K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 18

Register to win Carole Brown's "Hog Insane"

We're happy to have Carole Brown & Mary Ball with us today talking about their books. For your chance to win a copy, please leave both a comment at the end of their posts. Thanks!

Publisher: Story & Media Logic
Cover blurb:  A dead body, a missing motorcycle, a strange key, and dope are at the bottom of the trouble Denton and Alex Davies, and Taffy, their Jack Russell Terrier, run into when they head for their first stop in the Smoky Mountains immediately after early retirement. All Denton wants is to fish and recapture his wife’s love. Instead, they find the body of Anthony Risler with a bullet hole in his head. None of the campground people, or even the sheriff, pretend to like Denton and his snoopy questions, and everyone seems to be lying. Denton figures Risler’s missing bike has to hide some kind of evidence that incriminates the murderer. Archie McGhee, the campground manager is self-centered and greedy enough to hide the motorcycle for the murderer, so why doesn’t he know where the bike is now? The Stillwells, although good-looking and popular, brag way too much to suit the Davies. The expensive S-shaped, ruby watch they foist onto Alex ought to play into the mystery, yet Denton can find no evidence of it. The drug-using, gun-toting man who chases Taffy knows more than he’s telling and raises questions in Denton’s mind even when forced to partner with the man.Why is the sheriff ignoring obvious clues, and why would he leave a bribery note lying around where Denton’s suspicious eyes can see it? When Denton finds the keys with the strange looking C charm Alex and Denton realize only their pastor’s wife, back in Ohio, and the small, cherry-wood box Risler gave her, can provide the final clue they need to reveal the killer. 
Denton wrestles with his personal demons of self-blame over his nephew’s death while riding a bike. Alex resents Denton’s riding roughshod over her feelings. When he thinks her love is fading, he’s determined to woo her back. But if he doesn’t find the young man’s murderer, their love may stretch to the breaking point.

Buy the book here:
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1eDC39t
Books a Million
http://bit.ly/1fd3cCQ
Barnes & Noble
http://bit.ly/1dvNA6z

1)  How did this story come to you? 
It actually began as a short story for a contest. Over time it’s gone through several revisions to suit different houses, but finally ended up being a worldview inspirational novel. 
I wanted it to be a little funny, to show some of Denton’s personality grouchiness, and a bit of Alex’s sass. Last word: a fun cozy mystery! I sincerely hope everyone who is looking for a new mystery series, will give it a try2) Tell us the journey to getting this book published.  After writing it, my agent submitted to a well-known publisher who is known to be very slow in responding. I kind of put it on a shelf while I pursued other writing projects.
But after a time I was approached by an editor who was interested in publishing it. Prayer and other factors helped me decide to go with Story & Logic, and I haven’t regretted that decision yet. I scrubbed it up a bit and submitted. So glad to see it in print and look forward to two more of the Denton and Alex Davies mystery series this year!3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.  A) I love making lists and checking off completed items
B) I’m a big fan of traveling and seeing new areas of the United States. We’ve visited around ¾ of the states.
C) I wanted to be, when growing up: a nurse, an airline stewardess, and a detective. The closest I’ve come to any of those is writing detective (suspense and mystery) novels! 

4)  What are you working on now and what’s next for you? I’m hoping and working toward publication of the second and third book of this mystery series. These books are titled: Bat Crazy, which takes place in New Mexico; and Daffy’s Duck.
I’m also working on the second book in my Spies of WWII series, hoping to finish a light suspenseful historical, and plotting others. Then I’m rewriting the proposal for a contemporary romantic suspense too and hope to submit that to my editor soon.
5) Parting comments? I’d like to encourage all beginning and struggling writers to get words down every day if possible. If you can’t do 1000, then try for 500. If that’s impossible work toward getting a scene, a page, or a paragraph done. Every little bit helps reach the end. 
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
I also am part of several other blogs: 
Geezers Guys and Gals:  http://geezerguysandgals.blogspot.com/
Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/

Mary Ball's "Escape to Big Fork Lake"

We're happy to have Mary Ball and Carole Brown with us today talking about their books. Please leave each a comment for your chance to win. If you'd like to receive weekly email reminders regarding book giveaways, please place your email address in the feed burner box to the right. Thanks!
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Cover blurb:
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?
Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her.
When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl at heart is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice.
 Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye.  A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem. 
As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found?  And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?    1) How did this story come to you?I was cleaning the house one day and thought, I wish I was at the lake. As I cleaned, the plot mapped out in my mind.2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. Escape to Big Fork Lake is my debut novel. It took almost two years or rewriting and submitting to publishers before I was offered a contract. Since then, Stone of Destiny is published and recently contracted a third novel which revisits the characters in Escape to Big Fork Lake.    3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. I sing gospel music with my husband. I'm an in charge person who doesn't mind stepping in and taking control of any situation regardless of the crowd.I enjoy the early morning hours best.4) What are you working on now and what's next for you? At present, I am working on a women's fiction novel about a letter and the charactor's journey to happiness.Soon the edits from my publisher will begin for Redemption in Big Fork Lake. I hope it will be published by winter. If you read Escape to Big Fork Lake, this will introduce you to most of the characters for my new release. 5) Parting comments? Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I hope all the readers have a wonderful week. 6) Where can fans find you on the internet? http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/ https://twitter.com/inspires4mary Here is the Amazon link:

Register to win Mary Ball's "Escape to Big Fork Lake"

We're happy to have Mary Ball and Carole Brown with us today talking about their books. Please leave each a comment for your chance to win. If you'd like to receive weekly email reminders regarding book giveaways, please place your email address in the feed burner box to the right. Thanks!
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Cover blurb:
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?
Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her.
When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl at heart is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice.
 Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye.  A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem. 
As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found?  And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?    1) How did this story come to you?I was cleaning the house one day and thought, I wish I was at the lake. As I cleaned, the plot mapped out in my mind.2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. Escape to Big Fork Lake is my debut novel. It took almost two years or rewriting and submitting to publishers before I was offered a contract. Since then, Stone of Destiny is published and recently contracted a third novel which revisits the characters in Escape to Big Fork Lake.    3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. I sing gospel music with my husband. I'm an in charge person who doesn't mind stepping in and taking control of any situation regardless of the crowd.I enjoy the early morning hours best.4) What are you working on now and what's next for you? At present, I am working on a women's fiction novel about a letter and the charactor's journey to happiness.Soon the edits from my publisher will begin for Redemption in Big Fork Lake. I hope it will be published by winter. If you read Escape to Big Fork Lake, this will introduce you to most of the characters for my new release. 5) Parting comments? Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I hope all the readers have a wonderful week. 6) Where can fans find you on the internet? http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/ https://twitter.com/inspires4mary Here is the Amazon link:

Becky Lyles "Winds of Freedom"

Title: Winds of Freedom
Cover blurb:Winter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor. 

How did this story come to you?The idea “seed” for Winds of Freedom, the second book in the Kate Neilson series, was planted when my neighbor told me of a relative who walked into an airport restroom and never came out—as far as her husband and children knew. Although they didn’t see her exit the restroom, she must have snuck past them wearing a disguise, because they later learned she’d slipped away to start a new life. Several weeks after her disappearance, she returned to pick up her clothing and other personal items. She didn’t tell her husband where she was living or what she was doing, only that she no longer had to clean house or take care of children. To add to the mystery, she was wearing a collar around her neck.

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.After writing my first novel, Winds of Wyoming, I thought I knew what I was doing, until I received the edits for the second book. I thank God for my amazing editor and honest proofreaders. Without them, both books would have bombed. Then I had the huge decision as to whether to pursue traditional publishing, partner-publishing or self-publishing (now termed by some “author-publishing”).
Eventually, a friend who owns a publishing company convinced me I could publish the book myself. After all, I’d republished my two nonfiction books a couple years earlier—It’s a God Thing! and On a Wing and a Prayer. Still, I had to relearn the process to create print and ebooks and research the new aspects of publishing because the industry evolves so quickly these days. In the midst of all that, we tackled a couple home-remodeling projects and helped our daughter plan her wedding. As you might guess, life was crazy around our house last summer, but good!

Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.When I wrote On a Wing and a Prayer for a prison ministry, I interviewed volunteers, inmates and ex-inmates. One interview was conducted in the home of a recently released murderess. She was a sweet lady who fed me a delicious lunch and shared her amazing story of redemption with me.
I worked for a state legislature for several years and occasionally rubbed shoulders with well-known individuals, including an Olympic champion and the Smothers Brothers. My hubby, Steve, and I were invited to the Smothers Brothers’ show and also to an on-stage party following the performance. Up close, both men looked really strange with all that makeup plastered on their faces.
I make my own sauerkraut and kombucha tea, partly for their probiotic qualities, but mostly because I love their snappy flavors. Steve does not share my taste for sour foods, which means I don’t have to share my K-tea and sauerkraut with him.

What are you working on now and what's next for you?At the moment, I’m editing short stories written by my critique group for a compilation I hope to publish soon. Lots of good ones! In addition, I just finished the research for the third book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Change. I’m excited to get back with the Whispering Pines gang and once again stir up trouble and trauma on the ranch.

Parting comments?Thanks, K Dawn, for allowing me to visit your site and talk about my passions!

Where can fans find you on the internet?http://www.beckylyles.combeckylyles@beckylyles.comFacebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles or Becky Carey LylesTwitter:  @BeckyLyles
BioRebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her Kate Neilson novels. She currently lives in Idaho, where she serves as an editor and a mentor for aspiring authors and as a coach for women transitioning from prison to life on “the outside.” Winds of Freedom is the sequel to the award-winning first book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Wyoming.
Winds of FreedomWinter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor. 
http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Freedom-K... 
http://www.beckylyles.combeckylyles@beckylyles.comFacebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles     or Becky Carey LylesTwitter: @BeckyLyles

Register to win Becky Lyles "Winds of Freedom"

I'd like to welcome Becky Lyles to the blog today. Please leave her a comment for your chance to win her book, Winds of Freedom. Afterwards, be sure to check out the next blog post by Lillian Duncan for your chance to win a virtual gift basket.


Title: Winds of Freedom
Cover blurb:Winter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor. 

How did this story come to you?The idea “seed” for Winds of Freedom, the second book in the Kate Neilson series, was planted when my neighbor told me of a relative who walked into an airport restroom and never came out—as far as her husband and children knew. Although they didn’t see her exit the restroom, she must have snuck past them wearing a disguise, because they later learned she’d slipped away to start a new life. Several weeks after her disappearance, she returned to pick up her clothing and other personal items. She didn’t tell her husband where she was living or what she was doing, only that she no longer had to clean house or take care of children. To add to the mystery, she was wearing a collar around her neck.

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.After writing my first novel, Winds of Wyoming, I thought I knew what I was doing, until I received the edits for the second book. I thank God for my amazing editor and honest proofreaders. Without them, both books would have bombed. Then I had the huge decision as to whether to pursue traditional publishing, partner-publishing or self-publishing (now termed by some “author-publishing”).
Eventually, a friend who owns a publishing company convinced me I could publish the book myself. After all, I’d republished my two nonfiction books a couple years earlier—It’s a God Thing! and On a Wing and a Prayer. Still, I had to relearn the process to create print and ebooks and research the new aspects of publishing because the industry evolves so quickly these days. In the midst of all that, we tackled a couple home-remodeling projects and helped our daughter plan her wedding. As you might guess, life was crazy around our house last summer, but good!

Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.When I wrote On a Wing and a Prayer for a prison ministry, I interviewed volunteers, inmates and ex-inmates. One interview was conducted in the home of a recently released murderess. She was a sweet lady who fed me a delicious lunch and shared her amazing story of redemption with me.
I worked for a state legislature for several years and occasionally rubbed shoulders with well-known individuals, including an Olympic champion and the Smothers Brothers. My hubby, Steve, and I were invited to the Smothers Brothers’ show and also to an on-stage party following the performance. Up close, both men looked really strange with all that makeup plastered on their faces.
I make my own sauerkraut and kombucha tea, partly for their probiotic qualities, but mostly because I love their snappy flavors. Steve does not share my taste for sour foods, which means I don’t have to share my K-tea and sauerkraut with him.

What are you working on now and what's next for you?At the moment, I’m editing short stories written by my critique group for a compilation I hope to publish soon. Lots of good ones! In addition, I just finished the research for the third book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Change. I’m excited to get back with the Whispering Pines gang and once again stir up trouble and trauma on the ranch.

Parting comments?Thanks, K Dawn, for allowing me to visit your site and talk about my passions!

Where can fans find you on the internet?http://www.beckylyles.combeckylyles@beckylyles.comFacebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles or Becky Carey LylesTwitter:  @BeckyLyles
BioRebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her Kate Neilson novels. She currently lives in Idaho, where she serves as an editor and a mentor for aspiring authors and as a coach for women transitioning from prison to life on “the outside.” Winds of Freedom is the sequel to the award-winning first book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Wyoming.
Winds of FreedomWinter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor. 
http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Freedom-K... 
http://www.beckylyles.combeckylyles@beckylyles.comFacebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles     or Becky Carey LylesTwitter: @BeckyLyles

illian Duncan's "virtual gift basket"

Anointed To Write?Christian writers are different than secular writers.Most of us worry about whether our writing is a call from God or simply a selfish desire on our part because we love to write, but we wrap it up as Christian fiction to make it more acceptable. The worry doesn't necessarily go away after that first coveted contract. In fact for me, the worry intensified even more.Writing before contract takes time and commitment. Writing after contract takes more time and more commitment and more time and more time….well, you get the idea.I spend a lot of time writing and rewriting to make my stories as entertaining as they can be. And then there’s the time involved in marketing. Time that takes away from my husband, my church, my family, and my community. Perhaps, God wants me to spend my time on something else—something more serious—something more important? After all, it’s just fiction! As much as I love writing, I worried that it might not be what God wanted me to do.I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors in 2012 and have been having all sorts of issues because of them and their treatment. I am not and most likely will never be quite as healthy as I was pre-brain tumors--unless God chooses to intervene which I pray He does. But that's up to Him.I've had memory issues all my life. I once completely forgot about a trip to North Carolina through the Great Smokey Mountains. Now, it's even worse! I'm sure it's noticeable to others, but maybe not as much as to me as I struggle to remember the simplest of words or the name of people I know.Along with the memory issues, I spend a lot of time in a sort of far-away-being-in-a-bubble feeling. It's sort of hard to explain, but it's there. But an amazing thing happens when I sit down to write, whether it's for a blog such as this or for the current story I'm working on. The fog clears--the words come-the details are remembered! I feel like my old self as I write. I have clarity about what I’ve written as well as the vision for where the story is going. The story God has put on my heart.I was explaining to someone how I was still able to write this past weekend when it came to me like a flash of lightning on a dark stormy night. It showed the blazing brightness of God's glory and His power.I am anointed by God to write!What an amazing and awesome revelation for me or for any Christian writer!  I feel humbled and blessed that God still has a job for me to do in spite of all my health issues and my limitations. And not just any job, but I job I love.Wow! God is so good!And just to show you how good God is—a lot of the being-in-a-bubble feeling has gone away as well in the past few weeks.  Thank you, God.BETRAYED by Lillian DuncanBACK COVER: Witness Protection Program claims they can keep anyone safe if only they follow the rules so Maria follows the rules--every rule. She's given up everything--her friends, her family, her past, even her name to ensure her daughter has a future. Reborn as Veronica Minor in the sleepy little town of Sunberry, Ohio, she struggles to rebuild their life amid the beauty of her flower shop. A life where her daughter can have a happy normal childhood. A life where her daughter will never know that her father was a monster. When a child disappears, Veronica prays it has nothing to do with her past, but what if she's wrong? Not knowing who to trust, she trusts no one...and that's her first mistake.
 BIO: Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.Lillian is a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net.  She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com  as well as her personal blog, Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com 

Register to win Lillian Duncan's "virtual gift basket"

I'd like to welcome Lillian Duncan  to the blog today. Please check out her link in pink below and hop on over to her website for your chance to win a virtual gift basket.

Anointed To Write?Christian writers are different than secular writers.Most of us worry about whether our writing is a call from God or simply a selfish desire on our part because we love to write, but we wrap it up as Christian fiction to make it more acceptable. The worry doesn't necessarily go away after that first coveted contract. In fact for me, the worry intensified even more.Writing before contract takes time and commitment. Writing after contract takes more time and more commitment and more time and more time….well, you get the idea.I spend a lot of time writing and rewriting to make my stories as entertaining as they can be. And then there’s the time involved in marketing. Time that takes away from my husband, my church, my family, and my community. Perhaps, God wants me to spend my time on something else—something more serious—something more important? After all, it’s just fiction! As much as I love writing, I worried that it might not be what God wanted me to do.I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors in 2012 and have been having all sorts of issues because of them and their treatment. I am not and most likely will never be quite as healthy as I was pre-brain tumors--unless God chooses to intervene which I pray He does. But that's up to Him.I've had memory issues all my life. I once completely forgot about a trip to North Carolina through the Great Smokey Mountains. Now, it's even worse! I'm sure it's noticeable to others, but maybe not as much as to me as I struggle to remember the simplest of words or the name of people I know.Along with the memory issues, I spend a lot of time in a sort of far-away-being-in-a-bubble feeling. It's sort of hard to explain, but it's there. But an amazing thing happens when I sit down to write, whether it's for a blog such as this or for the current story I'm working on. The fog clears--the words come-the details are remembered! I feel like my old self as I write. I have clarity about what I’ve written as well as the vision for where the story is going. The story God has put on my heart.I was explaining to someone how I was still able to write this past weekend when it came to me like a flash of lightning on a dark stormy night. It showed the blazing brightness of God's glory and His power.I am anointed by God to write!What an amazing and awesome revelation for me or for any Christian writer!  I feel humbled and blessed that God still has a job for me to do in spite of all my health issues and my limitations. And not just any job, but I job I love.Wow! God is so good!And just to show you how good God is—a lot of the being-in-a-bubble feeling has gone away as well in the past few weeks.  Thank you, God.SPECIAL NOTE FOR BLOG:
To celebrate the release of BETRAYED, I’m giving away a virtual gift basket at Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com. The virtual gift basket includes a copy of several of my books.  Along with the books, a $25 Amazon gift card is included plus a few books from some writer friends. To enter the contest, simply hop on over to Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com, leave a comment on the post titled CELEBRATION! Winner will be chosen and announced on February 14.
BETRAYED by Lillian DuncanBACK COVER: Witness Protection Program claims they can keep anyone safe if only they follow the rules so Maria follows the rules--every rule. She's given up everything--her friends, her family, her past, even her name to ensure her daughter has a future. Reborn as Veronica Minor in the sleepy little town of Sunberry, Ohio, she struggles to rebuild their life amid the beauty of her flower shop. A life where her daughter can have a happy normal childhood. A life where her daughter will never know that her father was a monster. When a child disappears, Veronica prays it has nothing to do with her past, but what if she's wrong? Not knowing who to trust, she trusts no one...and that's her first mistake.
 BIO: Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.Lillian is a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net.  She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com  as well as her personal blog, Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com 

Ada Brownell's "Imagine the Future You" FREE January 25 and 26

Be sure to mark your calendar to get your free copy of Ada Brownell's "Imagine the Future You!"

By Ada Nicholson Brownell
FREE January 25 AND 26
Will you be the person you dream of being—or someone from your nightmares?
You don’t need a fortune teller to reveal your future. You are the person who determines who you will be, what your life will be like, and how your hopes and dreams will be fulfilled.
This book will show how to make the right connections, how to grow your talents, and how to begin believing in yourself and things greater than yourself—for a wonderful Future You! 
A Bible study available in paper or for Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/1489558284
Ada Brownell’s author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06


SOMEONE FOR KIDS TO LATCH ONTO By Ada Brownell
“The police came last night to our house to get Daddy,” the youngster announced. “He hid on the closet shelf and they didn’t find him!” The report came during our opening moments at the Dunamis Academy, an after-school and summers program where I heard similar stories. Dunamis is Greek for supernatural power. I started the program at our church daycare after I retired. A number of the elementary children in the class were Social Services children who didn’t attend our church. When I had the idea for the program, I was concerned about latch-key children because I’d written about them in my work as a daily newspaper reporter in Pueblo, Colo. The vision was to use the nearly empty church during the week to reach youngsters who needed the gospel, bring the congregation’s children into deeper knowledge of the Word, and help children not doing well in school with tutoring. I envisioned spiritually mature teenagers and other volunteers would help. Then I spoke to the daycare director and she also caught the vision because the older children already enrolled needed something constructive. I taught upper elementary and middle school and wrote my own curriculum: “Dynamite Decisions for Youth,” “God in American History,” and “Love is Dynamite.” We continued the program after school and summers for two years. We charged a nominal fee to children not enrolled in day care. There was no charge to students already enrolled.  Summers for three hours Monday through Thursday we sang, prayed, played, studied Bible stories, memorized scripture, did skits, saw object lessons, participated in discussion, listened to guest speakers, did crafts and learned how to operate puppets in ministry (the children’s pastor taught puppetry). Day care children stayed for a leisurely afternoon. Since we were only 30 miles away, during the summer on Fridays we went on field trips to Colorado Springs ministries to show children careers they could pursue. We watched a radio missionary broadcasting the gospel around the world. We visited Focus on the Family. At David C. Cook we saw artists create illustrations for their publications. We visited the Navigator’s castle, and other ministries. The next year we visited soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other charities in our city. We had guest speakers, two I’d like to mention. The teenager who emigrated from Africa, told about differences in freedoms there and America and taught a song in Swahili: “Hold on to Jesus.”  The other was a public high school teacher who playing a game called “Virus X” that taught how quickly sexually transmitted diseases spread. According to the last statistics I gathered, five million elementary-age U.S. children grow up with no supervision after school. Twenty-two million adolescents are unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m. on a typical day, according to the U.S. Department of Health’s Child Care Bureau.  Large numbers of America’s youth have never heard the gospel. The church is losing young people to secularism. Some churches eliminated Christian education, carelessly dropping their sterling silver youth down the garbage disposal The first summer of the Dunamis Academy, two daycare assistants accepted Jesus as Savior during our class. Most of the children also invited Jesus into their hearts. There are a number of after-school programs, but most don’t emphasize the gospel. We informed parents we would teach undenominational Bible classes and had them sign permission. No parents wanted out. We had great feedback, with parents coming to awards ceremonies.
I imagine they were like my dad when my sisters and brothers started going to church. He told Mama, “Let them go. I heard they teach children to obey their parents.”
Ada Brownell bio:Ada Brownell, a devoted Bible student, has written for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a reporter for The Pueblo Chieftain in Colo. After moving to Springfield, MO in her retirement, she continues to free lance for Sunday school papers, Christian magazines, write op-ed pieces for newspapers, and write books with stick-to-your-soul encouragement. She is critique group leader of Ozarks Chapter of American Christian Writers and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.Among her books: Imagine the Future You, a youth Bible study (November 2013). Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult, (Jan. 15, 2013); Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal, (Dec. 6, 2011); and Confessions of a Pentecostal, out of print but released in 2012 for Kindle; All the books are available in paper or for Kindle.      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries     Twitter: @adellerella     Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com Stick to Your Soul Encouragement     Amazon Ada Brownell author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06
     BarnesandNoble.com   http://ow.ly/rFSW3

Bonnie Leon's "The Journey of Eleven Moons"

The Journey of Eleven Moons
A successful walrus hunt means Anna and her beloved Kinauquak will soon be joined in marriage. But before they can seal their promise to one another, a tsunami wipes their village from the rugged shore—everyone except Anna and her sister, Iya, who are left alone to face the Alaskan wilderness.

A stranger, a Civil War veteran with golden hair and blue eyes, wanders the untamed Aleutian Islands. He offers help, but can Anna trust him or his God? And if she doesn’t, how will she and Iya survive?

1)How did this story come to you?
When I was a girl my mother shared a story with me about my grandmother who grew up on the Aleutian Island of Unalaska in Alaska. My grandmother, an Aleut, was a young woman when she stood on a bluff and watched a tsunami charge up the shore of a cove below her. The image of her standing on that bluff and the treachery of the tsunami always stayed with me. When I was ready to write my first novel the tale of Anna and Iya emerged from that family story. I think it had been waiting in the back of my mind until just the right time. When I started to write the story flowed out of me. It was my first introduction to the mystery of story creation. I am always amazed at the process.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I originally wrote and published The Journey of Eleven Moons in 1994. At a writing conference Lauraine Snelling encouraged me to write a novel and when I told her I’d never written one before she said, “The best way to learn is to write one.”

I believed her and went home intent on creating my first book. Over the next ten months I discovered Anna and Iya’s story, with help from my critique group.  Manuscript in hand, I returned to the conference the following summer and presented the book to the acquisitions editor for Thomas Nelson Publishing. Within a few months I had my first contract. I was stunned by how quickly it all happened.

A couple of years ago I took another look at the book and although I loved the story I felt the writing needed sprucing up, and a desire to make the story shine took root. Last year, 2013, turned out to be the right time to do it.

Revising was more difficult than I’d imagined and it took many months to complete the revisions. When I had it finished I connected with friend and publisher, Christina Tarabochia. We decided it would be fun to work together. After many additional hours of updating and revising The Journey of Eleven Moons felt brand new and became an Ashberry Lane book.

I loved working with Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Tarabochia. They are tremendous women of faith and partnering with these two visionary women was an exceptional experience.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I’ve celebrated motherhood for many years and being a mother is one of the most precious experiences of my life. Yet, years ago I decided I would never have children. I felt strongly that the world was no place for innocent children. I didn’t want to bring more into such an ugly place. I’m thankful God gave me eyes to see the beauty in life and changed my heart about being a mother. My husband and I had our first of three after six years of marriage.
I don’t fly. I used to travel by air, but I developed an ear condition that is sometimes absolute misery, especially if I fly. Barometric pressure changes can cause vertigo, and episodes sometimes go on for weeks. Sadly, these days, I keep my feet on the ground.
We are building a new house and when we move in it will be the twenty-fifth home for my husband and I. After this we hope to stay put.

4) What are you working on now and what’s next for you?While revising The Journey of Eleven Moons I also wrote my first memoir for a Native American woman who grew up in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1940’s and 1950’s. The story is amazing and powerful and I can’t wait to share it with readers. Presently I’m searching for the right publishing house. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve also started something brand new. It’s a contemporary story that takes place in San Francisco and the Napa Valley.  It’s a volatile mix when a high-powered marketing executive collides with a slow-talking down to earth tradesman who seems  happy with a no frills life style.

I’m having a good time discovering the characters and their story. I hope it won’t be too long before I get to introduce the book to readers.

5) Parting comments.
I just have to say that I love the story of Anna, Iya and Erik, possibly more than any of my other books. I can’t say why for certain. Maybe it’s because the book was my first or maybe because it takes place in Alaska where my family and ancestors originated. I hope you’ll all read it and love it too. The Journey of Eleven Moons is available in paperback and ebook.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find me at - 
http://www.bonnieleon.com,
http://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAuthor,
https://twitter.com/Bonnie_Leon,
http://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/

Register to win Bonnie Leon's "The Journey of Eleven Moons"

We're happy to have Bonnie Lon with us today talking about her book "The Journey of Eleven Moons." Please leave a comment with your email address below for your chance to win. To receive weekly book giveaway updates, please place your email address in the feedburner box to the right. To learn more about Bonnie and her book, read on!

The Journey of Eleven Moons
A successful walrus hunt means Anna and her beloved Kinauquak will soon be joined in marriage. But before they can seal their promise to one another, a tsunami wipes their village from the rugged shore—everyone except Anna and her sister, Iya, who are left alone to face the Alaskan wilderness.

A stranger, a Civil War veteran with golden hair and blue eyes, wanders the untamed Aleutian Islands. He offers help, but can Anna trust him or his God? And if she doesn’t, how will she and Iya survive?

1)How did this story come to you?
When I was a girl my mother shared a story with me about my grandmother who grew up on the Aleutian Island of Unalaska in Alaska. My grandmother, an Aleut, was a young woman when she stood on a bluff and watched a tsunami charge up the shore of a cove below her. The image of her standing on that bluff and the treachery of the tsunami always stayed with me. When I was ready to write my first novel the tale of Anna and Iya emerged from that family story. I think it had been waiting in the back of my mind until just the right time. When I started to write the story flowed out of me. It was my first introduction to the mystery of story creation. I am always amazed at the process.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I originally wrote and published The Journey of Eleven Moons in 1994. At a writing conference Lauraine Snelling encouraged me to write a novel and when I told her I’d never written one before she said, “The best way to learn is to write one.”

I believed her and went home intent on creating my first book. Over the next ten months I discovered Anna and Iya’s story, with help from my critique group.  Manuscript in hand, I returned to the conference the following summer and presented the book to the acquisitions editor for Thomas Nelson Publishing. Within a few months I had my first contract. I was stunned by how quickly it all happened.

A couple of years ago I took another look at the book and although I loved the story I felt the writing needed sprucing up, and a desire to make the story shine took root. Last year, 2013, turned out to be the right time to do it.

Revising was more difficult than I’d imagined and it took many months to complete the revisions. When I had it finished I connected with friend and publisher, Christina Tarabochia. We decided it would be fun to work together. After many additional hours of updating and revising The Journey of Eleven Moons felt brand new and became an Ashberry Lane book.

I loved working with Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Tarabochia. They are tremendous women of faith and partnering with these two visionary women was an exceptional experience.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I’ve celebrated motherhood for many years and being a mother is one of the most precious experiences of my life. Yet, years ago I decided I would never have children. I felt strongly that the world was no place for innocent children. I didn’t want to bring more into such an ugly place. I’m thankful God gave me eyes to see the beauty in life and changed my heart about being a mother. My husband and I had our first of three after six years of marriage.
I don’t fly. I used to travel by air, but I developed an ear condition that is sometimes absolute misery, especially if I fly. Barometric pressure changes can cause vertigo, and episodes sometimes go on for weeks. Sadly, these days, I keep my feet on the ground.
We are building a new house and when we move in it will be the twenty-fifth home for my husband and I. After this we hope to stay put.

4) What are you working on now and what’s next for you?While revising The Journey of Eleven Moons I also wrote my first memoir for a Native American woman who grew up in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1940’s and 1950’s. The story is amazing and powerful and I can’t wait to share it with readers. Presently I’m searching for the right publishing house. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve also started something brand new. It’s a contemporary story that takes place in San Francisco and the Napa Valley.  It’s a volatile mix when a high-powered marketing executive collides with a slow-talking down to earth tradesman who seems  happy with a no frills life style.

I’m having a good time discovering the characters and their story. I hope it won’t be too long before I get to introduce the book to readers.

5) Parting comments.
I just have to say that I love the story of Anna, Iya and Erik, possibly more than any of my other books. I can’t say why for certain. Maybe it’s because the book was my first or maybe because it takes place in Alaska where my family and ancestors originated. I hope you’ll all read it and love it too. The Journey of Eleven Moons is available in paperback and ebook.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find me at - 
http://www.bonnieleon.com,
http://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAuthor,
https://twitter.com/Bonnie_Leon,
http://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/