Wednesday, March 20, 2013

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL - K Dawn Byrd - One Free Ebook


Tell us about your salvation experience.
I came to know the Lord in Bible school when I was in elementary school. I don't remember what date, which is unfortunate. I'd gone with a neighbor.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
This is going to sound strange coming from a CBA author. Harlan Coben, Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner because they all write great suspense. My third choice isn't strange at all because she's a CBA author. Pepper Basham because she's so sweet and knows exactly what to say when I need it.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Me, speak? Are you kidding? I'd pass away in a dead faint.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I was at a writing conference (not ACFW) and bit into a huge olive and gave the girl sitting next to me a bath. Good thing, we'd been hanging out for a few days and I felt like I knew her.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
I tell them to study and learn as much as they can about the craft before starting.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here's the blurb from my publisher:
Lauren Milton has always followed the rules, but when she meets Antony Marcos, she discovers just how much fun it is to do her own thing. When Antony, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, professes his love for her, her life is complete. He's her soul mate, but when she finds that he's harboring secrets, can she forgive him? 

Antony is terrified that his secrets will destroy their relationship when Lauren finds out the truth. Does he tell the truth and face losing her or continue his activities, possibly placing her in danger? Can they make things work even though her family and friends are against him? 

Lauren has PTSD from the car accident that killed her boyfriend and her mother. Can she face her greatest fears while risking everything for the guy she loves? Can they overcome the obstacles facing them to find their happily ever after?

Please give us the first page of the book.
The taste of fear hung thick in the air, sickening me. I swallowed hard, attempting to ease the dryness in my throat. Three guys were following me, and they looked nowhere near model citizens.

I stumbled and righted myself, stealing a quick glance over my shoulder. They were gaining ground. Adrenaline fired my blood as I pushed myself to move faster
.
The deathly quiet on campus was unnerving, no student chatter, not the faintest rustle of a breeze. Class had begun, and the sidewalks were deserted. Why had I signed up for a night class?
I contemplated dodging into a thick grove of trees to my right, but if I couldn't outrun them, they'd be free to do whatever they wanted to me in the secluded grove that was too sheltered for anyone to hear my screams. Dusk was quickly approaching and a light rain began to fall, sparkling the sidewalk. The scent of damp earth rose up to meet me, taunting me that it would be glad to provide an early grave.

My heart slammed into my ribs as I wiped sweaty palms down the side of my jeans, moving as fast as I could with a heavy backpack strapped to my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of the one who appeared to be their leader. He had me in his sights, a determined look on his hardened face. I wrestled with the backpack, attempting to free myself. Let them have my laptop, my jewelry, and everything else. Just give me my freedom.

"Hey, sweet thing!" one yelled, his voice raspy.

Weak in the knees, I continued forward, hoping he'd think I hadn't heard him. I couldn't slow down to rid myself of the backpack, and it was impossible to dump while moving. It was too heavy. A shuffling noise behind me told me they were closing in.

A rough squeeze on my shoulder and a jerk backward turned me to face the head honcho. "What do you want?" I whispered, my breath freezing in my lungs.

His lips curled and his eyes narrowed to slits. "You should have listened when I told you to stop."

"I-I'm late for class." I glanced around, hoping to spot someone. Anyone.

The heat from the concrete mixed with the newly fallen rain floated upward, fogging the air and stealing what little breath I had left. Panic surged through me, and I silently cursed myself for leaving my pepper spray in the car.

A calculated grin tugged at his wide mouth. He took his time sizing me up much like a cat toying with a mouse. Snapping his fingers as if remembering something important, he said, "I've seen you around. You drive the red Beamer. The ragtop." He rubbed his chin.

Ice water flowed through my veins. He knew what I drove. Did he know where I lived?
"What's your old man do for a living anyway?"

My mind played a scene-by-scene footage of him stuffing a gag in my mouth, throwing me into the trunk of his car, and hauling me to a warehouse on the outskirts of our small Southwest Virginia town. I faced them head-on. I wouldn't tell them that my father, Quentin Milton, was the new district attorney. That knowledge was a hold-me-for-ransom death wish.

Keep them talking, Lauren. Someone has to show up eventually.
I stared him down as he grasped my chin, his hands rough and calloused and his grip strong. His hair was greasy, and he reeked of garlic and cheap cologne. My stomach tumbled, and I held my breath. Nothing he could do to me would hurt me worse that what I'd suffered the last two years.

Nothing.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook Christian Fiction Gathering: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianfictiongathering/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kdawnbyrd

Thank you, K Dawn, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Something Beautiful


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

14 comments:

Norma S said...

Hi K Dawn, i hope you will enter my name in your giveaway, thank you. Your book sounds like a great book can't wait to read it.Love your cover. God bless you.
Norma from Ohio

Jo said...

Would love to read this book. It sounds so interesting. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
nadernd 111

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

I was holding my breath reading the first page - fantastic.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Lyndie Blevins said...

Almost everyone knows someone who has been in a similar situation - PTSD over a car accident - so its should be a great story to relate to.

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville, Texas

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Norma: I love the cover also! It's one of my favorites.

Lyndie: I work in the mental health field and it's not unusual at all to see people who suffer from PTSD. It can be caused by so many things, basically anything traumatic.

Thanks for all the comments! Something Beautiful was a lot of fun to write. I enjoy developing characters who aren't perfect and face what looks to be insurmountable challenges.

Unknown said...

What a great post, blurb from the book and excerpt! Thanks for the chance to win!

MitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

squiresj said...

Don't know if I am too late to enter. I would love to win and read and review your book. It sounds very interesting. Thanks Lena for the review.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Thanks for hosting me, Lena. I always enjoy being here with your readers.

Something Beautiful is my last YA release for this year. I have one more release, in December, which is a romantic suspense.

Hannah said...

I would love to win this book!
Hannah P
CA

sharon m said...

Your book looks good. Love to win. sharon, san diego

Jackie Tessnair said...

Please enter me.I have been wanting to read this book.Jackie Tessnair,N.C.

Bethany said...

I'd love to be entered!

cbus.blogger at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I live in TN