Lisa is a SAHWAHM—stay-at-home-work-at-home-mom—who loves kids. She owns and operates a state-registered family childcare business, caring for six children ages two to five. Working from home allows her to dictate her own schedule. She writes during nap times and is able to take time off to attend writing conferences, such as the one sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers, and My Book Therapy retreats.

When not caring for her young charges, caring for her family, or hanging out with her characters, Lisa enjoys crafting. She’s addicted to the TV show, NCIS, which she uses as a great study in characterization. Her second favorite place in the world is Sanibel Island, Florida, where her family vacations every other year. Her favorite place is her hometown, where she enjoys spending time with her family and hanging out with her Coffee Girls.

•Lisa, congratulations once again on your First Sale! What wonderful news.

When I interviewed you in June 2010, our awesome agent, Rachelle Gardner, had sent your proposal to Steeple Hill. Ten months went by before she called with the BIG news.

What did you learn about yourself while you waited?

I’m not a patient person. However, this wait forced me to rely on God for something that was beyond my control. He spoke to me in a way that is difficult to put into words, but used different people to influence me in a positive way. A friend posted a quote in a Monday night chat that convicted me to make some room on my plate. After prayerful consideration, I gave up some responsibilities. I didn’t take this lightly, but had much peace for doing God’s will. Two days later, Rachelle called with the incredible news.

•And then you received The Call—but you were surrounded by your young charges. Many of us read your touching Call Story on your blog, but for those who haven’t, would you summarize it here?

My daycare children had woken up from their naps and needed snack. It’s the second busiest time of my day. While helping to get hands washed, my cell phone rang. I saw Rachelle’s number on the screen and my heart leaped. I said, “Hello?” She said, “Lisa, today is your day.” I slumped against the bookcase in my dining room and burst into tears. She talked, and I sobbed. My little charges were upset to see me crying, and my poor hubby thought something tragic had happened. I managed to tell him my book sold.

Rachelle, bless her ever-patient heart, answered my tearful questions and suggested I call her back when things quieted down. She said I could share with family and close friends, but I couldn’t go public. I called my mom, called my mentor, and shared with my close writing support group.

•You got The Call, and life as you knew it changed. I know one’s plate can suddenly become very full as she embarks on her new career as a published author, especially one whose book is coming out in less than a year. Please share with us what’s going on now, what you’ve been learning, and how you’re adjusting to life as a contracted author?

I received a welcome letter from Melissa Endlich, my new editor at Love Inspired, along with my revision notes. We set a phone date. She shared her thoughts about my novel, which touched my heart, talked about my revision notes, and answered questions I had about the process.

Because my novel comes out in November, I had a quicker timetable. I submitted my first round of revisions, and then submitted cover art information—different scenes, pertinent objects within the novel, and character information. My novel goes to the copyeditor in April, so then I’ll have another round of revisions, I’m sure.

As for what I’m learning now—basically God continues to leave me breathless with the doors of opportunity He is opening. He’s teaching me to find joy in every aspect of the journey, even the waiting. He’s put people in my path to continually encourage me. Even though I’ve wanted to be a published author since I was sixteen, I knew God had a plan and a purpose for my life, but it had to be in His timing.

You know, life as a contracted author is pretty much the same as one who was seeking publication. I still have dishes to do, noses to wipe, and a family to feed … well, most of the time. Internally, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m high-fiving God—We did it. I couldn’t have gotten this far without Him. As cliché as this may sound, I understand this is not the end of a very long journey, but the beginning of a new one.

•Each author’s journey to publication is different. What are some steps you took that you believe helped make this big moment happen? What advice would you give to those eager to make their First Sale?

Well, you have to want it. You have to tap into that deep desire that keeps you writing even when life throws challenges your way and the word flow stops.

Secondly, study the craft, whether it’s through writing books or analyzing your favorite novels. Find a mentor whom you can trust to encourage you and tell you what isn’t working. Consider one or two critique partners who are at similar levels and can help take your writing deeper.

And finally, and most importantly, believe in yourself and the power of God’s plan for your life. And don’t rush trying to get published. Take time to savor every aspect of the journey.

For me, my writing shifted to a deeper level when I became involved with My Book Therapy. Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck have a heart for helping writers. Lakeside Reunion, previously named Draw Me Close, took second place in the 2009 ACFW Genesis contest. That same year, it attracted the attention of Tina James, editor at Love Inspired, and Rachelle Gardner, literary agent with WordServe Literary. I believe the brainstorming help I received from Susie and Rachel and their workshops and retreats helped me to take my writing to a deeper level, which led to my representation with Rachelle and subsequent book sale with Love Inspired.

Lisa’s Debut Novel

•Please tell us about Lakeside Reunion.

Is there really such thing as a second chance?

Lindsey Porter escaped her hometown of Shelby Lake with a broken heart, and said good-bye to her relationship with God at the same time. But family obligation calls her back home, and the former fiancé who dumped her is the first person she sees after crossing the county line. Is there room in her heart for forgiveness? Lindsey hopes for a second chance at love, but the obstacles in her way might just be too great to overcome.

Questions for Lisa

•Lisa it’s been wonderful having you back at Romance Writers on the Journey to share your wonderful news with us.

I invite your visitors to ask you any questions they have about your sale, your debut novel, and what life is like after receiving that long-awaited contract offer. And, of course, feel free to squee with Lisa all you’d like.

Learn More About Lisa

Visit her website ~ www.lisajordanbooks.com

Visit her personal blog ~ www.lisajordanbooks.blogspot.com

Friend Her on Facebook ~ Lisa Jordan

Follow her on Twitter ~ lisajordan

In real life, Audra lives just north of Denver along the Front Range in Colorado, where she’s surrounded by everything conducive to writing about farming, ranching, and cowboys. She’s married to her own patient hero, a painting contractor whose talent is more along the lines of artist than house painter. They have two teenagers graduating this year, a daughter from junior college and a son from high school. To round out the household, they have a rotund Corgi and a baying Coonhound. Their extended family includes a variety of pigs, sheep, goats, chickens—the quantity varies from year to year depending on what 4-H projects the kids are working on.

Audra’s family is immersed in the 4-H life, so when an opportunity opened for her to work at the County Extension office as the 4-H secretary, she snapped it up. When she’s not working, writing, or caring for furry and feathered friends, Audra loves to read and sew. Regarding her sewing she says, “I grew up helping in the family drapery business so when I say sew, I mean straight seams on commercial machines that go fast. Piecing quilts and table runners are my favorite—not clothing.” Crocheting, beading, scrapbooking all have a place in her life, depending on her mood.

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Audra considers herself “plain Jane” when it comes to favorite foods. You can judge for yourself, because I’m offering a selection of them: sauerkraut and brats, chocolate, salads with fat-free Italian dressing, chocolate, fresh fruit, chocolate, coffee, and—you guessed it—chocolate. Grab whatever virtual fare suits your fancy and join me as we learn more about Audra and her journey to publication.

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Audra’s Journey Begins

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•When did you fall in love with romance novels and decide to write your own?

I’ve always loved historical romances ever since I discovered Kathleen E Woodiwiss back in the late seventies. I devoured the works of cornerstone authors like Mary Jo Putney, Laura Kinsale and Leigh Greenwood, loving the effortless way they drew me into the story and kept me coming back for more.

When my second child (my son) was born, the idea of writing my own romance began niggling in my head. While the kids were napping, I begin typing my thoughts, convinced I was creating the next NYT bestseller. Little did I know….

Fast forward to May 2010. My son is graduating from high school this year—a real milestone when you consider I began writing when he was born and just sold my first book in time for him to graduate!!

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•How have your education and experiences served you in your writing?

I’ve always loved English classes, probably because I grew up speaking Lithuanian and had to learn English if I was going to communicate with my friends. Literature, composition, writing, you name it, I took it in high school and college. I toyed with the idea of majoring in Shakespeare until my dad tossed a newspaper at me and asked me to show him all the employment opportunities, you know, the stuff that keeps a roof over my head. Point taken, Dad.

For the past years, I’ve concentrated on online classes, workshops and lectures on writing whenever time and funds permit. I absolutely love taking online classes. Very doable at your own pace and you have the benefit of downloading the lessons, the exercises and the comments everyone posts. Talk about reviewing with all the details!!

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Audra’s Milestones

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•You experienced your first contest win in 2002, and that was only the beginning of some serious success. What have been some of the highlights of your time traveling the contest circuit? Are there some wins that stood out and had special significance? Why did they?

Oh my goodness. Contests? My husband will be the first to tell you I almost broke our budget many times over the years due to contests with to-die-for final judges!! I began writing in 1993, won my first contest in 2002 and it all went up from there. I need to point out the years from 1993 to 2000, I wrote for the secular market.

I began writing inspirational romance in 2001 and the good Lord has been gracious to me along the way. I won the ACRW Noble Theme contemporary romance in 2004, the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis historical romance in 2006, and the Genesis contemporary romance in 2007. Those were three huge milestones for me knowing the caliber of competition I faced.

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•You spent several years seeing your name on contest finalist lists. During that time, you met a very special group who formed a blog that has become immensely popular. Please tell us how you came to be one of the members of Seekerville and what it’s meant to you to have the support of your Seeker sisters.

Competition can get intense, especially when you have a pretty good idea who will be entering the inspirational category in contests. There was a year, maybe two, Missy Tippens and I traded winning first and second in contests – bless her heart, LOL! Actually quite a few names became regular finalists on the contest circuit. We bumped heads, entries and winning placements in contests for years until God declared Enough! He brought us together to work as a team, to share the joys and pitfalls of contests and publication.

Fifteen writers having gone from contest entry rivals to the best of friends and confidants. Our bond is special and deep—a real gift. The Seeker blog came to be about a year later and now we share our joys, insights and book giveaways with anyone who is interested. We have fun and we hope our visitors and fans do, too.

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•Your Seeker pals joined you for a cyber celebration of your First Sale in January, which was a blast. For the benefit of those who didn’t party hearty that day, you can read the account here.

Several months have passed since your announcement in Seekerville, but I have a hunch you can recall that afternoon on January 26 when The Call finally came with amazing clarity. How did you react when you checked the answering machine and heard Melissa’s voice? Were you still breathless when you called her back, or were you cool, confident, and composed?

LOL, Keli! I barely remember what I said to Melissa, but evidently I didn’t run her off!

I usually come home to have lunch with my husband when he’s not working far from home. The phone rang during our meal and after glancing at the Caller ID, he shrugged and said he didn’t want to talk to a roller cover salesman (you’ll have that when you’re a painting contractor, lol).

We finished eating and I had time to spare so we plopped down in front of the television to catch the news. As Gary flipped through the news stations, I clicked on the messages left on the answering machine. My heart practically stopped when the second message began, “Hi, this is a message for Audra Harders. This is Melissa Endlich…” Gary had mistaken THE CALL with a roller cover salesman!!! We’ll be chuckling about that for years to come.

I called Melissa back and I think we had a wonderful conversation. All I really remember is laughing, nodding my head and saying yes over and over again. Melissa is so sweet, so patient, so nice…and I’m thankful she followed up our conversation with an email. If Gary hadn’t been there with me, I would’ve sworn I’d dreamed the whole thing up until my revisions came later that day making me realize my dream had come true.

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•Will you hold a launch party? If so, what do you plan?

I will blog all about it in Seekerville, the first Thursday in January. Be there!!

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Audra’s Inspiration

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•Who or what are your sources of inspiration?

I’ve lived in Colorado almost my entire life and writing stories based on the mountain ranches surrounding me comes second nature. I wear blue jeans, raise animals, and ride horses. I’ve always loved the mystic of cowboys, especially as they’re portrayed in country music.

My major source of inspiration?? Every single song Chris LeDoux ever wrote and sang. I can listen to his music for hours, each song offering a different glimpse into a simple cowboy’s life. I guess God loved his music too because He called him home in the prime of life. Chris LeDoux is sorely missed, but hey, George Strait, Toby Keith and host of other artists keep the storylines jumping in my head with their winsome lyrics.

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Audra’s Determination

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•Sixteen years passed between the time you began writing and your First Sale. What kept you going despite bouts of doubts and a growing rejection collection?

My grandmother served as my living inspiration of God’s love and faithfulness. She taught me to believe when I prayed that God would hear my prayers. I think people often mistake “Wait” with “No.” I refused to believe God would place the desire to write books so deeply in my heart, affirm my faithfulness with contest wins, and surround me with friends and family who encouraged me every step of the way only to keep me from ever realizing my dream.

If there was a time for me to wash my hand of writing, it would’ve been during my early secular romance phase because every time I thought my “aha” moment had come, I’d be shot down by dismal contest scores and scathing critique groups. Once I stopped running from God’s will for me, my path didn’t become rosy overnight, but I knew I no longer walked it alone.

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Audra: Lover of Past, Present . . . and Gypsies

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•Your debut novel is a contemporary, but you’ve written award-winning historicals as well. What eras appeal to you, and why?

Eighteen/nineteenth century England, but no way would I write a Regency!!! The authors who tackle that brief time in history are gifted storytellers well-acquainted with every minute detail of the period. I love Regency era historicals, though.

As a young girl during World War II, my mom ran from Russian occupation of Lithuania to make her way across Europe before ending up in England waiting for passage to America. During her year in England, she became enchanted by the customs and culture of the Brits. Whenever I’d ask her about her childhood, she never mentioned the tough, ugly times in Lithuania, but rather painted a magical time in London, York and Liverpool, telling me of afternoon teas and perfect manners. The memories of those stories are alive and well in my dreams. I’ve never traveled to England or Lithuania. I think I’d like to sometime : )

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•What aspects of writing historicals do you most enjoy?

I love research, yet find doing justice to a location beyond my visitation limits a bit daunting. The Internet is a gift to the writer. Still, reading descriptions and viewing photos is no match for the touchy feely of the real thing.

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•And what’s this about an obsession with gypsies? Do tell.

Isn’t everyone fascinated by gypsies?? The mystic of gypsies ranks right up there with the mystic of cowboys. Independent and enduring, they’ve learned to live with the cards life has dealt them with cunning and prowess. Just imagine being scorned and loathed your entire life, and all the while boldly thumbing your nose at society and scheming your next ploy. This is great stuff here!

Don’t get me wrong, I love writing contemporary settings featuring cowboys…I can do this forever. But, I do have a couple of completed manuscripts with wily, fun-loving gypsies stuffed under my bed just waiting for some historical editor to give them a nod.

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Audra’s Debut Novel

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•Please tell us about Rocky Mountain Hero.

A Cowboy’s Chivalry

With a broken-down truck, miles to go and little money, single mother Melanie Hunter needs help. It comes in the handsome form of rancher Gabe Davidson. He’ll pay for the three-week repair job and provide lodging for her and her boy – if she’ll take coordinating the town barbecue off his busy hands. Melanie accepts, figuring she’ll soon be on her way to her new life. But as she gets to know the kind townspeople—and the hardworking cowboy her son adores—she realizes she’s found her home. Now if only her Rocky Mountain hero will ask her to stay.

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Audra’s Journey Continues

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•Your first book is in your editor’s hands. What are you working on now?

The setting for my debut book, Rocky Mountain Hero, was inspired by Crested Butte, a gorgeous ski town in the central Colorado Rockies where I love to escape for writing retreats. Fictitious Hawk Ridge has the potential to nurture quite a few plots as I work on cowboy settings with my hero’s brothers and townspeople.

The book I’m currently working on features Zac Davidson, the youngest brother of the Davidson clan who is a daredevil, carefree cowboy for all the world to see. He meets his match when he returns to Hawk Ridge and runs into his childhood friend Jennifer, who looks nothing like the tomboy he remembers. My patient nurse heroine needs to use all the finesse she can muster to coax deeply buried feelings out of my relationship-challenged hero. It’s such fun!

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Five Little Known Facts About Audra

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~ I can watch NCIS marathons weekends on end and never get enough.

~ I understand Lithuanian and speak well enough if involved in conversation with someone who speaks the language fluently.

~ I love baby goats.

~ My fingers are double jointed.

~ When I was in 6^th grade, I had an opportunity to play my accordion on The Lawrence Welk Show.

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Audra’s Questions for You

Having grown up in Colorado, I’m partial to the mountains, ranching lifestyle and everything that goes with it. What’s your favorite setting and what makes it special to you?

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Audra’s Surprise Drawing for You

Audra, bless her generous chocolate-loving heart, left a comment in which she offered to give away a chunk of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory chocolate to one lucky commenter, so I’m happy to add the good news. (See comment #4 on this post for the full story.) Note: Audra is not responsible for any chocolate meltdowns that occur in transit.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment for Audra by midnight June 11 (Pacific time) and enter your email address when prompted during the comment process. (You don’t have to leave it in the body of your comment this way.)

On June 12, I will hold the drawing and post the winner’s name here as well and will contact her/him via email to get a mailing address. (I don’t share your information with anyone, other than sending your mailing address to my guest, and I don’t add your name to any mailing lists.)

Congratulations to the winner of the chocolate, Donnell!

Note: Offer void where prohibited.

Winner must have a U.S. mailing address.

Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

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Learn More About Audra

Visit her website ~ www.audraharders.com

Visit her personal blog ~ audraharders.blogspot.com

Visit her group blog ~ The Seekers

Friend Her on Facebook ~ Audra Harders

Follow her on Twitter ~ audraharders

Back then, we were both unpublished. We both subsequently finalled in the Golden Heart and sold our first books, and I couldn’t be happier to have Janet come and visit today as her first book hits the shelves.

My debut novel, Courting Miss Adelaide, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, is on the shelves. Naturally I’m flying high, though not as high as you gals tumbling out of the back of that convertible. It took nine years to sell a book, then two more to see Courting Miss Adelaide in print so I’m savoring the moment.

The kernel for Adelaide’s story came from a newspaper clipping my father sent me about the placing out of New York City’s immigrant children. It triggered my “what if” moment—what if a lonely spinster wanted a child and saw the “orphan train” as her last chance for motherhood? From that moment on, life for Adelaide changes forever.

I find the history behind the “orphan train” fascinating. Between the years of 1853 and 1929, more than 250,000 orphans or half orphans rode trains from New Your City to new homes in the Midwest and beyond. What an amazing adjustment for these immigrant children, and for the people who took them in!

We history lovers tend to glamorize the “good ole days.” I’ve learned it’s far easier to travel into the past sitting at my computer or reading a wonderful book, than facing the rigors of the trail or the restrictions 19th Century society placed on women. Countless men and women met the challenge of their times. Their courage so impresses me that I want to write books that keep their achievements alive in our hearts.

But that doesn’t mean I’d want to live back then. I value modern conveniences, the ease of communication and especially of travel. We’ve all experienced canceled flights or construction tie-ups, but compared to the day when horses were the chief mode of transportation, we’ve got it made. My heroine is afraid of horses. To be honest, I prefer viewing them from afar. Adelaide had her reasons and I have mine.

My close encounter with horses goes back to my Middle School years when a friend invited me to go for a ride one spring afternoon. This would be my first time in the saddle. My excitement was tempered by a mild sense of foreboding, but Black Beauty had been one of my favorite childhood books and I loved TV cowboys and their four-legged friends. This would be fun!

My friend, Sara started with the basics, showing me how to saddle a horse, and then stood back while I tried. Just getting that heavy contraption on the mare’s back proved challenging. When I tried to tighten the cinch, the horse puffed out her sides. Sara shoved the heel of her hand into the mare’s side and her belly shrank before my eyes. Who knew a horse could be so devious as to plot to dump me, saddle and all? My sense of adventure sagged, but I was no quitter.

Sara showed me how to mount, then added one final bit of advice, “Let the horse know who is boss.” I knew full well that the horse and I both understood who was in charge. And it wasn’t me. But I’d have rather eaten grasshoppers than admit that truth. We headed out. Did I mention my horse wasn’t crazy about this little outing? She kept trying to turn back, evidently eager to return to the barn on this sunny, blustery day. We’d only gone a few yards when she decided she’d had enough. She left the road, climbed the concrete steps set into a grassy bank and crossed the neighbor’s front yard, ignoring my efforts to rein her in. When I finally got the horse stopped, her head hung over a barbed wire fence and my friend was screaming like a maniac. Or perhaps that was me. What happened was, and still is, a blur.

Obviously shaken and scared for her horse, Sara suggested we trade mounts. Red-faced, I clambered aboard the larger second horse as Sara reminded me to show the animal who was boss. Perhaps my memory is faulty, but I think that mare flashed me a smile. Thankfully, we arrived at our destination, our girlfriend Sandy’s house, without further mishap. I should mention here that Sandy lived near a small rural airport. The three of us had a chat and some refreshments before heading back. I’d just settled into the saddle of the larger horse when a low flying plane zoomed toward the runway. The horse reared on its hind legs, exactly like in the movies, except I’m no stunt rider. By some miracle I hung on.

This maneuver would’ve looked great in a show ring but didn’t do much for Sara. She suggested we trade horses again. I figured after almost hanging herself in barbed wire, the mare would behave on the trip home. And she did. I actually enjoyed myself, feeling like a horsewoman at last. Not far from Sara’s house, a paper bag blew across the road. My horse took off like a shot—

In hindsight, I realize I’m quite the horsewoman to have kept my seat that day. Though I didn’t appreciate the mishaps at the time, the experience helped me write a scene in Courting Miss Adelaide.

Anyone care to share a riding story? Horse, llama, camel, I’d love to hear your escapades. Especially if they don’t make me feel I’m the only one failing in the equestrian department.

Janet

Janet is giving away an autographed copy of Courting Miss Adelaide to one lucky commentor, so stop by tomorrow and we’ll post the winner.

CHECK OUT THE EXCERPT BELOW!

CLG: What was the initial spark that brought FAMILY EVER AFTER into being?
MD: It started with a concept I had for a series about foster children and parents. I taught school for twenty-seven years and saw many situations where children were hurting because of their home life. I wanted to explore various situations children find themselves in. The first book was out in 2007 called ONCE UPON A FAMILY and the second one was out in December 2007 called HEART OF THE FAMILY. The series centers around three foster brothers who remained close after they left their foster home. They start the Henderson Project to help foster children. The fourth book, SECOND CHANCE FAMILY, will be out in July 2009. This is Whitney’s story (Noah’s sister).

CLG: What have you done and what are you doing – as author – to help promote FAMILY EVER AFTER?
MD: I have a web site I update monthly as well as a blog that is drawing some attention from readers. I love to interview different writers about their books. I have a drawing each week on my blog for my guest author’s book. I also participate in the Steeple Hill forums at eharlequin.com. I have spoken to several groups from a church to a writer’s conference.

CLG: FAMILY EVER AFTER is published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired; why do you feel yourself drawn to writing inspirational stories?
MD: It’s a natural for me. I have a strong faith, and I believe hope is paramount to us. Without hope, what do we really have? My faith gives me that hope. Also, I love exploring different aspects of human nature.

To check out the ENTIRE interview, head over to (CHICKLITGURRL) now! Don’t forget to comment! Let us know you were there!