Tell us a bit about yourself.
"I'm a wife, mother, novelist, part-time editor, and occasional worship dancer."
What aspects of Mountains, Madness, and Miracles drew you?
"I had heard great things about Lauralee as a romance author, so that certainly helped grab my attention. And I met her in person at a writers conference and really liked her as an individual. As for the book itself, I love nature, and I love stories of triumph, so it drew me in immediately."
Why made you decide Mountains, Madness and Miracles would make a good fit for WhiteFire Publishing?
"At the time we were just launching our nonfiction line. We didn't want to do the same old same old that everyone else was publishing. Our goal was to gear toward narrative nonfiction with an artistic touch, and we wanted books with a strong spiritual message. We also love books that show God moving in supernatural ways in people's lives. Of course, a book called Mountains, Madness, and Miracles was a perfect fit".
What is your favorite part of the book?
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| WhiteFire Publishing made the book a reality |
"Wow, it's been a while since I read it. But I loved the hiking stories. I loved imagining myself in those scenarios, and I love how Lauralee linked the chapters to spiritual truths. As I read the book, I kept thinking about it and talking to people about it. That's when you know a book is really good. As for one thing that stood out above the rest, you know, it meant a lot to me to see how she and her husband and son would often separate during the day and meet up again at night. The blend of unity and individuality spoke so much to me about how I want my family to function. I also feel that although Lauralee is in many ways a traditional wife and mother, her experience is very empowering to women. It truly illustrates that we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength. We need more books like this in Christian publishing."
Have you ever been hiking? Where is your favorite place to hike and why? (If you don’t hike - What places do you like to visit and why?)
"Yes, I love to hike! My family lives near the beach, so vacation for us means retreating to the mountains. My kids are all old enough to take long hikes now, and the more adventurous the better. Last spring we did a pretty intense hike at Old Rag in the Shenandoah Mountains. It involved a good bit of climbing through the cracks and crevices of big boulders, which was fun. The downhill part kind of kills my knees though. It amazes me that Lauralee can handle so much. We've never done any overnight hiking that involves camping. My writing sidekick, Gina Welborn, and I have toyed with the idea of taking a several week hike through New England, but I'm not sure if that will ever really happen."
What is a dream you would one day like to see fulfilled?
"I'm living many of my dreams. I have a lovely home and family. I have several published books. I have gotten to enjoy all sorts of artistic expression including dance and theater. And I've done a good bit of world traveling. These were all dreams when I was younger. I guess the remaining dream is to start really making a living with my writing and editing. Having gone straight from grad school to motherhood, I've never earned any substantial income, and I think it's high time. I would use the money to let the kids go to the colleges of their choice. Beyond that I want to have a peaceful, creative, ministry oriented life, spending a lot of time in nature, and hopefully enjoying plenty of grandkids someday."
Describe yourself on one word.
"Creative"
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Thanks for having me on today, Lauralee. I'm so thankful to have been a part of this journey.
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