A STILL AND QUIET SOUL - Cathy Messecar - Free Book

Welcome, Cathy. So glad to have you back on the blog.

Lena, a very genuine thank you for the blog interviews you host. May God bless your spirit of sharing and may he multiply the effects of author’s words written for Him in 2011.


Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write because everywhere in everyday life I find that God teaches me or he reminds me about himself. I’m a teacher at heart, and I find nonfiction devotionals and study books an avenue of reminding Christians to shine.

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

My wedding day when I vowed to love David forever. (The next happiest when he returned from a year long stint with the army in Vietnam.)

I understand that. My oldest grandson just returned from his deployment. This time to Afghanistan. How has being published changed your life?

I think it’s humbling. First, to know that God entrusted me with stories, phrases, insight into scriptures, and venues to share with others. I’m still amazed that publishers think my words worth sharing. After all, they’re just what I call “farmscribe” words, down-to-earth, common sense, straight from this horse’s mouth.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Zondervan’s The Bible in 90 Days, so I guess I’m working on 66 books. I always have my bookmarks in several books at one time. These are the books I’m reading and re-reading right now: The Gospel of Ruth ~ Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James, Babes with a Beatitude ~ Devotions for Smart, Savvy Women of Faith by and Linda P. Kozar and Dannelle Woody, and My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I have a copy of The Help by Kathryn Stockett that I’ll start reading soon.

What is your current work in progress?

Since, I just finished A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment, I’m brain-twiddling to figure out what to offer up next. I have another devo manuscript almost finished: Tambourines and Tear Bottles (working title), and I want to write some more group study books. I’m looking over lesson series that I wrote and taught to women’s classes in the past; maybe I’ll work on rewriting those to a current audience. I’m also writing a series for my newspaper column in 2011 that could turn into a yearly devotional, taking them one verse at a time through the books of the Bible.

What would be your dream vacation?

Christmas in Bethlehem and then an extended tour of the Holy Lands.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I don’t write much fiction. Although A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment does have a chapter where part of it is biblical fiction entitled “Wait, Elizabeth—God Has a Surprise for You Too.” It’s about embracing contentment during our waits and how God’s answers are far superior to our wishes and wants. I do have a complete fiction manuscript, and it has a rural, small town setting because that’s what I know.

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

A biblical scholar. My ancient copy of the Bible is strewn with question marks. And, I’d point to the first question mark I placed beside verses in the book of Genesis and say, “Start here….tell me what you’ve discovered that this means?” David Bivin in Jerusalem, Israe,l is probably my first choice. Or Paul Maier, NT scholar. I’m about to start his novel, The Skeleton in God’s Closet.

I've read that novel. You'll find it interesting and thought provoking. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

While I don’t collect teapots, teacups, and tea things anymore (just occasionally I will still buy something at a flea market), I really enjoy hosting people in our home: one or more for a meal, a grandchild, or a few women for a luncheon. Nothing stressful. Because I’m Martha-to-the-bone on some days, I keep meals simple, and do my best to invest my time in my guests.

Sounds like a place I'd like to visit. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Paperwork and little time. In our business I have many things of which to keep track. Did you know truckers with apportioned tags have to keep records, besides log books, of every single road they drive on, where they buy fuel, how much they bought and the price per gallon? That’s in addition to all the other records we are required to keep. At this stage in life we are also providing comfort and care to our aging parents—four of them in their 80s and 90s. How I overcome my obstacles: I’ve hired help with our business paperwork, and that alone gives me more time to meet my family’s needs. I’ve also dropped out of all outside organized activities because of my present circumstances with parents’ needs. The excellent thing about writing is that I can write at 10:00 p.m. or 3:00 a.m. Every day, I’m grateful for this outlet of expression which fits into the servant role God has called me to with our trucking business, parents, children, and grands.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

This hint comes via Anne Lamott, in Bird by Bird she recommends keeping index cards in purse, briefcase, car, or in a jeans’ pocket, ready at all times, to write down keen thoughts, overheard conversations, sights, sounds, colors or textures. I’ve been doing this for years, and have found exact scenes and sentences to use my jotted hints. They remain fresh and bring vibrancy to dialogue or settings.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment covers topics such as worry, complaining, clutter, or how our thoughts contribute to discontentment. The book is designed for individual or group Bible study. Each chapter contains my study, thoughts, and anecdotes about the topic connected to learning contentment, eight study questions, two praise and petition scriptures upon which to meditate. Also, in each chapter I’ve included one personal essay from male and female Christians, who struggled with contentment and how they arrived at a better place.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Here’s the foreword and the first page:

Dear Reader:

I’m keenly aware of those times when total contentment settles upon me, when nothing niggles at my conscience causing unrest. I include in this list the nights when my adult children and their children rest safe and sound in their homes. They abide in their nests, as my husband and I do in ours. Add a soft rainfall, evidence of God tending the earth, and my night becomes ideal. Those circumstances come as close to perfect as nights on this earth ever could. Contentment sweeps over me. A sweet sleep descends.

But what about opposite days when life-glitches hobble me? Sometimes, it seems the smallest negative happening can topple a glass of milk into my day, soaking the seams of morning, noon, and evening, dampening what I thought would be a beatitude day, a blessed day. On those days, what causes my thoughts to turn from blessed to beat down? Can I ignore the spilled milk and go about my day contented, extending goodwill to others?

God wrote the ultimate Contentment Manual, so this study guide, A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment, serves only as a supplement. We’ll consider how biblical characters faced their ordinary days, their disappointments, and their triumphs. You’ll read first-person accounts of current believers and sidle up to their mishaps and successes to see anew how prayer, trust, and, praise undergirds contentment.

Journey with me and let’s discover what—or better yet—Who, nurtures contentment within each of us.

….Cathy Messecar

Chapter One

A STILL AND QUIET SOUL

~ Contentment ~

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:2

The psalmist’s reflections about quieting himself waltzed around in my heart for months. They slow-danced with questions about contentment, but the waltz faltered when I remembered the many difficulties in life. Soon, the waltz stopped completely, as I imagined contentment wrapping her arms around tragic events. How is it possible for contentment and tragedies to remain in rhythm?

Allow your mind to dwell on contentment for a week or so and questions will surface. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve experienced enough of life to know that learning contentment is worth the journey.

Consider the psalmist’s portrayal of his quieted soul:

My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.cathymessecar.com/ or http://stainedlgasspickup.blogspot.com// or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cathy.messecar or Twitter: scribbler2854 or my co-authored Christmas blog. We post from July-December http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Cathy, for this interesting glimpse into your life.

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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

BATHSHEBA - Jill Eileen Smith - Free Book

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

I love biblical fiction. When I was in my teens, I read Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. When I closed the last page on that book, I thought, “These people were real!” I fell in love with the Bible after that and have loved biblical fiction ever since. I hope my stories do the same for my readers.

I loved that book, too. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’m not sure I could pinpoint just one happy day. Some of my happiest days have involved my marriage, the birth of my children, seeing my sons come to faith in Christ, and so much more. Impossible to choose just one!

How has being published changed your life?

I’m busy in a different way. When my boys were young, I homeschooled them. Life was full and never dull! I was also learning the craft of writing during those years, so I was always working at something. Now my work centers more on writing, answering emails, keeping up with social networks and maintaining in person and online friendships. I worked myself out of a job in my first homeschooling mom career. I’m grateful that God has given me another to take its place.

What are you reading right now?

I’m studying Isaac and Rebekah’s story in the Old Testament and reading Matthew in the New. I usually have several books going at once – fiction and non-fiction. A recent read was Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Loved it!

What is your current work in progress?

Rebekah (working title) book two in The Wives of the Patriarchs series.

Sounds interesting. What would be your dream vacation?

Hmm…I took my dream vacation in 2008 when we went to Israel. I would go back in a heartbeat. California holds a special place in my heart, and I would like to visit more cities there, particularly Carmel-by-the-Sea. I would love to see Europe someday too, and if the Middle East is ever peaceful, I’d enjoy touring the ancient ruins of Babylon to explore the history of ancient Mesopotamia (my setting for this series).

I've been to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's lovely. How do you choose your settings for each book?

The Bible chooses the settings for me. The Wives of King David series had its settings in ancient Jerusalem, ancient Gibeah, ancient Philistia, and ancient Judea. The Wives of the Patriarchs is set back 1000 years in ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and ancient Canaan.

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

Steven Spielberg. I would like to pitch him the idea of making Bathsheba into a feature film. :-) (A girl needs those fantasy dreams.)

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I haven’t done much else lately! I like to watch movies and listen to music. In the past I have crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched, done picture scrapbooking, and I enjoy sitting down to play the piano. I like to bake now and then too.

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

Plotting is hardest for me – gives me a headache every time! But my current obstacle is getting to know characters in the Bible of whom very little is said. The only way I’ve been able to figure out who these people were is through much prayer and much research.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Study the craft and write what you love. There are no shortcuts to becoming a professional author. Writing is hard work and like any other profession it takes study and perseverance to improve. When I taught piano, my students had to start at the beginning, learn the basics, and practice, practice, practice. Those who didn’t, did not progress. Writers write and the only way to improve is to write, write, write. It’s worth the effort if you love what you’re doing. If you don’t love the journey, you will not enjoy the end result.

Tell us about the featured book.

Bathsheba’s story is one of misplaced longings and life-altering choices. Like many women today, Bathsheba came from a military household. Her father and her husband were both captains in King David’s elite forces, which probably meant they saw a fair bit of action, leaving Bathsheba often alone. For a woman of her day with no children at that time, her husband’s absences were great breeding ground for discontent. For David’s part, he had reached the pinnacle of his career and grown accustomed to wealth and power. Her loneliness and his arrogance led to some devastating choices.

David got what he wanted when he took Bathsheba, but at great cost. In the end, both David and Bathsheba had to learn the redemptive power of God’s grace and the true meaning of love.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jerusalem, 994 BC

Darkness curtained the sky, hiding the stars, sheltering Bathsheba in the inner courtyard of her home. She clutched the soft linen towel to her chest, shivering, while Uriah stood with his back to her, a sentry guarding her privacy.

“Of course you must do this, but hurry, dear wife.” His mischievous tone heated her blood. Suddenly the chilly spring breeze seeping from her bare feet to the rest of her robe-draped body didn’t seem quite so cold.

“Yes, husband. Would you like to help?” Her tone teased him, and she took courage from his own playful manner. She had Tirzah, her maid, to pour the water over her head, but if he was in such a hurry to be with her . . .

He turned to face her, his dark eyes pools of interest. She had never suggested such a thing before. Tirzah always helped her do this. It was a woman’s place, a woman’s ritual. Would his strict adherence to the law of Moses let him help her?

Did she want him to?

She pulled the robe tighter about her, watching him. He seemed to be assessing her question, and she knew him well…


You can download and read chapter one at http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com/ on Bathsheba’s home page.

I love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jilleileensmith.com/
http://www.thewivesofkingdavid.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Eileen-Smith/10924241028?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JillEileenSmith

Thank you, Jill, for this glimpse into your life and work. I can hardly wait for my book to come.
 
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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, EVEN ON BAD HAIR DAYS - Free Book

Today is a really fun interview with the authors of this devotional book. I love each one of these women, and I know this devotional will lift you up and keep you laughing.

Sandie Bricker’s interview:

Have you written other nonfiction books?

I'm the team leader on Summerside's line of devotionals. We have another one coming out later in the year with Trish and me, along with Loree Lough (from Be Still) and Cynthia Ruchti, the newcomer to our team.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I'm working on three more novels to follow last year's Always the Baker Never the Bride, all of which will be set in the wedding destination hotel of the original. The first sequel (Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride) is due out this fall.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I'm an armchair interior designer, addicted to HGTV. I'm also an activist for dog rescues and the humane treatment of animals, as well as an avid fundraiser for ovarian cancer research. In fact, a portion of the proceeds of each of the devotionals, including this one, will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for their ongoing effort to find an effective diagnostic tool and eventual cure for ovarian cancer. I'm a survivor of the disease,as is my co-author, Diann Hunt, so it's a very personal battle for me.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

We're writing these fun, contemporary devotionals to minister to women just like us--busy women with a real need for finding a way to keep our relationship with the Lord at the forefront of everything else. My prayerful hope is that every woman who reads our book will be blessed in that way, reminded that there's hope beyond the storm, and able to take even just a few quick moments to remember His love.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Web stie: http://www.sandradbricker.com/
Blog: http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Sandie Bricker

Kristin Billerbeck’s Interview:

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

My journey is nothing like I thought it would be!

Tell us about your family.

I have four incredible children. Three boys (16, 15, 12) and one lovely daughter (10). I LOVE teenagers and pre-teens and I know this isn't normal, but they are so interesting and funny and delightful. I can't wait to see what they all turn out to be. We also have an adorable Yorkie-Pom named Fiona who sits under my desk while I write.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

Yes, I wrote Facing Terror with Carrie McDonnell, an Iraqi missionary who was the only survivor of a terrorist attack that killed her husband and three other missionaries.

I didn't know that, Kristin. Interesting. Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Yes, Perfectly Invisible, a young adult novel for Revell; A Billion Reasons Why, a romance for Thomas Nelson and Smitten, a novella with Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter and Colleen Coble.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I knit while my sixteen year old and I watch "Ghosthunters." He's a fact man and fills me in on all the history beyond the show. It's a great segue into spiritual discussions. Something you're not likely to get regularly from a teenager.

Why did you write the featured book?

Ovarian cancer, which this book will benefit, is very personal to me. Not only have I watched two friends struggle through it, but my Nana was diagnosed with it years ago. I prayed while she was in surgery. Her Stanford oncologist said her body was riddled with the cancer. I'll never forget his face as he stripped off his surgical cap and said, "Nothing. There was no cancer." I want all ovarian cancer to end this way and that's the reason I feel so strongly about this devotional and what it can do for awareness for the disease.

I, too, have had close family members and friends with this terrible disease. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I want them to enjoy their time with God. It shouldn't be pulling teeth to spend time with the One who loves you immeasurably.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Website: http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/
Twitter: KristinBeck

Diann Hunt’s Interview:

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’m a two-time cancer survivor and am thankful for every breath I take! God has miraculously given me the gift of joy and I praise Him for my life, all of it, the good and the bad (though I have to say I enjoyed the good part a whole lot more). I’m thankful for eyebrows, eyelashes and two-inch hair! :-) Mostly, I’m thankful for YOU and the opportunity to serve you.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married for thirty-five wonderful years. We have a daughter, son and six grandchildren (five girls, one boy, bless him). We love to spend time together and do so every chance we get.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

No, this is my first nonfiction book. Though I love to read nonfiction as well as fiction.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Yes, I’ve recently finished my fiction book, Love Letters in the Sand that is scheduled to release this summer with Summerside Press. It’s a warm-hearted romance set in 1957.

I really want to feature that book on this blog, too. What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love to read, knit, study God’s Word and journal.  I also love to spoil our grandkids. :-)

Me, too, all of the above. Why did you write the featured book?

I battled ovarian cancer this past year, and it was a way I could give back. Knowing part of the proceeds would go to ovarian cancer research was a huge motivator for me. I want to alert other women to guard their health. Also, I’ve always wanted to write devotionals to encourage the busy woman, who doesn’t always get that extra time for study, to find golden nuggets of truth and apply them to her life.  Though I hasten to say this book is not meant to be the full meal for anyone. It’s a snack until you have time to sit down to a feast before the Lord. :-)

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

The JOY of the Lord is her strength. Life is hard but God is always good. Stay in the Word. Trust Him. Enjoy the journey!

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

My website: http://www.diannhunt.com/
My blog with four other authors:  http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com/ 
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/diann.hunt

Debby Mayne’s interview:

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’m a habitual eavesdropper. Everywhere I go, I listen to conversations around me, and sometimes I can’t help but interject my thoughts. Most people don’t seem to mind, and I’ve made some very good friends when they realize I’m harmless.

You are so funny. Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to Wally for more than 30 years. We have two beautiful adult daughters, a handsome son-in-law, and the cutest little granddaughter ever.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

I was one of the writers of Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry that came out in 2009.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Sweet Baklava from Abingdon Press released in March 2011. I’m finishing Unlikely Match, the third Heartsong Presents in a series set in the Sarasota, Florida, Mennonite community. This book will go to book club members in December 2011 (Shades of the Past came out in March 2011, and Trusting Her Heart in September 2011). Next fall, Appalachian Weddings, Barbour’s 3-in-1 Heartsong Presents repack of my West Virginia series will be available in stores. Trish Perry and I are working on an anthology for Summerside Press entitled Love Finds You on Christmas Morning that will be out in September 2011. Waaaaay in the future—2013 and 2014—I have a women’s fiction series coming out with Abingdon Press. The first three books in the “Class Reunion” series are All Prettied Up at the Cut ‘n Curl, Fancy Is as Fancy Does, and Stylin’ with Ms. Prissy Big Hair.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

My absolute favorite pastime is reading. I love to go for long walks around alligator-infested swampland (I live in Florida) and on the beach at sunset (the West Coast of Florida). I enjoy playing a lot of different sports, but I’m not very good at any of them.

Why did you write the featured book?

I had such a wonderful experience with Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry, there was no way I could turn down the opportunity to work on the Bad Hair book. I’m fans of all the other authors, making this experience even more fun! I pray that our stories will speak to women, and I think they will because we shared so many different experiences. I also like the fact that we’re donating some of the proceeds to OCRF because this organization has helped so many women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I want women to enjoy our stories, see that they’re not alone in the trials of life, and find something in the scripture verse and prayer as they read each devotion.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Website: http://www.debbymayne.com/
Blog: http://www.debbymayne.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Debby Tisdale Mayne

Trish Perry’s Interview:

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’d like them to know that I love people, I love to laugh, and I feel amazingly blessed by the life God has given me. Honestly. Sometimes I can’t believe how kind and generous He’s been to me. I wish every one of my readers a life as blessed as mine.

Tell us about your family.

I have a gorgeous adult daughter who’s the most upbeat young woman I know. She’s married to a terrific young man who actually loves to communicate conflicts away (can you imagine?), and they live (with my hilarious grandson) about an hour away from me. And my sweet, brilliant son is a freshman in college, studying cinema. He’d like to make films like Lord of the Rings and Braveheart. My kids are amazing people—they’re my friends for life.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

No! I never thought I would enjoy it. But I thoroughly loved writing these devotionals, especially because of the many things God revealed to me while I researched each verse.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Yes, I have two books releasing in the spring of 2011 (Unforgettable, with Summerside Press, and Tea for Two, with Harvest House Publishers). I have a Christmas release—Love Finds You on Christmas Morning, with Summerside—in September 2011, which Debby Mayne and are writing together. I’m on another devotional team for the follow-up to Bad Hair, and I’m writing a novella (working title: “Labor of Love”) for a Barbour Publishing collection with the working title of The Midwife’s Legacy. That has a March 2012 release date.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Naturally, I’m a big reading fan, of nearly every genre, both inspirational and secular. And I love good films and funny or intriguing television shows. Time spent with my local girlfriends is a real treat, and I do that whenever we’re all able to fit our schedules together.

Why did you write the featured book?

I was impressed with Summerside’s Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry, so when I was invited to join the Bad Hair girls, I jumped at the chance. I had written a single devotion here and there in the past, but never so many as this. I thought it would be an enjoyable change of scenery from fiction, and I was right. I’ve loved getting to know my fellow authors on this project. Wonderful women! And I think the devotionals will touch a lot of hearts and make readers laugh on occasion as well!

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I’ve been using Be Still as my daily devotional for the past couple of weeks, and I hope readers will experience with Bad Hair what I have with Be Still. Even though each day features a single verse, I’ve been reading the entire chapter from which each devotional verse is taken. So I’ve felt deeply enmeshed in God’s Word and direction before reading the application each day. The application provided through the devotional has been like a delectable dessert each morning. I’m amazed at how often an issue in my life has been addressed either by something in that Bible chapter or by something the devotional author has written. I hope the Bad Hair readers experience that same sweetness each day.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Website: http://www.trishperry.com/
Facebook: Trish Hawley Perry

Wow! Ladies, this has been a really 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

DIAGNOSIS DEATH - Richard Mabry - Free Book

I read this book before it released, and it is awesome. I love Richard's medical suspense novels. Welcome, Richard, God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I feel like I’ve been on a fast ride. Diagnosis Death is my third novel published in the space of twelve months. The fourth, Lethal Remedy, will come out in September, and after that things should slow down. I’m working on proposals for a couple of novels, and waiting to see what doors God will open next.

Tell us a little about your family.

As you know, my first wife passed away in 1999 after forty years of marriage, and I was devastated. But God has blessed me once more with the love of a wonderful woman, and Kay and I have recently celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. She deserves a great deal of credit for keeping me on an even keel.

We have five grandchildren, three boys and two girls ranging from 12 to 2 years of age, and because they all live in the region, we stay busy with grand-parenting duties. But they keep us young.

I know what you mean. We have two grandsons, two granddaughters, from 25 to 15, and one great grandson, who is alomost 4. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Well, it’s taken away some of the time I used to spend reading for pleasure. And it definitely has changed the way I read. Alton Gansky, in one of the first workshops I attended, said, “If you start writing, you’ll never read the same way again.” And he was right. When I read a novel, I’m always aware of how an author draws me into the book and keeps my interest. Unfortunately, I’ve also become much more aware of slip-ups like shifting point of view and use of the passive voice.

What are you working on right now?

I have two projects, one of which is another medical thriller featuring a male protagonist, a physician, and a strong female character, an attorney. He wakes up from a head injury and finds himself accused of murder, but has no idea why. The other is a bit of a departure from my usual “medical suspense with heart,” in which I interweave the stories of three main characters: a female doctor whose marriage is crumbling, a male medical student who’s struggling with life decisions, and a nurse who’s fighting for her life.

They both sound interesting to me. What outside interests do you have?

Since the death of my first wife, a good friend and I have played golf every Wednesday. We’re heretics, because we don’t keep score and have no qualms hitting another ball after a bad shot. Kay and I are active in our church, Stonebriar Community Church, where we are involved in a home fellowship and help facilitate the new member class. And, of course, there’s grand-parenting.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’ve chosen to set my books in the area I know: North Texas. All take place either in Dallas or in a fictitious smaller city that I’ve put together from experience in my hometown, the city where I attended college, and the suburb where I’ve lived. It certainly cuts down on my research.

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

A novelist has to be able to drop clues into the work and at the end put them together, much like a doctor interpreting a history and looking over lab test results. I’d like to spend an evening with Sir William Osler, the father of modern medical diagnosis. I think it would be fascinating to hear some of the pearls he’d impart.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Wow, just one? I guess it would be that the craft of writing isn’t simple, and once you have mastered the fundamentals it’s going to require hours and hours and hours of writing before it eventually starts to come together. Maybe that would have kept me from being so impatient.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Every day can present a challenge or a reward, and I have to be prepared for either and accept them both with grace.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Learn the fundamentals from people who communicate them accurately.
Write, write, write. Then have the work critiqued by someone who’s knowledgeable, and revise it.
Be patient. Never submit a book until you’ve polished it as well as you can. You only have one chance with agents and editors.

Tell us about the featured book.

The whispers about Dr. Elena Gardner said “mercy killer.” It starts with her husband’s death in the ICU, continues when another patient under her care dies, and eventually drives her to another city. But a change of scenery doesn’t stop the rumors or the midnight phone calls. Why doesn’t she defend herself? What’s her secret?

Please give us the first page of the book.

She stood by his bedside and waited for him to die.

Outside the room, the machines and monitors of the ICU hummed and beeped, doctors and nurses went about their business, and the hospital smell—equal parts antiseptic and despair—hung heavy in the air.

With one decisive move she flipped the switch of the respirator and stilled the machine’s rhythmic chuffing. In the silence that followed, she imagined she could hear his heartbeat fade away.

She kissed him and exhaled what passed for a prayer, her lips barely moving as she asked for peace and forgiveness—for him and for her.

She stood for a moment with her head bowed, contemplating the enormity of her action. Then she pocketed the empty syringe from the bedside table and tiptoed out of the room.

I'm telling you, Readers, you won't want to miss this one. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://rmabry.com/. I blog twice a week at Random Jottings: http://rmabry.blogspot.com/. And I’m on Facebook and Twitter as RichardMabry.

Thanks for spending this time with us, Richard.

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.

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YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW - Catherine West - Free Book

Bio:
Educated in Bermuda, England, and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released March 15th, through OakTara Publishers.

I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend Catherine West with her debut novel. So tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I suppose there is a bit of me in my characters, but I don’t think a great deal. I like to write about unique characters, and most of them do things I would never do!

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, I’m not really a ‘quirky’ kind of gal, but I guess recently – I decided to make my launch party into a ‘60’s themed party, since that is when the book takes place. I’m sure my friends and family think that is pretty quirky!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always loved to write. I think probably after I completed my first full length novel in my twenties, and my sister-in-law, an avid reader, told me it was as good as anything she was currently reading.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love to read romance, CBA and secular. I love general fiction as well as some historicals. I love British Fiction as well, Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy, Barbara Taylor Bradford.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I take breaks by walking with my dog, gardening, reading and watching movies. And of course prayer helps!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes this is easy and they pretty much tell me who they are. Other times I’ll pick names and end up changing them after a few weeks of writing. I try to go for unique names, but not ‘weird’ ones. Most of the time they’re pretty ordinary though.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Right now I’m most proud of my first published novel. I had a lot of hard days when I honestly didn’t think it would happen. I’m really pleased I stuck with it.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’m a dog person, so I’d have to say dog. They are loyal, faithful, happy, and always eager to please.

What is your favorite food?

I love a roast lamb dinner, and of course anything Italian is just fine with me!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I started out writing in past tense and head-hopping, so I had to work really hard to overcome those habits.

Tell us about the featured book.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow

Vietnam, 1967

Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something.

Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they’re forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts.

Please give us the first page of the book.

There is a Prologue, but this is from Chapter One.

Chapter One

February 1967, Saigon, Vietnam.

Kristin shuffled along in the line of travel-weary passengers as they exited the plane. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the daylight, shook off sleep and gripped the handrail of the metal steps. When her shoes hit the tarmac of Tan Son Nhut airport, her hand went to the intricately carved cross that hung around her neck. She rubbed the thick gold between her thumb and forefinger and took in her surroundings.

The early morning sun’s rays jack-knifed off the tarred surface. A stifling heat sliced through her sneakers, raced through her, and smothered her in its welcoming embrace.

Teddy was right. It was hotter than hell.

The pungent smell of gasoline flooded her senses and stung her eyes. Kristin pulled on dark sunglasses, tried not to breathe too deeply, and looked down the runway. She stepped aside to let others pass as she surveyed the area, the slow thumping of her heart picking up its pace as she began taking mental notes.

Aircraft of varying description lined the blacktop. Everything seemed larger in real life, from helicopters to small fighter jets to the Pan American Boeing 707 that had brought her here. Gray, green, and brown flying machines blended together in an impressive show of US military power.

It was impossible to imagine jumping aboard any of them. Or jumping out.

Army personnel moved smoothly around the aircrafts, refueling and working on engines. Rows of enlisted men lined up to board a larger plane also being loaded with cargo. Soldiers sweating in the heat heaved supplies on to the plane’s cave-like interior. Commanding Officers barked like dogs to be heard over the noise as they rounded up their companies. She scanned the groups of soldiers and searched their faces. Some looked anxious, their eyes shifty even as their bodies remained stiff, while others seemed impassive, stone-faced and resolute as they stood between the world they knew and a world gone crazy.

During a lull in the activity on the tarmac, a low rumbling somewhere off in the distance reached her ears. Her throat tightened as she turned toward the outline of mountains beyond the airstrip.

The sound of war needed no introduction.

Very gripping. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Cathy’s Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com/
Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com/



Thank you, Catherine, 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Winners!!! Yea!!! Winners!!!

Several people who left comments weren't included in the drawing, because they didn't read all the instructions and follow them. You must tell where you live, at least the region.

Robyn (NE) is the winner of Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis.
Lindsey (Pacific NW) is the winner of A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell.
Bluerose (AL) is the winner of Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall.
Michelle (KY) is the winner of Jersey Brides by Laurie Alice Eakes.
Rbooth43 (NC) is the winner of The Mountains Bow Down by Sibello Giorello.

If you won a book, please give the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, or other Internet sites. Thank you.


Congratulations, everyone. Send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
Remember, you have 6 weeks to claim your book.
If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

THE DMZ - Jeanette Windle - Free Book

Welcome, Jeanette. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

While everything in my novels is based on actual occurrences and the situation on the ground of the countries about which I write, it certainly doesn't all come from my own life. A good example: depictions of the Colombian guerrilla camps in The DMZ came not from my own experience, but from personal friends who did spend up to years in captivity.

However, one advantage of having traveled in thirty+ countries on five continents is that I can pull a lot of sights and sounds and smells from my own memory banks as well as research and interviews. More importantly, the emotional and spiritual threads of my novels and their protagonists have been birthed very definitely from the life journeys through which God has taken me and the spiritual battles and lessons involved. In The DMZ in particular, the missionary kid journalist returning to the guerrilla zones where she grew up was definitely birthed from my own life, the small Colombian town described the same one where I spent my teen years, now in the middle of a guerrilla zone.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

This is a hard question to answer because I am a cautious person, as is necessary for survival in the less-than-safe corners of the planet I've wandered, and the adventures of my life have been thrust upon me rather than ever being deliberately chosen. Other than the quirkiness of choosing to be a political-suspense novelist, of all the bizarre career choices to follow, perhaps shooting Andes river rapids on an inner-tube without helmet or life jacket is something I did routinely growing up that I'd never let my kids do. Though at the time, it was just a typical day's outing for a bunch of missionary kids at a South American boarding school--and lots of fun!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I don't recall ever really discovering that I was a writer. As a child I was too busy reading and writing to think about it. The missionary kid school I attended in the Venezuelan Andes put great emphasis on literature and proper composition, and we were doing term papers with footnotes by junior high. But that excellent grounding in the language arts was definitely the foundation of any writing skills I have today.

I published my first short story in college, then put aside writing largely as I married, went into full-time ministry, the mission field, and had children. I wrote my first book literally out of boredom. My husband and I were the only Americans at the time in the southern Bolivia city where we were living. While my husband was on traveling through the Andes mountain for two weeks at a time. I was stuck at home with three preschoolers, no car, TV, radio. Once my preschoolers were in bed, I had only the handful of English-language books I’d read dozens of times. I finally decided if I had nothing to read, I’d write a book instead. That became Kathy and the Redhead, a children’s novel based on my growing-up years at an American missionary kid boarding school in the Andes mountains of Venezuela.

Writing the book reawakened in me the love of writing I'd laid aside, and I never stopped writing again, first as a missions journalist, then seven other children's books before making the leap to the adult political-suspense novels I write today.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I am an eclectic reader and will read anything of any genre as long as it is superbly written. Much depends what I’m currently writing. A few months ago my nightstand was filled with books related to Afghanistan, where my last two novels, Veiled Freedom and Freedom's Stand, take place. Now for the same reason, it is filled with non-fiction and fiction related to the Congo. I read several books a week and enjoy all the most recent best-sellers as well as re-reading or discovering classics. Because I read so quickly and am constantly out of reading material, I LOVE having other readers inform me of a book they have loved and which I’ve yet to read—so feel free to send me recommendations.

When it comes to inspirational reading, Max Lucado is by far my favorite with beautiful prose and deep spiritual content. In other areas a few favorites are: 1) historical fiction: M. M. Kaye, Kenneth Roberts, Leon Uris; 2) political/suspense: Frederick Forsyth, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Alistair McClain, Robin Cook; 3) Science fiction: J.R.R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Patricia McKillip, Robin McKinley, C.S. Lewis; 4) Mystery: Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Stewart, Madelaine Brent, Georgette Heyer; 5) Romance--I must say I'm still a sucker for a good Georgette Heyer, though all mine were tattered years ago; 6) Westerns: Louis L'Amour is the only one I read, but he is good enough to convert even a non-Western fan; 7) General fiction: Chaim Potok's The Promise and The Chosen; When The Legends Die--there too many to even begin to start. And, of course, the entire range of classics.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Have I kept my sanity? Hmm, is this interview real or a figment of imagination? In reality, though I do enjoy traveling, speaking and other aspects of ministry, I need serious downtime completely away from other human beings to maintain my sanity. When I am off the road, I retreat into virtual isolation into my own home (my kids are grown and gone other than a 19 year old daughter who is rarely in the house, so it is just my husband and me). That is when I can read, pray, meditate--and write. Too much time spent on the run, and I lose my creative abilities as well as my sanity. Too much time in isolation, and I get restless for human input. Keeping a balance on both is always the challenge.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

The phone book. Seriously! Having spent much of my life in Latin America, the names that always jump to mind when I am trying to think of one for my characters are Spanish. To get variety and the right ethnic background for my characters, I often find myself skimming through the phone book. Though if it is an unusual background--Afghan, Iranian, German--I will also Google the country and read through the names of government ministers, etc. to get ideas of first and last names, then put together a combination of those.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

That is quite a question since I've never considered anything I've done a particularly noteworthy accomplishment. Beyond the delights and challenges of raising to adulthood four children while maintaining reasonable sanity, I would say that the achievements that bring me most joy--and they are hardly mine, but God's!--are the human souls, especially the children, I've seen come to Christ during thirty-plus years now of ministry. When I first opened a FaceBook account a year or so back, I was astounded to get an FB message from Bolivia, where we served in missions for sixteen years. The writer posted: "Do you remember when you were my AWANA commander in Sucre [Bolivian highlands]? When I was ten years old, you were the first person ever to tell me I could possibly become a pastor someday. I am sending you a picture of my church. I am now the senior pastor."

As a non-techie, I will admit to reluctance in jumping on the social network bandwagon, but I have been delighted to hear from so many children and adults with whom I've ministered around the world who are now serving God in ministry, as pastors, even missionaries--and who most astoundingly now have access to internet and FaceBook in their distant corners of the planet. They are one achievement I can look forward to rejoicing over face-to-face when we all reach heaven-side.

One of my favorite things about social networking is connecting with people I've not seen for a while. What is your favorite food?

I have no favorite foods, books, movies, colors, places, or anything else. One side effect of spending my life in a constantly changing landscape in dozens of countries is an enjoyment of the wide variety God has placed on this planet in all categories. On the flip side, I will admit I am easily bored by sameness and love to experience anything new, including foods.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Lack of time has by far been my greatest roadblock. As a missionary and journalist in full-time ministry, with small children in my earlier years as a writer, now simply with a busy travel and speaking schedule, it is not easy to block out solid chunks of time for writing, especially since I need absolute quiet and solitude to write creatively.

I wish I could say I have overcome it, but in truth I would have far more books written if I had. What I have done is to be consistent that every day I am not on the road or have some other scheduled conflict, I am at my computer by 7 AM, getting in a full day of writing on my latest major manuscript. I save smaller writing and edit jobs for when I am on the road and/or speaking since I can do these with more interruptions.

Tell us about the featured book.

The DMZ is set in the background of the Colombian guerrilla zones, where I grew up, and the astonishing true-life alliance between leftist rebels and Islamic extremist groups there. Its theme might be summed up by a statement made by one of the characters in the book: "Those who are not willing to bleed and die for what they hold dear will always be held captive by those who are."

A brief synopsis of the story: When the US loses three major military assets in Colombia within weeks, attention turns to the Colombian demilitarized zone, a Switzerland-sized piece of territory handed over to the guerrillas in the vain hope it would make them start talking peace. The death of three American environmentalist activists in the same area bring a UN inspection/media team to the scene, including environmental journalist Julie Baker. For Julie it is at once a career opportunity of a lifetime and a revisiting of old hurts and terrors as she returns to the place of her birth—and her parents’ deaths at the guerrilla hands.

As Julie’s probing unleashes a terrorist plot that spans from the rainforests of Colombia to the Middle East and thevery heartland of America, she must confront resurging issues from her own past. Does God have a right to demand our total sacrifice? Does He have the right to demand our sacrifice of those we love? "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds . . . If anyone comes to me and does not hate (count as of lesser importance) his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple (John 12:24; Luke 14:26). Are these just words or a philosophy of life God seriously expects us to apply beyond our comfortable suburban neighborhoods?

When Julie’s own abduction sets off a time bomb that has been ticking under the figurative feet of the United States for more than a decade, her answer to these questions becomes the catalyst that will determine the future course of at least two countries, if not the entire world.

Sounds interesting. We have spent time on mission trips in Latin America. Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE
April 1991, the Persian Gulf:

He brooded.

The top floor of the air control tower gave a clear view of war’s devastation. Craters pocked the concrete runways. Where buildings once had stood, hills of rubble thrust up surrealistic silhouettes. The burned-out skeletons of troop transports and aircraft lay scattered like scavenger-stripped carcasses. Even at this distance, he could smell the noxious clouds belching upward at a dozen points on the horizon—the burning refineries and factories that once had fueled his war machine.

It was no consolation that other parts of his country—most of it, in fact—still lived untouched to fight another day.

Cold fury etched its acid through his stomach and up his esophagus. What enraged him most was that his one-time allies had done this. The Americans before had been only too happy to help him build the finest offensive force in the Middle East. They had encouraged him to turn that force upon his neighbor to the east. He had done what they asked—neutralized that neighbor who had been such a thorn in the Americans’ flesh as well as his own.

So why this?

The answer was simple. The Americans were treacherous, lying, greedy manipulators. A people without honor.

Well…they would learn that he was not some dog to be whistled for when they had a task to be done, then quickly kicked away when his objectives no longer matched their own.

Okay, I'm wondering abou this character. Thank goodness, my copy of the book is here. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

Thank you, Jeanette, 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

AT THE CAPTAIN'S COMMAND - Louise Gouge - Free Boon

So glad to welcome you back to my blog, dear friend. Tell us about your salvation experience.

Lena, there never was a time in my life when I didn’t know for certain that Jesus was my Savior. I remember going to Sunday school when I was very small, and our sweet teacher told our class about God’s salvation. I believed with the innocence of a child, and from that time on, I loved learning about Jesus. At first, John 3:16 was the verse that I loved the most because it encapsulates all the Truth of salvation. Then I fell in love with Ephesians 1:6, “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” What a precious truth. Finally, Psalm 47:4 says, “He shall choose our inheritance for us.” I believe that means God has chosen a path for each of us, and to seek and follow that path leads to the greatest joy in life and for eternity.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Because I write historical fiction, I would love to sit down with authors of the past whose work I admire and who have influenced me. I would choose Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, and Lew Wallace. The first three are English authors who really understood human nature, both good and evil, and the tragedy that strict social structures can cause. Wallace wrote Ben Hur after spending several years trying to prove God did not exist. At the end of his journey, he found Jesus, just like his character. These authors could tell me what life was truly like in their time periods, and with that knowledge, I could write more realistic stories.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I do have a speaking ministry, but it’s not the typical kind. I teach Composition and Humanities at a community college, and I begin each class with a “thought for the day.” Sometimes these are Bible verses or quotations from great Bible teachers, other times they are words of wisdom from secular sources that reflect biblical truths. In my course work, I assign stories that honor God. In classroom discussions, I try to draw out Christian students and give them the opportunity to share their faith. While I can’t preach to my students, I do try to be a light for the Lord in my fairness and (I hope) kindness to each student.

Sounds like a delightful class. 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 people the same thing my friend said in 1984 when I told her I wanted to write a book: Go home and write it! So I did. Then, after going back to college and getting my degree in creative writing, I was able to edit that book, and it became my first publishing credit. I always tell people, “If I can do it, you can do it. So go do it!

Tell us about the featured book.

At the Captain’s Command is the third book in my Revolutionary War series with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical line. Loyal to the British Crown, orphaned Dinah Templeton has vowed never to marry a seafaring man, for her father died at sea and her merchant captain brother is always away. But when Captain Thomas Moberly sails into St. Augustine to defend the East Florida shores from American pirates, Dinah finds that her heart may overrule her head regarding this seafarer. Captain Thomas Moberly, captain of HMS Dauntless, has been assigned to capture the notorious American pirate Nighthawk, who plagues the Atlantic coast of East Florida. War-weary and hoping for a refreshing visit with his brother and sister, who live near St. Augustine, Thomas never expects to find love. But how can he resist the lovely Miss Templeton, even though she is what his father, Lord Bennington, would call a common American?

An intriguing story idea. Please give us the first page of the book.

May 1780
St. Augustine, East Florida Colony

The instant Dinah saw the three naval officers, she ducked into the mercantile and hid among the stacks of goods. To her relief, the men, grandly uniformed in indigo wool, gold braid, and black bicorne hats, continued up St. George Street. Yet she could not help but notice the well-formed profile of the captain among them. A strong jaw. High cheekbones. Jet-black hair tied back in a queue. She wondered what color his eyes were.

What was she thinking? She quickly turned her attention to a display of awls and knives laid out on a shelf.

"How may I help you, Miss Templeton?" The rotund, middle-aged proprietor approached her, admiration gleaming in his dark eyes. "Some silk for a new gown, perhaps? My latest shipment of lace has arrived and—"

"No, thank you." Dinah lifted her basket of lavender flowers from her arm and held it like a shield as the widower moved closer. Coming in here had been a mistake.

"I do not require anything." Tension tightening in her chest, she hurried toward the door.

He reached it first, and his eyebrows arched. "I have tea from China and…"

Dinah drew herself up to her full height and lifted her chin. "Please allow me to pass, Mr. Waterston."

I can hardly wait to read it, and my copy arrived today. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://blog.louisemgouge.com/. I’m also on Goodreads.

Thank you, Lena, for having me as your guest!

My pleasure, Louise. Come back anytime.
 
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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

BOUND BY GUILT - C. J. Darlington - Free Book

Welcome back, C. J. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I try to write the type of books I would like to read. One of my favorite genres is suspense, so there’s usually a thread of that in my stories. But I’m also drawn toward deep characters and situations that demand a lot out of them. I love stories where hurting people find hope and forgiveness. Through my writing I hope to share the Greatest Story Ever Told by showing no one’s ever too far gone for God. It only takes one step back to Him, or one step toward Him you’ve never taken, to find yourself wrapped in His loving arms.

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

One of the most exciting days in my life so far was when Jerry B. Jenkins announced my first novel Thicker than Blood as the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. For so many years I’d dreamed of sharing my fiction with readers, but winning the contest made the dream come true. I’ll never forget that.

I'm sure you won't. How has being published changed your life?

It’s allowed me to share the stories that have been crowding my head for years. That’s a wonderful blessing. But I’m the same person now that I was before I was published. I think a misconception people have about being published is that it will change your life.

I know what you mean. I'm still a wife, mother, grandmother, cook, etc. I just happen to write novels. What are you reading right now?

Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the trials people with Lyme disease often face. And you know it’s realistic as Brandilyn herself was healed from this awful disease several years ago.

I know. I was one of the authors who took part in the 24-hour prayer vigil for her. What a blessing! What is your current work in progress?

I just finished the rough draft of my third novel. About to start work on the next draft. I’m not under contract for it yet, and I can’t say a lot about the plot, but if you enjoyed Thicker than Blood and Bound by Guilt, I think you’ll enjoy this one too. Stay tuned!

I can hardly wait to hear the good news. What would be your dream vacation?

An RV trip to Colorado. I’ve done it before and it was a blast! I love the Rocky Mountains. Someday I’d also love to spend a week on a working cattle or horse ranch. Not a dude ranch, but a real working ranch where I’d be put to work like anyone else. I don’t know how much help I’d be, but I’d work my tail off for the experience!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

One of the major settings in both Thicker than Blood and Bound by Guilt is a huge used and rare bookstore called Dawson’s Book Barn. This store is based on the very first bookstore I scouted for as a teenager. That’s my day job---selling used and rare books. So I drew from things I’d experienced or heard others experience for this setting.

The other setting is the fictional town of Elk Valley, Colorado. It’s based on a real town I visited and fell in love with in southern Colorado. I love the West, and I knew I had to write about it.

Colorado is one of my favorite states to visit. If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

There’s a horse trainer named Mark Rashid who I would love to sit and watch work with horses. He does clinics, but none of them are near me this year. I know I’d learn a lot by observing.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

In the past two years I’ve been learning about horses and have taken up horseback riding again. I took lessons as a kid, and my sister and I even had an Appaloosa pony named Raisin as children. I’m enjoying learning about these magnificent animals as an adult. The psychology behind how they think is fascinating.

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

Plotting has been difficult in the past, but I’m learning how to overcome that. Writing a fast first draft has helped me tremendously.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write the book of your heart. Don’t worry about publishers, marketing, editors or readers AT ALL in the beginning. You’ll paralyze yourself. Instead, search inside and listen to that still small voice leading you to the story only you can tell. If you aren’t passionate about your story, it will show on the page. Then, once you finish your first book, get moving on to the next! Then whenever you do receive interest from a publisher you’ll have more than one thing to show them.

Tell us about the featured book.

Bound by Guilt is the story of a teen girl named Roxi Gold who’s been in and out of foster care for most of her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in---even if it’s against the law. Soon she finds herself traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Abby Dawson is a cop who’s seen the worst of society, but not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run.

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

“Don’t you ever feel guilty?” Roxi Gold cracked open her icy can of Dr Pepper and took a long sip.

Diego fell into the seat across from her at the RV’s dinette table, opening his own can. Fizz erupted over its side. He licked it away and took a big gulp. “Not like we’re hurting anybody.”

“No, we’re just stealing thousand-dollar books.”

Diego eyed her. “You getting cold feet?”

She bent the silver tab of her soda can back and forth until it broke off in her fingers. A warm breeze blew through the window screen and filled her nose with the scent of dry pine needles. Could that be it? She just didn’t have the guts?

“Any idea how lucky you are?” Diego leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Nothing but the wind at our back, the open road before us . . .”

Roxi managed a smile. He was right. For the past three weeks she’d been traveling with her seventeen-year-old second cousin and his mom, Irene. The thirty-foot RV was like an apartment on wheels. She’d been to places other people only saw on the Internet, experiencing things she’d never forget. Not all of them were earth-shattering, Grand Canyon moments, either. In Flagstaff, Arizona, she’d seen her first bald eagle perched high in a rustic pine, majestic and totally unreal. She even rode in an Amish buggy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“This is our life,” Diego said, raking his hands through his black hair. “And it sure beats standing in line at a book sale for three days like we used to.”

“Doesn’t it ever bother you?”

He chugged down more soda, then belched. “Nope.”

“What if we get caught?”

“Come on, Rox.”

“They’d send me back to juvie.”

Diego leaned forward, both hands holding his drink. “Listen, we’re okay. We’re not gonna be caught. Ma’s careful.”

She downed half of her Dr Pepper in one shot just to keep herself from blabbing. She didn’t want Diego to know how she really felt

I like it. What a hook! I can hardly wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website http://www.cjdarlington.com/ is a great place to start. Thanks very much for having me here, Lena!

My pleasure, C. J. Come back with the next book, too.
 
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