Dear Readers, this is
book 4 in Connie’s Somewhere in
All of my books deal with redemption. We are all flawed and need God’s mercy and grace. Even after we accept Christ as our Savior, we make mistakes, we sin, and we need forgiveness and second chances, third chances, and more.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
I’m praying about this. The idea for the first book, Somebody Somewhere in Texas, popped into
my head while sitting in
I will eagerly await
that book. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a
family member of yours), who would it be and why?
I think maybe Franklin Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, and the rest of their ministry family to glean from their experiences growing up with Billy Graham and their own calling into ministry. Or perhaps Gov. Mike Huckabee and his daughter Sarah Sanders to talk conservative politics.
What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? Billy Graham for his spiritual insights. Ronald Reagan for his political insights. Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens, for his insights into human nature, his literary mind, and his humor—I wrote my Master’s thesis on him.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Read, read, read! Write, write, write! Study the craft. While pursuing traditional publishing, I kept getting rejections that said, “This is good, but. . . .” Usually the “but” had more to do with the market than the story or the writing. I was even told that my writing was “too Christian for the Christian market,” which is moving more into a Christian Worldview, sometimes with no mention of God. Upon completing the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers’ Guild Craftsman Class, Doc Hensley said, “Don’t hide your talent under a bushel.” Shortly thereafter, while attending a country music concert, God spoke to my heart. None of the performers were rich or famous, but they enjoyed using their talents, and the audience enjoyed their performance. I made the decision then to self-publish my contemporary novel, Big C, little c. I’m not rich or famous, but I enjoy writing. I’ve had positive feedback, and I even have some fans! My best advice to aspiring writers is Read, Study, Write. Pray about it every step of the way. Stay true to what God called you to do. That may require Indie publishing rather than bending to whims of the market.
And there are quite a
few smaller presses now that are staying true to the Christian calling. Tell us
about the featured book.
Here’s the back cover copy:
What if you had to leave
everything and everyone behind, reinvent yourself, assume a new identity?
Reed abandoned his dream to become an FBI agent after his father was killed. While running the family ranch, he works as a cybercrimes consultant. He agrees to shelter the witness on his ranch while they search for the slippery Salas. But Haeley Howard, AKA Holly Brown, proves to be more of a challenge than he imagined—strong-willed and surly, yet innocent and vulnerable. He vows to maintain professional distance, but not even the ugly makeup and tasteless clothes can hide her natural beauty. He can’t be distracted, can’t let down his guard.
If he can keep her safe, can they have a future together? Will the Feds give her another new identity, move her somewhere far away? She’s no longer Haeley Howard, but she’s not Holly Brown, either. What plans does God have for her?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my blog readers.
Haeley stepped back and admired the makeup on the young girl. “One more smudge to soften the lines, and you’re perfect, Cinderella. Go out and knock ’em dead!”
“This night is sooo important to me.” Cassie hugged Haeley.
Haeley wiped her hands on the damp towel. “We may be a little theater, but every performance is important. We work hard to give the audience the best experience.”
“But tonight I’m meeting an agent.” Cassie’s large, blue eyes sparkled.
“An agent? Here instead of the agency office?”
“Gotta go!” Cassie took her place on stage before the curtain opened.
Haeley wondered what agent Cassie might be involved with, but she pushed the questions from her mind as she helped the woodland creatures and the wicked step-family move on and off the stage. During intermission, she redid Cinderella’s makeup for the ball scene. “Cassie, tell me about this agent. Which agency is he with?”
“I don’t remember, but his name is Tyrone. He thinks I have real talent and is going to help me launch my acting career.”
Haeley tried to hide her frown, but she couldn’t deny the knot forming in her stomach. “How did you contact him?”
How can readers find you on the Internet? I’m most active on Facebook: Connie Lewis Leonard, author (Be sure you go to the author page because my personal page contains political commentary).
My website is http://connielewisleonard.webs.com
You may sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at rycon70@att.net.
All my books are listed on Amazon under my name: Connie Lewis Leonard
Thank you, Connie,
for sharing your new book with my blog readers.
Readers,
here’s a link to the book.
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