Good Monday Morning Readers!
Today, Johnnie Alexander visits Lagniappe to discuss her latest release, Where Treasure Hides.
Welcome, Johnnie!
Tell us a little
about
Where Treasure Hides.
Alison Schuyler, a
Dutch-American artist, doesn’t expect to fall in love while waiting for her
train at London’s Waterloo Station. Especially not with a British soldier on
the eve of war. But she’s enchanted by Ian Devlin’s heroic kindness to a young Kindertransport boy. And by Ian’s
heart-flipping grin.
The turmoil of war,
and an obsessed Nazi officer, may keep the couple apart for a while, but
nothing can separate two hearts destined for one another.
As they face their
own unique challenges, Alison and Ian struggle to survive without losing hope
in God’s promises for their future.
Artist
Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery,
determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the
Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only
lead to tragedy—that is, until a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian
Devlin into her life.
Drawn
to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question
her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing
each into their own battles. While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield,
Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish
children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not
allow.
As
time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have
the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?
If you could be any
character, from any book who would you be? Why?
This is such a fun
question. And with so many possibilities, how can I choose just one? However, I
once quipped to a friend that I had resigned my seat on the Jedi Council to
become a Lothlorien Elf.
I’m not really a fan
of science fiction or fantasy, but I loved the original three Star War movies and several of the
books, and I’m a huge Tolkien fan. My favorite of his books is The Silmarillion which tells Middle
Earth’s creation story and the history of the elves.
I’m intrigued by
Tolkien’s imaginative world and would love to inhabit it. Except when Sauron is
spreading his evil shadow across the land.
What Bible verse
speaks to you the most?
Colossians 3:1-3 is my “life” passage. This
Scripture urges us to set our hearts and our minds on things above where Christ
is seated at the right hand of God (paraphrase). We are to deliberately focus,
both emotionally and intellectually, on what is heavenly and eternal because
our lives are hidden with Christ.
These verses dwell deep within me and often provide comfort
and joy.
What is the best
non-writing advice you ever received?
My mom used to say, “Don’t wish your
life away.” I still hear that whenever I say, “I wish . . .” Of course, now
that I’m a mom and a grandmom myself, I better understand the wisdom of those
words.
What led you to
choose the genre in which you write?
My fascination with World War II
history gave me little choice! A few years before The Monuments Men movie was released I had delved into the Nazi
looting of art and knew I wanted to include that in a novel. I’m switching to
contemporary with my next release, but I still have at least one WWII story I’d
like to write.
What
is your hope for the readers of your books?
Both Alison and Ian rely on
specific Scriptures as they face their own challenges during the war. My hope
is that readers will also hide these verses in their hearts for their difficult
times. I also hope my readers close the last page with a sigh of contentment
even while wishing the story hadn’t ended. Alison and Ian have lingered in my
heart for a very long time—I hope they linger in others’ hearts, too. J
What can readers who enjoy your book do
to help make it successful?
If you
love Where Treasure Hides, please
tell your friends about the story; leave a positive review on Amazon and other
retail sites; and request your library purchase a copy.
Please let me know if your book club
reads the novel. I’d love to chat!
My next novel, Where
She Belongs, is the first of three contemporary romances in the Misty
Willow Series. It releases from Revell in January 2016, and I’m hard at work on
the second book in the series. I’ve also recently signed a contract for a historical
novella, tentatively titled The Healing
Promise, for Barbour’s Courageous
Brides collection. The story takes place in Nebraska in the late 1870s.
Buy Links:
Imbedded Hyperlinks
Personal Links:
Imbedded Hyperlinks
Facebook Author Page
Link to
Chapter One:
LIGHTNING
ROUND
Pride and Prejudice or Gone
with the Wind? Pride and Prejudice
C.S. Lewis or J.R.R
Tolkien? Tolkien
Socks or slippers or
both? Socks (I love socks!)
Vacation: Beach or
Mountains? Mountains
Birthday Card: Email
or Snail Mail? Snail mail
Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016.
She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest).
A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.
Johnnie, thanks for sharing!
Johnnie's, question to readers:
Many people risked their lives during WWII to protect valuable art. In Where Treasure Hides, Alison risks her life to protect her father’s greatest masterpiece, a portrait of her deceased mother. Is a “thing” ever of more importance than a person’s life? And if not, why are so many willing to sacrifice themselves to protect what they value?
Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe.
I pray you find
"a little something extra"
in each of your days.
Marian
