I would like to introduce a writer friend of mine, SUSIE FINKBEINER, and her debut novel titled PAINT CHIPS, which is available on KINDLE HERE!
Susie, welcome to my blog! I'm so glad I have the opportunity to interview you! I want my readers to get to know you a little so they can come back when we have a giveaway of your book in April.
Sandi, thank you for hosting me on your blog today!
Tell us a little
about your novel, “Paint Chips”.
“Paint Chips” is a novel about redemption, mercy, and love
in the midst of darkness, brokenness, and seeming hopelessness. Cora and Dot
are mother and daughter. Through the retelling of their stories, they are able
to see the love of God, His provision for their lives, and His ability to calm
the storms that rage in and around them. Through domestic violence,
abandonment, separation, death, and sexual trafficking, Cora and Dot see the
faithfulness of God, even when they are not faithful to Him.
What made you include
sex trafficking in this novel?
I’ve been working within the Anti-Trafficking community for
a few years now. It is one of my great passions in life to see people freed
from slavery. I never sent out to write a novel about sex trafficking, and I
don’t think that “Paint Chips” is about it. However, I found myself despairing
the fact that sexual slavery is so prevalent in the United States. And that so
many people are just unaware of what is going on.
With such a heavy
issue, how did you find hope to weave into your novel?
I am a firm believer in hope. Jesus Christ came to this
world to infiltrate our hearts with hope. As I wrote some of the more difficult
scenes of the novel, I had to remind myself to write in glimmers of hope. And,
I would hope that my readers would see that and be able to find it in their
lives. That they could be reminded of a time in their lives when Jesus spoke
and calmed their hearts.
If you could leave
the reader with just one thought after reading “Paint Chips”, what would it be?
That we are beloved of God. Dearly loved. Regardless of what
we’ve done or what’s been done to us. We are loved beyond measure.
You inserted humor into
“Paint Chips”. Why?
Lola, one of the characters in the novel, said, “Victims
don’t giggle. But survivors do.” The humor in “Paint Chips” is a hopeful humor.
Laughter is healing. I wanted the reader to have those moments of realizing
that life, even when tough, can have pockets of levity. I also wanted to
provide some fresh air for my readers.
What are you working
on currently?
I’m writing my second novel which is very different from
“Paint Chips” in subject matter. However, I hope that I am able to make my
readers connect with this set of characters the way that many have connected
with Cora and Dot. I’m also blogging regularly and writing short plays for my
church.
How can we connect
with you?
I would love to hear from as many of you as I can!
Find my novel
page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susie-M-Finkbeiner-Novelist/191087155015
Also, I would love to connect with you on my blog
www.susiefinkbeiner.com
Sandi, thank you for having me today.
It was my pleasure. Thank you for dropping by! I'm looking forward to that giveaway in April!
Thanks, Sandi. I'll keep an eye on this one.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy. Thank you!
DeleteWill find your FB page and blog, Susie! Your novel sounds very interesting! Congrats on your debut--love the title!
ReplyDeleteI would love to connect with you Facebook, Heather! And thank you for the congratulations. Such an encouragement!
DeleteWaving at you both, Sandi and Susie. Glad to read your interview here and to recommend Paint Chips to anyone who hasn't yet read it!
ReplyDeleteWaving back at you, Normandie! And thank you for the recommendation!
DeleteThanks, Susie--liked your page with my author page (Heather Day Gilbert) so it doesn't always show up on your feed. And I was just telling Sandi what a GREAT author picture you have!
ReplyDeleteOh, great! I'll follow back.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for complimenting the picture. I have a genius photographer for a friend. It sure is nice to know talented people. :)
I simply can't wait to read this book. Soon, very soon, gotta get my hands on it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of it, Christine!
DeleteSusie, I'm always amazed at the different stories the Lord puts on our hearts. God's message of hope and His love is so exciting to me. I'm so glad you wrote a novel which delivers this message. Here's to many sales. June
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sweet June! God sure is good, isn't He?
DeleteYour book sounds like it is going to be a great read and can't wait for it to come out. I am going to look for you on facebook now as well as your blog.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
Hi, Jo! Thank you so much. Just to let you know, if you're a Kindle user, Paint Chips is available for download now. Or you can hold out for the good old paperback book. I would love to connect with you!
DeleteSusie, I read your info about Paint Chips with great interest. My second novel releases later this year, and it also deals with human trafficking. This evil is epidemic in the area we live in, Seattle, and in some of the southwestern counties of Washington State. I plan to buy a copy of your book because you delve deeper into the victim's side of the story than I did.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I look forward to reading your book when it releases. Human trafficking is such a terrible crime. Thank you for using your voice to expose it.
DeleteHey, Susie! Cannot wait to read this. Our church has launched a ministry to help women caught in this terrible ordeal. The stories are simply unbelievable. Praying for great success with your novel. Blessing
ReplyDeleteGolden, I'm so glad that your church is taking part in helping women find freedom both physically and Spiritually. Thank you for sharing that with me. Blessings back to you!
DeleteSusie, thanks for writing on a heavy subject. I'd much rather read about real issues than the "fluffy" stories that many publishers put out. Sounds like an absolutely fascinating read!
ReplyDeleteDena, I'm so glad to "meet" a reader who prefers reading about these issues. That is an encouragement to me! I have to give a lot of credit to WhiteFire Publishing for taking a risk on this gritty book.
DeleteSusie,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! Can't wait to read it. A man in our church heads a group that works with women and children in India and China, rescuing them from slavery and introducing them to Jesus. Thanks for exposing this here.
Carole,
DeleteThank you so much! I'm so excited to hear that your church is a part of the fight for Freedom. That is fantastic. Blessings to that ministry!