K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 25

Mary Ball's "Escape to Big Fork Lake"

Mary Ball

Publisher: Inspired Romance Novels- now 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? One day while doing chores I got to thinking about a trip to the lake. The next I knew my mind was plotting the path for my characters to follow. Sounds crazy but most of my ideas God gives me when I alone with my thoughts.  2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. The time it took me to go from manuscript to novel was almost two years. I believe I re-wrote the story four times.  I sent the manuscript off to about 45 publishers. Prism Book Group is wonderful at working with debut authors. Though I was green (still am in a lot of ways) the acquiring editor was willing to work with me and published my novel.3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. I’m not a cooking person, at least not from scratch. I don’t like conflict, even though it’s in my novel.Pink is not my favorite color! Nevertheless, I seem to have a lot of that color.  
 4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?My coming soon novel is titled “Stone of Destiny” I hope you don’t mind me sharing a blurb.The sapphire is said to symbolize mental clarity, faithfulness and truth. For centuries, the legion of the Harrison family revolved around a ring. The family stone believed to have divine favors that transform lives-sometimes forever.Taylor has given up on everything but her work. After becoming the youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, she believes life is complete. That is until her grandmother asks her to oversee renovations at the family home, in addition to searching for a missing heirloom. First contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Feelings surface; she doesn't understand; mere thoughts that should remain unspoken, are voiced.  Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself-forcing her to question everything she believes. Is this a fairy-tale or her soul, reaching out for a different world, a life she can only find through faith and a divine trust in God?I already have another novel in the works. It takes the readers into the life of Rob. He’s one of the villains in Escape to Big Fork Lake. This book has been challenging for me because it’s based on an alcoholic, his recovery and his path to God.     5) Parting comments? Number one: Thanks for spotlighting me on your lovely blog. Number two: it’s my hope that people who read my novels either learn more about God’s mercy or get a deeper desire to know more about Jesus Christ.    6) Where can fans find you on the internet?My website is http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/.You can find me at inspires4mary.twitter.com. Also, my Face book page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspirational-author-Mary-L-Ball/

 

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

We're happy to have Mary Ball with us today talking about her book, "Escape to Big Fork Lake." To register to win a copy, leave Mary 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 Mary and her book, read on!

After registering for Mary's giveaway, please scrool down and check out the Mercantile Mystery Sweepstakes.

Publisher: Inspired Romance Novels- now 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? One day while doing chores I got to thinking about a trip to the lake. The next I knew my mind was plotting the path for my characters to follow. Sounds crazy but most of my ideas God gives me when I alone with my thoughts.  2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published. The time it took me to go from manuscript to novel was almost two years. I believe I re-wrote the story four times.  I sent the manuscript off to about 45 publishers. Prism Book Group is wonderful at working with debut authors. Though I was green (still am in a lot of ways) the acquiring editor was willing to work with me and published my novel.3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. I’m not a cooking person, at least not from scratch. I don’t like conflict, even though it’s in my novel.Pink is not my favorite color! Nevertheless, I seem to have a lot of that color.  
 4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?My coming soon novel is titled “Stone of Destiny” I hope you don’t mind me sharing a blurb.The sapphire is said to symbolize mental clarity, faithfulness and truth. For centuries, the legion of the Harrison family revolved around a ring. The family stone believed to have divine favors that transform lives-sometimes forever.Taylor has given up on everything but her work. After becoming the youngest CEO of Mugful’s Beverage Company, she believes life is complete. That is until her grandmother asks her to oversee renovations at the family home, in addition to searching for a missing heirloom. First contact with what she believes is an insignificant ring, lost for fifty years, sends her life spinning. Taylor experiences strange dreams. Feelings surface; she doesn't understand; mere thoughts that should remain unspoken, are voiced.  Taylor’s emotional journey begins, testing a heart as cold as the ring itself-forcing her to question everything she believes. Is this a fairy-tale or her soul, reaching out for a different world, a life she can only find through faith and a divine trust in God?I already have another novel in the works. It takes the readers into the life of Rob. He’s one of the villains in Escape to Big Fork Lake. This book has been challenging for me because it’s based on an alcoholic, his recovery and his path to God.     5) Parting comments? Number one: Thanks for spotlighting me on your lovely blog. Number two: it’s my hope that people who read my novels either learn more about God’s mercy or get a deeper desire to know more about Jesus Christ.    6) Where can fans find you on the internet?My website is http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/.You can find me at inspires4mary.twitter.com. Also, my Face book page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspirational-author-Mary-L-Ball/

 

The Mercantile Mystery Sweepstakes

In TROUBLE IN STORE , author Carol Cox’s latest novel, out-of-work governess Melanie Ross is forced to pursue her last resort: a dusty Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But local shopkeeper Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he’s not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas take over. His solution? Marry her off–to someone else–as soon as possible! Then a sinister force brings mystery and murder to their doorstep, and this unlikely pair must band together to survive the trouble in store.
To celebrate the story, author Carol Cox and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to announce the MERCANTILE MYSTERY SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes!
Timeframe & Notifications:
This giveaway starts June 3, 2013 and ends June 20, 2013 @ 11:59 pm (PST). Winners will be selected Friday, June 21, 2013, and announced right here on the site.


GRAND PRIZE:
BLUSH & ROSES CHINA SET Melanie causes all kinds of trouble in Caleb’s rough-edged mercantile, especially when she stocks the shelves with expensive, blush-colored china, rather than the usual tools and farm supplies!
Our Grand Prize winner will receive their very own set of Melanie’s fancy china: a vintage, Royal Standard cup and saucer set, service for four.


SECOND PRIZE:
MUSIC & MYSTERY PRIZE BOX In Trouble in Store, the mystery of a beautiful music box causes sparks to fly between Caleb and Melanie.
Our Second Prize winner will have the chance to win an elegant music box, just like the one in the story. This hand-made Italian music box is made of inlaid layers of walnut and rosewood, and plays Melanie’s favorite tune, “Liebestraum”.



THIRD PRIZE:
COFFEE WITH CALEB GIFT PACK The townspeople of Cedar Ridge come to Ross-Nelson mercantile for supplies, advice, news, and best of all, fresh-ground coffee! Caleb grinds Arbuckles coffee beans as a service for his regular customers.Our Third Prize winner can enjoy their very own, 1880′s hand-ground coffee, with this antique grinder, Arbuckles coffee, and a pair of Cowboy and Cowgirl mugs.

How to Enter:
Go to http://authorcarolcox.com/giveaways/ and completed the entry box, anytime between June 3 and June 20.

Register to win a Kindle and a business card design...

 After fourteen years of hard work, Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Berry Tarabochia are thrilled to announce the release of their novel, On the Threshold. Interested in how a mother and daughter can write a book together? Want a chance at winning a Kindle and a business card design from a top-notch company? Keep reading!
Why did you ladies begin writing this book? Both of us had always talked about writing a book, but fourteen years ago Sherrie said if we were ever going to write, maybe we should work on a book together. It would hold us accountable. We lived on different sides of the state of Oregon at the time, so we did a lot of it via e-mail, and once a month Sherrie would make the 250-mile drive to Christina's house and we'd work on it in person. We wanted to share a real look at depression and trying to be good enough to please God--what that might look like in a family's life. Fourteen years? Really? That's from the first word penned. The very first contest we entered, we actually talked about how we needed to decide how to fight off all the editors who'd be making offers. Instead, we found out we had a lot to learn! Attending writing conferences and reading craft books brought our writing to a higher level.Tell us about On the Threshold. We loved having the chance to tell this story! In fact, we have a few more stories to tell about these characters  if readers love this one. Here's what the book is about.Suzanne—a mother with a long-held secret. Tony—a police officer with something to prove. Beth—a daughter with a storybook future. When all they love is lost, what's worth living for?Suzanne Corbin and her daughter, Beth Harris, live a seemingly easy life. Suzanne has distanced herself from her past, replacing pain with fulfillment as a wife and mother, while Beth savors her husband’s love and anticipates the birth of their child. But all that is about to change.Like a sandcastle buffeted by ocean waves, Suzanne’s façade crumbles when her perfect life is swept away. Tragedy strikes and police officer Tony Barnett intersects with the lives of both women as he tries to discover the truth. Left adrift and drowning in guilt long ignored, Suzanne spirals downward into paralyzing depression. Beth, dealing with her own grief, must face the challenge of forgiveness. Can these two women learn to trust each other again? Will they find the power of God’s grace in their lives?  And a little about you? Mother/daughter writing team Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Berry Tarabochia bring a voice of authenticity to this novel as they have experienced some of the same issues faced by these characters. They like to say they were separated at birth but share one brain, which allows them to write in a seamless stream. Both live in NW Oregon and love spending time together. Many years ago, they were both on a winning Family Feud team! Sherrie is the Women's Ministry Director at her church, and loves being the grandma of eight and great-grandma of one. Christina is also the author of The Familiar Stranger , a Christy finalist and Carol Award winner, and runs a thriving editing business.Please sign up for their Infrequent, Humorous Newsletter at Ashberry Lane for a chance to win cool prizes. What about this contest? If you help get the word out, you can earn different points for each thing you do, and every point represents an entry in the contest.Say, for example, you name your next child “Threshold” in honor of our book. You would earn 100 points (entries), which would greatly increase your likelihood of winning.Fine print to be read as quickly as those medical side effects are glossed over on TV: A certified copy of the birth certificate must be sent to Ashberry Lane proving the child was born between now and when the contest ends on June 30rd at 10 PM, PDT. Some restrictions apply, such as you must also promise not to change the child’s name to anything else for at least the next fifteen years. You are, however, allowed to use “Thresh” as his or her first name, and “Hold” as the middle.If that seems like we’re asking a little too much, there are other ways for you to enter the contest.~ Post about On the Threshold on Twitter or LinkedIn, or share the cover on Instagram or Pinterest, and you’ve doubled your points to TWO.~ Refer someone to sign up for the newsletter. If he or she notes you as referrer, guess what? You just earned THREE points.~ Blog about it and reap FOUR points. (We’re available for more blog interviews.)~ And for those who buy the book (e-book or print copy), you will gain FIVE points.~ Leave a review—positive or negative—on a retailing site after reading the book, and TEN points to you!All you have to do to enter is drop us an email to Christina [at] ashberrylane [dot] net with a description of what you did. We trust you.Here is a sample email:Dear Sherrie and Christina,Fortunately, my last name is Hold, so when my triplets were born yesterday, all I had to do was name them "On," "The," and "Thresh." (Yes, that makes a double "h," but without it, the name just looks silly and I don't want a kid with a funny name.) I also got the cover of On the Threshold tattooed on my arm, took a picture of it, and posted it on every possible social media site, including Facebook, though I understand I don't get points for anything done on there. Next, I forwarded the Infrequent, Humorous Newsletter to a few of my friends and ALL of my enemies. After reading the book in two hours, I posted an honest review on three different retail sites. Please enter my name 349 times.Love,Your #1 FanOr something like that. :) Where else can we find you gals online?  Buy the book, e-version or paperback, on Amazon or B&N or iTunes or in any other version on Smashwords. Sign up for the newsletter (all the kids are doing it!). If you want a signed copy mailed anywhere in the United States, email us. (Christina [at] ashberrylane [dot] net)www.twitter.com/authorchristinawww.facebook.com/sherrie.ashcraftwww.facebook.com/authorchristinawww.christinaberry.net/www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.comThanks for hosting us!

Beth Vogt's "Catch a Falling Star"

1)   How did this story come to you?
Catch a Falling Starwas prompted by a conversation I had with a good friend who was in her forties. She has a very fulfilling life in a lot of ways, and yet some of her hopes and dreams haven’t come true. Our conversation stayed with me because everyone deals with the reality that life doesn’t always go according to our plans. I took that reality and wove it into this novel.

2)   Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I originally pitched my editors another story idea – I’d even started fast-drafting it – but they decided they liked Catch a Falling Star and wanted me to write it. So I shelved the story I was writing and started bringing Kendall and Griffin to life.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. 1.) When I was 41, I found at I was pregnant. At the time, I had 3 teenagers, and having another baby was nowhere on my To Do list, not even as an optional activity. She was born on Christmas Eve and is truly an unexpected blessing from God.

2.) Thanks to my husband’s air force career, I lived in Turkey for two years.
3.) I’m a twin. I have a fraternal twin sister. We don’t look anything alike – except that we are both female. When we were growing up, we had a difficult time convincing people we were sisters, much less twins.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?   I just submitted novel #3 to my editor. It’s titled Somebody Like You, and it’s another inspirational contemporary novel set in Colorado. One fun aspect is that it has a set of twins in the storyline.

5) Parting comments?     I am a quote aficionado – I even have a blog (In Others’ Words), where I share quotes and invite readers to join the conversation and share insights. One of my favorite quotes is: “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” ~William Shakespeare (1564-1616) poet & playwright

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?Website: bethvogt.com (http://bethvogt.com)
My blog, In Others’ Words, is embedded in my website. Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethKVogt?ref=hl
Twitter: bethvogt

Register to win Beth Vogt's "Catch a Falling Star"

We're happy to have Beth Vogt with us today talking about her book, "Catch a Falling Star." To register to win a copy, leave Beth 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 Beth and her book, read on!

1)   How did this story come to you?
Catch a Falling Starwas prompted by a conversation I had with a good friend who was in her forties. She has a very fulfilling life in a lot of ways, and yet some of her hopes and dreams haven’t come true. Our conversation stayed with me because everyone deals with the reality that life doesn’t always go according to our plans. I took that reality and wove it into this novel.

2)   Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I originally pitched my editors another story idea – I’d even started fast-drafting it – but they decided they liked Catch a Falling Star and wanted me to write it. So I shelved the story I was writing and started bringing Kendall and Griffin to life.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers. 1.) When I was 41, I found at I was pregnant. At the time, I had 3 teenagers, and having another baby was nowhere on my To Do list, not even as an optional activity. She was born on Christmas Eve and is truly an unexpected blessing from God.

2.) Thanks to my husband’s air force career, I lived in Turkey for two years.
3.) I’m a twin. I have a fraternal twin sister. We don’t look anything alike – except that we are both female. When we were growing up, we had a difficult time convincing people we were sisters, much less twins.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?   I just submitted novel #3 to my editor. It’s titled Somebody Like You, and it’s another inspirational contemporary novel set in Colorado. One fun aspect is that it has a set of twins in the storyline.

5) Parting comments?     I am a quote aficionado – I even have a blog (In Others’ Words), where I share quotes and invite readers to join the conversation and share insights. One of my favorite quotes is: “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” ~William Shakespeare (1564-1616) poet & playwright

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?Website: bethvogt.com (http://bethvogt.com)
My blog, In Others’ Words, is embedded in my website. Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethKVogt?ref=hl
Twitter: bethvogt

Lisa Lickel's "Healing Grace"

Title: Healing Grace: a novel
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

 Cover blurb: Grace Runyon ran away from God. It took a very sick man and his little boy to make her face her past and find forgiveness.
 1) How did this story come to you?
I had been thinking about miracles, which led me to wonder how people perceive them; it we always realize when a miracle takes place and the general reaction. When I researched more, I came across the biblical gifts of the spirit and started wondering how those gifts would be manifest today, and if they would always be perceived as supernatural.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Healing Grace was originally published in 2009. It was the second book I wrote, and after getting the rights back, I was delighted with the opportunity to rework it and make it better.
 3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m finally ready to let my hair go natural. JJ Abrams has no idea of what made Star Trek so important. I’m a devoted Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My current work in progress is a suspense – Running can’t erase their past. Lily runs to find help when her stepbrother is caught up in a kidnapping and insurance fraud scheme targeting her and her nephew; Cam runs to find peace when he’s exonerated after being falsely accused of sexual harassment. When they find each other, they may not be able to save each other.
 5) Parting comments?
There are still a few print versions of this book at online publishers. The book with the lavender cover is the old version – please don’t buy it by mistake. The new Healing Grace has been completely rewritten, re-edited and updated. I had a wonderful team of editors to work with. A print version of this new book will be available later in the year.
 6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is: http://www.lisalickel.com. From there you can find me elsewhere in online social media.
I can give away an electronic version of the book – Kindle, Nook, html or pdf. 

Register to win an electronic copy of Lisa Lickel's "Healing Grace"

We're happy to have Lisa Lickel with us today talking about her book, "Healing Grace." To register to win a copy, leave Lisa 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 Lisa and her book, read on!
Title: Healing Grace: a novelPublisher: MuseItUp Publishing

 Cover blurb: Grace Runyon ran away from God. It took a very sick man and his little boy to make her face her past and find forgiveness.
 1) How did this story come to you?
I had been thinking about miracles, which led me to wonder how people perceive them; it we always realize when a miracle takes place and the general reaction. When I researched more, I came across the biblical gifts of the spirit and started wondering how those gifts would be manifest today, and if they would always be perceived as supernatural.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Healing Grace was originally published in 2009. It was the second book I wrote, and after getting the rights back, I was delighted with the opportunity to rework it and make it better.
 3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m finally ready to let my hair go natural. JJ Abrams has no idea of what made Star Trek so important. I’m a devoted Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My current work in progress is a suspense – Running can’t erase their past. Lily runs to find help when her stepbrother is caught up in a kidnapping and insurance fraud scheme targeting her and her nephew; Cam runs to find peace when he’s exonerated after being falsely accused of sexual harassment. When they find each other, they may not be able to save each other.
 5) Parting comments?
There are still a few print versions of this book at online publishers. The book with the lavender cover is the old version – please don’t buy it by mistake. The new Healing Grace has been completely rewritten, re-edited and updated. I had a wonderful team of editors to work with. A print version of this new book will be available later in the year.
 6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is: http://www.lisalickel.com. From there you can find me elsewhere in online social media.
I can give away an electronic version of the book – Kindle, Nook, html or pdf. 

Gail Pallotta's "Stopped Cold"

Cover blurb:  Margaret McWhorter enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious in a hospital. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean to be a great quarterback, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. A clue sends them deep into the woods behind the school where they overhear drug dealers discuss Sean. Time and time again they walk a treacherous path and come face to face with danger. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.1)      How did this story come to you?
First of all, I wanted the book to entertain young people. The most fun books I read were Nancy Drew/ Hardy Boys mysteries. The three amateur sleuths in Stopped Cold are reminiscent of the famous teen detective.

Through the PTA, I worked with children in grades one through eight. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher, swim team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. I’ve seen a lot of pain when a child couldn’t live up to being number one. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to “be the best” rather than “do your best” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. I wanted to let young people know they don’t have to be number one for God to love them. He’s given each of them a gift or gifts to use for Him.
Children today face a number of problems, but I wrote about steroids. One reason teens say they take them is to enhance athletic performance, which indicates they have a drive to be number one. Even though the use of steroids is going down, according to the latest statistics I could find on the internet there are around 125,000 who say they’ve used them. I imagine there are some who’ve used them, but didn’t say they did.2)      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

This book insisted on being published. I wrote a draft for it ten years ago. Then I polished it up and took it to a writer’s conference, where I met an editor who liked it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t right for her list. However, she edited my proposal and encouraged me not to give up on this book, but to keep writing and re-writing until it was ready to be published.
I followed her advice then attended another writers’ conference. There I met an author who advised me to send it to an editor she knew. The publishing company kept the book for one year then rejected it. I tossed it in a drawer, where it stayed gathering dust until I joined American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) two years ago.  
After my ACFW critique group finished the book I was working on, I had nothing to submit, so I pulled out Stopped Cold, and they critiqued it. Then I sent out a few queries, and Stopped Cold was accepted. When I received the publisher’s contract, it asked for a fee, so I declined to sign it. Later I attended the James Scott Bell writing seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. I took another book to work on while I was there, but when I came home, Stopped Cold called to me once again, and I made changes to it, applying what I’d learned from Mr. Bell. Then Lisa Lickel and I started critiquing. After I made a few more corrections, I emailed queries to several publishers as well as a couple agents. Now the book’s where it was meant to be—with Madison Connors at Front Porch Romance.3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m an Elvis Presley fan.

In college I had a friend who owned a small airplane. He picked me up in the sheep pasture in a valley near the mountain college we attended, flew to a town about fifty miles away, and took me out to dinner.
When I tried to learn to cross-stitch, I sewed the picture I was working on to the leg of the jeans I was wearing and had to snip the threads to get it off.4)      What are you working on now?
I have a couple short stories coming out soon. I just finished a romantic comedy with mystery and suspense and am writing a book about a young woman with a mysterious, undiagnosed illness.

5)      Parting comments.
Two things. I was excited to learn last week that Stopped Cold is a best seller on All Romance E Books, and I appreciate you having me on your lovely blog.

6)      Where can fans find you on the internet?
My Web site is http://www.gailpallotta.com
My blog is http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore



 

Register to win Gail Pallotta's "Stopped Cold"

We have two book giveaways this week, one from Gail Palotta and one from Sharon Shrock. Please be sure to leave both of these ladies a comment to register to win.

We're happy to have Gail Pallotta with us today talking about her book, "Stopped Cold." To register to win a copy, leave Gail 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 Gail and her book, read on!

Cover blurb:  Margaret McWhorter enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious in a hospital. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean to be a great quarterback, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. A clue sends them deep into the woods behind the school where they overhear drug dealers discuss Sean. Time and time again they walk a treacherous path and come face to face with danger. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.1)      How did this story come to you?
First of all, I wanted the book to entertain young people. The most fun books I read were Nancy Drew/ Hardy Boys mysteries. The three amateur sleuths in Stopped Cold are reminiscent of the famous teen detective.

Through the PTA, I worked with children in grades one through eight. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher, swim team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. I’ve seen a lot of pain when a child couldn’t live up to being number one. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to “be the best” rather than “do your best” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. I wanted to let young people know they don’t have to be number one for God to love them. He’s given each of them a gift or gifts to use for Him.
Children today face a number of problems, but I wrote about steroids. One reason teens say they take them is to enhance athletic performance, which indicates they have a drive to be number one. Even though the use of steroids is going down, according to the latest statistics I could find on the internet there are around 125,000 who say they’ve used them. I imagine there are some who’ve used them, but didn’t say they did.2)      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

This book insisted on being published. I wrote a draft for it ten years ago. Then I polished it up and took it to a writer’s conference, where I met an editor who liked it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t right for her list. However, she edited my proposal and encouraged me not to give up on this book, but to keep writing and re-writing until it was ready to be published.
I followed her advice then attended another writers’ conference. There I met an author who advised me to send it to an editor she knew. The publishing company kept the book for one year then rejected it. I tossed it in a drawer, where it stayed gathering dust until I joined American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) two years ago.  
After my ACFW critique group finished the book I was working on, I had nothing to submit, so I pulled out Stopped Cold, and they critiqued it. Then I sent out a few queries, and Stopped Cold was accepted. When I received the publisher’s contract, it asked for a fee, so I declined to sign it. Later I attended the James Scott Bell writing seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. I took another book to work on while I was there, but when I came home, Stopped Cold called to me once again, and I made changes to it, applying what I’d learned from Mr. Bell. Then Lisa Lickel and I started critiquing. After I made a few more corrections, I emailed queries to several publishers as well as a couple agents. Now the book’s where it was meant to be—with Madison Connors at Front Porch Romance.3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m an Elvis Presley fan.

In college I had a friend who owned a small airplane. He picked me up in the sheep pasture in a valley near the mountain college we attended, flew to a town about fifty miles away, and took me out to dinner.
When I tried to learn to cross-stitch, I sewed the picture I was working on to the leg of the jeans I was wearing and had to snip the threads to get it off.4)      What are you working on now?
I have a couple short stories coming out soon. I just finished a romantic comedy with mystery and suspense and am writing a book about a young woman with a mysterious, undiagnosed illness.

5)      Parting comments.
Two things. I was excited to learn last week that Stopped Cold is a best seller on All Romance E Books, and I appreciate you having me on your lovely blog.

6)      Where can fans find you on the internet?
My Web site is http://www.gailpallotta.com
My blog is http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore