Only Angels are Bulletproof

Emily, thank you so much for joining me today.  My first ever interview!  Emily’s book Only Angels are Bulletproof was realeased in November 2008, and is still being received and promoted with excitement.

I’ve been following your blog http://www.emilyannbenedict.blogspot.com/ for a while now and am excited to see how your journey to publication and beyond is playing out.  Did you really think when you began writing that this was where you would be today?

When I first started writing I, naturally, hoped to get a book published, but I knew absolutely nothing about the life of an author.  It has been a huge learning experience, especially when it comes to the marketing aspect.  Being an author isn’t only about writing. 

Writing was not your first passion….. what was your knee jerk reaction to leaving your illustrating and art behind?

My knee jerk reaction was to hold on to art.  After all the time I’d put into art over the years it seemed so wrong to give it up, but there was something about writing that came so much more easily to me.  I found myself having more fun writing. 

What really put me over the edge, though, was a three year illness.  During that time I wasn’t able to do much, but I could write.  It was one thing that lifted my spirits.  That was really the point when writing became a more serious pursuit.

Your first published novel, book signings, a TV interview…. What’s next?

I would like to get another novel published, but honestly, I have no idea what happens next.  So many opportunities have been unexpected.  I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get a TV interview or opportunities like the chance to talk at a school Career Day about writing.  Blogging wasn’t even something I intended to do. God had a tendency to change my direction on a regular basis, so I’m waiting to see what happens next. 

How has God stretched you as a person during this whole experience?

I’ve learned a lot about the difference between my timing and God’s timing.  It didn’t take me long to experience the pure frustration of working toward my own goals in my own time.  We all have dreams and callings from God, so it seemed natural to pursue that with all my heart.  Ultimately, I realized that I needed to give up and let God take the reins. 

That really is easier said than done, though.  At times I’ve honestly told God I really don’t know what that means.  How do I give up on my plans while still hoping the dreams I have in my heart will come true? 

Slowly, God pulls me forward and teaches me how to let go, but there are times I’d just really like Him to tell me exactly what to do.  But then, if we knew all the answers, faith wouldn’t be necessary.  And faith is what pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6)

 I’ve also had fun reading about you on your official homepage:  http://www.emilyannbenedict.com/index.html  Click here to find out more or buy ONLY ANGELS ARE BULLETPROOF.

 

The Book!

 FBI agent, Scott Malkin, did not believe in God, heaven, and certainly not angels…until a simple bank robbery went horribly wrong.

In her first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof, Emily Ann Benedict takes her reader on a page turning ride of suspense and mystery when a seemingly random young woman is fatally shot in front of Scott and dozens of witnesses, yet survives and disappears before anyone can question her.

Scott’s quest to stop a plague of bank robberies in the Los Angeles area quickly becomes a quest to prove that things such as angels and miracles do not exist.

But when the hunt turns deadly and threatens to consume his friends and family, Scott is faced with one very strange question: Is believing Only Angles Are Bulletproof the only way to stop a criminal?

 

You are also offering a contest to readers.  Send everyone you know to www.emilyannbenedict.com/Read_The_First_Chapter.html so they can read the first chapter of ONLY ANGELS ARE BULLETPROOF.
1.) Contact your friends, family, blog readers, Face Book connections, and anyone else you can think of.

2.) Once they read the first chapter, ask them to tell me who referred them to my site, either by leaving a comment on my blog or sending me an e-mail: emilyannbenedict@gmail.com.  (I’m the hostess so don’t put “Diane” down as your referral.  I really hope one of my readers will win!)

That’s it!  The first person to get ten referrals wins a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble.
The person with the most referrals by December 31st 2009 wins a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble and a $20 gift card to iTunes.

 Fun questions for Emily

 Who’s your favorite mystery solving hero on TV right now?

 No matter how many times I’ve seen all the episodes, I will still sit down to watch Murder She Wrote.  Honestly, does it get any better than a mystery writer turned sleuth?

 Rick Warren is coming to your house for dinner….. what’s on the menu?

 Well, I’m told I’m best at oven fried chicken or enchiladas, so probably one of those.  If he choose to drop in on short notice, however, my family is very good at making freezer food look like homemade. 

 What stereotypical kid do you think you were labeled as in high school?

 I was definitely the squeaky clean, good girl type who preferred Jane Austen novels to whatever the latest shows on TV were. 

 If you had the opportunity to hire an employee to perform one type of job around the house for you, what would it be?

This is going to sound odd, but I think I’d like someone around to make lunch every day.  I actually love cooking dinner, but always struggle with midday meals.  I frequently forget it all together.  Trust me, that is never good. 

Your favorite board game?  I’m thinking Clue…..

You know, I haven’t played Clue in years, probably because we always tend to lose the pieces of games like that. 

In our house, Sequence always ends up in a full-fledged tournament.  We all have teams, designated colors, and even a specific meal.  Sequence nights means someone needs to go out and get pizza. 

Prefer a book or Kindle in your hands?

I am definitely a book person.  I am as much a lover of collecting books as I am a lover of reading them.  Kindle downloads just don’t look as good on bookshelves.

Thanks Emily for joining me.  I can’t wait to read all the comments!

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