Her Guardian Interview

Today we're welcoming JULIA, the heroine of HER GUARDIAN by Sharon Dunn due out in July 2011.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

When I was 13 I was kidnapped by the cult leader Elijah True. I escaped when I was 20. It’s been two years now and Elijah’s trial is one month away. Elijah is in jail, but the cult members are very loyal and will stop at nothing to make sure I don’t make it into that courtroom. My father has hired a bodyguard, Gavin Shane, and we will hide out in a safe place until the trial.

2. So, during the book you met Gavin. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

He wasn’t what I expected for a bodyguard. I mean he has the build of a bodyguard broad shoulders, lots of muscle, but he kind of looks like he just stepped off the beach with his sun bleached hair and tan. I guess he just moved back to Montana from Florida. Something happened in Florida that he doesn’t want to talk about.

Also, I don’t know how to describe it but since we have been together, it’s like my load is lighter, like he carries some of the burden of worry and always having to look over your shoulder.

I don’t know if he even notices me in a romantic sense. I missed out on a lot of things when I was held captive: learning to drive a car, graduation, prom and dating. I’m twenty two years old and I have never been on a date. Honestly, I am kind of clumsy when it comes to making small talk with a man. I don’t know how to read the signals of attraction. I do think there is something between us, something more than a professional relationship.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Gavin says that he has been impressed with my ability to think on my feet and my survival instinct. I suppose that is true. All those years in the cult, I learned how to stay alive.

My greatest weakness is that I am tired of being confined. All those years in the cult being watched closely, then two years of staying in my father’s house and now this final month in a safe house. Now that the end is in sight, I guess I am restless. It’s like I have gone from one prison to another. I want to feel the sun on my face and go for a walk by myself. It would be heaven just to do something ordinary like sit in a coffee shop and read a book.

4. What scares you?

Elijah’s favorite form of punishment when I tried to escape or questioned his crazy beliefs was confinement. He pushed me into the crawlspace and slid the bolt. It was dark and there was a dirt floor. I could hear the mice moving around in the walls. Small spaces are hard for me, the sound of a door locking or a bolt sliding makes me cringe.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Actually, I have made a change recently that is kind of wild. I have this long blond hair. I’m really easy to spot at a distance because of that. Gavin thought it would be a good idea if I cut my hair and dyed it red for my safety. One of the reasons Elijah took me was he said the blond hair made me look like an angel. Something about changing my hair has been really cathartic, like I’m letting go of that old identity of the kidnapped girl and stepping into the new me, the me God intended before all of this happened.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My father brought me up with a strong faith and it’s what sustained me during my captivity. I saw the way Elijah distorted scripture and borrowed from other religions to suit his needs. And all those times I was locked into a small space, I prayed. Jesus was in there with me. I am not saying it was easy, but what Elijah intended to use to break my will I used to increase my faith.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

So much was taken from me because of the captivity, just those ordinary things that everyone takes for granted. I will say that God truly can restore what the locusts have eaten. But the way he restores is always a surprise.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Guess I kind of hinted at that verse in the previous question. Joel 2:25 is the verse about how God restores. I think for anyone who has suffered loss or felt cheated by life in some way that is a good verse to cling to. But you can’t force God’s hand and dictate to him what you want the restoration to look like.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

My life has been so complicated, so out of the ordinary. What I

Really long for is normal. So I don’t think I would want to be a fancy dessert. I think I would like to be an ordinary dessert like an oatmeal or chocolate chip cookie.

FEATURED BOOK: HER GUARDIAN BY SHARON DUNN

Julia Randel was thirteen when she was kidnapped by a cult leader.It took her seven years to escape. Two years later her captor's trial is about to begin—and so are threats from his loyal followers. Julia is relieved when her father hires bodyguard Gavin Shane, but she's furious when he rushes her to a safe house. After years under lock and key, she doesn't want to be forced into hiding again. But with cultists seeking to stop Julia's testimony at any cost, it'll take both Julia and her determined protector to set her free for a new life—and new love.

Night Prey Interview

Today we're welcoming Jenna Murphy, the heroine of Night Prey, by Sharon Dunn, set to be released in early December. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.I run the rapture rescue center here in Hope Creek Montana. We’ve had some birds come in with unusual injuries that makes me think someone is targeting these birds of prey.


2. So, during the book you met Keith Roland. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? Keith and I grew up together. He lived in another town, but he spent summers at his grandparents’ ranch. We did everything together from building tree houses to learning to rock climb. He left when he was seventeen. The last I had heard he had joined the military. I was surprised to see him back at the King Ranch after all these years. We were just kids when he left. I had no idea I feel this strong attraction to him all these years later.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I think I am really good at caring for the birds of prey. When I was a kid growing up my father rescued songbirds and kept some birds as well, but I was always attracted to big wild birds. My heart beats faster when I see an eagle or a hawk flying. I admire their strength. They truly are one of God’s most beautiful creatures.

My greatest weakness? I can be a little bit stubborn. Keith says I get an idea in my head and I am like a pit bull,I won’t let go.


4. What scares you? Because of my relationship with my father which has always been tumultuous, I think I am afraid to trust men. Don’t get me wrong. I love my father. He raised me as a single father. He is the librarian here in Hope Creek, an intelligent gentle man. I got my love of reading from him. It is just that, for a number of reasons,the relationship is strained.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Right before Keith left when he was seventeen, he really needed me as a friend and I think I let him down because of my own fears. I wish I could go back in time and be a stronger person in that moment, less afraid.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I became Christian in high school and really have only had minor doubts since then. Something about being out in nature and being around these birds, I get to see God’s handiwork everyday, it feeds my faith.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? I think that by the end of the story I learn to trust people as much as I trust God. God never intended us to be Lone Ranger Christians. We were meant to be dependent on each other. Trusting means taking chances and risking being hurt, but it is so worth it.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. The scripture is from Psalm 91 where God is compared to a bird. I like to think maybe the bird was an eagle. God covers me with his feathers and I find refuge under his wings. Having watched a mother eagle with her baby, I know that that is a picture of safety and protection.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I love chocolate and dark chocolate with almonds is my favorite.

Thank you Sharon for sharing Jenna with us today.

Dead Ringer Interview

Today we're welcoming Lucy Kimbol, the heroine of Dead Ringer,by Sharon Dunn, released this May.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I live in a small town in Wyoming and work as fly fishing guide. I became the focus of a serial killer investigation because I look a great deal like the previous victims.


2. So, during the book you met Detective Eli Hawkins. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

My first impression was not a good one and it had nothing to do with Eli. Eli was a cop and because of some things that happened when I was younger, I didn’t really trust cops. Eli was just sort of relentlessly gentle and I grew to trust him. I think the thing that made a big difference was when he helped me get a runaway boat out of the water. He ended up saving my life. I had tried to talk him out even helping me.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I love the outdoors. My grandfather taught me how to fly fish and I feel pretty confident out on the river. It’s also when I feel closest to God, being surrounded by his creation and beauty. As for weakness, my friends all say that I have trouble asking for help. I think it is because I have been on my own since I was eighteen. I love helping other people, but I can be so hesitant to ask for help. I think that was the thing that was so special about Eli. He didn’t wait for me to ask. He knew what I needed even if I didn’t know myself.

4. What scares you?

Losing the people I love and care about. I never knew my father. My mom died when I was eighteen and my grandparents before that, I almost lost my brother because of some bad judgment by the local cops here in Mountain Springs. Until I met Eli, I think there was a part of me that was afraid to love.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I can be a little stubborn sometime. I will say that since I met Eli, I am learning to laugh about that.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I became a Christian a little before my mom got sick. My relationship with Jesus has always been strong. He carried me through some hard times.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I think the missing piece in my faith was learning to be interdependent on the Christian community. It ties back into learning to ask for help when I need it.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
The verse is from Isaiah 41:10 and it’s about not being afraid because God is with me. Because of the losses in my life, I think I operated from a place of fear all too often. Falling in love with Eli taught me that you have to risk loss if you want to find love. It was so worth it.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I love fresh fruit. Apricots are my favorite.


Wow, sounds great. Thank you Sharon so much for sharing Lucy with us.