HIDDEN DREAMS - Darlene Franklin - Five Book Giveaway

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?

Great Britain, New Zealand, or Australia. No question. English-speaking is a nice convenience, and my ancestors are primarily Brits (English, Scottish, Irish)

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.

http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/

http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

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.com
Hidden 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