Book Interview & Giveaway - Mother Of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert.

The New Winner of Mother Of Pearl by Kellie Coates Clark is...
Kim Weaver Tuten
Entry #10

Mother Of Pearl
by
Kellie Coates Gilbert

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#1. What was the inspiration for Mother Of Pearl?
I write women’s fiction, with a focus on poignant and emotionally compelling stories about women in life-changing circumstances.
I knew my first novel would focus on mothering and the perils women face in this role, especially during the teen years. I didn’t even know how many things there were to be afraid of until I had my first child. From the moment the nurse placed that tiny infant in my arms, a fierce need to protect bubbled from the deepest part of me.
As a novelist, I asked the question: What would a mother do if suddenly life took a turn and she learned the child she thought she’d protected had fallen into the hands of someone unsafe? And what if she found out too late?
Early, when the inception of this story was still noodling in my brain, I saw a sadly recurring event on the news, the story of a coach who had inappropriately been involved with a teenager. While the cameras honed on the major players, I couldn’t help but wonder if the girl’s mother stood just out of view. What was she feeling?

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
From start to finish, the manuscript took me just over six months to complete.

#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in Mother Of Pearl?
The entire story is told through the eyes of Barrie Graeber, the mother. But, as I was writing, I found my heart leaning toward her husband, Steve. Like many men, he doesn’t deal with emotions easily. When he can’t “fix” the situation their family faces, he chooses to tuck his feelings and move on. When Barrie can’t follow suit, tensions develop in their marriage. And, isn’t it true? Sometimes in our pain, we end up hurting the ones we love most.
(Readers: when you meet Steve’s mother in the novel, write and tell me how you think she played into Steve’s inability to tackle his pain and be there for Barrie.)
I also have a tender spot for Aaron, the Graeber’s young son. In many ways, his new faith and fresh perspective provides a beacon for the entire family as they maneuver through some very dark days.

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
People have many layers, and never more than in family dynamics and hard times. I’m intrigued with the coping mechanisms we employ to fill our empty places, the chasm only God can fill.
When readers find themselves in the deep places in life, I hope they will think of Barrie Graeber and remember that life-changing circumstances can be conduits to His majesty.

_#5. What made you choose the specific location(s) for this book?
I set the book in Falcon, Idaho—a fictional community where everyone knows everybody else and much of the social aspect of its’ residents revolves around school activities and football.
I grew up near Sun Valley and we raised our boys in Boise. I knew the area well and was convinced no better place would suit my story.

#6. How did you name your characters?
I keep a running list of names I come across, ones I want to use in future stories. The main character, Barrie, was named after a woman attorney I worked with. I loved her name.

#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
Until I completed my research, I don’t think I was aware how prevalent this situation is in real life, where adults cross proper boundaries and engage in inappropriate relationships with minors.
I spent time with Dr. Sherry Bithell, author of Educator Sexual Abuse, A Guide for Prevention in The Schools (Tudor House Publishing, 1991). Her book was cited in a U.S. Government study report on the issue. Her work helped me to understand how blurred the lines get in some situations and how often perpetrators are allowed to quietly resign and move to a new school, especially coaches.
Nearly a year after I turned in my manuscript to my publisher, the Sandusky/Penn State situation hit the news—another sad reminder of how often people look the other way when a sports program is at risk.
I’m not necessarily a “soap-box” novelist. I have no agenda. But, I would not be sad if readers close the last page of MOTHER OF PEARL with more understanding and a desire to keep an eye out for our kids.

Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
St. Augustine tells my own faith story with this quote:
“In my deepest wound, I saw your glory and it dazzled me.”
I try to paint that sentiment on every page, but in a subtle manner. I want my books to appeal to all kinds of readers – those who sit on church pews and barstools alike.

 MOTHER OF PEARL tells the emotionally compelling story of a high school counselor who discovers her own teenage daughter had an inappropriate relationship with the football coach . . . and how she risks everything to bring him to justice.

For more information, go to www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com

To purchase this book
please use the links below

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Print

Kindle

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ISBN-13: 978-1-4267-3343-7
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: 09/2012
Actual Pages: 304

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Kellie Coates Gilbert

A former legal investigator and trial paralegal, Kellie Coates Gilbert writes with a sympathetic, intimate knowledge of how people react under pressure. Her stories are about messy lives, and eternal hope.

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How and where can readers interact with you?
Check out my website:
www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com
You’ll find my blog where I post fun, light topics that only take a moment or two to read. (check out the post where I tell readers how I discovered a soup pot makes a great safety helmet during a tornado scare!)
I have links to Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. I feature a video for my book and an opportunity to join KELLIE’S READERS CLUB (don’t miss out on all future book announcements! I’ve just signed a four-book contract, and you won’t want to miss reading these emotionally compelling stories about women in life-changing circumstances.

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I’d like to end by thanking my readers. Women are busy people and time is precious. Anyone who spends their hours immersed in the pages of my book is a treasure. I write for you.

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It's Giveaway Time!

To enter the giveaway for Mother Of Pearl please use the Rafflecopter below.
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Thanks to Kellie Coates Gilbert for providing the book for this giveaway.

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