MERMAID MOON - Colleen Coble - One Free Book, Plus Much More

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

All my books are romantic suspense. I grew up on Nancy Drew books and still read mystery and suspense almost exclusively.

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

We love Hawaii! Kauai is our favorite island. If it weren’t so far from our beloved granddaughter and our kids, we would move there in a heartbeat.

James and I want to go to Hawaii sometime. I hope it is soon. What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I’d like to visit Australia and New Zealand someday. Those are both on my bucket list. I love reading books set there.

I’m like you. I fell in love with Australia and New Zealand before other people did. I’ve read all of Lucy Walker’s books set back in the mid-1900s. I had to search used bookstores to find them. And I’ve read every book set in either place that I ran across. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

There’s nothing better than sitting by the sea. So any island vacation or a cruise would be wonderful.

I didn’t go near any sea or ocean until the 1990s, and I love sitting on the beach enjoying the sound. James and I even sat on the beach at Manzanillo, Mexico, way past midnight. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

Someday I’d like to do an international setting, maybe Australia or Finland. I’ve been to Finland once. My best friend in high school was a Finnish foreign exchange student, and we hosted her daughter as an exchange student.

We had a Finnish exchange student. A boy. Since I’m half Scandinavian, I’d love to go there. What is the main theme of this novel?

I wanted to explore how guilt and shame can hit us at our deepest core. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.

Tell us about the story.

Remorse and confusion has kept single mom Mallory Davis from her hometown of sleepy Down East, Maine, for the last 15 years. When her father mysteriously dies, though, she’s forced to return. Her relationship with her father had been tense since she left, but she was the one he called in his final moments.  His last words echo in her heart: “Find . . . mother.” Yet her mother has been dead for fifteen years. What could he have possibly meant?

Mallory comes to believe her father was murdered, and her childhood sweetheart, Down East game warden Kevin O’Connor, confirms her suspicions. Mallory trampled Kevin’s heart when she left without a word all those years ago, and he is wary of helping Mallory in her search. Everything changes when Mallory begins receiving threats on her life and the life of her teenage daughter, Haylie. As their search intensifies, they find a tangled web of mystery and deceit whose sticky threads reach deep into Mallory’s past. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about much more than finding her father’s killer; it’s about the hope of finding herself again — and maybe even another chance at love. She just has to stay alive long enough to put the pieces together.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Silver Pelican jewelry store in Bangor, Maine, was Mallory Davis’s final stop, and she put on a bright smile. The place smelled of money—expensive perfume from the last customer and the rich scent of new carpet. Every other jewelry shop in town had only been willing to take her pieces on consignment, but she needed the cash now. She’d been a bit hesitant to come here because this was the most expensive store in town, and she was sure the owner would take one look at her suit, stylish ten years ago, and send her packing.

The sun glittered on her twenty pieces of sea-glass jewelry spread across the top of the glass display case. The presentation under it sparkled with diamonds and sapphires on black velvet.

Mallory nudged her favorite bracelet with one finger. “This one is white gold instead of the usual sterling silver. I mixed pink tourmaline with darker pink sea glass to create the piece.”

The owner, in his forties with a paunch and bald head, picked up the bracelet and looked it over. “Very nice craftsmanship, Mrs. Davis. The quality is exceptional. The pink and green moon from the tourmaline is quite unique. And I really like the mermaid on it. How much do you want for these?”

She tipped up her chin and forced a confidence that was at odds with the fluttery sensation in her stomach. “I need five hundred dollars for it. I have five of them ready here in my briefcase. And did you see these earrings?” She pointed out another offering. “The tourmaline makes them so distinctively Maine. These are two hundred dollars.”

He nodded. “My customers are always asking for quality tourmaline pieces, and I find it hard to keep up with the demand when they want jewelry created in Maine.” He pursed his flat lips. “I’ll take everything you have here, plus all the mermaid-moon bracelets. Write me up an invoice, and I’ll give you a check right now. I think I can take most everything you make off your hands.”

Hiding her elation, she took a surreptitious glance at her watch. Haylie would be out of school in half an hour. “Of course.” She pulled the jewelry pieces out of her case along with an invoice pad.

She wanted to do a fist pump in the air. Her mortgage was a week late, but she could pay it electronically as soon as the check cleared.

The back of her neck prickled, and she resisted the urge to turn around. For the past week she’d had the uneasy feeling that someone was watching her, but try as she might to convince herself it was from the stress of her finances, she swung her head around to look. And saw nothing out of the ordinary. She always felt that way when under periods of great stress, and nothing was more stressful than knowing she and Haylie would be out on the street if she didn’t turn things around.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com, and I love to hear from readers!

Facebook (colleencoblebooks)

Twitter (@colleencoble)

To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

Thank you, Colleen, for sharing this new book with us. I've been a faithful fan of yours for many years, and many of my blog readers also love your books. I have new readers who haven't heard about you, and I'm thrilled to introduce them to you and your books.

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

Mermaid Moon - Christianbook.com

Mermaid Moon (A Sunset Cove Novel) - Amazon

Mermaid Moon (A Sunset Cove Novel Book 2) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book on this blog. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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 INN AT OCEAN'S EDGE - Colleen Coble - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve often told you how much I love Colleen Coble’s romantic suspense novels. Her plots are very complicated and her characters leap off the pages. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is such a good example of her writing. With a mystery that spans two generations and characters with a lot to hide, the story kept me turning pages as quickly as I could read them. I know you’ll love this story.

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

I’m totally in my sweet spot of romantic mysteries and plan to stay there. I write what I love to read. With The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, I veer more deeply into layers and complexity though. It was super fun to write!

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

I’ll be at my beloved American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas September 17-20th, but I’m not speaking this year. I’m also attending the Romantic Times Convention May 13-15th in Dallas and will be chatting with readers at our annual “How Sweet It Is” breakfast. I’ll also be at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando June 29-30th. I’ll be on a fiction panel on the 30th.            

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 would have a topic on the importance of attending a conference every year if you’re a writer. It’s so important to network with other writers, with agents and editors, with publicists, and with publishers. You’d be a good one on that panel, Lena! You’re very good at that.

Thank you, Colleen. I do agree with you on the importance of conferences and the connections we make there. How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?

You never arrive as a writer. There is always something new to learn, something you can do better. That’s one of the many things I love about my career! It’s very important to me to give back too, to reach out and help others up. When I was first dipping my toe in the writing life, I didn’t even know another writer, and it was a very lonely time. You think others can’t possibly understand the way your mind works, but there are people out there you will click with, writers you will learn from, and people who will help you. It’s an exciting way to live! 

Both of us started writing in that time before all the organizations and conferences to help writers. I’m sure that’s why we appreciate all the things available for writers now. And I told my husband that I don’t want to stop learning until I die. Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?

I am always helping out at church. I take turns with our pastor hosting our monthly small groups at church, and I take my turn in the nursery when I’m needed. I sing in the choir and have been an integral part of my church for nearly thirty years. I love my church dearly!

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

Diann Hunt was a sister-of-the heart. She lost her battle with ovarian cancer in Nov of 2013, and I miss her so much. Her zest for life and love for Jesus permeated everything she did, and the joy in her life spilled over to others and taught us how to live. She will always be a part of me.

My grandmother Eileen was my soul mate. She was always there for me no matter what. She believed in me and encouraged me. I’ve always been so sad that the call from Barbour came after her death.

My brother Randy’s death in a freak lightning accident propelled me into writing. I’d had the dream a long time, but I hadn’t had the courage to try. Randy had a lot of dreams that went unfulfilled too, and his death was a wake-up call that I should follow my dream or it might never happen.

My family would have to take up the final two mentions even though there are more than two of them! My parents, brothers, husband, and kids have always encouraged me. Many times I wanted to give up my writing dream, but my husband Dave wouldn’t let me. I’d get a rejection, and he’d insist I send it out again. And he’s the bravest person I know with so much love in his heart. I’m very blessed to be married to him for 43 years now.

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

Dream big. God has dreamed a bigger dream for me than I ever thought could come true. I just wanted to have ONE book in the library. I couldn’t see anything bigger than that.     

Tell us about the featured book.    

I wanted to explore how God supplies our needs with the people he puts in our lives. I was thinking so much of Diann when I wrote the book. She was in the final stages of her battle with ovarian cancer, and writing The Inn at Ocean’s Edge was my solace during that time.

Claire goes to a magnificent inn on a remote island in Maine to help seal a deal her father is hammering out with another aviation company. The minute she steps onto the marble tile of the hotel, she has a panic attack and rushes out where she meets Luke who realizes she’s the little girl who went missing here on the island when she was four. She wasn’t found for a year and no one knows where she was or who had her during that year. Luke’s mother disappeared that same night, and he’s convinced that if Claire can remember that night, it might lead to the truth about what happened to his mother.

It’s a very complex story with lots of layers, and I’m excited to get feedback from readers!

I loved Diann, too. I was thrilled that a novella written by her was included in the novella collection I’m in that released last month, 8 Weddings and a Miracle. Please share the first page The Inn at Ocean’s Edge for my readers.       

July 4, 1989

The sea was near. Though she couldn’t see it, she smelled the salt air and heard its roar as it hit the rocks close by. The branches around her held scary shadows. The forest was thick here, and she put her hand on the rough bark of a tree that smelled like Christmas. Mommy had told her to stay far away from the rocks. But which way are they? It was too dark to tell. She was afraid to move for fear she’d tumble off a cliff. All she’d wanted to do was go fishing.

She strained to hear her mother’s voice, but only noises like screeches and rustling little things in the grass came to her ears. Tears hovered in her eyes and closed her throat. She swiped the back of her hand across her face. Daddy always said crying wouldn’t fix anything. It would just make her head hurt.

Mommy would be so upset when she saw her torn dress. Daddy had brought it for her, and he would be angry when he saw her mud-splattered tights and patent leather shoes. Somewhere she’d lost the bow in her hair, and stringy locks hung in her eyes. There was something on the ground, and she stopped and picked it up. A lady’s scarf that smelled of flowers. She bunched it in her hand and stepped over an umbrella in her path.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

My website is colleencoble.com and I’m very active on Facebook at colleencoblebooks. I love to hear from readers!

I love the way our readers can connect with us on Facebook. Thank you for sharing this new book with us today, Colleen.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Inn at Ocean's Edge - Christianbook.com
The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Sunset Cove Novel) - Amazon
The Inn at Ocean's Edge (A Sunset Cove Novel Book 1) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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

A Six-Book Series From the Past - Colleen Coble - 2 Free Books

Bio: USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Her romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.

Welcome back. I’ve loved reading your books, Colleen. This series is something you and your publisher are doing. Tell us what is different about these six books and why they are being published right now.

My first two novels were Heartsongs, published back in 1998. They have always been special to me because that series was part of the grieving I went through when my brother Randy was killed in a freak lightning accident. That tragedy pushed me into writing. My publisher and I have taken the first two books and broken them into a serialization. I’ve rewritten them and created cliffhangers at the end of each part to draw in the reader. I’m very excited to share these stories with a new group of readers!

My readers love to get to know the authors I feature. Please tell us something that probably no one knows about you.

I’m terrified of spiders. J I can pick up snakes with no problem, but I run screaming from spiders the size of pinheads.

I don’t do the snake thing, but if the spider is small, I will squash one. Why did you become an author?

I wanted to write from the time I was in the first grade. My dream was to have a book in the library. Writing is how I make sense of the world. It’s how I work through the struggles I see around me and experience myself. I’ve been a big reader all my life, and to be able to create characters myself is such a joy!

I know you’re multi-published, but how has being published changed your life?

Oh, it’s changed me in so many ways! I love helping others get started in their journeys, and being published has given me more confidence as well. It’s brought fulfillment in so many ways.

Do you have any hobbies besides writing and reading?

I love to travel! In 2013 we went to Cambodia, and that was life-changing. We support a missionary there who ministers to orphans and starts churches in the villages. We so love the people there, and we are returning in July. I used to crochet and quilt, but both those hobbies have fallen by the wayside as my writing took off.

My crafts have fallen by the wayside, too. Can you tell us a little about the stories themselves?

They are set on western forts. I was a huge John Wayne and old westerns fan, and it seemed natural to write those settings as I began my career. I happened to read a journal written by Custer’s wife, and until I read it, I hadn’t realized there were women on the western forts with the Sioux rampaging all around. My imagination was hooked, and I knew I had to write about it!

Please give us a peek into the first book. Maybe the first page.

Wabash, Indiana, October 1865

Autumn’s chill matched Sarah Montgomery’s heart. The Civil War had taken so much from her, and it seemed impossible for life to ever get to a hopeful place. The scent of turning leaves lingered in the air as she sat on a porch rocking chair beside her father who was huddled in a blanket. Her bustle bunched under her uncomfortably, but she wanted to be close to her ill father for as long as possible before Ben arrived.

The sun lingered on the horizon, casting rays of gold and red across the Indiana sky. In the distance, she could see the silhouettes of the workers in the field as they tossed the last of the ears of corn into the wagon behind the horses.

“Bed sounds better than a party.” She stifled a yawn. “I’m getting tired of dances every night, though I can’t begrudge everyone’s revelry.” The Union was preserved, but the price had been so high. Scarcely a family in the county had been spared the loss of a loved one.

Her father coughed and tugged the blanket higher on his chest. “I’m glad you’re beginning to enjoy life again. Rand wouldn’t want you to grieve.”

“No. No, he wouldn’t.” But what no one seemed to understand was that her fiancé’s death in the war had left a hole that couldn’t be filled. Not ever.

His cold hand clamped down on her wrist. “I need to see you settled before I die, Sarah.”

She flinched. “Don’t talk like that, Papa.” She couldn’t bear to lose him—not when she’d already lost so much.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers!

My website is www.colleencoble.com, and I answer every email. I’m also on Facebook at colleencoblebooks and twitter @colleencoble.

Thanks for having me, Lena!

Thank you, Colleen, for spending this time with us. I just love reading all your books.

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

A Heart's Disguise:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0529103419?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0529103419&linkCode=xm2&tag=lenneldoochaw-20

A Heart's Obsession:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0718031652?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0718031652&linkCode=xm2&tag=lenneldoochaw-20

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of both books. 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

SEAGRASS PIER - Colleen Coble - One Free Book

Bio: Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

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

I have a friend who had an organ transplant, and I noticed some small personality changes. I did some research and saw that the cell memory is a known phenomenon. It’s especially strong with heart transplants. It’s a fascinating topic, and I wanted to explore it.

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

It’s very atmospheric with great light and shadow contrasts.

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

The story is fiction of course, but I did a lot of research about cell memory so I knew what I was talking about.

How much research did you have to do for this book?

I read a lot of accounts written by organ recipients and was fascinated by the stories. One teenage girl received a heart by a boy who loved music. Her music tastes changed, and when she met his parents, she was able to finish the lyrics of a song he wrote even though she’d never heard it. Fascinating stuff!

What are some of the most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to use in the story?

I tried to use all the good stuff. J

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

I’m always surprised when I’m writing a book because it takes twists and turns I never planned. I can’t say what those things were without giving away the story! J

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

Some things like what kind of music we like and what clothes we wear are not who we are. How we treat people, who we are in Jesus, and how we live our lives are the things that make us who we are.

That’s so true. What is the next project you’re working on?

I’m working on a new series set in Maine. The first book is The Inn at Ocean’s Edge.

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

I never have to get away from the story for a while. I’m always obsessed when I’m in the middle of a book. It’s hard to stop long enough to go to sleep. LOL

Please give us the first page of the book.

The constriction around her neck tightened, and she tried to get her fingers under it to snatch a breath. She was losing consciousness. A large wave came over the bow of the boat, and the sea spray struck her in the face, reviving her struggle. She had to fight or he would kill her. She could smell his cologne, something spicy and strong. His ring flashed in the moonlight, and she dug the fingers of her right hand into his red sweater. The pressure on her neck was unrelenting. She was going to die.

Elin Summerall bolted upright in the bed. Her heart pounded, and she touched her throat and found it smooth and unharmed. It was just that dream again. She was safe, right here in her own house on the outskirts of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her slick skin glistened in the moonlight streaming through the window.

The incision over her breastbone pulsed with pain, and she grabbed some pills from the bedside and swallowed them. In and out. Concentrating on breathing helped ease both her pain and her panic. She pulled in a breath, sweetly laden with the scent of roses blooming outside her window, then laid back against the pillow.

Her eyes drifted shut, then opened when she heard the tinkle of broken glass. Was it still the dream? Then the cool rush of air from the open window struck her face, and she heard a foot crunch on broken glass.

She leaped from the bed and threw open her door. Her heart pounded in her throat. Was an intruder in the house? In her bare feet, she sidled down the hall toward the sound she’d heard. She paused to peek in on her four-year-old daughter. One arm grasping a stuffed bear, Josie lay in a tangle of princess blankets.

Elin relaxed a bit. Maybe she hadn’t heard glass break. It might still have been part of the nightmare. She peered around the hall corner toward the kitchen. A faint light glimmered as if the refrigerator stood open. A cool breeze wafted from the kitchen, and she detected the scent of dew. She was sure she’d shut and locked the window. The hair stood on the back of her neck, and she backed away.

Don’t stop there, Colleen. I must know what happens. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is colleencoble.com, and I’m always on Facebook at colleencoblebooks.

Thank you for introducing us to your newest book. I can hardly wait to read it.

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

Seagrass Pier - Christianbook.com
Seagrass Pier (The Hope Beach Series) - Amazon
Seagrass Pier (The Hope Beach Series Book 3) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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

BUTTERFLY PALACE - Colleen Coble - One Free Book

Readers, I’ve known Colleen Coble for a number over a decade, and I’ve loved reading her novels. Butterfly Palace is another excellent read. It has romance, mystery, and an interesting historical setting. As usual, the characters drew me into their lives from page one. You won’t want to miss this book.

Welcome back, Colleen. Why did you become an author?

I don’t know. I have wanted to write since I was a little girl, but I don’t know the why of it. I think God just created me that way. J

With the talent you have, I’m sure of it. If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?

I would be a naturopath. I love natural medicine and I am always advising someone about something!

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

I love the turn of the century, which is the time period of Butterfly Palace. It’s somewhat similar to today with lots of new technology beginning to happen and great social change. It’s very interesting to me.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?

I’ve been to every state in the country. J

That’s quite an accomplishment. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

I was privileged to visit Cambodia last February and I want to go back. A fascinating country and I love the people!

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?

My friend Diann Hunt helped pound home the important lesson about living every day for the Lord. We don’t know if we will have tomorrow, so we need to squeeze every bit of joy and love out of today.

Tell us about the featured book.

Elegance and wealth. Privilege and politics. The extravagance of the Butterfly Palace overwhelmed Lily’s senses and nearly smothered her painful memories. She pushed away her misgivings ... She was perfectly safe in this huge house.

Austin, Texas—1904: Abandoned by the love of her life and still mourning the loss of
her mother, Lily Donaldson has turned her back on the pain and come to Austin
for a fresh start, working for the Marshall family as a kitchen maid in their
luxurious mansion, the Butterfly Palace. The tasks before her are legion, and her
mistress less than pleasant, but at least Lily’s new life will be, if nothing
else, distracting.

But one night, while serving at a dinner party, Lily recognizes the man who abandoned
her, Andy, her liaison from the livery stable, the blacksmith’s son ...
sitting among the distinguished guests. Though he recognizes her, Andy does not
acknowledge her aloud, and Lily is left reeling, flabbergasted, and
irate. 




But before she can get an explanation, the path of the Servant Girl Killer swerves
very close to the Butterfly Palace, sowing terror among the maids. Having come
to Austin to start anew, Lily suddenly feels trapped in a spider web. How can
she know who to trust in a house where lies come dressed in fine suits and
deceit in silk gowns the colors of butterfly wings?

I’ve read the book, but please give us the first page of the book for my readers.

Larson, Texas 1900

Lily Donaldson tiptoed to the front door and winced when it opened with a creak. The last thing she wanted was to awaken her mother who was sleeping down the hall. Even though Lily was over twenty, her mother would take a switch to her if she knew she was sneaking out like this. The lights still shone from the livery, attached to their house.

She peeked in the window as she passed and saw her father at the desk with his partner as they poured over figures for the new expansion. There was a stack of money on the desk beside them. It would be hours before the meeting came to an end. The talk of a new livery in the next town over had been going on for several weeks, and both men never seemed to tire of the topic.

The night air touched her heated skin, and she shivered as she hurried along the path to the barn. Crickets chirped as if to keep time to the ragtime tune tinkling from the tavern’s piano down the street. The threat of discovery added another thump to her pulse.

The familiar scent of hay and horse greeted her when she stepped into the darkened building. “Andy?” She twisted the unfamiliar weight of the engagement ring on her finger. Her lips curved when Andy Hawkins stepped from the shadows. “I thought maybe you hadn’t been able to slip away.” She kept her voice barely above a whisper.

“I told him I wasn’t feeling well. I’d much rather be with you.” His warm hands came down on her shoulders, and he pulled her close for a kiss. “That meeting will go on for hours.”

Heat ran through her at his words. She’d tried to resist the pull of their passion—they both had—but they’d been weak, so weak. The warm press of his fingers closed around her hand, and he pulled her to a comfortable stack of hay. She fell into his arms without a protest. His lips came down on hers, and she forgot everything but his touch.

Then he lifted his head and sniffed. “Do you smell smoke?”

Cries of alarm began to filter into her consciousness muddied by the feel and scent of Andy. He helped her to her feet, and they both rushed to the door to view a scene that made her shudder.

Fire shot through the roof of the livery. “Papa!” Andy restrained her when she would have rushed forward.

More shouts came from town, and a line of men burst from the saloon and ran toward the burning building. The windows of the livery exploded, spewing broken glass onto the ground, then smoke poured from open frames.

Andy grabbed her hand, and they ran toward her front door. She stopped and stared at the fire, Which direction? Her mother was in the house. Their fathers were in the livery. Lily’s chest was tight as flames shot through the roof of the livery.

Her fingers closed around the doorknob. “I’ll get my mother. You get the men.” The metal was already hot to the touch. How could the fire have grown so quickly?

She yanked open the door and plunged inside. Thick, roiling smoke choked Lily’s nose and throat as soon as she reached the top of the stairs. She threw open the bedroom door and rushed to the bed. The smoke was thick in the bedroom too. Her mother slept, unaware of the danger.

Lily shook her. “Mama, wake up! You have to get out of here.” Shouts and screams echoed from outside. What was happening to her father?

Her mother lifted her head, and her eyes went wide then cleared of confusion. She threw back the covers. She stumbled to the door with Lily. One hand around her mother’s waist, Lily led her down the steps. Glass cut her bare feet, but she didn’t pause. Her chest burned both with the hot smoke and with the need to escape.

“Almost there,” she told her mother. She reached blindly for the door, and her fingers grasped the knob. She threw open the door.

The first brush of fresh air on her skin made her gasp and draw in the thick smoke in the air. She coughed at the searing pain in her chest, then stumbled onto the porch with her mother. Lily led her mother a safe distance away before turning to see bright flames shooting into the night. A fire alarm clanged behind them, and the horses pulling the fire engine came racing around the corner. As soon as it came to a stop, the firemen leaped into the yard and ran for the house.

Her mother coughed and stared at the furiously burning building. “Where’s your father?”

But Lily didn’t see her father’s tall, bald head. Dread congealed in her belly, and she shook her head. “I don’t see them, but Andy went to get them out.” She stared at the throng around the burning building. Was that Andy?

His soot-blackened face came into view by the light of the flames. He struggled with the two men holding him. “Let go of me! I have to find them.”

“It’s too dangerous,” one of the men said. “The building is fully engulfed.”

“Stay here, Mama.” Lily hurried to Andy’s side. “You didn’t find them?” Her throat closed at the hopeless expression on Andy’s face.

She turned to stare at the inferno that had engulfed both the livery and the attached house. The heat of the fire scorched her face. The breeze blew stinging cinders against her skin. Andy renewed his efforts to free himself, but the firemen propelled him back to a safer distance.

The roar of the fire was like a dragon from a fairy tale, monstrous and all consuming. Flames licked out of the upper windows, straining toward the roof. More glass shattered, and the stink of burning bedding rolled over the lawn. With a groan, the building began to sag. The firemen shoved them back even more, and they all turned to watch it give a final shudder before the weakened timbers collapsed. Sparks and flames shot higher as the fire fed on the night air and began to consume the last of the building.

Lily sank to her knees, and Andy fell with her. They held one another as the fire took their fathers.

Andy stiffened, then pulled away. “It’s my fault. I should have been there. I would have smelled it and gotten them out.”

“It went too fast, Andy. There was nothing any of us could do.” She tried to cup his face in her hands, but he flinched away, then jumped to his feet.

“Don’t look at me. I can’t even stand myself.” He stalked off and the dark swallowed him up.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com , and I hang out constantly on Facebook at colleencoblebooks. I answer all emails personally. Love to hear from readers!

Thank you, Colleen, 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.
Butterfly Palace - Christianbook.com
Butterfly Palace - Amazon
Butterfly Palace  - Kindle
Bluebonnet Bride: A Butterfly Palace Story - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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 Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

SMITTEN BOOK CLUB - Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt - One Free Book, Plus Much More

Welcome back, Smitten authors.

Colleen Coble: Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Colleen, how did your story for the collection come about?

The four of us were brainstorming. It’s almost magic.

Are these stories connected in some way? If so, how?

Yes, the protagonists are all friends, and they learn something about love from an ancient book on romantic advice.

What are you reading right now?

I’ve been on a Lisa Gardner kick lately and am making my way through all her novels. I just finished Love You More.

How many other books have you had published?

Well over 50. I lose track.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a collection?

I wouldn’t say there is anything hard about it when you’re writing with your best friends. J

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

This particular story was very poignant because I think we all knew on some level that it would be our last with Diann. It’s made it even more special.

What do you want the reader to take away from your story?

I’d love readers to realize how important it is to pay attention to the man you love and figure out what he needs.

Please give us a peek into your story.

Heather is the Smitten Book Club's most devoted mystery-genre reader, a single mom, and the resident organic gardener. When she discovers a decades-old tome at a library sale, she thinks it might hold clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her home. She can't resist a mystery that could lead to treasure.

Paul and Heather have history—history she would rather forget. But when he comes back to his hometown of Smitten, he's determined to put down roots. He soon becomes the architect behind a town community garden and enlists Heather's help there in exchange for his own help looking for hidden gold. As they dig into the earth and the clues, they discover something amazing: lasting love.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

I’m most apt to give advice. LOL I didn’t know any other writers when I was first getting started.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com. I answer every email. J

Smitten Book Club

Love By the Book

By Colleen Coble

Chapter One

Mountains of donated boxes teetered against the west wall when Heather DeMeritt entered the Smitten library. The building had been renovated a few months earlier and still held a trace of that new smell in the brown carpet. The oak bookshelves that housed the library’s growing collection and the matching tables still shone with newness. Several businesses had donated the bank of comput- ers lining one wall.

Heather spoke to several friends, then turned to eye the job she’d come to do. She was prepared to work, but the sheer number of books surprised her.

Her friend and fellow book club member, Abby Gray, motioned to her. Abby was the Smitten librarian, though she was much too pretty to fit the stereotype, even with her blond hair perpetually up in a bun.

Heather threaded through the throng to reach Abby’s side. “This is going to take awhile.”

Abby’s cheeks were flushed. “Isn’t it exciting? So many people want to help Molly.”

Their good friend Molly Moore had recently lost her husband in a tragic fire. He was the only volunteer fireman to die in recent memory, and Smitten was still reeling. As was Molly.

Abby waved vaguely. “You can start there.”

Heather opened the nearest box and began to lift out the books to put in sale piles ranging from one dollar to five. Five dollars was too much to pay for some of these books, but it was for a good cause, and everyone would feel great about helping.

An hour later her throat was scratchy, and her nose was stuffy from all the dust. But she’d made progress.

“Need some help?” Elliana Burton asked. Lia, as her friends called her, was the kindergarten teacher at the elementary school in town. She usually had a crayon stuck behind one ear and a slash or two of color on her arms or hands from Crayola markers, but today she looked fresh and carefree in a silky blue top over jeans that hugged her slim hips.

“I’ll take you up on it,” Heather said. “We might finish in time for coffee at Mountain Perks.”

There was only one towering stack left. She lifted down the top box and opened it. A cloud of dust wafted out, and she wrinkled her nose.

Lia waved her hand in front of her face. “Some of these are old. They might be worth some money.”

Kristin Billerbeck: I grew up with a strong sense of justice. I simply knew the way things should be. And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist. My childhood was slightly confusing. I blame my parents for this. Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything. I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.

Okay, probably not. I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage. My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right. How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society. I, however, failed miserably. For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet! That is eternal optimism!

My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life. The indulgent life. How to eat, shop and be merry. My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction). My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones. Tastefully, of course. I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.

I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”. He is German. Practical. And a Contributing Member of Society. I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags.

Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them. The circle of life. Dysfunctional family style. Visit her website at http://www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Denise Hunter: Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too! Visit her website at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com

How did your story for the collection come about?

Because my protagonist is part of the overarching story in Smitten Book Club—a widow who was in danger of losing her business—some of the details were already set in place. All I needed was a handsome hero and a little chemistry. ;-)

Are these stories connected in some way?

If so, how? All the Smitten books are tied together with an overarching story. It makes the writing pretty complicated since there are 4 authors, but the readers seem to really love it!

What are you reading right now?

2nd Samuel in the Bible, and I’m finishing up several books I’m judging for a contest.

How many other books have you had published?

24

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a collection?

Without a doubt it’s all the details involved. There were a lot of emails flying back and forth as we tried to get our facts straight.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Since we’re bffs, collaborating was a joy. This last Smitten was our most difficult to write since Diann was going through chemo at the time. I don’t know how she wrote through all that, but she did. The release date was bittersweet because we lost Di to cancer in November. We miss her like crazy, but we wouldn’t call her back to the pain and suffering she endured for anything.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Molly was struggling with trust issues because of some things her late husband did. We need to be aware of the baggage we’re bringing into our relationships. It’s important to deal with our issues so they don’t cause problems in the future.

Please give us a peek into your story.

Molly is a widow with a failing outfitter’s business. Desperate for help she turns to Gage, her biggest competitor. But as he begins helping her whip her store into shape, Molly wonders if she can trust him with her business—or her heart.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Write the story you want to read.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

They can find me on my website: www.DeniseHunterBooks.com I also enjoy connecting with readers on facebook: www.facebook.com/authorDeniseHunter 

Diann Hunt: Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate. Diann lost her courageous battle with cancer in November 2013.

The Smitten gals are back with their newest release, Smitten Book Club! Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Denise Hunter are celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway, a Facebook party on February 20, and a nationwide book-club brunch on March 22.

 
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Smitten books (Smitten, Secretly Smitten, Smitten Book Club)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 20th. Winner will be announced at the Smitten Book Club Facebook Author Chat Party on February 20th. Connect with Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and Kristin Billerbeck for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! The Smitten gals will also be taking questions from the audience, giving away books and gift certificates, and sharing news about their upcoming nationwide Smitten Book Club brunch on March 22nd. (Sign up to host today!)

So grab your copy of Smitten Book Club and join Colleen, Denise, Kristin, and friends on the evening of February 20th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Sign up to host a Smitten Book Club Brunch on March 22nd!
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. Smitten Book Club - Christianbook.com
Smitten Book Club - Amazon
Smitten Book Club - Kindle

Christian Book Store

Deepershopping
Christian Bookstore

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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

ROSEMARY COTTAGE - Colleen Coble - One Free Book on This Blog, Plus Much More

Bio: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Carol Award, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Welcome back, Colleen. Why did you become an author?

I’ve wanted to write since I was in first grade. J I don’t really know why. I’m driven to write. I won’t ever quit writing. It’s how I make sense out of the world.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?

I’d be a naturopath. I love natural medicine, and I drive everyone crazy by giving them health advice like don’t eat gluten. And yes, that means you too. LOL

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

I love the early 1900s. All those gorgeous dresses make me salivate. Plus it was a very exciting time full of new inventions and new ways of looking at the world. My next book out, The Butterfly Palace, is set in 1904 so I’m steeped in my favorite time period right now.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?

Make that zero. J We just visited the last of the 50 states when we went on an Alaskan cruise in early June.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

I will visit Australia and New Zealand one day! I’ve loved reading about Australia since I was a little girl.

I share that love of Australia and have read hundreds of books, both fiction and nonfiction, about the continent down under. What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?

To take one day at a time. I’ve had such an incredibly busy year that I’ve felt overwhelmed quite often. So I’m trying to look only at what I have to do today.

Tell us about the featured book.

I adored writing Rosemary Cottage! There’s quite a bit of me in the book. I love my brother Randy and know first hand how that kind of grief feels. Amy thinks her brother died in a surfing accident, but she receives an email indicating his death might not have been an accident. She goes to Hope Beach to retrace Ben’s final weeks and see if she can discover what really happened. She’s a midwife too, so I get to sprinkle in my favorite health advice. J Her search uncovers many secrets about her brother and puts her in harm’s way as well. Of course there is a hunky Coast Guard officer who steps in to help her. He has a few secrets of his own.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

The warm Atlantic water rushed past her limbs in a silken caress. Gina Ireland loved summer, loved the water, the busy fisherman boating to and fro, and the blue bowl of sky overhead. In the winter she missed splashing in waves and was the first to hit the water every spring in her new bikini.

She waved to her brother on the beach where he sat on the blanket with her tiny daughter. He was as crazy about their Outer Banks island as she was, and when he wasn’t working on the water, he was plopped on the sand. Seven-month-old Raine squawked, objecting to being corralled off the sand. She already had her Uncle Curtis wrapped around her finger. Gina too, for that matter. The baby had changed everything.

Curtis waved his hand, then squatted on the blanket with the baby. Other beach goers splashed in the waves, and the distant roar of jet skis disrupted the serenity of her beloved Hope Island.

Gina flipped to her back and closed her eyes as the waves carried her on the whitecaps. She was different now, new and clean. The future looked bright. The water held no fear for her. Once she’d entertained dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal until life intervened, but contentment curled along her spine. No need for a medal when she had everything right here.

The island had receded in the distance when she opened her eyes and turned to her stomach again. She started back toward the beach with long, sure strokes. When the shore was no nearer five minutes later, she paused and trod water in the riptide that had seized her. She experienced only a momentary stab of disquiet. The boating lane was near, and she could hail a passing fishing boat if the current didn’t release her. She swam parallel to the shore, then tried again, only to be thrust back by the strong tide.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love hearing from readers! My website is www.colleencoble.com, and we can connect on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/colleencoblebooks?ref=hl

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

Water can be calming and healing, but it can also be dangerous, as Amy Lange and Curtis Ireland both found out. Both lost their siblings to the sea, and they hope to find healing on Hope Island. But will they find it, or will their quest to find answers set them at odds with each other and with those who have secrets that need to stay hidden?

Find out in Colleen Coble’s latest book, Rosemary Cottage, which released July 9. To celebrate, Colleen is hosting a 12-day Nautical Summer Giveaway. From July 16-27, Colleen will be giving away a new nautical prize every day. She’ll announce the winners on July 29 on her website, so mark your calendars for that date to see if you were picked as a lucky winner!

Not on Facebook? Enter here.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Colleen Coble - Christianbook.com
Rosemary Cottage (The Hope Beach Series) - Amazon
Rosemary Cottage (The Hope Beach Series) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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