FREEHEADS - Kerry Nietz - Free Book

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

Yes, I think that’s true. I’ve been grateful for the positive support my books have gotten so far. At last count the first book of the series (A Star Curiously Singing) has forty-seven 5-star reviews on Amazon. The first two books have both been finalist in numerous award contests, and last year ASCS was the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Award winner in the Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy category.

I can only see that as God’s blessings. Especially since I never thought the first book would be published. Typically “Christian” and “Science Fiction” are two circles that don’t intersect. A real hard sell to a publishing house.

As for the future, I hope to keep writing stories that people will enjoy. Stories from a Christian worldview that still have a little “weird” in them. J Thankfully, the advent of micro-publishers like my publisher, Marcher Lord Press, means there is an outlet for those types of stories.

Tell us a little about your family.

Sure. My wife’s name is Leah and we’ve been married for nearly ten years. We have three children, ages six, five, and one. They keep us busy. In addition, we have an ancient cat that we would forget we had if she wasn’t so vocal at mealtimes.

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

My reading is more focused on speculative fiction now than it ever was before. Some of that is because I like to study other stories and storytellers. To both learn from what others have written, and to keep my own writing fresh and unique.

Much of my genre focus too comes from publishers and authors asking me to review their speculative titles. Sometimes that’s for the review itself, and other times it’s because they want a cover recommendation. (I consider both an honor.)

Probably the largest overall change in my reading habits is that I try to review everything I read. I almost don’t feel like I’ve finished a book until I’ve written about it. J Plus, I know how important reviews are in today’s online book-buying world. I like helping other writers succeed.

As you know, I do, too. What are you working on right now?

I have a couple stories I’m bouncing around on. Both speculative. Both science fiction. I’m not sure if the bouncing is a good sign or not. I spent nearly four years of my life in the world of the DarkTrench Saga. I felt like I knew the characters and situations intimately. Now I need to find another story to grab my interests. At times it is a struggle.

What outside interests do you have?

At this point family clearly takes a good share of my time. Our kids are young enough that someone always has to be supervising. I relish that, though. I was in my late thirties when our first child was born. So I was ready to be a father. Plus, they’re delightful and interesting little people. A bit trying at times, but also surprising and incredibly distinct. Like the best books you’ve ever read.

I’m also a regular at the gym. In fact, last year I participated in the Arnold 5K Pump and Run. It is this bench press and running competition. (An odd mix, I know.) You bench a percentage of your body weight as many times as you can and then you go out and run a 5K. Each rep on the bench takes 30 seconds off your final running time. There were over 800 people signed up last year, and I finished somewhere in the middle. Not bad considering I was never an athlete in school.

Aside from that I’m a movie buff and a bit of a video game player. Mostly Halo. I have dozens of friends on Xbox Live with names like DaBest, MasterPhoenix and RockAndRoller. Ages unknown, but I suspect most are younger than me.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I don’t give a lot of thought to setting. It just sort of comes for free.

My stories start with images. For instance, A Star Curiously Singing came from a series of images. One was of this future robot analyst/repairman sitting in a room talking to a robot. Trying to verbally diagnose it.

Another image was of that same robot in pieces on a spaceship floor. So then I realized this robot must’ve gotten damaged on a deep space mission, and this analyst fellow must have put it back together and is now trying to understand what went wrong. Next I realized this space ship was a new design, and the place where the analysis was occurring was a space station.

So there I had two important settings: a special ship, and a space station.

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

For a Christian like me the obvious answer is Jesus, but unlike other people from history, we can spend time with Him, not just for an evening, but any old time of the day. That’s the beauty of our relationship. Jesus is always available.

Given that, I guess I’d say George Washington. I think much of what he was and did is lost to modern America. As are the lives and sacrifices of all the founding fathers. It would be great to just sit with Washington and hear the stories that were significant to him. To hear how his faith directed and supported him.

That would be awesome. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

How important marketing is, and how much of the responsibility for that marketing falls squarely on the author’s shoulders. Most of us technology/science fiction guys aren’t, by nature, extroverts. (Ever see the sitcom The Big Bang Theory?) We’re more comfortable dealing with internal worlds—computers or fictional worlds—than we are the world outside. So trying to become an expert marketer is difficult.

Marketing is so important in today’s world, though. And I’m learning. It would’ve been nice to know in advance what a large percentage of time marketing takes, though. I might’ve taken a few classes. J

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I recently read the book Radical by David Platt. In it the author makes a strong case that American Christians—with our large churches and constant striving for more and more stuff—have largely missed the point of the Gospel. That we’ve surrendered the mission of the Church to the altar of the “American Dream.”

It is difficult to read that book and not be convicted in some way. So I guess I’m still digesting what I read and trying to figure out what that means for me in this New Year. It’ll be interesting to see where the Lord leads.

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

Write whether you feel like it or not. You’ll be surprised how often even the “bad” days turn out good work.

Writing is a faith walk. So think of it that way. No, you may not know how it is all going to end, or what situations will happen along the way. But God does. So start walking, start writing, and eventually you’ll get there.

Don’t let the negative reviews outweigh the good. And don’t think everyone will love your work. You’re not writing for everyone. You’re (hopefully) writing to please God. Remember, even Jesus had critics. You will too.

Tell us about the featured book.

Freeheads is the third and final book in the DarkTrench Saga, which began with A Star Curiously Singing. In the second book, a couple of the characters were in space, essentially searching for the truth about God. This third book follows their return to Earth, and what they do with what they’ve learned. Of course, some things have changed since they left, and some things haven’t.

At some level, the DarkTrench Saga resembles the life of Moses, wrapped in a cyberpunk meets sharia (Islamic) law veneer. I’ve taken many of the standard sci-fi tropes—robots, extreme technology, a dystopian future, space travel, alien intelligences, reluctant heroes—and tried to put my own unique spin on them. I think it is lots of fun, but I hope it also has deep meaning. That was my goal, anyway.

Please give us the first page of the book.

2000 AH, Day 62, 9:23:42 a.m.

[DarkTrench Nest]

In a digital mind the simplest thing is a “bit.” It is the smallest divisible part, just like we used to think the atom was in the physical world. Consequently, bits are important. The machine revolves around them. Everything is measured in bits, or in the thousands of them.

A single bit has a value, and that value can be either one or zero. Or—to revert to the electronics from which computers take their substance—either “on” or “off.” Power is traveling through the bit, or it is not.

It wasn’t until after the first computers were created that we realized that they—in at least one way—approximated our own brains. In the human brain, the simplest thing is a “neuron.” It is the smallest divisible part. That neuron has a value. It is either firing or not firing. Reacting or not reacting.

The power is either on or off…

DarkTrench lets out a singular shriek on the stream, wrenching me from my reverie. Seated in the ship’s nest, alone, I check the screen in front of me and then pan the rest of the room’s screens. Looking for an answer. All show a spinning metallic “DT”, DarkTrench’s approximation of sleep.

At the front of the room, on both sides of the curved central screen, the diamond-shaped panels are slid back. Beyond them I can see the light tunnel we travel in. It billows as we carve through the light-years. Space is an afterthought to the ship, an empty annoyance in our swirling pathway home.

“What is it, Trench?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.kerrynietz.com, or www.nietz.com. I’m also on a number of social networks. There is a graphical list of them at the bottom of my website home page.

Thank you, Kerry, for giving us another peek into your world.

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

Freeheads - paperback
Freeheads (The Dark Trench Saga) - 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

A TIME TO HEAL - Seye Oke - Free Book

I'm happy to feature one of the writers in Africa I'm acquainted with. Welcome, Seye. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I enjoy reading the Bible and getting inspired by the words; I decided to start writing inspirational fiction as a way of conveying biblical principles and values in a manner that both entertains and inspires the reader. Growing up I read a lot of fiction books and I enjoyed the way they allowed me dream and experience times and places I may never have an opportunity to experience in real life. A blend of fiction and biblical principles allows me give my reader the same out of this world experience while leaving them with something that transforms their lives from within.

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

I can’t decide between the day I got married and the day I found out I was going to be a mom. Both days gave me joy beyond words and every day I thank God for the experiences. The happiest moment for me when I was getting married was the morning of the church ceremony when I woke up and realized I was going to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. It was a feeling of complete joy and anticipation of the adventures we were going to experience together - really thrilling.

How has being published changed your life?

There is the sense of responsibility which comes from knowing other people are counting on you to do the right thing not just by writing books that inspire and entertain but also by living a life that aligns to the values you profess. That has changed me completely and I hold myself accountable for everything I say and write.

What are you reading right now?

Interestingly I am not reading a book I am researching song lyrics. I recently realized that some of the most inspiring writings I have ever read are lyrics of songs I love. So I’m going through my music files for songs that have inspired me and reading their lyrics. So far the song that tops the chat is India Arie’s A beautiful day.

What is your current work in progress?

I am working on a book titled Trivial Pursuits. I have been working on this longer than I have worked on any book. The story about a high powered business executive who finds the concept of God repelling. He is forced to rethink his position when the force of nature threatens to destroy his ‘self-made’ multimillion dollar empire.

What would be your dream vacation?

My husband would be interested in this (laughs). We would love to take a week off work and enjoy the sunny days on the beach in France, maybe Marseille.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I am inspired by the key message of the book and I decide on the time and setting based on that. If I decide to talk about cultural diversity then a story set in the 60’s in Africa might do the job for me. And if it’s about a child experiencing freedom from his parent’s for the first time, then a story set in university campus would be better suited. I let the main theme decide the settings.

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

Hmmm that’s a tough one, a number of people have intrigued and inspired me and it’s hard to decide. I would say Oprah, that’s because I have seen a lot of her shows and her TV personality but it would be nice to know for real what her off camera life looks like and what inspires her to change the world like she does. That would be nice.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love spending time with my family – quiet evenings taking a walk or listening to music. I also love to travel; the idea of visiting new places always intrigues me and fuels my creativity. I guess what I enjoy doing the most is taking time away from my busy world to get in touch with myself.

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

That would be work. My day job demands that I spend a considerable time thinking up creative ideas to solve a common problem. Sometimes I find myself trying to write and my mind slips back into some project I was working on at the office. I have trained myself to be mentally present on whatever I am working on and keep every other thought out. It’s been hard but I try.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

I would tell any beginning author what an experienced writer told me many years ago – Write, write, write! Honestly from my experience writing is the hardest part and once you get that done you can use any form of publishing available this day to get your book out. You can explore traditional publishing, self-publishing, print on demand, eBook publishing, the options are out there to explore. So get your pen and paper or if you’d prefer your laptop and start writing; some works will get published, others you’d decide it was just an exercise – whichever it goes you will find fulfillment when you finish working on a writing project.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Time to Heal (2011) is an inspirational novel set in Historical Africa of the early 60’s. The story borders on the tale of two young lovers, Tori and Chidi, bond by the covenant of marriage but separated by the realities of ethnic differences. It is a bold story that sets out to show the healing power of forgiveness and love. Embracing the multi-cultural nature of the African society to appreciate its diversity and re-evaluate its glitches. A Time to Heal casts a floodlight on the debris that weakens the development of our societies starting with the smallest and most significant unit, the family. This creative work takes readers through a journey of uncertainties and excitement as it narrows in on the triumphs and failure experienced by Toriola and Chidi in the face of a civil war. In A Time to Heal, Chidi finds the very essence of his existence tested when he is called on to fulfill a family obligation that exists beyond his nuclear family. He finds himself on a journey of self-discovery as his close companions, Dozie, Azuka and Jude, lure him to fight for a course he has no faith in. Chidi’s decision excludes Tori from his plans and ultimately from his life. In search for consolation, companionship and support, Tori rekindles her soured relationship with her parents, and clutches to the warmth offered by a stranger. The individual paths chosen by this young couple widens as time pass by, as each struggle to understand and uphold their new found ‘self’. Chidi gives in to the clarion call of his kindred to join in the fight for their recognition and respect against superior forces, leaving Tori to re-discover the true meaning of family, loyalty and love. Consumed by the heart ache of loneliness, Tori question every value she had ever upheld as she finds herself torn between loving another and waiting for the one that betrayed her love. This book tells a compelling truth simplified to inspire the average reader in an enchanting yet revolutionary way.

Please give us the first page of the book.

1960

As the parliamentary elections neared, there were a lot of political activities all around the country; propaganda, interviews, speeches, and campaigns. Citizens were skeptical about the outcome of the election as the census results released two years earlier showed that majority of the country’s population tilted heavily to one side of the country. Talk was cheap, a dime a dozen, as the radio stations aired the promises of a better tomorrow campaigned by the different parties. In the midst of it all, somewhere in the less-popular part of the country, in the small foyer of community hall, two people oblivious to the political tension were exchanging their vows,  “With this ring I wed thee … Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”  The bride and groom were misty eyed, and so were all those who witnessed as the minister pronounced them man and wife.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I try to keep a very engaging personality via my webpage www.seyeoke.com , my twitter account @seyeoke where I primarily give out inspirational tips and phrases and my fans page on Facebook www.facebook.com/splendourbooks. I absolutely love the engagement with my readers on Facebook. Readers have an opportunity to read the book reviews and media interviews I have had about my book A Time to Heal. They can also enter competitions and win a free book. I have periodic post on the page highlighting my events and photo stories; it’s quite an interesting interaction. Of course you can always leave a comment or send me a message and I’d respond.


Thank you, Seye, for this peek into your life and writing.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Time to Heal - paperback
A Time to Heal - 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

8 Winners!!!

Cheryl (IL) is the winner of Evandale Gold by Amanda Deed.
Merry (TX), Judy Cooper (LA), and JoAnn Durgin (IN) is the winner of Highland Crossing by Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn. 
Samantha (MI) is the winner of Rose's Pledge by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford.
Jo (AZ)  is the winner of The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher. 
Carly (NC) is the winner of The Shadow of Your Smile, by Susan May Warren.
Elaine (IA)  is the winner of Undercover Angels, by Angela Dusenberry.

If you won a book and you really like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. Send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

CHASING MONA LISA - Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey - Free Book

I know that this is a collaboration. How did this story come about?

Tricia: I’ve written a handful of books set in the World War II, and I’ve always been intrigued about how the Nazis stole art. When I was in Austria I heard about the salt mines that many art pieces were hidden in. I also read a book Rescuing Da Vinci that intrigued me.  That’s why Mike and I started the book with an action scene involving a train in Paris being loaded up with priceless art that was purchased or stolen in France. I was amazed by how that happened and I knew readers would be too.

Mike: From there, it was a matter of piecing together a plausible plot that involved Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring’s desire to steal the Mona Lisa following the Allies’ liberation of Paris in August 1944. We believe we have more than succeeded, and there are a lot of unexpected surprises along the way.

Did you find it easy to work together on it?

Tricia: The best way to work together was for Mike to write the first draft and then I came in behind and edited, added bits and pieces of scenes, and offered suggestions. He usually set me free on the “romantic” parts.

Mike: That’s what worked best for us. Thank goodness for Track Changes in Word.

That was a great invention loved by many authors. How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Tricia: Mike and I collaborated on a previous World War II novel, The Swiss Courier and we both like the same type of research, although Mike comes up with the zinger plot twists.

Mike: Although Chasing Mona Lisa has several of the same characters that appeared in The Swiss Courier, Tricia and I decided to make it a stand-alone novel.

What is the hardest thing about writing as a team?

Tricia: Mike and I both have other books, other projects, and other deadlines that we do on our own, so it’s hard to coordinate our time.

Mike: There are never enough hours in the day.

What are you reading right now?

Tricia: I'm currently reading Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis and A Stranger's Gift (pre-release to write an endorsement) by Pulitzer Prize Winner Tom Hallman, Jr.

Mike: I just finished Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly. I was surprised how good it was, but he didn’t write it. His collaborator Martin Dugard undoubtedly authored the book.

How did you choose your characters’ names?

Tricia: I can claim choose Colette! I love that name. Mike did the rest.

Mike: Believe it or not, many of the names come from Nicole’s family (she is Swiss) or friends she went to high school with outside of Zurich.

Would you want to work on another book together?

Tricia: Sure, but we need Chasing Mona Lisa to do well.

Mike: So tell all your friends. This starving artist will appreciate it.

What do you want to tell us about the book?

Tricia: The action never stops. Every chapter moves toward a cliffhanger. We don’t want anyone to catch his or her breath. Oh, yes, the research is pretty fun too!

Mike: It’s wonderful how all the plot threads . . . and there are a bunch of them . . . all come together. We haven’t had anyone guess the ending yet, so there are plot twists galore.

Sounds like a book I’ll love. I’ll have to try to guess the ending. I love it when I’m totally surprised, but that doesn’t happen too often. Please give us the first page of the book.

Here is the A Note to the Reader (but the beginning of the first chapter follows).

The world-renowned Musée du Louvre, in Paris, France, started as a fortress when construction began in 1190. In the fourteenth century, Charles V converted the fortress into a residential chateau, and from the 1660s until 1682, Louis XIV, the Sun King, transformed the Louvre into the grandest palace in Europe. Within its walls today, 35,000 irreplaceable pieces of art are exhibited, including the three most notable—the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory at Samothrace.

The Mona Lisa, or as she is called in French, La Joconde, greets visitors from behind a climate-controlled enclosure fronted by bulletproof glass. Over 500 years old, the portrait of the most famous woman in the world—Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant—measures only twenty-one inches wide by thirty inches tall. It is said that her eyes follow—perhaps even haunt—viewers. Her folded hands look smooth, and her smile, forever enigmatic. From the moment the Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci finished this masterpiece in 1519 a few years before his death, no portrait has elicited more scrutiny, study, and even parody in the history of art.

During World War II, the Nazis looted thousands of paintings and art works from the lands they conquered. Armed with the knowledge that their beloved treasures were in danger, the French packed up the Mona Lisa before the German Army overran Paris. She was moved from one hiding place to another, and she even hung in a little girl’s bedroom for a time. The Mona Lisa remained safe throughout the time of the Nazi occupation of France . . .

Until the Libération of Paris.

Chapter 1 (first page)

Thursday, August 20, 1942

Paris, France, during Nazi occupation

Dressed in soiled blue overalls and pushing a dented trash can, the solitary figure shuffled past two German sentries stationed at the Gare de l’Est’s archway entrance.

The brim of a felt hat covered Bernard Rousseau’s downturned eyes, averting the soldiers’ cold glare. No one will bother you if you avoid eye contact while performing a menial job. Cradling that thought, he moved past the guards into the gilded entrance arcade.

Gare de l’Est, one of six train stations in Paris and the main terminus for rail traffic to and from Germany, was moderately busy this summer afternoon. In stark contract to the pall of oppression in the streets, a festive spirit hung in the air underneath the iron trusses of the train shed where clusters of German officers—flanked by smiling wives and jubilant children—arrived on holiday. Sweating porters toted their luggage, struggling to keep up within the grand structure dominated by decorative columns.

Readers: Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway from @triciagoyer @mikeyorkey!

Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world  - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

• iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
• Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
• Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
• Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
• Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock?) and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!


Thank you, Tricia and Mike, for the interesting peek into your writing partnership and your book.


Readers, you can win a copy of the book here on 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 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

THE LAZARUS FILE - Donn E Taylor - Free eBook

I read the print edition of this book several years ago. I'm glad to see it come out at an ebook, so many more readers can read this wonderful suspense novel.

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

Right now there is too much fog for me to see the horizon. Unlike some writers, I can't see two novels ahead or even two poems ahead. I just keep plugging along on a compass course through the fog and trust the Lord to bring me out somewhere useful to Him.

Tell us a little about your family.

My father was a well-known scholar of American literature, my mother was a college librarian, and my older brother is a retired specialist on William Faulkner. Me? I spent two decades in the Army before going to grad school and becoming a professor. Mildred and I have been happily married for more than fifty years. Our two sons are lawyers. One daughter is a CPA, and the other just retired from teaching high school English. We have eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Counting our children's spouses, we have it all covered: an engineer to build it, a CPA to cost it, an Air Force officer to defend it, lawyers to handle the legal implications, and a liberal arts major to tell us what it means.

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

I read less for pleasure and more to elevate my craft or to help other writers. I still go back to literature to keep my imagination active. Last week it was Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Kipling's "The Gods of the Copybook Headings." Pretty soon I need to revisit Andrew Marvell's lyric poetry.

What are you working on right now?

I have a mystery novel in progress and a suspense novel in the concept and research stage, plus one idea for a narrative poem. I'm blogging on poetry each third Friday for the Christian Authors Network blog (http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/). I'll also be teaching at the Blue Ridge conference again in May of 2012.  

What outside interests do you have?

I'm teaching C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity to a small group at our church. I'm also an avid fan of college football, especially the Texas Longhorns—though I place greater value on the Humanities Research Center at that university. But mostly I enjoy being married to Mildred. We like doing things together, especially walking. We also like keeping up with our children and grandchildren, who live near enough but not too near.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

The setting for Rhapsody in Red was a natural: I'd taught at two small colleges, so I was drawn toward setting the mystery on that kind of campus. The only trick was to keep the setting fictitious and well away from any place where I'd taught. Finding the setting for The Lazarus File was more interesting. At an anti-communist rally in North Dakota I met The Honorable Lewis Tambs, former U.S. ambassador to Colombia and Costa Rica, and a former member of the National Security Council. (He coined the term "narco-terrorism.") He interested me in the unholy alliances of Communist nations with Colombian guerrillas and drug cartels, so I ended up with a setting in Colombia and the Caribbean area. Ambassador Tambs also was kind enough to let me use his strategic concepts in the novel, and enjoyed my putting them in the mouth of a CIA defector. I'll let the choice of settings for current projects wait for another time.

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

Everyone's choice would be Jesus, of course. But if it were limited to mere humans, I'd choose the medieval poet Dante Alighieri. His Divine Comedy is one of my all-time favorites, and I'd like a first-hand reading of what he intended in his allegory, e.g., does the Greyhound represent Dante's patron or does it represent Jesus in the Second coming? I'd also like to know more about medieval Florence than the history books tell. My second choice would be the British naval hero Horatio Hornblower. I’d like to ask him how he got that group of European slaves away from their African masters without firing a shot or paying a shilling. His biography is silent on that.

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

I wish I'd known the difference in structure between commercial novels and literary novels. I received several severe critiques for using tricks (like double flashbacks) that I'd seen used effectively in literary novels. That cost me a good bit of re-writing. However, I'm glad I didn't know how competitive the fiction-writing business is. That might have scared me off before I started.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

The same thing He's been teaching me all my life: PATIENCE. I seem to be a slow learner.

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

The first is to have patience: it always takes longer than you think it's going to. Second, learn the craft: don't be too proud or too stubborn to learn basic rules of grammar and punctuation. Third, read widely. Don't limit yourself to your chosen genre. Read subject matter as well as fiction. You never know where the next idea is coming from. (I would never have thought of musical hallucinations for Rhapsody in Red if I hadn't read about it in the New York Times.)

Tell us about the featured book. Here is the back-cover blurb of The Lazarus File: A CIA agent working under cover as a drug pilot in Colombia.... A Colombian woman of good family, threatened by industrial intrigue and a plot to kidnap her.... Unwillingly thrown together, they discover plans for an international terrorist strike against both of their countries. Held captive and marked for death in a remote Andean valley, they must find a way to prevent the terrorist attack....With action ranging over much of the Caribbean and the United States, The Lazarus File is a fast-paced narrative featuring unexpected plot twists, thrilling flight sequences, and emotionally charged personal relationships. Thematically, it images characters who keep their promises even when it may cost their lives.

The novel also has unexpected comic moments: The character Ramón is a blend of Shakespeare's Falstaff and Walker Percy's Moviegoer. He speaks in clichés, but never gets them right.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Medellín, Colombia, October 1977


Mark Daniel had never been hijacked before, but the man pointing a pistol at his heart was rapidly filling that gap in his experience. Worse yet, Mark realized, getting hijacked would make him miss the crucial appointment he'd won after eighteen months of dangerous undercover work.

At noon he had landed his white twin-engine Cessna 402 at Medellín after an overnight flight to Grand Cayman Island. After he parked and deplaned, a man wearing a baggy brown suit came forward, smiling. Two other men remained in the background. The spokesman was a rugged-looking mestizo about Mark's own size--a bit more than six feet tall, with a weight around two hundred pounds. He sported a neatly trimmed mustache and perfect teeth.

"Buenas tardes, Señor," he began, then changed into English. "This airplane is for hire?"

"Usually," Mark replied, "but I have an appointment this afternoon. I won't know about the next few days till my receptionist comes back from lunch."

A look of distress replaced the man's smile. "But Señor, this flight must be made today."

"Then someone else will have to make it." Mark's voice sounded more harsh than he intended. "I'm sorry," he added, "but I can't break my appointment."

The man grew adamant. "But you must, Señor. The airplane at Hacienda Agueda has become sick and cannot be flown, and we must bring the passenger back before nightfall. It is not wise to stay there overnight, for guerrilla territory lies nearby. For this flight I will pay you two thousand American dollars."

Mark swallowed his irritation. "I'm sorry, but if I don't keep this appointment, I'll lose my best customer."

That customer was Paolo Guzmán, one of the three most powerful drug lords of Medellín. To end the conversation, he turned away and checked the clips on the Cessna's cowling.

He hoped to hear departing footsteps, but instead he heard a flat, determined voice. "I do not wish to seem impolite, Señor, but you may lose more than your best customer."

Mark looked into the muzzle of a century-old Colt .45 revolver. Despite the anachronistic weapon, the visitor did not act like an amateur. The gunman's two henchmen had drawn late-model automatics and taken positions for a cross fire. Mark's anger boiled against the hijackers, but more against himself for being taken unawares.

"And if I don't make the flight?" he asked. If he could stall for a few minutes....

"Ah, Señor!" The visitor sighed and looked sad. "Before the Sabbath I must attend confession, and some patient Father must hear the tedious catalog of my sins. Why would you add your murder to that sordid list? You should be more considerate of the priesthood."

How can readers find you on the Internet?
My Web site is www.donntaylor.com. Beyond that, typing my name into Google will bring up several pages of references.


Thank you, Donn, for visiting with us again.


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Lazarus File: How often must an undercover agent die in order to survive? (Legacy Series) - 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

GOODBYE NOEL - Nike Chillemi - Free eBook

Bio: Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and its Chairman, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. BURNING HEARTS is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series, published by Desert Breeze. GOODBYE NOEL, the second book in the series was released in December, 2011. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning).

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

I suppose there's something of myself in all of my heroines. They're all fairly plucky and I've been told that I'm pretty feisty. I try to write strong female characters, not only the main characters but also secondary ones. When I wrote my debut novel BURNING HEARTS, I didn't realize until final edits that my heroine's mother was quite like my Czechoslovakian maternal grandmother, who had quite a backbone, by the way. This character cooked and baked the same dishes my grandmother did. And she had quite a boisterous sense of humor, just like my grandmother.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Wow! I've done so many quirky things. One thing I'm known for that's sure to make my 14-year-old daughter roll her eyes is singing as if I'm in a 1940s musical. And I'll rewrite the lyrics to fit whatever current domestic situation is going on in our house. I tap dance right into the living room and sing my heart out. I've also been known to snap my fingers in time to the musak in supermarkets and boogie-along right down the aisle. At that point, my daughter hurries away having said, "So long, mom. You're now on your own here."

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I penned my first book when I was just a girl about my love of horses. Actually, it was written in Crayola. In my pre-teen and teen years, I wrote poetry with the requisite angst. About six years ago I got really serious about writing for publication. I still keep my first manuscript around just for laughs. It was that bad.

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

I read mostly crime fiction. I'm a loyal fan of detective novel series and police procedurals. I read general market mysteries and Christian thrillers. I'll also occasionally read a good historical romance or a nonfiction history title.

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

I'm not sure I'd claim to be sane. But I keep stress levels down with what I've been told is a whopping good sense of humor. A good laugh can release emotional pressure that's building up. If I want to get away from it all for a little while, I'll pour through my cookbooks or recipes to find something delicious to cook. I might turn on the Food Network and watch a cooking show. I'm a foodie. I'm also a firm believer in the restorative powers of a short nap.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

In addition to being a zany character in my own right, I'm also a highly disciplined writer. I keep detailed character name files, both first names and last names. I file them according to ethnicity and even religion. I also regularly check the top names in the year my character was born.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I'm most proud of my nearly 27 year marriage. Joseph and I adopted our 14-year-old daughter when she was six and she had quite a few remedial issues. Right away, we took her out of public school and enrolled her in Christian school. When that school closed due to financial reasons, I homeschooled her for two years. She will be entering high school next year and has auditioned for three of NYC's top public art and design high schools. Going along with her other strong interest, she's also applied to one of the city's oceanographic high schools. We'll be happy with whichever school accepts her. She's come a long way baby!!!

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

Back in the day, I was an animal rescuer. I rescued and found homes for nearly 40 dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional baby squirrel that fell out of a tree, which was later released. I'm partial to North American mammals. I guess I'd have to pick one of my first loves, the cougar, also known as the puma. They are handsome, shy cats, who will slip away rather than attack, but corner them or threaten their young and watch out.

What is your favorite food?

A whole lobster. I'd like to have my lobster dinner complete with an ear of corn, clarified butter, cornbread, and coleslaw at a rustic seaside restaurant on a pier or the beach overlooking the ocean. If I had any room for dessert, which would be doubtful, I'd ask for Key Lime pie or lemon meringue pie.

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

The research was the most time consuming. For my romantic historical thriller series I spent hours researching WWII, immigration, Ellis Island, the idiom of the time as well as the popular culture of the era. I have a great interest in that time period and as I stated, I'm a disciplined writer, so I just do it. At the moment, I'm working on a contemporary thriller and have put in

hours researching NYPD regulations and procedures.

Tell us about the featured book.

Goodbye Noel: Genre: Historical Romantic Thriller

The first body is found under a trimmed Christmas tree, the second as they ring in the New Year (1947), the third goes headlong out a window. Will a young pediatric nurse determined to make it on her own be able to care for an infant whose mother was murdered and escape the killer who has struck again? Can she trust the stalwart village detective with her life and her heart as he works to catch this killer before somebody else dies?

Pediatric nurse, Katrina Lenart, grew up strong willed and independent minded, while sharing her mother's flair for high fashion. When the police chief gives her an orphaned baby to care for, her maternal instincts take over and she's willing to fight anyone who might not have the infant's best interests at heart, even the man she's growing to love. After an attempt is made to kidnap the baby, she and the resolute village detective team up and do some sleuthing, undercover at a cult as well as at a fancy ball.

Detective Ian Daltry is a widower with a child and is not interested in a new love. Hunting a killer who stops at nothing has placed him in the position where he must protect a beautiful young woman he's drawn to. Is there's something he's overlooked in analyzing the case? Will he find out what that is before this ruthless murderer kills someone he loves?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

Long Island, NY

December 1946

Katrina Lenart nodded toward a break in the leafless maples and snow-covered pines lining Hill Street then pointed with her black cable knit glove. A fat blue jay sat on the tip of a pine branch and quirked his head at her, almost mocking. The sun, more the color of wheat than yellow, floated in the pale, cloudless, winter sky, surrendering little heat.

"It might seem like we're almost there to you, but we still have to climb that hill." It wasn't high, but steep, as if a pitiless hand had gouged earth from its side. She turned her head back and squinted against the glare off the snow, adjusting her black velvet earmuffs, stitched into a floret on one side, all the rage since the war.

"Said just like a female." Willie Brogna grinned, pulling the toboggan behind him, his rubber boots stomping deep impressions in the fresh fallen snow. Pivoting, he gave her a wide smile. "I know you're just being nice, helping me try out my favorite Christmas present. With my sister on her honeymoon and all, I don't have anyone to be my guinea pig." He resumed his climb, out-pacing her, and chuckled under his breath.

Determined to put her best friend's teenage brother in his place, Katrina lengthened her strides and arrived at the top of the incline breathing hard. "People often comment on how nice I am... and courteous. Willing to help those in need." She tossed off a teasing smile.

The tall, lanky teen snorted then tugged on his hand-knit gloves, securing them, and flexed his fingers.

Shading her eyes with a glove, she gazed south, unable to see the village of Sanctuary Point or the Great South Bay through the trees. Though she knew icy wind whipped them both. The weather forecast said a storm was headed their way. Directly below, the ground dropped away into an empty lot. Beyond that, Hill Street and the tiny Bauer cottage.

"Are you ready? I'll steer and you take the rumble seat." Willie knelt and positioned the toboggan for the first run down the steep hill. "Don't forget to hang on tight, I'm gonna let 'er rip, if that won't bruise the dignity of Memorial's most promising nurse."

Katrina gave him a playful smack on the arm. "How you do go on. Just watch out for that huge bump down there."

"Aw, that's not even a blip on the radar."

She hunkered down behind him and clasped her arms around his waist. The toboggan sped down the hill, her hair airborne behind her. Icy snow crystals flew into her face. They hit the bump and went aloft. "Willieee," she shrieked.

They landed so hard her teeth clattered.

When they came to a stop, Willie jumped off. "While we were in the air, I saw something near Mrs. Bauer's cottage. Does she have a pet? A cat, maybe? It looked like a hurt animal... something bloody."

He trotted across the street. "It's not in the yard. It's away from the house. Closer and to the side of the road." He hastened down Hill Street, slipping and sliding, to the edge of the Bauer property.

Katrina hurried down the sloping street after him, her arms stretched out for balance. If this were his idea of a practical joke, she'd let him have it.

Willie bent over the object on the ground. Rising, he twisted toward her. "Well, it's not an animal. It's a piece of soiled cloth."

Rushing to his side, she tried to catch her breath. "That's blood on a kitchen towel. Not a lot, but sufficient to warrant concern." Please, Lord, let everything be all right in the Bauer house.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Nike Chillemi ~ Crime Fictionista blog. http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Nike Chillemi Author Page/Desert Breeze Publishing.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/NikeChillemi/Page.bok

Nike Chillemi is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+


Thank you, Nike, for spending this time with us.



Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Sanctuary Point Book Two: Goodbye Noel - 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.

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THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS - K Dawn Byrd - Free eBook

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

I really don't intentionally write any of myself into my characters. Occasionally, a character might enjoy something I do, such has sports cars.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I don't know that I would call it quirky, but I used to ride my own Harley Davidson. I've owned 3 Harleys and a Yamaha, which was my starter bike. I gave up riding to have more time to write, which is my real passion.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I really didn't feel like a writer until I received the proof of my first cover. When I saw my name there, it drove the idea home.

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

I read a little bit of everything, but particularly enjoy romantic suspense and young adult romance.

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

I'm a very organized person and that helps tremendously. I'm all for anything that saves time, especially making lists. I never go shopping without a list.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I pull up baby name websites and read through them until something jumps out at me.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Obtaining my masters degree and becoming licensed in my field.

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

If I were an animal, I'd be a giraffe. It would be nice to be tall enough to see everything that's going on. Not that I'm short. I'm about 5'7".

What is your favorite food?

Believe it or not, grilled cheese sandwiches.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches. I make mine with grated Mexican cheese mix on 7-Grain bread. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Finding the time to write was my greatest roadblock. I gave up some other hobbies to make time to write.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here's my cover blurb:

Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's the recipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up on the internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain when her attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?

When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's thrown into more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by a stalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emma hanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even the man she thinks she can trust is suspect.

Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about his feelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to have meant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's in trouble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clear his name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her the creeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solve the mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Whoever thinks it's cool to live next door to the guy you love hasn't walked a mile in my shoes.

It's like entering an ice cream shop on a muggy day and craving your favorite flavor, while the frozen concoction mocks you from under the glass, just out of reach. The fact that you can look but not touch makes you want it even more.

I stepped away from my window as Nate Neitch paused by his truck and glanced up at my second story bedroom window. My pulse tripped. I held my breath as I moved out of his view and vowed that this summer would be different. This summer I'd make him fall for me. Hard. Nate Neitch, look out. I'm back, and I'm not playing games.

Be still my beating heart. How could he possibly know I was in town? I'd climbed the squeaky steps to the upper floor of my grandparents' farmhouse just after midnight, a day earlier than expected. News does travel fast in small towns.

Nate plugged something into his cell phone and opened the door of his truck as I pushed the sheer pink curtain a little further to the left to get a better view of its new paint job. I had to give it to Nate, he was handy when it came to cars.

My cell phone buzzed and I jumped, allowing the curtain to fall completely across the window.

Hey, Z-girl. You in town? Nate

A shiver of warmth surged through me at the sight of his nickname for me. I could almost hear his deep, gravelly voice, all male and totally sexy. Even after an entire school year away from him, he still made me feel like a twelve-year-old with a crush. My hands shook so badly it took me three times to get my reply right.

Yeah, I'm here. Z-girl.

I fought the urge to sign it, your Z-girl. I reminded myself that just because he'd kissed me right before I left town last year, didn't mean I owned him -- but a girl can wish. My phone buzzed his reply.

Going 2 town. Wanna go?

Those words were magic to my longing heart. I rubbed sweaty palms down the side of my jeans before texting that I'd be right there. He was practically all I'd thought about this past year, and I was finally going to see him face to face.

Would he kiss me again? Would he still want to hang out? He'd spent just about every minute of his spare time with me last summer. I'd be disappointed if there wasn't a replay this year.

I studied the cork board on the wall beside my dresser. The block letters running across the top jumped out at me. Zoe Mack & Friends. Gram had insisted we use my full name because she liked it so much. I smiled at the memory. We'd covered it in pink cloth and attached photos of myself, Nate, and my friends. Right now it was bare, awaiting the photos I'd removed when I'd left last year. Hopefully, I'd have new photos of this summer's adventures to add soon.

I took one last look in the mirror, pulled my strawberry-blond hair back into a ponytail, dotted the freckles on my nose with a little foundation, and rushed downstairs. Gram sat at an antique kitchen table, sipping a cup of steaming tea. As usual, the kitchen was immaculate. She'd cleaned up our breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon and was reading her devotions. My grandparents were so set in their ways, I could just about set the clock by them.

I attempted to act calm, cool, and casual. "Hey, Gram. Nate just texted me. I'm going to town with him."

She pursed her lips and blew the steam away from the rim of her teacup, the sparkle in her aged blue eyes telling me she'd seen through me. When it came to matters of the heart, Gram was a pro at figuring out who had a crush on who.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com and www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd





Thank you for spending this fun time with us, K Dawn


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Zoe Mack and the Secret of the Love Letters (Zoe Mack Mysteries) - 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