My New Romantic Suspense Give-Away! A Special Kind of Double

She’s not equipped to search for her sister alone. She’s even less prepared for what she finds.

Before we look at this week's book, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Beneath a Camperdown Elm, by Janet Chester Bly, is:

aliciabhaney@...

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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now I'd like to tell you about a book I just released, a copy of which I'll give away next week. A Special Kind of Double (Winged Publications, April 2019) is a romantic suspense story.

Here's the book's teaser:

Franny and Grace Otterbridge were always the closest of sisters. But after their father’s death, Grace veered off in a different direction. Now Franny feels she’s lost her. Literally—Grace has gone missing. Franny assumes she’s taken off on another wild hair, but signs soon suggest otherwise.

Franny accepts amateur sleuthing help from new flame Nevan Burns, a young fine artist (who’s also a fine young artist). He proves himself more than good company, and Franny finds herself swinging from one emotion to another, from joy to fear, from anticipation to dread. She’s not equipped to search for Grace alone. She’s even less prepared for what she finds.

Because I usually ask authors to tell us why readers will care about the protagonist...

Franny is bouncing back from a recent, crushing betrayal by her boyfriend and her best friend. She might not have fully forgiven either of them just yet, but she's working on forgetting them. She cherishes the support her mother and her sister, Grace, have given her. The three have always held a tight bond with each other.

But recently Grace has been wilder in her life choices and, in that respect, she's distanced herself from Franny and their mother. When Grace goes missing, Franny's sense of responsibility for her younger sister returns, and her initial annoyance turns into a bit of shame, a lot of concern, and downright fear.

Like all of us, Franny would like to be a better, more unconditionally loving Christian.

The book is available for purchase online via the following button:



I hope you'll check out A Special Kind of Double. In the meantime, I'm going to give away an e-copy of the book. To enter, leave a comment and your [fractured] email in answer to the following question, below. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

My question: What was a time you realized you had misjudged someone without realizing the whole story about their circumstances? I'll leave a comment about this topic, as well! I know we've all been there.

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 title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an 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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Janet Chester Bly and Free Books!

Three generations of women travel separate journeys of the heart.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Carolina Grace, by Regina Rudd Merrick, is:

sarahtaylor@...

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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Janet Chester Bly, author of the contemporary western romance (with a touch of mystery), Beneath a Camperdown Elm, Book 3, Trails of Reba Cahill Series (KDP, May 2019).

Janet Chester Bly is the widow of award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Together they published over 120 books, fiction and nonfiction for adults and kids (9-14 yrs)—his, hers, and theirs.

She lives on top of a mountain (4,200 ft. elev.) on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation where she serves her small local church as Music Director.

She and her three married sons completed Stephen’s last novel for him, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, which was a Selah Award Finalist. Check out the BlyBooks.com website blog for stories about this adventure.

The Trails of Reba Cahill Series novels comprise Janet’s first solo adult fiction. For more information and to retrieve sample chapters of Books 1 & 2, Wind in the Wires and Down Squash Blossom Road, go to the Bly Books site (see link below).

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

My yard includes a full-sized, false-front town called Broken Arrow Crossing that my late husband built.

It sounds as if there's an entire story behind that, Janet!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Beneath a Camperdown Elm.

Reba Mae Cahill’s stalker is in jail. She finds a rancher fiancé. And her runaway mother returns home. She has everything she thought she wanted. But is she about to lose it all?

Reba is training Jace McKane to become her rancher husband. And Jace promises to help fight the lawsuit that threatens the family ranch. But two major complications intervene: his unscrupulous father and the actions of her grandmother.

When Jace returns to California to bail out his father’s finances, Reba discovers her stalker escaped from prison. Then her mother learns her son and ex-husband sank in an Alaskan sea. Can Reba keep her from flipping out for good?

Meanwhile, Scottish twins, Archie and Wynda MacKenzie, mesmerize the town with their trick biking skills and charming accents. However, Reba’s not sure they’re what they claim to be.

And what mystery lurks beneath the Camperdown Elm?

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

Feisty, redhead cowgirl Reba Mae Cahill fights to overcome circumstances beyond her control: skeletons in the family closet; a fear to ever have children of her own; a stalker intent on violence; a neighboring rancher with vengeance on his mind; and what she perceives as her grandmother’s betrayal. She’s also finally found what she believes is legitimate love after looking in all the wrong places.

Please share with us a quote about writing that you find inspiring.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ― Louis L'Amour

Excellent quote. Sometimes we have to simply let weak writing start us off so we can get the good stuff to warm up.

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

I’ve enjoyed reading again the O’Malley Series by Dee Henderson, beginning with the prequel, Danger in the Shadows. I love the concept of orphans who grew up together in an orphanage and adopted each other later as siblings to form their own family. Each of the mystery stories centers on one of them and their chosen profession—bodyguard, doctor, search and rescue, marshal, etc. One of the most creative romance scenes I’ve ever read happens when a crisis-hostage negotiator and FBI special agent meet in the middle of a tense, potential shootout in Book 1, The Negotiator. The dialogue is priceless.

What are you working on now?

Hard at work trying to re-release some of Stephen’s out-of-print books, one by one.

Where else can readers find you online?

BlyBooks.com
Facebook Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads
Google Plus
LinkedIn

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

What’s the most effective means for you, to risk reading a book written by an author you didn’t know before?

Thank you, Janet, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Janet has offered to give away a free copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Janet's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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 title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an 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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Regina Rudd Merrick and Free Books!

A first-year teacher claims God’s grace outwardly but wonders if God really cares, while an unbelieving doctor's trials propel him toward God in a way he never imagines.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of The Watch on the Fencepost, by Kay DiBianca, is subscriber:

momrain@...

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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Regina Merrick, author of the contemporary romance, Carolina Grace (Mantle Rock Publishing, LLC, February 2019).

Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time.

She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after.

Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, Kentucky, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts.

Regina is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and Carolina Grace (February 2019) in the Southern Breeze Series.

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

While I love writing and I love music, I have a passion for interior design and organization. I can spend hours poring over floorplans, online shopping sites, Pinterest, etc.!

Oh, me too. The last time I moved, I had to part with a couple of boxes of Architecural Digest. A reality check convinced me that I would never mimic any of the grand design schemes in there!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Carolina Grace.

She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he never expected.

First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.

Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate. Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.

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

Charlotte (Charly) Livingston is a 24-year-old new teacher with her life ahead of her. Having always been a “good girl,” she seems to have everything under control, but there’s a part of her that’s rebelling against God. Where was He when her dad passed away suddenly? Where was He when her mom went blind? Outwardly, she’s all about the Christian life, but inwardly, she’s distancing herself from God. It’s something that most of us, as Christians, go through at some point in our lives.

Rance Butler, on the other hand, seems to have it all – but he doesn’t have God. When a major heartbreak comes his way, he’s not sure how to cope with it, but when he gets to know Charly, he wonders about her God.

Please share with us a quote about writing that you find inspiring.

“If you find a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” -- Toni Morrison

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

I always have a novel going! The book I’m currently reading is Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett. It’s the second in her Vintage National Parks series, and is amazing. Set in the early 1900’s, this series reminds me of Grace Livingston Hill’s novels, but updated, and I’m in love with the settings. The early days of the National Park system is so interesting, and she does an wonderful job creating the settings in print, as well as the love story and other characters. I highly recommend this series. There is a third coming out in June!

What are you working on now?

At present I am working on a novella that will tie in with the Southern Breeze Series! It’s part of a 4-novella collection with three other Mantle Rock Publishing authors. We all picked an island on the Eastern Seaboard, and that’s where our story will take place! Mine is Pawley’s Island, which is in the same neighborhood as Carolina Dream, Carolina Mercy, and Carolina Grace. You’ll see some familiar characters and places in this story! When that’s done, I have an idea for a new series that will include a brother/sister duo who own a design/build firm!

Where else can readers find you online?

Social Media:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

Website: www.reginaruddmerrick.com
Publisher Website: mantlerockpublishing.com
My Amazon author page

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

What is the book you want to read that hasn’t been written yet?

Good question, in keeping with your Toni Morrison quote above (but readers, we won't demand that you write that book, if you don't want to). Thank you, Regina, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Regina has offered to give away a free copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Regina's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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 title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an 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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

Kay DiBianca and Free Books!

When young Kathryn Frasier finds a mysterious gold watch on a fencepost, she is plunged into a labyrinth of puzzling clues, resulting in a quest to prove her parents’ recent deaths were not an accident.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of The Janus Journals, by H.L. Wegley, is subscriber:

phoneticpanda@...

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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Kay DiBianca, author of the romantic mystery, The Watch on the Fencepost (CrossLink Publishing, February 2019).

Kay DiBianca holds an MS degree in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked in the IT departments of several major corporations, including IBM, International Paper, and FedEx.

An avid runner, Kay can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. She's completed four marathons, fifteen or so half-marathons, and an unknown number of shorter races. Her idea of high fashion is a new pair of Sauconys.

Kay and her husband, Frank, are retired and live in Memphis, Tennessee. They are US representatives of Bridges for Peace, an international Christian organization, whose mission is to serve the people of Israel.

Kay’s first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, received the 2019 Illumination Awards Bronze Medal for General Fiction.

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

I met my husband at a horse barn. (We think that’s the reason we have such a stable marriage. )

And maybe because you have a mutual love for puns, lol.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Watch on the Fencepost.
In a deserted park on a cold winter day, 27-year-old Kathryn Frasier is training for a marathon when she discovers a gold watch on a fencepost. Sensing that it was deliberately left for her to find, she sets out to solve the mystery behind the watch. 

But her orderly life is turned upside-down when it leads her to a dark family secret and a suspicion that her parents' recent deaths may not have been an accident. Thrown into the hunt for a possible killer, Kathryn peels back layer after layer of cryptic clues, and encounters an extraordinary cast of characters, including an actress with a talent for disguises, a politician with a secret of his own, and a handsome businessman who shows a sudden romantic interest in Kathryn.

But is the search for truth worth risking her own life?

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

Many 21st century heroines are alpha females, wielding some serious weaponry while combating the evil enemy. Kathryn Frasier is not one of those. She’s a quiet, intelligent, somewhat nerdy young software developer. However, when presented with a suspicion that her parents’ recent deaths were not accidental as had been reported, all her problem-solving skills kick in, and she is transformed into a tenacious, determined sleuth.

Along the way, she develops a surprising relationship with Phil Warren, a handsome businessman with whom she has had a history of miscommunication.

Please share with us a quote about writing that you find inspiring.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” — Richard Bach

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

I recently read Christy by Catherine Marshall. Even though it was written in the 60’s and is very famous, I had never read it. I was fascinated with the description of the Appalachian highlanders and the young woman who chose to leave a comfortable home to work among them. Christy’s challenges and triumphs in 1912 are as relevant today as they were then, and they can serve as a guidebook for any young woman leaving home to find her way in the world.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a sequel to The Watch on the Fencepost. The new book is titled Dead Man’s Watch where Kathryn will be thrown into another puzzle dilemma.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.kaydibianca.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. People who sign up for my newsletter on www.kaydibianca.com will automatically be entered into my puzzle contests. The prize for the first contest was a $100 Amazon gift card and was awarded in January 2019 to the first person who solved my puzzle. I plan on doing a contest every quarter.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

What is your favorite mystery novel or movie of all time? Why?

Trish, I want to thank you for the opportunity to appear on your blog. Your questions were great. I’ll be heading off to the Mt. Hermon Writers Conference soon. If any of your readers will be there, please look me up!

Thank you, Kay, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Kay has offered to give away a free copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Kay's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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 title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an 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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

H. L. Wegley and Free Books!

What would you do if you discovered the loving father who raised you by himself, after your mother’s death, was a KGB deep-cover plant who immigrated to the U.S. during the Cold War?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of One Door Between Us, by Tom Donnan, is subscriber:

tumcsec@...

Congratulations! I'll email you to get your snail mail address and (assuming you live in the US) 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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist H. L. Wegley, author of the romantic thriller, The Janus Journals (Trinity Press International, February 2019).

H. L. Wegley served as an Air Force Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In civilian life, he worked as a research scientist at a national lab, publishing in the scientific literature, then developed Boeing computing systems for twenty years before he and his wife retired near Seattle where they enjoy grandchildren, the rugged coast in the Olympic National Park and where he crafts his stories.

He is an award-winning author of inspirational thrillers and high-action, romantic-suspense novels.

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

During the Carter and Reagan administrations, I served as a member of the team of atmospheric scientists who managed the meteorological component of the Federal Wind Energy Program. There I represented the United States on an international work group studying the application of wind forecasts to wind-turbine operation and economics. If you Google “H. L. Wegley wind energy,” you’ll find some of my publications. It’s amazing that they’re still around after all these years.

Yes, the Internet is forever! 

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

For recent college graduate, Alisa (Allie) Petrenko, the Cold War never ended. When her father is murdered, he left her with a warning, an assassin on her trail, and his secret history contained in a set of journals.

As Allie tries to elude the assassin and read the journals, she learns that the loving father who raised her was not the man he appeared to be, and the man she must now trust with her life is someone Allie must never trust with her heart.

The Janus Journals, set in Virginia and near Lake Chelan in Washington State, is high-action romantic suspense at its best. The dual timeline will take you on an epic journey through the twilight years of the Cold War that reshaped one man’s destiny while creating deadly tentacles, reaching into the present, threatening an innocent young woman.

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

Allie Petrenko lost her mother to a dread disease when Allie was five. This left her an agnostic with a paralyzing fear of death, thanatophobia. The readers will root for her as she tries to become a fearless young woman who thinks of herself as honorable, lovable, and strong rather than despicable and cowardly.

Grady Jamison’s sister was a passenger in his car when a drunk hit them, killing her. Grady thinks that protecting Allie from the assassin is his chance to redeem himself and end his deep-seated guilt. However, there are a lot more benefits to knowing Allie Petrenko than Grady could possibly realize. But readers will probably discover this long before Grady because, as we all know, guys are clueless.

I love the levity at the end of such a serious plot summary.

Please share with us a quote about writing that you find inspiring.

"A powerful story without a biblical worldview is a great escape to nowhere. A spiritual message without an entertaining story is a sermon, not a novel." — Randy Singer

I’ve taken this to heart and try to write stories in light of Randy Singer’s assertions.

That's such a great reminder. I'm in the middle of writing a novella right now, and this quote inspires me to keep the Lord in mind while my heroine's story unfolds.

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

Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge, she took a movie script, a barebones story, and fleshed it out into a superb novel with three-dimensional characters. It is the job of living actors and actresses to make a script come to life. But few people can do what Rene did with someone else’s story. Heart of the Country is a good teaching/learning tool for authors. If you enjoy audiobooks, the audio version is superb.

Rene's so talented and definitely knows her way around a script.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a story that doesn’t yet have a name, though I’m considering Bold Betrayal as a possible title. Its plot might have been borrowed from news media headlines, depending on which media sources one reads. The story is about a young man who uncovers the impacts of biases in a search-engine company’s algorithms and data presentation. He predicts this company will determine the next president of the United States. And he makes an accusation that the bias is subtle and intentional. But before he can release his report—yeah, bad things happen. This novel will release about May 1, 2019.

Sounds exciting!

Where else can readers find you online?

I am fairly active on Facebook and Twitter. Here are some places readers can find me:

Website: www.hlwegley.com
Amazon
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook author’s page
Many of my readers have friended me and use my FB profile page: Facebook profile

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



I'm going to ask a question for my blog readers and subscribers to answer. When you read Harry's description of his heroine, Allie, and her paralyzing fear, can you bring to mind anyone in your life (even if it's you) who has overcome something seemingly insurmountable in his or her life? Who comes to mind?

Thank you, Harry, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Harry has offered to give away a free copy of his novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to my question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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 title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an 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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE