2010 March » Hot Apple Cider Books

Interview with Bonnie Grove

Mar 302010

Bonnie Grove's short story, "Stuckville Cafe," is the final story in Hot Apple Cider. The story, which combines humour with difficult real life situations, is told from the viewpoint of a waitress who feel she's stuck in a small town, contributing nothing of importance to the world.

Bonnie Grove is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Talking to the Dead and the soon to be released Time and Time Again.

She is also the author of the non-fiction book, Your Best You: Discovering and developing the strengths God gave you.

Trained in Christian counseling and secular psychology, Bonnie developed and wrote social programs for families at risk while landing articles and stories in anthologies. Then she began work on a novel and a non-fiction book, and ended up having both books published in 2009.

Read our interview with Bonnie

Interview with Donna Carter

Mar 242010

Donna Carter is the author of the article, "Be the CEO of Your Emotions" on page 111 of Hot Apple Cider. This article illustrates ways we can learn to control our emotions instead of letting them control us.

Donna Carter has a unique ability to synthesize life experience into digestible life lessons. She is sought after as a speaker internationally because of her clarity, humor and the light-bulb moments she triggers for women seeking help on their spiritual journeys.

Donna lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband, Randy, who is a youth speaker, and her two daughters, Kendall and Kevann. Her first book, 10 Smart Things Women Can Do to Build a Better Life, was released in the fall of 2007 and is now being distributed in five countries.

Read our interview with Donna

Interview with M. D. Meyer

Mar 102010

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.

Dorene Meyer 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

Interview with Brian C. Austin

Mar 042010

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 Austin 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.