bethwiseman.1.resized-240x300Beth Wiseman left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels full-time. Her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was a recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013, and is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, an INSPY Award winner, and the recipient of the coveted HOLT Medallion.

She and her husband are empty nesters enjoying the country life in Texas.

God sometimes sends us down an unexpected path in life—one that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

My number one goal for years was to write ONE book, to make ONE difference in a life. God has used me in ways I could have never foreseen. I’m on my 23rd book, and I’ve received countless emails and letters from readers who say my books changed them for the better in some way.

The Promise cvrLet’s talk about The Promise (Thomas Nelson, September 2014). Please tell us about it.

Before it ever entered my mind to write The Promise, I’d already decided I wanted to write a story about a rescue. This came to light after a dream I had, and I got up in the middle of the night and jotted down some notes—notes that eventually became a synopsis.

But I kept getting nudges to move in another direction; to still write a rescue story, but something much more personal than the plot I’d literally dreamed. In The Promise, Mallory takes a dangerous journey to Pakistan, fueled by her adventurous spirit and her desire to save a life. But the trip becomes something much different as Mallory finds herself in grave danger.

Someone close to me, “Laurie,” found herself in a similar situation, and it was up to me to work with the Consulate in Peshawar, the Embassy in Islamabad, and the State Department to get Laurie back to the United States. In a letter to readers at the back of the book, I have included details about the actual events that inspired the story.

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Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

Love unconditionally and don’t judge. There is no one on this planet who hasn’t made mistakes and bad choices. It’s what we do with those experiences that defines us and molds our future. Most of the time, we can’t see clearly when we are the ones in the throes of a bad relationship or dangerous situation. And when it’s all over and we’ve somehow survived, it’s almost impossible not to ask, “Why me? Why did I have to go through that?”

As for my experiences, it has often taken years for me to recognize God turning my ‘wrongs’ into something for the overall good in ways I could have never foreseen. It seems as if there is a reason for every bad situation that came my way, and God never wastes a life experience.

How did your friend Laurie feel about your writing the book?

This book would have never happened unless Laurie was onboard. She wanted to tell her story, hoping that perhaps even one woman might be spared this type of betrayal.

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A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I always eat more when I’m writing, especially while I’m on a deadline. I live in a small town, so there isn’t an abundance of junk food nearby, and I crave Taco Bell! I also want lots of sweets, and my favorites are Jelly Belly jelly beans, chocolate ice cream, and anything with peanut butter! : )

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

When I was younger, I played clarinet. And, looking back, I was pretty good at it, lol. So, a few years ago, I bought a clarinet to see if I could still play it. My husband was shocked. I’ve written 23 books, but I think he got more excited about my ability to play clarinet than of my literary accomplishments! But out here in the country, my audience was my dogs and the nearby cows, and I haven’t picked it up in a while. My oldest son has a Master’s Degree in Music Performance, and he is teaching music at the International schools in Singapore, so I would like to think it runs in the family.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

I would be an inspirational song about overcoming adversity and the many ways God blesses us beyond what we can ever foresee.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I am the super heroine. My cup is always half full, and I believe anything is possible.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I LOVE animals. All of our pets are rescues. We have a sixteen-year-old cat with diabetes, a ten-year-old dog with arthritis, and our white Lab has Lupus. We also have ten roosters (loud in the mornings, I tell ya!), and Charlotte and Cinderella are our pot belly pigs. Love them all, despite the fact that it’s like a pharmacy around here.

Thank you, Beth! It’s an honor to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Beth, visit her website.

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