Thursday, October 18, 2018

TRUE NOBILITY - Lori Bates Wright - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m thrilled to feature Lori on my blog. She has a fresh unique voice. You’ll want to watch for each of her new books. Her amazing characters leapt from the right into my heart. The plot line was different from anything I’d read. I found it hard to close the covers, even to eat or sleep. I highly recommend this book.

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I come from a long line of quirky folks - our family gatherings are memorable. While I think every character I write probably has a smidgeon of me in there somewhere, I love to get a point in the story where the characters begin to take on their own unique personalities. They surprise me often. When they react in a way that I wouldn’t necessarily expect them to, I know I have a compelling story.  

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Well, there was the time a boy I liked came to visit and I decided I would impress him with ultra-curly eyelashes. The thing is, I had no idea how to use an eyelash curler and I ended up with no eyelashes at all. His expression was priceless. Who knew you shouldn’t use one of those things after slathering lotion on all over your hands? **shaking my head**

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
When I was in third grade, the Albuquerque School District decided to go with an experimental open concept classroom where a select group of students got to work on only what interested them. I wrote stories all day long. My math skills sorely suffered that year, but I learned that I could devise stories that my friends liked to read. Eventually, my teacher submitted a poem I wrote that was published in a collection of children’s writings. 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to visit the library in any given town and head for the family history and local archives section. I love to read family histories and diaries. Real life accounts are fascinating! I never fail to come away with seeds of story ideas just begging to take on a life of their own.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I learned a long time ago that I need make time every day to spend alone with God. Some days it’s five minutes as I drive to the grocery story. Some days I get an hour to study His word and pour my thoughts into a prayer journal. I truly need time in His presence just to keep everything else in proper perspective. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?
First off, I go in search of a census during my time period in the county or state where my story is set. I get a good list of names and surnames. Then I go to baby name sites to see what the meaning of the names might be.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family - hands down. My two kids are grown now with kids of their own and I am so proud of the wonderful humans they’ve become.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A bear. A mama bear to be precise. Fiercely protective, yet playful. And then there’s the whole hibernation thing where you get to eat all fall and sleep all winter.

What is your favorite food? 
I’ve never met a bowl of chips and salsa that I didn’t like way too much.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Probably getting the POVs under control was my greatest obstacle. When I first started writing, I wanted the reader to know what everyone in my make-believe room was thinking all at once! It got confusing.

Tell us about the featured book.
True Nobility is the first full length book I wrote (some twenty years ago) and is my debut into the world of publishing. Though it has gone through major revisions over the years, this book remains near and dear to my heart with characters that feel like old friends. Here’s the brief description from the back of the book:

Alone in an unfamiliar country, everything she believes in is shattered. Driven by desperation, she risks it all to return to the one man whose love promised to be true. 

Lady Victoria Haverwood, beloved daughter of a widowed Earl, has spent years at a fashionable boarding school longing for the day she can finally come home to take her place as Mistress of Wrenbrooke. But when she becomes the target of a murderous plot, her idyllic plan is swiftly turned upside down.

Nicholas Saberton, an accomplished American Naval Captain, is commissioned to escort the earl and his daughter safely across the ocean to the lively shores of Savannah, Georgia. Pledged to protect her with his life, Nicholas is determined to remain immune to Victoria’s innocent charm. Focused on building his shipping empire, the Haverwood heiress becomes an irresistible diversion.
  
Danger shadows them. Soon the repercussions of her father’s past ensnare Victoria in a web of deception that threatens to consume her. Only her love for Nicholas will give her strength to discover the truth. But will it be too late?

Please give us the first page of the book for my blog reader.
England, Midnight, 2 February, 1860
Moonlight fell through an open casement as a rising shadow crept closer to the bed. Stillness clung to the damp night air. In the distance, a night owl’s warning went unheeded as the silver glint of a blade sparked a terrifying illumination before plunging deep into the satin quilt.

Across the room, a door flung open where a night-capped silhouette wavered. The shadow of a pistol, held between shaking hands, centered unsteadily at the black-cloaked assassin.

Victory, however, proved short-lived.

An empty chamber pot hurled across the dim room knocking the weapon to the floor. With a daring leap, the murderer made an escape through the open window, instantly swallowed up by darkness.

In burgundy robe and slippers, an elderly gentleman shuffled further into the room. With anxious fingers, he struck a matchstick to light the lamp on the night table. For a brief moment, his shaking hands lingered over the smooth coverlet before pulling it back. The down-filled bolster he’d carefully arranged there earlier now sported an eight-inch knife jutting from its middle.

Pulling a monogrammed handkerchief from the pocket of his robe, he dropped to sit on the bed, then dabbed at the sheen on his brow. Unfolding a note, he reread the message he’d received not three days past.

Take every precaution!
Your daughter, Victoria,
is to be killed before
her twentieth birthday.

Cold dread pounded through his veins as he stared blankly into the flickering flame fighting for life against his heavy breath.

It was then Edward Haverwood, third Earl of Wrenbrooke, resolved to do everything within his power to save his beloved daughter from the clutches of a maniacal killer.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with readers!
OR they can visit my website and sign up for my newsletter for the latest news and updates (or just to say hi) at

Thank you, Lori, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager for them to read it.

Readers, here is a link to the book.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book (your choice of an ebook or print 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:

23 comments:

Abigail Mitchell said...

This looks so good. Would love to read it!
Abigail in VA

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new to me author. "True Nobility" sounds like an amazing story and one that I would love the opportunity to read. I would really enjoy seeing how the story of Victoria and Nicholas plays out. Appreciate the chance to win a copy of this wonderful book.
Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Diana Flowers said...

Love the cover and the story sounds amazing! Enjoyed getting acquainted with Lori and I hope her eyelashes grew back. lol Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

Diana from SC

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a great book and what a beautiful cover! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Wendy in South Sioux City, NE

wfnren at aol dot com

Lori Bates Wright said...

Thank you, Abigail. I hope you do read it! By the way ~ the heroine of Book Two of this series shares your name. :)

Lori Bates Wright said...

Good luck, Kay!

Lori Bates Wright said...

Lol! Yes, Diana, they did finally grow back in. It was a rough six weeks my ninth grade year though.

Lori Bates Wright said...

Thanks, Wendy! Happy reading!

Lori Bates Wright said...

Sorry, ladies. My replies are not showing up under the original comment. I'm happy that they are showing up at all. It took me a minute to get them on here. :)

Diana Flowers said...

Lori, I'll bet it was! Ugh I'd hate to be a freshman in H.S. with no eyelashes. I'd have begged my mom for false ones! lol I'll be sure to be more careful with my eyelash curler from now on! Seriously.

Patty said...

That is quite the intro!

It’s always fun to discover a new author, I look forward to reading True Nobility.

pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

Faith Creech said...

Oh, I’d love to read this book. Sounds so good!! Thanks for the chance to win!


faithdcreech at gmail dot com

Lori Bates Wright said...

Hope you enjoy, Patty!

Lori Bates Wright said...

Thanks, Faith! Good luck!

Elly said...

This sound really good!
Elly -Indiana-

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Congratulations Lori. This is a beautiful cover!
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

What a great cover! Sounds like a good book and I would love to read it! Melanie Backus, TX

Paula Shreckhise said...

Paula from Missouri. This one looks so suspenseful and intriguing! Thanks.

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Vivian Furbay said...

Sounds like a great story! Vivian Furbay of CO

Laura Waltz said...

Oh fun, I really like the cover that was chosen for the book as well. The description sounds fun; definitely would be a great book to read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! I live in the mitten state, MI.
LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

Maddy said...

This sounds like a great book!

Maddy from SC

maddycroneATgmailDOTcom

Pam said...

Wow! What a great beginning! Would love to read the rest!

Pam in OH