YEAR OF JUBILEE - Peggy Trotter - One Free book

Dear Readers, it’s always a thrill to present a debut novelist to you.

Bio: Peggy Trotter is a small town Hoosier native who teaches 1st and 2nd grade at a small Christian School and writes Christian Romance in her spare time. God blessed her with a wonderful husband who cooks and helps clean while supporting her crazy dreams. She has two incredible grown kids, one fabulous son-in-law, and two rays of sunshine, commonly called grandchildren.

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

A lot! Sometimes I cry, if the scene gets really emotional. I’m such a hodgepodge of personalities, LOL, that I can write from several different angles. So, I’d say every one of my characters has more than a sliver of me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I decided I wanted a deck built between my house and garage. So, I researched it, planned it, and built it myself. I’m pretty good with power tools. After that I’d say, hanging a drop ceiling in Honduras! J

I love Central America. When I went on a mission trip to Guatemala, I was a clown making balloon animals for the children. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

This will sound weird, but I think I knew around the age of six. I came in third in a class writing contest. That tugging desire to write never left me, and I wrote many, many things over the years, poems, programs, verses, but the romance stories haunted me every night when I laid my head down, like a repetitive movie. Once I finally get the story written down, it disappears!

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

As a child, I loved the classics, Black Beauty, King of the Wind, (and most anything by Marguerite Henry!), Charlotte’s Web. As I grew, I became a bit more eclectic. I loved researching history, but I also enjoyed Stephen King. I finally stopped reading horror when I began to be afraid to be alone in a house. Seriously, true!

In my adult life, mostly I was fascinated with discovering Christian romance with Lori Wick, B.J. Hoff, Gilbert Morris, and a million more since. I definitely enjoyed all of Bodie Thoene’s series as well, not to mention Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ Left behind series. And there has been ton more! So overall, I say I love Christian fiction, but most of all Christian Romance.

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

Sometimes I don’t!!! J I think my main survival kit is sticking with the basics. God, family, friends. All the other stuff is wonderful and such a blessings, but I try to keep my head focused on the most important picture. Jesus Christ. Not to say I don’t have my freak-out moments, shhhh, but that’s the goal anyway. My husband is a great help in this area. He’s very calm and wise which offsets my need to be constantly over busy.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I like unusual names. So I pick names that are both unusual and beautiful to me. But they must fit the character. I also tend to pick names from my genealogy chart, or cemetery records. (Snort) Yes, really. Especially if I’m writing a historical.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising both my children to adulthood and seeing them grow in Christ. When I held my first child, I felt God’s calling to make sure I equip my children to serve Him for the rest of their lives.

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

A horse. As a young girl, I read any book I could get my hands on that included a horse. They are so beautiful, independent, and strong. All qualities I’d love to possess.

What is your favorite food?

Simple easy. Pizza. Yum!

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

I’d say the greatest one is discouragement. It’s everywhere. And when it’s not outside of your psyche, it’s inside! And that seems to be the most intimidating one. Fighting your own sense of inadequacy, and the devil—he ain’t no dummy. He grabs what pulls you down and pumps it for all it’s worth.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’d be thrilled to!!! My debut novel is Year of Jubilee, a Historical Christian Romance based in southern Indiana in 1850. Here’s the back cover blurb:

Orphaned and widowed, eighteen-year-old JUBILEE STALLINGS clings to her southern Indiana farm as her only refuge. The wilds of Gibson County are just being tamed in the year of 1850, and Jubilee ekes a meager existence. But when RAFE TANNER, a cousin of her abusive dead husband, shows up with the deed to her property, Jubilee’s dream of her own home dissolves.

Rafe, stinging from his ex-fiancée’s rejection, offers a business marriage, throwing him and Jubilee together in an effort to make the farm successful. But scars from the past keep her in constant fear of her new husband. The pair masquerades as a love-struck couple at Rafe’s family farm, enduring the romantic notions of his family and the jealousy of his ex-fiancée.

Once home, Rafe realizes his newfound love for Jubilee, and sets out to court her. Meanwhile, Jubilee fights demons from her past as her husband reveals his interest. Can Jubilee let go of her distrust and pain to embrace God’s plan of true love and finally find a place to belong?

I know it doesn’t present as a storyline with a lot of humor, but there are several scenes of humorous misunderstandings throughout the book.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Okay! But be prepared. The first scene is a doozy!

Jubilee Stallings’ forehead collided with the wall. Stars flashed behind her closed lids. She lay completely still. Her face heated and her body ached, yet she dared not move.

“You’re worthless.” Her husband’s slurred voice continued.

She heard his footsteps stagger across the floorboards.

“You’re nuttin’ but a dog, and…and…a piece…of dung.”

The floorboards thundered as his body hit the floor. Scraping sounds emitted from the other side of the room.

“I…oughta…”

He continued mumbling unintelligibly. Jubilee pressed her bruised brow against the icy wood of the wall and prayed. Fresh tears wet her face. Please fall asleep. Almost on command Colvin gave a snore. Jubilee continued to lie immobile, although now that the initial rush of adrenaline had worn off, the frigid air made her naked body want to shake. She clenched her teeth and fought against her body’s urge. Snores filled the air.

She pushed to a sitting position and eyed the straw mattress where Colvin had sprawled. Moving as cautiously as a newborn colt, she crawled to her dress by the door. She pulled it on as a set of shivers ripped through her body. With her sweater in hand, she crept to the fireplace. Only dying embers remained, but Jubilee couldn’t risk adding another log. Her teeth chattered as she tucked her feet beneath her skirt and pulled up the ragged cardigan to ward off the chill.

She grimaced as she rubbed the swelling on her neck where he’d choked her. The moonlight broke through the clouds, highlighting the marks scratched into the wall near stone mantel. She’d carved the last one this morning, December 30, 1849. More than a full year had come and gone since she’d begun marking. Tomorrow would be her second birthday in this house. Once again tears threatened. She’d be eighteen.

You’re right about the page. I’m eager to read the rest of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can always catch me at peggytrotter.com, but I’m also a feature writer on my group blog, diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com. Here are some of my other favorite places to hang out: https://www.facebook.com/PeggyTrotterAuthor

https://twitter.com/peggy_trotter

https://www.pinterest.com/pegtrotter/.

Thanks for having me on your blog! I truly appreciate it!

Peggy, the pleasure is all mine. I can’t wait until my book arrives so I can read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Year of Jubilee - paperback
Year of Jubilee - 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

ECHOES FROM THE PAST - June Foster - One Free Book

Welcome back, June. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I was raised in a family that went to church but never talked about Jesus, never read the Bible, and only prayed at mealtimes saying memorized prayers. We attended a liberal denomination and as a child, I don't remember ever hearing about salvation through Jesus Christ. So I headed off to college with a marginal moral compass, worldly goals, and little direction. Ten years later and the mother of two children, I still floundered in a confusing world, knowing my life was empty. Finally, our neighbors began taking my two girls to church. One Sunday, I decided if those two little girls could attend, so could I. I began to go to church at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Main Post chapel. Later, a secretary at my husband's work befriended me and asked me to go to a praise service at her church. Then, when we got home, she asked me if I wanted to ask Jesus into my life and I remember saying no, that I wasn't ready. A couple of months later, I watched an old movie And The Next Voice You Hear. Somehow the message touched my heart and for the first time in my life I realized God was real. I joined a Bible study and learned about Jesus and his offer of salvation. Finally, I prayed over the phone with one of my co-workers to ask Jesus into my heart. My life has never been the same. To follow up, both my daughters and my husband now know the Lord as well.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Mildred Colvin, because I love her sweet, historical romances and would like to spend time with her. Francine Rivers. I'd pick her brain about what it's like to be a successful Christian author. Frank Peretti. I'd ask him how his imaginative ideas form in his brain. Jerry Jenkins. I'd schedule him to talk about the techniques he uses in writing stories that grip a reader, not setting him/her free until they've finished the book.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I actually don't get to speak very often. I've given my testimony at church on Sunday morning, and many said they were truly blessed by it. I've been fortunate to appear on my local Birmingham television station and appear on blog radio from time to time.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Once I walked into the wrong restroom at Walmart. When I came out of the stall, I saw a man washing his hands. Fortunately he was just leaving, so I washed my hands and tiptoed out of there. As I walked out the door, I looked up and down the aisles to see if anyone noticed where I came from. I don't admit this very often.

I’ve also had an experience where I accidentally went into the wrong restroom. It is an uncomfortable situation, but I’m sure there are more people who have besides you and me. People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

First, a person must have a story to tell, one that insists on being told. If she is truly passionate about her story, learn the craft of writing and go for it. But most importantly ask: Is God nudging you to tell this story?

Tell us about the featured book.

Echoes From the Past is book 2 in the Almond Tree Series. The hero and the heroine in this story were supporting characters in Book 1 For All Eternity.

When Dave Reyes, senior pastor of New Life Fellowship discovers he has a six-year-old daughter, his life changes forever. He must reveal the truth to the congregation, but will they fire him and send him away in shame?

Social worker Betty Ann Johnston still grieves over the death of her police officer husband. But when he returns from the grave to torment her, she struggles to maintain her sanity. Witnessing Dave's faith is her only source of strength. Will ghosts from her past destroy her, or will she find hope in the God of the Bible?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Fatigue robbed Dave of the last ounce of energy. Though his stomach growled, he'd resort to the same menu as last night, some delectable dinner in a cardboard carton from the freezer—probably spaghetti and meatballs again. He plopped down on the couch under the picture window and released a long breath. In the cool April mornings, the shrub outside had already flowered with purple blossoms.

The spacious three-bedroom home the congregation provided was plenty comfortable, just too big for a bachelor. At the last elders' meeting, he didn't miss Mr. Crenshaw's implication, though cloaked in polite wording. Most pastors of a church the size of New Life had a wife and children.

Then the man's words had turned caustic. "Humph. If you want to know the truth, I question whether a twenty-nine-year-old single man can be equipped to effectively serve. How could you possibly understand parishioners who struggle with marriages or problems with children?" Mr. Crenshaw's language drilled into Dave like a dentist's tool. Thank the Lord the other elders seemed to ignore him and breezed right through the rest of the meeting.

Dave raised his hands in the air. He didn't have a woman in his life now and hadn't found the desire to go on the hunt for one. After that year in Los Angeles, God probably decided he couldn't be trusted with a relationship again, at least not anytime soon.

Sounds interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.junefoster.com

http://junefoster.blogspot.com

http://infinitecharacters.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster

https://twitter.com/vjifoster

https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster

http://whitefire-publishing.com/wordpress/authors/june-foster/

http://desertbreezpublishing.com

http://pinterest.com/junefoster

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755395.June_Foster

Thank you, June, for sharing this new book with us. I'm sure my readers will want to read the story. I know I will.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Echoes From the Past (The Almond Tree Series Book 2)

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

SWORD OF FORGIVENESS - Debbie Lynne Costello - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve known Debbie Lynne Costello online for a number of years, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to her with the release of her debut novel.

Bio: Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

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

I don’t think I write myself into my characters deliberately, but it would be pretty hard not  to write some of yourself into them because who I am affects my beliefs and my faith so I naturally write in that direction.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I started writing stories at a young age of about 8 but I never thought of myself as a writer. I took every writing class I could in high school and then journalism in college. But it wasn’t until about 8 years ago that I decided I wanted to write novels.

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

I enjoy reading my bible, some research books, anything in the 19th century and anything in medieval times.

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

I don’t! I always feel like things are crazy. God is the only thing that keeps me together.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I research the time period that my characters would have been born and try to find a name that fits the character running around in my head.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My husband and I built the house we live in. I think that is probably my biggest accomplishment. We are now looking forward to building one last house in which we hope to retire.

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

Yikes! I’ve never thought about being an animal. I guess I would choose a horse. And anyone that knows me would have already guessed the answer to that. Why would I be a horse? In hopes that I would be chosen for the Lord to ride on in His return.

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate covered coconut macaroons.

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

Marketing. It seems that today we have to sell ourselves and our books. I find that with all the social media, it’s hard to find the time to write. I don’t know that I have overcome it. I struggle daily to balance my everyday life and responsibilities with time for writing. The thing that does work best for me is to stay organized with a schedule and lists. They keep me on target.

Tell us about the featured book.

After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father’s estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn’t enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution.

Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin’s wise and kind nature begins to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Cumberland, England, 1398

Brithwin gazed at her father's grey, lifeless face as she crossed the room. Other than a pinprick to her conscience, there was no sorrow. She faltered. Was his chest rising and falling? A dull roar filled her ears, drowning out her pounding heart. She gasped. Nay. Nay! Hadn’t the priest said his soul was at rest? Hadn’t she watched as the icy fingers of death slowly robbed him of his last breath?

A shudder slithered through her body. Was it a sin to find relief in his death? He couldn’t hurt her anymore. Surely God would not find fault with her. Perhaps her father’s sudden passing was God’s punishment for all the wrongs he had done her. The shuffling of feet brought her contemplations to a halt. 

“It’s all right to grieve, dear one—the tears will help you heal.” Pater, a follower of John Wycliffe and branded a Lollard, laid his hand on her shoulder.

Brithwin pushed aside her conflicting feelings. “You know there is no sorrow in me for his death. Only relief that he is gone and anger for what he has done.”

“Don’t let bitterness consume you. It will do your father no harm, but it will slowly drain the joy from your life, my child.”

Brithwin turned her head away from her father’s still form and looked into the empathetic eyes of a man who had suffered far greater than she at her father’s hand. She spoke the words anyway. “If anyone has a reason to be bitter, it is I. Isn’t a woman’s lot always bitterness?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello

https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello

https://plus.google.com/+DebbieLynneCostello/posts

https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/

Thank you for having me on your blog, Lena. I’m looking forward to meeting your followers.

Thank you, Debbie Lynne. They will enjoy getting to know you and your book, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Sword of Forgiveness (Winds of Change) (Volume 1) - paperback
Sword of Forgiveness (Winds of Change 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

LIKE A LOVE SONG - Camille Eide - One Free Ebook

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

I write faith-inspiring love stories and relational dramas for women who might like to read authors such as Deborah Raney, Susan Meissner, Karen Kingsbury, Debbie Macomber, Jenny B. Jones, Robin Jones Gunn, Rachel Hauck, just to name a few. In my books, I hope you'll find love, heart-tugging drama, hope, inspiration, entertainment, and subtle sprinkles of wit and wisdom.

How has being published changed your life?

Being traditionally published, for me, is only one (but gratifying) step in a continuing journey. The fact that I realize and accept this perhaps shows one of the biggest changes—which is a far deeper level of patience. Publishing doesn’t bring instant fame, fortune, adoration, validation, or credibility. By the time these things began to trickle in, I no longer wanted or needed them. I have grown far more confident through much hard work and perseverance, have grown to distinguish the difference between constructive and dart-game criticism.

What are you reading right now?

I am barely able to read for fun right now because I’ve been going over edits on the audio version of Like There’s No Tomorrow (book #1), final edits and launch preparations for my next release, Like a Love Song (book #2), polishing up for submission The Memoir of Johnny Devine (book #3), AND working on a screenplay. And preparing for my son’s May wedding. But when I have a moment, I’m digging into Grace Intervention by Bill Giovannetti (non-fic) and Macy novel, by April McGowen. Recent reads include an ARC of the 1920s A Flying Affair (coming out June 2015) by Carla Stewart. Fascinating read!

What is your current work in progress?

My third book, which I hope to contract soon, is a story set in 1953 called The Memoir of Johnny Devine. A WW2 widow hired to write an exclusive memoir lands on McCarthy’s hit list and must clear her name while trying not to fall in love with the born-again, ex-Hollywood heartthrob whose scandalous past keeps him too busy to notice her. Too busy, that is, until she discovers something he never meant for her to see.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to bake but the kids are grown and my hubby and I don’t need that stuff. Now, our ten-month-old granddaughter is my favorite hobby. We get to hang out with her on Sunday afternoons.

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

I am my own worst critic. I have to work through disgust and despair and keep writing even if I’m sure what I’m writing is dumpster slime. Because it probably isn’t, and even if it is, I love to edit so it will be great eventually.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Read, study craft, read, study story, read, write, read. Study story and craft until your fingers bleed. Read good writing to train your instincts. Then trust your instincts.

Tell us about the featured book.

When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?

Sue Quinn, an ex social worker turned surrogate mom to a bunch of outcast teens, is desperate to save the group home she’s worked hard to build in Oregon’s outback. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won’t stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.

Like a Love Song is a romantic drama about a fiercely loyal woman, some cast-off kids, and finding the courage to believe in a Love that never fails.

Like a Love Song received a 4 ½ star *Top Pick* Romantic Times Review (May).

That’s wonderful. Congratulations. Please give us a peek into the book.

Adoption disrupted … undisclosed behaviors … inability to bond …

Susan Quinn squinted at the new girl’s bio as the words on the page swirled in a taunting blur. She rubbed her eyes and refocused on the meager document. She was in no frame of mind for processing the information about Juniper Ranch’s newest resident. Not after the unsettling confrontation she’d just had with her handyman. Or rather former handyman.

“Sue?” Bertie padded into Sue’s office, her footsteps muted by Birkenstocks. In spite of her hunched frame, the old woman got around like a flower-powered ninja. “She’s here.” Bertie peered out the window. “The new girl. But … I think you’d better come take a look.”

Sue dropped the sheet on her desk, adding it to the mounds of paperwork and overdue bills. What limbs she wouldn’t give for this transfer to go smoothly. But experience had taught her to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. With a sigh, she headed for the office’s outer door. “Wish me luck, Bert.”

Bertie offered her a waiver form. “Holler if you need me.”

Sue frowned at the paper. “Why do I need this? We’ll take care of everything in the office.”

“Wouldn’t bet on it.” Bertie nodded toward the window. “Look.”

Sue opened the door and peered outside.

A late model Escalade sat in the drive beyond the front lawn, engine still running. A man, barely visible behind tinted windows, remained in the car while an athletic-looking woman in designer warm-ups dropped two pink suitcases on the front porch of the main entrance. A black-haired girl stood beside the bags, shoulders cinched up so tight they nearly touched her ears.

Jasmine—the new girl.

Sue’s heart tripped.

The woman hurried back to the SUV. Halfway across the lawn she turned, said something to the girl, and then pointed to the front door.

Sue’s breath caught and stung. No. Please don’t. Not like that. Don’t just dump her and go. She rushed outside, down the steps, and across the lawn. “Hi, Mrs. Walker?”

The woman turned with a start. “Is this Juniper Ranch group home?”

“Yes.” As Sue approached, she glanced at Jasmine. The girl was as stiff as a fence post.

“We got lost trying to find the place.” Mrs. Walker crossed her arms like a shield. “Where do I sign?”

Sue couldn’t answer, could only gape. Bertie was right—the woman was ready to sign away her child on the hood of a car. Sue stole another look at Jasmine, who stared at the hot pink bags in silence.

Beyond the girl, curtains twitched in the den window, partially revealing the curious faces of Cori, Edgar, and Tatiana.

While Mrs. Walker signed papers, the man remained at the wheel, shoulder belt still fastened. It took the woman all of six minutes to complete the paperwork.

A new Juniper Ranch record.

Then the couple drove away. The Escalade’s brake lights didn’t blink once.

Sue joined Jasmine on the porch, feeling oddly connected to a girl who hadn’t uttered a word. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to breathe. She’d done this countless times and still didn’t have the words. What could she possibly say to a kid who had just been dumped off on a total stranger?

I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know the feeling. But you’re among friends here.

Sue inhaled the dry, sage-scented air, opened her eyes, and made a quick study of Juniper Ranch’s new girl.

Wafer thin. Cambodian, maybe Vietnamese. About eleven or twelve. Jasmine’s paperwork was a long maze of inconsistencies—which was not uncommon—so Sue would have to best-guess her age.

“Well, Jasmine.” Sue summoned a bright smile for a moment that was anything but. “You hungry? We’re not serving dinner for a while, but I bet I can find you a snack.”

The girl turned her gaze toward the long driveway leading away from Juniper Ranch. The ribbon of dust disturbed by the Escalade rose and spread slowly, drifting in the afternoon sun, bound to settle in some other place.

The pair of suitcases flanked Jasmine’s feet, price tags still attached. A couple of bags that held everything. And nothing. Much like the beat-up green Samsonite that had once followed Sue to more foster homes than she could count.

Sue’s stomach growled as she grabbed a suitcase. “All right, kiddo. Let’s get your stuff inside. We’ll get you set up in your new room.”

Jasmine turned then, her eyes almost level with Sue’s.

No shocker there. At five-two, Sue was used to meeting pre-teens eye to eye.

The girl’s face had no remarkable features. Some might even call it plain. Wide nose, small eyes. No abnormalities, no physical handicap that Sue could see. No sign of the kinds of imperfections that often made Mr. and Mrs. Disenchanted back out of an international adoption.

What fears haunt you, little friend? What coping quirks couldn’t they handle?

“I no need room.” A frown creased the girl’s brow. “I no—I not staying here.”

“Well, we can discuss that. Just not here on the front porch. Okay?” She softened the question with a gentle smile.

Jasmine’s frown deepened. Thick tears pooled, glittering in her dark eyes.

Oh, honey, no, please don’t do that … A quiet ache squeezed Sue’s heart. It wasn’t the first time she’d stood here on these weathered steps, a silent witness to the aftermath of a “disrupted” adoption. It came with the job. But no matter how many times she’d done this, she still couldn’t get used to watching a young heart break in the middle of her front porch.

Sue shifted the girl’s bag to her other hand and motioned with her head. “C’mon, kiddo. This way.” She opened the front door and went inside. If she hesitated or looked back, it wouldn’t work. “It’s not Disneyland,” Sue called over her shoulder, “but at least it’s a place where you can fit in.”

The door hung open, letting in the cool October air.

She headed for the stairs. “Fitting in” might be aiming a bit high. But Sue would do whatever it took to make Jasmine feel like there was one place in the world where she wouldn’t be an outsider. Sue reached the staircase and paused.

The tangy aroma of spaghetti sauce wafted through the foyer, sending another jab to her stomach. No sounds of footsteps came from the porch.

Dragging a girl inside and forcing her to stay wasn’t high on her list of favorite things to do.

Come on, Jasmine. I’m offering you some dignity here. Please take it. Fighting the temptation to look, Sue took a deep breath and headed up the staircase, straining to hear sounds of Jasmine following.

Fourth step. Sixth.

Take it from me, little one. The sooner you learn to stop longing, the sooner the pain will go away. Trust me.

Ninth step.

The urge to look back reached a cresting point.

Then, shuffling footsteps and the click of the front door.

Sue exhaled, turned, and gave the skinny girl with the pink suitcase a smile. “C’mon, slowpoke. Follow me.”

Heartbreaking. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Publisher: www.ashberrylane.com

Website: www.camilleeide.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camille-Eide-Author/134301859999367

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CamilleEide

Email: Camille@camilleeide.com

Like a Love Song on Amazon: ow.ly/K88dU

Thank you, Camille, for sharing this new book with us today. It’s the next book I’m going to read on my Kindle.

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

WINNERS!!!!!

Stephanie (OH) is the winner of The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall.

Kristen (OK) is the winner of the ebook Love on the Run by Angela Ruth Strong. (I just finished reading this on my Kindle. The suspense ebooks were very good reads.)

Britney (TX) is the winner of Encouragement Between Loads of Laundry by Kendra Hunt.

Deanna (PA) is the winner of She Shall Be Praised by Ruth Axtell.

Diana (SC) is the winner of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble.

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.

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT - Christine Lindsay - One Free Book

Welcome back, Christine. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Because my father, brother, and sister are all alcoholics, and because I also relinquished my first child to adoption, I’ve had my share of suffering. We all suffer, and God uses pain to draw us closer to Him. I write stories about people in really tough situations, and through the plot and characters show my readers that they can trust God implicitly to save them and help them through their lives

.

Healing from childhood sadness is a biggy for me. Often how we’ve been treated in our youth affects the choices we make as adults.

But I love to write about the new person those characters become after they have yielded to Christ. All my characters are flawed and often at the beginning of a book you want to clobber that character over the head. Such as the case with my Captain Cam Fraser in Veiled at Midnight.

The Lord is in the business of changing people, though, to make them like His son, Jesus Christ. I’ve seen this in my brother’s life two years ago when he gave his life to Christ and chose sobriety.

I love showing those changes in my characters in the hope of inspiring a reader to hear the gospel of Christ and surrender to that loving call.

Showing that there is great light and hope for those who put their hand in Christ’s.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I have two books coming out this 2015. One is from Pelican Book Group called Sofi’s Bridge, a light historical romance set in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State in 1913. The spiritual theme of this book is that we cannot save the ones we love—only Christ can do that.

The other book I am currently finishing is a non-fiction book about the relinquishment of my child to adoption, and about our painful reunion twenty years later. This story will be entwined with other adoption reunion stories, good and bad, to show a balanced view, but most importantly to illustrate the El Shaddai love of our Heavenly Father.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I would love to spend an evening with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. As a British immigrant to Canada, I consider her as the royal sovereign of Canada even though we rule ourselves. But the present Queen has always struck me as a very decent woman. Did you know that she claims to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and often refers to Him during her Christmas messages?

But she’s also so down to earth, when she gets a chance to put aside her royal duties. She loves animals and takes an avid interest in gardening.

Her Majesty has served Britain well these past 60 years, and was set a wonderful example by her parents during WW2 during the Blitz. She is one of my true-life heroes.

I loved her entrance into the last Olympics in London. It  revealed her whimsical nature. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Dr. Ida Scudder, that great American missionary to India. She built the largest private hospital that is still in existence today in the south of India. When I was in India in 2010 for a short missions’ trip, I was in her area. While on trains traveling past emerald green rice paddies and banana plantations, I kept feeling as though I was walking in her shoes. I feature the true-life figure of Dr. Ida Scudder briefly in Captured by Moonlight Book 2 in my trilogy.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

You must realize from the start that becoming a published writer takes a long, long, long, long, time—for most of us anyway. I started writing in 1999, my first book wasn’t published until 2011 even though it won the ACFW Genesis. And even though my books receive critical acclaim in awards they don’t sell as much as others because I’m with a small press. Here I am on book 6 and I’m still not selling a lot.

But I wouldn’t change a thing. God has been so good to me in this journey. Each time I want to give up, He does something to encourage me to keep going. Like I said, here I am looking forward to the publishing of my sixth novel this year. That’s progress—slow progress, but still wonderful progress. Hang in there. Keep working, but always, always, always, put the Lord and your family before your writing.

Tell us about the featured book.

To me, Veiled at Midnight is a historical about a terrible time in British/Indian history, but what I also call a Big Love Story. My historicals are not in the romance genre, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some delicious romance in them.

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT—Explosive and Passionate Finale to the series Twilight of the British Raj

As the British Empire comes to an end, millions flee to the roads. Caught up in the turbulent wake is Captain Cam Fraser, his sister Miriam, and the beautiful Indian Dassah.

Cam has never been able to put Dassah from his mind, ever since the days when he played with the orphans at the mission as a boy. But a British officer and the aide to the last viceroy cannot marry a poor Indian woman, can he?

As this becomes clear to Dassah, she has no option but to run. Cam may hold her heart—but she cannot let him break it again.

  

Miriam rails against the separation of the land of her birth, but is Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sunderland her soulmate or a distraction from what God has called her to do?

The 1947 Partition has separated the country these three love … but can they find their true homes before it separates them forever?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Calcutta, August 15, 1946

The last arrow of sunlight shot back from the train’s brass trim, blinding Cam Fraser. As he narrowed his eyes, he recognized a face at the edge of his vision. A train whistle shrieked, steam hissed. A young woman in a green sari mingled within a crowd of Indian passengers. In an instant, his legs felt encased in steel. Out of that teeming mass on the platform, she stared back. Her skin the color of milky tea, her hair a thick braid of silk over one shoulder. The fast sinking sun set her awash in a glow of apricot. Then crimson. She’d been looking straight at him. Then in the descending dark she was gone.

“Hadassah.”

His sister, Miriam, gripped him by the elbow. “Hadassah? Cam, you said Dassah.”

“I thought I saw her.” He shook his head, the pain nearly splitting it in two. He squinted to see into the crowd as the rapid Indian dusk fell. Ten long years….

With her hand on his shoulder to steady herself, Miriam strained on her tiptoes to see over the throng. “It’s been simply ages! Cam, are you sure? Where’d you see her?”

At that moment, whistles blew, and conductors ushered passengers aboard the night train bound for New Delhi. Miriam sent a pleading look over her shoulder. “Find her, Cam, before the train leaves.”

He didn’t need any goading from his sister, and while the steward urged Miriam up the steps of their carriage, he dodged passengers along the side of the train. Hundreds scrambled to their seats, more well-to-do Indians to first and second class. At least that injustice had been corrected somewhat since his childhood. The plush elegance of first class was no longer assigned to the British alone. Still, hoards of poor mashed into the cattle-like carriages called fourth. But it wasn’t fourth he’d seen Dassah standing outside of.

For as long as he could remember, Dassah as a scrawny little girl tagged after him when he visited the mission. He and Miriam had played with the muddle of orphans—Hari, Ameera, Zakir—to name a few—enjoying the usual sort of games, soccer, rugby, marbles. But the last time he’d seen Dassah she’d been anything but scrawny. Nor had she been a little girl.

Intriguing. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please drop by my website http://www.christinelindsay.com/

join me on Twitter

be my pal on Pinterest

“Like” my Facebook Page,

Or follow me on Goodreads

My latest book Veiled at Midnight can be found at the following sites.

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT Amazon

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT Barnes & Noble

VEILED AT MIDNIGHT Christian Books.com

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

A SPARROW IN TEREZIN - Kristy Cambron - One Free Book, Plus More

Dear Readers, I first met Kristy through my agent’s private email loop. We became friends, and when her first book came out, I was blown away by the artistry and depth of her first novel. The story haunted me for a long time. Since one of my aunts lived through that time period in Europe and had told me many of stories of things she’d seen, heard, and experienced, I knew that Kristy’s depictions were historically accurate. I will read every book that she writes.

BIO: Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut historical novel, The Butterfly and the Violin (Thomas Nelson, 2014), was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014, Family Fiction's Top Ten Novels of 2014, and received a nomination for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Novel of 2014 and a nomination for the 2015 INSPY Awards for Best Debut Novel. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin (Thomas Nelson, April 2015), was named Library Journal Reviews' Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction) for February 2015 and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews for April 2015.

Kristy is an Art/Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

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

I have an Art History/Research Writing degree, so I always knew I wanted to write historical fiction. I thought about becoming an art professor once upon a time. I’m still drawn to the idea of it, but I wanted to write for Christ and found that Christian fiction was the place to combine the things I love into a career.

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

I try to remember that my happiest day is today. If I get to spend time with the Lord, growing in and leaning on Him, and I have my family’s laughter around me … then every day is the best day of my life. (That doesn’t mean we don’t have struggles – let’s get real about that. But I want to be grateful and lock my eyes on Him with every new day.)

The longer I live, the more true that becomes in my life. How has being published changed your life?

This is not an understatement – everything has changed for our family. I’ve gone from a fifteen-year career in Corporate America to writing from home full time, and now have the opportunity to do what I really love most (which is to speak and write in the Christian publishing industry). Any change sparks adaptability in our lives and we’re still going through it, but it’s been an amazing journey so far.   

What are you reading right now?

Right now, all of my reading time is focused on research for my next novel. I’m reading about life in the 1920s, biographies of the Ringling Brothers, and all about the early circus in America. Research is something that I always enjoy but this is particularly exciting – the subject of the circus and the Jazz Age is just so vibrant and colorful!

What is your current work in progress?

I’ve always written historical fiction – World War II, Regency, and Victorian being eras I’ve focus on. But right now, I’m excited to dive into a new era in American history – the Jazz Age. The first book in my new series (releasing in 2016) will be on John and Mable Ringling and the early circus. It’s such an incredible vibrant time in our country’s history and the backdrop of the circus brings such a diverse array of characters and scenery that I’m completely drawn in. I can’t wait to share this new story with readers.  

And I can’t wait to read it. What would be your dream vacation?

Europe. No questions asked. I’ve not yet set foot on European ground (like my characters have), but I know I’ll get there one day. The stops on my travel itinerary? The Louvre in Paris, the Palace of Versailles, and sites all about Olde London Towne. Cheers!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I try to get a feel for the characters’ worlds by researching everything I can about them – weather patterns, social and cultural norms of the time, and especially real-life stories of people from history. I see what sparks interest from there. Usually, I can see something like a movie reel in my mind, with the characters reacting to their surroundings. I try to get a feel of what it would be like to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world through their senses. The story just comes to life from there. I see that movie playing in my mind, and I document what I see.

With a drama and film background, I see all of my stories as movies in my mind, too. If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

My husband. He’s famous to me. And as we have three young boys, the quiet talk time between best friends doesn’t come often. I’d love to have an evening with him, maybe dining and talking by the river in our city. We stole away an afternoon like that once a few years ago. I still remember the bliss of that day.

Spending quality time with my husband is my favorite part of our empty nest home. Our children, grandchildren, and greats all live close so we can see them often, but being with James is so precious. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to love running! I ran 5k races and regularly kept up with my 40 mile per week running habit. It’s not easy to get to the gym though, with three little ones in the house. I try to get in some activity for my well-being by chasing after them. (Mommas usually do that!) I also LOVE watching classic films, going on research trips, and believe it or not – the perfect date with my husband would be to go to the batting cages. Fun!

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

Time. That’s usually the elusive target we writers are trying to catch – time to express words on paper. I have more of it now that I’m not longer traveling for my job in Corporate America, but life still happens. You have to make writing a priority just like you do with the other relationships in your life. Investing and being really intentional about your writing time isn’t always easy to do, but it’s essential. I learned to write chapters on my iPhone as a result and found it to be a really effective tool to get my first drafts written.

I’m too old-school. I’m amazed at those of you who can write a book on your smart phones. I have one, too, but it’s just used as a phone and camera, with a few added features. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Two things: Keep going and stick close to Christ throughout your entire publication journey. You may find that rejections come. If they do, you’ve got to keep going. Pray your way through every up and down. Keep learning and always growing in your understanding of the craft. And study up. Learn about the industry from authors and other professionals who are where you’d like to be one day. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery (thanks, Anne Shirley), but it’s also a fantastic teacher.

Tell us about the featured book.

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she's stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Please give us the first page of the book.

July, Present Day

Sausalito, California

The last thing a bride needs to fret over on her wedding day is whether the ceremony will take place.

It was an unproductive thought in the midst of trying to manage pre-wedding jitters. Nevertheless, the familiar doubt continued to plague her heart, and Sera James, still caught up in the shadow of an uncertain future, all but gave in to it.

She ran her fingertips over the string of pearls at her nape and stared out the first-floor bedroom window of the Hanovers’ California seaside estate. She scanned the horizon, taking in the beauty of the setting sun as it created flashes of diamonds across the bay, wondering if William had the same doubts. Would he be out there waiting on their beach?

A gentle knock drew her attention to the bedroom door.

She turned and found the familiar face of her friend, Penny, who offered a hushed greeting from the hall. She presented a serene, pink-glossed smile.

“Sera? It’s time,” Penny said, her voice whisper soft, and stepped into the oversized bedroom. Her strawberry blonde hair hung in soft waves and danced about her shoulders as if tossed by the playfulness of the sea breeze outside. “Everyone’s waiting.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor  | Instagram: kristycambron 

Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web:  KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com  

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron's new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A set of poppy notecards
• A poppy pin
• A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
• Literary tea bags
• Tumbler
• A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy's blog.



{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.} Thank you, Kristy, for sharing this new books with us and giving us the chance to win this wonderful prize.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. A Sparrow in Terezin - Christianbook.com
A Sparrow in Terezin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel) - Amazon
A Sparrow in Terezin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel 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