More about The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman and another chance to win!

About the book:

How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?

Hope you will read the first page below and then order the book. And leave a comment with email info to be in the drawing for a digital copy. Drawing to be held one week from today on Saturday Oct. 5th.

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance and was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest. Release date is September 30, 2013 from the Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, an ACFW approved publisher. You can request it at your favorite book store or library or go to Amazon here:

On SALE NOW for preorder:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/ 


 

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman

Carole Brown

Chapter One

Twenty years earlier

The shadow creatures on the wall shook their wings and legs. Heads with horns nodded. Scary, dark faces watched.

The little girl clasped her floppy-eared rabbit against her chest and stared into the dark.

“Mmm …” Mommy’s murmur reached to her through the walls, and the giggles from her mother tiptoed in, shooing the fear away.

Whoosh. She blew out a breath and squeezed her rabbit tighter. “Mommy has a friend with her, Ramsey. She loves me just like I love you and will give me hugs in the morning after the man leaves.”

Ramsey said nothing. She ran her fingers over his face and could feel his black button eyes staring at her, trusting her to protect him.

“And she’ll read to us and I’ll sit on her lap and we’ll snuggle—all of us together.” She nodded and tugged on Ramsey’s left ear then rolled over.

Real live whispers and laughter floated into the room.

Opening her mouth in a wide yawn, she patted Ramsey’s tummy and whispered again, “Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”

“Please. That hurts.”

“Mommy?” The little girl frowned but her eyes wouldn’t open. Just like they did when she and mommy put cucumbers slices on their eyes. 

“Stop it—”

             Rubbing at her eyes the little girl sat up. Mommy had never sounded like this before, and neither had any of the men—the men who brought flowers and candy and money.

Guestblog and giveaway by Carole Brown

Happy to have my friend Carole Brown visit again today with an interesting guestblog and a chance to win a digital copy of her new book The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by leaving  a comment on today's blog or tomorrow's post where you can learn more about this book, so be sure to check back tomorrow and to respond and leave an email contact. Drawing to be held one week from tomorrow on Saturday Oct. 5th.

The Weird Stuff Writers Get Into

Writers are weird people. Yeah, that categorizes me too, but that’s okay. Why? Because we enjoy what we do. And that includes some of the things we research about.

When writing The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, Caralynne grows up in a cult so I needed to study about cults. Since I was creating a cult and not using one I’d read/studied/or knew of, I had to give them some specific actions and/or traits that set them apart as an identity. I decided tattoos would fit, but I didn’t want to give the members the liberty of choosing for themselves what kind. I wanted the tattoo to be all the same for everyone and for a reason.

So began my search for the right tattoo. The internet became my primary go-to source although there was a tattoo parlor in my nearby community for use too.

Now before I go any farther, I might add here: I know some who are definitely against tattoos and some who think they are a piece of art. I’m not condemning or approving in getting one. I’ve seen some really ugly ones that I must confess, I wonder where the owner’s brain was when they obtained it. Some really are beautiful: perhaps a small heart or butterfly (check out David Stearman’s book: Hummingbird), a bird or small name.

The things that mattered to me in giving the members of The Children of Righteous Cain a tattoo consisted of:

Ÿ         I needed the size to fit for both men and women

Ÿ         I didn’t want anything too big and ugly

Ÿ         I needed it to be a little scary, but not too much, for the little girl in the first chapter.

Ÿ         It had to be the right size to fit on the choice of places I wanted it to be: outside upper arm for the men and inside wrist for the women

Ÿ         And I had to be satisfied it was the right one.

I brainstormed with critique partners, I searched, talked it over with my husband and went round and round until I was weary with the subject.  I considered:

Ÿ         Creating one which would give me the leverage I wanted to match the story with the tattoo

Ÿ         Having a tattoo-ist create one which I might end up liking or not after I paid or at the least asked the artist to volunteer to create.

In the end I created one in my mind. It was an eye, and the main reason was because of the third item in the above “mattering” series: Scary but not too much so for the little girl.

It was a key factor for the eye-tattoo to play upon the little girl’s emotions. And it worked. Briefly mentioned here and there throughout the story, I still believe the effect it had on the story played emphasized the uniqueness of the cult.

Sometimes writers create settings and characters and events that play powerful roles within a novel. All the little things--like tattoos for The Children of Righteous Cain--build up the reality of your creation and gives your settings and characters and events a little bit more punch than it would have.

Research is vital for excellent writers. I recommend it highly! J

And so will your readers.

 I’ll give away a print copy of my book to the person Rose and I choose who comments about either:

Ÿ         A tattoo you have

Ÿ         The funniest, most beautiful, ugliest, or weirdest tattoo you’ve ever seen

Ÿ         Or why you do or do not have a tattoo.

Have fun!

Carole Brown’s debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, was a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest. Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled across the country. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

I’d love to connect with readers at:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

I also participate on:

Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net

Geezers Gals and Guys: http://geezerguysandgals.blogspot.com/

Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Read about and win a copy of Shannon Vannatter's new book, Arkansas Dreams

Arkansas Weddings: Love’s never easy in three Arkansas romances.

Pastor Grayson loves his wife. The problem is, Sara was killed by a hit-and-run driver two years ago. He knows he needs to move on, but it’s not until florist Adrea Welch arrives at his church that the seeds of healing are planted in his heart.

Laken left home eight years ago and never looked back. Who knew when she applied for the promotion to postmaster that she’d end up in Romance, Arkansas, and much too close to her past—and Hayden Winters?

Shell doesn’t have a good reputation. But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she’s back in town with a job to do. Ryler also has reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don’t include Shell.

But God’s love can soften the hardest heart and overcome the darkest past. These hearts may not know it, but they’re about to change.

To purchase Arkansas Weddings logon to:

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/ARKANSAS-WEDDINGS-Romancing-America-Vannatter/dp/1624162126/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368565868&sr=1-1

BARNES & NOBLE

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arkansas-weddings-shannon-vannatter/1114081989?ean=9781624162121

CHRISTIANBOOK

http://www.christianbook.com/arkansas-weddings-shannon-vannatter/9781624162121/pd/162121?item_code=WW&netp_id=1112303&event=ESRCG&view=details

Interview and giveaway with Shannon Vannatter

I am so happy to host Shannon Vannatter on my blog again. And I know you will enjoy this interview with her fun answers! Come back tomorrow for a look at her new book, Arkansas Weddings, and be sure to leave a comment today and/or tomorrow to be entered in her giveaway of a copy of this book. Winner to be announced in one week, on September 28th.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

Having a pair of heels to match every outfit. I have 48 pair, but I only buy cheap and I keep them until they are totally worn out. The other day, I got a pair of ivory satin heels for $4.00.

What is your favorite kind of music?

This is complicated. For church, I like the old traditional hymns. I love holding the hymnbook and singing songs written hundreds of years ago that I know by heart since childhood.

Outside of church, I like contemporary Christian such as Todd Agnew, Third Day, and Mercy Me.

What is currently your favorite song?

It’s a tie between Martyr’s Song by Todd Agnew. It’s about Jesus welcoming a martyr to Heaven. I can’t listen to it without crying—in a good way.

What’s your favorite animal?

I’m a dog and cat lover, so I have both and can’t really pick which is my favorite. Dogs love unconditionally and cats are so fun to watch. But I do have a cat who thinks he’s a dog. He actually comes when you call him and he cuddles.

As for wild animals, I’ve always thought raccoons were so cute and white tigers are beautiful.

Do you have any form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

If things don’t match, I can’t focus. When I was a kid, my dad was a carpenter. He built me a playhouse and decorated it with left over materials from job sites. The carpet was red, the wallpaper was blue. I’d sit for hours and try to figure out how to make it match.

A few years ago, someone brought two silk trees for our church. One had white striped leaves and one had yellow striped leaves. One was a foot taller than the other. The sat on each side behind the pulpit. I couldn’t focus on the sermon for trying to figure out how to make those trees match. And my husband was the one preaching. I finally moved one of the trees to the back of the church.

As a pastor’s wife, do you play the piano?

No. When my husband first answered the call to preach, every church we visited asked if I played the piano. I wish I did, but I don’t. We recently had a retired pastor and his wife join our church and she doesn’t play the piano either, but she said it was her most often asked question through the years.

What do you think your role is as a pastor’s wife?

I help out wherever needed and am very involved, but I don’t teach Sunday school, head up the ladies’ prayer group, or direct our outreach programs. I am back up Sunday school teacher for a kids class, I attend our ladies’ meetings and do the devotion a couple of times a year, and I’m the craft lady at VBS.

My sole job is to support the pastor, so that’s what I focus on.

What’s it like raising a preacher’s son?

I try really hard to keep church fun, since our son is there more than most kids. But we don’t practically live at the church. We’ve always been careful to say, we get to go to church instead of we have to go to church. We’re there at every service, but if there are extras, we don’t make him go. We have monthly association meetings with the 26 churches in our association. We don’t make him go to that. And when we visit sick members or people in the hospital, we don’t take him.

It amazes me the profound Biblical thoughts he comes up with because he is so churched. My husband asked him who his favorite disciple was a while back. He said—Paul, because he liked the way Paul and Silas sang praises to God and the doors unlocked on the jail and Paul kept the jailor from killing himself.

I didn’t know all that at his age. I was probably in my twenties before I knew that story.

Were you raised in church?

People assume I was, but I wasn’t. My parents moved to Michigan when I was a year old, then Illinois, then Georgia. We moved wherever houses were being built since my dad was a carpenter. In each state, they tried to find a small church like the one they’d grown up in—in rural Arkansas. Church attendance was sporadic and by the time we moved to Georgia, when I was seven, we didn’t go. I had friends that went and I went with them some.

My parents taught me who Jesus was and Biblical principles, but as far as knowing Bible stories or the books of the Bible, I didn’t. When I was twelve, we moved back to rural Arkansas and their home church with twelve members. I didn’t really start studying the Bible until I accepted Christ at fifteen. My parents still go to their small church and there are around thirty members now.

The church my husband pastors is in the next town. We run from seventy to eighty on Sunday morning.

Do you have siblings?

No. I’m an only child. And our son is an only child. He’s the only grandchild my parents will ever have. They live across a hayfield from us and they are lunatics where he’s concerned.

My mom sent me a saying the other day: Most kids are spoiled because you can’t spank Grandma.

So true! But at least she admits it.

Bio: Central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. Vannatter has won the 2011 Inspirational Readers Choice Award in the short contemporary category, The 18^th Annual Heartsong Awards 3rd Favorite New Author and #1 Contemporary Award.

Her books are available at christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, harlequin.com, and barbourbooks.com. Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com and check out her real life romance blog at http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/. Connect with her on Facebook: facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter and Twitter: @stvauthor

Winner and new contest for another Brandilyn Collins book

I am behind again on blogger, but will blame it on getting a request for a full manuscript this past week, so that is where my thoughts and time have been concentrated! The winner of always watching by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins is Judy Cook.

And continuing my Collins giveaway, the winner of this month's comment contest will receive book two in the rayne tour series--last breath. So leave some comments this month along with your email addy to contact you and you might be the chosen one on October 1st! One caveat--only those with US mailing addresses are eligible.

Here's the backcover blurb for last breath: "Shaley is reeling after two murders on the Rayne concert tour. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man's claim is right, the danger is far from over.

Shaley's quest for the truth leads to the mysterious and wrenching past of her mother and father. Could what happened to them so many years ago threaten Shaley's life now?"

If that doesn't make you want to read this book, I don't know what will!

Interview with Valerie Comer, author of Raspberries and Vinegar

Welcome, Valerie. We both have had previous books published by Barbour, and I am happy to welcome you to my site to let others know about your newest book--Raspberries and Vinegar. Thanks for stopping by to let us know more about you and your writing.

Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books? 

I’m not sure I could pick just one favorite book from my childhood (or from now, for that matter!) But there's a book I remember about an inner city child whose apartment looked down on a garbage-filled empty lot. This child motivated the neighborhood to clean it up and create a garden there. Working as a group brought everyone together, plus they had a place to meet and enjoy each other afterward. I cannot for the life of me recall the book's title or author, or, as you can see, the child's gender!

I don't find many books with these themes of recycling and reclaiming poorly utilized space these days. Perhaps it's why I write them?

Kudos to you for writing something not often written about. What is your favorite Scripture?

A passage that means a lot to me is the first chapter of 2nd Peter. Verse 3 reads: "His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God's true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue." The passage goes on to give practical guidelines for living a life so "you will never be ineffective or unproductive in your relationship with our Lord Jesus the Anointed" (v 8).

Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?

Psalm 19:14 (NIV) falls into this category: "May these words of my mouth (hands) and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?

This is a fascinating question because I write about local food, and that can't be separated from its setting. So I think this question must mean what local cuisine would I most like to explore—both in my taste buds and in a story! I'm Canadian, so my answer will be the Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador—sounds like two places but it isn't. I love seafood of any variety, so research would be right up my alley. :D

My husband and had the opportunity to tour the two provinces south of there--Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, last summer and really enjoyed them--the scenery, the ocean, the people, and of course the food!  I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?

I wrote my first novel longhand in 2002, typing a few chapters at a time into the computer. So it was possible for me, at one time, to write without much technology. Frankly I can barely read my own handwriting after a few days have gone by, so it's not a good option for me. At first I had to train myself to think with hands on the keyboard. My other thinking/plotting mechanism is mind mapping on my large whiteboard, also quite low-tech.

I love writing on my laptop, connecting with readers as well as other authors online, and having research at my fingertips. I don't think I'd have enjoyed writing novels nearly as much in the pre-computer days.

As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?

Digging deep into emotions and psyche seemed like a good answer at first, but the biggest stretch is putting myself out in front of people. Like many writers, I'm an introvert, so it's challenging to contact people and ask them if they'd like to buy, read, or review my novel.

In my younger days, I was an extrovert, but now also lean toward introvert. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
 

I struggled for years to figure out where I fit into the plotting/pantsing spectrum. I wish someone had told me most writers fall somewhere in between. I wish I'd learned earlier some of the techniques I could experiment with to find what worked for me. I teach this now through a free writing course (via email) on my website To Write a Story.

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?

Links to purchase Raspberries and Vinegar in paperback and digital versions are available on my publisher's website: Choose NOW Publishing.

Bio

Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their creation-care-centric church. She only hopes her characters enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Valerie writes Farm Lit with the voice of experience laced with humor. Raspberries and Vinegar, first in her series A Farm Fresh Romance, released August 1, 2013. Visit her at http://valeriecomer.com.

A Farm Fresh Romance Series:

A Farm Fresh Romance. This unique farm lit series follows the adventures, romantic and otherwise, of three college graduates who move onto a reclaimed farm where they plan to take the rural area by storm with their sustainable lifestyle and focus on local foods.      

Breaking ground with the Farm Fresh Romance series, RASPBERRIES AND VINEGAR finds Josephine Shaw and her friends renovating a dilapidated farm with their sights set on more than just their own property. Transforming the town with their sustainable lifestyle and focus on local foods is met with more resistance than they expected, especially by temporary neighbor, Zachary Nemesek. Jo needs to learn that a little sweet makes the tart more tasty.

Buy Raspberries and Vinegar:

http://valeriecomer.com/bookshelf/fiction-2/raspberries-vinegar-farm-fresh-romance/

Buy through Choose NOW Publishing: http://www.choosenowpublishing.com/posts/books/raspberries-and-vinegar-farm-fresh-romance/

http://choosenowpublishing.com

Connect at:

·        Website: http://valeriecomer.com

·        Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer.author

·        Twitter: http://twitter.com/valeriecomer http://twitter.com/towritestory

·        Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/valeriecomer

·        Blog: http://valeriecomer.com/blog

·        Writing Blog & Free eCourse: http://towriteastory.com
And be sure to go to:

http://farmlit.com

And the winners are...

Tracy Krauss won Brandilyn Collins' That Dog Won't Hunt and Judy Cook for Shannon Vannatter's Rodeo Regrets. They will both be contacted by the authors.

And if you leave a message anytime the month of July with your email info, you will be entered in the drawing for a paperback copy of always watching by Brandilyn and her daughter Amberly.

Book Review--The Well by Stephanie Landsem

The Well—book review

I read a lot of Biblical era fiction during my high school years at a Christian school. And I still remember a few of the classics like The Robe and The Silver Chalice and Ben Hur. I predict The Well by Stephanie Landsem will become a classic in Biblical fiction. I know it will stay with me a long time. And I can’t wait for her next book.

The story of the Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at the well in Sychar is told mainly through the POV of the daughter of the woman who made her own choices. Those choices lead to dire circumstances and cruel treatment for the daughter and a small son. Although no children are mentioned in the Biblical account, it is a reasonable assumption that she would have had one or more from her many husbands.

The Samaritan woman’s encounter and belief in Jesus have a strong impact on her life and the lives of the daughter and son and so many others in this story, like the rock that sends multiple ripples throughout a pond.

Another one greatly affected is a young man named Shem who doesn’t want to initially believe in Jesus. This book tells of Jesus’ love for all. There is another love story, but it doesn’t have the ending we think we want. Instead we see a much better ending than we could have ever imagined, just like what Jesus wants for us all. Read it and be blessed.

Brandilyn Collins' Interview and Giveaway of New Book--That Dog Won't Hunt

As a fan of Brandilyn's writing, I have reviewed several of her books on my blog, and today I am happy to host her for an interview! And read on to find out how you can win a copy of her latest book, That Dog Won't Hunt.

Welcome, Brandilyn, please tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books? 

As a child I remember reading the Bobbsey Twins books. The first full-length book I read (in second grade) was one of that series. I also loved the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. All of these series had mysteries in the plots. So I guess they were a forerunner of my suspense novels today. The Bobbsey Twins books were more character-centered, however. That would be the forerunner of my contemporary fiction writing.

I also read the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew. Glad you read both genres and are writing again in both genres. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?

My life verse is Psalm 138:8, part of which reads: :The Lord will accomplish what concerns me." That entire Psalm is one that I live by and pray by memory every day.

I love to travel. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?

Well, let's see, I've been to quite a few countries. Haven't visited Australia yet, though. I'd pick that one. Wild and beautiful land.

I would love to visit there if it wasn't for the loooong plane ride! I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?

I don't like technology when it doesn't work. Methinks we all usually love our computers—until they act up. Then we hate 'em. Sometimes I'd love to throw mine in the hot tub.

Wait a minute. I did that with a dead body once …

I remember! I even blogged about it on this blog on June 5, 2008. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?

Oh, goodness, writing itself is a stretch. It's hard. I struggle with every book. Always think I'll never finish the thing, and when I do, it's certain to be The One That Will Ruin My Career.

You are always so helpful to new writers, Brandilyn. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?

Enjoy the period before you're contracted with a traditional publisher and you're learning the craft. If it all gets to be too much then, you can quit. Or take a break for awhile. Once you're contracted, you can't do that. And by the way, getting a contract isn't the end—it's just the beginning. I worked for 10 years to learn fiction before earning a contract. (I didn't have the Internet and all its resources, as we do today.) Once my craft was ready, the contracts came hard and fast. It's a lot to keep up with.

Why are you suddenly writing a contemporary series, when you're known for your Seatbelt Suspense®?

The main first response from readers when they hear about That Dog Won't Hunt is, "What? You wrote a book and didn't kill anybody?" 

Readers who go all the way back with me to my first books will remember that I started out writing in both the contemporary and suspense genres. I wrote the Bradleyville series—a three-generational saga of interconnected family in rural Kentucky. These books were popular and won quite a few awards, especially the second in the series, Color the Sidewalk for Me. When I began writing suspense full time I did miss writing contemporaries. (My readers let me know they missed them too.) Now with the advent of self-publishing I can write these contemporaries again, in between my Seatbelt Suspense®.

I had the idea for the Dearing Family series years ago, but just when I was ready to write them, my publisher wanted me to go into suspense full time. So the books were set aside. Now that I've taken up the idea again, I wanted to write about this boisterous family using plenty of humor. But a light-reading, humorous book isn't enough for me. I also want to tackle a difficult issue amid the humor. That Dog Won't Hunt looks at the fall-out in an adult's life after suffering an abusive childhood. How that past can ruin current relationships, even if those relationships promise to be very good. So into the midst of the crazy Dearing family I bring Christina, who's endured a terrible childhood.

The reviews reflect this mix of humor and poignancy. Readers are soaking in the substance of the book. I'm glad to see that. The best letter I've received so far was from a reader who'd been raised by alcoholic, abusive parents. She said Christina's reactions to being thrust into a big family were exactly what she'd felt in a similar circumstance. She totally related to Christina's character and felt the book would be helpful to many readers.

That Dog Won't Hunt is only $2.99 in ebook form and $9.69 in paper. Please go to my web site for various links to order. If you'd like to sign onto my mailing list in order to be notified of my next releases—suspense and contemporary—please go here.

The second in the Dearing Family series, Pitchin' a Fit, will release in November.

Now for the directions to be entered in the drawing for a digital copy of That Dog Won't Hunt drawing to be held next Monday, July 22nd: to put your name in the hat, leave a comment. If you tweet about the book, or put it on FB,--and link to amazon to buy—your name will be put in the hat again. Here's a sample tweet to get you started--

Check out THAT DOG WON'T HUNT—a humorous and poignant new release from Brandilyn Collins. $2.99/ebook, $9.62 paper. http://is.gd/4fQXKW

Shannon Vannatter, New Office and New Book Giveaway

 

Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom and pastor’s wife. Her debut novel won the 2011 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. When not writing, she runs circles in the care and feeding of her husband, their son, and church congregation. Home is a central Arkansas zoo with two charcoal gray cats, a chocolate lab, and three dachshunds in weenie dog heaven. If given the chance to clean house or write, she’d rather write. Her goal is to hire Alice from the Brady Bunch.

Over the years, my office has moved around a bit. I started with an old wooden desk we bought at a yard sale. It wasn’t pretty, but it was huge. It was in the front corner of our living room with my white wicker furniture.

After my husband answered the call to preach, we converted our den into a joint office for both of us. We painted the walls a dark sage green. He had lots of ships and I had seashells. I put up palm tree border to try to make our styles blend. I didn’t like it. It was too dark for me, but I did enjoy sharing an office with him creating sermons at his desk and me creating fictional characters at mine.

When my husband became a full time pastor, he started doing most of his sermons at the church. He didn’t really need a home office as much as he needed a place he could talk privately with church members seeking his counsel. So, we redid his office with all the dark manly things he likes. He calls it a den again—I call it a man cave. And I moved back into the front corner of our living room. He got me a new white desk for Christmas to go with my wicker. I painted my corner in pastel shades I like, put up seashell border, and cluttered it with gifts, family pictures, and books that inspire me.

 A few things in my office that inspire me: A blue sequin hat just like the one my heroine wears in my November release, Rodeo Queen. A cotton boll. My parents picked cotton when they were growing up. I’m thankful I didn’t. The ballerina that came off my ninth birthday cake. A Noah’s Ark music box statue that was in my son’s nursery. A picture of a seashore my mom got me before I was published. It says: Dreams When you find a dream inside your heart don’t ever let it go. . . for dreams are the tiny seeds from which tomorrows grow. . . I read that poem a lot during the years I was getting rejections. Now it’s a reminder that I achieved my dream. Question of the day: Do you have a talent, hobby, dream or occupation you devote an area of your house to? your house to?

Read below to see what Rodeo Regrets is about, and to be entered in for a chance to win a copy, leave a comment with your email addy by next Sunday evening, July 21st.

Rodeo Regrets: 

NATALIE WENTWORTH'S PAST IS ABOUT TO CATCH UP WITH HER

Natalie once dreamed of finding true love. Then Lane Gray broke her heart. After running wild to fill the emptiness inside her, she heads back to her hometown to heal. But when she sees the cowboy she once loved so much, she finds him hard to resist.
Lane Gray is a changed man. The handsome cowboy wants Natalie's forgiveness-and more. Natalie has made plenty of mistakes in her life, but so has Lane. Could falling for each other again be the worst one yet? Or the path to redemption?

Book Review of That Dog Won't Hunt by Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins is well known for her "seatbelt suspense" fiction, and since I am a member of her Big Honkin' Chickens Club who won't read her suspense books at night if I am alone, I was thrilled to hear she had written another women's fiction novel.

Her first women's fiction--The Bradleyville series--is one of my favorite WF series ever. Although That Dog Won't Hunt is written in a more humorous vein than any of her other books, it still packs an emotional wallop like the rest of her writing.

In this book, we meet the Dearing family members who could be a dream come true for Christina Day when she finds herself engaged to the youngest of their four adult children, Benjamin. IF she can be honest enough to share her past and believe in her future with him. Coming from a dysfunctional household myself, I could well relate to Christina and her doubts and fears about marrying into this family that has its own quirks and imperfections, but that shares its love without exception.

This is also the first book in a series, and I can't wait for the next one to release soon to keep up with the dear Dearing family.


Since I have met the author and some of her family and read Brandilyn's blog for years, I knew a few things in the book were based on things that happened in her family like the hilarious pink bathtub picture. I love that at the end of the book she shares what parts actually happened, and which are partially based on fact, or are pure fiction. If you want to read more of her background, including her journey to publication and her miracle healing from Lyme disease, check out her past blog posts at www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com and also her other books at www.brandilyncollins.com  or www.amazon.com  or www.cbd.com

And I hope you come back to visit my blog next weekend when Brandilyn visits to answer some interview questions and to tell you how you can win a digital copy of That Dog Won't Hunt.

New month, new book giveaway and two winners! Happy Independence Day!

Let's start the 4th of July week off to a bang with two winners and a new giveaway!

Susan J. Reinhardt is the winner of Brandilyn Collins' book Amber Morn, so will receive it as soon as she sends me her mailing addy. And Jennifer Johnson's book winner is Hallee Bridgeman, so Jen will contact her. Congrats and happy reading!

I am continuing my Brandilyn Collins' giveaways with the first book of her "Rayne Tour" series--always watching by Brandilyn and her daughter Amberly Collins. Since this is another book I have not yet read, I will have to share the blurb for right now:

"The daughter of a rock star has it all--until murder crashes her world...During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O'Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens' death connected to her?

Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this?

As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom's killer--before he strikes again."

If you can't wait to read this book to find out the ending, be sure to leave a message (or more than one!) on any blog post this month with your email addy so I can contact you for your mailing info in case you win. US mailing addresses only.

Book Review of The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

I have read and enjoyed several of Gary Smalley's books, both fiction and non-fiction, and all of Dan Walsh's books with great admiration, so looked forward to reading The Dance. I wasn't disappointed! Although this was a review copy given by the publisher, that in no way affected my review.

I love books like this that teach spiritual truths through story, similar to Jesus's parables. We start with a couple who seem to be very successful in life, but not in love/marriage/relationships. I've known guys like Jim Anderson who have no clue how unhappy their wife is until it is too late. And even when she tries to explain, he doesn't understand what she is saying. They aren't speaking the same love language!

Things look pretty dire for this couple until Jim meets a little old lady who used to run a dance studio. By following her dance lessons (something he has always refused to take!) he begins to learn the lessons of love he had forgotten and some he had never known. But it will still take a miracle to unharden his wife's heart after all the years of pain. As we know, God is a God of miracles! What better place for this miracle to begin to take place than at a wedding, where Christ's first miracle began His ministry on earth?

Like all of Dan Walsh's books and the books Gary Smalley co-authored with Karen Kingsbury, while reading this story you will laugh awhile and cry awhile and come away better for it! And the great thing is it's the first of a series of books (The Restoration Series) written by this team!

Book Review of Sauce for the Goose by D. A. Featherling

I just finished and highly recommend a delightful romantic comedy--Sauce for the Goose by D. A. Featherling. Although very contemporary, parts of it it reminded me of some of Shakespeare's plays like "Comedy of Errors" and "Taming of the Shrew" with all the ploys and deceptions the characters try on each other to ferret out information and all the plot twists and turns. Some of them were fun to predict, but I didn't see the last surprise coming until the very end!

We start out with Laurel Edmonds, a single mother with a problem--she doesn't want her son to make the same mistakes she did by marrying an unsuitable mate. That is what leads to all the twists and turns, so I won't give away any more of the plot. But each character, especially Laurel, shows growth in wisdom and in drawing closer to their family.

This would be a fun read for all ages, covering a grandmother, her daughter (Laurel), and the grandson, and all their love interests. The characters learn some humiliating and often hilarious lessons and experience many adventures along the way, but as the Bard says, "All's well that ends well!"

This review copy did not affect my review in any way.

Book Review--Love Finds You in Lake Geneva Wisconsin by Pamela S. Meyers

I have read many of the "Love Finds You..." stories pubbed by Summerside Press, and this is one of my favorites. Set in 1933, the history of that era and the town of Lake Genevea are both woven into the fabric of this story effortlessly.

Meg Alden lives at home and works as a typist at the local newspaper whose owner refuses to give reporting jobs to women. Although she does much of the work of the son of the boss, she still gets passed over for a reporter job right before the owner has emergency surgery.

His replacement seems to have everything going for him--money, good-looks, and he hails from a newspaper family in Chicago. He asks Meg to join him in ferreting out information about trouble brewing in the town, but Meg refuses at first, thinking her own dad may be involved.

Meg needs to learn to trust her earthly father and her Heavenly Father again. And, as the title promises, love will find her in Lake Geneva. A great read! Hope you will order it from any bookstore.

Giveaway and New Winner!

Tiff Stockton is the winner of Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins. This month's giveaway will be the final book in the Kanner Lake series, Amber Morn, also by Brandilyn. Leave a comment with your contact info to be entered in the drawing on July 1st.

Book Review, Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins

I have now completed all four books in the Kanner Lake series, and this one is my favorite of them! Perhaps it is because after reading all the other books in the series, I now feel so connected to all the characters who are threatened in this one, and wanted to keep reading to make sure no one else was going to be shot!

This read was very suspenseful without being gory or giving me nightmares! But it did set my heart to pounding, and I did lose some sleep from staying up so late a couple nights to finish!

If you have read any of the other books, you know the characters often meet at Bailey's Java Joint. This book covers one day at Java Joint, with many of the people who wrote the "Scenes and Beans" blog in the other three books. Only this time none of them are blogging, but all of them are in a life and death situation. I think it would make a great movie!

Kanner Lake and its inhabitants have survived many harrowing events in the other books. Can they survive again? Leave a comment to be entered, or go to Amazon or CBD and order the whole series!

Giveaway and Interviewing one of my best writing buds--Jennifer Johnson!

So happy to highlight Jennifer's newest book Bluegrass Bachelors--a great read, and one of the heroes has the same last name as my hubby! I have read all three stories, and love them all, but Mike McCauley holds a special place in my heart. Must be something about his name! LOL Just leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing for a free copy of this book.

ABOUT JENNIFER JOHNSON


 

Jennifer Johnson and the world’s most supportive husband have been married for over two decades. They’ve been blessed to raise three amazing daughters and recently added a terrific son-in-law to the crew. Jennifer teaches 6th grade writing at her local middle school. She has seventeen published novels and one novella. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys shopping and watching movies with her family, going to dinner with her best friend, and brainstorming slumber parties with her writing buddies. She loves to hear from readers. You can reach her at jenwrites4god@bellsouth.net or www.jenniferjohnsonbooks.com.

Question: What distracts you from writing the easiest?

Hmm…life! I have a husband, who tends to lose things...he’s a terrific guy, though. I love you, Al. I have three daughters. The oldest is newly-married and student teaching. She’s in meltdown mode at least three times a week. My second daughter is just walking drama of disaster. God loves that child and so do I, but whew that girl can wear a momma out. My youngest is a freshman who enjoys being chauffeured from one thing to the other, and who also shares her heart with her mommy quite often. Note: I’m very thankful my girls will talk to me. J

Outside of family, I teach 150 6th graders a day. Now that’s a distraction. J I also tend to like to play Ruzzle, Family Feud, SongPop, and Pics & Words. And I’m a Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, Duck Dynasty, and American Idol junkie. I suppose I’ve been known to get caught up in Good Luck, Charlie- love that mom, Reba, and a few of the other shows my girls suck me into watching. I’m telling you, it’s all their faults. J

Question: What kind of books do you enjoy reading? (Book recommendations very welcome!)

I love reading Christian romance. I will read anything written by Denise Hunter or Deanne Gist. Probably my favorite story by Denise is A Convenient Groom, a story in which the hero depicts Jesus, a man who loves his bride even when she doesn’t love him, and the heroine depicts us, the bride who continually denies him. And I love Deanne’s book Courting Trouble, which tells the story of a woman who discovers the true Love of her life.

As a middle school teacher, I also read a lot of young adult fiction. I admit I love the Twilight and Hunger Games series by Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins respectively. I also fell in love with the book Legend by a new author, Marie Lu. Like the Hunger Games series, the setting is a dystopian society in which the people are ruled by a cruel government.

Question: What makes you smile and/or laugh out loud?

Just about everything makes me smile or laugh.

I love babies…as long as they’re not mine, I’m too old for any surprises…grandbabies are welcome in a few years.

I love a sunshiny day.

I love to laugh at myself when I do something silly at school…it allows my students to see that it’s okay to do something a bit embarrassing and then laugh.

I love to hang out with my husband, my girls, and my friends.

Oh…I know! I can’t help but smile when I see my three big girls (21, 19, and 15) sitting side-by-side on the couch or the pew at church or anywhere- my oldest is married and finishing college two hours away and the middle lives at a dorm thirty minutes away, so it’s usually just my husband and I and the youngest girl hanging out together.

I love when God does something and then shows me. For example, one time I sent a card to a church friend. I just kept feeling the Spirit’s pressure to send her a note about how much I loved her. Well, I mailed that letter and come to find out she received it on her deceased husband’s birthday…the very first birthday she spent without him. I didn’t know it was his birthday. I was just obeying the spirit to uplift a friend. It was very cool, and just made me smile again. J

I love when my girls tell me I’m a total creeper because I smile at everyone. In fact, if you meet me on the street and I’m not smiling, please ask me how I’m doing, because something is definitely wrong!

Question: Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?

Things I do because I dread them:

1) Write proposals- This makes me laugh, but the truth is writing a synopsis is like pulling teeth. Just let me write the story already. J

2) Grade on demand papers- In Kentucky, students write on demand papers. They are exactly as they sound. The students are given a prompt, then they have forty minutes to write a two-to-four page response to the prompt. Okay, maybe I should love digging into their papers, and maybe I would if there weren’t 150 of them to grade each time I assign an on demand. J

3) I hate cleaning. I mean, I do it, because somebody’s got to, but I don’t like it. I’ve been known to start cleaning my house at eight o’clock or later because I’ve put it off the whole day.

4) I’m not a fan of going to the grocery store. This morning my husband was whining because we didn’t have milk. But the grocery always puts a big dent in my pocketbook, so I avoid it at all costs. J

I could probably continue this list, but I’m not sure I want you to know all the things I put off. Unless it’s something I want to do, I’m a habitual procrastinator. Not a very disciplined girl.

Question: Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?

YES! I love to write about God’s faithfulness and mercy, and that He can use us no matter how we’ve sinned and no matter what sins have been done to us. We live in a world that for the most part bows to the wrong master. As a result, we mess up, even after accepting Christ as our Savior, we mess up. And sometimes evil affects us, even when we’re doing nothing wrong.

God-fearing men and women have affairs, get hooked on drugs, steal, lie, cheat…they do things we can’t believe…and we talk about them. Children are abused. People are killed in accidents. Evil abounds. None of us are immune.

Can I give you an answer WHY some of these things are allowed, how a sovereign God would be willing to see those things happen? I can’t. What I can say is that we serve a good God. One who has a plan for our lives, who offers rest and comfort for the weary, who will save us from ourselves and this world, who will use everything that’s happened for GOOD to those who love and trust Him.


ABOUT BLUEGRASS BACHELORS

Friends Nick Martin, Drew Wilson, and Mike McCauley are betting on love—and the last man left single wins.

With Nick’s competitive, determined nature, winning should be easy. After all, he managed to pay off his land debts before her turned thirty—ahead of schedule. But Nick didn’t count on Addy Wilson returning to town. Now, with the risk of losing love, are the stakes too high?

While his friends may succumb to wedding vows, Drew is sure he won’t. And Melody Markwell only confirms his resolve. She’s hard-headed, competitive…too much like himself. So why does Drew suddenly feel that winning her heart is worth losing the bet?

Mike has waited for this moment for years. But now that he finally gets a chance to take the girl he’s been pining over on a date, he’s let down. Then to his annoyance, clumsy Johanna Smith keeps running into him—literally. Is this God’s way of getting his attention?

All bets are off, but will these bluegrass bachelors give in to love?

6 Winning Blogs!

In the spirit of Romans 12:10 I wish to "Honor one another above yourself" by presenting the "Premio-Dardos" Award to the following 6 friends who faithfully share their knowledge in a fun and enjoyable way with their readers.

”Premio dardos” in Spanish means “prize darts”. The Premio-Dardos Award is an award that “acknowledges the values that every Blogger displays in his effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values with each message [he/she writes].” I was most grateful to receive this award and would like to express my thanks once again to MaryAnn Diorio for nominating me for it. I hope you will also check out her very prolific blog at www.maryanndiorio.com/blog

As part of the requirements for receiving the Premio-Dardos Award, the recipient must recommend other blogs deserving of the same reward. So the cycle of honoring others above ourselves will continue with them. No time limit, just spreading the love and honor.

The blogs below have been very helpful to me in various ways, and they are listed in the order they accepted the award. They are all special in their own way, so I hope you will check them out and leave a comment for them.

And if you leave a comment on my blog anytime this month, you will be in the drawing for a copy of Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins, drawing to be held on June 1st.

And the winners are:

www.blog.angelabreidenbach.com by Angela Breidenbach
www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com by Christina Berry

www.cynthialovely.com/blog by Cynthia Lovely

http://jackiesbackporch.blogspot.com by Jackie Layton

http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com/ This Daily Grind by Linda Rondeau

http://amberstockton.blogspot.com by Tiffany Amber Stockton

Book Review--Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Another 5 star book by Kim Vogel Sawyer. And a very "sweet" one to match the title!

This book is set during the final year of WWII. Both the hero and heroine are such good examples of how we should live our lives led by the Lord. They both make sacrifices that could hurt themselves, but do it anyway because it is the right thing to do for someone else.

Dr. Micah Hatcher has a heart for the immigrants of Queens, New York, so moves into a clinic there where he can also be handy to help with "packages" from his brother delivered by ship from overseas. Besides taking care of countless patients, many who cannot afford to pay him in cash, he also adopts a little Jewish girl to raise on his own.

Lydia Eldredge is providing sanctuary for her deceased best friend's young son, and trying to keep his biological father who is a drug addict from getting custody of the boy. Something happens that tears her privileged world apart. Can she believe Micah that God can work good out of even this?

Give yourself the gift of reading this novel which is a romance, but so much more!

Interview with Lisa Lickel and an electronic giveaway of Healing Grace

Healing Grace by Lisa Lickel

Giveaway: any electronic version (Nook, Kindle, html, pdf) of Healing Grace

Welcome back to my blog, Lisa. So glad to hear about your newest novel. Please tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
My mom had this wonderful old, old book called the Star Fairies. It had all kinds of fantastic children’s stories, most of which I can only remember parts of now, but were full of mystical creatures like elves and nymphs, and also animals. It had great illustrations too. As an adult, my favorite book is still Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine. A connection? Although Dandelion Wine is somewhat autobiographical there is still the element of the wondrous about it. A visit with elderly neighbors is a trip in a time machine; a cookbook ruins Grandma’s ability to create amazing meals, and the like. I love walking the line between what is and what could be, which is a lot of what Healing Grace is about.

Sounds very interesting, Lisa. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
Hebrews 10:23. It’s a challenge both personally and professionally to remember what I’m doing – holding fast to the faith I profess – no matter where I am.

I know you recently traveled to Novia Scotia. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
I think I’d like to visit Beatrix Potter’s farm in the Lake District in England. I’m really sure I could find a story there to research.

I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
I agree with a lot of what you wonder. People did it, obviously – write whole books by hand. I enjoy starting out making notes on paper and thinking plot and setting and even some characters, but I can type a lot faster than I can write. What is so scary, and this has happened again recently, is that you can too easily lose great chunks of work if you don’t save it properly, if your computer crashes, or just because.

Alas! I think most every writer I know has lost bits of writing to the computer gremlins! As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
By doing in-person teaching and workshops. It’s good for me, but scary. I love talking shop, though. Can’t ever get enough of that.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
I wish someone had told me that fads come and go, and that everyone has opinions about what works and what doesn’t in your writing. That you should keep at it and keep reading and practicing and soon you’ll feel confident and figure out how to trust yourself.

Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?
Healing Grace was originally published in 2009. There are still a few print versions of this book at online publishers. The book with the lavender cover is the old version – please don’t buy it by mistake. The new Healing Grace has been completely rewritten, re-edited and updated. I had a wonderful team of editors to work with. A print version of this new book will be available later in the year.

ISBN: 978-1-77127-305-3

The book is currently available in electronic format only at online retailers, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, and the publisher’s site.

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=713&category_id=69&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/healing-grace-lisa-j-lickel/1115150561?ean=2940016518732


http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grace-ebook/dp/B00CFA09IQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367454831&sr=8-1&keywords=Healing+Grace+lickel

Author bio: Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives with her husband in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. Surrounded by books and dragons, she writes inspiring fiction. Her novels include the Buried Treasure mystery series (The Last Bequest, The Map Quilt and the upcoming The Newspaper Code) and the Fancy Cat Mystery Meow Mayhem; as well as the award-winning romance, Meander Scar, A Summer in Oakville co-authored with best-selling author Shellie Neumeier and will release in Large Print in August, and Healing Grace. She has penned dozens of feature newspaper stories, short stories, magazine articles and radio theater. She is the editor in chief of Creative Wisconsin magazine and loves to encourage new authors. Lisa also is an avid book reviewer and blogger, a freelance editor, a writing mentor, and blogger. Find her at www.LisaLickel.com.

Healing Grace

By Lisa Lickel

http://tinyurl.com/c5b4ktu

Healing Grace currently on sale at the publisher, MuseItUp

Price: $5.95

$4.76

ISBN 978-1-77127-305-3

Note: Healing Grace was originally published in 2009. There are still a few print versions of this book at online publishers. The book has been completely rewritten, re-edited and updated. The book with the lavender cover is the old version – please don’t buy it by mistake. A print version of this new book will be available later in the year.

Back Cover

Grace has a secret. Just like her aunt, and her grandmother before her, she could fix anyone with a touch, at a cost she never questioned -- until her husband developed cancer and died. Believing no one would forgive her for not being able to save him, Grace runs from the life she knew, hoping even God wouldn’t find her in a little out-of-the-way town in Michigan. It takes a very sick man and his little boy to help her face her past, accept who she is and battle her way back to redemption. Just when she and Ted begin to hope for the future, he relapses. Grace faces the ultimate choice once again: Trust God to work through her precious gift, or let a terminally ill man die. What if the price is more than she can pay?

Discussion guide included!

Lisa loves to visit book clubs.