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Monday, December 15, 2014

THE SNOWBOUND BRIDE - Davalynn Spencer - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Davalynn. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write inspirational Western romance because at the end of the book, love wins and there’s always a cowboy involved! But the process is what I hope keeps readers in the story pulling for the hero or heroine, relating with their struggles, hoping it will all work out. Whether historical or contemporary, the story of two people setting themselves aside, working through their differences, and finding each other (and themselves) worthy of love gives us an extra glimpse of faith and fresh hope in action.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I married my handsome cowboy.

How has being published changed your life?
Publication as a novelist was a long-time goal. However, the day did not arrive with my heart fluttering over seeing my name in print. As a former crime-beat reporter, I’ve seen my name in print thousands of time. Becoming a published author fulfilled not only a dream but also my life calendar. I’m much busier now as a novelist than I was as a journalist. There is a lot of working ahead to write the book, working during revisions, edits, and rewrites, and working after the fact in promotion—all while working ahead on the next book.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished Jody Hedlund’s Carol Award-winning A Nobel Groom, and Rachel Hauck’s best-selling The Wedding Dress.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on a story set in 1910 CaƱon City, Colorado, during the town’s heyday as the pre-Hollywood center for silent movies.

That sounds like an interesting book. I want to feature it on my blog. What would be your dream vacation?
I want to go to Scotland. I’ve read several novels set there and lived vicariously through them. My grandfather was Scot/Irish, and I’d love to visit my heritage.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I live on Colorado’s Front Range and the state has incredibly rich and colorful history. I can’t help but set most of my novels here in either actual locales or fictional towns.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d like to meet and visit with the Korean woman pictured with my father when he was in the Army overseas. From looking at the old photographs, I believe she and my dad had a relationship. If she is still alive, I’d like to get to know her.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I play and sing contemporary Christian music and I enjoy walking every morning.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Staying off social media long enough to log my minimum 2,000 words a day is a struggle, particularly since authors are told to be “out there” on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and other sites. Add to that my blog and guest posting, and I find I must jealously guard my manuscript-writing time.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don’t be discouraged and don’t quit. Listen, learn, rinse, repeat.

Tell us about the featured book.
On the run from a heartless uncle in the winter of 1865, Arabella Taube hides in Nate Horne’s buckboard just as a blizzard sweeps into Colorado. Can she find her way out of the storm—physically and emotionally—or will the handsome mountain horseman steal her heart?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Arabella Taube clutched her small carpetbag as tightly as her breath and turned her back to the coach car. The man in the brown bowler had watched her all the way from Denver. He was watching her now through the window. She was certain of it.

Blowing snow swirled around her skirts, and the cold nipped at her ears. Oh, to have her trunk and be off to the hotel with the other passengers. She rubbed her jacketed arms as couples claimed their baggage and trudged through the snow toward waiting hacks and buggies. With this delay, there might be no rooms left when she got there.

Stomping her freezing feet against the platform boards, she looked again for a porter. She had assumed the train would press on to Leadville without stopping for the night. “Assumption is the devil’s joke on the unwitting.” Her grandmother’s brittle warning twisted inside Ara’s stomach, and the woman’s disapproving tsks rang in her ears. Or was that the pop and snap of the engine as it cooled?

Horses whinnied and tossed their heads as they pulled from the station. She stiffened against the bluster of wind and panic. She would make her own way without her uncle’s ordering of her every step and Grandmother’s resentful regard—as if Ara could go back and change her parentage. The train heaved a dying breath, and the engineer stepped from his cab. The conductor followed. Where were the por­ters with her trunk?

The brown-bowlered man exited the car, looked both ways, and skimmed over her as if she didn’t exist. She was not fooled and turned quickly for the depot. An inside bench would serve if need be, but she’d not be ogled by that man any longer.

The fine hairs on her neck sprang like porcu­pine quills. He was following her. Ladies do not run. She lifted her skirt and quickened her pace. As she neared the depot door, the clerk reached for the shade. Casting off Grandmother’s drill, she ran and grabbed the brass doorknob. “Please,” she mouthed.

He shook his head, jerked a thumb over his shoulder, and dropped the shade. The light dimmed within, and she turned to see the bowlered man a few paces away, lighting a pipe. The flare of his match lit pale eyes that watched her askance. Her stomach knotted. She didn’t know his name, but she knew he was one of her uncle’s lackeys, one willing to do for a price what her uncle would not.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’ve listed them in order of preference, so pick what you need from the top down, please. Thank you!
http://pinterest.com/davalynnspencer/boards/

Thank you, Davalynn, for sharing this Christmas book with us.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Snowbound Bride - Christianbook.com
The Snowbound Bride (The 12 Brides of Christmas Book 11) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

27 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me today, Lena. And I must amend my heritage: my grandfather was Scot - not Scotch!

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  2. I would love to win a copy of this wonderful book! Great interview!

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  3. The Snowbound Bride sounds like an exciting story. Thank you for offering a copy.
    Tennessee

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  4. Love Christmas books!!

    Sierra IN

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  5. Thank you, Karla. So glad you enjoyed it.

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  6. Kay - thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Sierra - you and me both!

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  8. the book you're working on sounds like a great subject - pre-Hollywood. Thanks for the interview

    Cheryl in IL

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  9. Cheryl - so glad you're intrigued. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. Anonymous2:15 PM

    Your interview was great! Love to try new authors! Shelia from Mississippi

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  11. Shelia - so glad your enjoyed it. I love new readers!

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  12. I'd love to go to Scotland too.

    This sounds like such a fabulous read.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  13. Sounds like a fun read. Would love to have this copy to read and then pass along to the Alamance Christian School library. :)

    I'm in NC

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  14. Thank you, Vera. It is an e-book give away ... but if you have a Walmart nearby, see if they have a copy of Christmas Wedding Bell Brides. My story is one of the four in that collection - and that's the only place it's in print!

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  15. Sounds like Arabella is in quite a predicament!

    Patty in SC

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  16. Patty - yes, she is. But one that works out for good.

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  17. I've read a few of the books in this series and enjoyed them!

    Blessings to you!
    Doreen
    Lancaster County, PA

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  18. Doreen - so glad you are enjoying the stories.

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  19. what a great introduction... I'm interested! !
    dkstevens for NEBR..

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Deanna - thank you for stopping by.

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  22. Hi Davalyn! I've loved every one of the 12 Brides novella collection stories that I've read so far and yours sounds like it'll be no different! Arabella's story sounds like it will be quite the nail biter! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    Kristen in OK
    kam110476 at gmail dot com

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  23. Kristen - I'm so glad you're enjoying the series. I was intrigued by how different the novellas all were from each other, which makes the reading all the more fun. Thanks for stopping by today.

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  24. Love the first page! Thanks for a chance to win!
    Beth in Montana

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  25. Hiding away and finding love... sounds like a great romance!
    Merry in MN

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  26. oh, this sounds like a book I'd love to read thanks for the chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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