Small Town Sweethearts, by Jean Gordon - FREE BOOK

Tell us about your new book.

Small-Town Sweethearts is a short contemporary inspirational romance from Harlequin Love Inspired. With the help of God and the love of Drew Stacey, a down-sized Wall Street analyst turned church camp manager, New York City assistant art director and former town misfit Emily, ne Jinx, Hazard finds the thing she wants most in the place she least wants to be — Paradox Lake.

Summoned as temporary guardian for her teenage niece, Emily Hazard returns to Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains on one condition—she won't let herself think about staying. Emily always felt like a misfit in her tiny hometown. But she doesn't count on falling for handsome Drew Stacey, a former Wall Streeter who's getting the town church camp ready. Though he surprises Emily with his handiness with tools, understanding of teenagers and his steady faith, she'll soon head back to New York. Unless her small-town sweetheart asks her to stay forever.

Can you give us a sneak peek?

Sure. Just click here: http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?itemid=25171&cid=416

What inspired this book?
I got the idea for Small-Town Sweethearts when a family member told me she liked her new church because the members were more standoffish and private. From that conversation, the story evolved. I got thinking about how her view of what she wanted in a church contrasted with mine. One of the things I like about our church is the feeling of fellowship there with everyone pitching in on projects.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

Definitely finding the time to write. I have a full-time job as the Editorial Supervisor at a tax and financial planning publisher in Albany, NY, have a family, and regularly volunteer at my church’s Book Nook. And I’m not a particularly fast writer. I try to write at least 500 words a day, six days a week. But I don’t beat myself up if I don’t make that goal. I also have a minimum of 100 or an hour of editing/revising.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?
My books all seem to have a common theme of finding the way home. And all but one are set in my native, rural Upstate New York.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

A warm feeling of family and fellowship.


What is your favorite color?

Green


Do you have a favorite recipe?

I have what I think is a great recipe for fat-free cheesecake that I adapted from another cheesecake recipe that I got in a pack of recipe cards someone gave me when I was first married.


If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

I have been fascinated by Mary Queen of Scots since I read a book called The Four Marys” in fifth grade. So, I think I’d like to go to her 16th century court.


What project are you currently working on?

I have just finished another Love Inspired romance set in Paradox Lake, NY. Neal Hazard (Emily’s brother) has declared no more babies for him. The North Country electrician wants to recapture the life he lost by choosing to raise his now-college-age daughter alone. But a woman from the past, Anne Howard, and a precocious toddler interfere and show him that God has another plan for them all. Small-Town Dad (my working title) will be out in the fall.



Jean has offered to giveaway a copy of Small Town Sweethearts. At least 10 people need to leave a comment for there to be a contest. Remember to leave your email address in case you win (this is how I will contact you) OR you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put contest in the subject line and indicate which book you wish to be entered for. Winner announced Feb 5th.

Deception, by Lillian Duncan - FREE eBook

Tell us about your book.

DECEPTION is about a school counselor who is estranged from her sister. When a niece she knows nothing about calls, Patti must unravel the truth behind her sister’s disappearance. The more she unravels the more dangerous it becomes.

Can you give us a sneak peek?
"Hello.”

"Me want my aunt." It was a young girl. By the sound of her voice, maybe three, or four.

"Oh, I'm sorry, honey. You must have dialed the wrong number. Hang up and try again. OK, sweetie?" instructed Patti, slipping into her teacher voice.

"I need my aunt. Mommy’s not here," said the little girl. I ‘sposed to call my aunt. I want my mommy.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Patti didn’t like the sound of that. Surely, her parents hadn’t left this little girl alone. "You're mommy's not home with you?" Concern edged into her voice.

"Just me. Can’t find Mommy. Where's Mommy?" The little girl’s voice trembled.

"I don't know, sweetie. How old are you??‛ Patti asked, while reaching for the pad and pen by the phone.

I’m four.‛ The little girl’s voice was tinged with pride at the announcement.

"That’s very good. What's your name?"

"I not ‘spose to tell strangers." It came out more like a wail than words.

"That's a good girl. You're right, you shouldn’t tell strangers your name, but I’m not a stranger. You called me, remember?‛

There was a pause as the little girl considered this new information. “Sabina?”

“Do you mean Sabrina?”

“Yeah, Sabina.”

Patti smiled. She’d had a cat named Sabrina when she was young. Patti and her twin had played house with that silly animal for hours on end. Her sister always said she would name her first daughter after... Patti’s heart skipped a beat. It couldn’t be.

Patti shook the thought away. This Sabrina had nothing to do with Patti’s twin. It was a coincidence, nothing more.

What inspired this book?
A dear friend and I were on the outs with each other and she passed away. It taught me that there is very little in life that warrants shutting out someone you care about. I wrote the book in hopes that others would learn from my mistake.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?
I love writing but after about the fourth or fifth rewrite, it becomes a bit tedious.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?
Showing God’s love by helping others seems to always work its way into my books.


What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
To forgive others while you have the opportunity. We never know what tomorrow will bring so it’s best to forgive in the present not wait until later.

What is your favorite color?
Pink and Purple and all shades in between

Do you have a favorite recipe?
I love pasta in any form but one of my favorite sauces can only be made in the summer. I take tomatoes straight from my garden. Melt butter in a sauce pan and add the tomatoes along with garlic and salt to taste. Let it bubble and thicken and then pour it on the pasta of your choice with lots of parmesan cheese. Canned tomatoes work but it’s not the same if the tomatoes aren’t fresh from your garden!

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?
Growing up, I always “dreamed” of being a pioneer woman. I thought I’d make a terrific pioneer. Now my husband and I chuckle at the thought. I wouldn’t have lasted a day in the wilderness.

To answer the question, I’d love to visit the Old West—but only visit.

What project are you currently working on?
I have several manuscripts in various stages and hope to have one or two published this years. One is currently entitled “Til Death Do Us Part” and is a sequel to PURSUED, which was published last July.

I’m also running a contest on my website that your readers might be interested in. The grand prize is a NOOK. No purchase is necessary. All they have to do is visit my website and sign up for the contest at http://www.lillianduncan.net/

For there to be a contest at least 10 people need to leave comments WITH an email address OR you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest" in the subject line. Winner announced 2/5/12.

Journey to Publication, BJ Robinson

B. J. Robinson's journey to publication began in third grade when her teacher submitted a story she wrote about her pet dog to a local newspaper, and it was published. In the fifth grade, her teacher read the entire series of Little House in the Prairie books to the class. Between her mother's reading all the classic fairytales to her before she started school and her teacher reading the classic books, B. J. fell in love with reading.


Throughout middle school she penned poems. In college, her first essay "April Flood" was published in a different local newspaper. She took a creative writing class, and her short story won first prize in college-writing competition. She knew she'd found two loves of her life, reading and writing. Since the publication of her first prize-winning short story in the university's literary magazine, she's had the story published multiple times in newspapers. It ran in a three part series on the front page of her hometown newspaper with her picture, ran in St. Cloud in the News, and was published in online magazines. She developed her January release, Southern Superstitions, from the prize-winning short story. The story itself was altered slightly and is available as a free download from her publisher, Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/BJRobinson/Page.bok. The novel will be released January 15.

Her road to publication was long and filled with many people God placed in her life to help her. She took creative writing in college, sponsored a creative-writing club, took writing classes with Long Ridge Writing Institute, while also taking classes through the Christian Writers Guild, founded by Jerry B. Jenkins, with her writing mentor, Eva Marie Everson. During this time she published a lot of short work. She subbed a newspaper column in a local paper and had numerous poems, articles, short stories, essays, and devotionals published.

Her article "Honoring God's Calling" was published in the Fall 2010 edition of Together. Published devotionals include two with MustardSeed Ministries, seven with Standard Publishing in the Spring of 2010, and one in words to Write By: Author Devotionals compiled by Robin Bayne. Another was published in 2011 in Hurray God! "Mother's Glimpse of Heaven" was published in FATE Magazine in 2002. "POD Publishing: What's to Gain?" was published in Christian Fiction Online Magazine in March 2009. A short story was published in Pebble Lake Review in the Summer of 2004. She won a trophy for First Runner Up in a Florida Writer's Association contest in 2002.

B. J. Robinson is a prize-winning, multi-published author with three novels under her belt and a WIP. Last Resort, her debut Christian romantic suspense novel, released July 15 from Desert Breeze. It has five-star reviews on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com and has both male and female readers. Southern Superstitions releases January 15, another Christian romantic suspense developed from her prize-winning short story. Whispering Cypress releases August 15, 2012. her third Christian romantic suspense. One Rainy Summer releases October 15, 2012, her first YA novel



When she's not writing, she's reading and reviewing books on her blog. Barbara lives in Florida with her husband, cocker spaniel, golden retriever, and shelter cat, blessed with sons, daughters, grandchildren and faith. Visit her at http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com and sign to follow her blog for an opportunity to win free novels. Her novels may be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo, and anywhere fine books are sold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNoo962DbF0&feature=share Book Trailer for Southern Superstitions

Prayer versus Southern superstitions when a woman's husband mysteriously disappears in the swamp on a deer-hunting trip. Through belief, faith, hard work, the power of prayer, and God's help, this powerful, moving story is a thought-provoking Christian romantic suspense about a young couple who fall in love, but have to change her mother's mind in more ways than one, if their relationship is to survive. As steamy as the hot, thick, sticky heat of Louisiana, this page-turner will keep readers in suspense, as the author spins a tale of love, loss, superstition, pain, heartache, and faith in God. God and the power of prayer versus Southern superstitions. Can Andy convince June there's more to their relationship than friends? Will he win the approval of Myrtle, her mother, and can love survive strawberry season and an April flood? Will June be able to give Andy a child? When Andy disappears during the Christmas holidays will he return, or is he lost to June forever. Has the Louisiana swamp claimed another life?



Reviewer Kathy Boswell says, "Very good! She never gives up hope that Andy will return to her someday. She puts it all in God's hands like she'd done every crisis in her life. She knows He will take care of this for her."



Free excerpt for Southern Superstitions: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-249/Southern-Superstition-BJ-Robinson/Detail.bok

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey - FREE book

Tell us about your book.


Where Wildflowers Bloom is the first book in my new Sisters at Heart series for Revell. Wildflowers is set in 1866 Missouri.

In the opening, Faith Lindberg’s grandfather expects her to take over operation of the family mercantile, but forgets to tell her most of what she needs to know to make a success of the business. She’s an example of on-the-job-training at its most challenging.

Secondly, there’s a strong romantic conflict between the person Faith Lindberg thought she wanted to marry, and the new man in town, who intrudes on her careful plans.

Can you give us a sneak peek?

Here’s a look at the back cover:

How far will she go to follow her dreams?

The War Between the States stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg—as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry. With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her. But first she must convince her grandfather to sell the family's mercantile and leave a town their family has called home for generations.

When Royal Baxter suddenly returns, Faith allows herself to hope that she and Royal will finally wed. But does he truly love her? Or will another man claim her heart?


What inspired this book?

Ever since my husband and I visited Gettysburg a couple of years ago, I’ve been drawn to the idea of what life would have been like for women in the aftermath of the war. How did they resume their “normal” lives?

Add to that the fact that my great-grandparents moved to Missouri (from Illinois) shortly after their marriage in 1867 made the story a personal one. I could imagine my great-grandmother experiencing some of the things that my characters experienced.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

The biggest challenge is picking up the pieces of a story when my writing is interrupted by a family crisis, or even by a vacation. The longer I’m away, the harder it is to regain my focus. Writing every day, even if only a page or two, is the best way for me to stay connected to my plot and characters.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

I don’t have one particular topic in mind. Each book develops its own theme as the story progresses. For instance, in Where Wildflowers Bloom, one of the strong points is to bloom where you’re planted, rather than trying to run away from trials.


What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I hope readers will take a second look at their lives and discover that they have much to be grateful for, right where they are. All of this sounds so serious, but the story in Wildflowers is actually humorous at times, and romantic most of the time.  If readers simply sigh and say they loved the story, I’ll be happy!


What is your favorite color?

I’ve always loved most shades of blue, from light sky blue to deep royal blue.


Do you have a favorite recipe?

Too many to count! One of my top go-to desserts when I need a chocolate fix is a chocolate pudding cake with melted marshmallow sauce. It’s a recipe handed down from one of my mother’s sisters, and I never get tired of it. Just telling you about it makes me hungry!

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

I’d like to go back to 1867 in Missouri, to see how my great-grandparents lived. It would be fun and interesting to learn what life was really like for them.

What project are you currently working on?

I’m writing the second book in the Sisters at Heart series. The working title is When the Heart Heals, and tells the story of Faith Lindberg’s “sister at heart,” Rosemary Saxon. I expect the release date will be sometime early in 2013.


Thank you for inviting me to your blog! I’ve enjoyed your questions.

I am so excited you stopped by. The cover is so pretty. I can't wait to read this book!


If you want to learn more about my books, please visit my website, www.annshorey.com. I love to hear from readers!


 
Ann has offered to give away one copy of Where Wildflowers Bloom. At least 10 people need to leave a comment with an email address for there to be a contest. OR you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest" in the subject line. Be specific about which contest you want to enter. Winner will be announced 1/29/12. Valid in US and Canada ONLY.

Review - Race Against Time, by Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse

Anesia Naltsiine has made mistakes that have cost her-and her 13-year old daughter, Zoya-dearly. But no more. She will prove her worth as a mother and as a breeder of champion sprint racing dogs. Her kennel is so successful that buyers come from all over the world. So why does she still feel so worthless?


Zoya misses the dad she never knew. All she wants is to follow in his footsteps as a champion sprint dog racer. But when she witnesses a murder in their town of North Pole, Alaska, she finds herself thrown into dangers and emotions she can’t begin to understand.

Enter Sean Connelly, a new employee at the kennel with demons of his own. When he discovers macrochips bearing military secrets implanted in the Naltsiine's dogs, a puzzle tracing back to the murder unfolds. Then strange "accidents" start happening; clearly someone wants Zoya silenced. Anesia tells her daughter it's not safe to race, but Zoya, angry with the world- and God-takes off across dangerous Alaskan terrain alone. Anesia and Sean must race against time to save the girl-and themselves.
 
 
 
 
This thrilling, action packed book will have you holding your breath til the end. No dull moments or bouts of dullness come with this edge of your seat adventure! You won't be sorry you picked it up. Curl up next to the fireplace and dive into to intrigue!
 
 
 

The Rose of Winslow Street, by Elizabeth Camden - FREE book

Tell us about your book.


The Rose of Winslow Street is set in 1879. Libby Sawyer’s quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world. In short order, Michael Dobrescu seizes her home and declares ownership in an attempt to unravel a century-old mystery that is hidden deeply within the house. Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Mr. Dobrescu’s amazing past….and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role.

Can you give us a sneak peek?

You can link to the first chapter here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/71155637/The-Rose-of-Winslow-Street


What inspired this book?

Like a lot of writers, I glean tidbits from real life stories. A few years ago there was a case in my hometown in which a man doing home renovations found $200,000 hidden in the ductwork of his house. He thought he hit the jackpot until the previous owner showed up and wanted it back. A nasty court case ensued, and it is still wending its way through the system. This incident provided the seed of an idea in which a descendant of the previous home-owner shows up at a house claiming ownership, but that is where the resemblance the real-life story ends.

The Rose of Winslow Street is set in 1879 and features a mysterious band of strangers from Europe who come to a peaceful village where they seize a house, dispossessing the heroine and her family. In order for the plot to work, I needed both sides to be highly sympathetic, yet set against each other in stark opposition, with no easy solution in sight. Michael and Libby are natural enemies, but they are also both exceptionally smart people who develop a grudging respect for each other. And sometimes the attraction of forbidden fruit is a powerful romantic draw, as Libby soon discovers.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

My favorite thing is to write about is a good stormy romance! In order to develop a compelling love story, you must have loads of authentic conflict to keep driving the story forward. My heroes and heroines are always fiercely intelligent people, so figuring out how to build believable conflict with no easy solution is a challenge. I always want them to be profoundly attracted to each other, but face a mounting series of challenges in order to get to the finish line. I want them to experience laughter, joy, and tears along the way. In The Rose of Winslow Street, Michael is a tough, aggressive man who is fighting for his family’s survival. Men who are painted into a corner fight hard, and in this case, the only way for him to get out is plowing straight through Libby. This makes for great conflict as they fall in love with each other. So although I say I am writing about “love,” I am also writing about trust, forgiveness, adventure, and faith.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I want them to have a wonderful, exhilarating time as they watch Michael uncover layers of mystery, long-buried secrets, and fall hopelessly in love. My favorite novels make the reader feel like they have just made friends with a bunch of captivating people, and are sorry to close the last page. I hope this is the kind of experience The Rose of Winslow Street will deliver.

What is your favorite color?

Scarlet and gray (aka Ohio State’s colors!)

Do you have a favorite recipe?

Anything with five ingredients or less. I like healthy food, but don’t have much time to cook. Here is a tasty recipe with things I usually have on hand:

Make a large pot of pasta, and add a bag of frozen broccoli or chopped spinach to the water just before the pasta is done cooking. Drain, then stir in one jar of prepared pesto, one small tub of feta cheese, and about a pound of diced cooked chicken. Done!

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

Probably gilded age America. This is a time when modern inventions and progressive ideas were beginning to take root, but there was still a whiff of the grace and gentility that I think we have lost in this modern era. I work on a college campus, and I see kids going to class in their pajamas. Pajamas! Although I’m grateful women aren’t forced to wear corsets anymore, a little decorum would be nice!

What project are you currently working on?

My next book features a character from my first novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill. It is entirely a stand-alone book, so readers will be able to hop right in, even if they didn’t read the first. Alex Banebridge was a wonderfully fun, whiplash smart character in the first book, even though he was only seventeen years old. In the next book, Alex Banebridge is all grown up and is ready to set the world on fire. Look for it in late 2012.



For there to be a contest at least 10 people need to leave a comment WITH email addresses. Or you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest" in the subject line. Valid in US and Canada only. Winner announced 1/25/12.

When Love Collides, by Michelle Sutton

Tell us about your book.

Here is the blurb up on the Desert Breeze Publishing website.

She longs for physical healing, but God uses someone from a dark time in her past to heal something more important…her heart.

Ten years ago Raquel dumped Scott for an abusive man, only she didn’t know Scott loved her in a romantic way. She thought they were just good friends because Scott never made his feelings known. Ten years later they meet up again, only now she's a widow—emotionally fragile from years of abuse—and in need of a friend she can trust. She is taking care of her aunt who has cancer, but now her own health is failing. Scott never got over Raquel and he worries he will fall in love with her again. Her past rejection causes Scott to guard his heart as he helps her navigate the unwanted changes in her life. Over time he begins to trust her again as she fights discouragement over her diagnosis. He gives Raquel the unconditional love she has always longed for, but will that be enough?

Can you give us a sneak peek? (Sure, this is posted on the publisher's website, too.)

EXCERPT

From the corner of her eye she saw him make a fist. The sight of his tension made her breath catch. "I know you cared about me as a good friend should. You were always so kind to me and I hurt you. I regret that."

"Lot of good it did me," he muttered, his stare holding fast to something behind her.

She couldn't keep her chin from quivering. Biting the inside of her cheek, she attempted to hold back more tears. This appointment wasn't going well at all. The more she said, the angrier he seemed to get. A scowl from anyone these days reduced her to a puddle of sopping tears. She hated that, but couldn't seem to control her emotions.

Blinking, he swiped his hand over his face. "I have people waiting. Let's get back to the exam, okay?" He sighed. "I shouldn't have allowed my feelings to get involved."

Her throat swelled further and she could barely speak. His feelings? What did he mean? She covered her face with her hands and tried her best to regain control.

"Here," Scott muttered.

She glanced up. He handed her a tissue and their hands bumped.

"Thank you," she rasped, stretching the tissue as she blew her nose.

His voice softened. "You're welcome."

She sniffled, wiping her face and grabbing some fresh tissues.

"It might not seem like it, Rocky, but I forgave you a long time ago." He shifted his gaze to the wall. "Don't worry about it."

Her throat squeezed when he'd used his pet name for her. She didn't believe him, but held on to a shred of hope that he really would forgive her someday and they could be friends again. At least he said he'd forgiven her. It was a start.

"Can, um, we... talk later?" While staring at Scott, she wiped her nose.

He cleared his throat, something she remembered him doing whenever he got nervous. "First let's see if we can identify the cause of your symptoms so they can be treated. Can you please lift your hair?"

Scott removed a gadget from his pocket and turned on the light with the flick of his thumb. He slid his stool closer and leaned forward to check inside her ears for fluid. A shiver raced up her spine when his breath encountered her neck.

What inspired this book?

Some situations from my own experience like my mother having MS and being bedridden for nearly two decades before she died. Also, being involved in an abusive relationship back in the 1980s taught me a lot. My situation was different from Rocky's, but still traumatic enough that it took me quite a while to heal afterward.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

Probably the fact that I am a perfectionist and yet every time I finish a story I don't see my own typos when I read through it. So when I find out later that after reading it ten times and having other people edit and proof, sometimes stuff still slipped under the radar… that stuff makes me nuts.

LOL I can never stop editing.. drives me nuts and I still miss stuff.
What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

Forgiveness, second chances, and restored faith are my favorite subjects. Oh, and a healthy dose of sensual tension between couples in direct conflict with Christian principles, such as waiting for marriage to have sex, is fun for me to write.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Sometimes when hurting people react in ways that make no sense to the average person with healthy family experiences, it's because the hurting people are responding in fear and as a result of past trauma. We need to be patient and try to understand them, because they can't learn to trust others and grow in their faith if we brush them off the moment they start becoming difficult to deal with.

What is your favorite color?

Not totally sure if I have only one. I suppose mauve for overall likability, brown for wearing (as in clothes,) and green for things around me, like the color of my house.

Do you have a favorite recipe?

I prefer to eat what my husband cooks. I know, I'm spoiled.


If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

Oh, boy, tough question. Well, I suppose I would go back to the era where women wore skirts with bustles on the back because I have a natural bustle and wouldn't need any extra padding. The style was made for my figure. Plus, I would love to have lived during a time where women were at home with the children and raising them. There is something beautiful about a simplistic life like that.

What project are you currently working on?

Almost finished writing Out of Time, which releases in June 2012. Then I have another book, the third in the Sacred Vows series that I'm working to finish in early 2012. I also plan to self-pub a series just to try out the experience.

Cherry Blossom Capers, by Frances Devine

Tell us about your book. Cherry Blossom Capers is a collection of four romantic mysteries set in the Washington DC area. Each heroine finds romance while solving a mystery. My co-authors are Lynette Sowell, Cara Putman, debut author Gina Conroy and me. I had so much fun writing Coffee, Tea and Danger. My heroine, owner of a coffee, tea and dessert shop, inherits an old mansion in Virginia from her uncle. The first day she goes to check out the place, she gets pushed down a flight of stairs. There’s also a hunky guy who helps her solve the series of mishaps.


Can you give us a sneak peek? Sure, here’s an excerpt from chapter four of Coffee, Tea and Danger.

The bearclaw was warm and buttered, just as he liked it. He suppressed the grin this time, unwilling to get shot down.

Now,” he said. “What’s bugging you about that house?”

“You’ll probably think it’s much ado about nothing.”

“How about letting me be the judge of that?”

She sipped her coffee and lifted a slender shoulder. “The day I went to the mansion, I fell down the stairs. All the way from the second floor to the foyer. My head hit the stair rail and the hard foyer floor. I blacked out for a sec.”

His heart thudded in his ears. “That could have killed you.” That was an understatement, but he couldn’t think of anything else that might be more appropriate. The thought of her bleeding at the bottom of those long stairs made him shudder.

“I was definitely in divine hands that day.” She stirred her coffee. “When I came to enough to think, I told Mary to call the police.”

“What for? I’d think you’d call an ambulance. Why the police?”

“I felt a hand on my back right before I fell.”

What inspired this book? I love mysteries. Especially with creepy old houses. When I was invited to be part of this group, I jumped at the chance.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book? My own lack of self-discipline. I tend to procrastinate and then end up with difficult deadlines. But I’m working on this character flaw. In fact, it is my number one resolution for 2012.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)? I love to write about flawed individuals who overcome through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book? I hope they’ll enjoy the good clean fun. And leave with that feeling of satisfaction in knowing all is well with God in control.

What is your favorite color? If I have to choose one, I’ll say burgundy. But I like many colors.

Do you have a favorite recipe? Cranberry Banana Nut Bread Recipe follows the questions.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go? Pre World War II.

What project are you currently working on? The second book in a series about teachers set in a school for the deaf and blind in post civil-war Georgia.


Cranberry Banana Nut Bread

½ cup vegetable shortening (you can substitute oil)

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 ¾ cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 cup mashed bananas

1 cup drained whole cranberry sauce

½ cup chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla



Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar.

Add eggs go shortening/sugar mixture one at a time, beating after each.

Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture with mashed bananas.

Fold in nuts, cranberry sauce, and vanilla.



Bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 60 minutes more or less. Or you can use muffin tins and decrease the baking time to 20 minutes or so.



Enjoy!

YUM! Thanks for sharing. :)



For there to be a contest at least 10 people need to leave comments WITH an email address. OR you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest" in the subject line. Winner announced Jan 22nd.

Summer of Promise, by Amanda Cabott

Tell us about your book.


In less than 100,000 words? Oh, my, that’s a challenge. My editor will tell you that I’m not noted for brevity, which is why I struggle with synopses. Let’s see what I can do. Summer of Promise is the first of my Westward Winds trilogy, featuring the lives and loves of three sisters who come to Wyoming at the end of the territorial period, right before Wyoming became a state. As for the story …

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.


When circumstances--and perhaps a bit of matchmaking--put Abigail and Ethan together, there's certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

Can you give us a sneak peek?

Yes, indeed, and I hope you’ll take a look at it. The whole first chapter is posted on my web site. If you click on this link, you’ll find the ‘story behind the story’ and discussion questions as well as an excerpt.

http://www.sff.net/people/amanda.cabot/index_files/more-summer.htm

What inspired this book?

When we first moved to Wyoming, my husband and I needed a break from unpacking, hanging curtains, planning landscaping and all the other activities associated with a new house. We knew we couldn’t play hooky for too long, so we limited ourselves to a day trip, but what a day trip that was. When we set foot inside Fort Laramie, it was love at first sight. The fort was very different from my mental image, but that was part of its appeal. And when I discovered how genteel life was at the fort during the 1880s, I couldn’t stop thinking about the people who might have lived there. Summer of Promise is the result.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

For this particular book, the challenge was word count. I’ve already admitted that I have a problem with brevity, and that problem was compounded by all the fascinating facts that I discovered about Fort Laramie. I made the classic mistake of trying to include too many of them in the story, with the result that I was way over my upper limit of words. I really hated cutting the subplot about the soldiers’ variety show, but there was no choice. And, who knows, perhaps I’ll revisit the fort for another story, and then I’ll be able to let my characters plan a show.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?

Although I didn’t recognize it when I first started writing, my books tend to have one of two themes: healing and forgiveness. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, because I’ve realized how closely tied those themes are, and that one of the ways we can find healing is to forgive.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

My prayer as I write each book is that my stories will touch readers’ hearts and strengthen their faith.

What is your favorite color?

Blue. Although I love all the shades, my favorite is the deep blue of the Wyoming sky. Is it any wonder that’s one of the things that attracted me to the state in the first place?

Do you have a favorite recipe?

What a tough question! It’s a toss-up between gingerbread pumpkin pie, where the gingerbread forms the crust, a wonderful French-style apple pie called “apple pie, cottage style,” and a decadent chocolate cake that’s actually relatively healthy. Can you tell that dessert is my favorite part of the meal?


If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

I’ve always thought that I’d like to live in England at the turn of the twentieth century. They had some modern conveniences like indoor plumbing then, and from what I’ve read, it sounds like it was a gracious lifestyle. Of course, I would have wanted to be part of the aristocracy, since the servants’ lives were not easy.

What project are you currently working on?

I’ve just finished the first draft of With Autumn’s Return, the third of the Westward Winds books. That will be a 2014 release. Right now I’m waiting for copy edits on Christmas Roses, which will be released in September, and the first edits for Waiting for Spring, the second Westward Winds book. One thing’s for sure: I’m not bored.




Bio

From the time that she was seven, Amanda Cabot dreamed of becoming a published author, but it was only when she set herself the goal of selling a book by her thirtieth birthday that the dream came true. A former director of Information Technology, Amanda has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She’s delighted to now be a fulltime writer of Christian historical romances. Her Texas Dreams trilogy received critical acclaim, and Summer of Promise, the first book in the Westward Winds series, was just released.

Replication: The Jason Experiment, by Jill Williamson

Tell us about your book.


Replication: The Jason Experiment is about a girl named Abby, who is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

What inspired this book?

I was in a car with my sister in upstate New York. We were driving to an orchard to pick apples. As we passed farm after farm after farm, I got to daydreaming: What if there was a Farm that grew people? They could call it Jason Farms! And the idea was born.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 2004.


What is your favorite character trait to write about?

Courage. Whether the character is a brave warrior or a timid babysitter, I love forcing my characters to find their inner strength and stand up for what they believe in.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That there is only one God and he created each of us uniquely and for a purpose.

What is your favorite season?

Winter! I love snow and Christmas and hot chocolate.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?

I’m tempted to blurt out Regency England, but I have no point in going there. I just love books set in that time and place.

But I think I’d really rather go to 1974, become a new student at my parent’s high school, and see what they were like back then—my grandparents too. I think that would be fascinating.

What project are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on a two-book series that’s scheduled to release in 2013. The first, tentatively called Thirst, is an apocalyptic story, and the sequel is called Captives, and it’s the dystopian future result of that first book.


Connect with Jill: http://jillwilliamson.com/

Jill has offered to give away 1 copy of her new release. Contest rules: At least 10 people need to leave a coment WITH an email address to be entered. Valid in US and Canada only. Winner announced Jan 15th.

Rose's Pledge, by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford - FREE book

Tell us about your book.

In Rose’s Pledge, the reader will meet three British sisters who come to America as indentured servants. Expecting to be sold together, they instead find themselves sold to different owners and separated from each other by great distances. Rose’s Pledge centers on Rose, the oldest sister, and each of the two following books will feature her other sisters, Mariah and Lily.

Can you give us a sneak peek?
Sure thing! From the back blurb: A gentlewoman sold to the highest bidder…

A frontiersman looking for love outside of marriage…

And the vast, untamed wilderness and peoples that threaten their survival.

To save her father from debtors’ prison in England, gently bred Rose Harwood indentures herself to the highest bidder in the far away American Colonies. Her new owner, a grubby trader, takes her deep into Indian Territory, and when hostilities erupt at the start of the French and Indian War, Rose finds herself more in need of rescue than her father ever was.

Frontiersman Nate Kinyon is eager to save Rose, but he has strayed from his childhood beliefs and is far from being the man God called him to be. And Rose is reluctant to sacrifice her faith to secure a charming but wordly longhunger’s protection.

As the two struggle amid danger for survival, they have a lot to learn—from each other and from God. Will they discover that the only true and lasting love comes from God, the Author of their destiny?

What inspired this book?
My co-author, Dianna Crawford, and I have written a six-book series on the Revolutionary War, called Freedom’s Holy Light, which told of the effect of the Great Awakening on Colonial America. We enjoyed researching the time period so much—and putting back into history some of the miracles that revisionists have removed from American history textbooks—we decided to go farther back into history to the time of the French and Indian War and delve into how life affected the courageous earlier settlers.

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?
Coming up with an intriguing and original story line has never been my favorite part of writing, but it is Dianna’s. She doesn’t care much for playing with words, but I love to. So working together has been a blessing for both of us, as we each feel we’re doing the ‘easy’ part.

What is your favorite thing to write about, (i.e., forgiveness, rebellion, etc)?
I truly love showing how faith and love go together, and how the Lord truly does work all things together for good to those who live for Him.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
I hope they will appreciate the dangers the founders of this magnificent country endured so that we could live in freedom. The courage and tenacity of the individuals who left everything familiar behind to bring the light of the Gospel to an entirely new, unsettled land are a true inspiration. God truly has blessed our country and made it the most wonderful nation on earth.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color has always been sky blue, but I also like rich jewel tones.

Do you have a favorite recipe?
My family is always happy when I make soft chocolate chip cookies, from a recipe I altered out of a Betty Crocker cookbook.

If you could travel back in time when and where would you go?
It would be awesome to have been among the people who followed Jesus and walked where He walked. I truly hope I would have been a faithful follower and would have stood firm in my faith despite persecution.

What project are you currently working on?
Dianna is already plotting out Lily’s Plight, the third book in our series, and I expect to start working on it after the holidays.




In order for there to be a contest at least 10 people need to leave a comment WITH an email address. Or you can email me at srstormo@yahoo.com and put "contest" in the subject line. Winner announced 1/15/12. Valid in US and Canada only.

Night of the Cossack, by Tom Blubaugh and the 10 Day Study Guide, by Theresa Franklin

Tom Blubaugh was the very first author I interviewed on my blog site earlier this year. I am so excited to have him back today to talk about his new project.

His book Night of the Cossack was released in 2011. It was inspired by the life of his grandfather who was captured and forced into the life of a Cossack soldier. Since its release he has been busy promoting his book which has received a solid 5 start rating on Amazon.

Night of the Cossack is a compelling adventure about a teenager who is forced to grow up quickly. The main character, Nathan Hertzfield faces many life or death situations during his saga. Join Nathan on his suspenseful journey through parts of Russia and Europe during the early 1900's. Don't miss this entertaining and intriguing story, Night of the Cossack.

Today Tom is here to talk about a 10 day study guide that Theresa Franklin wrote based on his book.

This lesson plan covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies plus discussion questions concerning Moral Dilemmas.

This Literature Based Curriculum Guide and 10 Day Lesson Plan was specifically designed for home school participants by Theresa Franklin. However, it is a wonderful tool for book clubs and family discussions.

This is a companion to the historical fiction book by Tom Blubaugh. Theresa Franklin said in her amazon review of Night of the Cossack, "I highly recommend this book for teachers of any grade over sixth and reluctant readers."

How did the study guide come about?

Theresa read my novel and wrote a review as you mentioned above. She is a retired school teacher and she saw the value of the book as a teaching tool. What is interesting is the fact that I have had a desire to make my book available to the homeschool community. I tried to contact homeschool associations, but had no success. My publisher took it to a meeting in Kansas City, but was unsuccessful. I had put it on the back burner and then I got an email from Theresa asking if it was okay to write the study guide. You know how God works, Salena.

Why did you decide to publish it?

I started to say it was an answer to prayer, but I’m not sure I specifically prayed about this. I think it was just a desire that wouldn’t go away. I believe there are strong lessons in the story and I want young people to discuss and learn from them. I want to be very transparent here—I was a felon at age 15. I was going down a path that would have destroyed me until a bookkeeping teacher intervened in my life in the eleventh hour. Her name was Charlene Jeffers and she passed away last year. I believe to this day that the Lord put her in my path. She came to me at the end of my senior year of high school and told me that all of the other teachers had signed off on my grades for my diploma except her. She went on to tell me that she wasn’t going to until I made up every assignment and took every test I missed when I cut her class. I ended up sitting in her class room for five days meeting her requirements. Half way through the week, she stamped her foot on the floor and said, “Tom Blubaugh, you will never be a bookkeeper.” Her face was red and there was no doubt she was angry. I received my diploma and joined the Navy. My test scores in boot camp were very high and I was placed in leadership. I advance to the maximum rate I could in the four years I served. Almost thirty years later, she sat beside me at the funeral of a high school friend. After the service was over, I introduced myself. She remembered me. I asked her if she remembered that day and she said she didn’t. I was surprised because it was indelibly etched in my mind. She asked why it was so important to me. I told her I did become a bookkeeper and went on to be an office manager, an accountant, an auditor, a business manager, an insurance agent, a financial planner, and a registered investment manager and I told her, “I think it’s all your fault.” We both laughed and then we both cried. I told her that she was the only teacher who cared enough about me to confront me and make me accountable for my irresponsibility. I realized on some level that her anger meant she cared about me. She has held a special place in my heart all these years and will forever. Over the years I’ve wanted to work with young adults, but I didn’t really know how, but when I wrote this novel, the desire was very strong. I still didn’t know how to pursue my desire. Then Theresa wrote this study guide. I had no idea all of what she found was in my novel. Suddenly it looked as though the door was open for me and the homeschool arena is the conduit. I have a vision of moms and dads sitting down with their children and discussing the moral dilemmas in my novel. I can’t help but wonder how it would have helped me if I had this opportunity with my parents when I was a young adult.

What do you hope readers will gain by using this study guide?

My hope is that young adults will like my story well enough that they will put themselves in Nathan’s, the protagonist, place. That it will prompt them to deepen their relationships with their parents and siblings; choose their friends carefully and wisely; be aware that not all situations are black and white; that life can be dangerous; and that they are in the easiest place for learning that they will ever be in. When their education is finished and they go out into the world, they will no longer study the lesson before the test—they will learn the lesson after the test.

WOW! I never thought about it that way before, but you are so right!

How can this study guide help others? What is your vision?

I’m not sure how it can help others. I suppose anyone could learn from it. My vision? I’m not sure I can put it into words. I see myself speaking with young women and men about my book and why I wrote it. I know I’m old enough to be their grandfather and possible their great grandfather. I think this is part of the beauty of it. I was creating a grandfather I didn’t know when I wrote the novel and now I’m a grandfather of fourteen. I have a lot of experiences, stories and I love sharing things that will make a difference in their lives.

Salena, you have tested me with this interview. Thanks for the opportunity to share what’s in my heart. I never thought I would be this alive at sixty-nine.

Thank you for coming by today. I hope everyone will consider buying a copy of the book as well as the study guide which comes in eBook format. They are both excellent books. It is not often you find this subject touched upon. It would make a great gift!






Tom is giving away one SIGNED copy of Night of the Cossack. Please leave a comment with an email address to be entered. Winner announced January 11th, 2012.