Sometimes you meet yourself between the covers of a book. Sometimes you even catch a glimpse of God in the pages. Sometimes you love a book so much you wish all your friends would read it just so you can talk about it.

But maybe the book’s not on the NY Times Bestseller list, your library doesn’t carry it, and you bought the last copy at your local bookstore. How can you help friends find the book?

The great folks at Bethany House have put together a page of ideas to help you support your favorite books.

Check it out, and let me know if you try some of these ideas and how it feels to let your voice be heard!

Blessings and gratitude!
Sharon Hinck

The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, June, 2006)
Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, February, 2007)
The Restorer (NavPress, May 2007)
The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, September 2007)

Last July, Christopher Hopper, Wayne Batson, Bryan Davis and me (along with a few family members and drop-in guests) traveled all over the east coast on our epic Fantasy Fiction Tour.

Since then we’ve continued to cheer each other on in our writing. Wayne’s new book is releasing (huzzah!).

What better way to celebrate his new pirate book, than with a treasure hunt?

Announcing Wayne Thomas Batson’s Isle of Swords Treasure Hunt!

Your mission is simply this: accumulate the Most Treasure Points possible by Christmas 2007 by completing any or all of the tasks listed on Wayne’s Blog.

The Top FIVE Adventurers who accumulate the Treasure Points will receive a signed book of their choice. AND for each of the top 5, I will name a character* in my next fantasy series after you. That’s correct: I’ll use your real name, your username, or a character name you create as a character in my new fantasy series. Of course, if your name is Bob, we might want to go with something a little more fantasy-ish.

For the #1 Treasure Points getter, I will give you one copy of every new book I write…for LIFE. That means, should the Lord allow me to live long enough to write all the stories rattling around in my head, you will get a signed copy of each one sent directly to you. Of course, if you move and don’t give me your new address, thenâ•œsomeone else will be getting all those books. Doh!

Are you game for an adventure? Pop on over to Wayne’s blog and dive in!

Congrats to Justin B.!
Last month I ran a contest for subscribers of my free Book Buddy monthly e-zine, asking for photos of the most interesting place you’ve read one of my books. His entry shows him reading on top of his desk. Justin wins a packet of clavo (the favorite beverage of Lyric and Braide Wood).

To become a Book Buddy and receive a free monthly e-zine, go to my website and find the box in the right-hand column. Leave your name and email and follow the directions to “double-opt-in.”

I’m planning some other fun contests for my Book Buddies in future months!

Today I’m happy to welcome author DiAnn Mills to talk about her new novel, When the Nile Runs Red.

Paul Farid, who once persecuted the southern Sudanese, now loves the weary people whose lives have been destroyed by war.

Colonel Ben Alier has led his battle-hardened soldiers for two decades against the North, yet he pursues a relationship with his son even as his own demons pursue him.

Dr. Larson Kerr Farid works long hours caring for the sick, but fatigue and worry about her husband, are taking their toll. And she’s just learned something that will make everything more complicated.

These three friends face constant danger as tensions escalate between the north and south, and as Paul’s family schemes to kill him and Larson. Will Paul and Larson bridge the gap that seems to grow between them? And will Ben find peace as more than a soldier?

When the Nile Runs Red is being used to raise awareness of the atrocities that are taking place in Sudan. Book sale proceeds will be donated to restore the Sudanese community.

Q: DiAnn, what inspired you to write this novel?

A: I had previously written a nonfiction book about the Lost Boys of Sudan – Lost Boy No More. From that research, I wrote the novel When the Lion Roars, but the story would not let me go.

Through numerous interviews and extensive reading, I grew to love and admire the courageous Sudanese people and was burdened by their incredible needs. I had to bring them back in When the Nile Runs Red.

Q. Why Sudan?

A. This country went through nearly two decades of civil war strife. In 1983, the northern government launched a holy war against the south. This grew out of the views of the Islamic north against the mostly Christian black African south. The war had three aspects: religion, politics, and oil. The atrocities committed against the southern people are too many to list, but the war was fought in the south through genocide.

Q. How did you conduct your research?

A. I grabbed my backpack and sun screen and traveled to Juba, Sudan, the southern capital. There I stayed at a Christian compound and met with southern Sudanese from all walks of life: refugees, political leaders, and church leaders. I talked to as many people as I could, snapped pictures, and listened to what was being said.

Q. Regarding your trip to Sudan, what touched you the most?

A. The incredible faith. I could look into a Sudanese’s eyes and see the pain of persecution and the hope of Jesus. Here, we say we love Jesus while we live in our huge homes, drive our fancy cars, are well-fed, are not hunted down for our faith, or are concerned about medical care. The Sudanese understand that all they have and need is Jesus.

Q. What do you hope the readers will gain?

A. To lose themselves in the novel. That’s every writer’s goal. But I also want the reader to sense a call to action and support the Sudanese cause.

Thanks so much, DiAnn, and blessings on this new book and the work it is supporting to help the people of Sudan.

You can learn more by visiting DiAnn’s website.