BIO: Annslee
Urban grew up watching old-time romance movies, which she attributes to her
passion for sweet romance, true love, and happy endings. A daydreamer at heart,
she began her writing journey when the youngest of her five children started
school. For several years she worked as a freelance writer for newspapers in
her community and has written for magazines and online publications.
Raised in the foothills of Arizona ,
she survived temperature shock when she moved to Western Pennsylvania, before setting
in North Carolina
with her husband and children. Aside from writing, Annslee works part-time as a
Registered Nurse in the Behavioral Health field. She is a member of ACFW and has
served as on the board of Carolina Christian Writers. She currently has 4 published
novels. Her current book, Broken Silence, Harlequin Love
Inspired Suspense, released March 1.
When she isn’t writing, Annslee enjoys cooking, traveling to
faraway places, playing with grandbabies and all things chocolate!
Welcome, Annslee. God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
My prayer is that I
will continue to write for the Lord to allow me to witness to others through my
writing.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I’ve been married for thirty-five years and have five
children. We had three biological kids and then adopted a daughter from Peru and a son from Russia . Three of our children are
married, and we are blessed to have six grandkiddos! Three grandsons and three
granddaughters, ages four and under. Our family is very close. We love to get
together often and go on yearly family vacations which often includes my
siblings and their children. Family is a priceless gift J
That is so true. Has
your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
I rarely read non-fiction these days, concentrating instead
on reading Inspirational Romantic Suspense since that’s what I’m currently
writing.
What are you working
on right now?
I have a new Inspirational Romantic Suspense in the works.
It is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains .
I want to feature
that one on my blog when it is published, too. What outside interests do you
have?
I love to cook. I collect recipes and enjoy cuisine from
around the world. I also love to travel. I’m always looking for fun spots to
visit for our next vacation. J Church activities, spending time with family and
friends are also at the top of my list.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Honestly, whatever feels right with the story I’m writing.
My last few books have been set in the South, North
Carolina and Georgia .
There’s a lot of quaint small towns that seem to work well with my stories.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Corey Ten Boom. I loved her book, The Hiding Place and have
heard a taped message she gave. She endured so much, losing her family, being
in a concentration camp and through it all she held onto a strong trust in God.
Her courage, faith, and forgiveness is an inspiration, and I’d love to spend an
evening with her, sipping tea and hearing her story.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I guess, I wish I knew more about the publishing business. I
didn’t realize there was so much competition and how the process worked.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
To pray. Throughout the day. About everything. My pastor
said something that really hit a cord with me, “If it’s worth worrying about,
it’s worth praying about.” I’ve always prayed, but sometimes life can be
distracting and situations discouraging. Giving the concerns of my heart to
Lord allows me peace, and praising Him for His constant blessings keeps
everything my life in perspective. Romans 12:12 says, Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Amen J
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Read the genre you write.
Write what you are passionate about.
Pray for the Lord’s direction and guidance.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Broken Silence is a Harlequin, Love Inspired Suspense. A story
about lost love reunited: Here’s a little blurb.
SHE'S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…and someone wants to make sure
Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a
home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her
secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police
detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancĂ© she walked away from but never forgot. The
same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back
then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned
to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The distant toll of the Chatham County, Georgia, clock tower
rang twelve noon as Amber Talbot left the Safe Harbor
Counseling Center
and headed down River Street
to her car.
The forecast had called for late afternoon thunderstorms
here in Savannah ,
but already dark clouds hovered low in the sky. A rising breeze swept the
tree-lined streets, rustling spring foliage and delivering a sudden chill to
the air. Turning up her collar, Amber eyed the murky waves that boomed against
wooden docks. Boats tied to their posts bobbed like corks in the water. Curling
whitecaps crashed over their bows.
Amber pulled in a breath of humid air and picked up her
pace. Perfect weather to snuggle up with a good book. Exactly what she needed.
After weeks of being bogged down at work, she was treating herself to a restful
weekend.
With those thoughts echoing in her head, Amber jogged up a
short flight of steps to the parking lot. Lengthening her strides, she dug out
her key fob and unlocked her car with a click.
“Ma’am, did you drop this?”
Amber spun in the direction of the male voice and found an
older gentleman waving a manila envelope with her name sprawled across it.
She glanced at her open messenger bag, crammed full with her
purse, client files and notes for her fund-raiser. How careless, she chastised
herself, for forgetting to zip it closed.
Tucking the bag under her arm, she started toward the man.
“Thank you, sir―”
A deafening blast filled the air.
Amber flew backward, landed hard on the pavement. Black
smoke plumed in front of her. The ground shook as glass and metal rained down
like a hailstorm. Scrambling to her knees, she hurled her arms over her head to
protect it from the shower of stinging objects. A whoosh sounded, then she
heard crackling as heat blanketed her. She willed herself to move but couldn’t.
I’m going to die!
“Lady, are you okay?” The man’s distant shriek filled her
ears. “You need to get away from the flames!”
Amber’s body pulsed with pain. Smoke raked across her eyes
like claws. She squeezed them shut, as coughs wracked her lungs. She pulled
herself forward, crawling in the direction of the man’s voice. Shrapnel bit
into her palms and knees, but adrenaline kept her moving, until the man grabbed
her arm and yanked her to her feet.
“I called 9-1-1. Help’s on the way,” the older man screeched
between hacks. “Was that your car?”
Amber’s lungs burned. She worked to breathe. On shaky legs
she managed to turn.
The smoke had subsided some, but the car was engulfed in
flames. Panic grew, her mind spun with shock.
“Yes,” she said, disbelieving. “That was my car.”
Wow! I can’t wait to
read the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008HRODHEThank you for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait for my copy to arrive.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Broken Silence - Christianbook.com
Broken Silence (Love Inspired Suspense) - Amazon
Broken Silence (Love Inspired Suspense) - 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
17 comments:
This sounds so good! Would love to win this! Shelia Hall from MS
Angela in Ky would love to win.
This is one book I've had my eye on, looks so good! I've read a few Love Inspired Suspense books & have really enjoyed them. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Trixi from Oregon
I really like suspense novels. And I also love Corrie Ten Boom (& The Hiding Place)!
-Melissa M. in TN
This sounds really good. I look forward to reading it.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
A lovely interview thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love the LIS line of books and would love to win a copy of Broken Silence. Thank you for the chance to win.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Wow! That excerpt has certainly got me hooked. Sheila in OR
Enter me in your awesome giveaway I love Suspense!!!
Conway, SC.
I have heard of this author and her books intrigue me. This is a must read book. I love to read in my Fort Loudon, PA home.
Love Inspired Suspense features some of my favorite authors, EVER! Your "taste" of this one was intriguing. Would love to read this!
Pam in Ohio
The storyline is so exciting and I would love to read more.
I live in Canada.
cenya2 at Hotmail dot com
Broken Silence sounds exciting, I'd love to win it!
Merry in MN
Great first page!! would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
I love the Love Inspired Suspense books would love to win.
Lourdes Long Island,NY
Hi Annslee & Lena! Wow! Talk about intense!! I felt like I was right next to Amber from the moment she started to walk out of the counseling center until the man dragged her away from her burning car.
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
I enjoy suspense - looks like my kind of book!
Beth from IA
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