DARK ALLEYS - Lillian Duncan - One Free Ebook

Welcome back to my blog, Lillian. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I guess the easy answer is they’re the kind of books I like to read. I’ve tried to write other genres, but someone always ends up being murdered—so it turns into suspense whether I want it to or not.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That’s an easy one. The day I married my husband. I’d been in love with him since I was sixteen, but it took us many years to find our way back to each other.

How has being published changed your life?

More work—yep, that’s it. Lots more work and I love it!

What are you reading right now?

On my e-book reader, I’m reading Lisa Grace’s Angel trilogy. With print books, I’m reading a Harlan Coben novel and  J.Mark Bertand’s newest book.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m in the middle of editing The Christmas Stalking. It will be released in November or December as part of a Christmas Extravaganza from HarbourLight Books.

What would be your dream vacation?

A cruise around the world with a special stop in Antarctica. I want to go to the spot where you can take 24 steps and truthfully say that I walked around the world! How cool that would be!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I usually pick setting that I know well. Unfortunately, my characters are often on the run and end up places I’ve never been. In my last release, DECEPTION, the main character ends up in San Francisco, a place I’ve never been.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Mmm. I’m assuming you don’t mean my husband since I spend every evening with him. So, I guess it might be Chris Tomlin. I love his music and it would be awesome to spend some time getting to know him.

It is fun to get to know Christian musical artists. I know Kari Jobe, and I love following what God is doing in her life and ministry. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

My husband and I are on a bowling league and that’s fun during the winter. We also camp. And by camp, I mean in an air-conditioned camper with my satellite TV and computer.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Marketing would be the biggest obstacle for me as it is with many writers. I tend to be on the shy side and it’s hard for me to “get out there” and promote myself and my books. But I’m getting better at it.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Besides reading a lot and writing a lot, I would advise them to be teachable. And by that I mean be willing to listen and learn from others.

Tell us about the featured book.

It’s entitled DARK ALLEYS, and along with the suspense plot it explores the theme of our own dark alleys and God’s desire to light the way for us to get out of the dark alleys we put ourselves in.

                       

Here’s the blurb:

Being innocent and proving it are two different things, especially when a powerful politician is involved. On a cold, wintry night, a homeless alcoholic woman witnesses a murder and almost becomes his second victim. She knows the authorities won’t believe someone like her, leaving her only one option—to run.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The rituals of death.

Hugs. Tears. Hushed voices.

People avoided looking her in the eye, but nevertheless stared as if she were an ant in a specimen jar when they thought she wasn’t looking . Knowing they meant well made no difference, she still wanted them to go away. And leave her alone forever.

Around her, the ebb and flow of life continued.

People in her house whispering and laughing. People acting as if it were a normal day. People whose children still lived. She closed her eyes, praying for it all to be a nightmare.

But it wasn’t.

Her husband walked toward her, but stopped to talk with someone. Gordon smiled and nodded at whatever the man said. How could he look so calm, so normal? How could he even think of smiling?

Gordon walked over. “Are you okay, Tessa?”

Not because it was true, but because he expected it, she nodded.

“It won’t be much longer, and then you can rest.” He rubbed her back in ever-widening circles. A gesture meant to comfort but failed.

Their eyes met, his filled with tears and pain along with compassion and worry for her. He leaned close and hugged her. With a caress of her hair, he turned back to their family and friends.

She sat and watched as if she were in a movie theatre. Not part of the action and not really caring about the plot. Time passed and people drifted toward her.

Meaningless words. Empty offers of help. More condolences. More good-byes. And then it was just the two of them.

Alone.

It would always be just the two of them. There would be...could be no more children in their future. Michaela had been a miracle and now the miracle was gone.

Her breath caught in her throat. Why had God been so cruel? It would have been better if... Tessa’s heart blocked the next words. She couldn’t think such words. She bent over sobbing.

     

Gordon rushed over, but she pushed him away.

Gordon looked at her for a moment, and then resumed cleaning. When he’d finished, he sat on the sofa and motioned for her to join him. He needed her, but she couldn’t give him the comfort he craved.    

She escaped to the kitchen and returned with an uncorked wine bottle and two glasses. Sitting down beside him, Tessa poured a full glass for herself then held a glass up to Gordon.

When he shook his head, she set the bottle and the spare glass on the coffee table. Shrugging, she picked up her own glass and gulped it down, then poured another and another.

Interesting! Lots of emotion. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.lillianduncan.net and I also have a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com

Thank you, Lillian for giving us a peek into your recently released book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dark Alleys - paperback
Dark Alleys - Kindle

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