CHRISTMAS IN GALWAY - Elizabeth Ludwig - One Free Book

Welcome back, Elizabth. It’s good to have you on my blog again. Tell us about your salvation experience. I became a Christian after I heard the gospel preached in church one Sunday morning. My sister had been begging me to go with her, and I finally listened. This was hard for me because, as the older sibling, I didn’t want to accept that my younger sister might have some wisdom that I did not. God spoke through that pride, though, and called me to repentance and acceptance of His free gift of salvation.

I became a servant after my husband and I lost our second child. God really spoke some truth to me while we were in that valley—namely, would I be willing to follow Him no matter what the cost? I can answer that question with confidence now, and it’s a resounding YES!!

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? Without a doubt, I would invite my four critique partners—Ane Mulligan, Michelle Griep, Tara Johnson, and Gina Holmes. These ladies have pushed and prodded me all along this publishing journey. I couldn’t do a bit of it without their honesty and encouragement. And thank goodness you didn’t say three authors, because I would have really been stuck!

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. I’m always tempted to say no to this question, but right about that time, God sends someone my way who is looking for someone to share about coping with life’s trials, or finding faith and strength in the writing journey, or connecting with readers, or loss of a child…you name it. So, yes, I have a speaking ministry. And it’s all about being open to the people placed in my path, and sharing everything God has done for me along the way.

Very good answer. Many people don’t understand the importance of a one-on-one speaking ministry. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? Ha! Funny question. So, years ago, I had a lady approach me at a book signing. For several minutes, she gushed over how much she loved my books. But as she started describing her favorite, a niggling question began working its way into my head. Why didn’t I remember anything she was talking about? Finally, I asked her the name of the book. Sure enough, it wasn’t one of mine! I didn’t have the heart to tell her because by this time, a small crowd had gathered to listen (she was quite excited and vocal). Instead, I just smiled and nodded and thanked her for taking time out of her day to encourage a writer. When I got home, I looked up the book and quickly realized how she’d made the mistake. The author’s name was also Ludwig, and her middle name was Elizabeth!

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? Years ago, I came across this quote from Dorothy Parker: “If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.”

LOL!

Seriously though, I always tell people that writing is the hardest, most gratifying thing I have ever done. I tell them to take time to learn the craft. I tell them there are no shortcuts. And then I tell them to never, ever give up, no matter how long it takes.

I love this answer, too. Tell us about the featured book. I am proud of every book I’ve ever written, but Christmas in Galway makes me smile because it was unexpected. Unplanned. I wrote it without a synopsis. In fact, I just sat down in front of my computer and started typing. The secrets of Elinor’s heart were as much a surprise to me as I hope they are to my readers. It was so nice to enjoy writing again—freely, wildly, and with passion.

It’s been two years since a drunk driving accident claimed the life of Elinor Walsh’s fiancé. Though she’s forged on to create a thriving design business for herself, the past still haunts her. Prompted by her friends, she finally capitulates and schedules a flight to Ireland—a trip that should have been her honeymoon. Armed with just a list her fiancé wrote and the keys to a rental car, Elinor heads to Galway, never dreaming that the people she meets there will change her life forever. Confronted with a choice—her past with an old friend or her future with a new one—will she finally be able to move beyond her grief? Or will she cut her losses, and her trip short, and miss out on the one thing she never expected?

Please give us the first page of the book. Of course! Here you go:

Panic fluttered inside Elinor Walsh’s chest as the lighted sign above her head clicked off. The clatter of unbuckling seatbelts accompanied the rustling of passengers and the clacking of overhead bins. It was too late to change her mind now. She was sixty-six hundred miles from home, and it was time to get off the plane.

Outside her window, colored lights sparkled against the dusting of snow outside the terminal. This was certainly different from Texas, where Christmas was as likely to be celebrated with glittering palms as it was evergreens.

 “Looks cold out there.” The elderly woman in the seat next to her angled her head, artfully adorned with a pair of reindeer antlers, in the direction of Elinor’s thin sweater. “I hope you packed something a little warmer.”

 “Oh, yes. There’s a coat in my bag.” Elinor tugged her backpack out from under the seat in front of her and jerked open the zipper, smiling at the woman as she wriggled a gray parka free. Nodding kindly, the woman pushed her arms into her own coat then began collecting the knitting supplies she’d busied herself with throughout the flight.

A line had begun to form in the aisle but Elinor knew it would be awhile before the cabin door opened. She slid her phone out of her purse, switched it out of airplane mode, and tapped a quick message to her friends back home. Just landed.

Libby answered almost immediately. What’s the plan?

The plan? Elinor grimaced. Thanks to her friends she didn’t have a plan, just a car reservation number.

I’ll let you know after I pick up the car, she typed back, her fingers trembling.

Her phone pinged. Good girl.

 “Miss O’Shea?” The flight attendant looked down at her expectantly. “Do you need some help with your seatbelt?” She cast a meaningful glance toward the back of the plane, at the line of passengers waiting to disembark.

 “Oh no, I can get it. I’m so sorry.”

She fumbled with the clasp, finally managed to get free, then banged her head on the overhead bin when she stood too quickly. Cheeks burning, Elinor waved aside the attendant’s murmured concern and reached for her backpack.

She’d splurged on first class—something she never did. Her money, like her time, was managed to the smallest increment. Well, except for this trip that she’d somehow managed to let her friends talk her into.

Her bag in hand, Elinor scurried up the jetway, pausing when she reached the terminal to type out another message. Keys to the apartment under the mat. Call if you need anything!

A smiley emoticon appeared, followed by the words, Send lots of pictures!

Pictures. Right. She snapped a selfie of herself sticking out her tongue and sent it back with a smile. Libby and the girls would appreciate the humor.

I’m loving the story so far. How can readers find you on the Internet? I’ve made quite a little home for myself on the Internet. Readers can find me at any of the following sites:

Website: http://elizabethludwig.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethludwig102

Blogger: http://theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELudwig_Author

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ludwig-6092b411/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Ludwig/e/B002R612S4

MeWe:  https://mewe.com/i/elizabethludwig

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lludwig5/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eludwig_author/

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it. I love stories set in Ireland.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://ow.ly/eyqA50FZuns

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