Author Spotlight & Novel Giveaway: Author Johnnie Alexander

Welcome Dear Readers!! Today we have Author Johnnie Alexander with us! She'll be giving away an eBook copy of her debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, to one lucky person who leaves their comment & email below. 

Meet Johnnie!

Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016. A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.

Johnnie, thank you for being here with us today! And thank you for being so willing to give away a copy of your debut novel, Where Treasure Hides. Please, tell us about your latest novel, Where She Belongs, and any personal inspiration behind it.

Revell will release my newest novel, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), in January. I first wrote this story while participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) about ten years ago. Since then it has changed titles five or six times, the heroine’s name got changed once (after which she actually cooperated with the story), and the opening pages went through several transformations.

This is a story-of-my-heart novel inspired by a Civil War-era brick house I lived in as a teen. After my parents moved from there, the house sat empty and fell into disrepair for several years. My dream as a young adult was to buy the house, fix it up, and live there once again. That dream didn’t come true for me, but it comes true for the heroine of Where She Belongs. However, living in the house of her dreams doesn’t solve all her problems.

That's beautiful inspiration for a story. You've got our attention with a hook like that! Any other projects you're working on that will reel us in as well?

I’m working on Book #2 in the Misty Willow series tentatively titled Love’s Deeper Season. The not-so-evil antagonist of Where She Belongs steps into the role of hero in this story. It releases in September 2016. Then it’s on to Book #3, tentatively titled Before September Comes which releases in May 2017.

Your readers will be happy, and you'll be spending a lot of time at your computer! Do you have a favorite time of the day to get all this writing done? What about a favorite place?

These days I write at the kitchen table which allows me views of a gentle slope, budding trees, and clumps of daffodils from two tall windows. Mornings are often busy so usually write in the afternoon and into the evening if necessary.

Can I come over and write at your kitchen table!? Oh my goodness you have to post a picture of that view you described! Nowadays, I too write in the afternoons and evenings. Mornings are spent spending time in God's Word, and getting kids ready for the day. I have to say that when I miss my time in God's Word, I feel it for the rest of the day! I know you can relate. Could you share with us a favorite scripture?

I have to choose just one? (That’s so hard, she whined.)

My life verse is Colossians 3:1 and 2. But a verse that’s become more and more meaningful to me over the past couple of years is Psalm 31:8 which reads in part: “You have . . . set my feet in a spacious place” (NIV).

A similar passage is Psalm 18:19:  “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

God gave me Psalm 31:8 as a gift and a promise during my morning quiet time when I was at the 2008 Florida Christian Writers Conference. Nothing special happened for me at that conference, but I posted the verse on my bulletin board.

The thing about those kinds of promises is that it can take a long time before you know whether it’s a heartfelt hope or truly a promise. And yet a verse like this is so comforting because if nothing else it’s a promise that God is watching out for us, whatever happens.

When I dug out the manuscript which became Where She Belongs for the umpteenth time, I had no idea whether anyone would want it. In fact, I figured not since it’s a contemporary, and I was now contracted for my historical, Where Treasure Hides. (Genre-switching this early in one’s career isn’t exactly encouraged.) But I loved the story, and working on it was like a treat.

These two “spacious place” verses became important to my heroine as she accepts the truth that a spiritual legacy has more value than a material one.

Wow, Johnnie! I'm so glad I asked about your favorite scriptures. Thank you for sharing! Since you've shared something very heartfelt with us, would you mind sharing something a little silly? What is the quirkiest thing you’ve done? (My son and I like to speak in a British accent when we’re out in public. So much fun!)

It’s not really quirky, but in the past year I have learned to medicate an alpaca’s ear, worm the herd, and give subcutaneous injections. You never know what interesting tasks God is going to give you.

Okay, no, for real, that's quirky! I'm seriously laughing over this!! You made my day!

Onward! I'm an Army Wife, and I like to invite all my guests to step into the military world. Many Military families move several times over the course of their career relocating to duty stations all over the country and the world. While moving can be difficult, it’s also pretty exciting to meet new people and see new places. Sometimes we’re able to choose our duty station. If you had a choice, where would you like to be stationed and why?

My brother was stationed in Germany around twenty years ago, and he and his family were able to travel throughout Europe. I’d love to have that opportunity.

Out of the nearly 12 years my husband served in the Army we never got to go to Europe! What are the odds? Ha. :)

Tell us, are you a veteran or do you have someone in your family that served in the Military? Would you mind to tell us a little bit about your service or their service; it’s our way of honoring you/them.

Both my brother and my father served in the Army. My mom’s six older brothers fought during WWII and, thankfully, each one came home.

That's incredible! All six of them coming home is nothing short of a miracle! You have quite a heritage of service. A huge thanks to your family!!

 Our time together is coming to a close. I want to thank you again for joining us today. It's truly been a pleasure. Before we give this eBook away, is there anything you’d like to say to your readers? I know they’d love a personal note.

You are very important to me, and I appreciate your emails, Facebook friend requests, and notes. Thank you for your encouragement and support. God bless and best wishes.

There we have it folks! Give a round of applause for Johnnie Alexander!

Connect with Johnnie via the provided links below and pick up a your eCopy of Where She Belongs today! You can purchase this eBook at Amazon, ChristianBooks.com, and Barnes & Noble. The paperback will be available in August 2015. Leave a comment AND YOUR EMAIL below in the comments section, and YOU could win an eCopy of Johnnie's debut novel, Where Treasure Hides!

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