Guide to Categories : Author Interview – an interview with an author, if there is no review from me, I have not read the book and cannot speak to its appropriateness for a school library

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About the Book

Book: Love’s True Home

Author: Lori DeJong

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 25, 2024

She craves roots. He seeks adventure. Will finding one mean leaving the other behind?

Allyson Kincaid needs roots. After being born and raised on the foreign mission field, all she wants is home and hearth on American soil. Finally past the break-up with the man she’d thought was the love of her life, she’s ready to put herself back out there. Too bad the first guy who’s made her pulse skip in nearly two years dreams of a life spent in foreign missions. She respects and supports his calling but knows it’s not one she shares.

When self-described vagabond Zane Carpenter relocates to Arlington, Texas, his only thought is to meet his obligation with Becker Ministries then move on to a foreign mission assignment, his dream and goal for the past several years. But working so closely with Ally in student ministry has his heart feeling things he’s never experienced. He’s ready for a future with her, until she makes it clear she doesn’t share his calling to the mission field.

A trip to her father’s Guatemalan mission changes everything when one stays and one leaves. Can she make a place on foreign soil, or will he find a home in Texas he didn’t even know he was looking for?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author – Lori DeJong

Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies and is the mother of one grown daughter. Lori’s debut novel, “Love’s True Calling”, is the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was released in June 2023. “Love’s True Home” is the second book in the True Calling Series and releases on June 25, 2024.

More from Lori DeJong

Do you ever wish you had a second chance to make a first impression? I know I have.

And I can’t help but think that Allyson Kincaid, the female protagonist in my upcoming novel, Love’s True Home, would desire the same thing. Her first appearance in Love’s True Calling, Book One of the True Calling Series released last year, may not have painted her in the best light. But who could blame her for acting from a broken heart, trying to win back the man she thought was the love of her life? I knew from the moment she stepped off the page in chapter thirty-one she needed her own story. Her own true love. Her own path to finding her true calling. And I hope readers will give her that second chance to win their hearts.

As I set out to get to know her better, I found she had a lot to tell me. Much of her history was spent growing up on foreign mission fields across Central America, leaving her feeling rootless and without a place to call home. Until she came to Arlington ten years ago and found exactly what her heart longed for. Now her dream is to settle right there in Arlington, get a house someday—and a dog, of course—and grow her roots in rich, Texas soil.

Over a brainstorming session with a close writer friend, I mapped out an entire story concept for Ally, with a handsome missionary love interest. Then Zane Carpenter popped up in the last few chapters of Love’s True Calling and I knew he was the guy for Ally. Out with the old story and in with the new.

Getting to know Zane was a kick, even if he has enough of his own heartbreak in his history. His sense of humor, extrovert adventurer personality, and deep love for the Lord had me hooked from the beginning. Except for the myriad friends he’s made in the half-dozen places he’s lived over the past thirteen years, Zane’s alone in the world. And until meeting Ally, he was okay with that. Traveling here and there for new opportunities, new adventures, meeting new people. With a foreign mission assignment being his ultimate dream.

But what happens when the girl who’s been-there-done-that as a missionary kid and has no intention of leaving Texas meets a guy who sweeps her off her feet, only to find out his goal is to work in foreign missions?

Come along for the ride as Zane and Ally discover more about themselves, each other, the Lord they both wholeheartedly long to serve …

And the true meaning of home.

Author Interview – Lori DeJong

When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

I’m not exactly sure. I just know I was always interested in writing, just had no idea how to go about it or how to be published. Funny story, I was going through a bunch of old day timers a few years back (probably during a move, trying to decide what to part with) and I found an old “Goals List” from the early 1990’s. On that list, under “Long-term Goals” I had written “to be a published author”. And I wasn’t even writing in the early 1990’s! I didn’t start writing in earnest until 2002 (with a decade-long “break” from 2009 to 2019). So I guess there’s been a writer inside me for a long time itching to get out.

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

My other hats are wife to my husband of 31 years, mom to our 24-year-old daughter, and dog mom to our two fur-babies. And as of the end of June, when I retired from the day job, I am now a full-time writer. Super excited about that. For fun, I love doing anything with my husband and daughter, even if we’re just sitting around the table playing games. My husband and I also really enjoy watching the Texas Longhorn Women’s Volleyball games during their season. Back-to-back National Champions!

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

I love Contemporary Christian Romance, which is what I also write. But I also really love Romantic Suspense and mysteries. I like romance because I love a happy-ever-after ending and seeing the characters’ journey to getting there.

How does your faith play out in your writing?

It’s really all about faith. I write with a message I hope will resonate with readers. A message I’ve prayed about and feel called to write, with each book. I do use scripture in my writing but it’s not always specifically quoted as scripture. Like I do in my everyday life, my characters may just have a “thought” that’s based in scripture. Such as, don’t let the sun go down before talking things out (Eph. 4:6), or encouraging a minor character with assurances that they’re handmade by God (Ps. 139:13-14; Eph. 2:10) and so on. I show characters going to the Lord in prayer, whether in thankfulness, desperation, or a simple request. Faith plays a huge part in my writing.

Young Author’s Days were an important part of my work as a school librarian. What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

If I could go back in time and choose a career, I would’ve been a librarian! Honestly. Thank you for your work to spread the love of books. To answer your question, the number one piece of advice I would give is to follow that dream and DO. NOT. GIVE. UP. No matter what anybody else says. I had a teacher once who greatly discouraged me in my writing, and I didn’t pursue it for several years after that. I’m glad I didn’t let it stop me for good. Also, don’t compare yourself. To anyone. The most famous writers of our time were rejected by agents and publishers dozens, even hundreds of times. But they persevered because they believed in themselves and made it happen. Don’t let anybody get in your way. Just write. Write everything. Journal your thoughts. Write those stories that pop into your head. Write. Write. Write. And then write some more. That’s what makes you a writer.

Views expressed in this interview/guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog host.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 11

lakesidelivingsite, July 12

Back Porch Reads, July 13 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, July 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 15 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 16

Simple Harvest Reads, July 17 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, July 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 18

Cover Lover Book Review, July 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 21 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 22

Stories By Gina, July 23 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lori is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2ca40/love-s-true-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

Read more Author Interview posts