Monday, August 17, 2015

Interview with Humorous Christian Author Gay N. Lewis


Gay N. Lewis has a background in video production and interior design. She is a pastor’s wife and has three daughters and four grandchildren. Gay lives in Fulshear, TX and is the author of seven books in the Sarah Series, with more to come. All of the Sarah books are filled with humor and are on Amazon’s Best Seller’s List.

Sarah, a dyslexic angel, arrives from The Heavenlies to unite couples into lasting relationships.  Problem? Well, Sarah is always lost, loves red stilettos and falls down often.  When she must appear as a mortal, she can’t find a proper human disguise. Havoc and Mayhem should be her middle name. Sarah is a combination of I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeanie, and Touched by an Angel rolled into one. The Sarah books are filled with humor and Christian inspiration.  Sarah’s shortcomings make it easy for the reader to identify with her.

Welcome to my blog, Gay. We are going to discuss your last four books in the Sarah Series. Sarah is an angel who helps humans in time of need. These books are available as ebooks, hard copies, and as an audiobook. Where did you get your inspiration for this series?

I love this question and thanks Linda for having me! I’ve written nonfiction for years, but when I ventured into novels, I wrote a book which I’m still waiting for it to see daylight. Choices is a historical story and the genre is Women’s Fiction. At the time, I didn’t understand the difference between women’s fiction and romance and sent my book to the wrong agents.

Getting nowhere fast, a friend told me about the local RWA chapter. I joined and discovered the difference between the two genres. While at the meeting, I learned romance with vampires and werewolves sold as hot commodities. Such stories were impossible for me, but as I listened, the thought of a goofy, dyslexic angel came to mind.

I wrote the first book, Little Angel Screw Up and sent it to Prism Book Group. Two days later, I received a contract. The publisher changed the name to Sarah: A Mission of Love. After the success of the first book, Prism Book Group now signs me to three contracts at a time. I recently finished one—it is currently in the editing stage. I have one to start and another book after that. I hope Sarah ideas keep coming my way.

Please give us a description of Sarah and the Internet Dating Service.

Thanks for asking. This book came to mind from my personal lack of savvy in computer skills. Two of my daughters and one nephew met through an Internet service, so I decided Sarah should try her hand, and of course, she knows nothing of computers.

The Superiors give Sarah a challenging assignment and send her to earth. She is to spur a romantic relationship between Karen Newton and Jeremy Spencer. The dyslexic angel has managed to unite couples previously, but never through the Internet! Since the couple knows each other and work in a Houston oil company, Sarah wonders why she must use that irksome computer gadget to trigger romance. The Superiors should have dispatched one of the angel techy geeks instead of her.  After all, she is known in The Heavenlies as “Little Miss Goof Up.”

When Karen faces danger, Sarah realizes she must get a correct email message to Jeremy. But how?  She’s already created multiple cyber fiascoes with her Internet attempts. Perhaps she should ignore orders and find other means to alert Jeremy. Poopty doopty—it would mean a reprimand on Cloud Five. Should she risk it? Uh-oh. Do angels get headaches?  It looks as though Sarah is headed for one.

Please tell us about Sarah and the Scary Ferris Wheel.

The publisher gave me this theme. Perhaps it came from a personal fear of Ferris wheels. I refuse to ride rollercoasters. Sarah isn’t afraid of heights, but she is terrified of the ocean.

Sarah is given a new mission—to link Robert Johnson and Brittany Lee—two people she encountered while trying to bring a couple together on that irksome computer Internet dating service. Oh sure, she’d done it. Not without trial and a lot of error, but with this fresh assignment, trouble would come again, she was positive.

If she hadn’t grumbled about the computer, maybe the Lieutenant wouldn’t have ordered her to ride the Galveston Ferris wheel. She’d seen the huge rotation device built over the Gulf of Mexico, and the very thought of a ride on that monster made her nauseous.  What if she threw up on the humans? Oh merciful heavens!  Why did the Superiors give such tasks to bumbling angels anyway?

The next book in this series is called Sarah and a Dad for Mandy. Please tell us about it.

I love writing about children. Little Mandy captured my heart in Sarah and the Internet Dating Service. She appears in Sarah and the Scary Ferris Wheel too.

Sarah receives instructions to find a mate for Galena Maddox and a dad for six year old Mandy. Sarah is one angel headed for trouble—again.  Pesky human disguises cause distress, and at one point, the earthlings think she’s a fugitive from a mental hospital. With Galena’s shady past, will Matt Austin, a minister, consider Galena for marriage?  Will Matt’s hoity-toity church accept Galena?  Angels shouldn’t worry, but this task is daunting.

Tell us about the newest book: Sarah and the Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island.

In this latest book, Sarah and the Midnight Cruise to Catalina Island, Carolyn travels by herself. The notion came from my own familiarity. I actually sailed alone to Catalina. Many of Carolyn’s adventures on the cruise were ones I experienced. Carolyn’s father had recently died, and so had mine. The airline lost my luggage, so of course that happened to Carolyn too.  

Carolyn can fly but can she swim? Dyslexic and bumbling angel, Sarah, comes to earth to unite Carolyn with a mate. Poopty doopty! She must do it on a ship while Carolyn cruises to Catalina Island. Sarah fears falling into the ocean, and she’s horrified soggy wings will drown her.  On this mission, Talen, an evil spirit is assigned to thwart Heaven’s Little Love Angel’s efforts. Tomas, the Warrior Angel, must protect Sarah. Can Tomas succeed without Sarah goofing up the war between the holy and unholy spirits? Will Talen succeed in spoiling Carolyn’s romance?

How do you come up with the humor in each story? Does it come naturally or do you use real-life situations?

God gifted me with humor before my birth, and I find hilarity in everyday situations. I can be writing when a thought comes to me, and I laugh. My hubby shares our office and will say, “What’s Sarah done now?”  Crazy things happen to me too, and they find their way into my books. Would you believe the first year we lived in Houston I had nine car wrecks? Sarah can’t drive, and in the second book, Sarah: Laney’s Angel, she creates a disaster when she tries her hand at it.

Haha. Your books sound so fun. Everyone loves to laugh.

Thanks Linda. I enjoy reading Janet Evanovich and Ann B. Ross for their humor.  I adore books that take stress away, and I hope mine does the same for readers.

I hope my readers will check out your books. I know they will enjoy them because of the humor you add. Here is my review of Sarah and A Midnight Cruise:

This is an adorable story about a young angel, Sarah, who makes one mistake after another. Even though she is assigned to guide and protect her “charge” and find her a husband, being a guardian angel is a new experience and she makes many mistakes along the way. This story is perfect for teenagers and adults who enjoy a cute story. Teens would love this series because Sarah reminds me of a sweet young teenager who sometimes forgets to think before she acts. –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

23 comments:

Laurean Brooks said...

Hi Gay,

What a wonderful premise for a series! Where in the world did you come up with an idea for Sarah the dyslexic angel? These stories must have been a lot of fun to write.

I enjoyed your interview with Linda. I would love to win a free copy of one of these books. landtbeth at yahoo dot com.

Robin in NC said...

Oh what a fun book! She sounds like the Dolly Parton character in An Unlikely Angel! Thanks so much for a chance to win!
rw620 AT aol DOT com

Linda Kish said...

These books do sound like fun. A little dyslexia never hurt anyone, did it? I'd love to be the lucky winner.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Sonja said...

Would love to read this book. It sounds like such an interesting and fun read. I would love to win and review!
sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Lauren. I love your comment, and yes these books are fun to write. I struggle with directions and am a bit dyslexic when it comes to driving. So an angel with my problems seemed a good idea. Best wishes on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks for the comment Robin! I loved Dolly Parton's character. I've had several people tell me they think Sarah would make a good Hallmark movie. Wouldn't that be awesome? I'd love to see Sarah on the screen. Best wishes on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Linda Kish! Most people write that they have fallen in love with Sarah. I hope you will too. Best wishes on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Hi Sonja. Authors love reviews. Thanks for the ones you make to us. Sarah would love to hear what you say about her. She likes them too! Best wishes on winning!

Anonymous said...

Linda, thank you so much for this terrific interview and review of Gay's delightful Sarah series.

Gay is definitely using her God-given talents to reach out and tickle our funny bones for the glory of God. Gay, your Heart"wings" sisters in Christ are so proud of your accomplishments - I think you could actually teach Sarah to dance in those red stilettos! Sarah - want to give it a try? We love you Gay! Joyce Graves

Don't think I am going to be able to publish this because it keeps getting hung up at the reCAPTCHA step - hmmm maybe I am a robot? j

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Joyce! You aren't a robot. I appreciate your comments and I hope Sarah learns to wear those red stilettos. She really wants to! Any of you wear them? I wish I could. Like Sarah, I think they are adorable. I'd tower over hubby in them and fall down too. Best wishes on winning your choice!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great interview, ladies! I've been reading blurbs about the Sarah books since I joined Prism, and have been dying to get my hands on one. They sound hilarious and fun!

Bonnie McCune said...

Gay, you strike it out of the park every time. What delightful people you bring together with Sarah.

Debbie said...

I would love to win one of these books. They sound really good

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Emily Page Skeen, I'm happy you liked the burbs about Sarah. She is a hoot! Best wishes on winning.

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Bonnie, I like your books too, and I know You've read some of the Sarah series. Blessings on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Debbie, Most people fall in love with Sarah when they read her books. She's really delightful. Best wishes on winning!

Carlene said...

Sarah's a hoot! I've emjoyed reading several of her adventures, and look forward to more.

Lisa Lickel said...

lover Sarah! Poopdy doopty!

Lynn Lovegreen said...

Sarah is so fun, Gay. Thanks for sharing her with us.

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Carlene Havel. I'm pleased you like Sarah. Best wishes on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Lisa Lickel. Poopty doopty is one of Sarah's favorite words. Angels are supposed to speak nicely at all times, but she often forgets and says something sarcastic. Best wishes on winning!

Gay N Lewis said...

Thanks Lynn, I love your Alaska books too. Best wishes on winning!

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Robin. You are the winner of Gay Lewis' novel. I know you'll enjoy it, because I did.