The Covering

It is my pleasure to interview Dana Pratola today.

Dana is a 40-something wife of 26 years and mother of 3. She lives and works in her home state of New Jersey, where winters are tough but living someplace that doesn’t have Autumn would be tougher. Her favorite non-writing past time is walking in the woods with her husband, Rob.

Ask Dana about Jesus and she’ll tell you He’s her Lord and Savior. That He’s merciful and gracious and loves her beyond all reason. She’ll also tell you He loves you the same way. He gave her a passion to write, and she believes if the words she writes turn a reader’s heart toward Christ, she’s fulfilling her destiny.

Dana writes Christian Romance. Not the kind with women buttoned to the neck and men daring no more than to hold their hand after a long courtship, but the contemporary kind. She doesn’t write explicit sex scenes but her characters have real desires, struggles and choices to make.  A lot of the time they make the wrong ones.  No subject is prohibited but good always triumphs.

Tell us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your life that you would like to share.

I just finished another book – the first in a series. I’m so excited to get it out there, but I’m only just starting edits.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

30 words or less… Christian + heathen + devil + Divine intervention = THE COVERING  …That should do it

What is your book The Covering about?

Tessa is moved to intercede for a man she’s never met. When they do meet, she’s stunned. Gunnar is gorgeous, charismatic, and driven. He’s also hostile, self-destructive, and an unbeliever…and she’s drawn to him like no other. The temptation she feels is as dangerous as it is alluring. She wants to stay away, but God has other plans. He reveals the devil’s intent to destroy Gunnar and commissions Tessa to keep him covered in prayer. Can she rely on God to keep her from falling…in love, and into temptation? Or will the devil claim them both?

What prompted you to write this book? 

First of all I love romance! Also, I find intercessory prayer fascinating but I’m not sure enough Christians really get how important and effective it is.

What are your hopes for your book?

Well I hope to bring glory to God, first. I also want to make people aware that God loves them and has their good in mind. Along the line, I hope to remind Christians that there is a real battle going on around us every day. Getting saved isn’t the end of our spiritual journey, it’s only the beginning.

Do you have other books in process?

Yup. I just finished the first of a four part series – as yet untitled. It’s romantic suspense but leans toward fantasy as well.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

King David. If you ever want to learn how to write from your soul, from the lows of despair through the heights of joy, he’s the man to talk to. It’s a shame he’s not on earth now giving seminars. I’d be front row center.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I still prefer the feel of a paper book, but I’m willing to settle for ebooks since I ran out of storage space on my shelves, LOL.

What book would you like to read again?

Every so often I reread some of Nora Roberts’ series books. There are people in them I hate to leave for long.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

Princess Bride. I had heard so much about how great the book was  but the movie was far better.

Did you have a favorite toy as a child? 

As a girl I preferred cars over dolls so I had a huge collection of Matchboxes and Hot Wheels. I also had a stuffed dog when I was 5. I named him Puppylove (LOL). I entered him in a contest we had at our neighborhood park and he won Saddest Eyes. I was so proud.

An early childhood memory?

Believe it or not, one of my clearest early memories is my first conscious awareness of God – meaning it was a moment when I KNEW that God and I were connected. I was 7 and had just come home from church. It was a beautiful spring day and I was walking along the side of my house looking at the little flowers planted there (one patch still comes up even after all this time), and I remember feeling, and thinking, God loves me, and I love Him. He knows who I am. I carry that with me always. There are grown-ups who don’t get that!

What are your pet peeves? 

I have several eating related pet peeves I won’t get into for fear of offending anyone, LOL. As for driving… I hate when someone cuts me off just to drive under the speed limit and I HATE when I’m behind someone at a light and they wait until it turns green to turn on their left blinker.

One of your favorite quotes.

So many came to mind when I read that question and they’re all from Willy Wonka. “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” >> “You should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about.” >> “For some moments in life there are no words.” >> “We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams.” … I know he quoted someone else some of the time but his delivery was consistently awesome =-)  And from Star Trek, “The more complex the mind the greater the need for the simplicity of play.” LOL, I tell my husband that’s why I goof off so much instead of writing.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?

I just discovered Flash Point and love it.

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog:
www.danapratola.webs.com

My facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/DanaPratolaAuthor

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4770755.Dana_Pratola

Twitter:
@DanaPratola

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=The+Covering+Dana+Pratola

Other: Barnes & Noble > http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-covering-dana-pratola/1104473665?ean=9781611161014&itm=4

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

Both