Thursday, October 01, 2009

GUARDED SECRETS - Leann Harris - Free Book

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write romantic suspense. I love reading mystery, so I write that. I am also branching out into cozies (soft mysteries in told in the first person) and traditional romance.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Aside from the day I got married and birth of my children, the best day I had was spending the day in Jackson Hole with a friend. We had a wonderful breakfast at this quaint restaurant, and I had the best coffee cake I’ve ever tasted. I’d be willing to drive to Wyoming again just to eat at that restaurant. Then we spent the day driving around the area, enjoying the Fall color and the wonderful coolness of the air. And for those of us from Texas, that temperature is heaven.

How has being published changed your life?

I’ve been published 16 years, but only recently in Christian market. But, I’ve recently quit my day job. Staying at home is a wonderful thing. I can write and my schedule is mine own. When you teach school, your time is not your own. It is a joy to get up and eat breakfast and drink my tea leisurely.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a new author, Liz Johnson. Her book, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn, is her first book. It is always a joy to read a new author.

What is your current work in progress?

I am working on a cozy. My heroine is a livestock photographer and all sorts of shenanigans happen at the livestock show where she’s taking pictures--a murder, a stolen pig, and a good looking sheriff. And of course, the sheriff is the hero.

What would be your dream vacation?

Spending a week in the mountains of Colorado. I’d love to get a cabin in the mountains and just enjoy the coolness of the morning and smell the wonderful smells of the changing seasons. I also want to see the glorious color.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m comfortable with setting in the south and west. I’ve also put books in Scotland, England, and France. I spent a couple of weeks in England and Scotland just to have the experience of being there.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Rick Warren. I’d love to talk to him about his world vision. He also puts his faith into action. He is a man who has face opposition and still remained faithful.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I garden and I use it a therapy. When I get stuck on a story, I go out and dig in my garden. It inspires me.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

While I was teaching, time was the biggest obstacle. After I finished a day of teaching, I'd come home, eat, watch a little TV, then between 9-10 every night I'd write. Most of the time I didn’t feel like writing, but it’s a matter of discipline. You ignore your feelings and sit down and write. Some people might wonder how could I write without inspiration? I had it when the book was born. It’s the daily work that demands discipline. Once I sit down to write the words come and all sorts of wonderful things happen.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

You have to write. It has to be a priority. Whatever works with your schedule, you need to write weekly. Establish a goal—the number of pages you will produce each week. When I’m actively writing a book I have daily goals, usually 7 or 8 pages. Other people try for ‘x’ number of pages per week or a chapter a day. It doesn’t matter. You have to write.

Tell us about the featured book?

Guarded Secrets is a story about a man whose life was destroyed and how God reached down and turned his mourning into dancing. The heroine, Lilly Burkstrom is also a wounded soul. Her ex-husband is murdered and she knows his death isn’t an accident. The killer is soon after her, and Jon, the police detective assigned to the case, has to protect her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The door stood ajar, and panic raced through her veins. She’d locked her ex-husband’s apartment door after retrieving his clothes for the funeral.

“Mom, did you forget to lock the door? You know Daddy always made me-” Tears clogged Penny’s throat.

Lilly Burkstrom pulled her daughter into her arms.

“I don’t understand, Mom,” Penny sobbed into her mother’s waist. “Why did Daddy have to die?”

It was a question Lilly asked herself. Peter had been murdered in a convenience store robbery gone bad.

It didn’t make much sense to her, a twenty-nine-year-old woman, so how could she expect her eight-year-old daughter to understand it?

“I don’t know, sweetie. I know you miss him. I do, too.”

Penny hugged her with a desperate intensity. “You won’t leave me, will you?” She looked up, her huge brown eyes glistening with tears.

Lilly’s heart broke. She wiped the wetness from her daughter’s cheeks. “No I won’t.” Although she and Peter had been divorced almost since Penny’s birth, they had come to terms with their failed marriage and had become friends. Peter’s recent salvation had changed all their lives. “I can take you home and do this by myself.”

Penny wiped away her tears and stepped back. “I want to help.”

Lilly pushed the door all the way open and peered inside. The condition of the apartment shocked her.

Penny gasped. “Mom, what happened?”

Lilly’s gazed swept the living room, dining room, and kitchen. It looked as if a tornado had ripped through the place, throwing things everywhere. Chairs and end tables had been tossed on their sides. The sofa had been turned over, and the cushions ripped and thrown around the room. The kitchen cabinets stood open; boxes of cereal and spaghetti spilled out from the shelves. Broken dishes and glasses littered the countertops and floor.

“I don’t know." Three days ago, when she’d been inside this apartment to get one of Peter’s suits for the funeral, everything was fine.

“I wonder if Dad’s bedroom is this way.” Penny started down the short hall.

A loud noise came from the bedroom.

Penny froze. When she turned her head, her frightened gaze met Lilly’s.

Lilly motioned for her daughter to come toward her. Penny turned and ran to her mother. Lilly rushed them out of the apartment and down the stairs. They retreated to Lilly’s car and Lilly whipped out her cell phone.

“Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?”

“I need to report a burglary.”

I'm totally hooked. Can't wait to get my copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.leannharris.com/
I also blog on http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/ and http://loveinspiredauthors.blogspot.com/

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.

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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

32 comments:

Unknown said...

I love Love Inspired books and can't wait to read this one. I loved the blog post today.

Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview! Please enter me in the drawing for this book. Thank you!

Jo said...

Okay, now I want to read this book and can't wait to get a copy of it. Great interview! Please enter me in the drawsing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Sheila Deeth said...

Wow. That's certainly quite a first page. I wish I could read on.

Linda W said...

I plain love love-inspired suspense. This sounds like a great one. Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

JJ said...

Hi, I must have missed this one in the newsletter. Thanks.

gahome2mom

Mark said...

Enter me, please
marcus802001@yahoo.com

Liz Johnson said...

Thanks for mentioning my book, Leann. :)

I'd love to be entered to win a copy of the book. It sounds great, and Leann is such a lovely lady.

liz @ lizjohnsonbooks.com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Leann! Your book sounds great, and so does that coffee cake! gcwhiskas at aol dot com

JoAnn said...

Good interview. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks.
joann4us (at) yahoo (dot) com

Lady Araujo said...

I enjoy reading Love Inspired books.
I'd like to be entered in your drawing.

God's blessings

The Herd said...

I know Leann Harris!!! I came over from another blog and lo and behold...saw her---when living in the states, I went to church with Ms. Harris---I had no idea that she was a writer!!! Crazy!!! How awesome! She is also fluent in sign language too...many talents!

Laney4 said...

Wow! Great hook with that excerpt of page one! I really want to read it now, yet I'd never heard of it before this blog. Blogs DO work!

Thanks for a great interview and terrific giveaway.

Kayla said...

I agree!! Great hook with the excerpt from the book!! Loved this post!! God Bless you friend!

Anonymous said...

Seems such a great book. I love romantic suspense books!
Love to win your book, Leann!
Mariska
uniquas at ymail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love Leann Harris. Thanks for the possibility.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

apple blossom said...

This sounds like a good book. I love the Love inspired books. Suspense adds to it. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Cíntia Mara said...

Please, enter me in your drawing. O love christian books. ;)

Have a nice day.

Anonymous said...

Please enter my name in your draw. Thank you so much!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Guarded Secrets sounds so good!! I can't wait to read it. Please enter me in the drawing. ~Abby


abster(dot)rose(at)yahoo(dot)com

Merry said...

Thanks for the peek at Guarded Secrets. Please include me in the drawing, I enjoy Love Inspired Suspense. Thanks!

Michelle said...

Thank you for entering me!

Blessings,
Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I just love to read your type of books I hope I win! Thanks for the opportunity.

dancealert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

A great post...please add my name to this giveaway...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Holly Magnuson said...

I would love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the interview and the opportunity.
hollymag(at)gmail(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please add my name to the drawing!

dancealert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful book....please enter me.
Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Kristen said...

AHH!!! What happens? Who is there?
Gotta know!!

Leann Harris said...

I want to thank y'all for all the wonderful coments. As I wrote this book, Jon became so dear to me. He's a man who has been through the wringer, but God sent a small child to show him how to get out of the well of despair he was in.

And my thanks to Lena, a great lady.

Marla said...

Great interview. This sounds like a greta book. I also love the Love Insprired book and have a friend I share them with who also loves them. Thank you for the entry.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Leann Harris said...

Starting today, the characters in Guarded Secrets will start blogging on my site. Hope you'll check out their thoughts.

Also, that's for all the great comments.

Nancye said...

Looks like a great book!


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net