K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 26

Sharon Srock's "The Women of Valley View: Terri"

  Title: THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: TERRI
  Publisher: HARBOURLIGHT 




Cover blurb:  Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.  
Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child.  She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.  

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?
 
1)      How did this story come to you?Terri’s story was the natural progression from the first book in the series, THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: CALLIE 
2)      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.I began writing 5 years ago in a much delayed obedience to God. That obedience has opened doors, removed obstacles, and granted me my dream.  
3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I love to mow the grass 
I HATE reality TV My favorite pet was an iguana
4)      What are you working on now and what's next for you?Book 3 in the series is under contract, I expect to begin edits this week. I’m working on book 4. 
5) Where can fans find you on the internet?Visit my BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock  

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/d9kwdcc
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/cud7xb6 Pelican book group: http://tinyurl.com/cd5zqar






 

Register to win Sharon Srock's "The Women of Valley View: Terri"

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 Sharon Srock with us today talking about her book, "The Women of Valley View: Terri." To register to win a copy, leave Sharon 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 Sharon and her book, read on!

  Title: THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: TERRI
  Publisher: HARBOURLIGHT 



Cover blurb:  Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.  
Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child.  She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.  

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?
 
1)      How did this story come to you?Terri’s story was the natural progression from the first book in the series, THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: CALLIE 
2)      Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.I began writing 5 years ago in a much delayed obedience to God. That obedience has opened doors, removed obstacles, and granted me my dream.  
3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I love to mow the grass 
I HATE reality TV My favorite pet was an iguana
4)      What are you working on now and what's next for you?Book 3 in the series is under contract, I expect to begin edits this week. I’m working on book 4. 
5) Where can fans find you on the internet?Visit my BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock  

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/d9kwdcc
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/cud7xb6 Pelican book group: http://tinyurl.com/cd5zqar





 

Jo Huddleston's "Beyond the Past"

Beyond the Past back cover blurb
An inspirational Southern Historical with Threads of Romance
Emmajean Callaway’s life in Atlanta plummets from bad to worse. Can big brother, Jim, lead her back to the family who loves her and also hold the imploding Callaway family together?

Jim Callaway looks forward to 1951 and the chance to forge a relationship with Caroline after twenty years apart. He’s sidetracked when his sister and his best friend need his help. His baby sister, Emmajean, skids into jail on drug charges in Atlanta. The ordeal of incarceration and trial diminishes her and she needs rescuing, not only physically but spiritually. She struggles toward recovery and restoration with her lawyer’s help as he champions her inside and outside the courtroom. Jim’s nephew Joe is one step ahead of the truant officer, wrecks his car, and officials suspect alcohol is involved. Joe awaits his fate at the hands of the juvenile court judge. Jim and Caroline continue their bumpy journey as they seek realization of their dreams, wondering if they really can overcome obstacles to their being together after so many years.
1) How did this story come to you? Beyond the Past is book #2 in the Caney Creek Series. The series is set in the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where I and my ancestors grew up. At annual family reunions as a little girl, I’d listen to my relatives’ stories about time before TV and air conditioning. All those stories stayed in my mind from year to year. Those stories needed to be told. This book is fiction but it came to me from listening to real people.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.The first book in the series, That Summer, started simmering in my head in the late 1990s. In 2001 I was diagnosed with a health problem that prevented me to write, either by hand or computer (this was before speak-to-type). I thought my writing career was over. In 2008, I regained ability to hold my fingers on the home keys of the computer and finished book #1 soon thereafter. But getting an agent or a publisher for a first time novelist seemed impossible. I discovered ACFW, joined, and found my publisher on ACFW’s list of recognized publishers. I couldn’t write That Summer and not have a book #2 so I wrote book #2, Beyond the Past .

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.Well, not much surprises folks these days, but here goes:
I played varsity basketball in high school
I am claustrophobic
I chew my ice cream

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?I’ve begun book #3, Claiming Peace, in the Caney Creek Series. I hope to be able to start another series but that’s not settled yet.

5) Parting comments?Dawn, it was my pleasure to visit with you and your readers on your blog. Thanks for having me.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?Website/blog: http://www.johuddleston.com



 

Register to win Jo Huddleston's "Beyond the Past"

We have two book giveaways this week, one from Jo Huddleston 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 Jo Huddleston  with us today talking about her book, "Beyond the Past." To register to win a copy, leave Jo 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 Jo and her book, read on!

Beyond the Past back cover blurb
An inspirational Southern Historical with Threads of Romance
Emmajean Callaway’s life in Atlanta plummets from bad to worse. Can big brother, Jim, lead her back to the family who loves her and also hold the imploding Callaway family together?

Jim Callaway looks forward to 1951 and the chance to forge a relationship with Caroline after twenty years apart. He’s sidetracked when his sister and his best friend need his help. His baby sister, Emmajean, skids into jail on drug charges in Atlanta. The ordeal of incarceration and trial diminishes her and she needs rescuing, not only physically but spiritually. She struggles toward recovery and restoration with her lawyer’s help as he champions her inside and outside the courtroom. Jim’s nephew Joe is one step ahead of the truant officer, wrecks his car, and officials suspect alcohol is involved. Joe awaits his fate at the hands of the juvenile court judge. Jim and Caroline continue their bumpy journey as they seek realization of their dreams, wondering if they really can overcome obstacles to their being together after so many years.
1) How did this story come to you? Beyond the Past is book #2 in the Caney Creek Series. The series is set in the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where I and my ancestors grew up. At annual family reunions as a little girl, I’d listen to my relatives’ stories about time before TV and air conditioning. All those stories stayed in my mind from year to year. Those stories needed to be told. This book is fiction but it came to me from listening to real people.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.The first book in the series, That Summer, started simmering in my head in the late 1990s. In 2001 I was diagnosed with a health problem that prevented me to write, either by hand or computer (this was before speak-to-type). I thought my writing career was over. In 2008, I regained ability to hold my fingers on the home keys of the computer and finished book #1 soon thereafter. But getting an agent or a publisher for a first time novelist seemed impossible. I discovered ACFW, joined, and found my publisher on ACFW’s list of recognized publishers. I couldn’t write That Summer and not have a book #2 so I wrote book #2, Beyond the Past .

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.Well, not much surprises folks these days, but here goes:
I played varsity basketball in high school
I am claustrophobic
I chew my ice cream

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?I’ve begun book #3, Claiming Peace, in the Caney Creek Series. I hope to be able to start another series but that’s not settled yet.

5) Parting comments?Dawn, it was my pleasure to visit with you and your readers on your blog. Thanks for having me.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?Website/blog: http://www.johuddleston.com

 

Susan Page Davis' "Revolution at Barncastle Inn"

Title: Revolution at Barncastle Inn

Cover Blurb:  Lily Mitchell’s sister organizes a Patriot’s Day vacation at the Barncastle, with the entire week’s activities set in Revolutionary War days. Lily’s husband was killed in Afghanistan two years ago, and she’s found it hard to move on. A fun vacation where Lily’s family joins Vermont “Patriots” takes her mind off her grief—until one of the “Redcoat” officers quartered at the inn draws her attention. Ethan Danvers is a modern day history professor who enjoys eighteenth-century re-enactments and makes a very convincing British officer. Though they oppose each other in the re-enactment, Ethan makes a special connection with Lily and her son. They’re enemies for the week—but will they be allies for life?This e-book also contains "Where There’s Smoke,” an original romantic short story by Susan Page Davis, as bonus content.
1)      How did this story come to you?        I’m one of four authors who wrote the Christmas at Barncastle Inn collection of novellas a couple of years ago. We asked the publishers if they would consider doing more stories about Barncastle Inn, a family-run inn in Vermont where you can spend your vacation in any time period you wish. The publisher declined, but we loved the characters and the premise so much that we decided to write more stories. We’re writing more novellas and releasing one a month as e-books. We’ve called the series Celebrate Any Time.Since the month for my next original book in the series fell in April, I chose to set it against a Patriot’s Day background. This holiday is official in the states of Massachusetts and Maine (which was part of Massachusetts until 1820).  It commemorates the anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride and the battles of Lexington and Concord. A story of a re-enactment came to mind, with a quiet, unassuming man playing the part of an obnoxious British officer.
2)      Tell us about the journey to getting the book published.      The four of us discussed it as authors and decided to move ahead and expand the series. We agreed on a schedule that we hope will allow us to publish a new novella every month. We edit for each other, with each author responsible for her cover and the actual publishing. The theme of the original books carries through, and the series has threads of romance and Christian faith. Whether it’s a pirate Christmas or a colonial-era Patriot’s Day, you can celebrate any time at Vermont’s Barncastle Inn. Other new books in the series include Spring Comes to the Barncastle, by Lynette Sowell (now available), Barncastle Memorial, by Darlene Franklin (May 2013), and Showdown at the Barncastle (June 2013), from Janelle Mowery. We hope the readers enjoy the new adventures at Barncastle Inn as much as we have.

3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I was a spelling champion in eighth grade. I had a major stroke at the age of 43, but by God’s grace made a complete recovery. I am descended from John Alden of Mayflower fame.    4)      What are you working on now, and what’s next for you?I am currently writing a new cozy mystery for Guideposts.
5)      Parting commentsI am giving away three copies of Revolution at Barncastle Inn, which is an e-book. It can be read on Nook, Kindle, a computer or other device. Commenters who do not read e-books can indicate that, and I will substitute another print book for up to two of the winners. You can choose the Christmas at Barncastle Inn in paperback or a different book.

The featured book (Revolution at Barncastle Inn) can be purchased for 99 cents at:Amazon for Kindle: http://is.gd/MlBnsp Or at Barnes & Noble for Nook: http://is.gd/cc51LC      6)      Where can fans find you on the Internet?My website is at: www.susanpagedavis.com, and you can read more about the Celebrate Any Time series on my Romance page: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/romance.html I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthor And I post on the 23rd of each month on the Christian Fiction Historical Society: http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

Register to win Susan Page Davis' "Revolution at Barncastle Inn"

We're happy to have Susan Page Davis  with us today talking about her book, "Revolution at Barncastle Inn." 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!

Title: Revolution at Barncastle Inn
Cover Blurb:  Lily Mitchell’s sister organizes a Patriot’s Day vacation at the Barncastle, with the entire week’s activities set in Revolutionary War days. Lily’s husband was killed in Afghanistan two years ago, and she’s found it hard to move on. A fun vacation where Lily’s family joins Vermont “Patriots” takes her mind off her grief—until one of the “Redcoat” officers quartered at the inn draws her attention. Ethan Danvers is a modern day history professor who enjoys eighteenth-century re-enactments and makes a very convincing British officer. Though they oppose each other in the re-enactment, Ethan makes a special connection with Lily and her son. They’re enemies for the week—but will they be allies for life?This e-book also contains "Where There’s Smoke,” an original romantic short story by Susan Page Davis, as bonus content.
1)      How did this story come to you?        I’m one of four authors who wrote the Christmas at Barncastle Inn collection of novellas a couple of years ago. We asked the publishers if they would consider doing more stories about Barncastle Inn, a family-run inn in Vermont where you can spend your vacation in any time period you wish. The publisher declined, but we loved the characters and the premise so much that we decided to write more stories. We’re writing more novellas and releasing one a month as e-books. We’ve called the series Celebrate Any Time.Since the month for my next original book in the series fell in April, I chose to set it against a Patriot’s Day background. This holiday is official in the states of Massachusetts and Maine (which was part of Massachusetts until 1820).  It commemorates the anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride and the battles of Lexington and Concord. A story of a re-enactment came to mind, with a quiet, unassuming man playing the part of an obnoxious British officer.
2)      Tell us about the journey to getting the book published.      The four of us discussed it as authors and decided to move ahead and expand the series. We agreed on a schedule that we hope will allow us to publish a new novella every month. We edit for each other, with each author responsible for her cover and the actual publishing. The theme of the original books carries through, and the series has threads of romance and Christian faith. Whether it’s a pirate Christmas or a colonial-era Patriot’s Day, you can celebrate any time at Vermont’s Barncastle Inn. Other new books in the series include Spring Comes to the Barncastle, by Lynette Sowell (now available), Barncastle Memorial, by Darlene Franklin (May 2013), and Showdown at the Barncastle (June 2013), from Janelle Mowery. We hope the readers enjoy the new adventures at Barncastle Inn as much as we have.

3)      Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.I was a spelling champion in eighth grade. I had a major stroke at the age of 43, but by God’s grace made a complete recovery. I am descended from John Alden of Mayflower fame.    4)      What are you working on now, and what’s next for you?I am currently writing a new cozy mystery for Guideposts.
5)      Parting commentsI am giving away three copies of Revolution at Barncastle Inn, which is an e-book. It can be read on Nook, Kindle, a computer or other device. Commenters who do not read e-books can indicate that, and I will substitute another print book for up to two of the winners. You can choose the Christmas at Barncastle Inn in paperback or a different book.

The featured book (Revolution at Barncastle Inn) can be purchased for 99 cents at:Amazon for Kindle: http://is.gd/MlBnsp Or at Barnes & Noble for Nook: http://is.gd/cc51LC      6)      Where can fans find you on the Internet?My website is at: www.susanpagedavis.com, and you can read more about the Celebrate Any Time series on my Romance page: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/romance.html I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthor And I post on the 23rd of each month on the Christian Fiction Historical Society: http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Maddrey's "Courage to Change"

Title: Courage to ChangePublisher: HopeSprings Books

Cover blurb: Should you be willing to change for love?

When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart.

Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known.

As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, Allison melts his defenses. But when Brandi discovers Phil's new relationship, she decides that though she doesn't want him, no one else can have him either. Can Phil and Allison's love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?
 1) How did this story come to you?About half-way through writing the first book in the series (Wisdom to Know) I knew that Phil and Allison’s story had to be next. They gave me enough hints about the problems they were facing in their potential relationship, that I had a place to start. But there were some twists and unexpected sub-plots that cropped up as I was writing that I never expected. But I love them. Honestly, with most of my stories it’s the same way – I just sit down and start writing and see what happens.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.This book was much less of a journey than the first, since my publisher told me they were interested in any follow-ons I might write for the first. So I sent a proposal off as I was starting to write and was excited to get a contract. Writing under contract (and therefore with a deadline!) was a new and challenging experience. I’m grateful my publisher is smaller and, therefore, pretty flexible.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.-I have a PhD in Computer Science and I still love programming. Sometimes I’ll twiddle around with code in my spare time.

-I love to crochet but I absolutely can’t knit. I don’t know why I find knitting so much harder, but I’m just not both-hand-coordinated I guess.
-I play Skylanders with my son…and I think I might enjoy it more than he does. It’s a really fun game!
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?Right now I’m working on book 3 in the series, Serenity to Accept. It’s currently scheduled to release in September, but I need to get my act together if that’s going to happen! So what’s next for me is a lot of writing. I’ve also got an idea for a 4th book with the same general group of characters starting to percolate, as well as a project that’s a little different rattling around.

5) Parting comments?Thanks for having me! I hope that you all found this as fun to read as I did to put it together. And I hope that if you read and enjoy one of my books that you’ll let me know – I love hearing from readers!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?I love to have people connect with me!
You can visit me at my website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com  or on
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

Register to win Elizabeth Maddrey's "Courage to Change"

We're happy to have Elizabeth Maddrey with us today talking about her book, "Courage to Change." To register to win a copy, leave Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth and her book, read on!

Title: Courage to ChangePublisher: HopeSprings Books

Cover blurb: Should you be willing to change for love?

When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart.

Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known.

As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, Allison melts his defenses. But when Brandi discovers Phil's new relationship, she decides that though she doesn't want him, no one else can have him either. Can Phil and Allison's love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?
 1) How did this story come to you?About half-way through writing the first book in the series (Wisdom to Know) I knew that Phil and Allison’s story had to be next. They gave me enough hints about the problems they were facing in their potential relationship, that I had a place to start. But there were some twists and unexpected sub-plots that cropped up as I was writing that I never expected. But I love them. Honestly, with most of my stories it’s the same way – I just sit down and start writing and see what happens.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.This book was much less of a journey than the first, since my publisher told me they were interested in any follow-ons I might write for the first. So I sent a proposal off as I was starting to write and was excited to get a contract. Writing under contract (and therefore with a deadline!) was a new and challenging experience. I’m grateful my publisher is smaller and, therefore, pretty flexible.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.-I have a PhD in Computer Science and I still love programming. Sometimes I’ll twiddle around with code in my spare time.

-I love to crochet but I absolutely can’t knit. I don’t know why I find knitting so much harder, but I’m just not both-hand-coordinated I guess.
-I play Skylanders with my son…and I think I might enjoy it more than he does. It’s a really fun game!
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?Right now I’m working on book 3 in the series, Serenity to Accept. It’s currently scheduled to release in September, but I need to get my act together if that’s going to happen! So what’s next for me is a lot of writing. I’ve also got an idea for a 4th book with the same general group of characters starting to percolate, as well as a project that’s a little different rattling around.

5) Parting comments?Thanks for having me! I hope that you all found this as fun to read as I did to put it together. And I hope that if you read and enjoy one of my books that you’ll let me know – I love hearing from readers!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?I love to have people connect with me!
You can visit me at my website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com  or on
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

Linda Rondeau's "Days of Vines and Roses"

Title: Days of Vines and Roses
Publisher: Helping Hands Press

Genre: Contemporary/romance/suspense/with paranormal elements

Cover Blurb: When a romance writer and her estranged publisher husband attempt to reconcile, malignant forces and a pending lawsuit seem bent on keeping them apart. After fifteen years of marital disarray, Henry and Sylvia Fitzgibbons (aka Lana Longstreet) independently contemplate divorce, their relationship relegated to Henry’s infrequent visits to the Connecticut estate and their once a week meeting at Chez Phillipe’s in Manhattan. But, not yet. There is the matter of the decaying rose gardens and the thirtieth anniversary party the children are planning. Reluctantly, Henry moves in for the summer, steeled against the hauntings that torment only him. As reconciliation seems possible, the evil forces within begin to target Sylvia as well. Like the strangling vines within the rose beds, Henry and Sylvia have become victims of spiritual neglect. Their only hope remains in surrender to a power greater than the evil determined to destroy them.

1) How Did the Story Come to you?
I was moving the lawn one day and thought about the weeds in our lives that choke and tangle us. Then I thought about a married couple I knew that simply stayed married because of convention. I thought how tragic. God intends for marriage to be so much more. Then I thought about writing a story about a married couple trapped in a loveless marriage. I decided to have them living separately but unsuccessfully trying to keep the marriage afloat. Then I thought how Satan does not want marriages to work. What if a marriage headed toward reconciliation after a long separation? What would Satan do? The rest of the story is Days of Vines and Roses.

2) The Book’s Journey
I conceived and wrote this book ten years ago. Three editors requested the full manuscript with strong indication they wanted to publish the book, but those three editors ended up leaving their houses almost immediately after requesting my manuscript. I put the book away for a long time, thinking perhaps God didn’t want this book published. But God used this book to turn my writing toward a new direction. I was contracted for three books in a sci-fi series as well as ten volumes of a prequel. However, after my diagnosis of breast cancer and resulting chemo brain, a peculiar cognitive dysfunction that accompanies treatment, I found I could not fulfill this obligation. My publisher was wonderfully understanding of my disability. He agreed to substituting two books already completed, Days of Vines and Roses to be the first. As I revised and edited the book for current trends, God reassured me that my writing should focus on contemporary romance and suspense.

3) Three things that will surprise readers
a) I was an official witness to a wedding performed in Monterrey, Mexico.
b) I went to the same high school as Richard Gere. I was two years ahead of him. North Syracuse High School.
c) During the Great Depression, both my father and grandfather worked as loggers in Upstate New York.

4) What’s next for you?
With the success of my devotional book, I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children, I am working on a Christian Living book based on my newspaper column, This Daily Grind. Topics will include:

Spouses, Children and Other Strangers
Who Put the Vinegar in the Salt?
If Life Were Fair, We’d All Be Bald

I am writing another Adirondack suspense with the working title Legacy of Regret. My first novel and Selah Award Winner, The Other Side of Darkness was set in the Lake George area. This one will be set near Lake Placid. My contemporary romance, Songs in the Valley, a modern day interpretation of Hosea, will be released later this fall by Helping Hands Press.

Thanks for the opportunity to share Days of Vines and Roses.

Bio: Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own. After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Linda’s best-selling Adirondack Romance, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, is published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas and is available wherever books are sold.

These books are also available in ebook format along with her other ebooks by Helping Hands Press: I Prayed for Patience/God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses. Songs in the Valley is scheduled for release this fall by Helping Hands Press.

Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com  or email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Register to win Linda Rondeau's "Days of Vines and Roses"

We're happy to have Linda Rondeau with us today talking about her book, "Days of Vines and Roses." To register to win a copy, leave Linda 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 Linda and her book, read on!

Title: Days of Vines and Roses
Publisher: Helping Hands Press

Genre: Contemporary/romance/suspense/with paranormal elements

Cover Blurb: When a romance writer and her estranged publisher husband attempt to reconcile, malignant forces and a pending lawsuit seem bent on keeping them apart. After fifteen years of marital disarray, Henry and Sylvia Fitzgibbons (aka Lana Longstreet) independently contemplate divorce, their relationship relegated to Henry’s infrequent visits to the Connecticut estate and their once a week meeting at Chez Phillipe’s in Manhattan. But, not yet. There is the matter of the decaying rose gardens and the thirtieth anniversary party the children are planning. Reluctantly, Henry moves in for the summer, steeled against the hauntings that torment only him. As reconciliation seems possible, the evil forces within begin to target Sylvia as well. Like the strangling vines within the rose beds, Henry and Sylvia have become victims of spiritual neglect. Their only hope remains in surrender to a power greater than the evil determined to destroy them.

1) How Did the Story Come to you?
I was moving the lawn one day and thought about the weeds in our lives that choke and tangle us. Then I thought about a married couple I knew that simply stayed married because of convention. I thought how tragic. God intends for marriage to be so much more. Then I thought about writing a story about a married couple trapped in a loveless marriage. I decided to have them living separately but unsuccessfully trying to keep the marriage afloat. Then I thought how Satan does not want marriages to work. What if a marriage headed toward reconciliation after a long separation? What would Satan do? The rest of the story is Days of Vines and Roses.

2) The Book’s Journey
I conceived and wrote this book ten years ago. Three editors requested the full manuscript with strong indication they wanted to publish the book, but those three editors ended up leaving their houses almost immediately after requesting my manuscript. I put the book away for a long time, thinking perhaps God didn’t want this book published. But God used this book to turn my writing toward a new direction. I was contracted for three books in a sci-fi series as well as ten volumes of a prequel. However, after my diagnosis of breast cancer and resulting chemo brain, a peculiar cognitive dysfunction that accompanies treatment, I found I could not fulfill this obligation. My publisher was wonderfully understanding of my disability. He agreed to substituting two books already completed, Days of Vines and Roses to be the first. As I revised and edited the book for current trends, God reassured me that my writing should focus on contemporary romance and suspense.

3) Three things that will surprise readers
a) I was an official witness to a wedding performed in Monterrey, Mexico.
b) I went to the same high school as Richard Gere. I was two years ahead of him. North Syracuse High School.
c) During the Great Depression, both my father and grandfather worked as loggers in Upstate New York.

4) What’s next for you?
With the success of my devotional book, I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children, I am working on a Christian Living book based on my newspaper column, This Daily Grind. Topics will include:

Spouses, Children and Other Strangers
Who Put the Vinegar in the Salt?
If Life Were Fair, We’d All Be Bald

I am writing another Adirondack suspense with the working title Legacy of Regret. My first novel and Selah Award Winner, The Other Side of Darkness was set in the Lake George area. This one will be set near Lake Placid. My contemporary romance, Songs in the Valley, a modern day interpretation of Hosea, will be released later this fall by Helping Hands Press.

Thanks for the opportunity to share Days of Vines and Roses.

Bio: Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own. After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Linda’s best-selling Adirondack Romance, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, is published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas and is available wherever books are sold.

These books are also available in ebook format along with her other ebooks by Helping Hands Press: I Prayed for Patience/God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses. Songs in the Valley is scheduled for release this fall by Helping Hands Press.

Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com  or email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.