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Tuesday, January 08, 2013

GRACE GIVEN - Beth Shriver - One Free Book


Welcome back, Beth. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
The reason I write is to create touching stories for Christian and non-Christian readers alike. Even if I wrote for a secular publisher there would be an inspirational undertone, it’s just who I am and what I stand for as a writer. Being a social worker I usually have the social issue in my head first and a faith point, then a takeaway that’s not been overused. Many times I wait and let the story tell me what those are and how they’ll work into each of the characters personalities.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Healing Grace 2013, Season of the Spirit 2014, Season of the Heart 2015, Season of the Soul 2015

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
To narrow it down I’ll go with writers: Author Steve Lawhead is a family friend and his wife encouraged me early on to write, and my friend Shelley Sabga, or better known as Shelley Shepherd Gray, was a great encourager to me. We knew each other long before we started writing and when she told me about her first published book she gave me the courage to write those first words.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
As far as a historical person, I’d have to say C.S. Lewis. I loved The Great Divorce, and saw the play of the Screw Tape Letters and could see it over and over again.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Not to take things personally. It’s a business. It’s just really difficult to get to that frame of mind when you’re passionate about your writing dreams.

Tell us about the featured book.
Elsie can’t forgive her sister, Katie, for leaving the community with the young man she was smitten with. Feeling betrayed and hopeless she becomes a recluse, not letting go of the sadness. Gideon has held a special place in his heart for Elsie, but knew she was interested in someone else. He was one the deacons would consider when the time was right to become one of them, an honor but a great commitment as well.

When Gideon thinks it’s the right time after Katie has left, he takes the opportunity to comfort Elsie through her bitterness. One way he does this is to study the Martyr’s Mirror, with her, a book that is centuries old, describing their ancestor’s sacrifice for their faith, having been persecuted for many years. This time together grows their relationship and prepares them for what is to come.

But Gideon feels there is something more and he eventually earns her trust. Elsie tells him about the English young men who harassed both her and Katie. When the community moved to Texas, they were not welcome by some of the locals. They tell Katie and Elsie that harm will come to them if their community doesn’t go back up north where they came from.

Together they try to do what is right, and stand their ground when they are confronted by the English young men, and the relationship between Elsie and Gideon begins to grow. Gideon stays by Elsie’s side as she learns to give grace and to humble herself to accept grace as well.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue

Ripples of pink clouds covered the blue Texas sky. The sun slowly dipped behind a large oak tree that was almost invisible against the fading darkness. Elsie and Katie walked down a dirt road leading to their family farm after a day at a neighbor’s quilting bee.

“I like the orange with the yellow patches.” Katie flicked her thick, amber curls away from her blue eyes.

Elsie shook her head. “Not me. I like green with the yellow.”

Katie frowned and kicked a rock down the lane ahead of them.

Elsie thought of a compromise, a frequent gesture she made on her part when dealing with her sister. “What if we do all three?”

As they chatted about the patches needed to complete their quilt, an unfamiliar rumbling noise made them pause. Elsie stopped and looked behind her as a car drove up, causing a cloud of dust to fall around them. Her kapp blew off, and the driver whistled.

The three other young men in the car heckled them and laughed. “Hey sweetie, show us more.”

“How about some leg, Amish girl,” The driver called out to her.

“Hey, ladies, stop and talk to us,” another yelled over to them. “No harm in being friendly.”

Elsie had never felt dirty like this. With each word, she felt as if they had thrown a handful of mud at her. She sucked in a breath when the car came to a halt and the driver got out. His dirty, blond hair was slicked straight up, and his blue eyes hardened as he took her in.

The passenger side door opened, and a tall, skinny young man walked around the front of the car. He looked Elsie up and down and moved toward her. She took two steps backward and then took off running. Her heart beat out of her chest, but she didn’t stop until she got to the gravel road leading to their house. Elsie bent over, puffing and holding her side. Katie was close behind, catching her breath.

Katie turned around. “They didn’t follow us, thank Gott.”

Elsie glanced around, no one saw them with those men.

“Elsie, Katie. Are you all right?” Their daed’s booming voice came from behind them. “I saw you running all the way up the drive.” His height and hefty build gave him an intimidating appearance, but his family and community knew him as a gentle man.

“Nee, we’re fine.” Katie answered before Elsie could think of what to say.

He eyed them with suspicion, but nodded. “Okay, then.” He lumbered away, but looked back once.

“Do you think he believed me?” Katie asked with concern in her voice.

“Why didn’t you tell him?” Elsie wasn’t sure what to do. She only knew that now that they hadn’t told him, it became a lie, a secret. Elsie didn’t want the burden of either.

“I don’t want to upset him or mamm. Nothing really happened, anyway.” Katie shrugged.

“It would have if we hadn’t gotten away from them. They had something bad on their minds.” Elsie frowned at her. “It was embarrassing what those boys said. What if someone thinks we invited the attention?” 

“They would know better than that,” Katie scoffed. “And they didn’t have a chance to do anything, with the way you ran off so quickly.”

But Elsie wasn’t so sure. Katie liked attention — especially when a young man smiled her way.

“Well, I guess it’s done.” Elsie tried to put it out of her mind, hoping as they walked to the house that they had made the right decision not to tell anyone. And she prayed it wouldn’t happen again. Three weeks later Katie disappeared, and Elsie’s heart was broken for more than just one reason when Jake left with her.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.bethshriverwriter.com

Thank you, Beth, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Grace Given (Touch of Grace) - paperback
Grace Given (Touch of Grace) - 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

46 comments:

  1. Nice interview, I would really like to win this book. I love Amish stories.

    Wendy from FL.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. Anonymous9:18 AM

    would love to win. angela from KY

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  3. Nice review Would love to win a copy of this book
    bearangel0@yahoo.com
    Kathy from Pa

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  4. Anonymous11:43 AM

    Looks like another wonderful book. Really enjoyed the interview as well. Blessings, Susan Fryman New Mexico.

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  5. Hi Beth,
    Thank you for the chance to win your book. Lena, thank you for the interview, you are so great.I can't wait to find out what happens between the sisters. God bless you.
    Norma Stanforth from Ohio

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  6. Great interview with Beth! Thank you so much for sharing.
    Amy C
    VA

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  7. This book sounds sounds so good! Would love a chance to win. Thank you.

    Karen G, Troy, NY
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com


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  8. Sounds like a sweet book.

    Kat from the black hills of SD!

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  9. Anonymous1:25 PM

    Looks like a great book. I would love to win!!!
    Katie J. from FL
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  10. Thank you all for the kind words about GRACE GIVEN. I really enjoyed writing this story. Best of luck to everyone who entered!

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  11. I just wanted to jump in here and say Beth is as wonderful a person as she is a writer. If you ever get a chance to sit and talk with Beth, do so. Same with Lena. You will be blessed.

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  12. Thank you Gina, blessings!

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  13. Very nice interview. This book definitely sounds like one I can get into. Thank you for the giveaway!

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

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  14. Sounds like a great book!

    I loved the Screw Tape play, too.

    Blessings from Kansas City

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  15. The first page had my heart racing. GRACE GIVEN looks fabulous.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  16. This book sounds so good. I can't wait to find out just how Elsie learns to give grace. It isn't easy you know. We are studying the book, What Is So Amazing About Grace in our Sunday School class. I am getting my eyes open! That is good!
    Loved the interview. I love how you want to inspire both Christian and non-Christian readers. One never knows when a seed might be planted!
    I would love to win a copy of "Grace Given". Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

    Blessings!
    Judy B from Indiana

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  17. oh, thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book
    live in ND

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  18. Wonderful interview. Sounds like a great book. Definitely on my wish list.

    Kevlin from NY
    prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. Did i understand that right, they are considering Gideon for the deaconry? i would love to find out how the English boys harrassed the girls, too. Thanks for the interview and chance to win Grace Given, Beth and Lena. Have an awesome day.

    Marianne from northern Alberta

    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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  20. Anonymous6:26 AM


    I sure would love to win, books are my life, please give me a chance to own one of your books
    Karen from Portland,Oregon
    khsmith97217@yahoo.com

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  21. Thanks for the wonderful interview.
    Would love to win Grace Given!
    I am an Amish book junkie!!
    Cheryl Baranski

    CherylB1987@hotmail.com

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  22. Enjoyed this wonderful interview. I was touched by the fact that Beth wants to reach out to Christians as well as others.Sounds to me like this book is a winner, can't wait to find out the out come between these two sisters and what the Lord has in store for them. Would love to win this book.
    Thanks and Gods blessings from Kathleen in WI!

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  23. I would love to win! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

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  24. Hi Beth, Great interview! I would love to read your book. I want to thank you for the chance to win!
    Blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com
    Indiana

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  25. Enter me!!
    Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
    Sarah Richmond
    Blanch,N.C.

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  26. I would love to get another book from my friend, Beth.
    Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
    Lyndie Blevins

    Duncanville Tx

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  27. Beth's new release, "Grace Given" sounds like a wonderful new Amish story. I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for a wonderful review and giveaway!
    Nancee in Michigan
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  28. Lena--just wanted to mention that Minnesota Brothers is one of my favorite books.
    I enjoyed the interview and the first page of the book. Thank you for sharing. I'd love to read Grace Given.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Tennessee

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  29. Amish books are a favorite of mine. I'd love to read this.
    Beth from IA

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  30. sharon m.7:03 PM

    I really, really enjoy Amish fiction. sharon, san diego

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  31. I love stories about the Amish. When I lived in Buffalo, there was an Amish community that lived nearby. I visited there as often as I could with my girls to introduce them to their life. We went and purchased hand-made toys and I would take them my saved quart and pint canning jars and would exchange them for one of their delicious pies! They were very gracious and invited us into their home as we "bartered". Thank you for the opportunity of winning this book!

    Jean Kropid, West Palm Beach, FL

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  32. Please enter me.I love Beth's books.I would love to win this one.Thanks Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

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  33. I would love to add this book to our Church Library. We have quite a few books about the Amish.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
    Janet E.
    Florida
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. Kay M, thank you for letting me know that you like Minnesota Brothers. I really enjoyed writing that series. You might like my current series, McKenna's Daughters.

    Maggie's Journey and Mary's Blessing are already out, and Catherine's Pursuit will release February 5.

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  35. What a wonderful opportunity for you book. I live in the center of a small Amish community in Huntingdon, TN!

    Brenda ~ TN

    bjhooten@hotmail.com

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  36. I would love to win!
    Hannah P
    CA

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  37. Thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed this interview.

    Lourdes, Long Island, New York

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  38. Amish fiction is my absolute favorite!!! I'm always looking for new authors! I love Shelley Shepard Gray books. She visited my library and it was great! She is so sweet. Your characters sound very realistic and Texas is certainly an unusual location for Amish fiction. Can't wait to read it. Take care! Kristie from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  39. Sharon Richmond1:55 PM

    Enter me!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch,NC.
    sharonruth126@gmail.com

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  40. Beth is an awesome author, and her newest release sounds wonderful. Thank you for the lovely interview and giveaway!
    Nancee in Michigan
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  41. Lena, thank you for suggesting your McKenna's Daughters Series. I put them on my wishlist. I will look forward to reading them!
    Blessings...

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  42. This sounds interesting! Would love to win! I'm in MN.

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  43. Hope I'm not to late to win the book, "Grace Given" by Beth Shriver.
    Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
    Florida

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    Replies
    1. Janet if your library doesn't have my books let me know and I will send some to you.

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  44. Sounds like a great book. Would love to win and read it. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Kay from NY
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

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  45. Will the winner contact me at bethshriver@aol.com

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