On the Threshold
by Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Tarabochia
Mother/daughter writing team Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Tarabochia bring a voice of authenticity to their award-winning novel, On the Threshold, as they have experienced some of the same issues faced by these characters. They like to say they were separated at birth but share one brain, which allows them to write in a seamless stream. Both live in NW Oregon and love spending time together. Sherrie is the Women's Ministry Director at her church, and enjoys sharing life with her two children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Christina is the busy mother of five (four of whom are teenagers!) and runs an editing business. In addition, both women work together in their publishing company, Ashberry Lane. (More about that later in the interview.)
Welcome, Christina and Sherrie. If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
Because Christina had her tonsils removed this week, I'll speak for both of us! I know the right answer is always Jesus, but since He's off limits for this question, I'm going to say someone who may be a bit unexpected. I love to have fun, and have always enjoyed the slightly insane take on life the late humorist Erma Bombeck offered. I know I'm dating myself here, but back in the mid to late '70s she had a lot of funny books that were best-sellers. Titles such as If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I Doing in the Pits? and The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank. I think Erma and I would have had a great time visiting and laughing over a perfectly barbecued steak. And now that I think about it, I realize that I really am speaking for Christina here, because during the years we were missionaries to Nigeria when Christina was a young girl, I read Erma Bombeck's books to the family as we were traveling. (Along with books by James Harriot, the English vet who wrote the All Creatures Great and Small series.) When we returned to the states after three years and went through debriefing by our mission board, 8-year-old Christina was asked who her favorite authors were. She responded, "Erma Bombeck and James Harriot," which the psychologist found amusing for one so young!
Please tell us a little about your novel, On the Threshold.
Suzanne-a mother with a long-held secret. Tony-a police officer with something to prove. Beth-a daughter with a storybook future. When all they love is lost, what's worth living for?
Suzanne Corbin and her daughter, Beth Harris, live a seemingly easy life. Suzanne has distanced herself from her past, replacing pain with fulfillment as a wife and mother, while Beth savors her husband's love and anticipates the birth of their child. But all that is about to change.
Like a sandcastle buffeted by ocean waves, Suzanne's fa�ade crumbles when her perfect life is swept away. Tragedy strikes and police officer Tony Barnett intersects with the lives of both women as he tries to discover the truth. Left adrift and drowning in guilt long ignored, Suzanne spirals downward into paralyzing depression. Beth, dealing with her own grief, must face the challenge of forgiveness. Can these two women learn to trust each other again? Will they find the power of God's grace in their lives?
What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?
The themes of love, forgiveness, and the unfailing grace of God are woven through the characters in this book. Your readers are well aware that difficult, sometimes tragic things are part of life, whether or not someone is a believer. On the Threshold provides a reminder of the importance of family, the need to be open with each other, and the power of God's relentless pursuit. We've heard that women have been encouraged to mend frayed relationships with their mothers after reading our book.
Where can readers find you online?
We would love for your readers to stop by www.ashberrylane.com and sign up for our newsletter. It's a great way to know about new releases from Ashberry Lane Publishing, as well as get to know our authors.
Where can readers purchase On the Threshold?
It is available as both a print book and an e-book.
Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLOAHK6
Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-threshold-sherrie-ashcraft/1115298008?ean=2940016468075&itm=1&
usri=on+the+threshold%2c+ashcraft
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/311829
Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/on-the-threshold/id645210529?mt=11&uo=4
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/on-the-threshold-10
Any parting comment?
Our writing career has changed over the past two years, as we've seen the Lord lead us to form Ashberry Lane Publishing, a small but traditional publishing house. We never expected to do this, but it's been such a joyful challenge to work together to make the dreams of other as-yet-undiscovered writers come true. We publish fiction for Middle Grade on up. You can find information about what we're looking for on our website at www.ashberrylane.com on the For Writers page.
Christina and Sherrie, thank you for visiting with my readers and me. On February 25 will draw from among current subscribers to my newsletter for the winner of a copy of On the Threshold, which you graciously offered.