K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 30

We're happy to have Anita Higman with us today ...

We're happy to have Anita Higman with us today talking about her book, "A Merry Little Christmas." To register to win a copy, leave Anita 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 Anita and her book, read on!


What inspired you to incorporate Jim Crow laws and segregation into your book?
Even though A Merry Little Christmas is really a love story, I felt it needed some additional conflict, and some of the racial struggles of the 60s seemed to be the right choice for this particular plot. I grew up in the 60s, and I was always interested in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. In some ways I feel I’ve waited my whole life to write this book. It came easily to me in that it’s been percolating in my imagination for a long time, but it was also hard to write because I had to consider more deeply the injustices of that era. Even though it sounds like a cliché, A Merry Little Christmas truly was the book of my heart.

The farm scenes seem pretty realistic. Did you grow up in the country?
I did. While the small towns in the book are totally fictitious I did grow up on a wheat, cattle, pig, and chicken farm in Western Oklahoma, and it was pretty much identical to the one in the novel. If the farm scenes seem realistic it’s because I got to know farm life quite well before I moved off to college at eighteen.

Franny and Charlie come from very different backgrounds, but are both looking for something very different from the way they've grown up. Do you think as humans, we all just have a "grass is always greener on the other side" mentality?
Yes, that is a human frailty that is easy to succumb to, and I’ve been guilty of it as well. But God is good about reminding me that he’s placed me on my own unique life-road, and it may have little to do with anyone else’s journey. Besides, in many cases when we get a closer look at someone else’s “lush green grass” it usually turns out to be turf.

Do you think that sometimes we don't pray for what we want because we are afraid of getting what we pray for?
Perhaps that’s true, which would explain why Franny is equally nervous and excited about the sudden answer to her prayers.

Was there a reason you added the themes of Christmas and music to the story?
My editor asked me to add those elements, and it was a blessing, since Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I love music. Also, female readers in general love novels that are set during the holidays, and I’m hoping the music adds a cozy feel to the overall Christmas theme.

What is your favorite Christmas song?
“The Holly and the Ivy.” The song has a melancholy feel to it, but it’s also beautifully sweet. I love the “Currier and Ives” style pictures my imagination conjures up when I’m listening to it.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
I love to have my gal friends over for brunch around Christmastime. I have been collecting tea dishes for many years, and so when I do a brunch, I go all out. Women are usually in a service mode most of their lives so when they come to my house I want them to feel wonderfully pampered. And by the time they leave, I hope their hearts are a little merrier and they feel we’ve celebrated Christmas well!

Is Franny's character based on any "real life" person?
Franny is like me in some ways, but she has a lot more courage than I have and more laughter in her heart. So, really, I want to be Franny when I grow up.

Does the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" have a special significance to you?
The song makes me swoon it’s so romantic and lovely. It makes me think of being snowed-in with the man I love. Of course, that scene also needs a mountain cabin with a crackling fire and two mugs of wassail.

You have written everything from romance to suspense/thrillers to nonfiction. What is your favorite genre to write?
I love inspirational romance. There’s just nothing else like it for writing and reading. It naturally makes you want to curl up on an overstuffed couch and read the day away.

K. Dawn Byrd's "Amazing Love"

Amazing Love is a contemporary version of the Hosea and Gomer story from the Bible.

Gabe Knight, a pastor in a small coastal town, finds his life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she's inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she's the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state.

Gabe falls in love with her, but can't believe he's hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him.

Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.

K. Dawn Byrd's "Double Identity"

Seventeen-year old Bree has always wanted a sister. She's shocked when she learns that her father is alive and her identical twin sister, Cassie, is coming to live with her. She can't wait for Cassie to arrive. She just knows they'll be best friends.

Bree soon discovers that even though they look alike, they're totally different. Cassie is wild and impulsive. She hates Bree's little town and everything in it, except Bree's boyfriend, Luke. When Cassie becomes obsessed with Luke, she'll go to any length to have him for herself.

Luke has a secret, which Cassie learns and uses against him. She's off her medication and will stop at nothing. She says he's in love with her. He says he loves Bree. Will their secrets destroy them and their relationships?

Register to win K. Dawn Byrd's "Amazing Love"

I'm giving away a download of Double Identity and also a paperback copy (or download) of Amazing Love. Leave a comment after each post for your chance to win one or both. If you're not following my blog, please place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive a weekly email about giveaways.


Amazing Love is a contemporary version of the Hosea and Gomer story from the Bible.


Gabe Knight, a pastor in a small coastal town, finds his life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she's inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she's the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state.

Gabe falls in love with her, but can't believe he's hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him.

Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.

Register to win K. Dawn Byrd's "Double Identity"

I'm giving away a download of Double Identity and also a paperback copy (or a download) of Amazing Love. Leave a comment after each post for your chance to win one or both. If you're not following my blog, please place your email address in the feedburner box to the right to receive a weekly email about giveaways.

Seventeen-year old Bree has always wanted a sister. She's shocked when she learns that her father is alive and her identical twin sister, Cassie, is coming to live with her. She can't wait for Cassie to arrive. She just knows they'll be best friends.


Bree soon discovers that even though they look alike, they're totally different. Cassie is wild and impulsive. She hates Bree's little town and everything in it, except Bree's boyfriend, Luke. When Cassie becomes obsessed with Luke, she'll go to any length to have him for herself.

Luke has a secret, which Cassie learns and uses against him. She's off her medication and will stop at nothing. She says he's in love with her. He says he loves Bree. Will their secrets destroy them and their relationships?

Jo Huddleston's "That Summer"

Title: That Summer, Book One in the Caney Creek Series
Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing
Cover blurb: The Great Depression brings devastation toThe Southern Appalachians but love’s triangle survives. To escape his poppa’s physical abuse and their dirt-poor farm life, Jim flees to an imagined prosperous city life where he can make his own choices, ignoring God patiently knocking on his heart’s door. Settled in town, Jim strays from God and the way of faith his momma taught him. He meets a girl and loses his heart … and meets another girl and loses his willpower. Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice beside Caney Creek that will alter the lives of five people.

1) How did this story come to you?
The setting of That Summer is the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where my ancestors and I were raised. I’ve listened to the older generations tell their stories about time before telephones and automobiles. Their stories fascinated me and caused me to want to write about a time before I was born.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This book began to percolate in my head in the late 1990s. In 2001, I had health problems that prevented me from writing either by hand or by computer (this was before voice to type). My writing ability vanished for seven years. Then I was “normal” enough to put this book on paper and to begin my search for a publisher.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I chew my ice cream.
2. I fear being in the dark.
3. I played high school varsity basketball.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on book #2 in the Caney Creek Series, Living Beyond the Past. My publisher has scheduled Book #2 and Book #3 to be released, separately, by the end of 2013. So next for me will be beginning Book #3 and edits on Book #2.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me on your blog. I’ve enjoyed my visit with you and your readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to hear from readers. They can find me at http://www,johuddleston.com. They can connect with me by clicking the Contact tab there.

Register to win Jo Huddleston's "That Summer"

We have two book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments to win both of them!

We're happy to have Jo Huddleston with us today talking about her book, "That Summer, Book One in the Caney Creek series." 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!

Title: That Summer, Book One in the Caney Creek Series
Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing
Cover blurb: The Great Depression brings devastation toThe Southern Appalachians but love’s triangle survives. To escape his poppa’s physical abuse and their dirt-poor farm life, Jim flees to an imagined prosperous city life where he can make his own choices, ignoring God patiently knocking on his heart’s door. Settled in town, Jim strays from God and the way of faith his momma taught him. He meets a girl and loses his heart … and meets another girl and loses his willpower. Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice beside Caney Creek that will alter the lives of five people.

1) How did this story come to you?
The setting of That Summer is the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where my ancestors and I were raised. I’ve listened to the older generations tell their stories about time before telephones and automobiles. Their stories fascinated me and caused me to want to write about a time before I was born.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This book began to percolate in my head in the late 1990s. In 2001, I had health problems that prevented me from writing either by hand or by computer (this was before voice to type). My writing ability vanished for seven years. Then I was “normal” enough to put this book on paper and to begin my search for a publisher.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I chew my ice cream.
2. I fear being in the dark.
3. I played high school varsity basketball.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on book #2 in the Caney Creek Series, Living Beyond the Past. My publisher has scheduled Book #2 and Book #3 to be released, separately, by the end of 2013. So next for me will be beginning Book #3 and edits on Book #2.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me on your blog. I’ve enjoyed my visit with you and your readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to hear from readers. They can find me at http://www,johuddleston.com. They can connect with me by clicking the Contact tab there.

Giving away Amazing Love, a modern Hosea & Gomer story!

I'm giving away a copy of Amazing Love (your choice of ebook or paperback) in honor of my appearance in the NEXT BIG THING blog hop. Leave me a comment for your chance to win!

I’d like to thank Gail Pallotta for letting the thought that I might have the next big thing cross her mind and inviting me to join the blog hop. She's appeared on my blog several times and been gracious enough to allow me to appear on hers.

My work-in-progress (WIP) takes place in a small coastal town. Dee Dillow has just inherited a large home overlooking the ocean from her aunt. Gabe Knight, a pastor who works part-time as a carpenter, has no idea what he's gotten himself into when he takes a job fixing up the old place.
Below I’ve answered ten questions about my WIP and have tagged some other authors who could be writing the next big thing. Be sure to hop over to their blogs and check them out.

THE QUESTIONS
1) What is the working title of your book?
Amazing Love

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
One day, I was reading the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible and the thought that it would be fun to write a modern-day version came to mind. The rest is history!

3) What genre does your book fall under?
Romance, but there's also a lot of suspense.

4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I'm not really sure. I don't watch many movies (I'm too busy writing.)

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Amazing Love, the modern-day story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible, speaks of God's unconditional love, mercy, and grace and how much loving someone that much can cost.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My book is published through Sword of the Spirit Publishing, which is an ACFW approved publishing house.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I write all my first drafts in 30 day marathons.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Francine Rivers wrote Redeeming Love, which is a historical version of the Hosea and Gomer story.

9) Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Like I said, I thought it would be fun to explore a modern-day version.

10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Here's my cover blurb:

Gabe Knight is a respected preacher in a small coastal town. His life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she's inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she's the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state.

Gabe falls in love with her, but can't believe he's hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him. Over and over again.

Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. He travels to the pits of sin in Nevada not once, but twice to save Dee from herself. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.


Be sure to check out the web sites of the following authors to read about their works-in-progress.
Cathy Bryant’s desire is to write heart-stirring stories about God’s life-changing grace. Her first novel, Texas Roads, was a 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis finalist. Her second novel, A Path Less Traveled, was published in 2010. The Way of Grace, the third book in the Miller’s Creek novels was released in 2012. A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Ozark mountains of northwest Arkansas with her husband of thirty years, and near the world’s cutest grandson. You can learn more about Cathy and her next big thing at http://www.catbryant.com/blog/


Christine Lindsay’s book, Shadowed in Silk, won first place in 2009 for a historical novel in the prestigious American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Contest and has received several awards since. Shadowed in Silk is filled with suspense and romance set in political unrest in India. http://www.Christinelindsay.orgv
Judah Raine writes classic romance and runs the popular Classic Romance Revival Web site featuring books of romance the way it used to be. Her book, A Thick Black Line, is characterized by suspense, love and desire with restraint. http://www.judahraine.blogspot.comv

Molly Noble Bull's "Cinderella Texas"

Cinderella Texas (The Cattlemen Series – Volume 1)
by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

My new novel, Cinderella Texas, is the retelling of a famous fairy tale complete with a shoe problem for the heroine, Alyson Spencer. A prince-like cowboy is the hero of this modern western, Robert Lee Greene IV—called Quatro. Quatro is a rancher, an oil baron and one of the richest men in Texas, and he is also a widower with two school age children. How could Alyson have guessed that when she couldn’t find a teaching job in Dallas, she would accept a position home schooling Quatro’s children and be paid a tremendous salary for doing it?

City girl, Alyson, expects life on the huge Greene Ranch in South Texas to be idyllic. She will be living in Quatro’s home along with his children, his parents and his grandfather, and she visualizes a majestic mansion surrounded by well-tended gardens—a swimming pool and servants at her beckon call.

What she finds causes her to want to fly back to Dallas. Quatro and his family believe that modern technology corrupts. The rundown two-hundred-year old dog-run house on the cover of Cinderella Texas is the Greene home. The house is without electricity and all necessities of normal American life.

Alyson tries to get out of her teaching contract, but it is unbreakable. How is she expected to teach modern children without a computer and a working telephone? And why is Quatro so handsome and yet so pig-headed?

As with all my novels, Cinderella Texas has a Christian message that I hope will point others to the Lord. Cinderella Texas is a lighthearted romance that will make you smile. Maybe it will even make you laugh, and it is available as an e-book and will soon be published in paperback.

As the first in The Cattlemen Series, more of my westerns will follow. To find Cinderella Texas and all my novels at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, write Molly Noble Bull in the search slot.

Register to win an ebook copy of Molly Noble Bull's "Cinderella Texas"

We have two book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments to win both of them!

We're happy to have Molly Noble Bull with us today talking about her book, "Cinderella Texas (The Cattlemen Series- Volume 1)." To register to win an electronic copy, leave Molly 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 Molly and her book, read on!

Cinderella Texas (The Cattlemen Series – Volume 1)
by Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com

My new novel, Cinderella Texas, is the retelling of a famous fairy tale complete with a shoe problem for the heroine, Alyson Spencer. A prince-like cowboy is the hero of this modern western, Robert Lee Greene IV—called Quatro. Quatro is a rancher, an oil baron and one of the richest men in Texas, and he is also a widower with two school age children. How could Alyson have guessed that when she couldn’t find a teaching job in Dallas, she would accept a position home schooling Quatro’s children and be paid a tremendous salary for doing it?

City girl, Alyson, expects life on the huge Greene Ranch in South Texas to be idyllic. She will be living in Quatro’s home along with his children, his parents and his grandfather, and she visualizes a majestic mansion surrounded by well-tended gardens—a swimming pool and servants at her beckon call.

What she finds causes her to want to fly back to Dallas. Quatro and his family believe that modern technology corrupts. The rundown two-hundred-year old dog-run house on the cover of Cinderella Texas is the Greene home. The house is without electricity and all necessities of normal American life.

Alyson tries to get out of her teaching contract, but it is unbreakable. How is she expected to teach modern children without a computer and a working telephone? And why is Quatro so handsome and yet so pig-headed?

As with all my novels, Cinderella Texas has a Christian message that I hope will point others to the Lord. Cinderella Texas is a lighthearted romance that will make you smile. Maybe it will even make you laugh, and it is available as an e-book and will soon be published in paperback.

As the first in The Cattlemen Series, more of my westerns will follow. To find Cinderella Texas and all my novels at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, write Molly Noble Bull in the search slot.