Monday, March 25, 2013

TERRI - Sharon Srock - One Free Book


Welcome back, Sharon. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
The easy answer is that women’s fiction seems to be what God has given me to write. I’m more than a little surprised at that since women’s fiction is not my first choice when I’m choosing something the read.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Oh, there are too many…The birth of my daughters, signing that first contract…The day my husband accepted Christ into his heart.

How has being published changed your life?
So far the only change is that it has made me busier. Now I have three jobs and I need an extra three hours in every day.

What are you reading right now?
Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on the fourth Valley View story. The Women of Valley View: Samantha

What would be your dream vacation?
Every year is my dream. This year a four day Bahamas cruise, followed by two days at Disney.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Default mostly. Since all I’ve written has been a part of the Valley View series, all the settings are in Garfield, OK, and Valley View church.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I like to bake, cookies mostly. Problem is, if I make them, I eat them…

You can send some my way any time you want to. My husband loves cookies, but I don’t bake them very often. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
So far, staring at the blank page of a new story. All that white paper is so intimidating. Once I get a few words down, the story takes over and it’s okay.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Join a writer’s group, find a critique partner, and WRITE.

Tell us about the featured book.
Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.

Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child. She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Terri Hayes chewed her bottom lip and prayed. Outside her windows on this sunny Friday afternoon, the Oklahoma summer persisted in spite of the September date circled on her calendar. Her hands sweated, and she clasped them behind her back. She would have raked them through her hair, but she wanted to telegraph calm and collected, not the nervous anticipation churning like ocean waves in her stomach. The weeks of preparation, the evenings spent in class, the hours of prayer, all came down to this.

The curly black head of her visitor disappeared under the kitchen sink. Terri heard grunts and clanks as the woman shifted and examined the contents of the cabinet. Her visitor stood and yanked the top of her crisply tailored suit back into place, her stern face thoughtful as she scribbled notes on a clipboard.

Despite Terri’s desire for calm, her lip chewing graduated to nail biting. Had she missed something? “Ms. Wilson, I…”

Cindy Wilson held up a hand. “Please, Ms. Hayes, I prefer to conduct my investigation uninterrupted. We’ll discuss my findings when I’m done.”

 Terri swallowed her comments with a nod and trailed behind the imposing African-American woman whose job it was to poke and prod into every corner of Terri’s home. She ran through her own mental checklist as they proceeded from room to room. Outlets covered, medicines locked away, cleaning supplies stored out of reach, covers on all of her trash cans. A second perusal of Ms. Wilson’s expression produced no further insight. Pass or fail? Terri shook her head. I wonder if this woman plays poker.

Terri opened the door to the larger of her two spare bedrooms. The odor of fresh paint drifted out to greet them. This was the pride of her summer. She motioned her guest inside, aching to point out the highlights of what she’d worked so hard to accomplish, but she held her peace in the face of Ms. Wilson’s strident and silent inspection. More notes on the clipboard, murmurs, and hums. Approval or disapproval? How can I tell?

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Blog: www.Sharonsrock.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock


Thank you, Sharon, for sharing Terri's story with us today.


Readers, 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

42 comments:

Juanita Nobles said...

Sounds like a great story. I would love to read it, so please enter my name.
Juanita Nobles
mjnobles(at)charter(dot)net

Sharon said...

Lean, thanks so much for allowing me to visit with your readers. Sorry to be so late chiming in, but I just got home.

Juanita, I hope that, should you get the chance to read Terri's story, you will enjoy as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Sharon said...

Linda, Good luck in the drawing.

Norma S said...

" Terri" sounds like a great book, thank for giving me a chance to win it. Lena great interview with Sharon! Sharon nice looking cover. When a book has children,romance, and God in it has to be a great book. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Jackie Tessnair said...

Sounds great.I would love to read this book.Thanks.Jackie Tessnair,N.C.

Mary Preston said...

I'm with you on the baking, so I have to bake just when others will be there to eat them.

TERRI looks like such a great read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Judy said...

I would love to win a copy of Terri. I read Callie and loved every page of it. Terri is on my wish list! Can't wait! :)

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

Jo said...

This book sounds great! I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed Callie (review coming soon) and would love a chance to win Terri. Thanks for a great interview, Lena and Sharon.

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Patty said...

Sounds like a good book. Many families in our church have gotten involved in foster care and adoption recently. It's a beautiful thing to see!

Patty in SC

Sharon Richmond said...

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

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

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

Sharon said...

Hi all. Sorry to be so late again today. But I have terrific news. I signed a contract for the 3rd Women of Valley View story last night. Life just spiraled away after that. Celebration dinner with the hubs. He fed me mexican. Now to answer each comment.

Sharon said...

Norma, Harbourlight has some of the best cover art in the world. I'm glad you like it. I hope you'll read the story, even if you don't win the book.

Sharon said...

Jackie, Good luck, I hope you enjoy the story.

Sharon said...

Mary, My coworkers are always ready to stand in the cookie or brownie gap for me. I hope you enjoy the story.3066 ativiut

Sharon said...

Judy, good to see you here, good luck. Thanks for the kind words about Callie.

Sharon said...

Jo, thanks for taking the time to stop for a visit.

Sharon said...

Marianne, Thanks for the kind words about Callie. I can't wait to read your review. I hope you enjoy Terri's story as much!

Sharon said...

Patty, helping a child is the highest calling.

Sharon said...

Sharon, I hope you'll find time to read and enjoy the story.

Sharon said...

Sarah, Good luck. Thanks for stopping by.

Linda Goodnight said...

Nice interview, Sharon. No need to enter me in the drawing. I've read "Terri" and can say it's a lovely story with characters you'll care about!

Sharon said...

Linda, Thanks so much. I appreciate the time you take to support the Women of Valley View.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Enter me! 'Terri ' sounds great!! Loved learning more about you, Sharon. Good interview!

Jessyferguson (@) gmail (dot) com

Sharon said...

Jess, thanks for stopping by. If you win, I'll deliver in person!

sharon m. said...

Your book looks very good! Single moms are our heroes with such a big job they do so well. sharon, san diego

Sharon said...

Sharon M, thanks so much for your sweet words. Good luck in the drawing.

Lyndie Blevins said...

a Day care center is an interesting back drop

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanvile, Tx

Pamela S. Meyers said...

Great interview, Sharon! I wonder when you have time to write!!!

Mary Manners said...

I loved Callie and have also had the priviledge of a preview of Terr. Both stories are wonderful! Sharon Srock is a truly gifted writer.

Sharon said...

Lyndie,
It was a natural choice for my lead character. With Terri's love for kids and none of her own, how else could she spend her time?

Sharon said...

Pamela, It's a juggling act mot days. Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon said...

Mary, You are so sweet to stop by and offer encouragement.
Thanks!

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me! Thanks and God Bless!

Blanch N.C.

Sharon said...

Abigail, Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!

Sadie and Sophie said...

Great interview. These Maine sisters would love to win a copy of Terri. sscuffe at yahoo dot com

Shopgirl said...

I've been enjoying the excerpts on your website! I'm in MN.

Sharon said...

Sadie and Sophie, thanks so much for stopping by!

Sharon said...

Veronica, so glad to see you here! Good luck.

rubynreba said...

Loved the interview. The book sounds like one I would enjoy. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa