Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog
March 25, 2025
January 21, 2025
A CALCULATED BETROTHAL - Denise Weimer - One Free Book
Bio: Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporaryromance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editorand the Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A mother oftwo wonderful young adult daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate,and old houses.Welcome back, Denise. Why did you become an author? Isensed the call to write ever since I was in middle school and the trips I madewith my parents to historic sites inspired stories in spiral-bound notebooks. Iknew this was how God had gifted me—absorbing details, nuances of character,and blending them using right-brain creativity with left-brain research andorganization. Being an author allows me to bring the past alive and His loveand healing to readers through story form. Being an editor also allows me tohelp others hone the same skills.
If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job? Ivery nearly went into historic preservation and restoration. Old homes andbuildings tell such fascinating tales, just like books.
If you could have lived at another time in history, whatwould it be and why? I find American history fascinating during the yearsthe nation was gaining independence and expanding, especially along the Easternfrontier. That time through the Civil War resonates most with me, although Ialso enjoy later periods of history as well. There would be something to besaid for living in the Edwardian era through WWII when the old ways and mannerswere still practiced but some modern conveniences were to be had.
What place in the United States have you not visited thatyou would like to? The Grand Canyon and a snowy resort and Christmas townin Colorado.
How about a foreign country you hope to visit? Idon’t see any international travel coming in my near future, but my top pickswould be Scotland, Switzerland, or a return to Italy or Spain.
What lesson has the Lord taught you recently? My lifehas changed so much and there have been so many lessons in the last year, Icouldn’t begin to name them all. But through it all, the biggest lesson is thatHe’s faithful.
That is so, so true in my life, too. Please tell us aboutthe featured book? The death of her titled husband means that not only isTabitha Gage no longer a lady—but she’s also abandoned on an isolated SouthernGeorgia plantation on the eve of revolution. With the fine house and fieldssold to a neighbor, she’s left with a log cabin on unsettled timber land. Ratherthan marry the neighbor’s son, Tabitha determines to make her own way—and neveragain be shackled to a man she doesn’t love.
Sergeant Edmond Lassiter is one assignment away frompromotion when he comes to the aid of a red-haired beauty fending off cattle rustlers.Thrown together during an attack at a nearby fort, the Patriot scout andLoyalist widow are surprised by the values they share—including honesty,loyalty, and equality. When Edmond learns the same man who ruined his family isafter what little Tabitha has left, he convinces her they should work togetherto make her land profitable—all while fighting off the British from EastFlorida and her greedy neighbor, who sabotages their every effort to succeed.Their work together will be a business arrangement…nothing more. But as aBritish invasion threatens, the truth soon becomes clear—continuing theconnection between them will risk far more than their hearts. Please give us the first page of the book.
Early February, 1777
The morning she awoke at home after the funeral of herhusband, Lady Tabitha Gage opened her eyes to bright winter sunlight andshuddered—with relief. She was free.
But a lady no longer.
Terror quickly replaced the relief.Free, yes, but also alone on a thousand-acre South Georgia rice plantation.Across the Altamaha River, Creek and Seminole Indians roamed the no-man’s landof tangled swamps and bogs, allied to the British who held East Florida. LordRiley’s allegiance to the Crown had not excluded his cattle from being raided.Should an invasion come, it would not protect this plantation,either—especially now he was gone. After Henry’s name appeared on the St.Andrews Parochial Committee’s list of twenty-nine suspected Tories last autumn,River’s Bend was equally susceptible to Patriot retribution.
And yet it was to River’s BendTabitha had returned—fled, more like—the day after she’d seen Henry laid torest in the Christ Church burying ground. Keeping up appearances in Savannahhad required more fortitude—and fortune—than she possessed now. Not to mention,her twin, Temperance, was too apt to see past Tabitha’s façade. And theirfather, too apt to pull her back under his control.
Tabitha sat up but clutched thecovers beneath her chin, not yet ready to relinquish their warmth for the chillof the January morning. Maybe she could stay here all day.
When she’d first set eyes on hernew husband’s country house, she’d cried. The white frame home with its twotiers of piazzas and saltbox-style extension in the rear set among the liveoaks and palms appeared so parochial in comparison to his elegant brickSavannah residence. What a little fool she’d been. Her upstairs room with itstwelve-foot ceilings, walnut furniture, and tapestry curtains and counterpanehad since become her refuge. Lord Riley had sought her out here less and less frequentlyas his hope for an heir dwindled over the eleven years of their marriage.
And now the burden of thatexpectation was gone, along with the silent judgment of the man who’d imposedit. She knew not whether to stretch her shoulders with the relinquishment orcontinue to cringe under the accusation she’d come to expect. Her own headsupplied it in the absence of Henry’s voice. What kind of wife was she to notmourn her husband?
Buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/Calculated-Betrothal-Scouts-Georgia-Frontier-ebook/dp/B0D577ZJ1B/
How can readers find you on the Internet? Connect with Denise here:
Readers, leavea comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Voidwhere prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf ofthe enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaininglocal/federal/international laws.
Theonly notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz,Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leaveyour comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
January 7, 2025
Today is release day for MAGGIE'S JOURNEY
This is a second edition of an award-winning book that released 15 years ago.
Excerpt:
“Mrs. Caine.” Angus McKenna came to an abrupt stop andcleared is throat before starting again.“I’ve come to ask you something that . . . I never dreamed I’d . . . ever askanyone.” His voice rasped, and he stopped to take a gulp of air, staring offinto the distance.
She couldn’t take her eyes from him, even when the babyin her arms squirmed. “How can we help you?”
New tears followed the trails down his cheeks anddisappeared into his beard. He grabbed a bandanna from his back pocket and blewhis nose with one hand. “I’ve just lost the most important thing in my life.”He paused and stared at the ground. “I don’t know how I can go on without her.”His voice cracked on the last word.
Once again he paused, but much longer this time. Hisprominent Adam’s apple bobbed several times. “I’ve been crying out to God, butI don’t think He’s listening to me right now. If He were . . . ”
What a thing for a man to admit to them. Florence knew he must be near a breakdown. He did needhelp, but what could they do?
“I’ve decided . . . it would be best to find anotherfamily to raise one of my girls.” He stood straighter. “I’ve watched you withMargaret Lenora . . . ”
“Is that what you’ve named her?” Florence gazed at thesleeping baby, and her heart ached for the child. To grow up without a mother.
“Yes.”
Angus looked straight at Joshua, and her husband gave aslow nod. “Your husband has told me . . . how much you’ve wanted a child.”
For a moment, anger flared in her chest. Joshua shouldn’tshare her secret with anyone. She took a deep breath to keep from saying somethingshe’d regret. Even though she didn’t even look at her husband, she could feelhis gaze deep inside. She was grateful he couldn’t see the ugly jealousy andcovetousness that resided there.
“What I’m trying to say, Mrs. Caine, is . . . ” HisAdam’s apple bobbed again. “Would you consider adopting one of my daughters andraising her as your own?” He snapped his mouth shut and just stood therewaiting, staring at the ground and clinging to the tiny baby in his arms.
As her own? Wasthis God’s answer to her prayer for a baby? Itcould be. She knew she should try to encourageMr. McKenna to keep his daughters. He might marry again and want all three of
them, but she pushed those thoughts aside before theycould take root. This might be the only chance she would ever have for a child,and she didn’t want to lose it. Finally, she turned her attention towardJoshua.
“I’ll be happy with whatever you decide, Florence.” Lovepoured from her husband and enclosed her in its warmth.
How could she refuse? She held this precious bundle closeto her heart right now, and she didn’t want to ever let her go.
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magg...
About the book:
The stories of these identical triplets percolated in myheart and mind for several years before I put them on paper.
If I’m setting the story in an actual city instead of afictional one, I want to find pictures or descriptions of that city. WithSeattle, Washington Territory, in 1885, I had trouble finding any information.I did know a lot about wagon trains on the Oregon Trail, so I didn’t havetrouble with the Prologue. With Chapter 1, I came to a standstill.
I knew most libraries had Adult Research Librarians. So Icalled the Seattle library. I told the ARL that I didn’t want her to do theresearch for me. I just wanted her to point me in the right directions to findwhat I needed.
Their library had digitized thousands of historicalphotographs. She sent me the link to where they were stored, by decade. Theinformation with each photo included who took the picture and the names of thepeople in the picture, as well as the street names and names of the businessesif they weren’t on the building.
This was like a gold mine to me. I went to the 1880 decadeand went through the photos, printing the ones I needed to recreate the city. Everythingin the book, besides the business of my characters are actual businesses in1885. And the mayor and his wife who attended Maggie’s birthday party were theactual ones at that time.
This is true for the railroad trip, Denver, and Little Rockas well. I grew up in Arkansas and lived near Little Rock when I was in highschool.
Book 2 in the series, Mary's Redemption, will release in March, and the third boo, Catherine's Pursuit, will release in April.
If you are a member of a book club, I’d be glad to attendone of your meetings on Zoom to discuss my story. Email me at: lenanelsondooley@gmail.com if youwant to book me.
November 7, 2024
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The Love's Road Home Series box set has been selected for a Bookbub Featured Deal. It will be discounted to $0.99 from Nov. 8 - 12 in the US and UK.
Get books 1 - 3 in this bestselling Christian historical romance series! With a combined total of over 1,500 reviews, get three full-length novels at a substantial discount over their individual prices.A Heart's Gift (Love's Road Home Book 1)
Is a marriage of convenience the answer?
Franklin Vine has worked hard to build the ranch he inherited into one of the most successful in the majestic Colorado mountains. If only he had an heir to one day inherit the legacy he's building. But he was burned once in the worst way, and he doesn't plan to open his heart to another woman. Even if that means he'll eventually have to divide up his spread among the most loyal of his hired hands.
When Lorinda Sullivan is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she'll never allow a man to make choices for her again. But without a home in the midst of a hard Rocky Mountain winter, she has to do something to provide for her infant son.
A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect arrangement, yet the stakes quickly become much higher than either of them ever planned. When hearts become entangled, the increasing danger may change their lives forever.
A Heart's Forgiveness (Love's Road Home Book 2)
Accepting an ad for a mail-order bride was supposed to solve her problems.
It's 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when Jeremiah Dennison's good friend and mentor finds himself in need of a nurse, Philip places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite Jeremiah’s protests.
Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. What she finds in Golden is nothing like what she expected, especially not Philip, her expected husband-to-be.
But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden…and tarnish her character beyond redemption.
A Heart's Forever Home (Love's Road Home Book 3)
A single lawyer whose clients think he needs a wife. A woman who needs a forever home...or a forever family...or a forever love.
Although Traesa Killdare is a grown woman now, the discovery that her adoption wasn’t finalized sends her reeling. Especially when her beloved grandmother dies and the only siblings she’s ever known exile her from the family property without a penny to her name.
Wilson Pollard works hard for the best interest of his law clients, even those who think a marriage would make him more “suitable” in his career. And when the beloved granddaughter of a recently deceased client comes to him for help, he knows he must do whatever necessary to make her situation better.
As each of their circumstances worsen, a marriage of convenience seems the only answer for both. Traesa can’t help but fall for her new husband—the man who’s given her both his home and his name. But what will it take for Wilson to realize he loves her? Will a not-so-natural disaster open his eyes and heart?
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Road-Hom...
October 22, 2024
RIVER OF PERIL - Sandra Merville Hart - One Free Book
BIO: Award-Winningand Amazon Bestselling Author Sandra Merville Hart is past Executive Editor for DevoKids.com whereshe also contributed historical articles. She serves on the Planning Committeefor Faith and Fellowship Book Festival. As Treasurer of ACFW Ohio, she hashelped plan writing retreats and other events. Sandra is also a speaker,blogger, and workshop teacher.Sandrais a founding member of The Erasers, a group that encourages and upliftswriters and readers. ERASERS is an acronym for “Edit, Rewrite, And Save. Edit.Repeat. Save.”
Sandrais thrilled that her Spies of the Civil War series was released by Wild HeartBooks in 2022. Book 1 of the series, Avenue of Betrayal, is set in Washington DC in1861. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger (Books 2 & 3) are set inRichmond, Virginia, in 1862. Byway to Danger won the Gold IlluminationAward 2023. Actual historical spies will influence the lives of fictionalcharacters. Books 4-6 in this series are set in Vicksburg, a Southern city theUnion considered a prize it needed to capture. Streams of Mercy, Book 4, was published onMarch 26, 2024.
Sandra has taught at writers’conferences, writers’ groups, and women’s retreats, participated in AuthorPanels, and led sessions at women’s retreats. As Treasurer of ACFW Ohio, shehas helped plan writing retreats and other events.
How did you come up with the idea for this story? Riverof Peril is Book 5 in my Spies of the Civil War Series. We met Felicityand Luke, the heroine and hero in our story, in Book 4, when several friendsare introduced to readers.
Felicity and Luke were already courting and very much inlove in the previous story. I wanted to give them a mighty hurdle to overcomein their relationship. As the story opens, we see Nurse Felicity’s horror when hersoldier beau is among her wounded patients. Unfortunately, the situation worsens—Lukehas amnesia and cannot remember her. The doctor cautions her to allow him torecall those hidden memories on his own, but her secret rips her heart apart.
If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporaryfiction, what six people would you invite and why? What a fun question! Formy contemporary friends, I’d ask them to bring their favorite appetizers forsupper.
I have many writer friends because I’ve been writing foryears. It’s not easy to narrow it down to six, so I will choose some authors I’dlove to talk with again soon—Deborah Sprinkle, Lisa Carter, Ane Mulligan,Sharon Lavy, Sharyn Kopf, and Rebecca Waters.
I’d add one more… Yvonne Lehman, who has gone on to herreward. She was such a sweet, fun, feisty author—and she was such an encouragementto me and hundreds of others. I’m not the only one who misses her friendshipand sense of humor.
Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historicalfiction, what six people would you invite and why? Yes! Let’s have anotherparty for more author friends. For my historical friends, I’d plan a meal with recipesfrom my cookbook written about 150 years ago. These recipes are not always easyto decipher so I’d try them out on my husband first.
However, it’s not any easier to whittle back this list. I’dinvite KD Holmberg, Starr Ayers, Linda Dindzans, Debra DuPree Williams, MistyBeller, and Susan Mathis. And Lena Nelson Dooley, can you come too? 😊
I’d be honored to attend. Many times, people (and otherauthors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your mostdifficult problem with writing at this time in your career? My biggestproblem is that there’s not enough time to accomplish all my tasks/projects. Onemight imagine that writer’s block might attack after the completion of a bookor a series. That’s not the case with me. I’m always planning ahead. Ideas formy next book/project begin to swirl while I’m still writing the last novel. Ican’t wait to begin researching, yet I do think it’s healthy to take a creativebreak. That’s not always been possible.
Writing brings with it many other opportunities and we, asauthors, always seem to have lots of irons in the fire. I try to remember topray for guidance as a new opportunity arises. If I can’t forget about it, Ifeel that God is prompting me to pursue it. If I never think of it again, thenI believe He’s telling me to pass on it.
What I most need to do is to keep my focus on what God wantsme do. Ideas for my next series are taking shape and I’m praying for Hisguidance.
Tell us about the featured book.
Orphaned and alone at sixteen, Felicity hasfound solace in serving others as a volunteer nurse. When she discovers herConfederate soldier beau, Luke Shea, among the wounded in her ward, her worstnightmares come true. Luke's shrapnel wound has stolen his memory, leaving himwith no recollection of their love or his past. As Felicity struggles with theloss of the man she once knew, she turns her attention to the service of herbroken country. But the more she learns about the brutal war, the more sherealizes she can no longer stay silent. She becomes a Union spy, plungingherself into danger.When Luke Shea awakes in a hospital with nomemory of the last five years, he’s shocked to learn he's been fighting againstthe Union he once so strongly supported. And when he learns of his past courtshipwith his nurse, Felicity, he struggles to understand the man he was and whathappened in those missing years. Determined to atone for his Confederate past,Luke also joins the Union cause as a spy.
As danger lurks at every turn, only a Divinehand can not only protect their lives, but give them a second chance for loveand the future they both crave.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Friday, December 19, 1862, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Felicity Danielson hurried through the city streets of Vicksburgin the early-morning fog toward her volunteer job at the City Hospital. Someshops she passed were unlocking their doors for the day’s business, whileothers had been closed since the Union navy’s two-month attack on the city.Ultimately, the Confederates had won the battle, more’s the pity—and not onlybecause Felicity supported the Union. Northern military leaders were toointerested in her city located on a bluff by the mighty Mississippi River to leavethem alone. They’d be back.
Her pace slowed as she approached an intersection. FiveConfederate soldiers headed down the steep sidewalk toward the center of town,another common occurrence in occupied Vicksburg. Some soldiers had left afterrunning the Union ships from the river, and others had replaced them. Shelowered her eyes as their booted steps passed her on the other side of thecobblestone street. If the Twenty-first Mississippi Infantry—her beau Luke Shea’sConfederate regiment—were
How can readers find you on the Internet? I love toconnect with readers. Thank you so much for asking!
I’d love to connect with readers on my blog and Facebook.Follow me on Goodreads and BookBub to find my all my books. Here are my links:
https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7
https://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/_saved/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart
https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sandra-merville-hart
https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart
Thank you, Sandra, for sharing Riverof Peril with my blog readers and me. I know a lot of us will love thisbook.
Readers,here’s a link to the book.
Leavea comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Voidwhere prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf ofthe enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaininglocal/federal/international laws.
Theonly notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
Ifyou’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, orAmazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to beincluded in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
October 21, 2024
WINNERS
IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.
Anne (NM) is the winner of The Light Eater by Dennis Jernigan.
Donna (OK) is the winner of The Wise Guy and the Star by Shannon McNear.
Maryann (NY) is the winner of Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl.
If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble , or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.
Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
October 16, 2024
ONE WRONG MOVE - Dani Pettrey - One Free Book
Bio: Dani Pettrey is the bestsellingauthor of the Coastal Guardians, Chesapeake Valor, and Alaskan Courage series. A two-timeChristy Award finalist, Dani has won the National Readers’ Choice Award, Daphnedu Maurier Award, HOLT Medallion, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award forSuspense. She plots murder and mayhem from her home in the Washington, DC, metroarea.With nearly one million books sold and a Daphne DuMaurier and National Reader’s Choice Award under her belt, bestselling authorDani Pettrey has established herself among the very top names in romance andsuspense. Recently closing out her blockbuster CoastalGuardians series, Pettrey trades the lush coast of NorthCarolina for the scenic desertscapes of the Southwest to launch a brand-new eraof stories with One Wrong Move, book 1 in the Jeopardy Falls series. Featuring anintriguing locale, a new cast of characters to love, always-satisfying romance,and even higher stakes, readers will get to know Christian MacLeod—and the restof his siblings—as they strive to outrun a family legacy of crime within thepages of Pettrey’s newest novel, One Wrong Move.
About the story: Taunting riddles. A deadlystring of heists. Two broken hearts trapped in a killer’s game.
Christian MacLeod waspulled into a life of crime at a young age by his con artist parents. Nowmaking amends for his corrupt past, he has become one of the country's foremostsecurity experts. But when a string of Southwestern art heists targets one ofthe galleries Christian was in charge of securing, he is paired up with agifted insurance investigator who has her own checkered past.
Andi Forester was abrilliant FBI forensic analyst until one of her colleagues destroyed hercareer, blaming her for mishandling evidence. She now puts those skills to workinvestigating insurance fraud, and this latest high-stakes case will test her abilitiesto the limit.
Drawn deep into adangerous game with an opponent bent on revenge, Christian and Andi are in arace against the clock to catch the perpetrator, but the game is far fromfinished, and one wrong move could be the death of them both.
One WrongMove is the first book in your new Jeopardy Falls series. Can you sharewith us what this book—and series—is about? One Wrong Move is about two people with pasts they areashamed of. Both are trying to make it right, but the road they’re taking onlyleads down a dangerous path of lies, riddles, and murder. Only when they comeface-to-face with their pasts are they finally able to move beyond the hurt andheartache and find healing in God and one another.
The last timeyou had a new series starting was back in 2019. How do you feel about enteringa new era of your storytelling with the JeopardyFalls series? Wow! It’s crazy to think it’s been that long.I’m ecstatic to be launching my fifth series with Bethany House. It often seemslike I was just meeting my editor and starting my debut series the Alaskan Courage saga. At other times, Ithink of all that has happened in the last decade—all the amazing booksellers,librarians, and readers I’ve met and been blessed by and the stories I’ve told.Now, launching Jeopardy Falls, I’mfull of excitement and gratitude. I can’t wait for my amazingly supportivereaders to get a new journey to set out on with the MacLeod family.
How manystories can readers expect in this series? Therewill four books in the series. One for each of the four MacLeod siblings, ifthe lost one decides to return home. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see J
How doesthis series stand out from the other books you’ve written? I think the biggest difference is the setting. I’ve always writtencoastal series. I’m a beach girl and love the ocean, so I’ve always set myseries by water, but this time I’ve gone a completely different direction intothe desert. Jeopardy Falls is setin a fictional town in New Mexico. Why New Mexico? Because I lived there forseven wonderful years and fell in love with the Land of Enchantment, and Iwanted the opportunity to share such a breathtaking place with my readers.
At thesame time, what will longtime readers who enjoy your work love about thesebooks as well? The stories are still full of romance,suspense, adventure, those twists and turns that I love weaving in, and, ofcourse, faith. My characters, particularly Andi and Christian in OneWrong Move, are real and raw and hurting. It’s through their journeytogether and the unplanned paths God leads them down that they find whatthey’ve been looking for all along.
Each bookin the series follows one of the MacLeod siblings as they strive to overcome afamily legacy of crime. Without spoilers, can you give us a little backgroundon the family and their history? Thesiblings were raised in Las Vegas by illusionist parents, but beneath the glitzand the charm, their parents were con men, and they forced their children toparticipate in many of the schemes. They just kept pushing until one day they connedthe wrong guy and had to go on the lam. Being raised in cruddy motel rooms,always on the move, always committing whatever crimes they could find to keepthem going, the siblings—now grown—have to live with the trauma they endured askids. Their mother incarcerated and their dad killed in a car bombing, the foursiblings struggle to find their footing. It takes time and some big mistakes oftheir own before they find level footing in Christ. Now, they’ve turned theirlives around and have devoted themselves as private investigators to bringthose pulling cons, schemes, and heists to justice. To work off some of their “red.”It’ll take some rough roads with Jesus to see and accept that they are alreadyforgiven and can let go of that need to prove ourselves worthy.
This booktakes place in the fictional town of Jeopardy Falls. What do you lookforward to readers experiencing about this new locale? A brand-new experience for those who have never experienced theSouthwest. There will be beautiful sunrises over the mountains, purple- andorange-hue sunsets, horses, open land and skies, and a close-knit ranchingcommunity of wonderful and often quirky neighbors.
Throughoutyour career, you’ve highlighted a variety of law enforcement and investigativeprofessions in your books. What kind of research was required to writeChristian and Andi’s characters accurately? Ispent a lot of time researching what private investigators do, the resourcesavailable to them, and the boundaries they can’t cross. It was fascinating anda little crazy to see all they, and anyone who’s good at research, can pull upon an individual. I also read a lot on real-life heists and the insuranceagents who investigated them.
What kind ofreader do you envision will fall in love with Christian and Andi’s story—aswell as the rest of the series? Ithink readers who enjoy sweet romance, fast-paced suspense, and the fun oftrying to figure out whodunit and how on earth the hero and heroine are goingto survive. J
Do you havea favorite character that you’re especially excited for your readers to meet? Greyson Chadwick. He’s surprisingly not one of the siblings, but heworks with them. He’s a man of mysteries I still haven’t fully figured out, soI’m really excited to dive in to his story thread.
One of themain themes in One Wrong Move that bothAndi and Christian must deal with is facing the past to find healing. How do you thinkconfronting old and often painful memories or choices that we’ve made can helpus move forward? I think there’s a place where we shouldconfront past memories and past mistakes, but the key isn’t wallowing there. Icome from a trauma background, so I’m not making light of the pain of anyone’spast, but rather speaking of a lesson I learned in my own life.
I had a lot to deal with and walk through, but at some point, Irealized I needed to stop treading water and to swim for the shore. I feel likethat’s Christian, and once he realizes he’s free to swim to shore, he will.Andi is in a different place with her past, one that keeps her in a killer’scrosshairs. How she deals with it is very different, which made the storyreally interesting for me to write. Seeing how God has different paths ofhealing for each of His children.
What doyou hope readers experience when picking up One Wrong Move? I hope they feel like they’re part of Jeopardy Falls, riding in thecar with Christian and Andi, seeing everything firsthand and experiencing thestory as if they were there. I’ve called my stories “Armchair Adventures” sincemy debut novel, but it’s how I hope my readers enjoy my stories. Going along onthe journey, the ups and downs, and Tilt-A-Whirl moments right from the comfortof their favorite chair with a yummy drink in hand.
How can readers connect with you? I love connectingwith readers. They can email me anytime at Dani@DaniPettrey.com
Visit me onFacebook at DaniPettrey and on Instagram @AuthorDaniPettrey or drop by mywebsite www.DaniPettrey.com and sign up formy newsletter to keep up with all the fun announcements and latest news.
Thank you, Dani,for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.
Readers,here’s a link to the book.
Leavea comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Voidwhere prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf ofthe enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaininglocal/federal/international laws.
Theonly notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re readingthis on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, pleasecome to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in thedrawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
August 27, 2024
CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL ROMANCE GIVEAWAY ALERT! - Only 2 more days to enter
The first edition of my book won a major reader's choice award, and the three other books are wonderful.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card plus FOUR Christian historical romance ebooks by some of our Wild Heart Books authors!
Winner: One grand prize winner of a $50 Amazon gift card plus all 4 books will be chosen at random and contacted by September 10th at 12 noon Eastern.
Entry deadline: August 29th at 12 noon Eastern.
(No purchase necessary. US residents only. Must be over 18 to enter. This giveaway is organized by Wild Heart Books and is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.)
Good luck and happy reading!
��Access entry form at this link to enter:
https://kingsumo.com/g/1jz0qk3/win-4-wild-heart-ebooks-plus-a-50-amazon-gift-card
August 16, 2024
COLD THREAT - Nancy Mehl - One Free Book
Bio: Nancy Mehl is the author of over fifty books, a Parablebestseller, as well as the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a CarolAward, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for twoCarol Awards and the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with herhusband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.With nearly 1 million copies sold, Nancy Mehl hasgarnered a devoted readership with her electrifying romantic suspense novels filledwith treacherous circumstances. Penning the second installment in her newseries, Mehl crafts another spine-tingling thriller that follows two former FBIanalysts—River Ryland and Tony St. Clair—as they investigate cold cases.Perfect for fans of Terri Blackstock, Colleen Coble, and Irene Hannon, Mehl’slatest will keep reader’s hearts racing until the daring conclusion of Cold Threat, book two in the Ryland and St. Clair series.
About the book: Twenty years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines, and theonly evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree inthe victims’ front lawns.
With a suspect behind bars, the killings have cometo an end—or so everyone thought. But now crimes with a similar modusoperandi are happening in a small Iowa town, and a local detective believesthe killer is back and ready to strike again.
With little time left on the clock before they haveanother murder on their hands, private investigators River Ryland and Tony St.Clair must work alongside Tony’s detective father to find evidence that willuncover an evil that has survived far too long.
As the danger mounts and the suspect closes in, itwill take all they have to catch a killer—before he catches one of them.
Welcome back to my blog, Nancy. ColdThreat is book 2 in the Ryland and St. Clair series. What exactly ties the books inthis series together and can they be read as standalones? River Ryland was attacked by a man nicknamed the Salt River Stranglerand left for dead. Her partner, Tony St. Clair, was shot four times whiletrying to save her. Thanks to a stranger who witnessed the attack and calledthe police, River survived. Dealing with PTSD and needing to care for herailing mother in St. Louis, she leaves the FBI. Tony goes with her, talking herinto opening a detective agency where they can continue to use their expertiseand training. Although they profiled the Strangler as a loner, the FBI receivesconfirmation that he had a partner. The Strangler’s protégé sends River amessage, telling her that he intends to finish what the Strangler started. Thisstory continues throughout the series, as does River’s spiritual and emotionaljourney. Each novel in the series can easily stand alone. I hope, however, thatpeople will read all three books so they can follow River and Tony’s story toits completion. In book three, they will not only face the feelings they havefor each other, but they will also finally come face-to-face with theStrangler’s twisted disciple.
The series has cold cases at its center. Whatled you to focus the series on this type of case? : Based on River and Tony’s past experiences as behavioral analystswith the FBI, their interests would be based on their education and talents. Idecided that chasing cheating spouses or working on cases that involve fraudwouldn’t be compatible with their training. Instead, cold cases involving majorcrimes would be their forte. Tony’s old friend from the FBI Academy is now thepolice chief of St. Louis. He sends them cold cases that the department isn’tcurrently pursuing. This gives them a way to use their training as profilersand build their detective agency.
The two continuing characters in this series,River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, each play an important role in this novel. Ifyou could introduce readers to this dynamic duo in three to four sentenceseach, what do readers need to know? RiverRyland was brought up in a dysfunctional home, raised by a father who pastoreda church, teaching that God is judgmental and critical. When he left his familyand ran away with the church’s secretary, River turned her back on God. Shejoined the FBI and became a behavioral analyst, determined to bring justice toa world she believes needs it.
Tony St. Clair was raised by two parents wholoved him—and each other. Through them, he met God and gave his life to Him. Hejoined the FBI because he wanted to follow in the steps of his police detectivefather. From the first moment he meets River, he can’t imagine living withouther.
In this installment of the series, Tony’sfather—a local detective—plays a supporting role. What is the relationshipbetween Tony and his father like? Tony’sfather is his hero. He’s watched his father risk his life for others, and Tonywants to be just like him.
How do you keep readers on their toes whenplotting out a deadly mystery? I seeeach story as a roller coaster ride. The first hill starts the ride and needsto be exciting enough to fuel the rest of the ride. There should also besmaller hills as well as twists and turns to keep readers engaged before thefinal big hill that propels them to the finish.
What is your favorite thing about writingcrime mysteries? Creating a story of good versus evil. I seeit as a war—and I love it when good wins!
What do you hope readers take away fromreading Cold Pursuit? In ColdPursuit, River faces her fears and her anger at God. I hope that readerswill not only enjoy the story but will also relate to River and realize howmuch God actually loves them. I think an important spiritual theme is that it’snever too late to find your way home.
Finally, how can readers connect with you? Readers can reach me through my website: NancyMehl.com or on my blog, the Suspense Sisters: SuspenseSisters.blogspot.com.I’m also active
onFacebook.
Thankyou, Nancy, for sharing this book on my blog. It sounds wonderful, and I love readingyour books.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
Leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads,Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blogto leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s alink: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
July 16, 2024
THE WISE GUY AND THE STAR - Shannon McNear - One Free Book
Welcome back, Shannon. What are some of the spiritualthemes you like to write about? Loss, grief, dealing with past abuse … butalso the majesty and faithfulness of the Lord to carry us through anything,even to bring good from the awful things in our life.What other books of yours are coming out soon? My surprise#4 of Daughters of the Lost Colony, Virginia, releases in September. Itis, of course—if you’re familiar with Lost Colony history—the story of VirginiaDare herself, the first English child born in the New World. This series is properlytermed alternate history because it deals more with what might have happenedrather than what we know for sure.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person(not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? I’d love to have along, leisurely chat with fellow author Lori Benton. I so adore her work!
What historical person would you like to meet (besidesJesus) and why? Right this minute it’s a toss-up between Corrie Ten Boom,C.S. Lewis, and Susanna Wesley … all of them for their faith and wisdom. 😊
How can you encourage authors who have been receivingonly rejections from publishers? Well … as someone who waited for 30 years onmy first publishing contract, I learned that waiting on the Lord is the bestpath—and His timing is always perfect. The process had deeper purpose than Iknew, partly to grow me as a writer and to make my stories “better,” but also toteach me it really is more about the journey than the “destination” of beingpublished. Don’t rush whatever it is the Lord has for you!
Tell us about the featured book. This story was originallypart of Love’s Pure Light, a Barbour Christmas collection from 2020, withSusanne Dietze, Janine Roche, and Deborah Raney. The collection features anheirloom Nativity passed down through several generations, and while the otherthree are back in print, I was not able to get mine released again until now.So without further ado … 😊
Can a chance encounter be the connection they have alwaysneeded?
After the end of the Great War, pastor’s daughter StellaShepherd accompanies her aunt on a business trip by train and meets convalescingwar veteran Nat Wise and his two older brothers. The three men are whimsicallynamed after the gifts of the biblical wise men and dubbed “the Wise guys” bytheir cousins. They claim to be down-and-out soldiers recently returned fromthe front, but they’re surrounded by mystery.Stella secretly carries the family Nativity to comfort herwhile away from family during Christmas. Nat quietly spends his spare timecarving a set of wooden wise men to honor his own deceased mother. To him,Stella is the perfect church girl—darling, but unattainable because he’s donetoo much for God to forgive him.
Stella longs to help Nat find renewed faith in God, butcould he be the answer to the wanderings of her own heart?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Charleston, South Carolina—December 1919
Stella Shepherd stepped inside the huge building of UnionStation, stared about her at the hustling crowd, then lifted her eyes to thearching beams high over their heads. Why had she ever thought she’d be comfortabletraveling so close to Christmas? Away from home. Away from family.
Well, family who extended some modicum of warmth, at least.
“Stella girl, you best get a move on, now!” came the voiceof Old Joe, her aunt’s manservant, behind her.
Stella swallowed hard, took a better grip on her satchel andsuitcase, and fastened her gaze on the retreating form of her aunt, sailingthrough the crowd ahead of her like the battleship she was oft compared to. Butstill she couldn’t move.
This trip was an adventure, Mama said. And surely, if sheand Papa had thought it a bad idea, they’d not have allowed her to go with AuntLila.
Or, as the case may be, let Aunt Lila talk them intoallowing her to go.
“Stella!” came old Joe’s booming admonishment, closer now.
Aunt Lila glanced over her shoulder, her arched brows risingeven higher.
No more hesitation. Stella scurried after her, weavingbetween the other travelers.
The rumble of the steam engine echoed through the busystation and vibrated in the stone floor, growing stronger as she neared thetrain stretching the length of the station platform in front of her.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://www.facebook.com/ShannonMcNearAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/shenandoahdawn/
http://www.pinterest.com/shenandoahdawn/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6880909.Shannon_McNear
http://www.bookbub.com/profile/shannon-mcnear
http://twitter.com/shenandoah_dawn
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00BK9VRZ2
Thank you, Shannon, for sharing this book with my blogreaders and me.
Readers, leavea comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Voidwhere prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf ofthe enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaininglocal/federal/international laws.
Theonly notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook,Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your commentif you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
