Author Susan Page Davis - ABIDING PEACE - Free Book

I just love having Susan Page Davis as a guest on my blog. Welcome back, Susan.

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

Abiding Peace is the third in a series. While researching the setting and period, I visited the public library in Dover, New Hampshire, where I found a lot of great maps and other information about the 1689 massacre. I also visited the Woodman Institute, where they have preserved the last extant garrison house from the colonial period in N.H. The staff at both places were terrific. My critique partners are some of the best, and I owe them a big thank-you, too: Darlene Franklin, Lynette Sowell, and Lisa Harris.

Your crit partners are three of my favorite people, too. If you teach or speak, what’s coming up on your calendar?

I’ll be teaching a workshop at the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers’ one-day conference in August. I’ll also be at the ACFW conference in Denver in September—don’t know yet if I’ll be speaking there, but I hope to.

I've also applied to the ACFW conference, but I'm already scheduled at the North Texas Christian Writers Conference earlier in September. So we're both busy. If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

Right now my husband and I are looking for a retirement home in Kentucky. We’re ready to move someplace warmer than Maine, and our travels in the south told us we don’t want to be TOO far south. We loved eastern Kentucky when we visited last year. Beautiful and green, but much warmer than Maine in winter.

I have a grandson in the army in Kentucky. If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Read a lot, and write a lot. Is that two?

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

First of all, I’ve never been on a cruise, so I have no idea what they do. I think they have evening shows, and I’d like to see some dinner theater. For actors, I’ll pick Jeff Perry as the detective, Kate Jackson as the leading lady, and Eric Close as the villain. Oh, and Pauley Perrette as the victim. I have no idea who to get for singers.

Tell us about the featured book?

Abiding Peace tells about Christine Harding, who was captured by Indians in the 1689 massacre and spent several years in a convent in Canada. Now she’s back in New Hampshire and taking care of Pastor Jewett’s children. When a mysterious man threatens the children, Christine begins supplying him with food and other necessities. She’s terrified to tell anyone about the stranger—until a woman from the community goes missing. Christine and Pastor Jewett have a high regard for each other that could blossom into more—but will he turn from her in anger when he learns what she has done?

Please give us an excerpt from the book.

Here’s the teaser on the first page:

“I forbid you to go to him.”

She straightened her shoulders, and her eyes flashed. For an instant he feared she would challenge his right to speak so and go anyway.

Dear God, how have we come to this? Meek Christine defying me! Please, let us not show ill-will before the children. He swallowed hard and tried to frame a gentle overture, but Christine opened her mouth first.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

My Web site is at: http://www.susanpagedavis.com/. I love to hear from readers, and I give away a book each month.

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

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back in two weeks to see if you won.

Woo!!! Hoo!!! First February Winners!!!

Carol Wiley is the winner of Forever Richard by Sue Dent.

Stacie is the winner of The Good Stuff by Michelle Stimpson.

Darby is the winner of Finding Your Faith by Stephanie Perry Moore.

Miralee Ferrell is the winner of Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson.

Please click on the email link in my Complete Profile and send me your mailing address, so we can get the books on their way to you.

Author - Jill Elizabeth Nelson - Evidence of Murder - Free Book

Today, we're featuring Jill's first Love Inspired suspense novel. Welcome, Jill. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I’ve written about hearing God’s voice, discerning light from darkness in a gray, confusing world, and trusting God in spite of the odds, but I’m biggest on pointing people toward hope. Seizing and clinging to hope despite obstacles is a bedrock theme in Reluctant Smuggler, the third book in my To Catch a Thief series of romantic suspense. You’ll find threads of the hope theme in everything I write. In Evidence of Murder, my February 2009 release for Steeple Hill Romantic Suspense, the deeply wounded hero must find reason to hope again, with the assistance of the heroine, even as they battle a faceless monster out to kill them. It was a challenging, fun, and personally moving book to write.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

In June 2009, Witness to Murder releases from Steeple Hill Romantic Suspense. One of the secondary characters from Evidence of Murder becomes the main character in this one. I'm excited to take readers into the world of TV journalism, as well as a touch of the exotic from another continent. Here's a teaser: After a TV news reporter discovers a bracelet handcrafted by her long-deceased Nigerian mother on the wrist of a murdered fashion model, she digs to find the mysterious connection between herself and the murder victim. Her search for roots disturbs buried secrets that a killer will do anything to hide.

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

I’d have to say Francine Rivers. She’s a writer I admire very much. Her work inspires me to become better and better. Maybe one day I can write classics like Redeeming Love and the Mark of the Lion series. I’ve never had the privilege of meeting her in person, but I hear she’s a humble, wonderful person and a joy to be around. I think I’d like a bunch of that to rub off on me!

I met Francine when she was the keynote speaker at the first ACFW conference we had in Denver. She's everything you've heard and more. I admire her walk with the Lord as much as I love her writing. How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

At least since the sixth grade. That’s when my love of reading morphed into a passion to give others the same pleasure I received from reading a good book. The dream of becoming a published novelist has been born and died several unsung deaths over the course of my life. Then at about the turn of the century, the passion flamed once more, and evidently it was the Lord’s timing for it to come to pass. Several years of concerted effort and three full manuscripts later, Multnomah Books picked up my To Catch a Thief series, and the dream came true! Wherever I go on a speaking engagement, I like to tell people that if God will bring a cherished dream to pass for this nobody-in-particular from nowhere-special, He will do it for them too.

You aren't from nowhere. I've often wondered if since you're from Minnesota, and my father's family is from there, could we be kin to each other. Maybe some kind of cousin. What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Write, write, write; grow in craft; study the market; network with writers, editors, and others in the industry; don’t despise the day of publishing small pieces, and persevere, persevere, persevere! As long as you know you’re obeying the Lord’s plan for your life, it doesn’t matter how long it takes for that first book to be contracted. Oh, and don’t jump ahead of God and try any shortcuts. Believe me, they’ll just end up being longcuts. Patient endurance is the ultimate virtue in this business and brings great rewards!

Excellent advice. Now, tell us about the featured book.

Here’s a teaser for Evidence of Murder: When a new business owner finds on her property photos of a decade-old mass murder, she and the surviving son of the massacre become targets of a desperate and powerful killer.

I chose my home state of Minnesota as the setting for the book, and took the opportunity to explore fun and exciting areas—from the Twin Cities, to the Mississippi River, to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I also had a blast researching new careers. The hero rents houseboats on the Old Miss, and the heroine is gearing up to open the doors of her dry cleaning business. Dry cleaning is a lot more interesting and involved than one might think. And the heroine, with her own background of tragedy and struggles with faith, makes an excellent foil for the suffering hero.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site is http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/. I offer a book review blog, plenty of opportunities to win books, my speaking topics, personal details, an appearance schedule, and of course, a page chock full of information about my published and upcoming books. The books page contains video and audio material, as well as excerpts.

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

Readers, you can order the book using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

Author Anita Higman, LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE, TEXAS - Several Free Books

I'm excited about today's interview, because it is a bonanza for you the reader. As a special bonus, we're giving away six free copies, so tell all your friends to come by and sign up. There are lots of chances to win a free copy of this wonderful story.
Welcome back to the blog, Anita. I really like the picture of you. God really has been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
Well, I see more work ahead, and so I am grateful for that. I think God is moving a little faster with my writing career now because I have an empty nest. When my kids were at home, I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could, and so I can see now why God had me working at a slower pace back then. I’m so glad it worked out that way.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married to a man named Peter for almost thirty years, and we still love each other. I think we’ll have to celebrate with a cruise. I have a son who is graduating from Texas A&M, and is engaged to be married. My daughter is in college getting a degree in English. She wants to be an editor at a publishing house someday, and I’m really hoping she won’t be rejecting my manuscripts someday!

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

Not a lot. I still read the classics. I also pick up new books that tickle my fancy.

What are you working on right now?

Well, at the moment I am pouring all my efforts into the promotion of my latest novel, Love Finds you in Humble, Texas.

What outside interests do you have?

I love hiking and decorating and going to the movies with my family. If you’d like to know of few of my favorite things…I love Valentine’s Day. I love big perfumey bushes hanging heavy with lilacs and walkways lined with every color of iris. I love chocolate truffles, the kind with creamy dark filling, the kind that make you sigh in rapture when you bite into them. I love going to a spa for a massage or a facial and drifting far away where no one can find me. I love having my gal friends over for brunch and treating them each like a princess for the morning. I love cuddling up with a good book while sipping a cup of Earl Gray tea. I love feeling God’s pleasure when I’m busy at work struggling happily to get the words just right.

We like a lot of the same things. How do you choose your settings for each book?

Well, in Love Finds You in Humble, Texas, that particular town was on the publisher’s list of settings, and since the town was close to my house, it was a perfect fit. To explain a bit more, “Love Finds You” is a wonderful new line of books through Summerside Press, and each novel will be set in various quaint towns across America.

Actually, I'm working on a contracted book in this series right now. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

I’m sure you’ve had a lot of female writers mention Jane Austen. She seems like someone I would love to invite to brunch. But then, of course, I’d end up pelting her with so many questions she’d probaby beg for a carriage ride home immediately!

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

At first I wanted to say, “I would like to have known how hard it would be.” But then I thought, "Well, if I had known twenty-five years ago how hard it really was I’m not sure I would have gone down that path." But seriously, I guess I wish someone would have told me to slow down and enjoy the process of learning the craft. Because writing is a long journey with no real ending. There will always be new things to learn.

What new lesson is the Lord teaching you right now?

I’ve been suffering from some health issues lately, and so I have been learning to trust Him for my daily needs. I know how cliché that sounds, but those really are the facts surrounding my life right now.

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

A. Read, read, read. All kind of books, even books that aren’t in your genre.

B. If you really want to be a writer, just remember that there will be days so glorious that you’ll think you’ve dipped your toes into the waters of Shangri-La, but mostly there will be days that will need a river of determination and discipline. And then there will be a few days that will be an impossible flood of heartbreaking humiliation and frustration. So much so that you’ll think your brain’s been worked over by a street sweeper and your spirit’s been pureed. But as long as you know that all writers have bad days from time to time, I think that knowledge makes living the life of a writer much easier. And less lonely.

C. Never forget that the more you write, the better you’ll get at it. Period.

Now, Anita, tell us about the featured book.

Award-winning Circle of Seven created a wonderful book trailer for me, so I’ll let the narrator tell you a bit about the book.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4269149/11475177

Please give us the first page of the book.

Trudie Abernathy always wondered about two things. First, how was it that some people could live charmed lives while others accumulated troubles like those beetles that spent their time rolling up balls of dung? And secondly, how could one person fall in love as effortlessly as a sneeze, while another hobbled along on love as if it were a twisted ankle?

I am the dung beetle. Trudie smiled over at her sister, who sat across from her in the limo. Lane Abernathy, her sister, was the one who lived the breezy life. Lane was an image coach and always had a string of rich and handsome boyfriends while Trudie had never known the joys of having a steady anything—she was single, not-so-sexy, and somewhat sweaty.

Lane looked out the tinted window as she chatted about some new dress shop in town. Even though Trudie felt close to her sister, they invariably looked at life through different ends of the kaleidoscope. Lane always saw the pretty rainbow designs—the ever-changing wonder of being alive—while Trudie was busy turning the little contraption around to prove the whole thing was just an illusion created out of broken glass. Yeah, that’s so me.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I just had a new web site created to feature Love Finds You in Humble, Texas. I would love for you to stop by for a visit and then sign my guest book. I’m at http://www.anitahigman.com/

Anita, thank you for spending this time with us.

Readers, you can order the book using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win one of the six free copies of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you're a winner. If you don't want to miss a single interview of winner announcement, sign up for FeedBlitz in the upper right hand corner of the blog.

Author Virginia Smith - AGE BEFORE BEAUTY - Free Book

Welcome back, Virginia. I like the new picture. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

It’s different with every book, and usually the spiritual theme has something to do with whatever the Lord is teaching me at that point in my life. I do a lot of introspection and praying when I’m writing a book. In Age before Beauty, the main character, Allie, wrestles with two issues. The first is a fear of abandonment. Since her father abandoned her when she was a young teenager, she’s afraid her husband will do the same. That is a piece of baggage that I brought into my own marriage, since my father was often absent during my childhood.

Allie also takes self-reliance to extremes, and feels like she has to solve not only her own problems, but everyone else’s. I’m the oldest sister in my family, so I know that feeling as well. Of course, I’ve learned that God is the answer to both of those problems. And Allie learns… well, I can’t give away all my secrets up front, can I?

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Last year was a busy year for me, and this year I’m reaping the rewards of all that work. In April, I’ll release my eighth novel, Murder at Eagle Summit. That’s a romantic suspense that takes place at a ski resort in Park City, Utah. It’s the first book I’ve written that isn’t set in my native state of Kentucky. Then in June, Scent of Murder, another romantic suspense, will hit bookstores. That one is set in Little Nashville, an artist colony in the Blue Hills of Indiana. Those are books 2 and 3 of my Classical Trio Series from Steeple Hill.

Beyond that, I’ve just finished Last but Not Least, which will be out in February of 2010. That story will wrap up the Sister-to-Sister Series with more of the faith, fun, and family relationships readers have enjoyed in Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty. And I’ve thrown in a couple of surprises I think they’ll like.

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

Maya Angelou. I read an article not long ago about her, and I think she’s at fascinating woman. At one point in her life she was on the streets as a teenager, an unwed mother, victim of a violent past. In this article she described a turning point in her life when she went to the home of a trusted mentor in a fit of rage and he handed her a notebook and said, “Write down everything you’re thankful for.” She filled a page and a half, and it was a turning point for her. Of course, she’s gone on to touch millions of people with her writing. I’d love to have the opportunity to talk with her.

How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

I first tried my hand at writing when I was in my early twenties, but back then I didn’t really consider writing novels – just short stories. Several years later I decided to write a novel, and did. Then another. And another. In all, I wrote dozens of short stories and six novels – two for adults and four middle-grade novels – before I finally wrote the one that landed the contract. Since I was 45 years old when I received the contract for Just As I Am, that means it took me more than twenty years from the first time I thought, “I think I’ll try writing a story.”

What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Don’t give up! And save all those rejection letters – every single one of them. Right now they’re really painful, but one day you’ll wear them like a badge of honor, a sort of proof that you paid your dues. Not long after my first novel came out, I counted all the rejection letters I’d received over those long, long years of writing. They totaled an astounding one hundred forty-three! So if I can persevere, so can you.

I couldn’t see it at the time when I was collecting those rejections, but now I can truthfully say that the Lord was at work in my writing career all along. I could not have written my break-through novel before that point. I wasn’t mature enough as a writer or as a person. But God was using all those life experiences to mold me until I was ready to write the book He gave me. So my advice is to turn your writing over to Him, and then trust that He’s got everything well in hand.

And when the mailman delivers another rejection, permit yourself fifteen minutes of teeth-gnashing. Yes, that’s all – fifteen minutes. If it’s a particularly painful one, you may have twenty. Then eat a piece of chocolate, brush it off, and get back to work.

Tell us about the featured book.

In Age before Beauty, Allie Harrod is desperate to stay home with her baby, so she launches a new career – selling makeup and household cleaning products. Because Allie has obsessive tendencies, she quickly takes things to an extreme level with some pretty funny results. And then her mother-in-law shows up on her doorstep and announces that she’s moving in! The book isn’t all fun and games, though. Allie faces some pretty tough issues, especially when it looks like her marriage is beginning to crumble.

One thing I loved about writing this book was delving into my memories to come up with the emotions and desires of a young mom. My baby is twenty-six, so I had to dig pretty deep! But my sister gave birth to a beautiful little girl right before I started writing this story, so I had her to use as a recent role model.

Age before Beauty is book 2 in the Sister-to-Sister Series, following Stuck in the Middle. The series has continuing characters and a continuing thread, but this story stands alone.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.virginiasmith.org/.

I also have a bi-monthly eNewsletter, with a sign-up form on my website. I’m a notoriously bad blogger, so I don’t have a blog, per se, but I do have Ginny’s Journal, which I update whenever I have something I think is worth saying. Or maybe just when I’m killing time and trying to avoid writing! It can be found on my website, too.

Thank you, Virginia, for spending this time with us. We want you back for each of your other novels, too.


Readers, you can order Age Before Beauty using this link:


http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1142059&item_no=732332

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. Winners are announced every Saturday. If you don't want to miss a single post or winner announcement, sign up for FeedBlitz in the upper right hand corner of the blog. The posts will come to your Inbox.

Author S. Dionne Moore - POLLY DENT LOSES GRIP - Free Book

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

Cozies are fun! I like that I can combine humor--I love to laugh--with one of my favorite genres, mysteries. Though I will admit, writing a mystery requires very, very careful planning and plotting.

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

The day I got married was the happiest day. Wait. No. The day I brought my daughter home from NICU after 75 days was the happiest. No, hold up. The day I got my contract was the happiest. Hm, I have too many happy days to narrow the list. (What a blessing!)

That's the truth. How has being published changed your life?

One word: deadlines. Writing for pleasure is a luxury. Writing because you have to can bring on some serious stress. It's both a blessing to be published and a strain.

What are you reading right now?

Look Me In The Eye: My Life with Asperger's, by John Elder Robison.

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I'm finishing up my third LaTisha Barnhart Mystery, Your Goose Is Cooked.

What would be your dream vacation?

A cruise to the Mediterranean. Are you offering?

I'd rather cruise the Hawaiian Islands. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I ran in to a believability problem writing the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series. I had a problem thinking that LaTisha's small town of Maple Gap, a quiet town, would suddenly produce three murders in about two years time. I remedied this by switching the venue of the second book, releasing now, to a couple of towns over from Maple Gap. Though LaTisha is still star, the murder happens happens at an Assisted Living facility while she is working with Hardy to settle her MIL into her new home.

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

My husband. Dinner for two. A fire in the fireplace. He makes me happy.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Writing is supposed to be a hobby? Okay, well, yeah, but it's also work. :) I love to play the piano and sing. I also enjoy working in the garden and will get the chance to indulge that passion as I work on landscaping our new home this spring. Yippee!!

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

I'm a minimalist writer. Dialogue comes fast and easy for me, so I inevitably come in under word count then I go back and layer in setting and body language. Writing mysteries, I also use this opportunity to tweak clues and make sure red herrings are well established.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Learn to accept criticism. Stop coddling your writing and acting like an overprotective mother when the least bit of criticism is given, no matter the tone in which it is given. You'll be amazed at how much you aren't learning when you keep rejecting critiques because they aren't given in the right tone, or the person didn't say anything nice. If you want nice all the time, you're in the wrong field.

Tell us about the featured book?

Polly Dent Loses Grip is the second book in the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series. Polly Dent takes a fatal spill on a treadmill that is ruled an accident. LaTisha Barnhart's scars (from her surgically removed bunions) tell her something's afoot. The residents’ gossip is revealing all kinds of motives for murder. Gertrude Herrman is out looking for love in the form of Thomas Philcher’s fat wallet, and Polly’s fall eliminates her competition once and for all. Otis Payne, the venerable director of Bridgeton Towers, is over a barrel when his wife demands cash, or she’ll carry on without him. Mitzi Mullins’s penchant for rhyme puts her in direct line as perpetrator of the crime, and Sue Mie’s mistake seals Polly’s fate.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I'm running a contest right now (and always have one running) to celebrate the release of Polly Dent Loses Grip. You can find me at www.sdionnemoore.com

Thank you, Sandra. I enjoyed our time together.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You might be surprised.

Last January 2009 Winners!!!

Cathy Bryant is the winner of The Valentine Edition by Robin Shope.

Deborah is the winner of No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan.

Brenda Lott is the winner of Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy.

A J Hawke is the winner of Framed! by Robin Caroll.

Please click on the View Complete Profile link in the right hand column. You'll find a link to my email. Send me your mailing address, so we can get these books on their way to you.

I recommend that you check after noon on Monday to read my monthly newsletter. You can find out what's coming up in my writing life as well as the new Christian book releases of ACFW members. I review all the books I read in a month on that blog:

http://lenanelsondooleynewsletter.blogspot.com

Author Stephanie Perry Moore - FINDING YOUR FAITH - Free Book

Today, we're talking to an author of young adult fiction. Welcome, Stephanie. What has drawn you to writing for young adults?

I’ve been drawn to writing young adult books because I longed to tell stories to help the young people know they can be cool, but still live a life that pleases God. Since I’ve been there and done that, I just felt compelled to help them have hope by telling stories that can be an inspiration. Connecting to so many young readers through talks and emails, I get more and more request to tell stories that are similar to their struggles.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, one thing my husband thinks is weird is that I talk to my fictions characters sometimes. I figure as the USA Network says, “Characters are Welcome.” And if I don’t see the people in my books as real, then how can I expect the readers to truly feel them.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In the 7th grade, I wrote episodes of the Cosby Show. That is when I knew I had a desire to write create and tell moving stories.

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

I enjoy anything Christian, fiction or Christian non fiction and I love romance novels as well. Basically, I love reading things that inspire me.

If you love romance novels, you might enjoy reading mine. What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I’ve written the Payton Skky Series, The Laurel Shadrach Series, The Faith Thomas Novelzine Series, The Carmen Browne Series, The Perry Skky Jr. Series and my two next YA books are from the Beta Gamma Pi series, a collegiate sorority story and the Yasmin Peace Series, an inner city 8th grade series. I’ve also authored four adult titles, Flame, A Lova’ Like No Otha’, Chasing Faith and Wearing My Halo Tilted. I feel the lord has given me tons more ideas for books, and I pray many more titles are still waiting to be written.

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

I pray and I love to get away with a book story, book, movie, tv show, or hearing someone tell me a great tale. I know God has something for us all to do and though things aren’t always like I want them, I feel the urgency of now pushing me to keep on writing. Also, I like being a little insane. I think to be able to write about problems you have to have a screw loose to get in the minds of all types of characters. In the days when I’m most vulnerable I feel my best writing shines through.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of, besides family?

I volunteer on a regular basis and I’m most proud of my public service. I feel my books are also my mark on the world. I want to leave things better than I found them. I seek the applause of Heaven. Though I can’t fix every problem or get it all right. I do feel, my work in the community and my writing in each tale I am inspired by God to tell is something I’m doing right.

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

Fun question, if I could be an animal, I’d be an Eagle. I’d want to be one to soar high and to mount my wings and fly for Jesus.

What is your favorite food?

I love seafood, especially whole crabs and sushi. Eating the exotic food makes me feel free and tastes so delicious.

Is it hard to break into the YA market?

Yes, it is very hard to break into the YA market. It took me seven years to get published. Also, I’m now finding it’s hard not only to break into the publishing world, but it’s hard to stay published. The economy is so tight right now and publishers need books to sell, sell, sell. But God can do anything but fail.

What advice would you give to an author wanting to do that?

So advice I’d give would be to keep on writing, trying, and praying. Don’t stop until God grants your dream. And when you get that dream it will be something else He’ll have in store. It won’t be easy, but you can achieve greatness.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

The Yasmin Peace series book 1-Finding Your Faith is a tale about a triplet who is from a tough background. Even though life is hard, God is there and He cares. I believe this novel can uplift any reader. We all need to know that the tough times do make us strong and better in the end.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

On the web, I can be located at http://www.stephanieperrymoore.com/. I’d love for readers to come and visit me there.

Stephanie, thank you for spending this time with us.

Readers, you can order the book by using this link.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

I still haven't heard from these winners:

Fecarly (2 books)
~ley
Stampedwithgrace
Megan.nadalet
Katir8407
Pat(grist)
hippmom
Marla

Author Brandt Dodson - DANIEL'S DEN - Free Book

I'm really glad to have Brandt back on the blog. My husband, who isn't much of a reader, has been kind enough to read most of my novels, but he got tired of reading romances. The first other book I gave him to read was White Soul by Brandt. He loved it. Now he's reading James Scott Bell. As soon as I'm finished with Daniel's Den, I'll have him read it, too. I think we've developed a new reader.

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

I’m a big fan of jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain. I grew up listening to him and eventually played the clarinet, in part, due to his influence. In high school, I eventually landed first chair because of my tendency to “jazz up” the numbers we were playing. (I think our band director was a closet Fountain fan so he tended to favor my playing style.)

Several years ago, after Hurricane Katrina devastated Pete’s home, I read an interview where he was asked the same question. (Why do you play the music you do?). His answer was poignant. He said; “I play it because it’s what I grew up listening to. It speaks to me.”

I think that’s the best answer that any artist, whether they be a musician, painter, sculptor, or writer, can give. I write the kind of books that I do because they speak to me.

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

I know this is going to sound trite and maybe even a bit corny, but the happiest day of my life was when I married my wife, Karla. I don’t tell her that as often as I should, but the rest of my life – everything I’ve been able to accomplish, regardless of how trivial or important – has come off of that foundation. Having the Lord with me and my wife by my side has made everything else possible.

Sometimes corny is good. How has being published changed your life?

Being published hasn’t changed my life to any great degree. I’m still the same man I was before, still struggling to put the right words on paper in the right order. I still have to take out the garbage (actually, my sons do that now, so maybe some things have changed) and I still enjoy the same things that I’ve always enjoyed. But writing has added a dimension to my life that was entirely unexpected. I’ve grown closer to the Lord as I learn that my plans aren’t necessarily His. He is clearly in control of my life – and that includes my writing – so I’ve learned to trust Him and leave the consequences to Him. I’m resting in the Lord to a much greater degree than I ever did before. If sales are up, thank God. If not, He will work it out in His time and for His purpose. That isn’t fatalism. He still requires me to do the best that I can. But it is to say that I know God will never leave me, and that especially applies to the work He has called me to do.

Writing has also brought new friends into my life, people I would never have met otherwise. I’m grateful for that.

Isn't that the truth? It's a blessing to be included in the army of authors God created. What are you reading right now?

I’m one of these people who tend to be an eclectic reader. I read widely, both fiction and non-fiction, and I read several books at one time. Amazingly enough, I tend to finish all of them at about the same time, before moving on to the next group. Currently, I’m reading: The Messenger by Daniel Silva, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Art and Craft of Storytelling – A Comprehensive Guide to Classic Writing Techniques by Nancy Lamb, and Finding Peace by Charles Stanley.

My wife and my sons are also avid readers. Karla tends to prefer reading the same genre of fiction that I do, and is currently reading the collected works of Mickey Spillane. This shouldn’t surprise me. Although I write what has been termed, “male-oriented” fiction, my largest group of readers is actually women.

I know I loved White Soul, and I'm sure I will love Daniel's Den. What is your current work in progress?

I’m currently writing a suspense thriller with strong political overtones. The book is titled: The Hand of God and features Martha DeLuca, an FBI profiler and James Dillback, a United States Deputy Marshal. The two have very different investigative styles and definitely do not mesh well. The story is set in Washington, D.C.

Sounds like a good read. I'll be looking for it. You'll have to come back on the blog when it is published. What would be your dream vacation?

It changes periodically. I would love to take my family (parents and in-laws too) on an extended world-wide cruise.

Now, Brandt, how do you choose your settings for each book?

Setting is extremely important to me. It becomes a character in its own right, when written correctly, and adds flavor to the story. For Daniel’s Den, I chose New Orleans because the over-arching theme of the story is that we can only rely on God. Human efforts, though noble, can and will fail. Industry falters, and government will drop the ball. But God will never fail. But a secondary theme is redemption, resurrection. Daniel Borden and Laura Traynor, the two protagonists of the story, are in need of both. New Orleans, a city that is undergoing its own resurrection, seemed to be the best place to highlight this.

For White Soul, I chose Miami for its glitz and glamour, but also for its materialism. I wanted my chief protagonist, Ron Ortega, who is in a spiritual battle of his own when it comes to following God or following the world, to be thrown into the Crock Pot, so to speak. The back drop, the setting, added the flavor I wanted while supporting the theme. Setting is important.

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

Billy Graham. No question. The man has been used by God in a way that no one else has ever been used. His ministry has largely remained untouched by scandal and his lifestyle has reflected a man who seems truly committed to the Lord and the calling that He has placed on his life. I am not trying to diminish the calling and the work of others. The man or woman who mops the church floor every Sunday – and does it faithfully – will receive as great a reward. But Graham has been required to live his life and ministry in the public eye in a way that most of us could never imagine, and he has done right by the Lord.

I haven’t met him, but I did get within a few feet of him during a crusade, once. It’s probably as close as I’ll ever get to talking with him.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

You mean there are other things to do?

I like to travel. It’s becoming an increasingly important part of my life. And I like history. I’m just beginning a study of my family. Besides that, I like to cook, work-out, and target shoot. I also follow boxing. (Sorry, but I’m a man. It’s what we do.)

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

Wow, I have to choose just one?

I’d say time. I have a very busy practice, I’m teaching residents and lecturing to several medical staffs, and that easily runs 50 – 60 hours per week. So time is a problem. And then, when I have the time, it’s usually at the end of a very long day and I’m mentally exhausted. But I’ve learned that “scheduling” time in the day to write can help. So I’m learning to ease up on the hours in my practice and “scheduling” time in the day to write, when I’m the most fresh. Early morning is going to become a big part of my day. It’s amazing how many ideas and plot twists come to me in the shower that are often gone by the end of the day.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

I lecture at writing conferences (both Christian and secular) and this question invariably comes up. The best advice I can give is to:

1. Read. Read widely and deeply. Reading Agatha Christie is only going to give you a small window into the world of mystery. Reading Robert B. Parker is going to give you an entirely different view of the mystery. Both are excellent authors with large followings. But they are entirely different. So read, but read widely (more than one or two genres) and read deeply (several authors within each genre). I would also recommend reading the “leaders” in each genre. If you’re going to learn by reading, you would be well served to read the best.

2. Write. It’s easy to fall into the trap of becoming a reader or conference go-er. Both have excellent benefits (see below) but are not the same as actually writing. You learn to swim by swimming. You will learn to write by putting words on paper. There is – as Porsche used to say – no substitute.

3. Attend a good writer’s conference. You can get critiqued, make contacts, learn craft, learn marketing, and have face-to-face meeting with editors and agents. I’m the product of a good writing conference and I can’t stress this enough.

4. Be persistent. Word hard - work smart - and don’t give up. Ever.

Brandt, tell us about the featured book.

Daniel’s Den is the story of two very different people who must wrestle with the same question. Can I depend on God?

Daniel Borden is an investment analyst who, seemingly, has everything.

Laura Traynor is a struggling, single mother, trying to manage the demands of a bed-and-breakfast while raising her son and working a second job. She, seemingly, has nothing. But when unseen forces seek to destroy them both, stealing even their very identities, they are thrust together in a struggle that will leave them with no where to turn, but God.

Like Daniel in the lion’s den, the question is: “Where will you turn when the lions come?”

The Bible tells us that Satan prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour. The lions in our life may come in the form of financial disaster, a family crisis, medical concerns, or a myriad of other possibilities. But regardless of the form they take, they will come and they will come at a time when our resources are insufficient, exhausted, or gone altogether.

But the Bible also talks about another lion. The Lion of Judah. And of him, C.S. Lewis once wrote, “He is no tame lion.” And He is on our side.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at: http://www.brandtdodson.com/ I love hearing from readers and will respond to all questions or comments.

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

Readers, you can order Daniel's Den using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. Or you can sign up for Feedblitz in the right hand column of the blog, and the notification for posts will come to your Inbox.

Author Michelle Stimpson - THE GOOD STUFF - Free Book

I have to thank author Jenny B. Jones for recommending me to Michelle. We found out we live in different parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Now Michelle attends the critique group that meets in my home. I think you'll find her as interesting as I do.

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

I used to think that I was creating all of these thoroughly original, totally other-inspired characters, but the more I write, the more I realize that I put a great deal of myself and my experiences into the characters.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, that would have to be as a result of the quirkiest job I ever had. I used to be Chuck E. Cheese. It was so hot in that costume, and kids always pulled my tail!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I first knew that I was a writer when I was 12 years old. My mom had a car accident and, suddenly, I became the keeper of our household. I started keeping a journal as an outlet, and writing became my best friend.

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

I read mostly spiritual non-fiction – Beth Moore, Chuck Swindoll, Andrew Murray. I read quite a bit of young adult fiction because I can usually knock those out in one sitting – plus I do lots of work in public schools, so I have to stay up with the times. For adult fiction, I usually read books that different people just keep telling me I must read, and those can be anything from Christian fiction to one of the classics.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I have written a total of 4 published novels – Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road, The Good Stuff, and Trouble In My Way (YA). My unpublished books are my very first attempts at writing, done in the 90’s. I still think they’re good, but I’m at a different place, spiritually, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable publishing them without a serious overhaul. As for non-fiction, I wrote a book called Breaking Bondage to Biscuits about overcoming food addiction. That one is self-published. I have another untitled book about marriage - excerpts appear in the back of The Good Stuff.

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

You know, I enjoy people, I enjoy being busy, I enjoy public speaking, and I enjoy working with teachers, but deep down on the inside, I really am a “loner” and I must have at least an hour alone every day. When I start to feel that I’m losing touch with myself or (more importantly) with God, I just take a night away from everything. I tell the kids they’re on their own, I tell my husband I want to be alone, and that’s that.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I think, first, of the character and how old he/she is because many names indicate the person’s generation. I also think about the character’s background. I try not to be stereotypical, but I think that there are some realities that help decide a character’s name. I mean, for the most part, Beverly’s are older than Kaitlin’s.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m most proud of my marriage – though I can take no credit for it. My husband and I (married 15 years) are a testament to God’s faithfulness.

I'm with you there. I don't know how people stay together and build a successful marriage without the Lord in the middle of it. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would like to be a tiger. I think they’re really cute, and they’re not so busy trying to be lions.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food changes. Now, I’m into this awesome blackened chicken salad at Razoo’s (I have no affiliation with the restaurant – though I should probably ask for a coupon now). I’m not big on rabbit food but, seriously, I’ve been eating those salads like crazy. I suppose I could do worse.

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

My biggest roadblock was finding time to write while working full-time. Thankfully, God released me from full-time work and opened doors for me to do short-term projects and consulting. I am in a position, now, to do two things that I love: writing and teaching. Again, I can’t take credit for that because I could not have even planned the flexible opportunities God has given me.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

I meet so many people who have 50 Chapter One’s sitting in their desk drawers. They have lots of good starts but haven’t finished books because they stop “liking” them. Newsflash: you don’t have to like it, just finish it. You may like it later, you may not. You may end up polishing it, you may end up taking just one character from that book and using him/her as the basis for another book. Whatever – just finish. And if you get 2/3 of the way through and absolutely hate it, that’s okay. I have fallen out of love with every single book I’m written at some point or another. It’s part of the process.

What would you like to tell us about the featured books?

The Good Stuff – this book is one for every woman who’s ever wondered why on earth she got married, and what God can do with a marriage that is beyond repair. The two main characters, Sonia and Adrian, are in two miserable marriages. They basically take them to the Lord and say, “Lord, fix it!” In their complete hopelessness, they find God’s will. This book is a testimony, of sorts, so the final pages are a non-fiction “Note From the Author.” I am so excited to see what God will do for marriages with this book!

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My main website is: http://www.michellestimpson.com/.
I post articles at http://www.womengrowinginchrist.com/,
and I tour with 6 other Christian fiction authors – our tour information is at http://www.anointedauthorsontour.com/.

Thanks so much, Lena! One of these days, I’ll get a blog together. I surely won’t forget you!

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

Readers, you can order The Good Stuff using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Good Stuff. Be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

Author Sue Dent - FOREVER RICHARD - Free Book

I'm happy to have Sue Dent back to the blog. As I said before, when I heard about a Christian vampire-werewolf novel, I was totally sceptical. Then when I read Never Ceese, I changed my mind. Sue can reach people with the message of God who will never even see one of my books.

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

I write books speculative in nature because speculative stories are the kind of stories that appeal to me the most. If I had to give a reason why I settled on a vampire/werewolf story for my debut novel, my answer would have to be that I love vampire and werewolf lore. I love westerns too and subtle romance stories, adventures and mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, legal thrillers-you name it.

Writing speculative is what I lean toward though and I suppose all my stories, no matter what the subject matter, will always be speculative in nature. I might experiment later. Who knows?

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

I consider coming to know the Lord as the most significant day in my life but not necessarily the happiest. It is certain that I would say the Lord is responsible for the happier days in my life. :-)

Also, my happiest day is subject to change. For now the happiest day in my life would be when my daughter, at five years old, and after celebrating her sixth birthday in the hospital, walked out of the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City on her own accord. She’d been admitted two weeks earlier with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) At the time of admission, the coordination center of her brain, along with many other areas of her brain had been attacked by an “outlaw” anti-body. Upon admission to the hospital, Amanda couldn’t walk, stand or even sit-up. Neither could she speak without drawing out her words. The damage was significant. The day she left the hospital with no residual side effects, ranks as the happiest day of my life so far. And to substantiate my claim from above, I’ve God to thank for that and Dr. Afifi who I’m certain God sent our way. :-)

How has being published changed your life?

LOL It’s really too early for me to tell. One change is that people actually read what I write now and some even pay to do so. That’s nice. :-) The interest in my second novel, Forever Richard, shows that people enjoy what I write and want more. For the most part, being published hasn’t really changed my life at all.

What are you reading right now?

As a writer, I find little time to read. When I have any time, aside from raising my daughter and son, I write. I will push most everything aside when John Grisham comes out with a new book, almost always around my birthday. I know it will be fast-paced, enjoyable, and a quick read. Since he’s a Christian, I’m pretty certain he won’t write anything that might offend me and so far I’ve been right. I will admit though that I’ve yet to read Mr. Grisham’s first book, A Time to Kill, because I can’t get through the rape scene. He writes the scene far too well and the account hits to close to home as things such as what he described actually happen here in Mississippi. My brother told me how the book ends though, and I’m sorely tempted to skip the first few chapters so I can read on.

I do make time to read for research though. Currently I’m going through The Secret Commonwealth of Fauns, Fairies and Elves by the “Fairy Minister” himself Robert Kirk.

What is your current work in progress?

The third installment in my Thirsting for Blood Series is my current WIP. The tentative name is Cyn No More. It looks like this name will stick.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’ve never given it much thought. If I want to go somewhere that bad, I just find a way to go. I do love the beach A LOT! But then, I go there A LOT! Therefore, it’s not really a dream vacation. LOL

How do you choose your settings for each book?

No straight answer here. The story writes itself. The characters tell me things and I write. It’s not up to me to decide where they are and what they’re doing. If I did choose the settings, along with everything else, my writing would most likely be very predictable and boring. I have to laugh though. I’ve read reviews that placed Richard’s castle in Wales and not England, Zade has been called Zane and not Zade. It seems like most of my readers create their own world in spite of what I write or choose.

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

Absolutely no one comes to mind. *gasp* Does that mean there’s something wrong with me? Probably. If I could spend an evening with one person currently alive I suppose I’d prefer being with someone who would want to be with me. Oh, and they’d have to like the Pirates of the Caribbean movies because I’d probably make them watch it with me--over and over. Particularly the last POTC movie as I really enjoyed that one. Yes, there’s definitely something wrong with me. LOL

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I like scrapbooking but I don’t have time for it anymore. Fancy that! Is driving your kids around a hobby? I guess not since I don’t particularly enjoy doing that and a hobby is supposed to be something you enjoy, right?

I remember the days when I felt like the chauffeur for the world. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Ending a story? Okay, it’s not really an obstacle. It’s just that I’m in the beginning of a series and I haven’t had to deal with actually ending a story yet. I can see that it might be a problem though and if it turns out to be one-and I find a solution, you’ll be the first to know. :-)

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

The best advice I’d give any beginning author, if that author is seeking to be traditionally published as I was, is to find and hire a professional editor. Use critique groups if you want so that you won’t have to pay a professional editor quite as much, but get a professional edit nonetheless. This is the ONLY reason my work was picked up as fast as it was. A traditional publisher, no matter how small, is NOT going to muddle through what you think is well-edited writing when they’ve got a professionally edited MS from another author sitting right there.

Rarely, if ever, is someone’s first MS ever picked up by a traditional press when that author hasn’t had a professional edit. Ms. Rowling is an exception not the rule so don’t even go there. Also, it would be best to find a professional editor that edits for the market you intend to target. For example, if you plan to write for the specific market of Christians that bigger Christian publishers market to, then you’d best get an editor who is familiar with what those publishers will and won’t allow. The same goes for hiring a professional editor who knows the Sci-fi market or fantasy market or horror market or romance market.

Another piece of advice is to understand your market. Many aspiring authors I know of spend a lot of time attempting to sell their work to a market that doesn’t want the type story they write. This is particularly true for those writing Science Fiction, Fantasy, and horror. I’ve had numerous responses from several of the bigger Christian publishers myself that state quite clearly that since their market doesn’t read these kind of stories, they won’t publish them. It’s why Jeff Gerke left the Christian Booksellers Association to form his own publishing house. Most authors who are Christians want to solicit publishers who are Christian but many Christian publishers market to a very specific group. It may not be your market at all. Ask questions and a lot of them. It will be worth your while.

Actually, Sue, I sold the first novel I wrote without having it edited by someone else. Of course, it took several years. Tell us about the featured book.

I thought you’d never ask.

Forever Richard

The saga of redemption and spiritual triumph readers enjoyed in Never Ceese continues in Forever Richard.

Cassie Felts, graduate student and reluctant believer of such things as vampires and werewolves, couldn't be happier for Richard and Ceese Porter. Their curses lifted and after hundreds of years apart, they can now celebrate being brother and sister once more. Even Rodney, Cassie's college roommate and former nemesis, shares her relief. But will the faith that saved Richard and Ceese be enough to defeat the new evil that threatens them all?

Cassie learns that Dr. Clayton Henderson, the corrupt stem-cell researcher, has acquired the vampire's curse and has managed to transfer it to Rodney's troubled, drug-addicted buddy Josh. Addict or vampire, Cassie can see Josh isn't handling his new cravings for blood any better than he did his old habit. Their best hope seems to be taking Josh to Richard's isolated country estate in England. There, Josh can learn to temper his desire to curse another while they try to figure out how to deal with the impossible-to-kill Dr. Henderson.

Their mission becomes more complicated when they find a new vampire inhabiting Richard's castle, a malevolent werewolf stalking Ceese, and a long-lost relative who shows up carrying a sawed-off shotgun and an ancient knife he claims has supernatural powers.

Will the faith that redeemed two lost souls before be enough to overcome the wicked forces that now threaten to destroy them all?

Forever Richard has already received encouraging endorsement from The British Fantasy Society:

“Insightful and thought-provoking. Well worth the wait!” – Maryann Boo

I am anxiously awaiting my copy so I can read and review it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can find out more about me through my publishers site at http://www.thewriterscafe.com/. They also have a site where all their authors share at http://www.thewriterscafepressauthors.blogspot.com/.

I have my own site through TWCP at http://www.foreverrichard.com/ and my personal blog at http://www.suedent.blogspot.com/

I’m also a member of The Lost Genre Guild formed by fellow author Frank Creed. LGG is a support group and attention-bringer for those authors whose work is too overt for the general market publishers yet too outside-the-box for the bigger Christian houses or rather CBA and ECPA affiliated houses. Frank is responsible for coining the phrase, Biblical Speculative Fiction though he may truly never get credit. Their web address is http://www.lostgenreguild.com/

And lastly, I’ve been blessed by those who run http://www.shoutlife.com/ as they have become the official book launch site for Forever Richard. This huge and growing family friendly social network has been nothing but supportive. I’ve been featured author more than three times and spotlight author at least twice. Part-owner Steve Mclellan posed for Richard on the book cover with fellow part-owner Hauns Froehlingsdorf taking the photo. Part-owner and wife to Hauns, Laurie Froehlingsdorf provided the *ahem* studio. :-)

I spend a lot of time on Shoutlife.com so do visit me there. They absolutely do a superb job of supporting all artists who are Christian no matter what the affiliation. I must say they have at least one well-deserving author listed this month as one of the featured authors. *winks at Lena* Congratulations! That’s twice for you as well, isn’t it?

I’d like to add a final thanks to you Lena for all your support. Your review of Never Ceese still makes me smile.

God Bless

Thank you, Sue, for spending this time with us. This month, Shoutlife has debuted a rotating featured author strip on the Authors page. You're on it, too.

Readers, you can order Forever Richard using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. There are several winner's who haven't contacted me. If you click on the winners label, all the winner blogs will be listed and you can check easily. Or just sign up for FeedBlitz at the top of the right hand column of the blog.

Four!!! More!!! Winners!!!

The Surrendered Scribe is the winner of The Perfect Match by Susan May Warren.

Hippmom is the winner of Sweet September by Tricia Goyer.

MaryZ is the winner of Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska, by Irene Brand.

Marla is the winner of Shelter in Seattle by Rhonda Gibson & Jean Kincaid.

Please email me your mailing address, so we can get the books on their way to you. You will find a link to my email in my complete profile in the right hand column of the blog.

Author Robin Caroll - FRAMED! - Free Book

This is Robin's first Love Inspired Suspense series with other authors. Welcome, Robin, I just love reading these series by Love Inspired Suspense. What is the name of the series this book is in, and where in the series does it occur?

The series is "Without A Trace" and my book, Framed! is book 2 in the series.

Who came up with the idea for the series?

The brilliant editors at Steeple Hill came up with the overview, setting, and characters. They incorporated the continuing elements that is seen from book-to-book in the series. Then, we six authors began discussing,
brainstorming, and going back and forth until we'd each hashed out our individual plots.

I know that working on a series that weaves together takes a lot of work. How did your team schedule the work?

I was blessed to have five wonderful women and authors to work with for my first continuity series. We chatted a lot online, I talked on the phone with one of them for more hours than I probably should admit to (lol), and we sent each other our synopses and then final rough drafts. It was such a wonderful learning experience for me, and a honor to work with these esteemed ladies.

Did you find it hard or easy to work within the series framework?

That's a tough question. Some of the points were difficult, but the other authors and I discussed and brainstormed a LOT, and then if we needed to change something in the overview, we'd take it to the editor for approval and input. There is a LOT of teamwork that goes into these series--from all the authors and the entire team at Steeple Hill.

What other books have you had published?

My bayou series....Bayou Justice, Bayou Corruption, Bayou Judgment, Bayou Paradox, and Bayou Betrayal. All published with Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense.

When you aren't writing or spending time with your family, what is your favorite activity?

Sleeping? LOL Seriously, between church, family, and deadlines, add to that ACFW business as president last year, sleep is a BIG commodity around my house!


Where do you do most of your writing?

In my office, on my desktop. When I need a change, or the kids beg me to come out and play, I take my laptop and sit outside on my patio. The back of our house faces a wooded area with a creek running through it, so it's nice for a change of location.

What part of the country do you live it? And why do you like that part of the country?

The South--is there any other place? LOL I'm southern through-and-through, so I can't imagine putting down roots anyway north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Tell us about the featured book.

Framed! is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story--Ava and Max were high-school sweethearts, torn apart by feuding families. Years later, they're back in Loomis, Louisiana where a rash of deaths have occurred, one of them being Ava's brother. When Max is implicated in the crime, Ava must decide to follow her heart and believe in his innocence, or let the evidence dictate what she believes.

How can my readers find you on the Internet?

Easy.... http://www.robincaroll.com/

Thanks for hosting us, Lena! It's always so much fun to visit you and your
blog!

And I love having you, Robin.

Readers, you can order Framed! using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Be sure to check back so see if you are the winner. I have a list of winners who have not contacted me.

Authors Ted Dekker & Erin Healy - KISS - Free Book

Our interview today will be a little different. First we'll have the bios of both of the authors, then we'll visit with Ted, thenErin.

TED DEKKER

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. To see a complete list of Dekker's work, visit The Works section of TedDekker.com.

Erin Healy

Erin Healy is owner of WordWright Editorial Services, a Colorado-based consulting firm specializing in fiction book critique, manuscript development, and editing for publishers. Kiss, co-authored with Ted Dekker, is her first novel. Erin is the director of the Academy of Christian Editors and former editor of Christian Parenting Today magazine. She and her husband, Tim, are the proud parents of two children.

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

About 15 % of myself. The part above my shoulders and between my ears. Or variations of that which rests between my ears.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Recently, I told my kids I’d learned how to throw my voice. To prove my new skill in a crowded mall food court, I barked once like a dog, throwing my voice across the room. No on looked, So I did it again, much louder this time. Everyone looked. My skill failed, as did my daughter’s attempt to vanish into their chairs. We had a good laugh.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In college. I first learned that I could tell stories much earlier and I first learned I could write novels when I was in my early thirties.

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

Anything that fascinates me. Unfortunately my mind is not easily fascinated. Right now I’m reading a book on mental illness that I find riveting.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I’ve completed BoneMan’s Daughters, not yet published (April 09.) Lunatic and Elyon, not yet published (coauthored, June 09.) Green, not yet published (Sept 09.) Burn, not yet published (coauthored, 2010) Tea with Hezbollah (2010) and three novels that never got published from a decade ago.

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

I don’t. I let it go, and then go chasing after it. It’s in the pursuit that I write and learn. That’s where you find the edge of our world and the beginning of a new one.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

People I’ve met. Books.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Winning my Eldest daughter’s respect and love, something that fueled the writing of BoneMan’s Daughters, a kind of prodigal daughter story.

I can hardly wait to read it. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

An eagle. To fly above it all and peering down at the rats scurrying about, chasing their tails. It’s what I do now when I lose my sanity:-)

What is your favorite food?

Coffee. Yes, it’s is a food. I’ve found that you can extract the flavor by grinding the beans and running hot water over them. Better than jawing on the beans.

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

Writing is always a writer’s greatest road obstacle. Like in extreme sports, there are distractions that keep us from tackling the obstacle, but the writing itself must remain the obstacle, or it is no great feat. The greater the obstacle, the greater the accomplishment. It’s what drives me to improve.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Chose a rather small obstacle. A smaller book. A simple book. Learn how to write before you try a double back flip :-)

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

My first coauthored with Erin Healy. Burn is our second.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.teddekker.com

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

You know, I have no idea. I might not be able to answer that question for a few years, when hindsight might be more revealing to me. Either that or I’ll need to ask a psychologist for a professional assessment.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I said yes to my husband’s marriage proposal only three weeks after I met him. Smartest thing I’ve ever done, too.

I think James asked me to marry him about three weeks after we met. We married after knowing each other three months and three days. That was over 44 years ago. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

There was no aha moment for me. Writing has simply always been a part of what I do, of how I think and express myself. But I remember the moment I consciously thought I wanted to “be a writer”—it was after I read Harriet the Spy. I even kept a notebook full of spy-like observations for a while. Lucky for a few people out there, I have no idea what happened to it.

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

I admit a preference for fiction, but within that category I read everything from Dean Koontz and Jodi Picoult to Leif Enger and Marilynne Robinson, including young adult fiction and, once in a while, a classic. And of course, my day-to-day work is saturated with Christian fiction that’s all over the map, from rich historicals to soul-searching contemporaries to speculative fantasies.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

A gift book of short stories with John Trent, titled My Mother’s Hands, and a Bible study for moms called Managing Your Time for the Mom’s Ordinary Day series.

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

Every night after the family’s in bed, I take a hot-hot shower, pray and plot and ponder, stay in until the water heater’s drained, and thank God I was born in an age of indoor plumbing.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Names have such unique connotations for everyone. I pick what sounds right to my own ears. And I’ve been known to use a phone book.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Once, while attempting to install new flooring in a bathroom, I cracked the toilet tank while removing it. I singlehandedly—without the aid of husband, plumber, or Home Depot employee—purchased and installed a new toilet after ruining only two wax rings. (Apologies for the tongue in cheek, but I guess that’s a question I’m uncomfortable answering.)

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

A polar bear, chubby and mentally suited for cold climates, content to eat fish, to live in low-populated areas, and to hibernate with my cubs.

What is your favorite food?

I only get to pick one? But I love to eat! I’m a polar bear, remember? Eenie meanie miney … flank steak, marinated in my nana’s ginger-honey-soy sauce recipe and cooked on my father’s grill. Accompanied by his spicy Caesar salad. And my mother’s sourdough-cheese soufflé. Must … go … eat …

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

I went into writing believing I’d be a plotter. I’d spend days on detailed plot, act, and scene summaries, outlining from beginning to end, only to have the story fall apart once the writing began. That failure paralyzed me, Mrs. Uber-Organized. While working with Ted I learned the value of holding a story loosely and allowing it to have its own breathing room. Now I start a story knowing where I want it to start and where I hope it will arrive. As for how it gets there, I try to discover that more organically during the writing itself.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Learn the craft. Learn how to respect it before you attempt to do anything subversive. Learn what moves your audience. Learn how to expose yourself and your work to the honest opinion of others, especially people who don’t like what you’ve written. Learn, learn, learn. “Your job,” write the authors of Art and Fear, “is to learn to work on your work.” And keep a lot of chocolate on hand. It enhances the retention of studying.

Dark chocolate, of course. What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

It’s awesome! Buy it. Read it. I do hope readers might find it to be more than entertaining, that they might begin to see their most painful personal memories in a new light. I hope they can discover grace in pain and see these experiences as formative events that God can redeem and transform into meaningful parts of their history. When God told the Israelites to commemorate their suffering (such as with altars and feast days), He wasn’t telling them to wallow in it, but to remember Who delivered them from it. If our whole history—good, bad, and ugly—keeps us focused on Him, our future will make more sense. I really believe that.

That is so true, especially in this day and time. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.erinhealy.com/

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

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