1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm a princess daughter to the King of Kings! That - my relationship with Christ - is the best way to define who I am. I live in the small California mountain town of Tehachapi with my husband Johnny and a very spoiled Pomeranian named Boo. Most of my time is spent writing or doing writing-related activities.
2. Describe your book ‘Lexi's Heart (Hearts Haven)’ in 30 words or less.
A handsome Christian writer seeks a way into Lexi Carlisle's abused and fortressed heart, while Lexi yearns for a special moment with her mother. Her heart. His faith. Love Reborn.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Keeping it within the word limit for a novella! lol This one wanted to be longer, and I had to keep paring down the excess verbiage.
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
I grew up reading Grace Livingston Hill's books - ALL of them. She influenced me in many ways. Sometimes I'll read a passage of my own writing and think, "Oh, my. That's Grace talking!" :)
Other than that, though, my influences are surprising, considering the fact that I write Inspirational Romance. Stephen King's The Stand and Robert R. McCammon's Swan Song made the strongest impressions on me. Both are epic accounts of good vs. evil though, so perhaps those choices aren't so surprising, after all. :)
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
Sometimes I think I spend my whole life doing that. :) When I'm not writing, I'm marketing. I do it through various online venues - including Freado, of course. Facebook and Twitter, along with numerous other social networking sites. My own website and blog. I have bookmarks that I use instead of business cards, and I pass them out everywhere. They're included in the envelope when I pay a bill; I leave them along with my tip in restaurants; if I ride public transportation, bookmarks get left in the seats or in the pockets on the backs of the seats; I give them to hairdressers and grocery clerks, and offer them to ladies groups and writer's clubs. Anywhere I see an opportunity, I find a way to market myself and my books. I do occasionally place book cover ads, but not often.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
Marketing! lol Or reading. Or designing marketing products for other authors. Samples of my work are available at
www.deliadesigns.webs.com.
7. What are you working on next?
I'm working on the final chapters of two full-length novels that are due in December. When I send them off to the publisher, I'll begin writing a Christian Western. This is a new genre for me, but one I look forward to dipping my literary toes into. I'll also be co-writing a full-length novel with a friend, as well as another novella for the Heart's Haven collection. (Lexi's Heart is a Heart's Haven story, part of the Heart's Haven Holidays collection. The upcoming 4-book set is tentatively being called Heart's Haven Babies. My story will, as always, be one of four in the collection.) Last but not least, I'm writing a non-fiction book with the working title Rx for Writeritis.
