Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 177

VALLEY OF THE SHADOW - J M Hockstetler - One Free Book

Welcome back, J M. Why do you write the kind of books you do?Growing up in a family with the history the Hochstetlers have, I was naturally drawn to historical accounts by the time I was in high school. It wasn’t dates, events, and places—the usual subjects of history textbooks—that especially drew me, but people. I wanted to know what the lives of the people of bygone ages were like, whether they were leaders or the common people of the day. What did they share in common with us today? And how were they different, and why?
I believe that we can’t understand ourselves and our own time without understanding what shaped us, both events and people. Only by learning from history can we avoid the mistakes of the past and also benefit from great advances that were made. Over time, as a way of making sense of all that, I began to write novels about people set during historical eras that especially interested me.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?I have three daughters, and I have to say that the day each was born and the day each of my grandchildren was born were the happiest I’ve experienced.
How has being published changed your life?It’s made me feel a greater connection to my audience and a deep responsibility to write stories that not only entertain—which certainly has to be the first priority or no one will read them—but also in an organic way to educate, and then encourage readers to a higher standard. I’m committed to representing the historical period along with the people, society, and culture I’m writing about as accurately and authentically as possible; to portraying human nature realistically, in a way that communicates universal truths and offers personal insights that are life-changing for readers.
What are you reading right now?I’m researching my next book, so I’m reading a lot of resources on Native Americans, specifically the Lenape and Seneca tribes. I just found a particularly helpful, very well researched children’s textbook published in 1985, now out of print, titled The Magic Moccasins. I’m developing a high regard for children’s and young adult stories that are deeply researched, and this is one of the most detailed I’ve found on several Native American tribes, including the two that appear in my current project.
What is your current work in progress?I’m working on The Return, book 2 of the Northkill Amish Series, which I’m writing with my fifth cousin, multi-published author Bob Hostetler. This is the story of our non-resistant Amish Hochstetler ancestors, who came to this country from Europe in 1738 and got caught up in the French and Indian War. Readers can find more information about them and the series at www.northkill.com.
What would be your dream vacation?I’d love to travel the Alsaceregion in Europe and Switzerland, where my Anabaptist ancestors originated, and follow in their footsteps as they emigrated to America. I’d also incorporate side trips to Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece. Those are countries I’ve always wanted to visit. New Zealandand Australiaalso have a great appeal to me. It would be wonderful to spend several months visiting all these countries and sampling local history, culture, and cuisine.
How do you choose your settings for each book?The historical era I choose to write about essentially determines the settings of each of my novels. The Northkill series is set along the Pennsylvania frontier and in Ohio Territoryin the 1750s and 1760s because that’s when and where my ancestors lived. My American Patriot Series takes place during the American Revolution, and each volume is set in the particular theater of war the book covers. Book 1, Daughter of Liberty, is set in the Boston area, and the sequels move to New York, Philadelphia, and Fort Pitt, and also into Ohio Territory as the war impacts the Native American communities. The remaining volumes will follow the characters to France and onto the high seas with the expansion of the naval war, and then return to the Southern states as the land war in Americamoves south to its conclusion at Yorktown, Virginia.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?Right now it’s Dr. Ben Carson. I’ve read his life story and seen him on TV a number of times, and I’m incredibly impressed by how he overcame a difficult childhood due to the strength and love of his mother, an emphasis on education, and a deep relationship with God to become this brilliant, compassionate, wise, and truly civil man. There’s no one like him on the public stage today. He amazes me, and I would love to get to know him better.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?I love to spend time playing in my garden. I could do that all day long. And I’m getting back into scrapbooking, which I had to set aside for a couple of years because of writing projects. But I’m discovering that participating in one art strengthens others as well. Antiquing is a particular love as is playing around with my home’s décor. In another life I would have been an interior designer. Or maybe a landscape designer. Or an archeologist. Or an artist…
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?Balancing research and writing is the hardest. I could easily bury myself in research for months on end, but then I would never get the story written. So there comes a point at which I have to force myself to put aside my research resources and just write!
What advice would you give to a beginning author?Read, read, read. Then write what you love to read. Write about subjects you’re deeply passionate about. Don’t worry so much about getting published. Worry about writing the very best story you can write, and you’ll find an audience.
Tell us about the featured book. Valley of the Shadow is Book 5 of my American Patriot Series. Elizabeth Howard is a prisoner aboard a British prison ship in New York Harbor, surrounded by the might of the Royal Navy. British General William Howe has summoned Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton to surrender to him or she will be executed. Carleton knows, however, that Howe will never release her, but will surely execute them both as soon as Carleton surrenders. From heart-pounding battles on the high seas, to the rigors of Valley Forge and the Shawnee’s savagely fought wars to preserve their ancestral lands, Valley of the Shadow continues the thrilling saga of America’s founding in an inspiring story of despair, courage, and triumph.
Please give us the first page of the book.Thursday, 30 October, 177711:05 p.m.In the flickering candlelight the words swam and blurred before his eyes. Clenched in his hand, the paper shook.
Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton stared at the letter, his mind gone blank. A wave of terror and rage squeezed the air from his lungs and brought bile into his throat.
By degrees he became aware of the gusting wind that beat against the inn, the sudden bursts of freezing rain flailing the window panes, his own ragged breath. Despite the heat radiating from the hearth’s blaze, chill sweat trickled down his brow and beneath his worn buckskins, darkly rain-slicked from the downpour his Rangers had ridden through. He swallowed with difficulty and forced himself to focus on the letter’s signature.
William Howe.Knight of the Bath. Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s forces on the North American Station.
“Jon, what is it?”
Behind him, Colonel Charles Andrews’s voice sounded hollow and far away. Ignoring his friend, Carleton studied the words scrawled boldly above Howe’s name as though, if he willed it, they would say something else.
That the American cause was entirely lost. That Washington had surrendered to the British. That Howe’s entire army waited outside the door to escort Carleton to the scaffold, there to hang for treason.
Anything.
Not this.
Sounds interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?They’ll find my personal website at www.jmhochstetler.com. For information about The American Patriot Series, go to www.theamericanpatriotseries.com, and for information about the Northkill Amish Series go to www.northkill.com. I’m also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joan.hochstetler.

Thank you, Joan, for sharing this book with me and my readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Valley of the Shadow (The American Patriot Series Book 5) - 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 12 BRIDES OF SUMMER (THE COLUMBINE BRIDE) - Davalynn Spencer - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Davalynn, God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?I see a lot of work ahead. I have two novels in the works and each is the first in a three-book collection. There is only one way to write those books and that is to stay in my seat and write!
Tell us a little about your family.My husband Mike and I have two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren, and a Queenslandhealer.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? When I’m not writing, I’m reading or watching movies. I enjoy both contemporary and historical, and prefer stories with a bit of laughter, danger, grace, and love—four elements I like to include in my own projects.
What are you working on right now? I have a historical set in the early 1900s and a contemporary. Of course all my stories have cowboys, regardless of the era.
What outside interests do you have?I’m an avid photographer and enjoy playing the piano and singing. Contemporary worship songs are my favorite and I’ve led worship for years.
How do you choose your settings for each book?My last six books have been set in Colorado. There’s so much history and beauty here, it’s not hard to let your mind wander until it finds the perfect locale.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?I’d love to spend an evening visiting with Will Rogers. Besides being a talented cowboy with an uncanny way with a rope, he was pretty handy with words too. He was a writer and columnist—something we have in common—as well as an entertainer, and his incomparable wit produced some of this country’s best one-liners.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?How addictive it is.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?I seem to learn the same lesson over and over—the fact that I have control over very little other than my response to circumstances, events, and people. I can choose to trust that God is in control or I can fret.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?1. Keep learning the craft.2. Never stop writing.3. Be kind in your dealings with others.

Tell us about the featured book.My novella, The Columbine Bride , is offered in Book 4 of Barbour’s The 12 Brides of Summer . This was a fun story to write because Barbour asked the authors of last winter’s 12 Brides of Christmas if we could come up with sequels for a summer collection. I had the perfect character to grow another story around—Uncle Buck from The Snowbound Bride. He meets a young widow with two small children, and gets to know the business end of her shotgun before he gets to know her. I put many of the things I love about Colorado in this story: summer thunder storms, lush high parks, blue skies, and of course, columbines.
Please give us the first page of the book.Lucy Powell’s ears pricked at her children’s excited voices. She looked up from the vegetable seed packets to the candy counter where a tall bearded man reached for Elmore’s ear.
Three quick steps took her past a table before she stopped. The man squatted, and her son’s eyes widened at the sight of a copper penny. Cecilia, ever the guardian, stayed her little brother’s hand.
“We don’t take things from strangers, Elmore.”
Lucy clutched the packets she’d already chosen and listened for her son’s reply.
“He ain’t no stranger, Sissy. That penny come out of my ear.”
Cecilia pulled him back with a sharp whisper, eyes narrowed at the man. “It’s just a trick. He fooled you.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?http://www.davalynnspencer.comhttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencerhttp://twitter.com/davalynnspencerhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5051432.Davalynn_Spencerhttp://pinterest.com/davalynnspencer/boards

Thank you, Davalynn, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The 12 Brides of Summer - Novella Collection #4 Amazon

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the Ebook. 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 RELIABLE COWBOY - Susan Page Davis - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, here’s a Christmas story written by a dear friend and one of my favorite authors.
Welcome back, Susan. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?I’m currently working on a new series for Guideposts, the Tearoom Mysteries. I’m writing the first book, and other writers will join me in writing more books in the collection. I also have several more historical novels brewing.
Tell us a little about your family.I just got the good news of my tenth grandchild’s birth. My husband Jim and I have six adult children. We moved from my native Maine to western Kentucky about five years ago, and we’re now closer to all of them than we were before. Jim is a retired news editor, and he reads all my fiction before it goes out.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?I realized a few months ago that I was reading less for pleasure than I used to. I was spending more time at the computer, writing and marketing, and most of the books I read were for research. So I ordered a couple of “fun” books. I loved Van Reid’s Fiddler’s Green, and also a suspense book. I’m now reading a mystery set in Maine.
What are you working on right now?Today I’m beginning a new western novella. It will be a romantic adventure in the Southwest.
What outside interests do you have?I enjoy family history, cross stitch, logic puzzles, animals, and cryptography. Right now I’m trying to plan a way to get over to my son’s in S.C. to see my newest grandchild.
How do you choose your settings for each book?Sometimes they are chosen for me, but usually I get to pick. I like to write about places I know or have at least been to, as I can picture it better. I like to be sure I have the flora and fauna right, and can help the reader feel the genuine atmosphere. I’ve lived in Maine, North Carolina, New York state, Kentucky, and Oregon, and I’ve visited a lot of other places. I’m mulling whether or not I’m ready to write a book set in Kentucky.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?Joshua Chamberlain. He was such a hero. A professor, a general in the Civil War (he served in 20 battles and had six horses shot from under him), governor of Maine for four terms, and he wore many other hats as well.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?There’s not one huge thing that I wish I’d known. I wasn’t ready to know a lot of things then. You have to learn them as you go along in the author’s journey. I suppose it would have been very encouraging to know I would be published. But if we knew things like that beforehand, would we work so hard for the result?
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?One thing is that I may never know the answers to some questions, but that is all right.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?Study the craft. Read widely. Do get a professional edit.
Tell us about the featured book. The Reliable Cowboy is a novella, third in the Christmas Mail-Order Angels series. Isabella Johnston lost her husband to the sea, and she wants to get as far from the coast as she can. When she leaves Maine to marry a cowboy in Wyoming Territory, she reasons that Edwin Gray will be safe on the ranch. But every time he is late for an engagement, she finds herself worrying. What could be horrible enough to make him late for their wedding?
Sounds interesting. Please give us the first page of the book.June, 1877Merville, Maine“Maggie! Where are you?”
“Out here.”      Isabella Johnston followed her friend’s voice around to the back of the small house the Crain family rented. Maggie struggled with a wet linen sheet, draping it over the clothesline behind the cottage. A sharp wind blew in off the bay. Summer was on its way, but it never put down roots in Merville.      “Let me help you. Your hands must be freezing.” Isabella dropped her handbag on the back step and hurried to Maggie’s side.      “No sense two of us getting our hands chilled. Go in and fill the teapot. I’ll be along soon.”      “Hush!” Isabella grabbed a wet shirt from the wicker basket and pinned it tails up to the line. “Your men certainly make a lot of wash.”      Maggie smiled at her putting a husband and boys, aged five and seven, in a pigeon hole marked, her men. “That’s right, they do. I suppose you’re here to tell me all about the Ladies’ Aid meeting I missed.”      “Oh, Maggie, you won’t believe it.” Isabella had started to shake out a linen pillowcase, but she stopped and stared at her friend in dismay. “I may have done the most foolish thing I’ve ever done in my life.”      Maggie paused with a clothes peg in midair. “What on earth did you do?”      Isabella gulped. “Becky Patterson read a letter asking for women to go to Wyoming for brides, and I—I told her I was interested.”      “What?” Maggie stared at her. “Brides? For men?”      “Of course for men. They have a mining town, it seems, where there aren’t many decent women. But there are some decent men, and they want wives.”      “Where did you say this is?”      “Wyoming.”      For a long moment, silence hung between them as the two young women gazed at each 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/joinAnd on the 23rd of every month, I blog at: www.hhhistory.com
Thank you, Susan. This book will interest my readers as well as me.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.The Reliable Cowboy (Christmas Mail-Order Angels Book 3)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of theE 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

VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS - H L Wegley - One Free Ebook

Welcome, H L. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.When I first started writing novels, I drew heavily from myself, because I feared my characters wouldn’t sound real. To root them in reality, the hero of my first few novels got a shortened version of my resumé. In addition, most of my childhood experiences went into his backstory. But I’ve long since exhausted myself as a source. Now my characters tend to be composites of people I know personally, or people I know a lot about.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?My first 18 years were filled with quirkiness, so much so that, at my kids insistence, I wrote down my childhood “adventure” stories and self-published them for family and friends in a book I called Colby and Me: Growing up in the ‘50s. To give you an idea of my quirky childhood—did you ever systematically blow up a car using a case of old, wet, unstable dynamite, so unstable that it lay in a soggy, smoking pile when you found it? My guess is your answer is no or, odds are, you wouldn’t be alive to read this blog post.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?From the third or fourth grade on I knew writing came easy for me. I was blessed with some great English teachers in high school and excelled at writing through college. For many years I worked as a research scientist, so writing was a big part of my professional life. But only after drafting my first novel, a little over five years ago, did writing become a true delight.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I was raised on action and adventure stories, so they are still my favorites to read and write, e.g. Love Inspired Suspense stories, thrillers by authors like Steven James, and high-action military stories by Ronie Kendig. But you’ll also find me reading non-fiction books on international relations, world religions, philosophy, and Christian apologetics.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?For me, it’s more a question of how do I get my sanity back each time I lose it. Over the years, I’ve established a bad track record of frequently overcommitting, then overworking to the point of burnout. I’ve done that even with good things like church responsibilities. My wife and I try to walk a few miles several times a week, daily if possible. Doing anything physical helps a lot. But real burnout, requires a few days of relaxation, like spending time on the Olympic National Park beaches, reading for pleasure, and long hikes. Living in the Pacific Northwest, one of the most beautiful spots in all creation, gives us a lot of options for such activities.
How do you choose your characters’ names?When I need a name with of a certain ethnic origin, there are long ethnic name lists on the Internet to browse. Sometimes I browse the white pages for a city where the character lives. But my MC’s names also need to have a good ring to them, like KC Banning and Brock Daniels, the heroine and hero of the featured book, Voice in the Wilderness . In my first novel, Hide and Seek, I didn’t realize how important that ring thing was to a character’s name. My heroine was named Jennifer Akihara. I quickly learned and married her off in the second book of the series, making her Jennifer Brandt.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?After reading your question, my first thought was making it through USAF Officer Training School as a Distinguished Graduate. But that would never have been possible without convincing a certain young lady to marry me. After 49 years, she still makes me proud.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?Several years ago, we raised a guide dog puppy, a big, beautiful, black Lab. He was the most intelligent animal I’ve ever known and loyal, too. A big dog would be my choice. Maybe something like my alma mater’s mascot, Reveille.


What is your favorite food?If I had to eat one type of food every day, Mexican would win, hands down—the spicier the better … up to a reasonable point. But I really love a big slab of grilled Mahi Mahi from Maui, too. Or, is it that I love Maui? It’s probably both.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?In my first few books I wasn’t sure I could write from my heroine’s POV. So, I gave her an IQ of 200 and hoped she would be weird enough to compensate for my inability to write from a woman’s POV. Well, that approach wore out after book number three. Desperate, I had Christina Tarabochia—now owner of Asberry Lane Publishing—do a substantive edit of book number four, focusing on my heroine. She told me my heroine sounded like she belonged in a mental institution—emotionally unstable and schizophrenic. As it turned out, that substantive edit was the best thing I could have done, i.e. have a talented woman writer and editor show me how to adjust my description of my heroine so she sounded like someone my women readers might actually want to identify with.
Tell us about the featured book.Set in the immediate future, Against All Enemies, #1: Voice in the Wilderness is an inspirational, political thriller, with romance, about a neo-Marxist president, in centrist’s clothing, who plans to take the nation into tyranny, and the young man and woman who start a resistance movement to stop him. It’s a thriller that seems pulled from the newspapers and a love story about two people born for a time such as this. It’s not a retelling of the Esther story, but there are some similarities. Susan May Warren helped me splice in the romantic thread to make it integral to the plot, not an add-on. Though book one of this 3-book series won’t be officially released until March 2016, it is available now as an ARC on Amazon, both in printed and eBook formats. Reviews are just starting to come in. All 5-star … so far.
Congratulations!! Please give us the first page of the book.Washington, DC, 10:00 p.m. the National MallURbeing set up. Watch your back, PL. More later. B.
The text message sent a shiver through KC Banning despite the warm, late June evening. Secret Service Agent Belino had probably risked his career to warn her, but what kind of set up was the young marine in the West Wing implying? Set up to be fired or—no one would kill her for what she had done … would they?
PL, pretty lady. Despite her angst, his flirtatious acronym almost made her smile.
KC closed her cell, dropped it into her shorts pocket, and glanced behind to see if anyone was following her. No one.
She hurried down the path between two rows of dim walkway lights, lining the wall of the Vietnam War Memorial.
Soon, the lights ended and the overhanging trees turned her surroundings nearly black.
The crunch of footsteps came through the trees on her right.
KC whirled toward the sound.
Two shadowy figures popped out from behind a large bush and walked away toward the east end of the mall.
She released her breath in a sharp blast.
Only a young couple, with arms intertwined. She had interrupted their romantic interlude. KC continued down the walkway but stopped when she reached the paved circle drive. To her left, the Lincoln Memorial glowed like a lantern as its light reached out into the surrounding darkness.
The senator said to meet him inside the Lincoln Memorial at 10:00 p.m. in the Second Inaugural Address chamber. And he’d emphasized that they shouldn’t be seen together. For his sake or hers? After reading the text message, maybe for both.
Interesting setup. How can readers find you on the Internet?My web site and blog: www.hlwegley.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLWegleyAmazon: http://amzn.to/1MPsmXVGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4460203.H_L_Wegley

Thank you, H L, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers as eager to read it as I am.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Voice in the Wilderness (Against All Enemies Book 1)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the Ebook. 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!!!!!

Dear Readers, thank you for remaining loyal to the blog while I was gone. I came home yesterday, and it was wonderful. I'm announcing three weeks of winners, so be sure and check for your name.

Beth (MT) is the winner of Through Waters Deep  by Sarah Sundin.

Merry (MN) the winner of the Ebook  Pulse  by L R Burkard.

Cindy W (IN) is the winner of the Ebook  Patriot Heart  by Diane Kalas.

Mary P (AUS) is the winner of the Ebook  Oslo Overture  by Marion Ueckeermann.

Loraine (TX) is the winner of Saving Justice by Susan Crawford.

Lourdes (NY) is the winner of the Ebook  Island Dreams  by Kimberly Rose Johnson.

Brenda (VA) the winner of  Thyme for Love  by Pamela S Meyer.

Melissa M (TN) is the winner of Betrayed  by Tina Pinson.

Sharon (SC) is the winner of Bat Crazy  by Carole Brown.

Terrill (WA) is the winner of  The Amish Heiress  by Patrick E Craig.

Gaby (GER) is the winner of Love in Mistletoe Springs  by Ginger Solomon.

Kim (NE) the winner of  Carly's Dream  by Birdie L Etchison.

Karen K (PA) is the winner of the Ebook  Because of the Rain  by Deborah Raney.

Apple (ND) is the winner of  A Home for His Family  by Jan Drexler.

Connie (KY) is the winner of  Counting On a Cowboy  by Debra Clopton.

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.

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Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

DESPERATE ESCAPE - Lisa Harris - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve known Lisa Harris since before she was ever published. She is a member of the critique group that meets in my home. Her writing is awesome. She writes suspense novels with a strong romantic thread. Her books have garnered a number of awards. Lisa and her husband are missionaries in Mozambique. We’re thankful for the Internet, because we can easily keep in touch
Welcome back, Lisa. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful children. We’re in the middle of a lot of transition as my oldest heads off to university this month, but I’m also so excited for him! We’ve lived in southern Africa for almost twelve years now where we are involved in discipleship, church planting, and humanitarian work. And while it’s hard to believe it, I started writing over eighteen years ago and am thrilled to still be able to keep writing down the stories in my mind.                                                                                                                                                            How did you become interested in writing?                          I had always wanted to write a book, from the time I was young. As a teen, I wrote a few chapters of stories, but never finished anything. That desire ended up being put on the back burner as life took over. Eventually, when my oldest was born, I found myself at home with him and without a car, so I decided to take advantage of the extra time and write a book. Which is exactly what I did!                                                                                                             What compelled you to write a book on this subject? This book is set in Africaand deals with drug trafficking and land mines. I’ve always been very interested in the issues that effect people on a daily basis and using subjects like this as a backdrop for a story is also a way to make people aware of things that are happing throughout the world.                                                                                                                                                            What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? This is a story about justice, faith, and trust. I’ve always loved writing stories that show people forced into difficult situations, and then discovering that God is faithful and that he can use their weaknesses as strengths.                                                                                                                                                        Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?Our need to trust in God no matter what the circumstance.                                                                                     What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?     Definitely the setting. I’m really enjoying the chance to write book with Love Inspired Suspense that are set in various locations around the world. I just signed a contract with them for four more books that will be set in the Sahara, Italy, Amsterdam, and Brazil.                                                                                                                                     It’s wonderful how many places you’ve been privileged to visit. How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?       Being set in Africadefinitely intertwines with my own life and I love the chance to share stories set on a continent I’ve come to love.
Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? My favorite scripture changes, but I love Romans 8:18 because it’s such a wonderful reminder. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”
I like that one for what I’m going through right now. Having total knee replacement will bring suffering, but at the end, I’ll be able to walk without pain. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?        Things have been so busy for our family lately that there hasn’t been a lot of free time between writing, ministry, and homeschooling. But when I can, I love reading, cooking, and photography.                                                                                                                                                                    I love the photographs you take at the wild game park. As we close, is there anything else you would like to add? Thanks so much for inviting me on your blog, Lena!
Tell us about the book.  When Dr. Maddie Gilbert is kidnapped by rebel forces in West Africa, special ops agent Grant Reese races to rescue her. But the ruthless drug traffickers holding Maddie hostage have powerful connections—maybe even inside the US government. And they’ll go to any lengths to silence her—permanently. Grant knows that getting Maddie free and safe is just the first step of this mission. Because he’s fallen for the spirited beauty, and as her enemies pursue them, Grant must face a second battle—the one to win her heart.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?I’m about to have a brand new website revealed at www.lisaharriswrites.com thanks to my wonderful publisher, Revell. I’m also on FB. https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing this new book with us. I know I'll love it when it arrives. My blog readers will love it, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Desperate Escape (Love Inspired Suspense) - 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

A TEXAS CHRISTMAS - Lena Nelson Dooley, plus 5 more authors - One Free Book

Dear Readers, today I’m featuring my newest release, a novella collection with 5 other award winning authors. I’ve answered interview questions, but I won’t be able to interact with you. I’ll just be coming home from rehab after my knee-replacement. I might interact with you in the next few days. Be sure to leave a comment so you’ll be eligible for the drawing for one free book.
What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I often include spiritual themes about forgiveness/unforgiveness, trusting God or not trusting God for all things, even dealing with root of bitterness or a poor self-image. I want the readers to see how they can deal with similar problems with the Lord.
What other books of yours are coming out soon?My next book is Love Is Patient. It’s a novella collection as well.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?I would love for James and me to spend one evening with George and Laura Bush. Our lives have several things in common but many more things that aren’t.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?Queen Esther. She is my favorite Bible character. I wonder if I could have risked my life the way she did. There are so many nuances in the book of Esther in the Bible that I fined fascinating.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?Rejections are a fact of life for most authors. I’d tell them to learn to recognize that a rejection of a manuscript isn’t rejection of them as a person. And there are a large number of reasons a publisher might reject a manuscript, even though the manuscript is publication ready. They might have a similar book coming out by another author or the book is very good but doesn’t fit what they need at the time.
Tell us about the featured book. A Texas Christmas is a novella collection.Six Romances from the Historic Lone Star State
Herald the Season of Love
Here Cooks the Bride by Cathy Marie Hake - Lacey Mather's delicious cooking is warming many hearts and stomachs--especially those of a closed-mouth blacksmith. But she has no plans to stay in Texas

A Christmas Chronicle by Pamela Griffin - Travis McCoy is a nomadic photographer with no time to put down roots, find a wife, and raise a family. But then he meets the unconventional Vivian Sager.

To Hear Angels Sing by Ramona Cecil - Bridget O'Keefe leaves Chicago to teach Indian orphans and quickly experiences the hostility the Comanche face from locals like Seth Krueger who blame then for the death of his parents.

The Face of Mary by Darlene Franklin - Mary "Polly" Jessup holds onto a promise of marriage made five years ago, but when Joey Carpenter returns from law school with a new outlook and a new girlfriend, her future hopes are dashed.

Charlsey’s Accountant by Lena Nelson Dooley - Charlsey Ames can rope, ride, and work the ranch with the men and never thought she's be attracted to accountant Harold Miller, III, a citified tenderfoot.

Plain Trouble by Kathleen Y’Barbo - An expert tracker, the plain Bessie Mae Ames is content unmarried, until Texas Ranger Josef Mueller tides into town, trailing a wanted man.
Please give us the first page of the book.September 1879“Excuse me, sir.”Jeff halted mid-motion, his shovel full of coal. Black dust swirled around his thick boots as he glanced at the young lady. Oh, and she was definitely a lady. Judging from her so-very-proper Boston accent, the Daddy-has-money traveling suit with all the fuss and bother, and her wide hazel eyes, this gal wasn’t just out of place; she was lost.
“Might I impose for a moment to inquire as to the location of your local diner?”
He dumped the coal into his wheelbarrow and stood to his full height. “Diner’s closed. Best hop back aboard the train and try Meadsville.”
The feather in her stylish hat swayed back and forth as she gave her head a small shake. “I fear I did not make myself known. I’m Lacey Mather, and I’ve come to help my great-aunt Millie at the diner.”
“Millie’s your great-aunt?” Jeff couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice. On her better days, Millie looked as if she’d been caught in a whirlwind. Most of the time, she looked like she sorted bobcats for a living. No man in his right mind would imagine Millie as kin to this dainty blond beauty.
“Yes.” Miss Mather folded her white-gloved hands at her …
How can readers find you on the Internet?Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.comPinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooleyTwitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=tsGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooleyhttp://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1728796&sp=67484&event=67484|1728796|67484Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/along-came-a-writer/www.linkedin.com www.instagram.com/lenanelsondooleyAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JPAIDE
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon

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

MYSTERY RIDER - Miralee Ferrell - One Free Book

Welcome back, Miralee. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?I’m a nut for anything horse, farm, or ranch related (which is why you see one of those things in many of my books). I’d have to say any or all of the three are my favorite.
What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?I look for great character development, plot twists that surprise me, and a story that resonates to the point I have a hard time forgetting it—but mostly—a hard time forgetting the characters. They’re even more important to me than the plot. If the plot is strong but the characters are weak or not believable, I might not even finish the book.
I know what you mean. Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.It’s set in Oregon in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge, not far from the base of Mt. Hood. Truly God’s country! Orchards, hay fields, timber, streams, lakes, mountains, and wonderful trails for horseback riding. I only live about 30 minutes away from where the book is set, and I love it!
What other books do you have coming out soon?The next release is on Jan. 1, 2016, and it’s book four in the Horses and Friends series, Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, which also has a mystery in it. Kids will love it! Then I’m back to romances, as I’m taking part in three novella collections. Cowboy Brides releases with Barbour spring of 2016, then my company, Mountain Brook Ink, is releasing Heart of a Cowboy (also a historical romance) March 1, as well as In Love and War, a collection of contemporary romances June 1. When those are finished I’ll be back to writing full-length historical romance again. Plenty to do!
I really want to feature those on my blog. Please give us a glimpse inside your home.Our home is for sale, so I’m not sure how long this will be factual, but it’s a 4300 square feet custom built, two-story home on 11.5 acres in the country, with a number of flower beds, lots of grass, a huge garden area, and a small, spring-fed pond. We’ve decided to downsize to get ready for retirement for my husband, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure!
Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?It’s a four-book series, and this is #3.
Tell us about the story.The entire series follows three kids, Kate, her best friend Tori, and their friend Colt, as they tackle horse problems, solve mysteries, have adventures together, and learn great life-lessons. This particular story has a mystery thread as the kids try to figure out who the mystery rider is that goes past Kate’s house at dusk on a black horse, with the rider cloaked in a long duster and hood. They also contend with an uneasy relationship with Melissa, a girl who gave them some grief in the second book and appears to be trying to be their friend, but they’re not sure they can trust her. I think kids who read the first two will enjoy getting back into the world of Horses and Friends!
Please give us the first page of the book.Odell, Oregon—Upper Hood River ValleySummer, Present DayKate Ferris sprawled on the grass next to the newly painted paddock fence on her parents’ farm. “Thanks for your help, guys. It sure goes faster with more than one person working.” She shot a sideways glance at Melissa Tolbert, still barely able to believe the girl who had always been so unfriendly at school had shown up and offered to help. “You’re not bad at slapping on paint.”
Melissa leaned back on her elbows and grinned. “Even if Colt didn’t keep his word to not splatter me with it.”
Red-headed, freckled Colt Turner removed a long piece of straw from between his lips. “Hey, you said not to make you look like the rest of us, but I didn’t make any promises.”
Tori Velasquez, Kate’s best friend, rolled her eyes. “We should get the brushes cleaned and the rest of the paint closed up and put away before you two start fighting again.”
“Not fighting.” Melissa arched one golden brow. “Just discussing.”
“Whatever.” Tori smiled. “I was kinda wondering …” She eyed Melissa.
“Yeah?”(Miralee here)…sorry, readers….I’m going to have to cut it off here, as the answer she gives is a huge spoiler for something that happened at the end of book two…and if you or your child haven’t read it yet, I’d hate to ruin it for you!
Interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?Several places:My website:  www.miraleeferrell.com Facebook fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/82316202888/permalink/10153515613262889/Twitter:  www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

Thank you, Miralee, for sharing this new book with us. I really want to know who the Mystery Rider is.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
Mystery Rider (Horses and Friends) - 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 BIRDHOUSE - Laura V Hilton - One Free Book

Welcome back, Laura. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? I have recently signed another three book contract for another Amish series, set in Jamesport, Missouri. The series is tentatively titled New Beginnings and are about Amish starting over in Jamesport.
Tell us a little about your family. I have been married for 28 years (in December) to my wonderful husband, Steve. We have five children (two boys and three girls), three are adult, and two are still at home. I homeschool through highschool. My husband and my middle daughter are my first readers, editing as I write, and my youngest son offers suggestions to make it more exciting. Not that I follow them! He’s into sci-fi and fantasy—not Amish romance.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? My initial response is, not really, but yes, it has, some. I don’t read as much when I’m under deadline so it takes a bit longer to read a book start to finish. My family has taken on some review responsibilities, my two youngest reviewing children, tween, and young adult books, and my husband taking on medical thrillers, military thrillers, and other genres he’s interested in, to help keep my blog active. I also notice that when something works and a book grabs me and hangs on tight, I go back and dissect it to see what that author did that worked and how I can learn from it.
What are you working on right now? Right now I’m working on the first book in the New Beginnings Amish series, and that is tentatively titled The Amish Firefighter I was thrilled to discover that Amish are actually quite active as EMTs and Firefighters in some districts.
What outside interests do you have? I love lighthouses. As a Michigannative, I grew up around the Great Lakes, the lighthouses, and the Coast Guard. So Michiganhistory is an interest. I currently live in Arkansas so we’re doing a lot of Civil War studies and cavern studies, not to mention native crafts. We’re trying candle making and soap making. My oldest daughter has learned basket weaving with natural materials (grasses, reeds) and my youngest son has made several brooms.
How do you choose your settings for each book? Sometimes that is decided for me. I initially thought I would do one series in a different area, but I have readers requesting stories of secondary characters, so I’m doing at least two series in an area now. I choose Seymour (WebsterCounty) Missouribecause Seymouris about two hours away and I drive through it when we go to visit my husband’s family. He also has an aunt (not Amish) who lives in Seymour. I choose Jamesport because I always wanted to visit there. And recently we visited another Amish district in Missouri which piqued my interest.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? Not sure He would be considered *historical* but God. I have a lot of questions for Him. If not them, then either Mary or Martha. I would like more details of their stories.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? I think I would’ve looked into ways to keep in shape/fit as I write. It’s hard to carve time out of a busy life to go on daily walks and long periods of time in a chair tends to take it’s toll.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? To give it to God. He’s got it. And stop trying to jerk it back and handle it myself.
I think we all suffer with that problem. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? 1. Put your bottom in a chair and write. 2. Join a critique group. 3. Don’t write a word without giving it to God first.
Excellent advice. Tell us about the featured book. Twenty–year–old Greta Miller's daed has been injured in a farming accident during the summer. The supportive Amish community tries to help out, but Greta and her sister must work outside the home to make ends meet, and so Greta rents a booth at the farmers' market. Because Greta is still in her rumspringa and free to explore the world, her family selects her to sell her homemade jams, jellies, and preserves to Englischers.
Josh Yoder wants to court Greta, but years ago, he made the mistake of rejecting her during a seemingly innocent game; which resulted in him leaving the Amish. Three years later, he's back, but Greta wants nothing to do with him. Josh struggles to fit in and rebuild relationships he destroyed. Knowing Greta's family needs help, he steps in, hoping to win her back.
When Greta admires one of his birdhouses, he gives it to her, hoping that it will open the door to more. But as their friendship begins to grow, a series of unfortunate events pull Greta away from the Amish, leaving her rejected by those she loves. Will Greta get beyond her family's distrust and return home? Will she prove her innocence? Or will she remain outside her Amish community?
Please give us the first page of the book.The hairs rose on the back of Greta Miller’s neck, and her skin prickled the way it did whenever someone stared at her. She should be used to the attention. Used to feeling like a caged circus animal, with all the tourists who came into the Amish Country Store. But this seemed different somehow. She turned away from the boxes of cereal she’d been unpacking, and her eyes met Joshua Yoder’s penetrating gaze.
He stood stock-still, not ten feet away, his hand holding his hat slightly above his head, as if he’d stopped mid-lift. His blue eyes narrowed.
Her mouth went dry. Her chest hammered.
“Greta….” He lowered his hat to his side and approached, a smile slowly forming on his lips.
Nein. She couldn’t deal with him and those emotions today. Or any day. She fled down the aisle and ducked inside the door marked “Employees Only.” She would find some work to do in back until her shift ended.
As she dashed past the employee break room, she glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes till she got off. He should be long gone by then. She wiped away a renegade tear.
After Greta clocked out, she made a few purchases—a bottle of olive oil, a jar of yeast, a fresh pineapple, and several avocados—and surveyed the store. Nein sign of Josh. She sagged with relief.
“Bye, Greta.” Her cousin Rachel waved from the cereal aisle, where she’d taken over the task of unloading boxes.
Greta waved back on her way out the door. “See you tomorrow.”
 Greta stepped outside and into strong masculine arms that swept her up against a solid chest …
I sure want to find out what happens next. I’m sure my readers do, too. How can readers find you on the Internet? visit my blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/& http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ twitter: @Laura_V_HiltonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
Here are purchase links for my books:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=laura+hilton&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/laura-hilton?store=allproducts&keyword=laura+hilton
Deeper Shopping: http://www.deepershopping.com/index.php?query=laura+hilton&x=0&y=0&module=productsearch&_logmode=Y&querymodule=SPX

Thank you, Laura, for sharing this new 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

THE SEAKEEPER'S DAUGHTERS - Lisa Wingate - One Free Book

Dear Readers, if you haven’t read any of Lisa Wingate’s books, try one. You’ll be hooked for life.
Welcome back, Lisa. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take? My last few books have been dual time frame novels. The historical threads were created from fictionalized historical events. I love doing the research, finding little-known events and building on those. I imagine the people who were involved, what issues they may have faced, how they might have learned from their challenges.
I love having present day characters discover some historical mystery and telling a time-slip story allows the modern characters to learn life lessons from the past. I have at least one more book coming up along those lines. My lips are sealed at this point about the topic, title, and theme, but it’ll be hitting shelves sometime in 2016.
And I hope it hits my blog soon after. What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them? I’ll be attending several book festivals in the South while on Tour in September, including the Decatur Book Festival, SIBA Conference, and a bit later the Lousiana Book Festival. In the spring, I’m scheduled to attend a wonderful book festival in Panama City Florida. I’m looking forward to the books and the scenery.
I’ll be speaking at all of these book festivals, in one capacity or another. Typically, I’ll be sharing a panel spot with other authors, which allows us to bounce ideas and thoughts around. I’ll also be speaking at various luncheons and venues during The Sea Keeper’s Daughters book tour in September. For more about that, friends can check out the Appearances page on my website.
http://lisawingate.com/blog3/appearances/
And, I’ll be teaching a fiction track at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in March in Felton, CA.
Busy lady. If you were in charge of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why?        I love speaking with other writers about their writing processes – what works for them and what doesn’t. I think we can all gain tips from one another to improve our productivity both in writing and in publicity. I think if I were planning a panel, it would be a combination of talking about writing process and tips to optimize the writing life. I’m not sure who I’d ask. I think we can learn from other writers of all types.
How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?         Working with other authors is very important to me. I have friends I meet with regularly and typically I attend and/or speak at several writing conferences each year. Some of my best opportunities have happened because I’ve come to know other writers. As writers we need support, advice, and help with everything from publicity to plotlines. Many brains are better than one.
Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?For years my, husband and I taught Sunday school for high school seniors, which we loved. It’s hard to believe, but we continued so many years, that eventually our Sunday school kids were coming to visit with their own children. It has been such a joy to keep in touch with them and watch them grow into Godly adults with families and adult lives of their own.
I started the children’s choirs with another lady at the church we attended for 30 years. The Lord led us to another church about 12 years ago. Now some of my boys and girls are on the praise teams for this new church. It’s such a blessing seeing them up on stage. Tell us about the featured book.From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers of the Federal Writers’ Project, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny….
Restaurant owner, Whitney Monroe, is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at The Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a depression-era love story change everything?
Tell the inspiration for the book I never know where my stories will come from. While working on my first Carolinabook, set on the Outer Banks, I became fascinated with the mystery of the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island. You can’t spend time on the Carolina Coastwithout realizing that theories abound as to the fate of the 117 people who vanished from Sir Walter Raleigh’s ill-fated colony over thirty years before the Pilgrims would land on Plymouth Rock. While writing my second Carolina book, The Story Keeper, I delved into the mystery of what early explorers deemed to be Appalachia’s “blue-eyed Indians,” who were found to have been living in the mountains decades before other Europeans pressed in. I knew that the third Carolinabook would somehow bring these two fascinating bits of history together.
While researching the previous books, I came across life history interviews written by participants in a little-known Depression-era program called the Federal Writers’ Project. The Project was championed by Eleanor Roosevelt and was a WPA program designed to hire impoverished writers, academics, housewives, and reporters. They became Field Interviewers, tasked to travel the hidden corners of Americaand record the stories of the common man. The adventures of these Federal Writers were equally as fascinating as the narratives and stories they discovered during their travels.
What might a modern woman discover, I wondered, if she were to happen to find the long-hidden missives of a relative who had left behind her wealthy family to become a Federal Writer? Could she possibly discover, among mountain stories handed down by oral tradition, not only her own family history, but a clue to one of America’s oldest mysteries?
Sounds so interesting. Please share the first page with us.          Perhaps denial is the mind’s way of protecting the heart from a sucker punch it can’t handle. Or maybe it’s simpler than that. Maybe denial in the face of overwhelming evidence is a mere byproduct of stubbornness.
Whatever the reason, all I could think standing in the doorway, one hand on the latch and the other trembling on the keys, was, This can’t be happening. This can’t be how it ends. It’s so . . . quiet. A dream should make noise when it’s dying. It deserves to go out in a tragic blaze of glory. There should be a dramatic death scene, a gasping for breath . . . something.
Denise laid a hand on my shoulder, whispered, “Are you all right?” Her voice faded at the end, cracking into jagged pieces.
“No.” A hard, bitter tone sharpened the cutting edge on the word. It wasn’t aimed at Denise. She knew that. “Nothing about this is all right. Not one single thing.”
“Yeah.” Resting against the doorframe, she let her neck go slack until her cheek touched the wood. “I’m not sure if it’s better or worse to stand here looking at it, though. For the last time, I mean.”
“We’ve put our hearts into this place. . . .” Denial reared its unreasonable head again. I would’ve called it hope, but if it was hope, it was the false and paper-thin kind. The kind that only teases you.
Denise’s hair fell like a pale, silky curtain, dividing the two of us. We’d always been at opposite ends of the cousin spectrum—Denise strawberry blonde, pale, and freckled, me dark-haired, blue-eyed, and olive-skinned. Denise a homebody and me a wanderer.“Whitney, we have to let it go. If we don’t, we’ll end up losing both places.”
For the complete excerpt, go here…http://lisawingate.com/seakeepersdaughtersexcerpt.pdf
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?My website:www.Lisawingate.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lisawingateFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaWingateAuthorPagePinterest: https://pinterest.com/lisawingatebook/Youtube: http://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/http://www.youtube.com/lisawingateBlogging Mondays at: www.SouthernBelleViewDaily.comThe Untold Story Guru: http://theuntoldstory.guruThe Sisterhood Of the Traveling Books: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SisterhoodOfTheTravelingBooks/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/178832.Lisa_Wingate
Tyndale Media Center Link http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/1_products/details.asp?isbn=978-1-4143-8827-4
Thank you, Lisa, for sharing this new book with me and my blog readers.
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The Sea Keeper's Daughters (A Carolina Chronicles) - Kindle

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