BROKEN SILENCE - Annslee Urban - One Free Book

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.” 

― Corrie ten Boom

“In darkness God's truth shines most clear.”
― Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

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 fiancé 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?

annsleeurban@gmail.com

www.Annsleeurban.com

http://Annsleeurban.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.urban.9

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008HRODHE

Thank 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

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