Interview And Giveaway

(Taken from Barbara J. Shelton's blog 

http://barbjan10.wordpress.com/ )

FIRST GIVEAWAY ON BLESSED BY GRACE

Oct8

INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY FOR

MARY L. BALL’S

“ESCAPE TO BIG FORK LAKE”

(Beginning now through Midnight October 16, 2012)

MARY L. BALL

I’m very excited to interview Mary L. Ball- Mary weaves a tale of suspense, love, and second-chances that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Mary L. Ball lives in Randleman, North Carolina. Her passion is weaving together inspirational romantic suspense and mysteries. Her books encourage you to see the magic of love, hope and a divine guidance. When she’s not writing she enjoys family, fishing and singing Gospel music with her husband.

How do you get inspired to write?

I enjoy sharing my faith through writing, but I don’t believe in “preaching.” It’s up to each of us to find that special place in life that defines who we are. For me, it’s important to show people that everybody has to face trials, no matter who they are. I don’t rely on religion to define my novels. I depend on God’s word. Religion often has traditions. Church customs aren’t always based on God’s word and can draw people away from the real meaning of grace that Jesus Christ has for us.

Your novel has been labeled as “Inspired Romance.” Can you tell us what kind of inspiration we can expect in your book? My inspirational fiction is my way of challenging readers to find something in my novels that sparks a question that may plague their lives.

 Your novel “Escape to Big Fork Lake” has a murder plot.  Murder seems like an unusual conflict in a Christian romance. What inspired you to use it?

The fact that it is different, those situations draw me in.  Just because someone is a Christian doesn’t make them untouchable to life’s problems.

Tell us a bit about your novel.

“Escape to Big Fork Lake”

Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?

Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her. When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl at heart, is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice. Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye. A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem. As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found? And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?

Where can the readers find you on-line?

My website is http://MaryLouwrites.weebly.com

I also write a Christian Article on Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/christian-living-in-greensboro/mary-lou-ball

Be sure to check out “Escape to Big Fork Lake,” available as paperback and e-book from many on-line stores, including, Amazon, B&N, and Prism Book Group.com. Also the paperback is sold locally at Faith Book Nook and Daniel’s Read- A-Lot in Asheboro, NC

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

Writing is a growing process. I learned to take the criticism and rejections as a chance to better my skills. No determined author has time to wallow in negative responses-you simply rewrite and go on. If a writer truly wants to become an author they can’t give up. Don’t let others trample on your dreams. Life is what we make of it, not what people tell us it should be.

 Do you have a video you want to share with the readers?

 Certainly, it’s on you tube and several other sites. The link to “Escape” is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y42b7wBUdHI&feature=related

Mary is there any other books on the horizon?

Yes, I’ve just completed “The Ring of Fate” of course the releasing title is up to the publisher. Here’s a little about the book.

“The Ring of Fate”

There are those who’ve been blessed over the centuries because of a tiny gold band, a mysterious object that will transform lives-sometimes forever.

Taylor has given up on everything but her work. After becoming the youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, she believes life is complete.  That is until her grandmother asks her to oversee renovations at the family home, in addition to searching for a missing heirloom.

First contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Feelings surface; she doesn’t understand; mere thoughts that should remain unspoken, are voiced.

Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself-forcing her to question everything she believes.

Is this a fairy-tale or just her soul reaching out for a different world, a life she can only find through faith and a divine trust in God?

Thank you Mary.  I enjoyed reading “Escape to Big Fork Lake” very much.  I wrote a review which you can read on the home page of Blessed by Grace.  I am anxious to know when “The Ring of Fate” will be published and am looking forward to reading it.  It sounds like a very emotional story with some bents toward spiritual awakening and mysticism in that realm.  Very different, and I congratulate you for taking that difficult challenge in writing.

Mary, I’m personally grateful to you for allowing me to review your finely written novel.  Hopefully, we will be doing the same for “The Ring of Fate” soon.

Reader friends, please give this giveaway a good start by leaving a comment on Mary’s book, as well as your email address where you can be contacted.  The winner will be chosen at random from the comments posted.  The winner can select paperback or e-book.  Please pass the news along about our first giveaway and draw others to be Blessed by Grace.  

(Beginning now through Midnight October 16, 2012)