ESTHER'S TEMPTATION - Lena Nelson Dooley - One Free Book

Dear Readers, once again I have a book releasing this week, on Friday—Esther’s Temptation. And once again, I’m answering the questions I ask the authors I feature here.

Bio: Multi-published author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 900,000 copies of her books sold. She is a member of ACFW and the local chapter, ACFW - DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

She has been on the ECPA and CBA Bestseller lists, Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list, and several Amazon Bestseller lists as well as a reviewer’s Top Ten Books of 2011. She has won over a dozen major awards.

She hosts “The Lena Nelson Dooley Show” on the Along Came a Writer Blogtalk radio network.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t think an author can write an authentic story without some things about them being a part of the story. In Esther’s Temptation, I understand what Esther felt and used the emotions I felt when I had the same kind of temptation.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky could be my middle name. I’ve often done things most people wouldn’t try. When I was attending Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, (back when it was a college, instead of a university) I did the most dangerous thing I ever did. Ouachita is in a mountainous region. On the campus property, there was a place where a large pipe, maybe 12 inches across, connected two parts of the mountain. It was probably about 40 feet above the ravine. A group of us were hiking in that area. I don’t remember why I did it, but I crossed that ravine walking on that pipe. I don’t remember anyone else doing it with me. Probably for a good reason.

When did you first discover you were a writer?

I came from a family where writing was just part of family life. Only one other person in my immediate family has been published. My brother is a retired minister, and he had a book of sermons published before I became a professional writer. You can read the testimony of how God told me to become a professional writer by clicking on the About Me tab at the top of this blog.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Most of the nonfiction books I read, besides the Bible, are reference books I use for research. But I love reading fiction. I’ve read books ever since I was five years old. I love most genres, except horror. In the last few years, there are so many good, well-written Christian novels that I’ve stopped reading any fiction besides Christian fiction.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Keeping close contact with the Lord is the best way. And spending time with my family and friends is a close second.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Some arrive when the character does. Sometimes, I use a name to honor someone dear to me. And there’s always name websites, especially if I want a historical name or a name for a specific nationality.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Not being prideful, but having points of pride in what the Lord has helped me accomplish. My dear husband and I have been married almost 54 years. Our anniversary is in November. We raised wonderful children, who have given us grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I’m blessed when readers let me know how one of my books changed their lives. And God has blessed me to allow my books to win awards and appear on bestseller lists.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would love to be an eagle and soar above the earth, riding on the wind currents.

What is your favorite food?

Dark chocolate and TexMex food.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

When I started writing professionally, we didn’t have all the professional organizations that are available today. I was a storyteller, so I just told a story. Later I began to learn the real craft of writing, and there have been many people along the way who helped me.

Tell us about the featured book.

This book is #9 in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessing series. All the books in the series will be released in a collection in early November.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Saddle weary, former deputy US Marshal Jac Andrews rides into Denton, Texas. He’d hunted a swindler and his daughter—or identical twin daughters if Jac is right—and he feels he finally has caught up with this criminal gang. Unfortunately, He is immediately distracted by the lovely redhead, Esther Brians.

Esther, feeling like an old maid surrounded by all her close friends who are happy married couples, is drawn to the intense gaze, blue as the Texas sky, of an unknown cowboy. But several things cause her to become wary of his intentions—and his spiritual well-being.

Has this unsaved lawman captured Esther’s heart or will the Lord deliver her from the temptation of Jac’s presence?

What will it take for Jac to win this lovely lady and become Esther’s husband?

Please give us the first page of the book.

August – Deep in the heart of Texas

1896. How could it be 1896? When Jac Andrews started this quest, he figured he’d be married with children by this time in his life. All the years had passed without achieving his goals—both of them.

He sure hoped that was Denton, Texas, up ahead and not a mirage. His head ached from the bright sunlight and long hours. He’d been in the saddle so long he felt as if it were fused to the seat of his pants. Pants he’d worn until they could almost stand up by themselves. Finally, he could have a bath, clean clothes, a shave, a hot meal, and a real bed. In that order.

But the long ride had been worth it. He was bone weary, but he could sense that indefinable excitement he always felt when he was about to catch his prey. Peter Graham and his daughter had to be just ahead. He’d been chasing this gang for too many years—through hard winters, mostly mild summers, and he’d seen a lot of the territory in the United States. But this was the farthest south they’d ventured. Denton, Texas, was the end of the line. For him and for the Grahams—in more ways than one.

As he approached, the haze hovering on the horizon solidified into a nice enough town, but Jac hoped it wouldn’t take long to bring the Grahams to justice. He wanted to get on with his life, and he couldn’t until he had finished this one thing. Although he was only thirty years old, he felt ancient. He’d seen enough of the seamy side of life to age him beyond his years. Criminals and their evil deeds had hardened him so much he barely knew who he was anymore. Certainly not the idealistic young man who became a Deputy U.S. Marshal all those years ago. He didn’t even know where he belonged. Maybe when he finished this final arrest, he could find out. For the first time in over ten years, he could have a life of his own.

But he didn’t dare take his mind off his prize. This arrest had to come before anything else. He wouldn’t saddle any woman with a man who was hardly ever be home. He would really retire from hunting criminals and maybe find some kind of business he’d enjoy. He had plenty of money stashed away to buy or start one. He didn’t use much money while he’d been trying to catch this slippery weasel, who preyed on unsuspecting, upstanding citizens.

Because of his obsession to catch Peter Graham and his daughter, he was no longer a marshal. The U.S. Marshal in Washington, D.C., had given him a choice, give up this quest or turn in his badge. Jac knew his boss thought the ultimatum would make him back down. With great reluctance, he’d removed the star with the circle around it, the badge that made him official. Since then, he’d been on his own as he followed the trail of this confidence man and his family.

Good thing he’d saved so much of his pay over the years, and his needs were negligible. A pile of his money remained safe in a bank back East, waiting for him to get to the point where he could start living a real life. He wouldn’t have to worry about finances while he established himself. That thought brought a stiff smile to his face.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com

Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley  

Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley

Christianbook.com:  http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1728796&sp=67484&event=67484|1728796|67484

Blogtalk Radio, The Lena Nelson Dooley Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/along-came-a-writer/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenanelsondooley/  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lenanelsondooley

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JPAIDE

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lena-nelson-dooley

Readers, the ebook releases on Friday. It’s been on pre-order for a few weeks. The print edition will be available soon after.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Esther's Temptation (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Book 9)

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