Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 5
March 26, 2024
DOUBLE TAKE - Lynette Eason - One Free Book
Bio: Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of theExtreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, DeadlyReunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner ofthree ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s ChoiceAward, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina andhas a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in SouthCarolina with her husband. They have two adult children.With over forty books published, Lynette Eason hasbecome well known for her adrenaline-laced suspense novels. In her newest work, DoubleTake, Eason catapultsreaders into her LakeCity Heroes series. Filled with danger, mystery, and the perfect touch ofromance, this chilling novel will have fans racing through the pages as theytry to outrun a dangerous killer.
About the Story: Eighteen months ago, Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson was attacked and shot by theperson who was supposed to love her the most—her fiancé, Adam. Although Lainie survived,she continues to be hunted by someone who looks like Adam. But how can that besince she ended up killing her fiancé in self-defense?
After beinghonorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division, DetectiveJames Cross now works with his friend and partner, Cole, at the Lake CityPolice Department. When James is injured, he ends up in the hospital under thecare of Lainie. As their relationship deepens, James is determined to helpLainie by finding outif the past has come back to haunt her—or if the recent attempts on her lifecome from a new threat.
Join Lynette Eason for anotherspine-tingling thriller, where time is running out and failure is not anoption.
Double Take is thefirst book in the LakeCity Heroes series. What was theinspiration for this series? I’m notsure I was inspired—more like I grabbed some writer buddies and held themhostage until we figured it out. Seriously, I have some great author friendswho never hesitate to do some brainstorming. I did want the series to stay trueto my voice and genre. With Double Take, I actually had anoutline I wrote probably three years ago. The idea came to me and I jotted itdown, but I didn’t really have a place for it. Until it was time to submit thecontract for the next series. I went back over the idea, made some tweaks, andknew that it was the perfect first book idea for this series.
What is the connecting element between all the books in your series? The connecting element is the cast of characters and the setting. Thestories are set in the fictional town of Lake City, North Carolina, about anhour outside of Asheville.
Can you please tell readers about your protagonists, Lainie Jackson and James Cross? Lainie and Jameshave a complicated relationship from the get-go. One of her best friends isJames’s sister, Stephanie, who she’s known forever. And Lainie’s had a crush onJames for about that long. But she was resigned that he’d never see her asanything more than his younger sister’s friend, so when her ex came along, shewas vulnerable. James, on the other hand, had vowed never to let his heart bevulnerable again. When you let people get close, they have too much power tohurt you. Then along came Lainie, and now he’s fighting to keep her alive andout of his heart all at the same time. How did yourcharacters meet? They’veknown each other since childhood.
Both Lainie andJames are struggling through past issues. How are they able to help themselveswhile helping each other? Lainie and James learn a lot from each other. Honestly,James is the only man in the world who could win Lainie’s trust after herexperience with her ex-fiancé. And she still has the occasional doubt. Outsideof his siblings, James has never really had anyone stand up for him and tellothers that he’s not the loser he sometimes feels he is. When he overhearsLainie defending him to his father, he’s a goner. And it takes both of them tocatch a killer, so there’s that.
What are some of the main themes covered in Double Take? Some of the mainthemes include forgiveness, reconciliation, loyalty, second chances, and sacrificiallove.
What do you hopereaders will experience when reading your novel? First of all, ofcourse I hope that readers love the story itself, that they’re thoroughlyentertained. Second, I hope that the inner battles the characters face cansomehow resonate with readers and draw them closer to the Savior.
Where can readers purchase a copy of Double Take? Reader can purchase Double Take at all online outlets,including most local bookstores.
How can readersconnect with you?I love to hear from readers! I’m on Facebook, Twitter, andInstagram. My website is www.lynetteeason.com, where readers can sign up for mynewsletter. That’s the best place to keep up with everything going on with thebooks—and sometimes my life.
Thankyou for sharing Double Take with my blog readers and me. I love your books.
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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March 25, 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.
Maryann (NY) is the winner of Her Secret Hope by Shelley Shepard Gray.
Abigail (VA) is the winner of A Courageous Betrothal by Denise Weimer.
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.
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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.
March 23, 2024
SPECIAL $.99 SALE - A HEART'S GIFT - In the US and UK
March 26 - 30
Franklin Vine has worked hard to build the ranch he inherited into one of the most successful in the majestic Colorado mountains. If only he had an heir to one day inherit the legacy he's building. But he was burned once in the worst way, and he doesn't plan to open his heart to another woman. Even if that means he'll eventually have to divide up his spread among the most loyal of his hired hands.
When Lorinda Sullivan is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she'll never allow a man to make choices for her again. But without a home in the midst of a hard Rocky Mountain winter, she has to do something to provide for her infant son.
A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect arrangement, yet the stakes quickly become much higher than either of them ever planned. When hearts become entangled, the increasing danger may change their lives forever.
March 22, 2024
MARSHALING HER HEART - Mary Connealy - One Free Book
Bio:Mary Connealy writes“romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany,action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is theauthor of the popular series Brothers inArms, Brides of Hope Mountain,High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many otherbooks. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romanticcowboy hero. She invites readersback to nineteenth-century Wyoming as she continues her Wyoming Sunrise series. Highlighting strong western women inunconventional careers, join Connealyas she brings the American West to life in this rousing conclusion to the series,Marshaling Her Heart.
About the Story: Can they risk giving in tothe attraction between them while their lives are on the line?
Becky Pruitt has alwaysprided herself on knowing everything that’s happening on her successful ranch,so whenBecky’s ranch foreman, Nate Paxton, confesses he’s a former US Marshalinvestigating the notorious Deadeye Gang, she’s taken by surprise. With the outlawson the loose, Nate believes that Becky’s ranch might be the best spot for agroup of Marshals to use as a base and hideout.
The timing couldn’t bemore crucial for the growing town of Pine Valley, and Becky feels a commitmentto help. But after escaping the grasp of her harsh father, she’s never likedgiving up control—of her life or her ranch. Again and again, Nate’s proven himselfto her and she soon realizes that if there’s anyone she can trust with herranch—and her heart—it might be him. But the Deadeye Gang won’t go quietly, andas danger draws ever nearer, Becky and Nate find both their hearts and theirlives in peril.
Welcome back to my blog, Mary. This novel takes place in nineteenth-centuryWyoming. What else can you tell us about the historical context that influencedthe creation of the story? The historical backdropincludes the women’s suffrage movement, as well as Wyoming’s unique role inbeing the first state to grant women the right to vote. The novel’s main focus,however, is Becky—a strong, unflinching woman whois challenged with running her own ranch while her tyrant of a father does allhe can to frustrate her efforts.
The male protagonist, Nate, is a former US Marshal. Can you tellreaders more about this profession and the role the Marshals played in theAmerican West? The US Marshals are an integral part of thestory because they have the authority to cross state boundaries in pursuit of acriminal. And because the bad guys are wanted men who would likely know locallaw enforcement, the Marshals coming in from the outside have the advantage of anonymity.Nate, a former Marshal, is known by the other Marshals, who arrive to apprehendthe gang of outlaws that have been wreaking havoc in the territory.
What research was required to write about the Marshals? The US Marshals reminded me of the Texas Rangers, who were a statepolice force at a time when most law enforcement was local. So now we’re beyondlocal, beyond state. Bring in the Marshals, who are federal officers. One oddtidbit I learned about the Marshals was that they were the ones tasked withdelivering reward money—the “price on a man’s head” listed on his wantedposter. The Marshals were also involved with transporting prisoners.
What’s the most interesting thing you discovered while researchingfor this book or the series as a whole? I mainlyresearched women’s suffrage. The laws were so strange back then. If a womanearned any money, that money became her husband’s immediately upon her receivingit. If she tried to keep it herself, her husband could accuse her of theft. Likewise,if a woman inherited money, it went straight to her husband. Suffrage was aboutso much more than voting. The historical fact I really latched onto was that whena man and woman were married, they were considered one person, and that personwas the husband. Essentially the married woman was “civilly dead.” Another interestingthing, at the last minute, in an effort to stop the governor from signing thesuffrage bill, opponents of it said, “We’re including voting rights for blackwomen and Indian women.” As if that would be too much for the governor tostand. All the governor did was say, “Sounds good. Let them vote,” and hesigned it.
What other themes are explored in the novel? I tried to portray how much Mariah wished her mother could be withher as she was expecting her baby, how much she grieved for her father andbrother, who’d been killed. By contrast, here Becky was, my heroine, with aliving father who acted so awful toward her to the point she had norelationship with him. So family without love isn’t worth much.
What will romance fans love about the relationship between Becky andNate? Becky and Nate are both tough. Nate with his pastas a Marshal, his excellent tracking skills and talent as a cowhand, stillfeels unworthy to marry a wealthy woman like Becky. I wanted him to want herbad enough to set all that aside, and eventually he did. And I wanted Becky to learnto trust Nate. She had no trust with her father, so to risk her heart and trustNate was huge.What do you enjoy about writing historical romance? Is there anythingyou find challenging about this genre? I loveeverything about it. The research is just a pure love affair for me. I can researchforever! I have to control myself or I’d never get the book written. Onechallenge I find is in remembering to set the scene, to describe the surroundings,land, clothing, and horses simply because it’s such a universally understoodgenre. John Wayne, right? What more do you need to know? Well, a reader needsto know a little more than usual clothes, usual horses. So I try to remember tobring the setting to life, even though most people might already know just whatto expect.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story? Friendship can get you through. If you don’t have a family, or notone you can depend on, you should try to create one. And when the going getstough, it’s also nice to have a really good dog as a companion.
Can you share whatyou’re working on next? Marshaling Her Heart is book three inthis series. Next comes the series AWestern Light. Book one is Chasing the Horizon, which is my firstattempt at setting a story on a wagon train. It was challenging, for I had tolearn all about wagon trains. But I’ve done a lot of research and I hope I got everythingright.
I’ll be eager tofeature that series on this blog, too. How can readers connect with you?
Find me onlineat:
http://www.Facebook.com/maryconnealy
Get new releaseinfo straight to your inbox by Liking myAmazon Page
Or get releaseinfo straight to your inbox from Book Bub Mary Connealy Books - BookBub
Sign up for mynewsletter at http://www.maryconnealy.com/newsletter
Thank you, Mary, forsharing MarshalingHer Heart withmy blog readers and me. You know I’ve loved every book you’ve had published.
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
March 15, 2024
THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE - Laura Frantz - One Free Book
Bio:Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPAbestselling author of fifteen novels, including The Rose and theThistle, The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting MorrowLittle, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift.She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Thoughshe will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in WashingtonState.She is well known for her meticulously researched novels. In hernewest work, The Seamstress of Acadie, Frantz spins a grippingtale of an Acadian woman caught between the warring French and English during . Filled with history, intrigue,and romance, The Seamstress of Acadie is sure to win the heartsof historical romance fans.
About thestory: Gifted seamstress Sylvie Galant and herAcadian family desire to live peacefully and remain neutral in the upcoming warbetween the French and the English. But the proximity of their land on ’s rugged shores makes them an easy target.While tensions escalate, Sylvie encounters Major William Blackburn. Although heis a British Army Ranger, Blackburn warns her that the British are poised to invade. But thewarning cannot counteract the plans or stop the tide ofEnglish soldiers.
William Blackburn has seen firsthand theatrocities that the British have done to the Acadian families and their villages.Rather than participate in the heinous expulsion, Will resigns his commissionbefore a charge of treason is brought against him.
When Sylvie is forciblyremoved from her homeland, she finds herself on a ramshackle ship headed toVirginia, where she crosses paths once again with Will. Together they must workthrough the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate thepresent and forge an enduring future.
Welcomeback to my blog, Laura. What was the inspiration for The Seamstress of Acadie? I’vealways been fascinated by Acadian history, which is the most heartbreaking I’veever researched. I was disappointed to find few novels that deal with Acadie,which, aside from Longfellow’s poem Evangeline, seems to have beenburied since the eighteenth-century expulsion.
Yourtwo protagonists, Sylvie Galant and William Blackburn, are on opposing sides inLe Grand Dérangement of1755. How did they first meet? Sylvie and William have arather charming first meeting by a well in Acadie that is based on a bit ofsubterfuge and secrecy. Their attraction is instant and mutual, as it so often isinexplicably even in real life.
Sylvie and William later find themselves on shipsheaded to Virginia. Can you provide a brief summary of the events leading up totheir departure from Acadie? Acadie, present-day NovaScotia, had long been a battleground between the French and English since itsfounding in 1604. The conflict worsened in the eighteenth century as each nationfought over contested territory. In 1755, the Acadians were deprived of theirweapons, detained as prisoners, and then forced onto ships to destinationsunknown. In the novel, William leaves Acadie first with his Rangers on a sloopin late summer 1755 before the deportation of the Acadians begins. Sylviefollows on a ramshackle transport ship in early fall.
What led to William’s decision to resign from theBritish army? William has a profound change of heart and purpose. Aspiritual awakening as a prisoner of war among the French led to an about-facein terms of his military career, culminating in his refusal to take part in theAcadians’ deportation.
Prior to the British invasion of Acadie, SylvieGalant was a seamstress. How did her profession play a part in your story? Eachof us is gifted with the ability to do certain things well. Sylvie is nodifferent. Since childhood, she has plied her needle in a way that causes otherpeople to take notice. To her, it is just routine until she begins to see herskill as a means to navigate her new, unwanted life in a hostile land. Personally,I grew up with a grandmother who was an accomplished seamstress and sewed myclothes, even historical garments. I don’t sew myself but am in awe of thosewho do!Canyou please describe the setting for your novel and why this is important in theoverall plot? If you visit Nova Scotia, you soon realize why the Britishfought hard to win it and why the Acadians took strong measures to keep it.Epic in scope and beauty with forests and fields and mountains, coastlines andislands, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind place and makes the ideal novel setting. Ihope readers experience some of that beauty within the novel’s pages.
Whatare some of the themes found within The Seamstress of Acadie? Love,loss, trust, new beginnings. Life is one of continual change. How we navigatethose changes is a constant challenge both in fiction and in real life.
Whatdo you hope readers will experience when reading your novel? Thatbeauty can be seen amid the heartbreaking history and cause us to look at theheartaches and hurdles we face today in a different light.
Where can readers purchase a copy of TheSeamstress of Acadie? The book is available inpaperback and e-reader on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book online retailers.If your local bookstore doesn’t have it, you can ask them to order it for you.
How can readers connect with you? I’mactive on these social media channels and regularly post on my website’sjournal page:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laurafrantzauthor/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/LauraFrantzAuthor/
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/laurafrantz/
Thank you forsharing The Seamstress of Acadie with my blog readers and me. We love to learn about historicalevents.
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
March 11, 2024
A COURAGEOUS BETROTHAL - Denise Weimer - One Free Book
Bio: Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporaryromance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editorand the Acquisitions and Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A wife andmother of two daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and oldhousesWelcome back, Denise. What are some of the spiritualthemes you like to write about?
That’s a great question! I often find themes of emotionalhealing and redemption weaving into my stories. In A Courageous Betrothal, the theme has to do with acceptingourselves as God made us. The heroine is inspired by a real-life RevolutionaryWar Patriot heroine, Nancy Hart, who was six feet tall, red-haired, big-boned,pock-marked, and cross-eyed. She was also a crack shot the local Indians called“War Woman” and successfully spied on and captured Loyalists and BritishRegulars in the Georgia backcountry…all while defending her family. My heroine,Jenny White, is a bit softer, but she feels gawky and unattractive next to herpretty, petite little sister. The hero, Scottish militia scout Caylan McIntosh,has a hard time convincing her that he finds what she thinks are her weaknessesto be strengths, especially on the frontier.
What other books of yours are coming out soon? TheScouts of the Georgia Frontier books continue to release into 2024. Book three,A Cherished Betrothal, just came outin January and follows the beginning of Revolution on the Georgia/SouthCarolina border. There will be two more coming later in the year, as well as mynovel about the 1865 sinking of the Sultana,When Hope Sank, part of Barbour’s ADay to Remember Series. Plus, my first-ever novella, Redeeming Grace, will re-release this July in Wild Heart Books’Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series with a new cover and title, A Summer at the Niagara of the South.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person(not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? You know, it wouldbe interesting to learn from Francine Rivers about her publishing journey.
I met Francine over a decade ago, and she gave hertestimony. I bought the CD of that session. It was very interesting. Whathistorical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I never know how to answer that one since there are so manyfascinating historical people. I’d have a hard time choosing between religiousleaders, military leaders, brave pioneers, and the American founding fathers.
How can you encourage authors who have been receivingonly rejections from publishers? First, I’d encourage them to make surethey have a solid grasp on the writing craft and the industry expectations forsubmitting proposals. Read up on those things and ask experienced,traditionally published authors or editors. Once that is in place, it’s importantto make sure they are submitting to publishers seeking the same genre, length,and style of material…and then, following submission guidelines. One hurdle Ifind with submissions I review as Acquisitions and Editorial Liaison at WildHeart Books is that some authors are still writing in narrative style ratherthan deep POV (point of view). Or submitting historical fiction rather thanhistorical romance…or are truly unfamiliar with industry expectations orformula for historical romance.
Finally, it’s more than possible that they just haven’tfound the right fit yet. Publishers will often favor certain tropes, timeperiods, or settings. They may be seeking lighter material or more seriousmaterial. They may have just accepted something very similar. At other times, theymay have just received a glut of submissions, and their production schedulesmay be filled for the foreseeable future. Editors who wear more than one hatsometimes struggle to have time to read through lengthy proposals and samplechapters. If they are deep into projects with current authors, they may put offmanuscript review for a specified time in the future.
There are so many factors at play, but ultimately, none ofthese things take God by surprise. He knows just which editor needs to openyour email on the right day. He knows just what you need to learn and where youneed to be in life before you are ready for publication…or before the world isready for your book!
That’s very valuable information. Please tell us aboutthe featured book. A Courageous Betrothalis a short but action-and-romance-packed 20K-word novella originally entitled Across Three Autumns and included inBarbour’s Backcountry Brides Collection. Because of the short word count andlong time span covered, I chose to use only the heroine’s point of view. Red-haired, freckle-faced, and almostsix feet tall, Jenny White has resigned herself to fame over love. Possessingthe courage and wits to guard her younger siblings against nature, natives, andloyalists in Georgia’s “Hornet’s Nest” gives life meaning until she meets scoutCaylan McIntosh.
From the time Jenny nurses the younglieutenant back to health after the Battle of Kettle Creek, she can’t deny herattraction to the vexing Highlander, who seems determined to dismantle heremotional armor. But when Georgia falls to the British and Caylan returns toguide Jenny’s family on a harrowing exodus into the North Carolina mountains,will his secrets prove stronger than his devotion? Or will their love becourageous enough to carry them through the battles ahead?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
Late June, 1778
Wilkes County, Georgia
She first sensed someone watching as a prickle of awarenesson the back of her neck as she and Hester floated, shift-clad, in the creek.Even in the cool waters, the fine ginger hairs from Jenny White’s nape to herarms stirred, and she froze.
Casting a glance over her shoulder,she saw him—a brown bare-chested native, his face smeared with black-and-redwar paint. He did not even attempt to conceal himself. After all, the Whitefamily may have brought their livestock out from Augusta and built a cabin fouryears prior. They might have planted their small patches of corn, wheat, andflax alongside the vegetable garden Jenny and her sister had been weeding inthe fork of Long and Dry Fork Creeks before yielding to the urge to cool downfrom the sun’s blistering rays. But this had been his land. Whether HitchitiCreek of the first people in these parts, or Muskogee who came from the westmany years ago, he belonged and she did not.
But the brave’s alliance with theBritish made him Jenny’s enemy. She was old enough to remember from NorthCarolina what the British could do. She had given up too much—her littlebrother’s life and her best years to make a good match, for starters—to justhand over this land.
Thank God Gabriel had not taken theBrown Bess hunting today. She’d left it propped against the giant oak thatmarked the ford. With the steady diagonal trajectory of a water bug, she wadedtoward Hester and the tree.
Hester’s head—curlystrawberry-blonde hair darkened and dripping—broke the surface. She started tolet out an exclamation of delight but gave only a gasp when Jenny’s firm handencircled her wrist. Green eyes wide, she allowed herself to be towed towardthe shore.
“Hester, run for the house. Makesure Ma and the baby stay inside.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Connect with Denise here:
Thank you for sharing ACourageous Betrothal with us.
Readers,here’s a link to the book.
https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Betrothal-Scouts-Georgia-Frontier-ebook/dp/B0CHMXGLJG/
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.
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March 6, 2024
HER SECRET HOPE - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book
Bio: Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USAToday bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Her Heart’sDesire and Her Only Wish. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion anda Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakestoo much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s biketrail.She introduced readers to A Season in Pinecraft series with HerHeart’s Desire. This was followedby Her Only Wish in June 2023. Now Gray wraps up her heartwarmingseries with her final installment, HerSecret Hope, which explores the theme of facing one’s past in order to make wayfor a brighter future.
About the story: Two years ago, Lilly Kurtz left her home in Middlefield for a much-neededvacation in Pinecraft, Florida, where she could escape her feelings of alwaysbeing an outsider within her community. Little did she realize that this tripwould be such a life-changing experience. Not only did it lead to a fresh startin Florida and a new set of friends, but a budding romance has started to bloomwith hardworking farmer Eddie Byler. However, secrets from Lilly’s past maythreaten to destroy her new relationship.
Eddie Byler values honesty and trust. He sees Lilly as a breath of freshair, but he is mystified about her past. Although they grew up only thirtymiles apart, Lilly remains silent about her time in Middlefield, which makesEddie wonder if Lilly is hiding something.
As Eddie and Lilly’s relationship deepens, she must decide whether she iswilling to return to Middlefield—a place where she never felt accepted. Will Lilly have to giveup on love in order to find peace? Or could it be that love is actually thesolution to all of her problems?
Welcome backto my blog, Shelley. It’s always a pleasure to host you. Please provide a briefsummary of Her Secret Hope. LillyKurtz decides to take a job at the Marigold Inn in Pinecraft, and she’s eagerto spend more time with her best friends and make new friends who know nothingabout her past. When guests Eddie Byler and his grandmother befriend her, she’ssure she made the right decision. However, as her romance with Eddie blossoms,she soon learns that everything in her past cannot be erased, just as Eddiemust come to terms with the fact that his views on what is right and wrongmight not be as correct as he believed. Only by being completely honest witheach other—and with themselves—will Lilly and Eddie learn that their secrethopes and dreams can become their realities.
Readerswere first introduced to Lilly Kurtz in Her Heart’s Desire, the firstbook in your series. Can you please explain why Lilly left her hometown in Middlefield,Ohio, and went to Pinecraft? LillyKurtz first leaves her hometown in an attempt to live her life without thestigma of her birth parents’ mistakes.
Lilly hasa budding relationship with Eddie Byler, who highly values honesty and trust.But Lilly’s past could threaten their future. What do you feel readers canlearn from Lilly and Eddie’s relationship? Thisnovel focuses not only on the themes of honesty and trust but also God’s grace.It’s my hope that readers will be able to connect with one of the characters inthe novel who is searching for the Lord’s acceptance and love.
Inaddition to facing one’s past, are there other underlying themes found within HerSecret Hope? I think another theme is friendship andaccepting God’s grace. So many of the characters—whether they are in theirtwenties, forties, or seventies—are often reaching out to others for support orguidance. I loved that each character is eventually reminded that he or sheneeds not only God’s love but their friends’ and family’s support and love aswell.
HerSecret Hope is the final novel in the A Season inPinecraft series. What was the connecting element for all of the books in yourseries? Fromthe beginning, I was eager to highlight three women who felt like “wallflowers,”who felt like they didn’t really click with their peer group in theirhometowns. I wanted to empower them and have them not only find acceptance butlearn to value their unique selves. Pinecraft, Florida, a place where Amishfrom all over America vacation, felt like the perfect spot. So, I strived foreach novel to be a different play on “an Amish wallflower on vacation.”
No. Each book was written to stand alone.
How haveyou personally been impacted by this series? Ilove to write novels about things that could happen to anyone—my charactersjust happen to be Amish. Writing this series, with each woman looking for acceptance,love, and friendship, reaffirmed this belief. On a personal note, I trulyenjoyed writing this series. It was an upbeat trio of stories highlightingpositive themes. It made for a lot of happy writing days!
Why did you choose Pinecraft, Florida, as thesetting for your series? Pinecraft is one of my favorite settings for novelsbecause it’s the only place where Amish from all over the world come together.It’s a unique setting rich with possibilities for new stories. Honestly, Icould happily write a dozen books set in Pinecraft—there’s such a fun mixtureof people there!
How canreaders connect with you? I’m on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter. I havea private FB group called Shelley Shepard Gray’s Buggy Bunch, which is easy tojoin and I post often. I also have a “short and sweet” monthly newsletter thatreaders can sign up for on my website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
Thank you for sharing Her Secret Hope with myblog readers and me. I love your stories, especially those in Pinecraft.
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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March 5, 2024
WINNERS
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February 29, 2024
INTO THE FIRE - Irene Hannon - One Free Book
Bio: Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her manyother honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award fromRomance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fameand has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for herentire body of work. Irene was named “the queen of inspirational romanticsuspense” by Library Journal, and with over sixty novels Hannon continuesto prove that she is a master at her craft. Now she introduces readers to anotherblazing tale in Into the Fire, book 1 in the Undaunted Courageseries. Brimming with a puzzling mystery, a budding romance, and escalatingdanger, Into the Fire will leave readers breathless but craving more of Hannon’selectrifying tales.
Aboutthe story: Asa former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires.But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inheritsa curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths.Someone, however, doesn’t want her picking up where he left off in search ofanswers.
Whenshe teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the dangerescalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysteriousdeaths before their budding romance—and maybe even their lives—go up in flames?
Join Irene Hannon in her brand-new series that is sure to get youradrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth.Please provide a brief summary of Intothe Fire. Here’s my one-sentence elevatorpitch: Afire investigator and ATF agent join forces to track down a serial arsonist whowill stop at nothing—including murder—to carry out a nefarious plan. (Romanceensues as well, of course!)
What was the inspiration for yournew novel? I’ve written many law-enforcementrelated books featuring a variety of crimes, but never anything fire-related.This story gave me an opportunity to do that. Plus, after researching thefascinating world of smokejumpers, I knew it was the perfect background for mystrong and determined heroine.
Into the Fire
is the first book in the Undaunted Courage series. How manybooks will be part of your new series andwhat ties the books together? Therewill be three books in the series. The link between the books it that theyfeature three foster siblings from difficult backgrounds. Each story spotlightsone of the siblings, but the other two siblings do make appearances in thatbook.What do readers have to look forwardto in the rest of the Undaunted Courage series? Book 2 will feature Jack Tucker, a homicide detective, who must determinewhether the sole witness in a murder case has lost her grip on reality orwhether someone is conducting a relentless campaign to destroy her credibility. . . and perhaps her life. In book 3, the youngest sibling, CaraTucker, takes center stage. She’s a historical anthropologist on sabbatical ata remote estate, where she’s researching a vanishing language. When she findsherself caught up in a century-old mystery and murder, however, the localsheriff must track down the killer before he or she strikes again.
Your two protagonists, Bri Tuckerand Marc Davis, have very unique professions. What type of research was requiredto accurately portray their roles? AsI always tell people, while I write fiction, the professions and agencies andlaw enforcement protocols I write about are real. Since I’m a stickler foraccuracy, I do huge amounts of research to ensure I portray these correctly. Inthis case, I found plenty of material online about smokejumpers, includingfemale smokejumpers. That was invaluable. For the arson plot element that wasunique to my story, I worked with a retired fire chief/fire marshal, whoreviewed the scenarios I created. Those kinds of sources help put the finalpolish of authenticity on my stories.
In Bri’s new role as a fireinvestigator, she inherits a curious puzzle from her predecessor. What type ofquestions does this puzzle raise for Bri? Afterthe death of a retired colleague, Bri realizes he may have been on the brink ofsoliciting her help with several fires that had been ruled accidental but whichcontinued to trouble him. But she has almost nothing to go on. What cases washe focused on? Why was he still concerned about them? Who were the victims? Butwhen a few clues emerge that suggest his quest may have merit, Bri digs in. . . and suddenly finds herself in the crosshairs.
What is the connection between Briand Marc? When Bri is assigned to investigatethe suspicious death of her retired colleague, she’s still relatively new toher job. Plus, it’s a death that hit close to home for the department, and herboss wants to pull out all the stops. So he decides to have the ATF getinvolved too. That doesn’t sit especially well with Bri, who’d prefer to work alone—butMarc ends up being an asset on both the professional and personal front! J
The setting for Into the Fireis St. Louis, Missouri. Why did you choose this location? All but one of my suspense novels are set in the St. Louisarea. Since my stories tend toward psychological suspense and aren’t generallylocation contingent, I can set them anywhere. I use St. Louis because I’m veryfamiliar with that setting, and writing about it requires almost no research. . . which frees me up to research everything else in the book.
What are some of the main themescovered in Into the Fire and what do you hope readers will gain from reading yourbook? Forgiveness, self-esteem issues,overcoming challenges, finding the courage to trust, the importance of family,perseverance. All of those are in the book. Mostly what I try to do with mynovels is tell a compelling story that entertains, encourages, and uplifts.
What do you love most about writingromantic suspense novels? he highstakes, the deep dive into the minds of multiple characters, and the gradualbuild toward a dramatic climax. I also like watching a romance develop as twocharacters grapple with dangerous situations. Those sorts of conditions bringemotions to the forefront and allow the characters (and the reader) to get aclear read on their strengths and weaknesses fairly fast.
How can readers connect with you? Facebook is my favorite place to hang out with readers. I’mthere every day, and I love to engage with readers. For general informationabout me and my books, my website is the best resource—www.irenehannon.com.
Thank you, Irene, for sharing Intothe Fire with us. I’ve loved every book of yours I’ve read.
Readers, here’s alink to the book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWDRPJGP
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
