Murder Mysteries and Sunburned Bikers--the World of Barbara Derksen

Today I'm featuring another author who has a unique work in life as well as diversely interesting books. I've read one of them, as well as the prologue of Shadow Stalker, which definitely gets your attention! 

About Barbara:

Watching the expressions on the faces of her readers, as well as answering questions about her characters, is what drives author and speaker, Barbara Ann Derksen to write yet another book and another. Her favorite genre is murder mystery, but each book brings forth characters who rely on God as they solve the puzzle in their life.

Barbara’s devotionals are sought after each year when she publishes a new one that reflects what God has placed on her heart. From Straight Pipes, her first, to More Than Bells, Preparation for Prayer, the latest, Barbara’s devotions take people to the place where God can touch their heart and leave a lasting impression. Some men return to her book tables at their pastor’s request because the books are used as launch pads for men’s bible study. 

Born in Canada, Barbara lived in the US for 12 years. There her writing surfaced as she worked under contract as a journalist for six years with over 2500 articles published in newspapers and magazines. Meeting and interviewing people, digging for the hidden gems in their lives, made those years informative as well as instructive. 

With 17 books to her credit, one currently inactive and awaiting revision, each one surpasses the last, according to her readers. They look forward to discovering the new characters in a new series Finders Keepers. Book One – Shadow Stalker – was released in 2013.

Writing, however is simply a tool to be used in the ministry she shares with her husband. With his gift of music (he sings country gospel), Barbara and her husband operate CatchFire Ministries, a ministry to bikers through Christian Motorcyclists Association. They travel for four to five months every summer in the US and the rest of the time in Canada where they seek to inspire, encourage and invite people into a deeper ministry with Jesus Christ. They also minister at Veterans Homes and churches along the way and are about to begin a ministry to Juvenile offenders incarcerated at Manitoba Youth Center. The mysteries include a gospel message that opens her readers to the possibility of reading books written from a Christian World view and supply funds for CatchFire.

Though Barbara has many interesting stories, I loved this one the best:

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

In my ministry with Christian Motorcyclists Association, I once took wiper rags with the gospel message into a Hell’s Angel encampment. I passed them out, with a smile, to all the bikers assembled. Another time, I took fresh, cold water to bikers in a Sons of Silence camp. God uses me, a woman, in this hard core biker environment, to get their attention and, based on the reaction I got, He succeeded. One biker jumped away from me saying, “I can feel that God thing happening.” I didn’t have to say a word. I’ve also been dubbed the Spray Lady for hosing off 1000 or more hot, sun-burned bikers at another rally.

 

And her latest book--Shadow Stalker: 

An ominous shadow hangs over her, as Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rompart, visits the brutal slaying of her parents most nights in a dream. The threat of discovery propels her to search for the whereabouts of the killer to see the man brought to justice. In the meantime, the killer stalks her mind while she operates Finder’s Keepers, an agency that searches for the people her clients hire her to find. Nathan Brent is only four years old and missing. Will she find him in time or will the killer find her first?

To read an excerpt of Shadow Stalker and/or order it, go to: http://www.barbaraannderksen.com/bookstore/shadow-stalker-book-1-finders-keepers-series/ 

Meet Barbara at:  http://www.barbaraannderksen.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/pages/EaglesNest/205663322735