Virtual Book Tour M. Ann Ricks

THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME

About The Book

Are the sins of the father and mother visited upon their sons and daughters?

Undoubtedly damaged, Honey Lamb, like many, is a descendant of an unfortunate legacy of molestation, addiction, murder and bad decisions. For as long as she could remember, she believed the unhappiness she experienced was somehow bequeathed to her. The blood that surged through her veins seemed to be tainted and she often wondered about the DNA she possessed. Experiencing more than her share of misery at the hands of her mother, an alcoholic; the source of all her woes, Honey believed she’d overcome her seemingly checkered path all by herself when she met and married, Mason; a man she loves beyond her own understanding. Unfortunately, unsettling memories emerge to crack the veneer of her seemingly happy existence. Feeling unable to escape what she believed to be her destiny, Honey makes a decision that may have ruined her life. Not realizing God places people in our lives for His purpose, she reluctantly embarks upon a journey that will open her heart to a divine inheritance. Will she accept what God has already given to her or will she shun the invitation of salvation and allow her familial carnal legacy to continue to the next generation? Will she come to understand that Jesus’ blood redeemed us from a self-defeating existence because He became the sinful inheritance for us while at the same time eradicating it forever, giving us a spiritual blood transfusion that would change us all?

About the Author

M. Ann Ricks, (Melissa Ann), is a Christian Fiction novelist residing in Bear, Delaware with her excellent husband and two awesome sons. She is a graduate of Rider University and formerly a national accounts insurance executive.

Using Jesus Christ as her example, as He shared many parables, she creates stories with fictional characters that contend with real life issues and inserts the Word of God to communicate the genuine and unfailing love of God while making it abundantly clear that Jesus is the ONLY answer. M. Ann is determined to tell the world how wonderfully awesome Jesus Christ is and can be in our lives if we just allow Him to be. She is honored to be used by God to spread His message with the stories she creates with the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing that He will provide her with stories and the words that will lift up the name of Jesus as He promised that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Him.

M. Ann is also what one may consider a motivational/inspirational speaker but she prefers the term, “Godspirational” as one may only be truly inspired, transformed and receive true revelation when hearing the uncompromised word of God. M. Ann also continues to utilize her group insurance knowledge as a Benefits and Network Consultant. Lastly, M. Ann is a Group Fitness instructor as she is determined to keep her natural “temple” fit and ready for the Master’s use!

M. Ann is the author of Awesome Wonder: The Gift of Remembrance ,The Son. the much acclaimed, third novel, THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME. 

PROLOGUE

Northern Italy, 1918

He hadn’t washed in weeks. The countryside was crawling with “Kraut” and all he could do was think about the full lips that said his name with uninhibited desire. She made him feel invincible and he needed to believe he was. He would have done anything to have and to keep her.

Those eyes…

She moved over him like a cunning feline. Under her spell, he promised he would keep her brother Tanner quiet about everything. He had no idea how he was going to silence the man who had become his friend, but he wasn’t going to let anyone ruin their plans. As he walked back to camp after visiting a makeshift latrine, his thoughts took him back to their night together. Intoxicated by cheap wine, he’d agreed to the pact. She was beautiful, strong, and most of all, determined. He wanted to believe that they would have a good life once this useless war was over.

After settling into the muddy trench, he saw something almost imperceptibly move. Italy could have been a beautiful place if it wasn’t for this God forsaken war, he thought, rubbing his eyes. He was unbelievably fatigued; so much so that foliage seemed to be moving by itself. He closedhis eyes and opened them again to focus. Was there someone or something out there? He couldn’t wait until he was back in the U. S. of A. More importantly, he couldn’t wait to be with her. He could still smell her. She was a vision… a sweet temptress.

Author  Website:  http://www.mannricks.net/default.html

Email: Godsauthor@mannricks.net

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/M-Ann-Ricks-Literary-Creations-Author-Melissa-Ann-Ricks/33259926513

Book Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1umSjMGuUYI#!

Book Ordering:  http://www.amazon.com/BLOOD-DONE-SIGNED-MY-NAME/dp/0615452736/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351943201&sr=1-1&keywords=m.ann+ricks

E-Book: http://www.amazon.com/BLOOD-DONE-SIGNED-NAME-ebook/dp/B0091XBCDQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1351943201&sr=1-1

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-blood-done-signed-my-name-m-ann-ricks/1111952288?ean=9780615452739

Author Spotlight M. Ann Ricks

·         Today I Welcome to the Spotlight Author M. Ann Ricks' Christian Fiction novelist

 

• ·        Tell us about yourself :

Hi Paulette!  Simply stated,  M. Ann Ricks is a woman and servant of the Most High God.  I am redeemed and emancipated by the life-changing blood of Jesus Christ and will boldly say so!  I am a wife, mother, published novelist and “Godspirational” speaker/teacher residing in Bear, Delaware endeavoring to live for Christ ON PURPOSE as I provide Christian literature and impart knowledge via the Holy Spirit that will not only entertain but encourage and enlighten. 

·         Tell our readers about your journey to writing.

 Good question sis… and “journey” is the right word. I really believe God instructed and even confirmed that I would write for Him in the midst of my leaving the corporate environment.  I was concerned about my next career move but my heart heard, (you notice I didn’t say my head or my ears because God had to speak to my inner witness to confirm His word first.), Yes, it has been quite a journey as I was BIG time denial… (head= intellect and rationale), did I say BIG time Paulette?  I learned that I had to be obedient to my call and destiny. Once I did that the premise for my first novel was then revealed to me and I have been writing (and speaking) for Him ever since. Christian writing is so important especially in the fictional genre. When one reads about the Savior, and inserts the word of God into your story, lives will be impacted…. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, … it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12   I want to impact and augment the Kingdom of God through the stories that I share. My goal is to change lives and we can only really accomplish that through true revelation of the word of God.

·        What was your path towards publication like?

In one word… Unreal! Upon completion of my first novel, Awesome Wonder, I still hadn’t found a part time job after leaving my fulltime gig and I said, “God, if you want this to be published, you’ve got to send me a publisher. You know I haven’t any money so it’s on You.”  I was receiving positive responses from publishers but no one seemed to want to sign me.  I was in my car listening to a minister teaching and simply began to praise God for my victory and a week after I received an offer to publish my first book from small publishing house.  God has consistently placed people in my life!  There have been bumps and hiccups but I will believe: “For the Lord God will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced. I have set my face like a flint and I know that know that I will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7

 

·        How do you balance your life as an author with your duties as a business person, employee, parent and/or spouse? 

Paulette, it’s funny you should ask that…. I don’t know exactly how I balance it all but I’ve noticed recently that I’m better than as I used to be. J   I try to prioritize my tasks each day and command the day in Jesus’ name at the onset. I used to laugh at my husband as he is very detailed and organized but I find that I’m incorporating a lot of his practices in my own life,

( i.e.:, strict adherence to scheduling, time management), in an effort to keep my life in order. (thanks babe!)

·         What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?

If one is a Christian writer, my only advice for those who are experience writers block is to get in HIS presence. Pray and even speak in your prayer language.(tongues)  Your inner witness will get directions and the Holy Spirit will begin to open your mind.  God is always speaking and  if one is writing to exalt the Savior and the goal is to touch others with all that Jesus is, you will tap in and get the “download”!

·        What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?

The best advice I received was…“Just EXHALE what God has breathed into you…. if God has called you to do it then He will see you through it! Stand on His promises as He is obligated to finish what He has started in you!”  He will send you people, readers, patrons  for your life!  I also heard...  “If I be lifted… I will draw! People will have a desire to hear about Me through what I give you to write”, says the Lord.

·        Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?

Because of a checkered past, a destructive familial history or bad choices, many have decided to live a life of regret and fear; resolving that their fate is irreversible. Regardless of who you are, whatever you’ve done or whatever your family has done to you, the blood of Jesus can make you a new creature because of its power. Set in present day, THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME chronicles a woman’s desire for redemption. This novel will enlighten and encourage as we journey with the heroine, Honey Lamb. Because the story of her life is one of demoralizing circumstances, she questions why she is and who she is.  Although making a life altering mistake because of her past, she finds that it does not have to dictate her destiny.  The blood that was shed on Calvary by Jesus Christ was the most definitive demonstration of unconditional love. It washed away every bad decision, every sin, and every generational curse, granting us an everlasting pardon. 

  ·        How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I am an avid reader and audio book listener and it dawned on me that there isn’t a Christian Fiction novel in the marketplace presently that specifically discusses the healing and delivering power of the blood of Jesus. Oddly enough, the body of Christ today doesn’t seem to dialogue about its significance. Many are writing about generational curses, the importance of forgiveness and the wonderful love of Jesus but no author has fictionally penned a novel that clearly identifies what Jesus did when he died for us. THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME shares a story but it provides the liberating truth scripturally. Someone need to know that they don’t have to wear invisible signage that labels them as a “recovering” alcoholic, drug addict or even an inevitable beneficiary of the many generational tendencies and sicknesses that may be passed on from one generation to another. Their name has been changed to Righteous because of the blood of Jesus!

·        What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?

I have to say that writing this novel was not really that difficult.  When I decided to receive the  download from the Holy Spirit as I wrote,  everything  began to pour out of  my heart. Admittedly, I did ask the Lord on different occasions, “  Are You sure you want me to say that?” He constantly reminded me that many need to read Honey’s story as well as the stories of the other characters in the novel. So of course, I acquiesced and let Him lead. When we let Him lead everything becomes easier.

 

·        Did you have to do any special research for your book? 

 At the onset, (when receiving the premise from the Holy Spirit), Honey and her plight was almost foreign to me so yes there was some research that had to be done., ( in a way )  

With my other novels, I was very familiar with the characters… with THE BLOOD, I did more digging and listening than I ever had. I had to listen and be sensitive to what God wanted me to share and how he wanted me to share it. I had to do some real soul searching to reach Honey and meet her where she was, allowing myself to be used by God to gain insight, true painful insight about Honey and the people in her life. The good, the bad and the ugly had to be unearthed. Her growth and transformation was important to the story and I had to allow God to show me how make it evident and more importantly, relatable to the reader. 

 

·         What’s ahead for your writing?

It is my hope to assist other Christian writers as with  my literary workshop for aspiring Christian writers called, “Conversations…. Writing to Reconcile”. I had the wonderful opportunity to share it regionally but would love to be afforded a venue that could allow me to do so nationally. As believers in Christ it is our mandate to reconcile others to God. Using our literary gifts is certainly one way we can accomplish that awesome task. Additionally, for all who are interested, I distribute electronically, (on-line), a monthly newsletter, M. Ann’s Literary Communiqué  and  prayerfully it will continue to increase in circulation. Lastly, while touring with THE BLOOD DONE SIGNED MY NAME, I am beginning my 4^th novel, The SHIFT!

·        What opportunities have opened up because of your writing?

Because of my writing, I now enjoy speaking and inspiring others with the uncompromising word of God as a “Godspirational” speaker and teacher. What a blessing it is to be able to impact others as they are introduced to who they are in Christ!

·        How can people connect with you?

Please feel free to contact me via email: Godsauthor@mannricks.net. Additionally, should interested parties wish to contact me for literary dialogues, speaking engagements or interviews,  contact me via my e-mail provided or reach out to  Ms. Shani Henderson @ May House Press and Publications for bookings @ maylodi@yahoo.com or 903.617.7308

·        Where can readers purchase copies of your books?

My novels may be purchased via my website, www.mannricks.net, www.Amazon  as well as all other literary establishments online or otherwise.