Friday, April 15, 2016

Interview with Sweet Romance Author Larry Hammersley


Larry has published three novels, one sweet romance A Change of Heart, and two science fiction stories, Higher Mission, and The Silver Dart.  He has several short stories, all sweet romances, at various websites.  He is married, age 77, has two children and six grandchildren.  Larry is active with the local church, amateur radio, jogging and some woodworking.  He has a B.S degree in chemistry from Purdue University and M.S. degree in chemistry from Indiana University.

Welcome back to my blog, Larry. Please tell us about your new book, The Shunammite Woman.

Thank you so much for having me, Linda. The Shunammite Woman lived in Bible times, during 895-884 BC according to my Holomon Bible which has dates at the bottom of every page.  She is described as a great woman, which can mean noble, mighty, intelligent, wealthy, understanding or wise.  The biblical account is in 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8:1-6 which accounts for all those characteristics.  She is unnamed but I chose Bina, which has the meanings listed above.  I remain true to the scriptures where she meets the prophet Elisha and his servant, Gehazi.  Fictional portions include how she meets her elderly husband, the Israelite king Joram, and the Philistine king, Achish.  Because of the fictional elements I must extend her story to fifteen years rather than twelve years. I have verbal permission to include a poem by a long time preacher friend, Mr. Fred McKinney, entitled Just Like That Shunammite.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I’ve read her story many times in the Old Testament and wanted to write about her because she is such a wonderful and righteous woman.  Her statement to Elisha when he asked her what he could do to repay her kindness to him has never ceased to amaze me.  She said, “I dwell among mine own people.”

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Besides the Holomon Bible, I consulted an old text “Lands of the Bible” by J.W. McGarvey who traveled those areas in the late 1800s.  I consulted Bible maps of that area as well.  I have included details in the front of the book complete with scripture references concerning King David, King Saul, King Solomon, Abishag and others who lived before and during that time period.

How would you describe your female character?

She respects her husband, but is clearly a strong and determined female character who takes charge and isn’t afraid to pursue what is right.

Where can my readers find you online?

My blog address is http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/ and email address is lhammersley@comcast.net.

My books can be found on Amazon, Smashwords, Wild Rose Press, Wings ePress, Victory Tales Press and Champagne Books, Burst Imprint.  The Shunammite Woman can be found on Amazon and Createspace.

Thank you so much for this interview, Larry. This book sounds very intriguing. I hope my followers will check it out.

36 comments:

Larry Hammersley said...

I look forward to hearing from everyone. I must apologize for misspelling the Bible company I refer to. It is the King James Version and the company is Holman and not Holomon. It gives dates at the bottom of each page as to the likely time period for happenings.

Nancy said...

This looks very interesting. Thanks for this opportunity.

Darcy Flynn said...

That's such a wonderful bible story. One of my favorites. I love that you've written it as a novel. Best wishes, Larry!

lildevilgirl22 said...

This book sounds interesting its been awhile since I read this story in the bible

Larry Hammersley said...

Darcy, Nancy and lildevilgirl22 thank you so much for the interest and comments. I self-published it through Create Space which allows short works like this to be published in print and digital. As I mentioned there are fictional elements but the story which includes the Shunammite Woman and her contact with Elisha, Gehazi, her elderly husband, son and King Joram are true as revealed in 2 Kings 4 and 2 Kings 8. I will give away a print and a digital copy.

Martha Eskuchen said...

Larry, this sounds like a lovely story pulled from the Bible. Best wishes!
Thanks to Linda for hosting your interview.
Martha

Miss Mae said...

Hi Larry,

You're such a productive author. Congrats on all your works and on this newest. I love your gentle way of writing and the soft, sweet romances you create. Taking a Biblical character is quite a challenge, but I imagine you had a lot of fun weaving this together. :) My hat's off to you! :)

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Larry and Linda, Thank you for this interesting review. This book sounds fascinating. I enjoyed can't wait to read it. I've read several of Larry's books and enjoyed them.

Larry Hammersley said...

Hi Martha: Thanks for dropping by for this interview. It is wonderful that three have showed whom I don't know. I always like to make new friends and treasure the ones I know well. I did enjoy writing this story.
Hi Miss Mae and Gail: Your checking in on this interview is most appreciated. Bless you for such wonderful compliments.
Again, thanks to the three of you.

Laurean Brooks said...

Hi Larry. I'm intrigued by this idea of taking a not-so-prominent Bible character and delving into her life and her mind. It takes a vivid imagination to write a story about someone who lived so long ago. And to keep it as accurate as possible must have been quite a challenge.

I envy your way with words and ability to pull your reader into the scene.

Congratulations on another wonderful release. I've read several and have enjoyed them all. Keep writing.

Larry Hammersley said...

Laurie: I always look forward to hearing from you and thanks for the kind comments. It took a lot of research through the Bible, maps of the area during that time, refreshing my memory on the happenings before and during the time the Shunammite woman lived. The fictional elements reinforce her character as she deals with the Israelite king, Joram and the Philistine king, Achish. Achish is named after the original Philistine king Achish who lived when David was king over a hundred years before.

Anne Patrick said...

Great interview, Larry. I love the premise of your new book and look forward to reading it. Best of luck my friend.

Gina said...

Hi Larry, what a great interview. Your subject matter is fascinating, Larry. I love the broad range of themes in your body of work. Really looking forward to reading this one. Best wishes with your writing.

Hi Linda, and thank you for another wonderful post on your fantastic blog. Best always!

Larry Hammersley said...

Anne: Thanks so much for visiting the interview. It is in digital and print form despite being only 19,000 words. Best of luck in the drawing and I'll be interested in your feedback. I appreciate your continued support.

Larry Hammersley said...

Gina: Thanks for dropping by and I always appreciate your interest in my writings. It is a short read: 19,000 words, both in print and digital. You are welcome on my review of your novel, Angels of the Heart.

Sonja said...

Interesting how you chose a not-so-well known character in the Bible. I would love to see your take on her. Sounds good!

Larry Hammersley said...

Sonja: Thank you for stopping by. I've always loved this wonderful woman of the Old Testament. The fictional portions of this story are in keeping with her character as revealed in the actual scriptural evidence of her in 2 Kings 4 and 2 Kings 8.

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful book. The Bible is full of amazing characters.

Larry Hammersley said...

Melanie: Thanks for dropping by. I agree the Bible is filled with great characters and how they handled their challenges. The Shunammite Woman is one of my favorites. We can learn so much just from brief accounts of many of these people.

LAWonder said...

Larry, I recall briefly that the woman was Shunammite, but that term was foreign so I
skimmed over that piece of information. -However, I love that story!
I think it is great you are pursuing this and truly wish you a huge success!

Larry Hammersley said...

LA Wonder: Thank you for dropping by and checking out my spot on Linda's great site. The Shunammite Woman is a fascinating character of the Old Testament. I never get tired of rereading her account in 2 Kings 4 and 2 Kings 8. She impressed the prophet Elisha with her kindness and hospitality. I'm sure she must have done the same for anyone who passed through her village, Shunem.

Debbie Curto said...

I would love to win this book! I love Biblical fiction! Thanks for the chance!

Larry Hammersley said...

Debbie: Thank you for stopping by. Good luck in the draw. If I count right there have been thirteen people comment so far. I will give a print and a digital copy away. I am so pleased that many have showed up for the interview. Linda does a great job and thanks again.

Unknown said...

I love how the lead character is a strong female. This seems like an enjoyable read!

Larry Hammersley said...

Diana: Yes, the Shunammite Woman in the Biblical account is a strong female character and I made an effort to carry that through into the fictional portion of her story. The account in 2 Kings 4 and 2 Kings 8 shows just how strong she is when meeting with the prophet Elisha. Thanks so much for your interest and appearing on Linda's blog.

bn100 said...

interesting inspiration

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Larry Hammersley said...

Bn100candg: Thank you for dropping by for the interview. I appreciate that and yes, the Shunammite Woman and her character easily inspired me.

Unknown said...

This seems like an interesting read and I like how the book is Biblically based! Thank you very much for the chance :)


libertylithiumx (at) gmail (dot) com

Larry Hammersley said...

Hi Liberty: What a nice name. Thank you for coming to Linda's blog and my interview. I am so pleased at the turnout for this interview. You are the sixteenth one. One lady has already bought the digital version and given me a review. I'll be giving away a digital and print version. I like how your email addy has a chemical element in it. My degrees are in chemistry. Thanks again. It was fun writing this short story about a favorite Bible character of mine.

Elaine Shorb said...

Thank you for this interview. I am going to look up the scriptures that are the inspiration for this book.

tinkerbell2by2@gmail.com

Larry Hammersley said...

Elaine: I'm glad you stopped by and for your interest in looking up the scriptures in 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8:1-6. Of course I take some fictional leeway for the Shunammite Woman's life before, in between and a bit after those references but I try to remain true to the references where she meets the prophet, Elisha and his servant, Gehazi. She has a brief encounter with Joram, the Israelite king too. Thanks so much for your interest. Wow, the turnout for this interview has been great. I am humbled by all the interest and can't thank you Linda, enough. Maybe some more will show by the 30th.

Daniel M said...

liked the interview thanks for the chance - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Larry Hammersley said...

Daniel: Thanks for dropping by and your interest in this Old Testament character. She is a wonderful person and I finally got around to writing about her, giving both fiction and nonfiction about her.

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations to Darcy and Regina! You're the two winners of this book. I know you'll enjoy it.

beachgirl0323 said...

I would love to read this book. I love to read Christian inspired books.

Larry Hammersley said...

beachgirl0323: Thank you for dropping by and commenting on my interview. The Shunammite Woman is a wonderful character from the Old Testament. I'd been intending to write about her for a long time. It is 19,000 words long including a preacher friend's poem. I apologize for already selecting the two winners. I should have waited to include you in the drawing. The Kindle version is 99 cents. Again, thanks for your interest.