Thursday, August 18, 2011

FORSAKEN - Leanna Ellis - Free Book

Welcome, Leanna. Tell us about your salvation experience.
Hi, Lena! Thanks for having me here today! I was twelve when I was saved. We had a guest speaker at our church, James Robison. Heard of him? A powerful and dynamic preacher, he spoke on Romans. I couldn’t get things he’d said out of my head, so one night I called my mom into my bedroom and told her I’d prayed the prayer to ask Jesus into my heart. Pretty simple, nothing radical, but changed my life. Then my mom began pressuring me to be baptized. But I know this is hard for some of you who know me to believe, but I was very shy and we went to a very large church, the largest in the U.S. at that time. So I resisted. I dreaded every Sunday because my mom would give me ‘the look’ during the invitation. But when I was sixteen, I went to church camp. Guess who was the camp pastor? Josh McDowell. It was a time of questioning for me, but it was when I truly turned my life over to the Lord. I didn’t tell my mom anything had happened at camp but she knew. She and my sister hardly recognized me because I had so radically changed in my attitude and demeanor. Then nothing could have stopped me from getting baptized. At the first opportunity, I raced down to the front of the church, eager to be baptized. Now please don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe baptism saves anyone. It’s simply an outward gesture of the changes that have taken place in the heart, where I was once dead in sin I was alive, resurrected in Him.

Of course, I know who James Robison is. He goes to our church and I respect him a lot. I’ve been in the studio audience for his TV show many times. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
First and foremost would be my best writing buddy, Dorothy Love. We’ve been friends for twenty years and met in a writing class when we were first starting out. We’ve been dear friends ever since. Just to get away and be quiet and think about writing sounds heavenly. But honestly, I’d want to bring my husband and two kids along. I don’t like to be away from them. So often when I do research trips, they are right there with me.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I do speak to groups, but I don’t pursue it. I take opportunities that the Lord brings my way.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
The list is too long to name, which is probably why I rarely get embarrassed anymore. I’m more likely now to embarrass my kids. Oh how times change!

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?
You just have to write it. Put the ol’ backside in the chair, hands on keyboard, ready, get set, write. So many people talk about it but fewer actually do it. And even fewer study the market and study writing in order to do it well. So if it’s something you feel you are supposed to do, then don’t waste time talking about it—do it! And while you’re doing it, read, read, read, and study, study, study. Then remember when you get that first draft of the book done, that’s only the beginning. Then there’s much revision and editing to get a book ready for publication. 

Tell us about the featured book.
This is a very different but very special book to me. It’s my most spiritual book to date. It is a battle of good versus evil. Evil isn’t always blatant and scary looking with horns and a pitchfork. Evil is often alluring and attractive. I explore that side of evil in this book. It is also an Amish/vampire story. Yep, you read that right. Before I jumped into this story, I prayed and prayed and prayed about it, because I didn’t not want to go forward if the Lord was not leading. But he clearly was. So I wrote the book. This is the first book in a series called PLAIN FEAR. Forsaken: Hannah Schmidt, a young Amish woman mourning the mysterious death of her beloved Jacob, must decide between two brothers, between good and evil. When she learns her first love is now the vampire Akiva, she must forsake him and cling to a new love, a lasting love, one that will save her soul.

Please give us the first page of the book.

PLAIN FEAR: FORSAKEN
PROLOGUE

Jacob Fisher shoved the metal door, which banged against the warehouse, and the empty, hollow sound reverberated in the awaiting stillness. Don’t look back. Not one glance.

He bolted into the sticky heat, darkness devouring him, and ran straight into it, grateful for his only cover. The damp pavement made his tennis shoes skid, and his arms flailed wide as he regained his balance and pushed himself faster, harder, further. A shaft of light injected hope into him. How far?

Lungs burning, he risked one glance over his shoulder. Just one.

The warehouse door remained open, the alley empty. He was alone. For now. But how much longer? Whispers encircled him. Was it the wind? Or was it them?
Angels and ministers of grace defend us,” Jacob whispered the Shakespearean words like a prayer.

Or, had he gone crazy?
Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd,
Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,
Be thy intents wicked or charitable…

No, they weren’t a fabrication of his imagination or a half-baked fantasy or even a made-up story. They were real, far too real. The blood, the bodies, the evil permeating every crevice was authentic. Trolls of the night. Visitors from the bowels of hell. Their purpose was heinous, reflected in those black eyes, which were void of feeling. And they chased after him now.

I can hardly wait to read this one. How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.leannaellis.com I’m also on FB and Twitter.

Thanks for having me here today, Lena! Blessings, Leanna

My pleasure, Leanna. I've known about your call to write this book almost since its inception. So glad to be a part of promoting it.



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 4 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

26 comments:

Rebecca said...

Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to win this. Thanks again.

I am from Oklahoma.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thanks, Lena and Leanna (hopefully you're not both nick-named Lee, or Lea) for a great interview and post and chance to win Forsaken. sounds intriguing, like all the novels you choose. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country, Alberta

Leanna Ellis said...

Hi, Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by and for your interest! FYI, my mom was born in Oklahoma.

Blessings,

Leanna

Leanna Ellis said...

Hi, Marianne! Glad the book sounds interesting to you! I can't speak for Lena, but I do occasionally go by Le. But then again, I answer to most anything. Have a great day!

Blessings,

Leanna

Lorna Faith said...

Love the 1st page, Leanna:) Wow you sure know how to build the suspense...would love to win your book!
Thanks for sharing. I love the deep meaning of your book...and the choice between good and evil. What a great topic!
Please enter me for a chance to win "Forsaken!"

Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith at gmail dot com

Leanna Ellis said...

Hi, Lorna! So glad you liked page one! Hope you like the rest too. I definitely the topic is needed in these times where good and evil is blurred. Have a great day!

Blessings,

Leanna

Judy said...

I loved reading about Leanna. Her salvation experience was so neat. I asked Jesus into my heart during a revival service and was baptized when I was 12 in Big Turkey Lake. That was a neat experience. I would love to win a copy of "Forsaken". It sounds like a book I would really like. Leanna is a new author to me and I love finding new authors and getting to know them through their books. Thank you for this giveaway.

God Bless!

Judy B from Indiana

Leanna Ellis said...

Hi, Judy! Thanks so much for your interest! Big Turkey Lake, huh? That sounds like a story!

Blessings,

Leanna

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Jaedyn said...

Wow, I'm really interested! Without a doubt I'll be reading this. If I don't win, I'll buy the ebook. :) Thanks for offering one for giveaway!

Lindsey from Oregon
kindredspiritreviews at gmail dot com

Coolestmommy said...

What a story! I think we often forget about the subtle side of evil. Can't wait to read.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

JJ said...

Thanks for the review and giveaway. I am Janet from Georgia. gahome2mom/gmail/com

Patsy said...

I love reading books like this one.I know it will be a great read.
From Mississippi

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patricia said...

Hi, Leanna - Lena

Thank you for this opportunity to win what sounds like a fabulous book!

Wow! Leanna! James Robison AND Josh McDowell !! What Joy for you!!

I live in Burlington, Ontario, Canada

my email:

madley (AT) cogeco (DOT) ca

Blessings!
Patricia

Jo said...

This book sounds very different from anything that I have ever read. Thanks for the great interview and the opportunity to win this book.

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

Kristi said...

I like the premise of this book - I'm always trying to tell my daughters how evil sometimes looks pretty good! Would love to win!

Kristi in Illinois

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting, Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! and God Bless!
Abigail G. Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Courtney said...

This looks like a really grweat story, such an interesting premise. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!

Courtney from WA state

Michelle said...

I find myself quite intrigued by Forsaken, please enter me.


mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Kentucky

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks for having it. I'm a subscriber and a follower via gfc.

Brenda from Michigan..

dancealert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I so want to read this book...hope I win.Thanks from North Carolina...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

apple blossom said...

please enter me thanks
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Katie Marie said...

I've heard a LOT about this book! Forsaken looks really different from what I'd normally read, but I enjoy branching out and trying new things. I would love a chance to win it and draw up my own conclusion.

Katie from Florida

Kristie said...

I LOVE Amish fiction and this sounds great!!! I applaud your creativity and think you are very brave to write something like this. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

sarahw said...

sounds like really interesting book. would love the chance ti win it. thanks,
sarahw-MN

Megan @ Inspired by Fiction said...

Wow, I never thought that I'd actually see an Amish/vampire book! My old manager at the bookstore I used to work always talked about writing one. We live close to an Amish community and we actually thought that it wasn't a bad idea! I love that you wrote one, and that is is a Christian book!

Megan from PA