Monday, December 24, 2012

GRACE FOR THE CHAR-BAKED - Lisa Buffaloe - One Free Book


For several years, Lisa Buffaloe was one of the core members of the critique group that meets in my home. It was a sad day for me when she and her family moved to Idaho, but thank the Lord for the Internet and cell phones. We stay in contact through technology.

Welcome, Lisa. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
I’m working on a devotional book and also hope to complete another novel in the new year.

Tell us a little about your family.
I’m happily married and have one son. My husband and I were told by doctors we couldn’t have children. However God had other plans and blessed us with our wonderful son who is now twenty and stands at 6’ 8”. When God does something, He does big things!

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
As a writer, reading has taken on new wonderful facets. I not only read to learn and enjoy, but to study how other authors evoke emotions, set a scene, or draw me into the story.

What are you working on right now?
I blog every weekday, host a radio show (Living Joyfully Free) every week, and the devotional book.

I’m now co-hosting a monthly radio show, Gate Beautiful, and it has opened new horizons for me. What outside interests do you have?
I enjoy working in the yard and exploring Idaho. We haven’t made it past about two hours from our house because I make my sweet husband pull over every few minutes to take photos. I think I’ve taken about 4000 pictures since we moved here three years ago.

I have learned to love Idaho, though I've never been there, through the pictures you put on your blog. How do you choose your settings for each book?
The characters seem to come with their own settings. I usually use areas of the country where I have lived or places I have traveled.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Oswald Chambers. His passion for Christ was amazing. I would love to sit and talk with him about our wonderful God.

His writings inspire me as well. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Opposition comes, but persistence is the key.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
To first and foremost spend my time with God, seeking His guidance and following Him.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Pray, read, and write.

Tell us about the featured book.
My poor family has been summoned to dinner by the wailing fire alarm more times than I care to publicly acknowledge. Grace for the Char-Baked is a light-hearted novella about the kitchen-challenged.

Charlotte Wilson is the last person on earth who should run a bake sale. With “Char” as a nickname, Charlotte’s cooking skills are more incendiary than culinary. But when her plans of running in a charity marathon are side-lined by a broken foot, her old flame’s suggestion becomes a challenge midst her friend’s simmering doubts.

Luke Hammond has spent the last five years studying and preparing to travel overseas as a medical missionary. When his high school sweetheart unexpectedly comes back in his life, Luke wrestles with what he feels God calling him to be and what he wants to do. His reappearance rekindles an attraction that could char Luke and Charlotte’s heart or cook up the perfect romance.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Charlotte Wilson jogged along the campus sidewalk. Gasp … wheeze … gasp …wheeze. After last night’s cooking fiasco, her twenty-two-year old lungs behaved like an eighty-year-old asthmatic. She could still smell the smoke embedded in her sinuses. Amber and golden leaves dotted the ground as she concentrated on her breathing, or rather concentrated on attempting to breathe.

Every cooking instrument known to man was out to get her. Why couldn’t she even broil a steak without flames shooting out of the stove? Obviously, the oven and the smoke alarm conspired against her. The alarm practically went off any time she stepped in the kitchen.

Charlotte sprinted around a guy with an armload of books sleepwalking his way toward the student union building. She gasped in a breath and kicked into high gear. Kathy needed her. At least by participating in the Cancer Cure marathon, Charlotte could do something to help. With two more weeks of training, she’d be ready to compete.

Her best friend was far too young to have breast cancer. People their age shouldn’t face something like this. Then again, no one should. Thankfully, Kathy’s lumpectomy had gone well. But seven weeks of radiation were going to be rough.

Radiation sounded so nasty, so negative. Why couldn’t they come up with some treatment that was actually appealing—like putting a dose of cancer killer into chocolate or ice cream?

If she hurried, she could get back home in time and make Kathy breakfast—perhaps an omelet with bacon, cheese, mushrooms, and green peppers. Charlotte sighed. Maybe she could create something like that in her dreams. When God passed out the cooking genes, she was given a charcoal thumb—everything she touched burned to a crisp.

The sun’s rays finally peeked over the horizon. Charlotte jogged up to the old craftsman-style home where she’d lived the last two years. With the two-story dormer windows and the wide porch, the house seemed to wear a perpetual smile—just like the original owner had worn up to her death. Mimi Miller, Kathy’s grandmother, and best friend to Charlotte’s grandparents, had bequeathed the property to Kathy. Mimi would always be missed. So many happy memories had been made here. The house itself almost seemed huggable.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.livingjoyfullyfree.com

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your life and this story with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Grace for the Char-Baked - paperback
Grace for the Char-Baked - 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

31 comments:

Lyndie Blevins said...

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

Fliterary said...

Thank you, Lyndie! Merry Christmas!



Lena, thank you for having me as your guest. I'm honored. You are such a blessing!

Merry Christmas, sweet friend!

Kandra said...

sign me up!
Kandra in TN

Fliterary said...

Hi Kandra, Merry Christmas blessings to you!

Jo said...

Merry Christmas! I thoroughly enjoyed your interview and reading about your book. It sounds like such a good and enjoyable book. Thanks for the opportunity!

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

Breanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lynnmosher said...

Always love reading about my sweet friend Lisa. So glad I got to read this. Blessings!

lhoenigsberg said...

Hi Lisa. Nice to see you over here on Christmas Eve! Nice to read more about you too.

lhoenigsberg said...

Hi Lisa. Nice to see you over here and read more about you. Merry Christmas!

Norma S said...

Hi Liza,
Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book.Sounds like a great book. Thank God that you were able to have a child. A son 6'8". God bless you and a Merry Christmas.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Patty said...

Sounds like a fun book! When I first read the title I thought it was some sort of cooking advice book=)

Patty in SC

Anonymous said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU!!! ANGEL FROM KY

Shopgirl said...

I can totally relate to being kitchen-challenged! I'm in MN.

Mary Preston said...

What a fabulous idea for a story. We've all been there.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Judy Cooper said...

This sounds like a real fun book. Please enter my name. Thank you. Judy C. in Louisiana

Anonymous said...

Thank you for introducing me to this author. Another one I'm looking forward to reading. I'm also excited to start reading her blog. Lisa, I'll be praying for your future endeavors. Blessings & Merry Christmas, Susan Fryman New Mexico

Unknown said...

Sounds like i feel...i feel challenged in the kitchen, though when the fire alarm goes off it's more likely to be the toaster than the oven. i would love to win this. Thanks for the chance, Lena and Lisa

marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Terri B. said...

This looks like a cute book with some serious issues (breast cancer). Thank you for the opportunity to win a free book.

rubynreba said...

Love the title! I enjoyed the interview. Thanks!
Beth from IA

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Fliterary said...

Hi Jo, Breanna, Lynn, lhoenigsberg, Norma, Patty, Anonymous, Mary, Judy, Susan, Marianne, Terri, Beth, Sarah, and apple blossom! Grace-filled Merry Christmas blessings and Happy New Year to you all!

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this! Live in OR...

pol said...

Lisa have not read your books and this one sounds like a winner, I am not a cook but do have to do it. It was good to meet you on this interview, thanks for sharing.

Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga reader

Fliterary said...

Hi Jane and Paula, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Grace-filled blessings to you!

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Katie said...

Sounds great! Please enter me! I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Fliterary said...

Thank you, Sharon and Katy!

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei ultimate on-line blogshop for
wholesale & supply korean add-ons, earrings, earstuds, choker, rings, bracelet, bangle & hair
add-ons. Deal 35 % wholesale price cut. Ship Worldwide
My page :: playstation repair

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

was the winner announced? the blog said the winner would be announced a week from the post date. may be I have missed it?

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Anonymous, yes the winner was announced yesterday.