Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 171
November 15, 2015
WINNERS!!!!!
Wendy (FL) is the winner of
Joline's Redemption
by Vickie McDonough.
Connie (KY) is the winner of Surrender to Love by Mary Ann Diorio.
Dee (NE) is the winner of Irish Encounter by Hope Toler Dougherty.
Anonymous (KY) is the winner of Healed, Healthy, a nd Whole by Marion M Pyle.
Kai W (CA) is the winner of Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick.
If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
Connie (KY) is the winner of Surrender to Love by Mary Ann Diorio.
Dee (NE) is the winner of Irish Encounter by Hope Toler Dougherty.
Anonymous (KY) is the winner of Healed, Healthy, a nd Whole by Marion M Pyle.
Kai W (CA) is the winner of Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick.
If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
November 13, 2015
THE MEMORY WEAVER - Jane Kirkapatrick - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I first heard of Jane Kirkpatrick when a book club at our church read one of her books at least ten years ago. Her historical novels are amazing. Actually, at that time we shared the same agent, but I didn't find out until much later. I've gotten to know her ponline through that agency connection.
Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Light in the Wilderness and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregonwith her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.
Welcome back, Jane. How did you decide to write this particular story?The unanswered question always brings me in! Eliza Warren’s memoir noting her mother’s death, a space in the text, and then the very next sentence being “In 1854 I married Andrew Warren” intrigued me. What might have gone inside that space that she didn’t want to talk about? Added to that question was hearing of and later reading about her father’s crying through town, “My daughter is dead!” following the marriage. What was that about? There had also never been an exploration of Eliza the child as an interpreter during the Whitman tragedy. I wanted to study that as well.
How did you decide to tell one woman’s story through diaries and letters and the other as a first person?I wanted the two stories to be distinct in the readers’ minds, and I didn’t really want to rewrite all of the stories about the Spaldings as missionaries. After all, there are many volumes of works written about them. I wanted to consider what the mother might have experienced following the tragedy and her own survival, and especially about her husband’s insistence that their daughter attend the murder trial. Speculation also exists about Henry’s state of mind after the tragedy, and I wanted to show his wife’s faithfulness but also some of what may have been worries about his volatile behavior. I thought the diary format could serve as a border to that story. I really wanted this to be more of the daughter’s story, so I felt having her tell it and not be aware of her mother’s perspective until later added interest. Plus, I think the daughter did have a hard life, carried great wounds, and was both stoic and stumbling. I hoped that the first-person format with a wider narrative could soften her and help the reader see the scared ten-year-old child within some of the more controlling actions of her later life.
As you noted, many people have chosen to write about this family. How did you know where your story was going to go, and how is it different?I don’t always know. I start writing before I think I should or I’d just keep researching! There are no novels to my knowledge based on the daughter’s life, and the mother is only a minor character in some fiction written about that time period. So the daughter was the focal point for me. A novel allows us to speculate about the why and about how one felt regarding an incident. Biography or nonfiction allows us to explore what and when but must hesitate about exploring people’s feelings. Novels are meant to move us, to bring emotion to the surface, and to help us see our lives in new ways. To paraphrase French writer Marcel Proust, “The real journey of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” I wanted to show Eliza’s journey toward seeing with new eyes.
You wrote about the bond between people who have survived a tragedy as Eliza and Nancy Osborne did in this story. Have you experienced anything like that?Several years ago my husband and I flew in our small plane with two friends, Ken and Nancy Tedder. She was seven and a half months pregnant with their first child at the time. We hit a clear-air wind shear and crashed, missing three houses, power lines, and trees, and hitting the ground 450 feet from the end of the runway. My husband and I had many broken bones while the Tedders fortunately did not. Nancywent into labor, but it was stopped. We all dealt with the trauma of the crash and what happened afterward. In this case, the happy ending is that Nancy delivered a full-term baby six weeks later and still has no memory of the accident. Guilt, worry, and wishing we had done something different all visited my life. But since then, our lives have been forever intertwined with the best of threads. They are as family, and one of the greatest joys of my life was the morning Ken called to say Nancyhad delivered a healthy baby girl named Lisa. That call helped rewrite that story of disaster. So yes, we survived a terrible accident, and the relationship with that family will forever be richly distinct.
Thank you, Jane, for sharing this new book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
The Memory Weaver: A Novel - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Light in the Wilderness and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregonwith her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.Welcome back, Jane. How did you decide to write this particular story?The unanswered question always brings me in! Eliza Warren’s memoir noting her mother’s death, a space in the text, and then the very next sentence being “In 1854 I married Andrew Warren” intrigued me. What might have gone inside that space that she didn’t want to talk about? Added to that question was hearing of and later reading about her father’s crying through town, “My daughter is dead!” following the marriage. What was that about? There had also never been an exploration of Eliza the child as an interpreter during the Whitman tragedy. I wanted to study that as well.
How did you decide to tell one woman’s story through diaries and letters and the other as a first person?I wanted the two stories to be distinct in the readers’ minds, and I didn’t really want to rewrite all of the stories about the Spaldings as missionaries. After all, there are many volumes of works written about them. I wanted to consider what the mother might have experienced following the tragedy and her own survival, and especially about her husband’s insistence that their daughter attend the murder trial. Speculation also exists about Henry’s state of mind after the tragedy, and I wanted to show his wife’s faithfulness but also some of what may have been worries about his volatile behavior. I thought the diary format could serve as a border to that story. I really wanted this to be more of the daughter’s story, so I felt having her tell it and not be aware of her mother’s perspective until later added interest. Plus, I think the daughter did have a hard life, carried great wounds, and was both stoic and stumbling. I hoped that the first-person format with a wider narrative could soften her and help the reader see the scared ten-year-old child within some of the more controlling actions of her later life.
As you noted, many people have chosen to write about this family. How did you know where your story was going to go, and how is it different?I don’t always know. I start writing before I think I should or I’d just keep researching! There are no novels to my knowledge based on the daughter’s life, and the mother is only a minor character in some fiction written about that time period. So the daughter was the focal point for me. A novel allows us to speculate about the why and about how one felt regarding an incident. Biography or nonfiction allows us to explore what and when but must hesitate about exploring people’s feelings. Novels are meant to move us, to bring emotion to the surface, and to help us see our lives in new ways. To paraphrase French writer Marcel Proust, “The real journey of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” I wanted to show Eliza’s journey toward seeing with new eyes.You wrote about the bond between people who have survived a tragedy as Eliza and Nancy Osborne did in this story. Have you experienced anything like that?Several years ago my husband and I flew in our small plane with two friends, Ken and Nancy Tedder. She was seven and a half months pregnant with their first child at the time. We hit a clear-air wind shear and crashed, missing three houses, power lines, and trees, and hitting the ground 450 feet from the end of the runway. My husband and I had many broken bones while the Tedders fortunately did not. Nancywent into labor, but it was stopped. We all dealt with the trauma of the crash and what happened afterward. In this case, the happy ending is that Nancy delivered a full-term baby six weeks later and still has no memory of the accident. Guilt, worry, and wishing we had done something different all visited my life. But since then, our lives have been forever intertwined with the best of threads. They are as family, and one of the greatest joys of my life was the morning Ken called to say Nancyhad delivered a healthy baby girl named Lisa. That call helped rewrite that story of disaster. So yes, we survived a terrible accident, and the relationship with that family will forever be richly distinct.
Thank you, Jane, for sharing this new book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
The Memory Weaver: A Novel - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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 MEMORY WEAVER - Jane Kirdpatrick - One Free Book
Dear Readers, I first heard of Jane Kirkpatrick when a book club at our church read one of her books at least ten years ago. Her historical novels are amazing. Actually, at that time we shared the same agent, but I didn't find out until much later. I've gotten to know her ponline through that agency connection.
Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Light in the Wilderness and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregonwith her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.
Welcome back, Jane. How did you decide to write this particular story?The unanswered question always brings me in! Eliza Warren’s memoir noting her mother’s death, a space in the text, and then the very next sentence being “In 1854 I married Andrew Warren” intrigued me. What might have gone inside that space that she didn’t want to talk about? Added to that question was hearing of and later reading about her father’s crying through town, “My daughter is dead!” following the marriage. What was that about? There had also never been an exploration of Eliza the child as an interpreter during the Whitman tragedy. I wanted to study that as well.
How did you decide to tell one woman’s story through diaries and letters and the other as a first person?I wanted the two stories to be distinct in the readers’ minds, and I didn’t really want to rewrite all of the stories about the Spaldings as missionaries. After all, there are many volumes of works written about them. I wanted to consider what the mother might have experienced following the tragedy and her own survival, and especially about her husband’s insistence that their daughter attend the murder trial. Speculation also exists about Henry’s state of mind after the tragedy, and I wanted to show his wife’s faithfulness but also some of what may have been worries about his volatile behavior. I thought the diary format could serve as a border to that story. I really wanted this to be more of the daughter’s story, so I felt having her tell it and not be aware of her mother’s perspective until later added interest. Plus, I think the daughter did have a hard life, carried great wounds, and was both stoic and stumbling. I hoped that the first-person format with a wider narrative could soften her and help the reader see the scared ten-year-old child within some of the more controlling actions of her later life.
As you noted, many people have chosen to write about this family. How did you know where your story was going to go, and how is it different?I don’t always know. I start writing before I think I should or I’d just keep researching! There are no novels to my knowledge based on the daughter’s life, and the mother is only a minor character in some fiction written about that time period. So the daughter was the focal point for me. A novel allows us to speculate about the why and about how one felt regarding an incident. Biography or nonfiction allows us to explore what and when but must hesitate about exploring people’s feelings. Novels are meant to move us, to bring emotion to the surface, and to help us see our lives in new ways. To paraphrase French writer Marcel Proust, “The real journey of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” I wanted to show Eliza’s journey toward seeing with new eyes.
You wrote about the bond between people who have survived a tragedy as Eliza and Nancy Osborne did in this story. Have you experienced anything like that?Several years ago my husband and I flew in our small plane with two friends, Ken and Nancy Tedder. She was seven and a half months pregnant with their first child at the time. We hit a clear-air wind shear and crashed, missing three houses, power lines, and trees, and hitting the ground 450 feet from the end of the runway. My husband and I had many broken bones while the Tedders fortunately did not. Nancywent into labor, but it was stopped. We all dealt with the trauma of the crash and what happened afterward. In this case, the happy ending is that Nancy delivered a full-term baby six weeks later and still has no memory of the accident. Guilt, worry, and wishing we had done something different all visited my life. But since then, our lives have been forever intertwined with the best of threads. They are as family, and one of the greatest joys of my life was the morning Ken called to say Nancyhad delivered a healthy baby girl named Lisa. That call helped rewrite that story of disaster. So yes, we survived a terrible accident, and the relationship with that family will forever be richly distinct.
Thank you, Jane, for sharing this new book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
The Memory Weaver: A Novel - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Light in the Wilderness and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregonwith her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.Welcome back, Jane. How did you decide to write this particular story?The unanswered question always brings me in! Eliza Warren’s memoir noting her mother’s death, a space in the text, and then the very next sentence being “In 1854 I married Andrew Warren” intrigued me. What might have gone inside that space that she didn’t want to talk about? Added to that question was hearing of and later reading about her father’s crying through town, “My daughter is dead!” following the marriage. What was that about? There had also never been an exploration of Eliza the child as an interpreter during the Whitman tragedy. I wanted to study that as well.
How did you decide to tell one woman’s story through diaries and letters and the other as a first person?I wanted the two stories to be distinct in the readers’ minds, and I didn’t really want to rewrite all of the stories about the Spaldings as missionaries. After all, there are many volumes of works written about them. I wanted to consider what the mother might have experienced following the tragedy and her own survival, and especially about her husband’s insistence that their daughter attend the murder trial. Speculation also exists about Henry’s state of mind after the tragedy, and I wanted to show his wife’s faithfulness but also some of what may have been worries about his volatile behavior. I thought the diary format could serve as a border to that story. I really wanted this to be more of the daughter’s story, so I felt having her tell it and not be aware of her mother’s perspective until later added interest. Plus, I think the daughter did have a hard life, carried great wounds, and was both stoic and stumbling. I hoped that the first-person format with a wider narrative could soften her and help the reader see the scared ten-year-old child within some of the more controlling actions of her later life.
As you noted, many people have chosen to write about this family. How did you know where your story was going to go, and how is it different?I don’t always know. I start writing before I think I should or I’d just keep researching! There are no novels to my knowledge based on the daughter’s life, and the mother is only a minor character in some fiction written about that time period. So the daughter was the focal point for me. A novel allows us to speculate about the why and about how one felt regarding an incident. Biography or nonfiction allows us to explore what and when but must hesitate about exploring people’s feelings. Novels are meant to move us, to bring emotion to the surface, and to help us see our lives in new ways. To paraphrase French writer Marcel Proust, “The real journey of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” I wanted to show Eliza’s journey toward seeing with new eyes.You wrote about the bond between people who have survived a tragedy as Eliza and Nancy Osborne did in this story. Have you experienced anything like that?Several years ago my husband and I flew in our small plane with two friends, Ken and Nancy Tedder. She was seven and a half months pregnant with their first child at the time. We hit a clear-air wind shear and crashed, missing three houses, power lines, and trees, and hitting the ground 450 feet from the end of the runway. My husband and I had many broken bones while the Tedders fortunately did not. Nancywent into labor, but it was stopped. We all dealt with the trauma of the crash and what happened afterward. In this case, the happy ending is that Nancy delivered a full-term baby six weeks later and still has no memory of the accident. Guilt, worry, and wishing we had done something different all visited my life. But since then, our lives have been forever intertwined with the best of threads. They are as family, and one of the greatest joys of my life was the morning Ken called to say Nancyhad delivered a healthy baby girl named Lisa. That call helped rewrite that story of disaster. So yes, we survived a terrible accident, and the relationship with that family will forever be richly distinct.
Thank you, Jane, for sharing this new book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
- Amazon
The Memory Weaver: A Novel - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
November 12, 2015
CUP 'N CAKE - Teresa Ives Lilly - One Free Ebook
Bio: Teresa Ives Lilly is A Christian author of 15 novels and novellas, 200 unit studies, and many articles. She lives in Texas.
Welcome back, Teresa. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?He has opened the door for me to work with three different groups of lovely women writers who have helped and inspired me. I see filling the upcoming year with writing at least five more novellas.
Tell us a little about your family.I am married and have three grown children. I have one grandson whom I watch every week and sometimes after nap he will play in the playpen and let me write for half an hour.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?Yes, I used to love to read long historical Christian novels, but now I find I like to read other novellas, which is also what I write.
What are you working on right now?A Harvey Girl Novella
I love Harvey Girl stories. What outside interests do you have?I line dance and visit bed and breakfasts when I get a chance.
How do you choose your settings for each book?I tend to write about stories set in small towns that come from my own imagination.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?I’d love to sit with Laura Ingals Wilder for a night and discuss life or with Grace Livingston Hill and discuss the Lord.
At one time, I read almost all Grace Livingston Hill’s novels. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?Not to be afraid to join a critique group. When I finally did this my writing improved.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?To trust Him in my writing and selling of books and to tithe even on book money.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?Join a critique group, accept their ideas and don’t just sell a book to a publishing house unless God gives you a clear okay.
Tell us about the featured book. Cup ’n Cake was written because I visited Maine and wanted to capture the atmosphere. The story is a light, fun Christmas romance and contemporary.
Please give us the first page of the book.Bundled in her winter coat, gloves, and scarf, Penny Trent stood in the square of the Harbor Inn Courtyard and watched as soft flakes of snow drifted from the sky and gently landed on the already cleared sidewalks that ran around the square of quaint stores. She sighed with contentment. Morning was her favorite time of day.
The first day of December and all the specialty shops were already brightly decorated for Christmas. The town’s theme this year was Silver Bells, and each window display boasted a variety of bells, silver tinsel, and white icicle lights. She’d decorated her window with a three tiered wedding cake decked out with silver snowflakes.
Penny shielded her eyes with her hand and turned away from the shops to the open side of the square that over looked the ocean. She scanned the horizon. The coast of Mainewas a beautiful sight on this lovely winter day with its many nooks, crannies, and crags. She could see the Old Harbor Lighthouse in the distance.
There had been only one cold day since Thanksgiving and the water along the coast wasn’t frozen, but she imagined it was bitter cold. Only a few early morning combers walked along the beach just steps away from the courtyard. The sand was untouched, except by gulls that ran to-and-fro, searching for breakfast.
Penny inhaled the fresh, frigid air. To hear the gentle lapping ocean waves is the epitome of the good life.
Even though she’d suffered the past few weeks, she was still able to close her eyes and lift her face as her heart sang out, This is the most pleasant place on earth. I’m so blessed that my aunt left it to me as my inheritance.
“Excuse me, Miss?” A smooth masculine voice at her elbow broke into her thoughts. She turned, surprised to see a tall, muscular stranger standing behind. She took a step back.
The stranger smiled. As if struck by a ray of sunshine, the brilliance of his grin flashed at her.
She took in a gulp of air.
“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to disturb you. Are you Penny Trent?”
Penny studied the man in silence. Regardless of the ugly Christmas sweater he wore, this was the man of her dreams. He stood within touching distance. Tall, brown wavy hair, blue eyes the color of a summer sky, and all housed in a perfectly muscular body. She was tempted to reach out and poke him to see if he were real.
The man cleared his throat.
Penny’s gaze shot up, her cheeks flushed. She noted the crinkles next to his eyes. A sure sign he had read her thoughts and was laughing at her. She stood a bit more erect.
“Yes, I’m Penny Trent.”
To her surprise, the man reached out, grabbed her hand and pumped it up and down. “Great, great. I’m Kyle. Granny told me I would find you here.”
Penny tilted her head and stared at the man, wondering how it would feel to brush back the curls that fell across his cheek. “And just who is Granny?”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m the only one who calls her Granny. She doesn’t like anyone to know she’s a grandmother. Said it made her feel old, but secretly, she loves being my grandmother.”
Penny continued to stare at him, trying to make sense from his words. Ugh, too good to be true. There goes the man of my dreams. It’s a shame he’s slightly touched in the head and can’t seem to answer a simple question.
“Excuse me, Kyle? You did say your name is Kyle?”
The man nodded.
“I still have no idea who Granny is. I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are, and I really do have to open my shop.” Penny took a step back then turned to go.
The man moved in front of her and blocked her path. “No, wait. Granny told me I’d probably fudge my introduction. I usually do.” He gave a rueful grin. “But give me a chance, I get better and I happen to know you don’t open Cake Time for another half hour. You usually get a cup of coffee first.”
Penny shook her head. She was surprised the man knew her morning routine, but it was also obvious he wasn’t going to make any sense. Slightly nervous and irritated, her eyes scanned the area. Where are the local rent-a-cops who usually worked this area or even another shop owner? It was still too early for any of them to be about. Unlike Penny, who lived above her cake shop, the owners of the closest shops; Just a Cup, Blue Willow Antiques, Turn the Page Book Shop and By the Sea Gifts, commuted from the city.
Penny began to back up. Grandson or not, this man didn’t seem stable. She quickly turned and hurried toward her shop, hoping the man would take the hint. She was not interested in speaking to him.
The stranger fell into step beside her.
“Yup, I messed up. I’ve gone and gotten you all confused, so let me start again. My grandmother is known to all of you shop owners as Helen.”
Penny’s head shot around. She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. Helen was the owner of the coffee shop called Just a Cup, well known for great coffee and Helen’s famous recipe for lemon coffee cake. Kyle had Penny’s full attention.
“Ah, now I’m doing better. You see, my grandmother, err… I mean Helen, is in the hospital…”
“What? I just saw her the day before Thanksgiving. What happened? Is she hurt, sick? What hospital?”
Kyle held up a hand. “Whoa! Wait a minute. I don’t want to get everything all turned around again.”
Penny held her breath, waiting impatiently.
“Granny fell down the stairs in her house on Thanksgiving day. She is in the city hospital and is doing alright. She broke her hip and they did surgery, but she also broke a rib and has a slight concussion.”
“Oh, no!” Penny gasped. “She told me she was going to take off the week between Thanksgiving and December, so I never even thought to worry about her. I’m so sorry this has happened. I’ll visit her later today if you think they will allow me to see her.”
He shook his head. “Probably not. I was only allowed to speak to her for a few minutes. Perhaps a couple days from now, we can drive into the city together. I have a great old truck, with spare chains in the back, just in case we get stuck in a blizzard.”
The image of snuggling up beside the handsome, dark haired man in a truck flashed through Penny’s mind, but she quickly pushed it away. This was not the time to daydream about a total stranger; especially one who seemed to live in a constant state of confusion.
Penny shook her head sympathetically and gave the man a quick appraisal. There was a small resemblance to Helen. “Please keep me posted. I want to see her as soon as possible. She’s been such a good friend.”
“Yes, she told me.”
Penny frowned. “What about her shop? Will it stay closed while she is in the hospital? It’s a pity, with the Christmas rush almost here. There are more and more tourists every day, and by December tenth, the square will be packed during business hours. Evenings too. Can she afford to lose that much income?”
Kyle slapped his chest. “That’s why I’m here. I promised Granny I would run things for a few days.” He raked a hand through his hair and mumbled, “Haven’t worked in the shop since I was sixteen.”
“You worked in the coffee shop?”
“Yep. I used to spend the summers with Granny. I grew up in California, but I loved being here in Maine with Granny.”
“She never mentioned you.” It was strange that she had known Helen for nearly three years and her friend never mentioned a grandson.
Kyle smiled mischievously. “I don’t doubt it. When I turned seventeen, I told my parents I was too old to be sent off to Maine for the summer. Granny wasn’t happy about it and she told me she was striking my name off the Good Grind List.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.teresalilly.comis my blog, Teresa Ives Lilly Author is my Facebook page.
Thank you, Teresa, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome back, Teresa. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?He has opened the door for me to work with three different groups of lovely women writers who have helped and inspired me. I see filling the upcoming year with writing at least five more novellas. Tell us a little about your family.I am married and have three grown children. I have one grandson whom I watch every week and sometimes after nap he will play in the playpen and let me write for half an hour.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?Yes, I used to love to read long historical Christian novels, but now I find I like to read other novellas, which is also what I write.
What are you working on right now?A Harvey Girl Novella
I love Harvey Girl stories. What outside interests do you have?I line dance and visit bed and breakfasts when I get a chance.
How do you choose your settings for each book?I tend to write about stories set in small towns that come from my own imagination.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?I’d love to sit with Laura Ingals Wilder for a night and discuss life or with Grace Livingston Hill and discuss the Lord.
At one time, I read almost all Grace Livingston Hill’s novels. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?Not to be afraid to join a critique group. When I finally did this my writing improved.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?To trust Him in my writing and selling of books and to tithe even on book money.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?Join a critique group, accept their ideas and don’t just sell a book to a publishing house unless God gives you a clear okay.
Tell us about the featured book. Cup ’n Cake was written because I visited Maine and wanted to capture the atmosphere. The story is a light, fun Christmas romance and contemporary.
Please give us the first page of the book.Bundled in her winter coat, gloves, and scarf, Penny Trent stood in the square of the Harbor Inn Courtyard and watched as soft flakes of snow drifted from the sky and gently landed on the already cleared sidewalks that ran around the square of quaint stores. She sighed with contentment. Morning was her favorite time of day. The first day of December and all the specialty shops were already brightly decorated for Christmas. The town’s theme this year was Silver Bells, and each window display boasted a variety of bells, silver tinsel, and white icicle lights. She’d decorated her window with a three tiered wedding cake decked out with silver snowflakes.
Penny shielded her eyes with her hand and turned away from the shops to the open side of the square that over looked the ocean. She scanned the horizon. The coast of Mainewas a beautiful sight on this lovely winter day with its many nooks, crannies, and crags. She could see the Old Harbor Lighthouse in the distance.
There had been only one cold day since Thanksgiving and the water along the coast wasn’t frozen, but she imagined it was bitter cold. Only a few early morning combers walked along the beach just steps away from the courtyard. The sand was untouched, except by gulls that ran to-and-fro, searching for breakfast.
Penny inhaled the fresh, frigid air. To hear the gentle lapping ocean waves is the epitome of the good life.
Even though she’d suffered the past few weeks, she was still able to close her eyes and lift her face as her heart sang out, This is the most pleasant place on earth. I’m so blessed that my aunt left it to me as my inheritance.
“Excuse me, Miss?” A smooth masculine voice at her elbow broke into her thoughts. She turned, surprised to see a tall, muscular stranger standing behind. She took a step back.
The stranger smiled. As if struck by a ray of sunshine, the brilliance of his grin flashed at her.
She took in a gulp of air.
“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to disturb you. Are you Penny Trent?”
Penny studied the man in silence. Regardless of the ugly Christmas sweater he wore, this was the man of her dreams. He stood within touching distance. Tall, brown wavy hair, blue eyes the color of a summer sky, and all housed in a perfectly muscular body. She was tempted to reach out and poke him to see if he were real.
The man cleared his throat.
Penny’s gaze shot up, her cheeks flushed. She noted the crinkles next to his eyes. A sure sign he had read her thoughts and was laughing at her. She stood a bit more erect.
“Yes, I’m Penny Trent.”
To her surprise, the man reached out, grabbed her hand and pumped it up and down. “Great, great. I’m Kyle. Granny told me I would find you here.”
Penny tilted her head and stared at the man, wondering how it would feel to brush back the curls that fell across his cheek. “And just who is Granny?”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m the only one who calls her Granny. She doesn’t like anyone to know she’s a grandmother. Said it made her feel old, but secretly, she loves being my grandmother.”
Penny continued to stare at him, trying to make sense from his words. Ugh, too good to be true. There goes the man of my dreams. It’s a shame he’s slightly touched in the head and can’t seem to answer a simple question.
“Excuse me, Kyle? You did say your name is Kyle?”
The man nodded.
“I still have no idea who Granny is. I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are, and I really do have to open my shop.” Penny took a step back then turned to go.
The man moved in front of her and blocked her path. “No, wait. Granny told me I’d probably fudge my introduction. I usually do.” He gave a rueful grin. “But give me a chance, I get better and I happen to know you don’t open Cake Time for another half hour. You usually get a cup of coffee first.”
Penny shook her head. She was surprised the man knew her morning routine, but it was also obvious he wasn’t going to make any sense. Slightly nervous and irritated, her eyes scanned the area. Where are the local rent-a-cops who usually worked this area or even another shop owner? It was still too early for any of them to be about. Unlike Penny, who lived above her cake shop, the owners of the closest shops; Just a Cup, Blue Willow Antiques, Turn the Page Book Shop and By the Sea Gifts, commuted from the city.
Penny began to back up. Grandson or not, this man didn’t seem stable. She quickly turned and hurried toward her shop, hoping the man would take the hint. She was not interested in speaking to him.
The stranger fell into step beside her.
“Yup, I messed up. I’ve gone and gotten you all confused, so let me start again. My grandmother is known to all of you shop owners as Helen.”
Penny’s head shot around. She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. Helen was the owner of the coffee shop called Just a Cup, well known for great coffee and Helen’s famous recipe for lemon coffee cake. Kyle had Penny’s full attention.
“Ah, now I’m doing better. You see, my grandmother, err… I mean Helen, is in the hospital…”
“What? I just saw her the day before Thanksgiving. What happened? Is she hurt, sick? What hospital?”
Kyle held up a hand. “Whoa! Wait a minute. I don’t want to get everything all turned around again.”
Penny held her breath, waiting impatiently.
“Granny fell down the stairs in her house on Thanksgiving day. She is in the city hospital and is doing alright. She broke her hip and they did surgery, but she also broke a rib and has a slight concussion.”
“Oh, no!” Penny gasped. “She told me she was going to take off the week between Thanksgiving and December, so I never even thought to worry about her. I’m so sorry this has happened. I’ll visit her later today if you think they will allow me to see her.”
He shook his head. “Probably not. I was only allowed to speak to her for a few minutes. Perhaps a couple days from now, we can drive into the city together. I have a great old truck, with spare chains in the back, just in case we get stuck in a blizzard.”
The image of snuggling up beside the handsome, dark haired man in a truck flashed through Penny’s mind, but she quickly pushed it away. This was not the time to daydream about a total stranger; especially one who seemed to live in a constant state of confusion.
Penny shook her head sympathetically and gave the man a quick appraisal. There was a small resemblance to Helen. “Please keep me posted. I want to see her as soon as possible. She’s been such a good friend.”
“Yes, she told me.”
Penny frowned. “What about her shop? Will it stay closed while she is in the hospital? It’s a pity, with the Christmas rush almost here. There are more and more tourists every day, and by December tenth, the square will be packed during business hours. Evenings too. Can she afford to lose that much income?”
Kyle slapped his chest. “That’s why I’m here. I promised Granny I would run things for a few days.” He raked a hand through his hair and mumbled, “Haven’t worked in the shop since I was sixteen.”
“You worked in the coffee shop?”
“Yep. I used to spend the summers with Granny. I grew up in California, but I loved being here in Maine with Granny.”
“She never mentioned you.” It was strange that she had known Helen for nearly three years and her friend never mentioned a grandson.
Kyle smiled mischievously. “I don’t doubt it. When I turned seventeen, I told my parents I was too old to be sent off to Maine for the summer. Granny wasn’t happy about it and she told me she was striking my name off the Good Grind List.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.teresalilly.comis my blog, Teresa Ives Lilly Author is my Facebook page.
Thank you, Teresa, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
November 11, 2015
Facebook Special Event Tomorrow at 7:00 pm
You won't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to meet many of the authors of Warm Mulled Kisses. Each author in attendance at the party will have a 15 minute time slot to share with you on video, and others will be monitoring the answers you give.
Each author, whether in attendance or not, will have a giveaway, some more than one. As you can see from my meme, I will be having 3 giveaways--Montana Mistletoe, Snowbound Colorado Christmas, and 21 Days of Christmas devotional book. I'll be sharing some Christmas ideas and asking questions, and I'll share a couple of recipes.
We'll ask Christmas questions and enjoy your feedback. The winners will be chosen from those of you who do give feed back.
Here's the link to the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/785248894936233/
This is an open invitation to all my friends to come by the event. You don't have to preregister.
DODGING DESTINY - Derinda Babcock - One Free Book
Dear Readers, Derinda is another author with the agency I'm with. I'm thrilled to introduce her to you.Welcome, Derinda. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.The characters in my novels and short stories exhibit many of my personality traits, preferences, experiences, and understanding. In Dodging Destiny , the main character, Lexie Logan, struggles with control issues. She also questions if she is really good enough. In many areas of my life, control that comes from extensive planning equals comfort, safety, and security. Like Lexie, God has had to push me out of my comfort zone in order to show me that I really have very little control over most things. I think at different times in our lives, we all question why God wants to use us. Our perceptions tend to be that someone else is smarter, more talented or skilled, or better able to do what God has told us to do.
In many of my upcoming novels, the reader may notice that someone learns to read, or improves basic reading skills. For twenty-five years, I was an English Acquisitions/English as a Second Language teacher. My life revolved around teaching students to listen, speak, read, write, and think in English, and because this has played such an important role in my life, writing about characters who improve the lives of others by teaching them to read seems like a natural extension of who I am. Because of this experience, readers may also note that interactions with others who are not of the main character's cultural or linguistic heritage are common.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Like Lexie, I don't like the thought of germs being on everything I touch. Before I sit down at a computer others have used, I wipe the area and seat back, the mouse, the keyboard, and the outside edge of the monitor with a sanitizing wipe or colloidal silver I keep in my purse. I put the silver on my hands and up my nose. In twenty-five years of working with germ-y students, I seldom got sick, so I continue the practice.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?For many years, I wrote stories just for me. They were handwritten or produced on a manual or electric typewriter. I didn't consider myself to be a writer then, just a storyteller, but when others wanted to read what I'd written, I realized writing might be a possibility in some hazy future after my life as a mom and teacher. When I had time, I tuned up one of my favorite manuscripts and pitched it to Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency at the ACFW conference in St. Louis five or six years ago. She contracted me, and this is when I considered myself to be a writer.
I also just considered myself as a storyteller, before God told me He wanted me to write stories for Him. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.For most of my adult life, I read nonfiction texts. They were a part of my everyday life as a teacher or student. These books were very helpful if I wanted to learn new information, develop skills, or solve specific kinds of problems. They continue to be helpful for historical research. When I had time to read fiction, I preferred mostly historical novels – books like Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series, or her famous women of the Bible series. I began reading limited amounts of fantasy only because I discovered Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I liked her writing style so much, I read many more of her books. R. J. Larson and her Books of the Infinite and Realms of the Infinite series are also favorites. Kathleen Y'Barbo became a favorite historical romance author after I read Flora's Wish and Millie's Treasure. Lena's book, Catherine's Pursuit is also a favorite. Because there are now so many excellent Christian books in all genres, I seldom read fiction outside of the Christian market.
I’m glad you liked my book. That one was a pleasure to write. You should try Lynne Gentry’s time travel novels. You’ll love them. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Simple – I don't run anymore. Since I've retired from teaching, I don't have so many demands on my time or energy. I live in the country and have a garden and animals to care for, which is stress-relieving. I continue to learn, which is mentally stimulating. I've enrolled at a local community college to take classes I want to take, instead of classes I have to take to keep a teaching license.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I look on the Internet, in name books, and within the circle of my family and friends to see which names work best for the personality of my character. On one occasion, a student wanted to be named in a story. I asked, “Do you want your name to be associated with the hero/heroine or the villain?” She answered, “It doesn't matter.” Her name regularly appears in Dodging Destiny .
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?One of the most important accomplishments is to know that my children, as adults, love, respect, and talk to each other and to my husband and me. We are friends. We enjoy being with each other. Lately, I've noticed this trait seems to be disappearing in the lives of many of the next generation, and my heart is saddened. The burdens of life are heavy enough without the added weight of unloving, unkind, and disrespectful loved ones.
James and I are blessed that way, too. Our family all live fairly near us, and we love getting together. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I'd be a border collie/Australian shepherd cross like my dog, Bella. I'd have one white eye and one brown, and I'd be able to run faster than a speeding bullet and jump tall obstacles in a single bound. I've never been able to run very fast, jump very high, or move with as much grace and body control as Bella.
What is your favorite food?I don't have one particular favorite, though anything with green chili as a main ingredient will be a dish of choice. My favorite meats, in order of preference, are: antelope, wild duck and geese, dove, lamb, elk, deer, chicken, turkey. I like a variety of vegetables and fruits, especially if they are garden-fresh and still retain the kiss of the sun.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? For many years I wrote in the educational setting, so when I began to write fiction for the Christian market, I had to “unlearn” certain rules. Now, instead of using the Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) style manuals, I use the Chicago Manuel of Style (CMS) or a specific publisher's style sheet. Sometimes the rules aren't black-and-white, which causes me frustration. In addition, some of the “no-no's” of writing appear to apply only to new writers, but not to those who are famous, multi-published authors. I've had to grit my teeth and remind myself that when I made a career change, I moved from the top of the totem pole to the bottom, and that I should expect to have to work hard to get over the hurdles that come my way. I've had to ax my pride and humble myself before the Lord, not once, but several times.
Another writing problem that consistently surprises me is how many times a manuscript can be examined for errors by multiple sets of skilled eyes, yet some silly little errors always slip by. When I notice these escapees in my own work, I feel sick to my stomach, but they serve to remind me that I haven't arrived. I still need to strive for perfection. When I notice them in the works of other well-known authors, I breathe a sigh of relief to know I'm not alone.
You’re right. They just happen … and to everyone. Tell us about the featured book.
Dodging Destiny
is the first book in the Destiny trilogy. The story is a loose parallel of the Prophet Jonah's experience. Lexie Logan knows what God wants her to do, but she decides to flee His command. As a results, she faces a life-storm of epic proportions. God removes her from the twenty-first century and sends her to 1857 Kansasterritory to learn some lessons. The American Civil War is four years away, Kansas isn't a state, women don't have the vote, and slavery divides the nation. Lexie learns that there is no place in time or space she can go to run from God, and that nothing can separate her from His love.I can hardly wait until my copy arrives. I’m eager to read this story. Please give us the first page of the book.Oh, Lance. Why did it have to end this way?
Lexie tightened the knob on the stationary bike and pedaled with all her might. Her deep pink cotton workout tee and black Spandex shorts stuck to her lean body and sweat dripped from her face. She pushed away the tendrils of long, golden-brown hair that escaped from the ponytail and stuck to her temples and the back of her neck. She ignored the metallic clang of weights, the rhythmic whirring of the treadmills, steppers, and rowing machines, the television news reports, and the conversations of her fellow exercisers.
As she focused on the rapidly spinning wheel, she hoped the wetness drenching her face would hide the tears that flooded her brown eyes, coursed down her face, and pooled onto the gym floor with the drops of perspiration. For the past two hours and with fierce determination she had tried, with exercise, to release the emotional pain that squeezed her heart, but to no avail. Pumping iron hadn’t done it, running laps hadn’t done it, and spinning wasn’t doing it. She knew laps in the pool wouldn’t help either, so she stopped pedaling abruptly, grabbed the antibacterial spray and cloth, and wiped the handles of the bike and the floor around it.
Lexie made no eye contact with people as she left the gym lest they speak and she would be required, for the sake of civility, to answer. She unlocked the door of her dark blue hybrid, snapped the seat belt into the lock, and started the motor. She didn’t push the button that would start the chords to the music of her practice CD, as she usually did, but looked into the rearview mirror into the reflection of her own brown eyes.
She couldn’t stand to see the pain there, so she looked around, engaged the motor and backed out of the parking space. At home, she pulled into the garage and noted that her mom’s car was gone. She shut off the car’s engine and stared into space, her hands still on the wheel.
“Oh, Lance!” she whispered again. “Why did it have to end this way?”
How can readers find you on the Internet? www.derindababcock.com www.facebook.com/derinda.babcock www.twitter.com/DerindaBabcock www.pinterest.com/derindababcock
Thank you, Derinda, for sharing this new book with us. As I said, I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dodging Destiny
- paperbackDodging Destiny - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
November 10, 2015
100 SIMPLE WAYS TO HAVE MORE FRIENDS - Cherie Burbach - One Free Book
Bio: Cherie Burbach is a poet, mixed media artist, and freelance writer. She’s penned 17 books and has written for About.com, NBC/Universal, Match.com, Christianity Today, and more. Whether it’s writing articles or creating art, all of Cherie’s work centers on relationships and faith. She includes book pages, music sheets, and other fabulous random things in her art to create something that celebrates a hopeful message.
Welcome, Cherie. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?
I’ve penned stories and poems since I was a kid but it wasn’t until ten years ago that I became a full-time freelancer. These days writing is my job and I work from my home office, where my adorable Schnoodle dog named Genevieve keeps me company. She keeps me entertained and wags her tail when I sing (badly and off-key) so I’d have to say she’s just about the best coworker ever.
Tell us about your family.
I come from a long line of Wisconites who love to cook and cheer on the Packers. I’m blessed with a very happy marriage to my best friend and we manage to have fun no matter what life throws our way.
Have you written other nonfiction books?
Yes, I’ve written 10 other nonfiction books and 6 poetry books.
Do you have any other books in the works right now?
I have another nonfiction book on friendship that should be out by the first of the year and I’m always working on a novel or two.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
I like painting and making glass sculptures for the backyard, cheering on the Packers, and going estate sale hunting. You never know what you’ll find.
Why did you write the featured book?
I wanted to create a resource for anyone that would like more good friends in their life. People go through ups and downs and sometimes we find ourselves without the close connections we desire. Other times the friends we have are great but just can’t do the things we like doing. I wanted to provide ideas for meeting new people and keeping the good friends in their life that they already have.
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
That most of the time having more friends takes time and effort. It isn’t always like when you were a kid and just met people easily. When you’re older, you need to get out, meet people, and create the type of friendship you want.
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?
Like anything in life worth having, friendships take work. My book is a resource that will give you ideas for connecting with someone and many tips for nurturing the friendships you already have that much better.
Where on the Internet can the readers find you?
Thank you, Cherie, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
100 Simple Ways to Have More Friends
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome, Cherie. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?I’ve penned stories and poems since I was a kid but it wasn’t until ten years ago that I became a full-time freelancer. These days writing is my job and I work from my home office, where my adorable Schnoodle dog named Genevieve keeps me company. She keeps me entertained and wags her tail when I sing (badly and off-key) so I’d have to say she’s just about the best coworker ever.
Tell us about your family.
I come from a long line of Wisconites who love to cook and cheer on the Packers. I’m blessed with a very happy marriage to my best friend and we manage to have fun no matter what life throws our way.
Have you written other nonfiction books?
Yes, I’ve written 10 other nonfiction books and 6 poetry books.
Do you have any other books in the works right now?
I have another nonfiction book on friendship that should be out by the first of the year and I’m always working on a novel or two.
What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
I like painting and making glass sculptures for the backyard, cheering on the Packers, and going estate sale hunting. You never know what you’ll find.
Why did you write the featured book?I wanted to create a resource for anyone that would like more good friends in their life. People go through ups and downs and sometimes we find ourselves without the close connections we desire. Other times the friends we have are great but just can’t do the things we like doing. I wanted to provide ideas for meeting new people and keeping the good friends in their life that they already have.
What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
That most of the time having more friends takes time and effort. It isn’t always like when you were a kid and just met people easily. When you’re older, you need to get out, meet people, and create the type of friendship you want.
Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?
Like anything in life worth having, friendships take work. My book is a resource that will give you ideas for connecting with someone and many tips for nurturing the friendships you already have that much better.
Where on the Internet can the readers find you?
Thank you, Cherie, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
100 Simple Ways to Have More Friends
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
November 9, 2015
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS - Carole Jefferson (Susan Page Davis) - One Free Book
Welcome back, Susan. Tell us about your salvation experience.I received Christ at a young age. I had Christian parents, for which I’m thankful. They took me to Sunday school and church. I was saved after a vacation Bible school session.You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?Janice Holt Giles, Agatha Christie, Chris Enss, and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. I love their books for different reasons (two fiction, two nonfiction—and you didn’t say they had to be living authors. I admit the two fiction authors are deceased). Giles had such a beautiful writing style, and she had such a passion for detail (The Kentuckians, Santa Fe Trail, The Believers, etc.). Christie fashioned plots so clever they always keep me turning pages (Murder on the Orient Express, What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw, etc.). Enss writes a form of popular history that is very digestible and extremely helpful to writers (How the West Was Worn, Buffalo Gals, Gilded Girls, etc.), and Thatcher is a serious historian with uber documentation skills (A Midwife’s Tale, The Art of Homespun, Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History, etc.). I would love to have the chance to talk writing and/or history with any of these remarkable women.
Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.I speak to writers’ groups about various aspects of the craft, and to civic organizations about my writing life.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?I never handle embarrassing situations well, so I’ll do what I always do when they occur—blush, say, “Oh, excuse me,” and refuse to mention it again.
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’d say go for it. I’d also advise them not to be afraid to let other people see their work and tell them where it might be better. Other tips would be to read widely, to write every day, and to get a professional edit when the manuscript is finished.
Tell us about the featured book.
Lights and Shadows
is part of a series called Mysteries of Silver Peak. Sadie Speers is a retired teacher who owns an antique shop in a little Coloradomountain town. She hears that an old sci-fi movie shot in Silver Peakfifty years ago is going to be remade, right there in her hometown. But during the original filming, her best friend’s brother died. Memories of that time shake up the town. Add to that strange lights hovering above the mountainside, and we’re in for an intriguing cozy mystery.Please give us the first page of the book.Here’s a page from chapter one:“I know everyone from school was very upset when Mike died,” Edwin said. “But I still think this new film project can be good for the town if no one lets it become a dark, gloomy cloud hanging over Silver Peak.”
“Yeah, I agree. But Roz … I’ll be there for her if she needs me.” Sadie had given her promise that morning under pressure from her friend, but now her determination grew. She would put the unanswered questions about Mike’s death to rest for Roz.
As Edwin drove higher up the mountain toward Sadie’s house, she noticed a glow in the sky that seemed to originate at some point beyond her house.
“What’s that?” She pointed.
Edwin peered ahead. “I don’t know. It’s the wrong direction for the moonrise.”
“Could it be a fire?”
He said nothing, but drove up her driveway and parked in front of the house. Both of them got out of the car and hurried to the side lawn.
“It’s some kind of aircraft,” Sadie said uncertainly. “I saw a blinking light.”
“It’s steadier now,” Edwin said. “But it’s not moving the way a plane would.”
“A helicopter?” Sadie hazarded.
“Can’t be. It’s not that far away, and there’s hardly any wind. We’d hear a chopper for sure.”
“I think it’s over Milo’s pasture.” Sadie couldn’t look away from the eerie illumination. The light reflected off the clouds, but the object from which it seemed to emanate sank slowly toward the horizon.
“Is it landing?” Edwin asked, his eyes still fixed on the blinking lights. The flying object lowered out of sight and then rose again to where they could see at least two distinct lights on it blinking. Edwin and Sadie turned and stared at each other.
“Okay, what is that thing?” she asked.
He shook his head slowly. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?My website: www.susanpagedavis.comTwitter: @SusanPageDavisFB page: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthorMy newsletter: https://madmimi.com/signups/118177/join
And on the 23rd of every month, I blog at: www.hhhistory.com
Thank you, Susan, for sharing this new book with us. It sounds intriguing.
Readers, this book is published by Guideposts. They have published series that are written by several different authors under one author name. Here is a link to the series:
http://www.shopguideposts.org/catalogsearch/result/?q=mysteries+of+silver+peak
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
November 8, 2015
WINNERS!!!!!
Brenda (MS) is the winner of
A Noble Masquerade
by Kristi Ann Hunter.
Phyllis (IL) is the winner of Trust Me by Jo Huddleston.
Laurie (WI) is the winner of the ebook Tobogganing for Two by Darlene Franklin.
Phyllis (OR) is the winner of The Potter's Lady by Judith Miller.
Cindy (VA) is the winner of Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall.
If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
Phyllis (IL) is the winner of Trust Me by Jo Huddleston.
Laurie (WI) is the winner of the ebook Tobogganing for Two by Darlene Franklin.
Phyllis (OR) is the winner of The Potter's Lady by Judith Miller.
Cindy (VA) is the winner of Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall.
If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.
Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.
Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.
November 6, 2015
CATCH OF A LIFETIME - Candee Fick - One Free Book or Ebook
Welcome, Candee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.When I’m writing, I try to immerse myself in my characters’ skin and situations, but I know that my personal values and even my struggles at times to trust God still seep through onto the page. On the other hand, I deliberately try to find something in common with my characters in order to make the emotions of a scene ring true with readers. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Wow. That’s hard. I’ve always been the goodie-two-shoes, pastor’s kid, so afraid to fail that I didn’t take risks. I tend to live vicariously through my characters. However, back in junior high, I campaigned for a Student Council office using neon colored posters and a friend dressed up in a neon green dragon costume (our mascot). My slogan was “the candy that’s good for the school’s health.” Groaning here at how not-punny, er, funny that was.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?My love of reading translated over to excellent grades in academic writing for school assignments, but when my form of escape to formulate my thoughts was a journal and a horrid collection of angst-ridden teenage poetry, I know I’d been wired for words. I dabbled in non-fiction for awhile, but now I’m doing what I love by hanging out with fictional people.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.Other than a strong preference for a romance and a happily-ever-after, sigh-worthy ending, I enjoy everything from historical westerns, prairie tales, or Regencies up to contemporaries, Amish, and suspense. It all depends on my mood and what sort of everyday stress I’m seeking to escape! Lately I’ve also read quite a few dystopian tales while screening stories for my son to read.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Sanity? Only by staying grounded in the truth of God’s Word through daily Bible reading and listening to Christian music in the kitchen or when driving. Readingfor fun also helps me slow down for a bit. I’m a list-maker, so I’m usually able to keep my priorities straight and set aside time to focus on what matters most without running in circles. And when I get off track, I pull out the pen and paper to get the rest of my day or week in order.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Often a story idea has been percolating for a long time and somewhere along the line I start calling a main character by a particular name that seems to fit their personality. I have a harder time finding the right last name and co-star’s name, but invest the time to make sure I get that couple right. I’ve even been known to pray for inspiration! It’s easier for secondary characters since I mainly just try not to match the first letter or rhyme with the rest of the cast. For those names, I sometimes look in baby books, telephone directories, or even in high school yearbooks before mixing and matching first and last names.
I actually had one character that I had named one thing, but I had to change it halfway through the book, because he started being another name and wouldn’t let go. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?My first thought was my three kids, but God and my husband both had a lot to do with how they’re turning out despite the days their behavior drove me into the pages of a good book for my own personal time-out! I’d have to say last year’s ACFW Genesis award sitting above my desk because it’s a symbol that I never gave up on the dream of being a writer despite rejections and many years wandering around the wilderness clutching a tattered manuscript. I was tempted too many times to go do something easier, but I trusted God that He had a plan.
Way to go! People, who aren’t writers, don’t understand how hard it is at first. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?A house cat. I’m a bit of an introvert or loner who is content to observe life and people from a sunny spot with a scenic view. On the other hand, when I’m with “my” people, I can be very warm and soft and loving like the cat winding around your ankles or snuggling in for a scratch behind the ears. I mean, who doesn’t love a great back rub?
What is your favorite food?Popcorn. Crunchy, buttery, and salty. No sweet kettle corn or caramel corn for me. But if you meant a real food like for a meal, I guess I’d say lasagna or manicotti or something Italian with lots of garlic and cheese. Then again, I’ve been known to eat a giant bowl of popcorn instead of a meal, especially when my family is elsewhere and I’m in the middle of a good book.
I’ve often eaten popcorn for the evening meal, but it was kettle corn. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?The perfectionistic tendencies that drove me to good grades in school and the lack of quirky things I’ve ever done (see question #2 above) also set a high bar of expectations for my writing, starting with the first draft. I’ve tried—still working on it—to overcome it by investing time up front with quality brainstorming and even a detailed outline so I can shut down the voice that later whispers this story is dumb and won’t make sense. Then I gave myself permission to write super fast and simply in order to get the framework of the story including the external action and dialogue down on paper. By the time I go back through the scenes to layer in the internal emotions and setting details, I’ve got enough momentum to continue with revising and polishing. As someone said, “You can fix bad, but you can’t fix blank.” I just have to speed write past the blank.
That would be good advice to a beginning writer. Tell us about the featured book.
Catch of a Lifetime
is a contemporary inspirational romance about a rookie college football coach whose star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility and the bitter tutor/athletic trainer who wants nothing to do with football but has to help. As they work together to salvage the season, romantic sparks fly, but their growing relationship must remain hidden behind a wall of professionalism. When a scandal erupts, the aftermath could destroy both of their careers and the hero must choose between the game and the woman he loves.Please give us the first page of the book.“It’s about time you showed up.”
Cassie Parker stiffened and turned her attention from the retreating receptionist to the silver-haired football coach glaring across his desk.
“I’m sorry, but I only found out an hour ago that the university hired someone to teach aerobics and eliminated my graduate assistantship position. I understood that I wasn’t supposed to report until classes start next Monday.”
“Then I suppose it’s a good thing you decided to report early.” Coach Thomas raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his black leather chair.
He thought it was a good thing to have her hopes crash to the mat? Not exactly. But she’d trained for years to get back up after a fall.
If only getting up wasn’t so hard to face this time.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Just like Mom always said.
She squared her shoulders and removed an envelope from her handbag. “Like your receptionist said, I’m Cassie Parker—a new graduate student in the Health and Exercise Science program.” She unfolded the financial aid packet and slid the paperwork across the desktop.
She swallowed hard as he picked up the papers and read the first page. “You’re our newest academic adviser, since the guy we had lined up left with a family emergency.”
He flipped through the rest of the pages, snatched a pen from his holder, signed the last page with a flourish, and slid the papers back to her. Making the position official.
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.CandeeFick.com www.Facebook.com/Author.Candee.Fickwww.Twitter.com/CandeeFick
Thank you, Candee, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Catch of a Lifetime
- paperbackCatch of a Lifetime: Can she forget the fumbles of her past and open her heart to love?
- KindleLeave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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
