Friday, October 15, 2010

LOVE FINDS YOU IN CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFORNIA - Sandra D Bricker - Free Book

I'm pleased to welcome Sandra D Bricker back to the blog. This time her story is set in a place where I've been. I've read it and it brought back fond memories of Carmel. I love Sandra's quirky writing style, and I believe you will, too. Now, Sandra, please tell us about your salvation experience.

I was raised Catholic, so I knew about Jesus from a very young age. In fact, when I was very little, while all my little friends were playing housewife or bride, I was playing Virgin Mary with a blue pillowcase on my head. But it wasn’t until I was an adult in my twenties that I heard His call and hit my knees. That was in April of 1987, and I haven’t looked back once!

I love your answer, Sandie. That's how I feel. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

At this point today, they would be Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Trish Perry and Debby Mayne. Those are my co-authors for my next Summerside devotional (Delight Yourself in the Lord… Even on Bad Hair Days), and they’re among my absolute favorite writer buds. We are really spread out across the country, so it would be awesome to have a whole weekend or so to just giggle and talk about the project, about each other, and about life in general.

I love those women, too. It would be great to spend a weekend with the five of you. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

It’s not a ministry, no. But I do speak to groups on occasion about writing and public relations, and about the effect of my faith on my life.

I would call that a ministry. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Oh, Lena, so many embarrassing things happen to me, it would be hard to pinpoint just one. LOL.

Knowing you, I've been waiting to see what interesting thing you were going to share with us. I'm a tiny bit disappointed. 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 tell them pretty much the same thing every time: 1. If you’re thinking it will make you rich, it won’t. 2. Unless you have a ton of confidence and a very tough skin against rejection, it might just kill you. 3. If you don’t want to put in the time to learn and hone your craft, walk away now. And 4. If you still want to write a book after 1, 2, and 3, it might just be your calling!

Very good answer and all so true. Tell us about the featured book.

Drawing inspiration from Hollywood classics, Annie Gray decides to start living the life of her dreams. So she moves into a picturesque bungalow and becomes a private investigator's assistant. But her boss isn't Humphrey Bogart. And just when her screen-worthy plan starts to crumble, will she land in the arms of her own leading man?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Fade in.”

“So did you ask him to make your day?”

“Of course,” Annie replied, mock-serious. “I stared him down with my steely Zoolander glare and I said, ‘Look here, Eastwood. The question is whether or not you feel lucky. Do ya, Clint? Well, do ya?’”

Zoey crackled with laughter as Annie put on her best Dirty Harry face.

“’Go ahead, Clint,’ I told him. ‘Make my day.’”

Annie’s grandmother shook her head as she left the parlor, making a clicking sound with her tongue.

“I can’t believe your Gram knows Clint Eastwood!” Zoey whispered.

Annie picked up the scrapbooks scattered on the sofa next to Zoey and stacked them on the coffee table before she sat down beside her friend.

“I know! And get this. He calls her Dori.”

Zoey grinned as Dot reappeared with a silver tray holding two tall crystal glasses of lemonade. Annie’s dog Sherman, a rounder-than-he-should-be Beagle with soulful brown eyes, followed close at her heels, his paws clickety-clacking on the mahogany floorboards.

“Dot,” Zoey exclaimed. “Clint Eastwood calls you Dori?”

“That’s what everyone called me back then, before the dinosaurs were extinct,” she replied, and she set the tray on the table in front of them. “Honestly, Annabelle. Are you dragging those old scrapbooks out again? Get out of the past or you’ll get cobwebs all over everything.”

Annie grinned and slid one of the leather-bound albums to her lap and turned over another page. “These books are impeccable, Gram. There’s no dust or webs anywhere near them.”

“I was speaking metaphorically.”

Readers, this is just a tiny taste of this delightful book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.sandradbricker.com/  and http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com/

Sandra, what fun to have you back. Looking forward to the next time.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

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

45 comments:

holdenj said...

This looks like a cute story set in a beautiful part of the country! Thanks for the info and chance to win.

Patsy said...

Oh, another Love Finds You book. Love these. Would love to read this one. Thanks for giving away a copy.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jan Cline said...

Love the cover! Sounds like a refreshing change of pace novel. And Carmel is beautiful!

Elyssa said...

Ok, this is seriously one of my favorite covers! I love the LFY series, and can't wait to read this one! Please enter me!

Jennifer said...

Looks like a great book! Please enter me!

Deborah said...

I love Sandra's books and another LOVE FINDS YOU!! please enter me!

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Sandra, I love the "Love Finds You" books and yours sounds like a great book to read. Loved your interview and wish you the best in all things.

Thanks for this opportunity to enter to win Love Finds You In Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Hope said...

Sounds interesting; please enter me!
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Giveaway Lady said...

OO!! Sounds like a very neat book:) Please enter me. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo.com

Casey said...

Ooooh, please enter me!! Thank you! :)

Sue said...

Thank you for the chance to win this book. It looks like a lovely read.

Emily said...

Love this one! LFY book are amazing!
Please enter me!

Emreilly303@gmail.com

Debbie said...

Ooh! Looks like a great read!
Sign me up!

Dreilly316@gmail.com

John said...

My daughter loves to read, this looks like something she would like.
Please enter me for her!

Jreilly316@verizon.net

collettakay said...

I would love to add this book to my LFY collection!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

please enter me!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

fredamans said...

One of my favorite series, thank you for the entry.

Linda Henderson said...

I would love to read this book, it sounds charming.

seriousreader at live dot com

PatriciaW said...

Love, love, love Sandie Bricker's books. This one sounds as charming as the rest. And that author retreat sounds amazing. What a great group of authors to come together.

pwriter1[at]yahoo[dot]com

grannyvon said...

Great Interview!And all that lovely red hair. It's beautiful. I would love to win this book but I tell you as I read it I will see the girl as a beautiful red head. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

Renee said...

Please enter me for the drawing for this charming story!

MaureenT said...

I have enjoyed several of the "Love Finds You" books!
I was also raised Catholic...was cute that you used blue pillow cases.
Thanks for the opportunity!

Michelle said...

Please count me in on this giveaway! Thank you!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Anne Payne said...

I haven't read any of the Love Finds You books. I'm in for this one :)

Pam K. said...

This sounds like another fun book. I enjoy books that are humorous.
Please enter me in the book drawing; I'd love to win.
Thanks.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Cindy W. said...

Being a Native Californian, transplanted to Indiana, I would love to read LFY in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to win a copy.

Many blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Love the LFY books...please enter me. Anxious to read her new book coming out with those other great (all faves of mine) authors.
Thanks!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

cynthia said...

Sounds like a fun read. I love your work and would love to read this one. Please enter me in the book drawing.

Claire Koenig said...

Love Carmel and would love to check out the book!

Wendy said...

I love these books. Thanks for offering it.

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please enter me in the giveaway!

apple blossom said...

Love the LFY books. thanks for the interview and would love to win.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Carman said...

Please enter me! I have really enjoyed the "Love Finds You" series so far. :)

booklovercb@yahoo.com

Bakersdozen said...

This sounds like a good read. I would love to win. vidmich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Coolestmommy said...

Love the LFY books. Can't wait to read this one!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

I would love to win this giveaway.
Sounds fantastic.
Many blessings,
Trinity Rose

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

peachykath said...

I love the Love finds you series books. I live near Carmel so it would be great to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Ooh, sign me up to win!
Ann Lee Miller

Author and Editor Sandra D. Bricker said...

I just wanted to come back again and thank all of you who entered to win a copy of Carmel. It's always such a joy to come to Lena's little world, and she's such a lovely hostess!

I look forward to hearing which one of you won the book.

Blessings,
Sandie

Judy Cooper said...

Pleas enter my name, it looks like another goodie.

Carole said...

Beautiful testimony, Sandra! With the authors you mentioned, I'm sure Delight Yourself in the Lord is a great devotional.

I enjoyed Sandra's interview and appreciate the chance to win her book.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

"Quirky writing style" sounds intriguing. Please enter my name.
-Lovely

Ashley E said...

This sounds like a great book. Please enter me in the contest!

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

The book sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity.

dancealert at aol dot com