Sunday, November 22, 2009

THE CHRISTMAS SECRET: INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU5oKdtqkvGnKUCkwGpOvNXyfMjKTbDml_0inMYjQbM-EFdTc04-ukDXQ6Tmi19jngzoutiNf7dPjX8lAZ3S-FKf1OEadRBWQBLwugauO4Yavo2CHH2kujIPMUT52v6EgeA-MJcLBV6nZ/s1600/xmas+secret.JPG
GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET

BY DONNA VANLIERE


AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, Donna VanLiere:

Welcome, Donna VanLiere, NY TIMES and USA Today bestselling author of FINDING GRACE, THE CHRISTMAS HOPE Series, and THE ANGELS OF MORGAN HILL. I was privileged to have worked with you before during the interview for my review of FINDING GRACE, and I am so pleased that you agreed to once again visit my blog, BOOKIN’ WITH BINGO. THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is a different kind of story than when you were here last.


In your powerful memoir FINDING GRACE, you seemed to pour your heart and soul into telling about your own life. How is writing about yourself different, or alike, from writing fictional stories about other characters you?

I love writing stories so when I wrote Finding Grace it was important to me that it read like a story. Writing about myself was different in the sense that the people I wrote about in the book are real, not fictitious so I couldn’t just “make up” the scenarios and dialogue but make them honest and real.


With all of your wonderful Christmas books, is there a reason you chose to go with that theme?


The Christmas books chose me!
After I wrote The Christmas Shoes I thought I was done and would move onto a non-seasonal novel I was writing (The Angels of Morgan Hill). My editor called and asked if I had thought of writing another book after Christmas Shoes and I told her I hadn’t. She called several weeks later and asked me the same thing. Finally, after a third call I said, “Do you want me to write another book?” She said that due to reader response she thought that would be a good idea and that’s how The Christmas Blessing was written. I turned again to the non-seasonal novel I was writing and she called again and asked if I’d write another Christmas book first and that’s how The Christmas Hope was written. So, I feel the series kind of chose me and I’m grateful because I’ve loved writing every book in the series. The Christmas Promise was the fourth book and a couple of those characters show up in The Christmas Secret. That’s been one of my favorite things about this series…making each book a stand alone novel but bringing in some of the previous characters from the earlier novels for all the faithful readers of the series.


I know people say it is like picking a favorite child, but is there one of your fiction books about holidays that you like better than the others?

I love The Christmas Hope because it revolves around the theme of adoption and we have three adopted children!


What favorite holiday book by another author do you like?

A Christmas Carol!


On Dec. 12, several of your holiday novels that were made into movies will be showing on television. Can you tell us a little about that and how much you were involved in the making of those movies?


I’m technically not involved in the making of the movies. I act as a consultant and am able to talk with the producers about something I may not like or agree with but ultimately they and the network have final say. In The Christmas Blessing script it was written that God was taking someone to Heaven (a sick character) and I spoke with producers and said, “You know, God doesn’t take people. Life takes people. God receives them. There’s a big difference between the two.” They changed that line in the movie to reflect that God was receiving this dying person, not taking him and I was grateful for that little change. For each movie I’ve been able to travel to the set and watch and that’s always fun because it’s surreal to see the characters come to life on screen.


What is your wish for Christmas—as in a gift you would like… and please, we know we all want world peace and good health, but after that???

My husband and I have gotten to that point in our lives when we don’t need anything and each year we talk to our kids and explain (not sure it’s sinking in yet) that Christmas isn’t all about presents. We take them Christmas afternoon to the Rescue Mission and help feed the homeless because we want them to know that it’s not all about us. God gave us the greatest gift and in turn we need to give, not just take. If I could ask for a gift I’d ask for my children to be grace-filled and understand that we’re all here to help one another.


Thank you, once again, Donna, for being so gracious about this and participating in the interview. May your holidays be filled with peace and good times!


Don’t forget that Lifetime television will premier THE CHRISTMAS HOPE, starring Madeline Stowe on Saturday Dec 12 at 8 EST. The two previous movies will air prior to that at 4 EST (The Christmas Shoes starring Rob Lowe) and 6 EST (The Christmas Blessing starring Neil Patrick Harris). I will post those reminders the day before to nobody will miss the chance to see Donna’s work come to life on the screen!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA FROM THE
BOOK REPORT NETWORK AND, OF
COURSE, DONNA, I HAVE TWO
COPIES TO GIVE AWAY OF
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET

RULES:

--U. S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS,ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE INCLUDED
IN YOUR ENTRIES
--EACH COMMENT MUST BE NEW AND
SEPARATE OR THEY WILL ONLY COUNT
AS ONE ENTRY

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: GO TO THE INITIAL POST OF THE CHRISTMAS SECRET AND FIND ONE AWARD AUTHOR DONNA VANLIERE HAS WON AND COME BACK HERE AND TELL ME ABOUT IT.

+1 MORE ENTRY:WHAT IS DONNA'S FAVORITE OF HER OWN HOLIDAY STORIES? WHICH IS YOURS, OR IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ANY, WHICH DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD ENJOY BESIDES THE CHRISTMAS SECRET?

+1 MORE ENTRY: WHAT ARE CHRISTINE'S CHILDREN'S NAMES IN THE CHRISTMAS SECRET? AGAIN, YOU CAN CHECK IN THE INITIAL POST.

+1 MORE ENTRY:ON DECEMBER 12, THE LMN WILL AIR MOVIES OF DONNA'S BOOKS. THEY WILL HAVE TWO ENCORE SHOWINGS NOT LISTED HERE. CAN YOU FIND AND NAME THE MOVIE AND TIME OF SHOWING FOR ONE OF THOSE ENCORE SHOWINGS? (AGAIN THE INITIAL POST WILL HELP)

+5 MORE ENTRIES:
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY, CLICK THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY KITTY IN MY RIGHT SIDEBAR AND ENTER TO WIN THE KINDLE AND COME BACK AND TELL ME ABOUT IT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER ALL THE WAYS BUT EVEN ONE WILL QUALIFY FOR THESE 5 ENTRIES (I CAN CHECK WITH BIBLIOFREAK SO PLEASE, WELL, YOU KNOW)

DEADLINE TO ENTER IS
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 11


GOOD LUCK! AND REMEMBER...

THE CHRISTMAS WISH IS
A BINGLE BELLS BOOK CHOICE
[<span class=
A GREAT GIFT FOR THE
BOOK LOVER ON YOUR LIST!

92 comments:

holdenj said...

I think it's wonderful she has won A Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction. It shows me she is selling even in this poor economy. Good all around.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

The kids names are Zach and Haley.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

The LMN web site says the premiere of Christmas Hope will be on Dec 13 at 8. The other two will be shown previous to it, on the 13th.


Christmas Shoes 4 pm (easter)
Christmas Blessing 6 pm
Christmas Hope premiere at 8
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

g.g. said...

She won the Silver Angel Award

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

Donna's favorite is A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the book of hers I'd like to read is THE CHRISTMAS HOPE

anjamie4 AT gmail Dot com

g.g. said...

Christine's kids are Zach and Haley

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

g.g. said...

One of the encores will be The CHRISTMAS HOPE at 12AM ET

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

bermudaonion said...

Donna has won a Dove Award. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

Donna's favorite of her stories is The Christmas Hope.

scottsgal said...

She's won a Silver Angel Award

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

Donna's favorite is A Christmas Carol and the book I'd like to read would be The Christmas Blessing

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

Zach and Haley are her kids names in the book

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

The Christmas Shoes Dec 13 4 pm,and The Christmas Blessing, Dec 13 6 pm

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

Already signed up for Kindle giveaway by signing up for newsletter

msboatgal at aol.com

Margie said...

She won the Audie award for inspirational fiction.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Donna's favorite of her own books is Christmas Hope, because it deals with adoption. I haven't read any of her books yet, but think I would begin with the first, Christmas Shoes.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The kids in the book are Haley and Zach.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Encore performance of Christmas Shoes at 10PM ET on Dec 12.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Signed up for the newsletter at the Kindle giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

She won the Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction! Congrats Donna!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Her favorite is "A Christmas Carol", mine is "A Christmas Story"!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

The kiddos names are Zach and Haley.

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

One of the showings is "The Christmas Blessing" December 13th at 6 pm.

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

#1

I signed up for the THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

#2

I signed up for the THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

#3

I signed up for the THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

#4

I signed up for the THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

#5

I signed up for the THE GREAT KINDLE II GIVEAWAY!

heatheranne99(at)hotmail(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Anna has won the Silver Angel Award, an Audie Award for best inspirational fiction!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

The Christmas Hope is Donna's favorite!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

The children's names are Zach and Haley.

delila0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Encore showings on 12/12 for Donna's movies:

10PM ET: The Christmas Shoes (Encore)

12AM ET: The Christmas Hope (Encore)

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Donna has won a Dove award

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Donna's favorite is The Christmas hope

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

The kid's names are Zach and Haley

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

10PM ET: The Christmas Shoes (Encore)

12AM ET: The Christmas Hope (Encore)

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Commchick said...

Donna's favorite book is "The Christmas Hope" because it has a theme of adoption. I haven't read any of her books, but would probably be drawn to that one in particular because I am adopted.

Sharon
belchers@jccal.org

Commchick said...

She has won the Retailer's Choice Award.

Sharon
belchers@jccal.org

Molly said...

+1 She recieved a Silver Angel Award


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+1 of 5 for entering the kindle 2 giveaway via newsletter, twitter, and facebook ways.


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+2 of 5 for entering the kindle 2 giveaway via newsletter, twitter, and facebook ways.


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+3 of 5 for entering the kindle 2 giveaway via newsletter, twitter, and facebook ways.


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+4 of 5 for entering the kindle 2 giveaway via newsletter, twitter, and facebook ways.


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+5 of 5 for entering the kindle 2 giveaway via newsletter, twitter, and facebook ways.


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+1 Her favorite of her stories is The Christmas Hope

Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+1 The Christmas Shoes encore @ 10pm

The Christmas Hope encore @ 12am

(also showing here in my home state on the 13th)

Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Molly said...

+1 Christine's children's names are Zach and Hayley


Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

kalea_kane said...

Well, she has won many awards, but the one that strikes me is the Silver Angel. That just reflects how special her work is. :)

Thank you for the chance

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

Donna's favorite of her own stories is The Christmas Hope because the story revolves around adoption and they have three adopted children. I love that. I actually haven't read it, and I really would like to read The Christmas Hope. I have a desire for adoption myself.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

Zach who is seven and Haley who is five are the names of teh Children in The Christmas Secret. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

Silver Angel Award
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Donna has won the Dove Award.

wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Zach and Haley are the children's names.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Marilu said...

Donna has won the Audie award for inspirational fiction.

lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

great interview.

Marilu said...

The names of the children are Zach and Haley.

lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

Donna's favourite is The Christmas Hope. The only one of the series I have read is The Christmas Promise, and I enjoyed it. Now that I know it is part of a series I will be reading them all!
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

There will be an encore presentation of The Christmas Hope @ 12 AM EST

Marilu said...

I entered the Kindle giveaway!
comment 1 of 5
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

I entered the Kindle giveaway!
comment 2 of 5
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

I entered the Kindle giveaway!
comment 3of 5
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

I entered the Kindle giveaway!
comment 4 of 5
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

I entered the Kindle giveaway!
comment 5 of 5
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

great interview! Thanks for the entries!

Benita said...

She has won a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Glenn said...

She's won a Dove Award. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

silver angel award,,need some good winter reading,,thx for contest..
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

D Q said...

She won a Silver Angel Award.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

Edna said...

She has been on the USA Today and NY Post's best sellers list amd she has won the silver metal award.

I would love to win this book


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)

Winning Readings said...

Dove Award.

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-secret_09.html

Jaime said...

won A Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction
copperllama at yahoo dot com

409cope said...

Donna won the Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

Donna's favorite of her Christmas theme books is The Christmas Hope. I would love to read The Christmas Shoes. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

Christine's children are Zach and Haley. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

The Christmas Shoes airs at 10PM ET cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

Anonymous said...

Her children are named Zach and Haley

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

She won the silver angel award

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Anonymous said...

Her favourite story is 'christmas hope'

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

She has won a Dove Award.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

her favorite is The Christmas Hope. My favorite is The Christmas Shoes.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Zach and Haley.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

The Christmas Hope (Encore) at 12 am ET.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Deb K said...

She has also won The Silver Angel Award~That is Awesome!!


deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb K said...

The Christmas Hope is one of her favorite books that she read and I would love to read The Christmas Shoes!!


deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb K said...

The kids names are Zach and Haley!



deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb K said...

One of the encores will be The Christmas Hope!


deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

dsandyboy said...

Please enter me.

dsandyboy@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. walkerd@primus.ca

dsandyboy said...

She won the Silver Angel Award.

dsandyboy@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

Donna won the Silver Angel Award.
Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Donna's favorite is "The Christmas Hope". I haven't ready any of the books yet but I think I would enjoy "The Christmas Promise".

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Zach & Haley are the kids in "The Christmas Secret"

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

December 12 - 10PM ET: The Christmas Shoes (Encore)

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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