Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Jennifer Slattery

Ooh! Ooh! Y’all! Jennifer Slattery is here today!

Fun story about Jennifer – After connecting with her on Facebook, I commented on one of Jennifer’s statuses… and then my sister-in-law did too. And they had – like – a conversation. Clearly, my sister-in-law was not merely a fan. Also, clearly, my sister-in-law had been holding out on me! I barged in with a “hey – I know both of you!” and suddenly our worlds got that much smaller (the best kind of smaller).

Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, Christian living articles for Crosswalk.com, and devotions for Internet Café Devotions, the group blog, Faith-filled Friends, and her personal blog. She also does content editing for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ Firefly imprint, and loves working with authors who are serious about pursuing their calling. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

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Plus… she is super sweet and I so love her heart for Jesus and others!

Let’s jump into our fast four!

Jennifer: Oranges because they’re so sweet and juicy! And the slices make fun smiles.

Carrie: Hahahaha! I prefer apples but the smile thing is awesome!

Jennifer: M&Ms because I love chocolate. (But I’ll gladly take both if you have any to spare.)

Carrie: I’ll take the Skittles, you can have the M&Ms 🙂 

Carrie: Zuzu would like me to remind you that, as always, she is paying close attention to your answer…

Jennifer: I’ve seen your baby in pics on Facebook. She’s adorable! We don’t have pets, but if I had to choose, I’d say dogs. They’re more interactive—usually.

Zuzu gave you ten bonus points for saying that you think she’s adorable 🙂

Jennifer: Water or froo-froo coffee. 😉

Carrie: Yuck. To both. You just lost your bonus points 😉 

But you still pass through to the next round… the questions that “mostly” matter!

Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower.  If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Jennifer: Funny you should ask. My dad just told me he’d detected my superpower and that it was my strange tendency to heat up (like seriously, I radiate heat) after I eat. Sometimes my hands will turn bright red. He finds it odd but appeared to think I could put this anomaly to use somehow. I suppose I could help those poor old ladies who get cold?

Carrie: Hmmm… that does seem like it could be quite useful. But easily squandered if one isn’t careful. 

Who are some of your favorite authors? What impact have they had on your writing?

Jennifer: I recently discovered a Nigerian author that is simply brilliant. Her name is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and she wrote the Purple Hibiscus, a novel set in Nigeria right before the War of Biafra. I also love Varina Denman—Jaded was phenomenal. Both of these authors inspire me to write real—to be true to my voice and the story, as that’s how they write. Shannon Taylor Vannatter, author of numerous contemporary romance novels, writes the best dialogue I’ve read yet. I’ve learned so much from reading her work.

Carrie: Varina Denman is a favorite around here for sure! I still need to explore these other two 🙂

Other than the Bible, what FIVE books would be non-negotiables if you were packing for an extended marooning on a deserted island?

Jennifer: Hm… Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, Crazy Love by Francis Chan, something by Nicholas Sparks, Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon, and The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson.

Carrie: Red Door Inn is one of the next books on my list to read!! Can’t wait! And Hope Harbor is one of my absolute faves! I may give you back your bonus points 🙂 

Authors are notorious for strange (possibly disturbing) search histories on the internet.  What is the strangest thing you’ve ever googled?

Jennifer: Oh, my! I’ve researched dog fights, methamphetamine addictions, tattoos, traumatic brain injuries, unique vintage stores in Austin, and rare illnesses. I Google almost everything! I just did an Internet search on rare autoimmune conditions that cause blood clotting as preliminary research for a medical missions novel I’m working on.

Carrie: I have had this question earmarked for you! I read your books. I knew you would have some great search terms 😉 

In your latest novel, Breaking Free, you address some very powerful topics – specifically substance abuse & gambling and their effect on a family.  What inspired you to write this story?

Jennifer: Much of the inspiration for this novel came from experiences a dear friend of mine had. We both homeschooled and so got together at park days and coops. Her children were older, and she always seemed so peaceful, confident, and like she had her life all together. A few years after we met, she told me her husband of 18 years was addicted to crack. This shocked me! I wondered how she could be going through such horrific circumstances without me ever knowing. The answer is she hid her pain and struggle, as does Alice in Breaking Free. But one can only hide the devastation of addiction for so long before everything blows up.

Carrie: Alice’s story – your friend’s story – a story common to more women than we realize – is so important! Thank you for telling it! 

(Stay tuned for my review of Breaking Free later today!)

What is the main thing you want readers to take away from Breaking Free?

Jennifer: I’d love readers to experience the deep love of Christ and to grab hold of the emotional and spiritual freedom He offers.

Carrie: His freedom is so complete, isn’t it? <3  Jennifer, thank youuuuuuuuuu for chatting with me today! It’s always a delight to talk with you! Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what’s coming up next for you!

Jennifer: My next book releases in February of 2017 and it’s a sequel to Beyond I Do, my debut novel. I also just plotted a fun contemporary romance based in Austin. In fact, I’m in Austin as I answer your questions, getting setting details for the novel. Would you like me to share my working blurb?

Carrie: Always. You really didn’t need to ask. 🙂 

Jennifer: 

Will the path Paige Cordell forges to leave Austin, Texas behind for good be the very one to make her stay?

Paige Cordell closed her wounded heart to her life in Texas to pursue her dream of becoming a nationally known journalist. Just as hard work and perseverance are starting to pay off, she’s forced back to Austin–right next door to Bryce Gilbertson’s grandmother and in proximity to the man she’s always hated. She plans to avoid him at all costs, until she needs him to reach the one goal that will allow her to leave Austin for good.

All his life, Bryce Gilbertson’s parents groomed him to join the family law firm until his frat boy behavior turned him into a college dropout. Now matured, he purchased a murder mystery dinner theater, which he plans to transform into a Wild West theme, an action his parents find irresponsible. He plans to prove them wrong, and he needs Paige’s help to do so.

Carrie: Oh that sounds like fun!! I can’t wait to read it! 

Jennifer Slattery is graciously offering my readers a chance to win her latest novel, Breaking Free!

One paperback copy is up for grabs!

(Open to mailing addresses within the Continental US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters. 

Women’s ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage?

Read a free, 33-page excerpt here:

http://newhopepublishers.com/2016/02/free-sample-of-breaking-free/

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