Tuesday, April 22, 2014

DOWN TO EARTH - Patricia Pacjac Carroll - One Free Book

Readers, I’m thrilled to have my very good friend, Patricia Pacjac Carroll, back on my blog. You will be, too. I just recently finished reading her book, Golden Dreams. I hope you didn’t miss getting a copy of it. If you did, check it out. A very good historical, western, wagon train story.

Welcome back, Patty. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
More stories. Right now, I’m working on a series of mail-order bride stories.

Tell us a little about your family.
I have the best husband. He takes care of me and works hard so that I can write.  My son is wonderful. My latest book, Bounty is dedicated to him. And I can’t leave out the snarky overgrown papillon, Jacs. We are a blessed and happy famiy.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?  
Yes, unfortunately I have less time to read. While it is hard to turn off the editor, I know how hard it is to write a good story. So, I am pulling for author as well as the characters.

What are you working on right now?
Caroline’s Love. She is the first of mail-order brides to get her man. Unfortunately for her, she discovers that two other women have the same sweet letters that she answered.

What outside interests do you have?
Writing takes up the bulk of my time and life. Of course there is Jesus – He is the author and finisher of my faith. Friends. I love to laugh with my friends and yes, eat lunch or dinner out.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I love the Old West. So far all my stories are set in the West.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I would have to Jesus. Can’t top an evening in the presence of the Lord.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Work only on one computer. When I started writing, I had a desktop, laptop and a mini PC. I spent the whole first month of writing the first book by trying to figure out which chapter one to use. I had oodles of them. Organizing files is still an ongoing battle. BUT at least they are all on my laptop.

That’s why I like using Dropbox. When I work on a chapter, whether on my desktop or laptop, Dropbox syncs the files on both machines—and saves a copy in the Cloud, so I never lose it. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Discipline and diligence. And I need His help for those are hard for me. To go and play seems to be a loud voice of distraction for me. 

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Learn the craft.
Write and write and write
Find trusted author friends to critique your work and help brainstorm.

Tell us about the featured book.
Down to Earth is my only Contemporary Romance right now. It’s about a young widow with two small children and a snippy mother-in-law. She needs a loan to save the family ranch and is about to meet with the banker, an old flame, when a skydiver falls into the tree outside her home and into her life. Jenna is faced with risking her heart. She’d loved her husband, but he died. The banker offers security. Clay offers her love. Down to Earth is a story about second chances, love, and faith.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
His eyes glared dusky blue. A shade reserved for an anger Jenna Lairdon had only seen a few times in their marriage. She shuffled backward across the cool slats of the wooden floor and wished a hole would open up and swallow her.

The past month, Sam had grown distant. The financial hole they had dug for themselves created a canyon between them. Why had she bought that outfit, the shoes for Amy, and the boots for Sammy? Hot accusations of guilt battered her mind. Once again, she had failed.

A quick glance at Sam’s face set off an awkward rhythm in her chest. Her palms grew clammy. She kept quiet, muffling the witty remarks that threatened to escape. Humor would not diffuse this argument.

The crunch of paper drew her focus to him. He held up a wad of crumpled charge slips in his calloused hand. “The credit’s gone. We’re gonna lose Arrowhead.”

His family’s ranch. That was all he cared about. She turned to explain and stopped. His voice, deep with rage, didn’t scare her. Sam wouldn’t hurt her. She knew that. But the fear that clouded his face terrified her.

Jenna lowered her head. “I … I’ll return them tomorrow. I’m sorry, I should have known better.”
She could take Sam angry but not beaten.

“It’s too late.” His words a mere whisper.

She slipped onto the bed, grabbed her grandmother’s quilt, and scrunched the soft layers in her fingers.

Heavy steps jarred her. Sam swiped the keys from the cluttered dresser. His wild grab knocked their wedding picture to the floor and shattered the glass. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-PacJac-Carroll/e/B008R9JCN2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Thank you so much, Patty, for sharing this new book with us. This is a good book to feature on Earth Day. 


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Down to Earth - paperback
Down to Earth: Contemporary Christian Romance - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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

27 comments:

Unknown said...

Lena, such an interesting post with Patricia. I have not read her books but love to read about mail order brides. So I will have to look for them.
Down To Earth looks like a good read. So many struggle in the country today over financial issues I would like to see how this story unfolds.
Thank You
Ohio reader
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Diana Gardner said...

Portsmouth, VA

Susan Johnson said...

I don't think I have read anything by Patricia, but her book looks really good. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
Susan
Texas

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thank you Lena for hosting my book, Down to Earth. You are a treasure.

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thank you Jackie. I hope you'll enjoy Down to Earth. Although finances play a part in the story - there is humor too. I think you'll like it. : )

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thank you for your comments, Susan.

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Thank you, Patty. Your friendship means a lot to me.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book!
thanks for the giveaway
Sydney Harries GA

Lynne Gentry said...

This girl can write. Love her work.

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

sThanks Sydney

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thanks Lynne : )

Linda Kish said...

Now that's the way to meet someone...have them just fall out out of the sky.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Melanie Backus said...

Down To Earth sounds like a very intertaining story. I would love to read more. Thank you for the great interview, Lena.

Melanie Backus, TX

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

: ) That's Right Linda. What a surprise for Jenna and her children not to mention the guy.

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thank you for your comment Melanie.

Britney Adams said...

Thank you for sharing this great interview and excerpt. I can't wait to read more!

Britney Adams, TX

sm said...

Now, that's creative! Skydiver falls into a tree in your yard and you fall in love! Can't wait to read this one! sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

The prologue tore at my heart. What a wonderful story this promises to be.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Charlotte Kay said...

Loved the interview and loved being introduced to a new author! I am anxious to read one of her books!!!!!!!!

Blessings and Smiles :) :)

Charlotte Kay said...

Charlotte Kay is from Ohio:)

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Thank you for your comments Britney and sm and Charlotte.
Mary - Down to Earth is a feel good story. It might start with a heart wrenching scene but there is humor and faith in the story. :)

Patsy said...

Would love to read Down to Earth. Also I really like to read mail to order bride stories. Looking forward to those stories.
From Mississippi
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Merry said...

Down to Earth starts with a bang,please add me to the drawing so I can see what happens!
Merry in MN

Anonymous said...

thanks for the giveaway!
Sydney GA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

KayM said...

Your book is off to a heart-pounding beginning. I love to read the rest.
Tennessee

rubynreba said...

Down to Earth looks like a very good romance story. Look forward to reading it.
Beth from Iowa