Wednesday, December 29, 2010

DESTINY'S DREAM - Delia Latham - Free Book

Welcome, Delia. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write inspirational romance and women’s fiction because that’s what God has laid upon my heart to do. I consider my writing a ministry. In every novel, I genuinely attempt to uplift and encourage, to slip in some element of trust and faith in addition to entertaining my reader.

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

Well, there are four of them…the days each of my children were born. I can’t imagine a happier moment than holding those newborn babies in my arms and knowing they were healthy and whole.

How has being published changed your life?

I still truck along pretty much as I did before being published. :-) I think what I notice more than anything is that I am no longer capable of reading a book solely for pleasure, because my inner editor never sleeps. Even when I try to just read, I can’t help noticing errors—typos, head hopping, grammatical quirks, etc. (((Sigh))) Sometimes it’s very annoying! LOL

What are you reading right now?

I’m very much enjoying A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller. It’s an Amish tale, and a really good one, I might add.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on Book 3 in my Solomon’s Gate Series. Gypsy’s Game is about a somewhat jaded young woman who gets married only to fulfill the dictates of her father’s will and claim her inheritance. Falling in love with her husband is not in the plan, but then, God’s ways are most often not ours, are they? :-)

What would be your dream vacation?

I would love to visit Ireland and see the land of my ancestors.

That's the same reason I'd like to go to Norway and Sweden. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I grew up in California and lived there all my life, until two years ago, when my husband and I moved to Oklahoma. So far, all of my books have been set somewhere in the Golden State…because I know it, and it’s easier to describe areas I’m at least somewhat familiar with. Gypsy’s Game actually has a couple off chapters set in Romania, so I’ve had to do some extensive research for that, since I’ve never been there. I chose Romania for their honeymoon trip because they are both of Romanian heritage.

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

I’d love to talk to Max Lucado about writing. I’ve never read any other Christian author with the ability to speak so directly to my heart. He paints such vivid pictures with words, it simply amazes me! I’d love to sit in on a Lucado class on writing and benefit from his knowledge.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to sing and play piano. Although I don’t have the breath to do quite as much of it as I used to, it still satisfies something within my heart, even if no one hears it but me and the Lord. I also enjoy designing marketing materials for other authors—bookmarks, flyers, posters, business cards, etc.

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

Procrastination. If I allow myself, I can while away hours doing writing related things, when I should be writing. I’ve discovered that writing is so much easier when I know the book I’m working on already has a home. LOL White Rose Publishing contracted the entire Solomon’s Gate Series when they accepted Destiny’s Dream (Book One). Writing those two additional books has been a breeze in comparison to the first one, simply because I knew it was already set for publication.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write, write, write. It’s what writers do. Find a place you can call your own, even if it’s nothing more than a closet you’ve confiscated for writing purposes, or a corner of the dining room table. Make it yours, and go there every day, preferably at the same time every day—and write. You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes a routine you’ll be uncomfortable breaking. Also, get involved with a writer’s group, if possible. Find a mentor. Having a more experienced author to offer advice and encouragement is an unbelievable asset.

Tell us about the featured book.

Destiny’s Dream is Book One in the Solomon’s Gate Series, which is based around a Christian dating agency of the same name. Here’s a blurb:

Is a little respect too much to ask at a parent’s funeral?

Apparently it is for Destiny May. Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting when he shows up late to her mother’s “going away party.” When it turns out he’s not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day’s dreary proceedings. Spending time with a handsome stranger who makes her laugh is more therapeutic than fighting with her overbearing family.

Clay finds Destiny beautiful, charming...and intelligent. So why is she stubbornly determined to open a Christian dating service? Clay has little respect for such a frivolous profession, and doesn’t think the small, conservative town of Castle Creek will welcome such a progressive business. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm’s way.

Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses, and Destiny may be the one thing Clay can’t escape...if he even wants to.

I like it. Please give us the first page of the book.

The first page of the book is a prologue. I’ll give you the first page of Chapter One. Here ya go…

“If she plays that song one more time, I swear I’ll scream!”

Destiny had nothing against “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Miss Willard had played it through at least half a dozen times. Destiny was fairly certain the old lady had been born on that organ bench and would most likely die there. For pity’s sake, surely by now she knew a few other songs that would be appropriate for a funeral! She cast a weary glance toward the prim organist with her customary, tight white bun and the face of a thousand wrinkles. How old is she anyway? I’m pretty sure she was at least ninety when I was kid—and that was twenty years ago.

A grin danced at the corners of her lips, and she bit down hard on the offending body part even as she raised a hand to cover it. What on earth would people think if she burst out laughing at her mother’s funeral?

Her nerves felt like a rubber band at the crucial breaking point. With her emotions stretched to the limit, it would be so easy to lose control. Get it together, Destiny May.

Her gaze drifted from the rail-thin organist and bounced off the beautiful, flower-draped coffin. Thank God Mama had requested a closed casket. The private family viewing the night before had been hard. She couldn’t imagine trying to get through this service with her sweet mother displayed up front like a mortician’s trophy.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I invite readers to visit my website: http://www.delialatham.net/, or my blog: http://my-book-bag.blogspot.com/. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter under the screen name DeliaLatham. I love to hear from my readers, so I truly hope you’ll stop by and say hello.

Thank you, Delia, for the fun interview.
 
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. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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/

38 comments:

Lourdes said...

Sounds like something I would definitely want to read. Thank you for a great interview.

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. Angela from Kentucky

angelac@mchsi.com

Coolestmommy said...

Destiny has some spunk--I like that in a girl.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
I live in the midwest

Delia Latham said...

Sorry I'm so late chiming in!I'm snowed in in Williams, AZ. Finally got onto my aunt's dial-up internet (thank God she at least has a connection! lol).

Lourdes and Angela, thanks so much for stopping by. Robyn, I like a gal with spunk too - and Destiny has much more of it than is possible to show in one page of text. Good luck to all of you in the drawing!

Don't forget to check out the Daughters of Destiny Contest, which is running concurrently with my blog tour. You'll find the details here: http://www.delialatham.net/contest.htm.

Mary Manners said...

Hey Delia,

I really enjoyed this interview, as well as Destiny's Dream. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Funny you have snow (or...maybe not:)) Here in East TN we are still digging out from under our first Christmas day snow in nearly 40 years.

Keep writing, Delia. We love you!

Linda Kish said...

Sounds like a wonderful book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Delia Latham said...

Nope, Mary...not funny, 'cause I can't get home. I really need to get there and finish the third book in this series. My deadline is Feb. 1, and I lost all of December on vacation in California. I gotta get going! But I suppose what God intends to happen will happen. :)

Linda, thank you - and thanks for stopping by!

Nancye said...

Sounds like a book I would enjoy! Please enter me.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Donna B said...

Every time I read about this story I can't wait till I have a chance to read it. I'd love to win a copy, but if I don't I'll definitely be picking it up!

Donna B said...

Oops, I'm from NH. And yeah, we got our share of snow too.

Anonymous said...

You're entered, Nancy - thanks for coming by. And Donna, I hope you enjoy it, however you obtain Destiny's Dream. :)

misskallie2000 said...

Interesting story line. Would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Edwina said...

This is a book I would love to read!

I live in Georgia.

edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

holdenj said...

Sounds like a good premise for a story. Thanks for the info and chance to win! We're turning into rainy MN for the New Year, very strange weather around here indeed!

apple blossom said...

Please include me in this book giveaway. thanks. I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

This book sounds really good. I love the humor in it already!

Val from SC
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

CarlybirdH said...

I love the cover art for this book. It sounds like a wonderful story and I would love to read it.
Carly in NC.
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I wil like to read this book ,look good

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would love to win a copy of her book! Thanks for the interview!!

dabceakert at aik dit cin

Delia Latham said...

Wow, I'm loving the variety of locations your responses are coming from! Thank you all for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing! Remember, there is opportunity for lots of entries in the Daughters of Destiny Contest (completely separate from Lena's drawing here on this blog stop), so come on by my website and check it out. (http://www.delialatham.net/contest.htm)

Delia Latham said...

Lena, thanks so much for hosting me; I've enjoyed chatting with you and your readers. You are a blessing!

Wendy said...

Great interview -sounds like a good book.
Wendy
Buffalo, MN

rubynreba said...

Beth from Iowa would find this very interesting!

Merry said...

I love the setting for Destiny's Dream, please add me to the drawing.
Thanks!
Merry in TX

Charlotte Kay said...

Sounds like a good read.
Charlotte
chakasa58 at gmail dot com
Ohio

Delia Latham said...

Wendy...RubyNReba...Merry...Charlotte Kay...THANK YOU for stopping in! Good luck in the drawing. Be sure to check out the Daughters of Destiny Contest on my website, as well - lots of chances to get multiple entries! http://www.delialatham.net/contest.htm

rbooth43 said...

I love reading inspirational romance and women’s fictionand would love to read DESTINY'S DREAM. I am so glad that God has laid upon your heart to write. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is a beautiful song.
The happiest days in my life are my son and grandson.
I agree with you I would love to visit Ireland, Norway and Sweden.
I have lived in my home in North Carolina for 67 Years.
Rebecca
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hi, Rebecca! Nice to "see" you again. :) You are a one-town girl, aren't you? I lived in Bakersfield, CA all my life up until two years ago, when hubby and I moved to Oklahoma. Quite a difference...but I'm God has His reasons. :)

MaureenT said...

Looks like a great book. I also enjoyed a Man of His Word!

Delia Latham said...

I did too, Maureen - all the way to the end. Hope you enjoy Destiny's Dream as much!

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to read this book. Sounds great.

Hugs,
Lady Araujo

Unknown said...

Enjoyed Delia's interview. I needed some good humor today and reading about "Destiny's Dream" made me laugh out loud. It's not really funny to show up at the wrong funeral...but I had to laugh like Destiny was trying not to do. I've not read anything by Delia yet, and I'd certainly like to read this giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win it. I hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

Whoops!! Forgot to leave the place where I live. Arlington, TX. I'm looking forward to finishing my first book one day soon and I'm 72. I do wish I'd get through with these senior moments of forgetting things!! It gives me encouragement when I read a humorous story that makes me laugh like Destiny's Dream..

Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Jo said...

I love the cover of this book and would love to read it.

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

karenk said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
(from PA)

Delia Latham said...

Lady Araujo, Barb, Jo and Karen...thank you for coming by! Good luck in the drawing. And Barb - congrats on taking on the daunting task of writing a novel! I love seeing women who refuse to stop living "after 40..." or "50," or at any age!

Jo, the cover was designed by the owner/editor-in-chief of White Rose Publishing, Nicola Martinez. She always does an excellent job.

Bakersdozen said...

I want to read this book. I live in S. California.

Delia Latham said...

Thank you to EVERYONE who came by and left comments. I wish you could ALL win the book... It is available at WhiteRosePublishing.com and most online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Blessings!