STEPPING ON CHEERIOS - Betsy Singleton Snyder - One Free Book

Dear readers, the title of this book intrigued me when I first saw it. I had to introduce you to this author and her book.

Bio: Betsy Singleton Snyder, author of Stepping on Cheerios, is a pastor, a former missionary to the arts community, writer, and blogger. She and her husband, Dr. Vic Snyder who formerly served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, live in Arkansas with their four sons, Penn (10), and triplets Wyatt, Sullivan, and Aubrey (8).

Find out more about Betsy Singleton at https://www.womenadestand.com.

Welcome, Betsy. It’s interesting to me that you live in Arkansas. I spent my first 20 years there. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I came to motherhood late in life and knee-deep. After being a pastor in the United Methodist Church for almost 20 years, I had my first, and then three more babies, at age 44 and 47.

Tell us about your family.

I’m married to a former Marine, physician, lawyer, and Congressman. We met later in life and wanted children, never expecting we’d have four in less than three years. Our boys are now 11 and 8. We have two dogs, two cats, fish, and a nice array of milkweed butterfly plants. We are into saving monarch butterflies in our little corner of the world.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

Stepping on Cheerios: Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life is my first non-fiction book.

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

My website, WomenadeStand.com, is a place for me to work on ideas I have for future projects. The blog, Womenade, takes up topics from parenthood, the history of women, family life, vocation, culture, and Christianity. I’ve made an outline for a book that charts “women trouble,” the complicating factors in our network of difficult relationships that bring us both joy and sorrow.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

We’ve got a nice little cabin up in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas a couple hours from where we live. When possible, we spend time up there hiking, fishing, and porch-sitting. It’s a fantastic retreat in winter, with nice, warm fires and cocoa, or a beautiful place to be outside in spring and fall. In summer, we can hang out by the water or go check out some local caves, with ancient formations. If we’re at home, our family spends a great deal of time reading books, watching movies, and building anything that young boys find fascinating, from Legos to booby-traps. One of my growing interests is in creating Therapy Dog ministries, where people and dogs can serve. My dog has listened to children reading in schools and visited folks in nursing care facilities. It’s a fantastic way to share ministry with your animal who is also a family member.

Why did you write the featured book?

I came to parenthood late. Prior to having children, I’d become a pastor, worked as an urban arts missionary in our city, and traveled to far-flung places like Russia doing prison ministry. Yet, when I had triplets, my second pregnancy, I found my life unrecognizable. I was forty-seven and suddenly had heart failure days after their birth. I found myself in the midst of an identity crisis, of domestic chaos, and survival mode. A month later, my husband returned to his weekly commute to Washington, DC, where he served in Congress. As these events unfolded, I tried to maintain a home with the help of family and friends. Kind people showed up at my home to help me literally hold my babies and feed them. Because I was unable to hop in the car and drive to the church and connect with God through the ways I’d always done, I started noticing the mundane and the sacred, the pots and pans, the Cheerios on the floor, the humor in the chaos, growth in the hardships. I decided to write a book that would tell my crazy story and how I learned to better nurture myself, accept myself, deal with my own identity challenges, and, frankly, help me remember that God is with us moms, no matter how crazy and messy life gets.

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

I recently watched a mom on FaceBook get more and more stressed. I could see her doubts unfolding as she put expectations on herself about using particular products like cloth diapers or practicing co-sleeping. I think every parent should make decisions best for them and for their children, but the more this mom said should to herself, the more uncertain she became. My hope for any mom who puts that kind of pressure on herself is that she begin to look at who she is first because God loves her and is not interested in her ruining her mental, physical, or spiritual health because she is a mom. I want the reader to say, “My heavens, this mom stuff really isn’t easy, and it’s okay to say it’s not easy, and to ask for help. It’s okay I’m not reaching the bar that I’ve created, a bar that may not even be helpful for me or my child.”

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

Laugh and be silly, especially when life isn’t going the way you think it ought to. I’m a rather serious person, but I grew up in a family that gave me a great sense of humor. When I get too intense about my role as a parent, I’ve learned that seeing the humor can cut tension like a knife. Get creative with problems.

About Stepping on Cheerios

Family life is beautiful and motherhood is a privilege, but it ain’t no picnic!

Being a mother isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard to experience a personal connection with God and community when you are caught up in the chaos of just “doing family.”

Independent and self-sufficient, author Betsy Singleton Snyder lived a full and busy life as a pastor, missionary, and wife to a husband who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. She had her first child at age 44, then at 47, she found out she was carrying triplets. Suddenly finding herself overwhelmed is an understatement.

Stepping on Cheerios is a collection of funny, warm, and charming tales from the frontlines of parenthood, written for women who are juggling to accomplish everyday feats of work, motherhood, marriage, church, and more. It’s a comical story of one woman’s realization that her crazy life is a gift and how she found the grace in it.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Please give us a peek inside the book.

Chapter 1

A Hail Mary

Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just a you have said.” Then the angel left her.” —Luke 1:38

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

 —“Let it Be,” The Beatles

I love football because it’s so unpredictable. The weirdest things can happen, right? Such as lateral trick plays in which the chaos of the moment unfolds and the way a running back’s smooth dodge can suddenly bring a team ahead on the scoreboard in the final minutes of a game. And there’s that famous last-ditch effort when the quarterback drops back, his offensive line holds, and he launches that oblong ball spiraling through the air in a lovely, long arc. Wait for it; wait for it as it becomes clear. The ball is finally caught by a young man whose body is hanging in midair. It is a moment worthy of the ballet, when his feet touch down in the end zone. It is a Hail Mary. It appears both crazy and divine.

I’ve met divinely crazy. I caught a Hail Mary and then three more—ahem—quite late in life. I became a mother of four boys, including triplets, in two and a half years when I was forty-sevenish. I didn’t dare drop the extras God had so gloriously and unpredictably thrown my way. I had expected ordinary, and I got extraordinary. Isn’t that just like God and the insanity of football? You may not know what’s coming in life, but it wouldn’t be any fun if you did. Plus, you might refuse to participate because what if you got hurt or couldn’t control most of life, which you can’t. So let’s face it. Authentic, no-holds-barred living creates risk, and there’s no decent spiritual growth without these untamed ingredients. No one grows into mommyhood without her complimentary set of bruises and a strong need for a good age-defying hair-care regimen.

If we bracket the football motif, there are other reasons I’m not your typical mommy, as if any woman’s story is cut out like a cookie. No, we women must have a few flashy sprinkles on top of our own lives. Still my story is, at times, one of biblical proportions. Genesis unplugged, if you will. Thank you, Jesus, for the drama, truly.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

My website, WomenadeStand.com, is a place for me to work on ideas for future projects. The blog, Womenade, takes up topics from parenthood, the history of women, family life, vocation, culture, and Christianity. I”m also at Twitter, FB and Instagram @ womenadestand.

Thank you, Betsy, for sharing your life and this book with us.

Readers, 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 or country if outside North America. (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!!!!

Paula (MO) is the winner of Katie's Quest by Lee Carver.

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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.

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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.

A WIFE'S SECRET TO HAPPINESS - Jen Weaver - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I first met Jen when God brought her to the critique group that meets in my home, and she was pregnant with their first child. During the time she was with us, she had her baby and developed this book. We were involved in most of that development. I highly recommend this book for all wives, but especially wives in the first ten years of marriage.

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’m a mess, and I love Jesus. Sometimes when people hear that I’ve written a marriage book, there’s an assumption that I have it all together—or that I think I do. I don’t, and I claim it. I am a woman in desperate need of Jesus, and He meets me every day right where I am to draw me closer to Himself. I aim for my writing to echo that call as I share from my humorous blunders and painful seasons to extend truth and comfort from what Christ brings to me.

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Jared, and I met through the church we attended in California. We both served in our church’s young adult ministry and ended up co-leading a small group together. At the time, neither of us was looking for a relationship, but as we spent time serving, teaching, and praying alongside each other, we fell in love. Jared and I wed in 2008, moved to Texas in 2010, and welcomed our son Dillon on Thanksgiving Day 2014.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

This is my first full-length book, and I pray the Lord will entrust me with other books to write in the future. I also have a beautiful devotional, 31 Days of Encouragement, that’s available as a free download on my website.

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

I’m in the brainstorm phase of another book but it’s too big of a jumbled mess to talk about yet.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Reading. I love to learn so my “must read” list is quite eclectic. I dabble in photography—most photos feature my son—and I also enjoy traveling when life allows.

Why did you write the featured book?

A Wife’s Secret to Happiness grew out of conversations I had with the Lord. He kept talking with me about themes of authority and submission, and how my faith can be cultivated and demonstrated in the way I live as a wife. I truly believe it all started because God wanted me to learn these concepts, and He knew if I started writing, I’d have to study and pay attention. As I started experiencing the freedom and blessings that come from applying these truths to my life, I couldn’t share it fast enough.

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

I hope every reader hears God’s desire to be involved in her marriage. That as she reads each chapter, she’d hear His affirmation of her identity and worth. That she’d identify enemy lies and heavy burdens so she could leave them behind, and that she’d leave this book equipped, empowered, and excited to follow the Lord’s instruction for her life in greater measure. 

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

While applicable to wives of any tenure, I especially have a heart to share this message with younger wives. As a millennial woman myself, I encourage my peers to believe God and follow His plan for their marriages. I write as a friend going through many of the same seasons of life with them. And I’ve heard that A Wife’s Secret to Happiness makes a great wedding gift. ;)

I don’t know who told you that, but I agree wholeheartedly. Please give us the first page or two from the book.

Chapter One: The Blessing Three Strands

Picture me wearing Manolos.

Yep, that’s right. Bold. Modern. Romantic. I pair the gorgeous shoes with killer abs in couture gowns. My prince brings treasures from afar as little woodland creatures do my housework. Even my morning bedhead radiates beauty.

Do you ever wish married life worked like a fairy tale? Yep. Me too.

I chuckle as I write these words, cuddled on the love seat in my Texas-sized bedroom. Barefoot in shorts and a T-shirt, with two-day-old hair and an empty bag of mint chocolate Milanos. Hey, that’s close to Manolos, right?

We know not to trust the fantasy of carriages and horsemen. Yet somewhere in our relationships, we’ve felt the draw to something more. Not something prettier—although we wouldn’t mind—but something deeper. As a wife or bride-to-be, you’ve already heard the whisper in your spirit—the call to a marital experience different from what you’ve seen so far.

Maybe the rumble comes from places of disconnect. Knowing married life could be more—dare we believe, should be more—than the common parade. I’m talking about big things, finding commonalties past the shaky ground of shared interests. Life with a partner, not a roommate, and enjoying every aspect of intimacy—to intercourse and beyond.

We long to build marriages we love in the small moments. Not romanticized tales of perfect hair, homes, and husbands—because who can live up to that? I disqualify myself from my own daydream when he leaves dirty clothes on the floor or releases air biscuits in his sleep. We pretend not to notice these things, until pressure-cooked words erupt like Mount Vesuvius. Or maybe that’s just me. We’re looking for genuine joy in the middle of the mess and learning to make peace with each other’s . . . quirks. Sound like something you want? Yep, me too. We need God’s presence as the blessing of the third strand.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

I blog at thejenweaver.com and I’m on all social media platforms as @thejenweaver.

Thank you, Jen, for sharing this book with me and my readers. It with great pleasure that I introduce them to this wonderful book.

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

A Wife's Secret to Happiness - Christianbook.com
A Wife's Secret to Happiness: Receiving, Honoring, and Celebrating God's Role for You in Your Marriage - Amazon Paperback
A Wife's Secret to Happiness: Receiving, Honoring, and Celebrating God's Role for You in Your Marriage - 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 or country if outside North America. (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

LOOKING GLASS LIES - Varina Denman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, when I first heard of Varina, I read her first series one right after the other. Her writing, characters, and setting grabbed me right away. That’s why I knew I had to feature her with this new book. I’m reading it right now, and the subject matter is one that I’ve understood as needed by every woman who has ever compared herself to glamorous women. Looking Glass Lies deals with this subject with deep emotions and insight. You won’t want to miss this book.

Welcome back, Varina. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

In each of my books, I include an element of spiritual or emotional healing. In Looking Glass Lies, Cecily Ross must overcome her dangerously low self-esteem, and when she does, she discovers there’s a whole world out there that needs her.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My next book is still in the depths of my brain. I’m doing research right now and getting very excited to sit down at the keyboard and get started. The book will tell the story of a woman who is grieving the accidental death of her two-year-old daughter.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Beth Moore. She’s so incredibly talented and knowledgeable. I’d like to simply sit with her and listen to her talk about … whatever. And I’d like to get her advice on writing, speaking, and ministry.

I loved the Beth Moore study I took, and I’ve really enjoyed watching her on Life Today with James and Betty Robison. James and I have been a part of the studio audience. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Jane Austen. Her books always take me back to a different time and place, and then they hold me captive until the end. It would be fun to chat and get to know the real Jane Austen.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

That’s just part of it, and it hurts. Almost all writers go through the waiting period, and it can feel like a trial by fire. ☹ But there are many things you can do while you’re waiting for your day, mainly do everything in your power to improve your writing. Read craft books, attend conferences, get feedback from critique groups. All these things make a huge difference in your craft, and in so doing, you’re proving to yourself and to future publishers that you will work hard to get your work where it needs to be.

Tell us about the featured book.

Looking Glass Lies tells the story of Cecily Ross, a young woman who struggles with low self-esteem after her divorce from an emotionally abusive husband. She returns to her childhood home on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon (beautiful!) hoping to heal from her pain. With help from her father, a support group, and an old friend who guides her to see her own strengths, Cecily may have a shot at overcoming her insecurities and learning to love again.

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

I woke up in the middle of the night in our cavernous walk-in closet. Again. For a moment, I enjoyed the wispy memory of a not-yet-forgotten dream, but then I realized the plush carpet had become solid rock while I slept, its gritty fibers pressing against me as though I were wedged into a sandstone crevice instead of willingly tucked against the back wall beneath my hanging clothes.

Good grief. You have to stop this, Cecily. I told myself the same thing every blasted time, but so far I hadn’t been able to do it. Even now, I didn’t move so much as a pinkie finger, didn’t open my eyes against the harsh fluorescent light, didn’t crawl past Brett’s shoe rack where I could see myself in the floor-length mirror. Not a chance. Because that would have broken the spell and sent me back to the real world, and—no, thanks—I preferred the fairy tale where high school sweethearts lived happily ever after.

My husband slept soundly in our pillow-top king, just on the other side of the closet door. The phrase sleeping like a baby crossed my mind, and I snickered softly because Brett’s snoring was anything but childlike, and his seemingly undefiled slumber had been brought on by over-the-counter sleeping pills rather than the serenity of innocence.

Besides, Brett wasn’t the one who was childish. He never scrutinized his reflection in the mirror late at night. He never beat his fists against his thighs until he had bruises, hoping a tantrum would somehow change things. He never bawled uncontrollably, wishing he could mold his body into what it ought to be—like Play-Doh—kneading and pressing until the flesh became aesthetically balanced.

He never once cried himself to sleep in the closet.

I uncurled my stiff legs, wiggling my toes and stretching while the shirts hanging above me caressed my skin like an old friend. The back of my hand bumped against solid wood: the leg of the chair where Brett sat every morning, tying his shoes like Mr. Rogers. Smiling.

For seven years it had been the same. On mornings when he found me asleep on the floor, he’d nudge me with his socked toe, wag his finger, and laugh. “Cecily, you silly girl. Get in bed where you’ll be comfortable.” Then he’d pat me on the butt as he slipped his cell phone in his pocket.

I hated that phone. Despised it. It was full of videos Brett didn’t want me to see, websites he claimed he hadn’t visited, pictures he made certain I never had access to. But his temptations didn’t end there. When he left the house, there were billboards and magazine covers and posters in shop windows. There were advertisements and mannequins and sultry radio voices, and there were women, everywhere, in low-cut blouses, short skirts, and thick makeup.

I couldn’t compete with all that. Evidently.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: https://varinadenman.com

Blog: https://shameonshanty.com

http://facebook.com/varina.denman

http://instagram.com/varina.denman.author

http://twitter.com/varinadenman

http://pinterest.com/varinadenman

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

Looking Glass Lies - Christianbook.com paperback
Looking Glass Lies - Amazon.com paperback
Looking Glass Lies - Kindle
Looking Glass Lies - Audio

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 or country if outside North America. (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 GREAT CHATTANOOGA BICYCLE RACE - Mike H Mizrahi

We live in a world where a device on our wrist can detect our every step and vital sign while our phones pop up with notifications telling us where we are, in case we did not already know. Too easily we take for granted the great inventions of the past that drastically changed the world at the time they were introduced. Take the bicycle, for example. In his debut novel, The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race (Redemption Press/May 1, 2017), author Mike H. Mizrahi tells the story of a woman who creates waves by not only riding a bicycle, but doing so in bloomers. A woman riding a bicycle in pants seems trivial to us now, but at the turn of the 20th century, it was a very big deal and played a part in the advancement of women’s rights.

Welcome, Mike. You didn’t write your first novel until after you retired. Have you always had the bug to write? If so, why did you wait so long to get started?

Yes, the bug burrowed deep inside me long ago. I’ve been writing since high school, in one form or another. Take songwriting, one of my favorite pastimes. It’s a puzzle, crafting words that tuck neatly into the melody of the song. At the same time, the lyrics must tell a story or express an idea that moves the listener. Anyway, having pursued a career in journalism and corporate public relations, I thought writing a book would be the next frontier. I guess the busyness of life got in the way; then I noticed one morning the kids are grown and gone, and I’m about to retire. However, it wasn’t until Karen and I returned from a mission trip to Africa in 2013 that I got the idea for my first manuscript. Looking back, I wish I had taken the plunge long before, but God willing there’s much more ahead.

The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race is the first book you have published but was not the first book you ever wrote. Tell us about the experience that inspired you to write your first novel.

We went with a handful of members from our church to the Democratic Republic of Congo to teach business and education principles. One day while taking a break outside the church where we taught, a woman asked about the large gathering inside. She wore western clothing and appeared to be in her late 20s. As it turned out, she was born in Bunia, the city we were in, but she left to attend college in San Francisco, became a social worker and never came back. I asked if she ever would. She said she was thinking about it, and I told her Bunia needed her. Just then a man on a motorbike pulled up, and she got on and waved goodbye. Three months later I had a 90,000-word manuscript about an African-American social worker who returns to her city of birth to see her dying father and is caught up in a rebel attack. The story involves a great chase through Virunga Nation Park, the gorilla mountains.

In a few sentences, tell us about The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race.

It’s 1895, and the new “safety” bicycle is taking the nation by storm. Young Anna Gaines has fallen in love with the sport and is intrigued by what the women in the North are wearing to ride: bloomers. But Chattanooga, the gateway to the South, and Anna’s own mama are not about to sit idly by while she unleashes such scandalous behavior upon their city. Socialite Bertha Millwood, haunted by the tragic death of her own daughter, leads a community revolt. Anna rides in spite of her own self-doubt and lack of confidence, born of a tragic childhood injury, and she battles against the roadblocks that Bertha and others put up to derail her. In the end, Anna must race the president of the Cycle Club while the citizens watch to decide if women should share the same right as men to ride a bicycle in Chattanooga. However Peter Sawyer, the club president, is beside himself; he’s in love with Anna!

Your leading lady, Anna, is described as an introvert, but she did something seemingly out of her nature. What exactly did she do, and what inspired her to break out of her shell and try something new?

Anna declares war on the childhood insecurities she is carrying into young adulthood. At 13, a fall from her horse resulted in a broken leg, a permanent limp and a shattered self-image. Now 19, Anna starts her emotional rehabilitation by moving from the family farm into a women’s boardinghouse in the city. An expert seamstress from years of self-imposed social confinement, she lands a job at Loveman’s Department Store and gets her first taste of freedom. It’s really the accomplishment of Annie Londonderry, a mother of three in her mid-20s, that breaks the chains binding Anna. On a visit with her aunt in Brooklyn, Anna learns that this adventurer is finishing a bicycle ride around the world . . . clad in bloomers. Anna’s aunt, a college professor, takes Anna to a riding school, where she takes to “the wheel.” A second taste of freedom on the bicycle leads her to stand against an entire community determined to keep such inappropriate behavior from their streets.

Some of us may laugh about the standards of modesty during that time period and think a woman wearing bloomers isn’t very scandalous, but it was a big deal to Anna. Today some Christian women still struggle with defending their standards of modesty. How can all of us respect the personal standards and values of others better?

Dress standards shift, even within churches, and have throughout time. The lines of modesty and indecency are often blurred in the eyes of the beholder. For example, Anna opts eventually to wear bloomers when riding because of practicality and safety reasons, not to be provocative. Skirts often became entangled in the bicycle chain and caused women to tumble. Today even a modest American woman might look askance at a Muslim woman who wears a burka or a man who wears a turban. Clothing in ancient times was vastly different than modern-day fashions. I believe the biblical admonition calls us to dress modestly and in good taste, in accordance with the standards of the day and in the society in which we live. In the 21st century, withholding judgment of others should be the guiding principle for us all.

As a writer, you plan to write in the historical genre, at least for now. What drew you to write about life at the turn of the 20^th century?

I had an idea for a different book, which I still intend to write, about the era of Yellow Journalism (circa 1900-03). So much change was in the air, much like today. Industrialization created a massive shift in America from an agrarian to a more urban society; this brought about increased opportunities for men and women to attend school and take jobs outside the home. The nation experienced a massive wave of immigration, people from every nation seeking the ideals of liberty and opportunity. Sensational news coverage, particularly from New York, distorted the information Americans were reading, much like today. However we were still a country of strong faith, and family was the backbone of our culture, all of which attracts me as a writer of historical fiction.

Was the book based on a true story? Was there a reason why you set the book in the south, specifically Chattanooga, Tennessee?

As I researched the amazing impact the bicycle had on the American social fabric, I noticed one region was slow in accepting female cyclists: the South. Women wearing bloomers was a non-starter. In September 1895, the L.A. Herald proclaimed, “. . . in almost every southern newspaper the appearance of a pair of bloomers is treated almost as would be the coming ashore of the sea serpent.” After the War Between the States, Chattanooga was the “gateway to the South.” Shipping via the Tennessee River and several different rail lines through the city connected the industrialized North to the struggling South and created a magnificent business hub within the city. A shift in Southern social norms involving the bicycle might well have started there and spread to other cities. So I chose Chattanooga — a different kind of southern city after the war.

How did the invention of the bicycle pave the way for women’s rights in this country?

Putting social mores aside, the construction of early bicycles made it difficult for ladies to ride. The first real bicycle, the Draisienne, hit America’s shores around 1818. Made almost entirely of wood, the rider propelled himself forward by alternately pushing his feet against the ground. Fast-forward to the “Bone Shaker,” or the Velocipede, with a pedal on an enlarged front wheel. In 1870, the “Penny Farthing” was introduced, the bike with the huge front wheel and pedal and a much smaller rear wheel. While women experimented with these contraptions, it was the invention of the “Safety Bicycle” in the ‘80s that launched a revolution. This forerunner to the bicycle of today was chain-driven, with same-sized wheels, pneumatic tires and brakes. Manufacturers produced bikes with drop-down frames to accommodate the women better, and soon off they rode by the millions. Women were no longer confined to the farm, city and church. They were unshackled.

In what ways did the popularity of the bicycle change the social and economic fabric of society in 1890s America?

The bicycle created a new mobility for women, which led to increased independence. To accommodate women riders, clothing manufacturers created new streamlined dresses and skirts that fell to the ankles — a more stylish alternative to the traditional hooped dress. Female riders increasingly abandoned the tight corset and took to wearing more comfortable apparel, such as bloomers. The “Gibson Girl” emerged in newspaper and magazine advertisements — the artistic creation of a thousand women featured tall and slender lines, ample hips and buttocks, youthful features and ephemeral beauty. The “New Woman,” the feminist ideal, rode into the 20th century on a bicycle — all the way to the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

What piece of inspirational wisdom do you hope readers ride away with after reading The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race?

True and lasting joy comes not from things or experiences, but from what we hold in our hearts as excellent, praiseworthy, just and pure. To grow into the person we long to become requires patience and courage in the shadows of adversity. Having the courage to conquer our inner doubts and pursue our dreams can transform us and those around us — even change history.

To keep up with Mike H. Mizrahi, visit www.mikehmizrahi.com. You can also follow him on Facebook (AuthorMikeMizrahi) and Twitter (@MikeHMiz).

Thank you, Mike, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.

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

The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race - Paperback
The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race - 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 or country if outside North America. (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!!!

Janet E (FL) is the winner of Driver Confessional by David Winter.

Barbara (LA) is the winner of Road to Harmony by Sherry Kyle.

Carol M (MO) is the winner of Building Benjamin: Naomi's Journey by Barbara M Britton.

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.

SAGUARO SUNSET - Debra E Marvin - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Debra was a new author to me when I read Saguaro Sunset. I loved her writing. She took me straight into the story and kept my attention, with me turning pages as fast as I could read them. I think you’ll like this novella, too.

Bio: Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, a judge for The Grace Awards, and serves on the board of Bridges Ministry in Seneca Falls, NY. She is published with WhiteFire Publishing, Forget Me Not Romances, and contracted with Journey Fiction. Debra works as a program assistant at Cornell University, and enjoys her family and grandchildren, obsessively buying fabric, watching British programming and traveling with her childhood friends.

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

Lena, I can better explain that it’s difficult for me to create an extroverted character. They can’t all be hermits, so it takes extra effort to get inside the head of a character who actually looks forward to social events, mingling and meeting new people in person!

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I dare not poll my friends and family on this, but I recently had good fun at my eye surgeon’s expense. Before cornea surgery, he placed a sticker on my forehead to prove to all that he’d discussed the surgery with me and that I’d had all the pre-surgery eye drops I needed. The next time he saw me, my friend—at my request—had drawn a “third eye” on the sticker.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

It might have been all those books—writing and drawing, of course—I made as a child, or it might have been in English class when I would write three times the amount of words I needed for an essay, and then had to edit it down to size. Words on paper are so much easier than words out loud.

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

My favorite reads are mysteries and suspense, preferably historical. Next up would be historical romance. I tend to listen to audiobooks (concurrently one in my truck, a different story on my kindle) so I’m often limited to what I can find through my library system or good deals on Amazon. I prefer British settings overall, but lately I’ve read a few contemporary American romances that were delightful.

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

Lists. I make lists of lists and I do it obsessively to organize my mind. Every day, I feel like I have twenty things to do. They’re not the same tasks as when I was raising children or working two jobs. Our busy seasons just seem to change, not go away, don’t they? I feel like I’m juggling three full time jobs, so every once in a while, I just zone out with something on Netflix.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

For historical fiction, I often look at old online directories or census records. I’ve also picked names by mix and matching names in movie credits.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Holding it all together and never successfully running away from home as an adult! Every decade has had its share of big challenges. My favorite role is being a granny but that accomplishment was completely out of my hands!

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

I would be a species of Eagle for their eyesight and the ability to grab onto and carry off prey while looking completely awesome. (I am much less ruthless in person.)

What is your favorite food?

This is always the most difficult question to answer! So, I’ll go with the one I’m most known for and say it’s difficult for me to go a day without peanut butter (the fresh ground kind).

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

Time. I generally write in layers, starting with a very ugly first draft consisting only of my plot events. Each layer adds details of setting and emotion as I dig deeper into my characters’ heads. It takes time and the first draft is so awful, it makes me want to stop. I’ve learned to move on from that by realizing that this is just how it’s going to be. Eventually, I like the story and enjoy polishing it! But going to the paycheck job each day severely limits my time!

Tell us about the featured book.

Saguaro Sunset is my first contemporary and takes place in Tucson during the Festival of Books. Like me, my heroine is trying to do too many things at once. She’s not quite sure how to take the help offered by a Mr. Nice Guy, but she doesn’t have much choice. I loved writing about Tucson, and I was quite surprised how the story came together in an emotional and spiritual way. And there’s lots of ice cream involved!

Please give us the first page of the book.

~A pleasant Friday evening in Tucson, Arizona~

Minty Chip—Our signature flavor. You’ve seen the truck.

Teresa Scott tapped the End call dot. Once her phone found safety on Lisa’s kitchen counter, Teresa’s hands shot into the air. Puggles spun in a barking fit at her hoots and hollering,

 She sunk down and lifted the old pug into her arms, careful not to squeeze him too tightly with the wishes and hopes of a ten-year dream. “It’s okay, little guy. I’m sorry, but I got the job.”

The Western National Parks Association, specifically the WNPA board, had asked her to be their new accountant.

“Puggles, do you know what this means?”

Apparently not, but he was happy to lick her chin, while she danced around the room.

Where was Lisa anyway? Bella should have been picked up from the sitter’s by now, and the bakery closed in forty-five minutes.

Teresa’s jaw ached from grinning. At least Lisa would understand what this opportunity meant. Advancement. Recognition. The chance to give back to the park system for all those summer jobs. And an amazing addition to her resume that could one day mean her pick of CPO positions across the country. “Give me five, Puggles.”

 She’d done it.

She grabbed her phone to check her calendar. What would she have to cancel at work to attend the big annual meeting of the National Parks Department next week in D.C.?

Nothing.

She dialed Lisa’s face again. Still no answer.

Teresa pulled a piece of cold pizza out of her sister’s fridge and gave it 15 seconds in the microwave. When she was done, she’d do the dishes. Lisa had washed the food truck inside and out, leaving her own kitchen in disarray.

Tomorrow promised to be perfect weather for the book festival.

Her little big sister had sunk everything into that mint green monstrosity taking up most of the driveway. As long as people liked special flavors of ice cream and monster-sized cookies, she’d do well.

Unless she kept messing up like this. Where was she?

Teresa hit redial. “Come on Lisa. Pick up.”

Nothing.

Even so, things were going better than they had for years. “Yesss!” This time Puggles shot across the room, doggie nails scratching to gain traction on the tiles. He disappeared around the corner. “Sorry, old man.” This might call for dinner out on the way back from the bakery. Did the new Indian restaurant have mac and cheese or a kiddie menu?

Come on Lisa. Where are you?

Teresa went outside and looked down the street, wishing she’d picked the cookies up on the way home. Would her car accommodate that many boxes?

The phone rang.

“Where have you been?”

“Teresa?”

“No, it’s Snow White. What’s going on? Do you want me to go? Maybe we should meet there.”

“No,” replied Lisa. “You’ve got to help me out, first.”

Teresa’s insides went on full alert. “What happened?”

“I’m okay, but I was in an accident. I’m at the hospital.”

“I’ll be right there. Which one?”

“Banner UMC. But, go pick up Bella first. We’ll worry about the cookies later. I can’t…” Lisa’s shaky voice broke. “I won’t be able to work tomorrow, Treese. I broke my arm.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B018QCI2AS

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Debra-E-Marvin-433266640199533

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebraEMarvin

Website: http://debraemarvin.com/

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

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

Group Blog- Inkwell Inspirations: http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/

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

Saguaro Sunset - Paperback
Saguaro Sunset (American State Flower novella Book 32) - 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 or country if outside North America. (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

UNDER A SUMMER SKY - Melody Carlson - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m loving these destination romances that Melody is writing now. I’ve never been to Savannah, Georgia, but after reading this story, I almost feel as if I have been. The setting is so alive in this book. And Melody has written memorable characters for a long time. They feel like some of your best friends and linger with you long after you’ve finished the book.

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

Because Under a Summer Sky is part of my Follow Your Heart series, the setting location plays an integral role. In this case, the story is set in Savannah—and I quickly discovered that this gorgeous historic city provides a rich backdrop, ripe with creative possibilities. As far as the actual plotline, it was partly inspired by a friend’s true story—a young art teacher who reinvents her life by taking what seems a “risky” art-related job, which turns out to be incredibly fulfilling. That was the “jumping off” point, from there it was simply a fun exploration in a town filled with amazing architecture, charming riverboats, and even a ghost or two.

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

Well, that’s a hard question because I would naturally want to invite all my favorite writer friends—and I have a lot of them. But if it can only be six . . . here goes. Robin Jones Gunn (she’s a kindred spirit and dear old friend) and Francine Rivers (because I love and admire her) and Lisa Samson (because we have some similar interests when it comes to craft) and Brandilyn Collins (because she is incredibly smart and fun) and I guess I should include a couple of guys . . .  so I’d ask Bill Myers (because I like how he thinks) and Jerry Jenkins (because he has the fastest wit and humor I’ve ever seen).

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

Okay, I’d start with Jane Kirkpatrick (because she’s a good friend and kindred spirit plus she lives nearby) and Steph Whitson (because she’s a wise woman) and Liz Higgs (because I just plain love this woman) and Tracie Peterson (because she’s such a pro and I could probably pick her brain) and Kim Sawyer (because she’s a goodhearted person and talented writer) and Lauraine Snelling (because she has the best laugh).

Another wonderful group. I love all of them. Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?

Writing—or maybe I should say publishing—has changed a lot in recent years. It’s harder than ever to contract books these days. This has been an adjustment to me—simply because I’m used to writing so much. Learning to slow down my pace, although welcome, has been tricky. Thankfully I still have contracted books to write, but it’s definitely a different world out there. Also, I’ve been trying to get my foot into the TV/film market. Right now my previous Follow Your Heart book (All Summer Long) is in pre-production for a Hallmark movie, but you never know . . . it could all unravel. That’s happened to me a few times. So I’m just trying to trust God for whatever is around the next corner. Fortunately, that always works out just fine. J 

That’s wonderful. They usually don’t go into pre-production unless they’re pretty sure they’ll be making the movie. The movie that I’m one of the screenwriters is in pre-production right now. I’ll pray for yours, and maybe you could pray for mine. Now tell us about the featured book.

High school art teacher Nicole Anderson feels stuck in Seattle. So when the opportunity to manage an art gallery in Savannah presents itself, she steps out of her comfort zone and goes for it. After all, it’s just for the summer. The gallery job comes with house and cat-sitting responsibilities—as well as some unexpected and perplexing trials. But Nicole rises to the challenge and quickly falls in love with the beauty of the historic city. Meanwhile a pair of brothers compete for her attention, solidly pulling her into this charmingly romantic old town.

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

Nicole Anderson had no idea why her mother had slipped into the back of her art classroom this afternoon, but because this seventh period class was half over, Nicole pretended not to notice. It wasn’t easy to ignore that platinum-blonde hair styled within an inch of its life. Her sixty-five-year-old mom wore a slightly catty expression as she slid into a vacant chair. Sitting up straight, she pristinely clutched her faux Hermès purse in her lap, and unlike the students, she looked attentive.

Nicole cleared her throat, continuing her lecture on the Renaissance period and trying not to be distracted by her mom, whose pale blue pantsuit looked comically out of place amid the high school students. Slouching in their “uniforms” of shredded denim, faded tees, grubby flip-flops, and strange hairdos, these teens were bored and antsy, and probably too warm since the temperature in the art room was pushing eighty.

Nicole clicked to the next image on the screen. She always reserved the Renaissance for the last week of her art history class. Not because she was saving the best for last, but because it would be irresponsible to leave it out completely.

“Raphael is considered to be one of the premiere painters of the High Renaissance.” Nicole stared at the somber self-portrait up on the screen. Even Raphael looked restless and discontent. “Born Raffaello Sanzio in Umbria, Italy, this artist is best known for his religious works. In many ways, his style was more lifelike than his predecessors . . .” She droned on, surrendering to the heat-induced stupor and wondering why the art department was the only building with no AC. She clicked to the next image.

“Raphael did numerous Madonna and child paintings in various settings. Perhaps he simply wanted to get it just right.” She tried to inject interest into her voice. “Most would agree that he did.” She clicked to Portrait of a Young Man. “It’s interesting how Raphael captured the young man with that sideways glance—as if he’s got mischief on his mind.”

Really, she wondered, is this how I planned to spend my life? Boring these disinterested high school students with information they probably wouldn’t retain past their final exam on Friday—if they kept it that long. What was the point? She glanced at the class as she clicked to the next image. To her surprise, a hand raised. Was someone really going to ask a question? Then she realized it was only her mother, waving eagerly like a first grader. Some of the students were looking at her with a smidgeon of curiosity.

Nicole bit her lip. To allow her mother to speak up was dicey at best. Caroline Anderson was unpredictable—she tended to speak first and think later. It might amuse these teens, but Nicole wasn’t ready to witness her class degenerate into adolescent chaos. It was the last week of school, and as Principal Myers liked to say, the natives were restless. Why encourage them?

Readers, you won’t want to miss this fun contemporary romance.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.melodycarlson.com

Thank you, Melody, for spending this time with us. I know a lot of my readers, and they’ll love this story.

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

Under a Summer Sky - Christianbook.com
Under a Summer Sky: A Savannah Romance (Follow Your Heart) - Amazon
Under a Summer Sky (Follow Your Heart): A Savannah Romance - 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 or country if outside North America. (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