Friday, February 7, 2014

Interview with debut inspirational author Jacqueline von Zwehl

Today’s guest is inspirational author Jacqueline von Zwehl. She’s talking about her debut book, The Prayer, a Love Story.  

During her virtual book tour, Jacqueline will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a lucky commenter. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:
Jacqueline von Zwehl, is a faith-based relationship expert. She holds a BFA from New York University and a MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Jacqueline travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging singles on the path to finding their soul mates.

She has appeared on Nite Line, The Harvest Show, EWTN, TCT TV, Victory TV, CatholicTV, Telecare, Changing Lives, CatholicLife, That's the Spirit, The Church, The Cardinal and You, NPR, and more.

Jacqueline lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband Christopher, their two daughters and dog. The Prayer, A Love Story is her debut book..

Welcome, Jacqueline. Please tell us about your debut book.
Do you believe in miracles?

Do you believe in eternal love?

Do you believe in answered prayers?

YOU WILL

The Prayer, A Love Story is the inspirational true story of one woman who discovers the secret to living a life filled with miracles, unconditional love and answered prayers.

The journey begins with a divine promise, continues with unforeseen life challenges, and eventually leads to Jerusalem. Inside the Old City, a prayer will unlock the key to a life of miracles. This journey is proof heaven is real and its gifts are available to you now. Whether you have stopped believing in God or not, God believes in you.

The journey holds a promise for everyone. No matter how much darkness exists in your life, it cannot diminish the flicker of even the tiniest light. That light will lead you to your destiny and it will change your life forever.


Excerpt:
Wedding Day

I often wonder about the idea of a miracle. Is it something you feel? Can you see it? Or is it some- thing you just know? Miracle is a very big word, perhaps best saved for big events like the birth of a baby or the first man walking on the moon.

As I ponder this thought, I’m surrounded by lovely, fresh-cut flowers. Isn’t the blossoming of these flowers a miracle? A tiny little seed in the ground, nurtured with rich soil, water, and light, grows to reveal its unique beauty. When we look at the seed, we can’t see the miracle. It’s only later, after its potential has been manifested, we realize what that seed carried all along. Isn’t that how we all are? On the journey of our destiny in this life, all of us start as seeds. Some of us are still in  the  ground, waiting  to  grow. Some  of us have sprouted a few leaves, and some of us have fully blossomed. Is the miracle the blossoming of the flower, or is the miracle knowing with certainty that everything is already in the seed? Yes, for me it always comes down to certainty. When all I can see is a seed in the ground, the miracle is certainty in my knowl- edge of what the seed is destined to become.

These were the thoughts I recorded in my journal on the morning of our wedding. I have heard that most brides wake up jittery and full of excitement, perhaps thinking about their hair and make-up, the excitement of the day ahead, and how the weather will hold up. I woke up and started writing.

‘What is a miracle? Today I will get married. I will marry the man who makes my heart sing and who was sent as the answer to my prayer. A man who calls me his miracle. Today is our seed, the first day of our journey as husband and wife.We don’t know how our seed will grow. We don’t know how many leaves will bloom or what its flower will look like. We don’t know what storms we’ll face. We do know with certainty that this seed is our destiny. It is our miracle.’

We were all ready. The driver took my hand and escorted me to my seat in the limo.


Do you ever wish you were someone else? Who?
Never, in fact this question actually makes me quite sad someone would ever think like this.

What did you do on your last birthday?
I moved from Long Island, NY to South Florida. I arrived at my new home on my birthday. We simply got Chinese food and had a small simple celebration.

What are you working on right now?
Working on my second book, blogs, speaking engagements and my coaching practice. Oh, and let's not forget my full time job of being a wife and mom to two small kids.

What do you think you’re really good at?
I'm blessed with a gift for writing, being a mom, and cooking is my secret talent.

What do you think you’re really bad at?
Gardening, I can't seem to keep anything alive. I can't sing at all!

Anything else you’d like to share with the readers?
Ways to connect with me and find out more about my book include:



Thanks, Jacqueline!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


6 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thanks for hosting!

Unknown said...

Thank you Lisa for hosting The Prayer, A Love Story.

Rita Wray said...

Nice interview, I enjoyed learning more about you.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

bn100 said...

Nice way to celebrate your birthday

Mary Preston said...

I'm not a gardener either. I always have Chinese for my birthday.

ilookfamous said...

Nice interview. I'm a seafood gal so for my special day it's oysters and any other shellfish in reach. Thanks for sharing.

ilookfamous@yahoo.com