LEGITIMATE LIES, By: Julie Cosgrove

Have you ever wondered how an author goes about writing a book? I’ve asked my good friend and author Julie Cosgrove, to be with us this week and answer that question and a few more. I’ve read Julie’s two new books Hush in the Storm and Legitimate Lies. And they are both must reads!

Welcome to my blog, Julie. Let me ask, how did you come to write Legitimate Lies?

A literary agent suggested it. Let me start at the beginning, if you allow me to back the truck up…
Two years ago I had major surgery and became bored. So I thought, “What if I start out a novel ‘It was a dark and stormy night?’ Would anyone publish it?” That is how the prequel Hush in the Storm started, until my critique group all raised their eyebrows, and then spurt-sprayed their coffee in my face as they burst out laughing. The dark and stormy night is still in the first few chapters, just not as blatant. So naturally I had to start Legitimate Lies out in a brewing storm as well, though this time in the daylight hours.
The novel, Hush in the Storm, took off and then came to a screeching halt about the fourth chapter. I had a yearning to make it more than just a suspense romance. I wanted to add deeper layers, but what? Then in three weeks, I met three missionaries in three different locales who fight human trafficking When I met the third one, who had just joined my critique group, it was my turn to spurt-spray my coffee. Okay, God I get this! The more I researched the topic, the more fervent I became. Thus, that social issue became the element I wove into my story, but the plot also had to be one of romance, reality and redemption.

I didn’t end Hush in a happily ever after sort of way—because life rarely does— so this agent at an American Christian Fiction Writers’ conference suggested I keep the storyline moving in a sequel. Thus, Legitimate Lies began…but stalled. I was quicker on the uptake this time. Right, it needs to bring out another social issue that people struggle with, but where did God wish to lead me? The agent, who decided not to sign me after all, provided the answer: Jen’s inability to have children and the deep loss of one she once had.
I rewrote foreshadowing elements of that in Hush and within a month, it ended up under contract by Prism Book Group. My acquisition editor had to quit, and Hush shuffled into a slush pile for over a year. One night the Editor-in-Chief says she awoke with a start. Her brain blurted out the question, “What happened to Julie’s novel?” She contacted me and became my content editor. Once she read the manuscript of Hush, she told me she wanted to read more. I happened to have just finished the rough draft of Legitimate Lies. Twenty-four hours later, I had a contract for it.
What do you hope to accomplish through these two novels?
I want people to fathom how deeply God loves them, no matter what has goon on in their lives. Redemption is always an option, no matter how heinous you think your wrongdoings are, or those done to you. Whether it is adultery, human trafficking, deceit, treachery or aborting a child—or anything else for that matter—it is not out of God’s loving reach. I have witnessed so many people eaten away inside by years of harbored hatred and shame. Forgiveness is the only thing that can lift you out of the muck— first, God’s forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ and secondly, forgiveness for those who wrong you. Lastly forgiveness for yourself if you have done wrong. Not so say we become so weak our lives are floor mats. Just the opposite. It takes great strength, and my heroines exhibit that…eventually.
To illustrate what I mean, here is an excerpt from a novella that will be coming out the end of 2015 – Navy Blues.
I twisted a strand of hair around my finger. “So, do you think I should forgive Trey?”
Absolutely.” Ryan cast his gaze to the small cross around my neck. “Jesus told us to forgive those who trespass against us. But whether you want to continue in a relationship with the guy, well…” He shrugged but kept his eyes locked with mine.
He could have splashed ice water on my face. I took a sharp breath. “Not the same thing, huh?”
Ryan shook his head. “Two very different acts. But once you can begin to entertain the first, the second will be easier to determine.” He gently tapped where my heart lay with his forefinger.” You need to get through the emotions first before you decide.”
I nodded through a glimmer of fresh tears.
I also hope readers enjoy the storyline along the way. That is what fiction is all about. So far, both Hush in the Storm and Legitimate Lies have received high star ratings.

Give us a brief peek at Legitimate Lies.
I slammed the water glass down in front of him, leaned in and threw several daggers into his deep blue eyes, the ones I almost drowned in another identity ago. “You had my business card.”
His eyes twinkled. “Not too hard to snatch.”
“Exactly how long have you been watching me?”
He pushed his shoulders into the chair’s spindles and took a deep swallow. After he set the tumbler down, he ran a finger around the rim. “Is it important?”
I wanted to slap the smirk from his face. I wanted to plant kisses all over it. I wanted to smash the water glass and shove its broken shards into his chiseled cheekbones. Instead, I slumped into the chair across from him. My emotions with this man had never been crystal clear.
A baby, a new life, a kidnapping…all bring Jen to face the lie she’s hidden for so long…will it hinder her one chance for happiness?
Legitimate Lies by Julie B. Cosgrove from Prism Book Group!

http://www.prismbookgroup.com/LegitimateLies.html

Do you write anything else?
Yes, I write regularly for six devotional publications and websites, and I have published three Bible studies, a devotional on the Psalms, and an inspirational help book called Squeeze More God Time Into You Day. I wrote another novel, Focused, about an empty nest couple seeking to find their marriage again, despite the bumbling help of coworkers and church members. They can all be previewed on my website, www.juliebcosgrove.com.
I also have a blog, Where Did You Find God Today?, which I hope leads people to discover His spiritual shoulder taps and soul-whispers throughout their day.