Thursday, January 13, 2011

THE FIRE IN EMBER - DiAnn Mills - Free Book

DiAnn Mills Bio


Award-winning author DiAnn Mills launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has fifty books in print and has sold over 1.5 million copies.

DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.

Six of her titles have appeared on the CBA Bestseller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2008, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008 and a Christy Award winner in 2010.

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

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

Website: http://www.diannmills.com/

Welcome, my friend. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?


That’s a tough question!

I love my Texas, from the piney woods to the hill country to the western mountains. The Colorado Rockies are a close second—majestic, challenging, beautiful. This is the setting for The Fire in Ember.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?

The author, cover, title, back blurb, and the first sentence. In that order. :)

Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.

The time period is 1888. Colorado had acquired statehood in 1876, and the state buzzed with growth and development. I pictured the Timmons ranch near Lyons, Colorado, which is not far from the Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s summer and the countryside is filled with color.

What other books do you have coming out soon?

Summerside will release a historical during the summer of 2011 titled Under a Desert Sky, and Tyndale will release a romance suspense in October. I’m excited!

I am, too. I must feature these on the blog. Please give us a glimpse inside your home.

What an interesting question! I live in a two story brick home in Houston, TX. It’s a traditional home and decorated in that style. I have a large kitchen, which I love. The formals are down, including a work out room for yours truly. Upstairs is a Texas themed game room, a guest bedroom, and two offices—for my husband and me. Oh, and we have bathrooms too. :) My office looks like me, lots of books, pictures of grandbabies, and room to work without distraction.

Sounds lovely. Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?

The Fire in Ember is marketed as a stand alone. However, many of the characters are from A Woman Called Sage. If you read this novel, you’ll remember John Timmons, a young man who attempted to bring in a gang of outlaws suspected of murdering his father. He grew a lot in that book, but nothing prepared him for Ember.

Tell us about the story.

John Timmons' life is planned and orderly. He cares for his mother and four younger brothers, and their future depends on him to keep their Colorado ranch profitable. Ember Farrar (Bert) has run away from her lawbreaking family in search of a new life. But, when she attempts to return a horse that her brother had stolen, ranch hands believe she is a thief and a boy and they plan to hang her. John, who is also a deputy marshal, breaks up the hanging. After paying for the stolen horse, he takes the boy home to work off the debt. Later he learns Bert is a girl who refuses to tell him who she is and why she possessed a stolen horse. When ranchers report stolen cattle, Bert is a natural suspect. John is touched by Bert's sweet spirit and natural gift of music. Surely she's not a cattle thief. Bert fears for their lives when she is forced to either help her brothers steal or put the Timmons in danger. When John thinks Bert has betrayed him, he ignores God and turns revengeful. Will John learn who Bert truly is? Will their lives ever return back to normal?

Oooo, I like it. Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1
1888 Colorado
June

A hanging is no place for a woman.

Bert cast a wary glance at the man who lifted a rope from his saddle horn and stomped her way. With her hands tied behind her back and a second man holding her shoulders, she had no hope of freeing herself.

“Horse thieves are hanged.” The man they called Leon gazed up into the branches of a cottonwood and pointed. “That limb looks sturdy enough to carry the likes of you. If it breaks, we’ll find another one.” He tied the noose around her neck.

“But he’s just a boy,” an old man said. “I’m not up to hangin’ a kid.”

“Billy the Kid started his murderin’ ways at fourteen.” Leon walked toward Bert. His breath reeked of liquid courage, and the swagger in his step meant she couldn’t reason with him. “He won’t even tell us his name. That means this ain’t the first time he’s broke the law.” He sneered, revealing a mouthful of black and broken teeth. “But it’ll be the last time.”

“Maybe he’s too scared to talk. You hit him hard,” the old man said.

Bert touched her tongue to the stinging side of her mouth where blood dripped down her chin. That had been Leon’s first punch. She glanced his way again through one eye. The other one had already swollen shut, and it throbbed in time to her pounding heart.

“In case you’ve forgotten, the boss’s been lookin’ for that horse nigh onto six months.” Leon tossed the rope over a branch. “This here’s his prize mare all right, and she’s wearing the Wide O brand.”

“All I’m sayin’ is you’ve taught the boy a good lesson. One he ain’t likely to forget. Let’s send him on his way and take the boss his horse.” The man held the bridle of the sleek mare she’d been riding.

Bert stared into the face of the haggard man who was attempting to reason with her executor. His lined face and bushlike silver beard showed his age. He couldn’t help her with three men determined to hang her.

I knew I'd want to read this book! How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.diannmills.com/ Please sign up for my e-newsletter!

Facebook author page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_1389911001

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support 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 6 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. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would love to win a copy of this book! valariemccoy@att.net Franklin, Ohio

Lisa Nelson said...

I am from Arkansas.
Please enter me in the drawing for "The Fire in Ember"!!
Thank you,
Lisa Nelson
storyreader617 @ gmail.com

Beth said...

Hello,
I just read my first book by DiAnn this past month and am hooked! I have been reading every book I can find. I want to eventually get and read every book she has written. What a God given gift to write such great books and to include scripture!

I am blessed not only when I read her books but knowing that my 22 year old daughter is also reading them and getting doses of scripture is such a blessing.

Please enter me for the drawing for "THE FIRE IN EMBER - DiAnn Mills - Free Book".
Thank you,
Beth Seemann

Patsy said...

This book sounds really good. Love the cover. From Southern US.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Coolestmommy said...

What a great first page. I'm already chomping at the bit to read the rest!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Diana Flowers said...

I started to order this book from CBD but maybe I will win it instead! The cover is beautiful.

dianalflowers@aol.com

Diana Flowers said...

I 'm sorry...didn't put where I'm from. I'm from the historical state of South Carolina.

dianalflowers@aol.com

Unknown said...

Love DiAnn Mills books. Would love to win The Fire in Ember. i have some of her books. i am living just west of Phoenix, Arizona in a city called El Mirage. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

My name is angela and I am from kentucky.

I would love to win a free copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk (from PA)
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

It's been awhile, since I've been here and have missed it... here this morning because I came across a link on DiAnn's Facebook and was so glad I did..... this is a great interview and appreciate the first page.... Will have to get.....

Thanks for being included in the give away....

cedson76255(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ranger, Texas

DiAnn Mills said...

Reading these comments have made my day! Many thanks to all of you! I'm having a facebook launch page (you saw the link in the interview) on Friday, January 27 7-9 CST. Stop by for prizes and fun!

Jackie S. said...

I love DiAnn's books; so am very anxious to read this one! Please enter me...from GA.
Thanks!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

windycindy said...

What a fun book to read. I adore
DiAnn Mills and the time period
of her book. Thanks for a delightful
interview...
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Illinois

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love to be entered in this giveaway!! Diann is a wonderful writer. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
Nauvoo, IL

Lisa said...

Cannot wait to read this one!! I absolutely loved A Woman Called Sage!!! Please enter me. I'm from Wisconsin.
bluejay@hwyman.com

PatriciaW said...

Loved A Woman Called Sage. I also love DiAnn's romantic suspense novels. Definitely enter me in the drawing.

pwriter1[at]yahoo[dot]com

DiAnn Mills said...

Y'all are the best!

Melissa Jagears said...

Awesome title
KS is where I hail from

Terri said...

Love anything by DiAnn Mills. Would love to win!
angelmom1165@yahoo.com

Charlotte Kay said...

Would love to win your book, DiAnn!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new haircut, too!
Thanks for sharing the photo on FB:)
Charlotte from Ohio
charsaltz at yahoo dot com

Cindy W. said...

I would love to win a copy of The Fire in Ember. Thanks for the chance. I hail from Auburn, Indiana.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Pam K. said...

This book really sounds like it would be hard to put down. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks from Kansas.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Norma said...

This book sounds intriguing! I'm from Saskatchewan.

Bakersdozen said...

I have read this author's work and would love to read this. I live in S. California. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julia M. Reffner said...

I've enjoyed DiAnn Mills romantic suspense. Count me in.

I'm from NY

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

apple blossom said...

My teen daughter would love it if I won this book. thanks from ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

CarlybirdH said...

I love DiAnn's books and I am really looking forward to this one! Thank you.
Carly in NC
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book, I love DiAnn Mills books and I know this one will be no different. Thanks for the chance to win it. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Judy Cooper said...

Thanks for the opportunity to enter. I live in Southwest Louisiana.

DiAnn Mills said...

I appreciate all of your comments! Have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Kristen said...

Oh, the first page has me hooked!
Please enter me:)
Thanks
Kristen from WA state

amber said...

I want to be entered!! I'm from TN.

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I'm from Michigan and love to read DiAnn Mills books! Please enter me winning one would be a real plus!

dancealert at aol dot com

scottsgal said...

Love the cover on this book - I'm from Illinois
msboatgal at aol.com

Anonymous said...

I love your books and have this one on my TBR list. Love your post.Thanks,April from Henderson,NC

Merry said...

Love the sneak peek and the name Ember, please include me. Thanks!
Merry in TX

D.A. said...

Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. I'm from SC.
dawhittemore22 at gmail dot com.

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Please include me.

Nancye in Kentucky
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

rbooth43 said...

The Fire In Ember sounds like a great read. The settings of Texas and Colorado in her books places me there even though I am many miles away in NC and never had the pleasure of visiting these places except through Diann. I love reading her Christian books, so rewarding.
Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43 at yahoo dot com

Dana Kay said...

I love an inspirational read with a great adventure. I have yet to read one of DiAnn Mills books but after reading this post I will definately pick one up, or better yet win it here! Jackson, MS area :)

holdenj said...

I just got Sage from the library, glad to see Fire in Ember! Thanks for the chance to win.
I'm from MN!