Welcome back,
Lillian. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Actually, I was feeling quite uninspired so I went on my
social media and asked for suggestions for my next book. An old high school
friend suggested I write a story that featured someone who struggled with
memory loss.
The old amnesia plot is usually a no-no in modern story telling
so I took it as a challenge to come up with a fresh approach. And JANE DOE is
the result of it.
If you were planning
a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would
you invite and why?
Let’s see…let’s see… I hate the thought of leaving out
people, but here goes. First, I’d invite Terri Blackstock and Brandilynn
Collins because they are two of my favorite suspense writers. Then I’d include
Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, and James L. Rubart because I also love supernatural
stories. And only one more…Of course, I’d invite Lena Nelson Dooley because not
only is she a wonderful writer, but she’s so supportive of other Christian
writers.
Many times, people
(and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What
is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
It’s coming up with ideas that are different than what I’ve
written before. I don’t want all my books to sound the same or to have the same
basic plot. That means creating unique characters and then putting them in unique
situations.
I think I succeeded in doing that with JANE DOE.
I think that’s a
problem for most multi-published authors. Tell us about the featured book.
JANE DOE is my
latest release. And it’s a doozy! It’s romantic suspense that’s heavy on the
suspense but enough romance to make you smile.
JANE DOE, also
known as Raven Marks survives a brutal kidnapping after being tossed off a
cliff and left for dead. She’s haunted by her memories. First because she doesn’t
have them and then because she does! She wants to move on with her life, but
she keeps asking herself what if she isn’t his last victim.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“Wakey. Wakey. Little
Suzie.” His sing-song voice penetrated the drug-induced blur that was her normal
these days.
”Not…my… name.” Raven. Her name was Raven Lynn Marks. It was
getting harder and harder to remember anything about her life before the
monster, but she didn’t want to forget her name. Raven. Her name was Raven.
That was all she had left.The monster
had taken everything else from her.Her
life. Her family. Her friends. She refused to let him take her name.
As she ran her fingers through her long, black, stringy
hair, the weight of the chain around her wrist chafed. She looked up at him. “Leave…me…alone.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Little Suzie? But you don’t
tell me what to do.”
A moment later he poked her with the electric cattle prod. The
electrical current traveled throughout her body causing her to jerk and
tremble. Her mind tried to block out the excruciating pain. It failed. She
screamed.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us
where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject
to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the
number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of
eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any
pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You
will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook,
Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment
if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Bio: Lillian
Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.
Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle
of Ohio Amish country with her husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than
30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the
power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.
Lillian writes the types of books she loves to
read—fast-paced suspense with a touch of romance that demonstrates God’s love
for all of us.
Welcome back,
Lillian. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Most of my books are suspense and mystery but Puzzle
House is a complete departure for me. In fact, I call Puzzle
House the story I never wanted to write! Having said that it’s also
very near and dear to my heart.
In 2012, I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a
genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 2—NF2 for short.
Coincidentally, the main character, Rachel Summers, has the exact same
condition.
I’m not going to go into all the gory details but I’ve
changed because of my health struggles—physically but even more important
spiritually. Puzzle House is the result of those changes.
If you were planning
a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would
you invite and why?
I’d invite Terri Blackstock, Brandilynn Collins, Frank
Peretti, Deb Macomber, and Lena Nelson Dooley, of course. Oooh wait, I forgot
Gayle Roper, James Scott Bell, Ted Dekker and James L. Rubart and… oh well, I
guess I can’t invite all of them. My dining room’s not big enough—and it’s
rather big!
That would be an
interesting party. Thanks for inviting me. Many times, people (and other
authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most
difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Since I’m retired I should have plenty of time to write.
Unfortunately because of the brain tumors, I seem to only be able to work 2-3
hours at the most—usually closer to two rather than three. That time includes
blogging, social media, editing and polishing stories to submit as well as
working on a new story. And don’t forget marketing!
I never have enough energy to get everything done I’d like
to get done. But I’m learning to be patient with myself. When my brain and my
body tells me they’ve had enough, it’s time to stop!
Tell us about the
featured book.
Puzzle House is a contemporary Christian novel. The main
character has brain tumors as a result of a rare genetic condition, but the
lessons she learns can be applied to all sorts of struggles that we all have on
a daily basis.
I know it sounds like it could be a depressing book but it’s
not! The subtitle is a novel of healing and hope and that’s what I want people
to take away from the book—hope.
PUZZLE HOUSE BLURB:
Life isn’t a box of candy—it’s a puzzle!
Rachel Summers is all about Rachel Summers…until the day she
crashes headlong into a semi-truck. As her life hangs in the balance, she has a
visitor who asks a very simple question.
Does she want to be healed or to be a healer?
She makes her choice, but the journey doesn’t go quite the
way she expected.
And so Rachel now runs Puzzle House. Every guest is
different and yet the same. They all come to the Puzzle House for one
reason and one reason only—to be healed, usually from a life-threatening
illness. Sometimes they receive their miracle, and sometimes they discover
there’s more than one kind of healing.
Nia is a fifteen-year-old African-American girl who is
dying. The doctors have told her there is nothing else to be done. No more
treatments. No more hope. No more life. And she’s angry about that. Very angry.
Against her wishes, Nia’s aunt brings her to The Puzzle House.
Together, Nia and Rachel will take a journey that will
change both their lives.
Please give us the first
page of the book.
“I hate you.” Nia’s gaze shot little darts of anger at the
woman standing by the car door.
The woman met her gaze with a smile. Which infuriated Nia
even more. “I said I hate you and I do.”
“You don’t hate me. You’re just angry. ”Her voice remained
calm, almost emotionless.
“Don’t you care about me, Auntie?”
“I’m not going to dignify that question with an answer.” She
leaned down. “Are you ready?”
“I said don’t you care about me? Why are you making me do
this?”
“Because I do love you so very much.” One of her hands moved
under Nia, the other moved to her back.
Nia knocked her hands away. “I can do it myself. If I wanted
to. I’m not going in there. You can’t make me.”
“I would think you had better ways to use the little bit of
energy you have than arguing with me about this. We agreed.”
“No, we didn’t.” Her lip trembled. No crying. Crying
wouldn’t change anything. She flopped back against the car seat, exhausted. “I
never wanted to come and you know it.”
Her aunt knelt down beside her, eyes filled with tears. “Please.
This will be a good thing, Nia. I promise.”
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:
Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder and mayhem.
Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in Ohio Amish
country with her husband. After more than 30 years working as a speech
pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform
lives, especially God’s Word.
Lillian writes the types of books she loves to
read—fast-paced suspense and mystery with a touch of romance that demonstrates
God’s love for all of us.
Welcome back,
Lillian. Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was saved as a teen around the age of 13, but when I got
out of high school stopped going to church. And, of course, the longer I stayed
away the more bad decisions I made until my life was a mess.
I finally “came back” to God in my forties. Looking back, I
can see that God didn’t abandon me during that time even though I abandoned
him. He was there all the time protecting me and keeping me safe in spite of my
bad decisions. God is so good.
That is so true. You’re
planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who
would they be and why?
I would want Agatha Christie since she’s the one who ignited
my love of mysteries. Then, I’d also want Margaret Mitchell because…well,
because she wrote one of my favorite books ever—Gone With The Wind. Then along with them, I’d invite two current
authors, Terri Blackstock and Brandilynn Collins. Not only do I love their
books, but the first time I read them, I thought to myself, “they write like
me.” That’s when I knew there was a market for the type of books I write.
Do you have a
speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I was beginning to have a small speaking ministry until I
was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors in 2012. I had several speaking
events scheduled at that time but eventually had to cancel them. Since then, I
haven’t done any public speaking engagements because I don’t know how I’ll feel
from one day to the next and it wouldn’t be fair to make a commitment then back
out at the last minute.
What is the most
embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
So many and so little time! Several come to mind, it’s hard
to pick only one that I’d even want to share with the world. I’ll have to think
about that one for a minute.
OK, I thought about it. There was this time I walking down
the streets of Paris
and…Mmm. No, That’s not a good one. How about the time I was in Mexico and… No,
not good.
OK, got it! I was in high school and we had this “large”
study hall, but really how large could it have been since the whole school had
less than 600 students. Anyway… I was walking from the back to the front. I
have no idea why. As I was walking, people started laughing and as I kept
walking forward, more people kept laughing. It seemed to me that the whole
study hall was laughing at me by the time I reached the front of the room.
I never could figure out what they were laughing about. I
didn’t have toilet paper stuck on my shoe or a run in my hose or anything else
as far as I could tell. To this day, I still don’t know what they were laughing
about but I can tell you I was plenty mortified!
What did I do? I simply ignored all the commotion, sat down
and read my book—as usual!
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?
Then write it! I know that sounds trite but that’s really
what I tell them with the explanation that the only way to become a writer is
to write. Then I go on to tell them that their first book should be a
“practice” book and probably never published. Once they’ve written that first
book, then it’s time to learn the craft of writing by reading books about
writing, taking classes and workshops, and joining a critique group, and, of
course, keep on writing.
Tell us about the
featured book.
GAME ON is a
political thriller. I had a lot of fun writing this one. It just flowed from my
fingertips through the keyboard and onto the paper, actually monitor. I wrote
the entire first draft of the book in about 5 weeks while I was “camping” on
the North Carolina coast which is why it
probably got set in North Carolina.
Here’s a bit about the plot: Congressman, Lucas McMann wants
to throw his hat into the political arena once again, this time for the U.S.
Senate. It’s the next step on his journey to the White House, but he believes
he’s the victim of an elaborate stalking game.
The problem is no one believes him. He can’t move forward
until he stops the game. He can’t stop the game until he discovers who’s behind
it. To do that he needs someone who will believe in him enough to help him get
the proof he so desperately wants.
And he knows just the person. If only she’s put their past
behind her.
Private Investigator, Nikki Kent makes a living finding out
other people’s secrets, but she has one of her own. When Lucas shows up asking
for her help, she refuses. She can’t take the chance of her secret coming to
light. But her new-found faith won’t let her turn her back on someone who is
desperate for her help—even if he was the first man to break her heart!
BLURB for GAME ON
Politics is no game when a stalker nears and there’s nowhere
to hide.
A run for the senate is just a step on the road to the White House for
Congressman Lucas McMann. But his public profile has put him in the middle of a
crazed gunman’s twisted game of stalking. If he wants to win the election and
reclaim his life, he’ll need the help of the one person who’d rather leave
their past behind them.
Private Investigator Nikki Kent knows how to dig up secrets and discover those
who exist in the shadows. She should. She’s good at hiding secrets of her own.
Can she risk her own discovery for someone so desperate for her help? For the
first man who broke her heart?
With new-found faith, she’ll help Lucas search for the answers. But with the
truth comes a danger they must face together.
My publisher did a great book trailer to go along with the
book. Check it out:
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate the release of GAMEON, I’m
giving away a virtual basket of goodies at www.lillian-duncan.com that includes Amazon
gift cards. For all the details go to my blog, Tiaras & Tennis Shoes.
Simply leave a comment on the blog post GAMEON at www.lillian-duncan.com and you’ll be
entered.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Lucas McMann walked down the street, pretending everything
was normal. With his premature gray hair and his expensive suit, he looked the
part of a senator even if he wasn’t one yet. And he never would be—if something
didn’t change soon.
Scanning the area, his heart rate increased with every step.
Only the strictest discipline kept him from breaking into a run. If he did
that, then they’d know he knew.
He didn’t know why he’d been chosen to play the game. He
didn’t know what they wanted. He didn’t even know who they were. There were
many things he didn’t know about the game, but Lucas knew one thing. In the
end, he would be the winner.
The situation was intolerable, possibly even dangerous.
As he forced his footsteps to slow, his gaze flitted from
person to person. Was the young girl with spiked pink hair one of them? Or the
older man dressed as a tourist? Or the well-dressed man pretending to be a
businessman?
It could be any of them or all of them.
They were everywhere. No matter where he went, he couldn’t
get away from their prying eyes or their cameras. And now not even his home was
safe. As they’d proven last week.
The WashingtonMonument towered over the
city.
After all that he’d lost, his career was the only thing he
had left. He’d never become the next US
senator from North Carolina
if he couldn’t stop them. There was no way he could focus on the upcoming
election if these people kept hounding him.
It was part of the plan his father had mapped out.
It had worked perfectly up to this point. First, local
government, then the state. He’d been a US congressman for the past four
years. Now it was time to move up to the Senate. Each step moved him closer to
his ultimate goal—the White House.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
To learn more about Lillian, you may visit her at www.lillianduncan.net or www.lillian-duncan.com. She also has a
devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com. Thank you, Lillian. I know I'm going to love reading this book. Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. Game On - Paperback Game On - 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 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
BIO: Lillian Duncan … Stories of faith mingled … with
murder & mayhem.
Lillian is
a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to
read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a
speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives,
especially God’s Word.
BETRAYED is the second book in my Sisters By Choice
series and released in January 2014. In DECEPTION (the first in the series),
there is a terrorist. I kept wondering what kind of woman could be married to a
terrorist and not know it.
BETRAYED is the answer to that question. It is Maria’s
story and her struggle to get past the betrayal of her husband and create a new
life for her daughter.
BACK COVER
COPY:
Witness
Protection Program claims they can keep anyone safe if only they follow the
rules so Maria follows the rules—every rule. She's given up everything—her
friends, her family, her past, even her name to ensure her daughter has a
future.
Reborn as
Veronica Minor in the sleepy little town of Sunberry,
Ohio, she
struggles to rebuild their life amid the beauty of her flower shop. A life
where her daughter can have a happy, normal childhood. A life where her daughter
will never know that her father was a monster.
When a
child disappears, Veronica prays it has nothing to do with her past, but what
if she's wrong? Not knowing who to trust, she trusts no one ... and that's her
first mistake.
What’s the setting for BETRAYED?
Most of
the story takes place in or around a small fictional town in Ohio called Sunberry. Coincidentally, we
have a small town in Ohio
called Sunbury that is very similar to the fictional setting!
How did you come up with the title for BETRAYED?
It was an
obvious choice since Maria was betrayed by her husband so horribly. But as the
story continues, Maria begins to believe she’s been betrayed yet again. But by
whom?
Is BETRAYED the first book you published?
No, I’ve
published several others in the past few years, including DECEPTION and PURSUED
also published by Pelican Book Group along with a novella, THE CHRISTMAS
STALKING.
Why did you write BETRAYED?
I had
actually written much of Maria’s story in DECEPTION, but it was taken out of
that book. Maria wasn’t happy about that and begged me to write her story, so I
did.
What do you want readers to take away from
BETRAYED?
Bad things
happen to all of us. How we react to those things will determine the quality of
our future. We can make the choice to stay in the past and be angry and bitter,
but a much better choice would be to forgive and move on with our own life.
Does BETRAYED have a theme?
Beauty for
ashes is a phrase that comes up several times throughout the book and I
consider it the theme. It comes from Isaiah 61: 3. A second theme is about
honoring God with our choices and our actions even in the midst of a crisis.
What’s the Sisters by Choice series about?
This
series definitely has romance in it, but I also wanted to explore the strong
bonds that form between women—through blood or through the choices we make.
Each story focuses on a relationship between two women that becomes as
important to the story as the romantic plot.
DECEPTION was
the first in the series and it focused on the broken relationship of identical
twin sisters, Patti and Jamie. The lesson from DECEPTION was don’t waste time
arguing with those you love—you may not get a second chance to repair that
relationship.
In BETRAYED, it focuses on two strangers
bonding and becoming friends as they face a crisis together. One of the characters teaches Maria about how
to honor God by her actions even in the most horrible circumstances.
What is your writing process?
I am not
an outliner. I wish I were—it seems easier to me. But my mind doesn’t work that
way. I never know what is going to happen in my story on any given writing day.
It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I watch that day’s events and then I
write it.
When I
start a new story I usually have a clear picture of the main character in mind
and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything goes after that. If I’m
writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone or blow something up. And
that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers.
Do you know who the bad guy is when you begin your
story?
Not
usually. Most of the time I have several characters who it might be and as the
story comes to a conclusion, I am surprised right along with my readers. BETRAYED was no exception. I wasn’t
sure who it was until the very end.
Many
people don’t think of murder mysteries and suspense novels as Christian
Fiction. What do you say to them?
I can
certainly understand their point of view. And for some readers my stories might
be a bit too graphic or edgy and that’s okay; I understand that. I would say my
readers are those who like traditional suspense and mystery novels but are
tired of all the explicit language and sex scenes that aren’t necessary to a
good story.
I don’t
promote or glorify violence in my stories and show characters experiencing the
natural consequences of their bad choices and bad actions. My characters are
usually on a spiritual journey as well—but some are further along than others.
Then what makes your stories Christian fiction?
My stories
always have an element of faith in them. How that plays out depends on the
individual plots of each specific story.
One more
word about Christian fiction: It has changed dramatically over the past ten
years. Other than erotica, readers can find their favorite genre as Christian fiction
as well as mainstream fiction. There are Christian fiction books out there for
every book lover—historical, romance, regency, science fiction, even horror
novels.
If BETRAYED becomes a movie who would you like
to see play your main characters?
Oh, I can
see Angelina Jolie playing Maria. In Deception, Maria was a bit of a wimp, but
life has changed her. She’s tough now—like Angelina. I think Mark Harmon,
better known as Gibbs on NCIS, would make the perfect male lead.
What are you working on now?
I have a
devotional blog POWER UP WITH GOD’S WORD: Secrets For a Better Life at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com. I was
diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors this past year and so many of the
devotions focus help others who are facing a crisis—physical or spiritual.
Along with
that, the third book in The Sisters By Choice series (REDEMPTION) is in the
process of rewriting. I’m also working on a new mystery novella series, DEADLY
COMMUNICATIONS. It features a crime-fighting speech pathologist. Having been a
speech pathologist for almost 35 years, this story was so much fun for me to
write.
To celebrate the release of BETRAYED, I’m giving away a virtual gift basket at Tiaras &
Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com.
The virtual gift basket includes a copy of my books, SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO;
DARK ALLEYS; and GEESE MATE FOR LIFE.
Along with the books, a $25 Amazon gift card is included plus a few
books from some writer friends. To enter the contest, simply hop on over to
Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com
, leave a comment on the post titled CELEBRATION! Winner will be chosen and announced
on February 14. Thank you, Lillian, 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. Betrayed
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free e-copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link. Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
My life has taken some dramatic turns this year, personally
and professionally. I feel as if I’m in a tunnel. I’ve left my “old” life behind
and am moving forward. I’m just not sure what it’s going to look like when I
get through the tunnel. But knowing God, it will be more awesome than I can
imagine.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I’m married and have two step-children, both are young men.
My husband and I live in a small town with our “babies.” Our babies are two
dogs and four parrots. So to say our house gets noisy at times is an
understatement!
Has your writing changed
your reading habits? If so, how?
My reading habits have definitely changed since I started writing
and even more so since becoming a published writer. A lot of the time I devoted
to reading has become my writing time so I don’t read as much. But one thing I
do is to read outside of my genre more than I used to because I think it makes
me more open to other possibilities as I write my suspense stories.
What are you working
on right now?
I have a novella that was released this month called THE CHRISTMAS STALKING. It was my first
novella and I loved it. And what a challenge to incorporate suspense, a
Christian message, and a Christmas theme in one story.
I’m also working on final edits for the second in my Sisters
By Choice series. It will be out sometime next year but I don’t have a release
date yet.
What outside
interests do you have?
My husband and I camp—if you can call an air-conditioned
camper with cable and wi-fi camping! We also are on a bowling league together.
I also dabble in some art and some other crafty activities—like stamping and
card-making.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
When I choose Ohio
as the setting, it may be a real or fictional town. If fictional, it will have
elements of one or more than one town that I’m familiar with. When I choose
settings outside of Ohio,
I usually pick a place I’ve visited so I have some idea what I’m writing about.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Jesus, of course. I would love to know more about his
childhood. It would be awesome to sit around and reminisce and share stories of
his childhood.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I wish I’d known about American Christian Fiction Writers.
It’s an awesome group and I’m convinced I still wouldn’t be published if I
hadn’t found it.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
I’m having some ongoing health issues that I’m dealing with.
And the Lord is teaching me how to face adversity and the unknown in a godly
manner and with a smile on my face.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Number one is to be part of a critique group, either on-line
or in person. Critiquing will make you a better writer. Not only because others
will point out your weaknesses, but also as you critique others works, you will
be able to recognize your own weaknesses.
Number two is to pick a genre and stick to it. And no you
can’t create your own genre, such as the suspenseful, comedic, literary for
singles genre. It needs to be a recognized genre. Publishers must be able to
place your book into a genre slot. Once you’re rich and famous, you’re allowed
to write out of your genre, but until then you’re not!
The third piece of advice is to NEVER give up.
NEVER—NEVER—NEVER!
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Christmas Stalking is a romantic suspense novella. It’s
only available as an e-book at this time. It features Destiny-a very famous
country music star. She has everything she dreamed of and more. Fame. Wealth. Beauty.
Adoring fans. Oh, yeah and a stalker!
As the stalker escalates, she decides it’s time for Destiny
to disappear and let Holly Stone take over her own life again until the stalker
can be apprehended. She goes back to the Adirondacks where she spent time as a young girl. She
reconnects with an old friend and...that’s where the fun begins.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Holly Stone needed a place to
hide. Well, not Holly Stone, but the persona she had become—Destiny, Nashville’s brightest
country music star. Her sultry voice and trademark long, blonde hair had made
her famous—her only goal in life.
Unfortunately, along with the
notoriety came unwelcomed attention from a stalker. Not just any run of the
mill crazy, but one who mailed her a dead cat. That had been enough for her.
She skirted the security team’s suggestion, attended a charity concert in her
blonde wig, and then two-stepped it out of town.
Now, her car’s headlights
flashed on the welcoming sign for the Village of Serenity
and Peace, better known by the locals as plain old Serenity. Legend said a
group of monks hid behind their cowls and founded the little town in the wilds
of upstate New York.
What better place was there
than where she’d spent so many wonderful summers with her grandparents? She
could ditch the wig, hide, and celebrate Christmas. Of course, she would spend
this Christmas just the way she had last year—alone.
As
an early Christmas gift to your readers, anyone who purchases a copy of THE
CHRISTMAS STALKINGcan
receive a FREE e-copy of either DARK ALLEYS or GEESE MATE FOR LIFE. Once you
purchase it, simply go to my website (www.lillianduncan.net) and send me the order number. I
will email you a copy of the book of your choice. Merry Christmas to
all!!
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
Welcome back to my blog, Lillian. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
I guess the easy answer is they’re the kind of books I like
to read. I’ve tried to write other genres, but someone always ends up being
murdered—so it turns into suspense whether I want it to or not.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
That’s an easy one. The day I married my husband. I’d been
in love with him since I was sixteen, but it took us many years to find our way
back to each other.
How has being
published changed your life?
More work—yep, that’s it. Lots more work and I love it!
What are you reading
right now?
On my e-book reader, I’m reading Lisa Grace’s Angel trilogy.
With print books, I’m reading a Harlan Coben novel and J.Mark Bertand’s newest book.
What is your current
work in progress?
I’m in the middle of editing The Christmas Stalking. It will be released in November or December
as part of a Christmas Extravaganza from HarbourLight Books.
What would be your
dream vacation?
A cruise around the world with a special stop in Antarctica. I want to go to the spot where you can take
24 steps and truthfully say that I walked around the world! How cool that would
be!
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I usually pick setting that I know well. Unfortunately, my
characters are often on the run and end up places I’ve never been. In my last
release, DECEPTION, the main character ends up in San Francisco, a place I’ve never been.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Mmm. I’m assuming you don’t mean my husband since I spend
every evening with him. So, I guess it might be Chris Tomlin. I love his music
and it would be awesome to spend some time getting to know him.
It is fun to get to
know Christian musical artists. I know Kari Jobe, and I love following what God
is doing in her life and ministry. What are your hobbies, besides writing and
reading?
My husband and I are on a bowling league and that’s fun
during the winter. We also camp. And by camp, I mean in an air-conditioned
camper with my satellite TV and computer.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Marketing would be the biggest obstacle for me as it is with
many writers. I tend to be on the shy side and it’s hard for me to “get out
there” and promote myself and my books. But I’m getting better at it.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Besides reading a lot and writing a lot, I would advise them
to be teachable. And by that I mean
be willing to listen and learn from others.
Tell us about the
featured book.
It’s entitled DARK ALLEYS, and along with the suspense plot it
explores the theme of our own dark alleys and God’s desire to light the way for
us to get out of the dark alleys we put ourselves in.
Here’s the blurb:
Being innocent and proving it are two different things,
especially when a powerful politician is involved. On a cold, wintry night, a homeless alcoholic woman witnesses a
murder and almost becomes his second victim. She knows the authorities won’t
believe someone like her, leaving her only one option—to run.
Please give us the first page of the book.
The rituals of death.
Hugs. Tears. Hushed voices.
People avoided looking her in the eye, but nevertheless
stared as if she were an ant in a specimen jar when they thought she wasn’t
looking . Knowing they meant well made no difference, she still wanted them to
go away. And leave her alone forever.
Around her, the ebb and flow of life continued.
People in her house whispering and laughing. People acting
as if it were a normal day. People whose children still lived. She closed her
eyes, praying for it all to be a nightmare.
But it wasn’t.
Her husband walked toward her, but stopped to talk with
someone. Gordon smiled and nodded at whatever the man said. How could he look
so calm, so normal? How could he even think of smiling?
Gordon walked over. “Are you okay, Tessa?”
Not because it was true, but because he expected it, she
nodded.
“It won’t be much longer, and then you can rest.” He rubbed
her back in ever-widening circles. A gesture meant to comfort but failed.
Their eyes met, his filled with tears and pain along with
compassion and worry for her. He leaned close and hugged her. With a caress of
her hair, he turned back to their family and friends.
She sat and watched as if she were in a movie theatre. Not
part of the action and not really caring about the plot. Time passed and people
drifted toward her.
Meaningless words. Empty offers of help. More condolences.
More good-byes. And then it was just the two of them.
Alone.
It would always be just the two of them. There would
be...could be no more children in their future. Michaela had been a miracle and
now the miracle was gone.
Her breath caught in her throat. Why had God been so cruel?
It would have been better if... Tessa’s heart blocked the next words. She
couldn’t think such words. She bent over sobbing.
Gordon rushed over, but she pushed him away.
Gordon looked at her for a moment, and then resumed
cleaning. When he’d finished, he sat on the sofa and motioned for her to join
him. He needed her, but she couldn’t give him the comfort he craved.
She escaped to the kitchen and returned with an uncorked
wine bottle and two glasses. Sitting down beside him, Tessa poured a full glass
for herself then held a glass up to Gordon.
When he shook his head, she set the bottle and the spare
glass on the coffee table. Shrugging, she picked up her own glass and gulped it
down, then poured another and another.
Interesting! Lots of
emotion. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Lillian for giving us a peek into your recently released book. Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog. Dark Alleys - paperback Dark Alleys - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link. Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Welcome, Lillian. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I try not to model my characters on myself or my friends. Writing experts warn beginning writers not to do that because it tends to limit the characters. But the truth is bits and pieces of myself pop up when I least expect it.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Mmm. You mean besides being a writer?
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’m not sure it’s something you discover as much as something that happens over time. It took several years and many, many hours of writing before I decided I was a writer.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy reading all sorts of books, both Christian and secular. Suspense, mysteries, and thrillers are my favorite and if they have some romance in them, all the better.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I walk.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
For me, this is one of the hardest things when I first start creating a story. One MS I worked on and then set aside. When I came back to it, I realized all the major characters had names from the old Gunsmoke series, including Miss Kitty, Amanda Blake, Matt Dillon, James Arness. It was very bizarre! I have a baby book of names that I use now to help. Some of my characters change names several times before their real name is discovered.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Wow! Talk about a tough question. I’ve written and erased several different answers because they sounded too much like bragging. I could talk about putting myself through college, or working and retiring from a large urban school district, or finally accomplishing my dream of being a published author but...The truth is I’m proud of the way I live my life now. I don’t always succeed (not by a longshot) but I try to act in a way that makes God smile. I’ve been a Christian since I was a teen-ager, but haven’t always made the right choices. With God’s help, I’m getting better at that...and I’ve never had more peace and joy.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A puppy, of course! There’s nothing cuter, sweeter, or more loveable than a puppy. Who wouldn’t want to cute, sweet, and loveable?
What is your favorite food?
Pasta without a doubt! Spaghetti—lasagna—macaroni and cheese! If it’s got pasta in it, then I’m a happy camper. As I’m sitting here writing, I can smell the spaghetti my wonderful husband is cooking for dinner. Yummy!
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say I was and am my own greatest roadblock. My shyness, my insecurities, and the limitations I put on myself. It has taken lots of prayer and studying God’s Word to understand that He wouldn’t give me the dream of being a writer without giving me what I need to accomplish it. With each step of faith I take, God is there waiting just as He promised.
Tell us about the featured book.
PURSUED is a romantic suspense. When a big city lawyer crashes into a laid-back farmer, the fun (and the terror) begins.
Reggie spends her time pursuing the American Dream and is sure wealth and success will make her happy, even though it hasn’t yet. Dylan describes himself as a simple farmer who already has everything he needs to be happy—family, friends, and God.
In the normal course of events, their lives would never intersect but some accidents just aren't meant to be avoided. When Reggie crashes into Dylan, it makes a bad day even worse or so she thinks. Dylan on the other hand is intrigued by the feisty lady lawyer and wrangles a way to spend a bit more time with her by offering to drive her home. But when someone shoots at Reggie, they begin a journey that will change both their lives forever.
Please give us the first page of the book.
“Unacceptable,” Jeffrey Howard whispered.
Heads whipped around as if a bomb had exploded, instead of a whisper.
No, no, no! This can’t be happening. Reggie Meyers’s insides turned to mush, but she turned toward the head of the table with a smile pasted on her face. She laid the pen down on the contract. It wouldn’t do for others to notice her hand shaking. A trembling pen would be a dead giveaway.
“I’m sorry. Did you say unacceptable?” Reggie looked at the owner of Lightning Bolt Enterprises.
“That’s what I said.” The older man’s snow white mustache twitched.
Maybe, it was a joke and he was trying not to smile. She waited for the punch line. It didn’t come. If she blew this deal, with Lightning Bolt, she’d get fired for sure. Her future at Benton and Greene, Attorneys at Law looked bleak.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
The man stood. “I thought you were a lawyer.”
“I am—”
He marched over to her. Leaning down, he jabbed at a word. “Right there, can’t you see? It says if but it should say when. It makes the contract unacceptable.”
“It’s just a clerical error, Mr. Howard. We can cross it out and write in the correct word and initial it. It’s no big deal.”
“Missy, it may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. I won’t deal with a company that doesn’t know the difference between if and when.”
Reggie glanced around the table. Not one person looked at her. Not a good sign.
Ignoring his disrespectful tone and words, she spoke again, hoping not to sound like she was begging. She stood, almost nose to nose, except he was over six foot tall and she was a foot shorter. “I’ll have a new contract printed up and it will be ready in thirty minutes.”
Mr. Howard looked at his watch.
He was going to agree. It would be OK.
He gave the famous lightning bolt smile that had made him and his company renowned.
“Sorry, these negotiations are now over.” His blue eyes twinkled, and then he turned and walked out the room.
Her mouth fell open. Three months of negotiating over. Just like that.
Thank you, Lillian, for spending this time with us.
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
- Paperback
- Paperback
- paperback
