Heather Fitzgerald, September Releases, and Free Books!

Keeping the Flaming Sword of Cherubythe out of the wrong hands may cost Sadie her life, a price she’s not certain she’s brave enough to pay.

Before we revisit with today's featured author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of When Death Draws Near, by Carrie Stuart Parks, is:

psalm103and138@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail-mail address, and we'll get your book right out to you.

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 Heather Fitzgerald, author of the YA Fantasy novel, The Flaming Sword (Mountain Brook Ink, November 2016).

Heather FitzGerald lives in Texas with four someones that call her mom and one special someone that calls her his wife. She homeschooled her now grown children--one of whom is autistic--and teaches ballet and creative writing at a fine arts school in Forth Worth.

Heather is a member of the North Texas Christian Writers, ACFW, and helps to facilitate the Manet writer’s group in Fort Worth, Texas. She loves drinking ice lattes, cloud watching, and getting lost in a good book.

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

—In the 9th grade I won a limo ride, dinner, backstage passes, and 7th row tickets to see Elton John. As only a mildly interested fan, the enormity of the event was lost on me at the time. Too bad time travel isn’t a thing.

—There’s a disco ball in my den because, you know, it’s a disco ball! It’s groovy and sparkly and says fun just by hanging around.

—My favorite bible verse in regards to creative endeavors is Proverbs 8:12, in the KJV it reads, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” When I read that at about 9 years of age I took it very seriously as something the Lord would do in my life. In some way, He would give me witty inventions…and I believe with my writing, among other things, He has.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Flaming Sword.

Sadie Larcen and her family are slowly recovering from their life-altering trek to the Tethered World. That is until their aunt arrives clutching a mysterious letter and sporting a black eye. The letter that Aunt Jules shares with the family writhes with sinister implications. A new and menacing enemy has slunk from the shadows and is conspiring to seize the most powerful piece of weaponry in the land: The Flaming Sword of Cherubythe. The sword must—at all costs—be kept from the enemies who lust for its power.

The threat extends to Sadie’s autistic brother Brock. As High King in training, he now resides in the Tethered World, within close proximity to the sword. It’s apparent that drastic measures will be required by all in order to protect what’s most important. Can Sadie once again confront her disabling fear, stare evil in the face, and walk away whole—let alone alive?

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

Sadie is not the average YA teen girl who is strong, independent, and ready to kick someone’s butt. She’s sarcastic and bookish and takes on the roll of heroine with reluctance. Book 1, The Tethered World, brought her into the adventure mentally kicking and screaming. Her trip back in The Flaming Sword is more readily accepted as she learns to embrace her unique purpose, though still with witty, and hesitant participation.

Also, I’ve added a second POV (a third one will be added in the next book, as well). Readers will see what’s going on through Sadie’s brother Brady’s eyes, providing an element that the guys will relate to quite well. Brady is courageous, loyal, and protective, eager to do what’s right, even when it’s dangerous.

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

Not a concept I give any thought to, although I know a lot of authors that do… I suppose Alexis Bledel as Rory-Gilmore-turned-Sadie-Larcen, if that were possible.




And Ansel Elgort (Fault in our Stars and Divergent) would be handy to have around for Brady and Brock (identical twins).





Tell us about a scene in your novel, and name a piece of music that would make good background music.

Hmm. This is tough because there are so many twists that I don’t want to give away. If you read the first book, then it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that Sadie and her Nephilim admirer, Xander, revisit an attraction to one another in The Flaming Sword.

Andrew Peterson has a song, "Dancing In The Minefields" that would encapsulate the odds against such an unconventional relationship working out. But I’m not going to say whether or not they take that chance!

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

John Grisham’s The Confession . Though I am not against the death penalty, it made me consider how important it is to have conclusive evidence before sentencing someone to death. Circumstantial evidence shouldn’t be enough to send someone to death row. Just today, here in Dallas, a man convicted of double murder in 1987 was freed because of flawed evidence. That’s just tragic.

What are you working on now?

My final book of The Tethered World Chronicles, The Genesis Tree. As always, I’m writing by the seat of my pants and praying my way through the chapters! Writing a book can be similar to reading one when the characters take on a life of their own and surprise their creator. It’s a fun and nail biting endeavor.

Where else can readers find you online?

You can connect with me on my website/blog, Facebook, Pinterest: (Belongs to my main character, Sadie), Character blog: (Sadie’s mom has a blog about legendary creatures.), Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads. There will be a super fun virtual launch party on Facebook with great prizes. We had about 200 partygoers with the release of The Tethered World and had a crazy good time! Join my Facebook group if you’d like to jump in :)

The book can be purchased online via the following button:














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

A friend admitted just last week that she always reads the last chapter of a book first, to see if she likes the ending before she invests in the characters by reading the book (I was shocked!). A related question came up in my creative writing class and I think it’s worth further exploration…Do you prefer stories that have a happy or satisfying ending? Is tragedy or an unresolved ending more appealing to you? More realistic? Does it make you angry if it ends on a cliffhanger?

Thanks, Heather, for telling us about your novel. Readers, Heather has offered to give a free e-copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, September 12. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Heather's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, 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, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE.

As you scroll to the bottom of today's post to answer Heather's question, take a look at some of the excellent fiction releasing in September!

Biblical:

Daughter of the Nile by Jill Eileen Smith -- Explore the exotic world of ancient Egypt and ponder the dilemma Siti faces when she leaves her homeland, her family, and the worship of her many gods, to live in Jerusalem where only Yahweh is worshiped. Can Siti leave her favorite goddess Bastet behind? Will she ever make sense of this land, it's strange worship of one God, and a husband who is as wise and ever-changing as the wind? (Biblical from Revell [Baker])

Contemporary Romance:

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander -- Dani Prescott plans revenge when Brett Somers blames her mother for the plane crash that killed his parents. But the crash killed her mother as well, so Dani can't believe the story Brett's trying to sell to the media. She vows to find a way to discredit his story, but when she catches his eye instead, she offers up a fake name and agrees to a date—only to spy on him. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something, but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker])

Feta and Freeways by Susan M. Baganz -- Nikolos Acton is the lead singer of a Christian Band, Specific Gravity, struggling to make it in the industry after an unplanned break, touring the country with their manager, Tia Bartel. Tia loved Niko for the longest time, but it's not until she steps in to save his life that he finally realizes what has been there all along. Is it too late for him? Could a relationship between them work after years of ignoring her? How would he ever convince her he's worthy of her trust? As they journey on the freeway of life and love, they encounter struggles as they are forced to rely on their faith, and friends, to make it through. (Contemporary Romance from Inspired [Prism Book Group])

Sarah's Orphans by Vannetta Chapman -- Sarah Yoder belongs to a Plain community in Oklahoma, but her days are far from simple. After Sarah's bipolar father dies, her long-abused mother packs a bag and leaves Sarah behind with five needy siblings. Though exhausted with new responsibility, Sarah is finally at peace. Then she nearly runs over a small Hispanic boy with her buggy...and somehow finds herself sheltering two more orphans. Paul Byler moved to Cody's Creek to help his brother in a time of need. But now that Joseph has recovered from his heart attack, Paul's ready for a quiet place of his own. The only problem? His new property lands him next door to the orphaned Yoder family—and a calling from God he can't seem to ignore. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)

Dance Over Me by Candee Fick -- Danielle Lefontaine, a fledgling actress raised to the lullaby of Broadway, searches for her long-lost brother and her place on the stage. But when a jealous cast member threatens to drop the curtain on her dreams, Danielle fears her one brilliant moment in the spotlight is about to become a dim memory. Alex Sheridan is living his dream. Playing the trumpet. Helping run his family s dinner theater. But there's a hole in his soul that can only be filled with the love of that "someone special" -- the better half of him. When "Dani" dances into his life, Alex thinks he's found his perfect partner. But will the bright lights of a bigger stage steal her away before they find their perfect song? (Contemporary Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Cozy Mystery:

Out of the Frying Pan by Michelle Griep and Kelly Klepfer -- When the retirement center's chef is found dead, two retired sisters-in-law decide to solve the case, but their zany attempts to track down the killer leads them on a downward spiral into drugs, extortion, and worst of all. . . broken hearts. (Cozy Mystery from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

General Contemporary:

Faith Countryman by Lori Hartman Gervasi -- A beautiful woman with the spiritual gift of healing grows up, makes mistakes, and then steps into her destiny by moving to a small Northern California town one summer where she helps the residents find redemption and revival. (Contemporary from Waterfall Press)

Historical Romance:

Mountain Christmas Brides by Mildred Colvin, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis, Lena Nelson Dooley, Darlene Franklin, Debby Lee, Tamela Hancock Murray, Carrie Turansky, and Gina Welborn -- From a Wyoming ranch in 1880, to a logging camp in Washington Territory in the late 1800s, to Denver, Colorado, in 1913, meet nine couples who find that Christmas is the perfect time for climbing to the heights of romance. Watch as their faith and courage propel them through challenges that come with mountain winters to cozy fireside celebrations that lead to lasting proclamations of love. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Mattie's Pledge by Jan Drexler -- Since Mattie Schrock last saw her childhood sweetheart Jacob Yoder, they've both grown into different people with different dreams. Jacob yearns to settle down, but Mattie can't help but dream of what may lie over the western horizon. When a handsome Englisher tempts her to leave the Amish behind to search for adventure in the Wild West, will her pledge to Jacob be the anchor that holds her secure? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

You're the Cream in My Coffee by Jennifer Lamont Leo -- In 1928, Marjorie Corrigan thinks she sees her first love--believed killed in the Great War--alive and well in a train station. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White -- All her life, Lady Ella Myerston has been sheltered from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well how the dangerous Fire Eyes diamonds have haunted her brother and their friends. Unwilling to wait around for peril to strike again, she sets out on an adventurous journey to the Cotswolds. Lord James Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life . . . but that proves complicated when old acquaintances pull Cayton into their desperate attempt to seize the jewels. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those intent on destroying them all? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Romantic Suspense:

Breach of Trust by Jodie Bailey -- A former soldier teams up with the partner she thought was dead in order to expose a cybercriminal bent on terrorizing the US military. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble -- To supplement income from her family's failing blueberry farm, Kate Mason rents out the small cottage on the property, but it won't be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it's almost too good to be true. And maybe it is--because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.  The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But between Drake's family crises, news of an escaped murderer, and a local stalker's threats, there's no time for romance. Kate wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Game On by Lillian Duncan -- Congressman Lucas McMann believes he's the victim of a bizarre stalking game, but to stop them he needs proof--and help from an old friend. Private Investigator Nikki wants to refuse, but her new found faith tells her she should help him--even if he was the first man to break her heart. (Romantic Suspense from Inspired [Prism Book Group])

Widow by Denise Weimer -- In book two of The Restoration Trilogy, Jennifer Rushmore has overseen the restoration of brooding bachelor Michael's ancestors' doctor's house long enough to work through their initial differences. Now the apothecary shop discloses a heart-breaking tale circa 1870 Georgia, shaking loose Jennifer's own carefully suppressed past. She fears that when Michael sees beyond her facade, her tentative steps toward trust and love may disintegrate into rubble. On her journey to forgiveness, Jennifer draws on her new faith and friendships, even as the mysterious accidents clouding her first preservation job escalate into imminent danger. (Romantic Suspense from Canterbury House Publishing)

Speculative:

Killswitch by Victoria Buck -- The world's first transhuman finds his true calling, and it's not what his creators intended. (Speculative from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Happy reading!