Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 160
March 14, 2016
THE HEARTS WE MEND - Kathryn Springer - One Free Book
Welcome back, Kathryn. Why do you write the kind of books you do? I write contemporary inspirational romance because I’m a huge fan of new beginnings and happy endings. How does the inspirational part fit in? God invited me to be part of His story so I can’t leave Him out of the ones I write!I love that thought. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day of your life?Oh, wow. It’s impossible to choose only one! As a writer, it was opening my email one morning and finding out The Soldier’s Newfound Family made the USA TodayBestseller list. As a wife and mom with grown children who are scattered across the United States, I would have to say it’s any time our entire family is gathered together under the same roof.
How has being published changed your life?Becoming a published author has definitely forced me to become more disciplined. Sometimes I have to say “no” to things—good things—because I’m on a deadline. It’s also nudged me out of my comfort zone. I didn’t realize that the people who read my books would occasionally invite me to talk about them! Like a lot of writers, I’m an introvert, so accepting speaking engagements used to be a little terrifying (okay, it’s STILL a little terrifying) but I’ve discovered it’s also a lot of fun.
What are you reading right now?Right now I’m halfway through Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey and my non-fiction read is The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey.
What is your current work in progress?I’m working on the second book in my Castle Falls series for Love Inspired. It’s about three brothers who run an outfitter business in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
What would be your dream vacation?Remember, you’re asking someone who lives in northern Wisconsin! My dream vacation would have palm trees and sunshine and I wouldn’t have to put on a coat, boots, and mittens before I step outside the door.
How do you choose the settings for your books?I took to heart the advice every aspiring writer hears at some point along the journey. Write what you know. Most of my books are set in small, Midwestern towns because that’s my world. I can write about the changing seasons and quirky things like “Take Your Tractor to School” Day because I’ve actually witnessed them. In a way, the town becomes almost like another character in the story. . .one I hope that readers will fall in love with, too.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?Ann Voskamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts. Her book changed the way I think about grace and suffering and thanksgiving and how those things link together in a believer’s life.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?A few years ago, I discovered container gardening. We started out with a big garden but it started to produce more guilt than, um, produce (refer to Question 3, “How has being published changed your life!”) so I decided to scale back. Container gardening is great because it’s low maintenance. I can pull weeds while I talk to my kids on the phoneJ
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?I love to write and I know God called me to write, but I still struggle with maintaining balance. There are choices I have to make and I’m constantly asking God for wisdom and guidance because I never want writing to become an idol in my life.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? You can dream about writing, talk about writing, and take online classes to learn the craft of writing but at some point, you have to sit down and WRITE. And even though you’re gifted, called, passionate, etc. about your story doesn’t mean there won’t be days when you’re tempted to quit. Don’t. Because while you’re working on plot and characterization and conflict, you discover that God is working in you and through you and you want to show up for that.
I would also encourage beginning authors to join an organization like ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). They have tons of resources and the support system and opportunities are amazing. Not to mention that writing can be very isolating and it’s comforting to know there are other weird people out there just like you.
Tell us about the featured book.
After The Dandelion Field came out last year, I got the impression that readers had mixed feelings about Evie Bennett so I decided it was only fair to tell her story, too. Here’s the blurb! Widowed at the age of twenty-five when her firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, Evie Bennett has spent the last thirteen years raising their son, Cody, in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. As the women’s ministry director of her church, Evie encourages women to boldly pursue God’s plan for their future while she is content with her memories of the past. But Evie’s well-ordered life begins to change when she meets Jack Vale.As Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe and predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems in the community. . .but will Evie open her heart to love again? Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.
Please give us the first page of the book. “You’re up next, Evie! Then you can check karaoke off your list.”
Evie Bennett had a lot of lists. Karaoke wasn’t on any of them. Neither were bachelorette parties, and yet here she was, watching Raine and Ginevieve Lightly strut around the living room of their trailer, belting out the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.”
Gin had shown up at the door that morning while Evie was bundling Jordan almonds and mints into little bags made of cream-colored tulle. The firefighters at Second Street Station had decided to host an informal get-together for Cody, so Gin thought it would be nice if she and Evie did something special for the bride-to-be too.
Evie had hesitated, wondering how she could possibly squeeze one more thing into a day already packed with last-minute wedding details.
“What did you have in mind?” she’d asked cautiously.
“Oh, the usual.” Gin shrugged. “TexasHold ’Em. Jell-O shots.”
Five months ago, Evie might have believed her.
Raine bounded over to the karaoke machine, her loose-fitting sundress no longer able to disguise the rounded curve of her belly. “Eighties or golden oldies?” She shot a mischievous grin over her shoulder. “Wait, isn’t that the same thing?”
It was one of those moments. When Evie understood why Cody, her sensitive, serious son, had proposed to this girl.
She just wished they were. . .older.
Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
The Hearts We Mend (A Banister Falls Novel) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 13, 2016
WINNERS!!!!!
Connie (KY) is the winner of
A Ton of Gold
by James R Callan.
Cindi (AL) is the winner of Silence In the Dark by Patricia Bradley.
Jasmine A (MT) is the winner of The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson.
Laura (MO) is the winner of The Cowboy's Bride by Darlene Franklin.
Alisha (FL) is the winner of A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson.
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.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... 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, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
Cindi (AL) is the winner of Silence In the Dark by Patricia Bradley.
Jasmine A (MT) is the winner of The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson.
Laura (MO) is the winner of The Cowboy's Bride by Darlene Franklin.
Alisha (FL) is the winner of A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson.
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.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... 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, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
March 11, 2016
INFUSION OF LOVE - Darlene Franklin - One Free Ebook
Bio: Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over fifty books and more than 250 devotionals.
Welcome back, Darlene. Let’s do some fun questions first. What song most closely resembles your life?I don’t know pop songs very well. How about hymns: I feel the truth of “It Is Well with my Soul” in the depths of my soul. Or how about “Amazing Grace”? Both hymns address the sorrows, fears, and dangers I have faced, while pointing me to the Lord.
“It Is Well With My Soul” is one of my favorite hymns, too. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?I have several and keep discovering more as I am memorizing them. This is one I reviewed today, from Isaiah 65 in The Message. It especially means a lot to me as I am in my senior years, with children and grandchildren, and these promises give me hope for the future, security for my family—and help in the future. For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won’t work and have nothing come of it, they won’t have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed. Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard.
I love the way The Message Bible uses words that everyone can understand. What is the one thing you wish you could go back and change in your life?I wish I could change me. The older I get, the more I see all the things I did wrong as a mother. But all that’s happened to me, good and bad, made me into the person I am today. And I’m okay with that.
I’ve heard it said, “It’s all about the process,” and it’s through the process that we grow. What is the most important characteristic for a good friend to have?Someone who knows how to listen and empathize without feeling the need to give me a solution. Unless I ask for it, of course.
So true. What extracurricular activities did you participate in when you were in school?All nerdy stuff. I was in band and choir. I was also in the Spanish club and the Math club. I managed to get a letter for intramural volleyball.
What is your favorite movie of all times?So many good ones. I believe I would say Schindler’s List. Many find it a dark, depressing movie. I carried away the fact one person could make a huge difference.
I loved that movie, too. But it’s not a pretty, pleasant movie. Tell us about why you wrote this book.My publisher (Forget Me Not Romances) was looking for historical novellas with tea and tea parties at the center. My mind flew to this story, which I had originally conceived as part of a Christmas novella set with Barbour. A few years ago, I learned that the Boston Tea Party was only one of several tea events in the colony. I chose to write about the last one, the Greenwich, New Jersey one. As in Boston, several of the participants dressed as Indians. They burned the tea in the town square, where anyone could have found them. That sounds brave to me.
Please give us the first page of the book.“‘Charity vaunteth not itself.’ Your love does not depend on the size of the house or how many outfits you have to wear.” Reverend Jay, pastor of the First Church of Greenwich, continued preaching through 1 Corinthians 13 for the wedding sermon. A small group of close friends and family sat in the Stouts’ parlor for the ceremony.
Mahala Kentheld back a smile from her spot by the bride’s side. Those were brave words to say at a wedding of the heir to the wealthiest man in town. Their preacher’s neutral stance on the recent tea troubles didn’t stem from a lack of courage.
Primrose had eyes for Mahala’s brother, Archie, only. She radiated happiness in her new dress made of green wool. If. No, when—Mahala told herself firmly—her time came, she would prefer brocade. A pale peach or beige would complement her dark hair.
The affianced couple bent their heads toward each other as they listened to the sermon. On Archie’s other side stood Primrose’s brother Jothan. A small smile lit his lips and he wiggled his fingers at Mahala. She almost giggled.
He had a habit of getting her into trouble, although he hadn’t done that for a while. With all the arguments about the Stamp Act, solemn lines on his face had replaced the kindly expression of her childhood friend.
“‘Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’”
How could a bachelor like St. Paul write such perfect words about love? What would Johan say to that question? He could debate anything. When she glanced at him, his eyes had fixed out the window, as if bored with the ceremony.
Or thinking about the tea shipment sitting in a storehouse in Greenwich’s Market Square. Mahala pushed that thought away. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Life in Greenwich was pleasant, and her days were full. She prayed it would stay that way.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Website and blogFacebookAmazon author pageTwitter: @darlenefranklin
Thank you, Darlene, for spending time with us. I love the subject of the book.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.Infusion of Love: Christian Historical Romance (A Teacup Courtship Novella)
Tell us is you like to drink, and what your favorite kind of tea is. Mine is green tea, iced or as a frappe. I love Chai tea as well.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome back, Darlene. Let’s do some fun questions first. What song most closely resembles your life?I don’t know pop songs very well. How about hymns: I feel the truth of “It Is Well with my Soul” in the depths of my soul. Or how about “Amazing Grace”? Both hymns address the sorrows, fears, and dangers I have faced, while pointing me to the Lord.“It Is Well With My Soul” is one of my favorite hymns, too. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?I have several and keep discovering more as I am memorizing them. This is one I reviewed today, from Isaiah 65 in The Message. It especially means a lot to me as I am in my senior years, with children and grandchildren, and these promises give me hope for the future, security for my family—and help in the future. For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won’t work and have nothing come of it, they won’t have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed. Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard.
I love the way The Message Bible uses words that everyone can understand. What is the one thing you wish you could go back and change in your life?I wish I could change me. The older I get, the more I see all the things I did wrong as a mother. But all that’s happened to me, good and bad, made me into the person I am today. And I’m okay with that.
I’ve heard it said, “It’s all about the process,” and it’s through the process that we grow. What is the most important characteristic for a good friend to have?Someone who knows how to listen and empathize without feeling the need to give me a solution. Unless I ask for it, of course.
So true. What extracurricular activities did you participate in when you were in school?All nerdy stuff. I was in band and choir. I was also in the Spanish club and the Math club. I managed to get a letter for intramural volleyball.
What is your favorite movie of all times?So many good ones. I believe I would say Schindler’s List. Many find it a dark, depressing movie. I carried away the fact one person could make a huge difference.
I loved that movie, too. But it’s not a pretty, pleasant movie. Tell us about why you wrote this book.My publisher (Forget Me Not Romances) was looking for historical novellas with tea and tea parties at the center. My mind flew to this story, which I had originally conceived as part of a Christmas novella set with Barbour. A few years ago, I learned that the Boston Tea Party was only one of several tea events in the colony. I chose to write about the last one, the Greenwich, New Jersey one. As in Boston, several of the participants dressed as Indians. They burned the tea in the town square, where anyone could have found them. That sounds brave to me.
Please give us the first page of the book.“‘Charity vaunteth not itself.’ Your love does not depend on the size of the house or how many outfits you have to wear.” Reverend Jay, pastor of the First Church of Greenwich, continued preaching through 1 Corinthians 13 for the wedding sermon. A small group of close friends and family sat in the Stouts’ parlor for the ceremony.Mahala Kentheld back a smile from her spot by the bride’s side. Those were brave words to say at a wedding of the heir to the wealthiest man in town. Their preacher’s neutral stance on the recent tea troubles didn’t stem from a lack of courage.
Primrose had eyes for Mahala’s brother, Archie, only. She radiated happiness in her new dress made of green wool. If. No, when—Mahala told herself firmly—her time came, she would prefer brocade. A pale peach or beige would complement her dark hair.
The affianced couple bent their heads toward each other as they listened to the sermon. On Archie’s other side stood Primrose’s brother Jothan. A small smile lit his lips and he wiggled his fingers at Mahala. She almost giggled.
He had a habit of getting her into trouble, although he hadn’t done that for a while. With all the arguments about the Stamp Act, solemn lines on his face had replaced the kindly expression of her childhood friend.
“‘Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’”
How could a bachelor like St. Paul write such perfect words about love? What would Johan say to that question? He could debate anything. When she glanced at him, his eyes had fixed out the window, as if bored with the ceremony.
Or thinking about the tea shipment sitting in a storehouse in Greenwich’s Market Square. Mahala pushed that thought away. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Life in Greenwich was pleasant, and her days were full. She prayed it would stay that way.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Website and blogFacebookAmazon author pageTwitter: @darlenefranklin
Thank you, Darlene, for spending time with us. I love the subject of the book.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.Infusion of Love: Christian Historical Romance (A Teacup Courtship Novella)
Tell us is you like to drink, and what your favorite kind of tea is. Mine is green tea, iced or as a frappe. I love Chai tea as well.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 10, 2016
ANGEL IN SHINING ARMOR - Marlene Worrall - One Free Book
Welcome back, Marlene. Why do you write the kind of books you do? A professional actress since I was nineteen, I lean toward drama and tend to write extreme characters. Like the heroine, an aspiring singer, I was an ambitious actress.Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?When I was offering the featured role in a West End musical.
How has being published changed your life? I spend more time doing book-signings and dreaming up ways of promoting books, which tends to lessen the time of actually writing. Also, folks tend to treat me with greater respect and wonder how I managed to write and publish books.
What are you reading right now?I just finished War Room by Chris Fabray. I highly recommend it.
I loved the movie that the book is based on. It was number one in the box offices for several weeks last year. What is your current work in progress? A novel titled Kentucky Cowboy. The book was inspired by my late hubby who was a polo player and horse enthusiast. The novel has a strange history. I finished it, was offered a contract with a publisher if I would make changes quickly. Regrettably, I didn’t. The only copy I had was lost in a freak accident, but the story keeps niggling at me. It’s a different book than it originally was, but I believe it is a much better book.
I’d love to feature that on the blog when it releases. What would be your dream vacation? Rent a fabulous house overlooking the ocean, and invite some of my friends to join me. The house would probably be in Palm Beach, Sarasota, or maybe Maui, Hawaii. (I don’t ask for much.)
Sounds like a great vacation to me. I’d love to join you and your friends. How do you choose your settings for each book? They choose me. I knew Ayita High-Eagle lived on an Indian Reservation, so I selected an area I know. I knew she would become a singing sensation in Nashville, so that location found me, also.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? I would spend the evening with the U.S. senator Lindsey Graham. I have long been fascinated by him. He is, arguably, one of the most brilliant political minds of our time. I would learn so much.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?Playing tennis. Power walking by the ocean. Viewing good films. Visiting friends in California.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? Getting up early and staying focused, staying with it.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? Attach butt to chair and keep it there.
Tell us about the featured book. This book has supernatural elements and was given to me by inspiration from God. I did not “cook up” the supernatural, angelic elements in the book; they were “given” to me. Ayita High-Eagle is a beautiful 19-year-old American Indian woman. Abused by her promiscuous Mom, she seeks to end her own life. But God has other plans for her. Soon she moves onto the Circle K ranch with best friend, Marjoi Peterson, and her family. She meets handsome, cynical Valdez Lopez. Sparksfly. But will her burning desire to become a Nashville recording artist thwart their blossoming romance? Can Ayita become the catalyst pointing the way to a spiritual awakening for him─despite his objections? Read this poignant story of love, forgiveness, and challenging issues that must be resolved before Ayita can commit to “Love, Honor, and Obey…” Please give us the first page of the book.“I’ll be leaving the Reservation real soon,” Ayita High-Eagle told her mother. “Good, ‘cause this house is too crowdy for the three of us, and I ain’t kickin’ Wally out longs he brings in a paycheck. No matter how meager it is,” her mother said as she stirred soup in a broad pot on the old stove dominating the cramped kitchen. “One of these days I’m gonna move off the Reservation, too. ‘Soons I find someone who’s gonna support me better than Wally.” “I told you before, Mother, you don’t have to put up with him. I can get you a job at Joey’s. They’re always looking for good servers.” “Ya, well I told you, I ain’t interested in workin’ for nobody. We git by on what Wally brings in.” “But you don’t even like him!” Ayita lamented. “I told you…I’m stickin’ with him ‘til I git someone better.” Her mother continued stirring and alternately sampling the black bean soup, a steely resolve evident in her tone and manner. She sprinkled in more spices before pouring a generous dose of dark sherry into the soup and taking a long swig of wine from a tumbler. The pungent aroma wafted through the air, tickling Ayita’s taste buds. “May I sample it?” “Help yerself.” Ayita tasted a large spoonful of the soup. Her mother smiled, raising her eyebrows. “Well?” “Delicious.” Ayita turned her face away from her mother so she wouldn’t see the tears and overwhelming emotions surging inside her. Today’s the day.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.MarleneWorrall.com. MarleneWorrall Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, Amazon.
Thank you for sharing this book with us. I'm eager for my copy to arrive. The story sounds interesting.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Angel in Shining Armor
- paperbackAngel in Shining Armor - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 9, 2016
FROM BAGS TO RICHES - Sandra D Bricker - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I first became of Sandra when we both wrote for the same publisher. Soon after her first book came out, I met her face to face at the national American Christian Fiction Writers conference. We’ve been friends ever since. Redheads seem to gravitate to each other at those conferences. Sandra has a unique writers voice that can take serious subjects and find ways to help people deal with them, and she does all of this through some serious humor. I know that’s an oxymoron, but it’s true.
Welcome back, Sandra. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?I transitioned last year from Laugh-Out-Loud fiction to Live-Out-Loud, but I think humor will always be part of my storytelling. That said, I’m really enjoying the opportunity to weave in deeper threads of life to my novels. For instance, last fall’s Moments of Truth addressed some pretty serious subjects along with the romantic challenges of five best friends. I was able to do that in From Bags to Riches, the wrap-up to the Jessie Stanton novels for Abingdon Press, as well. In this book, the finale of the series, I was able to go deeper with Jessie’s story than ever before. There’s a real freedom – for me as a writer, but also for the readers – in not being limited to the feel-good happily-ever-after. Not that my books will ever lose that quality … but I feel like I’m writing a more grown-up, thought-provoking story these days and my readers seem to be responding to it.
If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?A couple of years ago, I packed up my entire life and moved north again for the first time since I left in my twenties. I grew up in Cincinnati, but I spent my entire adult life in Los Angeles and Central Florida. So coming back to Ohioin time for the worst winter on record was a shock to my thin blood! Now my blood has had time to thicken up, and I find myself really enjoying the snow and cold weather. That said, my ideal spot to live would be San Diego … assuming I could afford it, of course. It’s a pricey area of the country, but so beautiful.
What foreign country would you like to visit and why?Israel. I long to walk where my Jesus walked, see the things He saw.
There’s a slight possibility I might get to go to Israel soon. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.I’d love to sail off to a deserted island somewhere; one of those spots that have like ten villas on the whole island. Private beaches, magnificent views, sun and sand, gentle breezes, and lots of peace and quiet. I was born in Southern California, and my parents used to always say that I’d never been able to shake my “California-ness.” I recharge on the water like nowhere else.
Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?I’m new enough to Toledo and the Northwest Ohio area that I’m still exploring to find the beautiful places. Once I do that, I think I’d love to set a book on Mackinac Island or possibly a teeny little lakeside town I’ve discovered across the border in Michigancalled Luna Pier.
What is the main theme of this novel?The bottom line of Jessie’s whole story – but particularly this third and final book in the series – is that our childhood experiences shape a large part of who we’re going to become. I mean, you can certainly take the girl out of Ohio (or in Jessie’s case, Louisiana), but the Ohioor Louisianain the girl is pretty much there to stay. We often spend so much time running away from who we used to be that we miss the important fact that it’s the foundation that helped form who we are. While our past never has to define us, it’s imperative to learn from it.
Tell us about the story.Jessie worked so hard to put her Louisiana roots in the rearview mirror. Now, in her quest to find the success, true love, and faith that has always eluded her, will God really lead her right back home?
Please give us the first page of the book.Jessie hummed along with James Taylor as Danny drove along in silence. She glanced over at him and smiled. She loved the way he always removed the elastic band from around the gear shift and pulled his shaggy, long hair back into a ponytail before they set out anywhere in his open Jeep … and the way he always reached into the box behind the driver’s seat and produced a cloth band for her hair. Even the music serenading their drive embraced her with a comfortable, predictable lull. She’d had so much instability in her life that the calculability of Danny’s behavior had become a welcome warm blanket on a chilly night.
“Hey,” she said suddenly as a thought struck her, a memory of her best friend speaking to Danny in a whisper. “What was Piper talking about?”
Danny’s dimples deepened as he grinned. “What do you mean?”
“Before we left the courthouse. She told you something like, ‘Today. Not tomorrow, but today.’ What did she mean? And where are we going, by the way?”
“To celebrate,” he stated. “You have just been set free from a barnacle by the name of Jack Stanton. You’re free. Your store can re-open, and you can write your name with confidence again. You, my friend, are Jessie Hart.”
Not that she’d ever actually been Jessie Stanton, but for a dozen years or so, she’d been duped into believing it while living in a world of utter make-believe, a world Jack had fabricated for the benefit of just about everyone he knew – including her, his fairytale wife. Instead, Jack had been a handsome cancer making his silent and diabolical way into every available cell of her life, conning her into believing their world – his business, the home they made, and the dreams they’d been dreaming – had been built on a solid foundation of rock. But when the sand was discovered, that life crumbled so quickly she’d barely had time to escape with anything more than the clothes in her closet and the rock on her hand … both of which became the stuff new foundations were made of. In her case, Jessie’s non-sand bedrock came from the sale of nearly four carats of perfect Neil Lane clarity dropped into a platinum setting, and the proceeds had funded a marginally acceptable apartment. Combined with the designer labels left behind in her closet, the infrastructure of her brand new life had been built: Adornments. Designer labels for rent to wannabes with champagne dreams living on ginger ale budgets.
“Hey, wait a minute,” she blurted as she noticed the familiar surroundings. “Where are we, exactly?”
“Somewhere we can celebrate.”
I’m eager to read the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?Website: www.SandraDBricker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/SandraDBrickerTwitter: @SandieBricker
Thank you, Sandra, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager as I am to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
From Bags to Riches: A Jessie Stanton Novel - Book 3 - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome back, Sandra. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?I transitioned last year from Laugh-Out-Loud fiction to Live-Out-Loud, but I think humor will always be part of my storytelling. That said, I’m really enjoying the opportunity to weave in deeper threads of life to my novels. For instance, last fall’s Moments of Truth addressed some pretty serious subjects along with the romantic challenges of five best friends. I was able to do that in From Bags to Riches, the wrap-up to the Jessie Stanton novels for Abingdon Press, as well. In this book, the finale of the series, I was able to go deeper with Jessie’s story than ever before. There’s a real freedom – for me as a writer, but also for the readers – in not being limited to the feel-good happily-ever-after. Not that my books will ever lose that quality … but I feel like I’m writing a more grown-up, thought-provoking story these days and my readers seem to be responding to it.If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?A couple of years ago, I packed up my entire life and moved north again for the first time since I left in my twenties. I grew up in Cincinnati, but I spent my entire adult life in Los Angeles and Central Florida. So coming back to Ohioin time for the worst winter on record was a shock to my thin blood! Now my blood has had time to thicken up, and I find myself really enjoying the snow and cold weather. That said, my ideal spot to live would be San Diego … assuming I could afford it, of course. It’s a pricey area of the country, but so beautiful.
What foreign country would you like to visit and why?Israel. I long to walk where my Jesus walked, see the things He saw.
There’s a slight possibility I might get to go to Israel soon. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.I’d love to sail off to a deserted island somewhere; one of those spots that have like ten villas on the whole island. Private beaches, magnificent views, sun and sand, gentle breezes, and lots of peace and quiet. I was born in Southern California, and my parents used to always say that I’d never been able to shake my “California-ness.” I recharge on the water like nowhere else.
Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?I’m new enough to Toledo and the Northwest Ohio area that I’m still exploring to find the beautiful places. Once I do that, I think I’d love to set a book on Mackinac Island or possibly a teeny little lakeside town I’ve discovered across the border in Michigancalled Luna Pier.
What is the main theme of this novel?The bottom line of Jessie’s whole story – but particularly this third and final book in the series – is that our childhood experiences shape a large part of who we’re going to become. I mean, you can certainly take the girl out of Ohio (or in Jessie’s case, Louisiana), but the Ohioor Louisianain the girl is pretty much there to stay. We often spend so much time running away from who we used to be that we miss the important fact that it’s the foundation that helped form who we are. While our past never has to define us, it’s imperative to learn from it.
Tell us about the story.Jessie worked so hard to put her Louisiana roots in the rearview mirror. Now, in her quest to find the success, true love, and faith that has always eluded her, will God really lead her right back home?Please give us the first page of the book.Jessie hummed along with James Taylor as Danny drove along in silence. She glanced over at him and smiled. She loved the way he always removed the elastic band from around the gear shift and pulled his shaggy, long hair back into a ponytail before they set out anywhere in his open Jeep … and the way he always reached into the box behind the driver’s seat and produced a cloth band for her hair. Even the music serenading their drive embraced her with a comfortable, predictable lull. She’d had so much instability in her life that the calculability of Danny’s behavior had become a welcome warm blanket on a chilly night.
“Hey,” she said suddenly as a thought struck her, a memory of her best friend speaking to Danny in a whisper. “What was Piper talking about?”
Danny’s dimples deepened as he grinned. “What do you mean?”
“Before we left the courthouse. She told you something like, ‘Today. Not tomorrow, but today.’ What did she mean? And where are we going, by the way?”
“To celebrate,” he stated. “You have just been set free from a barnacle by the name of Jack Stanton. You’re free. Your store can re-open, and you can write your name with confidence again. You, my friend, are Jessie Hart.”
Not that she’d ever actually been Jessie Stanton, but for a dozen years or so, she’d been duped into believing it while living in a world of utter make-believe, a world Jack had fabricated for the benefit of just about everyone he knew – including her, his fairytale wife. Instead, Jack had been a handsome cancer making his silent and diabolical way into every available cell of her life, conning her into believing their world – his business, the home they made, and the dreams they’d been dreaming – had been built on a solid foundation of rock. But when the sand was discovered, that life crumbled so quickly she’d barely had time to escape with anything more than the clothes in her closet and the rock on her hand … both of which became the stuff new foundations were made of. In her case, Jessie’s non-sand bedrock came from the sale of nearly four carats of perfect Neil Lane clarity dropped into a platinum setting, and the proceeds had funded a marginally acceptable apartment. Combined with the designer labels left behind in her closet, the infrastructure of her brand new life had been built: Adornments. Designer labels for rent to wannabes with champagne dreams living on ginger ale budgets.
“Hey, wait a minute,” she blurted as she noticed the familiar surroundings. “Where are we, exactly?”
“Somewhere we can celebrate.”
I’m eager to read the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?Website: www.SandraDBricker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/SandraDBrickerTwitter: @SandieBricker
Thank you, Sandra, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager as I am to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
From Bags to Riches: A Jessie Stanton Novel - Book 3 - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 8, 2016
A SEASON TO LOVE - Nicole Deese - One Free Book
Dear Readers, here’s another book in the A Love In Lenox series. Sorry this is so late posting. We’ve had a fast-moving storm system that produced high winds, a few tornadoes, and lots of rain and lightning. I turn off my electronics when there’s lightning. Even though I have a high-powered setup for protection from electrical surges, I don’t take any chances with lots of lightning around.
Bio: Nicole Deese is a full time lover of humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled fiction. When she's not writing a sweet romance, she can usually be found reading one near a window while drinking La Croix. She lives in small-town Idaho with her handsome hubby and two sons.
Welcome, Nicole. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It’s usually not until after I finish writing a book that I glimpse aspects of myself in the characters. And that’s usually not until a friend calls and says, “Oh my goodness, when I read what so-and-so said in chapter five I could so hear you saying that!” Haha! It always makes me laugh when I get that kind of feedback from the people who know me best.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Writing became a passion of mine in high school after reading every single Patricia Rushford and Robin Jones Gunn book on the shelf. But I didn’t really explore writing until I was closer to thirty. I’m grateful for parents who encouraged my early love for reading and storytelling…and even more thankful they paid all my overdue library fees. Thanks, guys!
Tell us the range of books you enjoy reading.
My favorite genres are often contemporary reads, although sometimes I’m in the mood for a good fantasy or historical, as long as the characters are well developed and there’s a love story brewing. My favorite genres are women’s fiction, young-adult, and of course, contemporary romance.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I don’t really have one way to choose character names. A couple of my characters came from street signs (like Weston James from A Cliché Christmas) and a few others came from polling readers on my author FB page (Willa Hart from A Season To Love ). Names are a huge deal to me so I usually take my time before landing on one.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Writing my very first novel to completion is probably the accomplishment I’m most proud of. There is such fulfillment in taking a dream swirling around in your head and bringing it to life on paper. That’s what my debut novel, All For Anna, was for me. The start of a new dream journey.
What is your favorite writing snack food?
Hmm…this pretty much changes week to week. Haha! Right now I’m a big fan of multi-grain chips and homemade guacamole. Yummy!
I have to eat homemade guacamole, because I’m allergic to raw onions. It’s either make my own or get one of those made at your table guacamoles where I can tell them to leave out the onions. What is your greatest roadblock in writing, and how do you overcome it?
I’m not a “finisher” by nature. I LOVE starting a book (or brainstorming a new idea), but finishing? Finishing is so hard for me! I despise being locked-in or confined to an ending, which makes closing-out a storyline my greatest challenge. And if I were REALLY honest, I’d tell you I usually have to write those last chapters about ten times before they are reader-ready.
Tell us about the featured book.Description of
A Season To Love
:
At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.
Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?
Please give us the first page of the book.
I could have promised my daughter anything—a pony, a princess, a rainbow in a bottle—but instead, I’d promised her something equally unattainable: my bravery.
Today my cancer-free seven-year-old was putting that promise to the test.
“Come on, Mommy!” Savannahtugged my hand, but my legs were stiff and sluggish.
“We have plenty of time. Slow down.”
Slow down. Two words that had been on continuous repeat since she’d woken me, bouncing on my bed in her new sparkly red shoes—Uncle Weston’s gift to feed her obsession for all things glitter.
She led our way through the parking lot, her energetic stride forcing her backpack into a bounce and me into a near jog. Pockets of people waited near the electronic signboard, with the scrolling First Day of School, but I knew better than to ask Savannahto stop for a picture. She had a goal, the same goal that had kept me awake at night for nearly a week.
The freshly painted double doors at the front of Lenox Elementary School were propped open to welcome the new year. Only this pressure building inside my chest didn’t exactly feel festive. We entered the lobby together, her thin fingers still curled around mine, my heart two strides slower than my feet. I willed it to catch up, to remember Savannah’s countdown to this very moment—the scattering of purple Xs on the bedroom calendar.
The smell of boxed crayons and pencil shavings filled the air, nostalgia painting a landscape from a lifetime ago—of a life that no longer felt like mine. The screech of sneakers against tired linoleum floors sang the anthem of reunited friends and faculty.
But it wasn’t my memories of attending this school as a child or even of teaching at this school as an adult that caused my spine to prickle with déjà vu.
Three turns and two hallways later, Savannah dropped my hand and studied the class list outside Mrs. Hudson’s door.
“Alyssa’s in my class!”
“That’s great, honey.” My words sounded as frozen as my smile.
Her dark-chocolate eyes took in the clusters of students, the maze of desks, the shelves upon endless shelves of books, puzzles, and crafts. Once inside the classroom, she found her laminated nametag quickly and waved me over. My fingers itched to reach into my purse and grab a handful of disinfectant wipes to saturate each and every surface of this room.
“Mommy—look, my very own desk.” Savannah smoothed her hand over the top of the chipping varnish, her eyes alight, her voice the sound of childlike faith.
“Savannah!” Alyssa, Savannah’s athletic redheaded friend, raced across the room.
A soft touch on my shoulder shifted my attention away from the giddy reunion. “She’ll do great, Willa. I can see how excited she is to be in school. Oh, and I’ll make sure to e-mail you the slots I have open for classroom volunteers.”
Megan Hudson, Savannah’s second-grade teacher, stood at my side. Since high school, our lives had paralleled each other: we both married our senior prom dates, we both graduated with honors, we both earned our master’s in education.
Only, the sudden loss of my husband seven years ago had put an end to our shared life experiences.
“Thank you, Megan.”
With a last gentle pat, Megan walked to the front of her classroom and pointed to the instructions on the whiteboard, reminding parents of pickup time and location. The clock at the back of the room chimed a high-pitched ping, ping, ping, and a slow-snaking panic crept into my chest.
“Savannah—” My well-planned words were cut short. She sprang toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her enthusiasm rocked me off center. “I love this day, but I love you most.” Savannahtightened her arms above my hips, swaying us both as if in a dance.
I kissed the top of her head, her short, baby-fine hair a whisper of hope that tickled my lips. “Not possible.”
Because it wasn’t possible. She wasn’t a mother. She hadn’t counted the weeks of pregnancy, hadn’t borne the pain of childbirth, hadn’t felt the anguish of the six-letter word that could drown a parent in a pool of their own tears. Cancer.
She hopped away and waved. “See you after school.”
With blurry, stinging eyes, I turned and exited her classroom, just like I had two years ago when I’d dropped my seemingly healthy daughter off for kindergarten only to admit her to the oncology floor at Children’s Hospital a week later.
She’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is going to be fine. The rapid fire of my pulse disagreed.
Pushing my way past a throng of happy families, I darted through the parking lot and shut myself inside my car. With my overactive imagination fully engaged, I fought against the quick, shallow breaths and answered the siren’s call in my glove box.
A stashed package of red-and-white pinwheel mints.
Most people saw these candies as a way to freshen their breath; I saw them as a way to focus my mind. A method of coping I’d picked up in therapy years ago. Of course, not during one of my hour-long counseling sessions, but rather from my time sitting in the waiting room. Ironic how a little basket of mints had helped me more than my grief counselor.
I reached inside the bag, unwrapped the familiar, crinkly plastic, and popped a small disc into my mouth. Immediately, the smooth texture and taste of menthol worked its magic, knocking me down a few ladder rungs on my climb to an attack.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor/
Newsletter: https://www.nicoledeese.com/newsletter/
Website: www.nicoledeese.com
Instagram: nicoledeeseauthor
Twitter: @nicoledeeseauthor
Thank you, Nicole, for sharing this new book with us. I'm as eager as my blog readers to read it. I hope my copy arrives soon.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.A Season to Love (Love in Lenox)
- paperback
A Season to Love (Love in Lenox) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Bio: Nicole Deese is a full time lover of humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled fiction. When she's not writing a sweet romance, she can usually be found reading one near a window while drinking La Croix. She lives in small-town Idaho with her handsome hubby and two sons.
Welcome, Nicole. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.It’s usually not until after I finish writing a book that I glimpse aspects of myself in the characters. And that’s usually not until a friend calls and says, “Oh my goodness, when I read what so-and-so said in chapter five I could so hear you saying that!” Haha! It always makes me laugh when I get that kind of feedback from the people who know me best.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Writing became a passion of mine in high school after reading every single Patricia Rushford and Robin Jones Gunn book on the shelf. But I didn’t really explore writing until I was closer to thirty. I’m grateful for parents who encouraged my early love for reading and storytelling…and even more thankful they paid all my overdue library fees. Thanks, guys!
Tell us the range of books you enjoy reading.
My favorite genres are often contemporary reads, although sometimes I’m in the mood for a good fantasy or historical, as long as the characters are well developed and there’s a love story brewing. My favorite genres are women’s fiction, young-adult, and of course, contemporary romance.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I don’t really have one way to choose character names. A couple of my characters came from street signs (like Weston James from A Cliché Christmas) and a few others came from polling readers on my author FB page (Willa Hart from A Season To Love ). Names are a huge deal to me so I usually take my time before landing on one.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Writing my very first novel to completion is probably the accomplishment I’m most proud of. There is such fulfillment in taking a dream swirling around in your head and bringing it to life on paper. That’s what my debut novel, All For Anna, was for me. The start of a new dream journey.
What is your favorite writing snack food?
Hmm…this pretty much changes week to week. Haha! Right now I’m a big fan of multi-grain chips and homemade guacamole. Yummy!
I have to eat homemade guacamole, because I’m allergic to raw onions. It’s either make my own or get one of those made at your table guacamoles where I can tell them to leave out the onions. What is your greatest roadblock in writing, and how do you overcome it?
I’m not a “finisher” by nature. I LOVE starting a book (or brainstorming a new idea), but finishing? Finishing is so hard for me! I despise being locked-in or confined to an ending, which makes closing-out a storyline my greatest challenge. And if I were REALLY honest, I’d tell you I usually have to write those last chapters about ten times before they are reader-ready.
Tell us about the featured book.Description of
A Season To Love
:At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.
Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?
Please give us the first page of the book.
I could have promised my daughter anything—a pony, a princess, a rainbow in a bottle—but instead, I’d promised her something equally unattainable: my bravery.
Today my cancer-free seven-year-old was putting that promise to the test.
“Come on, Mommy!” Savannahtugged my hand, but my legs were stiff and sluggish.
“We have plenty of time. Slow down.”
Slow down. Two words that had been on continuous repeat since she’d woken me, bouncing on my bed in her new sparkly red shoes—Uncle Weston’s gift to feed her obsession for all things glitter.
She led our way through the parking lot, her energetic stride forcing her backpack into a bounce and me into a near jog. Pockets of people waited near the electronic signboard, with the scrolling First Day of School, but I knew better than to ask Savannahto stop for a picture. She had a goal, the same goal that had kept me awake at night for nearly a week.
The freshly painted double doors at the front of Lenox Elementary School were propped open to welcome the new year. Only this pressure building inside my chest didn’t exactly feel festive. We entered the lobby together, her thin fingers still curled around mine, my heart two strides slower than my feet. I willed it to catch up, to remember Savannah’s countdown to this very moment—the scattering of purple Xs on the bedroom calendar.
The smell of boxed crayons and pencil shavings filled the air, nostalgia painting a landscape from a lifetime ago—of a life that no longer felt like mine. The screech of sneakers against tired linoleum floors sang the anthem of reunited friends and faculty.
But it wasn’t my memories of attending this school as a child or even of teaching at this school as an adult that caused my spine to prickle with déjà vu.
Three turns and two hallways later, Savannah dropped my hand and studied the class list outside Mrs. Hudson’s door.
“Alyssa’s in my class!”
“That’s great, honey.” My words sounded as frozen as my smile.
Her dark-chocolate eyes took in the clusters of students, the maze of desks, the shelves upon endless shelves of books, puzzles, and crafts. Once inside the classroom, she found her laminated nametag quickly and waved me over. My fingers itched to reach into my purse and grab a handful of disinfectant wipes to saturate each and every surface of this room.
“Mommy—look, my very own desk.” Savannah smoothed her hand over the top of the chipping varnish, her eyes alight, her voice the sound of childlike faith.
“Savannah!” Alyssa, Savannah’s athletic redheaded friend, raced across the room.
A soft touch on my shoulder shifted my attention away from the giddy reunion. “She’ll do great, Willa. I can see how excited she is to be in school. Oh, and I’ll make sure to e-mail you the slots I have open for classroom volunteers.”
Megan Hudson, Savannah’s second-grade teacher, stood at my side. Since high school, our lives had paralleled each other: we both married our senior prom dates, we both graduated with honors, we both earned our master’s in education.
Only, the sudden loss of my husband seven years ago had put an end to our shared life experiences.
“Thank you, Megan.”
With a last gentle pat, Megan walked to the front of her classroom and pointed to the instructions on the whiteboard, reminding parents of pickup time and location. The clock at the back of the room chimed a high-pitched ping, ping, ping, and a slow-snaking panic crept into my chest.
“Savannah—” My well-planned words were cut short. She sprang toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her enthusiasm rocked me off center. “I love this day, but I love you most.” Savannahtightened her arms above my hips, swaying us both as if in a dance.
I kissed the top of her head, her short, baby-fine hair a whisper of hope that tickled my lips. “Not possible.”
Because it wasn’t possible. She wasn’t a mother. She hadn’t counted the weeks of pregnancy, hadn’t borne the pain of childbirth, hadn’t felt the anguish of the six-letter word that could drown a parent in a pool of their own tears. Cancer.
She hopped away and waved. “See you after school.”
With blurry, stinging eyes, I turned and exited her classroom, just like I had two years ago when I’d dropped my seemingly healthy daughter off for kindergarten only to admit her to the oncology floor at Children’s Hospital a week later.
She’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is going to be fine. The rapid fire of my pulse disagreed.
Pushing my way past a throng of happy families, I darted through the parking lot and shut myself inside my car. With my overactive imagination fully engaged, I fought against the quick, shallow breaths and answered the siren’s call in my glove box.
A stashed package of red-and-white pinwheel mints.
Most people saw these candies as a way to freshen their breath; I saw them as a way to focus my mind. A method of coping I’d picked up in therapy years ago. Of course, not during one of my hour-long counseling sessions, but rather from my time sitting in the waiting room. Ironic how a little basket of mints had helped me more than my grief counselor.
I reached inside the bag, unwrapped the familiar, crinkly plastic, and popped a small disc into my mouth. Immediately, the smooth texture and taste of menthol worked its magic, knocking me down a few ladder rungs on my climb to an attack.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeeseauthor/
Newsletter: https://www.nicoledeese.com/newsletter/
Website: www.nicoledeese.com
Instagram: nicoledeeseauthor
Twitter: @nicoledeeseauthor
Thank you, Nicole, for sharing this new book with us. I'm as eager as my blog readers to read it. I hope my copy arrives soon.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.A Season to Love (Love in Lenox)
- paperbackA Season to Love (Love in Lenox) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 7, 2016
WHO IS JESUS? - MaryAnn Diorio - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I’m excited to welcome back MaryAnn Diorio. We’ve featured her books for adults on this blog and one of her children’s books. When I heard about the children’s book she’d written titled Who Is Jesus?, I just had to feature it here.
Welcome, MaryAnn.Thank you, Lena. It is so kind of you to host me today.
We've featured you in the past for your adult fiction, but today we're going to discuss your children's book, Who Is Jesus? Please tell us a little about this book. Who Is Jesus? has an interesting backstory. It is, of course, a work of non-fiction that was sparked by my visit to the children's section of a local secular bookstore. As I was browsing through the children's books, I noticed a book about Jesus. My heart leapt to see what I thought was a Christian book in a secular bookstore. But when I opened the book to look through it, my heart sank. The book portrayed Jesus as nothing more than a good man and a teacher. It mentioned nothing about His being the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Moreover, the book included information about Buddha, Mohammed, and Hare Krishna, among others. The worst part was that it encouraged the child reader to choose which one he would follow, pointing out that all were good.
I literally left the bookstore weeping and determined in my heart to write a book about Jesus that reflected the truth of Scripture. I went straight home and started writing Who Is Jesus?
And I’m glad you did. What kind of reception have you had for Who Is Jesus? By the grace of God, the book is now touching many lives, not only the lives of children but also the lives of those who read the book to them. I have received comments from parents and grandparents regarding how Who Is Jesus? has impacted them as well as their children and grandchildren. One letter, in particular, came from a father who said that Who Is Jesus? showed him that he was not presenting his son with a true picture of the forgiving nature of Christ when we sin. So this precious father immediately began teaching his son that Jesus will always forgive us when we repent of our sin.
The illustrations by Kim Sponaugle are delightful. Did you choose the illustrator?Yes. I had the wonderful privilege of meeting Kim Sponaugle at a secular children's writers' conference years ago. Because she, too, is a Christian, we clicked immediately. When I saw her work, I knew then and there that I wanted her to illustrate one of my books one day. And, by the grace of God, she did! :)
When did you first start writing for children?When my children were small, we would make up stories together at bedtime. Each of us added a part to the story. For example, when I had finished my part, I would ask the question, "And then?" One of my girls would then pick up where I had left off and add her part to the story. We would go round and round, often way past bedtime. My husband used to say he had three children, not two, LOL! :)
As my daughters grew, they would often say, "Mom, you should write children's stories." Others began to say the same thing. I guess it's that I have a very childlike personality and love children. I think the biggest reason, however, is that I clearly remember what it was like to be a child. I can recall the emotions I felt as a child, and I have great compassion and empathy for children, especially those who are hurting. All of these factors contributed to my decision to write for children. Another extremely important factor is a prophetic word I received several years ago from a world-renowned evangelist at a Christian conference I attended. He prophesied over me that I would one day write children's books. And I am now doing just that. Glory to God!
You've written two other picture books for children: Toby Too Small and Candle Love. What are these books about?Toby Too Small is about a boy very small in stature who learns that what matters in life is not how big one is on the outside but how big one is on the inside.
Candle Love is a story about sibling rivalry, especially when a new baby arrives. It was based on my own experience with my two daughters when the second one was born. Its premise is that love expands to the need at hand and that there is always enough love to go around.
Do you prefer writing for children or adults?In essence, I find little difference philosophically between the two. Children are little people, and adults have an inner child that still affects them. In my children's books, I deal with this inner child as it is being formed and lived out in the now of the child's life. In my adult fiction, I deal with the deep issues of the inner child as that inner child affects my characters' adult lives, forcing them to face issues stemming from childhood, issues that need to be dealt with in order for healing to take place.
Do you have more children's books in the works?Yes. I am currently working on a book of children's poetry called Poems for Wee Ones. Lord willing, it will be released this year. I also have written a story book for older children, ages 6-9, called The Dandelion Patch, in which my main character stands by her convictions and refuses to compromise. I hope to release this book this year as well. Perhaps one of my most exciting projects is a children's play called Miracle at Madville which I hope to make into a musical.
That’s exciting. My daughters and I started the puppet ministry at the church we attended when they were in junior high. I was also the children’s choir director. At Christmas that year, I wrote a Christmas play that used live children and puppets, and the music director’s wife wrote the music. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to hear from readers and encourage them to write to me with any questions they may have about writing or about children's books. They can reach me via the following venues:
Website: www.maryanndiorio.comBlog (Matters of the Heart): http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/maryanndiorioblogAmazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorioFacebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorioTwitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorioGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=45380421Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorioYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/
Thank you, MaryAnn, for sharing with us today.Thank you, Lena, for your kindness in hosting me.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Who Is Jesus?
- Hardback
Who Is Jesus? - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome, MaryAnn.Thank you, Lena. It is so kind of you to host me today.We've featured you in the past for your adult fiction, but today we're going to discuss your children's book, Who Is Jesus? Please tell us a little about this book. Who Is Jesus? has an interesting backstory. It is, of course, a work of non-fiction that was sparked by my visit to the children's section of a local secular bookstore. As I was browsing through the children's books, I noticed a book about Jesus. My heart leapt to see what I thought was a Christian book in a secular bookstore. But when I opened the book to look through it, my heart sank. The book portrayed Jesus as nothing more than a good man and a teacher. It mentioned nothing about His being the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Moreover, the book included information about Buddha, Mohammed, and Hare Krishna, among others. The worst part was that it encouraged the child reader to choose which one he would follow, pointing out that all were good.
I literally left the bookstore weeping and determined in my heart to write a book about Jesus that reflected the truth of Scripture. I went straight home and started writing Who Is Jesus?
And I’m glad you did. What kind of reception have you had for Who Is Jesus? By the grace of God, the book is now touching many lives, not only the lives of children but also the lives of those who read the book to them. I have received comments from parents and grandparents regarding how Who Is Jesus? has impacted them as well as their children and grandchildren. One letter, in particular, came from a father who said that Who Is Jesus? showed him that he was not presenting his son with a true picture of the forgiving nature of Christ when we sin. So this precious father immediately began teaching his son that Jesus will always forgive us when we repent of our sin.
The illustrations by Kim Sponaugle are delightful. Did you choose the illustrator?Yes. I had the wonderful privilege of meeting Kim Sponaugle at a secular children's writers' conference years ago. Because she, too, is a Christian, we clicked immediately. When I saw her work, I knew then and there that I wanted her to illustrate one of my books one day. And, by the grace of God, she did! :)
When did you first start writing for children?When my children were small, we would make up stories together at bedtime. Each of us added a part to the story. For example, when I had finished my part, I would ask the question, "And then?" One of my girls would then pick up where I had left off and add her part to the story. We would go round and round, often way past bedtime. My husband used to say he had three children, not two, LOL! :)As my daughters grew, they would often say, "Mom, you should write children's stories." Others began to say the same thing. I guess it's that I have a very childlike personality and love children. I think the biggest reason, however, is that I clearly remember what it was like to be a child. I can recall the emotions I felt as a child, and I have great compassion and empathy for children, especially those who are hurting. All of these factors contributed to my decision to write for children. Another extremely important factor is a prophetic word I received several years ago from a world-renowned evangelist at a Christian conference I attended. He prophesied over me that I would one day write children's books. And I am now doing just that. Glory to God!
You've written two other picture books for children: Toby Too Small and Candle Love. What are these books about?Toby Too Small is about a boy very small in stature who learns that what matters in life is not how big one is on the outside but how big one is on the inside.
Candle Love is a story about sibling rivalry, especially when a new baby arrives. It was based on my own experience with my two daughters when the second one was born. Its premise is that love expands to the need at hand and that there is always enough love to go around.
Do you prefer writing for children or adults?In essence, I find little difference philosophically between the two. Children are little people, and adults have an inner child that still affects them. In my children's books, I deal with this inner child as it is being formed and lived out in the now of the child's life. In my adult fiction, I deal with the deep issues of the inner child as that inner child affects my characters' adult lives, forcing them to face issues stemming from childhood, issues that need to be dealt with in order for healing to take place.
Do you have more children's books in the works?Yes. I am currently working on a book of children's poetry called Poems for Wee Ones. Lord willing, it will be released this year. I also have written a story book for older children, ages 6-9, called The Dandelion Patch, in which my main character stands by her convictions and refuses to compromise. I hope to release this book this year as well. Perhaps one of my most exciting projects is a children's play called Miracle at Madville which I hope to make into a musical.
That’s exciting. My daughters and I started the puppet ministry at the church we attended when they were in junior high. I was also the children’s choir director. At Christmas that year, I wrote a Christmas play that used live children and puppets, and the music director’s wife wrote the music. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to hear from readers and encourage them to write to me with any questions they may have about writing or about children's books. They can reach me via the following venues:
Website: www.maryanndiorio.comBlog (Matters of the Heart): http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/maryanndiorioblogAmazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorioFacebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorioTwitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorioGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=45380421Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorioYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/
Thank you, MaryAnn, for sharing with us today.Thank you, Lena, for your kindness in hosting me.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Who Is Jesus?
- HardbackWho Is Jesus? - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 6, 2016
WINNERS!!!!!!
Lientjie (QLD-Aus) is the winner of an ebook of
Charity's Cross
by MaryLu Tyndall.
Hannah (NE) is the winner of Shattered Memories by Debbie Lynne Costello.
Beth (IA) is the winner of A Reluctant Melody by Sandra Ardoin.
Kim (NE) is the winner of Pure Devotion by Rachel Windham.
Angela (KY) is the winner of Guilding the Water by Catherine Richmond.
Caryl (TX is the winner of an ebook of A Match for Magnolia by Marion Ueckermann.
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.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... 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, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
Hannah (NE) is the winner of Shattered Memories by Debbie Lynne Costello.
Beth (IA) is the winner of A Reluctant Melody by Sandra Ardoin.
Kim (NE) is the winner of Pure Devotion by Rachel Windham.
Angela (KY) is the winner of Guilding the Water by Catherine Richmond.
Caryl (TX is the winner of an ebook of A Match for Magnolia by Marion Ueckermann.
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.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... 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, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
March 4, 2016
A SPY'S DEVOTION - Melanie Dickerson - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I’ve featured all of Melanie’s books on this blog. Many of you will remember them—the series of fairy tales retold in Medieval times. I’ve loved them all. This new book is a different genre, a Regency romantic suspense. You won’t want to miss this one. It’s every bit as good or even better than her earlier books. An intriguing story line, characters who leap into your heart and live there, and a peek into the Regency era. What's not to love?
Welcome back, Melanie. Why did you become an author?I wanted to be a novelist when I was in middle school and high school, but I decided it would be too hard to break into publishing, so I quit writing altogether. Then when I had a toddler and a baby, fifteen years after high school, I started thinking about what I could do after my kids started school to generate income, and that’s why I started writing—because I was hoping to make a career out of it. But I soon realized it would probably be more of a ministry than a money-making scheme. J
If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?Hmmm. I don’t really like anything besides writing fiction. The only thing I think I MIGHT enjoy is meteorology. I think I might enjoy studying and talking about the weather.
If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?It’s hard to say, since I sort of cringe at the thought of not having indoor plumbing or antibiotics, but I think Medieval Europe, since I adore castles and everything else about Medieval times.
What place in the United Stateshave you not visited that you would like to?Lots of places, but I’ll say Charleston, since I love antebellum architecture and history.
How about a foreign country you hope to visit?I would love to visit Germany again to see more castles. I’d also love to visit Sloveniaand Slovakia. The more pictures I see of those two countries, the more I really want to visit.
What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?Trusting God is always an ongoing lesson. But I have been overcoming some things that have been long-time struggles, such as guilt and lack of confidence. I am learning more about intimacy with God, too, and about prayer.
A wonderful thing about walking with the Lord is that He’s always taking me just a little bit deeper as we go along. And I know there’s so much more for me to learn about Him. Tell us about the featured book.
A Spy’s Devotion
is a romantic suspense novel set in Regency England. It’s about a young woman, Julia Grey, who has been orphaned since she was 6 years old and taken in by her aunt and uncle as a companion for their spoiled only child, Phoebe. Julia has the idea that if she just conforms to society’s rules and everything her aunt and uncle want her to do, things will go well for her life. But when they ask her to do things that go against what she feels is right, she is forced to change her life philosophy. She ends up helping Nicholas Langdon in his quest to save England from a plot to murder General Wellington, and falling in love with him, though she knows there is no hope that she could ever marry him, since she has no fortune. It’s my first foray into Regency Romance, but hopefully shows my love of Jane Austen, with some suspense and spying thrown in for extra excitement. J
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.April 1811. London, England.Mr. Nicholas Langdon wasn’t supposed to be here.
Miss Julia Grey blinked, but he was still standing across the room from where she sat at the pianoforte.
It was the first party of the Season, and several of her aunt and uncle’s guests surrounded him. And in spite of the recent wounds he’d sustained fighting in the Peninsula, he looked as handsome and whole as he had the last time she’d seen him, a year and a half ago.
Just then, Miss Phoebe Wilhern, Julia’s cousin, turned and saw him—and gasped loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Phoebe’s face turned pink, and the hand she lifted to cover her overjoyed smile never quite reached her mouth.
Julia stood to go to Phoebe, to admonish her not to make her feelings so obvious. Julia had spent the last year and a half trying to help Phoebe forget her infatuation with the faraway army officer and think of other things besides her obsession with Mr. Langdon.
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.MelanieDickerson.comhttps://twitter.com/melanieauthorhttps://www.pinterest.com/dickerson3046https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDickersonBooks
Thank you, Melanie, for sharing this new book with us. I always put your newest book on the top of my to-be-read pile, and I loved it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome back, Melanie. Why did you become an author?I wanted to be a novelist when I was in middle school and high school, but I decided it would be too hard to break into publishing, so I quit writing altogether. Then when I had a toddler and a baby, fifteen years after high school, I started thinking about what I could do after my kids started school to generate income, and that’s why I started writing—because I was hoping to make a career out of it. But I soon realized it would probably be more of a ministry than a money-making scheme. JIf you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?Hmmm. I don’t really like anything besides writing fiction. The only thing I think I MIGHT enjoy is meteorology. I think I might enjoy studying and talking about the weather.
If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?It’s hard to say, since I sort of cringe at the thought of not having indoor plumbing or antibiotics, but I think Medieval Europe, since I adore castles and everything else about Medieval times.
What place in the United Stateshave you not visited that you would like to?Lots of places, but I’ll say Charleston, since I love antebellum architecture and history.
How about a foreign country you hope to visit?I would love to visit Germany again to see more castles. I’d also love to visit Sloveniaand Slovakia. The more pictures I see of those two countries, the more I really want to visit.
What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?Trusting God is always an ongoing lesson. But I have been overcoming some things that have been long-time struggles, such as guilt and lack of confidence. I am learning more about intimacy with God, too, and about prayer.
A wonderful thing about walking with the Lord is that He’s always taking me just a little bit deeper as we go along. And I know there’s so much more for me to learn about Him. Tell us about the featured book.
A Spy’s Devotion
is a romantic suspense novel set in Regency England. It’s about a young woman, Julia Grey, who has been orphaned since she was 6 years old and taken in by her aunt and uncle as a companion for their spoiled only child, Phoebe. Julia has the idea that if she just conforms to society’s rules and everything her aunt and uncle want her to do, things will go well for her life. But when they ask her to do things that go against what she feels is right, she is forced to change her life philosophy. She ends up helping Nicholas Langdon in his quest to save England from a plot to murder General Wellington, and falling in love with him, though she knows there is no hope that she could ever marry him, since she has no fortune. It’s my first foray into Regency Romance, but hopefully shows my love of Jane Austen, with some suspense and spying thrown in for extra excitement. JPlease give us the first page of the book for my readers.April 1811. London, England.Mr. Nicholas Langdon wasn’t supposed to be here.
Miss Julia Grey blinked, but he was still standing across the room from where she sat at the pianoforte.
It was the first party of the Season, and several of her aunt and uncle’s guests surrounded him. And in spite of the recent wounds he’d sustained fighting in the Peninsula, he looked as handsome and whole as he had the last time she’d seen him, a year and a half ago.
Just then, Miss Phoebe Wilhern, Julia’s cousin, turned and saw him—and gasped loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Phoebe’s face turned pink, and the hand she lifted to cover her overjoyed smile never quite reached her mouth.
Julia stood to go to Phoebe, to admonish her not to make her feelings so obvious. Julia had spent the last year and a half trying to help Phoebe forget her infatuation with the faraway army officer and think of other things besides her obsession with Mr. Langdon.
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.MelanieDickerson.comhttps://twitter.com/melanieauthorhttps://www.pinterest.com/dickerson3046https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDickersonBooks
Thank you, Melanie, for sharing this new book with us. I always put your newest book on the top of my to-be-read pile, and I loved it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
March 3, 2016
THE COWBOY'S BRIDE - Darlene Franklin, and others - One Free Book
Bio: Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over fifty books and more than 250 devotionals.
Welcome back, Darlene. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.I grew up in New England—a Yankee and proud of it—but moved west and fell in love with it. At the moment, I live in Oklahoma, near my son and his family. My first book, Romanian Rhapsody, was published in 2005. And after twenty years in Denver, I am mighty happy that the Broncos won the last Super Bowl!
I came to know the Lord during Vacation Bible School when I was a child, and more than fifty decades later, I feel like I’m just beginning. That was a well-deserved win at the Super Bowl, a wonderful game to watch. I absolutely loved Romanian Rhapsody when I read it back in 2005. It made me want to connect with the author. I’m so glad I did. I treasure our friendship. How did you become interested in writing? I wrote stories based on my favorite TV series as a child, and even wrote for a newspaper for a couple of years. But I began writing seriously in the wake of my divorce. I felt compelled to share the lessons God was teaching me. Next I turned to fiction, and I was hooked. What compelled you to write a book on the subject, The Cowboy’s Bride? That’s easy. My publisher (Barbour) asked for novella proposals about cowboy brides. Since I’m not an expert on the cowboy life, I made up a heroine a bit like me, an easterner uncomfortable with cowboy ways. She sets out to reform them by holding a class “Learn How to Become a Gentleman.” Love that. What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? The theme verse for the book encapsulates the theme: “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” (2 Corinthians 1:12) God has to open Millie’s eyes to what true godliness is—and how to look past the outside.
Of course, there’s the issue of Wes’s skirting with a lie—he hasn’t told Millie he’s a cowboy. He signs up for the class on becoming a gentleman—under a different version of his name. Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?Make integrity, sincerity, and God’s grace the foundation of your relationships. Easier said than done.
What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today? Oh, that’s a tough one for me. People tell me my books are sweet, that I create strong characters, that I incorporate scriptural truth naturally into the story. I’ve also been told I make my characters suffer. That’s not so true of Millie and Wes in
The Reformed Cowboy
. How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?I often start out to do one thing and find God leading me in another. I have to make an effort to look past the uncomfortable parts of person’s character to the person God loves. One aide in the nursing home where I live drives me crazy with his sense of humor. He thinks it’s funny to make fun of me, which draws up a lot of hurt for me. Then this morning, he poured out his heart for ten minutes, honoring me with his pain. Now, that’s what an example of God helping me to look beyond worldly wisdom.
Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? I usually quote Romans 8:38-39. But recently this verse has caught my heart: “I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” Isaiah 58:11-12 I can’t think of a place much emptier than a nursing home, and here God promises to use all the ruins of my past to build my future. That’s awesome, Darlene. I have watched you as you grow and thrive there. You’re an inspiration to me. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies? Now that I have a Kindle—I am reading voraciously. I do a lot of word searches and keep up with the outside world on Facebook. I also play piano at church services here, which brings me a lot of joy. Do grandchildren count as hobbies? When we are with our grandchildren or great grandchildren, they hold all our attention, so I guess that could be a hobby. As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?March is the birthday month for both my children and my oldest granddaughter. A happy shout out to all three!
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?Website and blogFacebookAmazon author page
Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this new novella collection with us. I love reading historical cowboy stories, and so do my blog readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
The Cowboy's Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. When you comment, tell us if you've ever known a cowboy, or not. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome back, Darlene. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.I grew up in New England—a Yankee and proud of it—but moved west and fell in love with it. At the moment, I live in Oklahoma, near my son and his family. My first book, Romanian Rhapsody, was published in 2005. And after twenty years in Denver, I am mighty happy that the Broncos won the last Super Bowl!I came to know the Lord during Vacation Bible School when I was a child, and more than fifty decades later, I feel like I’m just beginning. That was a well-deserved win at the Super Bowl, a wonderful game to watch. I absolutely loved Romanian Rhapsody when I read it back in 2005. It made me want to connect with the author. I’m so glad I did. I treasure our friendship. How did you become interested in writing? I wrote stories based on my favorite TV series as a child, and even wrote for a newspaper for a couple of years. But I began writing seriously in the wake of my divorce. I felt compelled to share the lessons God was teaching me. Next I turned to fiction, and I was hooked. What compelled you to write a book on the subject, The Cowboy’s Bride? That’s easy. My publisher (Barbour) asked for novella proposals about cowboy brides. Since I’m not an expert on the cowboy life, I made up a heroine a bit like me, an easterner uncomfortable with cowboy ways. She sets out to reform them by holding a class “Learn How to Become a Gentleman.” Love that. What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? The theme verse for the book encapsulates the theme: “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” (2 Corinthians 1:12) God has to open Millie’s eyes to what true godliness is—and how to look past the outside.
Of course, there’s the issue of Wes’s skirting with a lie—he hasn’t told Millie he’s a cowboy. He signs up for the class on becoming a gentleman—under a different version of his name. Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?Make integrity, sincerity, and God’s grace the foundation of your relationships. Easier said than done.
What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today? Oh, that’s a tough one for me. People tell me my books are sweet, that I create strong characters, that I incorporate scriptural truth naturally into the story. I’ve also been told I make my characters suffer. That’s not so true of Millie and Wes in
The Reformed Cowboy
. How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?I often start out to do one thing and find God leading me in another. I have to make an effort to look past the uncomfortable parts of person’s character to the person God loves. One aide in the nursing home where I live drives me crazy with his sense of humor. He thinks it’s funny to make fun of me, which draws up a lot of hurt for me. Then this morning, he poured out his heart for ten minutes, honoring me with his pain. Now, that’s what an example of God helping me to look beyond worldly wisdom.Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? I usually quote Romans 8:38-39. But recently this verse has caught my heart: “I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” Isaiah 58:11-12 I can’t think of a place much emptier than a nursing home, and here God promises to use all the ruins of my past to build my future. That’s awesome, Darlene. I have watched you as you grow and thrive there. You’re an inspiration to me. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies? Now that I have a Kindle—I am reading voraciously. I do a lot of word searches and keep up with the outside world on Facebook. I also play piano at church services here, which brings me a lot of joy. Do grandchildren count as hobbies? When we are with our grandchildren or great grandchildren, they hold all our attention, so I guess that could be a hobby. As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?March is the birthday month for both my children and my oldest granddaughter. A happy shout out to all three!
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?Website and blogFacebookAmazon author page
Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this new novella collection with us. I love reading historical cowboy stories, and so do my blog readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
The Cowboy's Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. When you comment, tell us if you've ever known a cowboy, or not. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing 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 is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
