Thursday, December 10, 2020

Two AUTUMNS One SPRING - Elizabeth Ann Boyles - One Free Book

Welcome back, Elizabeth. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? From January, I will take a break from teaching a college course. This should allow more time for creating stories and for adding posts to my website. I’m looking forward to having blocks of uninterrupted time for writing. 

That will be wonderful. Tell us a little about your family. My husband of fifty years passed away in March. He left a huge hole, but I am thankful he is with our Savior and that I will see him again. We have two grown children and three grandsons. Our son and grandsons live close by, and we often get together on Sundays. All three grandsons have been involved in music, so I’ve enjoyed seeing them in concerts. Our daughter, whom I love to visit, lives in Colorado Springs

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? For many years, I read primarily Christian biographies and autobiographies. I still love the true accounts, but I also thoroughly enjoy well-written Christian fiction and general market best sellers. I began reading fiction when I started writing fiction. 

What are you working on right now? I’ve started a story about three young people marooned on an uninhabited island with a pirate. The end of the story will connect with the characters in Two Autumns, One Spring. 

I’ll be eager to feature that on my blog, too. What outside interests do you have? I’ve been enjoying getting to know students from the U.S. and from many different countries while teaching a course called Developing the Christian Mind at Dallas Baptist University. I’m thankful for my church and the ladies’ Bible study. Much to my amazement, when we moved three years ago, we bought a house next door to a fine couple who host a writing critique group, so I’m an eager participant in the group. 

How do you choose your settings for each book? The settings all center on the fascinating country of Japan. The first book includes scenes in the U.S. and Shanghai as well because the male protagonist is journeying into the Far East. My current work-in-progress is set on an island close enough to Japan for the characters’ ship to have been blown there from the Okinawa area. 

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? Outside of the awesome people found in the Bible, I’d choose my great-great uncle to hear about his real life as consul in Nagasaki

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? I wish I’d been told to read books on the craft of writing fiction. Academic writing and fiction are totally different. When I attended my first critique meeting, the members said my story’s first chapter sounded like a history book, which they politely hinted was pretty boring. 

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? I’m realizing more and more the importance of focusing on God, not the loss of my husband, problems, or wrong desires. He is teaching me to trust His presence in my daily life. 

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing fiction. Write about a subject that you are passionate about. Put words on the page and persevere so that you will actually finish writing a story. 

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book. Of the three stories in the Dragonfly Trilogy, Two Autumns, One Spring is the one I feel most passionate about. While I was working on the story, the movie, Silence, premiered. The film’s portrayal of God’s “silence” during the persecution of Japanese Christians distressed me. In Two Autumns, One Spring, I took delight in demonstrating God’s reality in the direst of circumstances. In order not to spoil previous stories in the series, I’ll just hint at what happens. A mother-in-law tries to end the marriage of two people deeply in love. A new Christian faces conflicts with the Japanese traditional beliefs, and a bitter official seeks revenge. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please visit my website: https://elizabethannboyles.com.

Also I have an author page at www.facebook.com/elizabethannboyles

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing all three books in this series on my blog. Your writing has a sense of authenticity, and the characters are so well-developed. I know my blog readers have enjoyed hearing about each book. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/33YEtzK  - Paperback

https://amzn.to/373wbbI - 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 

16 comments:

Sarah Taylor said...

New to me Author would love to be entered in this giveaway! Blessing from Ohio

Sarah Taylor said...

New to me Author would love to be entered in this giveaway! Blessing from Ohio

June said...

I’m reading the 3rd book, and very shocked to know there will conflicts with the mother in law, but perseverance character and character hope!!!

E. Ann said...

Blessings to you from Texas, Sarah. I'm delighted you are interested in the story!
And hello June. Thank you for leaving a comment! I wonder if you've reached the place where the mother-in-law does something worse than her mean interference in the first chapters. But as you've said, the Lord has a purpose in allowing it.

Lucy Reynolds said...

This is a new author to me. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas from WV.

Melanie Backus said...

I always love to learn of new authors. Sounds like a must read!
Melanie Backus, TX

E. Ann said...

Hello Lucy from West Virginia and Melanie from Texas! I'm delighted to have new readers - hopefully! Thank you for commenting, and as Christmas draws nearer, may your days be full of good cheer,

Elly said...

I just got book two in this series, Dragonfly Wings!!! Super excited to read this series!
Elly -Indiana-

E. Ann said...

Elly, it should be on the way to you tomorrow. I'm expecting a shipment of the books to arrive at my house today. I'm excited for you! Hope it is delivered in time to be a Christmas present. :-)

Elly said...

Yay! I was so happy to hear about these books! The setting is so different from what you typically find and I’m SUPER excited to read them!😃

Marie Sontag said...

Ann, I am now finishing book 2. I am sure I will want to read the next, and anything else you write. I find your writing very smooth, and the stories very engaging. You have honed your craft well. I am in TX, DFW area.

E. Ann said...

Marie, thank you for your very encouraging comment! Your opinion as an author and scholar means a great deal to me!

Connie Porter Saunders said...

"New to me" author and an intriguing story. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

E. Ann said...

Hello Connie. It looks like you were up early in Kentucky. I'm delighted you're intrigued by the story! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Sharon Bryant said...

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

E. Ann said...

It's such a joy to see comments from different states! Greetings to you, Sharon, from South Carolina, and best wishes for a merry Christmas!