A HEARTBEAT AWAY - S Dionne Moore - One Free Book

Here's another of my friends with her newest novel. Welcome, Sandra. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think a little of me slips into most of my characters. It’s a subconscious thing. Writing male characters is especially difficult because I’m constantly reminding myself to think more like a man. For male characters, I can always rely on my husband as a good role model and have even asked him, “How would you handle this?” “What would be your reaction?”

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Chinese fire drill. Midnight. Three of us in the middle of Phoenix, Arizona. We laughed so hard. It rates up there next to the singing at the top of my lungs, windows rolled down, wind in my hair. . .yeah, you’ve done it too, admit it!

The singing? Yes. The Chinese fire drill at midnight? No. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

As a teen, I composed a book, scene by scene, in my head every night. I guess that’s when I first realized my penchant for plotting, but I was never one to write it down until much later. It took me a long time to realize the value of *finishing* a book. I learned so much going in that process, but just putting those two words “The End” down on paper--er, screen, was immensely gratifying.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

A wide range, really. I enjoy research, so nonfiction books abound in my house. I love mystery, good romantic suspense, some contemporary (really, very few), and historical romance of almost any type and in most time periods.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Never claimed to be sane. I have my moments, and most of them wild fluctuations between running around like a woman a-fire, or lulls of inactivity with no scheduled appointments when I can enjoy a book or get some writing done.

More recently, I’ve found how annoying it is to receive texts. My iMac chirps, my iPhone bleeps, and my iPad whistles, all at the same time, so I have made hard and fast friends with Do Not Disturb.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Certain names are more common in one location than they are another, so I look first to my setting, then pay attention to the last names of the people from that time period. It’s a little easier with first names and I generally just pick something I like.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising a daughter who loves the Lord and is learning, daily, how to be more for Him.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A dog, specifically a little dog, because if it’s anything like our little guy, it’s a fun life with nary a care in the world.

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate. Dark chocolate. Yum!

I am so with you on that. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

POV (point of view). I never could figure out what people meant when they’d mark my manuscript and tell me I was out of POV. Then I had a kind man explain it to me and the lightbulb flickered to a full glow.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Heartbeat Away is the story of a young woman who rediscovers her faith with the help of a secret message in a quilt her mother gifted her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

September 14, 1862

Battle of South Mountain

Joe opened his eyes to darkness. A shadow moved against the semi-blackness of a window and his senses screamed the warning. He jerked, gasped at the jolt of pain, and fell back. His heart pounded with fear at his weakness as his mind struggled to place where he was. Ben? Where was he? They had stayed close to each other. Too close. Ben had blamed himself when Joe had taken the minie ball in his shoulder. Joe heard his own voice as if from a great distance; his explanation to ease Ben’s guilt; “We’re in a war, what do you expect?”

            He blinked as a vision of Ben flashed through his pounding head. He massaged his forehead, felt a hand on his shoulder and swung to his left, rolling to avoid the contact. He fell into nothingness, slammed into the floor. Pain took his breath.

            “Joe!”

            Through the waves of nausea he realized one thing, the voice was soft. Feminine. When the hands touched his shoulder, his face, he felt the softness in the fingertips, reminding him of home and gentler times.

            “You’re in a springhouse on our farm,” the voice rushed to explain. “You were injured.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Depending on what you enjoy, you can find me:

Website: http://www.sdionnemoore.com

Google+: http://plus.google.com/sdionnemoore

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sdionnemoore

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sdionnemoore

Twitter: @sdionnemoore

Scoop.it: http://www.scoop.it/u/s-dionne-moore  

The Borrowed Book: http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com

Cozy Mystery Magazine:  http://www.cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com

Thank you, Sandra, for sharing a little of your life and your new book with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series - paperback
A Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series - 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