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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:

16 comments:

  1. sounds like a interesting book! Shelia from Mississippi

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  2. Sounds like a great book Thank you for the chance Sarah from Waterloo, Ohio!

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  3. Hi, Shellie! Thanks for commenting, and I hope you get the chance to read my book!

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  4. Hi, Sarah! Nice to see you on here! I hope you get the chance to read the book!

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  5. I'd love to read this!
    Beth from Iowa

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  6. This sounds like it could get really interesting. Linda in CA

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  7. Oh, this sounds like an intriguing page turner! Caroline, you are a new author to me. Thank you for sharing your work. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

    Robin in NC

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  8. What a wonderful concept to mix romance and mystery! "SABOTAGED CHRISTMAS" by Carole Brown sounds like an amazing book and fills that bill to a tee. Read the first page and have plce this book on my TBR list with hopes of having the opportunity to reading it very soon. Love the cover!
    Kay Garrett from Mountain View, AR
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  9. Illinois
    Welcome Carol. Ohh, this sounds like a page turner. The first page whets the appetite.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  10. Definitely interested in this book! I live in New Jersey. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  11. Sounds like a must read!
    Melanie Backus, TX

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  12. Looks like another great book by Carole Brown would love to win.

    Lourdes Long Island, NY

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  13. Vivian Furbay3:01 AM

    Very interesting synopsis! Vivian Furbay of CO jtandviv (at) q (dot) com

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  14. Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
    Conway SC.

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  15. Very intriguing! Thanks for sharing.
    Connie from Kentucky
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. sounds good! Shelia from MS

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