IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
Deon (TN) is the winner of Pressure Points by Shelby Abbott.
Melanie (TX) is the winner of The Promise by Carolyn Torbett-Johnson.
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.
Mary lives in the Pacific Northwestwith her husband of over thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren.
Welcome back, Mary. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write Christian romance because that’s what I most like to read. It’s what speaks to my heart and soul. The Lord has infinite ways to touch our hearts and souls, mine is romance. I write both historical and contemporary romance and some mystery romance.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my first child was born. I had always wanted to be a mother, and I’d had a miscarriage before him, so he made me a mommy. Now he has given me two adorable granddaughters.
Grandchildren are fun, aren’t they? So are great-grandchildren. How has being published changed your life?
It gave me a validation that this was indeed what the Lord called me to do and not just selfish musings.
As writers, we all need that validation. What are you reading right now?
I’m reading two past novella collections I’m in. I didn’t have time when they came out to read the other authors’ stories in them and am enjoying them. One is The MissAdventure Brides Collection and the other is The American Heiress Brides Collection. I’m also reading A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser, a book about dealing with loss.
What is your current work in progress?
I’m writing book 3 in my Quilting Circle series, The Damsel’s Intent ~ A hermit comes out of the mountains to snag a husband, and the quilting circle ladies are just the ones to help her succeed. Book 1 in this series, The Widow’s Plight, is included in the HEARTBEATS IN TIME box set. Book 2 in my quilting series, The Daughter’s Predicament, released May 1st.
What would be your dream vacation?
Lately, I’ve been dreaming of taking my adult children, their spouses, and my grandchildren to Disneyland. I went there as a child and then again for my honeymoon. I want to go back. There are many other places I dream of going, but right now, as silly as it may sound, Disneyland is at the top of my list. What better place than a land based on make-believe for an author who makes up stories?
You’re right about that. How do you choose your setting for each book?
Each book is different. It really depends on the story and what setting it needs. If I can, I try to set stories in my home state of Washington. It has such a rich history. And now that I'm back, it’s easier to do local research. But if a story demands another location, then that’s where I set it. Historical events and people will also determine location and setting. I’ve set stories in many locations outside of Washington State.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My granddaughter Katie. She just turned one, and I haven’t even met her in person yet. Over the computer just isn’t the same. I’m dying to hold her.
My youngest great-granddaughter turned one this month. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love doing various crafts; quilting, sewing, porcelain doll making, crocheting, knitting, and I’m eager to try my hand at making junk journals.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Spelling! I can’t spell my way out of a wet paper bag to save my life. One of these days, SpellChecker is going to quit telling me how to spell the same words over and over and over and over. I’m dyslexic, so spelling is a bit of a mystery to me. There are some words I can’t get close enough for SpellChecker to even have a guess at what I’m trying to spell. “No Spelling Suggestion.” Grrr. So I pull out my trusty thesaurus, look up a synonym that I do know how to spell, and in its synonyms is the word I want.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Read. Read. READ. Write. Write. WRITE.
Read in the genre you want to write. Read in other genres as well. Read books on the craft of writing.
Write every day even for just a few minutes (or most every day). You can’t get better if you don’t write consistently. Give yourself permission to write badly—really badly. You can fix it when you go back and edit. But you can’t fix what’s not on the page.
Very good advice, especially the last sentence. Tell us about the featured book.
HEARTBEATS IN TIME is a set of 5 historical books of Old West Christian Romance (4 novels and 4 novellas) by 7 bestselling, award-winning authors. I’m proud to be in a set with these awesome authors! (Buy link: https://amzn.to/2VzRBoI) THE NOVELS: The Widow’s Plight(Book 1 in the Quilting Circleseries) by Mary Davis A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves? Finding Love In Last Chance, Californiaby Miralee Ferrell A young woman on her own after the death of her father, tries to run the family ranch while solving the mystery of sabotage--can a wandering cowboy with a young son help solve her problems and possibly bring love into her life? Dreams of My Heartby Barbara Scott Can a reluctant bride and her new husband fall in love despite their wounded hearts? Hills of Nevermoreby Janalyn Voigt Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive? Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest, Hills of Nevermoreexplores faith, love, and courage in the Wild West. THE NOVELLAS: Heart of a Cowboy Novella Collection--four Old West romances “Hearts in Pursuit” by Susan Page Davis ~Can Abby and Sam fight their way through danger and violence and live long enough to find love? “Hearts Reunited” by Miralee Ferrell ~Tayloris determined to save her ranch after her father’s death, but she won’t let anyone help—especially not her old friend Jesse Townsend. “Have Dress, Will Marry” by Yvonne Lehman ~Julie Hayes must escape from Wildcat Mountain. Her only hope is to approach the cowboy, saddleback preacher Timothy Sullivan, and ask him to marry her. “The Hand-Me-Down Husband” by Vickie McDonough ~Ellen didn’t want a hand-me-down husband, but could their marriage be God’s will for them both?
I love reading books by all these authors.Please give us the first page of the book.
The Widow’s Plight, Central Washington State1893
Lily Lexington Bremmer would never let anyone hurt her son again. She stared at the fading green and yellow bruises on her five-year-old son’s neck and pictured the others on his small body. As he lay with his head in her lap, the train rocked back and forth, his arm wrapped around the little toy train engine she’d bought him at one of the stops. It was carved of wood and painted. He didn’t play with it, merely held it in the crook of his arm.
She combed her fingers through his nearly black soft curls. Her poor son hadn’t had toys to play with. But now things were different. The toy train would be the first of many.
The train they rode rattled along the track. The Pullman passenger car held nearly thirty people in the twenty seats. Most of the passengers hadn’t taken notice of her or her son. People had come and gone, come and gone over the week-long trip. She was ready to leave this train for good, stretch her legs, breathe fresh air, and wash off the soot and dirt of the journey.
She had moved near the front of the car when a seat had opened up. She didn’t know why, but she felt safer there. Closer to the door. Closer to an escape.
The well-groomed man across the aisle in a charcoal-gray business suit tossed glances her direction every few minutes. His attention heightened the nervousness of her already jittery insides. Was he interested in her? Or was he trying to puzzle out how a fair-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed woman could have a son with olive skin, dark hair, and rich brown eyes? No matter their contrasting appearances, he was her son. The train’s steam whistle blew long and loud. Then the conductor strolled through the car. “Next stop Kamola.”
Leaning down to where her narrow-brimmed straw hat rested against the wall under the window, she retrieved it and pulled out the two adorned hatpins. She secured the hat onto her head as the train rolled into the station and shuddered to a stop.
Lily had run almost as far from her past as she could physically get. Clear across the country. Toby would be safe here.
I’m eager to read the rest of the book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Mary, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I know they will enjoy all of the stories by these wonderful authors.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Bio: June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USAwith her husband, Joe. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next contemporary romance or romantic suspense. June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. To date June has seen publication of 17 novels and 1 devotional.
Welcome back, June. 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?
Wonderful question. I haven't seen one like this. First, my dear sister-in-law, Helen Lynch, was a great resource for information about the Catholic Church. Since I'm not a Catholic, I don't have as much knowledge as she. She read my first draft to make sure all the plot elements were correct concerning the church, and she patiently answered my many questions. My husband, who grew up Catholic, helped as much as he could. He's been out of the church for quite a few years, and we now attend a protestant church. Another person who was a great help was the principal at SacredHeart CatholicSchool, housed in the church by the same name in Cullman, Alabama, our hometown. She gave us a tour of the school and answered tons of questions. I also looked around the church and took many pictures which were great references when I wrote my scenes set in the fictional church of St. Aloysius of San Antonio, Texas. Since the book is inspired by my great grandfather and great grandmother, I needed to discover more about the history of these two people. My daughter went on Ancestry.com and did additional research for me.
If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar? So far I have not had to opportunity to teach or speak about writing other than in casual situations. I'm hoping for the chance one day soon.
If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why? Interesting question as my husband and I are preparing for an extended road trip in our RV. We're hoping to head to the northeast to tour the New England states. As far as starting over, I expect my next and permanent location is going to be in eternity.
If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Pray, pray, pray. Seek the Lord about what He'd like you to write and write it! If you're writing for fun or for your own enjoyment, it won't be nearly as exciting as the stories God puts on your heart.
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])
I'd check with Randy Alcorn, Jerry B. Jenkins, and Franklin Graham to offer inspirational classes. Then I'd ask Wayne Watson, J. Michael Finley, and Mercy Me to perform the entertainment. Then Emeril Lagasse and Glada De Laurentiis would be in charge of cuisine.
Sounds wonderful. I’d go. Tell us about the featured book.
Frances Matthew Hall is obedient to family tradition: all firstborn sons will serve as a priest. Now Matt officiates at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. But when on Easter Sunday, he notices a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away. He must fight against his attraction to her or leave the priesthood and alienate his entire family.
Mary Louise Graham is a middle school teacher and devout catholic. Yet no amount of service to the community can ease the heavy load of guilt she carries. God can never forgive her unspeakable mistake. But when Father Matt tells her about a forgiving God through His son Jesus Christ, she's free. Only thing, the Godly priest now means more to her than he should. Can two people find their way to each other amidst insurmountable obstacles? Dreams Deferred is inspired by the author's great grandfather and great grandmother's story.
Please give us the first page of the book.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will." Father Matthew Hall lifted his eyes to the crucifix above the altar. Jesus hanging on the cross—the symbol of his faith. "We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You."
The words of adoration for the crucified Savior of the world slipped from his lips so naturally, he barely looked at the lectionary. He lifted his baritone voice, offering the mass in song, something he didn't usually do, but since today was Easter Sunday, he would. Easter,—the most significant date on the Christian calendar, was the perfect day to exalt God with the talent He'd given Matt. He took a breath and opened his mouth again. "We give You thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King." If Matt sang a billion words at each mass, it wouldn't be sufficient to praise his Lord Jesus Christ, the mighty God Who'd created Heaven and Earth.
At the end of the gospel readings, Matt stepped to the podium and looked out at the parishioners. The homily he'd worked on last night would surely convey the joy of Christ's resurrection.
He scanned the congregation again. Some sat, eyes wide, as if soaking up every word of his twenty minute homily. In the back of the sanctuary, two women whispered to each other and another filed her nails.
Where can we find you on the Internet?
Thank you, June, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Welcome, Erin. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I love humor. My husband is the funniest guy I know, and I like to think I have a good sense of humor as well. So, it’s important that at least a couple of my main characters can highlight the ridiculous and deliver their lines in ways that hopefully make readers smile too.
In Dove Strong, my main character, Dove, is the opposite of me in most ways. She is super blunt when she speaks, she doesn’t care for others’ opinions—especially what they think of her—and she rarely apologizes. It was so refreshing writing from the perspective of someone so confident!
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I can’t think of anything truly “quirky” that I’ve ever done! How sad.
Here are two unique things about myself off the top of my head: 1) I raised guide dogs as a teenager, so I often embarrassed my young self by having to wrestle with a dog in public. Looking back, there were some hilarious moments...like lugging my 50-pound dog out of JCPennys in my arms when she started to pee. 2) I’m currently a lunch lady, which can be humbling as well as fun. Chicken-wich and tots anyone?
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Roughly six years ago, a mind-blowing story idea popped into my head while I shoveled snow. I decided to sit down and type it up. I finished shoveling. Then I did!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I am addicted to reading, but I am also probably one of the world’s pickiest readers. I don’t read anything that plants disturbing images in my head. Because of that, I read and reread a wide range of young adult books—from anything written by good old Betsy Byars to The Hunger Games. Of the adult genre, I choose older books, such as ones written by Agatha Christie, Georgette Heyer, and Mary Stewart. My favorite Christian author of all time is Grace Livingston Hill. I do read some modern books too, but I’m pretty selective.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I quit working full time when our first daughter was born, and God has super blessed us. For the past eleven years, I’ve been able to stay home and work only a few hours a week, mostly from home. Jobs have included medical transcript work, a part-time church manager position, and my current job moonlighting as a lunch lady at my daughter’s elementary school.
This opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and wife has allowed me to have a close and precious relationship with both my daughters, the youngest who is now eight, and with my husband. He and I work well together as a team, and because I’m able to get most the household tasks done during the day, we have time most evenings to take walks, laugh, and share what’s going on. We might not have the biggest house or go on fancy vacations, but it sure helps my sanity to spend daily time with my family and just talk.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I chose the Christian characters in Dove Strong to have nature-related names or Biblical names. Examples are Reed, Stone, and Gilead. I named my non-Christian characters anything I wanted, though some of their names sound pretty worldly to me. One of my favorite characters is a spunky, nonbeliever little girl named Jezebel. Biblically, her name is associated with not so great stuff, but names can fool you!
I have a self-proclaimed Jezebel in my book The 12 Gifts of Christmas that released in September. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Becoming a published author through Pelican Book Group is definitely up high on my list of accomplishments!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
How funny! I just discussed this question with my eight-year-old last week. I’d choose to be a giant panda. I’m not a panda expert, but I believe that due to their size, they are not prey to predators. Whew! They also are strictly vegetarian; I don’t relish ripping up other animals as my main food source. Pandas seem to live peaceful lives in the bamboo forests. Plus, Kung Fu Panda is an awesome movie.
What is your favorite food?
If I lived as a hermit with no one to judge me, I’d probably eat nothing but homemade cookies and cake. And I’d wash the sweets down with a never-ending supply of Diet Pepsi.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest challenge in my Dove Strong journey came when my first publishing house closed its doors a month before my book’s release. I was so distraught, I felt sick. Then I spent quite a bit of time talking with God about the situation and put it in His hands. I came away totally at peace—no anger or frustration. I followed my husband’s good advice about submitting to a different publishing house...and ta-da!
Tell us about the featured book.
Here is the book’s official blurb: Dove Strong loves God. She loves standing chin up, fists clenched when facing Satan’s attacks. But there’s one thing she doesn’t love—other people. So when this spiritually-gifted, antisocial teenager is chosen to join other believers in a trek across Satan’s territory, rattlesnakes and evil-intentioned Heathen aren’t her biggest challenges. But failure isn’t an option. In a month, the Christian Councils will decide the Reclaim, a vote on whether there’ll be a war between Christ’s and Satan’s followers to take back America. It is up to Dove, God’s messenger for peace, to reach her Council in time. Because if she doesn’t, things could get bloody.
Please give us the first page of the book. I had two choices. Either ignore my brother, Gilead. Or knock him out of the tree. Then, the limb under my feet tried to buck me off. “Quit it.” I snatched at an iffy branch near my ears while widening my stance. How dumb of me not to have acted quicker. So what if a major reason I was about to risk my life trekking across the enemy’s territory was to save my brother’s? It would be kind of pointless if I killed Gileadnow. But at least he wouldn’t be here, twenty feet in the air, annoying me. The shaking lessened some, but I still grappled with the branches next to me. “So help me, Gilead, I will tell Grandpa if you break my neck. What’s more, breaking my neck won’t help my survival rate for the trip. I’ll jump when it’s time, and it’s not time yet, so go home.” As the shaking eased off, I squinted through the sunlit greenery at my brother. A foot taller than me, he perched on nearby limbs in the shade at the oak’s trunk with one foot still planted on my branch. His arm, one that could haul me over his shoulder without trying, gestured at a limb below us. It was the first step in a climb down into dead bushes and the water I’d soon land in.
Interesting! How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Erin, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.
Readers, here are links to the book.
Dove Strong - Paperback
Dove Strong - 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:
IMPORTANT: Instructions for winners - When you send me the email, make sure your subject line says this: Winner - (book title) - (author's name) If you don't do this, your email could get lost in my hundreds of emails per day. I WILL SEARCH FOR POST TITLES STARTING THAT WAY.
Lourdes (NY) is the winner of a mp3 or CD edition of the 20th Anniversary audio book edition of The Princess by Lori Wick.
Sharon (SC) is the winner of When the Clock Strikes Fourteen by C Kevin Thompson.
Connie (KY) is the winner of As the Ink Flows by Melony Teague and other authors.
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.
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