Jennifer Slattery - Intertwined

Good Monday Morning Readers!

Today, Jennifer Slattery visits Lagniappe to discuss her latest release, Intertwined.

Welcome, Jennifer!

Tell us a little about Intertwined

I’d love to. How about if I give you what’s on the back cover?

Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator often finds herself in tense and fighting against bitterness. After an altercation with a doctor, she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters her old flame Nick. She walks right into his moment of facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both have learned to find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, it doesn’t take long to discover that their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance….or is it? Could this be where life begins again?

You can find Intertwined, print and e-version, on CBD for under $12! http://www.christianbook.com/intertwined-a-contemporary-romance-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694439/pd/694430?event=ESRCN

 On my publishers site: http://newhopepublishers.com/2015/03/intertwined/

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Intertwined-Jennifer-Slattery/dp/1596694432

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intertwined-jennifer-slattery/1121268293

And pretty much wherever books are sold.

If you could be any character, from any book who would you be? Why?

Boy, this is hard. I think I’d like to be Tammy’s mother, because she’s so quirky and, well… bubbly—unexpected in a hilarious way. I have an insanely goofy side, so that wouldn’t be too much of a change. I’d probably also like to be Tammy’s best friend, because she’s just awesome. The kind of friend who’s always there when you need her and who isn’t afraid to eat all of your ice cream, just to save you from it, of course. I’d say I’d like to be Tammy, but man, has she hit a few hurdles. Although her job is pretty amazing. It’s incredible what God can do through a willing heart.

Hm… I didn’t really answer your question, did I? I really need to learn to be more decisive.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what's on your writing playlist these days?

I don’t. I like things absolutely silent. I’m lucky in that I have a quiet house for most of the day, because I’m easily distracted and my brain wants to latch on to every noise around, process it, roll it around a bit, follow it along a bunny trail that makes absolute sense to my brain but would cause everyone else to shake their heads.

Um… yeah, no. (Was this a too much information answer? Oy.)

I do like listening to music when I edit, though.

What Bible verse speaks to you the most?

I have two, Ephesians 2:10 and James 4:13-16

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

“Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”  Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16 NLT).

We are God’s masterpiece. I love camping out in that truth.

These verses have shaped my definition of success. They remind me God has a glorious plan for me, my life, and every person I touch while here on earth. And He’s taken full responsibility to perfect that which concerns me. (Psalm 138:8) My role is simple: To surrender fully and obey without hesitation, seeking to learn and grow from each and every event or encounter.

That’s it. And here’s the beautiful thing—if I do that, I have succeeded, regardless of how things turn out.

What is the best NON-writing advice you’ve received?

This was from my father, back when I was on the track and cross-country team: “The champions are those who are out running while everyone else is watching television.” I’ve found that nugget of wisdom applies to numerous areas of my life, and I’m so grateful my father encouraged me to work hard and persevere. 

What can we expect from you in the future?

I have another novel releasing in January, by the same publisher, titled Breaking Free. Here’s the working (meaning not final or perfected by their awesome marketing folks) back cover blurb:

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-designing husband appear to have it all together. Until their Visa and debit cards are denied, leading to a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. How far will they fall before he turns to the only One who can save him? And will it be in time to save his marriage?

LIGHTNING ROUND   

Coffee or Tea? Both! Though I have a fierce addiction to the former and a mild affinity to the latter.

eReader or Paper book? Both! Though I reach for paperback first, I love my kindle when I travel.

Cake or Pie? Cake for sure! Though ice cream’s even better.

Vacation: Beach or Mountains? Anywhere with my hubby.

NCIS or CSI? Why watch television when you can read a book instead????

Intertwined, part of New Hope Publisher’s contemporary fiction line, is a great reminder of how God can turn our greatest tragedies and failures into beautiful acts of love and grace. Readers will fall in love with the realistic characters and enjoy the combination of depth, heart-felt emotion and humor that makes Jennifer’s novels so appealing. Readers will be inspired to find God in every moment and encounter in their own lives!

Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

Readers, Jennifer's question to you:

If you could be a character from a book, who would you be, and of course, tell us the name of the book. J

Jennifer, thanks for sharing!

Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe.

I pray you find 

"a little something extra" 

in each of your days.

Marian