TOUCHING THE CLOUDS - Bonnie Leon - Free Book

Author's Bio:

Bonnie Leon dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, and the Northern Lights series. She also stays busy teaching women’s Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women’s gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

I'm thrilled to feature Bonnie's newest release. I was privileged to read it for endorsement, which appears on the back cover. "Vivid writing. Bonnie Leon immerses the read in the time period, the setting, and deep into the hearts of the characters. I didn't want to leave them behind when I closed the book."
 
Welcome, Bonnie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?


Redemption seems to show up in a lot of my books. I think that’s because much of my young adult life I felt lost and hopeless. When I was twenty-three I met Christ. I will never forget the moment I understood my value and how deeply God loved me, just as I am. I want everyone to know they are loved and that forgiveness can be found in Christ.

Trusting God is something I struggle with. I’m an independent person with a tendency toward rebellion so I wrestle with myself over this issue. Maybe that’s why it ends up in so many of my characters.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I don’t have anything else releasing soon, but book two in the Alaskan Skies series will be out next year.
I must feature it on my blog, too. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

That’s a difficult question. There are so many people I’d love to spend time with. But if I have to choose just one, it would be George W. Bush. I will never forget the days following 9/11—I was so grateful he was our president and that he was looking after our country. I appreciate his faith and although he wasn’t a perfect president (is there one?) I greatly admire his courage and his faith.
James and I often discussed how blessed we felt because he was the man our country needed at that time. . .and later. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’d love to spend an evening with Corey Ten Boom. She was an amazing woman of faith.

That is true, too. Her story has strengthened and blessed me in times of distress. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

It’s painful to work hard, thinking we’ve done our best and then have our stories rejected. How we manage that is all about perspective. Every writer has had their work turned down at some point. It’s part of the journey. I truly believe that the process of writing and receiving rejections are a necessary part of refining us and our work. If we’re diligent, listen and learn we will grow. The process is a testing ground, a place where we discover whether or not we have the metal to stand up to what the business of writing will throw at us.
Tell us about the featured book?

It is 1935 and Kate Evans is looking for adventure. She finds that and more in the Alaskan territory.

Kate is an adventurous and independent woman with a pioneering spirit. When she leaves her home in Washington State to follow her dream of being an Alaskan bush pilot, she knows it will be an uphill battle. Even so, the adventure is more than she expects. As the lone woman in a man’s world, she finds that contending with people’s expectations is almost as treacherous as navigating the wild arctic storms.

When she crosses paths with a mysterious man living alone in the forbidding wilderness, she faces a new challenge. Can she break through the walls he has put up around his heart? And will fear keep her from realizing her own dreams?

Touching the Clouds is an adventure with raw emotion and suspense set against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Kate Evans pushed open the screen door and stepped onto the broad front porch of her parents’ farmhouse. This was supposed to be her wedding day. Instead, her lace, floor-length gown hung in her closet.

Shifting her pack over one shoulder, she moved to the railing. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of a cool breeze on her skin and breathed in the subtle fragrance of sun-heated grass. Richard’s image stormed against her peace. She could see his blond curls spilling onto his brow, his wounded eyes. He’d always been steady, but her announcement had staggered him. She wanted to love him enough to stay, but the turmoil she’d been feeling had escalated until she felt she had no choice—she just couldn’t go through with it.

She gripped the porch railing, anxiety sweeping over her like a summer squall. Had she made a terrible mistake? It was one thing to postpone the wedding and quite another to call it off altogether.

They’d been friends since childhood and were comfortable with each other. But did that mean they belonged together? If she stayed, she’d be forced to give up her longtime dream and would have to settle for a commonplace life.
How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please stop by my website at http://www.bonnieleon.com/ .

Thank you, Bonnie. I loved Kate from that first page.
 
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