Roller Skating – aTransParentMom

Today is an exciting day because I am facing-of with Lena Nelson Dooley! She has sold over 800,000 books and three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins. She also received the American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year award.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

The rules are simple. I ask Lena some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. What is your favorite song from the 50’s or 60’s time period?

Lena- My all-time favorite love song is “Love Me Tender.” I think it’s the most romantic song ever written.

Charity – Oh! That is a good one! I love that song too!!! I also like Alley Oop.

— Tie!

Charity 1 / Lena 1

2. Are you an avid roller skater?

Lena – When I was much younger, I roller skated a lot. It was one of the most popular forms of entertainment when I was a teenager (late50’s and early 60’s)

Charity – I love it too! When I was growing up, it was still pretty popular (in the 80’s). We always had a fun time. The youth group I went with always had a cassette tape that they took along and it played the same 5 songs on repeat the entire night!!! The worst part is that there were two artists on the tape. They were Ann Murray and The Carpenters.

— Raindrops keep falling on my head….

Charity 2 / Lena 2

3. What was your favorite subject in school? Why?

Lena – I’ve always loved history. I’m sure that’s why I’ve been published with so many historical novels. Of course, I’ve been published with contemporary novels, too. A lot of people, who are readers now, hated history. So when I write a historical novel, I do massive research to make sure I get as many of the historical details about setting, clothing, society, etc., correct. That way they learn about our history in an interesting way.

Charity – History is my favorite too! I love it. I especially love American and English History ❤

— Lena not only LOVES history, but also writes historical fiction. She totally gets that!

Charity 2 / Lena 3

4. Do you like to go camping?

Lena – I like my creature comforts too much. The only time we went camping in a tent was when our oldest daughter way under a year old and it rained a lot. Not a pleasant experience. But several times, we’ve gone camping with a couple who owned a really nice RV. That was fun.

Charity – haha. I agree! Whew. you are brave though. I am a little scared of RV’s too!!

Now…If only I had one of these…

— At least you are brave enough to try the RV!!!

Charity 2 / Lena 4

5. Funniest thing a child has said to you?

Lena – I hope no one will be offended by this. When my oldest daughter was about 4 years old, she wanted to be a boy when she grew up. Our next-door neighbor had a daughter about her age, and a new baby boy. I was baby sitting for them one day. When I changed his diaper, my daughter said, “I don’t want to be a boy. I want a plain bottom.”

Charity – Oh my goodness! hahaha!! How could I compete with that??? That is so funny 🙂

— Lena, for sure!

Charity 2 / Lena 5

6. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Lena – I asked Jesus into my heart and life when I was 7 years old, so I’ve walked with Him way over half a century. He is so much a part of my life, He’s often in my conversations with others. And I only write my novels to bring glory to Him by showing characters live through hard times with Him. I’ve also been a speaker at Christian writers conferences, as well as speaking in two foreign countries. I’ve mentored younger women, and mentored other Christian authors.

Charity – Love it! I

— God Wins!

Charity 2 / Lena 5

7. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would you go?

Lena – I’d like to go to Australia. I fell in love with Australia before it was chic to like Australia. I’ve read well over 200 books set in Australia. What I’d really like to do is rent a luxurious RV and tour all over the continent, stopping and staying awhile when we wanted to.

Charity – Oh! Sounds so fun. I would love to go to Greece. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen (pictures of….)!!!

It would really be fun to tour all of Europe too. I love English history.

— Tie!

Final:

Charity 3 / Lena 6

Thank you, Lena! I loved getting to know you a little better 🙂

Guess what, guys!! Lena has offered to give away a copy of her newest release. So exciting!!!!

Just head on over to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering.

*U.S. Rez only (Sorry! We do love the rest of you too!!)

** Entries will be checked, so don’t falsify and get yourself disqualified.

Believe it! She is in the HOUSE!! Multi-award winning and New York Times Bestselling Author, Tosca Lee, is here to play!!

I couldn’t possibly tell you the amount of awards this chica has won. I will list some here though:

2015 Finalist, ECPA Christian Book Award for Fiction (“Legend of Sheba”)
2014 A Library Journal Best of Christian Fiction Title of 2014 (“Legend of Sheba”)
2014 Life is Story Runner Up (tie) for Best Biblical Fiction (“Legend of Sheba”)
2014 ECPA Christian Book Award for Fiction (Iscariot)
2014 Christian Retailers Retailer’s Choice Award Finalist (Iscariot)
2013 A Library Journal Best Christian Fiction Title of 2013 (Iscariot)
2013 Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction
2013 ECPA Bestseller List (Sovereign)
2013 CBA Bestseller List (Sovereign)
2013 CBA Bestseller List (Iscariot)
2012 Christian Retailers Retailer’s Choice Award (Forbidden)
2012 ECPA Bestseller List (Forbidden, Mortal)
2012 CBA Bestseller List (Mortal)
2012 New York Times Bestseller List, Hardcover Fiction (Mortal)
2012 Christy Award Finalist (Forbidden)
2012 New York Times Bestseller List, eBook (Forbidden)
2011 ECPA Bestseller List (Forbidden)
2011 NY Times Bestseller List, Hardcover Fiction, #17 (Forbidden)
2009 ForeWard Magazine Book of the Year Bronze Award Winner (Havah: The Story of Eve)
2008 Christy Award Finalist (Demon: A Memoir)
2008 ForeWard Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award Winner (Demon: A Memoir)

— Unbelievable, right? And, check this out! You can pick up one of her books for FREE right now! (Thanks, Sam!!)

Not only does she write some first person fiction based on characters from the Bible, but she also co-authored a dystopian future series with Ted Dekker (among may things…).

Let’s have some fun, shall we?

The rules are simple. I ask Tosca some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Have you ever gone whale watching?

Tosca – Yes! While halibut fishing in Alaska, where I caught a 60-pound halibut. Took me nearly an hour to reel that sucker in as humpback whales breached off the side of the boat. But the more important question is did I eat sandwiches–and the answer is “yes.” Because we know that fishing is all about eating.

Charity – Ha! That is so true… How cool! You are a fancy pants fishing in Alaska with whales. I am going to quit right now!!!

— Uh, Obviously…

Charity 0 / Tosca 1

2. What song gets stuck in your head and won’t get out? (You’re welcome)

Tosca – The Barney song. GAH!

Charity – Well, it used to be It’s a Small World, but now…It’s mostly just Taylor Swift. On repeat. Always. Constantly. Never Ending.

I get one song out and another one turns on.

— At least mine is semi-cool…

Charity 1 / Tosca 1

3. What’s the strangest food you’ve been served?

Tosca – Maybe sea urchin or sea cucumber? Though my fiancé swears by grilled peanut butter and miracle whip sandwiches with pickles, which I think is way weirder.

Charity – Ugh. And, are you completely sure about marrying this guy? 😮 ha!

— Tosca and her man!!

Charity 1 / Tosca 2

4. Once Upon a Time or Grimm? Why?

Tosca – Grimm. It’s scarier. I like scary.

Charity – Ooh. I like scary too!! All though, I do prefer Once Upon a Time because it’s something we can watch with both of our kids (16 and 7). But, when the little one is in bed, the creepy and bloody (<3) movies come out!

— Tie

Charity 1 / Tosca 2

5. What’s your best roller skating move?

Tosca – Staying upright. That’s the best I got.

Charity – Hey, that’s something! Woot!! That’s about all I’ve got too. I can rock a couples skate though. (I really don’t know what that means).

— Tie

Charity 1 / Tosca 2

6. Any fun roller rink stories to go with it?

Tosca – I don’t, except for–remember those roller skates that are metal that used to be strapped on over your shoes? The outdoor kind? Those were my first roller skates (hey, it was the early 70s). I think I could sell them as antiques on eBay now. I used to love those things.

Charity – Oh yeah! I remember!! I was born in the 70’s, so those were my first skates too. In fact, I was born a few weeks after Elvis died. I wonder if I am him re-incarnated. Probably.

So, growing up…We used to go roller skating every month with the youth group. We went with another church as their guests. The only problem was, they made us listen to The Carpenters and Anne Murray on repeat. They literally had about 5 songs they would replay over and over and over the whole 3-4 hours we were there. Oh. My. Gosh. You can only listen to Can I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life once without wanting to stab your ears with pencils. Wait. Nope, not even once.

— Mine.

Charity 2 / Tosca 2

7. Coolest historical or quaint town you have been to? Why?

Tosca – Deer Island, Maine. When the fog rolls in, it looks like a cross between The Mists of Avalon and something from a Stephen King novel.

Charity – Ooh! Very creepy!! hmm.

I live in Virginia and there is this awesome little town on the Eastern Shore. It’s called Cape Charles and it is freakin’ adorable!! They have this sand bar that goes on forever, so you can walk out in the water really far. Here’s an overhead pic.

— Tie

Charity 2 / Tosca 2

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Tosca – By exercising my talents and gifts in some way every day–whether it be something as simple as cooking a meal or writing a novel, and by showing love and acceptance to those I encounter throughout the day and seeing them through God’s eyes.

Charity – Love it. Beautiful.

— God Wins!

Charity 2 / Tosca 2

9. If you had to go undercover, what would your disguise be?

Tosca – A Ninja, of course. I’m Asian. And everything I own is black. And I have moves, too. Maybe.

Charity – Hmm. I like it. I saw one of your moves at the top of this page…Fancy.

I took Kali for a bit. It’s a form of stick and knife fighting. I. Love. It. So much fun!!!! Unfortunately, I’m as white and pasty as they come, so I am not cool enough to be Asian and a ninja.

— Tosca gets it!

Charity 2 / Tosca 3

10. Favorite childhood toy?

Tosca – I used to have this beanbag frog that my parents would make have conversations with me. Hey, it was 1970. Elmo wasn’t invented yet.

Charity – See, that’s one of those things you don’t tell people. Kinda like the fiancé thing. 🙂

It was all about Strawberry Shortcake for this girl!

— Tie

Final:

Charity 2 / Tosca 3

again.

Thanks, Tosca! Fun getting to know you a bit 🙂

Aright, peeps! You know what this means! It means that TOSCA IS AWESOME and she’s giving away a copy of her bestseller, Havah (the story of Eve)!!

So, just head on over to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering!!

*U.S. Rez only (we do love the rest of you too…)

**Entries will be checked. Any falsified will be KICKED OUT! haha 🙂

Tag: Roller Skating

Face-Off with Lena Nelson Dooley!!

Face-Off with Tosca Lee!!