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.

Sharon (SC) is the winner of Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister by Beverly Lewis. 

Abigail (VA) is the winner of Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth Camden.

Pam (OH) is the winner of A Mark of Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse.

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 2 weeks to claim your book. 

THE GHOST YOU CAN'T SEE - L. G. Nixon - One Free Book

Welcome, L. G. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I try not to write too much of myself into the characters, other than perhaps to give them wisdom I wish had developed sooner in my life, but then wisdom comes with life experiences. I didn’t become a Christian until a young adult and then the Word of God had a profound impact on me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I rode the ski-lift to the steepest hill and disembarked. I waggled my pole at my date to catch his attention as he stood at the bottom of the run. Pushing off, I gracefully carved my way down the slope. That is until an icy patch sent me tumbling. Looking like a rolling banana in my yellow ski suit, I landed in a spectacular heap at his feet, my hat askew. Lying on my back, poles bent, and missing a ski, my confidence shattered. Making light of the situation, I smiled and said, “I’ve fallen for you.” His mouth dropped open, then he burst into laughter. We were married a year later.

I love that story. When did you first discover that you were a writer? Mom said I was writing by the time I could hold a pencil, which was an exaggeration. As a child, I filled journals with stories about the heroine and her happy-ever-after, but it wasn’t until the creative writing courses in college that I discovered a latent talent. Two of my college professors encouraged me to pursue a writing career. However, practicality took over, and I went into business administration, which served me well through the years, though the urge to write was always there. School newsletters, business journals and various newspaper articles helped keep the creative flame going.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I read a variety of genres, from action adventure, murder/mystery, historical romance, biographies, and young adult fantasy. I enjoy adventures from Dani Pettrey and Susan May Warren. A couple of years ago I read The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown, the true story of the American Olympic rowing team in Nazi Germany during the 1936 Olympic games. While the story focused on one young man, Joe Rantz and his teammates, Brown wove a poignant story interlaced with history. By the end of the book, I was in tears because I realized how each of those young men had struggled to overcome extreme hardships to become the successful men they were. The power of story to affect readers is immense.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Prayer, Bible reading, soft music, a dancing fire in the grate, and a relaxing cup of cappuccino, hold the whipped cream. These days it’s decaffeinated but still so yummy. I also love to listen to the Bible. One app uses soft background music for a relaxing experience. Hearing the Word spoken has a calming effect, at least for me. My husband is another source of strength for me when I get riled up over something. This wise gentleman has a way of seeing things where I am usually blinded by the heat of the moment. It’s good to talk things out. Sharing strengthens the bonds.

How do you choose your characters’ names? I create character sketches for each member of the story, hashing out what they look like, how they act, what their reactions would be in a particular situation. Sometimes I even give them a background. Once I have the character firmly in mind, I research names and genealogies, searching databases for the type of character I see. One such character, Malpar, was a Hayyothalan. Hayyothalan is from a Jewish hierarchy of angels. Then I searched databases for angel names and came up with Malpar, a compilation of two names whose information fit the character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? After I left the workplace behind, I pursued writing. The Issachar Gatekeeper series is my best accomplishment. While I always wanted to write, it wasn’t until I set out to create the storyline that I realized the time and commitment involved in such an endeavor. It’s not a pursuit for the lighthearted. The hours of course study, seminars, research, writing bootcamps, and time away from family are huge. I could not have achieved four books in the series so far without the love and support of my husband and family or the gift of talent from God. This quote from Longfellow touches my heart and speaks volumes about the writing journey: the heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.    —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? A dog! These God-given companions are so loyal and love unconditionally, they bring joy with their antics and their sloppy kisses. I grew up with dogs, and we have a dog and a cat, both of which seem to understand and respond to our needs. My husband and I laugh so much over these two critters, it’s hard to imagine life without them. I only hope I am as good a person as my dog seems to think I am. With God’s grace!

What is your favorite food? A grilled hamburger with lots of olive sauce! And fries, and a milkshake. I love to dip fries in my chocolate milkshake. So yummy! And, yes, I am still a kid at heart—I don’t want to grow up! Which is probably why my granddaughters say I’m the “cool” grandma. Gotta laugh!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Finding time to write. Since I work from home, it’s a challenge to keep to a writing schedule. There are always a million things that need doing: laundry, grocery shopping, housecleaning, interruptions, and such. Creating a schedule and sticking to it has been very helpful. We divide our office space into two areas, so we each have our own computer and desk. My husband knows when he sees the grumpy gnome statue outside the office door, I am busy writing. The gnome holds a sign that says, “Leave!”

Tell us about the featured book. Lucy Hornberger didn’t believe in ghosts until a spirit followed her home from the flea market. Now she knows there is a spiritual realm existing alongside our own, filled with angels, demons, spirits, and ghosts, and the heavenly city of Ascalon. With the help of her best friend Schuyler, Lucy must protect a magical artifact from an evil spirit, Prince Darnathian. But now a new level of spirit hauntings, deception and treachery brings Lucy to a halt. Darnathian is getting closer to obtaining his objective—annihilate the High King and destroy Ascalon forever.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue. Bohemia, early thirteenth century. 

The scriptorium was a hive of activity. Candlelight flickered over the domed frescoed ceiling with scenes of prophets and scholars engaged in intellectual activities or sharing a cup of wine. The floor-to-ceiling bookcases were filled with books, manuscripts, and scrolls containing a vast amount of knowledge acquired and maintained over thousands of years. Chairs and pews usually lined the large hallway-like room, providing a comfortable resting place where the monks could sit and read. The scriptorium was one of the most beloved rooms in the old monastery.

But not tonight.

Tonight, rows of hooded monks huddled over wood tables, heads bowed, their quills scratching at huge vellum pages. They dipped their quills into the thick and pungent ink in small pewter pots, which magically refilled. They covered each page with details of a hideous, vile, and mysterious knowledge of ancient magic. They also documented spells, forbidden languages, and good and evil images. The information punctured and invaded their minds.

Their handwriting, identical in every detail, was not their own. It belonged to the Dark Prince who had uttered the curse. Now, even the knowledge contained in all their books could not help the black-robed monks break the spell.

Somewhere in the ancient church, a clock tolled the hour, the deep tones echoing unnaturally along the corridors in the oppressive darkness. Tonight, the tones were discordant and jarring, symbolic of the terrors inside the old monastery. The windows were a dark backdrop reflecting the room’s abnormal activity; the candlelight quivering in the panes.

The Dark Prince meandered among the writing tables, his hand elegantly floating up and down as though he were conducting a symphony orchestra. His footsteps were loud in the relative silence of the room, his boot heels thudding against the flagstones. He stopped and lazily considered the monk before him as a devious smile creased his face. The Dark Prince leaned over the desk and pushed the monk’s hood back to reveal the man’s face. The monk was sweating.

“Herman, what’s this?” Darnathian asked innocently. He pulled a chair close and sat, leaning toward the monk. “You’re sweating profusely. Is the temperature in the room too warm for you? I can remove a few of the fires in the grates if that would make you more comfortable.” He made a pretense of glancing about the room.

Evenly spaced along the inner walls, recessed stone fireplaces danced with low, glowing fires, which kept the scriptorium dry and comfortable. The room’s stone construction meant it was warm in the winter months and cooler in the summer. The green flames danced with grotesque images and tickled the cursed logs without consuming them, emitting an even heat.

How can readers find you on the Internet? Readers can find me at:  http://www.lgnixon.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/l.g.nixon.author or www.instagram.com/lg_nixon/ The books are also available on my website, at Amazon.com, and by order through your favorite bookstore.

Thank you, L. G., for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I just received my copy earlier this week.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-You-Cant-See/dp/1737924404/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25IQGM0IGEUID&keywords=The+Ghost+You+Can%E2%80%99t+See&qid=1674767819&s=books&sprefix=the+ghost+you+can+t+see%2Cstripbooks%2C116&sr=1-1

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 2 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   

YESTERDAY'S TIDES - Roseanna M White - One Free Book

Bio: Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award–winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. You can learn more about her and her stories at roseannamwhite.com.

About the Story: In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same—until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, but he doesn’t count on falling in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. When war breaks out in Europe, and their relationship is put in jeopardy, will their love survive?

As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Can you please tell us a little bit about your new novel Yesterday’s Tides? Yesterday’s Tides is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina—one of my favorite places on earth—and follows two generations of innkeepers on Ocracoke Island as their respective worlds fall into war, both the First and Second World Wars. With espionage, intelligence work, betrayal, and soul-deep love, my two heroines learn that yesterday’s tides are what shape tomorrow’s shores for us all.

Yesterday’s Tides addresses themes such as giving up and reclaiming your dreams. Can you tell us a little more about how this idea comes into play in the lives of your two female protagonists, Louisa and Evie? Louisa was accustomed to working hard for everything, and she always knew that if a dream was worthwhile, it was worth sacrificing for. She also faces something so many of us do: the reality of trading one dream in for another as life throws surprises at us. Evie, on the other hand, never lived a life of want, but she still had to make choices that dictated whether she lived humbly or in luxury. Ultimately, she sacrificed her gilded world for the simple island life . . . and now has to live with all that entails.

This novel has it all—WWI, WWII, dual-time, romance, intrigue. What inspired you to write a novel with timelines in both world wars? This story has honestly been with me for nearly two decades now! I first wrote it as a contemporary but decided as I began writing First World War novels that I’d love to reset it then. One year as I was vacationing in the Outer Banks and reading up on some of the fascinating history of the region, I was bemoaning that all the really good stories were from the Second World War, not the first. Which is when it hit me—a time-slip! A way to tell not only Louisa and Rem’s story, but Evie and Sterling’s too! I fell in love with the idea and spent a blissful week plotting out just how to do it. Something I learned through all my research of the Great War was that it was at the root of nearly everything from WWII. That was a theme I loved exploring in this book.

What type of research was required for writing about the events leading up to these major conflicts? Most of the research for this one was actually done on the ground, in Ocracoke! I often can’t travel to the places my books are set, so it was amazing to get to spend a week on the island—the very week in which the book opens—and explore the forests, beaches, and archives of the preservation society, as well as walk pretty much every street and lane in the village as I hunted up where each event would happen. It was so cool to be able to record sounds, images, impressions, and historical musings from the exact places my characters would be!

Was there anything that you found particularly interesting in your research that you included in your book? In the realm of big events, definitely the one that my book opens with: the sinking of the HMT Bedfordshire, a fishing boat that had been converted by the British into a warship to help protect America’s vulnerable East Coast before we’d had time to spool up our navy. After the boat was hit by a torpedo, seven sailors’ bodies washed ashore on Ocracoke, and the locals buried them as heroes and still preserve the British Cemetery to this day. In smaller things, I loved learning about how the wild ponies on the island dig down to the roots of the seagrass for fresh water, and about yaupon, the only tree native to the United States whose leaves contain caffeine. Locals have been using it to make tea for centuries.

You’ve written novels set in a variety of historical periods. Would you say that WWII is the time period you find most interesting, or do you have another? This is actually my first foray into the Second World War—but after so many novels set in the First, I was really looking forward to exploring how these two worldwide tragedies are so intertwined! I’ve really enjoyed diving deep into the 1900–1918 era through my past series, and it was fun to follow those threads forward into the next generation. I always used to say the 1940s were way too modern for historical-loving me, but I’ll admit I’ve had a few other ideas take root while working on this one!

What do you hope readers take away from this story? Ultimately, I hope that readers come away with the certainty that love is the greatest current that will ever draw us; that prayer is as solid and true as the sea glass and shells that make a mosaic of our lives; and that the God who raised Lazarus and parted the Red Sea can orchestrate miracles for us still today.

Can you share what you’re working on next? Of course! Up next for me is an Edwardian series called THE IMPOSTERS, which will launch next summer with A Beautiful Disguise. This series follows the antics of an aristocratic brother and sister who become private investigators to keep their estate afloat, spying on their fellow aristocrats using the skills they picked up from the people who colored their childhoods: acrobats, actors, and circus performers. These stories mix intrigue and even espionage with circus themes and high fashion and have turned out to be so much fun!

How can readers connect with you? You can find me on all the major social media platforms @RoseannaMWhite, and you can sign up for my newsletter and visit my shop full of signed books and other bookish delights at RoseannaMWhite.com. I love chatting with readers!

Thank you, Roseanna, for sharing these stories with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Yesterdays-Tides-Roseanna-M-White/dp/0764240013/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JX0CLC2BPWD5&keywords=Yesterday%E2%80%99s+Tides&qid=1674684138&s=books&sprefix=yesterday+s+tides+%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-1

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 2 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 

UNDER THE STARRY SKIES - Tracie Peterson - One Free Book

Bio: Tracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the award-winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Award-winning novelist, Tracie Peterson, has been praised for her captivating historical novels. While each novel weaves a different tale, Peterson packs her signature elements of history, action, and romance into each work while also offering underlying life lessons. In her newest novel, Under the Starry Skies, Peterson crafts a story about facing your past and learning to forgive others and yourself.

About the Story: Sensible and independent, Cassandra Barton never expected to be on her own at thirty-two. But after the death of her father and the marriage of her sister, she’s found joy in her work as a seamstress. When a minor accident leaves her unable to sew, she decides to use her time to compile a book of stories about the men working on the Santa Fe Railroad. But worry begins to grow in San Marcial as Mexican revolutionaries set out to destroy the railroad—and put many lives in danger.

With Europe at war and his longtime friend Cassie injured, railroad worker Brandon DuBarko is burdened by his troubles. And when a vengeful man reappears in Brandon’s life intent on causing conflict, Brandon must face his past before he can move forward.

As the danger intensifies, Cassie and Brandon must rely on their faith to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of a brighter future.

Welcome Back, Tracie. Please provide a brief description of your new novel, Under the Starry Skies. This book is a historical romance set during WWI in New Mexico. Mexican revolutionaries are destroying the Santa Fe Railroad, and as the danger intensifies, Cassie and her longtime friend Brandon must rely on their faith to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.

After a minor accident, your female protagonist, Cassandra Barton, has to take a break from her current role as a seamstress. What did she do to occupy her time while she was recovering? Cassie fondly remembers the stories her father told of working on the Santa Fe and decides to collect stories from other railroad workers and put together a book.

Cassandra’s friend, Brandon DuBarko, is a railroad worker with a troubled past. Without giving away any spoilers, can you please give readers a hint about Brandon’s troubles? Brandon acted out of anger as a youth, and it completely altered his life.

What did you learn from researching the lives of railroad workers during the early 1900s? One of the main things that jumped out at me was the true brotherhood of the men who worked the rails. There was a deep camaraderie that bound them to each other, not only for the sake of getting work done but also for the safety of their lives.

Under the Starry Skies relays how Mexican revolutionaries tried to destroy the railroad. What was their motivation for the destruction, and how did this impact the lives of railroad workers and the community?  The concern that Mexican revolutionaries were trying to destroy the railroad came about due to Pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus, New Mexico. After that, every time something went wrong, people were quick to believe Villa had returned to cause more harm.

Facing your past is one of the underlying lessons found in Under the Starry Skies. Are there other lessons embedded in the pages of your book? My stories always deal with forgiveness. Cassie and her sister have to learn to let go and forgive the past. Brandon has to learn to forgive, as well. Forgiveness is critical for these characters to move forward.

Why did you choose Santa Fe as the setting for your novel? I chose the Santa Fe Railroad for this series because it’s always been near and dear to my heart. My grandfather and other family members once worked for the Santa Fe. I chose San Marcial because it was once a divisional headquarters for the Santa Fe, and my research provided some very interesting stories about the place.

You have received high praise for your award-winning historical fiction novels. What do you love most about writing books in this genre? I love sharing little known bits of history, as well as bringing to life a time long gone by. I also like to explore the past because it proves there really isn’t anything new under the sun. Problems that were prominent in the 1800s were also prominent in the 1900s and 2000s.

What are you working on next? I’m working on a three-book series with each book again standing on its own. The setting is the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909 in Seattle, Washington.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers can reach me at my website www.traciepetersonbooks.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTraciePeterson.

Thank you, Tracie, for sharing this story with my blog readers and me. I absolutely love your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=under+the+starry+skies%2C+tracie+peterson&i=stripbooks&crid=3QXQXI6X1XWC5&sprefix=Under+the+Starry+Skies%2Cstripbooks%2C98&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_22

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 2 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.

Connie (KY) is the winner of The Orchard by Beverly Lewis. 

Abigail H (OK) is the winner of A Gem of Truth by Kimberley Woodhouse.

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 2 weeks to claim your book.  

A MARK OF GRACE - Kimberley Woodhouse - One Free Book

Bio: Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books, including The Heart of Alaska series and The Treasures of Nome series. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.

About the Book. Ruth Anniston loves working at the El Tovar Hotel, nestled in the breathtaking landscape of the Grand Canyon. But life took an abrupt turn when she was attacked by a mountain lion, which left her physically scarred, broken, and angry at God. Originally serving as the hotel’s headwaitress, Ruth now finds herself behind the scenes as a kitchen and dining room supervisor. When money begins to disappear from the hotel, Ruth's entire livelihood is put at risk, since the thefts seem to center around the kitchen and dining room.

Frank Henderson wants to help Ruth, but he has finally succeeded in obtaining his dream job as the head chef at the El Tovar. If he offers his assistance, will he risk everything he has worked for? But as Frank wrestles with his growing affection for Ruth, both his career—and his heart—are in jeopardy. 

As tensions run high, Ruth and Frank must work together to save the El Tovar and forge a new path for the future together.

Welcome back, Kimberley. A Mark of Grace is the third and final volume in the Secrets of the Canyon series. What is the connecting element for all of the books in this series? The Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel, and the Harvey Girls connect all the books in this series.

Why did you choose the Grand Canyon as the location for your series? I’d been wanting to write a Harvey Girls series for more than a decade, and in my mind, I couldn’t think of a better location than Harvey’s Crown Jewel, the fabulous El Tovar Hotel, which sits on the rim of the canyon.

What inspired the idea for this series? Back in 2008, when I first went to the Grand Canyon for research, there were several historical elements that kicked my author gears into motion. Things as simple as the information placards had me jotting down different ideas as I soaked in all the grandeur and beauty of the canyon.

What do readers have to look forward to in this thrilling conclusion? This book is Ruth’s story, and I’ve had hundreds of readers ask if Ruth would get her own book. This heroine has always been the one to guide the girls under her as the headwaitress. She’s been the one to give advice and wisdom. In A Mark of Grace, she struggles with several crises that are out of her control. She’s lost a good bit of confidence and must find her own path again.

Are there any threads that run through the whole series that will be wrapped up in A Mark of Grace? There’s an accident in the previous book in the series, A Gem of Truth, that greatly affects Ruth. Her story really comes out because of that.

Both of your protagonists, Ruth Anniston and Frank Henderson, work at the El Tovar Hotel, which has a long and rich history within the grounds of the Grand Canyon. Can you please tell readers about their different roles at the hotel? Ruth Anniston has been a headwaitress for Harvey Houses for more than a decade. She’s had the prestigious position at the El Tovar since its opening. But after her accident in A Gem of Truth, she’s now the kitchen and dining room supervisor.

Frank Henderson has been a chef for the Harvey Empire for many years. When the El Tovar was finished, he was thrilled with the assignment of assistant head chef. At the beginning of A Mark of Grace, Frank receives a promotion he’s always dreamed of obtaining. But the stakes are high, and the job may demand some sacrifices that Frank is not willing to make—especially when it comes to Ruth.

Ruth Anniston has had a dramatic shift in the role she plays at the hotel. What led to this change in position? <spoiler> She was attacked by a mountain lion in A Gem of Truth, leaving her face scarred and her leg severely injured. Since she can’t stand for the long hours required on the floor of the dining room, the hotel manager, Mr. Owens, gives her a new position. It’s needed anyway, since the hotel is in its prime and growing.

What lessons do you hope readers gain from reading A Mark of Grace? God’s unconditional love is available for everyone. We don’t have to be “good enough” to come to Him. We don’t have to do anything. In fact, it’s the understanding that salvation has absolutely nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him and what He sacrificed for us.

You have written more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books. Can you please tell us what you love most about writing historical fiction? I absolutely love learning from history, so the research part for me is exceptionally fun. I spend months researching each book. I hope that my readers will take away some of the same awe that I found while writing the story, especially in all the amazing people and events that have shaped us and paved the way. 

What are you working on next? I'm super excited about my next series for Bethany House. It includes paleontology, dinosaurs, and some amazing history. I just finished the manuscript for the first book and can’t wait for the editing phase. 

How can readers connect with you? My website is kimberleywoodhouse.com. All of my social media channels are there as well. 

Thank you, Kimberley, for sharing this book with us. I love Harvey girls’ stories.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Grace-Secrets-Canyon/dp/0764238027/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TJK4KORBGH6K&keywords=a+mark+of+grace+kimberley+woodhouse&qid=1674238588&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjIwIiwicXNhIjoiMC44MyIsInFzcCI6IjAuODYifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=A+Mark+of+Grace+%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1-1

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 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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HEARTS OF STEEL - Elizabeth Camden - One Free Book

Welcome, Elizabeth. Please tell us about your new book. Hearts of Steel is a gilded age romance featuring Maggie Molinaro, who survived a hardscrabble childhood and a decade of sacrifice to create the most successful ice cream factory in New York. When she offends a corrupt banker, she unwittingly sets off a series of calamities that threaten to destroy her life’s work. Steel magnate Liam Blackstone has fallen in love with Maggie and is prepared to lay everything on the line to defeat the enemy who is trying to destroy them both. It is a briskly paced, whirlwind romance about hope, optimism, and the power of love to achieve the common good. 

Hearts of Steel is the third novel in The Blackstone Legacy series. What is the theme that ties these books together? At the center of the trilogy is the powerful Blackstone banking family, and each novel delves into a fascinating, real-life business crisis from the dawn of the twentieth century. Hearts of Steel is a spirited love story about the power of community to overcome corruption in the ice industry. The other novels focus on the burgeoning steel industry and building the Trans-Siberian Railway. Although the novels are linked, each one can easily be read on its own.

You are known for writing love stories built around little-known historical events. What real-life historical events did you feature in Hearts of Steel? Charles Morse was a robber baron who tried to monopolize the ice industry in the early part of the twentieth century. At the time, ice was the only way to keep food cold, factories operating, and people comfortable in a world without air conditioning. When Morse seized control of the industry, he caused restaurants, grocers, and the entire food industry in New York to grind to a halt. People died of heatstroke, and morgues closed—it was a mess! My heroine’s ice cream factory goes out of business because of the ice monopoly, and she joins forces with the hero to save not only her company but also expose the political system that made such corruption possible.   

What is the significance behind the title Hearts of Steel? The steel industry plays a huge role in the trilogy, so that is the surface meaning of the title. The deeper symbolism relates to Maggie’s and Liam’s difficult upbringings. Both came from impoverished backgrounds, and the struggles they endured on their way to becoming successful adults has made them strong and yet they remain deeply compassionate people. When they see a wrong, they want to make it right. Throughout the novel, they give, suffer, and sacrifice, which makes their hearts become stronger and more resilient.     

What about the character of Maggie Molinaro do you think your readers will most resonate with? Maggie is a self-made woman who dropped out of school at age fifteen to sell ice cream out of a pushcart. The beginning of the story traces her hard-knocks journey from the slums until she becomes the owner of a successful ice cream factory. When the novel’s villain targets her company for destruction out of spite, I think the readers will be doubly invested in seeing Maggie triumph because they’ve seen how hard she worked to achieve her success. 

Readers will also enjoy how Maggie has a foot in two worlds: the working-class factory life and the splendor of New York high society. She is relatively new to financial success, so it’s a bit of a struggle for her to feel comfortable in Liam’s world. 

What role do spiritual themes play in this novel? I wanted to explore what it means to be a “good Christian.” Liam was raised outside the faith and doubts his ability to live up to the Christian standards he has set for himself. He falls short time and again, but by the end of the novel, he learns the tremendous value of failure. Most people who tackle huge challenges will encounter failures along the way. Some will give up, while others will dust themselves off and stand up to try again. This is true whether in daily activities, long-term goals, and spiritual journeys. Liam will encounter failure in all three and still triumph by the end. 

I hope readers will be inspired by his journey. Like Liam, we are often our own worst critics and obsess over our personal shortcomings and failures. But failure can be a powerful lesson, and very few people who accomplish great things will evade painful failures. I wanted to present failure as a normal part of life, that spiritual failures and doubts are not lifelong conditions but something that can be overcome.  

How can readers connect with you? I am very active on Facebook, where I post daily snippets of interesting historical tidbits as well as sneak-peeks into my upcoming novels (https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCamden/) I always love hearing from readers, who can contact me at elizabeth@elizabethcamden.com 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this new novel with my blog readers and me. It is on the top of my to-be-read pile.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hearts+of+steel+elizabeth+camden&i=stripbooks&crid=COUK03D0GE8P&sprefix=Hearts+of+Steel%2Cstripbooks%2C109&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_15

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 2 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 

SHAWN AND HIS AMAZING SHRINKING SISTER - Ginger Hubbard - One Free Book

A little teasing doesn’t hurt anyone, right? Wrong! Think for a moment about why children (or adults) tease. To get attention? To impress others? Are they trying to feel important by cutting down someone else? Most of the motivation for teasing is selfish: getting what one wants at the expense of someone else’s feelings. That’s why it is important to make sure children understand why teasing is hurtful. Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister: A Book About Teasing, written by Ginger Hubbard and Al Roland, gives parents guidance for ending teasing while teaching children how to build one another up instead of tearing one another down.  

Shawn and Annie are excited for a family camping trip, but trouble awaits! Mom and Dad tease each other, and soon Shawn follows their lead and starts teasing Annie. But every time Shawn is unkind and teases her, Annie gets a little bit smaller. As Annie shrinks, the whole family learns how teasing can be hurtful to others and how it dishonors God.

Welcome to my blog, Ginger. Please introduce us to your series, Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely. What inspired you and your coauthor, Al Roland, to create the series? As a conference speaker, I have listened to parents all over the country express heartache over their inability to help their children get a handle on tongue-related offences such as whining, lying, and teasing. So many children today are in bondage to enslaving addictions of the tongue, which stem from enslaving sins of the heart. Parents are looking for ways to uproot these issues, address them from a biblical perspective, and point their children to Jesus—who is our only hope for change.

I’ve written parenting books to help parents do that, but my coauthor and I wanted to write children’s books to help them grasp these same concepts in fun ways. My co-author, Al Roland, had some creative story ideas to help us do that.

What are the most common forms of teasing between children? Why is teasing harmful? Teasing can manifest in many ways, such as mocking (imitating someone for the purpose of making them appear and feel stupid, silly, or ridiculous) or insulting (verbally ridiculing or belittling someone for the purpose of making them appear and feel inadequate or less significant).

Whether the teaser is criticizing, belittling, or making fun in a joking way, biblically, teasing falls under the category of “unwholesome talk” that fails to benefit the listener. In fact, unwholesome talk does just the opposite. It tears down the person being teased, which is a direct violation of God’s commands to love others (John 13:34) and build them up (Ephesians 4:29).

How can parents identify the heart motives behind their children’s teasing? There are at least three motives behind children teasing: to get attention, to entertain, and to verbalize what you truly mean. The latter typically loses the merit of truth when “just kidding” is quickly added after the so-called teasing remark. All three motives are selfish in nature, as they bring a form of satisfaction to the teaser at the expense of hurting someone else.

If there is an audience, the motive is most likely geared toward receiving attention and entertaining. There is selfish motive when getting attention or getting a laugh takes precedence over the feelings of others. Desiring attention at the expense of someone else violates God’s command to value the interests of others over our own (Philippians 2:4).

What is the problem with children using teasing as a means to express how they really feel? It’s deceitful to verbalize what is true in the heart and then play it off as teasing. Proverbs 26:18-19 clearly addresses this issue: “Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”  Matthew 5:37 commands that we let our yes be yes and our no be no. We are to say what we mean and mean what we say. That verse also warns that “anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Biblical and unselfish communication involves speaking truth in love and encompasses the motive to bring good, not harm. According to Ephesians 4:15, it is through this sort of communication that believers grow in maturity in Christ: “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Where in Scripture can we find examples of teasing to better understand why God takes this offense so seriously? Second Kings 2 tells the story of a gang of boys (42 boys to be exact) who were teasing the prophet Elisha about his bald head. When Elisha called down a curse on the boys in the name of the Lord, two bears came out of the woods and mauled the whole gang.

The moral of the story was that to ridicule Elisha was to ridicule the Lord. God created Elisha’s bald head, just as he created us all with different personalities, characteristics, appearances, and interests. To make fun of any aspect of the unique qualities of God’s creation is to criticize the creator himself. Proverbs 17:5 says, “Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker.” The severe consequences the boys in the story suffered as a result of teasing were God’s warning to all who criticize God’s creation.

What is your three-step strategy to help children overcome the bad habit of teasing and learn how to treat others in a way that builds others up rather than tearing them down? Step One: Ask Heart-Probing Questions. Asking questions helps children take ownership of the sin in their heart, which will help them recognize their need for Jesus. You might ask, “Could it be that you are putting your needs (to get attention or entertain) above the feelings of the person you are teasing? Are your words showing love by building up, or are they tearing down? 

Step Two: Reprove Your Child for Teasing. You could use wisdom from Matthew 7:12 by saying something such as, “We are told in Matthew that we should treat others the way that we would want them to treat us. Would you want to be treated this way? When you tease, you are using unwholesome talk that dishonors God and hurts others. The first part of Ephesians 4:29 warns, ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.’”

Step Three: Train Your Child to Edify Others.  You might say, “The second part of Ephesians 4:29 tells us to speak ‘only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’ Your words are not benefiting others. They are hurting others. However, the good news is that when God gives us commands, he also enables us through his spirit to follow those commands. I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you to only speak words that will benefit and build up.”

How does Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister help children learn why teasing is hurtful and introduce the importance of building others up? In the story, every time Shawn teases his sister she shrinks, which represents how tearing others down makes them feel small.  It’s not until his sister has gotten so tiny that she’s almost gone, that Shawn realizes the harmful effects his teasing has had on her. As the story progresses and Shawn asks for forgiveness, his relationship with his sister is restored, her size returns to normal, and Shawn learns why God calls his children to build others up, not tear them down.

In the story, Shawn has picked up on teasing from his mom and dad. As parents, when our children struggle with an issue, should we look inward to examine our own hearts to see if we might be struggling too? When we recognize our own sin, how do we acknowledge it with our children? Yes, we are told in Matthew 7:5 that we should remove the plank in our own eye and then we can see clearly to remove the speck from someone else’s eye. There is one thing we all have in common with our kids. We are sinners in need of a Savior just as much as they are. We need God’s rescuing grace and help as much as they do, and it’s encouraging for them to know that.  As parents, we need to be honest with our kids about our own struggles at age-appropriate levels. 

When we admit our own sin and our own need for Jesus to our kids, it encourages them to do the same.

What other books are available in the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series? There are two other books that released last year, Sam and the Sticky Situation and Chloe and the Closet of Secrets.

In Sam and the Sticky Situation: A Book About Whining, Sam has figured out a way to get what he wants when he wants it—he whines. In fact, it works so well that he’s started whining more and more to get his way. Not only does Sam’s mother give into his whining very quickly—he learned how to whine from her. But Sam finds himself in quite the sticky situation when his whining leads him to being covered with cotton candy and stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel!

In Chloe and the Closet of Secrets: A Book About Lying, Chloe has a sneaky habit of making up stories. She thinks it’s no big deal, but one day crazy little fluffs appear every time she tells a lie. Chloe starts stuffing the fluffs in her closet, but soon it’s almost ready to burst. Not only that, she realizes that her lies are sinful and are hurting her relationships. But after her father confesses his own lie and asks God for forgiveness, Chloe gains the courage to let out all of her secrets.

What tools for parents are included in each book of the series after the story itself? At the end of each book in the series, there is a resource page for parents and caregivers that supplies biblical content and practical strategies for the problem at hand. 

The parent page at the end of Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister: A Book About Teasing helps children recognize the heart issue behind teasing, the harmful effects of tearing others down, and the benefits and blessings that come from adhering to God’s command to build others up.

Each book is written in a rhyming style. Do you find that helps keep children’s attention and retain the message better than if the story were simply narrative? It is easier for kids (and adults) to remember words that are written in rhyme, which is why we are able to listen to a song just two or three times and then know the lyrics by heart.  I could recite several Dr. Suess stories to my kids without even opening the books. The rhyming words were catchy and easy to remember, so after just a few reads, they were in my heart. Nothing against Dr. Suess, but it’s far more beneficial for words based on the truths of the Bible to be in our hearts and the hearts of our children.

Thank you, Ginger, for sharing this book with my blog readers an me. I’m eager to share it with my great-grandchildren.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Shawn-His-Amazing-Shrinking-Sister/dp/1645073149/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YEQG5890RZQE&keywords=shawn+and+his+amazing+shrinking+sister&qid=1673994030&s=books&sprefix=Shawn+and+His+Amazing+Shrinking+Sister%2Cstripbooks%2C101&sr=1-1

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 2 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