Tuesday, June 29, 2010

TOUCHING THE CLOUDS - Bonnie Leon - Free Book

Author's Bio:

Bonnie Leon dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, and the Northern Lights series. She also stays busy teaching women’s Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women’s gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

I'm thrilled to feature Bonnie's newest release. I was privileged to read it for endorsement, which appears on the back cover. "Vivid writing. Bonnie Leon immerses the read in the time period, the setting, and deep into the hearts of the characters. I didn't want to leave them behind when I closed the book."
 
Welcome, Bonnie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?


Redemption seems to show up in a lot of my books. I think that’s because much of my young adult life I felt lost and hopeless. When I was twenty-three I met Christ. I will never forget the moment I understood my value and how deeply God loved me, just as I am. I want everyone to know they are loved and that forgiveness can be found in Christ.

Trusting God is something I struggle with. I’m an independent person with a tendency toward rebellion so I wrestle with myself over this issue. Maybe that’s why it ends up in so many of my characters.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I don’t have anything else releasing soon, but book two in the Alaskan Skies series will be out next year.
I must feature it on my blog, too. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

That’s a difficult question. There are so many people I’d love to spend time with. But if I have to choose just one, it would be George W. Bush. I will never forget the days following 9/11—I was so grateful he was our president and that he was looking after our country. I appreciate his faith and although he wasn’t a perfect president (is there one?) I greatly admire his courage and his faith.
James and I often discussed how blessed we felt because he was the man our country needed at that time. . .and later. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’d love to spend an evening with Corey Ten Boom. She was an amazing woman of faith.
That is true, too. Her story has strengthened and blessed me in times of distress. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

It’s painful to work hard, thinking we’ve done our best and then have our stories rejected. How we manage that is all about perspective. Every writer has had their work turned down at some point. It’s part of the journey. I truly believe that the process of writing and receiving rejections are a necessary part of refining us and our work. If we’re diligent, listen and learn we will grow. The process is a testing ground, a place where we discover whether or not we have the metal to stand up to what the business of writing will throw at us.
Tell us about the featured book?

It is 1935 and Kate Evans is looking for adventure. She finds that and more in the Alaskan territory.

Kate is an adventurous and independent woman with a pioneering spirit. When she leaves her home in Washington State to follow her dream of being an Alaskan bush pilot, she knows it will be an uphill battle. Even so, the adventure is more than she expects. As the lone woman in a man’s world, she finds that contending with people’s expectations is almost as treacherous as navigating the wild arctic storms.

When she crosses paths with a mysterious man living alone in the forbidding wilderness, she faces a new challenge. Can she break through the walls he has put up around his heart? And will fear keep her from realizing her own dreams?

Touching the Clouds is an adventure with raw emotion and suspense set against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Kate Evans pushed open the screen door and stepped onto the broad front porch of her parents’ farmhouse. This was supposed to be her wedding day. Instead, her lace, floor-length gown hung in her closet.

Shifting her pack over one shoulder, she moved to the railing. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of a cool breeze on her skin and breathed in the subtle fragrance of sun-heated grass. Richard’s image stormed against her peace. She could see his blond curls spilling onto his brow, his wounded eyes. He’d always been steady, but her announcement had staggered him. She wanted to love him enough to stay, but the turmoil she’d been feeling had escalated until she felt she had no choice—she just couldn’t go through with it.

She gripped the porch railing, anxiety sweeping over her like a summer squall. Had she made a terrible mistake? It was one thing to postpone the wedding and quite another to call it off altogether.

They’d been friends since childhood and were comfortable with each other. But did that mean they belonged together? If she stayed, she’d be forced to give up her longtime dream and would have to settle for a commonplace life.
How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please stop by my website at http://www.bonnieleon.com/ .

Thank you, Bonnie. I loved Kate from that first page.
 
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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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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50 comments:

Katrina said...

I know I would enjoy reading this book and I think my mom would too!

Merry said...

I love Alaskan settings and an adventurous woman pilot makes it intriguing. Please include me,this sounds great.

Anonymous said...

Looks great. I would love to read this
trishbazin@yahoo.com

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the interview.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Bonnie Leon said...

Hello, everyone. I loved writing the book, especially with my Alaskan roots. I'm the only one in my family who hasn't lived there. So . . . I write about it instead. :-)

I hope you'll get a chance to read it.

I have an amazing contest running at my website. Stop by, www.bonnieleon.com and have a look.

Blessings,

Bonnie

karenk said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Bluerose said...

I love the cover of this book!! i would love to read this one. I've never read a book by Bonnie Leon, but that will have to change!! :)My sister lived in Alaska for a couple of years, but I never went.

Bonnie Leon said...

Bluerose, you've got to go! It's a one of a kind place--the people, the animal and the scenery. Amazing!

Bonnie

Ann Shorey said...

This is a terrific book from a terrific author. I was fortunate to be able to read Touching the Clouds chapter by chapter as one of Bonnie's critique partners. I own a copy, so please don't enter me in the contest.

Bonnie Leon said...

Hi Ann. Thanks for the kind words. So thankful for your critique and your friendship.

Hugs,

Bonnie

Michelle said...

I would love to read this! Thanks so much for entering me!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Unknown said...

This book sound great! The cover is cool too!
Please enter me in the draw!
Thanks!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Bonnie Leon said...

Michelle, I hope you get a chance to read the book. I think you'll like it. :-)

God bless,

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

K,

Revell is a fabulous publisher to work with, especially when it comes to the cover. The art department is careful to make sure the cover really goes with the story and they allow a lot of input from authors.

Blessings,

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Thanks, Cherie.

Lena's very easy to work with and she asks good questions.

Have a happy day.

Bonnie

Cindy W. said...

I absolutely love the cover art on Touching the Clouds and would love to win a copy. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Donna K. said...

This looks like a good read! I'd love to enter! :)

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle said...

Sounds like a very interesting book. Enjoyed the interview. Please enter me.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Bonnie Leon said...

Cindy, isn't Revell's art department fabulous? I was absolutely thrilled when I got my book--it's really a gorgeous cover.

Bonnie Leon said...

Thank you, Donna. I hope you get a chance to read it and aren't disappointed.

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Bonnie Leon said...

Thanks, Nancy. I'm excited to see who wins a copy.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful adventure! Thanks, Marissa

Wendy said...

I really love Bonnie's books and am excited to read this one.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds great! Please drop my name in the hat!

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like a great book. I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

grannyvon said...

I love what I call the breaking new ground books. I would love to win this. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

Bonnie Leon said...

Thanks for all your comments and your enthusiasm over my book. May the best reader win!

And I love your statement, grannyvon--ground breaking. Makes me smile. :-)

Kameko said...

My husband & I cruised Alaska the first week of May and it was wonderful! I can imagine what it would have looked like in 1935 and how hard it would be for a woman trying to work in a "man's world." The book sounds fascinating and I can't wait to read it.

Thank you for taking time for the interview!

Beverly
bgrider2@cox.net

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would love to read the book!

dancealert at aol dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I have always wanted to go to Alaska and maybe some day I can.
Bonnie, I loved the interview. I believe I will love your books. I am so happy I discovered Christian Fiction. It is so nice to be able to read a book with out skipping or skiming through the parts I don't wish to read.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Lou Ann said...

I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win it.

louann@carolina.rr.com

Bonnie Leon said...

Kameko, an Alaskan cruise sounds fabulous! I think God really pulled out the stops when he created Alaska.

And doing the interview is a privilege. It was good of Lena to include me on her site.

Many blessings,

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Misskallie, one of the reviews I read said she'd felt as if she'd gone to Alaska. So, reading about a place is never as good as actually getting to go, but I hope reading the book will help you see Alaska.

I love Christian fiction, too. I was first introduced to it years ago, when I read "Love Comes Softly". Such a good story.


God bless,

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Lou Ann and Brenda, thank you for your enthusiasm. It's very encouraging. I hope the story is fun and uplifting for readers.

Grace and peace to you,

Bonnie

A J Hawke said...

Alaska, one of the places I dream of going one day. The next best thing is to go on an adventure through a good book. This looks like one that will do.

Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of TOUCHING THE CLOUDS.

A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor{at}aol{dot}com

Coolestmommy said...

Please include me. Sounds like a great escape read.

Carole said...

I've been wanting to try Bonnie's books, and I can tell from the description that I would enjoy Touching the Clouds. Thanks for the interview and chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

MaureenT said...

I love Alaska, and also agree would love to meet Corie ten Boom. She was one amazing woman.

Bonnie Leon said...

AJ, if you dream of going to Alaska, then you must go!

Until then Touching the Clouds isn't as good as first hand but it will take you on an Alaska adventure.

God bless,

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Robyn, it is a great escape--perfect for summer reading. :-)

Hope you're having a fabulous 4th.

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Hey, Carole. Even if you don't win I hope you'll get a chance to read my book. It's a fun read.

Happy Fourth of July.

Bonnie

Bonnie Leon said...

Maureen, how great to meet another Corie ten Boom fan. She was amazing.


Blessings,

Bonnie

Bakersdozen said...

I want to read this. By the way, I am also a Corrie Ten Boom fan. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pastor Valni Borges said...

The story looks like a great adventure. I'd love win a copy.

letrassantas[at]hotmail[dot]com

Barbara M. said...

Please enter me. I just love Bonnie's books. The Northern Lights Series is my favorite - I enjoy stories about Alaska.

quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

I think this book sounds great.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Sarah said...

Looks like a good book! Please enter me in the drawing.