Dear Readers, I discovered Regina Jennings
when her debut novel released. Since then, I’ve read every one of her releases,
except this one, but as soon as my book gets here, I’ll dive right in. Her
characters really grab me and pull me into their stories. Stories that stay
with me for a long time.
BIO: Regina Jennings is
a homeschooling mother of four from Mustang, Oklahoma . She enjoys watching musicals with
her kids, traveling with her husband, and reading by herself. Regina
graduated from Oklahoma
Baptist University
with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist
Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and
various livestock shows. For more posts by Regina or information about her
novels—At Love’s Bidding, A Most
Inconvenient Marriage and others—please visit her website - www.reginajennings.com.
Welcome back, Regina . How did you come up with the idea for
this story?
My grandparents
owned a few auction houses in Missouri ,
and my dad’s business required him to attend several auctions a week, as well.
I guess you could say I was raised in a barn! While the family business
involved livestock auctions, I love estate auctions, too. In fact, we bought
our house at an auction, which was very exciting!
The auctions I’m
familiar with are frenzied, loud, and involve real estate or animals. They are
part-carnival, part-garage sale, part-sporting event. They bring communities
together, spawn competitions, and break out into fights. I wanted to contrast
these exciting events with the staid, dignified art auctions of a house like
Christie’s or something that dealt with more highbrow offerings.
In order to do
that I had to think of something that would bring a woman from a Boston Auction
House to an Ozark Livestock Auction. That’s when I came up with the idea of a
missing painting, and the rest fell into place from there.
If you were planning a party with
Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and
why?
Only six? Well,
the four I’m most likely to gather with are Julie Jarnagin, Susan Crawford,
Erin Taylor Young and Lacy Williams. In fact we do get together regularly
because they are all OKC ladies. If my party includes airfare, then I’m sending
invites to Becky Wade and Dani Pettrey. I always look forward to seeing them at
conference.
Now let’s do that for a party for
Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and
why?
Historical
fiction is even tougher, because I have so many of my genre friends who help me
out! I’ll start with my conference roomies, Stephanie Landsem and Karen
Witemeyer. It really is a pity that I only see them once a year or so. We’re
never together long enough. Other people that I’d invite to this party—Kate Breslin,
Sarah Sundin, Cara Putnam and no party would be nearly as much fun without Jen
Turano.
Many times, people (and other authors)
think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most
difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
The most
difficult thing for me is to realize that there’s always more writing to
do. I’m not a procrastinator. I like to
get finished with something, and then put it away. When I sign a new contract I
feel like I’m signing over my freedom because that means I have work I have to
do for the next three years. I want to get done with stuff, but this isn’t
going to be done for a long time. I just have to stop thinking about the number
of words that’s going to be, the number of hours that’s going to be, and think
about the awesome stories I get to be a part of.
Tell us about the featured book.
After helping
her grandfather at their Boston
auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she’s accidentally sold a powerful
family’s prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the
people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and
make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings
before the painting can move again.
Upon crossing
the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction
house doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly
handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses
don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced
with more heads of cattle than they can count–but no mysterious
painting–Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and
prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
Please give us the first page of the
book.
Behind the
massive marble building where even in May the crisp sea air never chased away
the odors ground into the cobblestones, the newsboys and shoe-shiners gathered,
waiting on her. They didn’t have much time. Every moment away from their posts
meant missed customers, but Miranda Wimplegate was under similar constraints.
The auction only paused briefly at noon, just enough time for her to snatch a
tray of apricot tarts and crepes and sneak out before Grandfather took the
platform and the bidding resumed. The silver platter dug into Miranda’s side as
she made her way down the narrow steps of the servants’ entrance. She wished
for something more substantial to feed them, but the dirty scamps of Boston —unlike the French citoyens—preferred
cake, so her head was safe, at least until her mother learned of her largesse.
Little Ralphie
sat at the foot of the steps, but he hopped up quick enough when she opened the
door. He was nearly trampled as the boys wrestled for the sweets on the tray,
but she held back a choice few for him. After they settled down, Miranda took
her perch on the top step with Ralphie sitting next to her French kid boots.
All right, they weren’t kid leather, probably just cow, but Ralphie didn’t know
the difference. He was content nibbling the edge of the tart, holding it in
hands as grubby as the bottom of the trash bin beside him.
“Well, are you
gonna tell one of your stories, or not?” That was Connor. Quick to express his
impatience, but always listening, always thinking. He wouldn’t work the corner
in front of the Wimplegate Auction House much longer. Already his shoulders
were broadening. Soon he’d catch the eye of one of the dock foremen and would
give up hawking papers for a better paying job—a job that would begin to bow
his back before it ever had a chance to reach its full height.
Miranda balanced
the empty silver tray on her lap, careful to keep it from getting scratched
against the rough ground. “We’ll continue the story about Joseph. You remember
what I told you yesterday?”
“Aye.”
“Sure.”
Two boys tussled
as boys do when one wants to savor a treat and the other has already consumed
his. With a quick thump to their heads, Connor quieted them.
He was trying to
help, but Miranda saw an opportunity for improvement. “Connor, I’d rather be
interrupted than have you inflict pain on someone. Remember that, please. Turn
the other cheek…and our story today is a perfect example.” She tried to smooth
Ralphie’s stiff red hair as she began. “Joseph was sold as a slave by his
brothers, but God didn’t forget him…”
How she wished
they still had the neat classroom leased across the alley, but since
Grandmother had died, Grandfather had let his work with the street children
wane. He was all business now, but she couldn’t give it up, even if Mother
didn’t approve of her feeding their expensive sweets to the urchins. As she
talked, Miranda glanced between the buildings for a glimpse of the church clock
on Park Street .
She was running out of time.
You have me hooked. How can readers find
you on the Internet?
website: www.reginajennings.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings
Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/ReginaJennings
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/reginaljennings/
Thank you, Regina, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager as I am to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
At Love's Bidding - Christianbook.com (Best price today)At Love's Bidding - Amazon
At Love's Bidding (Ozark Mountain Romance Book #2) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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.
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37 comments:
I love Regina's books! This one sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
This is the only one of her books I haven't read, either, and I'd love to!
I live in central NC.
I am looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for sharing!!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love to read this book. Sounds amazing!
J.C. -Indiana-
Love the cover and love the sound of this book. Regina is a delight!
Melanie Backus, TX
Thanks for having me, Miss Lena! I really appreciate getting to meet your readers!
Regina from OK ;)
I am so excited to try Regina Jennings' books! Her descriptions sound delightful and the covers are gorgeous!
Christine from Minnesota
Had a great time reading your interview Regina. I just reviewed At Love's Bidding and definitely enjoyed it. Thank you Lena for featuring Regina and this book. Just stopping by. Already have a copy, so no need to enter me in the giveaway. Annie
I'll be adding this one to my reading bucket list, looks amazing!!
Abby from Michigan
I'm looking forward to reading this new book. I've read all the others!
Ola Norman from NC
onorman (at) wilkes (dot) net
I would like to win!
I live in PA.
Charis Zdrojewski
I look forward to Regina's stories too!! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House, Missouri
I love this cover. Thank you for the wonderful first page.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I am intrigued by the auction house story line. I would be interested in reading this one. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
I've been wanting to read her books - heard so much good about them!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Raechel in MN
Would love to read this book.
Robin in TX
Regina Jennings is a great author. I would love to win this book. Thank you for the chance to win, Lena. You have an awesome blog!
Oops, I'm from Arizona
Looks like a great story to read.
Melissa in Mechanicsville VA
Merry Christmas!
I love Regina Jennings and her wonderful stories!
Britney Adams, TX
Nice interview. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte Nebraska
I've never attended an auction, but I can imagine the excitement, noise, and feel the vibe of it all through your description of it , Regina! This book is definitely on my want-to-read list. Thank you for the interview, I enjoyed reading it and for the book excerpt. Get's me excited for the story1
Trixi in OR
I was involved in one estate auction but it only included personal property. I think I enjoyed it about as much as flea markets and yard sales. Ugh! However, this sounds like an interesting story that I would like to read.
Edward A in VA
I live in Oklahoma. I haven't read any of her books and I so want to read this one.
Thank You!
This Pennsylvania gal loves Regina's novels. They are always quite entertaining and fun.
~Cindi Altman - Pennsylvania.
We enjoy (the loud, noisy) auctions, too!! :-) Have enjoyed each of Regina's books so far, and can't wait to read this one!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
I lover her books too! Her covers are the best. My experience with auctions are the crazy, noisy ones with the 4-H doing concessions. I would love to read this book!
Donna, TX
I lover her books too! Her covers are the best. My experience with auctions are the crazy, noisy ones with the 4-H doing concessions. I would love to read this book!
Donna, TX
I have really enjoyed all of Regina's books that I have read and have already added this new one to my TBR list. Can't want to read it.
I live in North Idaho
Looks awesome!!! Please enter me.
Blanch NC
Sounds like a delightful book for this North Carolina girl.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
Enter me in your amazing contest!!
Conway, SC.
This book sounds wonderful. Regina is a new author to me.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann n NY
Regina's books always look so fun. I love a little comedy with my romance and fiction.
Terrill - WA
This book sounds fun! While I love auctions, I don't go often anymore or my house would resemble an episode of Hoarders. Would love to read this!
Pam in OH
This book sounds like one I would enjoy. I also enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
love the cover thanks for the chance to win live in ND
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