Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 3
May 29, 2024
Special Announcement
It will be discounted to $2.49 in a Kindle Monthly Deal which runs between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024. It will be discounted on both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca (Canada).
May 14, 2024
WHEN HOPE SANK - Denise Weimer - One Free Book
Welcome back, Denise. How did you come up with the ideafor this story? The plot for
WhenHope Sank
came about when my agent, Linda S. Glaz, learned BarbourPublishing was planning a new series, A Day to Remember, based on tragedies inU.S. history. She shared Barbour’s list of suggestions with her authors. One ofthe tragedies was the sinking of the Sultana,which occurred in the Mississippi River in April of 1865, the week afterPresident Lincoln was assassinated. The date leapt out at me because I’ve doneextensive living history and research in that time period. I learned that the steamboat was carrying paroled Union POWson their way home. The boat was severely overcrowded due to bribes andkickbacks. The boiler had been shoddily repaired. The river was at flood stage.When three of the boilers exploded just north of Memphis, Tennessee, around twothousand souls were expelled into the freezing water. Around half lost theirlives, making the incident the worst maritime disaster in the nation’s history.To make matters worse, rumors of sabotage abounded. The towns on the Arkansasside of the river—including Mound City where my heroine’s uncle runs aninn—were known hotbeds of spies, bushwhackers, and saboteurs. I chose toexplore that connection after Lily Livingston rescues Lieutenant Cade Palmer, aformer Union surgeon, from the swollen waters of the Mississippi.
If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporaryfiction, what six people would you invite and why? I’m hard pressed toanswer that question since I rarely read contemporary fiction. I think TedDekker would be very interesting to converse with. And maybe some of the big-nameauthors who have written multiple series and whose books have been made intomovies. I’m sure we could learn a lot from them!
Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historicalfiction, what six people would you invite and why? Now you’re talking mylanguage. LOL. Can I issue more invites since I’m not doing a modern party? FrancineRivers, of course. Laura Frantz is one of my favorite authors. We share a loveof writing Eastern frontier romances. Lori Benton for the same reason. ShannonMcNear and Pegg Thomas are particular author friends of mine, co-authors on aprevious Barbour collection. I’d like to ask Deanne Gist how she’s so good athumor in her historicals. And I’d love to learn more from Lynn Austin, HeidiChiavaroli, and Tamera Alexander. But I’m just getting going. As an editor atWild Heart Books, I want to invite every single amazing author I work with!
Many times, people (and other authors) think you have itmade with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem withwriting at this time in your career? Probably balancing all the attentionbook releases require with my editing work and personal life. I always feel I’mcoming up short on the marketing end. Some people are so savvy in that area.But we all have different angles and gifts…and only so much time and money togo around. I’m thankful, so thankful, that I get to do what I love and feelcalled by God to do as a career.
Tell us about WhenHope Sank.
April 1865
The Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—herparents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keepsher head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part ofArkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers.One of those partisans, her brother’s childhood friend, will soon return toclaim her hand—whether she wants to grant it or not. Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant CadePalmer is crowded onto the Sultanawith other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But afiery explosion rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigidMississippi River.
Recovering from wounds that might end his career as asurgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart.How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reporteda suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encodedmessages pass through the hotel, Lily must follow her convictions to preventanother tragedy.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Mid-April 1865
“Free Arkansas.”
The unexpected phrase, whispered a stone’s throw away at theinn’s back alley door, froze Lily Livingston’s arms in mid-swing. The dirtydishwater she’d been about to fling from the entrance to the kitchen swirledand settled in the pan, all but a defiant trickle. The speaker’s head swiveledin her direction. He’d removed his gambler-style hat, providing a glimpse oflong, center-parted black hair despite the drizzly night. Something in theslash of his frown, the alertness of his posture, caused Lily to withdraw intothe doorway.
Who was entering River Rest’s private room the back way, andwhy were they offering such a strange greeting to whomever answered the door? Experiencehad taught her to use caution where patrons of her uncle’s establishment wereconcerned. Some of the worst sorts of shirkers and criminals slaked theirthirst and sought their slumber at inns along the Mississippi these days. These days. She sniffed. Even before theCivil War made Arkansas a haven for guerillas and bushwhackers, river ruffianshad abounded—gamblers, thieves, swindlers. And worse. Much worse.
“Miss Lily, what you doing?”
The question shot through Lily with the urgency of an alerton a telegraph wire, straightening her spine.
How can readers find you on the Internet? DeniseWeimer writes historical and contemporary romance from her home in NorthGeorgia and also serves as a freelance editor and the Acquisitions andEditorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A wife and mother of two daughters, shealways pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
Connect with Denise here:
I was born in Arkansas and grew up there. I’m eager toread this book. Thank you for sharing it with my readers and me.
Readers,here’s a link to the book.
Leavea comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Voidwhere prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf ofthe enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaininglocal/federal/international laws.
Theonly notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook,Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your commentif you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
WINNERS
IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.
Carl K (TX) is the winner of Up From the Dust by Heather Kaufman.
If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble , or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.
Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... 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 or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.
May 8, 2024
HIDE AND SEEK - Dennis Jernigan - One Free Book
Welcome back Dennis Jernigan with a new children's book series. This is the first book in a three-book children's series.About Hideand Seek: Hide and Seek is the first bookin The Bairns of Bren series, a spinoff from The Chronicles of Bren. TheChronicles of Bren details the life and adventures of Lee Jennings as heprogresses from a country boy to high king of the realm of Bren. The Bairns ofBren follows the lives of Lee’s grandchildren as they embark on missions oftheir own in Bren. Young readers will delight in the adventure and suspense ofThe Bairns of Bren, Hide and Seek!
When theJennings cousins decide to play hide and seek, they have no idea their simplegame will lead them into the magical land of Bren. There, the Bairns of Brenface the daunting task of saving the kingdom from the evil Oddlings. Though thechildren become separated, they manage to stay together in spirit through themany twists, turns, and surprises they encounter along the way. Will they beable to save the kingdom before it's too late?
Whatis the significance of playing hide and seek in a mystical, magical land? When childrenplay games like Hide and Seek, they learn how to recognizedeception - especially the player who is doing the seeking. In the fantasyrealm where this story takes place, there is a literal hide and seek game beingplayed between the children, while a simultaneous and sinister game is beingplayed by the enemies of the kingdom. My goal with the story is that mygrandchildren would learn to recognize the deceptive lies of the enemy of Godand would learn to respond to those lies with truth.
What types of issues are addressed inthis game of hide and seek that are applicable to the character development ofa child? Atfirst, it takes a while for the children to recognize they have been deceived.Once they recognize that fact, they set about finding the truth and getting tothe root of the matter. They each have different gifts and talents, as well asvery different personalities. One of the things I am trying to communicatethrough this story is how to disagree without being hurtful, how to be kind toone another, how to take responsibility for their own attitudes and actions.How is the story used to teach childrento rely on God? Therecomes a point in the story where each child comes to a dead end, a time when itappears all hope is lost. In this story, each child is encouraged to cry out tothe Founders - a euphemism for God the Father, God the Son, and God the HolySpirit - and surrender their hearts and minds to the will of the Founders.
How does the children’s quest to free thekingdom from the Oddlings lead to infighting amongst themselves and how dothey resolve their differences? Each child comes to a place in which theymust recognize pride and an oversized ego. The children are encouraged to putoff pride and replace it with humility, all while trying to view their currentcircumstances from either the Founder's point of view or of another child'spoint of view.
What is the ultimate take-away you hopefor each reader? Theultimate take-away from this story is to recognize that knowing the truth willset one free, but that we never get to the freedom of that truth until we gethonest with ourselves about ourselves. Even when we think we hide from God, wemust understand that He loves us even as we hide from Him. My hope is that allwho read this story will have a better understanding of how honesty leads totruth and truth sets us free. This book is meant to be a fun read. My hope isthat it brings a lot of joy into the lives of many children.
Thank you, Dennis, for sharing this bookwith my blog readers and me. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, I’m happyto share the books with my own family.
This book is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobookformat at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hide+and+seek+dennis+jernigan&crid=2FCHGWVDJK7IM&sprefix=hide+and+seek+dennis+jernigan%2Caps%2C120&ref=nb_sb_noss
Readers, leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re readingthis on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, pleasecome to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in thedrawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
May 7, 2024
A SEASON OF HARVEST - Lauraine Snelling - One Free Book
Bio: Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of nearly 100books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have soldmore than five million copies. She and her husband make their home inTehachapi, California.She returns readers to the Nielsen sisters for the fourth and finalbook of her Leah’s Garden series.Snelling’s masterful grasp of life’s struggles in the late 1800s shines as sheweaves yet another complex, realistic, and heartfelt tale into Neilsen familylore. Turning her focus to Larkspur Neilsen’s long-awaited story, Snelling’s ASeason of Harvest artfully renders the physical and emotional strugglesof carving out a life on the plains of Nebraska.
About the story: Canher dreams for the future—and a budding romance—survive the trouble that comescalling? LarkNeilsen has carried the weight of her family’s fate on her shoulders since her recklesschoices forced them to flee their home in Linksburg, Ohio. Now she finds thisweight heftier than ever. With Del and Sythia busy tending to their own homes,and Lilac back in Linksburg repairing the family mercantile, Lark must attainthe family dream of Leah’s Garden all on her own.
To furthercomplicate matters, Isaac McTavish is back in town, putting Lark’s head andheart at odds. Her heart may be pulled toward Isaac’s persistence andaffection, but her mind is set on achieving her goal of starting a seedcatalog. While love blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate from Ohio,will Larkspur allow the same for herself?
When it becomesclear that Lilac’s new beau is not the only one who followed her to Nebraska,Lark comes face-to-face with the danger that forced the Nielsen sisters to fleeOhio in the first place.
Welcome back to my blog, Lauraine. Each of the previous books in your current series, Leah’s Garden, follows a differentNeilsen sister as the main character. What led you to save Larkspur’s story forthe series conclusion? I’d actually planned Larkspur’s story tobe first since she’s the oldest. However, once The Seeds of Changestarted coming together, Forsythia took over the story! So the first bookbecame hers.
Loyalty plays a key role in A Season of Harvest. Withoutgiving spoilers, can you hint at why loyalty is at the core of the story? Loyaltythreads through the whole series. These sisters are loyal to each other, totheir friends, and to everyone they know. Through all the books, they take careof each other so faithfully. Even their initial departure from Ohio stems fromdrastic action they take to protect each other and their family. Loyalty thenstreams over into other characters in the series, especially Isaac McTavish,who really grows into loyalty in this book. Even our villain stays loyal to hispurpose all the way through.
Whichof the four Neilsen sisters do you personally resonate with the most? Truth be told, Iresonate with each of them. But really, I tend to identify with whichever oneI’m writing at the moment! 😊ASeason of Harvest returns to a majorconflict from the first book in the series, TheSeeds of Change. Was it always in yourplan to circle back and address that conflict again in the series conclusion? It wasn’t alwaysin our plan, but as the book came together, it became inevitable. One benefit ofa great editor is that they sometimes contribute ideas, and my editor, JessicaSharpe, pointed out how key it would be for Ringwald to confront Larkspur atthe end of the series. As the book went on, it became so important to resolvethat conflict, and we kept the villain in the stories just enough to keep readersfrom forgetting about him.
What do you hope readers learn or take away from thisseries? Areminder of how important our families are. The Nielsens stood by each other inso many crises, and that’s what I would hope readers take away—just a reminderof how important your family is and how absolutely critical faith in Christ is.Salton becomes a place of healing, a place for people to recover joy. That wehave so many joys and things to learn in this life is a theme that weavesthrough all my books.
Whatled you to set these stories in the homesteading period? How was the settingimportant to the story you wanted to tell? It’s one of my favorite periods!The homesteading era was such a time of change and adventure. As for whyNebraska, I hadn’t set stories there very much yet. For Kiersti, it was specialto join in on The Seeds of Change and get to write about Nebraskahomesteaders living in a soddy because her great-grandfather, a son of Danishimmigrants, was born in a soddy in Nebraska in the late 1800s.
Isthis truly the last your readers will see of the Neilsen sisters and the restof their community? Asfar as we know!
Nowthat you’ve wrapped up the Leah’s Garden series, what are you working onnext? Aseries set in 1889 near Decorah, Iowa. Six-year-old Ruth andtwenty-one-year-old Amalia are thrown together on a ship crossing over fromNorway when their families die of cholera. Ruth’s dying mother gives herdaughter into Amalia’s custody, and the two orphans travel to Iowa to take overthe family boardinghouse Ruth will inherit. They must battle a greedy relativetrying to claim the property and somehow make ends meet for the motley band oforphans who gather under their roof, while finding a way to make this new landhome.
Where can readers go to connect with you? They can find more information about my writing and other books byvisiting my website at LauraineSnelling.com. I’m also on Facebook and BookBubat @LauraineSnellingAuthor.
Thank you, Lauraine,for sharing this book with us. I love your stories, because my father was halfNorwegian and half Swedish and both sides of his family emigrated in the late1800s and settled in Minnesota.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
Leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re readingthis on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, pleasecome to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in thedrawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
May 6, 2024
WINNERS
IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.
Sharon (SC) is the winner of Parkinson’s and Recreation by Dennis Jernigan.
Pam (OH is the winner of Rocky Mountain Promise by Misty M Beller.
If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble , or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.
Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... 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 or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 2 weeks to claim your book.
May 1, 2024
UP FROM DUST - Heather Kaufman - One Free Book
Bio: Heather Kaufman is the author ofmultiple books and devotions, praised by Kirkus Reviews for writing “acharming and well-crafted tale” (Loving Isaac). She delights inhighlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading,writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring newparks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis,Missouri.believes each of our stories is a part ofthe larger, beautiful story that God is telling, and she strives to highlightthe goodness of God through her own storytelling.
Making her Bethany House publishing debut with Upfrom Dust, Kaufman reimagines the story of Martha of Bethany in the launchof her new Women of the Way series.In each installment, Kaufman highlights a different influential woman of theBible and the Savior who pinpointed their pain, met them in the middle of theirmess, and lifted them up. Perfect for fans of Angela Hunt, Jill Eileen Smith,and the TV series The Chosen, readers of Up from Dust willexperience for themselves the life-changing power of a true encounter withJesus of Nazareth.
About the story: Martha of Bethany is a womanof dust, undone and unseen in her hurt and her loss—until everything changes inthe presence of Jesus of Nazareth.
Martha of Bethanyis no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Marthashoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings—quiet and studiousLazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and thebeginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future,hardship strikes again, and her dreams crumble into dust.
Ten years later,Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and healher husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to herpast, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues toperform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewingMartha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.
Welcome to my blog, Heather. Up from Dust is the first novel in your new series, Women of the Way. Can you please tell usa little bit about this book and the connecting element between the otherinstallments? Up from Dust presents a fictional backstory of Martha of Bethany, the sister ofLazarus and Mary. The story traces all the “many things” that worried andtroubled Martha’s heart and the Christ who pinpointed her pain, met her in themidst of it, and lifted her up. We watch Martha come of age as she worksthrough her mother’s death and the heavy responsibility of raising hersiblings. We journey with Martha as she experiences first love and learns toshoulder the mantle of womanhood, even while coping with a father who is stuckin his loss. When grief comes to Martha’s own heart, she is presented with achoice. Will she cling to her hurt more than to Adonai, the way her father hasdone? Or is there a better way forward?
Each book in the series focuses on a femalefollower of Christ, presenting a “before” picture so that when the book touchesupon events in Scripture, we feel like we know these women andunderstand their choices and reactions in a fresh way. In our familiarity withcertain Bible stories, we can gloss over names like Martha’s. I’ve begun tolinger, to let myself wonder what their lives were like and what they mighthave felt when experiencing the power of Jesus Christ. These people didn’tencounter Christ in a vacuum. They were living full, complicated, nuanced lives. . . and then Christ came, gloriously breaking into their mundane andcompelling them to respond.
Can you share with us why the book is named Upfrom Dust? What significance does this have to the story? Dust represents the bookends of life—both humanity’s humble originand destination. In the Bible, dust is an image of death and the grave, as wellas humanity’s own frailty. Throwing dust on the head was an image of deepmourning, and sitting in the dust was a sign of affliction. In the book, Marthaexperiences soul-crushing sorrow that brings her “down to the dust” (Ps 44:25).She needs a Savior who understands her and who doesn’t hold her humanityagainst her. She needs the mercy of God to find her and raise her up from dust(Ps 113:7). This is the trajectory of our new life in Christ! Dust is no longerour inevitable destination. Spiritual, physical, and emotional graves can nolonger contain the life that is transformed by Jesus. He is the firstfruits,and He continues to come to people of dust, generously lifting them up to newlife.
Why focus solely on biblical women as yourprotagonists? What role did they play in the Bible’s greater redemption story? If there was anyone who understood the worth of women, it was the Sonof God, the Word of God who fashioned her being! When Jesus walked onto thescene, the Jewish people had been sitting beneath several centuries of teachingfrom the influential Rabbi Ben Sira—teaching that greatly devalued women. InChrist’s interactions with women, He affirmed their equal worth, value, anddignity over and over again. He welcomed them as His disciples, included themin His teachings, and benefited from their service. When we see Christ in Hiscultural context, His tremendous heart toward women comes clearly into focus asHe lifts them up, restoring the dignity that was theirs from the verybeginning. From Eve’s faith in the seed that would crush the serpent, toHannah’s song that prophesized a coming King, to Mary’s Magnificat, the Bibleis full of faith-filled women—spiritual mothers whose stories are worth tellingagain and again. Like man, woman is made in the image of her God, and she wasmade to reflect His glory. By focusing on female followers of Christ, I hope tohighlight His extraordinary heart for women and how God has always delighted inusing both men and women to further His kingdom.
Your female protagonist is a recognizableone—Martha of Bethany from the New Testament. What led you to start the seriesoff with her story and her interactions with Jesus? I’ve always resonated with Martha but thought I had to temper my“inner Martha” with a healthy dose of “Mary.” During an Easter sermon in 2016,however, I was deeply struck with a new admiration for Martha and realized thatfar from diluting my inner Martha, I wanted to be more like her! Morelike the woman who took Jesus’ words to heart when He tenderly invited her tothe “better portion.” More like the woman who confessed Christ as theresurrection and the life while her brother was in a grave. When Christ bluntlyquestions her, He essentially looks her in the eye during her lowest momentwhen she is deeply disappointed in Him and asks her to confess with hermouth what she knows to be true. He is inviting Martha to come out of her fearand uncertainty and into the stability of His identity. Instead of takingoffense, Martha delivers one of the strongest confessions of Jesus Christ inthe Gospels. I want to be more like this startling woman of faith! The nexttime we see Martha, she’s doing what she’s always done: serving. But now wedon’t see a frantic Martha, and when Mary anoints Jesus, we don’t see a jealousor reproving Martha. What a beautiful, soul-lifting trajectory Martharepresents! It was seeing Martha’s growth that sparked my curiosity andsolidified her as the woman I wanted to write about.What do you hope to portray to readersthrough these books? You are seen, known, and valued by God, andyou have an important part to play in His kingdom work! God put His feet on theground in the person of Christ and empowered ordinary people of dust to walk inHis footsteps. He did it then, and He continues to empower His people to doextraordinary things today. Will we shrink back in fear or push forward intrust? Will we cling to old patterns of thought and ways of being or fullyembrace the new life He offers? He is worthy of our trust and our best, and He continuesto come to His children, meeting us in all our frailty and weakness with all ofHis sympathy, power, and strength.
How does Martha’s story mirror our ownstories today? As hard as it was to write, I wanted todepict Martha learning to live in the tension between God’s goodness and theincredibly hard circumstances He allowed into her life. She doesn’t receiveconcrete answers about certain things that happen to her, and this was anintentional choice on my part. Certainly, Martha experiences personal growthand can trace God’s goodness and faithfulness, but she really doesn’t receivean answer to her burning question: “Why?” And I think most Christians, ifthey’re honest, live in this tension too. We sing songs on Sunday affirmingGod’s goodness and then we go back to lives that sometimes don’t feel so good.There’s that one tender spot that makes no sense. And I think we can feel thispressure to put on a happy face that looks like a trusting face. Almost like wewant to “protect” God’s image by downplaying our own pain. So, we slap Romans 8:28on our wounds and paste on a smile.
But God is not honored by our denial. God ishonored when we come—like Martha—barreling down the hillside, overflowing withall our pain, pouring it out at His feet. Christ doesn’t want a “good Christianversion” of us—something that looks spiritual on the outside. He wants us.And maybe He won’t give us what we think we need. We may never know why certainthings happen. But He will give us Himself. Faith involves accepting thetension between our sovereign God’s goodness and our deep pain. It’s choosingto believe God despite feelings and circumstances. Until we can stand on the hillsidewith Martha, surrendering our understanding, our right to know why, as we clingto who He is.
What other themes present themselves throughoutthe novel? Family dynamics figure prominently in thisbook. Martha, Lazarus, and Mary both rely upon and frustrate one another, andeach has their own unique experience with their father. It can be tempting tofilter our family members’ actions through our own personal frustrations withthem rather than slowing down to truly see those closest to us.
Female friendship is another strong themethroughout the book. Martha and Gilah’s friendship is “forged in the fires ofloss and need, fertile ground that had given [their] relationship deep roots.”But as each woman’s story unfolds in different directions, the friendshipunravels and is only put back together as each is humbled in her own way.
The book presents varying responses to painand disappointment as dreams become shattered like shards of broken pottery. Oneresponse sees love as a thief, and pain as something to cling to out ofself-preservation. The other response sees love as a gift, and pain as acatalyst driving us closer to God. The question remains: Will we cling to ourhurt more than to Adonai?
Worry and fear are presented as bundled uptightly in the human heart. The disruption of God’s winnowing fork is needed tofling high all the chaff and leave behind that one necessary thing—closercommunion with Christ.
This biblical fiction story is your firstpublished novel in the genre. As a newcomer to the genre, how did you approachwriting this kind of story? With muchfear and trembling and prayer! I’m grateful for faithful commentaries and themounds of scholarship that exists on Jesus’ cultural setting. I began—quitesimply—with the Bible. I read and reread the book of John, taking the time toconsult commentaries along the way. Then I moved to a bird’s-eye view of thecultural setting, getting a feel for what everyday life was like at the time.With the broad strokes in place, I was able to begin writing and, as I wrote,fill in the many gaps in my understanding. This was where the “nitty-gritty”research came into play. I began wide and telescoped inward, all while keepingin focus a heart of worship. Any head knowledge I ever acquire about the Bibleshould compel me to worship. And then it’s from that place of personal love formy Savior that I write. During the process, I was keenly aware that I wastouching upon sacred things. Martha is my sister in Christ, and she is alivewith Him at this very moment. Even though this book is ultimately a piece offiction, the seriousness and weightiness of the topic was never lost on me,which is why I kept running back to God in prayer!
What do you hope readers will take away fromthis story? My heart behind this story is for readers tofall in love with the Word and the One the Word points to—Jesus Christ. I praythat readers will throw down my book and pick up their Bibles with renewedpassion. The God of the Bible is the same God today, and He loves His kids withthe gut-level love of a parent. We can give ourselves over to that loveeven—and perhaps especially—when we don’t understand His ways. I hope Martha’sstory encourages readers to reframe their wounds, to see their pain points asaccess points for God’s strength. There are many things that can bring us “downto the dust,” that make us keenly aware of our own need. We all have heavinessthat we carry, burdens we bear in silence, and we feel our own “dustiness” deepin our bones. I pray this story helps us all believe that God is good not ifor when but now, right here in the heaviness of our hurt, andthat we will not be disappointed when we expect Him to be faithful.
Whatcan readers look forward to in Book 2 of the series? The scope of Book2 is sweeping, and the research took me in surprising directions! I won’t giveaway who the main character is, but let’s just say it’s a lady who doesn’treceive nearly as much attention as she deserves. Book 1 took us to thecountry. Book 2 whisks us into the city. Get ready for political intrigue,family secrets, a marriage of convenience that blossoms into more, and manygrand-scale moments where the heroine must choose between safety and boldfaith.
Finally,how can readers connect with you? My website (hmkstories.com) is the bestway to find me! Once there, readers can fill out my contact form to message medirectly and sign up for my Stories and Sundries MiniMag—a monthly-ishnewsletter full of book recs, product recs, giveaways, and more! I’m alsoacross socials with the handle @hmkstories. I love connecting with readers . .. because I’m a reader myself, and I’ll gladly “talk shop” any day!
Thankyou, Heather, for sharing Up fromDust on my blog. The idea for the story intriguedme. I know my blog readers will want to read it.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
Leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
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April 30, 2024
WINNERS
IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
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Alison (MI) is the winner of The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel.
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April 24, 2024
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROMISE - Misty M Beller - One Free Book
Bio: USA Today bestselling author Misty M.Bellerwritesromantic mountain stories set on the 1800s frontier and woven through with thetruth of God’s love. Her Southern roots run deep, and she lives in SouthCarolina with her husband and children. Misty delivers an exhilarating additionto the Sisters of the Rockies seriesfraught with peril, adventure, and romance amid the majesty of the RockyMountains in the second installment, Rocky Mountain Promise.
Can youplease tell us a little bit about your new novel, Rocky Mountain Promise?
Misty M.Beller: I’d love to! Animals are far easier forLorelei Collins (our heroine) to manage than people. God seems to agree withher, for He continues to send orphaned critters her way, like a buffalo calfwith beautiful shades of white fur. White buffalos are extremely rare andconsidered sacred by the Native Americans, which puts them in high demand.Trapper and Indian alike appear in their cabin yard, some trying to woo herinto marriage so she’ll bring the buffalo calf along as dowry. Others try tosteal the calf outright. The only man who doesn’t seem interested in herunusual pet is Tanner Mason, the man who’s come to their valley to establish atrading post.
No one hassuccessfully kept a trading post open in this part of the Rockies for longerthan a couple of months, but Tanner intends to be the first. If all goes asplanned, he and his partner could eliminate the need for the summer trapperrendezvous altogether, instead supplying the mountain men year-round from theirpost.
As the annoyingadvances of the local men become more sinister, Lorelei and her family knowit’s time to take action. She moves the calf to the secure walls of the fortsurrounding Tanner’s trading post, but an entirely new danger arises. One thatmight require more than either of them has to give.
RockyMountain Promise is book 2 in the Sisters of the Rockies series. What isthe connecting element that ties each of the books in the series together?
MB: The idea initially started with four sisters going west and findingthemselves in the midst of a trapper rendezvous—not the place for fourunprotected women! The rendezvous was an event that happened every summer inthe Rocky Mountains, usually in the Wyoming area. Each book in the series tellsone of the sister’s stories as they stay in the west and build a ranch,continuing their father’s dream in a way none of them would have expected.
Do thesenovels stand alone or do they need to be read in order?
MB: Each book is definitely a complete story in itself, so I wouldencourage readers not to hesitate in reading Rocky Mountain Promise, evenif they haven’t read the first book. If you’d like to follow along with the fullfamily saga, though, feel free to start from the beginning!
Thisnovel focuses on LoreleiCollinsas the main female Point Of View. What do readers needto know about Lorelei and the traits that set her apart from her sisters?MB: I loved writing Lorelei! She LOVES animals and has a heart to healand nurture. Growing up on a ranch in the early 1800s, she understands thatanimals are important to survival, but she loves taking in any injured ororphaned creature she finds. Her encouraging heart extends to people too, butshe also possesses grit and knows how to stand her ground. In addition, she hasa strong faith that keeps her grounded in the face of uncertainty and struggle.
Throughoutthe series, readers will get to know a bit about members of the local PieganBlackfoot population who are trusted friends of the Collins family. What didyou learn about the trappers’ relationships with the Piegan while researchingthis book that you can share with readers?
MB: I love to read firsthand accounts—journals from trappers and nativesand white men who lived with the natives. I’m often surprised how some trapperskept a very distinct distance from any of the tribes, while others worked andlived among them as friends. Some tribes were certainly more open to acceptingtrappers among them than others, but I’ve also seen that the temperament of thetrapper made a big difference in how they were received by the various tribes.
Whatother themes present themselves throughout the novel?
MB: Tanner is such an admirable hero, one of those truly good guys withstrong integrity. Unfortunately, his family didn’t always recognize thesequalities, so he’s experienced more than his share of rejection because hedidn’t measure up to the expectations of those around him. Lorelei’s steadyfaith and unconditional love help guide him to the ultimate unconditional loveof the Heavenly Father. I love Tanner’s journey to faith!
What doyou enjoy about writing historical romances set on the American frontier?
MB: I tend to be a sentimentalist, so Christian historical romance is myfavorite genre to read and write, especially the adventurous and challenginglife in the Rockies. I love the simpler life, where there’s no rat race. Justhard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I’m an introvert?), and a strongfamily unit. There’s something amazing about the Rockies in particular. Theycapture my heart anew every time I see them, and I want readers to feel themajesty of the peaks and the vastness of the land around them.
Is thereanything you found challenging about this genre?
MB: It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experiencedand cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. Reading firsthandaccounts helps bring that time period to life, as well as visiting historicforts and talking with those who have studied the time period in greater depth.My family and I also love camping, and I learn so much from attempting to liveout the challenges my characters face, even if for a single night!
What willfans of romance love about the relationship between Lorelei and Tanner?
MB: Lorelei and Tanner work so well together! Tanner had his dreams shotdown so many times in his life before coming to the Montana Territory. Hereally needs an encourager like Lorelei to come alongside him and show him he’swonderful exactly the way God made him. For her part, Lorelei needs someone whowill believe in her dreams and fight alongside her for the causes shechampions. Tanner definitely proves himself a swoonworthy hero as he steps into help her accomplish her goals!
What doyou hope readers will take away from this story?
MB: Ipray this story draws readers closer to God. I pray they seek Hiswill for their life each step of the way, and that they aren’t afraid to acceptGod’s grace and the fresh slate He offers when we seek His forgiveness.
Canyou share what you’re working on next?
MB: Ooh yes! I’mgetting ready to start writing book 3 in the Sistersof the Rockies series. This is Faith’s story, the baby sister in the family. She’s all grown up now, yet herfascination with the life of a trapper hasn’t faded since she came west withher sisters three years before. She sets out for the 1839 trapper rendezvous tofind a group of trappers she can trust to join on with. Unfortunately, thatturns out to be harder than she expected.
Grant Allen signed on to help deliversupplies for the rendezvous in the Green River Valley, and figured he’d see allhe wanted while trading supplies for furs between the mountain men and Indians.He didn’t expect to be so fascinated by it all. After securing approval to stayin the mountains when the wagons return east, he signs on with a group headingout to trap.
It only takes a day after they’ve left thevalley before Grant realizes there’s something very unusual about one of the“men” in their party. Now he needs to find out who this woman is, why she’smasquerading as a fellow, and how they can keep her safe in this country ofwild animals and even wilder men.
How can readersconnect with you?
MB: I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through mynewsletter, and readers can get a free copy of one of my ebooks when they signup at this link: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook
I also love to connect at:
https://amazon.com/author/mistymbeller
www.instagram.com/mistymbeller/
https://www.facebook.com/MistyMBellerAuthor
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-m-beller
https://www.goodreads.com/MistyMBeller
http://www.pinterest.com/MistyMBeller
Thank you, Misty forsharing Rocky Mountain Promise with my blog readers and me. Your books are always page turners.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
Leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
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April 23, 2024
PARKINSON'S AND RECREATION - Dennis Jernigan - One Free Books
Dear Readers, today I’m introducing you to one of myfavorite Christian songwriters.
Bio: DennisJernigan is a songwriter and author who, with his wife of 40+ years, Melinda,makes his home in northeastern Oklahoma where they have raised nine childrentogether and now enjoy thirteen (so far) grandchildren. Foremost known for hisChristian praise music, Jernigan has extended his creativity to the realm ofauthoring books. He feels a sense of urgency to chronicle his journey with Parkinson’sDisease with the goal of encouraging and inspiring others to live well andexperience joy in spite of their circumstances.About Parkinson’s and Recreation: OneMan’s Journey Through Parkinson’s…So Far
Parkinson’s and Recreation: One Man’s Journey Through Parkinson’s…So Far is ahumorous yet sensitive look at author Dennis Jernigan’s journey through therough and rocky terrain of Parkinson’s Disease.
In Parkinson’s and Recreation,Dennis takes the reader from the devastating and dreaded moment of hearing thewords, “Mr. Jernigan. You have Parkinson’s Disease,” to the instances ofdiscovering unexpected moments of joy and peace as he came to terms with thediagnosis and symptoms he’s lived with for over five years now.
With open honesty and humor, Jernigan bares hissoul about overcoming the difficulties of fear and anxiety that often creep inwhen breaking the news of a diagnosis like this. Through stories and anecdotes,as well as practical advice, Dennis shares the beauty of his journey so far andthe myriad opportunities he’s found to make new and lasting—and sometimeshilarious—memories with his family.Whether you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease(PD), know someone who does, or whether you have no experience with PD at all,this book will prove to be a breath of fresh air to you in the chaotic worldaround you.
In a nutshell, Parkinson’s and Recreationis the story of a man who decided to change his attitude and perspective whenfaced with a dreaded circumstance. It’s the story of a man who has chosen tolive life fully…and die well.
A warning to the most pious readers: Jerniganshares a few stories teetering very near the boundaries of good taste (toalmost bawdy in nature) but all with the hope of showing the good, the bad, andthe humorous as honestly as possible.
Thank you, Dennis, for sharing this book with myblog readers and me. I know there are plenty of people it can bless.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
Leave a commentfor a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow theseinstructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at leastthe state or territory or country if outside North America. (Commentscontaining links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void whereprohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering thegiveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the entererin accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The onlynotification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure tocheck back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks fromthe posting of the winners to claim your book.
Ifyou’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, orAmazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to beincluded in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
