Friday, December 21, 2012

AS YOU ARE AT CHRISTMAS - Davalynn Spencer - One Free Ebook


Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
My first novel had quite a bit of my personal experience in it regarding the protagonist’s line of work as a reporter, the foods she enjoyed, and the way she took her coffee. But for this romantic Christmas novella, very little of my likes and dislikes appear in the story. True, I was also an elementary school teacher, as is the heroine, but beyond that, her character revealed itself to me as I wrote, and I loved getting to know her.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
My husband was a professional rodeo clown and bullfighter for many years. One summer at the Estes Park Night Rodeo in Colorado, he was seriously injured and could not continue with the comedy acts he presented between rodeo events. Forbidden by the doctor to even attend the performances, he stayed at the motel for three nights while I dressed up in his clown clothes, painted my face, and with the help of another bullfighter, carried on with the comedy routines. But that’s where I drew the line – no bullfighting for me! There’s a story in there somewhere, don’t you think?

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I wrote my first story in the sixth grade. The teacher liked it so well, he asked me to read it in installments one evening during our class’s science camp in the mountains. Other students performed skits as “commercials” between the installments, and from that moment, I was hooked on writing.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Fiction opens our eyes and hearts to the truth, much like the parables that Jesus shared. The power of story can change a person’s life when the reader or listener relates to a character or that character’s challenges. Though I write romance, I read across the board, from contemporary suspense, adventure, and mystery, to Biblical fiction, women’s fiction, American historical, and mild sci-fi.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Most mornings I take our Queensland heeler, Blue, to the Riverwalk where I hide away from everything technological. Only God’s great creation meets me there: the river, mallards, Canada geese, white-tail deer, squirrels, songbirds, and bear that kindly just leave their calling card rather than greet me face-to-face. The seasonal changes wrap the trees in varying colors and inspire me to show these transitions in my writing. And the quiet – oh, the quiet! How sweet to hear the Lord’s dear voice while enjoying His handiwork.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
True confession: I’m not so good at finding imaginative or memorable names. When I begin a story, a name comes to me and I stick with it at least until the tale is told. I’ve changed a few that didn’t feel right, and searched for others with specific meanings behind their origin. But usually the character just shows up and introduces herself.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Allowing someone to peek through the cracks in my life to catch a glimpse of God’s redemptive love.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
If I could choose to live a day in an animal’s body, I would be a bird. Preferably a meadowlark or red tail hawk. How grand it would be to fly, to defy gravity and spiral skyward on the thermals or sing across the meadows at dawn. However, sometimes I think I morph into a hummingbird and beat myself silly with a rush of wing and activity.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate-chip mint ice-cream and lasagna. And tacos. And my daughter’s homemade bread with honey butter, and …

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Life, and all its daily demands, has been my biggest roadblock. I can’t run off to a cave and immerse myself in story and plot and characterization—I have to live life. However, overcoming it isn’t the goal, but rather, not letting it overcome me. Remembering God’s faithfulness, that He is in control and loves me, is my saving grace. He helps me prioritize and do the important thing first, not the urgent.

Tell us about the featured book.
In this contemporary, Colorado Christmas romance, an elementary school teacher is devastated by her cheating boyfriend. Sticking with her plans to go home for the holidays, she returns to her grandmother’s Berthoud Boarding House only to be surprised by the handsome stranger waiting there.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Angela Murphy squeezed her eyes tight against the invisible onion mist and prayed she wouldn’t slice her fingertips off with the next few strokes. Why did she always get the job of dicing onions for Mollie’s sweet onion jam? Angela rubbed her sweater sleeve across her watery eyes. Over the years she had tried everything to prevent the sting—from holding a slice of bread in her mouth to cutting the onions under water. Nothing helped, so she cried her way through the process. But this time, the onions served as a perfect cover for the waterworks coming from her heart.

“Angie, dear.” Mollie padded into the kitchen and stopped at the stove to check on supper. She lifted the cast-iron lid from her stew pot, peeked inside at the simmering Swiss steak and then looked at Angela. “You about finished with those rascals?”

“I’m on the last one now.”

Mollie walked over and swept the onion skins and end pieces into her apron and peered into Angela’s face. “He’s not worth those tears.”

Angela glanced at the diminutive woman and forced a shaky smile. “You’re right. He’s really not. But it still hurts.” How did Mollie always know if a tear was real?

“Well, there’s plenty of fish in the sea—or deer on the mountain—as my Jim used to say.” She emptied her apron into the wastebasket by the back door. “There are also several nice-looking young men at the church, I’ve noticed. You might meet someone there on Sunday.”

Angela’s heart squeezed at the thought of her adoptive grandmother’s constant husband-hunt. She loved the woman dearly, the woman who had rescued her from Social Services, and raised her as her own grandchild. Mollie and Jim were the only family Angela had ever known.

“I never really cared for ol’ what’s-his-name anyway,” Mollie said. She opened a lower cupboard door and pulled out another pot. “A little too wrapped up in himself, if you ask me.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can contact me through my website, www.davalynnspencer.com, my blog, www.davalynnspencer.blogspot.com, and my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/davalynn.spencer

Thank you, Davalynn, for sharing your ebook and your life with us.

Readers, here are some links where you can buy the book.



http://www.amazon.com/You-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B00A10OA3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352220936&sr=1-3#


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.

34 comments:

Jo said...

Merry Christmas! This sounds like a good book to read at this time of the year. Thank you for the opportunity!

Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.

Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville, Tx

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a great book, thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Wendy from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Davalyn Spencer said...

Jo, Lyndie, and Wendy, thanks so much for dropping by. I had a lot of fun writing this Colorado Christmas romance. Hope you enjoy it!

Unknown said...

Awesome interview!

Loved the rodeo clown bit...there is surely a story there!

Have a blessed Christmas.

Already have the book, just stopping by to say hello.

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks for visiting, Marian. Yep - someday I need to write up that rodeo adventure. My upcoming book has a cowboy/rancher. Maybe a rodeo clown in the future!

Carla Rossi said...

Rodeo clown? Really? Sounds like fun.
I already have the story, but wanted to say hi!

Liz Flaherty said...

Great interview. Rodeo clown? Oh, my goodness, that's amazing!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Davalynn. I don't qualify for the e-book, since I've no Kindle, etc, but I do appreciate your blog today. May your Christmas be peaceful and your books increase in popularity!!

Gail Kittleson
gkittleson AT myomnitel.com

Patty said...

Thanks for the great interview and chance to win.

Patty in Sc

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks,Carla and Liz. Amazing what we learn about each other in an interview, isn't it! Thanks for stopping by.

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thank you so much, Gail. Did you know you can download a Kindle ap to your computer for free at Amazon. I did that once before I bought a Kindle. Works great! Thanks for stopping to chat.

Davalyn Spencer said...

Patty - so glad you visited today. Merry Christmas!

Robin Patchen said...

I love the cover art on your book, Devalynn. It's so Norman Rockwell. This book is on my TBR list.

I'll be looking for your rodeo clown story in a book down the road.

Merry Christmas!

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks, Robin. So glad you like the cover. I've had several people tell me it reminded them of a Rockwell print. Nicola at Pelican Book Group did a fabulous job. This story will be a great read for relaxing and enjoying the Christmas season.

sharon m. said...

Christmas is my favorite season and I really enjoy Christmas fiction. Sharon, San Diego

Davalyn Spencer said...

I'm with you, Sharon. I love Christmas. Hope you'll enjoy the snow in this story - quite a bit different from your beautiful beaches in San Diego!

Unknown said...

Thanks for giving us a peek at Davalyn.
KP

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks, Kevin, for stopping by. Lena asks amazing questions.

Karla Akins said...

Great interview! Thanks, Lena and Davalyn!

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks for stopping by, Karla. Hmm - wonder what that rodeo clown would look like on a motorcycle ...

Norma S said...

Hi Davalynn,
Thank you for your giveaway. The book being about a elementary school teacher who was devastated by her cheating boyfriend. She was sticking with her plans to go home. I would like to finish reading the book to see what happens. Hope you have a Merry Christmas in celebrating Christ's birth.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thank you, Norma. As a former teacher myself, it was a fun story to write.

Lourdes said...

Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.

Lourdes Long Island, NY

Davalyn Spencer said...

Thanks for visiting, Lourdes.

Mary Preston said...

A fabulous first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

apple blossom said...

love Christmas books thanks for the chance to win this book
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

rubynreba said...

Beautiful cover! It just reminds me of old times when we used to go out and bring home trees! Sounds like a fun romance to read!
Beth from IA

Terri B. said...

I love reading, especially free Christian books. I am from Oregon in the summer and Mazatalan Mexico in the winter.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Shopgirl said...

This sounds like such a cute book! I'm in MN.

Jackie Tessnair said...

Sounds great,would love to win this book.Thanks and Merry Christmas.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

sharon m said...

Oh, how I love reading Christmas fiction; and one in beautiful Colorado as well. Sharon, San Diego

Terri B. said...

Lethal Intent sounds like a book I would love to read. I am in Maztlan, Mexico, and love my kindle as I can get any book on it whenever I feel the need.