THE WIDOW OF SAUNDERS CREEK - Tracey Bateman - One Free Book

I'm thrilled to have my friend, Tracey Bateman, back with us. Welcome, Tracey. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I was five when I decided I better ask Jesus into my heart. But it was mainly because my best friend was getting baptized and got all the attention. When I was eight, I had an experience with God where I realized I was a sinner and that Jesus had died for me. I spent hours on my mother’s bedroom floor crying and repenting for my sins. That was the day I truly believe I was saved.

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

Susan May Warren—Because she knows more about the craft of writing than anyone I know.

Rachel Hauck—because not only does she know writing, she knows God and I love the way He oozes from her when she speaks about anything, but writing in particular. Plus, she has the coolest way of phrasing things of anyone I know. I could listen to her read the phone book and be inspired.

James Scott Bell—Because he’s funny and smart and knows exactly what he wants to say and communicates it effectively.

Colleen Coble—Because she is the biggest encourager I know, and I think more than “technique” new writers, in particular, just need encouragement to keep on.

I’d want to sneak into that retreat. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

Not really. I do speak on occasion, sometimes about writing, sometimes about life and God. They are few and far between, but lately, the doors seem to be opening more. Not sure what God has planned, but “YES” to whatever He asks me to do. Lord, send me…

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?

Usually, I get more information. What sort of book? And that opens a dialogue. You can center people pretty quickly and if they’re just thinking one day they might write a book about a life experience, I encourage them to journal and flex their writing muscles that way. If they have an idea for a fiction book and just need the courage or a little nudge in the right direction, I usually point them to ACFW or My Book Therapy, plus I encourage them to sit down and just write.

Tell us about the featured book.

Corrie Saunders’ journey begins with deep, heart-wrecking grief. She’ll do anything for one more moment with the man she loved and lost. As the story evolves she must come to understand that God’s ways are always higher and the enemy of her soul has one focus in mind where she is concerned: to separate her from the love of God and take her down a path of destruction. But for God…

It’s a love story with a supernatural tilt to it. My response to the lies blasted onto the airways with Ghosthunters and other shows that promote what God forbids: speaking to the “dead.”

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

An easy spring wind blew through my open Jeep, lifting my hair and ruffling the cloth seat covers as I turned off the interstate and traveled east toward Saunders Creek. It was the last leg of my nine-hour drive from Dallas to the tiny, unassuming Ozarks town that bore my husband’s family name.

Towering oaks, full maples, and evergreens hugged the narrow, winding road in a way that even a few months ago might have felt intrusive. But today the trees seemed to embrace me, welcoming me.

Déjà vu came over me, as though the scene before me came out of my own childhood memories instead of recollections of stories my husband told about growing up here.

I wanted him beside me, flashing his Top Gun Maverick grin. Jarrod had died the way he lived—reckless, but heroic. Saving at least fifty lives in a little Iraqi settlement on the east bank of the Tigris River. Leaving me to pine after him, sick with love for a man who would never hold me again. I couldn’t breathe. God, just take me too. But every day my eyes opened, air filled my lungs, and I forced myself to go on.

Six months ago, I buried him according to his wishes, in the Saunders family graveyard. After the funeral, my mother demanded that I return home to Dallas to grieve—as though I could just put the last seven years behind me and move on. Forget the consuming, crazy, once-in-a-lifetime love who had rescued me from her in the first place. Every night since then I had dreamed of my husband’s childhood home. A force compelled me to come here, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Jarrod was gone, but as I drove my Jeep up the path that led to the two-story farmhouse, I finally understood why I had been so drawn to this place.

I had come here to find the man I loved.

I’m intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Twitter and Facebook of course and my website

www.traceybateman.com

Thank you, Tracey, for another interesting interview.

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

The Widow of Saunders Creek: A Novel - paperback
The Widow of Saunders Creek: A Novel - 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 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

TANDEM - Tracey Bateman - Free Book

I love having you on my blog, Tracey. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I write about taking off masks a lot. Being real and vulnerable. In Tandem, I discuss the issue of co-dependency. How God created us to walk together, but rather than lifting each other up, co-dependents tend to “suck” the life out of each other.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Next summer my second Love Finds You book comes out—written under the pen name, Tracey Cross. It’s Love Finds You in Dodge City, Kansas and I’m doing research on it right now.

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

Jodi Picoult. If we could talk in her writing office. Because I would love to share with her my gratitude for her amazing books. And if she was up for it, I’d ask her to take me through her writing process. She’s sort of my writing hero.

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

Abigail Adams (since I picked Harriett Beecher Stowe last time). Here’s why…because this woman stood behind a man who became one of the founding fathers and eventually president. She also raised a son who became president. I think about my short-term sacrifices with my husband on his second deployment in 6 years, and I’m humbled to realize she gave our country YEARS at a time without her husband so that he could help build the foundation of this nation. She amazes me. I think anyone who hasn’t read a biography of Abigail Adams should run out and grab one—post haste!! And pick up Tandem with it, maybe they’ll give you a discount :-)

Seriously, though I’m extremely patriotic and I love this country of ours. I believe we were built on the potential for honor and greatness and I believe this country has the potential to walk in honor again. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, dear friends!!

I agree with you on that. VOTE! My grandson is on his second deployment in three years. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Don’t fall into the devil’s trap of discouragement. God gives us gifts to be shared. Not just with Him, but with others as well—so keep taking the steps. If one work is rejected by everyone on your list…start over with something new. But in the meantime, be diligent to work on craft, get to conferences and join ACFW or another network organization. God can’t open doors you’re not available to walk through and sometimes we have to allow ourselves to be positioned for the open door. God set me up to meet my hero, Tracie Peterson, when I first started out. She saw my worth and obeyed God and encouraged me to keep trying and finally it paid off with a contract with Heartsong. Networking is where you’ll meet the people who want to help you move to the next step. I think sometimes we don’t want to spend the money to join organizations or go to conferences, because it’s tight these days. But it’s worth making meals stretch or doing without a weekly date night that costs money (make him take you to the park and get McDonald’s dollar menu), save that money and make an investment in the dream God has placed on your heart. If you aren’t willing to invest in your own dream, why should a publisher spend tens of thousands of dollars on you?

And realize if you’re rejected over and over, it just means you need to grow a little more or the story isn’t right at this time. Trends change. Keep working at it and don’t hide and say you’re only going to write for God. If he’s given you a dream to publish, He doesn’t intend for you to bury your talent. :-)


Another thing I agree with. Tell us about the featured book.

Tandem picks up a few months after Thirsty ended. It is not a sequel, but there are common elements, including the town of Abbey Hills, vampires, of course, and a couple of characters return. Lauryn McBride is dealing with her dad’s early onset Alzheimer’s and trying to save her family’s auction house. She is hired to oversee the estate of the late Markus Chisom, who was a character in the first book. She gets the attention of a very old vampire from New Orleans with ties to Markus and finds herself in the middle of something she never dreamed existed. Also, her old flame returns to town with a child and they have to decide whether or not to resume their friendship. If I hadn’t written this book, I’d still buy it. :-)

Please give us the first page of the book.

There is a sneak peak at Random House that will give you a couple of chapters. Please go over there and read the two chapters and if you enjoy them leave a comment! Also feel free to email me at author4god@gmail.com

Here’s the link:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/2010/04/15/sneak-peek-tandem-by-tracey-bateman/

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Traceybateman.com

Also on facebook and I’m working on trying to get back on twitter. I had some issues with tweetdeck and gave up. But I shall prevail!! (says with fist shaking furiously at the tweetdeck demons who have given me such trouble)

I had a lot of trouble with Tweetdeck, so I deleted it and downloaded Seesmic Deck for Twitter. I like it better and haven't had any trouble with it. Just Goggle it. Thanks for another great interview, Tracey.

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. (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. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

THIRSTY - Tracey Bateman - Free Book

I was fortunate to catch my friend, Tracey Bateman, for a few minutes to answer five questions for us about her most recent release. This novel is a real departure from the other things you’ve written. Can you tell us why you wrote a Christian vampire novel?

I find the concept of the vampire to be intriguing and find it really difficult to pass up a good vampire book, movie (a GOOD one) or show like Buffy. If I had thought I could get by with writing a vampire book ten years ago when I started in the publishing industry I’d have written one back then. But the doors weren’t open yet. It’s not so much of a jump for me personally. Just for me in terms of genre. But I’m something of a genre jumper anyway. So it’s a natural leap. When the opportunity arose to write up a proposal, it seemed too fantastic to pass up. I spent a few weeks in prayer over it and when I felt like God said, not only was it okay, but an open door from Him, I went full throttle.

I know the vampire novels are all the rage among young people reading ABA books. Where do Christian vampire books fit in all that’s going on?

I think the latest, more conservative vampire series has opened up the opportunity for writers to tackle vampires for the Christian market. It shows there is a more conservative readership that would accept it, if done well. The main issue I am having is convincing people (my friends and family included) that “Christian vampire” doesn’t mean the vampire is a Christian. I’ve started calling it A Vampire novel for the Christian market, but that doesn’t really describe it either. I guess readers will have to draw their own conclusions. Which is what I prefer anyway. Most of my readers don’t want to be told what to think!

Many Christian young people are reading the Twilight series. Although there are a lot of good things in those books such as the purity, I’m disturbed by the lack of redemption in the books. Will readers find redemption in your novel?

I wonder why you would be disturbed by lack of redemption in a secular novel? It’s interesting from reader to reader what they’re actually looking for. That’s why as a writer I have to write what my heart is leading me to write and not consciously dwell on what I think the reader is going to want. I DO care about my readers a lot. But I’m aware that there is a very different audience for THIRSTY than for my chicklit or historicals.

To answer your question: What readers will find is entertainment and if they’re looking and want more than entertainment, they’ll find a message of hope and second chances. News reporters and freelance writers have gotten pretty free describing the book (before it was out or even had galleys available) so they’ve described some things that maybe aren’t necessarily there. My books are never written with sermons or even prayers built in unless it’s a natural event for a character. Again, I write from that place in my heart that belongs to Jesus and what comes out is a message of hope whether I mention Jesus by name or not.

Are there plans for a series?

No. There’s a second vampire book in the works that takes place in Abbey Hills, but it’s not a series. The books stand alone.

I hope you will let me feature that one, too. Where can readers find you on the Internet?

Facebook, Twitter, and we are working on a new website that will be traceybateman.com

Hope to have that done in a month or so.

Thanks for the great questions and the opportunity to share with readers my heart about this new book.

So glad to have you, Tracey. When I went to the Randomhouse.com website and read about the story, I was intrigued.

There's no place like home, they say.
"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."
For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.

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


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


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. Here’s a link.


Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Author Tracey Bateman - Free Book

I've known Tracey Bateman for many years, since before her first book was published. I've enjoyed watching her career take off. Now it is soaring.

Tracey, welcome. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Depends on the character. I tend to put a lot of myself into my heroines. Claire was very much me. Cat, from Color of the Soul had a lot of my issues. It’s really cathartic to face your issues through characters. Having said that, not ALL my characters’ issues are mine.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

So many quirks, so little space.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Still working on that one, actually. LOL I wrote some when I was a kid, but I guess I really got it, when I took a writing class in college and fell in love with creating the story. It just sort of escalated from there as God began to confirm one thing after another for me.

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

I like all kinds. From ChickLit to historicals to contemporaries.

I'm like you in that. I read all kinds of books. What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I’ve only written one book that wasn’t published. That was the first one. Since then, I’ve written 12 Heartsongs, a number of novellas, three Love Inspired Suspense, The Claire Everett Series, Westward Hearts, Drama Queens, The Color of the Soul, The Freedom of the Soul. And more.

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

Jesus and chocolate—in that order

Me, too. In that order. How do you choose your characters’ names?

I pull them out of a hat. I need a better system though. I have too many Sarahs and Andys.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My marriage. 18 years, almost 19. We still love each other and have a ton of fun.

It keeps getting better, Tracey. James and I are going on 44 years. What is your favorite food?

Seafood.

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

Probably confidence in my talent. I don’t think I have overcome it yet. Every day is a walk of faith and allowing God to be strong where I am weak.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Trust God, obey his voice and be patient. The advice I’d really like to give is to newly published author, to be honest, and that is don’t take yourself too seriously (too many new authors do and it’s an ugly sight). Don’t drop newbies and enjoy where you are on the way to where you’re going.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

It’s a story of unconditional love and mercy set against a Westward expansion backdrop. It has all the archetypal characters and some other secondaries thrown in. It was a great book for me to write.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Right now, they can’t. (maybe by the time this is up, they’ll be able to).

Actually, I found you on your author page that your agent has up for you:

http://www.stevelaube.com/authors/traceybateman.htm

Readers, you might want to check her out there. You can find all of her books listed.

Want a free copy of Distant Heart? Leave a comment for a chance to win one. Also be sure to check back to see if you are a winner. We still need to hear from a few of the last couple of winner lists.

There's still time to leave comments on these interviews, too:

Lynette Eason - Lethal Deception
Virginia Smith - Stuck in the Middle
Leanna Ellis - Elvis Takes a Back Seat
Wanda E. Brunstetter - A Sister's Test

We'll choose some winners this weekend.