Hot Apple Cider

M. D. Meyer has two items in Hot Apple Cider. The first, on page 147, is a delicate memoir called "Shards of Silence, Seasons of Hope,"which documents the healing of a woman who has been sexually abused as a child. The second is the lyric essay, “On Writing with Passion and Integrity,” which explores Dorene's reasons for writing—or rather the impossibility of not writing.

M. D. (Dorene) Meyer is the award-winning author of six novels for adults, teens, and children. Her titles include Jasmine, The Little Ones, and Deep Waters for adults; Colin’s Choice for teens; and Pilot Error and Get Lost! for children. She also wrote the non-fiction book, Meet Manitoba Children’s Authors.

In addition, Dorene is the editor and publisher of nine anthologies: Prairie Writers, volumes 1, 2, 3, Northern Writers, volume 1 and 2, The Voice Behind the Mask, Isle of Mirage, Remember Me, and Squirrel Tales and Rabbit Trails.

Read our interview with Dorene

Brian Austen wrote five of the poems that appear in Hot Apple Cider: "Nitroglycerin,"page 75, is about carrying a vial of explosives around in your pocket; "Dylan," page 129, reflects on the death of his newborn grandson; "The Ventilation Gate," page 233, contains possible thoughts of a homeless person; "Shared Tears," page 248, shows the inner turmoil of a person who is grieving; and "The Clay and the Vine," page 277, serves as our benediction.

Brian C. Austin and his wife live on a small acreage at Durham, Ontario, Canada. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Besides being a writer, Brian is a church librarian and serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey-Bruce Branch. Until recently, he worked part-time in a local Christian bookstore.

Brian’s published work has appeared in local newspapers, ChristianWeek, Fellowship Link, The Interim, Faith & Friends, Our Family Magazine, Relate Magazine, and The Shantyman, as well as in the anthology, Hot Apple Cider and in the books of poetry, Laughter & Tears, Let Heaven Weep, and I Barabbas, published in Trade Paper and/or Audio CD editions.

Read our interview with Brian

Keturah Leonforde wrote the true story, "A Fertile Heart," which is on page 166 of Hot Apple Cider. "A Fertile Heart" is about the challenges a woman who is unable to have a baby faces when called on to help a newborn whose mother has been hospitalized.

Keturah Leonforde – award-winning author, inspirational speaker, career counselor and business consultant – is on a mission to inspire individuals to move beyond their own potential, and embrace Spirit-driven lives of purpose and passion.
 
After spending many years working for leading national and international corporate organizations, Keturah now works with organizations and individuals who want to experience positive transformation in their lives. As founder and principal of Katalist Consulting Group, she helps her clients develop programs and strategies to successfully cope and thrive through challenging but important business and career transition. She also directs the Career Development Program for Graduate and Professional students at Wilfrid Laurier University

Her first book, Reflections from the Waiting Room: Insights for Thriving When Life Puts You on Hold, has received national and international acclaim, including the 2007 Award of Merit for Best Independently Published Non-Fiction by The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards.

Read our interview with Keturah

David Kitz's story, "Friday, 8:50 a.m., April 7, AD 30," on page 157 of Hot Apple Cider was adapted from a section is his novel about the crucifixion, The Soldier, the Terrorist, and the Donkey King.

David Kitz is an actor, an award-winning author, and a public school teacher. For over twelve years, he served as an ordained pastor with the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada.

He has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies, in addition to Bachelor’s degrees in both Arts and Education.

David's love for drama and storytelling is evident to all who have seen his Bible based performances. For several years now, he has toured across Canada and into the United States with a variety of one-man plays for both children and adults.

Though born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa with his wife Karen, and their two adult sons, Tim and Joshua.

Read our interview wth David

As a child at the cottage, Diane Roblin-Lee loved lying on the sun-soaked dock, staring at her rippled reflection in the water, wondering who she would become.

As the years have rolled away the wrap on her life, things she never dreamed possible have been exposed—graduation in the Class of '67 from Acadia University; careers in Social Work, teaching (High School Phys.Ed. and Guidance), writing, speaking, graphic design and publishing; seven years as a regular TV host on NiteLite and Raiders of the Lost; a stint in provincial politics; 38 years of marriage with two sons and four grandchildren.

While she never thought divorce would be part of her life, she now finds herself in a new season of life. The child on the dock has grown up. The ripples have gone and she see life more clearly now. She is grateful for the things God is teaching her.

Diane now serves as Director of Communications for Winning Kids Inc. and recently accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors for Heart to Heart Ministries. Through her company, byDesign Media, she does custom publishing and design work, designs the Crossroads Compass for 100 Huntley Street, and continues to write, most recently the book A Different World and a series of related booklets titled Predator-Proof Your Family.

Read our interview with Diane

Grace Fox wrote the stories “People Matter Most” on page 105 and “Will My Baby Die Without Me?” on page 195 of Hot Apple Cider. The latter story reminds readers of God’s faithfulness when life takes an unexpected detour. Her daughter Stephanie, born with hydrocephalus, is now married and enjoying good health although she still requires a shunt.

Grace Fox is an author and speaker best described in three words: Daring. Deep. Devoted. Her passion is to help women develop the same characteristics – to become daring in their faith, deep in their convictions, and devoted in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Drawing from Scripture and personal experiences learned while living on Canada’s rugged coastline, in urban U.S.A., and in Nepal’s Himalayan mountains, she uses the written page and the public stage to build Christ-based confidence in audiences worldwide.

Read Our Interview with Grace

Ray Wiseman is the co-author of the short story, "Of Cobras, Culture, and Change," on page 220 of Hot Apple Cider. The story is actually an excerpt from the novel When Cobras Laugh, which is partially based on Ray's experiences as a missionary in South Africa.

Ray Wiseman's early memory—being pushed up a rope ladder and over the side of a tramp steamer at age two—set the tone for his life. He has spent much time traveling, and most of his life looking from the hilltop of one adventure to the beginning of the next. Born in England, Ray has lived in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and South Africa. He has traveled in Africa and Asia.

Ray counts writing as his fourth career. He began his working life as an electronics technician, then returned to school to study for the Christian ministry. He spent time in the pastorate and overseas with a missionary society. He returned to electronics, working as a video systems engineer. In 1993, he took early retirement to pursue a career as a writer and speaker and to dedicate more time to the work of Partners International.
 

Read our Interview with Ray

Donna Dawson's short story, "One True Friend," appears on page 235 of Hot Apple Cider. "One True Friend" is a poignant story about two people in pain who help each other: one a young boy who is battling cancer, the other a much older homeless man.

Donna Dawson, whose actual name is Donna Fawcett, teaches a course in writing at Fanshawe College in London. Born into a military family in Ontario, Canada, Donna's most popular suspense novels, Vengeance and The Adam & Eve Project, have a large amount of military history in them.

After her children moved into their adult lives, Donna enrolled in a subsidiary of the University of Connecticut, Long Ridge Writer’s Group, and completed courses in freelance writing and novel writing.

She has written for numerous magazines, including Guideposts’ Angels on Earth, Beyond Ordinary Living, 3.1.6. A Journal of Christian Thinking, APHA Journal, Canadian Homes & Cottages, Small Farms Canada, Inscribe Fellowscript, Housewife Mafia. She currently writes monthly columns for OFTP Home Rules, Homeschool Horizons and The St Marys Journal Argus newspaper.

Under the pen name Donna Dawson, she has written four novels: Redeemed (Word Alive Press), The Adam & Eve Project (Word Alive Press), Vengeance (Word Alive Press) and Fires of Fury (Awe-struck Books).

Read our interview with Donna

Don Ranney, MD,  is the co-author of the short story, "Of Cobras, Culture, and Change," on page 220 of Hot Apple Cider. The story is actually an excerpt from the novel When Cobras Laugh, which is partially based on Don's experiences as a missionary to India.

Don Ranney, BA (Anthropology), MD, (Toronto) FRCS is a man of many talents.

While studying medicine at the University of Toronto, Don developed an interest in orthopedic surgery and the new techniques of leprosy reconstructive surgery.

He studied surgery in England because of the high reputation the British training has in India, and served briefly as a medical officer in the British Special Air Service—a special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model for the special forces of other countries.

After becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1966, Don went to India as an orthopedic surgeon at a leprosy research center near Madras in South India. There he trained surgeons, taught medical students at Madras Medical School, and did a great deal of innovative research in reconstructive surgery.

Read our interview with Don

Jane Harris's creative non-fiction chapter, "Jessie's Generation: Canada's Firebrands of Mercy and Justice," on page 204 of Hot Apple Cider, tells the true story of Jessie Robinson, a well-to-do woman from Lethbridge, Alberta, who made a difference in her community and beyond.

Jane Harris (also Jane Harris Zsovan) was 16 when she typed up her first article and mailed it off to a magazine that came inside the Edmonton Journal. A few weeks later, she proudly displayed the rejection slip to her teachers and friends.  But she soon figured out how to get acceptances.   
 
Today she's a full-time author and journalist based in Lethbridge, Alberta. An incorrigible writer, Jane's writing style combines thorough research with lively writing to reveal personalities behind contemporary and historical events.

Read our interview with Jane