Happy Thursday! Continuing through Saturday (culminating with a list of winners), I have the privilege of sharing mini interviews with nearly all of the 2019 ACFW Carol Award Finalists! Today I’m covering the novella & short novel categories, including Tina Radcliffe and her Carol Award nominated novel Falling for the Cowgirl! You can check out a list of all the finalists HERE.
FYI – There will be several posts per day, and a week-long giveaway, so make sure you catch them all!
Originally from Western, N.Y., author Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany. She spent ten years as an oncology RN in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before migrating to Colorado and then Arizona. An RWA and ACFW Honor Roll member, Tina is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist. She is a four-time ACFW Carol Award finalist and a three-time ACFW Mentor of the year finalist. In 2014 she won the ACFW Carol Award and in 2018 she won the ACFW Mentor of the Year Award. This year, she is proud to be a 2019 ACFW Mentor of the Year, and a 2019 Carol Finalist. Tina is also the short inspirational category winner of this year’s Holt Medallion. As a short story writer, she has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. You can keep with Tina by signing up for her newsletter here http://bit.ly/2angfWP
FALLING FOR THE COWGIRL
SERIES: Big Heart Ranch #2
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2018
PAGES: 288
She won the job…
Can he win her heart?
Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice–but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart.
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Hi, dearest Tina! Welcome back to the blog!
Q: Why do you write fiction? And, why specifically Christian fiction?
Tina: Honestly, there is no big revelation or ministry answer to this. I am a fallen human, redeemed by Christ. The only way I look at the world is through a Christian World View. So that simply transfers to my writing. While I do write some sweet romance that is not labeled Christian per se, I believe the underlying values remain unchanged.
Carrie: I totally love this answer! When Jesus has redeemed us, we just can’t help but live from that place of grace – and it seeps into everything we do.
Q: Other than the Bible, what are a couple of your most cherished books and why?
Tina: My fiction book collection is massive, so to provide one particular favorite is impossible. The non-fiction books that go with me even when I travel are Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and Prayers That Avail Much (Volume 1 & 2 by Germaine Copeland. My copies of the Germaine Copeland books are over 25 years old.
Carrie: It’s been a long time since I read Prayers That Avail Much – I need to do a re-read soon. ♥
Q: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever Googled while researching a book?
Tina: I am not a horse person. I have ridden a horse but that certainly does not make me a horse person. (My very horsey street team can verify that.) I have often had to research the anatomy and physiology of a horse in unpleasant descriptive terms. For me, that is weird.
Carrie: LOL i totally feel your pain. In college, I had to have one more Phys Ed credit to graduate and the only time I could take it was summer (because student teaching was coming up). The only options were weight-lifting (everyone who knows me is laughing) or horseback riding (everyone who knows me is still laughing). I got up close and personal with a horse more times than I ever wanted to during that class…. You have not lived until you’ve been sneezed on by a horse, apparently.
Q: If I asked your characters to describe YOU as an author, what would they say?
Tina: My characters would tell you I am a bit hyperactive and easily distracted. They would agree that I am humorous and irreverent. In the words of Dutch Stevens, a ranch hand, who appears in most of the Big Heart Ranch books, “Yeah, she can be annoying, but Radcliffe is for shore someone to ride the river with.”
Carrie: haha! I love that!
Q: What is something God taught you while you wrote Falling for the Cowgirl?
Tina: I am of the philosophy that as authors we generally have the same message to share over and over. Mine has always been that the Lord is a God of second chances. This is repeated in all my stories.
Carrie: And I love that about your books! There can never be too many reminders of that truth!
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes from Falling for the Cowgirl & why do you love it?
Tina: There are too many for one. Here are two.
“Oh, no, ma’am. You know what they say, never get between two women jawing about life or an old boyfriend.” –Travis, our hero says this. I work really hard each book to find amusing and memorable cowboy quotes and this is a favorite.
“Remind me never to fall in love,” Tripp returned. “I can’t afford the price tag.” – I love this, because of course, it sets Tripp up for his own book (Her Last Chance Cowboy).
Carrie: LOL i love these!! Your cowboys always make me smile 🙂
I am offering one reader any TWO books (print copies) that finaled in the 2019 Carol Awards! (open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to your address) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What interests you most from Tina Radcliffe’s Q&A or the Carol Award finalist Falling for the Cowgirl?
There’s just something very appealing about a cowboy hero.
mmmhmmm 🙂
Agree, Pam! The swoon factor is built-in.
I’m very much a horse person. I was in my local 4-H horse club. Everything horses. That’s one of the reasons why I like westerns.
You are blessed, girl!
Congratulations Tina🎉🤗!
The quotes were amusing! This sounds like a good book!
Hi Martha! Thanks for stopping by!
I love her quote “I am a fallen human redeemed by Christ.” That is awesome!
Truth. Right, Perianne? It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
Your story lines are always great. Looking forward to reading this book.
KIM! A high-five hello!
Redeemed is my favorite word! In fact, if I were ever to get a tattoo… Such a beautiful thought! ❤
I totally agree, Melissa. Although, I am so not into paying money for someone to hurt me. LOLOL
It’s nice to have a sweet love story that’s a clean read. I love the concept of a place for orphans to have a good time and watching these characters fall in love.
BRITTINI!!! <3 Good to see you! Love your profile pic. Thanks for stopping by.
I love love love that authors write from a Christian worldview. As I read it makes me feel like my values are normal and valued… something I usually don’t get when reading secular fiction.
Thanks for that comment, Heidi! And thanks for stopping by.
I’m with Tina, i would rather ride a horse than do weightlifting! Great interview!
LOLOL. That is a response I was not expecting, Paula. 🙂
I love this entire series!!! Tina’s cowboys are the best!
I did not pay her to say that and no horses were bribed in the making of that comment. LOL. Thanks, Kim Ann! 🙂
Love cowboys! Thanks for the chance to win!
Waving furiously at Faith!!! Thanks for stopping by.
I am by no means a “horse person”. At all. In my first year of college, it was a Bible School in upstate NY, and we had to be camp counselors for the summer as part of the program. I prayed not to get assigned to “The Ranch”. That’s where God put me LOL. Yet I am absolutely drawn to Western-set/ranch/cowboy books like Tina’s. Can’t wait for more, Tina!
That’s so funny, Heather. I was a kid at a Bible camp in Upstate NY. The funny thing is I had never even seen a Bible before going to that camp. It was my first introduction to the Word. I have such great memories. I begged to go back the next year. I was like 10 and you aged out at 12. BUMMER!!! It was called Camp Mid-Meadows.
I like to see how this girl proves she can do the job.
ha!!! Hi Vivian. Thanks for commenting.
This was my 1st Tina Radcliffe book. It sealed the deal. I fell in love with Tripp and A.J.
Tina is phenomenal in her writing style and her incorporation of inspirational elements.
Aw, thanks, Tonya!
Great interview! I am surprised that Tina is not a “horse person” given than the series this book is in is set on a ranch!
I blame my parents, Ellie. They raised me in the burbs.
Squeal! Love Tina Radcliffe’s books! This entire series was amazing. Can’t wait to read her next series.
Mindy! Thank you so much!!
I like that the author was willing to stretch herself to learn about horses to have a more authentic book. Carrie, you, too,in being willing to do what it takes to graduate!
Hi Janice! Thanks for the kind words.
Tina…..HI from hot, humid GA! Good to see you here. You KNOW I am a very BIG fan of your books…..have read them all and loved them. I am so proud of your writing success. Have always admired you as a person, too.
Have a good day!
Hugs to you, dear Jackie. And guess what? IT’S HUMID IN TEXAS. Unbelievable. It so much drier at home in Arizona. Here it’s like walking into a sauna. Hey, and I’ll be in Georgia next weekend.
Hello Carrie and Tina! Thank you for the wonderful interview! Those handsome cowboys are swoony!
Congrats, Tina! You are one of THE most encouraging and selfless authors. I think winning a Carol Award for your writing is fabulous…but being a mentor finalist (multiple times) as well as winning mentor of the year truly shows the kind of person you are. I appreciate all the work you put into your newsletter for writers – so much good stuff – and you are so generous with your expertise and encouragement in so many other ways. Fingers crossed!
Well-said!
Oh, you are going to make me cry, Karen. Thank you!
Caryl!
So good to see you!
Thanks for featuring one of my favorite people! No, we haven’t met but I feel a kinship with this author who was once a library cataloger. I follow her religiously and I’m blessed to be one of her Wranglers and I agree with Dutch Stevens–“Tina Radcliffe is for shore someone to ride the river with.”
Carrie & Tina, blessings to both of you!
love this! thanks Connie 🙂
Aw, Connie! xoxoxox
I love Tina’s books, and she is one author my mother and I both enjoy. It’s fun to discuss Tina’s stories with my mom.
Great interview!
That’s so lovely. I’m honored, Jackie.
Yay! How fun!
What a fun interview! Love Tina’s books.
BECKY! Thank you, dear. And thanks for stopping by.
sounds like a really good book.
Waving across the miles to you, Patricia!
Well deserved 🙂 Congratulations!!! Love ya!
Natalya! I need to come to California., I sat at the Western Zone Breakfast and met so many nice Californians today, Almost as nice as you!
I read this book not too long ago! After meeting Ms. Radcliffe at a book signing, I knew I had to try one of her books. The book was delightful!
She’s delightful too 🙂
Lauren, thank you!
Tina’s answer to why she writes Christian fiction shines in all she does for others. She gives selflessly to encourage readers and writers. I love all her stories which show our “Lord is a God of second chances.” Congratulations to Tina on her Carol Award final!
I totally agree, Sherida!
What a great interview Love me some cowboys Tina is a great Author Thanks for the chance!
Cowboys are always a good idea!
Hi Sarah! Thank you!
So grateful He’s a God of second chances! LOVE the quotes…reminds me a bit of Texas, and encourages me to read the book. Thanks for the introduction of a new author to me. Congratulations!
Yay! You’re most welcome 🙂
Are you in Texas, Becky D? I am right this minute and I have one word for you. HUMID. I forgot how humid this part of the world is. 🙂
I didn’t think I’d ever find the bottom of all these comments! Whew!! Tina’s books are awesome, and Tina’s even awesomer!!
Loved the fun interview with two of my favorite amazing ladies! Hugs!
Hahaha
LOLOL Thank you, Winnie! 🙂
I love second chance stories. God definitely is a God of second chances! Looks like another good book for the TBR pile!