REVENGE - Paula Rose - One Free Book

Dear Readers, we have another author who is new to this blog. Her book sounds intriguing. Be sure to welcome her.

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

There is little of myself inside my characters, but I believe the sum of all of my experiences resides inside them.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I don’t know if this is the quirkiest, but I remember eating the same thing for breakfast every day for one month.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

As a child, I loved reading, but it didn’t take very long before my own stories began to float around my mind.

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

I’m a wide-ranging reader from Amish fiction to romance books plus nonfiction and devotionals too.

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

I spend time with our Lord.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I research names and interesting tidbits will capture a name and cement it into my story. For instance, in Revenge, I loved that Olivia had a connection to Shakespeare. However, what I didn’t realize was that my Olivia wasn’t going to stick to my character sketch. As a strong woman with a fiery personality, she changes the plot to tackle feats this writer never even imagined.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

It’s a difficult question to answer, and there are many that come to mind. Certainly, my wedding day and buying our first home are at the top of my list.

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

A bird because flying would be fun.

What is your favorite food?

Pasta.

I love pasta, too. I recently found an imported-from-Italy, tomato-basil bowtie pasta that really added a special nuance in the soup I made this week. Yum! What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My chapter endings were too abrupt. After rewrites and edits of Revenge, I learned how to make chapter endings more intense.

A good way to keep those readers turning pages. Tell us about the featured book.

As a job coach, it’s up to Olivia Foster to ensure her clients work in a safe environment, understand their positions, and serve their employer’s mission. The death of her brother drives her career choice, and she loves her job. It remains her only focus until one of her autistic clients goes missing. Then Olivia’s employer ends her position and adds her to the suspect list, but she makes plans to bring the missing young man home. Detective Lt. Phillip Landon is deep into second-guessing his career choice, but his well-honed instincts see major flaws inside this missing person’s case. Surprising contacts, mysterious happenings, and threats can turn deadly. Can he keep Olivia safe, protect his heart, remove the job coach from someone’s target list, and adopt a faith he never knew all while adjusting to the new lives of his old family?

Please give us the first page of the book.

On Olivia's return trip, the rain split building lights into fractures of miniature kaleidoscopes. She squinted through the deluge. A new pair of wiper blades moved high atop her shopping list while her fingers tightened around the steering wheel and worry pressed its full weight on her lungs. Monday morning traffic was a snarled mess, and Olivia wondered why the car behind her drove too close; however, he seemed no different than others in the lanes next to her, proving most people had foregone the safe driving distance rule.

Olivia Foster approached the last turn off before the DAYS—Development for Active/Asperger’s/Autistic Year-round Settlements—parking lot.

She rounded the lot, and she realized those flashing lights were from two cruisers that hovered just outside her employer's front door. Pulling in right next to them, Olivia sprinted into the office. Her puzzlement turned to stark fear.

Madeline's tear-streaked face came into view just inside the front door.

“What's happened?” Her question garnered no answers. “Madeline. What's going on?”

A suited man moved away from her boss and came toward her. The badge, which decorated his outside jacket pocket, reproduced horrid days from years ago. “I'm Lt. Phillip Landon, and I need to speak with you about Bobby Havers.”

“Bobby?” she whimpered. Her heart rate kicked up. “Is he—?”

He motioned her into the conference room. “It seems as though he's disappeared. And we're talking to everyone who interacts regularly for clues to pinpoint where he would go.”

How could a special needs client go missing from a fully staffed group home? “Bobby wouldn't run away. He wouldn't.”

“Have a seat.” She nodded. But the last thing Olivia wanted was to sit. She needed to help the search for Bobby. Grief from the past assaulted her, but with a deep breath, she shoved those feelings aside. God, please lead us to Bobby. This detective needed to be on Bobby’s trail instead of inside wasting time on her, and she’d do whatever she needed to make that happen.

“The executive director explained that Bobby recently had some employer problems. As his job coach, you can give us more of a complete picture and some insight.”

“Bobby has a cell phone. Did you try to call him?”

“We've done that. Please tell me what led up to this.”

Olivia was so taken aback by Madeline’s erroneous assessment that her thoughts jumbled.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Blog: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/booksnreviews/

Website: http://paularosebooks.com

ACFW Fiction Finder: http://www.fictionfinder.com/author/?author=Paula+Rose

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulaRoseauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paularoseauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paula-Rose-Books-1514088292150972/

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392724.Paula_Rose

About: http://about.me/paularoseauthor

Thank you, Paula, for sharing this book with us. My readers and I love a good suspense novel.

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

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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

JUST KIN - Caryl McAdoo - One Free Book

Bio: Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the historical Christian - Texas Romance; a contemporary - Red River Romance; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

Welcome back, Caryl. Tell us about your salvation experience.

At nine years old, I got to go to summer camp with our church. Mt. Lebanon seemed so far away, but really just outside Dallas County to the south. They had a tabernacle service each night. One of those times, Holy Spirit tugged my heart with the conviction that I needed Jesus and His gift of salvation. I was sitting there in my chair crying. I hadn’t realized the service had ended. An unknown lady came up to me and led me through the sinner’s prayer and went with me to the front.

    

I knew that I knew I was saved! I felt so CLEAN inside, and I was SO excited. I got a dime and ran all the way to the snack bar area where there was a payphone and called Mama. I just had to share with her what God had done! He SAVED me! I was baptized the following week or two on Sunday. And stayed in that little Southern Baptist Church until we moved to Irving in 1962.

    

The devil has never been able to get me to doubt my salvation. I know Jesus saved me that hot summer night in 1959 and came to live in my heart.

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

Any four I want to spend the retreat with? Oh wow. Would you come, Lena? I’d love to have you there because you know so much about writing and marketing and blogging and I love you!

    

Certainly, I’d invite Bodie Thoene, just to get to pick her brain about Israel. I love her books and would try to discover her techniques in stirring her readers to laugh aloud and cry to where you can’t even see the words to read.

    

I have so many writer friends these days. It’s hard to choose. I’d invite Cass Wessel. She has been such a blessing to me, and I’d love being able to help her get her debut novel ready. We could have some intense work time to get in on it during the retreat!

    

Who, who who for my fourth? I know! I’d invite my daughter-in-love Janis McAdoo because she has a book she needs to get together and she needs a retreat with time to do nothing but that! Helping her get her book organized and put together would help thousands of authors and be so valuable to so many!

Yes, I’d love to have a retreat with you and your other writers. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

Well, I guess my favorite speaking engagements are my visits to elementary schools. I love young readers so much. They’re so excited and attentive and fun. I incorporate the new songs God gives me that go with my stories, and they love those. They’re fun songs, plus I’m more comfortable singing than talking, except I do love talking about God and giving Him glory.

   

I often speak to writers’ groups, but usually with my husband. I like teaching with him because he is the one who paces me. And he’s so wise. He’s like that E.F. Hutton … when he talks, everyone wants to listen.

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

 No doubt, I have had my share of them, but I’m not one of those folks who has a most-embarrassing-moment story. I suppose because I put them out of my mind the minute I possibly can.

    

However, in searching my recent history, I have come up with an incident. At a district school gym we’d traveled to, we made our way up the bleachers; O’Pa likes to sit high—I like sitting by him.  Ready to watch our twelve-year-old #12 grandson play basketball, I snuggled up to my dear husband.

    

A coach sat below on the floor, and it dawned on me I needed to give him a note so we could take Benjamen home from the game, instead of him riding the school bus all the way back to Clarksville and us having to pick him up there. So I headed back down. I don’t know how, but about halfway, I tripped and tumbled all the way down to the floor.

     

By the time I stopped bouncing, O’Pa stood over me. He and a lady coach helped up, and I sat on the bottom bench. Another coach appeared with a Ziplock bag full of ice. Both knees were scraped, but one hurt so bad I thought it might be broken. Benjamen came, hugged my neck, and reassured me, “You didn’t embarrass me, Grami.”
    

“Oh good.” said I. “Just myself then.” I’m sure everyone watched me roll down the stairs. This one thing I can tell you for certain. No more sitting on the top bench for this basketball grandmother!

    

Miraculously, the next morning I wasn’t even bruised! My body was sore all over, but nothing missing, nothing broken! Hallelujah. I’m so thankful God answers prayer!

I’m with you. I don’t sit on the top bleachers either. People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

I tell them, “DO IT! It’s never been easier with the computer and its awesome Word program and the internet with the answer to any question at your fingertips. If you want to write for public consumption, then you should study the craft before you begin because if you don’t, you’ll end up rewriting the whole thing.

“Creative fiction is different from any other writing you’ve ever done. You’ll need to show, not tell, your story in an active voice, not a passive one. And if you want your readers to get right down into the story to go with your hero and heroine on their journey, you’ll need to understand point of view.

“And get yourself into a good critique group—not one where everyone slaps you on the back and always says, ‘Good read!’ You want criticism to sharpen your skills and improve your writing. But start today. I have a great little book called Story aqnd Style The Craft of Writing Creative Fiction that I really think would help you!”

Tell us about the featured book.

Whoo! I really love this story, probably because I love the hero so much. Just Kin is book six in my historical Texas Romance series which is a family saga. In book two, Hearts Stolen, I introduced a four-year-old youngster named Charley. Born in a Comanche camp, growing up as the son of Bold Eagle, he was one tough little cookie all my readers fell in love with ... and so did I.

    

That was in 1844. Now Charley Nightingale is grown and heading off to the Civil War to protect Texas. The theme of Just Kin is that Love covers a multitude of sin. We all fall short of God’s glory. We all make our bad decisions when faced with temptation. Often, one poor choice leads to another until we find ourselves mired in the muck of a pit.

    

In Just Kin, the characters aren’t goody-goody. They’re good folks, well-reared young people who make wrong judgments. Charley opens the doors to sin that will cause him trouble his entire life, never meaning to be the man he becomes. Parents aren’t always happy with their children’s ways.

     

A stolen kiss ignites a fire that burns all the way from Texas to New York City. Torn apart by war, rejection, and a letter with news she never wanted, Lacey Rose takes her shredded heart and runs. Charley figures something isn’t right, but is duty-bound to the Confederacy until a deathbed order sets into motion a series of events that test his love, honor, and commitment to the breaking point. 

Please give us the first page of the book.

May 18, 1861

“Just one more.”

A chorus of disappointed “AWWs” followed. The deeper throated ones outnumbered the rest, but did nothing to deter her.

“Oh, it doesn’t hurt! Now come on. Please. This time with the whole family.”

Lacey Rose slipped away to the porch and sat on a step. Aunt May hurried about putting everyone exactly where she wanted them. The photographer hovered, offering his advice, but no one else paid much attention.

“Lacey, come stand here by your mama.”

Nothing in her wanted to. She really wasn’t a part of the family, but it wouldn’t do to argue, not with the mistress of the house. The only one who could persuade that woman on anything was Uncle Henry.

But still, she didn’t look like the rest and had no blood relation. Her mother could pass for a family member, but Lacey favored her father, Bear Fang.

The few minutes seemed more like an hour. Then finally, it was over.

Except really, just beginning.

How could some tall buffoon from Illinois get himself elected president of the United States and start such a terrible war? She didn’t want them to leave. Things would never be the same once they did.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website           -  http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com    

All Books        -  http://tinyurl.com/CarylsAmazonPage                                  

Facebook        -  http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author

Blog                -  http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.com

GoodReads     -  http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCary l

Google+          -  http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus

Twitter            -  http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo

Pinterest          -  http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo

Thank you, Caryl, for sharing this new book with us. It's always a pleasure to host you here.

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

Just Kin - Paperback
Just Kin (Texas Romance Book 6) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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

HER DEADLY INHERITANCE - Beth Ziarnik - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I so enjoy introducing debut Christian authors to you. And when it’s a long-time writer friend, it’s even sweeter.

Thank you, Lena, for hosting me here at “A Christian Writers World—Characters Who Grip your Heart.” Who would have thought when we met at an early ACFW Conference that we would be here now talking about my debut romantic suspense, Her Deadly Inheritance?

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

What a hard question to answer. To my complete surprise, I’ve discovered I get to know my characters by observing them as I write their stories. Yet some of me or my life experiences come out through them. Like Jill’s determination to follow God even into danger, if necessary. Like Clay’s passion for historic architecture which led him to become a restoration contractor and his expertise at playing ball. I borrowed a fantastic catch he made from one of my husband’s ballgames. Much of what goes on with Jill and Clay during the Fourth of July comes right out of Jim’s and my experiences as we enjoyed the Fourth at Munising, Michigan. In my life, I have also had to deal with the shock and grief of losing loved ones unexpectedly. My life was touched by suicide and the haunting wondering if there was anything I could have done that might have prevented it. So much more is in there, however, I don’t want to spoil the story by saying too much. But I do know that, in order to strike a cord of authenticity, writing a character’s story necessitates delving deeply into my own memories and emotions. It’s akin to the excitement of digging through Grandma’s walk-in attic to discover long-forgotten treasures.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably while I was in high school, taking a one-semester journalism course and discovering I could write great news stories that appeared both in our high school paper, the Kau-Hi News and the town newspaper, The Kaukauna Times. That’s when I knew I could write. But even before that, while still a middle schooler, my friend Gwynne Vils and sat on her porch for hours an entire summer, writing our fiction tales. Unknown to me, my mother saved my attempts and returned them to me when I was in college. Maybe back then, Mom already saw something in them and had a sense of where life might lead me.

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

My hands-down favorite genre continues to be Christian romantic suspense. But I also read other genres. Lately, I’ve enjoyed Andrea Boeshaar’s A Thousand Shall Fall (historical romance), Pesto and Potholes by Susan Baganz (contemporary romance), and The Dividing Stone by Anita Estes (Christian paranormal akin to Frank Peretti’s work). And I wouldn’t miss reading Karen Witemeyer’s historical romances set in Texas. I’ve also enjoyed Gloria Clover’s YA Christian fantasy novels and hope she will have another released in the near future.

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

Sanity? What sanity? Since the release of Her Deadly Inheritance on January 2, I’ve traveled such a fast track that it’s all I can do to barely keep up. At the same time, it is great fun connecting with readers, friends, and supporters who are so excited for me. What a beautiful blessing! And, yes, I do have help keeping my sanity. First of all, God’s faithful answers to the prayers of my prayer team and many other well-wishers. I could never do any of this without the Lord and these wonderful people. Also, my agent, Jim Hart, who offers direction and a calm voice of assurance every time I need it. I could say the same for my editors, Rowena Kuo and J. Christine Richards. The Lord has also kindly provided so many wonderful novelist friends who have traveled this road before me. God is always there for us when we need Him and reach out to Him.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Oh, I knew someone would ask that question. I might as well admit it. My characters tend to choose their own names. I read baby-name books and all, but in the end, my characters are pretty adamant. Maybe it’s because I send out weekly requests to my prayer team, and God answers their prayers. I do like to look up the meanings of their names to get a better perspective on who they are, and I often know how they came by those names, which adds even more information to the picture. But name them? No. They do that themselves.

I know. I had a character force me to change his name in the middle of a novel. He just wouldn’t accept the name I gave him. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Starting a local writers club almost 30 years ago. I asked God for one. The prayer was barely out of my mouth when he put me together with another writer to plan and begin Word and Pen Christian Writers. It has served hundreds of writers since its inception, most of whom were published as a result. We encourage each other, pray together, learn together twice a month. First, at the general club meeting, and later, during our critique meeting. I thank God, too, that from Word and Pen, other clubs have been born--Lighthouse Christian Writers in the Peshtigo, Wisconsin area, Pens of Praise in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and a new one in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where members haven’t yet chosen a name. This is all the Lord’s doing, and we often say how grateful we are to him.

What is your favorite food?

Bread—every kind and variety except with caraway seeds. Fresh and fragrant from the oven. Warm from the breadbasket. Cheesy bread, whole grain bread, toasty garlic bread, marble rye … okay, that’s enough rhapsodizing. I suppose I should also admit that I bought a practically new bread machine at Goodwill one summer, and I love using it to make bread.

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

My original dream was to write romantic suspense, exploring how Christian characters with all their flaws might address the frightening challenges they would face during the story. Writing nonfiction came easily to me. But writing fiction took many years of learning a whole different set of skills to produce a publishable novel. Prayer and persistence made the difference. What others were telling me—“Don’t give up!”—was good advice. So, I kept working at the craft and networking with others in the industry, praying for them, encouraging them, and learning from them. Then one day the dream came true. God has a right timing for everything. Usually when we least expect it. He loves riding in on that white horse to surprise us!

And His timing is always perfect. By the way, I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book.

Her Deadly Inheritance is the first in a series of three novels that follow Jill and Clay through the challenges of a growing love and surviving horrendous life-threatening situations. Each book can easily stand on its own, and I’m loving the writing of the second even more than the first—if that’s possible!

In the first book, they overcome impossible odds to fall in love and nearly lose their lives, but of course, I don’t want to give away the story. I can say that, in this book, Jill deals with her need to put to rest her festering self-blame regarding her mother’s death. Though her mother died while Jill was hundreds of miles away, did she unknowingly contribute to the tragedy?

Here’s the back cover blurb: First a runaway. Now running for her life. Won't Jill Shepherd's family be surprised when she returns to Grand Island, Michigan, to end their lies and scheme to have her declared legally dead? But when Jill exposes the mastermind behind her intended death, her family's deception may kill any chance she has of remaining alive.

Clay Merrick may seem to be little more than a handy-man restoring homes, but when the former Special Forces operative tracks a brutal killer to Jill's historic house under renovation, he has most of the evidence he needs to bring the killer to justice ... until Jill gets in the way.

When the killer sets sights on Jill as the next victim, it's not just Clay s mission on the line, but his heart.

Please give us the first page of the book.

5:00 a.m. Twelve hours before a judge would declare her legally dead.

Clutching her cell phone to her ear, Jill Shepherd turned away from the red numbers glowing on her bedside clock and paced in the room’s pre-dawn shadows.

“Say you’ll come, Jill.”

“Don’t ask me, Uncle Drew. You know I can’t.” She squeezed her eyelids shut and struggled against the tightness in her throat. “The minute Lenore finds out I’m alive and you knew, she’ll think we planned this.”

His wife would turn on them both for snatching the house on Michigan’s Grand Island from her at the last minute. “She’ll leave you.”

“I’ll take my chances. More important things are at stake here.”

His quiet resignation clawed at her conscience. She clenched her teeth. She would remain strong. He deserved that much.

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

She swallowed hard at his pleading.

“I have to go,” he said, “but please come. The company plane is waiting at O’Hare. You have the pilot’s number. Call him.”

Jill pulled in a shaky breath. “She’ll never forgive you.”

“I’ll meet the plane when you get here. On the way to Windtop, we’ll decide how to break the news. Everything will be fine.”

He disconnected the call.

Everything would not be fine. Even he knew too well that someone would pay. The same woman who had driven Jill’s fragile mother into seclusion would see to it

I’m glad my book arrived this week. It’s the next one I’ll read. This has me really hooked. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Currently, on my website at www.bethziarnik.com,

on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beth.ziarnik and www.facebook.com/authorBethAnnZiarnik,

and my blog at www.bethziarnik.wordpress.com.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing your debut novel with us.

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

Christian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance - Paperback

Christian Suspense: Her Deadly Inheritance: First a runaway. Now running for her life. (Christian Mystery & Suspense) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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

SIGNS IN LIFE - Deanna Nowadnick - Two Free Books

Dear Readers, today we have a nonfiction author, who is new to this blog. Let’s welcome her.

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

Oh, Lena! I’m a ditzy Type-A, if that makes sense. I can be the most on-top-of-things coworker and then leave the car running during a lunch date with my son. I work as the Client Service Coordinator for a financial advisor. I love caring for his clients, helping them navigate life’s joys and challenges. I’m active in my church, playing the violin on Sunday mornings and serving on our Leadership Team. When someone asked about hidden talents, I said the violin might need to be hidden on occasion. Give me four beats to the measure in the key of C, please. Give me a contemporary worship hymn with four sharps and a jazzy beat, and let’s just say, I struggle a bit.

Tell us about your family.

Kurt and I met at Pacific Lutheran University and have now been married 34 years. His love and support have meant the world to me. We have two adult sons, Kyle and Kevin. Kyle is a financial advisor and his wife is a labor and delivery nurse. Kevin is a commercial real estate appraiser. His wife, Manoela, is from Brazil and works for a software company in Seattle. They all live nearby, so I’m able to enjoy weekly lunches with the boys and special times with the girls.

It’s wonderful to have your family close by. All my kids, grandkids, and great grands live very close, and we often get together with part or all of them. Have you written other nonfiction books?

My writing adventures began when Kyle and Kevin began asking about that fateful meeting of their mom and dad in college. Let’s just say, I was not in the library studying. I was 18 years old and thought Kurt was the cutest starter on the football team. Wanting to put that special night in the context of a wonderful marriage, I began writing. Well, the chapter on Love was followed by a chapter on Joy. That chapter was followed by a chapter on Peace. Before long a theme had developed, and I was holding a manuscript for Fruit of My Spirit, exclaiming to anyone within earshot, “I think I wrote a book! Really—I wrote a book.”

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

Book 3 is a Christmas book, another inspirational memoir. The Christ child received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m exploring how we’ve all been given similar gifts in our walks with God as people of faith.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love knitting. I’m also a binge watcher of Netflix. I add that because one night I’ll be knitting and the next night ripping. I’ve been known to lose track of my knits and purls by the second, third, or fourth episode of my favorite guilty pleasure.

Why did you write the featured book?

Signs in Life was truly a God thing. Even before I’d finished my first book, God was pushing me to share additional stories, which is rather amazing, because I really am a Type A perfectionist. I’d really like you all to believe that I’ve got it all together. But I don’t. You’ll read about a meltdown in the drive-through of my local coffee stand. You’ll learn about my struggles with Dad and my misunderstanding of his expectations for me. God has helped me take silly antics and life’s disappointments and struggles and connect them to a Bigger (capital B) message. We really are chapters in His great story. 

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

Can I repeat that last comment? Our stories really are chapters in God’s great story. Our stories don’t have to be found somewhere between Genesis and Revelation to matter. They don’t have to appear on Amazon’s bestseller list to count. Our stories are more important than that. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, said, “The genius of the biblical story is that, instead of giving us ‘seven habits for highly effective people,’ it give us permission and even direction to take conscious ownership of our own story at every level, every part of life and experience. God will use all of this material, even the negative parts, to bring life and love.” Yes, life and love!

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

Signs in Life is a book that can be read in a single sitting or chapter-by-chapter as a morning devotional. Each chapter ends with questions for personal (or group) reflection. You also get good-hair and bad-hair photos. My, oh, my!

We also travel with Moses and the Israelites. Never did I imagine that my own stories would connect to God’s bigger story in such a unique way. And may I be so bold to suggest that we’ve all had times when we’ve been asked to YIELD, TURN RIGHT, and STOP, just like God’s people as they journeyed to the Promised Land.

Please give us the first page or two from the book.

One day, Moses was taking care of sheep and goats for his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”

When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:1-4 (CEV)

THIS WAY

“If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me!”

I scrambled out of the car, slammed the door, and kicked the rear tire. Squinting into the harsh glare of a flashlight, my first words were louder than necessary, “If you’re going to ticket me, then ticket me! I just want to get home.” Not giving the police officer a chance to respond, I continued, still annoyed, still defiantly frustrated, “I’m tired. Really—I just want to get home!”

“And I just need you to slow down, ma’am. I actually stopped you, because I really just needed you to slow down and stop—at the sign back there. You’re in a school zone. It’s dark. There’s traffic.”

The officer was right. Traveling home from the gym, I’d failed to stop at a busy corner. Distracted by a young mother’s ever present to-do list, I’d rolled through an intersection, the middle school on my left, a railroad crossing on my right. Fortunately a man with a badge had cared enough to give me a much deserved warning and an undeniable lesson: road signs are an important part of safe travel.

Road signs are everywhere: SPEED LIMIT 25, SCHOOL ZONE, STOP. Yet even with signs telling us what to do and how best to do it, we still miss the signs, overlook and ignore them. But signs in life surround us for a reason and I’ve gotten costly reminders of their importance. A patrol car’s red and blue flashing lights have refocused my attention on the speed limit—more than once. Traffic cameras have reminded me to slow down in a school zone—twice. And a police officer has re-emphasized the importance of coming to a complete stop at a busy intersection.

In addition to traffic signs, I have also overlooked and ignored directional signs. I live in Monroe, Washington, about an hour’s drive from Seattle. On a trip into the city, I programmed my car’s navigation system to get me from the freeway to a waterfront restaurant. After three turns, I decided I knew better than my digital guide. I didn’t. I made wrong turn after wrong turn and silently cursed the afternoon’s traffic. The delay cost me time and patience and taught me a second undeniable lesson: road signs are not just an important part of safe travel, but there are consequences when ignored and overlooked.

So why don’t I follow the signs, block after block, turn after turn? Why don’t I heed the high resolution images on my car’s high definition screen? The signs were all there: a black and white sign alerting me to the speed limit, a red sign reminding me to stop, a yellow sign warning of the school zone. There were signs telling me of the exit ahead and the turn on my right. Still I ignored some, skipped others, and overlooked many. Why did I, why do I, ignore the help?

And if I struggle to get around the block, how will I ever survive the bigger journey? How will I navigate life? Not the quick trip to the grocery store, but the longer journey through adulthood? Not only the daily commute, but the more onerous trek through times of trial? Not just the trip into the city, but the turn into temptation? What about my travels as a wife and mother, sister and friend? What about my travels with God?

Very interesting. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

I love connecting with readers. Notes and emails are just the best! I live in the Puget Sound area and also enjoy speaking and meeting with groups, both small and large. I’ve even used book-signings to benefit local causes. It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to give back and pay it forward.

Website:                     www.deannanowadnick.com

Email:                         info@fruitofmyspirit.com

Facebook:                   https://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit  (author page)

LinkedIn:                    Deanna Nowadnick

Twitter:                       @DeannaNowadnick

Thank you, Deanna, for sharing this book with us. We all need the reminders you're bringing to us.

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

Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God - Paperback, sale priced
Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels With God - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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!!!!!!

BJM (SC) is the winner of Sweet Freedom a la Mode by Jennifer Slattery.

Beth S (IL) is the winner of Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard.

Abigail (NC) is the winner of Peace by Kathy Taylor.

Marilyn (IL) is the winner of The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck.

Sandy (TX) is the winner of Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley.

Kathy (MO) is the winner of When Lyric Met Limerick by Dawn V Cahill.

If you won a book and you like it, please 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 and author of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

RESET OUR GENERATION VIRTUAL PRAYER MEETING

I found out about something exciting that is going on. I wanted to share it with you.

MERMAID MOON - Colleen Coble - One Free Book, Plus Much More

Welcome back, Colleen. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

All my books are romantic suspense. I grew up on Nancy Drew books and still read mystery and suspense almost exclusively.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?

We love Hawaii! Kauai is our favorite island. If it weren’t so far from our beloved granddaughter and our kids, we would move there in a heartbeat.

James and I want to go to Hawaii sometime. I hope it is soon. What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I’d like to visit Australia and New Zealand someday. Those are both on my bucket list. I love reading books set there.

I’m like you. I fell in love with Australia and New Zealand before other people did. I’ve read all of Lucy Walker’s books set back in the mid-1900s. I had to search used bookstores to find them. And I’ve read every book set in either place that I ran across. Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

There’s nothing better than sitting by the sea. So any island vacation or a cruise would be wonderful.

I didn’t go near any sea or ocean until the 1990s, and I love sitting on the beach enjoying the sound. James and I even sat on the beach at Manzanillo, Mexico, way past midnight. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

Someday I’d like to do an international setting, maybe Australia or Finland. I’ve been to Finland once. My best friend in high school was a Finnish foreign exchange student, and we hosted her daughter as an exchange student.

We had a Finnish exchange student. A boy. Since I’m half Scandinavian, I’d love to go there. What is the main theme of this novel?

I wanted to explore how guilt and shame can hit us at our deepest core. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.

Tell us about the story.

Remorse and confusion has kept single mom Mallory Davis from her hometown of sleepy Down East, Maine, for the last 15 years. When her father mysteriously dies, though, she’s forced to return. Her relationship with her father had been tense since she left, but she was the one he called in his final moments.  His last words echo in her heart: “Find . . . mother.” Yet her mother has been dead for fifteen years. What could he have possibly meant?

Mallory comes to believe her father was murdered, and her childhood sweetheart, Down East game warden Kevin O’Connor, confirms her suspicions. Mallory trampled Kevin’s heart when she left without a word all those years ago, and he is wary of helping Mallory in her search. Everything changes when Mallory begins receiving threats on her life and the life of her teenage daughter, Haylie. As their search intensifies, they find a tangled web of mystery and deceit whose sticky threads reach deep into Mallory’s past. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about much more than finding her father’s killer; it’s about the hope of finding herself again — and maybe even another chance at love. She just has to stay alive long enough to put the pieces together.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Silver Pelican jewelry store in Bangor, Maine, was Mallory Davis’s final stop, and she put on a bright smile. The place smelled of money—expensive perfume from the last customer and the rich scent of new carpet. Every other jewelry shop in town had only been willing to take her pieces on consignment, but she needed the cash now. She’d been a bit hesitant to come here because this was the most expensive store in town, and she was sure the owner would take one look at her suit, stylish ten years ago, and send her packing.

The sun glittered on her twenty pieces of sea-glass jewelry spread across the top of the glass display case. The presentation under it sparkled with diamonds and sapphires on black velvet.

Mallory nudged her favorite bracelet with one finger. “This one is white gold instead of the usual sterling silver. I mixed pink tourmaline with darker pink sea glass to create the piece.”

The owner, in his forties with a paunch and bald head, picked up the bracelet and looked it over. “Very nice craftsmanship, Mrs. Davis. The quality is exceptional. The pink and green moon from the tourmaline is quite unique. And I really like the mermaid on it. How much do you want for these?”

She tipped up her chin and forced a confidence that was at odds with the fluttery sensation in her stomach. “I need five hundred dollars for it. I have five of them ready here in my briefcase. And did you see these earrings?” She pointed out another offering. “The tourmaline makes them so distinctively Maine. These are two hundred dollars.”

He nodded. “My customers are always asking for quality tourmaline pieces, and I find it hard to keep up with the demand when they want jewelry created in Maine.” He pursed his flat lips. “I’ll take everything you have here, plus all the mermaid-moon bracelets. Write me up an invoice, and I’ll give you a check right now. I think I can take most everything you make off your hands.”

Hiding her elation, she took a surreptitious glance at her watch. Haylie would be out of school in half an hour. “Of course.” She pulled the jewelry pieces out of her case along with an invoice pad.

She wanted to do a fist pump in the air. Her mortgage was a week late, but she could pay it electronically as soon as the check cleared.

The back of her neck prickled, and she resisted the urge to turn around. For the past week she’d had the uneasy feeling that someone was watching her, but try as she might to convince herself it was from the stress of her finances, she swung her head around to look. And saw nothing out of the ordinary. She always felt that way when under periods of great stress, and nothing was more stressful than knowing she and Haylie would be out on the street if she didn’t turn things around.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.colleencoble.com, and I love to hear from readers!

Facebook (colleencoblebooks)

Twitter (@colleencoble)

To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

Thank you, Colleen, for sharing this new book with us. I've been a faithful fan of yours for many years, and many of my blog readers also love your books. I have new readers who haven't heard about you, and I'm thrilled to introduce them to you and your books.

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

Mermaid Moon - Christianbook.com

Mermaid Moon (A Sunset Cove Novel) - Amazon

Mermaid Moon (A Sunset Cove Novel Book 2) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book on this blog. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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

DOUBLE HEADER - Clarice G James - One Free Book

Dear Readers, today we’re visiting with another debut novelist. Be sure and give her a warm welcome.

Bio: Clarice G. James loves to read and write smart, fun, relatable contemporary and historical women’s fiction. After many years of writing and editing for business and ministry, she now enjoys the freedom that writing fiction allows her. Clarice has been a follower of Jesus Christ for over 35 years. She and her husband David live in Southern New Hampshire. Together they have five married children and ten grandchildren. Double Header is her first published novel. It was one of three winners in the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest.

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

In my first book (Party of One, pre-published), my main character was a widow struggling with loneliness and finding purpose in life. Much of this story was based on my life at the time. In my second book, Double Header, the main character has control issues and a critical nature when it comes to the Christian faith. Sorry to say, that was me, too, before I became a believer. In my current novel (in progress), Manhattan Grace, the legalist in me shows up. [Wow. Don’t I have any good qualities?]

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

It was important for one of my female characters to have a signature perfume. However, after researching in major department stores, all I came away with was a headache. So while in the food store one day, I stalked a woman who smelled like I wanted my character to smell. I caught up with her in the parking lot. She was gracious enough to tell me the name of her perfume—but didn’t give me hers.

A lot of perfumes give me headaches, but I like wearing fragrance, so I stay with only those I know won’t cause me pain. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Initially, it was a favorite assignment in high school. Later, when I got a positive reaction from friends and family for the little things I wrote, I decided it was something I could do and enjoy. 

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

The non-fiction books on my shelves include biblical studies, devotionals, Christian living, business and marketing, reference books, and how-to books on writing. As for fiction, I prefer contemporary women’s or historical fiction. I love humor and a thread of romance in my stories. However, I don’t usually go to the romance novel section.

My last three novels, and my next one, are more historical women’s fiction, instead of straight romance, but they are often shelved with the romance novels. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Spending time in God’s Word helps me walk slowly through my days. And if I get a little frantic, my husband helps me understand and accept my limits and not compare myself with others. 

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I look at each character’s age, gender, ethnic background, personality type, and check the meaning of names. It’s important for the character’s name to “sound right” to me. I’ve been guilty of changing a name in the middle of writing the book because it just didn’t seem to fit. If a name sounds interesting to me, I save it in my Names Slush file.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Seriously, I’m proud that my children’s spouses don’t mind me being around and that my grandchildren like me—even the older ones. It makes me think I must have done something to be proud of, but I’m not sure what it is.

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

Whatever animal is friendly, clumsy, yet harmless. A basset hound sounds about right.

What is your favorite food?

Ice cream, specifically coffee ice cream.

Mine is Blue Bell’s Chocolate Covered Cherries ice cream, but they only make for the holiday season and not every year. I’m in ice cream heaven when they do. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? 

I found it difficult to apply all the rules in the how-to-write books while I was creating my story. Finally, I just decided to write and see if it worked. Now if something isn’t working, I can tell without reading a book about it. No offense to those who’ve written these books; some of us just learn in a different way. Even if it’s the hard way. J

I like to read writing books to see what I can learn from them, but I don’t read one when I’m writing a novel. I’m another one who learns a different way. Please tell us about the featured book. 

Casey Gallagher credits a carefully crafted game plan for her wins: her solid marriage to Sam; her lucrative marketing career in Boston; and her popular sports column, Double Header, which she writes with her brother, Griffin. When Casey discovers that her late father, the one man she idolized, had an affair which produced a son even he didn't know about, she’s determined to identify this walking threat to her father’s memory before he can do any harm. When Casey attempts to fit the changes that life throws at her into her idealistic plan, she’s challenged by the dialogue running in her head. Is it her conscience or her imagination? Or is it the voice of the God she’s not sure she believes in?

Please give us the first page of the book.

I met my half brother the week I turned thirty. I knew it was him; he was wearing my late father’s boots.

Six months earlier, my younger brother Griffin and I were escaping the cold for four full days of sun and research in Ft. Myers, Florida. With our SUV’s engine running outside Terminal C at Logan International in Boston, my husband Sam jumped out to help Griffin and me with our luggage. “Listen up, Casey—” he started.

“I know, be vigilant.” I took my bag from him. “Wish you were coming with us.”

“To watch you work? No way. Besides, when we go away,” Sam said loud enough for Griffin to hear, “it will be alone.”  

“Cramp your style, do I, Lieutenant Gallagher?” Griffin faked a body check on Sam. “This coming from a guy who spends all his nights with cops and robbers.” 

I pushed on the car’s lift gate to make sure it was latched. “Stop yakking, you two, before we get a ticket.”

The biting winds nipped at my resolve to leave my wool coat behind, but I held fast, thinking back on the heat of southwest Florida. Sam, my cop in shining armor, finished his condensed version of his “hyper-vigilance” speech, kissed me good-bye, and drove away.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website  

Facebook 

LinkedIn 

Twitter 

GoodReads 

Pinterest  

Thank you, Clarice, for sharing this interesting book with us. I know my blog followers will be eager to read it.

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

Double Header - paperback
Double Header - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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