A HEART RECLAIMED (CHERISH) - Elizabeth Maddrey - One Free Ebook

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

Hopefully just more of the same – I want to keep writing the books God lays on my heart. It’s my prayer God will continue to use me and the words I write for His glory.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have a marvelous husband to whom I’ve been married for 22 years. And we have two boys, age 9 and 5. We’re also in close proximity to both sets of grandparents, as well as siblings, so we do a lot with our extended family. I love having that opportunity.

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

You know, I think I’m unique in this because it really hasn’t. I love to read and I’m grateful I’m able to turn off my inner editor in order to still just enjoy every book I pick up without feeling I have to critique the writing or try to compare it to my own. I love to just read for the sake of reading. It’s one of my favorite pastimes.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I’m finishing up A Tidbit of Trust, book 5 in my Taste of Romance series. It’s the last book in the series and ties up all the friends who we’ve met throughout the previous four books. I’m hoping to have it release in September.

What outside interests do you have?

Well, I homeschool my kids, and I actually really enjoy that. It’s fun to revisit subjects I haven’t studied since I was little. And, like I already said, I love to read. I also enjoy watching police procedurals on TV when I have a minute or two to myself, crocheting, trying out new recipes, and playing the piano.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Generally, my books have all been set in the Washington, D.C. area. I live here and it’s such a great area. It’s rich in history, with lots to do, and I think (hope!) people enjoy getting a glimpse of what it’s like to live here.

I’ve also recently started a series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. I got the spark for that series when my sister and I went on a road trip to see an old mansion down there that’s open to the public on certain summer weekends.

My other current series is set in a fictional town in southern Idaho. This setting was one that the group of authors working on the series worked together to develop. I’m really enjoying the change to small-town Idaho. It’s not something I would probably have come up with on my own.

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

I’d love to hang out with Marie Curie for an evening. She was an amazing woman who I’ve always admired.

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

That there’s no prescribed way to write. I spent a lot of time trying to shoehorn myself into the “right” way to write – doing character background sheets and big plotting notebooks and all that sort of stuff. When I finally got so frustrated and discouraged by doing that, then getting sick of the characters and the story before I ever wrote a word, I let myself just write. And the book happened. And I realized  I don’t have to write in any specific way. There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way to go about it. Just get the story down.

I went through that process. I’m a seat-of-the-pants author, but I believe we do the same thing in our heads that plotters do on paper. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I’ve often struggled with comparing myself to others. Lately, God’s been working on that some more and helping me focus just on doing my best for Him and leaving the rest alone.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

First, study the craft. That can be conferences, seminars, books, whatever. Just never stop studying the craft.

Second, get a really good editor. Everyone needs an editor, no matter who they are or how famous etc. And it needs to be someone who knows what they’re doing. Yes, they can be pricey, but it’s worth it.

Third? Read. Read in your genre. Read outside your genre. Learn to love the written word.

Tell us about the featured book.

My book is A Heart Reclaimed. This is book two in my Peacock Hill Romance series (the one set in the mountains of southwest Virginia). It’s the story of two landscapers who are helping restore the gardens around a dilapidated mansion that’s being turned into a retreat center. Anna and Duncan went to college together. He had a crush on her, but she thought he was pushy and obnoxious. Now, as they work together, they have to bury the hatchet and see if they can’t plant some seeds that bloom into love.

A Heart Reclaimed is one of seven novels in the Cherish box set.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Anna Hamilton parked her car under one of the shaggy cedars near the front of Peacock Hill and rubbed her hands together. Finally, a chance to be part of a project that mattered. Not that the historical landscape archives weren’t important, but who wanted to be stuck behind a desk helping researchers when she could get her hands in the dirt? She couldn’t really pinpoint how she’d ended up at the library, either. Which just made it worse. But now...maybe her life was back on track.

Gathering her laptop bag and her duffel, she stepped out of the car and breathed in the unpolluted air. It was lovely. Very little humidity and still cooler than Richmond, which was beginning to feel the first tendrils of Virginia summer weather. Even if it was barely May. She closed the car door and crossed the gravel drive, climbing the steps to the front of the house two at a time while she admired the columns and general grandeur of the place.

Anna knocked on the door. Would anyone hear if they weren’t close by? The house—there had to be a better word. Mansion? Estate?—was massive.

“Coming.” Footsteps clomped closer before the door swung open. The tiny blonde grinned and extended her hand. “Anna, right? I’m Deidre.”

“That’s me. Nice to meet you.” Anna took her hand and peered inside. Rich wood—on the floor and the walls—met her gaze. “Gosh, it’s even prettier in real life.”

“Come on in. Is that all you brought?”

“I have more out in the car—you said to be prepared to rough it, so there’s an air mattress and that kind of thing, too. I just wasn’t sure...”

Deidre grinned. “I’ve got an actual mattress for you. It’s on the floor, but it’s better than a blow up. We’re roughing it, but not quite at the camping level. You and I are on the second floor. I stuck my brother on the third.”

“Sounds good.”

Deidre paused and angled her head to the side.

Anna raised her brows. “What?”

“It’s just...I want to make sure you didn’t think you were in charge of the project?”

Anna worked to control the expression on her face. She had actually, but diplomacy was always a good idea. “Well, you have final say, of course.”

Deidre shook her head. “I was afraid of that. I’m so sorry. See, my brother’s a landscape architect and I asked him—practically as soon as I bought the place—to help out. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to get down here this spring though, which is why I started looking around for photos and such—to see if I could do a little cleanup while I waited for him to have time. But his work schedule cleared up and he got here yesterday.”

“I see.” Although she didn’t. Anna gripped the handle of her duffel. Three months of email and phone calls with Deidre had made her seem like a friend, of sort. Why had the woman never mentioned a brother? A landscaping brother at that. “So...you don’t actually need me?”

“I didn’t say that. I...it’s just...” Deidre broke off and turned at the noise on the staircase.

“Hey, Dee, I was thinking...oh.” A tall, sandy-haired man stopped on the steps, his features sliding into a blank mask. “Hello, Anna.”

“McIntyre. Of course.” Anna’s stomach twisted into an entire batch of pretzels as she realized just who Deidre’s brother was. She swallowed, willing some moisture into the desert of her mouth. “I should be going. Your project is in good hands.”

Deidre shot Duncan a meaningful look.

Anna turned and reached for the door.

“I never figured you for one who’d walk away from a challenge.”

Good way to hook me and my readers. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can find all my books on my website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com

I love to interact with readers on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

I’m also on Instagram with snippets of my life and an occasional book promo (but mostly just pictures of my day-to-day): http://www.instagram.com/ElizabethMaddrey

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing your book and this boxed set with us. I’m eager to read it.

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

Cherish: Seven Tender Christian Romance Novels

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.

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COURAGE TO CHANGE - Elizabeth Maddrey - One Free Book

Welcome back, Elizabeth. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I spent 20 years active with a Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC), so the women and men who go through those doors every day are dear to my heart. I think very often it’s easy to limit your support of places like CPCs to a monetary donation – and while they absolutely appreciate those gifts, they also need people to understand what it is they do and who their clients really are. While at their heart, my books are romances, I hope they also provide a smidgen of insight into what it means to work in the pro-life arena.

In earlier years, my family has served as a shepherding home for young single women who were pregnant, so I totally understand. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

This is tough. It’s probably a three-way tie with the day I married my husband (he’s absolutely the best) and the days we brought our boys home from the hospital.

How has being published changed your life?

I’m busier, certainly! But really, it hasn’t gone much beyond being able to say I’m a published author (instead of hoping that someday I will be.) Oh! It has gotten me on Twitter – something I never really wanted to do before. J

What are you reading right now?

Broken Wings by Shannon Dittemore.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m actually a little behind my deadline for Serenity to Accept, book 3 in the Grant Us Grace series. It’s the story of Karin Reid (Phil’s sister) and Jason Garcia (who you also meet in Courage to Change.)

What would be your dream vacation?

A trip around the world. Right before we found out that we would be adopting our first son, my husband and I were in the process of planning six weeks traveling the globe. Obviously we wouldn’t have made it to every country, but we were putting together a pretty neat itinerary. I hope someday (maybe when the boys are a little older) we can follow through on at least some of it.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far, I’ve been sticking to the DC area – primarily because I’ve lived here so long, so I feel like I can portray it pretty well. Besides that, it’s a great and diverse area – so it’s kind of fun to put into a book. Though I’ll admit I add some things that don’t actually exist (usually stores or restaurants, that type of thing.)

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

This actually took me a little thought. I’m going to go with Jim Caviezel – I’d love to talk with him about his faith in Christ and the persecution and ostracism he’s suffered and how that’s affected him. I’d also love to talk to him about adoption (some of his children were adopted, as were my boys.) Then if you just consider how incredible he is as an actor – I could just let him talk about craft and simply listen. Even though I have no interest in acting, I’m guessing I could get plenty of interesting information about characterization that would help improve my writing.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to cook. I’m not a super creative person in the kitchen, but I can follow a recipe pretty well (and make a few tweaks here and there if I know who I’m cooking for.) I also enjoy crocheting and playing Xbox with my older son (we’re both hooked on Skylanders.)

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Self-doubt. I can’t say that I’ve yet managed to completely overcome it – but I get away from being paralyzed by it with a lot of prayer.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Keep at it! For me, I had to learn to put my mental editor away when I write – otherwise, I go back through what I wrote the day before, decide it’s terrible, get depressed, decide I’m not good at writing…and so forth. If you’re prone to that cycle, don’t let yourself even start it. Just set aside time to get words on the screen – finish the book. Then, and only then, let yourself go back through and critique. And then, be open to non-traditional publication. The world of publishing is constantly in flux – there are opportunities today with smaller presses that are much more accessible to a debut author.

Tell us about the featured book.

Should you be willing to change for love?

When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart.

Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known.

As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, both must reevaluate their convictions. When Brandi discovers Phil’s new relationship, she decides that though she doesn’t want him, no one else can have him. Can Phil and Allison’s love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Come open the door. It’s cold out here and I’m freezing my you-know-what off.”

“Brandi.” Phil sighed into the phone and sank onto the foot of his bed. “What are you doing here?”

“I figured it had been a while since we partied, so I brought a six pack over to share with my husband.”

“Ex-husband.”

Her voice lost the playful tone and took on a hard, bitter edge. “It’s not my fault you decided to get sober. Find Jesus. All that crap. What a drag.”

The pounding on his front door echoed up the two flights of stairs.

“I came by to give you another chance to see what you’re missing. Let me in.”

“I’m sorry, but no.” Phil rubbed his temples as a migraine began to build. “Go home…please.”

He should just hang up. Of course, the last time he’d done that she’d made such a scene the neighbors had called the police. At least after that his mother had finally understood why he hadn’t wanted Brandi to have his new address. If he didn’t love this historic little town on the river that was still an easy commute to his job in downtown D.C., he might consider moving again and just not tell anyone. He realized Brandi had been wailing into the phone and he’d missed it. “Back up. What?”

“I said I’ve got nowhere else to go, Phil. Let me in.”

The rational side of his mind argued against the tug of guilt. Steeling himself against the inevitable tirade, he took a deep breath. “You don’t have a place here, either. Now, you need to leave before the neighbors get concerned.”

He flinched and held the phone away from his head at the string of threats and epithets she unleashed. When she was finally quiet, he put the phone back to his ear. “I’m hanging up now. Good night, Brandi.” He clicked the phone off as she started in again. The phone rang almost immediately. Phil cradled his head in his hands and ignored it. When his answering machine picked up, she started ranting right where she’d left off. He groaned and went to the bathroom for some aspirin.

He’d never expected things to turn out this way. He’d been filled with such joy when he understood and accepted what Christ offered; he’d assumed Brandi would share in his excitement. Boy, had that been a miscalculation.

Phil shook two aspirin into his hand. He wouldn’t trade his relationship with God for anything. If only he’d been more willing to hear God calling him before he made the mistake of marrying Brandi in the first place. Of course, he wasn’t listening to anything about God at that point. What was it everyone always said about hindsight? The phone was ringing again and more vicious banging resounded from the front door. He crawled into bed fully clothed and buried his head under a pillow.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

Twitter: @elizabethmaddre

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethMaddrey

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chalfonthouse/courage-to-change-by-elizabeth-maddrey/

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

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Courage to Change (Grant Us Grace) (Volume 2)


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

WISDOM TO KNOW - Elizabeth Maddrey - One Free Book

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

This is a tough question. I don’t intentionally put myself into my characters, but I often find it in there when I’m going back through to edit. I tend to have a snarky wit that gets me in trouble … and there’s always one character who seems to suffer from that same problem. I try not to leave too much of it in.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I went to Space Academy during the summer my freshman year in high school. I’ve always been a space nut, and that was hands down the best summer camp I ever attended. But I’ve been told it’s quirky. And also possibly nerdy. I’m okay with both of those labels.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve been writing forever – truly. (I know it seems like everyone says that in their bios, but it really is true!) But I still struggle with the idea that I’m a Writer. I consider myself someone who writes – I can’t imagine not writing. But “Writer?” That’s a title for people like Jane Austen.

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

I read everything. I love a good romance – though I prefer contemporary to historical. (Really, I prefer contemporary to historical in any genre.) I also love fantasy and sci-fi and mystery (both the hard-boiled detective novel and the bumbling-heroine cozy.) Honestly, as long as there’s a good plot, I’m willing to give it a try.

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

I read. Reading is my escape valve. I tend to work my way through 120-150 books a year, just catching five minutes here and another five there. But it keeps me sane.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Most of the time it seems like my characters choose their own names. That said, I’ve had to go back and rename a few people because I started to realize they were all sharing a first letter, which just won’t do. In those cases, I dig out a baby book and I look at the Social Security list of names that were popular the year that character was born and I try to find something that fits well enough that the character won’t mutiny when I use it.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

It’s probably a toss up between finishing my PhD in Computer Science and having Wisdom to Know published.

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

Probably a cat. I love cats – they’re the perfect blend of independence and companionship. And you always know where you stand with a cat. I’m a lot like that – probably even the negative aspects of cat-dom as well, if I’m honest.

What is your favorite food?

The avocado. There’s really nothing as wonderful as fresh avocado.

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

Finishing. I struggle a lot – probably more than most people – with self-doubt. I’m truly my own worst critic. And so I tend to start novels and then decide they’re terrible and put them aside and start something new. But with Wisdom to Know, I started sending pieces of it to my sister and she hounded me until I finished it. And even after it was done, she really is who hounded me to push through the next hurdle and find it a home with a publisher. I haven’t really overcome the self-doubt issue – but I’ve always got my sister to push me to keep going despite it.

Tell us about the featured book.

Wisdom to Know tells the story of Lydia Brown. She’s someone I consider a pretty typical “good” young woman who, despite growing up in church, has never really made her faith her own. So she goes through the motions and knows all the right answers, but other than Sundays, you don’t see faith impacting her life all that much … until the consequences of her actions start catching up with her. When that happens, Lydia isn’t sure how to handle the crisis and she spirals into a deep pit without really caring what relationships she destroys in the process. After she finally crashes at the bottom, she realizes how much she needs God if there’s any hope of rebuilding those relationships.

It’s also a love story. It’s about the love between two flawed people. Lydia, who so desperately wants to measure up that she’s willing to do anything, and Kevin who is so consumed by the fact that he loves Lydia that he doesn’t see her … and then when he finally does, and he realizes she’s not the perfect woman he imagined for so long, he runs the other way when she needs him most. It’s also a love story between God and His fallen, sinful children. Because what both Lydia and Kevin need – and find – is grace

Please give us the first page of the book.

“You look like a prostitute.”

Lydia frowned at her best friend. “Brad likes my legs.”

Kevin admired the long, shapely legs in front of him from where he was sprawled on her living room couch. “Won’t you be cold if you show so much of them?”

“It’s September, not the middle of January. It’s still warm out.” Aggrieved she patted her hem. “Besides, the skirt reaches the end of my fingertips.”

“Your elbows are bent.”

“That rule shouldn’t apply to me, I have long fingers.”

Kevin cocked a brow. “You wouldn’t wear that to church.”

“We’re not going to church.” Lydia shot him an impish grin. “Besides, there are a couple of guys there who wouldn’t usually give me the time of day ... maybe if I wore this, I’d get their attention.”

“More than likely.” Kevin shook his head. “Where are you going? You never did say.”

“Dinner downtown, then to a club, in Georgetown I think.”

“Bridge club?”

Lydia snickered. “Dance. But then you knew that. And before you ask, no, I don’t know which club. But,” she lifted a red tipped finger to forestall his comment, “since it’s Brad, it’ll be either Swing or Salsa.”

Kevin frowned. “Everyone is going to see your underwear in that skirt.”

Lydia rolled her eyes.

Kevin started to speak several times before rubbing his forehead. “I’m just trying to look out for you, kiddo.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Didn’t you just finish complaining that Brad treats you like an object?” At her grudging nod he continued. “You think it might have something to do with clothing choices?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is here: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com  

I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

and on Twitter: @elizabethmaddre

Thank you, Elizabeth, for spending this time with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Wisdom to Know - paperback
Wisdom To Know (Grant Us Grace) - 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 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