What a blessing to have Denise Hunter return to my blog! Welcome, Denise. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I find myself returning to the theme of forgiveness a lot. Forgiving others as well as forgiving ourselves. It’s a concept that’s easily misunderstood, I think.
I'm often drawn to write about that theme, too. What other books of yours are coming out soon?
The sequel to A COWBOY’S TOUCH, THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE (Thomas Nelson) will release in Jan. 2012. I have a novel-in-four-parts coming out in December 2011. SMITTEN (Thomas Nelson) is a novel I wrote with my best friends (and authors) Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Diann Hunt. It’s about 4 friends who try to save their hometown of Smitten, Vermont, by turning it into a romantic getaway destination. In the process, they all find loves of their own. It was a blast to write a novel with great friends!
I would love to feature both of those books. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
I think I’d have to choose Beth Moore. I’ve done all of her Bible studies—some of them twice—and I already feel like I know her. I admire her love for God and her affection for God’s people. She’s a constant inspiration to me.
I've attended tapings of Life Today with James Robison where he interveiwed Beth Moore and her husband. I admire her, too. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
If I can’t choose Jesus, I’d choose His mother. What was Jesus like as a baby? Did he ever try your patience even though he was perfect? When did you realize God’s plan for Him? Mother to mother, I think it would be a fascinating conversation.
And I'd love to listen in. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I like to encourage writers by reminding them that it only takes one yes. One of my books (Mending Places) was rejected by, I think, every Christian publisher—except one. Keep studying the craft, keep writing, keep submitting. Be persistent and eventually you’ll hit upon that one idea that connects with that one publisher.
That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.
Here’s a blurb for A COWBOY’S TOUCH:
Four years ago, rodeo celebrity Wade Ryan gave up his identity to protect his daughter. Now, settled on a ranch in Big Sky Country, he lives in obscurity, his heart guarded by a high, thick fence. Abigail Jones isn't sure how she went from big-city columnist to small-town nanny, but her new charge is growing on her, to say nothing of her ruggedly handsome boss. Love blossoms between Abigail and Wade--despite her better judgment. Will the secrets she brought with her to Moose Creek, Montana, separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?
Oh, yes, I want to read this one. Please give us the first page of the book.
Chapter One
Abigail Jones stared at the blinking curser on her monitor and tapped her fingers on the keyboard. Beyond the screen’s glow, darkness washed the cubicles. Her computer hummed, and outside the office windows a screech of tires broke the relative stillness of the Chicago night.
She shuffled her note cards. The story had been long in coming, but it was finished now, all except the telling. She knew where she wanted to take it next. Her fingers stirred into motion, dancing across the keys. This was her favorite part, exposing truth to the world. Well, okay, not the world exactly, not with Viewpoint’s paltry circulation. But now, during the writing, it felt like the world.
Four paragraphs later, the office had shrunk away, and all that existed were the words on the monitor and her memory playing in full color on the screen of her mind.
Something dropped onto her desk with a sudden thud.
Abigail’s hand flew to her heart, and her chair darted from her desk. She looked up at her boss’s frowning face, then shared a frown of her own. “You scared me.”
“And you’re scaring me. It’s after midnight, Abigail, what are you doing here?” Marilyn Jones’s hand settled on her hip.
The blast of adrenalin settled into Abigail’s bloodstream, though her heart was still in overdrive.“Being an ambitious staffer?”
“You mean an obsessive workaholic.”
“Something wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong is my twenty-eight-year-old daughter is working all hours on a Saturday night instead of dating an eligible bachelor like all the other single women her age.” Her mom tossed her head, but her short brown hair hardly budged. “You could’ve at least gone out with your sister and me. We had a good time.”
“I’m down to the wire.”
“You’ve been here every night for two weeks.” Her mother rolled up a chair and sank into it. “Your father always thought you’d be a schoolteacher, did I ever tell you that?”
“About a million times.” Abigail settled into the chair, rubbed the ache in her temple. Her heart was still recovering, but she wanted to return to her column. She was just getting to the good part.
“You had a doctor’s appointment yesterday,” Mom said.
Abigail sighed hard. “Whatever happened to doctor-patient confidentiality?”
I love it. Thank you, Denise, for this 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.
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http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/
The summary is terrific. I can't wait to read this one...and see how she manages to get past the walls of his heart!
ReplyDeletecoolestmommy2000 at gmail dto com
NE
I love Denise's books. Would love to win a copy. Angela from KY
ReplyDeleteThanks for the peek at A Cowboy's Touch! I think it sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Julie in MN
I like the blurb and the first page - especially how you get me curious every step of the way - what with how both the heroine and hero each ended up in Big Sky Country, how the the mom became her boss, and then there's the doctor-patient confidentiality angle. And I'm only on page one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Ontario, Canada
I too love Denise's books.
ReplyDeleteLourdes from Long Island, NY
I would love to win this and would like to say, too, that her covers are always so pretty on every one of her books!
ReplyDeletedianalflowers@aol.com
SC
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSounds great - please enter my name for the free copy!
ReplyDeleteClaire Koenig, CA
I would love to win this book. Denise Hunter couldn't write a bad book if she tried. Thanks for the chance to win this one. ybutler@oppcatv.com
ReplyDeleteI live in Alabama
I can't wait to read this book! I've wanted to read it for awhile and would LOVE to win a copy! Great interview too!
ReplyDeleteKari in Oregon
i love any type of western book with cowboys!
ReplyDeleteI'm in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
I like her theme of forgiveness...
ReplyDeleteIt is something I try to practice
daily! Denise is a fabulous writer.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks, Lena, for having me visit your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone for your nice comments. You're too kind!
Diana, I agree about my covers, and I can take no credit there. Thomas Nelson does a fabulous job!
I'm from North Carolina and have enjoyed all of Denise Hunter's books that I have read. My favorite so far, has been The Convenient Groom.
ReplyDeletenina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com
Love the cover of this book. Sounds like another winner.
ReplyDeleteKY
Sounds great. Count me in please.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Would love to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Michelle in California
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net
A lot of readers loved The Convenient Groom, Sylvie. That marriage of convenience are really popular.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, the follow-up to "A Cowboy's Touch" is also a marriage of convenience. It's called "The Accidental Bride" and will release in January.
I love this story...would love to read it:) Also thanks for sharing your story about submitting your 1st book...I'm at that point here soon...and scared of being rejected lots:( You are right...it only takes one yes! Thanks, needed that reminder!
ReplyDeleteWould love to be entered for a chance to win your book:)
Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith at gmail dot com
Fear and trepidation are normal, Lorna. Keep writing and submitting!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good. For some reason, I'm really enjoying reading Christian fiction about cowboys lately. I'd love to win "A Cowboy's Touch."
ReplyDeleteThanks from the state of Kansas.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Thanks for the opportunity to win. :)
ReplyDeleteAnn Lee Miller
Gilbert AZ
Thank you for featuring Denise! She's only of my favorites, and this was a great interview. I'm surprised to learn that Mending Places was rejected by so many publishers - it is absolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read A Cowboy's touch!
lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jordan from SC
I Loved the interview. I loved that Denise mentioned Beth Moore. Beth Moore has some great Bible studies and I really like that Beth shares her life stories. We all can relate to them. I too would enjoy speaking with Mary the Mother of Jesus to find out what Jesus was like as a boy etc. I would be so honored to win "A Cowboy's Touch." It sounds like it is a book that would be interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteJudy B from Indiana
Would love a chance to read this book. I know it will be great. From the Bible Belt
ReplyDeleteplhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I'm a huge fan of Denise. "A Cowboy's Touch" sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win it. I'm in MO.
ReplyDeleteleesmithwriting at yahoo dot com
please enter me for this book thanks
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
live in ND
Loved the interview, Lena and Denise. Thanks for the chance to win A Cowboy's Touch. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com in Arizona
ReplyDeleteIt sounds SO good!
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to read it!!
dymesich(at)juno(dot)com
WI
This book is already on my books to read....I just don't have it yet@ Thanks for the interview!
ReplyDeleteBlessings.....Joy
ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com
I love Denise's books! Please enter me:)
ReplyDeleteThanks
Kristen from WA
I would love to read this book. I was hooked after reading the blurb and excerpt! Plus, I like a good cowboy story. :-)
ReplyDeleteGA/USA
castings at mindspring dot com
I will be reviewing this book on my blog but I wanted to say it was a great book:) Really loved the story!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in this drawing for the free book, looks like a great one.
ReplyDeleteMona in Ohio
kylady717@cinci.rr.com
A Cowboy's touch by Denise Hunter sounds like one that I will enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance at a giveaway.
A J Hawke
Texas
i love denise's novels...thanks for the opportunity to read her latest :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
oops, i forgot to mention that i'm from pennsylvania
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I really enjoy her books.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Buffalo, MN
The book sounds great! I love Cowboys! Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI'm here from Michigan
dancealert at aol dot com
Denise is a favorite author for me and I would love a chance to win A Cowboy's Touch. I enjoy second chance at love stories!
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX
Please enter me!!
ReplyDeleteafren07[at]gmail[dot]com from TN
I want to read this. It sounds like something I would read in one night. I live in S. California.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book, it sounds wonderful! =)
ReplyDeleteI live in Kansas, and love to read Christian fiction books.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Melissa