Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 13

June 5, 2023

WINNERS

Dear Readers, you feel like family to me. Thank you so much for the prayers. James will have surgery near the end of June.

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.

Sarah  (OH) is the winner of The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.

Diana (SC) is  the winner of In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer.

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.  

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Published on June 05, 2023 08:55

June 2, 2023

VERDICT AT THE RIVER'S EDGE - Colleen Snyder - One Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Colleen. Tell us how much of yourselfyou write into your characters. I write my experiences, my “ideal” self(how I hope I would react to a situation, what I HOPE I would say/do/think.) Ialso write my “real” self…what I actually say, etc. I use my experiences tocreate scenarios, with different outcomes.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Shot a hole through the roof of the Weapons Storage Areawhere I was assigned during my tenure in the U.S. Air Force. Long story, thatone! (And I wasn’t the one holding the rifle at the time.)

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I“bill” myself as a “Storyteller, Writer, Author.” I started telling stories tomy stuffed animals (and my imaginary friends) when I was four(?) I beganwriting in junior high school. I knew then I would pursue it as a career.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoyreading. I read “clean” books of all kinds. I enjoy science-fiction/fantasy,adventure, animal. I am NOT a romance reader. Romance is okay, so long as it isNOT the focus of the story.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Iam retired. I sit and watch the little lizards run around our back yard, orwatch the birds fight for territory. I listen to the sounds of theneighborhood: cows, goats, peacocks (yeah, them too…what they’re doing in thisneck of the woods is beyond me) turkeys, roosters, horses, traffic on the road…Andwhen it gets really crazy, I sit and let the Lord center me. I remember that Hedoesn’t NEED me. He LETS me participate in what He is doing. I remember myplace in His plan, and that takes some of the franticness out of it.

How do you choose your characters’ names? Other thanCollin and one other character, I try NOT to name them after anyone I know. Ido NOT want to be reminded of the real person, either for good or bad. Mostly Imake up names, or find names I don’t think I will ever meet in real life.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Iam proud to be the mother of two children, and the grandmother of two more. Allother “accomplishments” are gifts from the Lord. His accomplishments, workedthrough me. (If He can use a donkey, He can use me!)

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? Adog. I could lie on the couch, get fed my meals, run around in the yard, loveon my people and make them happy by being happy. OR I’d be a hawk and fly.

What is your favorite food? Chocolate. To those whosay, “That’s not a food” I say, “Phooey! It’s an entire food group!”

I agree with you on that. What is the problem withwriting that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Impostersyndrome. “I’m not a real writer. I’m not good enough. God, You should usesomeone better than me.”

I overcame it through obedience. God said, “Write. Write forthe Audience of One…Me. Do that, and I’ll take care of the rest.” He saidwrite, so I write. He said, hone my craft, so I hone my craft. He said publish,so it was published. (Yes, I had to do my part. But all results are up to Him.)

Tell us about the featured book. Verdict at the River’sEdge is Book One in the Collin Walker series. Collin is a social workerin the capital city, working with the street kids. She is damaged goods herselfand knows the streets. But she wants her kids to know something better. Somethingbeyond life and death. In challenging her ward, she is challenged by God toface her fears of the past and the future…real love.

Please give us the first page of the book.

FRIDAY

As soon as Collin Walker’s feet hit the bottom step of thebus, she heard it. The low, pounding, distinctive rumble of a river. A riversomewhere nearby. She froze, overwhelmed by the panicked impulse to fight herway back upstream through the departing campers, dive under the backbench seatand not come out until the week ended. A thought kept circling through herhead: Dear God in heaven, there’s a river.

A hand on her shoulder interrupted her mental breakdown. Avoice dripped sarcasm. “Hey, caseworker lady. You getting off this bus or what?They’s some of us what wants to visit the facilities, you know? Been a longtrip. Move it.”

Life returned to Collin’s feet, and she stepped off the bus,moving aside to let the remainder of the forty odd campers—and their vastlyodder counselors—disembark.

Odder? Is that even a word? Collin shut down the internaltormentors before they could continue. Sane. I will be sane for the remainderof this trip. And you all will keep your comments to yourself.

It might be easier to believe without the cursed cackling inher head. Collin would deal with her demons later. She’d been dealing with themall her life. So what’s another day? Collin leaned against the side of the busto get her bearings and her breath. She wrapped her arms around her chest andbegan slow breathing to bring herself under the rigid control she learned overthe years. In. Out. In. Out. In.

Rob Sider, her ward for the week, stepped in front of her.His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. “Who you fightin’ in there, huh?”

Collin jiggled her whole body to release the tension. “I’mworking on a plan to beat your sorry anatomy in hoops.”

Rob stepped back with half a grin. “No wonder you having atough time of it.”

Collin held a hand in front of his face. “Watch it, bro. Youknow the old saying, ‘He who laughs last—’”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://colleensnyderauthor.com

Facebook: Colleen K. Snyder, Author

Thank you, Colleen, for sharing this book with my blogreaders and me. I am also an avid reader.

Readers,here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Verdict-Rivers-Edge-Christian-Thriller/dp/B0C2SFPMF5/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685721741&sr=1-1

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

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Published on June 02, 2023 09:09

May 29, 2023

THE GENERAL PRINCE AND THE NERD - Cami Checketts - One Free Book from this blog

Welcome, Cami. What are some of the spiritual themes youlike to write about? I love redemption themes because we all needredemption and it’s so touching to be on a journey with a character as theyfeel the light of Christ and the joy of His redeeming power in their lives.

I also love the simplicity and power of prayer. I cannot getthrough one hour without prayer and am so grateful that my Father above isalways there to listen to me and help me no matter how small or massive myproblem is.

What other books of yours are coming out soon? I’mfocused on my Sweet Royal Suspense Romance series for the next few months. Thesecond book, The Brave Prince and the Teacher is written but goingthrough the rounds of edits that are painful and incredible at the same time –kind of like the growing pains of life!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person(not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? Elder Jeffrey Holland.His testimony of the Savior is so powerful, and I am inspired every time Ilisten to him speak.

What historical person would you like to meet (besidesJesus) and why? George Washington. I am incredibly inspired by his braveryand his trust in heaven. None of us would enjoy the freedom (religious andotherwise) that we take for granted every day without him.

How can you encourage authors who have been receivingonly rejections from publishers? I went through five years of rejection. Ithurt and I cried and I am a much better writer because of it. If you love towrite and you know it’s your path, pray hard, work hard, never give up, and noone will be able to stop you from succeeding.

Tell us about the featured book. Prince RaymondAugust, second in line to his twin brother, is head of security and feels theweight of protecting his family and his kingdom deeply. He won’t let anothertragedy occur, not after his own angelic Mum was murdered right under his nose.His pain and grief deepen his resolve to be ever-vigilant, no matter the cost.He especially can’t allow himself to be distracted by the beautiful womanassigned to protect his brother, even if every moment he spends with her feelsmore wonderful and right than the last.

When Macey Clifton is asked to fake an engagement to CrownPrince Tristan to protect him, she knows she’s not cut out for the royal world.She’d prefer to hide behind her unnecessary glasses, frumpy clothes, and hercomputer programs. But no other female warriors are available, so she agrees.To prove to herself that she really is brave, bold, and beautiful, sheimpulsively greets the prince with a kiss when she first meets him. To hergreat surprise, this most incredible kiss of the century turns out to not bewith her fiancé, but with his twin brother, Ray.

Macey and Ray both try to fight their feelings, but can’tresist sneaking glances at each other. As they work together to solve thequeen’s murder and protect the crown prince from anonymous death threats, theyrealize they are falling far too quickly in love.

Will their undeniable attraction, secret rendezvous, andforbidden love blossom into a happily ever after, or only cause a shatteredbrotherhood and longing for something they’ll never have?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Macey Clifton gaped out the window of the silver Audi A8.Her boss, Sutton Smith, drove smoothly through the narrow country road of apicturesque mountain valley, past lakes and fields and the most perfect stonehomes with flower baskets on each window.

Sutton slowed as he reached the far end of the valley andentered the quaint village of Greenville. The row of shops and restaurants,each two stories with balconies and flowers spilling over the wrought-ironrailings, and a perfect stone church with a steeple reaching to heaven, buttedup against a peaceful mountain lake. Above the lake, perched on a green knolland watching over its valley below, was a castle.

A castle! She, Macey Clifton, reclusive nerd who hid fromthe world in Sutton Smith’s basement command center and made sure everycomputer program, security protocol, and all the various surveillance equipmentworked correctly for the hundreds of security details Sutton and his peoplewere undertaking at any given moment, was going to live in a castle with theroyal family of Augustine and pretend to be engaged to the crown prince.

There were many problems with this op, the first one beingshe was a reclusive nerd.

No, the first problem was that Macey had seen a picture ofthe crown prince. “Hyperventilating again,” she muttered.

“Deep breaths,” Sutton counseled, unruffled as ever.

Macey tried. In … and out …

Prince Tristan and each of his five brothers, one of whomwas his identical twin, had been blessed with startling blue eyes, welcomingsmiles, and insanely handsome faces. They were all sought after by gorgeous,influential, accomplished, and powerful women throughout the world.

None of the princes had married yet, even though PrinceTristan and his twin were thirty years old. Macey wasn’t worried about somejealous female trying to take her out, though that was a possibility. She wasconcerned how anybody would believe the ultra-good-looking, wealthy, apparentlycharming prince would choose her. Somehow she had to play the part of confidentfuture princess … future queen … oh boy.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camicheckettsbooks/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckettsBooks/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@camicheckettsbooks

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cami-checketts

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@camichecketts

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cami-Checketts/author/B002NGXNC6

Website - https://www.camichecketts.com

Thank you, Cami, for sharing The General Prince andthe Nerd with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read the whole series. I’dlove to feature each of them with my readers.

Readers, Cami has a$50 giveaway going through June 3rd with her new royal release, and she has afree book, Royal Baby, through today. I downloaded mine from Amazonyesterday.

Camy, please tell my readers how they can enter thegiveaway.

Readers,here’s a link to thefeatured book.

https://www.amazon.com/General-Prince-Sweet-Romance-Suspense/dp/B0C5YFKMG2/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685373693&sr=8-1

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 

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Published on May 29, 2023 08:30

May 28, 2023

WINNERS + Special announcement

Dear Readers, I'm sorry about missing posts last week. My husband had a ministroke, and we spent almost all week in the hospital. A new interview will post tomorrow.

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.

Stephanie (NY) is the winner of A Season at the Grand by Sherri Wilson Johnson.

Brenda  (MS) is  the winner of The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca 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. 

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Published on May 28, 2023 16:22

May 18, 2023

IN THIS MOMENT - Gabrielle Meyer - One Free Book

Bio: Gabrielle Meyer has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writingfiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently residesalong the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husbandand four children. By day, she���s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pensfiction and nonfiction filled with hope. Find her online at GabrielleMeyer.com.

Full of love, courage, and the agony of choice, Gabrielle Meyer���s Timeless series captivated readingaudiences with its intriguing premise reminiscent of Outlander. Sincethe successful release of book one, When the Day Comes, readers haveclamored for a second installment, and now Meyer delivers on this promise with In This Moment. Featuring aunique twist on time travel that fans of history and romance will adore,Meyer���s brilliantly researched and immersive sophomore novel will keep readerson their toes until the unpredictable but oh-so-satisfying end.

Maggie inherited a gift fromher parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up inanother. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeittwo of those lives���and everyone she knows in them���forever. 

With so much on the line, howcan Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Can youplease tell us a little bit about the plot of your new novel, In This Moment? Maggie is born with a gift she inherited from her parents. She lives,simultaneously, in three different time periods: 1861, 1941, and 2001. Eachnight, she falls asleep and wakes up in the next path, rotating through allthree without any time passing in the other paths while she���s away. In 1861,she���s the daughter of a prominent senator, trying to uncover spies in thenation���s capital. In 1941, she���s a navy nurse, caring for her grieving sisterand wrestling with her knowledge about Pearl Harbor after she���s asked to servethere. And in 2001, she���s a medical student, gaining knowledge that she cannotshare in her pervious paths for fear of changing history. Though she has noplans to fall in love and further complicate her decision, she meets a man ineach path that captures her heart. A mysterious British gentleman working inthe White House, a moody and demanding doctor leading the medical crew to PearlHarbor, and a charming young congressman with big ambitions. She must choosewhich path to keep and which to forfeit by her twenty-first birthday. Animpossible decision to make.

In ThisMoment is book 2 in your Timeless series. Can you explain the connecting elementbetween these two books? In the first book, Whenthe Day Comes, we meet Libby who is a time-crosser living in 1774 and 1914.She inherited the time-crossing gift, which is accompanied by a sunburstbirthmark on her chest, from her mother. At the end of When the Day Comes,Libby gives birth to Maggie, who not only has the mark on her chest but anotheron the back of her head. The mark on Maggie���s chest sends her forward from 1941to 2001, and the one on the back of her head sends her back from 1941 to 1861.Which means Maggie has three paths instead of two.

Eventhough they���re listed in a series, do these books have to be read in order orcan they stand alone? These books standalone and do not need to be read in order. However, book one is full of twistsand turns, with a big surprise ending. Book two reveals these surprises right away,so if the reader would like to read book one without spoilers, they might wantto read it first.


Your protagonist, Maggie, must jugglethree timelines and the unique challenges that they bring. How did you balancewriting three equal and fully-formed storylines? It wasn���t easy!I���m a super-plotter. I never start writing a book until I���ve worked out all theplot points. I spent more time plotting In This Moment than anyother story I���ve written! After a LOT of research, I created three historicaltimelines (1861, 1941, and 2001) next to each other, lining up major events Iwanted to include in the story. Then, I plotted each of Maggie���s paths as threeunique stories, making sure they had all the story-structure elements and linedup with the major historical events. Then, I combined all three on aspreadsheet, each in a different color, adjusting them so that each chapterflowed smoothly into the next. Though Maggie lives three different lives, theyimpact each other every day. After I had all three combined into one story, Icreated a synopsis and detailed characters analysis. After I felt like I had agood handle on the story and the characters, I began to write.


Thesetimelines revolve around major events in history���the outbreak of the Civil War,the attack on Pearl Harbor that initiated the US involvement in WWII, and 9/11. What lead you to choose these specificevents as the backdrop for this story? I���ve alwaysbeen fascinated that the American Civil War took place from 1861���1865 and thatWWII lasted from 1941���1945. The similarities in their years were intriguing tome. Then, on September 11, 2001, when we watched the terrorist attacks and Ithought we were entering another war, it didn���t escape my attention that it hadalso started on a year ending in the number one. When I started to brainstorm InThis Moment and decided that Maggie would have three timelines, and theyeach needed to end with the same number, I knew which ones to choose. 1861,1941, and 2001 were intriguing years to study and write about. It was fun toput Maggie in the midst of all of them.


What wasone of the most interesting things you discovered while researching for thisbook? Therewere so many interesting things to discover as I researched 1861, 1941, and2001. One that instantly stands out to me, though, is what I learned about thehistory of penicillin. Since the late 1920���s, Scottish physician AlexanderFleming had been experimenting and treating patients with penicillin mold, butcould not convince other scientists and doctors of its abilities. Eventually,they began to see the possibilities, but could not mass produce it. In 1941,two scientists came to America to see if the United States government wouldmass produce penicillin. Fearing that their bottles of mold would get lost orstolen, the men smeared the mold inside their pockets to travel to the US!Eventually, they worked out a deal with the USDA Northern Regional ResearchLaboratory in Peoria, Illinois, and penicillin began to be used extensively,especially towards the end of WWII. 


Manyreaders have pointed out the rich historical detail that makes this series cometo life on the page. When did your love of history begin? My love of historystarted very early. When I was a little girl, my dad was the caretaker for ahistoric estate on the banks of the Mississippi River in my hometown. I grew upabove the carriage house on the estate and loved living in the shadows of twoVictorian-era mansions. I was also homeschooled, and my mom fostered my love ofhistory. She took me to the local historical society to volunteer at a veryyoung age. I eventually went on to work there, and then in high school, Istarted to work for the Minnesota Historical Society at the Charles A.Lindbergh Historic Site, which is also in my hometown. Along with my work, Iloved reading historical fiction and reading research books for fun. I was notyour typical teenager!


What sparked the idea for a series withsuch a unique concept of time travel? The idea was born one day when I wasthinking about the Outlander books, and other time-traveling stories. Inmost, a character accidentally falls through a portal in time and then races toget back to their ���normal��� life but meets challenges along the way. Eventually,they usually find a reason to love the time period they fell into, and itcauses a conundrum. Which do they choose? It made me wonder: What if someonewas born with two different lives and had to choose between them at acertain age? My mind immediately began to spin with ideas, and the three booksin the Timeless series were born.


What doyou hope readers take away from reading In This Moment? As I wroteMaggie���s story, the theme that kept presenting itself to me is that of faith.Often, we are presented with choices in our life, but don���t know which way togo. Many times, we are required to take a step of faith, hoping and prayingthat we are doing the right thing. In my own life, I���ve realized that when Imake a decision, it should always be made in faith and not in fear. This issomething that Maggie is called to do repeatedly. It is my hope that readers ofIn This Moment will identify with this struggle in Maggie���s lifeand have the courage to take their own steps of faith.


Will there be another book in this series?

Yes. There will be a total of three books in the Timeless Series. Book three will releasein May 2024.


How can readers connect with you?  I love hearing from readers! The easiest wayto send me a message is to contact me through my website, www.gabriellemeyer.com. You can alsosign up for my newsletter there. I send it out four to six times a year. Theother way is through social media. I���m most active on Instagram@gabrielle_meyer or on Facebook at Gabrielle Meyer, Author.


Thank you, Gabrielle, for sharing InThis Moment with my blog readers and me. I���m eager to read the book, whichI will do after I meet my next book deadline.

Readers, here���s alink to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=in+this+moment+gabrielle+meyer&crid=XVKS4HSSEOGA&sprefix=In+This+Moment%2Caps%2C121&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14

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 enterer in 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 

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Published on May 18, 2023 08:47

May 16, 2023

THE HEART'S CHOICE - Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse - One Free Book

TracieTracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the award-winningauthor of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid researchresonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their homein Montana.

Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestsellingauthor of more than 25 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incrediblehusband of 30-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together,spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history aroundthem.

Booklist referred to Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse as a “dynamicauthorial duo.” They once again prove their mastery of the historical romancegenre in The Heart’s Choice, the first book in The Jewels ofKalispell series. Set in Kalispell, Montana, The Heart’s Choiceoffers a romantic tale which culminates in a daring and intense raceagainst time. This book released today.

About the Story: As a young girl,Rebecca Whitman witnessed a wrongful conviction of a person she knew was blameless.This incident impacted and changed the tide of her life and made her determinedto fight for and defend the innocent. As an adult, she has taken on the role ofthe first female court reporter in Montana. She is paid to record trials—but not to have an opinion. Whena guiltless man is condemned, Rebecca’s investigative nature leaves herunsettled, and she will do everything in her power to right the wrong.

KimberleyMark Andrews arrived in Kalispell as a teen. His father, awell-respected man in the community, had built up a large and successful ranchand planned to have Mark take over operations when he returned from college.But Mark prefers to wrangle books not cattle. He has accepted the job as the librarian of the brand-new Carnegie library. He loves whathe does and is intrigued when patron Rebecca Whitman seeks help with researchin order to prove a man’s innocence.

Can Mark convince his dad that what he does is important andvital while also helping Rebecca find the evidence needed to free an innocentman before it is too late?

Escape to the lush Montana countryside for a heart-grippingstory of mysteries solved and justice prevailing from the pens of bestsellingauthors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.


Can youplease provide a brief summary of your novel, The Heart’s Choice? They must uncover the truth before it's buriedforever.


After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca Whitman—thefirst female court reporter in Montana—is now determined to defend theinnocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about thecase, but no one except the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.


Mark Andrews's father sent him to college hoping he would take over thebusiness side of the family ranch, but Mark would rather wrangle books thancows. When a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man'sinnocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.
In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark find the evidence they need—andopen their hearts to love—before it's too late?


TheHeart’s Choice is the first book inThe Jewels of Kalispell series. What is the connecting element for all of thebooks in this series? We’ve used threefascinating historical landmarks in Kalispell. The Carnegie Library, which isnow the Hockaday Museum; The Great Northern Railway Depot, which is now theChamber of Commerce; and the McIntosh Opera House, which is still there, butneeds renovation and is unopen to the public.


What wasthe inspiration for The Heart’s Choice? We have lots of inspirations for our books. Tracie and I have a blastwhen we brainstorm and research together. But for this book, two big ones stoodout: One was the unique landmarks we used—in this case the brand-new CarnegieLibrary. The second was to have our heroine be a court stenographer and lovemysteries.


Yourfemale protagonist, Rebecca Whitman, witnessed a wrongful conviction as a younggirl. How did this event impact her life? Itmade her want to fight for the underdog and always seek justice. So sheventures into the law by become a court stenographer. When she is working on acase in the courtroom in Kalispell, she becomes passionate that a man beingtried for murder is actually innocent.


LibrarianMark Andrew has failed to live up to his father’s expectations. What were hisfather’s plans for him and what route did he choose instead? Mark’s father built a large ranch and longed for his son to continuethe empire. But Mark’s passion is with books and he is the director of the newlibrary.


How doesMark try to convince his father that whathe does is important and vital? Markand his dad have to learn some hard lessons in The Heart’s Choice.The biggest being that loving someone means to support their dreams andpassions.


Rebecca Whitmanand Mark Andrew work in completely different fields. How did their paths cross?Marvella Ashbury (the judge’s wife who willbe in each of the books in this series) is set on matchmaking the two althoughthe young people don’t make it easy in the beginning. But since they both sharea love of books, Rebecca finds herself at the library seeking Mark’s help.Especially when a man’s life hangs in the balance.


TheHeart’s Choice is set in Montana.Why did you choose this location for the setting of your new novel? We both love Montana and, for a few short years, had the opportunityto live less than two miles apart in the Bitterroot Valley. Kalispell is one ofour favorite places.


How canreaders connect with you? Traciepeterson.comand kimberleywoodhouse.com (all our social media links are there!)

Thank you, Tracieand Kimberley, for sharing this new book with us. I’ve always loved every bookthe two of you release, either together or as a single author.

Readers, here’s alink to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Choice-Jewels-Kalispell-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLW9SHRD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38TLCMXLX4NIT&keywords=the+heart%27s+choice&qid=1684250692&sprefix=the+heart%27s+choice%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1

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 

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Published on May 16, 2023 09:00

May 15, 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.

Cherie (FL) is the winner of Windswept Way by Irene Hannon.

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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.

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Published on May 15, 2023 14:07

May 10, 2023

THE LONG MARCH HOME - Marcus Brotherton - Tosca Lee - One Free Book


Marcus Brotherton
isthe New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and WallStreet Journal bestselling author or coauthor of more than twenty-fivebooks that have been called “fascinating,” “brilliantly arranged,” “magical,”and “refreshingly frank.”

Tosca Lee is the New YorkTimes bestselling author of twelve novels, including The Line Between,The Progeny, The Legend of Sheba, and Iscariot. Lee’s workhas been praised as “deeply human,” “powerful,” and “mind-bending historicalfiction.”

NewYork Timesbestselling authors Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee have partnered on a heart-grippingnovel inspired by true stories. Based on the lives of three friends, TheLong March Home chronicles the friends’ journey from Alabama to thePhilippines during World War II, covering not only the lives and love they leftbehind but also the impossible odds they face as they struggle to survive whathas become known as the Bataan Death March.

The Long March Homeis a riveting coming-of-age tale of friendship, courage, sacrifice, and love asthree friends struggle to survive unthinkable odds.

Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, TheLong March Home? Inspiredby true stories, The Long March Home isa gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power ofunrelenting hope.

JimmyPropfield joins the Army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with hisbest friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart,Claire. 

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise—until the morning of December 8,1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor.Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanesattack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific theater that willculminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largestsurrender of American troops in history. 

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modernwarfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vowto make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of theirnearly four-year fight to survive.


The Long March Home is set against the backdrop of the BataanPeninsula in the Philippines. When did you first learn about the Bataan DeathMarch, and why did you decide to write a novel about this era?

MARCUS: It all started about fifteen yearsago when Lt. Buck Compton and I were waiting for a plane during a speakingtour. Buck—who’d been a commissioned officer with the legendary Band ofBrothers—was talking to me about World War II, and I remarked about thedifficulty he’d experienced during the wintry siege of Bastogne.

Buck agreed, then said, “Yeah, but at leastI wasn’t fighting in the Pacific. Man, those guys had it really rough.”

That line stayed with me for years.

I began to read up extensively on the era.In 2013, historian Adam Makos and I interviewed veterans who’d fought in thePacific for our bestselling oral history project, Voices of the Pacific. I grasped more fully what Buck was hintingat then. But I hoped to do more.

When it came to this era, I wanted to takereaders right into the action and pathos and connect with not only nonfictionreaders but fiction readers too, which ultimately led to the creation of The Long March Home.  

TOSCA:Honestly—and this was one big reason I wanted to do this book—I had not heardabout the Defenders of Bataan or this harrowing chapter in World War II historyuntil Marcus approached me with the idea of working together on this project.

What a soberingeducation researching this story has been and what an honor it is to share itwith others who, like me, may not be aware of it or its heroes.

The Long March Home is the story of three friends, Jimmy“Propper” Propfield, Billy Crockett, and Hank Wright. Can you provide somebackground information on each of these young men?Jimmy is our main character. He’s a goodkid, a pastor’s kid, a kid who always tries to do the right thing. He andClaire, Billy’s older sister, have been companions practically since birth, astheir mothers are best friends.

Billy, who is a couple years younger thanJimmy, is the happy-go-lucky sidekick.

Hank, the oldest of the boys, is a naturalleader, a bad boy, and the kind of kid others want to be around. The onlyproblem is, Hank’s had a soft spot for Claire since meeting her in third grade. . . and Claire is the only girl Jimmy’s ever loved.

Jimmy, Billy, and Hank all make sacrificesat different times in order to help each other and in an effort to survive thewar. Without giving away any spoilers, can you mention some of the sacrificesthey have to make? The entire story is about sacrifice on manylevels. For Jimmy, it’s the sacrifice of a dream future that doesn’t seem meantto be. For Billy, it’s the sacrifice of what could have been a college careeras a track star. For Hank, it’s about claiming—and laying down—his own chanceto shine after living so long in the spotlight of his older brother, Cowboy. Forall three of them, it’s about doing whatever it takes to keep their friendsalive.

At one point, there is a bigmisunderstanding between Jimmy and Hank that nearly destroys their friendship.What event(s) help mend their relationship? Ultimately, the willingness of one of themto set aside pride and old wounds is what brings them back together in the faceof ongoing adversity and their uncertain survival.

Jimmy, Billy, and Hank are determined tosurvive the unthinkable: “If we have to run—if we have to swim off thisisland—we’re gettin’ through this. The three of us—all home alive.” Can youprovide a couple of examples of how the friends band together in an effort tosurvive the war? One of the working titles of the book for afew months during the writing process was AllHome Alive. That’s the boys’ goal from the moment they begin to understandwhat dire straits they’re in.

From the sharing of provisions to theirfamiliar banter in an effort to buoy spirits during the grueling miles of theDeath March, the three friends make a constant effort to stay together andprotect one another.

At Camp O’Donnell, Jimmy is assigned a worktask that strips away any pride he may have had. Can you tell readers about hisduty and what lessons we can learn when we are at the lowest points in ourlives? At Camp O’Donnell, Jimmy is assigned to theburial detail. His job is to dig graves in the mud for the constant stream ofdead soldiers in the blistering heat. It’s a work detail few survive for long, andit makes him unsanitary to be around, especially as he’s unable to bathe orwash the stink of death or the decaying matter from himself. How he comesthrough that detail becomes a powerful metaphor for the need to surrender tothe help of others and the kind of salvation we cannot achieve ourselves.

Jimmy and his father have a strainedrelationship, which is part of the reason Jimmy chooses to join the war. Canyou provide a hint of what else leads to Jimmy’s decision? Jimmy has long been expected to follow inhis father’s footsteps. But he’s chafed for years beneath his father’sunyielding sense of right and wrong and Jimmy’s seeming lack of freedom tochoose his own path. For Jimmy, choosing to enlist is his way out from underhis father’s oppressive presence in his life.

Religion and legalism are an underlyingtheme within Jimmy’s story in particular. How does Jimmy fight against legalismand in the end come to terms with his own spiritual walk? Jimmy is raised believing that life isblack and white, but all of that quickly goes awry in the fog of war.

In addition to the three friends, you alsointroduce readers to Billy Crockett’s sister Claire, who plays a big part in TheLong March Home. Please provide a hint of how her character impacts all ofthe friends. Claire is the voice of reason and duty, butshe’s also a fun and whimsical presence in the boys’ lives—the one who forcesJimmy to learn to dance, who scolds the boys when they act out, and then who leapsinto their favorite swimming hole. She’s the only girl Jimmy’s ever loved butwhom Hank will do anything for. She represents home and all that is good andfamiliar from their childhood.

The Long March Home includes graphic depictions of war and allthe grittiness and horror that come with it. What type of research was requiredto accurately portray the details surrounding the war? We wanted to make things as factual as possible,really immersing readers in the locations, events, and characters’ lives.

MARCUS: First, I researched and wrote twononfiction books about Bataan and the war in the Pacific. The first was theoral history project Voices of thePacific (2013), done with historian Adam Makos. We interviewed real-lifeveterans who’d fought in the Pacific. The second was a biography titled A Bright and Blinding Sun (2022) inwhich I profiled the life of underage enlistee Joe Johnson. He fought on Bataanand survived his experiences as a POW. Both of those books required extensiveresearch and helped create an overall awareness for me that helped with thisbook.

Then, having Tosca on board was animportant piece of the research process too. She came in with a fresh set ofeyes and a heart wide open to learning about this era. I had originally startedthe manuscript directly on the march, but Tosca convinced me we needed severalnew chapters at the start of the book to bring the reader up to speed on whothese soldiers were, what they were doing on Bataan, and how they’d ended upsurrendered to the enemy. As usual, Tosca was right.

TOSCA: It was pure selfishness. I wanted to knowmore about these characters and their lives before, what made them the friendsthey were, and why they had tosurvive.

Delving into the four friends’ young livestogether in Alabama and then in the Philippines as they are thrust into adesperate, months-long war—not only against the Japanese but also againsthunger, disease, and dwindling hope of reinforcements—was fascinating toresearch, nostalgic, poignant, and finally very sobering to write.

The Long March Home is a dual-time novel. Can you expand onhow these two timelines intersect? The dual timeline is very important to thisstory. It provides the history of the four friends growing up and sets thestage for their circumstances at the time when the boys enlist in the Army. Italso provides a much-needed respite for the reader from the horrors of war asthe boys are engaged in fighting and later in their bid for survival as POWs.

What underlying themes can be found within TheLong March HomeWe answer that in two ways: Overtly, it’s astory of the power of friendship set against a backdrop of sacrifice. Whatwould you do for the friends you love the most? Then, it also points to thecomplex morality of life. We often think only in black and white, right orwrong. But life hands us situations in which we are pushed far beyond ourcomfort zones. This book asks, would you take one life to save another?

The Long March Home is a fictional story, but it is based ontrue events. Can you point out some of the events that actually took placeduring this time? All the large-scale events, backdrops, andsettings in this story are true. Clark Field was bombed within hours of theattack on Pearl Harbor, launching the Philippines into war in the Japanese bidto control the Pacific theater. The lack of supplies and the supply runs thatthe boys made to Port Area for food and ammunition are all documented insurvivor accounts. The dysentery, malaria, and hunger portrayed in the book werewidespread. The withdrawal of ships and the soldiers’ feelings of abandonment,the largest surrender of American troops in April 1942, and the subsequenthorrors of the Death March and life in prison camps like O’Donnell and othersmentioned in the book are all unfortunately true. The bombing of the Japanese“hell ships” is also true. Jimmy, Billy, and Hank’s experiences stealing foodto survive, the terrible conditions of the train to Capas, the tortures theyendured as POWs, and their work details in the Philippines and in Japan are allknit from survivor accounts. The female guerilla, Felipa Culala, who appears inour story is a real historical figure.

The Bataan Memorial Death March has beenorganized to commemorate the lives that were lost during that time. When didthis memorial march first begin, what is involved in the march, and where doesit take place? The Bataan Memorial Death March takes placeat White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico—a state deeply affected by the lossof life in the Philippines during World War II. Of the approximately ten thousandlives lost on the Bataan Death March, nine thousand of them were Filipino.

Nearly ten thousand participants take partin the memorial march every year. Next year marks the 81stanniversary of the Bataan Death March and the 34th annual BataanMemorial Death March, which will take place March 19, 2023. For moreinformation about the march, please visit https://bataanmarch.com.

Marcus, you generally write more nonfictionbooks, and Tosca is well known for her works of fiction. How did the two of youconnect to write a story about the Bataan Death March?

MARCUS: I worked on the manuscript forabout seven years before Tosca came along. It was a passion project for me, butunfunded, so I needed to work on it in bits and pieces. The characters and the settingwere unforgettable to me, but there were several huge challenges to the projectthat kept me stymied. I had the big pieces in place, but the story was sographic, I knew we had to intersperse the Bataan narrative with something lessviolent. Also, to appeal to fiction readers, I sensed the book needed to have strongfemale characters. I had the frames sketched for Claire and Filipa, but thecharacters weren’t really singing until Tosca came along.

I had read several of Tosca’s novels andloved her work. She had endorsed a different book for me at one point, and we’dcorresponded several times. So in 2016, I reached out to Tosca, explained thestory and the characters, and asked if she’d like to collaborate. She read myoutlines, character sketches, and the manuscript I had at that point andimmediately saw its potential. She did her own research to get up to speed,then rewrote the female characters, added a new opener to the book, and helpedstraighten out how the plot moved through two very different locations.

Then we went back and forth through themanuscript multiple times together to connect all the dots and get it all intoone voice. It was a true collaborative effort, and it became just as muchTosca’s book as mine. When it comes to fiction writing, she’s a workhorse. Sheis also super smart, thinks in layers, and kept us both in good humor atvarious difficult times during the project.

TOSCA: I was in the middle of a four-bookcontract and finished the last two books before I took this on. I went in fullforce, but then Marcus is being kind and leaving out the fact that mycreativity nose-dived during the pandemic. The year 2020 was a very stagnant onefor me writing-wise. Which is weird because if you would have posed thescenario to me before—stuck at home during a global pandemic, travel andin-person events suspended—I’d have thought I would’ve been working away like amad scientist, taking advantage of the time I normally would have beentraveling to promote my 2019 (pandemic, ironically) duology, The Line Between/A Single Light, and teaching fiction writing atconferences around the nation.

Marcus probably thought The Long March Home had witheredaway on my end more than once before things kicked back into gear for me in2021. I’m grateful for his commitment and continued belief in this story. Thishas been a labor of love and a passion project for him, and I’m very glad heinvited me to join him in that. It would be easy for a writer so invested in astory to hold on to it with a closed fist, but he’s done just the opposite.

As an author, Marcus has so much experiencesharing inspirational stories with the world. He’s intentional around hiscommitment to quality storytelling, but he’s also always up for a laugh. That’simportant in this business, I think.


What do you hope readers will gain from reading The LongMarch HomeAn engrossing and inspiring story. Beyond that, insight intoan often untaught chapter of World War II history and its heroes and an increasedgratefulness for their sacrifice. Today’s generations must remember thatfreedom isn’t free. Past generations have given much so that we can live forwhat matters.

Ultimately, this book is about heroes, empathy, andhealing—all things that are needed in big supply these days.


How can readers connect with you? On our websites and on social media.

Marcus:

Website: https://marcusbrotherton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.brotherton.nw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcusbrotherton/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/92080.Marcus_Brotherton

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marcus-brotherton

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marcus-Brotherton/e/B001JP0ZR8

Tosca:

Website: https://toscalee.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorToscaLee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToscaLee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toscalee/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/427839.Tosca_Lee

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tosca-lee

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tosca-Lee/e/B001JPCC42

Thank you, Marcusand Tosca, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. Marcus, you’renew to me, but I’ve known Tosca for years and know how powerful her books are.

Readers, here’s alink to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Long-March-Home-World-Pacific-ebook/dp/B0BLW7SRLT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OVQ2HJVD6PAA&keywords=The+Long+March+Home&qid=1683734668&s=books&sprefix=the+long+march+home%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-1

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 where prohibited;the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway isconsidered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accordwith 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

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Published on May 10, 2023 14:04

May 9, 2023

A SEASON AT THE GRAND - Sherri Wilson Johnson - One Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Sherri. Tell us about your salvationexperience. I accepted Jesus as my savior when I was six years old. I grewup in a Christian home and going to church every Sunday was the norm. But oneparticular Sunday I remember a strong urgency to be saved. I asked my pastorabout it and he thought I wanted a drink of water. To this day we don’t knowwhy he thought that except he was hard of hearing. He tried to direct me to thewater fountain and it wasn’t until I screamed at him that I wanted to ask Jesusinto my heart that he realized I wanted the living water and not water from afountain.

I wanted to accept Jesus into my heart when I was seven. Atfirst my daddy told me I was too young to understand, but not too long afterthat, he realized I did. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can onlyhave four other authors. Who would they be and why? I would invite my goodfriend and mastermind partner CD Gill because we have the best brainstormingsessions together. I would also invite Misty Beller and Christy Barrittbecause, not only are we friends, but they are also some of the most prolificwriters I know, and I would enjoy time with them to pick their brains abouttheir writing process. I would also invite my friend and colleague KristyCambron because she is one of the most thoughtful and affirming people I know,and I think she would bring such joy and sunshine to the retreat.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened toyou and how did you handle it? I don’t get embarrassed very easily, andhonestly can’t even think of one embarrassing moment in my life. Now, I havedone plenty of things to embarrass OTHER people without meaning to, but theyusually get over it pretty quickly, haha!

People are always telling me that they’d like to write abook someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone whocame up to you and said that? Whenever anyone tells me that, I always encouragethem to get started now. Don’t wait for someday. Someday may never come. Lifegets in the way. Make a plan and get going. It will be one of the bestexperiences of someone’s life. Why? Because writing that first book is reallyabout finding oneself. There are often such wonderful, buried treasures thatsomeone only finds through writing a book.

Tell us about the featured book. A Season at the Grandis set in 1905 in the Mobile Bay area of Alabama, specifically in Point Clear. AmeliaHarris is a traveling photographer with The Photographic Times, andshe’s commissioned to take pictures of the wealthy vacationers at the resort.Her matchmaking aunts are trying to marry her off because they think she’s aspinster. But she’ll have nothing to do with it. When she meets the resortmanager Titus Overton, who has also resisted the matchmaking attempts of someof his guests, Amelia’s heart does a little flipflop. But they each have toomany career goals and distractions to make room for love. And because someoneis threatening both of them, their priority must be to stay alive. The mattersof the heart can wait.

My current contemporary romantic series, Jeopardized Reunions,is set on the bay, too. My prequel novella Bayside Betrayal, whichreaders can receive for free by subscribing to my newsletter, is set in Point Clear,but in a contemporary setting instead of historical.

Mobile Bay, specifically the Gulf Shores area, is myfavorite vacation spot. Every time we’re there, I am inspired to write anotherstory. A Season at the Grand was born out of one of those trips.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Point Clear, Alabama, 1905

Amelia Harris stepped off the Baldwin with one glovedhand in the porter’s hand and the other gripping the handle of her camera case.She could not afford for either of them to land in Mobile Bay. If she lost her camera,then her summer in Point Clear would end before it began, also terminating hercareer with The Photographic Times. They had sent her here to capture naturephotographs as well as images of the elite guests enjoying their seasideholiday, and she couldn’t allow any mishaps to derail her assignment.

Besides, the summer here enjoying the same luxuries of thewealthy meant a reprieve from the matchmaking of Aunt Polly and Aunt Patsy. Whydid they insist her marriageable years had an expiration date and that heroccupation as a photographer would damage not only her reputation but herfuture, as well? Why did they think a woman only twenty-five years old couldn’tstill find a husband?

“Miss?” The porter’s voice snapped her out of her rumination.

With a quick nod and a prayer her embarrassment hadn’ttouched her cheeks more than the June heat already had, she smiled, then releasedhis hand. “Thank you, sir.”

“My pleasure. Enjoy your stay at the Grand Hotel. Yourbelongings will arrive in your room shortly.”

Amelia smoothed her left hand across her stomach andbreathed a sigh. As though that would calm the butterflies which flooded insideher. What did she have to be anxious about? While this might be her firstassignment this far from home and without a chaperone or colleague, she carriedherself well among the elite and had nothing to fear. Besides, she was here tophotograph, not to make friends. Her presence as a commissioned photographerrequired no further burden of proof.

With The Photographic Times expecting a minimum oftwo thousand nature images for their penny postcards, socializing sat at thebottom of her priority stack. Best she decide right now to pack her jittersaway in her trunk along with her swimwear and leave them there all summer.

Pressing her shoulders against the coastal humidity, shetook a step down the boardwalk toward her awaiting adventure.

“Jimmy, come back here. No running on the boardwalk, youngman,” a woman’s stern voice called from behind Amelia.

Before she could peek over her shoulder for a hint at thecommotion, a boy—Jimmy, most likely—broke through the cluster of guests andslammed into her, ripping her case from her hand.

“Oh no!” She fell to her knees on the weathered boardwalkand grasped the case seconds before it spun its way into the glistening bay.With her hat now dangling by its string across her back and her body splayed outon top of the leather case like a dead fish, she must already be the subject ofthe onlookers’ gossip. Surely, it would be better if she reboarded the bay boatand returned to Philadelphia this instant.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Find out more about me at my website: https://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/

I’m on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Goodreads andBookbub. Readers can find me there and at other places through this link: https://linktr.ee/sherriwilsonjohnson

Thank you, Sherri for sharing A Season at the Grand withmy blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers,here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Season-Grand-Romance-Gilded-Resorts/dp/1942265751/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1683644894&sr=1-1 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must followthese instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, atleast the 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 

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Published on May 09, 2023 08:17

May 8, 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.

Pam (OH) is the winner of Second Time Around by Melody Carlson.

Beth (IA) is the winner of Rescuing Rose 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. 

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Published on May 08, 2023 08:23