Sunday, January 02, 2011

SECOND CHANCE RANCH - Leann Harris - Free Book

Welcome, Leann (who is my friend, Barbara). Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Most of my books are suspense, but when I saw this article in the newspaper about a wounded Iraqi veteran who’d lost his leg and was using equine therapy to help him walk again, I knew I had to do a story of those brave men and women.

I'm glad you did. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

There are several competing. I could say the birth of my children, but the trauma involved in those births….I think it was when each of the children married. I lucked out and got a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

How has being published changed your life?

I was first published in 1993 and most are suspense. Since I do suspense and I’ve got a dead body and a crime, I had to talk to the professionals who work in the law-enforcement field. I’ve come to meet some wonderful people, cops, lawyers from the DA’s office, medical doctors who work at Scottish Rite hospital. Every one of them has been so generous with their time and insight into their jobs.

What are you reading right now?

I am reading Christmas anthologies. I love Christmas stories.

There were really some good ones this year. What is your current work in progress?

The oldest brother of the hero in Second Chance Ranch, Ethan McClure. He is a wonderful man and I had to wrestle his secrets out of him. And believe me, he had them.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’d love to spend the month of July in Scotland. I’d like to see the Highland Games in Edinburg and then rent a house in Ayr (on the northwestern coast) and enjoyed the ocean and write.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I like to keep my stories in places where I’ve been. Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. I guess you’d say I was a western girl. It’s not that I don’t love other parts of the country, but I’m familiar with this part of the country and my stories occur here.

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

You’ve stumped me. I think I’d like to spend a day Col. Oliver North, and I’d love if we could go to Walter Reed and talk to the men and women there.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Gardening. When I am stuck, I go outside and weed my garden It helps. I also have a nice collection of Iris. My husband’s mother had over 52 varieties of Iris. (I’ll send a couple of pictures)

I love Iris, too, and these are lovely. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

When I write straight romances, finding the right character motivations for my hero and heroine. As I said before, Ethan was a nice guy. And the heroine in the book, who had to be the perfect foil to him, she had to challenge who he was. It took me weeks of wrestling with them.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write. Read. Write. Join a writers group and learn. Then write.

Tell us about the featured book.

Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure’s war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing—and no one—else has? He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain—and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie’s dreams a reality…and she may be the woman to heal is wounded hero’s heart.

Sounds really interesting. Please give us the first page of the book.

Second Chance Ranch
Chapter 1

Zachary McClure closed his eyes and breathed in the calming and familiar smells of the barn—horses, grains, leather and liniment. He hadn't smelled anything that comforting in the past four years. Dust, diesel and fear had filled his days in Iraq. Disinfectant, moans and sickness had filled his last year in the hospital. The smell of horses took him back to pre-army days. That was before—

He stopped the thought. He couldn't change the past.

"You all right?"

Zach opened his eyes and looked into his sister's concerned face. Beth had always looked up to him, but lately they argued a lot. He hadn't wanted to come today, didn't want to face the ghosts of his past and the limitations of today, but she kept badgering him with phone calls and coming by his apartment, telling him he needed to start riding again. He tried sending her home, but somehow she got him to agree to come once here to the New Hope Ranch.

"I am."

"C'mon. My friend Sophie is waiting for us." Beth linked her arm with his and started moving forward. "You remember her? She was my roommate in college."

He definitely remembered Sophie Powell. The weekend Beth brought Sophie home he'd been thunderstruck by the coltish girl. She wasn't model-beautiful, but there'd been a beauty about her. It had been her eyes, piercing blue. And her smile set him back on his heels. She had a crooked nose with freckles scattered across it and her cheeks. But that only added to her beauty. "I remember," he muttered. Only too well, he silently added.

Beth leaned close and whispered, "I think she had a crush on you."

"What?" Zach's head jerked around and his gaze clashed with Beth's. Her grin told him she was teasing him. Yet, there was a twinkle in her eye that made him wonder if maybe it was true.

"And she's ex-army, too."

This had the smell of a setup.

I like the sound of this story alreadyh. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.leannharis.com/ , http://www.barbharrison.com/

Thank you, Barbara, for spending this time with us.
 
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/

40 comments:

MaureenT said...

What a wonderful idea for a book. How I love your Iris...I used to have a lot, but now?? To me they are the poor man's orchids...so very beautiful! Love them!

Katrina said...

I would love to win a copy. Florida

holdenj said...

Looks like an interesting premise for the story. I love your iris too, that is something I'm able to grow fairly well here in MN.

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a wonderful story. I am in So Cal.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

scottsgal said...

I have a friend who does equine therapy with her horse with handicapped children - how rewarding it is for her
I'm in Illinois
msboatgal at aol.com

Linda Henderson said...

This sounds like a wonderful story, I'd love to read it.

I live in Missouri

seriousreader at live dot com

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book, I love books that have a western theme or at least horses. I can look out of my home in South AL and see 5 beautiful horses. My grandson rodeo's.

Mozi Esme said...

I'd love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Oregon

Nancy said...

I don't need to be in the drawing, but wanted to check in with what Leann has been up to. I love the Second Chance Ranch concept, Leann, and I also love the photos of iris! They are one of my fav flowers!

Light,
Nancy Haddock
Florida

fredamans said...

Sounds like a beautiful story here, one I would love a chance at winning. Thanks from Ontario, Canada.

Happy New Year!

Cindy W. said...

Second Chance Ranch sounds like a wonderful story. I would love to win a copy.

I'm from Northeast Indiana.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nancye said...

Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the chance.

Nancye in KY
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Jackie S. said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me from GA.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Pam K. said...

I like the theme of this book. I also loved the photos of the iris; I grow several different kinds too.
I would enjoy winning this book.
Thanks for the interview and the chance.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
from Kansas

Patsy said...

I love all the Love Inspired books! I know this one will be great. Looking forward to reading it.
from Southern US
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Leann Harris said...

Sorry I'm late in chiming in. I was putting up Christmas and decided I needed to come to the computer and say hi.

I am glad y'all like the irises. I keep getting more and more. My husband's mother had 52 varieties of iris.

I am glad you like the premise of Second Chance Ranch. It is wonderful how horses can be such a wonderful blessing. I know, God touched me as I wrote this story.

Lourdes said...

Book really sounds great. Would love to win.

I'm from Long Island, NY

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

Giveaway Lady said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! Please enter me. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
Nauvoo, IL

Anonymous said...

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

Angelac@mchsi.com

Leann Harris said...

I appreciate all the great comments. It was a blessing to write the book and it's always fun doing Lena's blog. She had such great traffic.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me! I would love a copy of the book. I live in Michigan
dancealert at aol dot com

Merry said...

Second Chance Ranch sounds like a lovely story, cowboys always make a wonderful heroes. Please include me!
Merry in TX

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds like a fantastic book. I was just reading an article about how God allows "do-overs" and gives second chances.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Leann Harris said...

I'll tell you cowboys and horses and soldiers. You can't beat 'em.

Charlotte Kay said...

It sounds like a great read!
Thanks for the chance to win!
chakasa58 at gmail dot com

Sheila Deeth said...

I love reading Christmas anthologies too.

Sounds a great idea for a book. I'd love to read it.

Leann Harris said...

Robyn, I like that. Do-overs. It's that wonderful that God allows that.

Jan Marie said...

This book sounds like it has many of my favorite elements in it. I would love to read this book. Please add my name in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win and read a new (to me) author.

I am from north central Indiana.

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

amber said...

I've seen this book on other blogs and would love to read it!!

I'm from Tennessee.

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to win a free copy.
Angela from Kentucky


Angelac@mchsi.com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel...sounds great!

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Jo said...

This looks like a interesting premise for a book and one that I would love to read. Please enter me.

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

windycindy said...

I believe in the power of animals in aiding people to get well! This story of a wounded veteran and his
therapy with horses sounds like a
very wonderful book to read...
Thanks very much!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

I live in Georgia

I love to read books by Christian authors and this one sounds like a great book. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Bakersdozen said...

This book sounds really interesting. I live in S. California.

Unknown said...

First of all, the cover on this book is beautiful - so peaceful. I enjoy horses and have great respect for equine therapy. I've not read writings by Leann Harris and would like to have the opportunity. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win it. Hope I do win. I'm writing this comment from Arlington, TX, where the sun is shining today, but we are expecting cold weather. Not surprising for Texas...the weather can change within a few minutes.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Karin said...

Would love to be entered...thank you!

MN

Judylynn said...

Thanks for the chance to win this book!

Judylynn in East Tennessee

apple blossom said...

I love the love inspired books. love the chance to win this book thanks

I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

D.A. said...

This sounds like a very inspiring story. Thanks for the giveaway. I live in SC.
dawhittemore22 at gmail dot com