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Friday, March 04, 2016

A SPY'S DEVOTION - Melanie Dickerson - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve featured all of Melanie’s books on this blog. Many of you will remember them—the series of fairy tales retold in Medieval times. I’ve loved them all. This new book is a different genre, a Regency romantic suspense. You won’t want to miss this one. It’s every bit as good or even better than her earlier books. An intriguing story line, characters who leap into your heart and live there, and a peek into the Regency era. What's not to love?

Welcome back, Melanie. Why did you become an author?
I wanted to be a novelist when I was in middle school and high school, but I decided it would be too hard to break into publishing, so I quit writing altogether. Then when I had a toddler and a baby, fifteen years after high school, I started thinking about what I could do after my kids started school to generate income, and that’s why I started writing—because I was hoping to make a career out of it. But I soon realized it would probably be more of a ministry than a money-making scheme. J

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
Hmmm. I don’t really like anything besides writing fiction. The only thing I think I MIGHT enjoy is meteorology. I think I might enjoy studying and talking about the weather.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
It’s hard to say, since I sort of cringe at the thought of not having indoor plumbing or antibiotics, but I think Medieval Europe, since I adore castles and everything else about Medieval times.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
Lots of places, but I’ll say Charleston, since I love antebellum architecture and history.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I would love to visit Germany again to see more castles. I’d also love to visit Slovenia and Slovakia. The more pictures I see of those two countries, the more I really want to visit.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
Trusting God is always an ongoing lesson. But I have been overcoming some things that have been long-time struggles, such as guilt and lack of confidence. I am learning more about intimacy with God, too, and about prayer.

A wonderful thing about walking with the Lord is that He’s always taking me just a little bit deeper as we go along. And I know there’s so much more for me to learn about Him. Tell us about the featured book.
A Spy’s Devotion is a romantic suspense novel set in Regency England. It’s about a young woman, Julia Grey, who has been orphaned since she was 6 years old and taken in by her aunt and uncle as a companion for their spoiled only child, Phoebe. Julia has the idea that if she just conforms to society’s rules and everything her aunt and uncle want her to do, things will go well for her life. But when they ask her to do things that go against what she feels is right, she is forced to change her life philosophy. She ends up helping Nicholas Langdon in his quest to save England from a plot to murder General Wellington, and falling in love with him, though she knows there is no hope that she could ever marry him, since she has no fortune. It’s my first foray into Regency Romance, but hopefully shows my love of Jane Austen, with some suspense and spying thrown in for extra excitement. J

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.
April 1811.  London, England.
Mr. Nicholas Langdon wasn’t supposed to be here.

Miss Julia Grey blinked, but he was still standing across the room from where she sat at the pianoforte.

It was the first party of the Season, and several of her aunt and uncle’s guests surrounded him. And in spite of the recent wounds he’d sustained fighting in the Peninsula, he looked as handsome and whole as he had the last time she’d seen him, a year and a half ago.

Just then, Miss Phoebe Wilhern, Julia’s cousin, turned and saw him—and gasped loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the room. Phoebe’s face turned pink, and the hand she lifted to cover her overjoyed smile never quite reached her mouth.

Julia stood to go to Phoebe, to admonish her not to make her feelings so obvious. Julia had spent the last year and a half trying to help Phoebe forget her infatuation with the faraway army officer and think of other things besides her obsession with Mr. Langdon.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Melanie, for sharing this new book with us. I always put your newest book on the top of my to-be-read pile, and I loved it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Spy's Devotion - Christianbook.com
A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London) - Amazon
A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London Book 1) - 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.

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

33 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:56 AM

    would love to win. angela in ky

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  2. Thanks for having me on your blog, Lena!

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  3. Anonymous10:55 AM

    I'm such a huge fan! I've read every book Ms. Dickerson has ever written. The excitement is too much! I want to read this new book SO badly right now! I've got big expectations for A Spy's Devotion and I know I won't be disappointed! (I never have been with any of Ms. Dickerson's previous books lol) This giveaway is so exciting! I don't mean to sound too over-excitable or anything, but... Enter me! Enter me! Enter me! Lol
    J.C. -Indiana-

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  4. Hi, J.C.! Thank you so much! If you like Jane Austen books (or the movies made from the books), then hopefully you will like A Spy's Devotion! It is a bit different from my Medieval fairy tale retellings, but the same romance, hopefully. It's all about the romance for me. :-)
    And your enthusiasm is very endearing! :D God bless and have a great weekend!

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  5. Melanie Dickerson is such a delight! Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview and giveaway. I enjoyed the first page of A Spy's Devotion and can't wait to read more!!

    Britney Adams, TX

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  6. O I can't wait to read this. All your books are on my TBR since The Golden Braid! Thanks for the interview & giveaway!

    Annie from MD

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  7. Great interview with Melanie! Spies during the Regency era sounds intriguing. I would love to read A Spy's Devotion. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Caryl in TEXAS

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  8. I'm excited for Melanie's new book, thank you for the chance! Enjoyed the author interview.

    Trixi in OR

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  9. Thanks, everyone! I hope you all get a chance to read A Spy's Devotion! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. This may be your first Regency Romance, but I hope it's not your last. A genre I love to read.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  11. Oh, I love Regency and am glad to see Melanie writing in this setting! I really liked her fairy tale ones I've read!

    Stephanie
    Binghamton, NY

    mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

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  12. Oh, I do enjoy Melanie Dickerson's books and this one sounds super. Regency is most always fun when written by an author that pursues clean writing.

    Vera
    North Carolina

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  13. Another book by Melanie Dickerson and it's a regency! Yay! I would love to read this one. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

    Loraine in TX

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  14. sounds like an awesome book. love the cover. thanks for the chance to win. live in ND

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  15. SOunds like a good read. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte Nebraska

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  16. Wonderful interview! I'd love to win a copy. It looks and sounds fantastic.

    Winnie from Utah

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  17. Hi Melanie & Lena! I have so enjoyed Melanie's fairy tale retellings and am very excited to start her newest venture into her world of Regency Spies!
    Kristen in OK
    kam110476 at gmail dot com

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  18. Hey, guys! Thanks for your enthusiasm for Regencies! I have three books planned for this series. I'm really excited to dive into the second book in a month or so. I wrote half of it a few years ago, and now it will finally get it's chance to be released into the world. :-) The hero is an uptight viscount who has a deep-seated fear of scandal, and the heroine is free spirit who a deep fear of ending up with a cold, in-name-only marriage. Sparks will definitely fly! First, sparks of anger and conflict, then sparks of love!!! :D

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  19. Sorry for all the typos in that last comment! That's what happens when your daughter is watching Rhett & Link in the next room and your mind is involuntarily half listening!

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  20. I want to read this one so badly!! It sounds SO good, and I absolutely love Melanie's writing style!
    Thank you for this interview and giveaway!
    Raechel in MN

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  21. Oh my! Sounds like a bit of a love triangle is in the works.

    Patty in SC

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  22. Pam K.2:54 PM

    I've read (and loved) all of Melanie's prior books so am quite excited to read her romantic suspense novel. I have no doubts about liking it very much too. Thanks for the chance to win A Spy's Devotion.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
    Kansas

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  23. THIS SOUNDS AWESOME! :D I'd LOVE to read and review it! Thank you for the chance to win! :)

    Hugs, Amada (a.m.a.th.a), NM
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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  24. Sharon Richmond Bryant7:07 PM

    Enter Me!!
    Conway, SC.

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  25. What a great book and a great gal!

    Melanie Backus, TX

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  26. Lena, thank you for this interview with Melanie and Melanie, I am looking forward to this book.
    Blessings!
    Connie from KY
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I like spy stories, and the Regency period, so this should be fun!

    -Melissa M. in TN

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  28. I would love to read this. The author's reference to Jane Austin intrigues me and I love historical fiction.

    Michelle
    Southern CA

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  29. I've been hearing great things about this book! Am definitely looking forward to it! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Cyndi in AL

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  30. Anonymous9:11 AM

    Sounds like a great book! Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. I would love to read this book.

    BJM in upstate SC

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  32. I've been wanting to read this book since reading about it last year. I've enjoyed the books I've read by Melanie Dickerson so far. Thanks for having the giveaway!

    ~Alisha L. in Florida

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