I’ve only met award-winning author Angela Hunt through email correspondence, but I’ve found her to be a warm and caring person, with some deep spiritual insights – which is one of the reasons I asked to interview her for Spotlight. If you read any one of her novels, you will learn something. Angela Hunt makes readers think.

Among my favorites of Angie’s work is a Biblical novel called The Shadow Women. That book had a profound effect on me and the lessons linger with me still.

With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the best-selling author of The Tale of Three Trees, The Debt, The Note, and The Nativity Story.

Hunt began her writing career in 1983. After five years of honing her craft and writing for magazines, she published her first book in 1988. Since then, she has written over one hundred books in fiction and nonfiction, for children and adults.

Eight of her novels have won Angel Awards from Excellence in Media. Hunt has also won three silver medals from ForeWord Magazine’s book of the year award (for The Justice, The Canopy and Unspoken), and a Christy Award for By Dawn’s Early Light. Three of her novels have been optioned for film by Journey Productions (The Note), Namesake (Uncharted), and Columbia/TriStar (The Immortal). Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

For several years Angela has taught at major Christian writers’ conferences. For three years she was a faculty member of the Young Writers’ Institute, a national program that taught intensive creative writing seminars for students ages eight to eighteen.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and is currently working on her doctorate in the same field.

She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs. In 2001, one of her dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest dog in America.

Angie’s latest book The Elevator releases this month. Here’s the blurb:

THREE WOMEN… ONE MAN… A GATHERING STORM

In the path of a devastating hurricane, three very different women find themselves trapped in the elevator of a high-rise office building. All three conceal shattering secrets —unaware that their secrets center on the same man.

The betrayed wife, eager to confront her faithless husband, with rage in her heart and a gun in her pocket . . .

The determined mistress, finally ready to tell her lover she wants marriage and a family . . .

The fugitive cleaning woman, tormented by the darkest secret of all . . .

As the storm rages ever closer, these three must unite to fight for their lives in the greatest test of courage — and faith —any woman could ever face.

Reader Reviews of The Elevator:
“…a brilliantly plotted novel…the hurricane approaching the Florida coast is no match for the storm brewing inside the claustrophobic confines of a high-rise elevator. …Be prepared to lose some sleep until you reach the last page!” Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart

“Hunt traps three women in an elevator during a hurricane, dangling them, and the reader, from a tangled web of interconnected deceit, failure, crime and fear. …The Elevator…creates the perfect set-up to keep you turning pages long after the rest of the house has fallen asleep. …Loved it.” Lisa Samson, award-winning author of The Church Ladies, Songbird and Straight Up.

Sounds intriguing!

You can purchase The Elevator at these three online bookstores:

CBD, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.

I asked Angie to give us some insight into how God is using her and her writing.

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Angie: I never really wanted to be a writer. But God led me to this place in His sovereignty, and when I was looking for a job I could do and stay home with my babies, freelance writing seemed just the ticket. So I started looking for ways to write and help pay the mortgage. It’s been an evolving journey ever since.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope to write in the future.

Angie: I write whatever ideas the Lord gives me . . . . or drops in my lap. I often have publishers contact me when they have a certain project in mind, and I try to slot those projects between other contracted projects. I alternate between contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and the occasional nonfiction project. Most of my contemporary fiction fits into the “parable” category.

Jill: If and when did you realize your writing was a calling?

Angie: Is it? I consider it the job the Lord has given me to do right now. I’ve done a search of scripture, and the only thing to which all believers are called for a lifetime is to love and obey God. Period.

Jill: Good point.

What means did God use to confirm in your heart that this is exactly what He has prepared for you to do for Him?

Angie: I am affirmed when I see his blessing on my work. But there are other days when I don’t see the blessing because I’m writing too far ahead of the publication date and I’m isolated from the ultimate reader. On those days I write in faith.

Jill: Can you share one struggle that entered your life as a result of writing and how God helped you to overcome it, to make you more like Christ?

Angie: I am often tested when I get critical letters from readers. But when I do, I’ve learned to search for a kernel of truth and how it might apply to my life. But since one of my purposes is to teach deeper theological truths, sometimes people are surprised by what the word of God actually says.

Jill: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Angie: It’s always a joy when I receive letters or notes from people who tell me that a story or book made them think. Far too often Christians expect their leaders to think for them, but the Word has been given to all of us. It’s our responsibility to search it and pray for understanding.

Jill: Amen to that!

Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Angie: One of the most meaningful results has been the opportunity to teach other writers. Teaching is one of my spiritual gifts, and there is so much power in the printed word and in story. I love passing on tools that will enable other writers to reach people with the power of the Gospel.

Jill: I couldn’t agree more!

You can visit author Angela Hunt and get to know her better by checking out her website or her blog.

Thanks Angie, for joining us this month on Spotlight!