Sunday, December 30, 2018

WINNERS!!!!

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

2boyzmommy (NJ) is the winner of The Other Neighbor by Gail Sattler. 

Lourdes (NY) is the winner of An Unexpected Legacy by Amy R Anguish.

Holly (KY) is the winner of The Erie Canal Brides Collection by Sherry Wilson Johnson. 

Sarah (OH) is the winner of Sabotaged Christmas by Carole Brown.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.

Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

RESTORING LOVE: AT CHRISTMASTIME - Bonnie Engstrom - One Free Book (see instructions below)

BIO: Bonnie and her psychologist husband Dave live in Arizona near four of their six grandchildren. The other two live on the beach in Costa Rica where their dad taught them to surf when they were three. They are now ten and eight!                 

They moved to Arizona from California when Taylor (aka Mookie) was born almost fourteen years ago. She will be entering high school next year! Gosh, she’s taller than me!

Life is busy helping Taylor and her three siblings - picking up after school, attending choir and strings concerts and spelling bees. Writing gets squeezed in, sometimes late at night. But, the Engstroms wouldn’t have it any other way.

Welcome back, Bonnie. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
My parents and I visited The Inn at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, every summer for many years. There was a stable then, and it’s the first time I’d ridden a horse. His name was Traveler – gentle and made me want to ride again. He’s in the story. I’ve always thought there was a special story in the historic hotel filled with antique furniture and an old-fashioned ambiance, even so many years ago.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Why do you always ask this difficult question, Lena? Puts me on the spot. I love so many. I think it should be a diverse party, but then if it focuses on romance authors, they would have more in common to share. Maybe more frustrations, too.

Here is my list: Deb Raney (whose books inspired me to write twenty years ago), Alice Arenz (ACFW Carol Award multi-winner), Roger Bruner (whose stories are so unique and inspiring), Darlene Franklin (who inspired me to write my series), Carol Nemeth (great WWII stories and terrific prayer warrior), and you, of course (‘Nuff said?), although we all write different stories. I hope that answers your question. Oops! Can we push it to seven invitees? I want Peg Phifer to attend, too. I love her Someday Christmas Will Come story. Very special.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Sorry, Lena. I hardly ever read historical fiction. I did watch Downton Abbey and The Crown and Victoria, and I love When Calls the Heart – Hallmark series, but with the little time I have to read I usually choose my own genre, contemporary.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Yikes! TIME! Always time sandwiched in between picking up 4 grandchildren whose mother, our daughter, is a single parent who works long hours as the director of a Christian school. I also monitor two online prayer chains, the emails for which I check first every day and throughout the day. Then, when a manuscript is finished, there is the laborious task of editing – which I do between 7 and 11 times. However, I have only published thirteen books, many of them novellas. My stories have been included in several collections, too. But, those are not new stories, just ones that fit into the collections. A new one will come up in late January or early February, Book Eight in my Candy Cane Girls Series.

When I send to my publisher, the most fun is working with her to design the covers. Her covers are outstanding, I get so many compliments about them. You told me once how much you like them. They are always unique and make a statement.

Tell us about the featured book.
Restoring Love at Christmastime has a new lengthened title and bright new cover. When my publisher and I thought about how the story has a Christmas setting we decided to reflect that in a new expanded title. It’s a fun story about two people who had a brief romance as teenagers, but who have grown up and meet again during Christmas at the old hotel. It also won a 5 Star Readers Favorite Award.

Here is the edited blurb:
Why was Jenni taking this journey back in time during the Christmas holidays? Surely, she didn’t expect to see Jake the stable boy. She had moved on from sneaking kisses in the barn after trail rides. He must have, too. Who on earth would stay in the tiny town of Cambridge Springs?

She planned for a respite from teaching, time to read, take quiet walks and indulge in delicious hotel meals. At least no one knew where to find her, none of her friends, and not even her family.

The internet site for Pleasant Springs Hotel highlighted an annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol that guests sometimes played parts in. That sounded like fun. Hopefully some handsome guest would play Scrooge.

Odd the name of the historic hotel had changed. Who would have done that? Maybe new owners. She wanted to soak up memories, alone. Unless by a Christmas miracle Jake was still there to share them.

Can romance still flourish after fifteen years?
Will a teacher and a former stable boy remember their first kiss?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Pleasant Springs!

Jenni’s mouth salivated remembering the tasty meals she’d had here as a young girl. The tiny browned new potatoes and the chef’s signature succulent pork tenderloin popped up as virtual cartoon balloons in her windshield. Then she remembered the extra ten pounds she’d gained. She guided her little rental car up the hill and along the winding two-lane road toward the cupolas of the old hotel. It was still painted white and outlined in dark red. The paned windows looked the same, and the cupolas each retained different distinctive weathervanes on their peaks. A flying goose, an owl and an angel. She thought it was the angel cupola she’d stayed in, or was it under? At the time, she hadn’t contemplated much about it. Now, it seemed significant.

Forcing her mind to move forward, or maybe backward, she wondered about Jake Starfire. Jake had hefted one hundred pound trunks out of the backs of airport limousines with little effort. Always with a smile and a lock of curly ebony hair tumbling over his dark, wide forehead. The last time Jenni visited The Springs with her parents, when it was called The Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs, she was almost sixteen, and Jake was a bellboy. But, oh, what a bellboy he was! So handsome, so personable, so appealing to a vulnerable teenage girl.

Their stolen kiss was the first real kiss she’d ever had. It just happened, no hugging, no touching beforehand; he’d only put his hand on her shoulder when he helped her mount Traveler. But, she had hoped, dreamed, during the five days she was visiting. He smelled so … sexy … a combination of male and horse. When he’d clasped his big hands on her shoulders and pulled her close toward his mouth her first thought was how yellow his teeth were. Did he brush? Ever floss? His breath, would it be horrible? She decided in a second she didn’t care. She wanted this kiss in the worst way and leaned forward. Her hands were out to her sides; all she could concentrate on was Jake’s mouth, his full lips promising ecstasy. As the kiss deepened, she raised her hands to circle them around his neck. Finally, she and Jake both gasped, and he released his grip on her.

The kiss was everything she’d hoped for. She was smitten.

She remembered.

It had happened inside the old-fashioned garage turned stable. Jake had just tethered Traveler and his horse, Firecracker, and led them into their stalls. Both were munching on whatever horses ate. She hadn’t cared what the horses ate when she and Jake perched on hay bales … to talk. Talking never happened, but her body went into overdrive, like that new feature her dad used to have on his ‘57 Plymouth.

The trickling sound of the rain had been soothing, almost mesmerizing, lulling Jenni into dream mode. It was a safe sound; dibble, dribble, pat, pat. No thunder, no lightning. Although that would have added excitement to the moment. No, it was quiet, deep, soft and delicious like Jake’s kiss, in spite of his bad breath.

She wanted this to happen again. But her parents expected her for dinner in the dining room in fifteen minutes.

“Sorry. I have to go. Mom and Dad are waiting. Gotta change.”

“Stay just a few more minutes. Please.”

Shaking her head, her body shaking, too, she raced out of the barn. Stumbling into the hotel entrance and lumbering up the metal stairs, she forced her key in the lock of her room and opened the door. Mom was sitting on the edge of Jenni’s bed.

“Did you have a good time? Ride a horse? Explore?”

She nodded and felt her head rattling. Such deception. Her heart ached deceiving Mom, but she had no other choice. Not yet. Yes, she had explored, but not in a way she could share.

The road seemed so long now. Longer than she’d remembered. But, then, she had just been a child.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love, love, love to communicate with readers via email. It’s fun to chat with them and exchange ideas. They can always reach me at bengstrom@hotmail.com, but be sure to put BOOK in the subject line so they don’t fly off to cyberspace.

I’m excited about my WACKY WEDNESDAY contest on my Facebook author page where I give away prizes every Wednesday. It’s fun and a great way to connect and share. Readers need to go to https://www.facebook.com/bonnieengstromauthor/ to find out the next Wednesday’s prizes and the most current winner. Lots of fun photos there, too, like ones of my own Christmas memories and my Santa-themed house.

They can also sign up for my newsletter on Facebook so when the WACKY WEDNESDAY preview comes out every Monday they will know the latest. Look for it in the left column of my Facebook page.

I am not good at Twitter, can’t figure out how to retweet, but my Twitter handle if anyone wants to see what I occasionally tweet is @BonnieEngstrom1. Good luck!

Thanks so much, Lena, for having me on your special blog. I will give an eBook of Restoring Love at Christmastime. And, for anyone answering this question, they can enter to receive a signed print copy of Restoring Love at Christmastime. Both make great gifts, even belated Christmas giving or a great way to start the New Year.
(Drawing will be random. Not sponsored by this blog.)

Here is the question: What is your favorite Christmas memory?

God Bless!

Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this book with my readers and me. I just started reading my copy.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas Greetings 2018

For all my loyal blog readers, here's my annual Christmas story:

Christmas Redemption Times Two
by Lena Nelson Dooley

Thursday, December 19
Jessica Laren gritted her teeth and held her head high as she made her way out the front door of Cantalamessa’s Gourmet Pizzas and Pasta restaurant in Euless, Texas. Tears filled her eyes making the landscape look like an impressionist painting. She always hated those when she studied art appreciation the only year she was able to attend college. Art should be realistic and beautiful, not like the terrible mess she’d made of her life.

She was able to restrain the first tear from running down her cheeks until she’d cleared the doorway of the eating establishment. Jessica had wanted to be an actress. That’s what she felt like right now. A terrible actress, who had just bombed out in the reviews. This was lower than she’d ever sunk before.
After getting into her car and slamming the door, she grabbed a tissue. While taking a swipe at each cheek, she turned the mirror toward her and ventured a glance at her reflection. Hideous! Just as she expected, the heavy mascara she’d applied this morning now smeared her cheeks and stained the tissue. More tears fell before she was able to get out of the parking lot. She didn’t want anyone to see her with dark splotches on her face.

At least, her husband had let her keep the Mercedes in the divorce settlement. That and her expensive clothing belied the state of her financial affairs. Ha! She didn’t have enough money to call them financial affairs anymore. She was flat broke. Not enough money in her purse to pay the paltry rent on her apartment next week. An apartment she wouldn’t have even considered visiting two months ago. The rundown building was in one of the worst parts of Grapevine, but at least each of the units had an assigned garage. Otherwise, someone would have probably stolen her car, or at least stripped it until it was undrivable.

After she parked in her garage, she took another tissue and wiped as much of the black off her face as she could. Making sure the door was secure, she entered the building and hurried toward the elevator, hoping she wouldn’t have to share it with anyone. Finally, one thing went right for her today. She stepped out of the now empty elevator and reached down to pull off the five-inch heels.

A man must have invented those things. Yes, they made her legs look sexy, and she enjoyed that part, but her feet had taken a beating today. Carrying the shoes dangling from two fingers of her left hand, she dropped in a chair in the hallway. As she rubbed her feet, she noticed a run in her very last pair of silk pantyhose.

“Does everything have to go wrong today?”

She glanced up and down the hallway to see if anyone heard her lament. Another good thing. No one was there. Most of the people who lived in the building worked long hours just to make ends meet. She gave a harsh laugh. She never dreamed she’d end up worse off than the waitress at the coffee shop down the block. At least, that girl was making money, even if Jessica would have considered the amount to be chump change before this last embarrassing event.

When she entered the depressing space that was her apartment, she went straight to the bedroom and fell across the lumpy mattress. After grabbing one of the expensive pillows she brought with her, she released the torrent of tears she’d dammed up. Sobs and anguish filled her room as the tears soaked through the satin pillowcase.

When she awakened later, not even a single ray of sunshine reached the windows of her apartment. She shivered. The bedroom was so cold. Surely the heat wasn’t off again. She walked across the icy linoleum floor and turned on the light so she could check the thermostat. One of the things that helped her choose this apartment was the central heat, but it had been on again, off again the whole two weeks she’d lived here.

Instead of the warm, cozy 74 degrees where she’d set it, the temperature hovered right above 60. As late as it was right now, she knew there wasn’t any chance it would be fixed tonight. She wanted to throw the lamp against the wall and watch it shatter like her life had, but she didn’t have the money to pay for the damages.

After going through her drawers and the closet, she donned three layers of warm clothing. Grabbing two thin blankets off the bed, she then dragged them into the living room, such as it was. Dropping onto the hard couch, she wrapped up and clicked on the TV. Thank goodness, the complex included some kind of cable with the rent, but the TV that was part of the furnishings was so small she had to move it close to the couch, so she could see what was on. The news depressed her so much she searched for something else to watch. A Christmas movie filled the screen. Something to take her mind off her problems. She stopped clicking through the channels.

Leaning back, she pulled the blankets closer around her. Soon she wanted to throw something at the screen. Even though the characters had problems in their lives, they were so much better off than she was. She clicked off the set. Now her only companions were the words that bombarded her thoughts. Failure ... stupid ... ugly ... worthless ... unloveable ... nobody ... nothing... The words came louder and faster in her mind. With each one, she sank lower and lower. Beaten down with no hope. She fell into a restless slumber, but the continued bombardment lived on in her nightmares.

Jessica awakened to someone pounding on the pipes or something. Hopefully the repairman fixing the heat. The walls were so thin, the sounds of someone working on the heating unit could be heard two floors up in her apartment. When she went into her bathroom to clean up, she tested the hot water. Yes! Now she could take a shower and warm up at the same time.

Afterward as she dressed and put on makeup, she remembered what Malcolm MacGregor had told her several times in the past. “Try going to church.” As if that was some magic answer to her problems.

But now she’d hit rock bottom. It wouldn’t hurt to take his advice. She was desperate, and nothing else had helped her.

After she finished, maybe she’d check at that coffee shop and see if she could be a waitress ... or barista ... or something. If not, she just might starve to death. She had to have money for gas and food right away.

An idea struck her, and she went through the pockets of all her coats and found $16. That would help her get some gas. Then she pulled out all her expensive purses, one at a time, and dumped the contents onto the bed. By the time she was finished, she had another $52 in bills and a small mound of change. It all came to almost $100. She had always been careless with money, and it was a good thing right now. But this money wouldn’t last very long, and she had to pay rent again in a week.

~~~~~

Tuesday, December 24
Eric Summerfield arrived at Way of Life Church on Christmas Eve. He hadn’t attended a Candlelight and Carols service since he started college. Last Thursday, something happened that reminded him of his Christian upbringing. His best friend’s father, Maxwell MacGregor, called and asked for help unloading several trucks of toys for children of single-parent families. So he agreed to meet the MacGregor and Cantalamessa families for the service tonight.

He knew how big this church was. He got here early, so he wouldn’t miss them when they arrived. He chose a spot at the far end of the parking lot so less agile people could park closer. He enjoyed the cold weather when the brisk wind died down, and he whistled as he approached the front of the church.

A red Mercedes pulled into a parking space close to the building. A blonde woman stepped out of the car, but he only gave her a passing glance as he continued toward the doors.

“Eric Summerfield, is that you?” The feminine voice sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

He stopped and turned around. “Jessica?”

She sure didn’t look the way Malcolm described her when she approached him at the restaurant a few days ago. Evidently, something had happened to her in the meantime.

When she reached him, he held out his elbow to escort her inside. “How are things going?”

She smiled at him. “Lots better. I’ve been having a rather hard time. Then I remembered Malcolm told me several times that I should try church. I thought that was just so much religious mumbo jumbo. But I decided to take  his advice. I came here Sunday. After the service, I really didn’t understand everything that happened, but somehow I felt a sense of hope, and I met an older single lady who offered me a job as live-in help for her. I came back for the Christmas Eve service to see if I could learn more about where this hope came from.”

He held the front door open for her. “I’m sure you will.”

This story is about two of the minor characters in my Christmas novel The 12 Gifts of Christmas. These events don’t appear in the novel.

© Copyright 2018, Lena Nelson Dooley 

Here's out Christmas letter"

Dooley Doings - 2018

Dear Family and Special Friends,

2018 has been a busy year with lots of ups and a few downs in it. I am truly sorry if you received this after Christmas. I intended to get it out before the first of December.

James and I are doing good for our ages. He turned 79 in August, and I was 76 in November. We’re active and enjoying life. He’s still volunteering both at 6 Stones ministry and at the church. He’s a greeter at the campus where we attend church almost every Sunday. And he greets at the main campus two Saturdays of the month.

When school started this fall, Holden, Marissa and Jac’s oldest son, started Pre-K. The family members help by picking him up after school each day, so he won’t have to go to daycare. James picks him up one day.

A while back, his grandmother Jennifer made a video of her asking Holden questions. She likes to do that, because you never know what his answers will be. She asked him what’s his favorite thing about school. He told her it was Tuesdays. She thought he didn’t understand so she asked him another time or two. He kept saying Tuesdays. She asked him why and he told her it was because Grandpa James picks him up. James always takes him to Chick-fil-a. When he’s finished eating, he gets to have something chocolate. Then he and James watch kid’s TV programs. He’s pretty tired from playing in the Chick-fil-a playground before they come home.

I also volunteer at church. I lead a ladies’ mentoring group and volunteer in the church bookstore at the main campus two Saturdays per month. In January, I was the speaker for a Christian Writers group in Woodway, which is beside Waco. It was the best speaking engagement I’ve had. I spoke twice and they bought almost every book I took to sell. I knew they were videoing the sessions, but I didn’t realize that they would be professional quality. So I have videos available for anyone who wants to hear some of my teaching.

Last year, I only wrote one book and had one book release. This year, I wrote three books between January 1 and the end of July. The books released in September and November.

~~~

Jennifer and Eric went on a cruise in the Caribbean in October to celebrate their anniversary. They had a good time.

This year, Jac and Marissa have added another ornament on the Dooley family tree. Actually, Everly was born on May 2, and she stole everyone’s heart that day.

Marissa's brother Austin is driving for Grubhub.

Amanda just returned from New Hampshire where she met her boyfriend’s family for the first time. I hope she saw snow. You know we don’t get much of that where we live.

~~~

Early in the year, Roger had stomach bypass surgery, and he recovered quickly. Within the first few days he was able to go off a lot of his medicines for diabetes. Now he has lost about 80 pounds, and he’s looking good.

Back in late May and early June, Roger and the rest of the family were scared when Marilyn passed out at work. She was in the hospital four times in about three and a half  weeks before they found out what was causing her problems. Praise the Lord, she’s fully recovered from that.

Tim and Katie will present us with the next precious blessing either late this month or early in January. We are eagerly awaiting the birth of their son. The tribe is growing.

~~~

I talked to my friend, Rita Booth, in early December right after the Leadership Christmas Party at the church campus where we attend. She said I should put this in my Christmas letter.

Last year and this year, they’ve had a Wacky Tacky party. Last year, a number of people dressed up, but James and I only put on some Christmas things. This year, we both dressed up much more. He wanted to win an award for his costume. He chose a Christmas one-piece pajama that looked like a chimney, with a fireplace on the front. The lights surrounding the fireplace blinked. And there were stockings and tinsel on the mantel. There were a lot of surprised faces when we entered the building. It seemed out of character to many people. But he did win the Holiday Haberdashery 2018 Award along with a sash and a crown.

We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2019.

Another gift for you is the link to a Christmas special in New York City:

http://davidjeremiah.org/NYC

Sunday, December 23, 2018

WINNERS!!

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

Venette (TN) is the winner of frozen Notes by Fay Lamb. 

Melanie (TX) is the winner of Flying Fossils by Lynne Gentry.

If you won a book and you like it, please consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. Reviews are such a blessing to an author.

Also, tell your friends about the book you won ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations
, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.


If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

SABOTAGED CHRISTMAS - Carole Brown - One Free Book


Bio: Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in Southeast Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Welcome back, Carole. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Sometimes an article, a story line, a thought or even a suggestion or remark from someone will trigger an idea for a story.

Several years ago I wrote three romance novels at the bidding of my agent, but shelved them after they didn't go anywhere. Later, when one of my editors asked if I had a certain type of book, I rewrote them into romance/mysteries.

I wanted to create a small town setting focusing on three friends, their love lives and personal mysteries for each of them. I wanted readers to feel the atmosphere, the warmth and coziness of a tight-knit community. So when a reviewer declared the book made her want to move to Appleton, I knew I'd succeeded.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Mary Ellis, Tamera Kraft, Michelle Levigne, Ted Dekker, Rachel Hauck, and Linda Rondeau

They are people I admire. Some of them have reviewed or endorsed my books, and I'm glad to call them my friends or acquaintances.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Sandra Merville Hart, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Louis LaMour (deceased, I know, but his settings!...) and Linda Matchett. Accomplished, interesting and talented authors who've captured my attention and interest.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Time. This year has been a very busy one, and I've had to adjust several projects to fit into my schedule. Writing is important to me, but sometimes family and other things have to take precedence.

Perseverence, and determination to never quit, even if a short break is called for, keeps me going.

Tell us about the featured book.
Sabotaged Christmas is the first book in my Appleton, West Virginia Romantic Mystery series. Each one is half romance/half mystery.

It started out to be a three-book series about three friends, the men in their lives, and the mystery. It's now expanded to include, not only the three female friends, but three men living in Appleton, West Virginia, making it a planned six book series with the setting in Appleton. To date, four books have been published. The fifth one, titled The Golden Touch, has a future date planned.

Here's the blurb for Sabotaged Christmas:
Toni DeLuca, the Italian owner of DeLuca Construction, finds herself confronted with doubts about her father and his possible deceptions—all because of the mysterious pink notes she's been receiving.

Relations with Perrin Douglas who has a troubling history—but the first man in years who's interested her—is building to a peak. Yet Perrin's own personal problems and his doubts about women and God, keep getting in the way.

Gossip, a Spanish proposal, an inheritance, and a sabotaged construction business may ruin Christmas for Toni's employees as well as her own happiness.

Will a mysterious person succeed in pulling off the biggest scam Appleton, West Virginia, has ever seen? And will this culprit destroy Toni's last chance at happiness with the man of her dreams?

Buy Link:

Please give us the first page of the book.
Antonietta DeLuca’s glance probed the dark shadows in the front yard of the Wisecup job.
The streetlight lit up the orange-leafed maple tree, setting it on fire. The tree limbs dipped and swayed to the whispering music from the autumn wind. Fallen leaves crackled to the left of the empty house she faced. Something moved, and Toni shifted to stare at the spot.

With a screech, two cats shot past her and crossed the street, yowling like demons in the night.

Hands shaking, Toni glared at the scattering offenders and leaned against the mailbox, dragging in deep breaths.

She shouldn’t have come by herself, but she’d never worried about that before. Her supervisor had begged her to avoid lonely places by herself. Yet she’d needed to do the final inspection of the repairs before signing off on one of their last big projects of the year. With Christmas coming and a long winter ahead, that meant money in her pocket and her employees’ pockets.

Drawing in another deep breath, she started up the sidewalk and pulled from her pocket the key to the house. The lock clicked, and a faint, far-off shuffle brushed against her senses.

Head cocked, she listened. Had that sound come from inside the house?

Nice hook! How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Carole, for sharing this book with us. I’ve really enjoyed every book of yours that I’ve read. I’m eager to read this one.

Readers, 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:

Thursday, December 20, 2018

BRIDGE BETWEEN US (THE ERIE CANAL BRIDES COLLECTION) - Sherri Wilson Johnson - One Free Book

Bio: Sherri Wilson Johnson is a multi-published Inspirational Romance novelist, speaker, and virtual assistant. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is passionate about writing and publishing. Sherri has been published in The Erie Canal Brides (Barbour Books), 101 Simple Ways to Show Your Husband You Love Him by Kathi Lipp (Harvest House), Powerline 365 by Nicole O'Dell (Choose NOW Ministries), Open Hearts Family: Connecting with One Another by Jane Seymour (Running Press, Hachette Book Group), The Writing Academy’s Daily Devotions for Writers, and several homeschool publications. She is the author of six inspirational romances which she independently published.

She lives in Georgia with her husband and her spoiled dog. She loves spending time with her adult children and friends or curling up with a good book or her current work-in-progress. Sherri enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles in the winter, watching Bob Ross painting videos (although she can't paint), and counts the days every year until she can take another trip to the beach. You can find Sherri on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Welcome, Sherri. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I like to write about forgiveness, redemption, and grace.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Just this one! But I am working on an Indie contemporary romantic suspense that I may publish in 2019 if I get it finished!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Author Carrie Turansky. She's such a sweet and Godly woman who has always been so kind to answer questions about writing and about life struggles. I've met her twice briefly, but I would love to spend some time with her over a cup of tea.

Carrie is one of my special friends, too. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I would love to meet my great-great-grandmother who came over on a boat from Sweden and started her family here.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Keep at it! It could be that your writing still needs work or it could be that it's not the right time for your story. Just keep working on projects and submitting queries. You never know when that yes will come. And maybe your story is meant to be Indie published!  ;)

Tell us about the featured book.
My next release is The Erie Canal Brides Collection: 7 Romances Develop Along Manmade Waterways of New York and Ohio. The ebook releases January 1st and the print version releases in March.

Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, and soon other states like Ohio created canals linking Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Suddenly the Midwest was open to migration, the harvesting of resources, and even tourism. Join seven couples who live through the rise of the canals and the problems the waterways brought to each community, including land grabs, disease, tourists, racism, and competition. Can these couples hang on to their faith and develop love during times of intense change?

My story is titled The Bridge between Us. Here is the blurb:
Susannah Higley is the daughter of sawmill owner Chauncey Higley. Since losing her fiancé to the railroad and his quest for gold, she has focused on her bookkeeping job with her father’s company, declaring never to love again. Susannah almost loses her life when the Albion, New York Main Street bridge collapses on opening day of the county fair, sending her and hundreds of others into the Erie Canal. When John Hawkins, returning from years away in New York City, saves her from drowning, Susannah finds herself drawn to him despite her opposition to love.

Although John doesn’t plan to stay in Albion a day longer than it takes him to complete his business, he’s as captivated by Susannah’s beauty and intelligence as he was seven years ago, before his family left town over an unresolved feud between their grandfathers. Susannah’s loyalty to her grudge-holding father is weakened while her empathy for John grows as he works to clear his family’s name of the shame associated with it. Can she trust a man whose mission is to finish what their grandfathers started thirty years earlier? If so, will her confidence in John destroy her family or will it save it?

Please give us the first page of the book.
The aroma of boiled peanuts and fried dough traveled along the crisp September breeze and tickled Susannah Higley’s nose as exhilaration over the day’s events delighted her heart. She had never experienced a Wednesday like this in all her twenty-three years. Waiting for the results of the wax flower contest and hoping a blue ribbon and prize money would be hers, she stood on the three-arched, iron Main Street bridge with hundreds of other townsfolk ready for the tightrope artist from Brockport to walk across the Erie Canal. Susannah adjusted her white crepe bonnet and stuffed in a few unruly curls then sighed. The fearless young man would do on this fall day what she could never imagine mustering the courage to do. For months, she had lived under the shadow of abandonment. Richard had declared his love for her, but when she had refused to go to California on a quest for gold, he hopped on a train and broke her heart.

Although she longed for unforgettable experiences, eloping and leaving behind her widowed father was not among them. She should have known entertaining the idea of love with a drifter who had worked his way to Albion on boats traveling the canal would not be wise. Since Richard’s departure, Susannah had devoted her time to Pa’s sawmill as the bookkeeper, a position Mama held before her passing. Once she balanced the ledgers and completed the household chores each day, Susannah fashioned flowers from wax and dreamed of one day sharing her creations with merchants in New York City. The black metal box containing her patterns, brushes, tints, and wax was the last gift Mama gave her. Every time she formed the red roses, yellow geraniums, and purple and white violets from wax Mama had loved so much, she felt her presence. Winning a ribbon at the Orleans County Fair not only increased her chances of someone discovering her but would also confirm to her this pastime brought as much joy to others as it did to her. The long-awaited day was finally here.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Sherri, for sharing this collection with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.
The Erie Canal Brides Collection  - Christianbook.com
The Erie Canal Brides Collection: 7 Romances Develop Along Manmade Waterways of New York and Ohio - Amazon Paperback
The Erie Canal Brides Collection: 7 Romances Develop Along Manmade Waterways of New York and Ohio - 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:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

AN UNEXPECTED LEGACY - Amy R Anguish - One Free Book

Bio: Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Welcome, Amy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.   
Unfortunately, my characters mostly get my weaknesses (like a lack of faith or a struggle to forgive or even mistrust) and a dose of sarcasm and flippant remarks.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? 
I had hot pink streaks put into my hair a year before my daughter was born. It wasn’t something I had ever thought I would do, but I just decided to do something different ... and I loved it.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?      
I have always loved to read. When I had a teacher in middle school who wrote, it sort of dawned on me that I COULD write, you know? Before that, authors were unreachable. When I met one in real life, it made it seem more achievable.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.         
I love Christian romance (both contemporary and historical) as well as fantasy. But I have also expanded lately to read other books, as well, including several devotional and inspirational books, which really got me thinking and stretching.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?         
One word: tea. Okay, maybe that’s not my only way to keep my sanity. Seriously, though, a cup of hot tea does me good. As does my stash of chocolate. I try to read the Bible through each year. And make sure I make it to worship and Bible study every time I can to keep me grounded. I make time for friends away from my children. And I read.

How do you choose your characters’ names?       
Sometimes, they come to me. I start thinking about the plot, and BAM! The name just appears in my head and I know it’s right. Other times, I run through a list of names I like and pick one that won’t be too similar to other characters in the same book.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?         
Being a mommy.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?        
I think I might like to be a bear. Hibernation sounds wonderful this time of year.

What is your favorite food?
Chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce! Mmmm. Although margherita pizza is a definite second.

My granddaughter and I will be making Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas for the whole family for our Christmas celebration. It’s a tradition in our family. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?           
Probably my greatest roadblock is not letting the reader get into my characters’ heads enough. I am great at dialogue, but not always great at giving insights between the talking scenes. I try to go back and really focus on that more as I edit, finding places I can deepen, add emotion, or even inner dialogue. I also have great friends who are good at telling me which scenes need more, when they read it before it gets submitted to a publisher.

Tell us about the featured book.    
In An Unexpected Legacy, Jessica and Chad meet at a smoothie shop and quickly start to fall in love. As they get to know each other, they discover their families are from the same town ... and that an old family secret has kept others apart in the past. They have to uncover the past before they can make sure their relationship will last into the future.

Please give us the first page of the book.  
Here’s the prologue for my book:
1978
“Don’t even think about it.”

Sandy stared across the room at Rob’s eyes. Spellbinding. The brightest shade of blue she had ever seen. “About what?”

Ruth stepped between Sandy and her view. “That boy.”

“Which one?” Sandy asked, although she had a guess. She trailed her finger along the snack table, reached for a pretzel as a way to get a better view. His new letterman jacket hung loosely on his lean frame, his long fingers playing with the edge of his Bible as he stood talking to several other boys in the youth group.

Ruth turned Sandy to look at her. “You know which one. That Manning boy. That family’s no good.”

“How can you say that?”

Ruth huffed. “Are you coming or not?” She motioned toward the door. “Daddy’s waiting in the car.”

Sandy intentionally walked around the table in the opposite direction of her older sister so she could get a little closer to Rob as she left. Her heart sped up a bit as she wondered what it would feel like to have her hand in place of his Bible. He looked up, noticed her stare, and gave her a grin before she could duck her head.

Ruth caught up and nudged Sandy again as she slowed down. “Do you know where they’re living?”

“In the old Potter house.” Sandy frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Ruth opened her mouth, as if to say something, then shook her head. “Just leave him alone, Sandy. He’s no good for you. You’re going to end up with your heart broken.”

“Don’t be silly, Ruthie.” Sandy pushed the door open. “I’m going to marry that boy.”

Good opening. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, Amy, for sharing this book with my readers and me. I’m eager to read it, and I know they are, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.
An Unexpected Legacy - Paperback
An Unexpected Legacy - 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:

Monday, December 17, 2018

THE OTHER NEIGHBOR - Gail Sattler - One Free Book

Bio: To sum myself up, I am a wife, mother, writer, and musician, and the order of those things will depend on what day it is. Friends tell me that I lead a busy life, and I suppose that’s probably true. Yet, even above all my music affiliations (jazz band and string orchestra), writing is my passion. I remember the first book I wrote, back in middle school – on a clackety old manual typewriter. It was uniquely based on a pre-teen girl named… Gail… and her 3 best friends, all of whom shared the same names as my own best friends. Despite dangers and unknown perils, we raced against time following cryptic clues to seek a precious treasure in a haunted mansion before the ghosts, police, and relatives of the deceased owner of the house caught and locked us in the damp, dreary cellar until we perished. I can’t remember if we found the treasure, but I have to assume we did. After all, I’m here to tell about it.

My writing has changed a lot since then (PTL!) Now I write romantic comedy, and most of the books I’ve written in the last few years are part of a series. I love to continue a story, to make a new book with the story of a minor character from a previous story.

When I’m not writing, I love to take pictures. My primary targets, I mean volunteers, are usually my family, pets, friends, and bandmates.

Welcome back, Gail. Why did you become an author?
I was working full time, evening shift while my husband worked day shift so we didn't have to put our kids in daycare. When my youngest was about two years old I was laid off, and I decided that while I was off I would catch up on a long lost enjoyment that I hadn't had time for - reading. While I was reading voraciously, I read one book that was really bad, and thought I could do better. So when the kids were napping, I got on my husband's computer and started writing. I can say I did not do better, and that first book I wrote has long since hit that great delete button in the sky. But it got me started. I joined some writing groups and learned everything about the craft, and my first published book sold on my 40th birthday. I haven't looked back since.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
Musician. I play piano, acoustic string bass, and electric bass. I play in 3 bands, but none of them make enough money that I can't say I have any income from them, I do it for fun.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
No other time in history appeals to me. The only historical book I've written was in the depression era and I definitely wouldn't want to live then. I love our modern technology and the computer age.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
I'm Canadian, but I have traveled more in the USA than I have in Canada. One place I have not been that I would love would be Disney World in Florida. Reasons are obvious, I think. J

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
Rather than a foreign country, both me and my husband would like to take a Mediterranean cruise and visit the ports along the ship's sailing route.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
To be happy with what I've got.

A very good lesson to learn. That gives us a thankful heart toward God. Tell us about the featured book.
The Other Neighbor is based on a true story. Years ago my husband owned and ran a web design business. He got a strange phone call about one of his customers one day. We later figured out it was the FBI finding a little bit more about him, and if we were involved with him in any way (which we weren't except for designing his website). This fellow owned and operated a hydroponics store - back when marijuana was not legal anywhere. But this wasn't about the plants, it was about the fertilizer - because it could be used to make bombs. First the owner disappeared, then the business closed, owing us a lot of money in unpaid bills. Then we read in the paper that the owner had been arrested for a plot to plant and detonate a series of bombs along the Alaska Pipeline.

My husband I have joked that we hope this book helps us break even with the money we lost when his ex-customer didn't pay his bills and went bankrupt.

Back cover blurb
Cheryl Richardson doesn’t know that her landlord who owns the other half of the duplex where she lives is plotting to build a bomb—but the FBI does. In order to discover what her landlord is planning to blow up, agent Steve Gableman moves next door to get closer to Cheryl to learn what she knows, namely the target and motive, so they can stop it. But when Steve involves himself in every area of her life, including her dog, will Cheryl be the one to explode?

Please give us the first page of the book.
When he first joined the FBI, Steve Gableman had anticipated a life of action and intrigue. International espionage. Secret missions. Dangerous liaisons. But this wasn’t one of them. After the fallout from his last assignment, he’d been downgraded. Just surveillance.

Although, he couldn’t complain. It wasn’t often an agent got running water with indoor plumbing on a stakeout, much less a whole house with comfortable furniture, a full fridge, and not a rodent in sight.

An elderly lady had called the FBI’s tip line after a bomb threat at her grandson’s school, saying the teen tried his luck on the Internet to see how difficult, or easy, it would be to build a bomb. While researching, the boy read a post from Jeff Schuster, the owner of a hydroponics store, also asking questions on building a bomb and then planting one. Except, unlike the boy, Schuster’s enquiries were serious. The FBI sent a mole into Schuster’s store, confirming that Jeff Schuster was indeed collecting the components to construct a bomb.

However, so far they hadn’t uncovered his target or his timeline.

When the FBI began their surveillance of Schuster’s home, they’d observed a group of four men who visited him at least three times a week, using different cars on rotation. They came and went quietly, returned a few days later in a different car, and the cycle repeated.

Schuster’s cohorts were quite an eclectic group. A couple of them had prison records, and only one had a real job. Steve’s team had a number of good leads, and they were following them.

Then there was Schuster’s neighbor, Cheryl Richardson, in the other half of Schuster’s duplex. Every second day, Schuster quietly knocked on her door and gave her a bag of unknown contents from his store. She always accepted it then quickly went back inside.

It had taken a month, but Steve finally managed to discover the contents of the bags.

Tomatoes. Grown in his hydroponics store to demonstrate his equipment.

She wasn’t helping Schuster make a bomb. She was making salad. His surveillance of her showed that other than accepting the unknown bags from Schuster, she led a clean and relatively boring life. She was a florist. She went to church faithfully. The highlight of her week was taking her small, fluffy dog to the library.

Tonight, here he sat, alone in a dark house, documenting the cleanest suspect he’d ever had the misfortune to be assigned. His report concluded that Cheryl Anne Richardson had no part in the operation. He could now re-join his team to research the real suspect.

He checked the monitors one more time. He'd planted two surveillance cameras to watch her, both planted in his own yard, so he had visual, but not audio. The camera in the front caught both Cheryl and Schuster's front doors in front of the duplex, allowing both Steve and his team, depending on who was on duty to watch, to capture images of who came and went. The second was mounted on a tree in his back yard, for now aimed both rear patio doors which exited to the shared porch. Cheryl Richardson had gone back in the house, and the pattern of lights turning off showed that she’d gone to bed.

He would complete his report in the morning.

His head had barely touched the pillow when his monitor beeped. Steve grumbled and trudged to his display to see what she was doing. The panel indicated movement, so he flipped on the view screen. The sliding door to the back yard was open. Cheryl stood in the gap, bundled in her housecoat. He turned the camera remotely, to watch the same thing that he did every night at this same time. Her fuzzy little dog made his way to a tree in the middle of the back yard, did his business, and hobbled back into the house.

Steve nearly groaned. The most exciting thing the woman had done in twenty-four hours was let the dog out.

When the door closed, he reached to aim the camera back at the house, and then he'd turn off the monitor. His finger had begun its downward path to press the button when the light on the motion detector flashed again. He froze. He couldn’t see what, but something in the yard had moved, and it wasn’t her dog.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Amazon.com - just type my name - Gail Sattler - for a list of all my books

Thank you, Gail, for sharing this new book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.
The Other Neighbor

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: