Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 163
February 8, 2016
AUSTEN IN AUSTIN (ROMANTIC REFINEMENTS) - Anita Mae Draper - One Free Book
Bio: Anita Mae Draper's stories are written under the western skies where she lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewanwith her hubby of 30 plus years and the youngest of their four kids. When she's not writing, Anita enjoys photography, research, travel, and is especially happy when she can combine the three in one trip. Anita's current release is Romantic Refinements, a novella in
Austen in Austin
Volume 1, WhiteFire Publishing, January 2016. Anita is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Management. You can find Anita Mae at www.anitamaedraper.com
Welcome, Anita. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.My characters don’t reflect who I am, as much as who I strive to be.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?This brings to mind a silly incident when I was a young corporal working as a teletype operator in a military message center. Everyone had gone for coffee and I was all alone—or so I thought. With nothing to do but babysit the equipment, I sat on my favorite swivel chair and spun myself around, legs off the ground, as if I were on a children’s park merry-go-round. When I opened my eyes, I saw my sergeant leaning against his open office door giving me with a quizzical look. Whoops. I said the first thing I thought of… “Would you believe I’m lowering my chair?” He disappeared back into his office while shaking his head and muttering. Let’s just say that from then on I kept my chair spinning antics to my midnight shifts.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I wrote my first poem when I was six, but it wasn’t until I was fourteen that I felt compelled to write a story which seemed novel-length, but in hindsight was only short story length.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I love reading westerns in any time period, and historicals are a favorite, but I also read contemporary. Sometimes it’s not so much the genre, but the author, or a cover, that draws me to a book. Whatever I read, it has to have a happily ever after.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?That’s easy … I don’t. Seriously, though, every once in a while I’ll get overwhelmed by all the demands and so I’ll go off social media and hide out in my writing cave. After a few days of solitude, I’m ready to face the world.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Usually, a name will come to me as I think of a storyline. Then, I’ll check it on a baby name app which shows what names were popular in the time period of my story. And if I haven’t found one by then, I’ll look at old census records of the period and choose one that way. I also have a baby name origin book for when my character comes from a specific country and I want to add flavor to the story.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished thus far in my writing career, but the one that made me giddy was when Guideposts Books chose my Christmas short story, “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” to be featured in a marketing campaign where thousands of subscribers were able to read the first eight pages of my story, one of eight short stories in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 4. It was a definite honor to be blessed in that way.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?Call me a party-pooper, but I really don’t want to be an animal. The way I see it, they all have their limitations when it comes to predators and the food chain. At least as a human I feel love, I can think, and I have faith in a God who loves me.
Good answer. What is your favorite food?Kraft Dinner with wieners or smokies as a meal. Chocolate at any other time.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?The lack of confidence has always been my biggest roadblock. When I need reassurance, I first pray about it, then I email my Inkwell Inspirations blog mates. And if I still need a pick me up, I’ll email my agent, Mary Keeley. I’m truly blessed with a wonderful support team.
Tell us about the featured book. Austen in Austin Volume 1 is a 4 novella collection set in the late 1900’s in Austin, Texas, using Jane Austen’s characters. For example, my novella’s heroine, Marion, in Romantic Refinements, is loosely based on the younger sister, Marianne, in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. The novellas can be purchased and read as a stand-alone, but since the stories are all interwoven, characters from any story in Volume 1 and 2 (available later this year) may appear in any other novella(s)—some as a foreshadow and some as an epilogue. It’s a richer experience if they’re read in order.
Please give us the first page of the book.“Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent.” ― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
September 1882, Texas Hill CountryEven the jerking and jostling of wooden wagon wheels travelling on uneven ground didn’t drop Marion McDermott’s gaze from the herd of rangy cowhands watching the action in the corral. Why, the thought that her future husband might be in the batch of hardened, heavy-working, hat-wearing men set her heart a-thumping—something the dandies back in Austin hadn’t been able to achieve. Poppa’s smile would surely shine when he heard how seriously she’d taken his warning about marrying a man for his good looks, alone.
Yet as Aunt Mattie steered their outfit toward the white pickets which surrounded the familiar verandah-decked house, Marion nervously smoothed the lap of her periwinkle day dress. With its layers of ruffles and lace it hadn’t been the most practical choice for the hour trip from Austin, but as headmistress Mrs. Collins had repeatedly said, Marion should continue to work on virtues such as practicality even now that she’d graduated from the Jeanette C. Austen Academy for Young Ladies.
Over by the corral the cowhands gazed in Marion’s direction even though the object of their recent attention still bucked with abandon in the corral behind them.
Spotting a familiar handsome face sent a hundred butterflies flittering in her stomach. Mr. Jeffrey Whelp could very well be the man to leave this ranch with a proprietary hand on her back.
As he left the rail and sauntered her way with the rest of the men, Marionfaced the front, her gloved hands closing the silk parasol that matched her fancy travelling dress.
Aunt Mattie reined in the team beside the fence where Marion’s favorite yellow roses rambled along the white pickets.
Marionleaned down from her seat for a satisfying whiff of their heavenly scent. “Everything’s always the same.”
Aunt Mattie tied off the lines. “Not much changes on a ranch, except for the men. You’ll recognize most of them, especially the ones your poppa sent over. My brother is as stubborn as they come, but he believes in family and I value the support he has shown over the years since your Uncle Raith died. All his blustering at the beginning was only because that is what he thought a big brother was supposed to do. But he came around.”
She nodded toward the outbuildings. “I don’t think you’ve met my foreman, yet.”
A tall cowboy in a black hat stood on the stoop of the foreman’s quarters. His off-white shirt and denims were much like the clothes of the other cowhands, but when he stepped down and headed her way, he lacked the rolling saunter of someone who spent hours in the saddle. Instead, his limping stride appeared jerky and torturous. Beneath a wide brim, his sun-creased face lacked signs of youth and Marion guessed him to be about thirty or so. With his strong, clean-shaven jawline and wide shoulders his overall appearance was that of a striking man any woman would have a hard time forgetting.
Their gazes locked, his directness questioning hers.
She looked away, annoyed that she’d been caught staring.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Thanks for asking! You can find me at these online places:WebsitePinterest(includes story boards)Twitter
Thank you, Anita, for sharing this new book with us. I know lots of my readers are Austen fans and will love the Texas twist to the stories.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Austen in Austin, Volume 1
- Paperback
Austen in Austin, Volume 1: Four Texas-Set Novellas Based on Jane Austen's Novels
- Kindle
Romantic Refinements (Austen in Austin) - 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, Anita. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.My characters don’t reflect who I am, as much as who I strive to be. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?This brings to mind a silly incident when I was a young corporal working as a teletype operator in a military message center. Everyone had gone for coffee and I was all alone—or so I thought. With nothing to do but babysit the equipment, I sat on my favorite swivel chair and spun myself around, legs off the ground, as if I were on a children’s park merry-go-round. When I opened my eyes, I saw my sergeant leaning against his open office door giving me with a quizzical look. Whoops. I said the first thing I thought of… “Would you believe I’m lowering my chair?” He disappeared back into his office while shaking his head and muttering. Let’s just say that from then on I kept my chair spinning antics to my midnight shifts.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I wrote my first poem when I was six, but it wasn’t until I was fourteen that I felt compelled to write a story which seemed novel-length, but in hindsight was only short story length.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I love reading westerns in any time period, and historicals are a favorite, but I also read contemporary. Sometimes it’s not so much the genre, but the author, or a cover, that draws me to a book. Whatever I read, it has to have a happily ever after.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?That’s easy … I don’t. Seriously, though, every once in a while I’ll get overwhelmed by all the demands and so I’ll go off social media and hide out in my writing cave. After a few days of solitude, I’m ready to face the world.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Usually, a name will come to me as I think of a storyline. Then, I’ll check it on a baby name app which shows what names were popular in the time period of my story. And if I haven’t found one by then, I’ll look at old census records of the period and choose one that way. I also have a baby name origin book for when my character comes from a specific country and I want to add flavor to the story.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished thus far in my writing career, but the one that made me giddy was when Guideposts Books chose my Christmas short story, “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” to be featured in a marketing campaign where thousands of subscribers were able to read the first eight pages of my story, one of eight short stories in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 4. It was a definite honor to be blessed in that way.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?Call me a party-pooper, but I really don’t want to be an animal. The way I see it, they all have their limitations when it comes to predators and the food chain. At least as a human I feel love, I can think, and I have faith in a God who loves me.
Good answer. What is your favorite food?Kraft Dinner with wieners or smokies as a meal. Chocolate at any other time.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?The lack of confidence has always been my biggest roadblock. When I need reassurance, I first pray about it, then I email my Inkwell Inspirations blog mates. And if I still need a pick me up, I’ll email my agent, Mary Keeley. I’m truly blessed with a wonderful support team.
Tell us about the featured book. Austen in Austin Volume 1 is a 4 novella collection set in the late 1900’s in Austin, Texas, using Jane Austen’s characters. For example, my novella’s heroine, Marion, in Romantic Refinements, is loosely based on the younger sister, Marianne, in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. The novellas can be purchased and read as a stand-alone, but since the stories are all interwoven, characters from any story in Volume 1 and 2 (available later this year) may appear in any other novella(s)—some as a foreshadow and some as an epilogue. It’s a richer experience if they’re read in order.
Please give us the first page of the book.“Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent.” ― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
September 1882, Texas Hill CountryEven the jerking and jostling of wooden wagon wheels travelling on uneven ground didn’t drop Marion McDermott’s gaze from the herd of rangy cowhands watching the action in the corral. Why, the thought that her future husband might be in the batch of hardened, heavy-working, hat-wearing men set her heart a-thumping—something the dandies back in Austin hadn’t been able to achieve. Poppa’s smile would surely shine when he heard how seriously she’d taken his warning about marrying a man for his good looks, alone.Yet as Aunt Mattie steered their outfit toward the white pickets which surrounded the familiar verandah-decked house, Marion nervously smoothed the lap of her periwinkle day dress. With its layers of ruffles and lace it hadn’t been the most practical choice for the hour trip from Austin, but as headmistress Mrs. Collins had repeatedly said, Marion should continue to work on virtues such as practicality even now that she’d graduated from the Jeanette C. Austen Academy for Young Ladies.
Over by the corral the cowhands gazed in Marion’s direction even though the object of their recent attention still bucked with abandon in the corral behind them.
Spotting a familiar handsome face sent a hundred butterflies flittering in her stomach. Mr. Jeffrey Whelp could very well be the man to leave this ranch with a proprietary hand on her back.
As he left the rail and sauntered her way with the rest of the men, Marionfaced the front, her gloved hands closing the silk parasol that matched her fancy travelling dress.
Aunt Mattie reined in the team beside the fence where Marion’s favorite yellow roses rambled along the white pickets.
Marionleaned down from her seat for a satisfying whiff of their heavenly scent. “Everything’s always the same.”
Aunt Mattie tied off the lines. “Not much changes on a ranch, except for the men. You’ll recognize most of them, especially the ones your poppa sent over. My brother is as stubborn as they come, but he believes in family and I value the support he has shown over the years since your Uncle Raith died. All his blustering at the beginning was only because that is what he thought a big brother was supposed to do. But he came around.”
She nodded toward the outbuildings. “I don’t think you’ve met my foreman, yet.”
A tall cowboy in a black hat stood on the stoop of the foreman’s quarters. His off-white shirt and denims were much like the clothes of the other cowhands, but when he stepped down and headed her way, he lacked the rolling saunter of someone who spent hours in the saddle. Instead, his limping stride appeared jerky and torturous. Beneath a wide brim, his sun-creased face lacked signs of youth and Marion guessed him to be about thirty or so. With his strong, clean-shaven jawline and wide shoulders his overall appearance was that of a striking man any woman would have a hard time forgetting.
Their gazes locked, his directness questioning hers.
She looked away, annoyed that she’d been caught staring.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Thanks for asking! You can find me at these online places:WebsitePinterest(includes story boards)Twitter
Thank you, Anita, for sharing this new book with us. I know lots of my readers are Austen fans and will love the Texas twist to the stories.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Austen in Austin, Volume 1
- PaperbackAusten in Austin, Volume 1: Four Texas-Set Novellas Based on Jane Austen's Novels
- KindleRomantic Refinements (Austen in Austin) - 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
February 7, 2016
WINNERS!!!!!
Linda K (CA) is the winner of
No Accounting for Murder
by Leeann Betts.
Kathy (MO) is the winner of The Warrior Spy by Dony Jay.
Kim (NE) is the winner of Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kim Woodhouse.
JC (IN) is the winner of 21 Days of Love by Kathy Ide, Editor.
Melissa (TN) is the winner of One Free Audiobook by Angela Breidenbach.
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.
Kathy (MO) is the winner of The Warrior Spy by Dony Jay.
Kim (NE) is the winner of Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kim Woodhouse.
JC (IN) is the winner of 21 Days of Love by Kathy Ide, Editor.
Melissa (TN) is the winner of One Free Audiobook by Angela Breidenbach.
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.
February 5, 2016
ON LONE STAR TRAIL - Amanda Cabot - Free Copy of IN FIREFLY VALLEY, the second book in the series
Dear Readers, I’ve known Amanda a long time online. Then several years ago, she was on a book tour through Texas, and she invited me to join her with my books at a bookstore in Dallas. It was wonderful to sit and visit with her while we were there. And I love her books, both the historicals as well as this series of contemporary novels. I was privileged to read this book for endorsement. It’s wonderful. The characters really captured my heart. You won’t want to miss this story.
BIO: Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroad trilogy, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a full-time writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.
Welcome back, Amanda. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I’ve always been drawn to stories of healing, and so I frequently write about the healing power of love. When I wrote for the secular market, that love was between a man and a woman. Now that I’m writing for the Christian market, I can – and do – include the power of God’s love. It’s wonderful to be able to share stories of the way God’s love sustains us through even the darkest times in our lives.
What other books of yours are coming out soon? On Lone Star Trail is my only full length book for 2016, but I have a novella in a collection tentatively entitled Rails to Love. Although the release date isn’t finalized, I believe it will be October. Next year marks my return to historical romances, with the first in a trilogy scheduled to release early in 2017. I hope readers will check my web site occasionally for news about what’s coming next.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?I’d love to spend an evening with Lynn Austin. I’ve admired her books for many years and would like to talk “shop” with her.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?Oh, what a hard question to answer! There are so many fascinating people I’d like to meet, but if I could only choose one, it would be Abraham Lincoln. I’d love to talk to him about the challenges he faced as President during the Civil War and how he managed to keep his sense of humor while he led the country through one of its most turbulent eras.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?I have three pieces of advice. The first is to read extensively in the genre you want to write. That’s the best way to learn what a publisher is buying. Secondly, join a writer’s group. ACFW is wonderful for writers in the Christian marketplace, and Romance Writers of America is excellent for anyone interested in writing romance. A writer’s group provides support, networking and so many other resources to the aspiring writer that I can’t over-emphasize the importance of joining one. And lastly, never give up. Rejection is a fact of life. I won’t sugarcoat it: rejection hurts. But if you let it defeat you, if you stop sending out your manuscript just because it was rejected, you’ll never be published. Believe in your book and in yourself. Oh … that was four pieces of advice. Sorry!
Four very good pieces of advice. Tell us about the featured book.I’m famous for not being able to tell a story in less than 100K words, so why don’t I share the back cover copy with you?
A woman without a future. A man running from the past.One enchanting place where broken dreams are mIf there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. Unsure about the next phase in her life, she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort for some R and R when a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash right in front of her.
When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He has spent the past year wandering the country on his motorcycle, trying not to think about the future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.
As these broken people collide, they find that a bright future is still ahead—it just might not be the one they imagined for themselves.
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.Relax. Gillian Hodge forced her fingers to stop gripping the steering wheel as if it were a lifeline. This wasn’t her Carnegie Hall debut or the finals of the Brooks competition when so much was riding on the outcome. This was a vacation, for Pete’s sake. A week with her best friend and the woman who’d been a surrogate grandmother. She should be filled with anticipation, counting the minutes until she arrived, not wound as tightly as a metronome.
Gillian took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. In, out. In, out. The technique had never failed when she’d used it before performances, and it did not fail now. She could feel her neck and shoulder muscles relaxing as she repeated the slow, even breathing. The tension began to drain, and for the first time since she’d left the freeway, Gillian looked at her surroundings rather than concentrating on the highway.
Kate was right. The Texas Hill Country was particularly beautiful in the spring. It had been lovely when she’d been here for Kate’s wedding last September, but the fresh green of spring grasses and leaves and the patches of vividly colored wildflowers turned what had been simply lovely into something spectacular. No wonder Kate kept raving about her new home.
Though it was still difficult to believe that Kate, a dyed-in-the-wool city girl like Gillian, had given up a major promotion and traded a glamorous life as an advertising executive to run a small resort in the middle of Texas, that was exactly what had happened. Of course, one particular man had a lot to do with Kate’s decision. She had come to Texasalmost kicking and screaming and had discovered true love.
Gillian’s smile faded. Despite her father’s advice that marriage was what Gillian needed, she wasn’t looking for love at Rainbow’s End, just a change of scenery and a chance to rest. Months of physical therapy had not accomplished its goal. Her dreams had been crushed—literally—leaving her no choice but to build a new life. At this point, Gillian had no idea of what the future would bring other than that concert stages would not be part of it. After six months of dwelling on what she could no longer do, it was time to discover what other talents she had. But before she did that, she wanted time with the people who’d known her before her name ever graced a marquee.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus on the progress you’re making, not what you can’t do. The scars will fade, and so will the memories.
Readers, see I told you this is a good book. I can feel that you want to know what happens next. Amanda, how can readers find you on the Internet?I love connecting with readers, and so I encourage them to find me at any of the following places:www.amandacabot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabothttps://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Amanda, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
On Lone Star Trail (Texas Crossroads Book #3): A 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
BIO: Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroad trilogy, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a full-time writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.
Welcome back, Amanda. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I’ve always been drawn to stories of healing, and so I frequently write about the healing power of love. When I wrote for the secular market, that love was between a man and a woman. Now that I’m writing for the Christian market, I can – and do – include the power of God’s love. It’s wonderful to be able to share stories of the way God’s love sustains us through even the darkest times in our lives.What other books of yours are coming out soon? On Lone Star Trail is my only full length book for 2016, but I have a novella in a collection tentatively entitled Rails to Love. Although the release date isn’t finalized, I believe it will be October. Next year marks my return to historical romances, with the first in a trilogy scheduled to release early in 2017. I hope readers will check my web site occasionally for news about what’s coming next.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?I’d love to spend an evening with Lynn Austin. I’ve admired her books for many years and would like to talk “shop” with her.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?Oh, what a hard question to answer! There are so many fascinating people I’d like to meet, but if I could only choose one, it would be Abraham Lincoln. I’d love to talk to him about the challenges he faced as President during the Civil War and how he managed to keep his sense of humor while he led the country through one of its most turbulent eras.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?I have three pieces of advice. The first is to read extensively in the genre you want to write. That’s the best way to learn what a publisher is buying. Secondly, join a writer’s group. ACFW is wonderful for writers in the Christian marketplace, and Romance Writers of America is excellent for anyone interested in writing romance. A writer’s group provides support, networking and so many other resources to the aspiring writer that I can’t over-emphasize the importance of joining one. And lastly, never give up. Rejection is a fact of life. I won’t sugarcoat it: rejection hurts. But if you let it defeat you, if you stop sending out your manuscript just because it was rejected, you’ll never be published. Believe in your book and in yourself. Oh … that was four pieces of advice. Sorry!
Four very good pieces of advice. Tell us about the featured book.I’m famous for not being able to tell a story in less than 100K words, so why don’t I share the back cover copy with you?
A woman without a future. A man running from the past.One enchanting place where broken dreams are mIf there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. Unsure about the next phase in her life, she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort for some R and R when a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash right in front of her.
When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He has spent the past year wandering the country on his motorcycle, trying not to think about the future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.
As these broken people collide, they find that a bright future is still ahead—it just might not be the one they imagined for themselves.
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.Relax. Gillian Hodge forced her fingers to stop gripping the steering wheel as if it were a lifeline. This wasn’t her Carnegie Hall debut or the finals of the Brooks competition when so much was riding on the outcome. This was a vacation, for Pete’s sake. A week with her best friend and the woman who’d been a surrogate grandmother. She should be filled with anticipation, counting the minutes until she arrived, not wound as tightly as a metronome.Gillian took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. In, out. In, out. The technique had never failed when she’d used it before performances, and it did not fail now. She could feel her neck and shoulder muscles relaxing as she repeated the slow, even breathing. The tension began to drain, and for the first time since she’d left the freeway, Gillian looked at her surroundings rather than concentrating on the highway.
Kate was right. The Texas Hill Country was particularly beautiful in the spring. It had been lovely when she’d been here for Kate’s wedding last September, but the fresh green of spring grasses and leaves and the patches of vividly colored wildflowers turned what had been simply lovely into something spectacular. No wonder Kate kept raving about her new home.
Though it was still difficult to believe that Kate, a dyed-in-the-wool city girl like Gillian, had given up a major promotion and traded a glamorous life as an advertising executive to run a small resort in the middle of Texas, that was exactly what had happened. Of course, one particular man had a lot to do with Kate’s decision. She had come to Texasalmost kicking and screaming and had discovered true love.
Gillian’s smile faded. Despite her father’s advice that marriage was what Gillian needed, she wasn’t looking for love at Rainbow’s End, just a change of scenery and a chance to rest. Months of physical therapy had not accomplished its goal. Her dreams had been crushed—literally—leaving her no choice but to build a new life. At this point, Gillian had no idea of what the future would bring other than that concert stages would not be part of it. After six months of dwelling on what she could no longer do, it was time to discover what other talents she had. But before she did that, she wanted time with the people who’d known her before her name ever graced a marquee.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus on the progress you’re making, not what you can’t do. The scars will fade, and so will the memories.
Readers, see I told you this is a good book. I can feel that you want to know what happens next. Amanda, how can readers find you on the Internet?I love connecting with readers, and so I encourage them to find me at any of the following places:www.amandacabot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabothttps://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Amanda, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
On Lone Star Trail (Texas Crossroads Book #3): A 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
February 4, 2016
A SON'S VOW - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book
Bio: Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for Harper Collins inspirational line, Avon Inspire and historical romances as Shelley Gray for Harper Collins Christian Publishers. Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Todaybestseller lists.
To date, Shelley has published over fifty novels for a variety of publishers. Her novels have been highlighted in the PhiladelphiaEnquirer, WashingtonPost, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on National Public Radio as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Welcome back, Shelley. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?Yes! There certainly were a lot of people involved in making this book a reality! Two people who were instrumental in the planning and plotting of this series were Laurie Smith and Lynne Stroup. These ladies are not only friends, they are also my assistants. We often travel together. When we had to take a detour one evening on our way from Berlinto Sugarcreek, we drove through Charm. All three of us knew it would be a perfect setting for a series.
The next person who was instrumental in the birth of A Son’s Vow was my editor, Chelsey Emmelhainz. After I wrote her about my ideas, she gave me a call and we fine-tuned both the novel and the series’ direction. She also encouraged me during the editing process to dig deeper into some of the story lines.
Finally, I’m indebted to Julia Meltzer, who copy edits the manuscript. Julia has a sharp eye and caught all sorts of tiny discrepancies. Her work on the novel made it that much better.
If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?First off, just attended my literary agencies writing cruise in January. I spoke one morning about my writing journey. I also love to visit libraries and speak with patrons, so I’ll be visiting several this Spring in Ohioand Indiana.
If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?Since it’s currently 5 degrees here in my town in southern Ohio, I think it would be wonderful to move somewhere warmer! One thing I particularly loved about my visits to Sarasota, Florida, when I was doing research for my Pinecraft books was how nice it was to go walking outside in February.
If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?There are so many things I’d love to share that might be helpful, but I think perhaps the most important advice is to not give up. Writing is a challenging profession and it’s sometimes hard for an author to remain positive and continue writing, especially if she has received some tough critiques from judges or publishing professionals. Criticism is part of the territory, but if an aspiring novelist truly loves to write, then she needs to focus on staying positive and keep writing every day!
You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])LOL! I don’t watch a lot of television, but I have to admit to being a big fan of The Voice and American Idol. If I could book celebrities for that, I’d book some of the folks who’ve either participated or judged these shows. I can’t sing at all but I truly admire people who can!
Tell us about the featured book.
A Son’s Vow
is the first book in this year’s Charmed Amish Life series. This romance centers around Lukas, the eldest son in the Kinsinger family. The lumber mill that their family owns has recently been struck by tragedy and he’s doing his best to both run the mill and hold his family together. The heroine in the book is Darla. Darla’s father perished in the fire, but there’s also a bit of mystery around him and his role in the mill’s tragedy. Lukas and Darla fall in love while negotiating a rocky road to redemption and forgiveness.
Please give us the first page of the book.March 20It was another picture-perfect day in Charm.
The sky was pale blue, quietly complementing the acres of vibrant green farmland as far as the eye could see. Spring lambs had arrived. They were frolicking in the fields, their eager bleats echoing through the valley. The morning air was not too chilly or too damp. Instead, a hint of warmth teased, bringing with it as much hope as the crocus buds that peeked through the dark dirt of the numerous clay pots decorating cleanly swept front porches.
It was the type of morning that encouraged a person to go out walking, to smile. The type of day that reminded one and all that God was present and did, indeed, bestow gifts.In short, it was the type of day that used to give Darletta Kurtz hope. A day like this should have made her happy, revitalized her. It should have made her want to pull out a pencil and one of her many notebooks and record the images she saw and list activities she wanted to do.
It was the kind of day she used to love and maybe, just maybe, take for granted.
Where can we find you on the Internet?
I have a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com. I’m also on Twitter @ShelleySGray, and on Facebook at Shelley Shepard Gray. I hope folks will reach out to me and tell me what they thought of my latest novel!
Thank you, Shelley, for sharing the first book in this new series with us. I really loved your Pinecraft series, and I'm sure this one will be as good or better.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
A Son's Vow: The Charmed Amish Life, Book One - 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
To date, Shelley has published over fifty novels for a variety of publishers. Her novels have been highlighted in the PhiladelphiaEnquirer, WashingtonPost, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on National Public Radio as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Welcome back, Shelley. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?Yes! There certainly were a lot of people involved in making this book a reality! Two people who were instrumental in the planning and plotting of this series were Laurie Smith and Lynne Stroup. These ladies are not only friends, they are also my assistants. We often travel together. When we had to take a detour one evening on our way from Berlinto Sugarcreek, we drove through Charm. All three of us knew it would be a perfect setting for a series.The next person who was instrumental in the birth of A Son’s Vow was my editor, Chelsey Emmelhainz. After I wrote her about my ideas, she gave me a call and we fine-tuned both the novel and the series’ direction. She also encouraged me during the editing process to dig deeper into some of the story lines.
Finally, I’m indebted to Julia Meltzer, who copy edits the manuscript. Julia has a sharp eye and caught all sorts of tiny discrepancies. Her work on the novel made it that much better.
If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?First off, just attended my literary agencies writing cruise in January. I spoke one morning about my writing journey. I also love to visit libraries and speak with patrons, so I’ll be visiting several this Spring in Ohioand Indiana.
If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?Since it’s currently 5 degrees here in my town in southern Ohio, I think it would be wonderful to move somewhere warmer! One thing I particularly loved about my visits to Sarasota, Florida, when I was doing research for my Pinecraft books was how nice it was to go walking outside in February.
If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?There are so many things I’d love to share that might be helpful, but I think perhaps the most important advice is to not give up. Writing is a challenging profession and it’s sometimes hard for an author to remain positive and continue writing, especially if she has received some tough critiques from judges or publishing professionals. Criticism is part of the territory, but if an aspiring novelist truly loves to write, then she needs to focus on staying positive and keep writing every day!
You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])LOL! I don’t watch a lot of television, but I have to admit to being a big fan of The Voice and American Idol. If I could book celebrities for that, I’d book some of the folks who’ve either participated or judged these shows. I can’t sing at all but I truly admire people who can!
Tell us about the featured book.
A Son’s Vow
is the first book in this year’s Charmed Amish Life series. This romance centers around Lukas, the eldest son in the Kinsinger family. The lumber mill that their family owns has recently been struck by tragedy and he’s doing his best to both run the mill and hold his family together. The heroine in the book is Darla. Darla’s father perished in the fire, but there’s also a bit of mystery around him and his role in the mill’s tragedy. Lukas and Darla fall in love while negotiating a rocky road to redemption and forgiveness. Please give us the first page of the book.March 20It was another picture-perfect day in Charm.
The sky was pale blue, quietly complementing the acres of vibrant green farmland as far as the eye could see. Spring lambs had arrived. They were frolicking in the fields, their eager bleats echoing through the valley. The morning air was not too chilly or too damp. Instead, a hint of warmth teased, bringing with it as much hope as the crocus buds that peeked through the dark dirt of the numerous clay pots decorating cleanly swept front porches.
It was the type of morning that encouraged a person to go out walking, to smile. The type of day that reminded one and all that God was present and did, indeed, bestow gifts.In short, it was the type of day that used to give Darletta Kurtz hope. A day like this should have made her happy, revitalized her. It should have made her want to pull out a pencil and one of her many notebooks and record the images she saw and list activities she wanted to do.
It was the kind of day she used to love and maybe, just maybe, take for granted.
Where can we find you on the Internet?
I have a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com. I’m also on Twitter @ShelleySGray, and on Facebook at Shelley Shepard Gray. I hope folks will reach out to me and tell me what they thought of my latest novel!
Thank you, Shelley, for sharing the first book in this new series with us. I really loved your Pinecraft series, and I'm sure this one will be as good or better.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
A Son's Vow: The Charmed Amish Life, Book One - 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
February 3, 2016
IF I RUN - Terri Blackstock - One Free Book, Plus More
Dear Readers, I am a long-time fan of Terri Blackstock suspense novels.
Welcome back, Terri. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I like to write about suffering, because I believe that a lot of Christians are dealing with extreme trials. I want them to understand that there’s purpose in all of it, and that, while God doesn’t insulate us from suffering or solve every problem as we want Him to, He doesn’t abandon us as we endure it. Instead, He’s right there with us through it all, and what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good. He may not cause our suffering—sometimes that’s the work of others or of our own mistakes—but He uses all of it to grow us. Sometimes when we look back on our biggest crises, we can see that God turned them into blessings.
What other books of yours are coming out soon?Right now I’m working on If I’m Found, the book that follows If I Run . In it, Casey, my fugitive, changes her identity again and runs to another town, where she encounters another adventure as she tries to stay hidden from those who are hunting her. Dylan, the investigator who’s closing in on her, realizes that someone wants to kill her, so he’s searching harder for her to keep her alive. He goes from being her nemesis to being her protector.
Sounds wonderful. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?Kay Arthur, because I’ve been a student of her Precept courses on different books of the Bible for many years. I would love to ask her some questions about passages in the Bible, then sit at her feet and listen as she unpacks them. I admire her wisdom and her love for God’s Word so much.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?According to a genealogy study I did, it appears that I have three ancestors who came over on the Mayflower—Edward Fuller and his wife, and their twelve year old son Samuel Fuller (named after his uncle, Samuel Fuller, who was also on the Mayflower). I haven’t had it verified, so the connection to my family could be a mistake, but whether we were related or not, I’d love to have the chance to talk to Samuel about what his experiences were as a kid, having both of his parents die during the first winter they were on American soil, and how he went on to help build this new world. His father signed the Mayflower Compact that was the beginning of our democratic government, and I just think he’d have a world of wisdom to pass on to me.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?I would tell them to listen carefully to the criticism they’re getting—view it as a gift that someone has given them—and make the changes they’re suggesting. Keep learning your craft. Join writers’ groups, read everything you can in your genre, go to conferences. Learning your craft the right way takes a long time and a lot of practice, so write, write, write. If you don’t love it, quit. The only reason to be a writer is because you love it.
Tell us about the featured book.I wanted to feature a character who is an unbeliever, who has nowhere to turn when life crashes down around her. Casey Cox is one of my favorite characters in any of the books I’ve written because she’s complex and simple at the same time. When she’s accused of committing a heinous murder and knows her DNA is all over the crime scene, she decides to run. She leaves everyone she loves behind, because she believes deeply that if she’s caught, she won’t just go to prison. She’ll be murdered as well.
The private investigator contracted to find her and bring her back is Dylan, who’s been working in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Army, but because he’s a survivor of some IED explosions that killed several of his buddies, he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to his condition, he’s been discharged from the Army, and he’s had trouble getting another job. The family of the murder victim hires him to find Casey, the fugitive they think killed their son. As experienced as he is at solving crimes, his personal problems sometimes get in the way. He reacts intensely to loud noises, has nightmares that keep him from wanting to sleep at night, is depressed, has survivor’s guilt, and deals with a number of other things. But I really like him because he doesn’t see himself as a victim. He’s a Christian who’s trying to overcome his problems through his faith, but sometimes they’re just bigger than his faith.
As Dylan learns more about Casey so he can get inside her head, he realizes they have something in common. They probably both have PTSD. He begins to see that Casey doesn’t really fit the profile of a killer. Is she a psychopathic killer, or another suffering victim?
Please give us the first page of the book.From If I Run (Zondervan, 2016):There’s blood on the bottom of my shoes. I rinse the soles, knowing the police will trace the impression of the rubber pattern and determine that they’re Skechers. They’ll find the charge for the shoe store on my credit card, proving they’re mine.
Blood runs down the drain. My heart races as though it’s my own draining away, but it’s not mine. My throat constricts as tears fill my eyes, but I push them away. There’s no time to feel.
When the shoes seem clean enough, I blot them on a towel and slip them into my bag.
They’ll see the traces of blood on the sink, in the footsteps at the door where I took the shoes off, on the towel. They’ll shine that Luminol stuff all through my apartment and add it to the evidence list against me. There’s no point in wasting time cleaning it up. I just have to get out of here.
I’m eager to get started reading my copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?My web site: http://www.terriblackstock.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/tblackstockTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/terriblackstockYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/terriblackstock
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!
One grand prize winner will receive:
A copy of If I RunA Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog .
Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here .
Thank you, Terri, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, 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, Terri. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I like to write about suffering, because I believe that a lot of Christians are dealing with extreme trials. I want them to understand that there’s purpose in all of it, and that, while God doesn’t insulate us from suffering or solve every problem as we want Him to, He doesn’t abandon us as we endure it. Instead, He’s right there with us through it all, and what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good. He may not cause our suffering—sometimes that’s the work of others or of our own mistakes—but He uses all of it to grow us. Sometimes when we look back on our biggest crises, we can see that God turned them into blessings.What other books of yours are coming out soon?Right now I’m working on If I’m Found, the book that follows If I Run . In it, Casey, my fugitive, changes her identity again and runs to another town, where she encounters another adventure as she tries to stay hidden from those who are hunting her. Dylan, the investigator who’s closing in on her, realizes that someone wants to kill her, so he’s searching harder for her to keep her alive. He goes from being her nemesis to being her protector.
Sounds wonderful. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?Kay Arthur, because I’ve been a student of her Precept courses on different books of the Bible for many years. I would love to ask her some questions about passages in the Bible, then sit at her feet and listen as she unpacks them. I admire her wisdom and her love for God’s Word so much.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?According to a genealogy study I did, it appears that I have three ancestors who came over on the Mayflower—Edward Fuller and his wife, and their twelve year old son Samuel Fuller (named after his uncle, Samuel Fuller, who was also on the Mayflower). I haven’t had it verified, so the connection to my family could be a mistake, but whether we were related or not, I’d love to have the chance to talk to Samuel about what his experiences were as a kid, having both of his parents die during the first winter they were on American soil, and how he went on to help build this new world. His father signed the Mayflower Compact that was the beginning of our democratic government, and I just think he’d have a world of wisdom to pass on to me.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?I would tell them to listen carefully to the criticism they’re getting—view it as a gift that someone has given them—and make the changes they’re suggesting. Keep learning your craft. Join writers’ groups, read everything you can in your genre, go to conferences. Learning your craft the right way takes a long time and a lot of practice, so write, write, write. If you don’t love it, quit. The only reason to be a writer is because you love it.
Tell us about the featured book.I wanted to feature a character who is an unbeliever, who has nowhere to turn when life crashes down around her. Casey Cox is one of my favorite characters in any of the books I’ve written because she’s complex and simple at the same time. When she’s accused of committing a heinous murder and knows her DNA is all over the crime scene, she decides to run. She leaves everyone she loves behind, because she believes deeply that if she’s caught, she won’t just go to prison. She’ll be murdered as well. The private investigator contracted to find her and bring her back is Dylan, who’s been working in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Army, but because he’s a survivor of some IED explosions that killed several of his buddies, he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to his condition, he’s been discharged from the Army, and he’s had trouble getting another job. The family of the murder victim hires him to find Casey, the fugitive they think killed their son. As experienced as he is at solving crimes, his personal problems sometimes get in the way. He reacts intensely to loud noises, has nightmares that keep him from wanting to sleep at night, is depressed, has survivor’s guilt, and deals with a number of other things. But I really like him because he doesn’t see himself as a victim. He’s a Christian who’s trying to overcome his problems through his faith, but sometimes they’re just bigger than his faith.
As Dylan learns more about Casey so he can get inside her head, he realizes they have something in common. They probably both have PTSD. He begins to see that Casey doesn’t really fit the profile of a killer. Is she a psychopathic killer, or another suffering victim?
Please give us the first page of the book.From If I Run (Zondervan, 2016):There’s blood on the bottom of my shoes. I rinse the soles, knowing the police will trace the impression of the rubber pattern and determine that they’re Skechers. They’ll find the charge for the shoe store on my credit card, proving they’re mine.
Blood runs down the drain. My heart races as though it’s my own draining away, but it’s not mine. My throat constricts as tears fill my eyes, but I push them away. There’s no time to feel.
When the shoes seem clean enough, I blot them on a towel and slip them into my bag.
They’ll see the traces of blood on the sink, in the footsteps at the door where I took the shoes off, on the towel. They’ll shine that Luminol stuff all through my apartment and add it to the evidence list against me. There’s no point in wasting time cleaning it up. I just have to get out of here.
I’m eager to get started reading my copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?My web site: http://www.terriblackstock.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/tblackstockTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/terriblackstockYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/terriblackstock
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!
One grand prize winner will receive:
A copy of If I RunA Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog .
Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here .
Thank you, Terri, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, 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
February 2, 2016
FOLLOWING RAIN - Darrel Nelson - One Free Book or Ebook
Dear Readers, Darrel and I share the same agent. I’ve wondered is somehow we are distant cousins, since I was a Nelson before I became a Dooley. When his first book came out, I loved it, and so did I love the second one. I have this third one, but I haven’t read it. I will very soon. I know you’ll love his stories as well as I do.
Welcome back, Darrel. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?I have recently finished two writing projects, one nonfiction and the other fiction, and I feel that God is taking me in a new direction. My wife and I have recently volunteered to work three days a week at a local employment center, assisting those who have lost their jobs to find work. Also, we do volunteer work every Saturday and Sunday for our local church. So my immediate future is filled with service opportunities. I do have a new novel outlined and another one semi-outlined, however, but I’m giving the story ideas time to incubate. I’m sure they will hatch and grow when the time is right.
James and I volunteer, too. Both of us at church, and he volunteers more than I do. He’s retired, but I’m still writing half-time and doing physical therapy every day. Tell us a little about your family.My wife, Marsha, and I have four children (two boys and two girls) and ten grandchildren. Our two daughters and their families live in Denver, Colorado, and our oldest son and his family live in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Our youngest son and his wife don’t have any children so all ten of our grandchildren live in the States, far away from us. Denveris fifteen hours by car from southern Alberta, and Saratoga Springsis eleven hours, so when Marsha and I drive we listen to book tapes to help make the road seem shorter. On occasions when we fly, we take books along to help pass the time in the airport and on the plane. Either way, we head south as often as we can because our precious grandchildren are growing up so fast. I suspect all grandparents feel that way about their grandchildren. I’m blessed to have all my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren within about 10 miles of us. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?If anything, my writing has focused my reading habits on the works of other male authors who write romantic fiction. I like to see how they handle the subject. Nicholas Sparks, of course, comes to mind and I have read most of his books. But I must confess that his writing has become a little too graphic in the romantic details for my taste. I prefer the work of Charles Martin, and I find that that the spirit of his writing is more closely aligned with my own.
You should read Dan Walsh. He’s been called the Christian Nicholas Sparks by some reviewers. What are you working on right now?Since I recently retired from teaching school and substitute teaching, I have been working on two writing projects. One is a history of my local church in the area in which I live: southern Alberta, Canada. It has been interesting to delve into the past and research people, places, and events that form the backdrop and foundation to the present. And based on my research, I’m grateful I didn’t live back in the early settlement years. I think I would have made a terrible pioneer. The other project is my third novel, Following Rain . It has been interesting to work on a nonfiction and a fiction project concurrently. I’ve decided that between the two, I prefer writing fiction. I feel more comfortable in being able to take “artistic license” and fill in gaps using imagination. True, there’s still the necessity of making the fiction believable, but not the pressure to document each and every fact.
What outside interests do you have?I enjoy visiting our children and helping out with handyman chores around the house. My grandkids call me “Fix-it Felix.” One of my young grandsons refers to himself as “Wreck-it Ralph” and says we go well together. It’s rewarding to find something in need of repair and fix it. I love the feeling of leaving our children’s homes in better shape than when my wife and I arrived. Marsha is hoping my handyman interests will carry over to OUR house. Also, I enjoy golfing with my sons and am pleased that I can still keep up with them, although they outdrive me by a mile. I used to be an avid golfer and would go out, rain or shine, wind or cold. Now I’m more of a fair-weather golfer. I have always loved songwriting and have written many songs over the years. Three of them were professionally produced and received limited airplay on the radio. During my teaching years, I always wrote a special Christmas song for my class to learn—my Christmas present to them. We would go to each grade and sing the song and wish everyone Seasons Greetings. Special memories.
I’ve written the scripts for several Christmas productions. Someone else wrote the music. How do you choose your settings for each book?I set my novels in places I’m familiar with so the setting rings true. My first novel, The Anniversary Waltz, is set on the great plains of Montana, which geographically, is identical to southern Alberta, where I live. My second novel, The Return of Cassandra Todd, is set in the Denver and Silverthorne areas because that’s where my two daughters and their families live and my wife and I have been there frequently. My third novel, Following Rain , is set in Seattlebecause I like to change locations to keep my settings realistic but also interesting.
I love the Silverthorne area. I’ve been there a couple of times. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?It would be intimidating, for certain, but I would love to meet William Shakespeare. What a privilege it would be to interview him and ask how he came up with the plotlines to his plays and how he used words so magnificently to create such profound and poetic dialogue. I taught high school drama for five years and used to write the plays for my drama club. Several plays won state-level success, but my plays, in the words of the Bard himself, “couldn’t hold a candle” to his.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?I wish I had known beforehand how hard it is to get one’s book “out there.” John Grisham, another of my favorite authors, is quoted as saying that promoting a book is much harder than writing it. I used to wonder about that statement. Now that I’ve had three novels published, I don’t wonder anymore!
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?What a marvelous question. I feel the Lord is teaching me to trust in Him and not base my faith on how well my books sell. Working in the unemployment centre has helped me realize how temporary things can be. Jobs come and go. The same can be said for book sales, one’s health, finances, and so on. I have gained a deeper understanding of staying focused on the most important things in life: my relationship with God, my wife, my family, and with others. I have gained a deeper appreciation of the Lord’s tender mercies, and I am learning to develop an attitude of gratitude.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?For starters, I would like to define success. I’m sure for many people, success translates: money! Yes, receiving a return on one’s investment of time and effort is important. My original book contract was cancelled because my books did not sell well enough. So, yes, I have learned that money is important. But to me success is broader. First, to be successful be persistent and compete the book. They say that over 80% of people who start out writing a book never finish it. Second, accept constructive criticism and realize you don’t have all the answers. A skilled editor can provide necessary feedback and help reshape your book into something far better than you can do on your own. Third, realize that you need a large network of help along the way. They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said regarding books. It takes the cooperative effort of authors, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and so on to bring a book to life.
Tell us about the featured book.I write love stories, short and simple. I’ve tried writing adventure and science fiction, but love stories are what ultimately come out of me.
Following Rain
is the story of Paul Blakely, a successful investigative reporter, who visits a Seattlehomeless shelter on assignment and meets Rain McKenzie, a mysterious young woman who is living with a painful past. It becomes a life-changing experience for both of them. As he uncovers her secret, he makes an important discovery about his own life. It turns into an unexpected journey that will challenge everything Paul and Rain think they know about life and love.
Please give us the first page of the book.PROLOGUEAugust 2003The girl’s eyes widened in horror when she recognized the man standing in the glare of the porch light. “Dad!” she gasped.
Her father’s presence seemed to fill the entire doorway. A scowl furrowed his forehead, and his expression—backlit by the porch light—increased the sullenness of his appearance. “Time to go,” he said firmly, above the sounds of boisterous laughter and talking that issued from within.
“Wh—what are you doing here?”
“The real question is what are you doing here? You told us you were going to Breann’s to study. And apparently Breann told her mom she was coming to our place.” His eyes narrowed and he cocked his ear toward the noise coming through the open doorway. “This isn’t either place, and it sure doesn’t sound like studying is going on.” He sniffed the air and his scowl deepened. “Have you been drinking?”
The young man who had answered the door thrust his beer bottle behind his back. “We’re just having a little party,” he said quickly. “A few friends dropped by to—”
“I’m not interested,” the girl’s father said, holding up his hand like a stop sign. “I’m here for my daughter.” He looked at her determinedly and motioned toward the street. “Let’s go.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit my website at www.darrelnelson.com and check out my books and blog articles. You can post comments there, as well, and I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thank you, Darrel, for visiting us today and sharing your new book. I know my readers are as eager to read it as I am.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Following Rain
- Paperback
Following Rain - 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, Darrel. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?I have recently finished two writing projects, one nonfiction and the other fiction, and I feel that God is taking me in a new direction. My wife and I have recently volunteered to work three days a week at a local employment center, assisting those who have lost their jobs to find work. Also, we do volunteer work every Saturday and Sunday for our local church. So my immediate future is filled with service opportunities. I do have a new novel outlined and another one semi-outlined, however, but I’m giving the story ideas time to incubate. I’m sure they will hatch and grow when the time is right.James and I volunteer, too. Both of us at church, and he volunteers more than I do. He’s retired, but I’m still writing half-time and doing physical therapy every day. Tell us a little about your family.My wife, Marsha, and I have four children (two boys and two girls) and ten grandchildren. Our two daughters and their families live in Denver, Colorado, and our oldest son and his family live in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Our youngest son and his wife don’t have any children so all ten of our grandchildren live in the States, far away from us. Denveris fifteen hours by car from southern Alberta, and Saratoga Springsis eleven hours, so when Marsha and I drive we listen to book tapes to help make the road seem shorter. On occasions when we fly, we take books along to help pass the time in the airport and on the plane. Either way, we head south as often as we can because our precious grandchildren are growing up so fast. I suspect all grandparents feel that way about their grandchildren. I’m blessed to have all my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren within about 10 miles of us. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?If anything, my writing has focused my reading habits on the works of other male authors who write romantic fiction. I like to see how they handle the subject. Nicholas Sparks, of course, comes to mind and I have read most of his books. But I must confess that his writing has become a little too graphic in the romantic details for my taste. I prefer the work of Charles Martin, and I find that that the spirit of his writing is more closely aligned with my own.
You should read Dan Walsh. He’s been called the Christian Nicholas Sparks by some reviewers. What are you working on right now?Since I recently retired from teaching school and substitute teaching, I have been working on two writing projects. One is a history of my local church in the area in which I live: southern Alberta, Canada. It has been interesting to delve into the past and research people, places, and events that form the backdrop and foundation to the present. And based on my research, I’m grateful I didn’t live back in the early settlement years. I think I would have made a terrible pioneer. The other project is my third novel, Following Rain . It has been interesting to work on a nonfiction and a fiction project concurrently. I’ve decided that between the two, I prefer writing fiction. I feel more comfortable in being able to take “artistic license” and fill in gaps using imagination. True, there’s still the necessity of making the fiction believable, but not the pressure to document each and every fact.
What outside interests do you have?I enjoy visiting our children and helping out with handyman chores around the house. My grandkids call me “Fix-it Felix.” One of my young grandsons refers to himself as “Wreck-it Ralph” and says we go well together. It’s rewarding to find something in need of repair and fix it. I love the feeling of leaving our children’s homes in better shape than when my wife and I arrived. Marsha is hoping my handyman interests will carry over to OUR house. Also, I enjoy golfing with my sons and am pleased that I can still keep up with them, although they outdrive me by a mile. I used to be an avid golfer and would go out, rain or shine, wind or cold. Now I’m more of a fair-weather golfer. I have always loved songwriting and have written many songs over the years. Three of them were professionally produced and received limited airplay on the radio. During my teaching years, I always wrote a special Christmas song for my class to learn—my Christmas present to them. We would go to each grade and sing the song and wish everyone Seasons Greetings. Special memories.
I’ve written the scripts for several Christmas productions. Someone else wrote the music. How do you choose your settings for each book?I set my novels in places I’m familiar with so the setting rings true. My first novel, The Anniversary Waltz, is set on the great plains of Montana, which geographically, is identical to southern Alberta, where I live. My second novel, The Return of Cassandra Todd, is set in the Denver and Silverthorne areas because that’s where my two daughters and their families live and my wife and I have been there frequently. My third novel, Following Rain , is set in Seattlebecause I like to change locations to keep my settings realistic but also interesting.
I love the Silverthorne area. I’ve been there a couple of times. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?It would be intimidating, for certain, but I would love to meet William Shakespeare. What a privilege it would be to interview him and ask how he came up with the plotlines to his plays and how he used words so magnificently to create such profound and poetic dialogue. I taught high school drama for five years and used to write the plays for my drama club. Several plays won state-level success, but my plays, in the words of the Bard himself, “couldn’t hold a candle” to his.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?I wish I had known beforehand how hard it is to get one’s book “out there.” John Grisham, another of my favorite authors, is quoted as saying that promoting a book is much harder than writing it. I used to wonder about that statement. Now that I’ve had three novels published, I don’t wonder anymore!
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?What a marvelous question. I feel the Lord is teaching me to trust in Him and not base my faith on how well my books sell. Working in the unemployment centre has helped me realize how temporary things can be. Jobs come and go. The same can be said for book sales, one’s health, finances, and so on. I have gained a deeper understanding of staying focused on the most important things in life: my relationship with God, my wife, my family, and with others. I have gained a deeper appreciation of the Lord’s tender mercies, and I am learning to develop an attitude of gratitude.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?For starters, I would like to define success. I’m sure for many people, success translates: money! Yes, receiving a return on one’s investment of time and effort is important. My original book contract was cancelled because my books did not sell well enough. So, yes, I have learned that money is important. But to me success is broader. First, to be successful be persistent and compete the book. They say that over 80% of people who start out writing a book never finish it. Second, accept constructive criticism and realize you don’t have all the answers. A skilled editor can provide necessary feedback and help reshape your book into something far better than you can do on your own. Third, realize that you need a large network of help along the way. They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said regarding books. It takes the cooperative effort of authors, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and so on to bring a book to life.
Tell us about the featured book.I write love stories, short and simple. I’ve tried writing adventure and science fiction, but love stories are what ultimately come out of me.
Following Rain
is the story of Paul Blakely, a successful investigative reporter, who visits a Seattlehomeless shelter on assignment and meets Rain McKenzie, a mysterious young woman who is living with a painful past. It becomes a life-changing experience for both of them. As he uncovers her secret, he makes an important discovery about his own life. It turns into an unexpected journey that will challenge everything Paul and Rain think they know about life and love.Please give us the first page of the book.PROLOGUEAugust 2003The girl’s eyes widened in horror when she recognized the man standing in the glare of the porch light. “Dad!” she gasped.
Her father’s presence seemed to fill the entire doorway. A scowl furrowed his forehead, and his expression—backlit by the porch light—increased the sullenness of his appearance. “Time to go,” he said firmly, above the sounds of boisterous laughter and talking that issued from within.
“Wh—what are you doing here?”
“The real question is what are you doing here? You told us you were going to Breann’s to study. And apparently Breann told her mom she was coming to our place.” His eyes narrowed and he cocked his ear toward the noise coming through the open doorway. “This isn’t either place, and it sure doesn’t sound like studying is going on.” He sniffed the air and his scowl deepened. “Have you been drinking?”
The young man who had answered the door thrust his beer bottle behind his back. “We’re just having a little party,” he said quickly. “A few friends dropped by to—”
“I’m not interested,” the girl’s father said, holding up his hand like a stop sign. “I’m here for my daughter.” He looked at her determinedly and motioned toward the street. “Let’s go.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit my website at www.darrelnelson.com and check out my books and blog articles. You can post comments there, as well, and I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thank you, Darrel, for visiting us today and sharing your new book. I know my readers are as eager to read it as I am.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Following Rain
- PaperbackFollowing Rain - 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
February 1, 2016
LOVE IS PATIENT - Release Day - 3 Free Books
Dear Readers, today is release day for Love Is Patient, a novella collection from Barbour publishing. I'm one of the authors, and there are seven more authors. I'm featuring a few of them today.Enjoy the slow dance through the courtship of nine historical couples in the American west, including the territories of Arizona and Wyoming. Just at a time in life when they have nearly given up on finding love, romance enters their lives. But will it be true love, and will it be worth the wait? Find out in this delightful collection written by eight bestselling authors of inspirational romances.
Bio: Bestselling author Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie is an award-winning author of 40 published books and novellas. Her novels include the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, and End of the Trail, which was the OWFI 2013 Best Fiction Novel winner. Whispers on the Prairie was a Romantic Times Recommended Inspirational Book for July 2013. Song of the Prairie won the 2015 Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Her latest series, Land Rush Dreams, focuses on the Oklahomaland runs.
Blurb The Spinster and the Tycoon: Jody McMillan is determined to raise enough money to expand Cactus Corner’s overcrowded orphanage, but before she does a wealthy stranger buys the property she wants. Jody stages a strike on the land where Aaron Garrett plans to build a hotel, and she won’t listen to reason. Can they come to an agreement? Or will Jody and the orphans lose out to the wealthy businessman?Here's a link to the book:
Love Is Patient Romance Collection: True Love Takes Time in Nine Historical Novellas
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.Website and blogFacebookAmazon author page
Blurb A Birthday Wish : Gladys Polson is determined to help a crotchety widower who is wealthy in material things but poor in spirit. When Haydn, the man’s grandson, appears, an heir-raising adventure begins.
First page:Gladys checked the baskets on her kitchen table. Red calico bows she’d festooned with small white flowers peeked out between juniper branches. Such cheerful decorations should improve even crotchety widower Norman Keller’s spirits in the middle of the miserable Kansaswinter.
Ma carried a couple of baskets to the family wagon, together with garlands of fragrant juniper branches. “Maybe it would be good if I came with you.”Gladys came close to agreeing when she remembered the last time she had knocked on Mr. Keller’s door. The growl with which he had greeted carolers could have passed for Ebenezer Scrooge’s. “I’ll see how it goes today. I’d like to do this on my own, if I can. I’ll be back in time to help with supper.” Grateful for the January thaw weather which made an outdoor project possible, Gladys buttoned up her winter coat and drew on her mittens. When she’d decided to reach out to Norman Keller, she hadn’t considered how to keep her activities a secret. To avoid attention, she kept her wagon off of Main Street. A few minutes later she came to a stop in front of the imposing three-story structure that Norman Keller called home. As far as Gladys knew, only one man lived there. His wife had died and his children, if he had any, never visited. Rather than knocking on the front door and risking Mr. Keller’s rejection before she even started, Gladys approached the house from the back. She tied the horse to the railing and carried the baskets to the wrap-around porch. A closer inspection of the once-magnificent structure revealed sagging boards and peeling paint. Such neglect by the richest man in town befuddled her. She hoped he would feel better after she’d hung enough baskets for him to see one no matter which window he looked through. As she walked down the porch, she realized she had miscalculated the number of baskets needed to adorn the rafters. She’d start from the front and work her way back. Grabbing a basket in each hand, she tiptoed to the corner and left them there. She returned for her stepladder, and as she carried it to the front, it bumped along the floorboards. She froze, expecting Mr. Keller to shuffle out the door to check on the noise. When he didn’t appear, she continued until she had unloaded everything in the wagon.
From the corner, she studied the overhang. With a hammer in one hand and two nails in the other, she climbed the stepstool reached high overhead, and tapped a nail into the roof. A thin crack appeared. Would a section of the overhang split and fall? Mr. Keller wouldn’t appreciate it if she destroyed his property in the process of decorating it.
Tucking her tongue behind her teeth, Gladys waited and the nail held. Next she centered the basket handle on the nail. She stepped back to study the effect. Good. Setting another arrangement on the railing, she climbed the stepstool to hammer the second set of nails in place.As she adjusted a couple of ribbons around the ferns, she wondered what else she could do for Mr. Keller. Fashioning a few bows hardly qualified as a mission project. She tapped the nail in and reached for the basket.
Behind her, the front door banged. “What are you doing?” The edge of the door caught the stepstool, throwing Gladys off balance. Her arms windmilled, her feet slipped, and she fell backward. Into two strong arms. “Oomph.” The arms lifted her and held her steady while she regained her footing. The basket had fallen, crushing the bows and scattering the juniper branches across the floor. Falling into Mr. Keller’s arms wasn’t the introduction Gladys had hoped for. Slowly she turned around to meet the man she wanted to help. And looked up. . . .and up. . .and up. Long legs, straight limbs, strong arms . . . Brown hair. Definitely not Norman Keller.
Bio: Jill Stengl is the author of numerous romance novels including Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award- and Carol Award-winning Faithful Traitor. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she enjoys spoiling her three cats, teaching high school literature classes, playing keyboard for her church family, and sipping coffee on the deck as she brainstorms for her next novel.Blurb: The Spinster’s Beau One summer night in 1823, Jane Douglas, a spinster midwife who keeps house for her officer brother at the American fort on Mackinac Island, receives a summons from the military surgeon Dr. Beaumont: “Come quickly!” Instead of an expectant mother, her patient is a trapper who was gravely injured in a knife fight. Jane’s prayers for “Mad” August Durant begin amazing changes in his life and hers. But Jane requires security as well as love. Will August’s transformation last, or should Jane guard her heart and choose a more dependable man?
First page: The Spinster’s BeauMackinac Island, July 1823Thump-thump-thump! The insistent noise roused Jane from her sleep. Blinking in darkness, she sat up. Someone pounded at the front door. Her brother stirred in the next room, grumbling to himself as his feet hit the floorboards.
As her mind cleared, she remembered—Mrs. Pennyfeather must be in labor! Jane flung on a wrap and poked her head into the hall just in time to hear Jordan say, “At this hour, Sergeant? The good doctor must be losing his sanity. Miss Douglas certainly will not—”
“Jordan, I told you about this days ago,” Jane interrupted from her doorway. “I promised Mrs. Pennyfeather and Dr. Beaumont that I would assist with her delivery.”
Candlelight flickered on Jordan’s frowning features as he turned, but before he could speak, Jane called, “I’ll be out in a moment!”
A voice answered faintly. “Doc says to bring bandages.”
Jane agreed and closed her door. In the square of moonlight on her bedroom floor, she changed into an old work gown. Bandages? She wound her hair into a tight knot and secured it with five perfectly placed pins. Why bandages? An old sheet from the linen press could be torn into strips when needed. She added it to her basket of supplies.
Jordan waited in the entry, lips tight and eyes cool. Even in his nightshirt and bed shoes, Lieutenant Jordan Douglas was an imposing figure.
“Jane, I strongly disapprove. Midwifery is a job for old women, not young ladies, and you have no need of employment—”
“Dr. Beaumont says I’m an excellent midwife. Granny trained me well, and I want to use my skills to help people.”
“Dr. Beaumont.” He snorted.
She hitched her chin higher. “You shouldn’t snort. It’s undignified.”
He growled something incoherent. “At least make an attempt to observe proprieties, Jane.”
“Always I observe proprieties, little brother. In this line of work, I seldom even speak with men. Please don’t worry. I imagine I’ll return home tomorrow.”
The moon cast black shadows across Fort Mackinac’s parade grounds, but its light glowed on the mane and rump of the doctor’s sturdy gelding. Jane climbed up to the carriage seat without help. Sergeant Fallon, Dr. Beaumont’s orderly, snapped the horse into a trot, and the little trap’s wheels crunched on gravel.
Bio: Award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 850,000 copies of her books sold. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the local chapter, ACFW - DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network and Gateway Churchin Southlake, Texas.She has had books on ECPA and CBA Bestseller lists and several Amazon Bestseller lists. Her 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Her next series, McKenna’s Daughters: Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second, Mary’s Blessing, was a Selah Award finalist for Romance novel. Catherine’s Pursuit released in 2013. It was the winner of the NTRWA Carolyn Reader’s Choice contest, took second place in the CAN Golden Scroll Novel of the Year award, and won the Will Rogers Medallion bronze medallion. Her blog, A Christian Writer’s World, received the Readers Choice Blog of the Year Award from the Book Club Network.
In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Along Came a Writer blog radio show. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Higher Films, where she is also a screenwriter.
Lena has an active web presence on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.
Blurb: The Spinster and the Cowboy India Cunningham is happy running the ranch her father left her when a man she doesn't remember from her childhood arrives to help her. Can she trust Joshua Dillinger or is he there to steal her blind?
PrologueSan Francisco, Spring 1894When the sharp rap on his closed office door roused him, Joshua Dillinger raised his gaze from the legal document he had been studying with intense concentration. He hated distractions, and Charles Ross, his secretary, knew it. Only something of great urgency would cause this interruption. “Enter.” Joshua realized that his command sounded abrupt, but he wanted to get this interruption over with so he could discern any flaws in the contract that had to be ready for signatures in less than an hour. Brandishing an envelope, the thin man walked briskly across the rug that swallowed the sound of his footsteps. “This was just delivered by messenger, Sir. I have a feeling it’s important.” He handed the missive to Joshua and hurried out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him. Joshua studied his father’s scratchy scrawl on the front of the letter. He wondered how the post office even knew where to send it. The older Father became, the worse his handwriting grew. If Joshua hadn’t been used to deciphering the letter he received from his dad, he wouldn’t have been able to tell what the address was. Joshua placed the packet on top of the stack of documents that needed his attention today and went back to his contract. He returned to the place where he held his finger on the paper. Moving to the beginning of the sentence, he and started over. For the next forty-five minutes, he had a hard time keeping his mind on his task. Every few moments, his eyes strayed to the slightly wrinkled envelope. Joshua wondered what it contained, but he had to finish with the contract and send Charles over to the client’s office with it before he had time to peruse its contents. After his secretary left with the completed document, Joshua stood and stretched. While he concentrated on a hard task, his muscles became more and more knotted. He rubbed his neck with both hands and rotated his shoulders, trying to loosen them, as he stared out across the bay from his perch most of the way up one of San Francisco’s many hills. Joshua chose this office because of its view of the water. Not only could he keep up with the comings and goings of ships, but watching the bay in all kinds of weather proved soothing to him. He loved this city and once again thanked the Lord for the opportunities that led him here. Finally, Joshua turned around and picked up the letter from his father. He hoped it wasn’t bad news. Using the opener with the beautifully carved scrimshaw handle his grandfather gave him when he first opened the law office, he slit the paper and removed the contents–a sheet of paper and an already opened envelope with papers inside. Father had forwarded a letter he received from his best friend Fred Cunningham. In the included note, his father added his own request that Joshua do what Fred asked of him. Now curious, Joshua pulled out the other papers. Before he read the words, his memory revisited a time when he was twelve and his family traveled by coach from Texas to Arizona to visit the Cunninghams. Their ranch spread for hundreds of acres from the base of the Rincon Mountainstoward a tiny town, really not much more than a few huddled buildings surrounded by tall cacti with arms that spread toward the sky. What was the name of those plants? Something that started with an s and sounded foreign to his young ears.
Other novellas in the collection:Lady-in-Waiting by Erika Vetch Shining Armor by Erika VetchThe Spinster and the Doctor by Frances DevineHarvest of Love by Janet Lee BartonHope's Dwelling Place by Connie Stevens
Readers, 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
January 31, 2016
WINNERS!!!!!!
Edward (VA) is the winner of
Fruit of My Spirit
by Deanna Nowadnick.
Shelia (MS) is the winner of Signs in Life by Deanna Nowadnick.
Diana (SC) is the winner of Her Deadly Inheritance by Beth Ziarnik.
Beth S (IL) is the winner of Just Kin by Caryl McAdoo.
Maxie (TX) is the winner of Revenge by Paula Rose.
Susanlulu (NC) is the winner of An Amish Year by Beth Wiseman.
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.
Shelia (MS) is the winner of Signs in Life by Deanna Nowadnick.
Diana (SC) is the winner of Her Deadly Inheritance by Beth Ziarnik.
Beth S (IL) is the winner of Just Kin by Caryl McAdoo.
Maxie (TX) is the winner of Revenge by Paula Rose.
Susanlulu (NC) is the winner of An Amish Year by Beth Wiseman.
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.
January 29, 2016
New Releases from Angela Breidenbach - One Free Audiobook
New Release Trifecta!
Dear Readers, I’ve known Angela for over a decade. We were first online, writing friends, but we’ve enjoyed getting together face to face when we are at national conferences. I've loved all of her books that I've read. You will, too.
BIO: Angela Breidenbach is a bestselling author and host of Grace Under Pressure Radio on iTunes. Angela is the Christian Author Network's president. And yes, she's half of the comedy duo, Muse and Writer. There's a fe-lion comedy series in their future … but Muse is still negotiating his contract to include more catnip and oatmeal cookies … Writer just wants him to sign so she can finally take a vacation to Scotland. She did promise to bring back oatmeal cakes. He's considering …http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.comTwitter/Pinterest: @AngBreidenbachFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbachInspirationalSpeakerAuthorITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/angela-breidenbach-grace-under/id1026177378?mt=2Angie's Amazon Page so you can follow all her new releases: http://amzn.to/1n8IDwD
Welcome back, Angela. How is it you have so many new releases happening in the last few months with more to come this year?Good things come to those who wait … I spent a lot of time learning the craft, getting educated in the marketing and technology. I'm driven to keep going, learning, growing. 2014 was an incredibly difficult year. I was in the middle of writing
Eleven Pipers Piping
when my dad suddenly passed away from a stroke. It was a very dark time for me. I still miss him. But after managing his estate full time for 5 months, I started writing again in order to fulfill a different contract by April of 2015. Then the books and contracts just started flowing, or maybe my pent-up writing did. I think I'm not only making up for lost time, but my dad was a great supporter. I think he'd be very proud I'm not only writing, but I'm writing as much as I can now.
So you had to juggle contracts?Yes. I set aside Eleven Pipers Piping in order to get Bridal Whispers to Barbour in time for The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection (http://amzn.to/1RSmQXz) to get put together. I just love that entire book from the artistic production to the stories inside it.
Tell us about your story in that collection, Bridal Whispers. Bridal Whispers is the 2nd novella in The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection. It's the retelling of my maternal grandparents' love story. My grandfather was married to my grandmother's cousin first. She passed away on Christmas Day. My grandmother had been given her inheritance, the hand-blown amethyst Swedish pitcher and tumbler set, and told to go make her way in the world at 16. So she did. In fact, she put herself through nursing school. Then about 10 years later, she was called home to care for her family. While helping care for the family store so my grandpa could work the farm, the town started gossiping about them … about one year later, they married. The family story is that the gossip caused it. But they stayed married until my grandpa passed away 54 years later at 99 ½ years old. All that is true. Oh, and so is the battle between speaking Swedish and English. When I was 16, my grandma (moor moor) taught me a little kitchen Swedish. She whispered the whole time because Grandpa didn't like it. Ironic, because by that time he couldn't have heard us speaking it. The marital disagreement was so engrained about that topic that I had to include it in their story. But anyone who knew them as a couple admired their devotion, love, and longstanding marriage.
I fictionalized that love story, moved it back in time 30 years, and imagined their conversations based off of conversations I had with them growing up. But writing this story gave me the chance to enjoy being "with" my grandparents again. It's a pretty special story to me.
Now you have several audiobooks out as well. The Debutante Queen (http://amzn.to/1n8IuJt), (http://amzn.to/1n8IvwY), and Taking the Plunge (http://amzn.to/1Ovqn9O) which releases in February. What took you in that direction?
Eleven Pipers Piping
First, I love books in any form. I love writing them, hearing them, and seeing movies made out of them. Again a little irony. I'd hired the acting team of Forrest and Tristan Leder (though they are my son and daughter-in-law, they both hold performance degrees from the University of Montana) to voice The Debutante Queen . It's a short novel. Then I realized I really wanted to do the 1st decade of Montana's history in a way it hadn't been done before. But I didn't want it to be only in book form. As I finished the sequel, Eleven Pipers Piping, I asked Tristan to voice it. Then with the popularity of series on Audible, I decided to go for it and have each one done as an ebook and audiobook. I've been absolutely delighted with the results.
Do you plan more audiobooks then?You betcha! I not only love writing, but I love that readers can get the books in any form they like experiencing them.
Any form?Yes. I will begin taking then to screenplays in the near future as well.
You enjoy writing in any form as well?I love writing in any form from fiction to non-fiction to articles. But it's the communication I love. That's why I started my podcast, Grace Under Pressure Radio (http://GraceUnderPressureRadio.comor on iTunes). It's yet another form of communication that I hope touches hearts and helps people.
What's your podcast about?It's about becoming a woman of courage, confidence, and candor. I hope it helps women embrace who they are made to be and to do the dreams God placed inside of them. I consider myself a late bloomer. I hope to help other women that feel like they are late bloomers too.
Tell us what your Montana Beginnings series is about.
I'm really having fun with the Montana Beginnings series! I'm choosing a lesser (or unknown) part of Montana history and building a story around that lost tidbit. We had newsies, a Victorian plunge (indoor hot spring pool), amazing battles in becoming a state, and some of the most colorful or astounding people. The history of Montanais fascinating and fun. So each story deals with something special about our state. The Debutante Queen is set as Montana earns her statehood. That story brings the newsies to life. Those little boys have a statue in our capitol because they were so important at that time. Eleven Pipers Piping shares about the mines and the drive of our people to bring tourism to the state as mines began to shut down (started in book 1). But those little newsies captured my heart and the heart of readers. So we find out what happens to them in book 2. Then the 3rd book,
Taking the Plunge
, is set in the astoundingly lavish Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium. The builder and owner, Charles A. Broadwater, was a hugely important figure in Montana history. So my characters interact with him as their employer at the resort. And the newsies have a cameo. I'm currently writing the next book set in 1895, Bitterroot Bride, that we plan to release through Forget-Me-Not-Romances in early March (also to audiobook).
But if you're following the series, you'll realize there's a time gap.There's a very good reason. Seven Medals and a Bride sold to Barbour for the Blue Ribbon Brides Collection. That's my 1893 story. It'll be coming out Jan. 1st, 2017. As the Montana Beginnings series was forming, this particular book actually occurs more at the World's Fair in Chicago. Many Montanawomen left the state to attend the major event. And so, though it's the story I want to tell, it didn't quite fit into the Montana Beginnings series that's completely set in Helena, Montana. It did fit in the Blue Ribbon Brides where all the stories are set at some special fair venue. I'll plan another book to pop into the series for 1893 in the future. I need to find another fun lesser known historic tidbit in the meantime. There's so many to choose from that it won't be hard. Montana is a very entertaining place ;)
Do you have any special events lined up around your books?Yes! I coordinated a 9-week Lassoed by Marriage Author Event with a bookstore just outside of Chicago, The Vine. But the cool thing about it is that anyone can participate by clicking into the Google Hangout each Monday night. If you miss one, you can still catch the author's chat and the Q and A on Youtube. Here's the entire schedule and the links are added the week before the event. You can watch it live or later. I'm having so much fun learning more about my sister authors in this collection and helping the store create a brand new book club. The whole world is invited via Google Hangout On Air or Youtube. Definitely the most challenging and interesting event I've ever done because of the coordination skills I'm using and learning each time! Please come! Here's the link to the schedule… (http://angelabreidenbach.com/lassoed-by-marriage-live-event/) Here's the link to the Youtube page for past videos of each weekly author chat:(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflsX7062eroexqwsCfrdAju3yxphLfN5)
Books and descriptions: The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection http://amzn.to/1RSmQXz Nine historical couples find themselves suddenly married. After beginnings involving a bride swap, the gossip mill, angry brothers, ulterior motives, a child’s parentage, jail time, a family feud, mistaken identity, and a well-played trick, can love possibly grow for these couples who have married as virtual strangers?
Taking the Plunge
(Book 3, Montana Beginnings series)A progressive thinker in 1892 Montana, Delphina O'Connor believed in God-given dreams for women didn't stop at marriage and children. Hers might not include a husband or family at all. So when Hugh Thomas rescues the new swimming instructor at the elegant Broadwater Natatorium from near drowning in the plunge, how can anyone believe the freedom to enjoy swimming, competition, and a healthy body is an appropriate activity for a proper lady? Hugh is about to find out status quo is the starting line for a courageous woman with a dream!
Taking the Plunge explores the real-world question: What do you do when you think differently from the world around you?
Eleven Pipers Piping (Book 2, Montana Beginnings series)What would you do if you were given eleven rowdy street newsies and told either you turn them into model citizens or they get sold into indenture or sent to the military? Of course, start a pipe and drum corps! Eleven Pipers Piping is the story of a sweet music teacher and eleven boys given one chance or else, but one boy doesn't seem like the others. And just who is his father?
(Did you read Snowflake Tiara: The Debutante Queen and wonder what happened to the newsies, Frankie and Joey? Find out in Eleven Pipers Piping , Montana1890.)
The Debutante Queen (Book 1, Montana Beginnings series)1889 (Helena, MT): Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montanastatehood to expose the plight of street urchins. But hiding an indentured orphan could unravel Calista’s reputation, and her budding romance with pageant organizer, Albert Shanahan, if her secret is revealed. Will love or law prevail?
Thank you so much for having me here!It's my pleasure, Angela. I'm going to join you in making some of my books audiobooks, and soon I'll be turning one into a screenplay.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of an audiobook. 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
Dear Readers, I’ve known Angela for over a decade. We were first online, writing friends, but we’ve enjoyed getting together face to face when we are at national conferences. I've loved all of her books that I've read. You will, too.
BIO: Angela Breidenbach is a bestselling author and host of Grace Under Pressure Radio on iTunes. Angela is the Christian Author Network's president. And yes, she's half of the comedy duo, Muse and Writer. There's a fe-lion comedy series in their future … but Muse is still negotiating his contract to include more catnip and oatmeal cookies … Writer just wants him to sign so she can finally take a vacation to Scotland. She did promise to bring back oatmeal cakes. He's considering …http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.comTwitter/Pinterest: @AngBreidenbachFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbachInspirationalSpeakerAuthorITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/angela-breidenbach-grace-under/id1026177378?mt=2Angie's Amazon Page so you can follow all her new releases: http://amzn.to/1n8IDwD
Welcome back, Angela. How is it you have so many new releases happening in the last few months with more to come this year?Good things come to those who wait … I spent a lot of time learning the craft, getting educated in the marketing and technology. I'm driven to keep going, learning, growing. 2014 was an incredibly difficult year. I was in the middle of writing
Eleven Pipers Piping
when my dad suddenly passed away from a stroke. It was a very dark time for me. I still miss him. But after managing his estate full time for 5 months, I started writing again in order to fulfill a different contract by April of 2015. Then the books and contracts just started flowing, or maybe my pent-up writing did. I think I'm not only making up for lost time, but my dad was a great supporter. I think he'd be very proud I'm not only writing, but I'm writing as much as I can now.So you had to juggle contracts?Yes. I set aside Eleven Pipers Piping in order to get Bridal Whispers to Barbour in time for The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection (http://amzn.to/1RSmQXz) to get put together. I just love that entire book from the artistic production to the stories inside it.
Tell us about your story in that collection, Bridal Whispers. Bridal Whispers is the 2nd novella in The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection. It's the retelling of my maternal grandparents' love story. My grandfather was married to my grandmother's cousin first. She passed away on Christmas Day. My grandmother had been given her inheritance, the hand-blown amethyst Swedish pitcher and tumbler set, and told to go make her way in the world at 16. So she did. In fact, she put herself through nursing school. Then about 10 years later, she was called home to care for her family. While helping care for the family store so my grandpa could work the farm, the town started gossiping about them … about one year later, they married. The family story is that the gossip caused it. But they stayed married until my grandpa passed away 54 years later at 99 ½ years old. All that is true. Oh, and so is the battle between speaking Swedish and English. When I was 16, my grandma (moor moor) taught me a little kitchen Swedish. She whispered the whole time because Grandpa didn't like it. Ironic, because by that time he couldn't have heard us speaking it. The marital disagreement was so engrained about that topic that I had to include it in their story. But anyone who knew them as a couple admired their devotion, love, and longstanding marriage.
I fictionalized that love story, moved it back in time 30 years, and imagined their conversations based off of conversations I had with them growing up. But writing this story gave me the chance to enjoy being "with" my grandparents again. It's a pretty special story to me.
Now you have several audiobooks out as well. The Debutante Queen (http://amzn.to/1n8IuJt), (http://amzn.to/1n8IvwY), and Taking the Plunge (http://amzn.to/1Ovqn9O) which releases in February. What took you in that direction?
Eleven Pipers Piping
First, I love books in any form. I love writing them, hearing them, and seeing movies made out of them. Again a little irony. I'd hired the acting team of Forrest and Tristan Leder (though they are my son and daughter-in-law, they both hold performance degrees from the University of Montana) to voice The Debutante Queen . It's a short novel. Then I realized I really wanted to do the 1st decade of Montana's history in a way it hadn't been done before. But I didn't want it to be only in book form. As I finished the sequel, Eleven Pipers Piping, I asked Tristan to voice it. Then with the popularity of series on Audible, I decided to go for it and have each one done as an ebook and audiobook. I've been absolutely delighted with the results.
Do you plan more audiobooks then?You betcha! I not only love writing, but I love that readers can get the books in any form they like experiencing them.
Any form?Yes. I will begin taking then to screenplays in the near future as well.
You enjoy writing in any form as well?I love writing in any form from fiction to non-fiction to articles. But it's the communication I love. That's why I started my podcast, Grace Under Pressure Radio (http://GraceUnderPressureRadio.comor on iTunes). It's yet another form of communication that I hope touches hearts and helps people.
What's your podcast about?It's about becoming a woman of courage, confidence, and candor. I hope it helps women embrace who they are made to be and to do the dreams God placed inside of them. I consider myself a late bloomer. I hope to help other women that feel like they are late bloomers too.
Tell us what your Montana Beginnings series is about.
I'm really having fun with the Montana Beginnings series! I'm choosing a lesser (or unknown) part of Montana history and building a story around that lost tidbit. We had newsies, a Victorian plunge (indoor hot spring pool), amazing battles in becoming a state, and some of the most colorful or astounding people. The history of Montanais fascinating and fun. So each story deals with something special about our state. The Debutante Queen is set as Montana earns her statehood. That story brings the newsies to life. Those little boys have a statue in our capitol because they were so important at that time. Eleven Pipers Piping shares about the mines and the drive of our people to bring tourism to the state as mines began to shut down (started in book 1). But those little newsies captured my heart and the heart of readers. So we find out what happens to them in book 2. Then the 3rd book,
Taking the Plunge
, is set in the astoundingly lavish Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium. The builder and owner, Charles A. Broadwater, was a hugely important figure in Montana history. So my characters interact with him as their employer at the resort. And the newsies have a cameo. I'm currently writing the next book set in 1895, Bitterroot Bride, that we plan to release through Forget-Me-Not-Romances in early March (also to audiobook).But if you're following the series, you'll realize there's a time gap.There's a very good reason. Seven Medals and a Bride sold to Barbour for the Blue Ribbon Brides Collection. That's my 1893 story. It'll be coming out Jan. 1st, 2017. As the Montana Beginnings series was forming, this particular book actually occurs more at the World's Fair in Chicago. Many Montanawomen left the state to attend the major event. And so, though it's the story I want to tell, it didn't quite fit into the Montana Beginnings series that's completely set in Helena, Montana. It did fit in the Blue Ribbon Brides where all the stories are set at some special fair venue. I'll plan another book to pop into the series for 1893 in the future. I need to find another fun lesser known historic tidbit in the meantime. There's so many to choose from that it won't be hard. Montana is a very entertaining place ;)
Do you have any special events lined up around your books?Yes! I coordinated a 9-week Lassoed by Marriage Author Event with a bookstore just outside of Chicago, The Vine. But the cool thing about it is that anyone can participate by clicking into the Google Hangout each Monday night. If you miss one, you can still catch the author's chat and the Q and A on Youtube. Here's the entire schedule and the links are added the week before the event. You can watch it live or later. I'm having so much fun learning more about my sister authors in this collection and helping the store create a brand new book club. The whole world is invited via Google Hangout On Air or Youtube. Definitely the most challenging and interesting event I've ever done because of the coordination skills I'm using and learning each time! Please come! Here's the link to the schedule… (http://angelabreidenbach.com/lassoed-by-marriage-live-event/) Here's the link to the Youtube page for past videos of each weekly author chat:(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLflsX7062eroexqwsCfrdAju3yxphLfN5)
Books and descriptions: The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection http://amzn.to/1RSmQXz Nine historical couples find themselves suddenly married. After beginnings involving a bride swap, the gossip mill, angry brothers, ulterior motives, a child’s parentage, jail time, a family feud, mistaken identity, and a well-played trick, can love possibly grow for these couples who have married as virtual strangers?
Taking the Plunge
(Book 3, Montana Beginnings series)A progressive thinker in 1892 Montana, Delphina O'Connor believed in God-given dreams for women didn't stop at marriage and children. Hers might not include a husband or family at all. So when Hugh Thomas rescues the new swimming instructor at the elegant Broadwater Natatorium from near drowning in the plunge, how can anyone believe the freedom to enjoy swimming, competition, and a healthy body is an appropriate activity for a proper lady? Hugh is about to find out status quo is the starting line for a courageous woman with a dream!Taking the Plunge explores the real-world question: What do you do when you think differently from the world around you?
Eleven Pipers Piping (Book 2, Montana Beginnings series)What would you do if you were given eleven rowdy street newsies and told either you turn them into model citizens or they get sold into indenture or sent to the military? Of course, start a pipe and drum corps! Eleven Pipers Piping is the story of a sweet music teacher and eleven boys given one chance or else, but one boy doesn't seem like the others. And just who is his father?
(Did you read Snowflake Tiara: The Debutante Queen and wonder what happened to the newsies, Frankie and Joey? Find out in Eleven Pipers Piping , Montana1890.)
The Debutante Queen (Book 1, Montana Beginnings series)1889 (Helena, MT): Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montanastatehood to expose the plight of street urchins. But hiding an indentured orphan could unravel Calista’s reputation, and her budding romance with pageant organizer, Albert Shanahan, if her secret is revealed. Will love or law prevail?
Thank you so much for having me here!It's my pleasure, Angela. I'm going to join you in making some of my books audiobooks, and soon I'll be turning one into a screenplay.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of an audiobook. 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
January 28, 2016
21 DAYS OF LOVE - Kathy Ide, Editor - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I first became acquainted with Kathy Ide when she was the editor for my book Pirate’s Prize. Then we met face to face at an intimate writer’s retreat in Texas. Since there were only about a dozen women there, we really got to know each other. We have been friends since then. I’ve been included in several of her collections. I used the 21 Days of Christmas devotional book in December. I’m looking forward to using 21 Days of Love. Several of my favorite authors have selections in this one.
Bio: Kathy Ide is a published author/ghostwriter, editor/mentor, and writers’ conference speaker. In addition to being the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, she is the editor/compiler for the new Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. Kathy is the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Connection (www.ChristianEditor.com). To find out more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com
Welcome back, Kathy. Tell us a little about yourYou’ve created a Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. What inspired you to gather a collection of short fiction stories to be used as devotions?I’ve always loved Christian fiction, and I’ve seen the power of fiction to touch hearts and change lives, both firsthand and hearing about the experiences of others. But you know, in my quiet times with the Lord, reading a chapter from a novel just doesn’t seem quite appropriate. So a devotional with short fiction stories seemed like a great solution.
Tell us about the books in this series. Each one contains 21 short fiction stories, followed by brief life applications, each written by a different author. Some contributors are best sellers, some are mid-range authors, and some are new writers. The first book was 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love. That came out June 1, 2015. The second book, 21 Days of Christmas, came out September 1st.
Tell us about this third book, 21 Days of Love. 21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships contains stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife. Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to strangers. It released January 1, in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day. It makes a wonderful gift for friends and loved ones. And it’s a great way to get yourself into the spirit of love.
What is unique about this series? Most devotionals contain true stories. And those are great! But so many believers today are big fans of Christian fiction … because fiction can be a powerful way to soak in spiritual truths and apply them to our daily lives. In this devotional, the authors share the themes and messages they see in the pieces they’ve written, and encourage readers to look for those types of things in these devotional stories as well as in other fictional things they might read.
What life circumstances worked together to put you in a position to be able to create this series? Since I’ve been a professional freelance editor for several years, I’m able to edit the submissions I choose to use, polishing them without losing the author’s unique voice. And since I’ve been teaching and speaking at writers’ conferences across the country, I’ve connected with several authors at all levels, including well-known best sellers. So there are a lot of people I can personally ask about submitting to the books in this series. And I’ve developed a strong social media presence, so I can get the word out to other writers as well.
What other books have you written?I wrote Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, to help writers and editors learn how to proofread manuscripts for typos, inconsistencies, and errors in punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling, according to the industry-standard guidelines.
What do you do besides write?Read, of course. And go to movies. I also love to travel with my husband. We visit our out-of-state relatives (when they’re not visiting us—which happens often since we live in Southern California). We also enjoy going jet skiing and camping in our RV.
Can you share some of the names of the authors who have contributed stories to the devotional?Absolutely! 21 Days of Love has chapters written by several well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren, Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information, and usually the author’s website. So if you really like a story you read, you can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new names to add to your favorites list.
And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres, without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover that you actually love Christian fiction!
What other books are planned for the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series? 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom, comes out April 1.
If these first books sell as well as we anticipate, the series will continue with new titles, topics, and themes. I’ll be announcing those on the Fiction Lover’s Devotional website, www.FictionDevo , and on my website, www.KathyIde.com . Fiction readers can find out what new titles are coming out, and fiction writers can get the writers’ guidelines that explain how to submit to a future book in the series.
Where can people purchase the books?They’re available online at Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, and other websites. If you go to FictionDevo.com, you’ll find several links that will take you directly to the ordering pages for all of the books in the series. You can also find them at Christian bookstores and Barnes and Noble.
Tell us about some of the stories in 21 Days of Love.This book has stories about all kinds of love. The first chapter is about a high school girl who is suffering the aftermath of a tragedy that has left her wondering if God really loves her. Another story is about a little girl whose family is too poor to purchase store-bought valentines for her classmates. One is about a young Amish mother who’s grieving over some choices she and her husband made that separated them from their families. Some of the stories are about people who don’t have a special someone in their lives to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. And one is about a harried wife who decides to do something unexpected and spunky for her husband.
What is your story in 21 Days of Love about?I wrote about a young woman who believes she has found the love of her life, a man who has swept her off her feet with grand romantic gestures of affection, like filling her apartment with fresh-cut flowers. But one night he shows his true colors and she begins to second-guess what love is really all about.
How do you hope readers will use 21 Days of Love?This book makes a great gift for family and friends, with its beautiful debossed hardback cover, full-color interior, and even a ribbon page marker. With stories about all kinds of love, it’s great for just about anyone.
Like the other books in this series, 21 Days of Love makes a wonderful daily devotional. And if you want to go deeper, you can get a Study Guide with additional questions to ponder about each of the stories. It’s available as a free PDF download at www.FictionDevo.comor as a 99-cent e-book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
What do you hope readers will get out of reading 21 Days of Love?I’m praying the Holy Spirit will speak to the hearts of everyone who reads this devotional about how much God loves them and how they can show that love to those around them.
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this beautiful book with us. I've enjoyed the first two and look forward to my book arriving so I can use it soon. I know my readers will love it, too.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the hardback 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: Kathy Ide is a published author/ghostwriter, editor/mentor, and writers’ conference speaker. In addition to being the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, she is the editor/compiler for the new Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. Kathy is the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Connection (www.ChristianEditor.com). To find out more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com
Welcome back, Kathy. Tell us a little about yourYou’ve created a Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. What inspired you to gather a collection of short fiction stories to be used as devotions?I’ve always loved Christian fiction, and I’ve seen the power of fiction to touch hearts and change lives, both firsthand and hearing about the experiences of others. But you know, in my quiet times with the Lord, reading a chapter from a novel just doesn’t seem quite appropriate. So a devotional with short fiction stories seemed like a great solution.Tell us about the books in this series. Each one contains 21 short fiction stories, followed by brief life applications, each written by a different author. Some contributors are best sellers, some are mid-range authors, and some are new writers. The first book was 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love. That came out June 1, 2015. The second book, 21 Days of Christmas, came out September 1st.
Tell us about this third book, 21 Days of Love. 21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships contains stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife. Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to strangers. It released January 1, in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day. It makes a wonderful gift for friends and loved ones. And it’s a great way to get yourself into the spirit of love.
What is unique about this series? Most devotionals contain true stories. And those are great! But so many believers today are big fans of Christian fiction … because fiction can be a powerful way to soak in spiritual truths and apply them to our daily lives. In this devotional, the authors share the themes and messages they see in the pieces they’ve written, and encourage readers to look for those types of things in these devotional stories as well as in other fictional things they might read.
What life circumstances worked together to put you in a position to be able to create this series? Since I’ve been a professional freelance editor for several years, I’m able to edit the submissions I choose to use, polishing them without losing the author’s unique voice. And since I’ve been teaching and speaking at writers’ conferences across the country, I’ve connected with several authors at all levels, including well-known best sellers. So there are a lot of people I can personally ask about submitting to the books in this series. And I’ve developed a strong social media presence, so I can get the word out to other writers as well.
What other books have you written?I wrote Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, to help writers and editors learn how to proofread manuscripts for typos, inconsistencies, and errors in punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling, according to the industry-standard guidelines.
What do you do besides write?Read, of course. And go to movies. I also love to travel with my husband. We visit our out-of-state relatives (when they’re not visiting us—which happens often since we live in Southern California). We also enjoy going jet skiing and camping in our RV.
Can you share some of the names of the authors who have contributed stories to the devotional?Absolutely! 21 Days of Love has chapters written by several well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren, Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information, and usually the author’s website. So if you really like a story you read, you can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new names to add to your favorites list.
And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres, without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover that you actually love Christian fiction!
What other books are planned for the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series? 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom, comes out April 1.
If these first books sell as well as we anticipate, the series will continue with new titles, topics, and themes. I’ll be announcing those on the Fiction Lover’s Devotional website, www.FictionDevo , and on my website, www.KathyIde.com . Fiction readers can find out what new titles are coming out, and fiction writers can get the writers’ guidelines that explain how to submit to a future book in the series.
Where can people purchase the books?They’re available online at Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, and other websites. If you go to FictionDevo.com, you’ll find several links that will take you directly to the ordering pages for all of the books in the series. You can also find them at Christian bookstores and Barnes and Noble.
Tell us about some of the stories in 21 Days of Love.This book has stories about all kinds of love. The first chapter is about a high school girl who is suffering the aftermath of a tragedy that has left her wondering if God really loves her. Another story is about a little girl whose family is too poor to purchase store-bought valentines for her classmates. One is about a young Amish mother who’s grieving over some choices she and her husband made that separated them from their families. Some of the stories are about people who don’t have a special someone in their lives to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. And one is about a harried wife who decides to do something unexpected and spunky for her husband. What is your story in 21 Days of Love about?I wrote about a young woman who believes she has found the love of her life, a man who has swept her off her feet with grand romantic gestures of affection, like filling her apartment with fresh-cut flowers. But one night he shows his true colors and she begins to second-guess what love is really all about.
How do you hope readers will use 21 Days of Love?This book makes a great gift for family and friends, with its beautiful debossed hardback cover, full-color interior, and even a ribbon page marker. With stories about all kinds of love, it’s great for just about anyone.
Like the other books in this series, 21 Days of Love makes a wonderful daily devotional. And if you want to go deeper, you can get a Study Guide with additional questions to ponder about each of the stories. It’s available as a free PDF download at www.FictionDevo.comor as a 99-cent e-book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
What do you hope readers will get out of reading 21 Days of Love?I’m praying the Holy Spirit will speak to the hearts of everyone who reads this devotional about how much God loves them and how they can show that love to those around them.
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this beautiful book with us. I've enjoyed the first two and look forward to my book arriving so I can use it soon. I know my readers will love it, too.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the hardback 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
