THE VACANT HOUSE - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve loved Tamara’s suspense novels. The Vacant House is very different from her other suspense novels I’ve read. It’s a contemporary story with really different kinds of characters. And there are several pets in the story. The plot line is very convoluted with surprises around every corner. She kept me guessing until very late in the story. I like it when a book does that. I’m good at figuring out what’s going on early in a book. Not with this one. You won’t want to miss it.

Welcome back, Tamara. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Forgiveness and redemption are big ones for me. Every book I’ve written has both, to some degree, probably because all of us need redemption from something going on now or in our past, something that continues to haunt us—and that’s where forgiveness comes in, too. The themes are intrinsically woven into the story lines and not spelled out so that the reader walks through them along with the characters. I love writing suspense with a touch of romance!

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My newest book just published, The Vacant House, and I’m working on the second book in this series right now, The New Neighbors. I’m also writing a stand-alone about a man who’s completely lost his way because of the death of someone close to him.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

No question about it, I would love to spend an evening with President Trump. With all his successes, his failures, his endeavors, his children, his family, his choices, I would love to pick his brain!

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’m a history major (and an English major), so history is my thing. There are so many people to choose from! But I’ll tell you that my first thought was President Lincoln. Then my mind started skipping through history, and I’d love to talk to all of them! But I’ll narrow it down to the apostle, Paul. He was on both sides of Christianity, and I’d love to talk to him about his choices, his perspective on Jesus, his perspective on the last 2,000 years.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

I would say, “It’s not always the book’s fault.” I remember reading that Stephen King’s book, Carrie, was rejected 30 times before it was picked up. I would encourage frustrated writers to study, study, study. Years ago, I read a book that completely changed my writing. That book was Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. I highly recommend it. Another book was Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon. Excellent book. And while these frustrated writers are studying their craft, I would encourage them to use what they’ve learned, pay an excellent editor to edit their book, and keep on trying. Never quit. Never stop learning. Never stop putting your work out there.

Tell us about the featured book.

It all begins when best-selling author Sophie O’Brion is the last person to see a murder victim alive. She looks even more guilty when a woman from her church is beaten, and Sophie was seen with her just hours before. Suddenly, people she has known her entire life begin pointing accusing fingers at her.

Marine Master Sergeant Burke Maguire, an old flame who dumped Sophie years ago, has recently been hired as a police officer in Forman Falls, Texas, and is assigned her case. She doesn’t want his help. But as she gets deeper and deeper into trouble, she must rely on him, although trusting him is another matter.

Will they be able to work together, maneuver dangerous twists and turns, and finally clear her name?

A clean romantic suspense novel that grips you from the very beginning and won't let you go! Read The Vacant House today, if you have plans to stay up all night!

Please give us the first page of the book for my blog readers.

Frantic barking woke me.

I’m sure most people would jump out of their beds at such a commotion, hearts pounding, hands shaking as they tried to turn on their flashlights to see what evil had invaded their neighborhood.

But not me.

Calmly, I rolled over and reached for my phone. It was 5:45—the paperman was running a little late. Since I had only about a minute to get downstairs, I tried to muster up a sense of urgency, but another sleepless night left me groggy and irritable and thinking, “Oh, just let him win this time.” But I couldn’t. The fierce warrior rose up inside me, and I tossed the covers, grabbed my robe, slid my tired feet into slippers, and shuffled across my bedroom. My dresser mirror revealed an extra in a zombie movie watching me as I passed by. “You’re up early,” I mumbled to my reflection, ran a hand through my mussed hair, and dreamed of coffee as I stumbled down the stairs toward the front door.

Samson the German Shepherd was racing up my steps with the prize within reach when I grabbed my newspaper and shook it at him. “Ha! Ha! The human wins again.” Even with having to race Samson most mornings, I would never consider switching to the on-line version of our town’s paper. The residents of Forman Falls, Texas, were fiercely proud of the Gazette, and we didn’t want to lose it. Besides, I loved the feel of the newspaper in my hands.

As did my next-door neighbor on my left, Jennie. Usually, she opened her screen door at the same time to get her paper, and we grunted at each other—two cups of coffee, minimum, were necessary for either of us to form meaningful language before sunup. But this morning, the only part of Jennie’s anatomy that appeared was her hand, dropping like a giant spider from the bottom of her door. It hopped around, landed on her newspaper, and both hand and paper disappeared up. When her front door slammed, I glared at Herman Farnsberry’s house across the street.

It appeared my good neighbor Jennie actually believed Mr. Farnsberry’s lies about me. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can write to me at tamaracooperauthor@gmail.com

My website is http://www.AuthorTamaraGCooper.com .

I always like hearing from my readers, with questions and comments.

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Lena!

My pleasure, Tamara.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Vacant House (Sophie O'Brion Mysteries) - Paperback
The Vacant House (Sophie O'Brion Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle

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