I first met author Missy Tippens at a conference a few years ago and she’s as sweet as her book. In addition to being a wonderful writer, she’s the mother of three, wife to her pastor husband and an adjunct instructor at a local technological college in Georgia.
I’ve invited Missy here today to share an interview with Hannah Hughes, the heroine of A House Full of Hope.
1. What’s the most important thing in your life?
Without a doubt, the thing most important to me is my four beautiful children. They’re my pride and joy!
2. What do you like to do with your children?
I love to play hide-and-go-seek with the kids. And to read to them. I don’t have much time for free time, but if I did, I’d love to take them for a day at the beach.
3. What are you afraid of most in life?
I fear not being able to provide well for my children. Since I’m a widow, it’s tough to provide for them in the way I’d like. I want them to have a nice home with lots of room. I’m working toward owning a home to help give them a place to feel secure.
5. Beside your kids, what is the most important thing to you, personally?
Feeling secure and loved. Feeling like I’m important to someone. I guess it’s part of my “baggage” that I continually have to deal with. 🙂
6. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Who has time to read?! 🙂 Right now, my favorites are the books I read to my children.
7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d worry less and trust God more.
8. Do you have a pet?
We have a pet on our rental property that the kids have pretty much adopted. A black Labrador retriever named Blue. He’s into everything and about drives me crazy! But I’m growing more and more attached to him.
9. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
I’d have to go way back to elementary school–before my parents started having trouble and my sister got involved in the wrong crowd. I have good memories of laughing a lot with my dad (teasing my mom about being so uptight). And great memories of family vacations at the beach.
Wow, I can so identify with Hannah, right down to the dog that drives me crazy. LOL. Is it any wonder I enjoyed the book so much? One of the things that drew me to Christian fiction in the first place and inspirational romance in particular was seeing the characters face similar circumstances to what I was facing or circumstances I feared (losing a spouse) and overcoming. They inspire and give hope.
Your Turn: How has a book inspired or given you hope in your circumstances or fears?
Btw, A House Full of Hope is now in stores or you can order it directly from Harlequin. Use this link and coupon code SAVE10AFFO to receive an extra 10% discount off its already discounted prices before 3/31/12.
I’m also giving away a copy on Friday to one of my commenters from Monday’s or today’s post. Be sure to check back on Friday.
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Now that I’ve met Hannah and know there’s a dog in the story I can’t wait to read A House Full of Hope!!!!
Every book I read (and I just read inspirational fiction now) touches my life in some way — often in exactly the way I need it most! It’s like God is speaking to me through this medium more than any other way in my life right now. I keep a journal of the impressions I receive after I’ve read every book but it’s at home and I’m not so I can’t give you any specifics right now!
I love your idea of a journal!
Kav, that’s a great idea to keep a journal! I’m always amazed at how God touches me through books I read.
Thanks for stopping by and reading the interview!
I always think it’s amazing how much a fictional story can inspire and how incredible it is that sometimes the Lord can use a novel to catch my attention, renew my hope, or boost my courage! I remember specifically reading ‘A Voice in the Wind’ by Francine Rivers during my first year of high school and really finding consolation for my fears of standing for Christ in a twisted, public school system. I figured if Hadassah could find the strength to face the evil of Rome, so could I in the evil halls of school!
Great question 🙂
What an awesome story and every writer’s dream to have such a positive impact on readers!
Anna, your sharing your high school experience is such an inspiration to me! I pray my books might help someone like that!!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Peretti’s work and Dekker’s used to inspire me quite a bit. A funny thing: I thought this was an interview with Missy at first and was like, wa?? she’s a widow??? LOL Glad it’s just the character though. And her love is right around the corner! *grin*
Oops, sorry to get your blood pumping before your morning coffee!
Jessica, I probably do have a lot of my characters in me! Or maybe I should say I have a lot of me in my characters. 🙂 Thankfully, though, I still have my husband with me.
I read a lot and am inspired by books, too. I like Kav’s idea of a journal. Thanks for having Missy….a fellow Georgia lady! If I don’t win her book, I will buy it! Love her books!
Wow, I’m getting to know a lot of Georgia gals. I’m going to have to pay me a visit!
Thanks, Jackie! I’m so glad you like them. Hope you’re feeling better!
I look forward to reading it! Putting it on my TBR list today.
Thanks for the interview, ladies!
Thanks, Loree! I appreciate you stopping by.
Oh, I love these interview questions–they are so fresh. Thanks to both of you ladies, and to Missy for being candid. I like that.
Please enter my name in the drawing, and thanks for your generosity!
Jen
Thanks for reading, Jen!
Nice to meet you, Missy! I love to read to my kids too. We’ve done that ever since they were little. My boys love nonfiction stuff, so I’ve picked up lots of random facts about a lot of random things. 🙂
Stacy, the interview was actually with my character in my book. 🙂 But I, too, have always loved reading to my kids! Although now that the youngest is in high school, it’s more like we sit side by side and read our own books. 🙂
Sorry, Stacy and Missy, I didn’t word the introduction clearly!
Sandra, you did fine! it’s an easy mistake to make just to jump in and see an interview and assume it’s the author. 🙂
I thought the same thing as Jessica! Well i’m awake now! Glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my husband and was left with our four boys. Our house is part of my husband’s work package, so I couldn’t stay here if something happened to him.
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
I think its a fear that resonates with every happily married woman. On Friday, I’ve invited a real life version of Missy’s Hannah to share her hope-inspiring story.
Just picked my copy up yesterday! I’m already up to chapter 3 and can’t believe how fast this story flows. Love the way you describe ‘the ryker eyes’ as cat like. I can just picture him. And the adorable children – the description of Becca’s pink plastic framed glasses reminded me of a pair of glasses my daughter had that were pink years ago. Missy, your characters come to life and I’m loving this story already!
Oh, that is too funny. The cat eyes description was the one thing I didn’t like because I picture cat eyes as kind of yellow and narrow and a little creepy. LOL
Chris, thank you!! Those golden cat eyes are the eyes of my son’s friend. That’s the only way I can describe them! They’re really unusual. I asked my son to take a photo of them for me so I could describe them better, but he told me that would be weird. LOL So I just stared at him whenever I saw him to try to remember. 🙂
That’s so funny. Did you creep him out? 🙂 Or do all your kids friends know you’re a little weird…being a writer and all. 🙂
Well, I’m hoping he could never tell! 🙂 His mom also has very beautiful, unusual eyes, so I tried to stare at hers more than his. 🙂
I imagine most people know I’m just weird, though. 😉 In fact, a couple of weeks ago at church, I stopped a friend in the middle of a sentence to tell her I needed to study her eyes for a heroine in a book. 🙂 They’re amazing, and the sun was shining in her face so I could see them well. I probably make people nervous staring at them! LOL
Oh, that is funny!
LOL, Sandra. My son’s friend’s eyes are definitely yellow. But not shaped like cat eyes. [grin]