posted by Noelle Marchand on 5 QUESTIONS

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(Giveaway ends August 24, 2012)

The winner of Winning the Widows Heart by Sherri Shackleford is…

Sierra B

Welcome to Five Questions, Lisa!  I am so pleased to have you on my blog. Today we are going to talk about your latest release from Love Inspired entitled Lakeside Family. We’ll get right to the questions after we give everyone a little peak at what your latest release is about. 

The one man she never wanted to see again is the only who can save her daughter’s life. In the space of a minute, Nick Brennan learns he has a nine-year-old daughter— and that she desperately needs his help. All this time, his high school sweetheart, single mother Josie Peretti, thought he knew about their child. And that he just didn’t care. About the ill little girl—or Josie, the woman he’s never forgotten. But Nick made a long-ago promise never to forsake his family the way his father did. A promise he vows to make good on now… if only Josie will bless him with a second chance.

1.  What is your favorite moment between your hero and heroine?

My favorite moment is when Nick and Josie are spending unexpected alone time together. They share dinner, then talk about a past event that reshaped their lives. They share a kiss. Another favorite moment is when Nick opens up about a tragic event in his past. His disclosure forces Josie to realize how tough the last decade has been for him. Both are emotional scenes, and they draw the reader deeper into the characters’ struggles.

2.  What does Lakeside Family teach us about the importance of family?

Each family is unique. No family is perfect. We make mistakes and have to learn to deal with our circumstances. Our families shape us into who we are today. But in the midst of any family turmoil or challenge, God still watches over us.

3. Tell us a little about Josie and Nick’s daughter. What role does she play in their romance?

Hannah is a sweet little girl who is battling leukemia. She considers herself a freak because she lost her hair. She doesn’t quite understand why her friends don’t want to be around her so much any more. Hannah embraces Nick as her dad from the very beginning. She is the thread that seams Nick and Josie together. He will always be a part of Josie’s life because of Hannah. She doesn’t force them to get together, but being their common interest, Nick is around more so he and Josie grow closer together.

4. Is there a spiritual message you hope readers will find in this book?

Even during life’s tragedies and challenges, God is our Hope. When we trust in Him, He fills us with joy and peace. Romans 15:13 is my verse for this novel. Josie struggles with trust and releasing control to God out of her fear of losing her daughter.

5. What are you working on now that Lakeside Family has been released?

Lakeside Family is my second novel. My first novel, Lakeside Reunion, released in November 2011. I’m working on the third novel in this series and praying my editor loves it and wants to buy it.

I hope she will! Now is your chance to ask and answer your own question.

BONUS: What inspired me to write Josie & Nick’s story?

I introduced Josie in Lakeside Reunion as a secondary character and enjoyed her brief appearance in the book. I wondered why she had a daughter but no husband. I dug deeper into her backstory and found a rich history with Nick. Then I had to figure out what would be a compelling reason to bring them together. What or who would be the catalyst for Josie to contact Nick? Her daughter. But why? I needed a desperate reason, so Hannah’s leukemia developed. Digging deeper into the characters’ backstory and constantly asking why allowed me to create a story foundation for Lakeside Family.

CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT

Lisa is celebrating Lakeside Family with a month-long party of giveaways, including a Coffee Lovers and Tea Lovers baskets. For more details and to enter the gift basket giveaways, leave a comment here.  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Married 23 years to her real life hero, Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two college-aged sons and will be facing an empty nest soon. By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator, and by night, she is a contemporary romance novelist with Love Inspired. Lakeside Reunion, her debut novel, is a 2012 Carol Award Finalist. Lakeside Family, her second novel, releases in August 2012. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Agency. In her free time (ha!), Lisa enjoys good books, chick flicks, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. To learn more about Lisa, visit her website at www.lisajordanbooks.com.

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