Friday, December 02, 2016

BETTER LATTE THAN NEVER - Yvonne Lehman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Yvonne. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?
I didn’t know, nor aspire to being, a writer. In my early thirties, while teaching a Sunday school class of girls age 17-married, I wanted us to show brotherly-love to young Black girls, but the church (pastor, deacon except one) was against it. After six months of questioning, disappointment in those who had mentored me in the Christian life, I was faced with leaving the church or turning it all over to God (I’m a little slow sometime!). I rededicated my life, saw the ad in Decision Magazine about the Billy Graham School of Christian Writing, began to realize I wrote down things all the time—the wonderful, the not-so-good, questionings, thoughts, re-wrote the SS lessons … the result became a whole new unexpected world opening up to me. God closed the minds of that church to lead me into writing! Later, the church helped the Black community build their own church, which is what they wanted. The moral of MY story is: when God closes a door that seems right, maybe he’s just leading you into something even better. Don’t complain, just continue the journey.

Tell us about your family.
Sorry … don’t want to be sued. I do have a white and blond Pomeranian named Rigel. Named him after a Titanic survivor dog since my Pom is a rescued dog.

After my siblings and I were grown up and had homes of our own, my parents had Poms. We loved them. Have you written other nonfiction books?
I’ve written 57 novels, the most popular being Hearts that Survive—A Novel of the Titanic, which I frequently sign at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A compilation of articles, Why? Titanic Moments will be released in March 2017. I’ve compiled articles for Writing Right to Success, 25 writers’ journeys and craft information. Also have compiled seven non-fiction books in the Divine Moments series.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?
I continue accepting articles for the Moments series. Currently receiving articles for (1) Merry Christmas Moments 2017, (2) Coola-nary Moments, culinary mishaps or interesting cooking moments and recipes, (3) Personal Titanic Moments, stories of grandeur and/or disaster and lessons learned, (4) Questionable Moments, what you felt God/Jesus asked and your response such as “Where are you?” “Do you love me?” “Do you believe?” “Do you want to be healed?” “Why are you crying?” “Where is your faith?” “What do you want?” etc. etc. Also, I’m contracted for one novella, working on another, and thinking about a novel.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
Holidays with family, shopping, eating popcorn, and watching TV at 8:00 p.m., reading.

Why did you write the featured book?
Barbour announced they were starting a line for cozies. I’d written a lot of books for them so thought I’d try this. Their line closed but I then had in mind a series. The story is set in Black Mountain where I live. I wrote some of it in a coffee shop which is the primary setting of the book. Some readers who know me say the sleuth is like … me. The book is published by Forget Me Not Romances (Winged Publications).

I’m reading Better Latte Than Never right now, and loving it. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
Enjoyment. Although somebody is murdered, it’s otherwise a light, fun, easy-read, trying to decide who dunnit. The sleuth displays her faith (belief and doubts) in her actions and thoughts. Her devotional reading is the book of Job and she begins to think she might be a modern-day Job. There’s no particular “lesson” but the reader gets the picture of how various characters/people live their lives and what they believe.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?
I founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years and for the past nine years have directed the Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat held annually in October at Ridgecrest Conference Center, North Carolina. Register by the end of February and get $75 discount on registration fee.

Please tell us about the book.
Back cover blurb: Sixty-two-year-old GraceAnn McKinney owns The Daily Grind, a coffee shop in the mountains of western North Carolina, but she is better known as Little Piney Cove’s obituary writer. All she wants to do that fateful morning is ask Tom Smalley, the editor of Little Piney Times newspaper, one simple life-changing question.

However, before she can ask Tom the question, Mayor Upton Downs falls to the floor of The Daily Grind. A series of complex events follows that could result in either GraceAnn, her niece Ivy – or both – facing a murder charge. In her orange Volkswagen, named FIDO, her acronym for Forget-It-and-Drive-On, GraceAnn determines to find the truth. For directionally-challenged GraceAnn, truth is often easier to find than her intended destination.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?
I have a website and am in the slow process of adding to it: www.yvonnelehman.com. I blog once a month on Novel Rocket, and on ChristiansRead.

Thank you, Yvonne, for sharing this cozy mystery with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I do.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Better Latte Than Never (A GraceAnn McKinney Mystery Book 1)

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

11 comments:

SavingsInSeconds said...

I love books about small towns. I live near the Western NC mountains (but I'm on the TN side) so I would really enjoy reading about the setting.
Dianna

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I enjoy cozy mysteries and look forward to reading Better Latte Than Never.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a story I would really enjoy. Linda in CA

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

thanks for the chance to win
live in ND

Abigail Mitchell said...

This story looks great! Love your books!
Abigail in Clarksville VA

Library Lady said...

I'm not a writer but a reader. Can anyone go to the retreat or is it just for authors?
For all you do, thank you!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Melanie Backus said...

This book sounds great and I would love to read it.

Melanie Backus, TX

Karen Sue Hadley said...

I haven't read any of get books. This sounds really good.

rubynreba said...

I live in a small town in Iowa and love these kind of books!
Beth from IA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Mama Cat said...

This sounds like anew intriguing cozy, would love to read it! Thank you for the chance to win! Phoenix AZ