Welcome back, Darlene. Tell us about your
salvation experience.
I was blessed by being seven when my mother was saved. I saw the difference the Lord made in her
life. Two years later, during Vacation Bible School, I raised my hand when our
teacher asked who wanted to ask Jesus in their hearts.
Another factor was the fact only people who were born again
could take communion. I wanted to belong to God’s family, too!
Praise God for VBS and faithful teachers!
You’re planning a
writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be
and why?
Oh, my. I would love to be in a retreat with Susan Page
Davis. We have been each other’s critique partners, sounding boards for brainstorming,
and encouragers, and working face-to-face would be lovely.
There are many writers, past and present, whom I admire. But
during a retreat I would like to work and to fellowship. For that reason, I
would like to include the other two members of our critique group: Cindy Hickey
and Carla Olson Gade.
To round out our group, Tracie Peterson would be awesome;
she’s an amazing historical author with a real heart for writers. She was also
the first person to believe in my writing; she contracted bought my first book,
Romanian Rhapsody.
Tracie also
contracted at least six of my Heartsongs. Do you have a speaking ministry? If
so, tell us about that.
Not as much as I would like. I have spoken some to local
writers groups, but that has slowed as my health has declined.
People are always
telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you,
too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
I ask them what they’d like to write about, or if they’ve
done any writing. I give them information about our local ACFW chapter and
share my basic, always-true tip for writers: read, read, read and write, write,
write.
In other words, I give them information that will help them
realize their dreams without giving away my time.
I feel the worst about people who want to write but don’t
know the most basic information. One lady (from my church) wanted me to read
her handwritten manuscript. After I requested a typed copy, I never heard back.
When I gave another lady basic formatting information, her revised manuscript
was worse than ever.
Tell us about the
featured book.
This is from the back
cover of the book.
Love
and faith collide in a RIVER OF DOUBT .
Penniless
and brokenhearted following her mother’s death, Blanche Lamar is surprised to
receive a mysterious summons from a father she’s never met. Then ship purser
Ike Gallagher informs her that her father, Captain J.O. Lamar, has died and
left her the steamboat Cordelia as
her inheritance.
In
spite of her reservations about life aboard a steamboat and without other
resources, Blanche agrees to travel downriver from Roma , Texas ,
and talk with her father’s lawyers. She soon discovers a different side to her
father as she’s befriended by the curmudgeonly pilot, Old Obie. As Obie teaches
her to pilot the steamboat, he also encourages her to trust her growing
feelings toward Ike, something she’s resisting.
But
as circumstances conspire to tear Blanche and Ike apart, they must act on faith
or sink a possibility of a future together.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Salt residue marked the trail of Blanche
Lamar’s tears down the front of her black twill suit. “At least I didn’t need
to buy new clothes for the funeral.” A hiccup interrupted her sobs.
Dipping a washcloth in a basin of cool water,
she blotted away the evidence of tears from her face and dress. She raised her
face to look in the mirror. Mama always said that a lady should present a neat
appearance, no matter what.
Hollow brown eyes stared out of her pale
face, whiter than usual beneath her always bright auburn hair. Her black hat
would cover the chignon, hiding the riot of color that had irritated Mama so.
“Oh, Mama.” Blanche rubbed her eyes, but
nothing stemmed the flood of tears.
A gentle knock fell on the door, and Mrs.
Davenport, the pastor’s wife, slipped in. “It’s time.” Clucking, she put her
arms around Blanche’s shoulders. Mama would be mortified by Blanche’s puffy
eyes. She sniffed the tears. . .and grief. . .inside.
Nodding, Blanche followed her down the hall
to the sanctuary. If only she had some other family member to accompany her—a
father, brother, sister, aunt, grandparent—but she and Mama had been a tight
family of two. Did one person constitute a family? I’m alone. Reverend Davenport and his wife were kind, but they
couldn’t tuck her in at night or tell her stories about the past. Tell her
about the father Blanche had never known and now never would.
Organ music streamed through the open door of
the sanctuary. “Rock of Ages.” Mama loved that hymn. Blanche bit on her bottom
lip against renewed tears.
“There’s a good turnout. People admired your
mother. You’re not alone.” Mrs. Davenport gestured at the sanctuary,
three-quarters full of people, men and women, dressed in the same sober black
as Blanche.
Except for one blot of color. A lone man, his
hair nearly as red as her own, sat by himself on the back pew. His dove-gray
suit glowed in the sea of black that made up the congregation. She searched her
memory but couldn’t place him. What was a stranger doing at her mother’s
funeral?
Dear readers,
I have read this novel and loved it. I’ve been interested in riverboat books
for quite a while, even contemplating writing one myself a few years ago. I
learned a lot about riverboats from Darlene. I hadn’t realized that they ran on
Rio Grande in
this time period. I think you’ll love it, too.
Darlene, how can
readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at the blog/website: http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com.
I’m also on Facebook under my name.Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this story with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas - paperback
A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas - 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
38 comments:
I have been wanting to read A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas.
Amy C
VA
I love these books, thank you for hosting this giveaway.
Wendy from FL
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
thanks for the chance to read this story
karenk...from pa
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN. ANGELA FROM KY
Wow, this book does look quite interesting... I have been interested in riverboats since I found out that they even came to my own home state of Montana not to mention having read enough Mark Twain.
Jasmine in Montana
I love historical westerns - would enjoy reading this
cheryl in IL
Darlene,
You just keep coming up with unusual settings and plots. A riverboat sounds like a fun one.
A J Hawke from Texas
ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com
Darlene,
You just keep coming up with unusual settings and plots. A riverboat sounds like a fun one.
A J Hawke from Texas
ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com
I don't think a writer could read or write too much. It's all a learning experience.
A BRIDE'S ROGUE IN ROMA. TEXAS looks wonderful.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I enjoyed the interview and would certainly like to read the book. Thank you for the chance to enter. Judy C. in Louisiana.
Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Living on a steamboat would certainly be an interesting life, I'm sure you would meet many interesting people.
Patty in SC
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
i love it when heroines are pushed outside of their comfort zone, and A Bride's Rogue sounds like that. Thanks for a great post, Lena and Darlene, and the chance to win.
marianneDOTwanhamATgmailDOTcom
www.reviewingnovelsonline.blogspot.ca
i did it again. Sorry Lena...i am from northern Alberta
marianneDOTwanhamATgmailDOTcom
The steamboat setting appealed to me greatly as well. As soon as I learned about the steamboat on the Rio Grande, I knew I wanted to write about it. Not to mention the female captain . . .
The steamboat setting appealed to me greatly as well. As soon as I learned about the steamboat on the Rio Grande, I knew I wanted to write about it. Not to mention the female captain . . .
Looks and sounds interesting,Enter me!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
I really enjoyed this interview and review. A riverboat sounds like such a great setting for a book!
Beth from Iowa
Hi Sarah, Beth. Thanks for stopping by! And Lena, thanks for your kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.
thanks for chance to win Darlene's book
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot ]com
Oh, this sounds like a wonderful read! Hope it's me!
from Donna, TX
Sharon San Diego, CA
Love to win books. Really enjoy Christian fiction. Please enter me to win
wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Melody, Apple Blossom (Abbie?), Sharon, thanks for your interest in my book!
Sounds great, as always! :) Please enter me. I'm from NC.
Sounds like a great read. Will have to put it on my wish list! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Karen G., Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Katie, Karen, I see you're both from the east coast. I pray that all is going well with you. Thanks for stopping by.
A riverboat setting sounds fun, I'd love to be entered for A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas.
Merry in TX
No wonder I love my gambler, Ike--I fell in love with James Garner as Maverick years ago! Riverboats are fun.
This sounds fun! I'd love to learn more about steamboats. I'm in MN.
Veronica, does the Mississippi start up in MN? Of course the Mississippi is the river with most associate with steamboats.
Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Hi Sharon, thanks for stopping by!
How very interesting--riverboats on the Rio Grande---didn't know that. I think this sounds like a wonderful read. Lovely interview. Please put my name in for a chance to be drawn. Blessings! Darlene, Springfield, MO
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Well, hi! Darlene--from Darlene. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for the contest.
NylaKay from Indiana
This book sounds really good. I would love to win. Will have to check the library and see if they have it.
Kay from NY
msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com
The book sounds very interesting. Want to read more. Thank you for a chance to win it.
Kevlin, NY.
prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com
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