Donna B Snow: Callie

Welcome Sharon! And congratulations on your first full length story to be published. And you certainly don't do things in small steps. I believe there are four women, four stories to this series. Wow! Now that's what I call a leap of faith.

How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

I don’t, intentionally, write any of me into my characters. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a little piece of me in all of the women. Callie teaches Sunday school and loves her guacamole, Terri is looking for God’s will in her life and arguing the whole way, Pam is learning lessons in forgiveness. Yep, there I am.

Which character in your book are you most like? What have you learned about yourself in writing this story?

For this book. Callie, of course. I didn’t really need to learn the life lesson that Callie had to learn, but writing the story taught me so much about persistence, trust, and patience.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m going to assume you don’t mean raising terrific daughters. Really? This book. Not just for the validation or a sense of “I can really do this”. But because I feel like it represent me, finally finding God’s place for me.

Well, raising a daughter ranks right up there - just another piece of God's plan for your life. And thank you so much for bringing this story to us, as well as the ones yet to come!

So, for those of you who haven't had a peek yet, come check out Callie, one of the women of Valley View.

Blurb:

Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.

Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who's befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.

Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.

Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing. And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.

For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.

Excerpt:

Callie Stillman dabbed raindrops from her face with a linen napkin as Benton dodged a server with a loaded tray and took his place across from her. She smiled into her husband’s blue eyes and reached across to wipe water from his beard. “We’ll both have pneumonia if we don’t dry off soon.”

Benton took the napkin and finished the job. “I’ve been told the food is very good. A few sniffles should be worth it.”

Callie’s gaze roamed the room. “It’s…” Recognition slammed into her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. The man crossing the room behind her husband nodded and continued to his table. Was that the bailiff? Do you swear to tell the truth… She gulped for breath and fought the familiar darkness that crowded the edges of her vision.

Callie ran a finger around her collar, tugging the neck of the blouse away from skin suddenly dewed with a fine film of sweat. Too hot. She took a sip of water, dismayed at the tremor in her hand as she lifted the glass to her lips. Not here, not tonight. Callie closed her eyes and practiced the breathing techniques she’d learned over the last six months. In through her nose, hold for a few seconds, and out through her mouth. Concentrate only on the current step in the process, the next breath. The tightness in her chest began to fade away. Thank you, Jesus. She raised her water again and held the cold glass to her flushed cheek.

Buy links : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sharon-srock?keyword=sharon+srock&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0

http://www.amazon.com/Callie-Sharon-Srock/dp/1611161940/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349788431&sr=8-2&keywords=sharon+srock

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/callie

For a free 39 page preview click here! http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/images/stories/WomenOfValleyView.pdf

Review:

This is a story of the heart, a story about unconditional love, God's love as He guides us through this world. You will fall in love with Callie and all the others in this story as their troubles draw you in and make you look a little deeper into the hearts of others..

After nearly being destroyed while trying to help a young mother, Callie feels called by God to try again, to love more deeply, to give of herself more freely, to be more than she is capable of on her own. Isn't that God's call to all of us? Well, Callie struggles with herself, and her husband, yet she answers the call. And God is just amazing when He demonstrates what a little bit of faithfulness can do.

I hope you will feel as blessed by this story as I have.

Oh, and Sharon is having a giveaway too! Look what you can win just by leaving a message (don't forget to leave a contact email).

The gift package includes:

A copy of Callie's story

A certificate for Terri's story when it releases in April

A 6 piece Cherry blossom bath set

A cosmetic bag

A Bath Wrap

A Cozy pink eye mask

A Pair of aloe infused booties

A Hair Turban

A Tennis Bracelet

A 25.00 Amazon gift card

About the author:

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.