Sunday, August 02, 2009

WELCOME HOME - Kimberley Woodhouse - Free Book

A couple of years ago I was one of a group praying that my friend writing Kim Woodhouse's family would be chosen by "ExtremeMakeover: Home Edition." They were, and this book tells about that experience. Welcome, Kim. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?

Yes, I do. I’m an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction and have been writing both for many years. Romantic suspense is my niche, but like most authors, I find myself creating ideas for many different genres. While we were living in Alaska, I also wrote a series of children’s books.

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Prayerfully, people can see the Lord’s joy. I’m not perfect, and I never will be here on earth, but I do hope that readers know that. We’ve been through so much, but everyone has tough times – my hope is to encourage people through them with His joy.

I’m a crazy/creative/artistic/musician. My poor husband laughs at all the creative “flow” but enjoys being my sounding board – even if it is to bring me back down to earth. :-)

Tell us about your family.

I have the greatest family on earth. :-) My husband, Jeremy, and I have been married for 18 years this December. Our two amazing kids, Josh (14 years old), and Kayla (12 years old), are incredible and are competitive swimmers. Kayla was diagnosed as a toddler with Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy – an extremely rare nerve disorder. She doesn’t sweat or feel pain unless it’s 20-30 times the intensity you and I would feel. This led to years upon years of doctor’s visits and medical bills, newspaper stories, magazine articles, and TV interviews. And eventually – "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Life has always been different for us because of this, but the Lord has continually blessed us, and we’ve learned so much through the trials.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

I’ve written many non-fiction articles, fiction short stories, and contributed to several other non-fiction books. Recently, I was privileged to be asked to contribute to Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace from Moody Publishers, which also just released this summer.

I recently featured Pearl Girls on this blog. What other books have you written, and where can the readers of the blog find them?

Welcome Home and Pearl Girls are both available and the links are on my website. My children’s series and new fiction series are being pursued by publishers right now, so watch the website for updates about those releases. :-) I will be most excited to share the news with everyone.

When you have a publication date for the fiction series, contact me. I'll feature them on this blog, but I do book several months in advance. Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I’ve been asked to do more non-fiction – so I have three of those in process, and a romantic suspense set in Alaska.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

My website is one of the best places. Because of all the TV appearances, it gets tons of traffic, but I love to hear from readers, fans, and friends. It is :
http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com/
You can also find me on Twitter – www.twitter.com/kimwoodhouse
And Facebook – www.facebook.com/kimberley.woodhouse
Facebook Author fan page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Kimberley-Woodhouse/130620052891?ref=mf
Facebook Welcome Home fan page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Welcome-Home-Our-Familys-Journey-to-Extreme-Joy-by-Kimberley-Woodhouse/216901785173?ref=mf

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Besides writing, I love reading, music, scrapbooking, quilting, photography, and many other “crafty” things. :-) The kids and I love swimming and hiking (when it’s cool enough for Kayla.)

Why did you write the featured book?

I’ve been asked for more than a decade to share all over the country about our story. After the TV hubbub, more and more people wrote in asking for “the rest of the story.” I’m thankful the Lord gave me the opportunity to share, because it has blessed me beyond measure to share with and encourage others.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

No matter what you go through – God is there, and His joy cannot be taken away. So many people are suffering right now. The economy isn’t great, people are losing their jobs, and more. But God wants us to encourage one another, and that is what the book is all about. Encouragement to the weary. Joy in the midst of trials.

Life is hard, but God is good.

So many of us, only want to share the stories of triumph or happily-ever-after. We aren’t willing to swallow our pride and tell the really tough stuff. The junk that brought us down. But I believe that we need to be sharing the really difficult times, even if our pride was wounded, or if it embarrassed us, and even the stuff that just seemed to “hurt too much.” You never know how your story can encourage someone else, especially if you are honest and real.

I’d like to encourage all of you to lift one another up. Pray for one another. This road we call life is not easy, and it never will be. But you can meet overwhelming trials with overcoming joy.
Find the joy!

Thank you, Kim, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can buy Welcome Home:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

17 comments:

CarlybirdH said...

Sounds like a great story and a great book. Please add my name to the drawing. Thank you.

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I am a follower and would like to win this great book.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Lady Araujo said...

I love that kind of book which help us remember that God's in control.
I'd love to win that book. Thanks. God bless you.

Debs Desk said...

What a great interview. The book sounds very good and everyone could learn from it. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
Debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Martha A. said...

I would love to read your story! I watched that EM and remember it well!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Sheila Deeth said...

I've never watched it, but I've heard of it and would probably rather read than watch. Sounds an interesting, and uplifting, book.

apple blossom said...

I'd love to be included in this book giveaway. Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Katherine said...

This looks really good. Please enter me for this drawing.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Linda W. said...

I watch very little TV, as I have my nose in a book. It would have been great to see you get a house makeover. Would love to read about it in your book. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Kristen said...

How cool for them to have been picked for a home make-over. What a blessing. Sounds like a fun book to read for the rest of the story.
Thanks
Kristen

Cherie J said...

Sounds like a wonderfully uplifting book. I also enjoyed learning more about Kimberley.

sharon54220 said...

I would love to be included in this drawing. The book sounds wonderful. I am a faithful watcher of Extreme Home Makeover, every Sunday night. I always have a box of kleenex handy also.

Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Kimberley Woodhouse said...

What a joy and privilege to hear from all of you. Thank you, Lena, for doing this fabulous interview. I pray our story blesses you immensely, and that the Lord uses it all for His glory.
I'm blessed beyond measure just being here.
In His Abundant Joy,
Kim

Anonymous said...

The show always bringing tears to my eyes (T_ T) And we do have the similiar show in our local telly here in Indonesia.
Really love to have and read your book completely :)
mariska
uniquas at ymail dot com

Marla said...

Sounds good. Thank you for the drawing.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I sure would love to win a copy of this book.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Lillie said...

I've known Jeremy since my kids were in youth group with him as teenagers. He brought Kim into our lives after their marriage when he bacame youth pastor at our small church. They had Josh and Kayla was born while they were in ministry at our church. To see how God has worked and how they have grown over the years has been such a blessing. There were tough times when the doctors couldn't diagnose Kayla but Kimberly and Jeremy were still faithful to a loving, caring God. It has been wonderful seeing God's hand in their lives and now I can't wait to read the story from Kimberly's perspective. Thanks for your faithfulness.