CHASING SHADOWS - Lynn Austin - One Free Book

Bio: Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction and was one of the first inductees into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. One of her novels, Hidden Places, was made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Lynn and her husband have three grown children and make their home in western Michigan.

Welcome, Lynn. Have you always loved books and reading? What about your formative years informed your love for reading and books? Books have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, beginning with bedtime stories when I was a child. My mother was the town librarian in the village where I grew up, so it’s not an exaggeration to say I was raised in a library. Over the years, I helped with everything from processing books to reading aloud for story hour, and I developed a deep appreciation for all sorts of books. In addition, my grandmother was a natural-born storyteller whose tales kept my sisters and me spellbound for hours on warm summer evenings.

How did you become a writer? I loved to read, but after a while it seemed like so many well-written books offered very little hope. Too many themes seemed to be “Life is hard and then you die.” I agree that life is hard—but God is good! So I sat down one day thirty-five years ago (I was a stay-at-home mom with a new baby at the time) and decided to write the kind of book I enjoyed reading—one that makes me laugh, makes me cry, and helps me learn something about myself and my life. I knew nothing about getting published (that would come later), but I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed writing. Eventually God brought a wonderful Christian author into my life who asked me to join her writers’ critique group, where I learned the basics of writing and publishing. As the years passed, I struggled to figure out if God was calling me to be a writer. I decided to persevere, and eleven years after I first sat down to write, my first novel was published.

My first book took eight years to publication. What made you want to write historical fiction? What about that genre do you enjoy? I write historical fiction because I love history, especially the little-known stories of ordinary people. For me, reading about the past and how people like me lived lives of courage in difficult times helps me live a life of faith and grace with God’s help. When we travel back in history through novels, I think it’s easier to see how God used tragic events as part of His redemption story. And that gives us faith to believe that He is still working now and that our lives can play a part in His story today.

What motivated you to write a story line about three women in the Netherlands and the challenges they faced due to the Nazi invasion in WWII? My inspiration was the book The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I read this book years ago, and it had a profound effect on my Christian walk. Corrie’s family had a deep faith and love for Christ, which led them to hide Jews in their home, at great personal risk, after the Nazis invaded their country. Corrie’s testimony of faith and of God’s faithfulness in spite of all that she endured in a concentration camp made me long for a relationship with God like hers. In another inspiring autobiography, Things We Couldn’t Say, author Diet Eman tells how she and her fiancé worked for the underground in the Netherlands during this same time period, propelled by their Christian faith. Christians in the Netherlands suffered a great deal during WWII, yet accomplished brave, heroic deeds in Christ’s name. I wanted to honor them by telling their story.

Please tell us a bit about the setting of your novel. What prompted you to write about the Netherlands? Chasing Shadows takes place in the Netherlands during World War II, primarily in and around the city of Leiden. All of my books have been translated and published in Dutch, and my publisher has kindly invited me on book tours in the past to meet my readers in the Netherlands. I fell in love with that beautiful little country and wanted to write about it. I got to know it even better when our son Benjamin lived there for four years while earning his PhD from the University of Leiden. Also, my husband’s maternal grandfather emigrated from the Netherlands, so that added to my interest in learning the country’s history.

Please tell us about your main characters in Chasing Shadows and what specific challenges each one of them faces. Lena de Vries is a wife and mother who loves her life on a farm in the country outside of Leiden. But after the Nazi invasion, her Christian faith compels her and her husband, Pieter, to fight against the Nazis’ evil, putting her and her family at great risk. Lena’s daughter Ans de Vries is unhappy with her life on the farm and with her parents’ Christian faith. She takes a job in Leiden as a companion to Eloise Huizenga, who struggles with depression. When the Netherlands is invaded, Ans will need to find strength and renewed faith in order to keep Eloise and herself from despair, while walking the dangerous path of opposing the Nazis. Miriam Jacobs is a Jewish woman who flees from Germany to the Netherlands with her father to escape persecution. After falling in love with Avi Leopold in a refugee camp, she and her new husband and child will need to go into hiding in order to survive, with help from Lena and Ans.

I knew I had to read the book with a heroine named Lena. Who was your favorite character to write and why? I think I related to Lena the most because she is a wife and mother of three children, including an adult daughter. She had to make many difficult choices during the war and needed to consider not only her own safety and survival, but her family’s as well. She was forced to lean on God and to trust Him in impossible circumstances—something many wives and mothers must often do. And she had to learn the hardest lesson of all—not to hate, but to love our enemies as Jesus taught us to do.

What lessons can be learned from your main characters? All three women found themselves plunged into impossible circumstances that they never could have foreseen. Not only were their lives turned upside down overnight, they lived in daily suspense, never knowing what would happen next, how long the war would last, or if their lives would ever return to normal. One lesson I learned while writing this book was not to take my life for granted in the good years. And not to take my relationship with God for granted when things are going well, either. We never know when or how life could change, so the faith that gets us through the hard times must be cultivated and nourished in the good times. We’ll never know how strong we are, how strong our faith is, or how faithful God is until we endure hardship.

How much research did you have to do on the WWII period in the Netherlands? I was able to find timelines and history books that detailed the history of this era online and in the library. And I traveled to the Netherlands to do research on-site and in museums, taking lots of photographs and notes. Visiting the Westerbork concentration camp was an especially moving experience. But my favorite resources were the true stories of men and women who lived through this time period. Because I live in a community with a large Dutch immigrant population, I was able to interview people and read their memoirs and combine many of their firsthand stories into this novel. I asked my Dutch readers to send me their stories as well. Those true stories brought the story to life more than any history book ever could.

What is your hope for Chasing Shadows? How do you hope this story resonates with your readers? We’ve all been “at war” with the COVID-19 virus this past year, and the fear and uncertainty and isolation we’ve experienced has many parallels with an enemy invasion like the one my characters endure in this novel. It’s my hope that Chasing Shadows will lead readers to take a closer look at their own faith, just as I did after first reading The Hiding Place years ago. I remember wanting a faith like Corrie ten Boom and her family had, one that would sustain me through unforeseen trials and hardships. I pray that this novel will inspire readers to pursue a closer walk with God and a commitment to serve in His Kingdom with whatever gifts He has given them.

Thank you for sharing your book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here’s where you can find Lynn online: http://www.lynnaustin.org .

Buy Links for the book:

ttps://amzn.to/3x8aWzK

https://amzn.to/3g2wA2l

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 c

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 do n't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.

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Kay (AR) is the winner of Dusk's Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller 

Linda (CA) is the winner of The Wardrobe Dinner Theater by Candee Fick.

Melissa (TN) is the winner of Hallowed Halls by Hannah Alexander. 

Ann (NM) is the winner of Made for Each Other by Karen Cogan.

 

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.

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

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

If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.        

ON SUGAR HILL - Ane Mulligan - One Free Book

Welcome back, Ane. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about? Trusting God seems to show up a lot, but in this new release, On Sugar Hill, the theme of self-image is apparent. Women are so hard on themselves, comparing themselves to others by the world’s standards and not God’s.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

By the Sweet Gum releases March of 2022. It takes place in a Georgia mill village in 1930.

She’s bound by duty. He’s tethered to a dream.

In the beleaguered mill town of Sweetgum, Georgia, Genessee Taylor dreams of a life beyond running the mill-owned hotel with her family. Though the work is honest, the owner of the mill is not. Genessee and her father long to see stronger labor laws passed to protect the innocent children who are injured and dying in the mill. When the owner learns of their activity, he will stop at nothing to silence them. 

Tommy Mack works at the mill and dreams of playing professional ball and marrying Genessee. When he’s contracted by a big-league team, his dreams are within grasp. Just as Tommy and Genessee’s wedding is on the horizon, tragedy strikes Sweetgum. Tommy can’t stay and Genessee can’t leave. 

Is there any way for them to battle through loss, deception, and sacrifice to find their way back to each other? If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Carol Burnett. It’s no secret that I love theatre, and I wanted to be just like her when I was growing up. Her comedy is legendary, and she’s also a writer. She would have a lot of wisdom to impart.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? I’ve always enjoyed the biographies of the U.S. Presidents’ wives. I suppose I’d pick one of them, and being that I’m writing during the Great Depression, I’d say Eleanor Roosevelt.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers? Don’t give up. It took me twelve years to get a publishing contract. Instead of fussing, I enjoyed the journey, making friends with writers, agents, and editors. I worked hard to keep improving my craft. I also learned to factor God’s timeline into mine. It was well worth the wait. By the time I got that illusive contract, I had three novels ready to publish and never faced a horrible deadline.

And I thought my eight-year wait was a long time. Tell us about the featured book.

On Sugar Hill

She traded Sugar Hill for Vaudeville. Now she’s back.

The day Cora Fitzgerald turned sixteen, she fled Sugar Hill for the bright lights of Vaudeville, leaving behind her senator-father’s verbal abuse. But just as her career takes off, she’s summoned back home. And everything changes. 

The stock market crashes. The senator is dead. Her mother is delusional, and her mute Aunt Clara pens novels that have people talking. Then there’s Boone Robertson, who never knew she was alive back in high school, but now manages to be around whenever she needs help. 

Will the people of her past keep her from a brilliant future?          

Please give us the first page of the book.

New York, October 31, 1929

Rumors soar in the wings of the Palace Theatre here in New York and everywhere else with a vaudeville stage. Normally, I don’t give credence to hearsay, but I have high stakes in this one. My career.

Vaudeville is dying.

With one finger, I draw back the curtain a quarter inch and peek out at the audience. This stage is my favorite spot in the whole world, where makeup can turn even a plain Jane like me into a beautiful woman. Here, I’m Dixie Lynn, adored by audiences, a success, a star—not Cora Fitzgerald, a disappointment.

In the first row, Madame Dressler, my vocal coach, watches all my performances and takes notes. Aware of the rumors, she says to leave what’s left of vaudeville behind and break into Broadway revues, I must perfect my singing voice. “Hard vork for expandink your vocal strength and range. Dat ees your tee-ket,” she tells me every week. I’d rather be an ingénue—a leading lady. But Madame Dressler says I don’t possess the required beauty. I need my voice.

As if I didn’t already know that.

Nobody’s certain from whence my other talent originated. The peculiar one. I don’t think it’s really a talent, just an ability, but as a four-year-old, I could make my dolls talk. By the time I was six, I could throw my voice across a room. I figured if I weren’t a beauty, at least I could be entertaining. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun that was. Mama and Aunt Clara thought it was funny when I’d frighten the servants and the senator half out of their wits. The senator had a different opinion.

With one more peek through the curtain at the full house, I signal ready to the stage manager and step into place in the center of the stage. I settle my ventriloquist dummy, Sugar, on the high, round table beside me and smooth her dress. The annunciator bearing my name slides into its window at stage right.

The curtain rises.

That sounds wonderful. How can readers find you on the Internet? I can be found on my website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter, and The Write Conversation.

Thank you, Ane, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it. Remember, we both have a theater background.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3pijW2o - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3vOR0ld -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 CAPTAIN'S QUEST - Lorri Dudley - One Free Book

Welcome back, Lorri. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about? Writing an island series has allowed me to illustrate the lengths God is willing to go to reach His beloved children. He will meet you wherever you are, chase you to a far-off island, if need be, to get your attention. He sees you, and His love for you surpasses all knowledge and understanding. I often pray Ephesians 3:18 over my readers that they may grasp just how wide, long, high, and deep the love of Christ is for them. Some other sub-themes are fear, forgiveness, and surrender.

The Captain’s Quest touches on how God never leaves us. Priscilla struggles with the anxiety of being alone. She learns God's always with her, filling her with His strength to face her greatest fears together.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

The Marquis's Pursuit is the next in the series, where the story's hero is young Max (now grown-up) from my first book, The Duke's Refuge. He returns to Nevis for its healing springs in a desperate attempt to save his friend dying from consumption. Max's hopes wash away as secrets unravel about the hotel, its springs, and its beautiful caretaker. However, God works in mysterious ways, in this case, for love and redemption.

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 have dinner with Bob Goff. After reading several of his books, my favorite being Love Does, and watching him speak online, I can imagine a night of holding my side due to uncontrollable laughter, followed by a call to action, and a sendoff with Godly purpose. He's hysterical in his delivery and has the craziest stories, driven by a passion for loving people and loving God, which coincides with my tag line: love because you are loved.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? I've always had a fascination with Deborah from the book of Judges. A wise prophetess, she not only shared God's word with the Israelites but stood on her faith and took action. I'd love to hear how she juggled work and home life and handled a leadership role in a male-dominated culture. Most of all, I'd like to ask her wisdom on raising boys into men since I have three of my own on the cusp of manhood. Deborah had warned Barak that the glory of battle would go to a woman because of his lack of faith. Barak had refused to go into battle without Deborah, and so God let the glory go to Jael, wife of a clan leader, who put a tent spike through the head of their enemy. I'd love to have the wisdom to forewarn my boys so they don't waver in their faith and can be bold leaders for God's kingdom, but also the insite to know when to step aside and let them learn from their own mistakes.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers? Be tenacious. This is a challenging industry to break into, but there are readers out there who will love your stories. There were many times when I questioned God if I was trying to do something outside His will. But He was faithful, giving me just enough encouragement to keep going, whether it was placing in a contest or the lyrics of a worship song.

Use rejection to learn. I have a love/hate relationship with James 1:2-4, where it says to consider it pure joy when you face trials because the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance will make us mature and complete, not lacking in anything. It's a lot easier to look back on the trials and appreciate how they helped you grow. There is nothing like feedback on your own writing to help you develop as a writer. Seek it out. I had to set aside the critiques sometimes for a day, sometimes for a month, to look at them objectively and learn from them. Take the time you need, but use the critiques wisely.

Use every opportunity. It can be scary, especially for introverts, to reach out to other writers, but it was an author friend who connected me with Misty Beller at Wild Heart Books, and I'm so glad she did. Writers conferences are great ways to congregate with other authors, but you must make the most of it—reach out, strike up conversations, reach out through social media afterward, read their books. I met all of my critique partners at conferences because I asked them if they'd be willing to swap some chapters.

Tell us about the featured book.

Pricilla Middleton is Lottie's friend from The Merchant's Yield.

Pricilla attends the Lemoore house party to establish a new friendship to fill the void of Lottie's departure. However, Priscilla's new friend lands Priscilla in a heap of trouble, and her only chance to keep from becoming a gossip column headline is to sneak aboard her brother's ship and pretend she'd been visiting him instead of taking part in the debacle. Before she can speak to her brother, the ship sets sail, and the captain is not at all who she expects.
Captain Tobias Prescott, son of an infamous war hero, has been assigned a critical mission to deploy warships in St. Kitts for battle in New Orleans. Unfortunately, his orders require him to assume command of Middleton's ship, and he must weigh anchor the instant the former captain is escorted down the gangplank. When they reach open waters, the last thing he expects is to find a woman hiding in the captain's cabin, yet his mission is too urgent to return her to England.
​The Middleton name has always brought Tobias trouble, and Pricilla is no exception. As the waters clear and the temperature warms, the danger escalates too. Yet Tobias discovers the intuitive and strong woman who struggles to hide her anxiety is nothing like her disloyal brother. He may lose the opportunity to help his country, but perhaps he can still save the woman who's rescued his heart.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Uncover the French infiltrators and compromise their mission.

Letter from his superiors to Admiral Middleton

England, November 18, 1814

Why did I agree to this? Priscilla Leah Middleton pressed her loo mask tighter against her face. Other dancer's skirts swirled around her like colorful pinwheels, roused by the music boisterous and emboldened by the anonymity gained from their striking costumes. Greek Gods, bright bird plumage, historical heroes, or her own Little Bo-peep costume did nothing to diminish unease pricking her conscience.

Was she that desperate for a close friendship, enough to relent to Nellie's whimsical woes of heartache? They'd only become acquainted in the past few months, and in that time, Nellie seemed determined to entangle them in a scandal.

The violinist concerto finished its movement, and dancers changed direction. Distracted, Priscilla would have continued straight, but her dance partner's robust frame saved her from embarrassing herself. She flashed her gratitude.

Her stately partner returned her smile, but even behind his mask, she could tell it didn't reach his eyes.

The rapping on her conscience intensified, bottling pressure. "It is quite a party, is it not?" she blurted, although conversing while dancing would be difficult.

"Quite." His gaze floated above her, scanning the room.

A flood gate of nervous prattle opened. "Does Lady Lemoore always entertain such interesting groups of people? I recognize politicians mixing with opera singers, military officers speaking to notorious rakes and gamblers. This is quite…"

"Indeed." A coldness shone in his gaze.

Her breath hitched. Had he taken offense to her statement? Perhaps he fit into a latter category. "I love a good party, dancing, meeting interesting people, matchmaking among friends. It's thrilling. Don't you agree?"

As though unaware she'd spoken, his attention drifted to the far corner.

At least she'd learned something about this man Nellie had insisted Priscilla partner for a dance—he wasn't a conservationist.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: http://lorridudley.com

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lorri-dudley

Facebook: https://facebook.com/lorri.dudley.14

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/lorridudley14/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lorridudley/?hl=en

Thank you, Lorri, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’ve loved the previous books in the series. I’m really looking forward to reading this one, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3wPvI6O - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3wMUbd5 - 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 

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 do n't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POSTTITLES 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.

Stephanie (NY) is the winner of To Love a Prince by Rachel Hauck. 

Janie (KS) is the winner of Princess Lillian and Grandpa's Goodbye by Jenny Fulton.

Alison (MI) is the winner of The Storm Breaks Forth by Terri Wangard. 

Valri (TX) is the winner of Present Danger by Elizabeth Goddard.

 

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.

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

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

If you won an ebook or audio book, just let me know what email address it should be sent to. Remember, you have 4 weeks to claim your book.       

MADE FOR EACH OTHER - Karen Cogan - One Free book

Welcome, Karen. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. I write bits of myself into many of my main characters. They may have opinions I share and habits that I have. I write my favorite meals into my books as well as habits I had as a child. 

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? The quirkiest thing I’ve done is having our house painted vivid blue when my husband was out of town. He was surprised by how “blue” it turned out. I love blue!  

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I became a writer before I could write. I made up stories and told them to my older sister so that she could write them down. Then, I wrote my own stories in elementary school. 

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I enjoy a variety of literature. I like clean contemporary and historical romance, Christian romance, and psychological suspense. 

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?  I don’t. There are some days I hardly have time to get a drink. I still make time to write or to record audio books each day. That is one of the things that keep me sane. The other things are my faith in God and the company of my family. 

How do you choose your characters’ names? My characters’ names must fit the role and personality they will have in the story. I try different names and imagine them with the name. If it doesn’t fit, I try again. I know when it matches how I imagine them.  

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I am most proud of raising four God-loving children. If all of my other dreams had come true and yet my children were not people I respected, I would not feel proud of anything. 

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I believe I would be a cat. Cats lie around and do exactly what they please. Our cat hops up to get petted when she feels like it. She gets service as soon as she lets me know she is hungry, and she tells me when she wishes to play with her favorite toy. What a life! 

What is your favorite food? My favorite food is baked potatoes. I have loved them ever since I was a young child. My mother made them with crusty skins, and she put butter, salt, and pepper inside. They always tasted amazing.  

I love baked potatoes, too. I put grated cheese in mine for the protein. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? My greatest roadblock has always been finding time to write. I’ve found that if I can snatch a moment here and there, and sometimes, a larger block of time, I can make progress on finishing my novels. 

Tell us about the featured book. This novel is a contemporary Christian romance. In the story, a young woman is transferred to a small city to further her career. Her grandmother lives in the city and Lissa stays with her. She never expects anything to stand in the way of her driving desire to be successful in her career and make a salary that will make her feel secure. She does not expect to meet a man who can make her question her consuming devotion to her work. 

Please give us the first page of the book. Here it is:

Lissa Davis descended the puddle-jumper’s narrow stairs to arrive on the tarmac, then stopped and took in a deep breath, before exhaling. It had been a bumpy ride from Albuquerque to Farmington, New Mexico. She took a moment to regain her composure before heading for the glass doors into the airport arrival section. She walked past the narrow gate area and straight into the lobby, scanning faces for the young man Grandma Mandy described when she called to say she was too ill to meet the plane herself. 

“Lissa?” 

She turned her head, startled by both his warm voice and strong, good looks. “Yes.” 

“I’m Jason Carlisle.” 

His friendly smile disarmed her while his crystal blue eyes captured her gaze. She and Jason stepped out of the way and she extended her hand. “You must be Grandma Mandy’s friend. I hope it isn’t a bother to give me a ride.” 

“None at all. Let me help you with your bag”. 

She shook her head. “This one isn’t bad. I could use a hand with the luggage. She indicated the baggage claim station. How’s Grandma Mandy feeling?” 

The masculine scent of his sandalwood aftershave drifted to her as Jason followed to collect her bags. 

As they waited for the carousel to deliver the bags, he said, “She’s over the worst of the stomach bug. She’s disappointed she’s still too weak to pick you up today.” 

Lissa glanced over her shoulder. “I appreciate you helping us out.” 

“It’s my pleasure.” He gave her a killer smile that piqued her curiosity as to whether his inner core was as attractive as his outer. 

Grandma Mandy had mentioned he was single when she told Lissa that Jason would be giving her a ride to the house. Perhaps she had plans to set them up. If so, she’d be disappointed. Since Lissa would be returning to Houston after a short work term, it would be foolish to form a relationship. If she’d learned anything from her mother’s experience, it was that it was important to succeed in her profession and stand on her own feet. 

Jason brushed a hand through his short, blond hair. She wondered what he was thinking when his gaze locked with hers. Though some men were deterred by her breezy manner, it didn’t seem to give him a moment’s pause. Since she knew no one in this small city except Grandma Mandy, having him for a friend might be nice. 

She pointed out two canvas, navy suitcases for Jason to snag. He got each on the first try and swung them beside him. He pointed to the plate-glass doors. “I’m parked out front. “It’s this way.” 

Glare from the fall sunlight and the crisp, dry air greeted her. Squinting, she rustled through her purse and found her sunglasses. Farmington was bright, with a clear blue sky. In contrast, she found the brown, rocky, landscape unappealing. Where she was from, thick, green vegetation filled every nook. 

The view atop the airport mesa revealed more scant foliage, low brush, and scrubby trees she didn’t recognize. In contrast, the San Juan Mountains to the south sparkled under glittering mantles of snow. “Is it always this dry and…well, brown?” she asked. 

“A lot of people can’t see the beauty of the desert right under their noses. The color of the rocks and the varying hues of sage are only part of the scenery you don’t see in the rest of the country.” 

They had an awkward moment of quiet. Then Jason changed the direction of their conversation. “Mandy told me you’re a petroleum geologist. What does a petroleum geologist do?” 

“I find the location and size of crude oil deposits by taking samples of surface rocks. Then, I go back to the lab to evaluate them for hydrocarbons and other minerals that indicate they’re oil rich. I also, use computer technology to analyse the region and read well logs. Then I can advise the company where to drill.” 

From what she understood, they had several potential wells to consider. She would be expected to make a recommendation about which to pursue and advise the boss. 

“Your work sounds interesting. I think it’s great you transferred to be close to your grandmother. She’s happy to have family here.” 

Lissa bit her lip. “I love Grandma Mandy with all my heart, but I took this job because my boss told me it would help in getting a raise and a promotion in the Houston office. I’m only here long enough to finish this project.”  

Again, there was an uneasy silence. 

“This is a nice car. What do you do for a living?” she asked.  

“I’m an artist.” 

“Oh.” Lissa raised a brow. “That sounds interesting. What kind of artist?” 

“Landscape, mostly. The southwest is my favorite subject matter. As far as I’ve seen, it has the most beautiful scenery on earth. I’m blessed to spend time outdoors admiring God’s creation and capturing it on canvas.” 

He grinned, showing even white teeth. “I get paid to do it, too.” 

“I can’t imagine how you compose a painting. It sounds fulfilling to pick up a brush and make scenery come to life.  It must be a natural gift. What else do you do?” 

He tilted his head. “What do you mean?” 

“For a job?” 

“That is my job. I’m a full-time artist.” 

She blinked. “That’s impressive. You’re young and you’re making a living in a difficult market. What if it doesn’t last? It doesn’t have the security of working for a company.” 

“I believe God called me to it. I trust Him to take care of me as long as I’m in His will. I’ve never missed a meal.” 

Lissa contemplated his apparent faith in a job that could dry up any time the public stopped buying his work. “I admire your confidence. I prefer a career with a steady paycheck.” 

It took more courage than she would ever have to take a route like that. She didn’t have that much trust in a Divine Deity or her understanding of what God wanted for her. She’d dreamed of a singing career when she was in high school. Her teachers had encouraged her to take voice lessons and perhaps go to a fine arts college.  

She gave herself a mental shake. She couldn’t let her thoughts go there. There was one fact she’d learned from her mom. Adults stayed focused and put their time into work and saving for the future. 

“Do you like art?” he asked. 

“I do. I’ve never met anyone who does it full-time.” 

He’d seemed like an average sane guy until he mentioned his job. As he took a road past the city terminal and downhill to an area of handsome older homes, she wondered how he could stand the insecurity of such a risky profession. 

They drove along a street where trees clustered in low areas beside the road. “We must be close to water,” Lissa observed. 

Jason nodded. “We’re passing an area called The Glade. Rainwater washes through here from Choke Cherry Canyon. It’s natural irrigation.” 

“That’s what we have in Houston. We don’t have to worry about water except for an occasional drought.” 

She liked frequent rain showers. Her stint here would be a trial. Jason seemed to believe there was something of beauty in every part of creation. Perhaps he was right, and the area would grow on her. 

“I didn’t bring rainwear,” she continued. “However, I was told to bring a warm coat. I can already tell it will get plenty of use.” 

They turned onto a wide street and passed shopping strips with small stores, and a large grocery store. To break the silence, Lissa said, “I’ve never seen where Grandma Mandy lives. She and Granddad came to see us after they moved. We never came here to visit. Dad’s great-grandfather raised his family in the house where Grandma now lives. Before that, aunts and uncles lived in it until it fell back to Granddad.” 

Jason waved a driver over who needed to change lanes. There was more to him than striking blue eyes and a strong jaw. He had manners. “The old family home has a rich history, then?” 

“Yes. It means a lot to my dad because it’s been in the family for several generations. Grandma Mandy lived there as a little girl.” 

They passed a large brick church and turned into a neighborhood with mostly gravel landscaping. The houses were stucco, and many had flat roofs. He pulled into the driveway of a beige house with a large plate-glass window. Moments later, her grandmother opened the door and stepped onto the flat concrete porch. Lissa hurried from the truck to greet her. 

She looked thinner than Lissa remembered. They clutched each other in a hug. “You’re as pretty as ever,” Grandma Mandy said. 

“Thanks. I’ve missed you. Are you feeling better? I was worried when you told me you’d been sick.” 

How can readers find you on the Internet? My books are carried on all the major online sites. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Cogan/e/B001JSB9XE%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share 

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/karen-cogan/id393752956  

Audio available on Apple site. 

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Karen%20Cogan 

Thank you for sharing your book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3yFr8Ke - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3fPif8h - Kindle (free right now)

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

HALLOWED HALLS - Hannah Alexander - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve loved every Hannah Alexander novel I’ve read, and it gives me great pleasure to introduce this writing duo to you. You’ll love their books, too.

As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions? Since my husband and I work together on each book for the pen name of Hannah Alexander, Mel is my sounding board, my encourager, my resident expert on all things medical. He edits, checks for typos, markets. He is the “Alexander” of Hannah Alexander. We also have a group of friends who are novelists who brainstorm with us. We call them the “Kansas Eight.” They know who they are.

I have been meeting with long-time friends who graduated from high school with me. Six or seven or ten of us girls get together for a pajama party once a year, and we realize that we still like each other after all this time. They have been my inspiration for this whole series. I wish to show how the solid foundation of friendship can work. So Sherry, Doris, Tess, Sheila, Linda, Deb, Vickie, Marie, Corinne, Peggy, thank you for being my friends.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar? We have a move coming up on our calendar. I learned a few years ago that I am too scattered to speak plus write, and so when we moved from Missouri to the wilds of Nebraska Panhandle, and then later to Wyoming, I left my speaking life behind.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why? What a great question, since we are completely starting over once again. We plan to move to Phoenix, Arizona, before the end of the year. We have discovered that my Southern California bones don’t do well in cold weather. Wyoming is winter about eight months of the year, complete with thick ice on the street for many months. Mel works in the ER, and has seen so many broken bones from falls on the ice that I don’t like getting outside during the winter. I’m so thankful that we have several friends and family members where we’re moving, so we won’t feel alone at all.

Neither James nor I do well in the cold either. If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be? Get edited. I put so many books down because of the writer’s inability to form a good plot, write good dialogue, create lovable characters, or even write a good sentence. A good editor can help with all of that.

That is so true. You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related]) My dream come true would not be an ocean cruise. I have wanted to go on a riverboat cruise for many years. The idea of sitting on a deck of a boat with far fewer people is paradise for me. I would love to see the shore at all times, the animals along the way, the towns, the other boats. My celebrities would most definitely be some of my favorite novelists, and we would sit together on the decks and form brainstorming teams and develop lasting friendships. Jerry Jenkins would be keynote speaker. For entertainment, I would have karaoke with many of my favorite writers singing—Angie Hunt, Karen Ball, Dave Lambert, Jim Bell, Bob Elmer, Brandilyn Collins, Nancy Moser—and we will all join in and sing along and rock the place!

Sounds like fun. I’ve wanted to do the riverboat cruise, too. Tell us about the featured book. Hallowed Halls is the first book in the Hallowed Halls Series. When Dr. Joy Gilbert is fired from a lucrative position in Kansas City, she returns to her small med school town on the Missouri River to find her former fiancé, Zack Travis, single; her once vivacious mother, Molly, struggling financially and physically; and Tressa, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the boss who just fired Joy, popping out the back door of the car. Tressa refuses to return to the city, where her divorced parents continue to battle one another in the aftermath of her brother’s death.

The girl’s rebellion threatens Joy’s medical license, but that threat means nothing when Tressa starts getting sick, and it appears that her parents might lose another child.

Will Joy and Zack be able to work together again in time to save Tressa’s life?

Please give us the first page of the book. Fury surged through Dr. Joy Gilbert like a rifle shot as she shut her office door and yanked the stethoscope from around her neck, suppressing a rebel yell. She stormed to the wide windows and sucked in her breath, ready to throw open the panes and shock the world. But an inquisitive squirrel leapt from one branch to another on a tree behind the clinic.

With a comical tilt of his head the furry critter broke the force of her outrage. Joy released her breath and deflated. As a child, she’d helped Mom bottle-feed an orphaned gray squirrel, and the little thick-tailed acrobat had often made her laugh.

Why scare the squirrels because she was angry with the ridiculous accusations of a hostile patient? The man was unbelievable.

Her intercom buzzed, jerking her back to complete maturity. “Dr. Gilbert, honey, you okay in there?” It was Betty, her favorite nurse.

“Give me a sec—”

“The boss is on his way to the clinic, sweetie. I want to rush Mr. Bezier out the door before he can waylay Mr. Cline.”

Joy winced. Along with half the clinic staff and several patients in the waiting room, Betty had clearly heard Frank Bezier berating Joy for her refusal to write him a script for a half-year’s supply of Percocet. He wouldn’t listen when she explained that was illegal.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

You can find us at www.hannahalexander.com

You can also find Hannah Alexander on Amazon.com

Email us at askhannah@hannahalexander.com

Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3fR8cQb - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3yCMs30 - 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