Friday, November 09, 2012

CRACKS IN THE ICE - Deanna Klingel - One Free Book


Welcome back, Deanna. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
The spirituality of my characters comes out naturally as he/she develops. But I think my favorite aspect is the growth of faith, the maturing. It fascinates me.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
I have two manuscripts out right now “shopping.” I hope you will see both Waiting With Elmer and Blue-Eyed Doll in this lifetime.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
A contemporary person, hm. The problem for me is that I’m a little short on heroes this year. I think there’s a general shortage, how about you? Perhaps I’d enjoy a quiet evening with Laura Bush. I admire the way she conducted her not-so-private private life.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Oh my goodness. I’d like to meet Helen Keller, Margaret Mitchell, Carl Sandburg, Annie Oakley, U.S. Grant, … how much space do I have?

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
The best rejections are the ones that come back with comments, ideas that will make the story better. I love it when an editor says, “really?” or “did you mean?” and other comments that hit me upside the head and I go, “oh!” Then the story gets better. Unfortunately, not all readers make comments. They either slip silently away after four months, or the form letter suggests the failure to connect was on their part. Whether or not there are comments made, you can interpret the rejection yourself. Read it carefully, not as a writer but as a reader. Make your own constructive comments. Make it better. And never, never give up. If you like the story, someone else will, too. Try to find the “thing” that is missing, overdone, a misfit, or an unresolved problem that may be holding things up. Don’t be afraid to reword the story. There are many ways to say the same thing.

Tell us about the featured book.
Cracks in the Ice is a YA/ teen fiction. I suppose technically it could be historical fiction as there are a lot of real skaters and a lot of real happenings. But, it’s mostly fiction. Gina, niece of a mafia don, has dreams of Olympic gold as a figure skater, and she is well on her way to accomplishing it. When crisis hits, Gina is ill-equipped to cope with the disappointment. She spirals into depression and eventually alcoholism. Two people who love her won’t give up on her. They are able to show her God’s love. Realizing that she is still worthwhile off the ice, she returns to the faith of her childhood, commits to rehabilitation and learns there are other victories to be won in her life.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Dear Diary,
All I want is to be in charge of my own life and ice skate. Is that so much to ask? I mean I am fourteen. I think I can be in charge of something. It just isn't fair. All I want to do is ice skate. Sometimes things happen that have nothing to do with me, but they change things in my life. I don't think that's fair. Now, I have all these other things I have to deal with. It makes me mad. Gina, 1954

I like to stand up here, look out my window, think about things, and watch the Dobermans running around in their yard. When I was little I was afraid of the Dobermans. Bugsy, their handler, told me they'd eat me alive and I was never allowed to go into their compound. That meant just about anywhere outside on the family compound.

From up here in my room I can see the play yard Uncle Giovanni's business associates built for me when I was small. It's made of stone and tile and it has a fountain with a spray and a big shade tree. They built a playhouse inside the tile enclosure to look like a miniature of the big house. I like it okay, but I always wished it had grass. The Dobermans have the grass.

I spent a lot of time in that little playhouse when I was younger. I played with my Sonje Henie paper dolls and read Little Women and Nancy Drew. I sucked on frozen Kool-Aid squares in the summer and sipped hot Ovaltine from my red plaid thermos in the winter. My playhouse had a table and two red chairs. I never knew who was supposed to sit in the second chair.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I have a website, www.BooksByDeanna.com. I’m also on facebook.

Thank you, Deanna, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Cracks in the Ice - paperback
Cracks in the Ice - 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

18 comments:

monica said...

I think my daughter would enjoy this book!

Monica , Ontario

Unknown said...

Although i am far from being a teen, this sounds like it has real people with real issues. i'd love to win. Thanks, Deanna and Lena for the interview and giveaway.

marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

www.reviewingnovelsonline.blogspot.ca

Jo said...

This does sound interesting even though I am not a teen either.

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

Anonymous said...

I think you'll find this character appeals to hearts of all ages. We all have our disappointments and struggles to overcome. I hope the takeaway value here, for girls of all ages is the importance of a support system and having somewhere to turn.I hope you'll enjoy it. Deanna K. Klingel

Anonymous said...

I would be blessed to win.
Angela from KY

Hannah said...

I would love to win!
Hannah from CA

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
..from pa..

Shopgirl said...

This sounds really interesting! I'm in MN.

Mary Preston said...

What a fabulous story. I do enjoy watching Figure Skating.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Anonymous said...

You aren't alone, Mary. Figure skating is the #1 in the winter olympics. Veronica probably won't even shiver when she reads about the blizzard. Hannah and Karen, even if you don't win the book, it's widely available. Any bookstore can get it for you, I have it on my website, it's on Amazon, kindle, and Nook. I hope you all enjoy it. And if you do? Tell someone! Thanks. Deanna

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx

Diana Montgomery said...

I would love to read your book. Thanks for giving the chance to win. joeym11@frontiers.com

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

apple blossom said...

thanks for chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for coming by Lyndie.I don't know where Duncanville is, but a reader in Kerrville, TX, is writing the AR Renaissance questions to put this book on AR for schools. I'm very excited about that, and love my Texas readers!Hello, Diana. What are you reading today? Hi Sharon. I'm a tarheel, too. Where is Blanch? I'm in Sapphire. Apple from ND, hello. Thanks for stopping in. Is it snow and ice there yet? You'll be needing a good book soon, won't you. Me too. Thanks for coming by.
If you don't win the free book, it's easy to get a copy. I hope you all will enjoy it. Let me know. If you really really like it, let Amazon know! Thanks. Deanna

rubynreba said...

Thanks for the chance to read Cracks in the Ice. I enjoy watching figure skating and would like to read this book. Thanks!
Beth from central Iowa

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you joined in Beth. Remember if you don't win, you can get the book at amazon, or kindle or nook, or at any of your local bookstores. I love to support the small neighborhood book stores, don't you? If we don't, they won't be around for us. I hope you enjoy the book.
To ALL OF YOU,you're invited to a virtual Christmas party hosted by Write Integrity. I'll have a party room there; stop in beginning Dec 1No RSVP necessary, come as you are, whenever you want, as often as you want, for food, games,music, party magic and presents!
http://www.virtualcelebration.com/invited/1536/25619. All month in Dec. Deanna

Nathanael Richmond said...

Enter Me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC.