Sunday, June 03, 2012

LOVE IN DISGUISE - Carol Cox - One Free Book


I'm thrilled to have my long-time friend Carol Cox back on the blog after a long wait. Welcome, Carol. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
Some authors know exactly the theme they plan to explore when they begin writing a book, but that has never worked for me. I may get a sense of the theme while the book is being written, but often I don’t discover it until the story is complete. Trust is a theme that seems to come up a lot in my books.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Love in Disguise will be my only book release this year. Next year, watch for another historical romantic suspense set in Arizona. I wish I could share the title with you, but we’re still working to come up with the perfect name!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
I’ve just started reading Nearing Home by Billy Graham. His continued passion to reach the lost for Christ at a stage of life when many people would be content to rest on their previous accomplishments is a true inspiration. I would love to spend an evening with him and hear him speak from his heart.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
When I was beginning the research for Love in Disguise, I came across a biography of Nellie Cashman, also known as The Angel of Tombstone. Nellie was an amazing woman who spent much of her life in rugged western mining camps, but never lost her standing as a woman of deep faith and unquestionable virtue. An entrepreneur, community leader, and a successful miner in her own right, Nellie was equally at home panning for gold in the deserts of Arizona or “mushing” a dog sled across the frozen landscape of Alaska, where she once organized a rescue party that traveled 77 days to save nearly 100 miners from scurvy. A woman of many facets who didn’t fit into the mold society expected—she would be a fascinating person to get to know!

Yes, she would. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Rejections are painful, no doubt about it. Sometimes it’s hard to look past the “no” and see the positives that may be there as well. It took me a lot longer than it should have to learn to set a rejection letter aside for a time and then take another look at it. Once my emotions had settled down, it was much easier to see hints as to why that piece didn’t pass muster and occasionally find encouragement I hadn’t spotted at first. This is also a great time to get feedback from others who can be more objective about your work, especially those who have more experience in the publishing world. Conferences and workshops are wonderful places to make connections like that. Develop a teachable spirit and a willingness to learn. These are traits that will stand you in good stead throughout your writing career.

I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book. 
Can she solve the crime before they uncover her true identity?

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it’s the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can’t figure out who’s stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow . . . or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn’t safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he’s falling in love with doesn’t really exist?

I am totally hooked. Please give us the first page of the book.
Chicago, Illinois
December, 1881
“O happy dagger! This is thy sheath.”
Ellie Moore gripped her hands together as she mouthed the well-known line from the last act of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The words floated out into the dark chasm beyond the edge of the footlights, and an expectant hush filled the theater, followed by a collective gasp at the moment she plunged her fists toward her abdomen and threw her head back with an agonized grimace.

“There rust, and let me die.” Ellie let her head fall to one side and held her pose, silent as the grave, while the Capulets and Montagues reconciled, and the prince delivered the final line.

Not until the roar of applause swept through the auditorium of Chicago’s Orpheum Theater did she stir again, ready for the curtain call. Ellie waited for the proper moment, then swept one foot behind her and sank into a low curtsey, spreading her arms wide. Her right hand brushed against the back of the red velvet curtain that screened her from the stage.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with readers online! They can visit my website at: www.AuthorCarolCox.com to learn more about me and my books, and while they’re there, they can also sign up to “Get the News” and receive my newsletter.

Another way to connect with me is through my Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/carol.cox.

Thank you, Lena, for inviting me to be on your blog. It’s always a joy to spend time with you!


It's always a pleasure to have you here, Carol.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Love in Disguise - paperback
Love in Disguise - 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

40 comments:

Tammi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox is one i have been eyeing in the blogs i read. i would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity.

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

Amy C said...

I really want to read this book. It sounds like it would be a good read!
Thanks
Amy Campbell
Southwest VA

misskallie2000 said...

I love romance, mystery and suspense all in one story and "Love In Disguise" has it all. I like stories where the woman is doing a mans job against all odds. I have added to my wish list and look forward to reading. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

Live in Georgia

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Carol Cox said...

Thanks for all the nice comments, ladies! Love in Disguise was great fun to write, and I hope you enjoy reading it!

RED~Scribe said...

I love a good mystery/romance, and Love in Disguise looks to be an incredible one.

Eldra from BC

Pam K. said...

Love in Disguise has a beautiful cover and sounds like a book I'd really enjoy reading. I like the combination of mystery and romance.
Thanks.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Carol Cox said...

So glad you both like mystery and romance, Eldra and Pam K. That's my favorite combination, too!

rubynreba said...

I'd really enjoy this book. Great interview!
Beth from Iowa

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book! Terri C. Terrilea@yahoo.com

Carol Cox said...

Thanks, Beth and Terri! It's good to hear from you!

Mary Preston said...

What a fabulous story. I love the idea of the disguises.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Kandra said...

Wow, this looks intriguing! I have always been interested in the Pinkertons.
from Tennessee

Ginger Solomon said...

What an amusing first page.

I look forward to reading Love in Disguise.

Ginger in AL

Patty said...

I've got Carol's A Fair to Remember series on my to be read shelf, would love to add this one to my collection. It sounds fun!

Patty in SC

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book sounds and looks absolutely wonderful!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Carol Cox said...

Wow, I turn my back for a few hours to catch some sleep, and look at all the posts that pop up!

Mary P, it was so much fun to write about those disguises--even though I have to admit that even I got confused from time to time. : )

Kendra, I've been thrilled to learn how many people are as intrigued by the Pinkertons as I am!

Ginger, I'm glad you liked the first page! Ellie made me chuckle a lot while I was writing the book.

Patty, how cool that you have the A Fair to Remember series! Doing the research for that one was so much fun. It was one of the reasons I had Ellie's story start in Chicago, so I could combine the histories of two places I enjoy.

Sharon and Sarah, I'm glad it looks good to you! I'd love to hear from you after you've read it!

Krista said...

This book sounds really good. Please enter me!

Krista in Oregon

Carol Cox said...

Abigail and Krista, thanks for the nice comments!

Carol N Wong said...

Nellie Cashman sounds like quite n inspiring lady. Glad that kindled your desire to write this book. I would really love to read it.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Ladette said...

Sounds great and I love the cover. Would love to win!

Ladette, GA

Carol Cox said...

You're right, Carol. Nellie was an amazing woman. So different than what was expected from a prim and proper lady of her day!

I'm glad you like the cover, Ladette. I think they've done a beautiful job in this!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the Interview, I love reading them.
The Cover of your Book is real good and the Book "Love in Disguise sounds so great. Please add me to your Giveaway.
Blessings

I live in S.Illinois

ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol Cox said...

So glad you enjoyed the interview, Ingrid. Lena comes up with wonderful questions! I hope you enjoy Love in Disguise as well!

Angela Carpenter said...

Would love to read this book, thanks for a chance to.....

Shirley Thompson said...

This sound like a great book, and I would like to win it.....Shirley/Illinois

Carol Cox said...

Angela and Shirley, it's good to "meet" you here! Thanks for chiming in!

Sharon said...

Please include me in the drawing.
Sharon from Eagan MN

Carol Cox said...

Consider yourself entered, Sharon. :-)

Mona G. /Ohio said...

Would love to be a winner, sounds like a great book....

Lady DragonKeeper said...

This is the first time I've heard of "Love in Disguise" and it's just gone to my book wish list! I love historicals, especially ones from uncommon eras or settings --the Pinkerton Detective Agency is legendary, but I've rarely seen them in the novels I've read. Count me as intrigued!

jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

(P.S. - I'm from Hawaii) =)

Carol Cox said...

Thanks, Mona G!

Lady DragonKeeper, I'm glad you're intrigued. : ) I've always been captivated by stories about the Pinkertons, so it was great fun to be able to include that background in the story!

Jo said...

Another one that sounds like a great read. Thanks for the opportunity!

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Diana Gardner said...

Would love to win a copy. Portsmouth, VA

Tammi said...

Love in Disguise sounds so good, and I love the cover! Please enter my name into the drawing.

Blessings,

Tammi in Maine
dandtdearing{at}earthlink{dot}net

Liz R said...

This book sounds wonderful and I love the cover.Thank you so much for another great giveaway!

Liz R in Al

Carol Cox said...

Jo, Tammi, and Liz R, Thanks for those nice comments! It's good to meet a fellow Arizonan, Jo. You should feel right at home in Ellie's story! : )

Unknown said...

What an intriguing cover. I wonder what secrets she is holding? Historical fiction is my favorite and this character will be fun to spend time with. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a great read.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Carol Cox said...

Barbara, I love your insights on the book's cover! The designer did a wonderful job of capturing the tone of the story. I hope you enjoy your time spent with Ellie when you get a chance to read the book!