Wednesday, December 13, 2017

HOLDING THE FORT - Regina Jennings - One Free Book

Welcome back, Regina. Why did you become an author?
So that I could justify all the time I spent reading, daydreaming, and doing research.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
Something to do with numbers and money. I like to balance spreadsheets and manage assets.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be present at one of the Oklahoma Land Runs. I can’t imagine the excitement and energy before the gun went off. But as soon as the land is settled, then I’d transport to another time and place that’s already civilized so I don’t have to build everything from the dirt up.

I’ve been interested in the Land Runs, too. What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
Charleston, South Carolina.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
Ireland.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
That if it’s important enough for me to tell someone else, it’s important enough to tell Him. In fact, I should talk to the Lord about something before I share with friends so that I’ve had time to think about whether it’s something I should share or not.

A very good, and hard, lesson to learn. Tell us about the featured book.
Holding the Fort lands close to home for me, just about twenty miles down the road at Fort Reno, to be exact. It’s about Louisa Bell whose job as a dance hall singer is in jeopardy. On top of that, she finds out that her brother is getting in trouble with his commander in the cavalry. They both might be relying on Bradley’s job security, so she decides to go down there to Indian Territory and straighten him out.

Major Daniel Adams is said commander who has his hands full with his rowdy troopers, not to mention his two adolescent daughters. If he doesn’t find someone respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she’ll take them.

So when Louisa arrives with some reading materials that a nice lady asked her to deliver, she’s mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Daniel is skeptical. He requested someone older and less…lively….but he’s out of options. His mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to his unconventional governess’s methods. Louisa’s never faced so importance a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother, or will her mistakes ruin everything? 

Sounds like my kind of story. Please give us the first page of the book.
June 1885
Wichita, Kansas

The fumes of the gaslights at the foot of the stage protected Louisa Bell from the more noxious odors of her audience. On hot nights like tonight, the scent of the unwashed bodies in the Cat-Eye Saloon could be overwhelming. Braving a deep breath, Louisa placed her hand delicately against her beribboned Polonaise and crescendoed her way into the next stanza. She lifted her head and sang to the rafters so she didn’t have to meet the eyes of the overly-interested, overly-intoxicated, overly-male audience. Their approval meant that she had a place to live and food to eat. And while she knew that performing on stage carried certain undesirable associations, it was the only path open to her.

She held the final note while Charlie resolved the chord on the piano. The applause exploded immediately. Whistles and hoots filled the air.

“That was dandy, Lovely Lola.” Slappy flopped his loose hands together in appreciation.

“Lovely Lola, will you marry me?” She didn’t know his name, but the cowboy was there every summer when the cattle made it up the trail.

“You’re an angel,” Rawbone cried.

Louisa might not be the youngest, most coquettish performer, but the purity and emotion of her voice couldn’t be denied. She curtsied elegantly, holding the flounced skirt to the side. Cimarron Ted held up a glass to toast her. She could return his smile without worry as she prepared for her last song of the night. Charlie started the intro on the piano, and Louisa mentally rehearsed her pre-song recital.

I am Lovely Lola Bell, she told herself. They will be enchanted by my performance and will love my show.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. It was Tim-Bob, the owner of the Cat-Eye Saloon. With his hand wrapped firmly around Persephone’s white, shapely arm, he was marching through the stage curtains and onto the stage, right in the middle of Louisa’s nightly performance.

“Hey, Charlie,” Tim-Bob called. “Cut off that music. I have an announcement to make.”

The pianist wasted no time in stopping and taking a swig from his bottle. The crowd wasn’t as quick to simmer down.

“Let Lovely Lola sing!” a man hollered.

“It’s Saturday night! Can’t have Saturday night without Lovely Lola.”

Whatever was going on, Louisa wished it didn’t have to happen in front of the rowdy mob. Persephone showed promise as a performer on Tuesday nights—that was Louisa’s night off—but she showed more promise as the next lady love of Tim-Bob’s So, why was she here now?

What a hook! I wish my copy was here now so I could start reading it today. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Yes, please find me on the internet! I love to hear from readers at my website - www.reginajennings.com and on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Thank you, Regina, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Holding the Fort - Christianbook.com
Holding the Fort (The Fort Reno Series) - Amazon paperback
Holding the Fort (The Fort Reno Series 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 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:

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Live in Wasola, Mo. If I win, I review. God bless jrs0350@yahoo.com

Regina Jennings said...

God bless reviewers!! Thanks!

Wendy Newcomb said...

I love Regina's book! This cover is beautiful, the book sounds great, looks like another winner for Regina.

Wendy in SSC, NE

wfnren at aol dot com

MJSH said...

I’m from northern New Jersey. Would love to win this book.

mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

Melanie Backus said...

Regina writes a great story and I would love to read this one. She is a sweetheart!

Melanie Backus, TX

Trixi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trixi said...

Love Regina's writing, thanks for the chance to win "Holding the Fort"!

Trixi in OR

Vivian Furbay said...

What a way to pick someone's thirst for this book than to lead in with a hook. Sure would like to find out what happens to Lovely Lola. Vivian Furbay of Colorado

Cindy W. said...

I would love to win this one. I love the cover too!

Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana

Kay Garrett said...

HOLDING THE FORT sounds like a wonderful story and one I'd love to read. After reading the first page, I wanted to keep reading.

Thanks for the interview and the chance to win a copy of the book!

Beth Gillihan said...

I love Regina's books! Her covers are always wonderful. I look forward to reading this one.

Beth in MOntana

Regina Jennings said...

Thank you all! Good luck in the drawing!

Jane said...

I always enjoy Regina's books. Some of her settings are familiar and even more interesting to me, as I follow the history. Appreciate the interview and am looking forward to this new release. Jane in TX

Paula Shreckhise said...

Regina is such a great author. This would be great to win! Thanks Paula from Missouri

Abigail Mitchell said...

Regina's books look so good!
Abigail in VA

VanG said...

This sounds like a delightful story and I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway and have a Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄
VanG in NC

Pam K. said...

Any book by Regina Jennings is a "must read" for me. I love her combination of humor, romance, action, and faith. Thanks for the chance to win Holding the Fort.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas

Dianna said...

Regina Jennings has a way of making books so much fun.
Dianna in TN

Anonymous said...

Lovely Lola sounds like a fun character I would love to read about.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I am SO looking forward to this book!Thank you for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Danielle H. said...

I adore the cover! I think this sounds so much fun to read and I love strong female characters to cheer on. Danielle from Michigan dhammelef(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shelia64 said...

love the cover! Shelia from MS sheliarha64@yahoo.com

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Deanne Patterson said...

I love the humor in Regina's books. I am looking forward to reading this.

Deanne in PA

Jorie said...

Hallo, Hallo Ms Dooley,

I've seen this author's works previously, but haven't yet had the chance to read one of them. This premise held my eye because I *LOVE!* mistaken identities! There is good folly in seeing how a character can transform through an unexpected 'identity' outside of their own skill set whilst what remains curious is does this unexpected deviation in their life prove to change more than what they do during the day? Does it change their heart or their mindset or even their outlook on life!? They're dearly enjoyable to read - I think I'll start with this title of hers! Thanks for showcasing this one!

Blessings,
Jorie in FL