I’m excited to have Gina Holder back with us today. She’s here to tell us more about herself and her new release No Greater Love.
Welcome back, Gina. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself and how you were raised.

My name is Gina. I am 35 years old. I am a stay at home mom, and I homeschool my 11-year-old daughter. I was born 6 weeks early in Washington D.C. I grew up in Maryland, then moved to Pennsylvania as a teen while my dad went to Bible College. After I graduated high school, I moved to the Czech Republic to serve as missionaries with my mom and dad. My home was not a Christian one until my dad was born again in 1992. After that, I was taught to love the Lord and live a life that was pleasing to Him. I married in 2007 and had our daughter that same year. We live in southern Colorado and I love it here.

What age did you realize you loved books and when did you start writing?

When I was in my first years of school, both reading and writing were a struggle for me. I don’t remember when that changed, but I can remember going to the library and checking out as many books as I could. I also remember beginning to write short stories about the age of 10 or 11.

Can you share with us a book you have read recently, are currently reading?

I am currently reading King’s Shadow by Angela Hunt. I recently finished reading The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken and The Healing Jar by Wanda Brunstetter.

Who’s your favorite author?

Hands down, Tracie Peterson. I collect every book of hers that I can find. I have nearly half of the ones she’s written so far.

Is your favorite genre to read the same as what you like to write?

Yes, they are. I love historical romances and romantic suspense, which is also the genres that I have written in so far. I am also branching out into contemporary romance for both reading and writing.

Tell us about this book. What did you learn about yourself through writing it?

My latest release is No Greater Love, book one of my Shadows Over Whitman series. No Greater Love tells the story of Paige McDonald searching for her birth mother in a small town in Oregon after she learns that she was abandoned as a baby on the steps of a fire department. She arrives in town at the same time as a string of robberies and threats against the mayor have the local police on edge. Patrol Officer Hamilton has sworn off romance but still finds himself attracted to Paige. But will secrets from her past threaten to spoil any chance they have to fall in love? 

What was your inspiration for starting this book or series?

My initial inspiration was a news story my husband read to me about a young woman reuniting with her birth mother. Then I read another story about a firefighter who adopted an unwanted baby and I had my initial plot. From there, I asked, what if that birth mother didn’t want to be found, and No Greater Love was born.

Do you normally use an outline for the books you write, or do you just start with a few ideas?

I don’t use an outline. I start with a concept, a character or two, and the general plot. The rest I figure out and formulate along the way.  

What do you come up with first when you write?

Dialogue. I hear conversations between the characters in my head and then I build my scenes around those.

What was something that surprised you in the way this book unfolded? What character do you like best?

For the longest time, I didn’t even know who the villain was. I had about three or four different suspects, but I was almost finished with the book before I realized “whodunnit.” My favorite characters are Paige’s Aunt Hattie because she cracks me up. She’s such a sweet old lady, but she is horrible in the kitchen. I also like Hamilton’s sister, Becky. She’s a super mom and she always gives people a second chance.

How do you feel writing has affected your relationship with God?

I want His Word and His love to shine through every book that I write. I am continually seeking His face and asking Him what He wants me to write. I want to share the message that He wants readers to receive through the story.

What’s one thing you wish readers would take away from this book?

The focus of No Greater Love is the great love of our amazing God. I want readers to know just how much God loves them and that He is willing to receive anyone who calls on His name.

What advice would you give a new author?

Read as many books as you can about the craft. Continue to learn. And don’t give up. It may take a while to see your dream come to fruition, but it will, if you keep trying.

What project are you working on now and how do we find your books?

At the end of August, I signed a contract with Celebrate Lit Publishing for a five-novella series. I can’t give you any details, except I will introduce the main character. Her name is Addison Masters and she’s an artistic, junk-loving, redhead.

I am also working on Forgiven Again, book two of my Shadows Over Whitman series, the sequel to No Greater Love.

Where can our readers find your book?

My books are currently available through Amazon. This is the link to my Amazon page. http://amazon.com/author/ginaholder

About the Author

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Gina Holder graduated from Faith Bible Institute and completed the Long Ridge Writer’s Group “Breaking into Print” course and. Her first novel, Whither Shall I Go. was published in August 2017. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. Gina lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys reading, watching movies, singing, and playing the piano and organ. Her Website and Blog is found at http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com.

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