THE GOOD FIGHT - Matthew R Horn - One Free Book

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

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

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

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

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

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

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

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

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

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

How do you choose your characters’ names?

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

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

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

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

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

What is your favorite food?

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

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

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

Tell us about the featured book?

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

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

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

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

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

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

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

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

How can readers find you on the Internet?

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

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


Thank you, Matthew, for the interesting interview.


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


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

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

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

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

A FAMILIAR SHORE - Jennifer Fromke - One Free book

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

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

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

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

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

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

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

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

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

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

How do you choose your characters’ names?

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

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

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

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

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

What is your favorite food?

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

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

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

Tell us about the featured book.

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

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

Please give us the first page of the book.

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

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

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

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

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

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.jenniferfromke.com

http://www.facebook.com/jenniferfromke

Twitter:           @jenniferfromke


Thank you, Jennifer, for the interesting interview.


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


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

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

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

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

BACK TO RESOLUTION - Rose Dee - One Free Book

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

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

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

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

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is your favorite food?

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

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

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

Tell us about the featured book.

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

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

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit Rose at: www.rosedee.com


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


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


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

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

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

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

THE NEXT TARGET - Nikki Arana - One Free Book

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

I write “transformational fiction” and the spiritual theme is central to the structure of the novel. The spiritual theme in The Next Target is that Christ’s love is stronger than death. That truth is in play on many levels. The prologue opens with a scene set in “the expanse between space and time.” The reader finds Love there and he is dispatched to the hearts of the believers on earth. Then chapter one opens and the story begins. The reader learns it is love that motivates the heroine and as the story progresses the reader will find Christ’s love being stronger than death illustrated over and over in different ways.

Other spiritual themes that always draw me are forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives prospering what God has ordained.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

This was a two book contract, so my next book will come out next year. It is a stand alone book about a woman who helps a Muslim who has converted to Christianity escape from Iraq. God has a call on his life, and Satan is determined to stop her from answering that call. That takes the heroine on a journey she is not prepared for. The spiritual theme is the faithfulness of God to His people.

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

I would love to spend the evening with a Muslim who has converted to Christianity and is hiding underground in an area of radical Islamists in Africa. I have a ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted. I help persecuted Christians who are under the threat of death. But I do it from here in the safety of my world by providing resources to them to keep them alive. I know everything they face and all the satanic forces that are at play to kill them. I witness their faith in Christ that keeps them alive. And time after time, I see Christ move on their behalf in the most supernatural ways. Warning them of danger, hiding them in plain sight, providing food and money when there is no possible way to do it.

Jesus Christ has chosen to make me a witness to his power and authority. In the summer of 2010 I asked Him why. Why me? He answered me directly through Isaiah 43: ¹⁰ “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.”  

When I tell you what I have seen, I make you a witness. I believe that is why He is giving me these experiences, to make others witnesses so they will know, believe and understand that He is God. To spend time with a Muslim Background Believer as He walks in the spirit through the valley of the shadow of death would be a privilege and an honor. And perhaps it is in my future, maybe even right here in America. 

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

Jeanne Guyon. I am fascinated by this woman who lived in the 1600s. She taught that spiritual perfection can be attained when self is lost in the contemplation of God. This was her life experience, but unfortunately it was completely against the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church in the 17th century. She was put in prison for her faith in a Christ that desired intimacy with His followers. She taught others how to pray to establish intimacy with Him. I have her book on that and have used it in my prayer time. I would love to visit her in prison and hear about her union with God.

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

That is such a difficult but important question. Authors need encouragement. And not just the ones who only get rejection notices.  I went through a very difficult time with The Next Target, because the subject was evangelizing Muslims. The topic engendered fear in some and disdain in others. In some cases, publishers offered a contract if I would write something else. But I knew the Lord had called me to write about the need for safe houses in America for Muslims who convert to Christianity. As the months passed, I fought writers block, and yes, even despair. Always coming back to the one thing that could sustain me if only I was sure—was I truly called to write this book? Finally, through prayer and a willingness to be broken, the Lord led me to the truth. 

I was not called to write this book or any book. I was called to intimacy with Him. It is about letting your dreams die and being willing to live out His dreams for you. It is about spiritual growth that has nothing to do with the writing itself. It has to do with the journey. It has to do with sanctification, being set apart for His purposes, realizing that you are not meant to serve God, you are meant for God to serve man through you. If He chooses writing for you, He will proper what He ordains.

I no longer wonder if He has called me to write. I know He hasn't. He hasn't called me to do anything in my own strength. He has called me to intimacy with Him. Everything else is just the fruit of that relationship. It was the dawning of this life-giving truth that finally assured me about my writing, about God, His purpose, and His timing.

I encourage you to write the book you’re given and release the outcome to Him.

Tell us about the featured book.

Many people are interested in how I came to write The Next Target, which was just released. It was inspired by my ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted. I help persecuted Christians who are under the threat of death ...  here in America! That is code for Muslims who convert to Christianity. Working with Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) has changed my life. I feel a burden to tell their stories. To introduce American Christians who have a fear of Muslims to characters who are patterned after Muslims and MBBs I have met. They live and work among us. We can reach out to them, model the love of Christ, and then with the leading of the Holy Spirit, give them what Islam can never give!

This book is about an ordinary woman, Austia Donatelli, a young widow with an underground evangelistic ministry to Muslims., discovers a friend, someone close to her heart whom she recently led to Christ, has been murdered. She realizes immediately it was an honor killing. The brutal practice of families killing one of their own for converting to Christianity. Suddenly, Austia, her ministry, and everyone she cares about are thrust in the crosshairs of a terrorist organization. As the extremists zero in, she must unravel the deception surrounding her and protect innocent lives, including her own.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

Sabirah’s heart pounded as she felt the bottom of her purse for her car keys. Finally, locating the blade of the ignition key, she took them in hand. Her grip on them tightened. “Oh Jesus, protect me.” Then she slipped out the employee exit of the restaurant, pulling the door shut behind her.

A crescent moon provided the only light as she scanned the parking lot. She’d been careful that her family didn’t know where she lived or where she’d found work. Still ...

Seeing no one, she felt her heartbeat slow. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes heavenward. There was nothing to be afraid of.

A gentle breeze kicked up, teasing her with the scent of ocean air and turning her thoughts to the church picnic planned for Saturday. David was meeting her there. She felt heat rise in her cheeks at the thought of the handsome young man who led the singles group. She lowered her eyes. The idea of dating was still new to her. And ... well ... she just didn’t know what to expect. Her arm dropped to her side and a smile touched her lips as she made her way to her car. She’d decided to bring baklava, the sweet Middle Eastern pastry that Americans seemed to love. She was making it from scratch so it would be fresh. Pastor John had said she could use the church kitchen since ... The hairs on the back of her neck rose as an almost tangible malevolent energy manifested in the air around her.

A shadow fell across her shoulder.

“Sabirah.”

Way to hook us, Nikki. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.nikkiarana.com

www.nikkiarana.com/blog

www.facebook.com/nikkiaranaauthor
Twitter: @nikkiarana
I have author pages on Goodreads and Amazon too!


Thank you, Nikki, for the interesting interview today.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Next Target: A Novel - paperback
The Next Target: A Novel - Kindle


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

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

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

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

DEATH IN DELONEGA - Deborah Malone - One Free Book

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

In my Trixie Montgomery series I wrote a lot of myself into Trixie’s character. Those who know me well said they could see me when they were reading Death in Dahlonega. Trixie’s best friend Dee Dee is a combination of two of my friends – with their blessings. Some of the things they did when they were in Dahlonega actually happened when we were there – not the murder thoughJ

                         

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Hummmm, I’ll have to think about this one. I’m not sure what constitutes as quirky – I’m sure I’ve done some but can’t think of a particular one. I do have a funny story that goes with my book. When I was doing research on Death in Dahlonega I went to Dahlonega, Georgia, to the Gold Museum where the murder takes place in the book. When I told the Ranger I wanted to do research for a murder that takes place in the museum she told me to wait a few minutes. She came back and had called her supervisor and said they did not want me to write about their security system. Ugh – I didn’t know about their security system. Anyway, I thought it was pretty funny.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always loved to write, but first real break was when I entered a contest for Guidepost and the editor wrote me and said I had been a finalist. That gave me the encouragement to continue working. Several years later I submitted an article to Georgia Backroads a historical magazine and it was published. I’ve been writing for them for ten years now.

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

This is a great question. I used to only read mysteries and mostly cozies. That is still my favorite genre, but when I started reviewing books for my blog I discovered that I love all genres of books. I am so happy that I have been able to experience other genres. I would ask that readers try to read something new every now and then. I think they will be happily surprised.

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

I’d have to know your definition of sane first. LOL

How do you choose your characters’ names?

One thing I consider is what region they are from. I have used phone books in the area to see what names are listed. I’ve used the internet to look up names. In the book I’m working on now one of the characters is from England so I went to a web site and looked up English names. I came up with Georgia Knight.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

In my writing it would be having my book published.

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

Oh, this is a hard one. If I was a dog or a cat I could live in the house and be fed. If I was a bird I could fly high in the sky.

What is your favorite food?

Let’s see – I like chicken, potatoes, and salads. That’s not one, but I couldn’t list just one.

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

Learning all of the rules in writing was probably number one. As writers we don’t write like we talk and that is very hard. The more I write the more I understand them. Another problem was finding the time to write while taking care of my disabled daughter, Niki. But I’ve discovered if you want to write bad enough you can write through all kinds of things.

Tell us about the featured book.

Death in Dahlonega

Trixie Montgomery has gone through a rough divorce. She has moved back to her home town of Vans Valley, Georgia, where she moved in next door to her mother and great-aunt Nana. Trixie goes to work to supplement her income. She writes for Georgia by the Way a historical magazine. Her best friend Dee Dee accompanies her on a trip to Dahlonega, Georgia, where Trixie is working on an article about Gold Rush Days – an arts and crafts festival. They are watching a film on the actual gold rush days when Dee Dee excuses herself to go tinkle. While she’s gone she decides to snoop around and she stumbles upon a dead body. Not thinking she automatically pulls out the pickaxe and is found holding the bloody murder weapon. The victim, John Tatum, happens to be a man that Dee Dee had a run in with earlier that day. She rises to the top of the suspects list and when the town sheriff doesn’t seem to be looking for anyone else, Trixie decides to help her best friend. Together they must find the real killer to keep Dee Dee out of the slammer! This is a short, easy read and I hope it will be something my readers can sit down and read for pure enjoyment after a hard, stressful day. I hope Trixie, Dee Dee, and Nana’s antics will give you a laugh-out-loud moment.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

“Dahlonega, here we come!” I cheered, triumphant at the 10 miles to go sign. My knee ached from three hours in the car, my palms slick on the wheel from the harrowing twist of road.

“Here. Have some before I eat it all.” My passenger, and oldest friend, Dee Dee, shoved the bag of trail mix under my nose.

I dug through, finding only nuts, and pushed it back. “You ate all the chocolate pieces!”

She muffled an unapologetic sounding apology, then continued singing along as Alan shifted to Clint Black.

My Jeep Cherokee bumped over a rut in the road as a semi sped downhill a trifle too fast. My grip tightened on the vibrating steering wheel as we rounded another curve on the mountain road.

I one-hand-gripped the wheel, and cooled a sweaty palm on the air vent, thinking how this trip would propel my career from probationary to full-fledged reporter. This was my big chance to prove to my editor that I, Trixie Montgomery, could write an article with substance and flair, despite the rather routine subject matter. Who says you can’t start a career after forty?

After all, “Gold Rush Days” in the North Georgia Mountains was hardly Pulitzer Prize material. Even the best had to start somewhere. Besides, what girl in her right mind could turn down an opportunity to take a little vacation and get paid at the same time?

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thanks for coming, Dee Dee.” I couldn’t wait for a little antiquing, sightseeing, and plenty of good country cooking. What could possibly go wrong?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.deborah-malone.com

www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com              

www.sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com

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


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Death in Dahlonega - paperback
Death in Dahlonega - Kindle


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

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

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

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

Winners!!!!!

Marianne (Alberta) is the winner of Love in Disguise by Carol Cox. (I just finished reading this. You'll love it.)
Diana Gardner (VA) is the winner of Liberty Belle by Patricia PacJac Carroll.
Rubynreba (IL)  is the winner of End of the Trail from Vickie McDonough. 
Liz R (AL) is the winner of Winning the Widow's Heart by Sherri Shackleford.
Shirley T (IL) is the winner of The Midwife's Legacy by Rhonda Gibson.
Pam K (KS) is the winner of Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T Bergren. (I just started reading this on my Kindle.)

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

If you didn't win and you plan to order the book, please use the link provided on the individual interview. By using that link when you order, you will help support this blog.

NURTURED IN PURPLE - Jude Urbanski - One Free Ebook

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

I write in the Christian genre (in both fiction and nonfiction) because of being a Christian and because when I decided to seriously tackle writing, I made the deliberate choice to be in this genre.

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

There have been many, but I’d have to say when my children were born.

How has being published changed your life?

It has fulfilled a long-held dream for me, but also, it has opened my life to a whole set of new friends and information.

What are you reading right now?

A biography of Martin Luther King, and always a Max Lucado book, but just finished Girls of Riyadh, which was fascinating and fun to read.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m working on a short story for submission for a potential anthology. I have a third novel completed that I’m shopping. I’m also continuing to write my column for Maximum Living, a magazine for women’s health and spirituality.

What would be your dream vacation?

One of my “impossible dreams” is to go to Siberia. I know, I know, not most people’s dream vacation, but a place I want to see.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

The setting for my Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Series is Pickett County, TN, and this is where my ancestors were from and writing these books with that setting are sort of a completion of work begun by my mother in the 1930’s. She wrote sweet love stories with the same setting. My newest novel, Then Comes Hope, also begins in TN, but continues in Jamaica. Jamaica is just a place of interest for me, plus beautiful.

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

Wow, Lena, this is hard. Besides my husband, whom I always enjoy spending time with, I’d say Max Lucado or Billy Graham or the Dali Llama. Why? They have influenced me spiritually and it would be fun to ask some “what if” questions of them and just listen to their wisdom.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Paint, as on a canvas, genealogy, gardening, volunteering at church and for our local Housing Authority.

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

To give myself “permission” to give it the amount of time it requires. I overcome this by trying to be efficient (LOL), work when my husband is gone (He’s never gone!) and saying no to things I’ve no business doing.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

If you know you “must” write, just do it and continue doing it. Have the hide of an elephant and the patience of Job!

Tell us about the featured book.

I resisted writing this sequel until my publisher “sort of” suggested it. I thought I was tired of all these characters in book one and needed a break from them! Was I the one to be surprised. I fell in love with the scoundrel Willard and loosened my heart to the she-devil Elizabeth. I saw myself, I saw every other human, in these two flawed people. But I loved who they became with help of God and Seth and Kate, heroes of book one.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Here goes!

Chapter One

Chill, Willard, chill.

I have to act cool if I want to bump Seth Orbin out of this big sale and I do. Oh, yes I do.

He transferred the phone receiver to his other ear. This conversation was heating up.

''Well, you see, Hansford, in my opinion, the wood from Orbin Sawmills is inferior and will not meet your expectations, by any means. I don't sell wood, but in my career as a paper salesman, I've seen a lot of wood, if I do say so. I know you're used to the best wood available."

He paused and paced around his desk.

''Now, there is this mill in Burkesville I think you'd like and I know a man who can get you the very best deal there is. Want me to talk to him?"

Willard waited, wiped sweat from his brow, and ran his fingers around the neck of his collar.

''You do?" He hesitated just slightly. "Great." A silent sigh of relief shuddered through him, but a smile crawled up his face. ''I'll get right on it and call you back."

Maybe a few more sweet deals like this will make ole' Seth hurt.

He laughed and began dialing.

Willard Wittenberg had a vendetta to settle with Seth Orbin. His fiancée Elizabeth Koger had a vendetta to settle with Kate, Seth's pregnant wife.

*****

Kate tucked a stray, red curl behind her ear and placed her hand under her bulging abdomen, giving it a little hoist upward as the baby gave a hard kick. She touched what had to be a foot sticking out making a firm lump.

Seth walked into the sunny kitchen.

''Katalina, hate it, but I'll be late for dinner tonight. Remember I'm meeting again with Ninville about that big order? I'm sorry, dear." He placed arms around her swelling body in time to receive the next kick. ''Oh, gymnastics this morning, huh?" He nibbled at her ear and placed a soft kiss on her neck. ''Are you all right?"

''Seth, I'm fine, honey. Just tired. Your baby is sure strong willed. Oh, remember, I see Doctor Bertram for a checkup today? Right after I take Benji to preschool."

''Be sure to call me after your appointment and let me know how it went. Goodbye, love." He brushed her lips softly, but then took her in his arms and lowered his mouth to hers for a long kiss.

''Hey, there, husband, I will see you later. Remember?" Kate laughed. She touched fingers to his lips and locked with his pewter colored eyes. Eyes she had always loved.

''That's just to help me remember better. See you." He laughed and walked to the door.

Benji ran into the room. ''Bye, Daddy, bye! I know I already said goodbye, but wanted to say it again." A big grin hitched up his mouth from side to side.

Seth turned, bent on one knee, looked his little stepson in the eyes and tousled his hair. ''Bye again, Benji. Have a good day, will you?"

''I will."

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.judeurbanski.com

judeurbanski.blogspot.com

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com

https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/books?ie=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0

Thanks, beautiful woman! Jude Urbanski


Thank you, Jude, for stopping by today.


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Chronicles Chanute Crossing Book Two: Nurtured in Purple

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


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

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

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

SHORT-STRAW BRIDE - Karen Witemeyer - One Free Book

Bio:Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Readers, I’m reading this book right now. You’re going to love it. Now welcome, Karen. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

My spiritual themes tend to be influenced by my own struggles. In my newest release, Short-Straw Bride, my hero and his brothers have isolated themselves from the rest of their community. This originated from necessity since they were orphaned as young boys and had to fight to stay together and protect their land. But when the need for isolation passed, their habits had become so ingrained that the Archer brothers failed to reintegrate. Until Meredith Hayes breaches their solitude.

I tend to be introverted and love to hide myself away. However, the Bible calls us to live a life of community, of hospitality, of ministering to our neighbors and carrying each other's burdens. I can't do this if I barricade myself away. By tackling this spiritual theme in my novel, I was forced to face it myself. I tend to step on my own toes most of all when I write.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I only write one book a year, so Short-Straw Bride is the only one arriving in 2012. However, I recently learned that my 2011 release, To Win Her Heart, won the 2012 HOLT Medallion for Best Long Inspirational Romance, so I guess I'll brag on that one a bit. It is also a finalist for the RITA and the National Reader's Choice Award. Those results will be announced at the end of July at the RWA national conference.

Those awards are wonderful. My 2011 release recently won the Selah award for historical fiction. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Now, I just confessed to being an introvert, and now you want me to meet up with a complete stranger? Ha! I guess I need to keep working on that hospitality thing. I'm going to pick Josh Groban. I love his voice, and if I could somehow convince him to let me sing a duet with him (no audience, of course), I think I would float around in a delighted haze for weeks.

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

Elizabeth Blackwell. I remember reading a book about the first woman doctor when I was in 5^th grade, and it made a huge impact on me. Plus, I would love to ask her a ton of questions about medical treatment in the 1800s for research purposes. I'm writing a scene right now where my hero has to remove a bullet from another character, and having her input would be a tremendous help.

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

Publishing with a traditional house can be a difficult journey that requires perseverance and tough skin. Rejections are a big part of it. I wrote for 6 years before signing a contract. And that contract came after the same publisher rejected my first manuscript. Thankfully, they saw enough potential in me that they asked me to submit again. Even after publication, rejection is still part of the game. The last time I was up for a new contract, my publisher rejected 2 out of 3 of the story ideas I proposed. I had to go back to the drawing board and start again.

Do your best to learn and master the craft of writing, read extensively in your genre, study the market, find critique partners or freelance editors to help you discover problem areas, enter contests and listen to the feedback you receive, attend workshops and conferences to meet and network with industry professionals, but most of all, just keep writing and submitting.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here's the official blurb:

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Anderson County, Texas - 1870

Ten-year-old Meredith Hayes balled her hands into fists as she faced her tormentor.

"Hiram Ellis! Give me back my lunch bucket this instant!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Meri. Did you want this?" His voice dripped sarcasm as he dangled the small pail in front of her.

She lunged for it, but her hands met only air as the older boy snatched it away then tossed it over her head to his snickering brother. Meredith ricocheted between the two, never quite fast enough to get more than a finger on the tin.

Why was she always the one to get picked on? Meredith stomped her foot in frustration. She thought she'd gotten enough of a lead today after school, but Hiram must have been watching for her. He'd had it out for her ever since her family moved to the area last spring. Probably because the land they bought used to belong to his best friend's family.

"Meri, Meri, quite contrary," Hiram sang in a ridiculously high pitched voice, skipping in a circle around her and swinging the lunch bucket back and forth. A group of girls came around the bend and stopped to giggle behind their hands. Meredith asked for help, but they just stood there smirking and whispering behind their schoolbooks. Even Anna Leigh, her desk mate, and the one girl Meredith thought a friend. Angry tears pooled in her eyes, but Meredith blinked them away. She'd not let Hiram win.

You can read the entire first two chapters on my website, here: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/excerpt_straw.html

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers. The best place to do that is through my website: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com Here you can learn about my books, find deleted scenes, background on my characters, and a chance to enter my monthly giveaways.

I'm also fairly active on FaceBook. I'd love for you to send me a friend request.

I blog twice a month with a group of western romance authors over at Petticoats & Pistols. We have a lot of fun together, and if you enjoy rugged cowboy heroes, you'll fit right in. Come visit us here: http://petticoatsandpistols.com/

Thank you, Karen, for visiting with us today.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Short-Straw Bride - paperback
Short-Straw Bride - Kindle


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

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

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

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