Author Spotlight on Lisa Jordan & Giveaway!

Christy here and I'm excited to introduce Debut Author Lisa Jordan to Faith today!  

In 2009, I was fortunate enough to final in the Contemporary Romance category of the Genesis contest with some super sweet ladies. Lisa was one of the gals who reached out with an email to us and encouraged us to pray for each other. I felt welcomed from the start. And then, meeting Lisa at ACFW in Denver was awesome. She's just as friendly and sweet in person! When I learned Lisa signed with an agent and soon after announced her first novel releasing with Love Inspired, I knew I wanted to help her spread the word!  

Now, with out further ado, here's Lisa Jordan!

Bio: Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories that feature both comes naturally to her. She has been writing contemporary Christian romance for more than a decade. Her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, will be released in November by Love Inspired. Her second novel, Lakeside Family, will be released in August 2012 by Love Inspired. Happily married for over twenty years, Lisa and her husband have two young adult sons. When she isn’t writing or caring for children in her in-home childcare business, Lisa enjoys family time, romantic comedies, good books, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. Connect with Lisa on Twitter, Like her on Facebook and sign up for her newsletter on her Website.

 

Lisa, Lakeside Reunion was the Genesis Runner up in 2009, can you share a little about your journey to publication? Did the Genesis contest help you in your path to publication?

The same year I finaled in the Genesis, I met with Tina James, editor for Love Inspired, who asked for the full manuscript. The next day, I met with Rachelle Gardner, agent with WordServe Literary, who also asked for the full manuscript, but asked me to send it to her first. I spent the next six months revising and polishing because I wanted to send my absolute very best work to Rachelle. I submitted it in March 2010, and a week later, I received an offer of representation from Rachelle. I knew she was the agent God had in mind for me because I have been following her for two years. Rachelle submitted my manuscript to Tina, but Melissa Endlich, the senior editor for the Love Inspired line ended up being the one who read it and offered a contract in January 2011.

The Genesis contest gave me great feedback—thank you judges. Also, I believe agents and editors notice when you final in contests because it shows you’re willing to invest in your writing, put your work out there for others to see, and you are striving to improve your craft.

What’s the best advice you received prior to publication?

My journey to publication has been a long one—spanning over a decade. I’ve received a lot of great advice. Writing is hard work, so be prepared to work hard. Don your alligator skin because rejection hurts. Put on your big girl pants and move past rejection. All great advice, but my best advice has been given to me by Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck of My Book Therapy. Susie taught me to ask about the lie my character believes about himself and his place in God’s world. Rachel taught me to ask “Why?” to get to my character’s core motivations. Characters need to have solid motivations for their actions and for them to come across as believable to their readers.

I understand you work full time and now your book is coming out! Congratulations!!! I’m sure you have a lot to manage. Any tips on how you keep everything in work – writing- family life balanced?

I have to admit it’s been a juggling act this year. I work full-time in my home as a childcare provider. That job doesn’t end when the last child goes home. I have lesson plans, assessments, prep for the next day, and keeping my house clean. During naptime, I do social media if all my Little Darlings are sound asleep. After dinner with my family, I write for a couple of hours, and then before bed, I try to do a little more social networking. My family is very supportive of my writing career and they help me out with house stuff so I have writing time. I’m going to be starting NaNoWriMo soon, so I will be changing my sleeping schedule to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier to write before my day begins.  

About the Book: Bed-and-breakfast owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to Shelby Lake. Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and Lindsey fled town. 

But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he’s still able to stir up Lindsey’s old feelings for him. Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust in God and take a risk for love—again.  

Read an excerpt of Lakeside Reunion

Oh, wow, this book sounds great! A classic romance! Lisa, thank you so much for being on FAITH today. 
Okay, everyone, Lisa is holding a scavenger hunt and lakeside photo contest to promote her Lakeside Reunion release. Fun!!!
Visit her Lakeside Reunion Contest page for more information. 
*Please note the Scavenger Hunt form has been updated to include more bloggers.

**The token for this blog is a cinnamon roll. 

Leave a comment for Lisa or ask a question... I'll draw a winner Sunday and will send a lucky winner a copy of Lakeside Reunion!  As soon as it releases next week!!!!