Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 218

SHATTERED ROSE - T L Gray - One Free Book

Welcome, T. L. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.My first book, Shattered Rose , was probably the closest I ever have been to a character. The lead female suffers from a poor body image and makes mistakes and choices based on those insecurities. I, too, had a long battle with learning to love myself and accepting that Christ chose me, imperfections and all. That was a huge victory for me. My hope is that it will be for other women as well.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I’m not naturally quirky, but I am surrounded by craziness from my husband and three children. They make me more fun and less serious, so singing “Let it go” at the top of my lungs with my daughter is up there.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?In November of 2012, I hit a point of frustration with the book market. I thoroughly enjoy Contemporary Romance and found that the chasm between Christian and mainstream romances was so huge that I wasn’t satisfied with either. At the same time, I wanted to send a message to young girls that Christ is the only one who can heal the hurts in their life. The path grew from there. Write a crossover romance that has a little heat but still shows a greater message.
The response to my first work was so positive that I decided to write another, and another. The rest is history.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I read a wide range of fiction from Christian to mainstream, paranormal to historical. My favorite remains contemporary romance, but mostly I love a book with strong characters and a heart-pounding plot that leave you in awe when the book is closed.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?I just make sure I take a little time for myself each day, whether that means writing or reading or just enjoying a good show. I try to keep it all in perspective. We are a very blessed nation.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I try to pick names that match their personalities. I also like to choose names that are common. In Shattered Rose , Avery is the girl next door with a heart of gold. Jake is the heartthrob playboy, and Parker is the stable, kindhearted Christian.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I’ve had several moms email me about giving my books to their teenage daughters. They said that it made their girls want to talk to God more. They also said it opened dialogue between the two of them as they discussed the issues that were written about in my books. That truly is the greatest outcome of this journey.
Yes, it is. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I have no idea, but if I had to choose, I would pick a horse. I’d love to be outside grazing all day and still have the freedom to run like the wind.
What is your favorite food?Anything pasta with lots of cream sauce.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?I am a storyteller and love picturing the scenes in my head and putting them on paper. As my journey has progressed, I’ve learned more about being a craftsman and using language and structure to enhance the story. It’s the technical polishing that is the most challenging for me. But, I’ve surrounded myself with some amazing writers who are eager to share their wisdom.
Tell us about the featured book. Shattered Rose is the first book in the Winsor Series, which is a series about healing and redemption. The series includes three stand-alone novels, each featuring different main characters, but has a story thread that’s woven throughout. The series is complete and can be found on Amazon.
Shattered Rose is told in first person from Avery Nichol’s point of view. She is in her second year at Winsor Universityand ready to tackle the world. To her delight, she is able to get a room in University Apartments where she meets her new roommate, Issy. That move will ultimately change the course of her life.
Avery is the average, every day girl. She’s smart, shy, and also suffers from extreme self-esteem issues. When she looks in the mirror, she still sees the fat girl from middle school, who was teased and tormented by her peers. So when Issy’s cousin, Jake, suddenly takes an interest in her, Avery falls hard and fast. The problem is that Jake is so broken and wounded by his own past that he walks away, shattering Avery’s heart.
Broken and lost, Avery meets Parker, and soon she begins to see herself differently. The wounds that were once so deep finally begin to heal. But just when Avery starts to feel whole again, she faces the impossible truth. Jake never really left.
This book is more than just a romance. It’s a love story between Avery and herself as she learns that her imperfections are exactly what make her so beautiful to God.
Shattered Rose has 130 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Please give us the first page of the book.PREFACENothing made sense; nothing was in focus. I sat down, desperate for the pain to stop. I didn’t know who I was anymore. Everything I once valued and held true, I had discarded without any regard for the consequences.
I could sense people around me, some even staring in my direction as I sat frozen to the bench, but I didn’t care.
The numbness was welcome. Maybe it would calm my shaking body or reach my mind, consumed still with thoughts of him. Thoughts trapped in permanent rewind, reminding me over and over again of how much I failed.
There was music playing around me, and I tried to get my ears to focus on it, to hear anything that might help me stay above the gripping, smothering nothingness that was everywhere around me.
How did I get to this point?  How did I let the chains get so tight that they were crippling every part of my body, dragging me further and further into this pit?
Screaming replaced the numbness. It roared in my head, begging me to let out its fury. But I just sat there, unable to move, trapped in a silent prison of my own making.
The truth glared at me, mocking me for denying it for so long. I was living a lie, existing in a shell of self-delusion. Tears like fire raced down my cheeks, provoking me with each drop.I had become nothing…and he knew it.
The air was getting thicker, the heaviness starting to choke me. Just breathe…in and out…just breathe.
The bench shifted slightly and a warm hand covered mine. Looking up through my tears, I saw warmth and compassion in the eyes of a stranger.
My surroundings slowly came into focus, my ears awakened to the sounds around me.
“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
The message rolled around in my head and suddenly, deep down, a spark ignited. I had forgotten the feeling as it had been so long since I’d felt anything other than despair.
Hope, just a glimmer, but hope all the same.
How can readers find you on the Internet?I am a social media nutcase. Visit my webpage at http://tlgray.com. I’m also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tlgraybooks. Twitter @tlgraybooks, Instagram and Pinterest. 

Thank you, T. L., for sharing your book with us. My copy just came this week. I'm looking forward to reading it.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) (Volume 1) - paperback
Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) - 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

MAN'S BEST HERO - Ace Collins - One Free Book

Welcome back, Ace. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?            The direction is really up to my agent Joyce Hart. She has her finger on what publishers are looking for and keeps me in the loops. My hope is that readers will still want action/adventure/mysteries because that is my favorite thing to write.
What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?       The next one will be the Book Explo in New York City, and I will signing there.
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?       Story pacing and what to study to develop the kind of rhythm needed in the Information Age.
How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?Most of my contact is over the internet as I am in a state with a low population and not a lot of groups. I do stay active with the Arkansas groups and love trading ideas, insights, and news with my fellow authors in those groups. I also try to stay in tune with the authors my agent represents. I believe that groups give a feel for what is working and what isn’t as well as the support you need to keep pushing through tough times.    
Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?        My wife and feed between 35-50 college kids at our home each Sunday night, I’m a deacon in our church, I speak at Ouachita Baptist University, I work with the local library, the fine arts group, and I speak in high schools encouraging kids to go to college.
Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?         From a career standpoint first and foremost would be my wife. She is bright, energetic and believes in my abilities. Next would be Louise Mandrell who pushed me into the writing game and has supported me each step of the way. Third would be Lassie … yes, the dog … doing the first Lassie book really put my career at a different level. Fourth is Ric Cox, an editor who taught me so much when I first got into fulltime writing. And last would be the agents who have sold my work over the years.
On a personal standpoint, my parents, my grandparents, my wife, and a host of friends who have and continue to inspire each day with their small acts of compassion.
If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?            He loved to laugh, sing, and serve and always believed as good as today is tomorrow would be better. He was blessed.
Tell us about the featured book.      I have so many books out right now I could highlight several, but as I have a nonfiction project hitting shelves in June, I will spotlight Man’s Best Hero .
From Lassie to Old Yeller to Rin Tin Tin to Marley, dogs have stolen our attention and our hearts. In real life, our own pets are more than just canine companions; they are members of our family. And for some, they are heroes and brave servants.
Man’s Best Hero is a collection of short, dramatic stories about dogs that have gone the extra mile. Though not trained to perform heroic acts, circumstances and the remarkable bond between the dog and its owner led these animals to perform amazing feats that defy logic. Whether it is saving a drowning man, jumping in front of a truck to push a toddler to the curb, or tearing the burning clothes off a child’s back, the actions presented in these stories display courage, loyalty, intelligence, and other admirable qualities of life and faith.
These compelling portraits, told first in the words of the dog and then through exciting narrative that recounts the dog’s actions, will touch reader’s hearts and will leave them with a greater appreciation for their furry friends.
Please share the first page with us.  Out of all of the world’s creatures, the dog is the one that truly needs to love and serve to be happy and fulfilled.
This book focuses on dogs that have earned the title hero. Their stories are as varied as their backgrounds. From a four-pound terrier that initiated a mighty movement during World War II, to a massive canine that fought a frigid winter storm to save the man he loved, to a dog that brought hope to those whose spirits were crushed by the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, the animals in these pages have accomplished things far beyond what people believed they could. So in a sense these tales are both inspirational and comforting, but that is not the purpose for placing them in this book. The real reason for telling these amazing stories is to fully present the potential of all dogs, including those in your home right now. All of these canines, be they purebred or mutt, are looking for a calling, yearning to find their potential, and wanting to live out the challenge once issued by the great missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but I do know that the only ones among you who will truly be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Thanks to a bit of help from humans, the dogs in this book found a life of service. And that is the challenge for each of us as pet owners. We should not just furnish them a home but also provide our companions with a reason to live.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?www.acecollins.com@acecollins
Looking for me on Facebook under my name Ace Collins
Thank you, Ace, for sharing this book with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. - Amazon
Man's Best Hero - eBook [ePub]: True Stories of Great American Dogs - 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

WINNERS!!!!!

Angela (KY) is the winner of  The Nurse's Perfect Match  by Narelle Atkins.
Susan (TX) is the winner of His Chosen Bride by Rhonda Gibson.
Melissa (NC) is the winner of Fatal exchange  by Lisa Harris.
Diana (IN) is the winner a  A Romance Rekindled  by Kimberly Rose Johnson.
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Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

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MOMS' NIGHT OUT- Tricia Goyer - MOMS' NIGHT OUT devotional - Kerri Pomarolli - 2 Free Books, Plus More

Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of more than forty books, drawn from her experiences as a teen mother and leading voice of hope for women in today's generation. A key note speaker at the 2013 MOPS convention, Tricia writes regularly for several popular Christian women's blogs in addition to her own. She has been married for more than twenty years and is the mother of six children. 
Moms' Night Out Tricia GoyerB and H Publisher Group
It's one night out, what could go wrong?!
Moms' Night Out is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life---where
everything can go wrong and still turn out all right. All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms' night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours---what could go wrong? Chronicling one night out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self-doubts many moms feel . . . then reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home. Moms' Night Out is an endearing, true-to-life comedy.
Kerri Pomarolliis called Hollywood's "God Girl." She is an accomplished actress, comedian, published author, Christian speaker and veteran of television---with credits that include 29 appearances on The Tonight Show and Comedy Central.
Moms' Night Out . . .and other things I miss! Devotions to help you surviveKerri PomarolliB and H Publisher Group
As a mom, couldn't you use a good laugh?
Inspired by the endearing, true-to-life movie Moms' Night Out, comedian Kerri Pomarolli has created this light, yet inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh, but will also help you discover that indeed you are not alone, and that God's gracious provision of love and faithfulness is at work in your life and of your loved ones. Whether you're running full-speed-ahead or disappointed that it's Monday (again), you'll find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, messy kids, lost pets, never ending casseroles, forgetful husbands, and the desire to just take a long bath . . . This world can be a funny place, and these stories are bound to prove it. Read a devotion to brighten your morning, or catch a few words to make you smile before bed. There's never a bad time for a good laugh, and as a Mom, you need a Moms' Night Out . . . and other things I miss! Devotions To Help You Survive. 
Welcome, Kerri. Tell us a little about yourself and your background. I’m that spirited kid that didn’t get enough attention in childhood so I started putting shows on in my basement with my Fisher Price record player! I was always acting and performing and started doing it professionally at a young age. I got a BFA in Theater from the University of Michiganand then moved to L.A.to get into film and TV. I was always a talker, but I transitioned into writing when I penned my first book in my 20’s, If I’m Waiting on God Then What Am I Doing in the Christian Chatroom?                                                                                                                                                            How did you become interested in writing?  I’m too old to say I began with blogging! As a comedian, I have been asked to write humorous articles for magazines and newspapers. Then, I wrote a couple of books. I love writing and people say I write like I talk. That’s why I’ve never written fiction because everything I write about actually just happened to me. I love the thought of sharing all my “issues” with the world. And before Facebook, writing was my outlet.                                                                                                                                                       What compelled you to write a book on this subject?  The Moms’ Night Out devotional is connected with the movie Moms’ Night Out. I had to write a whole book in thirty days. I’m a mom, so I did it! It was crazy insane, but challenging. I wanted to write a book for the “anti-Pinterest” mom. I’m not cute. I don’t do crafts. I can’t cook well and I steal candy from my kids. I still look up ex-boyfriends on Facebook. What does God think of me? Does God still love me? Of course He does! Now, let’s laugh and learn together.                                                                                                                                                            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? You are not alone. You are not more messed up than your friends. They’re just lying! You will never be perfect so stop beating yourself up. I want readers to laugh out loud at the truth of my life and feel like they are with a friend. I held nothing back. I laughed, I cried, and I ate Nutella while I wrote the book. I hope they will find some joy in the stories and some lessons from the questions we asked.                                                                                                                                                                          Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?  We are all messed up! Let’s get real. Let’s stop trying to be our mothers, and stop trying to please our mothers and everyone else around us. I learned a lot about myself as a mom while I was writing this. I learned I’m too obsessed with others’ opinions of me and I have a severe addiction to social media. I watch TV shows that are questionable and sometimes feel guilty about it. I need to deal with some of this nonsense in my life and I need to get some more one-on-one time with God.                                                            What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?  People are telling me they “wet their pants” reading my book. I think that makes it different than Jesus Calling. I have Jesus Callingand I read all the devotionals while I was on the potty. I think mine is a nice compliment to the others because sometimes you really need a huge laugh break.                                                                                                                                                         How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?God told me once I was going to be His walking testimony. I have a big mouth and a fun, crazy family. If He can help me, He can help anyone. I tell stories. I do comedy. I tell others that God not only still cares about you, but He wants to help us in the journey. He knows we’re tired but he wants us to find some relief while we’re down here on earth. I’m on the road about 40 weeks a year basically telling my stories and seeing miracles along the way.                                                                                                                                                                                Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?  Isaiah 43:2: “When you walk through the waters you will not drown. When you walk through the fire you will not get burned. For I have redeemed you.”
When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?         Facebook, Instagram, watching 80’s movies, pretending I’m going to cook and then eating out with my husband, pretending I’m going to work out.                                                                                                                                                                       As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?Please pray for me and my husband out here in Hollywood. We’re working as Christians out here and trying to do what God has called us to do. My heart is to be here for my kids and also make an impact in Hollywood. I just would covet your prayers for Ron and I.
Tell us about the book. It’s called Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss . It’s a devotional for anyone who has a mom or is a mom or just wants to laugh. It has short chapters with lessons and questions and Scripture at the end. The chapters are about me, my kids, my hormonal rages, my parent-teacher conferences, and feeding my kids Tic Tacs from the bottom of my purse. My message is about survival! We will prevail!
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?  www.kerripom.comTwitter: Kerri PomInstagram: KerriPom
Facebook: Kerri Pomarolli (I need friends!)

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer has written the novelization to the much-anticipated movie, Moms' Night Out. Don't miss this hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

And, look for the companion devotional written by comedian Kerri Pomarolli,  Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.

Tricia and Kerri have teamed up for the "No More Frumpy Mommy" challenge.


Motherhood can sometimes seem like survival of the fittest. Every day brings its own troubles, and by the end of the day, you’re spent. Between school, soccer practice, cleaning, laundry, cooking dinner, putting away dishes, and keeping your kids from going at each others’ throats, the last thing on your mind is getting away for an evening. If that’s you, you’re invited to take part in Tricia and Kerri's No More Frumpy Mommy challenge.
Tricia and Kerri will choose 10 winners to receive a Fandango gift card to see Moms' Night Out, as well as copies of Moms' Night Out (the book) and Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss.

One grand-prize winner will receive $200 to put toward her own moms' night out or her own moms' night out "ride" (getting her car detailed and cleaned).
GO HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE!
Thank you, Tricia and Kerri, for sharing your books with us today. I haven't read Tricia's book yet, because when it arrived, my husband started reading it right away and isn't finished. I plan to use Kerri's devotional as soon as I finish the devotional book I'm using right now.

My daughters and granddaughters took me to see Moms' Night Out, the movie, last night for our Mother's Day celebration. The movie is the funniest movie I've seen in a long time. I'm not sure I ever laughed that much in a movie. There were serious moments that brought us to tears, too. I highly recommend this wonderful movie.

These two books are available in retailers and online in the US, Canada, and some other parts of the world.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of one of the books. 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

AT THE EDGE OF A DARK FOREST - Connie Almony - One Free Book or Ebook

Bio: Connie Almony is trained as a mental health therapist and likes to mix a little fun with the serious stuff of life. She was a 2012 semi-finalist in the Genesis Contest for Women’s Fiction and was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Winter 2012 WOW Flash Fiction Contest. Her newest release, At the Edge of a Dark Forest , is a modern-day retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” about a war-vet, amputee struggling with PTSD.
Welcome, Connie. I love modern-day retelling of fairy tales, and “Beauty and the Beast” is one of my favorite fairy tales. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.I think I leave a piece of me in everyone I write, even the villains. In At the Edge of a Dark Forest , I made Carly afraid of horses. She inherited this from me. Don’t get me wrong, I believe they are beautiful, majestic, and extraordinary creatures. However, they are also unwieldy, hard to talk to, and BIG. If you don’t know their language and you are riding one, they may run your leg into a tree or take off in a gallop with you whether your little feet stay in the stirrups or not. And yes, I am speaking from experience. So Carly has this little hang up. Good thing she has Joe, Sam, and of course Cole, to help her through it.
When I was in junior high school, I had a horse throw me the very first time I rode one. And one foot didn’t release. At least, this horse was trained well enough that it stopped immediately and didn’t drag me down the gravel road. My father made me get back in saddle and ride it back to the barn. I was horrified. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?For me, quirky is a life-style so, really, it’s hard to choose. I even teach my children quirky. My daughter thinks we live in a musical and answers me in song—that is when she’s not talking in leprechaun language. My son is a non-verbal autistic boy who knows how to make us laugh (intentionally) with the few words he can say. My husband enjoys a good belly laugh more than anything and if he can give us reason for it, he’ll do his best. If laughter is good medicine, this family will live a very long time. Yes, quirky is good!
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I can’t say there really was a “when.” I’ve always loved a good story and on occasion would try my hand at writing one. I’d often find myself narrating a TV show in my head, wondering how an author might describe a scene without the benefit of images. I should have known then … but alas, I did not. While working on my master’s degree in counseling I had a professor who handed me a graded report and told me how much she enjoyed reading it, but due to lack of research, I received a C+. Well, at least the writing engaged her!
A few years ago it all came together. My elementary-aged daughter had been writing “chapter books” ever since she learned how to sound out words. I was amazed how she could break a larger story into smaller segments, to keep the reader interested. I’d been reading books about two of my favorite Classic authors, Jane Austin and Georgette Heyer, and discovered they’d start to write a novel and didn’t even know the outcome when they began. That was the roadblock that kept me from actually putting pen to page. If I didn’t have all the answers to the questions in the tale, I didn’t think I should even try. I have since discovered that sometimes writing is the best way to find those answers. So after brainstorming with my daughter on a school project, writing a Cinderella story set in Greece, I finally decided to get serious about writing myself. You could say my daughter is my greatest inspiration.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.Through the years I’ve read all kinds of books from military thrillers, through classic literature, a little horror, and also Amish. What I require more than a particular subject is a story that draws me in to the point I feel I am there, experiencing the events as if I were the character him/herself. I love writing that uses lots of sensory information, and seem to crave “feel” the most. I think it’s because my primary perceptual style is kinesthetic. I want to feel the wind in my hair, the thump of footsteps, the burn of the tears in my eyes. When I read that from an author, I’m hooked into the story no matter what it’s about. I care for the characters, because I’m present with them.
I also seem to need at least a hint of romance in books these days. I sometimes joke it’s the mid-life crisis, but I think I’ve always been this way. However, I tend to prefer romances where the characters come to know each other at deeper levels than just the outward attraction, and find they respect and admire that person, which then leads to love. That’s the kind of romance I write as well, and certainly a main theme in my modern-day retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.”
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?This is a great question. I’m sure it helps that I work at a Christian counseling office with people who not only embody great faith, but also have knowledge of mental health issues. We counsel each other and pray together when needed. I am very blessed by this.
One thing that has helped me over the past few years I learned from one of my colleagues. She’d come in to the office very tired one morning and explained how she couldn’t sleep, so she stayed up and praised her Creator all night long. Even tired, she espoused a Joy I wanted to inhale from her experience. I’m one of those people who whenever I’m in a hurry and hit all the red lights in town I assume God is teaching me patience—again. I’ve decided, since my colleague’s disclosure that morning, I would view these moments differently. Instead of complaining about the need of another Fatherly lesson, I would use those times to be with God, praising, petitioning, chatting, and laughing with Him. Whenever I remember to do this in the small moments here and there, I feel my muscles uncoil, my heart calm, and my spirits lighten. I think it’s a glimpse of what heaven will be like. It has changed my outlook dramatically.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I use whatever comes to mind at the time, which is not the best method, believe me. In fact, I have a habit of giving most of my characters names that start with the same letter or sound. I get stuck that way. You’ll notice, in At the Edge of a Dark Forest , my two main characters are Cole and Carly :o). Gratefully, my mind found other letters for the supporting cast. However, I often like to have multi-cultural characters in my books, because the area where I live is very diverse. For these characters, I might use a baby-name website to find names with origins in certain countries.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Oh, that’s a hard one. There are lots of little things in life that I’ve seen the fruits of, and have felt God’s words in my heart saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” but I can’t really pull out one big one. If I had to pick, it would be the actually completion of my first manuscript. After many years of not having an opportunity to be creative, that manuscript pulled something from the deepest part of me and reminded me that I was meant to be creative … and I completed it too! That was the scariest part.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I used to love wild cats as a kid. They were sleek and mysterious, and I was … not :o). My grandfather owned a pet puma (named Kitty) and babysat his friend’s cheetah on occasion, so maybe my love of wild cats came from him. However, today I’d like to be a yellow lab. They are strong, friendly, loyal, and lovable.
What is your favorite food?Did I mention I’m gluten free? Probably not. I used to be a breadaholic, but since I eliminated gluten from my diet, I no longer crave it so much. Now, my addiction runs to the chocolate variety. Especially since scientists have discovered all those lovely antioxidants in it. At least that’s what I tell myself when I NEED a Heath bar.
I love Heath bars. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?As I mentioned above, my greatest roadblock was the feeling that I needed to know all the answers before I began the work. I read a biography on Georgette Heyer that contained actual letters from her to her editors. In them she’d outlined scenes from books I’d read. In those outlines she’d often have statements like, “I don’t know how I’m going to get him to do that,” or “I don’t know what will occur to make this happen,” and I realized I didn’t need to know all the details to begin. This was a mighty weight lifted off of me, because I’ve discovered beginning the story helps me come to know the characters better, which in turn gives me better answers to these questions than anything I could have drummed up before I’d met them.
Tell us about the featured book. Cole Harrison, an Iraqwar veteran, wears his disfigurement like a barrier to those who might love him, shielding them from the ugliness inside. He agrees to try and potentially invest in a prototype prosthetic with the goal of saving a hopeless man’s dreams. Carly Rose contracts to live with Cole and train him to use his new limbs, only to discover the darkness that wars against the man he could become. At the Edge of a Dark Forest is a modern-day retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” Only it is not her love that will make him whole.
Please give us the first page of the book.Cole hobbled up the snow-covered path, his metal crutch doing the work of his missing left leg. He turned to climb the wooded hill to his favorite perch for one last look. Knowing it would take five times as long as it did when he was a kid—having two arms and two legs back then—he scrambled up the frozen incline, using his right arm stump and dragging the crutch along beside him. He’d been a Marine. He’d do this or die.
In fact, he was counting on the latter.
Cole could never take his own life. Somehow, the thought of his remaining manor staff finding his body didn’t set well with him. Most of them had been on the payroll since before he was born and were more family than his own parents had been. No, he wouldn’t leave his remains for them. But maybe he could challenge God—or at least the elements—enough to where one or the other would finally do the deed.
Was that what drove him to this climb during a blizzard in freezing temps? He’d told Mrs. Rivera, the housekeeper, he needed to go camping—a necessary means of transitioning from war to civilian life. Regardless of the fact he’d been transitioning for years now and hadn’t bothered to pack any gear.
She knew not to stop him. Not that she couldn’t, given his current condition. But had she done that, it would have left him feeling more impotent than he did now. He suspected she knelt by her Baby Jesus statue, at this very moment, rolling beads through her fingers as she mouthed the Hail Mary over and over again.
Lotta good that would do.
Cole’s moments “transitioning” only doubled in frequency rather than dwindled. He’d started back when he still wore a prosthetic arm and leg, but after months subjecting them to the cold and rain, night and day, they rubbed against his skin, chafing and burning, making him feel more caged than free. He’d finally chucked them over a precipice one morning, vowing never to wear any fake parts again.
How can readers find you on the Internet?You can findme onthe web,writing bookreviews for Jesus Freak Hideout,and hosting the following blogs:InfiniteCharacters.com and LivingtheBodyofChrist.Blogspot.com. You can also meet me on these social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads

Thank you, Connie, for sharing your life and new book with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.At the Edge of a Dark Forest (Fairwilde Reflections) - Amazon
At the Edge of a Dark Forest: A modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast (Fairwilde Reflections) - 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

LAND OF MY DREAMS - Norma Gail - One Free Book

Welcome, Norma. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.Writing myself into my characters, was never my intention. I was quite surprised to see how much of me comes out in them. I cannot say the struggles of my characters in Land of My Dreams parallel my life in any way, but the spiritual lessons they learn are very much the lessons I have learned in my own life. Many of the situations they find themselves in are things I have experienced, or similar. I’m not certain it is possible to avoid writing yourself and your experience into a book.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I asked my entire family and no one would give me an answer. The most unusual thing I have ever done was to meet a second cousin on a genealogy message board and plan a trip together. We began communicating and the next thing I knew, she, her mom, and two sisters were coming to visit. My mom met hers once when they were in their teens. My husband said I was possibly inviting axe-murderers into our home, but I ignored him. After all, we had a Christmas card photo from 50 years ago and they looked very normal. We rented a Suburban and drove about five hours to the small town where our great grandparents used to live. We started talking when they arrived and were still talking when they left about a week later. I am totally fascinated by my family’s history and meeting “long-lost” relatives.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I have made up stories since I was little, and have always had a vivid imagination. I wanted to be like Jo in Little Women. I wrote stories and poems. Then I married, and a job and children kept me from having much time to write. After my dad died, in 1995, I wrote the first poem I had written in over 20 years. Then I compiled a biography because all the grandchildren were very young and I wanted them to know their grandfather. I began writing devotionals as openings for the Bible study, and it just kept growing. I am compelled to write things down.
I broke my foot when we were building our house, ending up in a wheelchair, unable to drive. I began putting thoughts down on paper, and received some encouraging comments from friends, so I began to attend writers’ conferences. I was offered a contract for Land of My Dreams after my second conference in 2012. My debut novel was released on April 22nd.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.My library has a large variety of fiction and non-fiction, but I have always preferred fiction. I love the classics—the stuff that most people hated in school, especially Dickens and the Bronte sisters, Nathaniel Hawthorne and George MacDonald. The characters are delightful, the settings intriguing, and the descriptions are excellent.
More contemporary authors I enjoy are Michael Phillips, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Brock and Bodie Thoene. Two non-Christian authors I also read are Kate Morton and Luanne Rice.
Because I have led Bible studies for 18 years, I study a lot. I read commentaries and have been known to sit down with an encyclopedia. When I get a chance to read for entertainment, I devour fiction.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?The key to staying sane is staying grounded in God’s word. I spent 14 years in Bible Study Fellowship, eight of those years as a Discussion Leader. I am now in my tenth year leading a weekly women’s Bible study at our church. Nothing helps your perspective like digging deep into scripture, and the responsibility of leading other women keeps you on your toes. It is impossible to lead where you have not first gone yourself. Six years ago my husband and I built our dream house in the mountains. Whether I am studying or writing, I thrive on the peace and quiet.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Since Land of My Dreams takes place mostly in Scotland, I chose names that are typically Scottish. I enjoy sprinkling the names of family members and good friends here and there to surprise them. I search for names that suit the personality of the character. I picked that up from Dickens, though I would never claim to be as original as he was. One of the most beautiful sounding names in my book is one of my least favorite characters, and that was intentional.
The main character in Land of My Dreams is Bonny, the name of one of my grandmother’s sisters. It’s feminine, sweet, and quite well suited to someone in a novel set in Scotland.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I am most proud of raising my children. Our adult children were both adopted as infants. I loved every stage they went through and am very proud of the adults they have turned out to be. I had the privilege of homeschooling our son through high school. I was a dedicated soccer mom for our daughter, who played through college, videotaping every game she played. Nothing in life can compare to the privilege of knowing that God chose us to raise them.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I would love to be an otter. They seem to have so much fun and always make me smile.
When we went to the California coast, we loved watching the otters. What is your favorite food?New Mexican food. You notice I did not just say Mexican food. New Mexicois known for our traditional foods, and nothing in any other state compares. I talk about New Mexican food a lot in Land of My Dreams . Bonny, the main character, is from the same area of New Mexico where I live. Green chile, red chile, fixed almost any way, with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My daughter-in-law even makes green chile jelly, and it is delicious.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?My biggest challenge was to write about a country I only visited for two weeks and could not return to for more research. I spent hours researching on the Internet, reading books, watching movies and documentaries, and made myself a screen-saver with over 400 photos to give me a feel for things. I also found a wonderful woman, through the ACFW romance loop, to edit for Scottish content. Amy Drown more than earned the Amazon card I promised in payment.
Tell us about the featured book. Land of My Dreams is the story of an American college professor, Bonny Bryant, who has suffered heartbreaking circumstances and longs for a haven of peace. She accepts a position at a small Christian college in Fort William, Scotland, headed by her father’s best friend.
Falling in love is something she never anticipated. When she meets fellow professor and sheep farmer, Kieran MacDonell, it is almost love at first sight. They share a deep anger toward God, for the losses they have endured. When Bonny returns to New Mexico for a visit, her former fiancé reenters her life. Four thousand miles away, Kieran’s loneliness draws him to an attractive former student. Bonny must decide between her two rivals. Both must determine if they can set aside the past to make way for a future.
Land of My Dreams spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith.
Please give us the first page of the book.Bonny Bryant knew it was crazy to even think about a man when she was headed for Scotland. The Albuquerque International Airportwas the first stop in her quest for a new life. Nonetheless, she paused to look at the tanned, trim man in the business suit as he came down the escalator. There was no harm in appreciating a handsome man while she waited for Kari, but then the familiar lump formed in her throat and she turned away, looking for her best friend.
Where was Kari, anyway? She had paused to speak to some old friends of her parents, and Bonny went on to check her bags. The bottom of the escalator was their designated meeting place. A glance at her watch showed only ten more minutes before she would have to go on. She swiped her hand across her eyes. Hurry, Kari, I can’t leave without a hug. You’re all I’ve got.
The tall man stepped off the escalator, a few feet away, and Bonny clasped her hands and closed her eyes, forcing herself to close her mouth. The similarity of his build and appearance to Adam gave her a jolt. Why did she have to be reminded of him right now?
Forcing her thoughts to the present, Bonny looked around the familiar chaos of the “Sunport” with a feeling of nostalgia. Massive wooden vigas carved and painted with bright Native American symbols provided a unique New Mexican flair, undiminished by the varied origins of the travelers. She would miss the distinctive culture of her hometown.
How can readers find you on the Internet?My website is www.normagail.com. I feature Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living through weekly devotionals and daily scriptures. About once a month I post something about Land of My Dreams or about writing, and will soon be doing book reviews and guest postsThey are welcome to email me at NormaGailwrites@gmail.com.
I have a Pinterest board for Land of My Dreams where readers can find photos of things that helped inspire the book: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Norma-Gail-Author/725237467493500. Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/102717101441594679714/+Normagail/about/p/pubGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
Thank you, Norma, for sharing this book with us. I can't wait to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Land of My Dreams - A Home for My Heart - Amazon
Land of My Dreams - A Home for My Heart: The greatest blessings come when you leave the familiar behind and take a step of faith. - 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

BOUNTY - Patricia Pacjac Carroll - One Free Book

Welcome back, Patty. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about? Forgiveness is one of my favorites. And Redemption. Hard to have one without the other.
What other books of yours are coming out soon? I am working on a series of Mail-Order Bride stories. The Mail Order Brides of HickoryStick. The first one – Caroline’s Love– should be out in June. And then I am working on the 2nd book, the story of Marcus and his lady, in the Love in Wyoming Series.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? Hmm, I think it would be Jeanette Oke. She helped start the Christian fiction line of books, and of course, she writes Christian Historical Romances.
When she was honored at the ACFW Conference, I was in a picture with Brandilyn Collins’ Mama Ruth, and Jeanette Oke was on the other side of her. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? Actually, I have a ready answer for that one. While at Barnes and Nobles for a writing day, I sat under their painting of different authors, and I was underneath Zora Hurston. I had never heard of her and looked her up. She sounds like an interesting person that I’d like to meet.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?DON’T give up. Keep honing the craft. Publishers are in a crunch right now because of the economy and the changing face of publishing, so some of the rejections could be that your book doesn’t fit their needs right now. ALSO – consider Indie Publishing. It’s not hard, and if you’ve learned the craft - go for it.
Tell us about the featured book. Bounty is about Cat Cahill, an independent young woman of Wyoming. Her mother wants her to marry a gentleman from the east. She does not. Then on one of her morning rides, she runs into Luke, and he steals her heart.
Luke Jordan is on a mission of mercy from his mother. With her dying breath, she hands him letters to give to his brothers. (A great book for Mother’s Day that shows how this mother reached beyond the grave to minister to her sons.) Sounds easy enough until you discover that Luke’s brothers are wanted outlaws. And they want him to join their gang.
Bounty is a story of sacrifice in the face of evil, love’s eternal power, and the discovery that a home is built on love and not a place.
Please give us the first page of the book.                                                     Wyoming Territory1879I love the wind rushing against my face. No … I am the wind. Laughing, Cat Cahill dropped the closed reins, extended her arms like wings, and let her horse run full out. Far from any plans to send her to Boston. Far from any fancy-pants suitors. And far from Mother’s expectations.
Leaving her troubles behind, she urged her Pegasus on. The stallion’s long stride ate up the ground and turned Indian paintbrush and larkspur into blurred ribbons of red and blue. Like flint on iron, his hooves pounded the earth as she nudged him up the twisting trail to the top of the high ridge.
As if he knew her thoughts, the gray stallion slowed and came to a stop at her favorite perch, an outcropping of granite flecked with gold. Fool’s gold, she’d been told. She leaned on the animal's neck and listened to his heart beat strong and steady. “That’s what I am, Pegasus. A fool. At least according to some in Mother’s family.”
Cat slipped off the horse and eased toward the ledge. Stretched out on her stomach, she hung her head over the rim. Even though she’d done it a hundred times, excitement shot through her as she looked at the fifty-foot drop to the river.
The stallion’s hot breath tickled her back and sent shivers down her neck. She twisted and rubbed his almost-black muzzle. “That was a good run, wasn't it, boy?”
The animal tossed his head as if in agreement.
Cat chuckled, placed her arms on the rough rock, and snuggled her chin between her hands. Her mother frowned on the wild escapades. Time to grow up. How many times had she heard her say those words?
How can readers find you on the Internet?  Email               pacjaccarroll@aol.comWebsite           http://patriciapacjaccarroll.blogspot.com/Fb                    https://www.facebook.com/patriciapacjaccarrollTwitter             https://twitter.com/PacJac  @pacjac

Thank you, Patty, 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.
Bounty: Christian Historical Romance (Love in Wyoming) - Paperback
Bounty: Christian Historical Romance (Love in Wyoming) - 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

RISE AND SHINE - Sandra D Bricker - One Free Book

Readers, I first met Sandra when we both attended a writers conference in Denver several years ago, and we’ve both been published by one of the same publishing houses. She’s a lot of fun to be around, and her books are a hoot to read. I think you’ll like reading them as much as I do.       
Welcome back, Sandie. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?   I’ve recently transitioned my brand from Laugh-Out-Loud to Live-Out-Loud fiction. My agent and I made that decision because of the unique response my readers had to my first more serious book, Raw Edges for the Abingdon Quilts of Love series. I had become known strictly for light and fun romantic comedy prior to Raw Edges, and I really didn’t know how much my readers would love something a little deeper from me that still maintained a thread of humor. So going forward, this has opened up a real opportunity for me to dig deeper with my characters and their stories. I’m very excited about that. Meanwhile, I’m still looking into several opportunities for translating some past books to film or television.
I know that the ones I’ve read would make good movies. Actually, I’m soon going to be adapting another author’s novel into a screenplay for a Christian movie. What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?    I’m not planning to attend any conferences this year because I’ve recently made a pretty significant move (from Floridato the arctic state of Ohio!), and I spent anything I might have spent on travel for the move. There is a possibility, however, that I’ll turn up at ICRS in Atlanta in June. Stay tuned.
I’m really wanting to go to Atlantaright before the ICRS. The banquet for the Golden Scroll awards are the day before ICRS opens, and I’m a finalist. I’m not sure if my husband and I will get there or not. 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 really enjoy this kind of thing. I’d love to have a panel discussion about author branding because I’m a big proponent … and many of my author buds feel like it’s unnecessary or overrated. So I’d invite people like Julie Gwinn (marketing guru), Rachelle Gardner (agent extraordinnaire), Brandilyn Collins (branding genius), and Barbara Scott (former agent and current editor). These are people I think have a lot to say on the subject, and they’re also all really personable, fun women I’d love to interact with.
I love all those women and they are a powerhouse of information. How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?ULTRA important. When a person works in Corporate America, or even elsewhere, they have colleagues with whom they can exchange ideas, keep current on marketing trends, and learn new ways to improve. As writers, group meetings and organizations help us to do that. A stagnant writer isn’t going to cut it, especially in today’s changing publishing environment. We need each other.
Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?        I participate in fundraising and awareness campaigns for various dog rescues and ovarian cancer organizations; in particular, Ovacome – the support group in Tampafor ovarian cancer patients and survivors. In addition, I am a weekend moderator for my church’s iCampus, the live stream chat room for five services a weekend at my home church, CedarCreek Church. I’ve been doing that for about three years now, I think. Previously, I also served on the writing team of their Living It Out Bible studies. I had to give it up temporarily but, now that I’m getting settled in the Toledo area where my church is headquartered, I’ll probably get involved with Living It Out again in the spring.
Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?         1. Marian Miller. She’s been one of my closest friends for something like forty years (No, you didn’t misread that! 40 years!), and she’s got what we describe as a “servant’s heart.” She’s been so good to me – and so many others. She credits me for showing her the way to her faith, but I credit her for helping to keep me strong in my own faith. She’s just inspiring.2. Rachelle Gardner. She’s my agent, but it goes so far beyond an author/agent relationship. She inspires, encourages, counsels, listens, cares … And beyond the friendship we’ve forged and even beyond anything that she actually offers ME, I really admire her as a woman and aspire to be more like her.3. Donna Eoff. She’s someone I work with in my volunteer duties at CedarCreek, and over the last couple of years I’ve started to realize what an amazing person she really is. One of those women who causes you to question when you first meet them if they can possibly be as great as you think they are. I can honestly say Donna is, and I’m fortunate and blessed to call her my dear, sweet friend!4. Barbara Scott. Without going into too many details, I’ll just say that I was dying (literally), and when no one else could invest the ridiculous amount of time and care-giving I needed, this woman put her entire life on pause and flew from Nashville to Tampa (twice!) to take care of me for a period of more than six weeks. She became my advocate with doctors, nurses, hospitals, insurance, you name it. She prayed with and for me every single day. She even loved on and cared for my lonely, confused dog! She provided the kind of assistance no one really wants to need or give, without one word of complaint, without ever making me feel “less than.” I attribute the fact that I’m still alive to God and to Barb, without question. Every time I look back on that period, I ask the Lord to help me demonstrate love for others the way she did … and does.5. Roanne Eisenbise. Roanne was my business partner for 18 years, and my friend for something like 30 years. She was unique and multi-faceted, and often difficult for others to understand. But I discovered that Roanne had the heart of an encourager. She is the person who pulled me out of an abusive marriage, set me on my feet again (along with her mom, Tone – who led me to the Lord and is my dear friend to this day). Roanne boldly told me my writing was “genius” and that, if I wanted to be a writer, I needed to start making it a priority. And then she filled in the gaps in our business so I could do just that. We went our separate ways for many years, but she called and asked me to pray with her just a week before she passed away a few years ago. When I get to Heaven, I really do want to make sure she knows I wouldn’t be who I am without her support and encouragement.
You don’t know this, Sandie, but through a dear friend of both of us, I knew about your serious illness time and about Barbara ministering to you. I prayed for both of you a lot during that time. If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be? Well done, good and faithful servant. You made a difference.
Tell us about the featured book.      Rise and Shine is the second book in my Contemporary Fairy Tales series; this one is based (loosely) on “Sleeping Beauty.” Shannon Ridgeway’s diving accident happened on her honeymoon, and she has been in a coma for nearly ten years. Waking up to the news that she’s 30 years old would have been daunting enough … but she also learns that her young groom has recently died. He has provided for her ongoing medical care, and the tiny home they bought but never moved into is still available to her, but nothing else in life is much of a sure thing. Her gorgeous doctor Daniel Petros seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon’s tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone’s life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones!
Sounds intriguing. Sorry I had to change the ampersand to the word and in the title, because ampersands do strange things on the blog post. Please share the first page with us.      PROLOGUEBega Lagoon, FijiAugust 2005“I picked up the workbook for our marriage class before we left Austin. Let’s work on filling out the first exercise over breakfast, okay?”
“Shannon, we’re on our honeymoon.”
“What better time to investigate how we can become a stronger couple?”
Edmund couldn’t think of a single retort.
“Besides, we can totally smoke the rest of those losers in the class by showing up prepared on the first night,” she said, wide-eyed and pen poised over the page like an Olympic runner standing at the line, ready to sprint. “They’ll never expect us to have the first questionnaire filled out and ready on the very day we return from our honeymoon, baby. So let’s go. Are we in this to show them who’s boss, or what?”
Edmund chuckled and shook his head as his bride leaned forward, slumping over the first page of the workbook as if it might run off somewhere.
Shannon paused to twist her long copper waves into submission, twirling them around her fist and forcing them into a messy bun secured with a second pen that she produced from her handbag. Her greenish eyes glistened with golden flecks as she lifted her eyebrows in anticipation and stared at him.
“So?” she prodded. “Are we gonna do this thing, or what?”
“Alright,” he conceded. No use in dousing the fire. “But the shuttle arrives to take us to the marina in an hour, so we eat while we do it.”
“Deal,” she said, and her perfect merlot lips curved into a victorious smile.
That smile got him every time.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?My website: www.SandraDBricker.comMy reader page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SandraDBrickerMy Twitter page: www.twitter.com/SandieBricker

Thank you, Sandy, for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait for my copy to get here.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Rise and Shine - 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

SILENCED - Dani Pettrey - One Free Book

Readers, I’m thrilled to have Dani Pettrey back with her newest book in the Alaskan Courage series. I became hooked on this series with the first book—Submerged. So as soon as Shatteredand Stranded arrived, I read each of them. When my copy of Silenced arrives, it will go to the top of my to-be-read-pile.
Welcome back, Dani. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?I love to write about a variety of themes including restoration, redemption, hope, forgiveness, and the fullness we find in Christ alone.
What other books of yours are coming out soon?Reef McKenna’s book will be out in February. I’ll be revealing the title, cover and short blurb during my Book Banter on May 23rd. You can join in by visiting Bethany House’s Facebook page.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?Narrowing it down to one person is always so hard, but I’d have to say Sue Grafton. I adore her alphabet series. I think she’s the best traditional mystery writer out there, and I’d love to sit down and chat about writing with her over a cup of coffee.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?Jane Austen. I’m an enormous fan. She was so far ahead of her time and has penned such well-written iconic characters and touching stories.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?Keep at it. Never give up. I was so close to giving up right before I received the call. My husband practically forced me to keep writing, and I’m so thankful he did. I truly believe God wouldn’t give you the love and desire to write if He didn’t have plans for it. That doesn’t necessarily mean traditional publication, but it’s not wasted time. He may be growing you, He may know your first readers or critique partners need to hear a message in your manuscript, He may be blessing you with writer friendships, and He may very well have publication in mind—only He knows the perfect timing. If writing is something you love, keep at it.
Tell us about the featured book. Silenced is Jake Westin and Kayden McKenna’s story. Jake Knew Something Was Wrong. 
But He Never Guessed How Wrong.
A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened sheriff Landon Grainger, he turns to Jake Westin for help. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again—but he could never prepare for where the mystery will take him.
Kayden's climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.
Please give us the first page of the book.Kayden scaled the rock face, the addictive burn spreading through her arms, her body. Man, she loved this—hanging on the edge of a seven-hundred-fifty-foot sheer cliff face, knowing one wrong grab meant death.
“You’re not going to beat me this time,” her younger sister, Piper, hollered, her voice echoing across the twenty-foot-wide crevice separating them. She’d been trying to distract Kayden all morning, but Kayden knew how to ignore her sister. The person who wasn’t as easy to ignore was Jake. He was watching from the base nearly seven hundred feet below with her older brother gage. The men had come along to “enjoy the show,” as they put it.
Unfortunately, putting Jake’s presence out of her mind was proving to be a lot harder than dismissing Piper’s taunts. Knowing his gaze was fastened to her was exhilarating.
Pushing off with her right foot, she lunged the eighteen inches to the next handhold, knowing the move had Jake holding his breath. She held hers until her fingers grasped the hold, heat searing through her.
Jake Westin—Check that . . . Jake Westin Cavanagh was so much more than she’d realized, and quite frankly, over the past month her deepening feelings for the man had frightened her a whole lot more than the vast leap ahead.
She reached the last overhang—a granite ledge butting out eight feet from the rock face. She’d have to boulder her way along the edge and then make the final leap of faith, praying she’d timed it right and used enough force to land on its leveled surface.
It was the deadliest point of the route—the one that separated the experts from the average. Granite crunched beneath her nails as she clawed her way across the jagged rock.
The wind, growing in force, howled through the canyon below, echoing through the crevice in a high-pitched whir.
Kayden closed her eyes and stilled her mind. I can do this. She’d mastered it before. She could do it again. Her breath caught in her throat as she pushed off and lunged through the air, stretching her fingers until they burned—reaching, grasping for a safe hold. Her fingers made contact, and she wedged herself along the rock, her hands locked on the overhang’s lip.
Her feet found a stable notch. Pushing up with her legs and arms at the same time, with sheer will and determination, she lifted herself up.
Relief swarmed inside as she crested the ledge, her arms shaking . . . and then horror struck.
A man, his skull bashed in, faced her—his visible eye open and staring directly at her.
She swallowed the vibration churning in her throat, the scream fighting to tear from her lips. Every fiber of her being said Let go, push back, get away, but wrestling instinct, she maintained her hold as she balanced on the edge of the overhang.
Glancing over her shoulder, she assessed her options. Moving back down the way she’d come at this point in the strenuous climb was suicide. Her arms were burning limbs of Jell-o, and if she didn’t make a decision within seconds, they’d give out. She needed to climb onto the ledge with the man, needed to make sure he didn’t require help, verify that he was already . . .
She squeezed her eyes shut for the briefest of seconds, trying to drown out everything else and focus. Mustering what strength remained, she hefted herself fully onto the outcrop, her body brushing against the man’s. Swallowing the bile creeping up her throat, she edged around him, scooted toward the rear of the ledge, and took a quick moment to catch her breath before shifting into search-and-rescue mode. She needed to check his vitals, make certain he was beyond help. She prayed she would detect a heartbeat, but her gut said the organ had stopped long ago.
“Woo-hoo!” Piper shouted from overhead. “Beat you.”
Fighting the wave of nausea roiling through her, Kayden stretched out her index and middle finger, feeling for a pulse.
Just as she’d suspected. Nothing.
“Kayden?” Piper’s voice grew closer, nearly directly overhead.
Kayden glanced up, shielding her eyes from the sun, as Piper leaned over the top of the face, more than fifty feet above. Her infectious smile faded as her big brown eyes fixed on the crumpled form beside Kayden.
Kayden cleared her throat. “We’ve got a downed climber on the ledge.”
“Downed or—”
She swallowed. “Dead.”
“I’ll tell the guys.” Piper pulled the radio from her harness.
Kayden nodded. “I’m coming up. Have Jake call it in.”
Wow! That hook brought plenty adrenaline even to the readers. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website: www.danipettrey.com(includes a lot of fun reader extras)Blog: www.danipettrey.com/notes/Facebook: www.facebook.com/danipettreyTwitter: @DaniPettrey
Thanks so much for hosting me again, Lena! 

I love having you on my blog. Thank you for keeping me on your marketing list.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
 - Amazon
Silenced (Alaskan Courage 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

WINNERS

Readers, sorry to be so late with the winners today.

Amanda (AR) is the winner of  Critical Condition  by Richard L Mabry.
Tonja (VA) is the winner of Fulfilling the Feasts of Israel by Velda Stearnes.
Kristen (OK) is the winner of an ebook of  Londonderry Dreaming  by Christine Lindsay.
Debbie (MD) is the winner a Meant to Be Mine  by Becky Wade.
Britney (TX) is the winner of  What Follows After  by Dan Walsh.

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.