail on Monday, May 26. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.
• Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older