Bio: Bestselling
author Loree Lough once sang for her supper, performing across the U.S. and Canada . Now and then, she blows the
dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes novels
that have earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 7 book-to-movie options. Her 115th
book, 50 Hours, is her most personal to date. Recently released, The Man She Knew, book #1 in her “By Way
of the Lighthouse” series from Harlequin Heartwarming
First, I’d like to thank you, Lena ,
for allowing me to share news about this book. Your generosity is greatly
appreciated!
I’ve always enjoyed speaking at conferences and teaching at
community colleges. This year, however, I’m staying close to home due to health
reasons.
If you were planning
a women’s retreat, what would be the theme for it?
Women these days tend to overtax themselves… 9-5 jobs in
addition to church, family, household responsibilities, caring for others
(aging parents, ailing friends, grandchildren, etc.), social engagements, and
so on. Given that this is the case far too often, I’d love to host a retreat
called “Be Still…and Know…” Guest speakers would address all the issues that
crowd our calendars, and provide easy how-to information to help attendees
learn that it’s acceptable—and healthy—to put themselves first once in a while.
I so agree with you.
I had a season when I had to learn that we must “Be Still … and Know …” It
revolutionized my walk with the Lord. Who would you want as speakers and why?
Pastors, psychologists, and authors who are skilled in the
areas of time management and self-care. Their expertise would provide credible
lessons to women, and (hopefully) prevent burnout.
Where would you hold
the retreat and why?
Larry and I have a cabin in the Allegheny
Mountains . The beauty and serene setting would allow attendees to
experience, first-hand, the true meaning of R and R (rest and relaxation). And
while they’re enjoying the peace and quiet, they’ll be more receptive to
learning methods that strengthen their spirits and ease their souls.
It sounds wonderful.
I’d want to come. Do you read print books or ebooks? Or a combination of the
two?
When traveling, I prefer ebooks, since they spare me having
to pack and carry extra pounds. At home, however, I’ll take “a real book” every
time. The heft of a book, the sound and scent of its pages is pleasing!
50 HOURS started
as a screenplay, written by Kevin J. O’Neill. The skeletal storyline centered
around 50 hours of community service, assigned to one of the two main
characters. After reading Saving Alyssa
(#3 in Harlequin Heartwarming’s “A Child to Love” series), Kevin called to ask
if I’d be interested in “novelizing” his screenplay. In his endorsement of the
book, he writes “Loree Lough is an exceptional author, and that’s why I
approached her about writing the novel for my feature film, 50
Hours. But I had no idea how wonderful her novelization would be until
I read it. Loree was able to dig so deep into my characters…and create
secondary characters to further flesh out the story. She unearthed and richly
developed those characters and gave them three dimensional lives. I am so happy
with the book!
~ Kevin J. O’Neill, writer/director/actor/producer.
So what is the book
about?
Franco Allessi is a broken, lonely man who wants nothing
more than to outrun the ghosts of his past. For years, he’d tried to numb the
pain of his wife's death with cheap beer and whiskey. Then he's convicted of
drunk driving, and judge revokes his license and orders him to serve fifty
hours of community service. Franco chooses Savannah Falls Hospice for no reason
other than it's walking distance from his run-down house trailer. On his first
day at the center, he meets Aubrey Brewer, a woman whose time on earth is
quickly ticking to a stop. Their unusual connection teaches powerful,
life-changing lessons about friendship, acceptance, and the importance of
appreciating that precious treasure called Life.
Wow, sounds powerful.
Please give us the first page of the book.
“Do you fully comprehend why you find yourself standing
before me today, Mr. Allessi?”
Franco stared at the toes of his shoes. “Yes, Your Honor, I
do.”
“And do you also realize that by getting behind the wheel in
an inebriated state, you put others—not just yourself—in dire jeopardy?”
Truth be told, he’d put himself in jeopardy long before he
got behind the wheel. His whole life these days seemed like a connect-the-dots
game, with each dot representing a new risk. Take last night, for example, when
instead of ignoring the taunts of “Get a load of this dude’s wingtips!” by unruly
bikers at the Brew and Cue, he’d started a shoving match, and paid for it with
a black eye, a chipped tooth, and bruised ribs.
Leroy Carlisle, his court-appointed attorney, elbowed him
back to attention.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Franco repeated. He glanced up, but only
far enough to read John Malloy, Sr., Judge, Superior Court on the big wooden
nameplate. “You have my word, sir, it won’t happen again.”
Malloy exhaled a long-suffering sigh. “Oh, if only I had a
dollar for every time I’ve heard that . . . .” He frowned at Franco’s file,
open on his bench. “Nevertheless, you scored 0.14 on the breathalyzer. And
since this isn’t your first offense, I have no choice but to suspend your
license . . .”
“ . . . for six months.”
Six months? Six months! “With all due respect, Your Honor, I
drive a tow truck. Can’t do my job without a license.”
Sarcasm rang out loud in the older man’s voice: “With all
due respect, Mr. Allessi, you should have considered that possibility before driving
under the influence.” Malloy sat back and folded liver-spotted hands over his
ponderous belly. “Under other circumstances, I might have granted you
permission to drive to and from work.” He looked at the man at the prosecutor’s
table. “But Detective Rowe, here, says you were so out of it when he pulled you
over that he considered calling an ambulance.” His slow Georgia drawl
quickened a bit as he added, “I cannot in good conscience risk that next time;
you might run some young mama and her carload of little ones off the road.”
“You have my word. There won’t be a next time.”
“I could sentence you to sixty days, but since you seem
suitably contrite, I’ll lessen it to time served and fifty hours of community
service. Your fresh-faced young lawyer here can help you choose an appropriate
facility.” He raised a bushy eyebrow and aimed his steely gaze at Carlisle . “The name of which I expect to see on my desk
by this time tomorrow. Understood, counselor?”
“Next case,” Malloy bellowed as Carlisle
stuffed his pen and yellow legal pad into a floppy black briefcase. He muttered
something about signatures and paperwork, then crisscrossed the bag over his
shoulder and headed for the door. Franco followed like a well-trained pup,
hoping he could arrange a payment schedule, because his checking account was as
bare as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/LoreeLough
Twitter -- https://twitter.com/LoreeLoughAutho
Pinterest -- https://www.pinterest.com/loreelough/
Web site – http://www.loreelough.com
I hope everyone will feel free to interact with me at any of
those sites! Thanks again, Lena , for sharing
your blog with me!
Loree, you’re a dear
friend, and I love your writing. And I'm eager to read this one. It’s a great blessing to share you and your
books with my readers.
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
50 Hours
50 Hours
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:
- Paperback
- Amazon
