Dear Readers, Connie
is a long-time friend. I’m so glad to introduce you to her new book. She lives
not too far from me, and we attend the same ACFW local chapter, so we’re often
together.
Welcome back, Connie.
Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I didn’t plan it that way, but everything I have written has
a strong redemption thread. Accepting Christ as our Savior is only the
beginning of our journey. Many people are led astray by the sins and lusts of
the world. Many people are wounded by the church and fall away. Many people are
beat up by life, become discouraged, and lose heart. We all need to know that
wherever we are or whatever we’ve done, Christ is ready to reclaim and redeem
us. He is in the redemption business.
Amen to that. Besides
when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I have experienced so many blessings, it’s hard to pick just
one. The day I accepted Christ was exhilarating. I know many people say their
wedding day, but as wonderful as that was, it was also a day filled with stress
and anxiety. It was only the beginning of life’s adventure, which is going
stronger than ever after 46 years. The days our children were born were
exciting days full of wonder and hope.
How has being
published changed your life?
Being a published writer is a dream I’ve had since I was thirteen.
I have published a Master’s thesis, two novels, and a devotional as well as
numerous magazine articles, so it feels good to say I am a “real” writer. It is
rewarding to hear how my writing has touched someone. The only way it has changed
my life is that I am more in awe of God and His goodness and grace, giving us
dreams and bringing them to fruition.
You have been a “real”
writer all along. God knit you together in your mother’s womb to be a writer,
and I’m glad He did. What are you reading right now?
I just downloaded and began reading The Heart of Thornton Creek, by Bonnie Leon.
I’ve read a lot of
Bonnie’s books, but not that one. I’ll look for it. What is your current work
in progress?
I’ve have started the sequel to Somebody Somewhere in Texas.
It is about Brooks’s younger sister Andrea after she finishes veterinarian
school. It is titled Light up my Life in
Texas. I’m excited about it!
I’ll want to feature
it on the blog when it releases. What would be your dream vacation?
I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise.
James spent time in Alaska when he was in
the army before we met. He’s wanted to take me to Alaska , but it hasn’t happened yet. Now we’d
love to do an Alaskan cruise, too. How do you choose your settings for each
book?
I choose to write about someplace I am familiar with. My two
published novels take place in Texas .
The first two novels I wrote, which are unpublished at this time, are set in
the Santa Fe Wilderness where my family vacationed many times.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet and talk with President George Bush and
his lovely wife Laura. They led our country through a very dark tragedy, and
they seem like good, honest, approachable people.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to cook and bake.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I am not a time-oriented person, so managing my time is
always difficult.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Study the craft, attend conferences, and join a critique
group. Pray continuously. Write what you love, what you feel passionate about,
what God called you to do. Don’t hide your talent under a bushel. The
traditional publishing industry is shrinking, but Indy publishing is an open
door of opportunities. Write, rewrite, edit, and then have a professional
editor or other qualified people edit your writing before you publish. Then get
a professional cover design. I made my first book cover, and it shows. For this
novel, I had Jackie Castle of Castle Designs make the cover, and I love it!
Don’t worry about numbers. Pray and trust God to use your work to touch someone
in some way.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Here is the back cover copy:
Secrets can’t be
hidden forever. Maybe it’s time to pay the fiddler.
Katie Kane fell in love with Brooks Travis at age six. She
fell in love with symphony at sixteen. She can’t have both. After the
unthinkable happens, she follows her dream to Chicago ,
vowing never to return to Texas .
Now her dad wants her to come home. Mom has cancer, and he needs her.
Brooks loves two things above all else: Katie and country
music. Together their talent could have taken them to the top of the charts,
but she chose Chicago .
He heard she got married, probably to some citified, symphony sissy. Brooks is
singing for the Lord in the cowboy church when Katie comes home with a son—a
son with the same violet blue eyes he sees in the mirror every day. God has
redeemed him, but is there any hope Katie can forgive him and their love be
rekindled?
Katie’s life and dreams are in Chicago . Brooks was her first and only love,
but he broke her heart. She can’t let her guard down, can’t open the gate and
let him back into her life. Everything is different now. Well, maybe not
everything. . .
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“The Yellow Rose of Texas” ringtone shattered the silence in
the efficiency kitchen. Katie’s pulse raced two beats faster than the song. How
long had it been since he’d called? As she picked up the cell phone, the
pulsating vibration jarred her entire body. “Hel—hello.”
“Katie, this is Dad.”
Hearing his voice after all those years made her heart do a
belly flop.
“Katie, are you there?”
She swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and pictured his brown
eyes buried beneath bronzed, weather-beaten skin. Old before his time, working
in the wind and rain, the blistering heat, the frigid cold, trying to make a
living on the small family ranch. She inhaled. “Yes, Dad, I’m here.”
A prolonged pause before she heard his voice. “I know it’s
been a long time since we talked—too long.”
“Six years.” She leaned her head on the doorframe, trying to
keep the pain and anger out of her voice.
“That’s what happens when two people are so stubborn.”
“Two people? Which two people, Dad?”
Thank you, Connie, for sharing this book with me and my readers. I know they'll love it.
Thank you, Connie, for sharing this book with me and my readers. I know they'll love it.
I am so eager to read
this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My books are available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle
version.
I write a devotional blog on my website at http://connielewisleonard.webs.com/
I have an author Facebook page: Connie Lewis Leonard, author
You can also visit the Somebody Somewhere in Texas Book
Launch Facebook page to find out more about the book, reviews, and updates on
the sequel. I set it up as a page instead of an event so people can check in at
their leisure.
Here is the Amazon link to Somebody Somewhere in Texas
Readers, 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
or country if outside North America . (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:
17 comments:
I look forward to talking with you about my new book. I have been pleased with the responses I've received so far.
Connie Leonard
Congratulations, Connie! By the way, I'd like to go on that Alaskan cruise with you. Just give me the date. ;)
-J.A.
I enjoyed reading "Somebody somewhere in Texas," Connie. Just when I thought I knew how it would end, it didn't! I wish you much success on this novel.
(Don't put me in the drawing for a free copy.)
I would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy. BTW, I love the title.
Susan in Texas
It looks like you have a good chance to win.
Conni Leonard
Thank you, Lee Carver.
I'll start saving my pennies.
Connie Leonard
This sounds like a heart warming and soul searching book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie is new to me and her book sounds like one I would enjoy.
Melanie Backus, TX
If you don't win, I hope you'll look for the book on Amazon. They are offering the first few chapters as a preview.
Connie Leonard
Sounds like a good book, cute cover too!
Patty in SC
What a great giveaway thank you!
Lourdes in Long Island, New York.
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Texas is such a neat state. Love books set there.
Beth from Iowa
Patty in SC, I'm glad you like the cover. It was taken on an actual ranch in Texas. The horses are the right colors, too.
Connie Leonard
Now I wonder why she hasn't talked to her dad in so many years.
I'm in TN
Isn't it sad that families sometimes allow conflict to keep them apart? Somebody Somewhere in Texas is a redemption story, so their relationship will be restored and renewed.
Connie Leonard
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