Brenda S. Anderson's Blog, page 47

And the Winner of UNRAVELED is …

*** CLARA ***

Congratulations, Clara! We’ll get your copy of UNRAVELED by Heidi McCahan right out to you!

Book Launch Celebration!

Yes, I’ve celebrated online, but this time I’m hosting an actual party, not a virtual one, and you’re all invited!

If you’re near the Twin Cities tonight, I’d love it if you’d drop in. There will be music and refreshments and book readings and giveaways! Should be a fun evening.

Interested? Great! Here are the specifics:

See you tonight!

 

 

Chatting with Heidi McCahan

I’m very excited to welcome fellow Winslet Press author, Heidi McCahan, to my blog today! Heidi has also offered to give away a copy of her debut release UNRAVELED. See specifics below on how to enter.

Please welcome her!

Hi Heidi! Thank you for stopping by today. Can you tell my readers a little about yourself?

I’m a wife to one fabulous husband and a mother of three wonderful young boys. I’m also a Pacific Northwest girl transplanted in the South and when I’m not taking care of my family, I love a great cup of coffee and a good book.

Congratulations on your debut release! How exciting! Could you tell us about your journey to publication?

My kids are going to roll their eyes if they ever read this, but we didn’t have any electronic entertainment when I was a preschooler. I don’t think I watched TV until third grade. I was fascinated by books and had a very active imagination. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making up stories in my head. I had lots of unfinished stories written down and shoved under my bed. But sports and an interest in health care captured my attention in college and I had a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. It wasn’t until three years ago when an idea that I’d saved on my computer’s hard drive really started coming to life. While I certainly can’t claim that I heard an audible voice from God, I did feel like it was time to use the gifts He had given me instead of letting my own fear and doubt hold me back. So I wrote a lousy rough draft, entered a few contests and hired a freelance editor to help me polish the story. Unraveled found a publishing home with Winslet Press last Christmas and was released April 29th.

What inspired UNRAVELED?

I grew up in a family business in Alaska and during the summer tourism season, we met a lot of very interesting people. I thought it would be interesting to write a story about a girl who thought she wanted to escape all of that. While Unraveled is fiction, it is inspired by the people and the breathtaking scenery of the place I will always call home. However, early in the novel, a character calls the heroine by the wrong name and the whole story went in a completely different direction.

That’s what I love about writing stories! They tend to take us on journeys we don’t anticipate. What are you working on right now?

In the midst of re-writing Unraveled, I came across a prompt for a story set in Tokyo, involving a bat, a bell, and an angel. That inspired my current WIP, a sweet romance about a beautiful female sportscaster pursuing an interview with a reclusive American baseball player who is attempting to re-start his career in Japan. It’s been an absolute blast to write and I kind of hate to see it end. But I also think it’s a great story and I’d like to share it with my readers.

Sounds fascinating to me! Which authors do you enjoy reading? Have any influenced your writing?

Someone gave me a copy of Catherine Marshall’s Christy when I was a teenager. I remember finishing it and dreaming of writing a novel like that one day. I’m not at all suggesting that I can compare my writing to the brilliant Catherine Marshall, but that whole story inspired me to keep putting ideas on paper. I like Denise Hunter and Lisa Wingate’s novels very much, as well as Nicholas Sparks and Jan Karon. Their ability to take us deep into the lives of their characters is so enjoyable.

What’s on your reading list right now?

Too many great books. Ha! I’m a voracious reader. The Fault In Our Stars (John Green), Lost Lake (Sarah Addison Allen), Bloom (Marilyn Grey), Chain of Mercy (Brenda S. Anderson), Meant To Be Mine (Becky Wade).

Sounds like a great list. I just finished Becky Wade’s Meant to Be Mine. So far, it’s my favorite novel from 2014. And my daughter recently picked up an autographed copy of The Fault in Our Stars from a Tardis Free Little Library. When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

In addition to reading and watching sports, I like to scrapbook. Although I don’t have much time for it these days. There’s something about archiving our family memories that appeals to the storyteller in me.

We share a love of baseball. Which team do you follow? Do you have a favorite player?

I will always be a Seattle Mariners fan. Jamie Moyer was my favorite player for a long time. But he’s retired now so I guess I’ll have to declare a new one. I enjoy watching Max Scherzer pitch, but I can’t honestly say that I watch a lot of Detroit Tigers games.

And the most important question: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or no chocolate?

I’ve never met a piece of chocolate I didn’t like, but if I was forced to choose, I’d go with dark chocolate.

~~~

About Heidi~

A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her childhood in Alaska. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three boys. Heidi is a big fan of coffee, dark chocolate and heartwarming romance.

About UNRAVELED~

Blind-sided by her questionable fiance, Lauren Carter returns to the one place she’s been avoiding, the place she used to call home. As she’s forced to look into the eyes of her past and even worse, her unraveling future she discovers that running only leaves you out of breath on a dead end street. Will she choose to unveil the secrets that haunt her? Or will she bury them once and for all and embrace a new life so different from the one she once held dear?

Blake Tully, wildly successful and breathtakingly winsome owner of a new rafting business, finds Lauren’s unexpected reappearance confusing. As he torments himself with what if’s and what should’ve been’s, he can’t mistake the feeling that crawls down his spine every time he looks at her. Although she broke his heart once, he longs to give his childhood sweetheart another chance, but can he convince her to stop running away when life gets tough? And can he forgive her when he discovers the reason she’s been hiding?

Follow the story of these two shattered hearts as they discover the beauty of grace and forgiveness.

Get in touch with Heidi~

Website: http://heidimccahan.com/
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/heidimccahan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMcCahan

Where to purchase UNRAVELED

Amazon click <here>
Barnes and Noble click <here>

*** Book Giveaway ***

Heidi has graciously offered to give away (1) copy of her debut release UNRAVELED (US ship only).

To enter, in the comments section, please let us know if you enjoy baseball and, if you do, what is your favorite team?

This contest ends Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 11:59 pm CST. I will post the winner on Monday, May 19, 2014. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Waxing Poetic

Happy Friday, everyone!

I’m over at Inkspirational Messages today, waxing poetic about the books on my to-read list.

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/spine-poetry/

And, it’s the last day for my book birthday celebration, so hurry on over to Inkspirational Messages to enter!

 

Mother’s Day Book Shopping List

Did you realize that Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday? Raise your hand if you haven’t purchased something for you mom yet. Yeah, I thought so. Then this blog post is for you. Your shopping list is below. All you have to do is click on the book covers and then make your purchase! Easy peasy.

Now, for my recommendations:

For that supermom in your life, I highly recommend Sharon Hinck’s Becky Miller series. This (2) book series even has fun new repackaging!

THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER

Sharon Hinck

(Hinck Ink 2014)

Faster than a speeding minivan, able to leap piles of laundry in a single bound, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s . . . Supermom!

Becky Miller is a young mom who wants to do Big Things for God. Her vivid daydreams help her cope with the pressure to do it all. But how does a supermom react when her grand plans start to fall apart?

RENOVATING BECKY MILLER

Sharon Hinck

(Hinck Ink 2014)

When Becky and her family purchase a rundown farmhouse, she pictures a slower, simpler lifestyle in the pastoral countryside. Of course, it doesn’t quite work out like she imagined . . .

For the mom who’s a whiz in the kitchen, she would love Lorna Seilstad’s latest release!

WHILE LOVE STIRS

Lorna Seilstad

(Revell 2014)

As a graduate of Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution–the gas stove. And she certainly doesn’t mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

Lewis encourages Charlotte’s work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made–especially by this outspoken young woman.

For the mom who loves a good romance, try these latest releases from Inkspirational Messages friends:

RODEO SONG

Shannon Taylor Vannatter

(Heartsong Presents)

When silken-voiced Garrett Steele set out for stardom, he left Jenna-and his cowboy past-far behind. A chance encounter at one of his concerts propels him back into Jenna’s life. But, once burned by love, Jenna must guard her heart against the captivating singer.

Once upon a time, Garrett vowed he’d be a success, no matter what. But that path shattered his soul. His reunion with Jenna makes him long for things he once took for granted. Now he must show her that he’s found what he was looking for all along.right here in his hometown.

THE WIDOW’S SUITOR

Rose Ross Zediker

(Heartsong Presents 2014)

The young widow is just trying to make a life on the prairie for herself and her newborn son. When handsome newcomer Luke Dow shows up at her cabin door, she soon relies on the man’s help with her homestead.and dares to dream of the future.

Luke came to the small South Dakota town to build a hotel and make his fortune. But he never expected to care for anyone, let alone the beautiful Cora and her baby boy. When Cora’s land claim is challenged by a neighbor, Luke will do all he can to protect her and her home-and claim her heart.

For the mom who loves dancing, she’ll thoroughly enjoy Julie Klassen’s latest!

THE DANCING MASTER

Julie Klassen

(Bethany House 2013)

Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire—but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village—and heal long-kept-secret scars?

And finally, for the mom who’s looking for a grittier read, I naturally recommend my book, Chain of Mercy!

CHAIN OF MERCY

Brenda S. Anderson

(Winslet Press 2014)

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women. Until one disastrous evening, when his world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer suits in his closet.

(Full disclosure: all the recommendations above are written by friends, so I’m giving them shameless shout-outs, as friends should do! )

Novel Anticipation, May 2014

ALL MY BELONGINGS by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press) – Cynthia has fast become one of my favorite authors. She’s not only gifted as a page-turning storyteller, but her prose sings beautiful music!

Jayne Dennagee has spent her life running from the “doctor death” legacy of her father. His Kervorkian-copycat methods of euthanasia ruined her childhood, covering it in shame. She won’t let him steal her future, too. After changing her name to Becka, she assumes a new life and new job caring for the ailing mother of a handsome, young businessman, Isaac Hughes. Becka struggles to sort out her feelings for her new boss just as her patient passes away under unusual circumstances.

Suddenly, her past catches up with her and the unnerving details of her heritage make Becka look like a murder suspect. Worse, all sense of home and all hope for love vanish. Even if she could clear her name, a phone call from prison wraps a suffocating shroud around her heart. Her father is out–and he needs her help. Can Becka open her life to the man who has prematurely taken so many? Or will her father’s legacy make it impossible to open her heart at all?

WISH by Jake Smith (Tyndale House) – The cover alone captivates me, and the story sounds like a tearjerker! I’m looking forward to reading this debut novel.

James McConnell’s one wish is that his nine-year-old son will finally be healthy enough to play a game of catch. Then he and his wife, Emily, receive news they’ve dreaded: Aaron’s cancer has relapsed.

As the family steels themselves for a draining treatment regimen in yet another hospital, Aaron receives the gift of a lifetime—a personal visit from one of his favorite professional baseball players—and the chance to make a bold request, his wish: to see his dad play in one major league game.

A former college standout, James fears he doesn’t have the talent it takes, even for one game, and that he’ll miss what could be Aaron’s precious last weeks. Yet how can he refuse his dying son’s wish?

Poignant and triumphant, Wish is the story of a father’s love, a family’s perseverance, and the miracles that can happen when you believe in the impossible.

UNRAVELED by Heidi McCahan (Winslet Press) – Another debut novelist to take note of, and a fellow Winslet Press author. I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my copy!

Blind-sided by her questionable fiance, Lauren Carter returns to the one place she’s been avoiding, the place she used to call home. As she’s forced to look into the eyes of her past and even worse, her unraveling future she discovers that running only leaves you out of breath on a dead end street. Will she choose to unveil the secrets that haunt her? Or will she bury them once and for all and embrace a new life so different from the one she once held dear?

Blake Tully, wildly successful and breathtakingly winsome owner of a new rafting business, finds Lauren’s unexpected reappearance confusing. As he torments himself with what if’s and what should’ve been’s, he can’t mistake the feeling that crawls down his spine every time he looks at her. Although she broke his heart once, he longs to give his childhood sweetheart another chance, but can he convince her to stop running away when life gets tough? And can he forgive her when he discovers the reason she’s been hiding?

Update Monday!

Good morning!

It’s been a crazy-busy past two weeks, what with attending my daughter’s senior recital (she was fabulous!), then her final college choir concert (very evocative), and then her college graduation (sniff) on Saturday–it seems she just went off to college a year ago! Insert in the middle of that, celebrating the birth of Chain of Mercy. But no complaints–those are all wonderful busy events!

I’m also celebrating this morning as I’ve just received my 10th review on Amazon! It’s so exciting knowing that people are enjoying Chain of Mercy!

Adding to that busyness, I’ve been traveling around the blogosphere this past week, so if you have a moment, I’d love it if you’d stop by these sites:

ACFW Blog – The Upside of Rejection. (http://www.acfw.com/blog/the-upside-of-rejection/) I write about finding the positives in rejection. Yes, they are there, you just have to look sometimes.

Barn Door Book Loft – the lovely ladies at the Barn Door threw some fun questions my way in an interview (http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/2014/05/the-barn-door-welcomes-brenda-s-anderson.html)

and they spotlighted Chain of Mercy (http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/2014/05/chain-of-mercy-by-brenda-s-anderson.html)!

I’ll see you here tomorrow with my May Novel Anticipation list. There are a bunch of good ones! On Thursday, I  have some Mother’s Day book recommendations, then on Friday, I’m blogging at Inkspirational Messages sharing spine poetry.

And, don’t forget, the giveaway at Inkspirational Messages goes through this week, so you’ve still got time to win a book * chocolate * music prize!

 

 

May Book Preview – WHILE LOVE STIRS by Lorna Seilstad

I’m so excited! My friend and critique partner, Lorna Seilstad, has another book out: While Love Stirs, the second novel in her Gregory Sisters series. And this one is extra-special fun because it’s based in Minnesota in the early 20th century. Lorna took me to places I hadn’t ever heard of and then she brought me down familiar streets that have barely aged. And, of course, Lorna continues with her trade-mark, laugh-out-loud humor.

So, if you’re looking for a great spring read (since spring isn’t wanting to arrive!), pick up While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad!

About While Love Stirs:

Take one lovely young woman.

Add two ambitious young men.

Stir . . . and stand back.

As a graduate of Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution–the gas stove. And she certainly doesn’t mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

Lewis encourages Charlotte’s work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made–especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, with this combustible pair explode?

Follow the second Gregory sister as she looks for true love and makes her way in a rapidly changing world in this breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep you guessing.

About Lorna:

Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she stopped teaching and became a professional wiper. “I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote.” Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor.

Where to reach Lorna:

Website: http://lornaseilstad.com/
Blog:

Every Good Gift: <here>
Inkspirational Messages: <here>


Facebook: Lorna Seilstad’s Fan Page <here>
Twitter: @LornaSeilstad
Pinterest: <here>

Where to purchase While Love Stirs:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books A Million
Christianbook.com

Talking with Debut Author, Miranda A. Uyeh

I’m very excited to welcome debut author, Miranda A. Uyeh, to my blog today! she’s stopped to chat about her novel and a few other fun things. Please welcome, Miranda!

Hi Miranda! Thanks for visiting today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Gladly! Aside from being a writer, I’m a blogger, a judge for the INSPY Book Awards, a book/entertainment reviewer of Christian works, a professional blurb constructor, and an assistant lecturer at a college.

Wow. You have a lot on your plate, including your debut release! How exciting! Could you tell us about your journey to publication?

Indeed, it is so exciting!  My journey to publication is quite a long one. But to cut it short, I knew I was going to be a writer by the time I was thirteen after I’d read a book by Norma Jean Lutz. I forgot about the book after a while and delved into mainstream. But God was faithful in reminding me of who I am, and what I was called to do. I grew in my faith, and my desire to serve God burned brighter every day. I wrote all about it in a post, Why I Believe In Christian Fiction.

An excellent post, Miranda!

I’m curious, what inspired your debut novel TO DIE ONCE? (Beautiful cover, by the way)

Nothing in particular. Being an avid reader and viewer of movies, I guess they came together to form a story in my head, one that God blessed with a wonderful theme of grace.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on book #2 of the Child of Grace Series, To Lie Once, the sequel to book #1, To Die Once.

I like the theme you having going there!

Which authors do you enjoy reading? Have any influenced your writing?

My favorites include Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, MaryLu Tyndall, and Julie Lessman. And yes, they’ve all influenced my writing.

Those are some excellent authors! What’s on your reading list right now?

I have a couple of books on my desk which include To Be Called A Friend by Patricia Stuart, Until that Distant Day by Joanne Stengl.

When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

I really like to kick back and relax, read a book that I’m not obliged to post a review of, watch a good movie … basically, do those little things that make me happy and relaxed.

Sounds exactly like what I enjoy doing. You say you enjoy a good movie? What are some of your favorites?

Yes, I do! There are quite a few. But one I’d love to mention is Fireproof.

Loved that movie and others by the Kendricks!

Now, the most important question: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or no chocolate?

I agree with you—it’s quite an important question! Dark chocolate, please!

Thank you so much for hosting me today!

You’re very welcome, Miranda! Thank you for stopping by!

About Miranda~

Miranda A. Uyeh is an assistant lecturer at a local college in Makurdi City, Nigeria, where she teaches two geology courses. Her love for books goes as far back as when her father placed Disney’s Rapunzel in her hands—her very first storybook! By the time she was thirteen she knew she was going to be a writer. You can find Miranda on her blog where she shares her love for books, entertainment and Christian spirituality with her readers. Miranda holds a B.Tech (Hons) in Applied Geology from ATBU, Nigeria. To Die Once is her debut novel, #1 of the Child of Grace book series.

About TO DIE ONCE~

Two men, one woman, a rosebush … … a terrible past, an uncertain future

     Jennifer, a woman unexpectedly trapped in a path of love and passion against everything she believes. Rodrigo, a man set to get what he wants at the cost of what matters most. Stefano, a man with a past, a story to tell and passion to offer. Chidi, a friend in need, a friend indeed. Or not?

     From a culture where good girls follow the norm and live as they’ve been told, Jennifer is no different from any other girl until by happenstance, she meets and falls in love with Rodrigo, a man who’s handsome, rich and foreign. Different. She has no idea who he is or what he does, and is swept into a world of romance and passion. It is not long before she discovers a shocking truth that shakes both her world and his.

     Then he is gone.

     Stefano shows up at a time when Jennifer has made up her mind about the rules of life. He thinks she’s beautiful and is in love with her. In a bid to convince her to give him a chance in her life, old memories once buried are brought to life. And the events that follow don’t leave anyone unaffected by the truth of the past that was left unsettled.

     Meanwhile, Jennifer with her friend Chidi, find themselves on a self-discovery journey that has one of them raising questions.

     Some just have to ask, where is God in all this?

Get in touch with Miranda~

Twitter
To Be A Person Blog
Facebook
Google+
Pinterest
Goodreads

More Celebrating! Another Giveaway!

I’m excited to be celebrating with my blog family these next two weeks!

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/celebrate-with-us/

Once again, we’re having music and chocolate and books, plus Fig Newtons (my heroine’s favorite treat).

And we’re having a giveaway with, of course, a book, chocolate, and music! This time, I’m giving away an autographed copy of Chain of Mercy, a small box of Fannie May chocolates (my favorite!) and Phillips, Craig, & Dean‘s Breathe In CD (which has Chain of Mercy playlist song, Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.)

So, stop on by Inkspirational Messages to tell us what your favorite cookie is. Mine is Mrs. Fields milk-chocolate chip. Yum!