CHRISTMAS AT STONEY CREEK - Martha Rogers - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I love this time of year. The weather is cooler, and Christmas novels and novellas release. There are a lot of them, so I start reading Christmas books usually in September, but my September was really busy, so I’ve started reading them this month. Christmas at Stoney Creek was written by a dear writer friend. Her historical novels are nostalgic and interesting. I think you’ll really love this one.

Welcome back, Martha. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

I’d say historical romance, but it’s really a toss-up with contemporary. Not as much research is needed for my contemporaries, so I enjoy writing them.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?

Texas is the only place I’d ever want to live, but if I had to be transferred or my husband was, then I’d hope we could live in New England. I loved Vermont and Connecticut when we visited there. Not sure I’d do very well with the winters there. Hawaii would be a very close second, but the distance from the mainland keeps it from being first.

What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I’ve been to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland and would love to go back. The country is beautiful and the people were absolutely wonderful. We were close to Italy but never made it across the border, so I would really love to go back and take a tour of Italy. There’s so much history there and a lot of it had to do with Biblical days as well. I’d love to see some of those places and walk where Paul walked.

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

My most romantic vacation would be in Hawaii. Oahu and Maui are so beautiful and the settings in the mountains and on the seashore are perfect for candlelight dinners and romantic strolls. 

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

I have in mind a story set in Nashville, but it hasn’t been developed yet. It’s still a germ or a seed in my head, but I’ve never had one there, so I hope to get it plotted.

What is the main theme of this novel?

Christmas At Stoney Creek shows us the importance of accepting people as who they are. You have to truly accept a person for who he or she is outwardly to know the depths of love and character in their heart and soul.

Tell us about the story.

When Tom first meets Joe on the train between Austin and Stoney Creek, others have shunned him because of his body odor, ragged clothes, and unkempt appearance. Tom, however, sees the potential for a story. As a newspaper reporter, he seeks unusual stories and he senses there is one with Joe. Joe makes friends with the people of the town and as time passes they learn how caring for one another leads to far greater blessings than they could have imagined.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Stoney Creek, Texas

October 1892

The scruffy and somewhat dirty old man shrank into the corner of his seat on the train. Instead of the foul air surrounding him, Tom Whiteman’s journalistic nose smelled a story.

Tom contemplated the bedraggled figure a moment longer then folded the notes on the article he had been writing and stowed them in his coat pocket. He’d go over them later, but for the moment, this stranger aroused his curiosity. He didn’t appear to have much money, so how had he bought a ticket?

Instincts borne from reporting unusual events kicked in, and Tom sensed a story behind the tattered clothes and dirty exterior. Other passengers moved away to give the man more room and to escape the odor surrounding him. Snow-white hair needing a haircut as well as a good combing covered the man’s head, and a droopy discolored mustache graced the man’s upper lip. Although his hunkered-up state gave no clue as to height, his form didn’t carry extra weight.

While observation gave some clues, Tom would have to sit with the man to learn more about him. He’d make a good personal feature story for the Stoney Creek paper. Tom crossed the aisle and settled into the seat next to the stranger. He extended his hand in greeting. “Hello, I’m Tom Whiteman. I’m on my way back home to Stoney Creek, Texas. Where are you headed?”

The man’s blue-eyed gaze searched Tom’s face before answering. “Name’s Joe.”

“Hm, I see.” Rather evasive. This strangely dressed man in shabby, well-worn clothes hit a chord deep inside that prodded him to dig behind the man’s countenance and learn more. The man’s outward appearance may be ugly and worn, but the serenity in the man’s eyes grabbed Tom’s heart and wouldn’t let go.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.marthawrogers.com is my website

www.facebook.com/MarthaRogersAuthor/ Author Page on Facebook

Thank you, Martha, for sharing this holiday book with us. I know my readers will be eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Christmas at Stoney Creek - Christianbook.com
Christmas at Stoney Creek: A Novel - Amazon paperback
Christmas at Stoney Creek: A Novel - 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 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