Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she's allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves-most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she's one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit's end. Nothing he's done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa's adolescent rebellion isn't helping matters. As Daniel's hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

Myra Johnson is the author of several books, including One Imperfect Christmas and the award-winning Autumn Rains, which received the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript and was a 2010 ACFW Carol Award finalist. A career-writer since 1985, Myra has worked as a writing instructor, where she taught hundreds of students the fundamentals of story and article structure, plotting, character development, and market analysis. Myra and her husband, Jack (married since 1972) live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but she’s proud to be a new Oklahoman. Empty-nesters now, she and her husband share their home with two lovable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Myra’s writing has garnered ACFW and RWA awards including the coveted Golden Heart. She is thrilled about the release of her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas.

http://www.christianbook.com/one-imperfect-christmas-myra-johnson/9781426700705/pd/700705

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_review

__USERID__

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/ask_and_answer

Author: Myra Johnson
Located in: Broken Arrow, OK
Submitted: July 27, 2009

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I was born and raised in Texas, but have really enjoyed settling into our new home in Oklahoma. I've been married since 1972 to an amazingly supportive guy. We have two beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, four rambunctious grandsons, and a pretty-in-pink, all-girl granddaughter. We share our home with a couple of spoiled house dogs and a snobby parakeet.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  After watching a spate of sappy Christmas movies on TV one year, I wanted to write something with a little more depth and a stronger faith element. The basic idea came to me in a dream one night, and I started playing the "what if" game until the story came together.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  I hope readers will gain an even deeper appreciation for their families, for the power of forgiveness, and for God's limitless grace.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  Writing about Natalie's struggles gave me new perspectives on my own family relationships. I hope I can look back someday on 50 "perfect" Christmases with my own husband.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  I've been influenced by so many wonderful writers of Christian fiction, including Deborah Raney, Robin Lee Hatcher, Karen Kingsbury, Lisa Samson, DiAnn Mills, Mary Connealy--just too many to name. As a writer, I believe it's vital to read the work of many different authors, to learn what resonates, to experience different ways of storytelling.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  I sincerely hope you enjoy reading ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS. As my debut novel, it will always have a special place in my heart.

• Books >> Closeouts
• Books >> Fiction >> Contemporary >> Women's Fiction
• Closeouts >> Books
• Closeouts >> Fiction
• Fiction >> Contemporary >> Women's Fiction
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search