Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 52
December 7, 2020
JESSIE'S HAIRY CHRISTMAS - Laura Domino - One Free Book
Welcome back, Laura. Why do you write the kind of books you do? I enjoy reading books that uplift and encourage me in my Christian faith, so I write books that are designed to do two things: entertain the reader and lead them to a closer look at their relationship with God. It is thrilling to see in a review that someone’s relationship with God was enhanced by my story. How has being published changed your life? Instead of saying that I plan to publish one day, I can say that I’ve published 21 books. I’ve met interesting people at book signings and writers, conferences. I can honestly say that writing and publishing has drawn me closer to God.
What are you reading right now? A friend of mine, Wayne Kerr, wrote a very inspirational book called BRAVING: The Art of Pursuing What Make You Come Alive.
What is your current work in progress? My third book in the Fulton Ridge Family series is the story of Paige. She was introduced in The Renovation. She’s also a minor character in the first two books in my current series. Now, she gets her own book to tell her perspective.
What would be your dream vacation? I’d go to an island where there is plenty of water and beach time, but I’d also want to go hike up a mountain. My husband and I took a brief tour of Hawaii and enjoyed their beaches and a hike up to the wettest place on Earth (according to the sign).
How do you choose your settings for each book? Most of my settings are a small town in Texas where I can create any neighborhood or business that a character needs. For Jessie, she took on my love for the beach and went to a place where she could wind down and breathe in the salt sea air.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? Before 2020, I loved to travel whenever I could. My husband and I have visited museums and aquariums on our anniversary trips. We also took our kids to national parks for camping and hiking, to the Golden Gate Bridgein San Francisco, and to the beach in South Carolina.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I’ve been trying to write faster. It’s often hard to balance writing time and family time. Since interruptions affect my writing speed, I’ve chosen a quiet corner of the house to hunker down in and write as much as I can in a day.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? First, I would advise a new writer to tell the story of your heart in a concise and emotional way. Second, I’d suggest that you write three books before publishing to practice telling the story, find your style, and be consistent. Third, when you think you’re ready to publish, find a good editor.
Tell us about the featured book. Jessie’s Hairy Christmas is about how someone moves from only depending on herself to depending on God with a little Scrooge and Tiny Tim mixed in. This story shows how love changes the plans of a live-for-today guy and a plan-for-tomorrow girl in this opposites attract, small town Christian romance
Please give us the first page of the book.
Jessie Brown walked into Tammy’s salon office and asked, “Have you made a decision?”
Tammy laughed, keeping her focus on the computer screen on her desk. “It’s about time, right?”
No verbal response was necessary—just patience. Jessie kept her expression calm and offered a polite smile, trying to emulate Aunt Tillie. She hoped it didn’t look as fake as it felt.
“A good assistant manager is hard to find.” Tammy swiveled her head to look over her shoulder at Jessie. “I think you’d appreciate that I’m trying to find the right person for the job.”
“As expected.”
Tammy rolled her chair back from the desk and stood in front of Jessie. “Look, doll, you didn’t get it.” Tammy crossed her arms over her chest and gave what was probably intended to be a compassionate smile. She didn’t give very many of those, so she didn’t have much practice making it look real. “I need you to keep bringing in the customers. You’re so good at getting repeat customers.”
“It’s true,” Jessie said. “Many walk-ins do come back after an appointment with me. I’ll congratulate RuthiMay when she comes in. I hope she works out for you. But, for now, Tammy, I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice.”
“Really? Why?” Tammy’s voice creaked from decades of smoking.
“I’m moving.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “Moving? Where are you going?”
Jessie looked through the doorway to see if RuthiMay was around. She’d worried all morning about the possibility of RuthiMay causing trouble. Self-control was a necessary tool in any business where people had to work together. Jessie refused to comment about the tip money that she should have received from the front desk, but didn’t. And she said nothing about RuthiMay scheduling a couple of highlighting appointments for herself instead of putting the new customers in the rotation. Instead, Jessie silently encouraged herself to avoid a messy end to her time working for Tammy. She didn’t need to accuse RuthiMay or address her general selfishness. Jessie simply answered the question. “I’m moving to the Galvestonarea. I’m starting my own salon down there.”
Tammy gave a confused stare and then raised her eyebrows. “Well, good for you, doll! Congratulations! Let me see.” She looked at her calendar. “I’ll need to keep you until after November eleventh. Then I can let you go.”
Jessie nodded. “Then, November eleventh will be my last day. Thank you. I’ll get back to the front to see if my customer is here.” She left Tammy’s office, relieved that the conversation went as well as it did.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Subscribe to Laura Domino’s weekly fiction newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uqno2p0xnz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauradomino
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/authorlauradomino
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/laura-domino
Facebook: https://facebook.com/LauraDominoAuthor
Laura Domino’s book list: https://readerlinks.com/mybooks/3179
Thank you, Laura, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
December 6, 2020
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.
Elly (IN) is the winner of Dragonfly Wings by Elizabeth Ann Boyles.
Lucy (WV) is the winner of Pam's Christmas Kisses by Laura Domino.
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 4 weeks to claim your book.
December 3, 2020
THE GIVING MANGER - Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer - One Free Book and Box Set
The true spirit of Christmas often gets lost in busyness of the season. As the events of 2020 have made us slow down and shift some of our priorities, this year is the perfect time to refocus on the joy of giving and honor the real reason for Christmas: Jesus’ birth. With The Giving Manger (WorthyKids), creators and sisters Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer offer a faith-based interactive family tradition that encourages acts of kindness.
Each Giving Manger box set contains a hardcover picture book, a wooden manger, a bundle of straw, and a sturdy Baby Jesus figure—everything a family needs to start the tradition in their own home.
Q: Where did the original idea for The Giving Manger come from? As we began to raise our own families, we often felt like the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving was getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. We wanted to start making the season more about giving and showing kindness to others.
A trip down memory lane remained us of our neighbor who had a simple wooden manger in their home. A piece of straw would be placed in the manger each time someone in the family did something kind for someone else. We made the first manger in our garage and started filling the manger one act of kindness at a time. We loved nothing more than seeing our little ones excited to give! That simple manger shifted the focus of our Christmas.
We originally made the tradition just for our own family, but when we told friends about what we were doing, we had so many friends who wanted one too. That’s when we put pen to paper, wood to the saw, and clay in our hands to create a book, manger, and baby Jesus—a complete tradition to help families focus on giving and the real meaning of Christmas.
In order to be able to share this tradition with more families, we launched on Kickstarter and were funded within 72 hours! Three years later, after selling out each season, we are partnering with WorthyKids to make sure The Giving Manger can get to homes literally around the world. It has been so fun to see how many people everywhere are looking for the same thing we were—to shift the focus back to giving.
Q: Can you share a little bit about the story from The Giving Manger?
The Giving Manger is a story of a family who shifts the focus of their Christmas. It tells the story of Anne and Ben who always look forward to Christmas. Each year their dad makes a special wooden toy for them, but he tells them this year will be different. They are starting a new tradition, and there will be more gifts this year, starting December 1. The kids misunderstand, thinking they will be getting more gifts.
On December 1, they get the gift of a manger from their dad, but when they find out that the other gifts will be gifts of kindness to others, they are initially disappointed. However, once they see joy in giving and doing for others, their attitude starts to change.
The story is a way to introduce the manger to the family and to explain the tradition you’ll be starting with your own family. Your kids may have the same reaction as the kids in the story at first, but you’ll soon see a change. The back of the book also includes ideas to get the family started on acts of kindness.
This is a special story to us because it represents the same shift we’ve seen in our own families. The focus used to be lists and what the kids were going to RECEIVE for Christmas, but in adopting The Giving Manger the focus shifted to what we can GIVE. Christmas is different in our homes than it used to be, and we couldn’t be happier about it!
Q: What is included in The Giving Manger box set? How does the manger itself work?
The Giving Manger box set includes: A hardcover book for children, wooden manger, bundle of straw and baby Jesus.
Once the family reads the book together, you’ll be ready to set up the manger. Put it in a busy area of the house where you’ll see it regularly and it will be the center of family activities.
Get your family excited about placing that first piece of straw in the manger when you do your first act of service. For each act of kindness, a piece of straw is placed in the manger. The family works together all Christmas season to create a soft bed for the Baby Jesus, and on Christmas Day you come together to place the baby in the manger that you filled with service and love that year.
We joke that there is a step in the process where you bawl your eyes out as you watch your kids get excited about serving and the manger fills with straw! We’re only half joking about this step. It’s so special seeing your kids’ hearts grown and fill with love and joy.
On Christmas Day, when the manger is full of straw, place baby Jesus in the manger.
Q: The illustrations in the book are both beautiful and unique. Can you describe a little bit about what makes the illustrations special?
The illustrations are all paper cut rather than drawings. Each detail on every page was hand cut by artist Emily King. We’ve always been fans of her work and were thrilled when she agreed to illustrate The Giving Manger. Her simple, timeless art perfectly represents the design and goal of The Giving Manger. It is a simple concept, beautifully designed and something that can be used year after year, even passed down for generations.
Q: When you started this tradition with your own family, were the kids hesitant at first like Anne and Ben in the book? Do you see that kids catch on quickly to this concept?
The story is special to us because we saw a shift in our own families when it came to giving and receiving. Kids catch on quick because it is such a simple concept.
It’s amazing to see how quickly kids are excited to give! It’s the little things; put your brother’s shoes away, draw a picture for grandma, help empty the dishwasher, leave a candy cane and a note for the mail man.
The kids love to place that piece of straw in the manger and see it fill up! And having it displayed in your home is a constant reminder to GIVE all Christmas season! We have families tell us they don’t want to put the manger away when Christmas is over because they love seeing their kids so focused on thinking of and helping others!
Q: One reason moms dread a certain holiday tradition involving a certain elf is that it requires doing something daily. Do families have to do this every day or is it meant to be a reminder to try and do something as often as possible?
We always encourage and challenge families to put a piece of straw in every day! What we find most often is they are already doing kind things for one another, but putting a piece of straw in helps us recognize it and celebrate it which leads to wanting to do more!
The goal in the end is to do things for others every day without even having to think about it. Don’t over complicate kindness. Just start with one simple act of kindness. You’ll probably get addicted to it and actually want to do more!
Q: Does every act of service have to be big? Can some of the activities be little things around the house?
Little things count! Service to others does not have to be a big production. We always say that the kids can put a piece of straw in the manger for things like putting their brother’s shoes away, cleaning up the living room, helping a sibling make a bed, or holding the door open. Celebrating simple and small acts of kindness is how we end up with adults who give big!
Q: For the sake of inspiration, what are some of your favorite acts of kindness that you’ve done as a family?
There are so many we love, but one specific one stands out. Last year we heard about a sweet elderly man named Jack who lost his wife of 65 years. We rallied our Instagram followers and were able to fill his mailbox with over 500 letters to show him love during the holiday season. It is such a simple act of kindness, but those written words can lift anyone.
So, our favorite is: draw a picture or write a note to someone. It could be left on a sibling’s pillow, dropped in the mail for a grandparent, delivered to a nursing home, or handed to a teacher! As a parent I love leaving notes for my kids on their bathroom mirror or in their lunchboxes or backpacks!
Some other ideas for the Christmas season include:
· Drop off flowers to someone. How fun is it to have a poinsettia dropped off on your doorstep and have no idea who it’s from? And the kids love to drop the flowers, ring the doorbell and RUN!
· Set up a free hot cocoa stand! Who doesn’t love hot cocoa and a daring little face wishing you a Merry Christmas?
· Drop off a surprise dinner to someone. It could just be a take-out pizza or maybe you grab the kids and cook together— either way there is nothing better than seeing the joy on someone’s face when you deliver a meal!
· See how many times you can hold the door open for someone today. Our kids love this challenge and so does everyone who is on the receiving end of this kindness!
On our website, we also have a list of ideas you can download for free.
Q: The Christmas season, like everything in 2020, is going to be different for a lot of people this year. Can you share a few ideas of ways to serve the elderly especially given restrictions for social distancing?
We have a VERY special service project that has been created specifically to bless the elderly in nursing homes! It's estimated that 60% of nursing home residents never have visitors. That’s before they had to lockdown due to COVID and limit visitors. A simple letter or coloring picture can bring so much joy and make them feel "hugged" even if we can't be there to hug them.
On our website, you can simply download our kit, color one of the coloring pages or write a letter, and mail it to Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents (the address is included in the download).
If you would like to do something close to home, call some of the nursing homes in your area and see what needs they have. You can collect small gifts such as socks, hand lotion, or chocolate from neighbors or your church and wrap them up with a letter or coloring sheet attached. Anything you do will make the residents feel special and will be greatly appreciated.
Learn more at www.thegivingmanger.com and on Facebook (@thegivingmanger) and Instagram (@thegivingmanger) .
Thank you, Allison and Lisa, for sharing this marvelous new idea with us. I know many of my blog readers will want to have one.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
December 1, 2020
GRAVE CHRISTMAS SECRETS - Sharee Stover - One Free Book
Bio: Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting, and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd.
Welcome, Sharee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I think it’s hard not to write yourself into your characters, at least it is for me. In each of my books, my characters have taken on a few of my traits, responses, and speech patterns. Readers who know me personally say they hear my voice when they read my books. That always makes me smile. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I want my scenes to be as real as possible and that often involves acting them out. Especially escape scenarios. So, I may or may not have climbed into the backseat of my car and used my legs to strangle the imaginary driver.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? I enjoy journaling and have done so since I was a kid. I think in some ways I always knew I loved to write but I didn’t start writing fiction until my youngest child was born. And then the words just flowed!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I am an avid reader and I enjoy almost all genres of books. I read nonfiction and fiction and love everything from historical to fantasy, though I don’t read a lot of fantasy. I do like speculative fiction and of course, suspense and mystery. I especially like crime fiction.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? The most important ingredient for maintaining my sanity is daily prayer time where it’s just me and Jesus. I need that time to feed my heart, mind, and soul with God’s word and prayer. It’s the first thing I do before I sit down to write, and I pray throughout the story as it develops as well.
I also exercise every day. I am blessed to have a husband who willingly runs and does high intensity workouts with me every morning. Before the sun is up, we’re outside with our 100 lb. German shepherd running and getting our blood flowing for the day.
And let’s not forget coffee. This is a must every single day.
Balancing writing and home life isn’t easy. I’m still a work in progress, but my family comes before writing. My computer is shut down by dinner, and I try hard not to write on the weekends because that’s family time.
How do you choose your characters’ names? I love, love, love picking names. In fact, with each of my kids, I was already researching baby names as soon as I even thought I was pregnant. I use a multitude of resources including websites, books, and name generator programs. I also keep a list of names as I hear/read them for future reference. Researching the name’s meaning is important to me too. And once I’ve named a character, I do an Internet search to see if that name already belongs to someone famous. It’s hard to find a name that is totally unique, but occasionally it happens.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? My debut Love Inspired Suspense book, Secret Past won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards so that definitely tops the list. I’m living the dream, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity God has blessed me with.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I think being a bird would be awesome. To have freedom to fly as high as I wanted would be amazing.
What is your favorite food? Fortunately, I’m pretty easy to feed. However, I am always in for Mexican food—especially melty cheesy, spicy dishes.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My internal editor definitely tops the list. If I can keep her quiet long enough to get the words out, it’s a huge bonus. I obsessively edit and re-edit everything so once I can say “enough” and call it good, I’m thrilled.
Tell us about the featured book. Discovering buried evidence makes her a target. At a prehistoric site, forensic anthropologist Taya McGill uncovers a recently buried body days before Christmas—and finds herself in a killer’s sights. Now on the run with undercover ATF agent Keegan Stryker, she must rely on him to guard her as they figure out why someone would kill to keep this murder unsolved. But can they unearth the truth before someone silences them both for good?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead. Forensic anthropologist Taya McGill disagreed with Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote. In her experience, the dead were horrible secret keepers. Rather, she’d dub them mysterious pirates hoarding a treasure trove of clues. And as a general rule, far more reliable than most living people she’d encountered.
Taya cherished the incredible honor of speaking for the dearly departed, even when an active crime scene overtook her nonexistent Christmas plans. The excavation freed her from the holiday hustle and bustle she detested more than the insufferable game and parks officer reigning as security over the site.
He’d gone, for now, but if his previous behavior was any indicator, there’d soon be more rounds in futility. Those who misjudged Taya’s petite five-foot, ninety-pound stature for weakness learned the hard way that her stubbornness came packaged like dynamite and equaled her determination.
Dr. Taya McGill would never again succumb to a uniformed bully.
“It’s just you and me, friend. You’re safe to share your secrets,” Taya said, brushing back dirt from the exposed skull. Her coworkers mocked the unconventional method of talking aloud to the victim, but the process worked for her. And since she spent the majority of her time alone, who did it bother, anyway?
Unpredictable weather had hindered the recovery of the human remains, hindering the dig’s progression. The frigid winter temperatures had banked at a high—if that was a relative term—of negative four degrees. The radical increasing wind speeds over the past hour had further complicated things. No overhead streetlamps illuminated the onyx sky. Rolling hills and the occasional farm nestled in an endless snow-covered landscape surrounded over three hundred acres of Ashfall Fossil Beds State Park in the northeastern corner of Royal, Nebraska.
She shivered and tugged the zipper of her down-alternative parka as high as it would go, tucking her nose in the warmth. It was after midnight, but Taya’s ongoing battle with insomnia provided her the excuse to continue working. The victim buried in the shallow grave deserved justice. As did those mourning her.
Taya leaned down and paused with her brush midair. She’d already exposed most of the skeletal form and prepared to collect the remains for transport to her laboratory at the Universityof Nebraska in Lincoln. Something red near the thoracic vertebrae peeked through the earth. With a delicate swipe, she uncovered the object. A small deflated latex balloon.
Taya sighed. The find wasn’t unusual. Addicts ingested the balloons as a method of muling illegal drugs. Was that this victim’s story?
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: https://shareestover.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shareestover
Buy link for Grave Christmas Secrets: https://amzn.to/2Wbyyn5
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover
Thank you, Sharee, for sharing this book with us. I love reading romantic suspense novels. So do most of my blog readers.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
November 30, 2020
A NIGHT DIVINE (MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS LOVE) - Dawn Kinzer with other authors - One Free Ebook of MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS LOVE
Bio: Dawn Kinzer is a freelance editor, and her own work has been published in various devotionals and magazines. She co-hosts and writes for the Seriously Write blog. Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton. Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy. Her first contemporary romance, By All Appearances, is set in the Seattle area. The sequel to that story, A Night Divine, has initially released in the boxed set of contemporary romances, Melodies of Christmas Love.
A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
Welcome back, Dawn. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? Ideas for several new projects have been competing for my attention. One project is a contemporary romance and the other is a historical romance. Both are set in the Seattle area where I live. Now I need to decide where to put my focus. Only God knows what the future will hold, but I’m trying to follow his lead.
Tell us a little about your family. I’ve been happily married to Sonny for over eighteen years (second marriage for both of us). Due to COVID, he retired last June, six months earlier than originally planned, but that’s been a blessing for many reasons.
I’m a mom to two grown daughters, a stepmom to another, and a grandmother to four little ones. The children have taken over my heart, and I love being Nana. The oldest will be seven in March, his sister will turn four in December, and they live in the area. We enjoy opportunities to spend time together and grow our relationship with them. The other two grandchildren live in another state, and it’s difficult to not see them as often as we’d like, but technology helps with staying emotionally close, if not physically. That granddaughter will be five in March, and my grandson will turn two on our shared birthday in December.
I so love living near all our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They are such blessings. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? Before focusing on my writing career, I used to be an avid reader in a variety of genres—romance, comedy, mysteries, suspense, fantasy, science fiction, general fiction, etc. Now with so much time focused on writing and also editing for other authors, I don’t read nearly as much as I did in the past. Not because I don’t enjoy it, but after spending many hours with words every day, my eyes can’t take reading for additional hours at night and into the early morning like they used to when I was younger. Because of limited time, I tend to read more contemporary and historical romances than other genres because I want to be aware of what my fellow authors are currently writing, and I learn a lot from them.
What are you working on right now? There seems to be a growing interest in audiobooks, but it’s expensive to hire someone to narrate and edit them. So as an indie author, I’m learning how to record my own. It’s challenging to learn all the ins and outs, and I don’t know how this new adventure will end, but I won’t know unless I try. Right?
Right. I’ve had several books done through ACX with shared royalties. What outside interests do you have? I enjoy watching movies, seeing live theater, planting flowers in my yard, and hiking. We have fantastic, beautiful trails in the Pacific Northwest. Music has always played an important part in my life, and I served as a vocalist for a contemporary worship team for many years, but I’m currently taking a break from role.
How do you choose your settings for each book? So far, my settings have all been familiar. My three-book historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton, takes place in a fictional town. The location and characters were inspired by my rural hometown in Wisconsinthat experienced some glory days in the early 1900s. My contemporary romances—By All Appearances and A Night Divine—are both set in the Seattlearea where I live.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? I would love to spend an evening with Louisa May Alcott and talk about her life and writing. I discovered Little Women as a young girl, and each character in the book impacted me in different ways. The story has remained a favorite, and it’s one of the few books in my life that I’ve read multiple times.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? Although a few gifted writers experience overnight success, the journey is long and hard for most.
It is, but when we hear how one of our books helped change someone’s life drastically, it’s worth every minute. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? I’m learning to be content in all things and to relax. It’s good to have a strong work ethic, but it’s also important to slow down and enjoy the life God has given us.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Continue studying the craft of writing. There are always ways to improve—challenge yourself to be better.
Despite disappointments, don’t give up. Instead of focusing on publication only, enjoy the journey. Some of the best and rewarding moments will come along the way, and the friendships that are made can be lifelong and priceless.
Tell us about the featured book. A Night Divine is the sequel to my contemporary romance, By All Appearances, but it can be easily read as a stand-alone. Readers wanted more of the Tates, and I felt this Christmas novella was the perfect way to give another member of that family her own story.
Her mother was welcome to party with colleagues, but Camryn wanted to enjoy the holiday with her dad, sister, and brother-in-law, especially now that her relationship with Liana felt sisterly again after years of friction between them. She’d missed the close friendship they’d shared as little girls, and recognizing her part in their rift, Camryn now welcomed opportunities that helped rebuild what had once been demolished.
The doors slid open, and Camryn stepped into the open-spaced lobby, where three twelve-foot artificial trees stood adorned in white, silver, and crystal ornaments. The clear lights, draped perfectly on the branches, twinkled like a star-studded sky on a cloudless night.
Camryn still appreciated her father’s tradition of cutting down a Douglas fir on the family’s estate outside of Seattle. The evergreen filled his home with an enticing fresh scent, and he insisted the tree be covered with messy handmade ornaments Camryn and Liana had created over the years. It was no secret that their surgeon father was sentimental beneath his professional exterior.
Ignoring the curious stares, Camryn strolled past several people waiting in line at the lobby’s coffee stand. Funny. She used to soak in the attention her camera-ready appearance drew, but now she swallowed hard at the envy in their eyes. She’d learned so much about herself this past year and the shallow life she’d once led. For years Camryn had been self-absorbed, and that revelation had created inner shame and emptiness.
Determined to shift from that unhealthy mindset, she’d spent considerable time contemplating mental, emotional, and yes, even spiritual changes that needed to take place. Her dad was facilitating the God piece, and she’d even started attending church with him several times a month.
George, the building’s night security guard, stopped Camryn before she ventured farther. “Ms. Tate, I wanted to warn you. There’s…someone waiting for you outside.”
Why would anyone choose standing in the cold over finding a comfortable chair or grabbing a latte at the Starbucks inside?
How can readers find you on the Internet? They’re invited to connect with me by visiting these online sites: Author Website, Faithfully Write Editing, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon Author Page,BookBub, and Goodreads.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
November 29, 2020
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.
Ann (NM) is the winner of Harry, and the Traveling Harmonica by Becky Van Vleet.
Pearl (NM) is the winner of Ottoman Dominion by Terry Brennan.
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 4 weeks to claim your book.
November 27, 2020
PAM'S CHRISTMAS KISS - Laura Domino - One Free Book
Welcome, Laura. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I add some of my interests to my characters. I like eating at Mexican food restaurants. In
Pam’s Christmas Kisses
, I chose a Mexican food restaurant for one of the meeting places for my hero and heroine. Pam is a mother, and I am too. I try to draw from the emotions I experienced in my mothering years.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I brought a gift to a baby shower and, to say who the gift was from, I put a Post-It Note with my name written in Sharpie on it. My pregnant friend asked why I used a Post-It Note. I said I didn’t want to write with a Sharpie on the wrapping paper because that would look bad.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? After my high school yearbook teacher had already picked out the editors for the yearbook, she told me I would have the title of Unofficial Copy Editor. She gave me articles to write so I’d have my byline in several pages of my yearbook. The “unofficial” part of my title didn’t bother me. I was happy to have some bylines.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I’ve enjoyed reading Christian romance, both contemporary and historical, and Christian romantic suspense.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? My husband and I watch TV together and discuss the writing, plot threads, and even the acting. We both guess what will happen next in a show or who the killer is in a murder mystery. I get it right more often than he does, but he comes in a close second.
How do you choose your characters’ names? My first novel was about Pam’s son Adam. I chose Adam and Benita for my first novel because I was keeping characters straight in my mind–alphabetically. And then I renamed some of them just before publishing. To keep it all straight, I refer to my character naming spreadsheet.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? To be honest, raising wonderful children with my awesome hubby would be my number one accomplishment. Aside from that, I’ve enjoyed seeing a #1 Best Seller banner on four of my books on Amazon.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I think I’d be a fish. I’ve been snorkeling on vacations and enjoyed looking down into the sea. If I didn’t have to breathe air, I would love the freedom of swimming around fascinating sea plants and interesting rock formations.
In all the years I’ve done this blog, this is my first “fish” answer. What is your favorite food? So hard to pick a favorite! Italian food has always been near the top of my list, but I also like Greek food.
Which writing problem was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My biggest writing problem has been my inability to write quickly. However, I did finish 50,000 words of a novel one November for NaNoWriMo. It usually takes me more than a month to finish a first draft.
Tell us about the featured book. Pam is a widow and the mother of Adam, who was the hero in my first novel, The Promotion. Pam and Paul had a scene in that story where she asked Paul, a real estate agent to help her son move out of her house. Then I put Pam and Paul in their own story to show how they got together. I needed a wounded hero for Pam so she could hear about being accepted and loved from someone who knew the struggle.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Without checking her pulse, Pam knew her heart rate, and probably her blood pressure, was through the roof. Pam was never late for church. Why did she have to start being late today?
More than likely, Kendra wasn’t just waiting for her. She was probably busy finding another single man so she could set up another date for someone. Kendra lived for matchmaking. It was her love language.
After parallel parking across the road from the church’s front door, Pam sat in her car and took a moment to collect herself. She hoped her dress hadn’t wrinkled on the short drive to church. Chic, feminine clothing had always been the thing to wear when meeting Kendra. She’d been set up too often not to expect a man to be there, judging whether or not he really wanted to go on a date with her.
The teal dress she’d picked out this morning was a good color for her. However, Kendra would notice if she showed up with smudged eye liner. She pulled a tissue out of her purse and blotted her sweaty face.
Checking in the rearview mirror to be sure that her makeup hadn’t melted off her face, she avoided looking directly into her own eyes. She’d only be reminded of the painful ways her life had changed. With her makeup mostly still there, she left her car and checked the time on her phone.
When Kendra suggested they meet before church, Pam thought at first that Kendra was interested in learning more about God. Pam had never heard her talk about God before, so she didn’t want to blow her first opportunity to support her friend’s journey closer to him.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Subscribe to Laura Domino’s weekly fiction newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uqno2p0xnz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauradomino
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/authorlauradomino
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/laura-domino
Facebook: https://facebook.com/LauraDominoAuthor
Laura Domino’s book list: https://readerlinks.com/mybooks/3179
Thank you, Laura, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It sounds wonderful.
Readers, here are links to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
November 26, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving and more
Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays. It's the time to stop and be grateful for all the good things in our lives. Maybe you don't feel there's anything to be thankful for in this year that has held so many hard things. But 2020 is more than just a COVID pandemic year. Please take the time to look for all the blessings God has bestowed on you and your family and don't let the hard times overshadow them.
And now for more:
[image error]November 24, 2020
COURTING COUNTRY - LoRee Peery - One Free Ebook
Welcome back, LoRee. Why do you write the kind of books you do? As a Christian I can’t imagine writing without referring to my Lord and Savior. I write for His glory. As per romance, the genre promises a happily-ever-after. What better way to escape the reality of our world?
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? I’m going to say marrying Bill on July 27, 1974. We had dated for a long time.
How has being published changed your life? Other than the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream, that first release drove depression from my life. It solidified having purpose in my life, an appointment with my desk chair and computer. And a much deeper relationship with the Lord ensued, because I need Him to help me write.
What are you reading right now? H.L. Wegley’s Resisting. I think Harry is brilliant. Though he writes about tech and military stuff that can make my eyes cross, I get it. And there’s always romance in his stories.
What is your current work in progress? I had to set aside my fiction in July. The story had stalled. Rather, I found nonfiction lamentations and psalms pouring from my fingertips, often in the wee hours of sleepless nights. I’m still scratching them out left-handed.
What would be your dream vacation? It’s been way too long since I’ve seen the ocean. Being on the beach for a week without sightseeing would be a dream come true.
How do you choose your settings for each book? I decided early on to set my stories in Nebraska. Small town life is what I know, but I’ve lived three-fourths of my life with Lincoln as my “town” so a little bit of city has crept in. I either make up a small town or place characters where I’m familiar with the lay of the land.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? Nicola Martinez, Editor in Chief of my publisher White Rose Publishing (an imprint of Pelican Book Group). She works tirelessly on tech stuff, the business side, book design creation, and what really impresses me prays daily for the company, the authors, and staff. Her faith takes priority in her life.
I have enjoyed working with her for authors on my blog. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? If I’m sitting anywhere other than my desk, there’s a book (or three), and my Kindle within reach. I also do crosswords and word searches, play cards with hubby or one-on-one with grands. I work a 1000-piece puzzle with the first measurable snow. I still have a fabric stash and hope to get back to strip quilting.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I have a tendency to over think scenes and try too hard. I love when I start typing “I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write” and then my characters are talking and take over.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? Pray and never stop. Practice. Read. Learn. Repeat.
Tell us about the featured book. I was intrigued and laughed hard when a friend told me about her online dating experience with a rancher. I came up with what I call my 40 words.
Kylie figures online dating is her last chance at finding love. Friend Taggart loves her from afar, and agrees to pen messages from another old friend whom Kylie is interested in. Will she see Taggart for who he really is?
Please give us the first page of the book.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” ~ Proverbs 16:9
Taggart closed his ideas document and picked up a pen. In between freelance jobs as a ghostwriter, and only two articles pending with magazines, he needed to find someone to interview. He ran a pen through the fingers of his right hand baton fashion, and then transferred it to his left. Not quite as adept with his less dominant hand, the pen hit the floor.
A new email ping stopped him from reaching for the dropped utensil. He’d received approval for his profile on the Country Courting dating site. He clicked on the link, checked out the options on screen, and then sat back to consider his next move. He’d always viewed those blind connections as risky.
Relationship. Companionship. Friendship. All those “ships” made him curl his lip. How about those who found themselves in a situationship?
Much like the one his friend, Kylie, got into when she’d signed up on the site. Nine years a widow, she was ready to jump into the dating pool again. The duds she’d encountered included one who had turned into a real problem. It had taken some doing to get the guy to understand that he was to never darken Kylie’s door again.
Taggart had casually mentioned that he cared for her, but had been rebuffed, just as casually. Kylie wasn’t interested in him except as a friend. They spent a lot of time together, sometimes meeting for coffee or lunch, the occasional outing when they wanted a partner. He’d driven her to the optometrist when her eyes were to be dilated. She’d driven him to the dentist when he’d had a root canal, and he’d worried about what would be used to numb him.
Kylie had no qualms about calling him to repair something, and he had no inhibitions asking her to accompany him on an outing. But while his heart grew with love, she experienced no spark at all. He turned his mind away from those thoughts and back to the article already taking shape.
What percentage of people, men or women, took the chance on meeting someone blind and then ended up victims? Any manner of abusers, control freaks, or predators could be lurking as liars behind smiling profile pictures, even fake profile pictures. The position they’d place themselves in presented a different manner of putting one’s life on the line.
Editors recognized Taggart Bauman as the author of articles written about people who chanced physical danger on the job or for an adrenalin rush. Kylie’s experiences with online dating made a possible topic for an article. He’d floated the idea to one of his sources and now, it’d been picked up.
Scrolling through the profile pictures, Kylie’s lovely face appeared in a shot he’d snapped. He gazed into the image of periwinkle eyes that touched him soul deep.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
https://twitter.com/LoreePeery
https://www.facebook.com/LoReePeery
Find her publications at Pelican http://tinyurl.com/kwz9enk
And Amazon https://www.amazon.com/LoRee-Peery/e/B004UAGL2W/ref
Thank you, LoRee, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
November 23, 2020
DRAGONFLY WINGS - Elizabeth Ann Boyles - One Free Book
Welcome back, Elizabeth. Why do you write the kind of books you do? My desire is to share the good news of Jesus in a way that primes the reader’s interest because of intriguing plots. My choice of the Japanese setting with American and Japanese characters is due to my love for Japan, which has grown ever since I lived there in my twenties. Only one-half-of-one percent of the people in Japanare Christians. They need the Good News!
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? It’s impossible to select just one day. Some of the happiest days were my wedding day, arriving in Japanas a missionary, and my children’s and grandchildren’s physical and spiritual births.
How has being published changed your life? I’ve had to deal with my motivations. Do I want to be known as a best-selling author, or will I trust God to use my best efforts as He wishes whether or not my books gather a large audience? The Lord often has to transform my thinking.
What are you reading right now? I’m reading Lethal Outbreak by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry. It’s a page turner and informative at the same time.
What is your current work in progress? It is the story of a young American sailor and a Japanese brother and sister marooned on an uninhabited island with a pirate. It is similar to a Treasure-Island-type adventure with an inspirational element, possibly written for young adults. The story has a connection to the Dragonfly Trilogy.
What would be your dream vacation? I would love to tour Nagasaki, Japan, the setting for Dragonfly Wings. When I lived in Japan, I didn’t make it there.
How do you choose your settings for each book? My great-great-uncle was the first American consul in Nagasaki, so I’ve been interested in the city for a long time. Dragonfly Wings is a work of fiction, but the protagonist in the story does happen to be the American consul in Nagasaki. The three books in the series follow the protagonists’ quests in the same location.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? I’d like to spend the evening with the U.S. President and hear about his life. I’d also like to share the reality of God’s transforming power with him. The President can do a great deal of good or harm.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I like to work the commuter crossword puzzles in the Dallas Morning News and play the Nertz card game and board games with my family.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I tend to think abstractly, so in order to describe settings, people, and actions with physical details, I have to research places in depth, ask more observant people to describe a situation, and take time to stop and imagine what is happening step by step.
What advice would you give to a beginning author? I’d urge the author to join a critique group and take time to read books about the writing craft. I wrote my first draft of Dragonfly Wings thirty years ago and much later found out that I didn’t know the first thing about writing fiction. Each time I learned what I’d done wrong, I had to revise and revise and revise pages and pages.
Tell us about the featured book. Sumi, a samurai’s daughter living in nineteenth-century Japan, is thrilled when her city finally opens up to the outside world after centuries of isolation. Her traditionalist grandfather, however, believes the foreigners are barbarians. Sumi is torn between her duty to obey and the lure of an expanding horizon almost within her grasp. Her exposures to the Christian faith increase her eagerness to find answers to life’s most foundational questions
The new American consul’s bravery and chivalry immediately impress Sumi as she ventures forth. Neither Sumi nor the consul foresees the threats inherent in their budding mutual attraction.
Please give us the first page of the book.
July 1859 (Year of the Sheep), Nagasaki, Japan
Taguchi Sumi took a closer look at the charcoal bucket for the brazier in her home’s main room. A wadded paper lay half buried as though intentionally concealed. She plucked it out and uncurled the tight ball, careful to keep the black dust from dirtying the tatami floor’s spotless straw mats.
Her breath caught. Words written in the squiggly English alphabet as well as in Japanese filled the page. Tingling with excitement, she tore through the Japanese translation.
English lessons. Taught by Americans. One class for young men. Another for young ladies. Unbelievable! Nothing on earth could be more wonderful. Nothing.
Two afternoons each week. Even once a week would have thrilled her.
Third house from the Oura River Bridge in the new international sector.She could walk there in an hour.
Three weeks had passed since the Westerners’ arrival, cracking open her country’s two-hundred-fifty years of isolation, and she hadn’t glimpsed a single foreigner after that first day. But with these classes, she would meet Americans twice a week, maybe even the amazing United Statesconsul himself. She had to comport herself with the dignity required for a samurai’s daughter. But inside her, fireworks exploded.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit my website: https://elizabethannboyles.com.
Also I have an author page at www.facebook.com/elizabethannboyles
Thank you, ELizabeth, for once again sharing your new book with my blog readers and me. I have found your books to be fascinating reading.
Readers, here are links to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
