WHEN DAWN BREAKS - Jennifer Slattery - One Free Book

Bio: Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband.

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

My books stem from my deepest passion—seeing men and women experience the life-changing freedom of Christ and living fully in that freedom. I’m an outreach girl, drawn to the broken, impoverished, and nonbeliever, as are my characters. Because of this, my books always have a strong outreach focus. I’m also a romantic at heart; that comes from living with my real-life hero, a man who still makes my pulse quicken after nineteen years. I believe the gift of romantic love is a precious and powerful example of Christ’s love for us, and I enjoy celebrating that in my novels.

My husband makes my pulse quicken after 50 years of marriage. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

My wedding day. I cried as I walked down the aisle—happy tears. And astonished tears. I kept thinking, “This is real. This is really happening. He didn’t bolt on me!” And then, after we’d said our vows and my husband took me onto the dance floor, he pulled me close and sang to me. It was beautiful.

How has being published changed your life?

It’s made me busier, more attentive. Definitely more dependent on Christ. I think I listen more now as I’m increasingly alert to the fact that everyone has a powerful and memorable story.

What are you reading right now?

I just finished James Patterson’s latest, Hope to Die. It was really good, though, being secular, wasn’t anywhere near rated G. I read it largely to learn. He’s a brilliant writer who captures the reader’s attention with high stakes and a continual sense of urgency. Next I plan to read Greetings From the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay. I love Rene’s writing.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m waiting on big picture edits for my third book (yay!) and am finishing up a first draft of a sequel I hope my publisher will pick up. It follows the story of Ainsley Meadow’s (the heroine in Beyond I Do) mother, a divorced house-flipper, and a woman married to a career felon. Here’s the blurb:

Sixty-one year old Angela Meadows is ready for a clean slate, to launch a career and to embrace her new life in Christ. But self-loathing and remorse for a life forever lost hold her back. When she encounters a single mom, married to an incarcerated felon, and her children, Angela’s shame becomes swallowed by something greater—compassion. Her past draws her to them, but will it drive away the only man she’s truly loved?

What would be your dream vacation?

I have two, and it just so happens I’ll be doing both. The first is going to Seattle, Washington, where my husband and I first fell in love. We’re going next September to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We’ll visit all sorts of wonderful, vibrant restaurants, some art galleries, do some hiking, hopefully go crabbing. I can’t wait! Then the following year we’re going to spend time in the Sedona, Arizona area to do more eating at fun, unusual restaurants, lots of shopping, and we’ll probably hit a dinner theater or two.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Each book is different, but the settings usually arise from locations I’ve lived in or have fallen in love with, usually both. For this novel, the location came from my experience living in Texas and Louisiana during the Katrina event. (I call it an event because the effects of that storm could be felt throughout Louisiana and Texas long after it hit.) We lived in Bossier City, Louisiana, when the storm hit, and though we were far enough away to remain safe, refugees soon swarmed our area. It was a haunting experience and yet one that also revealed the beauty of God’s grace as Christians throughout the area mobilized to help those in need. Then, shortly after Katrina, we moved to New Braunfels, Texas, and spent time in an apartment complex that housed storm refugees who had decided to make their home there. This event, the people I met, and the places I visited left such an impression on me, I wanted to share as much as I could through this story.

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

One person??? Oh, that’s hard. This will probably sound anticlimactic, but I’m such a people person, I’d really like to hang out with some of my many writer friends and critique partners.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Is there life outside writing and reading? Um … sipping heavily-flavored coffee with friends? Visiting bookstores with friends? Eating chocolate … alone (so I don’t have to share)?

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

My health. I have two chronic illnesses, both of which can lead to extreme fatigue that steals my time, and, if I’m not careful, can steal my joy as well, thus stealing even more of my time. I’m not sure I overcome it, though I am learning to adapt. When I’m feeling well, I use every moment to its fullest. When I’m not, I use that to the fullest as well and take the time to draw near to Christ, catch up on reading, or spend relaxed time with family.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Keep writing! Perseverance is everything. I’d also suggest not spending too much time on that first novel. There are so many stories (mine included!) of authors who kept writing, pumping out one novel after another, as they waited for that first contract, only to have their publisher later ask to see everything they’d written.

Good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to. Here’s the blurb:

As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution motivate her to head north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. Dealing with his own issues, Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. And then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?

Please give us the first page of the book.

(Please note, this might be slightly different than the final edited version that appears in the novel.) Jacqueline Dunn stared at her television, reading for the fourth time the alert scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Hurricane warning for Southeast Texas: Mandatory evacuation in effect for the following areas. Six zones followed, including hers. Was everyone overreacting?

She crossed the room and peered out the window. The sandy beach stretched before her, frothy waves tumbling in. Dark clouds hovered near the horizon. Not unusual. Except that Hurricane Gita had grown to a category four storm and was headed straight for the Gulf Coast. 

She glanced back at the television. The news shifted from the radar map to Lowes Highway. Loaded vehicles inched forward at what looked to be a five-mile-per-hour crawl. Which meant, if she left now, she might make it out of Crystal Shores before the storm hit.

There was no sense delaying the inevitable. Sucking in a deep breath, she gripped a packed suitcase in one hand and her computer case in the other. Stepping around partially packed boxes, she headed toward the front door. A stack of mail lay on the entryway table. She shoved it into the side pocket of her computer case then marched into the garage.

Lord, please stay this storm. I can’t afford to start over. Not at my age.

With a sigh, Jacqueline loaded hastily packed boxes in the back of her car and cranked her engine. She started to set the GPS then stopped. Gripping the steering wheel, she stared at the white cement wall in front of her. Where to? Staying in a hotel, for only God knew how long, would eat her savings. But what else could she do? Her parents lived too far away, and her daughter... The muscles in her neck tensed as she thought about their last conversation.  No. A hotel was her best option, expensive or not.

She glanced at the clock on the dash. Eight thirty AM. According to the National Weather Service, the storm would hit in five, maybe six hours. That didn’t leave much time for debating. Right now she needed to focus on one thing—leaving town.

Used by Permission. When Dawn Breaks: A Novel, by Jennifer Slattery (New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL) NewHopeDigital.com.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can read the first two chapters of When Dawn Breaks here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/slattery_sampler/1

They can visit me and learn about new authors on my devotional blog: http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com

They can connect with me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

They can follow me on Twitter at:  https://twitter.com/Jenslattery

They can buy a copy here:

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Dawn-Breaks-A-Novel/dp/1596694238/

On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel-jennifer-slattery/1120694122?ean=9781596694231

On CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694231/pd/694231

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

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

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

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

THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS - Nancy Shew Bolton - One Free Ebook

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

Each character has something of me in them, some aspect that connects me to them, so that I can fashion them in a more authentic, personal way. By putting something of myself in them, even just a small aspect, I’m able to bring them to life more easily.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

This is kind of embarrassing, but I guess it illustrates my odd sense of humor. When our five sons were young, we moved out to a rural piece of our own land, with only a few neighbors. I thought it was great to be out of trailer parks and somewhere the boys could spread out, build forts and tree houses, or whatever they wanted. Anyway, with five boys, there were always bikes, half-finished projects, as well as swing sets and toys scattered in the yard. I thought it was great not to have a landlord nagging us about it, but I guess one of my neighbors decided we were too messy, and began a gossip campaign against us.

It saddened me at first, but then I got kind of annoyed when she kept it up. She’d take her daily walk with a few other ladies, and go past our yard, giving it head shakes and disapproving looks. I felt like I needed to do something to change the course of the situation, and I got tired of the negativity directed at my family. So I thought of something that would let the gossiper know I didn’t share her opinion but would also have a touch of humor in it. So, I painted a large sign and propped it in the front yard. She and the others stopped to read it, cast a few startled glances at our house, and stopped walking past our yard every day. Within a month, she and the other ladies had stopped by to mend fences, and the trouble was over. What did the sign say? Boring People Have Clean Yards. (I know, it’s not very nice, but they did appreciate the humor, so it all worked out! And if you have a clean yard, I’m sure you’re not boring. Just tidier than my family!)

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was about ten or so, and I went outside right after a thunderstorm passed. I came back inside for a pen and paper because I just had to write down what it felt like outside, the way the changed atmosphere affected me. That was the first time that writing felt like singing, like a way to really express myself.

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

Though I have pretty varied taste, I always like a story that emphasizes characters, and how they interact. Relationships always fascinate me, and the different ways people respond to the same situations. If that element is in the story, then it can be almost any genre that I’ll enjoy, though I’m not fond of horror, or stories with such convoluted plots that it’s like homework to try and figure them out.

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

Prayer time. And naps!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Usually I let names run through my mind until one feels right. Also, for one of my novellas I’m working on, I decided to try and use all my nieces and nephew’s names for most of the characters. That’s been fun.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising our five, funny, unique, creative, quirky sons. It’s what always mattered most to John and me.

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

I’d like to say a cat, because the little acrobats have always delighted me, but if I had to pick one that I’m most like, I guess it would have to be some kind of bird. I’d love to spend my time flying and singing, and resting in my nest, gazing at the sky.

What is your favorite food?

Aged cheeses. Yum.

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

When I decided to write books, rather than short, inspired bursts of thoughts or poems, I discovered that I wrote the way I spoke. I had to learn to explain less, show more, and cut out a lot of unnecessary words. I overcame this through the help of ACFW critiquers, editorial advice, and many hours of revising my work. I’m still learning.

Aren’t we all? Tell us about the featured book.

It’s called The Right Ingredients. It’s a contemporary Christian romance, set at a cake shop where the main character, Ann, runs it with her friend Susan. Ann is shy, overworked, and afraid of relationships. She’s unawakened spiritually and romantically, and the story is about how her life changes.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Ann hoped the bakery stayed empty of customers. She needed every bit of concentration to decorate the cake the way she envisioned it. Her eyes scrutinized the last patch of undecorated surface. Almost done. Shifting on the chair, elbows planted on the low icing table, she pressed her lips together and leaned closer. She calculated the perfect angle to hold the frosting bag.

A stray hair drifted into her line of vision and she blew out a quick upward breath to deflect it. How on earth could any strand escape her coiled braid? She should have worn the hairnet. But hairnets were old-womanish. Still, she preferred them to the flimsy paper hats she and Susan wore the first year they opened the bakery. They never fit well, and exasperated her by sailing off her head when she rushed past the ceiling fans.

The bell on the bakery’s front door tinkled. Ann sighed and wished Susan would return from deliveries. She glanced through the archway and out the picture window. Maybe she’d appear. No such luck. Oh, well.

“Be right there,” she called. Ann set down the icing bag, rose from the chair and angled her hips to slip past the table. As she stepped sideways, two bees zoomed in and flew toward her. She
startled, brushed both hands to scare them away, and lost her balance.

In helpless shock, her stomach fell as her forearms, palms, and chin landed on the cake and sunk in while a groan escaped her. Ann lifted her head and stared in total horror. Loud moans erupted. “No, no, no.”

As though a protest would change anything. Tears gathered. She drew away from the cake, and straightened up. One little wobble, and her handiwork was destroyed.

“Are you okay?”

Ann stared at a tall, sturdy man in jeans and a tee shirt. He stood in the archway between the front and back rooms and surveyed the scene. “I’d have stayed out there, but I heard you cry out and thought I’d better check on you.”

Ann’s lip trembled. She pushed against the tide of emotion. No tears in front of customers. The two bees danced on the frosting, poking around on her ruined cake. “It’s all their fault. I tried to do everything right, and see what happened?”

She pointed a frosted finger at them while her tears overflowed. Through the blur, she glanced from the excited insects over to the man. She blinked to clear her vision.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Here are my links:

http://boltonnancy.com/

On Twitter

The Diamond Mine group blog

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads page

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing the book with us. I look forward to reading it. I want to know what happens next, and I'm sure my readers do, too.

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

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

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

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

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

THE COLOR OF SORROW ISN'T BLUE - Sharon K Souza - One Free Book

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

I like to write about the hard questions that surface in our walk with God. Christians face difficulties that are hard to understand; we aren’t exempt simply because we follow Christ. In my own life, the death of my son, Brian, bears that out. And from that crisis came the question, What happens when God says no? Because He does say no at times – even for issues that are of the utmost importance to us – and  it can derail us if we’re not aware of that. That question launched the idea for my featured novel, The Color of Sorrow Isn’t Blue.

I drew on my own loss to tell the story of a mother whose young daughter goes missing. The story was inspired by a family in my community whose adult daughter Cindy disappeared, and whose fate was unknown throughout the writing of this novel, and in fact whose fate was unknown for more than 10 years. The case was a national story. Cindy’s mother worked in the bank my family and I had our accounts with, so I saw the mother on a regular basis, and wondered how in the world she was able to cope under the enormous grief she and her family carried. So it’s not Cindy’s story, and it’s not Brian’s story, but I drew on both to create Kinsey’s story.

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

Without a doubt it would be Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite novels, and I’d love to ask Ms. Lee some questions about it. For example, what was it like for a young white woman from Alabama to write such a book in 1960, and what was the fallout, if any, for writing it? I suspect there must have been fallout, because of how she withdrew from public life. I’d like to know what the ramifications were and how the fame of the novel affected her life. I’d also like to know about her decision not to publish after To Kill a Mockingbird. In no way do I believe she stopped writing, only that she stopped publishing, and I’d like to ask her about that.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Charles Dickens, who is one of my favorite authors. I have a set of sketches of original covers from six of his novels, and signed by his last surviving great-grandson. They’re one of the best gifts my husband ever gave me. I know Mr. Dickens had his faults, but I’ve always found him fascinating.

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

I wrote for years before I was published, and quite honestly haven’t realized the success I’d hoped for, but my advice would be to hang in there, to not give up. Keep working at your craft, go to major writers conferences when you’re able – not just to meet industry professionals, but to meet other writers. The relationships you’ll make will be invaluable, and will help keep you going when you’re tempted to quit.

I’d also say, if you write purely to be published and successful, you’ll most likely be disappointed. But if you write because of the need to tell the stories living inside you, the satisfaction will be worth all the hours you invest, all the disappointment you work through, and all the improvement you see in yourself with every finished book.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Color of Sorrow Isn’t Blue is the story of Bristol Taylor, whose young daughter, Kinsey, went missing. The one-year anniversary is approaching, and with the grief and guilt Bristol carries, she has no desire to be there for it. In fact, she plans to head to the coast where she will take her life to commemorate the exact hour Kinsey disappeared. But Bristol’s sister, best friend and crazy stepmother have no intention of letting Bristol be alone on the anniversary. Unaware of her true plans, they manage to thwart her at every turn. In all my novels I write about serious topics, but I love to infuse even the heaviest stories with humor, and this unlikely trio provide the comic relief this time around.

Love covers a multitude of sins, they say, but can it truly redeem the irredeemable? That’s the question explored in The Color of Sorrow Isn’t Blue.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Grief, it is said, is a sea that ebbs and flows. Comes in waves that roll over the shore, then recedes in a dizzying, lose-your-footing-in-the-sand sensation, leaving you unsettled but standing. Well, whoever said that never felt the tsunami effect, the drowning, sucking, tidal wave of grief.

I know, because I haven’t come up for air in five days short of a year. A suffocating, black hole of a year, each day collapsing in on itself like sand too long unwatered. Eighty-six hundred hours; five-hundred thousand minutes; thirty-one million seconds of a smothering nightmare I

can’t wake up from. A long slow terror, like free-falling in the dark with no cord to pull.

I don’t plan to be here for the anniversary five days from now. Not after what I saw this morning.

“I’m going to the beach house for a few days. On Thursday.” I ignore the shadow that flits across David’s face and clouds his eyes.

He blinks, but I know it doesn’t clear up a thing. “This Thursday?”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

I push down the pang of guilt that’s taken up residence in my gut this past year. “Yes.”

“But I thought ...” His words drift off with a head shake and a shrug.

I know exactly what he thought. He and I would do the interview together—because we aren’t the only ones watching the calendar—then we’d, what, pay a public visit to the Find Kinsey headquarters, strike a pathetic pose for the cameras, make another plea for our daughter’s return, then retreat to the cave that our home has become?

No, thank you.

The last printing we did of Kinsey’s “Missing” flyer is still stacked up on the brown laminated table with the pressed board showing through where the edges have chipped away—the only one left out of a room full of such tables—the stacks of flyers as high as they were five weeks ago. There are two brown metal chairs now instead of fifty, and that’s one more than we need most days. The phone seldom rings, and when it does it’s one more dead end, one more dagger to the heart.

I mean, really, how many times do we have to die before it’s over?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.sharonksouza.com.  And I blog with five very talented authors at www.novelmatters.com.

Thank you, Sharon, for sharing this new book with us. I'm anxious to read it, and I'm sure my readers are, too.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Color of Sorrow Isn't Blue

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

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

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

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

BRENTWOOD'S WARD - Michelle Griep - One Free Book

BIO: Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager.

She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones.

Welcome back, Michelle. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

That’s the great thing about a great God—life is such an adventure I don’t know what to expect next. But I do have a few ideas . . .

First off, I’ll be dipping my toes into the realm of non-fiction with a writing craft book to encourage writers of all shapes and sizes. Writer Off the Leash: Growing in the Writing Craft will be available in February.

Secondly, I recently spent an entire month in England, which filled me with a bajillion more story ideas. All historical. All romantic. All incredible. I’d better get writing!

Tell us a little about your family.

My crowded nest is currently gaining a bit more elbow room. Three of my four birds have flown the coop, leaving behind my twenty-year-old baby. But I’m not crying about it. My husband and I have adopted a replacement—a bouncing, baby boxer. Ada Clare is our newest addition, a seven-month-old fuzzy muzzle of love.

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

I’ve become a jaded reader. After studying the writing craft, I have a lower tolerance for those who haven’t and put out lazy writing. Now more than ever, I’m a lot more picky about what I read.

I know. I used to read everything, no matter whether it was well-written or not. But now, if there are too many glaring errors in the first few chapters, I stop. What are you working on right now?

A sequel to Brentwood’s Ward, though honestly, either could be a stand-alone. Here’s a blurb for Moore’s Maiden:

Officer ALEXANDER MOORE goes undercover as a rogue gambler to expose a traitorous plot against the crown—and a master he is with his disguise, for JOHANNA LANGLEY believes him to be quite the cad. But when Johanna is swept up in the intrigue, Alex must choose between his mission and reputation as a crack lawman or the woman he’s come to love.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to cook. Well, I suppose eating ranks right up there as well, but cooking and baking are a fun means to an end.

I’m also a closet season binge-watcher. I know, kind of sounds like a felony, right? Not at all. My husband and I have a few favorite shows to watch, but we wait until the entire season is out and watch it all in one weekend. Next on the docket is Downton Abby’s season four.

James and I are waiting for season five to be finished, so we can watch it that way. How do you choose your settings for each book?

It’s usually a place I’ve either been or would love to visit ... and always in England, whether the entire story takes place there or just part of it. I’m an Anglophile at heart.

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

Jesus, but I’m guessing that’s what everyone would say. I’d pick Ruth—as in the book of the Bible. I think she was pretty spunky so conversation might be interesting. Plus I’d like to hear first-hand her love story with Boaz.

I’m that way about Esther. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

That writing is a humbling road to travel. Actually, sometimes it’s downright humiliating. Thick skin is mandatory and mine used to be wafer thin.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

That no matter what He asks of me, as hard or devastating as it may seem, it’s always for my good and His glory.

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

Be teachable.

Take the time to learn the craft, always striving to polish your writing. Listen to what those who have been in the business longer have to say. There’s no room for pride in your baggage on this trip.

Be patient.

It takes a long time to write a book. Don’t expect to crank out three or four a year and have them be literarily fresh.

Laugh.

Don’t take things—especially yourself—so seriously.

Tell us about the featured book.

BRENTWWOOD’S WARD is a blend of Sherlock Holmes and Dickens. Here’s a blurb:

It takes a criminal to catch one, and Nicholas Brentwood is just the man for the job. Reformed in more ways than one, the rough-around-the-edges Brentwood is a member of the Bow Street Runners, London’s early nineteenth-century fledgling police force. There’s none better than Brentwood at catching the felons who ravage the city’s streets, and there’s nothing he loves more than seeing justice served.

Beautiful and beguiling, Miss Emily Payne is not the sort of miscreant Brentwood usually hunts down. When he is assigned as her bodyguard, he vows to protect her from her father’s enemies, who will stop at nothing to carry out their mission fueled by greed and revenge.

All her life, Emily has longed for love, but it remains beyond her grasp. This season she’s determined to find a husband, which is quite the undertaking with a hound-dog guardian like Brentwood watching her every step. If he would just give her some measure of freedom, she is sure she could win the heart of society’s most eligible bachelor.

Emily’s headstrong persistence challenges Nicholas in ways he doesn’t expect but of one thing he’s certain—of all the cunning criminals he’s dealt with in the past, this time he’s met his match.

Please give us the first page of the book.

London, 1807

“You, sir, are a rogue!” Emily Payne scowled into the black marble gaze fixed on hers, determined to win the deadlock of stares. Horrid beast. Must he always triumph?

Without so much as a blink, the pug angled his head. Sunlight from the front door’s transom window streamed over her shoulder, highlighting each of his fuzzy wrinkles. The pup’s face squinched into a doggy smile, coaxing a sigh from Emily. Who could remain cross with that scrunched up muzzle?

“I should’ve named you Scamp instead of Alf, eh boy?” She smiled, then laughed outright when he snuck in a quick kiss on her neck.

Beside her, Mary, her maid, joined in—until Mrs. Hunt, equal parts housekeeper and sergeant-major, huffed into the entry hall. Emily glanced at the matron over the pup’s head. If the Admiralty were smart, they’d press her into service, and the royal navy would learn a new meaning for shipshape in no time.

“Sorry, miss. The little beastie got clean away from me.” Mrs. Hunt reached for the fugitive, the smell of linseed oil and hard work wafting with the billow of her sleeve. “Hand him over, if you please. It won’t happen again.”

 “Hmm. Don’t be so sure.” Emily nuzzled his furry head with the top of her chin, well aware he ought not be encouraged, yet completely unable to stop herself.

Mary tsked. “He just can’t bear to be parted from you, miss, that’s all.”

“Which is more than I can say for the males of my own species,” she mumbled into the pup’s fur. Alf nestled against her shoulder. If only Charles Henley might become so attached, the empty void in her heart would be filled at last. After a last snuggle, she held the pug out to Mrs. Hunt.

But Alf wriggled during the transfer. His back paw caught the lace on her glove, tearing the sheer fabric. Frowning, she inspected the damage. “Oh, bother. Mary, would you—”

“I shall.” Her maid turned, but a rap on the front door spun her back around. “Right after I answer the—”

Emily shook her head. “I’ll do it. You see to the gloves.”

She opened the door to the height of fashion. By faith, the only thing Reginald Sedgewick prized more than his garments was his looking glass. “Uncle Reggie!” She smiled. “A bit early in the day for you, is it not?”

He nodded. Nothing more. Perhaps it was indeed too early for his usual cheerful banter. “Is your father home?” His voice crackled at the edges.

“I’ve not seen him, though that’s not unusual. Come in.” She stepped aside, and the scent of bay rum entered with him—or was it? One more sniff and her nose wrinkled. There was nothing bay about it. The man reeked of rum.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Follow my adventures at my blog WRITER OFF THE LEASH or visit michellegriep.com, and don’t forget the usual haunts of Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing this new book with us. My copy just came, so I haven't had time to read it. It went to the top of my to-be-read pile.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Brentwood's Ward - Christianbook.com
Brentwood's Ward: - Amazon
Brentwood's Ward - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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

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

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

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

ONCE A MARINE - Loree Lough - One Free Book

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

First, I’d like to take a moment to thank you, Lena, for yet again sharing your blog and fans with me! I know it’s been said before, but it bears repeating: You are by far one of the most generous authors I know!

In answer to your question, I’d say contemporaries are fun to write, but I find the challenge of researching historical facts even more fun! Learning about the tools, clothing, modes of transportation, even ordinary everyday words that were used during a certain time period fascinate me. How things looked “back then,” how people grew and cooked their food, how they treated commonplace illnesses … it’s truly like stepping into another world, and I love that!

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

From an early age, cowboys—and the cowboy way of life—have fascinated me, so I’d choose a state like Montana, the Dakotas, Colorado, or Wyoming. First choice, though, Texas, hands down, because I have so many pals there!

And we’d love for you to live near us. What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I’d love to return to Italy and Ireland, and make a first-time visit to Scotland!

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

One of our all-time favorite destinations was Alaska. Larry and I would love to go back, and this time, fly to Barrow and cross into the Arctic Circle. The weather didn’t cooperate last time we were there, so we missed seeing the Northern Lights. This time, we’d just have to stay long enough to fool persnickety ol’ Mother Nature!

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

Oh, Alaska, for sure! I have several series half-plotted that I’d set there, and all of them are action-adventure romances. I’d also like to take readers to the rocky shores of Nova Scotia during the early 1800s.

What is the main theme of this novel?

Trust is the driving force in Once a Marine. Both main characters carry the weight of past mistakes and heartaches into the story, and both must learn confidence in themselves before they can believe in the power of love.

Sounds wonderful. Tell us about the story.

When the story opens, Zach Marshall has just returned from active duty in Afghanistan. His past as a “rescuer” makes him susceptible to vulnerable women, so when he meets Summer, he does his best to avoid donning his knight in shining armor getup. Summer, the victim of a brutal attack, has spent 18 months healing—physically and emotionally—and comes to the realization that, like it or not, she must put her trust in a man.

Please give us the first pages of the book.

Zach waited until his folks were out of sight, then sat on the edge of Libby’s hospital bed. She looked so small and vulnerable, and he blamed the tangle of tubes and cords keeping track of her vital signs.

“Okay, they’re gone,” he said, taking her hand. “Quit faking and let me have it. All of it this time.”

“Faking?” she mumbled past swollen lips. “Who, me?”

“You’ve been awake for the past twenty minutes. You might have fooled Mom and Dad, but not me.”

Her face grew serious. “Okay, I’ll talk. But first, you have to promise me something.”

“What.”

“That you won’t put on your private investigator hat and try to find the guy. Because last thing Mom and Dad need is for you to get into trouble.”

“Whoa. Does that mean you know the guy? Is that why you think he’ll be easy to find?”

“Of course not. He snuck up on me. Took me completely by surprise. I didn’t see anything but the pavement, whooshing closer to my face.”

It wasn’t likely the cops would share what they knew, but if he could get anything out of them—

“Promise you’ll keep things to yourself, Zach, or I’m going back to sleep.”

The heart monitor beeped a little faster. “All right. Okay. Settle down, will you?” He cleared his throat. “I promise not to get in trouble.”

“Oh, you’re clever, I’ll give you that.” She gave him a look that said “I’ve got your number, pal…. But not clever enough. I want to hear you say ‘I promise not to tell Mom and Dad the rest of the story.’”

He searched his mind for a way to appease her without making the promise.

“I’ll be honest with you, partly because I need to talk about it as much as you need to hear what happened. But I can’t. I won’t. Not unless I have your word that you won’t try to play the hero again. Like I said, last thing Mom and Dad need is more stuff to worry about.”

Play the hero, again. The comment took him back to when Libby was in college, and a couple of her roommates called him when they got tangled up with some unsavory characters.

“I just couldn’t live with myself I you ended up in jail—or worse—because of me.”

She looked so small and frail, so afraid and worried that the only thing keeping him from scooping her up into a huge hug was his fear of hurting her.

“All right. Fine.” He made no effort to sound pleased, because he wasn’t. “I won’t hunt him down like the animal he is and beat the stuffin’ outta him.”

She relaxed slightly. “One more promise?”

“What now?”

“Stop looking so grim. If they come back and see you looking all serious and angry, they won’t let up until I tell them everything, too. Or worse, they’ll walk around looking all ‘poor Libby’ for who knows how long.” She gave his hand a weak squeeze. “Thank goodness I don’t have to worry you’ll do that.”

He feigned shock. “Hey. Just ‘cause I’m a Marine doesn’t mean I’m devoid of feelings, y’know.”

“It’s because you’re a big tough Marine that I can trust you to mask your feelings. You saw a lot of ugly stuff over there, but you learned how to compartmentalize it. If you feel sorry for me after…once I’ve told you everything, well, at least you’ll know how to fake it.”

Compartmentalize. Libby had chosen the right career path, all right. Too bad she couldn’t put her PhD to use, analyzing herself. Zach stifled a groan and sandwiched her hand between his.

“You’ll get no pity from me.”

Libby returned his halfhearted grin and plunged into her story. Halfway through the telling of it, the pace and volume of her words waned, and when she finished, Libby slipped into a fitful sleep.

Zach sat there, shaking his head and fighting tears. It was a relief, hearing she hadn’t been raped. Part of him wished she had known the guy. At least then, he’d have a target for his fury. But her attacker was still out there somewhere. Was he aware that Libby couldn’t identify him? Would he try to find her, and make sure she couldn’t testify against him? That possibility scared Zach almost as much as seeing the enemy churning through the Afghan dust.

His mind went into full Marine mode, looking for proactive ways to help her, to make sure nothing like this ever happened to her again.

And then it hit him.

When the docs released her from this place, he’d move into Libby’s townhouse and take care of her. While she recuperated, he’d start the wheels in motion to find a place of his own, preferably a shop of some kind with an upstairs apartment. He’d open a self-defense studio, right here in Vail. And when she was ready, Libby would be his first student.

“Let go of my hand, you goof. Your big meat hook is getting me all sweaty.”

Snickering, he did as she asked, just as their folks returned, each carrying a cardboard food tray.

“Oh good,” his mom whispered, “she’s still sleeping.”

“Sleeping?” It surprised her to see that Libby had closed her eyes. Faker, he thought, grinning. And thankfully, their mom was too busy doling out sandwiches and bags of chips to notice one corner of Libby’s mouth lift in a tiny sly grin.

It told him she’d be all right, and he had to put his back to the family to keep them from seeing his grateful tears.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m in all the usual places, and I hope everyone will reach out and say hi, often!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoreeLoughAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoreeALough

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

Web site: http://www.loreelough.com

Thank you, Loree, for sharing another new book with us. I know my readers are as anxious to read this as I am.

Readers, here is a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Once a Marine (Those Marshall Boys)

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

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

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

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

WINNERS!!!!

Britney (TX) is the winner of Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley.
Loraine (TX) is the winner of The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson.
Linda K (CA) is the winner of Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris.
Marianne (AZ) is the winner of Season of Forgiveness by Templa Melnick.

If you won a book and you like it, consider giving the author the courtesy of writing a review on Goodreads, Amazon.com, Christianbooks.com, Barnes and Noble, or other Internet sites. 

Also, tell your friends about the book ... and this blog. Thank you.

Congratulations, everyone. If you won a print book, send me your mailing address:
Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

If you won an ebook, just let me know what email address it should be sent to.

When you contact me, please give the title of the book you won, so I won't have to look it up.

Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.

FROM DISHES TO SNOW - Kathy M Howard - One Free Book

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

I tend to write more of myself into the characters than I originally think I will. Several of my personal feelings and thoughts are brought to light, whether others, including myself, realize it. Sometimes I feel like I lead a double life – one that the world sees and one that is between God and me. That side of myself that is usually only visible to God is given a chance to come out through the growth and inner workings of the characters. I am an introvert at heart and often that is the part of me that is expressed on paper.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’ve learned that the older I get, the quirkier I become. My family would say my most recent oddity is my dealings with hotels and vacation getaways. I am a homebody and don’t like to venture too far from the comfort of my own four walls. On those rare occasions when I do get out and must spend a night or two in a hotel, I bring my own sheets. I’m not a clean freak by any means, but I have a very hard time laying my head down at night until my own sheets and blanket are in place.

I take my own pillows when I go to hotels. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Since middle school, I have loved and truly enjoyed putting words to paper. Countless journals and sporadic pieces have been written over the years, but to call myself a writer – I guess that’s the opinion of the reader.

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

I love reading most Christian fiction novels, especially historical Christian fiction, from mystery to romance. On occasion, I also enjoy a good science fiction. Unfortunately, informational books and documentaries are usually a hard read for me.

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

I’ve learned over the years that I require “alone time.” In the midst of the blessed chaos of homeschooling, church activities, helping my husband at his chiropractic office, and the everyday duties of a wife and mother, I will escape to my room or even my parked car for that necessary quiet moment. There, I spend my time with God and try to write, even if the writing part comes after the kids are in the bed. By the end of the day, if I haven’t had that alone time, I find I am more tired and a bit cranky.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Several of the characters’ names are some alteration of my family’s. Others are names that I’ve heard over time that interested me or that I fancied as a little girl, dreaming of what I might one day name my children. Choosing a name is the fun part. It’s like I’ve been given a birth certificate for each character and I can pick from an endless pool of possibilities. Once that name is in print, the character is real, taking on an individual personality.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Professionally, I would have to say, seeing an unreachable dream come true is the accomplishment I am most proud of. Writing a book is something that was always on my “wouldn’t that be cool” list, but never imagined it would come to fruition. I am truly grateful and humbled that God has allowed it to happen. He receives all the glory.

Personally, I am most proud of my family. I wouldn’t call them an accomplishment, necessarily, but I am so very proud of them. They are my support, my sounding board, and my encouragement. God has definitely blessed me.

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

This is a fun question; one that I’ve given to my students in the past, but have never actually answered myself. I guess I would be a turtle. Turtles have their “alone time” and they carry their house with them in the disguise of a shell. I’d never have to bring my own sheets. J

What is your favorite food?

I am a very picky eater. I could live off of bread, chicken, and chocolate – and I basically do. I’d say my favorite food, although it is a dessert, is a delicious, homemade chocolate chip cookie with a tall glass of skim milk.

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

Writing takes more time than I ever imagined. Once a novel is written, it is then rewritten – draft after draft after draft. I have two school-aged daughters and a husband that I often felt disconnected from because of the amount of time that went into writing this novel. My family not only encouraged me, they also extremely patient with me as I tried to figure out how to write and spend time with them.

Most days, I wrote at night, after the kids went to bed, but there were those times when I was in the middle of a scene and knew I needed to get through it without breaks. When those situations arose, my family stepped up to the plate. My husband took the girls on an outing that Saturday or out to eat that Thursday evening, never complaining. I do not believe writing is an individual job. In the Howard household, it is a team effort.

Tell us about the featured book.

From Dishes to Snow tells the story of Bayne Harris, a young wife and mother finding her way to forgiveness and acceptance after the loss of her two children and her husband. She blames herself because she caused the accident that took their lives.

Bayne leaves her home in Augusta, Georgia, and escapes to View Top Mountain, North Carolina, in the hopes she will live, deservingly in her mind, in solitude, and unhappiness. Once there, God brings people into her life, including a love interest, that show her her idea of living is not God’s. God reveals Himself in a mighty way, using her solitude in a mountain cabin, the beloved new acquaintances, and an unexpected turn of events.

The book (hopefully) shows the emotions an individual can go through – from the darkness of a bottomless pit to the beautiful Light on the other side. God is good, all the time, even through our darkest hour. He never changes and He will see us through. We need to lean on Him and trust Him with everything, especially in that unimaginable hour.

Please give us the first page of the book.

I have included the first page of the PROLOGUE and the first page of Chapter One. I wasn’t sure which you would prefer.

PROLOGUE

 “Mrs. Harris? Ma’am? Can you hear me?”

The buzz of fluorescent lights above was deafening.

“Bayne, are you okay?”

I stood at the window, staring at the world outside. The sky was gray, dreary. Rain began to fall. The veteran doctor and co-worker of my husband walked slowly to my side. He unwrapped his stethoscope from around his neck and stopped within inches of my unmoving body. I felt his hot breath on top of my head. He spoke again, deliberately lowering his tone.

           

“I know this is hard, but I need for you to respond. Can. You. Hear. Me?”

           

“Yes! I hear you! I hear you! But, why am I here? Where’s Micah,” I yelled.

           

What was wrong with him? Wasn’t it his job to listen to his patients? Why was he ignoring me? Before I could reach a reasonable explanation for the doctor’s apparent indifference, my legs lost all feeling. They were suddenly numb, going limp from top to bottom. My body began to quiver, and my eyes fluttered wildly. Doctor Henderson reached out and grabbed my right arm, catching me as I started to fall. His cool fingers around my clammy skin steadied my shakiness and sense of understanding long enough to feel an invisible punch. The fierce blow of truth hit hard.

CHAPTER ONE

Everyone said it would get easier. They said, in time, life would get back to normal. They were wrong. After fourteen months nothing was easier, nothing came close to normalcy. I still woke up every morning expecting to hear the shower running and quiet giggles coming from the bedroom across the hall. I still spent twenty minutes struggling to get out of bed, day after day, praying it was all just a horrible nightmare. Surely the lack of sounds in the house was because Micah had stepped out to get the paper and the kids were still asleep. But, all was quiet.

           

All had been quiet for over a year now. The only sound I heard was from the decades-old ceiling fan above me as its pull chord banged the light fixture with every rotation of the blades. The rhythm was loud and monotonous, but in an unusually noiseless house, the distraction was welcomed. The banging kept the silence at bay for a while, until those first twenty minutes passed. Then the tears fell, and within seconds my pillow was saturated with the results of my reality.

           

My world was gone. Everything had been taken from me. Gone, and all because of my rushing, my poor decision-making. Doctor Henderson’s words continuously haunted me. It was an accident, plain and simple. It just happened. It was not just an accident. It was not plain or simple. And it definitely did not just happen. I let it happen. I was the cause that ripped my world apart.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I would love to hear from readers. They can email me at kathymhoward22@gmail.com, find me on Twitter at @kathymhoward1 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/from-dishes-to-snow.

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing a bit of your life with us along with your new book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
From Dishes to Snow - Christianbook.com
From Dishes to Snow - Amazon
From Dishes to Snow - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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

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

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

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

A PATH MADE PLAIN - Lynette Sowell - One Free Book

Bio: Lynette Sowell is the author of more than 20 titles for Barbour Publishing, Heartsong Presents, and Abingdon Press. Her work has won the Carol Award and appeared on the ECPA best seller list in 2014. When Lynette's not writing, she works as a newspaper reporter for her city paper and is an award-winning columnist. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband, their Texas heeler, and a duo of cats. She loves traveling, reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip.

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

Forgiveness – whether that be forgiving someone, forgiving yourself, or accepting God's forgiveness. God's faithfulness in spite of difficult circumstances is another theme I like to write about. Real life can throw us some curveballs, and fiction can cause struggles for characters too. I like to show my characters overcoming with God's help.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I'm preparing to re-release a mystery book series that was published some years ago, called Scents of Murder. I've had a great time getting to know these characters again as I've made tweaks to the books and some fun changes. After that, in early summer 2015 I have two novellas set to release in multiple-author book sets. I'm a hybrid author, and I've enjoyed a bit of independent publishing on the side.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

That's a tough one. For me, it's a toss-up between the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John. Paul wrote so much of the New Testament, I'd love to get some clarification on some things that he wrote, from his perspective, that is. :)  I'd like to meet John because of the books of the New Testament that he's written, to find out what it was like to walk with Jesus and see Him face to face.

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

There are SO many reasons authors get rejected. Those reasons can range from simply bad timing, to “we already have something similar to this” (the reason my first book was rejected), to “you need to work on plot/grammar/characterization, etc.,” to “this isn't a good fit for us.” Take a careful look at the reason for the rejection—if you're given a reason, that is.

Also, I believe most authors have two sides—the “business” author side and the “artist” author side. I would pray and decide which side of your author's personality you'll follow. The business-author will study the market and see where his or her style/voice will fit a niche in the market and adapt proposals to fit that. The artist-author will keep “following her heart,” so to speak, and keep pursuing publication with a style, regardless of the market. There is no guarantee, either way—but prayer and persistence will get you through. And chocolate for when those rejections come!

Tell us about the featured book.

A Path Made Plain is book two in the Seasons in Pinecraft series from Abingdon Press. It stands alone from book one (A Season of Change) and shares the story of young Betsy Yoder, who makes the Amish-Mennonite village of Pinecraft in Sarasota, Florida, her year-around home. She gets her family's support, literally and figuratively, to open a bakery. She's nursing a healing heart after the man she loved left the Order to join the Mennonite church. Then Thaddeus Zook, ex-Amish, roars into Pinecraft on his Harley. He's spent not quite a decade away from the church and his family after going to culinary school and becoming a pastry chef. He chooses Pinecraft, where his grandmother lives, as a safe place to get his life back together again.

Please give us the first pages of the book.

Betsy Yoder's cheeks ached from smiling as sweat trickled down her back. She dished up yet another serving of chicken pot pie to yet another wedding guest, while her splintered heart ached far more keenly than her outer discomfort.

           

Amish Jacob Miller had married Englisch Natalie Bennett not quite a week ago, and although the current celebration of a cousin here in Ohio helped buoy Betsy's spirits, she felt a throb of pain as if she'd witnessed Jacob and Natalie's wedding all over again.

With the new union, Betsy's dream died forever. It was not fair the mercury had shot up to more than eighty degrees today, and the promised rain never fell from the clouds scudding across the sky, to occasionally provide some shade. The pretty autumn weather was probably welcome to everyone in Ohio, except her.

Betsy couldn't get back to Pinecraft and Sarasota, Florida quickly enough, and her snug room at Aenti Chelle's house.

“You're doing fine, Betsy, just fine,” she muttered to herself.

“See? This means you are meant to stay here in Ohio,” her mamm said. “With us.” Mamm served up a dollop of mashed potatoes to a guest in line.

Betsy's cheeks flamed, hot as the pans holding food to feed a succession of three hundred guests—a rather small number for an Amish wedding. 

A man marrying an Englisch wife who'd joined the Beachy Amish Mennonite church was certainly not an everyday occurrence, nor something expected or one necessarily wanted to see, not if you were Amish in Ohio.

Which was why Jacob and his children had packed up the remainder of their belongings and moved to Florida, for good. Their bishop had given his blessing for them to join the Beachy Amish Mennonite Church in Sarasota, which had become Natalie's place to fellowship. She'd passed her proving time and been baptized into the Mennonite church before driving from Florida to Ohio for the wedding. Driving. As in a vehicle, not a buggy. Somehow, the fact Natalie's mammi and daadi had been Amish made everything all right.

The new bride had glowed in her cape dress and white head covering, but Betsy couldn't forget the first time she'd seen Natalie Bennett, clad in pink capris and a t-shirt. Betsy kept piling pot pie on brimming plates and wiping sweat from her brow. At least there was some shade with the wedding meal laid out on long tables under the trees on the Millers' property.

Her mother nudged her arm. “What, no protests? Since you aren't marrying Jacob, it's time for you to come home and stay home.” Did the humid breeze whooshing through the branches above conceal her mother's words from other ears? Betsy hoped so.

Her cheeks burned. “This isn't quite home anymore, Mamm.”

“Nonsense, Ohio will always be your home.” Her mother smiled at a guest passing by the table. “Your daed agreed to let you stay in Florida for a time, but now—”

“I have my housecleaning clients and Aenti Chelle says I'm welcome to stay in her home.”

“Your cousin Anna Mae could use some help in her quilt shop.”

Betsy fell silent. Of course, Mamm wouldn't budge. Daed would have the final say, so she just needed to bide her time until she returned to Sarasota by bus. The house she'd lived in for her twenty-one years should seem familiar, and it did, along with the room she used to share with sisters Grace, Phoebe, and Emma. But during the last week or so, it seemed she saw her surroundings with fresh, grown-up eyes.

Her practical side whispered in her ear as she lifted a now-empty pan off the table.

Back here, there are more prospects, more of your friends, more of everything you've always known. Mamm is right. On a day like today, given other circumstances, it would be easy to agree to move back to Ohio, returning to Florida long enough to gather her belongings from Aenti Chelle's and empty her Florida bank account.

The idea made the neckline of her dress tighten. Betsy tugged at it. Constricting, limiting. She had begged Gotte to tell her what to do next when she learned of Jacob and Natalie's engagement. She'd taken her father's approval to stay in Florida as a sign she and Jacob would one day be together, she just needed to be patient and bide her time.

“But living in Florida is for old people. You know what they say about Pinecraft. 'It's for newlyweds, half dead, and hard to get,'” her dearest friend Lottie had told her last winter when she'd shocked everyone by asking to remain in Pinecraft and work.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My blog is at http://lynettesowell.blogspot.com, and you can also find me on Facebook at my author page, www.facebook.com/lynettesowellauthor, on Twitter @LynetteSowell, and on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/lynettesowell. I also blog monthly over at notquiteamishliving.com and inspyromance.com.

Thank you, Lynette, for sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. I'm really enjoying this series.

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

A Path Made Plain - Christianbook.com
A Path Made Plain: Seasons in Pinecraft - Book 2 - Amazon

Christian Book Store

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