Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
Most of my books are about women on journeys of
self-discovery. I think that’s something we’re always dealing with: Am I a mom,
a daughter, a career woman, a homemaker? What in the world is God’s plan for my
life? It may sound like a heavy topic, but my books tend to be light and laced
with humor. There’s no reason we can’t laugh our way through this!
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I would have to say the day my son was born, because he’s
given me joy every day after that.
How has being
published changed your life?
Being published has affirmed that I’m in the place God wants
me. Not only has he given me a career, but he’s given me relationships with
other writers and folks in the publishing world that are priceless.
What are you reading
right now?
Walking in the Dust of
Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg. It’s a fascinating look at Jesus’s ministry
from the perspective of the Jewish culture.
What is your current
work in progress?
I’m very excited to be co-writing (with Lisa Karon
Richardson) a historical series for Whitaker House. Diamond in the Rough, the first of three books in the Charm &
Deceit series, releases May 1, 2013.
What would be your
dream vacation?
My son’s godparents have spent several years in Greece , so now they’ve got me dreaming of a few
weeks in Crete . Beautiful beaches, lovely
people, and amazing food… what a great time that would be.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
For my first two books, I made up towns, because that worked
best. But for the rest of them, I’ve used real locations. In A
Wild Goose Chase Christmas, I set it in Monrovia , California .
At first, it was a matter of expediency: I was on a very tight deadline, and Monrovia is a place I’ve
lived in before. As it turned out, it fit the feel and tone of the story
perfectly.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I would love to sit down with retired author LaVyrle
Spencer. She was such an influence on me early on. Her books showed me that
romance novels could be superbly written and emotionally complex. I would love
to listen to her talk about her life.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love playing games with friends, whether they’re board
games or internet games. And I’m a movie buff, although I don’t get to nearly
as many as I used to.
What is your most difficult
writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination is still my biggest enemy. If I’m not
inspired and ready to write, it’s so easy to flit to something else, or put the
writing aside until tomorrow. The problem is, tomorrow sometimes turns into next
week if you’re not careful. For me, the best way to overcome that is to
write down all my goals and due dates on an old fashion, paper calendar on a
cork board next to my desk. That way, I see it every day and I can’t ignore the
immediate need to work today.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Don’t write to trends or fads. Chances are, if you write a
book about a topic simply because it’s “hot” now, it will be colder than ice by
the time your book could be published. Write what you love, and your passion
will come through onto the page.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure. Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about it, they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. If that weren't enough, local museum curator Max Logan claims that Grandma Isabella promised the quilt to him. What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?
Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure. Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about it, they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. If that weren't enough, local museum curator Max Logan claims that Grandma Isabella promised the quilt to him. What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Izzy Fontaine was up to her elbows in family photos when the doorbell rang. The sound echoed, joined by two sharp barks and the clicking of nails on the hardwood floor as Bogie rounded the corner, bounded across the room and slid to a stop in front of the door. The Jack Russell terrier did the same thing anytime someone rang the bell. And every time the door opened and he saw it wasn’t his owner, he slunk out of the room with his head down.
Izzy Fontaine was up to her elbows in family photos when the doorbell rang. The sound echoed, joined by two sharp barks and the clicking of nails on the hardwood floor as Bogie rounded the corner, bounded across the room and slid to a stop in front of the door. The Jack Russell terrier did the same thing anytime someone rang the bell. And every time the door opened and he saw it wasn’t his owner, he slunk out of the room with his head down.
Izzy looked down at the dog. “I
miss her, too, Boy.”
Letting out a sigh, she dropped the
eight by tens from her hands, pushed her chair away from the table and trudged
across the room. Who would stop by unannounced? A list of the usual suspects
flitted through her mind: Students selling magazine subscriptions? Local
proselytizers unnecessarily worried about her soul? Or the man with the pickup
truck full of gardening tools who kept offering to rake the leaves from her
yard? What she didn’t expect to see through the fish-eye lens of the peephole
was a senior citizen standing on the porch.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I’m kind of all over.
Website – http://www.jenniferallee.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferAlLee
Inkwell Inspirations blog - http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jenallee/Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this book with us. I can't wait until I get mine.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas: Quilts of Love Series - paperback
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas: Quilts of Love Series - 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
would love to win. Angel from KY
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this interview with Jennifer. She is a new author to me and it was nice to get to know her a little bit. We do have something in common..I loved the books written by LaVyrle Spencer.
ReplyDeleteI would be thrilled to win a copy of A Wild Goose Chase Christmas!
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
Thank you for the great interview. I would love to read "A Wild Goose Chase Christmas". Sounds like something that I would really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
Would love to have this!
ReplyDeleteamy c
va
Thank you, Lena, for another wonderful review. I love this series of books, and am looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for offering this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Good morning, your smile is so beautiful and I must tell you that you have the face of a woman who was so dear to the family but gone now and I loved the memories that your face brought-
ReplyDeletelove to read books and the title of your Christmas story brought a chuckle too, thanks for sharing
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga Reader
Good morning, all! It's always such fun to visit with Lena's readers. Thanks so much for the warm welcome. Wishing a beautiful Christmas season to each and every one of you dear ladies :)
ReplyDeletePaula, thank you for the sweet comments. I'm honored to be able to bring up happy memories for you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a story with a lot of fun wild goose chases! ;)
ReplyDeleteFrom the black hills of SD!
I absolutely love the cover of A Wild Goose Chase Christmas. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
would love to win A WILD GOOSE CJASE CHRISTMAS. Like your books.
ReplyDeletesharon, san diego
I just know that I'm going to enjoy reading A WILD GOOSE CHASE CHRISTMAS.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thank you for chance to win A Wild Goose Chase Christmas. Thank you, Lena, for all of your postings throughout the year. Kathleen ~ Missouri
ReplyDeletelanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Beautiful cover! I enjoyed the interview. I'd really love to read this.
ReplyDeleteBeth from IA
thanks for the chance to read this story
ReplyDeletekarenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
ReplyDeleteLyndie Blevins
Great interview! Looks like a nice new book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKandra in TN
Jennifer AiLee is a new author to me and I would love to read her book. Thank you for the awesome blog post and I am loving the title "A Wild Goose Christmas." Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteVal
lastnerve2000 at gmail dot com
Isn't the cover fun? The folks in the Abingdon art department always do great covers, but I think they outdid themselves with the Quilts of Love series. And I love that Bogie ended up on the cover of mine!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was brainstorming the story, I searched the internet, checking out all kinds of different quilt patterns. As soon as I saw the wild goose chase pattern, I knew that had to be it. It really was the perfect inspiration for a fun book.
ReplyDeleteEnter me this book looks great!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I have waited a long time for this series to come out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me in the book giveaway.
Janet E.
Florida
von1janet@gmail.com
I'm starting a collection of Christmas books. This would be a great addition! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas
I would love to win and read this book.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute cover!
ReplyDeleteJasmine in Montana where it is finally snowing
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas sounds like an adventure, please count me in!
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX
I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteHannah P
CA