Wednesday, February 03, 2016

IF I RUN - Terri Blackstock - One Free Book, Plus More

Dear Readers, I am a long-time fan of Terri Blackstock suspense novels.

Welcome back, Terri. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I like to write about suffering, because I believe that a lot of Christians are dealing with extreme trials. I want them to understand that there’s purpose in all of it, and that, while God doesn’t insulate us from suffering or solve every problem as we want Him to, He doesn’t abandon us as we endure it. Instead, He’s right there with us through it all, and what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good. He may not cause our suffering—sometimes that’s the work of others or of our own mistakes—but He uses all of it to grow us. Sometimes when we look back on our biggest crises, we can see that God turned them into blessings.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Right now I’m working on If I’m Found, the book that follows If I Run. In it, Casey, my fugitive, changes her identity again and runs to another town, where she encounters another adventure as she tries to stay hidden from those who are hunting her. Dylan, the investigator who’s closing in on her, realizes that someone wants to kill her, so he’s searching harder for her to keep her alive. He goes from being her nemesis to being her protector.

Sounds wonderful. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Kay Arthur, because I’ve been a student of her Precept courses on different books of the Bible for many years. I would love to ask her some questions about passages in the Bible, then sit at her feet and listen as she unpacks them. I admire her wisdom and her love for God’s Word so much.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
According to a genealogy study I did, it appears that I have three ancestors who came over on the Mayflower—Edward Fuller and his wife, and their twelve year old son Samuel Fuller (named after his uncle, Samuel Fuller, who was also on the Mayflower). I haven’t had it verified, so the connection to my family could be a mistake, but whether we were related or not, I’d love to have the chance to talk to Samuel about what his experiences were as a kid, having both of his parents die during the first winter they were on American soil, and how he went on to help build this new world. His father signed the Mayflower Compact that was the beginning of our democratic government, and I just think he’d have a world of wisdom to pass on to me.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I would tell them to listen carefully to the criticism they’re getting—view it as a gift that someone has given them—and make the changes they’re suggesting. Keep learning your craft. Join writers’ groups, read everything you can in your genre, go to conferences. Learning your craft the right way takes a long time and a lot of practice, so write, write, write. If you don’t love it, quit. The only reason to be a writer is because you love it.

Tell us about the featured book.
I wanted to feature a character who is an unbeliever, who has nowhere to turn when life crashes down around her. Casey Cox is one of my favorite characters in any of the books I’ve written because she’s complex and simple at the same time. When she’s accused of committing a heinous murder and knows her DNA is all over the crime scene, she decides to run. She leaves everyone she loves behind, because she believes deeply that if she’s caught, she won’t just go to prison. She’ll be murdered as well.

The private investigator contracted to find her and bring her back is Dylan, who’s been working in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Army, but because he’s a survivor of some IED explosions that killed several of his buddies, he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to his condition, he’s been discharged from the Army, and he’s had trouble getting another job. The family of the murder victim hires him to find Casey, the fugitive they think killed their son. As experienced as he is at solving crimes, his personal problems sometimes get in the way. He reacts intensely to loud noises, has nightmares that keep him from wanting to sleep at night, is depressed, has survivor’s guilt, and deals with a number of other things. But I really like him because he doesn’t see himself as a victim. He’s a Christian who’s trying to overcome his problems through his faith, but sometimes they’re just bigger than his faith.

As Dylan learns more about Casey so he can get inside her head, he realizes they have something in common. They probably both have PTSD. He begins to see that Casey doesn’t really fit the profile of a killer. Is she a psychopathic killer, or another suffering victim?

Please give us the first page of the book.
From If I Run (Zondervan, 2016):
There’s blood on the bottom of my shoes. I rinse the soles, knowing the police will trace the impression of the rubber pattern and determine that they’re Skechers. They’ll find the charge for the shoe store on my credit card, proving they’re mine.

Blood runs down the drain. My heart races as though it’s my own draining away, but it’s not mine. My throat constricts as tears fill my eyes, but I push them away. There’s no time to feel.

When the shoes seem clean enough, I blot them on a towel and slip them into my bag.

They’ll see the traces of blood on the sink, in the footsteps at the door where I took the shoes off, on the towel. They’ll shine that Luminol stuff all through my apartment and add it to the evidence list against me. There’s no point in wasting time cleaning it up. I just have to get out of here.

I’m eager to get started reading my copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook:        http://www.facebook.com/tblackstock
Twitter:           http://www.twitter.com/terriblackstock
Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

if i run-400 

One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

if i run - enterbanner




Thank you, Terri, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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:

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

angela in ky would love to win.

Pam said...

A new Terri Blackstock series??? I'm IN! Would love to win this book.

Pam in OH

Anonymous said...

My brother has some of your books and my sister has others. They both really enjoyed them! This sounds amazing and I'd love to read it!
J.C. (Hey, I'm a Cox too!) -Indiana-

Terri Blackstock said...

Thanks, Lena! I so appreciate your hosting me. Only a few more days until the book is out!

Melanie Backus said...

With Terri Blackstock, you know you have a winner!

Melanie Backus, TX

Tammy G. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy G. said...

Yay! Terri Blackstock's reads never disappoint! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tammy in Texas

rubynreba said...

Terri is one of my favorite authors. I'm looking forward to this book.
Beth from IA

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I absolutely love suspense novels and this first page grabs the reader immediately! Thank you for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail.com

Cyndi said...

Love Terri's books and am looking forward to this one! Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!

Cyndi in AL

Linda Kish said...

This sounds really interesting. I'd love to read it.

Linda in California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Melissa Oldaker said...

Love her books! Can't wait to read this one!

Melissa in NC

Deanna Stevens said...

Definitely on my wanted list!
Dee from NE

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your sharing struggles we have and showing how to grow through them! No wonder so many people love your books, including me!
Janice
pjrcmoore@windstream.net

Mary Preston said...

A great post thank you. On my reading list.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Terrill R. said...

I recently read an amazing review for If I Run by one of my favorite bloggers. Can't wait to experience it myself.

Terrill - WA

A Cooking Bookworm said...

This sounds soo exciting! The only bad will be waiting for book 2 to come out!! :-)

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Kelly T said...

I would love to read this book! I'm Kelly from Virginia.

Loraine Nunley said...

I love Terri Blackstock's stories so I am really excited about her latest. Getting to know the characters a little more has only increased my excitement! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

Loraine in TX

Diana Flowers said...

I love historical fiction, but I get a craving now and again for a different genre. I feed that craving with Christian suspense novels. Lol Love them! My bestie has encouraged me to start reading some of Terri's since I have never read her books. And I've had my eye on this one for awhile. Sounds intriguing and would love to read it. Thx for the opportunity and the interesting interview!

Diana in SC



Beth Gillihan said...

Sounds like an exciting read! Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

R Merr said...

This book sounds amazing

! Rachael in Maine

Jackie Smith said...

Love her books and have read them all! Am so anxious to read this new one; thanks for your giveaway.
Jackie Smith in GA

Abigail Mitchell said...

I love Terri's books! Would love to win!
Blanch NC

kam110476 said...

Hi Terri & Lena! I have yet to meet a Terri Blackstock book I haven't loved & doubt this will Bee any different!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Patty said...

Sounds like a great start to a new series!

Patty in SC

Winnie T. said...

Nice interview. I'd love a chance to win a copy of the book. It sounds wonderful.
Winnie T from Utah

Trixi said...

I was SO excited to learn that a new Terri Blackstock book was coming out, I'm excited for the chance to win a copy! Thank you :-)

Trixi in OR

GrandaddyA said...

I always watch for new books by Terri. I love the way she tells stories. I went for some years not reading much but when I got serious about reading more again, her books were some of the first ones I read. I have been hooked ever since.
Edward A in VA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in this awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Melissa M. said...

I'm a long-time fan, too! This one looks great!

-Melissa M. in TN

BJM said...

I would love to win this book.

BJM in SC

Lourdes said...

I love that she said He doesn’t abandon us and that He’s right there with us through it all. I love her stories would love to win.

Lourdes in Long Island, New York

Anonymous said...

Kristie in Northern Arizona can't wait to read this book!!

KayM said...

Terri has been one of my favorite authors for years. I have read almost all her books.
Kay in East Tennessee

Merry said...

I am always thrilled with Terri's books, I can't wait to dive into If I Run.
Merry in MN

Dana MIchael said...

I am a huge fan of Terry's! Thank you so much for the interview and giving us a glimpse of how awesome the book is.
Dana in Memphis!

Pam said...

I can't wait to read this! Terri writes some of the best romantic suspense out there. Her books are always a thrill ride. Would love to win!

Pam in OH

GrandaddyA said...

I love reading Terri's books. She is an excellent author who caught my attention several years ago with some great series.
Edward A in VA