K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 56

Register to win Anne Mateer's "Wings of a Dream"

We're happy to have Anne Mateer with us today talking about her book, "Wings of a Dream." To register to win a copy, leave Anne 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 Anne and her book, read on!

Title: Wings of a Dream
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Cover blurb: Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, seeing this chance to be closer to Arthur's training camp as God's approval of her plans.

But the Spanish flu epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's death, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebekah is torn between the desire to escape the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.

1) How did this story come to you?
The first kernel of this story came in the form of family history--my great-grandparents' history to be exact. But I couldn't just tell their story. Several years after the initial idea, I learned some local historical facts that gave the story a more sturdy framework.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I'd been writing seriously for 9 years and completed 4 novels, 3 of which were contemporary, before the Lord made it very clear that it was time to again tackle my true love--historical fiction. I began the book in January of 2009 and entered it in ACFW's Genesis contest. It finaled and I received a request for my full manuscript. Eleven months and two revisions later, I received a two book contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) I am fiercely competitive in our family's fantasy football league.
2) I hate mornings.
3) I absolutely despise cooking.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have another book (as yet untitled) releasing in September of 2012 that involves missionaries and auto racing in 1916. How's that for a hook? That book is completely done, so now I'm fleshing out new story ideas. We'll see what God has in store!

5) Parting comments?
I am honored that you took the time to read a little more about my book and about me. I very much enjoy connecting with people who read.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I can be found at www.annemateer.com, www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneMateer and www.twitter.com/AnneMateer.

Anne Patrick's "Fire and Ash"

Anne Patrick is the author of more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem and Faith, including the award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash and Sabotage.

As a kid growing up in a rather boring neighborhood it was up to Anne and her friends to generate their own excitement, so when other kids wereoff playing with dolls and army men, they were out solving make believe crimes in the neighborhood. Each day was a new and exciting adventure with danger lurking around every corner. Then in high school she discovered the wonderful world of romantic suspense and she's been spinning stories ever since.

Her Clash of the Titles winning excerpt competed in our Author's Choice category. When asked what made this particular scene her favorite, Ann replied, "The tension between Jordan and Sam, and the hint that she's still in love with him."

A Familiar Evil's Jordan Russel had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure, Jordan leaves her cheating husband and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

Where does Ann come up with such intense stories? She says she's a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of girl. "I never plan anything," Ann says. "As a matter of fact I didn't know who the killer was in A Familiar Evil until toward the end of the book when he sprang out at me and said, 'I'm your man.' Of course I had suspected he was the one but I wasn't for sure. There are several possibilities."

Want to see the kind of writing her unplanning leads to? Check out a blip of her Clash-winning excerpt:

"Excuse me. I'm looking for Chief Russell."

Jordan's stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

"You found her," Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. "Indeed I have." He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. "Chief, there's an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her."

"Agent Russell," Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, "Isn't Russell your married name?" He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, "That must mean you're her husband."

"Not for much longer." Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. "You'll be hearing from me." She closed the door and looked at Sam. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here at your request."

Visit Clash of the Titles (http://www.clashofthetitles.com/2011/08/new-kind-of-clash-authors-choice.html) to read more, then stop by Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Evil-Anne-Patrick/dp/1461118514) to order your copy.

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, Samie Sisters and The Christian Pulse and is the Marketing Manager for the literary website, Clash of the Titles (http://www.clahofthetitles.com/)

Find out more about her and her writing by visiting her devotional blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud. (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/)

Register to win an PDF copy of Anne Patrick's "Fire and Ash"

We're happy to have Anne Patrick and Clash of the Titles with us today! To register to win a PDF copy of "Fire and Ash," leave a comment for Anne at the end of her interview.

Anne Patrick is the author of more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem and Faith, including the award-winning and best-selling Fire and Ash and Sabotage.

As a kid growing up in a rather boring neighborhood it was up to Anne and her friends to generate their own excitement, so when other kids wereoff playing with dolls and army men, they were out solving make believe crimes in the neighborhood. Each day was a new and exciting adventure with danger lurking around every corner. Then in high school she discovered the wonderful world of romantic suspense and she's been spinning stories ever since.

Her Clash of the Titles winning excerpt competed in our Author's Choice category. When asked what made this particular scene her favorite, Ann replied, "The tension between Jordan and Sam, and the hint that she's still in love with him."

A Familiar Evil's Jordan Russel had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed. With the hope of finally finding closure, Jordan leaves her cheating husband and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began. But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

Where does Ann come up with such intense stories? She says she's a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of girl. "I never plan anything," Ann says. "As a matter of fact I didn't know who the killer was in A Familiar Evil until toward the end of the book when he sprang out at me and said, 'I'm your man.' Of course I had suspected he was the one but I wasn't for sure. There are several possibilities."

Want to see the kind of writing her unplanning leads to? Check out a blip of her Clash-winning excerpt:

"Excuse me. I'm looking for Chief Russell."

Jordan's stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

"You found her," Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. "Indeed I have." He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. "Chief, there's an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her."

"Agent Russell," Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, "Isn't Russell your married name?" He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, "That must mean you're her husband."

"Not for much longer." Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. "You'll be hearing from me." She closed the door and looked at Sam. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here at your request."

Visit Clash of the Titles (http://www.clashofthetitles.com/2011/08/new-kind-of-clash-authors-choice.html) to read more, then stop by Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Evil-Anne-Patrick/dp/1461118514) to order your copy.

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, Samie Sisters and The Christian Pulse and is the Marketing Manager for the literary website, Clash of the Titles (http://www.clahofthetitles.com/)

Find out more about her and her writing by visiting her devotional blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud. (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/)

Register to win a $15 Bath & Body Works Gift Card

Check out 4 great books we're giving away this week in the posts below.

Be sure and register to win a  $15 Bath and Body Works gift card on the sister blog at http://www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com/ .

So, after you're register for the books, hop on over there and register for the gift card. Good luck and thanks for following our blogs!

Vannetta Chapman's "Falling to Pieces" (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)

Title: Falling to Pieces (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)
Publisher: Zondervan

Cover blurb: In the Amish community of Shipshewana, two women—one Amish, one English—reluctantly join forces for a short-term business venture. Neither is looking for friendship, but when the town's newspaper editor is murdered, and an unexpected prime suspect is identified, the women form an unlikely alliance to solve the mystery.

Description: In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books—faith, community, simplicity, family—with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt.

When two women—one Amish, one English—each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer.

Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.

1) How did this story come to you? I was asked by Sue Brower (executive editor) to come up with several ideas for an Amish mystery series. I submitted 5 series ideas with 3 stories each and this is the one she chose! We wanted to pair an Amish woman with an Englisch, and it just so happens Callie is from Texas--like me!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My first inspry was picked up by Abingdon Press. Zondervan saw that manuscript and liked it, but didn't need a writer for Amish romance because they have the fabulous Amy Clipston. When Sue asked me if I'd be interested in writing something different, I jumped at the chance.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a phobia about tall bridges (driving over them), I play the piano fairly well, and I didn't receive my college degree until I was 34 years old.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on book 2 of my Pebble Creek Series (Amish romance) for Harvest House. This is a lovely series set in Wisconsin. Book 1 will release in June of 2012. We hope to continue with more Amish mystery, as early reader response for Falling to Pieces has been tremendous.

5) Parting comments?
Be open to changes in your "life plan." Things haven't always turned out as I envisioned them, but God had something better in mind.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
They can find me through my webpage (http://www.vannettachapman.com/) or on facebook (www.facebook.com/vannettachapmanbooks). Also I post to my blog 3 times a week (http://www.vannettachapman.wordpress.com/).

Register to win Vannetta Chapman's "Falling to Pieces" (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)

There are a total of four book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Vannetta Chapman with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "Falling to Pieces" (A  Shipshewana Amish Mystery) to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, if you haven't done so, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right if you have not done so in order to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: Falling to Pieces (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)
Publisher: Zondervan

Cover blurb: In the Amish community of Shipshewana, two women—one Amish, one English—reluctantly join forces for a short-term business venture. Neither is looking for friendship, but when the town's newspaper editor is murdered, and an unexpected prime suspect is identified, the women form an unlikely alliance to solve the mystery.

Description: In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books—faith, community, simplicity, family—with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt.

When two women—one Amish, one English—each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer.

Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.

1) How did this story come to you? I was asked by Sue Brower (executive editor) to come up with several ideas for an Amish mystery series. I submitted 5 series ideas with 3 stories each and this is the one she chose! We wanted to pair an Amish woman with an Englisch, and it just so happens Callie is from Texas--like me!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My first inspry was picked up by Abingdon Press. Zondervan saw that manuscript and liked it, but didn't need a writer for Amish romance because they have the fabulous Amy Clipston. When Sue asked me if I'd be interested in writing something different, I jumped at the chance.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a phobia about tall bridges (driving over them), I play the piano fairly well, and I didn't receive my college degree until I was 34 years old.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on book 2 of my Pebble Creek Series (Amish romance) for Harvest House. This is a lovely series set in Wisconsin. Book 1 will release in June of 2012. We hope to continue with more Amish mystery, as early reader response for Falling to Pieces has been tremendous.

5) Parting comments?
Be open to changes in your "life plan." Things haven't always turned out as I envisioned them, but God had something better in mind.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
They can find me through my webpage (http://www.vannettachapman.com/) or on facebook (www.facebook.com/vannettachapmanbooks). Also I post to my blog 3 times a week (http://www.vannettachapman.wordpress.com/).

Martha Rogers' "Summer Dream"

Title: Summer Dream
Publisher: Realms Fiction Division of Charisma House.

Cover blurb:  As the daughter of a small-town minister in Connecticut, Rachel Winston fears that the only way she'll ever find a husband is to visit her aunt in Boston for the social season. But when Nathan Reed arrives in town, she can't help but wonder if he's the one.

Although attracted to Rachel, Nathan has no desire to become involved with a Christian after experiences with his own family. What's more, he realizes that even if he wanted to court her, he has little chance of doing so until he resolves his anger with God and his family.

When Nathan is caught in a devastating blizzard and lies near death in the Winston home, Rachel and her mother give him a lesson in love and forgiveness that leads him back to his home in the South. Will he make peace with his family and return to Briar Ridge before Rachel chooses a path that takes her away from him?

1) How did this story come to you?
I saw a story on Discovery Channel about a great blizzard in New England in 1888. I started reading about it from newspaper clippings of that day and saw what a huge storm it was and that they gave it the name, "The Great White Hurricane." I decided I had to write a book that included the storm in it. So the book was born and set in Connecticut.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As it happened, I was finishing up a series for Realms when they asked me if I had other ideas. Summer Dream was in my files so I offered a proposal for it and three more to follow. They liked the idea and gave me another contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I once was a nursing major in college.
I was on the tennis team in high school.
I had my own column for our high school newspaper, "Around the Halls at WW" (Mostly a "gossip" column.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm finishing up the last book in my present series and then I have a Christmas book to write for Realms.

5) Parting comments?
My first series was a great success thanks to people like you who hosted me on their blogs. I really do appreciate the opportunity to share with others.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is: http://www.marthawrogers.com/
I also have several blogs that are linked on my website.

Register to win Martha Rogers' "Summer Dream"

There are a total of four book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Martha Rogers with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "Summer Dream" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right if you have not done so in order to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.


Title: Summer Dream
Publisher: Realms Fiction Division of Charisma House.

Cover blurb:  As the daughter of a small-town minister in Connecticut, Rachel Winston fears that the only way she'll ever find a husband is to visit her aunt in Boston for the social season. But when Nathan Reed arrives in town, she can't help but wonder if he's the one.

Although attracted to Rachel, Nathan has no desire to become involved with a Christian after experiences with his own family. What's more, he realizes that even if he wanted to court her, he has little chance of doing so until he resolves his anger with God and his family.

When Nathan is caught in a devastating blizzard and lies near death in the Winston home, Rachel and her mother give him a lesson in love and forgiveness that leads him back to his home in the South. Will he make peace with his family and return to Briar Ridge before Rachel chooses a path that takes her away from him?

1) How did this story come to you?
I saw a story on Discovery Channel about a great blizzard in New England in 1888. I started reading about it from newspaper clippings of that day and saw what a huge storm it was and that they gave it the name, "The Great White Hurricane." I decided I had to write a book that included the storm in it. So the book was born and set in Connecticut.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
As it happened, I was finishing up a series for Realms when they asked me if I had other ideas. Summer Dream was in my files so I offered a proposal for it and three more to follow. They liked the idea and gave me another contract.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I once was a nursing major in college.
I was on the tennis team in high school.
I had my own column for our high school newspaper, "Around the Halls at WW" (Mostly a "gossip" column.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm finishing up the last book in my present series and then I have a Christmas book to write for Realms.

5) Parting comments?
My first series was a great success thanks to people like you who hosted me on their blogs. I really do appreciate the opportunity to share with others.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is: http://www.marthawrogers.com/
I also have several blogs that are linked on my website.

Margaret Daley's "From This Day Forward"

Title: From This Day Forward
Publisher: Summerside Press

Cover blurb: Rachel Gordon is stranded in South Carolina, pregnant, a recent widow when her husband fell overboard on the voyage to America. Nathan Stuart, a physician who came home from serving in the American army during the War of 1812, disenchanted with his life and the Lord, rescues Rachel and saves her life. Feeling responsible for her, Nathan tries to discourage her from living at a rundown farm her husband bought to start a new future in America. He wants her to return to England.

Rachel refuses to go back to England where her father disowned her for marrying against his wishes. The farm is all she has, and she is determined to make it on her own. But Nathan has other ideas and becomes her farmhand to discourage her from staying in America. Instead he ends up protecting her and being challenged by her. Can two wounded people heal each other?

1) How did this story come to you?
Years ago I wrote a secular book which was part of a three book series. The publisher stopped publishing historicals. This is based on the second story but I changed the time period to after the War of 1812 instead of the Revolutionary War. I like that period in American history.

2) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a cheerleader in high school. I can't sing but then that wouldn't really surprise my readers if they heard me. I hate liver, fish and coffee.

3) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am writing the third book in A Town Called Hope Series for Love Inspired. After that I have my third book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series for Abingdon Press to write.

4) Parting comments?
I love to write stories, especially ones with a faith element in them.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.margaretdaley.com/  Sign my guestbook on my website for a chance to win an autographed book.

Register to win Margaret Daley's "From This Day Forward"

There are a total of four book giveaways this week. Be sure to leave comments at the end of each interview for your chance to win!

We're happy to have Margaret Daley with us today. She's been kind enough to offer to give away a copy of "From This Day Forward" to one lucky blog reader! Please leave a comment with your email address at the end of the interview for your chance to win. In addition, place your email address in the feedburner box to the right if you haven't done so in order to receive weekly email reminders about giveaways.

Title: From This Day Forward
Publisher: Summerside Press

Cover blurb: Rachel Gordon is stranded in South Carolina, pregnant, a recent widow when her husband fell overboard on the voyage to America. Nathan Stuart, a physician who came home from serving in the American army during the War of 1812, disenchanted with his life and the Lord, rescues Rachel and saves her life. Feeling responsible for her, Nathan tries to discourage her from living at a rundown farm her husband bought to start a new future in America. He wants her to return to England.

Rachel refuses to go back to England where her father disowned her for marrying against his wishes. The farm is all she has, and she is determined to make it on her own. But Nathan has other ideas and becomes her farmhand to discourage her from staying in America. Instead he ends up protecting her and being challenged by her. Can two wounded people heal each other?

1) How did this story come to you?
Years ago I wrote a secular book which was part of a three book series. The publisher stopped publishing historicals. This is based on the second story but I changed the time period to after the War of 1812 instead of the Revolutionary War. I like that period in American history.

2) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I was a cheerleader in high school. I can't sing but then that wouldn't really surprise my readers if they heard me. I hate liver, fish and coffee.

3) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am writing the third book in A Town Called Hope Series for Love Inspired. After that I have my third book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series for Abingdon Press to write.

4) Parting comments?
I love to write stories, especially ones with a faith element in them.

5) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.margaretdaley.com/  Sign my guestbook on my website for a chance to win an autographed book.