BREAKING FREE - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Book

Bio: Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, Christian living articles for Crosswalk.com, and devotions for Internet Café Devotions, the group blog, Faith-filled Friends, and her personal blog. She also does content editing for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ Firefly imprint and loves working with authors who are serious about pursuing their calling. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

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

I was saved at a young age at a neighborhood Good News Club ran by a sweet old lady who lived in the same trailer park I did. I’m not exactly sure how old I was, and no one marked the date for me, but it was sometime between my kindergarten year and the summer before I hit third grade. I don’t recall much of what she said—actually, I don’t remember a whole lot of those years. But I do remember her name—Ms. Dorothy, her smile, and all the popcorn she fed me and all the other dirty, rambunctious neighborhood kids whenever we came over. Probably because she couldn’t afford much else. One afternoon she told me Jesus, God’s Son, had died for me, and that truth penetrated deep.

That was the day I first believed, though I didn’t do much with my immature belief for a long, long time. Not until a Good Friday almost two decades later when I had a little one of my own. That afternoon, walking down the sidewalk with my daughter, what God had done for me struck me with such force, I knew my only response was to surrender my life completely to Him. That was when I first sensed a definite call to serve Him, though at the time I had no idea what that meant. I just knew He wanted me to dedicate my life to ministry. He’s since expanded on and clarified that call, showing me how my speaking and writing fit into all that.  

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

Eva Marie Everson because she’s brilliant and funny and imparts wisdom in every conversation. Shannon Taylor Vannatter because she has the sweetest, most giving heart I’ve ever met. Though she has an incredibly busy and thriving writing career, she always finds time to help other writers out. Holly Michael because she’s a gifted writer with incredible life stories of experiences in foreign lands that absolutely fascinate me. Mikal Hermanns because she’s a bundle of joy and energy I’d love to bottle up for future use, and it’s fun to see how God is expanding her reach as she steps out in faith to serve Him through her writing.

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

I do. I speak on a wide variety of subjects but one of my most popular keynotes is a testimony I call “The Power of Grace.” In it, I share how God brought me from a hopeless, homeless teenager filled with self-loathing and shame to a suburban author passionate about reaching out to the broken.

I also love speaking to women on how they can grab hold of deeper emotional and spiritual freedom through Christ and discover and embrace their unique calling. We all have a call—a unique way of revealing grace to our hurting world, and nothing will fulfill us quite like doing that which we were created to do.

Readers can learn more about my speaking topics here: https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/speaking/  

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’d say, “Do it.” Though I’m sure you’ve heard the same response to that statement that I have: “I don’t have time.” Yet we tend to have time for those things that are most important to us. Truth is, if we really want to do something, we’ll find a way to make it happen. It might mean cutting back on our social events or another hobby or watching less television, but it’s not a matter of how much time we have but rather how we use the time we’ve been given. I’ve known some incredibly busy writers—moms of little ones who also work full time—who manage to make writing a priority. They’ve simply learned to be more intentional with how they spend their time, and have published novels to show for it.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to. How about I share what’s on the back cover?

Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters.

Women’s ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage?

People can read the first three chapters here: http://newhopepublishers.com/2016/02/free-sample-of-breaking-free/

Please give us the first page of the book for me and my readers.

Sure!

This place, these friends—her life—was exhausting. What Alice wouldn’t give to hide away . . . indefinitely. And yet here she sat in an upscale Seattle restaurant with her upscale Seattle friends, playing the part, while her latest keynote cycled through her brain again and again. Authenticity. Transparency. That’s the key to the Christian life.

           

Right.

           

Breathing deeply, she glanced around. The quaint little bistro was busier than normal. Wait staff, dressed in white double-breasted shirts, flitted around brightly colored tables, heavily laden trays in their hands. Bottles of wine lined the far wall, their red and green labels adding a splash of color to the exposed brick. Alice raised her fork and nibbled on a piece of chicken, careful not to smudge her lipstick. As she chewed, she studied her friends.

           

Friends? What a comical word choice. Beth was the only one Alice trusted, and yet she spent countless hours with the others, listening to them go on and on about their passionate marriages and honor roll kids. Either they all lived picture-perfect lives or they were Academy Award winners. Like Alice—always carefully groomed, full of smiles, and positive words. The boys? They were great. Trent, her husband, he was great. Everything was great. Just perfect.

           

Not.

           

And the fear that one of them would find out just how imperfect her life was consumed her like a rapidly growing cancer.

           

Misty, a redhead with glitter-blue eye shadow, grabbed a slice of zucchini bread from the center basket. “We need to meet for lunch more often.”

           

“Speaking of getting together . . .” Beth, a petite blonde with sparkling blue eyes and skin too smooth for a woman in her forties, flashed a smile. “Who’s hosting the next women’s game night?” She glanced from one face to the next.

           

Avoiding eye contact, Alice swallowed and tucked her hair behind her ears. Her house was off limits.

           

Beth’s gaze zeroed in on Misty.

           

She waved her hands in the air. “No way. Not me. I’m still trying to clean the chocolate stains out of my carpet from last time.” She threw her hair over her shoulders, exposing large gold hoop earrings.

           

“Yeah, but you were the one that started flinging the cake around in the first place.” Beth dabbed her mouth with a napkin and looked at Alice. “Looks like it’s on you.”

           

Alice raised a hand and opened her mouth to protest when someone touched her shoulder. She glanced at the waiter standing over her.

           

He leaned closer and whispered, “There seems to be a problem with your credit card ma’am.”

           

Her cheeks burned as everyone looked at her. “What do you mean by problem?”

           

The kid shifted, eyes darting from face to face. Turning back to Alice, he spoke quieter. “Your credit card company declined the charges.” He placed the card on the table.

           

Alice’s stomach dropped. They had a ten thousand dollar limit. She’d done some minor shopping last week, bought a new dress and matching shoes, but nothing big. Unless Trent went on a Saks Fifth Avenue shopping spree, there should still be plenty of credit left on their account. Certainly enough to pay for a chicken and watercress salad.

           

She pulled her wallet from her purse, flipped it open, and stared at the empty pocket. Where had her twenty dollars gone? Maybe her boys had grabbed it without telling her. So she’d pay with debit.

           

“Here.” She handed her bankcard to the waiter then turned back to her friends with a forced smile. “OK, OK, I’ll do it. I’ll host the next game night.” Anything to get the focus off her and her finances.

Used by permission. Breaking Free: A Novel, by Jennifer Slattery (New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL) NewHopeDigital.com

How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can stop by my blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud, follow me on Twitter at Jenslattery, connect with me on Facebook at JenSlatte, or interact with me on Pinterest, also at jenslatte. They can see various scene locations pinned to my Breaking Free board at http://www.pinterest.com/jenslatte/breaking-free/

Thanks for having me on your site, Lena! I always love spending time with other book addicts. 

It's always a pleasure to have you, Jennifer, and being a book addict is the best kind of addict to be.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Breaking Free - Christianbook.com
Breaking Free - Amazon
Breaking Free - Kindle

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. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

SWEET FREEDOM A LA MODE - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Ebook

Dear Readers, we’re featuring a compilation of short stories written by several authors. Jennifer Slattery is the author who compiled it, so she’s the one I’m interviewing.

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

Although this wasn’t intentional, I’ve noticed all my novels touch on surrender. But then, I think that’s a posture (or attitude?) God continues to lead me toward.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My fourth novel, a women’s fiction, releases in March. I’m really excited about this one because it’s set in Seattle, one of my favorite cities and one that has rich history for me personally. I’ll share the back cover text:

Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters.

Women’s ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage? 

Sounds interesting. I’ll want to feature it here on the blog. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Hm … Since I’m assuming my husband falls under the family category … Does it have to be someone famous? Probably Kelly Klepfer, the editor of Novel Reviews, because she is hilarious! And she may be as addicted to coffee and books as I am. In fact, every time we meet for coffee, she brings a bag of books, often written by authors I’ve never heard of previously. I love learning of new authors! 

My blog readers do, too. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was a woman of courage who helped to change the world for the better. She saw an evil and wasn’t afraid to call it evil, nor did she just throw her hands up and say, “Well, this is how things have always been.” Instead, she used the gifting God had given her—writing, to do what she could to leave a lasting impact. I find that incredibly inspiring, and her work reminds me that books matter; books indeed help impact culture.

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

It might sound cliché as they’ve probably heard this so many times, but so often, the greatest lessons come from the journey. God did so much in my heart, developed so many necessary character traits, through all the struggles and set-backs I encountered in my journey to publication. In the waiting, He helped me develop perseverance. In rejections, He grew my obedience and listening ear. He connected me with others, taught me to lean on Him, and reminded me again and again who He’d called me to write for—Him and Him alone. I’m so very grateful for every disappointment and difficulty I faced because God used every moment to equip me for future ministry. It’s a big responsibility to write for Christ, so we should expect some extensive training. I often say, “The greater the call, the harder the journey and the more intensive the training.”

All that to say, keep stepping, and with every step, keep your eyes and ears tuned to Christ. Center your every thought on Him and what He’s called you to do, focus on that very next step, and leave the rest to Him.

Very good advice at the beginning a new year, a blank slate. Tell us about the featured book.

Today I’m sharing a compilation I did with a group of authors. Here’s the back cover text:

For some, the fourth of July is a celebration of freedom; for others it is a reminder of bondage. Of pain. Of fear. Of hopelessness. But there is a hope that is deeper, a love that is truer, and a freedom that no one can ever snatch away.

How can one take a step toward that freedom when the road appears shrouded with insecurities and doubts? These pages contain numerous stories: a woman longing to start again but bound by the failures of her past; a young man who, upon reaching adulthood, must face his fears of death; a woman offered a chance of true love but held back by crippling insecurities.

Is God even there? Does He care … enough to reach down and pull these men and women from the messes they’ve landed in, some of them by their own hand?

Freedom. Peace-saturated, joy-infusing freedom.

We pray our stories demonstrate what it looks like in the day-to-day … and provide a little insight into how one grabs hold of that treasured state of heart and mind.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Since this is a compilation filled with numerous stories, how about I give the first page of the story I wrote?

“To Be Loved”

Jennifer Slattery

Maddie stared at the cold, business-like faces gathered in Uncle Claude’s living room. Word by word, argument by argument, her calloused family members were turning her aunt’s funeral reception into an estate planning meeting. It soured her stomach and filled her heart with a heavy ache. Where was their tact? Their compassion? Clearly, the large doses of wine they all drank weren’t helping.

“Well, Uncle Claude certainly can’t stay here. Not by himself.” Mom clunked her soda onto the coffee table. “The man can’t remember to eat half the time, let alone take his medicine.”

Heat rushed to Maddie’s face. “Mom! Now is not the time.”

Her mother stared at her. “Really? And a better time would be…? These things must be discussed, and the sooner the better.” She glanced at Uncle Claude and raised her Coke to her mouth before setting it down again. “Besides, what if he fell? You know as well as I how unstable he can be, especially when his arthritis kicks up. He could be lying on the floor for days—weeks even, before anyone found him.”

An interesting subject that every family will have to face at some time. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can visit my personal blog at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or at the group blog I manage at http://faithfriendschocolate.com. They can also connect with me at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this book with us. A lot of readers love short stories, because they can finish one in the in-between times during the day. 

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Sweet Freedom A La Mode (Give God Glory Book 2)

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. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

INTERTWINED - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Book

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

Hopefully, He’ll continue to open doors for publication! I have another book releasing in January titled Breaking Free, and I’m waiting to hear back from my publisher regarding a sequel I proposed to Beyond I Do. You might remember that title; I visited your blog last October, I believe, to talk about it.

Many readers asked me if I had a second book planned, and the answer is yes! Not only was it planned, it is now written and waiting somewhere in pub-board land. :) Operating on optimistic thinking, I’ve begun writing book three, which I’m really excited about, and I’ve been doing a lot more speaking. So in answer to your question, I hope there will be a lot more releases and speaking engagements on my horizon, as I really enjoy both!

Of course, I remember featuring you with Beyond I Do. Tell us a little about your family.

I’d love to! My husband and I have been married for twenty years. He’s my real-life hero. I like to call him my warrior. He earned that nickname last summer when he donated a kidney (in a large part because of Intertwined! Long, amazing, miraculous story I’ll have to share with you and your readers soon.) to a teenager he hadn’t met and didn’t meet until the Sunday before the surgery. My man is such a giver! That’s what I love about him most.

Our daughter, aged 18, has begun her first year in college, so that’s an adjustment. I’ve heard parents talk about how, once their kids reach their senior year in high school, they’re ready for them to launch from the nest. That has not been the case at all for us! Our daughter is such a joy to have around it’s always strange when she’s absent. But luckily, her university is only a forty-five minute drive away. I foresee lots of dinner visits in our future!

I’m married to a giver with a servant’s heart. Men like that are real heroes. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Sometimes. I’ve always been an eclectic reader, and that hasn’t changed. But I do find I can be a bit more critical, now that I know so many “rules.” When that happens, I don’t enjoy the story as much and I have to remind myself to turn off my editor brain and turn up my imagination.

What are you working on right now?

I sort of answered this in the first question, but I’m in the first draft stage of a novel called A Different Kind of Love (wt), which I hope to be book three in a proposed series I’ve tentatively titled the Midwestern romance series (contemporary). Here’s the working (not edited or final) blurb:

Though she stands for everything he’s against, his heart won’t let him walk away.

All Robby wants to do is serve God, grow a godly family, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. But when a pregnant abortionist and a soon-to-be paroled father ignite the pain from his past, his mercy-filled love is overshadowed by a bitterness that threatens to destroy him. At what point can he walk away for good? And what will it cost him if he does?

That sounds powerful. What outside interests do you have?

Hm … Is there life outside of reading and writing? And Facebook? Ha ha. Let’s see … I love going for walks and bike rides, especially when my husband joins me. I also love picnics and day-road trips into the country. Actually, those are more romantic to me than a fancy steak dinner! And you’ll often find me at one of the many coffeehouses in my area, sipping a flavored latte. (I have a slight … um … fierce addiction to froo-froo coffee!)

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Sometimes the story will dictate the setting, like in my last novel, which began with a mandatory hurricane evacuation. Because of this, I wanted it set on the Gulf Coast. Since then, I’ve been writing novels set in the Midwest because one, that’s where I live, and two, I’ve fallen in love with this area with its four distinct seasons, thriving art community, and amazing churches.

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

Outside of Jesus—oh, wait, I get to spend time with Jesus daily. Ha! I’d have to say Paul, or maybe President Lincoln. Hm… This is a hard one. Harriet Tubman would be a fascinating and inspiring dinner guest! I have such admiration for courageous people who risk their lives for the sake of others!

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

I’m not sure I’d like to have learned anything ahead of time as I may have been overwhelmed. I love how God leads us step by step, giving us the information, strength, and skill set we need for whatever lays directly ahead without overwhelming us with details of the future. In so doing, He helps us keep our eyes on Him, which is where our focus must remain, especially if we want to write for Him.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Surrender and perseverance. Oh, and to be slow to speak and quick to listen. All three of those seem to be lifelong lessons for me. Hopefully, I’ve grown in those areas but man-oh-man, do I still have a long way to go! Surrender, I think, permeates everything I do. The greater my surrender, the easier my journey in writing and life. And yet, I’ve found, ironically, surrender takes a great deal of strength. And trust. But when we remember who God is, what He’s done, and what He’s promised, it becomes easier.

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

I’d say make your relationship with Christ your top priority. If He called you to write, He’s gifted you and is committed to perfecting that which concerns you. But His timetable and route to publication might be different from what you expect. That’s where trust comes in. Rest in His love, sovereignty, wisdom, and attentive care. And obey fully, giving Him your best in everything you do … because the King of Kings deserves our very best.

Tell us about the featured book.

How about I give readers the text from the back cover?

Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator often finds herself in tense and bitter moments. After an altercation with a doctor, she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters her old flame Nick. She walks right into his moment of facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both have learned to find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, it doesn’t take long to discover that their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance …. or is it? Could this be where life begins again?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Sure!

Tammy pulled into her garage and stared at the entrance door to her home with a heavy sigh. Most likely, her husband Brody was asleep. Or zoned out watching television.

           

Completely oblivious to their rapidly decaying marriage. 

           

She paused to read the verse taped to her dashboard:

           

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy…it is not easily angered . . .”

           

A similar verse was tacked to the door leading into the house, and another one stuck to her bathroom mirror.

           

They weren’t helping. Nothing was. No matter how hard she tried, how fervently she prayed.

           

With a heavy heart, she glanced back at her two sleeping kids. Tylan’s chest rose and fell, his small lips slightly ajar. Beside him, Becky’s strawberry-blonde head leaned against the window, her bangs splayed across her forehead. Such precious little angels.

           

She reached back and squeezed her daughter’s knee. “Hey, sweet girl, we’re home.”

           

Becky stirred before opening droopy eyes. Strawberry blonde hair muffed, she glanced around, yawned, then got out, shuffling forward in a semi-alert state.

           

Tammy moved to the rear passenger side of the car to retrieve her sleeping son. The buzz of cicadas filled the thick Missouri air, ushering forth memories of lazy summer evenings. Back when she and Brody were still in love. Was it too late to rekindle their romance? To begin again?

           

As if to answer, the door to the kitchen creaked open, and Brody appeared. 

           

“Hey, Dad.” Becky stopped in front of him as if waiting for a response.

           

“Hey.” Brody stepped aside to let her pass.

           

No, How was your day or hello hug? When had he become so cold, so uncaring? Swallowing past an unsettled stomach, Tammy offered him what she hoped to be a welcoming smile. “Hi.”

           

He nodded, stepping into the garage and continuing to the car. “I’ve got Tylan.”

           

She studied his face. The normal edge was replaced by dull eyes and a slackened mouth. “Rough day?”

           

He held her gaze for a moment, causing the knot in her gut to twist tighter. “We’ll talk later.” 

           

Nothing good ever followed those words, but whatever it was, they’d get through it.

           

Right?

           

Her pulse quickened as she followed her husband, carrying a sleeping Tylan, down the hall and into his bedroom. Crossing the room in three long strides, he laid the child on his comforter, decorated with the Royals’ logo. He stirred, and his eyes fluttered open, before closing once again. A slight smile emerged as he rolled on his side.

           

Tammy unfolded a quilt on the foot of his bed and spread it over him, tucking the edge around his shoulder. She brushed a kiss against his temple. “Good night, sweet boy.”

           

Behind her, Brody’s footsteps receded.

           

She exited Tylan’s room and paused in the dimly lit hall to brace herself against an impeding argument. Brody’s words replayed through her brain. “We’ll talk later.”

           

Whatever he had to say, she would respond with love.

           

The floorboards creaked as she continued down the hall. She popped her head into Becky’s room to say goodnight before entering the dark living room. Brody sat with his back to her, in his favorite chair—one she and the kids bought him several Christmases ago.

           

Not wanting to see her husband’s loveless eyes, she kept the lights off.

           

She sank into the corner of the couch across from him, drawing up her knees and hugging them. Brody stared at his hands, twisted his wedding ring. Silence stretched between them.

Used by Permission. Intertwined: A Novel, by Jennifer Slattery (New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL) NewHopePublishers.com

How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can visit my devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud, they can connect with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JenSlatte and on twitter at @JenSlattery

Thanks so much for having me on your site, Lena! I always love visiting with you and your readers!

And thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this new book with us. I love hosting you, and my readers enjoy learning about you and your books.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Intertwined - Christianbook.com
Intertwined: A Contemporary Romance Novel - Amazon
Intertwined: A Contemporary Romance Novel - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

WHEN DAWN BREAKS - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Book

Bio: Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband.

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

My books stem from my deepest passion—seeing men and women experience the life-changing freedom of Christ and living fully in that freedom. I’m an outreach girl, drawn to the broken, impoverished, and nonbeliever, as are my characters. Because of this, my books always have a strong outreach focus. I’m also a romantic at heart; that comes from living with my real-life hero, a man who still makes my pulse quicken after nineteen years. I believe the gift of romantic love is a precious and powerful example of Christ’s love for us, and I enjoy celebrating that in my novels.

My husband makes my pulse quicken after 50 years of marriage. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

My wedding day. I cried as I walked down the aisle—happy tears. And astonished tears. I kept thinking, “This is real. This is really happening. He didn’t bolt on me!” And then, after we’d said our vows and my husband took me onto the dance floor, he pulled me close and sang to me. It was beautiful.

How has being published changed your life?

It’s made me busier, more attentive. Definitely more dependent on Christ. I think I listen more now as I’m increasingly alert to the fact that everyone has a powerful and memorable story.

What are you reading right now?

I just finished James Patterson’s latest, Hope to Die. It was really good, though, being secular, wasn’t anywhere near rated G. I read it largely to learn. He’s a brilliant writer who captures the reader’s attention with high stakes and a continual sense of urgency. Next I plan to read Greetings From the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay. I love Rene’s writing.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m waiting on big picture edits for my third book (yay!) and am finishing up a first draft of a sequel I hope my publisher will pick up. It follows the story of Ainsley Meadow’s (the heroine in Beyond I Do) mother, a divorced house-flipper, and a woman married to a career felon. Here’s the blurb:

Sixty-one year old Angela Meadows is ready for a clean slate, to launch a career and to embrace her new life in Christ. But self-loathing and remorse for a life forever lost hold her back. When she encounters a single mom, married to an incarcerated felon, and her children, Angela’s shame becomes swallowed by something greater—compassion. Her past draws her to them, but will it drive away the only man she’s truly loved?

What would be your dream vacation?

I have two, and it just so happens I’ll be doing both. The first is going to Seattle, Washington, where my husband and I first fell in love. We’re going next September to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We’ll visit all sorts of wonderful, vibrant restaurants, some art galleries, do some hiking, hopefully go crabbing. I can’t wait! Then the following year we’re going to spend time in the Sedona, Arizona area to do more eating at fun, unusual restaurants, lots of shopping, and we’ll probably hit a dinner theater or two.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Each book is different, but the settings usually arise from locations I’ve lived in or have fallen in love with, usually both. For this novel, the location came from my experience living in Texas and Louisiana during the Katrina event. (I call it an event because the effects of that storm could be felt throughout Louisiana and Texas long after it hit.) We lived in Bossier City, Louisiana, when the storm hit, and though we were far enough away to remain safe, refugees soon swarmed our area. It was a haunting experience and yet one that also revealed the beauty of God’s grace as Christians throughout the area mobilized to help those in need. Then, shortly after Katrina, we moved to New Braunfels, Texas, and spent time in an apartment complex that housed storm refugees who had decided to make their home there. This event, the people I met, and the places I visited left such an impression on me, I wanted to share as much as I could through this story.

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

One person??? Oh, that’s hard. This will probably sound anticlimactic, but I’m such a people person, I’d really like to hang out with some of my many writer friends and critique partners.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Is there life outside writing and reading? Um … sipping heavily-flavored coffee with friends? Visiting bookstores with friends? Eating chocolate … alone (so I don’t have to share)?

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

My health. I have two chronic illnesses, both of which can lead to extreme fatigue that steals my time, and, if I’m not careful, can steal my joy as well, thus stealing even more of my time. I’m not sure I overcome it, though I am learning to adapt. When I’m feeling well, I use every moment to its fullest. When I’m not, I use that to the fullest as well and take the time to draw near to Christ, catch up on reading, or spend relaxed time with family.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Keep writing! Perseverance is everything. I’d also suggest not spending too much time on that first novel. There are so many stories (mine included!) of authors who kept writing, pumping out one novel after another, as they waited for that first contract, only to have their publisher later ask to see everything they’d written.

Good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to. Here’s the blurb:

As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution motivate her to head north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. Dealing with his own issues, Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. And then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?

Please give us the first page of the book.

(Please note, this might be slightly different than the final edited version that appears in the novel.) Jacqueline Dunn stared at her television, reading for the fourth time the alert scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Hurricane warning for Southeast Texas: Mandatory evacuation in effect for the following areas. Six zones followed, including hers. Was everyone overreacting?

She crossed the room and peered out the window. The sandy beach stretched before her, frothy waves tumbling in. Dark clouds hovered near the horizon. Not unusual. Except that Hurricane Gita had grown to a category four storm and was headed straight for the Gulf Coast. 

She glanced back at the television. The news shifted from the radar map to Lowes Highway. Loaded vehicles inched forward at what looked to be a five-mile-per-hour crawl. Which meant, if she left now, she might make it out of Crystal Shores before the storm hit.

There was no sense delaying the inevitable. Sucking in a deep breath, she gripped a packed suitcase in one hand and her computer case in the other. Stepping around partially packed boxes, she headed toward the front door. A stack of mail lay on the entryway table. She shoved it into the side pocket of her computer case then marched into the garage.

Lord, please stay this storm. I can’t afford to start over. Not at my age.

With a sigh, Jacqueline loaded hastily packed boxes in the back of her car and cranked her engine. She started to set the GPS then stopped. Gripping the steering wheel, she stared at the white cement wall in front of her. Where to? Staying in a hotel, for only God knew how long, would eat her savings. But what else could she do? Her parents lived too far away, and her daughter... The muscles in her neck tensed as she thought about their last conversation.  No. A hotel was her best option, expensive or not.

She glanced at the clock on the dash. Eight thirty AM. According to the National Weather Service, the storm would hit in five, maybe six hours. That didn’t leave much time for debating. Right now she needed to focus on one thing—leaving town.

Used by Permission. When Dawn Breaks: A Novel, by Jennifer Slattery (New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL) NewHopeDigital.com.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can read the first two chapters of When Dawn Breaks here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/slattery_sampler/1

They can visit me and learn about new authors on my devotional blog: http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com

They can connect with me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

They can follow me on Twitter at:  https://twitter.com/Jenslattery

They can buy a copy here:

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Dawn-Breaks-A-Novel/dp/1596694238/

On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel-jennifer-slattery/1120694122?ean=9781596694231

On CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694231/pd/694231

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

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

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

BEYOND I DO - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Book

Readers, we have another debut author today.

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

A lot. I think there’s probably a smidgeon of me or my experiences in every novel, though specifics get blurred. For example, I’ve always felt compassionate toward the homeless, prefer tennis shoes over heels, and romantic, tree encased log cabins versus towering cathedrals. Oh, and we both had a teacher named Mrs. Eldridge who made a lasting impact on us. In those aspects, we’re like twinsies! But in many ways, we’re very different, especially in regard to romance! I knew my husband was the one right away, whereas Ainsley, well, let’s just say, she’s got a pretty bad case of cold feet.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky or plain insane? I’ve got lots of examples of the latter. Hahaha. Let me see… quirky… Does romantic quirkiness count? I have this funny habit of rubbing my husband’s head when I’m feeling affectionate. And occasionally confusing him with characters in my book. And talking to myself. A lot. Then there’s all the weird facial expressions I make while writing. Can I claim an overpowering sense of imagination?

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Initially, it wasn’t even on my radar. It grew out of my involvement with church ministry—children’s, women’s, family, and outreach. At first, I wrote to supplement programs or lessons, then one day, as I was praying over a storytime script for the children’s ministry, it hit me, “I really enjoy this.”

It truly was an ah-ha moment when I realized storytelling was what I’d been created to do. However, I fought the call to write as a vocation for a loooooong time, wanting to do something with a steady paycheck. But the more I fought God, the more miserable I became until I finally surrendered. My first contract didn’t come for until some time later.

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

I am an ecclectic reading addict. There are very few genres I don’t enjoy, though I’m very much a fan of Christian fiction. (I’m uncomfortable with sexual or violently graphic novels.) Lately I’ve read a couple of wonderful modern-day tellings of fairy tales. I also enjoy historical, the issue-driven fiction of Kathi Macias, and a fair number of young adult books like the Maze Runner.

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

By maintaining a morning quiet time with God while drinking a ginormous cup of heavily–sweetened coffee and sharing loads of laugh-out-loud moments with my hubby and our teenage daughter. Oh, and devouring the occasional Enjoy Life candy bar.

I’ve never heard of that kind of candy bar. How do you choose your characters’ names?

I love stalking my friends’ Facebook walls, searching their friend lists. I’ll also use people from my past, my husband’s work, and my daughter’s school. In Beyond I Do, my debut novel, the heroine is named after a very sweet girl who was in my husband and my Sunday school class while I was writing. In my second novel, releasing in 2015, the name just came to me; I felt like it was a perfect fit to the character.

I’d love to schedule the 2015 release on my blog, too. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

This is hard. Maybe finishing my first novel? Back in the early stages of writing, I determined to always finish what I started as I worried otherwise, it’d become too easy to make a habit of quitting. Or in a more generalized way, completing that which I set my mind out to do, whether it takes days or years.

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

A dolphin. They have so much fun, and they get to spend their life at the beach. Well, within earshot of it, anyway. J Let me know when you get that.

I got it. What is your favorite food?

This changes. Right now I’d say frozen yogurt, though I suspect I enjoy the event more than the food, if that makes sense. I’m a big social eater, and it’s all about the atmosphere and friends. I especially love our family’s Sunday tradition of foregoing dinner for fro-yo out, loaded with lots of toppings of course.

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

I’d say maybe insecurity. It’s easy to read someone else’s work and think, “Wow, they’re so gifted. I’ll never be able to write like that.” Then to look at your own writing and think, “This stinks. I should probably shred it. Or burn it and stomp on my computer.”

But then I’d remember, God called me to this, opened these doors for publication, and will carry me through. That doesn’t mean it will be easy or that I don’t have LOTS to learn, but it takes the pressure off and brings it back everything back to obedience.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to!

Will seeing beyond the present unite Ainsley and her fiancé or tear them apart?

Marriage ... it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.

Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignites a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Absolutely. However, this may change ever so-slightly once final edits are done.

Ainsley’s stomach churned as she eased into the Whispering Hills Apartments’ parking lot. Broken beer bottles and other trash littered the ground. A few tenants had draped sheets across their windows. Other windows were boarded up. One was busted in, shards of glass held in place by silver duct tape.

Please tell me this isn’t where Marie Nelson lives.

Ainsley compared the address Deborah had given her to the rusted numbers on the complex in front of her. This was the place. And from the looks of it, the very place Ainsley shouldn’t be, at least, not alone.

Her phone chimed, making her jump. She glanced at the screen. Her fiancé’s number flashed. Cutting her engine, she answered. “Hey, Richard, what’s up?” She shoved her purse and computer case under the passenger seat.

“Where are you?”

 “Doing a favor for Deborah. Why, you need something?” She grabbed her pepper spray from the glove compartment.

“Who?”

As if she hadn’t talked about the woman countless times over the years. “Deborah. Eldridge, the one who told me about Christ.” And kept her from going completely insane or spiraling into rebellion when Ainsley’s home life fell apart. “Sometimes I wonder if you ever really listen.”

A pack of muscular and hard-faced men gathered around a navy pick-up watched her, causing her already queasy stomach to cramp. There were four of them, two dressed in black with thick chains draped across their neck. The largest was covered, neck and arms, with tattoos. She looked away, suddenly acutely aware of her shiny Honda Accord and department store garb.

Oh, Lord Jesus, please keep me safe.

“That Deborah. Right.” A keyboard clicked on the other end of the line. Richard was probably working on final edits on his book. “Now I remember. So you’re in Smithville?”

“Not exactly. More like…” She scanned her surroundings again, her gaze lingering on a used diaper decaying on the ground ten feet away. “More like… the Admiral Boulevard area.”

Richard made a choking noise, as if spewing coffee. “You’re where? Please tell me you are not in the crime center of Kansas City.”

Used by Permission. Beyond I Do: A Novel, by Jennifer Slattery (New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL) NewHopeDigital.com.

Interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can visit my blog at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com , they can connect with me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Jenslattery

Thanks for having me, Lena!

My pleasure, Jennifer. I can hardly wait to read your book.

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

Beyond I Do - Christianbook.com
Beyond I Do - Amazon

Christian Book Store

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

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

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com