IN SEARCH OF CHRISTMAS PAST - Leeann Betts - One Free Book

Bio: Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid author who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters In Crime, facilitates a local critique group, and teaches writing classes and courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history and research and travels extensively for both. Donna is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

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

I came to Christ when I was about 12. I was attending a Pentecostal school and went forward in an altar call in assembly. And although I had great examples in my friends, I had no real instruction about how to act. I fell away within a few years and lived a backslidden life for about 25 years. When I finally came to the end of myself, I turned back to what I’d been raised in, and returned to church, recommitting my life to Christ shortly after, and receiving adult baptism a year later. I have truly seen how God preserved my life in those 25 years, and honestly, I should be dead or in prison. I think it’s through this that I’ve experienced our second . . . and third . . . and fourth chance God, which is why I write stories that reflect characters much like myself.

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

I would invite Agatha Christie because she’s my hero. I’d invite Brandilyn Collins because I love her sense of humor. Also on my guest list would be Lillian Jackson Braun because of her great Cat Who series, and Max Lucado because I love the way he peels open scripture so we can see it a different way.

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

My speaking ministry consists of speaking to writers and authors about various elements of the writing life, and to writer-wannabe’s because I believe everybody has at least one book in them.

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

I once carried a dog out of my seventh-grade classroom, down the hall and out the door. What I didn’t know what his hind leg hooked in my uniform skirt, lifting it up over my hip, which meant the entire class—who gathered at the door to watch me take this dog out—saw my pantyhose-clad backside. Thankfully I had on pantyhose.

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?

“What’s stopping you?” They’d list their excuses, and I’d say, “No, really, what’s stopping you?” Most people are afraid to start because they don’t want to do a single thing badly. We need to encourage them to get past that and just write the story to prove to themselves they can. The cemetery is full of unfulfilled dreams. Let’s not add to them.

Tell us about the featured book.

Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life.

Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of loyalty to live a life of adventure in the real world.

Can Grace and Luke solve the clues and uncover the truth about their real feelings, or will the tension and their differences in goals and faith drive them apart?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Grace Bellows jammed the single sheet of paper back into its envelope for the umpteenth time in the past hour. Did she really want to go any further with this project? No siree. She wanted a quiet life, a family, stability. Not some bizarre scavenger hunt directed by her quirky grandmother.

           

And for sure not a week in freezing cold Colorado over Christmas break.

           

Not for Grace Bellows.

           

She wanted a beach, sand and surf, cute guys. A chance to strut her stuff.

           

The linen notepaper called to her once more. Grace pictured her grandmother sitting at her antique roll top desk, scribbling out the poem. Sunlight filtered through the window, kissing her head of white hair, creating the impression of a halo.

           

But Grammie was no angel.

           

Grace sighed. At first read, the poem made little sense. Yet the older woman took the trouble to pen the note and ditty three days before she died. Three weeks ago yesterday, to be exact. Grace dropped the paper onto the sofa cushion. Had Grammie known her days were so few? She hadn’t said anything. She didn’t suggest Grace visit. She seemed satisfied with the weekly phone calls from college. No premonitions about the afterlife, whatever that was.

           

As much as she wanted to ignore the poem and focus on her studies, something gnawed at Grace until she unfolded the paper. The scrawling cursive brought to mind birthday cards and gift tags from years past.

Take this trip and you will see,

How much fun this hunt can be.

A garden full of Christmas trees

One special bough, think of the seas.

What at first may seem lost,

Can be found, but it will cost.

Collect your prize and you will find

A precious gift of a different kind.

           

What the—Grammie was serious about this being a scavenger hunt, just like when Grace was a kid. Didn’t matter where they were, Grammie hid notes and clues and presents for Grace to find.

           

“Gracie,” she’d say, “the best gifts are hidden until we’re ready to go looking for them. Just like Jesus.”

           

Yeah, whatever.

Interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.LeeannBetts.com Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.

Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Books: Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE  and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2z5ecP8

Thank You, Leeann, for sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. I’m eager to find out what the scavenger hunt is all about. Hope my copy arrives soon.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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

BROKE, BUSTED, AND DISGUSTED - Leeann Betts - One Free Book

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

I like to write about our second chance God, which includes forgiveness and reconciliation.

Those two things often are part of the books I write. What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Book 5, Broke, Busted, and Disgusted, featuring Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant, releases November 30, 2016, and readers can look forward to seeing another Carly adventure in April or May of 2017.

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

I’d love to spend an evening with the Reverend Billy Graham, because I see in him a man unswayed by popular opinion, politics, or the times, and I’d like to learn to be more like that.

He certainly has ministered across all lines. I admire him for that, too. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’d love to meet any one of the women who followed Jesus because I’d like to know how their lives were changed, and what struggles they faced because of their decision.

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

I was right where you are. Don’t give up. Keep writing. Take even the tiniest bit of insight they give you in their letter/email. And when you know they are wrong, go Indie.

Tell us about the featured book.

Join forensic accountant Carly Turnquist in her fifth adventure in the By the Numbers series. Carly’s best friend in Bear Cove, Maine, is smitten with a younger man, and Carly is suspicious of his motives in courting her friend. When a previous client who blamed husband Mike’s computer program for losing inventory and money is found dead, Mike is the prime suspect. And he’s missing, with video showing a man matching his description maxing out their credit cards and emptying their bank account. Can Carly find Mike before the police do? And can she save her friend from making a huge mistake?

Please give us the first page of the book.

As far as Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant, was concerned, the only thing worse than paying bills was filing paperwork.

She paused, the stack of envelopes and fliers she'd just picked up from the post office, in one hand, her coffee in the other.

Nope. She'd changed her mind. There was nothing worse than paying bills.

She tossed the stack onto husband Mike's desk. He could deal with those when he got home.

She had more important things to do.

Like meet with Mrs. Markham, her best—and only—true friend—apart from Mike, of course—in Bear Cove. At least, her only friend since the fiascos with the mayor and missing money and mystery companies and bank robberies that never were and a wedding that almost wasn’t.

Carly trudged up the stairs to change her clothes before going out. Although they were meeting for lunch at the café on Main Street, which specialized in casual dining, Mrs. Markham would be dolled up, so she'd better do her part. Something a little nicer than sweats and a t-shirt.

Twenty minutes later, she sported a newer pair of black jeans, a red blouse made of some kind of shiny, satiny material, and a light windbreaker to cut the chill from the onshore breeze blowing in off Bear Cove, the town's namesake. A spritz of cologne and a comb through her shoulder-length—time to make an appointment with Margaret at Snip ‘n Clip—and she was off, headed down Jamaica Street to Main.

The late September warm spell meant the leaves were late in turning color, which meant fewer tourists. Which didn’t worry Bear Cove in the least.

The town motto was “If you don't live here, don't come here.” And much time and effort had been invested to avoid allowing the downtown area to evolve into a trendy tourist trap. Bear Cove was one of those few towns still in more or less its original shape, with the business district comprised of a bank, a pharmacist, the combination hair salon/barber shop, a diner, Jacob Roy's garage, and a ladies dress shop. But that didn’t mean the town was left to disintegrate. New awnings, planters, and paint attempted to recreate the original ambience of the 1880's, the town's heyday.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.LeeannBetts.com  Subscribe to her free quarterly newsletter

Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Books: http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE

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

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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

UNBALANCED - Leeann Betts - One Free Book or Ebook

Bio: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. No Accounting for Murder and There Was a Crooked Man, books 1 and 2 in her By the Numbers series, released in the fall of 2015 Book 3, Unbalanced, released in January. Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, is due in April, with more planned for later dates. If you like accountants or are an accountant, check out Counting the Days: a 21-day devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk. Leeann and Donna have penned a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, and Donna has published a book of short stories, Second Chances and Second Cups. You can follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com and Donna at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com . All books are available at Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital.

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

From where I’m sitting right now, more book ideas than I have time. But that’s a good thing. It seems that every morning when I sit down for my quiet time, another idea comes during prayer or scripture reading. But for the short term, I’m investing some time in learning social media. I’ve decided to focus on blogging, for myself and for others, Twitter, and Facebook. In that order.

Tell us a little about your family.

My real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, is the oldest of five siblings and the daughter of a nurse and engineer. Rather a standard family, actually. However, Leeann would be the youngest of three, with two older brothers. Donna would love to have an older brother.

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

Absolutely. Now I read with a red pen and a highlighter—not really, but mentally, I do. I pick out typos, passive language, and so on. And I note beautiful passages that I wished I’d written.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I’m working on getting my fourth book in the By the Numbers series, Five and Twenty Blackbirds. Release date is slated for April 30th. Next will be Book 5, Broke, Busted, and Disgusted which is scheduled to release November 30th. And after that—who knows?

What outside interests do you have?

My husband and I are very involved in an international ministry whose goal is to reach the lost for Christ through prayer, personal witnessing, and scripture distribution. Apart from that, we love to travel.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

With the By the Numbers series, I decided to base my main character in a small east coast town, since I grew up in a place full of small east coast towns. But I didn’t want her to get stuck there, so I try to alternate each book with one set at home, the next set somewhere I’ve visited that I thought would make a great setting for a story. Book 3, Unbalanced, is set back in Bear Cove, Maine, and Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, is set in a town in Arizona similar to where my father and stepmother, who I dearly loved, were married.

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

I would love to spend an evening with Agatha Christie, to pick her brain about the stories she didn’t write and why, because I expect she had a hundred of them, at least.

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

I wish I’d known that the process didn’t stop with the writing, that I couldn’t simply write the book and someone else would take it from there.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

He is teaching me stick close and listen for His voice. I’m reading Jesus Calling as part of my quiet time, and this point is reiterated every single day. I guess I’m a slow learner.

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

The first thing is to have a teachable heart. Be willing for the Lord to work in your life, in your writing, in your learning. Attend conferences. Submit to a critique group. Enter contests. And listen to the feedback.  The second thing is to connect with others. Join a writer’s group. Write in a community. Reach out to both readers and writers. Care about people. And the third thing is to write. You can spend all your time at conferences, learning. You can spend your day on Facebook and Twitter. You can guest blog all over the place and never write one word of the story or book that God has given you to write. You are the only person who can pen what He has called you to write. And always remember: writers write.

Amen to that. Tell us about the featured book.

Unbalanced is the third book in the cozy mystery series featuring Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant. She finds herself knee-deep in wedding preparations and preparing to testify in a court trial, when she spots the town’s bank being robbed. However, nobody else seems to notice, and when she starts investigating, people start avoiding her—again. Then her husband’s long lost brother turns up on her doorstep, only to disappear shortly after, leaving his young son behind. And then somebody seems determined to keep the wedding from happening. Carly’s sleuthing alarm goes into overtime as she tries to save her credibility and her family in the bargain.

Please give us the first page of the book.

If not for her son's wedding, this would be the happiest time of Carly Turnquist's life.

She loved her career as a forensic accountant, tracking down assets, including cash, bank accounts and stocks, and proving legitimate ownership. For most people, working all day collating the evidence file for her last client, a brokerage firm that suspected one of its account managers of embezzling funds, would have left them tired and cranky.

But Carly Turnquist, snoop extraordinaire, was on the case. She successfully unwound the convoluted trail of fraud and deceit, confirmed that the account manager was indeed guilty of stealing over a million dollars in the past year. She made recommendations for improved internal audit practices to ensure this didn't happen again. The result was the trial was on the court docket, and Carly had been served a subpoena to testify less than a week after the wedding.

No, work was invigorating. What really got her goat was she was stuck preparing dinner by herself. Mike was still working in their basement office on a program for a client. Her stepson Tom and his fiancée Sarah had pulled into the driveway just minutes before she was ready to put the food on the table. The handsome couple walked toward the house, hand in hand. Sarah tossed back her hair, laughing at something Tom said to her. The peaceful and happy picture they made brought a smile to Carly's lips.

Tom burst into the house, his nose in the air as he sniffed for evidence of what was on the menu for dinner. His exuberance made the front door slam open in the same boyish manner that had driven her crazy for years.

Before she could stop herself, those all-too-familiar words flew from her lips. “Don't slam the door.”

Tom laughed in the same way that melted her heart when she’d first met him over ten years before. “Sorry, Carly.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a blog where I promote other authors who write contemporary books: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com and I’m on Facebook and Twitter. 

Thank you, Leeann, 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.

Unbalanced (By the Numbers)

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

THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN - Leeann Betts - One Free Book or Ebook

Bio: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. No Accounting for Murder and There Was a Crooked Man are books 1 and 2 in her By the Numbers series. Book 3, Unbalanced, released in January, with plans for Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, due in April, with more planned for later dates. Leeann and Donna have penned a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, and Donna has published a book of short stories, Second Chances and Second Cups. You can follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com and Donna at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com . All books are available at Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital.

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

I guess I write them because I like to read the same kind of stories. I want a story that will entertain, perhaps inform, not keep me awake with nightmares, but make me care about the characters. And I particularly like series. Once I find an author I like, I want to read everything they’ve written. But I hate waiting a year for the next book.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

When I married my husband Patrick and my father was able to walk me down the aisle (double blessing).

How has being published changed your life?

I think other people take me more seriously because I take myself more seriously. I used to cringe when people asked what I did and I said I wrote novels because I knew the next question was, “Are you published?” I hated saying no because I know how lame that sounds. Now I can say yes.

What are you reading right now?

Donna is reading Separation by Charles Patricoff. It’s a Civil War piece about two families on opposite sides of the conflict. She’s the history buff.

What is your current work in progress?

I am currently working on Book 4 in the By the Numbers series, Five and Twenty Blackbirds. Carly joins hubby Mike at his 25th college reunion in Arizona, and it’s no time at all before there’s a dead body and she’s involved.

What would be your dream vacation?

Somewhere warm. And not humid.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Usually because we travel there and I think, “This would make a cool setting for a book.” Or because I want to go there, and hubby asks, “How can we make this a business trip?” and I say, “I’ll set a book there.”

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? Donna says she’d like to spend time with the oldest living survivor of World War 2, but if I had my choice, I’d choose Donald Bain, the writer of the Murder She Wrote television series, to pick his brain about developing a long term successful series.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I like watching movies and television series on DVD because I hate commercials. I also like knitting, cooking, and coming up with more items for hubby’s Honey-Do list.

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

My most difficult writing obstacle is focusing on one story and writing it, because I have about four books floating around in my head and many more titles, characters, and plots that I have to keep in files so they don’t overwhelm me. I overcome it by committing to write every day to keep the current story alive in my head.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

If you truly feel you are called by God to write, then be obedient. Sit down, ask Him to dictate the story so you can transcribe it, and thank Him for letting you be the first person to hear and see this story. You’ll be amazed how freeing that will be.

Tell us about the featured book.

There was a Crooked Man is Book 2 in the By the Numbers series. In this one, Carly and Mike travel to a dude ranch in New Mexico on a working vacation—working for him, vacation for her. However, she can’t even get off the plane before she spots a suspicious death, and Mike knows he’s going to have his hands full keeping her out of trouble. He’s right, because soon she overhears veiled threats, learns of missing stock and money, finds a mysterious note in a Bible, and, when a body turns up, is hot on the trail of the killer, in the middle of a snowstorm which strands them at the ranch. Can Carly reveal the murderer, or will she be put in cold storage forever?

Please give us the first page of the book.

If not for all the turbulence in Carly Turnquist’s life, she might have enjoyed the flight.

All she really wanted was to stand on solid ground again. Air travel had never been her favorite mode of transportation, and the last couple of bumps had only served to confirm her previous opinion—flying was dangerous.

Still, there was no way she would have passed up this chance at a working vacation. Working for her husband Mike. Vacation for her. Not to mention getting to spend some quality time with her stepson—son of her heart—Tom. And, of course, getting to meet Sarah, the woman Tom said he hoped to spend the rest of his life with. Carly settled back in the high-backed jet liner seat and sighed. After two hectic weeks of preparing for this trip, she was more than ready to relax.

Fingers still gripping the armrest tightly, just in case another sudden drop came, she closed her eyes, envisioning the vacation part—sleeping, eating, reading.

She opened her eyes again, and smiled at the man seated next to her. Mike’s eyes were closed as he took another of his famous catnaps. Somehow, he could recharge his energy for hours with a five-minute nap. She squeezed his hand and was delighted when he returned the gesture.

He turned to face her. “Are you okay?”

Carly readjusted the small flight pillow behind her neck. “If you mean am I scared, I am.”

“Nothing to be scared of, you know.”

“I know. It’s all in my mind.”  She looked out the window beside her. “Still, the ground is a long ways down.”

“I guess I shouldn’t have asked you to come. I know how you feel about flying.”

Carly sat up abruptly, folding her arms across her chest. “Like you would have just come here without me?”

Mike chuckled as he pulled her into a one-armed hug. “Not if I valued my life, right?”

“Right.”  She started to pull away. “Not if you want to see your grandkids finish school.”

He tightened his grip and whispered into her ear. “Lean into me, and you’ll be safe.” 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Leeann and Donna are active on Facebook and Twitter, and we also hosts blogs at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com and www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com

Thank you, Leeann, for sharing this book with us today. 

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
There Was A Crooked Man: Book 2 (By the Numbers) - paperback
There Was A Crooked Man (By the Numbers) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. If the winner is in the US, it will be a print book. If the winner is not in the US, it will be an ebook. 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

NO ACCOUNTING FOR MURDER - Leeann Betts - One Free Book

Dear Readers, here’s another author to welcome to our blog for the first time. You know how much you love contemporary suspense.

Bio: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. No Accounting for Murder and There Was a Crooked Man, books 1 and 2 in her By the Numbers series, recently released. Book 3, Unbalanced, releases in January, with plans for Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, due in April, with more planned for later dates. Leeann and Donna have penned a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, and Donna has published a book of short stories, Second Chances and Second Cups. You can follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com and Donna at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com . All books are available at Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital.

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

I think it depends on the book. Carly is an accountant, and I am an accountant. Carly likes mysteries, and so do I. Carly isn’t a joiner, and I tend not to be either. Carly is married to a computer programmer, and guess what my hubby does—right, he’s a programmer. Apart from that, I don’t live in a small town. I do have step-children, but two daughters not a son and a daughter. And as much as I love a good mystery, I’ve never found a body or identified a murder suspect.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I guess that depends on your definition of quirky. Co-writing a book with my real self would probably count.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve loved to write ever since I was a kid, and I could fill a page with words in a flash. However, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that I knew I had at least one book in me. When I began writing No Accounting for Murder, I hoped I had at least one book.

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

I enjoy mysteries, suspense, and almost any genre that includes either mystery or suspense.

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

I have a husband who is very calming. I also make lists so I don’t have to keep everything in my head. And I like paper files so I can capture stuff inside the covers.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Carly’s name came from my step-mom’s name which was Carrie. Mike is my husband’s brother. Other characters sometimes come from people I know that I like. If I don’t like the character, I use a name dictionary that includes character traits, and I look for negative traits.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I think that changes with time. I was very pleased that I had one book in me. And then when I finished the second, wow! Third—you’re getting the picture. I’ve completed more than 20 novellas and novels, so I guess that’s a good accomplishment. Being published in devotional books—a dream come true. And now I’m independently published—never thought I’d go this route.

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

A cat. Stress free. Do what you want when you want, and ignore people who are asking you to do something J

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate. If I could eat it without any negative health repercussions. As it is, I eat it sparingly.

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

I think my greatest roadblock was thinking anybody but me would want to read what I was writing. I took a chance and sent the first book to ten people I didn’t know (they volunteered through a couple of online writers groups I belong to) and when I got their responses, I saw they laughed where it was funny, cried where it was sad, couldn’t figure out whodunit but were very satisfied with the conclusion.

Tell us about the featured book.

No Accounting for Murder features Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant. While this is her first book, this is not her first mystery. If readers would like to read a prequel short story to this book, they can go to http://www.leeannbetts.com/2.html and read “Roasted Bean Counters.” In the first book, Carly’s daughter is suspected of embezzling money, and a disreputable business receives a building permit under the table, threatening the peace and quiet of Bear Cove, Maine. When Carly investigates both situations, she receives threatening faxes, she has an accident that was no accident, and a key witness goes missing, only to turn up dead in yet another suspicious accident. Can Carly figure out who is behind all of these events, or will the killer succeed in keeping her quiet—for good?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Bear Cove, Maine, population three hundred and twelve souls at the height of the lobster season, was normally a sleepy little town, just the way Carly Turnquist liked it.

But not this morning.

           

Faintly at first, building in volume, came sounds not normally heard in quiet Bear Cove. Horns blared, voices shouted, and bass music boomed, rattling the pictures on the walls. Carly pressed her face closer to the windowpane, tipping her head first right, then left, determining the direction of the commotion.

"Sounds like it's coming from downtown," she muttered to no one in particular. "I hope it's not one of those Watkins boys joyriding again."

Not wanting to be left out of the loop, she took the stairs two at a time up to the bedroom she shared with her husband Mike, arriving at the top landing slightly out of breath. Deciding what to wear to check out the blaring horns and loud voices wasn't difficult. As a forensics accountant who worked out of her home, Carly had a handy wardrobe replete with sweats, jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.LeeannBetts.com

www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

and Facebook and Twitter

Thank you, Leeann, for sharing this new book with us. My blog readers will love it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
No Accounting For Murder: Book 1 (By the Numbers)

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