Tuesday, August 11, 2015

PULSE - L R Burkard - One Free Ebook

Welcome, L R. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I like to show that God can accept anyone into his family, that the only requirement is a repentant heart. It's not what we've done, or what we've become, or what we failed to do. It's being contrite and realizing we bring nothing to the table, but God accepts us anyway. People tend to focus on themselves and whether or not they feel worthy, instead of focusing on God's forgiveness and power of redemption.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
A contemporary romance, called FALLING IN. It's nothing like PULSE, which is YA Suspense. I also have a time-travel regency in the works, and a romantic suspense that includes a trip aboard the Titanic.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Carolyn Mahaney (wife of C.J. Mahaney). I love her writing style; she's full of warmth and wit and wisdom and she'd be an awesome mentor—even for one night.  

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Jane Austen, because I’d love to hear her account of how and why she wrote her novels, including how much (or little) she struggled with the tasks. Also because, if I could possibly earn her trust, she'd be delightful.   

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Authors need to have a thick skin because rejections will come. I can't think of a single published author who hasn't faced them. But at the same time, we need to find people who can critique our work so we know we aren't being rejected for quality reasons. Many rejections from publishers are not about the quality of the work, but about the publishers' current list, needs, and whether they have room for the particular type of book we've submitted. 

Tell us about the featured book.
PULSE is Young Adult Suspense featuring three teenage girls and their families. The book asks the question: What would you do if the whole world came to a sudden, crashing….stop? It follows the aftermath of a catastrophic electromagnetic pulse that takes down America's electric grid, and how survival might look.
  
Please give us the first page of the book.
ANDREA
AGE 16, JANUARY 11
DAY ONE
So my dad got all upset because when he went to leave for work the car went halfway down the driveway and died. His precious Mercedes. I was just walking out to wait for the school bus and he hurried towards me in a huff, yelling something about how the starter wouldn't even turn over.

"What'd you do to the car, Andrea?" he demanded. I stared at him. I couldn't believe he was trying to pin it on me.
           
"Nothing."
           
"What'd you do to it, huh?" he asked again. I turned and stalked blindly down the             driveway to wait by the mailbox. My heart was pounding. Normally I'd enjoy the crunch of snow beneath my boots, and the way the pines lining our driveway are blanketed in white; but I barely noticed either.
           
Leave it to Dad to ruin my day before it starts.
           
Yesterday Mom let me practice driving for about thirty-five minutes and the Mercedes drove just fine. So I'm supposed to know what happened? I'm guessing it's frozen because we're having a nman cold spell. The bottom line is Dad loves his car more than me (he loves lots of things more than me). I blinked away tears that felt cold on my skin the moment they appeared. Where was that wretched bus? I wanted to see my friends and forget about home.
           
I waited, beginning to freeze. Designer boots aren't made for warmth. I waited a long time; I knew the bus should have come already, but I didn't want to go back—Dad would say I overslept and missed it on purpose or something like that.
           
Finally, I had to go in. Sure enough, there was Dad, hands on hips, glaring at me. "Why are you back?"

"The bus didn't come."

He stared at me as if he didn't believe me.

"So walk to school," he said. I gaped at him. Was he kidding? We live, like, five miles from my high school. My mother called him from the kitchen. I turned and stared out the window. Our secluded circular drive was a winter wonderland. In nice weather, it's a beautiful manicured front, maintained meticulously by landscapers. Today it was a world of white, so cold the snow glittered. No way was I going to walk to school. Anyway, my father says things he doesn't mean when he's mad, so I took off my coat and boots in the mud room. (There's rarely an ounce of mud in it but that's what we call it.)

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I have two websites; my older one is http://LinoreBurkard.com, and the new one for The PULSE Effex Series, is http://L.R.Burkard.com. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn and Goodreads.  

Thanks for having me on the blog, Lena

I love hosting you. Thanks for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers will be interested in it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
PULSE (PULSE EFFEX SERIES 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

22 comments:

chappydebbie said...

Hello, Debbie Mitchell here, from the hot, fiery state of California. This book really sounds interesting, Linore, as do your future books.....time travel? Cool!

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Thanks, Chappy. (I love the way you find me on the web!) Note to Authors: Get chappydebbie to read your books. If she loves them, she'll follow you everywhere. Dream Reader! Hugs, hugs, hugs. :)

chappydebbie said...

Yep, I try to spread the word when I believe an author has "it"...as you do! Oh and if this giveaway is for an ebook, no need to enter me....I'm in want of a signed paperback for my shelf. Besides, real books feel and smell much more inviting than a computer screen. And if the grid goes down, I'll be set! Haha!

Linda Kish said...

This sounds really interesting. I'd love to read it.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Melissa M. said...

This sounds interesting!
-Melissa M. in TN

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Thanks, Linda and Melissa. It was a compelling story to write and see through to the end. And you're right, ChappyDebbie! If the grid goes down, there goes all our electronic EVERYTHING!

Unknown said...

That cover is beautiful!!

Thjanks for the chance to win.

Sierra
Indiana

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Thanks, Sierra Faith (I think your name is beautiful!).
I'm particularly fond of the cover myself as my son's design company made it!
Thanks for entering the drawing. :)

Mary Preston said...

What a fabulous story line.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Anne Payne said...

Can I just repeat what Debbie said? :-)
Seriously, I have started this one on my Kindle and oh. my. goodness.
The whole scenario is totally plausible! I've never read a YA as an adult but PULSE is good. Real good.
You are multi-talented when it comes to writing, Linore. Can't wait to read the time-travel Regency!

Blessings on this journey, my friend!

Anne, rural NC

Cindy W. said...

I would love to win a copy of your book. Thank you for the chance.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

I live in Indiana

Vintage Girl said...

You are a fantastic writer! Would love to be entered into contest. Blessings!

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Mary P from Australia--nice to see you here. Are there a lot of "preppers" in your neck of the woods?
Anne--THANK YOU--(another dream reader here, by the way, people!). Like Debbie, you are always so encouraging. I'm relieved that my readers are taking the leap with me from sweet romance to this grittier type of fiction!

And thanks, Cindy W. and Vintage Girl (Vintage Girl is another reader who is a BIG BLESSING!)
I look forward to sending that free ebook to one of you who came by!
Thank you, all. :)

Anonymous said...

Oooh! Sounds like my kinda book! I need a good suspense right about now. This might be just my cup of tea!
J.C. -Indiana-

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

I hope so, J.C.! One reader said, "My heart starting pounding when (spoiler) and didn't stop until (spoiler)! Holy Cow, guess I better get a rifle!"

(I just loved that response.)

Connie Porter Saunders said...

This excerpt certainly grabbed my attention. Thank you for this interview and giveaway!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot) com

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Yes, thanks for the interview, Lena! Glad you could come by, Connie.

Brenda Arrington said...

Haven't read a good suspense lately. I see one in my very near future. Enjoyed the interview.

Brenda in VA. happygrammaof3@comcast.net

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Thanks, Brenda! (I'm very fond of VA, by the way. I have friends and family there.)

kam110476 said...

Hi Lenore & Lena! Pulse is already 3 of my favorite characteristics in a book: Christian,Christian fiction, suspense, & young adult! (Who cares if I'm pushing 40!?) Pulse had mine pumping!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Merry said...

Pulse sounds like an engaging story with suspense and drama, please add me!
Merry in MN

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

It looks like Lena hasn't chosen a winner yet, so that means Kam and Merry can get in the drawing! (The more the MERRY-ER?):)

On a side note, Lena is dealing with some health issues, so let's all keep her in prayer. Thanks!