BLUE MOON PROMISE - Colleen Coble - Free Book here Plus a Facebook Party

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com

About the book:

Book Number One in the Under Texas Stars series

A love like Lucy and Nate’s only comes along once in a blue moon . . .

Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh—a city girl—on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

It amazes me to see all that God has done! I have a new contemporary series launching in July. The first book in the Hope Beach series is Tidewater Inn. It’s a more complex story filled with family secrets. It’s set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Tell us a little about your family.

My wonderful husband Dave and I celebrated our fortieth anniversary in October. We have two grown children, Dave and Kara. Dave and his wife Donna have given us our darling granddaughter Alexa, otherwise known as Punky. :-) We are crazy about her and see her at least once a week. My husband is very handy with construction so he’s often helping our son do house projects. Our daughter and her husband live in the Phoenix area and we stay with them for several months in the winter. She owns a dog wash/grooming shop called See Spot Clean, and she is a great resource for me when I need dog information! We are a very close family and love nothing more than spending time together.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I still love reading and I read mostly romantic suspense and thriller just as I always have. I have always been an impatient reader—if a book doesn’t grab me right from the start, I go on to another book.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on the 2^nd book in the Hope Beach series, Rosemary Cottage. Loving the project!

What outside interests do you have?

I love to travel and get new ideas from seeing different places. I love encouraging new writers so I spend a lot of time in my role as CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My settings all tend to be small town or rural. I usually spend quite a bit of time thinking about where I want to set a new series. I read about the history in various places and peruse newspaper articles to see what hits me. Then I go visit and absorb the atmosphere to get more ideas.

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

You mean other than Jesus? :-) I should have been born in the Victorian Era. I love the dresses (shallow, I know!) and the excitement of all the new inventions and the new discoveries in foreign lands. I would love to have traveled to Africa with David Livingstone.

Before the first wave of maxi-dresses became popular in the late 60’s, I told James that I had been born in the wrong century, because I loved the long dresses. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I’d know that once I had a book published, the work load would increase hugely. It wouldn’t have changed anything because I still love all of it—the writing, the editing, the marketing work—but I wasn’t expecting there to be so many demands on my time. I haven’t taken a vacation in years where I didn’t have to do some work while I was there. I do love it though!

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Control is just an illusion. We have no control over anything that happens. I can’t fix much of anything in life, but God has me and my loved ones in His hands. I’m the eldest of four children and I’ve always tried to fix things. When my Dave was diagnosed with prostate cancer this past year, I struggled to just let go and leave him in God’s hands. It’s a lesson I’m still learning.

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

1. Attend at least one good writers conference a year.

2. Finish your novel, edit it the best of your ability, send it out, THEN MOVE ON. You learn to write by writing so don’t pin all your hopes on one novel. Keep writing.

3. Don’t give up. Everything can change in one day.

Tell us about the featured book.

Blue Moon Promise is a historical romantic mystery set in Texas near Wichita Falls. Lucy is caring for her two siblings after their father dies. She’s lost her job and is about to be evicted from their home. A stalker has been following her too. A way out of her predicament presents itself when she receives an offer of marriage, but there’s one hitch—she’s never met the man she’s about to marry. But Lucy is desperate to protect her brother and sister so she agrees. Lucy’s spiritual journey matches my own this year as she learns to give up control and trust God with her loved ones.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Lucy Marsh pulled her threadbare coat around her neck and hurried down the snow-clogged street. Glancing behind her, she saw only the snow drifting down onto run-down houses. The rapid thump of her pulse began to calm, and she managed to breathe through her tight lungs.

 Maybe it was her imagination. For the past week, she’d caught a glimpse of the same man every evening after work, and until today, she told herself he must live in the same general area. But she’d left early today and he had still been there. This time he seemed to watch her. A black coat covered him and he wore a hat pulled low over his face, so only the twitch of his smooth-shaven chin appeared. When she stopped and stared at him, he darted around the corner of the building.

She took the opportunity and dashed across the street, skirting the horse and carriage blocking her path to the house. The roof leaked and wind blew through the boards and under the windowsills, but it had been home for ten years. Glancing behind her again, she saw no sign of the man so she hurried up the steps.

Pressing her hand to her stomach, she paused and wished she didn’t have to go inside. What was she going to do now? Mrs. Hanson had been apologetic about letting her go. It was hard times and not her work that necessitated firing her. But the hard facts didn’t feed them. 1877 had been a bad year so far, and Indiana had been particularly hard hit, but she would find a way. She always managed.

The steps to the porch took careful navigation. They tilted to the front, and it was easy to lose her balance. She paused outside the door. The children would worry so she tried on a smile. When it stayed in place, she turned the doorknob. Before she could open the door, Amos Cramer’s gruff voice stopped her.

“One moment, Miss Marsh,” he panted, hurrying up the steps toward her. He was a large, red-faced man with sparse gray hair and a handlebar mustache. He parked himself in front of her door and wheezed, struggling to catch his breath.

She had tried to be kind to their landlord until Mr. Cramer mistook her kindness for romantic interest. Now she just tried to stay out of his way when he came to collect the rent. Her back against the door, Lucy pressed away as far as she could to escape the strong odor of stale perspiration that drifted toward her.

He crowded closer. “I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.” His muddy gaze slid avidly over her face and hair.

Lucy pressed tighter against the wall, though it gained her no space between the odious man and herself. What now? She didn’t think she could endure more bad news.

“I’ve decided to sell out and go back to New York. I’ve had an offer I can’t refuse for this place. The new owner plans to tear it down and build a store here.” He hesitated and rubbed his lips with a dirty handkerchief. “I’m afraid I must ask you to leave within the next seven days.”

Lucy gasped. “A week? How can I find something else in a week?”

You have me hooked. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com and I blog with my friends at www.GirlsWriteOut.blogspot.com. I’m on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Colleen and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up for a fun Facebook party on her author page on 3/13! She'll be giving away a KINDLE FIRE during the party and a Texas sized gift basket full of Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products (Mrs. Meyers, kitschy cleaning gloves and more!) Please help us spread the word about both! 

The ink for the Facebook event party: 

http://www.facebook.com/events/265518396856118

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

Thank you, Colleen, for this fun interview and a peek into a book I know I want to read.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars) - paperback
Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars) - Kindle


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