LOVE IN THE BALANCE - Regina Jennings - One Free Book on This Blog Plus Much More

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-19^th 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.

I’d love to hear from you.

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

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Love in the Balance" Author Chat Party on April 4th. Connect with Regina, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

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 - paperback
Love 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