Wednesday, November 21, 2012

NO SAFE HARBOR - Elizabeth Ludwig - One Free Book on This Blog + Much More


Bio: Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas.
Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

Dear Readers, I've read this book recently and loved it. I think you will, too. And the cover is awesome.

Welcome, Elizabeth. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
There’s actually one theme in particular that I try to weave into all of my books. It’s a unifying message in all three of the books from my latest series called the Edge of Freedom. It’s one that I hope will speak to everyone who reads them, but rather than tell you what it is, I’d like to show you with a line taken from one of the books:

“My dear, braw lad,” Cara whispered, “your faith was never in God. It was the church you followed, and the Fenians, not the Savior.”


What other books of yours are coming out soon?
I just finished the second book in the Edge of Freedom Series, called Dark Road Home, and am currently working on book three. Each of these books focuses on a different aspect of the struggle in Ireland, and how it translated to America. Overall, I am very excited to have been entrusted with this great project!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Not a family member…okay, then I guess I would have to say Tim Tebow (and who wouldn’t, right?) My goodness, that man is pretty! J

Joking aside, I would love to just pray with him and encourage him to stay faithful. Lots of eyes are on him. Fair or not, that makes him a role model.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I’d like to meet Abraham Lincoln. There’s been some controversy lately about him. I think I’d like to get to know him, find out who he really was and what he believed. Also, I’d like to ask him if he ever, ever killed a vampire. ;-)

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I guess I would have to share a bit of my own writing history.

I wrote for six years before I sold my first book. As you can imagine, a collected a hefty pile of rejections from the time I submitted my first manuscript to the day I completed my first sale. In between is a time I fondly recall now as the desert years.

The desert years were a lonely, desperate time of self-pity and despair. How I wish I had realized then the presence of God in my life. With every tear I wept, He gently and lovingly molded me. Like a potter using water to make the clay pliable, God used my tears to soften and shape me. I’ll never forget the moment the realization hit me that nothing, not a moment of time in my long and difficult publishing journey had been wasted.

“Don’t be so focused on the goal that you miss the journey.” (Paraphrased)

I heard these words at a conference I attended. Suddenly, I realized that was exactly what I’d been doing. My goal was publication. Only that. Not the knowledge to be gained along the way, or the friendships forged in adversity. I missed the fleeting opportunities God had prepared to comfort me, and for me to give comfort. Like a darkened landscape exposed by a shaft of lightening, my life suddenly became visible, and I became determined to ENJOY the writing journey God had set me on.

Tell us about the featured book.
My newest release, No Safe Harbor, is sort of a departure from the typical Historical Romance. I’ve added a strong element of suspense to give it a sort of gothic romance feel (readers familiar with Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney will know what I’m talking about).

The story is set in and around New York City, especially Ellis Island. For those of you not familiar with its history, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954. Many of those immigrants were Irish, so when I decided to write a book about an Irish girl searching for her brother in America, it seemed the natural choice.

Here’s a little blurb about the book:
Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Sure! Here you go:
Ellis Island, 1897
A mischievous wind lifted the tips of Cara’s hair and tossed them into her eyes. She brushed the strands away then blew on her shaking fingers to warm them. The day was overcast, like every one before it for the past two weeks, but thankfully the snow had stopped and the sea had settled into something less than raging. She stood against the rail with no fear of being tossed over.

Few passengers crowded the rails of the ship, Servia. Most were kept below deck by the frigid February temperatures and the choppy Atlantic Ocean, but not Cara. Bad weather had lengthened the crossing, made her longing for her first glimpse of America sharper.

America. And Eoghan.

Just thinking of her twin brother brought a wash of hot tears to her cheeks. Eoghan was alive. After two years of bowing under the villagers’ whispered condemnation, of bearing in silence the brand given her family name. . .finally. . .the chance to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. His letter in hand, she’d scrambled aboard the first ship to America she could find.

Her fingers crept inside her coat to press the precious scrap of paper against her chest.

Soon, my sweet lad. I’ll be at your side! And then we’ll prove you were no traitor to your church or your country.

Gently, she caressed the twisted leather bracelet encircling her wrist. Eoghan wore one identical to it—a gift from their father on their sixteenth birthday.

“Ah, Miss Hamilton. You made it on deck, I see.”

Cara tucked the bracelet into her sleeve then turned toward the boisterous voice. Douglas Healy was a kind man. A bit loud for her liking. Nonetheless, his generosity had rescued her from steerage—a fact for which she would be forever grateful, and his good-humored jokes had made the trip across the Atlantic bearable. His presence had also kept some of the more amorous lads at bay, since they’d assumed mistakenly that he was her father.

She greeted him with a smile. “And you, as well, Mr. Healy. Here to catch your first glimpse of America?”

He snorted, his full moustache stirred by the force. “I’ve seen it before. This is my fourth crossing. Business, you know.”

His gray eyebrows bunched as he claimed the spot next to her at the rail. Teased by the wind, the fedora on his head lifted slightly. He caught it with a gloved hand and jammed it firmly back in place. “You, however, have yet to reveal your reasons for making the journey. Still no hope of finagling the information?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’ve actually made quite a home for myself out in cyber space. Readers can find me at:

Stop on by! I’d love to have you visit.


Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.


One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for visiting us today and for inviting us to your party.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom) - paperback
No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom) - 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

28 comments:

mongupp said...

I like the sound of this book and the historical era it is set in.

Monica, Ontario

pol said...

Years ago I read holt&Whiney books and remember them well, would enjoy this drawing for Elizabeth,s historical with suspense in it.
thanks for sharing
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
A Ga reader

Jo said...

Oh wow, I definitely remember reading Phyllis Whitney's books and really enjoyed them many years ago. Thanks for this giveaway! Book sounds very interesting

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

Unknown said...

Sounds amazing, Lena and Elizabeth. i have been seeing this one around and would love to read and review it. Thanks for the great giveaway

Marianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

reviewingnovelsonline.blogspot.com

Sparks of Ember said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sparks of Ember said...

Sounds like a fascinating story. And the cover is gorgeous!

from the Black Hills of SD!

Cathy said...

I've heard a lot of good things about this book! Would love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway!

Cathy in BC

Breanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hannah said...

I would love to read this book!
Hannah Peasha CA

Anonymous said...

"No Safe Harbor" by Elizabeth Ludwig would be a wonderful addition to my library.
Thanks for entering me in the contest.
Janet E.
von1janet@gmail.com
Florida

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Melissa M. said...

Sounds interesting!

-Melissa M. from TX

Mary Preston said...

A wonderful interview & excerpt thank you. NO SAFE HARBOR looks like such a great read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Doris Aldrich Smith said...

Looks wonderful.

Doris from Dyers Bay, Ontario and Indiana

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Ginger Solomon said...

What a wonderful sounding story. I would love to read it.

Ginger dot solomon at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

"No Safe Harbor" looks like a wonderful book. Thanks and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Beth from Iowa

Shopgirl said...

This book sounds so good! I'm in MN.

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Oooh, I love Victoria Holt! Sounds like a great book!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Lourdes said...

Like what I read so far, would love to win.

Lourdes, Dix Hills Long Island

Lane Hill House said...

I would like to win No Safe Harbor! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Missouri

tickmenot said...

I love what you said about your "desert" years, how encouraging for every one else to hear!

Suspense in a story is something I really enjoy, so your book sounds great!

Blessings-

From Kansas
Tickmenot

Bookishqueen said...

I would like to win this book.I am from Tennessee.

Patty said...

Sounds very intriguing! Would love to win a copy.

Patty in SC

Unknown said...

I love books that have a lot of history behind it. This book looks really good. Thank you for hte opportunity to win it.

Val
Las Vegas, NV

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to win this book

Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville Tx

Jes said...

No Safe Harbor sounds like it will be an exciting read! The cover looks great too! thanks for the giveaway!

Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com