Barbara Britton and Free Books!

When Adah volunteers to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, she soon discovers not all of Judah’s enemies lie outside the crumbling rocks.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Christmas Trinkets, by LoRee Perry, is:

mommystuck1@...

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

And now let's chat with novelist Barbara Britton, author of the Biblical novel, Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey (Harbourlight Books, December 2017).

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches.

Barb writes romantic adventures for teens and adults in the Christian fiction and Mainstream markets. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little known Bible characters to light in her stories. Barb’s debut novel, Providence: Hannah’s Journey, released in October of 2016 from Harbourlight Books and kicked off her Tribes of Israel series. Her second book, Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey, released in April of 2017. Her Biblical fiction series continues with the release of Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

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

I love to dance. I grew up during the Disco-era and belonged to a teen disco called The Quake.

Oh my, yes. That was definitely my life! I still love to dance. I break out into dance all the time at home. I wish all exercise was that fun. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Jerusalem Rising.

I stumbled upon Nehemiah 3:12 which mentions the daughters of Shallum who helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. I decided to bring their story to light.

When Adah bat Shallum finds the governor of Judah weeping over the crumbling wall of Jerusalem, she learns the reason for Nehemiah’s unexpected visit—God has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David.

Nehemiah challenges the men of Jerusalem to labor on the wall and in return, the names of their fathers will be written in the annals for future generations to cherish. But Adah has one sister and no brothers. Should her father who rules a half-district of Jerusalem be forgotten forever?

Adah bravely vows to rebuild her city’s wall, though she soon discovers that Jerusalem not only has enemies outside of the city, but also within. Can Adah, her sister, and the men they love, honor God’s call? Or will their mission be crushed by the same rocks they hope to raise.

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

Adah loves her family and wants her father to remembered with all the other builders of the wall. But Adah’s father has no son. Adah volunteers for a difficult task to bring honor to her family, even though it puts her life in danger.

How much prep work do you usually do before you start writing a novel?

I review the Biblical story and see if there is enough information for a full-length novel. I am married to an ordained minister, so my basement is a theology library. I research for a week to see why this story is in the Bible and what themes I can develop. It takes me about nine months to write and edit a book before I submit it to my publisher.

That's very cool about your resources!

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

I finished a Middle Grade trilogy by my friend Sandy Brehl. Mari's Hope tells the story of teenagers who were part of the Norwegian resistance to the German occupation of Norway during WWII. My husband is Norwegian, and it is very hard to find clean fiction for young readers.

That sounds like an amazing story topic for teenageers.

What are you working on now?

I am working on another Old Testament Bible story and I have a Historical Young Adult novel going before a publication board.

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find out more about my Biblical fiction on my website, or on my Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter pages.

The book can be purchased online via this button:



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

In Jerusalem Rising Adah creates perfumes, a craft she learned from her mother. Do you have a favorite perfume?

When I was battling breast cancer, a friend sent me Clinique’s Happy. I still use it.

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

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

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

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

LoRee Peery and Free Books!

Will a key unlock a lonely author and a shop owner’s wounded hearts, as well as their matching jewelry?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Murder in Disguise, by Donn Taylor, is:

sharyhauber@...

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

And now let's chat with novelist LoRee Peery, author of the contemporary Christian romance, Christmas Trinkets (White Rose Publishing, December, 2017).

Christian romance author LoRee Peery writes to feel alive, as a way of contributing, and to pass forward the hope of rescue from sin. She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. LoRee clings to I John 5:4 and prays her family sees that faith.

She has authored the Frivolities Series and other e-books. Her desire for readers, the same as for her characters, is to discover where they fit in this life journey to best work out the Lord’s life plan.

She is who she is by the grace of God: Christian, country girl, wife, mother, grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of one, sister, friend, and author. She’s been a reader since before kindergarten.

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

Perfume has never been my thing. I prefer naturals like essential oils, especially lavender.

I come across far fewer perfume-wearing people these days. I don't know if that's a change in my environment or a social change. I know plenty of people allergic to perfume. I'm only allergic to people who slap on way too much! 

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

She was looking for coffee and conversation. He was looking for a quiet place to write. What they found was a connection that would make this Christmas unforgettable.

Hayley Wolfe shares a kinship with the lost and lonely. Growing up without a father taught her that you can’t always count on people. Her strong faith in God taught her that her Heavenly Father is unshakable. When she meets Kameron Kohl at her antiques and coffee shop, she’s immediately drawn to his warmth and charm.

After being abandoned on the steps of a church as a baby, Kameron has spent his life rejecting God and meaningful relationships. But Kameron never expected to meet Hayley. Her faith in Christ, her inner beauty and selfless openness towards strangers, has Kameron falling hard. Hayley wants to investigate further the connection between Kameron's keychain and her locket. As friendship turns to love, Hayley will have to rely on God to soften Kameron’s heart. Will the connection between their Christmas Trinkets lead them to love or unanswerable questions?

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

Hearts go out to orphans. Abandoned on the church steps, Kameron always felt his birth was a mistake. He loses himself in the fictional characters he creates and makes heroes out of those lost youth. Deep down, he wants love and acceptance. He’s had that assurance, as well as biblical promises, but they’ve stayed in his head and not reached his heart. Until he meets Hayley.

How much prep work do you usually do before you start writing a novel?

Each book is different. Sometimes I have a lot to start with, other times it’s only one thing. The last story I brainstormed began with a pig’s squeal. Tons of random thoughts came to me while I waited in the hospital for my husband’s pre-and post-op surgery. I give myself a week to know my characters and to get a sense of the plot points for the story. They end in HEA, of course, since I write romance.

I love those random thoughts! Some real gems in there, sometimes.

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

A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham. Country and city, romance and comedy. I find it difficult to write humorous phrases or scenes, so love it when I laugh out loud as I read another author. Different cultures, family, serious moments, swoon-worthy times, a dream-worthy hero, and strong heroine. The book had it all.

What are you working on now?

I’m figuring out the last scene in Courting Country. Then I’ll go through the whole story and layer in details like emotion. My next Christmas novella is a seed right now that will be fleshed out soon. I’m waiting for a sign such as that pig’s squeal to get me going.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.loreepeery.com
Twitter
Facebook
Pelican Book Club profile: http://tinyurl.com/kwz9enk

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

If you could go into a bookstore and buy any book, what would be your first choice? Mine is romantic suspense, especially by authors I follow.

Thank you, Trish, for the opportunity to be your guest today.

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

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

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

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

Donn Taylor and Free Books!

Among intrigues at a state university, Professor Preston Barclay proves that a supposed suicide was actually murder.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of What Hope Remembers, by Johnnie Alexander, is:

aspella@...

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

And now let's chat with novelist Donn Taylor, author of the (nearly cozy) mystery, Murder in Disguise (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, October 2017).

Donn Taylor led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. Afterwards, he completed a PhD at The University of Texas and taught English literature at two liberal arts colleges.

Now retired from college teaching, Donn writes suspense and mystery fiction as well as literary poetry designed for the ordinary reader. His historical novel Lightning on a Quiet Night was a finalist for the Selah Awards in 2015, and his mystery Murder Mezzo Forte was a finalist there in 2017.

Donn is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences and study groups. He lives near Houston, TX, where he continues to write fiction, poetry, and essays on ethics and U.S. foreign policy.

And I'll add that I had the pleasure of sitting with Donn at lunch years ago at a conference, and a kinder gentleman I've never met. 

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

When Mildred and I were stationed in France, we rented a Piper Pacer from the Aero Club at Toule Rosiere AFB in France and flew it to Copenhagen for a vacation. She proved to be an excellent navigator. We watched a Danish-language movie, and for two hours we didn't understand anything but the shooting and kissing.

Ah, yes, shooting and kissing--the two universal languages. That's a lovely memory, Donn.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Murder in Disguise.

Official verdict: Suicide. But why would that vigorous department chairman commit suicide? Did he kill himself to avoid disgrace from exposure of his rumored activities on the dark side?

When visiting professor Preston Barclay questions his long-time friend's suicide, he receives threats. Press has enough problems already in proving his competence to students and faculty in the newly hostile environment of the state university. That task is made more difficult because the new department chairman does all he can to undermine him. And the sexy siren assigned as his student assistant creates problems with Press's courtship of his colleague Mara Thorn.

The more things don't add up, the more dangerous the threats become, and the more determined Press becomes to clear his friend's name.

But can he and Mara prevail against the well-organized forces of police, campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?

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

Press maintains his personal and academic integrity despite all pressures of campus politics. He cannot stand pretentiousness, and he is determined to find the truth, regardless of the consequences: A life built on comfortable falsehoods is not worth living.

How much prep work do you usually do before you start writing a novel?

My preparatory work varies greatly. I did extensive research on Colombian society, history, politics, and geography before writing The Lazarus File. Although Mildred and I both grew up in Northeast Mississippi in the time setting of Lightning on a Quiet Night, we both did a lot of miscellaneous research. In the state archives we even tracked down an automobile license tag from the period. However, much less research was required in the campus settings for my mysteries because my academic experience and membership in the National Association of Scholars made me already familiar with the environment and its problems. The new research required was limited to details of the crimes.

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

I've been privileged to read Mary Hamilton's novel Pendant. It is a well-crafted suspense novel with interesting and believable characters and an intriguing situation. It will keep you glued to your chair until you finish it.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on one more in the Preston Barclay Mystery series. After that, I'm not sure. For several decades I've been fascinated by an idea. Would it be possible to write a contemporary novel generally imitative (or adaptive) of Renaissance epic romances like Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, Tasso's Jerusalem Liberated, and Spenser's The Faerie Queene? It would be quite a task, and I doubt that I'll ever try it. I also doubt that it would be publishable as commercial fiction. But still, it's a fascinating idea . . .

I do love the retelling of classic stories in modern form, although going as far back as the Renaissance sounds rather daunting! If you decide to take that on, I'd love to hear about it. 

Where else can readers find you online?

My page on Amazon is tinyurl.com/y7mpsskd.
My Web site is www.donntaylor.com.
My Facebook page, where I post something every day (mostly funnies), is Facebook.
My Twitter page is Twitter.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

What happens to you when you read fiction? Can you describe the total experience?

I love that question! I'm looking forward to your answers, readers.

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

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

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

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