THE WRONG SURVIVOR (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Collection) - Marilyn Turk - One Free Book

Bio: Multi-published author Marilyn Turk calls herself a “literary archaeologist,” because she loves to discover stories hidden in history. Her World War II novel, The Gilded Curse, won a Silver Scroll award. When readers asked what happened to the characters after the book, Marilyn wrote the sequel, Shadowed by a Spy. Her four-book Coastal Lights Legacy series—Rebel Light, Revealing Light, Redeeming Light, and Rekindled Light—feature Florida lighthouse settings. In addition, Marilyn’s novella, The Wrong Survivor, is in the Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides collection. Marilyn has also written a book of devotions called Lighthouse Devotions. Marilyn writes for the Daily Guideposts Devotions book.

She is a regular contributor to the Heroes, Heroines and History blog, (https://www.hhhistory.com) as well as the Christians Read blog,

(https://christiansread.wordpress.com).

Marilyn is also the director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat. http://bluelakecwr.com.

She lives in the panhandle of Florida where she and her husband enjoy boating, fishing, and playing tennis when time permits (and it’s below 100 degrees).

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

I write historical fiction because I love to research history and discover things I didn’t know before. I wonder what it was like to be in that place during that time, and my characters appear and show me.

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

That’s a hard one to answer. The births of my children rank at the top, but also the day I married my husband.

How has being published changed your life?

I’m a lot busier. There are so many expectations of a writer these days – marketing, being present in all forms of social media. Also, one published book is only the beginning. When readers like my books, they want to read more, so I have to keep writing more books for them. At the present time, I have three contracts to fulfill. But I’m thankful to be this kind of busy.

What are you reading right now?

Actually, I’m reading two books – one isn’t published yet and I’m reading to endorse it. The other is Liar’s Winter by Cindy Sproles for our book club.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m currently working on the fourth and I think final book in my Coastal Lights Legacy series set in the 1800s in Florida. Each book has a different lighthouse setting. This book is called Rekindled Light and is set in Pensacola Florida.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’d love to take one of those river cruises in Europe where I’d get to see castles.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Normally, a book idea comes to my mind when I read about an interesting event in history. So far, they’ve only been set near water like the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic where I can have a lighthouse somewhere, kind of like a Where’s Waldo. However, I’m going to write a cowboy novella that isn’t near water. How am I going to work a lighthouse into that? Hmmm.

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

Liz Curtis Higgs. She is a woman of God and is so wise and loving. She’s a great encourager and you just want to hug her. In fact, the first time I saw her in person, that’s just what I did!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I enjoy playing tennis when it’s not too hot, like August here. I also enjoy boating and fishing with my husband and traveling to see lighthouses. In addition, I garden and enjoy playing Scrabble or working puzzles with my family.

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

Consistency and focus. I have to turn off distractions and set word goals or I wouldn’t make my deadlines.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Every author says it – keep learning the craft. Go to conferences, read about writing, listen to editors who offer your advice. In the Christian writing world, other people truly want to help you do well.

Tell us about the featured book.

 My story, The Wrong Survivor, is about the lightkeepers’ daughter and the two brothers of the assistant keeper. They’ve grown up together until one of the sons goes away to work on a merchant ship, and while he’s gone, the other brother and the girl grow closer and plan to marry. But when the other brother comes back, he talks his brother into going away with him to work before he gets married. Unfortunately, while they’re gone, their ship wrecks and the brother who is engaged drowns while the other survives. When he returns, the girl is angry with him for talking her fiancé into leaving and blames him for the death. The story is about forgiveness and grief, and how those emotions interfere with the joy of living and loving others.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Au Sable Lighthouse, September 1911

Pausing from her daily lens polishing, Lydia Palmer peered through the windows of the lantern room high above the sapphire-blue water of Lake Superior at the boat heading toward the dock below.

She squinted, shielding her eyes against the glare of the bright afternoon sun. It was the boat bringing their monthly supplies. Maybe it was bringing some mail, too. Anticipation fluttered in her chest. Was there a letter from Nathan? He’d sent one every month since last spring when he left with his brother to work on a freighter.

She’d eagerly waited for each supply boat, hoping there’d be another letter from him, but none had arrived in the last two months. His parents, Assistant Keeper Drake and Mrs. Drake, hadn’t received one either. Lydia sighed. How could she bear the next two months without hearing from him before the shipping season ended and he returned home?

The boat disappeared beyond her line of vision as it neared the boathouse.

Eager to find out if it brought word from Nathan, she hurriedly climbed down the ladder to the room below, then lifted her long skirt to keep from tripping over it as she rushed down the wrought iron spiral steps of the lighthouse. When she reached the bottom, she ran into her father coming in the lighthouse door.

His hands stretched out to catch her. “Whoa! What’s the hurry, Lydia?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://pathwayheart.com plus I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing your novella with my blog readers. I know they’ll love it as much as I do.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection - Christianbooks.com

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - Amazon.com

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection: 7 Historical Romances Are a Beacon of Hope to Weary Hearts - 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

THE GILDED CURSE - Marilyn Turk - One Free Book

Welcome, Marilyn. So happy to host you on my blog. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I believe each of my female protagonists have some characteristic of mine, whether a weakness or a strength. An editor asked about one of my characters, “Why would she do something without considering the consequences?” Well, I have done such things before, even if they weren’t the wisest. In my new book, The Gilded Curse, my main character wonders if she has acquired some of her mother’s traits. I’ve certainly wondered that before. Hasn’t everyone?

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Some people might say it was when my husband and I became volunteer caretakers at a lighthouse on an island off the coast of Maine. We were there ten days and enjoyed it immensely. In fact, we loved it so much, we’re going to do it again this summer.

That sounds like fun to me. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably when my Honors English teacher complimented my writing. That pat on the back gave me belief that I could write, a belief that’s carried on throughout my life. Never underestimate the power of giving someone praise.

I so agree. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

My favorites are historical novels, particularly set around the Civil War. But because my book club reads a variety of books, I’ve liked some contemporary novels as well. I prefer stories with some suspense and a little romance, because I want to keep guessing what’s going to happen and not just about the romance.

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

Now that I’m retired, my children are grown, and I’ve moved to a smaller town, it’s pretty easy. But when I lived in a big city with a high pressure job and three growing boys, it was very difficult. Thanks to Christian radio and programs like Focus on the Family, I was kept grounded while driving in crazy, busy traffic.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Since I write historical fiction, I research popular names for that era. For instance, if my character was twenty years old in the book, I looked up popular names from her birth year. I also search for name meanings. I once wanted to name a “bad guy” character a certain name, but when I researched its meaning, I discovered the name had a very noble meaning. So I had to drop that name and find another. Also, some of the characters in one of my books is from Scotland, so I researched popular names in Scotland at that time. Thank God for the Internet!

I’ve learned a lot about names on the Internet, too. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Besides my children and grandchildren, I’d have to say winning the Guideposts, Writers Workshop in 2010. I’ve been a Guideposts’ reader most of my life and really admired the magazine and its founder, Norman Vincent Peale, so being able to have my story published in that magazine was a dream come true and a prayer answered. Since then, I’ve remained a Guideposts writer and am honored to be associated with the people in that company.

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

An osprey. I think they’re really cool, and I love to watch them and hear their cry. They live near the water and like to eat fish, and so do I.

What is your favorite food?

I have too many favorites, but I love seafood. I also eat a lot of chicken. When they’re in season, I love watermelon and strawberries. And then there’s dark chocolate …

Ah, yes, dark chocolate. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

When I started entering contests, I discovered how fickle judges can be. I’d get a really high score from one judge and a terrible score from another on the same piece of writing. The critical remarks stung and threw me into depression, making me want to give up. But eventually, I realized that you can’t please everyone all the time, so I was encouraged by the high scores and remarks, then evaluated the negative ones to see if there were any valid points to take that would make the writing better.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Gilded Curse is about a Alexandra Smithfield, a young woman who is the sole heir to her family’s estate after the death of her brother at Pearl Harbor and the subsequent death of her mother. Alexandra returns to Jekyll Island after a ten-year absence to dispose of the family’s vacation cottage in the exclusive Millionaires’ Village. Mysterious events on the island and an enemy offshore threaten Alexandra’s safety. Only an old childhood friend Russell Thompson, can help her find peace.

Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE

December 1941

“Mother, how do you like the tree?”

Lexie lifted part of the popcorn garland to make it drape on the tiny fir tree which perched on the small table. She glanced over her shoulder to see Mother’s response.

Standing before the window of her room, Mother stared out. Nothing. No reply.

Lexie sighed. At least she tried to bring Christmas into Mother’s room at the sanatorium. Whether her mother actually understood or appreciated the gesture was doubtful. Lexie resumed her efforts to decorate the tree, humming along with Benny Goodman’s Band playing “Jingle Bells” on the radio. Maybe the music would help Mother make the connection between the tree and the coming holiday. But so far, no recognition had registered.

She left the tree and joined her frail mother, once so lively and beautiful, at the window.

“Would you like to go outside, Mother?” Lexie noticed other residents and their Sunday afternoon visitors enjoying the bright winter day as they strolled the manicured grounds.

Was that a nod?

“Good, we could use some fresh air. I’ll get our coats. It’s chilly out. I see a light snow falling.”

Lexie retrieved the garments and began putting Mother’s hat, scarf, coat, and gloves on her while the woman stood like a mannequin being dressed. Next, Lexie donned her own wool coat and hat and gently grabbed her mother’s elbow, leading her to the door. As Lexie opened the door, her mother’s eyes widened and she stepped backward.

“Mother, what is it?” Oh no. Not this again. “Don’t you want to go …

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://pathwayheart.com, and I have two blogs on it – a Lighthouse blog and The Writer’s Path.

I’m on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.turk.9.

And Twitter at http://twitter.com/MarilynTurk

And Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/bluewaterbayou/.

Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing your new book with us. I’m eager to read it.

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

The Gilded Curse - paperback
The Gilded Curse - Kindle

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. 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