Fay Lamb's "Stalking Willow & Better Than Revenge" Interview and Book giveaway

Hello Everyone! Please join me in welcoming Fay Lamb to my blog once again. She going to visit with us this week and share a little about herself and both of her books in the Amazing Grace series. "Stalking Willow & Better Than Revenge." And BOTH books goes to one winner!!

Congratulations goes to... KAYM

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a lifelong resident of a small town on the East Coast of Florida. Titusville is best known for the Kennedy Space Center. My husband and I are two of those rare individuals that can claim we are native Floridians. We have both lived in this town all of our lives. Both of our grandmothers were born in this town as well.
I’m a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. I also served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. I had to give up the moderation last year around this time to concentrate on my writing career, but I one of my joys in life is working with authors. I miss my Scribes’ friends, and I have every intention of getting back to work there as soon as I can.
                                                                                             

 Why do you write the kind of books you do?
This was asked of me in a previous interview for another story, and my answer then hasn’t changed, but there can be one answer to a question. Today, let me just say that I write the kind of books I do because I feel that the Lord has always been directing my path to write for Him. By His grace He has protected me from writing work that would not bring glory to His name. What I mean by that is that before I began to follow his leading, I would write stories that weren’t God-honoring or God-centered. They were just stories. I cannot think of any better reason to write than the fact that God created me to write. Of this I’m absolutely sure. Now, how many He intends to be reached with my stories—that’s entirely up to Him. I heeded the call. I’ve studied the craft, and I leave the outcome in His hands, which are must more capable than mine.

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?            
I have two hobbies I feel are a bit unique. I tat—you know—tatted lace. I cannot crochet or knit. I couldn’t sew on a button to save my life, but I can use a ball of thread and a teeny little tatting shuttle and create beautiful little motifs by practicing an art that has almost vanished today.
     I also collect salt and pepper shakers. I got the love for the different types of shakers from my grandmother. I believe the count is currently at 500 and climbing. Yet, I use a Morton Salt box and a McCormick’s pepper tin for our meals—something that was pointed out to me by my mother-in-law during a big family dinner.
    As an aside, I’m also in love with music. Progress, alternative and mostly indie music are favorite.                                                                                                      

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Definitely. I can’t imagine life without writing. Writing is the way that I deal with life’s difficulties. It’s the greatest distress formula in the world. I was writing stories on the wall of my brain even before I could write them on paper.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?
I love this question. I have a lot of answers. Let me just say that studying the craft is a necessity in the art of fiction. A musician cannot sit down and play a difficult piece of music without practice. Yet, some writers believe they can create masterful prose without so much as practicing the art of storytelling. That simply can’t be done..

What book are you currently working on?

I’m working on the third book in my The Ties that Bind Series. That book is Hope, and it will follow Charisse and Liberty.

Please tell us a little about your books in the Amazing Grace series.

Stalking Willow was released in May of this year. The second story in this series, which is romantic suspense and set in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is entitled Better than Revenge, which is actually a rerelease of my first novel, Because of Me. My first publisher is no longer in business, and my current publisher contracted it. Better than Revenge has what I think of as the “extra” like you’d seen in a DVD of a movie. The extra with Better than Revenge is a closer look at one of the antagonist and learning just how devious the old biddy really was.

Here’s a little about each novel:

Stalking Willow: Bitterness, a stalker, and a neighbor to die for. What's a girl to do? Trailed by a stalker in New York City, Willow Thomas, a young ad executive, scurries back to her small North Carolina hometown and the lake house where ten years earlier a scandal revealed her entire life had been a lie, and a seed of bitterness took root in her soul. The cocoon of safety Willow feels upon her arrival home soon unravels when she meets opposition from her and the stalker reveals he is close on her heels.
Can Willow learn to trust God to tear out her roots of resentment, reunite her family, ferret out a deadly stalker, and to rekindle the love she left behind?

Better than Revenge:
Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.
Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.
Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I truly hope your readers will connect with me online. My website is www.faylamb.com. There you’ll see my blog Inner Source, which provides writers the opportunity to write about the issues God brought to them in the writing of their novels and books.

I’m also The Tactical Editor on Facebook. I offer daily editing advice and writing how-tos Monday through Friday at www.facebook.com/TacticalEd. And I love to connect personally with friends on my page: www.facebook.com/fay.lamb. This is where I have lots of fun.

I use Twitter for a lot of promo, and sometimes I try to slip something funny into a post, and I can be found there at www.twitter.com/FayLamb.

Thanks so much, Fay!
Drawing will be held September 28

Emma Right "Keeper of Reign" interview & book giveaway

Hey All! Please join me in welcoming Emma Right to my blog. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her book "Keeper of Reign"

Tell us a little about yourself.

Right after college and before I had kids I worked in advertising writing print and Tv ads. Some of my ads actually won awards. I don't even know where I kept those dust collectors! But that was ages ago. Now I live in the Pacific West, and have five children, ages nine to nineteen. I have four at home now whom I homeschool. It gets really hectic at our home. We also have many pets, so something is always happening. If it wasn't for the Lord I wonder how I ever get anything accomplished! He is my constant source of strength and hope.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I like the Young Adult and Middle Grade Age range. Maybe it's because I've done so many read-aloud with my kids throughout our seventeen years of homeschooling. I remember I sometimes read to them till I was hoarse. As for genre, I enjoy anything from mysteries to fantasy to thrillers to historical sagas. I like to write stories with a subtle message.
                                                                                                   

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

When I have time, I like to go for walks, bike, go horse back riding, exercise, read all sorts of books sitting on my rocking chair, drink coffee, watch movies, ahh…so many thing I'd love to do, but alas, there are not enough hours in a day.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I've always like to tell stories even as a young girl of eight. I  remember how my neighbor friends would sit around by our front porch and keep pestering me to tell them one tale after another. I also recall being sometimes annoyed by this--I mean how was a girl going to think up all the stories if she had to keep spewing these out each time she had any moment away from school work, right? As for writing, I joined an ad agency after college and was posted to the copywriting department where I had to write print ads, radio and even some 30 second TV blurbs. It was fun and I even won a few awards.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

Write a million words, then, read, read, read, and write a great story that's been trying to bust out of you. Read as many books as you can on crafting great fiction that deals with all the elements of a great book. Writer's Digest has plenty and I practically spent thousands of dollars trying to educate myself and soak in as much  as I could when I had to re-revise Keeper of Reign--about 17 times.
And never give up on your dream no matter how many problems life throws at you! If a person is called to write she will know this in her bones, even if it's something she has been pushing aside due to life's commitments. Don't give up. You'll eventually get published if you keep trying.

What book are you currently working on?

I am finishing up preparing my marketing strategy for Dead Dreams, a young adult psychological thriller mystery--putting the marketing plan together is hard.
Also, I am writing Keeper of Reign Book 2 which hopefully can be out Spring of 2014.
No precise title for that Book 2 yet.

Please tell us a little about your book..

Keeper of Reign is an allegorical fantasy, a story of struggles set in a fantastical setting in the Kingdom of Reign. One of the things that helped me to hone in on the theme for Keeper of Reign is the song from Switchfoot. When I first heard their song , "Meant to Live" (for so much more) it got me thinking about how far short so many of us fall from our true potential. The trials and troubles of this world reduce us, and, at least for me, it feels that our troubled world is so big. This is just like how it was for the Elfies living in the Kingdom of Reign.
How can readers find you on the Internet?

Connect with Emma Right
        http://www.emmaright.com/Home.aspx
        Blog: http://www.emmaright.com/Blog.aspx
        https://www.facebook.com/emma.right.author
        https://www.facebook.com/KeeperOfReign
        https://plus.google.com/u/0/111644513292318573575/posts

        http://pinterest.com/emmaright/
        https://twitter.com/emmbeliever

 Thank you so much, Emma!!

Drawing will be held, September 21

Tara Randel's "Orange Blossom Brides" interview & book giveaway

Hello, All! Please join me in welcoming Tara Randel to my blog. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her book "Orange Blossom Brides."

It's time to announce the winner. Congratulations goes to . . .  MARY L. BALL

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve been writing for many years and finally got published in 2000. In between projects, I helped my husband with our business and raised our two daughters. I still work for the business, but have concentrated more on my writing career. I’ve had seven books published, including my new Harlequin Heartwarming release and have an upcoming release next year for the Quilts of Love series by Abingdon Press. I also just picked up another contract with Harlequin to continue in the Heartwarming line.

                                                                                                      

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write wholesome romance. The type of love story that can be read by young adults all the way up to grandmothers. The love story is always the focal point, the attraction between the hero and heroine that is the readers journey. I believe love is the greatest gift of all. I couldn’t imagine writing any other type of story.                                                                                      

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

I love to read. My husband thinks it’s funny that I can spend the day on the computer working on my WIP, then relax at night with a good book. My TBR pile is huge, so I have no choice but to keep reading. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Not really. LOL. When I was in high school, I didn’t like creative writing and when it came time for college I went to school to be a dental hygienist. Since I’ve always been an avid reader, I jumped at the chance to try writing when a co-worker expressed an interest in working on a story idea together  many, many years ago. I took her up on it and although that first story is still hidden away in my closet, I couldn’t ignore the story ideas that would pop into my head so I kept learning the craft and years later became published.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

Learn the craft of writing. All the focus on publicity and getting your name out there is great, but if you don’t learn the basics you never evolve as a writer. I still attend workshops and read books about craft. There are certain books I pull out every time I start a new project to help me get into the zone.

What book are you currently working on?

I just received the okay from Harlequin to start work on the proposals they’d been considering. My current Heartwarming is set in a small town in Florida. The other books will also take place there. I love small town settings and bumping into characters from previous books. I’m nosy, so I like to find out what they’ve been up to. Writing for Heartwarming allows me to create new characters while catching up with others. I’m having a blast.

Please tell us a little about your book.

In my August Heartwarming release, Orange Blossom Brides, Lilli Barclay needs a groom—and she needs one now.  Not for herself, of course, but for her mother's glamorous wedding-themed benefit. Then Lilli can get back to what really matters, earning a promotion at work. Just her luck that Max Sanders, the ideal candidate, still holds a grudge against her for an incident that happened twelve years ago.

Persuading Max to volunteer will take longer than Lilli thought. Much longer. And the more time she spends with him, the further she ventures down Memory Lane. Pretty soon Lilli can't help wondering if Max could be more than a pretend groom. He still makes her heart race. But will he ever be able to forgive the past and consider a future…with her?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

There are a few ways to find me. For the list of  my previous books, notices about upcoming releases and current news, please visit http://www.tararandel.com/

 I blog at http://tararandel.blogspot.com/, http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/, and http://christiansread.wordpress.com/. Come visit!

As always, if you mention in with your comment that you're a new or old follower your name will be added a second time to the drawing!

Drawing will be held, September 7

Fay Lamb's "Charisse" interview & book giveaway

Hello All! Please join me in welcoming Fay Lamb to my blog. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her book Charisse.

Now it's time to announce the winner . . . 

DEBORAH M.

Tell us a little about yourself.
Well, I’m a lifelong resident of a small town on the East Coast of Florida. Titusville is best known for the Kennedy Space Center. I also have a passion for two other places: Cedar Key, Florida, and the mountains of Western North Carolina.

I’m a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. I also served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. I had to give up the moderation last year around this time to concentrate on my writing career, but I one of my joys in life is working with authors. I miss my Scribes’ friends, and I have every intention of getting back to work there as soon as I can.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

 I love to write stories about characters who struggle with real life issues. I also believe that storytelling is the best way to reach a person who isn’t open to hearing the Gospel or even Christians who haven’t realized that the answer to all of their problems is Christ. When they read my novels, I hope they recognize themselves in the pages and when they see that a character can overcome some tough situations—some even caused by their own bad decisions—I pray that they will find the courage to reach out and speak to the One who can help them overcome as well.

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
I love music, which is strange since I can’t carry a tune. If I sang for a camera, it would go viral because it would make people laugh. But I look for different talent, mostly indie musicians who have the nerve to create some awesome tunes outside the larger industry. Often, the ones I choose end up making a name for themselves. So while I might not be able to carry a tune, I think I have an ear for talent. Oh, and I also tat and collect salt and pepper shakers.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?                                                                                                        That would be an unequivocal and resounding yes. I had a somewhat difficult childhood. No boohoo story or anything like that, but my sister is thirteen years older than I am. She married when I was seven, so it was like being an only child. My mother worked long and hard hours, and often I sat in a car outside her workplace. I entertained myself by telling stories. When I was very little, I staged plays with the neighborhood kids in our backyards. The plays were from stories I’d thought up. By some unusual circumstances, I entered the first grade when I was a very young five-year-old. I’d known how to write, but that tablet with the bold lines and the dashes where we learned to put words on paper because magical for me. A writer was born.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?
I believe I have as many answers for this question as the number of times it has been asked. Always, always, I want to tell writers, “Never give up.” But now, let me put it a different way. Don’t allow anyone to steal your dreams—including yourself. Part of being a writer is about learning to take critique. I can tell you that an author—no matter how well they write—is unable to judge his or her own writing objectively. Critique is necessary. Learn to accept criticism, but also learn to dismiss criticism. It reminds me of the Serenity Prayer. Maybe we can reword it a bit: “Lord grant me the serenity to realize that others might have a valid opinion about my work, the courage to change my work when necessary, and the wisdom to know when my work is just fine.” A little lame, but you can see what I mean. Sometimes writers are so stubborn about their prose, or they allow someone’s opinion to hurt their feelings, and they refuse to move forward. If they do so, for all intents and purposes (I’ve been wanting to write that phrase all evening for some reason), they are stealing their own dreams from themselves.

What book are you currently working on?                                                                                         Actually, I’m on a hiatus from novel writing, but only until September 1 when I plan to have my bottom firmly planted in a chair and working on the next novel in my The Ties that Bind Series. That novel is entitled Hope, which is the third book in that series. I have been writing, but it has been the development of workshops I have taught or will teach this month. Each are about the craft of storytelling.

Please tell us a little about your book.                                                                                                        Charisse is the first novel in the series I mentioned above.

He wants a family. She wants retribution.
     Charisse Wellman’s husband has been gone a year, and she’s about to lose the only home her son, V.J., has ever known. She’s quit law school but the money just isn’t there. Her only option is to work as a law clerk for her ex-friend, Gideon Tabor. The only problem: Gideon is the judge who let her husband’s killer go free, and Gideon doesn’t know the connection.
Gideon Tabor can’t believe that the woman interviewing for the job is the girl he loved in high school. Charisse is hesitant about accepting his job offer, and when she does, Gideon makes every attempt to apologize for his relationship-ending blunder in high school. Charisse accepts his apology, but she keeps him at a distance. When Gideon learns that Charisse’s anger actually stems from his release of the man who ran down her husband, he tries to explain, but Charisse doesn’t want Gideon’s excuses or the love he has to offer. She wants her husband’s killer to pay.

    This novel and the three that will follow are set closer to home than most of my novels. In fact, Charisse grew up in my hometown of Titusville, Florida. We both graduated from the same high school. She even loves the same drive-in restaurant I frequent on a daily basis.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with new friends. My website is www.faylamb.com. There you’ll see my blog Inner Source, which provides writers the opportunity to write about the issues God brought to them in the writing of their novels and books.

I’m also The Tactical Editor on Facebook. I offer daily editing advice and writing how-tos Monday through Friday at www.facebook.com/TacticalEd. And I love to connect personally with friends on my page: www.facebook.com/fay.lamb. This is where I have lots of fun.

I use Twitter for a lot of promo, and sometimes I try to slip something funny into a post, and I can be found there at www.twitter.com/FayLamb.

I hope your readers will look me up.

As always, if you mention in with your comment you're a new or old follower, your name will be added to the drawing twice.

Drawing will be held August 31

J.M. Downey's "A Time to Say Goodbye" interview & book giveaway

Hello, All! Please join me in welcoming J.M. Downey (Josie) to my blog. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her book, "A Time To Say Goodbye."
It's that time again, congrats goes to . . . 
CINDY W.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Besides my faith, husband and six-year-old daughter writing is my life. I have a Master’s degree in literature and have taught English at three small community colleges. I have also worked as a community affairs writer for two newspapers.  Currently I work with a test scoring firm, where I grade and evaluate the effectiveness of state sanctioned writing tests from throughout the country.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?                                                            

I really don’t know. Stories just appear in my mind, I fall in love with them and then start writing.

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?  

My favorite guilty pleasure is video games. I play them more than my husband and my daughter combined. Whenever I get burnt out on reading and writing, I put in one of my favorite games, Super Mario’s Galaxy or Kirby and defeat the foes. I’m from the Nintendo generation of the 80s. I also love traveling, creating new recipes in the kitchen and of course reading.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes. Ever since I was a little girl, I would write stories. I wrote my first novel when I was 17. Twenty drafts later that novel became A time to Say Goodbye. Throughout the years, I would float between different dreams, but I always came back to writing.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

Don’t rush it. Learning to write takes years. I’m embarrassed to think about the drafts, I sent to agents and publishers before they were ready.

What book are you currently working on?

I am in the editing stages of a novella called Bonds of Tradition. The story is about a young woman raised in the US by parents from a former Eastern European bloc country. The story chronicles her struggles to adapt to an unfamiliar culture when her father forcibly brings her back to their home country and the young prince that falls in love with her.  I plan to release the novel in October.

Please tell us a little about your book.

A Time to Say Goodbye is the first book I ever wrote. Its back cover description sums things up best.

Cotton plantation daughter, May Lynn Whitley sees nothing wrong with owning others. After all how would they fend for themselves if it wasn't for gracious people like her family? But a handsome young preacher’s probing words and mesmerizing blue eyes unlock a new sense of justice and lead her on a journey that will change her life and soul. But she is betrothed and May Lynn’s controlling fiance’ will do anything to make sure they wed. Anything including destroying all that she holds dear. Set in Antebellum America, May Lynn’s adventure spans the Eastern Seaboard as she joins a movement she once scorned.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

A Time to Say Goodbye

http://amzn.to/12HEv6e
https://www.facebook.com/J.M.Downeysouthernrosepress

http://jmdowneysouthernrosepress.weebly.com/index.html

Thanks so much, Josie, for taking to time to visit with us!

As always, if you mention in with your comment, you're a new or old follower, your name will be added a second time to the drawing.

Drawing will be held August, 24

Debby Mayne's "Pretty Is As Pretty Does" Interview and book giveaway.

Hello, All! Please join me in welcoming my dear friend Debby Mayne to my blog. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her wonderful book, "Pretty Is As Pretty Does." (Class Reunion Series)

First of all, I'd like to say, "Thanks" for all of your comments.  Now, it's time to announce the winner of Debby's book. Congratulations goes to . . .

LIBRARY LADY

Tell us a little about yourself. 
        
I grew up in an Air Force family, so I’ve lived all over the place. I was born in Alaska and lived in Mississippi, Oregon, Japan, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Florida. After I graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, I moved back to Florida where I met my husband Wally. We have two daughters, Alison and Lauren, two sons-in-law, Jason and Ryan, and two granddaughters, Emma and Sophia.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write the types of books I enjoy reading – light, breezy romances, quirky mysteries, and women’s fiction about Christian characters with tons of personality. I like to feel all the emotions – joy, humor, sadness, and angst – of the characters who are as imperfect as I am.

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?                                            

I love anything to do with food, fitness, and fashion. I try to eat a healthy, gluten-free diet and work out almost every day. I read fashion magazines and find ways to make the styles I like appropriate for my age and body type.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always been a reader, and I’ve always enjoyed writing nonfiction. But the desire to become a fiction writer didn’t happen until my husband challenged me to write what I read after he nearly tripped over all the library books I’d checked out. I took the challenge, and five years later, I sold my first book.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

Read the types of books you want to write and analyze what makes them successful. If you can afford to attend at least one writer’s conference every year, go and soak everything up. Make friends with other writers who will understand what you are going through and listen to what the editors are looking for.

What book are you currently working on?

I’m working on Missing Dixie, the first book of three books in the Uptown Belles series for Charisma House. These are contemporary, fish-out-of-water romances, all with heroines who move from the South to New York City.

Please tell us a little about “Pretty Is As Pretty Does.”

Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren’t exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: DebbyMayne.com
Blog: DebbyMayne.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebbyMayneAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/DebbyMayne

(As always, if you mention you're an old or new following in with your comment, your name will be add a second time to the drawing.)

Drawing will be held June, 8