All posts by Sharon Hinck

Multi-author Events

Since being published, I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to partner with other authors – on book tours, speaking events, book signings, panel discussions. There is a great joy in spending time on an effort that doesn’t focus on promoting my own work, but ministering to people and supporting the work of other Christian authors.

I’m part of a fun event coming up on April 26 at the Maple Grove Northwestern Bookstore in Minnesota. Lisa Barry, from KTIS, will facilitate chats on stage with each of the participating authors. I know and admire each of these authors, and can’t wait to spend time with them again. We’ll also have oodles of prizes for folks who stop in the story, and special goodies for those who purchase books.

The events manager, Bev, even created a seed packet (complete with flower seeds inside!) using the covers of all our books. I posted photos of the packets below. What a fun, creative gift! Bev always makes these in-store events extra special. If you know anyone in the Twin Cities area, be sure to let them know, so they don’t miss this fun afternoon!

Blessings!
Sharon

Sharon’s Books

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Speaking of Gifts

In honor of all the spring events approaching (Mother’s Day, Graduations, etc.) I’ve discounted all my books at the marvelous site called:

Signed By the Author

You can order any of my books and have them autographed and personalized (especially fun if you want to give them as gifts!)

Symphony of Secrets is a PERFECT end-of-the-year gift for music teachers, choir directors, church music ministers, etc.

The Secret Life of Becky Miller and Renovating Becky Miller are great for Mother’s Day, for new-baby gifts, or for your MOPS or Moms-in-Touch ministry leader.

The Sword of Lyric Series is a fun graduation gift – fantasy novels about the hero’s journey – for young heroes beginning their adventures in life.

Happy Gift Giving!
Sharon

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Being a Fool

Devotional Musings

The weather sent a little April Fool’s joke to Minnesota. This is the view from my window. I appreciate the beauty of snow-flocked trees, but I’m SO ready for Spring!

Today I wrote about the beauty of foolishness over at Faithchicks. Please stop by and leave a comment!

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

Sharon writes stories for the hero in all of us. Her two latest releases are Symphony of Secrets and The Restorer’s Journey. Learn about them here:
Sharon’s Books

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Merry Easter

The view in Minnesota this Easter made me think of Christmas. But Isaiah summed up the power of the resurrection of Christ in his prophecy, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”

So perhaps a snowstorm is a good way to remember how Christ’s death and resurrection have overlaid my old nature with the beautiful purity of His redemption.

Maybe I’ll go outside and make a few snow angels to commemorate the angels at the tomb and their joyful proclamation. 🙂
His, Sharon

P.S. – Congratulations to Barbara H. who won the drawing for Camy’s new book (see post below). And congratulations to me because I figured out how to use a random number generator instead of writing all the names on scraps of paper for the drawing. 🙂

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Worth Doing

The Writing Life


Interview at TitleTrakk

“There is always the doubt that whispers, ‘It’s a waste of time.’ But art is precious. Obedience is precious. When God calls you to do something it is worth doing.”

The quote comes from an answer to some great questions I was asked in an interview at TitleTrakk. You can read more here – and be sure to explore the TitleTrakk site. It’s packed with great info about books, music, and movies.

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A Visit from Camy Tang

Visiting Authors

Camy and I have been critique buddies and writing pals since we met at Mount Hermon long before either of us were published. This photo shows us celebrating at Camy’s amazing book signing at ICRS in Atlanta. It’s my pleasure to welcome her today as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, Only Uni. And be sure to read to the end for info on a free book!

Here’s Camy:

“Some of you may be surprised to hear it, but I am not a very tractable person. I can be downright stubborn (gasp!) at times. Therefore, because I am an ornery old coot, God is always asking me to do what I don’t want to do, to force me to get over myself and obey Him. (And who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?)

This theme of daily surrender to God has permeated my life, so naturally it permeates my books, too. In SUSHI FOR ONE, Lex had to surrender her own plans for herself to God and accept His will for her. In ONLY UNI, Trish has to surrender all of herself—her faults, her mistakes—in order to fully walk with Christ. And maybe like herself a little better in the process.

Both are things I’ve struggled with in the past, and continue to struggle with. Trish has a really hard time accepting who she is, how God made her, and how to like herself. I’ve struggled with the same things.

Just this past weekend, I went to a family gathering where there were lots of skinny, petite Asian girls (and young, to boot!), and I had to once again war inside myself with my self-esteem. I have such a hard time accepting myself for who God made me. I’m always comparing myself with others and wishing I were “better” or “different.”

Trish is a little different from me in that she has a better handle on who she is and accepting herself better than I do. But we both struggle with wondering if we need to do more, be more, in order for God to love us. The truth is that God loves us and is there for us no matter what we do. Even when we feel awful because we’ve done something to disappoint him, He still loves us. That’s the bottom line. Satan likes to make us forget that. So I hope you read Trish’s story and get a bit of encouragement and hope amidst all the funny stuff that happens to her. I think she’s a fun character, but she’s dear to my heart, too.” –Camy Tang

Camy Tang is the loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick lit. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own…), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away five boxes of books and 25 copies of her latest release, ONLY UNI.

BONUS: Leave a comment about an area you are learning to surrender to God (with a working email where I can follow up) – and you will be entered in a drawing for a FREE COPY of ONLY UNI!!

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Audie Finalist – Listen to This!

Renovating Becky Miller

Renovating Becky Miller (the audiobook) was just named a finalist in the Audie awards in the Inspirational/Faith-Based Fiction category! Woo hoo!

Other finalists include Ever After by Karen Kingsbury, Not Easily Broken by T.D. Jakes, The Penny by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford, and River Rising by fellow Bethany author Athol Dickson.

The Audies® is sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA) and is the only awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audio books and spoken word entertainment. Through The Audies® awards competition, publishers are able to enter titles in various genres for recognition as the premier titles. Finalists are selected for each category and from each group of finalist one winner is awarded. Finalists are showcased to the industry-at-large on the APA website, press releases and in association materials.

You can listen to a sample of the Renovating Becky Miller audiobook here.

You’ll get a good sense of the talented narrator. Your local library might carry the audiobook (or may order it, if you request it). It’s a GREAT listen for carpooling moms. 🙂

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Sample a Chapter – Symphony of Secrets

Symphony of Secrets

Just a quick note – Symphony of Secrets is being featured this week at “You’ve Got Books” – an online service sponsored by Christian Author’s Network. You can sample the first chapter by clicking here.
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I love the weeks after a book releases when I begin to hear from people that identified with themes in the story. When I hear that something rang true, all the work feels that much more meaningful. Two of my Bethany House editors have said this is their favorite of all my books – but I wondered what other readers would think. You can click on any of the links below for some fun thoughts on the book.

Virginia Smith wrote, “Symphony of Secrets is a quick read, not because it’s light on content, but because the writing and the story pull you in so effectively you don’t want to put it down.” For more of her thoughts visit Virginia Smith’s Book Reviews.

Violet Nesdoly said, “In Symphony of Secrets Hinck is, as in earlier books, in fine and funny form. Full of clever comparisons and savvy humor, her writing is always a pleasure to read.” Read her in-depth review Blog Critics.

Cara Putman shared, “This book is written with a light touch that often had me laughing out loud as I read it. Amy sees more what ifs in a situation than anybody I know!” in her review at The Law, Books, and Life.

At Radiant Lit, Jill Hart said, “Mom-lit and music lovers everywhere will want to make sure to grab a copy and prepare to be entertained.”

BookHaunts Book Reviews has great feedback by Ane Mulligan who wrote, “I enjoyed every page of this book! Hinck employs wit and angst as you follow Amy, a musical geek trying to fulfill her dreams.”

Number one Amazon Reviewer, Harriet Kausner said, “Combining music with an amateur sleuth investigation and a light welcoming inspirational religious touch, readers will want to attend the symphony.”

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A Visit from Robin Lee Hatcher

Visiting Authors

THE PERFECT LIFE
by Robin Lee Hatcher

Katherine Clarkson has the perfect life. Married to Brad, a loving and handsome man, respected in their church and the community. Two grown daughters on the verge of starting families of their own. A thriving ministry. Good friends. A comfortable life.

She has it all—until the day a reporter appears with shocking allegations. Splashed across the local news are accusations of Brad’s financial impropriety at his foundation and worse, of an affair with a former employee. Without warning, Katherine’s marriage is shattered and her family torn apart. The reassuring words she’s spoken to many brokenhearted women over the years offer little comfort now.

Her world spinning, Katherine wonders if she can find the truth in the chaos that consumes her. How can she survive the loss of the perfect life?

**************

An interview with Robin

Question: Where do you get the ideas for your stories and what has been your greatest inspiration?

Answer: Ideas come from all kinds of places – from dreams, from bit of news on the television, from conversations overheard in restaurants. Sometimes I’m conscious of the exact moment an idea for a novel began. But for most my novels, the ideas seem to creep up on me. The Perfect Life was more the latter. One day I simply recognized I had the premise for a story rolling around in my head, then I began brainstorming the bigger picture and eventually the novel was born.

Some of my novels have come from deep personal experiences. Because God has walked me through dark places and brought me out on the other side, I want to share with others the grace He has shown me. Since I am a novelist, fiction is the main way I can do that. And naturally, the faith element of my novels comes out of my own faith experiences, from lessons God has taught me or is teaching me. Sometimes I’m looking for answers right along with the characters of my books, so writing is a form of discovery for me.

Question: How does it make you feel to see your books, not only in print but on the shelves of stores?

Answer: I can honestly say it was every bit as exciting when I held The Perfect Life, my 56th book, as it was when I held my very first novel (1984). Every novel is a story from my heart, and I pray that each one will bring readers both enjoyment and new understanding. To see it come to fruition is an amazing thing.

Question: Do you have a favorite of all the books you have written so far? Why is it your favorite?

Answer: I don’t have one favorite book, but some of my books are special to me for different reasons. For instance, I love Ribbon of Years because my protagonist, Miriam, is the kind of Christian I hope to be at the end of my life. I love The Shepherd’s Voice because God taught me that He can and will do amazing things with what I offer to Him, even when it is so imperfect. I love Beyond the Shadows because I long to let Christians who love alcoholics know that they are not alone and that there is always hope in Christ. I love Catching Katie because Katie was such a fun character and the research was fascinating. I love The Forgiving Hour because God poured that story into my heart and many of the scenes came straight out of my own life (albeit the experiences came more than 25 years before I wrote the book). I love The Perfect Life because I understand Katherine’s perfectionist tendencies and her need to control the chaos. And I always love the next book I plan to write because there is still hope that it will completely fulfill the vision I have for it.

**************************
About Robin

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd’s Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 55 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

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