Monday, April 23, 2012

THE SOUL SAVER - Dineen Miller - Free Book


I have really looked forward to the publication of your first novel. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Usually, not too much, but for The Soul Saver, a fair amount of Lexie’s story is my story and many others who are spiritually mismatched. Oddly (or should I say godly?) sometimes elements in my stories parallel my life in an almost prophet way. As I started to write The Soul Saver, I knew Lexie and Hugh lost a child to a brain tumor. And Hugh was a physics professor at Stanford. Shortly after I started writing the story, my teenaged daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Lots of miracles happened through that time, including a successful complete resection (removal) of the tumor and only radiation was needed for her treatment, which was designed by a physics professor at Stanford. God-bumps anyone?

I call them God-incidences, instead of coincidences, and yes, I remember the time with your daughter. All our prayers. God's miraculous work. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Let’s see. I once made the screwiest face I could think of, took a picture and texted it to my daughter. She was living away from home for the first time and I wanted to make her laugh. It worked. And may that picture never resurface as long as I’m alive. J

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Fourth grade. I wrote a story about an Irish Setter who broke his leg. He healed quite nicely I think.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I like to read all kinds of books, including nonfiction. I’m especially partial to books that have a supernatural thread as it relates to how God and the spiritual realm works and interacts in our lives. I love thrillers, suspense, women’s fiction, romance. And I love nonfiction books that bring to life God’s Word and His amazing love, grace and mercy for us all.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I pray...a lot! If I keep close to God and make sure the running is for Him, life moves a long pretty well and I can leave my office most days feeling like I accomplished something that matters to Him.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
By instinct, I think. I think of the character and research names. It’s the one that just seems to fit the character. Sometimes it takes a while. I look at baby name books and name websites sometimes. I also collect names. I have a list I add to anytime I hear a really cool name that would make a great character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage in September and I love the guy more than when I married him. And from that came these two incredible young women who make me proud to be their mama. So, yep, my family. Though I don’t take full credit for any of it. God is truly the good and faithful one in the mix.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A dog. LOL! I love dogs more than I ever thought I would. I have seen my daughter’s dog make a huge difference in her recovery from depression and cancer and I just know this furry rescue mutt was a gift from God. I can’t think of a better thing to be to someone than a gift from God. Can you?

What is your favorite food?
Depends on what day you ask me. LOL! I love all food, which is part of my problem, but right now, I can’t seem to get enough unfrosted strawberry poptarts. Other than that, I absolutely love Pringles low fat plain potato chips paired with a really good green onion dip. That’s a rare treat for me though.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Doing it! The ministry I’m part of is growing and The Soul Saver is about to release (May 1st). So, there’s lots to do with both. I had to create a schedule where I actually leave the house two days a week to write at a coffee shop. Otherwise, all that other cool stuff wants my attention and being the task motivated person that I am, I tend to do the stuff I can get and see done fast. LOL! The coffee shop lets me leave that all behind and just settle into my story.

Tell us about the featured book.
God wakes Lexie in the night with a vision of a place she needs to go to. Then she has to go into her studio to sculpt the face of the person she’s supposed to help. That’s just how God uses her to reach the lost, to restore hope, or whatever it is God needs her to do. She’s also married to an atheist. The book explains better how that happened, but he’s the one she can’t seem to reach, nor does God seem to be “sending” her his way.

Part of the conflict is the spiritual warfare waging around her and her husband. The enemy is working hard to destroy Lexie’s marriage to keep her husband from being saved. And he’s using a pastor of all people to do it. Does he succeed? Does Lexie’s husband get saved? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

What an intriguing concept. Please give us the first page of the book.
The tremble of wind chimes roused her from slumber, beckoning with their familiar call. Darkness blanketed the room in peaceful silence. The last vestiges of her dream seeped away like sun-kissed mist, leaving only the clear image of a seedy bar—and her trepidation.

Where was God sending her this time?

As she freed herself from the covers, Lexie Baltimore touched Hugh’s arm, whispering a prayer of blessing and protection over her husband. His sleepy warmth tempted her to snuggle next to him, but her fingers itched to reveal the face of her next mission.

She stepped into her slippers and slung a cotton robe over her shoulders then left the room and her husband undisturbed. At the end of the hallway, she peeked into the small bedroom that once belonged to her as a child, confirming the rise and fall of her son’s chest. In sleep, Jeremy’s lips still puckered like they did when he was a baby. Awake, he was all boy and a “young man of eight” by his own definition.

Last night’s salmon dinner met her nose at the bottom of the stairs. She crossed the kitchen to the door leading into the ...

Okay, that leaves us hanging and wanting more. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Everywhere! No, just kidding. Here are some links to my favorite hangouts. Hope you’ll come visit!

Websites:
Facebook:  
Facebook pages:
Twitter:  @dineenmiller
GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/dineenmiller 


Thank you, Dineen, for letting me be a part of promoting your debut novel. It's a blessing to me.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Soul Saver - paperback
The Soul Saver - 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

22 comments:

Unknown said...

This novel sounds awesome, and by a debut author! i would love to win and help spread the news. Thank you for the great opportunity to win.

marianne from Peace River Country, Alberta

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

writingsofrosie said...

Sounds fascinating! Can't wait to track down this book and read it!

Rosie from FL

writingsofrosie.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Yep, that was a cliff hanger. What did she see??? Sounds like a great story!

Brenda
Lake Worth, FL
brendon8@bellsouth.net

Katie said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me. I'm from nc. Thanks!

Jo said...

Sounds great! Really want to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Jo said...

Sounds great! Really want to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Dineen A. Miller said...

Lena, thank you so much for letting me talk about The Soul Saver. Spiritually mismatched marriages is a topic near and dear to my heart.

Friends, forgive me for so many typos! Especially that first one. Should be "prophetic."

Sure hope you enjoy Lexie and Hugh's story. :-)

Nancye said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the chance!

Nancye in Kentucky

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN.
ANGELA FROM KY

Judy said...

This is a book that I must read. This sounds like a real good page turner!

Thanks for this giveaway!

Blessings!
Judy from Indiana

Nancee said...

You have my curiosity piqued now! I'd love to win a copy of your book! Thank you for offering the contest.
Nancee in Western Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

Dineen A. Miller said...

Oh, I'm so excited for whoever wins the book! I hope you like it! :-)

Mary Preston said...

A lovely interview thank you. I am looking forward to reading THE SOUL SAVER.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Anonymous said...

This sounds like an intriguing book and sounds like one I would like to read!

Gail Mundy

Nancee said...

I would love to win a copy of this interesting book. Thank you for the offer!
Nancee in Western Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

Abigail Mitchell said...

Sounds Interesting! Please enter me in the giveaway!
Thanks and God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Diana Gardner said...

Please enter me. Thanks! Portsmouth, Virginia

Sharon Richmond said...

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.

misskallie2000 said...

Enjoyed the interview and know I will love reading your book Dineen. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

I live in Georgia

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story :)

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Dineen A. Miller said...

What a great group of readers! You all are awesome. :-)

Hope you get a chance to read Lexie's story, Miss Kallie.

Loved being here on Lena's site. She's a sweetie!

rubynreba said...

The Soul Saver is a book I definitely want to read. I wish the author much success.
Beth from Iowa