Interview with Darlene Shortridge

1. Why did you chose this particular genre? I am not sure I chose it as much as it chose me.  I had the story of Mark and Jessi running through my head and it wouldn?t leave me alone.  Once I realized that this story wasn?t going anywhere, I started writing.  Once I started writing, I understood just how much the words coming from my heart could impact a world that has lost hope.  Our lives are filled with heartache.  We have been hurt and humiliated.  Our lives are in turmoil, and if not ours then the lives of those around us.  To take a fiction story and make it relatable to our every day lives is an honor that God has entrusted me with.  As long as He continues to lead me this genre, I will continue to write it.   2. What is your favorite Bible verse? Can I use an entire chapter?  Please?  If so, then I will say Psalm 139.  David is my favorite Biblical human being.  Of course this relates with what I mention in the question above and the question below.  God knows us.  He knows everything about us.  All this knowledge does not dissuade Him from loving us or from dying for us.  As I read this chapter, I am so reminded of His unconditional love.  No matter where I go, what I do and who I do it with, He is there with me and has a hedge about me.  I love that.  Like David, I have failed miserably.  I am so unworthy of God?s love.  He loves me anyway.  Isn?t that amazing? 3. What is the most important thing you hope that the reader takes away from your book Until Forever?
 No matter what you?ve done, no matter how bad you have failed, there is forgiveness in the arms of Christ.  I cannot tell you how my heart breaks when someone does not come to Christ because they feel they have committed the unforgivable sin.  I want everyone to know that is what He went to the cross for.  That is how much He loves us. 4.What are you writing now? I am so excited because book two In the Women of Prayer Series, Forever Blessed, is almost finished.
 Forever Blessed tells the heartbreaking story of Paul and Laney Sanders.  Laney is on the run from her abusive husband, Paul.  With her three children in tow, she leaves everything she knows to obtain safety for her and her family.  While living in a women?s shelter, Laney meets women from every walk of life that are facing similar circumstances in their lives.  Does Laney find safety from a controlling manipulative husband?  Does Paul track her down and make her pay for her disobedience?  Where does God fit into all this?  Forever Blessed tackles the tough subject of domestic abuse, both inside and outside the church.   I expect this book to be released mid to late August of 2012.  5.What is your favorite comfort food? That is my problem, I have too many comfort foods!  Because it is summer I?ll choose my summer comfort food.  I bet you didn?t think there are different comfort foods for different seasons, did ya?  Well, there is.  So, my summer comfort food is a spinach strawberry salad with feta cheese, candied pecans, sautéed chicken breast and poppy seed dressing.  Every bite truly brings comfort. 6. I am a dog lover, tell us about your pets if any. I love dogs as well, particularly labs.  At the moment we do not have a pet of any kind.  But, within the next few months we will be looking for a golden lab puppy, a female, she will be named Simba and she will have a blue collar.  I promised our son so it will come to pass.  7. Do you have a blog or website where readers can connect with you? Actually, I have both.  My blog is www.darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/And my website is http://www.darleneshortridge.com/My facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/darlene.shortridge You can find me on twitter as well at https://twitter.com/#%21/ShortridgeD

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