Thursday, May 02, 2013

A HEARTBEAT AWAY - S Dionne Moore - One Free Book


Here's another of my friends with her newest novel. Welcome, Sandra. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I think a little of me slips into most of my characters. It’s a subconscious thing. Writing male characters is especially difficult because I’m constantly reminding myself to think more like a man. For male characters, I can always rely on my husband as a good role model and have even asked him, “How would you handle this?” “What would be your reaction?”

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Chinese fire drill. Midnight. Three of us in the middle of Phoenix, Arizona. We laughed so hard. It rates up there next to the singing at the top of my lungs, windows rolled down, wind in my hair. . .yeah, you’ve done it too, admit it!

The singing? Yes. The Chinese fire drill at midnight? No. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
As a teen, I composed a book, scene by scene, in my head every night. I guess that’s when I first realized my penchant for plotting, but I was never one to write it down until much later. It took me a long time to realize the value of *finishing* a book. I learned so much going in that process, but just putting those two words “The End” down on paper--er, screen, was immensely gratifying.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
A wide range, really. I enjoy research, so nonfiction books abound in my house. I love mystery, good romantic suspense, some contemporary (really, very few), and historical romance of almost any type and in most time periods.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Never claimed to be sane. I have my moments, and most of them wild fluctuations between running around like a woman a-fire, or lulls of inactivity with no scheduled appointments when I can enjoy a book or get some writing done.

More recently, I’ve found how annoying it is to receive texts. My iMac chirps, my iPhone bleeps, and my iPad whistles, all at the same time, so I have made hard and fast friends with Do Not Disturb.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Certain names are more common in one location than they are another, so I look first to my setting, then pay attention to the last names of the people from that time period. It’s a little easier with first names and I generally just pick something I like.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising a daughter who loves the Lord and is learning, daily, how to be more for Him.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A dog, specifically a little dog, because if it’s anything like our little guy, it’s a fun life with nary a care in the world.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate. Dark chocolate. Yum!

I am so with you on that. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
POV (point of view). I never could figure out what people meant when they’d mark my manuscript and tell me I was out of POV. Then I had a kind man explain it to me and the lightbulb flickered to a full glow.

Tell us about the featured book.
A Heartbeat Away is the story of a young woman who rediscovers her faith with the help of a secret message in a quilt her mother gifted her.

Please give us the first page of the book.
September 14, 1862
Battle of South Mountain

Joe opened his eyes to darkness. A shadow moved against the semi-blackness of a window and his senses screamed the warning. He jerked, gasped at the jolt of pain, and fell back. His heart pounded with fear at his weakness as his mind struggled to place where he was. Ben? Where was he? They had stayed close to each other. Too close. Ben had blamed himself when Joe had taken the minie ball in his shoulder. Joe heard his own voice as if from a great distance; his explanation to ease Ben’s guilt; “We’re in a war, what do you expect?”

            He blinked as a vision of Ben flashed through his pounding head. He massaged his forehead, felt a hand on his shoulder and swung to his left, rolling to avoid the contact. He fell into nothingness, slammed into the floor. Pain took his breath.

            “Joe!”

            Through the waves of nausea he realized one thing, the voice was soft. Feminine. When the hands touched his shoulder, his face, he felt the softness in the fingertips, reminding him of home and gentler times.

            “You’re in a springhouse on our farm,” the voice rushed to explain. “You were injured.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Depending on what you enjoy, you can find me:
Twitter: @sdionnemoore
Cozy Mystery Magazine:  http://www.cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com

Thank you, Sandra, for sharing a little of your life and your new book with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series - paperback
A Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series - 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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, 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

27 comments:

Lyndie Blevins said...

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

Heidi Reads... said...

Great interview! Adding this one to my to-read list on goodreads!

Heidi, CA

Anonymous said...

Woot! Let the free book party begin, gals! Thanks for visiting with me and Lena (or is that Lena and I?).

Grins!
S. Dionne Moore

Anonymous said...

This was really exciting. I just found out A Heartbeat Away is listed in USA Today's column for new releases!

Unknown said...

Am enjoying the Quilts of Love series. The authors are doing a very good job. Good luck to everyone in winning this book!

Onalaska, WI

sm said...

A story with a quilt in the plot- couldn't be better for me. sharon, CA

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the chance to win this one.

Katie J. from Fl

Anonymous said...

My favorite part of the quilts is the colors! I love bright colors and I've seen so many quilts that should just be considered works of art! Seriously. There's on Pinterest that is so beautiful that I tagged it under one of my boards. Not sure if I can put a link in here or not, but you guys have to see this quilt. It's lovely: http://pinterest.com/pin/137782069820221904/

pol said...

Thanks for sharing this author and her book, have not read her work before and this sounds like my kind of story.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
reader in Ga

Jo said...

I would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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

Mary Preston said...

What's a Chinese Fire Drill???

I'm looking forward to reading A HEARTBEAT AWAY.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel ;)

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

Kandra said...

Nice opening page! Sign me up!
Kandra in TN
Kandrajane@bellsouth.net

Unknown said...

I've done a bit of quilting with my Mom. Will forever be precious memories. Thanks for a great interview and chance to win!

Marianne in Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Ooh, sounds like a good one! Love the Civil War era!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Ooh, sounds like a good one! Love the Civil War era!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Library Lady said...

We have the "Quilts of Love" series in the church library.
I would love to win this one to add to our collection.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Sharon Richmond said...

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

Unknown said...

Already hooked. This is my favorite time period. I would love to win.

deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com

Vera Godley said...

My interest is roused on this one. Civil war in its opening, yet the cover looks modern. Is it an era spanning story? Please enter me in the contest.

I'm in middle North Carolina enjoying the wonderful spring weather (when it isn't rainy). :)

sharon m said...

I really enjoy quilts and books about quilts. A secret message sounds very intriguing. sharon, CA

Emma said...

A HEARTBEAT AWAY sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.

rubynreba said...

Love to read this! How neat that A Heartbeat Away is listed in USA Today!
Beth from Iowa

Shopgirl said...

This sounds fascinating! I'm in MN.

Mama Cat said...

I have enjoyed your books in Heartsong series, and would really like to read this! Sounds very interesting! Jeanie in Phoenix AZ

Merry said...

Oh, intriguing excerpt! Thanks for a chance to win A Heartbeat Away.
Merry in MN

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. Thanks for a chance. I'm from TX. near Houston. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com