Friday, December 17, 2010

Jennifer Laurens Interview + Giveaway!



Today I would like to welcome Jennifer Laurens on my blog. She is the author of the Heavenly series, which includes Heavenly, Penitence, and Absolution. I recently read Heavenly and loved it! My review can be found HERE.


I also had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Laurens, which you can read below.



1. Tell us five interesting facts about yourself.
I used to work in the entertainment industry. I have four dollhouses I've made and collect for. I used to run a muffin business to make extra money when we were first married: Mrs. M's Muffins. I'd live in NY--Upper East Side-- if I could. I had anorexia when I was a teenager.

2. What is your favorite thing to snack on while writing?

LOL, right after the anorexia comment....um...I prefer drinking. Soda of any kind will do, but I prefer Rockstar.

3. Which five words best describe Heavenly?
Uplifting, inspiring, real, fresh, moving.

4. I learned that you have an autistic daughter. Did this experience inspire autism to be a part of the Heavenly series (Heavenly, Penitence, Absolution)?
Yes, it's actually our family story about our struggle dealing with a handicapped child.

5. How did you decide on writing Heavenly from the POV of a sibling vs a parent of an autistic child?
My daughters were teenagers, and Zoe is a combination of both girls. It seemed a natural place to start, since I'd lived through their challenges dealing with their sister.


6. If Zoe's autistic sister Abria could speak, what would she say?
In real life she DOES speak now.( YAY! ) She often repeats phrases--from things that make sense to things that don't make sense. She never fails to make us laugh. Her favorite phrase: "Hi Mom." - repeated at least 50 times an hour. No joke. Autism is about repetition.

7. The word "flamer" is used more than once in Heavenly. Can you define the term?
hahaha...another one of the local slang terms used in a derogatory way. Like you idiot -- or something much more graphic that I wouldn't use in a book.

8. Since you were familiar with autism, did you find that the Heavenly series required less research?
No research needed.


9. What advice would you give to the parents or siblings of autistic children?
That life gets better. Do everything you are mentally, physically and financially able to do for your child and leave the rest in God's hands. When you do that, the relief is unspeakable joy. Love and accept your child for who she/he is: a gift who will teach you and yours about unconditional love, patience, acceptance and charity. Who wouldn't want to develop those qualities?

10. In every difficult experience there is a upside. While I'm sure raising an autistic child has not been easy, how has raising an autistic child been a blessing for you and your family? And what has your autistic child taught you?
Answered above. And so much more. I thought the diagnosis was the end of life, back when she was originally diagnosed at age three. The process has caused me to question everything, exert all the human power I have within me only to come to the conclusion that God knows what he's doing. My puny mortal efforts cannot compare. My child, like all of us, is in his hands and I am so relieved that I don't have to carry the full weight of that burden alone anymore. This is not about anything particularly religious, except that I DO believe in God and in his ability and complete willingness to help me ( and my child ) out.

11. Besides the Heavenly series, what other books have you written?
Falling for Romeo, Nailed, Magic Hands, A Season of Eden, An Open Vein, and a women's romance series.

12. Are you currently working on a new book?
I just finished OVERPROTECTED due out in April.

13. How can readers learn more about you and your books?
www.jenniferlaurens.com. I love meeting readers on Facebook, too so, come find me!


Thanks so much for joining us Jennifer! It was wonderful interviewing you.

Jennifer Laurens also has a blog, which you can check out at:
www.jenniferlaurens.blogspot.com


*****************************************************************************


HEAVENLY GIVEAWAY:


Jennifer Laurens has kindly offered one of my followers a copy of Heavenly, PLUS your choice of either a Book Bag, a T-Shirt, or a Key Chain (all of which are themed in the Heavenly series).



RULES:

Open To US Only
Must be a GFC follower
Ends December 31, 2010

TO ENTER:

In ONE COMMENT below, tell me you are a GFC follower, let me know which accessory you want (book bag, t-shirt, or key chain) and leave your email. If you decide to do any extra entries, make sure they are listed in the SAME comment.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
+1 Leave a comment on my Heavenly review by clicking HERE.
+1 Leave a comment about the interview with Jennifer Laurens (see interview above)
+1 Follow Jennifer Laurens Blog by clicking HERE.
+1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Facebook by clicking HERE.
+1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Twitter by clicking HERE.








15 comments:

  1. I follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com
    would love the bag!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great interview, I had no idea she struggled with Anorexia as a teen too. Hope you are doing better now as an adult Jennifer :)
    I follow on GFC (Anaiz)
    +1 Comment on Review
    +1 Comment on Interview
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens blog
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Twitter
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Facebook
    =6
    Thanks for hosting, I would like the book bag!
    nizmart at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it's amazing that Jennifer used her own background with a child with autism as part of the inspiration behind the story. I really do believe that our difficulties in life and our interactions with the people we love are the best stories we could tell...


    +1 I follow via GFC; if I win, I'd love the book bag!

    EXTRA ENTRIES:
    +1 commented on Heavenly review
    +1 commented on interview
    +1 follow Jennifer Laurens's blog
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Twitter

    Thanks for the opportunity...
    Jessi
    jlelliott08 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I enjoyed the interview very much. Our family is going through testing on my grandson and we are doing all the research we can on autism. They are leaning toward asbergers for a diagnosis, we should know soon. I would like a tee shirt.

    GFC follower as seriousreader
    +1 Commented on review
    +1 Comment on interview
    +1 Follow Jennifer's blog on GFC as seriousreader
    +1 Sent friend request on Facebook as myself
    +1 Follow Jennifer on Twitter as BookOwner

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a son on the autism spectrum. It has made me look at life very differently. I love to read your books. I would love the book bag.
    I am a gfc follower
    +1 I commented on the interview.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am a GFC follower.
    I am interested in the T-Shirt.
    I follow Jennifer Laurens blog
    I follow Jennifer Laurens on FB

    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm a follower. I'm interested in the T-Shirt.

    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens Blog - Aik
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Facebook - Aik Chien
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Twitter - @AikChien

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm a GFC follower. I think that I would like to T-shirt please. Thanks for the giveaway!

    lvtink21@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Follower
    Tshirt

    +1 comment on review
    +1 follow jen's blog
    +1 comment: Love that she had a muffin business

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a follower, thanks for the awesome giveaway. I would have to say if I won I would like the book and the keychain.

    +1 for a follower of Jennifer's blog
    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a new GFC follower. This series is new to me. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  13. old GFC follower
    I'd like the book bag, thanks!

    +1 following Jennifer's blog via GFC

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow with GFC. Username: missreneer :)
    I would love the Book Bag. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow with GFC. I want to thank you for bringing this author to my attention. I found out about the giveaway on bookblogs. I think the premise of these books is very interesting. My son just turned 12 a few days ago. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with high functioning autism & we're learning a lot about him and how he's wired. He's the same kid he's always been, but yeah, the repetitive thing can sometimes get old. We address it differently now & understand he doesn't mean to annoy everyone. =) Autistic, twice gifted, blue eyed, just a bunch of adjectives to describe a pretty awesome kid. So I found the questions and the answers pretty intriguing here & am excited about these books. Like you, I appreciate books I can relate to, and I really love the idea of a realistic paranormal romance.

    I'd really like any of the accessories, but I'd say I'd probably like the keychain the most.

    I did each of the things needed for an additional entry, so here's keeping my fingers crossed!

    rara_weidenaar at yahoo dot com


    +1 Leave a comment on my Heavenly review by clicking HERE.
    +1 Leave a comment about the interview with Jennifer Laurens (see interview above)

    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens Blog by clicking HERE.
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Facebook by clicking HERE.
    +1 Follow Jennifer Laurens on Twitter by clicking HERE.

    ReplyDelete