Sonya Made The Cover of RT Magazine! September 2005 Issue
Music
A huge thank you to country recording artist Steve Azar for providing the cd single that will accompany Tides of Time!
Movies
Tombstone (with Val Kilmner & Kurt Russell) Dumb & Dumber, Gone With The Wind, The American Pie Series, Scarface and Meet the Fockers.
Television
The Sopranos, NFL Games, SaltWater Fishing Shows, The OC, American Idol, Golden Girls, Trading Spouses, House and any Lifetime Movies, Deadlist Catch, The Rock of Love and my new obsessions are ONE TREE HILL....
AND GHOST HUNTERS
Books
Tides of Time is now available on amazon.com!
Heroes
My wonderful husband, my children, my Great team of doctors, Kathryn Falk for guiding me through the world of publishing and my adopted sister, Misty.
University Of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia,Missouri
Graduated: N/A
Student status: Alumni
Major: Journalism
Minor: Agriculture
Clubs: Little Sister at Alpha Gamma Sigma, Freshman Internship to Write for National Publication, Writer for Ag Colums - On-Campus Newspaper, Secretary of Sherz/Hatch Dormitory, Photography Club.
Greek:
Alpha Gamma Sigma
1985 to 1987
Louisiana High
Louisiana,Missouri
Graduated: 1985
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
Clubs: Pom Pon Squad, Editor of Newspaper, Advertising Editor of Yearbook, FFA, FTA, Band, All Conference Band, Foreign Language Club, Creative Writing Club, Photography and Weight Lifting
Author of "A Slice of Pie," inspired by Garth Brooks' song, "That Summer."
Current Release:
"Tides of Time," to be released with CD Single by Mercury Recording Artist Steve Azar.
At the age of five, Sonya Kate Childers knew she wanted to become a writer. Through a merchant-sponsored contest her short stories were printed in the local newspaper. The small town girl accepted her first major taste of fame clad in a hideous plaid jumper and large toothless grin. It wasn't until Sonya saw her first "by-line" in print she knew what her destiny would be. However, if you had told her then that she would be taking pictures with Gene Hackman, Steve Azar, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, appear on PrimeTime Live with Jay Schadler or attend fabulous parties with Kathryn Falk, her reply would have been, "You're Crazy!"
Sonya Kate Childers, was born in Norfolk, Virginia in November of 1966. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Missouri. Growing up, Sonya enjoyed her modest surroundings in a quaint Mid-Western farming community that ran parallel with the Mississippi River. Realizing that something special lay just on the other side of the hills that encompassed her life, Sonya grew discontent. The young girl wanted to experience everything the world had to offer.
After graduation, Sonya enrolled at the University of Missouri. Writing contests she had won and scholarships paid for most of her first year. Sonya was one of the universities first freshmen chosen for an internship program. This was an accolade normally reserved for college seniors. However, the college writing classes were tough and the professors were often too critical and almost mechanical in their teachings. Being under the belief that a true writer writes from the heart, not merely from someone else's personal objectives Sonya became increasingly disillusioned and quickly lost respect and interest in school.
Her family problems mounted while her college future and home life ceased to exist. To survive Sonya cut classes and took a modest job at the Rural Sociology Department, later dropping out of college for lack of attendance and poor grades.
Armed with $35 and a new, tougher attitude, Sonya headed west for the new, unfamiliar ground of Kansas City. After long bus rides through some of the roughest parts of the city and a few white lies later, she landed her first job as a legal secretary. For the next six months, Sonya slept on the basement floor of a friend's home until she saved enough money to buy a car and rent a modest apartment. The legal secretarial job proved to be successful as Sonya quickly moved up the ranks finally landing a job with Shook, Hardy & Bacon.
In the spring of 1987, Sonya met her husband Bert. He and their two children have been Sonya's constant support and anchor through some very rough times. Sonya suffers from a variety of debilitating illnesses: Lupus, Anti-Phospholipid Disorder, Raynaud's Disease and Fibromyalgia. In 2000, Sonya suffered a stroke. The doctors told Sonya she had seven "good" years left. She didn't ask them to elaborate on what exactly "seven good years" meant. Today the author, wife, and mother keeps plugging along. Sonya has had to take steroids combined with twenty-five different medications for many years, resulting in its own toll on her body and organs.
In Sonya's limited spare time, say the word, "beach" and she is there. She and her family frequent Galveston, Texas. Sonya calls it, "America's undiscovered gem" or "God's country." "I feel more at home down in Texas than I've felt anywhere in my life," Sonya proclaims. "There is a peace at the ocean you can't find anywhere else."
Since Sonya shares a similar illness, her favorite charity is St. Jude's Children's Hospital. "I know what those poor kids suffer through daily because I endure the same things. That's why it is my wish to raise a substantial amount of money in order to help the children who have suffered too much. I've donated to St. Jude in the past, but never on this grand a scale." Therefore Sonya has pledged a dollar per every Tides of Time book sold through her website to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She is currently working with country recording artist Steve Azar. Azar and his family have also been lifelong donators to St. Jude. When approached with the project, Steve was enthusiastic and vowed to do whatever he could to help. Not too bad for two kids that grew up along the same river, all those miles apart. Steve and his mother Virgie have been constant reminders that good people do exist. Sonya's book is dedicated to them.
The Childers family is also active in the SOS America charity headed by Kathryn Falk, CEO of Romantic Times magazine, a nonprofit charity supported by American publishers, readers, and authors. The charity's mission is to ship letters and "shoe boxes" filled with supplies and reading materials to our troops in Iraq and in military hospitals. SOS also responds to emergency requests for equipment -- bullet proof vests, two-way radios, and night binoculars. Another important aspect of their mission is to provide aid and encouragement to wounded soldiers arriving from Iraq.
Sonya met Darryl Worley at CMA Fest 2005 and he was thrilled with the idea of Tides of Time! Check out Darryl's Fan Club for more info!
READ WHAT THE COUNTRY IS TALKING ABOUT
“A Novel that makes you laugh, makes you cry and makes you sing.” ~ Kathryn Falk, CEO/Founder of RT BOOKReviews Magazine
“Her hero and heroine…face and triumph over many obstacles in this classic love story set against the backdrop of the country music industry.” ~ Tara Gelsomino, RT BOOKReviews Magazine
“There comes a time when you read a book and you feel like this could be a movie for this is one romance that is at its best. …Not only is it a recommended read, but Sonya Childers knows how to capture a reader’s attention… one’s heart for this one will stay in your heart.”
"TIDES OF TIME is true to life and tastefully written. It has it all: love, passion, tragedy, triumph, and the power of music to bring it all together. I give it * * * * *" ~ Kelly 'MamKel' Kirkpatrick/Music Publisher; Mama Rokz Music/Nashville
“TIDES OF TIME is a spellbinding read. The characters emit so much emotion that the reader is instantly drawn into the story not wishing for it to end. I could feel the pain that ensued with Rebecca. She suffered so much that I wanted her to find happiness. Jason carried so much love for Rebecca it laced through the pages as he fights to regain her trust. Ms. Childers pens an extraordinary book read that is astonishing. She constructs a well-written poignant and heartwarming story that rates 5 cups from Coffee Time Romance. ~ Cherokee Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
After reading this heart-touching tale, I’m so afraid that nothing I say could possibly do it justice. TIDES OF TIME will give readers a healthy respect for not just the men and women who are overseas fighting wars, but also for their loved ones that are left behind. On a lighter note, I was very impressed when I reached the end of the story and read about the ‘bonus gift’ in which country singer Steve Azar endorses TIDES OF TIME. The first 5,000 readers who purchase a copy are eligible to receive a CD single of "Lay Your Heart Next to Mine" from his 2004 release "Waiting on Joe." ~ Chrissy Dionne, Reviewer for Romance Junkies
"Tides of Time is a beautifully woven love narrative that exposes reasons why you must treat every day as if it was your last. The character and story development will draw you in and force you to turn each page seeking the next issue that Rebecca has to live through. The language and examples of culture prove to be authentic while promoting diversity. Definitely a tale that will keep you singing and believing that love does conquer all despite the adversity that one endures." ~ Monique Bruner, Reviewer for Affaire de Coeur Magazine
When the fairy tale comes true is it always a happily-ever-after? That is the question Sonya Kate Childers has for readers of her romance TIDES OF TIME…an enchanting romance with twists and turns that are unexpected as star-crossed loves Jason and Rebecca renew a romance and then deal with the reality of life…TIDES OF TIME is a contemporary romance that takes the best of romance and then gives readers a little something more, creating a wonderful read that will pull at their heartstrings. The only thing that you’ll find wrong is that once it ends you wish the story would continue. ~ Tracy Zappala, Reviewer for E-Romance Writers
I found TIDES OF TIME, to be a very inspiring, captivatingly, heart-wrenching story about two people who find love a second time around only to be separated once more but by different circumstances - the ravages of war time. Sonya Kate Childers, while struggling with a debilitating disease of which in turn can only transcend over into her writing, has done a truly remarkable, no make that spectacular job of combining two very loyal, compassionate and head-strong personalities…I thoroughly enjoyed sharing each of her character’s journeys through their past, present and future relationships and subsequently agree with this comment located at the publisher's site: "Tides of Time is an uplifting, inspirational, and heartwarming read for people of all ages." - Steve Azar, Mercury Records Nashville" and have marked it as a TwoLips Reviews, 5 Kiss recommended read! ~ Reviewer Joni, Two Lips Reviews
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this epic romance…This novel covers a variety of difficult topics—violence, the Iraq conflict, injuries, cancer, alcoholism, mental illness, stardom and murder. I recommend it for book clubs. TIDES OF TIME is full of heart and enthusiasm for her subject matter. Rebecca feels very real and the story is so absorbing I couldn’t put it down until I was finished—quite a feat for what is a fast moving but still pretty long novel! ~ Heather Hiestand, Reviewer for Romance Reader At Heart
TIDES OF TIME is a tale of heartbreak, ambition, redemption and love. Sonya Kate Childers’ debut novel is both tender and poignant. A gripping story of hope, strength and self-discovery, Ms. Childers also focuses on many real life issues such as abuse and addiction, and shows us the courage of the characters and their ability to overcome adversity. This is an author with a real talent for portraying emotion and true-to-life characters. I recommend having a box of tissues nearby when you curl up for this read! ~ Jax Crane, Reviewer, Romance Divas
Having you with me is indeed a pleasure. Please note that due to the tremendous response I’ve had to my site, I am forced to rotate authors I am not commissioned to represent, so please comment back so others will see you've joined us.
Since time immortal, humans have found various ways to communicate. With the advent of writing, civilization as a whole has grown and expanded in knowledge. If it were not for the written word, we would know so little of the various cultures before us, and it is imperative that we too, leave our ‘footprint in the sand’ of history today, enabling future generations to know and understand us.
I do hope you and your friends will visit me at my site, where I feature some of the most celebrated, avant-garde writers, artists, and producers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
So please ensure you peruse some of our forthcoming blogs and bulletins, as I am certain you will be poised to endorse them as well.
"MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS MYRTLES STATUE WAS, THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE, (I GUESS I MUST HAVE BEEN 14 YEARS OLD) I WENT DOWN THE LITTLE WALK WAY TO TAKE A PICTURE OF IT AND WHEN I HELD THE CAMERA UP, IN A FLASH , THE STATUE WHIPPED ITS HEAD AROUND AND GROWLED AT ME, LOUDLY! THEN RESUMED ITS STANCE IMMEDIATELY. THE PICTURE DIDNT COME OUT AT ALL!" Kyng.
Blessings from The Myrtles Plantation Fan Page. Please feel free to submit your own experiences and stories and we will Blog them in our Blog. DON'T WORRY ABOUT SPELLING, WE WILL EDIT IT! It doesn't have to be about the Myrtles. Tell us all your paranormal experiences! MUCH LOVE AND BLESSINGS! KYNG AND KELLY THE MYRTLES PLANTATION FAN PAGE
GOOD AFTERNOON FROM THE MYRTLES PLANTATION FAN PAGE! WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY!
THE TOP PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN BY OUR GOOD FRIEND COURTNEY, AND THE LOWER TWO, WE DON'T KNOW! IF YOU KNOW WHO TOOK THE LAST TWO, PLEASE LET US KNOW! SEE CHLOE ABOVE THE STATUE HEAD? AWESOME CAPTURE! THANKS TO COURTNEY AND WHOMEVER TOOK THE LAST TWO, WE FOUND IN PHOTOBUCKET!
HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAYS, KYNG AND KELLY THE MYRTLES PLANTATION FAN PAGE
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I have new blog up! (For some reason, MySpace hasn't been sending out the little notifications to my subscribers.) So, stop by and take a look at my recent ramblings on the 'Decade of Decadence'. I hope you're having a great 'Hump Day', and I'll talk to you later!