Author Betty Collier Stops In - Book Review & Giveaway

Today I chat with author Betty Collier.  Betty wrote Living Inside the Testimony,  a testimony of her journey through life so far.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Betty,  plus I reviewed her book.  My review will be after the interview,  and you get a chance to win yourself a copy of this wonderful book.  Actually,  Betty is offering 2 copies of her book and I am offering a copy of her book.  So there will be 3 lucky winners.  *Rules below.*

BK: Thank you so much for being with us today Betty.  I am so happy you took time to stop in and chat with us today.  Please tell us a little about yourself......

BC: On the back of the book, I wrote that I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, nurse, author, and child of the King. That summarizes my life and everything else that I am involved in. My number one priority is to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And as the bible instructs us, everything else comes after that. Of course my family is my number one priority on this earth. I have been married to the absolute love of my life for 24 years, and we have 2 boys, ages 16 and 11. That in itself is a full-time job, just keeping up with the 3 of them. I am also a full-time RN; I work as a nurse case manager during the day, and share the journey inside my testimony as an author whenever I can - morning, noon, and night.

BK: What inspired you to pen your first title?

BC: I wrote the book after being divinely inspired by the Lord to share my testimony with others. The book is obviously based on my faith, and I wrote it well aware that not everyone would share my faith, but I am sharing my faith with anyone who chooses to believe. I never wanted to be an author, and if you had asked me prior to January 2009 if I would ever write a book, my answer would have immediately been "absolutely not." I never had a desire to write a book, so you're likely wondering why I wrote it and why I am trying to share it with others now. Perhaps my honesty will make you wonder if the book is even worth purchasing. However, this one thing I do know...I am an author. I became one overnight, and in fact, I know the exact night it happened. It was after midnight when January 9, 2009 turned into January 10th, the night I dreamed about this book.  I am confident that if you allow me to share my journey with you, you will understand perfectly, but only if you have the faith to believe.

BK: How long have you been writing?

BC: I think I was an undercover author for many years prior to realizing my gift as an author. I have always been a writer, but never formally confessed it until this book which I wrote in 2009.

BK: What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?

BC: The hardest part was actually finding the time to write. Writing was easy and came very naturally. The ideas and thoughts flooded my mind, and I had to find time to keep up with what I was thinking and get everything down on paper.

BK: Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?

BC: Absolutely. As I share my journey, I get feedback from readers that they too have been living inside testimonies, and they are encouraged and inspired after realizing their journeys have been prepared uniquely for them by the ultimate MASTER PLANNER.  Believers as well as non-believers enjoy the book because it offers hope in the future, and forces you to take a look at your past and realize that it really wasn’t you that was in control of it anyway. It is a dream come true for readers to not only enjoy the book, but to really understand my message.

BK: Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

BC: My purpose in writing was to simply encourage and inspire readers to discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others, but I have been just as encouraged and inspired by readers comments. It confirms my original belief that the Lord wanted me to share my journey of faith. I hope to help readers discover the inspiration that lies within each of us because we can all help inspire and encourage others.

BK: Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

BC: My plans are simply to share my journey with others, and I will go wherever this book takes me in order to do that. This is only the beginning. Although I had no prior plans to write a book, after literally becoming an author overnight, I know that this is something that I will never give up now. I am passionate about my story, and it’s my desire to reach as many people as I can to inspire and encourage them. There is more to come, but I will have to wait on divine inspiration to figure out what that is.

BK: What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?

BC: All of us have something to share with others, and if we would simply take the time to begin the writing process and stay committed to it, we could all write something to share. Don’t give up on your ideas and your dreams. Just keep writing.

BK: Anything else you would like to share with us today?

BC: As a result of writing this book and sharing my journey with others, I have been given a fabulous opportunity to host an internet radio talk show based on the message in my book. Beginning November 15, 2010, I will host Living Inside The Testimony on webtalkradio.net. Here’s a sneak peak at the show’s description: Get ready to remember this name: LIVING INSIDE THE TESTIMONY. Your life is never going to be the same.  Host Betty Collier and her guests live each and every day inside the testimony.  They will help you discover the inspiration that lies within all of us and prepare you to share it with others.  Hear incredible stories of faith, hope, humor, romance and love, offering a source of inspiration and encouragement.  Join Betty on this truly incredible journey of faith as if you, too, have been touched by an angel.

*Rule Number 1 to win a copy of Betty's Book,  Living Inside The Testimony*

Readers can visit my website, www.livinginsidethetestimony.com or www.webtalkradio.net for more info.
Also, I’m having a contest during this interview. For the first 2 people who go to my facebook page at www.facebook.com/livinginsidethetestimony, click , and then post a comment that they read this interview on your page, I will send them a complimentary copy of my book.

BC: Thank you so much for this interview. I have truly enjoyed it, and I appreciate you taking the time to be part of my virtual book tour.

BK: You are so welcome Betty.  Thanks again for stopping in.  You are quite the amazing lady.  So now for my review of Betty's book.  YAY!

About Living Inside The Testimony:

It's like watching a Lifetime Movie...You'll go to bed and dream about the real-life characters in the book...

It's a beautiful, heartfelt love story...

It's funny, amusing, and entertaining...

It's very emotional and inspirational...

You'll laugh on one page and cry on the next...

It's all about God's amazing love and abundant blessings...

And it's all true, straight from the heart of the author who has been on an incredible journey!

Living Inside The Testimony (the book) is a collection of anecdotes compiled by author Betty Collier. In reading these stories, you will share in her journey and experience the inspiration, faith, hope, humor, romance, and love she experienced. The stories in Living Inside The Testimony revolve around Betty’s experiences with her family, friends, and other individuals who have contributed, often unknowingly, to the path God has chosen for her. You will hear the story of how Betty fell in love at age fourteen (with her future husband), about her husband’s near-death experience with emergency brain surgery a week before high school graduation, their experiences in New York a week prior to 9/11, and the frustrating ordeal she and her husband overcame when trying to build their dream home. Betty attributes her success and her great love to God, and she shares with readers how God has orchestrated her life’s path every step of the way. Betty’s prayer is that you will see and feel Proverbs 3:5-6 come alive and speak to your heart as you take a walk with her, inside her testimony. She hopes you enjoy the journey and discover that we all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others.

My Thoughts: 

First of all I just love this cover.  It's a beautiful portrayal of what is between the pages.  The book itself,  I loved too.  Betty wrote as if she was actually sitting at a kitchen table chatting over coffee,  telling you the story of her life,  and all the blessings that come with it.  From finding her true love in high school,  the ups and downs that were presented to marrying him when they both thought they would never be together again,  to the birth of her children,  getting her dream home,  and ending with the question,  "What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

There was humor where at times I found myself laughing with Betty and times that she truly moved me and I found myself feeling so proud of her.  This wasn't a book of preaching the gospel,  but of pure inspiration.  Betty has made herself available at the end of her book should anyone have any questions,  or feel led to accept Jesus into their lives.  I love how Living Inside The Testimony was written and I think Betty has accomplished what she has set out to do....simply to share and inspire.  Well done Betty! 

*Now for my rules and your chance to win yet another copy of Living Inside The Testimony :).:*

First,  stop into to Betty's facebook and friend her,  like her,  and leave her a comment that you were here.

Then -

Say hello to Betty and tell us where you draw daily inspiration in a comment,  and leave your email with it.

No need to follow my blog,   though it would be greatly appreciated (please,please,please).  Share this great interview with others for an extra entry,  leave me the link where you shared it with your comment.

Thank you all for stopping in and meeting Betty Collier.  I am planning a new weekly giveaway so stay tuned for that too :).  Have a happy week everyone.