Wednesday, September 14, 2011

FORBIDDEN - Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee - Free Book


When I first heard about Ted and Tosca teaming up, I knew I had to feature the books on my blog. I've met Ted, but I know Tosca better than I do him. I love the way each of them write separately. Together, they have to be dynamite. Welcome, Ted and Tosca. I know that this is a collaboration. How did this story come about?

Ted: I first came across Tosca’s work when I read Demon. Before I’d finished the book I knew we had to create something together that combined her incredible gift of prose with my style of storytelling.

Tosca: We’re really interested in the same kinds of questions, thematically, but bring different strengths to the table. And Ted’s being modest—it isn’t just his style of storytelling that he brought into this collaboration, but his brilliance at it. A book and a half later, I still don’t know how he does it.

Did you find it easy to work together on it?

Ted: Writing a novel is never easy. All of those analogies of rowing a bathtub across the ocean or trudging up a mountain toward the unseen summit only scratch the surface of what it’s like to tell a story in that form. It’s brutal sometimes; other times it’s fun. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, but every moment has been special.

Tosca: It’s been very cool to be able to discuss story, and the kinds of thematic questions we’re exploring. That is the big payoff, I think, for both of us. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a lot of work—more, really, when you’re writing with someone else.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Ted: Writing is a form of journaling for me. It’s my way of exploring a very dangerous world in a safe way. This novel about what it means to be fully alive is my story, really. And yours, too. Co-creating it with Tosca breathed life into it in a way that neither of us could’ve done alone. The impact and pleasure of being part of that still inspires me.

Tosca: Every time I write, I learn something—about the subject, and always about myself. This time I’ve had the opportunity to learn new things from an author I really respect.

What is the hardest thing about writing as a team?

Ted: Everything takes longer. Everything. It’s not any better or worse that way; it’s simply the way it is.

Tosca: Yes, much longer.

What are you reading right now?

Ted: [Laughs] Each other’s drafts of Mortal. We recently announced that all three Books of Mortals novels will be released between now and October 2012. Three novels in one year is a lot, so whenever we’re not sleeping or eating we’re writing.

How did you choose your characters’ names?

Ted: They just kind of happen. We scour books and the Internet for names that sound right and eventually land on the rights ones. In some ways I think the names choose the characters.

Tosca: And sometimes a name just blurps out your fingertips and it sticks and there it is.

Would you want to work on another book together?

Ted: We already are.

Tosca: We’re hard at work right now on Mortal, Book Two of the Books of Mortals.

What do you want to tell us about the book?

Ted: It’s an exploration of what it means to be fully human spun in a way readers have never experienced before. Early reviewers and readers are saying this is the “second coming” of The Circle Series. I hate to make that comparison because they’re different stories, but I do believe this is the best story I’ve been a part of creating.

Tosca: It’s really exciting. For me, this is a look at the handwork of God, but it’s also a look at what it means to fear, and what it means to love. At how much of what we do is motivated by fear… vs. love. We live so much of our lives in fear. “Perfect love casts out fear” has taken on a whole new meaning to me.

Where can our readers find you on the Internet?

Ted:

Tosca:

Ted: Also, there’s a large promotion our publisher, Hachette, is running for the book release. It’s www.TheBookOfMortals.com. Readers can download a novella that Tosca and I wrote specifically for the lead up to Forbidden. They can also sign up to win a trip to Rome, which is where Forbidden takes place. 

Thank you, Tosca and Ted, I've really enjoyed this. And I know all my readers will rush to the site and download the novella and sign up for the trip to Rome. We'll have to do an interview for the next books in the series, too.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Forbidden (The Books of Mortals)


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

37 comments:

Coolestmommy said...

I started reading the novella you wrote as the prequel. Wow!! Thanks so much for working together on this and sharing with us today.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Elyssa said...

I'm reading Red right now, and am LOVING it! I'm very excited to read Forbidden... please enter me! I'm from NY. =)

lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenny said...

Awesome giveaway! Count me in!

jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

NY!

Ira said...

Sounds like a great book! Can't wait to read it!

NY

icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I have enjoyed many of Ted Dekker's books and would like to read this one as well.
I live in Ontario, Canada.
Thanks for the chance to win it.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

fredamans said...

I LOVE Ted Dekker. I have read 3 of his books and would love a chance at this one too. Thanks so much.

Freda from Ontario, Canada

Naasom A. Sousa said...

Ted Dekker books are great! I love read all. Count me in!

letrassantas(at)hotmail(dot)com

Michaela said...

Love, love, love Ted Dekker's books. And this sounds more than intreging.

WI

Mark said...

I'd love to win this. Ohio here

Emily said...

Oh my gosh, I'm reading one of his books right now and it's like all I think about all day! I can't wait to read this one!

Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com
NY

Debbie said...

Please enter me in the drawing. I'm a Ted Dekker nerd! Can't wait!

Dreilly316(At)gmail(dot)com

John said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Looks like an amazing story! When doesn't Ted have good stories anyway?

Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net
NY

Megan said...

I have enjoyed every Ted Dekker book that I have read and would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Katie Marie said...

Oh, oh, oh! PLEASE include me in this giveaway. I LOVE Ted Dekker AND Tosca Lee's work. With the two of them combined...I know it will be epic!

My fingers are crossed! ;-)

Katie from Florida

Myne said...

This sounds like it will be a great book, I am a fan of Ted Dekker's writing. I live in WA

myne @ mynewhitman.com

Patty said...

It's been a long time since I've read anything by Ted Dekker and I've never heard of Tosca Lee, so this sounds very interesting. Going to check out the prequel right now!

Patty in SC

Amber said...

Ted Dekker is the author that inspired me to write! His books have changed my entire perspective on Christianity (for the better) i was so excited to see his picture on your blog. I've never read Tosca Lee's books but will certainly be looking them up. Thank you again Lena for another great interview!

Amber Fort worth, Tx

Julie Arduini said...

That's a writing dream team! Looking forward to reading this book!

juliearduini(at)juliearduini(dot)com

Ohio

Anita Yancey said...

I love Ted Dekker's books, but Tosca Lee is a new author to me. This book sounds wonderful, and I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Georgia

CarlybirdH said...

It sounds like this is a good writing team. I would love to win this book. Thank you.
Carly in NC

Sharon Richmond said...

I would love to win this book, Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Nathanael Richmond said...

Looks interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless!
Nathanael Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Daniel Tipton said...

I'd love to win this so I can share this amazing book with a friend of mine. I live in Missouri.

Joy said...

Since I havent read any of Ted Dekker's books I would love to win this one!!
Blessings.....Joy
ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

It looks and sounds interesting.
Please enter me in the drawing!
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond,
Blanch,N.C.

Anonymous said...

Love Ted Dekker's books!

Joyce in TN

Anonymous said...

The book sounds very interesting
and I would love to get the book.
Dennie Richmond
Blanch, NC

Amy said...

This book sounds like a great read. Would love to win. Please enter me thanks.

sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My oldest daughter would love this book, as I think she's read all of Ted Dekker's books. Tosca Lee is a new-to-me author, but teamed with Dekker, I'm sure she's a great author! Thank you for the chance to win!
Blessings,
Kelly Y in Virginia
kelly*at*dkcountryarts*dot*com

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds like a interesting book. count me in Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting, My dad has a lot of Ted's books but I haven't read any yet. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Charlotte Kay said...

These two authors writing together have to create a most impressive read!!!
Count me in for the win!
Charlotte Kay
charlovesmark at gmail dot com

Jo said...

Count me in! I would love to read this.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

karenk said...

would love to read their novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo com
(from pennsylvania)

Cyndi said...

My now-24-yr-old son and I LOVE Ted's books! Along with being a great read, I love the truths that are in each book!

Cyndi in AL

Sheri Salatin said...

Just downloaded the novella and can't wait to read this book! Count me in for the drawing if it's not too late. :)
I'm from Virginia!