K Dawn Byrd – Romantic Fictional Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Inspirational author, K Dawn Byrd shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest Biblical fiction release, Amazing Love. Comment on this post to get your name in the drawing for a free download. Deadline: Nov 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Dawn:

• What would you like readers to take away from your book?

Amazing Love is the modern-day version of the Hosea and Gomer story from the Bible. I’d like for readers to take away that God loves us with an unconditional love. My heroine, Dee, does some pretty terrible things and believes that God could never forgive her, but He does.

• Why did you choose to write this book?

A couple of years ago, I was reading the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible and the thought came to mind that it would be fun to retell the story in a modern setting.

• What did you learn while writing this book?

I learned that even though the Bible gives us stories about individuals who lived in Bible times, it’s vague at times about specifics. This gives a fiction writer a lot of leeway to let their imaginations run wild.

• What is the toughest test you’ve faced as a writer?

Finding time to write. I work a full-time job and also a lot of weekends, which means that I have to be really devoted to my writing time. I set aside at least an hour every night, six days a week if possible. The fact that I start with a well-developed plot makes things move faster.

• What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a thriller about a serial killer. It’s a difficult story because there are several twists and turns and I have to be careful how I write it for everything to fall into place correctly.

• What’s next for you?

I have three releases in 2012, all young adult. Something Beautiful in January. The Hot Line Girl in June. Luck of the Draw in November.

• What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?

Probably still riding a Harley. I sold my bike in order to have more time to write. On weekends, I’d rather curl up with my laptop and the story in my head.

• Tell us a little more about yourself , with three things not many people know about you.

a)       I have a masters degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.
b)       I’m an animal lover. I own two hairless Chinese Crested dogs, an African Gray parrot, three ferrets, and several aquariums in my home.
c)       I love sour foods. I’d rather have olives, pickles, or dilly beans than something sweet sometimes.

• What do you do for fun when not writing?

When not writing, I love to read. Romantic suspense or young adult novels are favorites.

• Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it.

My latest release, Amazing Love, is the modern story of Hosea and Gomer. It was a tough story to write because my heroine suffers severe consequences for her sins, but it was necessary to portray how low we can go and how much God still loves us through it all. I hope readers will take away the fact that no matter what we do, God loves us with an unconditional love and is ready to accept us back into His loving arms.

• If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

I’m not sure which animal I would be, but my step-daughter was recently joking and said that if she believed in reincarnation,  she’d want to come back as one of my ferrets because I take such good care of them. That was the ultimate compliment!

• What is your personal definition of success?

My personal definition of success has nothing to do with money. To me, a successful person is one who is happy and enjoys life.
About Dawn: K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband’s Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, “For the simple joy of placing words on the page!”
About the book – Amazing Love: Gabe Knight, a pastor in a small coastal town, finds his life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she’s inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she’s the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state. 
Gabe falls in love with her, but can’t believe he’s hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him. 
Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.
Purchase Amazing Love: http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Love-ebook/dp/B009W5PQJO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351118355&sr=8-2&keywords=byrd+amazing+love
Come back Nov 12th for Shawna K Williams!