Lorena McCourtney and Free Books!

Ivy and Mac had planned a honeymoon. Instead, they’re up to their ears in mystery and mayhem as they search a desert ghost town for a missing dead body.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Donna Schlachter's historical mystery novel, Double Jeopardy, is:

jarning67@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you via email, 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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Lorena McCourtney, author of the cozy mystery, Desert Dead (Rogue Ridge Press, October 2019).

Lorena McCourtney has been writing for almost as long as she can remember. She started out using a degree in agriculture to work for a magazine published by a national meat-packing company, but she quickly realized a career writing about raising hogs and making sausage was not for her. She left that for marriage and motherhood, and when she returned, she knew she wanted to write fiction.

She started with short stories for children and teenagers, went on to romance short stories, then romance books. She has finally settled into what she thinks is her real calling: writing mysteries with a foundation of faith – and a dash of fun.

Lorena is married and has one son, Bill, and one granddaughter, Sabrina. Now she also has a great-grandson, Aiden. (Which always brings her the surprise realization that her son is now a grandfather.)

Lorena has lived in southern Oregon for some sixty years now, with occasional travel into the southwest and Baja.

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

I’ve been married to Jim for 46 years – working on 50!

Congratulations. Enduring marriages are certainly something to admire. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Desert Dead.

Seniors Ivy and Mac are in their motorhome, headed for their delayed honeymoon. Baja! Beaches and romance, sunshine and shrimp tacos! But a phone call from an old friend changes their plans. Magnolia has found a dead body. Magnolia has lost a dead body. Magnolia is in a panic.

Ivy and Mac decide a side-trip to a desert ghost town to help their friend won’t take long.

Wrong!

Because in addition to a missing dead body, there’s an old cowboy trying to revive a faded movie career. An ex-model writing the Great American Novel. Her artist boyfriend, disgruntled that his great art doesn’t sell, but his roadrunner paintings do. There’s also a two-million-dollar insurance policy, possible blackmail, and a hungry roadrunner named Harry. Plus a killer determined to put Ivy and Mac into the category of the missing dead.

That sounds like a lot of fun in one novel! 

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

LOL (Little Old Lady) Ivy was dismayed when she first realized she seemed to have aged into invisibility, but she’s decided “invisibility” can be a handy asset when a killer is after you.

Novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) once said, “Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” How does that quote affect you as a writer?

I see ideas everywhere; the problem is turning an idea into a full-blown story.

You're so right. The idea is just the seed, and a lot of work is required to get that seed to blossom fully!

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

Elizabeth Goddard’s Always Look Twice. A great mystery and suspense story from an exceptional author.

What are you working on now?

Book #4 of the Mac ‘n’ Ivy Mysteries series, tentatively titled That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website www.lorenamccourtney.info
Facebook

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



If you would like to read a sample of Desert Dead, you can find it by clicking "Look Inside" HERE

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

If you’re reading romantic suspense, which is more important to you, the romance or the mystery/suspense?

Thank you, Lorena, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Lorena has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her 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.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; 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

Donna Schlachter and Free Books!

Mining, murder, and a mock marriage—what else can go wrong?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Carol Nemeth's romantic suspense novel, Ocean of Fear, is:

mauback55@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you both via email, 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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's meet novelist Donna Schlachter, author of the historical mystery, Double Jeopardy (Smitten Publishing, January 2020).

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network. She facilitates a critique group and teaches writing classes online and in person.

Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

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

I am a Canadian by birth, an American by choice. I am one of the new era of mail order brides – sort of.

I was born Canadian as well, Donna! I was born in Newfoundland and chose my U.S. citizenship at 18. Sometime I'd like to hear your "mail-order bride" story.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Double Jeopardy.

In May of 1880, Becky Campbell leaves her wealthy New York lifestyle in search of her father, only to learn he was murdered in the small town of Silver Valley, Colorado. She determines to fulfill her father’s dream—to make her family's ranch, the Double Jeopardy, profitable.

Zeke Graumann, a local rancher, hires on with this Easterner for two reasons: he can’t turn his back on a damsel in distress. And he needs the money.

Becky isn’t certain Zeke is all he claims to be, and after a series of accidents at her mine, wonders if he isn’t behind it, trying to get her to sell out so he can take over. Can Becky overcome her mistrust of Zeke, find her father’s killer, and turn her mine into a profitable venture? And will Zeke be forced to give up his dream and lose his land in order to win Becky’s heart?

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

Becky Campbell has a strong sense of loyalty to her father, and wants him to succeed—even posthumously. Zeke Graumann might have a rough exterior, but inside, he’s all gentleman.

Novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) once said, “Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” How does that quote affect you as a writer?

This quote validates the innate curiosity I have about people and circumstances. I love eavesdropping on conversations, or making up stories about a person just from where they are or what they’re wearing.

I eavesdrop too, for story and character idea purposes. It's funny the things people say--sometimes you hear things that it seems no author could make up. 

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

Anything by Agatha Christie. She’s my hero. She has a knack for asking questions and making up stories about people that are timeless.

What are you working on now?

Kind of in a hiatus. Catching up on projects wedged in between a December book release then a January release.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com
www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com Receive a free ebook when you sign up for our free newsletter!
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon page and Smashwords
What Can Be Online University
For original oil paintings, book folding art, notecards, and other gift ideas: my Etsy page

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



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

If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would that be, and why?

Thank you, Donna, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Donna has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her 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.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; 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

Carol Nemeth and Free Books!

While Park biologist Ruth Campbell and park policeman Gage Hampton search for the treasure, La Cruz de San Mateo, they’re intent on discovering who’s leaving bodies on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of James Miller's Christian romantic thriller, No Pit So Deep, is:

grandaddya@...

and the winner of the free copy of Joy Massenburge's African American contemporary Christian romance, A Heart Surrendered, is:

simms7588@...

Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you both via email, and we'll get your books right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let me introduce you to novelist Carol Nemeth, author of the romantic suspense novel, Ocean of Fear, Faith in the Parks Book 3 (Winged Publications, March 2019).

A native North Carolinian, Carol has always loved reading since childhood and enjoyed making up stories since junior high school, most based in the places she's lived or traveled to. She worked in the National Park Service as a Park Aid and served in the US Army where she was stationed in Italy and traveled to over thirteen countries while there.

Carol met the love of her life, Mark Nemeth, also an Army veteran, while stationed in Italy. After they married, they lived in various locations, including North Yorkshire, England. They now live in West Virginia, where, in their spare time, they enjoy RVing, researching/sightseeing and are active in their church.

Carol and Mark have a son, Matt, who is active Army and a daughter, Jennifer, her husband Flint, who is active Air Force, and three awesome grandchildren, Martin, Ava, and Gage. Their four-footed kid, Holly, a black Lab, loves traveling in their RV, and when they pack up to go, she’s waiting inside for them to head out.

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

I studied art in college. I had sketched and drawn as well as written stories since I was young and my father encouraged me to take art in college, so I did. Needless to say, the Lord shut that door after my sophomore year.

It never ceases to fascinate me how many authors are artistically inclined in other areas as well. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Ocean of Fear.

National Park Service biologist Ruth Campbell discovers a body on the beach near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Her life shifts out of her comfort zone, but not nearly as much as when the newest park policeman, attractive Gage Hampton, arrives to take her statement. She’s determined to stay as far from him as possible. Scarred by her past, Ruth attempts to avoid young men, but she realizes that avoiding Gage Hampton will be a lot harder than she thought.

Another body washes up with the surf, and Gage is intent on discovering who the killer is. When Ruth’s uncle, Owen Lawrence, arrives searching for a long-lost treasure, both Gage and Ruth find themselves pulled into the search, and things become sinister as the killer grows desperate. They attempt to find the treasure before the killer does, and before he snuffs them out.

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

Ruth Campbell’s past has scarred her, but her faith shores her up. She’s extremely uncomfortable around young men, and she attempts to avoid them at all costs. Readers will wonder why but will sympathize with Ruth. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.

Novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) once said, “Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” How does that quote affect you as a writer?

I see story ideas everywhere, and I often write them down. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough time to write the stories for all the ideas I come up with.

That's excellent, Carol. I have to say, that only happens to me if I'm of that mindset, and then it happens all the time. I found when I started writing consistently that story ideas happened around me all the time! 

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

I highly recommend the novel Warrior by Linda Knadle Rodante. Although it’s a novel, it deals with Christians and spiritual warfare in the world today. It’s relevant to us as Christians and how we need to 1) be aware of and 2) deal with the spiritual warfare that’s happening around us. It’s an excellent book. I just bought the sequel, Roar. I’m looking forward to reading it, and if it’s half as good as Warrior, it’ll be great.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the fourth book in my Faith in the Parks series entitled Glacier of Secrets. The rough draft is finished, and I’m now working on first edits. It’ll be published in early March.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is at jcarolnemeth.com and readers can also sign up for my monthly newsletter there. I can be found on Facebook and my Amazon Author Page is HERE. I love chatting with readers, and they can email me at carol.nemeth.cn@gmail.com. I can also be found at Twitter.

The book can be purchased online vis the following button:



I have first chapters from a few of my books on this page: HERE  Just scroll down until you see Ocean of Fear, Faith in the Parks Book 3. Feel free to check out the first chapters of my other books there as well.

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

What is your favorite type of hero? (Cowboy, lawyer, businessman, fireman, soldier, etc.) Be specific, but name more than one if you have more than one favorite.

Thank you, Carol, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Carol has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her 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.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; 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