Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 164

BEYOND THE SILENCE - Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse - One Free Book

Dear Readers, when my copy of this book arrived, I was eager to read it. The story had a different kind of plotline, and I liked the uniqueness. The characters were totally human, flaws and all. They pulled me into the heart of the book and didn’t let go … until the end of the book.
We’re going to talk to each of the authors in this collaboration. First Tracie Peterson.
BIO: Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. 
Welcome back, Tracie. I know that this is a collaboration. How did this story come about? Kim and I so much enjoyed writing All Things Hiddenthat we immediately started talking about co-writing another book. We both share the desire to share the Gospel through our stories so it was a natural fit for us. We started talking about locations and storyline ideas and Beyond the Silence was born.
Did you find it easy to work together on it? Yes. In this age of computers, emails, Skype, and of course the telephone, it isn’t at all difficult to co-write with someone hundreds, even thousands of miles away.
How did collaborating with this team impact you? It’s always a positive experience working with Bethany House/Baker Books and Kim. I can’t think of a time when it didn’t bless me in some way. Kim and I like to pray with each other for our families and projects and that always makes the relationship all the tighter.
What is the hardest thing about writing as a team? I have to laugh at this question – the hardest thing is probably that we can easily get distracted talking about other things or future projects we’d like to write. Otherwise, the hardest thing is not being able to sit down face-to-face over a cup of coffee.
What are you reading right now? Several books. Non-fiction Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale and Seeking Allah, Finding Jesusby Nabeel Qureshi. Fiction – my bookclub just finished reading The Lady and the Mountain Man. I’m also reading Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult one of my favorite authors.
How did you choose your characters’ names?As usual we looked at names appropriate to the time period and also names we’d already used in other stories. We considered the storyline and the location and hit upon the exact names. Some of the names even related to friends and family making them all the more special.
Would you want to work on another book together?Absolutely and we have just had word that we’re getting a contract to do just that.
What do you want to tell us about the book?The story deals with harsh, judgmental, jumping to conclusions types of thinking. It’s easy to look at something and think we understand it, but then upon looking deeper we learn we had it all wrong. This story is about a man who is falsely accused of murder. Despite him not going to trial because of a lack of evidence, his neighbors and most of his friends condemn him. It’s also a story about a young woman who is trying to figure out what matters in life and where she fits in. And ultimately it’s a story about redemption and learning to trust God even when things look hopeless.
Please give us the first page of the book. Prologue1890Far-off screams filled the air and rattled six-year-old Jimmy Colton’s bones.
Mama?
Jimmy paused to listen again and looked back toward the house. Another scream echoed across the yard. Something was wrong! He dropped his bucket of dirt and took off toward the house as fast as his legs could carry him, following the long path through the olive trees and gardens. Why did he go so far from the house? Mama had told him to stay close, but he’d wanted to chase the butterflies.
He tripped and fell on a tree root. Dirt filled his mouth and his knees hurt.
Another scream split the air and made his heart beat faster. He had to get to mama. Something bad was happening. Real bad.
Where can our readers find you on the Internet? My website is www.traciepeterson.com and my facebook is www.facebook.com/AuthorTraciePeterson
Now we’ll hear from Kimberly Woodhouse.
Bio: KimberleyWoodhouse is a best-selling, multi-published author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker and teacher, she’s shared her theme of “Joy Through Trials” with hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Kim is a pastor’s wife and is passionate about music and Bible study. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two amazing kids.
Welcome back, Kim. I know that this is a collaboration. How did this story come about?Tracie and I were doing a Bible study together and the topic of gossip came up in the Scripture we were studying. It sparked an incredible discussion, and we decided we wanted to weave into the story how devastating our words can be.
Did you find it easy to work together on it?Yes. We love writing together and work together with ease.
How did collaborating with this team impact you?Well, for one thing – it’s incredible to write with the amazing Tracie Peterson. But the most important is how we both grow spiritually through each collaboration. I love how we truly can be “iron sharpening iron.”
What is the hardest thing about writing as a team?Our distance in location. We’re always trying to convince the other to move so we can live close J
What are you reading right now?Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris
A very good suspense novel. How did you choose your characters’ names?Woody – the hero – and his son are named after my beloved father-in-law who went to be with the Lord in recent years. They are very special characters to me.
Would you want to work on another book together?Yes!! Most definitely. In fact we are working on a new three-book standalone series set in Curry, Alaska.
What do you want to tell us about the book?We would LOVE for you to read it and let us know what YOU think! J
Where can our readers find you on the Internet?www.Kimberleywoodhouse.com  Twitter - @kimwoodhouseFacebook – www.facebook.com/kimberleywoodhouseauthor
 Tracie and Kim, thank you for sharing this wonderful book with my blog readers. I know they'll love it as much as I did.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
Beyond the Silence - 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

THE WARRIOR SPY - Dony Jay - One Free Book

Dear Readers, here’s another author who is new to the blog. Give him a warm blog welcome. This sounds like a dynamite book.
Welcome, Dony. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.Good question. Some of my characters have a lot of me in them. For instance, Reagan Rainey, the protagonist in The Warrior Spy , has a lot of me in him, but he definitely has qualities that are all his own. In any case, the characters in a work of fiction are one of the most important things to me not only as an author, but as a reader, too. I take each one seriously, almost treating them as if they were real people. Ask my wife … lol. One of the true joys—and sometimes frustrations—that I believe all fiction writers share is the process of character creation and development. I know it’s one of the things I most enjoy. Perhaps it’s because it permits us to explore ourselves in ways that are fun, emotional and sometimes even a little scary. By shining a flashlight into those dark corners of our imaginations, we discover more about ourselves. So in that way, I suppose I put a lot of myself into my characters.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I don’t know about quirky, but if unexpected is what you’re after, I can tell you that I love to laugh. It may surprise some to know that I love a good practical joke. Nothing “over the line” or hurtful, but like I said, I love to laugh. Big belly laughs. As a cop (my day job), if you can’t find something to make you laugh, you’ll burn out quickly, especially in the current cultural climate.
I think that’s true in any profession. When did you first discover that you were a writer?When I was in high school, I used to write stories for laughs (did I mention that I love to laugh?). I really wish I’d saved them. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but it was probably mid 2010 when I first considered writing seriously. People have often told me, “You should be a writer.” Actually, when I did my entrance testing for my freshman year of college, I tested into honors English. Tested, but I never pursued English or writing in college. I guess I was too interested in sports back then. I credit much of my love for writing to my middle school and high school English teachers. I had some good ones!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I enjoy a broad range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. I read thrillers and mysteries; biographies; books on politics, history, and historical figures; books on faith and personal enrichment. I have a passion for books about real heroes, military operations, and exciting exploits of derring-do.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?I spend time with my family. They keep me grounded … and laughing. I read the Bible (there is real peace there) and also lots of other books. I listen to music, I exercise, and most importantly I allow myself to act like a kid sometimes … okay, lots of times. You can’t take yourself too seriously in life. Life is serious enough. When my son or daughter has soccer practice, I run around the complex or find a patch of grass and knock the soccer ball around or juggle. Nostalgia probably comes into play here—I played soccer (and basketball) since I was a kid all the way into college, but I just love walking across a field of freshly cut grass, better yet with my soccer cleats on. Even now, it’s just really invigorating and refreshing. I love the outdoors, too. Hiking, being on a beach, and even shooting hoops in my driveway are all ways that help me disconnect from the stress of life.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Honestly, I use an all-source method when it comes to my characters’ names. Names from my past, names I’ve heard or seen while reading some history book, names I unearth online or in old phone books. Oftentimes though, the names just come from my imagination. You wouldn’t believe how much time and energy I put into my character names though. It’s painstaking sometimes, but then again I’m a bit of a perfectionist.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?That’s easy. Being a father. It’s not only the accomplishment I’ve most proud of, but one of the things in life I take extremely serious. I approach fatherhood with, of course, love, but also vigilance and ferocity. Raising my son and daughter to be children of God is my life’s mission. And I will do whatever it takes to see that the mission has the chance to succeed. There are no guarantees in life. I know that, but when I’m dead and gone, I want my kids to be able to remember me as a guy who loved them without condition, who gave everything he had so they would grow up to be respectful and respectable human beings, hard workers and to be able to think for themselves. Most of all, I want them to passionately pursue the truth, hope, and love that is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. In a sense this is not an accomplishment, but a work in progress. Yet sometimes success is measured one day at a time. 
That is so true. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?A bald eagle. They are solitary, graceful, and independent creatures, yet boldly fierce when they need to be. I’d say that the fact that the bald eagle stands for freedom and liberty also has a lot to do with my choice.
My husband loves bald eagles. He has ball caps and shirts with them displayed. He wears them a lot. What is your favorite food?It’s a toss-up between pizza and a good cheeseburger sub … and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Your diet preferences sound a lot like my husband’s, too. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?Finding the time to write. It’s incredibly hard to juggle my day job (working different shifts and being on call), family time, exercising, driving kids to sports practices and games, and squeezing in a little “down time” with writing and researching. Notice that I used the present tense, because it’s an ongoing battle. I know it always will be. But through much prayer and perseverance, and a very supportive wife, I adapt and overcome. The key to writing, and many things in life, is resolve. Unwavering, stubborn determination to succeed. Simply refuse to quit even in—especially in—those moments when you are frustrated and discouraged, which, if I may say, is my advice for anyone out there pursuing writing in particular, but anything worthwhile. Never quit. NOT EVER! You will fail. It’s a given. But will yourself to always get back up and try again. Failure, or should I say daring to fail, is the secret to success. And of course be faithful to God, because He is always faithful to His children.
Very good advice. I wouldn’t be where I am today with Jesus as the center of my life. Tell us about the featured book. The Warrior Spy is the first book in my Warrior Spy Thriller series. It’s about a Delta Force special operator named, Reagan Rainey. He’s a man of faith, but also a lethal American warrior. I think of him as a modern-day George Washington, and I think readers will, too. Perhaps more on what went into the creation of Reagan Rainey as a character is for another time, but I think he’s a guy that patriotic Americans, especially these days, are in search of. And if I’m honest, the type of leader the country desperately needs in the White House.
Put succinctly, The Warrior Spy is about America’s best counterterrorism operator being sent to uncover a diabolical plot that is designed to push the United Statesto war. The book weaves elements of espionage and special ops with political intrigue. It’s a tale of old adversaries engaging in modern-day spy warfare. In the balance hangs merely the fate of nations. It’s about America. It’s about the power of prayer and about good versus evil.
Reagan Rainey’s indomitable drive to serve God and country propels the story forward at a fast pace that I think readers of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor in the general thriller market, and Joel C. Rosenberg and Bob Hamer in the Christian market will thoroughly enjoy. Time and time again, Rainey is thrust into peril, but he simply will not quit the mission unless and until he discovers the very real threat his nation is facing and who is behind it all.
Sounds like a book all Americans need to read in the current political climate. Especially before the elections. Please give us the first page of the book.First page of The Warrior Spy (plus a little more, wink):Bullets snapped by his head like popcorn on a stove. Reagan Rainey crouched behind a low-slung stone wall, at least what was left of it. They were everywhere, men with AK-47s shouting angrily in Arabic, far more than what original intelligence estimates had indicated. Several rounds jack-hammered against the exposed engine block of an old Land Rover behind him, throwing a brilliant shower of sparks into the obsidian darkness.
“Frag out!”
Rainey hurled the grenade into the swarm of terrorists pouring toward him and his team. His voice was nearly drowned out by the cacophony of gunfire. The resulting explosion rattled the mud brick structures all around them, pocking walls and shredding bodies. As Rainey’s team began to push forward, a man appeared on their right, shouldering an RPG. But just before the terrorist could fire upon them, his head exploded.
Thank you, Wizard.
The Delta Force sniper in the overwatch position had just saved their butts.
America’s shadow warriors, games faces on, swiftly curled inside the first structure on the west side of the compound and advanced down a short featureless corridor carved into the sun-baked, wasteland of southern Qatar. Reaching the first corner, Rainey and his stack of guys stopped in quiet chorus, remained still. Except for their eyes, which continued scanning for threats.Several sporadic cracks of gunfire coughed in the distance, muffled by the earthen walls. Somewhere on the other side of the compound the guys from Blue Team were still taking names and doing so with extreme prejudice.
Then all was quiet. Eerily so.
His radio clicked. Rainey clicked back a response, then a voice came alive in his earpiece: “Bronco, we’re clear on this side of the compound. He’s not over here. Got a few phones, a laptop, and some digital media though.” Rainey clicked his radio in acknowledgment as the sweat trickled down his back beneath his gear-heavy vest.
Rainey knelt along the blind corner, dug into a pouch on his vest. Behind a mask of coal-black face paint, he studied a tiny, telescoping mirror for threats and danger zones, for booby traps. There was a long hallway that descended into the bowels of the compound now transformed into hues of green and gray by his helmet-mounted NODs (night optical devices). He quietly stood, gave several hand signals, then readied his rifle and fell back in line behind his fellow operator, Mouse.
Rainey took a breath. Protect us, Lord. He reached out and squeezed Mouse’s shoulder, wordlessly signaling that he was ready to move.
Wow! What an opening. How can readers find you on the Internet?Readers can find me at my website and on Facebook and Twitter. They can also check out my author pages on Amazon and Goodreads. I try my very best to be responsive to readers’ e-mails, posts, and tweets. Also, I would encourage readers and those perhaps seeking more information about me or the book(s) to contact me via e-mail. In addition they can sign up for my e-mail newsletter: Dony Jay’s Reader Intel Bulletin. They can do so through my website.
My ultimate goal is to forge a genuine and lasting relationship with readers. I want them to know that I’m just like them; I will always consider myself a reader first.
Website: www.DonyJayBooks.comE-mail: DonyJay@DonyJayBooks.comwww.Facebook.com/DonyJayBookswww.Twitter.com/DonyJayBook
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, Lena, for giving me this opportunity. I have been blessed in so many ways. God is good. And He is faithful.
Thank you and may God bless you richly
Thank you, Dony, for sharing this book with us. It's a great pleasure and a privilege to introduce you and your book to my readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Warrior Spy: A Thriller (A Warrior Spy Thriller) - Paperback
The Warrior Spy: A Thriller (A Warrior Spy Thriller Book 1) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

NO ACCOUNTING FOR MURDER - Leeann Betts - One Free Book

Dear Readers, here’s another author to welcome to our blog for the first time. You know how much you love contemporary suspense.
Bio: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. No Accounting for Murder and There Was a Crooked Man, books 1 and 2 in her By the Numbers series, recently released. Book 3, Unbalanced, releases in January, with plans for Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, due in April, with more planned for later dates. Leeann and Donna have penned a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, and Donna has published a book of short stories, Second Chances and Second Cups. You can follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.comand Donna at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com. All books are available at Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital.
Welcome, Leeann. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.I think it depends on the book. Carly is an accountant, and I am an accountant. Carly likes mysteries, and so do I. Carly isn’t a joiner, and I tend not to be either. Carly is married to a computer programmer, and guess what my hubby does—right, he’s a programmer. Apart from that, I don’t live in a small town. I do have step-children, but two daughters not a son and a daughter. And as much as I love a good mystery, I’ve never found a body or identified a murder suspect.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I guess that depends on your definition of quirky. Co-writing a book with my real self would probably count.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? I’ve loved to write ever since I was a kid, and I could fill a page with words in a flash. However, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that I knew I had at least one book in me. When I began writing No Accounting for Murder , I hoped I had at least one book.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I enjoy mysteries, suspense, and almost any genre that includes either mystery or suspense.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I have a husband who is very calming. I also make lists so I don’t have to keep everything in my head. And I like paper files so I can capture stuff inside the covers.
How do you choose your characters’ names? Carly’s name came from my step-mom’s name which was Carrie. Mike is my husband’s brother. Other characters sometimes come from people I know that I like. If I don’t like the character, I use a name dictionary that includes character traits, and I look for negative traits.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I think that changes with time. I was very pleased that I had one book in me. And then when I finished the second, wow! Third—you’re getting the picture. I’ve completed more than 20 novellas and novels, so I guess that’s a good accomplishment. Being published in devotional books—a dream come true. And now I’m independently published—never thought I’d go this route.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? A cat. Stress free. Do what you want when you want, and ignore people who are asking you to do something J
What is your favorite food? Chocolate. If I could eat it without any negative health repercussions. As it is, I eat it sparingly.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I think my greatest roadblock was thinking anybody but me would want to read what I was writing. I took a chance and sent the first book to ten people I didn’t know (they volunteered through a couple of online writers groups I belong to) and when I got their responses, I saw they laughed where it was funny, cried where it was sad, couldn’t figure out whodunit but were very satisfied with the conclusion.
Tell us about the featured book. No Accounting for Murder features Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant. While this is her first book, this is not her first mystery. If readers would like to read a prequel short story to this book, they can go to http://www.leeannbetts.com/2.htmland read “Roasted Bean Counters.” In the first book, Carly’s daughter is suspected of embezzling money, and a disreputable business receives a building permit under the table, threatening the peace and quiet of Bear Cove, Maine. When Carly investigates both situations, she receives threatening faxes, she has an accident that was no accident, and a key witness goes missing, only to turn up dead in yet another suspicious accident. Can Carly figure out who is behind all of these events, or will the killer succeed in keeping her quiet—for good?
Please give us the first page of the book. Bear Cove, Maine, population three hundred and twelve souls at the height of the lobster season, was normally a sleepy little town, just the way Carly Turnquist liked it.
But not this morning.            Faintly at first, building in volume, came sounds not normally heard in quiet Bear Cove. Horns blared, voices shouted, and bass music boomed, rattling the pictures on the walls. Carly pressed her face closer to the windowpane, tipping her head first right, then left, determining the direction of the commotion.
"Sounds like it's coming from downtown," she muttered to no one in particular. "I hope it's not one of those Watkins boys joyriding again."
Not wanting to be left out of the loop, she took the stairs two at a time up to the bedroom she shared with her husband Mike, arriving at the top landing slightly out of breath. Deciding what to wear to check out the blaring horns and loud voices wasn't difficult. As a forensics accountant who worked out of her home, Carly had a handy wardrobe replete with sweats, jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies.
How can readers find you on the Internet? www.LeeannBetts.comwww.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.comand Facebook and Twitter

Thank you, Leeann, for sharing this new book with us. My blog readers will love it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
No Accounting For Murder: Book 1 (By the Numbers)

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

WINNERS!!!!!!

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AN AMISH YEAR - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Beth. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it? I’m blessed to be able to “genre hop” between Amish Fiction and Contemporary Fiction. I got my big writing break with an Amish series, at a time when no one in the industry really knew if Amish stories were going to stick. But after two Amish series and numerous Amish novellas, it’s still a hot genre eight years later. I enjoy writing about the Plain people, but I’ve also penned several non-Amish books—Need You Now, The House that Love Built, and The Promise. I’m grateful to my publisher, HarperCollins Christian Fiction, for allowing me to try new things. I think that by alternating between Amish and Non-Amish stories, it keeps me from getting bored with one genre or the other. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite genre, but all of my stories are relationship driven. I can’t imagine writing a book that didn’t delve deep into a character’s psyche.
If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live? This is a question my husband and I continue to ponder. We love to travel, and there are still a lot of places we hope to visit. Hubby Patrick says we will know when we see that perfect place we were meant to live, but I’m wondering if I could ever leave my home state—Texas. You know what they say … it’s great to go on a trip, but it’s even better to arrive back home.
What foreign country would you like to visit and why? Singapore. My oldest son has been working in Singapore for the past three years. It’s a gorgeous country filled with a hodgepodge of folks from all over the world. Son—Eric—wants us to visit there and experience that culture with him. I hope we are able to go soon!
That would be wonderful. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take. I’m pretty sure we’ve had the most romantic vacation we could take. I can’t imagine anything being more romantic than a recent trip to the Mexican Riviera. My husband’s employer gifted us with an “over the top” trip in 2014. We stayed in the Presidential Suite at Riviera Maya, complete with private butlers, our own pool, indoor/outdoor bathtubs, exquisite meals, private beach cabanas, and a host of other amenities that made it beyond romantic. Following a wonderful meal prepared by chefs in our suite, we followed a trail of rose petals to a bubble bath where rose petals floated atop luxurious bubbles, lit candles, and champagne. They were speaking my language, lol.
Sounds wonderful. James and I have spent time in Manzanilla, which is near the Mexican Riviera. It’s a lovely place. We had some romantic times on the beach right outside our hotel. We liked to walk the beach after midnight and sit in the beach lounges and listen to the waves while we talked. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet? Montana. I have no idea if there are Amish folks in Montana, but I’ve always wanted to visit that state. I’ve heard that it’s beautiful, and I think the movie The Horse Whispererwith Robert Redford fueled my desire to visit Montana.
I have one book set in Montana. What is the main theme of this novel? There are four short stories in An Amish Year . Two of the novellas have been published before, and we added two new tales to the mix. While these short stories are romantic in nature, there are also strong secondary characters sharing the stage with the main players. These subplots not only enhance the romance, but also add aspects of interest to readers who don’t want just a straight romance. All of my books are reflective of my own life and always include themes of forgiveness, faith, hope, and love.
Tell us about the story. My favorite story in the collection is A Love for Irma Rose. In 2008, I released my first book—Plain Perfect. It was Book #1 in the Daughters of the Promise series, and it included my most beloved characters—Jonas and Irma Rose. This elderly couple stole the hearts of readers, and for the past eight years readers have asked me to write their love story when they were teenagers. I was finally able to do that in this novella collection. The year is 1957, Burger King had just released the Whopper, “Jail House Rock” was playing at the movie theater, and Amish boys raced buggies for sport, much like they still do now. It was fun to write about that time period, incorporating the Amish ways into a story that revived my two most popular characters, and finally being able to give readers a story they’d asked for. 
Sounds like a fun read. Please give us the first page of the book.
http://bethwiseman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/An-Amish-Year-Samples-Combined.pdf
A Love For Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman1957, FIFTY-THREE YEARS EARLIER Jonas clutched the reins with sweaty hands, his fingers twitching as he waited for Amos Hostetler to blow the whistle, signaling the start of the race. He glanced to his right and scanned the crowd, at least fifteen onlookers—including Irma Rose Kauffman. This buggy race down Blackhorse Road was more than a friendly competition. More than just a group of Amish kids enjoying their rumschpringe on a Saturday afternoon. He peered to his left at Isaac Lapp’s flaring nostrils, knowing that his rival for Irma Rose’s affections wanted to win as badly as he did. Jonas knew that pride was a sin, as Isaac surely did, but when it came to Irma Rose, Jonas figured Isaac’s thoughts were as jumbled as his own. Jonas had been waiting to court Irma Rose for three years, since right after his father died. He recalled the way she lit his soul at a time when his grief threatened to overtake him. And now that she was sixteen, her parents were allowing her a few freedoms. ​
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I hang out at “Fans of Beth Wiseman” on Facebook, but my website—www.bethwiseman.com —is a “one stop” for everything. There are book descriptions and trailers, a place to sign up for my newsletter, and the first chapter of all of my books are free on my website. A true “try before you buy” system, lol, with links to most retail sites. I’m also on Twitter @bethwiseman, and I have a site at Fine Art of America where I showcase my photography.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing this book with us. I know my readers will enjoy it, and I look forward to my copy arriving. I want to read about Jonas and Irma Rose.
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

REVENGE - Paula Rose - One Free Book

Dear Readers, we have another author who is new to this blog. Her book sounds intriguing. Be sure to welcome her.
Welcome, Paula. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. There is little of myself inside my characters, but I believe the sum of all of my experiences resides inside them.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I don’t know if this is the quirkiest, but I remember eating the same thing for breakfast every day for one month.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? As a child, I loved reading, but it didn’t take very long before my own stories began to float around my mind.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I’m a wide-ranging reader from Amish fiction to romance books plus nonfiction and devotionals too.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I spend time with our Lord.
How do you choose your characters’ names? I research names and interesting tidbits will capture a name and cement it into my story. For instance, in Revenge , I loved that Olivia had a connection to Shakespeare. However, what I didn’t realize was that my Olivia wasn’t going to stick to my character sketch. As a strong woman with a fiery personality, she changes the plot to tackle feats this writer never even imagined.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? It’s a difficult question to answer, and there are many that come to mind. Certainly, my wedding day and buying our first home are at the top of my list.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? A bird because flying would be fun.
What is your favorite food? Pasta.
I love pasta, too. I recently found an imported-from-Italy, tomato-basil bowtie pasta that really added a special nuance in the soup I made this week. Yum! What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My chapter endings were too abrupt. After rewrites and edits of Revenge , I learned how to make chapter endings more intense.
A good way to keep those readers turning pages. Tell us about the featured book. As a job coach, it’s up to Olivia Foster to ensure her clients work in a safe environment, understand their positions, and serve their employer’s mission. The death of her brother drives her career choice, and she loves her job. It remains her only focus until one of her autistic clients goes missing. Then Olivia’s employer ends her position and adds her to the suspect list, but she makes plans to bring the missing young man home. Detective Lt. Phillip Landon is deep into second-guessing his career choice, but his well-honed instincts see major flaws inside this missing person’s case. Surprising contacts, mysterious happenings, and threats can turn deadly. Can he keep Olivia safe, protect his heart, remove the job coach from someone’s target list, and adopt a faith he never knew all while adjusting to the new lives of his old family?
Please give us the first page of the book.On Olivia's return trip, the rain split building lights into fractures of miniature kaleidoscopes. She squinted through the deluge. A new pair of wiper blades moved high atop her shopping list while her fingers tightened around the steering wheel and worry pressed its full weight on her lungs. Monday morning traffic was a snarled mess, and Olivia wondered why the car behind her drove too close; however, he seemed no different than others in the lanes next to her, proving most people had foregone the safe driving distance rule.
Olivia Foster approached the last turn off before the DAYS—Development for Active/Asperger’s/Autistic Year-round Settlements—parking lot.
She rounded the lot, and she realized those flashing lights were from two cruisers that hovered just outside her employer's front door. Pulling in right next to them, Olivia sprinted into the office. Her puzzlement turned to stark fear.
Madeline's tear-streaked face came into view just inside the front door.
“What's happened?” Her question garnered no answers. “Madeline. What's going on?”
A suited man moved away from her boss and came toward her. The badge, which decorated his outside jacket pocket, reproduced horrid days from years ago. “I'm Lt. Phillip Landon, and I need to speak with you about Bobby Havers.”
“Bobby?” she whimpered. Her heart rate kicked up. “Is he—?”He motioned her into the conference room. “It seems as though he's disappeared. And we're talking to everyone who interacts regularly for clues to pinpoint where he would go.”
How could a special needs client go missing from a fully staffed group home? “Bobby wouldn't run away. He wouldn't.”
“Have a seat.” She nodded. But the last thing Olivia wanted was to sit. She needed to help the search for Bobby. Grief from the past assaulted her, but with a deep breath, she shoved those feelings aside. God, please lead us to Bobby. This detective needed to be on Bobby’s trail instead of inside wasting time on her, and she’d do whatever she needed to make that happen.
“The executive director explained that Bobby recently had some employer problems. As his job coach, you can give us more of a complete picture and some insight.”
“Bobby has a cell phone. Did you try to call him?”
“We've done that. Please tell me what led up to this.”
Olivia was so taken aback by Madeline’s erroneous assessment that her thoughts jumbled.



How can readers find you on the Internet?
Blog: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/booksnreviews/Website: http://paularosebooks.comACFW Fiction Finder: http://www.fictionfinder.com/author/?author=Paula+RoseTwitter: https://twitter.com/PaulaRoseauthorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paularoseauthor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paula-Rose-Books-1514088292150972/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/paularoseauthorGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392724.Paula_RoseAbout: http://about.me/paularoseauthor

Thank you, Paula, for sharing this book with us. My readers and I love a good suspense novel.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Revenge - Paperback
Revenge - 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

JUST KIN - Caryl McAdoo - One Free Book

Bio: Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the historical Christian - Texas Romance; a contemporary - Red River Romance; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star Statewith two grandsons.
Welcome back, Caryl. Tell us about your salvation experience. At nine years old, I got to go to summer camp with our church. Mt. Lebanonseemed so far away, but really just outside Dallas Countyto the south. They had a tabernacle service each night. One of those times, Holy Spirit tugged my heart with the conviction that I needed Jesus and His gift of salvation. I was sitting there in my chair crying. I hadn’t realized the service had ended. An unknown lady came up to me and led me through the sinner’s prayer and went with me to the front.      I knew that I knew I was saved! I felt so CLEAN inside, and I was SO excited. I got a dime and ran all the way to the snack bar area where there was a payphone and called Mama. I just had to share with her what God had done! He SAVED me! I was baptized the following week or two on Sunday. And stayed in that little Southern Baptist Church until we moved to Irving in 1962.     The devil has never been able to get me to doubt my salvation. I know Jesus saved me that hot summer night in 1959 and came to live in my heart.
You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?Any four I want to spend the retreat with? Oh wow. Would you come, Lena? I’d love to have you there because you know so much about writing and marketing and blogging and I love you!      Certainly, I’d invite Bodie Thoene, just to get to pick her brain about Israel. I love her books and would try to discover her techniques in stirring her readers to laugh aloud and cry to where you can’t even see the words to read.      I have so many writer friends these days. It’s hard to choose. I’d invite Cass Wessel. She has been such a blessing to me, and I’d love being able to help her get her debut novel ready. We could have some intense work time to get in on it during the retreat!     Who, who who for my fourth? I know! I’d invite my daughter-in-love Janis McAdoo because she has a book she needs to get together and she needs a retreat with time to do nothing but that! Helping her get her book organized and put together would help thousands of authors and be so valuable to so many!
Yes, I’d love to have a retreat with you and your other writers. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.Well, I guess my favorite speaking engagements are my visits to elementary schools. I love young readers so much. They’re so excited and attentive and fun. I incorporate the new songs God gives me that go with my stories, and they love those. They’re fun songs, plus I’m more comfortable singing than talking, except I do love talking about God and giving Him glory.    I often speak to writers’ groups, but usually with my husband. I like teaching with him because he is the one who paces me. And he’s so wise. He’s like that E.F. Hutton … when he talks, everyone wants to listen.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? No doubt, I have had my share of them, but I’m not one of those folks who has a most-embarrassing-moment story. I suppose because I put them out of my mind the minute I possibly can.      However, in searching my recent history, I have come up with an incident. At a district school gym we’d traveled to, we made our way up the bleachers; O’Pa likes to sit high—I like sitting by him.  Ready to watch our twelve-year-old #12 grandson play basketball, I snuggled up to my dear husband.     A coach sat below on the floor, and it dawned on me I needed to give him a note so we could take Benjamen home from the game, instead of him riding the school bus all the way back to Clarksville and us having to pick him up there. So I headed back down. I don’t know how, but about halfway, I tripped and tumbled all the way down to the floor.      By the time I stopped bouncing, O’Pa stood over me. He and a lady coach helped up, and I sat on the bottom bench. Another coach appeared with a Ziplock bag full of ice. Both knees were scraped, but one hurt so bad I thought it might be broken. Benjamen came, hugged my neck, and reassured me, “You didn’t embarrass me, Grami.”
     “Oh good.” said I. “Just myself then.” I’m sure everyone watched me roll down the stairs. This one thing I can tell you for certain. No more sitting on the top bench for this basketball grandmother!     Miraculously, the next morning I wasn’t even bruised! My body was sore all over, but nothing missing, nothing broken! Hallelujah. I’m so thankful God answers prayer!
I’m with you. I don’t sit on the top bleachers either. People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?I tell them, “DO IT! It’s never been easier with the computer and its awesome Word program and the internet with the answer to any question at your fingertips. If you want to write for public consumption, then you should study the craft before you begin because if you don’t, you’ll end up rewriting the whole thing.
“Creative fiction is different from any other writing you’ve ever done. You’ll need to show, not tell, your story in an active voice, not a passive one. And if you want your readers to get right down into the story to go with your hero and heroine on their journey, you’ll need to understand point of view.
“And get yourself into a good critique group—not one where everyone slaps you on the back and always says, ‘Good read!’ You want criticism to sharpen your skills and improve your writing. But start today. I have a great little book called Story aqnd Style The Craft of Writing Creative Fiction that I really think would help you!”
Tell us about the featured book.Whoo! I really love this story, probably because I love the hero so much. Just Kin is book six in my historical Texas Romance series which is a family saga. In book two, Hearts Stolen, I introduced a four-year-old youngster named Charley. Born in a Comanche camp, growing up as the son of Bold Eagle, he was one tough little cookie all my readers fell in love with ... and so did I.     That was in 1844. Now Charley Nightingale is grown and heading off to the Civil War to protect Texas. The theme of Just Kin is that Love covers a multitude of sin. We all fall short of God’s glory. We all make our bad decisions when faced with temptation. Often, one poor choice leads to another until we find ourselves mired in the muck of a pit.      In Just Kin , the characters aren’t goody-goody. They’re good folks, well-reared young people who make wrong judgments. Charley opens the doors to sin that will cause him trouble his entire life, never meaning to be the man he becomes. Parents aren’t always happy with their children’s ways.       A stolen kiss ignites a fire that burns all the way from Texas to New York City. Torn apart by war, rejection, and a letter with news she never wanted, Lacey Rose takes her shredded heart and runs. Charley figures something isn’t right, but is duty-bound to the Confederacy until a deathbed order sets into motion a series of events that test his love, honor, and commitment to the breaking point. 
Please give us the first page of the book.May 18, 1861“Just one more.”
A chorus of disappointed “AWWs” followed. The deeper throated ones outnumbered the rest, but did nothing to deter her.
“Oh, it doesn’t hurt! Now come on. Please. This time with the whole family.”
Lacey Rose slipped away to the porch and sat on a step. Aunt May hurried about putting everyone exactly where she wanted them. The photographer hovered, offering his advice, but no one else paid much attention.
“Lacey, come stand here by your mama.”
Nothing in her wanted to. She really wasn’t a part of the family, but it wouldn’t do to argue, not with the mistress of the house. The only one who could persuade that woman on anything was Uncle Henry.
But still, she didn’t look like the rest and had no blood relation. Her mother could pass for a family member, but Lacey favored her father, Bear Fang.
The few minutes seemed more like an hour. Then finally, it was over.
Except really, just beginning.
How could some tall buffoon from Illinoisget himself elected president of the United States and start such a terrible war? She didn’t want them to leave. Things would never be the same once they did.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Website           -  http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com    All Books        -  http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage                                  Facebook        -  http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.authorBlog                -  http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.comGoodReads     -  http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCarylGoogle+          -  http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlusTwitter            -  http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdooPinterest          -  http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo
Thank you, Caryl, for sharing this new book with us. It's always a pleasure to host you here.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Just Kin - Paperback
Just Kin (Texas Romance Book 6) - 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

HER DEADLY INHERITANCE - Beth Ziarnik - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I so enjoy introducing debut Christian authors to you. And when it’s a long-time writer friend, it’s even sweeter.

Thank you, Lena, for hosting me here at “A Christian Writers World—Characters Who Grip your Heart.” Who would have thought when we met at an early ACFW Conference that we would be here now talking about my debut romantic suspense, Her Deadly Inheritance ?
Welcome, Beth. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.What a hard question to answer. To my complete surprise, I’ve discovered I get to know my characters by observing them as I write their stories. Yet some of me or my life experiences come out through them. Like Jill’s determination to follow God even into danger, if necessary. Like Clay’s passion for historic architecture which led him to become a restoration contractor and his expertise at playing ball. I borrowed a fantastic catch he made from one of my husband’s ballgames. Much of what goes on with Jill and Clay during the Fourth of July comes right out of Jim’s and my experiences as we enjoyed the Fourth at Munising, Michigan. In my life, I have also had to deal with the shock and grief of losing loved ones unexpectedly. My life was touched by suicide and the haunting wondering if there was anything I could have done that might have prevented it. So much more is in there, however, I don’t want to spoil the story by saying too much. But I do know that, in order to strike a cord of authenticity, writing a character’s story necessitates delving deeply into my own memories and emotions. It’s akin to the excitement of digging through Grandma’s walk-in attic to discover long-forgotten treasures.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?Probably while I was in high school, taking a one-semester journalism course and discovering I could write great news stories that appeared both in our high school paper, the Kau-Hi News and the town newspaper, The Kaukauna Times. That’s when I knew I could write. But even before that, while still a middle schooler, my friend Gwynne Vils and sat on her porch for hours an entire summer, writing our fiction tales. Unknown to me, my mother saved my attempts and returned them to me when I was in college. Maybe back then, Mom already saw something in them and had a sense of where life might lead me.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.My hands-down favorite genre continues to be Christian romantic suspense. But I also read other genres. Lately, I’ve enjoyed Andrea Boeshaar’s A Thousand Shall Fall (historical romance), Pesto and Potholes by Susan Baganz (contemporary romance), and The Dividing Stone by Anita Estes (Christian paranormal akin to Frank Peretti’s work). And I wouldn’t miss reading Karen Witemeyer’s historical romances set in Texas. I’ve also enjoyed Gloria Clover’s YA Christian fantasy novels and hope she will have another released in the near future.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Sanity? What sanity? Since the release of Her Deadly Inheritance on January 2, I’ve traveled such a fast track that it’s all I can do to barely keep up. At the same time, it is great fun connecting with readers, friends, and supporters who are so excited for me. What a beautiful blessing! And, yes, I do have help keeping my sanity. First of all, God’s faithful answers to the prayers of my prayer team and many other well-wishers. I could never do any of this without the Lord and these wonderful people. Also, my agent, Jim Hart, who offers direction and a calm voice of assurance every time I need it. I could say the same for my editors, Rowena Kuo and J. Christine Richards. The Lord has also kindly provided so many wonderful novelist friends who have traveled this road before me. God is always there for us when we need Him and reach out to Him.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Oh, I knew someone would ask that question. I might as well admit it. My characters tend to choose their own names. I read baby-name books and all, but in the end, my characters are pretty adamant. Maybe it’s because I send out weekly requests to my prayer team, and God answers their prayers. I do like to look up the meanings of their names to get a better perspective on who they are, and I often know how they came by those names, which adds even more information to the picture. But name them? No. They do that themselves.
I know. I had a character force me to change his name in the middle of a novel. He just wouldn’t accept the name I gave him. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Starting a local writers club almost 30 years ago. I asked God for one. The prayer was barely out of my mouth when he put me together with another writer to plan and begin Word and Pen Christian Writers. It has served hundreds of writers since its inception, most of whom were published as a result. We encourage each other, pray together, learn together twice a month. First, at the general club meeting, and later, during our critique meeting. I thank God, too, that from Word and Pen, other clubs have been born--Lighthouse Christian Writers in the Peshtigo, Wisconsin area, Pens of Praise in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and a new one in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where members haven’t yet chosen a name. This is all the Lord’s doing, and we often say how grateful we are to him.
What is your favorite food?Bread—every kind and variety except with caraway seeds. Fresh and fragrant from the oven. Warm from the breadbasket. Cheesy bread, whole grain bread, toasty garlic bread, marble rye … okay, that’s enough rhapsodizing. I suppose I should also admit that I bought a practically new bread machine at Goodwill one summer, and I love using it to make bread.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?My original dream was to write romantic suspense, exploring how Christian characters with all their flaws might address the frightening challenges they would face during the story. Writing nonfiction came easily to me. But writing fiction took many years of learning a whole different set of skills to produce a publishable novel. Prayer and persistence made the difference. What others were telling me—“Don’t give up!”—was good advice. So, I kept working at the craft and networking with others in the industry, praying for them, encouraging them, and learning from them. Then one day the dream came true. God has a right timing for everything. Usually when we least expect it. He loves riding in on that white horse to surprise us!
And His timing is always perfect. By the way, I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book. Her Deadly Inheritance is the first in a series of three novels that follow Jill and Clay through the challenges of a growing love and surviving horrendous life-threatening situations. Each book can easily stand on its own, and I’m loving the writing of the second even more than the first—if that’s possible!
In the first book, they overcome impossible odds to fall in love and nearly lose their lives, but of course, I don’t want to give away the story. I can say that, in this book, Jill deals with her need to put to rest her festering self-blame regarding her mother’s death. Though her mother died while Jill was hundreds of miles away, did she unknowingly contribute to the tragedy?
Here’s the back cover blurb: First a runaway. Now running for her life. Won't Jill Shepherd's family be surprised when she returns to Grand Island, Michigan, to end their lies and scheme to have her declared legally dead? But when Jill exposes the mastermind behind her intended death, her family's deception may kill any chance she has of remaining alive.

Clay Merrick may seem to be little more than a handy-man restoring homes, but when the former Special Forces operative tracks a brutal killer to Jill's historic house under renovation, he has most of the evidence he needs to bring the killer to justice ... until Jill gets in the way.

When the killer sets sights on Jill as the next victim, it's not just Clay s mission on the line, but his heart.
Please give us the first page of the book.5:00 a.m. Twelve hours before a judge would declare her legally dead.
Clutching her cell phone to her ear, Jill Shepherd turned away from the red numbers glowing on her bedside clock and paced in the room’s pre-dawn shadows.
“Say you’ll come, Jill.”
“Don’t ask me, Uncle Drew. You know I can’t.” She squeezed her eyelids shut and struggled against the tightness in her throat. “The minute Lenore finds out I’m alive and you knew, she’ll think we planned this.”
His wife would turn on them both for snatching the house on Michigan’s Grand Island from her at the last minute. “She’ll leave you.”
“I’ll take my chances. More important things are at stake here.”
His quiet resignation clawed at her conscience. She clenched her teeth. She would remain strong. He deserved that much.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
She swallowed hard at his pleading.
“I have to go,” he said, “but please come. The company plane is waiting at O’Hare. You have the pilot’s number. Call him.”
Jill pulled in a shaky breath. “She’ll never forgive you.”
“I’ll meet the plane when you get here. On the way to Windtop, we’ll decide how to break the news. Everything will be fine.”
He disconnected the call.
Everything would not be fine. Even he knew too well that someone would pay. The same woman who had driven Jill’s fragile mother into seclusion would see to it
I’m glad my book arrived this week. It’s the next one I’ll read. This has me really hooked. How can readers find you on the Internet?Currently, on my website at www.bethziarnik.com,on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beth.ziarnikand www.facebook.com/authorBethAnnZiarnik,
and my blog at www.bethziarnik.wordpress.com.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing your debut novel with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Christian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance - Paperback

Christian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance: First a runaway. Now running for her life. (Christian Mystery & Suspense) - 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

SIGNS IN LIFE - Deanna Nowadnick - Two Free Books

Dear Readers, today we have a nonfiction author, who is new to this blog. Let’s welcome her.
Welcome, Deanna. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?Oh, Lena! I’m a ditzy Type-A, if that makes sense. I can be the most on-top-of-things coworker and then leave the car running during a lunch date with my son. I work as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. I love caring for his clients, helping them navigate life’s joys and challenges. I’m active in my church, playing the violin on Sunday mornings and serving on our Leadership Team. When someone asked about hidden talents, I said the violin might need to be hidden on occasion. Give me four beats to the measure in the key of C, please. Give me a contemporary worship hymn with four sharps and a jazzy beat, and let’s just say, I struggle a bit.
Tell us about your family.Kurt and I met at Pacific Lutheran Universityand have now been married 34 years. His love and support have meant the world to me. We have two adult sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle is a financial advisor and his wife is a labor and delivery nurse. Kevin is a commercial real estate appraiser. His wife, Manoela, is from Braziland works for a software company in Seattle. They all live nearby, so I’m able to enjoy weekly lunches with the boys and special times with the girls.
It’s wonderful to have your family close by. All my kids, grandkids, and great grands live very close, and we often get together with part or all of them. Have you written other nonfiction books? My writing adventures began when Kyle and Kevin began asking about that fateful meeting of their mom and dad in college. Let’s just say, I was not in the library studying. I was 18 years old and thought Kurt was the cutest starter on the football team. Wanting to put that special night in the context of a wonderful marriage, I began writing. Well, the chapter on Love was followed by a chapter on Joy. That chapter was followed by a chapter on Peace. Before long a theme had developed, and I was holding a manuscript for Fruit of My Spirit, exclaiming to anyone within earshot, “I think I wrote a book! Really—I wrote a book.”
Do you have any other books in the works right now?Book 3 is a Christmas book, another inspirational memoir. The Christ child received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m exploring how we’ve all been given similar gifts in our walks with God as people of faith.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?I love knitting. I’m also a binge watcher of Netflix. I add that because one night I’ll be knitting and the next night ripping. I’ve been known to lose track of my knits and purls by the second, third, or fourth episode of my favorite guilty pleasure.
Why did you write the featured book? Signs in Life was truly a God thing. Even before I’d finished my first book, God was pushing me to share additional stories, which is rather amazing, because I really am a Type A perfectionist. I’d really like you all to believe that I’ve got it all together. But I don’t. You’ll read about a meltdown in the drive-through of my local coffee stand. You’ll learn about my struggles with Dad and my misunderstanding of his expectations for me. God has helped me take silly antics and life’s disappointments and struggles and connect them to a Bigger (capital B) message. We really are chapters in His great story. 
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?Can I repeat that last comment? Our stories really are chapters in God’s great story. Our stories don’t have to be found somewhere between Genesis and Revelation to matter. They don’t have to appear on Amazon’s bestseller list to count. Our stories are more important than that. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, said, “The genius of the biblical story is that, instead of giving us ‘seven habits for highly effective people,’ it give us permission and even direction to take conscious ownership of our own story at every level, every part of life and experience. God will use all of this material, even the negative parts, to bring life and love.” Yes, life and love!
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book? Signs in Life is a book that can be read in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter as a morning devotional. Each chapter ends with questions for personal (or group) reflection. You also get good-hair and bad-hair photos. My, oh, my!
We also travel with Moses and the Israelites. Never did I imagine that my own stories would connect to God’s bigger story in such a unique way. And may I be so bold to suggest that we’ve all had times when we’ve been asked to YIELD, TURN RIGHT, and STOP, just like God’s people as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
Please give us the first page or two from the book.One day, Moses was taking care of sheep and goats for his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”Exodus 3:1-4 (CEV)
THIS WAY“If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me!”
I scrambled out of the car, slammed the door, and kicked the rear tire. Squinting into the harsh glare of a flashlight, my first words were louder than necessary, “If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me! I just want to get home.” Not giving the police officer a chance to respond, I continued, still annoyed, still defiantly frustrated, “I’m tired. Really—I just want to get home!”
“And I just need you to slow down, ma’am. I actually stopped you, because I really just needed you to slow down and stop—at the sign back there. You’re in a school zone. It’s dark. There’s traffic.”
The officer was right. Traveling home from the gym, I’d failed to stop at a busy corner. Distracted by a young mother’s ever present to-do list, I’d rolled through an intersection, the middle school on my left, a railroad crossing on my right. Fortunately a man with a badge had cared enough to give me a much deserved warning and an undeniable lesson: road signs are an important part of safe travel.
Road signs are everywhere: SPEED LIMIT 25, SCHOOL ZONE, STOP. Yet even with signs telling us what to do and how best to do it, we still miss the signs, overlook and ignore them. But signs in life surround us for a reason and I’ve gotten costly reminders of their importance. A patrol car’s red and blue flashing lights have refocused my attention on the speed limit—more than once. Traffic cameras have reminded me to slow down in a school zone—twice. And a police officer has re-emphasized the importance of coming to a complete stop at a busy intersection.
In addition to traffic signs, I have also overlooked and ignored directional signs. I live in Monroe, Washington, about an hour’s drive from Seattle. On a trip into the city, I programmed my car’s navigation system to get me from the freeway to a waterfront restaurant. After three turns, I decided I knew better than my digital guide. I didn’t. I made wrong turn after wrong turn and silently cursed the afternoon’s traffic. The delay cost me time and patience and taught me a second undeniable lesson: road signs are not just an important part of safe travel, but there are consequences when ignored and overlooked.
So why don’t I follow the signs, block after block, turn after turn? Why don’t I heed the high resolution images on my car’s high definition screen? The signs were all there: a black and white sign alerting me to the speed limit, a red sign reminding me to stop, a yellow sign warning of the school zone. There were signs telling me of the exit ahead and the turn on my right. Still I ignored some, skipped others, and overlooked many. Why did I, why do I, ignore the help?
And if I struggle to get around the block, how will I ever survive the bigger journey? How will I navigate life? Not the quick trip to the grocery store, but the longer journey through adulthood? Not only the daily commute, but the more onerous trek through times of trial? Not just the trip into the city, but the turn into temptation? What about my travels as a wife and mother, sister and friend? What about my travels with God?
Very interesting. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?I love connecting with readers. Notes and emails are just the best! I live in the Puget Sound area and also enjoy speaking and meeting with groups, both small and large. I’ve even used book-signings to benefit local causes. It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to give back and pay it forward.Website:                     www.deannanowadnick.com Email:                         info@fruitofmyspirit.comFacebook:                   https://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit (author page)LinkedIn:                    Deanna NowadnickTwitter:                       @DeannaNowadnick

 Dear Readers, today we have a nonfiction author, who is new to this blog. Let’s welcome her.
Welcome, Deanna. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?Oh, Lena! I’m a ditzy Type-A, if that makes sense. I can be the most on-top-of-things coworker and then leave the car running during a lunch date with my son. I work as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. I love caring for his clients, helping them navigate life’s joys and challenges. I’m active in my church, playing the violin on Sunday mornings and serving on our Leadership Team. When someone asked about hidden talents, I said the violin might need to be hidden on occasion. Give me four beats to the measure in the key of C, please. Give me a contemporary worship hymn with four sharps and a jazzy beat, and let’s just say, I struggle a bit.
Tell us about your family.Kurt and I met at Pacific Lutheran Universityand have now been married 34 years. His love and support have meant the world to me. We have two adult sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle is a financial advisor and his wife is a labor and delivery nurse. Kevin is a commercial real estate appraiser. His wife, Manoela, is from Braziland works for a software company in Seattle. They all live nearby, so I’m able to enjoy weekly lunches with the boys and special times with the girls.
It’s wonderful to have your family close by. All my kids, grandkids, and great grands live very close, and we often get together with part or all of them. Have you written other nonfiction books? My writing adventures began when Kyle and Kevin began asking about that fateful meeting of their mom and dad in college. Let’s just say, I was not in the library studying. I was 18 years old and thought Kurt was the cutest starter on the football team. Wanting to put that special night in the context of a wonderful marriage, I began writing. Well, the chapter on Love was followed by a chapter on Joy. That chapter was followed by a chapter on Peace. Before long a theme had developed, and I was holding a manuscript for Fruit of My Spirit, exclaiming to anyone within earshot, “I think I wrote a book! Really—I wrote a book.”
Do you have any other books in the works right now?Book 3 is a Christmas book, another inspirational memoir. The Christ child received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m exploring how we’ve all been given similar gifts in our walks with God as people of faith.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?I love knitting. I’m also a binge watcher of Netflix. I add that because one night I’ll be knitting and the next night ripping. I’ve been known to lose track of my knits and purls by the second, third, or fourth episode of my favorite guilty pleasure.
Why did you write the featured book? Signs in Life was truly a God thing. Even before I’d finished my first book, God was pushing me to share additional stories, which is rather amazing, because I really am a Type A perfectionist. I’d really like you all to believe that I’ve got it all together. But I don’t. You’ll read about a meltdown in the drive-through of my local coffee stand. You’ll learn about my struggles with Dad and my misunderstanding of his expectations for me. God has helped me take silly antics and life’s disappointments and struggles and connect them to a Bigger (capital B) message. We really are chapters in His great story. 
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?Can I repeat that last comment? Our stories really are chapters in God’s great story. Our stories don’t have to be found somewhere between Genesis and Revelation to matter. They don’t have to appear on Amazon’s bestseller list to count. Our stories are more important than that. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, said, “The genius of the biblical story is that, instead of giving us ‘seven habits for highly effective people,’ it give us permission and even direction to take conscious ownership of our own story at every level, every part of life and experience. God will use all of this material, even the negative parts, to bring life and love.” Yes, life and love!
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book? Signs in Life is a book that can be read in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter as a morning devotional. Each chapter ends with questions for personal (or group) reflection. You also get good-hair and bad-hair photos. My, oh, my!
We also travel with Moses and the Israelites. Never did I imagine that my own stories would connect to God’s bigger story in such a unique way. And may I be so bold to suggest that we’ve all had times when we’ve been asked to YIELD, TURN RIGHT, and STOP, just like God’s people as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
Please give us the first page or two from the book.One day, Moses was taking care of sheep and goats for his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”Exodus 3:1-4 (CEV)
THIS WAY“If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me!”
I scrambled out of the car, slammed the door, and kicked the rear tire. Squinting into the harsh glare of a flashlight, my first words were louder than necessary, “If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me! I just want to get home.” Not giving the police officer a chance to respond, I continued, still annoyed, still defiantly frustrated, “I’m tired. Really—I just want to get home!”
“And I just need you to slow down, ma’am. I actually stopped you, because I really just needed you to slow down and stop—at the sign back there. You’re in a school zone. It’s dark. There’s traffic.”
The officer was right. Traveling home from the gym, I’d failed to stop at a busy corner. Distracted by a young mother’s ever present to-do list, I’d rolled through an intersection, the middle school on my left, a railroad crossing on my right. Fortunately a man with a badge had cared enough to give me a much deserved warning and an undeniable lesson: road signs are an important part of safe travel.
Road signs are everywhere: SPEED LIMIT 25, SCHOOL ZONE, STOP. Yet even with signs telling us what to do and how best to do it, we still miss the signs, overlook and ignore them. But signs in life surround us for a reason and I’ve gotten costly reminders of their importance. A patrol car’s red and blue flashing lights have refocused my attention on the speed limit—more than once. Traffic cameras have reminded me to slow down in a school zone—twice. And a police officer has re-emphasized the importance of coming to a complete stop at a busy intersection.
In addition to traffic signs, I have also overlooked and ignored directional signs. I live in Monroe, Washington, about an hour’s drive from Seattle. On a trip into the city, I programmed my car’s navigation system to get me from the freeway to a waterfront restaurant. After three turns, I decided I knew better than my digital guide. I didn’t. I made wrong turn after wrong turn and silently cursed the afternoon’s traffic. The delay cost me time and patience and taught me a second undeniable lesson: road signs are not just an important part of safe travel, but there are consequences when ignored and overlooked.
So why don’t I follow the signs, block after block, turn after turn? Why don’t I heed the high resolution images on my car’s high definition screen? The signs were all there: a black and white sign alerting me to the speed limit, a red sign reminding me to stop, a yellow sign warning of the school zone. There were signs telling me of the exit ahead and the turn on my right. Still I ignored some, skipped others, and overlooked many. Why did I, why do I, ignore the help?
And if I struggle to get around the block, how will I ever survive the bigger journey? How will I navigate life? Not the quick trip to the grocery store, but the longer journey through adulthood? Not only the daily commute, but the more onerous trek through times of trial? Not just the trip into the city, but the turn into temptation? What about my travels as a wife and mother, sister and friend? What about my travels with God?
Very interesting. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?I love connecting with readers. Notes and emails are just the best! I live in the Puget Sound area and also enjoy speaking and meeting with groups, both small and large. I’ve even used book-signings to benefit local causes. It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to give back and pay it forward.Website:                     www.deannanowadnick.com Email:                         info@fruitofmyspirit.comFacebook:                   https://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit (author page)LinkedIn:                    Deanna NowadnickTwitter:                       @DeannaNowadnick
Thank you, Deanna, for sharing this book with us. We all need the reminders you're bringing to us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God - Paperback, sale priced
Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels With God - Kindle

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SIGNS IN LIFE - Deanna Nowadnick - One Free Book

Dear Readers, today we have a nonfiction author, who is new to this blog. Let’s welcome her.
Welcome, Deanna. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?Oh, Lena! I’m a ditzy Type-A, if that makes sense. I can be the most on-top-of-things coworker and then leave the car running during a lunch date with my son. I work as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. I love caring for his clients, helping them navigate life’s joys and challenges. I’m active in my church, playing the violin on Sunday mornings and serving on our Leadership Team. When someone asked about hidden talents, I said the violin might need to be hidden on occasion. Give me four beats to the measure in the key of C, please. Give me a contemporary worship hymn with four sharps and a jazzy beat, and let’s just say, I struggle a bit.
Tell us about your family.Kurt and I met at Pacific Lutheran Universityand have now been married 34 years. His love and support have meant the world to me. We have two adult sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle is a financial advisor and his wife is a labor and delivery nurse. Kevin is a commercial real estate appraiser. His wife, Manoela, is from Braziland works for a software company in Seattle. They all live nearby, so I’m able to enjoy weekly lunches with the boys and special times with the girls.
It’s wonderful to have your family close by. All my kids, grandkids, and great grands live very close, and we often get together with part or all of them. Have you written other nonfiction books? My writing adventures began when Kyle and Kevin began asking about that fateful meeting of their mom and dad in college. Let’s just say, I was not in the library studying. I was 18 years old and thought Kurt was the cutest starter on the football team. Wanting to put that special night in the context of a wonderful marriage, I began writing. Well, the chapter on Love was followed by a chapter on Joy. That chapter was followed by a chapter on Peace. Before long a theme had developed, and I was holding a manuscript for Fruit of My Spirit, exclaiming to anyone within earshot, “I think I wrote a book! Really—I wrote a book.”
Do you have any other books in the works right now?Book 3 is a Christmas book, another inspirational memoir. The Christ child received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m exploring how we’ve all been given similar gifts in our walks with God as people of faith.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?I love knitting. I’m also a binge watcher of Netflix. I add that because one night I’ll be knitting and the next night ripping. I’ve been known to lose track of my knits and purls by the second, third, or fourth episode of my favorite guilty pleasure.
Why did you write the featured book? Signs in Life was truly a God thing. Even before I’d finished my first book, God was pushing me to share additional stories, which is rather amazing, because I really am a Type A perfectionist. I’d really like you all to believe that I’ve got it all together. But I don’t. You’ll read about a meltdown in the drive-through of my local coffee stand. You’ll learn about my struggles with Dad and my misunderstanding of his expectations for me. God has helped me take silly antics and life’s disappointments and struggles and connect them to a Bigger (capital B) message. We really are chapters in His great story. 
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?Can I repeat that last comment? Our stories really are chapters in God’s great story. Our stories don’t have to be found somewhere between Genesis and Revelation to matter. They don’t have to appear on Amazon’s bestseller list to count. Our stories are more important than that. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, said, “The genius of the biblical story is that, instead of giving us ‘seven habits for highly effective people,’ it give us permission and even direction to take conscious ownership of our own story at every level, every part of life and experience. God will use all of this material, even the negative parts, to bring life and love.” Yes, life and love!
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book? Signs in Life is a book that can be read in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter as a morning devotional. Each chapter ends with questions for personal (or group) reflection. You also get good-hair and bad-hair photos. My, oh, my!
We also travel with Moses and the Israelites. Never did I imagine that my own stories would connect to God’s bigger story in such a unique way. And may I be so bold to suggest that we’ve all had times when we’ve been asked to YIELD, TURN RIGHT, and STOP, just like God’s people as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
Please give us the first page or two from the book.One day, Moses was taking care of sheep and goats for his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”Exodus 3:1-4 (CEV)
THIS WAY“If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me!”
I scrambled out of the car, slammed the door, and kicked the rear tire. Squinting into the harsh glare of a flashlight, my first words were louder than necessary, “If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me! I just want to get home.” Not giving the police officer a chance to respond, I continued, still annoyed, still defiantly frustrated, “I’m tired. Really—I just want to get home!”
“And I just need you to slow down, ma’am. I actually stopped you, because I really just needed you to slow down and stop—at the sign back there. You’re in a school zone. It’s dark. There’s traffic.”
The officer was right. Traveling home from the gym, I’d failed to stop at a busy corner. Distracted by a young mother’s ever present to-do list, I’d rolled through an intersection, the middle school on my left, a railroad crossing on my right. Fortunately a man with a badge had cared enough to give me a much deserved warning and an undeniable lesson: road signs are an important part of safe travel.
Road signs are everywhere: SPEED LIMIT 25, SCHOOL ZONE, STOP. Yet even with signs telling us what to do and how best to do it, we still miss the signs, overlook and ignore them. But signs in life surround us for a reason and I’ve gotten costly reminders of their importance. A patrol car’s red and blue flashing lights have refocused my attention on the speed limit—more than once. Traffic cameras have reminded me to slow down in a school zone—twice. And a police officer has re-emphasized the importance of coming to a complete stop at a busy intersection.
In addition to traffic signs, I have also overlooked and ignored directional signs. I live in Monroe, Washington, about an hour’s drive from Seattle. On a trip into the city, I programmed my car’s navigation system to get me from the freeway to a waterfront restaurant. After three turns, I decided I knew better than my digital guide. I didn’t. I made wrong turn after wrong turn and silently cursed the afternoon’s traffic. The delay cost me time and patience and taught me a second undeniable lesson: road signs are not just an important part of safe travel, but there are consequences when ignored and overlooked.
So why don’t I follow the signs, block after block, turn after turn? Why don’t I heed the high resolution images on my car’s high definition screen? The signs were all there: a black and white sign alerting me to the speed limit, a red sign reminding me to stop, a yellow sign warning of the school zone. There were signs telling me of the exit ahead and the turn on my right. Still I ignored some, skipped others, and overlooked many. Why did I, why do I, ignore the help?
And if I struggle to get around the block, how will I ever survive the bigger journey? How will I navigate life? Not the quick trip to the grocery store, but the longer journey through adulthood? Not only the daily commute, but the more onerous trek through times of trial? Not just the trip into the city, but the turn into temptation? What about my travels as a wife and mother, sister and friend? What about my travels with God?
Very interesting. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?I love connecting with readers. Notes and emails are just the best! I live in the Puget Sound area and also enjoy speaking and meeting with groups, both small and large. I’ve even used book-signings to benefit local causes. It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to give back and pay it forward.Website:                     www.deannanowadnick.com Email:                         info@fruitofmyspirit.comFacebook:                   https://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit (author page)LinkedIn:                    Deanna NowadnickTwitter:                       @DeannaNowadnick

 Dear Readers, today we have a nonfiction author, who is new to this blog. Let’s welcome her.
Welcome, Deanna. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?Oh, Lena! I’m a ditzy Type-A, if that makes sense. I can be the most on-top-of-things coworker and then leave the car running during a lunch date with my son. I work as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. I love caring for his clients, helping them navigate life’s joys and challenges. I’m active in my church, playing the violin on Sunday mornings and serving on our Leadership Team. When someone asked about hidden talents, I said the violin might need to be hidden on occasion. Give me four beats to the measure in the key of C, please. Give me a contemporary worship hymn with four sharps and a jazzy beat, and let’s just say, I struggle a bit.
Tell us about your family.Kurt and I met at Pacific Lutheran Universityand have now been married 34 years. His love and support have meant the world to me. We have two adult sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle is a financial advisor and his wife is a labor and delivery nurse. Kevin is a commercial real estate appraiser. His wife, Manoela, is from Braziland works for a software company in Seattle. They all live nearby, so I’m able to enjoy weekly lunches with the boys and special times with the girls.
It’s wonderful to have your family close by. All my kids, grandkids, and great grands live very close, and we often get together with part or all of them. Have you written other nonfiction books? My writing adventures began when Kyle and Kevin began asking about that fateful meeting of their mom and dad in college. Let’s just say, I was not in the library studying. I was 18 years old and thought Kurt was the cutest starter on the football team. Wanting to put that special night in the context of a wonderful marriage, I began writing. Well, the chapter on Love was followed by a chapter on Joy. That chapter was followed by a chapter on Peace. Before long a theme had developed, and I was holding a manuscript for Fruit of My Spirit, exclaiming to anyone within earshot, “I think I wrote a book! Really—I wrote a book.”
Do you have any other books in the works right now?Book 3 is a Christmas book, another inspirational memoir. The Christ child received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m exploring how we’ve all been given similar gifts in our walks with God as people of faith.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?I love knitting. I’m also a binge watcher of Netflix. I add that because one night I’ll be knitting and the next night ripping. I’ve been known to lose track of my knits and purls by the second, third, or fourth episode of my favorite guilty pleasure.
Why did you write the featured book? Signs in Life was truly a God thing. Even before I’d finished my first book, God was pushing me to share additional stories, which is rather amazing, because I really am a Type A perfectionist. I’d really like you all to believe that I’ve got it all together. But I don’t. You’ll read about a meltdown in the drive-through of my local coffee stand. You’ll learn about my struggles with Dad and my misunderstanding of his expectations for me. God has helped me take silly antics and life’s disappointments and struggles and connect them to a Bigger (capital B) message. We really are chapters in His great story. 
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?Can I repeat that last comment? Our stories really are chapters in God’s great story. Our stories don’t have to be found somewhere between Genesis and Revelation to matter. They don’t have to appear on Amazon’s bestseller list to count. Our stories are more important than that. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, said, “The genius of the biblical story is that, instead of giving us ‘seven habits for highly effective people,’ it give us permission and even direction to take conscious ownership of our own story at every level, every part of life and experience. God will use all of this material, even the negative parts, to bring life and love.” Yes, life and love!
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book? Signs in Life is a book that can be read in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter as a morning devotional. Each chapter ends with questions for personal (or group) reflection. You also get good-hair and bad-hair photos. My, oh, my!
We also travel with Moses and the Israelites. Never did I imagine that my own stories would connect to God’s bigger story in such a unique way. And may I be so bold to suggest that we’ve all had times when we’ve been asked to YIELD, TURN RIGHT, and STOP, just like God’s people as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
Please give us the first page or two from the book.One day, Moses was taking care of sheep and goats for his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”Exodus 3:1-4 (CEV)
THIS WAY“If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me!”
I scrambled out of the car, slammed the door, and kicked the rear tire. Squinting into the harsh glare of a flashlight, my first words were louder than necessary, “If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me! I just want to get home.” Not giving the police officer a chance to respond, I continued, still annoyed, still defiantly frustrated, “I’m tired. Really—I just want to get home!”
“And I just need you to slow down, ma’am. I actually stopped you, because I really just needed you to slow down and stop—at the sign back there. You’re in a school zone. It’s dark. There’s traffic.”
The officer was right. Traveling home from the gym, I’d failed to stop at a busy corner. Distracted by a young mother’s ever present to-do list, I’d rolled through an intersection, the middle school on my left, a railroad crossing on my right. Fortunately a man with a badge had cared enough to give me a much deserved warning and an undeniable lesson: road signs are an important part of safe travel.
Road signs are everywhere: SPEED LIMIT 25, SCHOOL ZONE, STOP. Yet even with signs telling us what to do and how best to do it, we still miss the signs, overlook and ignore them. But signs in life surround us for a reason and I’ve gotten costly reminders of their importance. A patrol car’s red and blue flashing lights have refocused my attention on the speed limit—more than once. Traffic cameras have reminded me to slow down in a school zone—twice. And a police officer has re-emphasized the importance of coming to a complete stop at a busy intersection.
In addition to traffic signs, I have also overlooked and ignored directional signs. I live in Monroe, Washington, about an hour’s drive from Seattle. On a trip into the city, I programmed my car’s navigation system to get me from the freeway to a waterfront restaurant. After three turns, I decided I knew better than my digital guide. I didn’t. I made wrong turn after wrong turn and silently cursed the afternoon’s traffic. The delay cost me time and patience and taught me a second undeniable lesson: road signs are not just an important part of safe travel, but there are consequences when ignored and overlooked.
So why don’t I follow the signs, block after block, turn after turn? Why don’t I heed the high resolution images on my car’s high definition screen? The signs were all there: a black and white sign alerting me to the speed limit, a red sign reminding me to stop, a yellow sign warning of the school zone. There were signs telling me of the exit ahead and the turn on my right. Still I ignored some, skipped others, and overlooked many. Why did I, why do I, ignore the help?
And if I struggle to get around the block, how will I ever survive the bigger journey? How will I navigate life? Not the quick trip to the grocery store, but the longer journey through adulthood? Not only the daily commute, but the more onerous trek through times of trial? Not just the trip into the city, but the turn into temptation? What about my travels as a wife and mother, sister and friend? What about my travels with God?
Very interesting. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?I love connecting with readers. Notes and emails are just the best! I live in the Puget Sound area and also enjoy speaking and meeting with groups, both small and large. I’ve even used book-signings to benefit local causes. It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to give back and pay it forward.Website:                     www.deannanowadnick.com Email:                         info@fruitofmyspirit.comFacebook:                   https://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit (author page)LinkedIn:                    Deanna NowadnickTwitter:                       @DeannaNowadnick
Thank you, Deanna, for sharing this book with us. We all need the reminders you're bringing to us.
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