Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Debbie Kaufman

Please, join us as we welcome our friend Debbie Kaufman here under the tulip tree.  For those of you who don't know Debbie, here is a bit of background information.

Debbie Kaufman has always found a good book to be a great escape.  Years ago she failed to heed her mother’s advice when told to get her nose out of a book.  Instead, she parlayed her reading addiction into writing award-winning fiction.  Originally a Kentucky girl, Debbie now lives in Georgia with her own romance hero, her husband of over thirty years.  Her first novel is a Love Inspired Historical titled The Doctor’s Mission (Nov. 2011).

Debbie writes:
How do you write a missionary romance without readers ending up with 288 pages of a sermon? That was the question facing me when I wrote The Doctor’s Mission, a November release from Love Inspired Historical books. Because, when it comes to preaching, I prefer my sermons on Sundays at church—not in the books I read for pleasure.

The conclusion I came to was that you still write people. After all, if your hero was an architect, it wouldn’t be necessary to teach readers how to design a house or a convention center. So why does a missionary have to preach on the page?

He doesn’t! It doesn’t mean faith issues are absent completely, but you keep them in the context of the story and the character’s issues. And Pastor William Mayweather and Dr. Mary O’Hara do have their issues…

She squared her shoulders and tilted her chin higher than her five-foot four inches normally allowed her to see. “The Mission Board sent letters. Weren’t you informed of the impending arrival of Mrs. Smith and myself?”

His eyes flashed disbelief and despite his polite tone, she could see the resolve of his answer in the set of his jaw. “I was indeed informed of the arrival of two new mission workers, Miss O’Hara, one a physician. I just did not expect the Board to send women because of the deadly history of the jungle interior. I’m afraid you’ve been sent to the wrong place. I simply cannot take someone so delicate and unsuitable for the dangers to the compound at Nynabo.”

Unsuitable? She wanted to laugh at the irony of being found lacking after having just left a front line mobile field hospital for this man’s dangerous jungle. She took a deep breath to steady her voice. It wouldn’t do to sound shrill and create a negative opinion of herself. She needed this position; was, in fact, desperate for it.

“Obviously, Pastor Mayweather, we are both surprised to find someone whom we did not expect. But I assure you that while your opinion is no different than most other men in society, ones who do not carry Bibles at their ready, it is entirely unwarranted.”

As you can see, inspirationals may not be known for their explicitness, but they don’t have to pull their punches when it comes to conflict. And they don’t need to banter scripture in their dialogue.

Have you ever read an inspirational novel? If not, what’s stopped you from picking one up? If so, did you like it? Why or why not? Hey, go for honest here people! I love hearing about and understanding other people’s viewpoints. Besides, leaving a comment gets you entered into a random drawing for a copy of The Doctor’s Mission!

For more about Debbie and The Doctor’s Mission, check out her website: www.debbiekaufman.com or follow her on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/debbiekaufmanfanpage or Twitter, www.twitter.com/debbie_kaufman

9 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie! Your book sounds amazing. I am so excited for you about your debut. May all good things happen for you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've read inspirational romances -- both category and single title. And I enjoyed the ones I read. When the back blurb grabs my attention, I don't care if it's an inspirational romance or not.

    I love your architect analogy. It's possible to get a spiritual message without being preachy.

    Congratulations on your debut! I can only imagine how exciting it is for you. :-)

    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  3. The first romance I ever read was an inspirational I found under my mother's bed when I was 13. Also about a spunky red-head, but set in Singapore in the late 1800's. Pirates, a hunky sea captain, cross-dressing cabin boys...ah, I wish I still had a copy of it. I credit it with solidifying my ability to tell the difference between love and lust while still in my early teens--something I'm ever grateful for.

    Congrats Debbie! And thank you for working historically accurate Cannibals into a romance. ;)

    ~Angela Blount

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for being with us today, Debbie! I read inspirational, though not exclusive. There are times when I want the comfort of characters who share my beliefs and value system.

    Can't wait to read yours~

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, Debbie! The Doctor's Mission has arrived on the shelves in northern Arkansas too. Now one has a place on my TBR pile, though it may have to wait until after November to be read. I must do more with my NaNo project before leisure reading. But I'm looking forward to the story. :)

    Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Debbie,
    Thanks so much for hanging out with us. I love reading about how you balanced your belifs with the story!

    I can't wait until the recipe tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi guys,
    Sorry to be stopping in so late but internet access has not been my friend today. :(
    Carol, it's so cool to hear my book has beennot sighted in Arkansas!
    Marilyn, it is exciting and exhausting.
    Christine, thanks for the good wishes.
    Angela, you had me at pirates!
    Jean, I read a variety of genres too.
    Stephanie, thanks for having me. I hope everyone enjoys the cookie recipe tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome, Debbie! So sorry I'm late. Family obligations have me hither and yon these days.

    I've been looking forward to your book release since we talked about it in June at our annual Readers' Luncheon. I'm heading out to buy it immediately!

    I love reading books with stories that appeal to me. The Irristable Earl was a fine Love Inspired release. Author's name escapes me now but I highly recommend it. Dear friend Melanie Dickerson's book, The Healer's Apprentice, was a fabulous book. Her newest is out too. And then there are books by friends Debby Giusti and Missy Tippens! Can't resist! All do a great job adhering to the non-preaching category. Love these authors and can't wait to add you to my list as well.

    Is it the morality that draws you to the Inspy line? Society is missing out on this today, don't you think? Or do you believe that, like the Georgian-Regency-Victorian period, we're heading back to nobler times?

    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Katherine. Sorry, didn't see your comment before :) I love Melanie's books! She has a wonderful voice. Of course, Debby and Missy are two more I also read. The Irresitible Earl was written by Regina Scott and is still on my TBR!

    I read so diversely, but I do love a story where sex doesn't get in the way of the plot and where people have decided values. there does seem to be a swing back toward inspy, possibly a reflection of the times.

    ReplyDelete