HIDDEN AWAY SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS - Connie Leonard - One Free Book

Dear Readers, this is book 4 in Connie’s Somewhere in Texas series. Each story is a stand-alone story, but they are also connected. You might want to go back and read the first 3 after you read this one. Connie’s stories are very authentic, contemporary westerns. I have loved every plot and all the characters.

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

All of my books deal with redemption. We are all flawed and need God’s mercy and grace. Even after we accept Christ as our Savior, we make mistakes, we sin, and we need forgiveness and second chances, third chances, and more.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I’m praying about this. The idea for the first book, Somebody Somewhere in Texas, popped into my head while sitting in Triple Cross Cowboy Church. I thought it would be a fun little book to write, and it was. I didn’t plan to write a series, but before I finished the first one, I knew Andrea needed to tell her story, so there had to be a second one, Light up My Life in Texas. Then LeAnn’s story needed to come to life, so Play Me Back Home in Texas was born. I thought I was finished with this series, but Haeley called to me. The idea for Hidden Away Somewhere in Texas germinated in my mind for over twenty-five years, during the time I thought I would write someday—someday when the kids grew up, someday after I retired. Ten years ago, we went on a mission trip to Marfa, Texas, and I knew I wanted to use that setting for a story. Sex trafficking is the greatest plague of our time, because it preys upon the most vulnerable people in our world. All these ideas came together in Hidden Away Somewhere in Texas. I think it’s my best book yet. I thought it would be the last book in this series, but Haeley, Ryanne, and Reed will be back. I usually start with an idea, the characters, which I have, and the title, which hasn’t come to me yet. I’m more of a seat-of-the-pants writer than a plotter, but this idea needs to develop a bit more before I begin writing. To answer your question, finally, I may work on editing and polishing a Bible study I wrote a few years ago before I start this next novel.

I will eagerly await that book. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I think maybe Franklin Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, and the rest of their ministry family to glean from their experiences growing up with Billy Graham and their own calling into ministry. Or perhaps Gov. Mike Huckabee and his daughter Sarah Sanders to talk conservative politics.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? Billy Graham for his spiritual insights. Ronald Reagan for his political insights. Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens, for his insights into human nature, his literary mind, and his humor—I wrote my Master’s thesis on him.

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

Read, read, read! Write, write, write! Study the craft. While pursuing traditional publishing, I kept getting rejections that said, “This is good, but. . . .” Usually the “but” had more to do with the market than the story or the writing. I was even told that my writing was “too Christian for the Christian market,” which is moving more into a Christian Worldview, sometimes with no mention of God. Upon completing the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers’ Guild Craftsman Class, Doc Hensley said, “Don’t hide your talent under a bushel.” Shortly thereafter, while attending a country music concert, God spoke to my heart. None of the performers were rich or famous, but they enjoyed using their talents, and the audience enjoyed their performance. I made the decision then to self-publish my contemporary novel, Big C, little c. I’m not rich or famous, but I enjoy writing. I’ve had positive feedback, and I even have some fans! My best advice to aspiring writers is Read, Study, Write. Pray about it every step of the way. Stay true to what God called you to do. That may require Indie publishing rather than bending to whims of the market.

And there are quite a few smaller presses now that are staying true to the Christian calling. Tell us about the featured book.

Here’s the back cover copy:

What if you had to leave everything and everyone behind, reinvent yourself, assume a new identity?

Haeley Howard lives a charmed life as a socialite, model, and assistant director of little theater. Her perfect world shatters when she witnesses a kidnapping. The FBI wants to hide her away in a safe place so she can testify against Salas, an international drug runner and sex trafficker, if they can catch him. The fashionista becomes boring, beige Holly Brown—friendless, faithless, and faceless. Hidden away on a ranch in the Texas high desert, she fears she might disappear without a trace. Reed Riley, handsome owner of the Riley Ranch, has a mysterious, secretive computer business. Will he prove to be a knight in shining armor or evil overlord?

Reed abandoned his dream to become an FBI agent after his father was killed. While running the family ranch, he works as a cybercrimes consultant. He agrees to shelter the witness on his ranch while they search for the slippery Salas. But Haeley Howard, AKA Holly Brown, proves to be more of a challenge than he imagined—strong-willed and surly, yet innocent and vulnerable. He vows to maintain professional distance, but not even the ugly makeup and tasteless clothes can hide her natural beauty. He can’t be distracted, can’t let down his guard.

If he can keep her safe, can they have a future together? Will the Feds give her another new identity, move her somewhere far away? She’s no longer Haeley Howard, but she’s not Holly Brown, either. What plans does God have for her?

Please give us the first page of the book for my blog readers.

Haeley stepped back and admired the makeup on the young girl. “One more smudge to soften the lines, and you’re perfect, Cinderella. Go out and knock ’em dead!”

“This night is sooo important to me.” Cassie hugged Haeley.

Haeley wiped her hands on the damp towel. “We may be a little theater, but every performance is important. We work hard to give the audience the best experience.”

“But tonight I’m meeting an agent.” Cassie’s large, blue eyes sparkled.

“An agent? Here instead of the agency office?”

“Gotta go!” Cassie took her place on stage before the curtain opened.

Haeley wondered what agent Cassie might be involved with, but she pushed the questions from her mind as she helped the woodland creatures and the wicked step-family move on and off the stage. During intermission, she redid Cinderella’s makeup for the ball scene. “Cassie, tell me about this agent. Which agency is he with?”

“I don’t remember, but his name is Tyrone. He thinks I have real talent and is going to help me launch my acting career.”

Haeley tried to hide her frown, but she couldn’t deny the knot forming in her stomach. “How did you contact him?”

How can readers find you on the Internet? I’m most active on Facebook: Connie Lewis Leonard, author (Be sure you go to the author page because my personal page contains political commentary).

My website is http://connielewisleonard.webs.com

You may sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at rycon70@att.net.

All my books are listed on Amazon under my name: Connie Lewis Leonard

Thank you, Connie, for sharing your new book with my blog readers.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://ow.ly/UsD050FUfdv

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