Interview with Beth Vogt & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordBeth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

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Savanna:  Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Beth! It’s wonderful to have you here and CONGRATULATIONS on your newest release, Somebody Like You !  Can you tell us what first sparked the idea for this novel?

Beth:  I was already working on another manuscript when I began mulling over the idea for Somebody Like You. Every novel I write has some elements of real life woven into it and for Somebody Like You I mixed together two elements: the fact that I have a fraternal twin sister and the experience of being a military wife for almost 24 years.

Interview with Beth Vogt & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordSavanna: When you began writing, which character breathed the most vividly in your imagination? And which character was the hardest to write?

Beth:  Haley Ames, the heroine, was easier for me to understand. Haley is a young widow and I’ve walked alongside several close friends who were widowed at young ages, so I tapped into those memories, those emotions.

Stephen Ames, the hero, was the most difficult character to write for the same reason: I understood what he was going through – being estranged from his brother. I’m in a season of estrangement with my extended family – something I never expected – and sometimes writing about Stephen’s heartache mirrored my own.

Savanna:  Can you share with us one of your favorite quotes from the book?

Beth:  This quote comes at the very end of the book and Stephen says it to Haley:

“I’m being courageous. Your movie hero John Wayne said, ‘Courage is being scared to death . . . and saddling up anyway.’”

I love this quote because it’s humorous – and it’s true. And it also didn’t come to me until I’d rewritten the ending at least three times. Once I figured it out, it was the perfect ending for the story. Both Haley and Stephen needed to be courageous to embrace the unpredictable who-would-have-ever-imagined-it future God had for them.

Interview with Beth Vogt & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordSavanna: In writing this story, were you drawn to any particular passage of Scripture as your characters faced their painful pasts and the unknown future? What would be a verse you’d share with readers standing before a crossroads in their own lives?  

Beth:  I pray over all my book dedications and after several months, I settled on this verse for Somebody Like You:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV

Often when we face a crossroads, we carry a heavy heart with us – leaving something or someone behind as we face an uncertain future. I love the promise of God’s comfort in this verse.

Savanna:  As the author, what did you learn most from Haley and Stephen’s relationship and what do you hope your readers will take away most from their story?

Beth:  I learned that love shows up when you least expect it – sometimes when you think you’re not ready for it – and that God delights in surprising us with an unexpected “yes” when we thought something – or someone – had to be a “no.”

Interview with Beth Vogt & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordSavanna: You write, speak, blog, and mentor – among so many other things. Are there any other doors once marked “Never” that you see opening up soon? 😉 A new project, opportunity, or hobby perhaps that you’re excited to begin?

Beth:  As you know, I once said I’d never write fiction, so this falls into that category: I’m writing my first contemporary romance series – all my other novels have been stand-alones. I’m enjoying the process!

Savanna: Just for fun… since you write inspirational romance and we all love a good love story… Can you name one of your favorite romantic movies and one of your favorite romantic books?

Beth:  Oh, the “pick one” question for movies and books are so difficult for me! I did just watch “While You Were Sleeping” with my 13-year-old daughter – that movie never gets old! A favorite romantic book? This may surprise you since I write contemporary romance: I fell in love with Georgette Heyer’s regency romances when I was in high school. To this day, I can pick up any one of her novels and immediately immerse myself into Regency England – and a delightful romance. A favorite is Faro’s Daughter.

Savanna:  Thank you so much for joining us today, Beth!  I loved this book and I’m so excited to see who will win the giveaway below for their own free copy. 😉

Readers, you can also connect with Beth on her website, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

There are downloads, sign-ups, and freebies—valuable resources that I hope stir your passion for God and His Word. So take your time. Look around. Visit often. – See more at: http://www.mesuandrews.com/#sthash.h5gue3da.dpuf

GIVEAWAY!!

Beth has graciously offered one copy of SOMEBODY LIKE YOU to one lucky winner!

Interview with Beth Vogt & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordHOW TO ENTER:

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Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends July 15, 2014.
Winner will be notified by email.

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