Wednesday, October 24, 2012

HUSH LITTLE BABY - Deborah M Piccurelli - One Free Book


Welcome, Deborah. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I don’t consciously write myself into any of my characters—I’m too boring! I do suppose there’s a little bit of me in each of them, though. Deep characteristics that may not show up front, but that you’d have to know me really well to see.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Hmm. I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. Like I said, I’m a boring person. 

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Probably about twenty years ago, although I loved writing when I was a kid. I started a couple books back then, but I had no one to encourage me, so they went by the wayside. Because I always loved reading, what I read made me want to write.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As a book reviewer, I enjoy reading most genres. The genres I don’t like are fantasy (although I have a friend who writes YA fantasy, and I love her work), paranormal, and horror. I’ve yet to try steampunk, so I couldn’t say about that one.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
By the renewing of my mind in the Word of God. Literally. I don’t know how I’d do it without Scripture.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I don’t really have a set method. There are names in my head that I’ve liked over the years, and use them when they fit my characters. Sometimes, just knowing what my character is like, I’ll just think of different names, and when I hit on one that seems to fit, I’ll use it.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I would have to say my 34 year marriage. With all the divorces in this world, even among Christians, I think that’s something to be pretty proud of. And because I’m as equally proud of a few other things, I’m going to mention those, too:

Having raised my two sons, and, of course, my two published books.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’ve never thought of myself as any kind of animal, but if I had to choose, I guess I could say a lioness, because of how fiercely they protect their young.

What is your favorite food?
Can I mention more than one? LOL! Lately, when we go to Olive Garden, I always order the Chicken Scampi. I enjoy nothing else there, or at any other restaurant as much as I do that. Ice Cream, summer fruits, a sandwich from my local pizza parlor called a Turkey Delight . . . I’d better stop there.

Yum. I’m getting hungry. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I guess it was the layering in of the deep point of view, so that it made sense to the reader when a character did certain things. I’m mostly a self-taught writer, so it took a long time of studying and having critique after critique to finally “get” it.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here is the back cover blurb:

Investigative journalist, Amber Blake, is a little person bent on payback for the death of her average-sized twin sister. Enlisted by her former partner and estranged husband, Evan, she poses as a counselor in an abortion clinic to expose the doctor responsible for fetal harvesting. As a Christian, she struggles with concealing her beliefs to maintain her cover, while the doctor’s romantic overtures tumble her stomach. Amber agrees to date him for the sake of the story . . . but nothing prepares her for what’s behind a mysterious door in his office.

Please give us the first page of the book.
She would be working for her sister’s killer.

            Amber’s skin goosebumped as she drove down the town’s main highway to the Cedarview Women’s Center for her first day on the job. To think the man responsible for Ashley’s death, Dr. Albert Hines, would be her employer.

            Her foot pumped the extender pedal for the brake, and her Honda Odyssey glided to a smooth stop at the red traffic signal. She sometimes wondered what it would feel like to be five-six instead of four foot tall, and able to drive without the extenders, to live a life without the need for any adaptive products.

            She was about to find out. In part, anyway. Her last visit to the clinic for the interview revealed very few accommodations for a little person. Not that she expected there would be any, as they probably never had a dwarf working there before. Despite her size, Dr. Hines had shown her much respect. Because of that surprising courtesy, a tinge of guilt crept in at the thought that he would end up in prison because of her.

            Not enough to put her off though. He had it coming.

            Amber pulled the minivan into the clinic’s parking lot and watched, mouth agape, as two lines of protesters shouted across an imaginary divide. Some of them resembled snarling cougars ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

            Her heartbeat quickened. Her first day on the job and she had to deal with this? The big question was how to get through that crowd unscathed.

            A heavy sigh forced its way through her lips, as she rolled into an empty spot around the side of the simple brick building. Her dry mouth tasted stale. She turned off the engine and sat frozen for a moment. The overcast sky added to her sense of dread and doom.

            What am I doing here?

            Despite the cold weather, her palms were sweaty, and she rubbed them against the soft wool of her coat. She couldn’t go in. Crossing those picket lines could incite a riot.

Interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website:    www.deborahmpiccurelli.com
Twitter       :    https://twitter.com/#!/DebPiccurelli 
Pinterest     :    www.Pinterest.com/DebPiccurelli

There are plenty of other places I can be found, too:

Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers
Transformational Fiction Fans
The Book Club Network
Christian Fiction Gathering

Lots of Yahoo groups, and others; too many to list here.

Thanks, Lena, for this opportunity to chat with you and your readers!

I’ve enjoyed our chat today, Deborah, and I’m sure my readers will, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Hush, Little Baby - paperback
Hush, Little Baby - 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

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, Deborah and Lena...it sounds like this novel packs a whollap. And maybe pushes me out of my comfort zone, but would love to win. Thanks for the chance.

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Katie said...

Wow, sounds so interesting! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

HUSH LITTLE BABY is going to be a very emotional read.


Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

rubynreba said...

I'd really like to read Hush Little Baby. It looks very good!
Beth from Iowa

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncnaville, Tx

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Diana Gardner said...

Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA

Shopgirl said...

I love that the heroine isn't your typical woman! I'm from MN.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much, ladies for entering the giveaway, and your interest in my book! I hope the winner enjoys it, and finds it a blessing.

Thanks to you, Lena, too, for interviewing me on your blog!

Anonymous said...

Oops! That last post from anonymous is me.

Blessings,
Deborah P.