Dear Readers, I’m always on the lookout for books by Rachel Hauck. I especially love her royal stories, but every other book is just as good.

Welcome back, Rachel. Please tell us a little about yourself and your background. I’m a Florida girl by way of Ohio, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. I graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism and got a job at a computer company. All I knew about computers at the time was “garbage in, garbage out.” But I’ve been in the same city for almost 35 years.

How did you become interested in writing? I was always interested in writing. I had a diary in first grade and wrote in it. I loved to read as well. I was born for this.

I agree. It’s wonderful when we discover what God created us to do. What compelled you to write a book on this subject? I’d written The Royal Wedding Series and readers asked if I was going to write more so I decided to try a second royal family. To Love A Prince was the first of the True Blue Royals. To Save A King is book two. Ever since Prince William married Katherine, I knew American would be interested in royals again. I was right.

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? The main thing I want is for the readers to be entertained and escape their world for a few hours. Also, to feel hope.

What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?It’s different by the story and the characters. But it’s the same as it’s a “Rachel Hauck book.” I hope To Save A King delivers what readers expect from one of my stories.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? I do! I love Song of Solomon 4:9. “You’ve made my heart beat faster, my sister, my bride, with a single glance of your eyes.” I love this pure passion of the Lord speaking to us.

It takes many people a long time to understand that His love is meant to teach us how to love our spouses. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies? I might like to watch a lot of HGTV. But I won’t say for sure. (snort) I love to keep active with running or lifting weights.                                                                                                                                                 

No wonder you are in such good shape. More power to you. Tell us about the book. This is the story of Prince John who thought he’d married the love of his life. And he had. But her untimely death destroyed his future. Gemma Stone, the story’s heroine, wanted to be a star but her efforts ended in disaster, and she is too ashamed to even talk about it. But when the prince and Gemma meet, everything will change.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

Let’s Begin Here…

Perrigwynn Palace

Port Fressa, Lauchtenland, 2000

Once Upon A Time…

… Prince John believed in fairy tales.

“Tell the fairy tale, Mum,” he’d say on the nights his mum, the queen of Lauchtenland, tucked him and little brother Gus into bed, imagining the story’s thick white feather, almost wishing it would appear before his eyes.

The Swan’s Feather was as old as the House of Blue itself. When it began no one really knew, but for centuries the tale echoed in the halls of Hadsby Castleand Perrigwynn Palace.

On this particular night, Mum hurried ten-year-old John and eight-year-old Gus toward the gold and blue couch, the big skirt of her sparkling dress swishing. She’d told them frightfully grand men and women from around the world awaited her in the Great Hall.

“Quickly boys, I don’t have long.” Mum sat with a sighing smile.

“Tell The Swan’s Feather, Mum.” Though John was the oldest, if he didn’t speak up, he’d not get his way.

“I hate that one.” Gus leaned around Mum, making a face. “Tell the one about the knight who kills the dragon.”

“We heard that one last time.” Tonight, John was determined to win. After all, he was the crown prince and future king. If he couldn’t rule his little brother, then who could he rule?

So the brotherly debate began over which fairy tale was the best and Mum, being a queen, settled it with swift diplomacy.

“We heard your story last time, Gus.” She kissed her youngest prince on the head. “Tonight it’s John’s turn to choose.”

John sneered at his brother then sat back. Mum was busy tonight and if they argued, there would be no story.

Being a queen was serious business and to be good at “queening”—as Dad liked to say—required a good deal of work.

“We’re lucky men,” he’d say. “Mum loves us and her country with such devotion.”

However, Gus, being Gus, made a final appeal. “The Swan’s Feather is about a girl. Blech.” His protest came with a spew of biscuit crumbs.

“What’s wrong with girls?” Mum said. “I’m a girl.”

“No you’re not. You’re Mum and mums don’t count.”

“Be quiet,” John said. “Mum can’t be late to her dinner.”

As for The Swan’s Feather being about a girl? Well, that’s exactly why John loved it.

“Here we go.” Mum hugged both boys close. “The story of The Swan’s Feather. Once upon a time, there was a young prince.”

I love this prologue. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Go to my web site: www.rachelhauck.comand sign up for my Stay Inspired letter. Thanks!

Thank you for allowing me to be part of the launch of To Save a King, which released this week. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3vLG4En - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3b8dmWg - Kindle edition

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  

Bio: T. I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories and is the author of nearly twenty published novels, including her debut, Lulu’s Café, a number one bestseller. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Find her at tilowe.com or on Facebook (T.I.Lowe), Instagram (tilowe), and Twitter (@TiLowe).

Welcome, T. I. Under the Magnolias is different from your usual romance novels. What compelled you to deviate from your usual subject matter in this book? How was your writing process different? I always write what I’m led to, and I really never want to limit my stories to a certain genre. With romance, there’s typically a loose formula to follow—boy meets girl, they fall in love, something gets in their way, they overcome it for their happily ever after. But with this book, I just wrote it like no one was looking. I wasn’t even sure where it would end up until I reached the ending. It challenged me as a writer and I loved it!

Can you walk us through the emotions you felt while writing this book? My emotions were all over the place. I fully invest in my characters. When they hurt, I hurt. When they rejoice, so do I. One scene where Austinstarts unraveling and doesn’t see how to hold her family together, I was right there with her. It was a tough writing day, for sure, and I walked away from the computer not knowing how she would either. I definitely stayed in my head for several months while writing this one.

You’ve said that this book is the most important book you’ve written to date. Why? The subject matter of this book, even though it’s fiction set in the eighties, is so relevant today. Everyone hurts. Everyone struggles. And everyone hides their truths to some degree. I was led to write this book in a way that I hope readers will realize it’s not so healthy to hide, that it’s okay to seek help no matter what they are going through.

You say you are an observer of people. What do you mean by that? How do you use that to craft your stories? People are so fascinating. I know I look like a weirdo but I’m all about people watching. I also want to understand things that I see, whether it’s from a news headline or something I’ve witnessed in person, so I work that out through my stories.

Some of the common themes in this book are the power of community and connectedness, as well as the impact that small and simple kindnesses can have on those around us. How do you hope those themes encourage the reader? Why did you include those themes specifically? I hope the reader will reflect on their own actions and attitudes toward others. As I’ve already said, kindness is a simple act but can have such a profound effect on the one receiving it. Austin was able to stop hiding due to the strength she garnered from those who reached out to help her and her family. We can be that for someone—how powerful is that? Simple act of kindness example: I’m always on people-watching duty, so when I go through a checkout line and the cashier is in a terrible mood and being rude, instead of complaining to the manager, I ask the cashier if they’re having a bad day. I can’t tell you how many times this was exactly what they needed. Just someone to take the time to acknowledge them and to let them unload a second. I’ve always left those situations with the cashier smiling at me. Simple kindness, ladies and gentlemen.

Why did you choose to set this book in the eighties? Why was it important to you to write a coming-of-age book that wasn’t set during the age of social media? The eighties was a great decade, so why not! I truly wanted to get to a simpler time for this book. One with less noise, so to speak. I think it’ll be easier for someone to read this subject from afar and not have cell phones and all that to distract from it. It makes Austindifferent yet shows her coming-of-age journey is still relevant today.

What was your inspiration for this book? You’ve referenced some of the conversations you had with God about writing this book. Can you walk us through that a bit?Spring of 2019, it seemed every time I turned on the news or pulled up Facebook, there was a headline that a community leader, mostly church leaders, had committed suicide. Man, did that put such a burden on my heart. I wanted to know their story and why they got to the point of feeling that hopeless. Before I knew it, I was deep into research. I discovered most times those victims were secretly suffering with mental illness. They were worried what others would think, so they kept it hidden. A lot of prayer went into the book, asking God to help me understand and to express that understanding to readers. Days of writing with goose bumps along my arms and a tightened chest, I knew I wasn’t telling this story alone.

This book is gritty in parts, but it also serves up a good dose of humor. Why did you intentionally include humor in this story? Can you give us an example? Life is tough! It is gritty, yet I lean heavily on humor to get me though the rough patches of life. I also needed it to get through the rough patches of this book and I think readers will too. You will meet Phoenix, aka Peg. He is the next-to-oldest brother and boy, does he have a mouth on him. The scene where he gets ahold of a man who is making racists remarks cracks me up even now. It’s a lot of dry humor, my favorite type, and Peg always gave me some comic relief on the hard writing days with his sarcastic one-liners.

Why is it important to write stories about characters who deal with real issues? What are some of the real issues that this story addresses? Sometimes I think reading about real issues in fiction is easier for us to digest than reading it in nonfiction or in a self-help book. It takes us out of it, so to speak. The issues addressed in this book are quite extensive, but it is mostly about ill-fitting labels that need to be done away with.

Why did you choose to represent characters who are marginalized or misunderstood in this book? I don’t know about you but I am just so tired of the labels and the unrealistic boxes society creates and expects you to live up to. That’s hogwash. If God wanted us all to fit in the same box, he would have created us as carbon copies. He didn’t, so that means it’s a gift to be different and I think differences should be celebrated. I did a lot of celebrating this in Under the Magnolias.

This book gives an inside look at the reality of mental illness, through a fictional story. How do you hope the themes of this book bring mental health awareness? I want it to open our eyes, to start more conversations about mental health, and to be more empathetic to those suffering. Being more proactive in mental health awareness requires those suffering in silence to find their voice and for everyone else to take off their blinders and pay attention.

Nobody is immune to hardship in life and the Fosters know that well. For readers going through a personal battle, what does Under the Magnolias offer them? It will give them the courage to seek help in those times, realizing it’s not healthy to keep it all hidden. And that people genuinely do care and want to help.

We see a beautiful picture of what it means to be the church in this book. What do you hope readers take away from this? Exactly as you put it in the question, the church is beautiful, and I’m so sad that so many are missing out on this because they have misguided views of what church is supposed to be. I’m not an expert on theology, but I do love how Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 puts it: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

What do you hope your readers walk away with when they’ve turned the last page of this book? My hope is that they say, “Dang, that girl can write!” Ha! Just kidding. Kinda ... No, seriously, I want them to get to the end of this book and find their own sense of freedom. To bravely go out and live without putting on airs. To exercise their compassion and empathy muscles more.

Thank you, T. I., for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. This novel is going to the top of my to-be-read pile.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3nUH6eE - paperback

https://amzn.to/3uiH6HK

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

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

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

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

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.      

Welcome back, Rita. Tell us about your salvation experience. When I was 9, I was sitting in church and there was a big cross up front. I stared and stared. Then the realization hit me that Jesus had died for me. I will never forget the way my heart felt. It swelled up, that’s the best way for me to explain it. I prayed to God and said in my heart, that I believed Jesus died for my sins, that God raised him from the dead, and that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I was a talkative child and wanted to tell everybody what happened. My parents smiled and patted me on my head.

I was 7, and my parents’ reaction was similar to ours. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

MaryLu Tyndall: MaryLu has been a strong sister in Christ, and has prayed for my family, counseled me, and been a good friend, even though we only met once face to face.

Rachel Muller:Rachel is a talented woman, homeschool mom, and friend. She helped me set up the Writing to Inspire Christian Workshop. I would have been stressed if I hadn’t had her help.

Roseanna White:Roseanna has been an inspiration to me. She is talented and one of the nicest writers you could ever meet. Like Rachel, Roseanna graciously accepted to teach at the workshop several times.

Carrie Pagels:Carrie opened up the door for me to be published with Barbour Publishing. She has been a friend and an inspiration. She also taught at the workshop, and we’ve had lunch on a few occasion. She is one of the most giving writers I know, and an inspiration to me to persist in storytelling.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. Not in the true sense. But I have taught classes on writing. Each year at the Writing to Inspire Christian Writers Workshop, and on dialogue at the Lancaster Christian Writers Conference.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? The most? There are too many to tell, and too embarrassing to share.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? I would first ask them why, and if it is really on their heart, when are they planning to begin. What genre would they like to write in? Then I’d give them a bit of advice. Write because you love to write, even if it means never getting published with a major publisher and going Indie. If the person isn’t interested in writing novels, I suggest they write in a journal.

What is important is touching the lives of others through an inspiring story. Do not ever let fame and money be your motivation for being an author. If it is, you are writing for the wrong reasons.

Tell us about the featured book. Back in 2014, I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life. It was a time I never thought I would experience. I’d done my best, what I believed then, to take care of my health. But when I heard the words, “you have breast cancer,” I felt the ground move under me, and I was shaken to my core. Those words invoked images of the suffering I saw with a close friend who died from breast cancer, and what my dear sister-in-law was going through at the time, and how it would eventually take her life. I cried in the doctor’s office in my husband’s arms, thinking life was over, that I was going to leave him and my two boys.

I was taken on a roller coaster journey through treatment. Once I was over the initial shock, I was determined to live. One thing that kept me going, besides Paul’s constant care and humor, was writing. I had several novels published, but two books came into my life. One was Mercy’s Refuge, a historical romance set in 1620 inspired by William Bradford’s diary Of Plymouth Plantation. But there was another story that I began with a synopsis and a few first chapters. After the Rain. I loved every minute writing this story.

After the Rain was published in 2015. It’s been out there up until 2021 when a young writer called me for advice on her career. We talked things over, and then she directed me to her website. I soon discovered how talented this young writer is, which included her ability to create stunning graphic designs. I hired her to redo the cover for After the Rain, and my heart soared at the prospects of a relaunch.

Here is the synopsis for your readers.

It is 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play What Every Woman Knows, premiered in Atlantic City, and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss.

Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage, and instead searches for her calling in life.

When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Autumn 1908

Jackson O’Neil scanned the ridgeline. The clouds were low and misty, shades of blue and gray ash that stretched along the mountains as far as his eyes could see. Autumn came early. The dogwoods were turning crimson. The maples gold, the oaks deep brown—taking his breath away.

A whisper of a breeze stirred the changing leaves and ruffled his dark hair. His quarter horse grazed in the field beyond the farmhouse his father had built so many years ago, before he was born, before his younger sister took her first breath.

He drew in the scent of apples fallen from the trees, listened to the hum of yellow jackets thirsty for the sweet overripe nectar of the rotting pulp. As he heaped hay over the fence, he whistled to his horse Ransom. With a sweep of his mane, Ransom raised his head and trotted over.

Jacksonrubbed the velvety nose offered him and reached inside his pocket for a sugar cube. “Come spring, I’ll find you a mare. It gets lonely, doesn’t it?”

He understood loneliness and was weary of being asked why he hadn’t found a wife. Community picnics in Chestnut Creek were the worst with every unwed daughter shoved in front of him. Always he’d been polite, and felt sorry for the girls embarrassed by their mother’s interference.

He rubbed his horse’s ear and recalled the seasons when mares and foals grazed in his father’s fields, and a stallion paced in the next meadow over. He’d been home more than a year since his father turned the land over to him, land that had been in his family for three generations, named for the place where his great grandfather was born in Ireland. Jackson smiled, grateful to be home, regretful he had ever left.

An engine rumbled in the distance. It drew closer and a dust cloud flew up into the air. Choking exhaust mixed with rusty sand and dirt, held no comparison to the colossal billows of soot and concrete dust he remembered. He threw back the images and focused on Bill Shanks barreling toward him on the motorbike used for delivering the mail. Whipping around a bend, Shanks skidded to a halt, frightening Ransom away from the fence.

“I’ve a letter for you.” Shanks lifted his goggles and drew a brown envelope out of his leather satchel. “It’s from your pa.”

“Thanks. It’s warm today, isn’t it?”

Shanks wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Sure is. I bet it’s even hotter in Washington. How long have your folks been away?”

“Months.”

“Seems longer. Are they coming back?”

“Eventually.”

Jacksontook the letter in hand. Shanks was the last person he’d share information with. He already knew too much and was as much a gossip as the old women in the village. Chestnut Creek had its share of chinwaggers like any other place. But hereabouts they assumed too much, stretching a story beyond all proportions into a brow-raising whopper.

Shanks scratched his head beneath his brown leather cap. “Nice of your pa to hand over the farm. I suppose it’s helped you forget.”

Jacksonshifted on his feet. “Forget what?”

“You know—the earthquake out there in San Fran.”

For a moment, Jacksonlooked into Shanks’ inquisitive eyes. He had no idea what it felt like to have the earth buck under his feet, to hear it rumble like deafening thunder beneath the ground, to see the walls of buildings ripple and bend, then collapse into the street onto carriages, wagons, people, and horses—to hear the screams and calls for help. The fires—they compounded the devastation. Hundreds were dead or injured. Thousands were homeless.

Shanks pulled off his cap and smoothed back his hair. Sandy blond and slick with cheap hair grease, it fell over his forehead and he jerked it away. “Guess you don’t like talking about it, huh?”

“Not really. Got a newspaper in your satchel?”

“Yep. It’s the Washington Post if that’s okay.”

“Thanks.”

“Not much good in the news these days.”

“At least we aren’t at war.”

Shanks glanced at the door. “Got any coffee on the stove?”

“Sorry, no.”

“That’s okay.” Shrugging, Shanks moved his motorbike back. “I got to get going. More mail to deliver.”

“Thanks for bringing mine.” Jackson glanced up at the sky. “Looks like rain.”

“Ah, it won’t be for hours.” Shanks adjusted his goggles and turned the motorbike toward the dirt road. As he drove away, Jackson looked at the postmark on the envelope. September 21, 1908, the District of Columbia.

He sat down on the stoop of his porch and tore it open. Unfolding the page, he noticed a change in his father’s handwriting—shaky and quickly scrawled. Blotches of ink marred the paper.

Dear Son,

Doctors can do nothing more for your mother. She’s been poked and prodded to the point of tears, and still they can’t find the cause of her ailment. Some say cancer. Others say anemia, or that it is all in her head. I’ve given up on the ole quacks.

A diet of more vegetables and fruit has sustained her, but she’s lost so much weight I barely recognize her. The doctors here in Washingtonhave passed her back and forth without giving us a solid diagnosis. She’s tired and wants to come home. The lease on the house is about over and I want to bring her home by Christmas.

Your sister misses you. Specialists suggest I place her in an institution and have her sterilized. I understand she should never bear the burden of motherhood, but to do this to her and to send her away? I can’t do such a thing. It would break all our hearts.

I was firm, and they said I’ll do it eventually, and if they see any neglect on our part, they will contact the proper authorities and have her taken from us. There is no neglect. Only love. But they will be watching. This has added to your mother’s worry and mine. I’m afraid of what the future might hold for people like your sister. So, we must protect her.

Come as quick as you can. I’ll need your help bringing the family home.

Pa

With his mouth tense, Jacksontucked his father’s letter inside his shirt. He would pack right away and head out. He had three dollars in his pocket, sixty in his dresser drawer, more than enough to cover the cost and get him to Washingtonby train.

He ran his hands over his eyes and whispered a prayer for his mother. She had suffered enough. His heart lurched thinking of his sister. He would not allow them to take Blossom away or hurt her. Compared to every person he had known, she was the kindest and most loving of all. If God were to make angels out of humans, she would be one of them. Blossom was the apple of Alan O’Neil’s eye, and to be badgered to put her away had to be taking its toll.

Jacksonglanced down at the newspaper beside him. An announcement and the photograph at the bottom caught his attention. A woman dressed in a lace gown, her hair piled up and loose beneath a broad feathered hat, caused something electric to shoot through him. Her eyes fascinated him, and flamed a fire in his bosom.

Mrs. Beatrice Whitaker will receive Mr. Rupert Eastcott, the future Lord Pencroft, at her home on Lenox Street, Chevy Chase, by Thanksgiving. An engagement to her granddaughter, Louisa Borden, daughter of Mr. Maxium Borden, will be forthcoming.

Jacksonshook his head. The girl’s soft mouth, gentle smile, and liquid eyes pale in black and white, were enough to captivate. However, looks could be deceiving. A woman like her would not give him the time of day. If they met—which was a million to one—she would give him the cold shoulder and a haughty look—but boy was she pretty.

Only in your dreams, Jackson. Only in your dreams.

He folded the newspaper and hurried inside, gathered some clothes, and shut the door behind him. He hurried down the staircase to the first floor. Clara Robinson stepped out the kitchen door.

“I wish you’d bring them home the minute you get there. I know Miss Emma must be loathing the city.”

“I’ll get them back as soon as I can, Clara.” He dragged on his hat.

“Here take this with you. You’ll get hungry on the train.” She handed him a brown bag stuffed with food.

He smiled. “Thanks.”

She raised her chin. “No thanks, just promise you’ll eat it.”

“I promise.”

“Wish you’d let Grant drive you to the station.”

“I need the brisk ride. Where is Grant?”

“He’s gone hunting.”

Jacksonstepped outside and spotted Grant trotting toward the house. “He’s back. Looks like he got a brace of pheasants.”

Grant Robinson and his wife Clara had worked for the O’Neils as long as Jacksoncould remember. Two robust people who knew all there was to know about living off the land were a part of the family and Jackson loved them both.

Grant stopped short when he reached the front porch steps. “Two birds for the pot tonight, Clara.” He held up the birds for her to see. Then he looked at Jackson. “Are you going into town, Mr. Jackson?”

“I got a letter from Pa.I’m going to Washington.”

Grant frowned. “Your ma—is she…?”

“No, not yet. Pa wants to bring her home and needs my help. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I know Ballyshannon is in the right hands with you and Clara.”

“I’ll pull out the motorcar.”

“No need. I’m riding Ransom into town. Come by the livery stable later and fetch him. Be sure he gets plenty of oats.”

Grant nodded. “I’ll take good care of him, don’t worry.”

Jacksonput his hand on Grant’s shoulder. “That I believe.”

With sadness in his heart, he went out to the barn and saddled Ransom. Alongside the tracks Shanks’ motorbike had made, he galloped his horse down the road toward the train station.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a Facebook page and an author’s page:

https://www.facebook.com/rita.gerlach.3/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/249323152879604/

My website is here: http://ritagerlach.wordpress.com/

Thank you, Rita, for allowing me to be a part of the relaunch of this book. I’m eager to read it, since I love all your books I’ve read.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3nvyv1K - paperback

https://amzn.to/3e3R9L5 - Kindle edition

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 

Dear Readers, Elizabeth Goddard is a longtime friend. I was privileged to mentor her early in her career. She has grown way beyond my mentoring, and I love her romantic suspense novels. You will, too.

Welcome back, Beth. Let’s do some fun questions first. What song most closely resembles your life? Wow, that’s an interesting question. I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it. While I can’t say what song resembles my life, I can say without hesitation what song is currently going through my head at the moment, and is encouraging me just when I need it. “Help is on the Way,” by TobyMac. A few lines from the lyrics:

It may be midnight or midday
It's never early, never late
He gon' stand by what He claim
I've lived enough life to say

Help is on the way (roundin' the corner)

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite? Have a lot of scriptures I turn to on any given day, week, month, or year. I especially love Isaiah 49:15-16

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

I love this verse because I read it at a time when I was feeling desperate, and it seemed to go straight to my heart, to my marrow—God will not forget me. The scripture is filled with so much passion and emotion. Don’t you think?

Yes, verse 16 is a favorite of mine, too. What is the one thing you wish you could go back and change in your life? Only ONE thing? Ha ha! You jest. I certainly wish I had started writing sooner.

What is the most important characteristic for a good friend to have? A listening ear.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in when you were in school? Volleyball, racquetball, tennis, French club, science club—to name a few.

What is your favorite movie of all times? There are too many movies that I love, but I think I really love the old Cecil B. DeMille version of The Ten Commandments (even though it’s not historically accurate) The movie was directed and produced by a man who believed in God, and you can sense the anointing in the movie.  

I love that one, too. Tell us about why you wrote this book. Present Danger is the first book in my Rocky Mountain Courage series. I bring together USFS Special Agent Terra Connors and Detective Jack Tanner to solve a murder mystery. I wanted to showcase trafficking of native American artifacts and in general around the globe as well as provide an entertaining adventurous romantic suspense for my readers.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chance Carter should have known this last delivery wouldn’t go down without a hitch.
A monstrous thunderhead had popped up in a clear morning sky and now loomed directly in his path as if forbidding, or at least challenging, his approach to his destination—a lone airstrip in Nowhere, Montana. As an experienced pilot and courier for an airfreight company, inclement weather didn’t concern him as much as the troubled feeling in his chest, which he’d been trying to ignore since takeoff.

Given the cold, hard stone of unease that had settled in his gut, he’d failed miserably.

Earlier this morning, back at the FBO—fixed-based operator—the rhythm of his flight prep had seemed off. Excitement hadn’t pumped through his every movement, and the usual bounce to his step hadn’t accompanied him while he worked through his preflight checks. If that hadn’t been enough, dread had replaced the anticipation that had always filled him as he readied to climb into the cockpit of his Piper Cherokee 235, which he affectionately called Ole Blue.

Now, as he neared the airstrip, he shook off the apprehension and grabbed on to the assurance earned from years of experience and hours spent piloting.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read my copy that arrived a couple of days ago.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website for starters: http://elizabethgoddard.com

Subscribe to my newsletter

Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-goddard:  

My Facebook fan page:    http://facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor

My Facebook readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/371401767951
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethgoddard

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2QQ5RMB - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3vcgQPk - Kindle

Also available in Audiobook edition

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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