INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ELISA MARIA HEBERT with Giveaway

Please welcome author Elisa Maria Hebert who has graciously agreed to answer a few interview questions about herself, her writing, and her newest book release, A BETTER PLAN.

Thank you, Elisa, for sharing some time with us. Ready? Let's go!

Hi, Elisa. Welcome. How long have you been writing?

As a young child I constantly used my imagination and told stories before I could write them. My third grade teacher submitted. Story I’d written to the newspaper and they published it. Sadly, I don’t have a copy because a few years later we lost everything in a flood.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how did/do you overcome it?

The first chapter of anything I write. I have an idea of the story and where it will end up, but I find the beginning to be a great challenge. I never get it ‘right’ the first try. The only way to ‘overcome’ it, is to keep rewriting.

Besides writing, what other things do you enjoy?

So many things. Cooking, baking, quilting, yard work, creating flower gardens, hiking, exploring, being with friends and family, singing.

When reading, what is your favorite genre?

I’m fond of reading Christian fiction in a number of genres. Historical, contemporary, YA. I especially appreciate when I learn about new to me places and accurate history.

About Your Book  

• Title: A Better Plan
• Author: Elisa Maria Hebert
• Publisher: Elisa Maria Hebert          
• Release Date: October 26, 2019
• Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
• Series/Stand-Alone: Stand alone
• Target Audience: Christian, women (or men) over forty

From the back cover:

She’s got a plan. God has another. Will she hear His call to love?
Widowed nurse Amelia Montgomery has her world on a tight leash. An obsessive list-maker, she carefully plots her departure when harsh Alaskan winters start biting at her beloved dog. But when she breaks her ankle slipping on the ice, it forces her to postpone her trip.

Stuck in the Land of the Midnight Sun until she recovers, Amelia continues to connect with a handsome ER doctor. And then there’s the man who keeps crossing her path. She wonders if God has a different plan…

Can Amelia let go of her need for control and accept God’s call to love?


Is there a theme verse that holds this story together?

The Scripture for this story is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Is research something you enjoy? To what extent do you go to find answers?

At times I enjoy it immensely and find myself researching rather than writing. Little of what I learn makes it into my work, but I believe my story is stronger because of the knowledge I gain.

 What take-away value do you want readers to gain from your novel?

My prayer each time I sit down to write, is that God will use my words to encourage, strengthen, and offer hope to my reader.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

No Elephants in Africa is a sequel to A Better Plan to release this fall. I’m excited to share the next portion of Amelia’s story.

About Elisa:

Elisa Maria Hebert is a mom and a grandmother who grew up in the Last Frontier, Alaska. She draws much of her inspiration from the place and people. Her first book, Secrets Under The Midnight Sun, released in 2010 under the author name Elisa Maria Crites and won the Grace Award in the Young Adult category. Her third book, No Elephants In Africa, is the sequel to A Better Plan and is due for release in the fall of 2020.

She married her sweetheart, a medical missionary, seven years ago and has served alongside him in Africa caring for AIDS orphans, and in Israel caring for Syrian refugees. Lately they consider it a joy to serve with domestic mission organizations as first responders to natural disasters.

She, her husband, an exuberant Labrador and a charming Doodle, share a cottage in Kansas where she delights in feeding her neighbors baked goods, writing, quilting, and creating flower gardens. One of her favorite things is spending time each morning snuggled on the sofa next to her husband as they read and discuss the Word, followed by praying together.

Her quest is to love others in the name of Jesus, however possible. Sometimes she succeeds.

Elisa loves to hear from her readers and will answer anyone who contacts her through her website. She also invites you to sign up for her occasional newsletter for updates, prizes or special offers.

 About the Giveaway:

Elisa is offering to give away a copy of A Better Plan, eBook or print (US only, please), winner's choice. Entering is easy: simply leave your name and contact information (e.g. you (at) 123xyz (dot) com (so we can notify you if you're the winner) in the comments section below. Giveaway runs for one week from today on Wednesday, May 13 at Midnight, Central Time. Thank you.