Author, Center Stage: Del Duduit, First Down Devotions

So today, I’m hosting Del Duduit and his new book, First Down Devotions. So let’s start with the basic question: What’s it all about?

It’s true. Fans love a good game. And we love players who inspire us. But who inspires the players? Who do they look to for guidance? First Down Devotions takes an inside look at popular National Football League players, coaches, and the people who help shape them to explore their successes both on and off the gridiron. Recounting personal stories about their walk with Jesus Christ, these superstars serve God and provide positive stories to share with friends, children, and sports fans. Through daily devotions, these players and coaches will inspire you once more, but this time it will be you on the field of life. Get ready to score a touchdown in your own spiritual life.

How and when did you start interviewing athletes?

I stated making connections with players and coaches in the NFL in 2017. I went to all home games for the Cincinnati Bengals and caught up with targeted players after each game. I hold a media credential and have access to players in the locker room. I also attended the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and made more contacts with players there.

What was it about their stories that inspired you to turn them into devotions? Do you think most of them realize how others are inspired by their struggles and successes?

All the athletes and coaches in the devotional have unique stories. Some come from normal, everyday families while others struggled within their environment. Many of them are aware they can be a positive influence on their fans and those who follow their careers. I think that keeps many of them accountable for their actions on and off the field.

Your admiration for these athletes is revealed clearly in your writings. What popular assumption about professional athletes annoys you the most? What would you say to disprove that?

Many fans think that since the athletes make a lot of money and have fame, they are not supposed to have problems. But I have been told many stories about personal problems many of them face, which include family illnesses; children with special needs; family crises and marital problems. The face issues and temptation every day like you and me.

What annoys me the most is some have a sense of arrogance about them and feel they are entitled to special treatment. Not all, but some I ran across demonstrated it very well. I glad that none of the athletes featured in First Down Devotions had those characteristics.

In what way does your faith encourage your writing?

I’d say it’s the other way around. My writing encourages my faith. I struggle myself at times with feelings that I’m inadequate and many of my devotions are written especially for me, and to encourage myself along my journey. I’m just blessed to be able to share them with everyone who reads the book. The devotions are geared to help and strengthen me, but I’m blessed they encourage others.

Why would First Down Devotions make the perfect gift for the football season for all ages of sports fans?

This book is not about football, but rather about the men who play the game. Most people will be able to identify with the struggles and accomplishments from high profile players because the reader has probably experienced similar things. This lets the person turning the pages to know that they have gone through valleys and climbed to the top of the mountain just like a famous player was able to do. It brings the athlete down to a personal level that the reader may not have know before. Sports and players are the tool to deliver a common theme that God can work through anyone.

What’s your next book?

 I have a few in the hopper:

Bama Believer: (releases August 2020)

Auburn Believer: (releases August 2020)

Michigan Motivations: (Releases 2020)

Indiana Inspirations: (Releases 2020)

Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best Vol. 2 (releases March 2021)

First Down Devotions: Inspiration from NFL’s Best Vol. 2 (releases August 2021 )

Bengal Believer: 40 Days of Who-Dey Votions for the Cincinnati Faithful (release TBD)

Redlegs Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Cincinnati Faithful (release TBD)

Browns Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Cleveland Faithful (submitted manuscript)

Tribe Time: 40 Days of Devotions for the Cleveland Faithful (submitted manuscript)

So where can readers find you and your books?

They can find me online at several sites:

Website: delduduit.com

Twitter: @delduduit

Instagram: @delduduit

LinkedIn: Del Duduit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/del.duduit.7?ref=bookmarks

https://www.facebook.com/delduduit/

Athletes in Action: Contributing writer:

https://athletesinaction.org/contributor/del-duduit/#.XQUd-LxKjcs

Del’s Discoveries: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=dlc%20sports%20network&epa=SEARCH_BOX

First Down Devotions can be found on Amazon and the New Hope Publishers website:

https://www.newhopepublishers.com/shop/first-down-devotions/

https://www.amazon.com/First-Down-Devotions-Inspiration-Stars/dp/156309231X/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=del+duduit&qid=1560616241&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Del Duduit is an award-winning sportswriter and author. He has been published in Clubhouse Magazine, Sports Spectrum, and on ToddStarnes.com. He is a contributing writer for Athletes in Action, The Christian View, Bridges Magazine, and PM Magazine. He is the co-editor for Southern Ohio Christian Voice and blogs weekly at delduduit.com. He lives in Lucasville, Ohio, with his wife Angie.

Author, Center Stage: Heather Norman Smith, Where I Was Planted

So today, I’m hosting Heather Norman Smith and her new book, Where I Was Planted. Leave a comment on the blog for a chance to win this fascinating story.

So let’s start with the basic question: What’s it all about?

In the spring of 1961, ten-year-old Nate "Weenie" Dooley has a revelation—his father is not a good one.

Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure. When he discovers that his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new understanding of God to figure out he isn't really alone.

Will he find that Copper Creek is where he's always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever coming back?

This story demonstrates that while fathers may leave, our Heavenly Father is faithful, and He has a plan for all of us.

What was the inspiration for this story/what led you to write it?

I don’t remember a specific inspiration. As with my first book, the story seemed to just show up in my brain one day, and it surprised me. The general concept comes from my heart for orphans, though. My husband and I are foster parents, and my desire to bring awareness to the needs of these children drives a lot of my writing.

 

What made you want to focus on a ten-year-old boy for your main character?

Telling the story from Nate’s perspective, a boy who has been abandoned, helped bring a lot of emotion to the book, I think. I wanted readers to be drawn into the story out of their concern for him, and I hope they will find themselves rooting for this child and eager to find out what happens to him.

Your love for North Carolina shines. What one assumption about your state would you like to disprove?

By writing about the beauty found across the state—including in the people—perhaps readers will agree that one region of North Carolina isn’t necessarily better than any other. There’s so much more to the argument of “mountains or beach.” There are natural, historical, and cultural assets, in both the cities and in the country, all across the state.

In what way does your faith encourage your writing?

My writing centers around my faith. Sometimes if I’m struggling with a project, I realize it’s because the spiritual application isn’t strong enough and I have to fix that. I’m not nearly as motivated to write until I’ve honed in on a Biblical application or how the Gospel will be presented. Although I love the stories and the writing process in general, it’s the opportunity to show Jesus that makes it worth all the effort.

If Nate were a real person in your life, what advice would you want to share with him?

I would probably tell him to slow down and enjoy being a kid, because childhood passes by so quickly. (I try to tell my children that, though it’s probably impossible to grasp until it’s too late.) I would also tell him not to worry about what the other kids think or say about his appearance, and that he is fearfully and wonderfully made (another thing I tell my children.)

What’s your next book?

My third completed novel is set in a retirement community, so I went in the opposite direction of Where I Was Planted with the ages of my main characters! I’m not sure when this book will make its entry into the world, but it’s set in Southport, North Carolina, and features a wealthy, prank-playing grandmother who winds up facing criminal charges because of her jokester reputation. It’s full of humor and a surprising romance, and of course, has a strong faith message, too.

I’ve got three other books started, and I’m anxious to see which one pulls at me to finish it first.  

So how do people find you online?

www.facebook.com/heathernormansmith

www.twitter.com/hnsblog

www.instagram.com/heathernormansmith

www.heathernormansmith.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17895912.Heather_Norman_Smith

Now…where can they buy Where I Was Planted?

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Planted-Heather-Norman-Smith/dp/1620209071/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TKKR5MUH32KK&keywords=heather+norman+smith&qid=1560392324&s=gateway&sprefix=heather+norm%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1 

 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-i-was-planted-heather-norman-smith/1131939383?ean=9781620209073

https://www.christianbook.com/where-i-was-planted/heather-smith/9781620209073/pd/209075?event=ESRCG

Heather Norman Smith is Christian Fiction author and devotions writer. Her goal is to use the written word to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive love of God. Her first novel, Grace & Lavender, released in March, 2019. Heather is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with her husband, their three children, and several spoiled pets.

Author, Center Stage: Kelly Irvin, Over the Line

I love discovering new suspense authors, and today, I welcome Kelly Irvin to our blog author spotlight. Don’t forget to comment on the blog for a chance to win a copy of the book!

Kelly, start by telling us something about the book, Over the Line.

When a college student dies at Gabriella’s feet after muttering her brother’s name, vicious gun smugglers believe she knows too much. And they’re determined to make sure she suffers the same fate. With no one else to turn to, Gabriella reunites with her former fiancé, homicide detective Eli Cavazos, to investigate the dead man’s murder and her brother’s disappearance.

In a desperate race against time, Gabriella and Eli are determined to clear her brother and find him before the gun smugglers can kill them both. Bit by bit, they tear away the masks worn by men masquerading as law-abiding citizens. No one can be trusted. Working as a team forces Gabriella and Eli to face the problems that ended their relationship. She realizes she’s the one who needs to learn to forgive, but Eli must also learn to trust her with his secrets.

This ragtag team must fight a powerful ring of criminals protected by the very institutions that should prosecute them in an all-out battle that may cost them their lives.

What was the inspiration for this story/what led you to write Over the Line?

I spent several years as a reporter covering local government, lifestyle, and court cases in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where I lived for a combined total of 6 years. The more recent spotlight on the border reminded me of all the issues these communities face and how hard it is for them to prosper. Much of that insight went into writing Over the Line. I began collecting articles about gun smuggling a few years ago and even started writing the book, but my writing career went another direction and it’s only been recently that I’ve had the opportunity to finish it. I loved writing scenes that harkened back to my time as a reporter there and the great friends I made who worked in the media. I drew on many of those memories to add color and richness to the story.

Why do you feel the pull to write stories of suspense as well as your ongoing Amish tales? Do you continue to write nonfiction as well?

I enjoy writing Amish romances and I have a new series set in Montana that will debut with Mountains of Grace in August. However, I started my career as a published author with two romantic suspense novels. I love reading romantic suspense and mysteries so it seemed natural that I would write them. Switching between genres helps me stretch as a writer and added new excitement to the writing life. I’ve been amazed at how many readers have been interested in both genres, as long as there’s romance involved. I’m blessed that my publishing house, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, has been willing to let me branch out into this new genre. They’re taking a chance on me and I appreciate that so much. As far as nonfiction, I write blogs for curetoday.com, on on-line magazine for cancer patients. I also blog occasionally about my faith walk and struggles with two chronic diseases—primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a degenerative motor neuron disease, and ovarian cancer.

What is it about Laredo, Texas, that made you want to set the story there?  

I lived in Laredo for five years near the start of my career as a newspaper journalist. It’s a fascinating melting pot of culture and language. Many of the residents speak TexMex. If you don’t know the word in English, fill it in with Spanish and vice versa. The city is a major port with four international bridges. It is deeply affected by what happens in Mexico and in the United States. With drug traffickers, gun smugglers, and the stand-off regarding illegal immigrants and the wall, it seemed like a perfect setting for suspense. It’s a powder keg waiting to explode. Plus, I know it well.

In what way does your faith encourage your writing?

My faith journey has been a rocky one over the years and writing has helped me express those hills and valleys. Only by God’s grace has it been possible for my fiction writing to flourish. I often feel undeserving, which reminds me that none of us deserve God’s grace. It’s freely given. Writing gives me such joy (and often escape). I realized late in life that God gave me the spiritual gift of writing and He expects me to use it for his glory. That it gives me such pleasure is an added blessing.

If Gabby were your best friend in real life, what advice about relationships would you want to share with her? How would you advise her regarding her growing affection for Eli?

Gabby thinks her biggest challenge is forgiving Eli for something she thinks he has done. I would remind her that God’s Word says we can and should forgive. We don’t get to pick and choose which sins against us we forgive. Having said that, I would encourage her to take her time in letting Eli back into her life. Give him time to trust her with his secret. Date. Get to know each other again. Learn to trust again. And don’t take his desire to make amends for granted. Finding love isn’t so easy. Don’t take it for granted.

Why would Over the Line make the perfect pleasure read for summer?

Over the Line is page-turning suspense with not one but two romances. Readers will follow Gabriela as she tries to find her brother in time to save his life and her own. They’ll be transported to a rich multicultural setting where they’ll encounter the worst kind of monsters—the ones hiding behind everyday facades.

What’s your next book?

Mountains of Grace, the first book in a new series called Amish of Sky Country, debuts in August. This series focuses on West Kootenai, a community in far northwest Montana, that was affected by wildfires. Thirty buildings, including some homes owned by Amish families, were destroyed. Each story follows a young Amish woman who leaves Kootenai for the first time because of the fire and how she, her family, and her “special friend” change because of these devastating events. In Mountains of Grace we also see how some of the English families were affected, particularly a smoke jumper, a sheriff’s deputy, and an English woman who is a close friend of the Amish heroine. Writing these stories has been fascinating and I hope the readers enjoy reading them as much as I’m enjoying writing them.

Where can we find out more about you?

Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin

Instagram: @Kelly_Irvin

https://www.facebook.com/Kelly.Irvin.Author/ 

www.kellyirvin.com 

Please list ALL online retail links for your book.

https://www.amazon.com/Over-Line-Kelly-Irvin/dp/0785223142/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/over-the-line-kelly-irvin/1129853331?ean=9780785223146#/ 

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Over-Line/Kelly-Irvin/9780785223146?id=7612317829956

https://www.christianbook.com/over-the-line-kelly-irvin/9780785223146/pd/522314

Bestseller Kelly Irvin is the author of 16 books, including romantic suspense and Amish romance. Publishers Weekly called her first romantic suspense novel, A Deadly Wilderness, “a solid romantic suspense debut.” She followed up with No Child of Mind and Tell Her No Lies. About Tell Her No Lies, PW says, “No one is above suspicion in a tale sure to appeal to readers beyond its main Christian audience.” The two-time ACFW Carol finalist worked as a newspaper reporter for 6 years writing stories on the Texas-Mexico border. Those experiences fuel her romantic suspense novels set in Texas. A retired public relations professional, Kelly now writes fiction full-time. She lives with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin, in San Antonio. They are the parents of 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 ornery cats.

Thanks, Kelly!
Readers...don't forget to comment to have a chance to win a copy of Kelly's new book. See you next Wednesday.