Trish Perry's Blog, page 42

Unforgettable at 99 cents!

Unforgettable, my romance set in 1950s Washington, is available in ebook format for 99 cents, today through July 21! 

Here is the short plot description:

Rachel Stanhope tries to see the good in everyone. But even her good graces are challenged when she meets Josh Reegan outside her Arlington, Virginia dance studio on a brisk fall morning in 1951. Admittedly, he's attractive, but she finds his cynicism and cockiness hard to tolerate.

A hard-news journalist and former World War II Air Force pilot, Josh considers distractions like ballroom dancing frivolous wastes of time. He has yet to shed his wartime drive to defend good against evil whenever he can. Yes, Rachel's confident nature is a refreshing challenge, but he wouldn't tangle with her if his newspaper hadn't roped him into covering one of her studio's competitions in New York City.

Between Arlington and New York, between the melodrama of ballroom antics and the real drama of political corruption, between family involvement and romantic entanglement, Rachel and Josh have their hands full. The last thing either of them expects is mutual need and support. But once they stop dancing around the truth, the results are unforgettable.

The ebook sale is featured at the following sites: 

 

The ebook is also available at the 99 cent sale price at the Apple store. 


I hope you'll take advantage of the sale and let me know what you think of the story!

Harry Wegley and Free Books!

With the dangers from their past either dead, or locked away in federal prison, they left for the Maui honeymoon of their dreams, oblivious to the coming nightmare.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Firewall, by DiAnn Mills, is:

mac262@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Harry Wegley, author of Moon Over Maalaea Bay (Harbourlight Books, Pelican Book Group, June 2014).

Harry served in the USAF as an Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In civilian life he performed research in atmospheric physics. After earning an MS in Computer Science, Harry worked 20+ years developing computer systems for Boeing before retiring near Seattle, where he and his wife of 48 years enjoy small-group ministry, grandchildren, hiking on the Olympic Peninsula, snorkeling Maui whenever possible, and where he writes inspirational thrillers and romantic suspense novels.

Harry is currently starting his 8th novel.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I’m enough Cherokee to be a legal member of the tribe, but I’m also half German. My wife is more Sioux than I am Cherokee, and what isn’t Sioux is Irish. Isn’t America wonderful? I hope that never changes.

-- Born in California, raised in Oregon, I had a scholarship to the University of Oregon, but I’m a Texas Aggie, class of ’71. Life is full of surprises.

-- I used to be able to stay under water for up to 3 minutes. Whenever I tried that while doing the dead man’s float, after about 60 seconds my wife would swim over and yank my head out of the water. Then I’d do it again. I think there must be big differences in the way men and women like to be shown they are loved. ☺

I'm in the middle of reading Louis Zamperini's biography, Unbroken, and his practiced ability to stay underwater like that turned out to be a lifesaver when his plane crash landed. So, as frustrating as you were to your wife, that was probably a smart skill to achieve!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Moon Over Maalaea Bay.

When Lee Brandt’s bright, beautiful bride disappears on their wedding night in Maui, both Lee and the US government want her back, and each takes drastic measures to find her. But Jennifer, an NSA research scientist, is in high demand. An international trafficking syndicate wants her for revenge. A wealthy, Middle-Eastern prince, who collects women, wants her for what she looks like. Foreign intelligence agents want her for what she knows.

As the clock ticks down toward Jennifer’s sale, her soon-to-be adopted daughter, Katie, flies to Maui and joins the search, ending up in the traffickers’ crosshairs. Could Lee choose between his bride and his future daughter?

A few hours earlier, Jennifer promised herself to Lee “until death do them part.” Could she make death part them to avoid the degradation the traffickers have in mind for her? If she did, would God forgive her?

What is it about Jennifer that will make your readers care about her?

Jennifer has been a Christian for eight months. Her faith is strong even in adversity. She has faced danger before and refuses to be paralyzed by fear. She has a heart that, as long as it’s beating, won’t stop fighting for what is right and for the people she loves. Though she’s small and not particularly strong, she’s bright (IQ of 200) and very quick. If her opponents make one wrong move they quickly find themselves in checkmate.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I had never noticed or heard of Drew Waters until watching the movies The Ultimate Life and, more recently, The Redemption of Henry Myers. But he would make a good Lee.





Jennifer’s is a more difficult role to fill, as she is Japanese-Hawaiian and has so many extraordinary qualities spelled out in great detail by Lee. But my wife and I went looking for a “Jennifer” on the Internet and found a Japanese singer and actress from Hawaii, Yuna Ito, who is the right age and would be a perfect fit. I wanted to use her picture for the book cover, but realized I probably couldn’t afford what her agent would want for those rights. If you like music, she has a wonderful voice, unlike Jennifer.

I don't know if you mention in the story that Jennifer can't sing, but I like that you know that.

Sometimes a writer’s imagination can be triggered with word mapping. If I give you the word "challenge," what three words first come to mind, and how would you word a sentence (or 2, if needed) using all four words?

Obstacle, overcome, strength. God sometimes challenges us to grow in our faith by placing obstacles in our path that seem impossible to overcome using our own strength.

Love that.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig. It had more than enough action to suit me—guys need their action fix every few chapters—but the characters drew me in until I had invested more in them than the characters of any other book I’ve recently read.

What are you working on now?

I’m polishing my 7th novel and am early in the planning stage for my 8th. The story I’m polishing reaches back into the Cold War era and pulls some of that intrigue and espionage drama into the present. It’s a high-action, romantic suspense story about a young woman whose father is murdered. He left her alone in the world with a set of journals documenting his secret KGB past, an SVR assassin on her trail, and instructions to run for protection to a family she hardly knows. She’s forced to trust a young man with her life, a man she believes she must never trust with her heart.

Where else can readers find you online?

Author web site (currently under re-construction): hlwegley.com
Pelican Book Group: H. L. Wegley books
Faceboook
Amazon Author Page: Amazon
Twitter
Goodreads
Blog – The Weather Scribe – a climate of suspense and a forecast of stormy weather: weatherscribe.blogspot.com


The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com
(eBook)

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What’s your favorite genre and why are you drawn to it?

Thanks, Harry, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Harry has offered to give a signed copy of his book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, July 14. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Harry's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Creston Mapes and Nancy Mehl, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Nancy Mehl and Free Books!

A random photograph of a Mennonite teenager sends television reporter, Wynter Evans, on a dangerous search for a brother who went missing under mysterious circumstance almost ten years ago.

Today we're chatting with novelist Nancy Mehl, author of Gathering Shadows : Book One in the Finding Sanctuary Series (Bethany House Publishers, April 2014).

Nancy Mehl lives in Festus, Missouri, with her husband, Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored eighteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book in her Finding Sanctuary series, Gathering Shadows, was released on April 29th, 2014.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do.”

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I’m an animal lover. All of our pets have been rescues.

-- I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who.

-- I used to take singing lessons with an emphasis on opera.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Gathering Shadows.

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary.

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

What is it about Wynter that will make your readers care about her?

Wynter is a vulnerable young woman who finds it hard to trust people after her brother’s kidnapping. Although the people she works with would say she is very professional and confident, the truth is that her emotional life revolves around the day her brother disappeared. Many of us have had bad situations from the past that still affect us today. Wynter will have to confront the realization that she can’t move forward as long as she’s looking behind her. I hope readers will identify with her struggle.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Wynter could be played by Kristen Bell.




Rueben King, the mayor of Sanctuary, Missouri, could be played by a young Ewan McGregor.


Sometimes a writer’s imagination can be triggered with word mapping. If I give you the word "challenge," what three words first come to mind, and how would you word a sentence (or 2, if needed) using all four words?

1. Interview

2. Question

3. Clueless

I am clueless as to how to answer this interview question about the word challenge. (LOL!)

Oh, that's funny--I assumed you were writing that sentence just to me, and I almost deleted it without realizing you had used your mapped words in a sentence. I need to pay better attention to my own questions!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Forbidden (The Books of Mortals) by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. I love the thought-provoking world the authors have created, the outstanding characterizations, and the extremely compelling story. The writing is so good I was able to easily fall into the role of a reader. It can be difficult for authors to read books without critiquing the writing technique.

What are you working on now?

Book three of my Finding Sanctuary series for Bethany House and an Amish cozy mystery for Guideposts.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.NancyMehl.com, www.nancymehl.blogspot.com (where I have a newsletter), www.SuspenseSisters.blogspot.com (along with several other popular suspense authors), and on Facebook.


The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

When it comes to a fiction series, do you enjoy seeing a different main character in each book or would you rather see the same main character continue throughout the entire series?

Thanks, Nancy, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Nancy has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, July 10. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Nancy's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Creston Mapes and DiAnn Mills, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

DiAnn Mills, July Releases, and Free Books!

Taryn Young’s happily ever after turns into her waking nightmare when she’s caught in the aftermath of an explosion that puts her to blame.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Lone Star Heiress, by Winnie Griggs, is:

ratsmith140@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist DiAnn Mills, author of Firewall , First book of the FBI: Houston series (Tyndale, July 2014).

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope & Love, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and is the 2014 president of RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

— Have a disease called the wild-child syndrome :)

— Have a passion for the people of Sudan

— Very picky eater and exercise addict

Oh, that I were an exercise addict...

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Firewall.

After a whirlwind romance, software developer Taryn Young is en route to a dream honeymoon when a bomb decimates the airport terminal, killing dozens. Injured, she awakens in the hospital to discover her husband is missing, and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall’s first priority is to catch those responsible for the bombing. Despite the evidence pointing to Taryn’s guilt, Grayson believes she’s innocent . . . and in danger. With a possible mole in the FBI office, Grayson and Taryn fight to stay ahead of her pursuers, especially when they learn the bombers are really after Taryn’s latest high-security software project. In the wrong hands, it could leave the US vulnerable to massive attacks.

With national security on the line, Taryn and Grayson must unravel the plot and find the architect before their firewall is breached.

What is it about Taryn that will make your readers care about her?

Taryn’s tenacity to find out the truth about her husband and the whereabouts of a three-year-old little girl.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Taryn Young - Maggie Grace




Special Agent Grayson Hall - Stephen Amell




Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they?

Christmas novel - Historical Texas Legacy Christmas. Because I write romantic suspense, I focus on the hot and muggy temps of Houston.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak. Beautifully written. The viewpoint of death is intriguing and haunting. Inspired me to be more creative.

What are you working on now?

Deadlock - 3rd book in the FBI: Houston series

Where else can readers find you online?

www.diannmills.com
Facebook
Twitter

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is the most exciting adventure you’ve ever experienced in a novel?

Thanks, DiAnn, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, DiAnn has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, July 7. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to DiAnn's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE. As you scroll down to leave your answer to DiAnn's question, take a look at some of the excellent new Inspirational fiction being released in July!

Biblical Fiction:

In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar -- Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation. But God has other plans for her life. While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better. (Biblical Fiction from River North [Moody Publishers])

Contemporary Romance:

A Plain Love Song (The New Hope Amish) by Kelly Irvin -- Adah Knepp wants nothing more than to sing and play the guitar and write her own songs. That's a dream that will never come true in her strict Amish community. But then she meets Jackson Hart, and all of a sudden she finds the chance for a different kind of life. But pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her family and community--and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can't get out of her mind. Is it worth giving up the only home she's ever known to pursue her dreams? (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)

When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family) by Susan May Warren -- Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she'd vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled-or maybe yanked-away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)

Contemporary Women's Fiction:

Hope Deferred by Elizabeth Maddrey -- Can pursuit of a blessing become a curse? June and July and their husbands have spent the last year trying to start a family and now they're desperate for answers. As one couple works with specialists to see how medicine can help them conceive, the other must fight to save their marriage. Will their deferred hope leave them heart sick, or start them on the path to the fulfillment of their dreams? (Women's Fiction from HopeSprings Books)

The Tidewater Sisters by Lisa Wingate -- Tandi Reese and her sister, Gina, have always been bound by complicated ties. Amid the rubble of a difficult childhood lie memories of huddling beneath beds and behind sofas while parental wars raged. Sisterhood was safety . . . once. But now? Faced with legal papers for a fraud she didn't commit, Tandi suspects that her sister has done something unthinkable. With Tandi's wedding just around the corner, a trip to the North Carolina Tidewater for a reckoning with Gina was not part of the plan. But unraveling lies from truth will require confronting strained sibling bonds and uncovering a dark family secret that could free Tandi from her past or stain her future forever. (Novella) (Women's Fiction from Tyndale House)

Historical Mystery:

Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery) by Julianna Deering -- Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has found smooth waters, Fleur Landis, an old flame, reappears in his life. She's married now, no longer an actress, and he expects she'll soon disappear--until she comes to him in dire need. The lead actor in her old troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect. Drew would love nothing more than to just focus on his fiancé, Madeline, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline dive into the murder, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. Nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between. It's Drew's most complicated case yet. (Historical General Fiction from Faith Words [Hachette])

Historical Romance:

Captured By Love by Jody Hedlund -- Michigan Territory, 1814. A voyageur and a young woman swept up in a time of upheaval and danger discover firsthand the high price of freedom. The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders. Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who's grown into a beautiful woman. She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley. As tensions mount and the violence rages on, Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they'll risk for love. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Groom by Design (The Dressmaker's Daughters, #1) by Christine Johnson -- Dressmaker Ruth Fox gave up her dream of a husband and children long ago. Her family's floundering dress shop, her ailing father and her two younger sisters require Ruth's full attention. Though the handsome new stranger in town is intriguing, Ruth is certain he wouldn't look twice at a plain spinster of twenty-six. Sam Rothenburg's connection with the shy young woman next door is immediate, but he knows Ruth will be crushed when she discovers his real purpose in town. Sam is secretly working to open one of his father's large department stores in Pearlman, Michigan, which will surely put Ruth out of business. How much is Sam willing to sacrifice to claim Ruth's heart? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

A Hero in the Making (Brides of Simps) by Laurie Kingery -- Nate Bohannan won't let anything stand in the way of his grand plans in California. Even if it means traveling there with unreliable huckster Robert Salali. But after a destructive bender in Simpson Creek, Texas, the unscrupulous Salali runs out, leaving Nate to carry the blame-and the debt. He can fix broken furniture...but can anything fix the despair in café owner Ella Justiss's eyes? When her café was destroyed, Ella felt sure she'd lost her dreams along with it. Yet somehow Nate's cheerful care and optimism fill her with hope again. When danger threatens, will Nate be the hero Ella can finally trust-and love? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

The Warrior's Vow by Christina Rich -- Swept away from her home and into the desert, Abigail is as much a prisoner as she is a princess. A ruthlessly ambitious captain of the palace guard intends to force her into marriage and rule Judah through her. Yet the badly beaten soldier Abigail rescues offers another choice-if she dares trust him. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Historical:

Annie's Stories (Ellis Island) by Cindy Thomson -- The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment-they're a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House. But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. (Historical Women's Fiction from Tyndale House)

Military Suspense:

Operation Zulu Redemption: Overkill by Ronie Kendig -- In this FREE TEASER episode, readers meet the Zulu team. In the aftermath of their first highly successful op, the first all-female special ops team, known as Zulu, discovered that innocent civilians-women and children-died at their hands. Zulu was set up to take the devastating fall. Fearing for their lives, the Zulu team vanished. With new identities and spread across the globe, they live in relative but isolated peace-yet still haunted by the past. Five years after that horrific night, they've begun to hope they might be safe and the tragedy forgotten. Until two of them are murdered. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)

Operation Zulu Redemption: Collateral Damage Part 1 by Ronie Kendig -- Five years ago, six soldiers made American military history as the first all-female Special Forces team, named Zulu. A tragic mistake in Misrata, Libya, leaves twenty-two dead and Zulu fleeing for their lives. Now Jessica Herring and Candice Reyna are dead at the hand of an assassin. Keeley Shay clings to life in a hospital. The last three Zulu members are forced into a fight for answers, for redemption, and for their very lives. They must track down who hit the team and deliver justice to the enemy-before the interference of Sam Caliguari and relentless Army intelligence analyst Lieutenant Francesca Solomon gets them all killed. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)

Operation Zulu Redemption: Out of Nowhere - Part 2 by Ronie Kendig -- Zulu continues the fight! The remnant of the first all-female Special Forces team, Zulu, will do whatever it takes to determine what really happened that night five years ago-when a trap entangled Zulu in the deaths of twenty-two innocent people in Misrata, Libya. With Lieutenant Colonel Trace Weston and Boone Ramage leading the way, Annie Palermo, Téya Reiker, and Nuala King are training harder and stronger, digging deeper for clues, and tracking down leads in the U.S. and Europe to clear their names. Just when things start to turn for Zulu, one of the team is targeted by one of the world's most deadly assassins. Then another vanishes. Zulu wanted the truth, but they didn't know it might cost every one of their lives. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Seagrass Pier (The Hope Beach Series) by Colleen Coble -- Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit. But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks-and vivid dreams of being strangled-she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder. Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked-by a man she's only met in her nightmares. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])

Shake Down by Jill Elizabeth Nelson -- To clear his imprisoned father's name, Shane Gillum must find evidence hidden in a Martha's Vineyard cottage. But he arrives to find the "vacant" property being prepped for sale by real estate agent Janice Swenson. Is she tied to the notorious owners? Or is she in over her head as the "accidents" on the property grow increasingly dangerous? And who is the saboteur targeting-Shane with his search, or Janice with her dark, hidden past? With so much at stake, trusting Janice is a huge risk...but keeping silent about the cottage's mysteries could mire them both in a deadly scheme. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]).

Historical Speculative Fiction:

Shenandoah Dreams by Lisa Belcastro -- What if she met the man of her dreams...in another century? (Speculative Fiction/Historical from OakTara Publishers)

Happy reading!

Creston Mapes and Free Books!

Jack Crittendon is expecting a mindless night on the job at Festival Arena, but when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack is thrust into a life-or-death battle to save himself—and the lives of thousands of innocent people.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A Romance Rekindled, by Kimberly Rose Johnson, is:

wpd_2@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Creston Mapes, author of Sky Zone (David C Cook, July 2014).

Creston Mapes is the author of the inspirational thrillers Sky Zone, Poison Town, Fear Has a Name, Nobody, Dark Star, and Full Tilt. He has written for some of the world’s most recognized corporations, colleges and ministries, and has ghost-written seven non-fiction titles. His early years as a reporter inspire many of his novels.

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and began his writing career 30 years ago. He has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, Patty, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”

Since the fourth grade? That's absolutely charming!

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I enjoy painting and am best at people/charactures.

-- I have a part-time job at a large entertainment venue in Atlanta where I serve as an usher for major concerts, shows, and sporting events.

-- My wife Patty and I were in the same 4th and 6th grade classes in elementary school.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Sky Zone.

Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work while eight months pregnant, to make ends meet. So there is a ton of pressure on the home-front, to which many of us can relate.

With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for a controversial presidential candidate where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save themselves—and those of thousands of innocent people.

What is it about Jack that will make your readers care about him?

Jack is a loyal husband and father, and all he is trying to do is provide for his family by working this part-time job at Festival Arena. His wife Pam is 8-9 months pregnant, has had to go back to work--and shows up at the Arena at the worst time possible, when all of the intel from Homeland is coming to a head.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Perhaps Ryan Gosling as Jack Crittendon,




and Gwyneth Paltrow as his wife Pamela.




What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Currently reading Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. It is going pretty well and so far I would recommend it.

What are you working on now?

Right this minute I am in the middle of a bunch of deadlines with my freelance copywriting, which I do for corporations and colleges. My next book is about a man who has lost his wife, and his faith, because of a mass shooting incident in Portland.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.CrestonMapes.com
Twitter
Facebook


The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is it about reading fiction that you enjoy so much?

I'm looking forward to hearing those responses! Personally, I love to dive into the psyche of another person (or multiple people) and go where they go, both physically and emotionally. 

Thanks, Creston, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Creston has offered to give a signed copy of his book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, July 3. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Creston's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Winnie Griggs, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Winnie Griggs and Free Books!

A hopeful heiress and an unsociable schoolteacher literally bump into each other in the middle of a backwoods forest and the next two days change the course of both their lives.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Saving Amelie, by Cathy Gohlke, is:

sharyhauber@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Winnie Griggs, author of Lone Star Heiress (Love Inspired Historical, June 2014).

Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.

On a fun note - having been born on a Friday the 13th, Winnie has always considered 13 her lucky number. This belief was recently reinforced when her 13th book, Handpicked Husband, won a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in - what else - 2013.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I love to visit flea markets and estate sales.

-- I am the mother of a set of identical twins.

-- I once had a pet squirrel.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Lone Star Heiress.

Ivy Feagan's trip to Turnabout Texas seems plagued by mishaps. First her mule turns up lame and then she falls and injures herself. She finds herself with no choice but to trust the imposingly large man who comes to her rescue.

Mitch Parker, who sees his longed-for solitary vacation slipping away, takes her to the only shelter within 15 miles, an isolated backwoods cabin. Mitch is a widower and schoolteacher who has very good reason to keep his emotions in check. But the chatty, unconventional, eternally optimistic Ivy is quickly getting under his skin. When he learns she’s heading to Turnabout to claim a desperately needed inheritance, he can’t help but offer to assist her.

When word gets out about their two day sojourn at the isolated cabin, however, Mitch gallantly offers to do the right thing. But Ivy, whose reputation has already taken an undeserved hit once, is determined to only marry for love.

Can Mitch get past the guilt he’s carrying over his first wife’s death to open his heart to new love?

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

With Ivy - it’s her deep faith and eternal optimism despite the trials she’s had to face.

With Mitch - it’s his willingness to help those in need, regardless of the impact it has on him.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

When I was writing this story for the role of Ivy Feagan, I pictured Karen Allen as she was in the first Indiana Jones movie.





And for Mitch Parker, I pictured a young Kevin Sorbo.



Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they? 

I’ve written three novels with Christmas themes: The Christmas Journey (Oct 2009), A Family For Christmas (Oct 2013) and Her Holiday Family (Nov 2014) I’ve also written one novella with a Thanksgiving theme - Home For Thanksgiving (Oct 2011).

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I’m waaaayyy behind on my reading. The last dozen or so titles I’ve read have been as a contest judge. Before that, I guess it would be Renee Ryan’s The Outlaw's Redemption . It’s a book rich with emotion and finely drawn characters. The way hero Hunter Mitchell, the reformed outlaw of the title, reacts to the knowledge that he has a heretofore unknown nine year old daughter being raised in an orphanage is both heart warming and heart-melting.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the sixth book that will be set in the fictional town of Turnabout, Texas. This one will feature Verity Leggett, the town doctor’s niece who is afraid to reach out and take chances. The hero is Elliott Cooper, a man who is new to town and who has a dark past dogging him. These two are going to experience a lot of ups and downs before reaching their HEA.

Where else can readers find you online?

I love to connect with readers! My website is www.winniegriggs.com. You can also find me on (Facebook). Email me at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

I usually create a Pinterest board to capture images for main and important secondary characters as well as places and objects that will play a role in my book. You can see the board I used as inspiration for Lone Star Heiress at Pinterest



The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

When I wrote the first book in my Texas Grooms series I had envisioned it as a four book series. I am now working on book six and I have plans to write at least four more set in that same story world. So my question is, how do you feel about ongoing series? Is there a point where you get tired of them? And what do you think makes a series succeed or fail? (Ok, that’s technically 3 questions, so don’t feel like you need to answer them all - just weigh in on what aspect of connected books you like and don’t like).

How fun that the series has extended so far!

Thanks, Winnie, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Winnie has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, June 30. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Winnie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Cathy Gohlke and Free Books!

Rachel Kramer, daughter of an eminent Long Island eugenics scientist, confronts her own pride and sense of superiority to rescue a deaf child from elimination at the hands of the Nazis.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Of the Persecuted, by Angie Brashear, is:

jrs362@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Cathy Gohlke, author of Saving Amelie (Tyndale House Publishers, June 2014).

Cathy Gohlke is the best selling, two-time Christy Award winning author of Saving Amelie, Band of Sisters, Promise Me This, I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, and William Henry is a Fine Name. She’s won the Carol Award and twice earned Library Journal’s highest distinction.

She and her husband have lived thirty-two years in Elkton, MD, but are finding the draw of their new granddaughter in Northern Virginia irresistible. They’ve been frequenting the railroad and interstates, but hope to find a longer term home in Virginia by fall.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

--I’m thrilled to be a grandma for the first time!

--I’ve just returned from a wonderfully exciting research trip to England with friend and sister-author Carrie Turanksy, and from the Highlands of Scotland with a tour guided by Liz Curtis Higgs—both absolutely fascinating!

--I love Irish music and songs from WWI and WWII.

I enjoyed the Facebook posts about your trip to England and Scotland, Cathy! I'm looking forward to whatever new novels come from your research efforts.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Saving Amelie.

Summer, 1939 . . .

Rachel Kramer is visiting Germany when a cryptic letter from her estranged friend, begging Rachel for help, upends her world. Married to SS officer Gerhardt Schlick, Kristine sees the dark tides turning and fears her husband views their daughter—deaf since birth—as a blight on his Aryan bloodline. Once courted by Schlick, Rachel knows he’s as dangerous as the swastikas that hang like ebony spiders across Berlin. She fears her father, an eminent eugenics scientist, may know about Hitler’s plans for others, like Amelie, whom the regime deems unworthy of life.

But when she risks searching his classified documents, she also uncovers shocking secrets about her own history and a family she’s never known.

Hunted by the SS, Rachel turns to Jason Young, a driven American journalist whose connections to the resistance help Rachel and Amelie escape the city. Forced to hide in the Bavarian village of the Passion Play, Rachel’s every ideal is challenged as she and Jason risk their lives—and ask others to do the same—for those they barely know but come to love.

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about her?

Striking Rachel Kramer craves the love of family while determined to escape the overbearing scrutiny of her adoptive father. She struggles with her own sense of pride and superiority but is desperate to save little Amelie, deaf since birth. Like most of us, she’s a compelling mixture of kindness and prickles, strength and weakness.

Jason Young, handsome, disarming and driven American journalist, is a crusader on a mission, but with a soft heart for Amelie and an appreciative eye for the beautiful Rachel Kramer.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Katherine Heigl would make the perfect Rachel Kramer.





James Marsden might capture the role of Jason Young.





Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they? Or if you were asked to write such a novel, what season would you choose, and why?

I’ve always wanted to write a Christmas novel. So far, in every novel I’ve included a Christmas scene. I love the wonder and holiness, the absolute magic of Christmas. It’s a time of reverence and awe for the birth of our Lord, a time of cheer and goodwill among neighbors, and holds that “anything can happen” delight that we pull from childhood. Those are wonderful elements for a story.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I recently read Melanie Dobson’s new novel, Chateau of Secrets , for endorsement. Just my cup of tea, this book felt like a distant relative of the one I’m writing! Chateau of Secrets is the story of a courageous young Frenchwoman and her brother who risk their lives helping to hide French resistance fighters during WWII. Her granddaughter visits the family chateau seventy years later and discovers secrets kept all those years by family and locals.

What are you working on now?

I’m excited to be working on my first time-split novel: Upon the death of her mother, a young North Carolina teacher discovers family in Germany—including a Nazi grandfather grown wealthy through war crimes. In her attempt to unravel the past and gain information about the mother she never understood, Hannah works closely with a young German regretful of his own family’s war deeds—or lack of good deeds. Together, they find themselves struggling through a murky past while seeking to redeem her grandfather’s wrongs. Told alternately from the daughter’s (Hannah’s) viewpoint in the 1970s and her mother’s viewpoint as a young woman in the 1940s, Into the Valley of Secrets (working title) is a daring quest for answers and redemption.

Exciting premise as always.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.cathygohlke.com and on Facebook @ CathyGohlkeBooks

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

If you could be a hero/heroine in a novel, who would you be, in what novel, and why?

Thanks, Cathy, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Cathy has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, June 23. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Cathy's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Kimberly Rose Johnson and Free Books!

When Susan Hill’s first love returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when she meets the child she assumes is his daughter.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A Place in His Heart, by Rebecca DeMarino, is:

lstmyers@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing addresses, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents, June 2014).

Kimberly lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 23 years and their two teen age sons. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and loves reading and writing contemporary romance.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I took ballet lessons until my junior year in high school.

-- My favorite berry is raspberries.

-- As a teenager I was invited to sing the national anthem at a large local event, but I was too scared and declined.

Ah, those missed opportunities. I suppose we all have those in our lives! I try to embrace the belief that it wasn't in God's plan for me. Keeps me from regretting my hesitations.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Romance Rekindled.

Susan Hill isn’t ready to forgive.

The small-town CPA can't forget how Blake Mitchell jilted her and left their hometown without an explanation. But when her first love returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when Susan meets the child she assumes is his daughter.

Since his parents' deaths six years ago, Blake's been raising his little sister on his own. But he's never forgotten the woman he left behind. Now, he can't undo the past, but maybe he can change the future…if he can convince Susan to give him one more chance.

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

Both Susan and Blake have hurts that they need to overcome, which I think we can all relate to. And they are devoted to the people they love.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I imagine Meghan looking like a young Tina Fey,




but if I had to cast her role I’d cast Anna Kendrick.



For Blake I’d consider David Walton, but he’s a bit too old,




or maybe Zac Effron.




Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they? Or if you were asked to write such a novel, what season would you choose, and why?

A Romance Rekindled is set in the summer months. The first book in the series A Christmas Promise is set at Christmas time. ☺ Each book stands alone, but have connecting characters and setting.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

One Choice by Ginger Solomon. I enjoyed it because it was different from anything I’d ever read and I loved the setting.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing a Valentine’s Day book set to release in March. Readers who subscribe to Heartsong Presents book will receive it in February.

Where else can readers find you online?

Links from my website will take you to my social networking sites. kimberlyrjohnson.com

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

In A Romance Rekindled, Susan struggles with trust. Does trusting come easy for you?

Thanks, Kimberly, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Kimberly has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, June 23. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Kimberly's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Angie Brashear, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Angie Brashear and Free Books!

Laila Pennedy awaits death by hanging. And she deserves to die.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Blind Trust, by Sandra Orchard, is:

mo1202007@ . . .

and the winner of the signed copy of Daisies are Forever, by Liz Tolsma, is:

krieg.tracey@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing addresses, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Angie Brashear, author of Of the Persecuted (4:13 Publishing, May 2014).

When Angie Brashear isn’t working or taking care of her family, she writes. Usually at night after her kids fall asleep. She’s a fan of speculative fiction and an avid runner, both of which perplex her nonfiction-reading, football-loving husband.

Saved in her early twenties, Angie is grateful for the Lord’s presence in all aspects of her life. She is originally from Rockland, Maine and currently resides in Cameron, Texas with her husband and three children.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

--I ran the Boston Marathon in 2000.

--My second son was born on December 25, 2003. He’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.

--When the proof for my debut novel arrived via UPS, I wouldn’t let the UPS representative leave my porch until we examined the cover together. He said, “Oh, look at that. Your name is on the front cover.” I’m still smiling.

What a sweet story, Angie. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Of the Persecuted.

Laila Pennedy awaits death by hanging. For the Rendow Clan rules the Woodlands Region, aiming to slaughter the Faithful. And she deserves to die. But Lars Landre, the man destined to lead the Faithful out of persecution, has other plans hidden behind his rare and mysterious blue eyes. Rescue.

Following the daring escape, Laila seeks the path of a warrior and vows revenge against the Rendow Clan. She embarks on a dangerous journey with Lars, one in which they endeavor to reach the promised safety of a magical village, to train for battle, and to ultimately assure freedom for those with faith in the Maker.

Clashes of weapons and souls. Brutal loss of lives. Unrequited love. How in all the Woodlands will Laila survive?

What is it about Laila that will make your readers care about her?

Laila Pennedy is vulnerable. She’s an insecure girl who believes she is no more than a burden to the people she loves. But in the midst of physical and spiritual war, and through the loss of loved ones, as well as the turmoil of unrequited love, she discovers her true worth lies in her faith. I believe all Christians have experienced moments of vulnerability in which we’re ultimately reminded that only the Lord delivers true security.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Wow. Very tough question. I have such clear images of my lead male and female protagonists, that it makes it difficult for any actors and actresses to compare. But, Steven R. McQueen as Lars Landre



and Ashley Benson as Laila Pennedy come quite close. Though they are both a little older than Lars and Laila, Steven’s and Ashley’s appearances reflect the overall look I imagine for my leads.


Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they? Or if you were asked to write such a novel, what season would you choose, and why?

I have not written a seasonally-set novel, though the backdrop for Of the Persecuted is summer. If I did write a seasonally-set novel, I’d choose autumn. I’m originally from Rockland, Maine and there is very little scenic beauty that compares to the fall foliage in New England, in my opinion.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I recently read Mortis by Hannah Cobb. Hannah’s debut novel surrounds Jane, a young assassin, who must choose between a life of darkness and betraying all she’s ever known. I recommend Mortis for the same reason I wrote Of the Persecuted – the main character’s journey has the potential to reach nonbelievers.

What are you working on now?

In the midst of activities surrounding the release of Of the Persecuted, I’m also working on the sequel, Legends of the Woodlands: Book Two, which is currently untitled. While Book One focuses on persecution, Book Two will focus on forgiveness. I’m only about one-third of the way finished, so I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Where else can readers find you online?

angiebrashear.com
Twitter
My Facebook page is the best way to stay tuned for updates regarding the release of my debut novel.

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:





Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

In Of the Persecuted, my characters face physical persecution for their beliefs. But people of faith also face persecution in subtle ways. In what ways have you witnessed such persecution? As Christians, how can our responses glorify God?

Thanks, Angie, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Angie has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, June 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Angie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Hannah Alexander and Rebecca DeMarino, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Rebecca DeMarino and Free Books!

Widower Barnabas Horton, a Purtitan baker and Mary Langton, an Anglican maiden, marry and sail to Long Island in the mid-1600s to establish a life--and a legacy--in the New World.

Today we're meeting novelist Rebecca DeMarino, author of A Place in His Heart (Revell, June 2014).

Rebecca DeMarino lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys hiking, baking, travel, genealogy, and gardening. Her debut novel, A Place in His Heart, is a historical romance inspired by her ninth great-grandparents and is book one of The Southold Chronicles.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I love to sing every song I’ve ever known to my husband on long drives to keep him awake – which it does because he can’t stop laughing.

-- I love walking on the beach at dawn.

-- I bake my gramma’s yummy apple pie, but I learned the secret to really tender crusts from my mom.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Place in His Heart.

Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner.

Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother. With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed.

But when Barnabas’s secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary’s world is upended. How could she possibly leave her Papa and her dear sister? And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband’s broken heart?

What is it about Mary and Barnabas that will make your readers care about them?

Readers will love Mary right away because of her passion and how she loves with her whole heart.

Barnabas, my hero, tries one’s patience. But I think readers will identify with lashing out and saying things we regret out of pain. And the loveable thing about Barnabas is he tries very hard to recognize when he’s been harsh and apologizes.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Oh so easy. Henry Cavill would play Barnabas (I also have a nephew who looks incredibly like Barnabas)



and Amy Adams would play Mary. Honest. Even before I saw them together in Superman.



And it would be nice to see them in a more historical setting together, too.

Many readers enjoy seasonally set novels. They read beach novels in the summer and Christmas novels in December. If you’ve written such seasonally-set novels, what are they? Or if you were asked to write such a novel, what season would you choose, and why?

I would choose autumn. And although my novel was set over a period of ten years, I found myself writing fall scenes as often as I could. I love the fall for the beautiful colors, the crispness in the air, the feel of a favorite sweater, and snuggling up next to the fireplace with a good book.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I’ve read a lot of really good novels recently, but the latest one that I would recommend would be Karen Barnett’s Out of the Ruins . I found the setting intriguing – turn of the century San Francisco – and I love how Karen has rich historical detail into which she weaves a beautiful love story!

What are you working on now?

I’m getting ready to turn in book #2 for The Southold Chronicles. It takes the Hortons up a generation: Joseph and Benjamin are all grown up. Then I’ll take a couple of months off for some travel and research. Then I’ll be starting book #3 of the series.

Where else can readers find you online?

I can be found at www.rebeccademarino.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and www.google.com/+RebeccaDeMarino


The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is it about a novel that will make it linger in your mind, in your heart?

Thanks, Rebecca, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Rebecca has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, June 12. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Rebecca's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Liz Tolsma and Sandra Orchard, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.