Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog, page 68
February 16, 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.
Holly (KY) is the winner of Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly.
Robin (NC) is the winner of Cowboy of Her Own (Crinoline Cowboys) by Patty Smith Hall.
Sharon (SC) is the winner of Off the Ground by Catherine Richmond.
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.
Holly (KY) is the winner of Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly.
Robin (NC) is the winner of Cowboy of Her Own (Crinoline Cowboys) by Patty Smith Hall.
Sharon (SC) is the winner of Off the Ground by Catherine Richmond.
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.
February 13, 2020
YELLOWSTONE YONDERINGS - Kristen Joy Wilks - One Free Eook
Welcome, Kristen. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I choose a distinct personality type for each character first. For
Yellowstone Yondering
, I made my heroine a 7 on the enneagram, an adventurer. I made my hero a 1, a perfectionist, because I wanted them to clash wildly. I know writers who use the Myers-Briggs personality test for their characters, but I can never keep track of that many types. There is another personality system that has just four types of people but that feels too simple. The Enneagram has nine types and that is perfect for my head to get around. Well, once I have chosen a personality type, I place myself into the shoes of my character and dig down and find the moments when I was like her/him. I am not a 7 or a 1, but I have certainly had 7ish and 1ish moments and I pull those out, brush them off, and live in them as I write that character’s scene. I put as much of myself as I can into each character, imagining that I am in their shoes with their personality and concerns. It really is a strange process.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Ha, there are several moments that come to mind. But considering that this book features a heroine being wildly reckless around some pretty dangerous wildlife and geological features, I know what story to tell you. I grew up riding horses with the neighbor girls on a mountain meadow that was surrounded by forest. At that time, we had a herd of over 200 elk that lived there for the summer. I was a tomboy, but shy. My neighbor was undeniably fierce. One day, as we were riding, we looked out across the meadow and saw that all 200 elk were milling about cropping grass. Now, elk are not like deer. They are quite large and one should never mess around with them. You leave them alone, and they leave you alone and all goes well. But if you are stupid around elk, you just might get trampled and since a large bull can top 1,000 lbs, they are able to get all the trampling done that they consider necessary. Well, my neighbor just happened to be riding with a lasso. I know, a lasso? I attempted to talk her out of it, but despite my reasoniong, she cantered directly into the herd with the goal of lassoing an elk calf. What she would have done with a calf, I do not know, but lasso she did. Fool that I was, I kicked my horse Sundance into a run and we rode right into the center of the milling elk, splitting the herd. Now, my friend did lasso a calf, but his mother sternly warned her back and thankfully when faced with several hundred pounds of maternal fury, my neighbor’s senses returned to her and we fled as fast as our enthusiastic horses could go. So yes, I have ridden directly into a herd of elk. No, it was not a good idea. Don’t do this at home, kids!
When did you first discover that you were a writer?When I was seven, one child from each grade was chosen to attend a young writer’s conference where Steven Kellogg was keynoting. I had never even considered myself capable of writing, but that first grade teacher saw something in me and it was a soft, soaking rain and warm sunlight on the soil of my heart. Maybe I could be a writer! So I wrote a terrifying story of danger and daring. The book was shaped like a giant guinea pig and was based on the time that our Scottish terrier mix (Inky) attempted to murder my brother’s guinea pig. Fluffy (the guinea pig) was a smart little critter though and thwarted his efforts by hiding under the smashed lid of her cage when he attacked. Yes, it was smashed when he jumped directly on top of the cage! Incidentally, the way too bold for his own good dog Ainsley in Yellowstone Yondering is also based upon Inky. Inky had about nine lives and was known to attack big dogs on a whim. This made us very popular on walks as you can imagine!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.My favorite genres are young adult and middle grade, but I love so many different kinds of stories. I adore picture books, romantic comedy, fantasy, mystery, coming of age stories, cozy mysteries, and funny books. I also like historical fiction, Sci-fi, and graphic novels. I am not a huge fan of women’s fiction or literary novels, although my best friend and I will force each other to read a book that is out of our genre as a birthday gift each year. She always picks a literary novel for me (A Gentleman in Moscow, To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye) and I will pick fantasy or sci-fi for her (Inkheart, Artemis Fowl, Cinder) and then we get to tell each other how we barely survived! Actually, I love getting pushed out of my rut every year to read something that she loved. It’s good for me!
Sounds like a wonderful friendship. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Who says I’m sane? But I do try to get to bed by 9:00 and then I wake up at 4:00AM to write before my family awakens. That way I can get something done in the quiet hours, before the rush of life takes over.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I go to the U.S. Social Security website and plug in the year that my character was born. I then pull up the top 100 names for that year and choose a name I like. This is the selection of names I chose from for Kayla and Alexander. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I once had a well-known leader in our writing community tell me that my story was exactly what she needed on the day that she read it for a contest. Yes, it was such a thrill to win the contest. But when she pulled me aside and explained how much my crazy humor encouraged her on a hard day, that truly filled me with joy!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Oh, probably a horse that is easily spooked or a big princess dog like our Newfoundland, Princess Leia Freyja. I had a horse who loved to be scared. He wasn’t actually terrified at all; you could ride him right up to a tree with a bear in it! But he pretended to be, just so that your ride was exciting! He would snort and prance and dance around when we rode by a scary-looking bush. It was hilarious to ride him. I imagine myself like that, only I’m actually scared, ha! Or a big fluffy dog who likes to know that she is special. Our girl Leia wants her drink of water fresh from the sink and in a mug, not her bowl. As a mom who is busy with running a family, it is nice when someone makes you feel special by paying close attention to what you love. She takes it a bit far, but I understand the heart behind it. She loves a bit of TLC … well in her case, perhaps more than just a bit!
What is your favorite food?
I am quite fond of pastries, pizza, homemade bread, and an amazing African peanut soup that our former camp cook taught me to make. I included one of my favorite foods in
Yellowstone Yondering
though. A fair-trade dark chocolate bar with bits of candied ginger. Yum!
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?I have a hard time rushing through the sequel (or the rest and introspection) that comes after an exciting scene to get to the next exciting scene. After hearing from critique partners to slow down and allow my characters to react to events that just happened, I learned not to speed on to the next action without allowing the characters to learn and grow as well.
Tell us about the featured book.The story spark came when we took our three boys to visit Yellowstone National Park. The park is visited by many tourists for whom English is a second language. Therefore, they try to make the warnings clear to one and all through the use of terrifying drawings. My sons were amazed by the drawing of a young boy being tossed in the air by a raging bison, waving a bag of marshmallows as a grizzly charged toward his sugary snack, and succumbing to the boiling waters of a thermal zone as he cracked through the thin crust to his doom! The same hapless child was featured on all the signs and so my husband named the poor lad, Jimmy. As we toured the beautiful park and remarked upon Jimmy’s many perils, I got to thinking … . Writers are always trying to menace their characters with dangerous situations. What better place to menace a heroine than Yellowstone National Park? But she would have to break all of those perfectly reasonable rules. What could I do to cause such a rash of foolish behavior in an otherwise sane adult? Put her pup in peril, of course! I once saw my grandmother dart in front of a moving car to scoop up her little Shih Tzu. We read Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittleseyaloud as a family while vacationing (remember, I have 3 sons) and discovered that a parkgoer once dove into a boiling pool after his dog. People love their dogs and tend to throw caution to the wind when a beloved pet’s life is endangered. I had my motivation!
When a free-spirited wildlife photographer loses her Scottish terrier in a herd of bison, she sets out to rescue her furbaby before he is devoured. But will she succeed when Yellowstone National Park is chock full of boiling, bubbling, and rampaging hazards (both mammalian and geographical) -- not to mention a rule-obsessed park ranger whose many rescues thwart her efforts to find her poor pup?
They say opposites attract, and when it comes to Kayla Dineen and Ranger Alexander Brandt, no two people have ever been more opposed...or attractive. Old Faithful isn't the only thing making noise at Yellowstonethis season.
Please give us the first page of the book.So Many Rules, So Little Time
Kayla slowed her motorcycle to a crawl, tapping out an impatient beat on the hand grips. The traffic bunched into four long lines as they approached the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. A mournful whine drifted from the travel carrier strapped behind her. Kayla turned to address her furry passenger. “I know, you want to feel the wind in your ears, boy. At least they don’t make you wear a helmet.” She pulled off the hated head protection and shook out a tumble of long brown hair. The dry August wind made her scalp prickle as the sweat of the ride evaporated.
The whine turned into a fierce barrage of barking. A Great Dane out for a potty break flinched away from her bike, nearly toppling his master. The massive beast held his ears at a lopsided, concerned-looking angle and peered from behind his owner’s legs.
“Hush, Ainsley.” Kayla tried to be stern but knew Ainsley could hear the smile in her voice. The little black dog hushed for all of two seconds before he spotted something even more sinister. Now this was too good to pass up. Kayla unzipped Ainsley’s carrier just enough for his head to poke out and then dug in the saddle bags for her camera. Her bike wobbled as she leaned way back to get a shot of Ainsley’s perky ears in the foreground with a large sign in the background. “That’s not even a real bison, boy.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?My website: http://www.kristenjoywilks.com/Instagram: kristenjoywilksauthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksdogskissesandfrogs/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kristenjwilks7/
Thank you, Kristen, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It sounds hilarious.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.Yellowstone Yondering[image error] Kindle
https://pbgrp.link/KJWaudio - Audio
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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
I choose a distinct personality type for each character first. For
Yellowstone Yondering
, I made my heroine a 7 on the enneagram, an adventurer. I made my hero a 1, a perfectionist, because I wanted them to clash wildly. I know writers who use the Myers-Briggs personality test for their characters, but I can never keep track of that many types. There is another personality system that has just four types of people but that feels too simple. The Enneagram has nine types and that is perfect for my head to get around. Well, once I have chosen a personality type, I place myself into the shoes of my character and dig down and find the moments when I was like her/him. I am not a 7 or a 1, but I have certainly had 7ish and 1ish moments and I pull those out, brush them off, and live in them as I write that character’s scene. I put as much of myself as I can into each character, imagining that I am in their shoes with their personality and concerns. It really is a strange process.What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Ha, there are several moments that come to mind. But considering that this book features a heroine being wildly reckless around some pretty dangerous wildlife and geological features, I know what story to tell you. I grew up riding horses with the neighbor girls on a mountain meadow that was surrounded by forest. At that time, we had a herd of over 200 elk that lived there for the summer. I was a tomboy, but shy. My neighbor was undeniably fierce. One day, as we were riding, we looked out across the meadow and saw that all 200 elk were milling about cropping grass. Now, elk are not like deer. They are quite large and one should never mess around with them. You leave them alone, and they leave you alone and all goes well. But if you are stupid around elk, you just might get trampled and since a large bull can top 1,000 lbs, they are able to get all the trampling done that they consider necessary. Well, my neighbor just happened to be riding with a lasso. I know, a lasso? I attempted to talk her out of it, but despite my reasoniong, she cantered directly into the herd with the goal of lassoing an elk calf. What she would have done with a calf, I do not know, but lasso she did. Fool that I was, I kicked my horse Sundance into a run and we rode right into the center of the milling elk, splitting the herd. Now, my friend did lasso a calf, but his mother sternly warned her back and thankfully when faced with several hundred pounds of maternal fury, my neighbor’s senses returned to her and we fled as fast as our enthusiastic horses could go. So yes, I have ridden directly into a herd of elk. No, it was not a good idea. Don’t do this at home, kids!
When did you first discover that you were a writer?When I was seven, one child from each grade was chosen to attend a young writer’s conference where Steven Kellogg was keynoting. I had never even considered myself capable of writing, but that first grade teacher saw something in me and it was a soft, soaking rain and warm sunlight on the soil of my heart. Maybe I could be a writer! So I wrote a terrifying story of danger and daring. The book was shaped like a giant guinea pig and was based on the time that our Scottish terrier mix (Inky) attempted to murder my brother’s guinea pig. Fluffy (the guinea pig) was a smart little critter though and thwarted his efforts by hiding under the smashed lid of her cage when he attacked. Yes, it was smashed when he jumped directly on top of the cage! Incidentally, the way too bold for his own good dog Ainsley in Yellowstone Yondering is also based upon Inky. Inky had about nine lives and was known to attack big dogs on a whim. This made us very popular on walks as you can imagine!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.My favorite genres are young adult and middle grade, but I love so many different kinds of stories. I adore picture books, romantic comedy, fantasy, mystery, coming of age stories, cozy mysteries, and funny books. I also like historical fiction, Sci-fi, and graphic novels. I am not a huge fan of women’s fiction or literary novels, although my best friend and I will force each other to read a book that is out of our genre as a birthday gift each year. She always picks a literary novel for me (A Gentleman in Moscow, To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye) and I will pick fantasy or sci-fi for her (Inkheart, Artemis Fowl, Cinder) and then we get to tell each other how we barely survived! Actually, I love getting pushed out of my rut every year to read something that she loved. It’s good for me!
Sounds like a wonderful friendship. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Who says I’m sane? But I do try to get to bed by 9:00 and then I wake up at 4:00AM to write before my family awakens. That way I can get something done in the quiet hours, before the rush of life takes over.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I go to the U.S. Social Security website and plug in the year that my character was born. I then pull up the top 100 names for that year and choose a name I like. This is the selection of names I chose from for Kayla and Alexander. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I once had a well-known leader in our writing community tell me that my story was exactly what she needed on the day that she read it for a contest. Yes, it was such a thrill to win the contest. But when she pulled me aside and explained how much my crazy humor encouraged her on a hard day, that truly filled me with joy!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Oh, probably a horse that is easily spooked or a big princess dog like our Newfoundland, Princess Leia Freyja. I had a horse who loved to be scared. He wasn’t actually terrified at all; you could ride him right up to a tree with a bear in it! But he pretended to be, just so that your ride was exciting! He would snort and prance and dance around when we rode by a scary-looking bush. It was hilarious to ride him. I imagine myself like that, only I’m actually scared, ha! Or a big fluffy dog who likes to know that she is special. Our girl Leia wants her drink of water fresh from the sink and in a mug, not her bowl. As a mom who is busy with running a family, it is nice when someone makes you feel special by paying close attention to what you love. She takes it a bit far, but I understand the heart behind it. She loves a bit of TLC … well in her case, perhaps more than just a bit!What is your favorite food?
I am quite fond of pastries, pizza, homemade bread, and an amazing African peanut soup that our former camp cook taught me to make. I included one of my favorite foods in
Yellowstone Yondering
though. A fair-trade dark chocolate bar with bits of candied ginger. Yum!What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?I have a hard time rushing through the sequel (or the rest and introspection) that comes after an exciting scene to get to the next exciting scene. After hearing from critique partners to slow down and allow my characters to react to events that just happened, I learned not to speed on to the next action without allowing the characters to learn and grow as well.
Tell us about the featured book.The story spark came when we took our three boys to visit Yellowstone National Park. The park is visited by many tourists for whom English is a second language. Therefore, they try to make the warnings clear to one and all through the use of terrifying drawings. My sons were amazed by the drawing of a young boy being tossed in the air by a raging bison, waving a bag of marshmallows as a grizzly charged toward his sugary snack, and succumbing to the boiling waters of a thermal zone as he cracked through the thin crust to his doom! The same hapless child was featured on all the signs and so my husband named the poor lad, Jimmy. As we toured the beautiful park and remarked upon Jimmy’s many perils, I got to thinking … . Writers are always trying to menace their characters with dangerous situations. What better place to menace a heroine than Yellowstone National Park? But she would have to break all of those perfectly reasonable rules. What could I do to cause such a rash of foolish behavior in an otherwise sane adult? Put her pup in peril, of course! I once saw my grandmother dart in front of a moving car to scoop up her little Shih Tzu. We read Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittleseyaloud as a family while vacationing (remember, I have 3 sons) and discovered that a parkgoer once dove into a boiling pool after his dog. People love their dogs and tend to throw caution to the wind when a beloved pet’s life is endangered. I had my motivation!
When a free-spirited wildlife photographer loses her Scottish terrier in a herd of bison, she sets out to rescue her furbaby before he is devoured. But will she succeed when Yellowstone National Park is chock full of boiling, bubbling, and rampaging hazards (both mammalian and geographical) -- not to mention a rule-obsessed park ranger whose many rescues thwart her efforts to find her poor pup?They say opposites attract, and when it comes to Kayla Dineen and Ranger Alexander Brandt, no two people have ever been more opposed...or attractive. Old Faithful isn't the only thing making noise at Yellowstonethis season.
Please give us the first page of the book.So Many Rules, So Little Time
Kayla slowed her motorcycle to a crawl, tapping out an impatient beat on the hand grips. The traffic bunched into four long lines as they approached the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. A mournful whine drifted from the travel carrier strapped behind her. Kayla turned to address her furry passenger. “I know, you want to feel the wind in your ears, boy. At least they don’t make you wear a helmet.” She pulled off the hated head protection and shook out a tumble of long brown hair. The dry August wind made her scalp prickle as the sweat of the ride evaporated.
The whine turned into a fierce barrage of barking. A Great Dane out for a potty break flinched away from her bike, nearly toppling his master. The massive beast held his ears at a lopsided, concerned-looking angle and peered from behind his owner’s legs.
“Hush, Ainsley.” Kayla tried to be stern but knew Ainsley could hear the smile in her voice. The little black dog hushed for all of two seconds before he spotted something even more sinister. Now this was too good to pass up. Kayla unzipped Ainsley’s carrier just enough for his head to poke out and then dug in the saddle bags for her camera. Her bike wobbled as she leaned way back to get a shot of Ainsley’s perky ears in the foreground with a large sign in the background. “That’s not even a real bison, boy.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?My website: http://www.kristenjoywilks.com/Instagram: kristenjoywilksauthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksdogskissesandfrogs/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kristenjwilks7/
Thank you, Kristen, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It sounds hilarious.
Readers, here’s a link to the book.Yellowstone Yondering[image error] Kindle
https://pbgrp.link/KJWaudio - Audio
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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
February 11, 2020
ALL MY TEARS - Kathy McKinsey - One Free Book
Welcome, Kathy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.A lot, I think. None of the stories are actual things that have happened in my life, but the emotions, the questions and struggles are mine.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?It took me a while to think of something that wasn’t either kind of mean or a little disgusting.
One year, my husband Murray and I showed up at church for VBS wearing bunny ears. “You did say this was Vacation Bunny School, didn’t you?”
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I started writing down silly stories when I was about ten.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I love mysteries, American pioneer stories, World War II fiction and nonfiction. Mysteries include everything from stories in the Middle Ages, archeological settings in the early 1900s, as well as present-day.
I’ll read science fiction occasionally with my husband. Philip Yancey and Max Lucado are two of my favorite authors, and To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book ever.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?That’s something I’m still struggling with. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed, I want to bury my head under my pillow.
Lately, I’m trying to start each day with, “What absolutely has to be done today?” Then if I’m able to do anything else, it’s an added treat.
How do you choose your characters’ names?I have made a list of first and last names. From friends, family, co-workers, characters in lists of books, names from the internet.
When I get ready to write a story, I look at my list and pick out the ones who fit my characters.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?I give myself little credit for this, but I have five adult children who make me tear up with pride.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?A dog. They are so friendly and happy.
What is your favorite food?Hamburgers with lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise.
You’re making me hungry, only my burger would be with mustard. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?Writing every day. I am still working to overcome that struggle.
Tell us about the featured book.
All My Tears
is a collection of five novellas about women struggling with real-life troubles and failures. My goal is to give them hope, through relationships, new unexpected doors opening in their lives, hearing from God.I want readers to know that God is our loving Father. He is watching and waiting for us and runs to greet us as soon as we take a step toward him.
Please give us the first page of the book.When I opened my eyes, my brother Jeff sat beside me, his head in his hands, asleep.
Where was I? I didn’t know this room. What . . . “Jeff?” My voice croaked.
He jerked awake, then looked straight at me. “Cassie. Hey.”
“Why are you here?” My eyes were heavy and my mouth dry. Turning my head, I saw the IV attached to my arm. “Is this a hospital? Why, what, why are you here?”
Jeff leaned over and put his face right beside mine. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.”
“What—what happened?” I lay in a bed, and my head was confused and groggy. “Jeff?”
“You’re hurt.” He laid his hand on my shoulder. “But yes, this is a hospital, and you’re going to be okay. Just sleep now. I promise I’ll stay with you.”
Relaxing, I closed my eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere.
--
The next time I woke and found my brother sitting beside my bed, I was more alert. “Jeff?”
He closed the magazine in his hands and turned toward me. “Hey, little bird, how are you?”
I couldn’t meet his eyes. “I think I heard . . . one of the nurses said . . . I tried to kill myself. Is that true?”
He knelt on the floor beside my bed and laid his head close to me. “Yes, honey.”
“I don’t remember anything about it. That’s, that’s scary.” It was a struggle to sit up. My hands, covered with bandages, hurt when I put weight on them.
Jeff pushed some pillows to prop me in a more comfortable position. “It is scary.” He put his hands on my shoulders and gazed straight in my eyes. “But we’re going to help you.”
“I don’t understand. Why would I?” restless, I twisted, trying to sit up more.
He rested his hand on my cheek. “Shh, try to relax. The doctor said you can leave the hospital on Tuesday. Today’s Saturday.” He looked worried, and his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Sharon and I want you to come stay with us and the kids for a while, as long as you need. We’ll help you. We’ll find doctors and counselors there. You’re not going to be alone with this.”
My head pulsed. In the hall outside, a page came over the loudspeaker. “What about my apartment? My job?”
He squeezed my fingers. “Those things can wait a while, so you can get well. There’s nothing you need to be in a hurry about. I’m going to keep telling you not to be in a hurry.”
My eyes closed, and I took a deep breath. That was not how I handled life. I always kept myself under pressure, trying to stay one or two steps ahead of things at work. Biting my lip, I shook my head. After all, how well had I handled my life?
I want to know what happens next. How can readers find you on the Internet?Kathy.mckinsey@gmail.comhttps://www.kathymckinsey.comhttps://www.facebook.com/kathy.brinkmann.mckinseyhttps://twitter.com/kathymckinseyhttps://www.amazon.com/Millies-Christmas-Kathy-McKinsey-ebook/dp/B07YTF53KThttps://www.amazon.com/All-My-Tears-Kathy-McKinsey-ebook/dp/B07P92QZPJ
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. It’s the next book I’m going to read.
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
February 10, 2020
THE SOLID GROUNDS COFFEE COMPANY - Carla Laureano - One Free Book
Welcome, Carla. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
There’s always something of myself in each of my characters, even the ones that are completely dissimilar to me. I find it’s easier to relate to them if I give them some of my own quirks or background. For example, Melody in Brunch at Bittersweet Cafégraduated high school at sixteen, just as I did. In my recent release,
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company
, Ana is the same personality and Enneagram type I am, though I’m not quite as type A as she is.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I don’t think of myself as particularly quirky, though it may surprise people to know that while my books are all about modern career women, I love many old-fashioned arts: I’m an avid knitter and crocheter, and I can cross-stitch and do blackwork embroidery. Years ago, I used to make historically accurate costumes, but I no longer find sewing relaxing so I only do it when I have to.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I spent all my free time as a kid writing short stories—when I wasn’t reading, that is. I knew that someday I would publish a book; I just didn’t expect it to take until I was 35!
It took me until I was 40. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I read very widely, both in Christian fiction and general market. I love romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, memoir, you name it. The only thing I won’t read is horror. I’ve never really had the stomach for it.
I don’t read horror either, even the Christian horror books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?It’s an ongoing process, for sure, because I can easily get caught up in the need to do more all the time. It’s helped to block out my time: I only work on publishing-related tasks while my kids are at school. When they’re home, it’s family time. And I make sure to schedule myself time every day for reading, prayer, and exercise. Having boundaries helps me ensure I’m not getting too caught up in one thing or another.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Usually, they just come to me. I’m very “auditory”—what they sound like is important. Once I’ve come up with potential names, I then check them against my favorite naming tool, The Secret Universe of Names. It’s about naming convention based on language theory and lists personalities according to sounds contained in the name. Every time a name hasn’t quite worked for me, I’ve checked the book and found that the stated personality was not right for the character. Now I just go there first.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Personally, my proudest accomplishment is raising two boys who are turning into Christlike young men. Professionally, I’m fairly pleased with having published twelve books in seven years.
What is your favorite food?Indian butter chicken. I order it any time it’s on the menu at an Indian restaurant and make it at least once a month at home.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
It’s not necessarily related to writing itself, but rather the business of writing. I have the tendency to overextend myself and then get stressed out, so in the last seven years, I’ve learned to differentiate between the “must dos” and the “nice to dos.” Once all the “must dos” are finished, I can move on to the other stuff, but otherwise I have to let it go. Let’s just say I’m a work in progress on this count.
Tell us about the featured book. The Solid Grounds Coffee Company is the third book in my Supper Club series, featuring characters we’ve seen in the first two books: crisis publicist Analyn Sanchez and professional climber Bryan Shaw. As the book opens, they both experience devastating professional setbacks: Bryan loses his sponsorships because of a poor decision, and Ana gets put on leave when she refuses to compromise her morals for a client. When Bryan buys a coffee farm in Colombia with the intention of starting a roasting business in Colorado, Ana and her marketing savvy are his only hopes for success. Despite their wildly different personalities and approaches to life, romance blossoms in the process, as does a deeper understanding of who they are in Christ.
How can readers find you on the Internet?You can always find me at my website, on Facebook, or on Instagram. Subscribers to my mailing list also receive a free romance novella. I love to hear from readers, so please get in touch!
Thank you, Carla, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. Amazon.com Paperback
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company (The Saturday Night Supper Club)[image error] Kindle
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company - Audio book[image error]
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
There’s always something of myself in each of my characters, even the ones that are completely dissimilar to me. I find it’s easier to relate to them if I give them some of my own quirks or background. For example, Melody in Brunch at Bittersweet Cafégraduated high school at sixteen, just as I did. In my recent release,
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company
, Ana is the same personality and Enneagram type I am, though I’m not quite as type A as she is. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?I don’t think of myself as particularly quirky, though it may surprise people to know that while my books are all about modern career women, I love many old-fashioned arts: I’m an avid knitter and crocheter, and I can cross-stitch and do blackwork embroidery. Years ago, I used to make historically accurate costumes, but I no longer find sewing relaxing so I only do it when I have to.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I spent all my free time as a kid writing short stories—when I wasn’t reading, that is. I knew that someday I would publish a book; I just didn’t expect it to take until I was 35!
It took me until I was 40. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I read very widely, both in Christian fiction and general market. I love romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, memoir, you name it. The only thing I won’t read is horror. I’ve never really had the stomach for it.
I don’t read horror either, even the Christian horror books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?It’s an ongoing process, for sure, because I can easily get caught up in the need to do more all the time. It’s helped to block out my time: I only work on publishing-related tasks while my kids are at school. When they’re home, it’s family time. And I make sure to schedule myself time every day for reading, prayer, and exercise. Having boundaries helps me ensure I’m not getting too caught up in one thing or another.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Usually, they just come to me. I’m very “auditory”—what they sound like is important. Once I’ve come up with potential names, I then check them against my favorite naming tool, The Secret Universe of Names. It’s about naming convention based on language theory and lists personalities according to sounds contained in the name. Every time a name hasn’t quite worked for me, I’ve checked the book and found that the stated personality was not right for the character. Now I just go there first.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Personally, my proudest accomplishment is raising two boys who are turning into Christlike young men. Professionally, I’m fairly pleased with having published twelve books in seven years.
What is your favorite food?Indian butter chicken. I order it any time it’s on the menu at an Indian restaurant and make it at least once a month at home.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
It’s not necessarily related to writing itself, but rather the business of writing. I have the tendency to overextend myself and then get stressed out, so in the last seven years, I’ve learned to differentiate between the “must dos” and the “nice to dos.” Once all the “must dos” are finished, I can move on to the other stuff, but otherwise I have to let it go. Let’s just say I’m a work in progress on this count.Tell us about the featured book. The Solid Grounds Coffee Company is the third book in my Supper Club series, featuring characters we’ve seen in the first two books: crisis publicist Analyn Sanchez and professional climber Bryan Shaw. As the book opens, they both experience devastating professional setbacks: Bryan loses his sponsorships because of a poor decision, and Ana gets put on leave when she refuses to compromise her morals for a client. When Bryan buys a coffee farm in Colombia with the intention of starting a roasting business in Colorado, Ana and her marketing savvy are his only hopes for success. Despite their wildly different personalities and approaches to life, romance blossoms in the process, as does a deeper understanding of who they are in Christ.
How can readers find you on the Internet?You can always find me at my website, on Facebook, or on Instagram. Subscribers to my mailing list also receive a free romance novella. I love to hear from readers, so please get in touch!
Thank you, Carla, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. Amazon.com Paperback
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company (The Saturday Night Supper Club)[image error] Kindle
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company - Audio book[image error]
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
February 9, 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.
Connie (WV) is the winner of A Chance Mistake by Jackie Zack.
Diana (SC) is the winner of The Duke's Refuge by Lorri Dudley.
Abigail (VA) is the winner of Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green.
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.
Connie (WV) is the winner of A Chance Mistake by Jackie Zack.
Diana (SC) is the winner of The Duke's Refuge by Lorri Dudley.
Abigail (VA) is the winner of Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green.
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.
February 7, 2020
OFF THE GROUND - Catherine Richmond - One Free Book
Welcome back, Catherine. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write the stories that come to me. Looking back, worthiness stands out as an overarching theme. You are worthy of God’s love, even if you’re shy like the mail-order bride in Spring for Susannah, even if you fail at your mission like Sophia in Through Rushing Water, even if your boss thinks you’re incompetent like Mabel in Gilding the Waters, even if you have a child with a disability like Caroline in Third Strand of the Cord. And in
Off the Ground
, my heroine hopes her parents will finally recognize her worth if she sets an aviation record.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? This Christmas was incredibly happy. I was blessed to celebrate Jesus’ birth with my adult children and extended family. We sang, cooked, hiked, played games – nothing elaborate, but everything meaningful because we were together.
How has being published changed your life? What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I feel time pressure to write more, market more, do more. Phillipians 4:19 says God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory. I need to trust Him for time to write. And stop reading articles entitled “Five Secrets of Publishing Success!”
What are you reading right now? I recently finished American Eden by Victoria Johnson, about an 18th century physician who built a botanical garden to research the use of plants as medicine. Nearly everyone involved in the founding of the United States crossed his path. In fact, he was the doctor present during the Burr-Hamilton duel. I’m excited to start An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz, one of my favorite historical authors.
What is your current work in progress? The decade before the Civil War saw a number of communal settlements in the US. The most well-known is the Amana Colony in Iowa. I’m writing about a smaller, more obscure group. Why did people join these sects and why did they stay? How did membership impact an individual’s spiritual journey?
What would be your dream vacation? Many places on my bucket list are inspired by my reading. The Morse Museumin Winter Haven, Florida, was prompted by Deanne Gist’s Tiffany Girl. Ca d’Zan made the list after I read Kristy Cambron’s Ringmaster’s Wife. Dorothy Love’s historicals have me exploring Savannahand Charleston.
How do you choose your settings for each book? The story chooses the setting. Off the Ground is based on a black diamond my grandfather sold early in his career as a jeweler. His story starts in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area and ends in Royal Oak, Michigan, so that’s where Off the Ground is set.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?I’m scanning my bookshelves and thinking how delightful it’s been to meet so many authors, including Mary Connealy, Lynn Gentry, Lorna Seilstad, Dawn Ford, Julie Lessman. I haven’t met Joanne Bischof, but I’d love to!
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I love to travel! In 2018, I was blessed to tour the Holy Land, to see the places the Bible tells about, to walk where Jesus walked. All those Bible stories are now in color and 3-D!
What advice would you give to a beginning author? Find a good critique group. Feedback from other writers will refine your skills. You may not find a good fit in the first group you visit, so try more than one. Writers who build each other up are worth their weight in gold.
Tell us about the featured book.
As the Roaring Twenties come to a close, Mac McFarland falls head over heels for live-wire Corrie Tinley. Now that she’s graduated, they’re allowed to date. But before he can sweep her off the dance floor and into his life, her father gives her a winged death-trap – a biplane. Refusing to stick around to see her crash, Mac leaves without saying goodbye.
Corrie’s family treats her like a dumb Dora, but her former basketball coach is respectful and attentive. Mac has a noble air like Lindbergh and dark hair waving over his forehead like Gary Cooper. She can’t wait to take him flying in her new biplane, but he’s disappeared. If she can’t find him, is she destined to fly solo the rest of her life?
Please give us the first page of the book. “Swanky.” Miss Sackett, school librarian and girls’ basketball coach whistled. “Corrie’s papa has some heavy sugar.”
“Hope Miss Klemfuss doesn’t hear you.” Mac maneuvered his Tin Lizzie between a Pierce Arrow and the Chrysler parked on either side of the road. One scratch would cost his next paycheck.
Miss Sackett blew a raspberry. “We can sling slang to our heart’s content. No one invites the school secretary to their graduation party.”
He lowered his voice. “Miss Klemfuss hears all, sees all, knows all.”
“Class of twenty-nine! More than fine!” chanted three fellows in slacks and shirts as they crossed the road. None wore a suit coat or tie. Mac let out a breath. He’d borrowed a light-brown suit from Mr. Smooth’s closet. The cuffed slacks fit well, but the double-breasted coat was too big in the shoulders. He’d leave it in the car.
“Which house is it?”
Miss Sackett peered at the library catalog card on which she’d written Corrie’s address. “The big white one. Go ahead and park.”
“I’ll let you out by the front door.” He inched past another long touring car. Who in Omahacould afford a Duesenberg? “Haven’t spent all winter coaching your basketball team to have you hurt your leg again.”
“Ankle’s better than new.” She poked him with her cane. “Park now or I’ll bean you right in the kisser.”
Mac squeezed into the next spot. “What’s your hurry?”
“You got to take your shot before the other guy.”
“What other guy? What shot?”
“Mac McFarland, you’re not fooling anyone. You’ve been carrying a torch for Corrie since the day you met.”
I love the conversation that is authentic to the time period. How can readers find you on the Internet? I love to hear from readers! Please contact me at www.CatherineRichmond.comor https://www.facebook.com/catherinerichmondfans/Thanks for having me on your blog, Lena!
My pleasure, Catherine. I know my blog readers will be interested in your book.
Readers, here are links to the book.Off the Ground[image error] - Paperback
Off the Ground - Kindle[image error]
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
I write the stories that come to me. Looking back, worthiness stands out as an overarching theme. You are worthy of God’s love, even if you’re shy like the mail-order bride in Spring for Susannah, even if you fail at your mission like Sophia in Through Rushing Water, even if your boss thinks you’re incompetent like Mabel in Gilding the Waters, even if you have a child with a disability like Caroline in Third Strand of the Cord. And in
Off the Ground
, my heroine hopes her parents will finally recognize her worth if she sets an aviation record. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? This Christmas was incredibly happy. I was blessed to celebrate Jesus’ birth with my adult children and extended family. We sang, cooked, hiked, played games – nothing elaborate, but everything meaningful because we were together.
How has being published changed your life? What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I feel time pressure to write more, market more, do more. Phillipians 4:19 says God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory. I need to trust Him for time to write. And stop reading articles entitled “Five Secrets of Publishing Success!”
What are you reading right now? I recently finished American Eden by Victoria Johnson, about an 18th century physician who built a botanical garden to research the use of plants as medicine. Nearly everyone involved in the founding of the United States crossed his path. In fact, he was the doctor present during the Burr-Hamilton duel. I’m excited to start An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz, one of my favorite historical authors.
What is your current work in progress? The decade before the Civil War saw a number of communal settlements in the US. The most well-known is the Amana Colony in Iowa. I’m writing about a smaller, more obscure group. Why did people join these sects and why did they stay? How did membership impact an individual’s spiritual journey?
What would be your dream vacation? Many places on my bucket list are inspired by my reading. The Morse Museumin Winter Haven, Florida, was prompted by Deanne Gist’s Tiffany Girl. Ca d’Zan made the list after I read Kristy Cambron’s Ringmaster’s Wife. Dorothy Love’s historicals have me exploring Savannahand Charleston.
How do you choose your settings for each book? The story chooses the setting. Off the Ground is based on a black diamond my grandfather sold early in his career as a jeweler. His story starts in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area and ends in Royal Oak, Michigan, so that’s where Off the Ground is set.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?I’m scanning my bookshelves and thinking how delightful it’s been to meet so many authors, including Mary Connealy, Lynn Gentry, Lorna Seilstad, Dawn Ford, Julie Lessman. I haven’t met Joanne Bischof, but I’d love to!
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I love to travel! In 2018, I was blessed to tour the Holy Land, to see the places the Bible tells about, to walk where Jesus walked. All those Bible stories are now in color and 3-D!
What advice would you give to a beginning author? Find a good critique group. Feedback from other writers will refine your skills. You may not find a good fit in the first group you visit, so try more than one. Writers who build each other up are worth their weight in gold.
Tell us about the featured book.
As the Roaring Twenties come to a close, Mac McFarland falls head over heels for live-wire Corrie Tinley. Now that she’s graduated, they’re allowed to date. But before he can sweep her off the dance floor and into his life, her father gives her a winged death-trap – a biplane. Refusing to stick around to see her crash, Mac leaves without saying goodbye.Corrie’s family treats her like a dumb Dora, but her former basketball coach is respectful and attentive. Mac has a noble air like Lindbergh and dark hair waving over his forehead like Gary Cooper. She can’t wait to take him flying in her new biplane, but he’s disappeared. If she can’t find him, is she destined to fly solo the rest of her life?
Please give us the first page of the book. “Swanky.” Miss Sackett, school librarian and girls’ basketball coach whistled. “Corrie’s papa has some heavy sugar.”
“Hope Miss Klemfuss doesn’t hear you.” Mac maneuvered his Tin Lizzie between a Pierce Arrow and the Chrysler parked on either side of the road. One scratch would cost his next paycheck.
Miss Sackett blew a raspberry. “We can sling slang to our heart’s content. No one invites the school secretary to their graduation party.”
He lowered his voice. “Miss Klemfuss hears all, sees all, knows all.”
“Class of twenty-nine! More than fine!” chanted three fellows in slacks and shirts as they crossed the road. None wore a suit coat or tie. Mac let out a breath. He’d borrowed a light-brown suit from Mr. Smooth’s closet. The cuffed slacks fit well, but the double-breasted coat was too big in the shoulders. He’d leave it in the car.
“Which house is it?”
Miss Sackett peered at the library catalog card on which she’d written Corrie’s address. “The big white one. Go ahead and park.”
“I’ll let you out by the front door.” He inched past another long touring car. Who in Omahacould afford a Duesenberg? “Haven’t spent all winter coaching your basketball team to have you hurt your leg again.”
“Ankle’s better than new.” She poked him with her cane. “Park now or I’ll bean you right in the kisser.”
Mac squeezed into the next spot. “What’s your hurry?”
“You got to take your shot before the other guy.”
“What other guy? What shot?”
“Mac McFarland, you’re not fooling anyone. You’ve been carrying a torch for Corrie since the day you met.”
I love the conversation that is authentic to the time period. How can readers find you on the Internet? I love to hear from readers! Please contact me at www.CatherineRichmond.comor https://www.facebook.com/catherinerichmondfans/Thanks for having me on your blog, Lena!
My pleasure, Catherine. I know my blog readers will be interested in your book.
Readers, here are links to the book.Off the Ground[image error] - Paperback
Off the Ground - Kindle[image error]
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
February 4, 2020
COWBOY OF HER OWN (CRINOLINE COWBOYS) - Patty Smith Hall - One Free Book
Welcome, Patty. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
That’s a great question! First, I write characters whose faith is as important to them as it is to me. It’s organic in their daily lives, and it’s what they rely on during difficult times. But it doesn’t make them perfect! I also have been known to use family names for some of my characters.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Quirky, huh? I don’t know if it’s quirky or not but I’m a firm believer in research, and not just reading but DOING it. In my first book, Hearts in Flight , I crawled into a P-49 Spitfire and learned how to take off and land a plane. I’ve also panned for gold and walked in the steps of Girl Scouts who served as spies in WWI London. I’m really into research!
I love reading books by authors who really make the story authentic to the times. When did you first discover that you were a writer?I guess it was as a child. I wrote poetry which was fun and creative, and something I truly loved. I showed a sixth-grade teacher my poems, and a few years later, I received a contract in the mail—my teacher had comprised a book of poetry from her students that was being published. So, I guess you can say I had my first publishing credit when I was a kid.
Cool. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I love a little bit of everything. I mainly read historicals because I’ve had a lifelong fascination with history. Growing up, I read the entire history section of our library. I also love devotionals and non-fiction, Bible-based books.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I start each day with a Bible study and a prayer time. It keeps me grounded in the Word.
How do you choose your characters’ names?As I mentioned before, I use family names quite a bit in my novels and novellas, and believe it or not, they love it! My cousins are always asking me when I plan to use their names.
I’ve used family names sometimes. Once when I went to a local Chinese buffet, the owner and I were talking about things. When he found out I write books, he asked me to use his name in a book. I actually used the name in two books, because that character was in book 2 and book 3 of a series. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?My family. My husband, Danny and I have been married for almost 37 years. We have two beautiful, intelligent daughters, a son-in-law we consider our own. And of course, our grandson who happens to be the smartest, handsomest three-year-old on the planet!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?A Yorkie—I'm completely devoted to those I love, but if you make me mad, I wouldn’t think twice about voicing my opinion.
What is your favorite food?My mom’s German Chocolate Cake. It’s the absolute best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
I love German Chocolate Cake. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My greatest roadblock is getting started! Those first full chapters are like pulling teeth, but I push through. By the third or fourth chapter, I’m flying along.
Tell us about the featured book.Crinoline Cowboyscame about when one of my former editors kept asking me to write a western romance. I never saw myself writing that—most of my books are set in the South—until I took a class on Western history and learned about how Southerners fled to Texasafter the Civil War. It was around that time I found the book, How to be a Kick A** Cowgirl and all the pieces fell into place. Long story short,
Crinoline Cowboys
is about four Southern belles who make their way to Crinoline Creek, Texas.
Cowboy of Her Own
is about a Southern belle/bookworm who soon learns that real life ranching is different from what she’s read in books.
Please give us the first page of the book.Carter Wilbanks grabbed his younger sister and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of corn meal. An eleven-year-old girl spitting with the cowhands and beating them if their long faces were anything to go by. Goodness Gracious, Ma would be spinning in her grave if she could see the mess he’d made with Cassie.
“Carter!” The girl squirmed as he turned toward the ranch horse. “Why’d you take me away like that? I wasn’t doin’ nothin’ wrong!”
The fact she didn’t see the harm in what she was just another example of how he’d failed her. He should have taken more time with the girl. But he’d been too busy getting the ranch on solid footing, growing the dream his parents had shared with him when they left Kentucky ten years ago. Still, that was no reason to neglect his duties as a brother.
“I bet I could outspit you!”
“Probably,” Carter answered, walking across the yard to the house. “From what I can tell, you’ve had a lot of practice at that disgusting habit.”
“The boys do it. Big John says I’m the best he’s ever seen.” Excitement crept into her voice. “Said I might be the best in all of Crinoline Creek.”
He’d have to have a word with his cook when he got back to the house. The man knew how much the girl looked up to him. Carter shifted her weight on his shoulder. “Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. “Are you mad at me?” Cassie’s girlish whisper curled its way around his heart.
“No,” he answered softly. It wasn’t her fault she’d grown up wild and untethered as an unbroken mustang. No, he laid the blame solely at his feet. It’d been easier to outfit her in dungarees and cowboy boots than the frills and laces girls seemed to enjoy. What did he know about raising a child?
Nothing, but it was time he took responsibility and helped his sister become the lady their parents would have wanted. “I don’t want to see you spitting with the hands again. Is that clear?”
How can readers find you on the Internet?You can find me at my webpage, www.pattysmithhall.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I’d love to hear from your readers!
Thank you, Patty. Your book sounds wonderful. I’m eager t read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas[image error] - Amazon Paperback
Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Kindle[image error]
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
That’s a great question! First, I write characters whose faith is as important to them as it is to me. It’s organic in their daily lives, and it’s what they rely on during difficult times. But it doesn’t make them perfect! I also have been known to use family names for some of my characters.What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?Quirky, huh? I don’t know if it’s quirky or not but I’m a firm believer in research, and not just reading but DOING it. In my first book, Hearts in Flight , I crawled into a P-49 Spitfire and learned how to take off and land a plane. I’ve also panned for gold and walked in the steps of Girl Scouts who served as spies in WWI London. I’m really into research!
I love reading books by authors who really make the story authentic to the times. When did you first discover that you were a writer?I guess it was as a child. I wrote poetry which was fun and creative, and something I truly loved. I showed a sixth-grade teacher my poems, and a few years later, I received a contract in the mail—my teacher had comprised a book of poetry from her students that was being published. So, I guess you can say I had my first publishing credit when I was a kid.
Cool. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I love a little bit of everything. I mainly read historicals because I’ve had a lifelong fascination with history. Growing up, I read the entire history section of our library. I also love devotionals and non-fiction, Bible-based books.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I start each day with a Bible study and a prayer time. It keeps me grounded in the Word.
How do you choose your characters’ names?As I mentioned before, I use family names quite a bit in my novels and novellas, and believe it or not, they love it! My cousins are always asking me when I plan to use their names.
I’ve used family names sometimes. Once when I went to a local Chinese buffet, the owner and I were talking about things. When he found out I write books, he asked me to use his name in a book. I actually used the name in two books, because that character was in book 2 and book 3 of a series. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?My family. My husband, Danny and I have been married for almost 37 years. We have two beautiful, intelligent daughters, a son-in-law we consider our own. And of course, our grandson who happens to be the smartest, handsomest three-year-old on the planet!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?A Yorkie—I'm completely devoted to those I love, but if you make me mad, I wouldn’t think twice about voicing my opinion.
What is your favorite food?My mom’s German Chocolate Cake. It’s the absolute best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
I love German Chocolate Cake. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My greatest roadblock is getting started! Those first full chapters are like pulling teeth, but I push through. By the third or fourth chapter, I’m flying along.
Tell us about the featured book.Crinoline Cowboyscame about when one of my former editors kept asking me to write a western romance. I never saw myself writing that—most of my books are set in the South—until I took a class on Western history and learned about how Southerners fled to Texasafter the Civil War. It was around that time I found the book, How to be a Kick A** Cowgirl and all the pieces fell into place. Long story short,
Crinoline Cowboys
is about four Southern belles who make their way to Crinoline Creek, Texas.
Cowboy of Her Own
is about a Southern belle/bookworm who soon learns that real life ranching is different from what she’s read in books. Please give us the first page of the book.Carter Wilbanks grabbed his younger sister and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of corn meal. An eleven-year-old girl spitting with the cowhands and beating them if their long faces were anything to go by. Goodness Gracious, Ma would be spinning in her grave if she could see the mess he’d made with Cassie.
“Carter!” The girl squirmed as he turned toward the ranch horse. “Why’d you take me away like that? I wasn’t doin’ nothin’ wrong!”
The fact she didn’t see the harm in what she was just another example of how he’d failed her. He should have taken more time with the girl. But he’d been too busy getting the ranch on solid footing, growing the dream his parents had shared with him when they left Kentucky ten years ago. Still, that was no reason to neglect his duties as a brother.
“I bet I could outspit you!”
“Probably,” Carter answered, walking across the yard to the house. “From what I can tell, you’ve had a lot of practice at that disgusting habit.”
“The boys do it. Big John says I’m the best he’s ever seen.” Excitement crept into her voice. “Said I might be the best in all of Crinoline Creek.”
He’d have to have a word with his cook when he got back to the house. The man knew how much the girl looked up to him. Carter shifted her weight on his shoulder. “Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. “Are you mad at me?” Cassie’s girlish whisper curled its way around his heart.
“No,” he answered softly. It wasn’t her fault she’d grown up wild and untethered as an unbroken mustang. No, he laid the blame solely at his feet. It’d been easier to outfit her in dungarees and cowboy boots than the frills and laces girls seemed to enjoy. What did he know about raising a child?
Nothing, but it was time he took responsibility and helped his sister become the lady their parents would have wanted. “I don’t want to see you spitting with the hands again. Is that clear?”
How can readers find you on the Internet?You can find me at my webpage, www.pattysmithhall.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I’d love to hear from your readers!
Thank you, Patty. Your book sounds wonderful. I’m eager t read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas[image error] - Amazon Paperback
Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Kindle[image error]
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
February 3, 2020
WALTZ IN THE WILDERNESS - Kathleen Denly - One Free Book
Bio: Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.Welcome, Kathleen. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.Have you ever seen an okapi? Looking at one always makes me chuckle. They look a bit like God got bored and decided to just mix together different parts of other animals he’d already created, knowing how much it would befuddle and amuse us humans. I think of my characters a bit like okapis. There are definitely parts of me in there, but then I might also add in a bit of my sister, two parts of that friend I knew in high school, and a dash of the Bible character we’ve been studying at our women’s Bible study.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?When I think of quirks, I think of habits as opposed to singular events. So the quirkiest thing I’ve been doing recently has to be answering my children’s prompting of “Guess what?” with a rapid list of words that rhyme with what. I begin with the classic chicken butt, then make my way through a list of nuts, and finish off with random words like cut, gut, and zealot. At first it made them giggle. Now they just smile and roll their eyes. So far none of my words have been the correct answer, but someday… ;)
When did you first discover that you were a writer?This is a tougher question to answer than you might think. On my website, I’ve actually shared a series of blog posts about the various stages I went through to claim this identity. If I had to pick one particular moment, though, it would have to be the morning I was awoken in the wee hours of the morning during my freshman year of high school. Having never before considered the notion of writing a novel, I suddenly found my mind filled with the premise for a terrible one. Oh, I thought it was delightful at the time and even went so far as to keep writing with pencil on a legal pad when my parents dragged me away from my ancient desktop for a family road trip. But I was only fourteen and rather a baby Christian at the time, not to mention still honing my writing skills. It wasn’t until college that I recognized the work for the garbage it was and threw it out. Nevertheless, the experience of attempting to write a novel had planted a seed in me that continued to grow and pester me until God pointed me in the direction of my next premise several months later.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.I enjoy reading many genres, but my particular favorites are dystopian, space-set sci-fi, certain subgenres of fantasy, and, of course, clean and Christian romance. I read in these genres at the middle grade, YA, and adult levels. I also read copious amounts of nonfiction—primarily related to history or the writing craft, but also some autobiographies, memoirs, and how-to guides.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?Who says I have? ;) I have four children that I homeschool. I’m pretty sure sanity left a while back. Seriously, though, I think keeping our sanity is all about keeping our focus on God. It’s when we allow the pressures of this life to distract us from Him and who He is, that we begin to crumble. So I make a point to always begin my day with a focus on Him—whether it’s listening to a Christian podcast on the way to our cooperative classes, or doodling in my Bible journal while singing praise. I didn’t always do this, but it’s become as regular as breakfast and getting out of bed in morning over the last couple years and I’ve noticed a huge change in my heart and life. No matter what else is screaming at me from my to-do list, I know I have to put Him first if I want to be successful and find peace.
How do you choose your characters’ names?Sometimes I pick them from a random name website online (baby naming sites are fabulous for this). Other times I find one I like on a census record from the nineteenth century. Recently, I asked the members of my Kathleen’s Readers’ Club to help me come up with some names and they did a fabulous job! The KRC-Member-chosen names are the hero and heroines of my third Chaparral Hearts novel. However, there is one special name in Waltz in the Wilderness . It’s a minor character only mentioned briefly in the second half of the book. His name is Johnathon and I chose his name in honor of my maternal grandfather who passed away when I was in high school. We were very close and I still miss him.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?Wow. That is a tough question. There are many things I’ve had to work hard for in my life, but I struggle with the idea of saying I’m proud of them because I never could have accomplished them on my own. I know it sounds trite, but I honestly believe that God deserves all the glory for every good thing I have ever done. I suppose if I had to pick something, it would be the moments where I listened to and obeyed God despite my fears. In different ways, each of my children are living examples of the results of those choices. So, I suppose you could say becoming a mother—four times over—is the accomplishment I’m most proud of.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I am an INFJ personality type according to the Myers-Briggs test, so I searched online for animals that fit that personality. Turns out, I’d be a humpback whale because they are empathetic, protective and introverted like me. They are known to be unusually protective of other animals—even those outside their species—and will interfere when another creature is being attacked. What is your favorite food?Chocolate. No question.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?This is another topic I’ve written a whole blog post about. I’ll sum it up like this: Three kids = a lot of noise in a tiny 750 square foot apartment. I couldn’t write in a noisy environment, so my husband stayed home with the kids one night each week while I went out to find someplace quieter to write. Turns out fast food restaurant owners aren’t willing to shush their other patrons for the writer who’s occupied their smallest table in the back corner for the past five hours. Still, it was quieter than being at home, so I kept at it. Eventually, I developed the skill of tuning out the chaotic public and was able to write. These days I’m blessed to call one corner of a shed on our property my writing office where I enjoy relative quiet…minus the times the kids walk right past dad and ignore the “Writer at work, enter on pain of death” sign to come ask me if they can watch television.
Tell us about the featured book.
Waltz in the Wilderness
is my debut novel and officially the first in the Chaparral Hearts series (although Ribbons and Beaus is a Chaparral Hearts prequel novella currently available for free to those who preorder
Waltz in the Wilderness
). Here’s the description for
Waltz in the Wilderness
:She's desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help. Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother's death, so she'll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend's unexpected assistance is a blessing she can't refuse.Daniel Clarke came to Californiato make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it's been four years since he left Massachusettsand his fiancée is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.
When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?
Please give us the first page of the book.October 1850California gold fields“No!”The scream pierced Eli, ripping her from sleep. Cramming a fist in her mouth, sheNo more. She clamped her hands over her ears, squeezed her eyes against the blackness.
Dark images forced their way in. Shovels of dirt falling onto that dear, beautiful face, skin pale with death, smile gone forever. Loving eyes shuttered. Arms that once comforted her now crossed over a faded blue bodice as the grave was filled in. Pa, her rock, crumpled on the ground. Inconsolable.
Stop! Don’t think about it!
She sat up. Crawled from the tent. Cold night air slapped her cheeks. She hugged herself, rocking.
Her eyes sought the heavens, the weight of His gaze suffocating her. “Make it stop. Please. I’m sorry.”
The pockmarked moon stared at her through the trees. And the cow jumped over the moon. The familiar tune crushed her heart.
A frosty breeze cut through her shirt. She shivered and ducked back inside.
Pa’s snores continued. She curled onto her thin blanket, wrapping the end over herself.
Of course God wouldn’t answer. It didn’t matter.
Eli wouldn’t fail again.
She forced her eyes shut. One of them needed to be thinking clearly come dawn. And it wouldn’t be Pa.
How can readers find you on the Internet?Website: https://KathleenDenly.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KathleenDenly.authorPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KathleenDenlyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/KathleenDenly/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathleenDenly
Thank you, Kathleen, for sharing your debut novel with my blog readers and me. I’ve put my copy at the top of my to-be-read pile.
Readers, here are links to the book.Waltz in the Wilderness (Chaparral Hearts)[image error] - Paperback
Waltz in the Wilderness (Chaparral Hearts Book 1) - Kindle[image error]
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
February 2, 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.
Ola (NC) is the winner of Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin.
Sandi (TX) is the winner of the ebook A Firm Place to Stand by Lori Altebaumer.
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.
Ola (NC) is the winner of Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin.
Sandi (TX) is the winner of the ebook A Firm Place to Stand by Lori Altebaumer.
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.
January 31, 2020
LONE STAR RANGER - Renae Brumbaugh Green - ONe Free Book
Bio: Renae Brumbaugh Green is a city-girl-turned-country-diva. She’s married to a handsome country boy named Rick, and she’s mom to four nearly-perfect, nearly-grown children, two rowdy dogs, and some ducks. They live in rural Texas where Renae wears overalls, western boots, and bubblegum pink nail polish. She’s a bestselling author of over 30 books, an award-winning humor columnist, and an online English teacher. In her free time, she can be found leaping tall buildings and rescuing kittens from trees. Or, she’d like to do those things, if she had free time.
Welcome, Renae. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I feel like there’s a bit of Renae in all my heroines, though I do try to mix it up some with each of them. I try to vary the personality types, physical descriptions, etc., but when it comes to writing relationships and emotions, writers need to fall back on what we know. When writing a broken heart, when writing frustration, when writing that giddy falling-in-love feeling, I rely on my own life experiences. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I feel like I’m so quirky, nothing really stands out. My entire life is one continuous quirky thing after another. I did once capture a giant hissing dinosaur turtle with a broom, under a plastic tub, because it was eating the fish out of my pond. I also scratched off the front and back to the car on a McDonald’s scratch-off game, only the card was two years past the expiration date. I found it when I cleaned out a desk drawer.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? In fourth grade, I wrote a sassy poem complaining that I had school on my birthday and gave it to my teacher. She published it in the school newspaper.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. My go-to pleasure read is historical romance. I also enjoy sweet young adult and coming-of-age stories.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Easy. I bury my head in the sand, or in a book. I actually tend to move through life a little slower than most people around me.
How do you choose your characters’ names? My characters often go through many names before I settle on one. I have to write them a while and get a feel for their personalities. Then I do a search for popular names during that time period, and find one that seems to fit his or her personality.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I’m most proud of my two children. They are magnificent; they are kind and compassionate and fun, and I’m so proud of them.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?I think I’d be a butterfly, because I’ve gone through a lot of changes in my life, and I feel like each difficult phase I’ve gone through has made me more beautiful in spirit. Plus, I like the idea of flitting from flower to flower and drinking nectar.
What is your favorite food?I pretty much like all food. Lasagna and cheesecake are at the top of the list though. And peppermint ice cream.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I sometimes become paralyzed with anxiety and fear of failure, and I just stop writing. Then I remember that it’s okay to write something bad, something laughable, something absurdly awful. I can always revise and revise and revise, to make it better. But I can’t fix a blank page.
Tell us about the featured book.
Elizabeth Covington will get her man.And she has just a week to prove her brother isn't the murderer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She'll show the good-looking lawman he's wrong, even if it means setting out on a risky race across Texas to catch the real killer.
Rett doesn't want to convict an innocent man. But he can't let the Boston beauty sway his senses to set a guilty man free. When Elizabethfollows him on a dangerous trek, the Ranger vows to keep her safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose conviction and courage leave him doubting everything—even his heart?
Please give us the first page of the book. August, 1877 Elizabeth Covington inhaled the scent of freshly baked bread as the hansom driver pulled into Houston’s Market Square. Before, when her brother Evan had suggested breakfast, she’d turned her nose up. But now, with that robust aroma wafting through her senses…now she was hungry. “Let’s eat over there, in the Kennedy Trading Center. I heard someone on the train say their restaurant and bakery is worthwhile.”
“Finally,” Evan answered. “I’m famished.”
“You’re always famished,” she countered as Evan assisted her from the carriage.
As she climbed down, Elizabethnoticed the hansom driver staring, though he seemed more focused on Evan than on her. Odd. Most people noticed her height. At five foot eleven, she knew she was a spectacle, but she’d long since passed the time when she cared.
The ogling and whispering continued as they made their way through the restaurant. Funny how much attention her height drew, as if she were a circus exhibit. She looked people in the eye and smiled, part challenge, part mischief. She secretly relished the looks of embarrassment on their faces when they knew they’d been caught gawking. Served them right.
How can readers find you on the Internet? www.RenaeBrumbaugh.comhttps://www.facebook.com/RenaeBrumbaugh
Readers, here are links to the book.
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:Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
