SMITTEN BOOK CLUB - Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt - One Free Book, Plus Much More

Welcome back, Smitten authors.

Colleen Coble: Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Colleen, how did your story for the collection come about?

The four of us were brainstorming. It’s almost magic.

Are these stories connected in some way? If so, how?

Yes, the protagonists are all friends, and they learn something about love from an ancient book on romantic advice.

What are you reading right now?

I’ve been on a Lisa Gardner kick lately and am making my way through all her novels. I just finished Love You More.

How many other books have you had published?

Well over 50. I lose track.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a collection?

I wouldn’t say there is anything hard about it when you’re writing with your best friends. J

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

This particular story was very poignant because I think we all knew on some level that it would be our last with Diann. It’s made it even more special.

What do you want the reader to take away from your story?

I’d love readers to realize how important it is to pay attention to the man you love and figure out what he needs.

Please give us a peek into your story.

Heather is the Smitten Book Club's most devoted mystery-genre reader, a single mom, and the resident organic gardener. When she discovers a decades-old tome at a library sale, she thinks it might hold clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her home. She can't resist a mystery that could lead to treasure.

Paul and Heather have history—history she would rather forget. But when he comes back to his hometown of Smitten, he's determined to put down roots. He soon becomes the architect behind a town community garden and enlists Heather's help there in exchange for his own help looking for hidden gold. As they dig into the earth and the clues, they discover something amazing: lasting love.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

I’m most apt to give advice. LOL I didn’t know any other writers when I was first getting started.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com. I answer every email. J

Smitten Book Club

Love By the Book

By Colleen Coble

Chapter One

Mountains of donated boxes teetered against the west wall when Heather DeMeritt entered the Smitten library. The building had been renovated a few months earlier and still held a trace of that new smell in the brown carpet. The oak bookshelves that housed the library’s growing collection and the matching tables still shone with newness. Several businesses had donated the bank of comput- ers lining one wall.

Heather spoke to several friends, then turned to eye the job she’d come to do. She was prepared to work, but the sheer number of books surprised her.

Her friend and fellow book club member, Abby Gray, motioned to her. Abby was the Smitten librarian, though she was much too pretty to fit the stereotype, even with her blond hair perpetually up in a bun.

Heather threaded through the throng to reach Abby’s side. “This is going to take awhile.”

Abby’s cheeks were flushed. “Isn’t it exciting? So many people want to help Molly.”

Their good friend Molly Moore had recently lost her husband in a tragic fire. He was the only volunteer fireman to die in recent memory, and Smitten was still reeling. As was Molly.

Abby waved vaguely. “You can start there.”

Heather opened the nearest box and began to lift out the books to put in sale piles ranging from one dollar to five. Five dollars was too much to pay for some of these books, but it was for a good cause, and everyone would feel great about helping.

An hour later her throat was scratchy, and her nose was stuffy from all the dust. But she’d made progress.

“Need some help?” Elliana Burton asked. Lia, as her friends called her, was the kindergarten teacher at the elementary school in town. She usually had a crayon stuck behind one ear and a slash or two of color on her arms or hands from Crayola markers, but today she looked fresh and carefree in a silky blue top over jeans that hugged her slim hips.

“I’ll take you up on it,” Heather said. “We might finish in time for coffee at Mountain Perks.”

There was only one towering stack left. She lifted down the top box and opened it. A cloud of dust wafted out, and she wrinkled her nose.

Lia waved her hand in front of her face. “Some of these are old. They might be worth some money.”

Kristin Billerbeck: I grew up with a strong sense of justice. I simply knew the way things should be. And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist. My childhood was slightly confusing. I blame my parents for this. Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything. I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.

Okay, probably not. I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage. My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right. How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society. I, however, failed miserably. For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet! That is eternal optimism!

My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life. The indulgent life. How to eat, shop and be merry. My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction). My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones. Tastefully, of course. I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.

I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”. He is German. Practical. And a Contributing Member of Society. I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags.

Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them. The circle of life. Dysfunctional family style. Visit her website at http://www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Denise Hunter: Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too! Visit her website at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com

How did your story for the collection come about?

Because my protagonist is part of the overarching story in Smitten Book Club—a widow who was in danger of losing her business—some of the details were already set in place. All I needed was a handsome hero and a little chemistry. ;-)

Are these stories connected in some way?

If so, how? All the Smitten books are tied together with an overarching story. It makes the writing pretty complicated since there are 4 authors, but the readers seem to really love it!

What are you reading right now?

2nd Samuel in the Bible, and I’m finishing up several books I’m judging for a contest.

How many other books have you had published?

24

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a collection?

Without a doubt it’s all the details involved. There were a lot of emails flying back and forth as we tried to get our facts straight.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Since we’re bffs, collaborating was a joy. This last Smitten was our most difficult to write since Diann was going through chemo at the time. I don’t know how she wrote through all that, but she did. The release date was bittersweet because we lost Di to cancer in November. We miss her like crazy, but we wouldn’t call her back to the pain and suffering she endured for anything.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Molly was struggling with trust issues because of some things her late husband did. We need to be aware of the baggage we’re bringing into our relationships. It’s important to deal with our issues so they don’t cause problems in the future.

Please give us a peek into your story.

Molly is a widow with a failing outfitter’s business. Desperate for help she turns to Gage, her biggest competitor. But as he begins helping her whip her store into shape, Molly wonders if she can trust him with her business—or her heart.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Write the story you want to read.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

They can find me on my website: www.DeniseHunterBooks.com I also enjoy connecting with readers on facebook: www.facebook.com/authorDeniseHunter 

Diann Hunt: Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate. Diann lost her courageous battle with cancer in November 2013.

The Smitten gals are back with their newest release, Smitten Book Club! Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Denise Hunter are celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway, a Facebook party on February 20, and a nationwide book-club brunch on March 22.

 
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Smitten books (Smitten, Secretly Smitten, Smitten Book Club)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 20th. Winner will be announced at the Smitten Book Club Facebook Author Chat Party on February 20th. Connect with Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and Kristin Billerbeck for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! The Smitten gals will also be taking questions from the audience, giving away books and gift certificates, and sharing news about their upcoming nationwide Smitten Book Club brunch on March 22nd. (Sign up to host today!)

So grab your copy of Smitten Book Club and join Colleen, Denise, Kristin, and friends on the evening of February 20th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Sign up to host a Smitten Book Club Brunch on March 22nd!
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Smitten Book Club - Kindle

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