THE SHELL COLLECTOR'S DAUGHTER - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Beth. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books? 

My Surf’s Up series gives me the opportunity to include a beach in every novella, which is a nice change from writing Amish stories in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The diversity keeps me from getting bored with either genre. Who doesn’t love the beach? And the peacefulness of Amish country is a big draw also.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?

Cover, plot, and REVIEWS. We are all told the importance of reviews, and I rely heavily on what other readers have said about a book. I almost always read a sample before I make a purchase.

I’m with you on that. There are certain things I look for in the review that will determine whether I get the book or not. Please give us a little tour of the setting for this book.

This book is set at Mustang Island in Port Aransas, Texas. Once I had that setting established, I wanted my hero to be a traveling journalist who was covering the top beaches for shell collecting in the United States. I was thrilled when I found out San Jose Island is on that list AND that it was a ten-minute ferry ride from Mustang Island. I’ve been to Mustang Island a lot of times over the years, and I’ve been to San Jose Island twice.

What other books do you have coming out soon?

I partnered with Ruth Reid, Kelly Irvin, and Amy Clipston for An Amish Christmas, a novella collection slated to release in August 2017. Book #3 in my Amish Secrets series—Home All Along—releases in September 2017.

We need to be sure that both of those books are scheduled to appear on my blog. My readers will love them. Please give us a glimpse inside your home.

We are empty nesters living in the country in South Central Texas, so it’s very quiet—inside and outside. I have a lovely office that I enjoy writing in, when it’s clean, lol. Otherwise, I typically write on my couch in the living room. We have a bright sunroom that overlooks the pool, and it’s also a nice place to write. My husband took up the piano about three years ago, and even as I write this I am listening to him practice. I’m proud of him for taking up a new passion later in life. He loves it, and I like listening to him play. I love to cook, so I stay busy in my kitchen, and I believe I need to own every kitchen gadget known to man, lol.

My husband bought me an Instant Pot for Mother’s Day because he heard me say I wanted one. I’m learning to use it now. Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?

The Shell Collector’s Daughter is book #3 in my Surf’s Up series. Other novellas in the collection are A Tide Worth Turning and Message In A Bottle. I also included a short story and sampler of the other stories in Christmas by the Sea. 

Tell us about the story.

From the back cover:

Each Surf’s Up novella takes the reader to a beach locale, weaving romance and adventure into a soul-soothing journey of hope. Carianna's story is a heartwarming tale which follows one woman's journey as she navigates the many types of love God gifts to us.

Carianna isn’t like other twenty-six-year-old women. She’s never been on a date, never experienced the euphoria of a first kiss, and certainly never been in love. Can a man’s heart speak to hers in a way that she can understand? And if so, will any man believe that she sings with the angels and has tea with God? Will they see the stardust twinkling in her eyes or hear the secret whispers of the ocean in a sea shell?

Dominic is grieving the death of his mother, so he welcomes a job opportunity that takes him to a beach community on the Texas coast. But what begins as a distraction and change of scenery shifts into a healing journey filled with discovery. Amidst his heartache, Dominic finds love in a beautiful and unexpected way when he meets Carianna—the shell collector’s daughter.

But can Dominic convince Carianna’s father to lift his protective wings and allow Carianna to soar into the life that God meant for her? And will Carianna hear Dominic’s heart speaking to hers in a way that she understands?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Carianna sat across the table from God, the way she’d done every Thursday for as long as she could remember. In the backyard of her father’s shop, there was an oak tree with limbs that were hundreds of years old—three hundred and twelve God had told her. Protective branches formed a dome over Carianna’s head, even though no protection was needed on Thursdays. 

Her father’s shop was far enough away from the beach that Carianna couldn’t hear the breaking of the waves, but it was close enough to inhale the briny smells of the ocean. A perfect breeze swirled amid the branches of the old tree as Carianna took a sip of her raspberry tea. She loved living on Mustang Island, and she loved these visits with God.

“I’m sending someone into your life, Carianna,” God said as He lifted His blue cup to His lips. “A man of My choosing, a person to be with you for the rest of your days on Earth.”

Carianna frowned as her stomach clenched. “I have my father for that.” She stared at God, and without knowing why or how, Carianna knew He was perfect. Perfect love. A smile replaced her sour expression. “And I have You.”

Her friend set His cup on the worn wooden table, and He folded one hand on top of the other. God’s hands were wrinkled, like her father’s, and God’s gray hair swept sideways in wiry wisps to one side of His tanned face. A face filled with connecting lines, spidery and deep. She believed God to be older than her father, but it was hard to know for sure.

I love it already. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.BethWiseman.com. You can read samples of all of my books there. I’m also at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook, and @bethwiseman on Twitter.

Thank you for having me again, Lena. It’s always an honor to be a guest on your blog.

Beth, it’s a pleasure to host you and introduce your books to my readers. You’re a real favorite of mine … and of my readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Shell Collector's Daughter: A Surf's Up Novella (Volume 4) - Paperback
The Shell Collector's Daughter: A Surf's Up Novella - 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, Google+, 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

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Bio: Beth Wiseman is best known for her Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan Amish series. Having sold over 1.5 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple bestseller lists, and she has been the recipient of many prestigious literary awards. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2019, and she has published fourteen novels and sixteen novellas to date.

Beth has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas including Christian contemporary romance novels and novellas. Need You Now, The House that Love Built, The Promise and A Tide Worth Turning are some of these recent releases.

Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying the country life in Texas with three dogs and a rooster. When she’s not writing, Beth loves to travel, paint, and enjoy time with friends and family.

Welcome back, Beth. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

I’m fortunate to be able to alternate between Amish fiction and women’s fiction. I enjoy both of those genres, but with each book—Amish or otherwise—I see my stories growing a little bit edgier and filled with more twists and turns. It makes for more complex revisions and edits, but it’s fun to up the ante for the reader.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?

Ha! My husband and I have been having this conversation on a regular basis, and the honest answer is … I don’t know! We’ve talked about visiting places we haven’t been so we could possibly try living somewhere new. But at the end of the day, we are born and raised Texans, and I don’t see that changing. J

What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

Singapore. My oldest son has been working there for three years, and he is begging me to come for a visit, even though he comes home for five weeks every year. But, oh my … that is a very long plane flight. I’m not as worldly a traveler as my son, lol. However, it is on my travel list for next year, if all goes well. So many things to consider when traveling that far from home.

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

Does my romance with food count? ;) If so, I’d combine a romantic vacation with my husband and a trip to Positano, Italy, to attend cooking school!

Sounds yummy in more ways than one. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

See the answer to the last question above. I think that would be a perfect setting for one of my Surf’s Up novellas.

What is the main theme of this novella?

Kyle is faced with a seemingly impossible situation. I’ve tried to convey that even in the worst of times, God has a plan, often better than anything we could have dreamed up on our own.

Tell us about the story.

Here is the back cover copy:

One man. Two women. A child desperate for medical treatment.

How can Kyle choose between the woman he once loved and his current fiancée? Is there a solution that suits all involved, or will someone end up out of the triangle forever?

Morgan Calhoun and her parents are whisked away in the middle of the night, something Morgan always knew was a possibility because of her father's CIA job. But she'd always thought if such a scenario played out that she would have time to say goodbye to those she loved—particularly her boyfriend, Kyle. Adding to her unbearable situation, several weeks after the move, Morgan finds out that she's pregnant.

Kyle Brossmann doesn't even get a break-up letter from Morgan. She's just gone, along with her parents. His heart broken, Kyle continues with his plans. He graduates from high school and attends college, where he meets his fiancée, Lexie. But two men visit Kyle and encourage him to travel to an undisclosed location, where he will meet his five-year-old daughter. Rocked by the news that he has a child, Kyle learns he is the only person who might be able to save his daughter's life.

Will Kyle choose his first love and his daughter? Or will he stay with Lexie and live the life they’ve been planning?

Each Surf’s Up novella takes the reader to a beach locale, weaving romance and adventure into a soul-soothing journey of hope.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Kyle stretched tape across another box, then lifted it from the floor and piled it on top of the others that he had ready to go.

“I can’t believe all this stuff was stashed in this small room.” Lexie lowered a stack of file folders into a box. “I don’t think I had nearly this much in my dorm room.” She grinned as she slung long brown hair over her shoulders. “And I’m a girl. We keep everything.”

Kyle eyed the organized mess in the place he’d called home over the past four years. “Some of it probably needs to be trashed, but I’ll take a closer look at everything once I get settled in my apartment.” He handed Lexie the tape. “Just think, you’ll be right downstairs from me. No curfews or rules. We can eat pizza at three in the morning, and we won’t have to deal with crazy roommates.”

Lexie closed the distance between them and pressed her soft lips gently against his. Kyle eased his arms around her and basked in the scent of her flowery perfume. The feel of her mouth on his was a welcome distraction. They’d briefly considered moving in together, but Kyle’s Catholic upbringing kept him from choosing that option. They’d done the next best thing: rented apartments close to each other.

“Maybe we should take a break from packing,” Kyle whispered in her ear, trailing kisses down her neck.

She wiggled out of his arms. “Behave. We’ve got to get this done. You’ve got to be out of here by the end of the day.” She walked to the built-in drawers in Kyle’s room and tugged the bottom one until it inched open. “Good grief. What is all this?”

Yes, what is in that drawer? I can’t wait to find out. How can readers find you on the Internet?

On my website BethWiseman.com

Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where I interacts with readers

On Twitter at https://twitter.com/bethwiseman

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

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Message In A Bottle: A Surf's Up Novella - paperback
Message In A Bottle: A Surf's Up Novella - Kindle
This novella is also available in a volume with book one of her Surf's Up novellas.

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 not in the US. (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, Google+, 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

A TIDE WORTH TURNING - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, several years ago at an ACFW national conference in Minneapolis, one of the women in my critique group introduced me to Beth. We clicked right from the start. She wasn’t published at that time, but soon her first book released. Now she had a number of books out, and I love her writing.

Welcome back, Beth. How did this book come about?

I love reading books about the beach, and a novella is always nice on vacation. I enjoy writing romances, but my stories are also relationship driven with several subplots going on. In this story, we unravel secrets between Addison and her mother, feeling their pain and rejoicing with them as they find their way back to each other. There are two romances running parallel with each other, but there is also a mystery that isn’t revealed until the end. I write a lot of Amish novels and novellas, so I wanted to do something a bit different.

Tell us about the book’s cover and what makes it unique.

I’m so glad you asked this question. I took the photo on the cover. My husband bought me a fancy new camera for my birthday, and I captured this shot in Mexico. Then I turned it over to a graphics designer who came up with the final cover. The book starts off in Galveston, Texas, but if you’ve been to Galveston, you know right away the photo doesn’t look like Galveston; and it’s not meant to. This story takes my characters to another beach I would like to visit some day—and that is the intended beach on the cover.

Please explain and differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.

All of my books are fiction, but this is another good question since certain truths always find a way into my stories. In the story, we know from the beginning that Logan is in some sort of trouble. But we also know he is a good guy. This mystery isn’t revealed until the very end, so I don’t want to give any spoilers. The idea came to me based on something that happened to my son’s friend.

Yes, we authors often hear or experience something that takes us right into a story. How much research did you have to do for this book?

I had to do quite a bit of research for this book. Novellas need to pack a punch since they are shorter reads, but they also need to be as accurate as full-length novels. I’ve never been to the place my characters visit in the story, so I had to research certain customs and the area. And there were some legal issues that I had to research.

When I was in school, even college, I hated when we had to do research. Now I love it for my books. What are some of the most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to use in the story?

The food! Logan is from Australia, and he loves to cook, so I researched popular foods in Australia. I included two recipes in the back of the book, but I couldn’t squeeze them all in.

What inspired and surprised you while you were writing the book?

I’m always inspired by the ways God feeds me the story. And I’m always surprised by the ways I’m ministering to myself while writing the story. And there is something in the book that I wrote in early on, but I had no idea if it had any special meaning. One day I looked it up, and I just smiled when I realized it was very significant to the story and my character’s spiritual arc.

What do you hope the reader takes away from the story?

There is a reason for everything. God never wastes a hurt. So, if bad things are happening to good people, it could be God’s effort to direct our journey onto a better path.

What is the next project you’re working on?

I’m working on my second book in the Amish Secrets series (not yet titled). As I’ve done with my other series, I’ve brought back some of the same characters from Her Brother’s Keeper, but I’ve also introduced new people I hope readers will love.

What do you do when you have to get away from the story for a while?

It depends. If I’m just totally brain dead and my eyes hurt from staring at a computer and my phone, I’ll read a book. Other times, if I want a total escape, I’ll play games on my phone, just really tune everything else out. And I clean house. It’s amazing how dirty the baseboards become when I’m under deadline. I’ll find anything to do but write, lol.

Please give us the first page of the book.

ADDISON PACED ACROSS HER MOTHER’S LIVING ROOM as sweat dampened her temples and the base of her neck. May was already punishing them with Texas temperatures that were usually reserved for July and August. But Lee Ann Burke had a steadfast rule not to run the air conditioning until July. If there was any saving grace at all, it was the ocean pushing a breeze ashore, which wafted through the screened windows of the house Addison had grown up in. She breathed in the briny aroma, a smell she’d haul to her grave someday, with enough good and bad memories to keep her balanced on the plank she’d been walking since her father died. She glanced at her smart phone, wondering if she was going to make it to her next appointment on time. The continuous drip of the kitchen faucet around the corner felt like water torture against her left temple. She rubbed the source of the irritation. “Mom, are you sure the agency said three o’clock? It’s almost three thirty.”

“That’s what they said.” Her mother didn’t glance up, but kept focused on the jigsaw puzzle she was hunched over. Addison couldn’t recall a time that her family—small as it was—had ever shared a meal at the kitchen table, except maybe Christmas and Thanksgiving. On most days, her mother had one of her puzzles spread atop the oak table, with a sweating glass of sweet tea nearby and an ashtray. There was still sweet tea within reach, but at least Mom had taken to smoking her cigarettes outside a few years ago, something she should have done when it became common knowledge that secondhand smoke was unhealthy. 

I can hardly wait until my copy arrives, so I can read the rest of the story. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is the best place to start. It’s updated all the time, and you can read the first chapter of all my books for free. There is a place to sign up for my newsletter and direct links to vendors for each book. I’m also at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook. I’m on Twitter as Beth Wiseman. I have a Pinterest account and an Ello account. I sell my photography at www.FineArtsAmerica. And I’ve just recently signed up with Periscope, which is live videos, kind of like having your own TV broadcast.

Thank you, Lena, for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog.

I am always happy to host you on my blog, and I look forward to the next time we can meet face to face.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog. 

A Tide Worth Turning: A Novella

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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, Google+, 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

THE PROMISE - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Beth. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?

I’ve been blessed to be able to alternate between my Amish novels and non-Amish Texas contemporaries, but I think that after twenty-two novels and novellas, it’s natural to want to spread your wings. My publisher graciously allowed me to write a story that is very close to my heart and inspired by actual events. The Promise is way out of the box for me, but ultimately I think this is what I’ve been working toward my entire career thus far. I foresee venturing even further out of my comfort zone. That’s how we grow our writing, and I don’t want to ever stop learning and growing as an author.

What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?

Sadly, this is the first year that I won’t be attending any conferences. I’m going to miss seeing everyone. L My deadlines are incredibly tight (more so than usual).

If you were in charge of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why?

I think that most multi-published authors reach a point in their career when they wonder if they need an assistant. Then comes the question—what do I need an assistant to do so that I can be more productive as an author? Through trial and error, my assistant and I have pretty much perfected our professional relationship, and we are doubly blessed to have grown into great friends. We build on each other’s strengths, and we take up the slack for our weaknesses. Actually, I can’t think of any weaknesses she has, lol. My panel would include my publicist, Katie Bond (this was Katie’s idea, to have a class or panel on this topic), my fabulous assistant, Janet, and the newest member of our team, Jamie Foley…an incredible guru on all things technical, from marketing to websites, and all of the above. It would be a panel to discuss the tough choices authors make to “delegate” and when that becomes a necessity.        

I need to take that course. How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?

I live in a very small town (289 folks) so we don’t have any organized writing groups here, but it has been discussed, so we will see. But I’m a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and RWA (Romance Writers of America).       

Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?

I teach adult writing classes to benefit Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS), an organization that provides educational opportunities for children. I speak at various church and library events. And I donate books to libraries, charities, and fundraisers as often as I can.

Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?

This is a tough question because I’ve been blessed with an amazing family and friends. I could probably name 100 people who have had a big impact on my life, but I’ll do my best to narrow it down to five. Jesus seems an obvious answer, so I’ll assume He is already included and still pick five. I’ve been so fortunate to have the same best friend for thirty-five years. Renee knows everything there is to know about me, like a walking/talking diary that knows what makes me laugh, cry, and all the crazy things in between. She is the keeper of my history and my cheerleader for the future. My husband impacts my life in too many ways to mention, but he mostly keeps me sane. My dear author friend Kelly Long is in my “Top 5.” She is my stepping stone for all things spiritual, writing related and otherwise. Kelly often sees things in me that I don’t see in myself, and she encourages me with her faithful spirit, honestly, and unconditional love. My agent, Natasha Kern, has been a huge surprise for me. I knew Natasha was a great literary agent, but I had no way of knowing what an amazing woman she is and the positive affects she would have on my life, spiritually and professionally. She is also in my “Top 5.” Last, but never least, my mother continues to astound me with her love, support, and life attitude. At 81, she teaches whitewater canoeing, volunteers at the school, and bowls with the same women she’s been bowling with for fifty years. And she reads more books than anyone I know (except maybe Natasha).       

If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?

In the end, the cheese got her. Just kidding! I would hope that those who survive me would consider an inscription something like this… A loving wife and mother who wanted to make a difference through words that glorify God.            

Tell us about the featured book.

God never wastes an experience, and such is the case for The Promise. Someone I love was being held captive in Pakistan, and I had to work with the Consulate in Pakistan, the Embassy in Islamabad, and the U.S. State Department to get this person safely home. It was like something out of a movie, and at the time, I couldn’t imagine writing about it. But, here we are … two years later … and I hope and pray that The Promise will help women tempted by this type of deception to walk away. This book is much different from anything I’ve written.

Publishers Weekly had this to say:

“Bestselling author Wiseman encourages readers to think through their feelings about Islam, Christianity, faith, love, and what it means to help others. Her novel will challenge, encourage, and stimulate discussion among her loyal fans and first-time readers.”

Publishers Weekly can be a tough group to please, so I was very happy with this review, since this is what I was striving for – a book relevant to current events in the world that will challenge, encourage, and simulate discussion.

Here is the back cover copy:

Mallory Hammond is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents, or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal—to save a life. She had that chance when she was a teenager, and the opportunity slipped away, leaving a void she’s desperate to fill. Then a new friend she met online offers her the chance she’s dreamed of. But she’ll have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for years. He understands that Mallory’s free spirit has to fly, and when he gives her the space she needs, he hopes that when she lands, the two of them will be in the same place and can marry at last.

In a bold move—and with lots of resistance from Tate and those closest to her—Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dream. Tate begs her not to go, but Mallory embarks on the dangerous journey to Pakistan anyway, only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. Her new friend isn’t who he says he is. And Mallory can only pray she’ll make it out alive.

Inspired by actual events, this riveting story will take you on a wild journey and have you asking yourself: How far would I go for love?

Please share the first page with us.

Here you go. The first three chapters are available for free at www.bethwiseman.com. J

Chapter One

Mallory handed Rosa her empty plate. “As usual, dessert was awesome.” The food was what kept the mandatory Sunday dinners at her parents’ house bearable.

Rosa nodded. Though her dark hair was now speckled with gray, her smile still revealed her girlish dimples and laugh crinkles around her bright eyes. “Glad you liked it, Munchkin.”

Mallory smiled at the maid’s use of the pet name after all these years.

Rosa went around the table to pick up dessert plates, but Mallory’s sister, Vicky, was still working on her key lime pie. Though Mallory missed seeing Haley and Braiden, who were with their father today, she was glad Vicky’s children weren’t present in case things were about to get ugly.

“Mom, Dad ... there’s something I need to tell you.” Mallory’s stomach churned and her voice was shaky.

Her mother set down her wine glass. Mallory was pretty sure she’d seen Rosa fill it four times.

“What is it?” Her mother raised her eyebrows. Eyebrows that seemed to be higher up on her forehead. And the tiny lines of time that feathered from each of her eyes had disappeared as well. Mallory was studying the changes, not sure if she liked them or not, when her mother cleared her throat. “What do you need to tell us, Mallory?”

She swallowed hard. “I’m donating one of my kidneys.”

Her father sat taller, his eyes sharp and assessing. Vicky halted her fork midway to her mouth, glancing back and forth between their parents. Her mother slammed a palm against the table, shaking the dishes that hadn’t yet been cleared.

“No! We’re not going through this again.” Mom shook her head as she glared at Mallory.

“Mom, I’m an adult. And I’ve made my decision.”

Her mother put her empty wine glass on the table, then pointed a finger at her daughter. “I knew this was why you took a job working for that man. This has never been about utilizing your business degree.”

Mallory looked at her father. “Dad, please tell me you understand why I want to do this.”

This book just went to the top of my to-be-read pile. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I mostly hang out at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook. We have a lot of fun and great conversations there. Also, the first chapter of all of my books are online at my website – http://bethwiseman.com. And for my current release, The Promise, the first three chapters are available to preview.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. 

The Promise - Christianbook.com
The Promise - Amazon
The Promise - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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, Google+, 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

THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT - Beth Wiseman - One Free Book

I first met Beth just after she had signed her first book contract, and we quickly became friends. Award-winning author Beth Wiseman has hit the best-sellers lists with each and every one of her books, and her latest, The House that Love Built, is sure to follow. In the interview below, she shares more about the story behind her newest release.

Welcome back, Beth. Is there one particular message or “moral of the story” you hope readers walk away with?

I hope that Brooke, Owen and the rest of the gang will stay on readers’ hearts for a long time, that readers will reflect on the very different ways that the characters handled the events in their lives. And in turn, hopefully the story will inspire people to turn to God in both the good times and the bad.

Forgiveness of self and others is one of the themes that runs through The House That Love Built. Why do you think it is so hard for us to forgive ourselves and let go at times?

People often say we are only hurting ourselves when we can’t forgive someone. That holds true when we can’t forgive ourselves, too. God forgives us . . . and so easily. Yet, we beat ourselves (and others) into the ground over the burdens of our past. I personally have trouble forgiving myself, so that ends up in my books a lot.

Both of your lead characters have baggage that keeps them from wanting to pursue a new relationship. Do you think sometimes we let our past get in the way of what God has planned for our futures?

Carrying our burdens of the past is self-destructive, and my goal for this story was to have several of my characters shedding their burdens as they grow in their faith and put their trust in God.

Even though she questioned God’s will, Brooke clung to God after her husband died. However, Owen did the opposite when his wife left. Do you think there’s any reason in particular some people have one reaction versus the other when something bad happens in their life?

I have no idea why people react so differently during a crisis, and I intentionally wanted to incorporate both sides, so to speak, into the story. The spiritual arc in this book is clearly Owen’s, so I wanted to show his struggles and how he eventually reaches out to God. But I also wanted to show that there are people who do not turn from God during a crisis—like Brooke—no matter how unfair things might seem.

Has there been a time in your own life where you could really sense God was putting you in a situation for a reason?

That has happened to me many times, but I couldn’t foresee the reasoning — especially during the bad times. It has taken years to understand that much of what I have experienced was to give me a better understanding of certain situations so I could write about it and hopefully help others. I’m not sure I could have captured the hospital scene in my second novel if my own son hadn’t spent a month in the hospital. My character was fifteen, just as my son was when he was sick, so my emotions ran deep. I’ve witnessed a miracle, so I wrote about one. I’ve made mistakes I’m not proud of, and those seem to find a way into my stories, as well, painful as some of them might be. I’m adopted, so I’ve written about that. Each book I write ministers to my own soul, and I pray the stories will bring peace to my readers.

The House that Love Built is set in Smithville, Texas, where several Hollywood movies have been set. You live nearby. What’s so special about Smithville?

I love writing stories set in small Texas towns, and Smithville is really quaint with friendly people who live there. The movie Hope Floats was filmed there, and the town is very welcoming to authors, film crews, and the public in general. There are a lot of older homes like the one Owen purchases in my story. The mystery surrounding the house was inspired by a house in another small Texas town: Schulenburg. 

You are best known for your Amish fiction, and The House That Love Built is just your second venture outside that genre. What persuaded you to try something new?

I think it’s natural to want to spread your wings a bit when you’ve written so many novels and novellas in the same genre. For me, writing about Texas comes naturally since I live here, and I love to write about a community, as opposed to just “boy meets girl.” I like a good love story, but my secondary characters usually end up with large roles because I like to show how God puts certain people in our paths for a reason, however unlikely it might seem to us at the time.

Beth, please share the first page of the novel with us.

Brooke Holloway woke with a start, then felt her stomach lurch when she recalled her dream. She rolled over and threw her arm across Travis’s side of the bed, wishing she could will him to be there. She lay there a few more minutes before forcing herself to get up and dressed before she went downstairs.

She pressed the button on the coffeemaker before facing off with the calendar that hung on the wall to the left of the refrigerator. She reached for the black marker dangling on a string nearby and drew a big X across today’s date, as she did every morning, then scribbled “45” in the upper-right-hand corner of the square. The kids liked to keep up with the count-down to July 10.

Two cups of coffee later she still yawned as she headed back upstairs and down the hall to Meghan’s room.

“Up, sleepyhead.” Brook flipped on the light and walked toward her precious six-year-old, whose blond hair crumpled in a mass on the pillow. “Time to get up.” Brooke sat on the bed and kissed Meghan on the forehead, Travis still fresh on her mind. He used to wake up the kids each morning, said that seeing their faces first things always made for a better day.

What’s on the horizon for you? What will you be writing next?

I just finished book number six in the Daughters of the Promise series, releasing in October 2013. I’ll also be doing some Amish novellas for the next couple of years. But the next full-length book I will be working on jumps way outside of the box. It will take readers far away from Amish Country and Texas to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. I can’t say too much yet, just that it is inspired by a true story and something very close to my heart.

Learn more about Beth Wiseman at bethwiseman.com and follow her on Twitter (@bethwiseman). She also hangs out at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook and loves hearing from readers.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The House that Love Built - paperback
The House that Love Built - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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.

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Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

NEED YOU NOW - Beth Wiseman - Free Book

As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

God lays the story upon my heart, and my family is involved in the birthing of every book through discussions, encouragement, love, and support. Need You Now tackles some tough contemporary issues, so in my effort to educate myself and others, I reached out to families who are dealing with some of these issues. To say more would be a spoiler!

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I’m teaching a writing workshop in the small town where I live. It should be interesting. I’m structuring the class to meet the needs of the students, and I suspect we’ll have a wide range of writers—from those just starting out to maybe even a few published writers.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

Well, until a few months ago, my answer would have been Colorado. We love the mountains, have friends in Bailey, and we’ve traveled to Amish communities in the San Luis Valley for research. But anyone who is thinking about making a permanent move to Colorado should definitely spend some time there during the winter months, which we did. Now I’m not so sure this Texas girl could handle all the cold and snow.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

I believe that anyone can get published if you stick with it long enough. But being a great storyteller isn’t enough. Study the craft. Shrug off the rejections. And write the story that you feel called to write.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])

Oh, my celebrity cruise would be all about the writing! And I’d invite all my author friends. I’d want to have Richard Paul Evans onboard because I love his books. Same goes for Nicholas Sparks. I’d want Karen Kingsbury, Sheila Walsh, and Beth Moore…just to name a few. And I would want Stephen King there because he is a master storyteller. Then workshops, classes, and fun in the sun! J Would you be onboard, Lena?

Tell us about the featured book?

This video, which was produced by my publisher Thomas Nelson, explains why I wrote Need You Now -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTS2agKvyGI

And here is the back cover copy:

“You may think you are familiar with Beth’s wonderful storytelling gift but this is something new! It’s a story of how God can redeem the seemingly unredeemable. It’s a message the world needs to hear.”

                                                                  --Sheila Walsh,

                                                                  Author of God Loves Broken People

When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn’t always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of Darlene’s students starts paying more attention to her than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.

If Darlene ever needed God…it’s now.

Experience a family’s triumph over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Darlene’s chest tightened, and for a few seconds she couldn’t move. If ever there was a time to flee, it was now. She put a hand to her chest, held her breath, and eased backward, sliding one socked foot at a time across the wooden floor of her bedroom. She eyed the intruder, wondering why he wasn’t moving. Maybe he was dead.

Nearing the door, she stretched her arm behind her, searching for the knob. She turned it quickly, and at the click of the latch, her trespasser rushed toward her. In one movement, she jumped backward, across the threshold and into the den, slamming the door so hard the picture of the kids fell off the wall. She looked down at Chad, Ansley, and Grace staring up through broken glass, then hurried through the den to the kitchen. Her hand trembled as she unplugged her cell phone and pressed the button to call Brad. Please answer.

It was tax time, so every CPA at her husband’s office was working long hours, and for these last weeks before the April deadline, Brad was hard to reach. She knew she wouldn’t hear

from him until after eight o’clock tonight. And she couldn’t go back in her bedroom. What would she have to live without until then? She looked down. For starters, a shirt.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

I mostly hang out at “Fans of Beth Wiseman” on Facebook. My website just had an overhaul, and I love the new look – www.bethwiseman.com. And I also blog at http://blog.bethwiseman.net and www.amishhearts.com. And I’m on Twitter.

Thank you so much, Lena, for having me again! 


It's my great pleasure, Beth.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Need You Now - paperback
Need You Now - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

THE WONDER OF YOUR LOVE - Beth Wiseman - Free Book + Party With More Prizes

Welcome back, Beth. It was so good to see you at the ACFW national conference. How did you come up with the idea for this story? 

At the end of book #1 in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—Katie Ann’s husband had left her pregnant and alone in their Old Order Amish community.  As it is with all my books, God plants the story in my mind, then I do my best to nurture it along.     

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

Kelly Long, Amy Clipston, Vannetta Chapman, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Kathy Fuller, and Cindy Woodsmall.  Then I’d sneak in the rest of the Amish fiction authors so we could all learn from each other. 

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why? 

Until recently, I didn’t think I was a fan of historical fiction, so I haven’t read a lot in the genre.  But I read two historicals that changed my mind—Spring for Suzanna by Catherine Richmond and A Texan’s Promise by Shelley Gray.  Both great books, so I’d invite Catherine and Shelley to my party and ask them to recommend a few others.  J  I’d also invite Kelly Long to this party because she is writing an Amish historical that I think will be fabulous.   

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 the same problem I’ve had since I started.  Balance.  I love my family and friends, but I have to know when it’s important to say ‘no’ and when it’s equally as important to say ‘yes’.   

Tell us about the featured book. 

Katie Ann Stoltzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado.  At forty, she is widowed and raising her first child.  Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation.  Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester.  He’s enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.  When Katie Ann and Eli meet there is an instant connection.  Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work.  He is done parenting, while she has just begun.  But as their friendship blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God’s plans.     

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

Katie Ann reached into the drawer of the end table next to the couch and pulled out the letter she’d received two weeks ago. She knew it would upset her stomach to read it—as it had a dozen times already—but she unfolded it anyway. She couldn’t imagine why her husband’s mistress, Lucy Turner, was planning to travel all the way to Colorado to see her. She took a deep breath and read the letter again.

Dear Katie Ann,

I hope this letter finds you well. I heard from some of our mutual acquaintances here in Lancaster County that you had a healthy baby boy and named him Jonas. Congratulations to you. A baby is such a miracle from God.

Katie Ann rolled her eyes, the way she always did at Lucy’s mention of God. A good, godly woman wouldn’t get involved with another woman’s husband. Although she knew good and well that it took two for such deception. She let out a heavy sigh and continued reading.

I’m sure that I am the last person you want to hear from, and I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to meet with you. I know it is awkward, but I have something important to discuss, and it’s too much to say in a letter, or even over the phone. As soon as I can arrange to be off work, I will be traveling to Colorado. I hope that you can find time to meet with me to discuss this urgent matter. I thought it might be easiest for you if you knew in advance that I’m coming.

All the best to you and your new little one,

Lucy Turner

Intriguing. How can readers find you on the Internet? 

www.bethwiseman.com,

www.amishhearts.com,

www.amishliving.com,

Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook, and Twitter.  


Beth Wiseman’s new book in the Land of Canaan series, The Wonder of Your Love, has just released! To CELEBRATE Beth’s hosting a fabulous Author Chat Facebook Party and giving away one of her own beautiful paintings! Click for details and don’t miss the fun. Prizes, sneak peek of Book 3 and a Qand A with Beth! http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13433387

CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then join us on November 1st for a book chat, Amish themed trivia contest, and more!

The Wonder of Your Love Facebook Party on 11/1!

Blog tour schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13433387)  


Thank you, Beth, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Wonder of Your Love (A Land of Canaan Series)


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

PLAIN PROPOSAL - Elizabeth Wiseman - Free Book

Glad to have you back, Beth. Tell us about your salvation experience.

There hasn’t been a specific defining moment in my salvation experience—it’s been more of an ongoing journey that continues with each breath I take. But I did have an experience so personal and profound that it changed everything about me, and that light continues to shine in my heart, and hopefully in my writing.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Oh, Lena…this is such an unfair question. There are SO many! But I suppose I would choose my fellow writers at http://www.amishhearts.com/ – Kathy Fuller, Barbara Cameron, Kelly Long, and our former member, Amy Clipston. We’ve never all met in person, so it would be a super treat!

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I don’t do a lot of speaking, but when I do, I pray a lot that someone will be positively affected by my words—and my books. Some of my readers are folks who are on the fence about God, angry at God, or searching for God. If one person is moved toward Him by something I’ve said or written, then I have done my job.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

How much blog space do you have, Lena? LOL… I’ll just give you my most recent embarrassing moment (you might have heard about it!). At the last ACFW Conference after the awards ceremony, I spilled a COLD full drink in Allen Arnold’s lap. Pretty much the entire beverage landed in his lap. For those who don’t know, Allen is the ‘top dog’ at Thomas Nelson Publishers and my boss. I tried to make amends by sending him a bottle of Texas hot sauce since I’d been told he loved hot sauce. His response—“Thank you so much for the hot sauce, but you are SO wrong if you think that will get you off the hook. You will be living this down for many years.” Gotta love him. :-)

I guess I missed that at the banquet. Wish I had seen it. 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?

Everyone has a book in them. Just do it!

Tell us about the featured book.

Plain Proposal is book #5 in the Daughters of the Promise series. It is a different kind of Amish story, and I loved writing it. Here’s the back cover copy:

Miriam secretly vows to follow Saul no matter what the future holds.

But she never thought that future might take them away from their Amish community.

Miriam Raber could have her pick of any of the eligible bachelors in Lancaster County. But she only has eyes for one . . . Saul Fisher. He captured her heart years ago, and she’s never looked back. Even when rumors circulate that Saul may leave their Amish community to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship, Miriam makes a bold assertion: she will stand by him, whether he stays or he goes, though she knows this decision could break her family’s heart.

Saul Fisher has experienced an inordinate amount of loss in his short life. Saul is raising his two brothers and caring for a grieving father who privately seeks solace in the comfort of his homemade wine. Saul has kept his father’s drinking from the community, but if he leaves Lancaster, the burden of secrecy will be left to his young brothers. How does he balance this with the dream that burns bright within him?

As Miriam and Saul consider leaving their lives behind, God starts revealing things to Miriam that make her think twice about what it means to be a Daughter of the Promise, and what it means to make a home.

Experience this love story with a surprising resolution by one of the most popular voices in Amish fiction.
Includes Reading Group Guide and Old Order Amish Recipes

Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

Miriam stepped back and admired the matching quilts lying on the twin beds in her room. Gifts from her grandmother before she died. The pastel circles of yellow, powder blue, and pink were framed by a simple blue border in a traditional double wedding-ring pattern. They were finally making a debut—just in time for company.

“Your room looks nice.” Mamm walked in carrying a wicker basket filled with towels to be folded. “Your mammi would be pleased that you saved her quilts for a special occasion.” She glanced at the white vase full of pink roses on the nightstand and smiled. “Ach, fresh flowers too.”

Her mother unloaded the towels onto Miriam’s bed, and they each reached for one as Mamm’s eyes traveled around the room. When her mother nodded an approval, Miriam grinned.

“When will she be here?”

Mamm placed a folded blue towel on top of Miriam’s green one. “Not for a couple of hours. Your daed hired a driver, and they went to go pick her up at the airport.”

What a good hook! How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://www.bethwiseman.com/,
‘Fans of Beth Wiseman’ on Facebook,
http://www.amishhearts.com/,
http://www.amishliving.com/, 
http://blog.bethwiseman.net/.

Thanks so much for having me, Lena!

The pleasure is all mine, Beth.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.



Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/