THE BROKEN PATH - Cami Checketts - One Free Book

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. 

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?

www.camichecketts.com

https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckettsAuthor

http://www.amazon.com/Cami-Checketts/e/B002NGXNC6

Thank you for having me on the blog!

Hugs,

Cami

It'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


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