A BRIDE AT LAST - Melissa Jagears - One Free Book, Plus Much More

Dear Readers, the storyline for A Bride at Last really interested me, so I read the book as soon as I received it. And I’m glad I did. It’s a really different twist on a mail-order-bride story. I loved the characters, and many of the plot twists were total surprises to me. You won’t want to miss this book.

Bio: Much to her introverted self’s delight, Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be a homeschool teacher, day-care provider, church financial secretary, and historical romance novelist. She doesn’t have to leave her house to be a housekeeper either, but she’s doubtful she meets the minimum qualifications to claim to be one in her official bio. Her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly. Find her online at www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

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

They’re my favorite genre to read. And since I’m going to be plotting, writing, revising, rewriting, fixing, and editing it along with reading and rereading it over countless times, I’m sure glad I like this genre!

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

I’m going to skip the wedding and children’s birthdays since those are the other answers to be expected. So besides those?......Maybe the day I arrived back in the US after being in China for a month. A friend of mine’s parents picked me up from the airport and asked where I’d like to eat. I said “Anywhere that I can get milk, strawberries, and sugar!” So we went to Cracker Barrel I think, and I had pancakes topped with strawberries and whipping cream and downed two glasses of milk. Then when we arrived at their house because they’d been nice enough to keep my car, I took off my shoes and stood on the grass in their lawn. I never thought I’d miss the feeling of grass. (You’re not allowed to walk on the little patches of grass in big Chinese cities otherwise there wouldn’t be any basically with the amount of people who walk everywhere.) I got yelled at twice for stepping on grass in China and I just reveled in the grass between my toes when I got back!

How has being published changed your life?

It’s busier, so so much busier.

What are you reading right now?

Nothing. I’m at the very end of a revision of a novel, and I like to procrastinate with reading, so I’m denying myself books so I can finish my own. (Because really, how can you read just one chapter???? Though I do allow myself to read non-fiction while in writing mode. I can read that one chapter a day. I’m currently reading Is God a Moral Monster? By Paul Copan. It’s really good.)

What is your current work in progress?

It just got a title! A Heart Most Certain is the first full length book in my new series. Will come out next summer I believe.

Be sure to schedule an interview on this blog when you know the release date. I know my readers will be interested in it. What would be your dream vacation?

On a deserted island with my husband and a stack of books.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

The first series was determined by where there happened to be a train in Kansas in the time period I wanted to write in. I chose Kansas because that’s where I live. The next series was determined by a local historical landmark.

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

Only one? I’d rather gather a bunch of theological intellectuals and just sit quietly and listen to them discuss over dinner....But one? My critique partner Naomi Rawlings. She lives so far away from me, we’ve only met once, but I talk to her almost every day. It’d be wonderful to spend a day with her.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Um, before kids I had hobbies! They were crocheting and doing frugal projects.

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

Every day as I write and edit, I think my stories are terrible and I should just quit. I force myself to continue trusting in the process. I’ve done it before; I can do it again.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Find critical critique partners. If the critical readers you have tell you it’s wonderful, only nitpick things like “I think you really meant crimson instead of scarlet” or give you advice that makes you think “did they read MY story or are they just telling me how they’d write it,” find someone else. Keep looking until you get critiques like this: “In summary [for this chapter], I’m not really sure how to justify this last turn of events, but however you do it, IMO, you need more setup and give the reader clear reasonable motivation, and more of his interior monologue to explicate his reasoning.” (And that is word for word what I just got from a critique partner of mine that will require a complete rewrite. If my partners are advising me to rewrite something completely, then as a beginner, you should expect such things too!)

Tell us about the featured book.

Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she'd been deceived about her intended groom, she's now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she'll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony—until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy's father.

Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

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

Missouri, September 1885

At the sound of running footsteps, Kate Dawson glanced up from dumping mop water in the brick alleyway outside the school building, Anthony Riverton skidded to a halt in front of her, his little chest heaving as he drew in gulps of air.

“Why weren’t you in school today?” She frowned at his tattered clothing. She needed to find him a decent coat before winter.

“Mother’s dying.” Dread strangled his words. “Tonight. I just know it.”

A lump pushed against Kate’s high collar. “She seemed better yesterday.” Lucinda didn’t have many days left, but Kate wasn’t ready for her to leave yet—wasn’t ready to assume responsibility for this boy all on her own. She hadn’t saved enough money, hadn’t figured out where they would live . . .

“She coughed so much last night I couldn’t sleep, and this morning she begged me not to leave.” The nine-year-old swallowed hard, but his eyes were dry. “Said she’d be the one going. I thought she meant back to the laundry.” His ragged voice barely registered. “And she’s mumbling things about Pa.”

Kate’s breath stopped. “Your pa?”

The boy’s huge Adam’s apple slunk down his throat. “Said he’s coming.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No.”

“Said she wrote him.”

“Wrote him? Whatever for?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

The easiest way is to go to my website www.melissajagears.com and look for links to my social media presence at your favorite places. (Though I will admit I barely touch Twitter!)

Can Silas and Kate overcome their rocky start and experience healing—and possibly love? Discover the answer in Melissa Jagears' new book, A Bride at Last. Neither Kate nor Silas is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light as they attempt to prove nine-year-old Anthony's paternity to the court. Can their wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa's August 4th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
• One copy of A Bride at Last

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa's 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

Thank you, Melissa, for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers will love it as much as I do.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Bride at Last - Christianbook.com
A Bride at Last - Amazon
A Bride at Last (Unexpected Brides Book #3) - kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book from this blog. 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

SHADOWS OF LADENBROOKE MANOR - Melanie Dobson - One Free Book

Welcome back, Melanie. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Researching and writing a novel reminds me of putting together the pieces of a big puzzle—I find inspiration from all sorts of places and then try to fit those pieces together to create a story. For Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, I was inspired by the manor homes and gardens on my trip to England, the process of restoring damaged artwork, the beauty and migration of butterflies, parents who fight for their autistic children along with unique, talented kids who don’t always fit into society’s box of normal, and most of all, by the power of God to redeem and restore broken relationships.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

I love spending time with other Christian authors! I’d enjoy picking the brains of brilliant contemporary writers like Lisa Wingate, Jan Karon, Leslie Gould, Lisa Wingate, Kristen Heitzmann, and Mindy Starns Clark.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Can I organize a trip with these authors instead? If so, I’d love to spend a week researching in Europe with author friends Cathy Gohlke, Carrie Turansky, Sarah Sundin, Julie Klassen, Susan Meissner, and Kristy Cambron. Last year, while I was researching for Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, I toured the haunting Tyntesfield Manor with Cathy and Carrie. The manor was the inspiration for Carrie’s latest series, and it was so fun to explore it with her.

Sounds like a fun trip. Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your greatest challenge with writing at this time in your career?

The publishing industry continues to change and most of us who write fiction have to change how we write and market our books as well. Thankfully these changes also mean there are wonderful opportunities to grow as a writer and communicator, and I’m grateful to be able to continue pursuing my passion to write fiction.

Tell us about the featured book.

This novel is about the secrets that haunt the ancient gardens below Ladenbrooke Manor. More than forty years ago, Oliver Croft’s body was found in the shadows of this garden, and while the English villagers have whispered for decades about what happened, no one knows for certain who killed the son of the respected Lord and Lady Croft. When Heather Toulson returns to her parent’s cottage beside Ladenbrooke, she begins to uncover the story of a young woman who loved Oliver. And the truth about the families who tried but failed to keep Oliver and Libby apart.

Please give us the first page of the book.

January 1954, Clevedon, England

Moored fishing boats sagged in the harbor’s waves as the lights on Clevedon’s wooden pier flickered in the wind. A storm was brewing over the swollen waters that separated England from Wales, the dark clouds bulging with rain, but Maggie Emerson didn’t move from her bench along the wide promenade.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her warm, woolen skirt over her stockings. In the summer, day-trippers paraded up and down this promenade, gawking at the sailing boats and the Welsh mountains across the estuary. They clambered over the rocks along the shoreline and paid two pennies each to stroll onto the famous pier that stretched over the water. But few people visited Clevedon this time of year, and on stormy nights like this, most of the town’s residents hunkered down in the safety of their homes.

Maggie knew she should return home too, but even when the clock tower chimed five o’clock, she didn’t stand. Her gaze remained fixed in the distance where salty water from the Bristol Channel collided with the River Severn.

Every evening, after she finished her work at the library, she sat on this bench and watched for a certain yacht to appear. But for the past two months all she’d done was sit alone, watching the fishing boats sway. Aunt Priscilla had warned that the yachtsmen who stopped here wanted only one thing, and then they’d be gone. Maggie hadn’t understood what her aunt meant at the time, but now she knew exactly what Elliot wanted when he’d sailed into their town.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I really enjoy communicating with my readers. My website is www.melaniedobson.com, and there is a link to sign up for my newsletter, as well as links to Facebook (Melanie-Dobson) and Twitter (@MelBDobson).

Thanks so much for having me!

My pleasure, Melanie. I love hosting you and introducing my blog readers to your books.

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

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor - Christianbook.com
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor: A Novel - Amazon
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor: A Novel - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

WINNERS!!!!!

Linda K (CA) is the winner of  Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St Amant.

Sharon (SC) is the winner of Red Is for Rookie by Anne Greene.

Sharon T (AR) is the winner of A Promise of Grace by Lynette Sowell.

Danielle (IN is the winner of Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett.

Brenda (VA) is the winner of Focused by Julie B Cosgrove.

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 an 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.

LETTERS FROM MY FATHER'S MURDERER - Laurie A Coombs - One Free Book

Bio: Laurie Coombs is an adoring wife and mother who remains committed to her family’s needs before any others. She is a passionate writer and speaker on the issues of forgiveness, redemption, and the hope found in Jesus. Her story was featured in Billy Graham's film, Heaven, and she is a featured writer and blogger for iBelieve and Crosswalk. Laurie and her husband, Travis, make their home in Nevada along with their two daughters, Ella and Avery. Together, the Coombs family is adopting from Ethiopia.

Welcome, Laurie. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’m just a girl who loves Jesus. Someone who believes God enough to follow His lead. I love my husband and children more than I can ever say. I love spending time with my family and friends. I drink entirely way too many soy chai tea lattes. I am terrible at keeping a workout schedule. And I feel most alive when I speak about Jesus. 

Tell us about your family.

My family is most certainly my greatest blessing here on this earth. My husband, Travis, and I have been married almost fourteen years but have been together for close to eighteen. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long––we were just babies, seventeen and eighteen years old, when we began dating.

Travis and I have two wonderfully amazing daughters, who are seven and nine years old, who we absolutely adore. But our family is not finished yet. We’ve been in the process of adopting from Ethiopia for almost five years now and are in the home stretch to bring our three-year-old little boy and five-year-old little girl home! Quite honestly, we cannot wait see this epic journey come to completion, and so prayers are very much appreciated!!

Have you written other nonfiction books?

Not yet! But I have a sneaking suspicion God might call me to write a book on faith and belief enough to follow Him in the hard places. I have so many more incredible stories of God’s faithfulness in the face of difficult circumstances in me, but we’ll just have to wait and see where He leads!

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Letters from My Father’s Murderer has been keeping me pretty busy over the last three years, and I quite honestly haven’t had much time for anything else. I told my husband I’m never going to write another book, when I was in the thick of it a few months back. His response made me chuckle. He told me writing a book is probably like having a baby––toward the end, you think you’ll never do it again, but once you give birth––and see the fruit of your labor––you get amnesia of sorts and are ready to do it all over again. I think Travis is right. This will not be my only book.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I absolutely love doing just about anything outdoors––hiking, camping, backpacking, snow skiing––and so does the rest of my family. Together with some of our closest friends, we spend most weekends outside, enjoying God’s creation in one form or another.

Aside from that, I love to read. I can often be caught reading four or five books at the same time (though not in one sitting). And I’d say one of my favorite things to do is to share dinner with our closest friends while our gaggle of kids run around playing with one another.

Why did you write the featured book?

To be honest, I didn’t initially want to write this book. I wanted to share my story, but I knew that writing it in a book would require me to bare all. I knew I’d have to share difficult things, and I quite honestly didn’t want to. But greater than my resistance was my desire to see people experience freedom and redemption and healing as I had. I wanted God to be glorified for what He had done in and through my life.

I knew God was calling me to write this book. And I knew God well enough to know that if I answered that call I’d most assuredly see lives change as a result of the message He has given me. God allowed me to see that good could come out of the ashes of my past. That I could play a small part in the grand story He has been unfolding since the beginning of time. That I could participate in what He’s doing in the here and now, for the good of many. And so, I chose to say yes, and of course, I’m now completely on board with God’s plan for my life.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

Hope is at the heart of my message. God truly has worked all things for good in my life. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” The first part of Genesis 50:20 says, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” God brings good out of evil. Love out of hate. Peace out of despair. I believe it is His desire to do this for every one of us. You see, our pain won’t be wasted. We don’t have to sit in it. If we bring our pain, past and present, to God, He will redeem it.

Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

I’d like the readers to know that we all have wounds. Every one of us. And my pain is no more valid than yours or anyone else’s. I believe pain is pain, regardless of its cause. But here’s the thing, Jesus came that we might have life. Life to the full. He came to bind the brokenhearted. To proclaim freedom to the captives. To release prisoners from their darkness. To comfort all who mourn. To bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes. In short, He came to redeem. To make us new.

Jesus once said that we will have troubles in this life, “but,” He said, “take heart for I have overcome the world.” Troubles will come, pain will be felt, but our troubles and our pain are not without purpose. God uses everything. Nothing goes to waste. If He allows something to take place, it is because He has a plan for it. There is absolutely nothing we might face that won’t be used by God.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

I write at LaurieCoombs.org but can also be found on iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com. I also have had the honor of being featured in Billy Graham’s most recent film, Heaven, which can be viewed online at My Hope with Billy Graham. It’s well worth the time to watch!

Thank you, Laurie, for sharing this book with us. I know my blog readers will be praying for you and your family as you adopt the two children.

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

Letters From My Father's Murderer - Christianbook.com
Letters from My Father's Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness - Amazon
Letters from My Father's Murderer - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

IRISH MEADOWS - Susan Anne Mason - One Free Book

Welcome back, Susan. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
For the next while, I will be working on Books 2 and 3 in the Courage to Dream series (the books that follow Irish Meadows). A Worthy Heart releases in the spring of 2016 and Book 3 (working title Love’s Healing Grace) should come out late 2016.

Tell us a little about your family.
My husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in May, and we took a trip to New York City, which was great! We have two children—a daughter in university who still lives at home, and a son who just graduated from high school.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
I think I actually read more now if that’s possible. But I also read with a more critical eye—picking up hints as to how the really great authors hone their craft!

What are you working on right now?
I’m in the beginning chapters of Love’s Healing Grace which centers on the two youngest O’Leary children, Deirdre and Connor, and their happily-ever-afters. I am setting part of this book in Canada (per requests from my fellow Canadians) so I plan to do some “hands-on” research in Toronto this summer.

What outside interests do you have?
For a while I was obsessed with researching our family roots on the Ancestry.com websites. That was SO much fun, especially when I was able to solve a few family mysteries! I also enjoy scrapbooking, but don’t have a lot of time for it right now.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I’m not really sure! I try to pick areas in the states that are similar to my home province of Ontario. New York is very similar to us with regards to the landscape and the weather. That’s one of the reasons I picked Long Island, NY. The other is just research—what area fits with the story I want to tell.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
This is a tough question! I would have to say Princess Diana, whom I admired so much for her bravery and her kindness. I would love to have had a chance to talk with her!

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That is a tough question—especially trying to narrow it down to one thing! I think overall it would have been to join a writing group sooner. By accident I found Romance Writers of America online and later found that we had a chapter here in Toronto (a 40 minute drive away). I learned a great deal from attending these meetings and meeting other authors. But joining the American Christian Fiction Writers was when I truly felt I’d found my home. Wish I had done it years earlier!

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Maybe that I have bit off more than I can chew. Promoting one book, while editing another and creating a third is a lot more challenging than I had imagined. But I will get through it!

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer this! LOL! I would say try to get your name out there by participating in blogs, Facebook and other social media. And be generous with your readers!

Tell us about the featured book.
Irish Meadows is set in 1911 in Long Island, New York. Patriarch James O’Leary, owner of a renowned horse breeding farm, has worked hard to overcome the stigma of being the son of a poor Irish immigrant. He plans for his daughters to marry into wealthy families, not only to aid Irish Meadows, but to secure their rightful place in society. Both girls, however, have different ideas for their futures. As the two O’Leary daughters search for their place in the world, they must learn to stand up for themselves and find the courage to follow their hearts.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Late afternoon shadows chased Gilbert Whelan up the long drive to the O’Leary mansion. The fanciful images seemed to bolster him from behind, giving him the courage to push forward. Even so, his steps slowed as he approached the flagstone path leading up to the house. A wave of homesickness tightened his throat, his suitcase weighing heavy in his hand.

Had it really been the better part of three years since he'd crossed the threshold? Gil swallowed the bitter taste of guilt that so often plagued him and continued to the foot of the wide, welcoming staircase. He set his battered bag on the ground and took in the familiar setting, the wraparound porch, the double front door. He’d come here as a child with his widowed mother who’d hired on as the O’Learys’ housekeeper. Gil still found it difficult to think of the tragic illness that had claimed his mother’s life and led to him being taken in as part of the family.

Belonging…yet not belonging.

Gil ran a hand over the white column on his left, his touch hesitant, nearly reverent. The red bricks of Irish Meadows had changed little since he'd been gone. If only the same could be said of its inhabitants.

Gil let his hand fall away with a sigh. If he’d had his way, he wouldn’t have come back at all—for a multitude of complicated reasons. But he owed the O’Learys too much to avoid them any longer. So, he’d stay long enough to repay his debt to his guardians, and then move on to start a life of his own.

Lord, I could really use your guidance here. Give me the strength to do what needs to be done without hurting anyone in the process.

Behind those ornate doors, Gil knew the family would be waiting to greet him, like a long lost son returning home. Reluctant to face the exuberant welcomes just yet, Gil turned down the stone path and made his way to the one place he felt most at home—the O’Leary stables. When he rounded the corner of the house and spied the enormous barn, a thrill of anticipation shot through him. How blessed he’d been to work on such a top-notch farm, raising and training the best racehorses on the eastern seaboard. At James O’Leary’s feet, Gil had learned everything he needed to branch out on his own one day.

But first things first…

As he entered the building, Gil breathed in the familiar scent of hay, horse and manure and let out a long breath. He’d missed working with the animals almost as much as he’d missed the O’Learys. Manhattan was an interesting city, but Gil far preferred the fresh air, wide skies and open meadows of Long Island. Especially in the spring when all of nature bloomed anew.

His gaze skimmed the immaculate mahogany stalls with their engraved brass nameplates for each thoroughbred. His ears tuned to the horses’ quiet nickering, a sound more beautiful than a symphony. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Gil made his way to the one stall he'd be able to find blindfolded. When he raised the latch, Midnight Royalty gave a loud whinny in greeting. In an instant, Gil had his arms around the great black neck, murmuring words of affection for his friend. The horse tossed his head, flicking his nose to send Gil’s cap sailing into the straw.

Gil laughed out loud. “I’ve missed you too, boy. But I’m home now.” For a while anyway. He stroked his hand along Midnight’s sleek flank. “Looks like they’ve been taking good care of you while I was gone. Your coat’s as shiny as I’ve ever seen it.”

“I brushed him every day for you.”

Gil’s hand froze on Midnight’s back, every vertebrae of his spine stiffening.

Brianna. The one person he’d been trying not to think about, trying not to imagine seeing again for the first time in almost three years. He swallowed hard, and then turned to find her standing in the open doorway of the stall.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me through my website, www.susanannemason.com 
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/susan.mason.127 
or https://www.facebook.com/susan.anne.mason.333

Thank you, Susan, for sharing this first book of your new series with us. I am really interested in it, because my paternal grandfather's family were Irish immigrants. I love reading stories with Irish characters. My 20-year-old granddaughter just returned from a trip to Ireland. I'm anxious to see all the pictures she took.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Irish Meadows - Christianbook.com
Irish Meadows (Courage to Dream) - Amazon
Irish Meadows (Courage to Dream Book #1) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

TO CAPTURE HER HEART - Rebecca DiMarino - One Free Book, Plus More

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

I always thought I’d write suspense, but when I discovered my roots and a passion to discover my past, the Southold, Long Island stories took over my imagination, and I just had to write them! And what I’ve found is, I love writing about real women who were heroic during a time when often they had no voice.

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

I had three happiest days when each of my daughters was born – but I will say that when my agent called and said “You have a contract offer,” that came close!

How has being published changed your life?

It’s made me more disciplined. I write better under pressure so I like the deadlines. It reminds me to seek God in the morning and depend on Him throughout my writing day. And the real blessing in that is it spills over to every aspect of my life. It also was a dream of mine, so it’s given me a sense of accomplishing a goal.

What are you reading right now?

I just got back from the International Christian Retail Show where I met Kate Breslin and received a copy of her novel, For Such a Time. I started it on the plane and did not want to put it down when we landed!

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on the edits for book #3 of The Southold Chronicles. My working title for this book was Pure Patience, because it is Patience Terry’s story – a fictitious character who came over from England with the Hortons on The Swallow. I love this story!

What would be your dream vacation?

Right now it would be to return to England and visit Mowsley, the little hamlet where Barnabas and Mary wed. I’ve walked the roads with Google Earth, but I want to sit in the 14th century church that still exists and look through the same stained glass window the Hortons did.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Each of my three novels is set in Southold, Long Island, New York. Barnabas Horton was one of thirteen founding fathers of the town, and Mary was the courageous woman by his side.

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

That’s hard, but I think it would be fun to spend an evening with Debbie Macomber and find out all the behind-the-scenes tidbits in Cedar Cove, and maybe swap recipes while we devour a slice of Pumpkin Tea Cake with Honey Cream. She is a master of making setting a character (right along with Jan Karon), and I would love the chance to soak up anything she could share about her writing journey and technique.

She was the keynote speaker at ACFW’s second Denver conference. I didn’t get to spend an evening with her, but I did get to meet her and have my picture taken with her. I love her books. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to bake and garden, but travel is a passion of mine. I don’t go as much as I used to, but I do love to get out and about.

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

Time management. I overcome it by starting early in the day (often before dawn) and spending time with God first.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write your passion, not the trends. If you try to write what’s “hot” without the passion, you will be like hundreds of other great writers hoping to break in. So write your passion, write it well by studying the craft, and connect through writer’s groups and conferences.

Tell us about the featured book.

While researching book one, A Place In His Heart, I uncovered a gold nugget of information about the Montaukett Indian princess, Heather Flower. Her groom was killed on their wedding day, and she was kidnapped by a rival Connecticut tribe. An Englishman paid her ransom. I wanted to use that bit of information in my first book, but it was the wrong decade. But I loved the story so much that I made her my heroine of book two, To Capture Her Heart! The story picks up after her ransom is paid.

Please give us the first page of the book.

June 21, 1653

The thunder of a thousand hooves pounded in her ears and she buried her head beneath her tethered hands. She muted the noise with her arms pressed against her ears. Heather Flower sat very still. She remembered the childhood game peekaboo. She’d believed if she could not see her mother, her mother could not see her.

But this was not a game. Her legs, bound at the ankles, were drawn up under her skirt, and her knees trembled as she lowered her covered head till her forehead touched them. A pool of quiet tears soaked the soft, beaded deerskin.

Sudden silence, save for the occasional snort from the winded horses, or the soft swish of their tails, brought intense fear. Her body shook as she tried to draw herself into the smallest mound possible. The restraints dug into her slender wrists, but her lips were sealed together in a thin line and not a cry escaped.

The footfalls approaching were not the tread of her Indian captors. A leather-clad hand lifted her chin, and her heart quaked in her chest. Her throat constricted until it ached as she gathered her courage and lifted her eyes.

“Hallo! You are Heather Flower, the daughter of the Great Sachem, Wyandanch?” His posture bore no malice but was instead gentle, kind. She dared to hope he would not harm her.

Her chin quivered in the cup of his glove, her moist lashes fluttered, but her voice was strong. “I am Quashawam, the Heather Flower of Montauk.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find me at www.RebeccaDeMarino.com  and please join me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRebeccaDeMarino or Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/RebeccaDeMarino.  

Thank you so much, Lena! It has been fun to be with you again!

Thank you, Rebecca, for allowing me to share your new book with my blog readers. I have new readers all the time, and many times, they haven’t heard of the author I’m featuring. They love to fine new authors to read.

Dear Readers, Revell has a special giveaway for this book release:

To Capture Her Heart Book Launch

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
To Capture Her Heart - Christianbook,com
To Capture Her Heart: A Novel (The Southold Chronicles) - Amazon
To Capture Her Heart (The Southold Chronicles Book #2): A Novel - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book on this blog. 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

TO SOAR ON EAGLE'S WINGS - Renee Blare - One Free Book

Bio: Raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, Renee started writing poetry in junior high school and that, as they say, was that. After having her son, a desire to attend pharmacy school sent her small family to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and she's been counting pills ever since. While writing's her first love, well, after the Lord and husband, she also likes to fish and hunt as well as pick away on her classical guitar.

Nestled against the Black Hills with her husband, crazy old dog and ornery cat, she serves the community of northeastern Wyoming as a pharmacist and pens her Christian stories, keeping them interesting with action and intrigue, of course. She loves to interact with readers and invites you check out her website, blog, and social media.
Website: http://www.reneeblare.com/
Group Blog: http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/

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

I love to read all kinds of Christian fiction from historical to biblical but when I write, it’s as if the Lord pours the story into my brain. What can I say? He seems to like suspense. At least that’s what I tend to find on the page when it’s all over! Of course, there seems to be a little romance and mystery thrown in the mix as well. But above all, His message rings loud and clear, and since I started writing to bring the Christian message to fiction books, I guess that’s what is most important.

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

I would have to say the day I married my best friend … my husband twenty-six years ago. What a glorious day that was! It was a hot summer day in Casper, Wyoming. In the presence of family and friends, the Lord joined me to the one person who has stood beside me through more than I’d ever dreamed possible. Thank you, Father!

How has being published changed your life?

I’m very busy. I’ve had to learn time management. I don’t know if I learned it well though. I’m still trying to figure that one out. I’ve discovered as a newly published author that marketing and promotion is rather time consuming.

But I not just an author. I’m also a wife, mother, daughter, pharmacist, and, above all, a child of God. So … I pray. A lot. And rely on His strength to get through the tight spots. LOL

What are you reading right now?

Let’s see … Stranded, a novel by Don and Stephanie Prichard and Farewell for a While by Sharon Lavy. I told you! I’m a bit eclectic as a reader.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m currently editing the second book in my Snowy Range series, Through the Raging Waters. A roller coaster of a ride, it’s the story of Paul, the second oldest son of the Fitzgerald clan and Melissa. When I get done with that, I’ll start the beginning stages of writing the third. I’ve already researched it quite a bit. It’s called Awaken the Embers.

What would be your dream vacation?

My dream vacation? I have quite a few crazy thoughts when it comes to “dream” vacations. How about a fishing trip to New Zealand or Alaska? Or a beach front rental in the Bahamas for a week? Or an old castle or ruins tour in the Scottish Highlands? Any of those would be absolutely awesome and a dream come true for me!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I start with the characters, and story, and the story defines the setting. For example, when I began writing Beast of Stratton, I knew that the character of Miles Stratton was a wounded war veteran. I also knew that he would be a business owner. As the story began to develop, and I formulated the characters into the story, the plot took hold, and the setting fell into place. The Beast of Stratton owned and operated his engineering firm in New York City.

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

Billy Graham. Rev. Graham has valiantly spread the gospel to a lost and dying world. When he speaks, people listen. From tent revivals to radio shows, Billy Graham mesmerized many a nation with the message of Christ, and bended the ear of every President of our own from Truman to Obama.

I would love meet this man before he goes home to meet our Father in heaven. If only to say … job well done.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Fishing, although my husband would tell you that I spend more time reading than putting a line in the water. NOT TRUE! I love to fish. Picking on my dusty classical guitar or even my husband’s fancy electric one. J Latch hook and cross stitch, although I don’t get to do it much anymore.

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

Turning off my internal editor! Especially when I’m penning the first draft. I’m better at it now. It was tough though. I learned a thing or two about editing, and I couldn’t get two sentences on the page without changing something.

Now, I make myself leave it like it reads. Whether it’s misspelled. Or bad grammar. Or just plain bad. It stays. I correct it later. Talk about a major leap for a perfectionist like me! But I did it.

I know people tell us to turn off out internal editor, but I’m an edit as I go writer. So it is okay to do that. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Keep learning and move on.

If you don’t make the cut, your works not up to snuff, someone makes a derogatory remark, or you get a rejection, don’t sweat it. Don’t get your feelings hurt. Take it with a grain of salt, learn from it, or ignore it, but no matter what … buck up, get to work, and move on.

Tell us about the featured book.

To Soar on Eagle’s Wings launches the Snowy Range Chronicles. The first of a seven-book series, To Soar’s set in a small town in southern Wyoming. Timber Springs is home to the Fitzgerald family. With their father, the local pastor, the Fitzgerald's struggle to come to terms with the unexpected death of their mother while life continues ... on the Snowy Range.

The story follows Rachel and Steve as they meet on Spring Break. Steve’s the new game warden in the area, and Rachel’s a local teacher. Here’s the blurb.

Spring’s in the air. While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The area’s new game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the season but the trouble follows him—straight to town.

Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her classroom. So much for relaxation. A “chance” meeting with her brother’s old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers love, like life, isn’t easy.

He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more of a challenge than ever before …

Please give us the first page of the book

PROLOGUE

A shadow darkened the pages of her book. Shielding her eyes against the late afternoon sun, Rachel followed the bird soaring over lake. She caught her breath as he dove in a sudden display of power and skimmed along the surface, its reflection a shimmering echo. When the eagle climbed back to the heavens, his piercing cry echoed off the white-tipped crags above the high mountain valley.

“What’d I tell ya?”

Her foot vaulted into the air, sending a spray across the water. Rachel peeked over her shoulder and spied her twin brother. He stalked toward the lake, a stranger in tow. She closed her novel with a snap and sighed. He would find me.

Well, she shouldn’t be surprised. After all, today was their sixteenth birthday. She touched her cold ankle with a grimace. Although numb due to its icy bath, the injured joint still appeared puffy. She winced and peeked at the guy with her brother. Now this is embarrassing …

“You ready to head down the mountain? Mom and Dad want to start supper.” Michael propped his hands on his hips and shifted from one foot to the other.

At her twin’s look of expectation, all frustration dissolved. So much like her own, his hair curled around his head. He appeared almost comical. She suppressed a laugh. But when her gaze skimmed over his companion, an unexplainable warmth spread through her.

Her heartbeat thumped in her ears. With her lashes shielding her gaze, Rachel studied his broad shoulders and wavy brown hair. She tore her eyes away from the man and pushed her ankle back into the frigid water with a hiss.

“Rachel?” Michael’s brows sunk low over his eyes. “What are you doing up here anyway? Dad’s not gonna like it.”

She ducked her head. Great. Heat worked up her neck. After rummaging through her backpack a few minutes, she sucked in a deep breath and cleared her throat. The cool mountain breeze blew at her bangs, and she cut her gaze to the stranger. “I love it up here. I can sit and listen to the wind in the trees for hours.”

A low chuckle reached her ears, and she glanced at her brother. A slow smile spread across his face. His shoulder lifted, and he gestured at the pines. “So … what are they saying today?”

“Oh, stop it.” Rachel waved off Mike’s teasing and tipped her head back to track the flight of the golden eagle. “Do you see him? He’s a regular around here. I named him Max. It seemed to fit.”

Michael’s companion bumped him and pointed. “He’s a beautiful bird, that’s for sure.”

A clap shot through the pristine stillness, and Rachel jumped. She glared at her brother when he grinned at her.

“Hey, sis, you met this guy yet?” At the shake of her head, he continued. “This is Steve Mitchell, Paul’s roommate. I guess they’re both gonna be new this semester.”

The University of Wyoming freshman flashed his gorgeous smile, and her cheeks ignited once again. She pressed her palms against her face with a groan. Could she crawl underneath one of these boulders … or push her brother under one?

“Rach? You ready or not?” Michael’s annoyed tone drew her attention away from Steve, and she pulled her foot out of the water.

She bit her lip. “Well, not really.”

“What’d you do now?” The disgust in his voice was palpable.

“Nothing,” she mumbled. Michael’s rough grunt grated along her spine. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. So what if she’d twisted her ankle hiking into the valley? It didn’t matter if she couldn’t—

Rocks and pebbles cascaded down the hill into the lake, and she lifted her head. Steve’s wide shoulders were coming toward her. Snagging her sock, she wiped the water from her toes.

In a flash, Steve hopped the boulders and landed in front of her. “May I?”

“What—no really, it’s fine.” Rachel cradled her injured foot close. When he squatted at her feet, she found herself mere inches from chocolate brown eyes. Oh … does he know how much I love chocolate?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.reneeblare.com

http://diamondmineofchristianfiction.wordpress.com/

Facebook

Google+

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Tumblr: The  Journey

Amazon Author Page

Thank you, Renee, for sharing this new book with us. I loved reading Beast of Stratton.

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

To Soar on Eagle's Wings

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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE RECKONING - MaryLu Tyndall - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve known MaryLu for a long time. We both started being published by the same publisher, but at different times. She writes wonderful sea-faring adventures that keep the readers attention until the last word of the last page. And her stories stay with you for a long time. I love featuring her on my blog.

BIO: Award winning author MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. With more than fourteen books published, she makes no excuses for the spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, and several stray cats on the California coast.

Welcome back, MaryLu. 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! Neither this book or any other book of mine would have seen the light of day if not for a host of people helping me along. Many many thanks go to Ravven, my cover designer. Isn’t she fabulous? To Rel Mollet, my editor. She did a wonderful job “fixing” all the whoopsies in the manuscript. To Debbie Mitchell, who volunteered to read the book in its “raw” state, and who always offers me great encouragement! And last, but never least, to Michelle Griep, author extraordinaire and friend, who critiqued the manuscript. (We often swap our manuscripts) I also want to thank my readers and influencers who’ve encouraged me along by their excitement and kind words, and to all my friends like you, Lena, who help me spread the word. Thank you!

It’s my great pleasure to do so. If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I’m co-teaching a writer’s retreat in August set in a gorgeous cabin on beautiful Lake Tahoe. It’s a four day intensive one-on-one writer’s workshop for intermediate to advanced writers. Susanne Lakin, my good friend and excellent author, is the other teacher. Should be fun!

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

Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands or anywhere tropical that is part of the US! I’m sure there must have been mermaids in my family line because I love to swim, snorkel, surf, and sail in the warm turquoise sea! (Hey, those all start with s!)

Yes, they do. If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Write the story God puts on your heart, not what the market says will sell, then study the craft of writing, read great books, and work harder than you ever thought possible.

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 one of those strange people who really don’t care much for celebrities, at least most of them. I think the real heroes of this world are the men and women on the front lines in the wars going on in the Middle East, and missionaries spreading the Gospel in dangerous foreign lands. So, I would invite both military people and missionaries to my cruise. Heck, they could probably use the rest and relaxation more than anyone!

You are so right. I have a grandson who just got out of the military this last week after at least ten years service. And the first time James and I went on a cruise, we took a missionary couple with us. Tell us about the featured book.

The Reckoning is a time travel romance that transports a young American 21st century girl back 300 years onto a pirate ship! It’s full of romance, excitement, danger, and humor. The overall theme is trusting God when life is out of control!

Here’s what the back cover says:

When Morgan Shaw crept into the hold of an old pirate ship replica at San Diego’s Annual Tall Ship Festival, her only intention was to avoid the guy who had just dumped her and who was now boarding the ship with two women on his arm. What she didn’t expect was to wake up aboard a real pirate ship three-hundred years in the past. But of course, it wasn’t real. Her wealthy father had obviously staged it all in an effort to get her mind off her upcoming chemo. Or had he?

Pirate Rowan Dutton seeks enough treasure to repay a debt to his sister and reinstate the Dutton name among British Jamaican Society. He is but one major haul away from accomplishing his goal when a strange woman appears on his ship and causes him to lose his prey. Despite his anger, he is enthralled with the little minx, her strange clothing, odd speech, and her insistence that they are all actors playing a charade paid for by her father.

Yet when the brazen little lady divulges Rowan’s secret to a longtime nemesis, events are triggered that could cost them both their lives and change the course of history forever.

Sounds intriguing. I’m actually reading your mermaid book right now, so please give us the first page of The Reckoning.

San Diego, California, August 2015

"Did you hear me? I have cancer." Morgan Shaw repeated the dreaded words to her boyfriend Jason, who sat beside her on the sticky metal bench. From the look on his face, she supposed the middle of San Diego's crowded annual Tall Ship Festival was not the best place to convey the horrid news. She'd been trying to tell him for two weeks, but he'd always been too busy with his job tending bar, too distracted with memorizing lines for one of his many auditions ... or just too plain drunk.

No doubt the condition he'd soon be in if he didn't stop gulping down the Mojito he held so fondly in his hands. He took another swig and stared at her again, his baby-blues pools of shock and ... dismay? Not sorrow, not horror ... not even concern.

He squeezed the plastic cup holding his precious alcohol. It made a crackling sound even above the chatter and buzz of people passing by, the lap of waves, and the bells ringing from boats in San Diego Bay.

"Are you going to die?" he finally asked, pressing fingers to his perfectly-moussed dark hair while nodding at an attractive woman who smiled at him as she passed by.

A sharp pain stabbed Morgan at his callous tone. Even the doctor had been more tactful. Hepatocellular carcinoma, he had said. Liver cancer, stage 3C. With chemo and radiation, she had a good chance of surviving. But she'd spotted the pity in his eyes, and when she arrived home, the Internet provided the true survival rate—less than thirty percent.

"Everyone's going to die," she returned, shifting out of the hot sun.

"Are you gonna have to go through chemo and lose your hair?" He studied her as if assessing how ugly she would be.

"Maybe." She dabbed the perspiration on her neck. "Yes, I guess. I go for my first session on Tuesday."

Why, oh why, had she allowed him to talk her into coming to this stupid festival? She hated these old boats anyway. And she didn't much care for the sea either. Last year when she'd gone whale watching, she'd spent the entire four hours puking her guts over the side of the boat. But Jason loved historical sailing boats and had bought tickets to this weekend event two months in advance. So, they'd grabbed Morgan's roommate, Tiffany, and her boyfriend Brad, and made a day of it.

Speaking of ... where was Tiffany anyway? She and Brad had gone off to the nearest bar for take-out drinks forty minutes ago. Though her roommate's cheerleader-type exuberance normally grated on Morgan, she sure could use her help now with Jason. If only to untie the knot of tension forming between them.

By the way he was chewing his lip and glancing around, Morgan thought he might bolt. She'd expected shock. She'd expected it would take time for the news to sink in. But she'd also expected a speck of care, of concern, and perhaps even a willingness to help. After all, they'd been "dating" for nearly six months now. She still had to pinch herself to believe that the coolest, best-looking guy in San Diego had chosen her—plain, nerdy, control-freak Morgan. He'd said he'd grown tired of the model-types and wanted a woman with intellect, someone like her, the lead software engineer at Qualcomm Holographic Industries. Morgan couldn't have been more thrilled. Jason was good-looking, smart, and going places. He had a way about him that made her feel special, cherished, something she'd never felt before. Yes, being his girlfriend definitely hiked her confidence up a notch and made it worth dealing with some not-so-pleasant aspects of their relationship. As in not seeing him the past two weeks due to his job at the FLUXX, and his insistence that flirting with patrons was just part of his job. "How could she expect other women not to notice his good looks?" he had said. Those good looks, along with his talent, were going to make him a fortune when Hollywood discovered him. And she'd be right by his side when that happened. Or so he said.

Yet as he gulped down the rest of his Mojito and avoided her eyes, Morgan feared his promises were as fleeting as the hot wind blasting over her.

A man dressed like a pirate walked by and winked at her. Across the popcorn-strewn path, a vendor selling cotton candy handed a sticky pink glob to a small boy, who immediately dove in with his entire face, much to his mother's dismay. Behind Morgan, the creak of an old boat, the Star of India, if she remembered, mimicked the ache in her heart.

She suddenly felt so terribly alone.

I can’t wait to finish the book I’m reading so I can start this one. Where can we find you on the Internet?

Website: http://www.marylutyndall.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marylu.tyndall.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLuTyndall

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mltyndall/

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104594006329583771780/posts

Thank you, MaryLu for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers will love it, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Reckoning (Legacy of the King's Pirates) (Volume 5) - Paperback
The Reckoning (Legacy of the King's Pirates Book 5) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com