PLAY ME BACK HOME IN TEXAS - Connie Lewis Leonard - One Free Book

Welcome back, Connie. What are some of the spiritual themes you write about?

All of my books contain the message of redemption. I didn’t set a goal to write about redemption, but it happened every time. Perhaps that is because, as a teacher and pastor’s wife, I have known many people who have been beat up by life and wounded by church people. These people need to know that God loves them always and forever. No matter where they are, what they’ve done, or what has been done to them, Christ is calling them to Him. Another recurring theme in my books is hope. As long as there is life, there is hope for things to be better. For Christians, our greatest hope is the promise of eternal life.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

The next book is the fourth in my In Texas series. It’s titled Hidden Away Somewhere in Texas. I try to publish one book a year, but sometimes life gets in the way. I spent over two years on my first novel, Big C, little c. I had begun writing it, and did some major revisions while going through Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman Course. I’ve had the basic story idea of Hidden Away floating around in my head for about thirty years. Hopefully it will be available before the end of 2020.

If you could spend an evening with a contemporary person, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Franklin Graham and listen to him. He is a godly man who is aware of worldly issues. I would love to participate in one of his humanitarian mission trips.

What historical person would you like to meet and why?

Annie Oakley was my hero when I was growing up. She was an amazing little lady. She overcame adversity and worked hard to help provide for her family. She was humble and made all her own costumes. She generously donated so underprivileged children would have more opportunities than she had. She achieved great success in a man’s world, while still preserving her femininity.

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

Stay true to your calling. If writing is a calling from God, then keep writing. If you have a story to tell, write it and share it. I knew I wanted to write from the time I was in the eighth grade. I always knew I would write someday—someday when the kids were grown, someday when I retired. A potentially terminal cancer diagnosis showed me the reality that someday may never come. I started writing, going to workshops and conferences, and pitching my work. I kept hearing, “This is good, but . . .” I was discouraged, but God spoke to my heart while attending an outdoor concert. It was like He said, “Look at these people. They are not rich and famous, but they are talented. They enjoy sharing their talents, and the audience enjoys listening to them.” So I decided to Indie publish Big C, little c. I am not rich and famous, but I love what I’m doing. I haven’t even tried to publish my In Texas books with a traditional publisher. It’s rewarding to have people tell me how much they loved my book and can’t wait for the next one.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here’s the back cover blurb.

What if the things you left behind are better than you remembered,

better than you ever imagined?

Thirty years ago LeAnn Kane left the dust and dirt of West Texas behind, vowing never to return. After a successful career with the Chicago Symphony, now she’s running back home—running for her life. While hiding from a murderer, the last person she expects to see is her high school sweetheart, her first and only love. His laughter sounds better than any melody she could play on her violin. His smile, as smooth as butter on hot cornbread, melts her insides, tempting her to stay in Texas. But her life is in Chicago—or is it?

 Donald Howard worked hard to rise above the back-breaking work of the oil fields. The sought-after success hasn’t brought happiness or fulfillment. His failed marriage to a Houston socialite didn’t help, either. Seeing LeAnn again brings back the raw emotion of his first love, his innocent love, his trusting love, full of fantasies and hopes. After thirty years of telling himself he hated her, his heart betrays him. Or maybe he has betrayed his heart all these years. She’s dead set on returning to Chicago. He’s going with her—even if it kills him.

Young love first love, too young then to know what they had. If they survive the dangers of December, can their love blossom and grow into their forever and ever love?

Hang on to your hats for a rollercoaster ride in this contemporary Christian romantic suspense filled with danger, doubt, and deliverance.

I’m reading your book right now and loving it. Please give us the first page for my blog readers.

Prologue

Thirty years ago, “Texas in My Rearview Mirror” was my theme song. I couldn’t wait to get away from the dust and dirt and wind of the West Texas ranch where I grew up. Our grandparents raised my younger brother Richard and me. They were so old fashioned, strict no-drinking, no-dancing Baptists. I blamed them for my mama running off with a country western band and leaving us behind when our daddy died in some freak airplane crash.

Then our momma was killed in an automobile accident. I was mad at the world. The only thing that made me happy was playing the fiddle. The gift of music was one good thing our grandparents did for us. They actually did a lot of good things. They loved us, provided for us, protected us from the “wicked ways of the world.” They tried to teach us right from wrong: honesty, dependability, and hard work. Yes, lots of hard work. I hated mucking stalls, gathering eggs, hoeing weeds in the family garden just so I could help my grandmother shell peas, snap beans, shuck corn, and sweat to death canning.

Violin was my ticket out of Texas. All my teachers told me I was gifted. The professors at Texas Tech, who taught summer clinics and gave me private lessons, bragged on me and built my ego up higher than the clear blue sky high above the Caprock. I thought I was hot stuff—better than my naturally talented grandfather, better than my brother Richard, but not quite as good as my mama who played background on a couple of records.

I already had my sights set on a scholarship to The Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts when I met Donald Howard. In our little school, new students stood out, but he would stand out anywhere he went. I had heard about weak knees and butterflies in the belly, but I never believed it until I saw him—tall, broad shouldered, rugged, muscular, and manly. His smile, as smooth as butter on hot cornbread, melted my insides. His laughter sounded better than any melody I could play on my violin. He led our six-man football team to a district championship, which made him the hero of the feed store and café domino-playing groups.

He invited me to go to the Homecoming Dance, but my grandparents wouldn’t allow it. Donald started coming to church so they would let us go to Pat’s for a hamburger and coke. The first time he kissed me, lightning lit up the Sunday afternoon sky like a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Thunder shook the ground like a 5.0 magnitude earthquake—the energy nearly sucking me under. And I knew I was in love. For two years I was happy. I almost understood how my mamma could run off and leave her own babies for love. Almost.

How can authors find you on the internet?

I am most active on Facebook. Visit me at Connie Lewis Leonard, author Facebook page.

I have a book launch page: Play Me Back Home in Texas Facebook group, which has some fun discussions about the book. I have a blog in my webpage: http://connielewisleonard.webs.com/

Thank you, Connie, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I know they’ll love it as much as I am.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Play Me Back Home In Texas - Paperback
Play Me Back Home In Texas - 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, 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:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com