Leave a comment to enter the giveaway for a FREE digital copy of ON THE WINGS OF A WHISPER, episode 1 of “Sonnets of the Spice Isle” by Lynnette Bonner!
Lynnette Bonner is a popular author of both contemporary and historical Christian fiction, and I’m happy to say that I’ve known her since we were both struggling wannabe authors. In fact, we met in a critique group at the Northwest Christian Writers Association, and we’re still critiquing each other’s work. So, I get to read her books before anybody!
Now, let’s get to know a little bit about Lynnette and her writing:
How much research, if any, do you do when writing a book?
For historical fiction I do a lot more research than I do for contemporary. On this series, for instance, I started researching about 15 years ago. There was a lot to learn about the Sultans and the government systems, all the treaties that were in place, who the consuls were during the story, etc. I did a lot of research on the history of Zanzibar itself, and then read a couple of Dr. David Livingstone’s books. Facinating and heartbreaking research on this one!
Where do you get your ideas?
The ideas for this one came right out of the research I was doing. And that’s often the case for my historicals. However, I’ve gotten ideas for stories from dreams, or newspaper clippings, or just from random imaginings that answer the question “What if…?”
Do you work on more than one project at once?
I’m often writing four or five books at one time. I’m a seat of the pants writer and so sometimes I’m not sure yet where the next steps of the story will go. I need time to process and think through what will happen next, so that’s when I’ll go work on another story for awhile. I’m currently in the middle of writing five.
What’s your favorite writing exercise?
I’m very goal oriented, so I have never really done writing exercises other than to sit down and put words into my current work in progress—which is an exercise in self-control, I suppose. I want all my writing to eventually be a product that is tangible. I participate in a monthly writing group where we are often given a prompt of something to write, and most of the time once I start writing one I log it away and it will become a story eventually that I complete. One of the five books I’m working on right now started out life this way.
Where do you write?
I used to write just wherever I could plop down and find some quiet time with just me and my laptop. But now that a few kids have left the nest and I’m writing fulltime, I use one of the spare bedrooms as an office.
How important are book covers to you, as both an author and a reader?
Book covers are so important to me! I spent over a year and a half tweaking and studying and nudging and shading the cover for this story and it was still hard for me to let it go, in the end! I’m hopeless. 🙂
Where can readers find your books?
Most of my books are on Amazon only. But this new series is available on many online retailers like Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Amazon etc. To find all my books and where to buy them see my website: www.lynnettebonner.com
About Lynnette
Born and raised in Malawi, Africa. Lynnette Bonner spent the first years of her life reveling in warm equatorial sunshine and the late evening duets of cicadas and hyenas. The year she turned eight she was off to Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school in Kenya where she spent many joy-filled years, and graduated in 1990.
That fall, she traded to a new duet–one of traffic and rain–when she moved to Kirkland, Washington to attend Northwest University. It was there that she met her husband and a few years later they moved to the small town of Pierce, Idaho.
During the time they lived in Idaho, while studying the history of their little town, Lynnette was inspired to begin the Shepherd’s Heart Series with Rocky Mountain Oasis.
Marty and Lynnette have four children, and currently live in Washington where Marty pastors a church.
Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway for a FREE digital copy of ON THE WINGS OF A WHISPER, episode 1 of “Sonnets of the Spice Isle” by Lynnette Bonner! Comments will be taken to enter to giveaway through midnight on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
Where to find Lynnette’s Books:
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- ON THE WINGS OF A WHISPER by Lynnette Bonner. $.99 for Kindle
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- LAY DOWN YOUR HEART by Lynnette Bonner. $2.99 for Kindle
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- MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS by Lynnette Bonner. $2.99 for Kindle
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- THE UNRELENTING TIDE by Lynnette Bonner. $2.99 for Kindle
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- THE UNRELENTING TIDE by Lynnette Bonner. $17.95 audiobook
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- PACIFIC SHORES series by Lynnette Bonner. $.99-$3.99 for Kindle
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- Rocky Mountain Oasis by Lynnette Bonner. $0.99 for Kindle
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- High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner. $4.99 for Kindle
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- Fair Valley Refuge by Lynnette Bonner. $4.99 for Kindle
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- Spring Meadow Sanctuary by Lynnette Bonner. $4.99 for Kindle
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- MY BLUE HAVYN by Lynnette Bonner. $.99 for Kindle
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- MISTLETOE AND MOCHAS by Lynnette Bonner. $2.99 for Kindle
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- PRAYING THROUGH PSALM 119 by Lynnette & Martin Bonner. $3.77 for Kindle
Thanks so much for having me over today, sweet friend. What fun!
Glad to have you over. Want a cup of coffee?
Coffee! Of course! 🙂
I love Lynnette’s books. Of course. Lesley’s are pretty special, too. Hugs to you both.
Thank you! <3
Lynnette is my Indie author hero! You’re a great writer and bless so many with encouragement and great books. Good interview and blessings on your future projects!
<3
Thank you, Jan! 🙂 I’m not at all certain about “hero,” but I’m always glad to be of help! 🙂 Love you, friend!
I love to read Lynnette’s books! She has this way of drawing you in and making her characters seem so real! She’s definitely one of my favorite authors!
Mine too, Sheri. You’ll love this new series.
Awe! Thank you! I’m honored!
So many great books. It is fun that you joined together on the Islands of Intrigue: San Juans series.
I have read most by Lynnette Bonner. I have to say, Historical Fiction is a favorite category. Sonnets of the Spice Isle is so well written. I can’t wait for the next in series.
Thanks for this interview
You’re welcome, Bethany. Thanks for stopping by!
Glad you enjoyed the story! <3
These sound like wonderful books! You are a new to me author 😉 And would love to read them. Thank you for hosting a giveaway!
Rachel, you’re in for a treat now that you’ve discovered Lynnette’s writing!
Hi Rachel, 🙂 Thanks for entering! Wishing you all the best!
This series is awesome! I love that the author grew up in Africa. That means that when she describes a setting, she knows what she’s talking about.
That’s one of my favorite parts of the stories. The sights, sounds, and even the smells really put you there in the story. Except I run when the crocodiles show up.
LOL about the crocs! And thank you, Janalyn. 🙂 It is my pleasure to take my readers on a journey. Sights, sounds, scents (and yes, even scaly crocodiles! 🙂 ) are all part of that. I’m glad you are enjoying the series.
Researching historical fiction is actually a lot of fun. I use both written and video sources.
Do you use movies or documentaries?
…says the other author of fantastic historical fiction. Happy travels, Dennis!
Sometimes I do, Dennis. It just depends on what I find in my Google searches etc. For this series I mostly read books and lots of blog articles on the history of Zanzibar politics and laws, etc. For some of my historical westerns I’ve watched documentaries. I try not to base my “historical facts” on movies, though, just because I never quite trust that they are accurate unless I do the research to verify things. 🙂 Hope you are having an awesome time on your travels!
I had no idea how much research goes into a book! Looks like a great read. Thanks for the chance!
Your covers are beautiful! And since I love historical novels, I’d love to win a copy of your book. Writing five books at once! I guess we’re kind of alike as I’m usually writing two and maybe one in my head.