LOVE'S SACRED SONG - Mesu Andrews - One Free Book

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

Since many of my biblical characters are real people, and some have a great deal of integrity (or lack of) and personality prescribed by the scriptural text, I have to go with what’s given. However, it’s fun to play with some of the supporting cast. I don’t necessarily write myself into the stories—more so bits and pieces of my family show up occasionally. In Love’s Sacred Song, Solomon goes to an old vinedresser for romantic advice, and the verse the old man recites was taught to me by my dad when I was in junior high: “Love is such a funny thing—shakes like a lizard, runs around your heart, and grabs at your gizzard.” My dad is now bedfast and can’t see to read, but he laughed aloud when my mom read him that portion of the book. Those are the kinds of things I like to write into my characters—secret treasures shared with family and friends.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

When I was in high school, I was good friends with two of my teachers. Not like Facebook friends. I mean friends. Like go out on Friday night. Spend the night at their houses. Hang out. Talk about our love lives. I look back now and wonder, Why in the world were they friends with a high school junior/senior? Quirky is a good word for that ongoing hmmmmmmm.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was in bed for six months and physically couldn’t do anything else! I’m a little slow on the up-take, so I think the Lord had to get my full attention. J I wrote my first script for (and performed in) a play in second grade. I have written love letters to boys since third grade. I received A’s in all my English classes and was valedictorian. But I was an extrovert. I couldn’t sit still long enough to write! My sole desire in life was to be a wife and mom. When the Lord stirred my hunger for His Word, I added one more vocation—Bible Student/Teacher. I began speaking because that’s what extroverts do. When my body rebelled, that God-given desire to study and teach was satisfied through that latent joy of writing I’d once dabbled in. I learned “dabbling” isn’t good enough to get published, and now I constantly read, learn, and study the craft to become the writer God intends me to be.

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

Biblical fiction—with some regency and historical. Honestly, I have so little time for recreational reading, I guard that time for the stories that grip my heart…and those stories are the ones about ancient Israel and God’s people. I’m a very task-oriented person. If an activity has no purpose, I find it difficult to carve out any of those precious, irretrievable 24 hours in my day. I read for edu-tainment. I want to be challenged, to learn, to be changed. If it’s just a nice story—uh-uh.

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

Well, it’s actually pretty simple for me. If I run, run, run, my body falls down, down, down. J Or it hurts, hurts, hurts. Chronic illness changes a person’s perspective. I no longer need to get out of the house to feel sane. I try to schedule all my appointments and errands on one or two days a week. I actually need to be in the house, quiet before the Lord, and give my body time to rest at least three or four days a week in order to function long-term. I’m blessed with an incredibly helpful husband, and I sometimes have to ask others for help. It’s humbling. It’s good to be humbled, and it’s good to be quiet.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I use a couple of websites to look up biblical names and Hebrew names to check their meaning. If I’m naming a nasty character, I pick a surly name that epitomizes what I want that individual’s personality to resemble. In Love Amid the Ashes, I used a website for Arabian names. Sayyid meant “master,” because he would lord over his servants and was the antagonist who would try to master the protagonists. In Love’s Sacred Song, Arielah meant “Lion of God,” and I used that image several times to indicate her strength.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I would love to say, “My kids,” because our daughters are fabulous human beings who have chosen incredible husbands and are in the process of providing me with adorable grandchildren. The problem is…if they were screwing up their lives, I wouldn’t take the blame, so I don’t think I should take the credit! So I think I’ll have to say my marriage. Roy and I were married in 1984, just eight months after an old boyfriend had ditched me (after a five-year relationship). Everyone said I was rebounding, that Roy and I would be divorced in a year. But everyone didn’t know that I’d fallen in love not only with Roy Andrews but also with his Savior. We’ve had some hard days, even some rocky years, but our foundation has always been Jesus. I believe He has been the glue in our relationship. So I guess I can’t take the credit for the marriage either! Ha!

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

I want to be a BEHEMOTH! (Check out Job 40:15-24 for more details, but in a nutshell…) This guy ranks first among the works of God. He’s powerful, strong, and awesome, yet he’s gentle enough for children to play nearby and he’s so peaceful. No matter whether God comes at him with a sword or the rivers rage around him…he’s peaceful. I love that!

What is your favorite food?

Lobster, with pizza as a close second. (Those little Lindt Lindor white chocolate truffles are an addiction—does that count?)

Oh, yes. Chocolate is one of the food groups, isn’t it? What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I thought I was supposed to write Bible studies, devotionals, and non-fiction stuff. I tried for seven years to get published in those genres. Nothing. Not even a nibble. My best friend told me to write the Song of Solomon Bible study as a novel. But remember my task-oriented personality? (Here’s the roadblock…) I thought fiction was frivolous, just fancy stories to entertain. Then my friend asked me if I thought myself a better teacher than Jesus—since He used parables to educate the crowds.

Ugh. That’s what best friends do to help with our writing careers. They show us our faults gently until we refuse to see them, and then they club us over the head with a 2 x 4—in a Christian sort of way.

So I began learning the art  of writing fiction—and I’m still learning. Good fiction is never frivolous. Good fiction is always edu-tainment. And that’s what I strive and pray to write—good biblical fiction.

Tell us about the featured book.

It’s the story of Solomon’s Song of Songs:

Standing in the overpowering shadow of his famous father, young king Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, longing for a love that is true and pure—a love that can be his cornerstone. A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah has known since she first laid eyes on Solomon that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams will come true. But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon’s harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

Please give us the first page of the book.

~1 Chronicles 12:23, 32~

These are the numbers of the men armed for battle . . . men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

Arielah tiptoed around the sleeping forms of her surly brothers. Empty wineskins served as silent witnesses to their drunken slumber. Kemmuel and Igal would be snoring till dawn. They’d been a disgrace to Abba Jehoshaphat and to the tribe of Issachar since they were old enough to tend sheep.

Kemmuel rolled on his side and smacked his lips, and Arielah stood like a stone. A moment later, she reached for the iron handle and tugged open the rough-hewn cedar door. The bottom corner scraped the dirt and creaked on leather hinges. She held her breath. Glancing slowly over her shoulder, she sighed her relief at the steady rise and fall of her brothers’ chests.

A shadow of melancholy swept over her. They looked so peaceful lying there, but their rage was a living thing boiling just beneath the surface. If only they would let her love them. But her big brothers rebuffed even the love Abba and Ima tried to offer. Arielah had learned at an early age to keep her distance or reap her brothers’ wrath, and now she spent most of her time avoiding them. Tears blurred her vision.

Focusing beyond them, she saw Ima Jehosheba seated by the cooking stones, waving her out the door. Ima’s wink and loving smile nudged Arielah into the shadowy courtyard. Abba Jehoshaphat had already gone to Shunem’s well for the elders’ meeting. Both parents had known Arielah planned to observe the meeting from a distance, since a woman was never welcome there. And though Abba was a righteous man of faith and prayer, tonight he condoned Arielah’s deception.

Keeping to the shadows, Arielah left their courtyard and slipped behind a few stacked water jars, feeling more like a bandit than the daughter of Shunem’s most revered judge. Silently she moved among the merchants’ stalls toward the well at the center of Shunem. There every town meeting was held and every bit of gossip found its voice. Crouching behind crates and tables, she remained under the shadow of goatskin canopies covering the empty booths. No merchants lingered this late to hawk their wares. Only dogs and vermin loitered to clean up the scraps.

She smiled, remembering a time when her childish spying had taken her into the busy streets of Jerusalem. She was only seven when King David had summoned Abba as a northern advisor to consult on a civil matter. The whole family accompanied Jehoshaphat to the capital city. That was the first time I saw Solomon. Arielah’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of the young king. Tonight’s meeting would be very different from the one in Jerusalem so many years ago.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find links to all my social networks and a sign-up link to my free weekly devotionals on my website: http://www.mesuandrews.com/. Or if you’d like to take a look at the book trailer for Love’s Sacred Song, check out: http://youtu.be/LYCpTmNVCQo. I’ve also got an author profile on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3513697.Mesu_Andrews

Thanks so much for letting me chat a bit with your readers, Lena! I love to keep in touch with folks, and I welcome emails and comments from readers! Blessings!

Thank you, Mesu, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Love's Sacred Song: A Novel - paperback
Love's Sacred Song: A Novel - Kindle


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

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

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

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY - K Dawn Byrd - One Free E-Book

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

Actually, I write a little bit of everything. I'm published in many genres and lucky enough to have a publisher who allows me to write what I want. Generally, I write whatever I'm in the mood to write. I've noticed that after writing something dark, like suspense, I find it refreshing to start something light like a young adult novel.

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

The happiest day of my life was when I married my husband. We've been married 17 years and he's my best friend.

How has being published changed your life?

Being published hasn't really changed my life that much other than the fact that I'm a lot busier with marketing.

What are you reading right now?

I'm taking a break from reading right now in order to finish up my December release.

What is your current work in progress?

My current WIP is the third book in the Identity Series, as my publisher calls it. We didn't plan on it being a series, but several fans of Mistaken Identity asked for more. The third installment, which will be out in December, is called Double Identity and is about identical twins who don't know the other exists until a parent's illness brings them together. One teen is a Christian, the other a wild party girl. Sparks fly when the wild party girl falls for the Christian's boyfriend.

What would be your dream vacation?

I'm not much of a traveler. I usually vacation at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, two times a year and love it so much that I'd like to retire there.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I normally start with characters and then the setting falls into place as I write.

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

Lisa Jackson because I'd love to get some tips on writing suspense.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I used to ride a Harley, but gave it up to have more time to write. I recently bought a sewing machine and am learning to sew. It's great fun.

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

My most difficult writing obstacle is finding time to write. I overcome this by sticking to a schedule.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write something every day.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here's the cover blurb:

Eden Morgan makes a list of six goals to accomplish in order to have the best summer ever. Getting a boyfriend, which is perhaps the most important goal, becomes complicated when she and her best friend, Lexi, fall for the same guy. Since Lexi is popular, gorgeous, and always gets her guy, Eden thinks she doesn't have a chance.

Channing Johnson is everything Eden's ever dreamed of and she can't believe he just moved in next door. When he starts showing interest in her, she's overjoyed...until she sees him out on a date with Lexi. He says Lexi talked him into it to repay her for tutoring him. Lexi says they're in love.

Eden doesn't know who to believe and is forced to choose between her best friend and the guy of her dreams. Nothing is as it seems and no matter who she chooses, someone will get hurt.

Please give us the first page of the book.

I didn't want to fail. I couldn't. This was just too important. The success of my entire sophomore year depended on that little scrap of paper. I pinned it to the bulletin board in my bedroom and took a step back. The black letters stood out prominently against a pink background: Goals for the Summer. If I completed all six of them, it would be the best summer. Ever.

1. Donate hair to Locks of Love.

2. Get rid of braces and glasses.

3. Get driver's license.

4. Talk Mom and Dad into buying me a car.

5. Get a boyfriend (maybe the most important).

6. Follow God more closely.

Maybe I should start with the easiest. Donate hair to Locks of Love. I pulled my mousey-brown hair back into a ponytail and inspected it. Scissors hadn't touched it since third grade. Mom still liked to tell the story about the fit I'd thrown at the beauty shop. Something about having to hold me down in the chair. Sheesh. Why would parents put a third grader through such trauma? Might very well have scarred me for life.

I glanced at the magazine on my dresser. It said layers were best for a heart-shaped face. It would be a big change, but I could swing it, especially if it accomplished goal number five, Get a boyfriend.

Yes, it was time for a change. If I made all six goals before the end of summer, I'd feel better, look better, and have landed the boyfriend of my dreams. At least that's what I hoped. And prayed.

A horn blared outside, and I ran to my bedroom window, peering out through the blinds. Lexi's red BMW waited in the driveway below, stereo blaring and top down. The horn sounded again, and I jumped. Stephie would be begging to go with us if Lexi woke her from her nap.

Raising the window, I yelled, "Be right down."

I snatched my beach bag off the bed and shoved my cell phone in my pocket. Rushing down a hallway custom decorated with my mom's artwork, I fought the urge to slide down the banister to the floor below like a kid. That was much too juvenile for an almost-sixteen-year-old.

Taking the steps two at a time, I landed downstairs in the foyer where Stephie waited with a sour expression on her face. "Where are you and Lexi going?"

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

facebook: kdawnbyrd

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

My website is currently under construction.

Thank you for another interesting interview.

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

Mistaken Identity


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

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

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

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
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THE ELITE OF THE WEAK - Precarious Yates - One Free Book

What has drawn you to writing for the YA market?

First of all, I love to read YA! Then, I began to run out of books I felt 'safe' reading. I'm a sensitive soul. Even though I love to read, images in books will stay with me for months or even years after I put the book down. I wanted to write something I felt safe reading, and enjoyed reading, so I write for the YA market. I love how there is a huge suspension of disbelief in this genre. I love to immerse myself into worlds far different from my own little sphere of reality.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I'm the queen of quirky. Or at least the princess. I took my daughter to a book signing and ended up reading Frog and Toad to her instead of engaging any potential readers. Fun, but quirky. And not recommended!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was six, I wrote my first story, “Timmy the Flying Turtle.” I had so much joy writing it, I knew this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

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

I love the classics. LOVE THEM!!! Every time I go to a used book store, I try to find a copy of a classic I don't have yet. Russian novels are my favorite, as well as French novels. My favorites of the classics are The Brothers Karamazov, The Count of Monte Cristo, or Les Miserables. Then again, I never laughed so hard reading a book as I did reading Don Quixote.

When it comes to YA, I love G.P. Taylor's books, from Shadowmancer to Mariah Mundy. Eoin Coffer's series about Artemis Fowl is absolutely brilliant! I like most of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter are just plain fun.

I've read almost everything C.S. Lewis wrote. Some of his books I've read so many times I can quote them from memory. My very favorite novel ever is one of his: Till We Have Faces.

All the rest of the books I read are for scholarly research—history, physics, biblical commentary, etc.

And then, of course, there's Frog and Toad!

What other books have you written?

Well, that's top secret! ;)

Okay, I'll let you know, but don't tell anyone else. Got it? ;)

After “Timmy the Flying Turtle,” I wrote about sixteen half-novels. When I was 15, I discovered plays. I wrote a five act play, as well as numerous shorter plays.

Since I returned to novels at the age of 22, I've written seven books, including a fantasy trilogy and a coming of age Contemporary Fiction. The first two books of the fantasy trilogy will be available this summer.

Once I finished writing my first novel, finishing became so exciting it spurred me to finish more. If you haven't finished writing a novel yet, I challenge you to do finish—it feel so good!

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

My five year old daughter is run, run, run, but in all the best ways. If I make sure to stop running for me and play tag with her, my sanity returns quickly.

Since I'm a night owl, I settle into bed reading the word of God. His word, when I pray it back to Him, always turns me back peace and sanity. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Is. 26:3)

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

Finishing and self-publishing several novels.

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

I have a personal fondness for dolphins and orcas. I mean—to have sharks fear you! Also, I’d be able to swim, dive, eat tuna all day and have “play” as one of my main activities. Wait, I’m a mom, so I get to do that anyway J!

What is your favorite food?

Either pasta with garlic bread, or sushi. But since I can't eat too much wheat, sushi takes preeminence.

Is it hard to break into the YA market?

To break into any market takes both hard work and favor. I don't have that favor yet, but I'm working hard. Like with any market, it takes getting the book into the right hands, and if that person loves it, well, then you’re set.

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

My advice? Write the very best you can, and then GIVE to others. Give to other writers. Give to readers who can't afford the book. Give to authors who write in the same genre. You will reap what you sow!

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

One of the reasons I wrote this book is to challenge myself to think about others even in the midst of difficulties.

Also, the issue of human trafficking is an awful plight in our day and age. I knew nothing about it for so long, but when I heard about it I needed to do something. I've given myself to two things: 1. write, 2. Pray—and pray fervently that the Lord would bring justice.

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." ~Bishop Desmond Tutu~

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.precariousyates.com

http://precariousyates.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/precariousyates

Twitter: @precariousyates

Pinterest: Precarious Yates


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


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Elite of the Weak: Revelation Special Ops, book 1 - paperback
The Elite of the Weak (Revelation Special Ops) - Kindle


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

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

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

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

Winners!!!!!

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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 of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

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MRS. TUESDAY'S DEPARTURE - Suzanne Anderson - One Free Book

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

 I believe it would be impossible to write a story without having a bit of myself included. Otherwise the characters would simply be cardboard cut-outs. In the case of Mrs. Tuesday, I most identified with the main character, Natalie, and her desire to hold her family together during a very difficult time.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I once went to a teddy bear making class and made a blue bear that became the inspiration for my next book, God Love You, - Chester Blue.

Or if you want really quirky…before I step onto a downward moving escalator, I stop and count to three, so I can gauge when to step onto the next step.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I “wrote” my first book at the age of five. As a child, reading was my favorite pastime. I’ve always thought the best career in the world would be to create that pleasure for others.

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

Lately I’ve been enjoying Christian inspirational books, such as One Thousand Gifts. Then, since I turned 50 in March, I’ve been listening to books on healthy living while driving around town. On the fiction front, I enjoy most women’s literature, with a weakness for historical romance. And an occasional James Patterson.

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

When I am feeling completely overwhelmed I have two strategies that help me to feel grounded: 1) pour my heart out in my journal in the form of a letter to God and then end with a list of five things I am most grateful for. 2) I take my dogs to the off-leash dog trail, which is a one mile loop through beautiful woods.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Generally, the name appears with the character in my mind. And then their personality becomes more developed as I write their story. However, in one story, I specifically chose the name of the character to serve a purpose.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

When I originally published Mrs. Tuesday’s Departure, I left out the spiritual elements and references to God. When I decided to go back to the original version, which was in first person POV and really centered the novel around Hebrews 11:1, it was scary to fully embrace my identity as a Christian writer. Of course, as soon as I did, I felt at peace; and more confident of my identity as a writer than ever in my life. God is good.

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

In the past year, I’ve adopted two Newfoundland dogs, each weighing 150 lbs. They are completely spoiled, but I love them dearly. So, if I were an animal, I’d love to be a Newfoundland….in my house!

What is your favorite food?

I recently made a chocolate cheesecake for the first time and it was so incredibly delicious that it’s my new favorite thing. It was as decadent as a chocolate mousse, only denser. This may be why I haven’t had much luck losing the same ten pounds I’ve been working on for the past year!

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

Plotting. I’m always wrestling with the desire to write an outline before I start writing the first draft, so that I have a roadmap to follow as I write. However, I also enjoy the “what will happen next” of writing without one.

I haven’t figured out how to overcome this. The best solution is probably to try outlining with my next novel and see how it feels.

Tell us about the featured book.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

This Bible verse was the original inspiration for this novel about the mystery of faith and the search for God during difficult times.

Synopsis:

Hungary's fragile alliance with Germany kept Natalie, a renowned children’s book author, and her family out of harm's way for most of the war. Now as the Führer's desperation grows during the waning years of the conflict, so does its threat. Natalie's younger sister, Ilona, married a Jewish man, putting both her and her young daughter, Mila, in peril; Natalie's twin sister, Anna, is losing her already tenuous hold on reality. As the streets of Budapest thrum with the pounding boots of Nazi soldiers, danger creeps to the doorstep where Natalie shields them all.

Ilona and her husband take the last two tickets to safety for themselves, abandoning Natalie to protect Anna and Mila from the encroaching danger. Anna's paranoid explosion at a university where was once a professor, sparked by delusions over an imagined love triangle, threatens their only other chance for escape. Ultimately, Natalie is presented with a choice no one should ever have to make; which of her family will she save?

An inspirational story of faith and family, strength and weakness, and the ultimate triumph of love over hate. Mrs. Tuesday’s Departure demonstrates the power of faith to light even the most harrowing darkness.

Please give us the first page of the book.

“I CAN’T SLEEP, NANA.”

Mila’s skin was clear and pale; like the antique German porcelain dolls I’d bought for her when she was a child. Long dark lashes shaded her almond shaped blue eyes.

I released the doorknob that I’d been ready to close, entered her room and settled into an overstuffed chair with a sigh and a smile that belied my worry. Candlelight silhouetted Mila’s face in a halo of pale yellow. The book she held created a shadow that fell across her chest making the pink roses on her nightgown glow and float in the shadows of her long dark hair. In the five years that Mila had lived here, there were few nights when I did not find her with a book.

When Mila first arrived, I placed this chair next to her bed to read aloud one of the children’s books that provided me with my living and my reputation. Over the years, the chair remained, I wrote more books, and read each one to Mila until she outgrew them and began to read the novels she found in my study. The ritual of our time together before bed, our discussion of books, remained. Even during these years of war.

She propped the book against her chest and watched me expectantly. “You’re coming with us aren’t you?”

“Of course.” I turned from her gaze and smoothed the edge of the comforter wishing our conversation could skim the surface as lightly as my fingers.

“And Aunt Anna?” Mila’s eyes searched my face for signs of deception.

“Yes, she seems to understand.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to meet readers! Here are a few places you can find me:

My blog: http://www.suzanneanderson.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzanne-Anderson-Author-Page

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seakiev

Thank you, Suzanne, for the interesting visit.

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

Mrs. Tuesday's Departure - paperback
Mrs. Tuesday's Departure - Kindle


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

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

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

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

THE GOOD FIGHT - Matthew R Horn - One Free Book

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

While I am sure I have a very skewed/biased view of myself, I do write myself into at least some of my characters. Many of them are specifically based off of people I know, but some of them are also based on me. I find it is a window into explaining and understanding their actions.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’ve got several strange stories I suppose from my childhood that fall under this category, but the first one that comes to mind took place when I was about ten. I had a huge fascination with He-Man at the time. I was playing in the backyard at a neighbor’s house when I decided to crash headlong through a wooden gate. I still get made fun of to this day for that incident. If He-Man could do it, why couldn’t I, right?

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I tried several times between high school and college to put a story down on paper, but I never got past the first page. It wasn’t until 6 years after graduating from college that I actually sat down and wrote a story. I really don’t think I was capable of the planning and forethought necessary to build a story like that until after college. I just didn’t have the commitment level before that point.

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

I love reading all types. If I had a singular favorite it would probably be fantasy because The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia are probably two of my all-time favorites. However, The Last of the Mohicans and Treasure Island are really close as well, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Louis L’Amour. I’m not a big Romance guy and I really love a good action sequence. Every now and again I’ll get gritty and read a Noir novel. I just love reading in general.

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

I have a solid family, a great wife, and I truly depend on the Lord to back me up. I know everyone has their own ways of handling things, but it’s hard for me to understand how to cope with a world like ours without knowing God loves me so much. I need an example of love and strength like him in order to know how to act with my family and friends. It really is my only way through the muck sometimes.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

For some reason character names and titles come to me rather quickly when I decide on a story line. Auxiliary characters are harder. Sometime I use a name generator, but mostly as a last resort. I just find that when I get an inspiration for a story that the names of the people involved come to the surface from the beginning, they just seem to fit with the story I want to tell.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My wife and I just gave birth on 1/31/12 to a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth. We call her Ella. I think up to that point that college and this book were two of my top accomplishments. Now, however, those seem totally blown away by our little girl.

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

I feel like a Bear would be a good representation of me as an animal. I stand about 6’ 5” but I’m not overtly aggressive. I like to use my height to intimidate when I can, and when I get stuck on something I might chase it all the way up a tree, but if I can I’ll avoid trouble first. Plus my wife always tells me I just a big cuddly bear.

What is your favorite food?

Hands down, pasta. I love going to really good Italian restaurants and getting their top pasta dish. Crème based, tomato based, whatever. I can’t get enough.

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

I think my greatest roadblock is true control over what I write the first time. I often can see what I want to write, whole sequences, before I write it. It’s a huge benefit except that when I put it on paper it flows faster than I can write. It makes editing a real headache that I often try to avoid. I get myself into binds where I have entire chapters that are just poorly written because of how fast I flew them. Honestly, I haven’t really come up with a solution to stop it. I am trying different ways to slow myself down, breathing techniques, and outlines, but I always feel guilty for stifling the creative process.

Tell us about the featured book?

The Good Fight is about a young boy named Jeff. By the age of nine he is living on alone and on the streets after being passed around by family members and orphanages. He gets himself into some trouble one night and is saved by a vigilante. The moment is defining for Jeff and he starts to pull his life back together. Sixteen years later Jeff has the chance to return the favor to the vigilante by helping him to hide him from the authorities. Jeff learns the vigilante’s identity and soon learns that he is not quite the hero Jeff had hoped he would be. As the book continues Jeff reaches a crossroad where he has to decide if he can ignore what is going on behind the scenes and live his life the way he wants or if he must become the vigilante himself in order to stop his once teacher from doing something horrible.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Jeff had a giant smile on his face. He was squatting in a pile of garbage next to a large dumpster in the alley just behind Marcino’s Italian Restaurant. Marcino’s was quite popular right now, and every evening they threw out bag after bag of leftover food.

The dark alley was long, full of animals, trash, and broken pieces of wood and glass. Lights located on the buildings were either out or broken, allowing little more than reflected moonlight onto the alley floor.

For Jeff, this gold mine of discarded food remained his secret stash as many of the other homeless people in the area seemed to stay away. He was glad to keep it that way, and marveled at the amount of food people left on their plates.

Suddenly, three men rushed into the opposite end of the alley. They put their backs to the wall and Jeff could hear them panting.

“We’re in huge trouble,” one man said in a panic. “He’s gonna kill us for sure.”

“Shut your mouth,” the large man in the middle growled. “There’s three of us and one of him. You’d better pull yourself together, ‘cause if this guy doesn’t kill us, the boss will.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can look up my website at www.matthewrhorn.com. They can also look up by author bio on Amazon. The Good Fight can also be found at www.amazon.com , www.barnesandnoble.com , and at www.smashwords.com

I am also listed in the authors section at www.brightonpublishing.com and am on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Anobii, along with several yahoo groups such as the ACFW book club, Café Libri book club, and BooksAMonth book club.


Thank you, Matthew, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Good Fight: A Fight for Truth and Justice - paperback
The Good Fight - Kindle


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

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

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

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

A FAMILIAR SHORE - Jennifer Fromke - One Free book

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

I’d say there are bits and pieces of myself. I try to sprinkle different things across characters and stories, so no one character is ever “Me.”

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Last summer I took my kids to audition for Hunger Games extras. I ended up being cast as one of the game control room technicians. I got to experience wardrobe fittings, hair, and makeup (sat next to a Hollywood heavy hitter in the makeup chair). It was quite an experience to see how a big budget film operates behind the scenes. And since my scenes had significant special effects, it was fascinating to see how everything looked onscreen compared with what we saw in the studio.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

It started out as a dream. I fell in love with “story” at a very young age. I always wanted to write, but I decided I needed to live until I was at least 35 before I would have anything good to say. I received lots of affirmation with anything I wrote - even Christmas letters! :-) I turned 35, and began dabbling. I heard God’s call to pursue writing after that, and here we are, a couple years later. So it was a process, but looking back, I see that I’ve always been a writer.

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

I love Kate Morton, Kristin Hannah, and David Baldacci. I enjoy a sweeping historical, almost anything with an old castle in England, international intrigue involving spies and great danger, and a contemporary story that evokes powerful emotion. I also like a little bit of magical realism, done right. Susan May Warren, Carla Stewart, and Cara Putman are recent reads of mine. So basically, I’m all over the map.

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

Breakfast in the Bible. Dates with my husband. Time with my kids.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I think about the significance of the character and a theme or word that might be important for them. Then I search meanings/definitions/synonyms and I found a great reverse name-meaning tool online. You type in the meaning, and it pulls up names with similar meanings. I like the major character names to mean something.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Aside from marrying my husband and raising three amazing kids . . . Winning the Genesis competition is probably the highlight of my career so far. Publication is a very close second, but winning that competition was an enormous encouragement and gave credence to other people that I was actually doing more than just typing on a laptop all day long.

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

I let this question sit awhile. If I have to pick one, I’d say a butterfly. (Though I hate comparing myself to a bug). But I have a tendency toward flitting from one thing to another. When I clean the house, I start in one place, get distracted by clutter in another room, get distracted by a third mess and end up cleaning a tiny bit of each space without finishing anything! I’m also a bit of a talker, and more than a few have dubbed me a social butterfly. I do love to work a room full of people. J Plus, I love bright colors and showing them off.

What is your favorite food?

Strawberry Shortcake. Nana’s biscuit recipe, fresh picked berries, whipped cream on top. In May, it’s pretty much breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh yeah, and dessert too.

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

Time. With young kids, it was difficult to carve out the time, so I didn’t tackle writing seriously until all three kids were in school all day. As far as craft goes, I needed to learn about plotting. Once I began to see what elements appear in every good story, it all started to make sense for me.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Familiar Shore is my debut novel. It brings the reader alongside Meg, a young lawyer raised off the coast of the Carolinas. An anonymous client hires her to arrange his will, and sends her to meet his estranged family at their lake home in northern Michigan. After a shocking discovery, she finds herself caught between his suspicious family and a deathbed promise her conscience demands that she keep. Will she sacrifice her own dreams for revenge, or will she choose something more?

A good deal of the story takes place over Memorial Day weekend, making it a great summer/getaway read.

Please give us the first page of the book.

            In a daze, Meg barreled down the highway toward her father. An unfamiliar urgency in his voice drew her to the coast like true north pulls a compass. Her gut fluttered as she drove a rented RAV4 into Southport, North Carolina, and parked across from Provisions, her favorite coastal dive on the eastern seaboard.

            Stepping out of the car, she took a deep breath and pulled on the cuffs of her jacket as she slowly exhaled. Don’t rush in. Be controlled. Her jeweled sandals provided little protection as she picked her way through the maze of potholes masquerading as a parking lot for the shack-like restaurant.

            Provisions perched on the edge of the Cape Fear River. As Meg neared the building, a mixed of fried seafood and boat fuel assaulted her nose. A smile crossed her face and memories crossed her mind each time she breathed the incongruent scents.

            The lunch crowd spilled out the front door in a line displaying great anticipation and remarkable patience. Meg pressed past the people waiting to order and shoved her way onto the porch. Rolled up canvas “walls” hung from the eaves around the perimeter.

            Popsie waved to her from their favorite table, in the corner furthest from the kitchen and closest to the water. Though Meg usually visited whenever he docked Gilda near Charlotte, she burned up the asphalt today for a potential client Popsie wanted her to meet. But he sat alone at a table for two.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jenniferfromke.com

http://www.facebook.com/jenniferfromke

Twitter:           @jenniferfromke


Thank you, Jennifer, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Familiar Shore - paperback
A Familiar Shore - Kindle


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

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

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

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

BACK TO RESOLUTION - Rose Dee - One Free Book

Welcome, Rose. I love having Aussie Christian authors on my blog. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think there is a little bit of me in every one of my characters. It’s hard to avoid this. If you want to get into the character’s head, you have to know them inside out. Having said that; I avoid applying the characteristics of anyone I know to a character. I find the familiarity gets in the way of my storytelling. So I guess there a little bit of me, and not a lot of anyone else.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Where do I start? I am the queen of quirk. I’m Australian – a country Aussie at that. I put my characters through a lot of my own experiences; like falling down in mangrove mud, or having to swim ashore from a tinny (dingy) whilst negotiating large waves. Being chased by a bush turkey is another one. But all the crocodile scenarios – well – I’ve seen a lot of them from a boat, but never from in the water.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I decided to write something. I had been wrestling with the meaning of my life, and praying for my purpose. One day it fell upon my heart to try my hand at writing. That very first attempt produced Back to Resolution. If I look back now I can see that I always had this passion. It just took my request for direction to embark upon the right path.

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

I love historic romance, contemporary romance, non-fiction with romance (see the emerging pattern?). Yes- I am a romantic. I can even get into sci-fi if it has a romance element (which many do these days). But my all time favorite books would have to be Jane Eye and Pride and Prejudice. But you would have probably guessed that without my telling you.

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

When I get really stressed out I take to the sea. My escape could consist of a walk on the beach, a spin on the ocean in a boat, or a weekend away to one of the incredible islands at my doorstep. There’s something raw and honest about a salty breeze. It’s revitalizing, purifying, and reminds me of who God is and what He can do. It’s a great way to keep your sanity.

I wish I lived close enough to the ocean to do that. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Some of them just come to me. They almost name themselves. Others, I have great trouble with. I’ve become so desperate for a name that fits I’ve even scanned baby naming websites (I know – bad right?). On the odd occasion a friend will suggest a name, and I don’t always apply it immediately, but sometimes it will fit for a later character – that has been helpful. Regardless of how I find names I never use the name of someone I know. The association gets in the way of my character development.

I have also unconsciously used the same name twice for completely different characters. That was an interesting idiosyncrasy.

Many authors use baby name sites, so that’s okay. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Being a wife and mother. You never quite understand just how hard a job it is, until you are living these two roles. It’s exhausting and rewarding in equal measure. Being committed to someone else’s happiness is a lifetime endeavor. Of all the things I value – this would have to be top of the list.

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

I would be my dog, Noodle. He’s awesome. He sits around all day, never has to worry about where his next meal is coming from, and has devotion and love at his paw-tips. I am sure he is close to being human. He never seems to lack communication skills. We always know what Noodle wants and what he is thinking.

What is your favorite food?

Every kind of pasta and antipasta. I grew up in a large Italian community and, although I don’t share the cultural heritage in a biological sense, I certainly have adopted it by nurture.

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

My greatest roadblock thus far would have to be self doubt. I still have times when I am worried that I lack qualification to be an author. But then I remember that so long as I am in the Lord’s plan, he will give me all that I need. That includes the lessons to make up for what I lack, as well as developing what I’ve got.

Tell us about the featured book.

When I sat down to write something the only advice I could recall about writing was: Write what you know – and - write what you love. I have done this in Back to Resolution. The story is about Bay, who was born in Australia, but grew up in Los Angles. After the death of her mother she embarks upon a mission to find her father “down under.”

The story showcases the region in which I live, the rugged tropical islands, ocean, and coastline. But also the Aussie larrikin personalities you will find here in North Queensland. Each colorful character brings life to the story. There are lots of twists and turns; romantic entanglements; and a mystery. My greatest hope is that the reader ends the story feeling entertained and uplifted.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit Rose at: www.rosedee.com


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


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Back to Resolution - Amazon paperback
Back to Resolution - Kindle
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/back-to-resolution-rose-dee/1106820731?ean=9781921633607&itm=2&usri=rose+dee - Barnes & Noble


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

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

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

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