Friday, March 08, 2013

A TEXAS-MADE MATCH - Noelle Marchand - One Free Book


This is a new author to this blog. Welcome, Noelle. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I like to loosely base character’s internal conflict on a spiritual lesson I have learned or am learning because of the realism it adds to the story. Otherwise, it depends on the character. They tend to take on their own personalities which have little to do with mine.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Sometimes when I’m in a grocery store and no one is on the aisle with me, I dance to whatever song is playing over the grocery store speakers. It’s something I often did as a kid. I always thought I’d outgrow it. I haven’t.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I loved to make up stories as a kid. Once I became a teenager, I started writing them down and realized it was something I loved to do.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I loved anything historical. Some of my favorite series were the Little House on the Prairie, Elsie Dinsmore, and Dear America.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
By learning to set my own pace, keep my eyes fixed on the Lord and walk the path He has for me without comparing it to someone else’s.

That is very wise advice for anyone. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes a character comes to me already having a name. If they don’t, I look up historical name records online until I run across something that fits.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Being a published author.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would like to be a bird so I could fly.

What is your favorite food?
Ice cream. Blue Bell Ice Cream to be exact. If you don’t know what that is, you’re missing out on something delicious.

Blue Bell is the best ice cream in the world. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’m my own worst critic. I’m learning to give myself a little slack. At least, I’m trying to.

Tell us about the featured book.
A Texas-Made Match is the last book about the O’Brien family. (The previous two being Unlawfully Wedded Bride and The Runaway Bride.)  Here is the description:

For Ellie O'Brien, finding the perfect partner is easy—as long as it's for other people. Now the townsfolk of Peppin want to return the favor. But how could Lawson Williams be the right choice? The handsome ranch foreman was her childhood friend, but he's the man Ellie deems least likely to court a tomboy with a guilty secret.

Lawson can't help enjoying the town's efforts to push him together with Ellie, though marriage isn't in his plans. Yet Ellie's become a warm, spirited woman who could chase away the clouds of his past. And with a whole town on their side, they could claim a love as big and bold as Texas itself….

I love the fact that the publisher put a scene straight out of the book on the cover. Please give us the first page of the book.
Ellie O'Brien was not the type of girl to chase after men.

That might have to change.

After all, today was her twenty-first birthday. While that hadn't stopped her from revisiting her mischievous youth by climbing to her favorite place in the whole world—the top of the waterfall that pooled into her family's creek—it was pushing marriageable age. This wouldn't have been a problem in most Western towns, where the scarcity of women allowed them to take their time picking husbands. The town of Peppin didn't have that problem, though. Women were plentiful, and the competition between them, while friendly, was still fierce. Ellie had never attempted to jump into the fray before. Now, though it might be too late, she wanted to at least try.

But first, one more moment of being a child.

Her fingers teased the hairpins from her hair with a familiarity born of desperation, then tossed them to the dry ground below like the nuisances they were. She shook out her curly golden tresses, reveling in her newfound freedom as the wind made her hair bounce in disarray. Warm mud oozed between her bare toes as she stepped closer to the precipice. The water rushed past her feet, urging her to join its free fall away from the side of the waterfall and into the creek seven feet below. If she took that final step forward, there would be no going back.

Literally and figuratively. She bit her bottom lip as she peered over through the treetops at the rolling green hills that stretched beyond their property. Perhaps it was too romantic to hope that courtship would be as exhilarating as a sheer fall or as refreshing as the cool shock of cold water that followed—but a gal could hope.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can check out my website http://www.noellemarchand.com and find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads. 

Thank you, Noelle, for sharing your life and book with us today. I read the book this week and loved it. I'm going to have to go back and read the first two in the series.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Texas-Made Match (Love Inspired Historical) - paperback
A Texas-Made Match (Love Inspired Historical) - 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 Google +, 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

30 comments:

Heidi Reads... said...

Looks like a sweet read!
Heidi, San Diego CA

scottsgal said...

one of my fave genres is western romances so I'm sure I'd enjoy this!
thanks for the chance to win this
cheryl in IL

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this one.

Bonnie Jean from Florida

Lyndie Blevins said...

I love to embrace authors I've not read. Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville Tx

pol said...

Hi Noelle,
I have been seeing "A Texas Made Match" in several sites, this story is getting around and I am so glad it is because this is a good author and she writes good stories, pick up one today and you will see what I mean.
thanks for sharing today Lena with this young woman..
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga reader and fan

Melody said...

BRAUM'S is the best ice cream - if you're from OK, MO, TX and KS! Being in south TX means no Braums - being in Nicaragua means....well, just means rice & beans!

This sounds like a wonderful story!

Donna, TX

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Donna, Braums Ice Cream is good, but Bluebell is better, and it's a Texas product from Brenham.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book.

Katie J.
FL

Anonymous said...

would love to win. Angela from KY

Library Lady said...

I would love to win a copy of "A Texas-Made Match".
Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Norma S said...

Would love to win this book, it really sounds great, i also would love to read the other book about the O'Brien family ("Unlawful and Runaway Bride") they all sound great. Again thanks for giving me a chance to win your book, love the cover. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth form Ohio

Noelle Marchand said...

Thank you so much, ladies! I'm so glad you're interested in my stories.

lol. I love the Ice Cream debate here. I've never tried Braums but I think Blue Bell would be pretty hard to beat. Either way, no one makes ice cream like Texas! :)

Wendy Newcomb said...

I like this cover, thank you for the chance to win the book.

Wendy from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Shopgirl said...

This sounds so cute! I love matchmaking stories. I'm in MN.

Mary Preston said...

I expect a lovely read with A TEXAS-MADE MATCH.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo said...

I remember Braum's ice cream from when we lived in Oklahoma and Texas many years ago. I love finding new authors to read. Thank you for the opportunity!

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

holdenj said...

Nice to read Noelle's lovely comments. Thanks for the chance to win!
Julie in MN

Cindy W. said...

Oh I would love to win a copy of A Texas Made Match. My maiden name is Marchand and I already have Noelle's first two books. I live in a small town with a small WalMart that has stopped carrying a lot of the Love Inspired line of books. I'm not really sure why as when they arrive they fly off the shelves.

I live in Auburn, Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Lena...how do you find your authors and their novels? This sounds like another great one! Thanks for the chance to win. Noelle, thanks for being on this blog and for your willingness to answer.

Marianne in Arizona
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

I would love to win,Enter me!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.

sharon m said...

Looks like a very good book-romance, Inspirational and Western/Texas. Like the interview and your view of walking God's path for you and not worrying about others plans for you. sharon, san diego

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Awesome!!! I have "Runaway Bride" I have already read it and loved it! Can't wait to read this one! :)
Please enter me! Thanks and God Bless!

Blanch, N.C.

Patty said...

Love a good historical romance! Please add my name ot the pot.

Patty in SC

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Marianne, I find some of the authors through American Christian Fiction Writers. Others come through literary publicists or from publishers. And some I hear about a book and want to feature them. And some submit their books to me.

Jennifer said...

Hi Noelle and Lena! I've really enjoyed Unlawfully Wedded Bride and The Runaway Bride! So I'm excited to see a new book out by Noelle! A Texas-Made Match looks and sounds great!
jennydtipton(at)gmail.com

Bookishqueen said...

I read Runaway Bride and loved it so this should be good.
Rebekah TN

Sharon Richmond said...

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

rubynreba said...

Texas Made Match looks like a book I would really enjoy.
Beth from Iowa

rubynreba said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Merry said...

A Texas-Made Match sounds like a book I would love. Please add me!
Merry in TX