Sunday, January 10, 2010

COLORADO CRIMES - Lisa Harris - Free Book


Welcome back, Lisa. Why did you become an author?

For years I knew I wanted to write, but life always managed to get in the way and year after year I pushed aside the dream. It wasn’t until I came to realize that writing wasn’t a selfish dream, but a gift from God, and that He wanted me to use the gifts He gave me. Paul wrote that whatever we do, we should do it to glorify His name, and that’s what I long to do with my writing. (Colossians 3:17)


If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?

I’d love to be a professional photographer, travel the world, and take photos of wildlife and people.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I think I’ll have to choose the late 1800’s because I’ve done so much research on that era for books and I always find it fascinating. But I have to wonder if I would have had the same courage so many of them did to leave my home and start a new life out west. Things were so much more difficult back then. I might live far from family and friends, but at least I have Internet to call home when I get homesick!

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?

I’d love to take my kids to Washington DC and Philadelphia to see first hand some of the important monuments and memorials that share the lives of the founding fathers of our country.

Washington has changed a lot since then, but my senior class took its senior trip to Washington DC. It was awesome. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

I’ve been all over the world, but there are still so many places I still want to visit. On the top of my list is traveling through Ireland and Scotland, as well as along England’s Cornwall Coast.

Since both my husband and I have Irish ancestors, I'd like to go there someday, too. What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?


I was recently reading with my children about how God took the Israelites through the desert so He could test them and know what was in their hearts. The past couple of years have been challenging for my family as we left our home in South Africa to follow God’s call to Mozambique. In a lot of ways, it’s been like traveling through the desert, but through it God has showed us time and time again His faithfulness, and that I need to completely trust in Him for everything. He wants my heart to be His no matter what the circumstances are around me,

Tell us about the featured book?

I loved writing this cozy mystery series for Barbour. Pricilla Crumb has just discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, so she goes to work for her son in the beautiful Colorado mountains

The series begins when Pricilla Crumb, a superb cook and articulate hostess, plans an informal buffet at her son’s lodge, but the dinner party turns to chaos when a guest is found dead after sampling one of her salmon-filled tartlets. Pricilla’s determination to save her reputation and find out the truth begins her unofficial career as a novice detective.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Retirement was not what Pricilla Crumb envisioned. If asked, she would compare it to one of her prized cheese soufflés gone flat. Dull and disappointing. Thankfully, her son, Nathan, had been desperate enough to fly her to the upscale hunting lodge he owned, or more than likely she’d be sitting at her card table right now, putting together one of those five-hundred-piece puzzles her next-door neighbor had given her last Christmas. Filling in for Nathan’s full-time cook, who had come down with a serious case of the West Nile virus four months ago, had, it seemed, become her escape from the yawning predictability of retirement.

Pricilla sorted through the stack of cookbooks piled beside her on the kitchen’s granite countertop. Most of tonight’s menu had been set three days ago, but a problem had arisen with the appetizer. Rendezvous, Colorado, might not be the smallest dot on the state map, but it certainly lacked some of the conveniences of Seattle, one of them being oysters, a key ingredient for her grilled oyster dish.

At least the lodge’s newly remodeled kitchen left nothing to complain about. The antique-styled cabinets, professional appliances, and aged ceiling beams that added a finishing touch to the spacious room, were a chef’s dream. Already, Pricilla hoped that the temporary position would become permanent. Moving back to Colorado and near her son would be worth giving up a few conveniences of the city.

Penelope, her Persian cat, paraded into the room and pressed against her legs.

“Where have you been? Hiding under the bed again?” With the top of her foot, Pricilla rubbed Penelope under the chin. “You’ll have to wait awhile, my sweet, unless you have an idea for the perfect starter.”

She flipped through another book of appetizers then dog-eared one of the pages. Finally, she’d found something suitable. Salmon-filled tartlets would be an ideal choice start to tonight’s dinner.

The timer on the oven buzzed, and Pricilla crossed the hardwood floor to check on her cake. With the weather still surprisingly warm as the calendar moved into October, the baked Alaska flambé would be the perfect ending to the meal. Presentation, as she’d always taught her students, was half the goal with food preparation, and the lighting of the meringue would be the highlight of the evening. She had seen Julia Child present the flaming dessert on television with awed reactions. Pricilla foresaw nothing less for tonight.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a blog where I share life from the heart of Africa through stories, photos, and videos. You can visit me at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/ . I also have a website where you can check out all my book releases, both past and current. Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for the interview, Lena!

Thank you, Lisa, for spending this time with us.
 
Readers, I never miss a post of her blog in the heart of Africa. It's very interesting.
 
Here's a link where you can order the book. If you use this link when you order, you'll help support this blog.

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/

34 comments:

Katy said...

I love cozy mysteries! These sound good!

Merry said...

Lisa's books are always wonderful, please include me for Colorado Crimes.
Thanks, Lena!

NCGrampsof2 said...

Please enter me in this giveaway! The mysteries are the best books!

Lisa Harris said...

Thanks so much for doing the interview, Lena and for stopping by ladies!

Mark said...

Please enter me, thanks

Unknown said...

Colorado Crimes sounds like a must read! I'd love a chance to win a copy. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks!

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

Sylvia M. said...

Ahh...these sound great! I love these kinds of mysteries.

Samitude[at]hotmail[dot]com

Sarah R said...

Please enter me in the drawing. These mysteries sound interesting

Megan said...

I've been following Lisa over on her blog, it's great to see her featured here! Thanks for the giveaway, Lena! Great interview

Megan

Casey said...

Looks good. Thanks for the chance to win. :)

Cíntia Mara said...

Love this post and think I would love the book too.

Please enter me in your draw.

God bless you.

Anonymous said...

I would love to read Colorado Crimes. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Esther
faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.....would love to read this book!!! Thanks!!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

mariska said...

Hi Lisa,
What a great book that you have. count me in :)

Hope said...

Sounds fun! Please include me in the giveaway!

Jen U. said...

Sounds wonderful! Please enter me to win.
~Jen Unsell

apple blossom said...

Please count me in on this book. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me:) Thanks!!!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

A J Hawke said...

Sound like a fun read.
I love to cook, Colorado,
and cozy mysteries.
Put my name in the pot
for Colorado Crmes,
please.

A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor[at]aol[dot]com

Linda said...

Love a good mystery. Please enter me. Thank you.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Jo said...

Colorado Crimes sounds very intriguing. I love cozies. Please add me in the drawing.

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

Edna said...

I would realy love this book, I like historical but they run together after a while so I have started reading a littly mystery in between and now I am hooked.
Please add me to the drawing for this book

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Deborah M said...

I love cozies! My WIP is a cozy mystery. Please sign me up I would like to read this series.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

Lisa Harris said...

It's great to see all you cozy mystery lovers here! Thanks for leaving a comment!

Carla said...

Want to read this book.

Deborah said...

please enter me, i really like Lisa's books!

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Sounds like a great read

dancealert at aol dot com

Larn said...

I've seen a number of her books around. looks good, i have a few romancing america books too. thanks for the interview!

Lisa Harris said...

Some of my favorites too, cooking, cozies, and Colorado. :-)

Anonymous said...

thanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous book

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Emma said...

Good interview. Colorado Crimes sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Molly said...

Please count me in! The mysteries sound wonderful!

Blessings and Hugs!
Molly

Nancye said...

This looks like a great book! Please sign me up!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Marla said...

Please enter me. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com