K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 54

Register to win Lena Nelson Dooley's "Christmas Love in Lake Tahoe"

There are three giveaways this week. Be sure to scroll down and check them all out! We're happy to have Lena Nelson Dooley with us today talking about her book, "Maggie's Journey." To register to win a copy, leave Lena a comment with your email address and if you've not done so, place your email address in my feedburner box to the right to receive weekly emails about giveaways. To learn more about Lena and her book, read on!

Title: Maggie's Journey
Publisher: Realms, a fiction imprint from Charisma House

Cover blurb:
A girl who's been lied to her whole life…
Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by the ones who raised her.

Maggie desires a place where she belongs. But her mother's constant criticism and reminders that she doesn't fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family secret, all sense of her identity is lost.

When Maggie asks to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner, Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?

1) How did this story come to you?
This story had been percolating in my brain and heart for several years. It's book one in my McKenna's Daughters series about identical triplets separated at birth.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Several years ago, when Tracie Peterson was the acquisitions editor for Heartsong, she was interested in the series, but she left the company to concentrate on her own writing before it was contracted.

In the intervening time, my agent Joyce Hart has sent it to several editors. At least three of them were very interested, but the series didn't make it through committee. Then in 2010, she sent it to Strang/Realms, which later became Charisma House, and they bought the series very quickly.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
For the first 20 years of my life, I was painfully shy.
I wear a brace on my left leg.
I wasn't a redhead, but I became one as soon as I could.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Book 2 of McKenna's Daughters, Mary's Blessing, has been written and will release May 2012. I'm writing book 3, Catherine's Pursuit, right now, and it will release January 2013. I'm also contracted for another series with Realms—Restored Hearts—so l'll plunge right into writing them.

5) Parting comments?
I love my readers. They're the reason I write. I love to connect with them, and I love to hear from them.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/lenandooley
http://www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley
www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts – my official fan page
http://www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley - my profile
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ – Bustles and Spurs
http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/  – Just the Write Charisma

I will give away a copy of Christmas Love in Lake Tahoe.

Winnie Griggs' "Home for Thanksgiving"

Title: Home For Thanksgiving (a novella in the Once Upon A Thanksgiving anthology)
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Historical

Cover blurb: All that stands between Ruby Anne Tuggle and a fresh start is an escort to Tyler, Texas. Rancher Griff Lassiter is too kind to refuse, but too wary of being hurt again to offer anything but protection on the journey.

Then a fever forces an unexpected detour and a chance to find the place they both belong...

1) How did this story come to you?
I'd previously written two books that featured Griff Lassiter's siblings in lead roles. When my editor asked me to pen a novella with a Thanksgiving theme I immediately thought about Griff and how I'd like to write his story. After that it was a matter of figuring out his backstory and finding a heroine to complete him.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I mentioned above, my editor invited me to write a novella, so the journey to getting a contract was pretty simple. Writing the book was another story. While Griff had appeared as a secondary character in three other books, he was still a bit of a mystery to me. He was such a guarded character that it took a while for me to 'figure him out'. But it was totally worth the effort - I absolutely fell in love with him as I wrote the book.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a BS degree in Mathematics, I'm a total brain teaser nerd, and I'm a recovering hoarder.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just turned in a book that will be the third in a three book continuity for Love Inspired Historicals called the Irish Brides trilogy. The series features three sisters who immigrate to America in 1850 and settle in the Boston area. The series kicks off in April 2012 and my book, A Baby Between Them, will release in June 2012. I'm currently working on the proposal for a brand new three book series set in the East Texas area in the 1870s. The connecting thread in these books will be that all three women are survivors of a single accident and will show how the accident impacted their lives.

5) Parting comments?
I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: "Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing. They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties."~ Bonnie Friedman

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to hear from readers! My website is http://www.winniegriggs.com/ .
You can also find me on Facebook.

Register to win Winnie Griggs' "Home for Thanksgiving"

We're happy to have Winnie Griggs with us today talking about her book, "Home for Thanksgiving." To register to win a copy, leave Winnie 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 Winnie and her book, read on!

Title: Home For Thanksgiving (a novella in the Once Upon A Thanksgiving anthology)
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Historical

Cover blurb: All that stands between Ruby Anne Tuggle and a fresh start is an escort to Tyler, Texas. Rancher Griff Lassiter is too kind to refuse, but too wary of being hurt again to offer anything but protection on the journey.

Then a fever forces an unexpected detour and a chance to find the place they both belong...

1) How did this story come to you?
I'd previously written two books that featured Griff Lassiter's siblings in lead roles. When my editor asked me to pen a novella with a Thanksgiving theme I immediately thought about Griff and how I'd like to write his story. After that it was a matter of figuring out his backstory and finding a heroine to complete him.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As I mentioned above, my editor invited me to write a novella, so the journey to getting a contract was pretty simple. Writing the book was another story. While Griff had appeared as a secondary character in three other books, he was still a bit of a mystery to me. He was such a guarded character that it took a while for me to 'figure him out'. But it was totally worth the effort - I absolutely fell in love with him as I wrote the book.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a BS degree in Mathematics, I'm a total brain teaser nerd, and I'm a recovering hoarder.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just turned in a book that will be the third in a three book continuity for Love Inspired Historicals called the Irish Brides trilogy. The series features three sisters who immigrate to America in 1850 and settle in the Boston area. The series kicks off in April 2012 and my book, A Baby Between Them, will release in June 2012. I'm currently working on the proposal for a brand new three book series set in the East Texas area in the 1870s. The connecting thread in these books will be that all three women are survivors of a single accident and will show how the accident impacted their lives.

5) Parting comments?
I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: "Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing. They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties."~ Bonnie Friedman

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to hear from readers! My website is http://www.winniegriggs.com/ .
You can also find me on Facebook.

Susan Page Davis' "The Lady's Maid"

Title: The Lady's Maid
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Cover blurb: The Lady's Maid features Elise Finster, who accompanies her young mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne's father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it's up to her and Elise to find him. Obstacles abound. Mules to tend, a lazy hired man, rugged mountains, unexpected romance, and a sinister stranger stand in their way. The Lady's Maid is the first book in the Prairie Dreams series, and released October 1, 2011.

1) How did this story come to you?
My editor asked for a prairie story, and I was working at the time on a different book that involved royalty (Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island). I read a lot about the customs and protocol of the day. The idea of aristocrats on a wagon train struck me as a fun way to bring the Victorian period to the West.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although this book was requested by the editor, I did have a false start. At first I had suggested another idea. She liked it "all right" but wasn't crazy about it. I certainly wanted to give her a story she was crazy about, so I did some brainstorming and came up with my elegant ladies crossing the plains.

Once that was settled, it was a matter of fleshing out the plot, writing the book, rewriting, doing edits and revisions, and so on—the usual journey of about eighteen months from idea to publication.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
It's really hard to surprise people these days, but I'll try. I am a Mayflower descendant and a stroke survivor, and I have no sense of fashion whatsoever. Oops, for anyone who knows me, that is no surprise.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on the third book in this series, A Lady in the Making. (Lady Anne's Quest comes in between). After that, I'll be writing a contemporary mystery.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me over, Dawn. This series is a lot of fun to write, and I hope the readers love the characters and their adventures as much as I do.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is at http://www.susanpagedavis.com/.

Purchase links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/161626439X/suspagdav-20
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ladys-Maid/Susan-Page-Davis/e/9781616264390?itm=1&usri=the%20lady%20s%20maid
CBD:
http://www.christianbook.com/ladys-maid-prairie-dreams/susan-davis/9781616264390/pd/264390?item_code=WW&netp_id=881498&event=ESRCN&view=details

Register to win Susan Page Davis' "The Lady's Maid"

We're happy to have Susan Page Davis with us today talking about her book, "The Lady's Maid." 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: The Lady's Maid
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Cover blurb: The Lady's Maid features Elise Finster, who accompanies her young mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne's father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it's up to her and Elise to find him. Obstacles abound. Mules to tend, a lazy hired man, rugged mountains, unexpected romance, and a sinister stranger stand in their way. The Lady's Maid is the first book in the Prairie Dreams series, and released October 1, 2011.

1) How did this story come to you?
My editor asked for a prairie story, and I was working at the time on a different book that involved royalty (Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island). I read a lot about the customs and protocol of the day. The idea of aristocrats on a wagon train struck me as a fun way to bring the Victorian period to the West.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although this book was requested by the editor, I did have a false start. At first I had suggested another idea. She liked it "all right" but wasn't crazy about it. I certainly wanted to give her a story she was crazy about, so I did some brainstorming and came up with my elegant ladies crossing the plains.

Once that was settled, it was a matter of fleshing out the plot, writing the book, rewriting, doing edits and revisions, and so on—the usual journey of about eighteen months from idea to publication.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
It's really hard to surprise people these days, but I'll try. I am a Mayflower descendant and a stroke survivor, and I have no sense of fashion whatsoever. Oops, for anyone who knows me, that is no surprise.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am working on the third book in this series, A Lady in the Making. (Lady Anne's Quest comes in between). After that, I'll be writing a contemporary mystery.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me over, Dawn. This series is a lot of fun to write, and I hope the readers love the characters and their adventures as much as I do.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is at http://www.susanpagedavis.com/.

Purchase links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/161626439X/suspagdav-20
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ladys-Maid/Susan-Page-Davis/e/9781616264390?itm=1&usri=the%20lady%20s%20maid
CBD:
http://www.christianbook.com/ladys-maid-prairie-dreams/susan-davis/9781616264390/pd/264390?item_code=WW&netp_id=881498&event=ESRCN&view=details

Brenda Bradley's "The Boaz Factor"

Title: The Boaz Factor
Publisher: Ellechor Publishing House

Cover blurb: Looking for Love? Knowing who Boaz is will free you from looking for love in all the wrong places. You will be encouraged, remembering the priority is not you finding him, but him finding you focused and determined.

Found, but not Chosen?Grounded in scripture, truth and past experiences, The Boaz Factor will first help you to see truths that shift the paradigm of your relationships. Then, through practical, hands on application using her "Me Time" Devotional thoughts and prayers, Elder Brenda Bradley gives you a new plan to obliterate the cycle!


For women currently in a relationship, knowing who Boaz is will save your heart from putting more time into something that will not materialize.


Based on the Biblical account of Boaz and Ruth, The Boaz Factor will take you on a journey of self-discovery, highlighting why we hurt from past relation ships and why we continue in a cycle of false relationships that we desire to be real.


1) How did this story come to you?
Ruth is one of my favorite ladies in the Bible. I wanted to explore relationships, so I examined the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met a graphic design artist on line whose work I admired. She connected me with Ellechor Publishing House. I was preparing to do it myself, but it worked out beautifully another way.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I am star trek fan! A horrible Gardner (I will kill grass) and I love day old Pizza.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am putting finishing touches on the play, "Seasons of Change" that brings the book to life!

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for this opportunity! It was never in the plan for us to be in pain behind our relationships. It is time to flip the script. It is time for Boaz!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Facebook, elderbrendabradley.com

Register to win Brenda Bradley's "The Boaz Factor"

We're happy to have Brenda Bradley with us today talking about her book, "The Boaz Factor." To register to win a copy, leave Brenda 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 Brenda and her book, read on!

Title: The Boaz Factor
Publisher: Ellechor Publishing House

Cover blurb: Looking for Love? Knowing who Boaz is will free you from looking for love in all the wrong places. You will be encouraged, remembering the priority is not you finding him, but him finding you focused and determined.

Found, but not Chosen?Grounded in scripture, truth and past experiences, The Boaz Factor will first help you to see truths that shift the paradigm of your relationships. Then, through practical, hands on application using her "Me Time" Devotional thoughts and prayers, Elder Brenda Bradley gives you a new plan to obliterate the cycle!


For women currently in a relationship, knowing who Boaz is will save your heart from putting more time into something that will not materialize.


Based on the Biblical account of Boaz and Ruth, The Boaz Factor will take you on a journey of self-discovery, highlighting why we hurt from past relation ships and why we continue in a cycle of false relationships that we desire to be real.


1) How did this story come to you?
Ruth is one of my favorite ladies in the Bible. I wanted to explore relationships, so I examined the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met a graphic design artist on line whose work I admired. She connected me with Ellechor Publishing House. I was preparing to do it myself, but it worked out beautifully another way.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I am star trek fan! A horrible Gardner (I will kill grass) and I love day old Pizza.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am putting finishing touches on the play, "Seasons of Change" that brings the book to life!

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for this opportunity! It was never in the plan for us to be in pain behind our relationships. It is time to flip the script. It is time for Boaz!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Facebook, elderbrendabradley.com

James Rubart's "The Chair"

Title: THE CHAIR named TOP PICK for September by Christian Retailing Magazine
Publisher: B&H Fiction

Cover blurb: If you were given an ancient looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe them? When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe's antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was built by Christ, he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts to wonder: Could this chair heal the person whose life I destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy's healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. But the mysterious woman who gave him the piece insinuates it is Corin's destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why? Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he reveals.

Searching for truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it, Corin soon realizes he isn't the only one willing to do almost anything to possess the power that seems to surround the chair.

1) How did this story come to you?
I was reading an article about a Jewish historian from the first century who noted that some of the plows Jesus made were so well constructed they lasted until the second century.

It made me think, "What if Jesus made something that lasted until today? What if it was a chair? What if it was a chair he sat in after he was resurrected? What if it contained Jesus' healing power? And what would an ordinary person do if the chair was given to him?

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I got the idea in the summer of 2008 and B&H bought it and BOOK OF DAYS (my second novel) in late '09 so I had the premise for a long time before I started writing it—which was the fall of 2010. But it wasn't until I brainstormed the story with three author friends that the plot fell into place. (Thanks, Great Ones!)

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
• I used to voice and appear in radio and TV commercials.
• I almost lost three fingers on my right hand when I was 1 ½ years old
• I used to be a semi-pro magician

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
In the spring I signed a new five-book contract so I'll be penning a few more novels! It's a continuation of my dream and it's still surreal to think I'm getting paid for something I love to do. Right now I'm working on my fourth novel and I love where the story is going.

5) Parting comments?
The heart of this book is about the restoration of relationships and came from a falling out (and reconciliation) with one of my best friends. My desire is people will read this book and find the hope of restored relationships in their own lives and it will set them free.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Web site: http://www.jameslrubart.com/
Facebook: James L. Rubart
Twitter: @jimrubart

Thanks for having me, K. Dawn! Always fun to be here.

Register to win James Rubart's "The Chair"

We're happy to have James Rubart with us today talking about his book, "The Chair." To register to win a copy, leave James 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 James and his book, read on!

Title: THE CHAIR named TOP PICK for September by Christian Retailing Magazine
Publisher: B&H Fiction

Cover blurb: If you were given an ancient looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe them? When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe's antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was built by Christ, he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts to wonder: Could this chair heal the person whose life I destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy's healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. But the mysterious woman who gave him the piece insinuates it is Corin's destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why? Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he reveals.

Searching for truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it, Corin soon realizes he isn't the only one willing to do almost anything to possess the power that seems to surround the chair.

1) How did this story come to you?
I was reading an article about a Jewish historian from the first century who noted that some of the plows Jesus made were so well constructed they lasted until the second century.

It made me think, "What if Jesus made something that lasted until today? What if it was a chair? What if it was a chair he sat in after he was resurrected? What if it contained Jesus' healing power? And what would an ordinary person do if the chair was given to him?

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I got the idea in the summer of 2008 and B&H bought it and BOOK OF DAYS (my second novel) in late '09 so I had the premise for a long time before I started writing it—which was the fall of 2010. But it wasn't until I brainstormed the story with three author friends that the plot fell into place. (Thanks, Great Ones!)

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
• I used to voice and appear in radio and TV commercials.
• I almost lost three fingers on my right hand when I was 1 ½ years old
• I used to be a semi-pro magician

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
In the spring I signed a new five-book contract so I'll be penning a few more novels! It's a continuation of my dream and it's still surreal to think I'm getting paid for something I love to do. Right now I'm working on my fourth novel and I love where the story is going.

5) Parting comments?
The heart of this book is about the restoration of relationships and came from a falling out (and reconciliation) with one of my best friends. My desire is people will read this book and find the hope of restored relationships in their own lives and it will set them free.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Web site: http://www.jameslrubart.com/
Facebook: James L. Rubart
Twitter: @jimrubart

Thanks for having me, K. Dawn! Always fun to be here.

Diana Buckley's "Betsey Anne"

Title: Betsey Anne
Cover blurb: Drawn by a charm that Jefferson seemed able to turn on and off at will, and longing for a home and children of her own, Betsey Anne plunged into marriage with a man she hardly knew. But life on the Michigan homestead was far from idyllic in a rough, two-room cabin with a dirt floor. Though neighbors cleared their land and developed successful farms, Jefferson was unable to make a living on his place, leaving Betsey, a skilled seamstress, no choice but to take in sewing as she struggled to care for her growing family. Jefferson's charm was more consistently "off" than "on," and frequently, he would be absent from home for days at a time with no explanation. Duty became Betsey Anne's constant companion, though sometimes she viewed it as a penance to be borne and other times she virtually wrapped it around her shoulders like a warm blanket. Always, she longed for the peace, contentment and fulfillment that others seemed to find so easily. Would it elude her forever? Or would she finally see that it had been within her grasp all along? Set in rural Michigan during the Civil War, Betsey Anne is a story of love and loss, hardship and joy, and a young woman's journey to lasting inner peace.

1) How did this story come to you?
Betsey Anne is based loosely (very loosely) on the story I read in letters that my grandmother's grandmother had saved over a period of many years. My grandmother gave me the letters when I was 16 years old, and as soon as I read the first one, I knew it was a story I had to tell.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I like to put it this way: I spent several years researching, about a year writing the book, about a year and a half editing, and editing, and rewriting and editing. I spent about 18 years saying to myself, "What if I can't really do it?" I've learned that the 18-year part was really of no actual value! Also of no value were the 12 years I spent waiting for a publisher to knock on my door and say, "Hey, have you got the next great American novel stashed in the bottom of your closet?"

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1 – most of my professional writing experience is in the political arena; ads, letters to the editor, fundraising letters, brochures, website content.
2 – I grew up on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona.
3 – I am an avid hobbyist; I sew, quilt, gild (who even knows what that is?), make cards, turn pens on a lathe, and play the piano (very badly!). Plus I'll probably pick up at least two new hobbies within the next year!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just finished an authorized biography, on contract, for a Texas politician with a fascinating life he wanted to preserve for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I have begun writing a novel titled "Flight of the Suburban Housewife" and I am researching a sequel to Betsey Anne. Because I am a stickler for accurate historical detail, the research will take at least as long as the writing, but it is also just as much fun.

5) Parting comments?
Please read Betsey Anne! And if you have a dream you've been putting off for fear you can't really do it – get over that and get on with it! You won't be sorry! Also, if your book club is interested in reading Betsey Anne, a friend of mine has prepared some lovely book-club-style questions and answers to go along with it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I'm on Facebook under Betsey Anne and under Diana Buckley; if you'll "like" Betsey Anne, you'll be among the first to know when Flight of the Suburban Housewife hits print. If you would like, you can e-mail me at diana1985@sbcglobal.net; or find Betsey Anne on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.