Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 192

LOVE COMES CALLING - Deborah M Piccurelli - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Deborah. Why do you write the kind of books you do?Basically, I write the kind of books I like to read myself. Aside from that, I write books with a Christian message, hoping they will somehow get into the hands of some unsaved people and lead them to Christ. Most of my books are about issues that go against the grain of Christian beliefs, such as abortion, because I want to fight for the innocent and uninformed.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?I would have to say the day I got married and the birth of my two sons are just about equal.
How has being published changed your life?Being published has brought me into a whole new world I could never have imagined. I’m meeting new people, learning new things, and having a whole lot of fun! Of course, I’m a lot busier, too.
What are you reading right now?I’ve just begun When Dawn Breaks by Jennifer Slattery, which was sent by her publisher for review.
What is your current work in progress?After having finished final edits on my novella, Love Comes Calling , to be released March 20th, I am now working on a TV drama series.
What would be your dream vacation?I doubt it would ever happen, but I’d like to visit Alaska, and possibly Maine. This from a girl who can’t stand the cold.
How do you choose your settings for each book?Generally, I like to use real towns from the area where I live, or I make up fictional towns that are just like them.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?I would want to spend it with Kenneth Copeland. I consider him my spiritual father, and he is wonderful about gleaning such treasures from the Bible and direct communication from the Father.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?I enjoy chrocheting, but haven’t had the time in ages; baking, too, but, again, time is a factor. I do more baking than crocheting though. Walks in a nearby park with my family always gives me joy
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?Sometimes, I have a hard time finding the right word or words to describe something in a way that makes it visual to the reader. I keep at it, and go to the dictionary or thesaurus. I also rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?Study the craft as much as you possibly can, and never stop, no matter how good at it you become. Develop a thick skin, because not everyone will love what you write.
Tell us about the featured book. Love Comes Calling is a novella that was one of three winners in a contest by Prism Book Group. Here’s the back-cover blurb:
The day new Christian, Derek Spencer, shows up on Charlie Parkes’s doorstep to make up for what he’d done, is the very day he falls in love with her. But Charlie’s sister mistakes him for a home improvement contractor, and he decides to play along until he finds a way to reveal who he really is.
Charlie is attracted to Derek, but knows the attention he pays her is only flattery. How could such a great-looking guy fall for someone with a face like hers? Nevertheless, the two form a relationship that brings a joy to Charlie that’s way beyond her wildest dreams.
But what will happen when Derek’s true identity is revealed?
Please give us the first page of the book.Derek Spencer grasped the steering wheel of his SUV with one hand, while searching for the address scribbled on the scrap of paper he held in the other.
Would she be willing to see him? The decision to come forward had been tough, but necessary to his peace of mind and his spiritual well-being. He wanted to make things right with Charlotte Parkes.
Spotting the house, he slowed down and pulled into the driveway. He sat in the car and stared at the small brick rancher, trying to perceive the character of the woman who lived inside. The neatly mowed lawn resembled a rich green carpet, and colorful flower beds lined the perimeter of the house. Cheerful drapes adorned the inside of the picture window in front, inviting him to exit the car and ring the doorbell. He accepted the invitation and bounded up the walk.
Barely three seconds passed when the door was torn open and an attractive young woman with a profusion of curly red hair reached out and pulled him in by the arm.
“Finally. You were supposed to be here an hour ago. What happened? Traffic jam on Route 356?”
“I…” He scratched his head. Did she know him?
“Forget it. You’re here, now. Though I’m not sure your lateness speaks well of you. If you want a job, you must be prompt.”
“But…” What on earth was she talking about?
“Shall we begin? My sister is waiting in the other room.” She strolled away, motioning for him to follow.
Having no other alternative, he complied. At least he had gotten through the door.
As they passed through the living room and dining room, Derek studied his surroundings. The place was neat, clean, and comfortable-looking. The living room set was made up of odd pieces of furniture put together in such a way it gave the illusion they were made especially to be a part of this grouping.
When he entered the kitchen, he recognized Charlotte Parkes from her picture in the newspaper. With her porcelain-smooth skin and shiny auburn hair, she looked like an angel. Engrossed in squirting colored icing through a tube onto a layer cake, she hadn’t yet noticed him.
How can readers find you on the Internet?My website: www.deborahmpiccurelli.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/deborah.piccurelliTwitter: @DebPiccurelliGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1030596.Deborah_M_Piccurelli
Lena, I am so grateful to you for hosting me on your blog again. It’s been fun!

Thank you, Deborah, for sharing this new book with me and my readers.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.Love Comes Calling

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

HAND ME DOWN HUSBAND - Rosanna Huffman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I met Rosanna several years ago at a writers conference in Dallas, Texas. We’ve been friends since then. Later, I was privileged to spend some time mentoring her. I rejoiced right along with her when, at another conference, an editor wanted her to send her completed manuscript to her. This is her debut novel. I read it for an endorsement before it came out, and I loved it. I know you will, too.
Welcome, Rosanna. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.My heroine is a teacher, and much of her experience is based on my own. In most other ways, she is nothing like me. I do draw on my own experiences for many of my characters, but I would say they are a compilation of many people I have met and known over the years.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Became an airline passenger for the first time when I was 16 or 17, alone, and out of the country (to Canada), and well before the days of cell phones.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?Since I learned to write, I have enjoyed writing. As a teenager and into my 20s, I journaled extensively.
That’s the way many authors start writing. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.Women’s fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, cookbooks, inspirational non-fiction, gardening, crochet/knit literature.
I love reading cookbooks, too. I have quite a large collection. Now I also have several historical cookbooks, since I write historical novels. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Living alone gives me more time than most to get away from the hub-bub. I have learned to say no. That helps too!
As an adult, it took me a lot of years to learn to say no. How do you choose your characters’ names?I browse through baby name books. The Baby Name Wizard gives siblings’ names and a graph of when each name was popular.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Besides having all my dishes washed before I go to bed, I would guess? That would be a toss-up between getting Hand Me Down Husband published and my grand prize-winning afghan design in Herrschner’s National Afghan Contest a few years ago.
I’ve seen some of your afghans. They are beautiful. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?Hmmm, a cat? Because they’re often introverts?
What is your favorite food?Soup. Pretty much any kind of soup.
My husband loves soup, and I make it a lot in the winter. When we have a pot of soup, I have more time to write. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Disciplining myself to keep sitting in that chair and get the words on the page. I am still working to overcome it. I could probably teach a class on procrastination—if I could ever get around to it!
Tell us about the featured book.
Hand Me Down Husband was conceived when I decided to try my hand at writing romance. Until then, all my manuscripts were of single women who do not marry in the story and yet live happy, fulfilled lives in spite of not having their dreams fulfilled. But a romance seemed like a good way to get my foot in the door. A co-teacher was known for her determination that she “would never marry a widower. If he didn’t want me the first time, he won’t get me the second time.” I found that mindset fascinating, and so Suzanne was born. Then, of course, I had to come up with a Mitch who was awesome enough to make her reconsider her stand.
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.
The thud, thud, swoosh outside the classroom window lulled Suzanne Bloomer into a trance as she graded English compositions. She recorded the last paper and scanned her desk. Math homework to check for the ninth and tenth graders, biology quizzes to grade, and a chemistry test to write. Poems from the juniors and seniors to read. She wouldn’t be out of here before seven tonight.
Today’s impromptu lessons hadn’t gone half bad, but she couldn’t risk that two days in a row. Tomorrow had to be planned. Her stomach growled, a reminder that breakfast had been nonexistent and lunch skimpy. Propping her head in her left hand, she closed her eyes and listened to the rhythm of Jacob Sanderson’s basketball on the concrete.
A gruff throat clearing interrupted Suzanne’s micro-nap. The other teachers and the high school students who stayed for tutoring had left, and Jacob’s ride should have come and gone by now. Then a distant whoop from the playground told her the sixth grader was still out there. Of all things, here was his aunt—who shouldn’t even have had to get out of her car—. Wait…gruff? Amazing what all could zip through her mind in the split second it took to lift her head.
The person at her desk was not Jacob’s aunt. It was his grandfather, Mitchell.
How can readers find you on the Internet? Rosannahuffman.com or Rosanna Huffman on Facebook.

Thank you, Rosanna, for sharing a little of your life and your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Hand Me Down Husband - Kindle

Christian Book Store
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

8 WEDDINGS AND A MIRACLE - Lena Nelson Dooley and 8 other authors - One Free Book

Dear Readers, today we aren't having an author's interview. Instead, I'm introducing you to a new novella release. I'm excited about this book.

8 Weddings and a Miracle is a collection of contemporary novellas I think you'll like.


Sometimes Love Needs a Little Divine Intervention
Nine contemporary couples face challenges on their way to the marriage altar, and readers will delight in how God intervenes to get them to the point of "I do." Be it a meeting in the wrong place at the right time, an accident that opens hardened hearts, or weather that seems to blow things off course, romance has a way of persevering.
Penned by an exclusive selection of Christian fiction authors, this collection of romances will become an instant favorite.
Move a Mountain by LenaNelson DooleyChristine Daley's perfect wedding is threatened when the worst snowstorm in years hits Minnesota. Can she trust God to take care of all things and get them to the church on time?
Wall of Stone by Nancy J FarrierChandra Kirby travels away from painful memories arriving in England to take a bike tour, only to discover she will be reunited with the one man she has ever loved, Pierce Stillwell--and with his girlfriend.
Blown Away by Love by Pamela GriffinThree strikes and you're out. The morning of the third attempt at a ceremony, Dale's best man takes him out chasing a tornado. Is Marie's dream wedding about to be blown away again?
Stormy Weather by Tracie PetersonGina Bowden, a young widow, fights city council to regain funding for her son's Boy Scout troop. Something better than lightning strikes when she teams up with the tenacious troop leader Gary Cameron.
Wrong Church, Wrong Wedding by Loree LoughBreena Pavan lost the invitation to a friends wedding and attended the wrong church--the wrong ceremony! But could that lead to a divine appointment when she sits down beside Keegan Neil?
Flowers by Felicity by Janet Lee BartonWhen the bouquet Felicity Carmichael made for her friend's wedding is destroyed, Felicity is horrified to see the freak accident captured by photographer David Edmonds and plastered across the newspaper.
Petals of Promise by Diann HuntKonni Strong is trying to live up to the name her deceased husband gave her, but widowhood is hard. And attending a friend's wedding proves so challenging that she bolts from the reception--right into the arms of a handsome stranger.
Rose in Bloom by Sandra PetitCatering her friend's wedding makes Rose Bentley long for a relationship of her own. When Lucas Montgomery falls into the prize wedding cake she created, she is certain he is NOT Mr. Right. But does God have other plans?
Flowers for a Friend by Gail SattlerCatching a piece of the wedding bouquet was not part of Geoff Manfrey's plan. When he gives the flowers to a little girl, she declares undying love to the chagrin of her older sister Clarissa Reynolds, who has been quietly admiring Geoff for months.

Take the journey along with nine couples as they dodge disasters on the road to love.
Here are buy links to the book:
 - Amazon

8 Weddings and a Miracle Romance Collection: 9 Contemporary Romances Need a Little Divine Intervention - Kindle

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/8-weddings-and-a-miracle-romance-collection-tracie-peterson/1120822757?ean=9781616265465&itm=1&usri=lena+nelson+dooley - Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/8-weddings-and-a-miracle-romance-collection-tracie-peterson/1120822757?ean=9781634092319&itm=1&usri=lena+nelson+dooley - Nook

Christian Book Store
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

WINNERS!!!!!!

J C (IN) of  Dianna's Wings  by Cindy Loven.
Necee (AK) is the winner of  Buried  by Elizabeth Goddard.
Dee (NE) is the winner of  Untraceable  by Elizabeth Goddard.
Pam (OH) is the winner of  Gabriel's Atonement  by Vickie McDonough.
Beth (MT) is the winner of  Only One Way Home  by Deborah Heal.
Maryann (NY) is the winner of  A Horse for Katie  by Miralee Ferrell.

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.

SPY OF RICHMOND - Jocelyn Green - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jocelyn. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?Yes, He has. Spy of Richmond is my tenth book and the end of my Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War series. Right now I’m exploring a few different directions for where I want to invest my writing energies next. I foresee both nonfiction and more historical fiction in my future, Lord willing!
Tell us a little about your family.
My husband Rob is the most supportive husband this homeschooling writer mama could ever ask for. He’s also a graphic designer, and has created the maps in my novels! Rob is the Web developer for the University of Northern Iowalibrary and is also in grad school for a master’s in Instructional Technology. Our 8-year-old daughter loves to read, ride her bike, write stories, and play violin. Our 6-year-old son loves anything with wheels on it, and is more athletic than my husband and I combined. We have one pet, a cat named Oreo who the children find absolutely irresistible.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
I’m a much more thoughtful reader than I was before I wrote fiction. I keep a notebook and pen with me when I read so when I notice a striking passage, I’ll jot it down in my notebook or just scribble a note to myself about the author’s technique. I have much more appreciation for authors and books now that I know how challenging it is to do it well! I also read a wider variety of genres and authors now as I look for new and different ways to tell stories.
What are you working on right now?
I’m in the final stages of my current interlibrary loan spree for a new series I’m researching. In a few weeks, I’ll be ready to make travel plans to visit the location and really dive into some archives and get a sense of setting. I never feel like I’m ready to write until I’ve spent time “on-site.”
What outside interests do you have?
Between writing, reading, and homeschooling, I don’t have much time leftover. But if I did, I’d spend more time gardening, knitting, baking, and scrapbooking.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
With my Civil War series, I chose the roles women played during the war first, and the settings fell into place. Wedded to War was about the first band of trained professional nurses, which took place in New York City and Washington. I wanted to also show how civilian women were affected by battles close to home, so Gettysburg was a great setting for book 2. Yankee in Atlanta combines two different roles—that of the female soldier, and the secret Unionist in Atlanta. I chose Richmondfor the setting of Spy of Richmond because Elizabeth Van Lew, the most famous female spy for the Union, lived there on Church Hill. My heroine, Sophie Kent, works in Van Lew’s spy network.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Nellie Bly. Born in 1864, she grew up to be a ground-breaking reporter, which was remarkable for a young women in those days. She launched a new kind of investigative journalism and wrote an exposé on the conditions inside an insane asylum, among other stories. She also traveled around the world without a chaperone in a record-breaking 72 days. I was trained as a journalist, so Nellie’s story fascinates me.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Honestly, I wish I would have had a little more confidence in myself early on. When I switched from nonfiction to fiction, I had a lot of self-doubt, and it’s really difficult to be creative when you feel lousy about yourself. Ironically, my first novel, Wedded to War, was a Christy Award finalist in two categories. I could have saved myself a lot of hand-wringing if I had just been able to turn off those negative voices in my head.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
He’s teaching me to wait upon His timing. It’s so easy to rush around and behave as though my success is defined by my productivity. But that’s not the case. My success is determined by how closely I follow God’s will for my life. That could mean I write ten books and I’m done, or it could mean I have many more to write than that. Trusting God’s timing releases me from comparing myself to others. I need only seek His will, rather than try to match someone else’s success.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Read, read, read. Work on your craft even when you’re not in the mood. Find creative ways to market—and one way to do this is by joining associations that foster cooperative efforts.
Tell us about the featured book.
Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone.
Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.

As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble. Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Outside Savannah, GeorgiaThursday, March 3, 1859It is madness.
Rain hissing to the earth in torrents behind her, Sophie Kent shivered and craned her neck toward the platform, half expecting lightning to strike the Ten Broeck Race Course any moment. It was the second day of the auction selling more than 420 slaves, and the second day of boiling, weeping storms. Gripping her pencil and papers beneath the folds of her wrap, Sophie trained her eyes and ears to the drama around her.
Humiliation tightened her throat as she watched a woman on the stage made to jump, bend, twist, and turn. Her smooth complexion was the color of tea with milk and honey, a bright contrast to the cocoa and coffee bean shades of the others. Her almond-shaped eyes were cast downward as a man tugged off her shawl and head rag before pinching her arm and pulling her lips apart to display her teeth. Modesty told Sophie to avert her gaze from the indignity, but she resisted. For years, she’d been blind to the horrors of slavery. This time, she would not look away. Neither will I stay silent. Not any longer.
The man spun the woman around and made some remark into her ear; she let him expose her back to the audience. “No scars from the disciplining lash—no trace of rebellion in her spirit,” he said. The woman covered herself once more.
As the bidding began from within the two hundred buyers in attendance, Sophie withdrew her auction catalogue from her wrap, her pencil poised to take notes. Humidity curled the pages, and the list of souls for sale drooped in her gloved hand.
How can readers find you on the Internet?www.jocelyngreen.comwww.heroinesbehindthelines.comwww.facebook.com/jocelyngreenauthor
www.twitter.com/jocelyngreen77www.pinterest.com/jocelyngreen77

Thank you, Jocelyn, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Spy of Richmond (Heroines Behind the Lines Book 4) - Kindle

Christian Book Store
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

DESTINY DELIVERED - J A Marx - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I know those of you who read Destiny Defied have been eagerly awaiting the release of book two in the series. J. A. is in the critique group that meets in my home, and we have all loved her books. Her writing style and subject matter is so unique that we had to come up with a new genre name for her. Contemporary Suspense with a Supernatural Twist. The books give a different slant on human trafficking and spiritual warfare. The characters leap from the pages and stay in your heart and mind for long after you close the book for the last time.
BIO: J.A. Marx writes from Texas. She and her husband of 30 years love to travel and spend time with their grandchildren. Her hobbies include fitness, nutrition, and painting.Articles on nutrition, writing, and parenting, plus editing for an international healthcare e-zine ride her resume, but J.A. favorite activity is illustrating God healing the soul through supernatural suspense. Destiny Defied, book 1 in The Destiny Series, released October 2014. http://amzn.to/1vY0zOb Destiny Delivered , book 2 officially released February 24, 2015 http://amzn.to/1yYWmoc Destiny Defended, book 3 will officially release later this year.Family Lies, Deadly Ties releases in 2016 through Prism Book Group
Welcome back, J A. Why do you write the kind of books you do?With few exceptions, I write what I like to read. Some people read to escape. I read to immerse myself in deep thought. I need the emotional and mental challenge. What I write challenges my beliefs and my spiritual maturity. God wired me to analyze the behaviors and thought processes of my characters as they deal with their circumstances and internal issues. It’s pure joy.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?My happy meter reached a high the moment I realized my children had made that final and complete leap from thinking like a child to processing life as an adult. Very rewarding.
(The spiritual answer to this question: Each time I receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ)
How has being published changed your life?I have to manage my time more diligently. Thankfully, I have an understanding family when deadlines loom.
And I’ve now entered the realm of author highs and lows. While it is vain in the light of eternity, I ask questions such as, “Does anybody out there like my book?”
I’m right there with you, and I can say, when the read the books, most people will love them. You can’t please all the people all the time. What are you reading right now?I’m reading Dr. James Richards’ How to Stop the Pain. Yes, it’s non-fiction. I apply a lot psychology to my stories, and this book fits in great with my protagonist and her emotional/spiritual healing process.
What is your current work in progress?Well, the 3rd book in the series, Destiny Defended, is in the queue, plus I have a romantic suspense undergoing editing with a traditional publisher. So while I wait for those two books to release, I’m editing the 4th book in my series.
What would be your dream vacation?Agh! Lena, I tell you how hard I’m working, and now you’re tempting me to pack a bag and run off on some adventure? Okay, if you insist.
Picture this: A cabin near a stream. Surrounded by mountain peaks. Hiking trails. Wildlife. Fresh air. Blue skies and sunshine. Aromatic pine trees ... Are you feeling it yet?
Right now, I’d love to go there, especially if it isn’t covered with ice and snow as we are here in North Texas today. How do you choose your settings for each book?Thus far, the settings have acted like characters in the sense they naturally accompany the hero and/or heroine. On the other hand, the locations have also been some place familiar. I’ve spent a lot of time in the islands, lived in four different states, and visited many foreign countries. Those experiences have worked magnificently to my advantage.
In essence, my characters go where I’ve been.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?That would have to be a former mentor from Colorado, Joyce K. I learned so much just by being in her presence and watching her do life, ministry, and family. Joyce and her husband saved our marriage during what we called “hell week” when we almost lost both our second child and me during birthing. I’d love the opportunity to spend an evening catching up and telling her in person how much she means to me, even twenty years later.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?Nutrition. I’m always looking for a new recipe to add to my menu. I’m picky when it comes to what I feed my temple. Thankfully, my husband shares my desire to eat healthfully. My most recent concoction is fennel salad with pine nuts and organic ground buffalo. Yum!
(My alter ego, however, loves an occasional slice of chocolate cake and random visits to Yogurt Story.)
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? Second-guessing myself. This leads to possibly rewriting certain sections unnecessarily. I have not yet overcome this, but I think the pressure of deadlines is changing me.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?I love working with beginning authors. First, start studying the craft of writing and never stop. I still attend classes at conferences, and I review writing basics once a year. I highly suggest getting into some sort of critique group with writers that are connected to the industry. The feedback from other authors is invaluable. Granted, finding a good group is not always easy, but keep looking and ask God to connect you.
Tell us about the featured book. Destiny Delivered , book 2 of The Destiny Series takes place near Cleveland, Ohio.
Chiara escaped nineteen years captivity and is now rebuilding her life from scratch. Everything would be fine if there were no men around for her to hate.
Isaac goes overboard in trying to get the mysterious Chiara, a former sex slave, accepted into his community. Few are willing to look beyond her social bumbling to find her hidden worth.
Just when things couldn’t get worse, the FBI tracks Chiara down and coerces her into helping them catch a murderer/trafficker. Isaac’s wish to understand her unimaginable past comes true. He not only experiences her old world firsthand, he encounters the man who wants Chiara dead.
Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.June 1, 1990, Miami, FloridaThe JetRanger helicopter soared up Biscayne Bay. Isaac Young, fresh out of his first year of college, had never been so thankful for his EMT training. His mentor’s private chopper offered only a basic first aid kit, and to compensate, Isaac’s three friends were following his instructions on everything from bandaging to positioning his patient.
Chiara opened her mouth, and he bent close so she wouldn’t strain. “Tongue. Numb.”
He rechecked her pulse.
The girl washed up on their island a week ago. Within seven days, Chiara had earned his respect and, unknowingly, won his heart. He’d do anything to keep from losing her. At the moment, that meant keeping her conscious.
He searched out the window. What were the odds that the Lux had followed them to Florida? How seriously did they want Chiara back? Isaac prayed they believed she was dead, but his gut told him the men who shot her had intentionally left her alive.
Or had God deflected the bullets?
“Stay awake, Chiara.” Isaac patted her pale cheek. “Jase, Sabio, Kiko. We’re all here for you.”
She didn’t respond.
The chopper landed at an airfield on Miami’s bustling shoreline. Kiko opened the cabin door to the ambulance team rushing toward them with a metal stretcher.
Helping wheel the gurney, Isaac filled in the paramedics with details on Chiara’s gunshot wounds and climbed into the ambulance with her. Before the door closed, he waved a thank you to his three best friends who would follow later.
How can readers find you on the InternetWebsite: http://jamarx.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JA_Marx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embattledspirit

Thank you, Julie, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I do.

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

BEAST OF STRATTON - Renee Blare - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Renee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.It’s amazing how I sprinkle a little of me into each character, sometimes without even thinking about it. I’m not saying a lot now … but in every person, you’ll find a touch of Renee. Whether it be a whim, a habit … good or bad. After all, I’m not perfect. LOL I did it when I began writing to keep my stories real. It stuck.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I’m not actually quirky. I’m a type-A personality. I guess that’s why I’m a pharmacist. I guess I’d have to say the quirkiest thing I’ve ever done is paint a cross on the cars at Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. My husband would say it’s how I bet on the horses at the race track. (I pick the best looking horses and find their numbers on the lists.) He uses statistics. What can I say? I’m a woman at heart.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I’ve known I could write since junior high school … around twelve or thirteen. It’s always been my security blanket. In times of trial or stress, I tend to pen my emotions in the form of poetry. As far as novels, that didn’t come until much later. My husband’s the one I give credit for encouraging me to begin that endeavor. About four years ago, he challenged me to write my own when I filled his ears with a ton of complaints when I’d bought a book I didn’t like. The rest is history.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I’m fairly eclectic in my reading choices. I like everything from historical romance to science fiction. I’ll even pick up a paranormal and read it. I’m not too keen on horror. You won’t catch one of those in my library or on my television very often. I love suspense which is probably why I write it, and a good mystery is good to curl up with on the couch. But I have to say … I’m a sucker for a Scottish romance. I always have been. (sigh)
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?The same way I always have, I guess—with lots of prayer. As busy as I am, I can’t start the day without my time with the Lord. The first thing I do is open my Bible and read His word. We have our time together. I share my worries and concerns … listen to what He has to say. Our time’s special. It anchors me for what comes. Some may even get a glimpse of what we talk about every morning because I post a tidbit each day.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Sometimes the name pops into my head and fits … like a glove. I don’t have to think about it. Other times, I need to dig out my book of baby names and search for the right one. And then there’s those times, nothing works. That’s when I ask people. My husband, my mom, my son, my coworkers, my Facebook friends, my fans … you name it. Eventually, I hear it and it’s like—YES, finally!
I just know when it’s the right one.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Our son. It was a challenge to get him into this world. Not only my body, but my marriage came under fire and withstood the inferno. It was a concerted effort but between the both of us, my husband and I, a new life was born.
The Lord taught me a lot during the process. The most important lesson? The child I carried in my body was not just mine, but His. It’s a lesson I took to heart, we both did. Today, he’s a wonderful, godly man.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I would have to say the golden retriever. I love people and never meet a stranger. I’m loyal to a fault. I’m quick to forgive and for me, a little attention goes a long way.
We had a golden retriever when I was in high school. A wonderful dog. What is your favorite food?My favorite food? New York Style Cheesecake with no topping … well, I like cherry topping, but no cherries. That sounds really quirky. Maybe that should be my quirky thing. LOL I make it from scratch (when I can figure out the oven!) I tried to make one over the holidays this year and it looked awesome. Need I say more?
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?I would have to say … getting people to take me seriously as a writer. And I’m not talking about my friends and family. I figure they will always see me as a pharmacist until I don’t wear the white jacket anymore. No, I’m talking about fellow writers.
I didn’t join ACFW to get published. I didn’t enter my first Genesis contest to land a contract. I knew I wasn’t a good writer, yet. But I wanted to be.
I soaked in all the knowledge I could from those who were. I took Creative Writing courses. I ignored the destructive remarks and focused on the constructive criticism. I learned. It’s a process I will continue to do as long as I write.
Tell us about the featured book. Beast of Stratton is a story inspired by the fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast.” It began in my critique group, Rough Diamond Writers. Each of us chose a different fairy tale and penned a story. I’ve loved this tale since I was a little girl so it came natural to pick it.
Since I write contemporary and suspense, Beast of Stratton took on a more modern flare and the rest is history.
It’s about a young woman’s search for her father. He’s disappeared leaving only a note, a rose, and pendant necklace as clues to his whereabouts. Determined to find him, she sets off to New York and disguises herself as a secretary at his place of employment, Stratton Industrial where the CEO, a wounded war veteran has recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. Her presence and some strange occurrences within his firm pulls him from his reclusive penthouse, and the quest to find her father begins.
I love books based on fairy tales. Please give us the first page of the book.The hot spray of the shower slapped his back like a whip. Miles Stratton leaned his forehead against the cool tile and rolled his shoulders. He blinked to clear water from his eyes, but steam swirled around him. The world spun and his vision blurred. He leapt back in time—into smoke and pain.
The yoke wrenched against his hands while the rotors groaned above his head. Another missile slammed into the chopper and the tail dropped off, spinning it toward the ground. The acrid smell of burning fuel and blood hung in his nose as he fought to keep the bird in the air.
Icy water snapped him into the present, and he slammed his hand into the wall, his roar echoing around the small cubicle of granite and tile. Enough already. Miles closed his eyes and pushed the memories away.
He dipped under the cold spray one last time before shutting off the water. In his room, he dug around in his bag, tossing wrinkled clothes on the bed. Sooner or later, he’d need to unpack. It’d have to be later.
Clad in old jeans and a t-shirt, he pulled the door open and water dropped on his bare toes. He headed back to the bathroom. After another pass through his wet hair and beard with his towel, he tossed it in the hamper. Pulling a dry one off the shelf, he grabbed a comb and a rubber band.
Banging cupboards greeted him when he walked into the next room. An annoying person was in his kitchen. Again. “Hey, knock it off.”
“Where’s your scotch?” His stepbrother peeked around the corner.
Miles settled on the couch with the towel on his chest and started combing the tangles out of his beard. “Long gone.”
“What?” Ray groaned and tossed his ice into the sink with a clank and joined him in the living room. “You didn’t have to drain it all, dude. Maybe you should back off a little.”
Miles grunted. He hadn’t touched a drop since landing stateside. No, scratch that. The night before his last mission in Iraq. The toast of death—his last drink. His beard clear of snarls, Miles started on his mane. A low growl rumbled when the comb caught a ratted mass of curls. He worked it loose and began again, delving into the thick hair.
Oh, I can hardly wait to read this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?·        Renee Blare|Christian Author Website ·        faithwalker007@gmail.com·        Facebook·        Twitter·        Pinterest·        Tumblr: The  Journey·        Amazon Author Page·        Blog: Renee’s Inspirational Moments Group Blog: The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction


Welcome, Renee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.It’s amazing how I sprinkle a little of me into each character, sometimes without even thinking about it. I’m not saying a lot now … but in every person, you’ll find a touch of Renee. Whether it be a whim, a habit … good or bad. After all, I’m not perfect. LOL I did it when I began writing to keep my stories real. It stuck.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I’m not actually quirky. I’m a type-A personality. I guess that’s why I’m a pharmacist. I guess I’d have to say the quirkiest thing I’ve ever done is paint a cross on the cars at Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. My husband would say it’s how I bet on the horses at the race track. (I pick the best looking horses and find their numbers on the lists.) He uses statistics. What can I say? I’m a woman at heart.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I’ve known I could write since junior high school … around twelve or thirteen. It’s always been my security blanket. In times of trial or stress, I tend to pen my emotions in the form of poetry. As far as novels, that didn’t come until much later. My husband’s the one I give credit for encouraging me to begin that endeavor. About four years ago, he challenged me to write my own when I filled his ears with a ton of complaints when I’d bought a book I didn’t like. The rest is history.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I’m fairly eclectic in my reading choices. I like everything from historical romance to science fiction. I’ll even pick up a paranormal and read it. I’m not too keen on horror. You won’t catch one of those in my library or on my television very often. I love suspense which is probably why I write it, and a good mystery is good to curl up with on the couch. But I have to say … I’m a sucker for a Scottish romance. I always have been. (sigh)
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?The same way I always have, I guess—with lots of prayer. As busy as I am, I can’t start the day without my time with the Lord. The first thing I do is open my Bible and read His word. We have our time together. I share my worries and concerns … listen to what He has to say. Our time’s special. It anchors me for what comes. Some may even get a glimpse of what we talk about every morning because I post a tidbit each day.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Sometimes the name pops into my head and fits … like a glove. I don’t have to think about it. Other times, I need to dig out my book of baby names and search for the right one. And then there’s those times, nothing works. That’s when I ask people. My husband, my mom, my son, my coworkers, my Facebook friends, my fans … you name it. Eventually, I hear it and it’s like—YES, finally!
I just know when it’s the right one.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Our son. It was a challenge to get him into this world. Not only my body, but my marriage came under fire and withstood the inferno. It was a concerted effort but between the both of us, my husband and I, a new life was born.
The Lord taught me a lot during the process. The most important lesson? The child I carried in my body was not just mine, but His. It’s a lesson I took to heart, we both did. Today, he’s a wonderful, godly man.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I would have to say the golden retriever. I love people and never meet a stranger. I’m loyal to a fault. I’m quick to forgive and for me, a little attention goes a long way.
We had a golden retriever when I was in high school. A wonderful dog. What is your favorite food?My favorite food? New York Style Cheesecake with no topping … well, I like cherry topping, but no cherries. That sounds really quirky. Maybe that should be my quirky thing. LOL I make it from scratch (when I can figure out the oven!) I tried to make one over the holidays this year and it looked awesome. Need I say more?
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?I would have to say … getting people to take me seriously as a writer. And I’m not talking about my friends and family. I figure they will always see me as a pharmacist until I don’t wear the white jacket anymore. No, I’m talking about fellow writers.
I didn’t join ACFW to get published. I didn’t enter my first Genesis contest to land a contract. I knew I wasn’t a good writer, yet. But I wanted to be.
I soaked in all the knowledge I could from those who were. I took Creative Writing courses. I ignored the destructive remarks and focused on the constructive criticism. I learned. It’s a process I will continue to do as long as I write.
Tell us about the featured book. Beast of Stratton is a story inspired by the fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast.” It began in my critique group, Rough Diamond Writers. Each of us chose a different fairy tale and penned a story. I’ve loved this tale since I was a little girl so it came natural to pick it.
Since I write contemporary and suspense, Beast of Stratton took on a more modern flare and the rest is history.
It’s about a young woman’s search for her father. He’s disappeared leaving only a note, a rose, and pendant necklace as clues to his whereabouts. Determined to find him, she sets off to New York and disguises herself as a secretary at his place of employment, Stratton Industrial where the CEO, a wounded war veteran has recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. Her presence and some strange occurrences within his firm pulls him from his reclusive penthouse, and the quest to find her father begins.
I love books based on fairy tales. Please give us the first page of the book.The hot spray of the shower slapped his back like a whip. Miles Stratton leaned his forehead against the cool tile and rolled his shoulders. He blinked to clear water from his eyes, but steam swirled around him. The world spun and his vision blurred. He leapt back in time—into smoke and pain.
The yoke wrenched against his hands while the rotors groaned above his head. Another missile slammed into the chopper and the tail dropped off, spinning it toward the ground. The acrid smell of burning fuel and blood hung in his nose as he fought to keep the bird in the air.
Icy water snapped him into the present, and he slammed his hand into the wall, his roar echoing around the small cubicle of granite and tile. Enough already. Miles closed his eyes and pushed the memories away.
He dipped under the cold spray one last time before shutting off the water. In his room, he dug around in his bag, tossing wrinkled clothes on the bed. Sooner or later, he’d need to unpack. It’d have to be later.
Clad in old jeans and a t-shirt, he pulled the door open and water dropped on his bare toes. He headed back to the bathroom. After another pass through his wet hair and beard with his towel, he tossed it in the hamper. Pulling a dry one off the shelf, he grabbed a comb and a rubber band.
Banging cupboards greeted him when he walked into the next room. An annoying person was in his kitchen. Again. “Hey, knock it off.”
“Where’s your scotch?” His stepbrother peeked around the corner.
Miles settled on the couch with the towel on his chest and started combing the tangles out of his beard. “Long gone.”
“What?” Ray groaned and tossed his ice into the sink with a clank and joined him in the living room. “You didn’t have to drain it all, dude. Maybe you should back off a little.”
Miles grunted. He hadn’t touched a drop since landing stateside. No, scratch that. The night before his last mission in Iraq. The toast of death—his last drink. His beard clear of snarls, Miles started on his mane. A low growl rumbled when the comb caught a ratted mass of curls. He worked it loose and began again, delving into the thick hair.
Oh, I can hardly wait to read this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?·        Renee Blare|Christian Author Website ·        faithwalker007@gmail.com·        Facebook·        Twitter·        Pinterest·        Tumblr: The  Journey·        Amazon Author Page·        Blog: Renee’s Inspirational Moments Group Blog: The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction

Thank you, Renee, for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait for my copy to arrive. I'm eager to read it. I know my readers are, too.

Readers, here is a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Beast of Stratton

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 FAMILIAR LOVE SONG - Arlene James - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m thrilled to introduce you to my long-time friend Arlene James. She lived not far from me for years, but then she moved to my home state of Arkansas. We keep in touch through the Internet now. She’s been a successful author for a long time, and you may have read some of her series. This book today is starting a new, and very different, series.
Welcome, Arlene. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.I find bits and pieces of myself in my characters. This one likes the same colors. That one struggles with the same habit(s). They enjoy the same pleasures or suffer from the same familial difficulties or insecurities. They struggle with the similar questions of faith that I’ve had to overcome or discover the answers to questions I’ve asked in the past. They’ve been widowed, as I have, or brokenhearted or seen their prayers answered … In some way, every character is me; and yet, no character is truly me.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?In writing, I suppose I’m doing it now, though the Chatam House series, with its triplet aunties, would have been my answer before the HOBBY RUN Variety Praise Band series.
If you’re not talking about writing, then I suppose that agreeing to marry my husband on our first date would be considered pretty quirky, but then I’d already met him in a dream. Literally.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I think I knew I wanted to write almost as soon as I could read. I very clearly remember sitting at the dinner table when I was no older than nine and telling my dad that I wanted to write. His advice was to get to it. I was publishing by 7th grade, thanks to an English teacher who had me writing fiction pieces and, unbeknownst to me, submitted them to contests and various magazines. God bless that woman.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I really love anything historical because that is NOT what I write. I love westerns. I love science fiction and speculative fiction. I love nonfiction and read lots of political stuff. I read lots of Bible study material. I get lost in research sometimes. I love a good mystery, but I have to admit that I’m not big on suspense because I just don’t believe most of it can happen the way it’s written. I think that comes from being the stepdaughter of a very successful police investigator.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?We live in a beautiful, quiet place here in NW Arkansas near our oldest son and granddaughters. Here, our closest neighbors are ½ mile away, and when we drive into town, traffic is minimal. We do have rush hour, and it does last a whole hour. Almost. I work a great deal, more than full-time, truthfully, so I don’t see my son and grandgirlies every day, but my Saturdays are given to basketball (both girls are real stand-outs) and my Sundays to church. My husband is an artist, and he has other things going on, so it’s usually just us and the dogs here. That allows me to work as much as I have to without going insane. I do have other interests. I’m the secretary of a non-profit agency in our area, and that requires a good deal of my time. We have many friends, and I love to see them, but unlike most of them, I am not retired and I don’t expect to be any time soon. Then there are my dogs. It’s good to be adored.
How do you choose your characters’ names?My characters kind of name themselves. I’m working with one now who insists her name is Jos. That’s rather unconventional, so I had to come up with something reasonable to make that work as a sobriquet. It turns out that she’s named Jo Jessamyn, and her family shortens it to Jos. Those not close to her don’t know any better and call her “Jo,” which she hates, but then she reminds herself that her mother is called “Girly,” and no one but her father knows her mother’s real name. The characters seem to come up with their own given names, but surnames are a challenge. I often go through several before I find one that feels right and isn’t repetitive. After ninety-plus books, just not repeating myself is an issue.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?My children, hands down. I was told I’d never be able to carry a child to term, and I fought hard for the two I was able to birth, suffering numerous miscarriages along the way. Perhaps that’s why I tried to raise everyone else’s children, too. LOL. When people ask me how many children I have, I never know exactly what to tell them. Um, two for sure. Three, pretty solid. Could be four. Maybe five. I love them all. I’m proud of them all. God had blessed me, especially in my sons and with a husband who was willing to take all comers.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I was raised on a ranch, so I’m tempted to say a horse, but the truth is I’d probably be a dog. My two mutts are basically useless, but they love without question and spend most of their waking moments at my side. They are slavishly devoted and as happy to see me after an absence of five minutes as five days. They are so easily pleased: an occasional pat, a little rub, a slice of my apple … My husband says they are big furry doorbells because they let us know anytime anyone is on the place long before any visitor can make his or her way to the door. I can hear Silky, the 85-pounder, snoring on her bed behind my chair as I type this. When I get up and go in the other room, she will be at my heels. Her sister, Bean, will be waiting by the fire for me to sit down, then she’ll creep up into my lap, all 55 pounds of her, and lay her head on my shoulder. They are happy, utterly content. Sounds good to me.
What is your favorite food?Only one? I suppose I have to say Italian, but I love to cook, and I can’t think of many things that I don’t like. My sons are great cooks, too, real foodies, and we’ve all been blessed to travel extensively, so we’ve gotten to eat in some great places, but we all agree that if there is one place we’d all go back to just for the food, it would be Italy.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?Hm, my problem has always been that I have more ideas than I can get to; not enough hours in the day or days in the week. Too often, what publishers think the reading public wants is not what I want to write. Publishers are always looking for the next big thing, then they all jump on the bandwagon and beat the horse to death. When something catches the public’s interest, they try to replicate it a billion times over, all the while waiting for the next big thing to break out. They do this without realizing that their attempts to replicate PAST success actually prevents––or, at the very least, slows down––their discovery of that next big break out book/genre/subgenre.
I actually had an editor say to me that I should just do what everyone else was doing. When I replied that I wanted to do something different, something unique, she replied, “Well, yeah, that, too.”
Fortunately, we no longer have to depend on standard publishers to get our work out in front of the public. I’m a writer, not a promoter or a formatter or an artist or an editor (although I’ve done some of that). I write. That’s what I’m called to do; that’s what I want to do. So we incorporated a company, SillyPa Publishing, and have struck out on our on into self-publishing. One of my sons is an artist; he’s handling book covers, promotional videos and websites. One of my sons is a salesman/vendor; he’s handling coding, formatting, distribution and promotions. My agent, who worked extensively in television and radio production, is editing for me. We will see what God does.
This is not the first time I’ve had to reinvent myself to continue publishing, which is not to say that I am abandoning traditional publishing. I’m putting together a new series for Love Inspired now. But I’m excited about where God is taking me with this new venture. He’s never failed me. I often fail Him, despite my best efforts, but He has never failed me.
I so agree with you about all of your last answer. Tell us about the featured book. A FAMILIAR LOVE SONG is the first book in the HOBBY RUN Variety Praise Band series. Ten musicians meet at a battle of the bands contest and gravitate together because of their Christian faith. They play different types of music and are of all ages from 20 to 60-plus. Only two of them are professionals, but they put together a unique sound that impresses the contest producer, Maggs Marko, and she offers them a steady gig at her alcohol-free venue, The Milking Barn, which is, yes, a converted milking barn.
Maggs has more on her mind than twice monthly band performances, however. The oldest member of HOBBY RUN is the man she left 25 years earlier. It was one of the biggest mistakes of her life. She walked out on their marriage and would give anything to change that, but she has terrible secrets. They’ve both become Christians, and Wyatt cannot deny that he’s still in love with Maggs, but forgiving her will take a superhuman kind of love and more faith than he’s sure he has. Along the way he learns not only Maggs’s secrets but a great deal about himself and his best friend, Drew. Is Maggs just a familiar old love song that he can’t get out of his head, though, or is she God’s will for the remainder of his life?
One of the most exciting things about this new series is that a good friend of mine, award-winning gospel music writer Joyce Powell, has agreed to write original music for our promotional videos. We’ll be laying down tracts for that soon––just as soon as the snow melts on the roads here.
I’m excited about this venture for you. Please give us the first page of the book.Wyatt Ogilvie. In the flesh. The silver hair shocked her more than the few extra pounds or the scruffy beard. Though no longer dark, his hair remained thick and full, the hairline receding just a bit. His features had thickened slightly, but she’d have known him anywhere. Actually, he looked good, better than she’d have expected after all these years.
Had it really been nearly a quarter of a century since she’d packed her car and driven away from him? Not only had that been another decade, it had been another life, even another state. She’d been stunned to see his name on the list of entrants here in Fayetteville, Arkansas, so she’d taken her time looking him up. Three days into the competition, he and his partner were still here, and she couldn’t resist the temptation to seek him out any longer.
Would he recognize her? For some time now, she’d been bleaching her light brown hair blond in order to hide the gray that had begun to infiltrate her long locks. She wasn’t ready for that, though the delicate lines around her dark eyes proclaimed the years even without the gray. Lightening up on the eye shadow had helped, but she didn’t kid herself. She hadn’t spotted sixty on the horizon yet, but fifty was looking smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror.
She calculated Wyatt’s age. Sixty? Sixty-one? Man, he looked good for the big six-oh. She shook her head. Wasn’t fair. Men aged so much better than women. He could still play that guitar, too.
Watching his fingers pick those guitar strings, she tried not to let his husky, raspy voice pluck her heartstrings. His voiced used to be mellow, velvet––she still remembered the sound of it in the dark––and slurred when he was drunk or thunderous when raised in anger. He sounded raspy now but still retained enough elasticity to cover nearly two full octaves, and he’d lost none of the expressiveness that had made him one of the finest lead singers she’d ever heard.
People still stopped to listen. His audience presently consisted mostly of other performers. They lined the canvas-covered hay bales stacked to create sound-containing walls in the sprawling labyrinth of corridors, alleys, dressing rooms and rehearsal areas behind five main stages erected in an octagonal shape across 100 acres of open field at the county fairgrounds. Topped with treated plywood, the enclosure became a watertight city of sorts, complete with electricity, wi-fi, and air units strategically placed. The crowds of paying fans sat or stood on the bare ground in front of each stage, no matter the weather, but the performers and their equipment were protected. Fortunately, because most of the competition took place in the evenings, Arkansassummers boasted far cooler nights than days, and so far nary a rain cloud had darkened the horizon.
Wyatt finished the song, and a young stagehand hurried forward, clipboard in hand, to announce the lineup.
“In ten, Wranglers on Stage One, Unit Nine on Stage Two, Young Rockers on Stage Three, Big Bass on Stage Four, Folk-a-Billy on Stage Five. Let’s move it, people.”
As the college-aged functionary called off the secondary lineup, Wyatt turned to put away his guitar. Maggs laid aside her own clipboard and made her way through the milling throng in the backstage alley at the Second Annual Battle of the Bands. She hitched her thumbs in the belt loops of her spangled jeans and came to a stop behind him.
Striving for a playful tone, she said, “I told you smoking would ruin your voice.”
He neither turned nor paused in what he was doing. “I stopped smoking eighteen years ago, Maggs,” he replied quietly.
So he had seen and recognized her. She wondered if he’d have sought her out on his own, if he’d have spoken at all if she hadn’t pressed the issue. Probably not. Struggling not to feel disappointed, she put on a smile.
Arlene, I can hardly wait until my copy of the book gets here. I’m anxious to read it. How can my readers find you on the Internet?Arlene James Facebook pagewww.arlenejames.comdeararlenejames@gmail.comwww.chatamhouseseries.comand soon: www.hobbyrunbooks.com

Thank you, Arlene, for sharing some of your life and 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.

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DANDELIONS FOR DINNER - Valerie Comer - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Valerie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?Lena, I'm so excited about what's happening for me in writing and publishing. Dandelions for Dinner is the fourth book in the Farm Fresh Romance series, and I plan to write two more this year. Plum Upside Down is planned for release in the summer, and the final book in the series in late 2015 or early 2016.
I'm also writing and releasing five Riverbend Romance novellas this year. The first, Secretly Yours, is already out, and Pinky Promise is in final edits for an April release. I'm nearly finished writing the third one. Yes, I'm keeping busy!
Tell us a little about your family.My husband and I live on a small farm in Western Canada, and we have two adult kids. Our son, daughter-in-law, and their two-year-old daughter live in a modular home on our farm. We love seeing them nearly every day. Our daughter, son-in-law, and their two daughters (ages five and three) live about 90 miles away, and we see them about twice a month.
My daughter is also my cover designer and illustrator. It's a delight to me to see her follow her artistic passions and grow a home-based-business of her own. It's also fun to have someone to talk shop with in a closely related, but not exactly the same, industry.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?It took years to level out my reading after I started writing. Now I set aside time for fiction every night before bed. Good thing I prefer Christian contemporary romance, because that’s a genre that doesn't tend to keep me awake as suspense would do! I love reading what my peers are writing—and what readers are gobbling up.
What are you working on right now?I'm "this" close to having completed the first draft of the third Riverbend Romance novella. I'd hoped to have it finished in February, but life got away… and it wasn't just that February was a short month! I've also gotten a good start on the fifth Farm Fresh Romance, Plum Upside Down, and that will fill my writing hours for most of the next three months. I'll also be editing and releasing two novellas during that time.
What outside interests do you have?In 2015, my writing career is my major focus. My husband and I always plant a vegetable garden, but we'll be scaling back this spring. We're looking forward to a three-week vacation on Vancouver Island in June, where I'll be doing research for my next series while we comb the beaches, fill up on seafood, and relax to the sound of the surf.
This spring I'm co-leading an Alpha group in my church and finding it challenging and exhilarating to watch people grapple with the big questions of Christianity. It's a wow experience for me as well as them.
How do you choose your settings for each book?The Farm Fresh series all takes place on (fictional) Green Acres Farm in (fictional) northern Idaho, so that setting chose me several years ago. But to be a viable setting for one of my stories, a place (fictional or real) needs to have interesting things going on in local foods and sustainability. This has been a major part of my stories since the first Farm Fresh Romance, Raspberries and Vinegar (now free in e-book everywhere), and I don't see my focus shifting away. These are the unique aspects of my life that God has prompted me to share in story form, and I'm enjoying the process of looking at the assorted related topics from many angles.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?How much a part of me it would become. Sometimes I regret not starting to follow this dream earlier. Now I can't imagine life without my fictional characters and worlds. They've brought me so much joy and creative satisfaction.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?To take nothing for granted. I've had a few health issues in the last few months that counter-balance the success I'm seeing as an author. My health—my very life—is a gift from God. Each day, I thank Him for the new readers He's brought my way and ask Him to use the words He's given me to bless and/or challenge. Each day, I thank Him for imagination and the power of story. I'm awed to be in this position. Every day is an adventure.
It most certainly is. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?Being an indie author/publisher is more rewarding than I ever imagined it could be. Don't be afraid to dip your toes into indie waters. You may find yourself happily swimming like a dolphin!
Write in series. I'm seeing strong sell-through from book to book. Once readers get to know a group of characters and a setting, they want to follow them around for a while. I changed my plans mid-stream from a three-book series to six. Dandelions for Dinner is the fourth Farm Fresh Romance novel, and readers are definitely picking up steam.
Grow your newsletter list. This is the best way to maintain your readership. I wrote a short story last fall and offered it to my email list. The story stands as 2.5 in my series. I figure that if someone has read the first two books in the Farm Fresh Romance series and is looking for more, they're ripe for my email list. My list has grown by over one hundred readers per month since adding the short story as bait for my list at the end of every book. Sure, some get the free story then unsubscribe. That's okay. The vast majority stick around and eagerly await news of the next release.
Tell us about the featured book? Dandelions for Dinner
She hates him. He loves her not.

Men are weeds. Allison Hart doesn't need them in her carefully tended life, though her friends at Green Acres seem happy with their guys. Why can't Allison open her heart to anyone but her young nephew? Then again, he'll be a man one day, too. If only the irritating contractor in charge of building her home and farm school wasn't the boy's favorite person.

Fireworks with Brent Callahan's newest client shift from antagonism to the rocky possibility of a relationship. When he comes face to face with a history he'd much rather forget, he realizes hiding his failures isn't the best option for finding forgiveness, let alone love.

Can a little boy help weed out the past before it chokes their future together?
Please give us the first page of the book.Allison Hart had perfected the art of staring out the window and checking her watch simultaneously. The contractor said he’d be here by ten, and it was now quarter after. If guys could be on time driving in Portlandcity traffic, how hard could it be on northern Idaho’s rural roads?
Waiting. Who had time for it? She tapped her foot and crossed her arms, not that there was anyone to see her. No one who lived at Green Acres was home today except her, which suited Allison just fine. She’d arrived at the communal farm three days earlier, and she’d already experienced about all the togetherness she could handle.
The rumble of a vehicle grew louder, and a white pickup with the emblem of Timber Framing Plus emblazoned on the side turned into the driveway.
Finally. Allison strode for the door, buttoning her cardigan against the cold March day as she went.
The contractor slammed the truck door and turned toward her, hard hat in hand.
Wait a minute. This wasn’t Patrick at all. This guy had a shock of black hair — unlike Patrick’s thinning salt-and-pepper — to say nothing of those dark brown eyes, slightly angled. Skin that on anyone else might look tanned but combined with the rest definitely tagged him of Asian descent.
Japanese? Thai? Didn’t matter. He could be Martian for all the difference it made. The biggest problem was, he wasn’t Patrick.
The guy tucked his hard hat under his arm and stretched out his hand. “Hi, I’m Brent Callahan from Timber Framing Plus.”
An Irish name? Unexpected.
“Allison Hart.”
He had a strong grip, like he knew what he was doing, even though he didn’t have the other man’s years of experience.
“Where’s Patrick?”
“Back in the office. He sent me out to check the footings.”
The wind had built up speed crossing the Galena Valley to get to her. Would it slam straight into the mountain beside the farm and come to an abrupt halt or find some other direction in which to continue? Either way, she should’ve worn something without the big holes in her bulky cardigan. She wrapped both arms around herself in an attempt to stay warm. “I was under the impression he was coming himself. I have a list of questions for him.”
Brent grinned. “Nothing I can’t answer, I’m sure. I’ve worked for him since high school.”
Her eyebrows shot up. When was that, last week?
“Ten years, ma’am.” He winked, set the hard hat on his head, and turned toward the construction site, where the perimeter of the new farm school lay outlined in concrete.
Ten years? That made the guy something like twenty-eight. He sure didn’t look it. Allison hurried after him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt your experience. I just expected Patrick. It’s his business, after all.”
Brent turned to face her, dark eyes unreadable. “Timber Framing Plus is a large company. We work on more than one project at a time. Patrick oversees them all, but that doesn’t mean he and his two best friends put into place every piece of wood that makes each structure.”
“But he said…” Allison’s words trailed away as she tried to recall the exact words in their discussion.
“What did he say, ma’am?”
Her temper flared. “My name is Allison, not ma’am.” It was a temptation to make him call her Ms. Hart so he’d remember which of them was the real boss on this site. Ma’am made her think of someone old with an unsavory reputation.
How can readers find you on the Internet?The best place to find me is at my website,http://valeriecomer.com. I have links there to various social media sites. Interested readers are invited to join my email list and receive “Peppermint Kisses,” a free Farm Fresh Romance short story.
Thanks so much for inviting me over again, Lena. It's always a joy to share my novel adventures with your readers. 

Thank you, Valerie, for sharing this new book with us. I want to schedule the other 2015 books on my blog. I've saved you dates for books 4 and 5 in the Farm Fresh Romance series, but I don't have the novellas on my schedule.

Readers, here is a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Dandelions for Dinner (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 4)

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

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