REVENGE - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

Welcome back to my blog, Tamara. How did you come up with the idea for this story? I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer, so I had a vague idea of what might happen in this book. I knew about Aaron, but I didn’t know much about him. An SOTP writer sits down and starts writing. As I do, the story unfolds, the characterizations come to life. That’s the best way I know how to explain it. I don’t have many ideas about the story before I start each day of writing. The story just tells itself. It’s like I jump into the book and watch what happens and write it down. Weird, huh? But…at the end of the book, I have my first draft or my “outline.” Then the editing starts! 

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why? All of these authors would be invited because of what they’ve written. Probably my favorite Christian author today is Eric Metaxas because of his phenomenal book, Amazing Grace. I didn’t want that book to end! It profoundly touched me. Alex Kendrick and Dallas Jenkins are both writers whose works have become favorite movies/films. C.S. Lewis makes both lists; his work is mesmerizing. He is no longer with us, but his Narnia series is still very much “contemporary” and loved by my kids. Frank Peretti, because of his thrillers. And Jan Karon. Well, just the name Jan Karon brings Mitford and its characters to mind. Love that series!  

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why? I don’t read historical fiction very much, but I have read some. I’ve read the complete series of Gilbert Morris’s “The House of Winslow” about the founding of our country. Brilliant series, very engaging. Janette Oke, too many books to name. C.S. Lewis makes this list as well, even though he is not with us any longer. He was close friends with Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and created The Screwtape Letters as well as the Narnia series. Mary Connealy’s feisty lead characters are fun. Angela Ewell Hunt’s Biblical stories are well written. Too many to mention, really, but here are some favorites. 

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? My most difficult problem with writing is not so much finding the time to write, but staying with the writing with all the other distractions that pop up with the writing. Newsletters, communication, events, etc. A writer’s life is full, but I love it! 

Tell us about the featured book. Revenge is a romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense. Here is the synopsis of the book on my author’s page on Amazon: 

The authorities were wrong about Claire's death. She was hunted down and murdered in such a creative way - brilliant, actually - that it only looked like an accident. 

Aaron's life shatters after Claire's sudden and bizarre death. Why didn't he act on his suspicions that she was being stalked, even though she dismissed the idea? The media monitors every step Aaron takes, obsessed with digging up or making up the inside scoop on Claire's last moments. Blaming Aaron for her death is their most frequent story angle. Driven to the brink of despair, he needs a place to hide, a shelter to withdraw from eyes constantly scrutinizing his life. 

Deliverance arrives in an unexpected inheritance: the sprawling wilderness of his great aunt's East Texas estate. No one would expect him - a billionaire New Yorker - to live in East Texas. He is pleasantly surprised to discover that his long-lost first love recently moved back to the area. She intrigued him at fourteen; she completely captivates him at twenty-six. Settling into his new home seems easy enough until the sense that someone is watching him overshadows the pleasure of his long, solitary walks. When he finds the body of a young woman, a stranger, near his walking path on the anniversary of Claire's death, it shakes him to the core. First Claire. Now, this woman. Is someone targeting him? Is he next? Is someone he loves next? 

Suddenly, his secluded sanctuary is no longer a refuge. He fortifies his estate, transforming it into a fortress against the coming attack. Despite his efforts, the killer's tightening noose threatens to ensnare him. Outsmarting this relentless predator has become a deadly game of chess, where every move could be his last. 

Please give us the first page of the book. 

Aaron stood at the tall windows of the Travel Room overlooking the magnificent grounds of Winslow Manor.  

Trees as far as he could see in every direction.  

Green grass thriving under an achingly blue sky.  

A stillness across the land that spoke of contentment and harmony. 

“It is beautiful, Aunt,” he muttered to himself, “but Texas, of all places. More specifically, East Texas. You actually thought I could live here?” 

His great-aunt Dottie Winslow was a native New Yorker, as was he. Some forty-five years ago, she’d given up her East Coast creds to live outside Wild Stallion, Texas, on six thousand acres of trees, pastureland, and one very large lake. None of the New York Winslows could understand why she’d made such an outrageous move to a culture she knew little about. 

“I’m surrounded by good ol’ boys, rednecks, and cowboys,” she’d told Aaron on one of his family’s rare visits.  

“How can you bear it, Aunt?” 

She’d sent him a quick but sharp look of disappointment. “Oh, Aaron, honey. I also live among ladies in lace, beauty queens, and great cooks. I love them all, every last one of them. Texans are special people. They’re worth getting to know.” 

Getting to know? 

Was she kidding? 

He remembered laughing at such an absurd notion, and he was right. 

Their worlds were complete opposites. He came from wealth, as did she, from an impatience to build something on the land, not live off it. Maybe he was cynical, as all New Yorkers were somewhat, but living among people who worked outside in the dirt with animals wasn’t for him. He'd stay in his own universe and leave her to Texas. 

And yet, here he was, in Texas again.  

The last time he’d seen Aunt Dottie was a short overnight trip with Claire almost six months ago, on their way to Colorado.  

Beautiful, sweet Claire. 

The pain came swiftly.  

It always did when he thought of her.  

It never completely left him, lurking, unforgiving, ready to strike. 

How can readers find you on the Internet? 

My books are on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4M9CHSG/ 

On Goodreads.com: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Tamara+G.+Cooper&qid= 

Thank you for having me on your blog again, Lena. I enjoyed it so much! 

It’s my pleasure to feature you. Thank you for sharing Revenge with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://amzn.to/45spqLF

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 2 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 

LOVE, AGAIN - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

Welcome back, Tamara. Tell us about your salvation experience. I was raised in church, so I knew the gospel message. When the church doors opened, our family was there. One night, when I was about 23, I was alone after having attended a church service. I prayed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I stayed awake until 4:00 in the morning, confessing every sin I could remember, praying, singing, praising. I slept only a couple hours before I awoke again, but I felt so free! It was a totally life-changing experience for me!

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? The why is a lot easier to say than the who! The why is: they are wonderful writers, and I really enjoy their work. The writers would be C.S. Lewis (I’m hoping I can bring a couple back from the dead!); Diana Gabaldon; James Patterson; and J.R.R.Tolkien.  

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. I suspect when the kids are out of the house, I will speak again, but until then, no.  

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? I was walking in a mall and, simultaneously, I saw someone from my high school days and hailed him as I hurried to him AND something got under my contact. I had reached him by the time I popped out my contact and put it in my mouth. As I opened my mouth to say, “Hey, how are you?”, the contact slipped to the back of my tongue and I started gagging. I held up a finger as if to say, “Just a minute” and then stuck it down my throat to catch the contact with a fingernail. The man’s wife grabbed his arm and dragged him away with a who-was-that-woman-and-what-was-she-doing way. I finally got my contact back on and laughed hysterically at myself. I must have looked absolutely demented to them! And, to top it off, the man wasn’t who I thought he was. Just added insult to injury!  

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? I always tell them: everyone has a story inside them, and if you’re compelled to tell yours, sit down at your computer, open a blank sheet of paper, and start typing. Then, I mention Sol Stein’s book, Stein on Writing as a good learning book.   

Tell us about Love, Again.  

Jake Barrett is devastated when he loses his wife and toddler son in a terrible, fiery accident. What made it even more painful is that an unidentified man was found in the car with them. The police suggest that his wife was having an affair. Since that horrible day two years ago, Jake has questioned everything about himself and his marriage and found no answers. He returns home to his family's Texas ranch to try to find healing there and learn to trust again.

 Twice, Honor McKee was engaged to be married, and twice, she was stood up just days before the wedding. Adding to her embarrassment is the fact that she is a marriage counselor, someone who gives advice to others about love and relationships. Ashamed and deeply hurt, she loses faith in herself and her ability to choose a man willing to commit.   
 Although they are both wounded and disappointed in love, Jake and Honor meet and manage to stumble their way toward friendship and, quite possibly, more. But their lives are turned upside down when trust in each other is needed the most, and neither has it to give. 
 Will they learn that there is more to life than living in past failures, that it really is possible to find love again?  

Please give us the first page of the book. 

For heaven’s sake, not again!

Honor inwardly groaned as she turned her back to her best friend who’d just started yet another rant about Honor’s—in Vicki’s words—‘appalling dating life’. She knew Vicki loved her and wanted her to be happy and settled, but Honor wasn’t in the mood for another lecture about her romantic shortcomings.

She knew them all very well.

Stepping around Vicki, she picked up two hot pads and opened the oven door to rushing heat bringing the scent of chocolate chip cookies into the room. While words kept spilling from Vicki’s mouth, Honor calmly took out the cookie sheet and set it on the counter.

In the mix of words bouncing around the room was the name Jake Barrett.

So, that’s where this was going.

Honor almost laughed out loud. Jake Barrett, of all people!

She’d fallen hard for him as a sophomore in high school, although she’d only met him once. He was the one man she had never stopped loving. Well, ‘loving’ might be a stretch since she’d never spoken a word to him. Maybe ‘the one man she’d never forgotten’ or ‘the one man she’d held up as a standard for all other men’.

All of which might explain why she was still single at twenty-eight.

Not that she hadn’t tried.

In the last three years, she’d been stood up twice, days before her wedding. A third chance with anyone, even the son of her dear friend, Wanda, wasn’t the tiniest of specks on her heart’s radar screen. Failure hurt, but failure in love crushed the spirit. At least, it had hers.

Just the thought of trying again made her stomach queasy. She didn’t think she could bear another failure.

How can readers find you on the Internet? Readers may reach me on my website: authortamaragcooper.com. They may also contact me by email at tamaragcooperauthor@gmail.com.

It was such a pleasure visiting with you again, Lena! Thank you for having me on your blog!

I share the pleasure with you. I’m eager to read this new book.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3s7DyHI - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3bfqSsd - 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, 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 VACANT HOUSE - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve loved Tamara’s suspense novels. The Vacant House is very different from her other suspense novels I’ve read. It’s a contemporary story with really different kinds of characters. And there are several pets in the story. The plot line is very convoluted with surprises around every corner. She kept me guessing until very late in the story. I like it when a book does that. I’m good at figuring out what’s going on early in a book. Not with this one. You won’t want to miss it.

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

Forgiveness and redemption are big ones for me. Every book I’ve written has both, to some degree, probably because all of us need redemption from something going on now or in our past, something that continues to haunt us—and that’s where forgiveness comes in, too. The themes are intrinsically woven into the story lines and not spelled out so that the reader walks through them along with the characters. I love writing suspense with a touch of romance!

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My newest book just published, The Vacant House, and I’m working on the second book in this series right now, The New Neighbors. I’m also writing a stand-alone about a man who’s completely lost his way because of the death of someone close to him.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

No question about it, I would love to spend an evening with President Trump. With all his successes, his failures, his endeavors, his children, his family, his choices, I would love to pick his brain!

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’m a history major (and an English major), so history is my thing. There are so many people to choose from! But I’ll tell you that my first thought was President Lincoln. Then my mind started skipping through history, and I’d love to talk to all of them! But I’ll narrow it down to the apostle, Paul. He was on both sides of Christianity, and I’d love to talk to him about his choices, his perspective on Jesus, his perspective on the last 2,000 years.

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

I would say, “It’s not always the book’s fault.” I remember reading that Stephen King’s book, Carrie, was rejected 30 times before it was picked up. I would encourage frustrated writers to study, study, study. Years ago, I read a book that completely changed my writing. That book was Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. I highly recommend it. Another book was Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon. Excellent book. And while these frustrated writers are studying their craft, I would encourage them to use what they’ve learned, pay an excellent editor to edit their book, and keep on trying. Never quit. Never stop learning. Never stop putting your work out there.

Tell us about the featured book.

It all begins when best-selling author Sophie O’Brion is the last person to see a murder victim alive. She looks even more guilty when a woman from her church is beaten, and Sophie was seen with her just hours before. Suddenly, people she has known her entire life begin pointing accusing fingers at her.

Marine Master Sergeant Burke Maguire, an old flame who dumped Sophie years ago, has recently been hired as a police officer in Forman Falls, Texas, and is assigned her case. She doesn’t want his help. But as she gets deeper and deeper into trouble, she must rely on him, although trusting him is another matter.

Will they be able to work together, maneuver dangerous twists and turns, and finally clear her name?

A clean romantic suspense novel that grips you from the very beginning and won't let you go! Read The Vacant House today, if you have plans to stay up all night!

Please give us the first page of the book for my blog readers.

Frantic barking woke me.

I’m sure most people would jump out of their beds at such a commotion, hearts pounding, hands shaking as they tried to turn on their flashlights to see what evil had invaded their neighborhood.

But not me.

Calmly, I rolled over and reached for my phone. It was 5:45—the paperman was running a little late. Since I had only about a minute to get downstairs, I tried to muster up a sense of urgency, but another sleepless night left me groggy and irritable and thinking, “Oh, just let him win this time.” But I couldn’t. The fierce warrior rose up inside me, and I tossed the covers, grabbed my robe, slid my tired feet into slippers, and shuffled across my bedroom. My dresser mirror revealed an extra in a zombie movie watching me as I passed by. “You’re up early,” I mumbled to my reflection, ran a hand through my mussed hair, and dreamed of coffee as I stumbled down the stairs toward the front door.

Samson the German Shepherd was racing up my steps with the prize within reach when I grabbed my newspaper and shook it at him. “Ha! Ha! The human wins again.” Even with having to race Samson most mornings, I would never consider switching to the on-line version of our town’s paper. The residents of Forman Falls, Texas, were fiercely proud of the Gazette, and we didn’t want to lose it. Besides, I loved the feel of the newspaper in my hands.

As did my next-door neighbor on my left, Jennie. Usually, she opened her screen door at the same time to get her paper, and we grunted at each other—two cups of coffee, minimum, were necessary for either of us to form meaningful language before sunup. But this morning, the only part of Jennie’s anatomy that appeared was her hand, dropping like a giant spider from the bottom of her door. It hopped around, landed on her newspaper, and both hand and paper disappeared up. When her front door slammed, I glared at Herman Farnsberry’s house across the street.

It appeared my good neighbor Jennie actually believed Mr. Farnsberry’s lies about me. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can write to me at tamaracooperauthor@gmail.com

My website is http://www.AuthorTamaraGCooper.com .

I always like hearing from my readers, with questions and comments.

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Lena!

My pleasure, Tamara.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Vacant House (Sophie O'Brion Mysteries) - Paperback
The Vacant House (Sophie O'Brion Mysteries Book 1) - 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, 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

DECEPTION AT FAIRFIELD RANCH - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

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

I see pretty much what I’m doing now: home schooling my three boys, dealing with four dogs and an occasional stray or two, and writing. I have a very supportive husband, and the boys think it’s “cool” that their mother is a published author.

           

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband and I live in east Texas with our three sons and four dogs. Two of our older sons have left the nest. Life is never quiet, so I’ve learned to write around the chaos. Sometimes, late at night with the hum of the dryer and the rhythm of the washer as the only noises in the house, I write until I literally can’t keep my eyes open. I wouldn’t have my life any other way. Well, okay, maybe a spa would be nice once in a while with no barking or Nerf wars in the background.

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

I’m a scaredy-cat. I make no bones about it. I would never read a book that scares me, like a psycho thriller, so the obvious question is: why did I write a sometimes-scary trilogy—the Brothers of Texas series? I write them because I can control the bad guys. One time, late at night, several years ago, I’d written a terrifying scene (just stretching my wings as a mystery writer) and I scared myself! I had really dived deeply into the mind of a killer and every little sound made me think this killer was in my house! With my husband out of town, I couldn’t sleep at all that night. My writing hasn’t changed my basic reading habits. I still love a good romance. I love nonfiction. And I love mysteries, but I don’t like the scaring-me-out-of-my-skin thrillers. I sure do like writing them, though—sometimes.

What are you working on right now?

I’m having a great time writing about Mary Margaret, a quirky, funny, single 31-year-old woman who stumbles into a two-decades-old double murder and has to deal with the return of ‘the love of her life’ who dumped her when she was close to graduating from high school. Burke, her long-lost love, is a former Marine who is just—no other way to describe him—hunky. He’s now the deputy sheriff of Monroe County in east Texas. As Emmie—her friends’ nickname for her—sinks deeper into the mysteries disrupting her life, she encounters Burke at every turn. The book is a mystery with a touch of romance, and Book 1 of this new series will be out this spring. 

I want to feature that series on my blog when each book releases. What outside interests do you have?

My absolute favorite thing in the world is a picnic. I love the whole idea of spreading out a blanket, bringing a basket of food and drinks, lying in the sunshine, listening to the boys play ball with their daddy, and watching clouds. I also love to hike. I get the same feelings of contentment in nature hiking up a mountain in New Mexico, Arkansas, or Colorado. When I met my husband on an airplane headed to Colorado one Christmas, one of the first things we discovered that we had in common was a love of the outdoors. He was an avid hiker, as was I, and our first date was a hike up a steep mountain in the Colorado Rockies. We still like to get out on a long trail and lose ourselves in nature.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m a Texan through and through. So I write about Texans in Texas, mostly. In the second book of the Brothers of Texas trilogy, the main character is Luke McKenzie, a rancher from Texas, but the setting is a vacation spot in the Colorado mountains; he hikes a favorite trail of mine and my husband. Since Texas has such a diverse geography (5 separate regions), it’s not difficult to find the perfect spot for characters to tell me their story.

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

Wow, this was so difficult. I’m an historian so my mind buzzed with all the possibilities from Homer to Plato, Alexander the Great to George Washington, King Tut to Ronald Reagan! I would choose Jesus, of course, but if we’re not talking about God, then I would choose Elvis. I would ask him about his spiritual journey through all the fame and chaos and depression. I’d ask him what was his favorite thing to do—maybe we’d have a picnic and he could relax and we would just talk. And then I would keep everything he told me under lock and key so that he would feel safe enough to talk to me again.

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

I would have liked to have known that I am not my writing, or my last book, or my next book. I think before I started writing novels 20 years ago that I thought I would arrive if I could only be published and live the life of a writer. Of course, I discovered that no such thing happened because of publication. Busier, yes, and an entirely new set of things to deal with, but I never arrived. I am definitely a work in progress.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

This is an on-going lesson but one the Lord has definitely honed in me lately:  the past had a hand in making me who I am, so I need to learn from it. I shouldn’t use it as a crutch not to live life to the fullest, and I shouldn’t dismiss its value.

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

Write every day, master marketing avenues, and stay focused on the goal. A fourth thing would be spiritual: bathe everything in prayer.

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

Deception at Fairfield Ranch, Book 3 in the Brothers of Texas trilogy, is about an engineer, Kyle McKenzie, who is deceived in the cruelest way by his wife and an unknown scam artist adept at disguising himself. Kyle must protect his ill daughter and the woman caring for her from this evil man even though he has no idea what he looks like.

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.

Her heart pounded so fast, she could hardly breathe. But she’d said it. She’d finally said it. And the devil take Kyle McKenzie for all the misery he’d put her through!

“Margot, did you mean—” Kyle looked as if he’d just been sucker-punched. “You’re saying you wanted them to kill her?”

Margot shivered and stepped deeper into the dark walk-in closet, wishing it would swallow her up and spit her out somewhere else. Anywhere else.

“Is that what you meant?”

Gritting her teeth, she covered her ears.

“Margot?”

Squeezed her eyes shut.

“Margot?”

Stop it! Stop it!

“You wanted them to kill April?”

Yes! Yes! That’s exactly what I meant!

His words hissed at her from where he stood like a sentry blocking her escape. She wanted to run from him, from the words, from the truth, from their life. She wanted to screech at him that it was all his fault, that he’d sacrificed everything when he’d let their daughter live. None of this was supposed to happen. She wasn’t supposed to be a mother. She wasn’t supposed to love her daughter.

She wasn’t the kind of woman who could.

“Margot?”

Her hands shook as she cupped her elbows and fought the need to rock herself. Like a living thing, his words slithered over the carpet toward her feet. Kill her? Kill her? They pricked at her heels on their way up her legs. She took a frenzied step away from them, tightened her jaw, and willed nothing to matter anymore.

“Margot.” A whisper this time, imploring. He took a soft carpeted step toward her.

She spun around, unable to bear his pity or his compassion or his need to comfort what couldn’t be comforted. “I hate you for letting her live.”

Kyle jerked as if she’d slapped him. His eyes widened. His jaw dropped.

She wanted to sneer at him, to yell, “You should have known. You should have known!”

“You hate me?”

This time, she smirked. The power of letting him go, of letting it all go, surged through her. It hadn’t been so very difficult after all. “Are you surprised, Kyle?” She brushed past him. “You really didn’t know?”

He followed her into the bedroom like a puppy. “But I thought—”

She pivoted as anger sliced through her. “You thought! You thought! It’s always been about you! Did you ask me what I wanted, what I thought? No! You just shoved and shoved—” She gasped, pressed her fingers against her mouth, and turned her back to him.

“But God blessed us with a—”

“Oh, that’s rich.” She threw up her arms. “By all means, bring God in on your side. Use him for leverage. You always have.” She slapped the closet door so hard, it slammed against the wall.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

All my books are on Amazon as well as other sites, and my website is www.AuthorTamaraGCooper.com . Thank you for having me as a guest today, Lena. I enjoyed it so much!

Thank you, Tamara, for sharing this series with me and my readers. I’ve loved all three books in this series. For a scaredy-cat, you write compelling suspense novels with so many unexpected twists and turns. You’re one of the best suspense writers I know.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Deception at Fairfield Ranch: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Brothers of Texas) (Volume 3) - Paperback
Deception at Fairfield Ranch: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Brothers of Texas Book 3) - 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

ROSIE WON'T STAY DEAD - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

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

I told you before that I am a scardy-cat. When a chase scene comes on television, I leave the room. If someone is sneaking up behind someone, I leave the room. So, you would think: why in the world does she write suspense? Because I’m in control of the scardy-cat scenes. I can make these frightening because the “monster” doesn’t move without my knowledge! But I will say this: writing suspense has helped me to better handle watching suspenseful scenes.

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

Four doctors told me I would never have children, so the day I gave birth to my first son was absolutely the happiest day of my life! To hold that precious life was a true miracle!

Because of an injury in high school, I wasn’t expected to be able to have children, so I understand. I have two daughters and sons-in-law as well as several grandchildren and great grands. How has being published changed your life?

It’s been a life-long dream of mine to be published. My Mama passed away July 31, but she saw two of my books in print before she went to Heaven. There is something wonderfully satisfying in having a dream and seeing it come to fruition. Many times, I thought “being published” would never happen, but it did! Being published keeps me focused on the next deadline, the next book, the next idea inside me.

What are you reading right now?

I read several books at one time (I know; weird, huh?) but I’m enjoying Kristin Hannah’s book, The Nightingale.

Not weird to me. I’m always reading at least two books. What is your current work in progress?

Book 3 of the Brothers of Texas series. I’m plugging away on it, and it’s coming together!

What would be your dream vacation?

I love history, so getting into an RV and hitting a road that ends up in Washington, D.C. would be my idea of a dream vacation (and hitting all the historical spots on the way)! But if I had to choose a place outside my great country, I’d choose Israel and walk where Jesus walked.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I’m a Texas girl, born and bred, and I love stories that take place in Texas with Texas characters (Rosie Won’t Stay Dead is an obvious exception; Texas characters in Colorado)!

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

One of the most fascinating people of our generation is Dr. Ravi Zacharias. He is a brilliant apologist, and I’d love to pick his brain.

You’re right. He’s been at our church several times. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to hike! Anywhere, any time. I love to fish with my family; night fishing is particularly fun for me. And then waking up to a fish breakfast is wonderful.

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

Time to write—number one. Carving out time from all the demands of “family”—three young boys (ages 11, 12, and 13) and three dogs. I’ve found a little niche at night to write, when everyone’s asleep.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Sit down at the computer, open a document, and write. The bottom line of writing is to tell your story. Studying how other people approach it is fine, but I see, in looking back, that all my “studying” actually kept me from “writing.” Just do it. Get your story on paper and stay with it.

Tell us about the featured book.

Rosie Won’t Stay Dead is Book 2 in the Brothers of Texas series. Here is the blurb on the back cover: “Luke McKenzie needs a vacation from ranching and dealing with his father’s unsolved murder. He leaves Texas for the Colorado Rockies—to hike alone for a month. Sarah Morgan wants to learn to live without fear after a vicious assault changed everything for her. She leaves Kansas for the Rockies to hike alone—in the hopes of recapturing the person she used to be. But a very dangerous man has other plans for both of them.”

You grabbed my interest. Please give us the first page of the book.

Luke McKenzie shoved his overstuffed backpack into the bed of his pickup and secured the hard cover. “Let’s go, Molly. Time’s a-wastin’.” He laughed when his golden retriever bounded over to him and danced around his feet. He wasn’t one to show his emotions much, but Luke was as excited about leaving as Molly.

Behind him, his younger brother Mac, the owner of McKenzie Ranch, said, “You out of here?”

Luke turned around, grateful Mac had seen his need for a break. “Yeah, but I hate putting so much work on you by going.”

“I have plenty of help. Now, go. You haven’t had a vacation in two years, so have fun. Hike. Enjoy being alone. If you don’t, I might have to send you back out there.” Mac squeezed his shoulder. “Really, buddy. The ranch’ll survive without its foreman for a month. Take six weeks, if you need to.”

“’Preciate it, bro’.” Luke opened the driver’s door of his truck. Molly jumped inside the cab and barked at him. “I know, girl. We’re fixin’ to leave.”

He turned back to Mac to say goodbye, but Marianne, his brother’s new wife, stepped out onto the wide, wrap-around porch and waved. “Have fun, Luke. Don’t forget where we live!”

“I won’t.” He laughed and waved back. It was harder than he thought it would be to leave the ranch, his life, his responsibilities. But he needed to get away more than he needed to stay. Maybe he’d find some peace in the mountains. That would be his number one goal—and maybe a little forgiveness, too.

He hugged Mac, got in his truck, and started it.

“Be careful!” This, from Marianne.

“Have a great time, bro’.”

“I will. See y’all in a month.” Smiling, Luke backed up his truck, waved again, and headed for the Colorado Rockies.

I’m glad my book just came last week. I’m eager to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can find me at www.AuthorTamaraGCooper.com. Thank you, Lena, for featuring me on your blog today. I enjoyed it so much!

Thank you, Tamara, for sharing the book with my readers and me. I know they’ll be just as eager to read it as I am.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Rosie Won't Stay Dead (Brothers of Texas) (Volume 2) - paperback
Rosie Won't Stay Dead: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Brothers of Texas Book 2) - 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

WHO KILLED BRIGITT HOLCOMB? - Tamara G Cooper - One Free Book

Welcome, Tamara. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

It surprises me when I finish a book and recognize some of me in each character, even a killer. As the one writing the story, I see things through my perspective, of course, but I can also imagine how a character would act in a situation, even if I’ve never been there.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

After a special date in high school, complete with a long dress made by my mother and beautiful new shoes, my date and I traipsed through an old graveyard with tall pillars around it, like Stonehenge. It was spooky, and it was fun! And muddy, as I recall. My mother was not happy when I got home with mud on my beautiful dress!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was probably around six. I loved to write poetry. On my blog, I’ve written about losing all my precious poetry and stories on a bus trip when I was about eighteen, and how it broke my heart. I started writing short stories when I was about nine. After I was grown and married, I wrote my first novel, about a serial killer stalking someone who was hiking in the Colorado Rockies.

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

I’m a scaredy cat, so “horror” is out. Mysteries, historical romances, and romance are probably my favorites, although I love non-fiction as well. I’m a history buff, especially American history. Biographies, historical diaries, first-person accounts. I love reading, so if a book is well written, I’ll read it, except horror.

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

I’m a “do-er,” so if something is on my list and I do it, it helps me relax. I love hiking strenuous trails and walking at a gentle pace, too. Swimming is also relaxing. But for those moments when life is overwhelming, I spend time in God’s Word and in prayer. It always re-focuses me to what’s important.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Actually, I go through the names of family first and see if a name fits. Then, I try out friends’ names. If those don’t work, I sit back and let the character tell me her or his name.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

This is a tough question. I wanted to answer, “Telling someone about Jesus,” then I wanted to say, “my children,” then I wanted to say, “finishing my first book,” and then I wanted to say, “finishing the toughest hike I’ve ever done near Estes Park, Colorado.” But in terms of importance, it would have to be bringing someone to the knowledge of what Jesus did for him or her.

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

I’m always watching people, trying to figure out who they are, who the people are around them, their “story”—so I think a lioness.

What is your favorite food?

Japanese.

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

The most difficult thing for me was connecting emotionally with the reader. I’d want to hop over the terribly painful “stuff” and go on, because, as a writer, we have to “feel” to write the story, and it was emotionally draining. It took two editors to show me how to connect with the reader—give the reader an “experience” she would remember, even if I have to cry a thousand tears while writing it or feel so angry I want to throw something.

I don’t like conflict in life. I’m a peacemaker. So I had a hard time learning to give my characters conflict. Praise the Lord, I was finally able to do that. Tell us about the featured book.

When Marianne inherits her uncle’s remote Texas ranch, she is hopeful that she can escape her past and begin a new life. But hope turns into fear as she faces a terrible truth: she inherited danger. Mac, a neighboring rancher, tells her of three murders over seventeen years, including her uncle. Ruthless people who want their deadly secrets to remain buried come after her. Instead of running away, she heads into the path of monsters preying on the innocent—and hopes she survives the frightening plans they have for her. Mac will stop at nothing to protect her—but will he be able to save her life?

Please give us the first page of the book.

A breeze whispered a welcome to Marianne.

Standing on the bottom rail of the ranch gate, she looked out over her inheritance. Freedom. Escape. Independence. She imagined the words as tumbleweeds rolling playfully across the open land. With a quick smile, she thought she could add two more words: anticipation and hope. She’d dreamed of running away so many times. She couldn’t believe this was real, a new home and a new life just handed to her, far from the ugliness waiting for her back in Abilene.

She was sure not many people would consider this flat landscape with few trees or vegetation as a boon, but Marianne did. In this part of the Texas panhandle, no houses or buildings or mountains or hills blocked her view in any direction. It was all beautiful, and two thousand acres of it were now hers.

As an artist, she could live anywhere. But here, in ranching country, the breeze seemed to whisper, “This is it. You belong here.” And the best part? Her parents were three hours away. She had dreamed of living far, far away from them but never actually thought she would.

All of this seemed too good to be true.

Not a soul was around. Far off in the distance, cattle standing among oil rigs bobbing to the rhythm of the wind were her only company. Feeling a little silly, she waved at them and laughed, and then breathed in the Texas heat as her head fell back. Nothing but the peaceful silence of nature surrounded her. What could be more welcoming?

“You plannin’ on jumpin’ that gate, ma’am?”

The man’s voice startled her. She tried to turn toward it, but her right sandal slid off the rail. She shrieked as she fell and threw out her hand to stop from landing face first in the gravel. The impact jarred her, and she rolled onto her shoulder, then her back, gasping for her next breath.

A door slammed. Crunching steps—running steps—were getting closer. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

The man’s arm slid under her shoulders as he grabbed her hand and tugged her to her feet. When he released her, her foot slid out of her sandal, and her ankle twisted. “Oh! This gravel!”

“Yes, ma’am.” The tall cowboy gripped her shoulders and held her while she put her shoe back on. She looked up at him and found him staring at her feet. Somehow, she was embarrassed that her toenails were painted bright pink with purple polka dots.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.” She pulled away from him and brushed the stuff off her hands and clothes.

“Do you always sneak up behind women and scare the living daylights out of them?”

When he said nothing, she looked up at him. He was trying to hide a grin behind his huge fist, but he wasn’t doing a very good job of it.

“I’ve never known a truck that could sneak anywhere, ma’am. I’m sure sorry I scared you.”

I love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website/blog is www.TamaraGCooper.com. I have so enjoyed visiting with you, Miss Lena. Thank you for having me as a guest today.

Thank you, Tamara. I know my readers will enjoy interacting with you.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas) (Volume 1) - paperback
Who Killed Brigitt Holcomb? (Brothers of Texas Book 1) - 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