Monday, August 29, 2016

THE LOOMING STORM - Diane and David Munson - 2 Free Books

Dear Readers, Diane and David are giving a free copy of the print book, which is available to a commenter in the US, and a code for a free audible copy of the book, which is available to a commenter outside the US,

Welcome back, Diane and David. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions? 
We call our thrillers “factional fiction” because each one is inspired by real events and our cases in the legal system that we were involved in as a Federal Prosecutor (Diane) and Federal Agent (David). In the The Looming Storm, we draw from people we worked with in the Congress, The White House, and in the Justice Department when we lived and served in Washington D.C. Our latest novel is influenced by a group of drug smugglers who once owned an island in the Florida Keys, where David as an undercover DEA agent was their guest. They remain unnamed, as they were convicted and served time in prison. Our research visit to the Florida Keys led to many themes and scenes in The Looming Storm, a merging of Washington authorities locked in a battle with culprits in the Florida Keys intent on harming our nation.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?   
When we’re asked to speak at churches and/or civic groups, we often speak about the exciting and dangerous events that occurred during our careers. It’s amazing to remember the examples of God’s intervention and protection. We also do mystery dinners, where we create a scenario to share with diners. Each table receives a clue from us, which when read by the diners, leads the group to discover “who done it,” or as happens in our thrillers, who appears to “have done it.” Often it’s not the obvious culprit. Our next mystery dinner is on February 7, 2017 at North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake, Florida.

That sounds like fun. If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
We had a lively debate before settling on a favorite spot. In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, we could spend more time roaming the wonderful region, including Yellowstone, which we absolutely love. Could it be one of our next thrillers might be set in the West?

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
It’s actually two things. First is to pray for God’s leading and guidance, which is the most important. Secondly, write from your heart, what you love, and what you are passionate about.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
This is a fun question. The program will be inspirational – helping participants to see/find where God is moving in their lives. Number one speaker we’d invite is Franklin Graham as he is doing so much through Samaritan’s Purse to help soldiers, children, and hurting people in the name of Jesus, who is our hope and the hope for all the world. Alex and Stephen Kendrick will be wonderful to hear from as they co-produced such “giant” Christian films as, Facing the Giants and War Room. Many will want to meet Ken Ham, the Christian man who built Noah’s Ark and is following a call on his life to proclaim the truth of the Bible at the Creation Museum. Also, Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren will add much about living for and standing up for Jesus. There will be an author track, with Joel Rosenberg, Robert Whitlow, Terri Blackstock, and Lena Nelson Dooley leading panels about infusing fiction with faith and story.

Music is a must. The Collingsworth Family and Charles Billingsley are favorites. So are Kristian Stanfill, Hillsong, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman, Laurie Story, and Steven Curtis Chapman. Choirs from Prestonwood and Brooklyn Tabernacle will greet us when we all walk onto the ship. As we both sing in the choir at our church, it is such a blessing for us to listen to praise songs and hymns as we write. So, who wants to sign up for this cruise?

I’m honored to be included in your list, and I’d absolutely love the cruise. Tell us about the featured book.
What is our rock in the midst of every storm? In our last book, Embers of Courage, we revealed persecution of Christians in the past and in the present. As tumult continues in the world, the words to the hymn, “The Solid Rock,” kept reverberating in our minds while we plotted The Looming Storm. So did verses in Mark 4:35-41 when Jesus the Christ rebuked a terrific storm on the Sea of Galilee by telling the winds and waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The waters and winds instantly obeyed and became absolutely still. What power Jesus has!

This is the hope we convey in The Looming Storm.

Tomorrow’s headlines leap from the pages when Federal Agent Eva Montanna’s daughter Kaley travels to Eastern Europe on a class trip. Their lives are altered in the blink of an eye. The gutsy federal agent must cling tightly to her faith in God as Eva discovers a menacing threat to harm Eva, husband Scott (the press secretary for the Speaker of the House in D.C.), and their three children. To stop the threat, Eva and Griff Topping, her FBI partner, use every trick to infiltrate a band of Florida smugglers. The agents are shocked when their undercover charade exposes the full measure of the sinister plot.

Secrets are shredded in our tenth stand-alone thriller, and readers may find it surprising how we rip the veil from a labyrinth of covert criminal enterprises. We hope readers will also enjoy lighthearted moments with Eva and family as well as a hint of romance for a new character we introduce, DEA agent Brett Calloway, who is from the south and loves his Harley and his momma’s gumbo. 

Please give us the first page of the book.
Monday began with a burst of turbulence, like many workdays did for Federal Agent Eva Montanna. Her awakening to a boisterous alarm quickly morphed into a hectic struggle to pry three sleepy kids out of bed and brew coffee before Scott left for work. A moment of calm touched her life when at six a.m. she stood on tiptoe to kiss her husband’s cheek.  
      
“Sure you can’t wait for me to fix an egg with your bagel?” Eva stifled a yawn.
    
Scott shook his head, a lock of his brown curly hair falling loose. “I’m needed early on the Hill to fend off the media circus. A new Supreme Court nominee doesn’t happen every day. The Speaker wants to keep pressure on the Senate.”

He winked before stepping into the garage. Eva’s heart overflowed with love as she watched him back the car out of the garage. His job as press secretary to the Speaker of the House kept him plenty busy. So did hers as Federal Agent for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Eva ran to change into work attire. She flipped the light on to her walk-in closet. The bulb fizzled out in a blinding flash. Not willing to search for a spare or find the ladder, she snatched navy slacks and a white blouse off the rod using her smartphone for light.

Minutes later, she was buttering toast when her youngest son ran in the kitchen.

“Mom, I banged my toe,” Dutch cried.

“Let me see.”

He held up his tiny bare foot. Blood squirted from a gash in his big toe. She rushed to the half-bath and found a bandage to stop the bleeding. Breakfast was hurried and at last, she corralled her children off to school. Eva had a few spare minutes to pull herself together. A quick flick of a brush through her wheat-colored, shoulder-length hair, and a dab of pale gloss to her lips completed her look.

Wait, were those new lines around her eyes?

Oh well. Scott still found her pretty; he’d told her so just yesterday. And life presented issues more important than wrinkles, though when she’d started pursuing criminals, Eva had youthful skin and clear periwinkle eyes. Under the harsh bathroom lights, her face revealed long days and nights of surveillance, car chases and foot chases, and scrapes and bruises from tackling guys bigger than her.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
FaceBook: Diane and David Munson

Thank you, Diane and David, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Looming Storm - paperback
The Looming Storm - Kindle

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 or country if outside North America. (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

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

angela in ky would love to win.

Diane and David Munson said...

Lena, when should we book the cruise?! The Looming Storm gives readers a glimpse at tomorrow's headlines, and also reveals God's faithfulness in times of trial. Federal Agent Eva Montanna and her family struggle to find God's purposes after daughter Kaley has a dangerous run-in with Russia on her class trip. Seventeen-year-old Kaley wonders why God allows Christians to experience trouble. Seeking answers, she and her Mom turn to The Lord and His Word, discovering His fresh purposes for their lives. These times provoke such questions and Jesus is our Solid Rock, our Hope in every storm.

Mary Preston said...

A great first page and a great cover.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Cindy W. said...

Thank you for the post and excerpt. I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.

Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana

Vera Godley said...

I've been missing some good "David & Diane" reading. This sounds like it will be a good read just like your others. Would love to win.

Vera G from the middle of North Carolina

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I love your guest list for the cruise and I would especially enjoy meeting Ken Ham. I had tbe pleasure of visiting Nosh's Ark and it is beyond myexpectations! A person needs more than one day to truly see everything and comprehend just how miraculous God's vision and Noah's obedience really was!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

What a cruise lineup...let's go! Diane and David are new to me. I think I have certainly missed out!

Melanie Backus, TX

kim hansen said...

Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska

Loraine Nunley said...

These are new authors to me and the premise of this book sounds interesting. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway.

Loraine in TX

GrandaddyA said...

Oh, boy! That celebrity cruise sounds great. I would love to go. The only thing to enhance the pleasure of the cruise would be a copy of this book to enjoy during any free time. The book sounds very interesting, the kind I love to read. I read all kinds of Christian fiction but sometimes the target audience is primarily female and this guy gets a bit weary of too much "chick flick" reading. This one sounds like there is plenty to keep a guy interested.
Edward A in VA

AYB said...

I've added to my kindle but I'd love a copy especially if a signed copy. ☺️

Beth Gillihan said...

Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

Caryl Kane said...

This books sounds intriguing! I love the cover.

Caryl K in TEXAS

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC.