Interview with Candace Calvert & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted Word

 

CANDACE CALVERT is a former ER nurse and author of the Mercy Hospital, Grace Medical, and Crisis Team series. Often called “medical hope opera,” her stories offer readers a chance to “scrub in” on the exciting world of emergency medicine. Wife, mother, and very proud grandmother, Candace makes her home in northern California.

For more, visit her at www.candacecalvert.com

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Savanna:  Welcome to the blog, Candace. I’m so happy to have you here! Congrats on your recent and upcoming releases by the way! You’ve been busy. 😉

Candace:  It’s a delight to join you, Savanna, and have this opportunity to connect with your readers. I have been busy: a novella and a full length novel out this year, plus one more “in the hopper” for release in early 2016. Writing and baking bread—dear hubby gave me a bread machine for Christmas and I can’t stop trying recipes!

Interview with Candace Calvert & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordSavanna:  A new bread machine sounds wonderful! I bet your house smells so nice with fresh bread in the air. 😉

So tell us how the idea for your next story, Step by Step, first came to you.

Candace:  Step by Step (Crisis Team #2) is the continued story of ER nurse Taylor Cabot first introduced in By Your Side. Her firefighter husband was killed in a tragic accident and she’s approaching her 3rd anniversary as a widow (“an exclusive club no one wants to belong to”). Taylor is determined to move on with her life, to the point of having a Survival Checklist. But, of course, life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? Especially when God has lessons to teach. As a person who has struggled (still struggles, admittedly) with the need for control, I was challenged by the idea of a character who attempts to micromanage one of the most difficult of human journeys: grief. I even gave Taylor a “Fitbit” activity tracker like I have (counting calories, daily exercise) as she moves forward “step by step” into her new future. It is ultimately a story of hope . . . and love. I’m eager to share it with readers.

Savanna:  That’s exciting, Candace. Sounds like a great story! Since beginning your novelist career, is there anything you miss from your days as an ER nurse?

Interview with Candace Calvert & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordCandace:  (Smile) I have finally stopped shouting “Incoming!” at the sound of sirens. But, seriously, I do miss the amazing camaraderie of the ER team and, most certainly, those poignant moments of connection with my patients. Writing “medical hope opera,” however, lets me relive those experiences and invite readers to “scrub in,” as well. It’s wonderful.

Savanna:  You’ve had some handsome heroes in your stories. 😉 What’s one of your favorite book covers?

Candace:  My guys have become legendary—to the point of having readers selflessly volunteer to supervise the photo shoot when my publisher uses live models! The cover of Rescue Team was one of those live shoots. The character of Wes Tanner (a search and rescue volunteer) was portrayed by a very handsome young military man who recently returned from two tours in Afghanistan. There’s a real life hero on that book cover. I love it!

Interview with Candace Calvert & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordSavanna:  Wow! How cool! 🙂 What would you say is your favorite part about being an author? What’s the hardest part for you?

Candace:  My favorite part (other than the fact I could work in my jammies if I wanted to) is my readers. Absolutely. I love hearing from them, meeting them (and chatting with them on Facebook). When someone takes the time to send a note (and they often do), to share how a particular story touched their lives and offered hope, it is the best feeling in the world. It reminds me, every time, that writing is a calling from God. I never take that lightly.

The hardest part of being an author is maintaining a healthy balance between a happy personal life (family, friends, faith, R &R) with the considerable time demands of writing. Honestly, authors would make great jugglers.

Savanna:  Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

Interview with Candace Calvert & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordCandace:  One special favorite is Jeremiah 29:11. There is no better medicine than hope, and our loving God promises that.

Savanna:  I love that one too! Is there anything else you’d like to share? What project(s) are you currently working on?

Candace:  I like to let folks know that I’m delighted to join book groups via Skype. We’ve had such fun doing that, and I always plan little bonus surprises for the members. Just send me a note through my website.

Meanwhile, I’m busy finishing up the third book in the Crisis Team series, Maybe It’s You. I believe it is slated for release in February 2017.

Savanna: Sounds GREAT, Candace! Thank you for being with us today. Have a blessed Christmas!

Candace:  Thank you, Savanna, it’s been a delight to be hosted here. And I’m happy to offer a signed copy of By Your Side (Crisis Team #1) as a giveaway—good luck to all!

(NOTE: Candace just received the exciting news that By Your Side was chosen as a Booklist – Top Ten Inspirational Fiction for 2015. And YOU could read it next!)

GIVEAWAY!!

You heard her. 😉 Candace has graciously offered to give away one signed copy of By Your Side to one lucky winner. Enter below and the book could be yours! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to U. S. residents only and ends December 15, 2015.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!