A Christian Writer's World ~~ Characters who grip your heart

THREADS OF HOPE - Andrea Boeshaar - Free Book

2012-02-09T02:30:00.000-08:00

Bio:

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has 26 published novels, 8 publishednovellas, and a host of collective nonfiction under her belt. She knows thepeaks and valleys of the publishing industry and loves to share her experiencewith other writers. She was an agent for more than 10 years, but is now writingfull-time and is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Some of Andrea’s recent titles (2008 to present) include: Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky(Summerside Press); Be Still…and LetYour Nail Polish Dry (nonfiction with authors Sandie Bricker, Loree Lough,and Debby Mayne – Summerside Press); HeartlandHeroes (a collection of 3 short novels, Barbour Publishing) and Seasonsof Redemption series, which includes: UnwillingWarrior (Realms/Charisma House) UncertainHeart (Realms) and Unexpected Love(Realms) Undaunted Faith (Realms).Another series, Fabric of Time, is already contracted for. The firstbook Threads of Hope, released inJanuary of 2012.

Additionally, Andrea is a certified Christian life coach.She is presently taking classes to be certified in Christian counseling.

Andrea is a cofounder of ACFW. She’s taught at several ofthe organization’s conferences as well as the Oregon Christian WritersConference, Write-To-Publish, and Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.Presently, she serves as the vice president in the Wisconsin chapter of RomanceWriters of America (WisRWA).

What are some of thespiritual themes you like to write about?

Trust is a big spiritual theme that I like to write about.So many times we can say or even feel that we trust the Lord – but what happenswhen the bank forecloses on your home? What happens when a child dies? Thoseare the times that trust is crucial because we cannot understand the whysbehind the situations. I can honestly say that I am learning to trust the Lordwith all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. But it’s a journey.

What other books ofyours are coming out soon?

Threads of Hope released last month. It’s a historical set in Wisconsin and book onein my brand new series Fabric of Time,published with Charisma Media/Realms.

A revised and updated version of my contemporary novel, Broken Things (first published ten yearsago) will soon be available in e-book format for the first time viaAmazon/Kindle. I’m very excited to offer this story to my readers in time forValentine’s Day! Here’s a blurb:

An oldphotograph prompts Allison Drake Littenberg to return to Chicago and mend fences with family membersand friends, particularly Jack Callahan, the handsome cop she left back in1969. Now, 30 years later, Jack is bitter from bad decisions and a nastydivorce. Even so, Allie prays that God will use her own broken past to touchhis life – and the life of a dying, abused, and disheartened woman who provesto be the key to answering decades of questions.

Threads of Faith,book two in Fabric of Time, willrelease in October 2012 and Threads ofLove, book three in that series, will be on bookshelves in May 2013.

I read Broken Things when it first came out. I know my readers will like it. If you could spend anevening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who wouldit be and why?

Well, this may not seem like a very spiritual answer, but inthe long run I think it impacts God’s kingdom. I’d like to spend an eveningtalking with Larry Levinson, a movie producer. He produced Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series, which isfrequently run on the Hallmark Movie Channel. I’ve got a lot of ideas formovies based on some of my novels and I believe there is a need to continuegetting Christian and Inspirational films produced. What a pleasure it would beto discuss my ideas with Mr. Levinson.

What historicalperson would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I can’t wait to meet John the Baptizer in Heaven. He was thevoice of one, crying in the wilderness. He prepared the way of the Lord. Howawesome it will be to hear about his life on earth!

How can you encourageauthors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

I can tell you that even published authors receive rejectionletters. I just got one from the Love Inspired line. While I am currentlycontracted and so grateful for that fact, it’s also true that my status couldchange any minute. Book lines fail. Publishers cancel contracts. Publishingcompanies get sold and major changes occur. None of us is really ever secure inour careers. That said, writers must persevere if they want to succeed in thisbusiness, persevere through the rejection and disappointment. I know, firsthand, that it’s difficult sometimes. This is a lonely business anddiscouragement easily sets in. But if you trust in the Lord, delight yourselfin the things of God, commit yourself to your calling, the Lord will give youthe desire of your heart. That’s a promise from Psalm 37:3-5.

I love the cover. Purple is my favorite color. Tell us about thefeatured book.

I got the idea for Threads of Hope while researching myfamily’s history. Here’s a blurb from the novel:

The year is 1848,and KristinEikaas has traveled from Norway to Wisconsinwith dreams of a new life. But when she arrives, she finds one disappointmentafter another. Worse, her superstitious uncle now believes that his neighbor’sOneida Indian wife has put a curse on Kristin. Everyone knows the Sundbergs putspells on people…

Everyoneexcept Kristin. Her run-ins with Sam Sundberg only prove that he is a good manfrom a Christian family. But when her uncle discovers she’s been associatingwith Sam, his temper flares. To escape his wrath, Kristin gratefully accepts ajob as the Sundbergs’ house girl, finding solace at the family’s spinningwheel.

Inthe time Sam and Kristin spend together, their friendship develops into muchmore, and Sam prays about a match between them. But opposition threatens toderail their newfound love. Will they have the courage to stand up for what isright—even against their own families?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

It looks like Norway.

Thethought flittered across nineteen-year-old Kristin Eikaas’s mind as UncleLars’s wagon bumped along the dirt road. The docks of Green Bay, Wisconsin, were behind themand now they rode through a wooded area that looked just as enchanting as theforests she’d left in Norway.Tall pine trees and giant firs caused the sunshine to dapple on the road.Kristin breathed in the sweet, fresh air. How refreshing it felt in her lungsafter being at sea for nearly three months and breathing in only salty sea airor the stale air in her dark, crowded cabin.

Aclearing suddenly came into view and, a minute or so later, Kristin eyed thefarm fields stretched before her. The sight caused an ache of homesickness. Herpoppa had farmed…

“Yourtrip to

America

was good, ja?” Uncle Lars asked in Norwegian, giving Kristin a sidewaysglance.

Heresembled her father so much that her heart twisted painfully with renewedgrief. Except, she’d heard about Onkel—abouthis temper—how he had to leave

Norway

when he was barely of age, because, Poppa had said, trouble followed him.

Butsurely he’d grown past all of that. His letters held words of promise and therewas little doubt that her uncle had made a new life for himself here in

America

Justas she would.

Visionsof a storefront scampered across her mind’s eye—a shop in which she could sellher finely crocheted and knitted items. A shop in which she could work thespinning wheel, just as Mor had…

UncleLars arched a brow. “You are tired, litenniese?”

“Ja. It was a long journey.” Kristin senthim a sideways glance. “I am grateful I did not come alone. The Olstads madegood traveling companions.”

Heruncle cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “But you have brought myinheritance, ja?” He arched a brow.

“Ja.” Kristin thought of the pricelesspossession she’d brought from

Norway

“Andyou would not hold out on your onkel,would you?”

Pricklesof unease caused Kristinto shift in her seat. She resisted the urge to touch the tiny gold and silvercross pendent suspended from a dainty chain which hung around her neck. Herdress concealed it. She couldn’t give it up, even though it wasn’t legal for awoman to inherit anything in Norway.But the necklace had been her last gift from

Mor.

A gift from one’s motherwasn’t an inheritance…was it? “No, Onkel.”

Sheturned and peered down from her perch into the back of the wooden wagon bed.Peder Olstad smiled at her and Kristin relaxed some. Just a year older, he wasthe brother of Kristin’s very best friend who had remained in Norway withtheir mother. She and Peder had grown up together, and while he could beannoying and bad tempered at times, he was the closest thing to a brother thatshe had. And Sylvia—Sylvia was closer than a sister ever could be. It wouldn’tbe long and she and Mrs. Olstad would come to America too. That would be a happyday!

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

My website: www.andreaboeshaar.com

And I’m on Facebook.

Readers can also follow me on Twitter: @AndreaBoeshaar

Thank you for coming by, Andrea. And thank you for allowing me to read the book in manuscript form. I can assure the readers that it's a very good read.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Threads of Hope (Fabric of Time) - paperback

Threads of Hope - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE ATTACHE - Dave Bond - Free Ebook

2012-02-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Dave. Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

I’m still new at this. IN my debut, The Attaché, Zach Brennerloses his eyesight. So for starters, in this novel, readers will see a good bitof me in this character. Readers will also see another part of me in book 2 ofthis series, All Things Are Possible,with the heroine this time developing type 1 diabetes, and experiencing severalcommon traumatic symptoms.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

In real life? Hmmm. Quirky is hard for me to define. Bizarre?Stupid? Unbelievable? Amazingly spontaneous? I’m somewhat of an eccentric Ithink, notably as I’ve gotten older. But as a teenager, I had my moments ofquirkiness. When I was 16 or so, I had a dirt bike motorcycle and one night Itook 3 of my buddies for a ride! Yes, 4 teenage boys on this little 90CCmotorcycle, no helmets, riding around a couple of the country roads where we lived!How’s that for quirky? And the local cop just happened to come along and ticketme! Yes, me, because my “buddies” managed to run off into some nearby fields inthe blackness of the night! Ironically, we caught the cop’s attention becausethe guy sitting on the handlebars (in front of me) was blocking the headlightwith his legs!

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

English was never a favorite subject. I don’t think I did particularlywell in high school, or college, and disliked writing papers as I recall. Inthe late 90s I was program director for a ministry to victims of crime. Istarted a newsletter which always had a short article written by me in it. Ithink I’ve always been impressed with writers, and when my job as programdirector was eliminated in 2000, I had plenty of time for reading. To make alonger story shorter, this lead me down a path of discovery where I found thewonderful world of Christian/inspirational fiction! And I soon started learningthe craft, mostly because I loved how gifted authors could weave a good storyand mix in sub-plots which in the end resulted in a satisfying experience.

Tell us the range ofthe kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I don’t limit my reading to inspirational fiction. Sincemost of my reading material (audio tapes, and now digital talking books) comesfrom the NLS (National Library Service), which is to say the books in thecollection are picked by people who aren’t necessarily Christians, I’ve alwaysread books from a broad range of genres. But I generally read historic fiction,contemporary fiction, adventure, westerns, and a good bit of British fiction.Also common to these are stories with a romance component since I must admit toenjoying romance as long as it isn’t overly formulaic or sexually explicit.

How do you keep yoursanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m not so much in a “run, run…” world. My life is quitereclusive in truth. And this suits me as a writer. My wife works, and we have ateenage son, and during the school year I have plenty of quiet time during theday to focus on story ideas and getting them in writing.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

Coming up with names is one of the hardest things for me!I’ve done the Internet lookup on the government site for popular names in agiven year, and I’ve even looked up names in yellow pages for a particularregion. In the end, I go with some names, and usually change them once ortwice. For younger character names, I’ve asked my son for names of his friends.If I hear a name mentioned, I try to make a note of it, or if my wife is withme, I ask for her feedback on a name.

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m working on that! At the present time it’s probably therelease of my debut novel. I sometimes think my friends and family are moreaware of the accomplishment than I am. I tend to arrive at some destination andquickly look toward the next one. So I guess you could say, with my debut out,I’m looking ahead to the releases of the next novels. I’m contracted for atotal of 6 books through November, 2013, so this is probably the accomplishmentI am most pleased with for the moment.

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

Hmmm. A dog I think. I marvel at our dog who spends hours ata time in a crate, and when released comes out wagging her tail and happierthan anything to see us. I’d like to have this kind of attitude. I don’t thinkI’d make a good dog though!

What is your favoritefood?

A birthday tradition is to have your favorite cake or piefor the dessert. My 2 favorite desserts are, coconut cream pie, or Germanchocolate cake. And, yes, I am diabetic, but we can enjoy these treats ifallowed for!

I love the old-timecoconut cream pie that had meringue on it, not whipped cream. They’re hard tofind these days. What is the problem with writing that was your greatestroadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I can’t say I encountered a major roadblock. Other than theongoing process of learning how to write better. In the early 2000s, as mywriting career got underway, the biggest topics of discussion involved, showversus tell, and head hopping. Showing and not telling is probably the one Ihave to work hardest at. Especially as a blind writer. But God has blessed mewith an abundance of creativity, which in the end enables me to write scenesand dialogue where I am able to show and not tell.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

The Attaché is a romance with a sub-plot about blindness. Ilike the blurb I have on Amazon:

Jessie Weaver narrowly escapes the North Toweron 9/11 and sets out to find her destiny. She owes her life to a man, and histattered attaché. Zach Brenner believes he is doing something productive foronce by going to Iraqas a private contractor, but ends up losing his eyesight. Jessie is convincedthe attaché is her link to a man she believes she could love. But when shetakes a job working for his family business, now owned and managed by hisblinded brother Zach, she must come face to face with a new destiny. Will Zachfind his footing in a suddenly dark world, and will he ever find his purpose inlife? What if Jessie never sees Joel again? Only a Divine power could haveplaced two people going in opposite directions on a collision course withdestiny, and each other. Yes, miracles do happen.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Chapter One

Iraq

, July 2004

The bridgeat Tikrit, over the fast-flowing Tigris River,was almost rebuilt, and two others had been reopened. Zach Brenner's duties asa supply chain supervisor were straightforward, compared to the contractorsdoing the actual reconstruction. A few months back, four Turkish civiliancontractors had been brutally murdered, their corpses burned and hung from theTikrit bridge still under construction.

He shookhis head in a vain attempt to dislodge the images of the tragedy. Privatecontractors supporting military operations dated back to George Washington'sday in the

U.S.

,and the system generally worked, but things were different today. Big dollarcontracts drew civilians like flies to a picnic. For reasons that often weren'tpatriotic.

Zach closedhis project notebook and stood up. The trailer where he worked with three othercontractors, stacked like sardines in a cramped modular unit, was coffin-likewhen all the men were at their desks. His stomach rumbled, as sure a timepieceat meal times as his Rolex.

He left hisoffice and ducked inside a PX to grab his Wednesday lunch -- a pre-made peanutbutter and jelly sandwich. The middle-aged Kellogg, Brown, and Root, or KBR,employee gave him a cheerful smile. “Usual Wednesday sandwich? Diet Coke?”

Withinminutes, she handed him a bag.

“Got it.”He paid and strolled away then crossed the street made from layers of gravelover sand, and got in line for a computer at one of the Internet café tents.There'd been a mass exit of Apache helicopters in the middle of the night,meaning a lot of the troops weren't in camp. Days when the camp was full ofsoldiers, meant long waits for a computer.

Zach shovedthe last bite of sandwich into his mouth when a computer became available. Atfour dollars an hour, he refused to use the Internet daily. To waste even apenny contradicted his purpose, his mission. Keep the company going and pay offdebt. If in the process he could serve his country, that was extra.

His incomefor the last five months went almost entirely into keeping Rocky Glen WoodProducts afloat. When Zach first came to

Iraq

, determined to fund thecompany and get the books back into the black, motivation and a sense offinally doing something productive had been a balm for him. Warren Soltzman wasthe man temporarily in charge of the company, located near Hynley, Pennsylvania.He had a long history with Rocky Glen, going back to the time his father, HenryBrenner, converted the old sawmill into a wood products manufacturing business.

Accordingto Warren'slast update, business was on the upswing -- to the extent of hiring two newemployees. Email messages between Warren and Zach were normally brief, to thepoint. Warrenliked to get right to the heart of the matter.

Warren's first emaildisplayed, 'Profit Update,' in the subject line. Zach clicked it, afraid to puttoo much stock in what those two words might mean.

“Landed anice job with Hartman. The upfront cash made the books look a lot better.”

Warren reported they'd hadto replace one of the band saws and re-tool a small press. Things were headedin the right direction nonetheless, he stated. Zach rubbed his chin, unsureabout this report of good news. When he was seven or eight, after spendinghours shopping for Christmas presents with his mother, she'd bought Hershey barsfor him and his brothers, something she'd never done before. Warren's message gave him that same kind oftingle way down deep.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Web site: http://www.authordavidbond.com

Email: david@authordavidbond.com

Thank you, Dave, for the interesting interview.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

All Things Are Possible Book One: The Attache - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE GUARDIAN DUKE - Jamie Carie - Free Book

2012-02-07T02:30:00.000-08:00

What are some of thespiritual themes you like to write about?

Forgiveness, spiritual warfare, healing, the power of faithand God’s great love or us – the greatest love story of all!

What other books ofyours are coming out soon?

I am really excited that in 2012 I will have all three booksin my first series, The Forgotten Castlesseries, come out. The Guardian Duke just released, The Forgiven Duke will be out in July and A Duke’s Promise sometime in the fall.

I’m really excitedabout this series. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person(not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Laura Kinsale. I would love to chat about books and writing,look at some of my favorite scenes from her books with her and get the backstories on her plots and characters. I’m a superfan!

What historicalperson would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

So many! This is tough. I guess I would say Mary, Jesus’mother. I would love to know what it was like to raise the Son of God and whatHe was like growing up.

I can’t help thinkinghe was just a normal boy. If not, why would Mary and Joseph be so surprisedthat he was teaching in the temple when he was a boy? How can you encourageauthors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

The publishing industry is changing fast! Keep doing yourbest learning the craft and finishing books. Study the markets, the changeswith e-books and pray God directs you how best to proceed. There are lots ofopportunities that weren’t there just a couple of years ago. It’s an excitingtime to be an author and you can, with dedication and faith-filled persistence,find your place in the mix.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

The Guardian Duke is about a young woman, Alexandria Featherstone,who lives on Holy Island, Northumberland, England in Lindisfarne Castlein the year 1818. Alex (as she refers to herself) has mostly raised herselfwith the help of two elderly servants while her famous parents travel the worldon high profile treasure hunts. Their latest quest has left them missing foralmost a year and the prince regent decides to proclaim them dead and appointAlexandria a guardian – the powerful Duke of St. Easton.

Alexandria rejects this news and her guardian’sdirections to stay put on Holy Island, writingto him instead with tales of the leaky castle roof, the dried-up well anddiseased sheep. Doesn’t he see that she needs more than her meager allowance toget by? What she really needs the money for is to begin her own quest – to findher missing parents.

So begins a journey across Englandand Irelandwith her guardian hot on her trail.

Gabriel Ravenwood, the Duke of St. Easton, is determined to catch up toher and bring her back to

England

and safety. His young ward has no idea the danger she is in – and that the itemher parents were hired to find is being sought after by the most powerful menin the world. They will do anything to get a hold of it, including using Alexandria for their ownevil purposes.

And then there are the letters they write to each other . . . lettersthat draw them close. Is it really possible to fall in love before they’ve evenmet face to face?

Back Copy:

“Someday I will meetyou and see your face.”

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, isordered by the king to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstonewhose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profiletreasure hunt. But the heart-driven Alexandriaignores this royal reassignment. Believing her parents are still alive, she travelsto faraway lands to follow clues that may lead to their whereabouts.

Gabriel, pressured by the king’s ulteriormotives, pursues Alexandria across windswept England and the rolling green hills of

Ireland

but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search forearthly treasure begins to pale in comparison to what God has planned for bothof them.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

King’s Theatre, London—August, 1818

Heaven could be found in music.

Gabriel Ravenwood, the Duke of St.Easton, closed his eyes and leaned his head onto the velvet cushion at hisback. A small smile played across his lips as he felt each and every muscle inhis face relax. Little by little he gave way, an internal shifting, a givingover to something greater than himself. Waves of baritone and mezzo-sopranowafted over him and around him and through him until the world—a dark and grayplace before he stepped inside these doors—gave way to the sustaining notes oflife in full color.

He drifted…complete.

A deep breath and then utter peace.It wafted over him and through him. It undid him in a way that every otherpursuit fell short. Music never fell short. Blessed resonance of relief. It wasalways thus, and why he’d spent every afternoon here for the past few years.

The opera.

Thank God for it. Thank God therewas still something.

He lifted his fingers to the bridgeof his nose and squeezed.

“Your Grace. Please, Your Grace.”

Gabriel lifted his arm in a slight,relaxed motion, as if a fly would dare intrude on this time. Go away. Everyone, just go away.

“Your Grace. I doapologize, but there is a matter—”

You really left ushanging. Can’t wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.jamiecarie.com
Blog: http://jamiecarie.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jamie.carie?ref=profile

It's here! The officialFacebook page for The Forgotten Castlesseries: facebook.com/ForgottenCastles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/jamiecarie
The Guardian Duke – February 2012 See the making of the cover and trailer here!

Thank you, Jamie, for the wonderful interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Guardian Duke: A Forgotten Castles Novel - paperback
The Guardian Duke: A Forgotten Castles Novel - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

IN TOO DEEP - Mary Connealy - Free Book

2012-02-06T03:30:00.000-08:00

Bio:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. Sheis a Carol Award winner, and a Rita and Christy finalist. She is the author ofThe Kincaid Brides Series: Out of Control, In Too Deep, Over the Edge.

Lassoed in Texas Trilogy containing three full lengthbooks: Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranchwas a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a ChristyAward Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist.

The Montana MarriagesTrilogy: MontanaRose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose and The Husband Treeare Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas and Deep Trouble: Cowboy Christmas isthe 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an InspirationalReaders Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats,Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats. Doctor in Petticoats was afinalist for a Rita Award.

Mary is also the author of Black Hills Blessinga 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a collection of cozy romanticmysteries and, writing under the pseudonym Mary Nealy, she's the author of TenPlagues.

Blurb for In Too Deep

In 1866 Colorado,Ethan Kincaid agrees to a marriage of convenience with the same casualdisregard he gives every decision. Audra Gilliland, young mother of two,accepts his proposal because she wants to stop being a burden to her newlymarried stepdaughter.

And suddenly both of them are in far deeper than they'd planned.

Ethan doesn't expect Audra to affect him so profoundly, and when she begins to,he's terrified of the pain he's felt before when someone he loved was seriouslyinjured on his watch. He's determined that his new wife will do as he says sohe can keep her safe from the dangers that lurk on their ranch.

Audra has been cared for all her life by one man or another--and they've done apoor job of it. Now she's planning to stand up for herself. And her new husbandhad better agree or get out of her way!

What will it take to transform two wayward hearts fearful of getting in toodeep into two trusting hearts ready to risk falling deeply in love?

Mary, I'm delighted to read all of this. As you remember, I knew you quite awhile before you were published, even mentored you a bit. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Well, Lena, I am the more average person who ever lived. Asidefrom this lovely writing thing I’ve got going, I’m just so normal that thereisn’t much to tell.

I’mthird of eight kids. I grew up in a tiny farmhouse. I married my high schoolsweetheart and we have four grown daughters. I was a stay at home mom for 27years. STOP! Just stop, Mary! It’s too boring!

How did you become interested in writing?

The thing that made me start wasa combination of events that happened right at the same time. I had a goodfriend who started interviewing every living WWII soldier in our country. Sheand a friend interviewed dozens of veterans and wrote a book that was reallyfun to read and caught such a fascinating bit of history. That inspired me tostart writing but I didn’t want to interview people. I wanted to write aromance novel.

At about this same time my daughter,probably 10 or 12 at the time, wrote a book for a school assignment. It wasn’tlong and it probably wasn’t good writing craft, but it was a great story.Really imaginative and fun. I said, “Let me take your story and make it longerand turn it into a real book. She said, “Write your own book and keep your pawsoff mine!” So I did.

What compelled you towrite a book on this subject?

Thirty-four years ago I took a tour of Carlsbad Cavern and wasmentally transported back in time to the first guy who ever saw the place. Ican still remember that moment of being transported so vividly I wrote a seriesof romance novels about it.

My one and only trip to Carlsbad Cavern was about 34years ago. I didn’t write my first book until about sixteen years afterthat vacation. But when I did start, I had a LOTof ideas, this was one of them. What would it have been like to be the firstperson to go into that cavern?

When we walked through Carlsbadthere was a nice sturdy fence, roping off all the dangerous pits. There werelights everywhere and we could see the beauty and we were completely protectedfrom all the danger. But what if you’d gone in there with no idea what it was?

What if you’d seen bats fly up out of a hole in the groundand went to look for where they’d come from and found a deep, black hole? Whatif you were curious, as was Jim White, the first man on record as being inCarlsbad Cavern, and you got a long rope and lowered yourself down? There arebottomless pits…okay, they probably have a bottom eventually, but I suspect thebottom is way, way, way too far down to be anything but deadly.

It’s pitch black. There are beautiful things—stunninglybeautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Water dripping, building those rockformations. You’d be drawn by the glimpses of beauty. Your only light is alantern or a handmade torch or a candle. You'd be fascinated and, if youweren’t really careful, you’d be dead in no time.

When I walked through Carlsbad Cavern, long before I’d everthought of writing a book, I was writing a book. And it stayed with me untilfinally it was time. I fictionalized the cavern because the true history of Carlsbad is so well knownI couldn’t be faithful to it.

What is the main theme or point that you want readers tounderstand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in thebook?

The main theme of InToo Deep is conquering fear.

My hero Ethan is afraid of thatcavern and he’s a man so he’s handling an emotion he sees a weak as badly aspossible. The heroine Audra has spent her whole life afraid and now she looksback at her life and sees that she’s let her fear lead her into a terriblesituation and she’s determined to not be afraid any longer. To take charge. Andthen she’s pretty much forced into a marriage with Ethan, not exactly the “takecharge” plan she had going. So she decides maybe she’ll try and take charge ofEthan and she’s so cute trying to boss him around, he lets her do it as much aspossible.

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learnand apply to their lives after reading your book?

Not really, I just want myreaders to have as much fun as humanly possible reading a book. If they learn alesson, well, good for them. I probably put it in there by accident.

What makes your book different than any other books similarto yours that are in circulation today?

You know, Lena,in all modesty, I honestly do think my books are different from any other booksin circulation today. I’m not even sure that’s a good thing. I writeinspirational, suspenseful, historical western romantic comedies. I invented myown genre. Don’t try this at home.

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your lifeand how you are currently serving Him?

I hope my books serve God. I’mso amazed that I’m getting them published that it seems like all the blessingsare flowing to me I hope God makes my books say more than I am capable ofmaking them say.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

I do, Lenabut I’m not telling. I’m using it as a password on about half my socialnetworks. I’m afraid my favorite will have to remain a deep, dark secret.HOWEVER, one of my favorites is closely attached to this book: The LORDis my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of mylife; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

Do you have any hobbies? I readand I do crossword puzzles. I know, my life is so thrilling you are swampedwith jealousy. I apologize.

As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

I love doing your blog, Lena. Thanks for letting me stop in once in a while.

I really love having you come by,Mary. And I love, love, love your books, especially this series. In my youngerlife, I was a spelunker. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

If you’d like to find me online hereare a few places to look.

Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Blog
My Website

I’ve also got a newsletter you cansign up for: http://www.maryconnealy.com/newsletter.html

And I’m on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryconnealy

And Twitter: http://twitter.com/maryconnealy

Thank you for the interesting (not boring) interview today, Mary.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

In Too Deep (The Kincaid Brides) - paperback
In Too Deep (The Kincaid Brides) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

AN AMISH FAMILY REUNION - Mary Ellis - Free Book

2012-02-05T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Mary. Tell us about yoursalvation experience.

I have always gone to church and been a Christian, but aboutfour years ago, I realized what it meant to be a Believer (through my pastor atthe time, Bob Pettruccio) I took a full immersion baptism and dedicated my lifeto Christ. What a difference it has made! Now everything I say and do and writeis accountable to the Lord.

You’re planning awriting retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they beand why?

Oh, absolutely you, Lena,because you’ve always been an inspiration to me since joining ACFW! Secondly itwould be Mary Connealy because she’s the funniest woman, let alone writer, thatI have ever met! Third, it would be Suzanne Woods Fisher because she wasincredibly sweet and kind to me when I started writing Amish fiction. Andfourth, it would be Angela Hunt. Angela does not know me, but I took one of herclasses at the Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference. Her sensitivity and emotionalinvolvement with her writing were unbelievable. I still have much to learn fromAngela.

I’d be honored to bea part of that retreat. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us aboutthat.

I would describe it as an informal speaking ministry. I doauthor talks at libraries and at women’s clubs and Christian women’s retreats.Usually the libraries want to know about my books and my personal road topublication, but I always find a way to share my spiritual walk with the Lordwith the readers in attendance.

I love speaking atlibraries. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and howdid you handle it?

I once attended a book-signing in a small town in Ohio and no one came. Not one person. It was on aweekday, but still I was so embarrassed. But then I thought—what’s the problem?I got a chance to meet a wonderful Christian bookstore owner and spend timebrowsing the shelves. What a lovely way to spend a morning. God never makemistakes. Lest I get too “full of myself” He places these gentle reminders inour paths. Our writing/books should always be about Him and not aboutourselves.

I had a book-signinglike that with my first book release. People are always telling me that they’dlike to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tellsomeone who came up to you and said that?

Sit down with tablet and pen or your laptop and write! I’mnot trying to be funny. But some many new or wannabe writers talk about writingwithout ever sitting down and gritting out a story. Writing a book is hardwork, and many never think about that side of it. Get your story down; then goback through and revise. You can’t fix something that isn’t there.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Julia Miller misses her children. They are grown withfamilies of their own now, but her mother’s heart yearns for a houseful oflaughter and joy once again. She plans to gather her chicks for a summercelebration to remember. At the farm next door, Julia’s niece, Phoebe, meetsEli Riehl, a young man who charms her—and everyone else—with his exceptionalstorytelling ability on a rumschpringe trip to Niagara Falls.When Phoebe sketches scenes to illustrate his tale, Eli encourages herincredible talent, and together they embark on an unlikely business venture fortwo Amish people—writing and illustrating a children’s book. Eli’s appealextends beyond his knack for words to reach inside Phoebe’s shy heart. But whentragedy strikes, Eli gives up his writing to assume responsibility on the farm.Though willing to abandon his dream of becoming an author, he won’t give up hisbeloved Phoebe. Can their love for a good story develop into something thatlasts forever, or will memories of the past stand in their way?

Please give us thefirst page of the book:

An Amish Family Reunionby Mary Ellis

CHAPTER ONE

Winesburg, Ohio

You would think that a person might be able to enjoy some peace andquiet on a Sunday afternoon. After all, it was the Sabbath—a day of rest. YetPhoebe Miller found herself hiding behind a tree to escape from her family.There were just so many of them. Living next door to Aunt Julia and Uncle Simonguaranteed plenty of drop-in visits, impromptu potluck suppers, and moreunsolicited advice than any red-blooded, seventeen-year-old girl needed. It’snot that she didn’t love her family—because she certainly did—she simply neededmore time alone time than most people.

Holding her breath, Phoebe stood stock-still until Uncle Simon headedinto the barn in search of her father and Aunt Julia entered the house lookingfor Hannah. Her mamm. Hannah wasn’t her mother by blood, but had earnedthe title during the past twelve years of bandaging scrapes, helping with mathhomework, and remaining near while Phoebe suffered the flu on long winternights. She couldn’t remember her birth mother anymore. She had been only fivewhen an impatient driver in a fast-moving truck decided to pass on a blindcurve. It didn’t hurt much anymore. She had Hannah, and her daed, and herlittle brother to love. They were all she needed…except for a little personalsolitude.

Phoebe sucked in her gut as ten-year-old Ben ran across the yard,chasing his dog that was chasing a rubber ball. When the two ducked under afence into the cornfield, she ran pell-mell in the opposite direction,clutching her box of pencils and sketchpad tightly. She dared not look back forfear some cousin would be waving frantically from the porch. This time, shedidn’t stop to watch baby lambs nursing from their ewes or to pick a fistful ofwild trilliums for her windowsill. On through the sheep pasture she ran untilshe reached her favorite drawing spot—an ancient stonewall constructed by longago pioneers of Holmes County. Phoebe doubtedthese early settlers had been Amish. Not too many Amish men would take the timeto painstakingly stack flat rocks just so to form a long fence line. Notwhen dozens of tall trees fell over in the woods each winter that could easilybe split into fence rails. And not when stampeding cows spooked by thunder, ormarauding sheep needing no reason whatsoever to bolt, could knock the entirewall down within minutes. That was probably why this twenty-yard section wasall that remained. But it was all Phoebe needed.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

I have a brand new website, designed by ACFW’s own KeikiHendrix. I hope readers will drop by and check it out:

www.maryellis.net andI also blog weekly at www.maryeellis.wordpress.comMy Facebook author page is:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Thank you, Mary, for sharing with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
An Amish Family Reunion - paperback
An Amish Family Reunion - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

First February 2012 Winners

2012-02-04T02:30:00.000-08:00

Ali (NY) is the winner of A Time to Heal by Seye Oke.
Janet Sketchley (Canada) is the winner of Freeheads by Kerry Nietz.
Barbara Shelton (TX)  is the winner of Joy Restored by Jude Urbanski.
Mama Cat (AZ) is the winner of When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason.
Sarah (NC)  is the winner of The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy.
Glenda Parker (ME)  is the winner of A Wedding Invitation by Alice J Wisler.

If you won a book and you really like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. Send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN - Allie Pleiter, Free Book

2012-02-03T02:30:00.000-08:00

Author Bio:

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, anddevoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy motherof two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new waysto avoid housework. Allie hails fromConnecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, andcurrently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parentingbooks, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith,women’s issues, and writing. Visit herwebsite at www.alliepleiter.comor her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Asan author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were thepeople involved in the birthing of this book, and what were theircontributions?

I spoke with several Fire Departments and Fire Marshals inorder to get the details correct. I alsohad great fun getting to know the people and places of Galena,Illinois, which is the town that inspired Gordon Falls.

Ifyou teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I always list my full speaking schedule on alliepleiter.com,but I’m especially excited to be speaking at NOLA Written in the Starsconference in Shreveport LA in March. It will be my first time at that event. April is packed full with appearances at the RT Convention in Chicago, Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation luncheon in Wisconsin, The Southern Kentucky Book Fest in Bowling Green, and the Spring Fling Writers Conference in Chicago.

fyou had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, andwhy?

It’s January in Chicago...I’dgo anyplace warm in a heartbeat right now! Between my daughter going to college in Charlestonand my next book being set in Columbia, South Carolina is high on my listat the moment.

Ifyou could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Write. Craft classesare good, books can be useful, writers groups can be supportive, conferencesare good investments, but NOTHING replaces sitting down to write. Nothing. Everything else stems from mastering that discipline.

You’vebeen asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to takepart, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to bewriting related])

Well, in my case it would definitely be a knittingcruise. I’d invite all the knittingauthors I’ll be interviewing on my knitting blog this year (a brand new featureat DestiKNITions I’m wildly excited about), some of my favorite patterndesigners, and maybe a couple of knitting movie stars for excitement (doesanyone know if Hugh Jackman wants to learn to knit?). We’d cruise to Australia--becauseI’ve always wanted to go (for reasons other than just Hugh Jackmanspotting)--and then to New Zealand,England, and Ireland forfabulous yarn purchases. Oh, and yes,there would be an onboard barrista (or twelve) and an excellentchocolatier. So, any cruise companiesout there listening who’d like to take this on?

Iwould sign up for the cruise in a minute. I am a knitting author, you know. Tellus about the featured book?

Falling for the Fireman is the first book in what will be aseries set around the Gordon Falls Volunteer Fire Department. Just like my popular Bluegrass Series, I’vecreated a small town with a cast of the quirky types of characters readers havecome to expect in my books. Fallingfor the Fireman brings together a sunny disposition Mom fighting forher son’s recovery from a fire with a grumpy fire marshal. Like all good love stories, Jeannie and Chad dislikeeach other for all the reasons they’re perfect for each other. Throw in a lot of chocolate and a lovabledog, and that about covers all the fun.

Pleasegive us the first page of the book.

JeannieNelworth had the faucet handle in a death grip. It wasn't that the women's bathroom of The Stew Pot restaurant was atense place, she just hadn't expected her nerve to go out from under her quiteso completely tonight. Somewhere betweenpicking up name tags and the Merchant Association's first agenda item, she'dhad to bolt into the ladies room to pull herself together. She found the bright red wallpaper amusingbefore, but now it felt loud and suffocating.

AbbyReed was predictably right behind her. Abest friend can usually see through faked calm, and Abby was as intuitive asthey come.

“I’mokay,” Jeannie lied the moment Abby pushed into the tiny room.

"Youare not okay.” Abby reachedbehind and threw the door’s small deadbolt Jeannie had forgotten to latch. “I toldMary Hunnington not to ask you about postponing tonight's presentation, thatyou'd say 'go ahead' when you shouldn't have."

"Ilike being at these dinners," Jeanie forced a cheery tone, pulling herhand off the fixture to fuss with her long brown hair that didn't needfussing. It was true; normally, she didenjoy the monthly gathering of businesspeople in town. The many shopkeepers, hotel owners, andrestauranteurs that made up Gordon Falls were herfamily. Even the tourists were part ofher life here. That’s why her sweet shopwas loved...before.

"Besides,”she continued, “Nicky'd never forgive me for ruining his monthly video-gamesleepover. Much as it kills me, thateighth-grade tornado loves a night away from his mom."

Abbysighed and gave her the look half the other merchants had. She knew her colleagues cared for her, onlynow their warm but pitying looks made her feel simultaneously welcome and ondisplay. "Really, there isn't asoul here who would have blamed you if you missed this one. You're the last person who needs tohear tips on holiday lighting and fire safety."

Whybother waiting? Another thirty dayswouldn't change the fact that her candy store and home had burned down a fewweeks ago. "If I stayed home, whatwould that solve?" To stay home wasadmitting defeat, and Jeannie liked to think of herself as the kind of womanwho gave no quarter to tragedies like that. “Okay, it’s hard” she admitted, but even those three words felt too big,“but God is bigger than a burned building.”

“It’snot just a building, it was your home. And the home you had with Nicky. The home you had with Henry, God rest his soul. God is big, but that’s huge.”

Where canwe find you on the Internet?

You can visit my website at www.alliepleiter.com or my knitting blog at www.destiKNITions.blogspot.com

Thank you, Allie, for dropping by today.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Falling for the Fireman (Love Inspired) - paperback
Falling for the Fireman (Love Inspired) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

PROTECTING THE PRINCESS - Rachelle McCalla - Free Book

2012-02-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad to have you back on my blog, Rachelle. I love princess stories, and I love romantic suspense. Why do you write thekind of books you do?

Honestly, I get bored easily. I like books where there are lots of thingshappening on different levels. Withinspirational romantic suspense, the characters’ spiritual journeys overlapwith romance and mystery, so I’m never bored! I also like that these are the kinds of stories you can share with yourchildren or grandchildren—they’re clean and edifying, and a lot of fun!

Besides when you cameto know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Hmm, that is a difficult question. I’ve been so blessed. I think it might be the day all four of mykids prayed the Lord’s Prayer together at bedtime. My heart swelled with gratitude for the waysthe Lord has blessed me!

How has beingpublished changed your life?

Being a writer has enabled me to be home for my kids more,and to have the flexibility to change my daily schedule as needed. I’ve also met some amazing people through mywriting who I never would have met otherwise!

What are you readingright now?

Carla Capshaw’s TheProtector, which is set in Romein the early days of Christianity. Notonly is it a fascinating read, but it helps me get in an old-world, Mediterraneanmindset for the Love Inspired Historical I’m writing (see next question!)

What is your currentwork in progress?

A Royal Marriage,which ties in to Protecting the Princess by giving a glimpse into a romance fromthe kingdom of Lydia in the year 801. It’s set for release in December 2012.

We must schedule thebook on my blog. What would be your dream vacation?

I would love to go somewhere warm (woke up to zero degreesFahrenheit this morning!) where I could lounge on a beach for days on end. If the kingdom of Lydiareally existed, I would go there!

How do you chooseyour settings for each book?

Quite often the settings of my books are tied to themystery/suspense element of my stories. The Reclaiming the Crown series has been enjoyable in that respect,because the books are set in the tiny Christian kingdomof Lydia, which is on theMediterranean Sea near Greece. I chose that location for the fictionalkingdom because that’s where Lydia,a dealer in purple cloth, lived in the book of Acts. The kingdom is based on the church that metat her house.

If you could spend anevening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’d love to sit down with a real modern princess, such as CatherineDuchess of Cambridge,or Mary, the Crown Princess of Denmark, and find out if my stories reflect thelives of a true princess. Of course,they’d have to read the books first!

What are yourhobbies, besides writing and reading?

I like to garden and cook.

What is your mostdifficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

It is a constant struggle to find time to write! I had intended to write yesterday, butbetween the antics of my 3-year-old, problems with the washing machine, and abombardment of other interruptions, I added a grand total of 36 words to themanuscript I’m working on. At that rate,it will take me three years to finish!

What advice would yougive to a beginning author?

Write, write, write, write, write. And then revise, revise, revise, revise,revise. I wrote over a million words noone will ever see before my first book was published.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

When the royal family of

Lydia

is ambushed en route to thestate dinner, the youngest princess, Anastasia, must depend on Kirk Covingtonto help her. But Stasi has feared Kirkever since he betrayed their family six years before. Can she learn to trust Kirk in time to saveher kingdom, and their lives?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anastasia of

Lydia

grabbed the doorknob and gaveit a turn, but when she tried to push the door open, it wouldn't budge.

Stasi blinked. How strange! Her door had never given her any problemsbefore. She tried again, this time pushing harder, but with no success.Finally, throwing all her weight into it, she shoved the door with hershoulder. Nothing.

Had someone barricaded her door so it wouldn't open?

Stasi looked around her suite uneasily.

She was trapped inside her own room, and the royal motorcade would beleaving any minute for the state dinner.

Refusing to give in to the panic she felt, Stasi grabbed her phone anddialed the number for the palace managers.

Theresa Covington answered.

"I'm trapped inside my room—and the motorcade is leaving anysecond!" She fingered her sapphire necklace uneasily.

"I'll send someone immediately."

"Thank you." Stasi ended the call and waited, glancing nervouslyaround, wondering why her door wouldn't open, and if the peculiar disturbancehad anything to do with the other unusual trespasses she'd experienced lately.She knew of at least three other times in the past few weeks when items in herroom had been eerily displaced—not stolen outright, but disturbed, as thoughthey'd been rooted through, and then put back slightly out of order.

Footsteps approached from the hallway outside her door. "YourHighness?" A voice sounded from the other side, and she watched thedoorknob turn. "Your Highness?"

"Yes!" She practically threw the door open, prepared to thankwhoever had rescued her, but she startled backward when she recognized the manon the other side of the door.

Kirk Covington.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

www.rachellemccalla.com

Thank you, Rachelle, for another interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Protecting the Princess (Love Inspired Suspense) - paperback
Protecting the Princess (Love Inspired Suspense) - Kindle

As a special bonus, here's a link to the short prequel to the series: http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1655&chapter=1

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

CHERRY BLOSSOM CAPERS - Gina Conroy - Free Book

2012-02-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

Bio:

Gina Conroy used to thinkshe knew where her life was headed; now she's leaning on the Lord to show herthe way. She is the founder of Writer...Interrupted where she mentors busy writers and tries to keepthings in perspective, knowing God's timing is perfect, even if she doesn'tagree with it! ;) She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, and her first novella, BuriedDeception, in the CherryBlossom Capers Collection, releases from Barbour Publishing in January2012. On her blog DefyingGravity and twitter she chronicles her triumphs and trials as she pursuesher dreams while encouraging her family and others to chase after their ownpassions. Gina loves to connect with readers, and when she isn’t writing,teaching, or driving kids around, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome, Gina. I've been looking forward to featuring you. How did your story for the collection come about?
Several years ago when I was homeschooling, we tookthe kids on a cross-country trip up the east coast. I remember walking through Mount Vernon’s Mansionwondering if all the antiques were real and what would happen if one of themwas a forgery? Samantha Steele, the mom character with her rambunctious kidscame first, NOT that I would know anything about that sort of thing. Then camethe snarky, but lovable, brooding security guard. Again, not that Iwould know anything about sarcasm... My fascination with archaeology,mysteries, and suspense rounded out the rest story and Buried Deception was born.

What are you readingright now?
I’m reading A Sound Among Trees bySusan Meissner and The Edge of Graceby Christa Allan. I’m an eclectic reader. I don’t just read in one genre. It’sa great story that captures my interest from historical romance to thrillers!

I’m like you. I lovevarious genres of Christian fiction. Whatother books have you had published?

I have two nonfiction books published. Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms, and Reach for your Dreams, Graduate. The first one was easy to writebecause the prayers flowed from my own mothering heart. And the graduate bookwas inspiring to write as I researched real life success stories of people likeHans Christian Anderson, Walt Disney, and Sam Walton and told their story ofovercoming tremendous hurdles beat the odds to follow their dreams.

What is the hardestthing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Working with my novella partners wasn’t as hard as I wastold it could be. We all shared ideas and input as to how our characters wouldinteract, we set up an email group and chatted often about certain aspects ofour stories and how our characters would play a part in other stories.

How did collaboratingwith this team impact you?
I got to work with a great bunch of women, Lynette Sowell, Cara Putman andFrances Devine. I already had an established friendship with Lynette and Cara,and got to know Francesthrough our email interaction. The biggest impact these ladies had on me waswatching them write on contract and focus on the book they needed to be writingat the moment. I had the luxury of taking my time with the story, but watchingthem write with multiple contracts was inspiring and frightening knowing oneday that’s going to be me.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?
I take their personalities into consideration and try to pick names that fit.Sometimes a name just comes to me and I KNOW that’s it. Other times I mighthave to search baby name data bases to find the right one with the rightmeaning. For Samantha Steele, I wanted a name that spoke of independence andstrength, but was still feminine.

What did you want thereader to take away from your story?
I hope readers realize that the themeof my novella is “surrender.” The hero and heroine in the story have differentreasons for fighting to stay in control of their lives, but when they try anddo things on their own, their situation gets worse. If they don’t surrender toGod who has their best interest in mind, their lives will never be complete.Surrender is something God has been teaching me about over the last severalyears, and I know it’s not easy, but it’s necessary for growth.

Tell us about the story.

Cherry Blossom Capers

Four townhouse neighbors encounterromance and mystery near our nation’s capital. In State Secrets, WhiteHouse assistant chef Tara Whitley and FBI agent Jack Courtland stop a plot tosabotage a State dinner—and find love still hidden in their hearts. In Dyingfor Love, attorneys and opponents Ciara Turner and Daniel Evansuncover love while searching for justice. In Buried Deception,archaeologist Samantha Steele and security guard Nick Porter dig up love whileuncovering a forged artifact. In Coffee, Tea and Danger,amateur sleuths Susan Holland and Vince Martinelli find love whileinvestigating a string of mysterious accidents

My Novella: Buried DeceptionMount Vernon archaeology intern and widow Samantha Steelewants to provide for her children without assistance from anyone. Securityguard and ex-cop Nick Porter is haunted by his past and keeps his heartguarded. But when they discover an artifact at Mount Vernon is a fake, Nick and Samanthaneed to work together, set aside their stubbornness, and rely on each other orthe results could be deadly. Will Samantha relinquish her control to a man shehardly knows? Can Nick learn to trust again? And will they both allow God toexcavate their hearts so they can find new love?

The stories soundlike a fun read. Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so,why?
Yes, I wouldn’t be published today without the help of friends and theconnections I made at ACFW. It is a wonderful community of people with a commongoal…to be published, but everyone is so eager to help each other succeed.Where else in this world can you find that?

What is the bestpiece of advice you received as an author?
Best advice is to allow myself to write BAD! I have a problem with over editingmy first draft. I get hung up on the words instead of letting the story comeout. Needless to say, this method of writing takes me a long time, so I’mgiving myself permission to write awful to get to the end.

Where can my readersfind you on the Internet?

On my blog, Defying Gravity I encourage others to pursue their dreams andshare my writing insecurities and celebrations.But I also share fun stuff about my family like when mykids got a Disney audition call back! For posts related to all typesof writing, I blog ever Friday at Writer...Interrupted, thesite I founded when I was trying to figure out howto balance raising my family with pursuing my writing career.

You can follow me on my Facebook Author Page ,Twitter and my FacebookPage just for Writer...Interrupted.

Thank you so much, Gina, for the interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using them when you order, you help support this blog.

Cherry Blossom Capers (Romancing America) - paperback
Cherry Blossom Capers - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (US residents only.) (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

LOVE RETURNED - Mildred Colvin - Free E-book

2012-01-31T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Mildred. Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

This is a hard question because while I think I’m imaginingtotally new people for my stories, the truth is a lot of me probably ends up inthe heroine. Of course, my characters are much braver and adventurous than I’dever be. Still, I don’t think an author can help but put some of themselvesinto their characters.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

Hmm, I’m either not a quirky person or I just thinkeverything I do is perfectly normal. LOL! The only thing I can think of isgoing on a weekend car trip to Winnipeg, Canada when I lived in Southern Missouri. That’s a long drive, but I still remember it, and Iloved the Canadian city that appeared so clean and fresh compared to the bigcities I was used to.

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

Probably when I enjoyed the writing assignments in highschool English classes. I didn’t care so much for the research papers, but thecreative writing was totally fun. I didn’t consider writing, though, until mykids were young and I wrote some stories for them.

I’m like you. I lovedwriting assignment, but not research papers. Tell us the range of the kinds ofbooks you enjoy reading.

The books I enjoy reading the most are very much like what Iwrite. Romance! I especially like to curl up with a 19th Century story set inthe western states whether it’s prairie, western, or Americana. Beyond that, I occasionally amcaptivated by women’s fiction.

Then you probablylike my books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Mostly, I just say no. LOL! It’s easy to find yourselfspread way too thin if you aren’t careful. I’m a stay-at-home sort of personand hope to remain that way. Spending a little time in God’s Word each morningis a good way to slow your day and accomplish more than you would otherwise.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

When I start a new book, the characters are where I startfirst, and the names are one of the first things I want to know. I have usedcharacter naming books, the phone book, and genealogy records. Sometimes, mycharacters walk into a story with names that fit. Those, of course, are theeasy ones.

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am very thankful for the confidence Barbour Publishingextended to me when they published my books in their Heartsong Presents line. Iam also extremely amazed and grateful to the Lord for allowing me and myhusband to adopt three adorable babies who have grown up into wonderful adults.While they have their moments, so do I, and I don’t think anyone could find anysweeter or better kids. God is good!

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

I think that would have to be a bird. To be more specific,an eagle. The reason is because birds have a way of flying away, apparentlyleaving their troubles behind. An eagle makes her nest away from the bustle oflife where she can look out at nature and the peace God’s world brings.

What is your favoritefood?

My favorite food without doubt is potatoes. There are somany ways potatoes can be fixed so I never tire of them. Okay, potato candyisn’t my favorite thing, but other than that, potatoes are great.

What is the problemwith writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

To be honest, I’ve probably had a problem with many areas ofwriting, and I can hope I’ve overcome at least some of them. Writing synopsesis probably the biggest hurdle I’ve had to jump. I am terrible at it. I want totell everything when the editor only wants the high points. I’ve studied manyarticles on synopsis writing and am gradually learning what is needed and whatisn’t. Sadly, this is something I’m still working on.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Love Returned is acontemporary romance set in central Missouri.Megan McGinnis was pressured to give upher baby and has regretted doing so ever since. Now she’s met Scott Landis andhis son, Randy. His adopted son.

About the time she falls in love with Scott, circumstances convince herRandy is the baby she gave away nine years ago. But what can she do?

If she confronts Scott, she'll lose his love, and he'll keep Randy fromher. If she marries Scott without telling who she is, she'll have Randy andScott, but be living a lie. Is there a happy ending to her life?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

~One~

MeganMcGinnis yelped and jerked back. She touched a hand.

Her gazeskimmed past the well-sculpted male fingers, moved up a muscled arm dusted withdark hair, and over a broad shoulder, to a rather attractive specimen of thestronger sex. The palm of her hand burned, and heat crept up her neck to fillher face.

Where hadthe man come from? One of the other campsites, obviously. Her mind had beenfilled with her dream.

“I am sosorry. I—” She couldn’t think. She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t see you.”

He laughed.Not a polite titter, but a throw-back-your-head-and-let-it-out laugh.

Her handtightened on her water bucket. A smile touched her lips, and before she couldstop, she was laughing, too.

“Iapologize.” He shook his head. “It’s just that you looked so cute when yousquealed and then—” He tapped his nose and grinned. “That cute face youmade—I’m sorry. Are you serious you didn’t see me?”

“Of coursenot. I made it up so we could hold hands.” He thought she looked cute? No onehad called her cute since she was five, certainly no one ever said so twice ina row.

She giggledat his raised eyebrows. “What can I say? My mind was on something else. Andreally, I don’t go around holding hands with strange men.”

His eyes,bluer than any she’d ever seen, twinkled above a lop-sided grin. “I’m not sostrange once you get to know me.”

“Is thatright?” What was wrong with her? She never flirted, but unless the rules hadchanged in the last ten years, that’s exactly what she was doing now. Ofcourse, today her emotions were in such turmoil, she might be capable of doingalmost anything. Just not this. Not with a stranger.

She shookher head and stepped back before he could respond. “Look, I’m really sorry. Ididn’t mean to do—” She twirled her finger in a circle to include the faucet.“You know. Go ahead and get your water. I’ll wait.”

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Readers can find me at http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com

and at http://www.infinitecharacters.com

Lena,thank you for interviewing me on your blog.

Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

I’m like you. I lovedwriting assignment, but not research papers. Tell us the range of the kinds ofbooks you enjoy reading.

Then you probablylike my books. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

What is your favoritefood?

My favorite food without doubt is potatoes. There are somany ways potatoes can be fixed so I never tire of them. Okay, potato candyisn’t my favorite thing, but other than that, potatoes are great.

What is the problemwith writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Tell us about thefeatured book.

About the time she falls in love with Scott, circumstances convince herRandy is the baby she gave away nine years ago. But what can she do?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

~One~

MeganMcGinnis yelped and jerked back. She touched a hand.

Where hadthe man come from? One of the other campsites, obviously. Her mind had beenfilled with her dream.

“I am sosorry. I—” She couldn’t think. She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t see you.”

He laughed.Not a polite titter, but a throw-back-your-head-and-let-it-out laugh.

Her handtightened on her water bucket. A smile touched her lips, and before she couldstop, she was laughing, too.

“Of coursenot. I made it up so we could hold hands.” He thought she looked cute? No onehad called her cute since she was five, certainly no one ever said so twice ina row.

She giggledat his raised eyebrows. “What can I say? My mind was on something else. Andreally, I don’t go around holding hands with strange men.”

His eyes,bluer than any she’d ever seen, twinkled above a lop-sided grin. “I’m not sostrange once you get to know me.”

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Readers can find me at http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com

and at http://www.infinitecharacters.com

Lena,thank you for interviewing me on your blog.

My pleasure, Mildred.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Love Returned - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

A RANGER'S TRAIL - Darlene Franklin - Free Book

2012-01-30T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Darlene. What are some of thespiritual themes you like to write about?

I describe myself as a child of the Sixties; the socialissues of racism, poverty, and the obvious points of the feminism movementresonate with me to this day. (Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heroes!) Ieven wrote a novel, which will probably never be published, about the Montgomery bus boycott.

A Ranger’s Trail exploresa different kind of racism, one that still exists today, between native-bornand immigrants. In Mason County, Texas, in the 1870s, even second generationAmericans were still called “Germans,” compared to the “Americans” who hadmigrated to Texas from places like Tennessee and Kentucky.Racial mistrust fueled as much of the Mason Countywar as did the issues of cattle rustling, with two sides entering a blood feud.

What other books ofyours are coming out soon?

Pride’s Fall, onebook of a three book series set in the Four Corners,will be out soon from Heartsong Presents. Pride’sFall is set in 1899 Mesa Verde, Colorado.Carla Gade wrote Shadowcatcher’sDaughter, set in New Mexico and Colorado; and Susan Page Davis added Almost Arizona.

This fall, I will have three books come out: A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas (my“steamboat story”); Calico Brides, anovella anthology set in 1870s Kansas; and MerryChristmas, With Love in the contemporary anthology Postmark: Christmas.

If you could spend anevening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who wouldit be and why?

I think it would be hilarious to sit down with Tyler Perryor Steve Harvey. As far as I know, they are both Christians, and all I know iswhenever I see them, I can’t stop laughing.

James and I lovewatching both of them, too. What historical person would you like to meet(besides Jesus) and why?

My hero, Martin Luther King Jr.! I’d love to sit down withhim and Rosa Parks. Two ordinary people who sparked a movement that changed anation. One person can make adifference. And yet I so often feel like only one!

How can you encourageauthors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Rejections are part of the process. Earlier in my writing career, I set a goalfor who many submissions I would make. Submitting is under my control;acceptance or rejection isn’t. Over time, as I accumulated far more rejectionsthan acceptances, I gained a sense about what worked for me, what I could sell,and what didn’t.

Also, I would encourage authors to move onto the next thing.Don’t continue polishing that first (or second or even third) manuscript ifmultiple editors have seen it and rejected it. Later, once your foot is in thedoor, that manuscript may sell. Or it may not. For now, accept it as a learningexperience and try something new.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

TEXAS TRAILS: Doubtmeets hope and fear gives way to faith in the Morgan family.

A RANGER’S TRAIL: WhenLeta Denning’s husband is murdered at the beginning of the Mason County War,she wants one thing: revenge. Buck Morgan, a Texas Ranger called in toinvestigate, has ties to a German family involved in Denning’s death.

Buck’s ability to remain impartial and bring the murderer tojustice has Leta anxious. As she struggles to keep her ranch afloat, Buckoffers to help—all the while searching for the truth. A tentative trailemerges, one forged by respect and bound by vengeance and forgiveness.

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Found not guilty of any wrongdoing. Praise the Lord.”Derrick Denning lifted his cup of coffee in a mock salute to his wife, Leta.“As the Good Book says, ‘Thou hast maintained my right and my cause.’ Though Ifeel bad about the fines the other fellows have to pay.

The Denningfamily sat around the table enjoying a celebratory dinner in their cabin on theD-Bar-D Ranch. Young Ricky clapped his hands on the table, although he didn’tknow what they were celebrating. Leta looked into her husband’s eyes over theirson’s head and smiled. The baby inside her stirred, as if contently joining inon the joy.

“I’ll readup on that new law about transporting cattle over county lines before I go onany more cattle drives. Right and legal aren’t always the same thing, and wewant to be sure we stick on the side of the law.”

“It’s notright, the other men getting fined.” Leta’s brother Andy stopped shovelingbeans into his mouth long enough to grumble. “They didn’t do nothing wrong. Thecattle belonged to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Thomas.”

When herhusband was arrested for helping M.B. Thomas and Allen Roberts take theircattle to Llano Countyfrom Mason County, the ordeal filled her withanguish. Local German cattlemen had accused both Thomas and Roberts of stealingcattle. In the court case, six of the cowhands were found guilty and fined $25a head. Yet the court dismissed Derrick’s case due to insufficient evidence.

The Germancattlemen had grumbled at the verdict. Tensions between Anglos and Germansalready ran high, since German settlers had opposed seceding from the Union during the War Between the States. Now Mason Countywas full of cattle ranchers who were angry that justice for cattlestealing—real and supposed—was not being fulfilled through the law. Germansettlers and people native to Mason County alike weretroubled.

I’ve read all thebooks in this series so far, and I know I’ll love this one just as much. Howcan readers find you on the Internet?

On facebook and at http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com

It's always a pleasure to have you drop by, Darlene.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Ranger's Trail (The Texas Trail Series) - paperback
A Ranger's Trail (The Texas Trail Series) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

HEART OF GOLD - Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book

2012-01-29T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Robin Lee. It's always a pleasure to have you on my blog, and I love your books. Tell us about yoursalvation experience.

I was raised in a mainline Christian church, but I was in mytwenties before someone shared with me that being a Christian was more than areligious practice and church was more than a wholesome place to be on a Sundaymorning. I don't recall ever hearing at my church that I could know Jesus, thatHe wanted to be my personal Lord and Savior, that He would come and live in myheart if I only asked Him to. I don't remember anyone telling me as I wasgrowing up that I needed to be born again. I didn't know I was lost until I wasfound. Thank God for the young couple who entered my life and quietly began toshare the person of Jesus Christ with me. Thank God for saving my mother andthen allowing her to pray me into the Kingdom.

Isuppose it isn't surprising, given my love for books, that God chose theprinted word to reveal Himself to me. It began when I was given a copy of theLiving Bible. Over the following months, as I read the New Testament, I alsoread The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Woman to Woman byEugenia Price, and Prison to Praise by Merlin R. Carothers. Finally, onValentine's Day 1976 at approximately 6:00 a.m., I gave my heart to Jesus.

You’re planning awriting retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they beand why?

I cannot answer this question. I know too many authors who Iwould want to be there. Too many friends I wouldn’t want left out of a dreamlist.

I have been meeting annually with the same group of writersfor almost ten years now. There are ten of us, and when anyone misses (therehave been a few rare occasions), there is a hole in our group. One personabsent is like something has been ripped from our midst. We brainstorm at theseretreats. We write and work hard. But our time together is so much more, and itfills us up and sends us home for another year. We are truly sisters in Christand we pray together and cry together and laugh together. Why do I want themthere? Because they are a part of my heart and breath and life. Because I havetrusted them with my deepest pains and greatest joys, and they have done thesame with me. In this group are some well-known, best-selling writers and thereare some not-as-well-known, mid-list writers. But when we are together, we areall the same: followers of Jesus seeking to do His will.

We all need a groupof friends like that, no matter the number. Do you have a speaking ministry? Ifso, tell us about that.

I enjoy speaking to both women’s and writers’ groups,although I don’t do as much of it now as I used to.

Mywomen's retreats run from Friday evening to Sunday morning (although Sunday isoptional) and include five sessions (one on Friday and four on Saturday). Overthe course of the weekend, I share my personal testimony as well asinspirational stories from my life, my books, and my heart. Participantsdiscuss questions in small groups and learn applications for their own lives.We laugh together, perhaps share a few tears, and most of all, we come awaywith our faith strengthened.

Forwriters, I do a limited number of one hour workshops designed for novelists.However, after 30 years of writing fiction, the writing of over 60 novels, andfive years spent on the RWA board of directors, including two years as theorganization’s president, my favorite sessions are Q&A. I love to answerthe questions that writers have rather than being kept to a narrow topic.

Ifany of your blog readers are interested in me speaking to their group, they canfind more information on my web site: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/speaker.html

What is the mostembarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Goodness gracious. I’m sure there are a host of embarrassingthings to choose from, but I sure am drawing a blank. How about if I share themost embarrassing thing that ever made it into print in one of my books? That’seasy for me to remember. This was during my general market career before Istarted writing Christian fiction and before e-mail was as common as it istoday.

I was writing a three book historical romance series, eachbook set in the same town but each one having a different hero and heroine.When the second book was released, it wasn’t long before I received a letter(the first of several) pointing out an error on a certain page. When I read theletter, I said, “No, that cannot be,” and rushed to open one of my authorcopies to check it out. But it was true.

In the book, the heroine went to bed with her husband, thehero of book #2 at the end of one chapter, but when she woke up the nextmorning (new chapter), I had used the name of the hero of book #1 in the placeof her husband’s name. Totally wrong man in her bed!

How on earth had I and my editor and the copy editor allmissed this mistake? I about died. But, hoping to make lemonade out of thoselemons, I created a contest out of it and gave a prize to one of the readerswho wrote to me about the error.

I’ve had that happen,calling a hero by the name of the hero in the previous book in a series. Itreally confused my readers, too. People are always telling me that they’d liketo write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tellsomeone who came up to you and said that?

I tell them to start writing, to write something every day.I encourage them to read widely and to study the craft, but I add that a bookdoesn’t get written unless you sit down and work on it every day.

Very good advice. Tellus about the featured book.

HEART OF GOLD

A Women of Faith Book Club selection

Thomas Nelson, February 2012

The truest treasureis found deep in the heart.

Life in Grand Coeur, Idaho, is so different! Back in herbeloved Virginia, Shannon Adair loved nursing injured soldiers back to health.But in this rough-and-tumble place where her father has been called to lead thechurch, she’s not sure where she fits in. Then a critically ill woman arrives,and Shannon knows her place at last: to care for this dear woman and ease herpain.

Matthew Dubois is a stagecoach driver through and through.But his widowed sister is dying and he’s about to inherit his young nephew. Sohe takes a job at the Wells Fargo express office in Grand Coeur until he canfind the one thing he needs to get back on the stage: a wife!

What neither of them knows is that someone is at work behindthe scenes. Someone who cares for them both, and knows exactly what these twoneed: each other!

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Prologue

January 1864

Covington House, Virginia

“Am I doing the right thing, Adelyn? Isthis truly God’s will for us?”

Delaney Adair didn’t believe his dearlydeparted wife could hear his words or read his thoughts in heaven. Nothing inScripture led him to believe she could. But it always seemed to clear his headwhen he “talked” with her this way, the same way they had talked overeverything—matters large and matters small—throughout their marriage. Especiallymatters pertaining to their daughter.

“Shannonhas grown even more beautiful than you remember her. She has a good heart. Shelikes to help others. But she is also quick to judge, even more so since thewar began. I fear her pride will be her downfall. Perhaps I’ve spoiled her.” Heshook his head. “No, I know I’ve spoiled her.”

Would his daughter forgive him for takingher away from Covington House, away from her friends and neighbors?

We’llhave a new life in Grand Coeur. Shannon will make new friends. And there won’tbe so many reminders of a past that is gone for good. For her . . . or for me.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Web Site: http://www.robinleehatcher.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/robinleehatcher

Write Thinking blog: http://blog.robinleehatcher.com

Thank you for this peek into your life and new book release, Robin.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Heart of Gold - paperback
Heart of Gold - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

LAST JANUARY WINNERS 2012

2012-01-28T06:32:00.000-08:00

Patty (SC) is the winner of Amelia's Journey by Martha Rogers.
Apple Blossom (ND) is the winner of The Secret of the Love Letters by K Dawn Byrd.
Aizess (NY) is the winner of Goodbye Noel by Nike Chillemi.
Stephen (TX) is the winner of The Lazarus File, by Donn Taylor.
Tammi (ME) is the winner of Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey.

If you won a book and you really like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. Send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

A WEDDING INVITATION - Alice J Wisler - Free Book

2012-01-27T03:30:00.000-08:00

Why do you write thekind of books you do?

The kind of books I write (contemporary fiction) are thegenre I like to read.

Besides when you cameto know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’ve had many happy days----the birth of my four children,the day I married Carl, and the day I signed my first contract for two novelswith Bethany House.

How has beingpublished changed your life?

I’ve always written, even as a kid I was creatingstories. Being published makes me feelvalidated in my writing. So, it hasbridged me from a “wanna-be” author to a “real author”.

What are you readingright now?

The Lovely Bones,by Alice Sebold.

What is your currentwork in progress?

I’m revising Fragranceof Marigolds, a novel I completed a year ago about a bereaved mother whosells her home and buys a RV.

What would be yourdream vacation?

I’ve been on so many vacations that have been dreams cometrue. I’d like to go on a cruise throughthe Mediterranean with my husband.

How do you chooseyour settings for each book?

My five novels (the most recent, Still Life in Shadows, will be published by River North/Moody isAugust) are all set in North Carolina. I placed my first novel, Rain Song, in Mount Olive, and since then decided to set all mynovels in North Carolina.

If you could spend anevening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’d like to talk with John Walsh of “

America

’s Most Wanted.” His son died and we have a lot in commonsince my son died in 1997 from cancer treatments. I’d like to ask him about hisson Adam as well as about all he’s done to help others in the aftermath ofAdam’s abduction and murder.

What are your hobbies,besides writing and reading?

Cooking Asian food, walking three miles each day, andspending time on our runabout boat, Rain Song, are some of the things I like todo.

What is your mostdifficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Facebook! Facebookcan snatch all your writing time if you aren’t careful. Once I set out to write, I’m pretty good atsticking with it but those little visits over from my manuscript file toFacebook do cause some delays.

What advice would yougive to a beginning author?

Don’t give up. Revise, revise, edit and edit. You can always improve. Write often----that is how you get better at it.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

A Wedding Invitation is about two teachers helping a youngrefugee woman find her birth mom. It is loosely based on my time of working asa teacher in a refugee camp in the Philippines in the mid 1980s.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Chapter One

February 1993

When a pet goes missing, it’s hard to concentrate onanything but where he might be. Missing a cat can cause his owner to losefocus, forget, and do silly things---even hang clothing in wrong places. Todaythis is happening to my mother.

As though she’s walking through a fog, Mom stares into thedistance and hangs the newest order of black dresses all together in aclump. The metal hangers clink againsteach other, and I wince, realizing what she’s done. The size twos are next tothe size fourteens, yet the entire point of Mom’s store are that the small and large sizes are displayedconveniently on different racks, not all meshed together, tangled in a confusedweb.

Following behind her, I sort the designer dresses in theirproper sections, wondering if I should remind Mom that she can’t compromise herorganizational skills—they are her strength in running her boutique, Have aFit.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

http://www.alicewisler.comis my website. Friend me on Facebook andfollow me on Twitter. My author page onFacebook is:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-J-Wisler/333751835453

I love hearing from readers!

Thank you, Alice, for dropping by today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Wedding Invitation, A - paperback
Wedding Invitation, A - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE SOUND OF RED RETURNING - Sue Duffy - Free Book

2012-01-26T02:30:00.000-08:00

Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

More than I care to admit. It’s pretty scary when you fitcomfortably inside the head of your villain. But I couldn’t birth any characterwithout imparting my DNA. That means I’m a little bit of everyone. A littleSybil-like.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

Hitchhiked up I-75 to Atlantawith two University of Florida footballplayers. Purely spontaneous (after losing our ride mid-trip). Purely stupid.And wholly exhilarating, at least for an invincible college kid.

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

When my ninth-grade English teacher told me I was. So Ibecame an advertising copywriter, newspaper writer, and magazine writer. Andthen I discovered I liked to make things up—not a respectable trait for ajournalist. So I shifted into respectable fiction and conjured my first novel, MortalWounds, in 1998. My second novel, FatalLoyalty, was released last year. And now Kregel is launching my new serieswith the release of The Sound of Red Returning.

Tell us the range ofthe kinds of books you enjoy reading.

In fiction, I used to read only Frederick Forsyth, TomClancy, Robert Ludlum, Patricia Cornwell, John Le Carre, Ken Follett, and otherhigh-suspense authors. Some of my women friends thought that strange. So Itried some of the sweeter, softer novels they liked—and decided to find newfriends :-)

Now, though, my reading list is all over the place, fromJoyce Carol Oates to Ted Dekker.

How do you keep yoursanity in our run, run, run world?

I quit running. I’d rather write.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

I was driving through the mountains alone when the storylineof my first novel sprang to mind. I pulled over as soon as I could to make afew notes and realized I was in a small cemetery. I took my characters’ namesfrom the tombstones in front of me.

Since then, the names have come from more conventionalsources: seed catalogs, legal notices, members of Congress, Olympic athletes,obits, phone books, old movies, cartoons. You know.

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

Professionally: the publication of my first book.

Personally: the publication of my first book.

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

(Oooh, I hope myanswer is better than Miss Oregon’s.Here goes.) An eagle because it stands for power and nobility. Oh, wait.Eagles eat rats, don’t they? Ooooh, disgusting. Can I change my answer?

What is your favoritefood?

Blackberry cobbler like my grandmother used to make andnobody else on the planet does. Fresh berries we kids picked in the fields(then clawed chigger bites until we were pulp), fresh milk and butter from herneighbor’s cows, flour and sugar from the circa-1800s country store up theroad. No recipe. No discernible measurements.

What is the problemwith writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Time. I was editing a magazine and trying to write novelssimultaneously. That tandem effort didn’t work for me. I needed to completelyimmerse myself in the make-believe world—like disappearing through the back ofC.S. Lewis’s wardrobe and letting fiction morph into the virtual. At least untilit was time to cook dinner and sort socks. So, I resigned from my magazineposition and became writer-in-residence.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

My new book The Sound of Red Returning is thefirst book of the Red Returning trilogy. Here’s the storyline:

It’s been fifteen years since famed pianist Liesl Bower sawher beloved Harvard mentor gunned down, since the CIA disclosed his double lifeas a Russian spy. She was interrogated and released, with no incriminatingevidence against her. But now, something has happened to set Russian and CIAagents on her heels. New intelligence suggests that Liesl possesses a codedmessage critical to a resurgence of Soviet power.

As global tensions mount, the Russians are in a frenzy tofind the code before the Americans. Standing in their way, though, is the youngpianist from the tidal creeks and secret-shrouded lanes of old Charleston. As Liesl outruns the tip of theRussian spear, she must reckon with the wounds of her past, the love of a manshe never thought could be hers, and the prevailing power of God.

In the final hour, on a world stage, Liesl must deliver amessage of her own.

Sounds veryinteresting. Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

It was just three small paragraphs in the Boston Globethat morning in October 2011:

Slain Professor’s Widow Dies

Eugenia C. Devoe, wife of the late Schell M. Devoe—aprominent Harvard music professor who was murdered in his Boston home in1996—died of natural causes Friday in Canada. She was 78.

An accomplished musician, Eugenia Devoe had been a popularband director at Boston Central High School for many years. Shortly before herhusband’s death, Devoe resigned her position and left the couple’s home nearthe Harvard campus. Until now, her whereabouts had been unknown.

From Boston, Devoe had movedto the small farming community of Curien, west of Montreal, where she assumed her mother’smaiden name, Holbrook. Neighbors say she rarely ventured from her small ruralhome, where she taught piano lessons. The couple had no children. Mrs. Devoehad no surviving family.

By dawn the next day,the isolated cottage that had been Eugenia Devoe’s hiding place lay in ruins.Even the boards had been stripped from the ceilings and floors. Yet when theintruders left, they took only one thing from the house—a letter Schell Devoemailed to his wife just hours before he died.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Visit my website at www.sueduffybooks.com. I’m onFacebook as well. You can visit my page at www.facebook.com/SueDuffySuspense.Aaaand, I’m thinking about joining Twitter… yes? no? maybe so?

I’d love to connectwith you on Twitter. Let me know if you do. My twitter username is: lenandooley

Thank you, Sue, fordropping by and sharing with us today.

Readers, win a Kindle Fire from @SueDuffy2 and @KregelBooks in the "Red Returning" Giveaway!Sue Duffy and her publisher, Kregel Publications, are celebrating the release of The Sound of Red Returning by giving away a Kindle Fire prize package worth over $200 to one lucky winner!!!! (1/23-2/11)

Enter the Sue Duffy’s Giveaway today and you could win:

* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
* The Sound of Red Returning (Book One in the Red Returning series) by Sue Duffy

To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Readers, in addition, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Sound of Red Returning: A Novel (Red Returning Trilogy)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS - Lynette Eason - Free Book

2012-01-25T02:30:00.000-08:00

Why did you become anauthor?

I was lonely. Seriously. My husband’s job took him out oftown and all over the country 4 days out of the week. I had a nine month old babyat home and when she was sleeping, I was BORED. I had always said I wanted towrite a book so I figured that was as good a time as any to give it a try.

If you weren’t anauthor, what would be your dream job?

I’d probably be a realtor even though the economy for housesstinks right now. I could go in houses all day, just to look. I have no ideawhy I’m that way, just am. LOL.

I used to go torealty open houses or parades of homes a lot, but I don’t have time anymore. Ifyou could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

I would want to live on a ranch in the 1800’s. I just thinkit was such a romantic time period. Tough, hard to eke out a living sometimes,but it just looks like it would have been extremely interesting. And I likehorses. J

What place in the United Stateshave you not visited that you would like to?

I’d love to see the Grand Canyon.

I’ve wanted to dothat, too, and even more so since Mary Connealy wrote her Grand Canyon novel. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

Irelandor

Israel

.I’d love to walk where Jesus walked.

What lesson has theLord taught you recently?

That He’s totally in charge of my writing career and He willallow things to happen as He has designed it to happen. Don’t get me wrong. Istill have to do my part, promoting and marketing, etc. But because I’msurrendered to Him, He will guide my path.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

When The Smoke Clears is book one in the Deadly ReunionsSeries. I’m really excited about this story as it kicks off this new series.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

As a member of theNorth Cascades Smokejumpers, Alexia Allen always takes care of the equipmentthat keeps her safe. So when she nearly dies in a fire due to equipmentfailure, she knows something is up. Ordered to take time off while theinvestigation continues, Alexia makes a last-minute decision to recuperate ather mother's home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to befollowing her, and within hours of arriving home she's involved with murder,arson--and a handsome detective. But the conflicts ahead are nothing comparedto the ghosts of her past. As she strives to remember and forgive her familyhistory, she must also decide if the secret she's been guarding for the lastten years must finally come to light.

Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension readers have come to expectfrom Lynette Eason, When the SmokeClears is the explosive first book in the Deadly Reunions series.

Romantic Times gave it 4½ stars. I’m hoping the comingreviews will be just as good.

Sounds like a story I’dlove to read. Please give us the first page of the book.

First page of Chapter ONE:

Hesuspected what was in the envelope. Shaky fingers opened it and pulled out thesingle white sheet with the block style printed words.

IKNOW.

SenatorFrank Hoffman leaned back in his plush leather chair and drew in a deep breath.

Itwas Jillian; he knew it. She’d decided to come out of hiding. He’d searchedhigh and low for the girl ten years ago, when she simply dropped off the faceof the earth.

Butthe letter proved she wasn’t dead. She was back, taunting him with the skeletonin his closet.

JillianCarter. The one person that could kill his career, ruin his shaky marriage, andsabotage his future.

He’drather put a bullet in her brain than let that happen.

Again,he read the words.

IKNOW.

Amazingthat two small words could instill such terror.

Jawtight, he started to crumple the letter into a ball, then thought better of it.

Pullingout a large brown envelope, he added it to the one that had come two weeks ago.The one that said, “HELLO FRANK. I’LL BE IN TOUCH.” The one he’d been prayingwas from anyone but her.

Heshoved the envelope into the bottom drawer of his desk and shut the drawer witha snap.

Whatdid she want? There’d been no blackmail demand, no reason given for the subtlethreat.

Just,I KNOW.

Andonly two people on this earth knew his secret.

Ofcourse one wasn’t talking. Were there others?

Hedoubted it. The fact that the last ten years had flown by without a peep fromanyone was proof of that. With dread in his heart, he knew the truth of hissituation. A truth he had avoided facing for ten years. Now that truth staredhim in the face, mocking him. Letting him know that his comfort zone had beenpenetrated.

Hehad to find Jillian Carter.

Therewas only one way to restore peace back to his life. He picked up the phone andcalled the one person he trusted with absolute confidence to bury this secretso deep it would never stir again.

I know I’ll love it,and so will my husband. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I LOVE to hear from my readers. My email address is lynetteeason@lynetteeason.com.My fan page is Lynette Barker Eason. Please come LIKE me to keep up with themost recent news about me and my books. If you want to sign up for my newsletter,you can find the sign up box on my website. It’s www.lynetteeason.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you so much, Lena,for having me here.

It was totally mypleasure. I’ve always loved your books, and I know my readers will, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

When the Smoke Clears: A Novel (Deadly Reunions) - paperback
When the Smoke Clears (Deadly Reunions) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

JOY RESTORED - Jude Urbanski - Free eBook

2012-01-24T03:30:00.000-08:00

Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

I think most writers pick snippets from their own life whichappear in their stories. I think I do that also. I hadn't thought of myself inthe heroine of my novel, but a friend said she saw me there. The inclusionwasn't intention I can say, which makes it a little weird doesn't it? Maybe weincorporate more than we know.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

Lena, other than leave my bed unmade every Sabbath, in hopesof an afternoon nap, (which I almost never get-but still hope for), the onlything I can think of was the time I wore unmatched earrings during the week andthen on Sunday would wear matched ones. My object lesson was that with God andthe Sabbath, we can have balance and peace. But I quit, because we can havebalance with God every day.

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

I'd say the realization began in high school, when I workedon the year book and school paper, took journalism, and wrote a column called “Jottingsby Judy.” I began my first manuscript when I was early twenties.

Tell us the range ofthe kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I am very eclectic. If it's printed, I read it. My currentBFF nonfiction writer is Max Lucado. My fiction favs are historical fiction,romance and other wise. I love history stories, in particular the medievaltimes, but thrill to a well written love story also.

How do you keep yoursanity in our run, run, run world?

I start every day with a time of prayer and meditation. Thishelps me with balance and peace. Even though I am retired and my children aregrown, times still get hectic. I am careful not to over commit my time andenergy, yet feel the need to give back to people, my church and to my community.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

I like this question! In my first novel, it was easy,because I used arrangements of my ancestral family names since my setting waswhere my family homesteaded. Other than that, I try to make my names match mystories in time and place. Sometimes I use a name that I just love!

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

Proud isn't the right word, but I am most thankful for Jesus'redeeming grace.

I am proud, maybe it's okay to say that, of the educationalprivileges I've had through scholarships, whereas I would never have had thechance for such a good education.

My kids came through me, but are not me, but I am thrilledwith them and their kids.

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

This is easy. I'd be a giraffe, because they stick theirnecks out!

What is your favoritefood?

Pastas, salads and fruit. Ethnic wise, it is now Indian cuisine.Used to be Chinese.

What is the problemwith writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Initially, staying in Point of View challenged me, but Icontinued to read and absorb and take courses on this. I also had to work onmaking my dialogue not sound so stilted. I think I have finally accomplishedboth, but am committed to lifelong learning.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Joy Restored is book one in TheChronicles of Chanute Crossing.It is in electronic format and set in Pickett County, Tennessee,where I was born, as was my family for many generations. It's a women's fictioncrossed with inspirational romance. A young widowed mother spins tragedy intotriumph, renews her faith and ultimately finds love. It deals with the eons-oldquestion of why bad things happen to good people.

Lena, the fun thing with mybook by Desert Breeze is that my mother's 80+ year old romance novella, withthe same setting, is a free companion download with my book. I like to thinkshe knows that she finally got published!

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Chapter One

Kate's heart beat in sync with the slow-movinghearse crawling alongthe rutted lane. The image of a tiny ant heaving a giant burden seared hermind, but the ache in her heart rested with the body in the hearse.

The Davidson Family Cemetery soon came intosight, looking as neglected and abandoned as Kate felt. The driver of thehearse hurried to Kate's car as soon as the procession stopped.

“Mrs. Davidson, please step overhere.” Undertaker Shirley Brown ushered her closer to the fresh, mounded dirtafter Kate and her children climbed from the car.

She could do with an extra dose ofstrength right now, but how could she muster it given the pain and anger shefelt in her heart? Her arms tightened around her three small children, whohuddled close, the cold wind whipping hard against their legs. Her childrenwere Clayton's legacy. His only legacy.

If only she could get through this.She, her children, and a meager band of mourners stood like sentinels besidethe open grave as the body of her husband, Lieutenant Clayton Paddy Davidson,was lowered to its final resting place. He would join his Scottish forefathersin this rural Tennesseecountryside. The Vietnamnightmares could rest, too.

Father O'Connell's words ofintended comfort cut through the cold mountain air. Kate looked at the priest. Heradiated kindness from the top of his balding head to the tip of his black robeblowing in the harsh wind. It certainly wasn't required of him to conduct thefuneral, for she and Clayton hadn't been God's most faithful of St. Francis'Parish. Father O'Connell had wanted to do Clayton's service.

Why?

In closing, Father invited all tojoin in the Lord's Prayer. Heads bowed.

Kate extended her hand to him atthe last amen.

“Thank you,Father. I appreciate your doing the service.”

“You're welcome, my child. You'realso welcome at God's house.”

She felt his squeezeof her hand. She nodded.

God's house? Shedidn't think so. She hadn't been able to help Clayton, and God certainly hadn'thelped him either.

God issupposed to help those in need. Couldshe ever believe that again?

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

My website is http://www.judeurbanski.com

Thank you, Jude, for the interesting visit today.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Book One: Joy Restored - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

FREEHEADS - Kerry Nietz - Free Book

2012-01-23T02:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Kerry. God has really beenmoving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Yes, I think that’s true. I’ve been grateful for thepositive support my books have gotten so far. At last count the first book ofthe series (A Star Curiously Singing)has forty-seven 5-star reviews on Amazon. The first two books have both beenfinalist in numerous award contests, and last year ASCS was the Reader’sFavorite Gold Medal Award winner in the Christian Science Fiction & Fantasycategory.

I can only see that as God’s blessings. Especially since Inever thought the first book would be published. Typically “Christian” and“Science Fiction” are two circles that don’t intersect. A real hard sell to apublishing house.

As for the future, I hope to keep writing stories thatpeople will enjoy. Stories from a Christian worldview that still have a little“weird” in them. JThankfully, the advent of micro-publishers like my publisher, Marcher LordPress, means there is an outlet for those types of stories.

Tell us a littleabout your family.

Sure. My wife’s name is Leah and we’ve been married fornearly ten years. We have three children, ages six, five, and one. They keep usbusy. In addition, we have an ancient cat that we would forget we had if shewasn’t so vocal at mealtimes.

Has your writingchanged your reading habits? If so, how?

My reading is more focused on speculative fiction now thanit ever was before. Some of that is because I like to study other stories andstorytellers. To both learn from what others have written, and to keep my ownwriting fresh and unique.

Much of my genre focus too comes from publishers and authorsasking me to review their speculative titles. Sometimes that’s for the reviewitself, and other times it’s because they want a cover recommendation. (Iconsider both an honor.)

Probably the largest overall change in my reading habits isthat I try to review everything I read. I almost don’t feel like I’ve finished abook until I’ve written about it. J Plus, I know howimportant reviews are in today’s online book-buying world. I like helping otherwriters succeed.

As you know, I do,too. What are you working on right now?

I have a couple stories I’m bouncing around on. Both speculative.Both science fiction. I’m not sure if the bouncing is a good sign or not. Ispent nearly four years of my life in the world of the DarkTrench Saga. I felt likeI knew the characters and situations intimately. Now I need to find anotherstory to grab my interests. At times it is a struggle.

What outsideinterests do you have?

At this point family clearly takes a good share of my time. Ourkids are young enough that someone always has to be supervising. I relish that,though. I was in my late thirties when our first child was born. So I was readyto be a father. Plus, they’re delightful and interesting little people. A bittrying at times, but also surprising and incredibly distinct. Like the bestbooks you’ve ever read.

I’m also a regular at the gym. In fact, last year Iparticipated in the Arnold5K Pump and Run. It is this bench press and running competition. (An odd mix, Iknow.) You bench a percentage of your body weight as many times as you can andthen you go out and run a 5K. Each rep on the bench takes 30 seconds off yourfinal running time. There were over 800 people signed up last year, and Ifinished somewhere in the middle. Not bad considering I was never an athlete inschool.

Aside from that I’m a movie buff and a bit of a video gameplayer. Mostly Halo. I have dozens of friends on Xbox Live with names likeDaBest, MasterPhoenix and RockAndRoller. Ages unknown, but I suspect most areyounger than me.

How do you chooseyour settings for each book?

I don’t give a lot of thought to setting. It just sort ofcomes for free.

My stories start with images. For instance, A Star Curiously Singing came from aseries of images. One was of this future robot analyst/repairman sitting in aroom talking to a robot. Trying to verbally diagnose it.

Another image was of that same robot in pieces on aspaceship floor. So then I realized this robot must’ve gotten damaged on a deepspace mission, and this analyst fellow must have put it back together and isnow trying to understand what went wrong. Next I realized this space ship was anew design, and the place where the analysis was occurring was a space station.

So there I had two important settings: a special ship, and aspace station.

If you could spend anevening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

For a Christian like me the obvious answer is Jesus, butunlike other people from history, we can spend time with Him, not just for anevening, but any old time of the day. That’s the beauty of our relationship.Jesus is always available.

Given that, I guess I’d say George Washington. I think muchof what he was and did is lost to modern America. As are the lives andsacrifices of all the founding fathers. It would be great to just sit with Washington and hear thestories that were significant to him. To hear how his faith directed andsupported him.

That would beawesome. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you startedwriting novels?

How important marketing is, and how much of theresponsibility for that marketing falls squarely on the author’s shoulders.Most of us technology/science fiction guys aren’t, by nature, extroverts. (Eversee the sitcom The Big Bang Theory?)We’re more comfortable dealing with internal worlds—computers or fictionalworlds—than we are the world outside. So trying to become an expert marketer isdifficult.

Marketing is so important in today’s world, though. And I’mlearning. It would’ve been nice to know in advance what a large percentage oftime marketing takes, though. I might’ve taken a few classes. J

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I recently read the book Radicalby David Platt. In it the author makes a strong case that American Christians—withour large churches and constant striving for more and more stuff—have largelymissed the point of the Gospel. That we’ve surrendered the mission of theChurch to the altar of the “American Dream.”

It is difficult to read that book and not be convicted insome way. So I guess I’m still digesting what I read and trying to figure outwhat that means for me in this New Year. It’ll be interesting to see where theLord leads.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors todo to be successful?

Write whether you feel like it or not. You’ll be surprisedhow often even the “bad” days turn out good work.

Writing is a faith walk. So think of it that way. No, youmay not know how it is all going to end, or what situations will happen alongthe way. But God does. So start walking, start writing, and eventually you’llget there.

Don’t let the negative reviews outweigh the good. And don’tthink everyone will love your work. You’renot writing for everyone. You’re (hopefully) writing to please God. Remember, evenJesus had critics. You will too.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Freeheads is the third and final book in the DarkTrench Saga,which began with A Star Curiously Singing.In the second book, a couple of the characters were in space, essentiallysearching for the truth about God. This third book follows their return toEarth, and what they do with what they’ve learned. Of course, some things havechanged since they left, and some things haven’t.

At some level, the DarkTrench Saga resembles the life ofMoses, wrapped in a cyberpunk meets sharia (Islamic) law veneer. I’ve taken manyof the standard sci-fi tropes—robots, extreme technology, a dystopian future,space travel, alien intelligences, reluctant heroes—and tried to put my ownunique spin on them. I think it is lots of fun, but I hope it also has deepmeaning. That was my goal, anyway.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

2000 AH, Day 62, 9:23:42 a.m.

[DarkTrenchNest]

In a digital mindthe simplest thing is a “bit.” It is the smallest divisible part, just like weused to think the atom was in the physical world. Consequently, bits areimportant. The machine revolves around them. Everything is measured in bits, orin the thousands of them.

A single bit has avalue, and that value can be either one or zero. Or—to revert to theelectronics from which computers take their substance—either “on” or “off.”Power is traveling through the bit, or it is not.

It wasn’t untilafter the first computers were created that we realized that they—in at leastone way—approximated our own brains. In the human brain, the simplest thing is a“neuron.” It is the smallest divisible part. That neuron has a value. It iseither firing or not firing. Reacting or not reacting.

The power iseither on or off…

DarkTrench letsout a singular shriek on the stream, wrenching me from my reverie. Seated inthe ship’s nest, alone, I check the screen in front of me and then pan the restof the room’s screens. Looking for an answer. All show a spinning metallic“DT”, DarkTrench’s approximation of sleep.

At the front ofthe room, on both sides of the curved central screen, the diamond-shaped panelsare slid back. Beyond them I can see the light tunnel we travel in. It billowsas we carve through the light-years. Space is an afterthought to the ship, anempty annoyance in our swirling pathway home.

“What is it, Trench?”

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

My website is www.kerrynietz.com, or www.nietz.com. I’malso on a number of social networks. There is a graphical list of them at thebottom of my website home page.

Thank you, Kerry, for giving us another peek into your world.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Freeheads - paperback
Freeheads (The Dark Trench Saga) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

A TIME TO HEAL - Seye Oke - Free Book

2012-01-22T02:30:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to feature one of the writers in Africa I'm acquainted with. Welcome, Seye. Why do you write thekind of books you do?

Ienjoy reading the Bible and getting inspired by the words; I decided to startwriting inspirational fiction as a way of conveying biblical principles andvalues in a manner that both entertains and inspires the reader. Growing up Iread a lot of fiction books and I enjoyed the way they allowed me dream andexperience times and places I may never have an opportunity to experience inreal life. A blend of fiction and biblical principles allows me give my readerthe same out of this world experience while leaving them with something thattransforms their lives from within.

Besides when you cameto know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Ican’t decide between the day I got married and the day I found out I was goingto be a mom. Both days gave me joy beyond words and every day I thank God forthe experiences. The happiest moment for me when I was getting married was themorning of the church ceremony when I woke up and realized I was going to spendthe rest of my life with my best friend. It was a feeling of complete joy andanticipation of the adventures we were going to experience together - reallythrilling.

How has beingpublished changed your life?

Thereis the sense of responsibility which comes from knowing other people arecounting on you to do the right thing not just by writing books that inspireand entertain but also by living a life that aligns to the values you profess.That has changed me completely and I hold myself accountable for everything Isay and write.

What are you readingright now?

InterestinglyI am not reading a book I am researching song lyrics. I recently realized thatsome of the most inspiring writings I have ever read are lyrics of songs Ilove. So I’m going through my music files for songs that have inspired me andreading their lyrics. So far the song that tops the chat is India Arie’s Abeautiful day.

What is your currentwork in progress?

Iam working on a book titled TrivialPursuits. I have been working on this longer than I have worked on anybook. The story about a high powered business executive who finds the conceptof God repelling. He is forced to rethink his position when the force of naturethreatens to destroy his ‘self-made’ multimillion dollar empire.

What would be yourdream vacation?

Myhusband would be interested in this (laughs). We would love to take a week offwork and enjoy the sunny days on the beach in France, maybe Marseille.

How do you chooseyour settings for each book?

Iam inspired by the key message of the book and I decide on the time and settingbased on that. If I decide to talk about cultural diversity then a story set inthe 60’s in Africa might do the job for me.And if it’s about a child experiencing freedom from his parent’s for the firsttime, then a story set in university campus would be better suited. I let themain theme decide the settings.

If you could spend anevening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Hmmmthat’s a tough one, a number of people have intrigued and inspired me and it’shard to decide. I would say Oprah, that’s because I have seen a lot of hershows and her TV personality but it would be nice to know for real what her offcamera life looks like and what inspires her to change the world like she does.That would be nice.

What are yourhobbies, besides writing and reading?

Ilove spending time with my family – quiet evenings taking a walk or listeningto music. I also love to travel; the idea of visiting new places alwaysintrigues me and fuels my creativity. I guess what I enjoy doing the most istaking time away from my busy world to get in touch with myself.

What is your mostdifficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Thatwould be work. My day job demands that I spend a considerable time thinking upcreative ideas to solve a common problem. Sometimes I find myself trying towrite and my mind slips back into some project I was working on at the office.I have trained myself to be mentally present on whatever I am working on andkeep every other thought out. It’s been hard but I try.

What advice would yougive to a beginning author?

Iwould tell any beginning author what an experienced writer told me many yearsago – Write, write, write! Honestly from my experience writing is the hardestpart and once you get that done you can use any form of publishing availablethis day to get your book out. You can explore traditional publishing,self-publishing, print on demand, eBook publishing, the options are out thereto explore. So get your pen and paper or if you’d prefer your laptop and startwriting; some works will get published, others you’d decide it was just anexercise – whichever it goes you will find fulfillment when you finish workingon a writing project.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

A Timeto Heal (2011) is an inspirational novel set in Historical Africa of theearly 60’s. The story borders on the tale of two young lovers, Tori and Chidi,bond by the covenant of marriage but separated by the realities of ethnicdifferences. It is a bold story that sets out to show the healing power offorgiveness and love. Embracing the multi-cultural nature of the Africansociety to appreciate its diversity and re-evaluate its glitches. ATime to Heal casts a floodlight on the debris that weakens thedevelopment of our societies starting with the smallest and most significantunit, the family. This creative work takes readers through a journey ofuncertainties and excitement as it narrows in on the triumphs and failureexperienced by Toriola and Chidi in the face of a civil war. In ATime to Heal, Chidi finds the very essence of his existence tested whenhe is called on to fulfill a family obligation that exists beyond his nuclearfamily. He finds himself on a journey of self-discovery as his closecompanions, Dozie, Azuka and Jude, lure him to fight for a course he has nofaith in. Chidi’s decision excludes Tori from his plans and ultimately from hislife. In search for consolation, companionship and support, Tori rekindles hersoured relationship with her parents, and clutches to the warmth offered by astranger. The individual paths chosen by this young couple widens as time passby, as each struggle to understand and uphold their new found ‘self’. Chidigives in to the clarion call of his kindred to join in the fight for theirrecognition and respect against superior forces, leaving Tori to re-discoverthe true meaning of family, loyalty and love. Consumed by the heart ache ofloneliness, Tori question every value she had ever upheld as she finds herselftorn between loving another and waiting for the one that betrayed her love.This book tells a compelling truth simplified to inspire the average reader inan enchanting yet revolutionary way.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

1960

Asthe parliamentary elections neared, there were a lot of political activitiesall around the country; propaganda, interviews, speeches, and campaigns.Citizens were skeptical about the outcome of the election as the census resultsreleased two years earlier showed that majority of the country’s populationtilted heavily to one side of the country. Talk was cheap, a dime a dozen, asthe radio stations aired the promises of a better tomorrow campaigned by thedifferent parties. In the midst of it all, somewhere in the less-popular partof the country, in the small foyer of community hall, two people oblivious tothe political tension were exchanging their vows, “With this ring I wed thee … Where yougo I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people andyour God my God.” The bride and groomwere misty eyed, and so were all those who witnessed as theminister pronounced them man and wife.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I try to keep a very engaging personality via mywebpage www.seyeoke.com , my twitter account @seyeoke where I primarily giveout inspirational tips and phrases and my fans page on Facebook www.facebook.com/splendourbooks. I absolutely love the engagement with my readers onFacebook. Readers have an opportunity to read the book reviews and mediainterviews I have had about my book A Time to Heal. They can also entercompetitions and win a free book. I have periodic post on the page highlightingmy events and photo stories; it’s quite an interesting interaction. Of course youcan always leave a comment or send me a message and I’d respond.

Thank you, Seye, for this peek into your life and writing.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Time to Heal - paperback
A Time to Heal - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

8 Winners!!!

2012-01-21T02:30:00.000-08:00

Cheryl (IL) is the winner of Evandale Gold by Amanda Deed.
Merry (TX), Judy Cooper (LA), and JoAnn Durgin (IN) is the winner of Highland Crossing by Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn.
Samantha (MI) is the winner of Rose's Pledge by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford.
Jo (AZ) is the winner of The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
Carly (NC) is the winner of The Shadow of Your Smile, by Susan May Warren.
Elaine (IA) is the winner of Undercover Angels, by Angela Dusenberry.

If you won a book and you really like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites.

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. Send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

CHASING MONA LISA - Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey - Free Book

2012-01-19T06:39:00.000-08:00

I know that this is acollaboration. How did this story come about?

Tricia: I’vewritten a handful of books set in the World War II, and I’ve always been intriguedabout how the Nazis stole art. When I was in Austria I heard about the saltmines that many art pieces were hidden in. I also read a book Rescuing DaVinci that intrigued me. That’s whyMike and I started the book with an action scene involving a train in Paris being loaded up with priceless art that waspurchased or stolen in France.I was amazed by how that happened and I knew readers would be too.

Mike: From there,it was a matter of piecing together a plausible plot that involvedReichsmarschall Hermann Göring’s desire to steal the Mona Lisa following the Allies’ liberation of Paris in August 1944. We believe we have morethan succeeded, and there are a lot of unexpected surprises along the way.

Did you find it easyto work together on it?

Tricia: The bestway to work together was for Mike to write the first draft and then I came inbehind and edited, added bits and pieces of scenes, and offered suggestions. Heusually set me free on the “romantic” parts.

Mike: That’s whatworked best for us. Thank goodness for Track Changes in Word.

That was a greatinvention loved by many authors. How did collaborating with this team impactyou?

Tricia: Mike andI collaborated on a previous World War II novel, The Swiss Courier and we both like the same type of research,although Mike comes up with the zinger plot twists.

Mike: Although ChasingMona Lisa has several of the same characters that appeared in The Swiss Courier, Tricia and I decidedto make it a stand-alone novel.

What is the hardestthing about writing as a team?

Tricia: Mike and Iboth have other books, other projects, and other deadlines that we do on ourown, so it’s hard to coordinate our time.

Mike: There arenever enough hours in the day.

What are you readingright now?

Tricia: I'mcurrently reading Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis and AStranger's Gift (pre-release to write an endorsement) by Pulitzer PrizeWinner Tom Hallman, Jr.

Mike: I justfinished Killing Lincoln by BillO’Reilly. I was surprised how good it was, but he didn’t write it. Hiscollaborator Martin Dugard undoubtedly authored the book.

How did you chooseyour characters’ names?

Tricia: I canclaim choose Colette! I love that name. Mike did the rest.

Mike: Believe itor not, many of the names come from Nicole’s family (she is Swiss) or friends shewent to high school with outside of Zurich.

Would you want towork on another book together?

Tricia: Sure, butwe need Chasing Mona Lisa to do well.

Mike: So tell allyour friends. This starving artist will appreciate it.

What do you want to tellus about the book?

Tricia: Theaction never stops. Every chapter moves toward a cliffhanger. We don’t wantanyone to catch his or her breath. Oh, yes, the research is pretty fun too!

Mike: It’swonderful how all the plot threads . . . and there are a bunch of them . . .all come together. We haven’t had anyone guess the ending yet, so there areplot twists galore.

Sounds like a book I’lllove. I’ll have to try to guess the ending. I love it when I’m totallysurprised, but that doesn’t happen too often. Please give us the first page ofthe book.

Here is the A Note tothe Reader (but the beginning of the first chapter follows).

The world-renowned Musée du Louvre, in Paris, France,started as a fortress when construction began in 1190. In the fourteenthcentury, Charles V converted the fortress into a residential chateau, andfrom the 1660s until 1682, Louis XIV, the Sun King, transformed the Louvreinto the grandest palace in Europe. Within itswalls today, 35,000 irreplaceable pieces of art are exhibited, including thethree most notable—the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory at Samothrace.

The Mona Lisa, oras she is called in French, La Joconde, greets visitors from behind aclimate-controlled enclosure fronted by bulletproof glass. Over 500 years old,the portrait of the most famous woman in the world—Lisa del Giocondo, the wifeof a Florentine silk merchant—measures only twenty-one inches wide by thirtyinches tall. It is said that her eyes follow—perhaps even haunt—viewers. Herfolded hands look smooth, and her smile, forever enigmatic. From the moment theItalian painter Leonardo da Vinci finished this masterpiece in 1519 a fewyears before his death, no portrait has elicited more scrutiny, study, and evenparody in the history of art.

During World War II, the Nazis looted thousands of paintingsand art works from the lands they conquered. Armed with the knowledge thattheir beloved treasures were in danger, the French packed up the Mona Lisa before the German Army overranParis. She wasmoved from one hiding place to another, and she even hung in a little girl’sbedroom for a time. The Mona Lisa remainedsafe throughout the time of the Nazi occupation of France . . .

Until the Libération of Paris.

Chapter 1 (first page)

Thursday, August 20, 1942

Paris, France, during Nazi occupation

Dressed in soiled blue overalls and pushing a dented trashcan, the solitary figure shuffled past two German sentries stationed at theGare de l’Est’s archway entrance.

The brim of a felt hat covered Bernard Rousseau’s downturnedeyes, averting the soldiers’ cold glare. Noone will bother you if you avoid eye contact while performing a menial job. Cradling that thought, he movedpast the guards into the gilded entrance arcade.

Gare de l’Est, one of six train stations in Parisand the main terminus for rail traffic to and from

Germany

, was moderately busy thissummer afternoon. In stark contract to the pall of oppression in the streets, afestive spirit hung in the air underneath the iron trusses of the train shedwhere clusters of German officers—flanked by smiling wives and jubilantchildren—arrived on holiday. Sweating porters toted their luggage, strugglingto keep up within the grand structure dominated by decorative columns.

Can’t wait to readit. Where can our readers find you on the Internet?

Tricia: This isthe easiest question of all. I’m at http://www.triciagoyer.comand you can follow me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authortriciagoyer)and Twitter (www.twitter.com/triciagoyer).

Mike: And ditto for me on social media. . . and my personalwebsite is http://www.mikeyorkey.com.

Readers:Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway from @triciagoyer @mikeyorkey!
Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Thank you, Tricia and Mike, for the interesting peek into your writing partnership and your book.

Readers, you can win a copy of the book here on this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE LAZARUS FILE - Donn E Taylor - Free eBook

2012-01-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

I read the print edition of this book several years ago. I'm glad to see it come out at an ebook, so many more readers can read this wonderful suspense novel.

Welcome, Donn. God has really beenmoving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Right now there is too much fog for me to see the horizon.Unlike some writers, I can't see two novels ahead or even two poems ahead. Ijust keep plugging along on a compass course through the fog and trust the Lordto bring me out somewhere useful to Him.

Tell us a littleabout your family.

My father was a well-known scholar of American literature,my mother was a college librarian, and my older brother is a retired specialiston William Faulkner. Me? I spent two decades in the Army before going to gradschool and becoming a professor. Mildred and I have been happily married formore than fifty years. Our two sons are lawyers. One daughter is a CPA, and theother just retired from teaching high school English. We have eightgrandchildren and one great-grandchild. Counting our children's spouses, wehave it all covered: an engineer to build it, a CPA to cost it, an Air Forceofficer to defend it, lawyers to handle the legal implications, and a liberalarts major to tell us what it means.

Has your writingchanged your reading habits? If so, how?

I read less for pleasure and more to elevate my craft or tohelp other writers. I still go back to literature to keep my imaginationactive. Last week it was Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Kipling's "TheGods of the Copybook Headings." Pretty soon I need to revisit Andrew Marvell'slyric poetry.

What are you workingon right now?

I have a mystery novel in progress and a suspense novel inthe concept and research stage, plus one idea for a narrative poem. I'mblogging on poetry each third Friday for the Christian Authors Network blog (http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/).I'll also be teaching at the Blue Ridgeconference again in May of 2012.

What outsideinterests do you have?

I'm teaching C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity to a small group at our church. I'm also an avidfan of college football, especially the Texas Longhorns—though I place greatervalue on the Humanities Research Centerat that university. But mostly I enjoy being married to Mildred. We like doingthings together, especially walking. We also like keeping up with our childrenand grandchildren, who live near enough but not too near.

How do you chooseyour settings for each book?

The setting for Rhapsodyin Red was a natural: I'd taught at two small colleges, so I was drawntoward setting the mystery on that kind of campus. The only trick was to keep thesetting fictitious and well away from any place where I'd taught. Finding thesetting for The Lazarus File was more interesting. At an anti-communistrally in North Dakota I met The HonorableLewis Tambs, former U.S.ambassador to Colombia and Costa Rica, anda former member of the National Security Council. (He coined the term"narco-terrorism.") He interested me in the unholy alliances of Communistnations with Colombian guerrillas and drug cartels, so I ended up with asetting in Colombia and the Caribbean area. Ambassador Tambs also was kind enough tolet me use his strategic concepts in the novel, and enjoyed my putting them inthe mouth of a CIA defector. I'll let the choice of settings for currentprojects wait for another time.

If you could spend anevening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Everyone's choice would be Jesus, of course. But if it werelimited to mere humans, I'd choose the medieval poet Dante Alighieri. His Divine Comedy is one of my all-timefavorites, and I'd like a first-hand reading of what he intended in hisallegory, e.g., does the Greyhound represent Dante's patron or does itrepresent Jesus in the Second coming? I'd also like to know more about medievalFlorence thanthe history books tell. My second choice would be the British naval heroHoratio Hornblower. I’d like to ask him how he got that group of Europeanslaves away from their African masters without firing a shot or paying ashilling. His biography is silent on that.

What is the one thingyou wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I'd known the difference in structure betweencommercial novels and literary novels. I received several severe critiques forusing tricks (like double flashbacks) that I'd seen used effectively inliterary novels. That cost me a good bit of re-writing. However, I'm glad Ididn't know how competitive the fiction-writing business is. That might havescared me off before I started.

What new lessons isthe Lord teaching you right now?

The same thing He's been teaching me all my life: PATIENCE.I seem to be a slow learner.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to besuccessful?

The first is to have patience:it always takes longer than you think it's going to. Second, learn the craft:don't be too proud or too stubborn to learn basic rules of grammar andpunctuation. Third, read widely. Don't limit yourself to your chosen genre.Read subject matter as well as fiction. You never know where the next idea iscoming from. (I would never have thought of musical hallucinations for Rhapsody in Red if I hadn't read aboutit in the New York Times.)

Tell us about thefeatured book. Here is the back-cover blurb of The Lazarus File: A CIAagent working under cover as a drug pilot in

Colombia

.... A Colombian woman ofgood family, threatened by industrial intrigue and a plot to kidnap her....Unwillingly thrown together, they discover plans for an international terroriststrike against both of their countries. Held captive and marked for death in aremote Andean valley, they must find a way to prevent the terroristattack....With action ranging over much of the Caribbean and the United States,The Lazarus File is a fast-pacednarrative featuring unexpected plot twists, thrilling flight sequences, andemotionally charged personal relationships. Thematically, it images characterswho keep their promises even when it may cost their lives.

The novel also has unexpected comic moments: The characterRamón is a blend of Shakespeare's Falstaff and Walker Percy's Moviegoer. He speaks in clichés, butnever gets them right.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Medellín, Colombia, October 1977

Mark Daniel had never been hijacked before, but the man pointing a pistol athis heart was rapidly filling that gap in his experience. Worse yet, Markrealized, getting hijacked would make him miss the crucial appointment he'd wonafter eighteen months of dangerous undercover work.

At noon he had landedhis white twin-engine Cessna 402 at Medellín after an overnight flight to Grand Cayman Island. After he parked and deplaned, aman wearing a baggy brown suit came forward, smiling. Two other men remained inthe background. The spokesman was a rugged-looking mestizo about Mark's own size--a bit more than six feet tall, witha weight around two hundred pounds. He sported a neatly trimmed mustache andperfect teeth.

"Buenas tardes, Señor," he began, then changed intoEnglish. "This airplane is for hire?"

"Usually," Mark replied, "but I have an appointment thisafternoon. I won't know about the next few days till my receptionist comes backfrom lunch."

A look of distress replaced the man's smile. "But Señor, this flightmust be made today."

"Then someone else will have to make it." Mark's voice soundedmore harsh than he intended. "I'm sorry," he added, "but I can'tbreak my appointment."

The man grew adamant. "But you must, Señor. The airplane at HaciendaAgueda has become sick and cannot be flown, and we must bring thepassenger back before nightfall. It is not wise to stay there overnight, forguerrilla territory lies nearby. For this flight I will pay you two thousandAmerican dollars."

Mark swallowed his irritation. "I'm sorry, but if I don't keep thisappointment, I'll lose my best customer."

That customer was Paolo Guzmán, one of the three most powerful drug lords ofMedellín. To end the conversation, he turned away and checked the clips on theCessna's cowling.

He hoped to hear departing footsteps, but instead he heard a flat,determined voice. "I do not wish to seem impolite, Señor, but you may losemore than your best customer."

Mark looked into the muzzle of a century-old Colt .45 revolver. Despite theanachronistic weapon, the visitor did not act like an amateur. The gunman's twohenchmen had drawn late-model automatics and taken positions for a cross fire.Mark's anger boiled against the hijackers, but more against himself for beingtaken unawares.

"And if I don't make the flight?" he asked. If he could stall fora few minutes....

"Ah, Señor!" The visitor sighed and looked sad. "Before theSabbath I must attend confession, and some patient Father must hear the tediouscatalog of my sins. Why would you add your murder to that sordid list? Youshould be more considerate of the priesthood."

How can readers find you on theInternet?
My Web site is www.donntaylor.com.Beyond that, typing my name into Google will bring up several pages ofreferences.

Thank you, Donn, for visiting with us again.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Lazarus File: How often must an undercover agent die in order to survive? (Legacy Series) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

GOODBYE NOEL - Nike Chillemi - Free eBook

2012-01-17T02:30:00.000-08:00

Bio: Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and its Chairman, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. BURNING HEARTS is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series, published by Desert Breeze. GOODBYE NOEL, the second book in the series was released in December, 2011. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning).

Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

I suppose there's something of myself in all of my heroines.They're all fairly plucky and I've been told that I'm pretty feisty. I try towrite strong female characters, not only the main characters but also secondaryones. When I wrote my debut novel BURNING HEARTS, I didn't realize until finaledits that my heroine's mother was quite like my Czechoslovakian maternalgrandmother, who had quite a backbone, by the way. This character cooked and bakedthe same dishes my grandmother did. And she had quite a boisterous sense ofhumor, just like my grandmother.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

Wow! I've done so many quirky things. One thing I'm knownfor that's sure to make my 14-year-old daughter roll her eyes is singing as ifI'm in a 1940s musical. And I'll rewrite the lyrics to fit whatever currentdomestic situation is going on in our house. I tap dance right into the livingroom and sing my heart out. I've also been known to snap my fingers in time tothe musak in supermarkets and boogie-along right down the aisle. At that point,my daughter hurries away having said, "So long, mom. You're now on yourown here."

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

I penned my first book when I was just a girl about my loveof horses. Actually, it was written in Crayola. In my pre-teen and teen years,I wrote poetry with the requisite angst. About six years ago I got reallyserious about writing for publication. I still keep my first manuscript aroundjust for laughs. It was that bad.

Tell us the range ofthe kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read mostly crime fiction. I'm a loyal fan of detectivenovel series and police procedurals. I read general market mysteries andChristian thrillers. I'll also occasionally read a good historical romance or anonfiction history title.

How do you keep yoursanity in our run, run, run world?

I'm not sure I'd claim to be sane. But I keep stress levelsdown with what I've been told is a whopping good sense of humor. A good laughcan release emotional pressure that's building up. If I want to get away fromit all for a little while, I'll pour through my cookbooks or recipes to findsomething delicious to cook. I might turn on the Food Network and watch acooking show. I'm a foodie. I'm also a firm believer in the restorative powersof a short nap.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

In addition to being a zany character in my own right, I'malso a highly disciplined writer. I keep detailed character name files, bothfirst names and last names. I file them according to ethnicity and evenreligion. I also regularly check the top names in the year my character wasborn.

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

I'm most proud of my nearly 27 year marriage. Joseph and Iadopted our 14-year-old daughter when she was six and she had quite a fewremedial issues. Right away, we took her out of public school and enrolled herin Christian school. When that school closed due to financial reasons, Ihomeschooled her for two years. She will be entering high school next year andhas auditioned for three of NYC's top public art and design high schools. Goingalong with her other strong interest, she's also applied to one of the city'soceanographic high schools. We'll be happy with whichever school accepts her.She's come a long way baby!!!

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

Back in the day, I was an animal rescuer. I rescued andfound homes for nearly 40 dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional babysquirrel that fell out of a tree, which was later released. I'm partial toNorth American mammals. I guess I'd have to pick one of my first loves, thecougar, also known as the puma. They are handsome, shy cats, who will slip awayrather than attack, but corner them or threaten their young and watch out.

What is your favoritefood?

A whole lobster. I'd like to have my lobster dinner completewith an ear of corn, clarified butter, cornbread, and coleslaw at a rusticseaside restaurant on a pier or the beach overlooking the ocean. If I had anyroom for dessert, which would be doubtful, I'd ask for Key Lime pie or lemon meringuepie.

What is the problemwith writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

The research was the most time consuming. For my romantichistorical thriller series I spent hours researching WWII, immigration, Ellis Island, the idiom of the time as well as thepopular culture of the era. I have a great interest in that time period and as I stated, I'm a disciplined writer, so I just doit. At the moment, I'm working on a contemporary thriller and have put in

hours researching NYPD regulations and procedures.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Goodbye Noel: Genre: Historical Romantic Thriller

The first body is found under a trimmed Christmastree, the second as they ring in the New Year (1947), the third goes headlongout a window. Willa young pediatric nurse determined to make it on her own be able to care for aninfant whose mother was murdered and escape the killer who has struck again?Can she trust the stalwart village detective with her life and her heart as heworks to catch this killer before somebody else dies?

Pediatric nurse, Katrina Lenart, grew up strong willedand independent minded, while sharing her mother's flair for high fashion. Whenthe police chief gives her an orphaned baby to care for, her maternal instinctstake over and she's willing to fight anyone who might not have the infant's bestinterests at heart, even the man she's growing to love. After an attempt ismade to kidnap the baby, she and the resolute village detective team up and dosome sleuthing, undercover at a cult as well as at a fancy ball.

Detective Ian Daltry is a widower with a child and isnot interested in a new love. Hunting a killer who stops at nothing has placedhim in the position where he must protect a beautiful young woman he's drawnto. Is there's something he's overlooked in analyzing the case? Will he find outwhat that is before this ruthless murderer kills someone he loves?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Chapter One

Long Island, NY

December1946

KatrinaLenart nodded toward a break in the leaflessmaples and snow-covered pines lining Hill Street then pointed with her black cable knitglove. A fat blue jay sat on the tip of a pine branch and quirked his head ather, almost mocking. The sun, more the color of wheat than yellow, floated inthe pale, cloudless, winter sky, surrendering little heat.

"Itmight seem like we're almost there to you, but we still have to climb thathill." It wasn't high, but steep, as if a pitiless hand had gouged earthfrom its side. She turned her head back and squinted against the glare off thesnow, adjusting her black velvet earmuffs, stitched into a floret on one side,all the rage since the war.

"Saidjust like a female." Willie Brogna grinned, pulling the toboggan behindhim, his rubber boots stomping deep impressions in the fresh fallen snow.Pivoting, he gave her a wide smile. "I know you're just being nice,helping me try out my favorite Christmas present. With my sister on herhoneymoon and all, I don't have anyone to be my guinea pig." He resumedhis climb, out-pacing her, and chuckled under his breath.

Determinedto put her best friend's teenage brother in his place, Katrina lengthened herstrides and arrived at the top of the incline breathing hard. "Peopleoften comment on how nice I am... and courteous. Willing to help those inneed." She tossed off a teasing smile.

The tall,lanky teen snorted then tugged on his hand-knit gloves, securing them, andflexed his fingers.

Shading hereyes with a glove, she gazed south, unable to see the villageof Sanctuary Point or the Great South Bay through the trees. Though she knew icywind whipped them both. The weather forecast said a storm was headed their way.Directly below, the ground dropped away into an empty lot. Beyond that, Hill Street and thetiny Bauer cottage.

"Areyou ready? I'll steer and you take the rumble seat." Willie knelt andpositioned the toboggan for the first run down the steep hill. "Don'tforget to hang on tight, I'm gonna let 'er rip, if that won't bruise the dignityof Memorial's most promising nurse."

Katrinagave him a playful smack on the arm. "How you do go on. Just watch out forthat huge bump down there."

"Aw, that's not even a blip on theradar."

Shehunkered down behind him and clasped her arms around his waist. The toboggansped down the hill, her hair airborne behind her. Icy snow crystals flew intoher face. They hit the bump and went aloft. "Willieee," she shrieked.

They landed so hard her teeth clattered.

When theycame to a stop, Willie jumped off. "While we were in the air, I sawsomething near Mrs. Bauer's cottage. Does she have a pet? A cat, maybe? Itlooked like a hurt animal... something bloody."

He trottedacross the street. "It's not in the yard. It's away from the house. Closerand to the side of the road." He hastened down Hill Street, slipping and sliding, to theedge of the Bauer property.

Katrinahurried down the sloping street after him, her arms stretched out for balance.If this were his idea of a practical joke, she'd let him have it.

Willie bentover the object on the ground. Rising, he twisted toward her. "Well, it'snot an animal. It's a piece of soiled cloth."

Rushing tohis side, she tried to catch her breath. "That's blood on a kitchen towel.Not a lot, but sufficient to warrant concern." Please, Lord, leteverything be all right in the Bauer house.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Nike Chillemi ~ Crime Fictionista blog. http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Nike Chillemi Author Page/Desert Breeze Publishing.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/NikeChillemi/Page.bok

Nike Chillemi is also on Facebook, Twitter, andGoogle+

Thank you, Nike, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Sanctuary Point Book Two: Goodbye Noel - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS - K Dawn Byrd - Free eBook

2012-01-16T02:30:00.000-08:00

Tell us how much ofyourself you write into your characters.

I really don't intentionally write any of myself into mycharacters. Occasionally, a character might enjoy something I do, such hassports cars.

What is the quirkiestthing you have ever done?

I don't know that I would call it quirky, but I used to ridemy own Harley Davidson. I've owned 3 Harleys and a Yamaha, which was my starterbike. I gave up riding to have more time to write, which is my real passion.

When did you firstdiscover that you were a writer?

I really didn't feel like a writer until I received theproof of my first cover. When I saw my name there, it drove the idea home.

Tell us the range ofthe kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read a little bit of everything, but particularly enjoy romanticsuspense and young adult romance.

How do you keep yoursanity in our run, run, run world?

I'm a very organized person and that helps tremendously. I'mall for anything that saves time, especially making lists. I never go shoppingwithout a list.

How do you chooseyour characters’ names?

I pull up baby name websites and read through them untilsomething jumps out at me.

What is theaccomplishment that you are most proud of?

Obtaining my masters degree and becoming licensed in myfield.

If you were ananimal, which one would you be, and why?

If I were an animal, I'd be a giraffe. It would be nice tobe tall enough to see everything that's going on. Not that I'm short. I'm about5'7".

What is your favoritefood?

Believe it or not, grilled cheese sandwiches.

I love grilled cheesesandwiches. I make mine with grated Mexican cheese mix on 7-Grain bread. Whatis the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did youovercome it?

Finding the time to write was my greatest roadblock. I gaveup some other hobbies to make time to write.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Here's my cover blurb:

Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's therecipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up onthe internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain whenher attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?

When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's throwninto more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by astalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emmahanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even theman she thinks she can trust is suspect.

Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about hisfeelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to havemeant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's introuble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clearhis name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her thecreeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solvethe mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Whoeverthinks it's cool to live next door to the guy you love hasn't walked a mile inmy shoes.

It's likeentering an ice cream shop on a muggy day and craving your favorite flavor,while the frozen concoction mocks you from under the glass, just out of reach.The fact that you can look but not touch makes you want it even more.

I steppedaway from my window as Nate Neitch paused by his truck and glanced up at mysecond story bedroom window. My pulse tripped. I held my breath as I moved out ofhis view and vowed that this summer would be different. This summer I'd makehim fall for me. Hard. Nate Neitch, lookout. I'm back, and I'm not playing games.

Be stillmy beating heart. How could he possibly know I was in town? I'd climbed thesqueaky steps to the upper floor of my grandparents' farmhouse just aftermidnight, a day earlier than expected. News does travel fast in smalltowns.

Nateplugged something into his cell phone and opened the door of his truck as Ipushed the sheer pink curtain a little further to the left to get a better viewof its new paint job. I had to give it to Nate, he was handy when it came tocars.

My cell phone buzzed and I jumped, allowing the curtain to fallcompletely across the window.

Hey, Z-girl. You in town? Nate

A shiverof warmth surged through me at the sight of his nickname for me. I could almosthear his deep, gravelly voice, all male and totally sexy. Even after an entireschool year away from him, he still made me feel like a twelve-year-old with acrush. My hands shook so badly it took me three times to get my reply right.

Yeah, I'm here. Z-girl.

I foughtthe urge to sign it, your Z-girl. Ireminded myself that just because he'd kissed me right before I left town lastyear, didn't mean I owned him -- but a girl can wish. My phone buzzed hisreply.

Going 2town. Wanna go?

Thosewords were magic to my longing heart. I rubbed sweaty palms down the side of myjeans before texting that I'd be right there. He was practically all I'dthought about this past year, and I was finally going to see him face to face.

Would hekiss me again? Would he still want to hang out? He'd spent just about everyminute of his spare time with me last summer. I'd be disappointed if there wasn'ta replay this year.

I studiedthe cork board on the wall beside my dresser. The block letters running acrossthe top jumped out at me. Zoe Mack & Friends. Gram had insisted we use myfull name because she liked it so much. I smiled at the memory. We'd covered itin pink cloth and attached photos of myself, Nate, and my friends. Right now itwas bare, awaiting the photos I'd removed when I'd left last year. Hopefully,I'd have new photos of this summer's adventures to add soon.

I took onelast look in the mirror, pulled my strawberry-blond hair back into a ponytail,dotted the freckles on my nose with a little foundation, and rushed downstairs.Gram sat at an antique kitchen table, sipping a cup of steaming tea. As usual,the kitchen was immaculate. She'd cleaned up our breakfast of toast, eggs, andbacon and was reading her devotions. My grandparents were so set in their ways,I could just about set the clock by them.

Iattempted to act calm, cool, and casual. "Hey, Gram. Nate just texted me.I'm going to town with him."

She pursedher lips and blew the steam away from the rim of her teacup, the sparkle in heraged blue eyes telling me she'd seen through me. When it came to matters of theheart, Gram was a pro at figuring out who had a crush on who.

How can readers findyou on the Internet?

Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.comand www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Thank you for spending this fun time with us, K Dawn

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Zoe Mack and the Secret of the Love Letters (Zoe Mack Mysteries) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

AMELIA'S JOURNEY - Martha Rogers - Free Book

2012-01-15T02:30:00.000-08:00

Amelia's Journey

“MarthaRogers masterfully portrays characters in the early twentieth century. They’refirmly attached to the way of life they’ve always known, yet reaching towardthe changes brought about by increasing technology and transitioning ideology.”—Lena Nelson Dooley, Author of Wild West Christmas, Wild Prairie Roses,and Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

For Ben Haynes it is love at firstsight, but can a Boston socialite find true happiness with a cowboy fromKansas?

Once childhood friends,Ben Haynes is taken with Amelia Carlyle when he runs into her at her sister’swedding. Although he will be returning to Kansas and life on his father’sranch, Ben calls on Amelia several times, and they find they have more incommon than they first realized. As he leaves for Kansas, they promise towrite.

Back in Kansas, Ben begins to save money toward a home for Amelia eventhough he has not made his intentions known. He’s relying on God to make a way.Meanwhile, Amelia is presented to society and has several young men vying forher attention.

Although Ben has captured Amelia’s heart,her parents make every effort to discourage therelationship, even forbidding Amelia to correspond with him. Ameliatells Ben that she will wait for him as long as it takes, but will the love andloss they experience along the way bring them closer or drive them apartforever?

Martha Rogers is the author of Becoming Lucy; Morning for Dove;Finding Becky; Caroline’s Choice; Not on the Menu, a partof a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and KathleenY’Barbo; and River Walk Christmas, anovella collection with Beth Goddard, Lynette Sowell, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. Aformer schoolteacher and English instructor, she has a master’s degreein education and lives with her husband in Houston,Texas.

As an author, I knowit takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved inthe birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

Strangely enough, CBD contactedmy publisher and asked if it was possible to have a prequel. Many readerswanted to know more about Ben and Mellie, so their story was born.

If you teach orspeak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

Right now I have no speaking engagements until August forthe Texas Christian Writers Conference. I do have a book signing at the HillCountry Book Festival February 11 in Georgetown, Texas.

If you had tocompletely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

Probably to a smaller town or back to Arkansas because my husband has alwayswanted to move back to the country.

If you could onlytell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Be patient and wait on God’stiming. Running ahead of Him will only mess things up big time.

You’ve been asked tobe in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why?

I have a friend who is a great Christian comedian. She’s anevangelical Jew who has a hilarious testimony. She’s getting ready for a gig ona cruise this month.

Tell us about thefeatured book.

Amelia’s Journey tells the story of Ben and Amelia Haynes,Lucy’s aunt and uncle. They left Boston societyand lived in Kansas on a ranch before movingto Oklahomaduring the land rush. How they finally convinced Amelia’s parents to let hermove away makes for a good story.

Please give us thefirst page of the book.

Saturday, August 21,1875 Chapter 1

Amelia Carlyle’s face ached fromthe smile pasted on it for the last three-quarters of an hour. Would thisceremony never end? She balanced first on one foot and then the other torelieve the pain caused by the white satin pumps Amanda had insisted Ameliamust wear.

Amanda’s face did glow with theradiance of the love she had for Charles Scott Bishop, the man who became herhusband today. If that love everhappened to Amelia, and she decided to marry, it’d be a small and simplewedding without all this pomp and circumstance.

At last, the minister pronouncedthem husband and wife and Charles leaned forward to kiss his bride. Amelia’s thoughts went immediately to thebuffet to be served at the reception. Mother and Father and spared no expensefor their oldest daughter’s wedding, and Amelia anticipated the spread oflobster, roast beef, croissants, and wedding cake.

Amanda andCharles made their way back up the aisle, and Amelia dreaded walking even thatshort distance in her shoes, but she put on another smile and made it to thefront steps of the church where carriages awaited to take them to the hotel forthe reception.

At the hotel,guests mingled and greeted the bride and groom, but Amelia found the closesttable and sat down to slip off her shoes. Her white-stocking clad toes wiggledin great relief to be free of their bindings. She turned her back to the roomto hide her most unseemly behavior, but comfort won over decorum. She liftedher skirts to run her fingers along the arch of one foot, which relaxed incontentment. Of course if anyone asked her to dance later, she may not be ableto squeeze her feet back into the pumps, but she had seen no one with whom shecared to dance anyway.

“Excuse me,Miss Carlyle?”

That’s a good hook,Martha. Where can we find you on the Internet?

www.marthawrogers.net

Martha, thank you for dropping by my blog again. I know my readers won't want to miss this book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Amelia's Journey: A prequel to the Winds Across the Prairie series - paperback
Amelia's Journey: A prequel to the Winds Across the Prairie series - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com