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.
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 2nd 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.
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:
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
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
35 comments:
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE.
ANGELA FROM KY
I enjoy historical fiction and be would really enjoy this book!
Beth from Iowa
What a situation to be in, having to find a place to live n 7 days! Sounds like a great book. I love Colleen's Lonestar books.
Patty in SC
What a wonderful giveaway! I have enjoyed everyone of Colleen's books and would love a chance to win this book!
Samantha from Kentucky
I enjoy books set in small town - sounds like a wonderful read
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
What a awesome giveaway! I would love to win a copy of this book.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
So love Colleen Coble!! Thanks for the interview and Colleen you're so right "control is an illusion" I needed to be reminded of that.
Blessings,
HollyMag from SoCal
I'm feeling the love from you all. :) I'm in Hawaii and the internet has been down most of the day. Back up and running now though!
I have "Blue Moon Promise" on my wish list and look forward to reading.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
Brenda from Georgia
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Great promotional and sounds like a fantastic book. Someone is in for a blessing.
A lovely interview thank you. BLUE MOON PROMISE looks wonderful.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I have several of Colleen's books! "Blue Moon Promise" sounds like another great read from a great author! I'd love to win a copy.
Blessings!
Judy from Indiana
It sounds like Lucy is between a big rock and a real hard place! Great first page!
Kandra from Tennessee
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds and looks like a great story!! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
I love Colleen Coble's books and from the first time I saw this one, I put it on my wishlist and saved to drafts! :) Thanks for the opportunity to win this.
Diana from SC
dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com
Great interview! Would love to win a copy of Colleen's book.
Karen Gervais from Troy, NY
I LOVE Colleen Coble's books! She is one of my favortie authors. I haven't read this one yet, so I really hope I win it! It sounds just as amazing as her other books! :) I'm from NC.
Katie G.
This sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me!
Krista in Oregon
I've heard so many good things about this book. I'd love to have a copy. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Nancee
Grand Rapids, Michigan
sounds very interesting, I Love Colleen Coble her books are very interesting, Thanks for the chance to win, Thanks
Joanna Richmond,
Blanch NC
Looks interesting! Enter me in the contest. I love Colleen Coble's books.
Abigail
Blanch,N.C.
Please enter me in the drawing!
God Bless,
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
I love Colleen's books.
Kelly in Mississippi
thanks for the chance to win Colleen's book live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
i have been having a hectic week this week, so am a little slow on comments. i love Colleen Coble's novels, and would love to win. Thank you Lena for the opportunity. i thought i worked better under pressure, but not sure that a 7 day limit would work for me!
Marianne from Arizona
mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com
I would love to win a copy of this book. I like Colleen's work.
Amanda from Tennessee
Love, love, love Colleen Coble's books. Please enter me in the drawing.
Ginger in AL
I enjoy anything that Colleen Coble writes. Historical novels are my favorites. Please enter my name. Thank you. Judy C. in Louisiana
I would like to win a copy
Ohio here
I've read so many wonderful things about this book -- I'd love to read it! Thanks for a chance to win.
Michelle in CA
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net
Wow--that opening page is quite gripping. Can't wait to see how this book turns out. Will see you at the FB party!
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
I love Colleen's books! This sounds like another good one!
I'm from Texas.
Blue Moon Promise sound like another terrific book by Colleen. Please add me!
Merry in TX
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