Thursday, May 24, 2012

THE WIDOW OF SAUNDERS CREEK - Tracey Bateman - One Free Book


I'm thrilled to have my friend, Tracey Bateman, back with us. Welcome, Tracey. Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was five when I decided I better ask Jesus into my heart. But it was mainly because my best friend was getting baptized and got all the attention. When I was eight, I had an experience with God where I realized I was a sinner and that Jesus had died for me. I spent hours on my mother’s bedroom floor crying and repenting for my sins. That was the day I truly believe I was saved.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Susan May Warren—Because she knows more about the craft of writing than anyone I know.
Rachel Hauck—because not only does she know writing, she knows God and I love the way He oozes from her when she speaks about anything, but writing in particular. Plus, she has the coolest way of phrasing things of anyone I know. I could listen to her read the phone book and be inspired.
James Scott Bell—Because he’s funny and smart and knows exactly what he wants to say and communicates it effectively.
Colleen Coble—Because she is the biggest encourager I know, and I think more than “technique” new writers, in particular, just need encouragement to keep on.

I’d want to sneak into that retreat. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Not really. I do speak on occasion, sometimes about writing, sometimes about life and God. They are few and far between, but lately, the doors seem to be opening more. Not sure what God has planned, but “YES” to whatever He asks me to do. Lord, send me…

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
Usually, I get more information. What sort of book? And that opens a dialogue. You can center people pretty quickly and if they’re just thinking one day they might write a book about a life experience, I encourage them to journal and flex their writing muscles that way. If they have an idea for a fiction book and just need the courage or a little nudge in the right direction, I usually point them to ACFW or My Book Therapy, plus I encourage them to sit down and just write.

Tell us about the featured book.
Corrie Saunders’ journey begins with deep, heart-wrecking grief. She’ll do anything for one more moment with the man she loved and lost. As the story evolves she must come to understand that God’s ways are always higher and the enemy of her soul has one focus in mind where she is concerned: to separate her from the love of God and take her down a path of destruction. But for God…

It’s a love story with a supernatural tilt to it. My response to the lies blasted onto the airways with Ghosthunters and other shows that promote what God forbids: speaking to the “dead.”

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue

An easy spring wind blew through my open Jeep, lifting my hair and ruffling the cloth seat covers as I turned off the interstate and traveled east toward Saunders Creek. It was the last leg of my nine-hour drive from Dallas to the tiny, unassuming Ozarks town that bore my husband’s family name.

Towering oaks, full maples, and evergreens hugged the narrow, winding road in a way that even a few months ago might have felt intrusive. But today the trees seemed to embrace me, welcoming me.

Déjà vu came over me, as though the scene before me came out of my own childhood memories instead of recollections of stories my husband told about growing up here.

I wanted him beside me, flashing his Top Gun Maverick grin. Jarrod had died the way he lived—reckless, but heroic. Saving at least fifty lives in a little Iraqi settlement on the east bank of the Tigris River. Leaving me to pine after him, sick with love for a man who would never hold me again. I couldn’t breathe. God, just take me too. But every day my eyes opened, air filled my lungs, and I forced myself to go on.

Six months ago, I buried him according to his wishes, in the Saunders family graveyard. After the funeral, my mother demanded that I return home to Dallas to grieve—as though I could just put the last seven years behind me and move on. Forget the consuming, crazy, once-in-a-lifetime love who had rescued me from her in the first place. Every night since then I had dreamed of my husband’s childhood home. A force compelled me to come here, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Jarrod was gone, but as I drove my Jeep up the path that led to the two-story farmhouse, I finally understood why I had been so drawn to this place.

I had come here to find the man I loved.

I’m intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Twitter and Facebook of course and my website

Thank you, Tracey, for another interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Widow of Saunders Creek: A Novel - paperback
The Widow of Saunders Creek: A 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

37 comments:

Judy Cooper said...

I have a very personal interest in this book, and I Hope to learn something to help me, I know I will as Tracey Bateman is an excellent author. Please enter my name, Judy Cooper in Louisiana.

Judy said...

I would love to win a copy of, The Widow of Saunders Creek. I have lost a husband in earlier years also but not the same way that Corrie lost her husband. The grief was deep just the same.

Please enter my name in this giveaway. Thanks for the interview and giveaway. Tracey is a new author to me. I would love to get to know her more through her books.

Blessings!
Judy from Indiana

Bethany said...

I'd love to be entered! I'm in Ohio--
cbus.blogger at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

i liked how you said that your novel has a supernatural tilt to it, Tracey, and would love to find out what you meant by that. i don't like paranorma, and yet some of those are okay too. i know it's a personal opinion, but would be honored if i could win and read The Widow of Saunders Creek and blog about it. Thank you, Lena and Tracey for the amazing interview and opportunity to win a super sounding novel.

Marianne from Northern Alberta

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

Tracey Bateman said...

Hi Everyone! Thank you so much for your interest in The Widow of Saunders Creek! I'm so excited to be here, Lena. Thanks for having me.

Mel said...

I've followed Tracey for a few years. I like her transparency and her honesty both in her life and writing. She isn't afraid to go down writing trails that others quake at! I'd love to win this book to add to other Tracey Bateman books that I own!

A cheering fan,
Mel from Missouri

Patty said...

It does sound intriguing! I don't think I'm familiar with Tracey's books, I wil ahve to look up some more of them and see if they look familiar.

Patty in SC

Anonymous said...

I am a fan of Tracey's books. Would love to win.
Angela from kY

Jean Smith said...

I would love to win a copy of your book. I live in York, Pa.

Nancee said...

I enjoyed your review today, and the book sounds like a good one, one that I'd enjoy reading. Thanks for offering this giveaway!
Nancee, Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! A free book is like a free vacation!

Tracey Bateman said...

Anon, I agree! Free book=free vaca!!
Marianne, I believe so strongly that we are being lied to by shows like Ghost Hunters etc. The devil wants us to believe our great aunt sally is "haunting" us to bring us comfort, but The word is so clear that this is a lie from the Father of Lies. :) The Widow of Saunders Creek is sort of my take on what's really going on. And it's a love story.

Tracey Bateman said...

For all of you who are commenting and reading comments, I'll share a secret about this book that no one else knows.

When I first got the idea, I heard in my head, the main character whispering, "Are you there?" Thinking the things she was experiencing could be attributed to her late husband's ghostly presence. So when I proposed the book, it was originally titled, ARE YOU THERE.
Obviously, I stink at titles and I'm so glad my editor is GREAT. The Widow of Saunders Creek is perfect. :)

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please put my name in the hat! I've never been disappointed by any of Tracey's books. Thanks!

Anna W. from GA

Anonymous said...

I am 66 yrs old and a widow for almost 4 years after 41 yrs of marriage...I don't believe in ghosts as a Christian, but I have had times when my spirit totally felt my husband's presence with me. It was a wonderful comfort to me. I would love to read this book.
Lindsey
lindsey@fbcartesia.org

Anonymous said...

BTW...I live in Artesia, NM
Lindsey

Rose M. said...

Great Interview....love the personal touch and the book sounds amazing. I am anxious to read Tracey's new book. Thanks for the opportunity to read the article and win a book!

Melissa said...

I love reading Tracey Bateman books, especially loved the Claire series!

Melissa from OHIO

Janet Kerr said...

I am so very interested in reading this book as I recently became a widow.
I have come across it several times since & would appreciate you entering me in the draw.
Thanks,
Jan from B.C. Canada

janet_kerr(at)msn.com

Mary Preston said...

A very interesting interview thank you & a wonderful first page.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo said...

I have read a few of Tracey's books and really enjoyed them. Would love to read this one now. Thank you for the opportunity.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

apple blossom said...

thanks for chance to win
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Kandra said...

Oooh, this one sounds great!
Kandra from Tennessee
kandrajane at bellsouth dot net

Roxanne Sherwood Gray said...

As someone who's been widowed, I'm always interested in how authors handle grief. This book sounds like something I'd love to read. Thanks for the fun interview with Tracey!

I'd love to win this book. How do you contact the winner?

roxannegray11[at]gmail [dot] com

Diana Flowers said...

This one has been on my wishlist ever since I first saw the cover! Sounds intriguing. I would feel very blessed to win this one and thank you for the opportunity!

Diana from SC

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Diana Flowers said...

Tracey, I also wanted to say I found your "Are You There?" title remark very amusing.:) I would be the same at picking titles. lol!

SC's Diana

dianalflowers[at]aol{dot}com

Diana Gardner said...

Love the cover. Please enter me in the drawing. Portsmouth, VA

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me it looks like a great story!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks and sounds interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing!
Thanks for the chance to win!
God Bless!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in your giveaway. This looks/sounds like a very interesting read. Thank you :)
meashy@verizon.net

Mary Ellen Ashenfelder said...

Sorry ---forgot to put my name ---thanks again :)

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Nancee said...

Tracey is a new author to me, but I'd love to read this book. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Nancee, Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

rubynreba said...

Please enter me. Looks like a good book.
Beth from Iowa

Ginger Solomon said...

I don't usually care for first person books, but I'm hooked. The blurb and first page make me want to dive in.

Ginger in AL

Lane Hill House said...

Enter me in drawing please.
Missouri
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

Mark said...

I'd like to enter.
Ohio here