Hello, reader friends! Join me in welcoming author friend David Harder for a little chat, a JustRead blog tour, and giveaway celebrating Final Grains of Sand!
about the author
David Harder has been writing for more than twenty-five years. His novels are inspiring stories about individuals who influence their world in unique ways.
David grew up in southern California and served in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict. He traveled the world for businesses with cutting-edge technologies in computer and data-storage. As part of his career, he wrote for trade journals and created marketing materials within the computer industry. A graduate of San Jose College with a degree in business, he also studied at Santa Clara University towards a degree in international business.
After retiring, David focused on two passions: writing and clay art. He uses his wheel and clay during demonstrations in churches to deliver a powerful testimony, visualizing how God shapes our lives for different purposes-no matter how old we are, and even if we seem to be a failure.
David is a graduate of Vineyard Institute in biblical studies and leadership. He resides in the Prescott area of Arizona.
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q&a
Describe yourself in five words.
D: These are the words people use to describe me: Passionate, generous, talented, intelligent, and kind.
B: Those are great words!
Share your inspiration behind Final Grains of Sand.
D: The story originated when someone was describing their father. He was deceased, yet the person they described was a man I wish I had known. He accomplished so much in his life. It was then I realized we really don’t know someone until, sometimes, it’s too late, and they’re gone. Those thoughts were the genesis for the story that developed.
B: That’s so true and I think that often applies to those we do know but want to know better as well!
What are some of the challenges you faced while writing Final Grains of Sand?
D: Maintaining a constant stream of dialog throughout the book allowed the reader to “hear” each individual’s voice. The bulk of the book is dialog and despite the multiple POV within the pages, the reader is not jolted with each shift. I made the story real and relevant.
B: That does sound challenging.
What did you learn or discover about yourself while writing Final Grains of Sand?
D: There are pages of comments from readers regarding Final Grains of Sand. A common theme is how much the readers emoted with the characters. While writing, I was amazed by how each individual developed and how I could visualize them. I also learned to trust my inner voice when writing.
B: Wonderful!
What books are you reading right now?
D: In addition to the Bible, I am reading new books by David Baldacci (Long Road to Mercy),
B: Ah, you are a fellow tandem reader!
What’s your reading style?
D: I prefer a book in my hand, turning the pages, and the smell of fresh ink on new paper. I also have a Kindle on my phone and have several books I read when waiting in lines or during intermittent pauses throughout the day.
I love reading outdoors and somewhere quiet. My wife and I will drive 30 minutes to the mountains and spend hours sitting in the pines and enjoying the solitude of reading alongside one another.
B: That sounds exactly like my kind of getaway!
What is your next release and/or what are you working on now?
D: Barring unforeseen circumstances, my next book, Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus will be released early 2020. It concerns a biblical character barely mentioned in the gospel of John and his important role in spreading the Good News of Jesus.
I am currently writing on three new novels at the moment; The Adage Principle, a story about forgiveness and redemption, Cause & Effect: Nazareth’s Craftsman, a story concerning Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Owlet P.I. who is a young adult, bookish girl that delves into a years-old cold-case murder in an attempt to solve the case.
B: I love the variety!
What’s your writing style?
D: I tend to let the story unfold as I write (very much like author Jerry Jenkins). I rarely outline my stories but I do have a mental sense about the plot and goals of the manuscript. When some books get complicated with the number of characters involved (like Final Grains of Sand) then I will create a cheat-sheet with the descriptions for each character, their unique traits, style and how they look, as well as dates and timeline information.
My favorite step of the process is writing and creating.
B: A free spirit with a bit of organization, sounds like a great balance!
Do you have any writing quirks? (snacking, cozy socks, post-its, etc.)
D: I have been known to binge write. I’ll start writing and hit the “zone” where the words are flowing faster than my fingers can type. When I stop, 8 to 12 hours later, I’m amazed at what I accomplish. When I can’t sleep, I’ll get up in the middle of the night and write for hours before crawling back into bed, exhausted.
B: That does sound exhausting but also productive!
about the book
Title: Final Grains of Sand
Author: David Harder
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: April 23, 2018
Genre:General Fiction
How well do we truly know people?
When James Kreider receives the devastating news his life is being cut short with cancer, he is immediately filled with shock and disbelief. At 60 years, Jim is too young to die and believes he has a whole life ahead of him. When the reality of his impending demise sinks in, Jim methodically prepares for his final days, including trying to heal old wounds. With a dash of life’s regrets and unfinished business, Jim’s hours are spent pondering the legacy he will leave for his friends and children.
In preparing for the end, Jim selects five individuals to represent his life at the funeral service. This group includes Jim’s boss, his personal physician, a neighbor, the pastor of his church, and a woman whom Jim was involved with in a long-term affair. None of the individuals know each other or why they were chosen. Summoned to the office of Jim’s attorney, the representatives disclose emotions and information few individuals want to hear. Reluctantly, they agree to share every facet of their friend.
Jim’s story not only transforms the five representatives but alters the lives of the funeral guests.
At the heart of Final Grains of Sand,this thought-provoking novel gives readers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the way they see others, as well as how they portray themselves to those around, and to help readers realize the value of one’s life is less about the length of time, but rather how we touch other people through our actions and words.
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tour giveaway
One winner will receive 1 print (US only) AND one winner will receive 1 ebook copy (open internationally except where prohibited by law) of Final Grains of Sand.
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight May 14, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 21, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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tour schedule
Say hi to David in the comments and leave your own answer to one of the questions if you’d like!
Faithfully Bookish 
Thank you Beth, for letting me be a part of your spotlight!
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It was my pleasure! Thank you for joining us!
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