Monday, June 16, 2014

Author Spotlight + GIVEAWAY: Lynne Gentry


I am thrilled to have debut author Lynne Gentry with us this week! Just to show you how talented she is, the type of book she writes - time travel with an ancient Rome setting - isn't something I would normally choose to read. In fact, I can't remember how I connected with Healer of Carthage in the first place - but I loved it because it's much more than time travel, and its relevancy for us today scares me just a bit. And Lynne is graciously sharing a copy of this book with one of you (details at the bottom of this post). Please take time to check out my review of Healer of Carthage here.

Lynne is passionate about ministry, and can have you laughing with her delightful sense of humor while she drives home spiritual truths. I could say a lot more, but let's get right to Lynne's interview . . .


Q:  Lynne, start by briefly telling us a little about yourself. Family? Is writing full time for you?

        Carole, I’m thrilled to visit with you and your readers. You do such a fantastic job of promoting good stories. Thanks for all you do for Christian fiction and for expanding the Kingdom of God.
        I’ve spent the past thirty years in full time ministry and raising two of the best kids in the world. When the oldest left for college, I took up writing to fill in the hole. Now I spend my days kissing on my grandbabies or pounding out stories on my computer I hope they’ll read one day.


Q:  Underneath one of the photos on your website is the description "stage professional." Tell us more about that!

I’ve been a performer since I was old enough to jab a stick into the ground and pretend it was my microphone. Over the years, I’ve spent hours on the stage and behind the stage as a writer/director. But one of my favorite things to do is to teach stage presence and professional audition acting to young adults. Many of my students have successfully auditioned for Broadway, Disney, Hollywood, American Idol, TV shows and commercials, as well as major college theater programs and scholarships. Nothing thrills me more than to dig beneath the surface of a child’s insecurities and help them discover their hidden talents. Once a young person has a solid belief in their worth, giving them the mental and physical tools to polish their talents is easy.


Q:  What are three things that hardly anyone knows about you?

If I tell, then everyone will know…

1) I can milk a cow.
2) Football great Joe Namath kissed my hand.
3) When I turned fifteen I got a job selling Massey Ferguson tractors to dusty wheat farmers and their burly sons.


Q:  Tell us a little about The Carthage Chronicles series, and also about the book we are featuring today, Healer of Carthage.

        Loosely based on actual events in life of the early church, The Carthage Chronicles tell the story of a twenty-first century doctor dropped into a third-century plague where she meets the dashing bishop of Carthage, Cyprianus Thascius.
        In Healer of Carthage, the first book in the series, we meet the high-spirited and terrified young medical intern, Dr. Lisbeth Hastings. Raised by her father, Lisbeth has always felt she was responsible for her mother’s disappearance at the mysterious Cave of the Swimmers. A tragic event alters Lisbeth’s medical career and she defaults to answering her father’s summons to return to the last place on earth she ever wanted to see again. An accident at the cave sends her tumbling through the portal that will forever change her life…and…well, you’ll just have to buy the book to find out what happens when she wakes up on a Roman slave block.


Q:  Describe Healer of Carthage in five words.

High Stakes. Wild adventure. Romantic.


Q:  Why time travel? And why Rome?

        Ten years ago, I started out writing musical theater because I couldn’t find a Christmas program that I liked. In the process of researching the story of the birth of Christ, I discovered how the politics of the day shaped Jesus’ time on earth. The Roman way of life fascinated me. My first novel was about first century Rome. Even though that story will probably never see the light of day, I felt blessed by the research. So when I heard about a third-century plague that nearly toppled the Roman Empire, I knew I had to investigate it further. That’s when I discovered the stunning truth that Christian persecution rose to an all-time high in this century. Even more astounding: a fractured little band of Christians joined hands, cared for those persecuting them, and in the process of loving their enemies they changed history.
        Time travel seemed an excellent tool to explore the parallels between these two worlds.


Q:  One of my favorite lines expressing Lisbeth's thoughts during a day at the games in Carthage gives me chills:  "Deaf ears. Blind eyes. . . . Good people doing nothing. The fall of every civilization playing out before her very eyes." What does this mean to you?

Whenever I re-read those words I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe the day is coming when believers will once again find themselves backed against the wall. We will have a choice to make: put aside our petty differences and join hands, or turn our backs on each other and meet our doom.


Q:  A friend who doesn't care for time travel stories is looking for a good book to read. What would you say in order to convince him/her to give Healer of Carthage a chance?

This story is more than a time travel adventure. Healer of Carthage is the story of one woman’s desperate journey to save the future by changing the past. If that doesn’t sway your friend, have her watch this video and I’ll bet she’ll be hooked.

Healer of Carthage trailer

Q:  For a debut author, I'm always eager to ask how it feels to hold that first book in your hands. Was the road to publication fairly easy or difficult?

When the box of Advanced Reader Copies arrived on my doorstep I tore into it, pulled out a book, and cried. These bound pages represented the culmination of a lifetime of preparation by the Lord. Unlike a lot of my writer friends, I never dreamed of writing a book, but I have always been a storyteller. After my first play garnered rave reviews, a writer friend encouraged me to try my hand at writing a novel. The process of moving from stage to the page took ten long, hard years. But I can say without a doubt I have seen God’s hand every step of the way. He placed people in my path that helped me with the craft and with the business of writing. A word of warning … the writing journey is not for the faint of heart.


Q:  What's on the book horizon for you, Lynne?

The Carthage Chronicles is a six-book series. Three full-length novels plus three eshorts. I’ve finished the second eshort (release November, 2014) and second book (release January, 2015). I’m currently writing Book #3 and have tears just thinking about leaving all of these wonderful characters behind.


Q:  As readers, how can we support and encourage you, both personally and as an author?

        Such a great question, Carole. Writing is a solitary sport and can be extremely lonely for an extrovert like me. I love it when readers take the time to write a review or send an email. I can work for days on the knowledge that the words I write matter. Here’s a sample of an email I cherish: "Holy WOW! When I finished Healer of Carthage I was breathless, speechless, in LOVE, and bawling my eyes out! I had just about every kind of emotion running through my mind and I wanted more." I re-read that email every day!
        So what can readers do to support Christian authors? First of all, continue to buy Christian books. Secondly, take the time to find the author on Facebook or their website and shoot them a quick email. And most important of all, pray for us.


Q:  Is there anything else you would like to share?

I think there comes a time in everyone’s life when they regret a choice. I know I have several regrets. But in writing this series I learned an important truth. My failures are as much a part of me as my successes. Pull even one of those threads and I would be a different person. Would I be better or worse? I don’t know, but I’d be different. Here’s the deal: there’s a great peace in knowing that God can use me just like I am. And if he can use a broken pot like me, then he can certainly use you. Be encouraged fellow travelers.

Lynne, I hope everyone has enjoyed you as much as I have, and let me just say that you're always welcome here! May God continue to bless your family, ministry, and writing.

Lynne can be found on lynnegentry.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Healer of Carthage, simply leave a meaningful comment based on the interview or a question for Lynne, along with your e-mail address in a safe format ("I'd like to read this book" does not qualify!) If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook.

Please "like" my Facebook page, The Power of Words Book Reviews, if you haven't already. And new followers of this blog are always welcome!

  • E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
  • Contest ends at midnight on Sunday, June 22. No purchase necessary.
  • Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail on Monday, June 23. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.
  • Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older

60 comments:

  1. Carole, I read your review of this book and it sounds very intriguing!
    Lynne, I wonder if you have any medical background? It doesn't sound like it from the interview. If not what/who did you use as reference for the medical parts of the book?

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Great question, Patty! I thought Lynne did a great job with historical detail and wondered the same thing myself.

      Your comment came through twice, so I deleted the duplicate one. The Blogger program must be acting up again! It's always good to see you here, Patty.

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  2. Your review was wonderful Im very encouraged about your book
    Also always remember You are a valuable Child of God Go for it Keep Writing
    Keep on Keeping ON
    Chris
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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    1. You're a great encourager, Chris! Thanks for dropping by and best wishes in the contest.

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  3. Patty, thanks for taking the time to read more about Healer of Carthage. Blood makes me nauseated. But lucky for me, my daughter is a doctor and a fantastic source for medical information. Any malpractice in the book is strictly my own. I hope you will check out this story, Patty.

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    1. Lynne, I'm sure I read about your daughter somewhere, but I had forgotten that she was a doctor. How great to have such a resource in your family!

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  4. I really enjoyed the interview! I keep thinking about the quote you shared. My thoughts haven't quite lined up yet, but my first thought is, "I don't want to be one of those people who does nothing." I don't want to be one of the people described there, who turns a blind eye to what goes on around me and does nothing to stop the injustice . . . . I'll let you know when the rest of them gel enough to make sense.
    I would very much like to read this book. I've read a few books involving time travel and really enjoyed them, though none that have gone back that far. It sounds very intriguing and I'm fascinated by Roman history. :)
    Thanks for a chance to win!
    ~Sarah
    bookluver1492[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Sarah, I believe you will enjoy Healer of Carthage and find it very thought provoking. And thank you for sharing your thoughts. That's one of the parts that I thought was so applicable to us today. Glad you stopped by today!

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    2. Sarah, I'm so encouraged when I hear voices like yours cry out for justice. A few good men and women CAN make a difference. Let me know what you think after you read the book.

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    3. Lynne, have you ever heard Matthew West's song "Do Something"? It started playing in my mind when I was thinking about the quote. :)
      I will definitely let you know what I think - it is okay for me to contact you through your author page on Facebook?
      ~Sarah

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    4. Sarah, I'll check out the song. Absolutely, contact me at Author Lynne Gentry on Facebook or via my website: www.lynnegentry.com

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  5. What a wonderful interview with Lynne Gentry! I am fascinated with the idea of the present day Dr. Hastings time-traveling through a cave to a slave block in 3rd century Rome. I have never thought of a band of believers who God enabled to care for those who persecuted their fellow believers. I am looking forward to reading how Dr. Hastings becomes a part of this group of healers and impacted history.

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    1. Roxanna, that's something I hadn't really thought about either. They were certainly reflecting Christ to their world. Thank you so much for visiting today. If you see this, please come back and leave your e-mail address.

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    2. Roxanna, when I first learned about these 3rd century believers and how their simple acts of love changed history, I was shocked. I'd love for you to read this and let me know what you think.

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  6. I've already read this book, and it's on my favorites list. It's more than a time travel, but it's also a very good time travel, and that's what first caught my eye. So excited about the rest of the series! :)
    This copy, if I won, would be for my Aunt. Faith at mickeydogATmyfairpointDOTnet
    Thank you so much for this chance!!

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    1. You and I think alike, Faith. I'm so glad to see you and hope your aunt gets a copy!

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    2. Faith, your words are water to my soul. I'm so glad the story is one you want to pass on. Blessings.

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  7. I love time travel and Ancient Rome as well, Lynne!

    gwen(dot)gage(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for dropping by, Gwendolyn!

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    2. Gwen, would love for you to get a chance to read this.

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  8. Thank you for this beautiful reminder: "Here’s the deal: there’s a great peace in knowing that God can use me just like I am. And if he can use a broken pot like me, then he can certainly use you." I'm taking a little break at my desk, and this nearly brought tears to my eyes!

    Healer of Carthage has been on my to-read list since i knew of it! I adore "time-slip" stories and am happy to see this being used in Christian fiction!

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Isn't that a beautiful thought, Beth? I find Lynne's words comforting and motivational at the same time. So good to see you here!

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    2. Beth, your comment brought me to tears. Satan would have us believe we are damaged beyond redemption. It's a LIE sweet friend. Hope you get a chance to read HEALER OF CARTHAGE.

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  9. I loved Healer of Carthage, and I agree completely with Lynne's five word description--"High stages, wild adventure, romantic."

    Ooooooh, the creative genius, passion, and compassion that must've been behind this story.

    Magnificent!

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    1. Those words certainly describe Healer of Carthage well, Julie. Did you want to enter the contest? I wasn't sure because you didn't leave your e-mail. Thanks for coming by and commenting!

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    2. Thanks for the wonderful shout out, Julie. Fans like you are a treasure.

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  10. I already have this book... so don't enter me :) I absolutely loved it!!! However there was one downfall.... I reached the end of the book and now have to wait for book 2!!! :) Can't wait!!!!

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    1. Before I started book reviewing, Lisa, I had a rule that I wouldn't start a series until all the books had been released. So much for that now! I can't imagine where Lynne will take us in the next book, but I'm eager to go. Thanks for leaving a comment, Lisa.

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    2. This makes me smile, Lisa. Guess you girls will just have to buy book #2! :)

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  11. Our church library readers love Biblical Fiction. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. May your library continue to grow, Janet! Thanks for visiting today.

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    2. A story is always better when it is shared, Janet. Grateful for the opportunity to get this story of courage and love into many hands.

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  12. Yes, I agree, everyone finds a time where they have regrets over a choice. This book sounds good. Sonja dot Nishimoto at gmail dot com

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    1. Live long enough and you will have something to regret. The trick is letting that regret shape you for the better rather than sink you. I confess I can be my own worst enemy. Blessings.

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  13. Thank you for sharing this lovely interview, Carole! I enjoyed getting to know Lynne and look forward to reading HEALER OF CARTHAGE!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. I'd love to hear what you think of the story, Britney.

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  14. I enjoy books that take me to Biblical times. It's so easy to read the Bible and not really personalize the people. I hope you have many more great books to share Lynne!

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    1. Diane, my love for biblical fiction goes all the way back to The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. I thought Lynne did a great job bringing ancient Rome to life. Thanks for visiting today!

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  15. Thanks, Diane. Yes, this series will have 3 books when it is finished. Hope you'll check it out. I agree, knowing the politics and the lifestyles of that age puts the Bible in a whole new light.

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  16. LOVE your review, Carole. :)

    Time travel is a format I used to read quite often but I haven't read one in several years. Will the next book in this series be time travel as well?

    Thank you for this wonderful interview and giveaway!

    Wanda Barefoot
    flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Wanda! I had never actually read a time travel book, so I wasn't sure what I would think of Lynne's, but it was just like being in Rome. I'm excited to see how this series develops. Thanks for being here, Wanda!

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  17. This story sounds wonderful. I love Christian books plus I like history romance and time travel so all great things I like in one book. Look forward to reading it.
    Blessings
    Diana
    joeym11@frontier.com

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    1. Diana, it's good to see you here and I hope you'll come back. You should certainly enjoy Lynne's book. Makes me wonder if there are other time travel books in Christian fiction.

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  18. Lynne, before I read your interview, I was intrigued and now I'm hooked! Your passion for your stories truly shines through, and I wish you blessings on your writing journey.

    writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Well said, Anna! I couldn't agree more. Thank you for visiting today and please come back.

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  19. Wanda, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the next two books in the Carthage Chronicles series continues with a time travel theme.

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  20. Anna, I'm excited for you to read it. Thanks for the huge encouragement. You sound like a woman intent on making a difference.

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  21. Diana, I'm glad to know there are time travel readers out there! Your encouragement keeps me going.

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  22. Carole, thank you for your wonderful, enlightening review and for hosting this interview and giveaway! I placed "Healer of Carthage" on my to-read list a while back and, since it joined hundreds of others on that never-ending list, I more or less forgot about it. Now I know that I need to make time for it soon! I have some medical background and studied Latin in college, and I love Christian fiction, so this book sounds right up my alley! :)

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    1. I certainly know what you mean about that never-ending TBR list, Sarah! It really does take something special to make a book stand out and for me to want to read it. I had two years of Latin in high school and loved it. I hope you get to read Lynne's book soon, Sarah. So glad you visited us!

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    2. Oh, and I almost forgot... litteraegaudium(at)aol(dot)com

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    3. Sarah, this book sounds exactly right for you. Just remember, any malpractice is strictly my own! :) Let me know what you think.

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  23. Thanks you both for the amazing interview and review.
    I have a question for Lynne.What made you want to add eshorts to the series and how long will each be?Will you be releasing the eshorts in book format or will they only ever be eshorts?also
    If you write another series about time travel where would you set it?
    This book looks like something I would love to read and plan too.
    betta_grl{at}hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Great questions, Betta! We're certainly seeing some changes in the publishing industry. Thank you for your comment and questions.

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    2. Reading rebel, thanks for the questions. My publisher came up with the idea of eshorts. They are only 10,000 words long. No they will never be in paper that I know of. Another time period???? Hmmm...I love WWII and the Great Depression. Hope you get a chance to read Healer of Carthage.

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  24. Thanks for the interview, Lynne and Carole!!

    I love biblical fiction and through it - the opportunity to learn more about the bible in such an entertaining format. While I'm not usually a fan of books on time travel, the interview and trailer on "Healer of Carthage" has truly piqued my interest and I would love to read it!! Such an unusual and exciting story line!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!!

    Lynne, your comments re: selling tractors and milking cows lead me to question whether you were born on a farm ?? - as was I. And I so relate to blood making you nauseous (I've been known to pass out at the sight), it would have been hard for me to write a novel requiring medical knowledge - even if I had a daughter who is a doctor (LOL)!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
    I have liked Lynne's Facebook page and shared this post.

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    1. Bonnie, yes I did grow up on a Kansas dairy farm so I'm always excited to meet another farm girl. You understand hard work. I love biblical fiction too. The book, TWO FROM GALILEE changed my life. It helped the people in the scriptures come to life.

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  25. I like the comment about how sometimes you don't always make the right decisions but then something else happens that might have been better for you than if you made the right decision in the first place! Sometimes, we just don't know but God does! a_stonecipher@yahoo.com

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  26. I think of all the surprising ways my bad decisions have worked for good and the only explanation I have is that nothing is impossible with God. Blessings.

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  27. Congratulations Janet E! You are the winner of Lynne's book. We appreciate your participation and hope you enjoy Healer of Carthage.

    Thanks also to everyone who visited this week and met Lynne. I eagerly await the next book in this series! It was indeed a pleasure to host you this week, Lynne, and I hope you will come back.

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