THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS WISH - Laura Haley-McNeil - One Free Book

Welcome, Laura. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I’m sure there’s something about myself in my characters. After all, I know myself best of all, but I try to write my characters bold and fearless, which doesn’t always apply to me. Though they are compassionate, which I hope that I always am. We’re always faced with challenges in life, which are the challenges I want my characters to face, and even though the consequences won’t always be favorable, we want to do what is right. Knowing what we want and knowing what we should do can always make for an interesting conflict. 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I’m thinking about this question. Quirky may be normal for me. 

When did you first discover that you were a writer? For as long as I can remember, I have written. I took creative writing in high school and college. It was a rewarding experience to step into different worlds and create different characters, create different situations and work with the characters as they faced difficulty and decisions that would change their lives. The imagination is a wonderful place to be and when I can take others with me, that’s the most rewarding. 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. If the book is well written, most subject matter appeals to me. I wouldn’t consider myself a fan of science fiction or fantasy, but who doesn’t love books by Isaac Asimov and J. R. R. Tolkien? I’m also a huge fan of biographies and love it when an author can portray the individual as someone who was a living human being who faced adversity and was a better person for it. 

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? It’s very kind of you to assume I’ve kept my sanity. Others may disagree. Thankfully, my faith in God helps so that throughout my day I turn to Him to freely receive His love, peace, and mercy. I can control what happens in my books, but life is different. There is much out of my control, and perhaps accepting that helps. I focus on what I want to do and how I want to do it, but if my plans get sidetracked, I find another way to accomplish what I want. The mind is an amazing thing in that it consumes information then works with that to create solutions. Thankfully we are blessed with this amazing part of our bodies that doesn’t seem to understand defeat only how to make things work. 

How do you choose your characters’ names? When I come across an interesting name, I make a note of it, but I have to careful that I use names that won’t pull readers out of a story. I don’t want them stumbling over pronunciations. I say the first and last names aloud to make sure they sound good together, and I make sure they fit well with the names of other characters in the book. I also look for the names on the internet and make sure it doesn’t belong to someone well-known for any reason. 

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I don’t know if that I’m proud of something or that I’m amazed I accomplished something. When I finished my first book, I was amazed. It took me years to write it and every day I prayed God would give me the strength to persevere. Mercifully, He did. Now I’m much more confident that when I start a book, I’ll finish it. 

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I’m grateful God thought it better that I be human rather than an animal, but if I were an animal, I’d want to be something unique, unique to me anyway, like maybe a land-based, herbivorous dinosaur, because I don’t want to be an animal that would need to take another animal’s life to survive, but I’d be big and happy like in a Disney animated feature film. I hope anyway. 

What is your favorite food? Tough choice here, because food is such wonderful thing and I’m blessed to live in a country that has plenty of everything. My food at any moment depends on my mood, so it can change at a moment’s notice. I do prefer foods that are salty and fried, the bane of my existence, so right now I’d be happy with a bag of sour cream and chive chips, but I have moments when a slice of chocolate cake layered with rich creamy frosting would be absolutely divine. Anybody else feel the need to start scrounging through the kitchen cupboards? 

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I guess I touched on this earlier, but I needed the confidence that I had the strength to finish a book. I’m amazed when someone tells me reading a book is the same as writing a book. I wish! There’s so much planning that goes into a book. I make notes and outlines, but my characters don’t always pay attention to what I’ve planned for them and take detours that lead to an ending I’d never thought of. That solution oriented mind that I mentioned earlier at work again. Sometimes I’ll think of something that needs to be in the book and write toward that ending, but if I’ve already written the beginning, I have to go back and put in the clues so the reader understands character motivations. I once heard someone say it’s like juggling which is exactly how I feel when I’m writing. The book needs the appropriate beginning. The characters have to grow and learn. And the reader needs to turn that last page and feel that her time was well spent. Sometimes I get a little anxious when I finally publish a book, but a reader’s quick note to let me know how much she enjoyed the book makes it all worthwhile.  

Tell us about the featured book. The Billionaire’s Christmas Wish is Book 2 of the Christmas Billionaire Series. This book took me by surprise because River Jackson is a professional quarterback, and I don’t even watch football. That’s where an online critique group comes in handy because authors who are avid football fans gave me very good advice. Soledad was a character I’d wanted to write about because she isn’t American and came to this country because she’d lost everything in her own country. Dealing with secrets from their pasts, love was the last thing River and Soledad had on their minds, but love is full of surprises. 

Please give us the first page of the book. River Jackson stood on the sidewalk and stared at the old Denver schoolhouse. The three story building with its darkened windows looked like a multi-eyed creature staring back at him. A string of Christmas lights framed the entrance doors. Someone had attempted to bring this relic some holiday spirit.

He dragged fingers through his hair and glanced around The Grid neighborhood—tiny brick houses, some trimmed with Christmas lights, some with Christmas trees in the front windows. Most of the homes looked older than the schoolhouse, which had to be ancient.

Quiet fell over the area. Probably most of the neighbors were at work, but if anyone were home, would they wonder why the Denver Flyers’ starting quarterback was standing in front of the old schoolhouse? More likely they wouldn’t notice, because he wouldn’t stay long.

Looking back at the building, he wondered about the woman he’d meet—Mrs. Soledad Marcos. Coach Vato Diaz, the Flyers’ head coach, had told him she ran a learning center for the neighborhood children. Though the program focused on academics, Mrs. Marcos wanted a well-rounded curriculum that included physical activities and had emailed Denver teams asking if they could donate used sports equipment.

River heard the prep school he’d attended would donate their old uniforms, so River volunteered to deliver the equipment to Mrs. Marcos’ school. Since injuring his shoulder, he had a lot of free time, and he had an hour to kill before he met with Morris, his agent.

He released a rough exhale. Climbing the steps, he stood in front of the double oak doors and stared at the bronze handles. Should he knock? Coach had told him Mrs. Marcos lived at the school. How did anyone live in a schoolhouse? 

How can readers find you on the Internet? I love it when readers contact me and I answer every email and post. You can find me at the following sites: 

Website https://laurahaleymcneil.com/?doing_wp_cron=1604510764.2128190994262695312500 

Blog https://laurahaleymcneil.com/?doing_wp_cron=1604510764.2128190994262695312500 

Twitter https://twitter.com/laurarmcneil 

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

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lchm4115/_created/ 

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

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard 

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura-haley-mcneil 

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Haley-McNeil/e/B008S3WD10 

Newsletter https://laurahaleymcneil.com/?doing_wp_cron=1604510764.2128190994262695312500 

Thank you for the lovely visit. I’m so glad to spend time with you and get to know your followers. 

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your book with my blog readers and me. I’ve received my copy, and it is on top of my to-be-read pile. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/37l9yPT 

https://amzn.to/388EhPn

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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 PROMISE KEEPER - Sherri Stewart - One Free Book

Welcome, Sherri. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. “Write what you know,” is a common theme for writers. Of course, I know myself best, having lived with myself for more years than I’d care to mention. Often the conflicts dealt with in my stories are ones that I’ve dealt with. In my latest book, The Promise Keeper, Meadow deals with guilt over her last words to her father. That happened to me. Meadow was a principal as was I. I’d be interested in knowing if other authors write about themselves.

 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? There are so many things I could write about. How about the fact that I spend an hour every day learning to speak Welsh, which is a difficult language, and I’ll probably never use it?

 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I’m in a book club that meets monthly, and we try to read broadly, which I really appreciate. Last month we read, Travels with Charlie, by Steinbeck, and this month we’re reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. However, I draw the line at erotica, the occult, and gore. And I’ve thrown away more than a few books after reading a chapter or two.

 

I’m with you on that. Why continue to read a book that isn’t very good when there are so many really good ones out there to read? How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I don’t think we live in a run, run, run world, at least not at the moment with COVID. The question now is how do we keep our sanity in a stay-at-home world away from our families and friends. Like most writers, I’m an introvert, so I’m not as bothered by isolation as some people are. Yet I keep my sanity by reading the Bible every morning, keeping a journal, and memorizing Psalms. I’ve memorized three Psalms and I’m on my fourth since March when COVID started.

 

I’m actually an extrovert, so I really like being with people. But in this time of isolation, I too rely on the Lord. How do you choose your characters’ names? Often I name my characters after family members. In my next-to-be-released book in February, A Friend in High Places, all the characters are named after my favorite cousin’s family. I had to change around a few names when I realized the main character was falling in love with a guy with her brother’s name.

 

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? The hardest thing I ever did was take the California Bar exam. I was in my late fifties, working full time as a high school teacher and studying law at night and on weekends, and I didn’t even live in California. I only passed it because I begged God, and He probably got tired of listening to me.

 

Tell us about the featured book. Meadow meets Jonathan by chance when they end up with the same seat ticket to an Eagles’ concert in London’s Wembley Stadium. By the end of the evening, they both are smitten, and Jonathan believes that their meeting each other is more than mere coincidence. It’s God’s providence that’s brought them together. How else could two Americans share the same ticket?

Although Meadow would like to believe that God has brought them together, she’s not so sure. She’s leaving for Wales to visit the castles the next morning with other summer school students from Kings College. If Jonathan is right about providence, he should be able to find her with little help. Even so, Meadow will be returning to Atlanta to finish her last year of college, and Jonathan will be heading back to law school in New York.

They promise to keep in touch. Jonathan takes it a step further. He suggests that they meet at Cardiff Castle at Christmas in two years as long as they aren’t in another relationship at that time. Will Jonathan keep his promise?  Meadow wants to believe he will, but her father never kept his promise to be there for the family, so her trust level is low. If you enjoyed Serendipity and Sleepless in Seattle, The Promise Keeper is the book for you. 

Please give us the first page of the book.

August 23, 2010

“Sorry,” Meadow Spencer said for the twentieth time. She maneuvered around another pair of knees to her seat, which appeared to be in the center of the row. There was no way she was going to look down, having only been able to stretch her budget to buy a nosebleed seat. One glimpse at the stage before she reached her seat, and she’d suffer more than a nosebleed.

Seeing the Eagles at Wembley stadium in London made her feel a kinship with the American band. Meadow had bought the ticket on a whim but couldn’t convince anyone else in her dorm at Kings College to go with her, so she had to go by herself. Who goes to a concert by themselves? It was like going to a movie alone. She’d done that a few times. Difficult to sit there alone with the lights still up, so she always brought a book to read, but she’d look ridiculous reading a book up here.

Meadow kept her eyes alert for seat number 119, but each pair of knees she knocked against concealed the numbers, so she searched ahead for the empty seat. The place was packed. When she wasn’t bumping and apologizing, the red bag holding her sweater banged into shoulders and even a belly or two. Finally she almost reached the row’s center and glanced ahead, but the seat was filled. No, had she wasted this effort on the wrong row, the wrong section? It figured, she usually did things wrong the first time around.

A guy about her age with black hornrims—the cool kind—sat in 119. Tousled dark hair, probably the result of the London August wind, but cute nonetheless, and the longest jeaned legs ever. At least she didn’t have to climb over them. He glanced up and tried unsuccessfully to move his legs to the side.

“I believe that’s my seat.” Meadow held out the ticket. Luckily, the warm-up band was playing so he’d have time to find his seat. Who crashes the nosebleed section anyway?

Motions from the row behind to stop blocking their view made her kneel down.

The guy glanced up at her and she locked into the bluest eyes. “Let me see that,” he said. American accent. Hm. “119. Block 501 Row 33 Seat 119. Maybe I picked the wrong row.” He fumbled in his back pocket, took out his own ticket, and compared the two. “Hm. Appears we have the same ticket. Wonder how that happened.” He looked up at her, handed her back the ticket, then stood. “You sit here. I’ll find another seat. Sorry about this.”

“No,” she said. “Check the date on your ticket stub. The Eagles are performing tomorrow night as well.” She glanced down at hers. “Mine’s tonight.”

“As is mine.”

“Sit down,” somebody bellowed from above and behind.

The guy gestured toward the seat, then they maneuvered around each other’s waists. The heat in her face deepened, more from the ruckus she was causing than the energy from climbing to this section.

 

How can readers find you on the Internet? I would love for you to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. It’s all about food, faith, field trips, and fun. http://eepurl.com/gZ-mv9

https://www.amazon.com/author/sherristewart/ 

https://www.facebook.com/sherristewartauthor/

https://twitter.com/machere

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/758893.Sherri_Stewart

www.stewartwriting.com

https://www.instagram.com/stewart_sherri/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sherri-stewart

 

Thank you, Sherri, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2Wc31Rv 

https://amzn.to/3ackgKI

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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!!!

IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners  - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

Some people don't read the instructions of how to enter. Unfortunately, they don't have a chance to win. so next time you come and leave a comment, be sure to read all the instructions if you want a chance to win.

Pam (OH) is the winner of Melodies of Christmas Love by Dawn Kinzer + other authors. 

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

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Click the Contact Me link at the top of the blog, and send me an Email.

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Two AUTUMNS One SPRING - Elizabeth Ann Boyles - One Free Book

Welcome back, Elizabeth. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? From January, I will take a break from teaching a college course. This should allow more time for creating stories and for adding posts to my website. I’m looking forward to having blocks of uninterrupted time for writing. 

That will be wonderful. Tell us a little about your family. My husband of fifty years passed away in March. He left a huge hole, but I am thankful he is with our Savior and that I will see him again. We have two grown children and three grandsons. Our son and grandsons live close by, and we often get together on Sundays. All three grandsons have been involved in music, so I’ve enjoyed seeing them in concerts. Our daughter, whom I love to visit, lives in Colorado Springs. 

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? For many years, I read primarily Christian biographies and autobiographies. I still love the true accounts, but I also thoroughly enjoy well-written Christian fiction and general market best sellers. I began reading fiction when I started writing fiction. 

What are you working on right now? I’ve started a story about three young people marooned on an uninhabited island with a pirate. The end of the story will connect with the characters in Two Autumns, One Spring. 

I’ll be eager to feature that on my blog, too. What outside interests do you have? I’ve been enjoying getting to know students from the U.S. and from many different countries while teaching a course called Developing the Christian Mind at Dallas Baptist University. I’m thankful for my church and the ladies’ Bible study. Much to my amazement, when we moved three years ago, we bought a house next door to a fine couple who host a writing critique group, so I’m an eager participant in the group. 

How do you choose your settings for each book? The settings all center on the fascinating country of Japan. The first book includes scenes in the U.S. and Shanghai as well because the male protagonist is journeying into the Far East. My current work-in-progress is set on an island close enough to Japan for the characters’ ship to have been blown there from the Okinawa area. 

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? Outside of the awesome people found in the Bible, I’d choose my great-great uncle to hear about his real life as consul in Nagasaki. 

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? I wish I’d been told to read books on the craft of writing fiction. Academic writing and fiction are totally different. When I attended my first critique meeting, the members said my story’s first chapter sounded like a history book, which they politely hinted was pretty boring. 

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? I’m realizing more and more the importance of focusing on God, not the loss of my husband, problems, or wrong desires. He is teaching me to trust His presence in my daily life. 

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing fiction. Write about a subject that you are passionate about. Put words on the page and persevere so that you will actually finish writing a story. 

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book. Of the three stories in the Dragonfly Trilogy, Two Autumns, One Spring is the one I feel most passionate about. While I was working on the story, the movie, Silence, premiered. The film’s portrayal of God’s “silence” during the persecution of Japanese Christians distressed me. In Two Autumns, One Spring, I took delight in demonstrating God’s reality in the direst of circumstances. In order not to spoil previous stories in the series, I’ll just hint at what happens. A mother-in-law tries to end the marriage of two people deeply in love. A new Christian faces conflicts with the Japanese traditional beliefs, and a bitter official seeks revenge. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please visit my website: https://elizabethannboyles.com.

Also I have an author page at www.facebook.com/elizabethannboyles. 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing all three books in this series on my blog. Your writing has a sense of authenticity, and the characters are so well-developed. I know my blog readers have enjoyed hearing about each book. 

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/33YEtzK  - Paperback

https://amzn.to/373wbbI - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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 ESCAPE - Lisa Harris - One Free Book

Welcome back, Lisa. It’s always such a joy to feature you on my blog. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I don’t purposely write any of myself into my stories, but that said, I think it is inevitable to a degree. J For example, sometimes I find the spiritual thread my characters wrestle with to be my own search. And I’m sure there are other instances that I don’t even see, as my mother has mentioned it a time or two!

 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I don’t know if this is the quirkiest, but I have this quirky thing about eating peanut butter and jelly. Please do not get any peanut butter in the jelly jar! You have to use separate utensils.

 

I’m like you. I use a table knife for the peanut butter and a spoon for the jelly. When did you first discover that you were a writer? I’ve wanted to write stories for as long as I remember. My mom talks about dictating my stories before I knew how to write. Stories and characters have always been running around in my mind.

 

Isn’t that fun? Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I read primarily romantic suspense, historicals, medical thrillers, internationally set stories, and mysteries.

 

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? It’s hard, especially this year. I’ve spent a lot of time in praise and worship and just letting Him cover me with His peace. On the positive side, I think this year has helped us all realize what is really important in life. We’ve been forced to slow down and be appreciative of the little things.

 

How do you choose your characters’ names? I have a list of hero/heroine names I’ve used before so I make sure I don’t use them again. I jot downs names I hear that I like and then see what story they fit into. I have to have the names nailed down before I start writing, and I’m not sure how, but when it’s the right name, it just clicks!

 

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Writing accolades are temporary, and I’ve realized over the years that I want to hold instead onto what’s eternal. I was reminded of this again over Thanksgiving. When the quarantine started and I had my kids with me, we started a thankful jar. We read through them after Thanksgiving dinner and the repeated theme was thankfulness for our family. Despite all the ups and downs, I’m so grateful for my family. We’re not perfect, but we love each other and that’s such a blessing.

 

This pandemic has made most of us realize what’s really important and Who we need to put all trust in. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I think a cat. They just lounge around, eat, and purr. J Sounds perfect to me!

 

What is your favorite food? Probably TexMex.

 

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I think it would be fear. Afraid to put myself out there. Afraid of rejection and bad reviews. Putting out a story is scary. You want people to love it, but there will always be someone who doesn’t. You have to focus on putting out there what God puts on your heart as you continue to learn to write the best story you can. 

Tell us about the featured book? I’m having so much fun with this series! The Escape is book one of my new US Marshal series. Deputy US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are thrust into a high-profile case when they are called on to transport two prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. 

When Madison and Jonas regain consciousness, they find both pilots and one prisoner dead—and one fugitive on the run. They'll have to negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado while tracking a murderer who is desperate to disappear—and will do anything to stop them.

 

Please give us the first page of the book. 

There is a razor-thin edge between justice and revenge, where the two easily blur if left unchecked. Five years after her husband’s murder, Madison James was still trying to discover which side of the line she was on—though maybe it didn’t matter anymore. Nothing she did was going to bring Luke back.

Her pulse raced as she sprinted the final dozen yards of her morning run, needing the release of endorphins to pick up her mood and get her through the day. At least she had the weather on her side. After weeks of spring rains, typical for the Pacific Northwest, the sun was finally out, showing off blue skies and a stunning view of Mount Rainier in the distance. Spring had also brought with it the bright yellow blooms of the Oregon grape shrubs, planted widely throughout Seattle, along with colorful wild currants.

You couldn’t buy that kind of therapy.

Nearing the end of the trail, she slowed down and grabbed her water bottle out of her waist pack. Seconds later, her sister, Danielle, stopped beside her and leaned over, hands on her thighs, as she caught her breath.

 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can visit my website, www.lisaharriswrites.com or find me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris 

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Lena!!

Lisa, I love sharing your wonderful books with my readers, and they love them, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Escape Escape (US Marshals)  - Amazon paperback

The Escape (US Marshals Book 1)  - Kindle

The Escape: US Marshalls, Book 1 - Audio 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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

JESSIE'S HAIRY CHRISTMAS - Laura Domino - One Free Book

Welcome back, Laura. Why do you write the kind of books you do? I enjoy reading books that uplift and encourage me in my Christian faith, so I write books that are designed to do two things: entertain the reader and lead them to a closer look at their relationship with God. It is thrilling to see in a review that someone’s relationship with God was enhanced by my story. 

How has being published changed your life? Instead of saying that I plan to publish one day, I can say that I’ve published 21 books. I’ve met interesting people at book signings and writers, conferences. I can honestly say that writing and publishing has drawn me closer to God. 

What are you reading right now? A friend of mine, Wayne Kerr, wrote a very inspirational book called BRAVING: The Art of Pursuing What Make You Come Alive. 

What is your current work in progress? My third book in the Fulton Ridge Family series is the story of Paige. She was introduced in The Renovation. She’s also a minor character in the first two books in my current series. Now, she gets her own book to tell her perspective. 

What would be your dream vacation? I’d go to an island where there is plenty of water and beach time, but I’d also want to go hike up a mountain. My husband and I took a brief tour of Hawaii and enjoyed their beaches and a hike up to the wettest place on Earth (according to the sign). 

How do you choose your settings for each book? Most of my settings are a small town in Texas where I can create any neighborhood or business that a character needs. For Jessie, she took on my love for the beach and went to a place where she could wind down and breathe in the salt sea air. 

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? Before 2020, I loved to travel whenever I could. My husband and I have visited museums and aquariums on our anniversary trips. We also took our kids to national parks for camping and hiking, to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and to the beach in South Carolina.  

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? I’ve been trying to write faster. It’s often hard to balance writing time and family time. Since interruptions affect my writing speed, I’ve chosen a quiet corner of the house to hunker down in and write as much as I can in a day. 

What advice would you give to a beginning author? First, I would advise a new writer to tell the story of your heart in a concise and emotional way. Second, I’d suggest that you write three books before publishing to practice telling the story, find your style, and be consistent. Third, when you think you’re ready to publish, find a good editor. 

Tell us about the featured book. Jessie’s Hairy Christmas is about how someone moves from only depending on herself to depending on God with a little Scrooge and Tiny Tim mixed in. This story shows how love changes the plans of a live-for-today guy and a plan-for-tomorrow girl in this opposites attract, small town Christian romance 

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jessie Brown walked into Tammy’s salon office and asked, “Have you made a decision?”

Tammy laughed, keeping her focus on the computer screen on her desk. “It’s about time, right?”

No verbal response was necessary—just patience. Jessie kept her expression calm and offered a polite smile, trying to emulate Aunt Tillie. She hoped it didn’t look as fake as it felt.

“A good assistant manager is hard to find.” Tammy swiveled her head to look over her shoulder at Jessie. “I think you’d appreciate that I’m trying to find the right person for the job.”

“As expected.”

Tammy rolled her chair back from the desk and stood in front of Jessie. “Look, doll, you didn’t get it.” Tammy crossed her arms over her chest and gave what was probably intended to be a compassionate smile. She didn’t give very many of those, so she didn’t have much practice making it look real. “I need you to keep bringing in the customers. You’re so good at getting repeat customers.”

“It’s true,” Jessie said. “Many walk-ins do come back after an appointment with me. I’ll congratulate RuthiMay when she comes in. I hope she works out for you. But, for now, Tammy, I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice.”

“Really? Why?” Tammy’s voice creaked from decades of smoking.

“I’m moving.”

Tammy’s eyes widened. “Moving? Where are you going?”

Jessie looked through the doorway to see if RuthiMay was around. She’d worried all morning about the possibility of RuthiMay causing trouble. Self-control was a necessary tool in any business where people had to work together. Jessie refused to comment about the tip money that she should have received from the front desk, but didn’t. And she said nothing about RuthiMay scheduling a couple of highlighting appointments for herself instead of putting the new customers in the rotation. Instead, Jessie silently encouraged herself to avoid a messy end to her time working for Tammy. She didn’t need to accuse RuthiMay or address her general selfishness. Jessie simply answered the question. “I’m moving to the Galveston area. I’m starting my own salon down there.”

Tammy gave a confused stare and then raised her eyebrows. “Well, good for you, doll! Congratulations! Let me see.” She looked at her calendar. “I’ll need to keep you until after November eleventh. Then I can let you go.”

Jessie nodded. “Then, November eleventh will be my last day. Thank you. I’ll get back to the front to see if my customer is here.” She left Tammy’s office, relieved that the conversation went as well as it did. 

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Subscribe to Laura Domino’s weekly fiction newsletter:  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/uqno2p0xnz

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/lauradomino

LinkedIn:   https://linkedin.com/in/authorlauradomino

BookBub:   https://bookbub.com/authors/laura-domino

Facebook:   https://facebook.com/LauraDominoAuthor

Laura Domino’s book list:   https://readerlinks.com/mybooks/3179 

Thank you, Laura, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. 

https://amzn.to/2L8hKdK

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.) 

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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!!!

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THE GIVING MANGER - Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer - One Free Book and Box Set

The true spirit of Christmas often gets lost in busyness of the season. As the events of 2020 have made us slow down and shift some of our priorities, this year is the perfect time to refocus on the joy of giving and honor the real reason for Christmas: Jesus’ birth. With The Giving Manger (WorthyKids), creators and sisters Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer offer a faith-based interactive family tradition that encourages acts of kindness. 

Each Giving Manger box set contains a hardcover picture book, a wooden manger, a bundle of straw, and a sturdy Baby Jesus figure—everything a family needs to start the tradition in their own home. 

Q: Where did the original idea for The Giving Manger come from?  As we began to raise our own families, we often felt like the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving was getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. We wanted to start making the season more about giving and showing kindness to others. 

A trip down memory lane remained us of our neighbor who had a simple wooden manger in their home. A piece of straw would be placed in the manger each time someone in the family did something kind for someone else. We made the first manger in our garage and started filling the manger one act of kindness at a time. We loved nothing more than seeing our little ones excited to give! That simple manger shifted the focus of our Christmas. 

We originally made the tradition just for our own family, but when we told friends about what we were doing, we had so many friends who wanted one too. That’s when we put pen to paper, wood to the saw, and clay in our hands to create a book, manger, and baby Jesus—a complete tradition to help families focus on giving and the real meaning of Christmas. 

In order to be able to share this tradition with more families, we launched on Kickstarter and were funded within 72 hours! Three years later, after selling out each season, we are partnering with WorthyKids to make sure The Giving Manger can get to homes literally around the world. It has been so fun to see how many people everywhere are looking for the same thing we were—to shift the focus back to giving.

Q: Can you share a little bit about the story from The Giving Manger? 

The Giving Manger is a story of a family who shifts the focus of their Christmas. It tells the story of Anne and Ben who always look forward to Christmas. Each year their dad makes a special wooden toy for them, but he tells them this year will be different. They are starting a new tradition, and there will be more gifts this year, starting December 1. The kids misunderstand, thinking they will be getting more gifts. 

On December 1, they get the gift of a manger from their dad, but when they find out that the other gifts will be gifts of kindness to others, they are initially disappointed. However, once they see joy in giving and doing for others, their attitude starts to change. 

The story is a way to introduce the manger to the family and to explain the tradition you’ll be starting with your own family. Your kids may have the same reaction as the kids in the story at first, but you’ll soon see a change. The back of the book also includes ideas to get the family started on acts of kindness. 

This is a special story to us because it represents the same shift we’ve seen in our own families. The focus used to be lists and what the kids were going to RECEIVE for Christmas, but in adopting The Giving Manger the focus shifted to what we can GIVE. Christmas is different in our homes than it used to be, and we couldn’t be happier about it!

 

Q: What is included in The Giving Manger box set? How does the manger itself work? 

The Giving Manger box set includes: A hardcover book for children, wooden manger, bundle of straw and baby Jesus.  

Once the family reads the book together, you’ll be ready to set up the manger. Put it in a busy area of the house where you’ll see it regularly and it will be the center of family activities. 

Get your family excited about placing that first piece of straw in the manger when you do your first act of service. For each act of kindness, a piece of straw is placed in the manger. The family works together all Christmas season to create a soft bed for the Baby Jesus, and on Christmas Day you come together to place the baby in the manger that you filled with service and love that year. 

We joke that there is a step in the process where you bawl your eyes out as you watch your kids get excited about serving and the manger fills with straw! We’re only half joking about this step. It’s so special seeing your kids’ hearts grown and fill with love and joy. 

On Christmas Day, when the manger is full of straw, place baby Jesus in the manger.

 

Q: The illustrations in the book are both beautiful and unique. Can you describe a little bit about what makes the illustrations special? 

The illustrations are all paper cut rather than drawings. Each detail on every page was hand cut by artist Emily King. We’ve always been fans of her work and were thrilled when she agreed to illustrate The Giving Manger. Her simple, timeless art perfectly represents the design and goal of The Giving Manger. It is a simple concept, beautifully designed and something that can be used year after year, even passed down for generations. 

 

Q: When you started this tradition with your own family, were the kids hesitant at first like Anne and Ben in the book? Do you see that kids catch on quickly to this concept?  

The story is special to us because we saw a shift in our own families when it came to giving and receiving. Kids catch on quick because it is such a simple concept. 

It’s amazing to see how quickly kids are excited to give! It’s the little things; put your brother’s shoes away, draw a picture for grandma, help empty the dishwasher, leave a candy cane and a note for the mail man. 

The kids love to place that piece of straw in the manger and see it fill up! And having it displayed in your home is a constant reminder to GIVE all Christmas season! We have families tell us they don’t want to put the manger away when Christmas is over because they love seeing their kids so focused on thinking of and helping others!

 

Q: One reason moms dread a certain holiday tradition involving a certain elf is that it requires doing something daily. Do families have to do this every day or is it meant to be a reminder to try and do something as often as possible?  

We always encourage and challenge families to put a piece of straw in every day! What we find most often is they are already doing kind things for one another, but putting a piece of straw in helps us recognize it and celebrate it which leads to wanting to do more!  

The goal in the end is to do things for others every day without even having to think about it. Don’t over complicate kindness. Just start with one simple act of kindness. You’ll probably get addicted to it and actually want to do more! 

 

Q: Does every act of service have to be big? Can some of the activities be little things around the house? 

Little things count! Service to others does not have to be a big production. We always say that the kids can put a piece of straw in the manger for things like putting their brother’s shoes away, cleaning up the living room, helping a sibling make a bed, or holding the door open. Celebrating simple and small acts of kindness is how we end up with adults who give big! 

 

Q: For the sake of inspiration, what are some of your favorite acts of kindness that you’ve done as a family? 

There are so many we love, but one specific one stands out. Last year we heard about a sweet elderly man named Jack who lost his wife of 65 years. We rallied our Instagram followers and were able to fill his mailbox with over 500 letters to show him love during the holiday season. It is such a simple act of kindness, but those written words can lift anyone. 

So, our favorite is: draw a picture or write a note to someone. It could be left on a sibling’s pillow, dropped in the mail for a grandparent, delivered to a nursing home, or handed to a teacher! As a parent I love leaving notes for my kids on their bathroom mirror or in their lunchboxes or backpacks!  

Some other ideas for the Christmas season include: 

·       Drop off flowers to someone. How fun is it to have a poinsettia dropped off on your doorstep and have no idea who it’s from? And the kids love to drop the flowers, ring the doorbell and RUN! 

·       Set up a free hot cocoa stand! Who doesn’t love hot cocoa and a daring little face wishing you a Merry Christmas? 

·       Drop off a surprise dinner to someone. It could just be a take-out pizza or maybe you grab the kids and cook together— either way there is nothing better than seeing the joy on someone’s face when you deliver a meal!  

·       See how many times you can hold the door open for someone today. Our kids love this challenge and so does everyone who is on the receiving end of this kindness! 

On our website, we also have a list of ideas you can download for free.

 

Q: The Christmas season, like everything in 2020, is going to be different for a lot of people this year. Can you share a few ideas of ways to serve the elderly especially given restrictions for social distancing? 

We have a VERY special service project that has been created specifically to bless the elderly in nursing homes! It's estimated that 60% of nursing home residents never have visitors. That’s before they had to lockdown due to COVID and limit visitors. A simple letter or coloring picture can bring so much joy and make them feel "hugged" even if we can't be there to hug them.

On our website, you can simply download our kit, color one of the coloring pages or write a letter, and mail it to Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents (the address is included in the download).  

If you would like to do something close to home, call some of the nursing homes in your area and see what needs they have. You can collect small gifts such as socks, hand lotion, or chocolate from neighbors or your church and wrap them up with a letter or coloring sheet attached. Anything you do will make the residents feel special and will be greatly appreciated. 

Learn more at www.thegivingmanger.com and on Facebook (@thegivingmanger) and Instagram (@thegivingmanger).

 

Thank you, Allison and Lisa, for sharing this marvelous new idea with us. I know many of my blog readers will want to have one.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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 

GRAVE CHRISTMAS SECRETS - Sharee Stover - One Free Book

 Bio: Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting, and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd.

Welcome, Sharee. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I think it’s hard not to write yourself into your characters, at least it is for me. In each of my books, my characters have taken on a few of my traits, responses, and speech patterns. Readers who know me personally say they hear my voice when they read my books. That always makes me smile.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? I want my scenes to be as real as possible and that often involves acting them out. Especially escape scenarios. So, I may or may not have climbed into the backseat of my car and used my legs to strangle the imaginary driver.

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I enjoy journaling and have done so since I was a kid. I think in some ways I always knew I loved to write but I didn’t start writing fiction until my youngest child was born. And then the words just flowed!

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I am an avid reader and I enjoy almost all genres of books. I read nonfiction and fiction and love everything from historical to fantasy, though I don’t read a lot of fantasy. I do like speculative fiction and of course, suspense and mystery. I especially like crime fiction.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? The most important ingredient for maintaining my sanity is daily prayer time where it’s just me and Jesus. I need that time to feed my heart, mind, and soul with God’s word and prayer. It’s the first thing I do before I sit down to write, and I pray throughout the story as it develops as well.

I also exercise every day. I am blessed to have a husband who willingly runs and does high intensity workouts with me every morning. Before the sun is up, we’re outside with our 100 lb. German shepherd running and getting our blood flowing for the day.

And let’s not forget coffee. This is a must every single day.

Balancing writing and home life isn’t easy. I’m still a work in progress, but my family comes before writing. My computer is shut down by dinner, and I try hard not to write on the weekends because that’s family time.  

How do you choose your characters’ names? I love, love, love picking names. In fact, with each of my kids, I was already researching baby names as soon as I even thought I was pregnant. I use a multitude of resources including websites, books, and name generator programs. I also keep a list of names as I hear/read them for future reference. Researching the name’s meaning is important to me too. And once I’ve named a character, I do an Internet search to see if that name already belongs to someone famous. It’s hard to find a name that is totally unique, but occasionally it happens.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? My debut Love Inspired Suspense book, Secret Past won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards so that definitely tops the list. I’m living the dream, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity God has blessed me with.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I think being a bird would be awesome. To have freedom to fly as high as I wanted would be amazing.

 What is your favorite food? Fortunately, I’m pretty easy to feed. However, I am always in for Mexican food—especially melty cheesy, spicy dishes.

 What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My internal editor definitely tops the list. If I can keep her quiet long enough to get the words out, it’s a huge bonus. I obsessively edit and re-edit everything so once I can say “enough” and call it good, I’m thrilled.

Tell us about the featured book. Discovering buried evidence makes her a target. At a prehistoric site, forensic anthropologist Taya McGill uncovers a recently buried body days before Christmas—and finds herself in a killer’s sights. Now on the run with undercover ATF agent Keegan Stryker, she must rely on him to guard her as they figure out why someone would kill to keep this murder unsolved. But can they unearth the truth before someone silences them both for good?

Please give us the first page of the book. 

Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead. Forensic anthropologist Taya McGill disagreed with Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote. In her experience, the dead were horrible secret keepers. Rather, she’d dub them mysterious pirates hoarding a treasure trove of clues. And as a general rule, far more reliable than most living people she’d encountered.

Taya cherished the incredible honor of speaking for the dearly departed, even when an active crime scene overtook her nonexistent Christmas plans. The excavation freed her from the holiday hustle and bustle she detested more than the insufferable game and parks officer reigning as security over the site.

He’d gone, for now, but if his previous behavior was any indicator, there’d soon be more rounds in futility. Those who misjudged Taya’s petite five-foot, ninety-pound stature for weakness learned the hard way that her stubbornness came packaged like dynamite and equaled her determination.

Dr. Taya McGill would never again succumb to a uniformed bully.

“It’s just you and me, friend. You’re safe to share your secrets,” Taya said, brushing back dirt from the exposed skull. Her coworkers mocked the unconventional method of talking aloud to the victim, but the process worked for her. And since she spent the majority of her time alone, who did it bother, anyway?

Unpredictable weather had hindered the recovery of the human remains, hindering the dig’s progression. The frigid winter temperatures had banked at a high—if that was a relative term—of negative four degrees. The radical increasing wind speeds over the past hour had further complicated things. No overhead streetlamps illuminated the onyx sky. Rolling hills and the occasional farm nestled in an endless snow-covered landscape surrounded over three hundred acres of Ashfall Fossil Beds State Park in the northeastern corner of Royal, Nebraska.

She shivered and tugged the zipper of her down-alternative parka as high as it would go, tucking her nose in the warmth. It was after midnight, but Taya’s ongoing battle with insomnia provided her the excuse to continue working. The victim buried in the shallow grave deserved justice. As did those mourning her.

Taya leaned down and paused with her brush midair. She’d already exposed most of the skeletal form and prepared to collect the remains for transport to her laboratory at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Something red near the thoracic vertebrae peeked through the earth. With a delicate swipe, she uncovered the object. A small deflated latex balloon.

Taya sighed. The find wasn’t unusual. Addicts ingested the balloons as a method of muling illegal drugs. Was that this victim’s story?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: https://shareestover.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover

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

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shareestover

Buy link for Grave Christmas Secrets: https://amzn.to/2Wbyyn5

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover 

Thank you, Sharee, for sharing this book with us. I love reading romantic suspense novels. So do most of my blog readers.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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

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

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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