Welcome back, Cami. God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
Lately He’s been telling me to slow down. I’m fighting to
find balance between writing, serving others, and taking good care of my boys.
I now only allow myself two hours a day to write and if I don’t get to it
because the baby doesn’t nap or the 6 year old won’t go to sleep at night, I
try not to get bugged. The balancing act is hard, any advice would be
wonderful!
We all have to find
our own paths to the balance we need in our lives. Tell us a little about your
family.
I have a fun and patient husband and four cute boys – 14,
10, 6, and 2. The big boys spoil me and their little brothers and are amazing
lacrosse players. The little boys are crazy and hilarious. We have a great
time, just a little too busy!
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes! I hate that I can’t just enjoy a book anymore, I feel
like I have to analyze what’s working or not and how I would improve the book.
Sometimes it’s helpful, but sometimes it’s just distracting from a great story!
What are you working
on right now?
I’m working on the sequel to Poison Me, that has been a lot of fun. I’m also polishing a
stand-alone novel entitled, Blog This,
about a mom who blogs against violent video games and is rewarded with a visit
from a hit man. It’s intense and terrifying.
What outside
interests do you have?
I love being with my boys and exercising. The ideal is a
bike ride with the family, lifting weights with my husband, or a run with my
older boys (I tell them it will make them faster at lacrosse).
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
My books all stem from nightmares so wherever the characters
are in my nightmares is where the setting is. Most of my books have been set
pretty close to home, but one I’m working on right now is set in Seaside , Oregon ,
a beautiful little town.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
George Washington. I just love his courage and integrity,
but I think I might be so intimidated by how brilliant he was I’d probably just
sit there dumbstruck.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That I had a lot to learn! My boys are still using some of
my first novels as scrap paper, they were honestly quite terrible, but I had
fun and you can’t learn unless you keep trying, right?
Right. What new
lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Patience. Sorry, that one’s not new.
Truly loving others and letting go of my selfish tendencies,
seeing the best in each person and hoping for the best for them as well.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Wow, I wish somebody would tell me. Okay, here’s my best
shot: Write about a subject/character you’re passionate about; celebrate each
little success but at the same time don’t take it too seriously; success is
enjoying what you’re doing no matter how many books you sell.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Injured in a debilitating accident at age six, Ethan Searle
believes women eye him with a mixture of pity and disdain. He's tried love
before. He won't again. He meets his match in a precocious two year old who
loves him despite his disability, even while her mother seems bothered by
everything about Ethan.
Autumn Reader escaped her abusive marriage with her beautiful daughter and a stack of fear. She can't make the mistake of trusting a man again. Autumn's daughter becomes enraptured by Ethan. Despite Autumn's best intentions, she finds herself following her daughter's example. When her ex-husband reappears, threatening everyone she loves if she won't submit to his demands, Autumn has to learn to trust or lose her chance at real love.
Autumn Reader escaped her abusive marriage with her beautiful daughter and a stack of fear. She can't make the mistake of trusting a man again. Autumn's daughter becomes enraptured by Ethan. Despite Autumn's best intentions, she finds herself following her daughter's example. When her ex-husband reappears, threatening everyone she loves if she won't submit to his demands, Autumn has to learn to trust or lose her chance at real love.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Out of breath and sweating, Autumn approached the familiar
building lugging her daughter and her church bag. She didn’t have time to
reflect on the historic church or all the memories of entering these doors as a
child, but the feelings washed over her anyway. She’d grown up with this
beautiful redbrick structure. She missed the building and the people in it. The
scent of pine trees fell upon her as soft as sunshine. The grounds were studded
with Austrian pines arching toward the heavens.
Brittan tapped her arm. “I walk, Mama.”
Catapulted back to the hurried present, the memories fled.
“No, sorry, love. We can’t be late. I hate being late for church.”
“Mama!” Brittan’s green eyes widened. “You say hate. That a
bad word. You want your mouth wash with soap?”
“Oh, no. Please don’t wash my mouth out with soap.”
Brittan nodded, her blonde curls bounced as she wagged a
finger in Autumn’s face for emphasis. “Kay, but watch what you say.”
Autumn
suppressed a grin at her daughter. Although they looked alike, Autumn was certain she’d never
been this feisty. “I don’t
like being late for church. Is that better?”
“Uh-huh.” Brittan struggled to be on her own two feet. “Me
walk, Mama.”
Autumn shook her head. “You can walk when we get inside.”
They advanced upon a large, muscular man hobbling toward the
front door, gripping a steel brace with each hand. He was huge. Autumn had
always felt like an Amazon woman, but he towered over her. She guessed he was
at least 6’4” with shoulders like a linebacker.
His movements fascinated her. She slowed her pace,
forgetting her hurry. He lumbered forward using the strength of his brawny
arms. He pushed off with his left leg, dragging his right. His left leg
appeared normal, except for the outward rotation of his foot. The muscles of
his right thigh pulled taut against his slacks. Her eyes traveled down, and she
noticed the way his pant leg dangled around his right calf. There couldn’t have
been much more than bone and skin covering his lower limb.
Her eyes lifted. The thin dress shirt he wore clearly
illustrated the muscles working across his back and shoulders. She admired each
striation. His build was incredible. Probably the result of years of
weightlifting, plus it must be quite a workout for him to walk anywhere.
Autumn felt instant compassion and a great deal of respect
for the man. What a hard way to live. She rushed ahead, jerking the door open
before he had time to reach it.
At that moment, he raised his head, looking into her eyes.
Autumn felt a jolt ripple through her system. Recognition flared. She’d seen
him before, but she couldn’t remember where. Her heart thumped wildly. She
gazed into intense, dark eyes, fringed with black lashes. She stared at his
face, his crippled legs forgotten. Her eyes dropped to view a strong jaw line and
firm lips. Those lips looked more than a little intriguing.
“Thank you,” a deep voice murmured.
The thank you wasn’t uttered with
sincerity. Her mouth gaped open, but she clamped it shut. How could she
apologize when she didn’t know what she’d done wrong?
He maneuvered with his braces to the next set of doors,
grabbing the handle with two of his fingers. His braces clanked against the
door, reminding her of his condition. Edging backward, he held the door for her
and Brittan.
“Oh, no.” Autumn shook her head in embarrassment, realizing
how difficult the movement must have been for him. “No, let me hold it for
you.”
The look in his eyes told her she’d humiliated him.
“Please,” that wonderful voice rumbled with an almost
reproachful tone. “Allow me.”
Ouch. “Uh, sorry.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thank you for having me on the blog!
Hugs,
CamiIt's my pleasure to share you and your new book with my readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Broken Path - paperback
The Broken Path - 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
17 comments:
The Broken Path looks like an intriguing story, I can't wait to read it. So Cami, did I understand right when I read there are no girls? You poor thing lol Here's hoping you have many more sales.
Val from Las Vegas,Nevada
This sounds like a wonderful story! Thank you for offering a copy.
Tennessee
Looks like a great story.
Katie J from FL
The book blurb really caught my interest. I can tell this is certain to be a great read. Definitely adding it to my must-get list. Please enter me!
Love,
Breanna
I would love to read this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Please enter me in this contest. It looks like a very good book, judging from the sneak peak!
Thanks,
Brittany McEuen from TX
Yes, Val, no girls! My boys are hilarious but they definitely don't know how to shop so I'm praying there's a little angel needing a group of big brothers to look out for her.
Thanks Kay, Katie, Breanna, Linda, and Brittany!
This sounds like a wonderful story. Very different story line. Thanks for the offer of the book.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
THE BROKEN PATH sounds like such a great story. One to look forward to.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would like to read The Broken Path. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa
I am always intrigued in what I don't know, and really I have not known anyone with a major disability. I would love to win. Great interview, Lena and Cami. Thanks for the chance to win.
Marianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
The characters in this story sound fascinating. Great title!
Heidi, CA
Love the introduction to the book, can't wait to read it.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
Sounds good and I would like to win. sharon, CA
Thanks everyone for entering! I know what you mean, Mariane, about being intrigued by what you don't know, it's one of the reasons I love to write.
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
This sounds like a wonderful story! I'm in MN.
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