Sharon Souza and Free Books!

Isabella Nichols wants to know what caused her sister to drive herself and her husband off a cliff into the Truckee River. Her eleven-year-old niece Bronte may know the answer, but she hasn’t spoken since the accident seven years ago.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of The Lost Generation: A Novel of World War I, by Erica Hogan, is:

bookwurm70@...

Congratulations! We'll e-mail your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Sharon Souza, author of the contemporary women's fiction novel, What We Don’t Know (Independently Published, May 2017).

Sharon K. Souza is a freelance author whose passion is writing inspirational novels for and about women. Her novels address difficult subjects women often face, head on, including infertility, infidelity, extreme loss, but always include a healthy dose of humor. Her stories are rich with relationship: best friends, sisters, and the deeply complex relationship between mothers and daughters.

Sharon was the recipient of the 2009 Author of the Year Award from Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. Her debut novel, Every Good & Perfect Gift, received recognition from Publisher’s Weekly:

“In her moving debut novel ... Souza laudably refuses to succumb to a pat ending that neatly ties up all the loose ends. Souza’s poignant story shows promise and should earn her some fans among inspirational fiction readers.” 

It was also a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year for Debut Author and Women’s Fiction. Her novel, Lying on Sunday, ranked third place in the 2009 RWA Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest for Women’s Fiction category.

Sharon speaks to women’s groups, and loves to interact with book clubs, locally and via Skype.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I’d rather fish than just about anything. But I don’t bait my own hooks. When guys tease my husband for doing it for me, I just say: He doesn’t iron his own shirts; I don’t bait my own hooks. That seems to quiet them.

You tell 'em. There might even be a place in the Bible that spells that out. Maybe.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of What We Don't Know.

Selective Mutism. That’s the diagnosis for eleven-year-old Brontë McCabe, who hasn’t spoken a word in seven years. And who could blame her, after witnessing her parents’ deadly plunge into the Truckee River near Lake Tahoe?

Isabella Nichols, Bronte’s guardian and self-proclaimed defender, will do anything to protect her niece. So when Brontë’s uncle—her dad’s twin brother—suddenly shows up and threatens to fight for custody, sparks fly. Especially considering their history.

Isabella’s mother wants to help. Even though she may be right—about a lot of things—Belle doesn’t want her help. Especially considering their history.

Those aren’t the only sparks flying, thanks to Ty Cole, who’d like to be more than Isabella’s friend. Way more. Why does she keep pushing him away? Why does she push everyone away?

What does Brontë really remember about that night? And does Isabella Nichols really want to know?

What is it about Isabella that will make your readers care about her?

Isabella Nichols is a passionate young woman, especially in her care for her niece, Bronte. Belle’s mother thinks she’s over-protective and thinks Bronte should be in counseling to help her regain speech. But Belle and Bronte communicate just fine. Belle believes Bronte will speak when she’s ready.

Belle isn’t a people-person and only allows a few to get close, like her best friend CJ and her neighbor Verlie, who’s like a grandmother to Bronte. She has a strained relationship with her mother, and misses her sister every day. In spite of how reserved Isabella may be to people outside her very small circle, you can’t help but admire her fierce devotion to Bronte.

Sometimes a writer’s imagination can be triggered with word mapping. If I give you the word “danger,” what three words first come to you, and how would you word a sentence (or two) using all four words?

Fear, protect, defeat.

Stepping into the darkness, I felt the danger all around me and feared the worst. I had to protect my child; I had to defeat this threat once and for all.

I like how the protective aspect carried over from your novel.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

One of my all-time favorite novels is Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake. It’s one of the few books I’ve read more than once. This story deals with prejudice in an unexpected way, with an unexpected target, and to me it ranks with To Kill a Mockingbird. Joy’s character and story development are outstanding. This is a book I can’t recommend highly enough.

High praise, that comparison!

What are you working on now?

I’m working on my first series ever. It’s my “I Don’t Do …” series. I Don’t Do Blood is the first in the series of five. It’s a light-hearted story of a young woman who works as a courier for a medical lab, picking up blood samples and biopsy items, such as tumors and even a uterus. She wants eventually to be a Lab Technologist, studying those very things she now collects as a courier, but has a deep aversion to blood—and for good reason.

I love the intrigue in that last phrase.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.sharonksouza.com and my FB page is facebook.com/sharonksouza

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What, if anything, makes you want to read a book more than once?

Thanks, Sharon, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Sharon has offered to give away an e-copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Sharon's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Erica Hogan and Free Books!

Three couples, from across the British Empire to America, are tested in faith, hope, and love by the tragedy and horror of World War I.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Right Where We Belong, by Deborah Raney (and her co-authors, Melissa Tagg and Courtney Walsh), is:

mauback55@...

Congratulations! We'll e-mail your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Erica Hogan, author of the Historical Romance, The Lost Generation: A Novel of World War I (Elk Lake Publishing, November 2016).

Erica was born and raised for nine years on Orient Point, Long Island, New York. After that she moved with her family to Virginia and, finally, to Texas where she now lives. She was homeschooled, is an avid reader, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

She lives to plot new stories, enjoys a good tear-jerker, and chocolate is her cure for any ailment. Once a month Erica publishes a post on her blog, By the Book: Diary of a Bookaholic, where she shares her experiences with writing and, occasionally, a book review. She is represented by Jim Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

Erica’s wish is to continue to write stories that not only drop her readers into the middle of historical time periods, but also to show the ability to rise up out of adversity and tragedy in hope, faith, love, and strength. When it comes to genre, she has no limits.

The Lost Generation is Erica’s debut novel. It was long listed in the 2017 INSPY Awards and nominated for the Christian Retailing’s Best Awards. You can learn more about her on her blog or Facebook page.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

When I was growing up, I took violin lessons for several years. While playing has faded out of my life, I still love the violin and will occasionally play (out of earshot of others, since I’m really out of practice!) :)

Wow, that seems like one of the more difficult instruments to learn!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Lost Generation.

The Lost Generation focuses on three couples from three different countries.
Emma and Jared, a Canadian couple, John and Beth, a British couple, and Christy and Will, an American couple.

When war is declared in Britain and Canada, Jared and John rush right into the fray and, somehow, end up together, forming a bond that will last the next four years.

In America, Christy and Will watch and wait for what they know is about to come.

When the war finally reaches America, Will joins the fight and Christy, desperate to be closer to him, travels from New York to London.

But when all three men go missing, it pushes Emma and Christy to join the nurses and doctors on the frontlines, in hopes of finding their lost loves. This brings them together in a way neither of them expected and, throughout the war, they learn even more about faith, hope, friendship, and love.

What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about her?

Well, throughout the writing of the novel, I never felt there was ever a lead character. If I had to choose one, I suppose it would have to be Emma. Among all of them, Emma was always my favorite. She was so strong, but had the same fears as everyone else. The war made her a stronger, harder person and her faith is tested from the moment Jared is called to war. We get a true glimpse into her heart as she struggles with God and with doing what she must on the bloody battlefields of France.

Sometimes a writer’s imagination can be triggered with word mapping. If I give you the word “danger,” what three words first come to you, and how would you word a sentence (or two) using all four words?

Three words that first come to me: Darkness, Storm, Battle. Now, a sentence with all four words …

“The clouds overhead warned of a storm, covering the field of battle in darkness and whispering danger on the wind.”

I love that!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Julie Lessman’s Isle of Hope. It is the first book in her contemporary trilogy and I absolutely loved it! A story of unfailing love, forgiveness, and hope, it teaches us about facing the past and coming home. It truly touched my heart (as all of Julie’s books usually do).

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a few writing projects right now. As well as slowly finishing the second book in my fantasy series (book one is releasing in a couple of months!!), I’ve started work on a contemporary novel which will be the first of three. I’m very excited about it!

Where else can readers find you online?

You can connect with me on Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
And, of course, my blog: booksaholic.wordpress.com

You can also follow me on Amazon and receive any new info on my books! :)

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

As a person who loves to read, as well as write, I always looks for something a little different from the books I choose. I want something deeper and realistic. So, I suppose my question would be what do you look for in a book? What would you expect to see from an author like me, who doesn’t limit herself to one genre?

Thanks, Erica, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Erica has offered to give away an e-copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Erica's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Deborah Raney and Free Books!

Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this!

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of my novel, The Guy I'm Not Dating, is:

debbiewilder@...

Congratulations! I'll e-mail your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Deborah Raney, co-author of the women's fiction novella collection, Right Where We Belong (Amazon Digital, April 2017).

Deborah Raney's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Since then, her books have won numerous awards including the RITA®, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. Deb's novel, Home at Last, the final book in The Chicory Inn Novels series for Abingdon Press, released in February.

She enjoys teaching at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband, Ken Raney, traded small-town life in Kansas––the setting of many of Deb's novels––for life in the friendly city of Wichita where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

Many people know that I have four children, but they may not know that those kids are walking miracles, since I was told as a teen by several doctors that I would never be able to conceive. Our kids are spread out over three decades: Our oldest son was born in the 70s, our middle two in the 80s, and our baby was born in 1990.  😋

I definitely didn't know that, Deb! Wow, miracles, indeed.

Please tell us a bit more about the plots of the novellas in the collection.

In Deborah Raney’s A Langhorne Romance: Lily O'Neal's thriving at-home bakery means working alone in her state-of-the-art kitchen, so how's she ever supposed to meet the man of her dreams? But when delivery truck driver, Gage Simmons, shows up at her door—crooked grin and all—she can't help making sure he has a reason to return...even if it means ordering her supplies one at a time.

In Melissa Tagg’s A Maple Valley Romance: After years of mistakes and regret, coffee shop owner Megan Harrow has finally built a new life for herself and her daughter in quirky, but charming Maple Valley. But she’s not ready for the sparks that fly when she meets local nonprofit owner Eric Hampton ... or for the sudden reappearance of an unwelcome face from her past.

In Courtney Walsh's A Sweethaven Romance: Eleanor Waverly is practically Sweethaven royalty, but her comfortable, cushy world is turned upside-down when she discovers an old map hidden in the bottom of a 125-year-old time capsule. Her only hope of uncovering the truth lies with local firefighter (and Waverly rival) Jason Holloway, and with his piercing eyes and troubled past, it's clear from the start it's not only her way of life that's on the line, it's her heart.

What is it about Lily that will make your readers care about her?

Lily is somewhat lonely (since her parents have gone off to be missionaries, leaving her to run the in-home bakery business she and her mother started) and wondering how she’ll ever meet someone special when she works from home.

You know, I think there are so many people today who struggle with that social dilemma. I'm so glad I'm not on the dating scene!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

I recently finished reading Christina Suzann Nelson’s If We Make It Home for endorsement. I thoroughly enjoyed it and especially liked the fact that the novel asked hard questions about what would you do in the characters’ shoes? To me the perfect combination in a novel is entertainment and enlightenment and this book has both.

What are you working on now?

Recently I’ve been able to get the rights back to many of my older novels, and Ken and I are having a blast working together to get them back in print through our Raney Day Press. Ken is a talented graphic designer and illustrator and he’s created some gorgeous new covers to update my books. In the midst of that task, I’m also finishing a novel I started a few years ago and never completed. Set in small-town Winterset, Iowa, home of the beautiful bridges of Madison County, it’s the story of two disillusioned people who begin to find joy and hope as God intertwines the events of their lives.

I think the emergence of independent publishing has enabled a lot of Inspirational authors to produce fiction that might not fit within the traditional parameters. It's an exciting time for writers and readers.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.deborahraney.com
Facebook
DRreadergroup
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
DRGoodReads
novelgarden.blogspot.com
inspiredbylifeandfiction.com

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

I’d love to know what is your very favorite setting for a novel? Whether your answer is specific (like stories set in a certain state, small town, or city) or more general (such as a ranch or resort, or a foreign country), I’m always curious what attracts readers when they think of a novel’s setting.

Thanks, Deb, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Deborah has offered to give away an e-copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Deb's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

The Guy I'm Not Dating E-book and Free Books!

When personal trainer Kara Richardson stumbles upon charming young deli owner, Gabe Paolino--new to town and quite available--she realizes she couldn't have chosen a worse time to take a vow against dating.

Before I say more about the above novel, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Healing Love, by Jennifer Slattery, is:

crazybooklover7@...

and the winner of the e-copy of my new release, Local Girl, is:

pmkellogg56@...

Congratulations! We'll e-mail your books right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

This week I'm re-featuring my novel, The Guy I'm Not Dating, because it has just released in e-book format. By way of celebration, I'm going to give away a copy of the e-book.

Here's a quick take on the story's plot:

"Yowza!" exclaims Kara Richardson when she sees the handsome proprietor of the new delicatessen in town, Gabe Paolino—who soon expresses mutual interest. This would be the start of a perfect love story, except for one thing—Kara has vowed to stop dating until she feels God's leading.

But when humorous circumstances send Kara and Gabe on a road trip to Florida, hope springs anew. Even with Kara's flirtatious coworker Tiffany—"a hyena in heels"—along for the ride, the uncouple begins a lively journey that could change their paths forever.

This memorable, charming story of love's persistence captures the honor of waiting on God's timing, and the adventure of finding the perfect guy to not date.

The book can be purchased in e-book format via the following button:



How about you? What is something about which you've chosen to (or had to) wait on God's timing? Has His answer come to you yet? If so, how did it work out?

To enter the drawing, leave a comment below in answer to my question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE