Tuesday, April 28, 2015

SWORD OF FORGIVENESS - Debbie Lynne Costello - One Free Book


Dear Readers, I’ve known Debbie Lynne Costello online for a number of years, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to her with the release of her debut novel.

Bio: Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

Welcome, Debbie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. 
I don’t think I write myself into my characters deliberately, but it would be pretty hard not  to write some of yourself into them because who I am affects my beliefs and my faith so I naturally write in that direction.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I started writing stories at a young age of about 8 but I never thought of myself as a writer. I took every writing class I could in high school and then journalism in college. But it wasn’t until about 8 years ago that I decided I wanted to write novels.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy reading my bible, some research books, anything in the 19th century and anything in medieval times.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I don’t! I always feel like things are crazy. God is the only thing that keeps me together.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I research the time period that my characters would have been born and try to find a name that fits the character running around in my head.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My husband and I built the house we live in. I think that is probably my biggest accomplishment. We are now looking forward to building one last house in which we hope to retire.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Yikes! I’ve never thought about being an animal. I guess I would choose a horse. And anyone that knows me would have already guessed the answer to that. Why would I be a horse? In hopes that I would be chosen for the Lord to ride on in His return.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate covered coconut macaroons.

Yum! What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Marketing. It seems that today we have to sell ourselves and our books. I find that with all the social media, it’s hard to find the time to write. I don’t know that I have overcome it. I struggle daily to balance my everyday life and responsibilities with time for writing. The thing that does work best for me is to stay organized with a schedule and lists. They keep me on target.

Tell us about the featured book.
After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father’s estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn’t enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution.

Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin’s wise and kind nature begins to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Cumberland, England, 1398
Brithwin gazed at her father's grey, lifeless face as she crossed the room. Other than a pinprick to her conscience, there was no sorrow. She faltered. Was his chest rising and falling? A dull roar filled her ears, drowning out her pounding heart. She gasped. Nay. Nay! Hadn’t the priest said his soul was at rest? Hadn’t she watched as the icy fingers of death slowly robbed him of his last breath?

A shudder slithered through her body. Was it a sin to find relief in his death? He couldn’t hurt her anymore. Surely God would not find fault with her. Perhaps her father’s sudden passing was God’s punishment for all the wrongs he had done her. The shuffling of feet brought her contemplations to a halt. 

“It’s all right to grieve, dear one—the tears will help you heal.” Pater, a follower of John Wycliffe and branded a Lollard, laid his hand on her shoulder.

Brithwin pushed aside her conflicting feelings. “You know there is no sorrow in me for his death. Only relief that he is gone and anger for what he has done.”

“Don’t let bitterness consume you. It will do your father no harm, but it will slowly drain the joy from your life, my child.”

Brithwin turned her head away from her father’s still form and looked into the empathetic eyes of a man who had suffered far greater than she at her father’s hand. She spoke the words anyway. “If anyone has a reason to be bitter, it is I. Isn’t a woman’s lot always bitterness?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you for having me on your blog, Lena. I’m looking forward to meeting your followers.

Thank you, Debbie Lynne. They will enjoy getting to know you and your book, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Sword of Forgiveness (Winds of Change) (Volume 1) - paperback
Sword of Forgiveness (Winds of Change Book 1) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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

31 comments:

Anonymous said...


Hi Lena and Debbie Lynn. Thanks for the interview.
Debbie I would love winning your book. Thanks lena for having debbie. GOD bless you both.
Maxie from TX.

ASC Book Reviews said...

I'd LOVE to win this! It sounds SO intriguing! :D

Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), New Mexico

Anonymous said...

would love to win. Angela from Ky

Trixi said...

This looks like a great book! I've seen it around a few times and am interested in adding it to my to-read list. Beautiful cover :-)
Thank you for the chance to win it

Trixi from Oregon

Mary Preston said...

I'm looking forward to reading more of SWORD OF FOREVERNESS. Fantastic!!

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Loraine Nunley said...

This one is on my TBR list. I like to read books with strong heroines in the middle ages. Great cover as well... Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

Loraine in TX

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Hey Maxie!!! Thanks so much for stopping by. And wishing you the best with winning my book!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Amada!!!Thanks for coming by! I'm glad you like the sounds of SOF! I really hope you get a chance to win it!


Angela, from KY, thank you for coming by. Wishing you the best in winning my book!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Thanks Trixi! I love the cover, too! They did an amazing job! So talented! I REALLY hope you add SWORD OF FORGIVENESS to your TBR pile!

Mary! I'm glad you are planing on reading SWORD OF FORGIVENESS! As a writer it is such a thrill every time I hear someone say they are excited to read it. Thank you so much for coming by!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Loraine!!! Wow! You made my day! Thank you for putting SWORD OF FORGIVENESS on your TBR list! How exciting for me! And I do love the cover. They did an awesome job on it. And Brithwin is definitely a strong heroine! She can stand up to the biggest of knights!

Patty said...

Sounds like Royce and Brithwin have a lot to overcome before their Happily Ever After!

Patty in SC

Beth Gillihan said...

Great first page! Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

Bonnie Roof said...

Interesting interview, Debbie and Lena - thank you!! I have "Sword of Forgiveness", but would love to win a copy for one of my best friends who is unable to work, deals with many serious health issues, and is an avid reader!!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kentucky

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Patty and Sharon, how fun to see SC in your name tag! Thanks so much for coming by! Beautiful day today here in the Carolinas. Patty, Brithwin and Royce do have lots to overcome which makes for a lot of fun!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Beth, my aunt and uncle live in Montana and we love your state. Its so beautiful!! I'm so glad you enjoyed my first page. I hope you get a chance to read Sword of Forgiveness.

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Bonnie, that is so sweet of you to want give a copy of Sword of Forgiveness to your friend. I hope you win a copy! And I wish your friend good health and God's blessing.

Anonymous said...

Debbie, this book is still on my to be read list. It has me intrigued and I hope to be reading it soon. Have a wonderful day Lena and Debbie.
Deanne in Pennsylvania
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com

Melissa M. said...

This sounds interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

-Melissa M. in TN

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Thanks for coming by, Deanne. I'm excited this is on your TBR list!!

Hey Melissa, glad you stopped in to say hello.

Hope both of you ladies are able to win my book with one of my giveaways!

Melissa B. said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds like it would draw me in completely.

Melissa B. in Louisiana

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Hey Melissa! I really hope you get a chance to read Sword of Forgiveness! Thanks so much for coming by!

Unknown said...

I love the cover for this book!

Sierra
Indiana

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Thank you, Sierra! I was so pleased with it. They really did an awesome job. Thanks for coming by!

Brenda said...

I've been trying to win this book! Maybe I will be lucky this time! It sounds like a book I would love!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Brenda, I hope you win one of these times! Thanks for coming by and wish you the best in the drawing!!

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

BRENDA! If we aren't friends on FB, friend me. I advertise all my active giveaways several times a week.

Rebecca Maney said...

I am also a children's ministry director and live in Gastonia, North Carolina. I am just starting to read books written in this time period and find them intriguing, so obviously it would be fun to win this one.

Pam Graber said...

Sword of Forgiveness sounds excellent! I love books written in this time period and would love to win this one.

Pam in Ohio

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Rebecca!!! Gastonia? That is only a stone's throw from here! I do all my shopping there. How cool that we are practically neighbors. I hope you win one of my giveaways. If you friend me on FB I let my followers know where all my active giveaways are. Hope you get a chance to read SWORD OF FORGIVENESS.

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Pam, Thank you for coming by. I love the medieval time period with the castles, knights, chivalry, and damsels in distress...although Brithwin wouldn't put herself into that category. LOL>