We invite you this week to highlight your favorite FEMALE MINISTER in the comment section below. Participants will be placed in a drawing for an autographed copy of Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller and a $25 Gift Card.
Vanessa Miller of Dayton , Ohio is an Essence best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain. To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain , Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through The Storm . These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.
Yesterday’s Promise is the first book of a series entitled, Second Chance of Love. Whitaker House plans to release the next two books in October 2010 and January 2011. Visit her online at www.VanessaMiller.com.
Vanessa, tell us about yourself.
Let’s see… I have one daughter (Erin), and I now have a two year old granddaughter and a 1 year old grandson. I know, I know… everyone tells me I don’t look old enough to be a grandmother. I just wish it was true.
Anyway, I am the administrator for the children’s Bible study program at my church and I am a full-time writer. I love to read and spend time with my family.
What type of jobs or careers have you worked in the past?
I have worked in accounting and in human resources. I liked different things about both areas, however, as the years progressed I discovered that I no longer wanted to work in corporate America. I prefer writing and working from home. So, I hope my readers continue to buy my books so I can keep this career. J
Who are your favorite authors? What are your favorite books?
I love everything by Jacquelin Thomas, Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury. I also love Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Tia McCollors, Michelle Stimpson and Norma Jarrett novels. I travel with the last four authors mentioned in a group called The Anointed Authors on Tour and I make sure to read every novel they write.
My favorite novel however, is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
When did you begin to realize you wanted to write?
I was about nine years old when I realized I wanted to be a writer. I didn’t have the first clue as to how I would accomplish this goal, but I knew that I loved the written word and I loved writing my own stories. After many years of trial and error I finally figured it out.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
As a teenager, I wrote poems and short stories. However, in my early twenties I attempted my first novel. I got halfway through and couldn’t finish it. The same thing occurred with the next three novels I attempted. The first novel I completed was Former Rain and it took seven years from the start of that book until it was published.
I was so excited about finally completing a novel that I didn’t want to wait on a publisher to agree to publish my novel. So I self-published it in 2003. By 2006, I signed a contract with a mainstream publisher. That deal provided me with better distribution. Now, in 2010, I have 4 new books releasing by three different publishers. The one thing I’ve learned through this journey is that God is good. He will never fail us, if we put our trust in Him.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, describe your day?
Yes, I’ve been writing full-time since 2005. My day goes something like this: Since I don’t have to drive into work. I eat breakfast and then I read my Bible and have prayer time (some days, I allow things to get in the way of my prayer time, those are typically not good days for me). I am usually at my desk about 9 am. I answer my emails for about an hour and then I write from about 10 in the morning until about 4 pm. I then use the rest of my day to work on marketing issues.
About the Book
Melinda Johnson has always felt called to ministry. So, when her father, Bishop Langston Johnson, decides to step down after thirty years of leadership at Omega Christian Center, it seems only natural for her to take his place. But Bishop Johnson feels led by a God who has other things in mind, and to succeed him, he appoints Steven Marks-a man who is opposed to female pastors, not to mention the fact that he is Melinda’s ex-fiancé.
Feeling defeated, Melinda nevertheless maintains her position as the church’s Missions and Community Outreach Director. Frequent interaction with the new bishop incites bitter sparring-and rekindles long-suppressed attraction, which grows only stronger when Melinda develops a relationship with Steven’s precious daughter, Brianna, who’s still struggling with the death of her mother.
Can Steven and Melinda set aside past pains, forgive each other, and learn to love again? Or will their opposing positions regarding women preachers keep them forever at odds?
Tell Us About Your Favorite Female Minister
We invite you this week to highlight your favorite FEMALE MINISTER in the comment section below. Participants will be placed in a drawing for an autographed copy of Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller and a $25 Gift Card.
View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/WomeninMinistry.
and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain.
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