Welcome back, Regina. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
Three things that inspire me and tend to make it into my
books:
Interesting historical tidbits.
Humorous situations and turns of phrase.
Themes of morality or spiritual truth that I’d like to
explore further.
How has being
published changed your life?
It’s given me an excuse for some of my more eccentric
behavior. Before I couldn’t get away with daydreaming, keeping files of notes
from history books, or confusing fiction plots with something I’d read on the
prayer request list. Now when people hear I’m a novelist, they expect me to be
half a bubble off.
What are you reading
right now?
For me, I just started Mary Connealy’s Swept Away. She has such a way with words. With the kids, we are
reading The Iliad aloud.
What is your current
work in progress?
I am editing two works this month. Caught in the Middle is the sequel to Love in the Balance, and
it stars Anne Tillerton who has left society behind to hunt buffalo in Indian Territory .
The other project is a novella collection called A Match
Made in Texas. I’m so excited to work with Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox, and
Mary Connealy on this project. They are a hoot.
What would be your
dream vacation?
A leisurely tour of the UK .
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
For the first book of this series, Sixty Acres and a Bride, I chose central Texas after Reconstruction because it best
fit with my retelling of the Book of Ruth. Caldwell
County contained the starting point
for the Chisholm Trail , so that helped narrow
down the location.
My next series is going to be in the Missouri Ozarks, where
all my family is from. Feuds, bushwhackers, and Bald Knobbers—everyone was fighting
in those hills during the mid-19th century.
I thoroughly enjoyed
reading Sixty Acres and a Bride. If
you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it
be and why?
Princess Kate, or Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge if
you’d prefer. I want to hear about the dynamics in the royal family from the
in-law. What are they really like and what adjustments has she had to make to
get used to her new life?
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Homeschooling takes most of my time that isn’t spent
writing. Before I started writing, I spent more time playing the piano,
cross-stitching, and going to the gym.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I struggle to balance my family duties with my writing. Either
I worry that I’m not spending enough time with my work or that I’m shorting my
family. I have to prayerfully remind myself that only God could’ve opened the
doors to make this ministry possible. He knows what I have time for and what my
kids need.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Read all the time. Read aloud. Study genres and pay for a
professional critique. (Which is what I did with Mrs. Dooley. J)
This year at
conference, I’m only doing mentoring appointments, because they need more of
them. But I will miss doing the critiques. I love to encourage unpublished
authors. Tell us about the featured book.
Love in the Balance features Molly Lovelace, a court clerk
who dreams of being a society leader in 1879 Lockhart , Texas ,
but being smitten with handsome wrangler Bailey Garner doesn’t seem the
quickest route. If only he would settle down so he could support a family.
Bailey
imagines doing great things for God, but his greatest obstacle is Molly. As
long as he thought they’d be married, he excused their stolen kisses, but when
she keeps refusing, he vows to earn her love. In town, he tries his hand at
several different trades, but everywhere he turns, he runs into the mysterious
stranger Edward Pierrepont. No surprise that Molly’s always making calf eyes at
the wealthy adventurer.
As pressure
from Molly’s parents grows, she is forced into a hasty decision. Had she
weighed all her options, and will she find love in the balance?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The pew
creaked as another sinner rose to unburden their troubled soul. Molly Lovelace
twisted around on the slick wooden bench, bunching her tiered silk skirt
against her mother’s, and watched as Louise Bradford stood. Bother. As if she
had anything interesting to confess.
“After all God
has done for me, I still can’t live in holiness. This week I harbored thoughts
of impatience toward my husband.”
Molly cringed.
Surely Mrs. Bradford’s worst thoughts would bleach Molly’s laundry clean.
Molly’s
transgressions, on the other hand…
Leaning
forward to see around her father, Molly caught Bailey watching her intently.
Her pulse quickened. With all the people trying to make decisions for her, she
couldn’t afford a misstep, but she hadn’t expected to lose her heart so
completely. What did Bailey Garner have to offer? Nothing by her father’s
reckoning. If only his pockets were filled out as nicely as his homespun shirt.
Molly’s sigh
earned her a stern glare from her mother. She bowed her head, hoping to appear
sorrowed over Mrs. Bradford’s tedious list of near sins, but how long would the
woman ramble on? Bailey was waiting.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Please visit my
website at www.reginajennings.com or look me up at www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings and twitter.com/#!/ReginaJennings.
Regina Jennings is celebrating the release of Love in the Balance with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on 4/4!
One "lovely" winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- A copy of Regina's Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance
So grab your copy of Love in the Balance and join Regina on the evening of April 4th for a chance to connect 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 today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Love in the Balance - paperbackLove in the Balance (Ladies of Caldwell County Book #2) - 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, Linkedin, 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
27 comments:
Please enter me, I enjoyed the first one. KS
would love to win this one. I enjoyed her first book very much!
Cathy in BC Canada
I love books set in the west! I haven't read this author so I'll have to check out her other books too.
Heidi, CA
Molly's story sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Julie in MN
Molly sounds like an interesting and fun character. I would enjoy reading Love in the Balance.
Tthank you for offering a copy.
may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
Tennessee
what a pretty cover - I'd love a chance to read this
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
Thank you for enter my name, your book sounds great. I also love your cover. Thank you and God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio
Thanks for the chance to win!
Julie in South Dakota
This sounds like a really good one! I'm in MN.
I would love too win this book of Regina's. Just know it will be good. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I think having someone to critique your work would be invaluable.
I loved the first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
My dream vacation is also to visit the UK! Someday maybe!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me; this book sounds so good! Regina is a new author to me and I can't wait to read her books.
Have a Blessed Easter. HE IS RISEN!
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
I'm in North Carolina - a coastal city girl born but have lived in mid-state for over 50 years. In North Carolina we have the ocean (Atlantic, in case your geography is rusty), the coastal plains where the peaches grow so nicely, the piedmont with lots of rivers and manufacturing, and the wonderful mountains. What else could you want?
I also like - Interesting historical tidbits. Look forward to the book.
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
love to win thanks
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
LOVE IN THE BALANCE sounds very good. I would like to win. sharon, san diego
Sixty Acres and A Bride was very enjoyable! Looking forward to more by Regina...
Patty in SC
I got hooked on the Daughters of the Promise, and then on the Land of Canaan series. I love reading your books and can't wait to read this one.
Desiree Soto
Pico Rivera, CA
This sounds like a great book; I'd be very pleased to win a copy. The novella Regina is working on also sounds great; I enjoy the work of the other writers she is working with.
Thanks,
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas
This looks good! I live in TN
I loved Regina's first book, Sixty Acres and a Bride! Can't wait to read this one!
~Marissa from CO
Enter me! Looks Great!!!
Blanch, N.C.
Beautiful cover! I' love to read this book. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa
Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I loved the interview! I really want to read this book!
Hannah CA
I haven't had a chance to read this author's books but I would love to do so. Thanks for the opportunity!
Jasmine A. in Montana
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