Interview Lisa Norato

LISA NORATO is the author of Prize of My Heart, an inspirational historical novel set in Massachusetts 1815, and two earlier romances published by Five Star Publishing. I was introduced to LISA through reviewer Marian Baay when Lisa was invited to join the Colonial American Christian Writers (CACW) online group.

LISA, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

The hardest period in my life I’ve ever had to endure, with God’s help, was the death of my beloved “Nanny,” my grandmother, Victoria Vannelli.  She lived with my family for many years and was a second mother to me.  She was beautiful, caring, giving woman, filled with God’s love.  Growing up with her in my life, watching her example, definitely made my faith stronger.  She was visited a couple of times throughout her illness by Jesus.  I know with certainty she is enjoying eternal life in heaven, reunited with my grandfather and her family, but it was the cause of her death that was difficult to overcome—liver cancer.

After many years, it is still painful to think about.  Why do good, faith-filled people suffer?  That is a hard question to struggle with.  I don’t think anyone has the answer.  We can only hold onto our faith and trust God.  During one experience of being visited by Jesus, my Nanny explained that Jesus came to her and stood by her bed, but she could only see Him up to just past his knees.  The remainder of His body seemed to vanish.  She questioned why and then told us that she believed it meant she had a little more time, and that when she saw all of Him, then she would go home.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

This is a difficult question to answer.  The thing I love about the Bible is that there are scriptures we as believers can lean on for comfort no matter what our concern, whether large or small.  My Bible is filled with tagged pages and highlighted passages, but if I must choose one, I would say that the scriptures in 2 Chronicles 20:10 are ones I find myself turning to and praying over the most.

In verse 12, when all the armies surrounded Jehoshaphat, he said to the Lord, We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.  When life seems overwhelming or I’m facing a challenge, I pray, “I don’t know what to do, Lord, but my eyes are fixed on you.”

Later, in verse 15, the Lord tells Jehoshaphat, Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but the God’s.  I love this verse!  It reminds me to rest in Him and not be burdened by worries.

And further, in verse 17, God says, You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.  I love how the Bible is constantly reminding us to not be afraid or discouraged.  This verse brings me peace and gives me strength, and I turn to it often.

Disability friendliness:

Prize of My Heart is available in trade paperback and in e-book format for all types of e-readers, which allow for the typeset to be the enlarged to the individual reader’s needs.  Kindle also provides audio capability, and I believe most other brands of e-readers do as well.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your book and why?

For all of us, it requires courage to release the hurts and injustices we’ve suffered.  I hope Prize is a reminder to readers of the importance of forgiveness.  Both main characters are faced with situations where they are called upon to forgive, not for the sake of the person(s) they are forgiving, but so they can set themselves free of bitterness and move on with a happy, blessed life.

Overall though, it is my hope readers are left with the positive, inspiring message that, even though we might not see a way for our troubles to work out, God has a way and a plan for our futures.  The Bible says in Romans 8:28 that He can take what others might have meant for our harm and turn it around for good.  I like how The Message explains God’s way of working things out in our lives, “…God’s spirit is right alongside helping us along.  If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter.  He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.  He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition and keeps us present before God.  That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

As you researched your book, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

In my research, I try to read as many first-person accounts and diaries of the period as possible, and what touches my heart the most is that people are alike in their emotions and struggles and faith, no matter what time in history they may have lived.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

Throughout the story, my hero, Captain Brogan Talvis, must deal with several issues--the loss of his son, betrayal by his wife and forgiveness for the terrible injustices done to him.  He suffers from the trauma of abuse and humiliation he experienced being raised in a cruel orphan asylum.  He wears his hair longer than is fashionable, because he cannot bear to have a pair of shears anywhere near his head for the way his hair was painfully chopped as punishment.  Memories haunt him, but perhaps even greater than the physical abuse he suffered are the feelings of unworthiness impressed upon him for his ill birth.  He struggles to find the courage to call out to God and to believe that he will be heard, that even he is acceptable to God.

Thank you, LISA, for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thank you so much for having me, Carrie!  Blessings to you!


GIVEAWAY:  Leave your comment and email addy to win a copy of PoMH either in pb or ebook.  Drawing is on Saturday, announced Sunday.