Monday, July 16, 2018

Shadowed by a Spy by Marilyn Turk ends July 23rd


Please welcome Marilyn Turk to my blog this week. Read on down to find out how to enter in her giveaway!

 Discovering a Book
People often ask me where I get the ideas for my books. Their question implies I’m creative and that I come up with these ideas all by myself.
Not true. You see, I’m a historical writer, so I like to explore history and find interesting facts about different periods in various places. Not that I bury my head in research books, but sometimes I stumble upon a fascinating tidbit or see an old building that piques my interest.

 Then I wonder what it was like to live at that time in that place when certain things happened. That’s when the people (characters) show up in my mind and tell me about it. A story idea takes root in my little brain as I dig into the history and let the characters show me around. I follow them and see what they do, and the details come out when I begin to write the story.
It may sound cliché, but as a Christian, I firmly believe God leads me to each story and reveals to me the lesson the characters will learn once they survive the conflicts, both external and internal. Many times, this belief has been affirmed when I find a detail that I need to make the story work, one I didn’t know existed until I began to write the story. No doubt God put that detail there for me to find.

 So, I’m not creative. Actually, I’m more of a literary archaeologist. I dig around in history and discover stories, then I write them. And because I’m not creative, just curious and committed to what God has given me, I have to give Him the credit.
What about you? Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in a different era? Have you ever seen an old mansion and wanted to know who lived there?
My latest book, Shadowed by a Spy, is a good example of the above. After readers read The Gilded Curse, they asked what happened to the main characters after the book ended? So I had to figure out where they went and what historical event happened at that time, and guess what? They just happened to be to be part of it!



Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win your choice of one of my books.

 About Marilyn:

Marilyn Turk writes historical fiction set on the coast. The Gilded Curse, a World War II novel, published in 2016, won a Silver Scroll award and its sequel, Shadowed by a Spy, debuts in July 2018. Rebel Light and Revealing Light are the first two books of her Coastal Lights Legacy featuring stories in lighthouse settings. In addition, Marilyn’s novella, The Wrong Survivor, will be in a collection called Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides coming out in November 2018. She has also written a book of devotions called Lighthouse Devotions. She blogs about lighthouses and writing on her website @ http://pathwayheart.com. In addition to climbing lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys boating, fishing, tennis, and gardening.
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21 comments:

  1. Lucy Reynolds July 16, 2018 at 8:20 AM

    I always wish the walls could talk when I see old abandoned houses. I like to take pictures of them. Thank you for the chance. Blessings

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:00 PM

      Lucy, I do too. Perhaps that's why people think there are ghosts in old houses.

      Delete
  2. Connie Porter SaundersJuly 16, 2018 at 9:16 AM

    Thanks for this interesting interview. I have always been fascinated with lighthouses and their important contribution to our history. I also like to think that Jesus is my lighthouse.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:01 PM

      Thanks for your comment, Connie. Yes, indeed. He is the Light of the world and the creator of Light.

      Delete
  3. Melanie BackusJuly 16, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    Thank you for sharing your great post. Lighthouses are a favorite of mine and we have visited many. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:03 PM

      Hi Melanie,
      Thank you for your comment. Glad to know a fellow lighthouse lover.

      Delete
  4. Library LadyJuly 16, 2018 at 11:01 AM

    Thanks for introducing me to a new author and thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Marilyn R. July 16, 2018 at 11:35 AM

    It would be so much fun if the past could speak to us when we explore areas, but the creativity of authors with the history provides the next best thing. I must read Shadowed by Spy, since I read The Gilded Curse and probably wondered about the characters afterwards. : ) I tend to find friends in historical characters and want to know what is happening. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

    Debbie, just like your book, Shattered Memories, I've wondered about the hero and heroine and how they were moving forward after the earthquake. I'm a blog follower.
    Blessings to all for an amazing week.
    marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com

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  6. nlgriggsJuly 16, 2018 at 12:02 PM

    My mind goes on overdrive when I see an interesting place. I can picture all sorts of things happening there.

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  7. Joan AJuly 16, 2018 at 2:06 PM

    I've often seen old houses and wondered about the people who lived there. jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:06 PM

      We know there are stories in those walls, don't we Joan?

      Delete
  8. Connie R.July 16, 2018 at 5:02 PM

    Thanks for the interview! You do seem to start out from a unique perspective! Very interesting....thanks for the giveaway! bcrug(at)twc(dot)com

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  9. BettiJuly 16, 2018 at 5:25 PM

    Thanks for sharing with us, Marilyn. You are a new author to me, and your books sound fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:07 PM

      Thanks, Betti. Hope you enjoy my books and best wishes on the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. agbossJuly 16, 2018 at 5:50 PM

    Thanks for the interesting interview, Marilyn! I've always been fascinated with old houses....wondering about who has lived there in eras gone by. I think if would be fun to visit another era. Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read. I really enjoy reading time travel Christian fiction...traveling between different eras...so intriguing! Your books sound wonderful! Thanks for a chance to win one of your books!!! ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

    Debbie - I am also a Feedburner follower :)

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    1. Marilyn TurkJuly 24, 2018 at 12:08 PM

      Hi Alison. Nice to meet another historical fiction lover. Best wishes on winning the book.

      Delete
  11. Debbie Lynne CostelloJuly 25, 2018 at 8:23 AM

    And the winner is Nancy G! Congratulations!

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