Thursday, March 14, 2013

THE SURVIVOR - DiAnn Mills - One Free Book


Bio: Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

Welcome back, DiAnn. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I’m a wife, mother, and grandmother (Mimi). I’ve lived in Houston for 33 years and love everything about my city and state. I’ve been writing and published since 1996. Love what I do! I also love teaching and mentoring serious writers. 

How did you become interested in writing?
I was always interested in writing, but I didn’t have the confidence. It took my husband challenging me to write a book for me to get started. He suggested I quit my job to see if I could get anything published. That was the incentive for me to fulfill my dreams.

What compelled you to write a book on this subject?
I’ve made great friends at FBI Houston. They are supportive, and I consider myself very fortunate. One of the special agents suggested I write from solved cold cases. We searched through their files until I found the case for The Chase and The Survivor. In The Survivor, I was captivated by the courage of a young woman who had overcome a tragedy. I knew she had to be in my story! Although I massaged the real case, much of the character’s backstory is authentic. The real woman’s courage inspired me to show her bravery throughout the book.

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book?
With God, any adversity can be overcome.

I also deal with forgiveness: ourselves and others.

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?
I want my readers to close the book and be encouraged and inspired to attempt what appears beyond their reach. I believe in prayer mixed with goals, God goals, and I want my readers to feel the same exhilaration in their spirits.

What makes your book different from any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?
The characters! The Survivor is like “Castle” meets “Cold Case.” I have a gutsy heroine who is a suspense writer, and an FBI special agent, who is an Indiana Jones type of hero. The two find themselves in the midst of danger with impossible odds. Both are strong and stubborn people. It’s a good thing they love each other!

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?
I want to write books that mirror real life. We live in an imperfect world, and I want to show how people are touched by those who solve their problems and make decisions from a Christian worldview. Our purpose is to reach out to people, and I find this best through the written word.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?
Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. …”

When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?
I love to read, cook, garden, and play with the grandbabies. Reading is a passion, not only my own genre, but nonfiction, and how-to books about the craft. Cooking and gardening help me work through plot points and characterization. Grandbabies are just fun.     

As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?
I invite readers to join me on Facebook. We have a fabulous time discussing everything and enjoying the community there. I love to hear from readers!

Tell us about the book.
Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into a viper's pit of danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Pride plays a big role in his reluctance to make things right between them. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss's new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold-case?

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
twitter.com/diannmills

Thank you, DiAnn. I always love to have you drop by my blog.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston) - paperback
The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston) - 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

31 comments:

DiAnn Mills said...

Lena, thanks so much for the opportunity to visit with your readers!

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela from ky

Anonymous said...

The Survivor sounds great. I would love to read this one.

Bonnie Jean from Florida

Hannah said...

Great interview! I would love to win!
Hannah P
CA

Anonymous said...

I love to read suspense novels and would love to win this one.

Katie J.
FL

Jo said...

This book sounds great and I can't wait for the opportunity to read it.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Heidi Reads... said...

Sounds intriguing! Reading the author interview makes me want to read the book too.
Heidi CA

Norma S said...

Thank you DiAnn, i would love to win your book. Like the cover you can see the fear in her face.Great interview with Lena. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

collettakay said...

I can't wait to read this book!

Colletta from PA

Haelie said...

Wow! This book sounds great! Would love to win it.

The Equation Book said...

Wow!This Survivor book sounds great. I would love to read this one.

Mary Preston said...

50 books published is so impressive. I used to watch a television show where they tried to solve cold cases. It is fascinating.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Vera Godley said...

Miss Lena, you always bring us such good information about good books and good authors. Thank you. And DiAnn Mills, your new book, The Survivor, sounds so-o-o-o- good.

Vera from NC

DiAnn Mills said...

I loved writing the story. Hope you enjoy it too!

Unknown said...

i LOVE DiAnn Mills novels, and this one is sure to be another keeper! Thanks for the chance to win.

Marianne in Arizona

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Lyndie Blevins said...

I can't wait to read this book.

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville, Tx

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

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

Nancee said...

DiAnn writes a great suspenseful story. I'd love to have a chance to win a copy of "The Survivor!" Thank you for featuring DiAnn!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Kandra said...

i have enjoyed several other DiAnn Mills books. Please sign me up!
Kandra in Tennessee

Jorie said...

Ms. Mills,... I originally came across this book as a bookaway via suspensesisters blog, however, I cannot seem to re-load that particular blog!? I think its a technical glitch on my end! :( Therefore, I am thankful that there is another one I can enter! :) I haven't come across your series of books beforehand, and I welcome the pleasure of reading this one! The first inspirational suspense series I read was the O'Malley's by Dee Henderson, and followed it up with Beguiled. I tend to read tradtional cozies, but on occassion I have found a happy surprise in the inspirational section!

Thank you for this bookaway!
inkand-bookaways(at)usa.net
// Florida

Unknown said...

I loved this book. Great interview. Please don't enter me in the drawing as I have the book. A great series. Blessings, Susan Fryman.

RED~Scribe said...

I loved "The Chase" and I'm super eager to get my hands on "The Survivor!"

RED from BC

Shopgirl said...

I've been excited for this sequel! I'm in MN.

Lourdes said...

As usual, another great interview. Of course I would love to win, never miss a chance to read anything by DiAnn.

Lourdes, Long Island, NY

Merry said...

The Survivor has an interesting background inspired by a true cold case. I'd love to win it!
Merry in TX

Sharon Richmond said...

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

Jasmine A. said...

I have been wanting to read one DiAnn's books, thanks for the chance.
Jasmine in Montana

rubynreba said...

I enjoy DiAnn's books. This sounds like it will be another good one.
Beth from Iowa

Bethany said...

I'd love to be entered! I'm in Ohio :-)

Cbus.blogger at gmail dot com

A Cooking Bookworm said...

I've read several of DiAnn's historicals and loved them! I don't usually read contemporaries, but I had to enter to win this one! I loved hearing about the inspiration - a real cold case! The book sounds exciting!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Roanna said...

Read the first book in this series and would love to read this one as well!

Roanna in Ohio