HEART OF PETRA - Hilarey Johnson - One Free Book

Welcome back, Hilarey. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I value honesty, and I like to know what makes people believe the way they do. I will always have a little romance in my stories, but I am more interested in why two people fall in love than how. Secondly, I read for adventure and entertainment, so that is also what I try to write—but I want it to matter.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

This question is difficult. Every joyful event comes to us in a fallen world. For example, the birth of my children came through pain. Many of my personal successes have arrived on the tail end of a God-ordained humbling or correction, or preceded one. Two really happy days were when it rained on our (August) vacation in Orlando and the park cleared out so my husband and three teenagers had cool weather and small crowds. Also the day I got news I was a semi-finalist in Jerry B Jenkins Operation First Novel was pretty great. It validated writing for me.

How has being published changed your life?

It has shown me that no one thing will bring true joy on this earth.

What are you reading right now?

The Legend of Sheba by Tosca Lee.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m stretching myself right now, it’s a martial arts fantasy set in 1863.

What would be your dream vacation?

To take my three grown children to Prague, Czech Republic, and show them where my husband and I spent our first year of marriage.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Setting can add to or detract from a book. My first book location was because when I lived in Reno, I drove by strip club billboards every day. The second book was about a character from that story—so it was chosen for me. I picked Idaho for the one I am currently working on because it was so volatile and wild during the time period.  

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I would say Saeed Abendini because that would mean he was no longer imprisoned in Iran for his faith in Christ. #savesaeed

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to garden and cook. I love to take walks and meet friends for coffee. Martial arts is a big part of my life—but more than a hobby. Before publishing, I made time for crocheting and sewing. Lately I’ve been having more fun than should be allowed at Zumba Senato. I would scuba dive if I didn’t live in a land-locked state.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Discipline and switching between book marketer and writer. I haven’t overcome either yet. I’m hoping if I ignore my obstacles, they will just go away.

Good luck with that. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write several books before you try to publish. Don’t think about anything but story.

Tell us about the featured book.

The first in the Breaking Bonds Series was about a girl trapped outside of church. Heart of Petra is about a girl trapped inside. It has similar elements of spiritual suspense.

Leah was raised in a conservative, dying church. Leah’s father was so controlling, her sister was expelled when she chose to go to college instead of letting her him choose her husband. Leah wants to submit to God, and her father, but her father begins to push her toward a relationship that isn’t right. The man ends up having ulterior motives.

You could also say the story is about not allowing your heart to turn hard because you are complacent in your faith, the damage done by church splits, courting, texting while driving and spying on your neighbors.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Whoever heard of an insomniac with a pajama fetish? I swipe my hand down the leg of my lime-green cotton PJs, but it doesn’t help steady them, and I still need two tries to adjust the telescope.

With a deep breath, and a double check at the lock on my bedroom door, I’m able to slow the skipping in my ribs. It’s amazing how blood and heart vessels work together, pumping day and night, even while people sleep—well, while most people sleep. An insomniac doesn’t have the pleasure of dreaming during the seven hundred and twenty minutes our sun shines on the other side of the world.

I twist the focuser on my telescope clockwise—a bit too far, back just a hair. Perfect.

Returning to my love of pajamas: Seven sets of long-sleeve, long-pant outfits wait in my bottom drawer in two neat piles. One drawer up contains nine matching shorts-sets, twelve nightgowns and one baby-doll nightgown my parents don’t know I own...

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website/Blog -- http://hilarey.com/

Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilarey-Johnson/214879415388747

Goodreads -- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8182303.Hilarey_Johnson

Twitter -- https://twitter.com/HilareyJohnson

Amazon -- http://www.amazon.com/Hilarey-Johnson/e/B00K0LJOQK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

YouTube -- http://youtu.be/B8XWSF9mIlo

Thank you, Hilarey, for sharing this new book with me and my readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Heart of Petra (Breaking Bonds) (Volume 2) - Paperback
Heart of Petra (Breaking Bonds Book 2) - 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

WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN - Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin - One Free Book

Welcome, dear friends, to my blog. I’m thrilled to interview you together. How did your story for the collection come about?

Cara:  I’ve always loved Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, and it was perfect that the song became an instant hit in 1942, the year of my novella. I knew I wanted the heroine to work at the local candy store/soda fountain, and Sarah found out the puzzle company had been in business since long before WWII. But I needed a reason for my hero to work there and not in the war effort. So that got my thoughts spinning to a displaced farmer who suffered an illness as a child that keeps him out of the service. But what made him leave the farm? That legal issue became the pivot the story turned on.

Sarah: This story idea flew together so quickly that it’s hard to track. A sentimental Christmas song came on the radio, and it made me cry, and I hated that it made me cry. So being a writer, I analyzed why the song had such an emotional impact. A child in need…And suddenly little Linnie Kessler is looking in the department store window, hoping to see her daddy, her daddy who was killed in the war. Instead she sees Lt. Pete Turner, a fighter pilot running on empty. When Pete takes Linnie home, he’s captivated by the child’s widowed mother—who is not happy to see Pete. Her former bully.

What are you reading right now?

Tricia: I just finished The Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers. It reminded me how much I adore her writing so I started A Voice in the Wind. It’s been about fifteen years since I read Francine’s Mark of the Lion series and I’m enjoying it!

Cara: Currently I’m reading The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate and In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin…oh, and some really exciting statistics and project management textbooks.

What other books have you had published?

Sarah: This is my first novella, so it was a lot of fun! I have six novels published, all set in World War II. My most recent release is In Perfect Time.

Tricia: I’ve published a bit of everything. I have forty-five books published. Most of those are historical fiction novels, but I’ve also written many Amish novels. I’ve also written parenting and marriage books, and books for teens. So you can say a bit of everything. This fall I also have a novella releasing in the Amish collection An Amish Second Christmas.

Cara: This is my 19th book, so I’m somewhere betwixt and between Sarah and Tricia. One of those was the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law. The rest have been novels. A mix of WWII historical romances and contemporary romantic mysteries. Readers can learn more about my books and read first chapters at www.caraputman.com.

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

Sarah: The hardest part was not “owning” all the characters. Both Abigail (Cara’s heroine) and Merry (Tricia’s heroine) appear in my story. It felt strange writing about Abigail and Merry—I wanted to capture them as Cara and Tricia had written them. We had a lot of email conversations along the lines of “What would Abigail be doing now?” “Would Pete really say that?” or “What is Merry feeling at this time?”

Cara: The coordination was a great challenge. Fortunately, Sarah is the spreadsheet queen, so she kept us on track. This is my third collection like this, and I love the collaborative aspects of working on collections.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Sarah: These ladies are high-energy idea generators. I’m a sloth, and I get one good story idea a year. Listening to them brainstorm taught me good lessons about letting ideas flow and change and shift directions.

Tricia: I was SO impressed by both of them. Sarah is so organized, and Cara is so fun and passionate. Honestly I’d work with them all the time if I could. It truly was a great team!

Cara: I’ve long admired Sarah and Tricia, so when I decided I wanted to explore writing a WWII Christmas collection, I knew I wanted to do it with them. I was THRILLED when they said yes. It was such fun to work together.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sarah: Linnie’s name came attached to her—I have no idea where it came from! For Pete and Grace, I looked at names popular in the era. Pete has the strong, no-nonsense quality, and Grace has such quiet beauty—and ironically my heroine needs to learn to extend grace. Also, Grace was my grandmother’s name. She passed away in March, long after I’d finished this story, but it was fitting to dedicate this novella to her.

Tricia: I chose Meredith because I wanted to use the Christmas song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” I have a friend who was born on Christmas and her name is Merry, so I thought Merry could be short for Meredith. As for the other characters, I also looked for popular names from that time period. I had fun looking up Dutch names, too!

Cara: Abigail is my oldest’s name, and she wanted a book of her own. I also love the meaning of the name: Fountain of Joy. Abigail has a bit of that personality, though muted by a pain she has to overcome.

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

Sarah: That God alone can fill the empty places in our lives.

Tricia: That God can work all things out for good and our mourning can turn to joy!

Cara: That God will lead us through the pain in our past if we’ll let Him.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Sarah: Absolutely! I tell aspiring writers that ACFW is like having a mini-conference in your email inbox every day. The courses are excellent, the loop is a great way to connect, the genre loops are fantastic for research help, and the conference is top-notch!

Tricia: Yes, although I’m not as active as I wish I could be. I highly recommend ACFW to aspiring novelists. It’s an organization filled with amazing people!

Cara: Yes! I’m published because of what I learned at ACFW and the people I’ve met at the conferences. I’ve also been very active on the boards and in other positions since 2006. I love this organization and giving back!

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

Tricia: The best advice I’ve received is to write from the highs and lows of your own life. The emotional themes I’ve written about are similar ones that I’ve experienced. This helps pack emotion into the story.

Cara: To be disciplined. Keep writing even when you don’t feel like it. If you do, you’ll have a book in a year. And be teachable. You can always learn more!

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Tricia Goyer

www.triciagoyer.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/authortriciagoyer

Twitter www.twitter.com/triciagoyer

Pinterest www.pinterest.com/triciagoyer

Cara Putman

www.caraputman.com

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Sarah Sundin

www.sarahsundin.com

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Thank you, ladies, for sharing this Christmas novella collection with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Where Treetops Glisten - Christianbook.com
Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II - Amazon
Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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

A SIDE OF FAITH - Krista Phillips - One Free Book

Welcome back, Krista. It’s been a while since you were here. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I've always been a romantic at heart. As a little girl, I dreamed of my prince charming.

And now that I'm married with 4 silly little girls, we have a pretty playful household.

So romance with a touch of humor fits me and my voice to a T!

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

WOW this is a hard question. There are so many. The day I gave birth to each of my four girls, the day I got married.... but I think I'll have to say, the day I brought my 4th daughter home from the hospital.

She was born with half of a heart and spent over 10 months in the hospital. She was born July 20, 2010, and she came home for the first time on May 24, 2011. It was the answer to every prayer I, along with thousands of others, had prayed for 10 very, very long months.

To have our whole family together, in the same house, at home, was wonderful beyond description.

I can’t even imagine going through something like that. How has being published changed your life?

Being published is this amazing yet humbling experience. To have the words, the stories, that God has given me "out" for others to read is amazing. It is my calling come to fruition. But it's also humbling, because we all have different tastes in what we read and what we like in our fiction. So it has been humbling to go through edits and have work critiqued, and then to experience feedback from readers that is sometimes uplifting and other times bubble-bursting.

Being published has reminded me that while I ache for my readers to enjoy the stories I've been given, Jesus is my primary audience. My heart is to make Jesus smile with the stories I tell. As long as I'm doing that, the rest are sprinkles on top!

That’s so true. What are you reading right now?

I'm in between books, just finished Denise Hunter's Dancing with Fireflies and loved it!

What is your current work in progress?

I'm actually working on a few projects right now. A Side of Hope is the second Sandwich Novella, due out in December hopefully, so I'm finishing up that project at the moment. And I'm currently editing another book (tentatively titled The Price of Love) that is a full-length novel. Soon it will be in my agent's hands and the rest... God knows!

What would be your dream vacation?

Hawaii!!! I LOVE the beach and have never been to Hawaii, so that's my current bucket list vacation!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

It varies for each book. I've lived in quite a few places in my life, so I like to place them around one of the areas I've lived.

My first two published books (and the rest on the Sandwich series) they are set in Sandwich, IL, which, YES, is a real town. I was born there and still have family in the area. Since I write romance with a bit of humor, I thought... what better place to set a romantic comedy than in the town whose name makes people giggle?

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Goodness, this is hard. I'm not a really big "oh-ma-goodness-its-a-celebrity" type of person. Would it be dumb to say my hubby? I love spending time with him, and since we have 4 kids... sometimes those date nights are slim-pickin's and consist of exciting events like grocery shopping! So a whole evening, kid free, that we could do whatever we wanted with no worry about budgets or being practical would be nice! LOL!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I don't have many other hobbies. I know that makes me sound boring. But I have four kiddos and they take up a LOT of my time. I squeeze writing and reading in whereever I can!

OH! I do LOVE to play card games. I'm a big Euchre player! And really, I love all games in general :-)

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Descriptions. I'm a huge fan of dialogue and action, and tend to focus on that when I write. A large part of my editing is going back and describing settings and character features, because I get so caught up in what's going on as I write, I forget that the descriptions are in my head but not on the paper!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Take your writing, go before the throne of God, and lay it at his feet. We dedicate your children to Jesus... and we need to dedicate our writing to him as well. "Not my will, but THY will, be done, Jesus."

Tell us about the featured book.

A Side of Faith is a novella based in Sandwich, IL.

He is everything she never wanted...

Rachel Carter is on top of the world. A new job in a new town, friends, and a house to call her own. Men? Eh, someday. And when the time comes, she’ll go for a nice safe geek or something. She will NOT be repeating the mistakes of her youth.

But then Cameron Foster comes knocking on her door, reminding her of the man she vows never to think of again.

God wouldn’t send her a man who reminds her of everything she is trying to put behind her...would He?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Darn those Property Brothers.

They made the whole remodel thing look so easy on HGTV.

Rachel Carter blew a curl of dark hair out of her face as she surveyed the blank canvas of wall. She'd spent the past week coating it with nasty goo and scraping away at heinous “welcome to the '80s" wallpaper.

Two weeks ago, while signing the closing papers on the little house in Sandwich, Illinois, she’d been giddy with excitement to start the reno.

That was before she realized simple wallpaper removal was akin to torture.

Her back ached.

Her arms screamed in agony.

One would have thought she was pushing Medicare age instead of a whopping thirty-three years old.

She hadn't done her Jillian Michaels workout in almost two months because of the move and job change, and wow, it showed.

A date with Jillian and her DVD player was definitely going to happen soon.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers!

I blog twice a week on my website at http://www.kristaphillips.com/.

You can also connect with me on—

Facebook – www.facebook.com/authorkristaphillips

Twitter – www.twitter.com/kristaphillips

Thank you, Krista, for sharing this new novella with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Side of Faith (A Sandwich Novella) (Volume 1) - Paperback
A Side of Faith (A Sandwich Novella Book 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

THE WESTWARD CHRISTMAS BRIDES - Susan Page Davis - One Free Book

Dear Readers, this book is #4 on the ECPA Bestseller list this month.

Bio: Susan Page Davis is the author of more than 50 novels and novellas in the historical romance, mystery, and suspense genres. She is the mother of six and grandmother of nine. A Maine native, she now lives in western Kentucky with her husband Jim.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

For this particular book, not a lot, but in some of my books it’s much more pronounced. I find that when writing characters who are about my age, they become more like me, and when they are in the settings where I spent a lot of time, they think like I do.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, I’ve never roller skated in a buffalo herd, but I have hugged a raccoon.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was very young I began creating stories. Reading and thinking up stories was always part of my life, at least since I learned to read at age 4. As an adult, I spent many years as a nonfiction writer. Finally I decided to seriously try fiction. I sold my first short story in 2001 and my first book in 2003.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love reading historical fiction and true history, but I also love mystery and suspense.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Mostly I ignore the world and let it run. I do enjoy getting away from my desk for a break. Taking some time to just be with family and friends refreshes me. I also like to solve ciphers, read, and walk.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

This is hard for me sometimes. I keep a few baby name books handy, and I also have a couple of naming websites and the census site bookmarked. If I hear a name I like and think I might use it later in a book, I put it in a computer file called “Names.” Now and again I’ll browse through those I’ve collected.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My family.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

By nature, I think I’d be some reclusive, rarely seen critter, like a pine marten. But real life has made me more sociable.

I’m glad, because if you were so reclusive, I might now have ever met you. What is your favorite food?

I love fruit. If you want to make me happy, give me a fruit salad.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Turning off the momentum of everything going on around me can be a problem. I need a real office and dedicated writing time, so that I’m not so easily distracted.

Tell us about the featured book.

In The Westward Christmas Brides, take the journey into the American West alongside nine women who are chasing their dreams—Cynthia, for security; Beryl, for a new family; Adeline, for freedom; Molly, for marriage; Beth, for a new start; Belinda, for a place to heal; Suzette, for adventure; Juliet, for peace; and Caroline, for a future for her children. Celebrate Christmas alongside these pioneers as love finds them in nine distinctly different romances penned by leading Christian fiction authors, including Wanda E. Brunstetter, Vickie McDonough, Melanie Dobson, and more.

            In Another Christmas Story, my novella in The Westward Christmas Brides collection, the tale opens with another tragedy. Beryl’s father has been shot in a hunting accident and is critically wounded. His dire condition forces Beryl and her little brother, Sam, to leave the wagon train and stay with the family that runs the nearest trading post on the Oregon Trail. Their mother has previously passed away, and with their father’s death imminent, Beryl has to make some hard decisions. Will she take Sam on to Oregon, as her father had planned, or go back East to live with relatives there? In the meantime, they are stranded by bad weather with the Lassen family for the winter. Beryl can’t see what’s ahead, but God has plans for her and Sam’s future.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Dust hovered in the air as the wagons lumbered along, and Beryl Jenner coughed. Her shoulders ached from holding the reins all day. Usually her father drove the team of six mules, but he’d ridden off that morning with four other men to hunt. Fresh meat would be welcome, but her father’s presence would be even better.

            “Sam, do you see them yet?” she called over her shoulder.

            Her little brother had been playing in the back of the wagon and keeping her posted whenever he saw anything interesting outside the canvas cover.

            “Not yet,” came his muffled voice, still babyish though he was four years old, going on five.

            Beryl heard him scrambling over the crates and sacks in the wagon bed.

            “Can I get down for a while?” Sam asked, squeezing out between her arm and the front curved wagon bow.

            Beryl wished she could climb down from the wagon seat and stretch her legs too.

 Normally, she and Sam walked most of the day and chatted with the other women and children on the train, but their father’s absence kept them both cooped up today.

            “Not unless you find someone you can walk with. Do you see Mrs. Markham?”

            “No.” Sam steadied himself with a hand on her shoulder and stood on the seat beside her, squinting as he studied the scene around them. Straight ahead of their mule team, another wagon rolled along the rutted trail. Leaning to the side, Beryl could see trees and bluffs ahead, which probably meant they would be crossing the river again. Pa would find them at the encampment if the men came in late from the hunt. But she had no confidence in her own ability to get the wagon across the river without his expertise.

            Sam sighed and crouched down. “All I see is Danny Bowden and his brother.”

            “Well, those boys aren’t big enough to watch you.”

            Sam climbed over the seat back, into the wagon bed. Beryl could hear him working his way to the rear. She arched her back in an effort to ease the strain on her muscles. She hoped they would make camp soon—on this side of the river. Then she could leave this hard, unyielding board seat. Of course, she would have to unhitch the team if Pa hadn’t returned, and care for them before making a fire and getting supper.

            “There they are,” Sam yelled.

            Beryl tried to see around the wagon cover, but it was hopeless. She turned back to her driving, though the mules plodded along with little guidance, so long as the wagon ahead kept on at a steady pace.

            To her right, two horses loped past. One rider had a gutted antelope slung behind his saddle. Beryl smiled. Her father was on his way. Several people called out to the men, but they didn’t stop. Instead, they rode on toward the head of the column. Beryl felt a twinge of unease. One of the hunters was Mr. Arnold, and she knew his wagon was two behind the Jenners’.

            She turned her head and called, “Sam! Do you see Pa yet?”

            “Nope.”

            Beryl pushed the brim of her bonnet back and wiped her brow with a grimy handkerchief. She hoped they would stop long enough to do laundry soon.

            A few minutes later, the wagon master, Mr. Etherton, rode back along the train, calling out to the drivers, “We’ll make camp a half mile on, near the water.”

            It wasn’t until she had driven her team into position in the wagon circle and begun to unhitch the mules that Mr. Etherton approached her, accompanied by Mr. Arnold.

            “Miss Jenner?”

            “Yes?” She turned toward them with a tight smile, still fumbling with the straps on one of the leaders’ bridles.

            “I’m afraid I have some bad news,” Mr. Etherton said.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit my website at: www.susanpagedavis.com . You can subscribe to my newsletter there and enter my monthly drawing.

Thank you, Susan, 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.

The Westward Christmas Brides - Christianbook.com
Westward Christmas Brides Collection: 9 Historical Romances Answer the Call of the American West - Amazon
The Westward Christmas Brides Collection: 9 Historical Romances Answer the Call of the American West - 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

3 WEEKS WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear Readers, I'm back home after surgery and two weeks in rehab. This will catch us up on the winners announcements.

For October 12:

Gloria (OH) is the winner of First Impressions by Robin Caroll.
Kelly (VA) is the winner of A Secret Life by Lee Carver.
Dana (MI) is the winner of The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky.
Melanie (TX) is the winner of Dreaming on Dasies by Miralee Farrell.
Angela (KY) is the winner of Sunday Morning Song by Tia McCollors.

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.


For October 19:

Sierra (IN) is the winner of The Advent Bride by Mary Connealy.
Rebecca (OR) is the winner of Watercolor Dreams by Sherry Kyle.
Patty (SC) is the winner of The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt.
AJ (TX) is the winner of Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin.
sm (CA) is the winner of Prudence Pursued by Shirley Raye Redmond.

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.


For October 26:

Lisa (VA) is the winner of The Nutcracker Bride by Margaret Brownley.
Ellen G (IN) is the winner of In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin.
Cindy W (IN) is the winner of The Sea House by Elizabeth Gifford.
Cindy (PA) is the winner of Farewell for a While by Sharon A Lavy.

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.

AILEEN'S SONG - Marianne Evans - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Marianne. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

My characters don’t so much come from me, and my life/life experiences as they come from people watching, expanding upon whatever vignettes I stumble into and asking myself “What if?”

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, it’s not quirky—it’s more like hilariously stupid. I was a very young bride—married for less than a year—and I was determined to follow my dad’s recipe and make my hubby this delicious spinach, garlic, and butter dipping sauce for our crusty, fresh from the oven Italian bread. The recipe called for three cloves of garlic. I put in three HEADS of garlic. It was pungent, to say the very least. Best part is, he ate it wearing a smile (and he issued some chest-deep laughter once we discovered my error). Right then and there, I knew I had a winner in my forever man.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was in grade school, ignoring math equations in favor of my English composition book! Back in the sixth or seventh grade, I started writing short stories long hand. I handed them out to my friends and they liked them, so I kept on writing. I also had teachers who were incredibly encouraging and prompted me to keep at it. You might say they were my first critics and reviewers.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

My auto-buy authors in the CBA are Karen Kingsbury and Irene Hannon. In the ABA, it’s Nora Roberts. All three of these authors are consummate storytellers and know how to bring characters and circumstances to life with vivid, relatable detail and emotion. I love their books and they constantly inspire me to work even harder at my craft and continue to hone my skills as a writer.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Sanity isn’t something I keep, it’s something I merrily lose every day – LOL!! In all seriousness, isn’t it amazing that technology gives us tools meant to make our lives more efficient, yet at the same time, we’re all more crazy-busy than ever? I wonder about that cycle, because it seems the more we think we can “do” – the faster we run, and that’s not always healthy. I don’t have an easy or simple answer to the question, because it’s a topic I battle every day. I can only say I try to find a balance between my work life, home life, and author life. In that regard, sometimes I win, and sometimes I lose—but God’s got my back, so I keep relying on Him and I keep on trying!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

For the most part, the names come to me as my story evolves and I begin to plot it out. I tend to need that reference immediately, and my character’s name/appearance helps me form a point of reference and move forward. If I get stuck—and there have been moments like that—I like to review popular and current baby names on-line.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My family and kids aren’t an “accomplishment”—but they are the foundation upon which God rests my heart, and I’m so very proud of them, one and all. From a professional standpoint, finding out Devotion won the prestigious Booksellers Best Award at RWA in 2013 for Best Inspirational Novel was monumental—as was the moment Finding Home earned a Selah for Best Novella. These awards are two industry standards and I was honored to even final, let alone emerge with a win.

I know. I’ve won one Selah and finaled for a Selah with another book. They are awesome moments. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I always joke with my hubby that I’d want to be a kitty. I watch our three feline family members stretching, yawning, playing, sleeping, and prowling while I scurry off to work, etc., and I think, “Man, you guys have it made!”

What is your favorite food?

Hands down it’s stove-top popcorn, freshly made, with the perfect balance of drizzled butter and salt. Y-U-M!!!!!!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I won’t call it a problem, but I’ll call it a frustration. It bugs me to bits when I sit down to write, and I have a scene in my head, but the words just won’t flow. I combat that circumstance by keeping my fingers on the keyboard and pushing through. Writing, for me, is a discipline. I don’t walk away. If I give up, there’s nothing to work with. If I write, even if it’s garbage initially, I can refine it and mold the words into what I want them to be.

That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.

Aileen’s Song is book 1 of the Sisters in Spirit series. Sisters in Spirit follows the lives and loves of four friends as God leads them into a world of music performance. I’m thrilled that Pelican Book Group is introducing this series as a prelude to their brand new imprint, Pure Amore! Sisters in Spirit and Pure Amore focus on modern, relatable couples who embrace the idea of abstinence without surrendering any of the thrill (and challenge!) of falling in love. Such a wonderful concept! Here’s a glimpse into Aileen’s story:

Aileen, Siobhan, Kassidy, and Maeve—long ago they made a purity pledge to God and a friendship vow to one another. Now this quartet is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime...

All her life, Aileen Brewer has dreamed of singing on stage and winning the heart of Liam Douglas. When she sings, she exudes confidence and charm. Away from the spotlight, she's the shy, curvaceous woman who has always tried to maintain a sweet, Godly spirit despite her radical upbringing and a sense that she's not quite good enough.

During a music festival at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Aileen takes the stage with her three best friends, and Sisters in Spirit is born. 

Liam, a Christian record producer, is captivated by the wallflower of his youth who has blossomed into a magnetic performer. He champions a record deal, and a quest for Aileen's heart begins, but can she find confidence enough to take command of the group ... and accept Liam's love? Can Liam help her see the beauty of the woman she has become? 

Dreams just might come true in ways only God could orchestrate ...

Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE

Six Years Ago

“Guys, you’re not going to believe what my parents did! I’m serious—you’re not going to believe it!”

Aileen Brewer couldn’t slam her bedroom door closed fast enough. No one would yell at her for the silence-shattering gesture; her parents were long gone for the weekend, and her three best friends had preceded her to the inner sanctum. Kassidy Cartwright flopped onto the king-sized sleigh bed of mahogany with its down comforter of pale green.

Siobhan Douglas, meanwhile, spun toward Aileen in a typical display of her natural, fluid grace. She pointed at the small plastic drug store bag which presently bumped against Aileen’s hip.

“What’s that?”

“This is what my parents gave me just before they left to go to the city for the weekend. I’m telling you, it freaked me out!”

Rounding out the quartet, Maeve Callahan tucked close to Aileen’s side, her fiery hair a tumble around a heart-shaped face. “Come on, then! Don’t keep us in suspense!”

Sucking in a breath, Aileen turned the bag upside down and shook it until the contents tumbled free and bounced across the bed, landing next to Kassidy’s long, slim thigh. It was a box of condoms.

A unified gasp filled the air.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Here are my connections, and I love to touch base with reader friends!

Website: www.marianneevans.com

Blog: www.marianneevans.blogspot.com

Facebook Reader Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarEvansAuthor

Amazon Author Page:  www.amazon.com/author/marianneevans

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marevansauthor/

Thank you, Marianne, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers want to read what happens next.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Aileen's Song - Christianbook.com
Aileen's Song (Sisters in Spirit Book 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

THE BRICKMAKER'S BRIDE - Judith Miller - One Free Book + Much More

Readers, I absolute loved The Brickmaker’s Bride. I haven’t read many books set in this time period, but the setting was so vivid, I felt as if I were walking through the countryside. And the characters were walking right beside me. I highly recommend this book.

Welcome back, Judith. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I have a deep interest in history and a deep love of the Lord. Writing inspirational historical fiction gives me the opportunity to research history, study God’s word, and then to share what I learn with my readers. What a blessing!

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Wow! That’s a difficult question. There are so many good things that have happened to me, but I would have to say the day I married my husband, Jim.

How has being published changed your life?

When I first began writing, I was working full time as a compliance analyst with the Kansas Insurance Department. After several years being published, I was able to quit my job and write full time. Also, I now have more time to conduct travel and conduct research. Another thing that has changed is that I’m frequently asked to speak to different groups regarding my books and my faith.

What are you reading right now?

I just completed Laura Frantz’s latest book, Love’s Fortune, and I would highly recommend it. 

What is your current work in progress?

I am just beginning the synopsis for the third book in the Refined by Love series. I turned in book two, The Potter’s Lady, a couple weeks ago and am awaiting rewrites on that book.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’m planning a European River Cruise next year, so I suppose that would be my dream vacation. However, I have to add that one of the highlights of my traveling life was going to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic with a group of descendants from the Amana Colonies several years ago. I’d done so much research about Amana that it made the trip very exciting for me.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Setting is extremely important to me. In fact, I usually have a setting before I have a story. I do my best to discover unique settings for my novels and/or unique trades or professions for my characters. Sometimes readers will suggest a particular area and I’ll always check out what they suggest. My last six books were set in the Amana Colonies in Iowa, because of the suggestion of friend. She suggested I visit for myself and decide if the area would provide a good setting. On my first visit, I knew she was correct. I discovered the rich cultural and spiritual beliefs of the people and stories were soon emerging in my head.

My current series is set in West Virginia for several reasons. Much of my paternal heritage is in West Virginia and I wanted to reveal the beauty of the northwestern and central portion of the state as well as some of the interesting professions of the area. In The Brickmaker’s Bride, the rich clay deposits become important to the brickmaking profession of the male protagonist who is Scots-Irish and comes to the United States, just as my Scots-Irish ancestors came to this country and settled in the area of Virginia that later became West Virginia.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Beth Moore. She is such a godly woman and her teachings never fail to touch my heart and reveal new truths to me. I’d love to share a pot of tea with her.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but recently I’ve been knitting for my little granddaughter. I’ve made far more blankets and shawls than she’ll ever need.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I plot my books in advance, but sometimes a character takes off to do his or her own thing. When that happens, I sometimes find myself uncertain how to get out of the predicament. I can think more clearly if I stand in the shower with the water running over me, so that sometimes will give me a solution. If that doesn’t work, I take a long walk and do the “what if” game with myself.

Oh, yes, I’ve used shower times that way. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Study the craft of writing and don’t be in a big hurry. Instead, be sure that the proposal you submit to an agent or publisher is the very best you can make it.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Brickmaker’s Bride is set in the hills of West Virginia, where two families tentatively come together to rebuild a war-torn brickmaking business. Their venture leads them into bad business deals, betrayal, heartbreak, and love. If Hugh Crothers has his way, his nephew, Ewan McKay, will never become a full partner in his brickmaking business, but a budding romance between Ewan and Laura Woodfield may thwart Hugh’s plans.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

Along the banks of the Tygart Valley River, West Virginia

September 1868

An unexpected rush of sentiment caught Laura Woodfield by surprise. She tightened her grip on Winston Hawkins’s arm as she stepped down from the carriage. Why did entering the brickyard, even the one established by her father, provoke such an awkward show of emotion?

            Winston patted her gloved hand. “You have more strength in that small hand than I would have ever imagined. Don’t falter now.”

             “I’m sorry.” Laura loosened her grasp and forced a smile. “This place holds many memories, and I haven’t been down here since…” The final words caught in her throat.

            Her father hadn’t returned from the war. Still, the Tygart River continued to flow, and the seasons still changed without fail. Fall had arrived and the ancient trees that surrounded the Tygart River Valley were already bursting with color. Her father had often declared God had given him the most beautiful place in the world to perform his labor, and Laura agreed.

            While her friends had longed to move to Wheeling, Allegheny City, or Pittsburgh, Laura remained content, feeling more at home in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.

Don't miss Judith Miller's latest novel, The Brickmaker's Bride. CBA Retailers + Resources raves, ". . . a wonderful story about faith and love throughout life’s trials."

Judith is celebrating with a Kindle HDX giveaway and  a "Refined by Love" Facebook author event on November 4th.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 4th. Winner will be announced at the Refined by Love Facebook Author Event. Connect with Judith for a fascinating evening centered around her new Civil War-era series. She'll be hosting a book club discussion, giving away prizes, answering your questions, offering an exclusive peek at the next book in the Refined by Love series, and much more!

So grab your copy of The Brickmaker's Bride and join Judith and friends on the evening of November 4th 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 by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.judithmccoymiller.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjudithmiller

Thank you, Judith, for sharing this new book and giveaway 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