Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel, The Other Side of Darkness (Pelican Book Group), LINDA WOOD RONDEAU writes blended contemporary fiction that speaks to the heart and offers hope to those with damaged lives. After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida. A Christmas Prayer (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas), (aka A Father’s Prayer) was a finalist for both the 2014 Selah and Carol Awards and joins It Really IS a Wonderful Life in LPCH’s lineup.
The author’s latest book, Fiddler’s Fling was released in November 2015 by Elk Lake Publishing. Watch for her upcoming release, Red Sky Promise.
Rondeau is well known for her vivid settings and characterizations.
When not writing, the author enjoys golfing, hiking, and spending time with her best friend in life, her husband of nearly forty years.
Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com where they’ll find her blog, Snark and Sensibility. Email her at [email protected] or find her on Facebook, Twitter, PInterest, Google Plus and Goodreads.
I was privileged to read and review Fiddler's Fling a few months ago, and it earned five stars! You can read my Amazon review here; http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1YMP20MMYQUE/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1942513690
Question and answer time, Linda!
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THIS STORY?
As a social worker in my previous life before my writing addiction took full root, I saw the tragedy of families torn asunder. Most of the time, these troubles were the result of an inability to communicate with one another/and or failing to surrender the rift to the Lord.
While this book is essentially a romance with suspense elements, it is also a story of forgiveness as Jolene works through the chasm that has separated her from the father she loves.
I previously lived in the Adirondacks, so the setting is one of my favorite places in the world. I wanted to develop a story to demonstrate that abortion is not the unpardonable sin. Abortion claims two victims: that of the fetus and the heart of the mother.
The church is quick to condemn but slow to offer healing to the the other victim.
WHAT IS THE TAKE AWAY MESSAGE?
That God is already at work in shaping our tomorrows. When we surrender our mistakes and poor choices to HIm, He turns our worst past into our best future.
WRITING ROUTINE
Is there such a thing? I have spent my whole life trying to find a consistent rhythm to this thing called life. My husband and I are retired, but even though our children are away from home, we have discovered that one day is never like the previous day.
But I do have rituals, though they may not be molded to the whim of the clock.
When I rise, if the coffee is not already brewed, I start it. Coffee first, brain power second. Depending on the hour of the day, I prefer to have my personal devotion time before hubs wakes up.
I check my email and my social media while I'm drinking coffee and still trying to wake up. Then I shower and dress. I like to get a couple of hours of writing time in before lunch. I'm fortunate that my husband has taken over the cooking.
We watch a show or two then I head back to my office and try to get a few more hours of writing tasks done. Sometimes editing, sometimes marketing, sometimes working on new material or preparing my Sunday school lesson for my Primetime Ladies.
After dinner, I catch up with email and social media and try to get another hour or two of writing things done.
I like to settle in for the night between 9 or 10. I find I'm far more productive the next day if I get a good night's sleep.
I use the word "try" because life refuses to follow an predictable pattern where I'm concerned.
The key to accomplishing my tasks, for me, is commitment. I make a list of my must do tasks on the first of the month. Sometimes I remember to look at it. But it helps me to prioritize my work each day.
RESEARCH HABITS
I would love to travel if our budget allowed. Like most writers, especially those published by small houses, I operate in the red. Mostly, I rely on personal interview, the library, and the Internet for my research. When it comes to sports, I know my husband will find the answer for me! Actually, he's a great research assistant. No we don't accept the first answer we find on the Internet. We triple check our facts.
WHAT IS MY NEXT WRITING PROJECT?
Currently I am working on a redo of a book that went out of print last year. Due to the craziness that is this industry and a long convoluted story, the Lord required that I take a number of books off the market. This broke my heart. I surrendered the loss to the Lord. "You gave me these words. They are yours to do as you please."
I was thrilled when a publisher and I were able to work out a solution to have one of these books revised and put back on the market. What a great time I'm having with revisiting this story. It is essentially a new book, but I've been able to keep the message intact.
I am also working on a new manuscript RED SKY PROMISE, contracted through Elk Publishing. The story deals with a young man's post traumatic distress involving childhood sexual abuse. It is also a love story and of course, is set in Northern New York!
COFFEE OR TEA
Primarily coffee
SNACKS: SWEET OR SALTY?
Both. I'm a creature of many moods, but I never go wrong with chocolate.
DREAM VACATION?
I have three. I want to go to the British Isles, Africa, and Israel.
NUMBER ONE ON MY BUCKET LIST?
Previously that would have been horseback riding. But two years ago, my husband arranged for us to experience an hour of horseback riding on the beach. What a great memory.
The next item is to go zip lining with my granddaughter. But to do that, I have to lose more weight. Working on it.
Zip-lining? Wow! You're much braver than I am. :)
Thank you, Linda. Now let's "meet" your book.
Engaged to a wealthy rising political star, a driven social worker returns to her small-town roots.
With her wedding to Robert Ashworth weeks away, Jolene Murdock receives a call from Dwight Etting, her estranged father’s junior partner and her former boyfriend. The business is crumbling and her father is dying.
Compelled to visit in spite of Robert’s objections, Jolene wonders if reconciliation is possible given her father’s hatred of all things Ashworth. And there was Dwight. How could she work side-by-side with him and not reveal her secret sin?
To complicate matters her father wants her to play a duet with him in the upcoming Essex County Fiddlers Fling; however, her fiddle was among the many things she left behind when she abandoned Brookside.
More than a romance.
Set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Fiddler's Fling depicts the struggle of the human spirit to find absolution in good deeds rather than accept the unconditional forgiveness God offers the repentant heart.
Ready to buy? Here's a link, because we love to make things easier for our readers! http://lindarondeau.com/viewproduct/4
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