FORSAKEN - Leanna Ellis - Free Book

Welcome, Leanna. Tell us about your salvation experience.

Hi, Lena! Thanks for having me here today! I was twelve when I was saved. We had a guest speaker at our church, James Robison. Heard of him? A powerful and dynamic preacher, he spoke on Romans. I couldn’t get things he’d said out of my head, so one night I called my mom into my bedroom and told her I’d prayed the prayer to ask Jesus into my heart. Pretty simple, nothing radical, but changed my life. Then my mom began pressuring me to be baptized. But I know this is hard for some of you who know me to believe, but I was very shy and we went to a very large church, the largest in the U.S. at that time. So I resisted. I dreaded every Sunday because my mom would give me ‘the look’ during the invitation. But when I was sixteen, I went to church camp. Guess who was the camp pastor? Josh McDowell. It was a time of questioning for me, but it was when I truly turned my life over to the Lord. I didn’t tell my mom anything had happened at camp but she knew. She and my sister hardly recognized me because I had so radically changed in my attitude and demeanor. Then nothing could have stopped me from getting baptized. At the first opportunity, I raced down to the front of the church, eager to be baptized. Now please don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe baptism saves anyone. It’s simply an outward gesture of the changes that have taken place in the heart, where I was once dead in sin I was alive, resurrected in Him.

Of course, I know who James Robison is. He goes to our church and I respect him a lot. I’ve been in the studio audience for his TV show many times. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

First and foremost would be my best writing buddy, Dorothy Love. We’ve been friends for twenty years and met in a writing class when we were first starting out. We’ve been dear friends ever since. Just to get away and be quiet and think about writing sounds heavenly. But honestly, I’d want to bring my husband and two kids along. I don’t like to be away from them. So often when I do research trips, they are right there with me.

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

I do speak to groups, but I don’t pursue it. I take opportunities that the Lord brings my way.

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

The list is too long to name, which is probably why I rarely get embarrassed anymore. I’m more likely now to embarrass my kids. Oh how times change!

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?

You just have to write it. Put the ol’ backside in the chair, hands on keyboard, ready, get set, write. So many people talk about it but fewer actually do it. And even fewer study the market and study writing in order to do it well. So if it’s something you feel you are supposed to do, then don’t waste time talking about it—do it! And while you’re doing it, read, read, read, and study, study, study. Then remember when you get that first draft of the book done, that’s only the beginning. Then there’s much revision and editing to get a book ready for publication. 

Tell us about the featured book.

This is a very different but very special book to me. It’s my most spiritual book to date. It is a battle of good versus evil. Evil isn’t always blatant and scary looking with horns and a pitchfork. Evil is often alluring and attractive. I explore that side of evil in this book. It is also an Amish/vampire story. Yep, you read that right. Before I jumped into this story, I prayed and prayed and prayed about it, because I didn’t not want to go forward if the Lord was not leading. But he clearly was. So I wrote the book. This is the first book in a series called PLAIN FEAR. Forsaken: Hannah Schmidt, a young Amish woman mourning the mysterious death of her beloved Jacob, must decide between two brothers, between good and evil. When she learns her first love is now the vampire Akiva, she must forsake him and cling to a new love, a lasting love, one that will save her soul.

Please give us the first page of the book.

PLAIN FEAR: FORSAKEN

PROLOGUE

Jacob Fisher shoved the metal door, which banged against the warehouse, and the empty, hollow sound reverberated in the awaiting stillness. Don’t look back. Not one glance.

He bolted into the sticky heat, darkness devouring him, and ran straight into it, grateful for his only cover. The damp pavement made his tennis shoes skid, and his arms flailed wide as he regained his balance and pushed himself faster, harder, further. A shaft of light injected hope into him. How far?

Lungs burning, he risked one glance over his shoulder. Just one.

The warehouse door remained open, the alley empty. He was alone. For now. But how much longer? Whispers encircled him. Was it the wind? Or was it them?

“Angels and ministers of grace defend us,” Jacob whispered the Shakespearean words like a prayer.

Or, had he gone crazy?

Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd,

Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell,

Be thy intents wicked or charitable…

No, they weren’t a fabrication of his imagination or a half-baked fantasy or even a made-up story. They were real, far too real. The blood, the bodies, the evil permeating every crevice was authentic. Trolls of the night. Visitors from the bowels of hell. Their purpose was heinous, reflected in those black eyes, which were void of feeling. And they chased after him now.

I can hardly wait to read this one. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.leannaellis.com I’m also on FB and Twitter.

Thanks for having me here today, Lena! Blessings, Leanna

My pleasure, Leanna. I've known about your call to write this book almost since its inception. So glad to be a part of promoting it.



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


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 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

FORSAKEN - Vanessa Miller - Free Book

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

Not much these days. Right now I’m writing my 10th novel, and I haven’t written my personality or bits of my story into a character since my 1st book, Former Rain.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t developing some type of story. Of course, as a child I didn’t know that I would become a novelist. I just knew that I love to create stories.

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

I read tons of Christian fiction but I also enjoy mysteries and thrillers.

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

Several, my goal is to write at least a hundred books, so I’m off to a slow start but my list is as follows: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, Latter Rain, Rain Storm, Through the Storm, Forsaken, Forgiven, Yesterday’s Promise, Long Time Coming and A Love For Tomorrow.

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

Sometimes I wonder if I haven’t already lost it and I’m just too insane to know the difference. :-) But seriously, prayer works for me. There are times when I have to get in a quiet place and just pray.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I use names of some of my family members and friends, I take them out of the paper or I just make one up.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Spiritually: having the good sense to fall in love with Jesus

Professionally: finishing my first book. It took years to get that first book done, but once I was able to get the first book done, I haven’t been able to stop until I type "the end" on each of my books.

Personally: My family

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

Butterfly. My name means butterfly, and I believe that my life has been one transforming moment after the next.

I love that. What is your favorite food?

Mexican food or Mac and Cheese

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

My greatest roadblock would have to be the building of my readership. Although many thousands of people read my books, I have not reached the readership goals that I have set for myself. The way I handle what seems like a roadblock to me is to just keep plowing forward. With each new book, I try to reach more people than I did before. With prayer and hard work, I believe I will meet my goals.

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

Write the best book that you can and then work with a professional editor before submitting the book to publishers. Writers have the passion for the story, but editors understand the skill and elements of a story.

Tell us about the featured book?

Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor: Pastor Jerome Tyler "JT" Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn't sure he can stay tied down.

Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his "extracurricular activity" comes knocking on his front door, JT's life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he's been forsaken by God?

Intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE

“Your husband is cheating on both of us.” Those happy home stealing words ricocheted through Cassandra’s mind as she drove to Faith Outreach Church to confront her husband, Pastor JT Thomas. She willed herself not to cry. Not to think about the five wonderful years of marriage she’d experienced with JT.

She pulled into the first lady’s parking spot, turned off the engine, and put her hand on her swollen stomach. No, she couldn’t even think about the child growing inside her. If her life with the magnificent pastor of Faith Outreach Church had been nothing but a lie, and if the woman that had the audacity to telephone her was telling the truth, then JT was going to admit it to her face.

Pressing her hand into the small of her back, she ambled her way through the fellowship hall. The lower the baby dropped, the harder walking became. But Cassandra loved every minute of being pregnant. This was her second pregnancy. Their first child was a girl, and she had died after only a few precious moments on earth. It was hard to deal with, but she and JT made it through; now they had other problems.

JT’s office was toward the back of the building, right across from the sanctuary. Another ten steps and she would see what the good pastor had to say for himself.

“First Lady, can I get you something?”

Cassandra smiled as she weebled around to greet Deacon Joe Benson, the almost seven foot, solid built man who didn’t talk down to anybody, but still managed to treat her gently. “No. I’m okay.”

“Well, just let me know if you need anything,” he told her.

I need a faithful husband, Cassandra thought, and wanted to beg Deacon Benson to go get that for her. But it wasn’t Deacon Benson’s fault that JT was one way behind the pulpit and quite another at home. So she patted him on the shoulder and said, “I will, Deacon Benson, thank you.”

That should make readers want to get a copy of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My websites: http://www.vanessamiller.com/  http://www.anointedauthorsontour.com/

www.facebook.com/vanessamiller01  www.myspace.com/vmiller1

Thank you, Vanessa, for this delightful look into your writing career and life.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Readers, here's a link where you can order a copy of the book. By using this link when you order, you'll be helping support this blog.

Author James David Jordan - FORSAKEN - Free Book

Welcome to my blog, James. We're featuring his new release from B&H. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I would say, a little bit. Most of my characters are composites. I generally draw from traits of people I know, and from myself, and put them together to form a completely new person.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I used to put my cereal bowl, cereal, spoon, and vitamin out on the kitchen table in the evening so they would be ready when I came down for breakfast the next morning. My family finally gave me so much grief about it that I stopped.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve enjoyed writing my entire life and was a journalism major in college. I suppose I got confirmation that someone else thought I was okay at it when I got some professional articles published in major legal publications. As for fiction writing, the first time I was certain that someone thought I’d done something pretty good was when Crossings Book Club picked my first novel as one of its featured selections for the summer, 2006. At that time, Something That Lasts was self-published (Integrity later picked it up and re-released it), and it was nice to get confirmation that someone in the industry thought I’d written a good book.

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

Everything from the classics to Life of Pi. A good story, well told, always interests me. I don’t have much patience for writers who try too hard to tell a story in a “unique voice.” That usually means bad grammar and general confusion. My idea of interesting voice, well done, is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Cold Mountain.

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

My first novel was Something That Lasts. I self-published it and marketed it in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It did very well, and Integrity (now part of Thomas Nelson) picked it up and re-released it nationally in May, 2006. It did quite well and got very good reviews.

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

I’ve got strong faith and a great family. That combination has the effect of slowing things down a bit.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I actually spend some time on that. For my main characters I try to make the name sound like something, or signify something, that has some reference to the character’s role in the story. In my first book, the Parst family was central to the action. I chose that name because of the sound, a combination of parson and Faust (Faustian bargain). In Forsaken, I chose Simon Mason because of the parallels between him and the Apostle Peter (Simon = Peter; Mason = The Rock).
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Personally, that I’ve got a great marriage of 22 years to a woman I love, and I’ve got two kids who are nice, responsible people who have their heads screwed on straight. Professionally, that I wrote a book (now, two, and soon to be three) that got published.

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

Something quick and athletic, I hope. I’ve always loved sports. But I’m a dog person, so maybe a sleek retriever.

What is your favorite food?

Pizza; lots of pizza.

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

I’m a full-time business attorney, so finding time to write is definitely my biggest problem. I’ve learned to use my time efficiently. I’ve also learned to turn off the television (which is particularly difficult for me during baseball season).

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

Take a writing class. No matter how much natural ability you have, writing is a craft, and there are some things that you have to learn.

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

Forsaken is a unique kind of love story wrapped in a Christian action thriller. It is told by Taylor Pasbury, a beautiful but troubled former Secret Service agent who is hired to protect the world’s best-known televangelist when he receives threats from Muslim terrorists. The dilemma the terrorists thrust upon Simon Mason is a parent’s nightmare. I think Forsaken is made more interesting because Taylor is not a religious person, which brings a unique perspective to the book’s spiritual message. It’s a fast-moving story that explores how God uses even our questionable decisions for good if we let him.

I can hardly wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jamesdavidjordan.com/

James, thank you for spending this time with us.

Readers, you can buy the book by clicking on this link:

Or you can leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy. If you don't win, come back and click the link.

If you're reading this on any other site besides my blog, you must leave your comment on the actual blog to be in the drawing.