LOVE'S SECOND VERSE - Lee Carver - Free Book

I'm always thrilled to feature one of the people I've mentored with their book releases. Welcome, Lee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

My spiritual foundation, optimism, and high energy come through in the heroines, but few physical characteristics.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

When I was sixteen, I pretended to be French and got interviewed on a TV show for teens. Mother found out before I got home.

That's priceless, Lee. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I recorded funny true stories that happened among the American expats in various foreign countries. That became my first book, self-published in Brazil. I’m re-writing it now, and plan to e-publish it this month as The Most Excellent Adventure.

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

I read a vast assortment: modern and historical fiction, medical mysteries, health and biochemisty, Bible studies and devotional books, biographies, novels with foreign settings, and almost anything authored by my friends.

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

Start the day with prayer and never say “amen.” I try to keep the dialog with God open while I run.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

The name must be appropriate to the geographical setting, gender, age, and time setting. But if I have a negative personal association with a name, I won’t choose it. Not even for a “bad guy.”

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Other than our long, happy marriage and wonderful daughter, son, and grandchildren, all gifts from God, I suppose I’m proudest of the fact that I can learn and do any task before me: languages, musical instruments, computer language, academic subjects. And since this is also a gift, I think “satisfaction” is better than “pride.” I’ve done a lot of servant jobs, like six years as a missionary in Brazil, church music, teaching high school biology and chemistry, and work with homeless women in Fort Worth. I’m pleased to have these opportunities, but I’m more grateful than proud of them.

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

I can’t imagine being an animal. We don’t have pets because we travel so much. Maybe I would choose to be a sheep dog that lives outside, works hard, is dedicated to protecting the flock, and gets petted by her owner at night.

What is your favorite food?

Peaches. Haven’t they been super this summer? And fresh cherries, ripe cheeses, and seafood. You meant one favorite? Chocolate mints.

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

My greatest roadblock is thinking into the future and wondering if anyone will read my book, publish it, buy it. ACFW’s challenge to tie myself in the chair and write hard for a month—just get the rough draft on the page—helped so much. Like Mrs. Reagan’s slogan, “Just do it.” Sometimes I still wonder if this is God’s idea or mine, but I’ve come to love the wordsmithing so much. It’s a never-ending puzzle of infinite solutions.

Tell us about the featured book.

When adversity destroys everything but her family and her hope, Julia must redefine herself: from wife to widow, music teacher to corporate geek. Sustaining joy through faith is the hard part.

Julia Morgan, a forty-something Army widow and debt-challenged mother of two teenage sons, stands on the brink of restarting her life. She lands a prize job as a roving geek for multinational InterBank in Atlanta, so she can maintain her independence and a meaningful, productive life.

Paul Braddock, InterBank’s senior VP in Atlanta, an embittered widower, smothers the pain with work. He puts his spiritual life on a long, skeptical hold. Paul becomes as interested in Julia’s single-parenting abilities as her IT work. He seeks answers to deep questions about faith, living through loss, and teaching a teenager to love a God who has let them both down.

Love’s Second Verse is a story of the courage to wage life and hold out for the joy that comes in the morning, and just maybe a second chance at romance.

Please give us the first page of the book.

I always start with an action scene. You’re not going to get the sense of humor from this clip, but here goes:

Gripped by the desperate need of a mid-life restart, Julia Foster stood at an intersection in downtown Atlanta. Straightening her shoulders, she determined to swim through the southern spring humidity as if it were a sea of confidence.  All she had to do was walk into the InterBank building and nail the interview. Today I’ll claim a new job, a whole new level of existence.

An employment clipping radiated hope from her tightly clutched purse. The light turned green. Chin raised, she stepped off the curb.

Screeching tires and a blaring honk got her attention. Too late. The sedan bumped her, knocking her down.  The back of her head bonked on the asphalt, sending pain exploding in white blobs that distorted her vision. Dirty water splashed her hair and face.

Ear-ringing seconds passed. Aware that she viewed a car from the tire level, she struggled to lift her spinning head.

A man hurried to her feet from the silver car that hit her. “Are you all right? Can you get up?”

Adrenaline pounded through her veins. Julia fought off white-hot anger that this could occur. Today of all days! She raised her gaze to the well-dressed man in suit and tie. No appropriate words came to mind. A soft answer turns away wrath, but what does dead airtime do?

He squatted in front of her. “Should I call an ambulance?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.LeeCarverWriter.com
www.blogspot.leecarverwriter.com
Readers can use this code to save $3.00 on the print edition on Amazon.com - CCFMXDZS

Thank you, Lee, for this wonderful visit with you.


Readers, here's a link where you can order the book:

Love's Second Verse


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