Author Spotlight + Giveaway: Rebecca Reed -- Loving the Rodeo Queen

I am pleased to introduce you to a new author, Rebecca Reed!

Rebecca Reed loves adventure. Writing romantic tales filled with discovery, hope, and horses springs from a lifetime of similar journeys and fulfills a lifelong calling as a storyteller. From riding race horses to welding to teaching Spanish to traveling, she sees obstacles as challenges. Connect with Rebecca on her website RebeccaReedWrites dot com and social media to learn more about her writing.

A lover of Jesus, animals, music, and nature, she might be found listening to audiobooks on her rural Indiana farm. As a wife, mother, and grandmother with a huge, fruit-eating canine, she's learned to embrace joy where she can find it––in life’s unexpected moments and inside a good story.

Rebecca's dream is to bring God glory through fiction that delights readers with compelling, flawed characters whose search for identity and purpose reveals God's truth.

First off, welcome to my blog. It’s so great to have you here!

Thanks, Taylor. I appreciate the invitation.

What first sparked your passion for storytelling, and how has your journey as

a writer evolved over time?

I have memories of reciting a book called Hound Dog and calling it “reading”

when I was a toddler. All the stories my mom read sparked an interest that

never lessened. I started writing a novel in college that was never finished

then gave up writing for several decades before picking it up again about

fifteen years ago. I had so much to learn, but I dove in and joined writer’s

groups, went to conferences and wrote about 7 full-length novels before

finally feeling like I had anything ready to publish.

What unique aspects of your faith influence your storytelling style or the

themes you explore?

I believe writing has grown my faith, as has associating with faith-filled

writing friends. God reveals truth through my writing that I’d likely never see

otherwise. I try to weave these truths throughout my stories. I tend to pursue

themes of identity and purpose. Many of my characters are searching for who

they are and where they belong. Some know God. Other don’t. By the end of

their stories, most have drawn closer and some have made decisions of faith. I

explore some gritty topics like assault, abortion, addiction, and abandonment

but always with a sense of hope and overcoming. My characters have made

mistakes. They’re flawed and broken, but they are journeying toward healing

and wholeness through forgiveness and faith.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or passage that has guided your writing or

life journey?

I’ve had several, but my go-tos are: Nehemiah 8:10 where it says among other

things, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” The Armor of God verses from

Ephesians 6, and Romans 8:25-27 “But is we wait expectantly for things we

have never seen, then we hope with true perseverance and eager

anticipation.”

Who are some of your favorite Christian authors, and how have they

influenced your work?

So many authors have impacted me through their writing and through their

encouragement and/or teaching. In the interest of space, I’ll limit this list to a

select few. Lisa Phillips, Susan May Warren, Charles Martin, Lisa Jordan,

Kate Angelo, Emilie Haney/Bell Renshaw, Deborah Raney, Karen

Witemeyer, and Rachel Hauck. Each of these authors has spoken into me and

my writing in a personal way at some point in my journey. Some I’ve modeled

my work after. Others I’ve asked for advice and direction. Others have

influenced my outlook and trajectory in significant ways. I am grateful to all

of them for their amazing writing, but also for their heart for the Lord and

their willingness to reach out to other writers and offer their experience and

wisdom.

What’s your favorite scene or moment in the book, and why does it hold

special meaning for you?

There are so many it’s hard to choose, but the one that was hardest to write,

was when they are at the Nashville airport. I can’t tell you more because...

spoilers. The scene that was super poignant for me was when Tiago takes

Quinn to visit the Little Bighorn National Memorial and Battlefield. Trying to

convey the somberness of the setting while highlighting the truths Quinn

learned about herself was a challenge. I had visited the site with my husband,

so I had firsthand experience and wanted to do it justice. I also have a heart

for those who fought and died there and the tragedy it represents.

Are there any surprising lessons or revelations you discovered about yourself

or your faith through the writing process?

One of the first things I discovered was that I had an odd way (the fault of my

learning Spanish syntax or way too much reading of classical literature) of

structuring my sentences. With much feedback and persuasion, I’ve altered

most (not all) of my quirks so that modern readers won’t (hopefully) get lost

in my convoluted sentences. The rest we’ll count as writing voice. Also, I’ve

discovered that while I’m not a plotter, if I don’t do my groundwork on

characters and premise before I get started, my stories will careen out of

control like a runaway horse. I tend to write looong stories and have to erect

barricades around my plots so they don’t become lumbering beasts. I’m also

really good at procrastinating beginning a writing project, but once I dig in, I

like to keep at it until it’s finished, even if it only a few words each day.

How do you incorporate prayer or spiritual reflection into your writing

routine?

I’m not perfect at this, but I’m working to improve and have gotten better at it

the more I attempt it. Each time I sit down to write, I invite the Lord into my

process. I seek His will and words and vision for the scene and then ask that

He use me to speak truth to whomever He has in mind to read it.

Many of my ideas are sparked during sermons or Bible reading. I keep a

notebook handy to record them so I don’t forget.

What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers, and what feedback

has resonated deeply with you?

I’ve grown to love connecting with readers. It is one of the most rewarding

parts of being a writer. I love reading their comments – both good and not-so-

good – because I want to improve their experiences. When a reader picks up

one of my books, I want them to get what they’re expecting: flawed characters

falling in love on a journey of discovery and faith, hope, and horses. One

review stated the reader was hooked from page one. That was very satisfying

and is always a goal!

Have you seen your book make an impact in someone’s life, and can you

share that experience?

Once an exchange student my family was hosting read one of my as-yet-

unpublished manuscripts that dealt with a woman who was addicted to drugs

finding Jesus and reforming to become a successful member of her

profession. The exchange student came to me in disbelief, saying she didn’t

believe such a transformation was possible. When I told her it was an adaptation of my own life story, she was amazed and declared that reading

the story had upended her perspective on God’s ability to produce change.

Even if that book never has another reader, it has accomplished great things.

I was humbled by the impact and power story holds for changing a person’s

beliefs in a positive way.

How do you celebrate the completion of a book, and what does that milestone

mean to you?

My celebrations usually include calling my daughter and telling my husband,

then basking in the afterglow an hour or two before thinking about the next

project. I have so many ideas in my head, they won’t leave me sit idle for long.

Finishing a book is momentous though. It represents long periods of spent

emotional energy, choosing writing over other activities, and lost sleep as

scenes write themselves over my dreams at night. Typing those final words

brings a deep satisfaction while at the same time a deep exhale and release.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out?

Don’t rush your publishing journey. Allow time for God and feedback to

impact training and experience. Meet as many published and aspiring writers

as you can. Join groups like ACFW, Novel Academy, and other writer’s

groups where you can receive answers to your questions and encouragement.

Don’t compare yourself to others. They are not where you are, and you have no idea what their journey was like to get where they are now. God’s timing is

perfect even when we misinterpret His signals and claim outcomes that aren’t

His. Be flexible. Learn as much as you can about everything you can. Don’t

be afraid to walk through doors, even when you’re not sure you’re ready for

what awaits on the other side. Write and don’t stop.

Lastly, before you go…Can you talk about any upcoming projects or books

you’re working on?

Book 2 in the Love Overshadows series comes out on February 28 th . It’s called

Winning the Twin’s Heart and will be on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.

Chantz and Yoani are opposites, and yet rodeo and math tutoring bring them

together. Will it be enough to meld their very different worlds?

I also have a novella coming this fall that is part of a 3-author collaboration. It

tells the story of a wedding photographer who hates being indoors and prefers

to take pictures of nature, not people. There’s also a comfort rabbit and a

labrador involved as well as sand, surf, and a gorgeous house.

Now let me show you her debut book!

She was his Queen. He was her hero.

Quinn Mulroney, former rodeo star, lost it all. Now, she's dreaming of becoming a veterinarian while caring for her daughter, but she's never forgotten the one she called hero.

Tiago Vargas is seeking his passion, hoping to prove himself to his exacting father. When fate brings Quinn back into his life, he sees a second chance at his first love and offers her a job.

But she's not the same woman he rescued. She carries a secret, and if Tiago discovers it, will he still be her hero, or will her hidden life destroy her last shot at happiness?