Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 12
June 29, 2023
HER ONLY WISH - Shelley Shepard Gray One Free Book
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author of more than 100 books, including Her Heart’s Desire.Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives inOhio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be foundwalking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.Shelley has made aname for herself writing novels based on the Amish community. Fans have come tolove the sweet tales and tender romances packed within the pages of her books.In January 2023, Gray offered her newest novel, Her Hearts Desire, book 1 in A Season in Pinecraft series. Now Gray invites readers backto Florida for her second volume, Her Only Wish.
About the Story: Sheltered yet adventurous Betsy Detweileris determined to leave Kentucky behind and head back down to Pinecraft,Florida—a town that holds special memories for her. In addition to reconnectingwith her best friends, Betsy has created a “life list” and wants to be sure tocomplete each adventure with gusto.
Near the top of her list is learning how toplay golf. When she enters the local golf course, Snow Bird golf manager AugustTroyer finds himself volunteering to provide golf lessons even though he hasnever taught anyone to play before. He is intrigued by this beautiful younglady who is a mass of contradictions. She is like no one he has ever metbefore.
As Betsy andAugust embark on a month of enjoying life to the fullest, they slowly begin toreveal more about themselves, but this also brings up more unanswered questionssurrounding each of their lives. When both of them encounter obstacles, life suddenlybecomes complicated. They must decide whether they will play it safe or moveforward into unknown territory.
This tenderromance reminds readers that life—and love—require a fair amount of risk.
Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Her OnlyWish? After fighting a series of serious lungailments throughout most of her childhood, Betsy Detweiler is determined tolive her life to the fullest. She returns to the quaint Amish snowbird communityof Pinecraft to visit her best friend and spend some time doing activitiesshe’s always yearned to do. Then she meets August Troyer. August is the childof two devoted missionaries and spent his entire childhood moving from onemission to another all over the world. Now he’s managing his aunt and uncle’spublic golf course. August is charmed by Betsy’s vibrant personality as well asher determination to live her life to the fullest.
As the two grow closer, each wrestle with duty to their families, thewishes and dreams that they hope to achieve, and their desires to be the peopleGod intended them to be. Each begins to wonder if it’s possible to fall in lovetoo . . . or if accomplishing all of their goals only leads todisappointment and heartache.
Your female protagonist, Betsy Detweiler, has created a “life list.”What does this list entail? SinceBetsy feels that she was prevented from doing many “normal” activities duringher childhood due to illness, she worries that she has been missing out. Shecalls her list a “life list” because she’s determined to experience a varietyof things such as playing a round of golf, swimming, or even riding a bicycle.She feels once she experiences these simple things, she’ll finally be “living.”
How did Betsy meet August Troyer and what role did he play in helpingBetsy complete her list? Betsy meets August onthe golf course when he saves her from being hit by a golf ball. Soon heteaches her the basics of playing golf. She, in turn, inspires him to startliving his life to its full potential as well.
An underlying theme of Her Only Wish is learning to takerisks. Can you expound upon this theme? I lovedexploring how each character in the novel defines what a risk is. Some, likeBetsy, view it as an obstacle that might cause physical harm. Others believethat taking risks involves their hearts. Ultimately, each character concludesthat in order to achieve his or her goals, some risks have to be taken. Theyalso learn that they didn’t have to take a risk without support. Each characternot only had people who loved and supported them but the Lord’s enduring loveas well. Are there other lessons you hope readers gain from reading HerOnly Wish? I hope readers will be inspired to givegreater credence to some of their own dreams and wishes. I tried to show thateven small goals and wishes have merit. In addition, I hope my readers will bereminded that they are not alone. If they have faith, then God is always withthem. That certainly helps me.
Her Only Wish is thesecond volume in A Season in Pinecraft series. What was the inspiration behindthis series? An underlying theme in most of my books isacceptance and belonging. For this series, I wanted to highlight three womenwho yearned to be accepted for who they were instead of who everyone elsewished for them to be. Setting this series in sunny Florida has been an addedbonus!
What makes this series stand out from the other books you’ve written?Though I’ve written many trilogies, I feelthis series is particularly close-knit. Each book is intertwined with the othernovels in the series. I’ve created a true community for my characters. I hopereaders will feel like they, too, could enjoy having a season in Pinecraft.
What do readers have to look forward to in the rest of this series?
The series will conclude with Her Secret Hope. It focuses onthe last “wallflower” and is in some ways the most heart-wrenching. I thinkreaders will be rooting for Lilly Kurtz as much as I have been.
What are you working on next? I’mcurrently writing Her Secret Hope and working on the outlines for mynext Amish series. I always write more than one book at a time.
How can readers connect with you? I’mactive on my private Facebook group, Shelley Shepard Gray’s Buggy Bunch. I alsopost frequently on Instagram and Twitter, and send out a newsletter about oncea month. In addition, I love to visit libraries and have been working hard toset up some visits outside of Ohio for 2023. I very much enjoy meeting readersface to face.
Thank you, Shelley, for sharing this book with my readers and me. Ilove books set in Pinecraft.
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 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
June 27, 2023
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.
Perrianne (TX) is the winner of Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley.
Melissa (TN) is the winner of Loving Lydia by Susan Pope Sloan.
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. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.
June 23, 2023
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS - Misty M Beller - One Free Book
Bio:USATodaybestselling author Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories set on the1800s frontier and woven through with the truth of God’s love. Her Southernroots run deep, and she lives in South Carolina with her husband and children.Withnearly a million copies sold, USA Today bestselling author Misty M.Beller has made a name for herself writing engaging historical fiction set inthe American frontier. Now she begins a new historical romance series followingJuniper Collins and her three sisters that is sure to delight her fans and earnher some new ones with Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, book one of hernewest series, SISTERS OF THE ROCKIES.
Aboutthe story: In1837, Juniper Collins and her sisters are shocked by their father’s deathbedrequest for them to return a special set of beads to a Piegan Blackfoot womanhe credits with saving his life during his travels West. Together, the sistersset out for the trapper rendezvous to find the woman, but their mission turns more daunting when they come upon themass of men and lodges spread out in the Green River Valley.
RileyTurner came West to find peace and quiet and live off the land, but when fourunprotected women arrive at the rendezvous, he feels compelled to help them andis more fascinated by Juniper than any other woman he’s known.
Astheir search brings only empty leads and dead ends, the sisters must decidewhether to return East or stay in the mountains to continue looking—and that’sif the mystery woman is even still alive.
Isthe risk to honor their father’s last request worth the danger they find atevery turn?
Discoverthe majesty—and treachery—of the Rocky Mountains in this unique combination ofexhilarating adventure, inspiring faith, and sweet romance from bestsellingauthor Misty M. Beller.
Welcomeback to my blog, Misty. Can you please tell us a little bit about your newnovel, Rocky Mountain Rendezvous?
I’dlove to! It’s the story of four sisters who set out to accomplish theirfather’s deathbed request—returna special set of beads to a Piegan Blackfoot woman who saved his life duringhis travelstwo decades earlier. The sisters head west with the supply wagons bound for the1837 trapperrendezvous to find the woman. But the sight that greeted them in the GreenRiver Valley (inmodern-day Wyoming) was nothing like they anticipated.
MenEVERYWHERE!
RileyTurner is one of the trappers at the rendezvous, and he realizes immediatelywhat kind of dangerthe ladies are in from unscrupulous men in the crowd. He helps them with theirsearch, andthey all find so much more than they expected along the way.
Thisnovel is the first book in your new series, SISTERS OF THE ROCKIES. Can youshare what sparked the idea for this series and what ties each book together?
Theidea initially started with four sisters going west and finding themselves inthe midst of a trapperrendezvous—not the place for unprotected women. The rendezvous was an eventthat happenedevery summer in the Rocky Mountains, usually in the Wyoming area, so each bookin theseries will take place during a different year, featuring a differentrendezvous. Definitely fodderfor fun stories!
Canyou tell us a little about your protagonists, the Collins sisters? What isimportant for readersto know about each sister?
Eachbook features one of the sisters, and this first book focuses on Juniper, thesecond oldest sister.I actually modeled the sisters after my four girls, so I’d planned for Juniperto be like my econddaughter, Haven. As I was writing the story, though, Juniper took on her own personality.
Yournovel centers around a trapper rendezvous in the Rocky Mountains. Can you explainwhat this kind of event looked like on the American frontier?Therendezvous was a sight to behold! Supply wagons would come from the east, andmountain menand natives would come from all throughout the Rockies to trade furs for thesupplies they’dneed in the coming year. This was usually the only opportunity for trading eachyear, so EVERYONEcame, and the camp stretched for miles. This was a great time for friends tocatch upwith one another, and the festivities always included a great deal of drinkingand horse racing.
TheCollins sisters are looking for a Piegan Blackfoot woman who is credited withsaving theirfather’s life. Can you tell us a little bit about the research required towrite this story?
Ilove to read first-hand accounts—journals from trappers and natives and whitemen who lived withthe natives. Since I’ve written so many stories in the Rockies during thisgeneral time period,I’m always looking for new journals! Some of my favorites that helped with theresearch ofthis book are My Life as an Indian by James Willard Schultz and Journalof a Trapper by OsborneRussell.
Howis this series similar or different to the historical romance books you’vewritten in the past?
Allof my books have a strong adventurous feel and are usually set in the RockyMountains duringthe 1800s, so this has all those same components. But this is the first timeI’ve ever writtenthe rendezvous setting, and it definitely adds a unique flavor and freshchallenges. Riley isofficially one of my favorite heroes, and I love how he set aside his plans tokeep the Collins sisterssafe and help with their search. He and Juniper make such a great pair!
Whatdo readers have to look forward to in the rest of the series?
Ijust turned in the second book in the series, Rocky Mountain Promise,and I’m so excited aboutit! It’s Lorelei’s story, the sister who loves animals, and it involves a veryrare white buffalocalf that was considered sacred by Indians and trappers alike. Lorelei’sadventures as sherescues the motherless calf include more than one marriage proposal fromperfect strangers aswell several rifles being pointed her way! I think readers will love it.
Canyou share what you’re working on next?
Ohyes! I’m in the middle of writing a novella that’s part of the HEARTS OFMONTANA series. Readershave been asking for Aaron’s story (the twin brother of book 3’s hero), and I’mso excitedto finally share it. And wow, what a story!
Howcan readers connect with you?
Ilove to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my newsletter,and readers canreceive a free copy of my book, A Pony Express Romance, when they signup for the newsletter.Here’s the link for that: mistymbeller.com/freebook
Theycan also connect with me at these links:
amazon.com/author/mistymbeller
facebook.com/MistyMBellerAuthor
bookbub.com/authors/misty-m-beller
Thankyou, Misty, for sharing this new book with my blog readers. I love every one ofyour books I’ve read, and I’ve read almost all of them.
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.
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
June 21, 2023
WITH EVERY MEMORY - Janine Rosche - One Free Book
Bio: Janine Roscheis the author of the Madison River Romance and Whisper Canyon series of novels.Prone to wander, she finds as much comfort on the open road as she does athome. This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experienceredemption is woven into her stories. When she isn’t traveling or writingnovels, she teaches family life education courses, produces The Love WanderRead Journal, and takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs.Contemporary fiction author Janine Rosche isa master storyteller. Her gift of balancing romance with the perfect amount offamily drama has left readers longing for more. In Rosche’s newest novel, WithEvery Memory, her talents once again rise to the forefront in a talewhere lost memories, buried secrets, and rekindled love meld together to form aheart-gripping drama.
About the story: It has been almost a year since thehorrible accident that not only took the life of Lori Mendenhall’s teenage sonbut also stole eight years of memories from her due to a traumatic braininjury. Now she is returning home—but her life is nothing like she remembered.Her sweet daughter is distant, and her once-loving husband is a workaholic sheisn’t sure she can trust. As memories begin to resurface, Lori begins to wonderif the life she can’t remember is one she’d rather forget.
Avery Mendenhall is dealing with grief inher own way. She has lost her twin brother and her mother has been beyondreach. For the past year, she has retreated to her room for solace and a safeplace to grieve. But life is catching up to her. Her grades and her relationshipsare suffering, and if she wants to graduate from high school, she will need torely on help from her brother’s best friend.
Can the Mendenhalls find a way to reconnectand put aside their fractured and fragile past in order to build a stronger andmore promising future together?
WithEvery Memory offers a powerful, relatable, and thought-provokingstory that touches upon themes of love, forgiveness, and trust.
Welcome to my blog, Janine. Can you please provide a brief summary ofyour novel With Every Memory? At itsheart, With Every Memory is the story of what happens when analready-broken family loses the one person who has been holding them together. LoriMendenhall returns home to a family she barely recognizes after the same caraccident that killed her son stole the last eight years of memories from her. Lori’sonce-loving husband is a stoic workaholic with questionable intentions, and herteenage daughter has been chewed up and spit out by the world following theloss of her twin brother. As Lori’s memories—both good and bad—resurface,she’ll have to decide whether the family she’s returned to is beyond hope.
What was the inspiration for With Every Memory? I wrote this story at a time when several of my friends were fightingto save their marriages. It was heartbreaking to see their struggles, but theworst part was the judgment that came from the people who should have been mostsupportive in the couples’ time of need. I wrote this story to honor the gritand determination of those who give their all—time, energy, tears, prayers,etc.—to keep their families together, whether they are successful or not.
One of your female protagonists, Lori Mendenhall, has experienced anaccident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. What type of research wasrequired to accurately portray someone who has experienced this type of injury?The best research, aside from experiencingsomething yourself, is to learn directly from those who have experienced it. Iconsulted a friend who kindly shared her healing journey after a traumaticbrain injury. I read books and countless blog posts from people with differenttypes of amnesia as a result of brain injury. Also, I teach the basics of braindevelopment and function through the lifespan in my college courses. For thisstory, I enjoyed diving deeper into this topic and studying the miraculous abilityof the brain to heal, restore, and rewire itself after physical or emotionaltrauma.
Lori has lost eight years of memories. As she uncovers details of herprevious life, she wonders if the life she can’t remember is one she wouldrather forget. How does she deal with these memories as they begin toresurface? Not well. But seriously, Lori has endured somuch tragedy, it’s no surprise her recovered memories cause more stress forher. Within the family dynamic, people and circumstances change over time. TheMendenhalls are no different. Lori is stuck between two different realities.Who she remembers being doesn’t fit in her current world, and she must figurethis out without the one person in the family who had remained stable throughit all—her son, Austin. The positive side of this, of course, is that Lori hasa unique opportunity to view her life with the eyes of an outsider and decideif she wants to do things differently this second time around. You are well known for creating heart-gripping family dramas. In WithEvery Memory, each member of the Mendenhall family is grappling with lossand grief in their own way. What can we learn from their struggles? Humans weren’t created to comprehend death or carry the pain thataccompanies it. We weren’t created to love someone and then lose them in aninstant. I can attest from the losses I’ve experienced that grief can tear youto pieces, especially if blame or guilt is involved. So we cope the best wecan. Rarely do these coping strategies align, which is the Mendenhalls’struggle. That’s why grief counseling is so important! With some professionalhelp, families can understand the basis for the differing coping strategies and,therefore, extend some grace to each other and us.
What other lessons do you hope readers can gain from reading yournovel? Everyone needs a Xander in their life. No,scratch that. Everyone should BE a Xander. Xander Dixon isn’t perfect by anymeans, but he does one thing that puts him above others: he shows up. He makeshimself available to be whatever the hurting person needs him to be. He’s anencourager and friend to Avery. He’s a reminder to Michael of the kind of guyhe once was. He gives Lori the chance to mother someone the way sheremembers—with grilled cheese sandwiches and extra-chocolatey milk. He even letsAnita lecture him so she can feel like she is doing something worthwhile!
What do you love most about writing contemporary fiction? One thing I can’t handle is knowing that someone feels alone when Ican’t do anything about it. That’s why I love giving readers stories aboutcharacters they can relate to, in feeling if not in circumstance. While we maynot have lost a child, had a traumatic brain injury, or whatever thecharacter’s plight is, we know fear, sorrow, shame, heartache, jubilation,love, and hope. It’s my prayer that a story with a hopeful ending willencourage readers to carry on with whatever they are facing with their ownmeasure of hope.
What are you working on next? Irecently made a dream come true by traveling Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles.It was amazing! Now I’m putting all I saw, experienced, and learned into a storyset along the fabled highway. It weaves three different eras together into anemotional tale about how we become who we are.
How can readers connect with you?
Thebest way to get the scoop about new releases, sales, and giveaways is throughmy newsletter. Find it on https://janinerosche.com.
MyFacebook reader group is where the fun happens, https://www.facebook.com/groups/janinerosche.
Ifyou’re passionate about the same things I’m passionate about, such as books,family, travel, and wellness, you’ll love my quarterly digital magazine TheLove Wander Read Journal. Find it at http://janinerosche.com/the-love-wander-read-journal/.
Thank you, Janine, for sharing this book with my blog readersand me.
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 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
June 20, 2023
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 Swindler's Daughter by Stephanie H McGee.
Linda (CA) is the winner of In Search of Forever by Patricia Lee.
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. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.
June 15, 2023
LOVING LYDIA - Susan Pope Sloan - One Free Book
Welcome back to my blog, Susan. Why do you write thekind of books you do? I’m fascinated by real-life stories that aren’t wellknown or something that makes me wonder, “What brought this person to thatplace?” Most of those come from historical events, and being of a romantic nature,I have to put a “happy” spin on it.Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is thehappiest day in your life? What can compare with finding your mate andgiving birth to your children? Those events live forever in our memories.
How has being published changed your life? I’m busierthan ever, even though I’m retired. The need for research and marketing has mecontinually learning new things and sharing with others.
What are you reading right now? A collection ofover-40 romances by Liwen Y. Ho—because a good portion of my newslettersubscribers are mature women, I try to balance out my book reviews with whatmight appeal to them.
What is your current work in progress? I have two: a freebieI plan to offer on my website and another sequel to my series. Both involvecharacters introduced in the series.
What would be your dream vacation? I’m about to takeit—yay! We’re spending a few days in each of four locations—Ireland, Scotland,London, and Paris.
Wow! That sounds like fun. How do you choose yoursettings for each book? The general setting was part of the true story, soI didn’t have much choice in that.
If you could spend an evening with one person who iscurrently alive, who would it be and why? I’d probably choose an expert insome historical period—someone who could share valuable insights into the cultureand everyday life in those times.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? Iwas raised in a singing family, so music will always be part of my life. I alsoenjoy crocheting, riding my bicycle on our local bike trails, and walking inthe park.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how doyou overcome it? Learning to navigate all the new technologies. I usuallytry to learn on my own first, with the help of instructional videos, then callfor help when it’s too much.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? Don’tgive up. Join critique groups, go to conferences, learn the craft and theindustry as soon as you can. I wish I hadn’t stopped pursuing publicationthirty years ago.
Tell us about the featured book. Loving Lydiaruns concurrently with Rescuing Rose but focuses on the widow from theSweetwater Mill and the Confederate soldier—Sergeant Seth Morgan—the womenfound hiding in the cellar in Marietta. Though attraction sparked between themthen, circumstances forced them apart. Months later, they have an encounter inLouisville, Kentucky, and promise to keep in touch as each searches for a familymember. Interesting twists bring them together again, but there are still barriersto their relationship.Please give us the first page of the book.
Friday afternoon, July 8, 1864
New Manchester, Georgia
Hundreds of Union soldiers camped outside the village, theirmere presence enough to set the locals on edge. The anxiety increased whensmall groups of them ventured into the outlying homes to seize food or whateverappealed to them.
Fear pushedLydia Gibson to the hilltop, where she could see the farm below. Rumors at themill had whirred as noisily as the wooden shuttles clacking back and forth in theweaving room. Stories were spreading of Union soldiers preying on helplesswomen.
I should’vestayed home with Millie instead of going to work this morning. Their lack offunds had seemed the more immediate need. Lydia’s job was their only source ofincome, and she needed to keep it, but not at the cost of Millie’s safety. Withall the family members she’d lost over the years, Lydia couldn’t face losing another.
How can readers find you on the Internet? My website is https://susanpsloan.com. I’m on LinkedIn,Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. On Amazon, look for me as Susan Pope Sloanbecause there are other authors with similar names.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing this new book with myblog readers and me.
Readers,here’s a link to the book.
https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Lydia-Rescued-Hearts-Civil/dp/B0BLJ65VJB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1686863072&sr=8-1Leavea 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
June 14, 2023
COUNTER ATTACK - Patricia Bradley - One Free Book
Bio: PatriciaBradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession,Crosshairs, and Deception, as well as the Memphis Cold Casenovels and Logan Point series. Bradley is the winner of an Inspirational Reader’sChoice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award; she was a CarolAward finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies thatdebuted on the USA Today bestseller list. Cofounder of Aiming forHealthy Families, Inc., Bradley is a member of American Christian FictionWriters and Sisters in Crime. She makes her home in Mississippi.USA Today bestselling author Patricia Bradley kicksoff her new Pearl River series with Counter Attack. Infusingheart-stopping suspense, sweet romance, and headstrong characters, CounterAttack is the perfect read for romantic suspensefans.
Can youplease provide a brief summary of your novel, Counter Attack? Just as Alexis Stone steps into her role as the interim chief deputy forRussell County, Tennessee, a serial killer known as the Queen’s Gambit Killerfinds another victim—in her hometown. Alex does not plan on staying in PearlSprings. Her dream is to become the first female police chief of Chattanooga,and she is determined to stay on her chosen career path. But she can’t ignorethe calling card the killer has left behind—a white pawn and a note with achess move printed on it.
Nathan Landry has done well for himself asthe chief of police for Pearl Springs. He can’t believe it when his high schoolsweetheart, Alex, comes back to town. His feelings for her have not changed,and he is more determined than ever to protect the woman he loves.
As the danger mounts and the killer closesin, Nathan and Alex must work together to bring the killer to justice before itis too late.
What doyou hope readers will gain from reading Counter Attack? I think Alexis is a good example of someone learning to trust becauseshe’s afraid of commitment. She lost her parents young, her grandfather has abad heart, and the only way to protect her heart is to not give it to anyone.She prides herself on her independence—she doesn’t need anyone. In the courseof the story, she learns no one is self-sufficient. She learns to trust Nathanand accept his help and his love.
Counter Attack
is the first bookin your Pearl River series. What inspired the idea for this series? For the series asa whole, I wanted to write a story set in the mountains around Chattanoogaabout a woman who works for the sheriff’s department of a small Tennesseecounty. The story idea for Counter Attack came as I read anewspaper report about a serial killer in Louisiana at around the same time Iread the book The Queen’s Gambit. And then “what if” started playing inmy mind.What can readers expect in the next twobooks in the series? Thesecond book involves a thirty-two-year-old woman who witnessed the murder ofher parents as an eight-year-old. She was whisked her away to Montana and hasno memory of her early childhood or the murder. Her search on one of the DNAsites brings the killer to Montana, and she flees to Pearl Springs to find herfamily only to have the killer follow her there. Mark Lassiter saves her lifeand is drawn into the cold-case murder of her parents.
The third book will feature Deputy AllisonQuinn, who discovers an assassination plot to kill a candidate who is runningfor governor when the campaign stop comes to Pearl Springs. She will crossswords with a TBI agent assigned to protect the candidate.
What would you say is the element or themethat connects the books in the Pearl River series? The closeness thatsmall towns have and how in Pearl Springs it’s God first, followed by family.
What do readers have to look forward to infuture books of the series? Brave heroes and heroines in the smalltown of Pearl Springs on the banks of the Pearl River who encounter and outwitvery smart criminals.
What type of research was required for CounterAttack? First,I had to refresh my knowledge of chess since it’d been many years since I’dplayed. I also connected with a fabulous chess master who talked me through thedifferent moves the killer would use to taunt police. I also dipped my toe intothe dark web, and that was an eyeopener. For one thing, the dark web isn’t allbad. Many people in countries where their emails are monitored use it tocommunicate with the outside world. But of course, that wasn’t how I planned touse it, so I had to investigate the way criminals use the dark web.
Your two protagonists, Alexis Stone andNathan Landry, reconnect in Pearl Springs. How were these two charactersconnected in the past? Alexis and Nathan were high school sweethearts, buttheir relationship was doomed from the beginning. He has a heart for the smalltown of Pearl Springs while she wants the bright lights and opportunities of abig city.
What do you love most about writingromantic suspense? Ilove the fast pace of the story with all the twists and turns and the way theromance allows the reader to get a glimpse of who the characters are and whatthey want.
What are you working on next? Right now, I’mworking on the second book in the series, working title Counter Strike.Mark Lassiter, Russell County’s K-9 officer in Counter Attack,gets his own story involving a cold case and a woman he’s not sure he cantrust, especially with his heart.
How canreaders connect with you?
Website: https://ptbradley.com/
Blog: https://ptbradley.com/blog/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTBradley1
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2S6DKGY
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/patricia-bradley
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789445.Patricia_Bradley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
Thankyou, Patricia, for sharing Counter Attack with my blog readers and me. Ilove your suspense novels.
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.
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June 13, 2023
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.
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June 9, 2023
IN SEARCH OF FOREVER - Patricia Lee - One Free Book
Welcome back. Patricia. God has really been moving inyour writing life. What do you see on the horizon? God has indeed blessedmy writing, beyond what I ever dreamed could happen. I’m older now and don’tknow how many stories may be left to write. I could stop writing now and becompletely satisfied. But God willdecide that for me.Tell us a little about your family. I’m married to myhusband of 48 years this July. We reared two children—a son who is almost 40and working as an aid to those with disabilities. My daughter is an artist. Her medium is colored pencil and her subjectsare critters of all kinds.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?I read a lot of Christian fiction. Reading helps to hone my own writingskills. Studying how someone else wrotea scene helps me improve my own scenes. There’s something about absorbing someone else’s prose that lendsstrength to my own. A writer who doesn’tread is a writer who doesn’t publish.
What are you working on right now? I have a women’sfiction tale set on a fictitious island in the Strait of Georgia, BritishColumbia. This story involves blackmail,conflict between heirs, and a child in danger.
What outside interests do you have? I scrapbook, playpiano, bird watch, and love flowers.
How do you choose your settings for each book? Thesetting is usually dictated by the storyline. One of my books was about wildhorses so I had to have the characters live in a region where horses couldroam. Another book involved commercial fishermen where they were stuck in DutchHarbor Alaska.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person,who would it be and why? I’d like to spend time with Mary, mother of Jesus.When I think of her and the courage it must have taken to rear Jesus, watch himdie, and go on living after the crucifixion, I stand in awe of her.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before youstarted writing novels? Marketing my books has taken me bysurprise. That’s is a third career in itself. I’m not good at it and it claimsa lot of time.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
I’m having some severe mobility issues, and I’m learning howto trust the Lord for each day.
What are the three best things you can tell other authorsto do to be successful?
*Never,never, never give up.
*Praybefore every writing session. Let God direct your writing. Don’t miss a day.
*Involveyourself with other writers. Draw from their strength.
Tell us about the featured book. This story takesreaders back to where the Mueller Rescue Ranch began. Jayden Clarke, the fosterchild in the original story Love Calls Her Home is now grown andreturned from a tour in Afghanistan. He’s been wounded and has not fulfilledhis dream of following in his father’s footsteps, so he is disillusioned andunsure of his future. His high school best friend Baylie Summers is waiting forhis return, her own recent past full of regrets.
Back Cover Copy
Can they bridge the long gap in their friendship?Growing up Jayden Clarke dreamed of becoming a Marine likehis late father, who was killed in Afghanistan when Jayden was nine. His fosterdad, Kurt, was also a decorated soldier. But his own encounter with a narrowlymissed IED in Afghanistan leaves Jayden wounded and honorably discharged. Hereturns home defeated, his dream destroyed, not certain what his future willhold. Who will he become now? Is there anyone he can turn to?
Baylie Summers, two years out of college, has returned tothe Mueller Rescue ranch where her best friend Jayden Clarke once lived as afoster teen. She hasn’t seen him since they graduated six years ago but she’sthrilled when she lands the job as the ranch’s fundraising newsletterwriter. Seeking refuge from the stormsof life, Baylie waits for Jayden to return home, hoping he’ll have wisdom tohelp her recover from past incidents she wants to forget. Once a foster childherself, she fears Jayden might not like the woman she’s become. Will tellingher secret make her lose Jayden forever?
Please give us the first page of the book.
CHAPTER ONE
“Stay low, Private.” Jayden Clarke rolled the injured maninto a rocky outcropping along the side of the Jalalabad-Kabul road and pattedhis shoulder. “I’m going back up.”
“No, Clarke!” The man rasped. “You’ll be a target.”
Jayden ignored his plea and turned away, crawling toward theburning Humvee in which he and four others had been riding only moments before.One wheel caught only a minor shock of an IED blast, but the vehicle hadoverturned, throwing them out. Enemy fire pelted the air above causing debris tochurn like a sand storm. His courage waned the closer he got. An image of hishero dad flashed before his eyes. Had Dad braved a hailstorm of bullets likethis when he was pinned down by enemy fire? Did he feel death coming at him?Did he persist in spite of it all? Jayden swallowed.
I will make you proud.
He dismissed the images and focused on his target. Were anymore men stranded beneath the vehicle’s overturned frame? Dust choked the air,making him wheeze. He slithered on his belly toward the wreckage, squintingthrough the cloud of smoke.
Steadying himself on one knee, he scanned the area for other survivors. Seeingno one he turned to go back the way he came. Before he could clear thepavement, another deafening blast rocked the ground. The Humvee rolled to itsback in the force of this new explosion, catching Jayden’s right leg beneathits front tire. He screamed, the weight of the vehicle against his thighpinning him to the ground. Pain raced up his calf, knee throbbing.
He tried to see through the haze, his safety glasses askewon his nose, but countless fragments flew from the cloud of smoke and blindedhim. Shapes danced like images in a fun house mirror, grotesque figures thatlaughed from the reflection. In a last effort to make sense of what he saw hesquinted, collapsing as everything around him dissolved to shades of gray.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook: @patricialeebooks
Website: www.authorpatricialee.net
Twitter @lee_patricia__
Linked In: Pat Lee
Thanks, Patricia, for sharing In Search of Forever withmy blog readers.
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
June 8, 2023
THE SWINDLER'S DAUGHTER - Stephenia H McGee - One Free Book
Bio: Stephenia H. McGee is the award-winning author of many storiesof faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South, including TheSecrets of Emberwild. When she’s not reading or sipping sweet tea on thefront porch, she’s a writer, dreamer, husband spoiler, and busy mom of tworambunctious boys. She combines history, intrigue, and romance in her new novel, TheSwindler’s Daughter. Set in the Deep South, this captivating tale followsthe path of an aristocratic young woman as she copes with life-changing circumstancesand discovers a family she never knew existed.
About the Story: A high-society lady,Lillian Doyle has only her widowed mother for family, believing her father diedmany years before. But her world is completely changed when she learns that herfather has only just passed—in jail. Not only is she shocked by this news, but shealso learns she is the heiress to all of her father’s earthly possessions,including a run-down house and a business.
After Lillian travelsto rural Georgia to take possession of her “new” home, she learns there is onesmall catch—a woman is already living in the house, and she insists that it belongsto her son, Jonah. The inherited business is also more than meets the eye andhas put Lillian into a treacherous situation.
But she isn’t ready to give up on her strange inheritance. With thedanger comes the possibility of truth and independence, and she is determinedto have both. To do that, she’ll have to turn her enemies into allies,including Jonah, an unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.
Welcome to my blog, Stephenia. Can you pleaseprovide a brief summary of your new novel, The Swindler’s Daughter? TheSwindler’s Daughter is about a young woman who spent her entire lifebelieving she was a widow’s daughter. When she discovers that her father hasrecently passed—in jail—her carefully ordered world begins to unravel. Shetravels to a backwoods Georgia town to settle her father’s estate, only todiscover she’s become a rather unusual heiress.
TheSwindler’s Daughter offers a complicated family story.What was the inspiration for your novel? Family can be complicated. Thereis the family we are born into, the people who raise us, and those we choose tolove. The people closest to us can at times cause both the greatest joys and thegreatest frustrations in our lives. In this book, I wanted to highlight familyties and complicated relationships and show how learning the truth and thestories of the past can shape how we see the future.Yourtwo main characters, Lillian and Jonah, are very different. What ties themtogether? Theyare very different! Lillian was brought up by a strict mother whose chief goalwas to further their social standing and station in life. Jonah became theprimary provider for his mother and sisters at a young age, and he is ahardworking man who values family. But underneath all of their differences,they share a common faith, a love for chasing dreams, and a desire to belong.
BothThe Swindler’s Daughter and your previous novel, The Secrets ofEmberwild, feature women who desire independence. What inspires you to writeabout empowered women? I love strong heroines. Strengthcomes in many facets, and where Nora from TheSecrets of Emberwild was fierce and opinionated, Lillian is quietly firm.She takes each challenge as it comes and faces it with steel in her spine. I’minspired by women like that, having been raised by a mother who portrayedcourage, determination, and strength of character to me each day.
Whattype of research was required to accurately portray the setting and time periodfor The Swindler’s Daughter? This one required a lotof research. I can’t give away too much about what kind of business Lillian’sfather was into, but I did end up buying seven different research books on thesubject as well as spending hours in online research. On top of that, this isthe first novel I’ve written this deep into the 1900s at a time when technologywas just starting to pick up steam. I had to research everything fromautomobiles to what kind of stoves and refrigerators people had. What do you hope readers will gain from reading TheSwindler’s Daughter? Thisis a story of family, faith, and discovering your purpose. Lillian struggleswith reconciling all of her own plans and expectations for her life with thewild, adventurous, and rather surprising plan God seems to have. I hope readerswill see a little of themselves in her and explore some of these same themesabout God’s perfect—if sometimes not at all what we expected—plans for ourlives.
What do you love most about writing historicalfiction? I really enjoy the researchand imagining what it might be like to live in those times. The fashion andstyle of the early 1900s was classy, and there was a sense of new beginningsstirring at the turn of the century. I enjoy immersing myself in those simplertimes before television and cell phones and creating a story deeply set in therichness of history.
What are you working on next? I just finished writing a novel about a showboat seton the Mississippi River in 1923. There are glitz and glam, a close-knit,quirky family, and a quiet accountant whose entire world changes when heencounters the fiery young singer who rules TheRiver Queen.
How can readers connect with you? I love talking to readers! You can find out moreabout me on my website, StepheniaMcGee.com, and you can connect with me anytime on Facebook (@StepheniaHMcGee) and Instagram (@StepheniaHMcGee).
Where can readers purchase a copy of TheSwindler’s Daughter? The best place to get paperback copies is from Baker BookHouse, https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492093. They offer some pretty amazing discounts (and freeshipping!) on pre-orders and new releases. You can also purchasepaperbacks and ebooks from your favorite bookstore, including Amazon, Barnesand Noble, and Christian Book.
Thank you,Stephenia, for sharing this book with my blog readers. I know they will loveit.
Readers, 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 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
