Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all 31 stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 3 grand prizes!
- The hunt BEGINS with Stop #1 at Lisa Bergren’s site.
- Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
- There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 11/6)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books.
- Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the clue on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at Stop #31. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!
Please give a warm welcome to my guest author, Maureen Lang! Maureen writes stories that celebrate a mix of God’s love, history and romance. Here’s a bit about her latest release, The Cranbury Toymaker:
The moment Raina Wingate arrives in Cranbury, she’s convinced God brought her there for a reason. Surely her toymaking talents and aspirations can help her Aunt Esther restore the dilapidated Cranbury Inn! Since Cade Levick’s return to his small hometown after the heartbreaking loss of his wife and, more recently, his young daughter, he’s worked hard at two things: woodworking, and establishing himself as Cranbury’s very own curmudgeon. But when Raina discovers Cade was once a toymaker himself, she recruits his unwilling help to make her soft toys the best they can be. Will Raina’s perpetual good cheer break through the boundary Cade has erected around his life?
How One Introverted Writer Created An Extroverted Heroine
by Maureen Lang
It seems to me we’re born as either an introvert or an extrovert. I’ve often noticed telltale traits in kids from a very young age and I admit I identify with introverts from firsthand experience.
Topping the list of introvert traits is a need for time alone to recharge. Being in a large group exhausts introverts, even when among enjoyable people. Introverts don’t want to be alone all the time, we just tend to miss our alone-time if we’re forced to go without for a while.
And although we may talk a lot to those closest to us, when we’re in that big group we’re not the ones with the entertaining jokes and stories or known to bask in the limelight. In fact, if the limelight accidentally hits us we’re more apt to move rather than keep that attention coming our way.
Being an observer is probably the most important introvert trait for a writer. We see what’s happening, so wanting to know why is the next logical question. That’s what every author asks when putting a book together – why would a person, or in this case a character, do what they’re doing, or react in any given way?
I’m not sure what the introvert ratio is among authors, and I’m certain an extroverted writer can create introverted characters, too. But I think they’d agree with good old Sherlock—who may never have said “Elementary, my dear Watson” —but demonstrated the best way to figure out anything is through observation. That’s the key to creating a character we haven’t a thing in common with.
My historical heroine in The Cranbury Toymaker is an extrovert unafraid to stick to what she believes, to get involved in everything from teaching Sunday school to performing in a melodrama. Most importantly for a romance, she lets her interest grow for another toymaker who, at least initially, wants nothing to do with her toy-making efforts—or with her. He’s not only an introvert, but imagines himself the town curmudgeon. Maybe the most important thing for him to learn is that love can bridge a gap, even between introverts and extroverts.
Maureen Lang is the author of thirteen Inspirational novels and five novellas that celebrate a mix of God’s love, history, and romance. Find her on Facebook at or sign up for her newsletter on her website at www.maureenlang.com.
Here’s the Stop #25 Skinny:
You can order Maureen’s books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local bookstore!
Clue to Write Down: find
Link to Stop #26, the Next Stop on the Loop: Maureen Lang’s own site!
But wait! Before you go, I’m offering a $25 Etsy gift card! All you have to do is enter the giveaway widget below. I’ll announce the winner on my blog on November 7th!
Susan Sleeman is a best-selling author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books. Awards include Thread of Suspicion-2013 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Best Book Award, No Way Out-2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist, and The Christmas Witness-2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalist.