Author Interview

Interview with Gina Holder

ღ(¯`v´¯)ღ About Gina Holder ღ(¯`v´¯)ღ¸

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 are found at http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you were raised.

live in southern Colorado with my husband and daughter. I love singing and playing the piano. It was my dream from a young age to be a published author. My goal with my stories is to touch lives with Biblical principles and to bring glory to God in everything I do.

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

Absolutely.I love the feeling of my heart racing as the characters attempt to escape danger or apprehend the bad guy. And I love trying to solve the mysteries before the characters do. There is nothing quite like a good twist!

Who’s your favorite author?  

My favorite romantic suspense author is Colleen Coble. I’ve never been able to guess her villain before it’s revealed, and I love that.

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

I’ve loved books since I was old enough to pick one up. In elementary school, I struggled with reading but at some point, it just clicked. After that, my sister and I used a laundry basket to carry our books home from the public library. I began writing short stories when I was 10 and by 12, I was writing my first novel.

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

Forgiven Again, book 2 in my Shadows Over Whitman series, released November 3, 2020. Forgiven Again continues the story from No Greater Love. Kathleen Phillips’ life is turned upside down when the baby she gave up reenters her life threatening her campaign for governor. She must decide if she’s willing to give up everything she’s worked for to welcome the young woman into her life.

Forgiven Again was difficult to write. First, because Kathleen is an unlikeable character, and as much as I wanted to make her likeable, I knew that would take away from the power of her return to God. Secondly, because I was going through some personal things and this book dealt with those same themes.   

What advice would you give a new author?

Don’t give up. This journey takes a lot longer than you might think. Seek to learn. Use critique partners. Never think you’ve arrived.

What project are you working on now?

I am currently writing a novella titled, Don’t Look Down, for a novella collection with 14 other suspense and mystery authors. I’m thrilled to share this story with everyone. The first scene came to me when my family took my in-laws to visit the summit of Pikes Peak. As I sat in the vehicle having a breakdown for fear of heights, the seed to this book was planted in my imagination. The collection releases October 12th.

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

My motto is Writing Stories for the Glory of God. If I want to know what will bring him glory, I must seek his direction in every aspect of my books. I’ve bathed these stories in prayer that they would touch the lives they are meant to touch. There have been times when God has led me to write a certain scene or backstory to a character and I haven’t wanted to, but in the end, I allow him to lead, and I hope the stories are more powerful because of it.

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

Forgiven Again is all about forgiveness. Forgiving others and forgiving yourself. I want readers to know that God is always willing to forgive them and welcome them back into his arms no matter how far they’ve strayed.

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

I just finished reading Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves digging into the tactical elements of catching terrorists.

Where do we find your books?

On Amazon @ Amazon.com: Gina Holder: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Annie Staten, now known as Kathleen Phillips, has dreamed of pursuing a political career and following in her father’s footsteps. But Richard was a hated man during his tenure as governor and now his enemies will stop at nothing to prevent his daughter from winning the election.

Ryan Whitestone has loved Annie since high school, but his heart is broken by the woman she has become. When the daughter she gave up for adoption comes back into her life, can he help her heal from her pain and remind her of who she used to be?

Will Kathleen be able to forgive herself, put the past behind her, and find love again?

The continuing story of No Greater Love.

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