Robin Jones Gunn and Free Books!

Becoming Us is what happens when five young women gather as a group of “Haven Makers” and discover they are becoming the moms, sisters and friends they always wished for.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Stopped Cold, by Gail Pallotta, is:

mauback55@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Robin Jones Gunn, author of the contemporary women’s fiction release, Becoming Us (WaterBrook/Multnomah, May 2019).

Robin Jones Gunn is the bestselling, Christy Award winning author of 100 books with over 5.5 million copies sold worldwide and is best known for her Christy Miller novels for teens and the Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks® series for women. Robin’s non-fiction titles include Praying for Your Future Husband, co-authored with Tricia Goyer and Victim of Grace.

The Hallmark Channel created three movies based on her Father Christmas novellas. The movies broke a network record by being their highest rated and most watched original movies in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Robin’s love for storytelling and training writers has taken her around the world. She has served on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and has been a keynote speaker in Africa, Brazil, Europe and Australia as well as Canada and throughout the US.

Robin and her husband have two grown and married children and live in Hawaii.

I sat in one of your classes at ACFW many years ago, Robin, and it was excellent in helping me discover the overall theme God had put on my heart for my writing. Very cool class.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

We live on Maui and I have made the three day hike through Haleakala crater.

I had no idea you lived in Hawaii! Beautiful.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Becoming Us.

Five young women gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for. As the women begin sharing their life stories they are endeared to each other and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other navigate the new season of life they now find themselves in.

When Emily is finally able to open up to Christy, Sierra, Jennalyn and Tess about the struggles that prompted the big move across country to Southern California, she begins to make changes in her heart and home. Those intentional choices soon create a haven for herself, her husband and daughter. Emily settles into the life they now have and experiences the peace that had eluded her for so many years.

What is it about Emily that will make your readers care about her?

Readers have told me they relate to the financial struggles and childbirth challenges that Emily and Trevor have been working through. Every woman knows what it’s like to be the new person who enters a group of already established friends. Emily is in the midst of those insecurities when the story begins. She choses to be brave and makes an effort to connect. As she continues to take small, courageous steps she finds that even though her circumstances haven’t changed, she has changed and that’s when the future opens up for her.

You're so right, being that newbie is tough at first. It does take a degree of bravery to sally forth in those circumstances.

Tell us in a few words a scene in your novel and name a song or piece of music that would make a good soundtrack to the moment.

Emily has been given the use of a classy convertible so she and her new friends take off wearing sunglasses and scarves and head down the coast to a special coffee shop in Laguna Beach. They call it their “Grace Kelly Day” and pretend they’re living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Simply joys are simply the best.

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" would make a great sing along for the five friends as they take the coastal curves under the California sun, laughing and raising their arms.

Now I'll have that song in my head for days! 

I have to read this book. My sister and I are both fairly new residents of California, and I think Laguna Beach may well be one of our first meeting points. 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Most of my reading lately has been yet-to-be-published novels from writers who are working on their craft. I don’t have a specific one I can recommend by title, but I can recommend taking a chance on newly published authors because I’m finding that the stories are getting better and better.

Oh, wait. I just thought of one that was recently published. The title is True: A Contemporary Retelling of Rahab, by S.E. Clancy. I recommend it because as a novella it’s a quick read that captures you on the first page. Clancy did a great job of making this familiar Biblical story feel fresh.

What are you working on now?

I’m in the midst of the rewrites on the sequel to Becoming Us. I’ve written series for many years: Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, Glenbrooke, Sisterchicks® and now the Haven Makers series. This second book is from the first person POV of Jennalyn, one of the other women in the Haven Makers group.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.ChristyMiller.com
www.RobinGunn.com
Facebook
Instagram and Twitter @robingunn

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Do you enjoy watching movies based on your favorite books? Or do you avoid some book-to-film productions because you’re afraid they’ll ruin a story you loved?

Thank you, Robin, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your novel. Readers, Robin has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE