Michelle Dennis Evans – Insight

Rather than offer Michelle Dennis Evans the usual kind of interview, I asked her to share either how she met her partner, her testimony of faith, or something interesting from her family heritage. Michelle has chosen to tell us about how she met her hubby.

Made For Each Other

Mich5Eighteen years ago, I headed off to improve myself at RYLA a leadership camp run by the local Rotary clubs. There I met a long-haired very good-looking boy called Shane. Soon after camp, we began dating. I realised he was a valuable catch, but I’d just come out of a serious relationship and I wasn’t ready for the ‘happily ever after boyfriend.’ So I dumped him.

Bless his heart … he didn’t give up on me. Even when he was dating other girls he would whisper in my ear that he’d drop them in a second for me. (OK so he wasn’t perfect – LOL)

During the year that followed, we were both selected to return to the next RYLA camp as leaders. As we worked together we became good friends (the foundation of our relationship) but I still wasn’t ready to settle down. Neither of us were living a Christian lifestyle and I found that every time I had a couple of drinks, I couldn’t keep away from him.

We have just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.

I knew from just weeks after meeting Shane that he would be the perfect husband for me. Family of origin plays a huge part in all relationships – Shane and I both grew up in Mass attending Catholic homes with multiple similarities in work ethic, schooling and social beliefs. Not only have we grown together as a couple, but we have grown together spiritually as well.

Can you see how your family of origin has played a part in your relationship with your husband/wife/partner?

Thanks for sharing that story with us, Michelle. It sounds like you were destined to be together. My hubby and I celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary this coming weekend! Having a similar family upbringing definitely makes it easier to relate to each other.
Last week I reviewed Michelle’s debut novel, Spiralling Out of Control, which you can read here. Don’t forget to leave a comment with your response to Michelle’s question above. And remember, you can learn more about her at these addresses:

http://michelledennisevans.com

Twitter: @michelledevans

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleDennisEvans

Blog: www.michelledevans.blogspot.com

Published in: on 30th October, 2013 at 10:42 am  Leave a Comment  
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L.D. Taylor – Motive Games

From the Back Cover:

motivegamessmallWhen practically everyone you know hated your Dad, where do you start your search for his murderer?

Phil Roland is sure his dad’s death wasn’t an accident. Thousands of adults had hated him for designing a popular, but controversial, first–person shooter. Thousands of kids had hated him because he’d walked away with the rights to the game, before a sequel could be made. Now Phil’s got a plan to prove his dad didn’t just fall down a set of stairs. But getting that proof means getting in at Motive Games, getting Dad’s eccentric detective friend to help him investigate, and getting past his own grief.

In this fast-paced thriller, inspired by The Song of Roland, real-world technology collides head on with real-life dilemmas. The result is a high-tech murder mystery with heart, soul… and ultimately, hope.

Amanda’s Review:

High-tech murder mystery is exactly what this book is. Although aimed for younger readers, I thoroughly enjoyed following Phil’s journey as he tried to find out what really happened to his dad.

I probably only understood about half of the computer/gaming lingo, but it was enough to keep me on track with what was happening. And happily, if you don’t understand it all, there is a glossary at the end of each chapter. A true gaming enthusiast would have fun following all the links to more information — unless of course, they already know it all.

Lisa Taylor did a great job at portraying teen characters as well as some interesting adult characters as well. Motive Games kept me turning pages, particularly as it built to the climax. Recommended for teens and lovers of the gaming world.

About the Author:

lisataylorAfter graduating from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada with a BA in English Literature and History, LD Taylor began a career in marketing for the 3D graphics and animation software industry. A few years before her family’s immigration to New Zealand in 2010, she decided to spearhead a family project that would combine one of her teenage sons’ interests (video games) with one of her own (mystery novels). In 2011 the resulting manuscript, Motive Games, won the Caleb Prize in the Young Adult category. Today, Taylor and her family live like pioneers in New Zealand’s Northland, taunting their family back in Canada with photos of exotic locally grown fruits and snowless winters.

Published in: on 20th February, 2013 at 10:00 am  Comments (2)  
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Penelope McCowan – Heidi’s October

From the back cover:

For Heidi Jordan, young and lovely, life is neatly mapped out and right on target. Her university grades are high, her future in the medical field all but guaranteed and her only dark secret is well kept. Until the first of October, that is, when Heidi discovers that reckless choices can have desperate consequences, and pain and anguish cannot be outrun.

For Annaliese Miller and her handsome fiancé Ben, the party on the evening of October the first was just the beginning of their brand new life together. But by midnight, Annaliese is lying on the cold flagstones in a pool of blood, her devastated husband-to-be kneeling in horror beside her.

Will Heidi return and face those she has shattered? Can healing happen when relationships and dreams have been ripped apart? Or are some things just too big to forgive?

Amanda’s review:

A lot can happen in one month. In fact, one month can change the course of your life. That is what happens to Heidi Jordan in Penelope McCowan’s debut novel, Heidi’s October. Heidi’s life is on track and heading for success, when a series of bad decisions turns her world on its head. That happens at the beginning of October and she spends the rest of the month facing and dealing with the far-reaching consequences of those mistakes. Will anything ever be normal again?

This novel deals with forgiveness on a deep level. The Christian message is very much at the forefront of the story and it is clear all of the main characters have to find a way to forgive to move forward in life. Heidi’s October demonstrates how forgiveness can work and bring healing in people’s lives.

I loved Penelope’s writing style and the book kept me turning the pages, wondering how Heidi was going to sort through everything. There was also a touch of romance in there – her love interest is a great character. Heidi’s October will appeal to young adult readers who enjoy a Christian novel with drama and romance.

About the author:

Penelope McCowen is a Christian author and speaker with a deep desire to see lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.  She also…

  • Lives on a sheep and cattle property in the New England region of New South Wales
  • Is eternally grateful that Jesus pursued her until He caught her
  • Adores her husband and children
  • Wonders why we need to have winter
  • Did Registered Nursing and a Bachelor of Commerce before she stopped trying to be sensible and instead followed her dream of writing fiction
  • Thinks life on the land is beyond wonderful
  • Loves dark chocolate
  • Grew up on the plains of north-western New South Wales
  • Has too many pairs of shoes
  • Is writing Novel  #2 – The Boatshed
  • Likes her standard schnauzer when it’s not eating the children’s pet duck
  • Loves tennis
  • Is deeply moved by the power of well-used words
  • Is singularly unmoved by the game of golf and has absolutely no talent for it
  • Loves bright colours
  • Lives in a home without television
  • Once learned to fly aeroplanes
  • Has, on occasion, sung in tune
  • Loves running on the beach
  • Loves the beach even more than running on it
  • Is very grateful to Amanda for this interview!

 For more information visit www.penelopemccowen.com

Published in: on 22nd March, 2012 at 9:00 am  Comments (5)  
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