K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 23

Register to win an Ecopy of June Foster's "Give Us This Day"

We're happy to have June Foster with us today talking about her book, "Give Us This Day." To register to win an Ecopy, leave June a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about June and her book, read on!

    Give Us This Day is June Foster's debut novel, the first in The Bellewood Series. Jess Colton gave his life to the Lord but failed to surrender an old habit. Fueled by alcohol, he spent the night with a former girlfriend, ignoring his Christian principles. Convicted of his wrong doing, he quit drinking but discovered another addiction. Now he can't manage his life as his weight soars and diabetes threatens to claim him. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison declares her love.

    Holly Harrison lived  to please herself. But everything changed when a deadly motorcycle accident altered her life forever. Nowhere else to turn, she looked to God for answers. Now, she's convinced no Christian man would find her attractive. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with  the handsome Jess Colton, seeing past his bulk to the godly, tender man within. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses hope of a future together.
  
  Can Holly overcome her handicap? Does Jess find control over his eating and his life? Only God can provide the answers.
  
  June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She's  written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June's book, Ryan's Father, will be available from WhiteFire Publishing January 2014. For All Eternity, Red and the Wolf, and Misty Hollow, God willing, will be published in the near future. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.




 

Dorothy Featherling's "It Adds Up to Murder"

Title: It Adds Up to Murder (Book 1 of series “It’s Murder at the Office”)

Cover blurb: Abigail Newhouse is forced to work temporary jobs to make ends meet. She discovers that while the jobs can be murderous, there aren’t usually dead bodies involved. Abby isn’t expecting crime at her first long term assignment, but when it occurs, she wants to help. Will Homicide Lieutenant Nick Vaughn believe that – or is she his main suspect? Abby soon finds sleuthing has placed her in deadly peril when she finally confronts a merciless killer face-to-face.

How did this story come to you?
My last ‘real’ job was as the administrator of a physics research center at a major university. I was trying to come up with an idea for a mystery (I just wanted to see if I could write one – I write in multiple genres and had never tried a mystery) so the thought came to me…what would happen if someone had a supposedly secure job, but then lost it through no fault of her own? I couldn’t remember ever reading a book of any kind that featured a temporary worker so I thought that was an original twist and left the door wide open for sequels. I decided to make Abby take temporary jobs and then have to face the issue of every time she changed jobs, she got involved in another murder? I decided a logical hero was a police detective and Nick Vaughn was created. Their relationship would develop throughout the series as well. Book 2 will be started soon and I’ve found I LOVE writing mysteries!

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My journey to publication has taken a while. I began writing about 10-12 years ago and at first went through all the throes that a beginning writer does. I read, attended seminars and conferences, etc., essentially tried to learn the craft. Some family issues and health issues intervened after a couple of years and the writing went on the back burner. Several years ago I decided to have my own home staging business and I’ve done that for more than four years. Just recently, I decided to go back more to the writing since that’s always been my passion and have been working on that since. For me self-publishing seemed the most logical way to go due to having limited time available and I’ve done that and am pleased to have two books published and a third ready for publication.

Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
 I’ve written seven novels and am publishing them one at a time, in multiple genres.
I won a national award for writing in a mystery suspense category in 2007.
I still enjoy re-reading some of my favorite “children’s” books like “The Lost Prince,” “The Little Princess,” “Swiss Family Robinson and have copies on my bookshelves.”

What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I’m about ¾ through with my second mystery series “Staged for Murder.” I hope to have it published in the fall. It’s about a home stager who keeps running into murder in houses she stages. Working title is: “Murder Outside the Box.”

Parting comments?
Since I love writing humor (several of my romantic comedies and a novella are humorous in nature), I hope to incorporate that at some point more in a mystery series. I strive to do things differently…not give readers the same plots, twists, and expectations as everyone else in a genre. Hopefully, I can keep that up.

Where can fans find you on the internet?
My author website is: www.dafeatherling.com
I also have a Facebook author page”  https://www.facebook.com/D.A.Featherling

Register to win Dorothy Featherling's "It Adds Up to Murder"

We're happy to have Dorothy Featherling with us today talking about her book, "It Adds Up to Murder." To register to win a copy, leave Dorothy a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Dorothy and her book, read on!

Title: It Adds Up to Murder (Book 1 of series “It’s Murder at the Office”)

Cover blurb: Abigail Newhouse is forced to work temporary jobs to make ends meet. She discovers that while the jobs can be murderous, there aren’t usually dead bodies involved. Abby isn’t expecting crime at her first long term assignment, but when it occurs, she wants to help. Will Homicide Lieutenant Nick Vaughn believe that – or is she his main suspect? Abby soon finds sleuthing has placed her in deadly peril when she finally confronts a merciless killer face-to-face.

How did this story come to you?
My last ‘real’ job was as the administrator of a physics research center at a major university. I was trying to come up with an idea for a mystery (I just wanted to see if I could write one – I write in multiple genres and had never tried a mystery) so the thought came to me…what would happen if someone had a supposedly secure job, but then lost it through no fault of her own? I couldn’t remember ever reading a book of any kind that featured a temporary worker so I thought that was an original twist and left the door wide open for sequels. I decided to make Abby take temporary jobs and then have to face the issue of every time she changed jobs, she got involved in another murder? I decided a logical hero was a police detective and Nick Vaughn was created. Their relationship would develop throughout the series as well. Book 2 will be started soon and I’ve found I LOVE writing mysteries!

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My journey to publication has taken a while. I began writing about 10-12 years ago and at first went through all the throes that a beginning writer does. I read, attended seminars and conferences, etc., essentially tried to learn the craft. Some family issues and health issues intervened after a couple of years and the writing went on the back burner. Several years ago I decided to have my own home staging business and I’ve done that for more than four years. Just recently, I decided to go back more to the writing since that’s always been my passion and have been working on that since. For me self-publishing seemed the most logical way to go due to having limited time available and I’ve done that and am pleased to have two books published and a third ready for publication.

Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
 I’ve written seven novels and am publishing them one at a time, in multiple genres.
I won a national award for writing in a mystery suspense category in 2007.
I still enjoy re-reading some of my favorite “children’s” books like “The Lost Prince,” “The Little Princess,” “Swiss Family Robinson and have copies on my bookshelves.”

What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I’m about ¾ through with my second mystery series “Staged for Murder.” I hope to have it published in the fall. It’s about a home stager who keeps running into murder in houses she stages. Working title is: “Murder Outside the Box.”

Parting comments?
Since I love writing humor (several of my romantic comedies and a novella are humorous in nature), I hope to incorporate that at some point more in a mystery series. I strive to do things differently…not give readers the same plots, twists, and expectations as everyone else in a genre. Hopefully, I can keep that up.

Where can fans find you on the internet?
My author website is: www.dafeatherling.com
I also have a Facebook author page”  https://www.facebook.com/D.A.Featherling

Julianna Deering's "Rules of Murder"

Title:  Rules of Murder
Publisher:  Bethany House
Cover blurb:
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.

Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve been a fan of classic mysteries for years and years.  I’ve also been a longtime fan of the movies of the 1930s and ‘40s.  I thought it would be fun to combine the two, so I dreamed up a British hero and an American heroine and gave them both a love for mystery novels and a cheeky sense of humor.  Once I had Drew and Madeline, I decided it would be fun to take Father Knox’s well known 1929 list of what not to do when writing a murder mystery and see if I could break or at least bend all of his rules in my book.  Of course, my characters, being avid mystery readers themselves, are well aware of this list and realize their investigation isn’t following the rules at all.  It was great fun to write.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Goodness, it’s been rather a long trip.  I sent Rules to my agent when I had it all finished, and when ACFW was in Dallas in 2006 we got to meet face to face and talk about it.  She really liked the book and said she was determined to sell it.  But it wasn’t until late in 2011 that her incredible perseverance paid off, and Bethany House told her they were interested in the book.  The catch was, they didn’t want just one book.  They wanted to see at least two before making a decision.  So I scrambled to finish up the sequel, now titled Death by the Book, and sent it off.  When they sent me a contract for the series, I was so happy that the other publishers had turned it down.  I am so blessed to be with Bethany House.  They do everything first class and have been so incredibly nice to work with.  And they have given the book (and me!) an amazing amount of support.  I’m in awe of how God worked this all out . . . in His time.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Okay.  (1)  My favorite sport is ice hockey which people often find unusual for a female who’s a native Texan.  (2)  I’ve had seven books published under my real name, DeAnna Julie Dodson.  (3)  I used to play the oboe and the bassoon.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve been doing a lot of promotional stuff for the release of Rules of Murder, and that has kept me a little busy.  But I’m about to dig into edits on the third book in the series, Murder at the Mikado, a mystery with a Gilbert and Sullivan theme, and that will keep me very busy.  And I need to start figuring out what Drew and Madeline will be up to next.

5) Parting comments?
I love to hear from readers and love hearing what they think of my stories.  They can contact me on Facebook or on my website or write to me at P. O. Box 375, Aubrey, Texas  76227.  (Send me a self-addressed stamped envelope, and I’ll send you an autographed bookplate and/or bookmark.) 

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m at www.juliannadeering.com  or https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulian... or www.deannajuliedodson.com or @deannajuldodson on Twitter.  You can also find out more about me and the book on Bethany House’s site here:  http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books....  They have an author interview, an excerpt from the book and discussion questions.

Register to win Julianna Deering's "Rules of Murder"

We're happy to have Julianna Deering with us today talking about her book, "The Rules of Murder." To register to win a copy, leave Julianna a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Julianna and her book, read on!

Title:  Rules of Murder
Publisher:  Bethany House
Cover blurb:
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.

Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

1) How did this story come to you?
I’ve been a fan of classic mysteries for years and years.  I’ve also been a longtime fan of the movies of the 1930s and ‘40s.  I thought it would be fun to combine the two, so I dreamed up a British hero and an American heroine and gave them both a love for mystery novels and a cheeky sense of humor.  Once I had Drew and Madeline, I decided it would be fun to take Father Knox’s well known 1929 list of what not to do when writing a murder mystery and see if I could break or at least bend all of his rules in my book.  Of course, my characters, being avid mystery readers themselves, are well aware of this list and realize their investigation isn’t following the rules at all.  It was great fun to write.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Goodness, it’s been rather a long trip.  I sent Rules to my agent when I had it all finished, and when ACFW was in Dallas in 2006 we got to meet face to face and talk about it.  She really liked the book and said she was determined to sell it.  But it wasn’t until late in 2011 that her incredible perseverance paid off, and Bethany House told her they were interested in the book.  The catch was, they didn’t want just one book.  They wanted to see at least two before making a decision.  So I scrambled to finish up the sequel, now titled Death by the Book, and sent it off.  When they sent me a contract for the series, I was so happy that the other publishers had turned it down.  I am so blessed to be with Bethany House.  They do everything first class and have been so incredibly nice to work with.  And they have given the book (and me!) an amazing amount of support.  I’m in awe of how God worked this all out . . . in His time.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Okay.  (1)  My favorite sport is ice hockey which people often find unusual for a female who’s a native Texan.  (2)  I’ve had seven books published under my real name, DeAnna Julie Dodson.  (3)  I used to play the oboe and the bassoon.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve been doing a lot of promotional stuff for the release of Rules of Murder, and that has kept me a little busy.  But I’m about to dig into edits on the third book in the series, Murder at the Mikado, a mystery with a Gilbert and Sullivan theme, and that will keep me very busy.  And I need to start figuring out what Drew and Madeline will be up to next.

5) Parting comments?
I love to hear from readers and love hearing what they think of my stories.  They can contact me on Facebook or on my website or write to me at P. O. Box 375, Aubrey, Texas  76227.  (Send me a self-addressed stamped envelope, and I’ll send you an autographed bookplate and/or bookmark.) 

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m at www.juliannadeering.com  or https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulian... or www.deannajuliedodson.com or @deannajuldodson on Twitter.  You can also find out more about me and the book on Bethany House’s site here:  http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books....  They have an author interview, an excerpt from the book and discussion questions.

Susan Reinhardt's "The Moses Conspiracy"

   
In 2025, the Christian World is under attack!
     Two seemingly unconnected events set in motion a diabolical plan. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation,  fighting  shadowy enemy.

     After a terrorist attack on Washington, D.C. in the near future, Ellie plans a trip with her young son, Peter, and they become separated. At the same time back home, John witnesses a buggy accident with unusual circumstances.

     Caught between strained family relations and ominous  warnings from a faceless enemy, the couple rely on God for wisdom and protection.
    
     The truth of a past tragedy is revealed. While they may expose the culprits, will they survive the heartache it brings?

1)  How did this story come to you?
     I started off as a non-fiction writer, but switched gears and began writing fiction after an experience in Gettysburg. Surrounded by history, I "heard" the voices of the forefathers as fading echoes. Attempts to writer a poem or non-fiction piece were unsuccessful, so I put the thoughts aside and prayed.

 Eight months later, my late husband and I were discussing that event when he declared, "That's your book, and it will be written in 4 months and be called Ghosts of the Past."

     The first draft was written in 4 months and underwent a name change to Echoes of the Past. Later, it became The Moses Conspiracy. After 2 years of caring for my husband through cancer until his death and 6 years of honing my fictions skills, The Moses Conspiracy was published.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. 
When I first presented the manuscript at conferences, I was told: A) It was too short (55,000 words) and B) My writing techniques needed improvement. I attended workshops, read articles online, had people critique my work, entered the ACFW Genesis Contest, and read craft books. The lessons were applied to the manuscript, and gradually editors and agents began telling me they liked my writing. The next hurdle became the genre. The professionals had difficulty identifying a category. Some indicated they thought it was Sci-Fi (sorry, no aliens or spaceships), Futuristic (not that far off), Suspense/Mystery (closer), and Political intrigue (not really). I finally presented it as Christian Speculative Fiction, which encompassed several of these elements.

  An author friend, Kathi Macias, introduced me to my publisher in January 2013. Within a few weeks, I'd signed contracts with Joyce Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency, and Helping Hands Press (a small, royalty publisher). The Moses Conspiracy was released as an e-book in March 2013 and in print on May 17th.

 3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
     A) Took a course in Sign Language, and do specials at church.
     B) Like to wear silly socks when my style tends to lean toward the classic.
     C) Write by the seat of my pants. Outlines and plotting make me break out in a cold sweat.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I'm editing my second book in the trilogy, which has a working title of, The Scent of Fear. I'm also writing a Christmas novella that bridges The Moses Conspiracy and The Scent of Fear. The last book of the trilogy is mostly in my head.

5) Parting comments?
If you're a writer, I suggest you spend time learning the craft and not be in a rush to show your manuscript to the professionals. I could have saved myself a lot of rejection and embarrassment if I'd waited. Also, patience and persistence pays off. In 2012, I wanted to quit. I'm thankful I stuck with the program because it paid off.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
 I blog at http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Register to win Susan Reinhardt's "The Moses Conspiracy"

   
We're happy to have Susan J. Reinhardt with us today talking about her book, "The Moses Conspiracy." To register to win a copy, leave Susan a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Susan and her book, read on!

Cover blurb:
In 2025, the Christian World is under attack!

     Two seemingly unconnected events set in motion a diabolical plan. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation,  fighting  shadowy enemy.

     After a terrorist attack on Washington, D.C. in the near future, Ellie plans a trip with her young son, Peter, and they become separated. At the same time back home, John witnesses a buggy accident with unusual circumstances.

     Caught between strained family relations and ominous  warnings from a faceless enemy, the couple rely on God for wisdom and protection.
    
     The truth of a past tragedy is revealed. While they may expose the culprits, will they survive the heartache it brings?

1)  How did this story come to you?
     I started off as a non-fiction writer, but switched gears and began writing fiction after an experience in Gettysburg. Surrounded by history, I "heard" the voices of the forefathers as fading echoes. Attempts to writer a poem or non-fiction piece were unsuccessful, so I put the thoughts aside and prayed.

 Eight months later, my late husband and I were discussing that event when he declared, "That's your book, and it will be written in 4 months and be called Ghosts of the Past."

     The first draft was written in 4 months and underwent a name change to Echoes of the Past. Later, it became The Moses Conspiracy. After 2 years of caring for my husband through cancer until his death and 6 years of honing my fictions skills, The Moses Conspiracy was published.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. 
When I first presented the manuscript at conferences, I was told: A) It was too short (55,000 words) and B) My writing techniques needed improvement. I attended workshops, read articles online, had people critique my work, entered the ACFW Genesis Contest, and read craft books. The lessons were applied to the manuscript, and gradually editors and agents began telling me they liked my writing. The next hurdle became the genre. The professionals had difficulty identifying a category. Some indicated they thought it was Sci-Fi (sorry, no aliens or spaceships), Futuristic (not that far off), Suspense/Mystery (closer), and Political intrigue (not really). I finally presented it as Christian Speculative Fiction, which encompassed several of these elements.

  An author friend, Kathi Macias, introduced me to my publisher in January 2013. Within a few weeks, I'd signed contracts with Joyce Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency, and Helping Hands Press (a small, royalty publisher). The Moses Conspiracy was released as an e-book in March 2013 and in print on May 17th.

 3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
     A) Took a course in Sign Language, and do specials at church.
     B) Like to wear silly socks when my style tends to lean toward the classic.
     C) Write by the seat of my pants. Outlines and plotting make me break out in a cold sweat. 

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now, I'm editing my second book in the trilogy, which has a working title of, The Scent of Fear. I'm also writing a Christmas novella that bridges The Moses Conspiracy and The Scent of Fear. The last book of the trilogy is mostly in my head.

5) Parting comments?
If you're a writer, I suggest you spend time learning the craft and not be in a rush to show your manuscript to the professionals. I could have saved myself a lot of rejection and embarrassment if I'd waited. Also, patience and persistence pays off. In 2012, I wanted to quit. I'm thankful I stuck with the program because it paid off.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
 I blog at http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.

I'll provide an e-book for a giveaway to one commenter.

Lena Nelson Dooley's "McKenna's Daughters" series

My Mckenna’s Daughters series was published by Realms, the fiction imprint of Charisma Media.
The titles are: Maggie’s Journey, Mary’s Blessing, and Catherine’s Pursuit

1) Your cover blurb:
This is the blurb for the series: The heroines are identical triplets, born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother dies giving birth to them, and they’re separated. They don’t find out until near their 18th birthday that they have sisters. Each book is one of the sisters’ story.

2) How did this story come to you?
I’m not sure when this story first entered my mind. I do know that the idea came from the Lord, and it percolated in my brain for several years before I wrote the series.

3) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I do remember now. When Tracie Peterson was the acquisition editor for Heartsong Presents, when they started the states series, she told the Heartsong authors that three of us could propose ideas for a three book series. I had the idea and I asked two of my friends to join me in the proposal. Tracie liked it a lot, and we thought she was going to buy it. After she resigned so she could concentrate on her own writing, the new editor decided to give the proposal back to us.

The idea wouldn’t let me know, so a few years later, I asked my friends if they would mind if I took my story and added two more, not at all like their stories, and submitted it. They agreed.

Three other editors liked the series, but finally gave it back for differing reasons. The LI Historical editor said it was too involved for their line, but she really liked it. When my agent sent it to the Realms editor soon after they started their new fiction line, she bought it right away.

4) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was raised in the Ozark Mountains on fish farms.
I graduated fourth of my graduating high school class of fifty.
I was not born a redhead.

5) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on another three book series that my agent is shopping right now.
My actual next project is adapting Pola Muzyka’s novel Abducted to Kill into a screenplay for a Christian movie. We’re already in pre-production meetings.

6) Parting comments?
I’m giving away a pdf copy of the winner’s choice of any of the McKenna’s Daughters books.

7) Where can fans find you on the internet?
 I love my readers. I like to hear from them at any of these places:
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 
Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley 
Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Do...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley
Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/g...
Other blogs where I’m a regular contributor:
http://christianfictionhistoricalsoci...
http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot....

Register to win a PDF copy of your choice from Lena Nelson Dooley's "McKenna's Daughters" series

 We're happy to have Lena Nelson Dooley with us today talking about"The McKenna's Daughters" series. To register to win a book, leave Lena a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Lena and her series, read on!

My Mckenna’s Daughters series was published by Realms, the fiction imprint of Charisma Media.
The titles are: Maggie’s Journey, Mary’s Blessing, and Catherine’s Pursuit

1) Your cover blurb:
This is the blurb for the series: The heroines are identical triplets, born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother dies giving birth to them, and they’re separated. They don’t find out until near their 18th birthday that they have sisters. Each book is one of the sisters’ story.

2) How did this story come to you?
I’m not sure when this story first entered my mind. I do know that the idea came from the Lord, and it percolated in my brain for several years before I wrote the series.

3) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I do remember now. When Tracie Peterson was the acquisition editor for Heartsong Presents, when they started the states series, she told the Heartsong authors that three of us could propose ideas for a three book series. I had the idea and I asked two of my friends to join me in the proposal. Tracie liked it a lot, and we thought she was going to buy it. After she resigned so she could concentrate on her own writing, the new editor decided to give the proposal back to us.

The idea wouldn’t let me know, so a few years later, I asked my friends if they would mind if I took my story and added two more, not at all like their stories, and submitted it. They agreed.

Three other editors liked the series, but finally gave it back for differing reasons. The LI Historical editor said it was too involved for their line, but she really liked it. When my agent sent it to the Realms editor soon after they started their new fiction line, she bought it right away.

4) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was raised in the Ozark Mountains on fish farms.
I graduated fourth of my graduating high school class of fifty.
I was not born a redhead.

5) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on another three book series that my agent is shopping right now.
My actual next project is adapting Pola Muzyka’s novel Abducted to Kill into a screenplay for a Christian movie. We’re already in pre-production meetings.

6) Parting comments?
I’m giving away a pdf copy of the winner’s choice of any of the McKenna’s Daughters books.

7) Where can fans find you on the internet?
 I love my readers. I like to hear from them at any of these places:
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 
Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley 
Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Do...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley
Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/g...
Other blogs where I’m a regular contributor:
http://christianfictionhistoricalsoci...
http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot....

Cynthia Hickey's "Cooking Up Love"

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS for Cynthia:1. When did you discover your love for the written word? My mother said that, not having a Kindergarten close enough for me to attend as a child, that she taught me to read. I took to it easily and have always read above my level. Once I discovered the many worlds between the pages of a book, I was hooked.

2. When did you begin your writing career? I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember, but it isn’t until a few years ago that I actually began to take the writing process seriously. My first novel, Fudge-Laced Felonies, was released through Barbour in 2007. At the American Christian Fiction Writers Association conference that year, I was awarded the new author contract.

3. Tell us something that people may not know about you? I’ve been on television twice. Once on the backdrop of a weather report filmed on Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas and another time when a documentary was being filmed at the Pickle Plant where I worked.

4. Do you have a secret desire that may not ever come true? I’ve always thought it would be a blast to be in a movie. Not a walk on character, but an actual main character. An insane person would be fun.

5. Do you have a favorite book? The one book I own that has stood the test of time is Gone With the Wind and Little Women. I still love them.

6. A favorite author? I’d have to say that in today’s market, I love Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander characters are so rich, I feel as if I know them.

7. Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written? No, I can’t say that I do. I guess Fudge would be it if I had to pick, it being my first and all.

8. Any suggestions for pre-pubbed authors? Never, ever, give up. If you’re meant to be an author, you need to write as much as you need to breathe.

Book blurb:Tabitha McClelland knows accepting a job as a Harvey House waitress can be risky. Traveling alone to the rough-and-tumble West just isn’t done by young ladies of good breeding. But far more dangerous is her powerful attraction to Adam Foster. Family means everything to the widowed chef, but the self-sufficient Tabitha cherishes her freedom above all else.Adam is captivated by the fiercely independent Tabitha. Fraternizing with the female employees is strictly forbidden, but the Harvey Girl awakens feelings too compelling to ignore. Can Adam convince Tabby to share his dream of a future in California–together?

Author bio:Multi-published author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries published through Barbour Publishing, with a novella releasing in March 2013. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two of their seven children, two dogs, two cats, and a fish named Floyd. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at www.cynthiahickey.com Cynthia Hickey (Melton)www.cynthiahickey.comhttp://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.comAuthor of Bestselling Summer Meadows mystery seriesHICKEY Facebook Twitter MELTON Facebook Twitter