CAROLINA HOMECOMING - Heather Blanton - One Free Book

Welcome, Heather. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I guess because, in truth, I am Daddy’s little girl. I used to watch Westerns with my daddy before he passed. He taught me to shoot. For fun, he and the deputies in our county used to quick draw on each other using wax bullets. Yeah, he was about the closest person I’ve ever met to the real John Wayne. I guess he’s a little part of everything I write.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Oh, wow, there have been so many. Besides my boys being born healthy and strong, I’d have to say the vacation in Deadwood with my sister Dawn. It was a girl’s trip, and it was awesome! It was special, specifically, because I went on a trip out West with my sister Suzy years ago, and it was the only one we did together. She got breast cancer shortly after. Dawn was always sad she missed that trip, but at least we finally got to do one together.

How has being published changed your life?

To me the best change caused by my career is I get to work from home. No more commuting, traffic, wasted time in a car. And while I like people, I don’t mind being alone. In fact, I like it. Which is one thing about this quarantine mess I DON’T like. My kids are here. All. The. Time. LOL.

What are you reading right now?

Actually, I am reading one of mine! I am working on the final book in my Defiance series, and I had to read A Destiny in Defiance to check on some ideas, evaluate some possible plot lines, consider some spin-offs, etc.

What is your current work in progress?

As I mentioned, I am working on the final book in the Defiance series. I’m also outlining book 5 for my Brides of Evergreen series, and I’m hammering out the first 10 pages of a script for an idea my agent wants to see.

What would be your dream vacation?

I am blessed to say I’ve had it. One summer my husband and I went camping in Colorado. We drove all over the state exploring ghost towns, horseback riding, and camping in various places. It was spectacular.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Until I was nine years old, I lived in Florida. Then we moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina, and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. But there was still this yearning in me to go West. I’ve been blessed enough to explore several states out there (as I still live in NC), and I just love everything west of the Mississippi. So choosing a setting is determined simply by my love of the mountains and the wide-open spaces, or a particular place that I’ve seen and thought to myself, “I need to set a story here!”

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Anybody who spends five minutes with me will learn two things PDQ: I follow Jesus, and I believe I am entitled to my opinion because this is still America. I am unapologetically pro-God, pro-gun, pro-life and pro-Trump. I would love to sit down and talk to the President about everything he’s done, learned, and seen in his time in office.

I’d like to join you. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like, but I enjoy kayaking and hiking. I am gonna be hiking when I’m 90!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Organizing my time on social media. I am very interactive with my groups and other authors on Facebook and keeping all that time spent on there to a controllable figure is maddening.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write the best book you can and surround yourself with honest readers and editors. And decide early on if you’re doing this for the money like a job, or for the passion of it. Waffling on this question will cause you to write things you’ll regret.

Tell us about the featured book.

Carolina Homecoming is a retelling of the Book of Ruth. It is set during the Civil War in one of my favorite places on the planet: the Upstate of South Carolina. I’ve always wanted to delve into the story of the loyalty between Ruth and Naomi, explore Naomi’s bitterness toward God, and find out who this handsome, older gentleman farmer was that won Ruth’s heart. And it turned out, Carolina Homecoming was one of those stories that practically write themselves. The characters leaped off the page at me.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Ruth wondered how she would face another day, strangled as she was by grief and guilt.

The spring breeze through her window chilled the tears in her eyes and she dabbed at them angrily. “This is no time to be a whimpering sot, girl,” she chided, her Irish backbone attempting to buoy her spirits. “Oh, James,” she whispered and sat down again on her bed. “Why did you have to go off and die?”

From the parlor she heard Noemie sniffle, and Ruth winced at the reminder. Her mother-in-law was suffering, too. The war had taken James and left two women struggling with the loss. For Ruth, her husband’s death stung, yes, but it wasn’t debilitating. He had been a good man, a good provider, even a good friend, but not much of a husband. For Noemie, though, he was the son she’d borne from her own womb. Ruth couldn’t imagine the woman’s pain and she ached for her.

Closing her eyes, she whispered a silent prayer for more understanding and compassion and rose to take on the day. Her swishing, black, hoop skirt announced her entrance as she stepped into the parlor. Noemie didn’t react. She was standing at the window, a handkerchief pressed to her mouth. Her face, still fetching for a woman of fifty, was a mask of pain. Furrowed brow, clenched jaw, and red-rimmed eyes.

Surprisingly, she hadn’t dressed yet. Her hair was not twisted up over her head in the crown of braids she preferred. Instead, thick blonde and gray strands cascaded down her back in an unbrushed torrent. And she was still in her nightgown and robe, not her black dress of mourning with its voluminous hoop, like Ruth’s. She looked older this morning; her years amplified by the soul-tearing grief.

From outside came the well-timed, almost melodic steps of two hundred feet marching down the brick avenue. The sound was somber, like a funeral dirge.

More good boys headed off to this vile war. “Noemie, are you all right?” A foolish question, but it seemed the only one to ask.

The woman blinked, but still took several seconds to answer. “I’ve come to a decision.” She turned faded green eyes to Ruth. “I’m done with Maryland. I’m going home.”

“Home? I don’t understand. I thought Maryland was your home. I mean, I understand you’re not from here, but ye’ve lived here—”

“Ten years. Almost ten years here with Jeremiah. He was my second husband. A good man. I loved him, but Maryland was his home place. I’ve got more years and more roots back in South Carolina.” She paused briefly, as if reliving a flood of memories from those days. “James’ daddy, Luke, and I were both born in Oconee County. We did a lot of living there before he widowed me.” She turned away from the window to face Ruth. “And then Jeremiah went and died on me. I only stayed here after his passing because I hoped you and James might start a family. And then he left you to go fight in this blasted war.” She raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I’ve held on to the place in Oconee County. It’s time for me to go home.”

Ruth reeled from the news. She opened her mouth to speak, but only squeaks came out. The babbling seemed to spark more alertness in Noemie. She smiled tenderly at Ruth. “I want you to go on back to Ireland. Go back to your home. Bid this horrible war and its losses good-bye.”

“I don’t want to.” Ruth crossed the room and took the older woman’s hands. “Please, don’t send me away, Noemie. I love ye like me own mother. I’ve no one else left in County Cork that matters to me.”

“And I love you like a daughter, but I want what’s best for you.”

“And that would be staying here.”

Noemie pulled a hand free and motioned to the room. “Then you can stay here in this house, if you’re of a mind to.” She patted her fingers reassuringly. “You’re still young and pretty. I’ll see you’re taken care of till you marry again.”

“No, I want to go with ye. Ye need me.”

Noemie’s brow shot up. “I need you?”

“Aye, to take care of ye.”

“I’m fifty, girl, not eighty, and ‘bout as fit as you are.”

“But I can’t let ye be alone.”

Noemie took a step back, shook her head. “In fifteen months, I’ve lost my husband and my son. I reckon God’s turned His hand against me, Ruth. Best you not be around me.”

“Ye wouldn’t want me to break a promise to your son, would ye?”

Noemie’s emerald eyes widened and glittered with shock. “What promise?”

“I promised him I’d take care of ye. I gave him my word.”

“He had no right to ask you for such a vow.”

“I made it. And I made it gladly. I’ll not leave ye, Noemie. Where ye go, I will go. Your people will be my people…”

“And my God, your God.” Noemie smiled, but there seemed to be little joy behind it. “All right. Then let us put our hand to the plow and not look back.”

So wonderful so far. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I like keeping this simple. You contact me through my website: http://www.authorheatherblanton.com

Thank you for having me visit, Lena!

It’s my great pleasure, Heather. I’m eager to read this book. And I know my blog readers will be, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Carolina Homecoming: A Romance Inspired by the Book of Ruth (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings) - Paperback
Carolina Homecoming: A Romance Inspired by the Book of Ruth (Thanksgiving Books and Blessings 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.)

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

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.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.

Sarah (OH) is the winner of Jane Doe by Lillian Duncan. 

Dana (AZ) is the winner of Port of Origin by Lisa Harris and 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.

KOKOPELLI'S SONG - Suzanne Bratcher - One Free Book

Welcome, Suzanne. Why do you write the kind of books you do?    

I’ve been a passionate reader since first grade. I read all sorts of books, but I write adventures with a thread of mystery because those are the books I re-read, often more than once. My stories all have strong settings because places stick in my head. I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, in my late twenties and stayed for thirty years, so the Southwest is the part of the country I know best. I write from a Christian worldview because that’s the way I think about the world. I didn’t find my fiction voice until I discovered inspirational/clean fiction.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?   

The day my daughter was born. I wanted children from the time I was old enough to babysit, but I was thirty-three before I had a child. Jorie is my only child, so her birth was a unique day in my life. I am blessed that my adult daughter is now a wonderful friend.

How has being published changed your life?   

Perhaps the most important change is working with professional editors. I was a decent writer when Mantle Rock Publishing offered me a contract for The Copper Box. But I had gone as far as I could by reading craft books, attending workshops, and working with critique partners. I needed a professional editor to help me continue to grow. I learn more with each book, thanks to excellent editors. Being published has also added stress in the form of deadlines! I spent three years writing The Copper Box. I had a year to write my second book, The Silver Lode. Though I had a complete draft of Kokopelli’s Song long before I got the chance to have it published, I had less than three months to get it into shape. The third big change has been the way I look at writing. This craft has a business side I didn’t know anything about. That learning curve continues to be a challenge.

What are you reading right now?   

I usually have two or three books going at the same time. At the moment I’m reading The God Who Sees by Karen Gonzalez, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott, and Silenced (Book 5 in the Alaskan Courage series) by Dani Pettrey.

What is your current work in progress?   

I’m drafting The Gold Doubloons, the third book in my Jerome Mysteries series. I’m also doing background research for the next book in my Four Corners Folklore Fantasies series (Colorado).

What would be your dream vacation?  

I would love to spend a month on the “big island” of Hawaii. About ten years ago, I spent a long weekend there, just enough time to give me a taste of the variety of that island. I’d like to have enough time to explore it at a leisurely pace.

How do you choose your settings for each book?  

I have to turn that question around because my settings find me. When I become fascinated with a place I’ve visited, I do research and then choose conflicts and characters that fit the setting. Because I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Southwest, my settings (so far) are all in that part of the country. Jerome, Arizona—the setting for my first series—is a little town I’ve visited twenty or thirty times. Each of the books in my new Four Corners Folklore Fantasies series are set in places in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah that I’ve visited multiple times. With Kokopelli’s Song, for example, Chaco Canyon grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. After I did lots of research (which I love doing), I discovered there’s an archaeological mystery around why the ancestors of present-day pueblo peoples abandoned their vast ceremonial center the way they did. At that point I knew I needed a main character who was half Hopi and half Anglo. The conflict between what happened a thousand years ago in Chaco and our present-day had to be fantasy. Hopi folklore gave me the ideas I needed to keep going.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?  

I’d love to have an evening with Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, Dean of the Duke University Chapel. I watch the services at Duke Chapel on YouTube practically every week, and his sermons never fail to challenge or teach. I keep a simple prayer he taught incoming students last fall next to my computer to remind me how to pray when I don’t know what to say. “Dear God, I can’t. You must. I’m Yours. Show me the way. Amen.” Anyone who can capture the essence of prayer in those few words is someone I’d like to talk to in  depth.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?  

Bird watching is my favorite hobby. I live in central Arkansas in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. We have an amazing number of species who live here year-round and many others that migrate through. I’ve created a sort of open-air aviary on my back deck. First, I fenced off the stairs with chicken wire and put in a screen door at the bottom to keep any stray cats away. Next I hung feeders containing suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and sugar water to attract as many different species as I could. This morning I saw chickadees, titmice, Carolina wrens, three different species of woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, and hummingbirds at my feeders. I love watching the birds splash in the birdbath and a recirculating fountain in the afternoons when the temperatures are in the nineties. At the moment, I’m learning the songs and calls of the birds that come to my feeders. That way I’ll be able to recognize them even when I don’t see them. I also love to piece colorful quilts, but that’s a hobby I primarily work on in the winter.

I was born and reared in Arkansas, and I went to Ouachita Baptist College back in the ’60s. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Multiple Sclerosis is by far my most daunting obstacle. I’m in the Secondary Progressive stage of the disease, so I live with unexpected bouts of crippling fatigue. Setting a standard word goal for every day simply doesn’t work for me. I’ve learned that I can’t overcome my MS. I must negotiate with it. If I’m facing a deadline, I can’t do much of anything else. I’m blessed with a dear friend who has moved in with me to help me with cooking and housekeeping chores. I couldn’t write without Rhonda’s help. Like so many other writers, I feel called to write the stories I have to tell, so I depend on God to show me the way. God is faithful.  

Yes, He is. What advice would you give to a beginning author? 

Just keep writing. Even if you’re not getting published, God can use your writing to work in your own soul. Don’t set a goal date to be published by. I was sixty-eight when my first book was published and seventy when the second one came out. My third book has just come out, and I’m seventy-one. I don’t know how many books I’ll be able to write, but I don’t think writing is a numbers game. I think writing is about connecting first with yourself and God and next about connecting with other people. I’ve seen a friend who’s read drafts of my unpublished work for years become more open to the gospel. If you feel led to write, trust God with the results.

It is all about His timing. Tell us about the featured book. 

Kokopelli’s Song is the first book in a new series called the Four Corners Folklore Fantasies. Each of the books is set in one of the states of the Four Corners region of the U.S.: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. The stories are a mixture of folklore, history, and contemporary conflicts sprinkled with a bit of magic and life-threatening danger.

Kokopelli’s Song is the story of a young woman’s search for her identity.

When Amy Adams discovers she’s half Native American instead of half Japanese as her grandmother raised her to believe, she travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Finding her father’s family and a lost twin brother on the Hopi Reservation catapults her into a struggle between shamans and witches that spans a thousand years. After her twin is attacked and a Conquistador’s journal stolen, Amy and her new friend Diego set out on a dangerous quest to find and perform the ceremony that can stop ancient evil from entering our world.

But Amy and Diego are not alone as they race against time measured by a waxing moon. Kokopelli’s song, the haunting notes of a red cedar flute, guides them along the migration route sacred to pueblo peoples: West to Old Oraibi, South to El Morro, East to Cochiti Pueblo, North to Chimney Rock, and last to the Center—and the final confrontation—in Chaco Canyon.

Please give us the first page of the book.

In her tiny room above the Delgado Gallery, Amy Adams punched her pillow for the third time. She flipped to her side and stared at the digital clock. Green numbers blinked three a.m. She needed sleep, but her mind trudged around the endless loop again. Grandmother Adams lied. Mahu was her twin brother. Taáta was her Hopi father. Grandmother Adams lied. Mahu was her twin brother. Taáta—

Pottery smashed on the ceramic tile downstairs. Not a small pot, one of the decorative water jars that reached her shoulder. Amy lay still, held her breath, waited for the next sound. Mahu was down there, asleep, or maybe awake, on the long leather couch reserved for customers who wanted to consider an outrageously expensive purchase.

Amy listened for the next sound. Silence.

Heart pounding, she threw off the scratchy wool blanket and sat up. Fear like glacial runoff pumped through her veins. Not because she believed Mahu had broken a pot, but because she knew her twin was in danger. She felt it as surely as if the two of them had never been separated to grow up in different worlds.

Just like she knew Mahu was in danger, she knew whoever was with him meant evil. Her bare feet hit the cold floor. She ran out of the room, down the dim hallway. She shivered in the sleep shirt that came to her knees, but she didn’t have time to care. In that moment, Amy was Kaya again, the older sister, the firstborn twin. The need to protect snapped at her heels, urging her to go faster, faster.

The narrow staircase cut straight down into inky darkness. Kaya Amy didn’t pause to grope for the light. Instead, she threw herself down the steps, racing to get to Mahu before someone hurt him. Before she reached the bottom, she knew she was too late.

Wow! How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me on my website: https://suzannebratcher.com

On Facebook: https://facebook.com/authorsuzannebratcher

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorbratcher

On Instagram: https://intagram.com/suzanne.bratcher.5

Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing this book with us. I loved The Copper Box, and I’m eager to read Kokopelli’s Song. The book was on Amazon Best Seller List in Christian fantasy paperbacks on release day (8/18)! It stayed there for several days.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Kokopelli's Song (Four Corners Fantasy Folklore) - Paperback
Kokopelli's Song (Four Corners Fantasy Folklore 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.)

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

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.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.

Lucy (WV) is the winner of Persian Betrayal by Terry Brennan. 

Sharon (SC) is the winner of Love's Autumn Harvest by Patricia Lee.

Kaybee (NH) is the winner of Season of Hope by Carol James.

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.

DANGEROUS DECEPTIONS - Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry, plus 7 other authors - One Free Copy of PORT OF ORIGIN

BIO: LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent almost two decades working as missionaries in Africa. When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Welcome back, Lisa. How did your story for the collection come about?

Over a decade ago, Lynne Gentry and I decided to write a medical thriller together. Ghost Heart ended up being the first book in this series. It’s a story about transplant tourism and a mother’s love for a child that makes her willing to do anything to save her. We finally published that novel in 2017, with plans for a second in the series, and promises that it wouldn’t take another decade to write it. Interestingly enough, we’d just finished the second book, Port of Origin, a story about a virus unleashed on a medical ship, when the pandemic our world is facing today hit the headlines. Lethal Outbreak, our story in this collection is actually a prequel to Port of Origin, but can be read in any order. It delves deeper into how Aiden Ballinger and Rachel Allen—one of the main characters from Port of Origin—meet. And then sets the scene for the next book in the series, Death Triangle. When I was asked to join this romantic suspense collection, Lynne Gentry and I decided that this story would be a perfect fit and introduction to our medical thriller series.

Are these stories connected in some way? If so, how?

The stories in this box set are all romantic suspense novels, but are not connected. Most of the stories are stand alone, though may be a part of a series and is a great way to get to know some new best-selling and award-winning authors.

What are you reading right now?

I just started reading Secrets She Knew, by D.L. Woods, one of the other authors in the collection.

How many other books have you had published?

I’ve published about forty books, mainly romantic suspense and medical thrillers—my favorite genres!

 What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a collection?

Since the storylines in the books in this collection aren’t connected, we didn’t have to worry about that angle, but there is still a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on. We’ve spent a lot of time over the past few months brainstorming the cover, discussing marketing strategy (we want to make the USA Today best-seller list), writing interviews, building a website and video, formatting the stories, and the list really goes on and on. I’ve never been a part of a collection like this before, but while it has been a lot of work, I’ve loved working with these other authors.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Honestly, I’ve been impacted the most in ways that have nothing to do with writing. We meet monthly on Zoom, share prayer requests, pray for and encourage each other. I hadn’t expected this, and it has been such a blessing!

Please give us a peek into your story.

Lethal Outbreak:  Virus hunter Aiden Ballinger believes the source of the lethal outbreak that decimated a remote Tibetan village came from disturbing the permafrost. Desperate to rebury it before it buries the world, Aiden enlists Rachel Scott, a beautiful epidemiologist. But while Aiden and Rachel pursue the cure—and their feelings for each other—someone is hunting them. Whoever wants them dead will not stop until they are silenced.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Sit down and write. The journey is full of ups and downs, but write and learn, write some more, and never give up.

Where can my readers find more about the Dangerous Deceptions collection on the Internet?

To read more about the collection, the individual stories, and interesting insights about the authors, we have great website: https://dangerous-deceptions.com

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Dangerous Deceptions: A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set Collection

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Point of Origin. 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:

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JANE DOE - Lillian Duncan - One Free Book

Welcome back, Lillian. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Actually, I was feeling quite uninspired so I went on my social media and asked for suggestions for my next book. An old high school friend suggested I write a story that featured someone who struggled with memory loss.

The old amnesia plot is usually a no-no in modern story telling so I took it as a challenge to come up with a fresh approach. And JANE DOE is the result of it.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Let’s see…let’s see… I hate the thought of leaving out people, but here goes. First, I’d invite Terri Blackstock and Brandilynn Collins because they are two of my favorite suspense writers. Then I’d include Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, and James L. Rubart because I also love supernatural stories. And only one more…Of course, I’d invite Lena Nelson Dooley because not only is she a wonderful writer, but she’s so supportive of other Christian writers.

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?

It’s coming up with ideas that are different than what I’ve written before. I don’t want all my books to sound the same or to have the same basic plot. That means creating unique characters and then putting them in unique situations.

I think I succeeded in doing that with JANE DOE.

I think that’s a problem for most multi-published authors. Tell us about the featured book.

JANE DOE is my latest release. And it’s a doozy! It’s romantic suspense that’s heavy on the suspense but enough romance to make you smile.

JANE DOE, also known as Raven Marks survives a brutal kidnapping after being tossed off a cliff and left for dead. She’s haunted by her memories. First because she doesn’t have them and then because she does! She wants to move on with her life, but she keeps asking herself what if she isn’t his last victim.

Please give us the first page of the book.

 “Wakey. Wakey. Little Suzie.” His sing-song voice penetrated the drug-induced blur that was her normal these days.

”Not…my… name.” Raven. Her name was Raven Lynn Marks. It was getting harder and harder to remember anything about her life before the monster, but she didn’t want to forget her name. Raven. Her name was Raven. That was all she had left.  The monster had taken everything else from her.  Her life. Her family. Her friends. She refused to let him take her name.

As she ran her fingers through her long, black, stringy hair, the weight of the chain around her wrist chafed. She looked up at him. “Leave…me…alone.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Little Suzie? But you don’t tell me what to do.”

A moment later he poked her with the electric cattle prod. The electrical current traveled throughout her body causing her to jerk and tremble. Her mind tried to block out the excruciating pain. It failed. She screamed.

Wow! How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to hear from readers. They can visit me at my blog, Tiaras and Tennis Shoes at Blog: www.lillian-duncan.com. I also have a devotional blog called Devotions From Puzzle House at www.powerupwithGod.com. They can connect with me on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lillianduncan.

Thanks so much for having me.

Thank you, Lillian, for sharing this new suspense novel with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Jane Doe - Paperback
Jane Doe - 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

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.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.

Melissa (TN) is the winner of In High Cotton by Ane Mulligan. 

Connie (KY) is the winner of Let Him Go by LuAnn K Edwards.

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.

SEASON OF HOPE - Carol James - One Free Book

 Welcome, Carol. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think it’s impossible for a writer to create characters that are not in some way influenced by the author’s experiences and personality. Those two things provide the lens through which a writer views the world. I lived in Texas. My books are set in Texas. I’ve traveled to Ecuador and Germany. My characters have done the same thing. I’ve been on multiple mission trips. So have they. However, there’s not as much of me in my characters as you might think. Often they have personality characteristics and display traits I wish I had.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky, you say? Well, this has got to be near the top of the list. Here’s a little backstory.

My husband and I have some very good couple-friends we travel with. Our goal is to visit all fifty states together. (We have four left.)

When we plan our trips, we always try to do something thematic to get us in the spirit. We sang along with the score from Oklahoma as we drove across that state. We watched The House of Seven Gables movie when we visited that site. And then sometimes, we tour unusual places like the Spam Museum in Minnesota or Carhenge in Nebraska. (Yes, a replica of Stonehenge made from cars.)

On one of our recent trips, we went to Fargo, North Dakota. I had never seen the movie, Fargo, so the other three decided I needed to watch it before we went. I did… And little did I know that when we got to Fargo, the visitor center would have on display the very same chipper used in the movie. Of course, I had to reenact part of the movie.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Writing came late in my life. My journey was birthed out of adversity. It’s a long, but amazing, story.     

I majored in English in college. Unlike most English majors, I loved grammar and never aspired to write. I wanted to teach, and I felt English would allow me to really get to know the hearts of my students.

I was teaching part-time at a Christian school. I loved my work and considered it my personal ministry. Then my husband suffered a health issue and lost his job. With two daughters in college, I needed to find full-time work. So I had to leave not only my job, but my personal ministry. Yet God promised me He was doing a new work in my life. I just needed to trust. I clung to Isaiah 43:18-19. I searched for the new work He was doing in my life.

One of my students’ parents offered me a position at a business he owned, and I accepted it. I quickly gained the much-deserved title of “Grammar Police.” Mine were often the last set of eyes that scanned the company’s promotional and training materials.

One day, my boss came into my office and closed the door. “I do a little writing,” she whispered, “and I wonder if you would proofread some pieces for me."

That moment changed my life. A voice deep in my heart said, “You are in this place for this purpose. Writing is your new ministry."

My boss became my mentor, my critic, my encourager. And once I began, I knew this was what God had called me to do.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I particularly enjoy reading fiction and biographies. I love happy endings. (Surprise, surprise.) For years, I enjoyed what I refer to as “guy” literature - Tom Clancy, John Grisham. Pat Conroy, Ferrol Sams, Robert Ludlum, Nelson DeMille, etc. And then my daughter introduced me to Christian fiction. Karen Kingsbury and Lori Wick changed my reading world. I love reading books where the main characters express their relationship with God, where God is active.

You might like my books then. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Our city park has a beautiful walking trail. My husband and I meet a small group each morning. He walks on with the others, while I linger behind with our dog, Zoe. She likes to investigate and meander at her own pace. And those times when she slows down to enjoy the smallest bits of creation, slow me down, too. Most of the time, I play music from a local Christian station in my earbuds. I meditate on the beauty of creation, the variety of the bird calls, the delicate bouquets of wildflowers. And God speaks to me. I often discover the next portion of the plot to my current work in progress. Or get an idea for my next novel. Connecting with God through nature brings me peace.

I love that. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Choosing character names can be a challenge. When I first began writing, I felt God was leading me to write three novels in which the heroines were named Faith, Hope, and Charity. So here we have Hope in Season of Hope. Faith is featured in Rescuing Faith. And Charity is still in manuscript form. Other female names can depend upon the seasonal setting (Holly and Mary for Christmas novellas). And then sometimes I hear an unusual name and know it will be perfect for a certain character, as Ethne in my upcoming novel, No Longer a Captive.

The names of most of my heroes are Biblical names, because they are timeless. Joshua is the hero’s name in Season of Hope. Even though Josh is flawed, he exhibits the grace of Jesus.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I don’t really know if this is an accomplishment, or how much, if any, credit I can take, but I am so proud of my two daughters and the relationship we have. They are beautiful and gracious Christian women. I love watching them love their husbands and raise and love their children. For most of their lives, my husband travelled for his work, and because he was gone much of the time, we made deliberate decisions and sacrifices as they grew up. I was a stay-at-home mom and began working part-time only after they started school. We often didn’t have the material possessions our friends and neighbors did. The vacations we took were either to see family or tagged on to one of my husband’s business meetings (because the hotel would be paid for). But to us, time spent with them was worth more than any amount of money we might have gained by my working full-time. We wanted to invest ourselves in their lives and hearts. Not to say a single parent who works full-time can’t do this, too. They can. But it has to be much more difficult.

My husband and I made the same choices. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Of course, I want to say dog. But I’m much more introverted than most dogs. I’m slow to form relationships. I really have to get to know you and trust you. And I’m happy having only a very few close friends than a wide circle of casual acquaintances. So I’m probably going to surprise you and say the dog’s cousin, the wolf. Some people would call them mysterious. Although they are pack animals, they’re generally monogamous and value close relationships.

What is your favorite food?

I like simple foods. My very favorite treat is Chocolate Raspberry Truffle ice cream from our local ice cream stand. Amazing!

Sounds yummy. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

When I began writing, finding a critique group was impossible. The ones I knew of were not welcoming to an inexperienced writer. My boss was a help, but she didn’t write in the inspirational genre. So I attended associational meetings and workshops to learn the craft. I discovered entering my work in contests was a way to receive unbiased, instructive critiques. At first, I didn’t always agree with the judges’ comments. It was like someone saying I had an ugly baby (LOL). But I quickly learned to take a deep breath and step away. A few minutes later, I’d realize they were right. I’m now a member of several critique groups, and I am happy to help new writers in any way I can.

Tell us about the featured book.

Season of Hope is the story of two broken hearts, two painful pasts, and one redeeming hope. The first manuscript I wrote, it was born out of the strife and rebellion of the late sixties and early seventies (my college years). Hope is a single mother trapped in the winter of her life. But then a new pastor, Josh, comes to town, and she wonders if she can share the secrets that have been buried in her heart all these years.

Please give us the first page of the book.

He crossed off the last entry on the list. When he’d vowed to do this, he’d had no idea it would be so difficult. He’d called every entry in the phone book and every additional number he’d gotten from Information with no success.

He didn’t have enough money to hire a private investigator, and even if he had the funds, he may not have enough information for the detective to be successful.

As the evening sun shone through the gap between his bedroom curtains, the gold chain and pendant sparkled as if mocking his efforts. Opening the small Bible, he placed the necklace back between its pages and slowly folded the covers closed.

He was tired. Tired of war, tired of loss, tired of failure.

Father, it’s in Your hands now. I’ve done all I know to do.

I’m intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.carol-james.com

Facebook.com/CarolJamesAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/caroljamesauthor

https://twitter.com/CarolJamesAuth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19149238.Carol_James

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-james

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3duHqKc

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

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2CuTEWQ - Paperback

https://amzn.to/2Y13nM5 - 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

LOVE'S AUTUMN HARVEST - Patricia Lee - One Free Book

Welcome, Patricia. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Most of my characters are components of people I know or have known. My first novel contained images of my life rearing a daughter with autism. This newly released novel depicts the drive and determination of a long time neighbor who always grew enough vegetables every summer to feed the entire city block. The love story reflects the mix of stories of many different couples I have known. I am not really in any of the books but thoughts and actions I’ve experienced are.  

 What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I was scheduled to attend an ACFW conference in Indianapolis, but when I arrived at the Eugene, Oregon, airport for the first leg of my trip through San Francisco, the flight was cancelled. Not postponed. Not rescheduled. Cancelled. I spoke to the ticket agent explaining I had to get to the conference which was to begin the next day. He looked at the flights going out and suggested a commuter flight north to Portland. A red-eye jumbo jet was flying to Chicago at midnight, and I could try to go standby on that. “That flight,” he said with a frown, “is full. But often there are last minute no-shows which might give you a seat.”

 Did I have enough faith?

 I took the challenge. The plane in Portland was indeed full. I sat waiting, watching the passenger seating chart fill as people checked in. As time for departure drew near, the seating had diminished to five empty seats. Then four. Finally only two remained. It didn’t look good. Suddenly I heard my name called. Because the ticket agent in Eugene had put me on standby, I was granted the last remaining place on the plane. I gave thanks for the goodness of God because I had no idea how I would get back home if that plane hadn’t carried me East.

 God indeed is good. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I wrote my first story when I was six years old. I don’t remember any of it but my teacher was so impressed that she gave me a bookmark and wrote on the back of it, “Keep writing, Patty. That stuck with me as I moved on through school, wrote columns for the local paper, and studied journalism at the University of Oregon.

 Tell us the range of books you enjoy reading.

Though I write contemporary romance with a twist of women’s fiction mixed in, I read a lot of historical fiction. I’m drawn to life in other times, fascinated with the detail most authors include, and like the feeling of escaping to another era.

 How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m not a hustler. I’ve lived long enough to know life is more than hurrying from one task to another. If one never slows down, much of life is missed in the rush.

 I approach each day with a list of things that need to be done. When I was younger, I filled the day with housekeeping tasks interspersed with the needs of my children. When I homeschooled them, I used assigned chores as part of the daily curriculum. Privileges were granted or suspended on the basis of the work completed. Now that I’m older, I give each day a sprinkling of work, fun, and relaxation. Reading is a favorite past time, as is growing flowers. Both give me a sense of peace in God’s great creation.

How do you choose your characters names?

I often begin a work with a stand-in name for a character, like a place holder at a dining table. Then as I get to know the character and get a sense of who he or she is, I find a name better suited to his or her personality.  In my most recent release, I knew I had to have a name that fit the situation comedy of the third character. Hillary means laughter so that character was born and she gets into a lot of tight spots. Eileen became the main character but she’s whimsical so I renamed her Eily (I-ly with a long i). Marshall was named to be a strong male model as he will need to be as the story unfolds.

 What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My daughter has autism. I made a commitment to her when she was very young to give her every opportunity to have a normal life. That meant finding the right teachers for her, discovering activities in which she could grow, and giving up my personal life to see her achieve. My husband and I spent a lot of years figuring her out but she now is a thriving adult who can handle most of what life throws at  her. She speaks, even though I was told she probably never would. She has her own art business. She loves church. She will always need support, but I’m proud of what she has accomplished. 

That’s wonderful. If you were an animal, what one would you be, and why?

I would be a cat. Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows they are independent thinkers and they do things on their own terms.  The saying that dogs have masters and cats have staff is spot on. Besides, sleeping 18 hours a day can’t be all that bad, can it? 

What is your favorite food?

I had to think long and hard on this question. I enjoy most dishes but to name a favorite is a stretch for me.  My most often go to food is cottage cheese. It’s bland and can be combined with many other ingredients. I like it mixed with fruit or with a spoonful of salsa stirred in spread on dark rye toast. That makes a quick and tongue satisfying lunch, though most people would probably find that weird. That’s okay, it’s my lunch. 

For breakfast, I often eat cottage cheese with a little fruit cup with no sugar added and a couple of tablespoons sunflower seeds. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock and how did you overcome it?

I had to learn to humbly accept my limitations. When I first began writing fiction, I thought I could do a fairly decent job. After all, I’d written for magazines and blogs and newsletters for years. What an arrogant point of view that was!  I soon found writing a sentence to transmit content is a lot different than writing a scene to provoke emotion.  Writing fiction is more than putting a noun in front of a verb and adding, “said.” I joined a critique group who kept me in my place, attended writer’s conferences where I rubbed shoulders with popular best-selling authors, and entered contests where feedback was provided on my manuscripts. Over time, my writing evolved to a level worthy of publication. TIME was the key.           

In the keynote address I gave last Saturday on a writing Zoom conference, one of the points was “It’s all about the process.” That’s what you’re talking about. Tell us about the featured book.

This novel, Love’s Autumn Harvest, is a story that was born out of a challenge by a speaker at a writer’s conference.  He said to change up our writing. Write something totally different from what we usually write. See what happens. I decided I wanted to write something that wasn’t too serious, a story that would make people laugh. Thus Eily (pronounced I-lee) McKintrick and Marshall Frye were born, one a widow, the other a widower, both with no interest in a love interest. To further complicate the plot, I added Hillary Shepherd, a divorcee with her sights set on snagging Marshall. The result is a laughter filled romp through a three-way love triangle. I believe readers are going to love all the characters and have a good time reading the story. 

Please give us the first page of the book.

One onion

That’s all she needed

Medium-sized, yellow or white, hot or mellow 

HER IDEA BORE ALL THE EARMARKS of trouble. 

Beyond Eily McKintrick’s kitchen window, widower Marshall Frye worked in his garden, dirty canvas cap plopped like an afterthought on his balding head. Bib overalls billowed whenever the wind wafted through the manicured rows. Every day she saw him out her window, hoe in hand, back bent, head bobbing in time to the rhythm of his arms. Today was no different. 

But not every day did she need an onion. 

She studied the recipe for garlic beef enchiladas in front of her, drugstore reading specs suspended on the end of her nose. Ticking off the list of spices with a forefinger she located each one in her kitchen cupboard—cumin, sage, and chili powder. She removed the spice jars from the lower shelf and set them on the counter. 

A stepstool under her feet, Eily rummaged through the assorted canned vegetables stored higher in the cupboard. Standing on tiptoe, she dug into the corners, wobbling when the stool squeaked. Her hands flew out, gripping the door of the cupboard, heart racing.

One of these days I’ll move the waffle iron and the bread machine and put the canned goods below the counter. No sense breaking my neck for a container I could just as easily get from the ground. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Facebook: @patricialeebooks

Twitter: lee_patricia__

Website: www.authorpatricialee.net

E-mail: patricialeewrites@earthlink.net 

Thank you, Patricia, for sharing this novel with us today. It sounds like a fun read. 

Readers, here are links to the book. 

https://amzn.to/3gIevER - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3kCCcAC - 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