Welcome back, Darlene. Why did you become an
author?
I began writing seriously in the wake of my divorce. A
compulsion to put my pain and the lessons learned into words drove me forward,
and by the time I was ready to move on, I was hooked on writing. I completed
one novel, then a second one (Romanian
Rhapsody) which eventually sold. I have more stories in my head than I will
ever write. I asked God several times whether He wanted me to devote so much
time to writing, and He kept saying yes.
I loved Romanian Rhapsody. That’s when I became
hooked on your books. If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
If my health wasn’t an issue, I would love to be involved in
a choral group that tours both in the United States and internationally.
I did that in college and seminary, and loved it.
If you could have
lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
Perhaps 1900-1920. The world changed, seemingly overnight.
The years included the elegance of the Edwardian era, ended in a world
shattered by war, women allowed to vote for the first time ever. I read a
fascinating book called 1908 that
outlined some of the breakthrough changes of that year alone, and I would love
to experience them firsthand.
What place in the United States
have you not visited that you would like to?
The farthest west I have ever been is Utah . I would love to get to California and dip my feet in the Pacific Ocean before I
die (I grew up in Maine , with the Atlantic ). San Diego or San Francisco would be
preferred destinations.
I’ve been to San Francisco and areas
just south of there. I love the Monterrey
Peninsula , which contains Monterrey , Pacific Grove , Pebble Beach ,
and Carmel . My
first book signing was at a Christian bookstore in Carmel . How about a foreign country you hope
to visit?
I want to go to Australia
before I die. What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
I write a daily devotional blog (http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/)
based on my daily readings from a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. What
He’s been showing me recently is the importance of celebration. That holiness,
in part, isn’t a list of do’s and don’ts, but also joyful celebration. That
it’s important to recognize special occasions as they occur, whether it’s my
granddaughter’s first day at school, my 500th blog post, or receiving copies of
a book I’ve written. Rejoice in where God has placed me now, for this time and
this place. Michael Smith captured the feeling of celebrating the moment in
“This is Your Time.”
This is your time, this is your dance,
Live every moment, leave nothing to chance,
Swim in the sea, drink of the deep,
Embrace the mystery of all you can be.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Mary Anne is on the run. Her father's been murdered, and now
the mob’s after her, too. Leaving New
York City behind is the only way to stay alive. Yet
Mary Anne Lamont finds herself stuck in Maple Notch, Vermont , when her car crashes straight into
Wallace Tuttle's truck. Wallace and his family offer her warmth and welcome, no
questions asked. But she doesn’t dare give them her real name—not without
risking their safety too. At first, Wallace chides himself for being distracted
by the glamorous flapper. Mary Anne certainly doesn’t fit his image of a future
wife. But underneath the bleached bob and big-city ways is a courageous, caring
woman. When the danger she’s been running from draws close, Wallace must risk
everything to prove his faith in Mary Anne, in God’s plan, and the dreams they’ve
come to share.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Marabelle Lamont had never expected March to end the way it
had after it started with such hope. If she didn’t know better, she might think
nature was playing some kind of early April Fool’s prank.
The dark
road ahead of her and the cup of coffee in her free hand reminded Marabelle of
her present reality. The waitress at the restaurant in Burlington had gladly let her keep her cup.
Marabelle hated counting out change for the bill.
Dad had anticipated
better days ahead when he bought the Victoria
coupe two weeks ago. But using the car already sprinkled too many crumbs on the
path she needed to hide. Pulling out a hundred-dollar bill would cement the
memory. Only the changing letters of the town names gave any clue that she was
making progress on her wild flight to Canada .
I can hardly wait to
read this. How can readers find you on the Internet?
This month I am hosting a 200-book giveaway on my blog. Go
to http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/
for more details.
Twitter: @darlenefranklin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3
and my “Darlene’s 5 Questions a Day” group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/542991419047696/?bookmark_t=group
Thank you, Darlene for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Hidden Dreams - Christianbook.comHidden Dreams (Heartsong Presents) - Amazon.com
Hidden Dreams (Heartsong Presents) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book or one of 4 other books. 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
37 comments:
WOULD LOVE TO WIN. ANGELA FROM KY
Hi Lena and Darlene, Thank you for sharing about your book and your lives. I live in Lexington, Ky!
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
Angela, Jennifer, my father's family is from Kentucky. I recently connected with a whole slew of them. Thank you for your interest.
What a beautiful cover - it draws you in to pick it up and read more about the book.
cheryl in IL
Cheryl, So glad you liked the cover. The hero and heroine meet after their cars collide on that wooden bridge. :)
Jennifer, Is Lexington near Dayton? I'm thinking that's where my dad lived once upon a time.
This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Hi Linda! Thanks for stopping by.
Wow! I so enjoy Darlene Franklin's books and would love to win one! A mob story sounds interesting and a new theme for you, I think. I like the Western Trails series you wrote in, as well.
sharon, CA
What an exciting story HIDDEN DREAMS promises to be. Fabulous.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Hidden Dreams sounds so good. I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book.
Darlene, you and I have something in common...a divorce. It is a pain that took a long time to get over. God is Good, he brought me through a devastating time in my life.
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
I've read Romanian Rhapsody, and loved it as well.
Congratulations on the new release, Darlene.
Ginger in AL
It's always fun to read a story when two people from such different backgrounds collide!
Patty in SC
thanks for chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I would love to win!
Rebekah Gyger TN
Thanks for all of you who have read my books and look forward to a new story! I had fun with Wallace and Mary Anne's story.
Sharon, I'm very proud of my Texas Trails books. So glad you enjoyed them.
Ginger, Romanian Rhapsody was my first book, and so it holds a very special place in my heart.
Judy, sorry to hear about your divorce. God is good in redeeming our pasts and giving us a future.
Enter me!
Sarah
N.C.
Sarah, thanks for your interest.
I am from Ky too :) small world eh? What part of Ky were you from ?
Would love to win this book also...
I believe they are centered in Campbell County, not sure. (I grew up in New England).
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Greensboro,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Very beautiful cover! Interesting that is where they meet after their cars collide.
Beth from Iowa
The covered bridge has played a major role in all of my Maple Notch stories. :) It seemed a good place to have an accident.. Glad you like the cover.
Sounds like a great story! Please enter me.
Tonja S. from Virginia
Tonja, Glad you like the story line. Hope you get to read it!
Would love to win and read this book.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
hi Jackie, good to see you.
I love stories set in the 20's, please add me for Hidden Dreams.
Merry in MN
Hi Merry, It was a fun time for me to write about! Thanks for your interest.
Thanks for the great giveaways! This sounds great!
Veronica, thanks for checking it out!
Enjoyed the interview - would love to read the book!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kentucky
hi Bonnie, waving hello!
I would love to be entered to win a copy of Hidden Dreams. Thank you.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
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