Interview with "Those Crazy Twins" - A Familiar Shore

Welcome to an awesome Fun Friday! Today, I'm thrilled to interview two of the coolest young ladies I've ever met, but I need to ask for your cooperation - please don't let it slip that they might be fictional! We wouldn't want to hurt their feelings, would we?

Tracy Ruckman:  I’d like to introduce you to Jane and Janell Marston. They are identical twins who appear in Jennifer Fromke’s debut novel, A Familiar Shore.

Jane and Janell in unison: Hi everyone!

TR: Tell us about the setting of your story.

Jane to Janell: Do you want to talk?

Janell: I can talk, but you wanna talk too?

Jane: I’ll jump in if you need help.

Janell: OK, so our part of the story takes place on Lake Charlevoix. It’s this really beautiful lake in northern Michigan.

Jane: But not the Upper Peninsula. It’s in the northern part of LOWER Michigan. Everybody gets that mixed up!

Janell: Right. So there’s Lake Charlevoix, and that opens up into a tiny little lake we call Round Lake . . .

Jane: Cuz it’s round.

Janell: …and there’s a marina there, and also an outlet that is like a canal that goes out into Lake Michigan.

Jane: Yeah, so we can jump on the boat and cruise all the way up to Harbor Springs or even Mackinaw City if we want.

Janell: Our family owns this cottage on Lake Charlevoix. We spend lots of time up there in the summer.

Jane: Yeah, and every year on Memorial Day Weekend the whole family comes together to open the cottage for the season.

Janell: There’s lots to do: dusting, planting flowers, putting the dock in the water, cleaning off and tuning up the water stuff like kayaks, jet-skis, and the sailboat.

Jane: And making potato salad!

Janell: The potato salad, of course.

TR: Why do you make potato salad?

Janell: Long story.

TR: So did you two have a chance to meet the main character, Meg Marks?

Jane and Janell: Yes! We sure did! (Heads bobbing, ponytails flying)

Janell: Meg showed up on Memorial Day Weekend, so the whole family was there.

Jane: (giggles) She kinda shook everything up.

Janell: Totally. It was the first weekend I remember that didn’t go exactly the same as every other year.

TR: What happened?

Janell: Well, Uncle Ken took off early . . .

Jane:  . . . and Uncle Jeffrey was chopping wood

Janell:  . . . and we made a donut run . . .

Jane:  . . . but that’s all stuff that happens every year.

TR: So what did Meg do to change how you normally do things on Memorial Day weekend?

Janell: Well, Grandfather sent her . . . Maybe you should read the book . . .

Jane: Yeah, you definitely should. It’s like, the best book ever. To us, anyway.

Janell: Well duh, that’s cuz we’re in it.

Jane: Nah-uh. We would’ve liked it anyway.

TR: I think you would've too, although without the two of you, there might not have been as much laughter! Thanks for joining us today! Pop in again sometime and tell us what you've been up to!

Readers, if you've enjoyed this interview as much as I have, let Jennifer Fromke know! She might have another one up her sleeve somewhere! Be sure to check out the fabulous contest Jennifer is throwing - some incredible prizes await!

Read more about the twins, their grandfather, and Meg Marks in A Familiar Shore.

Hope Tour: Colorado

Only 17 days left in the Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign! Be sure to drop by our page, make a pledge, and get involved!

During the campaign, we're going to feature many of the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

After Rochester, we'll make our way through South Dakota (I can't go that far without a visit to the Badlands and Mount Rushmore, can I?) then onto Colorado where we'll visit several towns and many authors along the way. Among the authors we'll be meeting, greeting, and having some fun with include: Elsi Dodge, Michael Lee Joshua, Debra Ullrick, Renee Gray-Wilburn, and Dianne E. Butts. While we're in Colorado Springs, we'll also pop in at Kristine Pratt's awesome new bookstore The Written World. And I'm hoping we'll also be able to meet with many of the members of the ACFW Colorado group, too! Colorado is sure to be our busiest state yet!


We have some exciting news to share with you about some of the authors we'll meet in Colorado - but that will have to wait a few more weeks. Stay Tuned!

Now we need to hear from Colorado residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.


Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny!  

Hope Tour: Rochester

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page, make a pledge, and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature many of the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

After St. Louis, we'll make our way to Rochester, Minnesota - home of two incredible women writers and a phenomenal photographer.

In Rochester, we'll introduce you to Vicki Tiede, Kadi Tiede, and Joy Dekok - three precious ladies I know you'll love. I think the Tiedes may introduce us to some foods that are not familiar to our Southern tastebuds or cookbooks - something called a hot dish?

Now we need to hear from Rochester residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

Okay, so I think this is Minneapolis, rather than
Rochester,but selections were limited! ;-)

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.


Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: St. Louis

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page, make a pledge, and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature many of the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

When we leave Kentucky, we'll head to St. Louis. I'm excited about this town for several reasons and one of those is personal. My best friend in high school now lives in St. Louis, and she is one of our publishing company's biggest fans. She's already making plans to introduce our books to a special group in her town - the Scooter Club! I keep up with these fun people on Facebook, and this stop will prove to be one of the most exciting, I'm sure!

While we're there, we'll also be meeting with local author Diana Lesire Brandmeyer. Now I just have to find out if she rides a scooter!

Now we need to hear from St. Louis residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

5) BONUS QUESTION - Are you a scooter rider?

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Lexington, KY

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page, make a pledge, and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature many of the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

From Rockville, we begin our trek west, with our first stop in Lexington, KY. Some of the authors we'll meet and greet while we're in the area include Lynn Mosher, Rose McCauley, and editor Marilyn Anderson.

Now, we need to hear from Lexington residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Rockville

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

After Virginia Beach, we'll head to Rockville, Maryland.

In Rockville, we'll meet with one of our sponsors: award-winning, best-selling author Melissa Foster!

Melissa founded World Literary Cafe and spends much of her non-writing time promoting other authors. She has built an incredible platform that helps thousands of writers all over the world.

Now, we need to hear from Rockville residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Virginia Beach

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

From Concord, our next stop is Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Here, we'll be dropping in at my campus, Regent University, and meeting with some of my professors and classmates. We'll also possibly be meeting with some writers who may eventually be sharing their stories with us, so stay tuned for updates!

Now, we need to hear from Virginia Beach residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Concord, NC

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!


From Wilmington, we'll head inland to Concord, NC.


One of our own Write Integrity authors lives in Concord: Jennifer Fromke. We're so excited about Jennifer's news - her debut novel officially releases March 23rd, but as of Friday, it's now available on Kindle and Nook! A Familiar Shore is a beautiful women's fiction you don't want to miss!

Here's the back cover blurb:

Meg Marks is a young lawyer raised off the coast of the Carolinas. An anonymous client hires her to arrange his will, and sends her to meet his estranged family at their lake home in northern Michigan. After a shocking discovery, she finds herself caught between his suspicious family and a deathbed promise her conscience demands that she keep. Will she sacrifice her own dreams for revenge? Or will she seek something more? 

Now, we need to hear from Concord residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author (in addition to Jennifer - if she's not your favorite author, she soon will be!) and what does he/she write?

Courtesy of Historic Downtown Concord

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Wilmington, NC

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!


From Myrtle Beach, we'll travel to Wilmington, NC.

One of our own Write Integrity authors lives in this area: Ann Knowles.

Now, we need to hear from Wilmington residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author, and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny! 

Hope Tour: Myrtle Beach

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now full swing! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!


From Charleston, we'll head to Myrtle Beach, SC.

One of our own Pix-N-Pens authors lives in this area: Phee Paradise.

Now, we need to hear from Myrtle Beach residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author, and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too. Be sure to tell us what kind of food it is, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.


Check the Kickstarter page for all the different reward levels and pledge your support! We could hold a party in your honor (S'mores, pizza, or wienie roast, anyone?) If we make our goal, Kickstarter collects the money and we go on tour. If we don't make our goal, you won't lose a penny!

Hope Tour: Charleston

The Hope Tour 2012 Kickstarter campaign is now LIVE! Be sure to drop by our page and get involved!


For the next 30 days, we're going to feature the towns on our tour. We're giving away a fun Hope Tour Gift Basket, so be sure to answer our questions for your chance to win!

After we leave our home state of Georgia, the first stop on tour will be Charleston, SC.

Two authors from the Charleston area that we'll touch base with on tour include:

Charles J. Williams, Jr. and Shannon D. McNear.


Now, we need to hear from Charleston residents. Leave your answers in the comments below for a chance to win a special Hope Tour gift basket.

1) Who is your favorite local author, and what does he/she write?

2) What ONE restaurant would you recommend for our Best Bites on Tour book? Remember, we don't want fancy-schmancy - just good food and hopefully a fun atmosphere, too.

3) What's ONE thing in your town we should not miss when we get there? This can be something touristy, or something off the beaten path - but something that represents your town like nothing else. If we took photos there, folks would know it could only be from your town.

4) Name THREE fun facts about your town. We may use these in a later post, but it will also help us get acquainted with your area.

Leave your answers in the comments below, and be sure to provide us with your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner.

Be sure to stay tuned for events planned in your area.

Thanks for your help.

We're Going on Tour!

Write Integrity Press is planning a summer book tour - Hope Tour 2012!

But we need your help!

Watch the video, then drop by our Kickstarter page to participate. We're going to post daily about the towns on our tour, and ask for your recommendations and input as far as food, fun facts, and one MUST SEE from your town, so stay tuned - and plan to leave some comments to help us make the most of this trip!

I hope we'll see YOU out on the road in a few short weeks!