The winner is auraliascolorsfan.
I love Sharon Hinck and her books, and so did Janna. The Restorer makes her top 7 list for 2007. And the sister she talks about below is none other than yours truly. Don't forget to jump over to Janna's blog to enter to win a copy of The Restorer. Leave a comment here to win a copy of The Restorer's Son.
---------------
THE RESTORER by SHARON HINCK!
Wow! What a book! Ironically, "The Restorer" had a lot of people a little standoffish at the beginning because this book is not your typical woman's romance book. I was not one of those people, I devoured this book as soon as I got a copy in my hands. My sister however was one of those people - why be standoffish you ask? Well, not everyone is enraptured by the thought of reading a sci-fi/fantasy/fiction book. The incredible thing is that I think "The Restorer" has actually made a lot of converts! I have heard some readers say that while they didn't think they would ever read a fantasy book, now they can't wait to read the next books in this series. Now I hope that settles in some of your minds that weren't sure this book would be something that you would enjoy - that it might be worth your time to check it out and see! Now on to why I liked it so much...
The heroine is a regular wife and mother who when wanting to spend some devotional alone time with God goes into the attic. While there she gets sucked into a portal that zaps her into some alternate world where good and bad abound. She discovers that here she is no regular person, but she has an incredible call on her life to save people (she is The Restorer) but she doesn't exactly know what that is or how to go about fulfilling that call. Now I feel I can tell you all that without ruining anything for a new reader... what I can't tell you is about the twist that comes in the middle that will make you gasp and love the book even more or about how she comes to start fulfilling her role as The Restorer. I can tell you that this book is full of amazing spiritual truths and nuggets and that it will make you think, really think, about many things in your life. I can honestly say that if you read this book based on my recommendation, I think you will thank me when you are done! I have to say too that I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Sharon Hinck - in the process of doing this interview with her I discovered that she was involved in Christian dance for years (as am I) she has connections to not just Nebraska, but Seward, NE (I lived there for years when I was younger and you have to understand that Seward is quite small and not many people have connections there)! Now let's meet Sharon Hinck...
1) Sometimes people think of authors as being bigger than life and not "real", so I thought we would start off with a very important question, one that will show people just how real you are! "What dessert can you not resist when it is time to indulge?"
Embarrassing confession here. If I were at an all-you-can eat buffet with tons of choices, the one thing I’d go back for, for desert, would be mashed potatoes and gravy. But if I have to stick with the desert category, I’d go with angel food cake. My mom used to make it for my birthday.
2) The buzz on "The Restorer" has been amazing and well deserved. I actually could've put "The Restorer" on both the Most Entertaining and the Most Life Changing lists because of how much people are enjoying it and how much it is changing the way people think. Did you have any idea your book would have this kind of impact or be so well received?
I’ll let you in on a secret. God nudged me to pray about this series in a targeted and specific way for years. After I wrote it and put out my first feelers about publication, and heard that it would be a tough sell in the CBA, I explained that news to God and planned to tuck it in a filing cabinet and move on to writing other kinds of books. He simply didn’t let me do that. He stirred me to keep sharing the manuscript with friends, praying for people to be touched by the story, and praying for an open door so it could reach a wider audience. Then He orchestrated an amazing chain of events to answer those prayers. When I pray for the readers of these stories (and I still do that regularly) I continue to feel a sort of “holy yearning” that is hard to explain – and not at all a normal experience for me. Because of God’s persistence with me in asking me to pray, I suspected He was up to something...but it still amazes me when I get reader mail that shares how specifically He used these stories to impact someone’s faith-walk.
3) Some people are leery of "sci-fi" or "fantasy" writing. What made you decide to write in that style?
I love hero-journey stories, and fish-out-of-water stories, so as the elements of the story began to unfold, that’s what the genre ended up being. I have shelves full of sci-fi and fantasy books, (along with many other genres! My bookshelves suffer from multiple personality disorder) and have always loved the genre, but actually wasn’t sure what genre I WAS writing, because The Restorer was a blend of elements. Ultimately, setting the story in an alternate world gave me a chance to look at familiar concepts in new ways, and freed me to explore the passionate relationship between God and the individual in a unique way.
4) The enemy in "The Restorer", the people called The Rhusicans, were an interesting plot in the story because their weapon of choice is to poison people's minds. As humans we allow all kinds of mind poisons into our lives (tv, radio, books, bad associations, etc...), The Rhusicans were an interesting way to bring that up. How did you come to develop The Rhusicans?
I love that you mention the sources of mind poison. While writing The Sword of Lyric series, I actually kept in mind the whole mass-media marketing industry – the “create a need” mentality. “Your laundry isn’t white enough, your hair isn’t shiny enough, you won’t be loved unless you drive this kind of car” sort of messages. Rhus is the botanical name of poison (as in poison ivy or poison oak) and the Rhusicans became an embodiment of the whispers we hear from “the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.” Plus, as a neurotic aspiring writer, I am often pummeled by negative voices, so the concept hit close to home. :-)
5) The sequel "The Restorer's Son" has come out and I've even heard some comments from people that they like the sequel even better than the original. Now we are all waiting for the third book in the series... will this be the end or is there more to come in this series?
You never know. The characters and storyworld continue to live in my mind. I’ve been delighted by the response to The Restorer’s Son. It was definitely one of my favorite writing experiences; and if you’ve ever wrestled with God, you’ll enjoy watching God’s love unfold to one character in particular.
6) What projects can we be looking from you after this?
The Restorer’s Journey releases in February, as does Symphony of Secrets (a contemporary fiction set in the professional music world about a professional flutist and her teen daughter – with some light mystery and a hint of romance – published by Bethany House). Then in September of 2008, Stepping Into Sunlight releases from BHP, about a Navy chaplain’s wife who is recovering from a violent crime and struggling to heal from post traumatic stress while her husband is on his first deployment.
Thank you so much, Sharon - not only for being with us today, but for writing such a great book! How can readers get in touch with you if they would like to?
I love hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website. I also have fun extras to explore at my website, so please visit me!
www.sharonhinck.com.
I send out a regular ezine to my Book Buddies, and you can subscribe for free, and I also post musings at my blog on a semi-regular basis.
My books are available at
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?action=Search&author=Sharon%20Hinck&detailed_search=1&event=AFF&p=1023817
Sharon has agreed to give away a copy of THE RESTORER so if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet, then remember to leave a comment and let me know you would like to be entered and how to get in touch with you if you win. If you are one of the many who have been fortunate enough to have read it already, then please leave a comment telling us what you thought about it!
Wow! What a book! Ironically, "The Restorer" had a lot of people a little standoffish at the beginning because this book is not your typical woman's romance book. I was not one of those people, I devoured this book as soon as I got a copy in my hands. My sister however was one of those people - why be standoffish you ask? Well, not everyone is enraptured by the thought of reading a sci-fi/fantasy/fiction book. The incredible thing is that I think "The Restorer" has actually made a lot of converts! I have heard some readers say that while they didn't think they would ever read a fantasy book, now they can't wait to read the next books in this series. Now I hope that settles in some of your minds that weren't sure this book would be something that you would enjoy - that it might be worth your time to check it out and see! Now on to why I liked it so much...
The heroine is a regular wife and mother who when wanting to spend some devotional alone time with God goes into the attic. While there she gets sucked into a portal that zaps her into some alternate world where good and bad abound. She discovers that here she is no regular person, but she has an incredible call on her life to save people (she is The Restorer) but she doesn't exactly know what that is or how to go about fulfilling that call. Now I feel I can tell you all that without ruining anything for a new reader... what I can't tell you is about the twist that comes in the middle that will make you gasp and love the book even more or about how she comes to start fulfilling her role as The Restorer. I can tell you that this book is full of amazing spiritual truths and nuggets and that it will make you think, really think, about many things in your life. I can honestly say that if you read this book based on my recommendation, I think you will thank me when you are done! I have to say too that I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Sharon Hinck - in the process of doing this interview with her I discovered that she was involved in Christian dance for years (as am I) she has connections to not just Nebraska, but Seward, NE (I lived there for years when I was younger and you have to understand that Seward is quite small and not many people have connections there)! Now let's meet Sharon Hinck...
1) Sometimes people think of authors as being bigger than life and not "real", so I thought we would start off with a very important question, one that will show people just how real you are! "What dessert can you not resist when it is time to indulge?"
Embarrassing confession here. If I were at an all-you-can eat buffet with tons of choices, the one thing I’d go back for, for desert, would be mashed potatoes and gravy. But if I have to stick with the desert category, I’d go with angel food cake. My mom used to make it for my birthday.
2) The buzz on "The Restorer" has been amazing and well deserved. I actually could've put "The Restorer" on both the Most Entertaining and the Most Life Changing lists because of how much people are enjoying it and how much it is changing the way people think. Did you have any idea your book would have this kind of impact or be so well received?
I’ll let you in on a secret. God nudged me to pray about this series in a targeted and specific way for years. After I wrote it and put out my first feelers about publication, and heard that it would be a tough sell in the CBA, I explained that news to God and planned to tuck it in a filing cabinet and move on to writing other kinds of books. He simply didn’t let me do that. He stirred me to keep sharing the manuscript with friends, praying for people to be touched by the story, and praying for an open door so it could reach a wider audience. Then He orchestrated an amazing chain of events to answer those prayers. When I pray for the readers of these stories (and I still do that regularly) I continue to feel a sort of “holy yearning” that is hard to explain – and not at all a normal experience for me. Because of God’s persistence with me in asking me to pray, I suspected He was up to something...but it still amazes me when I get reader mail that shares how specifically He used these stories to impact someone’s faith-walk.
3) Some people are leery of "sci-fi" or "fantasy" writing. What made you decide to write in that style?
I love hero-journey stories, and fish-out-of-water stories, so as the elements of the story began to unfold, that’s what the genre ended up being. I have shelves full of sci-fi and fantasy books, (along with many other genres! My bookshelves suffer from multiple personality disorder) and have always loved the genre, but actually wasn’t sure what genre I WAS writing, because The Restorer was a blend of elements. Ultimately, setting the story in an alternate world gave me a chance to look at familiar concepts in new ways, and freed me to explore the passionate relationship between God and the individual in a unique way.
4) The enemy in "The Restorer", the people called The Rhusicans, were an interesting plot in the story because their weapon of choice is to poison people's minds. As humans we allow all kinds of mind poisons into our lives (tv, radio, books, bad associations, etc...), The Rhusicans were an interesting way to bring that up. How did you come to develop The Rhusicans?
I love that you mention the sources of mind poison. While writing The Sword of Lyric series, I actually kept in mind the whole mass-media marketing industry – the “create a need” mentality. “Your laundry isn’t white enough, your hair isn’t shiny enough, you won’t be loved unless you drive this kind of car” sort of messages. Rhus is the botanical name of poison (as in poison ivy or poison oak) and the Rhusicans became an embodiment of the whispers we hear from “the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.” Plus, as a neurotic aspiring writer, I am often pummeled by negative voices, so the concept hit close to home. :-)
5) The sequel "The Restorer's Son" has come out and I've even heard some comments from people that they like the sequel even better than the original. Now we are all waiting for the third book in the series... will this be the end or is there more to come in this series?
You never know. The characters and storyworld continue to live in my mind. I’ve been delighted by the response to The Restorer’s Son. It was definitely one of my favorite writing experiences; and if you’ve ever wrestled with God, you’ll enjoy watching God’s love unfold to one character in particular.
6) What projects can we be looking from you after this?
The Restorer’s Journey releases in February, as does Symphony of Secrets (a contemporary fiction set in the professional music world about a professional flutist and her teen daughter – with some light mystery and a hint of romance – published by Bethany House). Then in September of 2008, Stepping Into Sunlight releases from BHP, about a Navy chaplain’s wife who is recovering from a violent crime and struggling to heal from post traumatic stress while her husband is on his first deployment.
Thank you so much, Sharon - not only for being with us today, but for writing such a great book! How can readers get in touch with you if they would like to?
I love hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website. I also have fun extras to explore at my website, so please visit me!
www.sharonhinck.com.
I send out a regular ezine to my Book Buddies, and you can subscribe for free, and I also post musings at my blog on a semi-regular basis.
My books are available at
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?action=Search&author=Sharon%20Hinck&detailed_search=1&event=AFF&p=1023817
Sharon has agreed to give away a copy of THE RESTORER so if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet, then remember to leave a comment and let me know you would like to be entered and how to get in touch with you if you win. If you are one of the many who have been fortunate enough to have read it already, then please leave a comment telling us what you thought about it!
74 comments:
Hi! Is this drawing for The Restorer or The Restorer's Son?
I would love to be entered into the drawing. My email address is:
El_Todopoderoso_es_numero_uno [at] yahoo [dot] com.
Thank you and may God richly bless you, even more than he already has!
Oops, you just said it was for The Restorer's Son. I saw it now.
I'd still like to be in the drawing. In fact I have The Restorer. I want the sequel. Thank you, again!
Oh I would love to win The Restorer's Son. The Restorer is next on my reading list after I finish up the "Boo" series!!
I'd like to be in the drawing for the Restorer's Son. I just finished The Restorer and absolutely LOVED it! My e-mail address is:
sarah_smile10[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thank you! :)
Enter me for Restorer's Son please - still haven't read it yet!
Janna
ryanx6@msn.com
cool.
I'd like to be entered to win The Restorer's Son please
my email is
bellasdaughter@aol.com
I'd like to be entered too please
biggestxmenfan[at]aol[dot]com
Awesome!
I'd like to be entered.
kalelightwizard[at]aol[dot]com
Such a cool offer!
please enter me!
roguelebeau6[at]aol[dot]com
AWESOMEFUL!!
I so love the idea of these contests.
please enter me
lilbrownkitsune[at]aol[dot]com
when are these contests gonna be done, btw? I didn't notice a cutoff date
i'd love to win this one!
-Rebornbutterfly
SOOOOO SWEET!!!
please enter me
sesshokagome[at]aol[dot]com
coolio!
I wanna enter too please!
Dragonkeeperfan[at]aol[dot]com
could you enter me too?
thanks for doing these nice contests
ashleystalworthfoley[at]gmail[dot]com
could you enter me too?
thanks for doing these nice contests
ashleystalworthfoley[at]gmail[dot]com
nnnnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
please enter me
doorwithinfreak[at]gmail[dot]com
this contest rocks!!!
sign me up please!
maximumriderocks[at]gmail[dot]com
so cool!
I'd like to enter too please.
karenbannisterstalworth[at]gmail[dot]com
greatings earthlings.
I would like to sign up for this out of this realm book.
thank you earthlings.
here is my email
aliendoomduck[at]gmail[dot]com
you may go in peace....XP
ohhhh.....cooooolllllll!!!!!!!
please enter me.
bindingofthebladebiggestfan[at]gmail[dot]com
awesome!
I would like to participate in this contest too please.
shamersdaughter[at]gmail[dot]com
this is so nice of you guys to do this contest.
I really hope I win....I really want this series and my library is mean and won't buy it cause they didn't like the 1 or 2 reviews they read about it.....<.<
sushiforonechick[at]gmail[dot]com
these sound like really awesome books and one way or another I will get my claws on a copy of them all.
I hope I win...;)
bonnieconnersilver[at]gmail[dot]com
this is really sweet of you guys to do.
I would like to enter please.
diblandfiliasdaughter[at]gmail[dot]com
I'd like to enter
neveraloneforever[at]gmail[dot]com
thankies
sweet!
princeaidanthomas[at]gmail[dot]com
thank you!
tis a very generous offer....thanks. :D
remylebeaufan[at]gmail[dot]com
so nice of you.
landofamara[at]gmail[dot]com
thank you
this is such a cool contest.
pyroquirrel[at]gmail[dot]com
awesome contest.
littlebambinobreadstickfan[at]gmail[dot]com
yey! this is SO COOL!
I wanna join in the contest!
lovethefluffymikopairing[at]gmail[dot]com
thank you!
this is very nice of you guys to do.
thanks.
vanillapepsilover[at]gmail[dot]com
really interesting looking contest.
please sign me up.
moonpiefan[at]gmail[dot]com
cool!
sign me up too please!
aidenxlexarecute[at]gmail[dot]com
so nice of you guys.
please sign me up.
auraliascolorsfan[at]gmail[dot]com
when are these contests ending???
sweet!
please sign me up!
plotbunniesofdoom[at]gmail[dot]com
COOL!
I wanna enter too please!
xmewolfsbane[at]gmail[dot]com
I would LOVE to enter these cool contests.
thanks for doing these.
LHLClark[at]hotmail[dot]com
ohhhh I wanna enter please!
chibikawaiishippo[at]yahoo[dot]com
thank you ;)
could you please enter me too?
everevereverafter[at]yahoo[dot]com
btw, when are these contests going to end?
this is such an awesome looking contest(s)
sign me up!
lilkawaiitenshi[at]yahoo[dot]com
ty!
COOL!
I so wanna enter this contest!
allpowerfulbugsquisher(at)yahoo(dot)com
Can I enter still?
fluffyinupuppy[at]yahoo[dot]com
thank you for this great looking contest
I would like to enter too please.
servantofkingeliam{at}yahoo{dot}com
how long will this contest run for anyway???
since I can comment I'm betting the contest is still up and running.
I would like to be entered too.
christianromancefanaticfan{at}yahoo{dot}com
thankyou!;)
when exactly are these contests supposed to end?
it's getting to be a pretty full house in the comment department...*whistles*
floatinglava(at)yahoo(dot)com
ty!
AWESOME!
count me in please!
icanhardlywaitforallmyholymt(at)yahoo(dot)com
NICE!
enter me too!
blacknekoyoukai[at]yahoo[dot]com
thankies!
please enter me!
jonasbronasfan[at]yahoo[dot]com
can I enter?
twilightfanaticfanbasemember{at}yahoo{dot}com
thank you
kick'in!
so cool....I've wanted to read these books for ALONG time.
dragonsinourmidstfreak(at)yahoo(dot)com
I wanna join the contest too!
diblisfunny[at]yahoo[dot]com
thank you SO MUCH!
This is like, sooooo cool!
kittyshadowcatpryde[at]yahoo[dot]com
like, thanks! >^.^<
I want to be in the fun too!
christmasshoesmakesmecry[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would also like to toss my hat in the contest.
iloveedwardcullenfanclubmember[at]yahoo[dot]com
;) thank you
count me in!
fireworksgoboom[at]yahoo[dot]com
me too!
orangejuicesherbert[at]yahoo[dot]com
and thanks. :o)
wow....this is really cool of you and your sis to do....thank you!
vampiredangermagnet[at]yahoo[dot]com
YEY! I would like to enter!
chittychittybangbangweloveyou[at]gmail[dot]com
Sign me up!
pausedhourglass[at]gmail[dot]com
thanks!
this is so kewl!
seeramongblind{at}gmail{dot}com
awesome!
count me in!
drowninmytears[at]gmail[dot]com
nice!
flameinthetwilight(at)gmail(dot)com
sweet!
airlightwater[at]gmail[dot]com
such a wonderful contest!
ladytrentmysteryfan{at}gmail{dot}com
YEY! one of the book series on my list!
sign me up!
onemagicalbookworm(at)gmail(dot)com
I so hope I win....if not...there's always the Easter Bunny.....I think he'd pay that for the hostage negotiation fee....*plots*
jesustakethewheeltakeitfromme(at)gmail(dot)com
hmmmm......I loved Arena by Karen Hancock so I think scifi/fantasy/christian stuff I will love....
count me in!
deadasascone{at}gmail{dot}com
please sign me up!
innerchildisacaligirl[at]gmail[dot]com
woah....I wanna join the party too!
bubbliesoap(at)gmail(dot)com
count me in!
oraclesoffirefreak{at}gmail{dot}com
me too!
beautifulsingingriver(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like to join in the contest please.
wovenhearts[at]gmail[dot]com
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