Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

Television Romance

Posted on May 11, 2012May 10, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

There are a million and one TV romances out there. But here are a few that have caught my attention through the years….

Come on, fess up. Who used to watch Saved by the Bell? In my preteen days, Zack and Kelly were the bee’s knees.

In college, all the girls on my dorm floor would get together and watch Dawson’s Creek. I was totally Team Pacey…

Also Team Ben. But I really liked Noel too!

I dare you to watch these two and not smile…

Rory Gilmore and Logan Huntzberger. Sigh. Why did Gilmore Girls have to end!?

Ultimately, my allegiance lies with Stelena.

My new favorite! Just started watching Friday Night Lights and I’m in love with the relationship between Coach and his wife. In. Love!

Let’s Talk: What are some of your all-time favorite TV couples?

For a chance to win my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, hop on over to Casey Herringshaw’s blog, where I divulge my favorite part about being a debut novelist.

If you’d like to purchase my book, you can do so on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or these other retail outlets.

If you’ve read the book or are currently reading it, Christian Fiction Book Club is discussing it online for the entire month!

For all you local folks, my book launch party is tomorrow at Books-A-Million in Davenport from 1-3 pm. I’d love to see you there!

No Need to Come Clean

Posted on May 9, 2012May 9, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

Most of us get cleaned up for church on Sunday.

We shower. Put on deodorant. Pretty clothes and makeup.

We want to look nice. Presentable.

Which is good. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look our best when we enter our local sanctuaries.

But sometimes I wonder….

Does our Sunday finest mentality affect the way we approach God?

Sometimes, I fall into the trap of thinking that when it comes to Jesus, I have to come clean. As if getting rid of the sin will make me more worthy to stand in His presence.

Only that’s completely backwards.

We don’t have to get clean to go to God. We go to God to get clean.

He washes away the dirt. He makes us new.

Not more self-control. Not a stronger will. Not a greater determination to “be good”.

Those aren’t the things that make us worthy to stand in His presence.

The cross and the man who endured it is.

Let’s Talk: Do you ever feel like you have to make things right before you can approach God?

If you’d like to win a free copy of my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter (released yesterday), click on over to these lovely blogs:

Jennifer Hale asks me about my favorite scene in Wildflowers and what skill/talent I wish I had.
Sherri Johnson asks me about my greatest fear and my most embarrassing moment.
Megan DiMaria asks me what compliment from a reader has meant the most and why.

On the Eve of a Dream Fulfilled

Posted on May 7, 2012May 6, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

Excited, giddy, nervous, uncertain, tired, ecstatic, anxious, happy, encouraged, discouraged, frazzled, blissful, delirious, hyper, hopeful, insecure, optimistic, pessimistic, confused, deflated, confident, overwhelmed, ready…

I got “The Call” from my agent on Friday, October 29th, 2010. Almost a year and a half ago. In that time, my emotions have run the gamut.

Now somehow, it’s here.

Tomorrow, one of my lifelong dreams becomes a reality.

My novel, Wildflowers from Winter, will be in book stores and libraries, on Kindles and Nooks. It will be out there for anyone to see.

And my body can’t choose an emotion. It switches back and forth, like malfunctioning traffic lights. Only instead of three choices, there are hundreds.

In a genius post titled Don’t Miss the Good Stuff, my agent, Rachelle Gardner, reminds us all to savor the victories and the milestones. In the busyness that surrounds the launch of a book, especially a debut, it’s easy to forget to savor.

I don’t want to forget.

I want to commemorate the day by doing something special.

I want to celebrate.

Here are three ways you can join me:

Post a review on Amazon or Christianbook.com
If you find my book in a store or if you get a copy in the mail, snap a picture and send it my way! I’d love to post it on my Facebook page.
If you chose the book for a book club, take a picture of your group so I can add it to my book club page.

This is not a journey to be traveled alone. Thank you so much for being a part of mine. None of this would be nearly as fun without all of you. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

And just for fun, here is a hodge podge of thoughts and emotions on the eve of my debut’s release. Be warned. It slowly derails. This is what happens when I’m bored and excited and weird….

Let’s Talk:What would you do, or what have you done, to commemorate the release of your debut novel? How would you make the day memorable? I need suggestions!

Wildflowers from Winter is available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, and other retail outlets. Right on time for Mother’s Day and graduations!

My friend, Jill Kemerer, is throwing me a party on her blog today! Hop on over and join the fun!

Thank you SO much to everyone who participated in the Wildflowers from Winter blog tour! Every single story blessed my socks off. The winner of the $50 gift card (chosen using an online random number generator) is….Cheryl McKay. Congrats Cheryl!