Tuesday, February 13, 2018

AIN'T MISBEHAVING - Marji Laine - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, Marji Laine is a dear friend of mine, who is a very good writer. I’ve loved every book of hers I’ve read. I’m really looking forward to reading Ain't Misbehaving. I know you'll love it, too. This is one you won’t want to miss.

Welcome back, Marji. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I think in terms of romance and mystery. In any given setting, I can see either romantic conflict and comedy or a potential hiding place for a body!

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
They day I married my best friend, my joy couldn’t be suppressed. I caught a glimpse of him in the lighted sanctuary as I stood in the darkened room at the back and could not control my giggles. My dad had to hush me and the laughter squeezed out the edges of my eyes and dripped down my cheeks. The joy with that man has continued, and it started with a bang of intensity that day!

How has being published changed your life?
Working with the people at Write Integrity Press, seeing the genuine committed hearts of the editors and other authors, made it so easy for me to be whole-heartedly committed as well. And that has had unimaginable consequences as I’ve become the executive director of the company. Working daily with such talented authors has also honed my own writing ability. I LOVE my job!

What are you reading right now?
My reading, nowadays, is generally editing purposes. I’ve just completed Joan Deneve’s heartwarming romance set in Africa. That is due to come out in April. But I do like to listen to recorded books when I’m driving or walking. Right now, I’m listening to a Hannah Swenson Mystery: LEMON MERINGUE PIE MURDER by Joanne Fluke.

What is your current work in progress?
I am in the planning stages of my next romantic suspense. BREAKING POINT is the second story of the Heath’s Point Suspense series, following COUNTER POINT. This story focuses on the couple who own the Sunrise Inn on the edge of town and their daughter who visits from Dallas.

I’m eager to read that one! What would be your dream vacation?
I took it this summer! My kids sent hubby and me on an Alaskan cruise. I saw animals and scenery I’d only dreamed of seeing in and around picturesque little towns that stole my heart. We both hope to return!

James spent part of his army time in Alaska. When we married, he told me he wanted to take me there. Our lives have prevented it so far. How do you choose your settings for each book?
I like using small towns as my settings. My college is in the East Texas town of Commerce where my brother and sis-in-law still live. It inspires most of my environments. But recently, I started placing my stories in Dallas. AIN’T MISBEHAVING and before that, most of the Grime Fighter series. For those, I loved finding a unique building and creating a story there.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I would want to spend the evening with a graphic artist – an expert on photo shop who could teach me ways to take our book covers – and my photography in general – to new levels.

I’m with you on that. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Game night with the fam, photography, Hallmark movies, crochet, oh, and currently – planning a wedding! Squee!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
TIME! And I haven’t exactly overcome it completely. I am WAY-organized, though, and most of the time I’m on schedule with things. I just haven’t found a way yet, to immerse into my new story well enough to take advantage of moments here and there for writing.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
That’s a great question. I think the most important thing a writer should have is a teachable spirit. Their stories will only get better if they listen to the critiques of trusted partners and value the opinions of readers. Authors who are serious about their careers should always be open to insight from readers.

That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.
I loved working on this story. Annalee is wealthy, cultured, and empty. But in the depth of her heart, she has a dream of mattering someday. But her dream disappears when she utters one word. That word sets into motion an impossible situation for Annalee. The girl who never finishes anything, not even a sketch or a painting, is faced with losing her very freedom if she can’t successfully complete this impossible task.

Enter CJ Whelan. His past disgusts him, as does the society in which he grew up. He’s dedicated his time and all of his resources to bettering the lives of others, a practice his father barely tolerates. Not only does CJ have to constantly avoid the obstacles his dad throws in his way, he faces living down his background and social standing with those who would like to use him for their own purposes.

And Annalee’s arrival into CJ’s world ensures her failure, if it’s up to the ones who would like status and fortune of their own.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Her future wasn’t the only thing at stake.

Annalee Chambers slipped into the bare consultation room with her mother, father, and attorney. Reporters filled the hallway and shouted questions as the door closed.

She tugged at a stray blond curl the August breeze had pulled from her hair clip and sank into the wooden chair. If only invisibility were possible—a desire initiated when they’d arrived at the Frank Crowley Court Buildings, and cameras started flashing.

Leaning against the high back of the seat, she stared at a ceiling fan making a slow rotation. For a solid minute, she matched her breathing to the fan’s rhythm.

“The judge has to toss away this whole fabrication.” Her mother paced the same path as the shadows from the circling blades. “Can’t she identify the real victim in this case?”

Annalee bristled at the insinuation. “Mr. Madison was the victim. He and his family are the ones impacted by the accident.” Accident. She hadn’t even realized she’d hit anyone.

“It’s clear the district attorney is only trying to hurt my campaign.” Father lifted a slat from the blinds hanging over the only window in the room. The sunlight made him squint. “He’s been a fan of Mayor Ellis since the beginning. Now, since I’m a real threat, he’s doing everything he can to make me look bad.”

And Annalee had aided in the destruction of her father’s mayoral campaign when she traveled to club-row to pick up her tipsy friend.

I can hardly wait to get my copy of this book. I have to know what happens next. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I roam a lot of places. Find me on www.Facebook.com/MarjiLaine, www.Twitter.com/MarjiLaine, and on www.Amazon.com/Marji-Laine/e/B00AJF2MFC. You can also find me at my website, www.MarjiLaine.com and my publishing site, www.WriteIntegrity.com. Hope to hear from you!

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

Readers, here are links to the book.
Ain't Misbehaving (Dallas Duets) (Volume 1) - Paperback
Ain't Misbehaving (Dallas Duets 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.)

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12 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

WOW, this sounds like a good story, thank you for the chance to win a copy of "Ain't Misbehaving". I have not read anything by Marji so am looking foward to possibly having a new author to follow.

Wendy in Nebraska

wfnren at aol dot com

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Thanks, Wendy. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Great Hook. I want to know why she didn't realize she hit someone.

Becca from New York

Dena Netherton said...

Sounds like a fascinating story, Marji. I hope I win! Blessings from cloudy Bellingham, WA.

Ginger Solomon said...

Lovely interview.

My hubby and I took a cruise to Alaska a few years ago. Definitely worth the money.

I would love to win this book. It sounds intriguing.

Ginger in AL

Mary L. Hamilton said...

Sounds like a good story! I love Marji, and loved reading her interview.

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Hi, Becca! It all had to do with a phone number on a napkin and a very drunk friend! LOL! I hope you'll get the chance to read it!

Thanks, Dena - cloudy and cold here too!

Ginger - had a blast! So hoping to go again!

*Blush* Thanks, Mary!

Danielle H. said...

I love the immediate tension presented so well. The cover is so cute and fun. Danielle from MI

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Thanks, Danielle! And Happy Valentine's Day!

Paula Shreckhise said...

This one looks really good! Paula from Missouri

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Sounds very intriguing! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Lourdes said...

Sounds great looking forward to reading it. Thanks for a great interview.

Lourdes in Long Island NY