Genre:  Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Format: Paperback, ebook

Buy:  The Covering

What do a woman of faith and a heathen biker have in common? The devil, of course.

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?

1.  What inspired you to write a story about a woman praying for an unbeliever she hasn’t even met?   

God sometimes wakes me up in the middle of the night to pray and often I have no idea who I’m praying for. I keep praying until I feel I’ve hit on the right person or situation, or I’ll just say, “Well, I don’t know who, but You do, so meet their needs.”

2.  Deep intercessory prayer, angels, and demons are not something you often find in Christian romance.  What prompted you to make these a focal point in your novel? 

To me, it’s part of everyday life, not necessarily something exceptional. At least it shouldn’t be considered unusual if you’re a Christian. Angels, demons and prayer are part of our everyday existence. Battles are going on around us all the time and I think it’s a good idea to get people to “tune in” to that fact. You can’t be victorious if you’re not aware there’s a battle. So when Tessa prays it’s written as something she’s comfortable with, part of her lifestyle.

3.  Who is your favorite character and why? 

I have to say Gunnar. He’s unpleasant, rude, and carrying around so much guilt and baggage that I think he best represents the “real” world. He’s a mess. But he comes to realize he needs help and where to find it. His life is a victory.

4.  Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?  

I always say this, but I think the most important message is that God isn’t mad at anyone. He’s not waiting for us to mess up so He can pour out His wrath on us, and He doesn’t require us to get our lives in order before we come to Him (which is impossible without Him to begin with). He wants us right now, just as we are, sins, flaws and all. And if there are things He wants changed, He’ll help you change and overcome. One of my favorite Scriptures is Romans 5:8 – “But God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

5.  Is anything in this book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

Well the prayer thing is real. I’m certainly not as diligent at Tessa, but I think it’s so important to have communication with God every day.

6.  What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

Wow, that’s so hard to say. A part that comes to mind is a scene where Gunnar realizes he might be in over his head with Tessa and he talks to her brother, Dominic, about it.

7.  What is the most challenging part of being an indie author?  What’s the most rewarding? 

For me the challenge is in just getting the words down. I’m a procrastinator by nature. The most rewarding thing by far is all the love and encouragement I’ve received and hearing how God is touching people through the book.

8.  Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

Thanks! I know how hard it is to come by extra time and money, and knowing they spent some of theirs on my book is humbling, exciting and awesome!

Dana Pratola is a 47 yr. old mother of 3, married 25 yrs. The Lord is her Savior, writing is her passion and publishing inspirational books that show the grace of God is her ministry.

Visit Dana at her website:  www.danapratola.webs.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter.