FOREVER YOURS THIS CHRISTMAS - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

Bio: Sherry Kyle is a graduate of Biola University and the author of contemporary women's fiction and historical romance, as well as her new Christmas romance novella, Forever Yours This Christmas. Sherry also writes award-winning middle grade books, including The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style and Love, Lexi: Letters to God, as well as ECPA finalist, True Heart Girls Devotional: God’s Promises for Me. When Sherry isn’t writing, she enjoys walks along the ocean and decorating her beach home. She lives in California with her husband and four children.

Welcome back, Sherry. Why did you become an author? Even though I have a degree in Communications from Biola University, I became an author years ago because I wanted to do a job where I could stay home with my children. I’ve always been a creative person who loved to read, so being an author seemed like a natural fit.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job? If I weren’t an author, I’d probably be an interior designer. My husband and I have remodeled our 1977 beach home three times in the last eight years—including the kitchen, adding a half bath, master bath, and pantry, as well as an office addition. I had so much fun designing the floor plans and picking out the finishes.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why? If I lived at another time in history, it would be the early 1900’s, mainly because of the fashion—the puffed, frilly blouses that were embellished with lace collars and broad ribbon ties, and hair that was parted down the middle and worn in a chignon with a broad-brim hat adorned with flowers, lace, ribbons, and feathers. Doesn’t that sound romantic? I write about this time in history in my two historical romance novels, Watercolor Dreams and Road to Harmony.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to? I would love to go to Idaho and visit my sister. My niece is getting married in April, so I just might get my chance to go there, depending on the pandemic.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit? I hope to go to Paris with my husband one day and get a picture of us standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently? God is bigger! Right now my family is going through a difficult season because my young eleven-year-old niece is battling brain cancer. Abbie had a tumor removed in August after a routine eye examination showed enlarged optic nerves, and an MRI confirmed the mass. She has completed radiation and is now undergoing chemotherapy. Our family motto is, “God is bigger” because we believe God is going to restore her to complete health.

Tell us about the featured book. Forever Yours this Christmas is a heartwarming story about the gift of giving, the importance of helping family, and the irresistible feeling of falling in love at Christmas.

Amy Carrington is the owner of Second Time Around, a charming consignment shop at the heart of the close-knit community of Winterberry, Colorado. But her business won’t survive if the neighboring construction company overtakes her parking lot to build another townhome—and during the Christmas season, no less. 

Wes Harding, co-owner of Sunshine Builders, didn’t expect to dance with the consignment shop owner at the community benefit dinner but when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time with Amy, he wants to do everything in his power to help her business succeed, but suddenly he finds himself caught between the wishes of the pretty shop owner and loyalty to his sister, CEO of their construction company and a single mom who depends on him.

Will his divided loyalties extinguish Amy’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Amy Carrington locked the front door and flipped the closed sign of Second Time Around, her upscale consignment shop on Main Street. Nestled in the mountains of Winterberry, Colorado, the clapboard building, once a small home, had roughly a thousand square feet for the gently used clothing, home goods, and handmade scented candles the store carried.

She leaned against the back of the door and took a deep breath. The holiday season was a busy time. Besides the usual day-to-day workload, she'd baked a batch of her popular snickerdoodle cookies early this morning and had decorated the store with Christmas cheer to make window-shoppers stop and come inside. With the number of customers today, her efforts were already paying off. 

But would it continue until Christmas?

She adjusted the sign in the front window announcing the Christmas drive. Each year, she gave a large portion of her income to her favorite charity, a nonprofit organization that helped kids suffering from cystic fibrosis and provided support to families. Amy knew this organization all too well. When she was sixteen, she’d lost her little brother to the disease. Each year she made it a game of sorts, to outdo the amount she’d given the previous year.

This year was going to be a challenge—because of Sunshine Builders.

The construction company had broken ground three months ago and construction was in full force. The loud machinery next door deterred those wanting a peaceful shopping experience, and Amy was already tired of the beeping, banging, and drilling. Thank goodness, today was Saturday and she had a reprieve.

You can read a preview of the first chapter and part of the second chapter here.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me on these social media sites:

Website: www.sherrykyle.com

Blog: http://www.sherrykyle.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.kyle.7

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryKyle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrykyle

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sherrykylebooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherryannkyle/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sherry-kyle

Thank you, Sherry, for letting me share this new book with my blog readers. I look forward to reading it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3aOoIzr

https://amzn.to/34QQkA4

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: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

CAPTURE ME - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

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

I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into my heart right along with Joy Sparton of Parsonage Hill when I was ten years old during a summer family vacation to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado.

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

I would invite my Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference roommates, the “Sycamore Sisters” as we like to call ourselves, to a writing retreat. We have encouraged each other in our writing journeys for the past decade and are all published authors and dear friends.

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

I don’t have a formal speaking ministry, but do enjoy talking with people about the writing process and encouraging others to achieve their dreams.

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

Oh, boy! Which embarrassing moment should I share? There have been many times over the years when I’ve been embarrassed or done silly things, but the most recent is when I pronounced a “trendy” word wrong in front of my young adult kids (wish I could remember what it was!) Let me tell you, they jumped on it and couldn’t stop laughing. My husband didn’t understand why it was so funny, so it must have been a generational thing. My first tendency is to be defensive, but I joined in and smiled along with them.

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?

Yes, people tell me that all the time. I encourage them to take classes and attend writer’s conferences. Talk to people in the industry and ask questions. Just like any profession, it takes time to learn and hone the craft. Years ago, it was frowned upon to self-publish, but now anyone can do it if they put in the hours and hours of work needed to produce a quality book.

Tell us about the featured book.

Capture Me is about two biological sisters raised in two different families. Will an old photograph prompt a reunion?

When Ashley Stevens discovers a box of photos that remind her of her difficult childhood with cancer, she wants to push that box aside while keeping her promise to her adoptive grandmother to create scrapbooks from the pictures in the trunk. A photo of herself as a young child sitting beside a smaller girl continues to haunt her. Who is she and why does the toddler’s face look so much like her own? Between her job at the animal shelter, waiting on a proposal from and her boyfriend of three years, and his troubled family, will Ashley ever discover who the girl is?

There’s nothing Kayla Witherspoon wants more than to quit medical school. After two grueling years, it is time she tell her parents the truth—that she desires to be a fashion designer, not a doctor like them. Adding to her fear of imperfection, a woman claims Kayla has a biological sister. She’s gotten along fine as an only child. Why would she need a sibling now?

Please give us the first page of the book.

La Selva Beach, California

Ashley Stevens stood on the front porch and shaded her eyes from the early morning sun. “Here, boy.” Her voice shook with unwanted emotion.

She’d grown attached to the young pup she’d found yesterday wandering up and down the street. Poor thing looked like a cast-off when she spotted him, but a good scrubbing in the metal tub brightened up his beautiful tan coat.

She zipped up her blue sweatshirt, grabbed her car keys off the hook, and slammed the front door on her way out in pursuit of the Labrador. All God’s creatures deserved a loving home, and this pooch was no exception.

Sliding behind the wheel of her beat-up station wagon, she put the key in the ignition and peeled out of the driveway down the eucalyptus-lined street toward the beach, her teeth biting the inside of her cheek. “Tanner, where’d you go?”

Once in the parking lot, she scanned the area. A few dogs and their owners were taking their early morning walks.

Please be here.

She rushed to the shore and kicked off her sandals. The air was cool, crisp, and smelled of salt, and the waves crashed against the shore. Moist sand oozed between her toes, and a seagull flew overhead. She jogged up the beach, jumping over kelp and keeping her eyes peeled for the stray.

Ashley loved all the animals at the no-kill animal shelter where she worked and would take home as many as possible. But her grandmother had insisted that no animals were allowed at the beach house and told her as much on the phone the night before.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with my readers! You can visit me at my website, and on these social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I always love your books.

Readers, here is a link to pre-order the book.

Capture Me

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

TRUE HEART GIRLS DEVOTIONAL: GOD'S PROMISES FOR ME! - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

Welcome back, Sherry. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

When I was a child, I loved being creative. I would make up silly songs, draw cartoon characters, and make school projects from scratch. I also loved to read and use my imagination. In the fourth grade, I won an award for my true-life story titled “Friends Can Be So Mean.” Even though I graduated from Biola University with a Speech Pathology degree, my love of books and being creative sparked something inside. I wanted to be an author.

Tell us about your family.

I met my husband the first week of college, and we’ve been together ever since. Last week we celebrated our 30^th wedding anniversary. We have four children, two boys and two girls, between the ages of 18-25. Currently, they all live with us, but we know it won’t last long. We are enjoying this stage of life with our young adults, but are looking forward to having an empty nest and smaller grocery bills.

An empty nest is a wonderful thing for parents, especially if their children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren) all live within five miles of them. Have you written other nonfiction books?

Yes, I have five other nonfiction books for middle graders in print. My first nonfiction book for girls is titled The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style. I have two other books for girls in that series, along with a middle grade fiction/devotional/journal titled Love, Lexi: Letters to God. I also wrote The Adventure Bible Book of Daring Deeds and Epic Creations: 60 ultimate try-something-new, explore-the-world activities for Zonderkidz, which released in April.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I just completed a 365-day devotional for Zonderkidz for their Adventure Bible line. Wow, now that was a big project! And currently I’m writing the second book in the True Heart Girls Devotional series.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I live by the coast in California and love decorating my beach home and looking at real estate. You can find me searching the Internet for the latest house trends, chalk painting my furniture, and helping friends design their rooms. I also wear a Fitbit and go for walks everyday while listening to Audiobooks. It’s amazing how fast time flies when you’re listening to a good book! J

Why did you write the featured book?

I wrote True Heart Girls Devotional: God’s Promises for Me! because I wanted girls to discover promises to help them deal with the sometimes-overwhelming emotions that come with growing up. I also wanted girls to have a lot of fun while reading this book. There are stories, games, recipes, and crafts, and other interactive pages that will point girls to God’s word and help them dig deeper into each promise.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I want girls to know that they can rely on God in any circumstance and that there are promises in the Bible that will make a difference in their lives.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

Never give up on your dreams! That may sound cliché, but I’m proof that persistence pays off. God’s Promises for Me! is the first book I wrote for kids and my dream of seeing it in print is finally coming true.

Please give us a peek inside the book.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Readers can find me at these links:

Website: www.sherrykyle.com

Blog: http://www.sherrykyle.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.kyle.7

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryKyle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrykyle

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sherrykylebooks/

Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this new book with us. It looks very interesting.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://bit.ly/2JBhPAa

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

ROAD TO HARMONY - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

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

Some of the spiritual themes in my books are seeking God first (Love, Lexi), God’s love and forgiveness (Delivered with Love), rekindled faith and hope (The Heart Stone), trusting God for our future (Watercolor Dreams), and finding true peace and harmony in my new release, Road to Harmony.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I have a book for 8 - 12 year olds coming out in April 2018 from Zondervan that was a work-for-hire project. 

Cool. We need to feature it on the blog, too. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Joanna Gaines from the HGTV show Fixer Upper, preferably at the Magnolia Market at the Silos or at the Magnolia Bakery. I would love to talk about houses and design, and how she juggles it all.

Soon I’m going down to Waco for research on a historical novel I’m working on. We’ll, of course, visit everything Magnolia there. Chip Gaines was one of the speakers at our church’s Men’s Conference last year, and I volunteered in the book store, so I was able to slip in at the back when he spoke. Loved it! What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I would like to meet Lucy Maud Montgomery, the beloved author of Anne of Green Gables. I just started watching the new Netflix series Anne with an E, and it’s quite a bit darker than the version with actress Megan Follows. I’d like to know what LM Montgomery thinks about the interpretation and which version she’d recommend.

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

I would tell writers that rejection is part of the writing business. You need a very thick skin to keep pursuing this dream. But for all those rejections, it only takes one publisher to say yes to see your manuscript in print. I would highly suggest writers be traditionally published first before attempting the self-publishing route to see what it takes to make a successful book.  

That’s good advice. I just got a call yesterday afternoon late telling me that my latest novel, that is an Indie published book, finaled in the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award contest. I had entered my last four traditionally published novels, but none of them made it this far. Tell us about the featured book.

Road to Harmony is a historical romance set in 1907 in Harmony Valley, California, about a young woman who is torn between her secret love and the shopkeeper her parents want her to marry.

Here is the back cover copy: 

Torn between love and loyalty, will they choose the road to harmony?

A cattle thief is loose in the valley, and Elena Seifert wants to help her father guard his dairy farm, but everyone thinks that’s a man’s job. When her childhood sweetheart returns to Harmony, her heart is torn between Jonas Bollinger, her secret love, and Lars Rissler, the wealthy middle-aged storeowner her parents hope she marries.

Jonas Bollinger never imagined he’d be back in Harmony Valley, but his pa isn’t well. When Jonas makes a promise he wishes he didn’t have to keep, he is torn between loyalty to his family and the woman he has loved since he was a boy.

Will Elena and Jonas find the inner peace to choose love and still do what is best for their families?

I’m eager to read it. Please give us the first page of the book.

Harmony Valley, California, 1907

“Come out with your hands up.” Elena Seifert pointed her father’s double barrel shotgun at the makeshift ditch trap. Man or beast, she was prepared. No more of Papa’s dairy cows would be stolen if she had anything to do with it.

           

The sun dipped behind the rolling hills, sending chills up Elena’s arms. She lifted her head to see what she’d caught. Better not go any closer.

           

“Elena, Mama’s calling for you,” Samuel drawled from behind. “Lars will be here any minute.” Her brother’s footsteps came toward her, his boots kicking the dirt beneath his shuffled gait.

           

Why did her brother pick this moment to come find her? Please, Lord, keep him away.

Lack of oxygen at birth left Samuel with impaired intelligence and motor skills. He was a walking miracle according to Doc Christen. Her spine trembled. She glanced at him for the briefest moment. “Stay back, Samuel.”

           

Elena startled when a man yanked the gun from her hand. “Didn’t anyone teach you to keep your eye on the target?” He was tall, medium build, and stood near enough that his warm breath brushed against her cheek. “And never give up your weapon without a fight.”

Now I really, really want to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with my readers. You can find me on these social media sites:

Website: www.sherrykyle.com

Blog: http://www.sherrykyle.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.kyle.7

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryKyle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrykyle

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sherrykylebooks/

Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this new book with us. I’m sure my readers are as eager as I am to read Road to Harmony.

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

Road to Harmony - Paperback
Road to Harmony - 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

WATERCOLOR DREAMS - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

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

Hi Lena, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today. Yes, God has been doing powerful things in my writing life, including the release of Watercolor Dreams. I write in three different genres—middle grade, contemporary women’s fiction (with romance and a hint of mystery) and historical romance—and I hope and pray God continues to open (and yes, close) doors so I know exactly what He wants me to write.

I so agree with you on that. Tell us a little about your family.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family! I’m married to my college sweetheart for twenty-six years and have four amazing children ages 15 to 21. (I still can’t believe my oldest is an adult!) He commutes to college, and is studying Human Communications. I love that he still lives at home because he enjoys vacuuming. (Maybe not as much as I love that he vacuums). Our next oldest is a sophomore at a university in southern California. My nineteen-year-old is studying to be a teacher like her dad. It’s her second year away, and I miss her every day! (Hey, that rhymed!) My seventeen-year-old son is a senior at our local high school and can’t wait to graduate! We’re waiting for God to reveal the next step in his life. Please, Lord, tell us soon! He loves to cook, eat, and makes dinner when he doesn’t like what I have planned. (I know his tricks). Our youngest is a sophomore in high school. Her two favorite classes are photography and weight training. She is one artistic, strong girl! There are also two furry creatures in our house—Sophie, our ten-year-old English Labrador, and Bandit, our six-year-old Chihuahua Terrier mix. I’d love to say they are the best of friends, but like most siblings they tolerate each other.

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

I find I usually read books in the genres I write, and I read less when I’m writing my own story.

What are you working on right now?

I just completed revising a historical romance I wrote back in 2010, and am putting the finishing touches on a contemporary novel. I also have middle grade fiction in the works.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to take walks along the ocean and decorate my home. We purchased our most recent home a couple of years ago and have since remodeled the kitchen and master bath. I like to look on www.houzz.com for decorating ideas. My most recent one is to add a reclaimed wood accent wall in our family room. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Yes, it would. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I write novels set in California and so far have stuck close to home. My debut contemporary novel, Delivered with Love, is set in the quaint coastal town of Capitola while The Heart Stone, another contemporary story, is set in Santa Cruz. For Watercolor Dreams, my first historical romance, the setting was decided for me the day I discovered July 9th, my husband and my anniversary date (minus seventy-eight years), is also a special day in the history of Carmel.

Cool. When my first book came out in 1992, my first booksigning was in Carmel. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Jane Austen. Yes, I’m a total romantic and love English accents. J I’d love to share a meal with Jane (yes, we’re on a first name basis) and talk about writing, her books (doesn’t everyone love Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility?), and how to infuse humor into a story.

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

Once you start writing novels, you won’t be able to stop! Yes, writing a novel is hard work, but the characters become so real to you that you’ll want to see their story to the end. And when you do type “The End” there will be a mourning period, like you’re saying goodbye to old friends.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

God is teaching me that He’s in charge of my writing, not me, especially now during my book’s release. I have a lot of fears despite the positive reviews. I’m clinging to Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

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

1. Continue to learn the writing craft. Buy at least one or two new how-to books a year ... and don’t forget to read them. Ha!

2. Go to writing conferences to soak in as much knowledge as you can, and network with other authors and people in the industry.

3. Pray before you write. God will help you put the words on the page … or screen.

Tell us about the featured book.

Watercolor Dreams is a historical romance set in Carmel-by-the-Sea about a female watercolor artist who is given six months to sell her work before her father expects her to return to San Francisco and marry his business partner. What Anna doesn’t count on is falling for the male novelist she sketches into one of her paintings.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, 1910

With each stroke of her paintbrush, Anna Lewis’s heart soared. The watercolor painting of Carmel’s white sandy beach and gently rolling Pacific Ocean would surely give her recognition. The wind blew a lock of hair across her face as she sat on the wood bench next to a cypress tree, her easel before her. She tucked the wispy strand behind her ear, pushed up her leg-o’-mutton sleeves, and dipped her brush into the cerulean blue, adding a few touches to the paper. Horse’s hooves clip-clopped behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. A buggy passed on the narrow street, driving by the quaint bungalows bordering the shoreline.

A man strode up the beach, his hands deep in his trouser pockets and his hat pushed low on his forehead. Anna brought the pointed end of the brush to her mouth and watched him tread near the water’s edge with long, determined steps. She adjusted her wide-brimmed hat and squinted for a better look. From the way the man walked, he must be mulling over something important. He stopped and faced the ocean. The waves crashed against the shore, the water rushing close to his feet. His lone figure added a touch of poignancy to the landscape and beckoned to be part of her painting.

But before she had a chance to paint his form, he turned and walked up the beach toward her. His brows were furrowed and his lips pressed together in a firm line. And yet even with this worried expression, he was a most handsome man.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me at these links:

Website: www.sherrykyle.com

Blog: http://www.sherrykyle.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryKyle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrykyle

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sherrykylebooks/

If we can’t meet in person, I hope to connect in cyberspace!

Blessings!

Sherry

Thank you, Sherry, for sharing this new book with us. I can't wait to read it.

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

Watercolor Dreams - Amazon.com
Watercolor Dreams - 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 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 HEART STONE - Sherry Kyle - One Free Book

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

I’m passionate about writing nonfiction books for girls ages 8-12 to connect them to their faith as well as novels for women that reconnect lives. I enjoy writing in these two genres and feel blessed to have been published in both.

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

I have to pick one? There have been many happy days, like the day I married my college sweetheart almost twenty-five years ago on July 9th, or the day each of my kids were born or adopted. Another extremely happy day is when I received the phone call that my first novel was going to be published. I came home from a writers’ lunch and saw the answering machine blinking. I listened to my agent’s message three times before I ran around the house screaming.

How has being published changed your life?

I’m a lot busier now. Once published, there is a book at every stage. Besides writing the books themselves, I need to carve out time to market through social media. I’m also a mom to a twenty year old who still lives at home, and three active teenagers (17, 16, and 13). My life is a fun, crazy ride!

What are you reading right now?

Bridging Two Hearts by Michelle Ule.

What is your current work in progress?

My current work in progress is another contemporary women’s fiction/romance titled Capture Me about a young woman who discovers an old photograph in a trunk.

What would be your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be to go to Paris, The City of Love and Lights. Besides the Eiffel Tower, I’d like to see famous landmarks, such as the Chateau de Versailles, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and the Musee de Louvre.

When I graduated from college, French was my second teaching field. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. How do you choose your settings for each book?

Since I live in California, I set all my books in real towns along the California coast.

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

Jim Caviezel. Need I say more?

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love real estate, I always have. I enjoy looking up houses on the web and going to open houses on the weekend. One of my favorite websites is www.houzz.com for decorating ideas, and www.realtor.com to look up homes for sale. I also regularly watch House Hunters on HGTV.

I used to go to open houses a lot, but I don’t much anymore. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I always seem to hit a wall midway through writing a novel. The term sagging middle is a well-known problem for authors who write by the “seat of their pants,” like me. Because of this, I rewrite a lot. I’m thankful when readers say they can’t put my books down. I must be doing something right!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Attend conferences and workshops. Network with those in the writing community. Join groups, such as American Christian Fiction Writers to connect with those seeking publication, as well as a critique group to hone your craft and sharpen your skills. I’ve been writing for a decade and I continue to do all of the above. As a writer, you’re never done learning and growing.

That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.

The Heart Stone is a contemporary story with romance and a hint of mystery about a single mother running from the unwanted calls from her son’s biological father, and a widow’s search for her first love. On their separate journeys to find hope and forgiveness, the women discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. You can watch a book trailer here: http://bit.ly/X5wEMH

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jessi, it’s Andrew . . . Andrew Lawson.”

At the sound of his voice, Jessica MacAllister’s knees went limp and her palms grew moist. She sat down on the wooden stool near the kitchen counter and leaned her head on her hand, her elbow resting against the cold tile. Why was he calling? She hadn’t heard from him since he signed the papers relinquishing his rights to Jacob six years before.

“Jessi, you there?”

She fought the urge to hang up the phone. “I’m here.”

“I want to see him.”

Her heart beat a strange rhythm. She had prayed this day would never come. “Andrew, I—I—I don’t know,” she stuttered. As a speech pathologist, she prided herself on her communication skills, but this man could trip her up regardless of her training.

“We can meet at a park. I’ll sit at a distance and watch.” The desperation in his voice was palpable.

Jessica’s jaw clenched and her stomach churned. How could she trust that he wouldn’t rush up to Jacob and tell him that he was his biological father? Or worse, what if he wasn’t sober? His behavior when he was drunk could be ... No. She wouldn’t let a man who had no part in Jacob’s upbringing suddenly waltz into his life—especially someone who had shown her the ways of the world. But Andrew wasn’t entirely to blame. She’d given in.

“No. No, that won’t work.” Jessica ran her hand through her shoulder-length hair.

“How about a restaurant? I’ll eat at a separate table. I only want to see our son.”

Our son. Jacob was not their son. He was hers and hers only. Andrew wasn’t there for her when she was pregnant or gave birth. He’d never been there. Why the sudden interest now?

I can’t wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’d love for you to visit my website at www.sherrykyle.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Heart Stone - paperback
The Heart Stone - 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 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

DELIVERED WITH LOVE - Sherry Kyle - Free Book

I'm happy to have an author we haven't featured here before. Welcome, Sherry. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t intend to write myself into my characters but the people who know me best (my mom and sister, for example) have found gestures or dialogue that remind them of me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky? Hmm. I don’t typically think of myself as quirky. If you ask my friends, however, you may get a different response. LOL! Oh, I thought of something. I love to play Dance Central on Kinect. Hey, don’t laugh. I can still beat my girls!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always been creative—whether it be writing or making crafts out of things around my house. (I once made a doll for a social studies project.) In the fourth grade I won a fine arts award for a story I wrote titled “Friends Can Be So Mean.” And when I was in Junior High, a friend and I cut out characters from a JC Penney catalog and took turns writing stories. But it wasn’t until I took a course through the Institute for Children’s Literature that I discovered I was a writer. I ventured into women’s fiction in September 2007 when I prepared a synopsis and three chapters for a mentoring class with James Scott Bell. Delivered with Love is that novel.

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

I like to read books with happy endings—or at least hopeful endings! You can find me reading contemporary romance, historical, or suspense. I’ve also been known to read heart-wrenching books like Scared by Tom Davis.

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

I keep my sanity by making my life as simple as possible. I’m a mom of four children, three of them teenagers, so life can get hectic. I don’t believe in overloading my life nor am I the kind of person who signs up for everything. Balance is key. The highlight of my day is when my family is seated around the dinner table.

That is so important in this contemporary disconnected society, and so many families miss out. How do you choose your characters’ names?

I go to a popular baby name website and search for names depending on the age of my character and what strikes me. I’ve been known to change a name after the book is written. By the way, never name a character Rose. It will mess up your entire manuscript if you decide to change it. I’m speaking from experience!

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is my children. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom since the birth of my first child eighteen years ago. I love it!

I stayed home with my children during most of my childeren's lives. When they were older, I worked parttime, but I was always off to pick them up from school until they could drive. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’d be a dog. We have two dogs, Sophie and Bandit. Sophie is a black lab and Bandit is a mutt—part Chihuahua, part Terrier. They live the good life. They sleep, eat, take walks, and get a lot of love. Sounds good to me.

What is your favorite food?

Anything Italian. And chocolate, of course.

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

I don’t want to bring up the subject of money, but lets be real. Writers don’t make a whole lot unless you’re a best selling author. I’ve had to consciously make the decision to keep writing knowing I might not get paid very much. It’s a hard thing to swallow when you want to help support the family—but writing is my passion. I’m glad I have a supportive husband who inspires me to keep going. And now my dream of a published novel has come true.

Tell us about the featured book?

Delivered with Love is the story of a young woman who finds an old love letter in the glove compartment of her inherited ’72 VW Beetle. After losing her job as a waitress and kicked out of her sister’s home, Claire James leaves her life in Los Angeles and drives up the coast to the small town of Capitola, California, to find the writer of the letter and make it on her own.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

The hum of well-wishers’ voices swirled around Claire James as she stood numbly in front of the brick fireplace in her mother’s cramped Los Angeles apartment. Her black dress, size six and at least two years old, squeezed the oxygen out of her lungs. Claire attempted to take a deep breath and willed herself not to cry. One minute at a time. That’s how she would survive.

She looked down at her feet to avoid eye contact with the so-called friends and family who came to pay their last respects. Where were these people when Mom was sick? Claire pushed the cynical thought to the back of her mind.

The scuffs on her black sandals were a sad reminder of her life the past few years since her mother had been diagnosed with cancer. They had spent all her college money on chemo, radiation, and natural remedies to keep her mother alive. But in the end it hadn’t mattered.

She walked across the room and stood next to the small circular table in the corner that held the punch and dessert. Haley, her older sister, had insisted on a reception, saying that their mother deserved a party. Party? Yes, Mom loved parties, but today was not a day to celebrate. Claire bought the punch, while Haley baked a homemade chocolate cake with vanilla icing. The sweet smell turned her stomach. Her sister topped each of the two tiers with daisies, their mother’s favorite flower. Claire picked one off the top and held it to her chest.

“I’m sorry about your loss.” Geraldine, the elderly lady from down the hall, startled her back to the present. She patted Claire’s hand. “She suffered a long time.”

Claire nodded and blinked back tears. She hadn’t seen her neighbor in quite some time.

“Well, it’s probably time for me to go.” Geraldine straightened the pillbox hat perched on her head. “I need to feed my cats.”

Claire forced what she hoped resembled a smile. Geraldine’s cats were fed better than some humans—including her. What she would do for freshly baked salmon instead of frozen dinners. The smell permeated the hallway every Thursday evening.

“Bye, Geraldine.”

Claire glanced at the clock. Only half an hour more and she’d have the place to herself again.

Each minute was an exercise in patience. The condolences, hugs, and empty words wore on her. She rubbed her moist forehead and swallowed. Suddenly, the room spun and her hands trembled. She needed to get out of there.

I know I want to read that. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me here:
Website: http://www.sherrykyle.com/
Blog: http://web.mac.com/dkyle/Site/Blog/Blog.html
Tween Girl’s Blog: http://www.funfaith4girls.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1484449185
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sherrykyle

Thank you, Sherry, for the special time with you.

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 6 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/