Reading, Writing, and the Stuff In-Between

Lillian Duncan and Free Books!

2012-01-30T20:46:00.000-05:00

Deception: As children and identical twins, they played the game of Deception. Now, it’s not a game. It’s a matter of life and death.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Firethorn, by Ronie Kendig, is:

judyjohn2004@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Lillian Duncan, author of Deception (HarbourLight Books, December 2011). Lillian, please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love animals. I have four parrots and two dogs and would have more if I lived in the country.

--My bird whispers good morning to me every morning as I pass his cage.

--I am fluent in American Sign Language.

--I’ve been to 48 out of 50 states, many different countries, and three continents.

--I wish I were taller.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Deception.

Deception is the story of Patti who is estranged from her twin sister. When she gets a phone call from a niece she knows nothing about, she begins a journey to find her sister. On the journey, she must accept her share of the responsibility for why she has no relationship with her sister.

She assumes her sister is missing because of her usual irresponsible antics but the more she searches for her the more she comes to understand that her sister is in great danger. The authorities urge her to step back and let them do their job but her love for her sister knows no limits and she refuses.

Twins are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, but Patti and Jamie have serious “relationship issues.” Patti hasn’t seen Jamie since her twin ruined her upcoming nuptials years before. When a niece she knows nothing about calls, Patti must unravel the yarn of Jamie’s life and her disappearance.

Detective Carter Caldwell takes his job seriously, and it's his job to keep Patti and her adorable niece safe. But Patti is determined to help find her sister. Each step brings her closer to the truth, but pulls her further into a web of danger and deception.

They must find the courage and faith to continue the search for her sister. Her journey will take her down a road of deception where they will have to fight for her life and the lives of countless Americans.

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

Her love for her sister is so strong, she refuses to give up her quest to find her.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

... stuck to my diet; gone back to church sooner; moved back home; and started writing.

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

I’m reading Messages by Jon Michael Hileman and even though I’m not finished I would recommend it. I’m loving the story and I think most people who like suspense will love this story.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a nonfiction project entitled Smarten Up Your Kid. It’s a book with strategies on how to improve children’s language skills which in turn will help them be better students. To learn more go to: www.speechtherapyexplained.weebly.com

Where else can readers find you online?

www.lillianduncan.net
www.lillianduncan.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LillianDuncan

The book can be found in fine bookstores and can be purchased online via these buttons:

CBD.com

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

How important is it for the books you read to have a happy ending? Can you enjoy and recommend a book if it doesn’t have a happy ending.

Thank you, Lillian, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Lillian has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, February 6. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Lillian's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about Jean C. Gordon, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Jean C. Gordon and Free Books!

2012-01-28T15:04:00.073-05:00

With the help of God and the love of Drew Stacey, a down-sized Wall Street analyst turned church camp manager, NYC 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.

Today we're visiting with novelist Jean C. Gordon, author of Small-Town Sweethearts (Harlequin Love Inspired, January 2012).

From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word “the,” Jean's been reading everything she can put her hands on. A professional financial planner and editorial supervisor for a financial publisher in Albany, NY, she is as at home writing retirement- and investment-planning advice as she is writing romance novels, but finds novels a lot more fun.

She and her college-sweetheart husband tried the city life in Los Angeles, but quickly returned home to their native Upstate New York. They share a 170-year-old farmhouse just south of Albany with their daughter and son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a menagerie of pets. Their son lives nearby. While Jean creates stories, her family grows organic fruits and vegetables and tends the livestock de jour.

Although her day job, writing and family don’t leave her a lot of spare time, Jean likes to give back when she can. She and her husband team-taught a seventh-and-eighth-grade Sunday school class for several years and currently serve on her church’s Evangelism Committee. She also shares her love of books with others by volunteering at the church’s Book Nook.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--In high school, I was the runner up Wyoming County (NY) Maple Syrup Princess.

--Broccoli is one of my favorite foods.

--We (my son in law actually) raise organic hogs on our farm.

--I enjoy doing income tax forms.

--I love roller coasters, but riding downhill on a bicycle scares the death out of me.

I love that you clearly have strong left-hemisphere work going on! That can be rare among us "creative" types. Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Small-Town Sweethearts.

When Emily Hazard’s brother asks her to come home to Paradox Lake and serve as temporary guardian for her teenage niece while he’s deployed to Afghanistan with his Reserve unit, Emily Hazard agrees on one condition—she won't let herself think about staying. Emily always felt like a misfit in her tiny Adirondack Mountain 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’s set on heading back to New York City. Like all of my books, Small-Town Sweethearts is set in Upstate New York.

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

I think readers can relate to Emily’s desire as a young person to get out into the world and discover all of the things she thinks aren’t available at home and the older Emily’s realization that many of the things she eschewed are really the things she wants.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Taylor Swift . . .

. . . and a young Hugh Jackman.

He may look a little formal here, but he's young! We'll picture him barefoot, in a flannel shirt and jeans and consider this his "former Wall Streeter" evening attire.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have . . .

. . . been more relaxed and let life play out as it would, rather than trying to micro-plan everything.

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

The last book I couldn’t put down was Winnie Griggs’ Love Inspired Second Chance Family. I’d recommend it because it was so heartwarming. I know that sounds a little pat. But it made me laugh and it made me cry and I felt so good reading it.

What are you working on now?

Another Love Inspired set in Paradox Lake tentatively called Small-Town Dad. It’s about Emily’s brother Neal. Neal Hazard 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. It should be out in the fall.

Where else can readers find you online?

Facebook, @JeanCGordon on Twitter, and www.JeanCGordon.com.

The book is available at fine book stores and online via these buttons:

CBD.com

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

Do you like books with unusual settings or do you have a favorite type of setting you like to stick with?

Thank you, Jean, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jean has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, February 2. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jean's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about current free Christian novel downloads, below.

And 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 HERE.

Ronie Kendig and Free Books!

2012-01-23T20:04:00.081-05:00

Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Death in Dahlonega, by Deborah Malone, is:

kalea_kane@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Ronie Kendig, author of Firethorn (Barbour, January 2012). Please tell us five random things we might not know about you, Ronie.

--I am an extremely non-confrontational person, but if I see someone getting bullied or made fun of, the stops come out!

--I love Audrey Hepburn and collected memorabilia with her likeness.

--In middle school, I wanted to be a pastry chef when I grew up—and now, I’m taking cake decorating classes.

--I prefer cats over dogs, yet I have three dogs and no cats.

--Though I love new things and inventions, I am a traditionalist in just about every sense of the word.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Firethorn.

Former Marine and current Nightshade team member Griffin Riddell is comfortable. So comfortable he never sees the set up that lands him in a maximum security prison, charged with murder. How will he ever prove his innocence stuck behind iron bars?

Covert operative Kazi Faron is tasked with reassembling Nightshade—the black ops team someone dissected. Breaking Griffin out of a federal penitentiary amid explosive confusion may turn out to be her last assignment. What will it take to convince the fugitive that whoever set him up has also dissected the Nightshade team?

As Kazi and Griffin race to rescue the others and discover the traitor, love begins to awaken in their hearts. Can a covert operative and the felon she’s freed overcome their mutual distrust long enough to save Nightshade? Will anything prepare them for who—or what is coming?

I’d like to share Don Brown’s endorsement of Firethorn: With a masterful literary ouch, Ronie Kendig has penned my kind of novel, a sweeping black-ops thriller with edge-of-your-seat action from all over the globe! I just love this book, featuring multiple global settings swirling around a common, exciting storyline. I don’t want to give away too much, but Ronie does a great job of offering flawless, action-packed scene changes, from a federal penitentiary in America, to the West Bank of the Jordan, to Cyprus, and from there Uganda, and from there London, Paris, Virginia, Venezuela, Grenwich Village, or on a Coast Guard Cutter near Puerto Rico, all of which makes a master-novel with superb and flawless integration of global scenery, nonstop action, and fascinating characters.

This type of thriller is hard to write, but if you can pull it off, you’ve got a potential blockbuster on your hands! Ronie Kendig had done just that. FIRETHORN has many moving parts that synchronize together with the beautiful precision of an expensive Rolex watch!

It’s my honor to endorse Ronie Kendig’s riveting novel, FIRETHORN, with my highest recommendation.

Wow! Quite an endorsement! What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

Griffin is a “silent giant” through much of the Discarded Heroes. He has a strength about him that is undeniable, and he’s so compelled by his sense of honor and doing what is right, that he has trouble being spontaneous.

Then there’s his polar opposite, Kazi/Kacie, who is spontaneous and spunky. The two really have sparks flying from the minute she drags him into an escape from a federal penitentiary.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

While writing Firethorn, I used the image of Terry Crews for most of the story—that is, until my publisher’s design house chose a man named “Kunta” for the model. That man is so perfectly representative of Legend, who is quiet but firm, mysterious, and enigmatic.

For Kazi, Elisha Cuthbert.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have…

...treasured each day a little more, especially the time with my mother who died in 1996.

Oh, that's heartbreaking, Ronie. I would imagine one would always feel she could have spent more time with her mom.

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

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak because it’s a brilliant rendering of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, written in such an original and masterful way that it both inspired me to write better and more beautifully, but it poked my conscience about how easily tragedies like that are forgotten. Despite the sometimes-rough language and the raw nature of the story, I intend to have my children read the book as well.

I loved that book. A beautiful story, and so creatively done. What are you working on now?

I am working on the two suspense novellas for the Denali Dreams anthology that I’m doing with Kimberley Woodhouse. They are lighthearted fun with a dash of suspense. In addition to that, I’m researching to write Talon: Combat Tracking Team, the second book in my military war dog series

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find me online at my website (www.roniekendig.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

I love hearing about heroes, both military and nonmilitary, but this time, I’d like to know which military hero from history is your favorite (George Washington, Patton, etc.).

Thank you, Ronie, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Ronie has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 30. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Ronie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about current free Christian novel downloads, below.

And 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 HERE.

Free Christian Novels for Kindle Readers!

2012-01-21T13:07:00.001-05:00

Today, readers, I wanted to bring to your attention a few fine inspirational novels that are currently free on Kindle.

But first, I need to announce that the winner of the drawing for the signed copy of Winter Promise, by Martha Rogers, is:

wrensthoughts@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. 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!

Now let's take a look at a few novels that you should rush to download right away. I've learned that these free downloads are often available for a very short time, so if you're interested in any of these Christian novels, click on the pink links to go directly to the appropriate Amazon page. (Even if you don't have a Kindle, Amazon provides a free download of the Kindle reader for your computer, smart phone, or iPad.)

While I've read and can recommend Fools Rush In and Stuck in the Middle, I haven't read any of the others. But these writers are confident you'll like their writing enough that these free books will spur you on to buying other books they've written. You have nothing to lose, do you?!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson,

Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan,

Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young,

Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith,

Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart,

Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry,

Relentless by Robin Parrish,

A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight,

Invisible by Lorena McCourtney,

and Ruby by Lauraine Snelling.

Happy reading!

Be sure to check out my interview with Deborah Malone, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Deborah Malone and Free Books!

2012-01-16T08:02:00.090-05:00

An adventure with your friend should never include – murder and mayhem.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Replication, by Jill Williamson, is:

tiff@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Deborah Malone, author of Death in Dahlonega (Lamp Post Publishing, October 2011).

Deborah Malone has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historic magazine, Georgia Backroads. She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in Tales of the Rails, edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards.

As current member of American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction. She is also a member of Georgia Writers Association. Death in Dahlonega is Deborah’s debut novel.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I am over 50.

--I have two daughters.

--I am an amateur photographer.

--I have Fibromyalgia.

--I am a Southerner.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Death in Dahlonega.

Trixie Montgomery has gone through a rough divorce. She has moved back to her home town of Vans Valley, Georgia where she lives next door to her mother and great-aunt Nana. Trixie has to go to work to supplement her income. She writes for “Georgia by the Way” a historical magazine. Her best friend Dee Dee accompanies her on a trip to Dahlonega, Georgia where Trixie is writing an article about Gold Rush Days – an arts and crafts festival.

They are watching a film on the actual gold rush days when Dee Dee excuses herself to go tinkle. While she’s gone she decides to snoop around and she stumbles upon a dead body.

Not thinking she automatically pulls out the pickaxe and is found holding the bloody murder weapon. The victim, John Tatum, happens to be a man that Dee Dee had a run in with earlier that day. She rises to the top of the suspects list and when the town sheriff doesn’t seem to be looking for anyone else, Trixie decides to help her best friend.

Together they must find the real killer to keep Dee Dee out of the slammer!

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

Trixie is a woman that many can relate to. She’s been through some tough times and now she is starting over in her 40’s. She sees that her best friend has a faith that she longs to have and strives to reach that goal. We all go trough hard times, but we keep going knowing better days are ahead.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

This is a hard one! Maybe Sandra Bullock for Trixie.

And Michael Westen from Burn Notice to play Beau, Trixie’s friend/boyfriend.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

I could probably think of a lot of things, but life doesn’t work that way. So I’m going to choose something that pertains to my writing. I would have studied English/Writing in college. I graduated with a degree in Human Services.

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

I could recommend a lot of good books that I’ve read, but the last one I’ve read would be The Oak Leaves, by Maureen Lang. I loved the way it was written. It is contemporary but is mixed with historical. As a writer I know this can be difficult to do and Maureen pulls it off beautifully.

What are you working on now?

I’ve finished the second book (Murder in Marietta) in the Trixie Montgomery series and I’m working on the third one (Terror on Tybee Island).

Where else can readers find you online?

www.deborah-malone.com
www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

The book is available at fine bookstores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

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

Do you know what a cozy mystery is and have you read any?

Thank you, Deborah, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Deborah has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 23. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Deborah's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Martha Rogers, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Martha Rogers and Free Books!

2012-01-12T21:16:00.000-05:00

Abigail Monroe arrives in town and the only thing on her mind is opening a library, but a moody young doctor and a heroic deputy sheriff have other ideas.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of any four of my novels is:

igottawrite@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Martha Rogers, author of Winter Promise.

Martha Rogers is a free-lance writer and the author of the Winds Across the Prairie series as well as the novella, Key to Her Heart in River Walk Christmas. Summer Dream and Autumn Song, the first two books in her new series, Seasons of the Heart are now available. She was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW.

Martha and her husband live in Houston. In addition to her works of fiction, Martha has stories in a number of compilations as well as devotional contributions to several anthologies and writes the weekly Verse of the Week for the ACFW Loop. She is a retired teacher and lives in Houston with her husband, Rex where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and attending football, baseball, and basketball games when one of them is playing

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--Well, I was quite the prankster my first two years of college at Baylor University, and that followed me into adult life in working with the youth of our church and the Student Council in high schools where I taught.

--I was a Home Economics teacher of Home and Family Living, Child Development and Home Management before I began teaching English.

--After I earned my MEd, I began teaching English at a private Christian high school and then at the college level.

--I’m still a kid at heart and love going to Disney World and circuses and carnivals.

--I’ve lived in the same house for 36 years and have attended the same church for 53 years.

Tell us more about Winter Promise, Martha.

Single, educated, and looking for a new start, Abigail Monroe decides to join her brother and his wife in Porterfield, Texas. Near her twenty-fifth birthday and without a suitor, she fears she will become a spinster if she stays in Briar Ridge, Connecticut.

A sprained ankle sends Abigail to the new doctor in town, Elliot Jensen. He is smitten, but tragedy in his past has left him bitter, guilt ridden, and afraid to fall in love again.

When the town’s deputy sheriff rescues Abigail after a robbery, Elliot’s feelings for her grow stronger. He is jealous of the attention Abigail is getting, but he fears he can’t compete with the handsome deputy sheriff and his heroic deeds.

Has he waited too long to share his feelings for her? Or will Christmas bring them both the gift they seek?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

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

As the readers come to know the young doctor and the tragic event in his past, they empathize with him and want him to come to terms with it and believe God has greater plans for him.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

I would not have been so discouraged and disappointed when my contract was not renewed at the private school where I taught. I wasted a year on resentment, anger, frustration, and grief.

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

The last four or five books were Christmas ones. My favorite of them was Love Finds You on Christmas Morning. Yes, you are one of the authors, but I loved the two stories because they took me back to a time of good memories and reminded me why I loved my grandparents so much.

Aw, that's very sweet of you, Martha. I'm so glad the book impacted you that way. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a Christmas book for next year, Christmas at Holly Hill.

Exciting! Where else can readers find you online?

www.marthawrogers.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

In my book, Elliot has trouble dealing with a tragedy in his past and it pulls him away from God and his faith. He has trouble now trusting God and fears caring for Abigail because she too may be taken from him. As a Christian, how would you help someone cope with a tragedy in their lives and help them maintain their faith in God?

Thank you, Martha, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Martha has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Martha's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Jill Williamson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Jill Williamson and Free Books!

2012-01-09T06:40:00.004-05:00

A girl discovers her biologist father is covering up multiple secrets—all of which are named Jason.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of any four of my novels is:

margie@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address and to find out which four books you want. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Jill Williamson, author of Replication: The Jason Experiment (Zondervan, December 2011).

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to a love of books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches.

Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love those chocolate oranges they sell at Christmastime.

--I have three wedding dresses in my closet and made all three.

--I found one of my Christmas presents hidden behind the toolbox.

--The Christmas present was a box of chocolates—score!

--And my superhero identity is the Randomizer.

Oh, my goodness, those chocolate oranges are the best. I made my sister's wedding gown. And I spilled spaghetti sauce on it while I was making it. Yes, I was that stupid.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Replication.

Abby Goyer 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 a fantastic premise, Jill. I love it!

What is it about Martyr that will make your readers care about him?

Martyr is unique. His questions about basic things... the sky, colors... and the deeper things... God, love, and marriage... It will make you think about how many of us take such blessings for granted. Martyr’s selflessness is also quite endearing.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Well, I know it isn’t likely, but I’d vote for my book trailer actors. They did a great job helping me out. So if I had my way, Ashton Stark

and Gillian Adams could get their shot at an acting career.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

Found a way to attend a youth group regularly.

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

Melanie Dickerson’s The Merchant's Daughter. It’s a fun, clean fairytale romance for teens that adult readers will also enjoy.

What are you working on now?

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.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.jillwilliamson.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

What is one of your dreams or life goals? Have you achieved it? If so, when? If not, are you still working on it?

Thank you, Jill, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jill has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jill's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Cara Putman, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Cara Putman and Free Books!

2012-01-05T07:19:00.086-05:00

Cherry Blossom Capers: Dig into mystery, murder, and mayhem in Washington, D.C., where cherry trees aren’t the only things blooming in the hearts and lives of four neighborhood women.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A The Secret Heiress, by Terri Reed, is:

katylee@ . . .

And the winner of the signed copy of my novel, Unforgettable, is:

lanehillhouse@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Cara Putman, author of Dying for Love (in Cherry Blossom Capers, Barbour Publishing, January 2012).

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She’s an attorney and a ministry leader and teacher at her church. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska and George Mason University School of Law, Cara loves bringing history and romance to life.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I craved pad Thai when I was pregnant with my first child.

--I drove myself to the hospital with my fourth child because I was so sure I’d be sent home again.

--My oldest child is a level five gymnast and stronger than I ever hope to be.

--Novellas are a great break from the loneliness of writing.

--I would move back to D.C. in a heartbeat!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Dying for Love:

Attorney Ciara Turner is horrified when she stumbles over a judge’s dead body in Alexandria. Will she be able to retain her composure and control when she joins her nemesis Daniel Evans in investigating the murder?

Constantly on the opposite side of domestic cases, they have to work together to find the murderer…just in case the police and marshals run out of luck.

As they are thrust back together, Ciara is reminded of how Daniel swept her off her feet as a clerk. Now she has to choose whether to risk her heart to love.

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

Ciara is a young woman trying to balance a career with life. While she’s created a great community in her neighborhood with the three single gals around her, she still longs to find love. I think that longing exists in all of us. And because her first love has fallen off his white horse, she’s never risked her heart again.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Ciara Turner would be played by Katherine Hepburn.

And Daniel Evans would be played by Cary Grant.

Ciara has the moxie of Katherine’s roles along with the subtle vulnerability she often portrayed. And Daniel has the suave air, but the edge of uncertainty that tints many roles Cary Grant played.

Sigh. They just don't make like they used to, do they?

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

Skipped the day I went to high school. Because I started college at 16 after being homeschooled, I thought I should check out high school to see what I was missing. Turns out I wasn’t missing anything. ☺

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

This is a tough question! I read so much and for the most part have narrowed down to authors and genres I know I’ll enjoy. I’m reading Tamera Alexander’s A Lasting Impression and Colleen Coble’s Lonestar Angel. Both are excellent!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on marketing for the three books that release in spring 2012 while waiting to hear on two proposals under consideration at a publishing house.

Where else can readers find you online?

I love for readers to stop by my website where they can read first chapters for most of my books. www.caraputman.com and my blog Http://blog.caraputman.com">blog.caraputman.com. I’m also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cara.putman.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

What facet of God’s character would you better like to understand? For me it’s that He is the King of the universe…and because of Christ His authority as King extends in part to me.

Thank you, Cara, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Cara has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, January 12. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Cara's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Joyce Magnin, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Also, stop by my New Year's blog to see how to enter the drawing for any four of my books.

And 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 HERE.

Happy New Year, January Releases, and Free Books!

2012-01-02T07:56:00.058-05:00

Happy New Year, readers! I hope 2011 was a blessed year for you all and that God shows you fantastic things in 2012. By way of celebration, I want to give away any four of my books to one person commenting below.

But first I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Blame it on the Mistletoe, by Joyce Magnin, is:

quzy@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

My New Year's celebration giveaway is simple. To enter, leave a comment in answer to my question, below. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

I'm sure we all experienced highs and lows in 2011, but right now let's celebrate the highs. Share with us just one of the things the Lord did for you in 2011. For me, that something was the news that I'm going to become a grandmother for the second time. How about you?

Also, this Thursday I'll draw a name for a signed copy of my nostalgic historical novel, Unforgettable. If you haven't yet entered that drawing, you can do so HERE.

Be sure to check out my interview with Terri Reed, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post about Terri to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Finally, take a peek at some of the excellent inspirational fiction releasing this month!

Halflings by Heather Burch -- One girl. Three half-angel guys. And the fate of the world. (Young Adult from Zondervan).

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot -- Stagecoach robberies and a certain lieutenant make Abigail Harding's summer at Wyoming's Fort Laramie unforgettable. (Historical Romance from Revell).

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden -- Libby Sawyer's quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world. Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Micahel Dobrescu's amazing past...and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role. (Historical Romance from Bethany House).

Injustice for All by Robin Caroll -- Who can you turn to when everything you believe in is shattered? (Romantic Suspense from B&H Publishing).

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston -- Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. (Romance from Zondervan).

An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis, -- As Phoebe embarks on a new romance and an unlikely career choice for someone Amish, the Miller family tries to put aside differences long enough to attend a joyous family reunion. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House).

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. (Contemporary Romance from Revell).

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter -- Two high-school sweethearts, a wedding reenactment, and one absent-minded preacher. Is it a recipe for disaster or a chance for a new beginning? (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson ).

All Roads Lead Home by Christine Johnson -- An orphanage agent must drive her car across the United States to save a boy from a disastrous placement with the man who claims to be his father, but she needs the assistance of a mechanic, and the only one willing to help is the man she jilted two years ago. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired).

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig -- Explosive Conclusion to Ronie Kendig's Discarded Heroes series. Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing).

Tomorrow's Sun by Becky Melby-- Faith reaches across the centuries when Emily Foster finds old letters in the 160-year-old house she's remodeling, but Jake Braden, the contractor she's just hired, doesn't share her vision. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing).

Cherry Blossom Capers by Cara Putman, Lynette Sowell, Gina Conroy, and Frances Devine -- The lives of four neighbors are irrevocably changed amid mystery and romance. Assistant chef Tara Whitley is seeking a state dinner saboteur. Attorney Ciara Turner is tracking down a murderer. Budding archeologist Samantha Steele encounters a forger. Shop owner Susan Holland is someone's target. Will God protect them in life and love? (Romance/Mystery from Barbour Publishing).

The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed-- An adopted woman discovers she's heir to a fortune, only someone doesn't want her to live long enough to inherit. So she must hire a bodyguard to keep her safe but soon realizes her heart's in danger as well. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense).

Amelia's Journey by Martha W. Rogers-- When young rancher Ben and socialite Amelia meet again after six years, they are attracted to each other immediately, but Amelia's parents have other ideas for their daughter and forbid the relationship. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Winter Promise by Martha W. Rogers-- Abigail Monroe comes to Porterfield, Texas to open a library and to join her brother, Daniel and best friend, Rachel Reed with no thoughts of marriage, but young Doctor Elliot and Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon are both smitten and vie for her heart. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey-- Will Faith Lindberg follow her heart, or marry the wrong man to achieve her goal? (Historical Romance from Revell).

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant-- Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tirelessly played the role of PK-preacher's kid-her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. (Young Adult from Barbour Publishing).

Happy reading!

Terri Reed and Free Books!

2011-12-29T07:04:00.002-05:00

Caroline Tully finds her wealthy adoptive family, but someone in the family wants her dead and its up to her fake fiancé, bodyguard Donovan Cavanagh, to keep her safe.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A Harvest of Hearts, by Laura Hilton, is:

sunny_girl_anna@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Terri Reed, author of The Secret Heiress (Love Inspired Suspense, January 2012).

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired lines. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.

She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I’ve been a gymnastic coach, a preschool teacher, a bank teller, a receptionist, a sales associate, mother and wife.

--I love almonds, chocolate, strawberries and pizza.

--I lived in Italy as an exchange student when I was eighteen.

--I am afraid of snakes.

--And I hope one day to jump out of an airplane.

I think so many of us writers have a long list of previous jobs, as you do. Story fodder, right?

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of your novel.

A Shocking Revelation

Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s.

Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again.

Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection-and his love-be enough to keep her safe?

What is it about Don that will make your readers care about him?

Donovan Cavanaugh’s father walked out when he was a boy, leaving a gaping hole in his life. Don joined the military and fought for his country and now suffers with PTSD. When his mother became ill, he came home to care for her until she passed. Don is afraid to love for fear he’ll be a loser like his father and break under the responsibility of a family. It takes the love and determination of a special woman to make him see how far from being like his father he is.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

The heroine would be portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt.

And the hero would be Paul Walker.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

I haven’t put up any books, out-of-print or original work. Love Inspired keeps me busy writing for them. I think every author has to decide for themselves. I know some authors have had success with this and others not so much. I can’t predict what the future will hold though I’m keeping myself informed, but have no plans at the moment to venture down this road.

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

I just finished reading Mistletoe Matchmaker by Lissa Manley, a December 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance. This is Lissa’s second book in her Moonlight Cove series. Lissa has an engaging voice, fun characters and a sweet romance set against the beautiful Washington coast in the fictional town of Moonlight Cove.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the third book in my Protection Specialists series. The Doctor’s Defender will be a Fall 2012 release.

Someone wants Doctor Brenda Storm dead and it's bodyguard Kyle Martin’s job to protect the pretty surgeon from a determined killer. Opposites in everyway Brenda must trust Kyle to keep her alive, but can she trust him with her heart?

Where else can readers find you online?

www.loveinspiredauthors.com
www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com
www.eharlequin.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Since New Year’s Day is just around the corner, what is the one thing you hope to accomplish this year? For me, it’s getting through sending my daughter off to college without falling apart.

Thank you, Terri, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Terri has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, January 5. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Terri's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, if you'd like to enter your name in the drawing for a signed copy of my nostalgic historical novel, Unforgettable, take a look at this post.

Be sure to check out my interview with Joyce Magnin, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Joyce Magnin and Free Books!

2011-12-26T14:11:00.077-05:00

In book four of the Bright’s Pond series strange happenings are afoot at the Greenbrier Nursing Home. Strange even for Bright 's Pond. The residents suddenly act like kids again riding trikes, climbing trees, and of all things falling in love.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia, featuring Rose McCauley's novella, Nick's Christmas Carol, is:

paulalipper@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Joyce Magnin, author of Blame it on the Mistletoe: A Novel of Bright’s Pond (Abingdon Press, September 2011).

Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright’s Pond Series and the middle grade novel Carrying Mason. She is a frequent conference speaker and writing instructor.

Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love video games, particularly Role-Playing games and own my own Xbox360.

--I enjoy fine art needle crafts including cross-stitch.

--I’ve never eaten a scallop.

--I don’t like glass elevators.

--I once worked as a dog groomer—for one day.

Hilarious! I actually had a character in The Perfect Blend who did exactly the same thing--one day as a dog groomer. I wonder if you experienced anything like she did.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Blame it on the Mistletoe.

Is There Really a Fountain of Youth in Paradise?

Welcome back to Bright 's Pond, where strange happenings are afoot at the Greenbrier Nursing Home. Strange even for Bright 's Pond. The residents suddenly act like kids again riding trikes, climbing trees, and of all things falling in love. Some of the townsfolk blame it on the crooked new gazebo, or its builder, a quirky little man who quotes Don Quixote, collects water from the fountain at the Paradise trailer park, and disappears on a regular basis.

While Chief of Police Mildred Blessing investigates the mystery, Griselda and her friends deal with a luau Thanksgiving, preparations for the Christmas pageant, and maybe even an upcoming wedding. Only, in Bright 's Pond, nothing ever really goes as planned . . .

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

Most of my readers already love Griselda. Like so many women, Griselda, at age forty-something, is just beginning to find her true self and become the woman God intended her to be.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Cathy Bates: Agnes Sparrow

Griselda: Meryl Streep

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

I like the idea. It gives authors a second chance at building another kind of fan base. Yep, I might step into it one day now that the Bright’s Pond series is finished and fans are asking for more.

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

Actually, I just finished reading A Game of Thrones—way different from my genre but I like fantasy. I love this book. It’s sad but exciting.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up my second middle grade novel for Zondekidz and eagerly getting ready for the launch of Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus. I’m also writing the second Harriet Beamer book.

Where else can readers find you online?

Joycemagnin.blogspot.com or Joycemagnin.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

When you stop reading a book, can you pinpoint the reason?

Thank you, Joyce, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Joyce has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 2. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Joyce's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Reader, if you'd like to enter your name in the drawing for a signed copy of my nostalgic historical novel, Unforgettable, take a look at this post.

Be sure to check out my interview with Laura Hilton, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Late Christmas Book Giveaway!

2011-12-24T10:53:00.025-05:00

Some of life's trickiest steps happen off the dance floor.

Readers, this bonus post is my late Christmas gift to you (late, because I won't fulfill the giveaway until January 5). This week I gave away signed copies of all of my books through The Book Club Network, but I forgot to tell TBCN about one of my novels, Unforgettable.

How I could forget a novel called Unforgettable is beyond me.

So I want to give away a copy of the book to one of my readers here.

And I'm going to use this giveaway to tell you about another of my books, Tea for Two, the ebook version of which is on sale only through January 3. If you have an ereader--or if you get one for Christmas!--check out the short-term sale price for your Kindle, Nook, or Kobo. The book is also available at this sale price for your Sony Reader, but the page isn't yet showing the proper price.

Whether or not you choose to buy Tea for Two at its sale price is up to you. All you have to do to enter the drawing for the signed copy of Unforgettable is email me HERE and tell me the short-term sale price of the ebook version of Tea for Two.

NOTE: Don't post the price in the comments section, below! Use the link above to email me your answer.

I'll randomly choose a name from my emailers on Thursday, January 5, and Unforgettable will be on its way to the winner!

May you all have a fabulous Christmas with your family and friends. Happy birthday to our dear, sweet Lord!

Laura Hilton and Free Books!

2011-12-22T18:53:00.000-05:00

Worlds apart, yet one in heart.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Alice J. Wisler's novel, A Wedding Invitation, is:

kalea_kane@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit with novelist Laura Hilton, author of A Harvest of Hearts (Whitaker House, September 2011).

Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past from Treble Heart Books; a devotional in a compilation from Zondervan; and the first book, Patchwork Dreams, in her Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House released in April 2011, the second book, A Harvest of Hearts in September 2011, and Promised to Another in April 2012.

Laura has her business degree from Ozarka and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love snow, pine trees and ice-covered ponds.

--I have a wonderful Christmas Village that we display on our piano every Christmas season that my parents made out of ceramics.

--My favorite Christmas song is "The Carol of the Bells."

--My favorite Christmas treats are sugar cookies and white chocolate covered pretzels.

--We have a gingerbread house tradition in our house that we can’t break.

Now I can't get "The Carol of the Bells" out of my mind. I'm glad you mentioned one I enjoy!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Harvest of Hearts.

Matthew Yoder volunteered to be part of the swap of Amish men from his Old Order Pennsylvania Amish Community, to the Amish community in Seymour, Missouri. There is nothing for him in Pennsylvania, as the youngest of twelve children, and the lack of farmland around Lancaster County, he felt he could make a better future in another district.

Shanna Stoltzfus has been raised Amish, and couldn’t wait for her rumspringa so she could pursue her education. She hated having to quit school in the 8th grade to stay home and learn everything that makes a home run smoothly. But now she has earned her GED and is taking college courses, but her family is begging her to come home; her little sisters miss her.

And there’s something about newcomer, Matthew Yoder that draws her attention. But is it enough to give up her dreams of education and join the Amish church?

What is it about Shanna and Matthew that will make your readers care about them?

Shanna is outgoing, outspoken, and determined. Matthew is solid, stable, and devoted.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

No, I haven’t done it and I don’t think I’m likely to at this point anyway. I’m not sure I’m technology savvy enough to do something like that.

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

I have finished reading The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall. A nice Christmassy read and a sweet romance.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the first book of a new Amish series.

Where else can readers find you online?

laurav.hilton.com or on facebook (Author Laura V. Hilton).

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Thank you, Laura, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Laura has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, December 29. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Laura's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Rose McCauley, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Rose's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Rose McCauley and Free Books!

2011-12-19T08:25:00.070-05:00

After receiving letters from a lawyer, four sisters, separated at birth, but now heirs to a historic plantation, must each come to meet with the three sisters she never knew existed.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Roseanna White's novel, Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, is:

sharyhauber@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Rose McCauley, author of Nick's Christmas Carol in the Christmas Belles of Georgia novella anthology (Barbour, September 2011).

Rose has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is happy for this to be her first fiction anthology because Christmas books are her favorites.

A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for 43 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to three lovely, lively kids with one more on the way!

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I am the oldest of seven children.

--My maternal grandparents were both deaf.

--I live on a 400 acre farm with a population of 2 people (me and my hubby) and over 100 head of cattle plus 1 dog.

--I learned to play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on the violin in second grade, but haven’t played since.

--I once met Mike Huckabee and his wife.

Oh, he seems like a sweet, smart man.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Nick's Christmas Carol.

Since my book is an anthology with four stories, here are four short blurbs about each book. Mine is the second one.

When she learns in a letter she’s adopted, Holly feels betrayed by her parents—and she books a flight out of Missouri immediately. Will she ever be able to love again?

Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will he remember her? . . .forgive her?

In one year, Starr has lost her parents, boyfriend, and job, so she’s sure her letter is more bad news. When the attorney flies to California to offer proof, Starr takes a second look—at the message and the man.

Noelle always knew she was adopted—and she’s always loved the foreman on her father’s Texas ranch too. But he’s so distant. . .perhaps a trip to Georgia is the break in life she needs.

Will the sisters receive a traditional Christmas gift. . .of love?

What is it about Carol and Nick that will make your readers care about them?

Carol is an only child who has always wanted a large family, and now finds out she has one. Nick is from a poor family and has to overcome his thinking he is not good enough for Carol.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Carol could be played by Reese Witherspoon with brown hair, or a young Julia Roberts or Ashley Judd.

My daughter thinks Bradley Cooper would be a good Nick look-alike.

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

I just finished Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh, and highly recommend it and all his books! It tugs on all your emotions for the young leads as well as the older couple in the book, and you feel very close to all of them. Plus it shows how people can change with God in their lives, and can draw closer to God through the words and influence of others.

What are you working on now?

Marketing this book! But I also have 4 proposals with Barbour for books similar to this one and also have a women’s fiction novel I am fleshing out.

Yes, marketing can feel like a full-time job all by itself!

Where else can readers find you online?

My website at www.rosemccauley.com and my blog at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Dear readers, what is one thing you hate to see in a book that would make you throw it against the wall or in the trash?

Thanks so much to Trish for letting me tell you more about my book and myself!

Thank you, Rose, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Rose has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, December 26. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Rose's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Alice J. Wisler, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Alice's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Alice J. Wisler and Free Books!

2011-12-15T12:18:00.056-05:00

Have you ever attended the wrong wedding?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Roseanna White's novel, Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, is:

followsjc@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's chat with novelist Alice J. Wisler, author of A Wedding Invitation (Bethany House, October 2011). Tell us about yourself, Alice.

I was raised in Japan as a missionary kid, and spent twenty years in Japan. No wonder sushi is my favorite food. After college, I taught English as a Second Language in a refugee camp in the Philippines.

Since the death of my four-year-old son Daniel in 1997, I teach online grief-writing workshops and speak at bereavement conferences.

My four published novels are Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation.

How heartbreaking, Alice, about your son. I'm so sorry. And how loving of you to help others struggling with grief.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--My first modeling experience was when I was eight, for a poster advertising melodeons (this was a hand-held instrument) for a Japanese company.

--I love turkey skin almost as much as I love the meat. (I do know it's not good for me.)

--I was in the Amazon Jungle when my daughter caught a piranha on a fishing trip.

--I skipped school after an Eagles concert in 1976 and went with friends to meet them at their hotel in Osaka (we'd gone backstage the night before and Joe Walsh invited us to hang out with the band).

--My uncle is Eugene Peterson (author of The Message) and is a wonderful person.

I feel as if my life has been awfully sheltered, in that I only identify with the turkey skin item. Sigh.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Wedding Invitation.

Samantha visits her Aunt Dovie in Winston-Salem, NC, (after attending the wrong wedding) and from there, things are set in motion for her life to change. She comes face-to-face with a student she once taught in the Philippines at a refugee camp, and later is reunited with a Carson, a fellow teacher---the one she fell in love with.

Together, Carson and Samantha are asked to help Lien, a young Amerasian girl, find her birth mother before Lien's wedding.

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

Samantha is down to earth, a bit of a flirt, flawed, protective of her heart, and funny.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I have no idea. I suppose Aunt Dovie would be someone sweet like Mary Steenburgen.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

Very tempting, but have not gone down that path yet.

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

Under the Mesquite, by Guadalupe Garcia McCall. This is a YA book about a girl who finds out her mother has cancer. Very touching and poetically written. (A review of it is at my blog.)

What are you working on now?

Thanks for asking! I'm writing a novel about a man who gives up his Amish heritage and moves to the mountains of North Carolina to help other dissatisfied Amish youth start new lives in English society. This novel, Still Life in Shadows (my title that may or may not stick), has just been accepted by Moody Publishers (the new River North) and should be out fall 2012. I'm excited!

Congrats on that! Where else can readers find you online?

My website is a good place to find me. www.alicewisler.com. I have a newsletter, Literary Lyrics, and love it when readers sign up for it at my website. It's free!

I have two blogs, too. One is Patchwork Quilt at: www.alicewisler.blogspot.com and the other is Writing the Heartache: www.writingtheheartache.blogspot.com.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

If I rented a beach house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, would you join me for a weekend?

Thank you, Alice, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Alice has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, December 22. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Alice's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Susan Sleeman, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Susan's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Susan Sleeman and Free Books!

2011-12-12T08:31:00.061-05:00

Someone wants to make this a Christmas Megan Cash won't live long enough to forget.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Roseanna White's novel, Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, is:

crazi.swans@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's chat with novelist Susan Sleeman, author of The Christmas Witness (Love Inspired, December 2011).

Susan Sleeman is a best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense and mystery novels. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.

Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--Not only have I lived in nine states, but I actually lived in Texas twice.

--I am our church librarian.

--One day when my husband was at work I decided to remodel the upstairs of our house and took out all the walls before he came home that night.

--I used to have so many Christmas decorations it would take several days to put them all out.

--I love to bake.

I absolutely love the take-down-the-walls item. That should be in a book.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Christmas Witness.

When a criminal threatened to kill Megan Cash if she testified against him, she didn’t back down. Years later, he’s out of jail and ready for revenge against Megan and her daughter. The only one who can protect them is the former FBI agent who broke Megan’s heart.

But Reid Morgan isn’t the same man—he’s now a widowed father with a harrowing past . . . and a heart more guarded than ever. Still, he’s the only one who believes Megan when she says she’s in danger. Because someone wants to make this a Christmas she won’t live long enough to forget.

What is it about Megan and Reid that will make your readers care about them?

Both Megan and Reid have faced having loves ones deal with cancer. Reid’s wife lost her battle and Megan’s daughter is still battling the disease. I think this makes both of them very real characters that we all can identify with as we all know someone with cancer and what a heart-wrenching struggle that can be. We can empathize with the pain and sadness they both have endured and want them to find some peace in their lives.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Megan would be played by Kelli Giddish.

Reid would be played by Bailey Chase.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

This month I am e-publishing Nipped in the Bud, my cozy mystery that released from Barbour in 2010. This will be published in a group effort with other cozy mystery authors and we have given the line of mysteries the name Spyglass Lane Mysteries. I think this is a great opportunity for authors to provide readers with books that they can no longer get in traditional form. Also, many readers today read only on e-readers and by publishing this book it allows those readers to read it as well. And as a wonderful bonus the book will release for only .99 and then retail at 2.99. A price point any reader can love.

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

The last book I read that I can recommend is Died in the Wool, by Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery. This is a light-hearted, yet very well written cozy mystery that keeps the reader interested through the whole book and doesn’t have a lot of gore or violence that mysteries sometimes have.

What are you working on now?

I just finished the edits on the first book in a new series I am writing for Love Inspired Suspense and I’m busy writing the second book in the series. This series is called The Justice Agency – Law enforcement and family go hand in hand. It’s about five adopted siblings who work in various fields of law enforcement until their adoptive parents are murdered. When the police can’t figure out who killed their beloved parents the Justice siblings come together to solve the case. They discover in the process that they like working together and they form an investigative agency called The Justice Agency. They dedicate the agency to helping people who traditional law enforcement is either unable or unwilling to help. Double Exposure, the first book of this series will release in June 2012 and Dead Wrong will release in November 2012.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can visit me at my website , Facebook page or Twitter

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Since my book is a Christmas book, my mind has been on Christmas for months. When do you begin thinking about Christmas and what is the first thing you do to prepare for the holiday?

Thank you, Susan, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Susan has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, December 19. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Susan's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Jill Elizabeth Nelson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Jill's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Jill Elizabeth Nelson and Free Books!

2011-12-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

A romance-shy veterinarian and a widowed health inspector hunt the killer who used mistletoe extract to poison pets and people in a Tennessee mountain town.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Margaret Daley's novel, His Holiday Family, is:

shryackmom@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's chat with novelist Jill Elizabeth Nelson, author of Mistletoe Mayhem, featured in the Season of Danger anthology (Love Inspired Suspense, December 2011).

Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an award-winning author of mystery and suspense. She writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she delights in bringing the “Ahah! moment” to her students, so they can make a new skill their own.

Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their grandchildren.

Please tell us a few random things we might not know about you.

--My seven month old grandson weighs as much as my nearly three year old granddaughter.

--Since my family runs toward petite babies, don’t ask me how we got the whopping grandson. He sure is a smiley little butterball! That’s several random things so far.

--Oh, and I live in the Lutefisk Capital of the World, and I eat lutefisk, but I’m not Norwegian. That’s three random things in one sentence!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Mistletoe Mayhem.

After being jilted by her fiancé, Kelly Granger buries her broken heart in her work as a veterinarian in her home town of Abbottsville, Tennessee, located in the Great Smoky Mountains. She and her assistant, Tim Hallock, battle to save community pets from a violent and mysterious illness. Is this sickness a danger to humans?

Her question is answered when state health inspector Matt Bennett is sent to investigate local eating establishments, including Kelly’s sister’s restaurant, for the cause of poisoning among the patrons. Kelly refuses to believe that her sister served toxic mistletoe extract to her customers—yet mounting evidence points in that direction.

Kelly puts herself in harm’s way, facing down a vicious dog and even more vicious people, to uncover a common denominator between the human and animal illnesses. Matt has his hands full keeping up with her, as well as proving himself worthy of her trust—and hopefully, her love. Unless she has her heart set on her veterinary assistant, Tim Hallock.

The question won’t matter if his investigation sends Kelly’s sister to jail. She’ll never have anything to do with him then. They need to uncover the truth. But will the answer cost them more than their romance? Will it cost them their lives?

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

Both my hero and my heroine love animals. That’s a big thumbs up with readers right there. Mistletoe Mayhem is about letting go of bitterness and learning to trust again. Kelly, the heroine, must do that in order to finally recognize and open her heart to the man the Lord has sent her. Matt, the hero, must let go of unworthy jealousy and make peace with the possibility that she might choose another man before he can see the best way to win her heart.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I think Meg Ryan would make a wonderful Kelly, though she might be a little older than the character in my book.

I used an older picture of Meg Ryan, so we have the younger version for you.

Matt Damon with his hair colored dark would make a terrific Matt. Hmmm. Their names are the same. Must be a sign!

I did that once with my characters. Named them before choosing photos to use as guides, and then I ended up choosing actors with the same first names. Weird.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

Yes, I’m strongly considering the possibility. I’m researching modes and methods right now and haven’t decided how to go about it yet. First, I plan to e-publish a handbook for writers on the technique of writing in Deep Point of View. I hope to offer this as a download on my web site early in the New Year.

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

I recently enjoyed James Rubart’s intriguing and unusual Rooms. Big thumbs up on his books for people who like a Godly supernatural twist to their stories. Another recent read that I relished (alliteration intended) was Race Against Time. I thoroughly enjoyed the Alaska setting, since I have a sister living there, and the writing team of Kimberley Woodhouse and her teenage daughter Kayla does an awesome job of telling a stirring and exciting story. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

What are you working on now?

I recently turned in a the manuscript for another LI Romantic Suspense entitled Betrayal on the Border, where we join a former Army Ranger (the heroine) and a television news reporter (the hero) for a wild ride pitted against drug runners. I don’t have a release month for Betrayal on the Border yet. Now I’ve moved into Christmas preparations, and that will keep me busy, but I’ve got a fresh book proposal under way that I hope to submit to Steeple Hill after the first of the year.

Where else can readers find you online?

Visit Jill on the web at: www.jillelizabethnelson.com or look her up on Facebook or Twitter:
JillElizabethNelson.Author or http://twitter.com/jnelson57.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

I’m researching e-readers for personal use. Those of you who use an e-reader, which one did you choose and why? Those of you who do not use an e-reader, is it something you might consider in the future, or do you love holding a print book in your hands too much to move into the electronic reading world?

Thank you, Jill, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jill has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, December 15. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jill's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Roseanna White, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Roseanna's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Roseanna White and Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland!

2011-12-05T17:58:00.000-05:00

In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Jody Hedlund's novel, The Doctor's Lady, is:

lanehillhouse@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Roseanna White, author of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland (Summerside Press, December 2011).

Roseanna M. White grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, the beauty of which inspired her to begin writing as soon as she learned to pair subjects with verbs. She spent her middle and high school days penning novels in class, and her love of books took her to a school renowned for them. After graduating from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, she and her husband moved back to the Maryland side of the same mountains they equate with home.

Roseanna is the author of two biblical novels, A Stray Drop of Blood and Jewel of Persia, both from WhiteFire Publishing and Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland from Summerside Press. She is the senior reviewer at the Christian Review of Books, which she and her husband founded, the senior editor at WhiteFire Publishing, and a member of ACFW, HisWriters, and Colonial American Christian Writers.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I’m an absolutely terrible housekeeper—I proved I was capable after college and before kids, but these days I’m lucky to get dishes put away, let alone break out that vacuum.

--I’m addicted to email. Which might not be a secret if you’ve ever emailed me.

--Though the books I write tend to delve into deep issues and are never “typical” in their romances, it’s rare I read a book that isn’t just straight-up romance. I’m such a sucker for a good, mushy love story!

--Um . . . I’m considering getting my kids a kitten for Christmas (shhhh, don’t tell!) but have a fear of trying to litter-box-train one. I’ve only had outside-cats, I don’t know what I’m doing! LOL.

--And, last but not least, though I rarely indulge it, I have a fashionista tendency. If only I had a fashionista budget!

Yeah, those outdoor cats will spoil you. All the best with that!

And don't feel bad about the housekeeping. I defy anyone to find a mom who can use the words "kids" and "vacuum" in the same sentence without saying exactly what you said.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland.

Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life. But when he betrays her, she flees to Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital. There Lark throws herself into a new circle of friends who force her to examine all she believes.

Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his betrothed. Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he realizes that in this new country he has come to call his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to open his heart and soul to something greater … before he loses all he should have been fighting to hold.

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

Lark is a young lady who has always done what is expected of her . . . and who has had enough of that when it gets her only a broken heart. Growing up, she was always eclipsed by the beauty of her sister and cousin, so she has no idea that she has come into her own. Instead, she thinks her face will never compare to Violet’s . . . that her spirit will never live up to her friend Sena’s . . . that her courage could never equal Alice’s . . . . Through the course of the book, she must discover who Lark is, and accept that without comparing herself to the other young ladies around her.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

My hero would be the yummy John Gidding, who is as close to Emerson as I could imagine—though he’d have to grow his hair. We need shoulder-length hair, tied back at the nape, thank you very much.

Mercy. I've never seen this particular young man. We can kind of pretend he has long hair in this shot, pulled back as ordered.

I originally modeled Lark on Dakota Fanning, with her neither-brown-nor-blond hair, but the cover model overrode my description. So I’m now saying Nikki Reed is the best match, though when I picked her I didn’t realize her eyes were the wrong color. She needs dark blue eyes, but otherwise she’s a fair match.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

I won’t do it personally, no—given that my hubby owns WhiteFire Publishing, if I were to do anything with out-of-print books, I’d do it through WFP. That way it would still have the backing and distribution that WhiteFire’s working hard to achieve. But in general, I can respect the trend, especially for out-of-print books.

My opinion on the original books is a little more complex. I think authors have to be careful about protecting their reputation and name, and sometimes there are reasons their never-published titles have remained in their unpubbed folder. Not always, mind you—I would never say that. But it has to be a very careful, prayerful decision.

Very good point. That's the one danger I've considered as well. I think the market (or lack thereof) is going to dictate the success of many books that are released before their time!

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

I’ve been reading soooooo slowlllllyyyyy lately. Right now I’m in the middle of Laurie Alice Eakes’ A Necessary Deception, which thus far is fabulous, and I’m sure it will end as well as it began. But if we’re talking books I’ve actually finished (ahem), I have to say that everyone should rush out to pre-order Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews. This is a biblical novel based on the Song of Solomon, and it’s just phenomenal. I can’t remember the last time I read a heroine so compelling!

Good to hear! I had the pleasure of meeting Mesu this year at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference, but I haven't had the chance to read any of her writing yet (I don't get through my reading fast enough, either). I'm so glad to hear her latest is that good.

What are you working on now?

Well at the moment I’m about a third of the way through a historical romance set in 1861 Savannah, about a whimsical heroine determined to write her own love story, and a disillusioned hero not so sure anymore that he’s up to the role she wants him to fill. This one is under contract but the release date hasn’t been finalized yet. Next to come out, however, will be a Revolutionary War spy romance set against Loyalist New York of 1780. That one’s scheduled to release in January 2013.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.roseannamwhite.com
www.roseannamwhite.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/roseanna.white

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Well, I’m in the middle of planning a Colonial Christmas party for my book launch, so I’m in the spirit, 18th century style. My question, in that theme, is this: if you could receive one handmade gift this year, what would it be? (We’ll assume the giver to be talented in whatever craft the gift requires.)

Readers, if you click on the above link, you'll be taken to Roseanna's Great Annapolis Giveaway. But be sure to answer her question to enter her book giveaway here before you go!

Thank you, Roseanna, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Roseanna has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, December 12. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Roseanna's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Margaret Daley, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Margaret's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Hannah Alexander's Silent Night, Deadly Night and December Releases!

2011-12-05T17:19:00.000-05:00

After sabotage strikes the Vance Rescue Mission, an ex-cop tries to guarantee the mission a safe Christmas, but can he protect the woman he loves when the sabotage becomes poisonous—with her as the target?

Today's bonus post doesn't involve a giveaway, but I wanted to draw your attention to Silent Night, Deadly Night, by Hannah Alexander, included in the Season of Danger anthology (Love Inspired Suspense, December 2011).

About Hannah Alexander:

Hannah Alexander is the pen name for the writing collaboration of Cheryl and Mel Hodde. They chose the name to incorporate their two names into one. They have read that Hannah means, “her hope is in the Lord,” and Alexander means, “servant of mankind.”

Both Mel and Cheryl (pronounced Hoddee) dreamed of their chosen professions since they were children. Mel remembers the decision he made when he was ten years old to become a physician. Cheryl remembers composing songs and stories before she knew her ABC's. When she wrote her first romance in 1985 she realized that no romance, and no life, can be right without Christ at the center, and so that was how she wrote--with Christ at the center.

After Cheryl and Mel married in 1995, they worked together on rewrites of her previous manuscripts. This time, when she marketed them, they began to gain notice from publishers. Three of her first novels--The Healing Promise, Ozark Sunrise, and A Living Soul--have now been published by Heartsong Presents under the name of Hannah Alexander.

About the novella:

After the murder of Tess Vance's fiance, Tess leaves her career as a musical talent agent and retreats home to her brother's rescue mission for the homeless in Corpus Christi, Texas. She finds solace helping others, and peace with ex-cop Sean Torrance, who has also endured great pain over the past year. Just as they begin to think life will settle for them, and their friendship will deepen into something more lasting, Tess finds herself the subject of a stalking, and the stalker hurts her by hurting and killing those she loves, including the homeless.

All of Sean's protective instincts rise to the top when the woman he has grown to love finds herself in danger once again. He'll do whatever it takes to protect her and the others he works with at the mission. As the owner and manager of one of the top radio stations in the region, he finds a way to stop the attacks, but it will mean betraying her trust. Can their relationship withstand the conflict?

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through the following buttons:

CBD.com

And take a look at some of the other exciting Inspirational Fiction releasing this month:

An Amish Wedding by Beth Wiseman -- Romance from Thomas Nelson; Pricilla's upcoming wedding is stirring up trouble - and romance - in Paradise.

Christmas Pearl by Robin L. Bayne -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican). Joe Gardner never expected to see Elizabeth again, not after the part she'd played in ruining his life. Refusing to believe she now shares his faith, Joe tosses aside her efforts to apologize. But when they are forced to work together in the midst of the Christmas season, Joe has to face the truth about Elizabeth, and himself.

Daddy’s Little Matchmakers by Kathleen Y'Barbo -- Romance from Love Inspired -- Wanted: Wife And Mother. Veterinarian Eric Wilson is confounded by the classified ad his three young daughters have placed. The handsome widower is not in the market for a bride!

Death in Dahlonega by Deborah Malone -- A Mystery from Lamp Post Inc.. A vacation with a friend should never include murder and mayhem.

Gold, Frankincense, and Murder by Barbara Early -- Romance/Mystery from White Rose Publishing (Pelican); A missing coworker. A brawny sidekick. Sometimes the holidays can be murder.

His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley, -- Romance from Love Inspired. In the aftermath of a hurricane, will Kathleen Hart and Gideon O'Brien, two scarred people, find hope and love?

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna M. White -- Romance from Summerside Press. In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton.

Polar Bear Plunge by Linda Glaz -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican). Aleni Callan can’t accept that God allowed her husband to die in Afghanistan while war hero, Brice Taylor, returns from Iraq to cheers and fame and feelings that he somehow failed. Neither can accept that one man lived and one man died.

Replication by Jill Williamson -- Young Adult from Zondervan; A girl discovers her biologist father is covering up multiple secrets—all of which are named Jason.

Savanna’s Gift by Camille Eide -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican); When Savanna gets a second chance at the love of her life, will her dream that once divided them get in the way?

Small-Town Sweethearts by Jean C. Gordon-- Romance from Love Inspired; With the help of God and the love of Drew Stacey, a down-sized Wall Street analyst turned church camp manager, NYC 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.

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt -- Romance from Thomas Nelson; When a failed logging company threatens their town's survival, four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway.

The Christmas Witness by Susan Sleeman-- Thriller Suspense from Love Inspired; Can a former FBI agent let go of the devastating loss of his wife to cancer in order to save a critically ill child and her mother from a ruthless criminal?

Tracks in the Snow by Sandra H. Esch-- General Fiction from Lamp Post Inc.; Jo Bremley feared losing her husband to World War II, but when a snowstorm rips apart her storybook world, how can she heal her broken heart, and move on?

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Margaret Daley, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Margaret's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Margaret Daley and Free Books!

2011-12-01T17:45:00.010-05:00

In the aftermath of a hurricane, will Kathleen Hart and Gideon O’Brien, two scarred people, find hope ... and love?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Lisa Jordan's novel, Lakeside Reunion, is:

ABreading4fun@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Margaret Daley, author of His Holiday Family (Love Inspired, December 2011).

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of seventy-five books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I was a cheerleader in high school.

--I’m a dog lover with three cats.

--I struggled to learn to read.

--I love to bowl.

--I never dreamed of being a writer.

Well, the reading and writing issues are certainly surprising, but the cheerleader issue is not. You have a wonderful, uplifting spirit about you!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of His Holiday Family.

When Hurricane Naomi tears through a small Mississippi town, a daring rescue unites two heroes. Nurse Kathleen Hart is a single mom racked by guilt over her husband's death. Firefighter Gideon O'Brien—orphaned as a young boy—has lost too many people he cared for.

To rise above the storm's devastation, Gideon helps Kathleen and her sons rebuild their home. As Christmas approaches, they discover that even the strongest of storms can't destroy a romance built on the foundation of faith.

Readers, an excerpt from Margaret's novel is included in my November 27 post, if you'd like a taste of the story.

Margaret, what is it about Kathleen that will make your readers care about her?

Kathleen is an debt ridden widow with two sons who is struggling to keep her family together.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

Yes, I’m likely to do that. I’m working on putting three of my out-of-print books up as an ebook soon.

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

Long Trail Home by Vickie McDonough is a wonderful story set right after the Civil War in Texas. A soldier comes home to discover his fiancee has married someone else and his parents were murdered.

What are you working on now?

I am starting my third book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series for Abingdon Press. The first book will be out in March 2012, called Saving Hope.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.margaretdaley.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

What is your favorite hero like?

Thank you, Margaret, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Margaret has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, December 8. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Margaret's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Jody Hedlund, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Jody's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Jody Hedlund and Free Books!

2011-11-28T08:05:00.048-05:00

They vowed to keep their marriage in name only, but when the unexpected happens on the grueling journey west ... their carefully constructed partnership will be put to the ultimate test.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Debra Ullrick's novel, The Unlikely Wife, is:

hisfiction@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Jody Hedlund, author of The Doctor’s Lady (Bethany House, September 2011).

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling book, The Preacher's Bride. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work.

Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--My most memorable meal is apple, blueberry, cherry pie—for breakfast.

--If I had to swim across a lake of any kind of beverage, it would be coffee.

--My dad was a twin, my husband’s mom was a twin, and we had twins.

--I grew up a PK (pastor’s kid).

--My favorite TV Show is Survivor and I’ve watched almost every season since it started.

I'm like you, but with The Amazing Race. I don't think I've ever missed it, thanks to my trusty DVR.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Doctor's Lady.

Priscilla White knows she’ll never be a wife or mother and feels God’s call to the mission field.

Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field. Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs.

Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God’s leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

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

Priscilla White isn’t physically strong and she’s a bit naïve, and yet she’s determined and courageous. Her biggest weakness is her pride. At the beginning of the story she believes she is the perfect missionary candidate because of her piety, education, and upbringing. But during the dangerous trip, she begins to understand that when God chooses to use someone, he looks much deeper than a person’s outward qualifications

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Dr. Eli Ernest needs to be played by Kevin Costner whose rugged, scruffy look in Dances With Wolves is exactly the way I envisioned Dr. Ernest. Eli is a man full of passion and unafraid of danger, and yet willing to learn and grow through the challenges he faces.

Priscilla White needs to be played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Priscilla is a beautiful and elegant lady with Gwyneth’s looks in Emma. She’s not physically strong and she’s a bit naïve, and yet she’s determined and courageous.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

I’d love to hire a cleaning lady to come in once a week, a chef to cook meals, and a nanny to take care of the children in the afternoons during my writing time (after we’re done with our homeschooling day). One can dream, can’t they?

That's truly a writer's dream! I'd love that, too.

What are you working on now?

My next historical romance, Unending Devotion, releases in 2012. I’m really excited about this story because it’s set in my home state of Michigan. It takes place during the 1880’s at a time in history when the lumber era was at its height. Although the story isn’t inspired by a true person the way my first two books have been, I do include several real people, particularly a real villain by the name of James Carr who was notorious in central Michigan for his violence and for introducing white slavery into the state.

The heroine of the story is a young woman, Lily Young, who is looking for her sister who’s caught up into the degradation of lumber camp life. While Lily searches for her missing sister, she fights against the evil that runs rampant around her, and she fights not to lose her heart to the lumber baron who turns a blind eye to the lawlessness of the lumber business.

That sounds intriguing, Jody. And I like that you incorporate real historical figures into your stories.

Where else can readers find you online?

I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund
I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund
My home base is at my website: www.jodyhedlund.com

The book can be purchased at fine book stores and online via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Since I’ve shared what I want for Christmas, if the sky were the limit for you what would you ask for?

Thank you, Jody, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jody has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, December 5. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jody's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Lisa Jordan, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Lisa's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Margaret Daley's His Holiday Family

2011-11-27T17:26:00.033-05:00

When Hurricane Naomi tears through a small Mississippi town, a daring rescue unites two heroes.

Today's bonus post doesn't involve a giveaway, but I wanted to draw your attention to His Christmas Family (Love Inspired, November 2011), by my writer friend, Margaret Daley.

About Margaret:

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She writes inspirational romance, both contemporary and historical, and romantic suspense books. Her seventy-fifth book is From This Day Forward.

"When I decided to write a series about a town that goes through a hurricane, I wanted to give tribute to all the people who have gone through a disaster and rebuilt their lives. This series was written for the heroes and heroines who help others in a time of disaster."

About the book:

When Hurricane Naomi tears through a small Mississippi town, a daring rescue unites two heroes.

Nurse Kathleen Hart is a single mom racked by guilt over her husband's death. Firefighter Gideon O'Brien—orphaned as a young boy—has lost too many people he cared for. To rise above the storm's devastation, Gideon helps Kathleen and her sons rebuild their home.

As Christmas approaches, they discover that even the strongest of storms can't destroy a romance built on the foundation of faith.

Excerpt from His Holiday Family:

Gideon O'Brien hopped down from Engine Two and assessed the chaos in front of him. Strapping on his air pack, he started toward his captain. A hand gripped his arm and stopped his forward progress. He turned toward the blonde woman who held him, her large blue eyes glistening with tears. She looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew her from. His neighbor's daughter, perhaps?

"My two sons and my cousin—their babysitter—must still be inside. I don't see them outside with the other tenants." Her voice quivered. She tightened her hand on his arm and scanned the crowd. "I'm Kathleen Hart. My sons are Jared and Kip. I tried Sally's cell but she didn't answer. Please get them out." A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Where are they?" Gideon moved toward his captain, his palm at the small of her back, guiding her in the direction he wanted her to go. Yes, he realized, she was his neighbor Ruth Coleman's daughter.

"Sally's second-floor apartment is on the east side, the fourth one down on your right. Number 212. Hurry." Her round eyes fastened on the fire consuming the three-story apartment building on Magnolia Street.

Gideon paused in front of Captain Fox. "Mrs. Hart says her sons and babysitter are still inside. Pete and I can go in and get them." He looked toward the west end of the large structure where the men of Engine One were fighting the flames eating their way through the top level. "There's still time."

"Okay." His captain surveyed the east end. "But hurry. It won't be long before this whole building goes up."

The scent of smoke hung heavy in the air. The hissing sound of water hitting Magnolia Street Apartments vied with the roar of the blaze.

Gideon turned toward the mother of the two boys. "We'll find them." He gave her a smile then searched the firefighters for Pete.

When Gideon found him a few feet away, he covered the distance quickly. "Let's go. There are three people trapped on the second floor. East end."

At the main entrance into the building Gideon fixed his mask in place, glancing back at the blonde woman standing near his captain. He had seen that same look of fear and worry many times over his career as a firefighter. He wouldn't let anything happen to her sons and Sally.

Gideon switched on his voice amplifier and headed into the furnace with Pete following close behind him. Through the thick cloud suspended from the ceiling in the foyer, the stairs to the second floor loomed. Crouching, he scrambled up the steps. The higher he went, the hotter it became.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

~~~~~~

Be sure to check out my post about the raffle for Sandi Rog and my interview with Lisa Jordan, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of Lisa's post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Sandi Rog and a Fantastic Raffle!

2011-11-25T14:15:00.000-05:00

He fights for his freedom. She fights for her life. Together, they fight for each other.

Today's bonus post doesn't involve a give-away, but I wanted to draw your attention to an author friend of mine who is facing a fight of her own.

The day her novel, The Master's Wall, released, novelist and mother of four, Sandi Rog, learned she had stage 4 cancer.

Now her fans and friends are doing a number of things to support her. Not only will purchases of The Master's Wall help Sandi and her family financially, we're using a raffle to raise funds for her medical expenses.

A $5 donation gets you one raffle ticket. $50 gets you ten. You get the idea. The raffle starts today, November 25th. Scroll through this blog post to see the things you can enter your ticket to win.

Sandi's novel is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through this link to Amazon.

Debra Ullrick and Free Books!

2011-11-21T18:27:00.006-05:00

Michael Bowen, who marries his bride sight unseen via proxy, thinks he’s marrying an educated southern belle, and is horrified to discover his bride is an uneducated woman who looks and dresses like a female outlaw.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Sandra Robbins' novella collection, Alabama Brides, is:

booklovercb@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Debra Ullrick, author of The Unlikely Wife (Steeple Hill, Love Inspired Historical, January 2012).

Debra Ullrick is an award-winning Christian romance author. In addition to multiple full-length novels, her stories have been featured in several novella collections, one of which made the New York Times bestseller’s list.

Debra is happily married to her husband of thirty-seven years and has one daughter. For over twenty-five years, they lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado Mountains. She now lives in the Colorado flatlands.

Debra loves animals, classic cars, mud-bog racing, and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing western art, feeding wild birds, and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS, or Castle.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--My heart ached something fierce, and I cried like a baby when a bird hit my window and died.

--I love perfume and wear it almost every day.

--I’m addicted to Sonic’s cherry limeade drink and can’t wait to get to the maraschino cherry at the bottom of the drink.

--Pink is my favorite color, especially fuchsia.

--Ever since I was little, I wanted a tiny chipmunk (squirrel type) for a pet.

For someone who's lived on cattle ranches and enjoys mud-bog racing, you're quite a girly-girl, aren't you? I like that dichotomy.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Unlikely Wife.

The arrival of Michael Bowen's bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw—not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He's been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman!

Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael's letters, even if she couldn't read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies—but apparently that "friend" left things out, like Michael's dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won't change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.

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

All her life, Selina Farleigh Bowen has been abominably judged because of her extreme poverty and outward appearance instead of her warm, caring, giving heart.

Oh, yes. You go right for our heartstrings with that.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Angelina Jolie . . .

. . . and Paul Walker.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

That my husband, who’s been talking to a camera man for some major film producers, would announce that the camera man has finally found a producer who is going to film my story, The Bride Wore Coveralls.

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

The Gladiator, by Carla Capshaw. It was filled with romance, the hero was super macho and smoking hot, and the whole spiritual theme of the book was amazing.

What are you working on now?

Groom Wanted, which is the sequel to The Unlikely Wife.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.debraullrick.com, Facebook, Shoutlife, Goodreads, and Twitter.

The book can be purchased at fine book stores and online via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Do you enjoy reading stories with emotional, real life situations or more of a “Calgon take me away” sort of romance?

Thank you, Debra, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Debra has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, November 28. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Debra's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Lisa Jordan, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

And 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 HERE.

Lisa Jordan and Free Books!

2011-11-17T11:24:00.015-05:00

Will she risk her heart for a second chance at love?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Lena Nelson Dooley's novel, Maggie's Journey, is:

hisfiction@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Lisa Jordan, author of Lakeside Reunion (Love Inspired, November 2011).

Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories that feature both comes naturally to her. She has been writing contemporary Christian romance for more than a decade. Lakeside Reunion is her debut novel. Her second novel, Lakeside Family, will be released in August 2012 by Love Inspired.

Happily married for over twenty years, Lisa and her husband have two young adult sons. When she isn’t writing or caring for children in her in-home childcare business, Lisa enjoys family time, romantic comedies, good books, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--Hubby and I eloped 22 years ago.

--I’m older than I appear.

--I hate coffee, but love the smell—I’m an avid tea drinker.

--I’ll take caramel over chocolate, but the combo is even better.

--I’m hopelessly addicted to peanut butter.

Oh, great. Pardon me, please, while I take a coffee/chocolate/peanut butter break. I'm so easily influenced these days!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Lakeside Reunion.

Bed-and-breakfast owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to Shelby Lake. Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and Lindsey fled town. But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he's still able to stir up Lindsey’s old feelings for him.

Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust in God and take a risk for love—again.

What is it about Lindsey and Stephen that will make your readers care about them?

Everyone has gone through heartbreak, whether it’s the end of a relationship or losing a loved one. My characters’ heartbreaks transformed their lives, reshaping who they are today. I believe readers will be able to identify with the myriad of emotions my characters have experienced. I think we’ve all been there at one time or another.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

This is totally going off looks, but Charlize Theron is how I picture Lindsey.

And Australian model Ian Lawless for Stephen.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

A week long writers retreat for my writing team—my mentors, my writing support group, my agent, and my editor. They have shaped me into the writer I am today. Without them, Lakeside Reunion would not be debuting this year.

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

One of my all-time favorite novels is Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren, which won a Carol award at ACFW this year. Sons of Thunder is a story that takes the reader’s heart on an adventure with vivid characters that leap off the page and an incredible storyworld that pulls the reader into the setting. I laughed and cried while reading this book, but by the time I reached The End, I learned more about the craft of writing than reading a how-to book. Susie is a fabulous story teller.

What are you working on now?

I just signed the contract for my second novel, Lakeside Family that will be released in August 2012 by Love Inspired, so I’m finishing up the revisions on that. Then I will begin plotting my third novel so I can write the rough draft during NaNoWriMo.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website, Twitter, My Author’s Page on Facebook, My Book Therapy (forum coordinator, e-zine editor).

And here's an excerpt from the novel.

The book is available at fine bookstores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

Have you taken a risk for a second chance at love? What did you learn about yourself in the process?

I'm holding a scavenger hunt and lakeside photo contest to promote my Lakeside Reunion release. Visit my Lakeside Reunion Contest page for more information. The token for this blog is a picture frame.

Thank you, Lisa, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Lisa has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, December 1. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Lisa's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Sandra Robbins, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Sandra Robbins and Free Books!

2011-11-15T12:35:00.088-05:00

Alabama’s rich history comes alive through the eyes of three determined women willing to take a leap of faith and risk all for love.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of James Rubart's novel, The Chair, is:

ibjoy1953@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Sandra Robbins, author of Alabama Brides (Barbour Publishing, October 2011).

Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town in Tennessee where she grew up. They count their four children and five grandchildren as the greatest blessings in their lives.

Until a few years ago Sandra was working as an elementary school principal, but God opened the door for her to become a full-time writer. Her first book Pedigreed Bloodlines was a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier contest for excellence in writing mystery. Final Warning, a romantic suspense, was a finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest, a Holt Merit Award winner, and a finalist in the ACFW Carol Award. Mountain Peril, a romantic suspense, was also a finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest, and The Columns of Cottonwood, a historical romance, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Award.

When not writing or spending time with her family, Sandra enjoys reading, collecting flow blue china, and playing the piano.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I am an avid fan of musical theater, and my favorite performance was getting to see Yul Brynner perform in The King and I.

--I received my Bachelor’s Degree in music with a major in piano.

--I love to travel, and I think the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited is Monte Carlo.

--My favorite foods are hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies.

--I laughed out loud once when a nurse asked me if my twins, a boy and a girl, were identical.

One of the greater geniuses of the medical field, eh? Maybe it had been a long day in the maternity ward.

Please tell us a bit more about the plots in Alabama Brides.

Alabama Brides is a collection of three books written for Barbour’s Heartsong Presents Romance line.

In The Columns of Cottonwood, Savannah learns that there’s more to home than a plot of land, as Dante searches for God’s answer to his dream.

In Dinner at the St. James, Tave’s love softens the heart of a wounded man, leading him to sacrifice everything for her.

The third book in the series is Blues Along the River, and in it Victoria witnesses first hand God’s redemptive power in her family as He remakes her husband into the man of her dreams.

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

The stories about Savannah, Tave, and Victoria, the three heroines in the stories, are set in the years after the Civil War when steamboats plied the Alabama River and a new way of life was emerging in the South. As these women struggle to adjust to a changing world and find love, they find their only hope for a renewed future is in the love they have for God, family, and the land. They each learn that the plans God has for each of them is better than anything they could ever have imagined.

If you were the casting director for the film version of these stories, who would play your lead roles?

I would choose AnnaSophia Robb to play Savannah.

Anne Hathaway to play Tave.

And Zooey Deschanel to play Victoria.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

I would ask for a wing to be built onto my house for a large office with all the latest technology installed and stocked with all kinds of office supplies I would need for writing. I would also have an adjoining room for my personal library filled with all my favorite books.

I like that one! Think I'll add it to my Amazon wish list.

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

The last book I read is The Queen, by Christy award winner Steven James. This is his fifth book in the Patrick Bowers Series, and it’s a page turner. For those not familiar with the suspense writer, his books feature a great character who is an FBI agent. The book is a techno-thriller, and I recommend it to any reader who enjoys this genre.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a three book historical romance series that is set in Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains. The first book tells the story of Anna Prentiss who comes to the Cove in 1894 to spend the summer with a legendary mountain midwife and finds love and God’s plan for her life. It will release next year from Harvest House. I am busy working on the second in the series, Mountain Homecoming, that tells the story of Anna’s daughter. The third book is about Anna’s granddaughter and ends with the Cove residents selling their land to the government for the Smoky Mountain National Park and leaving the valley they love.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find me at my website at sandrarobbins.net, at my blog sandrarobbinsbooks.blogspot.com, and on Thursdays at theborrowedbook.blogspot.com. I always enjoy receiving emails from my readers at sandra@sandrarobbins.net.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

What three books, besides the Bible, have influenced your life more than any others you’ve read?

Thank you, Sandra, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Sandra has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, November 21. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Sandra's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Lena Nelson Dooley, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Lena Nelson Dooley and Free Books!

2011-11-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

A girl who’s been lied to all of her life … where will she find the answers?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Mary Connealy's novel, Ten Plagues, is:

ibjoy1953@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Lena Nelson Dooley, author of Maggie’s Journey (Realms, October 2011).

Lena Nelson Dooley is an award-winning author with more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers—where she received the Mentor of the Year award in 2006—DFW Ready Writers, CROWN marketing group, and Christian Authors Network.

Lena has received three Carol Award silver pins from ACFW and her Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, recently received the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in western fiction.

She lives in Hurst, Texas, with her husband of over 47 years.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--It will soon be Christmas, and I’m looking forward to Braums’s Eggnog (without the nog).

--I taught myself to use many kinds of computer software, without ever taking a class.

--For Christmas dinner, I always make Sour Cream Turkey Enchiladas with the left-over turkey I froze after Thanksgiving (If there’s no leftover turkey, I cook a whole chicken to make them).

--I’ve never snow skied, but I love to go to the Colorado mountains in the snow.

--I had never seen the ocean until after I was 40 years old.

Yum. I'm working on this post at six o'clock in the evening. Those turkey enchiladas sound very tasty.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Maggie's Journey.

The McKenna’s Daughters series is about identical triplets, who were born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother died soon after giving birth. They were separated and grew to near their 18th birthday without knowing they had sisters.

Margaret Lenora Caine, Maggie in Maggie’s Journey, doesn’t even know that she was adopted. She stumbles on the information in the attic. It upsets everything she has believed about herself. In the book, Maggie travels with an aunt and her father’s partner from Seattle, Washington Territory, to Little Rock, Arkansas, and back. On the journey, she learns a lot about herself, her life, and finds a lasting love.

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

Maggie is strong, a little headstrong, and a caring person. She learns to face the truth in her life.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Nicole Kidman ...

... and Hugh Jackman

Two of our favorite Aussies, right?

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

I’d like an iPad. Hint! Hint!

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

I just finished reading Deeanne Gist’s Love on the Line. I love all of Deeanne’s books, and I think this one is my favorite, except for Maid to Match. She can really draw me into the characters and connect emotionally with me. When I grow up, I want to write as well as Deeanne does.

What are you working on now?

Mary’s Blessing, book two of the McKenna’s Daughters series just went in to the publisher after the rewrites and line edits. So I’m now working on book three of the series, Catherine’s Pursuit.

Where else can readers find you online?

lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/lenandooley
www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley
www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Tell me about the character in a book you’ve read recently, who really grabbed your heart and wouldn’t let go.

Thank you, Lena, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Lena has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, November 17. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Lena's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Jim Rubart, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of his book.

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 HERE.

James L. Rubart and Free Books!

2011-11-07T10:53:00.090-05:00

If someone gave you an ancient looking chair and told them it was made by Jesus Christ, would you believe them?

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Susan Page Davis's novel, The Lady's Maid, is:

patterly@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist James L. Rubart, author of The Chair (B&H Fiction, September 2011).

James L. Rubart is the best-selling, and award winning author of ROOMS, BOOK OF DAYS, and THE CHAIR. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing, helping authors make more coin of the realm. In his free time he dirt bikes, hikes, water skis and take photos. No, he doesn’t sleep much. He lives with his amazing wife and teenage sons in the Pacific Northwest and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I used to appear in TV ads and voice radio spots.

--I used to be a semi-pro magician.

--I almost lost three fingers on my right hand when I was 1 ½ years old.

--I love improv.

--I can speak five languages. (The last one isn't true, but that would be cool, huh?)

And I suppose you expect us to believe the other four items, hmmm?

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

If you were given an ancient looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe them?

When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe’s antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was built by Christ, he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts to wonder: Could this chair heal the person whose life I destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy’s healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. But the mysterious woman who gave him the piece insinuates it is Corin’s destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why? Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he reveals.

Searching for truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it, Corin soon realizes he isn’t the only one willing to do almost anything to possess the power that seems to surround the chair.

What a cool premise. Sure to be another bestseller!

What is it about Corin that will make your readers care about him?

His greatest desire is to restore his relationship with his brother, but he doesn't think it can ever happen because of what he did to his brother years before. But he won't stop trying.

Plus he loves extreme sports so there's little chance of a boring moment when Corin is around.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

My protagonist, Corin would be played by Henry Cavill.

His brother Shasta would be played by Adam Brody.

Corin's girlfriend would be played by Camy Tang.

Camy, you lucky dog, you!

Nicole who gives Corin the chair would be played by Helen Mirren.

Mark Jefferies who is coming after the chair would be played by Mark Ruffalo.

Tesser--Corin's old history professor--would be played by legendary comedian Professor Irwin Corey (who I met and based Tesser on.)

I didn't use one of his wacko pictures from the past--I imagined your Tesser wasn't quite that far over the top.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

More time. Just another three hours a day to write and get everything else done would do it!

Well, I guess that gift wish will be a little harder than others to fulfill. What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Well crafted, all the boring parts were left out, and I was fully immersed in the story.

Oh, me too, and I'm not usually a big fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. What are you working on now?

I recently signed a new five-book contract and I’m working on the first of those novels (due on shelves next year about this time).

Plus I’m promoting a Small Group Study Guide based on my first novel ROOMS. There's a workbook, DVD with me teaching the major themes of the book and we even hired actors to act out scenes from the book. It's published by LifeWay and they did a tremendous job.

What fun! And a very clever marketing idea.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.jameslrubart.com
Facebook: James L. Rubart
Twitter: @jimrubart

The book is available at fine book stores and can be purchased online through the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

If you had to give your life (so far) a title (that would go on a book) what would it be?

Thanks so much for having me, Trish. Always a blast to be here with you.

Great question Jim. And thank you for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jim has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Tuesday, November 15. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jim's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Susan Page Davis, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Mary Connealy, New Releases, and Free Books!

2011-11-03T08:00:00.086-04:00

A demon possessed serial killer acts out the Ten Plagues of Egypt on the city of Chicago.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of DiAnn Mills's novel, Attracted to Fire, is:

JFWisherd@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Mary Connealy, author of Ten Plagues (Barbour Publishing, October 2011).

Mary Connealy takes a walk on the suspenseful side with Ten Plagues, a romantic thriller, writing as Mary Nealy. Mary usually writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita and Christy finalist. She is the author of The Kincaid Brides Series: Out of Control, In Too Deep, Over the Edge.

Among her novels are Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, Montana Marriages Trilogy and The Sophie's Daughters series.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--My mom’s mother had a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York back in the day when they barely let women go to college.

--I’ve got two brothers who are pastors in fairly diverse churches, but they get along great.

--I’m married to my high school sweetheart who is my very own romantic cowboy hero.

--I attended a one room country school and so did my husband and my children.

--I live in the house my husband’s grandfather build on land that’s been in my husband’s family for close to 150 years.

What terrific family history, Mary. I'm so impressed by your grandmother!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Ten Plagues.

A demon possessed serial killer acts out the Ten Plagues of Egypt on the city of Chicago.

An inner city mission pastor draws the attention of a madman and becomes the focus of his rage.

A lady cop with the spiritual gift of discerning spirits gets the case and is confronted with an evil unlike any she's ever known.

The pastor and the cop race to stop a murderer, knowing that the plague of the first born and the plague of darkness are being saved just for them.

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

My lead character is a lady cop with the spiritual gift of discerning spirits. I was reading the list of spiritual gifts and when I hit the one about discerning spirits I realized I knew very little about that gift. I wondered what would that be like? What if you walked up to someone and could tell they were possessed by a demon? The idea for a story about a woman with that gift was born.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Keren would be played by a young Stephanie Zimbalist.

Paul by Henry Cavill (who is my new choice for every hero, the next Superman).

I completely get that. What a great look he has! I've heard a lot of good buzz about him.

Here’s a hint for your well-to-do fans and loved ones: If you could have any one writing-related gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? The sky is the limit!

I’d like a writing retreat with all my best writing buddies in a beautiful cabin in the Rocky Mountains for a week. Food will magically appear so all we do is write and talk.

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

I am right in the middle of Ruth Logan Herne’s Christmas release: Yuletide Hearts (Love Inspired). I’m a sucker for a really great, sentimental Christmas romance and I’m loving this one.

What are you working on now?

I’m doing revisions for the third book in the Kincaid Brides series and I absolutely loved this book. I had so much fun writing it. Book #1 is Out of Control about the control freak brother. It released in August. Book #2 In Too Deep, about the brother who’s the shallow charmer, comes in February 2012 and Book #3 Over the Edge, about the crazy brother, releases in August 2012.

Where else can readers find you online?

Find Mary online at:
Mary Nealy's Website
My Website
My Blog
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

I’m a little nervous about doing this pseudonym/new genre thing, but I loved writing this book and I think a change like this makes it more fun to go back and write the cowboy romance, which I love and intend to keep doing forever.

I’m so afraid that readers will feel betrayed and I’m trying to warn them that they’re picking up something different. I think (I hope) the cover is a huge warning.

How do you feel about an author changing genres? Do you feel cheated? I’ve had authors do this to me but the major betrayal came when a romance novelist dragged me to the end of the book and then no happily ever after!!!!!!

I was very, very, very annoyed. Has that ever happened to you?

Thank you, Mary, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Mary has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, November 10. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Mary's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Susan Page Davis, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Finally, be sure to check out the terrific inspirational fiction releasing this month!

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander -- Historical Romance from Bethany House; To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Bound by Grace by Amber Stockton -- Historical Romance from Barbour. When Charlotte Pringle’s father disrupts her idyllic relationship with Richard Baxton by announcing he’s been working on a marriage arrangement to secure her future, Richard despairs over the loss of the woman he’s come to love, until his niece persuades him to fight.

Fatal Reality by Jonathan Wakefield -- A Thriller/Suspense from OakTara -- In this race only the winner will be allowed to live.

Gateway Weddings; Romancing America by Myra Johnson -- A Romance from Barbour. Three Missouri women enter the gateway to life, love, and longing.

Hope and a Future by Betty Arrigotti -- Romance from OakTara; Will Marjorie Gloriam overcome her fear and trust God to be a Friend with plans to give her Hope and a Future?

I Can Do Better All By Myself by E. N. Joy, --Biblical Fiction from Urban Fiction (Kensington). The singles ministry at New Day Temple of Faith is beginning to unravel, and the pastor is considering dissolving the ministry. Some members believe the only way to hold it together is by getting their pastor to join. And why shouldn't their leader show support by joining, considering the pastor's own single status?

Katie’s Way by Marta Perry -- Romance from Praise (Penguin). A quilt shop brings Amish and Englisch together, and trouble follows...

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble -- Romance from Thomas Nelson. Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen and never found. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.

Mind Over Madi by Lynda Lee Schab -- General Fiction from OakTara; All men cheat. At least, that's what Madi's mother has always told her.

Peril by Suzanne Hartmann -- Thriller/Suspense from OakTara; A top-secret agent must trust God to protect her many secrets when she accepts high-profile assignments but can she trust Him when He leads her to reveal her secrets and takes her to death's doorstep?

Promise Brides by S. Dionne Moore-- Historical Romance from Barbour; Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where-it never comes without sacrifice.

Protection for Hire by Camy Tang-- Thriller/Suspense from Zondervan; Tessa Lancaster’s skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her uncle’s Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, three months after her release, her abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for a wealthy socialite and her three-year-old son. But there’s a problem or two … or three ….

The Land of Darkness; The Gates of Heaven Series by C.S. Lakin-- Speculative Fiction from Living Ink (AMG); Jadiel is twelve and things couldn’t get much worse—or could they?

The Long Trail Home by Vickie McDonough-- Historical Romance from Moody Publishers; When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancée again. But when he arrives he learns his life will never be the same again.

The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson-- Historical from Zondervan; An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude a recluse. She must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

The Rancher’s Courtship by Laurie Kingery-- Romance from Love Inspired; Though Caroline Wallace can’t have a family, she can still have a purpose. Becoming Simpson Creek’s new schoolmarm helps heal the heartache of losing Pete, her fiancé, to influenza. Then Pete’s brother arrives, trailing a herd of cattle and twin six-year-old girls.

Thyme for Love by Pamela S. Meyers--Romance & Mystery from OakTara; April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. But she didn’t expect a former fiancé or murder to be part of the recipe for her new job.

Turnabout’s Fair Play by Kaye Dacus-- Romance from Barbour; When Maureen O’Connor begins scheming to match her grandson Jamie with Flannery McNeill, the last thing she has in mind is a romance of her own.

Happy reading!

Susan Page Davis and Free Books!

2011-10-31T07:41:00.000-04:00

As a lady’s maid, Elise will follow her mistress anywhere—even into America’s Wild West.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Lillian Duncan's novel, Pursued, is:

pshock@ . . .

And the winner of the signed copy of Dan Walsh's novel, Remembering Christmas, is:

lubell1106@ . . .

And the winners of the three signed copies of my devotional, His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, are:

jrs362@ . . .
robinbayne@ . . . and
worthy2bpraised@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you all today for your snail mail addresses, and we'll get your books to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist Susan Page Davis, author of The Lady’s Maid (Barbour, October 2011).

Susan Page Davis is the author of thirty-seven published novels. Prairie Dreams is her new series from Barbour Publishing. A Maine native, Susan now lives in Kentucky with her husband, Jim. She’s a past winner of the Carol Award and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--As a child, I had a huge collection of stuffed animals I called my “Nephew Club.”

--I now collect old tea tins.

--I worked as a news correspondent for about 25 years.

--I have two new grandsons this year—Silas Davis and Fox Ballard.

--I’m a blue-eyed woman married to a green-eyed man.

What great names your grandsons have!

I love the Nephew Club idea. When my son was a little kid, he used to tell me stories about his adventures with "my boys and my buvvers" (brothers). All imaginary. Kids are just so cute.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Lady's Maid.

The Lady’s Maid is the first book in my new Prairie Dreams historical romance series. Elise Finster accompanies her young British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne’s father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it’s up to her and Elise to find him. They join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri, not realizing they’re leading a killer straight to David.

Exciting! What is it about Elise that will make your readers care about her?

Elise is a commoner, but she’s lived most of her life in the home of an aristocratic family. When she and Lady Anne take to the wilderness, Elise feels great responsibility in keeping Anne safe and making sure they can both take care of themselves without a host of domestic servants.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

Princess Anne of England. I’ve always been fascinated by her as a person and a horsewoman.

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

Make a Scene, by Jordan E. Rosenfeld. It’s a book for writers on writing scenes within your story. I found it very helpful in showing me where some of my scenes were lacking. For fiction, I’m reading through the Miracles of Marble Cove series from Guideposts, as they recently asked me to write book #12 in this series. I especially enjoyed book #4, Beacon’s Call, by Leslie Gould.

What are you working on now?

Besides the Marble Cove book, I am finishing book 3 in the Prairie Dreams series, to follow The Lady’s Maid and Lady Anne's Quest. The final book is called A Lady in the Making.

Where else can readers find you online?

I’d love to see you at my website, www.susanpagedavis.com.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

In The Lady’s Maid, Mrs. Harkness doesn’t want to leave behind her grandmother’s cupboard or the children’s box of schoolbooks. Elise and Anne have to part with a portion of their extensive wardrobes. If you were taking a wagon train in 1855, what one thing would you refuse to leave behind?

I love that question. Sometimes I consider that, with regard to dashing out because of a house fire, etc. But in this case, you're letting people stop and really think. What do you say, readers?

Thank you, Susan, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Susan has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, November 7. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Susan's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with DiAnn Mills, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

DiAnn Mills and Free Books!

2011-10-27T09:17:00.000-04:00

When Secret Service Agents Meghan Connors and Ash Zinder are assigned to guard the Vice President’s rebellious daughter, danger and betrayal hitch a ride on the protective detail.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Susan Meissner's novel, A Sound Among the Trees, is:

faithfulgirl4@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit novelist DiAnn Mills, author of Attracted to Fire (Tyndale, September 2011).

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive; Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I can’t wear a watch or headphones because I have too much electricity in my body.

--I don’t like red meat.

--I’m afraid of dogs.

--I’m horrible at math.

--I’m a picky eater.

My mother is like that with body electricity and watches. And she's in her nineties--like the Energizer Bunny. Perhaps you'll live a long, full life too, DiAnn!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Attracted to Fire.

Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas.

Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan.

But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.

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

Meghan is ambitious in her desire to one day guard the President of the United States. She cares about her protectee’s health and safety and encourages her to stay clean. Meghan practices commitment to her job and is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Meghan Connors - Evangeline Lilly

Ash Zinders - Justin Timberlake

Your cover model actually looks a bit like him!

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

Randall Wallace - I heard him speak at the 2011 Christy Award banquet. He impressed me with his honesty and passion for the Lord. His life demonstrates the power of faith in a world where Christianity is often viewed as a crutch. His success as writer for several movies including, Braveheart, Pearl Harbor, We were Soldiers, The Man in the Iron Mask, and many more show his passion for story while not sacrificing his number one priority: his relationship with God.

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

Anne Graham Lotz - Expecting to See Jesus: A Wake-Up Call for God's People. This book touched me in its truth of where we Christians need to be today. It challenged me to never be complacent with my relationship to God while focusing on His unconditional love. It’s made me a better child of God.

What are you working on now?

Book 2 of the Crime Scene: Houston series. A woman writer teams up with an FBI agent to write cold cases and discovers her quest for authentic research puts her in danger.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.diannmills.com
www.facebook.com/diannmills
twitter.com/diannmills

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

CBD.com

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

What traits make a heroine or hero unforgettable?

Thank you, DiAnn, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, DiAnn has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, November 3. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to DiAnn's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Dan Walsh and Lillian Duncan, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the posts to enter the drawing for signed copies of their books. And don't forget to enter the drawing for His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, below!

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 HERE.

Lillian Duncan and Free Books!

2011-10-24T10:25:00.038-04:00

Putting her trust in Dylan Monroe, a man Reggie Meyers barely knows, will either be the best decision she ever made or the last.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Elizabeth Goddard's novel, Freezing Point, is:

paleface.lu@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet novelist Lillian Duncan, author of Pursued (White Rose Publishing, July 2011).

Lillian lives in a small town in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband, four parrots, one Jack Russell, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Whether as a speech-language pathologist, an educator, or as a writer, she believes in the power of words to change lives, especially God’s Word.

Lillian believes books can be entertaining without being trashy. She writes the types of books she loves to read, suspense with a touch of romance. Along with writing novels, she writes devotions for ChristianDevotions.us

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I’m very, very short--4'8"--and believe it or not that does change the way people react to you.

--My husband is the funniest person I know.

--I can paint, but I can’t draw! Go figure.

--When I get writer’s block I stop writing and start painting. Before I know it, my creative juices begin to flow once again.

--I have had some amazing experiences with God answering my prayers.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Pursued.

Reggie Meyers has spent her life pursing the American Dream, but now she’s the one being pursued— by an unknown killer.

Reggie’s a big city lawyer and Dylan’s a country farmer. In the normal course of events, their lives would never intersect but some accidents just aren't meant to be avoided. When Reggie crashes into Dylan, it makes a bad day even worse or so she thinks. Dylan, on the other hand, is intrigued by the feisty lady lawyer and wrangles a way to spend a bit more time with her by offering to drive her home after the accident. And so the journey that will change both their lives begins...

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

Reggie has some rough edges but the readers will forgive her that because she’s overcome so many obstacles in her life, including diabetes.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Oh, oh! I’m afraid my age will show with my choices. I think Jennifer Anniston would be a good pick for Reggie because...who doesn’t love Jennifer Anniston?

As for the male lead, I need to be careful who I say—don’t want to make my husband jealous! I’m going to pick country singer, Brad Paisley...

...or Toby Keith, because they’re cute and they’re country—just like Dylan.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

Mmmm. Hard question. So many choices. If I could go back in time, certainly at the top of the list would be Helen Keller. She had to have been such an amazing and intelligent person. Having worked with deaf children and one deaf-blind child, it’s hard to imagine how she overcame such disabilities.

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

Rooms by James Rubart and I loved it! I’d recommend it to anyone who needs to heal past hurts from their own life, and who doesn’t need to do that? I’d read so many good things about the book, I finally decided to read it and am glad I did. Certainly, one of the best books I’ve read this year.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a new book that will come out this fall, Deception. It’s a great story about a set of estranged twins. I love it! And the other project I’m also working on is a sequel to Pursued.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.lillianduncan.net and I’ve recently entered the blogosphere at lillianduncan.wordpress.com. They can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:

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

What’s the deciding factor when you buy a book? Is it the cover, the blurb on the back, name recognition of the author, or something else?

Thank you, Lillian, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Lillian has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, October 31. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Lillian's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Dan Walsh and Susan Meissner, below. Leave appropriate comments at the bottom of the posts to enter the drawings for a signed copies of their books. And don't forget to enter the drawing for His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, below!

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 HERE.

Gail Gaymer Martin's Christmas Gifts!

2011-10-23T08:16:00.007-04:00

Mini-Matchmakers And An Old Fashion Christmas

Today's bonus post doesn't involve a giveaway, but I wanted to draw your attention to Christmas Gifts (Love Inspired Duet, November 2011), including the novella, Small Town Christmas, by my writer friend, Gail Gaymer Martin.

About Gail:

Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin writes Christian fiction for Love Inspired and Barbour Publishing, where she was honored by Heartsong readers as their Favorite Author of 2008. Gail has forty-nine contracted novels with over three million books in print. She is the author of Writers Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance. Gail is a co-founder of American Christian Fiction Writers, a keynote speaker at churches, libraries and civic organizations and presents workshops at conference across the US. She was recently named one of the four best novelists in the Detroit area by CBS local news.

About the book:

When the new second grade teacher, Amy Carroll, meets the precocious twin sisters, she knows she has her hands full, but when she learns they live on the street where she is staying with her grandmother and they have a single father who is handsome and needs help, Amy’s hands are beyond full. But Amy’s from Chicago and falling in love with a small town man is not part of her plan. Can God waylay Amy’s desire to return to the big city? Can Mike Russett open his heart to love?

Martin’s story contains strong characters and touching scenes. - Romantic Times

This duet novel also includes Brenda Minton's Her Christmas Cowboy.

The book is available in all fine bookstores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

“Mrs. Fredericks.” The office secretary leaned into the room. “Mr. Russet is here to see you.”
“The twins father.” A heavy sigh whisked the air. “Ask him to wait a moment.”
Amy took another step toward the door. No doubt the sigh signaled trouble.
“Please wait a moment, Miss Carroll. “The twins will be in your class. It might help you to meet the girls. They have a propensity for getting into trouble.” She motioned.
“They’re right across the hall in the cafeteria. It’ll give you a heads-up for Monday.”
Trouble. Amy swallowed. “I suppose that would be. . .practical.”
“Yes, and you’ll keep an eye on them while I talk with their father.” She chuckled and motioned her to follow.
Amy followed her across the hall and spotted the girls seated on each side of a cafeteria bench, cuter and sweeter looking than she’d imagined. Though not identical twins, their features were similar with bright Caribbean blue eyes.
The child with a tawny ponytail swung her legs over the bench. “It wasn’t me, Mrs. Fredericks.”
“Yes, it was.” The blonder twin slipped from her seat, her hair gathered into a ponytail on each side of her head. “Holly tore up my drawing in art class.”
“Please sit for a moment.” She gestured to the benches. “I want you to meet someone.”
They scrutinized Amy with a mix of speculation and determination. “Miss Carroll. This young lady is Holly.” She rested her hand on the one with honey brown hair and the deep frown. “And this is Ivy.”
Ivy gazed at her, curiosity written on her face.
Holly and Ivy? Amy wondered. She stepped closer. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Neither responded.
Mrs. Fredericks eyed them. “Miss Carroll will be your new teacher on Monday.”
Holly’s ponytail flipped as she swivelled toward Amy while Ivy stared at her wide-eyed.
“I’ll leave you with Miss Carroll, and you can have a nice talk.” She turned to Amy. “I’ll be back shortly.” She strode away but paused before exiting. “When I return, I’ll introduce you to the girl’s father. I’m sure you’d like that.”
“Our dad?” Two voices rang in unison.
Amy wasn’t sure she wanted her first parental contact to be with an irritated father, but she offered a nod. When she turned, the twins were peering at her again, Holly with her arms crossed at her chest and Ivy with her fist jammed into her waist.
She slipped around the end of the bench and sat at the table. Behind those sweet faces, Amy sensed sadness. She looked from one girl to the other. “What are you doing in the cafeteria.”
Holly looked away. “Mrs. Fredericks made us sit here.”
“Hmm?” Amy tapped her finger against her cheek. “I wonder why?”
Ivy bit her lip. “Kids who misbehave have to sit in here and wait.”
Holly’s frown deepened. “I didn’t do anything bad.”
Ivy pressed her face closer to Holly’s, her look searing through her sister. “You tore up my drawing.”
“But you said it wasn’t any good.”
Ivy fell back to her seat. “If I wanted to tear it up, I would have done it.”
“That’s right, Ivy.” Amy focused on Holly, monitoring her tone. “What kind of pictures were you drawing?”
Holly’s shoulders relaxed. “Pictures of Pilgrims and Indians for our social studies.”
Amy nodded. “For Thanksgiving.” Blending learning with fun was good classroom planning.
“Uh-huh, and. . .” A movement by the door caught her attention.
“Daddy.” The girls shot from the bench and ran to a harried looking man who stood inside the doorway, his hands tucked in his jacket pockets.
Amy’s heart gave a twinge. A five o’clock shadow encompassed his lean jaw, his chestnut hair tousled as if he’d run his fingers through it many times. His straight eyebrows stretched above his caramel brown eyes, flashing with emotion.
He rocked on his heels. “You must be Miss Carroll, the new teacher.” He strode toward her. “I’m the girls’ father, Mr. Russet. It’s nice to met you.” Frustration winked behind his pleasant grin.
Amy met him halfway while the twins hovered at his side. She dropped her palm into his, aware of his warm grip. “Good to meet you, too.”
Behind him Mrs. Fredericks grinned. “I’ll see you on Monday, Miss Carroll.” She gave her a wave and vanished.
When she looked back, the man studied her with curiosity. “I’m sure we’ve met.”
Amy drew back. “Met?”
“Years ago at Ellie Carroll on Lake Street.”
“Yes, that’s it.” Amy’s memory gave a tug.
“We live across the street.” The twins voices melded together.
“She stood bewildered.
His grin widened. “Maybe eleven years ago.”
“I don’t think so.” Yet a memory shimmered in her mind. “I was eighteen then.”
“I was twenty-three, working as a handyman.” He grinned. “Maybe you’ll remember me as Mike.”
“Mike?” The recollection jarred her. “You dug out Grams old shrubbery and planted new ones.” She pictured him in the summer sun, his muscles flexing while his shirt hung on a deer ornament in the tree-sheltered yard.
“The same.”
Amy studied his face. His unruly hair hadn’t changed. She remembered how it ruffled in the breeze, his lean handsome face taut with concentration. She’d flirted with him. But when she went inside, her grandmother notified her he was newly married. Heat rose up Amy’s neck with the recollection. She hoped he didn’t remember she’d toyed with him.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Elizabeth Goddard, Susan Meissner, and Dan Walsh, below. Leave appropriate comments at the bottom of the posts to enter the drawings for a signed copies of their books. And don't forget to enter the drawing for His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, below!

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 HERE.

Dan Walsh and Free Books!

2011-10-22T08:31:00.001-04:00

Can one Christmas change a life forever?

This is a bonus post today, and our author is going to give away a signed copy of his Christmas novel to one of my readers who leaves a comment below. I mentioned this book in an earlier blog post, just to share my review (reposted below).

Let's meet author Dan Walsh, author of Remembering Christmas (Revell, September 2011).

Dan Walsh is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). His first novel, The Unfinished Gift won two ACFW Carol Awards. The sequel, The Homecoming, released last year in June followed by The Deepest Waters, which released in April. His newest novel, Remembering Christmas, just came out in September.

Dan recently signed a 4-book deal to write a series of novels with Dr. Gary Smalley, bestselling family and relationship author (with over 6 million books in print). For those who haven’t read Dan’s novels, reviewers often compare his books to Nicholas Sparks, Richard Paul Evans and Jason Wright.

He writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area, where he lives with the love of his life, Cindi, his wife of 35 years. They have two grown children, both married, and one grandson. As they await more grandchildren, they enjoy the company of two mini-aussies, Bailey and Darcy.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I got married at 19 to the only woman I’ve ever loved.

--I’ve wanted to write novels since the 11th grade (way before I became a pastor for 25 years).

--In my youth, I didn’t get a haircut all through high school (longhaired surfer bum).

--I’m not a half-bad crooner (love the old standards from the 40’s & 50’s).

--I cry way too easily for the manly man I appear to be.

Okay, you actually sound like the hero in one of the romance novels my colleagues and I write. The first item was awesome enough on its own.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Remembering Christmas.

It's 1980, and former hippie-turned-yuppie Rick Denton has everything going for him. Job, cash, car, condo and women. The only thing he can complain about is rising gas prices (now at a dollar a gallon). A stepfather he loathes collapses from an aneurysm, and his mother begs Rick to help them keep their small Christian bookstore alive during the holiday season. The store’s eccentric customers start to bug him, as well as the homeless man who sleeps in a big box out back. The only upside to this deal is the pretty single mom who works there in the afternoons. Some unexpected events over the next few weeks will turn Rick's assumptions about himself, his family, and his entire life upside-down.

Bestselling author, Sarah Sundin recently wrote: “This story delighted me, and one twist completely surprised me. Realistic and lovable characters―even shallow Rick―and the refreshing Florida beach town setting make this a memorable Christmas story. I loved Dan's previous novels, The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, and The Deepest Waters. Remembering Christmas is sure to please his fans and to enthrall new readers as well. I highly recommend this novel.”

Here's my review of the novel:

One of the best things about this novel is the fact that, despite much conflict--a life-threatening health emergency, strained relations between the hero and his stepfather, a tenacious homeless man planted outside the Book Nook, a single mom struggling to make ends meet--the book just makes you feel good. Perhaps that's because you know the hero is surrounded by so many good people, it's hard to imagine his heart won't eventually soften. And when you become acquainted with why his heart hardened in the first place, you root for that softening to happen. Walsh subtly draws the reader in, avoids predictability, and provides a satisfying, believable ending. I can see this book being enjoyed time and again during the Christmas season.

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

At the outset of the book, Rick Denton is a likeable, though self-absorbed young professional. He only agrees to help his mother from a sense of duty (he longs to be on the Carolina ski slopes with his friends). God has set him up to have his whole outlook on life over-hauled this holiday season, as Rick rediscovers who his parents really are (and who they’re not), by listening to a cast of colorful, somewhat eccentric customers who come through the bookstore. Rick’s transformation at the end rivals what happens to other classic Christmas baddies such as Mr. Grinch and Ebeneezer Scrooge.

I like that--I hadn't made that connection yet, but it's apt.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Rick Denton – Patrick Wilson (A Gifted Man, new TV series).

Andrea (single mom) – Jennifer Ehle (A Gifted Man, Pride and Prejudice mini-series).

JD (Homeless man) – Gary Oldman

Art Bell – Gavin MacLeod

Leanne Bell – Emma Thompson

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

Dr. Gary Smalley – I’ve been reading his books over this past summer (getting ready for our series together) and getting to know him on a personal level. Gary’s one of the most fascinating men I’ve ever met, and he’s got an arsenal of wisdom (as well as some amazing stories).

Agreed. What a wonderful opportunity to work with him on your four-book project!

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

Sarah Sundin’s 3rd book in her Wings of Glory series, called Blue Skies Tomorrow. It’s just a great read. To me, it has it all: romance, great characters, a great story, action and suspense. And as a lover of WW2 books, she also nails the history down to a tee.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished my 6th novel for Revell, called The Reunion (will be out Sept of next year). And I’m just getting started on my 7th book, the first in a series I’ll be writing with Dr. Gary Smalley. We’ve just finalized the storyline and main characters, and my editor at Revell has just given me the green light to start writing (it’s due by April, 2012).

Busy man! Where else can readers find you online?

From the homepage on my website, there are buttons to read my blog or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. It’s www.danwalshbooks.com (you can also preview my other novels, and there are links to order them from the major online stores).

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

I’m curious about their reading tastes and habits. How many of you read print books vs Ebooks? Buy new books vs used books? Buy books online only vs at retail stores? What ingredients does a book have to contain for you to tell your friends, “You’ve got to get this book!”

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

Thank you, Dan, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Dan has offered to give a signed copy of his book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, October 31. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Dan's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Elizabeth Goddard and Susan Meissner, below. Leave appropriate comments at the bottom of the posts to enter the drawings for a signed copies of their books. And don't forget to enter the drawing for His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, below!

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 HERE.

Susan Meissner and Free Books!

2011-10-20T09:13:00.019-04:00

Sometimes the path to moving beyond the past is paved with unusual stones.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Camy Tang's novel, Protection for Hire, is:

lovetoread205@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit with Susan Meissner, author of A Sound Among the Trees (WaterBrook Press, October 2011).

Susan Meissner is the award-winning author of fourteen novels, including The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Novels of 2008.

When she is not working on a new novel, she directs the small groups ministries at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. She also enjoys teaching workshops on writing and dream-following, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

Susan lives in southern California with her pastor husband and their four grown children.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I lived in England and Germany when my kids were little.

--I hate escalators.

--I used to be the editor of small town newspaper.

--I play the piano.

--I don’t like mayonnaise.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Sound Among the Trees.

For 150 years, Holly Oak has stood the passing of both time and wills in historic Fredericksburg and it has the Civil War scars to prove it. Marielle Bishop marries into the family and its multi-generational ties to the house, leaving behind her independence and her love of Arizona’s deserts to become a wife and stepmother.

It isn’t long before Marielle is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings trouble and misfortune to the women who live there. Local folklore has it that Susannah Page, a spy for the North who secretly aided Union soldiers, haunts Holly Oak - longing for pardon.

When the current matriarch of the house 89-year-old Adelaide McClane tells her that the house is “stuck” because of its tumultuous past, Marielle determines to get past the rumors and uncover the secrets that are buried within its walls. With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must carve out her new life carefully as she sorts out the truth and makes peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.

What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

There are three leads, actually. Marielle, Adelaide and Susannah, and all three of them just want to be at home, safe, with the ones they love. They don’t have grand aspirations; they just want their home to be the place it’s supposed to be. It’s supposed to be safe and secure. These three women live in different time zones, but inside the same house that has a rather tortured past. And it seems like they face the same obstacle to their greatest desire. What these three women want is what we all want – we want our homes to be places of refuge, havens of joy, sanctuaries that protect and shelter us. I am banking on the notion that when a character wants something we all want, that endears her to us!

Absolutely. Not only do most people know what they consider a safe, secure home, many readers will be able to identify with that feeling of desperation when home is a place of "trouble and misfortune."

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

With the right make-up Meryl Streep could play my 89-year-old Adelaide. She has the versatility to pull it off, if not the actual age.

The amazing Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village, Lady in the Water, The Help) could play my Susannah in a heartbeat.

And I think Evangeline Lily (“Kate” on Lost) would be a perfect match for Marielle.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

Well, since I am answering these questions on the very day Amanda Knox’s verdict was overturned, I would have to say I would help her write her autobiography. I am of the persuasion that she didn’t do what she was accused of, that she is innocent. And if I am right, then she spent four years in virtual hell, and it’s likely her life will never be the same, even though she is now free. I have always been drawn to stories of courage under fire. And truth is something that compels me.

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

Such a hard question. I am reading at this very moment Geraldine Brooks’ Caleb's Crossing. She is an amazing wordsmith. So amazing, you don’t even sense her there in the pages. She is a subtle genius with words.

I completely agree. I reluctantly read her Year of Wondersfor one of my book clubs. I didn't want to read a book about the Black Plague! But it was phenomenal.

What are you working on now?

I just sent my latest book project to my editor at WaterBrook, a novel called The Girl in the Glass, which will hit shelves this time next year.

Here’s the plot in a nutshell: Meg Pomeroy, a thirty-year-old travel book editor, is emotionally fed up after a broken engagement, the disappearance of her irresponsible father, the loss of a promised heirloom painting and the knowledge that her perennially cautious mother is now dating a man half her age and whom Meg finds herself desperately attracted to. When her missing father sends her a ticket to Florence, Italy, a place he’d promised he would take her, Meg assumes he will meet her there but she arrives alone. Disillusioned, she turns to a Florentine brother and sister writing team she knows only through work. They introduce her to Sofia, a memoir-writer who claims she's the last Medici and that the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance speak to her. As Meg tours Florence through Sofia’s eyes, her perspective on what is real and what she wants to be real is first challenged and then embraced.

There’s a lot of Florence in this book!

Ah, that's one of the few places outside the U.S. that I've traveled to. Beautiful! And what an intriguing storyline you have there, as always.

Where else can readers find you online?

My home on the web is www.susanmeissner.com and they can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

If you could see someone’s real life story fictionalized into a novel, whose would it be?

Thank you, Susan, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Susan has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, October 27. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Susan's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Elizabeth Goddard, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book. And don't forget to enter the drawing for His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT, below!

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 HERE.

Giveaway: His Grace is Sufficient . . . Decaf if NOT!

2011-10-19T15:44:00.036-04:00

Can it really be that, as we navigate the high-wire act of our busy lives, God's grace forms a quiet safety net beneath us?

Readers, I just received a thrilling FedEx delivery today--my author copies of His Grace is Sufficient . . . Decaf is NOT, the fun, touching devotional I wrote with good writer friends, Sandie Bricker, Loree Lough, and Cynthia Ruchti. I want to share it with you all. But since I didn't get enough copies for all of you, I'm going to send a signed copy to three of you and hope the rest of you look for the book in your favorite bookstore, Wal-Mart, or online book site (I've inserted some online buttons below).

About the devotional:

There is absolutely no substitute for God's grace. It's irreplaceable! Can it really be that, as we navigate the high-wire act of our busy lives, God's grace forms a quiet safety net beneath us? When we don't have the ability or even the drive to accomplish God's will for our lives, His grace is there. Or when we've chosen the wrong path, His grace is a heartbeat away to dust us off and show us the way home. In 100 upbeat and thought-provoking devotions, the authors help us to find truth in the middle of our crazy lives. Instead of putting our hope in good works, careers, the perfect family, or a double shot of espresso, they remind us to rely on God's supply of grace that never runs dry.

About the authors:

Sandra D. Bricker was an entertainment publicist in Los Angels for more than fifteen years before becoming a best-selling, award0-winning author of laugh-out-loud fiction from the Tampa Florida, area. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she gears times and effort toward raising awareness and funds for diagnostics and a cure. Her favorite coffee is creme brûlée with a shot of sugar-free vanilla cream. Visit Sandie at www.SandraDBricker.com

Loree Lough is a reader favorite with 81 published books (3 million+ in circulation), consistently earning glowing 4- and 5-star reviews. She splits her time between her Baltimore home and a family cabin in the Alleghenies, where coffee enables her to correctly identify "critter tracks." Loree adores a good frappuccino with extra caramel and whipped cream. Visit her at www.LoreeLough.com

Cynthia Ruchti writes and produces the drama/devotional radio broadcast "The Heartbeat of the Home." She is editor of the ministry's Backyard Friends magazine; the author of a novel and novella recognized with nominations for Reviewers' Choice, Retailers' Choice, and Readers' Choice awards; and speaks to women's groups and writers' events. Cynthis likes a good Milky Way latte with whipped cream. Visit her at www.CynthiaRuchti.com

And if you're reading this, you're already at my site and probably know plenty about me. Except my coffee preference: extra strong with heavy cream. Yum.

Now, if you'd like to be considered for this special drawing (only for commenters--subscribers won't be given an automatic entry in this one), answer these two questions in the comments section, below:

What is one way God has shown you His grace this year? And how do you like your coffee? (Non-coffee drinkers are eligible, too!)

CBD.com

I'll draw three winners on Monday, October 31.

Be sure to check out my interviews with Camy Tang and Elizabeth Goddard, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Elizabeth Goddard and Free Books!

2011-10-17T08:24:00.000-04:00

When an investigative reporter stumbles into the middle of a cash smuggling ring, a homeland security agent can’t afford to blow his cover again, but working undercover comes with a high price, and this time, he isn’t sure he’s willing to pay.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Colleen Coble's novel, Lonestar Angel, is:

readinginks@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit with Elizabeth Goddard, author of Freezing Point (Love Inspired Suspense, October 2011).

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of seven contemporary romance novels and two novellas, including a romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—a 2011 Carol Award winner.

Elizabeth is a member of ACFW and has served as a board member in her local RWA chapter. She is a 7th generation Texan who lives in East Texas with her husband and four children. She and her family recently spent five years in Oregon, which serves as the setting for several of her novels, including Oregon Outback, releasing with Barbour Publishing in Spring 2012.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love to bake artisan bread (but I don’t eat it).

--I hate seafood.

--I can play the cello.

--I have a degree in computer science.

--I wanted to be a marine biologist.

That's quite a variety! An interesting combination of left-hemisphere facets, right-hemisphere facets, and seafood.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Freezing Point.

Investigative reporter Casey Wilkes is willing to fall off the map, having escaped certain death at the hands of a businessman who blames her for destroying his life. But her stay in obscurity lands her smack in the middle of a cash-smuggling ring and a sting operation that could turn deadly.

Jesse Mitchell was transferred to a desk job after he nearly blew his last assignment, but now he’s the only man for the job. When a beautiful reporter stumbles into the middle of things, the situation could turn explosive, and Jesse can’t afford to blow the operation. But one thing he’s learned--working undercover comes with a high price. . .and this time, Jesse isn’t sure he’s willing to pay.

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

She’s just a normal person trying to do her job but things keep going wrong. Things keep happening to her and she doesn’t know why. I can certainly relate to that!

Oh, yeah. I'm sure everyone relates to that at some point.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

That’s a tough question. I’m not the kind of author who usually selects images for my characters. For my hero, I’d pick James McAvoy—he’s a great actor and I think he could do a good job of projecting Jesse’s inner turmoil.

I love him! I agree--he's pretty riveting on the screen.

For Casey, I’d choose January Jones who played in Unknown with Liam Neeson.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

David Wilkerson was recently killed in a car accident in East Texas. I remember reading The Cross and the Switchblade when I was in elementary school. He’s legendary in Christendom.

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

I read The Bishopby Steven James, and while it’s a tough read for some (including me) because of the violence, his approach to writing is brilliant and it left me energized as a writer. For some reason, it freed me to know I can be more creative with my writing—it’s an art. Regarding the story itself, it too will leave readers breathless. Of course, it won a Christy, so there you are.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing my third Heartsong in my Redwood Coast series, and starting on Extreme Maneuvers, my next Love Inspired Suspense.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.Elizabethgoddard.com
facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor
twitter.com/bethgoddard

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

When was the last time you were so caught up in a story that you read for hours and allowed your chores to wait? What was the book?

Thank you, Elizabeth, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Elizabeth has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, October 24. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Elizabeth's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Camy Tang, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Camy Tang and Free Books!

2011-10-06T19:38:00.031-04:00

First she served as a mob enforcer. Then she found Christ in prison. Now, Tessa Lancaster is protecting an heiress whose spouse seeks to kill her. In this action-packed read, Tessa and a handsome Southern lawyer discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Sandra D. Bricker's novel, Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride, is:

marji.laine@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's revisit with Camy Tang, author of Protection for Hire (Zondervan, November 2011).

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She grew up in Hawaii and now lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious mutt, Snickers. She graduated from Stanford University and worked as a biologist researcher for 9 years, but now she writes full-time. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service.

On her blog, Camy ponders knitting, spinning wool, dogs, running, the Never Ending Diet, and other frivolous things. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ to read free short stories and subscribe to her quarterly newsletter.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I learned to knit and to spin wool into yarn by watching Internet videos.

--I used the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run method to train for my first marathon.

--My favorite tea is English Breakfast with milk and local honey.

--I buy almost exclusively all ebooks now rather than print books because I have absolutely no more room on my bookshelves.

--My favorite genre to read is Regency romance.

How interesting, the way we enjoy genres so different from our own, right?

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Protection for Hire.

Tessa Lancaster’s skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo’s Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa’s abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son. But there’s a problem or two … or three ….

There’s Elizabeth’s abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There’s Uncle Teruo, who doesn’t understand why Tessa’s new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there’s Elizabeth’s lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn’t know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars.

Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch. Factor in both Tessa’s and Charles’s families and you’ve got some wild dynamics—and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

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

Tessa has got a lot of street smarts and she’s tough, but underneath she’s been badly hurt by her family. Her new relationship with Christ doesn’t help that at all, and she’s struggling to reconcile her old life with her new one. I felt like that when I first became a Christian. I didn’t know how to act around my Buddhist family and my “old self” kept coming through just when I didn’t want it to! But God is gracious and He has helped me to find my true identity in Christ. I hope that Tessa’s struggles will resonate with other Christians struggling with their “old selves” too.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Tessa would be Jessica Alba.

And Charles would be Matthew McConaughey.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

I find Jessica Alba fascinating, maybe because I think she’s gorgeous and I’ve liked the movies she’s been in. So I’d love to do her autobiography.

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

Why, Trish Perry’s Unforgettable. I think you might know her?

Awww, how sweet! That's the first time that's ever been the answer to that question, Camy! Bonus points for you.

What are you working on now?

The second book in my Protection for Hire series. I actually just got the title for it: A Dangerous Stage.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.camytang.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Do you have many friends who are readers, too? I did not grow up knowing many fiction readers except for my parents, so it was a bit lonely when I read a good book and wanted to tell someone about it. Now that we have the internet, it’s easier to connect with other readers, but do you have any readers among your close local friends?

Thank you, Camy, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Camy has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, October 20. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Camy's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Colleen Coble, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.

Colleen Coble and Free Books!

2011-10-03T22:30:00.071-04:00

A young woman discovers that not only was her divorce never finalized—but that the child she thought had died in a kidnapping attempt gone wrong is still alive—and her husband needs her help to figure out which 5 year old is theirs.

Before we visit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Sarah Sundin's novel, Blue Skies Tomorrow, is:

jen.whitney08@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. 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!

Now let's meet Colleen Coble, author of Lonestar Angel (Thomas Nelson, Nov 2011).

Colleen Coble has nearly two million books in print and loves to see justice prevail in her many novels. She is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and lives in Indiana with her husband of forty years where she takes great delight in spoiling her three-year-old granddaughter.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love coffee.

--I will celebrate 40 years of marriage this month.

--I restored an old Victorian home.

--I like to visit graveyards to find interesting names.

--I love children.

I love that graveyard idea! Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Lonestar Angel.

For Eden, hope is rekindled when her estranged husband delivers the astounding news: that their lost baby girl has been found.

Years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen. Kidnappers demanded a ransom, but something went horribly wrong at the exchange: the kidnapper's car crashed into the river and was never recovered. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.

Just as Eden is about to move on with her life, Clay arrives and tells Eden she’s still married to him. Even more earth-shattering than this news is that he's never stopped looking for Brianna. Based on a tip, he thinks their daughter is in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch. All five little girls there are the right age, but he's not sure which is Brianna.

To discover the truth, the couple becomes counselors to the girls at Bluebird Ranch. They move into small quarters in the bunkhouse and oversee the kids as they try to find out more. As they work together, their love for the children grows and their love for each other is rekindled. But as danger closes in, Eden and Clay realize they've been lured to this remote West Texas location; their lives and the lives of the little girls are in danger. But as Eden learns, "hope does not disappoint."

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

Eden has been battered by life but is a strong character who is determined to overcome the past. Her great love for her child allows her to face any danger and overcome any challenge.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Kate Hudson as Eden.

And Chris Evans as Clay.

Imagine God has led you to accept a contract to ghostwrite someone’s autobiography. Whose is it? Why that person?

I would never ghostwrite. I believe it panders to the famous person’s pride by perpetrating a lie that they actually did the writing. Why not admit you’re not a writer and recognize the person who actually crafted the narrative? There is no shame in that. We all have special gifts.

Yes, it's a touchy subject. And it does seem strangely egotistical when celebrities pretend they've actually written the book. I don't mind knowing someone else wrote the book, and I doubt most readers would. We can't all excel at everything!

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

I love Diann Hunt’s humor. I just read Bittersweet Surrender last week, which will be out in December as an ebook, and it lifted my spirits so much! She always makes me smile.

Oh, yes. Everything about Diann Hunt makes me smile. Terrific woman and writer.

What are you working on now?

Oh I’m enjoying my new Hope Beach series so much! I just finished the first book, Tidewater Inn and am awaiting substantive edits from my editors. I adore the editing process so I’m smiling as I wait!

And she really means that, readers! Colleen has always been vocal about loving the editing process. We should all have such terrific attitudes about perfecting our work!

Where else can readers find you online?

www.colleencoble.com and also on Facebook

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through the following buttons:

CBD.com

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

Do you have an e-reader? If so, has it changed the number of books you read a week?

Thank you, Colleen, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Colleen has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, October 17. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Colleen's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Sandra D. Bricker, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

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 HERE.