Sorry to be late with this. I meant to send this from the ACFW national conference on Saturday, but I had back to back appointments all afternoon, then had to get ready for the Gala, and it completely slipped my mind. (Thank you, Jennifer Waldron, for coming out to make my hair look beautiful.)
Veronica Sternberg (MN) is the winner of The Missing Monarch by Rachelle McCalla. (I'm reading this book and loving it.)
Melody (TX) is the winner of The Shadow on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitman.
Monica (Ontario) is the winner of As We Forgive by June Foster.
Kristie (OH) is the winner of Reich of Passage by Ace Collins.
Jo (AZ) and KarenK (PA) are the winners of A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitman.
Noah (WA) is the winner of Rare Earth by Davis Bunn.
If you won a book and you 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. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.
If you won the ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.
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.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
CRUCIBLE OF WAR - J M Hochstetler
Welcome back, Joan. What are some of the
spiritual themes you like to write about?
Family and home are recurring themes for me, especially the brokenness
that happens so often between generations and how you get from there to true forgiveness
and reconciliation. These themes undoubtedly arise out of my Mennonite
upbringing as they form such a large part of the community’s consciousness.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
We’re redoing Book 3 of the series, Wind of the Spirit, in the new Heritage Edition, and that will
release next spring. The next new volume, Book 5, Valley of the Shadow, is projected to publish Fall 2014. I do
intensive research for each volume, which is why it takes me so long to complete
them. I want each installment of the story to be not only exciting, involving,
and heart-tugging, but also historically correct so the series could be used as
supplementary reading for students of history.
Valley of the Shadow
will inaugurate the move into the naval war during the Revolution, and that
will expand further in the last two volumes of the series. I also plan to take
Jonathan and Elizabeth to France, where they’ll come into contact with the
American commissioners who are negotiating an alliance with France against
England, and where Jonathan will meet John Paul Jones. So the story is going to
delve into more intrigue and danger. At the very beginning, however, Jonathan
is going to have a much more urgent problem to solve . . . but I won’t give
away any spoilers to those who haven’t yet read Crucible of War!
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who brought his
crippled plane down safely in the Hudson .
After reading his memoir, Highest Duty,
a while back, I came away with such respect and admiration for him, far more
than only as a hero—which he truly is despite his disclaimers—but as a truly
kind, insightful, and admirable human being. What he shared of his story made
me realize how much someone who is thoughtful and earnest can learn from the
people and experiences God puts into their paths, enabling them to step up to
the plate in a time of crisis and do what a person ordinarily can’t do. I’d
love to talk to his copilot, Jeff Stiles, too, who, Sully reminds everyone, was
so instrumental in saving all the souls aboard that plane on that day, as well
as the rest of the crew. If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it.
What historical
person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I’ve always wanted to meet Abraham Lincoln. He was truly a
man of integrity and wisdom, and he served as president at a pivotal point in
the history of our nation. Had he not been at the helm and exercised the
foresight he did, things could have gone in a very different direction, and
that would have had considerable impact on the world stage as well. I’d love to
hear a first-hand account of what Lincoln’s rationale was for the decisions he
made and what he was thinking and feeling as events played out right up to that
fatal night at Ford’s theater. I’m also intrigued about what he would think
about where we are as a nation today.
Tell us about the featured book.
In Crucible of War, Elizabeth Howard’s love draws Brigadier General Jonathan
Carleton, now the Shawnee war chief White Eagle,
reluctantly back from Ohio Territory to rejoin General George Washington’s army
at Newtown , Pennsylvania Elizabeth anxiously awaits news of the outcome, the
Americans win a stunning victory, then fight the British to a draw at Princeton
before vanishing into the mountain bastions around Morristown .
Returning to New York with her aunt, Tess Howard, Elizabeth
is drawn ever deeper into the dangerous intrigues that swirl around General
William Howe and his mistress. Somehow she must also sidestep the increasingly insistent
attentions of Dr. Pieter Vander Groot, who, disillusioned by brutal British
tactics, now gives his allegiance to the rebels. When Carleton is forced to
take the doctor prisoner, Elizabeth and her aunt move to Philadelphia to gather
much needed intelligence before Howe attacks the city.
With the Americans digging in at Brandywine Creek, Carleton
is betrayed by a trusted aide and comes within a hair’s breadth of being
captured. Washington orders him to the upper Hudson Valley, where a force
commanded by British General John Burgoyne closes in on Saratoga. With decisive
battles looming on all fronts, Elizabeth and Carleton are once again torn from
each other’s arms, and this time they face a crucible of war and trial that
will test their mettle and their love to the very limits—and beyond.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Chapter
1
An hour earlier the level of
misery had finally surpassed the worst Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton had
suffered as a slave of the Seneca.
Things hadn’t improved since
then.
“I’ve spent merrier
Christmases,” Colonel Charles Andrews shouted, his voice barely audible above
the wind’s blast.
Carleton directed a wry glance
at the two Shawnee warriors who hunched on either side of him, silent and grim-faced,
blankets hooded over their heads beneath their heavy bearskins. Shifting from
one foot to the other in the effort to restore a measure of circulation, he
drawled, “Not to worry, Charles. Once we make the New Jersey shore we’ve but to
march a mere nine miles to reach Trenton.”
“A cheery prospect, considering
that, if anything, this infernal storm’s getting worse.”
Squinting through the Stygian
gloom against a driving sleet that threatened to scour the skin from his face,
Carleton assessed the faintly blacker line of the frozen New Jersey shore still
some distance ahead. Their progress was agonizingly slow, and at every moment
the water’s surge drove jagged ice floes against their clumsy vessel,
threatening to either stave it in or capsize it. Or both.
I love historical
novels that really depict the true history of the day. How can readers find you
on the Internet?
www.jmhochstetler.comThank you, Joan, for sharing this series with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Crucible of War (The American Patriot Series)
- paperbackCrucible of War (The American Patriot Series)
- KindleLeave 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
Thursday, September 20, 2012
SOFIA'S SECRET - Sharlene MacLaren - One Free Book
Welcome, Sharlene. I love your new picture. How did this book
come about?
It is the third in a
series, so while writing the first two, my mind had already spun the tale for
the final book. That’s how a writer’s mind works I guess.
Tell us about the
book’s cover and what makes it unique.
I love the cover,
especially the bike parked outside the little house, as this is my main
character’s primary source of transportation – even though she’s 7 months
pregnant at the story’s onset. I have loved every cover the very talented
graphics department from Whitaker House has designed, so I feel especially
blessed.
I know what you mean.
Charisma Media does such good covers for me, too. Please explain and
differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.
This story takes place
in 1930, just a year after the stock market crash, so The Great Depression has set in, and many in the story have
fallen on hard times, my main character in particular. Her tale, of course, is
fictional.
How much research did
you have to do for this book?
There is always a good
amount of research going into most every book I write, and this one was no
exception. The difference was that since it is the third in my series, I had
already done a lot of the “homework” ahead of time. It was more a matter of
crafting the story.
What are some of the
most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to
use in the story?
The basis of this
story is about a young girl who is raped while under the influence of a
sleeping drug. (She later becomes pregnant and, thus, shunned by many of the
townsfolk for her unmarried state.) With my wonderful editor’s help, we
discovered a number of drugs that were used in the 1930s to aid people
(primarily women) in getting a good night’s sleep. These drugs were easily
accessible then but would be considered barbiturates, not to mention illegal
without a prescription, in this day. In the story, her attacker confiscates a
specific drug from his mother’s “stash” when she is absent from the home, and
mixes it with a drink to put his victim to sleep before attacking her.
What inspired and
surprised you while you were writing the book?
Grace! I was surprised by GRACE – specifically
God’s! I was quite ill throughout the writing of most of this book, in and out
of the hospital for numerous tests and three different rounds of fluid
replacement; thus, I was weak and depleted. God carried me through and
literally “wrote” this book for me while I sat at my computer in somewhat of a
dazed state! My lovely, wonderfully talented editor also aided GREATLY in
bringing it to its final stages so it could go to press. Thank goodness for her
amazing abilities to spot the minutest details that I am prone to overlook.
Phew!
What do you hope the
reader takes away from the story?
As always, my
heartfelt desire is that my readers will come away from my books with a longing
to seek out more of God. I want them to seek Him first above all else. My heart
rejoices when I hear from readers who report that something I wrote challenged
them in their faith or convicted them in a particular area of their life, maybe
even caused them to go back to church or work on a broken relationship. That is
why I write – so that God might see fit to use me as an avenue for pointing
people to Him.
What is the next
project you’re working on?
Currently, I’m working
on a series titled Tennessee Dreams. It’s set in the late 1800s in the small
(actual) town of Paris, Tennessee. I’m already well into the writing of the
first book and having a blast getting acquainted with everybody in the town. As
a seat-of-the-pants writer, I often don’t know myself what’s going to happen
from page-to-page, so I’m feeling like the reader here as more and more people
wander into my story uninvited! (smiles)
What do you do when
you have to get away from the story for a while?
Gracious, that’s an
easy question! I run to Facebook! Doesn’t everybody? (Seriously, I tell my
friends at Facebook that they are my “teacher’s lounge”.) As a former teacher,
I went to the lounge during recess breaks just to kick back for a few minutes
and talk and laugh with my colleagues. However, there is much to do besides
going to Facebook. When I need to get away from the business of writing I often
catch up on laundry, visit my grandkids, make a grocery run, answer emails,
take a brisk walk with my dog, or watch a little TV. Of course, I start my day
with scripture and quiet time, but after that, it’s anybody’s guess what kind
of interruptions I’ll encounter on any given day. By the way, I usually welcome
interruptions! It’s that undiagnosed A.D.D.!
Please give us the first page of the book.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
—Psalm
51:17
June 1930
Wabash, Indiana
The blazing
sun ducked behind a cloud, granting a smidgeon of relief to Sofia Rogers as she
compressed the pedal to stop her bike in front of Murphy’s Market and, in a
most inelegant manner, slid off the seat, taking care not to catch the hem of
her loose-fitting dress in the bicycle chain. She scanned the street in both
directions, hoping not to run into anyone she knew, then parked the rusting
yellow bike next to a Ford truck. These days, she dreaded coming into town, but
she couldn’t very well put off the chore much longer if she wanted to keep food
on the table.
Her younger
brother, Andy, had won the race to their destination. His equally corroded bike
leaned against the building, and he stood next to it, his arms crossed, a
burlap sack slung across one shoulder. As she approached, a smug grin etched
his freckled face. “Didn’t I t-tell you I’d b-beat you?”
“That’s
because you had a full minute head start on me, you rascal.” Sofie might have
added that her present condition did not permit the speed and agility she’d
once had, but she wasn’t about to make that excuse. “Just you wait. I’ll win on
the way back home.”
“N-not if I can help it.”
She pressed the back of her hand to her hot, damp face and stepped up to
the sidewalk. “We’ll see about that, Mr. Know-It-All.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Please join me at my
website at: http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com,
request my Facebook friendship at http://www.facebook.com/sharmaclaren,
check out my blog at http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.net,
or feel free to email me at: smac@chartermi.net
I love hearing from my readers and promise to respond to each one as time
allows. Thank you for this opportunity to engage with all of you. May God grant
you His richest, most glorious blessings!
And thank you,
Sharlene, for once again sharing your stories with us. We love them all.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Sofia's Secret (River Of Hope, Book 3)
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
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
POSTMARK: CHRISTMAS - Kathy Kovach, Paige Winship Dooly, Paula Moldenhauer, Darlene Franklin - Three Free Books
Kathy Kovach, one of the authors of the collection, is with us today. Her co-authors are Darlene Franklin, Paige Winship Dooly, and Paula Moldenhauer.
Welcome, Kathy. How did your story
for the collection come about?
Mine is titled, A Blessed Angel Came. I lived in Florida for ten years
and Darlene Franklin knew that. She asked me if I’d like to write another story
with that setting, (my other was Merely
Players now in the compilation, Florida
Weddings,) and I said yes. Christmas is a real town in Florida ,
so when I researched what was in that area, I found a fun little place called Jungle Adventures
Nature Park
What are you reading
right now?
Courting Miss Amsel
by Kim Vogel Sawyer in paperback and Perfect
by Harry Kraus, M.D. on Kindle.
What other books have
you had published?
My latest is one I co-authored and self-published with Paula
Moldenhauer. Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal
is a contemporary with a historical frame. Here’s our tagline – A secret. A
key. Much was buried when the Titanic went down, but now it’s time for
resurrection. For fun stuff and ordering info, visit www.titaniclegacyofbetrayal.com.
Besides the one story in Florida Weddings,
I wrote all three stories in Oregon
Weddings. Also Cookie Schemes in
the novella anthology, Love Letters.
All published with Barbour Publishing. For all my books visit my Amazon page at
http://amzn.to/NDDg23.
What is the hardest
thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
All of our stories revolve around a fictitious Christmas
festival. You take four different authors writing four different stories and
you get four different interpretations of the setting. We had to adjust several
things to pull our ideas into one solid festival.
How did collaborating
with this team impact you?
These are a great bunch of ladies. I know Paula and Darlene
personally, and have a connection to Paige because she lives in NW Florida, not
far from where my husband and I spent ten years stationed at Hurlburt and Eglin
air force bases. I’m not sure I would call it an impact, but I did enjoy the
experience.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I always like my names to mean something. The heroine is Gabriella
Archer. Her character has an important message, much like the archangel
Gabriel. But, unlike Gabriel, she is too shy to be effective. Enter David
Levine. Levi means praise and so does Judah . Bethlehem ,
the city of David , is in Judah . See my
thought process?
What did you want the
reader to take away from your story?
To step into the gift God gave you, whether you feel worthy
or not. He will equip you for the task.
Are you a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Yes, I’ve been a member since 2002 and have attended every
conference and volunteered in various positions. I’m currently the Rocky
Mountain Zone Director. Ten years ago, when I started writing for a career, I
was told by three separate people about this wonderful organization for
Christian fiction writers. It was then called American Christian Romance
Writers. You know how it goes. A person needs to hear something at least three
times before they act. That’s what happened with me, and I have never looked
back. I love ACFW! It has taught me craft and helped me network with important
people in the industry as well as given me a writing family.
What is the best
piece of advice you received as an author?
I have to pick only one? Probably to write my passion and
not worry about the market. I have stepped outside the normal in some of my
stories, a fortune cookie maker, a female charter boat captain, a talking
parrot who plays cupid, and in each case have heard wonderful things from my
readers. Often when a publisher releases several books a year under a certain
division, (i.e. Heartsong Presents or the Barbour novellas,) the stories start
to look alike. This is a common complaint among readers. I hope that I’ve been
able to give them more variety.
Welcome, Paige. (Readers, I'm always teasing Paige that her husband doesn't know how to spell Dooley.) How did your story
for the collection come about?
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
Website – www.kathleenekovach.com.
Blogs – www.katleenekovach.blogspot.com and www.craftcinema.blogspot.com.
I’ve always wanted to do an RV story and this one felt right
for this set. Once we started tossing around ideas for the title, the story
grew from there.
What are you reading
right now?
A Love Inspired Suspense and a Love Inspired Historical. I
love to read more than one story at a time—it depends on my mood what I pick up
at any given time.
What other books have
you had published?
Georgia Brides is my latest 3-in-1, and I have a couple more
contemporary Heartsong Presents coming out in the next few months, Sweet
Lullaby and Special Delivery.
What is the hardest
thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
The hardest part for me is during the planning phase when
we’re trying to figure out how much of a tie in we want with the other stories.
It’s fun to revisit characters and locations in the different stories!
How did collaborating
with this team impact you?
I had a great time working with Darlene, Paula and Kathy!
I’ve worked with Darlene before, but this is the first time we’ve sold
something together. I had fun getting to know Paula and Kathy as we went. The
stories and ideas just flowed.
How do you choose your
characters’ names?
I keep on ongoing file of names that I like, and I start
with that. If I don’t find what I like for a particular character, I’ll keep
searching until I find the one that clicks. My names usually come up as I
envision the characters and start to get to “know” them.
What did you want the
reader to take away from your story?
We aren’t created to be alone. I think God wants us to have
companionship with other people and definitely with Him. Trusting God to be
there for us and trusting others to share our burdens helps us grow as people.
Are you a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
I am a member. I like the fellowship and I like to keep in
touch with other authors as we share about the industry.
What is the best piece
of advice you received as an author?
Do it now! If you put off trying to write that next book (or
starting the first book!) you’ll never get anywhere.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
Facebook
Welcome, Paula. How did your story
for the collection come about?
The collection was the brain child of our leader, Darlene
Franklin, who saw a newspaper article about the postmaster in Christmas, Florida . When I joined
the team already in place they had a list of ideas for the collection. I fell
in love with the postmaster idea and combined it with an idea already suggested
about a police officer who dressed up as the Grinch to raise money for charity.
When Rick Stanton was born in my imagination he arrived retired with a caring
heart bigger than Texas ,
broad policeman shoulders, quoting Dr. Seuss, and head over heels for Edie. I
still don’t know how feisty Edie resisted him as long as she did. His charm
really does come from the inside out—thus the title, You’re a Charmer, Mr. Grinch.
What are you reading
right now?
Okay. This question makes me want to cry. I’m a voracious
reader, but was in a car accident last June which caused a concussion, and it
makes me sick to curl up with a novel! I feel like part of me was cut away! But
I’ve survived in part by listening to books on tape. I spent most of my summer
with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
It is so much better than the movies. I’m blown away.
What other books have
you had published?
You’re a Charmer, Mr.
Grinch is my first published romance. One of the authors in this collection,
Kathleen Kovach, and I co-authored my other published novel, which released in
April. It’s called Titanic: Legacy of
Betrayal. Your readers can find information on it in your blog archives, Lena , at http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2012/04/titanic-legacy-of-betrayal-kathleen-e.html
. We so appreciated your willingness to tell them about it last spring. It’s a
full-length contemporary novel with a historical frame based on a
hundred-year-old secret from the RMS
Titanic.
What is the hardest
thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
I wanted to be sure I connected my story in some way to the
other stories and that I accurately represented the characters created by the
other authors. Since we were all meeting different deadlines on other projects,
it was sometimes crazy to know these kinds of things from each other because
the stories weren’t all completed at the same time. But it worked, and we all
were willing to adjust here and there to make the collection fit together.
How did collaborating
with this team impact you?
I have deep gratitude for Darlene and Paige’s willingness to
take a chance on me, as I was an unpublished novelist when they invited me into
this collection. My friend, Kathy, was on their team, and they experienced an
opening. Kathy suggested me. We’re in the same critique group, and she felt my
writing was strong enough for me to hold up my part of the collection. Darlene
and Paige didn’t know as much about my writing, so I was incredibly honored to
be welcomed into this circle of successful, seasoned authors. There were a
couple of times Kathy had to talk me down when I got nervous. I wanted so much
to do well that I freaked out here and there. But my Kathy K. was there to
remind me that I really did know what I was doing.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I actually grew up in the south and my character, Rick,
talked to me with an accent. I decided he was raised in Tallahassee
since central Florida
doesn’t necessary have that southern flair. As he talked he reminded me of some
distant cousins back home who spoke with a strong accent. Their names were Rick
and Stanton. Thus Rick Stanton was born. I have no idea how Edie was named. She
just walked onto the pages knowing her name, I guess!
What did you want the
reader to take away from your story?
Part of Edie’s journey is that she’s been through a lot of
hard knocks which made her protective of her heart and afraid to believe life
can be better than it has been. When I got this contract I’d just come out of
several years of intense struggle, including the near death of my husband. I
think I was exploring this for myself—how to hope again, believe again that
life can sparkle despite multiple set-backs. My novella is a joyful little
story and perhaps my own statement of faith in the belief that God truly has an
abundant life for us, not just a life of survival.
There’s also a scene my husband suggested that happened
between Rick and a secondary character. I love this scene! It shares a little
of the truth of the loving Father-heart of God. One of my personal greatest
discoveries is that Father God isn’t a demanding authority who is always
disappointed in my imperfections, but a God who loves me just as I am even as
He empowers me to be more like Christ. It made me weep when my character
discovered this for herself. I pray there are readers out there who will find
this truth in my story and make it their own.
Are you a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Absolutely! Becoming involved in ACFW was one of the very
best decisions I made as an unpublished author. It provided me with some of the
most valuable learning and networking opportunities out there as well as with a
place to find support and encouragement. I don’t know if I would have made it
without the love and prayers of the ACFW prayer loop. I got my contract at the
2011 ACFW national conference in front of everyone and couldn’t help but feel
this first fiction contract was a collective achievement, not just mine,
because so many ACFW friends had impacted my journey. ACFW was such an impact
on me that I’ve chosen to give back, hoping to empower others new to the
industry. I served several years as a local chapter president and right now I’m
the Colorado Coordinator for ACFW.
What is the best piece
of advice you received as an author?
This is hard ’cause so many have given me such great
guidance and encouragement, but the first thing that springs to mind isn’t so
much human advice as something the Lord gave me after I finished my first
(still unpublished) novel about ten years ago. I was euphoric at the
accomplishment and totally committed to my story. I asked the Lord if it would
ever be published. He never answered me other than to point me to Psalm 32:8 : “I will guide you on the best
pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Hanging onto His
Sovereignty through the often difficult waters of finding a publishing niche
kept me sane. I watch many unpublished authors strive and worry and grieve and
stress. Of course I did some of that, too. We are emotional creatures. But my
underlying truth was always that verse, and I clung to the knowledge that God
would do what was best when He deemed it best. My job was to learn the
industry, to develop craft, etc., but that elusive contract was up to Him.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
I’d love to connect with readers at my author page on
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PaulaMoldenhauerAuthor
and on my personal website, www.paulamoldenhauer.com
How did your story
for the collection come about?
A few years ago I heard of a family who sent leftover
Christmas cards to random people in the phone book. Since we knew we wanted all
of stories to have connections to the post office, I decided to borrow that
idea. Ever since the death of my heroine’s husband, she has sent cards to
military personnel around the world. In my book, one of the soldiers she has
befriended over the years seeks her out after he retires.
What are you reading
right now?
I just finished The
Preacher’s Bride by Laurie Kingery. It’s a must-read, and I don’t say that
lightly. I am dabbling in a book called The
World of Downtown Abbey since my son brought me five nonfiction books to
read and not one of my beloved novels!
What other books have
you had published?
I won’t list them all, since the number now approaches the
two dozen mark!
A Bride’s Rogue in Roma , Texas
What is the hardest
thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
Waiting to hear if the editor wants to buy it? No, that’s
true of any writing. Probably the
hardest part is completing a group project, which has overlapping elements,
when we are all work with different time tables. Paula had questions before I
started mine, and Kathy had questions after I finished mine, and so forth. But
as long as the authors communicate—which this group did—it’s not too bad.
How did collaborating
with this team impact you?
Paige and I have made several joint proposals, but this was
the first time one sold. So it was a dream come true for both of us, and she
was as much fun to work with as I hoped. Kathy, Paula know each other from way
back in Colorado, and writing with them cemented a friendship begun when we
were all writing neophytes.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I was working on this proposal when I taught a workshop on
naming characters! I used one of the
class’s suggestions, Michael, for my heroine’s son.
The heroine’s name required special thought. She is known as
“Randi Pearson” but she signs her Christmas cards as “Aranda H.” – her given
first name and the initial of her maiden name. It takes the hero some time to
put “Aranda H.” and “Randi Pearson” together.
What did you want the
reader to take away from your story?
Since her husband’s death, Randi put her life on hold. She’s
forgotten about romance and raised their son, now a troubled teenager. Mike is
about to graduate from high school and Troy
appears in her life.
How do we respond when one chapter of our life ends and
we’re not sure what the next one holds in store? Randi has to trust God to
light her path one step at a time.
Are you a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Absolutely! In my opinion, it is the professional organization for writers of Christian fiction.
It’s also a digital meeting place, learning forum, and support system.
What is the best
piece of advice you received as an author?
Aside from the basic, read, read, read and write, write,
write, I’ll share a quote from James Michener that made me nod in recognition:
“I'm not a very
good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.” An author must be persistent, and
she must be willing to rewrite. Talent doesn’t matter as much as perseverance
and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.
Where can my readers
find you on the Internet?
I am on Facebook. You can also follow my blog at http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/.
I run weekly contests for free copies of my books.
Thank you, Kathy, Paige, Paula and Darlene, for visiting with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Postmark: Christmas (Romancing America)
- paperbackPostmark: Christmas (Romancing America)
- KindleLeave 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
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
MCKENNA'S DAUGHTERS Series - Lena Nelson Dooley - Two Free Books
Of Great Importance
in My Writing Life
One of the most important things in this author’s life is my
readers. I love all of you. Hearing from you is a high point of my day. Even if you didn’t like
some aspect of my book, I like to hear from you. I want to connect with you in
every way I can. And you can find me on a lot of online venues—Facebook,
Twitter, Shoutlife, Pinterest, Goodreads, my blog, and my web site.
I’m really interested in book clubs and reading groups. I
enjoy connecting with you through the electronic technology of telephone calls
or Skype video. I’m happy to answer questions about the stories, why I wrote
them, and any other question you may have.
My newest series is McKenna’s Daughters. The heroines were
born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail .
Their mother died giving birth, and because of the circumstances, they were
separated. It’s not until they are about eighteen years old that they learn
they have two sisters. And the desire to find their sisters is strong in each of
them.
Books one and two are stand alone novels, which can be read
in any order. But you’ll probably want to read book one and two before book
three releases in January 2013.
Maggie’s Journey released in October 2011. I’ve heard from a
lot of readers. Many of they have been adoptees. They were interested in that
aspect of the book, which was set in1885 in Washington Territory Little Rock ,
Arkansas
Maggie had grown up the spoiled daughter in a wealthy
family. She had no idea she was adopted. Most people were intrigued by the way
she found out. One Christian reviewer put Maggie’s
Journey on her Top Books of 2011 list. Then in late May of this year, the
book was awarded the Selah Award for historical novels.
Mary’s Blessing is releasing May 15, 2012. Mary has always
known she was adopted, but because her mother died when she was eleven years
old, no one told her the circumstances. That information really affected her
when she found out. Her mother had called her God’s Blessing, but she didn’t
feel like anyone’s blessing. Her spiritual and romantic journey intertwine in
an interesting and surprising way.
Catherine's Pursuit will release February 5, 2013. It's already up on Amazon for pre-orders, but without the cover. Here's the first peek at that.
I love to hear from my readers whether they liked the book
or not. I know you can’t please everyone, so if a reader has a problem with one
of my books, I like to know. The opinion might make a difference to how I write
my next book. Of course, I prefer that the person be kind in the way they tell
me what they didn’t like.
And it’s always a blessing to an author when a reader lets
them know how much they liked a book. Especially when they give specifics.
Have you ever let an author know when something in a book
bothered you?
- paperbackMaggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters)
- KindleMary's Blessing (McKenna's Daughters)
- paperbackMary's Blessing (McKenna's Daughters) - Kindle
Catherine's Pursuit (McKenna's Daughters)
- pre-orders for paperback (The Kindle edition will be available when the book releases)Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of either book one or book two. 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
Monday, September 17, 2012
HIDDEN IN THE HEART - Catherine West - One Free Book
Bio:
Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of
hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Educated in Bermuda,
England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of
Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find
her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids.
She and her husband have two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of American Christian
Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, and is represented by Rachelle
Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Catherine loves to connect with her
readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com
Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
I love to read romance, so it stands to reason that I love
to write books with romantic storylines! I also love to deal with issues of
forgiveness, redemption, healing, and restoration. My books will always have
those themes running through them because I believe you just can’t get enough
of God’s grace!
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Wow. Tough question. I have had so many wonderful moments in
my life. I think I’d have to say it’s a tie between my wedding day and the safe
deliveries of my two amazing children.
How has being
published changed your life?
I wouldn’t say my life has really changed, but being
published has helped get me organized and more focused. I’m writing with more
of a purpose now, knowing the books I’m writing are getting published. I’m also
more mindful of how I spend my time, and careful to balance my day so that I
have enough time for writing, marketing, and personal time for exercise and
fun!
What are you reading
right now?
I haven’t started anything new recently, but the last book I
finished was Seahorse in the Thames,
by Susan Meissner. A great read!
What is your current
work in progress?
The book I’m working on now is a Contemporary Romance called
Bridge of Faith
What would be your
dream vacation?
Oh, this is easy! I
have always wanted to go to Italy. I’m looking forward to that day, not that
it’s in the works, but one of these years my husband and I will do that.
Actually my daughter is getting married next summer, and she and her fiancé
will be going to Italy for their honeymoon, so we’ve been planning that with
them and getting all sorts of ideas!
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I’m not sure that I do. They tend to choose themselves. I
may play around with a few ideas for settings, and eventually settle on one
that feels right. Of course the exception to this was Vietnam in my book Yesterday’s Tomorrow. I knew I wanted to
write about a female journalist who went to Vietnam, and the story progressed
from there. In Hidden in the Heart, the
setting of Maine
just seemed right for that story. I’ve never been there, but I imagine it to be
a very peaceful place.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d love to meet Barbara Walters. I think she’s interviewed
so many amazing people – it would be really cool to sit down and chat with her
for a while. I’m sure she’d have lots of interesting things to say!
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to watch movies, but lately it has been hard to find
good ones. One thing my family and I enjoy is finding television series we
haven’t seen when they aired, buying the series DVDs and catching up on those
shows. My current favorite is Army Wives.
We’re also big Downton Abbey fans,
but of course that’s still running. I love gardening, going for walks with my
dog, and taking photographs. I used to crochet but I haven’t done that for a
while.
I had totally missed
Downton Abbey, and only heard about it after the end of the second season. So I
ordered the DVDs of seasons one and two, and James watched all of them over
about a three-week period. We loved them.What is your most difficult writing
obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’m a seat of the pants writer, so I’ll often barrel along
without much rhyme or reason to what I’m doing until I get a good sense of
where the story is going. I tend to edit as I go and I find this can be quite
an obstacle because I need to go back, often to the first chapter, to go over
everything again before I start a new section. I’m trying to just take the
plunge and pick up the story from the last sentence I wrote, but it’s hard for
me to do that.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Run for the hills! Just kidding. Writing IS a difficult
occupation, but if it’s truly your passion, then you know you’re in it for the
long haul. Don’t take any connection for granted. Network, make friends, be
genuine and reach out to others. If you can get to writing conferences,
fantastic. If not, try to glean what you can online, join a critique group,
take some writing courses, read widely, not only in your genre, get to know
which agents and editors lean toward what you write, and most importantly,
never, ever, ever give up!
Tell us about the
featured book.
Hidden in the Heart
Catherine West
Everything Claire wants seems to be beyond her reach…
After losing her mother to cancer and suffering a
miscarriage soon after, Claire Ferguson numbs the pain with alcohol and pills,
and wonders if her own life is worth living.
Adopted at birth, Claire is convinced she has some unknown
genetic flaw that may have been the cause of her miscarriage. She must find a
way to deal with the guilt she harbors. But exoneration will come with a price.
With her marriage in trouble and her father refusing to
answer any questions about her adoption, Claire begins the search for her birth
mother. For the first time in her life, she really wants to know where she came
from. But what if the woman who gave her life doesn’t want to be found?
For all those who have
loved, experienced loss, and lived life’s roller-coaster
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Claire
Ferguson stood outside Baby Gap, unable to look away from the Christmas
display. Red velvet dresses and miniature-sized plaid waistcoats. Tiny suede
boots, tiny patent leather shoes, tiny colorful striped hats and scarves.
Everything was tiny.
Claire stared at a little red dress, her eyes filling as she
imagined and wished for the impossible. People filed in and out of the store,
smiling, laughing. Happy. An ordinary day filled with ordinary tasks and lists of
things that must be accomplished. She had no such list—just an overwhelming
need to pass time quickly on this day that was not so ordinary.
Claire steadied herself and glanced at her watch. Late
afternoon. Shoppers jostled by, oblivious to her pain, all in a hurry to get
their purchases and conquer the next store in the mall. If only she had a
reason to hurry.
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” crooned from the
mall loudspeakers. Claire bit her lip and cursed Bing. Christmas would be merry
when it was over.
Claire tightened her grip around the numerous bags she
carried and slowly moved forward. Her heel slipped on a slick patch of tile.
She regained her balance before falling, but the effort shook her and sent her
pulse racing. After walking a bit, her arms began to burn. Her overflowing
shopping bags were heavy but gave a sense of accomplishment. She’d gotten out
of bed and had the purchases to prove it.
“Claire? Hey…yoo-hoo!” A woman’s greeting floated above the
noise of the crowd.
Claire lowered her head and rummaged through her purse. She
popped a few breath mints into her mouth and chewed as she weighed her options.
Pretend she didn’t hear. Pretend to be someone else. Or turn
and face the owner of the vaguely familiar voice still calling out her name. Curiosity
won out and Claire turned.
“Hi, Claire! I thought that was you.” The woman waved and
hurried over. Platinum blonde hair swooshed around her shoulders. “Long time no
see. You do remember me, don’t you?”
How can readers find you on the
Internet?
Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest
OakTara Website: http://www.oaktara.com
Blog: http://www.thisisablogaboutbooks.wordpress.comThank you, Cathy, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, l
eave 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.)
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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 16, 2012
THE DELIVERER - Kathi Macias - One Free Book
Here's my friend, Kathi Macias. 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?
You are so right! The Deliverer is the third (final)
book in the Freedom Series on human trafficking. I honestly hadn’t even
considered writing on that topic until my publisher challenged me to consider
doing so. I told her I’d do some initial research and get back to her. After
doing that research and discovering how prevalent and widespread—and
hideous—this crime is, I called her back and said I’d do it. I now write/speak
on the topic every chance I get. The Salvation Army was also extremely helpful
in getting resources to me on the topic, and I can’t forget the handful of
trafficking victims I met/spoke with who willingly opened their heart and
shared their painful memories so I could better bring these books to life.
If you teach or
speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I do a lot of both. I will be keynoting and teaching at the
Maranatha Writers’ Conference in Muskegon ,
MI Hemet , CA Hemet , CA
If you had to
completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
Wow, that’s a tough one. My husband and I were both born and
raised in SoCal but have lived other places, including Texas
(Amarillo and Houston ),
Colorado and Washington State Colorado when it’s not snowing, but
since it does that so often, I’d probably pick Washington State
If you could only tell
aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Be very, very patient—and tenacious! When I first broke into
the Christian publishing world in the early ’80s, no one even wanted to talk
about Christian fiction. I wrote nonfiction books galore, including a
bestselling women’s devotional, but no one would even talk to me about my
fiction. I was quite frustrated then, but I now know it just wasn’t the right
season. Things began changing thanks to people like Frank Peretti and Jerry
Jenkins, and now I have more fiction contracts than I can juggle. So patience
was extremely important during that time, as well as not giving up. (Trust me.
I was tempted more than once to chuck the whole thing and get a “real” job—you
know, one with paychecks. Obviously I didn’t, as I’m still writing and still
hoping for paychecks.) So again, patience and tenacity are they key—and using
your waiting time to hone your craft.
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])
EGADS, I’m so NOT celebrity-oriented! I don’t even know
who’s popular these days and who’s not. But since you didn’t say these
celebrities had to be
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Deliverer
picks up just months after Special
Delivery leaves off, continuing with the stories of Mara, freed from
slavery but still struggling with scars and memories from the past; Jonathan,
attending Bible college but strongly drawn to Mara, despite her past; and
Lawan, having escaped the brothel in Thailand and miraculously reunited with
her younger sister in the US and adopted by the same family. Will Mara be able
to move past the pain and hatred that bind her, even if it means traveling back
to the place where her parents betrayed her and sold her into sexual slavery?
Will she allow The Deliverer to set her free—once and for all?
Here’s the link for the video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NobFUST7xlk
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The sun set early in late November, and though a pleasant
warm spell had kept San Diego’s daytime temperatures in the lower eighties for
the past week or so, the air cooled quickly as darkness approached.
Mara didn’t
mind. She loved watching the sun go down over the Pacific at any time of year
and in any sort of weather. Just being able to sit on the seawall and watch the
colorful streaks in the broad expanse of sky, seeming to frame the dark and
restless ocean, reminded her of how precious her freedom was and how much she’d
endured before obtaining it.
She zipped
her windbreaker against the encroaching dampness and then gazed down at the
envelope in her hand, postmarked Juarez ,
Mexico
I’m just glad she had a family and a home to
go back to, Mara thought, resisting the tears that bit her eyes as she
compared Francesca’s situation to her own. At least Francesca had been
kidnapped, not sold into slavery by her own parents.
Mara shook
her head. She had to stop this constant slipping back into self-pity about her
past and just enjoy the present. She was free now, working and hoping to start
classes at the local college after the first of the year. It was more than she
had ever dreamed of during her ten years of captivity.
She pulled
the letter from the envelope and squinted to re-read portions of it in the
fading light. The baby will come soon…not
sure yet about adoption…praying for the right answer. Mara too had become
pregnant during the years she lived as a sex slave—several times, actually—but
she’d never even had the chance to choose to carry her babies to term. Always
there was a forced abortion…and always she had to suppress her grief and go
right back to the life she despised.
Never again, she told herself. And never again for Francesca. But what
about all the others…?
The tears
won over at that point, dripping onto her cheeks as she thought of Jasmine and
others who had died at the hands of their abusers. She thought too of what
she’d heard about a young Thai girl named Lawan, rescued from a brothel in the
Golden Triangle and even now winging her way across the ocean to join her
adoptive family right here in the San Diego area.
One
more set free…so many left behind. No matter how hard she tried, Mara could
not banish that truth from her thoughts. She’d often talked about that very
thing to her friend Barbara Whiting, the lady involved with an outreach to
human trafficking victims, and Barbara too had lamented the many who never
escaped. “But that doesn’t mean we quit trying to help them,” she’d said. “We
may save only a small percentage of them, but each life we save is precious and
makes our efforts worthwhile.”
Each life? Even mine? Mara wasn’t so
sure, though she wanted desperately to believe it. The reminder that she had
also discussed this topic with Jonathan, the handsome Bible college student who
had helped rescue her more than two years earlier, brought a rush of heat to
her cheeks, and she was glad for the near darkness that hid her emotions. She
had tried to deny her feelings for Jonathan and to hide them from him, but he’d
faithfully kept in touch with her through letters since going back to school this
past fall. One of the things he said to her over and over again was that her
life was precious to God and that He loved her and had a purpose for her. At
times she dared to believe it, but most of the time…
A taunting
male voice from a passing car interrupted her thoughts as he called out a
suggestive comment to her and then laughed as the vehicle sped away. Mara
recoiled at the sound and shoved the letter back into the envelope. She stood
up from the seawall, brushed the sand off the back of her jeans, and turned
toward home. She had to work the breakfast shift in the morning, so she’d
better get to bed early. Tomorrow was Saturday, and Mariner’s would be busy.
She just hoped that meant some good tips because she could sure use the money.
Where can we find you
on the Internet?
Thank you, Kathi, for sharing your passion with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Deliverer (Freedom)
- paperbackLeave 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)