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Thursday, May 27, 2010

ALMOST FOREVER - Deborah Raney - Free Book

It's always a pleasure to have you drop by, Deb. Tell us, why did you become an author?


When I realized that books had author’s (the summer I was 11 or 12 and read all the Little House on the Prairie books) I knew I wanted that job––to make people as happy as those books had made me.

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

I always thought it would be fascinating to be a psychologist, trying to understand people and why they do the things they do. But I think I like that my characters usually (not always!) listen to me and obey, whereas I doubt clients do that for the average therapist.

I have a background in drama and was a director many times. That's what directors do, try to understand people and why they do they things they do. If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

Oh, I’m SO glad I live in this modern era. I would miss electricity and my dishwasher and my computer and my cell phone too much. But if I were forced to choose another time in history, I suppose it would be the late 1800s when my grandparents were settling the farm in Kansas where I grew up.

I'm rather fond of the late 1800s, too. That's why I write so many novels set in that time period. What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?

Hawaii! I’m not a huge fan of the ocean, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard from anyone who didn’t adore Hawaii. I’d also love to visit New England in the fall. My husband and I lived in New York for 2 years early in our marriage, so even though we lived a stone’s throw away, we never could afford to travel from there.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

Our oldest son moved to Berlin last month, so we are eager to go visit him and tour Europe while there. I have a niece who lives in England, too, and my great grandparents immigrated from York, England, and from Germany, so Europe really holds great appeal for me.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?

That I can be content with much, much less than I thought. My husband was laid off from his job a year ago, and started his own business, which has meant drastic cutbacks in our family budget. I’ve learned that I was a bit spoiled before, and that it truly doesn’t take much in the way of material goods to be happy. Cooking together at home is every bit as romantic as a fancy dinner out; a few blond highlights twice a year give the same “lift” as a full weave four times a year, and the clothes I’ve bought over the last five-ten years serve every purpose that something new every month served. God has taught us that He is more than able to meet every single need, and surprise us with a few luxury blessings, too.

He likes to do that. Tell us about the featured book.

Unearthing a lost memory may cause her to lose everything she holds dear… But could it also set her free?

Volunteer Bryn Hennesey was there at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter the night five heroic firefighters died at the scene. Among them was her husband, Adam. Now a terrifying absence of memory has her wondering if she might, in some way, be responsible.

Garrett Edmonds’ wife, Molly, was the only female firefighter to perish in the blaze. He was supposed to protect the woman he loved…now she’s the one who’s died a hero. How can he go on in the face of such unbearable loss?

And what started the fire that destroyed the dreams and futures of so many? Investigators are stumped. But someone knows the answer….

Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

Bryn drew the queen of diamonds from the stack of playing cards on the wobbly table between her and Charlie Branson. The grizzled Vietnam vet eyed her from his wheelchair as she discarded an ace. She put on her best poker face and pretended to rearrange her hand. From somewhere behind the peeling paint on the west wall, the pipes clanked in the bowels of the old hospital-turned-homeless-shelter and the furnace kicked on. Not that it would raise the temperature in this mammoth icebox by one degree, but something about the hiss of radiators was comforting.

Charlie pulled a card from the tattered deck and flung it away too quickly. He must be close to going out. Good. It was two in the morning, and Bryn was hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before it was time to get breakfast going for the shelter’s residents.

Her husband’s twenty-four-hour shift at the fire station ended tomorrow. Adam had said something about taking her to a matinee, and he’d be suspicious if she fell asleep during the movie. Of course, his invitation had come before their big fight. Knowing him, he’d still be brooding and they would stay home and sulk––or argue.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

In several ways!
http://www.deborahraney.com/ is my author website.
I have a beautiful blog of Christian author’s books and garden spots here: http://novelgarden.blogspot.com/ and the beautiful prairie garden my husband has created in our yard––one of my favorite places to write––is here: http://kansasprairiegarden.blogspot.com/

Deb, thanks for the visit.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using the link when you order, you 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.

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42 comments:

  1. The cover art on Almost Forever is outstanding. I have to admit that the cover art of a book draws me before anything else. This sounds like a wonderful book and I would love to win it. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  2. I enjoyed the interview with Deborah and can't wait to read Almost Forever it sounds terrific. Please include me, thanks!

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  3. thanks for the interview and thanks for another giveaway

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  4. Thanks for the interview.

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  5. Sounds like another good book from Deborah.

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  6. Deb, don't you think being an author is similar to being an armchair psychologist? LOL!

    Can't wait to read what is locked inside Bryn's mind.

    coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

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  7. I appreciate your descriptions of how to live simplier after a layoff. Sounds like you might have a book there.

    Would love to win a copy of Almost Forever.

    A J Hawke

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  8. The book sounds good and it is nice to learn more about the author. Count me in, I would love to read the book.
    gijanechosen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. This book sounds so awesome! I have been looking forward to it!!
    Please enter me in the drawing! :)
    Kim
    lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

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  10. "Almost Forever" sounds intriguing. Please enter me.

    --Debbie

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  11. I also enjoyed the interview and how to be content with the simpler life. The book sounds great and would love to be entered in the giveway.
    Thanks.

    Dawn

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  12. Anonymous3:28 PM

    That was a great interview! My sister is a psychologist in Ohio and she love love loves it!!

    I'd love to win this book!

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

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  13. Anonymous3:53 PM

    Deborah is definitely a fave....have read ALL of her books and loved them all. Please enter me! Thanks!!!
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  14. There IS something truly romantic about working together for a common goal. My husband and I worked on a new garden this afternoon and it was such a blessing...I actually saw some appeal of the earlier times: families working together, planting fields, building homes. I know there were struggles we know nothing about, but the relationships, dependency on God and each other...there is something to be said about that!!

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  15. Please throw my name in the hat! :)

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  16. Deborah Raney sets such a high standard for excellence in Women's Fiction! I'm eager to read this book. Great premise.And her first few paragraphs have already captured my attention.

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  17. Count me in, please.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  18. I would love to read this.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  19. Thanks for the interview. The book sounds very good. I's like win a copy, please.

    letrassantas[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  20. Sounds like a wonderful book, one I would enjoy reading. Love the cover. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  21. Enjoyed the interview. It is amazing how the things we deem as "needs" really arn't. That's a great and difficult lesson to learn. Thanks for your insight, Deborah!

    Almost Forever sounds so good, please add my name to the drawing.
    Thanks,
    Sherry
    love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  22. I would love to win this book. I am a avid reader since I have retired I now have all the time I want(like all day) Thanks for the chance to win! ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  23. I always enjoy Deb's books and appreciate the chance to win Almost Forever.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  24. Anonymous6:44 AM

    This looks like an interesting book. And I enjoyed the interview, too!

    Please enter me, thanks!

    Melissa
    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. I so much enjoyed your interview. "Almost Forever" sounds so interesting. I would love the opportunity to be entered in the drawing. Thank you.

    louann@carolina.rr.com

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  26. please include me in this giveaway. Thanks
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  27. What a fantastic first page!! Lots of intrigue.
    Thanks
    Kristen

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  28. I always enjoy anything Deborah writes and I know I will enjoy Almost Forever as well. It would be great to win the book!

    Thanks,
    Judy C.

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  29. Thanks for all the wonderful comments!

    So true about that armchair shrink, Robyn!

    And AJ, wait till you see how my character in Book 2 has to cut back! I love making my characters live MY life. LOL!

    Megan, my husband and I just love working in the garden together. Who knew weeding could be such fun!? But when you love the one you're with, it's easier to love what you're doing.

    Best wishes to all of you. Again, thank you so much for all the encouraging words!

    Deb~

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  30. I enjoyed the interview and look forward to reading Almost Forever. I also hope to meet Deb again!

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  31. Oh! Please enter me. This book sounds awesome!

    booklovercb[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  32. Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. The premise to the book holds so much promise, as does the reading of the first page. I would love to win this book! I really enjoyed the interview, Deborah, and you have to visit Hawaii, it is as beautiful as you hear! I do agree with Cindy W. about the cover of the book, it is outstanding.

    God bless -

    Beverly

    bgrider2@cox.net

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  34. Would love to read the book!
    dancealert at aol dot com

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  35. I'd like to enter, sounds great

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  36. This book sounds sooo interesting. Please include me in the drawing!
    Maureen

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  37. If this giveaway is still going on, I would love to win this book!

    srupp1 (AT) embarqmail (DOT) com

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  38. I really would love to read this book and have it on my wish list. Please enter em.

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

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  39. I'm looking forward to reading this book. I love Deborah's books and I would like to be entered in the drawing.

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  40. Great interview. Love this book. Thanks for stopping by to chat.

    Pls add my name to draw.


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  41. This sounds like a great book. I love the cover too.

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