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Monday, July 13, 2020

ONLY A GLIMPSE - LuAnn K Edwards - One Free Book

Welcome, LuAnn. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Only A Glimpse is my debut novel. In writer’s conferences I’ve attended, I was told to write what you know. I know myself, so I’d say I’m like my main character, Keedryn. There are differences, but our personalities are similar along with the desire to do our best for God. She loves her family and wants to be a blessing to others, as I do.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
On a long car trip two years ago, my teenage daughter and her best friend wrote a song they wanted to record from the back seat of our car. My husband and I used one of our phones and videotaped our daughter as she played her ukulele, and she and her friend sang. Because we had the phone propped up front, hubby and I were also in the recording. We laughed a lot and recorded several takes of their silly song about animals before they got through it without messing up.

That sounds like fun. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Writing a novel has been my heart’s desire for as long as I can remember. In elementary school, I wrote my first story called, “The Dog That Had Kittens.” (I understood nothing about genetics.) In college, I enjoyed my creative writing class and answering essay questions. My love for writing continued to grow, but I didn’t write regularly until six years ago when I was encouraged to write a monthly blog post for my church. That led to writers’ conferences, critique groups, a writing coach, and Only A Glimpse.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My favorite genres to read are Christian contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, and women’s fiction. I also enjoy reading books that teach me how to improve my writing.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I start each day in God’s Word and prayer. I can’t survive in this world without Him. In addition, I’ve been working hard at getting outdoors more to enjoy the sunshine and to walk. When the weather is nice, I enjoy sitting on my back-porch swing and reading a clean romance.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
My heroine in Only A Glimpse is named after a woman I met a few years ago. Her kindness and generosity made a great impression upon me. I named another character after a person on a television show my daughter watched when she was younger. For a few names, I researched popular baby names for a particular year.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family is my greatest accomplishment, although the Lord gets more credit than I do. My husband helped with that too. He and I married forty-five years ago, and we have three children and three grandchildren.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A blue heron. Their graceful flight, smooth landing, long neck, and their love for water make them beautiful to me.

What is your favorite food?
I have two. I thought pizza was the worst food anyone could eat until I tried my first piece in seventh grade. We never ate it at home, but one day in the school cafeteria, I gave in and ate a slice because I’d forgotten my lunch. I loved it, and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. My other favorite is chocolate ice cream. I don’t think I need to give any explanation there. It’s chocolate and it’s ice cream!

Chocolate is my favorite ice cream flavor, too. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock was getting my first book published. I took advice from the people I approached in the publishing industry and revised my book as they suggested. I kept persisting in my search for an agent/publisher until I found one who said “Yes.”

Tell us about the featured book.
Only A Glimpse released in early March and is the first novel in a three-book Christian contemporary romance series called Love Comes Again. Keedryn Reynolds is a widow and executive assistant to Blake Conner, a great-looking boss, but the anguish in his heart hides his better qualities. Keedryn wants to work hard and do her best for God, but Blake can’t find anything positive to say about her work. Although she’s not interested in romance, she would like a better working relationship with him. She feels led to share God’s love and realizes she’s sharing hers too.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Mid-September
Nashville, Tennessee
My boss, Blake Conner, flung open his office door a few minutes before 1:30 p.m. and stormed toward me with a scowl on his face. I peeked behind me and back at him. He planted his hands on the edge of my desk. I stood and braced myself for one of his daily onslaughts.

“These minutes are inadequate.”

I flinched at the sternness of his voice.

He straightened and slid a sheet of paper toward me. “You attended the meeting. Didn’t you? Incorporate these edits and get them correct this time.” He plopped the remaining pages onto my desk. “They must go out soon. I don’t appreciate your making me appear incompetent. You should know that by now.”
I glanced toward our suite door when Chad Warren, our president, entered. To my relief, he frowned at my boss and not me. Chad stared at Mr. Conner and nodded toward Conner’s office.

The two men hurried inside and shut the door. I stood at my desk with my mouth open. What was his problem? I couldn’t have messed up that much. As an administrative professional, I’d taken thorough notes for twenty years. I knew how to take minutes. But I hated to think I caused my manager trouble with our president. Would Conner be fired like the VP in Legal last week? I put my hand on my chest. Or were they discussing my termination since I seemed to bring my boss so much anxiety? I knew he’d try to convince Chad that I was incompetent.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
To learn more about my Love Comes Again book series, please check out my website at www.luannkedwards.com.

If you’d like to connect, I’d love to hear from you!
Website’s contact page: https://www.luannkedwards.com/take-action

Thank you, LuAnn, for sharing your debut novel with my blog readers and me. I look forward to reading the rest of it.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Only a Glimpse: Christian contemporary romance (Love Comes Again) - Paperback
Only a Glimpse: Christian contemporary romance (Love Comes Again Book 1) - 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.)

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10 comments:

  1. This sounds like a story I would enjoy reading. The cover is pretty. Linda in SoCal

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  2. Sounds like a good read!
    Melanie Backus, TX

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  3. Hi, Linda! I'm glad you like the story idea and the cover. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Hi, Nancy! I love roses and they play an important part in the book series. Thank you for your comment!

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  5. Hi, Melanie! Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment!

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  6. Hello from WV. I would love to read. Thank you for the chance.

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  7. Hi, Lucy! My mom called me Lucy, and my main character's last name is Reynolds. Thanks for your comment!

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  8. Sharon Bryant8:10 PM

    Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
    Conway SC.

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  9. Hi, Sharon! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete