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05 August 2012

Interview With Lynnette Bonner by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Lynnette Bonner


Lynnette Bonner is the author of High Desert Haven, book 2, and of Rocky Mountain Oasis, book 1 in The Shepherd’s Heart series.
I met Lynnette through our mutual friend Marian Baay who does guest reviews for us. Marian loved Lynnette’s stories and suggested she contact me for a spot on Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help.

Lynnette, 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?
One difficult thing in my life early on, was heading off to boarding school at the age of 8. My parents were missionaries and there weren’t a lot of educational options on the field. The first couple of years were pretty tough, but in the long run, I think my relationship with the Lord was strengthened because of it – I had nowhere to turn but to Him. And later I learned to love boarding school. I still have strong bonds with many of my friends from those years.
In my adult years, I could name several things that have been difficult; being a pastor’s wife…, raising children…, persevering until I finally got published…. But through all of those circumstances, I’ve learned that the best place to turn when the going gets tough is to the Lord. Prayer really does make a difference, if only in my perspective.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?
This is a question to ponder, isn’t it? How does one pick just one jewel from a treasure trove full of them? Still, one of my favorite verses comes from Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Disability friendliness:
Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? 
Currently none of my books are available as recorded audio books, but all of my stories are available for Kindle and are text to speech enabled.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
I think, as I’m winding down writing my fourth full novel within the next week or so, the one main message I would love for my readers to hear is this: Life is hard. We are all faced with painful circumstances as a result of sin in this world. But with the Lord’s help, we can forge ahead and press on, and even make a difference in this world for the better. A relationship with Jesus is the key to true happiness on this earth.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
For book 3 in The Shepherd’s Heart series, Fair Valley Refuge, I did quite a bit of research on the orphan trains. Many of the stories tugged at my heart strings. Families too poor to be able to properly care for their children often took them to the orphanage steps and left them there during the night. Others truly were orphans, but were separated from siblings in order to secure them homes. Many never saw each other again. Some went to good homes. Some to homes where people only wanted the free labor.
But the piece of research I’ve done that has probably most touched my heart is for a series I haven’t even started yet that will be set on the island of Zanzibar and in East Africa during the late 1800’s. Many people don’t realize that slavery from the east coast of Africa continued long after most of the slavery from the west coast had been abolished. And some of the things those poor people had to endure are enough to bring tears to your eyes. Women who weren’t strong enough to carry both their child and the load of ivory the slavers wanted them to pack to the coast from the interior, had their children killed before their eyes. Young boys, sought after as eunuchs for Indian, Arab, and Chinese royalty, were castrated by the thousands. Only 1 in 10 survived the unsterile procedure. One in ten!
I could go on. But just those glimpses of my research will give you a taste of the heartbreak.

High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?
In High Desert Haven my heroine Nicki has just lost her husband. It was a forced marriage and she didn’t really love him, but she still grieves his loss. And then has to come to terms with how she is going to forge ahead and overcome the new situation she finds herself in. So a particularly applicable topic would be grief.


Click here to order Lynnette's books from Amazon.

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


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

51 comments:

  1. LYNNETTE, welcome on OTT-WGH! Thank you for sharing your testimony with us.
    After what you told us about Fair Valley Refuge I'm really looking forward to reading that book!

    I hope you'll feel at home with us this week.

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  2. LYNNETTE, thank you for sharing your heart with us here at OTT-WGH. What a wonderful testimony, and your compassion truly shows, through your words above AND through your books. Am looking forward to reading your upcoming novels!

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  3. MARIAN, thanks so much for suggesting Lynnette visit with us this week!

    DIANA, we are so blessed by the authors who visit with us and our readers!

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  4. Lynnette, Thanks for sharing your testimony and the information about your books. I admit that, while you are definitely on my to-be-read list, I haven't read any of your books. What I've read here has sparked a stronger interest and moved you up on that list. (LOL!) Probably as soon as I finish the series I'm reading now.
    Many thanks to you (and all those who write Christian fiction) for the Godly messages you provide through your writing.

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  5. Thanks so much for letting me share a little bit of my heart with your readers here at OTT-WGH, Carrie.

    Marian and Diana, I've so appreciated your support over the last couple months.

    Maribeth, I hope you'll enjoy the stories when you get to them, and as for writing Christian fiction, I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

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  6. Great interview Lynette. Can't wait to read the newest, and was thrilled to hear you have another coming out so soon. Blessings on all you're doing to share the gospel through your writing.

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  7. Lynette, I just have to say that your attitude and love for the Lord were a treat to read about. Thank you for sharing.
    bskaggs(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  9. Ronda, thanks for stopping by. :) Yes, Fair Valley Refuge, book 3 in the series, will release August 18th.

    Teddy, thank you. :)

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  10. MARIBETH, thanks for visiting with us on OTT-WGH. We're glad LYNNETTE is here this week!

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  11. Lynnette - Thanks for sharing your heart with us. I have not had the privilege of reading your books, and would love to read one. The book on the orphan trains sounds interesting. Our book club read a book about the orphan trains last year and parts were heartbreaking. One of the ladies in our group has a friend that came to MN on an orphan train.
    But if I win, I will start with the first book in your series. So fun to discover another author!
    Blessings,
    Sharon

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  12. Sharon, that's interesting. Do you remember the title of the book? My book isn't so much about being on the orphan train as it focuses on the children after they arrive at their destination. But the research was interesting, none the less. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  13. SHARON and LYNNETTE my son is fascinated by the orphan trains. SHARON--glad you found LYNNETTE here!

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  14. Love your book cover Lynette, it's very eye catching. I also love learning more about you. I read your first book and really enjoyed it. I recommend it, looking forward to reading your new book.

    All the best to you Lynette!

    Your a Blessing

    Nora St.Laurent
    The Book Club Network
    www.bookfun.org

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  15. NORA, I know you are having quite a celebration this month and we look forward to featuring you here on OTT-WGH, too! Thanks for coming by!

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  16. You have a truly interesting background with a good outcome from boarding school. I once knew the daughter of missionary parents. She resented having to live such a different life than her peers here in the States. I don't think she went to boarding school, but perhaps her unhappiness came from homeschooling out in the field. She rebelled against her upbringing. What a loss. She died young from cancer. Being out of contact by the time she died, I always hoped she got right with the Lord before she passed.

    You presented some gruesome facts unknown to me about the slaves. One thing I knew from researching the game Mancala was that the slaves wanted to play it, but the slave owners forbade them from playing because the game would remind them of their former life and culture. I felt so badly when I read about that.

    I would love to win your book.

    Blessings & BC,
    Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  17. JANICE, we love having our ACFW BC members here! Jeanette Windle spoke with me about being a missionary and a missionary's kid. Talk about being tough--God sure knows who to call!

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  18. Thanks for sharing.I would love to read this book...also love the cover.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  19. Nora, Thank you. Right back at you, lady. :)

    Janice, yes, it can be hard for some to handle. The Lord helped me learn to see it as an adventure. Not all are able/willing to do that.

    Jacki, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad so many love the cover.:)

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  20. I would like to begin with Rocky Mountain Oasis, book 1 ~*~ what a beautiful story of redemption; print book format! Please enter me in drawing. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  21. LYNNETTE, so Fair Valley Refuge will release in two weeks? I can't wait to read that one. Your books show so much love for God. I really enjoy that!

    CARRIE, can I enter to win book 3? LOL

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  22. thanks for chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  23. Thanks for the great interview ladies. Always love a chance to read and learn about a new author!

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. Lynette, your novel sounds lovely! Will have to look for it soon.
    Amy Campbell
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  25. Hi KATHLEEN!!! How is your reading coming? And is it cooling off in Michigan?

    MARIAN, I had no idea that book three was ready to come out. Of course we will get that for you. And we can make that as one of the possible choices, too, for the winners.

    LYNETTE, do you have the cover pic for the upcoming release? I didn't see it up on Amazon.

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  26. PATTY and AMY good to see our faithful friends here! MARIAN and the rest of the gang are avid readers and have better eyes than I do. I had seen Lynnette around ACFW for quite a while and she's a sweetheart. Thanks for coming by. We have two reviews by MARIAN this week, too!

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  27. Great Review Marian! I have got to read Lynnette's books soon. Lynnette thanks for being on OTT-WGH. :)

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  28. You are a day early, T.! But I know you already have read my review somewhere, so THANKS! :))

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  29. Sounds GREAT!!!
    Amy Chavez
    amada_chavez@yahoo.com

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  30. Sounds GREAT!!!
    Amy Chavez
    amada_chavez@yahoo.com

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  31. I'd love to win a copy of Lynnette's book! BC here. :) twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  32. TERESA, what did you do--go read MARIAN's great review and then pop over here? LOL!!!

    AMADA, welcome! Double welcome!!

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  33. PEGG!!! How is your harvest coming up north? I know this is your super busy time of year so I really appreciate you coming by! And your BC reminds me not only to count you twice but that I still haven't heard from Regina about last week's second pick. I might do another by myself then.

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  34. Wow... Hello, everyone! I go to work for a few hours and come home to all these comments. I'm honored by the support.

    The cover to book 3 can be viewed on my Facebook page, or by clicking here: http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/LysPics/BookCovers/FVRFrontCoverFinal.jpg

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  35. Okay, so it's not clickable, but just copy and paste that URL into a new tab and you can see the cover to book 3. :)

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  36. LYNNETTE, I did not see it on Amazon yet though.

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  37. Oh, LYNNETTE, I just saw the new cover...having freckles myself, I especially love it! ;)

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  38. The new cover is lovely--saw it on FB! DIANA you do NOT hve freckles!!!

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  39. Hi Carrie, I am in Missouri ~*~ I have been staying home from quilting on Tuesdays to catch up on my T-B-Rs. Have series to read and am gaining on it. So good to get to my waiting books!! Kathleen

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  40. Thank you for the great interview! I remember as a young child I wanted my parents to send me to boarding school. I have no clue why as I was extremely shy and quiet.

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

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  41. Kathleen, I keeo wanting to put you in MI!!! Oh don't miss out on your quilting!!!

    JO, thanks! lol - I wanted that too!

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  42. Kathleen, before I took up writing I used to quilt. One time I accidentally sewed an entire quilt inside-out when I was adding the batting and backing... maybe there's a reason I left that hobby to write. LOL

    Jo, that gives me a chuckle. Boarding school can tend to be romanticized... one day I might get around to writing a boarding school romance. :)

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  43. Her reader's "take away" not only fits perfectly with the title of your blog, Carrie, but it's the thing we most need to be reminded of, and what Christian fiction does best -- reminds us of the hope and promise we have in the Lord, so we can find courage to forge ahead through life's trials. Blessings~

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  44. Naomi, I know I always need that reminder!

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  45. Lynnette, send me your stash!!! ha ha
    Carrie, I have to catch up on my TBRs so I can get to the current ones!
    Sure wanting your book 1, Rocky Mountain Oasis; then book 2, ....
    Kathleen

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  46. LYNNETTE, ohmigoodnessgracious about the quilt, lol!!!

    NAOMI, I love your heart!

    KATHLEEN, I am sticking to my audiobooks for right now and have a couple of hundred on my Kindle to get to some day!

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  47. Lynnette, if you do get around to writing a boarding school book, be sure to keep me in mind. I would want to read it as it would bring back memories of me wanting to go to one growing up.

    Blessings,
    Jo

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  48. Kathleen, I have a friend who makes quilts for cancer patients and the children's hospital - so I gave her my extra material several years ago. :)

    Jo, will do!

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  49. Lynette and I have a few things in common - believing that life is hard. I've not read Lynette's writings before and I know I would become a fan when I do. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a great read.

    Blessed by Grace,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  50. Thanks for coming by BARBARA! We will enter you.

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  51. LYNNETTE, what a kind heart your friend has! My mom was a big quilter.

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