Interview with Cheryl Wyatt with Giveaway

Today I welcome back Cheryl Wyatt to my blog. She has also signed a copy of Ready-made Family which one Lucky reader can win.
Thanks Cheryl for coming to my blog today.

1. Ready-Made Family is the 3rd stand alone book from the Wings of Refuge series. Do you have a favourite scene in this book?

I think my favorite scene is when Amelia (heroine) is at Eagle's Nest Vehicle Repair helping the owner clean and Ben (hero) walks in. She has grease on her nose and is grimy from working. When Ben steps onto the ladder and...well...you'll have to read the book to see what happens on the ladder. But that's probably my favorite scene because Amelia's little girl says, "Is Mr. Ben about to kiss you, Mama? Because that's the way movie people look right before they smooch." (or something similar...I'm reciting from memory. LOL!)


2. I appreciate Hutton and his unique qualities did you know much about mosaic down syndrome before you wrote this book?

I didn't know much about it at all. I needed Hutton to be able to hold a job and, though he has a disability, be pretty high-functioning. So I researched Mosaic Down Syndrome and it fit what I needed to do in the story.


3. Can you tell us a little about mosaic down syndrome?

It is basically the same as regular Down Syndrome. Except people with MDS tend to be a little more independent and higher-functioning. Some people with MDS have it so mildly that most people can't tell they are differently-abled.


4. I love the way the people of Refuge welcome newcomers and are so helpful and not judgemental. Is Refuge based on anywhere inparticular?

It is based on how I wish most towns were. LOL! Refuge is fashioned after Acts Chapter 1 & 2 when it says that no one in the town had a need because everyone pitched in and helped each other and gave as needed. Refuge is a fictional town but physically I fashioned it after an area down in southern Illinois that is Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge. The terrain, landscape, weather, etc is fashioned after southern Illinois. And I have to admit the town I live in and my community and my church (which I fashioned Refuge Community Church after) is the kind that reaches out without agenda.


5. I have to say I was happy to see the mention of Psych in the story will he be mentioned in the next stories? (I love Psych!)

Psych the cat...it seems he gets mentioned less in the books these days but usually because there's a big dog running around. LOL! And Psych...well, we know how he does NOT tolerate dogs. So...while I tried to put him into the stories, he scratched and hissed at me and sauntered off complaining about not having enough tuna again.....so he's still safely tucked away at Celia's house who gives him a run for his money in the way of bossy-ness. LOL!

6. Is there any message you hope readers take out of Ready-Made Family?

You know, it's strange but I never, ever set out to have themes or takeaway values in my books. But for some reason they always end up in there and especially if I've been as character Joel says, "plugging in" with God on a regular basis. According to reader letters, people are being encouraged to hope for restoration of broken or strained family relationships. And they are being challenged to reach out to others in need. Those seem to be the two common messages readers are getting from the book. But I didn't set out to give any particular message and I try not to write agenda-driven stories. But I think when we write as worship, things automatically filter through.


7. I know there are more books coming out in the series and I for one cant wait cant you tell us the titles and when to expect them?

You might be happy to know that there are more books out or coming soon in the Wings of Refuge Series which features the entire pararescue squad. So far:

4. Nolan's story (A Soldier's Reunion) releases June 1, 2009
5. Aaron's story (Soldier Daddy) releases October 1, 2009
6. Vince's story (A Soldier's Devotion) releases January 1, 2010
7. Chance's story (title pending) releases Spring 2010

1. Joel's story (A Soldier's Promise) released in Jan 2008 is Book 1 in Wings of Refuge.
2 -Manny's story (A Soldier's Family) released in March 2008.

Both of those two should still be available online.


3. Ben's story (Ready-Made Family) *may* still be in stores now. But is available online.


8. Finally Where can readers find you on the net?

My Web site is http://www.cherylwyatt.com/
My personal blog is http://www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com/
I also participate in these author blogs: http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/, www.loveinspiredauthors.com, and http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/

I'm also active on Twitter, Facebook, Shoutlife and Myspace, etc. Just search for "author cheryl wyatt" until you find me. I don't have the links handy.

If you'd like updates (about3-4 times a year is all...not a huge influx of mail) on my upcoming releases, special features for newsletter subscribers such as recipes from the books, as well as contests with GREAT prizes exclusive to my newsletter subscribers, visit my Web site http://www.cherylwyatt.com/ and sign up in the Newsletter Sign Up space provided there. I respect folks' privacy and do not share their addresses with any third party.

Jenny, THANK YOU for hosting me. Your friendship is a huge blessing!

Product Description
Amelia North needs refuge, and finds it—in Refuge, Illinois. Stranded there after a car wreck, the single mother expects to be cold-shouldered. After all, she's already been rejected by her parents, her church and her daughter's father. Instead, she finds a town full of people with open hands and open hearts…including pararescue jumper Ben Dillinger. Ben wants to help Amelia and her daughter find safety and stability. Instead, he finds himself free-falling—right into love with the ready-made family.

About the Author
Born Valentines Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. http://www.cherylwyatt.com/

Reveiw:

I enjoyed this story. This is the 3rd book in the Wings of Refuge series but all books are also stand alone books. What I love is how both Amelia and Ben have issues which they are both dealing with. I also love interaction with Amelia's daughter and other secondary charactors. Hutton is another charactor I really like, his honestly and his honest take on life is very special. I love how Cheryl uses his disability to reach others. This is another wonderful book I would recomend for all I cant wait to read the next book.

4.5 out of 5 good read.

If you are in Australia this book should be in Koorong with in a few months so keep an eye out for it.

For a chance to win an signed copy of this book just leave a comment by Monday 18th Aussie time. You will get an extra entry for every friend you introduce to my blog and they mention your name in there comment. As I am sending this book I am adding an extra entry if you are an Australian.