GLIMPSING HOPE - Carol Moncado - One Free Book

Welcome back, Carol. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Because it’s what I’m good at. I know that seems kind of simplistic, but I’ve tried writing romantic suspense (we don’t talk about that one) and historicals (it’s decent but I don’t want to write them full time!) so I write contemporary romantic dramedy - they have definite comedic moments, but they have their serious side as well.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Oh goodness. That’s a tough one. Can I pick five? For different reasons. Wedding day - because I get to spend the rest of my life with the love of my life (it’ll be 20 years in just a few weeks!) and the days each of my children were born. Some of those days were tougher than others, but I absolutely adore my kids and wouldn’t trade any of them for anything!

How has being published changed your life?

Being published, indie published in particular, has allowed me to write full time. I did teach part time at a community college, but last spring was my last semester. There were a number of other factors that led to the decision but the reason we were able to make that choice is the income from my books. I’ve also learned SO MUCH about the whole process! I’m far more capable than I would have thought (though paperbacks continue to be taxing - in fact I’m a couple behind there :p) and I really enjoy writing what I want to write without the restrictions an outsider can impose (they know their readers so I know it works for them; I know mine though ;)). I enjoy my own schedule, too. In just under 2.5 years, my 20th book is about to release, and I fully expect to hit 25 before three years is up.

What are you reading right now?

Right this minute, nothing, but I’m looking forward to an advance copy of Mikal Dawn’s Count Me In this weekend or next week. I’ve also got Laura Frantz’s On A Moonbow Night waiting on me. I’ve heard it’s FANTASTIC!

What is your current work in progress?

I am “this close” to done with Reclaiming Hearts, the third book in the Serenity Landing Second Chances series. The hero is Prince William, so it also wraps up the next generation of royals from the three countries in Belles Montagnes, but it introduces us to the royal family of Eyjania - their stories will start later this year. I’m also working on the first book in the series that will likely have both the Eyjanian family and the San Majorian family in it. It’s called Heart of a Prince and should release this summer. Reclaiming Hearts is available for preorder and likely releases 4/21 (though Amazon currently says 4/30).

What would be your dream vacation?

We just took it! My husband and I took our whole family on a Caribbean cruise for spring break. Eight days and seven nights on board Liberty of the Seas. We did excursions in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. We loved all of them for different reasons. Most of my family loved all there was to see and do on board the ship. I loved finding a quiet spot to read and relax. I would do it again in a heartbeat (though I think I’d get three rooms instead of two - the kids were a little crowded and getting on each other’s nerves by the end of it). 

James and I have been on a cruise to those three places, too. We loved it. How do you choose your settings for each book?

Hmm. I don’t really know. Sometimes it just comes to me. More often, it depends on where the character is from geographically. Since Glimpsing Hope is about Christopher Bayfield who lives in Serenity Landing, that’s where it takes place. Reclaiming Hearts is about William, Crown Prince of Mevendia, so a chunk of it takes place there, though it also goes to Serenity Landing and Eyjania.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Queen Elizabeth. She fascinates me! The history she’s seen and been a part of. The changing royal family and how they’re perceived by the public, changing customs (how different was Prince Charles’s marriage from Prince William’s), and so on. Plus hanging out at Buckingham Palace would be fascinating! And surely Prince Philip would stop by to say hello! There’s another fascinating character!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I’m a band mom :D. That takes up A LOT of my time! Otherwise, I watch a lot of television. I’m currently working my way through Star Trek: Deep Space 9.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

This is probably a weird one, but I write best late at night in a very daytime world. At 9 or 10 pm, I can write as much in an hour as it would take me all day to write. My optimal time, is 9 or 10 until about 1 or 2 in the morning. That’s not easy when you have to be up in the morning :/. Since writing full time though, I’m able to work late. I get up about 6:30 to take the freshman to school (her tenor saxophone is rather unwieldy on the bus), come home, and two mornings a week I get my son ready for school as my husband’s already gone. Once those things are done, I go back to bed and sleep until late morning. In the afternoons, I don’t usually write, but often do other writing related stuff, like graphic design, then go back to work writing as the kids go to bed.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write. Write. Write some more. And read just as much. A lot. Good books. Okay books. Even bad books. In your genre and others. Good writing is good writing no matter what the genre. Join a group like ACFW and learn everything you can. Finish one book. Make it as good as you can on your own. Send it out to the world either by querying or rounds of edits with others to indie publish (tip: your first book probably isn’t nearly as ready as you think it is; get professionals or at least other writers who’ve been at this a lot longer to help you get it ready). Then start another one.

Tell us about the featured book.

They say writers are weird… and they’re not wrong. About two weeks before I started writing Glimpsing Hope, this little girl showed up in my head and said, “What about me?”

Me: Who are you?

Her: I’m his daughter.

Me: I didn’t know he had a daughter.

Her: Neither does he.

And there she was. I know how strange it sounds, but that conversation actually happened in my head! So, Glimpsing Hope gained a little girl - named for a friend of mine’s daughter who went to be with the Lord far, far too young.

Glimpsing Hope

Christopher Bayfield enjoys his single life. Unencumbered by relationships, he works and travels whenever he wants. He can even drop everything to do something he's been dreaming of for a while - return to acting in a Happily Ever After TV Network movie. But before he can leave a knock on the door changes his life.

Julia Quisenberry never planned to have one child out of wedlock, much less be pregnant with number two, but this was what her life had become. Unemployed and barely making ends meet with her knitting patterns and teaching, she's almost desperate enough to take a handout from her best friend.

A phone call from Christopher changes Julia's plans. He offers her a job and a lifeline, in more ways than one. So when the paparazzi threaten all he holds dear, she'll do anything to help him out - even marry him. Can they overcome the obstacles in their path to find a glimpse of hope for their own happily ever after?

Author’s note: The first chapter of Glimpsing Hope picks up at the end of Winning the Queen's Heart and before the events of Protecting the Prince. The second chapter begins in the universe’s “present day” - after the events of Discovering Home.

Please give us the first page of the book.

May 2017

“I’ll pay for them to fly commercial.” Christopher Bayfield crossed his arms over his chest and stared down the duke. He could do that because the duke was also his twin brother. No one else would understand why he wanted to avoid this flight.

Alexander tugged on the bottom of his tuxedo jacket and frowned into the mirror. “Someday I’ll figure out how to make this look right with the sash on the first try.”

“It’s your own fault for marrying a queen, Ander, but don’t think you’re getting out of this. I’ll pay for them to fly back, first class.”

Alexander turned away from the mirror to face Christopher. “Christiana, your pregnant sister-in-law, asked you to fly them back on the family plane. You’re really going to turn her down?”

“If you won’t let me pay for them to go back first class, I’ll rent a plane for them.”

“You get to tell the queen you don’t want to do the one thing she asked you to do for the woman who saved her life, and the life of your niece or nephew.”

Christopher hated it when his brother was right. “Then they can take the plane home, and I’ll rent one of my own. Or buy my own first class ticket.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Topher.” Alexander limped to the door of Christopher’s room, his leg still recovering from the recent shoot out with the man who tried to kill his wife. Alexander had come to Christopher’s room to guilt trip him into doing this. Help fixing his tie was just an excuse. “Just ride home in the plane with them. Sit at the table and work the whole time or take the couch and sleep. I’m not saying you have to become bosom buddies with the gal, just make sure she and her son don’t die in a horrid plane crash on the way back. Once you land, put them in the car Jonathan will provide and go on your merry way.”

I’m eager to read this one. You know how much I love your books. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can follow me on Facebook (use the Follow button) at www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolMoncado - that’s the best place to find me!

I have a Twitter but don’t use it often - www.twitter.com/CarolMoncado

I blog monthly at InspyRomance www.inspyromance.com

My website is www.carolmoncado.com

Thank you, Carol, for sharing this new book with us. I really look forward to reading it, and the next ones that come out, too.

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

Glimpsing Hope: Contemporary Christian Romance (Serenity Landing Second Chances Book 2)

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:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com