Interview and Giveaway: Joe McNamara of The Christmas Edition, written by Robin Shope

Today, it is my pleasure to share a unique interview with you. Donna (of Write by Faith) and I each chose a main character from Robin Shope's new book The Christmas Edition to interview. Donna interviewed Lucy Collins, one of the main characters, while I interviewed Joe McNamara, another main character.

Special thanks go out to Robin Shope, the author of The Christmas Edition, who graciously completed the interviews for us and is allowing us to giveaway one copy of her book (which I LOVE)! See below for the giveaway details.

Together, we are sharing our interviews with you today. To see Donna's interview with Lucy, visit (sorry, the link is broken and will be corrected when a new one is found).

To see my review of The Christmas Edition, click here.
To view my author interview with Robin Shope, click here.

Without further ado - we will now hear from Joe McNamara!


Who has had the biggest impact on shaping your life prior to Turtle Creek?

My parents had a tremendous impact on shaping my life. Being the only child of two professionals, I was given an excellent education at The Latin School of Chicago. However, my schooling went far beyond that. We went to concerts (symphonies), stage plays, museums, art galleries, and they hired private tutors so I could explore anything I was curious to learn. We also traveled extensively.

How do you like to unwind at the end of the day?

I begin and end my day by reading the Bible. It helps me put everything into perspective and centers me on Christ reminding me where my priorities are at.

What is your favorite book or author?

May I say the Bible again? Aside from that beautiful book of hope and salvation, I enjoy reading poetry –especially by Robert Frost. ‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.’ These simple, yet powerful lines, speak of my resolve to make my life really matter.

Book Specific:

We learn that you were an only child, and that your parents were both killed in a car accident while you were in college. Do you have an extended family that you stay in contact with?

There is no one. I wasn’t raised on family reunions and holiday traditions like Lucy. I think that is another reason why it was so easy to fall in love with her. She came in a package with wonderful, quirky relatives who opened their hearts to me and welcomed me home. I have never known such love from strangers or even knew it existed. Sometimes I have a hard time letting people in to my life, opening up. I watch Lucy. She has a gift for making people feel welcome.

Other than your experience with Hudson, where there other reasons you were looking for a change of pace in your career?

I needed to find myself again.

While visiting/living in Turtle Creek, you go through a major transformation with your faith. If you could have another conversation with the elderly man in the church, what would you talk about, and what would you say to him?

I am interested in learning his name. It was a one time chance meeting. Of course, I have never asked anyone about him but I have this feeling that when I am really searching again for a spiritual truth, he will be around to answer it.

Some people place a lot of value on traditions, especially around the holidays (Lucy’s family uses ornaments to enjoy prior year’s memories that are important to them) – do you have any traditions around the holidays that are especially important to you?

My family wasn’t much for traditions. They were focused on the here and now. If I make them sound like cold figures forgive me for they weren’t. I knew I as loved. And they always put me first.

Fast forward 10 years, what do you think your life will be like?

I hope I will have grown more fully into the knowledge of Christ. And I see four kids in our house, creating our own family traditions. By then I hope the paper will have grown a great deal along with the businesses in our small town.

Lastly, do you have any last thoughts or questions you would like to share with readers?

Allow love to be your guide and trust that. Never run from what God is asking of you. He will give you the strength and courage to do what needs to be done in your life. This world is so fleeting. Build His kingdom.


BOOK GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Robin Shope has generously offered to send one of my readers a copy of The Christmas Edition.

To be entered, please leave a comment here (Please include your email so I can contact you if you are the winner)! It is that simple!

For a bonus entry, leave a comment on my review and/or my interview with Robin!

A winner will be randomly drawn on December 21st, and will be notified via email.

This drawing is open to addresses within the United States.




This interview has been added to the About the Author Index! Click here to read more author interviews.

Author Interview: Robin Shope (The Christmas Edition)

I would like to start by thanking Ms. Robin Shope for agreeing to take the time to participate in this interview. Her latest book is The Christmas Edition, an inspirational romance / holiday book that begins the Turtle Creek Series! I absolutely loved the book (didn't stop reading once I'd started. . . until it was finished!). I am eagerly awaiting her next book in the series called The Valentine Edition.

If you haven't read my review of The Christmas Edition, click here.

What inspired you to write this book?

It was Christmastime one year ago. Thoughts of returning home for the holidays overwhelmed me. If only I could sleep in my bed once more, sit at the breakfast table and tease my little brother while Mom made pancakes and Dad sang songs. That was impossible with both my parents gone. There was only one way home and that was through my memory. I went there…to the lake now frozen still and the deep snow drifts filling the streets. I walked right into the lake house and felt the thrill at the sight of the Douglas fir standing tall with special ornaments all over it. Dad was struggling to untangle the lights as mother patiently watched. And the story began….I wrote it down.

Are any of the characters or places you wrote about significant to you?

Turtle Creek is what I renamed my hometown of Delavan, Wisconsin for the series. It conveys the feel of a small country area. Several of the characters are based on people who live there or once lived there. They are people whom I once loved and who, unbeknown to them, remain close to me in thought.

Can you personally relate to any of the characters or the things they faced/went through?

I related to Lucy when she was afraid of Joe never coming back to Turtle Creek because of her brother's rudeness. I had my own little brother who was rude. Older sister was pretty off putting too. Christmas filled me up with enough hope to carry me clear through to the next Christmas. Lucy was that way too. However, a few of my friends say I remind them more of Ulilla. For those of you who haven't yet read the book, I will leave it there for you to find out about her for yourself. I must admit, I am pretty partial to Ulilla.

Who was your favorite character to write?

Joe was lots of fun because he was mysterious. Lucy was fun to write because of her zeal for life. But I do think Ulilla was my favorite character. Although it was a small role, she always had something important to say and looked at people through rose colored glasses which served her well.

What was the most challenging part of writing the book? Were there any aspects of the book that you struggled with, ie. a particular scene, a character, an area of research?

Up to this book, I was a mystery writer. I struggled with romance and not because I didn’t enjoy writing it, because it was lots of fun. I worried that I wouldn’t have enough story to tell without a good murder…but then I decided to make Joe a mystery and that gave me a lot.

If your book was being discussed by a book club, or a few friends meeting over coffee or tea, what about the book do you think would drive the most discussion (particular character, event, theme)?

I think I would give each person one of the book's character to discuss. They would have to say why they liked or didn’t like that particular person. What effect did they have on the plot? Could they have said or done something differently that might have impacted the story making the outcome different?

Are you considering a sequel, if so, can you give us any peeks into the story-line? [Let me add here that I know you are writing a sequel, The Valentine Edition I think, can you give us any information on it?]

I am happy to give you the blurb.

Print ISBN 13: 9781601544841
Digital Release Date: 2009-02-06
Digital Price: 6.00
Print Release Date: 2009-02-06
Print Price: 12.99

Blurb: The last place in the world Jodi Williams wanted to live was Turtle Creek, Wisconsin, but when her stepdad refused to put in a good word for her at the Chicago paper, she had no other choice than to accept the first job offer that came her way. Josh Thomas was Turtle Creek's veterinarian, but he also happened to be single and quite handsome. His life was pretty peaceful until a pretty, young stranger came to his clinic with a dog that had been hit by a car. While his first reaction was to care for the injured animal, he couldn't help a few glances at this unique young woman. That day was one of quite a few new beginnings. Jodi came to the aid of an injured animal, earning her the respect of a handsome man, she started a new job as a reporter for The Turtle Creek Newspaper, and she gained the wrath of the vet's receptionist. Della had her sights set on Joshua, and she wasn’t about to let anyone come between her and the man of her dreams.

On your bookshelf: Is there a particular book or author that you find yourself returning to from time to time? If so, what keeps you coming back?

Children's books and books written for middle school. They are simple and written to the point with lots of heart and no nonsense.

While you are working on a book, do you find yourself entering the world you are writing about? If so, do you do anything in particular to prepare yourself for your writing?

I go 'away' for a while. Sometimes I feel like I should tell my family goodbye. "You will see me but I will be living in the fourth dimension kids, sorry!"
I get so immersed in the plot and in my characters that while I am on date night with my husband, I find myself drifting back to the place and people I created. Rick will ask "What are you thinking about?"

"Ohm, Ulilla needs to tell Joe something."

"Huh?"

While reading your book, we get to catch glimpses of Ulilla Langston (who for some reason formed in the image of Aunt Jemima in my mind), a very strong woman with a lot of character. I really enjoyed her. First of all, how do you say her name? (I’ve been saying U-LI-LA) Will she be a recurring character in your series?

Bravo! That is how you say her name…but she is no stock character. I created her as a pseudo-society woman of impeccable fashion, big hair and kind hearted through and through. Yes, she will be back in all the books. We need her wit and her wisdom. She's is at the stage in her life that she just says things as they are without having a personal agenda.

There are a few places in the book where Joe does a wonderful job of getting details from people: the story behind Lucy’s picture of the leaf, the interviews in the neighboring town with the older couple who had only been married for 5 years, but had known each other for so long, and the young woman who didn’t understand why she liked Christmas so much until Joe helped her dig deeper into her feelings. As a reader, some of those scenes were my favorites, they were very touching. What inspired you to give him the depth and ability to really talk with people like that?

Probably being a teacher helped. You can't take the first answer out of someone's mouth. It's too surface. Meaningless. You have to mine for gold. Make the person revisit the scene, the core truth and re-experience it. Then when the answer comes it's so spectacular that you stand in awe. Everyone is shaped by experiences. We need to draw on that when we express ourselves. If you ask the right questions in such a way, the moment bubbles to the surface. It's magical. We are filled with stories everyone wants to hear.

Joe’s editorial pieces were wonderful to read. They were almost lyrical in a way, with a depth of feeling and well-expressed and meaningful thoughts. Did you have to do anything differently as an author to write from Joe’s perspective?

I wanted him to write with heart…and that was what Lucy was looking for. Anything less and he wouldn’t get the job. So that meant Joe had to identify with a human need and make it both emotional and compassionate. I searched newspapers for human interest stories and found one of a landmark store that was closing its doors after fifty years in business. Bingo. I had my story. I approached it as a man on the street type editorial and it worked.

Joe’s relationship with God was an amazing feature of the book. When we as the reader meet Joe, we get to see how haunted he is, and we make many assumptions as to why he is haunted, which are cleared up at the end of the book wonderfully . . . I don’t think his transformation would have been as significant without his troubles. After reflection, the book to me was almost more about Joe’s relationship with God and faith. I guess this question will be a multi-part one. First, when you were planning this book, which came first – Joe’s story, or Lucy’s? Second, how much research did you have to do about the psychological impact that Hudson had on Joe? His dreams were amazingly vivid and kept me wondering!

The story began as Lucy's..lost love…a past that she was still wounded by. Then enters Joe…why would Lucy want to trust him? What about this character would make her fall in love when so many other men had failed to win her heart. I had to make him more than a nice guy. I decided to make Joe a mystery! I wanted his past to haunt him but I also wanted to keep him a good guy. I had to walk a fine line because this is a Christmas book filled with romance and hope …so I couldn't go too dark. it wouldn’t work if I did. Yep, Joe was so fun to write about. He was whom he was meant to be when he was with Lucy…but when he was left alone to his thoughts, then the haunting began. I am glad you thought his dreams were vivid. I kept rewriting it until I felt creeped out. But Joe's need to help Lucy transcended his own past and that made it possible to reach out and touch God. This was my first time writing from two points of view. I was a little nervous doing it but the story called for it.

In Chapter 15, when Joe meets the elderly man in the church (not the pastor) who helps him to find his faith and get to the root of his problems, who was the elderly man, and why didn’t you name him?

I purposefully didn't want the pastor to do this scene. I wanted someone neutral. Someone new. Someone you only saw that one time …the time of Joe's greatest stress, when he was falling apart. God uses all of us in his garden…some prepare the ground, some plant the seed, some water but its God who gives the increase. Some readers thought perhaps this unidentified man was an angel, or a deacon, or a custodian. I will let the reader decide.

The scenes surrounding the Cotton Candy House were magical. Especially Joe’s surprise for Lucy. What was your inspiration for this place? Is it based on a real house, or a real location?

It's based on a prayer. I would love to live in that house someday…I created it from my imagination. And! Last spring, after I finished with the last edits, I drove to a small town to go antiquing. At one end of the town square there was my house! It was for sale too. No, I didn’t buy the house. But I did tip toe up on the porch to sit on the bench swing for a while, smelling the roses that grew along the walkway. (No one was home so I peeked in the windows)

The Collins family had a wonderful tradition surrounding Christmas, and the significance of each person’s ornaments. What gave you the idea to include the ornaments in the story? They seemed to be a catalyst within the story more than once.

At Christmastime when my children were little, I would take them to a store to let them select special ornaments. They always picked something that was meaningful to them from the previous year. When we decorated the tree, we would talk about that remembrance. Now that my daughter has a home of her own, I gave her a box filled with her special ornaments that tells of her life. She now decorates her own tree with these and is about to have a baby of her own, starting her own family traditions.

Lastly, do you have any last thoughts or questions you would like to share with readers?

I hope that you will read The Christmas Edition and that you will discover a new favorite author in me as a result. Please email me when you read the book and give me your thoughts. It means a lot. I will answer you too. Promise!

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Again, I would like to say a huge thank you to Robin for agreeing to be interviewed! I had a great time chatting with her, and learning more about her book! (She has another stand-alone book being released in 2009: Wildcard)







If you would like to visit her website, click here.

This interview has been added to the About the Author Index! Click here to read more author interviews.

Review: The Christmas Edition by Robin Shope

Title: The Christmas Edition
Author: Robin Shope
Pages: 236
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (November 21, 2008)
Genre: Christian fiction / Romance
Edition: pdf e-book from the author ~ thanks Robin!!



Take a moment to stop by my author interview of Robin here.

Special Note: I seem to have hit the mother-lode of wonderful books lately - this one is not to be left out! Another new favorite!! My only regret is that I do not currently have it in hard copy - but alas, for now, the e-book version will have to suffice ~ maybe Santa will be extra nice this year! ;) (Anyone care to send an email to my husband suggesting this book as a stocking stuffer??)

Perfect for : Personal reading

In a nutshell: I'm speechless - I simply don't know where to start that wouldn't give you spoilers! I loved this book. Enough said. . . . just kidding. This modern story takes us to a small town in Wisconsin during December, to a family-owned newspaper that has been in business for generations. With the threat of a new newspaper coming to the area, higher costs and no real increase in subscriptions, the paper needs a miracle - or a great new editor. Joe walks into the paper as if on cue, and hope begins to stir. Will Joe's past get in the way of his success and his new-found friends? And will Joe find a faith to help him get past his troubles? Is Joe really the answer to Lucy's prayers? You will have to read this wonderful book to find out!

From the publisher:
Lucy Collins has given up on Christmas since the painful break-up with her fiance. Things only get worse when a large newspaper is about to come to town and threatens the livelihood of their family run business, The Turtle Creek Newspaper. At the staff Christmas party, she makes a wish and what seems like the answer to her prayer walks in the front door to apply for the editor position, which they are hoping will bring new life to the paper. Not only is Joe McNamara a genius when it comes to the written word, but he is also gifted with ideas about keeping the newspaper afloat. However, Joe has a secret of his own that he is keeping from Lucy. If she finds it out, then what looks like a promising relationship will unravel, but it's Christmas time, the season of rebirth and miracles. Will the spirit of celebration be enough to heal two hearts? Or will the reality of deception make this the worst Christmas of all?

First Paragraph:
December 1

The usual winter blizzard blew into southern Wisconsin.

Lucy Collins carefully maneuvered her car through the snow that grew deeper with every gust of wind. She parked directly in front of her family
owned business, The Turtle Creek Newspaper, just as her brother, Mike, was making his second pass at clearing away the snow from the drive with the snowblower.

My Review:
I sat down the other evening (after the rest of my family was asleep) expecting to get a good portion of this book read . . . little did I know that I would push through the night, into the wee hours of the morning in order to finish the book! I loved the book from start to finish. The story immediately caught my attention, and there was just enough mystery surrounding the two main characters to peak my interest until the end, when all becomes clear!

Characters: Lucy carries a burden of her own, while Joe is trying to come to terms with his past, and create a new and brighter future. Lucy's family and friends are wonderful, and I especially loved Ulilla and Abe, whose friendship blossoms through the book in a small way.

Story-Line: After a broken engagement, Lucy has continued to make the family's newspaper business her priority. After praying for a miracle in the form of a new editor, she thinks Joe is that miracle when he walks into the office practically on cue. As the story unfolds we find that all might not be as it first appears. . . but with God, all things are possible.

Readability: I found the book easy to read. I got engrossed in the book from the start and didn't realize how late it was getting - I simply wanted to keep reading.

Overall: This is a charming story, just in time for the holidays (it also includes a GREAT recipe for Hot Chocolate!). It has it all - a little tiny bit of mystery (wouldn't call it a mystery by any means) surrounding Lucy's broken engagement and Joe's past, a little romance, some good deeds, and a great ending!

About the Author: (from the publisher's site)
I have a double major in Special Education and English with a minor in Theater. In high school I worked summer stock at my older brother’s professional theater.

Presently, I hold five teaching certificates. I am the Special Education Coordinator for Denton County Juvenile Justice Alternative Program.
For our first two years of marriage, my husband and I traveled overseas as missionaries before pastoring a church for six years. Rick still goes overseas each year for a month of ministry. We have been married for over thirty years and have two grown children. We live near Dallas, Texas.To date, my literary works include approximately two hundred articles in magazines such as: Live, Lookout, Mennonite, Christian Reader, Decision, Breakthrough and Today’s Christian. Other short stories appear in the books: A Match Made in Heaven, Stories from the Heart, The Evolving Woman, and in the New York Times bestseller, In The Arms of Angels by Joan Wester-Anderson. Ann Spangler also used one of my stories in her book, Help! I can’t stop Laughing. Another two-dozen stories have been published in the Chicken Soup books. One story, Mom’s Last Laugh, was re-enacted for a PAX-TV program: It’s a Miracle. I co-authored a thriller, The Chase, for Revell and sold 14,000 copies. My second book, The Replacement, was released in June 2006. The Candidate was released July, 2007. The first book in The Turtle Creek Edition series, The Christmas Edition, is out now. The Valentine Edition, second book in the series will be out early 2009. Wildcard is a stand alone and the release date is May 2009.

Visit her at shoutlife.com/Robin_Shope and http://write2robinshope.blogspot.com/

If you have reviewed this book and would like me to add a link to your review, please leave me a comment!

See my author interview with Robin here.