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22 July 2012

Carrie Fancett Pagels Interviews Colleen Coble


Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble is the author of Tidewater Inn and of the Lonestar Series and the Rock Harbor series.



I met Colleen through some online groups, including American Christian Fiction Writers. She is CEO of ACFW.

Colleen, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.  Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?
I suffered with debilitating migraines for decades (40 years.) It was often hard to deal with everyday life, and even harder to write when the pain crushed me. I had to rely on God day to day. I searched all the time for relief and finally found what worked (bioidentical hormones) and am now migraine free! So grateful to the Lord for that.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Romans 8:28. My family and I were involved in a bad auto accident. At the time I couldn’t see anything good in it. A teenage boy had been killed, and we were all injured. But through that accident, I came to know Jesus and so did my family. A year after the accident eleven people had come to Christ as a result of that accident. It’s difficult to go through challenges like that and we can’t always see the reasons, but God always brings good out of it in the end.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 
Yes, Tidewater Inn will be available in audio and large print. Quite a few other books are in large print and/or audio.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
You have the strength and courage in you to face challenges and overcome them. God will never leave or forsake you, and you can rise above any challenges you face. That’s the theme that runs through all my books. My heroines are all overcomers. I love seeing strong women take on the world and win with God’s help. 

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
I particularly enjoyed writing Tidewater Inn because Libby learns to take one step each day that will strengthen her character and her faith. It’s the little decisions we do every day that either take us closer to God or further away. So often sin is not something big—it’s a tiny step that reaps huge consequences down the road. So even as Libby learned how rewarding generosity was to her soul, the villain chased after greed to disastrous consequences.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  
I often have information about healthy diet in my books, but that subject didn’t come up in this book. For example, in Lonestar Secrets, my heroine has multiple sclerosis and she learns that gluten free eating will help her disease. I’m a huge believer in a paleo lifestyle and rarely eat grains. I never eat gluten. My new book, Rosemary Cottage, features a midwife who uses homeopathy and herbs to help her patients as well. God designed our bodies so well, and if we give it the right fuel, it can repair a lot of damage. I recommend everyone with an autoimmune disease watch this video of Dr. Terry Wahls and how she healed her MS with diet.

Thank you Colleen for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!
Thanks so much for having me! It’s a wonderful work you’re doing.


Colleen's books are available through Amazon. Tidewater Inn is also available through Barnes and Noble.  You can also find it at CBD.



GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Colleen’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.










73 comments:

  1. I liked your post today with Colleen, I have enjoyed reading some of her books-not this one yet though. I can relate with the migraines as I had them for more then 25 yrs, A dr put me on norvasc for HBP and instantly I have not had another headache, he told me that one of the side effects of this med was just that help for migraines.Amazing why didnt someone do something before.
    Thanks for the giveaway love to be in your drawing. Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  2. Great interview! That's so interesting about the healthy diet in your books!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. Great interview....love Colleen's books and have read all but her newest...please count me in! I love that she shares health hints.

    And on another note, just read yesterday's comments; I am so blessed by this blog and thank all you ladies for being so concerned about readers and offering prayers and encouragement.
    Blessings~~
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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  4. I've only read one of Colleen's books: Blue Moon Promise. It was so good!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. JACKIE, I am so glad we are blessing you. And we are blessed by our visitors, too! Thanks for coming by. I am grateful for COLLEEN's commitment to sharing tips for overcoming health issues. Blessings!

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  6. PAULA, hi!!! COLLEEN should be by tomorrow, I am thinking. Most of our authors don't visit with us on Sundays, but ya never know. SO GLAD they found something that worked for your headaches!

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  7. MARISSA, We have a review later this week. Send me the link to your review and we can put it into the post for that day, too.

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  8. Great Post Carrie, I can relate to Colleen with her Migraines, I have RSD for 21 years now and without Gods help I would have never made it through this horrible burning Pain I go through everyday.
    Blessings
    Ingrid

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  9. oops forgot my e-mail addy:
    ingrids624489(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. INGRID, Thanks for sharing and for stopping by. Dear Lord, bless all of those suffering this evening. Bring your peace. Bring relief, and a glimpse of Your glory. In Jesus's name, Amen.

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  11. Wonderful interview, Carrie! I love Colleen's books. Her story about being gluten free speaks to my heart. One of my daughters has celiac disease and cannot eat anything that contains gluten. It's shocking to find out how many foods contain gluten. We have all learned how to read labels to be certain that we aren't serving anything containing gluten. Thank you for this giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  12. NANCEE!!! So good to see you! I try to avoid gluten. not so good at it. Feel better when I do. Marian is gluten free and feeling much better than she has in a long time. It is amazing how many foods also have forms of milk, which I am allergic to.

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  13. CARRIE and COLLEEN thank you for the amazing interview. COLLEEN I am so glad you are living migraine free now. Migraines run in my family so I know what it's like to have them.

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  14. What a great interview, ladies! Colleen, I'm glad you were able to find help for your migraines. I can't do synthetic hormones, and would like to try the bioidenticals, but I can't find any drs. here that deal with them. My ob/gyn doesn't.

    I am impressed with your dedication to eating healthy. Without wheat or gluten, I don't know what I would eat! Everything seems to have wheat just about, and I don't even eat that much bread.

    Thank you for being with us this week, COLLEEN. I am so looking forward to it! I loved Tidewater Inn!

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  15. Good interview, I also suffer Migrains and headache, tried to eat gluten free....but I love bread ( eat just one slice a day), nice of you to share the health tips!!
    Colleen I have the Aloha Reef Series in my book case,started to read the first one two weeks ago and I must say that you are one of those writers that pulls the reader right in the story! I would love to be able to win one of youre books, so please enter my e-mail:
    mirjam(ad)fotoflits(dot)com

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  16. I have read a couple of Colleen's books and really liked them. Unfortunately I haven't read any of her latest books. I think The Lightkeeper's Daughter was the last one. When I find time I will surely read more of Colleen's books.

    Yes, I also eat gluten free and am feeling much better--more energy etc. :)

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  17. Can't imagine suffering from regular persistent migraines, so glad you have found relief Colleen. Would love to win one of you books!

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. What a great post! Colleen is new to me.
    Amy Campbell
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  19. PATTY, I was in a car wreck and suffered from Post-traumatic migraines for over a year. Daily and debilitating and I was in grad school at the time. Thank God they finally lessened. I am doing much better with mine and have been able to identify most of the triggers. Too much computer time is one!!!

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  20. MARIAN and MIRJAM, good morning, or do I say good afternoon? How many of COLLEEN's books are in Dutch?

    TERESA and DIANA, waving from Virginia at you!!! :)

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  21. Too much computer time is definitely one, CARRIE, as is too much chocolate and sugar, DIANA F!

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  22. I have really enjoyed the books I have read by Colleen!! I think the Lightkeeper's series is the last one I read by her, but it's not from a lack of interest. :)

    Thanks so much for another wonderful interview!!

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  23. Good afternoon CARRIE, I think there are two of Colleen's books translated into Dutch. The Lightkeeper's Daughter and the second book in that series.
    Kok didn't publish them, so another Dutch publisher did.

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  24. I adore Colleen! She is such a sweetheart I so enjoyed this interview.

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  25. LINDA, Yes she is! We are so blessed to have her as our ACFW CEO!

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  26. Girls, girls. Going gluten free is not hard. It starts with simply changing your attitude about it. :) we are so lucky that there are tons of great alternatives out there now. Even great donuts! Anyone with an autoimmune disease should cut gluten out of their diet. You would be amazed at the difference!

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  27. MARIAN, I wonder if more will be translated. So glad you are feeling better!

    COLLEEN, thanks you for your encouragement. I do feel better when I avoid gluten, dairy, n soy.

    LADETTE, everyone keeps talking about Lightkeeper!

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  28. DIANA, yes chocolate n sugar n caffeine.

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  29. This interview made me think of a 'hardship' I endured this spring. Just shortly after marrying my husband 17 years ago, my cousin told him, "Watch out, she's fearless." I laughed because my cousin could tell many tales of crazy stunts only a nut like me would do.

    Colleen, I flinched when you wrote that we have the courage and the strength to overcome. This spring God thunked me on the head when my daughter had a severe asthma attack brought on by pneumonia, which led to a week in the hospital. Her life was on the line. The emergency doctor commented on my calm nature. I got chewed out by a respiratory therapist (nothing like making the patient's mom feel like she's the worst parent in the world), and by the end of the third sleepless night by her bed, I had it.

    I couldn't go on in that courage and strength I was supposedly famous for. God needed to step in. He reminded me that He was in control. That there was nothing that could happen that He couldn't handle. And if He is handling it, then so could I--if I was willing to humbly surrender to Him.

    The next day I talked with my daughter, told her that I knew if she'd died she'd be in a better place, no longer suffering. I had peace with that. But I also told her I was committed to do all I could to help her live so she could serve the Lord as a missionary, what she believes God has called her to do.

    Surrendering to God brought a peace all the courage and strength I could muster never would bring.

    We do have the strength and the courage to do whatever is thrown at us when that strength and courage comes from God.

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  30. Thanks for sharing your testimony, LYNN! You are such an encouragement to so many. I thank you and Vicki for urging me to move on ahead with my publishing journey. God bless and keep you!

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  31. AMY, thanks! Glad you came by!

    AMADA, wow, that is a short comment, lol!

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  32. w.jones64@btinternet.comJuly 23, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    What an interesting blog. I am a nurse so really interested in all the information about diet. Would love to win and if I do my email address is w.jones64@btinternet.com. I live in Scotland so definitely an international entry :-)

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  33. Thanks for the opportunity to enter. I recommend Anathema to every Amish Lit. fan I can find -- it's one of the best Amish mysteries I've ever read. Write another Amish one, please Colleen!!
    In the meantime....
    susan828(at)hotmail(dot)com
    ;)

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  34. Mrs. JONES, I know Colleen is a strong proponent of obtaining a proper diet to aid in health. Welcome!

    SUSAN, I hope COLLEEN will see your comment. She may be out of town at present.

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  35. Okay, here I am again. A bit late, but here.

    I just have to say one thing. I LOVE COLLEEN COBLE. I love her books. They are so . . . Aaah, words fail me! I would love any of her books . . . but I must choose . . . Erm . . .

    Print copy of The Lightkeeper's Bride. Thank you. Oh, and if Miss Colleen comes on the blog . . . YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!!! Thank you. *bows and leaves*

    Katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

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  36. I love Colleen's books so I hope I win. I have read every one but the last two Smitten and Tidewater Inn,I like that the author are honest and do not try to be someone they aren't. Thanks for the chance to win

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  37. KATELYN, good to see you here. I forwarded your comments to Colleen :)

    DEBBIE --yes, we are so pleased that the authors who have shared their testimonies with us have been authentic and transparent. Blessings!

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  38. Colleen was one of the first authors I started reading, when I got back to reading! She took me away - along with Calgon!

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  39. Please keep COLLEEN in prayer for travel mercies! She'll be popping by later when she is stopped for the night.

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  40. Diana, look for an anti-aging doctor in your area. They do bioidenticals. :)

    Terrific story, Lynn, but what a scary thing to go through! So glad God was there to catch you. :)

    Susan, I've thought about writing another Amish mystery. So many ideas, so little time. LOL

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  41. Brilliant, Katelyn, called me brilliant. My head won't be able to fit in the door! :) Thanks honey!

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  42. Linda, I'm surprised you're even on here with all that research you're doing for me. Girls, you should see all the great stuff Linda has dug up for my next book set in Austin! She's amazing!

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  43. PAT, if you come back we need your email address! Otherwise I am not sure how to find you! You had won last week but I had to draw again! Blessings!

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  44. COLLEEN, so great to see you here!!! Hope this means you are all safe and sound and settled in at your destination! Blessings!

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  45. I'm in the hotel at least. :) I'll be home tomorrow night so another day on the road. My waterbed will feel great when I get there!

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  46. Interesting interview. . . I would love to win a copy of Tidewater Inn. I love Coleen's books and this one sounds very interesting! Great cover too!!

    Sheri

    hspruitt[at]frontiernet{DoT}net

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  47. Hi all, Just seen Colleen's post...had to come see what was going on...

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  48. I would love to win and read this book.Sounds great,Thanks.

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  49. Yeah, Dorene,...me, too! Colleen needs to read my short story about a waterbed, titled Leapin' Lizards and Sneaky Snakes. Oh, and a cat named, Missy. :-)

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  50. I have seriously been considering going gluten free with my eating. I'm more of a vegetarian/vegan eater now and feel like there is still room for improvement.

    I have heard such good things about your books and have them on my list of books to read.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  51. Thanks bunches for the giveaway!

    JoyAnne11 at gmail dot com

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  52. Hi, SHERI and DORINE, you are both entered in the giveaway!

    DORINE, need an email for you, dear, so we can find you if your name is drawn!

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  53. JACKIE, I believe we have your email. Thanks for showing an interest in Collen's books!

    Leapin' Lizards, LINDA! You forgot to leave an email, too. lol I don't like lizards, by the way; they eat all of my baby rosebuds before they get a chance to bloom. :( But I'm sure the lizards in your book are sweet and do not eat people's roses!

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  54. You're quite welcome, JOYANNE, and have you entered for the draw!

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  55. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  56. Hi, JO! No vegetarian for me; love a little meat with my meals, however, I do need to look into cutting out gluten, wheat, soy, etc. Thanks for your comment!

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  57. Enjoyed reading the post, thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I would love to win a Colleen Coble book!!

    loseittoday(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  58. COLLEEN, we will still pray for travel mercies today! I don't do too well with travel and sleeping in strange beds. My whole house is set up for me having RA and asthma so travel is tricky.

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  59. SHONDRA, you have a pretty blog! Thanks for reading the interview. We are so tickled to have COLLEEN on!

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  60. Hey DIANA, thanks for putting the coffee pot on this morning ;) wish Jeff left more, lol! Thanks for greeting COLLEEN's fans and I see a bunch of our friends among those who commented! Like minds...

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  61. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

    writer_weaver(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  62. Would you believe we've slept in a waterbed for over 35 years? :)

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  63. Wow, COLLEEN! I slept on a waterbed when I was younger. After my spinal fusion it didn't support me enough. We have a comfort select but hubby HATES it! So we sleep on a firm mattress with the memory foam topper.

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  64. I would love to win a book and I thank you for being so kind as to offer a giveaway!

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  65. Hi TERRI! Your surname is one of my family names! I'm afraid that does not extend any extra favor in the giveaways, though, lol! Welcome to OTT-WGH!

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  66. I enjoyed this Q&A with Colleen Coble and another Christian author recommended her books to me. I would love to win one of her books in your giveaway. Thanks!

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  67. I love Colleen's books and thoroughly enjoyed your interview with her. I would LOVE to receive a free copy of Tidewater Inn!

    Blessings,
    ~Anna Popescu

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  68. MPAYNE-Hoping for a win for you!

    FAITHLOVEJOYHOPE aka ANNA-I love that! I wish you had come over to my review of TIDEWATER INN for another chance to win it, but perhaps you did and just didn't leave a comment. Thanks for coming by here!

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  69. ANNA, you have a really pretty website! Very different looking. DIANA, she also posts about chronic illness. Check out her blog.

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