CHRISTMAS IN GALWAY - Elizabeth Ludwig - One Free Book

Welcome back, Elizabth. It’s good to have you on my blog again. Tell us about your salvation experience. I became a Christian after I heard the gospel preached in church one Sunday morning. My sister had been begging me to go with her, and I finally listened. This was hard for me because, as the older sibling, I didn’t want to accept that my younger sister might have some wisdom that I did not. God spoke through that pride, though, and called me to repentance and acceptance of His free gift of salvation.

I became a servant after my husband and I lost our second child. God really spoke some truth to me while we were in that valley—namely, would I be willing to follow Him no matter what the cost? I can answer that question with confidence now, and it’s a resounding YES!!

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? Without a doubt, I would invite my four critique partners—Ane Mulligan, Michelle Griep, Tara Johnson, and Gina Holmes. These ladies have pushed and prodded me all along this publishing journey. I couldn’t do a bit of it without their honesty and encouragement. And thank goodness you didn’t say three authors, because I would have really been stuck!

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. I’m always tempted to say no to this question, but right about that time, God sends someone my way who is looking for someone to share about coping with life’s trials, or finding faith and strength in the writing journey, or connecting with readers, or loss of a child…you name it. So, yes, I have a speaking ministry. And it’s all about being open to the people placed in my path, and sharing everything God has done for me along the way.

Very good answer. Many people don’t understand the importance of a one-on-one speaking ministry. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? Ha! Funny question. So, years ago, I had a lady approach me at a book signing. For several minutes, she gushed over how much she loved my books. But as she started describing her favorite, a niggling question began working its way into my head. Why didn’t I remember anything she was talking about? Finally, I asked her the name of the book. Sure enough, it wasn’t one of mine! I didn’t have the heart to tell her because by this time, a small crowd had gathered to listen (she was quite excited and vocal). Instead, I just smiled and nodded and thanked her for taking time out of her day to encourage a writer. When I got home, I looked up the book and quickly realized how she’d made the mistake. The author’s name was also Ludwig, and her middle name was Elizabeth!

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? Years ago, I came across this quote from Dorothy Parker: “If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.”

LOL!

Seriously though, I always tell people that writing is the hardest, most gratifying thing I have ever done. I tell them to take time to learn the craft. I tell them there are no shortcuts. And then I tell them to never, ever give up, no matter how long it takes.

I love this answer, too. Tell us about the featured book. I am proud of every book I’ve ever written, but Christmas in Galway makes me smile because it was unexpected. Unplanned. I wrote it without a synopsis. In fact, I just sat down in front of my computer and started typing. The secrets of Elinor’s heart were as much a surprise to me as I hope they are to my readers. It was so nice to enjoy writing again—freely, wildly, and with passion.

It’s been two years since a drunk driving accident claimed the life of Elinor Walsh’s fiancé. Though she’s forged on to create a thriving design business for herself, the past still haunts her. Prompted by her friends, she finally capitulates and schedules a flight to Ireland—a trip that should have been her honeymoon. Armed with just a list her fiancé wrote and the keys to a rental car, Elinor heads to Galway, never dreaming that the people she meets there will change her life forever. Confronted with a choice—her past with an old friend or her future with a new one—will she finally be able to move beyond her grief? Or will she cut her losses, and her trip short, and miss out on the one thing she never expected?

Please give us the first page of the book. Of course! Here you go:

Panic fluttered inside Elinor Walsh’s chest as the lighted sign above her head clicked off. The clatter of unbuckling seatbelts accompanied the rustling of passengers and the clacking of overhead bins. It was too late to change her mind now. She was sixty-six hundred miles from home, and it was time to get off the plane.

Outside her window, colored lights sparkled against the dusting of snow outside the terminal. This was certainly different from Texas, where Christmas was as likely to be celebrated with glittering palms as it was evergreens.

 “Looks cold out there.” The elderly woman in the seat next to her angled her head, artfully adorned with a pair of reindeer antlers, in the direction of Elinor’s thin sweater. “I hope you packed something a little warmer.”

 “Oh, yes. There’s a coat in my bag.” Elinor tugged her backpack out from under the seat in front of her and jerked open the zipper, smiling at the woman as she wriggled a gray parka free. Nodding kindly, the woman pushed her arms into her own coat then began collecting the knitting supplies she’d busied herself with throughout the flight.

A line had begun to form in the aisle but Elinor knew it would be awhile before the cabin door opened. She slid her phone out of her purse, switched it out of airplane mode, and tapped a quick message to her friends back home. Just landed.

Libby answered almost immediately. What’s the plan?

The plan? Elinor grimaced. Thanks to her friends she didn’t have a plan, just a car reservation number.

I’ll let you know after I pick up the car, she typed back, her fingers trembling.

Her phone pinged. Good girl.

 “Miss O’Shea?” The flight attendant looked down at her expectantly. “Do you need some help with your seatbelt?” She cast a meaningful glance toward the back of the plane, at the line of passengers waiting to disembark.

 “Oh no, I can get it. I’m so sorry.”

She fumbled with the clasp, finally managed to get free, then banged her head on the overhead bin when she stood too quickly. Cheeks burning, Elinor waved aside the attendant’s murmured concern and reached for her backpack.

She’d splurged on first class—something she never did. Her money, like her time, was managed to the smallest increment. Well, except for this trip that she’d somehow managed to let her friends talk her into.

Her bag in hand, Elinor scurried up the jetway, pausing when she reached the terminal to type out another message. Keys to the apartment under the mat. Call if you need anything!

A smiley emoticon appeared, followed by the words, Send lots of pictures!

Pictures. Right. She snapped a selfie of herself sticking out her tongue and sent it back with a smile. Libby and the girls would appreciate the humor.

I’m loving the story so far. How can readers find you on the Internet? I’ve made quite a little home for myself on the Internet. Readers can find me at any of the following sites:

Website: http://elizabethludwig.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethludwig102

Blogger: http://theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELudwig_Author

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ludwig-6092b411/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Ludwig/e/B002R612S4

MeWe:  https://mewe.com/i/elizabethludwig

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lludwig5/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eludwig_author/

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it. I love stories set in Ireland.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://ow.ly/eyqA50FZuns

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, 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

TIDE AND TEMPEST - Elizabeth Ludwig - One Free Book

Readers, Elizabeth is another Texas author. We’ve been friends a long time. We’ve been on writing retreats together. I love her heart for the Lord, and I love her writing, and this series are three of her best books. I think you will, too.

Welcome back, Elizabeth. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I got saved when I was twenty-one. My husband and I had only been married for a couple of years, but we’d dated all through high school, and I knew that we differed on exactly what it meant to be saved. You see, I had been raised as a Catholic, and my husband was a Pentecostal.

One day, my sister approached me about some of the conversations my husband and I had been having regarding faith. She explained that salvation wasn’t about denomination, it was about surrendering my heart and life to God, and about acknowledging my need for a Savior. Though I pretended to understand, deep down, I was hiding a secret. I was holding back—afraid to commit everything to a God I didn’t really know.

About a year after this, my husband and I suffered the loss of our second child, our son, Seth, at three months of age. With the agony and grief arose questions regarding faith. Commitment. Trust.

Though I had managed to fool myself for several years, the time had finally come when God demanded an answer from me regarding my salvation. Would I trust Him with my most precious possessions? Would I commit myself to Him no matter where He led, even if it was through the Valley? Did I believe that even in the midst of suffering and fear, He was able to direct my path and protect me from evil?

I believe that when I finally answered yes to these questions, God truly became my Lord and Savior. I still remember letting go of the struggle—it was like a conscious movement, an opening of my hands. I let go of doubt, indecision, and fear, and I gained grace. I gained God.

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

Only four? Oh my…

I’d say it would have to be Michelle Griep, Janelle Mowery, Kellie Coates Gilbert, and Candice (Speare) Prentice. Each one of these ladies has been such an encouragement to me over the years. They love to laugh, they love the Lord, and I know they would be a whole lot of fun.

Yes, they would. I know all of them, and two of them are dear friends. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

Oh yes, I do! I love to talk to community organizations, writers groups, and book clubs. In just the past year, I’ve visited with over thirty local groups and taught several workshops. But it’s not always just about my writing. I’ve been invited to speak at several women’s ministry events, which is always fun because I get to combine two of my favorite things—writing and Jesus. J

For anyone who is interested in booking me for their event, I have a partial list of topics on my website at www.elizabethludwig.com.

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

LOL! This just between you and me, right? ;-)

My husband and I were at a basketball tournament once, and during half-time, I decided to get up to use the restroom. Bathrooms were across the gym, so I left and came back a short while later. As I’m walking across the floor, I see my husband frantically waving at me and pointing at something behind his back. After several seconds, I realized that he was pointing at me, so I start checking my shoes, my zipper…nothing.

Have you ever walked out of a bathroom with toilet paper stuck to your shoe?

Yeah, well…mine wasn’t stuck to my shoe. It was a piece of toilet paper about 10 inches long, and it was coming out the top of my pants, and flapping along like a flag behind me. The second I saw it, I tore it off and threw it on the floor, where it lay like a badge of shame until the game workers came out and swept it away.

Been there, done that, and it’s embarrassing. 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?

I always like to encourage people to follow their dreams, so when a person says that to me, I give them my card and tell them to contact me so that I can put them in touch with some literary organizations that can help. It’s not much, but it gives them a place to start if they’re really serious about pursuing a career in writing.

Tell us about the featured book.

I am so excited for the release of Tide and Tempest! Originally, I had intended for the EDGE OF FREEDOM to be a two book series, so this was the only story that wasn’t planned. It has turned out to be my favorite. I love, love, love this hero and heroine—Keondric and Tillie. Their story amazed me, and their love was just phenomenal to write.

Also, I share a common grief with Tillie—the loss of a child. I think that’s why she resonated with me so deeply. I really hope her triumph over guilt and grief speaks to readers.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Sure! Here you go.

“Captain Morgan? Sir?”

Keondric Morgan glared over his shoulder at the deckhand waving furiously at him from the bow of the Caitriona Marie. He slowed his steps, halting the rhythmic cadence of his feet against the gangplank. “What now, Donal?”

His fingers beat with irritation against the pouch strapped to his side. He had somewhere to be, and if he had to mind every move his crewmen made, he’d never get there.

“The doctor, sir.” Donal shifted from foot to foot and tugged at the collar of his shirt.

Blowing an impatient blast from his lips, Morgan lifted his cap, dragged his fingers through his hair then gestured for him to continue. “Well? Go on, man, what about him?”

“What. . .uh. . .” Knuckles white as he gripped the rail, he glanced over his shoulder and back then cupped a hand to his mouth and leaned out over the water. “What should we do with him, sir?”

“He’s dead, Donal,” Morgan shouted back, raising his voice to be heard above the flocks of seagulls arguing overhead. “What do you think we should do with him? Contact his next of kin and see about getting him buried!”

Sighing, Donal grumbled, “’Twould have been easier if the man had died at sea.”

A lull in the noise clamoring from the vessels along the dock carried his words to Morgan’s ears. He paused mid-turn and narrowed his eyes. “What was that?”

Donal’s chin lowered. “Nothing, sir.”

“Good. See to it, then.” Jamming his hands into his pockets, Morgan hunched his shoulders, spun on his heel, and stormed down the gangplank. The doctor’s death disturbed him, but not nearly so as much as did his dying words.

“I did it, Morgan. God help me, I took the money.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’ve made quite a home for myself on the web. Here is a list of places where people can find me:

www.elizabethludwig.com

www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/theborrowedbook

https://www.facebook.com/elizabethludwig102

I hope you’ll stop by. I’d love to have you visit!

Thank you, Elizabeth, 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.
Tide and Tempest - Christianbook.com
Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom) - Amazon
Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom 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 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

NO SAFE HARBOR - Elizabeth Ludwig - One Free Book on This Blog + Much More

Bio: Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas.
Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

Dear Readers, I've read this book recently and loved it. I think you will, too. And the cover is awesome.

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

There’s actually one theme in particular that I try to weave into all of my books. It’s a unifying message in all three of the books from my latest series called the Edge of Freedom. It’s one that I hope will speak to everyone who reads them, but rather than tell you what it is, I’d like to show you with a line taken from one of the books:

“My dear, braw lad,” Cara whispered, “your faith was never in God. It was the church you followed, and the Fenians, not the Savior.”

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I just finished the second book in the Edge of Freedom Series, called Dark Road Home, and am currently working on book three. Each of these books focuses on a different aspect of the struggle in Ireland, and how it translated to America. Overall, I am very excited to have been entrusted with this great project!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Not a family member…okay, then I guess I would have to say Tim Tebow (and who wouldn’t, right?) My goodness, that man is pretty! J

Joking aside, I would love to just pray with him and encourage him to stay faithful. Lots of eyes are on him. Fair or not, that makes him a role model.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’d like to meet Abraham Lincoln. There’s been some controversy lately about him. I think I’d like to get to know him, find out who he really was and what he believed. Also, I’d like to ask him if he ever, ever killed a vampire. ;-)

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

I guess I would have to share a bit of my own writing history.

I wrote for six years before I sold my first book. As you can imagine, a collected a hefty pile of rejections from the time I submitted my first manuscript to the day I completed my first sale. In between is a time I fondly recall now as the desert years.

The desert years were a lonely, desperate time of self-pity and despair. How I wish I had realized then the presence of God in my life. With every tear I wept, He gently and lovingly molded me. Like a potter using water to make the clay pliable, God used my tears to soften and shape me. I’ll never forget the moment the realization hit me that nothing, not a moment of time in my long and difficult publishing journey had been wasted.

“Don’t be so focused on the goal that you miss the journey.” (Paraphrased)

I heard these words at a conference I attended. Suddenly, I realized that was exactly what I’d been doing. My goal was publication. Only that. Not the knowledge to be gained along the way, or the friendships forged in adversity. I missed the fleeting opportunities God had prepared to comfort me, and for me to give comfort. Like a darkened landscape exposed by a shaft of lightening, my life suddenly became visible, and I became determined to ENJOY the writing journey God had set me on.

Tell us about the featured book.

My newest release, No Safe Harbor, is sort of a departure from the typical Historical Romance. I’ve added a strong element of suspense to give it a sort of gothic romance feel (readers familiar with Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney will know what I’m talking about).

The story is set in and around New York City, especially Ellis Island. For those of you not familiar with its history, over twelve million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954. Many of those immigrants were Irish, so when I decided to write a book about an Irish girl searching for her brother in America, it seemed the natural choice.

Here’s a little blurb about the book:

Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Sure! Here you go:

Ellis Island, 1897

A mischievous wind lifted the tips of Cara’s hair and tossed them into her eyes. She brushed the strands away then blew on her shaking fingers to warm them. The day was overcast, like every one before it for the past two weeks, but thankfully the snow had stopped and the sea had settled into something less than raging. She stood against the rail with no fear of being tossed over.

Few passengers crowded the rails of the ship, Servia. Most were kept below deck by the frigid February temperatures and the choppy Atlantic Ocean, but not Cara. Bad weather had lengthened the crossing, made her longing for her first glimpse of America sharper.

America. And Eoghan.

Just thinking of her twin brother brought a wash of hot tears to her cheeks. Eoghan was alive. After two years of bowing under the villagers’ whispered condemnation, of bearing in silence the brand given her family name. . .finally. . .the chance to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. His letter in hand, she’d scrambled aboard the first ship to America she could find.

Her fingers crept inside her coat to press the precious scrap of paper against her chest.

Soon, my sweet lad. I’ll be at your side! And then we’ll prove you were no traitor to your church or your country.

Gently, she caressed the twisted leather bracelet encircling her wrist. Eoghan wore one identical to it—a gift from their father on their sixteenth birthday.

“Ah, Miss Hamilton. You made it on deck, I see.”

Cara tucked the bracelet into her sleeve then turned toward the boisterous voice. Douglas Healy was a kind man. A bit loud for her liking. Nonetheless, his generosity had rescued her from steerage—a fact for which she would be forever grateful, and his good-humored jokes had made the trip across the Atlantic bearable. His presence had also kept some of the more amorous lads at bay, since they’d assumed mistakenly that he was her father.

She greeted him with a smile. “And you, as well, Mr. Healy. Here to catch your first glimpse of America?”

He snorted, his full moustache stirred by the force. “I’ve seen it before. This is my fourth crossing. Business, you know.”

His gray eyebrows bunched as he claimed the spot next to her at the rail. Teased by the wind, the fedora on his head lifted slightly. He caught it with a gloved hand and jammed it firmly back in place. “You, however, have yet to reveal your reasons for making the journey. Still no hope of finagling the information?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’ve actually made quite a home for myself out in cyber space. Readers can find me at:

Website: www.elizabethludwig.com

Blog: www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com.

I’m also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.ludwig.33?ref=tn_tnmn and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/theborrowedbook.

Stop on by! I’d love to have you visit.


Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her 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 6th!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for visiting us today and for inviting us to your party.

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

No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom) - paperback
No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom) - 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

LOVE FINDS YOU IN CALICO, CALIFORNIA - Elizabeth Ludwig - Free Book

Author Bio: Elizabeth Ludwig’s first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, was released in spring of 2008 from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries, an imprint of Barbour Publishing. This was followed in 2009 by I’ll Be Home for Christmas, part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, Elizabeth’s first full-length historical novel, Love Finds You in Calico, California will be released from Summerside Press. Books two and three of her mystery series, Died in the Wool, and A Black Die Affair, respectively, are slated for release in 2011 from Barbour Publishing.

In 2008, Elizabeth was named the IWA Writer of the Year for her work on Where the Truth Lies. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and dramatist, having performed before audiences of 1500 and more. She works fulltime, and currently lives with her husband and two children in Texas.


To learn more about Elizabeth and her work, visit her at http://www.elizabethludwig.com/ .

Welcome back to the blog, Elizabeth. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Hopefully more contracts! LOL!

Actually, I’m never really sure what I’ll be working on or doing a year or even a month from now. For example, I told myself I would never write an Amish book or anything similar. Guess what I’m working on right now?? :-)

Tell us a little about your family.

Of course, every parents thinks their kids are wonderful…I’m no different. I have an amazing son who is growing and maturing in his faith (he’s leaving on a mission trip this month), and a beautiful daughter who makes us all laugh with her quick wit and sharp mind.

But…I have to tell you a story about my husband. I always knew he supported my writing, but he really proved it one Christmas, long before I sold my first book. We had been talking about buying a new computer but finances were tight, and I wasn’t sure we could afford it. Imagine my surprise when, on Christmas morning, my dear husband handed me a large box with a brand new laptop inside! Not only that, but he had the thing completely set up—with a USB modem. All I had to do was turn the thing on and start writing.

I couldn’t believe it. He’d worked a lot of overtime to afford that computer. When I asked him why he did it, he said, “Because you’re going to need it someday…when you sell your book.”

Now, how could I let that man down? I knew I had to keep pressing no matter how many rejections I got.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I’m sad to say I don’t have nearly the time to read that I used to. Growing up, reading was my passion. I used to lie under the Christmas tree and read by the light of the bulbs! In fact, I got in trouble more than once for staying up too late…reading! Now, it is a rare treat to tuck myself away with a good book. That means I’m much pickier about what I read, too. If I’m not enthralled with a book, I don’t take the time to finish it, simply because I can’t.

I know what you mean. What are you working on right now?

Well, like I mentioned above, I am putting together a Mennonite series (not Amish) about a small community in my home state of Michigan. So much research!

I also just finished a proposal for a series about an Irish immigrant who comes to New York in search of her brother. It all revolves around Ellis Island and a small boarding house.

AND I’m waiting for word on a contemporary novel about a former football pro who must come to terms with the death of his twin brother…and his lost love.

What outside interests do you have?

Apart from reading, I love to ski. My family and I look forward to going to Colorado every Spring Break. Last year, we took twelve newbies with us and taught them all how to ski. Okay…so we taught them how to avoid killing themselves. Still, by the end of the week, they could all get off the lift, and they all could stop at the bottom of the mountain before they crashed into the chalet.

I also work part-time as a youth minister, so the kids keep me pretty active!

You don't even want to hear the story of my younger daughter trying to learn to ski as a teen. How do you choose your settings for each book?

You know…I’ve never really thought about it before. It’s almost like the setting comes first, and then I think about what kind of story I could set there.

Take Love Finds You in Calico, California, for example. I never intended to set a story in Calico. In fact, it was purely by accident that I even visited there! My husband and I were on vacation. We had decided to drive across the country, and anytime we saw something we wanted to investigate, we would stop. On one of our fuel fills in California, I noticed some large letters painted across the hillside. The gas station attendant told me a little bit about the history of the ghost town, which was more than enough to spark my interest. We spent the entire day in Calico and loved it! From that moment on, I was just WAITING for the right story to come along so I could set it there. I can’t wait to go back.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Well, I would say the Lord, but He’s still alive so I don’t think he counts as historical. I would say my mother-in-law or my son, both of whom reside in heaven right now, but they are more like my future, not my past, since I’m going to see them again some day in heaven. So…that only leaves Simon Peter. I bet he was kind of neat…always going around walking on water and chopping people’s ears off. What fun! (wink)

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I’d taken the time to learn the craft before I started submitting. Rejections are hard, and they hurt! I learned so much more from entering contests and getting feedback than I ever did from a form letter rejection. If you’re going to spend your money, use it for contest entry fees instead of postage. You’ll get a much higher return.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Hmm…I don’t know as these lessons are new, but He is reminding me daily that things happen in HIS time, not mine. He’s also been showing me (or should I say PROVING to me) that He is always faithful, even when I’m not! He’s been showing me abundant grace and forgiveness, matchless mercy…I could go on and on about the goodness of the Lord!!

He is good and His mercies are new every morning! What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1. Work hard and never give up, especially if God has CALLED you to write. It would be a real tragedy if you stopped writing before God was ready to let you go.

2. I mentioned this above, but I’m going to say it again and add a little more…take the time to learn the craft of writing. You can do this by attending writer’s conferences and entering writing contests. Join a critique group that consists of members who are as dedicated to learning as you are. All of this will pay off for you because you will have a much cleaner, more polished product to show publishers.

3. Lastly, if your goal is publication, great! But don’t be so focused on the goal that you forget to enjoy the journey you’re on while reaching it. There are some awesome lessons to be learned along the way, and great friends to be made…all of which you will miss if you attempt a shortcut. Trust God. His timing is always perfect.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to! Love Finds You in Calico, California is a historical romance about a young girl who finds herself alone in a silver mining town after her father is killed. Driven to discover the truth about the facts surrounding his death, she begins searching for clues and winds up nearly losing her life (what can I say—I just can’t help putting a little mystery into my stories).

Dear readers, I've read and reviewed this book. Just click on the Review link above and go down the page until you find the review. Now, Elizabeth, please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One
Calico, 1883

“Fire! The mine is on fire!”

Abigail bolted upright in her bed, the blankets clutched to her chest. Pounding feet and strangled cries mingled with the wispy fingers of her dreams. Outside her window, an eerie orange glow illuminated the night sky.

“Papa?” Thrusting back the covers she jumped from the bed, her legs chafed by the straw poking out from the ticking, and ran from her room. Next to the fireplace, her father’s pallet lay empty, the blankets tossed aside as though he’d scrambled from them in a hurry. Her worried gaze traveled to the door, where the heavy oak beam used to secure it stood propped against the wall.

He’s gone to the mine.

Her father’s repeated warnings rang in her head, but she ignored them and darted across the cabin, flinging open the door. People carrying torches rushed by on the street, their voices lifted in panic.

“What’s happening?” she shouted. It was no use. Snagged by the brisk wind whipping down from the mountains, her words carried to no one in particular.

Their tiny home lay on the edge of town, across from the livery. Perhaps Nathan Hawk, the livery’s new owner, knew something. Sucking in a lungful of sharp air, Abigail yanked her shawl from its peg next to the door and threw it around her shoulders, struggling a bit as it tangled in her long, dark curls. The shawl was scant protection, but at least her nightgown was covered. Her red boots rested in the corner, but pausing to slip them on would waste precious seconds and Papa needed her now.

Isn't that a wonderful hook? You'll love the rest of the story. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’ve actually made quite a cozy little home for myself on the web. You can find out more about my upcoming releases on my website at http://www.elizabethludwig.com/ .

Or check out my blog at http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/ . I do author interviews, weekly devotionals, and book giveaways. I review books and movies on the Reviews Page, and list upcoming releases from many of your favorite Christians authors on the Classifieds Page. On the Writing/Craft Page, Sandra Moore offers tips and advice to aspiring authors. In other words, there’s something for everyone!

Lastly, if you just want to see what I’m up to at home, search for me on Facebook. I would love to visit with you!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for the fun time today.
 
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CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING - Debby Mayne, Paige Winship Dooly, Elizabeth Goddard, Elizabeth Ludwig - Free Book

Here's another Christmas novella collection. I'm loving all of these. I'll be reading and reviewing them in October and November. As with the last interview, I'll add the photos of the authors in the order that they answer the questions. Now, tell us how did your story for the collection come about?

Debby Mayne: I liked the idea of connecting these stories through family, which is where love starts. To give it a unique twist and show that people can find love at any age, I wanted to write about a widowed grandmother.

Paige Winship Dooly: Our stories feature three granddaughters coming home for their grandma’s wedding. Each has been away for various reasons, and I decided to do a rebel with a deep heart who felt she didn’t deserve happiness after she left her fiancé at the altar. I gave her a redeemed hero, the fiancé, to work with. It was a fun story to write.

Elizabeth Ludwig: Brainstorming with such a talented group of writers is a wonderful thing. When we first started tossing around ideas for a Christmas anthology, ideas were flying fast and furious. Thankfully, Debby has a solid head on her shoulders and got our group to focus on one particular theme that flowed throughout all four stories. I firmly believe that it’s because of her guidance we were able to put together a proposal that snagged Barbour’s interest. Anyway, using Debby’s idea of a common thread, I created a character whose passion for publication had driven her away from home. It’s only when she learns that her grandmother intends to remarry that she dares return to face the people she loved, and who she’d desperately disappointed.

Elizabeth Goddard: My teenage daughter was on a missions trip in South Africa, soon to return. I knew immediately that mine would start with a missionary returning home for Christmas. The fun thing was that as I was writing the summary—I think it was midnight as the group worked together on this—Rachel called. She had just stepped onto Texas soil—her return destination.

What are you reading right now?

Debby Mayne: I have a stack of Christian chick lit, Southern humor books, romances, and quirky mysteries.

Paige Winship Dooly: Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy

Elizabeth Ludwig: I read a lot of books that are similar to my own—call it research. Recently, I finished The Wiles of Watermelon by Lynette Sowell, Of Mice and Murder by Mary Connealy, and Misfortune Cookies by Linda Kozar. These are all very talented ladies, so I knew when it came to writing cozy mysteries, I had my work cut out for me.

Elizabeth Goddard: Sahara by Clive Cussler, and I’m looking forward to reading George Bryan Polivka’s Blaggard’s Moon.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Debby Mayne: My published works include mostly romances, one mystery, and a devotional with other authors. My upcoming releases are Peachtree Dreams, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, Noah's Ark, Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry, and this anthology (Christmas Homecoming).

Paige Winship Dooly: Heart’s Desire, Treasure in the Hills, The Greatest Find, Carousel Dreams, and The Petticoat Doctor (scheduled for release in Spring of 2009); all with Heartsong Presents. Lilly’s Pirate from the Sweet Liberty anthology, Cornerstone from the Church in the Wildwood anthology, Seeking Shade from the Christmas Duty anthology, Head over Heels from the Sweet Home Alabama anthology, and The First Noelle from the Christmas Homecoming anthology. Treasure in the Hills has been released in a 3-in-1 anthology titled Prairie Hills in February of 2009.

Elizabeth Ludwig: Believe it or not, I started out writing historicals. My first was a western I titled The Surrendered Heart. From there, I went on to create a series of Scottish historicals, none of which will probably ever see the light of day, though I thoroughly enjoyed writing every word. My published works include Where the Truth Lies and two more cozy mysteries in that series, Died in the Wool and A Black Die Affair, respectively. This novella, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, was quite a difference experience for me, but I loved doing it, and hopefully, I’ll write many more novellas in the years to come.

Elizabeth Goddard: Seasons of Love released in 2007 and as part of a 3-in-1 as Cranberry Hearts in 2009, and Portrait of a Murder, 2009.

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

Debby Mayne: The timeline and consistency among the characters.

Paige Winship Dooly: Making sure the characters are consistent in each book, and that the stories flow well.

Elizabeth Ludwig: I really felt the pressure of writing something that was up to not only my own standards, but of the other authors in this collection as well. I don’t know why I felt that way—these ladies were completely supportive the entire time and I enjoyed working with them. Still, I did not want them to be disappointed.

Elizabeth Goddard: Making sure the stories flow well together, we’re all on the same page even in the small details.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Debby Mayne: I became very good friends with them.

Paige Winship Dooly: We worked together on proposals before, and through this experience I was able to get to know all three women better.

Elizabeth Ludwig: This was a whole new experience for me. Aside from making three wonderful new friends, I really learned what it takes to collaborate effectively on a project that all four people have a vested interest in.

Elizabeth Goddard: It was the first time for me to meet and work with these ladies—now I have wonderful new writing friends!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Debby Mayne: We started out using Christmasy names. However, when another name was needed, I used my baby naming book.

Paige Winship Dooly: It varies. For this story, I used Noelle in order to blend with the Christmas carol title, and Rocky, the solid hero, just seemed to fit with Noelle and the setting. Sometimes the names are in my mind first, and I build the story around the characters. Other times I have the story in mind, and have to write using “H” for hero and “h” for heroine until I know the characters well enough to name them. Then I use baby books or online searches to find the best name and meaning for those characters.

Elizabeth Ludwig: Our main characters all had Christmasy sounding names, so that part was easy enough—I mean, how many “Christmasy” names can you think of, right? For the others, it was a matter of choosing a name that fit the character’s personality. I usually spend a few days rolling possibilities around in my head until I come up with something that fills the bill.

Elizabeth Goddard: That was easy enough—I just stuck with names that fit in with a Christmas theme.

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

Debby Mayne: Since my heroine and hero are in their 60's, I wanted to show that people can find love at any age.

Paige Winship Dooly: I love the thought that you can always come home again, and that it’s never too late to make amends and communicate with people you love.

Elizabeth Ludwig: My story is loosely based on the parable of the Prodigal Son. With this in mind, I tried very hard to achieve a modern retelling that would speak to anyone’s heart who knows what it feels like to wander away from home. Ultimately, I wanted the reader to realize that with God, there is no distance too great that we cannot return to Him.

Elizabeth Goddard: That sometimes God’s will for our lives can change direction, and we need to be receptive to that.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? Yes. If so, why?

Debby Mayne: The professionalism of this organization keeps me on top of the needs of the market. I've also made some wonderful, lifelong friends.

Paige Winship Dooly: Yes, I’m a member, and I enjoy the people and the connections that are built. We have a conference each year, online groups for each area, the e-mail loop, etc. It’s a wonderful way to network.

Elizabeth Ludwig: I am a member of ACFW, and have been since 2002. I joined because having received so many rejections to the proposals I was sending out, I knew there was still something I needed to learn. I figured an experienced group of writers like the people I would find in ACFW could only help. Boy, was I right! For those authors just starting out, I say align yourself with others who have the same goal. You will be encouraged, challenged, uplifted. . .everything it takes to make it in this competitive business.

Elizabeth Goddard: Yes, I’m a member and joined in 2001. I don’t think I’d be writing a thing if it weren’t for the encouragement I’ve received in this organization.

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

Debby Mayne: Don't take revision personally.

Paige Winship Dooly: Do it now.

Elizabeth Ludwig: If God has called you to write, don’t give up, no matter how trying the effort. While waiting for publication, I grasped onto Habakkuk 2:2-3 and repeated the verses to myself often. Now, whenever I autograph a book, I add the reference as a reminder that God is faithful to fulfill that which He has called me to do.

Elizabeth Goddard: Never give up.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending this time with us.

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Author Elizabeth Ludwig - WHERE THE TRUTH LIES - Free Book

Oh, goody, we're interviewing another author of a Heartsong Cozy Mystery.

Welcome, Elizabeth. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I always write a huge part of myself into my characters. I think that’s because if I can’t envision myself as being one of them, I have a very hard time writing them. Take Casey Alexander, for example, the heroine in Where the Truth Lies. Casey loves detective novels and much of her life is centered around the main character. I was a lot like that growing up. Some people…ahem…even say I’m still like that. In fact, it’s not at all unusual to see me driving down the road acting out the lines from a scene I’m working on. I want to get the responses and inflections just right, and the only way I know to do that is to act them out.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, if you read my last answer…LOL! Actually, the quirkiest thing I’ve ever done has nothing to do with writing. I was a young girl, around eight or nine, and I loved to read by the light of the Christmas tree. It wasn’t enough to sit near the tree, mind you. I had to crawl completely under the tree and let the lights shine down directly onto the page. Try explaining that to four sisters who already think you’re a geek.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I had a fantastic fourth grade teacher who always encouraged my love of reading. In fact, she often let me sit quietly and read to myself when everyone else was doing homework. One day, she asked if I might be interested in entering a science fiction contest for young authors because she knew that was what I was into at that time. I did, and though I didn’t win, I knew then that I wanted to write.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’ll read just about anything if it has a touch of romance in it. Case in point, I just finished reading a vampire series by Stephenie Meyer! Not my typical stuff, but I thoroughly enjoyed all three books. Then there is always Francine Rivers, Susan Page Davis, and Deb Raney. Love ‘em! But don’t leave Kathleen Morgan and her Scottish historical series. Did I mention Katherine Kurtz and her Deryni Chronicles? You get the idea…

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I wrote a Scottish historical series that I absolutely love. They are all centered around Malcolm Canmore and the time of MacBeth. Maybe someday I’ll get back to them. I also wrote several westerns, a romantic suspense, and I’m currently working on a contemporary romance. Quite a wide variety, huh? None of these other books have been published, but they were all key in helping my develop my skill.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Depends on who you ask. Some would say I am quite insane…:-)

How do you choose your characters’ names?

The name has to feel good on my tongue. I usually roll it around in my head, try it out in a scene, and if it works, I go with it. Doesn’t hurt to vary the syllables, either. If there are two syllables in the first name, there should be one or three in the last name. This makes the rhythm sound better to a listener’s ear. I learned this when I was pregnant and choosing baby names. I’m also always on the lookout in newspapers and on TV. I love old fashioned sounding names that have a little substance.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Without a doubt, nothing makes me prouder than to hear people say I have good kids. After that, I would have to say doing a good job, every day, at whatever I’m working on makes me proud, because whatever I do, I want to do with all my might, as unto the Lord.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

LOL! This is funny. I would say I’m an eagle, always flying high, a little bit intimidating, a little bit aggressive, slightly wild. My kids would say I’m a rabbit…actually, Rabbit, on Winnie-the-Pooh. According to them, I’m very fastidious.

What is your favorite food?

Potato Chips. No, wait…chocolate. Yeah, chocolate.

Do you eat them together? What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I had a very difficult time not writing stuff that was episodic. What I mean by that is writing scenes that are one catastrophe or trauma after another with little or no connection in between. I overcame by this by learning to write a very detailed synopsis and timeline before I ever sit down to write chapter one. While this is time consuming, it often saves me a lot of trouble because I have so much less rewriting to do.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Join a critique group! I say this most emphatically, because a good critique group will help you grow, encourage you, even comfort you in times of difficulty. It can’t be just any crit group, however. My crit group and I learned early on that pats on the back are wonderful but they do absolutely nothing to help us as writers. So now we’re much harder on each other, but our work is better because of it.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

I am so very proud of Where the Truth Lies. Janelle and I wanted to create a really twisted plot with lots of red herrings and leads so that the reader was left wondering all the way through to the end. I think we accomplished that with this story.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’ve actually made quite a home for myself out in cyber space. Readers can find me at www.elizabethludwig.com or read about some of my current projects and interests at www.elizabethludwig.blogspot.com. I’m also a contributor to Novel Journey and Spyglass Lane, so readers can find me there, too. Stop on by! I’d love to have you visit.

Thank you for dropping by, Elizabeth.

Readers, check out all these wonderful sites. Want to win a copy of the mystery? Leave a comment.