Interview with Christine Johnson & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted Word

Christine is a small-town Michigan girl who has lived in every corner of the state’s Lower Peninsula. From a young age, she knew she wanted to do something in the arts. After trying her hand at music and art, she returned to her first love — story. She feels blessed to write Christian fiction and to be twice named a finalist for Romance Writer’s of America’s Golden Heart® award.

When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. Visit her website here.

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Savanna:  Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Christine. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Love’s Rescue. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂 How is your character Elizabeth like you and how is she different?

Christine:  Both Elizabeth and I have a heart for adventure, though she dives in a bit more readily than I do. Perhaps age does bring wisdom, or at least caution. She is very young and still doesn’t realize her mortality.

Savanna:  Can you tell us what first drew you to writing Inspirational Historical Romance?

Interview with Christine Johnson & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordChristine:  I have always loved historical romance, so naturally chose that genre when I first began writing. Faith was always an element of my stories, for it’s an essential part of life, however early on I wanted to bring the Christian message into the secular market. The Lord, however, had another plan in mind. After 15 years of trying to sell in the secular market, my first novel written for the inspirational market sold. God’s timing is absolutely perfect!

Savanna:  On your website you mentioned you enjoy hiking. Me too! 😉 Do you have a favorite trail?

Christine:  Based on frequency, it must be the Garden Wall trail in Glacier National Park (Montana). I have hiked it each of the five times I’ve visited the park. Other trails are special also, for different reasons. Some have taken my breath away. Others taxed me to my breaking point and then delivered a spectacular view. Then too, grizzly bears and fellow hikers have made for some memorable moments.

Savanna:  Sounds like you could write a book just about your hiking adventures. 😉 Love the pic of you on the trail, by the way.

Interview with Christine Johnson & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordDescribe your favorite place to write. What’s your ideal setting for inspiration?

Christine:  I love a beautiful view of God’s creation. Vast panoramas definitely inspire me, but it can be as simple as the view from my office window. A small wooded area crowds close to the bay window, and I often see songbirds hopping from branch to branch. I have seen cardinals and orioles, but even a little sparrow or chickadee will brighten my day. Those moments always make me pause from my writing, for they are special gifts meant to be savored.

Savanna:  I have a similar view outside my office window. My little birdies always make me smile.

What is a favorite Scripture verse you’d like to share with us?

Christine:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Many scripture passages have meaning for me, but this is one I keep coming back to time and again. It is a challenging lesson to learn for someone with an independent streak!

Savanna:  Great verse! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, Christine. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

Christine:  I am currently working on the second book in the Keys of Promise series. As with the heroine in Love’s Rescue, the heroine of the next book travels to Key West after suffering a great loss. There she hopes to remake her life with the man she loves, but two years apart have changed things in ways she cannot fathom.

You can learn more about all my books on my website. Thank you, Savanna, for inviting me to join you today. Thank you all for stopping by to visit.

GIVEAWAY!!

Christine has graciously offered to give away a copy of Love’s Rescue to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends June 2, 2015.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!