Tuesday, January 30, 2018

BENEATH THE SUMMER SUN - Kelly Irvin - One Free Book

Bio: Two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist Kelly Irvin is the author of the critically acclaimed Amish of Bee County, Bliss Creek Amish, and New Hope Amish series. Her newest release is Beneath the Summer Sun, the second novel in the four-book series Every Amish Season from Zondervan Publishing. Her work has also appeared in four Amish anthologies, An Amish Market, An Amish Summer, An Amish Christmas Love, and An Amish Christmas. Kelly is a retired newspaper reporter and public relations professional who lives with her husband in Texas. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two ornery cats.

Welcome back, Kelly. Tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in a small town in Kansas in the sixties and early seventies. My parents sent my two sisters, two brothers, and I to Sunday school without them every Sunday. We walked into town to the Methodist Church. At first it didn’t mean much to me. It was a place you were supposed to go on Sunday mornings. As I grew older, I started staying for the church service because I didn’t want to go home. We had an old-fashioned, two-tier sanctuary with wooden pews and a huge pipe organ. It was beautiful and peaceful. Something about it touched me and I kept coming back. In junior high, I had a Sunday school teacher named Mr. Red Ming. He gave us a paperback called The Good News. He reached out to me. Seeds were planted. There was no big, explosive moment, a gentle calling. I would hike far off the trail in college, but I found myself being tugged back as an adult. That’s why it’s so important for church to be a part of our children’s lives. Laying the foundation. My relationship with Christ continues to grow from those seeds planted long ago.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
So many possibilities, it’s hard to narrow them down! I would start by inviting Allison Pittman, who writes historicals and historical romances. She won a Carol Award for Stealing Home and currently has a novel, Loving Luther, on the CBA Bestseller List. She was ACFW Mentor of the Year two years ago, and she is a tremendous writer, teacher, mentor, and Christian. She would add her experience, expertise, wonderful writing talent, and wicked sense of humor to any gathering where writing fiction is the focus.

I have never met Christy and Carol Award winner Julie Cantrell, author of The Feathered Bone, Into the Free, and Perennials, but I admire her prose greatly. She sets the bar high with novels that delve into delicate women’s issues and terrible societal problems such as sex trafficking. I’d like to pick her brain, ask her advice, and learn her secrets.

I recently signed a two-book contract for romantic suspense novels, so I would want to invite two authors with whom I could converse about the challenges of writing these books. I’d like to invite Dee Henderson, who wrote the O’Malley series that led me to realize I wanted to write inspirational fiction and showed me that could include romantic suspense. I’d also invite internationally known forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks, who won both a Christy and a Carol Award for her last novel, When Death Draws Near.

I would look for writers who have honed their craft, would work hard, and make the most of their time at a writing retreat while offering support and honest feedback to their fellow writers.


Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
No speaking ministry currently. I’ve had some health and mobility issues that I’m still learning to manage.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I tend to be a klutz so there’s been more than a few, but one that stands out in my mind occurred when I was working as a reporter covering City Council meetings in Laredo, Texas, in the early eighties. Yes, that long ago, and it still comes to mind when someone says the word embarrassing. It’s very hot and muggy in Laredo most of the time, but especially in the summer. I wore a sundress to the meeting. About an hour into the session, my zipper broke and the dress gave way. The kind county tax assessor collector behind me grabbed the two sides and tried to hold them together. I slunk out of the meeting, raced home, changed, and raced back. Reporters have jobs to do and being embarrassed is no excuse for missing the story. But I’ll never forget how chagrinned I was.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
I do hear it frequently. I try to be kind and encouraging, but realistic. Writing a book isn’t an easy task. Much blood, sweat, and tears are involved. I share with them my advice, which was the advice given to me: put your behind in the chair, place your fingers on the keyboard, and write. That’s the only way to find out how much you want to write that book. Nike had it right, when they urged, “Just do it.” Like a famous writer said, “If you can do something else, do it.” I encourage them to go to writing workshops, read writing books, and join a critique group, but most importantly, to get started writing.

Tell us about the featured book.
Beneath the Summer Sun is a story of faith, hope, and second chances. Here’s the back-cover blurb:

Jennie Troyer knows it’s time to remarry.
Can she overcome a painful secret and open her heart to love?

It’s been four years since Jennie’s husband died in a farming accident. Long enough that the elders in her Amish community think it’s time to marry again for the sake of her seven children. What they don’t know is that grief isn’t holding her back from a new relationship. Fear is. A terrible secret in her past keeps her from moving forward.

Mennonite book salesman Nathan Walker stops by Jennie’s farm whenever he’s in the area. Despite years of conversation and dinners together, she never seems to relax around him. He knows he should move on, but something about her keeps drawing him back.

Meanwhile, Leo Graber nurtures a decades-long love for Jennie, but guilt plagues him—guilt for letting Jennie marry someone else and guilt for his father’s death on a hunting trip many years ago. How could anyone love him again—and how could he ever take a chance to love in return?

In this second book in the Every Amish Season series, three hearts try to discern God’s plan for the future—and find peace beneath the summer sun.

Please give us the first page of the book.
The smack of the baseball against an aluminum bat sounded like summer. At thirty-seven, Jennie Troyer hadn’t been a student in many years, but the end-of-school picnic still caused her spirits to soar as if she were ten and set free for the next few months. She might be old, but she understood how her children felt. That curious lightheartedness for this one afternoon on the last day of April.

Smiling at the thought, Jennie clapped as Cynthia smacked a blooper into what served as right field and scurried to the discarded rug that did double duty as first base. Micah hurled the ball to Celia at second base, and the chatter from the parents seated in lawn chairs on the sidelines reached a crescendo. Jennie’s children comprised almost half the players on the field. Their cheeks were red, their hair sweaty, and their clothes dirty, but they didn’t seem to mind that summer had arrived early in Missouri.

After all they’d been through—no matter how much time had passed—they deserved a few hours of carefree, childish play. Despite the heat Jennie shivered. She studied the rows of corn plants in nearby fields and tried to recapture the happiness she’d felt only seconds earlier. Raising her face to the sun, she begged it to burn away a pain that still barged into her day at odd, unexpected moments.

“Your kinner are on fire today, aren’t they? I’m surprised Francis isn’t out there too.” Mary Katherine Ropp plopped her dumpling-shaped body into a sagging lawn chair next to Jennie’s. Grasshoppers sprang in all directions in her wake. She smelled of charcoal and grilled hot dogs. “He’s Elizabeth’s little shadow these days.”

Afraid her perceptive friend would read her face, Jennie sprang to her feet and did a head count with her index finger. Matthew, her graduate and oldest son at fourteen, stood at third base, his hands on his hips, his usual sullen look on his face. Followed at various places on and off the field by Celia, thirteen; Micah, eleven; Cynthia, ten; Mark, seven; and Elizabeth, six and just finishing her first year of school. No Francis. At four, her youngest had a mind of his own, a penchant for trouble, and sturdy little legs to carry him there.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
@Kelly_S_Irvin

Thank you, Kelly, for sharing this new book with me and my readers. We all are eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Beneath the Summer Sun - Christianbook.com
Beneath the Summer Sun (An Every Amish Season Novel) - Amazon paperback
Beneath the Summer Sun (An Every Amish Season Novel) - 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:

Monday, January 29, 2018

BIDDING ON THE BOUQUET (Trying Out for Love) - Catherine Castle - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Catherine. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write the stories that come to me, whether it’s a sweet contemporary romance, a romantic suspense or a romantic comedy.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I’d have to say days. Wedding my high school sweetheart and the birth of our daughter are at the top of the list. All else pales in comparison. Although winning the Rone Award for my inspirational romantic suspense The Nun and the Narc gets high marks, too.

How has being published changed your life?
I do a lot less housework, and I’ve learned to live with dust bunnies. But overall, I wouldn’t say it has made a major change. Even if I hadn’t published, I’d still be writing the stories that constantly jump into my head. I can’t not write them down.

What are you reading right now?
I’m actually reading through the novellas in Trying Out for Love, which is the boxed set that my newest book Bidding on the Bouquet is in.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m in between novels at the moment, concentrating on promoting Bidding on the Bouquet. But that doesn’t mean I’m not writing. My husband and I are the drama ministry leaders at our church, and we’re writing drama sketches to supplement the minister’s sermons. We try to work several months in advance on this project.

I did that at the church we attended before we came to Gateway Church. What would be your dream vacation?
We love to go to Disney World and vacation on the lake. 

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Well, I don’t know. I think the setting chooses me in the same way that the story does. I rarely go into a book thinking I’m going to set it in a particular place. It’s an organic sort of process.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
It might be fun to pick James Scott Bell’s brain for an evening. He has some interesting writing tips. But I might be a bit intimidated by his success.

He’s very easy to talk to, and he’s rather funny, too. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I like to garden, quilt, go to the movie and theatre, act on stage, and write for the stage. I also have a thing for making crafts from greeting cards.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Weasel words. I find that every book has its own set of words that I love to overuse. I keep a check list and once a book is finished, I run a word count program that tells me how many times I’ve used every single word in the book. It takes several weeks to methodically go through and tackle the weedy words and phrases.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don’t give up. The author who makes it big with his or her first book is as elusive as the Abominable Snowman—and quite possibly as mythical. Write the next book and the next book. Eventually you’ll begin to make some money, gain a fan base, and touch some lives.

Good advice. Tell us about the featured book.
Bidding on the Bouquet came about because of a challenge on the ACFW loop to write a story about Bridezilla who was making her bridesmaids bid on a spot in the wedding party. A couple of ideas jumped into my head when I read the news article—and yes, it was a real story that sparked the challenge. Bidding on the Bouquet is the one I went with—this time. The other story still has a future. I’m just not sure when or where it will appear in publication. The synopsis is fully written. I just need to find the time to flesh it out.

Here’s the blurb for Bidding on the Bouquet.
The chance to catch a bridal bouquet containing a solid gold rose makes underprivileged, down-on-her-luck grad student Marietta Wilson pawn everything she owns to come up with a bid to win a bridesmaid spot in the most prestigious wedding of the season.

When he discovers his sister is auctioning off bridesmaid spots in her wedding party, wealthy, elitist Chip Vandermere is appalled. Not only is it in poor taste, but no self-respecting lady would stoop so low as to bid. Convinced Marietta is a gold digger, Chip sets out to thwart her plans.

A social climber and a social misfit. Can a bridal bouquet unite them? 

Please give us the first page of the book.
Marietta Wilson dropped the mail and her one hundred and fifty dollar business marketing book on her desk, then sank onto the desk chair with a sigh. Two more months to graduation and she hadn’t scored an interview with her dream company, Branson and Filo Marketing Agency. Life in New York would be expensive. If she didn’t have a good paying job she’d never achieve her life-long goal of breaking her family’s chain of poverty. With all the drama happening at home no way would she go back there. She’d rather sleep in the soup kitchen where she volunteered.

Scooping up an envelope, she studied the glittery pink heart adorning the tip of the closure. Who would send her something encased in such fancy wrappings? Junk mail was the usual fare. Intrigued, she flipped over the envelope.

Her name and address, written in elaborate calligraphy, nearly filled the front side. Definitely not from a marketing company. A Love stamp hugged the right corner, with pinkish-gold flowers drawn all around the stamp’s edge. Flowers of the same hue also surrounded the return label. A wedding invitation? She didn’t even know any engaged couples.

Slipping the letter opener from the orange juice can she stored it in, Marietta slit the top of the envelope. A rose-gold interior glistened from the flap. Without a doubt, not junk mail. She withdrew a piece of flat cardstock. As she did, glossy flowers showered onto her lap. She turned the card in her hand. Rose-gold flowers bordered it as well. Shiny, embossed flowers.

“What the heck?” she muttered as she began reading the card.

You are invited to participate in the season’s most prestigious event.
Date: June 17
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: The Vandermere Estate
Event: The auction of bridesmaids’ positions for Chrissy Vandermere’s wedding
Light refreshments will be served
Chrissy is auctioning off a chance to be an attendant in her wedding.
Winners will be escorted down the aisle by New York’s finest bachelors,
and they will procure a bridesmaid-only spot at the tossing of the bride’s bouquet event.
Chrissy guarantees one of the bridesmaids will catch the bouquet,
containing a solid 14-carat rose-gold flower.
Opening bids begin at $100 and are non-refundable. Cash only.
You may make an opening bid higher than $100 if you choose.
Please RSVP by April 30

Marietta dug into the envelope again and retrieved a smaller card and matching envelope. 

I am very intrigued, and I’m sure my readers are, too. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Catherine’s Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCCastle    @AuthorCCastle

SMP authors blog site:   http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/

Buy links for the books mentioned in the interview:
Bidding on the Bouquet https://www.amzn.com/B077X1RZ6X
Trying Out for Love boxed set https://www.amzn.com/dp/B078SDRHP9
The Nun and the Narc www.amzn.com/B00CHU9DH2

Thank you, Catherine, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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

Sunday, January 28, 2018

WINNERS!!!

New instructions for winners in 2018 - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) 

Sandy Q (TX) is the winner of Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews.

Binnie (AZ) is the winner of Liar's Winter by Cindy K Sproles.

Danielle (MI) is the winner of The Peaceful Panther by Jamie Bryant.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.

When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.


Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

SANCTUARY - Mike Brown - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Mike Brown is back with his newly revised, second edition of this book.

Welcome back, Mike. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
More than ever, God wakes me every morning with a vision for what he has in store for another day. I believe God allowed me to take early retirement four years ago so that I could begin the arduous process of crafting and promoting my Southern novels. Each story provides a God-centered thread dealing with the connection between our perseverance and God's providence, and the choices we can face with every twist and turn that life brings our way. Until God inspires otherwise, my colorful family of characters and their small South Georgia hometown of Shiloh will provide ample opportunities to write more books.

When I sense the need to get away from behind my writing desk, I participate at various author events sponsored by the Atlanta Writers Club, the oldest and largest literary group in Atlanta. I also am finding my schedule including more speaking engagements to encourage aspiring authors in the promotion and marketing of their published works. Some wonderfully gifted creative writers morph into “wallflowers” when it comes to talking about their books. Whether interacting with agents, editors, publishers, book retailers, and most importantly readers, authors can help themselves by confronting their fears and grow more confident communicating about their books.

Beyond novel writing, as my schedule allows, I am updating, editing, and compiling the best of my inspirational blog posts and sermons, written over the past fifteen plus years, and hope to publish a couple of books dealing with our daily relationship with God. I have found that many believers far too often focus on battling with others over “book-end issues” (birth and death of Jesus; Creation and End-Times of Mankind) and ignore the bridge we can build discussing the practical, relational teachings of Jesus. If we could rediscover and apply those core Gospel teachings to our day-to-day lives, we would experience far less strife and stress in our relationships with others. The other focus I feel compelled to share is the need for every believer to not only know what they believe but also why they believe what they do.

Tell us a little about your family.
My wife and I have been married forty-five years this summer. We have two sons who have provided us with three grandchildren in Ohio and two in Georgia. My wife and I enjoy staying busy, but we pace and plan book events and speaking engagements around spending quality time with our family whenever possible. God has manifested a burden upon my heart for my grandchildren. They are the why behind what I do each day.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
You cannot be a productive writer if you do not read. Since I began writing novels, my reading list has shifted to authors I admire the most and who write in the similar genre as I write. I confess my wife still out reads me about 4:1, but I keep a stack of TBR novels on my bedside table. I read a broad mix of well-known authors like John Grisham, Nicolas Sparks, Charles Martin, Ricky Bragg, Terry Kay, and others, but I also intermingle books from local authors - always making sure to offer a review.

What are you working on right now?
This year is off to a fast-paced start. The revised 2nd Edition of my first novel, Sanctuary (April 2017, Deeds), just got released as Sanctuary - A Legacy of Memories (January 2018, Palmetto Publishing). My publisher also is busy getting the sequel, Testament - An Unexpected Return, ready for its launch in late March. As time permits, the drafting of my third novel in the series, Purgatory - A Progeny’s Quest is underway, and I hope to have it ready for a 2019 launch.

What outside interests do you have?
Grandkids! And some personal bucket-list travel for my wife and I to enjoy while we can.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
That’s the advantage of a series. I took my time developing my South Georgia town of Shiloh and its cast of characters. I chose its locale in Southwest Georgia because my wife and I lived there when I served as pastor of a small country church and before that my business career allowed me to travel regularly through the rural towns and backroads of South Georgia. My wife and I now live outside of Newnan, Georgia, less than an hour southwest of Atlanta and its historical Court Square provided much of the model for the Shiloh’s Town Square depicted in the story. And, I serendipitously stumbled across the tragic fire photos of Sparta, Georgia’s famous antebellum courthouse. When I visited this historic town while writing Sanctuary, I fell in love with this time-lost city struggling to keep up with all the 21st-Century changes. After seeing it resurrected from the ashes two years later, meticulously replicating the original courthouse, I decided to get permission to use it on the cover and in my book.

Should I decide to pick another backdrop for a future book, my wife and I already have discussed using St. Simons Island. We both love the storied homes, shops and of course the landmark lighthouse. Yep, before I hang up my author’s hat, you can count on at least one story having St. Simons Island as the setting. I might even invest several weeks, maybe months there before writing a compelling seaside mystery there.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Well, I’m a theology and history major. Picking one person poses a challenge, but I guess I’d pick Nicodemus. No one person had a more inquisitive viewpoint on the life and teachings of Jesus. He also could shed much light on what took place between Jesus’ death and when the disciples discovered the empty tomb. I believe he also played a significant role afterward supporting the early growth of the Christian community. I’d also ask him about his Sanhedrin colleague, Joseph of Arimathea. Both sacrificed so much, but have been the source of much speculation over the centuries.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?The process of publishing and promoting books. Authors today must invest so much time and resources to market their books in the wake of today’s sea of books. An author must remain acutely aware of the ever-changing marketplace and keep a clear vision on the publishing path his or her book needs to take.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Patience, perseverance, and persistence, because I am more acutely aware that all things happen in His timing, not mine; for His purposes, not mine. Likewise, humility has a new meaning to me because I know without question that everything I have accomplished has its genesis through His inspiration and handiwork, not mine.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Phew. I am still defining what it means to be successful myself. But, I have learned this:
1. If you started writing to make lots of money, you would likely be very disappointed.
2. You will reach and impact far more people through your books than you will ever personally meet or speak to, so take care of the message readers will take away from reading your book. It not only reflects on you but also your relationship with God.
3. Your book will leave a lasting legacy about who you were. What will your grandchildren and their children say about the content of your books? Will they share stories about you and what you stood for as an author? The value of one’s legacy is measured by the extent of time what you left behind is preserved and passed on to future generations.

Tell us about the featured book.
Sanctuary - A Legacy of Memories, between now and late March my focus will be on continuing to promote my first novel with its revised edition preparing the way for the sequel. In this opening story, retired publishing executive, Theo Phillips, and his wife, Liddy, move from the shadows of Atlanta and return to their South Georgia roots. Theo is recruited by the local paper's publisher to write special-interest stories, which leads Theo to explore questions about the tragic death of a town hero. However, he uncovers that scandal and dark secrets have fractured Shiloh's otherwise time-lost tranquility and their plans to peacefully retire in their home of local notoriety takes an unexpected turn that impacts others in Shiloh.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Until three years ago, the former Adams County Courthouse had proudly stood since the Civil War as the landmark in Shiloh. After the powers-to-be transferred the county seat to Alexandria during the Depression, the majestic edifice underwent renovation to appease the folks in Shiloh and became the town’s city hall. The elegant lady had worn her nostalgic brick and stone exterior well, but the makeover had been superficial.

Questions have lingered since city officials reported the fire as accidental, cause unknown.

* * *
A prolonged Indian summer gripped Georgia. Though already the first Sunday of November, hot and humid weather more suitable for early September caused sweat to trickle unabated down my neck dampening the collar of the fresh cotton polo I had just yanked over my head. The moving truck had pulled away while Liddy patiently watched from her passenger window. I walked up the sidewalk one last time and locked the front door of the colonial brick suburban house we had called home for the past seven years.
           
I jumped into the driver’s seat, buckled up, squeezed the hand of my wife of forty years, and then reached for the gear shift. “Any regrets?”
           
Liddy raised her window and turned her gaze straight ahead as a silly smirk appeared. “Nope, Let’s roll! We’ve got a moving truck to meet in Shiloh tomorrow.”
           
My foot then slid from the brake to the accelerator, and our Expedition jolted forward with the packed trailer in tow. Liddy stared straight ahead for the first few minutes. She caressed the manila envelope stuffed with photos, brochures, and paperwork about the house we contracted to purchase for our retirement, but soon dozed off after we turned south onto US Highway 19. I settled in for the long afternoon drive to our destination an hour below Albany.
           
The all-too-familiar gated communities and shopping centers under Atlanta’s ever-present shadow faded in my rearview mirror. I snapped a farewell salute as we passed Cornerstone Books where I served as chief publishing editor until one week ago. The historic highway narrowed as the scenic panorama of autumn colors revealed more and more farms, fields and forests along the landmark route.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Author webpage - www.TMBrownAuthor.com
Inspirational Blog - www.CoachBrown.org

Thank you, Mike, for sharing this new edition 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 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:

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

PUZZLE HOUSE - Lillian Duncan - One Free Ebook

Bio: Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.
Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.
Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense with a touch of romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us.

Welcome back, Lillian. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Most of my books are suspense and mystery but Puzzle House is a complete departure for me. In fact, I call Puzzle House the story I never wanted to write! Having said that it’s also very near and dear to my heart.

In 2012, I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 2—NF2 for short. Coincidentally, the main character, Rachel Summers, has the exact same condition.

I’m not going to go into all the gory details but I’ve changed because of my health struggles—physically but even more important spiritually. Puzzle House is the result of those changes.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
I’d invite Terri Blackstock, Brandilynn Collins, Frank Peretti, Deb Macomber, and Lena Nelson Dooley, of course. Oooh wait, I forgot Gayle Roper, James Scott Bell, Ted Dekker and James L. Rubart and… oh well, I guess I can’t invite all of them. My dining room’s not big enough—and it’s rather big!

That would be an interesting party. Thanks for inviting me. Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Since I’m retired I should have plenty of time to write. Unfortunately because of the brain tumors, I seem to only be able to work 2-3 hours at the most—usually closer to two rather than three. That time includes blogging, social media, editing and polishing stories to submit as well as working on a new story. And don’t forget marketing!

I never have enough energy to get everything done I’d like to get done. But I’m learning to be patient with myself. When my brain and my body tells me they’ve had enough, it’s time to stop!

Tell us about the featured book.
Puzzle House is a contemporary Christian novel. The main character has brain tumors as a result of a rare genetic condition, but the lessons she learns can be applied to all sorts of struggles that we all have on a daily basis.

I know it sounds like it could be a depressing book but it’s not! The subtitle is a novel of healing and hope and that’s what I want people to take away from the book—hope.

PUZZLE HOUSE BLURB:

Life isn’t a box of candy—it’s a puzzle!

Rachel Summers is all about Rachel Summers…until the day she crashes headlong into a semi-truck. As her life hangs in the balance, she has a visitor who asks a very simple question.
Does she want to be healed or to be a healer?

She makes her choice, but the journey doesn’t go quite the way she expected.

And so Rachel now runs Puzzle House. Every guest is different and yet the same. They all come to the Puzzle House for one reason and one reason only—to be healed, usually from a life-threatening illness. Sometimes they receive their miracle, and sometimes they discover there’s more than one kind of healing.

Nia is a fifteen-year-old African-American girl who is dying. The doctors have told her there is nothing else to be done. No more treatments. No more hope. No more life. And she’s angry about that. Very angry. Against her wishes, Nia’s aunt brings her to The Puzzle House.

Together, Nia and Rachel will take a journey that will change both their lives.

Please give us the first page of the book.
“I hate you.” Nia’s gaze shot little darts of anger at the woman standing by the car door.
The woman met her gaze with a smile. Which infuriated Nia even more. “I said I hate you and I do.”

“You don’t hate me. You’re just angry. ”Her voice remained calm, almost emotionless.

“Don’t you care about me, Auntie?”

“I’m not going to dignify that question with an answer.” She leaned down. “Are you ready?”

“I said don’t you care about me? Why are you making me do this?”

“Because I do love you so very much.” One of her hands moved under Nia, the other moved to her back.

Nia knocked her hands away. “I can do it myself. If I wanted to. I’m not going in there. You can’t make me.”

“I would think you had better ways to use the little bit of energy you have than arguing with me about this. We agreed.”
“No, we didn’t.” Her lip trembled. No crying. Crying wouldn’t change anything. She flopped back against the car seat, exhausted. “I never wanted to come and you know it.”

Her aunt knelt down beside her, eyes filled with tears. “Please. This will be a good thing, Nia. I promise.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
To learn more about Lillian, you may visit her at www.lillianduncan.net or www.lillian-duncan.com. She also has a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com.

Thank you, Lillian, for sharing this very personal novel with us. Both my readers and I are eager to read it.

Readers, here is a link to the book.
Puzzle House

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:

Monday, January 22, 2018

INNOCENT LIES - Robin Patchen - One Free Book

Welcome, Robin. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Thank you for letting me invade your blog today. I’m sure you don’t remember this, but about eight years ago, you spoke at my local ACFW chapter, and you critiqued the first few pages of my story. It was the first professional critique I ever received. I was so sure my book was destined to be a bestseller. After looking at your critique, I realized I had a long way to go. All of your comments were spot-on, but you found a way to encourage me, too. For that, I will always be grateful.

Back to your question:
The longer I write, the less of myself I see in my characters. The heroine in my first book (which has not been published) was just like me—only better. She was the me I wanted to be. Now, I’m able to create characters who don’t always think like I do. That being said, there’s a little of me in all of them.

I’m so glad I encouraged you. I do try to do that when I crit someone’s work. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Don’t we all like to think of ourselves as normal? It’s a funny little fantasy. I’m sure I’ve done a lot of quirky things in my life, though not many are coming to mind right now. I love to wander around in cities and watch people walk by. Whenever I visit a new city, I find a way to spend time alone on the streets. The first time I did this, I was in Montreal on business, and I had to be at a meeting at eight in the morning. The meetings were to last all day, so before dawn, I went out and walked the city. Up and down street after street, trying to remember my college French and read the signs on the buildings. I ended up at a patisserie, where I bought a cup of tea and a yummy pastry. Unfortunately, I got a bit lost and had to run back to the hotel in order to make my meeting on time. My coworkers were just dragging themselves out of bed when I barreled in. They’d already known I was weird, though, so they weren’t surprised.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’ve always loved to write, but I never thought of myself as a writer until I started writing fiction when I turned forty. Even then, I only wrote down that first story because it had been bouncing around in my brain for so long, and I really wanted it out. When, after three months, I had finished that novel and enjoyed every minute of the writing, I realized I wanted to be a writer. It was another year before I allowed myself to believe I could make it happen.

I didn’t start writing professionally until after I turned 40. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Oh, my. I love to read all sorts of books. I read both Christian and general market books. I love suspense. I love literary fiction and women’s fiction. Some of my favorite books are young adult titles. I enjoy historical fiction, especially epic tales written by authors like Edward Rutherford and James Mitchener. And I read romance, though not as much as I used to. I’m also an editor, and most of my clients write romance, so I usually get my fill of that genre in my day job.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I fear I don’t keep it very well. I begin every day in the Scriptures and prayer. My morning time with the Lord helps set the tone for the rest of the day. And I have always tried to build a lot of margin into my life. I hate feeling like I can’t get everything done, so I try not to put myself in that position. Lately, my schedule feels like it’s spinning out of control, though there’s not much I can do about that. My family is getting ready to put the house on the market and move to another state, and that’s adding all sorts of tasks to my already full to-do list. I’m looking forward to getting settled in our new city so life will go back to its normal hectic pace.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
It’s so hard! Often I go to babynames.com to search for names popular when my characters were born. Occasionally, I’ll immediately know a character’s name, but more often, even after I’ve chosen them, I consider changing them. And I have a terrible habit of picking the same last names. I’ve used Nolan twice and MacKenzie twice. Why? I have no idea.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I’m not sure proud is the right word, but I think my biggest accomplishment is my marriage. My husband and I have been happily married for 24 years, and the last five of those have been really difficult. I won’t get into the details, but let’s just say there are teenagers involved. Our family has gone through some difficult trials, and my husband and I have come out of them stronger. I’m humbled at how much the Lord has done in and through us. All the glory goes to Him.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Probably a dog, because I love people, and I tend to be a bit overeager to please.

What is your favorite food?
I hate to be cliché or predictable, but honestly, nothing beats a good pizza.

I agree, but what I consider a good pizza and what my husband considers good pizza are worlds apart. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I understand words and always have. For me, the struggle has been with storytelling. I can easily see how another person’s story isn’t working, but with my own stories, I’m often flummoxed on how to fix the story problems I tend to create. I struggle with telling a compelling story without it feeling predictable or cliché or, frankly, boring. I’ve read a lot of books on storytelling, and I’ve learned to use a story outline (my favorite is the beat sheet from Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat). I’m not sure I’ve overcome my storytelling issues, but I’m definitely working on them.

Tell us about the featured book.
Innocent Lies is the fourth and last book in the Hidden Truth series. Like all the books, it is filled with suspense and laced with romance. It released January 19, and early reviewers seem to like it. One reviewer said this:

“Robin Patchen again gives us a book filled with heart-pounding suspense. Her well-crafted plot pulls us through the book, surrounding us with vivid characters. I loved every word and so will anyone who loves romantic suspense. I eagerly await her next book.”—Goodreads Reviewer

Here’s the blurb:
"Kelsey huddled in the corner, tried to make herself invisible. Outside, she heard a muffled voice, a shout, and the pounding of footsteps across the porch. Then, the unmistakable jingle of keys. The lock turned. The door opened. And her last chance for escape melted like snow.”

About Innocent Lies:

A lost little boy steals his heart.

When Eric finds eight-year-old Daniel alone in the woods, he has no idea where the boy came from or how he's survived the wintery New Hampshire weather. He figures once he hands the boy off to child services, his part in Daniel's drama will be over. He couldn't be more wrong.

She’ll do anything to keep her son safe. 

Kelsey sneaks into Nutfield with a goal and a secret, but when she's arrested and sees Eric, her first and only love, all her plans to expose her enemy fall apart. 

The past catches up with them.

Together, Eric and Kelsey fight to protect Daniel, an innocent child caught in a dangerous game. Can Eric help Kelsey bring down her enemies without risking his heart...again? Will Kelsey have to walk away from the only man she's ever loved...again?

Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.
“My name is Daniel Anderson. My mama’s name is Carrie. I don’t have a daddy. I am eight years old.”

Daniel repeated the words over and over, holding onto them the same way he was gripping the skinny tree in the forest.

Mama had told him to walk to the white house and knock. Not that there were any other houses around here, deep in these woods. Seemed easy when Mama was standing beside him. With her gone, the house seemed far away, and he had to get through all the trees and bushes and stuff.
He shivered, and his teeth chattered. He couldn’t make them stop. He let go of the tree and stuck his hands under his armpits. Didn’t help. Nothing was warm. Not even his toes. He wriggled them but couldn’t feel anything. They should have been toasty in his new boots.

It hadn’t been snowing when they first got here. Now, Mama was gone, and snowflakes were falling everywhere, sort of hiding the house.

And it was getting dark. What would happen if the sun went all the way down before he got up his nerve?

I want to know what comes next. I’m sure my readers do, too. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Would you like a free book? Download Convenient Lies, the first book in the Hidden Truth series, absolutely free to get a taste of the series: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nzg359rlts

Readers, here are links to the book.
Innocent Lies (Hidden Truth) (Volume 4) - Paperback
Innocent Lies (Hidden Truth Book 4) - 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:

Sunday, January 21, 2018

WINNERS!!

New instructions for winners in 2018 - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) 

Vera (NC) is the winner of a print or ecopy of A Bouquet of Brides Collection by Pegg Thomas.

VanG (NC) is the winner of an ecopy of An Untidy End by Candice Prentice.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.

When you contact me, please give the title and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.


Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

WACO SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT - Lena Nelson Dooley

I will be speaking in the Waco area next Saturday. If you live in driving distance and can come, I'd love to meet you.

Christian Writer's Workshop Kickoff

When, where: 9 a.m. Jan 27 at First Baptist Church of Woodway, 101 Ritchie Road.

Speaker: Award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley, who has written more than 40 books and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Tickets: Adults, $20; students, $5. Tickets are available online at www.firstwoodway.org/or at the door.

Other info: Light refreshments will be available. Tables in the common area will display books for sale by local authors and the speaker.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE PEACEFUL PANTHER - Jamie Bryant - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jamie. What can you tell us about your family?
I married my high school sweetheart at age 18 and he was 19. We literally grew up together, sweethearts and best friends. Thirty-eight years later our love is stronger than it’s ever been. We have three grown children who are all married and have graced us with nine grandchildren. We are truly blessed.

What have you personally enjoyed most about this series?
 The feedback from children and parents from the engaging illustrations to the opportunities for teaching moments.

I know my great-grandchildren really enjoy your books. What teaching moment will readers find in The Peaceful Panther?
The Peaceful Panther teaches children how apologizing when we have disobeyed can bring peace to our lives.

Can we expect book four in this series soon? If so when and can we get a sneak peak of the title?
Yes, book four in The Fruit of the Spirit Collection is titled The LongSuffering Lion and released in November 2017.

Since there are nine fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, do you already have titles for all of them.
I do and this will remain a mystery for now :)

What’s your favorite season of the year and why?
As much as I love Christmas, I would have to say the fall is my favorite season. I love the changing of the weather, along with the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves. Also I love everything pumpkin and this is definitely the season for pumpkin.

How can readers find you on the internet? 
Twitter @readjamiebryant 
Facebook @jamiebryantbooks 
Instagram @jamiebryantbooks 

Thanks Lena
Jamie 

I love featuring all of your children’s books, Jamie. I experience great joy watching my great-grandsons enjoy the stories as I read the books to them. Their parents read to them a lot, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.
The Peaceful Panther - Hardback
The Peaceful Panther (The Fruit of the Spirit Collection Book 3) - 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: