THE HEART'S FRONTIER - Virginia Smith - Free Book

Welcome, Virginia. Tell us about your salvation experience.

I was raised in a Christian home, so I’ve known the Lord as long as I can remember. But I accepted him when I was 12 years old, after seeing a movie at church called A Thief in the Night. There was a scene in that book where a girl realized she needed to make a personal decision to ask Jesus into her heart, apart from her parents’ belief. That night I came home and asked my mom to pray with me. We knelt beside the living room sofa and I accepted the Lord as my personal Lord and Savior.

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

Lori Copeland, because I know how awesome she is to work with after co-authoring 3 novels with her. Brandilyn Collins, because I admire the way she creates tension on every page of her novels. Deb Raney because I admire her skill at characterization. Allie Pleiter, because she’s such a livewire and so creative.

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

I’m a certified lay speaker for the United Methodist Church, so I do a bit of speaking to fill in when a pastor is absent. I’ve been invited to speak at ladies retreats around the country as well. Since I’m a fiction lover, my favorite events have involved telling stories and then drawing spiritual parallels.

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

I stood up to speak at a ladies’ retreat once and realized I couldn’t read my notes or my Bible. I’d been putting off getting reading glasses out of vanity, I suppose. But the lighting was pretty dim in that room, and I absolutely could not see. I made a joke about getting old and my vision fading, and someone from the audience gave me a pair of readers. I was able to get through the talk, and the next day I bought two things – a pair of reading glasses, and a giant print Bible!

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

Yes, they do. All the time. I tell them to sit down and do it. There are thousands of people who have a great idea for a book, but they just talk about it. Once they start actually putting words on paper – even if they’re not skilled yet at the craft – they will either fall in love with the process, or they will give it up. Either way, they will never do more than talk about their idea if they don’t act on it!

Tell us about the featured book.

The Heart’s Frontier is my 17^th novel. I co-authored the book with the amazing Lori Copeland, who has written westerns many times, but this is my first historical. I loved it! The research was so much fun! Here’s a blurb from the back cover:

A lot can happen on a week-long cattle drive. Kansas 1881 - Halfway through a six-day journey to visit relatives, Emma Switzer's Amish family is robbed of all their possessions, leaving them destitute and stranded on the prairie. Walking to the nearest trading settlement, they pray to the Lord for someone to help. When a dusty cowboy lands in the street at her feet, Emma looks down at him and thinks, “The Lord might have cleaned him up first.” ... Plain and rugged -- do the two mix? And what happens when a dedicated Amish woman and a stubborn trail boss prove to be each other's match?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Apple Grove, Kansas

July 1881

Nearly the entire Amish district of Apple Grove had turned out to help this morning, all twenty families. Or perhaps they were here merely to wish Emma Switzer well as she set of for her new home in Troyer, fifty miles away.

From her vantage point on the porch of the house, Emma’s grandmother kept watch over the loading of the gigantic buffet hutch onto the specially reinforced wagon. Her sharp voice sliced through the peaceful morning air.

“Forty years I’ve had that hutch from my dearly departed husband and not a scratch on it. Jonas, see that you use care!”

If Maummi’s expression weren’t so fierce, Emma would have laughed at the long-suffering look Papa turned toward his mother. But the force with which Maummi’s fingers dug into the flesh on Emma’s arm warned that a chuckle would be most ill-suited at the moment.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at www.VirginiaSmith.org. Plus, Lori Copeland and I have a website together – www.CopelandandSmith.com.

Right now I’d love to invite everyone to visit my website (or hers, or ours) to participate in a fun contest to come up with a name for the cow on the front cover of The Heart’s Frontier. Check it out at www.virginiasmith.org/readers.html

That is funny, Ginny. Okay, readers, help her find a name.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Heart's Frontier (The Amish of Apple Grove) - paperback
The Heart's Frontier (The Amish of Apple Grove) - 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

BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON - Tricia Goyer - Free Book

I am thrilled to be on this blog tour. Tricia allowed me to read this manuscript for endorsement. First, I love stories about the Titanic. Second, the story is very engaging, with undertones of the prodigal son. The characters leap off the pages and grab your heart. They won't let go until you read the last page. Even then, they'll hang around your thoughts of quite awhile.


About Tricia:

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-two books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

Welcome, Tricia. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I'm a wife, mom of four, author, radio host, and speaker. I'm the author of 32 books, and I've written hundreds of articles. I also have a weekly radio show, Living Inspired, where I interview Christian authors, artists, and ministry leaders. I started writing as a young mom in 1994, and my first book got published in 2003. I've been writing books continually since then, and I love it. Growing up I never planned on being a writer, but I did love to read. Looking back, I can seen that God created me to share stories with others. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do.

In a lot of ways, our paths are similar. I also host a radio show, but only once a month. How did you become interested in writing?           

I was just 22-years-old and pregnant with my third baby when another young mom at church was talking about writing a novel. It intrigued me! We went to a few writing workshops together, and then the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer's Conference. I was hooked after that. I continued to attend Mt. Hermon for fourteen years, learning and growing in my craft.                                                                          

Mount Herman is one conference I’d like to go to, but haven’t made it yet. What compelled you to write a book on the subject in By the Light of the Silvery Moon?

I first got the idea for doing a more contemporary prodigal son story in 1997. Then—just last year—I was approached by an editor about coming up with an idea for the Titanic. April 15, 2012 was the 100th Anniversary—would I like to submit a novel idea for consideration? Yes, of course!

One morning I was laying in bed praying about a “Titanic idea” when the prodigal son story popped into my mind. Was it possible that the seed of the idea I had so many years prior fit on the Titanic? I dug back through my old computer files and found the original prologue. Then, in my mind's eye, the story of a younger son, an older son, a woman who cared for them both--and the loving father--played out in my mind on the decks of the grand ship.

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? 

My novel idea was rooted in the Scriptural story of the prodigal son, and I knew the story could be impacting if told in a more modern time period. I couldn't shake the image of God as reflected in the loving father who welcomes his wayward son home. The theme is, “We can never walk away from the Father's love.”                                                                                                                                           

                                                                 

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?

Yes, first of all to understand that God will always love us, even in our lowest point. We don't need to hide from Him—He's waiting there with open arms. I also hope readers will be more intrigued by the Titanic and will pick up another book about it. I feel we honor those who lost their lives by not losing their story among the faded memories of passing years.

I am featuring several Christian novels on the Titanic here on this blog. What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?

There are a TON of books on the Titanic. In fact, that was daunting to me to try to add to the many voices. BUT my novel isn't a book of facts. It's a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption. The characters have a unique story to tell—they just get to tell it amongst the drama of a sinking ship.     

     

                                                                                                                                   

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?

What a great question! I feel God has called me to bring His truths to life in story. I've had five novels released in the last seven months—that is a lot!--but the stories He puts on my heart continue to pour out. At the same time, like Amelia in the novel—I'm called to serve my family and those in the local community. My grandmother lives with me, we've adopted one sweet little girl and hope to open our home to more orphans in the next year. Even when we have full schedules, God asks us to care for the orphans and widows, and doing so brings me great joy!

                                                                                                                                                              

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

Yes, Zephaniah 3:17. It shares the Father's love in a way that amazes me:

“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Interesting. Just before I first remember reading that scripture verse, God had given me a vision, and that verse reinforced it. It’s one of my favorites, too. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?

My favorite hobbies include visiting the zoo, playing with Play Dough, and reading Goodnight Moon with my 2-year-old. I also love date nights with my hubby and traveling with my family!

As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you, Lena! You are a wonderful friend. I am blessed by you!

The feeling is mutual. 

About the book:

Amelia Gladstone's hopes are tied up in the Titanic--hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.

Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America--and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

Book Trailer

Link to buy the book:

http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#ByTheLight 


Win an Flip HD Camcorder during @TriciaGoyer's Unsinkable Titanic Giveaway and RSVP for 4/10 Titanic Party!


Celebrate the release of By the Light of the Silvery Moon with Tricia by entering her giveaway and RSVPing to her Titanic party.





One "unsinkable" winner will receive:

• Flip HD video Camera (Make your own dramatic saga!)
• Titanic movies from the ages {Titanic (1953) Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Titanic (1997)}
• Secrets of the Titanic (Get the facts from National Geographic.)
• And the Band Played On (Music Played on the Titanic.)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer (Be swept away in this tale of love and courage.)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 9th. Winner will be announced at "Silvery Moon" Titanic Facebook Party on 4/10. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club). During the live chat Tricia will have a *special guest* join her. More details coming soon!

So grab your copy of By the Light of the Silvery Moon and join Tricia on the evening of the April 10th for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Titanic?) 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 10th!

In addition to that, some blessed reader of this blog can win a free copy of the book. Here's how.

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

WHEN RAIN FALLS - Tyora Moody, Free Book

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

Wow! That is a cool question. When I first started developing my female protagonist, Candace Johnson, I didn’t think we had anything in common. That’s before I went through some periods of pain and loss myself. Though our circumstances were very different, pain is pain. I certainly poured my emotions into the character. There is probably a bit of myself or someone I know infused into every character.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirkiest thing? I’m a quirky person period. LOL! I’m sure I do things all the time that could fit this category. Lately, my writing time includes comfortable clothes (pajamas) and a cup of tea. :)

I always spend half a day in my pajamas. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed reading and making up my own stories as a young child. My mom nicknamed me “Alice in Wonderland.” It wasn’t until the tenth grade when I wrote a short story for English class that it really hit me how much I enjoyed writing. My teacher and classmates responses to the short story were very encouraging. 

After high school and college, writing seemed to be something I grew out of because I started to pursue more of my love for design. I spent several years working on honing my web and graphic design skills. This time was also spent serving a clientele, mainly authors, via my design and marketing company, Tywebbin.com 

The desire to birth a story returned in 2006. To my surprise my word count became more than a short story but what was to become my debut novel, When Rain Falls. 

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

I’m a huge lover of mystery and suspense novels. I’m fan of James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King as well as Christian authors like Ted Dekker, Steven James, Brandilyn Collins, and Terry Blackstock. 

I probably read as much nonfiction as I do fiction. I’m as small business owner, so I like to read books about online marketing, social media and small business.

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

Prayer, organization and rest. A few months ago, I was running myself ragged, forgetting that I’m suppose to keep God at the center and not be a workaholic. I took my weekends back so I could catch up on rest and spent time planning in advance. I’m still learning, but saying “No” helps a lot too!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes they come to me as I’m writing and sometimes I will choose a letter and run through a list of names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I feel blessed that my debut novel, When Rain Falls, is actually the first novel I’ve written. This didn’t happen overnight. I started writing When Rain Falls in 2006 and I didn’t have a version I was really satisfied with until 2008. It has gone under a few more editorial changes since 2008. I feel good about the story and stories to come from the Victory Gospel Series.

When Rain Falls is the first book in the Victory Gospel Series. The series introduces three women whose pasts insist on walking beside them like a maddening visitor, unwilling to depart. Through a series of twists and life-altering experiences, these women learn victory over pain truly only comes in developing a deep trust in God. I’m looking forward to having readers grow with me and the characters.

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

Well, I’m a cat owner so I would probably be a cat. Cats seem to display more of an introvert personality which I am definitely. I like alone time and definitely enjoy naps when I can get them.

What is your favorite food?

I am a “cookie monster.” I love warm chocolate chip cookies especially as a treat after a long day. 

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

Learning my writing style was a roadblock for me almost a year. I tried to write scenes as they came to me, but when I learned how to outline the novel, that clicked for my analytical brain. Since I write mystery and suspense, the outline also helps me to think logically about the story in terms of a timeline (a week, months, etc). I’m able to connect the details needed to create red herrings and clues.

Tell us about the featured book.

Sure, here is the synopsis.

"Why does God keep taking away the people I love?" This is the lamentation of widow CANDACE JOHNSON when her best friend is brutally murdered. Ensnared by a deep-rooted bitterness, seeping her faith day by day, Candace is determined to seek justice.

Detective Darnell Jackson is in need of clues fast. The police captain is coming down hard on him and his partner to find out who murdered Pamela Coleman, the daughter of a high profile judge. Darnell confers with Candace to get the inside track on events leading up to the murder. As the investigation heats up, his growing attraction for Candace plays havoc on Darnell’s judgment.

Little does she know, Candace’s quest to find the truth has led her straight to the killer. She’s already lost loved ones. Now Candace must choose to completely trust God with her own life.

Please give us the first page of the book.

PROLOGUE from When Rain Falls

Bronx, New York, 1981

Twisting her torso around, the girl strained against the seat belt to peek through the police car’s back window. Lights burned from several nearby houses, creating an eerie glow against the damp night sky. A number of sleepy-eyed neighbors lined the street, their attention focused toward a small white house, now decorated with yellow tape around the yard.

The front door opened, spilling bright lights onto the tiny porch. Two police officers walked out with a man between them. The cops were tall, but not nearly as tall as the handcuffed man, whose arms were muscular and huge. The girl tensed, her eyes drawn toward the man’s white tank top, which revealed more than his furry chest. Bright and dark reds merged into a strange starburst pattern around his middle.

He turned his head in her direction, his narrowed eyes hunting for her. The flashing blue lights danced across his face, highlighting his light brown eyes. His lips parted, showing off perfect white teeth. He’d found her. Like always, his smile stopped at the curves of his mouth, never reaching his eyes. She never knew if he liked or hated her. 

Wow. That hooked me. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Lena, readers can find me online at:

www.tyoramoody.com

http://facebook.com/authortyoramoody

www.twitter.com/tyoramoody

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

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

When Rain Falls - paperback
When Rain Falls - 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

ELLIE'S HAVEN - Sharlene MacLaren - Free Book

Welcome, Sharlene, I love your new head shot. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

First, I pray about each of my stories, asking God for divine direction and leadership as I decide on plots and characters. Countless times a week I call on Him for inspiration, and there is no doubt in my mind I wouldn’t be able to do this job without His strength and help. Secondly, my husband is my number one supporter. When I near deadlines he supplies me with plenty of hot tea and coffee and does whatever he can around the house to lighten my load. As for actual research, I called upon the lovely people of Wabash, Indiana to lend a hand in this current series, and they certainly did come through for me. I met with the museum archivist, a couple of town historians, the librarian, and several other citizens steeped in historical facts.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I love speaking at women’s retreats, local writers’ conferences, women’s book clubs, and libraries. I have done several of these types of events in recent weeks and months but am currently taking a hiatus so I can finish my book of which the deadline date is just around the corner.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

Well, I can’t imagine moving anywhere that would put me out of close driving range from my kids and grandJOYs, so you’ve just asked me a very tough question, Lena! Okay, okay, if I have to go somewhere I’d choose Hawaii. And then I’d tell my children to follow us there! I hear the climate there is near perfect year ‘round. Yes, I’ve heard the cost of living is also excessive, so my family might have to settle for communal living, but that’d be okay by me as long as I had those four grands at my side.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

The main thing you want to do is START. It took me six years of constant writing before I finally signed my first contract, so it's certainly nothing that happens overnight. It's a lot of hard work, I'm afraid. I had to do a TON of homework; i.e. searching the web for publishing houses, attending writing conferences and conventions, networking with other writers in my genre, looking for local authors with whom I could meet and chat and bounce around ideas, reading, researching, submitting query letters to various houses and/or agents to see if I could pique their interest in my projects, and then, of course, PRAYING, PRAYING, PRAYING!!! It's a huge endeavor but worth every second. If writing is your passion and your God-given gift, the Lord will pave your way. Your job as a writer is to follow His leading.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])

I’m a huge Beth Moore fan, so a Beth Moore cruise would be PERFECT! She is such a gifted, anointed speaker, and I’ve gained so much from her Bible studies. Of course, I’d request to share a table with her at all the evening meals. I can tell besides being a Bible scholar, she also enjoys having a good time. I think with our nutty personalities we’d really strike up a great friendship.

She will be a speaker at my church’s women’s conference in April. I’m really looking forward to that. Tell us about the featured book.

Ellie’s Haven is book two in my River of Hope Series. Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

A courageous young woman seeking refuge...

Ellie Booth was never the type to run away. But she'd witnessed her stepfather commit a heartless crime, and, knowing he'll stop at nothing to keep her quiet, she has no choice but to flee. Soon, she finds herself in Wabash, Indiana, scrambling for a cover identity to evade her stepfather. For lack of a better option, she answers an ad for a wife/housekeeper/nanny, praying that her lack of experience won't be obvious.

A widowed father with no domestic skills to speak of...

Gage Cooper is reaching the end of his rope. With four children between the ages of three and ten, he needs a reliable nanny, yet each one he's hired has thrown up her hands and deserted her post. When an attractive, spirited young woman applies for the "job," he knows he should pray about the matter, but his desperation for help propels him headlong into a marriage of convenience.

A trial by fire of their wedding vows...

Ellie immediately falls in love with the Cooper children, and, not long after, with their father. Soon, the "marriage of convenience" becomes less of a business arrangement as husband and wife yield to an attraction neither one had expected. When secrets of the past and dangers of the present arise in their lives, their marriage is put to the test, and God alone knows what will become of their union.

I love marriage-of-convenience stories. Please give us the first page of the book.

CHAPTER ONE

“For thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight...” ~ Psalm 5: 4, 5a

February 1928

Athens, Tennessee

Nothing wakes a body faster than a barking dog competing against the heated shouts of furious men. Eleanor Booth threw off her heavy quilt and leaped out of bed, pulling her flannel collar up tight to her throat and racing across the gritty floor to the window. With her fingertips, she scratched a circle of frost off the pane and peered through it into the cold, dark morning, squinting to make out the shadowy figures facing off just feet away from the rotting front porch. An icy chill paraded up her back.

“I ain’t payin’ you one cent more, Sullivan. You done took me f’r every last penny.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Byron. Your pocket ain’t empty till I say it is, and as long as you produce hooch, the greenbacks will keep rolling in. You stop payin’ and I’ll shut you down quicker than a lizard on hot sand.”

They were at it again, Byron Pruitt, Ellie’s worthless stepfather, and Walter Sullivan, that crooked government agent. Byron’s dog, Curly, didn’t let up his fierce, frenzied barking, which ought to have deterred the dispute but instead fueled it.

“Byron, pay the man so he’ll get off ar’ property,” Ellie’s mother, Rita, said in a fidgety, pleading tone.

“Shut up, woman, and get back inside! I ain’t payin’ him another dime!”

Ellie snatched up her frayed robe from the foot of her bed, slipped into it, and rushed out of the room, toes gone numb from the arctic air wafting up through the floorboards. Tennessee winters didn’t generate much snow, but that didn’t stop the temperatures from plummeting into the single digits of a February morn.

Entering the tiny, dark living room, she found her mother, shoulders hunched in the open doorway and hands clutching the door frame, gray-brown hair mussed in every which direction, tattered, flannel nightgown hugging her narrow sides. A hasty glance at the potbelly stove in the middle of the room revealed nothing but a few glowing embers through the charred glass. More shivers stampeded up Ellie’s spine. “What’s going on?” she asked, coming up beside her mother.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

I love hearing from my readers! Please feel free to drop me a line via email, stop by my website and sign my guestbook, leave a comment at my blog, or join me over on my Facebook page. I always make every effort to respond to each one who takes the time to write to me!

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/sharmaclaren

EMAIL: smac@chartermi.net

Thank you, Sharlene, for dropping by today.

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

Ellies Haven (River of Hope V2) - paperback
Ellie's Haven (River of Hope) - 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

BOURNE - Lisa T Bergren - Free Book (You have a choice)

Readers, this River of Time series is a YA series, but I loved, loved. loved reading it. If you haven't read the first three books of the series, you might want to ask for one of them for your free book if you're a winner. Personally, I've been waiting anxiously for this ebook to release.

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

It’s always new and different. I have two more books to write/edit in my Grand Tour Series (book one, Glamorous Illusions, releases June 1), a couple more novellas in this River of Time Series, and a devotional. And I just agreed to an offer on a new YA dystopian series! You know me…I like to have my fingers in all sorts of honey pots.

Yea! A couple more novellas in this series! Tell us a little about your family.

I was just walking today, watching a young mom struggle to keep two toddlers in a wagon as she pulled them home, and I thought, “Wow, mine are really growing up!” This summer, the kids will turn 17, 14, and 9. And my hubby and I’ll celebrate 20 years of marriage. It’s nice to get to this stage. It’s reassuring. Settled. But with its own challenges, of course.

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

It’s hard to turn off my internal editor and just read for pleasure. I miss that.

What are you working on right now?

Book 2 in the Grand Tour Series, and that devotional.

What outside interests do you have?

Travel, hosting, discipleship training.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I like to choose places that captivate me. Usually places I’ve been. They’re huge for me because they impact plot.

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

Winston Churchill. Because he was SO smart and witty and from what I can tell, bombastic. But I’d like to be in a corner, watching. No need for face-to-face conversation. I’d be intimidated!

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

Keep track of all your character names. 15 books in, you might unknowingly start reusing your favorites—especially with all those secondary characters! Keep a master list!

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

They’re old lessons that he keeps trying to get across to me (I’m stubborn)—take Sabbath rest. Trust. Obey. Wait on him, instead of rushing ahead.

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

Be kind to everyone you meet. Keep track of those you meet and build relationships. Work hard—get your rear-end in the chair 5x a week and write at least 1000 words!

Tell us about the featured book.

Bourne is an e-novella that follows Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent, the three core books in the River of Time Series. (You really want to read the first 3 books first.) It picks up the story right where Torrent left off, after the epic battle, so readers can find out what’s happened to all their beloved characters. (If you haven’t dipped into the River of Time yet, it’s about two American girls who happen upon a time tunnel and find themselves in medieval Italy. It’s packed with action, romance and humor—a total “break” read with heart!)

Please give us the first page of the book.

WARNING: EDITED, BUT SOME SPOILERS AHEAD…

“M’lady! They approach!” the guard yelled down to us from the walls.

“Thank God,” I muttered, taking my first full breath in what seemed like hours. Ever since the battle had ended the night before, Sienese patrols had circulated in and out of Castello Forelli, to drop off wounded, reprovision, rest, and head out again. As the night wore on, and the Fiorentini withdrew north, the patrols were gone for longer periods of time. But Marcello, Luca, and Lord Greco hadn’t shown up at all.

Leaving me to fear the worst, of course.

“Open the gates!” the wall guard cried.

Three knights went to the massive crossbeam and slid it to one side, then opened the fifteen-foot doors. Twenty of our men on horseback arrived, but my eyes sought only one, my—

Marcello. I sighed in relief and then picked up my skirts and ran to him, waiting for him to wearily dismount and take me under one of his arms. I laughed and reached up on tiptoe to kiss him. “Oh, Marcello. Welcome home.”

“I have to say, I think I’ll grow accustomed to you welcoming me back, each time I have half a mind to chase a Fiorentini back to his side of the border.” He winced as I gave him a full hug, making me pause in concern, but then Rodolfo Greco came around three others, leading his horse…and in an awkward moment, caught the last of Marcello’s comment.

His handsome chin came up, and he stilled as if embarrassed. Not that he had any reason to be embarrassed. It was simply…awkward. The once-Fiorentini now in our castello. Marcello’s brother. My captor-savior. I think we were all confused as to how to proceed, exactly. It’d take some time to figure out.

Luca came over, right next to Lia, both of them grinning. The grizzled Captain Pezzati clasped hands with Luca and the other guys, then gave me a nod of greeting and turned toward the stables. Mom came over, and I glanced in satisfaction at the circle of them, all around me. Together. At last. Everyone here, present and accounted for.

I was relishing the sweet relief, appreciating the feel of having my husband next to me again, when I felt Marcello begin to sink. Crying out, I got a better grip on him from under one of his arms; Rodolfo Greco came under the other. I tried to ignore his sudden proximity—and the resulting weirdness. “Quickly, let’s get him inside,” I said.

We eased Marcello through the Great Hall doors and into a chair, and I knelt before him. Rodolfo took a few respectful steps away. “Marcello!” I said, anxiously scanning his face and body for injury. I noticed, then, his swollen cheek, the cut at his mouth and nose, some bruising. Nothing I hadn’t seen before, after taking on an enemy. But what worried me was the gray color of his skin, the way his eyes were hooded, half-shut. “Marcello, what ails you?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.LisaBergren.com

www.facebook.com/lisatbergren

www.facebook.com/riveroftimeseries

www.twitter.com/lisatbergren

Thank you, Lisa, for dropping by.


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Bourne (River of Time 3.1 Novella)


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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SARAI - Jill Eileen Smith - Free Book

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

I am grateful for all that God has allowed me to do, and the books He is allowing me to write. I am working on my sixth book with Revell, with four more contracted. I hope to continue this relationship with them for a long time to come.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married to Randy for almost 35 years (this May). Together we have three adult sons – one in Michigan, two in California. We homeschooled our boys for 12 years, then saw them all go off to earn bachelor’s degrees in different colleges or universities. They are all pursuing various forms of storytelling in either film or novel form. Randy is a recently retired engineer, with plans to pursue various ventures in the coming years. We have two cats, who bring a lot of laughter to our lives.

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

I’ve picked up more ABA (secular) novels in the past few years, particularly some of the New York Times bestsellers. One of my sons (who is an English major) has suggested a few, some more literary than I’m used to, that have broadened my horizons. I am busier now, so I’m a pickier reader. Used to be that if I started a book I would finish it. Now, I have too many books on my Kindle or bookshelf and too little time.

What are you working on right now?

Rachel’s story, which is really the tale of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah, but the focus is more on Rachel. This is book three in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Book two, Rebekah, is “in house.”

What outside interests do you have?

I love spending time with my family and friends. On nice days, I like to ride my bike to the park while I listen to my favorite music. It’s a worshipful time for me. I love to travel, especially to see my kids in California, but I also hope to see some places I’ve yet to see in the U.S. and abroad.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

The settings are chosen for me by the Scripture. I am more interested in the people of the Bible than the setting, so when I think about a new project, it is with specific people in mind. Once the people are chosen, then I get to see where they lived. The Wives of King David took me to ancient Israel and other Canaanite territories. Sarai, book one in the Wives of the Patriarchs, took me to ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and ancient Canaan.

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

King David. I have a gazillion things I’d like to ask him. And I’d just like to spend time talking with the man who wrote such beautiful psalms.

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

That someday the books would see print. That God really did plan to give me the desire of my heart. Twenty years of waiting and not knowing was hard. But if I’d known for sure, perhaps I would not have learned what I needed to along the way.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Serenity to accept what I cannot change. (Most things are out of my control.) Trust in the midst of trials. (There have been many this past year.) Belief that God’s grace is sufficient. (Thorns hurt – and life deals us many of them. God’s grace truly is enough, it’s just hard to believe that sometimes.)

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

Learn the craft well and write books that keep readers wanting more. (But also remember that you will not please all readers at all times. Just write the best novel you can.)

Write what you love, not what you think will sell.

Seek God’s will above any marketing success. It’s not about sales. It’s about pleasing Him.

Tell us about the featured book.

Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai’s hand, she asks one thing–that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return–to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai’s womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain–lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram’s patience last?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Ur, 2051 BC

Sarai glanced across the courtyard, catching Abram’s gaze. His half smile and the twinkle in his eye warmed her more than the wine she had tasted at the start of the ceremony. Music drifted

around them as the bridal couple—their nephew Lot and his new wife, Melah—took their seats on the bench beneath the canopy and accepted rich foods from the hands of the servants.

“This whole wedding is a disgrace, you know.” Sarai’s sister-in-law Milcah stood at her elbow and leaned close to her ear. “Why her father agreed to the marriage after Lot had already humbled the girl . . . Though I suppose he didn’t have much choice. Who else would want her after she’d already given in to Lot’s charms?” Milcah batted at a fly, sending it away. “I can’t imagine why Lot couldn’t wait with such a one. It’s not as though she’s a beauty or a temptress. It seems like he could have done better.” The last words came out in a whisper as Milcah moved in close again.

Sarai turned from watching the bridal couple to meet Milcah’s pinched gaze. “If it is true that a babe is already on the way, it is…

Wow. Way to leave us hanging. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: http://www.jilleileensmith.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JillEileenSmith

Thank you, Jill, for another interesting interview.

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

Sarai: A Novel (Wives of the Patriarchs) - paperback
Sarai (Wives of the Patriarchs) - 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

Winners!!!

Terri Coleman (TX) is the winner of Special Delivery by Kathi Macias.
Janet Kerr (Canada) is the winner of Saving Hope by Margaret Daley.
Katie G (NC)  is the winner of Precisely Terminated by Amanda Davis. 
Susan H (TX) is the winner of Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble.
Krista (OR) is the winner of Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love.

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. 

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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.

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REPLICATION - Jill Williamson - Free Book

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

There are so many options for teen readers in the general market. And these days, it’s hard to know when a book is safe for a teenager to read or not.

I wanted to offer books for teens that had those same wild and fantastic elements but also included—and didn’t offend—a loving creator God.

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

When my son, Luke, was born.

How has being published changed your life?

It gave me a full-time (if not full-pay) job. It changed how life at home works. My husband pitches in with the kids and meals so that I can make this work. But being an author gave me a voice and a way to encourage people I’ll never meet. It’s a pretty amazing privilege.

I so agree with that. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a new book called Halflings by Heather Burch, another new Zondervan author who writes for teens.

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I’m working on a two-book series that’s scheduled to release in 2013. The first, tentatively called Thirst, is an apocalyptic story, and the sequel is called Captives, and it’s the dystopian future result of that first book.

What would be your dream vacation?

Going to Great Britain and being able to stay there for several weeks. I’ve always wanted to explore that part of the world.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

They usually come to me when I’m planning the initial idea. If I’m writing a fantasy novel, I like to draw a map to help me get ideas about the place my characters live. If it’s a contemporary story, I try to choose a logical place. In Replication, I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. In Thirst, I chose Phoenix as the home of my main character for two reasons: 1. He longs for wilderness and adventure, so having him live in a barren city like Phoenix added conflict to his life. 2. There is a nuclear power plant in Phoenix, and I wanted there to be one nearby for a scene in the story.

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

Beth Moore. She has taught me so much about God and my bible. And she has inspired all of my books. I can’t help but think of my characters when I’m at my Beth Moore Bible study. So I’d just like to chat with her about life and thank her for her obedience to God.

My church has a large women’s conference in April. This year, Beth Moore is one of the main speakers. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I play guitar. I would love to take piano lessons, but I don’t have the time, so I play around on the piano some. I’m crafty, so I sometimes like to make things like jewelry or clothing. I used to scrapbook, before I started writing, but I don’t have time now. L

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

Actually writing my books. Having an online connection is so distracting. I often sit down with a plan to write and three hours later, I still haven’t typed one word. I’m still trying to find a way to balance the demands that come in my online world.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write, write, write. Get into a critique group where you feel you are learning. And finish that first book. Many new writers tend to get stuck for years writing that first book. Train yourself to be a writer by doing the hard work of completing a full manuscript. Then go back and rewrite it. And when you’re done, put it down and write another book. Then write another. Then another.

Also, read, read, read. When you read, study what the author did. Look at their dialogue, action, punctuation, characters, plot, everything. Learn all you can. It will help you be a better writer and storyteller.

And try not to be impatient. Work on making each book the best it can be. When you finish a book, send it out. While you’re waiting to hear back, write another one. I wrote six novels before my first book was published. I’ve heard the same from many authors. So, try to have fun.

Tell us about the featured book.

Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Martyr stared at the equation on the whiteboard and set his pencil down. He didn’t feel like practicing math today. What did math matter when his expiration date was so near?

His wrist still throbbed from Fido’s teeth. Martyr touched the strip of fabric he’d ripped from his bedsheet and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. He hoped the wound would heal before a doctor noticed it. A trip upstairs to mend it would be unpleasant, as the doctor would likely use the opportunity to perform tests. Martyr shuddered.

To distract himself, he glanced at the other boys. Every Jason in the classroom except Speedy and Hummer scribbled down the numbers from the whiteboard. Speedy sketched Dr. Max’s profile, staring at the doctor with intense concentration. His hand darted over the paper, shading the dark face with a short, black beard.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit me at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life.


Thank you, Jill, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Replication: The Jason Experiment - paperback
Replication: The Jason Experiment - 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