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Monday, June 30, 2014

FIRST BLUSH - Rebeca Seitz - One Free Ebook

Readers, I first met Rebeca at the fourth American Christian Fiction Writers conference that was in Nashville, Tennessee. I had emailed a need to the ACFW loop prior to the conference. I needed to go to a Walmart (my husband worked for Walmart in Texas) to buy some candy for the book signing at the conference. Rebeca offered to take me. Little did I know just how far the closest Walmart was from the hotel where the conference was held. During that long ride to and from the store, I came to be delighted with knowing Rebeca.

Bio: An award-winning novelist and President of the first public relations firm dedicated to representing entertainment created from a Christian worldview, Rebeca has worked with various national media outlets, including The Today Show, USA Today, National Public Radio, Southern Living, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, and Good Morning America. She is recognized for her groundbreaking research into the behaviors of Christian consumers as well as development of public relations standards specific to creators of values-driven, entertainment-oriented products. She also co-chairs the non-profit SON: Spirit Of Naples, which equips and encourages Christians creating mainstream, commercially-viable media content.

Welcome back, Rebeca. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Two reasons: (a) I’m a fan and (b) the voices in my head speak in this genre. Ha! Seriously, contemporary women’s fiction is my favorite genre to read, so it’s the one I’ve spent the most time enjoying studying. If I wanted to write historical, I’d read historicals. If I wanted to write thrillers, I’d read thrillers. I do read those genres and more, but the ones that I gravitate to for pure pleasure are contemporary women’s. The second reason is because the characters, who pop up in my imagination’s eye, are walking around in the world of this era.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I voluntarily kissed my husband for the first time. We’d been married for seven years and enjoyed the bliss of becoming parents twice (a son, then a daughter). I had a lot of warped and damaged parts to my sexuality from years of mistreatment prior to our marriage. While we had an active, um, married life, I had never kissed him first. Having experienced the danger and pain of awakened sexuality, I’d long-ago decided to simply let it go. The thought of initiating something like a kiss was as far removed from my daily thoughts as how to spend a billion dollars.

I’d spent about a year (with help) working hard to uncover, handle, and heal from my past when I happened to walk through our breakfast room and see Charlie standing at the stove in the kitchen. Love—for his patience and grace toward me during this process—just overwhelmed me. I want to kiss him, I thought. It shocked me, this wanting of a physical overflow of my mental emotion. Before any of my past could rise up and talk me out of it, I walked straight to him and stopped. He looked up and smiled a smile that went all the way to his sparkling green eyes. “Yes?” he asked. And I reached up and kissed him.

Freedom.

How has being published changed your life?
Knowing that my words will be seen by others both forces and frees me to think more, to marvel more, to consider more. When characters speak or storylines unfold, the reactions of others to those scenes play into my consideration of whether to keep the words or trash them. Will readers believe this? If not, why not? Is it important that they believe this? Why do I think so? There is also the fear of revealing myself past the point of my own journal. Much of my emotion, thought, and belief go into my stories and that personalization of the process can make for a very bruising time when reviewers and readers aren’t delighted with the product. I find myself vacillating between, “I’m a writer and that’s the story, so there,” to “I’m a writer and have a responsibility to the reader.”

That’s why I don’t read many reviews of my work. What are you reading right now?
Oh goodness, this list could go on for a while! Let’s see –
1) I’ve begun a book on the history of southwest Florida so that I can better understand my new hometown and the setting for my current series
2) I’ve re-started my read of The Rock That Is Higher by Madeleine L’Engle to connect again with a brilliant, faith-filled, female writer of fiction
3) I’m always in the midst of a re-read of a Jennifer Crusie novel—the current one is Charlie All Night. I study her writing as she’s a master with character, dialogue, and plot development.
I recently finished The Rosie Project (really fun contemporary) and The Road to Testament (very nice southern story) and 30 Days Hath Revenge (interesting thriller) and The Sinner’s Garden (well-done contemporary Christian fiction)
4) I’m nearly finished with this month’s issues of Christianity Today and More Magazine, just started the new issue of Discover last night
5) Every morning starts with a read of the Naples Daily News
6) I read a TV pilot script this morning and am halfway thru the feature film script I need to finish by tomorrow
7) Am about 1/3 of the way through a manuscript I’m editing for another writer
8) And, most nights find me reading Giraffes Can’t Dance or Push the Button or Tap the Magic Tree or something similar to my daughter before bed. Occasionally, my son then lets me take over his dad’s spot in the rocker in his bedroom and read a portion of one of his I Survived books (though he says his dad has a better reading voice – I agree!).

What is your current work in progress?
I’m writing Second Glance, the sequel to First Blush.

What would be your dream vacation?
A 2-month tour of Europe with my husband, children, and a trustworthy nanny.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Oh no. I’m supposed to choose? Shoot. Well, um, I’m out. J Seriously, the characters I’ve written about are women who just show up in my mind. They’re always walking when they show up, sometimes talking. For First Blush, it was Elizabeth Bakersfield walking down a sidewalk that I recognized here in Naples. So, poof, setting chosen.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
This answer would change depending on when you asked me. At the moment, I’d choose Darren Aronofksy – writer/director of the movie Noah. I’ve read interviews he gave and am intrigued by his creative process, by how he approaches his quest to grow faith and find truth. I’m attracted to people who like to contemplate, especially over a long meal, and who do so from a motivation of wonder. There is freedom in knowing at the outset that we may not find the answer or even agreement this night, but we can continue on the journey toward it by accepting an unfettered, honest contemplation of thought.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Thinking. Can thinking be a hobby? I hope so. It is a delight to simply sit and think over ideas, emotions, reactions, considerations. I also like to ruminate while accomplishing something, so running (I’m in training for a half-marathon) is another hobby.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
To date, my biggest challenge has been carving out time to write. I’m Owner and President of Glass Road Media and Management and CEO of SON: Spirit Of Naples. That doesn’t leave time in the workday for writing, really. Afternoons and evenings are eaten up by being a wife and mom and daughter-in-law and PTO member and church-goer and neighbor and friend and all those relationships that make for a rich life. When I had a TIA (micro-stroke) in November 2012, I realized my life needed more simplicity and less work. It’s been a year-and-a-half process, but 2014 is beginning to see the fruit of those efforts to pare down. That, in turn, allows room for my mind to wander—and when it wanders, stories are born.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Hmm. My advice is mainly driven by my experience owning and running Glass Road Media. Our sweet spot is helping authors in the beginning. That advice is this: Calm down. When I teach at writers conferences or read emails from new authors, there is an underlying current of borderline hysteria that runs throughout. They give me the sense of people feeling pressure—to find an agent, to get published, to figure it out, to build a platform, to learn social media, to get it done, to land on a bestsellers list, to arrive, etc. I understand. I’ve felt it, too. There is such peaceful freedom, though, in the reminder to seek first the kingdom of God and know that all things will be added to you. Answering a calling doesn’t mean you achieve the vision tomorrow. It means you make a choice today to take one step. Tomorrow is tomorrow and comes with its own steps. I have to remind myself of that sometimes, too, so I guess I’m writing these words to myself even as I type them to beginning authors!

Tell us about the featured book.
First Blush is my foray back into writing after a five-year hiatus. It’s the firstfruits of my efforts to pare down and allow my writer self to live and breathe again. Our heroine, Elizabeth Bakersfield, is a 30-year-old woman living in Naples, Florida, who doesn’t quite have anything figured out. Her husband left with a Miami Dolphins cheerleader, her career is non-existent, her rent is due, and she has yet to master the art of being a Bakersfield (of those Bakersfields) in this town. She accepts a job at Ganderley’s—effectively putting her in charge of millions of dollars of antiques that are loaned out like a high-falutin’ library—and promptly lands in a social scandal that would have her mother disowning her faster than a Lamborghini can hurtle down the Tamiami Trail. Good thing there’s a good-looking Brit to help out.

Please give us the first page of the book.
 “But why?”

I heard the NYC din of horns and traffic in the background. “Marcy Bedelmeier, are you walking to work again? Your feet are going to cramp by lunchtime.” I could just see her pounding the pavement in four-inch heels that would bring her into the “average” height category.

 “Cabs are expensive,” my best friend defended.

“Which is why God made subways.”

“God made feet. The other guy made subways and he maintains his reign of the domain to this day.”

I pulled into the parking lot of Ganderley’s. “Another reason for you to come to Florida. No subways here.”

“Don’t get sidetracked. Why did your mother borrow from Ganderley’s?”

This was a good question. My mother – Mrs. James D. Bakersfield IV of the Bakersfield fortune – could buy anything she wanted for her various parties and functions. Why she’d borrowed this particular vase made zero sense to me. I’d asked for a reason as she watched Mildred, the house manager, wrap it in bubblewrap – for the ride, dear – but no reason had been forthcoming.
           
“Beats me.” I glanced at the safety-belted vase in the passenger seat and tried to remember other reasons for various odd items arriving in our home over the years. “Maybe the roses on it perfectly matched the arrangements she ordered. Maybe some long-lost cousin brought it over from England. Maybe it was the exact 8.25 inches she needed for the lily stems.”

“Rich people are weird.”

“And then they die.”

“And leave all that money to the next generation of weirdness.”

“We’re going to be such fun old ladies.” I parked the jeep and turned it off. Checked my hair in the mirror. Yep, still brown. Still curly. Still a mess. “You at work yet?”

“Nearly. You found work yet?”

“Still looking.” Finding a job is difficult when your mother requires that it meet her societal standards and you don’t hold a doctorate in anything and your MRS degree went out the door with a trampy little redheaded cheerleader. I’d be happy making pizzas somewhere, but that would not sit well with Mrs. Bakersfield. For some reason, I still care about keeping Mrs. Bakersfield happy. Honor thy mother and father, I suppose.

Honoring parents was getting very close to bidding parents adieu. My landlord won’t care about Mother’s standards if I don’t bring him the rent that’s due in two weeks.

“Okay, I’m here,” I told Marcy. “Call ya later?”

“Wave to the beach for me.”

I dropped the phone into the cup holder. It needed to charge because, yet again, I’d forgotten to plug it in before falling into bed. I unbuckled the vase and hefted it into my lap. “You’re coming with me, kid.”

A warm, salty breeze swept little stray leaves around my sandals as I walked to the front door.

Ganderley’s is an odd duck in the odder town of Naples, Florida. We are the only city in the world with two Ritz-Carltons and two Waldorf-Astorias (though one of the Waldorfs was just bought). We have more golf holes per person than any other town. And there is a non-profit for every cause you can think of. Wanna save animals? We’ve got it. Save children? Yep. Save babies, women, breasts, prostates, beach, seagrass, turtles, eyes, heritage…you name it, there’s a group here working to take care of it. Our snowbirds have their Maseratis and Porsches shipped down in November and December, join up with them mostly in January, and enjoy the sun, sand, and warm breezes through Easter. During those four months, there are fundraisers and parties almost every single night. Lately, the events had started creeping into November and December, too.

In the midst of all this nuttiness is Ganderley’s. It started when two sisters’ husbands went to the Big Guy in the Sky within a month of each other, leaving their dearly beloveds with eight houses, two yachts, enough vehicles to start a car lot, thousands upon thousands of books, and more antiques than the Road Show could cover in a decade of episodes. Esther and Elva Ganderley, having already helped most of the causes in town, decided to share the wealth.

Literally.

Fifteen years later, Esther and Elva are getting on in age and enjoy having the town’s Who’s Who (or their help/kids) come see them to borrow books, cars, antiques – whatever is wanted or needed. It’s like a library on steroids. See something you like? Borrow it. Bring it back in two weeks.

I climbed the wide, easy steps to their front porch and opened the massive teak door.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I blog (infrequently – more so since a post went viral and the media circus hit) at www.rebecaseitz.com. I write about my half-marathon training journey at www.rebecaruns.com. Glass Road can be found at www.glassroadmm.com. SON can be found at www.spiritofnaples.com.

Thank you, Rebeca, 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.
First Blush - 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

Sunday, June 29, 2014

WINNERS!!!!!

Danielle (IN) is the winner of The Short Life of Moths by Sharon Bernash Smith. 
Cindi (PA) is the winner of Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett.
Tamara (TX) is the winner of Four Wedding and a Kiss by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher.
Susan (TX) is the winner of Twice a Slave by Sammy Tippit.
Tonja (VA) is the winner of To Die Once by Miranda A Uyeh.

If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.

When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.


Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Friday, June 27, 2014

HOME TO CURRAHEE - Beverly Vernado - One Free Book

Welcome, Beverly. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
My friend and author, Terry Kay, who has had several of his books made into movies for Hallmark, suggests that we do not write to tell a story but to discover a story. The stories I usually discover have Southern settings and historical threads, which interest me, and I hope interest my readers.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
My children’s births are right up there at the top. I’ll never forget the nurse handing me the babies for the first time. Such precious faces, such joy!

How has being published changed your life?
Having books in print has amped up the time I spend marketing. I was already investing toward that end, but now, I’m intentional about my marketing efforts.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished reading a novel I missed when it first came out, Elizabeth Musser’s, Words Unspoken. I first met Elizabeth at the ACFW conference in Minneapolis several years ago after I’d read Swan House. I fell in love with her and her writing. I’m now reading Charles Martin’s Unwritten.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on a screenplay from which I will also write a novel. The title has been with me a long time, and the story is a coming of age tale about the search for beauty amidst tragedy. It’s still cooking, but that’s what I know so far.

What would be your dream vacation?
I love history, so visiting places with a story always appeals to me. For example, I’d love to visit Charleston, South Carolina and walk up every street with a guide who could tell me each house’s back-story.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Again, I write stories with some historical context, so that component usually dictates where the books will be set.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
A challenging question, but if I were to choose someone related to writing, it would be Jan Karon. She has always been a mentor to me through her writing, and we have corresponded briefly. I have a note of encouragement from her hanging over my desk. I admire her for her perseverance, and I love her writing, which meant so much to me during a particularly difficult time in my life.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
For most of my life, I’ve been a church musician. Though not involved every Sunday, now, I continue to enjoy singing with a Symphony Chorus and spending time at the piano. I have an art degree and still dabble in watercolors.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’m never at a loss for story ideas, so at times, my biggest challenge is narrowing down the story possibilities. Once I’ve done so, I have to resist the urge to second guess, go back, and pick up another option.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
I have a writer’s group I started a few years ago, and based on my own experience as well as the experience of others, it’s going to take longer than you think to reach your goals. That’s why it’s important to know why you’re writing and to review those reasons often. We can’t survive on moments of inspiration. We need to be disciplined in our writing endeavors to build a body of work.

Tell us about the featured book.
All June Callaway wants is a simpler life and healing from a tragedy when she moves from Atlanta to the charming town of Toccoa near historic Currahee Mountain. However, her discovery of a mystery-laden treasure with a World War II connection makes her life even more complicated and threatens to waken a fear that would take her back down a road of heartache and grief. Colorful town characters help her along and the mountain itself bestows an unimaginable gift on her, but will she be able to push past her fear and solve the mystery in time? Can she, as the stranger suggested, “do it afraid”?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Jump

“I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory . . . . Let us beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” ~General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

Somewhere over the English Channel
June 6, 1944
C-47 engines roared in Silas Braham’s head—still he nodded. He tried to keep himself alert, mentally reviewing the jump procedure, though he should be able to do this jump in his sleep, having practiced it so many times.

His buddy, Les, punched him on the shoulder. “Hey, Silas, you gettin’ sleepy?”

“Yeah, must be those new motion sickness pills we took.” Imagine taking a pill to keep you from throwing up.

“That’s what I was thinkin’.” Les gave him a grin that betrayed the seriousness of the mission.
“You know, this ain’t no practice. It’s the real thing.”

The real thing,” Silas mumbled rubbing his sweaty palms on his legs.

He and the men in the seats around him hated the relentless exercises back at Currahee, which included three-mile runs up the mountain. Now he was thinking they weren’t such a bad idea. In spite of the training, his confidence wavered, and he wrestled with icy fear. Before them were variables for which no amount of drills could really prepare them. Somehow, he had already outlived his feelings of indestructibility.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have blogged for several years at One Ringing Bell (http://bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.com) where you will find “peals of words on faith, living, and writing.” You may also visit me on my website, www.BeverlyVarnado.com or my Facebook author page at https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyVarnadoAuthor .

Thank you, Beverly, 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.
Home to Currahee - paperback
Home to Currahee: When her tragic past intersects with a hero's mysterious legacy, what she does next can change everything - 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

Thursday, June 26, 2014

WYNN IN THE WILLOWS - Robin Shope - One Free Book

Welcome back, Robin. It’s been a while since you were here. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
For me there are two sides to writing. First, there is the creative side where the book gets it storyline, characters, setting, etc. and then there is the editing side where you find mistakes. Mary Garbe—longtime friend since high school, and Wisconsin artist, helped me with the creativity. John Friedman, my friend from a Chicago private school, is now a lawyer and business owner, helped with editing. Of course, I must give the most important shout out to Nicola Martinez and Jaimie West, my editors at White Rose Publishing.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I will be speaking at book clubs throughout the summer.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
If I were to completely start over, I believe I would settle some place artsy with the Bohemian touch, and without the tourist flavor, in New Mexico. A few years ago, I visited there and fell in love with the culture along with the desert. It’s so different from any other place I have lived—Wisconsin, Illinois, Virginia, and now Texas.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Take writing advice from people who have built a solid reputation in the field.

That very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.
Wynn Baxter returns to Willow Island to study rare plant life and welcomes the opportunity to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her father’s death. But the truth gets complicated as twenty year-old memories begin to surface. What Wynn learns will shake her emotional foundation. Hoping to glean information only leads her down a shadowy path implicating her own flesh and blood. A haunting story of forgiveness, science, murder, and other matters of living.

To date, Wynn in the Willows is one of my favorite books. Writing this, I felt myself growing into a new level of character development. I hope you fall in love with the women of Willow Island. Not only is it a mystery but it’s also a matchless love story.

Please give us the first page of the book.
The sun stretched a welcoming pool of light across the front lawn. Twenty feet below the granite cliffs was Lake Michigan, turquoise blue and white capped today. The island ferry was moving down the shore to dock at the Yacht Club, blowing its horn in salutation, announcing its impending arrival.

Wynn paused at the sound of her aunt’s angry voice through the open windows, “Stop it, stop it! Think about what you’re saying for once, will you? Every time you bring up that subject, it does nothing but stir up trouble on the island for many of us old timers who’ve experienced similar situations. My niece sure can’t find out about what I did. It’s taken me years to get her back here and I won’t let you, or anyone else, ruin my plan. Promise me, no more talk about it! Ladies? Promise me.”

A flood of agreements followed.

Ruin her plan? What was Aunt Roxie talking about?

Wynn ducked her head. Too late.

“Wynn, is that you? Wynn! Come inside and meet my friends.”

“I’m coming!” Wynn called.

The door opened with a whine of complaint.

Five female Bible club members got their good first look at the island’s latest summer tenant.

Wynn’s large eyes, the color of wet green leaves, stared back. With that, the day took a new direction.

“Ladies, I want you to meet my niece, Wynn Baxter.” Roxie announced a bit too cheerfully. “She’s staying in my garage apartment. Lemonade, dear?” Still clearly upset, she forced a wide smile while holding up a pitcher loaded with ice cubes and fat lemon wedges.

Sounds interesting. I really want to know what’s going on. Where can we find you on the Internet?
And on Facebook. Friend me. 

Thank you, Robin, 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.
Wynn in the Willows - Christianbook.com
Wynn in the Willows - Amazon
Wynn in the Willows - 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

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

LIVING SEPARATE LIVES - Paulette Harper - One Free Book

Welcome, Paulette. What genre(s) do you write and why?
I write in both Christian fiction and non-fiction. When I began writing in 2007, I started writing Christian non-fiction, inspirational. With a passion to teach for the spiritual growth of the believer, I put pen to paper. My first book chronicled the transformation my life took after experiencing a divorce. I felt such a nudge from God to share my story with other women who were in the same boat. I love writing inspirational books because they do touch our hearts and souls. With that same passion to write, I crossed genre in 2013 with two fiction books, The Sanctuary and Living Separate Lives. I’m still learning the craft of fiction writing but to watch a story develop is so awesome.

If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
When I was a child watching cartoons, I liked wonder woman.

Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get unstuck?
I would have to say yes. I get stuck. When moments like this happen, I listen to music, mainly jazz and it brings about a peace and I’m able to relax and allow the melody to penetrate my mind.

What is your least favorite part of writing?
My least favorite part of writing. I’d have to say editing. Editing a manuscript is so time consuming. Once an editor gets a hold of the manuscript, the chopping begins. “Take this out … put this in … you don’t need that … try this instead … At the end of this process you know you’re really done.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
My family loves my lasagna, garlic bread, fried chicken and salad. For dessert, banana cream pie and if you are not a fan of banana cream pie, we would substitute it with pound cake.

What is your typical day like?
My typical day starts off with prayer and meditation followed by work, a walk in the park, and running errands if need be.

What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict, or emotions? Why?
Developing characters is something I’m learning how to do. It’s easy to write how these characters are but describing them instead of just telling is a craft, something in which takes time, patience and years to learn.

How likely are the people you meet going to end up in your next book?
That’s funny. I read somewhere that this is exactly how a few fiction writers get their stories. Well, I think it’s very likely. I haven’t gotten as bad as some writers by listening to every conversation or to watch every person, but I can look at my own life experiences and those in my family and friends life that would make good stories.

Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.
In Living Separate Lives, I would have to say that the shero, is a character named Kaylan. She is the glue that is keeping the sisterhood together. Her strength lies in her ability to keep things together, when everything around her is falling apart. Her weakness would be not allowing others to help her deal with her pain.

Tell us about your next book and when is it being published?
My next book is a children’s book called ... Princess Nevaeh. It will be released in July, 2014

Please provide links to your website, blog, books.
Twitter: pauletteharper
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/living-separate-lives-paulette-harper/1117391317?ean=9780989969109

Thank you, Paulette, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, 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

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

RED GOLD - Sandy Nadeau - One Free Book

Welcome, Sandy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Probably quite a lot. At this stage of my writing, I think it’s easier to glean from what I know. Don’t tell her, but my teenage character in Red Gold came from a lot from my daughter at that age. Now my bad guys, I’m not going to name where I get their nastiness.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Stepping into a pen full of wild Mexican Gray wolves so I could learn about them and take photos up close and personal.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I started out with the typical diary as a young girl. In high school, I wrote quite a bit. A lot of those stories went to a teacher who disposed of them before I could get them home. I have journaled a lot over the years. But when my daughter was three, I did a home study course on writing. I really had a desire to be a writer. There was a lot of learning to do and it took me many years to accomplish it. I did write a newspaper column for twelve years. When that ended, I turned to novels. My grandmother did a lot of writing, and my mom writes poetry and lots of stories of her life growing up in the depression years.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read almost every genre within the Christian market. I love historicals, contemporary, suspense, mystery, romance, adventure. I tend to stay in the Christian market because I like the clean, values-driven writing.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Day trips of driving up to the mountains to find some adventure. We’re not far from some great destinations in this state. I love to photograph the views, the wildlife. My husband and I have to often go get our “mountain fix”. It settles me back down. God’s creation does that for me. Camping too. Just have to get away sometimes.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I torment over them quite a lot. I’ll look at magazines and pull out a name that seems to suit a character. I had a hard time naming Mr. Shonee in Red Gold, but I finally saw an ad for the restaurant by that name and that just became a fit. It was different. And I guess I’ll fess up. My two main characters Jon and Mandy are living out a dream my husband and I had of running a ranch like that, so…well…Ron and Sandy/Jon and Mandy….

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I’ve been writing for so many years. It was always a dream to have a book published. To have achieved that goal is a huge accomplishment for me. To have an outlet to share the love of God, it’s priceless. I hope the Lord will continue to bless this writing path I’m on with more books to publish.


If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Living here in Colorado, I guess I would have to be a mountain goat so I could get over the next ridge easier to see what’s beyond.

What is your favorite food?
Popcorn. Dark chocolate. Does that count?

It does to me. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
B.I.C. Butt in Chair. Just sit down and write! I haven’t overcome it enough yet.

Tell us about the featured book.
Mandy Phillips loves life with her husband running an adventure ranch in the Colorado mountains, but when Mr. Shonee, their crotchety old neighbor, tries to stop them from building a kid-size old west town their dreams of expansion are crushed. 

Is Shonee just being a difficult neighbor, or is something more sinister going on? A discovery on the property of Colorado's state mineral leads to more mysteries for the ranch, and then a teenage guest finds herself thrust head first into danger. 

Mandy will have to rescue her, but who will rescue Mandy? Her faith in God is her only source to keep the guests safe, solve the mysteries surrounding her ranch, save her neighbor from himself, and discover the secrets of the Red Gold.

Please give us the first page of the book.
The stench of burning brush assaulted her.

No! Mandy ran for the porch, grabbed the wand of the triangle suspended from the roof, and clanged the warning. Dread and panic crept up. Her heart raced.

Smoke billowed over the ridge. She knew flames inched towards the dry brush that lay between them and the guest ranch. 

“Jon!” Mandy screamed for her husband as she clanged the triangle, and then dashed into the house. 

The screen door slammed shut. 

“Jon!” She grabbed the phone and ran back outside to the triangle. Visions of losing everything rose in her mind.

Barney, their black and brown Australian Shepherd, stood outside the door flinging himself into the air and barking frantically.

“What’s going on?” Jon’s thundering steps came from the house.

She dialed 911 and clanged the triangle while waiting for the operator to answer. “Fire!” she yelled to Jon. “There’s smoke coming up from over the ridge to the south.” Beads of sweat ran down her forehead.

“What’s your emergency?” The dispatcher’s voice came over the phone.

Mandy stopped clanging. “Fire to the south of High Country Safaris off County Road Five. Hurry!”

Jon sailed past her, not even touching the porch steps.

Ranch hands ran from the barn and the bunkhouse, some men still pulling on boots.
Mandy pointed to the smoke rising over the ridge.

“I see it, Miss Mandy,” Mike hollered. His boots stirred up a cloud of dust as he changed direction. “I’ll get the water truck.” He ran towards the garage with George, another ranch hand, on his heels.

Mike and George hopped in the passenger seat. They tore up the service road towards the rising smoke.

The others grabbed shovels, picks, and axes.

Mandy threw the phone onto the porch chair and headed to her old Willys Jeep.

Barney jumped off the porch ahead of her and ran in circles.

She pointed a warning finger at his spot under a tree near the porch. “Go lay down, Barney. You stay! I mean it.”

Barney whined, sat back down, but his front paws bounced side to side. He obeyed, but panted heavily and watched after the crew going into the smoke. The dog let out an occasional bark as she left.

 “Lord, please, stop this fire… please.”

A blaze could take off, especially after such a dry winter and all the dead trees from the beetle infestation. Spring rains had been sparse in the mountains of Colorado, and the sun was hot at their 7,900 foot elevation.

The vehicle bounced off every rock and pothole in the old dirt road, but she didn’t care about the jarring her body endured. Her knuckles grew white as she gripped the steering wheel.

Over the ridge, Jon and the hands were flanking the fire.

A deep chill ran up her spine, and her palms went cold.

Shovels and pick axes flew up and down with rhythmic movement as the men worked to throw dirt onto the crawling flames.

She scanned the potential route of the fire. It wasn’t that large, maybe over an acre, but as the wind picked up, it would only get worse. If the fire made it into the trees, there would be no way to stop the flames before they finished off the forest. And their ranch.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.SandyNadeau.blogspot.com  for some short stories of our adventures around Colorado.
Sandy Nadeau, author   on Facebook
@SandyNadeauCO    on Twitter
And they can email me at sandy@sandynadeau.com

Thank you, Sandy, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Red Gold - Christianbook.com
Red Gold - Amazon
Red Gold - 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

Monday, June 23, 2014

CHAIN OF MERCY - Brenda S Anderson - One Free Book

Bio: Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty, life-affirming fiction that offers hope and reminds the reader they’re not alone. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is currently President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball (Go Twins!), and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area with her husband of 26 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

Her debut novel, Chain of Mercy, Book #1 in the Coming Home series, came out in April of 2014, and Pieces of Granite, the prequel to Chain of Mercy, is scheduled to release on September 16, 2014!

Welcome, Brenda. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
You may not recognize me from the outward appearance or personality or behaviors of my characters, but each character, be it hero/heroine to secondary, each carries a piece of my heart.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I don’t know how quirky this is, but it definitely registers on the geek meter. My entire family LOVES the Marvel Universe, and when a new movie comes out, we have to see it on opening day—or before opening day, if we can wrangle tickets. When The Avengers came out in theaters, we purchased Avenger Marathon tickets. That meant we were in the theater for Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America, and finally The Avengers, all in one day. We had a blast! And were very thankful for free pop and popcorn refills. J

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. I still have stories I wrote back in grade school. Also, back in grade school, I wrote plays that our class put on for the elementary grades. Unfortunately, I don’t have copies of those plays.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’ll read any fiction. The classics, historical, romance, women’s fiction, mystery, speculative, etc. I don’t look at genre as much as I look for a well-crafted story. Give me a voice that has a lyrical quality to it, characters (protagonist and antagonist) who are multi-layered, descriptions that transport me to the setting, and a story that makes me want to know the ending, and it won’t matter what the genre is.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
By knowing my limits and learning to say “no.” I’ve discovered that when my plate gets overfull, it’s not healthy for me or my family. I’d rather do a few things well, than a bunch of things poorly. I also haven’t joined the modern world by having a smart phone, not that I’m afraid of it, but because I see too many people tethered to their phones. That life isn’t for me.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
First, I take care to choose names befitting the setting of the story and the ages and personality of the characters. From there, I don’t have any specific formula. In one novel, the characters all had names that symbolized who they were. In another novel, I chose names by looking at the authors’ names on my bookshelves. It’s whatever strikes me at that moment.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
That’s easy! My husband and I have raised three wonderful young adults (ages 22, 19, 18) who have a deep faith. Albeit, God gets more credit for that than we do.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a cat. Cats are very independent. They can be loving, and they can be playful. They’re social at times but also need their quiet time.

What is your favorite food?
Does chocolate count as a food? J

Honestly, I have a very bland palate, and I like simple meals. I could eat hamburgers all the time and be happy.

Chocolate is a food group in my house. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I tend to enjoy reading grittier stories than are currently popular within Christian fiction, and that’s what I write. I don’t curse in my books, nor do I go beyond the bedroom door, but my stories deal with the messy side of life. My main characters are usually very broken people, but it’s so much fun watching what God can do with that brokenness! Given that, finding a publisher willing to take a chance on my work was a challenge. But my persistence paid off. I kept praying, learning, networking, and querying, out of obedience—God wouldn’t let me stop. Finally, I found a publisher, Winslet Press, who was delighted to take on my mess-filled stories.

Tell us about the featured book.
Chain of Mercy is the first book in my 4-book Coming Home series. Writers talk about the story of their heart—that’s Chain of Mercy. Here’s the story description:

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women. Until one disastrous evening, when his world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he’s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she’s after, but she soon discovers that he’s hiding more than the designer suits in his closet.


Please give us the first page of the book.
“The good news is that the company only lost a million this quarter.” Richard Brooks smirked at his assistant and slapped the quarterly report down on her desk.

“That’s the good news?” Verna stopped typing and turned to him, propping a hand on her hip, her Southern accent always a welcome sound in this sea of nasal New Yorkers. “Young man, in my day people didn’t make a million dollars, much less lose it. Now, tell me, if that’s the good news, what’s the bad?”

He stared at the Picasso print above Verna’s desk. Reminded him of his life. “It looks like we’re going to have no choice but to close the Phoenix plant.” How had he missed the unmistakable signs of its mismanagement? Now, because of his lack of foresight, hundreds of people would lose their jobs. In all his years in New York City, he’d never made such a costly blunder.

“Goodness. And you’re blaming yourself. I can see it in those beautiful blues of yours.”

“I should have seen it coming months ago. All the signs were there.”

“It just so happens you’ve had a few other things on your mind lately.”

The muscles in his cheeks tightened. “I’m not paid to think of other things.”

“You stop putting yourself down. It’s time I see that gorgeous smile again.”

He chuckled. “Happy?”

Only Verna could make him smile under these circumstances.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Like all writers, you can find me a number of places:
Blog links:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-S.-Anderson/e/B00JHO3J3U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your new book with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Chain of Mercy (Coming Home) (Volume 1) - Amazon
Chain of Mercy (Coming Home) - 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

Sunday, June 22, 2014

WINNERS!!!!!

Patsy (MS) is the winner of A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Gilbert. 
Carol (AL) is the winner of Stuck Together by Mary Connealy.
Cynthia (MS) is the winner of Of the Persecuted by Angie Brashear.
Lourdes (NY) is the winner of Dead Ringer by VB Tenery.
Pam (KS) is the winner of Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke.

If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.

When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.


Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Friday, June 20, 2014

TO DIE ONCE - Miranda A Uyeh - One Free Ebook

Readers, here’s another debut novelist.

Bio: Miranda A. Uyeh is Christian, blogger, book/entertainment reviewer, a professional blurb constructor, an assistant lecturer at a local college where she teaches two geology courses by day, and presently a judge for the INSPY Award. To Die Once: Child of Grace, #1 is her debut book.

Welcome, Miranda. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
A lot, I guess. I simply can’t separate the life lessons I’ve learned over time from my writing. It’s a calling for me to incorporate them. And it’s not just the lessons: little habits, likes, dislikes, quirks etc. It is easier for me to dive into myself and pull out those little traits I need to build certain characters in a story.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Honestly, I can’t remember. I never really keep records of my quirks or silliness.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
When I was thirteen. I read a book by Norma Jean Lutz (can’t remember the title), and my course in life was set.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Oh! Lovely question! I LOVE romance garnished with fantasy, history, mystery, thriller, and suspense. I simply can’t resist! Especially fantasy.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Oh, I don’t know. I guess I take life one step at a time—is there any other way? Keeping a schedule and lists of to-dos go a long way in organizing my time, also. But sometimes, I have to break out of it all, and step away from my “world” to gain some inner peace and quiet. I come out refreshed afterwards.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Believe me when I say, this is the single most (or one of the of the most) difficult task for me in writing fiction—don’t know why. At least at the beginning, it was. A solution comes when a name finally takes form in my mind and I have a really good feeling about it. I’ve never regretted choosing a name like that so far.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Publishing a book! Nothing so far has beaten that feeling.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Lion/Lioness. I like the majestic look and symbolism of a lion. This is what God was talking about when He said, “I’m the Lion of the tribe of Judah.”

What is your favorite food?
Curried fried rice and chicken. Yummy, isn’t it?

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
There were some details that were more difficult to flesh out than others, because of the complexity of the scenes. In the end I had to gather resources like pictures, videos, and books to help. It was a slow and tedious process, but it worked.

Tell us about the featured book.
To Die Once is a story of God’s redemptive power of grace. Some of the characters in this book make certain decisions that change their lives forever, and they’re forced to live with the consequences. This story shows that with God, absolute healing and second chances are possible.

Two men, one woman, a rosebush …
… a terrible past, an uncertain future
Jennifer, a woman unexpectedly trapped in a path of love and passion against everything she believes.
Rodrigo, a man set to get what he wants at the cost of what matters most.
Stefano, a man with a past, a story to tell and passion to offer.
Chidi, a friend in need, a friend indeed. Or not?

From a culture where good girls follow the norm and live as they’ve been told, Jennifer is no different from any other girl until by happenstance, she meets and falls in love with Rodrigo, a man who’s handsome, rich, and foreign. Different. She has no idea who he is or what he does and is swept into a world of romance and passion. It is not long before she discovers a shocking truth that shakes both her world and his.

Then he is gone.

Stefano shows up at a time when Jennifer has made up her mind about the rules of life. He thinks she’s beautiful and is in love with her. In a bid to convince her to give him a chance in her life, old memories once buried are brought to life. And the events that follow don’t leave anyone unaffected by the truth of the past that was left unsettled.

Meanwhile, Jennifer with her friend Chidi, find themselves on a self-discovery journey that has one of them raising questions.

Some just have to ask, where is God in all this? … an inspirational romance, from Lagos to Italy.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Of course!

JENNIFER TINGHIR hated her work at the cashier unit of the bank. She liked her real job better at the Marketing Department. In two hours, she had attended to over fifty impatient customers, and the pressure of the work started to kick in and take its toll on her. Thankfully, she had one more customer to deal with before her break. God knew her aching fingers needed to rest from all that tapping on the computer keyboard, and her stiff back needed to lean on something cozy after sitting up for so long, before she returned to the paperwork that awaited her on her desk in her office.

Before midday, the bank was already crowded. More people trooped in like it was Black Friday at a shopping mall. It was the second quarter of the year, a time when business corporations in Nigeria repositioned their agendas to fit the profit margin, and individuals planned their budgets to maximize the best yields. Lagos City was no different. In the marketing department, she and her colleagues had to lend help to the customer care and cashier units because of the unusual influx of customers.

“Thank you for coming, sir.” She said to her second-to-last customer, then cleared the information sheet from the computer screen as she waited for the last man in line to approach.
She raised her hand to soothe the kink at the nape of her neck and within seconds started to feel the release as her stiffened muscles relaxed under the massage. What wouldn’t she give to dig out her tired feet from her stilettos, relax her back against a cozy chair and prop her legs up on her desk behind the closed door of her office? She bit back a groan and maintained her composure.

When she finally looked up, her breath caught at the sight of the man standing before her. Her pulse raced as he studied her. She had never seen him before. He had to be a new customer in the bank.

Jennifer swallowed. “Good morn—uhm, sorry. It’s afternoon—good afternoon. Sir.”

She was aware she was babbling. How could she not? Before her stood the most attractive man she had ever seen in her life. She was sure that if he leaned over the counter enough, his towering height would loom over her. His dark hair sat in waves that flowed to the back of his head but didn’t extend beyond his nape. His dark eyes were penetrating. His Roman nose wasn’t too pronounced so it fit perfectly on his face. His jaw exuded a smoothness and toughness all at the same time. And his lips—oh, Lord, those lips—she stopped herself. What is wrong with me? She had just spent the last few seconds ogling a customer. But her mind stubbornly continued—pondering his lips that were satisfactorily thin and puckered enough to attract any sane female. His stare was full of such interest that she visibly shuddered, even more so when his eyes strayed and stopped on her … lips?

Jennifer blinked.

She shook her head to clear it of any nonsense and forced her mind to concentrate on the man for who he was to her—a customer. Tearing her glance away from him, she attempted to gather her composure. Her heartbeat still thrummed, but when she finally turned his way again, she hoped her look spoke “professional.”

He smiled in a soft, cocky way that tingled her senses. She didn’t like that, she decided.

“Good morning,” he said.

Italian, she noticed. “How may I help you?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Easy!

Thank you for hosting me, Lena! It was wonderful visiting your blog today!

Thank you, Miranda, for sharing your book with us today.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
To Die Once (Child of Grace Series, #1) - 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